Dusty May: We Are Aware Everyone Is Picking UC San Diego To Upset Us

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Learn more at AmericanExpress.com slash Amex Business. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the Rich Eisen Show. Shuck jump and somersault into the end zone. Live from the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. You think you're a first rounder? I think so.

I think I'm the most ready guy to come in and compete and start right away. The Rich Eisen Show. So many teams that do not potentially get Rogers.

Why wouldn't they want to take him? Earlier on the show, Saturday Night Live cast member Mikey Day. Coming up, Michigan men's basketball head coach Dusty May. Two time Academy Award winning actor Robert De Niro. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Our number two of the Rich Eisen Show is on the air.

An hour and 20 minutes until Robert De Niro zooms in. I mean, I can't tell you. I'll just trail off the sentence right here.

844-204-Rich is the number to dial. I thought you were joking when you said that name. No, no, no. We've been cultivating this caper to use a good fellas phrase for quite some time. It's our Lufthansa heist. There you go. And later on, I do have a power rankings of De Niro movies in advance.

That's necessary. To get everyone ready. Dusty May, the University of Michigan basketball coach is joining us. Some of my favorite people will be joining.

Why not? Last time I saw Dusty May was at security running back from running through security fast I could in Detroit airport last year after the draft to try and make my flight home from the draft. And there was Dusty, you know, in his Michigan gear like he's on the sideline of a game.

Like, oh my God, that's Dusty May. Get to chat. I gotta run. Which was so sad. It was so sad. Sorry. I'm happy.

I'm sorry. Great to see you. I gotta go.

I gotta go. So he's gonna be joining us in advance of making his way to Denver to take on San Diego. And, you know, everybody thinks San Diego's gonna bounce the Wolverines because it's a 12 seed against a five.

And Michigan, what, hit their head in the ceiling by beating, you know, three teams that were seeded higher by the committee than Michigan. So there'll be lots of fuel, I think, for Dusty May to use. And I will ask him if he chooses to use it.

844-204-rich is the number to dial on the program. Jalen Milro just had a pro day time. Is this correct, Chris Brockman? Because nobody talks Jalen Milro right now. We're all talking about, we had Tyler Shuck on yesterday. You know, they've been talking Jackson Dart being a first rounder. We all know Shadore and Cam Ward is top of everybody's quarterback mind right now.

Will Howard gets mentioned quite a bit. But not many Jalen Milro chit-chat posts. What did he do at the pro day, Chris? Unofficial 40 for Jalen Milro. 4-3-7. OMG.

It's kinda fast. Jeff Howell, the athletic, saying that some of the hand timers had him in the 4-4-4. But still, nice time for Jalen Milro.

Hey, anywhere between 4-3-7 and Moses Malone, you'll take it. Yeah. It's a good time. Hey, apparently the Steelers took him to dinner.

The Steelers. Last night. Yeah, Tomlin and Omar Khan and everybody was taking him out.

Brass. I saw that. There's no way you can't but love the kid when you meet him. How great was the chat when he came in on our show, right?

Yeah, it was awesome. So clearly, the Steelers are gonna just love him up on the spot. Steelers. Where are they in the second round? I'm trying to see where they are. Look it up. They don't have a second round pick.

Oh boy. Oh, that's for DK. They're at 83 right now. By the way, I think Jalen Milro could be available at 83. Yeah, they traded 52 to Seattle for DK. And listen, I know the Steelers have been doing unstealers-like things and they have traded draft choices. But normally, when I do a draft, well not normally, every single time I do a draft, I've got a card for each team with NFL Network Research top crack staff there. They give me a card of each team and it's draft choices one through round seven with multiple picks here and other picks removed there.

Normally, the Steelers, every year I get a card where one of the few teams are just one, two, three, four, five, six, seven. They haven't traded anyway and they haven't acquired anywhere. They just pick where they pick and that's the end of it. So it's rare that they don't have a second round choice. Wouldn't it be wild if they don't draft the quarterback that they really would like because they've used it to get a wide receiver that they're paying $30 million with no true plan right now at quarterback? Other than to find one on the free agent market or in the draft? Tankathon that Chris and I go to a lot, they have it, the 83rd pick, Steelers selecting Quinn Ewers.

I mean, that's another one. A lot of folks talk about Quinn either. Also, you mentioned them just having seven picks normally. Now that they traded their second round pick, they have a first round pick, a third, they have one fourth, one fifth, one sixth, and one seventh. I'm telling you, that's the Steelers. That's the Steelers. That's it.

Their card is like the cleanest card. Sometimes by the end of a draft, a team's draft card on my desk looks like a 14-inning box score, you know, like a scorecard, a 14-inning scorecard where you're just scratching this out and moving this around and it's really tough for me to even read my own damn handwriting. But, you know, Steelers quarterback situation, waiting on Rogers, start grinding on all the tape on all these guys, fly all over the country, meet them, figure out who you like, and it sure looks like that's going to be their answer.

Along with Mason Rudolph, unless Rogers comes in and changes their entire dynamic. In the meantime, we did this with Mel Kiper's mock draft on Tuesday. We've got a new mock draft here. We might have, we got Daniel Jeremiah's mock draft 3.0, and we might have to do like a new segment.

Somebody comes out with a mock draft, we just break it down. You just made the list! You know, we could call it, what would we call it? I've got it. Love on the Mocks.

Ain't no surprise. You know what I mean? Rock out with your mock out. We could do that. I mean, Rich goes Neil Diamond, you go a little...

These are on brand, right? I love that. Come on, I don't know if we could get the rights, but Love on the Mocks! Or you could do, also do, mock me gently. Ah, mock me Amadeus?

That's a little weird. We could do this all day. We can. We will mock you.

Well, that's what we can tell everybody in our business. If they do it, we will mock you. But we don't, but I don't want to make it sound like we're mocking them. We're not mocking them. We're just loving on the mocks. That's what we're doing. Because we're loving the mocks. And as we're about to jump in here... It's been a long time since I've mocked and rolled. Always must let everyone know this is not the real draft. Because we're loving the mocks. Please everyone understand.

I feel like Letterman saying no wagering before stupid pet tricks. Alright, here we go. Daniel Jeremiah's NFL Mock Draft 3.0. Cam Ward, number one. Hey, he's got the same top four as Mel. Cam Ward to Tennessee, Abdul Carter to Cleveland, Shadore Sanders to the Giants. Hey, everybody doesn't have a first round grade on him and thinks he's going to drop all the way out of the first round. That's now two guys who are as plugged in as anybody else saying Shadore doesn't get past the Giants.

As it is right now. Again, Rodgers says I'll go to the Giants. Would they still take Shadore third overall?

Doubt it. I think they go Travis Hunter if they get Aaron Rodgers. They're not having Aaron Rodgers for two years and tell him, hey, guess what? We're going to use the best capital we've got to try and improve this team by getting ready for when you're gone.

Like that ain't happening. But as of right now, Chris, if everybody stays put and the Titans do what they're doing and the Giants do what they're doing and the Browns in the middle don't go ahead and jump the line for a quarterback because maybe they they go and sign a veteran or they trade for Kirk Cousins, who the hell knows? Travis Hunter might be, as it is right now, Chris, consensus is Travis Hunter is a patriot, which would make you and one Cooper Eisen very happy. DJ told Pat today that if that does happen, he sees a scenario in which he's primarily a wide receiver and he sprinkles in a little defense. I mean, I would be wild, man, that Vrabel is like, sure, put him on offense. Vrabel is going to say that, put him on offense.

Obviously, he's going to do whatever he's best. I know, but he's also the best corner in the draft. How about that?

We have an all pro corner. Or I know. So what?

Get two. I know. I'm down with it.

I'm down with all of it. Geez. Travis Hunter. Now, here's where things, you know, begin to diverge is what would the Jaguars do at five? Jalen Walker out of Georgia is Daniel Jeremiah's choice again. Mel had Mason Graham of the Wolverines there. DJ's got Mason Graham going eighth to Carolina, but everyone appears to be lockstep, too. If Chador and Cam Ward are off the board, the Raiders are going to just take Ashton Gente and say, let's go to work. Wow. That's awesome.

He's a perfect Raider. That'd be fun. Blue turf to silver and black.

That'd be fun. Jets would go Armand Membu. What a choice to just keep building that line instead of giving a new toy and weapon on offense. Tyler Warren is a lot of folks throwing that there.

But going with the top tackle in the draft, Membu out of Missouri. And last year, you know, it was Fashion Week for the Jets. So they're just building that line, which clearly Aaron Glenn is somebody coming from Detroit. I always love that Detroit's got a big line, a great line. So, you know, Ben Johnson's clearly building the line in Chicago and clearly Aaron Glenn sees what the line did in Detroit. So you're going to build it there as if neither guy would build a line had they not come from Detroit.

Oh, we just figured this out. Hey, listen, this is what we do while we wait for the draft to actually hit. Jahad Campbell is the choice of the Saints, according to Daniel Jeremiah. Let's not forget last mock that we loved on Mel Kiper had Jackson Dart going there. But Jahad Campbell is there at nine, Will Campbell. So back to back Campbell's rounds out the top 10 as the he's got the Bears hitting the line again. That's kind of like hit it again, like diehard again.

Again. So that's the top 10 on D.J. 's mock draft 3.0.

Let's get to the middle 10. That's what the Bears need, though, right? Well, I mean, or, I don't know, all due respect to Cole Komet. Like if Tyler Warren's sitting out there. Yeah, but you got to protect that quarterback at all costs.

Gente somehow drops. Protect Caleb. That's for sure. So Jody Brown of Texas would be the choice of the Niners at corner. Oh, there you go, T.J. Matthew Golden.

That's fun. So Golden goes at the receiver spot. This is where Amario Hampton went in Mel's mock. Malachi Starks is the safety out of Georgia.

He would be in the back end. I like the Dolphins going defense. They got to hit that man. They're as fast as all get out on offense right now.

Right. I mean, if you're not going to hit the line, then you're going to hit the back end of the defense. Then you've got Tyler Warren. A lot of folks are pegging him for the Colts, too, if he drops. Will Johnson. Michigan's corner is right in the middle of the first round, which I kind of think is a steal.

You know, I kind of think that's a steal. The Terrion Onrold and Quinnion Mitchell of this year's draft, Will Johnson? Now, when I was sitting with D.J., he loved Gray Zabel. The linebacker out of North Dakota State. He was talking him up at the comment.

He looked great. And he's got him going mid first round to Arizona. Mike Green, the edge out of Marshall, goes to Cincinnati. Colston Loveland gets reunited with Mike McDonald from Michigan. And then the edge out of Boston College. Donovan Iziruwaku is gone there. And then O'Mario Hampton.

Oh, my goodness gracious. Putting him in Denver. Him in Denver.

I'm telling you, man. I know that everybody keeps talking about the Joker position, which is, which is, which is, again, or it could be anywhere. It's a mismatch guy is what he's looking for.

I think he's looking for his, you know, Camara. Well, you might term him the Joker of that offense anyway in New Orleans. But Hampton would be that guy and send us more into the overreaction of the Chiefs as a time to get got in the West. I know you say that day is coming. I just, again, eventually, as I said on the overreaction Monday pod, where everybody can get it, where they get it, because it's still as pristine as the minute we were done taping it on Monday.

Nothing's changed. You were saying now's the time for Denver to actually overtake Kansas City. And I basically said it's got to be one of that will be one of those.

I have to see it to believe it. Finishing up the Daniel Jeremiah mock. Look who the Steelers take 21st overall. Jackson Dart. Now we're talking. And I think Steelers fans would love that. I think they would love it. You know, if you want to start Mason Rudolph, give him a couple of, you know, weeks there or give Jackson Dart the start, go.

That's the way to go. And finally, the Steelers would just say to hell with this, you know, last couple of years of us going. Or last year, I guess. Or I guess I'm including this year as I'm considering a veteran quarterback at the end of his career, as opposed to going this route, which they did with Kenny Pickett right around the same spot, too. Ted McMillan across the way for the Chargers.

That's an excellent choice. Maxwell Hairston, the corner out of Kentucky, would be a packer. Nick Emanwari would be patrolling the back end next to Harrison Smith.

Oh, my goodness gracious. Kelvin Banks Jr. would be replacing. That's a smart move. That replaces Laramie Tunsell, if you will, on the line for the Texans. Trey Amos, the Ole Miss corner for the Rams. Derek Harmon, defensive tackle out of Oregon for the Ravens. Michael Williams, the edge out of Georgia for the Lions. Azaria Thomas, the corner Florida State for the commanders.

Kenneth Grant, that's two in a row. That's exactly where Mel had it pegged for the Michigan defensive tackle for the Bills. Again, what a coup that would be for the Bills 30th overall. Once again, any top tackle on the board when the Chiefs are on the board, head on a swivel, look for that area code to light up your phone. Josh Simmons from Ohio State and then Shamar Stewart, the edge out of Texas A&M for the Eagles, meaning only three quarterbacks, two running backs in the first round right there from Daniel Jeremiah for his mock draft. Theos picked 20 in 2022, so yeah, one spot. Same thing. Again, I think it's time for them to do that. Certainly if Rogers is just going to be chilling out and they go into the draft week and they're still not knowing about Rogers.

So, Daniel Jeremiah, thanks for, listen, this is what we do on shows like this one, which is take somebody else's content and then make content of our own. Who's tomorrow? Let's see. Who's coming out tonight?

Just let me know. You're more into the Mocs than I am. Let me know who it is and then if it's somebody that we feel is love on the Mocs worthy, I'm going to keep saying it over and over again until you guys come up with another alternative. We could give you like 50. I was going to say, we just said a bunch.

Let's workshop it. Mock me like a wagon wheel. Oh, nice. Like I said. I thought it was mock me like a hurricane.

Yeah, that's what I thought. Here I am. All right, stop. Mock and roll is dead. Guys, just get it out of your system.

I'm trying. Because Robert De Niro is coming along and I don't think he would appreciate it. It's still mock and roll to me. Okay. Wasn't De Niro in the Rocky and Bullwinkle movie? Jailhouse Moc?

Mockey and Bullwinkle? By the way, that will not make my power rack useless. It definitely should not. Uber Eats is delivering game day deals all tournament long because you can't watch eight hours of basketball a day on an empty stomach. From burgers to wings, pizza to chicken sandwiches, whatever you're craving, Uber Eats has deals on all your game day favorites.

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University of Michigan's basketball coach next on the Rich Eisen Show. Your progressive car insurance quote with rates from other companies. So you save time on the research and can enjoy savings when you choose the best rate for you. Give it a try after this episode at progressive.com. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and Affiliates. Not available in all states or situations.

Prices vary based on how you buy. Hey, Rich Eisen here. I hear from a lot of business owners like you about the work it takes to pursue your passions. So I know how important it is to have the tools that can help keep you moving forward. And with access to world-class business and travel benefits, the American Express Business Platinum Card helps you take your business to the next level. It offers a flexible spending limit that adapts with your business.

Plus, you'll have complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, including the Centurion Lounge. So you can keep running your business while you're on the go. See how the Amex Business Platinum Card gives business owners like you the tools and rewards to do more of what you love. Not all purchases will be approved. Terms apply.

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It's a great day for a new Hyundai. So have we created the Rich Eisen Show bracket pool? I think we did.

I was literally doing it right now. But it's already been created or what happened? Or did it just auto? I think it did. Did it already recreate from last year because... That I'm not aware of. I'm checking right now. Well it's been, we've had one for like five years in a row now.

I hope that's what it is because that's the one that I joined with Cooper and Xander last night. Taylor does, she tapped out. You know where she is right now? What my daughter's at right now? She's an all-star in her league and she plays. She doesn't have to do this nonsense.

Yeah, that's for losers. She's out there balling. She's filling out the statute. I got another game tonight. Another eight o'clock tip tonight for her all-star game. Oh yeah. You know what? I forgot to tell you. Why are you pointing at me?

Because you're right there. Was that aggressive? I mean TJ's never aggressive, a little bit. Liked the New Year's journeys then a little bit? No, no. There is a Rich Eisen Show group. No, no.

Insulted me a little bit. Then we'll get to our coach when the radio audience returns. Real quick. The radio audience is coming back in a minute. Go ahead.

Hidden Airport, New Orleans coming home. I can't remember who I was talking to. Somebody I knew there who told me that their kid played basketball with Taylor. And he was telling me, he's like, she's really good. She's aggressive. I forgot to bring this up to you. Now, did the person say it that way?

Like they were shot? Yes. Because it's not, here's how I would take it. I would not take it as an offense to her.

That my daughter could be athletically gifted. You know what I'm saying? I would take that as an affront to me. No, it was someone who I knew from years ago. We reconnected and they were like, hey, by the way. You remember that story?

I'll tell it real quick. You know, the hotel in Michigan on the campus that gives out keys with actual, you know, graduates. Yes, it's called the graduate student ID with the grad. So somebody got like Desmond Howard. They were an Ohio State fan. Like, I cannot have, give me a key if somebody is a non-athlete in Michigan.

They gave him my key. Back on the Rich Eisen Show radio network. I'm sitting at the Rich Eisen Show desk furnished by Grainger with supplies and solutions for every industry. Grainger has the right product for you.

Call clickrainger.com or just stop by. Every single Michigan Wolverine fan is over the moon at how excellent this team has been all season long. Certainly in respect to what the team did win loss wise last year.

And joining us now fresh off of being the first coach in the history of the Big Ten to win the Big Ten tournament in its first season with a team in the Big Ten is Michigan head basketball coach Dusty May. How are you coach? Good to see you.

Doing well Rich. Appreciate you having me on. Of course.

Come on now. Certainly since I had Izzo on yesterday, I've got to be fair and balanced. Even though when it comes to Michigan, people know I am not fair nor balanced.

You know what I mean? I understand. I'm staying away from all Michigan State conversation. Hey listen, but the key is going into this tournament, the Big Dance, with a nice Big Ten tournament head of steam. To what do you owe the three wins in a row in this tournament coming off of three regular season losses to end that campaign?

Coach? Well I'll begin this entire season. We've given you the full experience. We've built big leads and we've let teams come back. We've dug ourselves a hole. We've came back.

So you never really know what you're going to get. But we played five games in 14 days and we looked out of gas. We're not a very deep team. And late in the season we just got outplayed by some really quality opponents. And we had basically a week off because we were able to secure the double by.

And so we were able to take a day off, practice, get back to some fundamentals and practicing well. And figuring ourselves out and trying to redo what we were doing when we were playing good basketball. And our guys just went to Indianapolis with a lot of confidence and belief and they looked like a connected group. And how do you get a team that kind of gets, for the lack of a better phrase, thrown together in one offseason. How do you get that team to play as a unit and succeed at it? Coach?

Well it's not easy. I think when you look at all the teams that went into the portal and brought in new people. There's a lot in other tournaments other than the NCAA and there are a lot that are already done. Because the players that came in, they weren't nearly as consumed with winning as they were the other thing. So we're trying to find the guys that care about people that want to win, that want to do it together. And they want to chase their own individual goals while doing it with other guys and realize they need each other. We have a group that they all came together from winning programs so they knew what it looked like. And even if they had expectations of something more, because they're good guys they usually came back into the fold instead of dropping their head and going in another direction. So we've been close to splintering a couple times this year but credit our guys. They've stayed together. They have great character.

If there's been issues with players they'll go have breakfast together and maybe one of their teammates will call the meeting. So there's been a lot of really cool things happen this year as it's been a real roller coaster ride. Well in terms of Portal to leave, it appears you had that opportunity just a couple of weeks ago. And I'll be honest, yours truly and all of my friends and fellow Wolverine fans, we were wringing our hands because it was your alma mater that was allegedly interested in knocking on your door. Why did you choose to stay, coach? First of all, my wife and I, we have two sons at Michigan now.

My middle son Charlie is a walk-on force and my youngest son Eli is a manager. And so we've just found we've been really really comfortable within the Ann Arbor community. Every interaction on campus with our administration has been unbelievable. Everyone here is committed to winning. I'm surrounded by greatness and excellence every day and it's hard to leave that. It was really really tough to leave FAU and when you start to plant roots and develop relationships it's difficult and daunting to think about going and restarting that again.

And so I just felt like right now, this stage, this place really really fits me, us and we've loved being at Michigan. And I'm thrilled that those who could stepped up to make sure that you were financially secured in making that decision. Did you talk to the team about it or did anybody come up to you because obviously kids are going to be hyper aware of what's online and being discussed in the world. Did you address it at all?

In this case no. At FAU we talked about it a lot and I was very transparent with our guys as they were us. In this case we're in the middle of the season and it really just came open and it was more than media assuming.

And so I just didn't feel like it was even time to discuss it because there wouldn't even need to be a decision for a long time from when we were playing and when it did happen. So I do think our guys were aware of it. I talked about it with a couple of them just in passing as they would make comments. But I do think they were curious. What were they saying to you? What comments were they saying to you? You know like when we played there they would say like, one of the guys came up and said did you ever dream you'd be in position to maybe be the coach here someday or something like that.

And I said absolutely not and I never thought that. And I started equating to the managers that we have with us at Michigan and I said can you imagine coming back in 20 years and Nick or Sam or one of the guys that was with us. Those guys are the head coach at Michigan right now.

It just doesn't even seem real. So it's more just a hypothetical joke. But yeah that's the type of relationship we have with our guys. They're allowed to make those comments.

They're allowed to make those comments. I love that. Dusty May of the University of Michigan here on the Rich Eisen Show. Let's get into this tournament and what you do say to the kids beforehand if I may have the temerity to suggest at all about what to say here to your fellow charges Dusty. The five seed.

What the heck? Do you play that card? Do you play the card of the teams that we beat in the tournament got seeded higher?

Do you play the people don't believe in us card with the Wolverines? The guys have obviously heard that. It's been such a popular pick for the first round upset.

Probably the most popular from what we've heard. But to be honest we talked about it from the angle of UCSD. Danny Wolf was at Yale last year. Myself, Ladd and some of the other staffers were at FAU playing high majors.

So we talked about it from the perspective of UCSD. And then we talked about what we felt like the high majors were going through as we were playing them as far as them feeling the pressure as the higher seed as the team that was supposed to win versus the team that has nothing to lose. And so we chose to go into this tournament with a high level of confidence but we do have to play with the same edge we played the Big Ten tournament defensively and whatnot. But we also are going into it that we're not afraid to fail. We're not going to be the higher seed that's terrified of what happens if they get a five point lead or whatever the case. We're just going to continue to play with poise, aggression and trust that the results will be there.

Interesting. So you're saying you're talking to the kids and the kids are talking about they're the ones that used to have the slingshot in their hands and know how powerful that is going into a game. And now that they're, if you will, the Big Ten Champion tournament Goliaths, watch out and don't take it for granted. Like that's the way you're looking at it here?

That's been our messaging so far. For example, at FAU we felt like all the Power Five teams when it got close down the stretch we were much looser than them. I'm not saying they were tight but I felt like we were loose, aggressive and confident. And then when we played FDU, when the arena turned and they became the fan favorite and they became Cinderella, our guys for a little bit seemed a little bit tight and FDU played looser. So in a limited experience we felt like that. But that's also what Danny and Danny Wolfe's team played, Trey Donaldson's team, Auburn versus Yale last year. So they both talked about what they felt in their locker rooms and what they felt in those moments.

And so we just kind of reversed it a little bit. But our guys are going to go into this knowing that we have to be the most aggressive, confident team there because once the game's tipped all this stuff goes out the window. Yeah. And then of course, looking over the steering wheel, which I know your staff has to do when you're in a tournament and you're going to Denver and you survive and you advance and you got to turn around and play somebody. I mean of all the teams that you might have to play, I guess Danny Wolfe would help and you would know how to go against Yale. It's kind of amazing how the tournament, you know, seedings kind of wink at you every now and then.

Dusty, right? Absolutely. And Danny's a very cerebral player so we've had to explain to him that he doesn't need to start working on the scout quite yet.

We need to figure out a way to UCSC. He's a cerebral player. I do love the way they play. I love the way the bigs play. You know, you got two seven-footers doing picks and rolls and stuff like that. Two-man game between two huge seven-footers.

How much fun is it to game plan with that sort of chess pieces on your board, Dusty? It's really grown into something that we've been able to use and leverage in a lot of different ways and, you know, they're both so unique. Danny gets a lot of credit for being the pick and roll maestro with the ball in his hands and the ability to find those gaps and seams.

But flat at 7-1, he's got such great hands that he's able to catch any pass in his radius so it's really worked well together. And then the other guys, the shooting, the cutting, the off-ball movement has helped those two be successful and there are certain times of the game we can go to it and feel very confident that we're going to be able to generate a good look. And obviously, you know, you've been there, done that, Final Fours and your run at FAU, putting you on many radar screens and one that Michigan is fortunate enough to get you. Do you connect with Beeline, with John Beeline at all, at any point in time before something like this, bounce things off, anything like that, Dusty May? Actually, I called him before the Big Ten tournament because that one is something I hadn't played in and wasn't as familiar with and he gave me some really good insight. And we're going to use that again going forward this week. I haven't called him this week yet. We traveled yesterday.

We've been, we're working on fumes now. We got back about midnight Sunday night and with the Thursday game, we had to leave, we had to practice Tuesday morning and we're already on Denver now. So we really haven't had enough time other than just to try to dive into UCSD, study their program, figure out a condensed game plan because we're going to practice in just a few minutes. Okay, and I appreciate the time, obviously, in this very busy condensed schedule before I let you go.

I mean, altitude, eight o'clock Eastern, Mountain, if you will, tip. I mean, how do you account for all of this? I mean, put it all together and you're condensing a bunch of stuff in 90 hours, it seems, right?

It is. And just like UCSD, we have a very veteran group that knows how to play basketball and they play out of concepts most of the time. And so it's going to, we're trying to figure out what matchups to go at and more importantly, how to take care of the basketball. They're one of the best in the country for us in turnovers and we've been loose at times.

As far as the altitude, I think we have a real advantage being 880 feet above sea level in Ann Arbor versus the coast of San Diego. Interesting. That's right. You got two seven-footers.

They know about altitude. Just walking around life, you know? I got it. I got it. And we have another foot on most of those guys. I like it.

And obviously you're going to use that. And how is Roddy Gail Jr.? Can you give us any sort of update on how he's feeling?

What's going on? How the team is health-wise going into this game, Dusty? He should be good to go tomorrow. It was nice to see him in a Big Ten tournament. He looked like Roddy again. Roddy from earlier in the season where he was out there hooping, having fun, flying around and impacting, winning.

So we need that going forward, but we expect him to be a full go tomorrow. All right, Dusty. Listen, I guess, you know, I saw you over a year ago, right?

Detroit Airport. I just said hello and I wanted to talk to you about how to make a flight. And I always appreciate you taking the time to join us here.

Well, Rich, I saw you sprinting through the airport and I also heard the lead-in where you caught some strays because of your alleged lack of athleticism. So I can attest, you've got wills. Your daughter got it honestly. Thank you, Dusty. Look at you coaching me up in that respect, you know, and I see, you know, I know the women have a six seed.

They gave USC and Juju all she could handle in the Big Ten tournament in their own right. So I'm paying attention to both programs and certainly appreciate you having confidence in me. I really appreciate that. Yeah, our women are fun to watch as well, but I appreciate having you on, Rich. Always.

Thanks again. Good luck and go blue, sir. Go blue. That's right. That's Dusty May getting set to take on UC San Diego. They are in Denver, Colorado for the University of Michigan Wolverines.

They are, I thought that was fascinating. Yeah, we're aware that we've been, kids might feel disrespected, but hey, you know, one seven footer from Yale, another one from Florida Atlantic, a bunch of his Florida Atlantic transfers. Hey, you've been in UC San Diego's position and how'd that work out for you? Oh yeah. Danny Wolf, you beat Auburn. Oh yeah. Vlad Golden, you took care of much of the NCAA tournament or FAU did, right? And so let's go. I kind of dig that.

How far you got them going? I do have them taking on Auburn in the Elite Eight. Okay.

That's fun. The Elite Eight is 16, round of 16, I think that is. I had them going against Michigan State in the Elite Eight just for fun because I said that to Izzo.

I don't know. That's what Cooper picked though, right? I didn't see his bracket because we were too busy.

You know, he was doing two things at once. We were doing a baseball fantasy draft. We did our usual popping into a public league on ESPN thing. Oh, okay. I can see it.

Well, I can't see Cooper's bracket, but he is in our show group, which is now out. I tweeted it out. Okay, great. Go ahead and join us and let's do that. See how you stack up against the rest of us. Outstanding. And whoever wins gets a mug, right? Let's go. Yeah, there's Xander, there's you, and there's Cooper.

There's Coopidoo. Rich, I got the Wolverines going to the sweet 16. So do I.

So do I. And then I was like, do I have them in the Elite Eight? Do I have them beating Auburn? That would be just delightful.

Them beating Auburn would be just absolutely delightful. 844-204, Rich, is the number to dial when we come back. A power rankings in advance of one of our most powerful bookings ever. This is going to be interesting. Robert De Niro, hour three. I am power ranking De Niro movies.

Let's go. War with Grandpa. Number two.

It's not in there. How dare you? How dare you? Rocky and Bullwinkle? How dare you both?

No Contest Wrestling, where O'Shea Jackson Jr. and T.J. Jefferson bring their hot takes with the biggest names in the game. Ladies and gentlemen, broad breaker. Welcome to the broad. My aspirations in life. I always wanted to be a WWE superstar. The prodigy, Roxanne Perez. I got to talk about the hugger cosplay.

I mean, it was perfect, wasn't it? You know? LA Knight. What am I doing here? At this point, I can retire. See you, everybody. The No Contest Wrestling podcast, part of the Rich Eisen podcast network.

Follow and listen on your favorite platform. Now it's kind of the end of an era for you here in this state, you know, obviously, and an end of, you know, a prep slash college career for you getting ready to go to the pros, man. Like this is this is it.

This is it. Everything you worked for, everything you dreamed of. Yeah. In terms of working and dreaming about it, you sent me a video before I boarded the plane to get here. Yes, sir.

And this video is what, J.J.? It's pretty much long story short, my dad manifesting my entire life. And, you know, it was right before I was born. And him just kind of saying, you know, going through the names and what my name was going to be. With your mom?

Yes, with my mom. And, you know, he was just like, it's going to be daddy's little quarterback. And we have that video and you've not shown this anywhere? You know, he only showed me it like six months ago. Really? Yeah. So I was just like, oh, how come I didn't see this earlier? I was just waiting, you know.

Well, everybody, it's going to get dusty wherever you are. So your dad's shooting it on a camcorder on the day of your birth. Yes, sir.

Which is January 20th, 2003. And you'll see the timestamp in the lower right. Your mom, Megan, is sitting in the hospital bed. Yes, sir. Having a conversation with your dad.

Check it out. Hi, I like Jonathan James and I want to call you J.J. I'm going to call you J.J. I like those names. I'm going to call you J.J. It's going to be daddy's little quarterback. But if not, that's OK. It's totally OK.

I can't see your room. Daddy's little quarterback. Yeah, it's crazy, right?

Crazy bumps. There's the after photo right there. It's a big dog right there. There's daddy's quarterback right there.

And mom's too. Dude, man, I'm getting all misty just seeing that. Yeah, I'm not going to lie. I got a little bit too. But, you know, it's a lot, you know, from then to now that took place and, you know, so much they sacrificed.

And, you know, just unconditionally grateful for everything they've done for me. And, you know, it's only in the beginning. And it looks like daddy's little quarterback is going to be a Viking first string quarterback. What a spot for him. Kevin O'Connell is going to coach him up as a starter. How many guys get in the league and just change coordinators and change coaches? I'm going to change this, come out the coast, have a few less.

Great spot. I think how many times your Super Bowl MVP this year we talked about has had to change all of it. Again, we talked about it yesterday, right? Where I mentioned that to him in the interview for game day morning and he goes, tell me about it. Says Jalen Hurts, tell me about it. I think we showed footage, you know, it was his offensive coordinator, the night Saban benched Hurts for Tua. Was it Lane?

I don't believe so. I think it was Brian Dabel, current Giants coach. For Bama? Yeah. Yeah, Dabel went to Bama for a minute.

Cool. Don't forget, the Bama offensive coordinator position has springboarded many a head coaching job. Oh yeah, that's true. JJ's going to be great, man. It's going to be fun.

I'm excited about it. That is for sure. Back here on the Rich Eisen Show. Listen, I'm a, as you know, native New Yorker, born in Brooklyn, raised in Staten Island.

Shaolin. Which means a few things. Gotta love Billy Joel. Mandatory. That's true. Or Bruce, you know, because usually Staten Island where I'm from is kind of like a borough of New Jersey in some respects.

There's three bridges attaching Staten Island and New Jersey and one to New York City, but the rest of New York City. And that also means you got to love Robert De Niro. And so when we first came on the air 10 plus years ago, and if you asked me to make up a list of five celebrity guests I'd want, De Niro would be one of them.

And that moment is about to arrive in hour number three. And in celebration, if you will, of that, that being, I said, how about if I do a top five list and you guys are like, it's a Wednesday. It's a power rankings day. Power ranking.

Robert De Niro movies hit it. Power rankings. Power rankings. All right, here we go. I've got my power rankings list of Robert De Niro films.

We don't need any music. Here we go. Number 10. You guys are going to look at me for some of these and go, what are you talking about?

And this is the first one. You know how much I love this movie. It is maybe the most underrated Robert De Niro movie ever. It's a 1998 thriller called Ronin. And it's directed by John Frankenheimer, who is one of the best directors of all time. And he plays an American mercenary hired to, along with a team of mercenaries, steal a briefcase and some caper and niece. And there are some car chases that are some of the most amazing car chases you will ever see. He is amazing in it. 1998 Ronin. You must see it if you haven't seen it.

All right. Number nine on this list from 1978. It is one of his first Oscar nominated roles as well. And as a multiple Oscar nominated role, The Deer Hunter. You guys ever see The Deer Hunter in 1978? The cast is unbelievable. John Savage and Meryl Streep, Christopher Walken. There's a scene with involving a Russian roulette that you need to like.

It's a white knuckle that I have seen. John Cazale, who's been in only Oscar nominated films in his entire life, which was cut short. The Deer Hunter in 1978.

The impact of the Vietnam War on a small steel mill town in Pennsylvania. Johnstone. Number eight. Here we go. We're finally going to hit Scorsese and gangster movies. Number eight, 1995, Casino. Number eight on the list.

Oh, dude, please wait till you hear the rest of it. Sam East, Rothstein, Vegas. And we're going to ask him about Rickles later on. Apparently, Rickles was, you know, heckling him in the entire shoot. I can't wait to bring this up to De Niro in hour number three. Casino's number eight.

Number seven from 1987. He plays Al Capone in The Untouchables, which is a stellar movie. He is every scene he is in is just crackling on the screen.

I wish he was in it more in The Untouchables. The scene in which he busts up one of his minions skull with a baseball bat, giving a speech about what baseball is all about. When you're standing alone at the plate, it's time for what? Individual team, individual achievement.

When you're out in the field, you're part of a team. Number seven on the list, The Untouchables. Number six, 1995. Wrapping up the lower five is Heat.

That's low two. Neil McCauley plays a career criminal who never gets attached to anything. He's not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if he's feeling the heat around the corner. And the scene with him and Pacino in the diner, the first scene ever with the two of them on the same screen. Obviously, we're in the same movie before with Godfather Part Two. But that said, I will bring this up to De Niro in hour number three. Number five on the list, and I know the pushback I'm going to get.

I don't care. It's the greatest comedy of all time. It's Midnight Run 1988 is a perfect movie. It is a beautiful movie. He plays John Jack Walsh, a foul-mouthed bounty hunter needing to get a mafia accountant played by Charles Grodin to jail before he is killed by his boss in John. You know, Frank, pardon me.

Serrano's got the discs, all of that stuff. It's amazing. That's number five on the list. Number four, here we go.

It's going to get serious now. 1976, he plays a taxi driver in Taxi Driver named Travis Bickle, who goes slowly insane when the girl he's trying to date rejects him and he has murderous thoughts. Jodie Foster is in it. Albert Brooks is in it.

Cybill Shepherd is absolutely stellar in it in many ways, shapes and forms. Peter Boyle, it is a Scorsese film. He was nominated for an Oscar.

Didn't get it. Godfather Part Two was the role before it. He followed up Godfather Part Two with this. Number three on the list.

He won an Oscar as Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull in 1980. Just a tour de force as much as they come. And to call this a boxing movie is kind of crazy, but it is one of Scorsese's finest, him with it. So that leaves now two.

And I went back and forth about it. And it is number two on the list. The greatest sequel ever. I'm putting the Godfather Part Two here. It is the first Oscar-nominated win for him. He was his first Oscar nomination and he won it.

By the way, he wasn't at the ceremony. I don't think I'm going to have enough time to speak with him about that because there's so much to talk about with De Niro. But him playing the young Vito Corleone or Corleone. He was part of the greatest sequel ever. And that's number two. Number one is Goodfellas. 1990, playing Jimmy Conway. Believe it or not, not nominated for this film.

And then Goodfellas, we all know lost to Dancing with Wolves. So I have to put this number one. It is an opus. It is the greatest. He is amazing in it.

Every single mannerism, every single word, every single moment. It is the number one movie on the list of my power rankings of Robert De Niro films in advance of Robert De Niro joining us in 20 some odd minutes time on this program. You seem excited.

I am very excited. I love that. I love Goodfellas number one. The only Oscar winner from that movie, Joe Pesci. One for supporting. Everyone else got snubbed. Writing snubbed.

Marty. A lot of movies got snubbed from this list. I was thinking Cape Fear.

Cape Fear is a good one. In terms of other comedies, Analyze This is always forgotten with Billy Crystal before Meet the Parents. King of Comedy is a totally underrated movie.

He did with Scorsese and Jerry Lewis. But that is my power rankings of Robert De Niro movies. Still here. I know you love Heat. I know you would have put Heat in the top five. I would have had Heat in the top five. I know it is personally your list. I know how much you love Midnight Run.

It is all good. When was the last time you saw Midnight Run? I have seen it in the last few years.

Again, it is not better than Heat. Once upon a time in America. What are you taking off? You know, I am not a Midnight Run fan. But this is your list and these are your favorites. Midnight Run is just the greatest. Joffre Cotto is the best. Agent Alonzo Moseley of the FBI.

We are talking top 20. Dennis Farina. You know. Meet the Fockers. Meet the parents. Meet the parents, yeah. If any of them.

If that was even going to crack those. The parents is really funny. I cannot tell you. I watched Ronin on a flight.

One of the flights to Europe last year. Just because it is so exhilarating. It is some of the best. If you ask any cinephile. Give me the best.

Give me the best car chase scenes in the history of the movies. Ronin is up there. Ronin is good.

It is up there with the French connection. Unreal. Wag the Dog is pretty good. Wag the Dog. Was that Barry Levinson?

Wag the Dog? Because Barry Levinson is the director of the Alto Knights. Which is one of the projects. That is Barry Levinson. David Mamet is one of the writers. That movie is really good. Mamet wrote the Untouchables. Did we mention The Bronx Tale? I cannot remember. He has so many.

It is impossible. The fan. Get out of here man.

Come on. Cape Fear. He got nominated for Cape Fear. Max Cady.

He was beyond frightening. Mean Streets. I was going to put that. Mean Streets is just. I know my audience here in a little way too.

So if you are going to go 70s. I was going to go Deer Hunter over Mean Streets. Which was the first movie he did with Scorsese. Harvey Keitel was in that as well. It kind of put De Niro on the map. Then he goes on a run of The Godfather Part II and Taxi Driver back to back. With Raging Bull behind it.

Get out of here. So he has 121 acting credits. Where was War with Grandpa? He is not on yet.

We did not hear that did he? I am not going to mention. Stop it. I cannot believe this was the first in your own movie my children saw. I am so upset.