The Herd with Colin Cowherd Best of the week on The Herd
Mar 7, 2026
Rick Pitino, two-time national champion and veteran coach, on adapting across eras, international players, and what wins tournaments. Mark Few, longtime Gonzaga coach, on roster building, NIL-driven turnover, and preparing for top opponents. They trade sharp takes on coaching, defense, and modern roster challenges in short, punchy conversations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
NIL And Global Talent Raised College Basketball
- Rick Pitino says college basketball quality has risen because NIL and European/pay options keep talented foreign players in college.
- He notes college now often pays more than EuroLeague for non-star foreigners, raising overall talent and depth across top programs.
European Players Improve Team Ball Movement
- Pitino praises European players for superior ball movement, cutting, and high-post play that improve offensive IQ.
- He contrasts that with some U.S. teams' poor spacing and stagnant possessions lacking movement.
Command Defense With Constant Communication
- Pitino demands defensive communication even if players speak different languages: 'Open your mouth and talk defensively.'
- He instructs international players to call switches and directs, even in their native tongue, to fix defensive lapses.