Pat Forde on Crazy Dan Hurley, Billy Donovan to UNC Rumors, Will Wade to LSU | 04.01

In this episode of The Right Time, host Bomani Jones welcomes Pat Forde from SI.com to break down the 2026 Final Four, spotlighting UConn's remarkable dominance as the most successful program of the 21st century despite lacking traditional advantages. Forde praises Dan Hurley’s fiery coaching style and his legacy-building impact at UConn, drawing comparisons to the legendary Jim Calhoun. The conversation shifts to Arizona’s physical, grinding style under Tommy Lloyd, with speculation about Lloyd’s potential move to North Carolina—despite his current focus on Arizona. Forde explores the chaotic state of UNC athletics, including the Belichick hiring misstep and the looming search for a new head coach, with Billy Donovan emerging as a top candidate despite a 12-year absence from college basketball. The discussion also covers Will Wade’s controversial return to LSU, the program’s long history of underachieving with elite talent, and a surprisingly defensive take on Duke’s recent tournament collapses, arguing that John Shire’s struggles are part of a normal coaching arc rather than a reason for dismissal. The episode ends with reflections on the evolving nature of college sports, where money, culture, and coaching legacies are reshaping traditional power structures. Key takeaways include: 1) UConn’s success is built on sustained excellence across three different coaches, not tradition; 2) Dan Hurley’s 'crazy' persona is a strategic asset that energizes the program; 3) North Carolina’s job remains the most coveted in college basketball, even amid turmoil; 4) Billy Donovan’s return to college would be a major coup due to his track record and cultural fit; 5) LSU’s willingness to embrace controversy reflects a broader shift in program identity; 6) Duke’s recent tournament failures, while painful, don’t invalidate Shire’s overall success; 7) The Big Ten’s rise is now a national force, not just a regional power; 8) The era of 'coach speak' is fading as one-year contracts make transparency more likely.