With Gordo on the mend, Tap is back is the U.S. sharing his thought that there aren’t enough rim protectors, particularly since hand-checking was disallowed. As always, Coach Knoche leads the group though a spirited conversation; this week about why pro coaches shy away from developing players in the best interests of winning now; the increasingly valuable role of the G League and the need for the return of the palm violation. The week’s 'friend of the pod’ mention goes to Coach Rick Barnes.

Five Division 1 basketball coaches and five good friends are reunited for an 8th podcast season thanks to Ledo Pizza and Gary’s new favorite, the banana peppers topping. In this season’s first episode, Ed checks in from his anniversary trip in France while his wife is sleeping and makes a statement appearance. The Coaches get into detail about Tony Bennett’s departure from Virginia, the new NIL reality, the start of the NBA season and Gary’s thoughts on guard-play for the Maryland Terps as they prepare for the Big Ten. Let the record show….the coaches are among the first to flirt with the idea of Cooper Flagg in a Wizards uniform.

The day following the NCAA Men’s Final, Gary, Jimmy, Tap and Chris get together at LEDO in College Park to put a bow on the 2023-2024 college season and a final wrap on their 7th year together on the pod….. While Gordon is 'on assignment' in Pawleys Island, Jimmy is nominated for the ‘All Lobby Team’ earned from years of tournament attendance….Passing may be back in vogue and this pleases the Coaches as continuous ball movement is on everyone’s mind…..Tap talks about the one time he was ejected as the Wizard’s Head Coach and why he ran off the floor. …Thanks for a great season, Toyota, Ledo, ESPN630, Will, John, Ari, Lisa, Jeff, Michael, Dennis, Brett, Steve, Tim & Claude. Our Hall of Fame Crew to go along with our Hall of Fame Coach. See you in November!

Fresh off calling the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games on television for the Men’s NCAA Tournament in Boston, broadcaster Dan Bonner collaborates with the Coaches as they breakdown tourney games from the past weekend and look ahead to the Final Four…..In this penultimate episode of the 7th season, Gary reflects on his final four appearances and his appreciation for the players he had playing for him and emphatically informs Jimmy that gravy is not a beverage while Tap, Chris and Gordo take stock of their busted brackets and all concede the title to UConn. We’ll see.

The Coaches make their predictions on another big NCAA basketball weekend…..Gary doesn’t pick Duke for the 45th straight year….. Tap’s experiencing back pain from excessive couch time and still sucks at picking games….. Gordon really loves the under in the Iowa State 'Sweet 16' contest….Jimmy has a serious moment reacting hours later to Baltimore’s Key Bridge collapse….The legend of Dave Dickerson is recognized….Indiana is loosing recruits because of their uniform pants.

Gary, Tap, Gordo, Jimmy and Chris all take their shots at the Selection Process for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tourney and lay out their predictions for 2024. Expansion is again a hot topic and it’s not happening at the same rate as football…..Jimmy loses his wallet and its found by a manager at Ledo Pizza - the ultimate sponsor. Chris has the thrill of a lifetime seeing the Mary Tyler Moore Statue in Minneapolis.

Tap and Jimmy share their late season travel impressions as they watch conference tournament play on behalf of the Timberwolves and Under Armor respectively…..Gary cites ‘lack of intelligence’ for conference location decisions and shares how he prepared for NCAA play and varying crowds in early rounds…..Fluctuations of point spreads with underperforming teams is beginning to make Chris sick to his stomach and leaving the group's betting except Gordon shaking his head….Showing trust in his players, Tap recalls picking up an $11,000 steak dinner….Chris Wilcox, Boo Bowers, and other athletic freaks.

Gary celebrates a birthday from Turks and Caicos and benefits from some tips from old friend Steve Buckhantz…..Eric Singletary and the SIdwell Friends program impresses Tap and the Coaches……As often is the case, Dennis Ross has the Boys laughing…..The Patriot League kicks off tournament season and Gordon is hoping for an American surprise……Like a ‘jackass’, Fran Dunphy continues to get the job done at LaSalle…..If you get a chance, go see a basketball game at Texas.

'Courtstorming' is an issue and the problem is not an easy solve…..Prolific scoring in college is becoming a rarity…..Epic fouls and epic reactions in the NBA…..Lafayette’s HC Mike McGarvey joins the Coaches to talk about The Patriot League, defensive schemes, scheduling in today’s game and Rainbow Johnson.

The Coaches take a shot at solving the NBA All Star mess. Utilization of video on the bench adds to further aggravation with referees. UConn’s up and down week. "POW!” Kevin Willard gets T’d with some verbal sauce. RIP Lefty!