Best of the week on The Herd

Monday energy, right and wrong time—let’s roll. I’m out on the LeBron–Luka pairing, loved the Knicks’ defense on Wembee, think Minnesota kicking the tires on veteran QBs says a lot about JJ, don’t see Tyreek back to the Chiefs as a need, Luka’s flaws are finally being acknowledged, I took the L on Kyler, Steph deserves better than this stagnant roster, and Malik Willis is going to have a market.

If you need a quarterback and claim you’re not looking at Malik Willis, you’re not being honest. Teams have paid up fast once that bridge QB idea worked, so it’s no shock he’s headed for real money now.

Rick, I love the bracket at sixty-four—do we really need to expand this thing again?

Only if it stops an undefeated mid‑major from getting snubbed, because that’s absurd. If you run the table, you’ve earned a bid, period.

NIL’s made the sport deeper and richer—are top programs noticeably stronger now?

College can pay as well or better than most EuroLeague roles now, so talent stays. Duke, Arizona, Michigan, plus deep, well‑coached groups like Connecticut and Illinois make this the strongest I’ve seen since the Walton and Kareem era.

European players used to be tagged finesse—now they’re forceful. What changed?

They’ve always moved the ball, cut, and shot it; that’s made our game better. The sticking point is getting them to talk on defense, but the offensive IQ is elite.

Steve Kerr bangs on AAU—do you buy that, or is there a different issue at home?

I don’t blame AAU; I blame over‑involved parents chasing quick paydays and transfers. Sit in the stands, let kids grow, and pick tough coaches who build character.

With language gaps on a global roster, how do you keep your defense synced?

One weak link breaks you, so I demand constant talk—switch, send, down—say it in Greek if you have to. The habit of verbalizing is the hardest and most vital piece.

Beyond the usual guard-play cliché, what actually wins in March when I’m filling a bracket?

Free throws decide a huge chunk of games, so you need closers at the line. Guard play still matters, and teams like Florida surged once their backcourt caught up to a strong front line.

You look energized and adaptable—why have you lasted this long and still love it?

I stepped away, came back through Greece, and it reset me. Sports evolve—five‑out, spacing, everything—and if you won’t change, you’re done; I’d rather coach than donate to the racetrack.

Quick mock‑draft note—I’m not guessing, I’m drafting how I’d do it. I’ve got Fernando Mendoza to the Raiders at one, the Jets grabbing edge David Bailey at two, the Cardinals fixing the line, the Chiefs shoring up right tackle, and Dallas nabbing a tough, ready edge in Keldrick Falk.

Mark, with NIL and the portal spinning, what did you most have to change?

Continuity’s gone; I used to redshirt and build for years. Now it’s lots of one‑year guys, so you’re constantly re‑teaching the culture.

Your front court has carried stretches, but the back court’s been hot‑cold—and you’ve been banged up. Concerned heading into March?

Sure, but we’ve adapted; Graham Ike has been terrific and losing Braden Huff, Jaylen Worley, and even Ike for a bit forced us to reinvent on the fly.

Michigan looked like an NBA team against you—how did that size hit you?

They shot the lights out and their size is real, especially on the wings and at the rim. In those three‑games‑in‑three‑days settings, prep is thin; league foes have since adjusted, and Arizona’s rolling too.

Do European stereotypes or NIL change how you coach day to day?

Toughness varies by player, not passport, and USA Basketball taught me adaptability. NIL turns the offseason into roster chaos and softens how hard you can press guys, but once we’re practicing, it feels normal.

How long do you keep going, and who’s the best you’ve faced this year?

I’ll coach as long as it’s joyful and impactful, and Lexan Borg was the most imposing matchup we saw.

I hate expanding the tournament—are you with me?

Keep it special and protect the regular season; don’t water down Selection Sunday.

KD says he’s in for the Olympics—what’s he like to coach, and could he win an all‑time one‑on‑one?

He’s a dream teammate with an automatic pull‑up and great chemistry with Ant, and while KD’s a cheat code, I wouldn’t count LeBron out in any score‑keeping battle.

Great catching up—enjoy the Tacoma Dome. Back in the day, once I got hot, that crossover pull‑up was pure flame.