In The Zone With Anthony Podcast By Anthony Smith cover art

In The Zone With Anthony

In The Zone With Anthony

By: Anthony Smith
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Talking sports. College sports (football, basketball men and women's, baseball and softball. NFL, NBA, MLB, sports history Negro League Baseball History and HBCU reports.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/in-the-zone-with-anthony--4399324/support.Copyright Anthony Smith
Episodes
  • Episode 183 - "Headbutt" Chaos, Underwood’s Redemption & Explosive 2026 NBA Mock Draft

    Episode 183 - "Headbutt" Chaos, Underwood’s Redemption & Explosive 2026 NBA Mock Draft
    Apr 3 2026
    March Madness is heating up as we head into the Final Four! On this episode of In The Zone with Anthony Smith, we break down all the biggest storylines from the Elite Eight:
    Dan Hurley downplays the viral forehead-to-forehead moment with the ref after UConn’s buzzer-beater win over Duke — was it a headbutt or just March Madness passion?
    Brad Underwood silences the doubters as Illinois reaches their first Final Four since 2005.
    Why the “death of March Madness” narrative is way overblown (record viewership proves it).
    The real reasons NCAA tournament expansion to 76 teams is likely coming soon.
    Early look at the loaded 2026 NBA Mock Draft featuring AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson, and more.
    Plus, listener Q&A on Hurley’s intensity, tournament excitement, and how expansion could impact the NBA pipeline.
    If you love unfiltered college hoops talk and NBA futures, this episode is for you. Drop your Final Four predictions in the comments!

    Cover art photo provided by Bailey Burton on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/@17thcw?utm_source=spreaker&utm_medium=referral

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    42 mins
  • Episode 182 - Bill Self is Back

    Episode 182 - Bill Self is Back
    Apr 2 2026
    Bill Self is officially returning for the 2026-27 season — and the Kansas Jayhawks are reloading with purpose!
    In this episode of In The Zone with Anthony Smith, we break down the latest news: After health scares and a tough NCAA Tournament exit, Coach Self shuts down retirement rumors and recommits to chasing another national championship at Allen Fieldhouse.
    We dive deep into his legendary legacy — multiple national titles (2008 & 2022), record wins, 17 Big 12 crowns, NBA talent factory, and what his return means for the program.
    Then we examine KU’s 2026 recruiting class: Headlined by five-star point guard Taylen Kinney (the confident scorer Self compared to a young Mario Chalmers), plus athletic frontcourt piece Davion Adkins, versatile wing Trent Perry, and sharp-shooting guard Luke Barnett (called the best shooter Self has recruited since Gradey Dick). Currently ranked as high as No. 1 nationally on some services and a strong top-5 across the board — is this a championship foundation or a player away from elite status?
    We compare it to past monster KU classes (think 2005 with Chalmers/Rush or 2013 with Embiid/Wiggins) and discuss how it stacks up in today’s game.
    Finally, we look at the fierce Big 12 recruiting battlefield — Texas Tech, Houston, Arizona, and others are coming hard. Can a healthier Bill Self and this balanced reload keep Kansas ahead of the conference wolves?
    If you’re a Jayhawk fan or love college hoops drama, this one’s for you. We debate whether Self can push KU back to Final Four glory or if it’s time for new energy in Lawrence.
    Drop your hottest take in the comments: Is Bill Self writing one more legendary chapter, or will Big 12 rivals make it too tough?
    ✅ Subscribe, turn on notifications, and leave a review — new episodes drop weekly!
    Follow the show on socials for more Kansas basketball talk and sports debates.
    #KansasJayhawks #BillSelf #Big12Basketball #CollegeHoops #InTheZone
    Follow me on X @ITZAnthonySmith

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    21 mins
  • Episode 181- The 1966 Texas Western Legacy

    Episode 181- The 1966 Texas Western Legacy
    Mar 23 2026
    Sixty years ago, the landscape of college basketball changed forever. In this special episode of In The Zone with Anthony Smith, we’re traveling back to March 19, 1966—the night the Texas Western Miners made history as the first team with an all-Black starting five to win the NCAA Championship.
    Host Anthony Smith breaks down the "Collision Course" between the legendary Adolph Rupp’s Kentucky Wildcats and Don Haskins’ fearless Miners. We look past the box score to explore:
    • The Decision: Why starting five Black players was considered a "national risk" in 1966.
    • The Action: Bobby Joe Hill’s back-to-back steals and the "playground" flair that dismantled the old guard.
    • The Ripple Effect: How this single game forced the integration of Southern sports and paved the way for the modern era of the game.
    It’s more than a championship; it’s Forever Black History.
    Join the conversation: Follow Anthony Smith on social media and let us know—who is the most underrated player from that 1966 squad?

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    17 mins
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