Proficient Fans Sports Podcast
290 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★★ - 13 ratingsJoin CB and Clay on Proficient Fans, where two sports enthusiasts unleash their unfiltered passion and opinions. No holds barred, we dive deep into the sports world, discussing the highs, lows, and everything in between. Get ready for insights, lively debates, and a whole lot of sports love.
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Episodes
NFL Draft Week 2024
April 23, 2024 02:54 - 1 hour - 44.1 MBCB and Clay got to watch one more epic comeback victory from the Detroit Red Wings before their season ultimately ended on a sad, but optimistic note. The NBA play-in games have concluded and we take a look at our NBA playoff bracket. We completed a first-round mock draft to prepare for the NFL Draft this Thursday in Detroit. #ProficientFans #SportsPodcast #SportsAreLife #KalamazooPodcast #NHL #StanleyCupPlayoffs #DetroitRedWings #NBA #NBAPlayoffs #NFL #NFLDraft #MockDraft
So Close We Can Taste It
April 16, 2024 02:07 - 1 hour - 31.1 MBCB and Clay cover it all tonight. UFC 300 did not disappoint this weekend. Scottie Scheffler wins his second Master’s Tournament in three years. Caitlin Clark is drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever and we recognize others drafted early. We take a look at the NBA playoff bracket and make our predictions. The Detroit Red Wings comeback and earn an overtime victory to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Lady Gamecocks Are Perfect
April 09, 2024 03:33 - 2 hours - 61 MBCB and Clay congratulate the Lady Gamecocks on their undefeated season and winning the National Championship. Stefon Diggs gets traded to the Houston Texans and we weigh in on some fantasy football trades. Is Bronny James good enough for the NBA, or is his dad the only reason he will ever be drafted?
Trailblazer
April 02, 2024 02:21 - 1 hour - 33.9 MBCB and Clay talk about women's college basketball… and it's their main topic? We're here for it! Caitlin Clark has led Iowa to breaking NCAA women’s tournament records with viewership. Can she do the same thing for the WNBA, or will she decide to accept Ice Cube’s offer and join the Big 3? We take a look at the NCAA men’s Final Four and make our predictions.
Hip Drop Drama
March 26, 2024 02:59 - 1 hour - 41.7 MBCB and Clay had their Spartan ups and downs this past week. The MSU hockey team won the B1G Championship, and MSU gymnastics won their second straight B1G Championship. However, MSU men’s and women’s basketball teams were eliminated from March Madness. Coach Izzo made a strong promise, and we discuss what he meant by that. We took a look at the Men’s and Women’s March Madness brackets. The NFL has implemented a few new rules, and we have one we really like and one we absolutely can’t stand.
The Definition of Dominance
March 19, 2024 02:23 - 1 hour - 35.9 MBCB and Clay survived St. Patrick’s Day and bring you another episode of Proficient Fans. We recap the career of Aaron Donald, a likely future first-ballot Hall of Fame defensive tackle, who defined what it meant to dominate the trenches and terrify opposing quarterbacks. Chase Young finds a new home in New Orleans. Michigan State lands a 9-seed in the 2024 March Madness bracket. What do we expect from the Spartans and who do we see making a run? Juwan Howard is out as Michigan’s head basketb...
Free Agency Frenzy
March 12, 2024 22:04 - 1 hour - 44.7 MBCB and Clay congratulate Caitlin Clark and Lebron James for both reaching milestones in the game of basketball. Jason Kelce hangs up his cleats and retires from the game of football. NFL free agency started with a bang and has not let up on the gas as the league gets shuffled.
Fielding Offers
March 05, 2024 04:21 - 1 hour - 48 MBCB and Clay are excited for college football to transition to the 12-school playoff format. We take a look at the conference realignments and weigh the good and the bad that come with it. What should the Pac-12 do after losing 10 schools? The conclusion of the NFL Combine raises the question of whether players hurt their draft stock by not participating. Justin Fields, Saquan Barkley, Christian Wilkins, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Russell Wilson are all making headlines this week. We discuss thes...
Let The Dawg Out
February 27, 2024 03:34 - 1 hour - 44.5 MBCB and Clay talk about their first round of merch and their appreciation for the support of the brand by friends and family. The NFL raised the 2024 salary cap by a record amount, opening the door for a new running back salary reset having 5 tremendous free agents in the pool this offseason. Michigan State basketball has been missing leadership, but could it be from their head coach?
What "New Rule"?
February 20, 2024 03:44 - 1 hour - 38 MBCB and Clay derailed from their notes almost immediately and began a rant about the NBA, the All-Star Game, and whether Lebron James should have a farewell tour when he retires. It gets revealed that the 49ers didn’t know about the overtime rules. How is this possible and does that put Kyle Shanahan on the hot seat? Are Taco Bell’s Nacho Fries worth it?
Won't Be Denied
February 13, 2024 03:53 - 1 hour - 46.9 MBCB and Clay reminisce about the Red Wings/Avalanche brawls in 97’ and 98’ and are excited to see the Red Wings in a wild card spot at the moment. Yet again, Patrick Mahomes leads the Chiefs to their third Super Bowl championship in the last five seasons. Brock Purdy is showcasing that being Mr. Irrelevant means absolutely nothing and anyone can compete for championships. Is Patrick Mahomes closer to Tom Brady than LeBron James is to Michael Jordan in their respective GOAT debates?
700
February 06, 2024 03:23 - 1 hour - 47.2 MBCB and Clay celebrate Coach Tom Izzo winning his 700th game at Michigan State. Praise is given to the NFL for a fun Pro Bowl weekend where the players appeared to be completely bought into the experience. We dive into Super Bowl LVIII and make our predictions between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs. There may be a small conversation about shows and movies we’ve watched recently and our outlook on some of them at the end of this episode.
Roar Restored
January 30, 2024 03:45 - 1 hour - 44.1 MBCB and Clay both go down another dark road this week with their teams. Jim Harbaugh leaves his alma mater to join the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL. The NFL playoffs have been electric and Sunday did not disappoint. The Chiefs are returning to their 4th Super Bowl in 5 years after taking down the NFL MVP hopeful Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. The Detroit Lions' Cinderella run comes to an end as they give up 27 unanswered points in the second half to the San Francisco 49ers.
A Long Time Coming
January 22, 2024 02:49 - 1 hour - 40.9 MBCB and Clay are following the head coach search in the NFL. Is Bill Belichick headed to Atalanta? Las Vegas seems to have found their guy and plan to sign Antonio Pierce. Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn meet with multiple teams seeking their next head coach, but how does CB feel about his coaches talking to other teams while Detroit battles in the playoffs? The Lions finally snapped their playoff win drought. We recap the NFL playoffs so far and make our predictions for the Super Bowl.
End of an Era
January 14, 2024 17:26 - 1 hour - 44.6 MBCB and Clay tip their caps to the Michigan Wolverines for winning the National Championship*. Nick Saban, The GOAT college football, retires as Alabama’s head football coach. Meanwhile, Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll are also parting ways with their NFL organizations. Will any of these all-time greats coach again? The NFL playoffs are underway and we discuss the games played and make predictions on the games to come. Did the Miami Dolphins get better this year, or was this another disappoin...
For All The Marbles
January 07, 2024 16:27 - 1 hour - 43.2 MBCB and Clay discuss the Michigan vs. Washington National Championship game and make our predictions. Will this be the last time Jim Harbaugh coaches the Wolverines? Week 18 of the NFL will determine a couple of division titles and dictate who makes the playoffs. Is Bill Belichick done as the Head Coach in New England? We recap our NFL week 17 pick’em and make our week 18 predictions.
Report
December 31, 2023 17:17 - 1 hour - 36.1 MBCB and Clay are engaged in the NFL playoff race. The Denver Broncos decided to bench Russell Wilson after he refused to adjust his contract earlier in the season. Is this a bad look for the Broncos or should Russell be held responsible (Recorded before CBA news)? The Detroit Lions lost a close one to the Dallas Cowboys, but did the referees make a crucial mistake that resulted in the loss to begin with? The Georgia Bulldogs demolished the Florida State Seminoles in the Orange Bowl and we mak...
Holly Jolly Football
December 24, 2023 16:24 - 1 hour - 34.3 MBCB and Clay want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! We discuss our favorite Christmas movies and delicious food. Fantasy football playoffs are more stressful than Christmas shopping and we break our teams and what players we need to show out this weekend. We recap week 15 of our NFL pick’em and make our week 16. #ProficientFans #SportsPodcast #SportsAreLife #KalamazooPodcast #MerryChristmas #ChristmasSeason #HappyHolidays #ChristmasMovies #NFL #FantasyFootball #FantasyFootballPlayoffs #Pl...
Flagrant
December 19, 2023 03:52 - 1 hour - 36.8 MBCB and Clay reflect on the indefinite suspension given to Draymond Green. Aidan Chiles chooses to transfer to Michigan State to rejoin his former Oregon State coach, among many other former Beaver players. We take a look at the NFL playoff race and each team’s probability of securing their ticket to the postseason. We recap our NFL pick’em from weeks 14 and 15.
In-Season Tournament Champs
December 10, 2023 17:02 - 1 hour - 44.7 MBThere has been quite an uproar from Florida State fans about the College Football Playoffs and football fans alike. Did the NCAA make a huge mistake? What teams make the playoffs this season with the 12-team playoff structure? The Lakers won the first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament. Did the NBA capture a playoff atmosphere with this tournament? We look at our fantasy football teams and what the playoffs look like in each of our leagues. We recap week 13 of the NFL and make our week 14 pick’em...
Best vs. Deserving
December 03, 2023 16:46 - 1 hour - 42.2 MBCB and Clay talk about the magic Santa brings to a child's life. Can Patrick Kane help the Detroit Red Wings make their first playoff since the ‘15-’16 season? The NBA In-Season Tournament has its bracket and we make our predictions. Now that the Power-5 Conference teams have crowned their champions, the College Football Playoff Committee has the very difficult task of providing us with the 4 teams that will compete for a National Championship. Should the committee choose the best teams or t...
No Shortcuts
November 26, 2023 16:36 - 1 hour - 38.2 MBCB and Clay have a new football coach in East Lansing. We discuss what we hope Coach Jonathon Smith can bring to the Spartan football program and his fit in the Big Ten. Michigan State basketball suffers another loss against a top-10 opponent. Is there a lack of leadership in East Lansing? We make of NFL week 12 pick’em predictions.
Sidelined
November 21, 2023 04:05 - 1 hour - 44.2 MBCB and Clay take a look at the college football rankings and discuss potential outcomes for the four playoff teams. Michigan State basketball has had a roller coaster start to the season as they look to Arizona next. The NBA is in the middle of a tournament and no one even knows about it, but why? A few NFL stars will be sidelined for the rest of the season, including Joe Burrow. How does losing a superstar change a team's outlook? We recap week 10 of the NFL and look at our week 11 pick’em ...
Caught
November 12, 2023 16:49 - 1 hour - 38.8 MBCB and Clay are disappointed in the Michigan State basketball team, to say the least. Who needs to step up for the Spartans before they take on the Duke Blue Devils and start their three-game gauntlet? The Big Ten has given Jim Harbaugh a three-game suspension, but is it enough? We break down the NFL divisional standings at the mid-way point in the season and make our week 10 pick’em predictions.
Commanding Trades
November 05, 2023 23:43 - 1 hour - 36.5 MBCB and Clay take a look at the College Football Playoff rankings and review playoff-picture hopefuls and their remaining schedules. We celebrate the career of the late Coach Bob Knight. Several teams made big moves right before the NFL trade deadline, including some big-name pass rushers. We recap week 8 of the NFL and take a look at our week 9 pick’em predictions.
Brotherly Shove
October 29, 2023 15:53 - 1 hour - 34.9 MBCB and Clay give their opinion on the University of Michigan controversy surrounding their recording team sidelines. The World Series is underway and we are pumped to see it’s two different teams this year. We break down the Brotherly Shove play and if we find it a legitimate play call. We recap our NFL pick’em and make two weeks of picks.
We Meet Again
October 22, 2023 15:32 - 1 hour - 31.6 MBCB and Clay aren’t surprised, but disgusted, with the Spartans this weekend. Can Michigan State land a big-time coach in 2024, or are they about to undergo a multi-year rebuild? The MLB is about to get their World Series competitors and we catch up on the conference series. We recap week 6 of the NFL and make our week 7 predictions in our pick’em.
5 Years of Proficient Fans
October 15, 2023 15:31 - 58 minutes - 27.4 MBCB and Clay celebrate 5 years of Proficient Fans! That’s 260 straight weeks of recording without missing a week! We recap the MLB postseason and continue our predictions. Michigan State is the king of crumble. Will anything help them at this point? The NFL continues to roll on as we recap week 5 pick’em and make our week 6 predictions.
Struck Gold
October 10, 2023 02:13 - 1 hour - 34.4 MBCB and Clay hear more information involving Trevor Bauer and Mel Tucker’s situations. Were both of their lives ruined by lies? The MLB postseason is underway and we catch up on the action and make our predictions. We recap our NFL pick’em for week 4 and week 5.
70 Burger
October 01, 2023 15:53 - 1 hour - 37.5 MBCB and Clay start their week with basketball news. Damian Lillard is traded to Milwaukee to join Giannis and the Bucks. The XFL and USFL announced their intent to merge. Does Michigan State have a shot at being bowl-eligible this season? The Miami Dolphins win big, but should McDaniel have gone for the NFL record? We recap our NFL week 3 pick'em and break down our week 4 predictions.
Ducks Fly Together
September 24, 2023 15:49 - 1 hour - 40.4 MBCB and Clay had a weekend full of football to watch and weren’t left disappointed. The Oregon Ducks hushed Coach Prime and the Colorado Buffaloes by fighting for wins and not clicks. The Ohio State Buckeyes took on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in an instant classic in South Bend. NFL running backs are dropping like flies and we discuss if the position deserves the contracts the players have been fighting for or not. We break down our NFL week 3 pick’em.
Done For The Season
September 20, 2023 00:46 - 1 hour - 36.6 MBCB and Clay are dealing with ups and downs in the football world. Michigan State officially states they are terminated Mel Tucker for cause post-trial on October 5th. The NFL has become injury-riddled, with Aaron Rodgers and Nick Chubb already having season-ending surgeries and a few other stars forced off the field due to lingering injuries. We recap our week one and week two NFL pick’em. #ProficientFans #SportsPodcast #SportsAreLife #KalamazooPodcast #NCAA #CollegeFootball #MichiganState...
Father/Son Game
September 10, 2023 15:56 - 1 hour - 31.7 MBGO GREEN! CB and Clay attended the Michigan State football game this weekend and had a blast. However, are the Spartans on the right path to be competitive in the B1G this season? Mel Tucker finds himself in a tough spot after allegations surface about a sexual harassment case. The Lions are taking kneecaps already as they march in Arrowhead Stadium and take down the reigning Super Bowl Champion Chiefs to earn their first victory of the season, but is there an asterisk on this game? #Profi...
You Don't Believe
September 03, 2023 16:04 - 1 hour - 42.6 MBCB and Clay finally have football back! Is Michigan State ready for conference football yet? Coach Prime and Co. tried telling everyone they were coming and they kept receipts. The NFL kicks off this week with the Detroit Lions heading to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Can the Lions bring home a win? We make our NFL week one predictions in pick’em. #ProficientFans #SportsPodcast #SportsAreLife #KalamazooPodcast #NCAA #CollegeFootball #MichiganState...
Independent
August 27, 2023 16:01 - 1 hour - 37.9 MBCB and Clay welcome back Kyle (aka Gump) to the pod this week! College football is officially underway! Should Notre Dame join a conference before they lose the ability to play competitive teams as conferences continue to grow? The NFL divisional breakdowns are complete as we thoroughly break down the NFC North. Will the Lions live up to the hype? Will Jordan Love continue the Green Bay quarterback legacy? We finish our divisional breakdowns as we dissect the NFC East and AFC East. Can Tua s...
Cookin' and Eatin'
August 20, 2023 14:42 - 23 minutes - 10.7 MBCB and Clay only see the AFC East getting tougher! We discuss the landing spot for both veteran running backs, Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott, and how they impact the division. We break down the AFC North and make our predictions. #ProficientFans #SportsPodcast #SportsAreLife #KalamazooPodcast #NFL #AFCNorth #Bengals #Browns #Ravens #Steelers #AFCEast #DalvinCook #Jets #EzekielElliott #Patriots #RunningBacks
Juggernauts
August 13, 2023 15:35 - 1 hour - 31.2 MBCB and Clay talk Lions and Dolphins preseason. Should these unsigned veteran running backs be concerned they still aren’t with a team? Derek Carr and Patrick Mahomes are starting preseason games, but should they be? We break down the AFC and NFC West and give our predictions.
B1G Gets Bigger
August 06, 2023 15:39 - 1 hour - 32.7 MBCB and Clay are disappointed to see the USWNT booted from the Women's World Cup early by Sweden. The B1G adds two more powerhouse schools with Oregon and Washington set to join the conference in 2024. We start our NFL Divisional breakdowns, starting with the AFC and NFC South.
Carted Off
July 30, 2023 15:29 - 46 minutes - 21.6 MBCB and Clay are glad to see Bronny James recover quickly after suffering cardiac arrest. Max Scherzer is traded to the Texas Rangers. NFL training camp is already painful for a handful of players, most importantly Jalen Ramsey and Joe Burrow, both players being carted off the practice field. Running back value problems continue as Jonathan Taylor formally requests a trade from Indianapolis.
The Great Shohei
July 25, 2023 02:54 - 53 minutes - 24.9 MBCB and Clay try to make the most out of a slow sports week. The USWNT earned their first win in the World Cup by defeating Vietnam 3-0. Shohei Ohtani is a current-day Babe Ruth and we look at their stats head to head. DeAndre Hopkins signs with Mike Vrable and the Tennessee Titans. Did Hopkins make his decision only for the money? Austin Ekeler calls for a private Zoom meeting and calls other NFL veteran running backs to join. #ProficientFans #SportsPodcast #SportsAreLife #KalamazooPodcast...
Value Us
July 16, 2023 15:58 - 1 hour - 33 MBCB and Clay both had quite interesting weeks outside of sports. The New York Jets are announced for Hard Knocks this preseason. How will this season compare to last season when the Detroit Lions were filmed? Even though Alvin Kamara pled guilty in court, could he slide past any further punishment from the NFL? There are several starting running backs that have yet to sign a new contract. Should these star players be valued more than they currently are in the NFL?
New Tradition
July 09, 2023 15:28 - 55 minutes - 25.9 MBCB and Clay were blown away at all of the layoffs at ESPN recently. What caused this big move for the worldwide leader in sports and is this a smart move? The NBA unveils the new mid-season tournament details and the new NBA Cup. Will this mid-season tournament create excitement or is it a bad move by the league?
Keep, Trade, Cut
July 02, 2023 16:08 - 1 hour - 28.9 MBCB and Clay had their heads spinning with all of the NBA moves this past week. Damian Lillard requests a trade and has shown interest in joining the Miami Heat. We were shocked to see a few players resign and stay put. CB is in the beginning stages of a rookie draft and we discuss his two first-round picks and fantasy draft details. We play the Keep/Trade/Cut game for fantasy football dynasty leagues.
Leaving So Soon?
June 25, 2023 16:00 - 1 hour - 28.7 MBCB and his kids get to be on the field at Comerica Park! CB and Clay are a bit surprised by recent moves in the NBA, including Chris Paul, Jordan Poole, Kristaps Porzingis, Marcus Smart, and more. Who are the greatest NBA coaches of all time? We build an NFL football team up utilizing random letters of the alphabet to do so. Is our team winning the Super Bowl?
All-Time Big Man?
June 18, 2023 15:42 - 1 hour - 29.1 MBCB and Clay are officially in the dog days of summer. Jokic and Murray help the Nuggets win their first-ever NBA title. Is Nikola Jokic in the discussion as an all-time great big man? The Las Vegas Golden Knights defeat the Florida Panthers to win their first NHL title in organization history. Was Ja Morant’s suspension just a small slap on the hand?
LIV'in Under The Same Roof
June 11, 2023 21:50 - 1 hour - 28 MBCB and Clay are a little tired after their golf scramble this morning. The PGA Tour and LIV Golf end their legal battles and… team up? Lionel Messi plans to bring his talents to South Beach and sign with Inter Miami in the MLS. Former Michigan State Football Coach, Mark Dantonio, is up for the NCAA Hall of Fame. The Nuggets are one game away from winning their first-ever championship. Can the Heat overcome a 3-1 deficit? We look at the top 2023 NBA free agents. The Vikings officially release...
Way-Too-Early Fantasy Football Rankings QB
June 04, 2023 16:19 - 1 hour - 35.6 MBCB and Clay break down the way-too-early fantasy football QB rankings and discuss who they would move up or down. The Nuggets take an early 1-0 lead against the Heat in the NBA Finals and we make our predictions for the series. Shannon Sharp is leaving Undisputed. Messi says goodbye to PSG. The Golden Knights defeat the Panthers to gain a 1-0 lead in the Stanley Cup.
Released
May 28, 2023 16:18 - 1 hour - 32.5 MBCB and Clay look at the Cardinal's option to release DeAndre Hopkins. Tom Brady and the Raiders have agreed to make him a minority owner. We chime in on the new touchback rule in the NFL and break down the pros and cons. Carmelo Anthony announces his retirement. The Nuggets advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. Can the Celtics make history and become the first team to come back from a 3-0 deficit, or will the Heat win game 7 on the road to advance to their second...
Himmy
May 21, 2023 15:43 - 45 minutes - 21.1 MBCB and Clay are convinced that Jimmy Butler is that guy. The Heat are up 2-0 against the Celtics and look to close out the Eastern Conference Finals in Miami. The Lakers struggle early as the Nuggets take a swift 3-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals. Can Lebron James make history again and bounce back from a 3-0 deficit? What do the Lakers need to do to turn this series around? We honor the late Jim Brown and his career and efforts as a civil rights activist. Are lottery drafts scripted...
No Joking Around
May 14, 2023 16:18 - 1 hour - 38.1 MBCB and Clay discuss the difference between Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic and their MVP runs. The Nuggets will battle the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. We recap the second round and make our predictions. Jimmy Butler and the Heat keep it rolling and will face the winner of the Celtics vs. 76ers game 7 matchup. Why do teams continue to fire successful head coaches? CB wins the NFL primetime bet and Clay will pay the price before The Other League fantasy football draft later this year...