Hoops and Howie wrap up Season One of the podcast with a look back at the game they'd been waiting for all season long: Baylor vs. Gonzaga. They detail what impressed them most about the Bears' dominating win over the previously unbeaten Bulldogs, as well as the historic and memorable Final Four. They reflect on the unusual season that was and react to the tumultuous aftermath that is upon us -- including significant coaching changes and the impact that 1,200+ student-athletes entering the transfer portal will have on the game they love.We thank everyone who helped make this first season of the Hoops & Howie Podcast happen, especially everyone who listened, subscribed, left a rating and a review, and helped spread the word. Thanks, as always, to Dick Vitale, Chris McLernon, Ricky Sanders, and Sonic Librarian. Stay tuned for details about Season Two.

The Final Four is set, and Hoops and Howie break down the quartet that has advanced to college basketball's ultimate weekend: * An 11-seed (UCLA) that became the second team to reach the Final Four after starting its postseason in the First Four;* A 2-seed (Houston) that played an unprecedented four double-digit seeds to reach the national semifinals;* Two 1-seeds (Gonzaga and Baylor) who have been the top two teams in the country since this crazy season tipped off.Thanks, as always, to Dick Vitale, Chris McLernon, Ricky Sanders, and Sonic Librarian

Hoops and Howie review the stunning opening weekend of the 2021 NCAA men's basketball tournament. They discuss which coaches are making a name for themselves, break down the upcoming Sweet 16 games, and reveal their picks for the Final Four. Plus, they explore whether East Coast bias played a role in tournament seeding and if there is such a thing as too many tourney upsets. Thanks as always to Dick Vitale, Chris McLernon, Ricky Sanders, and Sonic Librarian.

Hoops and Howie reveal their NCAA Tournament first-round upset picks, project how power conference teams seeded unusually low will fare, and make their Final Four predictions. They also explain why one conference will have a chip on its shoulder early and pinpoint the one guy in the tourney who is on his way to becoming a “generational player.” Thanks as always to Dick Vitale, Chris McLernon, Ricky Sanders and Sonic Librarian.

With conference tournaments in full swing, Hoops and Howie predict why first- and second-round games could be unique in this year’s NCAA Tournament, which schools may follow a trend and make their first Final Four appearance, and two things that will matter most this year as a result of the pandemic. They also make several bold tourney picks and reveal the teams and conferences that may be in for surprises come Selection Sunday.

Plus, Howie talks to Auburn coach Bruce Pearl, whose team this season faced four of the top-8 teams in the latest AP poll: Gonzaga, Baylor, Alabama and Arkansas.

Thanks to Bruce Pearl for joining us, and big thanks as always to Dick Vitale, Chris McLernon, Ricky Sanders and Sonic Librarian.

Hoops and Howie reveal which conference tournaments are most intriguing this year and why, with NCAA bids and seeding more affected than ever. They also predict why their NCAA Tournament sleeper picks could make Final Four runs and which conference is most likely to place two teams in the Final Four — and which teams it could be. Thanks as always to Dick Vitale, Chris McLernon, Ricky Sanders and Sonic Librarian.

Perhaps college basketball’s game of the year leads Hoops and Howie to consider possible deep-run NCAA Tournament teams beyond the Big Two, as well as which traditional powers need a strong finish to have postseason hopes. Also, are the NCAA’s NET rankings off the mark this year because of Covid-reduced schedules — and which teams will be helped or hurt by the skewed system? Plus, Hoops and Illinois coach Brad Underwood discuss his 5th-ranked team’s season and what’s ahead. Thanks to Coach Underwood for joining us, and as always to Dick Vitale, Chris McLernon, Ricky Sanders and Sonic Librarian.

One month before the NCAA Tournament tips off, Hoops and Howie explain how conferences will respond to the Feb. 26 deadline to determine their automatic qualifiers. They also discussthe Big Ten’s title drought dating back to 2020 -- despite sending 14 teams to the Final Four in the last 19 tournaments -- and whether that streak will end this year, and they identify potential contenders left out of the selection committee's Top 16. Plus, Hoops talked with Big East Conference commissioner Val Ackerman about the abrupt ending to last year's league tournament and the preparations for this year's event at Madison Square Garden.Thanks to Val Ackerman for joining us, and as always to Dick Vitale, Chris McLernon, Ricky Sanders and Sonic Librarian.

Hoops and Howie explain why it’s the year for mid-majors and other non-traditional powers to make a name for themselves in the NCAA Tournament, and which teams are likely to make it happen. Also, Howie has a revealing interview with Baylor coach Scott Drew -- recorded just before the 17-0 Bears were placed on their second COVID-related Pause of the season. And Hoops and Howie examine Gonzaga’s and Baylor’s unprecedented dominance this year, and which teams and styles of play could have a shot at upsetting them. Thanks to Coach Drew, and as always to Dick Vitale, Chris McLernon, Ricky Sanders, and Sonic Librarian.

Five teams currently ranked in the Top 25 have never reached the Final Four. Hoops and Howie predict which of those teams could make it happen this season. And they discuss which teams that entered February outside the Top 25 could become the ninth unranked team in 10 tournaments to make a Final Four run, as Auburn did in 2019 and Loyola-Chicago in 2018.

Plus, Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton joins the podcast for a moving conversation about his career, and Hoops and Howie reflect on the life and legacy of a college basketball pioneer, Temple coach John Chaney.

Thanks to Coach Hamilton for his time and candor, and as always to Dick Vitale, Chris McLernon, Ricky Sanders and Sonic Librarian.