Straight Shooters
If you like college basketball and you like the truth, then this is the podcast for you. Each episode you’ll find Tyler Kaplan, Mike Erickson, Matt Stern, and Zach Reynolds discuss the week prior: recapping games, bad beats, bad coaching as well as looking ahead to March Madness. If we find something interesting, we’ll always share, and we hope that at the end of each episode you learned something new, or disagreed with at least one thing we said... or both.
Episodes

Jan 6, 2026
Jan 6, 2026
46 min
In this week's episode, the Straight Shooters discuss the hottest topics heading into 2026. They breakdown which conference's are the best/worst heading into conference play, who the true #1 team in the country is, and the state of college basketball with midseason transfers.
Come join us in the stretch run of the hoops season!!

Dec 16, 2025
Dec 16, 2025
51 min
The Straight Shooters discuss the key games from this past week including, the Jimmy V classic, Arkansas, and Arizona. They then dive into the current Kenpom rankings analyzing which metrics are important or not. Next we get the Idiots of the week and a pretender/contender segment.

Dec 7, 2025
Dec 7, 2025
46 min
The Straight Shooters start by highlighting Duke's impressive performance, showcasing their big wins and solidifying their position in the rankings. Next, we analyze Iowa State's astounding onslaught against Purdue, examining their strategy and execution that led to a decisive victory. Finally, we'll take a broader look at the overall state of college basketball, discussing emerging trends, top performers, and tournament implications as the season heats up. Join us for insightful commentary and expert analysis as we navigate the excitement of this week in college basketball!

Dec 1, 2025
Dec 1, 2025
56 min
The Straight Shooters breakdown the Players Era Tournament and other key MTEs throughout Feast Week. They discuss Michigan's elite run, Gonzaga and other top teams. They later breakdown the SEC vs ACC challenge and an amazing slate on Dec. 6.

Nov 23, 2025
Nov 23, 2025
56 min
The Straight Shooters get you prepared for Feast Week. They break down the key games in the week leading up to it including the Champions Classic, Purdues run through the Baha Mar tourney and UConn Vs Arizona. Next they discuss the changing landscape of the Player's Era Invitational, and the key matchup's throughout the week.

Nov 16, 2025
Nov 16, 2025
54 min
This week on Straight Shooters, Tyler Kaplan & Co. fire off the sharpest takes in college basketball as they break down everything that went down from 11/10 to 11/16. The crew dives into the top five games of the week, shocking results, early-season storylines, and the plays everyone’s talking about.
Plus, the always-chaotic “Idiots of the Week” segment returns — calling out the wildest decisions, worst blunders, and most head-scratching moments across the college hoops landscape.
From breakout stars to brutal collapses, from coaching masterclasses to coaching disasters, the Straight Shooters bring you the most honest, entertaining, and unfiltered recap in CBB.

Nov 9, 2025
Nov 9, 2025
56 min
The Straight Shooters are back with their first impressions of the new college basketball season, and there’s plenty to talk about. The crew dives into the heavyweight Florida–Arizona matchup that lived up to the hype, breaking down how the Wildcats’ size and tempo clashed with Florida’s aggressive guard play. They talk UNC’s early dominance and whether the Tar Heels’ balanced attack makes them a legitimate title threat right out of the gate. The conversation also highlights the nation’s standout freshman phenoms, from instant-impact scorers to breakout big men already turning heads.
No filters, no fluff — just hoops talk the way it’s meant to be: sharp, honest, and straight to the point.

Nov 2, 2025
Nov 2, 2025
41 min
The Straight Shooters Podcast tips off the 2025–26 college basketball season with a bang, diving into the biggest storylines and boldest predictions. The crew breaks down which powerhouse programs look poised for a championship run, which sleeper teams could shock the nation, and which new coaches are ready to breathe fresh life into their squads. From blue-blood battles to breakout stars, the Straight Shooters are calling it like they see it—no fluff, just pure hoops talk.

Mar 30, 2025
Mar 30, 2025
56 min
In this episode of Straight Shooters, we dive deep into the Final Four matchups, featuring Auburn vs. Florida and Duke vs. Houston. We break down what makes each of these powerhouse teams a contender and explores the key factors that will determine the outcome for each 1-seed. From standout players to team strategies, we analyze it all.
We also take a step back to reflect on the biggest storylines from the Sweet 16 and Elite 8, discussing the moments that shaped this tournament's journey. The conversation then shifts to the rapidly changing landscape of college basketball, including the impact of the transfer portal so far and the ongoing coaching carousel.
As we close out the episode, we offer our bold predictions for the Final Four and give our insights on who might be walking away as the national champion. Don’t miss this packed episode filled with expert analysis, heated debates, and plenty of basketball talk!

Mar 23, 2025
Mar 23, 2025
54 min
In this episode of Straight Shooters, the crew dives into the thrilling chaos of the first weekend of March Madness, breaking down the biggest upsets, buzzer-beaters, and standout performances that shook the tournament.
They also look ahead to the Sweet 16, discussing key matchups, potential upsets, and what to expect as the road to the Final Four intensifies. Expect insights on standout players, strategies, and what teams are poised to make a deep run. Whether you're looking for analysis or just want to relive the madness, this episode has it all!









