Larry Smith dives into a massive Friday lineup:

🏀 Oklahoma City Thunder make history, winning their first NBA Championship. The moment is marked by a touching tribute at the OKC Bombing Memorial, blending sports triumph with deep emotional resonance.

🏒 NHL season wrap with Austin Nivison of CBS Sports:

• Florida Panthers' back-to-back titles

• Oilers' goaltending issues and McDavid’s future

• Who's poised to be Canada’s next Cup champion?

• Mitch Marner watch: how his free agency will trigger domino effects

🏈 Ryan Chapman talks Oklahoma football:

• The Thunder’s citywide impact

• Brent Venables on the hot seat

• OU's SEC adjustments and NIL-era roster strategy with new GM Jim Nagy

• Why portal recruiting and offensive line philosophy are evolving fast

👀 College Football Recruiting Update with Tony Cordaro:
What the House settlement means for 2026 recruiting classes, scholarship limits, and the shifting power dynamics between big and small programs.

⚾ Moment of Awe:
Clayton Kershaw sits three strikeouts away from the 3,000 mark. An all-time great adds another chapter.

🧠 Plus: WNBA showdown preview, revenue-sharing thoughts, and the legacy of Kobe Bryant from the 1996 NBA Draft.

Oklahoma City Thunder NBA ChampionsW. Steven Williams OKC MemorialFlorida Panthers Stanley CupEdmonton Oilers offseasonAustin Nivison CBS SportsOU Football Brent VenablesRyan Chapman SoonersMitch Marner Free AgencyCollege Football NIL House Settlement2026 Recruiting ClassClayton Kershaw 3000 strikeoutsWNBA Paige Bueckers Caitlin ClarkKobe Bryant Draft DaySportsIQ Podcast Larry Smith

Today’s SportsIQ, Larry Smith hosts a wide-ranging Thursday edition loaded with sports insight and cultural crossover:

🏀 WNBA Spotlight with guest Myles Ehrlich (Winsidr, Pull Up with Miles & Owen) — deep dive into the Liberty’s resilience, Golden State Valkyrie’s fast rise, and how stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are just the tip of a much longer growth story. Plus: team valuations, TV deals, charter flights, and the real work behind the league’s boom.
📈 Inside the $400M valuation of the New York Liberty — and why even James Dolan regrets selling too soon.
💰 CBA negotiations and the players’ push for equity — what’s coming next for salary caps and travel reform.

🏀 NBA Draft Recap — Cooper Flagg to Dallas was expected, but the real drama came later:
• Ace Bailey’s awkward reaction to Utah
• Brooklyn’s baffling five-pick strategy
• Washington State’s Cedric Howard shocks the lottery

💎 Sports Card Market with Will Stern (Collect Media) — from boom to bust and back again. Are we in a new “Junk Wax” era, or is the industry finally maturing?
• Fanatics Fest vs. The National
• Topps returning to licensed NBA/Football
• How kids (and adults) are flipping cardboard into six-figure businesses.

⚾ MLB Headlines
• Jacob deGrom no-hits through 7
• Juan Soto sets HR record
• Acuña joins the Home Run Derby
• White Sox stun the Diamondbacks

📺 Moment of Awe: A tribute at the Oklahoma City Memorial reminds us what fandom, legacy, and memory really mean — even in the loudest of sports seasons.

WNBA growthNew York Liberty valuationCaitlin Clark Angel ReeseMyles Ehrlich WinsidrWNBA TV deal Ion AmazonNBA Draft 2025Cooper Flagg Dallas MavericksAce Bailey Utah JazzCedric Howard Washington StateSports cards boomWill Stern Collect MediaFanatics Fest 2025Topps NBA returnJacob deGrom no-hitterJuan Soto recordMLB Home Run DerbySportsIQ podcast Larry Smith

Larry Smith dives into the latest headlines and long-term shifts in college sports:

🏈 Iowa Football Outlook with Tom Kakert (HawkeyeReport.com) — new QB optimism, offensive depth, and a rare prediction of shootouts in Iowa City. Plus: insight on the McCollum hire, hoops rebuild, and NIL-era growing pains.

🏛️ NIL & House Settlement with Kam Cox (Assistant AD, Illinois) — the future of college sports revenue sharing, roster limits, enforcement under the new College Sports Commission, and why he’s cautiously optimistic this “new era” will be more structured.

⚾ Baseball Beat — Yankees' slump deepens, Chase Burns' MLB debut dazzles, and the Mets hit rock bottom.

🏀 WNBA + NBA Draft Buzz — Caitlin Clark’s 3-point drought, the Wings’ resurgence, and what to watch for as Cooper Flagg prepares to make history at the draft. Plus: the ghost of Kwame Brown and other #1 pick busts.

Iowa Football 2025
Tom Kakert HawkeyeReportKam Cox Illinois NILHouse Settlement NCAACollege Sports CommissionRevenue Sharing in College AthleticsCaitlin Clark shooting slumpWNBA Fever WingsCooper Flagg NBA DraftNBA Draft 2025 PreviewSportsIQ Podcast Larry Smith

⚾ Pittsburgh Pirates Midseason Check-In — Tony Cordaro is joined by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette beat writer Noah Hiles to talk Paul Skenes’ meteoric rise, the offensive woes surrounding O’Neil Cruz and Ke’Bryan Hayes, and why the team’s elite pitching staff might be wasted without a power bat overhaul. Will the front office finally act this offseason?

🏈 Seattle Seahawks Preview — Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune drops by to break down the Seahawks' quarterback transition from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold, the shift to a run-heavy offense under Clint Kubiak, and why Mike Macdonald is banking on defense to bring Seattle back into contention. Also: Devin Witherspoon's stardom, the Cooper Kupp homecoming, and why Lumen Field needs its mojo back.

🏀 NBA Draft Preview — Larry and Tony look ahead to Cooper Flagg’s arrival in Dallas, a potential monster rebuild in San Antonio with Dylan Harper, and the return of the big man with names like Malik Maleč and Derrick Queen on the rise. Plus: why Colin Kneppel and Elijah Martin may be the sleeper picks of the draft.

📚 New NCAA Rules — Scholarship caps are out. Roster caps are in. Larry explains how the House Settlement changes college football’s structure and recruiting forever.

💪 Moment of Awe — Meet 82-year-old powerlifter Faith O’Reilly, the gold medal favorite in a brand-new Senior Games category. Her story is the strength we all needed today.

On today’s SportsIQ, Larry Smith covers the biggest stories in college football, NBA Finals, and beyond:

🏈 NIL & Loyalty — South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers turns down an $8 million offer to stay home and build something special with Coach Beamer. David Cloninger of The Post and Courier joins to break down South Carolina's NIL approach, stadium upgrades, and high expectations.

🏈 Broncos Built Different — Boise State voice Bob Behler talks about the school’s unique culture, homegrown development, and their run to the expanded College Football Playoff. He previews the season, transfer strategy, and a marquee matchup at Notre Dame.

🏀 NBA Finals Recap — The Oklahoma City Thunder clinch the title behind MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury casts a shadow on Indiana’s playoff run.

⚾ MLB & College Baseball Highlights — Cal Raleigh continues his home run tear. LSU wins its second College World Series in three years. And Keegan Bradley birdies 18 to win the PGA Travelers.

🎙 Moment of Awe — Remembering pitcher Ken Brett’s historic 4-game HR streak in 1973.

South Carolina Football
LaNorris Sellers NILDavid Cloninger GamecocksBoise State FootballBob Behler BroncosOklahoma City Thunder NBA ChampionsSGA Finals MVPTyrese Haliburton injuryCal Raleigh home runsLSU Baseball CWSKeegan Bradley PGA TravelersCollege Football NIL 2025SportsIQ Podcast Larry Smith

🏀 NBA Finals: Game 7 is set! The Pacers force a decider behind Tyrese Haliburton’s grit. Can OKC protect home court, or does history favor the fearless underdog?

🏈 College Football Roundtable:

• Colorado State’s Big Jump: Reporter Kevin Lytle joins to discuss CSU’s defensive overhaul, Pac-12 realignment drama, and what it’ll take for the “new” Pac-12 to earn national respect.

• Georgia Tech’s Moment: Chad Bishop of the AJC breaks down the Yellow Jackets’ back-to-back winning seasons, Brent Key’s culture reboot, and the bold ambitions brewing in Midtown Atlanta.

⚾ MLB Rundown: Yankees snap the skid, Mets spiral, and a rookie named Young Jack makes noise in the Bigs.

🏀 WNBA Watch: Paige Bueckers surges, Caitlin Clark stumbles, and Golden State’s expansion Valkyries look like playoff contenders.

🎓 Conference Realignment Deep Dive: What’s next for the ACC? And which “sleeping giants” could shift the balance of power?

NBA Finals Game 7
OKC Thunder vs Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton
Colorado State Football
Pac-12 realignment
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Chad Bishop AJC
Kevin Lytle CSU
MLB Yankees Mets
WNBA Valkyries Paige Bueckers Caitlin Clark
ACC football
College Football Playoff
SportsIQ Podcast Larry Smith

🏀 NBA Finals Game 6 looms with Tyrese Haliburton's status uncertain — Pacers insider Dustin Dopirak breaks down the health gamble, franchise outlook, and looming luxury tax.
💰 The Los Angeles Lakers are being sold… for a staggering $10 billion. Dodgers owner Mark Walter steps in — is this the new normal?
📈 Ricky O’Donnell (SB Nation) previews the NBA Draft: Cooper Flagg’s destiny, Ace Bailey’s slide, and sleeper picks that could shape a franchise.
⚾ MLB Headlines: Yankees stumble, Orioles collapse, and the Rockies show signs of life.
🏀 WNBA spotlight: Angel Reese notches her first career triple-double on national TV as the Chicago Sky prep for their next clash with the Atlanta Dream.
🎙️ Larry shares his personal "Rules of Sportscasting" from decades in the business — from keeping it conversational to the golden rule: never mail it in.

Tyrese Haliburton injury
Pacers Thunder Game 6
NBA Draft 2025 prospects
Cooper Flagg Mavericks
Ace Bailey scouting report
NBA franchise valuations
Lakers sale Mark Walter
Ricky O’Donnell SB Nation
Angel Reese triple-double
Chicago Sky Atlanta Dream
WNBA CBS broadcast
SportsIQ Podcast Larry Smith
MLB Yankees Orioles Rockies Braves
Rules of sportscasting tips
Never mail it in

On today’s Sports IQ with Larry Smith:

🏆 Stanley Cup Moment of Awe: Sam Reinhart nets four goals in a Cup-clinching win for the Florida Panthers — the first time since Babe Dye in 1922. A performance for the ages.

🏈 NFL Deep Dive – Packers Edition:
Larry is joined by Derek Tate (Heavy.com) to break down the Green Bay Packers’ offseason strategy, Jordan Love’s next step, wide receiver additions like Matthew Golden, and growing concerns on defense after parting ways with Jaire Alexander.

• Is Green Bay primed for a deep 2025 playoff run?

• Could they trade for Bengals’ Shemar Stewart or Trey Hendrickson?

🎓 The House Settlement & Title IX:
Victoria Jackson (Arizona State historian and co-director of Great Game Lab) returns to discuss the far-reaching implications of the House v. NCAA settlement:

• Why college football should be treated as a separate professional entity

• Concerns about collective bargaining and gender equity

• What the future may hold for Olympic and women’s sports

🏀 NBA & WNBA Watch:

• Tyrese Haliburton’s calf injury looms large ahead of Game 6 — should he sit to avoid long-term Achilles damage?

• Caitlin Clark’s return sparks headlines… and technicals. Producer Tony weighs in on player conduct and referee control after a chippy Fever–Sun matchup.

⚾ Around the Diamond:

• Yankees slump: Aaron Judge’s cold streak

• Rockies’ rare winning streak

• White Sox doing White Sox things

• MLB parity in full display

🎯 Moment of Awe:
Sam Reinhart’s four-goal Stanley Cup finale puts him in the same breath as 1922’s Babe Dye. A truly historic night.

TAGS
Sam Reinhart
Stanley Cup Finals 2025
Green Bay Packers offseason
Jordan Love
House v. NCAA
Victoria Jackson ASU
College sports reform
Tyrese Haliburton injury
WNBA brawl Caitlin Clark
Aaron Judge slump
MLB update
SportsIQ Podcast Larry Smith