Ap Sports Weekly

Guest host Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press talks to Abilene Christian coach Joe Golding, he of the ripped suit pants and so much more, about what an NCAA appearance is going to do for his school. And then we sit down for a long chat with Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade, a 2003 Final Four participant, to discuss what he would do to fix college basketball.

Hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg are upset about upsets (and cats), wondering whether last year’s blown-up brackets were an exception or a sign of things to come. Then AP sports writer Luke Meredith zooms in on some interesting West Regional matchups and college basketball writer Aaron Beard makes the case for a Duke-North Carolina finale worth watching. On the menu: Want some Velveeta to wash down that sock?

ESPN analyst Jay Bilas helps Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg fill out their NCAA Tournament brackets and offers a few super-sleeper picks. Then the hosts turn to Associated Press golf writer Doug Ferguson to find out how Rory McIlroy’s win at the Players Championship shakes up the field three weeks out from the Masters. On the menu: Did you get a bowl of (chicken) soup with that hat?

Hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg assess the state of sportswriting after two of the best in the business, Dan Jenkins and Hugh McIlvanney, died within weeks of each other on different sides of the Atlantic. Next up, AP pro football writer Barry Wilner previews the NFL’s upcoming free-agency market. Finally, the hosts boo Knicks owner James Dolan, cheer the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team and send best wishes to “Tom Terrific” on a tough road ahead. On the menu: Is it whisky or whiskey?

Dodgers great and  TV analyst Orel Hershiser takes time out from spring training to join hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg on a hunt for the soul of baseball.  Then the pair zoom through the Bryce Harper-to-Philly signing, the surprisingly risqué NFL scouting combine _ a.k.a the “Underwear Olympics” _ and why even LeBron James won’t make the Lakers a playoff team. On the menu: Some cheese doodles to go with that coffee?

Hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg wonder if a spectacular sneaker-fail (worn by Duke megastar Zion Williamson) might finally lead to some real reform in college basketball. Then, with a big assist from AP’s Larry Lage, they find a silver lining in the college game _ the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry _ and hear from coaches John Beilein and Tom Izzo on how to get it right.  On the menu: Where were you on National Margarita Day?

Hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg grab a sand-trap rake and drag pro golfer Matt Kuchar for winning $1.3 million at a tournament in Mexico and nearly stiffing his fill-in caddie. As a bonus, Dahlberg recalls his own moment of glory while toting the bag for a PGA Tour winner, Then, just-retired AP sports writer Bob Baum joins the pair to reminisce about the warmest _ and goofiest _ moments over four-plus decades with a courtside seat. On the menu: The King of Spuds.

In this basketball-skiing twin-bill, Raptors coach Nick Nurse is back to assess the muscled-up Eastern Conference race and his own performance ahead of the NBA’s All-Star weekend. Then hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg pivot to the slopes with AP skiing writer Andrew Dampf for a look back at the almost-unbreakable Lindsey Vonn. On the menu: You paid how much for the doughnut?

Hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg _ who’s playing hurt _ search for a silver lining after a lousy Super Bowl and try ranking the days on the sporting calendar always worth waiting for. Then NFL writer Rob Maaddi weighs in the “Brady or Belichick” debate and predicts which teams (not named the Patriots) might turn up at the big game in 2020. On the menu: Why the world needs more hazelnuts, and fast.

Guest host Rob Maaddi and a panel of AP writers break down New England’s 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams and look ahead to the 2019 season.

A superstar lineup joins guest host Rob Maaddi on Radio Row. Hall of Famer Jerry Rice talks about mentoring Antonio Brown. Actors Sarah Michelle Gellar and Olympic champion Aly Raisman discuss changing the role of women in Super Bowl commercials. Actors Luke Wilson and Jason Weaver and former NFL star Eric Decker share their thoughts on a variety of topics, and a panel AP sports writers break down the Big Game.

Hall of Famer Brian Dawkins opens up about overcoming depression and suicidal thoughts early in his career with the Philadelphia Eagles and guest host Rob Maaddi chats with a star-studded cast on Day 3 of Super Bowl coverage live from Radio Row in Atlanta. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, Falcons President Rich McKay, Jets offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum, former NFL players Will Witherspoon and Ricardo Lockette and AP national writer Paul Newberry discuss a variety of topics..

Guest host Rob Maaddi chats with a super lineup of guests on Day 2 live from Radio Row at the Super Bowl. Former NFL linebacker Steven Jackson says his heart is with the Rams, though he finished his career in the playoffs with the Patriots. Saints linebacker Demario Davis talks about the team’s heartbreaking loss to Los Angeles in the NFC title game. Falcons executive Steve Cannon breaks down why Mercedes Benz Stadium is geared for a thrilling fan experience beyond cheap hot dogs. Mega producer Will Packer hypes up his new movie about a female sports agent who gets inside the minds of men, and AP NFL writer Barry Wilner explains NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s non-answers to questions at his news conference.

Guest host Rob Maaddi kicks off Super Bowl coverage live from Radio Row in Atlanta with a conversation with NFL executive Troy Vincent, who says changing overtime rules is on the table. Maaddi downplays the significance of trash talk and chats with AP sports writer Greg Beacham about Rams coach Sean McVay’s uncanny ability to remember every play. Football comedian Costaki Economopoulos checks in with his unique brand of sports jokes and AP NFL writer Simmi Buttar breaks down the Patriots. 

Hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg kick off Super Bowl week trying to pinpoint when the game morphed into a national holiday. NFL great and CBS analyst Dan Fouts joins the conversation to help jar their memories, then AP’s Eddie Pells reports on how the league’s last contract, designed to help veterans, actually had the opposite effect and might lead to a lockout next time around. On the menu: What are you going to do with all those avocados?

Guest host Rob Maaddi reviews the thrilling games on NFL championship Sunday, explains his Major League Baseball Hall of Fame voting philosophy and shares his views on Carson Wentz’s relationship with Eagles teammates. AP NFL writer Barry Wilner joins Rob to discuss what the NFL can do about its officiating problem, AP deputy sports editor Oskar Garcia offers his thoughts on the NFL attempting to ban some prop bets and baseball writer Ben Walker tells us if he’d rather build a team around Bryce Harper or Manny Machado.

World champion Manny Pacquaio invites hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg over for breakfast at his Los Angeles home, then heads for the legendary Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, where trainer Freddie Roach explains how he preps the 40-year-old fighter ahead of his title fight with Adrien Broner. On the menu: Rice, lots and lots and lots of rice.

Hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg sort through decades of cringe-worthy playoff fails, zooming in on Trey Junkin’s botched snap in a 2002 wild-card game and how graciously he handled the aftermath. Then they preview Round 2 of the playoffs with AP Sports Writers Kyle Hightower in Boston, Brett Martel in New Orleans, Dave Skretta in Kansas City, reserving Los Angeles _ Dahlberg’s birthplace _ for themselves. On the menu: Sandwich wars.

Hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg remember the pitfalls back when New Year’s Day was supposed to _ but didn’t always _ sort out college football’s national champion. Next, they preview the wild-card round with one-time national typewriting champion, former All-Pro defender and current FS1 host Marcellus Wiley, and finally, make some predictions for the coming year in sports. On the menu: Had enough meat yet? If so, try this salad.

Sister Jean Delores Schmidt, the 99-year-old nun who stole the show at the Final Four, serves as a tour guide when hosts Jim Litke and Tim Dahlberg look back at the 2018 moments that warmed hearts, made us smile or get up and want to dance. There’s homecoming queens, rare displays of sportsmanship, random acts of kindness and a teddy-bear avalanche that will have you reaching for the Kleenex. On the menu: Chinese food for Christmas?