The Pick Six Podcast - Husker sports news and analysis

In the latest episode of the Pick Six Podcast, Sam McKewon, Evan Bland and Tom Shatel talk the current hype around the Nebraska football program.

They open with the Big Ten football draft for TV networks, how that works as the conference changes and the big games change yearly. The three also talk specifically about which of Nebraska's games are big.

The crew breaks down why TV networks and analysts want the return of Nebraska football to its glory days and if Dylan Raiola — and better quarterback play in general — get the Huskers there.

They also talk recent optimism and hype that goes beyond the QB and how Matt Rhule is the true face of the current program.

The crew discuss the pressure around Dylan Raiola and what the positivity in the national media about the 2024 team.

They talk the strength of the Husker football's line this season and how they may be the strongest positions on the team, while there are question marks at special teams, linebacker and more.

Evan previews his Sunday feature on Troy Dannen.

They close out with Nebraska baseball and the Huskers' big weekend.

In the latest episode of the Pick Six Podcast, Sam McKewon, Evan Bland and Tom Shatel break down the Nebraska spring game, Dylan Raiola's performance and the more transfer and NIL news.

The crew opens with their thoughts from the Husker spring game, Dylan Raiola's performance in it and Chief Borders entering the transfer portal.

They talk Nebraska men's basketball landing Washington transfer Braxton Meah, a 7-foot-1 center.

And they close out with talking about NIL, the transfer portal and what that means for the Huskers.

In the latest episode of the Pick Six Podcast, Sam McKewon, Evan Bland and Tom Shatel break down all things Nebraska spring game — including which recruits will be on the sidelines for official visits.

The crew opens with a look at what they expect to see at the spring game, including which recruits, one being a five-star, that will be on the sidelines.

They talk Nebraska men's basketball and the transfer portal, and if there something going on between Fred Hoiberg's program and former Omaha players, particularly Frankie Fidler and Chucky Hepburn, not choosing the Huskers when they are in the portal.

They close out with a look at Nebraska baseball's midweek struggles.

In the latest episode of the Pick Six Podcast, Sam McKewon, Evan Bland and Tom Shatel hop on to discuss the leadup to the Nebraska football spring game and take a look at the latest recruits NU has landed.

The guys open by talking about how the transfer portal has kept the "dog days of spring camp" very interesting but why many Huskers are most likely going to stick around for a while through this cycle.

Next, the three break down the recent Class of 2025 recruits and what they bring to the table, along with some comparisons to past and current players before having a conversation about Matt Rhule's strategy in adding transfers during this period.

They then discuss Nebrasketball's moves in the portal before looking at roster needs and debating which road trip is the best in the Big Ten now.

The guys wrap up the episode by answering Husker fan questions, including several baseball topics.

In the latest episode of the Pick Six Podcast, Sam McKewon, Evan Bland and Tom Shatel break down Nebraska's quarterback competition between Dylan Raiola, Daniel Kaelin and Heinrich Haarberg.

The crew opens with a look at Nebraska's latest open practice, including the quarterback competition and what is going on at running back.

They take a look at USC coach Lincoln Riley's comments on joining the Big Ten and if they are similar to Scott Frost's comments when he was Nebraska's coach. The three also talk which of the four newcomers is most likely to find success next season.

They close out with a look at Nebraska baseball's recent struggles and how the Huskers can bounce back.

In the latest episode of the Pick Six Podcast, Sam McKewon, Evan Bland and Tom Shatel take a deep dive into how NIL and the transfer portal can help Nebraska sports like football and basketball, but may hurt ones like volleyball.

The crew opens by breaking down some of the questions surrounding how NIL is changing the basketball transfer portal. If Nebraska wants a player and can't afford them, who do they have to let go of to afford them? How much has the conversation for potential transfers changed from playing time to NIL compensation? How much money can Nebraska compete with and is it higher than everyone expects? 

They move onto fan expectations for Nebraska Nebraska basketball after the Huskers' have had a 20-win season, but the team will be completely different next season due to transfers. Is it fair to expect NCAA tournament teams each year?

The three also take a deep dive into what's going on with the Husker players in the portal and who Fred Hoiberg might target in the portal.

They then turn to football and how recruiting is going. The crew looks at how recruiting during Scott Frost's time at the helm helped or hurt specific positions and how Matt Rhule & Co. are responding to those needs. 

The three also look at how NIL and the transfer portal are helping Nebraska football and men's basketball, but will it hurt sports like volleyball?

They close out with a look at what must be fixed at Memorial Stadium, how important is fan experience to Nebraska Athletics and how a renovated stadium could help the Huskers win.

In the latest episode of the Pick Six Podcast, Sam McKewon, Evan Bland and Tom Shatel talk Troy Dannen, the start of Nebraska football's spring camp and more.

The crew opens with Nebraska hiring Troy Dannen as its new athletic director. They analyze his opening press conference from his regular guy persona to his thoughts on NIL, Memorial Stadium's potential renovation and winning. The three talk about what his role will be for Nebraska and where he hits the ground running.

They then turn to spring football and what can we learn about the team this spring. What changes will the Huskers need to make on offense? The defense looks ready, but how ready is it? What will happen with the transfer portal?

The crew then talk men's basketball, including the Huskers' loss to Texas A&M in the first round of the NCAA tournament and the turnover already occurring in the portal. Does Nebrasketball need to schedule a more difficult slate next season?

They close out with women's basketball. Did the Huskers max out with their first-round win in the Big Dance? And how much better can they get next season?

In the latest episode of the Pick Six Podcast, Sam McKewon, Evan Bland and Tom Shatel break down how both Nebraska teams match up against Texas A&M and discuss Matt Rhule's message to Husker fans and the university.

In the latest episode of the Pick Six Podcast, Sam McKewon, Evan Bland and Tom Shatel break down the latest news on Trev Alberts' departure from Nebraska to Texas A&M and if he was running from something.

The crew opens with the news that Trev Alberts is leaving Nebraska for the athletic director position at Texas A&M, and they discuss why he decided to leave.

The three also break down where Nebraska goes from here and how can NU get back on track.

The crew also looks at if Alberts' decision will affect Husker football.

They close out the podcast with basketball. Nebraska men's basketball heads into the Big Ten tournament as a No. 3 seed and how does the Huskers' performance in that will affect their NCAA seeding? And have the Husker women raised their NCAA seeding when they reached the Big Ten tournament championship?

In the latest episode of the Pick Six Podcast, Sam McKewon, Evan Bland and Tom Shatel talk Nebraska basketball going undefeated at home in Big Ten play and more.

The crew opens breaking down everything Nebraska men's basketball from NCAA tournament odds to what the Huskers need from the transfer portal next season and more.

Then they move to Nebraska women's basketball heading to the Big Ten tournament and NCAA tournament.

They close out with a look at Nebraska baseball's ninth inning wins against Charleston and what the Huskers are doing right so far this season.

In the latest episode of the Pick Six Podcast, Sam McKewon and Tom Shatel look at how this Nebraska basketball team stacks up against other great Husker ones and discuss the potential 14-team CFP.

The two open with what makes the 2023-24 Husker basketball team so good and where it ranks among Nebraska's best teams.

They also take a look at what it would take for the Huskers to play in Omaha in the NCAA tournament and if this will be the year the Huskers win a game in the Big Dance.

They move onto football and how the CFP is already talking about moving to a 14-team playoff before the 12-team one kicks off.

The two close out with a discussion on how the larger CFP will affect college football scheduling and how Nebraska and Matt Rhule fit in that conversation.

In the latest episode of the Pick Six Podcast, Evan Bland and Tom Shatel open with takeaways from Tom's sit-down with Matt Rhule and what the walls of the second-year Nebraska coach's office told them about his culture and values.

The guys also discuss Rhule's scheduling strategy in a new College Football Playoff world, and what the nonconference portion will evolve into.

Next the two give their takes on what Husker basketball must do to overcome its losing streak on the road and talk about the weak NCAA tournament bubble benefitting Nebraska down the stretch. 

The duo wraps up the episode with a look back at NU baseball's opening weekend and what to expect moving forward.

In the latest episode of the Pick Six Podcast, Sam McKewon, Evan Bland and Tom Shatel open with takeaways from new Nebraska coach Glenn Thomas's media availability and discuss defensive coordinator Tony White missing out on the UCLA head coach job.

The guys then delve into where the Huskers stand in the new Big Ten with four West Coast teams joining this fall, including a look at early top 25 rankings and win totals in Vegas and where NU ranks among conference foes.

The trio also have a conversation about what Nebraska must do to close the door on a tournament bid before wrapping the show with a talk about expectations for the new Husker baseball season.

In the latest episode of the Pick Six Podcast, Sam McKewon and Tom Shatel begin the show by talking about their takeaways from Matt Rhule's press conference on Signing Day before diving into how many wins Nebraska basketball needs for an NCAA tournament bid.

Evan Bland then joins the show to discuss what Rhule had to say about Nebraska's three quarterbacks they currently have, whether they need to add another, and what new coach Glenn Thomas will bring to NU's offensive strategy. 

Sam and Evan then give their annual Super Six recruiting picks, naming their top Husker newcomers and a sleeper, while also looking back on their success rate over the last few seasons.

The guys end with a look at this weekend's Nebraska women's basketball showdown vs. Caitlin Clark at PBA, and what her impact has been to women's sports before closing with Super Bowl picks. 

In the latest episode of the Pick Six Podcast, Sam McKewon and Tom Shatel break down the latest in Husker sports, including a look back at Tom's interview with NU interim president Chris Kabourek, and some of the interesting things he said about Nebraska's future in the Big Ten.

The two also discuss how NU has risen to a $200 million-revenue athletic department, one of the largest in the country, and why the school needs to win the major sports to continue the momentum. 

The guys wrap up the episode by talking about the keys to Nebraska basketball vs. Wisconsin and what the Huskers need to do in the final month to lock down a NCAA tournament bid.

In the latest episode of the Pick Six Podcast, Sam McKewon, Evan Bland and Tom Shatel talk Nebraska basketball's push for a NCAA tournament bid and how the expectations change going into the second half of the conference schedule.

The three discuss the Huskers' consistency at home and struggles on the road along with a conversation about NU's arena atmosphere compared to the rest of the Big Ten.

Next, the guys look at several Nebraska QB recruit targets in the coming years and the coaching staff's strategy in grabbing commits from Miami. 

The trio close the episode by giving a preview of Huskers baseball as they ramp up training camp soon.