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
  • Episode- 180 The 2026 Shift: Deadlines, Decisions, and New Frontiers

    Episode- 180 The 2026 Shift: Deadlines, Decisions, and New Frontiers
    Feb 24 2026
    In this hard-hitting episode of In The Zone, Anthony Smith breaks down a week of seismic shifts across the sports world. From the legal fallout in Manhattan to a standoff in Dallas, we are diving deep into the stories that are redefining the 2026 season.
    ​On Today’s Show:
    ​The WNBA’s $2.2 Billion Clock: With a critical CBA deadline looming, we analyze how the league's massive expansion plans for Toronto and Portland hang in the balance of player negotiations.
    ​Chaos in Manhattan: The Jerome Tang era at Kansas State has come to a shocking "for cause" end. We break down the legal battle over his $18M buyout, the interim leadership of Matthew Driscoll, and the top candidates to lead the Wildcats next.
    ​Lawrence Health Watch: Bill Self is concerned about Darryn Peterson’s availability. We discuss what this means for the Jayhawks' National Championship aspirations.
    ​The Tag & The Flag: The Dallas Cowboys face a locker room crisis over George Pickens, while the NFL mulls a radical change to officiating that could change the game forever.
    ​Gold Medal Statements: Why the U.S. Women’s Hockey team declined a White House invite and what it says about the intersection of sports and politics in 2026.
    ​Black History Moment: Celebrating a historic championship sweep by the Howard University Bison.
    ​Get locked in. Get informed. Get In The Zone.

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    37 mins
  • Episode 179- The Aftermath: Super Bowl LX Post-Mortem & The Road to 2027

    Episode 179- The Aftermath: Super Bowl LX Post-Mortem & The Road to 2027
    Feb 12 2026
    In The Zone with Anthony Smith
    ​"Where the game never ends and the analysis never sleeps."
    ​Welcome to In The Zone with Anthony Smith, your premier destination for high-octane sports talk and deep-dive gridiron analysis. Hosted by Anthony Smith, this podcast bridges the gap between the casual fan and the hardcore strategist, delivering a mix of radio-style energy and modern podcast grit.
    ​From the high-stakes drama of the NFL offseason and Super Bowl post-mortems to the pulse of Kansas college and high school athletics, Anthony brings you the stories that matter. Whether we’re breaking down veteran retirement rumors, analyzing "cut-throat" roster moves, or navigating the road to the Draft, we provide the context you won't find on the highlight reel.
    ​What to expect on In The Zone:
    ​In-Depth Breakdowns: Detailed analysis of the league's biggest headlines and coaching decisions.
    ​The Rival’s Perspective: Unfiltered takes on divisional rivalries and locker room culture.
    ​Offseason Blueprints: Comprehensive guides to Free Agency, the NFL Draft, and salary cap maneuvers.
    ​Strategic Insights: Expert commentary on DFS, player stats, and the "X’s and O’s" of the game.
    ​Join Anthony Smith every week as he cuts through the noise to bring you the facts, the fire, and the future of the sports world.
    ​Get in the game. Get in the huddle. Get In The Zone.

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    39 mins
  • Episode 178- From Ashes to the Mountain: Culture, Chaos, and the Future of Football

    Episode 178- From Ashes to the Mountain: Culture, Chaos, and the Future of Football
    Jan 21 2026
    Welcome.to In The Zone with Anthony Smith, where headlines meet perspective, scores meet.substance, and the game is always bigger than the final whistle. This isn't just sports talk. This is analysis without bias. Conversation without agendas. And commentary built for people who want to understand the game- not argue about it.

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    30 mins
  • Episode 177- Leadership on Trial: Coaching Power, Player Influence, and the Cost of Trust

    Episode 177- Leadership on Trial: Coaching Power, Player Influence, and the Cost of Trust
    Jan 16 2026
    In this episode we take a deep dive into the NFL coaches shake up. How the face of the AFC North landscape has changed, as one gets pushed away and one steps away. But while one gets pushed away the same is being pulled in and not just by front office but by the teams QB

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    40 mins
  • Episode 176 - Upsets, Blowouts & Broken Narratives: College Football's New Reality

    Episode 176 - Upsets, Blowouts & Broken Narratives: College Football's New Reality
    Jan 2 2026
    College football turned upside down in the College Football Playoff — and nothing feels the same anymore.
    On this episode of In The Zone with Anthony Smith, we break down Miami’s historic upset of Ohio State in what may be the biggest shock in CFP history. Is “The U” officially back? We also dive into Indiana’s dominant Rose Bowl blowout of Alabama, a win that sent shockwaves through the sport and raised serious questions about the Crimson Tide’s future under Kalen DeBoer.
    Plus, we examine the fallout from Alabama’s worst postseason loss ever, what it means for the SEC power structure, and why the Big 12 is once again under fire after Texas Tech’s latest playoff humiliation. Are traditional power programs losing their grip on college football — or is this chaos the new normal in the expanded CFP era?
    From historic wins to program-defining losses, this episode covers the moments, the numbers, and the narratives reshaping college football right before our eyes.
    🎙️ This is In The Zone.

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    52 mins