We’re back with another edition of the Respect the Hustle Podcast, discussing all the latest news, storylines, and hot takes in the world of college basketball. In this week’s edition, national analyst William Whelan throws respect, shade, and calls his shots on true national title contenders in college basketball.
First up, the list of hustles respected by our esteemed host. In what is being called perhaps the greatest regular season college basketball game in history, Kansas triumphed over Big 12 rival Oklahoma 109-106. Fans at Phog Allen Fieldhouse got everything they paid for and more, watching the Sooners’ Buddy Hield and the Jayhawks Perry Ellis go off, leading their teams. Whelan heaps praise onto both, calling it a game that basketball fans will remember for years to come.
Whelan also throws some love towards North Carolina forward Brice Johnson, who’s been on a tear since fellow frontcourt mate Kennedy Meeks went down with injury. Johnson has emerged as a Player of the Year candidate according to him. Also, Whelan’s love/hate affair with UCLA continues, with the most recent development being one of cautious admiration.
Finally, the top Contenders and Pretenders for the Final Four and national title are broken down, with Whelan explaining who he truly believes in and who he is still waiting to fully buy into.
In a season like this, with so much parity, it can be hard to truly buy into anyone. But that’s the fun of college basketball, isn’t it? Who on this list do you buy?
Contenders: Oklahoma, Michigan State, Maryland, North Carolina, Villanova, Iowa State
Pretenders: Kansas, Virginia, Arizona, Providence, Xavier, Kentucky
