Btn Take Ten Podcast

Former Minnesota star LB and 2020 New York Giants draft pick Carter Coughlin joined the show and discussed getting drafted, getting ready for his rookie year and his favorite moments from his time in the Twin Cities. (2:07-20:00) Then, BTN Sr. Coordinating Producer Alex Bertsche joined the show and discussed his role at the network, notable experiences from his sports career and what it’s been like to quarantine with his kids. (20:30-end)

Former Iowa star TE and No. 8 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft T.J. Hockenson joined the show and chatted about his favorite memories from his time with the Hawkeyes, his first year with the Detroit Lions and his hobbies during quarantine. (1:40-20:00) Then, BTN researcher Harold Shelton joined the show and discussed the best Big Ten and college sports uniforms of all time. (21:00-end)

Illinois basketball’s Giorgi Bezhanishvili joined to discuss his solo quarantine lifestyle in Champaign, his favorite moments from an exciting sophomore season and his thoughts on potential changes to the Illini roster. (3:00-27:00) Then, BTN researcher Harold Shelton joined and discussed intriguing B1G landing spots from the NFL Draft, a Pistons fan’s perspective on the latest Last Dance episodes and ranked the best sports movies of all time. (28:00-end)

Former Michigan State basketball player Matt McQuaid joined the show to discuss playing in Germany in the year since his last Spartan game, how the pandemic disrupted his professional career and some fond memories from his time in East Lansing. (3:00-15:45) Then, BTN researcher Harold Shelton joined the show to catch up on conference news, preview the NFL Draft, discuss the Last Dance documentary and list the best restaurants at each Big Ten Campus. (17:45-end)

Former Wisconsin basketball player and BTN analyst Ben Brust re-jonied the show and discussed how he’s adjusted his sports media responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, Brust reflected on a special season for Wisconsin Basketball. (3:00-16:00) Then, BTN researcher Harold Shelton joined for an extended segment to catch up on Big Ten transfer and roster news before discussing the best Big Ten football and men’s basketball teams since 2000 who fell short of winning the national championship. (18:45-end)

Former Nebraska head coach and current BTN/FS1 basketball analyst Tim Miles joined the show and discussed the pandemic’s disruption to life and basketball before reflecting on his coaching career and favorite moments on the sidelines as the Huskers’ head man. (2:50-36:50) BTN Senior Coordinating Producer Bill Friedman joined to discuss how his flagship show, BTN Journey, is adapting its programming strategy during a time when live sports don’t exist and how it has embraced a digital rollout strategy over the years throughout the rise of social platforms. Plus, Bill shared his favorite memories across years of production and interactions with coaches and athletes for BTN. (39:30-end)

Former Penn State basketball player Shep Garner joined the show to talk about how he's handling the fallout from the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, how it disrupted his basketball career, what he's been up to since graduating in 2018 and discussed his best memories from his days as a Nittany Lion. (3:00-31:00) Then, BTN researcher Harold Shelton joined to reflect on the craziness of the last two weeks and discussed the new normal of working in the sports industry. Other topics include the ultimate "what-ifs" of the canceled Big Ten and NCAA Tournaments and the impact of transfer news, recruiting and NCAA eligibility rulings since the sports world shut down. (31:45-end)

Michigan State Basketball player Aaron Henry joined the show to discuss how the Spartans are approaching their Big Ten Championship push and how they’re preparing for March Madness. (4:30-11:00) Then, BTN researcher Harold Shelton joined to break down the Big Ten basketball title race and seeding scenarios for the Big Ten Tournament. (11:30-36:00) Then, BTN On-Campus Producers Cory Pontarollo and Conner Hoke hosted a special Big Ten Wrestling Tournament preview with BTN wrestling analyst Shane Sparks. Sparks breaks down each weight class and everything you need to know for this weekend’s tournament at Rutgers. (36:30-1:32:00)

Sam Vecenie, Senior Basketball Writer for The Athletic, joined and discussed which Big Ten teams might make noise in March, where Big Ten stars could get drafted in June and more. (2:00-27:00) Then, BTN researcher Harold Shelton joined to break down the last week and a half of the conference title race and explained Big Ten Tournament seeding and tiebreakers. (28:00-end)

Former Purdue and current Texas Legends guard discussed how he made the All-NBA G-League team in his second year after graduating from Purdue and how he has elevated his game as a pro. (2:45-16:00) Then, BTN researcher Harold Shelton joined to discuss the head coaching transition for Michigan State football and caught us up on the Big Ten basketball title race. (17:00-end)

BTN wrestling analyst Shane Sparks joined the show and discussed his path from selling cars with a different last name as a 20-something to becoming a prominent figure in wrestling media. Plus, Shane discussed the sport's unique influence in Big Ten country. (3:00-28:00) Then, BTN researcher Harold Shelton joined and discuss last week's Wisconsin basketball news before wrapping up with a reflection on the sudden passing of Kobe Bryant. (29:00)

Former Johns Hopkins lacrosse star Paul Rabil joined to discuss how he co-founded the Premier Lacrosse League and how he has marketed the league in non-traditional and creative ways. He also discussed the rise of Big Ten lacrosse and how the additions of schools like Johns Hopkins and Maryland have boosted the conference. (2:30-28:30) Then, BTN researcher Harold Shelton joined to catch us up on the Big Ten basketball race. (29:30-end)

Former Johns Hopkins lacrosse star Paul Rabil joined to discuss how he co-founded the Premier Lacrosse League and how he has marketed the league in non-traditional and creative ways. He also discussed the rise of Big Ten lacrosse and how the additions of schools like Johns Hopkins and Maryland have boosted the conference. (2:30-28:30) Then, BTN researcher Harold Shelton joined to catch us up on the Big Ten basketball race. (29:30-end)

Former Rutgers WR and Mortell Holder of the Year nominee Cole Murphy joins and talks about how he launched a viral campaign to try and win "the Heisman of Holding." Murphy also discusses his journey from Junior College standout to walk-on at Rutgers to scholarship player for the Scarlet Knights.

BTN reporter Andy Katz re-joined the show to discuss his unique role in covering college basketball all over the country across several outlets and mediums. He also chatted about the importance of embracing social media as a reporter and how he balances his responsibilities covering a sport with 350 teams. (2:30-19:30) BTN researcher Harold Shelton joined to reboot the podcast in the New Year and catch up on all things Big Ten basketball, including the evolution of the league into the deepest conference in college hoops. (20:30-end)

Chicago sportswriter and author Ed Sherman re-joined the show and discussed the release of his new book - This is B1G: How the Big Ten Set the Standard in College Sports. The book is an all-encompassing history of the Big Ten, and Sherman shared what went into researching, writing and marketing the book throughout the entire process. (2:30-22:30) Then, BTN researcher Harold Shelton joined to discuss the state of what appears to be a very deep basketball conference in the Big Ten this season and how teams have fared through nearly two months and two league games. Harold also previewed the nine Big Ten bowl games awaiting over the holidays. (23:30-1:03:30)

Former Nebraska wide receiver Kenny Bell joined to discuss his post-football pursuits, his charitable work and his time as a Husker star and fan favorite on campus.

Former Ohio State RB MIke Weber discussed his journey since being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys and his time at Ohio State, including his favorite plays in the backfield as a Buckeye, his experience watching Ohio State on the road to the B1G title game and his explanation of why Ohio State is so successful against Michigan. (1:40-21:20) Then, BTN researcher Harold Shelton joined to break down the B1G Championship Game between Ohio State and Wisconsin in-depth and weigh in on the Big Ten's first month of the season in basketball. (22:20-42:00)

Former Michigan State basketball player Kenny Goins joined to discuss his overseas hoops career and his path since hitting the shot against Duke that helped send the Spartans to the 2019 Final Four. He also shared his perspective on how the Spartan family came together to support Cassius Winston during a time of tragedy. (2:45-19:20) Then, BTN researcher Harold Shelton joined to go in-depth on a huge Rivalry Week in Big Ten football, including The Game in Ann Arbor and The Axe matchup to determine the Big Ten East title. The discussion wrapped up with a status update on Big Ten hoops. (20:20-end)

BTN analyst and former college football coach/player Gerry DiNardo joined and talked about his path to the network and his various stops throughout a lifetime connected to the sport. He also chatted about his passion for cooking, his embrace of social media and his friendship with Urban Meyer before previewing the Penn State vs. Ohio State game this weekend. (1:50-37:50) Then, BTN researcher Harold Shelton joined to break down the recent College Football Playoff rankings and how this weekend’s games could affect the committee’s decisions and the road to the Big Ten Championship game. He also evaluated the start of the Big Ten basketball season and what a couple weeks of evidence tells us about teams so far. (39:00-end)