Host Steve Hartman takes the Splash City Basketball Podcast on the road for a live broadcast from Back Channel Brewing on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. It’s opening day of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, and the madness is already in full swing as the crew reacts in real-time to a massive 12-5 upset with High Point taking down Wisconsin.

In this episode, Steve is joined by a rotating cast of guests—including friends Tate & Matt —to break down the first-round action, Vegas odds, 1st round weekend experiences and much more.

Highlights include:

• The Badgers are Shocked: A deep dive into how High Point managed to outlast the Badgers in an 83-82 thriller.
• The "Vegas Grind": Guest Tate Schoenbauer shares nostalgic stories of navigating the pre-mobile betting era in Las Vegas, from waiting in 9:00 AM sportsbook lines to the evolution of the "second weekend" experience.
• NIL and the Death of the Cinderella: The crew discusses whether the transfer portal and NIL money are making top seeds more dominant, or if mid-majors are actually benefiting from "trickle-down basketball" talent.
• Tournament Favorites: Early impressions of Arkansas and Michigan State’s dominance, Duke’s narrow escape, and why VCU might be the next team to bust your bracket.
• All-Tournament Names: From Chandler Bing to Boopy Miller to Jomo Goings, a look at the best names in the 2026 field.

Whether you’re tracking your bracket at a food truck or scouting the next NBA draft pick you'll want to listen to this fun, lively episode!

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.

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