• 🏆 Ovechkin Makes History | UConn Dominates | Final Four Breakdown | NFL Draft Insights
    Apr 7 2025

    It’s a MONSTER Monday on SportsIQ with Larry Smith — we’re covering all the top stories in sports and breaking it down with expert insight and big-time guests.

    🏒 NHL:
    Alexander Ovechkin becomes the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, passing Wayne Gretzky with goal No. 895. Hear the call and the historic impact of the moment.

    🏀 Women’s NCAA:
    UConn wipes out defending champs South Carolina to win their 12th national title. CBS Sports’ Isabel Gonzalez joins us live from Tampa to break down how Paige Bueckers, Sarah Strong, and Azzi Fudd powered the Huskies to dominance — and what’s next in the post-Caitlin Clark era.

    🏀 Men’s NCAA:
    We break down the wild finish between Houston and Duke, and preview the men’s championship matchup: Houston vs. Florida. Why veteran experience matters, and who has the edge tonight?

    🏈 NFL Draft:
    Pro Football Focus Lead Analyst John Kosko joins us to preview the 2025 NFL Draft. From Cam Ward to Travis Hunter to the resurgence of the running back — who’s rising, who’s falling, and what’s the Browns’ move at No. 2?

    ⏱ Featured Segments:
    00:00 – Ovechkin breaks Gretzky’s record
    01:00 – UConn’s women dominate: Isabel Gonzalez interview
    17:00 – What’s next in women’s college hoops
    27:00 – NFL Draft talk with PFF’s John Kosko
    41:00 – Men's title game preview: Houston vs. Florida
    50:00 – Moment of Awe: Travis Kelce’s incredible generosity

    📱Follow & Subscribe to SportsIQ with Larry Smith on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.
    📸 Instagram & Threads: @sportsiqls | 🎥 YouTube: @sportsiqpodcast
    🌐 Visit us at sportsiqls.com

    #SportsIQ #Ovechkin #UConn #FinalFour #NCAATournament #WomensBasketball #NFLDraft #PFFrankings #CamWard #TravisHunter #HoustonCougars #FloridaBasketball #SportsPodcast

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    52 mins
  • Final Four Frenzy: South Carolina’s Chip, UConn’s Charge & Houston’s Redemption Run
    Apr 4 2025

    🏀 It’s Final Four Weekend — and SportsIQ is locked in!

    On Today’s Show with Larry Smith:

    🔹 South Carolina’s Silent Swagger
    Greenville News' Lulu Kesin breaks down the Gamecocks’ path to redemption, the leadership of Dawn Staley, and why South Carolina’s “team-first” vibe might be their secret weapon in Tampa.

    🔹 The UConn-UCLA Showdown
    CBS Sports’ Isabel Gonzalez joins from Tampa to preview Paige Bueckers’ push for a title, why UConn might be peaking at the perfect time, and how UCLA can play spoiler in a matchup of juggernauts.

    🔹 Houston's Hard-Nosed Hoop Hustle
    SB Nation’s Steve Helwick takes us inside the culture of Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars. With elite defense, clutch guard play, and a chip on their shoulder from last year’s heartbreak — is this the year Houston finally cuts down the nets?

    🎧 Plus:

    • Giannis makes NBA history with a 35-20-17 triple-double

    • The NIT ends in epic fashion for Chattanooga

    • Reds flirting with baseball infamy

    🔥 Don’t miss our Moment of Awe featuring Jo Marie Holzhammer — a true lifesaver on the pickleball court.

    👀 Like what you hear? Subscribe, Rate, and Review on your favorite podcast platform.
    📺 Watch full episodes and shorts on YouTube: SportsIQ with Larry Smith

    #FinalFour #MarchMadness #SouthCarolina #UConn #HoustonCougars #WomensBasketball #MensBasketball #PaigeBueckers #DawnStaley #KelvinSampson #SportsPodcast #BasketballIQ #SportsIQ

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    52 mins
  • Final Four Showdown: Florida vs. Auburn | Ovechkin Chase, MLB Chaos & Portal Madness!
    Apr 3 2025

    🎙️ Final Four Fever & Big-Time Breakdown
    On this Thursday edition of SportsIQ, Larry Smith sets the stage for Final Four weekend in San Antonio with expert insights and compelling storylines.

    🟠 Chris Harry of FloridaGators.com joins to talk about Florida's magical tournament run, Walter Clayton Jr.’s heroics, and head coach Todd Golden’s team-building philosophy.
    🐅 Peter Rauterkus of AL.com previews Auburn’s second Final Four appearance under Bruce Pearl, Janai Broome’s injury status, and how Auburn’s tough SEC journey has them battle-tested for the big stage.

    🏒 Plus: Alex Ovechkin closes in on Gretzky, buzz around the Texas A&M coaching search, Shohei Ohtani’s heroics, MLB updates, and a look at how stadium drama continues in Chicago.

    🎓 And in our final segment, Larry and Tony dive into the chaos of the college basketball transfer portal and why it’s time for some serious guardrails.

    ❤️ Moment of Awe: A salute to JoMarie Holzhammer, a pickleball enthusiast who saved three lives with her CPR and defibrillator skills.


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    52 mins
  • Final Four Fever Hits Sports IQ, NFL Rules Update
    Apr 2 2025

    We’re past April Fools, and there’s no fooling around as Larry brings you a jam-packed episode of Sports IQ. It’s Final Four week, and we’ve got wall-to-wall coverage featuring two of the hottest teams in college hoops: the Florida Gators and Duke Blue Devils.

    📰 Headlines & Highlights:

    • Ovi Watch: Alex Ovechkin scores goal No. 891 — now just 4 shy of tying Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record.

    • Dodgers Stay Hot: Off to a historic 7-0 start, the Dodgers tie the 1933 Yankees for best-ever start by a defending MLB champion.

    • Coaching Carousel: Buzz Williams leaves Texas A&M for Maryland. Who replaces him in College Station?

    • NBA Madness: Steph Curry drops 52, Jokic goes for 61 in a double-OT thriller, and Giannis leads the Bucks to a historic 69% shooting night.

    • NFL Rule Changes: Producer Tony joins Larry to break down the league’s latest tweaks, including a new kickoff rule and the rise of electronic chains.

    🎧 Gator Nation Rises
    Guest: Kevin Brockway, Gainesville Sun

    • Florida is Final Four bound! Kevin joins from the airport en route to San Antonio to preview the Gators’ showdown with Auburn.

    • Inside Todd Golden’s impressive 3-year turnaround and his analytics-driven approach.

    • Player breakdowns: Walter Clayton’s clutch gene, Alex Condon’s post presence, and the impact of 7’1” Micah Handlogten’s return from injury.

    • The matchup vs. Auburn: keys to slowing Janiah Broom and why this SEC rivalry could feel like Ali vs. Foreman.

    👑 Blue Devils Back in Business
    Guest: Steve Wiseman, Raleigh News & Observer

    • Duke returns to the Final Four under John Scheyer. Steve shares why this Duke team is different—and maybe the best yet under the young coach.

    • Praise for freshman phenoms: Cooper Flagg, Jared McCain, and Malik Malwatch.

    • Why Cooper Flagg may be the greatest Duke freshman ever—and why he won’t be back next year.

    • Previewing Duke vs. Houston: Defensive battle ahead, and a potential Monday matchup with Florida looms.

    📣 NFL Rules Roundtable
    With Producer Tony Cordaro

    • New touchback rule gives offenses more yardage—are defenses being left behind?

    • Tush Push survives another year.

    • Christmas NFL tripleheader confirmed—sorry, NBA!

    • No 18-game schedule yet, but don’t hold your breath.

    • Electronic chains are here: goodbye to paper chains and eyeball measurements?

    💡 Moment of Awe: Congrats, Jason Kelce!

    • The longtime NFL center and podcast king welcomes his fourth child—a baby girl! Retirement is already getting busy for the former Eagle.

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    52 mins
  • 🏀 Final Four Fever: UConn's Paige Power, Texas Defense, and Notre Dame's Future
    Apr 1 2025

    On this episode of SportsIQ with Larry Smith — no April Fools here, just wall-to-wall college sports coverage!

    🏀 Women's Final Four Breakdown
    CBS Sports reporter Isabel Gonzalez joins us from Spokane with firsthand insight into the Women's NCAA Tournament. She and Larry dive deep into:

    • UConn’s run and Paige Bueckers’ dominance

    • Juju Watkins’ heartbreaking injury and USC’s valiant effort

    • South Carolina vs. Texas — a defensive showdown in the making

    • UCLA’s historic Final Four bid and rising stars

    • Who’s under the most pressure in the Final Four? The dynasty or the upstarts?

    • Why this year’s parity in women’s basketball is a sign of what’s to come

    🍀 Notre Dame Spring Update
    Eric Hansen of InsideNDSports.com breaks down:

    • The quarterback derby in South Bend

    • How Marcus Freeman is growing into the head coaching role

    • What to expect from Chris Ash’s revamped defense

    • Notre Dame women’s hoops: another Sweet 16, but is it enough?

    • Year two under Micah Shrewsberry for men’s hoops — what’s next?

    Baseball Headlines

    • Brewers' pitching woes are historic (literally!)

    • Richard Sherman’s home invasion scare

    • PED suspensions and a rare cycle by a Cubs catcher

    • The portal buzz: Olivia Miles' shocking decision

    🎓 Final Four Fast Facts
    Larry runs through 12 Final Four nuggets you didn’t know — from first-time coaches to Jewish coaching history and record-breaking appearances.

    🦉 Moment of Awe:
    UConn star Paige Bueckers reaches out to USC’s Juju Watkins after her ACL injury, showing leadership, empathy, and sisterhood beyond the scoreboard.

    📺 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and tell a friend. SportsIQ with Larry Smith airs Monday through Friday wherever you get your podcasts.

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    52 mins
  • Coaching Chaos and Clutch Comebacks: March Madness Heats Up
    Mar 31 2025

    Episode Summary:On this episode of Sports IQ with Larry Smith, it's all about March Madness mayhem—from buzzer-beaters to backroom drama. Larry breaks down the historic men's and women's Final Four lineups, digs into the wildest coaching saga of the year with Maryland’s Kevin Willard jumping ship to Villanova, and welcomes back frequent guest Colin McNamara of the Testudo Times to unpack the fallout. Later, LA Times writer Ben Bolch joins the show to spotlight UCLA’s first-ever trip to the NCAA Women’s Final Four, and what it means for the program and the city of L.A. Finally, producer Tony Cordaro joins to react to the weekend's top plays, the rise of Florida, and what to expect in San Antonio.

    🔍Highlights:

    • Why Kevin Willard’s departure from Maryland is one of the messiest in recent memory—and what it means for the Terps’ future

    • How the Dirty Dozen bracket formula nailed it again (14-1 record!)

    • Why UCLA’s women’s basketball team is peaking at the right time, and the role of "we over me" culture

    • Preview of the Men's Final Four matchups: Auburn vs. Florida and Duke vs. Houston

    • Who's on Maryland's coaching hot board? A look at potential candidates including Buzz Williams, Luke Murray, and Tony Skinn

    • The latest in baseball: Yankees go yard, Padres sweep the Braves, and the Marlins make walk-off history

    • Shoutout to Pirates rookie Paul Skenes for his strikeout pledge to veterans through the Gary Sinise Foundation

    🏀Final Four Set:
    Men:

    • Auburn vs. Florida

    • Duke vs. Houston

    Women (so far):

    • UCLA vs. TBD (Winner of USC vs. UConn)

    • South Carolina vs. TBD

    📱Follow Us:YouTube: @SportsIQLSInstagram & Twitter/X: @SportsIQLSRadio


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    52 mins
  • Cinderella Falls, Ovi’s Classy Tribute, and Elite 8 Madness Ahead
    Mar 28 2025

    On this "Into the Weekend" edition of SportsIQ with Larry Smith, we’re loaded with action across the sports world!

    🏀 March Madness Recap:

    • Texas Tech stuns Arkansas in an overtime thriller to reach the Elite Eight.

    • Florida cruises past Maryland, led by dominant post play and cleaner second-half execution.

    • Alabama lights it up with a record 25 threes (!!) against BYU, while Duke survives Arizona in a shootout.

    • Looking ahead: Duke vs. Bama promises fireworks, Florida vs. Texas Tech brings contrasting styles.

    🎤 Coach Soundbites:

    • Hear from John Calipari on Arkansas' season and tough OT loss

    • Todd Golden reflects on Florida’s win and tournament journey

    • Nate Oats jokes about "regression to the mean" after Alabama's historic 3-point night

    • John Scheyer looks ahead to facing Bama after Duke’s Sweet 16 win

    🏒 Ovi Watch:
    Alex Ovechkin stays at 889 goals, but takes a moment to honor Minnesota goalie Marc-André Fleury in a touching tribute. A class act all around.

    Opening Day Stories:

    • Larry reminisces about the epic Cincinnati Reds parade

    • Tyler O’Neill makes history with his 6th straight Opening Day home run

    👀 Dirty Dozen Update:
    How’s Larry’s infamous “Dirty Dozen” bracket buster list holding up? 9 of 12 teams are already out. Find out which ones are still dancing — and which could bust your bracket this weekend.

    🏈 Spring Football with Kevin Noon:
    Exclusive insight from BuckeyeHuddle.com's Kevin Noon on Ohio State’s post-title adjustments, Ryan Day’s new coordinators, and the future of spring games in the NIL/transfer portal era. Plus, how college football is becoming more NFL-like by the day.

    💥 Elite 8 Preview:

    • Michigan State vs. Ole Miss

    • Auburn vs. Michigan

    • Kentucky vs. Tennessee (3rd meeting!)

    • Houston vs. Purdue in a heavyweight showdown

    🌯 Moment of "Aww":
    Chipotle got a bad rap on MLB’s Opening Day… but was it really the burrito’s fault?

    📲 Don’t miss a second—follow, rate, and share SportsIQ with Larry Smith as we dive deep into college hoops, football, and the biggest stories in sports.

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    52 mins
  • Sweet 16 Showdowns: BYU's Rise, Maryland's Moment & March Madness Insight
    Mar 27 2025

    In this action-packed edition of SportsIQ with Larry Smith, we dive headfirst into the NCAA Men’s Sweet 16 matchups with expert insights, behind-the-scenes access, and under-the-radar stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

    🏀 On Today’s Show:

    • BYU’s Big MomentDarnell Dickson from the Daily Herald joins Larry to break down BYU’s surge under new coach Kevin Young, the impact of NIL, and what a win over Alabama would mean for the Cougars and their national footprint.
    • Was it a Travel?Colin McNamara, managing editor of Testudo Times, takes us inside Maryland’s buzzer-beating win over Colorado State, addresses the controversial travel call, and previews tonight’s Florida-Maryland battle.
    • Sweet 16 BreakdownDavid Cobb from CBSSports.com gives us a coast-to-coast preview of all eight matchups, offers bold predictions, and shares his Final Four picks.
    • Sweet 16 Trivia – 16 things you probably didn’t know about this year’s Sweet 16, from Bruce Pearl’s historical significance to the surprising valuation of MLB’s Athletics.

    🎙️ Featured Guests:

    • Darnell Dickson – BYU beat writer, Daily Herald
    • Colin McNamara – Managing Editor, Testudo Times
    • David Cobb – College Basketball Writer, CBS Sports

    🔑 Key Topics:

    • BYU’s national rise, recruiting strategy, and Big 12 transition
    • Derrick Queen’s controversial buzzer-beater and the reality of viral outrage
    • Sweet 16 coaching legends: Tom Izzo, Bruce Pearl, and the future of Houston
    • Why Duke vs. Arizona is must-watch TV
    • Are Cinderella teams a thing of the past?

    📍 Games to Watch Tonight:

    • BYU vs. Alabama
    • Maryland vs. Florida
    • Arkansas vs. Texas Tech
    • Duke vs. Arizona

    💡 Fun Fact: BYU has made 31 NCAA tournament appearances—the most of any school without a Final Four berth. Could this be the year?

    📲 Follow Larry on X/Twitter: @SportsIQLS
    🎧 New episodes drop Monday–Friday — don’t miss the best hour in sports talk.

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    52 mins