Capitol Watch

Dom Amore chats with online producer Chris Brodeur about the MLB playoffs, which featured five former UConn baseball players at the outset. Amore offers quick-hitting analysis and predictions. Could the Red Sox and Yankees finally rekindle their epic postseason rivalry? Or will the likes of Astros star George Springer, pride of the Huskies, deny local baseball fans that stressful TV-viewing opportunity? Have the Cubs been laying low, waiting for the chance to defend their crown?

Jim Calhoun, the legendary former coach of the UConn men's basketball team, will serve as a consultant for the fledgling program at Division III St. Joseph in West Hartford. But a year from now, when the games are about to actually begin, we very well might see Calhoun in his customary pose on the sideline: arms folded, tie loosened, doing what he loves more than anything despite body language to the contrary. Beat reporter Dom Amore and columnist Jeff Jacobs take you inside Calhoun's introductory press conference, where the Hall of Fame coach already seemed rejuvenated by the prospects of molding young talent and building a program from the ground up.

Columnist Jeff Jacobs and UConn football beat reporter Mike Anthony return to the show to break down the Huskies' failed comeback bid against East Carolina (1:20), their ongoing struggles on defense (2:20), the emergence of receiver Mason Donaldson (5:40), changes on the depth chart (11:15), the unique journey of Kyle Buss (13:20) and the challenges of facing 3-1 SMU (17:20). The guys wrap things up by discussing how NFL players took a knee in response to the president's recent remarks (25:00), including some local perspective from coach Randy Edsall (30:00).

Columnist Jeff Jacobs, beat reporter Mike Anthony and online producer Chris Brodeur recap a rough day in Charlottesville (1:40), break down the Huskies' troubling pass defense (4:05), debate whether unveiling trick plays while facing a huge deficit is a strategic no-no (12:25) and wonder if Arkeel Newsome can ever regain his status as a featured running back (20:00). Hergy Mayala continues to be a favorite target for quarterback Bryant Shirreffs (17:30), the Huskies' young offensive line remains a question mark and Randy Edsall, in his older and wiser second go-around as head coach, recently reflected on that and more in his Wednesday press conference, which the guys dissect (26:00). They wrap things up by discussing the weirdness of a Sunday tilt (30:00), give a shoutout to a certain UConn message board (33:00) and offer some parting thoughts on East Carolina, a fellow AAC bottom-dweller (34:00).

Courant sports columnist Jeff Jacobs returns to the show to discuss his background in journalism, Rebecca Lobo's Hall of Fame induction, Donovan Williams' conversion from UConn quarterback to wide receiver, the controversy surrounding recent tweets by ESPN's Jemele Hill and his latest column on the late Kyle Milliken.

Courant sports columnist Jeff Jacobs makes his in-studio debut. He chats with UConn football beat reporter Mike Anthony about the prospects of a Husky upset on Saturday, Bryant Shirreffs reclaiming the role of starting quarterback, some key returns on the defensive side of the ball, Nate Hopkins’ emergence and more. There are even a few cracks about a certain former coach.

The Courant's Mike Anthony, entering his second season on the UConn football beat, previews the 2017 season with online producer Chris Brodeur. Topics include the Randy Edsall redux, new starting quarterback David Pindell, returning running back Arkeel Newsome and a shift away from Bob Diaco's policies in the return game.

The Courant's Dom Amore checks in just ahead of the MLB All-Star break to discuss a couple of his recent stories -- one on Yankees rookie phenom Aaron Judge, the other on Astros star and New Britain native George Springer -- as well as the state of Connecticut's favorite big-league clubs. Are the baseballs juiced, or this year's power surge just cyclical? Amore tackles this and other general baseball talking points as well.

Joe D'Ambrosio returns to the podcast for a chat with UConn football beat writer Mike Anthony, in which the two discuss ways to make the Huskies a fun product again in the wake of Bob Diaco's departure and Randy Edsall's return.

In a basketball edition of the podcast, the Courant's Dom Amore chats with the longtime voice of the Huskies, Joe D'Ambrosio, about the program's past, present and future. They also discuss a disappointing end to the UConn baseball season.