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In this immediate reaction episode, host Steve Hartman breaks down a weekend of absolute disbelief in the final Elite 8 game. After a refreshing spring break Steve returned just in time to witness one of the most stunning collapses in NCAA Tournament history as UConn erased a 19-point deficit to knock off top-seeded Duke.

Inside the Episode:

• The Duke Meltdown: Steve reacts to the closing seconds of the UConn-Duke thriller, specifically the late turnover by freshman Cayden Boozer that led to Braylon Mullins’ game-winning 35-footer. We dive into the "Freshman Ceiling" debate—is Duke too reliant on 18 and 19-year-olds in high-pressure moments compared to the veteran-heavy rosters of Michigan and UConn?.
• The Final Four Field: A look at the "heavyweight" matchup between Michigan and Arizona, which many feel could be the de facto National Championship game. Steve also analyzes the "matchup nightmare" that is Illinois, highlighting their incredible defensive transformation from 80th in the country to 8th since March 1st.
• The Big Ten Statement: With half of the Elite Eight consisting of Big Ten teams and two moving on to the Final Four, we discuss how the conference’s emphasis on size, length, and physicality is paying off.
• MSHSL Boys State Tournament Recap: Steve recaps a wild week at the barn, including:
• 4A: The Chaska Hawks' winning streak culminates in a title win over Apple Valley.
• 3A: Totino-Grace edging out DeLaSalle in a high-intensity rivalry battle.
• 2A: Minnehaha Academy returning to the top for the first time since 2021.
• 1A: Hills-Beaver Creek completing a historic "double" by adding a basketball championship to their 9-man football state title.

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In this jam-packed episode, Steven Hartman dives deep into the changing landscape of college basketball before shifting gears to preview the upcoming Minnesota State Boys Basketball Tournament.

• The Death of the Cinderella? Steven examines whether NIL and the transfer portal have killed the "mid-major" magic in March Madness or if the rise of power conference teams has simply raised the bar.
• Blue Bloods on Life Support: A look at the early exits of perennial powerhouses like Kansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina, and the coaching transitions that are defining a new era of the sport.
• Tournament Recap: A "quick whip around" the college game, highlighting Iowa’s stunner over Florida and the most exciting moments from the first two rounds.
• Minnesota State Boys Basketball Preview: Marcus Fuller from the Star Tribune joins the show to break down every class of the upcoming state tournament.
• Class 4A: Can undefeated Tartan overcome the "eye test" favorite and defending champion Wayzata? Plus, a look at the intriguing Alexandria vs. Maple Grove quarterfinal.
• Class 3A: Steven and Marcus discuss the Totino-Grace dynasty and whether teams like DeLaSalle or Mankato East can disrupt their run.
• Class 2A: A spotlight on the standout athletes to watch, including NDSU football-bound Darren Russell and high-level prospects like Roman Voss.

Whether you're following the road to the Final Four or heading to Minneapolis for the high school state tournament, this episode has everything you need to stay ahead of the game.

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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.

Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky.