10 Big Conference Calls: Recent Episodes
Daniel Gillman
With only one Big Ten football game this past weekend, Daniel went over to the hardcourt as there are five Big Ten volleyball teams dancing into the Regional Semifinals. The voice of Wisconsin VB Jon Arias (1:30) highlights the extremely strong second-half of the season for the #4 Badgers as the could be heading to a third meeting with Nebraska in the Elite Eight. Omaha World-Herald Nebraska VB reporter Lincoln Arneal (8:14) talks about how similar this postseason is for the Huskers as last season.
It's Episode 48 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
With the regular season over already, Daniel talks about a pair of classics this past weekend with Matt Weaver (1:06) of peegs.com talking about IU's possible record-setting season after an OT thriller at Purdue. Then, Hawkeyes on 24/7's David Eickholt (8:27) measures the Nebraska-Iowa rivalry and how it's shifting.
It's Episode 47 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
With arguably the biggest day in Big Ten Football recent history coming up, Daniel caught up with The Daily Cardinal writer Nathan Denzin (1:22) about Wisconsin trying to get the Axe back from Goldy. Then The Wolverine Lounge's Daniel Dash (6:29) ahead of The Game, one that Michigan sure needs to win to stay relevant in the rivalry.
The real question is: How does Fleck row the boat with an axe? It's Episode 46 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
It's the Big Ten game of the year (at least on paper) as Ohio State hosts Penn State and we preview the game this episode! Daniel starts in Columbus with BuckeyeGrove.com's Kevin Noon (1:11), followed by StateCollege.com's Ben Jones (8:34).
It's Episode 45 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
This podcast episode isn't going to have a happy ending. Quite the opposite as Daniel takes a look at two of the biggest disappointments in the Big Ten this season, Maryland and Michigan State. Emily Giambalvo (1:42), Washington Post reporter covering Maryland, is followed by MLive.com's Kyle Austin (8:39).
It's Episode 44 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
It's another preview episode! Because how could we not dissect #5 Penn State at #13 Minnesota. Daniel gets into this undefeated battle with Statecollege.com's Ben Jones (1:31), and then heads west to chat with Minnesota Rivals publisher Matt Jessen-Howard (7:24).
It's Episode 43 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
We'll take a break from talking about a Big Ten championship and focus on minor victories as Rutgers football and volleyball snapped some Big Ten streaks, NJ.com reporter Brian Fonseca (1:03) breaks it all down. Then Matt Weaver (7:33) of peegs.com walks us through Indiana's memorable start to 2019, as the Hoosiers are bowl eligible in October!
It's Episode 42 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
If you haven't heard, Lovie Smith and his Fighting Illini upset Wisconsin. Daniel chats with Illinois Rivals' Doug Bucshon (0:49) to get a taste of the reaction in Champaign and take the temperature of a possible bowl season for Illinois. Then a CFP look around the conference with Saturday Tradition's managing editor Dustin Schutte (6:08).
It's Episode 41 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
With College Gameday in Happy Valley, we chose to do a preview episode for Michigan-Penn State. Daniel starts with Mikey Manderino (1:06), the sports editor of Onward State, a student-run Penn State site. Then chats with Daniel Dash (5:22), reporter for The Wolverine Lounge.
It's Episode 40 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
Death, taxes, and Ohio State in primetime this season. Daniel spends this episode chatting with a pair of Big Ten West teams, as he starts in Iowa City with 24/7's David Eickholt (1:05) following an ugly loss at Michigan. Then, Omaha World-Herald's Chris Heady (6:51) previews a big Minnesota-Nebraska West showdown after a survival type win against Northwestern.
It's Episode 39 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
A ton of questions has been raised after Week 5 of Big Ten football, but the undefeated Golden Gophers may be the most perplexing one. So Daniel chats with Michigan State reporter from MLive.com Matt Wenzel (1:23) and then from Minneapolis Alex Carlson (7:40) of Rivals about their magical performance in West Lafayette by Tanner Morgan.
It's Episode 38 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
Conference play is upon us for the nation's top volleyball conference! Daniel talks to a few of the experts covering some of the top teams in the nation. Wisconsin's radio voice Jon Arias (1:10) breaks down the early season struggles. Daniel Dash (9:06), who covers Michigan volleyball for Michigan Daily also has some worries about the Wolverines. Omaha World-Herald reporter Lincoln Arneal (16:05) talks about the superb freshman for Nebraska, and Nolan O'Hara (23:45), of the Minnesota Daily, previews conference play for the red hot Gophers.
It's Episode 37 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
Not all Big Ten teams had successful Week 3's, but the two that had big non-conference in-state rivalry games came out victorious. Both Penn State and Iowa dealt with lengthy weather delays but did win, moving to 3-0. Daniel chats with StateCollege.com's Ben Jones (1:01) about the win over Pitt, and Sean Bock (7:43) of Hawkeyes on 24/7 about the win on College Amesday. It's Episode 36 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
With week two in the books, another overly dominant weekend in the Big Ten (don't ask people in Lincoln or Ann Arbor about their weekend). Daniel chats with GoldandBlack.com's Brian Neubert (1:24) about Elijah Sindelar and Rondale Moore's career days, and with IlliniInquirer.com reporter Isaac Trotter (11:13) about the 2-0 start for Illinois and Michigan transfer QB Brandon Peters. It's Episode 35 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
College football is back! Big Ten football is back! Daniel chats with BuckeyeGrove.com's Kyle Lamb (1:07) about Justin Fields' historic debut and Ohio State's performance against FAU. Then peegs.com reporter Matt Weaver (6:17) breaks down IU's hard-fought win in Indy against Ball State.
It's Episode 34 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
Real football is finally here! Week 0 is done, onto Week 1! Friday night has a ton of Big Ten football, and we dissect two of them. Daniel chats with Kyle Austin (0:52), Spartans reporter for MLive.com about their upcoming game with Tulsa. Then NJ.com's Brian Fonseca (11:03) about Rutgers-UMass.
It's Episode 33 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
Is this the year for Michigan? We talk a ton about Harbaugh's bunch as Daniel Dash (0:55), the beat writer for The Michigan Lounge joins us, along with Dustin Schutte (10:31) of the Saturday Tradition. We break down the toughest and easiest schedules, and which games will be unforgettable.
It's Episode 32 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
Will Penn State stay the Beast in the East? Their schedule isn't as tough as Maryland's. Daniel chats with Mikey Mandarino (1:04), the sports editor for Onward State in Happy Valley and Emily Giambalvo (11:06), the Maryland reporter for the Washington Post. It's Episode 31 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
Wow can you believe it's been 30 weeks of 10 Big Conference Calls? Thank you so much to our loyal listeners, and our new ones! This Hoosier state episode breaks down Purdue and IU's upcoming football seasons. Mike Carmin (1:02) of the Lafayette Journal and Courier and Matt Weaver (11:19) of peegs.com center their keys around each team's quarterbacks. Surprise, surprise. It's Episode 30(!!) of 10 Big Conference Calls!
This week's episode highlights Ohio State and Nebraska, a pair of teams with extreme amounts of expectations in 2019. Kevin Noon (0:57) of BuckeyeGrove.com and Chris Heady (10:43) from The Omaha World-Herald take Daniel through every tough opponent this upcoming season. It's Episode 29 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
With Big 10 Media Days behind us it's time to really focus on football season. This episode dives into Northwestern and Iowa, a pair of teams with sights on the B10 West title. Daniel chats with Benjamin Rosenberg (0:44) with the Daily Northwestern and David Eickholt (10:53) with Hawkeyes on 24/7! It's Episode 28 of Big 10 Conference Calls
Who doesn't love a good schedule deep dive? Over the next seven weeks Daniel will be chatting with two experts per show dissecting all 14 Big Ten football schedules. Our first episode starts with Minnesota and Illinois. Matt Jessen-Howard (0:46) of Minnesota Rivals talks about the revenge tour for PJ Fleck. Then Isaac Trotter (11:19) of Illini Inquirer, 24/7 sports, takes the temperature of Lovie Smith's hot seat. It's Episode 27 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
One final week of basketball previews before we focus on nothing but Big Ten football for months and we know you're excited! Daniel starts with one of the last teams to make the Big Dance last year as BuckeyeGrove.com reporter Kyle Lamb (0:45) talks about the high expectations for 2019-2020 in Columbus. Then Ben Jones (5:08) of StateCollege.com breaks down a strong 2nd half of last year for Penn State and trying to replace a star. Finally, Nathan Denzin (9:16), reporter for the Daily Cardinal gives an offseason update from Madison!
It's Episode 26 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
You can't talk about Michigan State without mentioning Michigan, so we cover both basketball offseasons here in addition to some Hawkeye talk! Daniel starts with MLive.com reporter Kyle Austin (1:06) to talk about the reloaded Spartans, then Anthony Broome (6:18) of Maize N Brew gives his opinion on Juwan Howard and his staff, and their non-conference schedule. Finally, Hawkeyes on 24/7 reporter David Eickholt (12:53) talks about some Iowa injury concerns and their brutal pre-conference slate. It's Episode 25 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
This episode is all about basketball once again, but we want to say good luck to Michigan baseball playing for a national championship this week in Omaha. Daniel starts with IlliniInquirer.com's Isaac Trotter (1:06) describing what it takes for Illinois to get back to the Big Dance. Then Matt Jessen-Howard (6:21), the publisher of Minnesota Rivals, breaks down how Goldy can fill the shoes of Amir Coffey and Jordan Murphy and reach the tourney again, and finally Drew Davis (11:32) of peegs.com talks about IU's losses and their Big Ten-ACC Challenge opponent!
It's Episode 24 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
We keep rolling along with Big Ten basketball check-ins as the pre-conference schedules are nearly all set. Daniel starts with Rutgers reporter for NJ Sports Brian Fonseca (1:34) as Rutgers had a surprise transfer from one of their captains. Then Chris Heady (6:26), Nebraska reporter for Omaha World-Herald, gives his opinion on new head coach Fred Hoiberg. It's Episode 23 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
June means college basketball schedule season! So the next few weeks we'll be talking about the Big East and ACC foes that the Big Ten teams will be facing! This episode starts with Emily Giambalvo (1:14), the Maryland reporter for the Washington Post, as the Terps have just added a new assistant coach to go with a pair of returning studs. Then GoldandBlack.com's Brian Neubert (7:35) talks about the UVA-Purdue rematch and replacing Carsen Edwards. Finally, Louie Vaccher (14:45) of WildcatReport.com It's Episode 22 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
Nothing like some baseball on a warm summer’s day! It was a wild, wacky weekend around the nation for top seeds in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. This episode is all about it! Daniel starts with the beat writer of the team still standing: Michigan. Zach Shaw (1:40) previews the pivotal do-or-die regional final with Creighton. Then Neuhoff Media’s own Kyle Charters (7:42), co-host of ‘The Big Baseball Podcast’ talks about Michigan, IU, and Ohio State’s weekend showing. And finally, 11.7 baseball podcast host Ben Upton (14:03) rates this weekend among the many regionals he’s experienced. It’s Episode 21 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
As we say goodbye to May, we look forward to summer. With summer comes the College World Series, and this episode is all about Big Ten Baseball!! 5 teams are going dancing, with 8 spots up for grabs in Omaha. Daniel talks to IN sportwriters Hall of Famer Andy Graham (1:51) about Indiana's regional, then chats with Husker Online's Mike Wheeler (8:37) about Nebraska unusual draw, and finishes with Illini Inquirer's Isaac Trotter (15:54) about the conference top team (RPI-wise) and their regional! It's Episode 20 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
Was it the craziest weekend in NCAA Softball history? Surely regional weekend history, and at the end of it there are two Big Ten teams still dancing. Daniel has special guest Jen Schroeder (1:00), ESPN co-host of Bases Loaded and former UCLA Bruin, break down the craziness that was a record eight Game 7's. Then the two teams that are moving to the supers. Representing those teams are Benjamin Rosenberg (9:12), of the Daily Northwestern and Softball America, and Paul Hodowanic (15:45), sports editor for the Minnesota Daily News. Buckle up for a roller coaster finish to this softball season, this is Episode 19 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
The student-athletes are done with the semester and ready for summer, so we wrap up the spring football season covering the final three teams that we haven't yet: Michigan, Wisconsin, and Penn State. The Wolverine Lounge writer Daniel Dash (0:56) describes the hype surrounding Michigan entering 2019, Jared Schwartz (5:29) of the Daily Cardinal takes us through the muddy QB situation in Madison, and John McGonigal (9:20) the football beat writer for the Centre Daily Times gives an update on the strength of the PSU Defensive Line. It's Episode 18 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
We take a break from spring football to give recognition to one of the most dramatic finishes in Big Ten softball history. The Michigan Wolverines have taken the title for the 11th time in 12 years, but they needed some help from Minnesota against undefeated Northwestern. From the Daily Northwestern, Sophia Scanlan (1:04) walks us through the heartbreaking finish for the Wildcats. Daniel Dash (5:44), softball beat writer for The Michigan Daily tells us how Michigan won the title yet again, and the sports editor of the Minnesota Daily, Paul Hodowanic (10:50) looks ahead to the Big Ten softball tournament in Bloomington this weekend. It's Episode 17 of the 10 Big Conference Calls!
We continue our look into each Big Ten spring football game as we highlight some unorthodox seasons. Starting with Maryland, as the Terps dealt with heartbreak in 2018. Emily Giambalvo (0:52) of the Washington Post breaks down their spring game that took place this past weekend. Then David Eickholt (5:44) of Iowa's 24/7 team goes over a rebuilt offense, and Louie Vaccar (10:03), the editor of Wildcat Report, walks us through what it would take for a repeat conference division title for Northwestern. It's Episode 16 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
We are deep into spring football, and this episode features Minnesota, Rutgers, and Michigan State. All teams talking about their quarterbacks! Minnesota Rivals publisher Matt Jessen-Howard (0:56) talks expectations for Goldy, Scarlet Nation writer Brian Fonseca (5:03) takes us to a world of imagination and hypotheticals for the Knights and MLive reporter Matt Wenzel (10:38) outlines what Sparty needs to do to reclaim past glory. It's Episode 15 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
Things are getting fun now! Nearly a dozen spring games in the books, and we are talking Indiana, Ohio State, and Nebraska on this episode. Starting things off is Matt Weaver (1:28), peegs reporter in Bloomington. Then Kevin Noon (6:11) talks Justin Fields and life after Urban Meyer for the Buckeyes, and Sean Callahan (11:28) talks up Nebraska ahead of a promising 2019 slate.
It's Episode 14 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
Goodbye winter, hello spring football. There's already been one game so we chat with GoldAndBlack.com's Tom Dienhart (1:27) about Purdue's spring game and their needs. Then we preview Illinois' with Doug Bucshon (6:42), of Rivals, including a discussion into the addition of beer at football games in Champaign! Finally, I couldn't not highlight the tremendous season by Megan Gustafson and the Hawkeyes' run to the Elite Eight. Jordan Zuniga (10:58) of the Daily Iowan was there for it all. It's Episode 13 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
It's called Madness for a reason right? And as we turn the calendar to April, we aren't done talking March Madness. Coming off one of the most memorable 2nd weekend's of this glorious tournament, Daniel breaks down both Michigan State and Purdue's games with Dustin Schutte (1:27), the managing editor at Saturday Tradition, then zeroes in on Sparty with MLive reporter Kyle Austin (6:50), and Purdue's historic night with Rebecca Schneider (11:18), the sports editor for the Purdue Exponent. It's Episode 12 of 10 Big Conference Calls!
One week of March Madness in the books, and the Big Ten is making history again with the most opening round victories since the Big East of old... Three B1G teams are still dancing, and we talk to experts from all three: Michigan, Michigan State, & Purdue. Anthony Broome (1:30), the managing editor of Maize N Brew, walks us through Michigan's dominant weekend. Lansing State Journal reporter Mike DeFabo (6:25) discusses Tom Izzo and that first round scare against Bradley, and AP reporter Atreya Verma (10:44) expresses his surprise that Purdue dominated Villanova. It's Episode 11 of the 10 Big Conference Calls!
The best time of the year is upon us! A record 8 Big Ten teams are dancing, and Daniel chats with three reporters to hear their opinions of Iowa, Ohio State, and Wisconsin's road to the Final Four. Kevin Noon (1:34) of BuckeyeGrove.com talks #11 Ohio State's delight to be dancing, Sean Bock (6:33) of HawkeyeNation.com is worried about #10 Iowa's slate, and Jake Nisse (11:35) of the Daily Cardinal breaks down #5 Wisconsin power 5 opponent. It's Episode 10 of the 10 Big Conference Calls!
The regular season is a thing of the past, but man it went so fast! Purdue and Michigan State are co-champs, so we got experts from each of their camps. Bracketologist becomes a widely used word around this time of the year, and Chris Dobbertean (1:04) of SBNation gives his Big Ten breakdown and predicts who to fear. MLive.com's Kyle Austin (6:19) talks Cassius Winston and the Spartans, then Brian Neubert (10:57) of Gold and Black explains how Purdue fans shouldn't be disheartened. It's Episode 9 of the 10 Big Conference Calls!
Welcome to March! One week remains between us and the postseason. On this episode Scarlet Nation writer Brian Fonseca (0:57) describes the increasing excitement behind Rutgers basketball. Indiana had quite the weekend, with wins over Wisconsin and Michigan State, peegs.com reporter Drew Davis (3:32) examines the NCAA Tournament chances for Indiana. Then Matt Jessen-Howard (8:12) of Minnesota Rivals puts on his bracketologist hat and gives us a magic number for the Gophers. It's Episode 8 of the 10 Big Conference Calls!
Michigan State took the first act on Sunday over Michigan, as the Spartans have sole possession of 1st as it stands. Today's episode of the podcast breaks down that game, but first discusses Maryland's 10-point win over Ohio State. Washington Post reporter Emily Giambalvo (1:10) starts off the show breaking down the strengths of the Terrapins. Kevin Noon (5:28) of BuckeyeGrove.com walks us through the gauntlet that Ohio State faces to finish their season, and last but not least Dustin Schutte (9:05) of Saturday Tradition talks The Battle For Michigan. Just a few weeks remain before Selection Sunday! Tune in to episode 7 of The 10 Big Conference Calls!
Officially less than a month away from the Big Ten Basketball Tournament in Chicago and the top seeds are up for grabs! Today's episode examines the top three teams in the conference. Mike DeFabo (0:51) reports for the Lansing State Journal and reacts to the news that Nick Ward is out indefinitely with a fractured hand. Covering the Wolverines for the Toledo Blade is Kyle Rowland (4:28), as he talks about a potential trap game at Minnesota for Big Blue. Lastly, Atreya Verma (8:29), who writes for the AP in West Lafayette, puts Matt Painter's impressive season in perspective. It's Episode 6 of the 10 Big Conference Calls!
The top of the Big Ten hasn't shifted, but the bubble is always moving. This week Sean Bock (0:33), of HawkeyeInsider.com, highlights the strengths of a hot Iowa team, Jake Nisse (4:43), writer for the Daily Cardinal, tells us how Wisconsin can bounce back against Sparty, and peegs.com reporter Drew Davis (8:55) examines the NCAA Tournament chances for Indiana. It's Episode 5 of the 10 Big Conference Calls!
One month closer to March, as Daniel Gillman reviews another wild week in the nation's premier basketball conference. There is now a tie for Big 10's top spot, but today we talk bubble and surprises as Penn State's 0-10 start has Rivals' writer David Eckert (1:41) baffled. Surprising everyone is the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, as 24/7 writer Brian Fonseca (6:54) chimes in on this turnaround season. Lastly, Ohio State is on the bubble and might even be in the dance if the season ended today, as Kevin Noon (12:06) from BuckeyeGrove.com rounds out Episode 4 of 10 Big Conference Calls.
Our third episode comes after a weekend filled with upsets in Big Ten basketball, Was Northwestern's recent two game win streak a fluke following a lopsided loss in Wisconsin? Louie Vaccher (1:28) answers that question. The Athlete Detroit's Brendan Quinn (5:48) gives his take on the best team in Michigan, and conversely, the Big Ten. Lastly, is Minnesota the newest team on bracketologists' bubbles? After a near upset of Michigan, Matt Jessen-Howard (10:50) breaks down the Gopher's win over Iowa.
Our second episode comes after a wild weekend of B1G basketball, Purdue takes care of Indiana as we get both sides of the rivalry: Brian Neubert (0:33), from Rival's GoldandBlack.com, and Drew Davis (5:46), who covers IU for peegs.com/24/7 sports. Lastly, Michigan finally falls, as Josh Henschke (11:18), the managing editor of The Michigan Insider for 24/7 sports, breaks down the loss at Wisconsin.
Our inaugural episode features Jake Nisse (0:22), Wisconsin reporter for the Daily Cardinal, Drew Davis (5:14), IU basketball reporter for 24/7's peegs.com, and Sean Bock (10:56), writer for HawkeyeInsider.com.