Joe Murray · Beasley Media Group

Brian Barrett joins the show - 3/23/26

March 24, 2026·24 min·2 clips

Brian Barrett from The Ringer reveals how his Florida championship bet crashed and why college coaches like Rick Pitino still thrive.

The segment starts loose. Joe resets a busy show, with basketball, baseball, cheesesteaks, pizza, and the bracket already tossed around, then brings on Brian Barrett from The Ringer and Off the Pike. They begin with the bracket. Barrett says the bets were fine, though Florida winning it all did not exactly rescue the sheet. The pace is quick and casual as they kick through the tournament, coaches, Rick Patino, Iona, St. John's, and the odd way college basketball can give a coach's story another turn. Then the Celtics take over. Barrett is not panicking, but the turnovers over the past six games or so have his attention. Boston usually protects the ball, and he says that has been a big part of keeping teams out of transition and letting the offense stay comfortable. Physical teams are the test. Minnesota, Detroit, and defenders like McDaniels show how opponents can climb into Boston's ball handlers and mess with the handoff-heavy actions before they ever get clean. Barrett keeps the point grounded. The Celtics do not pile up assists, but they do get a lot from screen assists, so opponents are trying to jam the action early. His Minnesota read is blunt: more physical, missing its best player, getting a rough game from Randall, and still Boston could not stop Bones Highland. What bugs him is not only the scoring. It is Highland talking and pointing while the Celtics never really answered like champions. The close drifts back into studio chatter: vegan bratwurst, chickpea tacos, tofu in soup, running late, and the Outback bit before the next break.

As heard by us

Brisk Boston sports talk that turns bracket chatter into a real Celtics debate.

Joe Murray and Brian Barrett keep the segment moving with basketball talk that feels close to the moment: bracket bets, Florida, coaching, and the stubborn fact that college basketball still leaves room for big personalities.

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Why you'd press play

For bracket talk, Celtics pressure, and a little studio banter, this one moves.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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