The NFL season may be over, but the conversation is just heating up.

Larry Smith is joined by Heavy.com NFL writer Erik Anderson to break down the Seahawks’ Super Bowl championship, the rise of Seattle’s dominant defense, and what lies ahead as the league turns its attention to free agency, the draft, and a wide-open 2026 season. From quarterback futures to coaching changes and franchise philosophy, the NFL’s next chapter is already unfolding.

College basketball takes center stage next as Utah State continues its impressive run in the Mountain West. Sports editor Shawn Harrison of the Herald Journal joins the show to explain how the Aggies keep winning despite constant coaching turnover — and why this year’s team could be a dangerous matchup come March.

Plus, headlines from across the sports world, including Kansas’ dominance at Fog Allen Fieldhouse, coaching milestones, league labor updates, and more.

The show wraps with today’s Moment of Awe, spotlighting the unexpected origins of volleyball — invented in 1895 as a less-physical alternative to basketball and now one of the most popular sports in the world.

Insight, context, and perspective — this is Sports IQ with Larry Smith.

Super Bowl 60 is in the books, and Sports IQ breaks down everything that followed — on the field, in the front office, and far beyond the scoreboard.

Larry Smith and producer Tony react to the Seattle Seahawks’ championship win, Sam Darnold’s improbable Super Bowl journey, and why defense still reigns supreme in the NFL. The conversation expands into league-wide implications, including shifting quarterback economics, Super Bowl viewership trends, and what the NFL’s global future may look like.

The show then turns to Atlanta, where longtime Falcons beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution joins to unpack a total franchise reset. With Atlanta Falcons legend Matt Ryan now leading football operations, a new head coach in place, and questions looming at quarterback, Ledbetter offers insight into whether this reboot can finally end Atlanta’s long playoff drought.

Later, the tone shifts in a powerful way as producer Tony sits down with Gráinne Owens, founder of Curing Kids Cancer. Owens shares the deeply personal story of her son Killian and how his fight inspired a mission that has now helped fund lifesaving pediatric cancer research — including breakthroughs that have changed survival rates for children worldwide.

The episode closes with a Moment of Awe honoring Satchel Paige, recognizing the legacy of a trailblazer whose impact on baseball history still resonates today.

Insightful, emotional, and wide-ranging — this is Sports IQ at its best.

It’s a packed sports weekend, and Sports IQ is locked in.

Larry Smith and the crew break down everything from Super Bowl weekend memories to a pivotal stretch in college basketball, as conference races tighten and March looms closer.

The show opens with a look at the sports landscape heading into the weekend — Super Bowl buzz, the Olympics, and a loaded college hoops slate — before diving deep into the Big East’s marquee matchup. St. John’s insider Zach Braziller (New York Post) joins the show to preview the Red Storm’s showdown with third-ranked UConn, breaking down what’s clicked for Rick Pitino’s squad, why this game matters nationally, and where the matchup could be won or lost.

From there, the focus shifts to the Big 12, as Shreyas Laddha (Kansas City Star) analyzes Kansas’ resurgence, Bill Self’s defensive adjustments, and the Jayhawks’ upcoming gauntlet featuring Arizona, Iowa State, and Houston. Laddha also shares insight on the evolving Big 12 landscape and what the future may hold for Self and Kansas basketball.

The college hoops tour continues in the SEC with Jackson Fuller (USA Today), who evaluates Arkansas under John Calipari, the Razorbacks’ inconsistency, the impact of freshmen, and what needs to change for a potential March run in a deep SEC.

The show wraps with Super Bowl reflections, unforgettable media-week moments, and today’s Moment of Awe, spotlighting Ted Williams becoming the highest-paid player in MLB history back in 1958 — a contract that looks like a bargain by today’s standards.

A perfect listen as the sports calendar hits full throttle.

Super Bowl 60 is just days away, and Sports IQ with Larry Smith sets the stage with a deep dive into a matchup that may lack celebrity star power—but promises drama, strategy, and legacy-defining moments. NFL writer Tony Adame (Heavy.com) joins the show to break down Seahawks vs. Patriots, spotlighting Sam Darnold’s resurgence, New England’s remarkable turnaround, and the critical matchups that could decide the game.

The episode also tackles a whirlwind of NBA trade deadline chaos, including blockbuster moves involving Luka Dončić, Anthony Davis, and major shakeups across the league. Plus, a look at who’s surging, who’s stumbling, and what it all means as teams jockey for postseason position.

On the college hardwood, Henry Greenstein of the Lawrence Journal-World joins to discuss Kansas basketball’s midseason surge, the impact of freshman standout Darren Peterson, and why the Big 12 may once again be the nation’s toughest conference heading into March.

The show wraps with Olympic reflections, industry news, and a Moment of Awe honoring figure skating legend Dick Button, whose historic 1948 Olympic gold medal changed the sport forever.

• Super Bowl 60 preview: Seahawks vs. Patriots

• Sam Darnold’s evolution and contract value

• Patriots’ rapid rebuild under new leadership

• Key Super Bowl matchup to watch

• NBA trade deadline winners, losers, and shockers

• Luka Dončić / Anthony Davis fallout

• Kansas Jayhawks gaining momentum in the Big 12

• The growing influence of freshmen in college basketball

• Bill Self’s future and KU’s recruiting outlook

• Winter Olympics memories and history

• Moment of Awe: Dick Button’s 1948 Olympic breakthrough

The sports world is moving fast as Super Bowl 60 approaches — and Larry Smith breaks down everything you need to know.

With the NBA trade deadline just hours away, major deals shake up the league, including James Harden landing in Cleveland, blockbuster moves involving Jaren Jackson Jr., and growing speculation around Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future. Larry also highlights surging TV numbers for college basketball and why the sport is becoming must-watch inventory for networks.

On the NFL front, Ryan Ward of EssentiallySports joins the show to preview the Super Bowl matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, discussing quarterback pressure, roster construction, and why the NFL’s parity era is fully here. Later, Micah Warren (Heavy.com) dives into coaching volatility across the league, why head coaching has become one of the most unforgiving jobs in sports, and how quarterbacks ultimately drive everything.

Plus:

• College basketball results and streaks across the country

• WNBA labor talks and what’s at stake for the league’s future

• Pro Bowl reactions, Super Bowl trivia, and the realities of modern roster building

The episode closes with a Moment of Awe, honoring Jackie Robinson for another barrier he broke beyond baseball — becoming the first African American executive at a major U.S. TV and radio station in 1952 — as we celebrate Black History Month.

🎙️ Sports IQ with Larry Smith
📅 New episodes Monday–Friday

Michigan basketball is rolling, and the Wolverines are suddenly right in the middle of the national title conversation. Larry Smith is joined by Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press to break down why Dusty May’s Wolverines are thriving in Year Two — from elite roster construction and depth to a culture built on sacrifice and connectivity. The conversation also touches on Michigan football’s reset, the hiring of a veteran head coach, and why the program believes stability is finally back.

The spotlight then shifts to one of college basketball’s biggest surprises. Matt Rocchio of STL Sports Central joins the show to dive into the rise of the Saint Louis Billikens, led by Robbie Avila and one of the nation’s most efficient defenses. Why is SLU built for March? Can the Atlantic 10 earn multiple bids? And how does elite team defense translate when the lights are brightest?

Plus, a full rundown of the day’s biggest sports headlines:

• Lindsey Vonn’s remarkable decision to compete in the Olympics despite a torn ACL

• Kansas’ comeback win and the growing impact of freshman stars across college basketball

• Trade chatter surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden

• NFL coaching hires and questions surrounding the Rooney Rule

• A look at the shifting balance between NIL, recruiting, and player development

The episode wraps with a Moment of Awe, celebrating the founding of Spalding Sporting Goods, a company that helped shape nearly every major American sport.

Illinois basketball is surging — and the rest of the college hoops world is taking notice.

On today’s episode of Sports IQ with Larry Smith, we break down a massive weekend in college basketball, highlighted by Illinois’ statement road win at Nebraska and the rapid rise of freshman star Keaton Waggler, who continues to look every bit like a future lottery pick.

Larry is joined by Matt Stevens (IlliniGuys.com) for an in-depth look at Illinois’ 11-game win streak, their elite length and defensive versatility, and what makes this team uniquely built for March. Stevens also explains how roster construction, player development, and toughness have transformed the Illini into a legitimate Big Ten title contender — even while battling injuries.

On the other side of the spectrum, Mike Waters (Syracuse.com / Post-Standard) joins the show to examine Syracuse basketball’s ongoing transition in the post-Jim Boeheim era. Waters dives into the challenges facing traditional powers in the NIL and transfer-portal era, the impact of conference realignment, and why some programs are struggling to keep pace financially and competitively.

Plus, we hit on:

• Major college basketball headlines from around the country

• WNBA labor talks and what they could mean for the league

• Super Bowl trivia, history, and behind-the-scenes stories

• Today’s Moment of Awe, honoring the hiring of Vince Lombardi by the Green Bay Packers

Insightful, timely, and packed with perspective — this episode captures exactly where college sports are headed.

The college basketball season is heating up — and so is the conversation on Sports IQ with Larry Smith.

This episode dives deep into Duke’s surge under head coach Jon Scheyer, with insight from Anna Snyder, Duke beat writer for The Fayetteville Observer. The Blue Devils are rolling through ACC play behind star freshmen Cooper Flagg and Cam Boozer, and Snyder breaks down what makes this team different, what still needs tightening before March, and how Duke matches up with North Carolina, Michigan, and the rest of the national contenders.

Larry and the crew also zoom out to the bigger picture in college hoops, where the Big Ten is stacked. With multiple teams inside the Top 10 and Illinois riding a 10-game win streak, the race for conference supremacy — and national relevance — is wide open. Is this finally the year the Big Ten breaks through in March?

Plus:

• Major Olympic news with Lindsey Vonn’s scary crash just days before the Games

• Tennis history as Carlos Alcaraz pushes toward a career Grand Slam

• Eye-opening Super Bowl facts you probably didn’t know (including why there are two Lombardi Trophies at every game)

• The early buzz around Super Bowl commercials, including a genius Pepsi ad twist

• A classic Moment of Awe spotlighting the birth of the American League and the modern World Series

Smart sports conversation, real context, and just enough trivia to win you the room — that’s Sports IQ.

• Duke basketball’s evolution under Jon Scheyer

• Cooper Flagg vs. Cam Boozer: roles, impact, and comparisons

• Duke vs. UNC, Michigan, Clemson, and Virginia outlook

• ACC resurgence and teams flying under the radar

• Big Ten depth and Illinois’ 10-game win streak

• Olympic injury update: Lindsey Vonn

• Carlos Alcaraz’s historic Australian Open run

• Super Bowl trivia, ads, and behind-the-scenes stories

• Moment of Awe: The American League becomes a major league