NBA Finals Set, Stanley Cup Matchup Locked In & The Future of College Sports

The championship picture is coming into focus. Larry opens the week by breaking down the newly set NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks, highlighting the remarkable parity in today’s NBA as the league prepares for an eighth consecutive season without a repeat champion. On the ice, the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights are set to battle for the Stanley Cup after dominant playoff runs from both clubs.Carolina Hurricanes play-by-play voice Mike Maniscalco joins the show to discuss the Hurricanes’ journey to the Stanley Cup Final, how the team overcame a lengthy layoff between playoff series, Frederik Andersen’s outstanding postseason performance, and the challenges awaiting Carolina against a resurgent Vegas squad led by John Tortorella. Mike also shares insight into the Hurricanes’ defensive identity, locker room culture, and why this playoff run feels different from previous seasons.Later, Arizona State historian and Great Game Lab scholar Victoria Jackson returns to examine the latest bipartisan effort in Washington to reshape college athletics. Larry and Victoria discuss NIL, athlete compensation, antitrust protections, conference realignment, the growing divide between college football’s haves and have-nots, and whether Congress can realistically solve the challenges facing modern college sports.The show also covers the Stanley Cup Final matchup, Women’s College World Series drama, NCAA Baseball Tournament surprises—including UCLA’s stunning early exit—and another explosive offensive performance from the New York Yankees.