Best Podcasts on NCAA March Madness Brackets
Updated: Mar 17, 2026 – 10 episodes
The NCAA has released the brackets for the upcoming March Madness tournament, highlighting key matchups such as Kentucky facing Santa Clara. This annual event is significant for sports fans and media, drawing attention from tech companies involved in sports analytics and streaming services.
For a deep dive into Kentucky's March Madness prospects, KSR is your go-to. They argue that Kentucky's matchup against Santa Clara is favorable, with episodes highlighting why fans shouldn't be worried. Start with their episode discussing Santa Clara's weaknesses and Kentucky's strengths. Club Shay Shay offers a broader perspective on the unpredictability of March Madness, perfect if you're looking for a more neutral take. Cover 3 College Football also weighs in on Santa Clara's chances, suggesting they're unlikely to beat both Iowa State and Kentucky.
Listen to the Playlist
Ridealong has curated the best podcasts and clips about NCAA March Madness brackets announced with Kentucky vs. Santa Clara matchup. Listen now.
Podcast Episodes Covering This Story
“I prefer Santa Clara as a first-round matchup. Central Florida is very athletic. They're in the Big 12. They're used to playing very athletic teams. I thought that they would be a team that could easily give us problems. For me, they were, Drew, like a Georgia in the sense of if we didn't play well, they would just beat us because it's not like we're going to overwhelm them with athleticism or anything.”
Ridealong summary
The excitement for Kentucky's matchup against Santa Clara is justified as it offers a favorable first-round opponent compared to other potential draws.
“I feel better about the game today than I even did yesterday. I don't understand everybody's fretting. Don't get me wrong. We could still definitely lose because this team has shown they can lose to a lot of teams. But we are better than them. And if we play the way we should, we will win. Drew, is that how you feel going into it? I feel pretty good.”
Ridealong summary
Kentucky should confidently beat Santa Clara despite recent disappointments, as they are the stronger team and should not be intimidated.
“Listen, hey, y'all don't understand. It's only one game. The way you think things are going to go, it never happens the way you think it's going to go. I already know you're over there picking mascots. I know you don't know what's going on. Hey, he's like, who mascot look the best? All right, Joe has Duke, Ohio State, St. John's, Kansas, Louisville, Michigan State, UCLA, and UConn to advance in the first round.”
Ridealong summary
The unpredictability of March Madness brackets means that even well-thought-out predictions often don't pan out as expected.
“Give Kentucky credit for them to find a way to get this game into overtime and then win it in overtime speaks volumes to this team. Yeah. I thought that Kentucky got lucky, bro. They got lucky. Hey, I'm rooting for the SEC throughout the whole tournament, but Santa Clara had them on their heels. The whole game. Yeah, the entire game, and they was able to rally back.”
Ridealong summary
Kentucky's win over Santa Clara was more about luck and resilience than dominance, highlighting the unpredictability of March Madness.
“College sports are changing in real time. We saw that, certainly the ripple effects with NIL, and in football, NIL, you've got more talent being spread out around the country and that paves the way for a story like Indiana football. But if you look at college basketball for the first time since 2008, the four number one seeds reached the final four last season and that kind of bracket chalk is rare.”
Ridealong summary
NIL deals are redistributing talent across college sports, potentially making top-heavy brackets more common in March Madness.
“"The difference that NIL is making in college football to college basketball today is what? It's similar. I think we're seeing across the power conferences that talent is spread out more. You can't stockpile like you used to. I don't think there's enough data to make a conclusion on what's going on with the lower conferences."”
Ridealong summary
NIL deals are spreading talent across power conferences, disrupting traditional team dynamics and making college basketball more competitive.
“"I do fear we're entering a phase of college basketball where dominant teams are just going to be that dominant with NIL money... the rich are going to get richer so I feel like we might start to lose some March Madness magic."”
Ridealong summary
The NIL era may lead to dominant teams becoming even more dominant, potentially diminishing the unpredictability and magic of March Madness.
“"Santa Clara should have won and they just oh it was brutal... that was though peak madness just an incredible the the buzzer beater go to overtime half court heave... people essentially just have an entire morning on Saturday decide that they're going to say march madness is dead... I still watched every game I enjoyed it."”
Ridealong summary
March Madness remains thrilling despite criticisms about NIL and the transfer portal, with the Kentucky vs. Santa Clara game exemplifying the tournament's unpredictability and excitement.
“Santa Clara is going to be a trendy pick here, but I don't see Santa Clara beating both Iowa State and Kentucky. Wouldn't shock me if they beat Kentucky, but I don't think they will. Double digit seeds right now I'm gonna go with Troy I think Troy is a team that people need to look at just because I think Nebraska has tapered off down the stretch.”
Ridealong summary
Santa Clara is unlikely to beat both Iowa State and Kentucky, despite being a trendy pick.
“All right, the ten seeds. This would be you'd have to play one of these in the first round. NC State, Central Florida, St. Louis, Santa Clara. I ain't scared of any of those. Give me one of them. Which one? St. Louis. St. Louis is probably the one you'd want the most. Santa Clara, even NC. I mean, honestly, any of those. They can sneak up and get you. You've got to win, though.”
Ridealong summary
The Kentucky vs. Santa Clara matchup is not particularly concerning for Kentucky fans, who are more focused on potential second-round opponents like Houston or Iowa State.