March Madness Extravaganza (Favourites, Cinderellas, Elvis Stojko, Wisconsin Badgers, Rerouted Flights)

The guys are thrilled to welcome Alex Douglas to the show. They begin by asking him to represent the defendant Chris Kreider in his case against Carey Price in the TSP Court of Law (0:44), before learning about Alex's creative process for his impressive athlete portraits (6:41). Alex explains how his love for art began (14:05), and the winding road that brought him to a place where he now sells his digital paintings (18:46). Alex expounds on why he's a fan of the New York Rangers (24:34), and who he sees hoisting the Stanley Cup in June (30:52). The episode wraps up with two rounds of Start-Bench-Cut centered on New York Ranger greats (43:43).

Alex Douglas' Website: www.artbyad.ca

Alex Douglas' Instagram: tallalexd

Alex and Jon offer their musings on the world of sports with a teaspoon of nonsense as they talk all things March Madness. They recall early memories of the tournament (2:37), and the specific players who influenced their own styles of play (3:57). The duo give their rationale for their Final Four predictions (7:33), and speak about the underdog narratives that are always present in the NCAA Tournament (11:18). Jon shoutouts his longtime homie and teammate Orfan, and explains how he played with such toughness similar to Khalid El-Amin and Markquis Nowell (13:30). The show ends with Start-Bench-Cut (Game Winning Plays) (25:56).

Alex is joined by Ben Landsee to discuss the origins and meaning of the phrase, "trust the process". Ben talks about Sam Hinke's unique approach he brought to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2013 (9:52), and the analytical pioneers who influenced him. Ben outlines the benefits and limitations of Hinkie’s process (18:37), and how it affected the career trajectories of many highly touted draft picks (e.g. Jrue Holiday, Nerlens Noel, Michael Carter-Williams, Markelle Fultz, Ben Simmons, and superstar Joel Embiid). The guys discuss Hinkie's positive influence on the broader sports landscape including Sam Presti's version of the process in Oklahoma City (29:12). Ben criticizes 76ers' management for trading away an antidote to the poisonous effects of the process (23:48), and Alex finshes the show by giving shoutouts to the valued TSPeeps before he and Ben play Start-Bench Cut focused on the most infuriating athletes (45:20).

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Alex, Chris, and Josh are joined by Caleb Eckel to discuss all things Pittsburgh sports. Caleb reminisces about his earliest memories of being a young fan of the Penguins and Steelers (10:13), and his total disdain for the Pirates and their ownership (13:46). Caleb speaks to the blue-collared and tough culture of the City of Pittsburgh (15:56), and outlines the expectations the fanbase has for their athletes. Caleb then explains the complicated relationship some Steelers fans have with Head Coach Mike Tomlin despite his steady leadership and winning ways (20:09), and spells out why he believes in Kenny Pickett (25:50). Alex asks Caleb about when Matt Murray took the place in the Pens' net of fan favourite Marc-Andre Fleury in 2016-17 (28:31), and then makes the case for Sidney Crosby's greatness being comparable to Mario Lemieux's greatness, while Josh is repulsed by the argument (36:20). As always, the show ends with shout-outs to all the TSPeeps who played an all-time Start-Bench-Cut on social media that focused on the best young NFL quarterbacks (45:00).

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Alex and Jesse offer their musings on the world of sports with a teaspoon of nonsense as they recap the World Juniors including Connor Bedard's epic performance (2:28), and explain their polar opposite approaches to sports gambling (7:18). The duo marvel at Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin's long-standing rivalry, and appreciate their longevity as superstars (14:10), which leads to a riveting conversation about the greatest rivalries in sports history. They crown Curtis Metcalf as the King of their fantasy football league, offer their Qualin and Schooler Award nominations (29:35), and finish with a round of Start-Bench-Cut focused on NBA centers (33:39).

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Alex, Jesse, and Josh offer their weekly musings on the world of sports with a teaspoon of nonsense. They discuss Laura Wagner's riveting piece in Defector that explains in detail the more precise circumstances that led to Andrew Luck's retirement and the negative effects of being a quarterback on his entire person outside of football (11:35). They offer their Qualin Award nominations (37:05) and their Schooler Award nominations (39:56) before playing a round of Start-Bench-Cut focused on athletes who didn't know when to quit (48:39).

Alex and Jesse offer their musings on the sports world with a teaspoon of nonsense as they discuss Cal Peterson's demotion to the AHL (0:50), and how the New Jersey Devils are actually good again (4:43). They applaud Mitch Marner's record breaking point streak (10:44), and Jason Robertson's epic rise to stardom (12:45). The guys also talk Don Mattingly becoming the Blue Jays' new skipper (16:18), and Jacob deGrom's new contract with Texas (20:34). They finish with their Qualin and Schooler Awards (24:48), and play Start-Bench-Cut focused on pre-game meals (30:11).

Alex, Curtis, and Jesse discuss the athletes they love to hate, and those they hate to love (4:27), e.g. Brad Marchand, Eli and Peyton Manning, Curt Schilling, and Tiger Woods. The conversation shifts to fantasy football as Curtis lays blame on the Indianapolis Colts for his underachieving fantasy football team (29:51). They guys take a moment to appreciate their friend Darcy's mad skills as a fantasy football GM (33:34), and then nominate their Schooler Awards for the most rookie play of the week (36:36). The trio give their Qualin Awards for most timely play of the week (41:34) before playing two NHL themed rounds of Start-Bench-Cut (Canadian Wingers & HOF Defensemen) (48:05).

Alex, Jesse, and Josh discuss Connor Bedard's tremendous potential (3:34), praise and criticize Josh's Kings (14:00), and give their takes on the World Series (20:51). The guys overreact to the early storylines in this NHL season (32:29), give props to Anze Kopitar (39:42), and nominate their Schooler Awards (44:41). They finish the show with Qualin Awards (47:04), laugh at Hove getting locked out of his house (50:56), and play a morbid Start-Bench-Cut (Worst Ways To Die) (55:11).

Alex, Jesse, Jon, and Josh offer their weekly musings on the world of sports. They catchup on what's been happening in their lives before discussing the harrowing findings of The Fifth Estate and Rick Westhead on Hockey Canada's long history of covering up sexual assaults (13:11). The guys talk about the toxic culture that has plagued hockey, and posit what needs to be done in order to change this culture (18:43). The crew then give their predictions for NBA over/unders for significant teams (30:29), present a new segment called The Schooler Award for the most rookie play of the week (42:11), offer their Qualin Award nominations (48:25), and finish with a round of Start-Bench-Cut focused on budding NFL defensive superstars (53:46).