SportsWaves

Editor's note: This episode mentions NFL teams filling six of eight head coaching vacancies, all with white coaches. Since recording the episode, teams filled the final two vacancies, one with a Black man — new Texans' head coach Lovie Smith.

Super Bowl Sunday, an unofficial national holiday, comes to Pepperdine's backyard this weekend, with the hometown Rams hosting the underdog Bengals at SoFi Stadium.

Guest Sofia Longo joins hosts Karl Winter and Austin LeDe to discuss the teams' victories in their respective conference championship games (2:35) before speaking about the game itself. They debate the best players on the field in the game (9:50), the most underrated players (11:30), the intangible factors (13:45) and — of course — their picks for which team will win (16:30).

The trio then moves on to major breaking stories in the NFL in the past week. First up is Tom Brady's retirement after 22 seasons in the league (19:00). Next, former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores filed a bombshell lawsuit against the NFL, alleging racist hiring practices (23:37). Finally, the Washington Football Team changes its name to the Washington Commanders (29:10).

Karl, Austin and Sofia end the episode on a high note, picking their favorite Super Bowl snacks (32:00).

__________________________________________________

Follow SportsWaves on Twitter: @sportswavespod

Follow The Graphic on Twitter: @PeppGraphic

“SportsWaves” is co-hosted and produced by Karl Winter. “SportsWaves” is a Pepperdine Graphic Media production. Featured music: "Vans in Japan" by Buckeye Bonzai.

One of the most exciting weekends of NFL playoff football in recent memory gave the SportsWaves team plenty to talk about this week.

Spencer Wickens, a graduate outside hitter for Pepperdine Men's Volleyball, joins hosts Karl Winter and Austin LeDe to discuss the NFL Divisional Round and the beginning of his own season.

The group breaks down the Bengals' upset of the Titans (2:15), Spencer's Packers failing to get past the upstart 49ers (3:55), the Rams' blown lead and victory against the Bucs (6:17) and whether the NFL should reconsider its overtime rules after a crazy ending to the Chiefs-Bills game (8:45).

Then, the three give some expectations for the upcoming NFL conference championship games. (13:05)

Karl and Spencer then go through a quick update of Pepperdine Athletics teams (17:00) before discussing Men's Volleyball's 3-1 start (19:33), the team's depth (23:00), general parity in NCAA men's volleyball this year (24:55) and Spencer's journey from libero to outside hitter (27:00).

SportsWaves returns for the second consecutive week as the NFL playoffs continue. Pepperdine senior and avid Patriots, Red Sox and Tom Brady fan Zack Born joins the show to join discussions about the NFL playoffs and MLB lockout.

Karl and Austin begin the show with a discussion of Pepperdine Men's Basketball's 0-4 start in WCC play (0:50), plus a few other Waves updates.

Upon his introduction (3:18), Zack Born tells listeners how the Bucs dominated the Eagles in the Wild Card round (4:20) and what happened to the Patriots against the Bills (6:00). Austin jumps in to explain how the Rams took apart the Cardinals (8:38). The three finish the Wild Card round talk with a conversation about the hysteria at the end of the 49ers-Cowboys matchup (10:30).

Karl, Austin and Zack each give their predictions for the upcoming four Divisional Round games (13:52).

Karl and Zack break down the MLB lockout (24:06) — what it means, why the players and owners have yet to agree and the most recent news. Finally, they speak about who does and does not deserve to get into the Baseball Hall of Fame this year (27:10).

Co-host Austin LeDe joins co-host Karl Winter for the first time.

As SportsWaves kicks off 2022, the hosts first look back at 2021, discussing their favorite sports moments of the year. They discuss the Milwaukee Bucks' (2:53), Tampa Bay Buccaneers' (6:47) and Atlanta Braves' (5:00) championship runs, as well as iconic moments from Steph Curry (12:35) and Jalen Suggs (10:10). Karl also brings up his favorite moments at the Tokyo Olympics (14:33).

Karl and Austin then transition to analyzing the wildness of Week 18 in the NFL season, from the near-tie on Sunday night between the Chargers and Raiders (17:45) to the 49ers' comeback win over the Rams (20:35). Finally, they talk about which teams are to be most feared in the upcoming playoffs (23:50).

Enjoy this episode and expect other guests soon!

__________________________________________________

Follow SportsWaves on Twitter: @sportswavespod

Follow The Graphic on Twitter: @PeppGraphic

“SportsWaves” is co-hosted and produced by Karl Winter. “SportsWaves” is a Pepperdine Graphic Media production. Featured music: "Vans in Japan" by Buckeye Bonzai.

Host and Pepperdine cross country athlete Karl Winter is joined by reigning WCC Defensive Player of the Week Zoe Clevely of Pepperdine Women's Soccer. Karl and Zoe's conversation ranges from returning to Pepperdine's campus (1:50), Zoe's return for a fifth year (4:05), the Waves' 4-1 victory over UC Riverside (8:00), the Waves' chances and remaining schedule in 2021 (13:25), other Pepperdine teams (15:50), heckling (18:00), and snowboarding (20:00). Expect more Pepperdine Athletics and pro sports content as the year progresses! Follow SportsWaves on Twitter: @sportswavespod Follow The Graphic on Twitter: @PeppGraphic “SportsWaves” is hosted and produced by Karl Winter. “SportsWaves” is a Pepperdine Graphic Media production.

With the COVID-19 pandemic cancelling the in-person Blue and Orange Madness, Paxton and Karl do their best to recreate the preseason hype event. Kessler Edwards joins to break down the men's team (1:35), Malia Bambrick helps preview the women's team (11:20), and Colbey Ross (23:52) tests his Pepperdine basketball trivia knowledge and begins to reflect on his career. Follow SportsWaves on Twitter: @sportswavespod "SportsWaves” is hosted and produced by Paxton Ritchey and Karl Winter. Featured music: "Buckeye Bonzai" by Vans in Japan.

Paxton and Karl welcome back Arthur Puu (Pepp '18), the creator and original host of SportsWaves. Arthur joins the show to talk about his dream job working for ESPN, trade SportsWaves and Pepperdine stories, and reflect on the success of the Lakers and Dodgers. Follow SportsWaves on Twitter: @sportswavespod Featured music: "Buckeye Bonzai" by Vans in Japan.

Paxton and Karl discuss the overall ineptitude of the New York Jets, Dak Prescott's future, and check in with baseball's Championship Series. Pepperdine Men's Basketball's Michael Wexler joins the show to talk about the Lakers championship, what it's like sharing a gym with NBA stars, and reflecting on the legacy of Kobe Bryant. Follow SportsWaves on Twitter: @sportswavespod

Featured music: "Buckeye Bonzai" by Vans in Japan.

Paxton and Karl weigh in on the Texans firing Bill O'Brien after four games, check in with the NBA finals (7:45), and give a couple shoutouts. Pepperdine Baseball's Wyatt Young joins the show (10:59) to talk MLB playoffs, sign stealing, and tips on how to survive a bench-clearing brawl.

Follow SportsWaves on Twitter: @sportswavespod