Fresh Takes with Russo & Felice presented by FingerLakes1.com

Nick Felice and Paul Russo return to the studio dry and warm on this edition of Fresh Takes. The guys recap NASCAR at Watkins Glen, where the main storylines were the weather, mud, and SVG dominating again. Next, they talk about the NBA, where two series have been sweeps while the others continue to battle out in physical fashion. Lastly, the guys revisit a conversation from a couple of weeks ago as Paul Skenes continues his hot start to the season on the mound.

The Eastern Conference in the NBA has given fans some retro games in the playoffs so far. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the Knicks and Sixers going at it in the second round, the Cavs and Pistons battling for Lake Erie, and what is happening out west. Next, the guys talk about the Celtics blowing a 3-1 series lead to Philadelphia and what may happen after Jaylen Brown's comments post-series. Lastly, the guys preview the NASCAR weekend at Watkins Glen International with a move for this season to mid-May.

Both Nick Felice and Paul Russo were wrong last week about the Sixers. The guys talk about the continued crazy NBA Playoffs, specifically in the East, where the Pistons are on the ropes against Orlando, and the Knicks and Hawks continue to battle. The guys also touch on things out west, where OKC and San Antonio have already advanced. Nick and Paul also discuss the NHL postseason so far and Paul Skenes rolling in his last couple of starts.

It's a grab bag style edition of Fresh Takes! Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the Mets' terrible start to the season and whether there really is a curse on the team. Next, they discuss the postseason play so far in the NBA and NHL. Lastly, the guys talk about the dominance of Tyler Reddick and 23XI Racing and the NFL Draft this weekend.

The postseason for the winter sports is here! Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss what to see and expect in the NBA Playoffs and the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They make their predictions and talk about whether or not any teams will make a Cinderella run. The guys then move to the golf world as Rory McIlroy repeated as the Masters' champion. They talk about the weekend in Augusta and recap Paul's weekend at the NASCAR races in Bristol.

For the first time since 2000, a Big 10 team won March Madness. Nick Felice and Paul Russo recap Michigan winning their first men's basketball crown since 1989 and what lies ahead for college hoops with the transfer portal open. The guys preview the Masters weekend, and Paul heading down to Bristol for NASCAR in Tennessee.

When Duke loses, America wins. Nick Felice and Paul Russo recap the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds of March Madness, highlighted for many by Duke collapsing against UConn. Next, the guys shift their focus to the Final Four and preview the weekend ahead in Indianapolis as we crown a national champion. Lastly, Nick and Paul review the opening days of the MLB season.

It is one of the favorites on Fresh Takes, the MLB season preview edition! Nick Felice and Paul Russo first recap the opening weekend of March Madness and prepare for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight. Then it is on to baseball. The guys look at the season ahead and make their predictions for the summer.

Its time for brackets to be busted and Cinderella to dance. Paul Russo and Nick Felice preview the NCAA Tournament. They go through the bracket and make their picks for the games. The guys also discuss the latest from the Syracuse coaching search and Venezuela winning the World Baseball Classic.

The USA had a stellar Winter Olympics, coming home with the second most medals in competition. Nick Felice and Paul Russo recap the events, including the electric conclusions in hockey. The World Baseball Classic begins next week, and the guys preview the two-week event, which has grown to baseball's biggest worldwide event. Lastly, Paul discusses being at the dome on Saturday when Syracuse lost to UNC and what the atmosphere is now like across Orange Nation.

It is nothing but basketball in this edition of Fresh Takes. Nick Felice and Paul Russo talk about the biggest headlines out of NBA All-Star Weekend. The guys discuss college hoops with the regular season wrapping up in the coming weeks and coaching cycles already firing up.

The Seattle Seahawks took down the New England Patriots to take home the Super Bowl crown. Nick Felice and Paul Russo recap the game and discuss the season overall. The NBA Trade Deadline came and went, and some big names stayed put. The guys discuss the trades that were done and the ones that weren't.

A yearly staple on Fresh Takes, it's time to fully preview the big game on Sunday. Nick Felice and Paul Russo take a deep dive into Super Bowl LX between the Seahawks and Patriots. The guys discuss the key factors in the game and talk about their favorite bets for the game. As always, they make their predictions that this year will determine the overall winner in their picks for the season.

The Super Bowl is set as the Patriots and Seahawks will square off next week to decide the champion of the NFL. Nick Felice and Paul Russo recap Conference Championship Sunday and do some early previewing of the big game. Next, the saga of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee has come to a head. The guys talk about possible landing spots and whether he will be traded ahead of the deadline. Lastly, the guys talk some college hoops as January wraps up.

The Indiana Hoosiers brought home their first national title in football on Monday. Nick Felice and Paul Russo talk about the game and what this means for college football that its worst power team in history won the championship. The NFL heads to Conference Championship Sunday, the guys preview the games and recap Divisional Round Weekend and the fallout from it.

Just like that, the NFL has eight teams remaining in the chase for a Super Bowl crown. Nick Felice and Paul Russo recap Wild Card Weekend and preview the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The guys preview the CFP Championship that sees Indiana take on Miami. They make their picks for the weekend and discuss this year's Baseball Hall of Fame ballot.

Fresh Takes returns for the first time in the new year! The guys discuss the NFL season that was and preview the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. The CFP enters the semifinals this week, the guys preview the two games and who they expect to see battle for the championship.

The Chiefs won't make the playoffs for the first time in a decade. The guys on Fresh Takes discuss that and the other major headlines out of the NFL in Week 15. They dive into the two major injuries of the weekend and the current playoff picture. Next, they preview the first weekend of the College Football Playoff. They make their picks and predictions for what to expect. Lastly, the Knicks won the NBA Cup on Tuesday. The guys talk about the win and their current thoughts on the in-season event.

The football this weekend gave fans everything and more. The guys recap the NFL action including the Chiefs and Eagles struggling through another week. Meanwhile in college, the playoff is set and drama is the main course. Nick and Paul discuss the field and make their picks for the weekend.

The NFL fed families on Thanksgiving, as the underdogs took the day. The guys discuss the weekend of football that saw more moving and shaking throughout the standings. Next, it is a huge weekend of college football ahead. Nick and Paul talk about the games and make their picks for the conference title games. Lastly, college hoops have hit a high in the early season, as the ACC is taking it to the SEC. The guys talk about the early impressions of the teams so far, making noise.

The sports world on Thanksgiving is evolving once again. Nick Felice and Paul Russo react to another weekend of football and make their picks for the games on Thanksgiving. The guys break down the Players Era Festival so far as college basketball enters a new era in Thanksgiving hoops. Lastly, the guys discuss college football in the final week of the regular season and their upcoming bocce tournament.

The injury bug returned to the NFL in Week 11. Fresh Takes recaps the week that was, including new injuries for playoff hopeful teams, swing games in the AFC, and what to take away from the mess that was Sunday Night Football. The guys talk about the latest rankings in the College Football Playoff and debate whether teams are where they should be. They make their picks for the week and talk some basketball.

There is plenty to discuss from the NFL in Week 10. Nick and Paul dive into the Giants firing Brian Daboll after another collapse in the second half, the Bills' continued struggles, and much more. The guys make their picks and talk about the latest in college football. The focus turns to baseball as Pirates ace Paul Skenes may already be looking to the future amid a lockout after next season.

After a week off, the guys on Fresh Takes return. They recap the week that was in the NFL from Jayden Daniels' injury to the Bills taking down the Chiefs. The guys discuss the week that was in college football and make their picks for the weekend. Lastly, the guys discuss the World Series, college basketball tipping off, and Paul's trip to Clemson.

The NFL found more chaos in Week 7. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the Giants blowing a win against the Broncos, the Commanders losing Jayden Daniels, the worst teams getting worse, and more headlines. They make their picks for Week 8 and talk about the college football landscape from Week 8 of their season. The NBA opens its new season this week, and the guys discuss the big headlines of the year, including the Knicks leading the charge in the East and the powerhouses in the West. The guys wrap up the podcast talking about the Blue Jays and Dodgers in the World Series.

The NFL continued its chaos through Week 6. Nick Felice and Paul Russo recap the crazy weekend where it appears the league is wide open. They make their picks for the week ahead and discuss the latest in college football, where James Franklin's firing from Penn State headlined the weekend. The guys talk about the latest from baseball as the MLB is in the League Championship Series.

If there is any takeaway from the NFL for Week 5, it's that there is more weird football to be played, and no one has an edge. Nick Felice and Paul Russo review the weekend and make their picks for Week 6. The guys also recap a quieter week in college football. Lastly, the MLB is rolling in the postseason, and the guys talk about Paul's trip to Philadelphia and the headlines from October.

A tie in the NFL, Kirby Smart outsmarted again by Alabama, and plenty more to talk about in the football world this week. Paul Russo and Nick Felice discuss the big headlines from the past weekend of football in the NFL and college space, and make their picks for this upcoming weekend. The guys are busy traveling, Nick recaps his recent trip to Seattle, and Paul looks ahead to a trip to Philadelphia.

Week 3 in the NFL didn't disappoint once the early window of games hit the witching hour. Paul Russo is joined by guest host Kyle Evans on Fresh Takes to recap the week in the NFL. The guys talk about the Ravens dropping another primetime game and the Giants moving on to rookie Jaxson Dart under center. The guys make their picks for Week 4 and discuss the latest in college football after Syracuse took down Clemson.

After a fairly quiet opening week to the NFL season, Week 2 gave us plenty to discuss. Nick Felice and Paul Russo talk about the injury news from the weekend that saw Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels, and others go down. They recap the other major headlines and make their picks for Week 3. Next in college football, Week 3 saw Clemson and Notre Dame stumble again. Nick and Paul talk about what the season may look like ahead for the playoff hopefuls now and make picks for the weekend.

The first full week of football is over, and it is time to react. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss Week 1 in the NFL that saw an early-season favorite for game of the year, bad play, and questionable decisions from players. The guys make their picks for Week 2 and look at their results from Week 1. Next is college football, where the USF Bulls are taking the sport by storm after knocking off Florida. The guys react to the week that was and make their picks for Week 3.

It is officially NFL as week one is upon us. Nick Felice and Paul Russo take a look at the season ahead. The guys talk about which teams they think will be the ones all season making headlines, players making impacts, and the surprises that may be lurking. They make their first picks of the season and recap college football from the weekend.

After a handful of games last weekend, college football officially enters week one of the season. Nick Felice and Paul Russo deep dive into the season that will be upcoming. From their favorite teams of Notre Dame and Syracuse to the national names and everyone in between, the guys talk about what to expect and who to keep an eye on as we enter the second season of the expanded playoff era.

College football is officially back in 2025. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the season ahead and make their first round of picks with Week 0 kicking off on Saturday. The guys also discuss Watkins Glen from a couple of weeks ago, the new 2026 NASCAR schedule, and Minor League Baseball after making a trip to Syracuse this week.

NASCAR is making their annual journey to the Finger Lakes this weekend at Watkins Glen International. Paul Russo and Nick Felice preview the weekend ahead as the four national touring series prepare to make the lefts and rights at the birthplace of American road racing. The guys also begin with a review of the new Fantastic Four movie.

The MLB stove is getting hot with the trade deadline at the doorstep. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the latest as teams look to buy and sell. NASCAR makes its annual trip to the Finger Lakes next week. The guys preview the race weekend at Watkins Glen.

The MLB All Star Game had its first-ever swing-off to determine the winner on Tuesday night. Nick Felice and Paul Russo react to the game and the weekend as a whole as the league shifts to new partners next season. A new season of Big Brother kicked off last week, and Nick and Paul discuss what they expect to happen this season in the house.

It is the final podcast for Fresh Takes heading into the summer schedule. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the latest in the world of baseball. The guys do a movie review of F1 and discuss what they have planned for the holiday weekend.

The sports world is off to the summer with the Thunder winning the NBA Finals. Nick Felice and Paul Russo react to the seven-game series that left some fans wanting more following an injury to Pacers' star Tyrese Haliburton. The guys discuss the NBA Draft that begins on Wednesday night, the NASCAR In-Season Tournament, and baseball headlines to keep an eye on.

The Florida Panthers are back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the series that saw the Panthers repeat on the Oilers, and what it means for the sport. The guys then turn to the NBA Finals as the Thunder look to close out the series against the Pacers on Thursday night. The guys also talk about the US Open and JJ Spaun clutching up on the back nine on Oakmont during the final round to win the third major of the year.

The championship series for the NBA and NHL rolls on. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the games so far and what to expect the rest of the way. The guys discuss Paul's trip to Michigan for the NASCAR Cup race and a slight rule change in college basketball.

The NBA landscape changed greatly in a week. Nick Felice and Paul Russo preview the NBA Finals between the Pacers and Thunder, which feature small markets on the big stage. The guys also react to the Knicks firing Tom Thibodeau following their loss in the Eastern Conference Finals. Nick and Paul discuss the rematch in the Stanley Cup Finals between the Oilers and Panthers, and Paul is on the road this weekend for NASCAR in Michigan.

The conference finals in the NBA and NHL are nearing conclusions, with varying storylines in each series. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the Knicks and Timberwolves looking to extend their seasons on the brink of elimination. In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Carolina finally won a game in the conference finals, but it may be too little, too late against the Panthers. The Stars also look to extend their series against the Oilers as they look to return to the Stanley Cup Final with a potential rematch against the Panthers.

The NBA takes center court on today's Fresh Takes. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the latest in the playoffs as the Pacers take the first spot in the conference finals. The guys react to the draft lottery as the Mavericks locked in the first overall pick. Lastly, they make their picks for the PGA this weekend at Quail Hollow.

The NBA Playoffs have hit a high gear in the second round. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the crazy round so far as the Knicks look to follow the Pacers lead to taking two from the higher seed. The guys then talk about the Stanley Cup Playoffs with Game Sevens taking place out west. Lastly, the guy review Thunderbolts*, which they saw over the weekend.

It has been an interesting NBA Playoffs so far, but one thing that has caught the eye of many is the intensity amplified. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the perceived increased physicality and chippiness. Next, the guys talk about the NFL Draft and the many storylines including a notable draft slide and prank phone calls. Lastly, the guys discuss the Seneca 7 from this past weekend.

The NFL Draft is this week. Nick Felice and Paul Russo talk about what to expect and whether Nick is excited for the Giants selection. The postseason is here for the NBA and NHL. Nick and Paul discuss the latest in the playoff pictures as the first rounds are being played. This weekend, the Seneca 7 takes its yearly lap around Seneca Lake. The guys talk about the event as Nick will be running, and Paul will be driving a team during the event.

The transfer portal never seems to close. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss what became one of the biggest sports headlines from the weekend as Nico Iamaleava departed Tennessee after holding out from a spring practice. The guys react to the initial news and what to expect now that a whole new way the portal can operate opens. Next, the guys discuss Rory McIlroy clinching the career grand slam in golf by finally winning The Masters. Lastly, Paul recaps his trip to Bristol for the NASCAR weekend.

The Florida Gators took home their third men's basketball championship this week. Nick Felice and Paul Russo recap the game against Houston and discuss all things related to the Final Four, including Duke's collapse and Houston's handling of the final moments on Monday. The guys discuss Nick's trip to Pittsburgh to watch his beloved Pirates but also feature the controversy surrounding the team's handling of the Clemente Wall in right field. Lastly, Paul previews his trip this weekend to Bristol Motor Speedway.

The first full weekend of the MLB season is in the books, and torpedo bats are the talking point. Nick Felice and Paul Russo recap the weekend and debate whether the bats really make a difference or not. The Final Four is set for March Madness, and the guys discuss what to look forward to this weekend, as the bracket has gone chalk for the semifinals for the first time since 2008.