NBC’s John Fanta is one of the most well-respected college basketball minds in the world.
But after going head-to-head with one of Barstool Sports’ most knowledgeable ball knowers, Liam Blutman, Fanta might have lost his crown.
Before the tournament began, Fanta joined Fox’s daily morning show “Wake Up Barstool” to discuss all things March Madness.
During the segment debating which No. 1 or No. 2 seed could be eliminated before the first weekend ended, Barstool’s Blutman brought up the Iowa Hawkeyes as a possible difficult opponent for the Florida Gators to face in the second round.
Fanta, reacting as if he had just been told that a group of grade schoolers could beat the Oklahoma City Thunder, stood aghast at the prediction.
“Are you trying to become the Barstool college basketball guy?” Fanta asked Blutman. “Come on. You think Iowa has a chance to take down Florida?”
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Fanta then turned around and asked bystanders at the airport terminal he was filming from if they thought Iowa had a chance against Florida.
“Hey, listen, listen,” Fanta continued with Blutman. “If you think Iowa is going to have a real opportunity against Florida, child, please.”
Although the cast of Wake Up Barstool cackled at Fanta’s response, it turned out that Blutman would come out the victor on Sunday night as Iowa did, in fact, upset Florida in the second round.
It didn’t take long after the Hawkeyes put away the Gators for Iowa fans to find the clip of Fanta chastising Blutman, wanting apologies from the NBC broadcaster for his overconfident words.
No. 9 Iowa will now face off with No. 4 seed Nebraska for a ticket to the Elite 8, in what will be the most football-looking scorebug for a Sweet 16 game in NCAA history.
