Cleats by Dre

It took the Knicks' third 20 point comeback win of the playoffs to bring me back to the mic :-) Come along for a bit as I review the inspiring outcomes that transpired over the last 15 minutes of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

An all-time shocker and gut punch. Why I think we lost and quick, early thoughts on what to make of this team and this season.

Andre and his panel of former collegiate misfits return to take a deep dive into Duke’s season, debating where this Duke season stands among the greats - so far. Cooper Flagg’s dominance sparks comparisons to Zion, while Kelly Flagg’s moments lead to a ranking of the all-time Duke family members. The crew then breaks down Duke’s biggest weakness and maps out their tournament path. All in an ultima...

I went to my first Premier League match—West Ham vs. Leicester City at London Stadium—and the experience was unreal, from the electric walk-up to the intense security process that funneled fans in one by one. Inside, 62,500 supporters made a bottom-of-the-table clash feel like a cup final, with nonstop chanting, deep club loyalty, and no distractions like timeouts or hype videos—just pure, unfilte...

The Atlantic Coast Conference is facing an identity crisis, struggling to keep pace in both football and mens basketball as realignment reshapes college sports. Can the conference reclaim its former glory, or is it doomed to fade into irrelevance? I break down what went wrong, what’s next, and whether there’s a path forward.

Miss me? I'm back post-flu and serving you up a Take Quake —six big hitters across Notre Dame football, the Giants, Duke basketball, St. John’s, the Knicks, and the Mets. From ND’s "What If" championship scenario to who the Mets need to trade for NOW, hold onto your butts in this tornado de take-o. Bonus, I also review my fantasy football picks and share Super Bowl watching tips for kids. 4:25 Not...

In this episode, we break down Notre Dame’s upcoming clash against Ohio State in the National Championship. Starting with a quick addendum to the Penn State episode, we shift to the strategic keys Notre Dame needs to execute for a monumental upset, leaving you with your very own "Notre Dame BINGO" card to track towards a win. Tune in for a unique blend of analysis, heart, and interactive fun to pr...

With a slice of pizza and a gatorade zero to fuel me, I break down this incredible Notre Dame Orange Bowl victory through the lens of the top 10 people most responsible, because history is written by conquerors and we are holding the pen! Episode art generated from my best free prompts on ChatGPT. (I've done better.)

In this episode of Cleats by Dre , I reunite with fellow Notre Dame alumni panelists Mike and James to preview the Orange Bowl matchup between the Irish and the Penn State Nittany Lions. We put a bow on the Sugar Bowl win over Georgia, we discuss Marcus Freeman’s evolution as a coach, hand out some overdue flowers to Riley Leonard (including upgrades to our Tebow retail store comparison) and break...

In this episode, I wax poetic about Notre Dame's 23-10 victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, and when a win is attributable to so many different players from so many different angles, the credit and the flowers need to go to the head coach finding his stride: Marcus Freeman. Listen in as I break down how this game showcased how Marcus is putting on a masterclass in six different facets of coachi...

Notre Dame's playoff hopes are alive, I make one of my boldest claims ever about this College Football Playoff, and then dive into what it’ll take for the Irish to knock off Georgia in a high-stakes CFP showdown. First, though, it’s time to honor the one and only Rickey Henderson—a celebration of stolen bases, swagger, and the art of being a true leadoff king. 01:20 Rickey 10:40 Notre Dame v. Indi...

In this episode of Cleats by Dre , I preview the inaugural College Football Playoff first-round matchup on a college campus between Notre Dame and Indiana, hosted in South Bend, Indiana. These collegiate neighbors bring new significance to their histories with the stakes higher than ever, as ND looks to break its postseason slump vs. top ten teams while Indiana attempts to prove itself on the nati...

This episode dives into the Mets' blockbuster acquisition of Juan Soto (!!!) and the bold $765M deal that shook the league. After some quick college football updates, I unpack why I think the Mets won the bidding war, analyze the contract, and wax poetic about what it means for the league - and for me as a fan. (3:10) College Football Talk: Notre Dame, Playoff Seeding, The Tarholes (12:00) Singing...

I dive into the struggles of the New York Jets with my fellow neighborhood dad and longtime Jets fan, James. Together, we dissect the team's disappointing season, rank levels of blame, and try to figure out if we want our kids to root for the poverished teams we follow - or if we follow them to newer pastures. Despite the frustration, we explore where Jets fans might still find hope for the future...

Listen in as I dive into what I’m most thankful for this season across my favorite teams. From a RB's electrifying runs at Notre Dame to the Knicks’ historic offensive evolution, there’s plenty to celebrate—but Duke’s struggles and the Giants’ draft drama add a dose of reality (though a former Cowboy will facilitate the next era). 2:30 Notre Dame's Star To Love 8:30 Tough Lessons To Be Learned For...

The 3 pointer has taken over the NBA full-stop - thrilling youngbloods and frustrating oldbloods alike. In this episode, we dive into its impact on the game, from strategic brilliance to claims of monotony - and make a call as to what, if anything, the league should do. Is the reliance on the long ball elevating basketball—or causing viewers to tune out? (1:15) Weekly Roundup: Catching up on our t...

Today I reunite with some of my Duke crew to preview the Blue Devils' upcoming season. Together, we discuss our fandom, dive into key storylines, look at all the newcomers Coach Scheyer has assembled for his third season, and make some - mostly glowing - predictions. Give a listen to the only panel conversation that can range from KenPom ratings to Shooter II Nightclub ratings. Enjoy some college...

In this episode, we cosplay general manager as we review player-by-player the bountiful MLB offseason free agent market - with projected contracts - and make our picks for how to spend Steve Cohen's money. Juan Soto?!?! What about Pete Alonso?!?! And how about a surprise trade? (1:45) Brief Post-Election Thoughts (7:05) Reviewing The Mets Circumstances And Needs Heading Into The Offseason (19:18)...

In this episode, I explore the impact of narcissistic traits on NBA team dynamics, based on a study analyzing thousands of tweets and profile pictures from the 2013-14 season (be forewarned, Knicks fans). Findings reveal that teams with lower narcissism levels in players tend to coordinate better over time, leading to higher performance and playoff potential. I then ask ChatGPT to identify the mos...

Giants lose. Yankees lose. Knicks lose. On the back of a nail-in-the-coffin Jets loss. We, the New York Delegation, request no more sports equinoxes. We need to stagger these L's. Join me as I commiserate the Jets, Giants, and Yanks one more time before I most likely bid adieu to them until next season. (0:45) No More Equinoxes, Sports Commissioner Sirs (7:00) An Apology to Jets Fans (11:48) Same...

I reconnect with my season preview panel - my business school buds James & Mike - to assess this Notre Dame Football season that has been solid yet unremarkable. We dive into the surprises and struggles, from red zone efficiency to passing game woes, and debate the Irish's playoff chances amid upcoming matchups with both undefeated (?) service academies. First though, I offer a quick recap of...

It's a changing of the guard as I recap a busy New York sports scene, celebrating the Liberty's championship, lamenting the Mets' playoff exit, and previewing the Yankees' World Series hopes. The focus then shifts to getting you ready for the Kniiiiicks, reminding you how last season ended, reviewing the offseason moves, and giving you a few things to look out for in the coming year. (1:44) The Li...

We break down an action-packed week for New York's queens and worker bees, starting with the Liberty's thrilling Game 3 performance as Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart light up the Finals, evoking classic comparables. Meanwhile, the Yankees face a harsh reality check, struggling against the resilient Guardians despite early expectations of an easy series. Lastly, the Mets find themselves on the...

I dive into the thrilling chaos of this past weekend's New York's Sports Equinox, where (at least) six teams were involved in meaningful action across a jam-packed 36 hours. Pressure-packed playoff triumphs for the Mets, Yanks, and Liberty zigged with painful primetime stings for the Jets and Giants and zagged with a budding beacon in the hive in the Knicks, starting their preseason action. Join m...

In this episode, I welcome lifelong Mets fan, former semipro player, and author Steve Bogacz for a conversation on the beauty of baseball and what makes Mets fans unique. We discuss Steve's decades-long love for the game, his book advocating for Keith Hernandez’s Hall of Fame induction, and our thoughts and "OH MY GOD" reactions on the Mets' recent NLDS win over the Phillies. [02:52] Steve Bogacz'...