TBL News: The Pod

On this edition of TBL News: The Pod w/ Brad Smith:

03:24 - Who's your TBL MVP?

17:34 - Could any TBL team beat a G-League team?

26:16 - Brad Smith's favorite Brad Smith article

33:00 - The state of the States: USA Basketball vs. The World

Music by Slip.stream: 

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

On this edition of TBL News: The Pod, the voice of the Fire, Chris Cox, joins us to talk about Chuck Guy for MVP, Coach Dannhoff for Coach of the Year, and what the Fire's success means to a Shawnee, OK community that was hit hard by a torrent of tornadoes on April 19.

Music by Slip.stream: 

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

On this edition of TBL News: The Pod, Cruz Martin takes you through the week's 2 Big Stories: Albany's chances at raising a second TBL championship banner to the Washington Avenue Armory rafters, and the season-long rivalry between Glass City's Chris Darrington and Kokomo's Derek Hawthorne, which continued into the postseason. Cruz also clues you into the ins and outs and goings on through the first two rounds of the 2023 TBL Playoffs.

Music by Slip.stream: 

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

On this edition of TBL News: The Pod, Brad and Owen, our resident Glass City Wranglers and Kokomo BobKats experts, dissect how the regular season Upper Midwest champs, the BobKats, went about eliminating Chris Darrington and the Wranglers in Round 2 of the Playoffs, and what Derek Hawthorne and his BobKats ought to look out for as they prepare to take on the St. Louis Griffins in the Midwest Conference Finals.

Music by Slip.stream: 

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

On this edition of TBL News: The Pod, Isaac details how the Fire, already one of the best teams in all of The Basketball League, may be able to improve. A scary thought if you are a fan of any TBL team not named the Fire.

On this edition of TBL News: The Pod, our resident Rebels expert, Nell Plunkett, dives into the stat sheet to predict whether Reading can revive enough of their mid-season magic to pull out a playoff victory over the mighty Albany Patroons.

Music by Slip.stream: 

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

On this edition of TBL News: The Pod, Glass City's Chris Darrington returns to the pod, this time to chat with TBL News' resident Wranglers expert, Brad Smith. Following a 40-point Game 1 loss to Kokomo in Round 2 of the Playoffs, what's Ice's approach to Saturday's Game 2? Of all the great games Darrington delivered throughout the regular season, which one was his personal fave? And, of course, much more.

On this edition of TBL News: The Pod, our resident Kokomo BobKats expert, Owen Whetstone, goes position by position, player by player, detailing how the puzzle pieces that HC Cliff Levingston has to work with might fit together to give Kokomo a shot at winning the Lillie.

On this edition of TBL News: The Pod, Brad Smith details how the Wranglers stayed in second place in the Upper Midwest despite an uncharacteristically inefficient shooting performance from star guard Chris Darrington.

On this edition of TBL News: The Pod, Brad Smith details how Glass City has emerged from a 1-4 post-All Star slump to becoming legitimate title contenders. Darrington's back, Zamora is making all the right moves, and the Wranglers have finally conquered the Kokomo demon.

Music by Slip.stream: 

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

In this edition of TBL News: The Pod, Isaac details what happened in Potawatomi's fourth matchup with the defending champion Mavericks, who handed the Fire just their fourth loss of the season, and how Munson & Co. rebounded to beat Little Rock.

Music by Slip.stream: 

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

(00:58) Two Big Stories: 1. Should Atlantic City be as good as they are? Yes. 2. Shreveport looks poised to defend their title.

(07:01) Week 10 Rundown: Wednesday through Sunday, every score, every notable stat.

(14:44) Standings through Week 10

(17:00) League leaders through Week 10

(18:22) ✌️🎬

Music by Slip.stream:

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

On this edition of TBL News: The Pod, Glass City welcomes back star Chris Darrington to the lineup and he doesn't disappoint. TBL News' Brad Smith has the scoop on an eventful Week 9 for the Wranglers.

Music by Slip.stream: 

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

On this edition of TBL News: The Pod, your Potawatomi Fire expert, Isaac Edelman, takes you through the Fire's busy, challenging Week 8, which ran the gamut from a blowout win to a double-OT loss.

Music by Slip.stream: 

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

On this edition of TBL News: The Pod, Kokomo play thrice. First they face down a resurgent Rogues team; then get tested against the NBLC's KW Titans; and close out Week 7 against a streaking West Virginia Grind club.

Music by Slip.stream: "A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 "Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

On this edition of TBL News: The Pod, our Wrangles expert, Brad Smith, covers what was a difficult weekend for Glass City, one which saw them lose twice to the West Virginia Grind. In the first loss, Darrington had a great game, dropping 33, but in the second, he was in street clothes. Is Brad worried about his Wranglers?

Music by Slip.stream: 

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

On this edition of TBL News: The Pod, our resident Potawatomi Fire expert, Isaac Edelman breaks down how and why Deshawn, Chuck and the first-place Fire retain their current dominance of the Central.

Music by Slip.stream: 

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

(00:24) Two Big Stories: 1. Is Potawatomi, quite simply, the best team in the league? 2. How good is "The Field," i.e. all the other teams that are not Potawatomi?

(06:32) Week 7 Rundown: Wednesday through Sunday, every score, every notable stat.

(16:02) Standings through Week 7

(17:15) League leaders through Week 7

(18:24) ✌️🎬

Music by Slip.stream: "A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 "Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

(02:00) This week's big time headline storylines: ⓵ Those red hot Reading Rebels have ripped of nine straight; ⓶ The Fire face down Week 7 matchups against Shreveport and Wichita that will test their meddle.

(04:26) Wednesday & Thursday Rundown

(06:13) Friday Rundown

(09:49) Saturday Rundown

(11:37) Sunday Rundown

(15:04) Standings & Leaders

Music by Slip.stream: "A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 "Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

In this edition of TBL News: The Pod, Owen Whetstone details how it came to pass that the Lebanon Leprechauns waltzed into Kokomo Memorial and left with a dub, and how the (still) Upper Midwest-leading BobKats bounced back to beat Glass City for a fourth time this season.

Music by Slip.stream:

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

In this edition of TBL News: The Pod, Brad Smith details how Glass City burst out of the All Star break with a sudden ability to crash the boards, and used that new-found ability to beat Flint 89-81 despite an off night for Chris Darrington. Then: The Game IV. Kokomo. The Best of the Midwest remains the Kats, as Darrington, Carmon & Co. nearly captured - but ultimately fell short - their first W over Kokomo this season.

Music by Slip.stream: "A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 "Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

The Kokomo BobKats and Albany Patroons both enter the All-Star break at 9-2. Owen and Jack detail their Week 5 performances and look to their respective playoff potential as we enter the All-Star break. And, with said All-Star break in mind, Owen and Jack relay the considerations taken when drafting their Ultimate TBL Starting 5s.

Music by Slip.stream: "A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 "Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

If this season ended today, April 11, 2023, Glass City's Chris Darrington would have a substantial case to make for MVP. But coming off a 2-10 performance in the TBL All Star Game, one can't help but wonder if he can sustain his torrid scoring pace, which sees him putting in 32.9 points per game. Brad Smith has been closely covering the Wranglers all season hasn't got a shred of concern about Mr. Darrington's ability to put point on the board, but continues to send messages to the basketball gods to bless Glass City with great glass cleaning (rebounding) performances as the season heads towards the playoffs.

Music by Slip.stream: "A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 "Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

At the time of this recording, April 5, 2023, Chris Darrington of the Glass City Wranglers is second in TBL in scoring at 32.9ppg. This is the longest podcast we've done on TBL News: The Pod, and honestly, it could have gone on twice as long. In fact, in a way, it did. Much of the conversation with Chris will remain forever private and unseen by the public because the pre-production got deep, it got real, and we weren't yet rolling. Fortunately for TBL fans far and wide, Chris will be returning. Chris is intense, he is level-headed and clear-minded, and expresses himself honestly and concisely. Needless to say, this was a most gratifying interview to conduct. Enjoy.

Music by Cheerry Red

"Easy Steps"

Can't Explain This Kind of Crazy (Hard Pack Records, 2021)

https://open.spotify.com/track/2GqcDEoyjeGDFxikk0KBmo?si=5ffd7cc1883c4505

And by Slip.stream: "A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 "Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

At the time of this recording, April 5, 2023, Chris Darrington of the Glass City Wranglers is second in TBL in scoring at 32.9ppg. This is the longest podcast we've done on TBL News: The Pod, and honestly, it could have gone on twice as long. In fact, in a way, it did. Much of the conversation with Chris will remain forever private and unseen by the public because the pre-production got deep, it got real, and we weren't yet rolling. Fortunately for TBL fans far and wide, Chris will be returning. Chris is intense, he is level-headed and clear-minded, and expresses himself honestly and concisely. Needless to say, this was a most gratifying interview to conduct. Enjoy.

Music by Cheerry Red

"Easy Steps"

Can't Explain This Kind of Crazy (Hard Pack Records, 2021)

https://open.spotify.com/track/2GqcDEoyjeGDFxikk0KBmo?si=5ffd7cc1883c4505

And by Slip.stream: "A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 "Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

(01:50) Wranglers Week 5 recap PART ONE: Two cardiac moments in a pair of wins over Kalamazoo and West Virginia begin with Chris Darrington hitting yet another extraordinary game-winning buzzer beater to cap a season-high 47-point performance

(08:18) Wranglers Week 5 recap PART TWO: The second of two buzzer beaters, this one put in by Jonathan Brown in a game in which Chris Darrington didn't even play

(15:41) Drafting the Ultimate TBL Starting 5

(00:15) Who won, who lost, which players had big games in Week 5?

(13:35) Current Conference leaders as we hit the All Star break

(14:43) Leaders: Scoring, rebounding, assists, blocks, steals

(16:02) So long! See you this weekend for TBL All Star Weekend 2023 from Lehigh Valley.

Music by Slip.stream: "A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 "Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

Potawatomi suffered their first loss of the season, at the hands of their in-state rivals, the Enid Outlaws. The loss posited the Fire a second-place team for the first time this season, as the 7-1 Wichita Sky Kings assumed the top spot in the Central. Isaac expresses a complete and total lack of concern about the Fire's future, and diagrams what we as fans ought to look out for as the season progresses, through the approaching All Star break, and into the postseason.

Music by Slip.stream:

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

Chris returns, this time a the voice of the first-place Kokomo BobKats, not to be confused with just the Kokomo BobKats. He fields silly questions like "Do you have any concerns about Derek Hawthorne" with the sort of aplomb which exists only in the most savvy of sports broadcasters. We discuss Kokomo's big Week 4, which included two wins over Glass City to vault them into first in the Upper Midwest; we talk about the potential of a pre-All Star break lull; and what the postseason might portend for the currently 7-2 BobKats.

Music by Slip.stream: "A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 "Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

The Fire suffer a rare loss! Their first defeat of the season comes at the hands of their in-state rivals, the Enid Outlaws. The L booted Potawatomi out of first place in the Central, but Chris Cox explains exactly why Fire Nation ought not to get too nervous. Details matter. Scheduling matters. Matchups matter. Music by Slip.stream: "A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 "Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

Owen covers the BobKats. Jack Covers the Patroons. Last season's East-Midwest Regional Final - ie Final Four matchup - pitted those two team, Kokomo and Albany, against one another. So Owen and Jack discuss what it might look like should those teams, both currently in first in their respective conferences after Week 4, meet once again in the playoffs. Music by Slip.stream: "A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9 "Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

Sunday of the penultimate weekend of games turned out to be a moving day as two conferences saw new teams slot into first place: The Wichita Sky Kings used two Week 4 wins and a Potawatomi loss to take over the top spot in the Central; The Kokomo BobKats jumped the Glass City Wranglers by beating them twice. The Georgia Soul continue to impress in the Southeast, while Seattle and Albany remain the teams to beat on the coasts. TBL's 49 teams played 103 games this weekend. Find out the result of each and every one of them on this edition of the Rundown.

Give us 14.5 minutes and we'll give you...

Music by Slip.stream:

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

Chris Darrington's shooting percentage has decreased significantly over the Wranglers' last four games, two of which were against the Kokomo BobKats, and resulted in Week 4 losses that moved Kokomo into first and Glass City into second. Brad Smith is TBL News' resident Wrangler expert. He joined The Pod to recap what he's seeing going wrong for the TBL team from Toledo and try his hand at figuring out what could right the ship.

Music by Slip.stream:

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

Kokomo and Glass City will face off in the biggest game of the young TBL season. Kokomo's Derek Hawthorne comes in averaging 29.5, putting over 30+ in their previous four games, all BobKats wins. Darrington started off the season with multiple 40+ point games and dramatic game winners, but finds himself in the midst of a shooting slump. Which star shall prevail: The "reliable" Hawthorne or the electric Darrington? Chris Lowry has spent his entire career immersed in Kokomo basketball. We spent time with him talking about Coach Levingston's influence on a young team; Hawthorne's success and potential; and Mr. Lowry gives us his prediction, down to the point, on Friday night's primetime TBL matchup.

Music by Slip.stream:

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

Deshawn Munson may be on an eternal heater, most recently most markedly so when examining his gaudy rebounding numbers, but according to Chris Cox, the voice of the Potawatomi Fire, Chuck Guy is the Remus to his Romulus. How far can a team with two MVP-caliber players go? Mr. Cox spends time with us detailing just that.

Music by Slip.stream:

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

The Glass City Wranglers are 5-1. The Kokomo BobKats are 6-1. Glass City's Chris Darrington and Kokomo's Derek Hawthorne have been spectacular, each staking early claims to win the MVP come season's end. This Friday night, March 24, they'll meet in Toledo for a critical early-season Game of the Year candidate. The voice of the Wranglers, BCSN Sports' Brad Woznicki sat down with us to talk about Glass City's outlook for Friday and beyond, how good players like Anthony Carmon, the Marlons (Moore Jr. and Sierra), and Chance Hawkins really are, and how the recent signing of Toledo-born-and-bred Dalonte Brown might make Chris Darrington even more effective going to the basket.

Music by Slip.stream:

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

INSIDE THIS EPISODE:

A FIRESIDE CHAT w/ NICK - Through two weeks of The Basketball League season, Potawatomi's Deshawn Munson has - once again - joined the far-too-early MVP race, with Glass City's extraordinary young scorer, Chris Darrington, as his most principal competitor.

POTAWATOMI BEATS LITTLE ROCK 128-114 - Isaac Edelman details how the Potawatomi Fire moved to 3-0 on the young season with a win over the Lightning behind a monster 37-19 game from their star PG, Deshawn Munson.

Music by Slip.stream:

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

Six teams exited Opening Weekend unscathed, with two of them, Wichita and Potawatomi, looking particularly strong. Chris Darrington and BJ Parks both look, unsurprisingly, dangerous. Week One of the 2023 season is in the books!

Produced by Nick Schupak for TBL News, part of the TBLTV News Network, a TBL property

Music by Slip.stream:

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

Albany battles back, Seattle cuts no slack, Flint's Bruce tops them all, Enid tops Rockwall, the Tundra win by four and much, much, much much much much more.

Produced by Nick Schupak for TBL News, part of the TBLTV News Network, a TBL property

Music by Slip.stream:

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

Albany gets shocked, Wichita impresses, and the defending champs bounce back... and, like, much, much more.

Produced by Nick Schupak for TBL News, part of the TBLTV News Network, a TBL property

Music by Slip.stream:

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d

It's March 3, 2023, and the TBL season has just tipped off. Here's the rundown of the first four games. 

Produced by Nick Schupak for TBL News, part of the TBLTV News Network, a TBL property

Music by Slip.stream:

"A Pack A Day" - https://slip.stream/tracks/8cbee134-fd28-42ae-89a8-869d42ce23b9

"Past And Present" - https://slip.stream/tracks/3cd92d18-cc4c-4873-8f66-86284ec25f7d