Eye On College Basketball

READ: Norlander's SEC Media Days TakeawaysGary Parrish and Matt Norlander preview the SEC ahead of the 2026-27 college basketball season. Will this be the sport's best league? Can Florida go from No. 1 to national champion? Plus, big seasons loom for Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky and more. The guys break it all down, make predictions and more.(0:00) Intro + let’s talk SEC!(1:15) Recapping SEC Media Days(6:25) Storylines! Starting with the league as a whole(8:30) Can Florida go from preseason No. 1 to national champion?(14:00) How hot is Mark Pope’s seat at Kentucky?(22:30) Will Wade and LSU will never stop(34:00) Can Tennessee finally get to a Final Four?(40:20) 1-16 Predictions + tournament teams(1:18:15) Player of the Year PredictionsTheme song: “Timothy Leary,” written, performed and courtesy of GusterEye on College Basketball is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts.Follow our team: @EyeonCBBPodcast @GaryParrishCBS @MattNorlander @Boone @DavidWCobb @TheJMULL_Visit the ⁠betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠for ⁠betting on college basketball⁠.You can listen to us on your smart speakers! Simply say, “Alexa, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast,” or “Hey, Google, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast.”Email the show for any reason whatsoever: [email protected] Eye on College Basketball’s YouTube channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeFb_xyBgOekQPZYC7Ijilw⁠For more college hoops coverage, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/

Matt Norlander sits down with Arkansas head coach John Calipari at 2026 SEC Media Days.(0:00) Matt Norlander sits down with Arkansas head coach John Calipari at 2026 SEC Media Day(0:20) “I must've been on crack. I must’ve lost my mind” - John’s schedule is very difficult(2:25) How does coaching keep you young?(3:30) Why was John’s team so good at taking care of the ball last season?(5:00) Jordan Smith Jr. - who is he? What kind of player is he?(7:30) Who is the closest comparison to Jordan?(8:45) Why has Calipari dedicated so much time to trying to bring sanity to college sports?(14:00) Has John talked to Will Wade?(16:00) Two things from Happy Hour Cal about coaches(19:20) If the PCSA doesn’t pass ‌ then what? + Putting caps on what players can learn(27:30) Does John Calipari believe the SEC’s actions will hold up throughout the season?(28:30) Being at the Knicks-Spurs game (and being intimidated by Taylor Swift)Theme song: “Timothy Leary,” written, performed and courtesy of GusterEye on College Basketball is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts.Follow our team: @EyeonCBBPodcast @GaryParrishCBS @MattNorlander @Boone @DavidWCobb @TheJMULL_Visit the ⁠betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠for ⁠betting on college basketball⁠.You can listen to us on your smart speakers! Simply say, “Alexa, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast,” or “Hey, Google, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast.”Email the show for any reason whatsoever: [email protected] Eye on College Basketball’s YouTube channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeFb_xyBgOekQPZYC7Ijilw⁠For more college hoops coverage, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/

Matt Norlander sits down with Texas' Sean Miller and Isaiah Johnson at SEC Media Days.(0:00) Matt Norlander sits down with Texas’ Sean Miller at 2026 SEC Media Day(0:45) College football at Texas (and the Steelers trending in the right direction)(2:40) Latest on Mikey Lewis’ injury(4:10) Who is the most unique college player on the Texas roster?(5:30) How deep could a healthy Texas team be?(6:30) Isaiah Johnson joins the show(6:55) Isaiah’s dad is an NBA Trainer: best work trip story?(7:45) Something cool about Dwayne Wade (Isaiah’s godfather, no big deal) + advice from Lebron(9:30) How Isaiah’s parents helped him on the court (and his dad’s scouting report)(11:05) What goes into deciding to transfer?(13:20) A long history of great guards at Texas(14:00) What are practices like? + the best attribute for this Texas roster(16:00) How does someone become good at getting to the free throw line? (gotta eat!)(18:00) Is there a quiet confidence in the room right now at Texas?Theme song: “Timothy Leary,” written, performed and courtesy of GusterEye on College Basketball is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts.Follow our team: @EyeonCBBPodcast @GaryParrishCBS @MattNorlander @Boone @DavidWCobb @TheJMULL_Visit the ⁠betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠for ⁠betting on college basketball⁠.You can listen to us on your smart speakers! Simply say, “Alexa, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast,” or “Hey, Google, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast.”Email the show for any reason whatsoever: [email protected] Eye on College Basketball’s YouTube channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeFb_xyBgOekQPZYC7Ijilw⁠For more college hoops coverage, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/

Matt Norlander sits down with Missouri star freshman Jason Crowe Jr. at 2026 SEC Media Days.(0:00) Matt Norlander sits down with Missouri’s Jason Crowe Jr. at 2026 SEC Media Day(0:25) What ground rules did Dennis Gates set for Jason this summer?(1:20) Has Jason ever not had the green light? + favorite spot on the floor(2:30) Who does Jason model his game after?(4:05) Jason and Matt Norlander don’t overlap on music taste (lol)(5:20) What does Jason need to be better at to be a one and done prospect next spring?(6:20) Will Jason Crowe Jr. lead the team in scorer?Theme song: “Timothy Leary,” written, performed and courtesy of GusterEye on College Basketball is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts.Follow our team: @EyeonCBBPodcast @GaryParrishCBS @MattNorlander @Boone @DavidWCobb @TheJMULL_Visit the ⁠betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠for ⁠betting on college basketball⁠.You can listen to us on your smart speakers! Simply say, “Alexa, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast,” or “Hey, Google, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast.”Email the show for any reason whatsoever: [email protected] Eye on College Basketball’s YouTube channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeFb_xyBgOekQPZYC7Ijilw⁠For more college hoops coverage, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/

Matt Norlander sits down with Florida stars Thomas Haugh and Rueben Chinyelu at 2026 SEC Media Days.(0:00) Matt Norlander with Florida’s Thomas Haugh and Rueben Chinyelu at 2026 SEC Media Day(0:20) What is practice like in October? Does it feel like a championship favorite already?(1:10) Rueben’s journey to being the best defender in the sport + is rebounding effort or instinct?(3:30) Thomas Haugh came back to college, what went into the decision?(5:10) What feedback did Rueben get from the NBA?(6:35) How Florida is handling high expectations(8:40) The infrastructure in place to handle so much money at such a young age(12:00) Thomas bought a boat! Reuben bought his mom a house!(15:30) What lingers the most about the Iowa loss? (17:10) Can Florida go from No. 1 to national champion?Theme song: “Timothy Leary,” written, performed and courtesy of GusterEye on College Basketball is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts.Follow our team: @EyeonCBBPodcast @GaryParrishCBS @MattNorlander @Boone @DavidWCobb @TheJMULL_Visit the ⁠betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠for ⁠betting on college basketball⁠.You can listen to us on your smart speakers! Simply say, “Alexa, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast,” or “Hey, Google, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast.”Email the show for any reason whatsoever: [email protected] Eye on College Basketball’s YouTube channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeFb_xyBgOekQPZYC7Ijilw⁠For more college hoops coverage, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/

Matt Norlander sits down with Tennessee's Rick Barnes at 2026 SEC Media Days.(0:00) Matt Norlander with Tennessee Head Coach Rick Barnes at 2026 SEC Media Day(0:55) The fire is burning to get to a Final Four(1:50) When did Rick embrace what college sports has become? + the love of coaching(3:55) Having the oldest staff in the country + finding common ground with players (6:30) Rick Barnes is a prankster! (and uses AI?!?)(8:30) How Barnes laughs and coaches his team hard at the same team(10:10) Jalen Washington eligibility & the state of the sport(11:50) This is not Rick Barnes’ last seasonTheme song: “Timothy Leary,” written, performed and courtesy of GusterEye on College Basketball is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts.Follow our team: @EyeonCBBPodcast @GaryParrishCBS @MattNorlander @Boone @DavidWCobb @TheJMULL_Visit the ⁠betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠for ⁠betting on college basketball⁠.You can listen to us on your smart speakers! Simply say, “Alexa, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast,” or “Hey, Google, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast.”Email the show for any reason whatsoever: [email protected] Eye on College Basketball’s YouTube channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeFb_xyBgOekQPZYC7Ijilw⁠For more college hoops coverage, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/

Matt Norlander sits down with Oklahoma's Porter Moser at 2026 SEC Media Days.(0:00) Matt Norlander with Oklahoma Head Coach Porter Moser at SEC Media Day(0:30) The latest on Oklahoma’s 5-in-5 - Duke Brennan and BJ Edwards(2:05) How much does eligibility weigh on the coach from day-to-day(3:30) Oklahoma has managed to be competitive without top-tier NIL resources(5:00) Recruiting in a mammoth league like the SEC(8:20) Xxayvier Brown is Porter Moser’s first returning point guard at Oklahoma (10:10) Pop Isaacs joins the backcourt as well + newcomers with lots of experience(11:25) Who are the trickiest coaches to prepare for in the SEC?(12:20) Where is Porter a better coach than he was when he took the job?(13:45) Let’s talk about the Chicago BearsTheme song: “Timothy Leary,” written, performed and courtesy of GusterEye on College Basketball is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts.Follow our team: @EyeonCBBPodcast @GaryParrishCBS @MattNorlander @Boone @DavidWCobb @TheJMULL_Visit the ⁠betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠for ⁠betting on college basketball⁠.You can listen to us on your smart speakers! Simply say, “Alexa, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast,” or “Hey, Google, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast.”Email the show for any reason whatsoever: [email protected] Eye on College Basketball’s YouTube channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeFb_xyBgOekQPZYC7Ijilw⁠For more college hoops coverage, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/

Matt Norlander sits down with Auburn's Steven Pearl at 2026 SEC Media Days.(0:00) Matt Norlander with Auburn’s Steven Pearl at SEC Media Day(0:45) Biggest lessons learned from Year 1(2:00) The “things are kinda raining down on me” moment(4:00) Why winning an NIT (and playing in it) was extremely important(5:12) Let’s talk about this season’s schedule: what tweaks did Steven make?(6:30) How much does a school make from a neutral site game?(7:00) Adjusting to the portal and being a fundraiser and a basketball coach(8:30) Does this era of hoops slow down the progression as a coach?(9:45) Who are Steven’s biggest allies and mentors in the space?(10:45) Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton(12:20) Who are those two players as people? + personality test going around the sport(14:45) Keys to building a better defense in 2026-27 + exhibition approach(17:30) What’s the best quality Steven got from his mother?Theme song: “Timothy Leary,” written, performed and courtesy of GusterEye on College Basketball is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts.Follow our team: @EyeonCBBPodcast @GaryParrishCBS @MattNorlander @Boone @DavidWCobb @TheJMULL_Visit the ⁠betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠for ⁠betting on college basketball⁠.You can listen to us on your smart speakers! Simply say, “Alexa, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast,” or “Hey, Google, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast.”Email the show for any reason whatsoever: [email protected] Eye on College Basketball’s YouTube channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeFb_xyBgOekQPZYC7Ijilw⁠For more college hoops coverage, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/

Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander preview the ACC ahead of the 2026-27 college basketball season. Will Duke finally cut down nets in Detroit? What does North Carolina look like in year one under Michael Malone? It's storylines, predictions and much more from the ACC. (0:00) Intro + GP is in a treehouse(1:30) Will Duke run away with the ACC regular season?(3:00) Let’s talk storylines, starting with Michael Malone and North Carolina(6:45) Is this the year Duke and Jon Scheyer get the national title monkey off its back?(11:45) Louisville is expensive. $20 million expensive. Expectations are real for Pat Kelsey(17:50) UVA won 30 games and brought plenty back(20:15) Miami and Jai Lucas are dangerous ‌ are the Canes the dark horse ACC champion?(22:45) 1-18 ACC Predictions(32:35) Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year & Players to Watch(39:30) How many ACC teams are going to the 2027 NCAA Tournament?(44:05) Norlander circles back to the back end of the conferenceTheme song: “Timothy Leary,” written, performed and courtesy of GusterEye on College Basketball is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts.Follow our team: @EyeonCBBPodcast @GaryParrishCBS @MattNorlander @Boone @DavidWCobb @TheJMULL_Visit the ⁠betting arena on CBSSports.com⁠for all the latest in ⁠sportsbook reviews⁠and ⁠sportsbook promos⁠for ⁠betting on college basketball⁠.You can listen to us on your smart speakers! Simply say, “Alexa, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast,” or “Hey, Google, play the latest episode of the Eye on College Basketball podcast.”Email the show for any reason whatsoever: [email protected] Eye on College Basketball’s YouTube channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeFb_xyBgOekQPZYC7Ijilw⁠For more college hoops coverage, visit ⁠https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/

Maryland head coach Buzz Williams joins Gary Parrish at Big Ten Media Day for one of the most entertaining and unconventional interviews of the day. Buzz flips the script on Parrish, demanding to see his notes and attempting to interview the interviewer himself. Eventually, the conversation turns to basketball, including Williams' thoughts on Dana Altman and the state of the coaching profession. And yes, they even find a little time to talk about Maryland basketball before wrapping things up.

Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler joins Matt Norlander at Big Ten Media Day to discuss his expectations for the Buckeyes heading into the new season. Diebler previews Ohio State's upcoming outdoor exhibition, shares his early impressions of Anthony Thompson and explains what his roster needs to do to compete in the Big Ten. Plus, he reflects on his first two years as head coach, the challenges of leading a college basketball program in 2026 and what it's like coaching at a football-first school. Can Diebler lead the Buckeyes back to the NCAA Tournament?

USC head coach Eric Musselman joins Matt Norlander at Big Ten Media Day to discuss his optimism surrounding the Trojans heading into the new season. Musselman provides injury updates on Christian Collins, KJ Lewis, Eric Reibe and more, while explaining why he believes this roster has the potential to take a major step forward defensively. Plus, he reflects on what went wrong during his first two seasons at USC, the expectations for Alijah Arenas and the importance of a healthy Rodney Rice. And of course, the conversation starts with the San Diego Padres and ends with Musselman's questionable Taco Bell order.

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo and Spartans stars Coen Carr and Jeremy Fears Jr. join Gary Parrish at Big Ten Media Day to discuss Michigan State's expectations, the pursuit of another Final Four and the challenges facing college basketball. Izzo breaks down the Spartans' depth, Fears' development into one of the nation's top point guards and Carr's incredible athleticism. Carr reflects on his highlight-reel dunks, last season's NCAA Tournament loss to UConn and the motivation of watching rival Michigan win a national championship. Fears, the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year, discusses his leadership, basketball IQ and what it will take to bring another title to East Lansing. Plus, Izzo reflects on his historic NCAA Tournament streak, his relationship with Dana Altman and the future of college sports.