X's and Joe's

Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth are joined by Scott Caulfield for a fun and thought-provoking discussion about the evolution of college basketball coaching. Looking back at some of the sport's most memorable personalities, the guys explore why coaching icons once loomed so large over the game—and why today's coaches often feel very different.The Golden Age of Coaching PersonalitiesThe conversation begins with a trip down memory lane as Bob, Mike, and Scott revisit some of the unforgettable characters who once dominated college basketball.Why coaches like Bob Knight, Jim Valvano, John Thompson, Jerry Tarkanian, Lou Carnesecca, and Rollie Massimino became household namesThe quirks, stories, and larger-than-life personalities that made coaches stars in their own rightHow many of these coaches became synonymous with their programs and even their conferencesWhich legendary coaches would make the best dinner companionsAlong the way, the guys share plenty of stories, laughs, and memories from college basketball's colorful past.Why Today's Coaches Feel DifferentThe discussion then turns to the modern game and why today's coaches often seem more corporate, measured, and interchangeable.Topics include:The "nerdification" and professionalization of coachingHow media scrutiny, social media, and 24/7 coverage have changed coaching behaviorWhy modern coaches often look more like executives than old-school basketball lifersThe impact of shorter coaching tenures and increased job movementThe group also debates whether the sport has simply changed—or whether we've lost something valuable along the way.NIL, Realignment, and the New Coaching RealityAs the conversation evolves, Bob, Mike, and Scott examine how NIL, the transfer portal, and the changing economics of college sports have fundamentally altered the coaching profession.Why college coaching may now be more difficult than NBA coachingHow roster management and fundraising have reshaped the head coach's jobWhether today's coaches are being hired primarily to win games rather than build programs and young menWhy the modern environment may discourage the kind of eccentric personalities that once thrived in the sportThe guys also discuss Dusty May's departure for the NBA and what it says about the future of college basketball coaching.Is There Room for Characters to Return?The episode closes with a fascinating discussion about whether coaching personalities could eventually make a comeback.Could larger support staffs and general managers eventually free coaches to simply coach again? Or has college basketball permanently moved into a more corporate era?It's a thoughtful conversation about leadership, culture, nostalgia, and where the sport may be headed next.Bottom line: This episode is equal parts basketball history, cultural analysis, and old-school storytelling as Bob, Mike, and Scott explore why college basketball once felt full of unforgettable characters—and whether those days are truly gone for good.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bob Moats, Mike Wiemuth, and special guest Josh Burton from Everything College Basketball reunite to break down the rekindled border wars between Indiana, Kentucky, and Louisville as the three programs meet over consecutive Saturdays in December.Growing Up in Basketball CountryThe guys open with personal stories about how geography and family shaped their allegiances in the heartland of college hoops. Josh Burton shares his journey from a Kentucky-loving kid playing College Slam on Sega Genesis while his IU-fan dad looked on, to becoming one of the voices of Everything College Basketball.Josh's dad from Kentucky roots, moved to Indiana, raised UK fansThe "ugly girlfriend" Brian Evans comparisons at the Boys and Girls ClubGeography matters: South of I-64 = Kentucky rival, North = Purdue rivalEconomic migration brought Kentucky fans north decades agoThe Golden Age of the RivalryA walk down memory lane to when these matchups defined college basketball in the Midwest, featuring 50-50 splits at the Hoosier Dome and Freedom Hall that felt more like college football atmosphere.The Dome and Freedom Hall rotating neutral sites with perfect 50-50 ticket splitsBob Knight's late entrances causing entire stadiums to erupt (only 2% could see him)Mike Davis's 2002 incident liquidating 35% of his chip stack in one momentFreedom Hall's designated smoking room and nightmare parking lotThe 2012 Sweet Sixteen in Atlanta: IU-UK reunion on the way to UK's titleThe Modern Coaches: New Chapter, Same SynchronicityAll three programs now feature modern, uptempo coaches running similar five-out systems after years of divergent philosophies. The synchronicity creates potential for recruiting battles and on-court drama not seen since the mid-eighties.Kenny Payne: Possibly the worst major hire in 30 years (lost exhibition games to start)Pat Kelsey's beautiful flare screen offense at Louisville proving doubters wrongMark Pope's year-one home run at Kentucky vs. year-two injury crisisLamar Wilkerson recruitment: DeVries beats Pope for the elite shooter UK desperately needsFirst time since mid-eighties all three programs are nationally relevant togetherBreaking Down IU vs. LouisvilleThe hosts dissect Saturday's Indianapolis matchup with tactical depth, focusing on Louisville's 36 three-point attempts per game and IU's rebounding challenges.Sananda Fru as the X-factor: relentless rebounder who gets all his points within three feetWhy this is a Sam Alexis day, not Reed Bailey dayMikel Brown vs. Conerway/Enright: Can IU frustrate the talented but sometimes immature freshman?Long rebounds from 36 three-point attempts require boxing out 3-4 feet beyond the rimFoul trouble could doom IU's seven-man rotation against Louisville's 10-deep benchKentucky's Crisis and the UK-IU PreviewJosh Burton provides honest analysis of Kentucky's early-season struggles, from the Louisville loss to getting boat-raced by Michigan State and North Carolina, while explaining why Pope isn't on the hot seat despite fan outrage.Three marquee losses in three different ways: quit when opponents throw haymakersThe connectivity problem: Do these players even like each other?How injuries have devastated Pope's shooting-based systemWhy 50% of Big Blue Nation needs to "shut the hell up" on TwitterStill 15th in KenPom at 5-3 with incredibly difficult scheduleThe weekend ahead: IU-Louisville at 2:15pm in Indianapolis, followed by IU-Ohio State Big Ten Championship at 8:17pm - potentially the craziest IU sports weekend ever.On the mics: Bob Moats, Mike Wiemuth, and Josh Burton (Everything College Basketball)This episode brought to you by the Back Home Network and Homefield Apparel.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth assess which college basketball coaches are playing with house money and which are one bad loss away from the unemployment line in today's volatile college hoops landscape.IU's Dominant DebutThe Hoosiers opened the Darian DeVries era with a statement win, completely eliminating mid-range jumpers in favor of modern offense. Bob breaks down film showing the conceptual principles that make this system fundamentally different from the past decade.• Zero mid-range jumpers: the long two is officially dead at IU• Tucker DeVries diving into opponent's bench, Conway's elite passing• Rose 9 spots in KenPom after demolishing Alabama A&MThe Chip Stack FrameworkBob and Mike introduce their coaching evaluation model that replaces the outdated "four-year plan." In the portal era, coaches are playing Texas Hold'em, not building dynasties.• Why the 4-year grace period is dead - it's all-in poker now• The five tiers of success and where programs expect to be• The "Earl Bruce Syndrome" - stuck at 20 wins with no upsideCoaches in Serious DangerFour high-profile coaches face make-or-break seasons with dwindling chip stacks. From Carolina to Rutgers to Kansas State, these are the hot seats getting hotter by the day.• Hubert Davis at UNC: From Final Four to 15-20, lost key transfers• Steve Pikiell at Rutgers: The five-star experiment backfired badly• Jerome Tang at Kansas State: Can't recapture year-one magic• John Calipari at Arkansas: The perpetual talent churn continuesOn Thin Ice & High StakesThe guys examine coaches ranging from Butler's Thad Matta (stabilization hire gone stale) to Vanderbilt's Mark Byington (skipping levels on the way up). Plus, why football budgets are now eating basketball money at dual-sport schools.• Micah Shrewsbury's boring Notre Dame after Penn State's offensive genius• Porter Moser trapped in the Earl Bruce 20-win zone• Mark Byington's high-risk, high-reward Vanderbilt entertainment• Why midseason firings are the new normalComing up: A Moneyball conversation about roster construction in the NIL era and a potential IU-Kentucky-Louisville preview with Everything College Basketball.On the mics: Bob Moats and Mike WiemuthThis episode brought to you by the Back Home Network and Homefield Apparel.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

X's and Joe's Episode 40: Data vs Drama - A View of Modern RecruitingBob Moats and Mike Wiemuth welcome special guest Stephen Ragsdale, creator of IURecruiting.com, for a deep dive into how data-driven analysis can cut through the emotional chaos of following college basketball recruiting.Meet Stephen Ragsdale and IURecruiting.com[00:00-17:00]Stephen introduces himself as a third-generation IU fan who turned his Excel spreadsheet tracking into a comprehensive recruiting website. His journey from casual follower to creator of IURecruiting.com stemmed from wanting better tools to understand the recruiting process. The conversation touches on early season optimism around IU basketball, with Trent Sisley's viral shot from above Five Guys on Kirkwood symbolizing a new era of offensive philosophy under Darren DeVries.The Recruiting Bingo Card[17:00-30:00]Mike unveils his famous "Recruiting Miss Bingo Card" - a collection of predictable fan responses that appear on message boards after every recruiting loss. Classics include "We don't want him anyway," "This just proves we don't cheat," and "I only want kids who want to play for IU." The group discusses how these responses transcend fanbases, with Stephen noting Purdue fans' fixation on the cheating angle and Notre Dame supporters emphasizing academic standards. The card highlights how fans often rationalize losses by suggesting the coach nearly made a catastrophic mistake, but thankfully the recruit had the sense to go elsewhere.The Recruiting Funnel Framework[30:00-45:00]Mike introduces the corporate HR recruiting funnel model adapted for college basketball. Using Kansas's 2019 recruitment of Jalen Wilson as a case study, he demonstrates how successful programs move from many offers (10) to fewer official visits (3) to one commitment. The concept of "traction" becomes crucial - can you get elite kids interested enough to visit? Stephen shares how this framework was eye-opening for him, shifting his perspective from Mike Woodson's "fall in love with one target" approach to understanding roster building as a numbers game requiring multiple irons in the fire.IURecruiting.com Deep Dive[45:00-75:00]Stephen walks through his website's functionality, showing how it tracks offers, visits, and commitments across multiple recruiting classes and positions. The tool includes funnel comparisons with Kentucky, Kansas, and Arkansas - three programs with distinctly different recruiting philosophies. Key insights emerge about IU's 2026 recruiting:• Strong conversion rates at center position (3 visits from 6 offers)• Limited point guard targeting mirroring industry-wide trends toward portal guards• Critical Anthony Thompson recruitment coming down to IU vs Ohio State• The site reveals patterns that individual recruit tracking missesThe discussion highlights how Bill Self casts the widest net with offers while someone like Coach K was more selective, and how understanding these different approaches helps contextualize IU's strategy.The Modern Recruiting Landscape[75:00-End]The group examines how recruiting has fundamentally changed with the portal era. Key observations:• Elite programs like Florida, Louisville, and Michigan now build rosters with 1-2 elite high school players and multiple high-end portal transfers• Point guard positions especially skew toward experienced portal additions rather than 18-year-old freshmen• International recruiting (IU's two Yugoslav players) represents another talent stream• The "win first, then recruit" fallacy gets debunked - you need elite talent to win, not vice versaMike provides critical context about the Moneyball aspect of NIL: five-star freshmen rarely saturate winning metrics like Box Plus Minus. Only four five-stars made the top 50 nationally in BPM last season (Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, Kon Knueppel, and VJ Edgecombe). The sweet spot kids and elite transfers dominate those leaderboards, suggesting programs should be more strategic about where they invest NIL dollars.The episode concludes with cautious optimism about DeVries's early recruiting indicators and why the Anthony Thompson recruitment looms as a key test.On the mics: Bob Moats, Mike Wiemuth, and special guest Stephen RagsdaleSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

IU football just went from “pinch me” to “prove it.” Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth sit down with Galen Clavio to unpack the Hoosiers’ rapid rise—how it happened, what it means, and how a long-suffering fanbase should handle success. Then we zoom out: the decades-old cultural tug-of-war between the North and South and how it fuels the Big Ten vs. SEC battle for the soul of college football.What you’ll hear“Was it real?”—reliving last season and why fans should savor this run, not fear it. How IU’s surge compressed the “honeymoon” timeline and turbocharged recruiting in Year 2. The North vs. South culture clash: narratives, talent pipelines, and why media/TV incentives shape the conversation. Chapters (approx.)00:00 Cold open11:30 “Was it real?” + savoring the moment23:45 Recruiting & the accelerated timeline49:50 Big Ten vs. SEC culture war1:19:05 TV money, media narratives, and power dynamicsAbout the showHosted by Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth, X’s & Joe’s blends data, history, and a little Hoosier heart. Today’s guest: Galen Clavio.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth are joined by Scott Caulfield of Crimson Cast to examine the Big Ten's championship drought, exploring why the conference has failed to produce an NCAA basketball champion since Michigan in 1989.Main TopicsScott's Origin Story & Bloomington Memories[00:00-15:00]Scott shares his unlikely journey from New York City to small-town Bloomington and the formative experiences of growing up around IU's campus. Stories include legendary arcade haunts, meeting Galen at the campus radio station, and surviving Bob Knight's actual college class - complete with unforgettable encounters that reveal Knight's intimidating presence up close.One Shining Moment Obsession[15:00-30:00]Scott reveals his decades-long ritual of recording and analyzing every One Shining Moment video since the early 1990s. The conversation explores:• Why this montage is unique in all of sports• How production values have evolved over the years• What the footage reveals about which conferences actually matter in March• The painful reality of Big Ten representation in recent yearsThe Numbers Don't Lie[30:00-45:00]A data deep-dive into Big Ten tournament performance since 1987 reveals a troubling pattern of near-misses and missed opportunities. The discussion examines whether the conference's multiple championship game appearances represent bad luck or something more systemic about Big Ten basketball.Coaching & Conference Leadership[45:00-60:00]Questions about the Big Ten's coaching hierarchy and whether the conference has the leadership to compete with other major conferences. Topics include:• Tom Izzo's role as unofficial conference dean• Resistance to modern changes like NIL and transfer portal• How other conferences are embracing younger, more adaptable coaches• Whether the Big Ten needs a changing of the guardThe Talent Gap[60:00-75:00]Eye-opening recruiting data reveals stark differences between Big Ten rosters and championship-caliber teams from other conferences. The analysis covers geographic talent distribution, position-specific recruiting challenges, and why the conference continues to lose homegrown stars to programs outside the Midwest.Indiana's Championship Window[75:00-End]Scott makes the case for why Indiana might be uniquely positioned to break the Big Ten's championship drought. The conversation covers the program's potential advantages in the modern college basketball landscape and whether IU can finally give Big Ten fans something to celebrate in One Shining Moment.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth dive deep into the shadowy world of negative recruiting in college basketball, exploring the tactics, effectiveness, and ethics of programs steering players away from rival schools.Main TopicsSports Dead Period & Pacers Reflection[00:00-15:00]Bob and Mike discuss the dreaded summer sports lull and reflect on the Indiana Pacers' surprising playoff run. They examine the team's selfless ball movement, Tyrese Haliburton's devastating injury, and what the season meant for bringing fans back to NBA basketball after years away.Negative Recruiting Parallels to Politics[15:00-25:00]Drawing parallels to political campaigning, Bob and Mike establish how negative recruiting works as a persuasion contest. They discuss:Key differences between political ads and recruiting (multiple "candidates," shadow operations)The concept of "kamikaze" recruiting to prevent rivals from landing recruitsStrategic timing of when to go negative in recruitment battlesThe Intelligence Game[25:00-35:00]The conversation turns to how programs gather intelligence on recruits and families. Topics include:Assistant coaches' extensive networks and relationship-buildingUnderstanding family dynamics and decision-makersThe role of third-party surrogates like AAU coachesHow specific intel can get (down to restaurant preferences)Variables & Vulnerabilities[35:00-45:00]Using a comprehensive list of recruiting factors, they explore how different variables create opportunities for negative recruiting. The discussion covers playing time, facilities, academics, party scene, geography, and more, emphasizing how each recruit's priorities differ dramatically.The Scott Drew vs. Bob Knight Story[45:00-55:00]Bob and Mike recount the legendary bathroom confrontation where Bob Knight cornered Scott Drew over negative recruiting materials. This story illustrates the tensions between established programs and upstart challengers trying to disrupt the recruiting landscape.Player Compensation Era & IU's Fresh Start[55:00-End]The discussion shifts to how NIL has changed recruiting dynamics and examines IU's situation under the new coaching staff. They analyze recent comments about fan expectations and how confident leadership can address external criticism.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bob Moats and Mike Wiemuth examine how the transfer portal and NIL have fundamentally altered the landscape for mid-major teams and their ability to pull off NCAA tournament upsets.[0:00-5:00] Introduction & Producer WelcomeIntroduction of new producer William McDermottDiscussion of recent Indy 500 raceSetup for main topic on March Madness becoming "less mad"[5:00-15:00] The Old Formula for Mid-Major UpsetsAnalysis of Mercer's 2014 upset victory over Duke as the archetypal exampleTwo key historical advantages identified:Experience advantage: Mercer's starting five had 20 years combined college experience vs Duke's 10 yearsRoster continuity: Four of Mercer's starters played together since 2012 (90+ games as a unit) vs Duke's 14 games togetherHistorical pattern of upsets featuring experienced, cohesive mid-major teams against talent-heavy but inexperienced major programs[15:00-30:00] Transfer Portal's Devastating Impact on Mid-MajorsStark statistics: 80% of quality mid-major players (starters averaging 10+ PPG) now transfer upConference-by-conference breakdown:Southern Conference: Only 1 of 11 top returning players stayingMissouri Valley Conference: Just 3 of 15 top players returning (80% bleed rate)The "dual challenge": Mid-majors lose their best players while also losing potential replacements to major programs[30:00-40:00] The New Minor League RealityMid-majors now function as a development system for power conferencesPower conference coaches no longer need to gamble on unproven recruitsCan simply observe and poach players who prove themselves at lower levels[40:00-50:00] Alternative Models for Future Success"Ocean's Eleven" approach: Assembling rosters from multiple transfer sources (Indiana State 2024 example)Coach-led transfers: Bringing entire successful programs up levels (Ben McCollum at Drake example)Systematic advantages through coaching and scheme rather than talent accumulation[50:00-55:00] Looking Forward & Market AdaptationRecognition that upsets will become increasingly rareAlternative postseason opportunities like NIT may gain importanceCollege basketball still in flux with final competitive equilibrium yet to be establishedThe episode ultimately suggests that while the magic of March may be diminishing, mid-major programs that can adapt to this new reality may still find ways to compete—just not in the same David vs. Goliath fashion that made college basketball's greatest upsets so memorable.Resources:George Martin : https://youtu.be/h3AY1CVUgJw?si=JQRdg3o2zh7bQkzMDelta force theme Indy 500: https://youtu.be/CSzgwCql_mo?si=X8_eZQgvLUNhRwEDSam Posey: https://youtu.be/8I7gKuoEMCM?si=1sXoeRtSeZh0tfLgBoom Baby: https://youtu.be/xRXScx4gsYk?si=zJkZ17XDiwCKuwZtWonder Indiana: https://blog.library.in.gov/wander-indiana-let-your-wanderin-spirit-come-on-thru/Mercer: https://youtu.be/oNWe8kqBRlg?si=rd-Kj6oW_TncPaUPLehigh: https://youtu.be/06c1eOgZQeo?si=xuptNn-XPkR55hFZOceans 11: https://youtu.be/imm6OR605UI?si=lFwM-60fR4Glp8zMOriginal Oceans 11: https://youtu.be/ppVby97BNiw?si=xqTcDBbfNUbREbIbThe End (Beatles): https://youtu.be/12R4FzIhdoQ?si=HjosVjomRxmIgHqNHer Majesty (Beatles): https://youtu.be/12R4FzIhdoQ?si=EP5GhjVo9e0zeKEiMid Major Donor Article Insights from Top NIL Supporters at the Group of 5 LevelSeed RecordsRecords for every seed in March Madness from 1985 to 2025Mid Major Viability ArticleNo One Mourns the Mid-Majors: Can Mid-Major Schools Survive Under the House v. NCAA Settlement Agreement, or is College Athletics Destined to Downsize? — Kentucky Law JournalSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.