Big Stories

The Kansas Jayhawks, BYU Cougars, and TCU Horned Frogs all had seasons full of highs, heartbreaks, and what-ifs — and we're breaking it all down.
Brian Hanni, the voice of the Kansas Jayhawks, talks about how Darryn Peterson's health woes created two completely different Kansas teams, the offensive inconsistencies that derailed a talented squad, and why Peterson could still be the top pick in the NBA Draft.
BYU SportsNation co-host Jarom Jordan then talks about what AJ Dybantsa's time in Provo truly meant for the program, the wave of injuries that derailed Final Four dreams, and why BYU's best days may be still ahead.
Melissa Trebwasser, host of the Frogs Insider Podcast, on TCU's remarkable turnaround — from losing their starting center in game one to finishing sixth in the Big 12 — and what it will take for Jamie Dixon's squad to finally break through in March.
Plus, the biggest storylines from the college basketball landscape, including Arizona's stunning run to the Final Four and Houston's surprising Sweet 16 exit.

When the Big Stories team hit a recording snag, we reached back into the vault for a great story from Season 1 — and with March Madness in full swing, the timing couldn't be better.

This week, we revisit our episode about Hot Rod Hundley — the Charleston, West Virginia native who became a West Virginia University basketball legend. Equal parts showman, entertainer, and flawed hero, Hot Rod dazzled crowds with behind-the-back passes, hook shots, and a personality that packed arenas long before the varsity game even tipped off.

We hear from filmmaker Dan Loman, WVU's Director of Athletic Content John Antonik, bar owner Al Bonner, and Hot Rod's own daughters — painting a portrait of a man who was larger than life on the court, complicated off of it, and beloved by an entire state.

From his hardscrabble childhood in Charleston to the retirement of his #33 jersey at WVU Coliseum, Hot Rod's hero's journey is messy, funny, and deeply human.

As the NCAA tournament rolls on, host Cleon Wall breaks down the latest storylines — from coaching hires at Arizona State and Cincinnati to the Sweet 16 performances of Arizona, Iowa State, and Houston. We also look at how Kansas and BYU fell short due to injuries, the potential top two NBA Draft picks in AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, and give credit to TCU and UCF for their tournament moments.

Then, story time turns to two teams that didn't quite make the NCAA Tournament. Scott Wright of The Oklahoman joins to discuss Oklahoma State's progress under second-year coach Steve Lutz, and Blue and Gold Nation's Ryan Decker breaks down West Virginia's first season under Ross Hodge — a team built on defense that now heads to the College Basketball Crown to face Stanford.

In 2019, Roman Rozell captured national attention as a 35-year-old retired Green Beret and father of seven who walked onto the ASU wrestling team and earned a WWE tryout. But shortly after his viral moment, Roman's marriage ended, the WWE halted operations during COVID, and the pro wrestling career he'd chased dissolved. Soon enough, he found himself living in a camper, dealing with debt, and struggling with mental health. So, how did Roman rebound and start a business called Walk-On Warriors to help others like himself? Find out from the Walk-On Warrior himself.

Guests:
Roman Rozell - Former ASU Wrestler and Walk-On Warriors Founder
Scott French - DDPY Instructor and Roman's friend and mentor

The NCAA Tournament is here, and the Big 12 has plenty of storylines heading into the big dance. Host Cleon Wall also offers a public apology to Jaden Bradley.

During storytime, Cleon talks about two teams that didn't make the NCAA Tourney and are now looking for new head coaches. He speaks with Michelle Gardner of the Arizona Republic about Bobby Hurley's tenure, the state of the ASU program, and the challenge of attracting coaching talent to Tempe.

Then, Nick Niehouse of the Chatterbox Bearcats podcast joins to break down Cincinnati's gut-wrenching overtime loss to UCF, what Wes Miller's dismissal means for the program, and what the Bearcats roster could look like next season.