Welcome to a surprise Episode 23 of The Morning After! Host Jared Smith breaks his own vacation to deliver one of the most important (and entertaining) pivots for the show yet.

In this episode, you’ll get:

- A behind-the-scenes recap of Jared's Florida vacation: fun family stories, fasting on a first-class flight, and a wild airport fan encounter!

- Candid reactions to NBA All-Star Weekend: Why the 3-point contest still shines, how the dunk contest can be saved (hello, Giannis and Ja!), and a surprising take on the All-Star Game itself.

- Hot takes on the latest college football chaos: The Trinidad Chambliss eligibility saga, the impact of courts on NCAA rules, and a breakdown of Senator Eric Schmitt's new blueprint to save college sports.

- Real talk on conference realignment: Sacramento State to the MAC? What does that mean for college football, budgets, and fans?

- College hoops chatter: The sudden firing at Kansas State, why the Big 12 is SO tough this year, and actionable betting advice for the week ahead.

- Spiritual wisdom and show updates: What the Lunar New Year means for you, and how you can get even more content—Patreon picks, Substack insights, and more.

If you love sports, betting, behind-the-scenes stories, and a little bit of life wisdom, this episode is for you.

Make sure to subscribe, hit the like button, and join The Morning After community for more weekly sports talk, sharp analysis, and some much-needed positive energy in 2026!

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00:00 – Intro: Surprise episode, vacation story, and episode rundown

02:27 – Family trip recap & getting recognized in Florida

06:04 – Why the show is pivoting: More topical, less football-centric

08:30 – NBA All-Star Weekend Recap: 3-Point Contest & Dunk Contest Analysis

13:34 – NBA All-Star Game Reaction: Format, surprises, and standout performances

16:35 – College Football Updates: Trinidad Chambliss eligibility ruling and NIL/transfer news

18:08 – Senator Schmidt’s Blueprint for College Sports: Main pillars explained

22:08 – Sacramento State joins the MAC & thoughts on conference realignment

24:00 – College Basketball Coaching Fallout: Jerome Tang fired at Kansas State

27:01 – Betting Philosophy for College Basketball & Conference Strengths

31:03 – Monday CBB Picks: Houston-Iowa State under preview

33:05 – Patreon, Substack, and Supporting the Show: Get picks & offseason NFL content

36:35 – Lunar New Year Talk: Year of the Snake into Year of the Fire Horse

38:55 – Closing Thoughts & Outro