Free Ira Brown! - The Gonzaga Hoops Podcast

Adam Besagno, Christopher Brown, Martin Merrill
  • 4.8 (103)
  • Basketball
  • Updated Weekly

Three alumni/superfans, Marty, Chris and Adam discuss Gonzaga Basketball with previews, recaps and game analysis, all presented with good humour (spelled the English way because we're fancy).

  1. 1d ago

    We Are NOT Amused: Gonzaga's High Potential and Low Certainty

    In which we finally get to watch basketball again, sort of, and immediately lose all perspective. Kraziness in the Kennel was a glorified scrimmage, yes, but the Zags went 18-for-32 from deep, Davis Fogle poured in 30 points in 20 minutes (and won the dunk contest for good measure), and Isiah Harwell looked every inch the five-star McDonald's All-American he was supposed to be. We have concluded, responsibly, that three-point shooting will never trouble us again. Then the lawyers return. Javon Bennett is eligible, for now, thanks to a stay out of Ohio. Xaivian Lee has his day in a California courtroom on October 20, and Chauncey Wiggins and Izan Almansa remain marooned in limbo. We sketch the best case, the worst case, and the most realistic case, and argue over which two we'd pick if the NCAA only lets us keep two. Then we air our anxieties. Can Braden Huff still feast without Graham Ike beside him? Can Lee be the inverse of Adam Miller? Who stops the other team's best wing? And how scared is Mard about rebounding? (Very.) Plus the TV schedule (all 31 regular-season games on national TV, and the exhibition at Arkansas on October 24 on SEC Network+), a thank-you to our newest patron, Carol Hemingway, and an update on the Gonzaga women, who shot the lights out last year and would love to stop throwing the ball to the other team. We close with Shenanigans: things that were nearly ours before they were ripped away. It turns out to be a deeply painful exercise for all involved. The cold open is a brand-new Paul Simon tribute, and the show proper starts about five and a half minutes in. All that and more on this episode of Free Ira Brown! Support the show at patreon.com/freeirabrown.

  2. Sep 15

    LET CHAOS REIGN!! Gonzaga's Off-Season of Discontent (or maybe the greatest ever?)

    In which we attempt to preview a Gonzaga roster that refuses to sit still long enough to be previewed. Mario says goodbye via 2:30 a.m. Instagram post, and we handle it with grace and maturity (we do not). Adam puts his law degree to work explaining the NCAA's five-and-five mess, and Mard floats a theory about why the NCAA might actually want the chaos. If Wiggins, Lee, and company all get cleared, this might be the biggest, best-shooting team Few has ever had. If they don't, Davis Fogle may be your point guard. We also introduce the Diop chop, air grievances about players with two last names, and check in on a Gonzaga women's team that returns almost everyone. All that and more on this episode of Free Ira Brown! Support the show at patreon.com/freeirabrown.

  3. Mar 27

    12 Years A Gonzaga Podcaster

    In this episode we take a deep dive into Gonzaga's basketball season, tournament performance, coaching changes, and team dynamics. The hosts analyze key moments, player performances, and the future outlook of the program, providing insights for fans and followers of college basketball. In this lively episode, the hosts discuss NCAA tournament highlights, Gonzaga basketball prospects, transfer portal insights, and share amusing personal stories, including a memorable golf game with a Seahawks legend and a humorous chicken slaughter story. They also explore the upcoming Gonzaga season, player transfers, and off-season strategies, all wrapped in a fun, engaging conversation. Goodbye loyal listeners. We'll be back before you know it, just like another season of Gonzaga Hoops. Go Zags!

  4. Mar 15

    The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

    Gonzaga basketball continues its incredible streak of NCAA tournament appearances and will face (TEAM) in the first round of the big dance on Thursday in Portland. How do we feel about the seeding? Does it matter? We'll break down the West region, project our likely match-ups and as the song says, predict how far we will go. We'll also look around the bracket for our most anticipated games, including those involving a certain tearful team from Moraga, and the upstart Santa Clara Broncos. It's the episode that's ready for roundball rock, on Free Ira Brown: THE Gonzaga Hoops Podcast! Support the Show at patreon.com/freeirabrown.

  5. Mar 12

    Gonzaga (Men and Women) Go Out on Top

    Join us as we analyze Gonzaga's recent performances and the the Zags' NCAA tournament prospects. We also delve into conference dynamics, team resilience, and the impact of injuries on Gonzaga's season. We delve into the intricacies of NCAA basketball, tournament predictions, and the personalities behind the teams. We discuss Gonzaga's historic run, potential matchups, and the coaches we'd love to share a beer with. Support the Show! patreon.com/freeirabrown

  6. Mar 4

    Alibis and Angst

    It's late, and is therefore AI summary time! In this episode of Free Ira Brown, the hosts discuss Gonzaga's recent performance, coping mechanisms after tough losses, and the implications of WCC awards. They analyze the dynamics of the conference, the recognition of players, and the coaching strategies that have led to Gonzaga's current standing. The conversation also delves into game predictions and reflections on recent matchups, highlighting the challenges and expectations surrounding the team. In this conversation, the hosts analyze the recent Gonzaga vs. St. Mary's basketball game, discussing key moments, momentum shifts, and the impact of referee decisions. They delve into the offensive struggles of Gonzaga, particularly focusing on player performances and the implications for the upcoming tournament. The conversation highlights the unpredictability of player contributions and the challenges faced by the team as they prepare for future games. In this segment, the conversation delves into the current state of Gonzaga's basketball team, focusing on the struggles of the point guards, the potential of future players like Mario and Jack, and the impact of injuries on team performance. The discussion also touches on rivalries, particularly with St. Mary's, and the challenges faced by the women's team. As the WCC tournament approaches, predictions and insights about the men's tournament dynamics are shared, highlighting the unique aspects of the conference's structure and the importance of consistency in player performance. In this episode, the hosts delve into the intense rivalry between Gonzaga and St. Mary's, discussing their confidence levels heading into the championship game and the historical context of their matchups. They also address injury concerns regarding key player Worley and how it may affect their chances. The conversation takes a reflective turn as they use music to express their emotions about the season and the upcoming Selection Sunday, emphasizing the excitement and anxiety that comes with tournament time.

  7. Feb 25

    It's the Final Countdown - Vengeance and Dominance

    Destiny beckons the Gonzaga Bulldogs into the final two WCC regular season games in their storied history. First, a chance for sweet vengeance against the uppity Pilots, who dared to bloody the nose of their betters. Then, in the darkest depths of Moraga the evil one awaits the true kings of the Conference. Who will prevail?  We'll talk about the week that was in Gonzaga Basketball, but stick around to the end for the official Free Ira Brown Saint Mary's Faels all-time-hated starting five.  All that and a bag of chips on this episode of the original Gonzaga Hoops Podcast! Support the show at patreon.com/freeirabrown

  8. Feb 18

    Back on Top! Can the Zags Stay There?

    AI says that in this episode we discuss Gonzaga basketball performance, injury news, game analysis against Santa Clara, and predictions for upcoming games against Pacific. The hosts discuss player performances, offensive strategies, and the challenges faced by the team, while also touching on women's basketball updates. All that and more on this episode of Free Ira Brown!

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4.8
out of 5
103 Ratings

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Three alumni/superfans, Marty, Chris and Adam discuss Gonzaga Basketball with previews, recaps and game analysis, all presented with good humour (spelled the English way because we're fancy).

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