On today’s episode of Longshore and McKnight, John and Barry break down Alabama and Auburn’s latest basketball matchups as Auburn prepares to host Arkansas and Alabama faces a tough road test at Missouri in frigid conditions!

They also walk through Alabama football’s recruiting struggles under DeBoer, who faces criticism for losing top in-state talent to Auburn.

CJ Duncan, a former Vanderbilt player, returns to the program to share his experience of growing up an Auburn fan but struggling to get a response from the Tigers’ staff during recruitment. He also weighs in on the shifting landscape of college football, arguing that NIL and the transfer portal have weakened player loyalty, making in-state recruiting less critical than it once was.

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The conversation expands to the SEC and Big Ten’s push for expanded College Football Playoff control, as the two power conferences meet in New Orleans to discuss reshaping the postseason system.

Duncan warns that while playoff expansion generates excitement, too many first-round matchups have been lopsided, raising concerns about further dilution. He also highlights the importance of team culture and trust, noting that Notre Dame’s chemistry helped them overachieve despite not being the most talented team. Meanwhile, Troy basketball sits in a four-way tie for first in the Sun Belt, with key home games and a Trojan Mardi Gras event planned.

They also discuss Alabama’s new Fox Nation docuseries called “The Tides that Bind” premiering tonight.