SoCon Fast Break

A 15-seed bid for an upset fell just short, but Furman made the Southern Conference proud in a physical battle against the Huskies. Richmond and Darren break down the key runs and the standout performers from a wild night in Philly.
In This Episode:
First Half Resilience: How Furman weathered a 6-0 UConn start.
Tarris Reed Jr.: The historic individual performance with 31 points and 27 rebounds
Alex Wilkins: Welcome to the big stage, young fella
The X-Factor: Why Alex Karaban was the stabilizer UConn needed.
The Closing Minute: A look at the late-game offensive rebounds that killed the momentum.

Presented by Ingles Markets

The heart and soul of the 2022-2023 "Better Together" squad. Mike Bothwell joins the show just hours before the Furman Paladins take on the UConn Huskies in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Mike doesn't hold back, revealing the "tough love" text messages he sent this year's team during their mid-season slump, his memories of scoring 18 straight points at Samford, and the emotional reality of watching JP Pegues' shot 500 times in the upset over Virginia.
In This Episode:
The "Tough Love" Texts: Why Mike told the current team he was turning off their games in the second half.
Upsetting UConn: Mike breaks down why Furman's 6'11" bigs and "House Money" mentality are the ultimate equalizers.
The Virginia Bench Speech: Mike reflects on fouling out and leading the team to an upset while sitting next to Bob Richey.
Pro Life in Greece: The "no excuses" reality of international basketball and the transition to the professional ranks.
Three Peas in a Pod: Mike’s future in media and his take on the Cavs' James Harden trade.

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Are the Furman Paladins poised for another "One Shining Moment" in Philadelphia? After tearing through the SoCon Tournament, the Paladins have secured a 15-seed and a date with the 2-seed UConn Huskies. But don't let the seeding fool you—this isn't your average 15-seed matchup.
Inside This Episode:
The "Blender" Offense: How Furman must defend UConn’s relentless screening and cutting actions.
Alex Wilkins vs. The Huskies: Predicting UConn’s defensive strategy to "top lock" the SoCon’s most dangerous engine.
Size on Size: Why the frontcourt battle between Cooper Bowser and UConn’s elite rim protection is "strength on strength."
Philly Magic: Recalling Furman’s history of knocking off defending champs in the City of Brotherly Love.

Let the Madness begin!
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Richmond and Darren are joined by former Furman Basketball star and current Indiana Pacers forward, Jalen Slawson. Jalen reflects on his journey from breaking Furman’s 43-year SoCon title drought to making his mark in the NBA.
In this episode:
The NBA Transition: What life is like playing for Rick Carlisle and the grind of the G League.
Betting on Yourself: Why Jalen turned down lucrative overseas offers to pursue his NBA dream.
The "Riverboat Gambler": Insights into Bob Richey’s leadership and why Jalen chose to stay at Furman despite the transfer portal.
A Magical Legacy: Behind-the-scenes stories from the Emmy-nominated documentary Better Together and that historic upset over Virginia.
Paladin Pride: Jalen’s reaction to Furman winning another Southern Conference championship and how the current squad matches up for the tournament.

Can the Paladins win another game in the NCAA tournament?
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The Furman Paladins Claim the 2026 SoCon Championship!
After 1,099 days since their last celebration, the No. 6 seed Furman Paladins returned to the top of the mountain, dismantling top-seeded ETSU 76–61 in a championship performance that was never in doubt. Richmond and Darren take you through the entire journey at the Harrah's Cherokee Center—from the opening-round thrillers to the moment Bob Richey’s squad dominated the final 40 minutes to cut down the nets.
In This Episode:
1,099 Days Later: Furman’s return to SoCon glory and Bob Richey’s coaching masterclass.
Friday Night Drama: The Citadel’s program-defining win and Shola Adebisi’s clutch performance.
The 24-Rebound Game: Justin Neely’s "unheard of" effort against Wofford.
Freshman Phenoms: K.J. Younger’s 29-point breakout and Alex Wilkins’ rise to stardom.
The 17-Point Deficits: How Western Carolina and ETSU battled back in the quarterfinals.
Statistical Turnaround: How Furman flipped the script on their season-long shooting struggles.
Championship Breakdown: Bowser’s double-double and the defensive intensity that stifled the Buccaneers.
Selection Sunday Prep: Breaking down the seeding, the "eye test," and why Furman is a dangerous out in the Big Dance.

Can Furman win a game in the NCAA tournament?
Presented by Ingles Markets