Providence Journal College Basketball Podcast: Providence-Kentucky, Ed Cooley rumors and March Madness picks

Pick and Pop College Hoops Podcast

Hello and welcome to the latest Providence Journal College Basketball Podcast. This is Bill Koch, sports writer for the Journal. I'm joined by my usual co-conspirators -- Nick Coit, the sports director at ABC6 and WEEI-Providence weekend co-host of Cordischi and Coit, and Morey Hershgordon, the sports director at WPRI and Fox Providence.

Providence ended a nervous wait on Selection Sunday with a seventh NCAA Tournament bid in the last 12 years (2:35). Bryce Hopkins faces his former teammates at Kentucky -- he spent the 2021-22 season with the Wildcats (13:25).

The coaching carousel is spinning and could bring an outside distraction. Ed Cooley is reportedly among the primary targets for Georgetown (35:15). He declined to put the rumors to bed Sunday night -- we examine that here.

And last but not least, on to the brackets (53:40). We offer some chalk and a few surprises through the first two rounds in the East Region (55:30), West Region (66:40), Midwest Region (78:45) and South Region (89:45). Sweet 16 and Elite Eight selections will be revealed on the next edition of the podcast.

Thanks as always for listening.