Fresh Takes with Russo & Felice presented by FingerLakes1.com

The NBA takes center court on today's Fresh Takes. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the latest in the playoffs as the Pacers take the first spot in the conference finals. The guys react to the draft lottery as the Mavericks locked in the first overall pick. Lastly, they make their picks for the PGA this weekend at Quail Hollow.

The NBA Playoffs have hit a high gear in the second round. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the crazy round so far as the Knicks look to follow the Pacers lead to taking two from the higher seed. The guys then talk about the Stanley Cup Playoffs with Game Sevens taking place out west. Lastly, the guy review Thunderbolts*, which they saw over the weekend.

It has been an interesting NBA Playoffs so far, but one thing that has caught the eye of many is the intensity amplified. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the perceived increased physicality and chippiness. Next, the guys talk about the NFL Draft and the many storylines including a notable draft slide and prank phone calls. Lastly, the guys discuss the Seneca 7 from this past weekend.

The NFL Draft is this week. Nick Felice and Paul Russo talk about what to expect and whether Nick is excited for the Giants selection. The postseason is here for the NBA and NHL. Nick and Paul discuss the latest in the playoff pictures as the first rounds are being played. This weekend, the Seneca 7 takes its yearly lap around Seneca Lake. The guys talk about the event as Nick will be running, and...

The transfer portal never seems to close. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss what became one of the biggest sports headlines from the weekend as Nico Iamaleava departed Tennessee after holding out from a spring practice. The guys react to the initial news and what to expect now that a whole new way the portal can operate opens. Next, the guys discuss Rory McIlroy clinching the career grand slam in...

The Florida Gators took home their third men's basketball championship this week. Nick Felice and Paul Russo recap the game against Houston and discuss all things related to the Final Four, including Duke's collapse and Houston's handling of the final moments on Monday. The guys discuss Nick's trip to Pittsburgh to watch his beloved Pirates but also feature the controversy surround...

The first full weekend of the MLB season is in the books, and torpedo bats are the talking point. Nick Felice and Paul Russo recap the weekend and debate whether the bats really make a difference or not. The Final Four is set for March Madness, and the guys discuss what to look forward to this weekend, as the bracket has gone chalk for the semifinals for the first time since 2008.

It is a favorite each year on Fresh Takes, the MLB season preview episode. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss all things for the upcoming baseball season. From what to expect in each division to who will come away with the World Series crown, they cover it. The guys also take a few minutes on March Madness with the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight this weekend.

Time to get those brackets busted, it is time for March Madness. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the 2025 edition of the NCAA Tournament. They review which games have their attention and where those potential upsets could come from. They also discuss the latest from the first four games and whether teams deserve to be in the tournament.

March Madness is about to start, and tickets are being punched this week. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss what to look for in conference tournament week leading up to Selection Sunday. The guys debate who will go dancing and who will be left at the door. They also discuss whether the other postseason season tournaments will have the flair they had in the past, thanks to a new tournament based o...

There was no exact plan for Fresh Takes, but it wasn't for long. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discussed the opening season of TGL. The guys talked about the latest from the NFL as they enter a new year and how the NBA is shaping up with 20 games to go. Lastly, Nick pays tribute to Kingda Ka, once the world's tallest roller coaster.

With the 4 Nations in the rearview mirror, the NHL has the headlines once again. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss Capitals' legend Alex Ovechkin nearing Wayne Gretzky's all-time career goals tally. Meanwhile, a couple of veterans in the MLB and NFL are potentially on the move. The guys talk about whether Matthew Stafford departs the Rams via trade and if we will see Nolan Arenado outside...

The first weekend of 2025 without football didn't leave much to not be discussed. Nick Felice and Paul Russo talk about the 4 Nations Face-Off as it has gripped much of the talking points across sports. At the same time, the NBA had another clunker of an All-Star Weekend, the guy discuss if anything can save the NBA from a similar fate the NFL had with the Pro Bowl. Next the guys talk about th...

No three-peat in the NFL, as the Eagles defeated the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Nick Felice and Paul Russo recap the game and what were the key differences in a game that ultimately wasn't all that close. With no football now, the guys shift focus to baseball and NASCAR as the sports descend upon Florida and Arizona to get their season underway.

It is Super Bowl week which means it is the podcast all about the big game. Nick Felice and Paul Russo look at the championship game for the NFL and discuss what to expect, who will be the x-factors, and some of the best and most unique bets to make. The guys then make their predictions for the game and who will win. Before the podcast wraps up, Nick and Paul discuss an already active NBA trade de...

The Chiefs made it through the AFC again, and the Eagles make another appearance in the Super Bowl. Nick Felice and Paul Russo recap Conference Championship games in the NFL as Kansas City and Philadelphia will meet next week in the Super Bowl. The guys also do a whip around of other sports during a slower week in the sports world.

The Washington Commanders surprised the NFL and joined the Chiefs, Bills, and Eagles in Conference Championship Sunday. Nick Felice and Paul Russo recap the Divisional Round and look ahead to this weekend with the Super Bowl waiting in the wings for two teams. Next, the guys discuss the latest in the hoops world as the NBA races to the trade deadline and college basketball is making headlines for...

The football gods blessed fans this year craving for the good old days. Nick Felice and Paul Russo recap Wild Card Weekend in the NFL that saw the Commanders win a playoff game for the first time in 20 years, the Bills roll the Broncos, and leave many people wondering if there will be any magic in the Divisional Round. The College Football Playoff Championship Game is set in Atlanta as Notre Dame...

Playoff football is now in full effect nationwide, as the NFL heads to Wild Card Weekend. Nick Felice and Paul Russo preview the weekend ahead to see who will head to the Divisional Round. The guys turn to college football as Thursday's College Football Playoff Semifinal begins. They preview those games as well and make their picks for the week.

The College Football Playoff quarterfinal round saw upsets in all four games, as the lower seeds took down the top four seeds in the playoff. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the rust vs. rest debate and what these games showed for future teams in the playoff. The guys then talk about the NFL where they enter the final week of the regular season with spots in the postseason and seedings on the l...

It has been a busy week with football nearly every day. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the NFL from Week 16 and into Week 17 with the NFL on Christmas. The guys talk whether it was a success and if we will see more of it in the future. In the college football world, the first round of the College Football Playoff left much to be desired, but the discussion around it has been less than ideal. N...

The newest form of the College Football Playoff gets underway this weekend. Nick Felice and Paul Russo preview the games that will set the quarterfinals. The guys discuss Week 15 in the NFL which saw the Bills continue their offensive onslaught and the Falcons making a tough decision about what to do at quarterback. Nick and Paul make their picks and recap the NBA Cup.

Football news never takes a break, even during a silent week. Bill Belichick is heading to the college ranks as the new head coach for UNC. Nick Felice and Paul Russo break down that news and the College Football Playoff that saw chaos erupt on Saturday and Sunday. They next focus on the NFL as the Bills fell to the Rams, the Chiefs snuck out another win, and the final push to the postseason began...

Thanksgiving weekend gave plenty to talk about in the football world. Nick Felice and Paul Russo recap the NFL in Week 13 saw a second snow game of the season and a restart of discussion on quarterback safety. Next, the guys move on to college football where Syracuse flipped the College Football Playoff discussion. The guys make their picks for the week and discuss the latest college hoops.

Nick Felice and Paul Russo give thanks a day early this week on Fresh Takes. The guys dive into Week 12 of the NFL recapping all the action from around the league. Next, they visit college football as the playoff picture got thrown for an even crazier loop following several upsets. Finally, they make their picks for the week and discuss what they'll be up to on Thanksgiving.