March is knocking — and the madness is building.

On this episode of Sports IQ, Larry Smith and Producer Tony break down a loaded sports landscape as we close out February and head into tournament season.

🏀 College Hoops Heats Up

• Duke surges toward a No. 1 seed

• Iowa State remains in the mix for a top-two line

• Kansas’ inconsistency continues

• UCLA stuns Illinois in an OT thriller

• Women’s basketball headlines with UConn’s dominance and UCLA’s Big Ten breakthrough

Tony sits down with Iowa State beat writer Eugene Rapay of the Des Moines Register to talk Cyclones seeding projections, Big 12 battles, Hilton Magic, and what Iowa State must improve to make a serious March run.

🏒 Olympic Gold & Record Ratings
Team USA closes out the Winter Games in Milan-Cortina with a bang, capturing men’s hockey gold over Canada in overtime — the first since 1980.
Plus:

• Italy’s historic medal haul

• NBC’s 90% ratings surge

• What’s next as the Games head to France in 2030

🎬 The ABA’s Cultural Impact – “Soul Power” Documentary
Larry is joined by filmmaker Eternal Polk to discuss the new Prime Video documentary Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association.

They dive into:

• The ABA’s revolutionary style and social impact

• The behind-the-scenes business battles

• The St. Louis Spirits’ legendary ownership deal

• How today’s NBA mirrors the ABA’s innovation

• Parallels between the ABA and AFL mergers

A must-listen for basketball historians and fans of sports business storytelling.

⚾ Moment of Awe
On this date in 1988, Wrigley Field finally installed lights — becoming the last MLB stadium to host night games. A historic shift in baseball tradition.

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March is almost here — and the gauntlet is real.

On this Friday edition of Sports IQ, Larry Smith breaks down a loaded college basketball weekend, headlined by a top-four clash between No. 2 Houston and No. 4 Arizona. Steve Rivera (Fox Sports 1450 Tucson) joins the show to discuss Tommy Lloyd’s Wildcats, Big 12 physicality, freshman impact players, and what Arizona must do to survive March.

Plus, we pivot to the women’s game as Lo Yarnall (Yahoo Sports) dives into the national title picture. Is UConn still the team to beat? Can UCLA finally break through? And is the SEC the deepest conference in America? South Carolina, LSU, Texas, Vanderbilt — the bracket is shaping up for fireworks.

We also tackle the growing tension between the WNBA and its players as labor negotiations drag on. With expansion teams, a looming draft, and Unrivaled gaining traction, is the league headed for turbulence?

Other headlines include:

• Team USA women capture Olympic gold in hockey

• Bears stadium drama heating up in Indiana

• NCAA Tournament expansion talk

• NBA returns from All-Star break

• College Football Playoff expansion debate

March is coming. The stage is set. Let’s go.

The Olympic ice delivered must-see drama as Team USA and Canada both survived thrilling overtime battles in the men’s hockey quarterfinals. Quinn Hughes played hero for the Americans, while Mitch Marner’s dazzling individual effort lifted Canada — setting up a potential gold medal showdown the hockey world is craving. CBS Sports’ Austin Nivison joins the show to break down the semifinal matchups, Team USA’s defensive dominance, and why this U.S. women’s hockey team may be built differently heading into its gold medal clash with Canada.

In college basketball, Texas Tech loses All-American JT Toppin to a torn ACL — a devastating blow to the Red Raiders’ postseason hopes. Meanwhile, UConn suffers a costly upset to Creighton, Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff Jr. explodes for 49 points in a double-OT thriller, and Arizona rebounds in the Big 12. Plus, Doug Gottlieb draws a suspension after a fiery postgame rant.

Producer Tony Cordaro also catches up with longtime analyst Danny Sheridan to unpack college football’s chaotic coaching carousel. Was Lane Kiffin the biggest winner? Can James Franklin revive Virginia Tech? And what’s next for the College Football Playoff — 12 teams, 16 teams… or even 24?

Plus:

• MLB Players Association leadership shakeup

• Cooper Flagg’s $1 million rookie jersey sale

• Remembering Steelers legend Mike Wagner

• And today’s Moment of Awe: Love (and gold medal dreams) in Italy

Beyond the buzzer. Inside the game.
This is Sports IQ.

March is almost here — and the college basketball picture is getting clearer… and wilder.

Larry Smith opens the show with a deep dive into NC State’s resurgence under Will Wade, following the Wolfpack’s emphatic win over North Carolina. Raleigh News & Observer sports reporter Jadyn Watson-Fisher joins to break down the atmosphere in Raleigh, the culture shift under Wade, the NIL impact, and what NC State must do down the stretch to secure a double bye in the ACC Tournament. Is the ACC officially “back”? And how dangerous can this Wolfpack team be in March?

Then, veteran bracketologist Jerry Palm (PalmBrackets.com) joins the show to assess the national landscape. With Michigan surging, Duke looming, and the Big 12 loaded at the top, Jerry explains why this might be the deepest championship field in years. Who are the current No. 1 seeds? Which teams outside the top line can realistically win it all? And are we heading toward the “Year of the Freshman” in college hoops?

Plus:

• Big Ten depth and Purdue’s home struggles

• Florida heating up again as defending champs

• Concerns about the Big East’s future in the NIL era

• MLB Players Association turmoil just as spring training begins

• Olympic updates, including Lindsey Vonn’s serious injury situation

And in today’s Moment of Awe, UCLA’s Mick Cronin earns respect for holding his own player accountable — even in a blowout loss.

March is coming. The bracket debates are heating up. And Sports IQ is beyond the buzzer, inside the game.

March energy is building — and we’re feeling it on SportsIQ.

Larry Smith opens the show with headlines from across the sports world, including Iowa State’s dramatic rally over Houston, Duke’s dominant win over Syracuse, and a gold-medal breakthrough for Olympic bobsledder Elena Meyers Taylor. We also touch on NBA All-Star viewership surging 87% year-over-year, league expansion chatter, and a potentially telling overseas move by WNBA star Breanna Stewart.

Then we go deep into college hoops.

🏀 Wisconsin’s Big Ten Surge
Matt Perkins joins the show to break down the red-hot Wisconsin Badgers. With two top-10 road wins and nine victories in their last eleven games, Greg Gard’s squad looks dangerous heading into March. We discuss their defensive growth, late-game toughness, and whether this could finally be the year Wisconsin makes a deep NCAA Tournament run.

🏀 VCU’s At-Large Case
Deputy Sports Editor Zach Joachim of the Richmond Times-Dispatch joins to talk about VCU’s nine-game win streak and their push for NCAA Tournament relevance. Can the Rams earn an at-large bid if they don’t win the A-10? What makes the program such a consistent winner regardless of head coach? And how pivotal is their upcoming showdown with Saint Louis?

🏀 College Atmosphere vs. The Pros
Larry and Tony reflect on what makes college basketball special — the crowds, the passion, and the true home-court advantage that separates it from the NBA.

🎴 Moment of Awe (OMG Edition)
Logan Paul sells his rare Pikachu Illustrator card for $16.4 million — over $11 million in profit in just a few years — surpassing even the legendary 1952 Mickey Mantle card. A wild moment at the intersection of sports, collectibles, and pop culture.

All that and more on today’s SportsIQ.

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Another packed edition of Sports IQ as Larry and Tony break down a rejuvenated NBA All-Star Weekend at Intuit Dome, where a USA vs. World format finally brought defense and intensity back to the showcase. Anthony Edwards earns MVP honors, Damian Lillard wins yet another three-point title, and the conversation shifts to what this event must become moving forward.

In college basketball, the NIL era claims another coach as Jerome Tang is out at Kansas State Wildcats, igniting debate about booster pressure, portal spending, and the new “win-now” reality across power conferences. Which other programs might follow? And how short is the leash in today’s landscape?

The show also dives into:

• USA men’s hockey surging at the Olympics behind Auston Matthews

• Women’s college basketball heavyweight clashes in the SEC and Big Ten

• The WNBA’s labor tension amid rising competition

• NFL roster shakeups involving Tyreek Hill and possible QB movement

• A deep review of the new ABA documentary Soul of the Game and the league’s lasting influence on modern basketball

From coaching carousels to cultural shifts in pro sports, this episode connects the past, present, and future of the games we love.

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Spotify Title:
Olympic Ratings Surge, NCAA Chaos & The ABA’s Lasting Legacy

Show Notes:

The sports calendar is overflowing — NBA All-Star Weekend, the Daytona 500, Olympic headlines, and major college basketball storylines all colliding at once. Larry and Tony break down why this might be one of the best stretches of the sports year — and why the momentum just keeps building.

The Winter Olympics are delivering in more ways than expected. Ratings are up a staggering 93% from 2022, proving NBC may have found the right formula. We discuss Team USA’s early hockey dominance, Chloe Kim’s heartbreaking bid for a third straight gold, Breezy Johnson’s golden moment (and proposal!), and the financial realities behind the Milan–Cortina dual-host format.

In the NBA, LeBron James reminds everyone he’s not done yet, becoming the oldest player in league history to record a triple-double. Meanwhile, the league cracks down on “tanking” with fines to Utah and Indiana — raising bigger questions about competitive integrity.

College sports chaos continues as Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss sues the NCAA over eligibility — and wins. Is the NCAA losing control? We debate the inconsistency, the transfer portal, academic priorities, and whether college athletics needs a complete rulebook reset.

Plus, we revisit the legacy of the American Basketball Association as a new Netflix documentary, Soul of the Game, drops this week. From the three-point shot to Dr. J’s flair and the wild financial deal of the Spirits of St. Louis, the ABA’s fingerprints are all over today’s NBA.

We close with a powerful Moment of Awe honoring Olympic legend Eric Heiden — five gold medals in 1980 and now saving lives as an orthopedic surgeon.

It’s a packed show. Let’s get smarter about sports.

Spring training is almost here — and the baseball conversation is heating up. Larry and Producer Tony dive into early storylines around MLB, from bullpen questions for the defending champion Dodgers to whether the Phillies remain the team to beat in the NL. Baseball writer Eric Katz of Belly Up Sports joins the show to break down offseason moves, pitching injuries, and why he believes the Milwaukee Brewers could be this year’s surprise contender.

In the NBA, the All-Star break is upon us, and the conversation shifts to contenders in both conferences. Can the young Detroit Pistons sustain their rise in the East? Are the Celtics defying expectations after losing Jayson Tatum? And out West, are the Spurs and Nuggets legitimate threats to OKC’s dominance? The second half of the season promises fireworks.

Plus, Olympic headlines from Milan-Cortina, coaching chaos in the English Premier League, and stadium drama surrounding the Chicago Bears’ potential new home.

🎙️ And in today’s Moment of Awe:
On this day in 1982, Wayne Gretzky shattered the NHL single-season scoring record with his 153rd point — on his way to becoming the first (and still only) player to reach 200 points in a season. More than four decades later, the mark remains untouched.

Spring training is here — and the Dodgers are once again the team everyone is chasing. Larry is joined by CBS Sports MLB insider Matt Snyder to break down why Los Angeles remains the favorite, why October is never guaranteed, and which teams could make serious noise in 2025. From the Braves’ bounce-back potential to sleeper picks like the A’s and Royals, this season feels wide open — even with a heavyweight at the top.

The guys also dive into college basketball chaos after a wild night of ranked upsets, including Illinois’ overtime heartbreak and what it means moving forward. Plus, a big-picture conversation about whether the time has finally come for LeBron James to consider walking away — and what his legacy looks like if he does.

We also touch on Olympic buzz (or lack thereof), Super Bowl ratings trends, Charlie Woods’ college commitment, and more — before closing with a Moment of Awe honoring one of the biggest upsets in boxing history: Buster Douglas shocking Mike Tyson.

• Why the Dodgers are favorites — but not guaranteed

• Braves, A’s, Royals and Orioles as bounce-back candidates

• CBA concerns and the future of MLB spending

• Illinois’ tough overtime losses and Big Ten shake-up

• Iowa State, Kansas, and March sleeper potential

• Is it time for LeBron to retire?

• Olympic coverage and fan engagement trends

• Super Bowl ratings and NFL dominance

• Charlie Woods commits to Florida State

• Moment of Awe: Buster Douglas stuns Mike Tyson (1990)

The NFL season may be over, but the conversation is just heating up.

Larry Smith is joined by Heavy.com NFL writer Erik Anderson to break down the Seahawks’ Super Bowl championship, the rise of Seattle’s dominant defense, and what lies ahead as the league turns its attention to free agency, the draft, and a wide-open 2026 season. From quarterback futures to coaching changes and franchise philosophy, the NFL’s next chapter is already unfolding.

College basketball takes center stage next as Utah State continues its impressive run in the Mountain West. Sports editor Shawn Harrison of the Herald Journal joins the show to explain how the Aggies keep winning despite constant coaching turnover — and why this year’s team could be a dangerous matchup come March.

Plus, headlines from across the sports world, including Kansas’ dominance at Fog Allen Fieldhouse, coaching milestones, league labor updates, and more.

The show wraps with today’s Moment of Awe, spotlighting the unexpected origins of volleyball — invented in 1895 as a less-physical alternative to basketball and now one of the most popular sports in the world.

Insight, context, and perspective — this is Sports IQ with Larry Smith.