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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.

Connect with Splash City Basketball:

• Website: splashcitybasketball.com (Check out the new merch!)
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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!

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In this episode, Steve Hartman is joined by Andrew Dukowitz from Zone Coverage to discuss a historic weekend at Williams Arena as the Gopher Women host the first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament for the first time in 20 years. We break down their opening matchup against Green Bay, the health of key players like Sophie Hart and Mara Braun, and why their "impeccable" defense makes them a threat to anyone in the bracket.

The conversation then shifts to the professional ranks with an inside look at the WNBA CBA negotiations. Andrew shares updates on the 12-hour daily meetings between the league and the Players Association and the massive $200M+ TV deals hanging in the balance. We also take the temperature of the Timberwolves, discussing the "nauseating" roller coaster of their recent West Coast trip and the urgent need for a shift in energy before the playoffs.

Steve has bracket fever! He talks about why Santa Clara is the trendy upset pick over Kentucky and the high-scoring potential of Wisconsin vs. High Point, Steve identifies the "fireworks" to watch for in every region.

Key Highlights:

• Gophers at The Barn: Why hosting as a top-four seed is a "monumental" shift for the program.
• Labor Talk: Breaking down the "bad faith" leaks and housing subsidies in the latest WNBA negotiations.
• Wolves’ Identity Crisis: Why fans are "ticked off" by the team's inconsistent effort and "Olay defense".
• Bracket Picks: Steve’s games to watch in every region.

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In this live stream episode ff the Splash City Basketball Podcast, host Steve Hartman is joined by longtime friend and bracket enthusiast Eric Quackenbush to dissect the newly revealed tournament field. Fresh off the selection show, the duo breaks down each region to identify the "Group of Death," potential Cinderellas, and the impact of recent injuries on top-tier contenders.

Key segments include:

• The Toughest Region Debate: Eric makes the case for the West as the most grueling bracket, while Steve argues the East is a "blue blood" gauntlet featuring legendary coaches like Bill Self and Rick Pitino.
• Seeding Snubs & Surprises: A deep dive into why St. John’s landing a 5-seed is a "travesty" and why teams like Akron and VCU might be the most dangerous double-digit seeds in the field.
• Freshmen to Watch: Analysis of the tournament's most dominant young stars, including Arkansas’ "dog" Darius Acuff and Arizona's smooth-scoring Burries.
• Upset Alerts: Why High Point’s high-scoring offense makes them a nightmare matchup and why a shorthanded Duke squad could be vulnerable in the Sweet 16.

Plus, Steve shares details on a live opening day show Thursday, March 19th at Back Channel Brewing and discusses the interview with North Dakota State head coach Dave Richman.

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The Splash City Basketball Podcast is gearing up for the Big Dance! In this special Selection Sunday segment, we are joined by Dave Richman, head coach of the 14-seeded North Dakota State Bison.

While this interview was recorded before the brackets were unveiled—revealing a first-round matchup against 3-seed Michigan State in Buffalo—Coach Richman dives deep into the "competitive character" that led this squad to a program-record 27 wins.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Cutting Down the Nets: A recap of the Bison’s 70–62 victory over in-state rival UND to claim the Summit League Championship.
• The 2020 Heartbreak: Richman reflects on the "dominant" 2020 team that had the tournament "ripped from them" due to the pandemic.
• Building a Culture: How the Bison navigate the "transactional" era of the transfer portal and NIL while keeping a focus on "transformational" relationships.
• The "Nash" Factor: The development of sophomore point guard Andy Stevanowicz, whose elite vision and "eyes-up" playmaking have become a luxury for the Bison offense.
• Preparation Mode: Why Coach Richman focuses on "the best version of ourselves" rather than worrying about the opponent during the long wait for Selection Sunday.

Tournament Info:

The Bison (14) take on the Michigan State Spartans (3) this Thursday at 3:05 PM CT in Buffalo, NY.

Don’t Miss the Breakdown:

Catch our full Selection Sunday live stream replay on YouTube or the Splash City Basketball Podcast feed, available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and Facebook for live updates during all the madness!

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The Minnesota Youth Athletic Services Grade State basketball tournament marks the end of the winter season for thousands of players across Minnesota. But while the players finally get a break, the work for local board members never stops. In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the logistical "mountain" behind youth sports—from gym-space wars to the emotional intensity of tryout week.

Joining the show are veteran board members Kristi Hicks and Sara Schwartz. We discuss the "shop talk" that happens when association leaders from different communities get together to navigate the challenges of running a program.

In this episode:

• The Mission: Why the focus is on a "growth mindset" and ensuring every kid from 3rd to 8th grade has a place to play.
• The Logistical Puzzle: Balancing gym schedules between varsity sports, JO volleyball, and community ed in a crowded district. Why tournament scheduling begins in June and the behind-the-scenes chaos of hosting a home event.
• The Coaching Debate: The reality of recruiting volunteer coaches versus the challenges of finding and hiring paid professionals.
• The Truth About Tryouts: Navigating evaluation models, the "48-hour rule," and why early team placements don't define a player's long-term ceiling.
• The Human Element: A look at the "emotional labor" and thousands of volunteer hours put in by board members to keep the game alive.

Whether you’re a parent curious about where registration fees go or a coach looking for perspective on association checklists, this episode offers a candid look at the people behind the program.

Plus I start the show off with a few thoughts on the Timberwolves falling again in LA, this time to the Clippers. The 3rd loss in a row is a concerning point as the NBA playoffs loom and as seeding in the Western Conference tightens up.

And the Minnesota Golden Gophers Men's basketball team falls in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament. A costly run of empty possessions in the 2nd half doom the team that had little margin of error the past 2-3 months.

It's all in this episode of the Splash City Basketball Podcast!

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The madness has officially arrived in Minnesota. As the girls state basketball tournament tips off at Williams Arena and the Maturi Pavilion, we are joined by Star Tribune and Strib Varsity reporter Cassidy Hettesheimer to break down the brackets, the star power, and the stories defining this season.

In this episode, Cassidy shares her observations on the elite level of talent across the state—from the Metro powerhouses to the small-town programs making noise up north. We dive deep into the most anticipated matchups and players, including:

• The Class 2A Gauntlet: Why the first-round clash between New London-Spicer and Minnehaha Academy is a must-watch, and the potential "appointment television" championship matchup between sophomore sensation Chloe Johnson and Kentucky-bound senior Maddyn Greenway.
• Championship Predictions: Cassidy reveals her picks for every class, including why she’s leaning toward Northome/Kelliher in 1A and Marshall in 3A.
• The "State Trip" Experience: From the grind of a marathon winter season to the collaborative new era of high school sports coverage at Strib Varsity, we discuss what makes the Minnesota tournament atmosphere unique.

Whether you’re heading to Dinkytown to catch the games in person or following the action from home, this episode is your definitive scouting report for the week.

Follow Cassidy on Instagram @cassidyhsports and follow her writing at StarTribune and varsity.startribune.com.

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