Kyle, Brust & Nortman

The Bucks get blown out by the Boston Celtics in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return game at Fiserv Forum, and Ben was there for all of it. The guys question the Bucks’ long-term vision and whether this version of the team is going anywhere. Strouf updates the crew on his latest gym session after skipping Monday, and Ben introduces “The Packers Puzzle” — trying to solve what Green Bay’s offseason could realistically look like with limited free agency expectations. Could salary dumps, tough cuts, or bargain shopping be the answer? The hour wraps with the reality of the Packers potentially hunting for value instead of splash signings.

Are You Smarter Than Ben Brust returns as Ben faces Greg in ‘Tosa in the first matchup of March. Then the guys react to Packers Hall of Famer Mark Tauscher saying he’d pursue QB Justin Fields as a 2026 backup option if the price is right — especially after the Malik Willis “rehab project” worked. Tauscher joins to discuss the backup QB position, offensive line and defensive line concerns, and other offseason priorities. The hour ends with Kyle earning the “Kyle Karen” moniker after critiquing office window cleaners for missing a spot.

The Kyle Karen saga continues as the guys debate whether Kyle is simply detail-oriented or just easily irritable. Then they pivot back to Giannis and the Bucks, reacting to Chris Canty saying Giannis should shut it down for the rest of the season because Milwaukee is going nowhere — a take the guys surprisingly agree with. Wheel of Strouf 3.0 covers a fire at Lambeau Field, Bears Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman retiring at 27, and more Strouf fitness fallout. The show wraps with the question: What’s your dream job?

Ben opens the show by addressing the elephant in the room: Strouf skipped his Saturday workout because his arms were sore. But Strouf fires back, claiming he’s now a “revolutionary” after teammates and KBN Nation members say his viral Combine performance inspired them to hit the gym. Callers back up the movement before The Dan LeBatard Show roasts the Strouf Combine nationally. Then the focus shifts to the big news of the day: Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to return after missing 5+ weeks with a calf injury. Is it the right move with the Bucks still outside the Play-In picture? The hour ends with Strouf discussing Caleb Williams retweeting a rude Combine comment — and his decision to donate to Williams’ anti-bullying charity.

The guys react to ESPN 1000’s Marc Silverman claiming the Brewers cursed Wisconsin sports after mocking the Cubs with an “L” flag. Ben calls the take hypocritical, especially after DePaul swept Marquette. Jason Wilde joins to preview Packers Free Agency, discuss potential cap decisions, and temper expectations about splash signings. Kyle and Ben react to the idea that no major moves may be coming. Marc Silverman then calls in to defend his “curse” theory and weigh in on Caleb Williams’ social media moment. The hour wraps with Ben sharing details about being interviewed by the Wall Street Journal regarding his men’s basketball league.

Ben revokes his offer to take Strouf to the Bucks game after Strouf hints at skipping another gym day. Ron in the Kee calls in to propose a charity bet on how often Strouf will actually go to the gym by year’s end. The guys continue discussing Giannis’ return and what it means for both the Play-In race and his long-term future in Milwaukee. Wheel of Strouf 3.0 delivers Dr. Seuss rhymes and news of Rich Bisaccia heading to Clemson. The show wraps with Bryan Bulaga joining — and immediately confronting Strouf about his failed Combine and the fact that Bulaga’s wife brought it up at home.

March Mode is live. ESPN Wisconsin’s Alex Strouf and Wisconsin legend Ben Brust kick off a twice-weekly NCAA Tournament sprint with a full breakdown of the Wisconsin Badgers as March arrives. The Badgers looked like two different teams on the West Coast: a rough loss at Oregon, then a 17-point win at Washington sparked by Braden Carrington’s 32 points and 9 threes. So what does it mean for Wisconsin’s NCAA Tournament seed, their Big Ten Tournament outlook, and the matchups they do (and do not) want? Plus: Ben gives his take on the national title picture, the conferences he trusts most, why he’s skeptical of Duke in March, and quick-hits on Big Ten contenders like Michigan, Illinois, Michigan State, Purdue, Nebraska, and Iowa. Drop your questions in the comments and we’ll hit them on the next episode. Chapters 0:00 March Mode begins 0:56 Badgers: Oregon loss, Washington blowout 2:30 NCAA Tournament seeding: 7 seed vs 6 seed conversation 5:06 Matchups the Badgers should avoid 6:00 Wisconsin’s analytics jump (KenPom/Bart Torvik talk) 10:55 Maryland + Purdue preview 15:20 National contenders and why Ben doubts Duke 22:25 Big Ten “say something nice” lightning round 28:20 Audience questions callout + Ben’s March résumé

Strouf responds to his disastrous Combine performance by hitting leg day — but as Kyle says, “You’re just using the gym as a playground.” The guys critique his first workout before pivoting to the NFLPA Report Card, where the Packers rank 24th and OC Adam Stenavich earns a C from his players. Then it’s time for Bonafide Scrub or Banger as the crew evaluates the Packers’ top-14 salary cap hits for 2026 and debates whether more cuts are coming than fans expect. The hour wraps with dramatic readings of Mean Tweets aimed at Strouf’s viral Combine.

The hour begins with a discussion of homefield advantage and comments from Packers PR Director Aaron Popkey about ticket revocations and fan impact. Then BREAKING NEWS: the Packers hire Cam Achord as their new Special Teams Coordinator. Brad explains why he believes it’s a strong move. The guys debut a new game, GUESS WHO, replaying vague Kyle commentary from earlier in the week. To close the hour, they offer Strouf advice on handling the 1 million views and thousands of brutal responses flooding his timeline.

Tory Lowe Friday kicks off the 4-1-4 Hour as Tory blind reacts to Strouf’s Combine and admits he’s feeling love in the air. Ben puts a prize on the line for Ben’s Best Bet, presented by Potawatomi Casino and Hotel, ahead of Michigan vs. Illinois. Wheel of Strouf 3.0 brings grievances and failed push-ups. The week ends with “Say Something Nice About Strouf” — and Homer boldly wagers $1,000 that he could have Strouf running a 5.7 40-yard dash in six months.

Producer Alex Strouf put his athletic reputation on the line for Combine Day — and KBN Nation was asked to guess what he maxed out at on bench press. The tape doesn’t lie: Strouf couldn’t get 135… or even 95 pounds up. The guys break down his 6.30-second 40-yard dash, broad jump attempt, and compare this year’s performance to last year’s viral three-cone drill meltdown. Over/Under makes an appearance… and quickly flops.

Kyle doubles down on a pre-2025 take: Jordan Love is injury-prone, which is why Packers fans obsess over the backup QB position. Jason Wilde joins to discuss the latest out of Green Bay, including whether RB Josh Jacobs could actually be on the move. Then ESPN Milwaukee boss Greg Scalzo jumps on to explain why his assistant called Ben to ask what bread he prefers on sandwiches — and proceeds to absolutely eviscerate Strouf in the process.

The guys attempt to cheer up Strouf after a brutal Combine performance, while also reacting to the Bucks winning 8 of their last 10 games. Strouf power ranks the top five reasons he’s officially starting to go to the gym and admits he’s hit physical rock bottom. Wheel of Strouf features NFL Report Card grades and Badgers basketball’s 19-point loss at Oregon. The show wraps with Bryan Bulaga breaking down the leaked NFLPA Report Card — including why Matt LaFleur ranked second-to-last in coach respect.

Strouf promised a deep-dive Jordan Morgan film session… and didn’t deliver. The guys react to his bold claim that Morgan is the Packers’ future franchise left tackle and demand receipts. Then, Brian Gutekunst speaks at the NFL Combine about “finishing games” — is that subtle criticism of Matt LaFleur’s coaching? The crew debates Rashan Gary’s future, whether Aaron Banks and Nate Hobbs were mistakes, and if Gutey has truly built a Super Bowl-caliber roster. Mark Tauscher joins to wrap the hour.

The “Wedding of Love and Charity” saga reaches a boiling point as KBN Nation campaigns for invites to Alex Strouf’s 2027 wedding. Greg Scalzo drops in to praise Strouf’s “generosity,” which only escalates the chaos. Emotions flare, alliances shift, and Strouf finally unloads on Ben. Then, after a 2.5-year run, “Hear Brad Out” officially comes to an end — with one final, bougie pillow-themed pitch that splits the room.

The Bucks beat the Heat and suddenly… they’re intriguing again. Kyle wrestles with whether Milwaukee should tank for a top-three pick or chase a playoff run to keep Giannis engaged. The crew debates long-term vs. short-term thinking, and whether a play-in push would help or hurt the franchise. Then the wedding tension explodes, Strouf unloads on Ben in a heated exchange, and the show somehow spirals into existential friendship drama before Homer joins to reflect on Marquette’s long-awaited road win and the emotional impact of A Road at Night.

KBN reacts to Brian Gutekunst’s comments at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, where he said the Packers need to “find a way to close out games.” Is that subtle shade at Matt LaFleur and the coaching staff, or simply accountability for the roster? The guys debate whether the Packers’ issues come down to the ingredients (the players Gutey provides) or the chef (LaFleur and his staff). Then the Voice of Wisconsin Athletics, Matt Lepay, joins to discuss A Road At Night, the powerful documentary on Howard Moore, this year’s Badgers basketball team, and reasons for optimism surrounding Wisconsin football heading into the fall.

It’s another edition of Are You Smarter Than Ben Brust?, featuring guest question-asker Kristin Brey of 620 WTMJ, who plugs Bowling For Babies on March 7th in support of the Milwaukee Diaper Mission. The guys react to more from Gutekunst at the Combine, including his thoughts on first-round WR Matthew Golden’s rookie season and what comes next. Then attention shifts to producer Alex Strouf, who is preparing for the second annual Mr. Irrelevant Combine after last year’s viral disaster. From the three-cone drill to dramatic LinkedIn posts (definitely AI-generated) from Jim Rutledge, the hour is packed with chaos and accountability.

The guys react to Brian Gutekunst saying the Packers never want to “load up the credit card” in free agency in one year — but Kyle argues if there’s ever a time to push chips in, it’s now. The conversation pivots to Gutey’s first-round draft track record, with Strouf passionately defending OT Jordan Morgan as a future franchise left tackle — a promise the guys refuse to forget. Wheel of Strouf features Bears head coach Ben Johnson declaring his dislike for the Packers, and the show wraps with Ben providing an unsolicited update on Strouf’s wedding plans that Strouf may or may not approve of.

The full squad is back together — and Strouf is officially off the market. Fresh from vacation and newly engaged, he answers rapid-fire questions from KBN about the proposal: what went right, what nearly went wrong, and how it feels 10 days later now that reality has set in. Then Ben pivots to a different kind of emotional milestone after rewatching Wisconsin’s heartbreaking 2014 Final Four loss to Kentucky — the final game of his college career — and asks the crew: what’s your biggest sports regret? Brad and Kyle share theirs, and KBN Nation calls in with the moments they still can’t shake. Love, heartbreak, and a little therapy to kick off the hour.