Around The Waves

SPORTS SATURDAY! Luca Vitale and Ryan Waelterman welcome Wilson Truong onto the show. The crew runs through the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In the 54th episode of Around The Waves on KCOU 88.1 FM, Luca Vitale, Ben Schmidt, and Ryan Waelterman welcome Justin Craft onto the show. The crew begins the show with the "Take A Swing" segment, where they discuss how Mizzou baseball gets back to their winning ways amid a four-game losing streak heading into the weekend. The Tigers were stunned by in-state rival Missouri State on Tuesday night with a three-run ninth inning that led the Bears to a 3-2 victory over the Tigers. Moreover, the crew debates if No. 25 Mizzou softball has turned a corner with their recent success, following a sweep against Kentucky last weekend and finding themselves back in the Top 25 rankings. Around The Waves transitions to the NHL where Ryan and Luca debate the most underappreciated player and the Hart Trophy winner. The crew then transitions to the NBA with "Ben's Basketball Brief" where Ben discusses the significance of the Phoenix Suns eliminating the New Orleans Pelicans in six games despite not having Devin Booker for half of the series. Lastly, the crew then transitions to the NFL where they discuss the most surprising NFL Draft selection from the first round. Next week we'll invite our next guest(s) to the show, so stay tuned!

In the 53rd episode of Around The Waves on KCOU 88.1 FM, Luca Vitale, Ben Schmidt, and Ryan Waelterman begin the show with the "Take A Swing" segment, where they debate if Mizzou baseball should be ranked with their recent success. The Tigers have hit 10 games over .500 for the season with a victory over in-state rival Missouri State 6-5 on Wednesday night. The Tigers concluded a five-game homestand with a 4-1 record, including an SEC series victory over Kentucky. However, Missouri couldn’t start their road trip on the right foot with a 5-3 loss to No. 22 LSU in the series opener. Moreover, the crew debates Mizzou softball's biggest hurdle they need to overcome in order to jump back into the top 25 rankings. Around the Waves transitions to the NHL where Ryan and Luca debate the main ingredient the St. Louis Blues need to have playoff success this postseason. The crew then transitions to the NBA with "Ben's Basketball Brief" where Ben discusses which NBA Eastern Conference squad has the best chance to come out of the east. Next, Ryan and Ben provide an MLB American League East outlook with two weeks of the season in the rearview window. Lastly, the crew then transitions to the NFL where they debate which team Deebo Samuel would be traded to if the San Francisco 49ers were in fact to trade the wide receiver. Next week we'll invite our next guest(s) to the show, so stay tuned!

In the 52nd episode of Around The Waves on KCOU 88.1 FM, Luca Vitale, Ben Schmidt, and Ryan Waelterman welcome baseball aficionado Adam Runge onto the show. The crew begins the show with the "Take A Swing" segment, where they debate the bigger story this spring — Mizzou baseball's success or Mizzou softball's struggles. The Missouri softball team opened the season ranked No. 8 in the nation thanks to their Cinderella-like run to the College World Series last season. However, the Tigers currently sit at No. 24 with a sub .500 conference record. The Tigers take on Mississippi State for a three-game series beginning tonight. The first pitch is set for 6:00 CST. The Missouri baseball team finished last season with 15 total wins. Fast forward to this season — the Tigers have jumped out to an 18-8 overall record. They stole a game against No. 2 Arkansas in late March in a hard-fought three-game series. The baseball team hits the road for a three-game set against No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers tonight. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:30 CST. The crew then transitions to the NBA with "Ben's Basketball Brief" where Ben discusses which NBA play-in tournament team has the best chance of winning a playoff series. Following the NBA segment,  Around The Waves transitions to the NHL where the crew debates which NHL playoff-caliber team has the most to prove come playoff time and which team is more likely to get the Western Conference 8th seed: the Vegas Golden Knights or the Dallas Stars. Lastly, the crew then transitions to the MLB where they provide an outlook on the NL Central and debate which NL squad can compete with the Dodgers this season. Next week we'll invite our next guest(s) to the show, so stay tuned!

In the 51st episode of Around The Waves on KCOU 88.1 FM, Luca Vitale, and Ben Schmidt begin the day with the "Take A Swing" segment, where they discuss if the Missouri baseball team is for real, given their 12-2 start. Missouri heads to No. 4 Vanderbilt for the opening weekend of SEC action. Vanderbilt swept Missouri in a weekend series in 2021. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 CST. Furthermore, the crew debates what it will take for Mizzou softball to defeat (12) Northwestern tomorrow in the Mizzou classic. (18) Missouri Softball swept Illinois on Wednesday, following a disappointing outing against Tennessee the week before. The crew then transitions to the NHL where both Ryan and Luca debate if the Colorado Avalanche should be the favorites in the Western Conference, where Claude Giroux will land come Monday's trade deadline, and which items will be more and/or less active at the tradeline than originally anticipated. Following the NHL segment, Around The Waves transitions to the NBA with "Ben's Basketball Brief" where Ben discusses how Golden State Warriors star play Stephen Curry's injury impacts the team down the stretch. Lastly, the crew then transitions to the NFL where they debate which team will win the AFC West and who looks worse: Baker Mayfield or Cleveland, following Cleveland's interest in Deshaun Watson. Next week we'll invite our next guest(s) to the show, so stay tuned!

In the 50th episode of Around The Waves on KCOU 88.1 FM, Luca Vitale, Ben Schmidt, and Ryan Waelterman begin the day with the "Take A Swing" segment, where they discuss if the Missouri baseball team is legit, following an eighth-inning collapse against Gonzaga on Wednesday afternoon. Relievers Tony Neubeck and Ian Lohse gave up a combined 5 runs in that contest. The Tigers head out west to battle San Francisco University on Saturday at 2:00 CST. Furthermore, the crew debates if the Mizzou softball team can compete with the best in the country. (8) Missouri Softball opens SEC play tomorrow with a doubleheader at home against (18) Tennessee. The Tigers are coming off a 4-0 weekend, downing Bradley and St. Thomas with a perfect game pitched by Laurin Krings with 12 punchouts. The crew then transitions to the NBA with "Ben's Basketball Brief" where Ben gives his top five NBA teams. Ben also discusses if the Brooklyn Nets can win a playoff series. Following the NBA segment, Around The Waves transitions to the NHL where both Ryan and Luca debate the main additions the St. Louis Blues need to pursue at the trade deadline to make a run at the Stanley Cup and their ceiling come playoff time. Lastly, the crew then transitions to the NFL where they debate if the Denver Broncos are Super Bowl threats with Russell Wilson at the helm next season. Next week we'll invite our next guest(s) to the show, so stay tuned!

In the 49th episode of Around The Waves on KCOU 88.1 FM, Luca Vitale, Ben Schmidt, and Ryan Waelterman begin the day with the "Nothing But Net" segment, where they discuss if the Missouri men's basketball team can snap their six-game losing streak against the Georgia Bulldogs tomorrow, to end their regular season on a high note. Furthermore, the crew debates if the Mizzou women's basketball team can make the NCAA tournament. Despite starting the season 10-0, the nation's only win over No. 1 South Carolina, and knocking off nationally-ranked Florida in the final game of the regular season, the Tigers are in jeopardy of missing the NCAA tournament. The crew then transitions to the NFL where they debate who will be the Denver Broncos starting quarterback in week 1 of next season. Following the NFL segment, Around The Waves transitions to the NHL where Ryan debates which team will be the biggest seller at the trade deadline. Meanwhile, Luca debates which team will be the biggest seller at the trade deadline. Lastly, the crew transitions to the NBA with "Ben's Basketball Brief" where Ben breaks down the Boston Celtics' recent hot streak. Ben also discusses the Chicago Bulls' recent woes. Next week we'll invite our next guest(s) to the show, so stay tuned!

In the 48th episode of Around The Waves on KCOU 88.1 FM, Luca Vitale, and Ben Schmidt welcome Mizzou Club Hockey defenseman Shaun Carier onto the show. Around The Waves begins the day with the "Nothing But Net" segment, where they discuss if the Missouri men's basketball team needs a coaching change as the season is nearing an end. Furthermore, the crew debates what's wrong with the Mizzou women's basketball following their loss to Kentucky. Missouri only scored seven points in the fourth quarter of that contest compared to Kentucky's 21 points. Also, stars Aijha Blackwell and LaDazhia Williams were not available to play for Missouri against Kentucky. The crew then transitions to Mizzou Club Hockey where Shaun discusses the upcoming series against Oklahoma State, which begins tonight. Following the NFL segment, Around The Waves transitions to the NBA with "Ben's Basketball Brief" where Ben breaks down Chris Paul's hand injury and how it impacts the Phoenix Suns as a whole. Ben also gives Chicago Bulls DeMar DeRozan his 'flowers' for his player spotlight. Next, Luca and Shaun debate the biggest threat to the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference. Lastly, the crew debates if the Pittsburgh Steelers could start the season with Mason Rudolph as their starting QB. Next week we'll invite our next guest(s) to the show, so stay tuned!

In the 47th episode of Around The Waves on KCOU 88.1 FM, Luca Vitale, Ryan Waelterman, and Ben Schmidt begin the day with the "Nothing But Net" segment, where they discuss if the Missouri men's basketball team can earn their tenth victory of the season tomorrow against Ole Miss for the seventh annual Rally for Rhyan contest, following a self-inflicted loss against Vanderbilt on Tuesday evening. Furthermore, the crew debates what the main downfall was that contributed to a Mizzou women's basketball loss against Tennessee. Missouri only scored six points in the third quarter of that contest compared to Tennessee's 26 points. The crew then transitions to the NFL where they debate who will bring home the Lombardi Trophy: Cincinnati Bengals or the Los Angeles Rams. The Cincinnati Bengals have never won a Super Bowl and haven't been to the Super Bowl since the 1988 season. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Rams' quarterback Matthew Stafford looks to earn his first Super Bowl ring. Following the NFL segment, Around The Waves transitions to the NBA with "Ben's Basketball Brief" where Ben breaks down the most significant trades that occurred at the NBA Trade Deadline. Next, Luca and Ryan debate the significance of the Edmonton Oilers missing the postseason. Edmonton currently sits six points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Lastly, the crew debates which NFL receiver will have the biggest impact in the Super Bowl. Next week we'll invite our next guest(s) to the show, so stay tuned!

In the 46th episode of Around The Waves on KCOU 88.1 FM, Luca Vitale, Ryan Waelterman, and Ben Schmidt begin the day with the "Nothing But Net" segment, where they discuss if the Missouri men's basketball team can return the favor to the Texas A&M Aggies with a victory, following a disappointing loss against Florida on Tuesday evening. Furthermore, the crew debates what the main reason was that contributed to a Mizzou women's basketball loss against Ole Miss. The crew then transitions to the NFL where they debate where the San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is headed this offseason. Following the NFL segment, Around The Waves transitions to the NBA with "Ben's Basketball Brief" where Ben highlights the Cleveland Cavaliers for his team spotlight segment. Next, Luca and Ryan debate which player was snubbed the most for the NHL All-Star Game. Lastly, the crew debates if Aaron Rodgers will remain a Green Bay Packer next season. Next week we'll invite our next guest(s) to the show, so stay tuned!