Couch and The Rube

Ep. 931: Twitter Question Friday - Evaluating MSU basketball players at the Moneyball Pro-Am

We answered your questions on MSU basketball and what we can rightfully take away from performances and comments at the Moneyball Pro-Am, on Frankie Fidler, Xavier Booker, Jaxon Kohler, Coen Carr and top statistical performers next season, on MSU football and whether to trust Jonathan Smith's recruiting and fair expectations for Aidan Chiles, on worst movies and best sports documentaries we've seen and more. Plus a couple stories actually worth telling.

Ep. 930: MSU basketball takes after Moneyball and Shawn Windsor on the Pistons, Lions and Tigers

We opened talking Michigan State basketball and substantive takeaways from Tuesday night's Moneyball Pro-Am games, including the play of Frankie Fidler and how he impacts the rest of the roster. Then a good conversation with Detroit Free Press columnist Shawn Windsor on the Pistons' big bet with Cade Cunningham, where the Lions are headed this season, the move the Tigers should make to engage fans and the hope for MSU basketball this season (29:00).

Ep. 929: Hot Take Monday

Ep. 929: Hot Take Monday - MSU football arguments and the Tigers' Tarik Skubal conundrum

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on the Michigan State football arguments that make sense for why MSU might have a better season than expected, on Tarik Skubal and whether the Tigers should keep him, sign him to a big contract now or trade him, on the Euro and Copa America soccer championships, the state of the USMNT, bad storytelling on dates and more.

Ep. 928: Twitter Question Friday

Ep. 928: Twitter Question Friday - MSU football, basketball, the Pistons, pet peeves and life advice

In our last show before a two-week summer vacation hiatus, we answered your Twitter and YouTube questions – Michigan State football and Jonathan Smith's recruiting philosophy, on MSU basketball and a Frankie Fidler comparison, our dream Pistons offseason, weird things couples do, pet peeves, life advice and more.

Ep. 927: Talking Pistons with James Edwards and Tigers with Chris Castellani

Ep. 927: Talkin' Pistons with James Edwards and Tigers with Chris Castellani

We talked what's next for the Detroit Pistons with The Athletic's James Edwards on the day Monty Williams was fired (17:00) and then dug into the uneasy direction of the Detroit Tigers with Chris Castellani (37:00). 

Ep. 926: Hot Take Monday – the Moneyball Pro-Am, media criticism, Rory vs. Bryson and more

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on why this MSU basketball roster makes for one of the more intriguing summers at the Lansing Moneyball Pro-Am, on Rory McIlroy's collapse and behavior after the U.S. Open, on criticism of media, on frustrations with the Tigers and more.

Ep. 925: Twitter Question Friday - a summer smorgasbord of MSU, U-M, Lions, Tigers and more

We answered your Twitter and YouTube questions on Jared Goff vs. Trevor Lawrence, on the Lions reaching their potential, on MSU football and basketball and the Moneyball Pro-Am, on the Tigers and Pistons and more.

Ep. 924: U.S. Open storylines with Brendan Quinn from Pinehurst and best bets with Harry

The Athletic's Brendan Quinn joined us from the U.S. Open at Pinehurst for a conversation on the top storylines, the course and covering the event (6:30). Then Harry Gagnon joined us for our best bets at the U.S. Open, NBA and Stanley Cup finals and European soccer championships, which begin this week (25:00). Plus, leftover listener hot takes from Tuesday (43:45).

Ep. 923: Hot Take Tuesday - on MSU football's changed recruiting dynamic, MSU basketball and more

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on the oh-so different vibe around MSU football recruiting than two years ago this month, on MSU basketball's hiring of Saddi Washington, on the Tigers and frustration with the organization's lack of communication, on marrying a spouse who complements your weaknesses and more. 

Ep. 922: Twitter Question Friday - MSU basketball hires Saddi Washington and more

We answered your Twitter questions – on Tom Izzo's decision to hire Saddi Washington to his MSU basketball coaching staff and Washington's likely impact, on MSU football and what projected Vegas lines tell us about the likelihood the Spartans get to six wins, on bad Detroit pro sports owners and more. Plus, a couple stories worth telling, including why The Rube didn't qualify for TSA pre-check.

Ep. 921: Tigers send Torkelson down and Pat Forde on the future of college sports

We dug into the Detroit Tigers' decision to send Spencer Torkelson to Triple-A Toledo and the treatment of Caitlin Clark by WNBA veterans. Then a good conversation with Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde on the future of college sports for schools like Michigan State and beyond and whether fans will stay engaged (22:30). Plus, baked takes from The Rube.

Ep. 920: Twitter Question Friday - on MSU basketball, football, the Tigers and The Rube

We answered your Twitter questions – on Michigan State basketball, MSU football, the Tigers, The Rube's innovative thinking, Connor Stalions, where college sports are headed, and more. Plus, a couple stories worth telling.

Ep. 920: Twitter Question Friday

Ep. 919: Hot Take Tuesday

Ep. 919: Hot Take Tuesday - MSU's football schedule, Xavier Booker, and the good-for-nothing Tigers

In our return from vacation, we dug into our hot takes and yours – on MSU football's Friday night games and the frustration over them and Xavier Booker's weight gain and what that means for MSU basketball, on the Detroit Tigers who can't be counted on for anything and Bill Walton who could be counted on for good vibes. Plus, a puppet officiates a wedding in front of a stone Rube and bad dog owner behavior. 

Ep. 918: Twitter Question Friday - answers on MSU basketball and football, Tigers, Lions and life

We answered your Twitter questions – or died trying – on MSU basketball and football, the Lions' schedule and Tigers needs, the PGA championship, life's predicaments, love, bachelor parties and more.

Ep. 917: Jared Goff gets a new contract, MSU gets a big man and talking Tigers with Cody Stavenhagen

We dug into Jared Goff's new contract with the Lions and why it had to be done, despite the massive numbers. Then Harry Gagnon joined us for PGA Championship best bets and more, before we discussed MSU football's season-win over-under. Then a great conversation with The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen on the Tigers' season and future, Spencer Torkelson, Javy Baez, Chris Illitch and more.

Ep. 916: Hot Take Monday - on MSU basketball playing in the transfer portal and the Pistons' plight

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State's possible new big man from the portal, on the Pistons' landing the 5th pick in the NBA draft, on the Tigers' spending and Spencer Torkelson and more.

Ep.916: Hot Take Monday - on MSU basketball playing in the transfer portal and the Pistons' plight

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State's possible new big man from the portal, on the Pistons' landing the 5th pick in the NBA draft, on the Tigers' spending and Spencer Torkelson and more.

Ep. 915: Twitter Question Friday - MSU football beefs, MSU basketball's ceiling and reporter gaffes

We answered your Twitter questions – on Michigan State football beefs and culture, MSU basketball's ceiling, NIL frustrations, embarrassing reporter gaffes and more.

Ep. 915: Twitter Question Friday

Ep. 914: Hot Take Tuesday

Ep. 914: Hot Take Tuesday - on MSU football and basketball, and what to do with Spencer Torkelson

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on what Michigan State football needs from this season, whether this season's MSU basketball lineup is better than last season, NIL reforms, what the Tigers should do with Spencer Torkelson, the Pistons' future and more. 

Ep. 913: Twitter Question Friday - What to expect from MSU basketball next season with this roster?

We answered your Twitter questions – on what to expect and hope for from MSU's basketball roster if this is the group that Tom Izzo takes into the season, on MSU football expectations after a number of transfer portal departures, on the future of college sports and where it's all headed, on Brad Holmes vs. Troy Weaver vs. Tom Izzo, on Mat Ishbia's take on his Suns and more

Ep. 913: Twitter Question Friday

Ep. 912: Talking Detroit Lions with Nick Baumgardner

Off the top: We got dug into the BS that is Bally's no longer being offered on Comcast and why the Detroit Tigers need to step in. Then a great conversation with The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner on the Detroit Lions, their draft and future and looming contract with Jared Goff (13:30). Plus, a conversation on Michigan State football's latest losses in the transfer portal and what to make of it all (38:30).

Ep. 912: Talking Lions with Nick Baumgardner

Ep. 911: Hot Take Monday – the Lions' draft; MSU hoops and football in the transfer portal, NIL era

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on the Lions' NFL draft and Brad Holmes "magic", Keon Coleman's fit with the Bills and his press conference, on MSU basketball and the continued angst surrounding the lack of a center pickup in the transfer portal, on the future of MSU football and hoops in the transfer portal and NIL era, a new can't-lose MLB daily bet and more.

Ep. 911: Hot Take Monday

Ep. 910: Twitter Question Friday

Ep. 910: Twitter Question Friday - MSU basketball and football in the transfer portal; Lions draft

We answered your Twitter questions – on Michigan State basketball and football and life with the transfer portal, on Tom Izzo's reasons for being concerned about rocking the boat with his roster, on the Lions' NFL draft and the Falcons drafting Michael Penix after signing Kirk Cousins, and more.

Ep. 909: Hot Take Tuesday

Ep. 909: Hot Take Tuesday - on MSU basketball landing Frankie Fidler and MSU football developments

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Omaha transfer Frankie Fidler choosing Michigan State, how he fits on MSU's roster and the likelihood now that Tom Izzo won't add a center in the transfer portal, on Michigan basketball coach Dusty May making moves, on MSU football, the Aidan Chiles' and Tommy Schuster's spring game performances, the transfers leaving since and more.

Ep. 908: Twitter Question Friday

Ep. 908: Twitter Question Friday - What is Izzo doing with MSU's basketball roster?

We answered your Twitter questions – on Michigan State basketball, what to make of Tom Izzo's approach so far in the portal, what he's risking with fans, on MSU football and expectations on the field and in the portal, on the Tigers' start, paying Cade Cunningham, the Lions uniforms, a columnist's cringe moment with Caitlin Clark and more.

Ep. 907: The Athletic's James Edwards on the Pistons and MSU basketball

The Athletic's James Edwards joined us for a conversation on the Pistons (11:30), the future of the roster and of Monty Williams and Troy Weaver, what moves might be made this offseason and more, including a good discussion on James' frustrations with his beloved MSU basketball program (36:30. Plus, big NIL / 3PS numbers in college basketball and what that means for MSU. 

Ep. 833: Hump Day

Ep. 906: Hot Take Monday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State basketball, transfer target Frankie Fidler, whether Izzo will actually add a big man, on MSU football and increasing hope for this season and the reasons behind it, on the Pistons' future and the Masters and more.

Ep. 905: Twitter Question Thursday – MSU basketball transfers, Aidan Chiles expectations and Masters picks

We answered your Twitter questions – on the likelihood Michigan State basketball will bring in both a wing and big man from the transfer portal, on the timeline of such a move, on A.J. Hoggard's future, on expectations for Aidan Chiles and MSU football, on reporting (or lack thereof) on Connor Stalions, on our Masters picks, rethinking the Tigers, trusting Troy Weaver and more.

Ep. 905: Twitter Question Thursday

Ep. 904: Hot Take Tuesday

Ep. 904: Hot Take Tuesday – MSU basketball relative to UConn and evidence MSU is a football school

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State's basketball program relative to UConn in terms of success and expectations, on Tom Izzo's approach and the Spartans' roster needs, on lessons from the Final Four in how to replace Izzo eventually, on evidence that MSU is a football-first school, on the Tigers, Pistons, the eclipse and more.

Ep. 903: Twitter Question Friday - what's going on with MSU basketball and the transfer portal?

We answered your Twitter questions – on Michigan State basketball, transfer portal priorities, who else might leave, the possibility that Izzo and his staff won't sign a transfer big man, on whether Jaden Akins can be a leading man next season, on MSU football hopes for this season, the quarterback situation, the definition of a Walmart Wolverine, the Lions' draft and more. 

Ep. 901: MSU Basketball and Final Four picks

Ep. 902: Mady Sissoko leaves MSU basketball and Final Four picks

Off the top: We reacted to the news that Mady Sissoko is leaving Michigan State, transferring elsewhere, and what that means for the Spartans, which big man is more likely staying and what MSU needs in the portal. Then Harry Gagnon joined us for our best bets and Final Four picks (plus a baseball play and a couple NFL season-win total bets). Then we talked MSU hockey and also staggering NIL asking prices in college basketball.

Ep. 901: MSU Basketball and the 4-0 Detroit Tigers

Former Division I basketball coach Rick Carter, who cut his teeth under Tom Izzo at MSU, joined us for a good conversation on the Spartans' roster, what positions they should add and who on MSU's team could take a big leap next year, as well as the state of college basketball (14:00). Then the great Chris Castellani, from Detroit Tigers postgame video fame and his new show Chris & Company, joined to talk about the Tigers promising start (36:00). Lastly, we talk into MSU hockey in the wake of ...

Ep. 901: MSU Basketball & the 4-0 Tigers