Evan & Tiki

Jon Rothstein joins the show at the start of the NCAA tournament to break down the bracket and explain why the next three weeks are the best stretch on the sports calendar. He discusses how teams are judged from November through Selection Sunday, the debate around St. John’s seeding, and why the round of 32 often defines whether a season is remembered as a success or a disappointment.

Rothstein also dives into key matchups across the bracket, the strength of the East “blueblood” region, and what makes certain teams dangerous in March. He explains why Tennessee could be a major obstacle for Virginia, what to expect from St. John’s if they face Kansas, and shares his full Final Four and national championship picks while highlighting several NBA prospects to watch during the tournament.

The growing buzz around the World Baseball Classic, with callers and hosts debating why the atmosphere feels so electric compared to many MLB games. They break down the difference between national pride and the long grind of a full baseball season, while discussing why some players might value international success differently than a World Series title.

The conversation then widens into a broader look at New York’s championship droughts across major sports, sparked by a Boston fan trying to take a jab at the city’s recent title struggles. That leads to a lively debate about which team is most likely to bring the next championship back to New York, with predictions ranging from the Giants to the Yankees and even a hopeful shout for St. John’s basketball. The segment closes with classic sports-radio energy as the hosts and callers argue, joke, and defend their picks.

Breaking news kicks off the episode as the hosts react to Justin Fields being traded from the Jets to the Chiefs, unpacking why Kansas City made the move, what New York got in return, and whether Fields still has real upside in the right system. The conversation quickly turns into a sharp debate over Fields versus Russell Wilson as a backup option, and what Andy Reid might be able to unlock that others could not.

The second half of the opening stretch shifts to Aaron Judge, as the hosts push back on criticism of his comments about the World Baseball Classic atmosphere. They argue Judge was simply being honest about the energy of international baseball, compare that environment to the World Series and Subway Series, and use the moment to explore how the WBC keeps growing into a bigger event for players, fans, and the sport itself.

Evan and Tiki open with two fanbases that woke up furious: Dominican baseball fans convinced their team got robbed in a dramatic World Baseball Classic loss to Team USA, and St. John’s fans upset after landing a No. 5 seed and a brutal NCAA tournament path despite a dominant finish to the season. The conversation jumps right into the controversial strike calls that ended the USA–Dominican game and why many believe the moment perfectly shows why baseball needs the ABS challenge system in big games.

They debate Juan Soto’s performance, Aaron Judge’s impact, and whether a one-game elimination format can truly determine the “best team” in baseball. At the same time, Evan and Tiki break down the frustration surrounding St. John’s draw, questioning how a team that just won the Big East tournament ends up staring at a gauntlet that could include Kansas, Duke, and even UConn again. Between heated reactions, passionate callers, and plenty of New York sports energy, the discussion captures why both topics had fans fired up.

The conversation continues with reactions pouring in from fans after the controversial ending to Team USA’s win over the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. While the missed strike calls remain a major talking point, the hosts shift into a deeper discussion about what the game revealed about the tournament itself—both the excitement it creates and the flaws that still exist in how it’s structured.

Listeners call in to debate whether the Dominicans truly got robbed, how much the missed calls actually mattered, and whether teams should simply execute better in big moments. The discussion expands into ideas for improving the WBC, including whether later rounds should be played as short series instead of single elimination games. Along the way, the hosts highlight the incredible energy from Dominican fans in the stadium and why the passion surrounding international baseball continues to make the event feel unique despite its imperfections.

Dominican baseball fans furious over late strike calls in Team USA’s win, and St. John’s fans upset over what feels like a punishing NCAA tournament seed and draw. It is a fast, opinionated start that taps into the emotional fallout from a dramatic sports weekend and makes room for both outrage and analysis.

The conversation centers on whether the World Baseball Classic should have used the ABS system after multiple pitches that appeared to be called incorrectly in key moments, while also debating Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, and the difficulty of deciding the “best team” in a one-game setting. The segment then shifts to college basketball, where the hosts argue that St. John’s strong recent play and Big East title run were not properly rewarded, leaving fans to wonder what more the team could have done to earn a better path.

Listen to the best interviews of the week, including Carl Banks, Metta World Peace and Pat Monahan of Train.

Chris McMonigle predicts Giancarlo Stanton will have a big year and a breakout season from Ben Rice. Plus, Willie Colon on Stanton’s health and how he likely approaches the season (11:57); C-Mac and Craig Carton discuss the fallout to Judge striking out in a big spot in the WBC (17:52); Evan Roberts reflects on the Joba Chamberlain saga and how the Yankees should handle Carlos LaGrange (35:47).

The Giants had a busy week, but a veteran minimum signing garnered the most attention in the re-signing of Evan Neal. Craig Carton ripped the move, while Evan couldn't believe the headline when he saw it on social media. Plus, Craig and C-Mac are stunned that the Colts are paying Daniel Jones big-time money.

The Jets have brought back Geno Smith as their starting quarterback, and Craig Carton went on an epic tirade lamenting the move. Plus, Evan Roberts is not happy with the decision, while Willie Colon, Smith's former teammate, breaks down how Smith was in the locker room and if he can regain his Seahawks form.