Couch and The Rube

Ep. 911: Hot Take Monday

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. 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. 910: Twitter Question Friday

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. 833: Hump Day

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. 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

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. 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

Ep. 900: Twitter Question Friday

Ep. 900: Twitter Question Friday - an MSU basketball bonanza

We answered your Twitter questions – largely on Michigan State basketball, on whether Izzo truly understands the need to use the portal, on what MSU's roster needs are, on the keys for next season's roster, on our previous takes on the Spartans, and also on several hypotheticals on MSU basketball and football, on Aidan Chiles, MSU hockey and more.

Ep. 899: MSU basketball's future; picking the NCAA tournament games; and hot takes

We opened talking about the future of Michigan State basketball and the roster decisions and key player development ahead. Then Harry Gagnon joined us for our NCAA tournament picks and some baseball futures as opening day approaches. Plus, more listener hot takes on MSU basketball, hockey and more. 

Ep. 899: Tuesday live

Ep. 898: Hot Take Monday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State basketball after the Spartans' loss to North Carolina in the NCAA tournament heading into an important offseason, on MSU hockey heading into the NCAA tournament, how screwy that tournament is and more. 

Ep. 897: MSU basketball Twitter question Saturday

On a Michigan State NCAA tournament game day morning, we talked Michigan State basketball and answered your Twitter questions – on MSU hoops, the matchup with North Carolina, how MSU wins, Jaden Akins, Mady Sissoko, A.J. Hoggard, the vibe-changing win over Mississippi State, where this team was all season, and on MSU women's basketball, hockey and more. 

Ep. 896: On the road with MSU at the NCAA tournament

We opened talking Michigan State basketball on the eve of the NCAA tournament, digging into the matchup with Mississippi State — including a good conversation with Mississippi State beat writer Justin Frommer, from 247Sports, who's also a Michigan State grad (and fan). Plus a take on an irresponsible and inaccurate tweet about a Tom Izzo comment by an ESPN writer that caused a stir. And our NCAA picks and best bets with Harry Gagnon.

Ep. 895: Hot Take Monday - MSU basketball and the NCAA tournament

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State basketball's NCAA tournament draw, the Spartans' Selection Sunday sweat, whether MSU can beat Mississippi State and North Carolina, and whether the program would have been better off missing the tournament. Plus, NCAA tournament picks, the MSU women's draw, MSU hockey and this Saturday's game at Munn, and more.

Ep. 894: Twitter Question Saturday

Ep. 894: Twitter Question Saturday - on MSU basketball ahead of Selection Sunday

We answered your Twitter questions — largely on Michigan State basketball, whether the Spartans are actually safely in the NCAA tournament, whether how they played in the Big Ten tournament should come with real hope of a postseason run, on Big Ten officiating (especially with Zach Edey), on Tre Holloman, on how to distribute the center minutes, on Tom Izzo never again wearing a suit and more. 

Ep. 893: MSU Basketball begins the postseason

Ep. 893: Shawn Windsor on the state of MSU and Michigan's basketball programs

We talked MSU basketball off the top and then continued that conversation with Detroit Free Press columnist Shawn Windsor (22:30 mark), digging into the state of Tom Izzo's program, his roster construction, the transfer portal, whether this team has a surprising run in them this month, and also into Juwan Howard, what's gone wrong with his Michigan program and whether he should be retained as U-M's coach. Lastly, we dove into the Lions recent signings and the one signing that hasn't happened ...

Ep. 892: Hot Take Monday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State's basketball team, Tom Izzo's approach and stubbornness, the center position, MSU's NCAA tournament hopes, the future of the program and more. Plus, discussion on the Wolverines, the Tigers, the Pistons, Zach Edey in the NBA and more. 

Ep. 891: Twitter Question Friday

We answered your Twitter questions – on Michigan State basketball, whether this MSU team still has a chance to make a run and how, the program's future under Izzo and with the transfer portal, on MSU football, the Tigers, Big Ten football on Friday nights, life's predicaments and more.

Ep. 890: MSU basketball's NCAA tournament chase and Brendan Quinn

We opened talking about Michigan State basketball – MSU's senior night win over Northwestern, where the Spartans stand on the NCAA tournament bubble and whether this team has a chance to make a run, like others have. Then a good conversation with The Athletic's Brendan Quinn – on his story on Steven Izzo, how it came together, his life as reluctant national writer and his perceptions of Tom Izzo and MSU and Michigan's programs (24:00).

Ep. 889: Hot Take Monday – on MSU basketball, this senior class, the NCAA tournament and Izzo

We dug into our hot takes and yours – largely on Michigan State basketball, this senior class, the lineups, the Spartans' NCAA tournament path, Izzo's future and more.

Ep. 888: Twitter Question Thursday – Izzo's response to criticism and MSU basketball facing Purdue

We answered your Twitter questions – largely on Michigan State basketball, on Tom Izzo's response to criticism, MSU's chances and approach against Purdue, next year's roster and more.

Ep. 887: Hot Take Monday - on MSU basketball and Tom Izzo

We dug into our hot takes and yours – mostly on Michigan State basketball after Sunday's loss to Ohio State, on Tom Izzo, his future, on the decision not to bring Xavier Booker back in the game for the final 15 minutes, on the second-half rotations, this MSU team's postseason fate and more.

Ep. 886: Twitter Question Thursday – on MSU basketball, Izzo and the program's future

We answered your Twitter questions – largely on Michigan State basketball, on Tom Izzo's roster and playing time decisions, on Xavier Booker and Coen Carr's futures, on this MSU team's chances to do anything in the postseason, on next season's team and where and whether the portal will be needed. Also, Lions and Tigers expectations, movies, marriage advice and more.

Ep. 885: Hot Take Monday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on MSU basketball, changes at center, playing time for Jaxon Kohler, Xavier Booker and Coen Carr, the Spartans' NCAA tournament seeding, Gus Johnson and the blue wall and more.

Ep. 884: Live from Midtown Brewing Co. – our worst takes, Twitter questions and MSU hoops

Live from Midtown Brewing Company, we talked MSU basketball, then dug into our worst hot takes and most cringe moments, as suggested by listeners, before answering your Twitter questions.

Ep. 883: Twitter Question Thursday – on MSU basketball and more

We answered your Twitter questions – largely on Michigan State basketball, on how sustainable Malik Hall's performance at Penn State is, on Tyson Walker's health, Mady Sissoko's playing time, Xavier Booker, the playing rotations and more.

Ep. 882: Hot Take Monday - on MSU basketball, the Super Bowl and more

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State basketball, what MSU's win over Illinois says about their ceiling, on A.J. Hoggard and Tom Izzo, why MSU is not on the NCAA tournament bubble, regardless of what you hear, on the Chiefs' Super Bowl win, the experience for Lions fans, on MSU hockey and football and more.

Ep. 881: Twitter Question Friday - a Michigan State basketball bonanza

We answered your many, many Twitter questions – most of them on Michigan State basketball, the future of MSU's program under Izzo, what's fair to expect, whether the program will ever rise to elite status again, the hopes for the rest of this season and more. Plus, questions on MSU football, whatever the heck the Pistons are doing, the Lions, Super Bowl dishes, life and more. And, at the 88-minute mark, an interlude to talk Super Bowl lines and prop bets with the great Harry Gagnon, before mo...

Ep. 880: Hot Take Monday

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on Michigan State basketball, the keys to maximizing this MSU season, the futures of Xavier Booker and Jaxon Kohler, MSU football thoughts, a trade the Pistons should make, the Lions, Super Bowl bets and more.

Ep. 879: Twitter Question Thursday

We answered your Twitter questions – on Michigan State basketball, what this MSU team needs, the coaching, the rotation decisions, how this team compares to others in recent Spartan history, on MSU football and impressions of Jonathan Smith, on the health of MSU's athletic department, on U-M football and hoops, the Lions' future and more.

Ep. 878: Hot Takes – on the Lions and MSU basketball

We dug into our hot takes and yours – beginning with a good conversation on the Lions after a heartbreaking loss in the NFC championship game, their future, our feelings, where criticism is warranted and more. Plus, lot of discussion on Michigan State basketball, Tom Izzo, the construction of the roster and more.

Ep. 877: Twitter Question Thursday and Lions-49ers picks

We picked this weekend's Lions-49ers NFC championship game and the AFC game, including Harry Gagnon's favorite prop bets, then spent the rest of the show answering your Twitter questions (23:30) – on MSU basketball, Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football, the Lions and more.

Ep. 876: Hot Take Monday - on the Lions in the NFC championship and MSU basketball

We dug into our hot takes and yours – on the Lions in the NFC championship game, facing the 49ers, Jared Goff's contract, Dan Campbell's place historically, and on the state of Michigan State basketball after a win at Maryland, on Jaxon Kohler's role, Tre Holloman, next year's center position and more, including The Rube surviving being searched on the way back from Mexico.

Ep. 875: Twitter Question Saturday - on the state of MSU basketball and the Lions' playoff hopes

On a rare Saturday night show, we answered your Twitter questions – on Michigan State's basketball team, its 9-7 start, what the Spartans are still capable of this season, the center position, Coen Carr, and Tom Izzo, and on MSU football and Jonathan Smith, on the Lions' heading into their playoff game against Matthew Stafford and the Rams, and more.