About this episode
Griffin Warner and Big East Ben talk CBB heading into season tip-off. Big East ben also gives out his top 10 teams. Griffin Warner and Big East Ben kick off the “Need for Speed’s College Basketball Podcast,” presented by the Pregame.com Podcast Network, previewing the upcoming season and unveiling Ben’s preseason Top 10. Michigan opens the list at #10—talented but overrated—with Dusty May coaching and transfers like Yaxel Lindenburg and Morris Johnson Jr.; Griffin notes they’re AP #7 and 16-1 title odds. #9 Florida, under controversial Todd Golden, boasts a huge frontcourt (Condon, Handling, Ha) but questions in the backcourt after losing Walter Clayton Jr.; Boogie Plan and Ivy League star Xavier Lee headline the reload. #8 Tennessee features Rick Barnes’s trademark defense, five-star Nate Ament, and transfers like Gillespie; Griffin calls them a value at 40-1. #7 St. John’s under Rick Pitino adds Ian Jackson, Bryce Hopkins, Dylan Mitchell, Zubi Ejiofor, and others, drawing praise for elite defense. #6 Texas Tech, with JT Topp and returning PG Christian Anderson, earns a “continuity is king” nod. #5 UConn reloads behind Alex Karaban, Terrace Reed Jr., and Silas Demery from Georgia; Ben jokes about Dan Hurley’s new book and sideline antics. #4 Duke lands the Boozer brothers, Dane Sarr, Nicholas Kamenia, Isaiah Evans, and Mbanga; Griffin notes they’re +160 to win the ACC and jokes about how old the freshmen look. #3 UCLA surprises, adding Donovan Dent (New Mexico), Xavier Booker (MSU), and returning Tyler Bilodeau; Ben touts Cronin’s grit despite Big Ten travel. #2 Houston brings back Tugler and Sharp and adds five-stars Sedarm Jr., Harwell, and Fleming, prompting debate over Sampson’s youthful roster versus his usual veterans. #1 Purdue tops the chart—returning Smith, Loyer, and TKR—plus 7′4″ Daniel Jacobson and transfer Oscar Kluft, restoring interior dominance for Matt Painter’s crew favored 8-1 to win the title in Indianapolis. Best-bet segment: Ben picks Oregon (100-1) for its core of Nate Biddle and Jackson Steltzad plus CAA transfer T.K. Simpkins and Chinese guard Wei Lin; Griffin chooses Tennessee at 40-1 for elite defense. They plug the promo code CBB20 for 20 percent off Pregame.com packages and close with humor about Halloween and future episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices