Fresh Takes Presented By Fingerlakes1.com

It has been a remarkable run for the teams from South Florida this postseason run in the NBA and NHL. Paul Russo and Nick Felice discuss the Miami Heat's underdog run to the NBA Finals where they'll take on the Denver Nuggets. The guys preview the series and make their predictions. The NHL has seen the Florida Panthers topple the giants in the east and now the Vegas Golden Knights await them in the Stanley Cup Finals. Paul and Nick talk about the series ahead and make another set of predictions.

Paul Russo and Nick Felice are pitted against each other in the NBA Playoffs as the Heat and Knicks go at it in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The guys talk about the series and why it has the impact it has on this playoff run and the legacy of the league. They also talk about the other matchups in this round and what to expect from each series. The MLB season is a month in and there have been many surprises so far. Paul and Nick discuss how the early games have gone and what teams and players are making the most headlines. They talk about whether the rules are impacting the game the way they were intended and how the viewing experience has been so far.

It has been an exciting time in the sports world, and Paul Russo and Nick Felice have plenty to cover on this edition of Fresh Takes. The NBA Playoffs have offered no shortage of drama, on and off the court. The guys talk about the surprises so far in the playoffs. They also talk about Dillon Brooks and the whirlwind of a week he's had by putting himself in the spotlight. The NFL Draft begins on Thursday in Kansas City. Paul and Nick discuss the top prospects and where to expect them to go. They also talk about the QB merry-go-round at the top of the board as each top potential pick has been rumored to go to Carolina.

The winter sports leagues have made it to spring, which means it is playoff time. Paul Russo and Nick Felice look at the major talking points already being created in the first round. They look at the NBA where the Draymond Green stomping incident has taken center stage. Paul and Nick offer their thoughts on the series as a whole and what leads to a situation like that. They take a look at the rest of the playoffs where the Knicks and Cavs are tied up at a game apiece, the Heat upsetting the Bucks in game one, and all the other series. Nick's teams are having a moment, as the Rangers bounced on the Devils. Elsewhere in the NHL, it has been a joined effort as the underdogs are showing their bark and bite in the first round. Paul and Nick talk about how the Stanley Cup Playoffs allow the underdogs to have a chance and how it makes for the ultimate viewing experience. Before wrapping up the podcast, Paul and Nick look at the current season of The Masked Singer and offer their thoughts on it so far. Th

It was another exciting conclusion to March Madness over the weekend. Paul Russo and Nick Felice discuss the UConn Huskies winning their fifth national title, as within the past 25 years. They look at whether in the basketball scope if there are a power five conferences anymore with the rise of the new Big East. The guys also talk about the LSU Tigers beating the Iowa Hawkeyes for the women's crown and what they make out of Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark's antics. The NBA is only a matter of days away from the playoffs. Paul and Nick talk about the picture currently and where things stand. They also discuss the Knicks locking in a spot in the playoff and already knowing who their opponent will be. They wrap up the show with Paul talking about his trip down to Richmond for the NASCAR races last weekend.

Paul Russo and Nick Felice are in studio for a fresh edition of Fresh Takes. They start with the Final Four and the unusual but awesome set of teams in. The guys discuss everything about the games and who they hope to see in the championship on Monday night. Paul and Nick then turn their focus to the MLB as it is Opening Day. The look ahead to the season on the diamond and make their picks and predictions.

It has been another exciting week in the sports world and Paul Russo and Nick Felice are ready to discuss on this edition of Fresh Takes. March Madness certainly lived up to the billing. The guys talk about the first weekend and the huge upset of Purdue losing to Fairleigh Dickinson. Paul and Nick also look at the blue bloods losing in the first weekend and how their experience with producer Nate Sharman went at the first-round games in Albany. The guys also touch on the coaching carousel as Rick Pitino is back in the Big East, Georgetown landing their guy, and Nick's Notre Dame squad found their new general. The World Baseball Classic came to its conclusion Tuesday night when Japan beat the USA 3-2. Paul and Nick discuss the headline-making final game, as well as the criticisms they have with the tournament as it stands. To wrap up the show, the guys discuss their weekend in the Capital Region covering the high school basketball state championships that included seeing the Waterloo girls take home t

It is one of the most exciting times on Fresh Takes, March Madness is officially underway.  Paul Russo and Nick Felice take a deep dive into the bracket of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.  The guys discuss who has an inside track to the Final Four.  They also look at the contenders and pretenders in the four different regions.  Paul and Nick debate the best games this weekend and make their picks for the next few days and who will come out on top.  They also talk about their brackets and what stood out to the when making their picks.

It has been a busy week for the guys at Fresh Takes.  Paul Russo and Nick Felice get down to business starting with Jim Boeheim.  The legendary Syracuse coach stepped down from his position following the Orange's loss to Wake Forest in the ACC tournament.  The guys discuss his legacy and the announcement itself which has raised some eyebrows.  The World Baseball Classic has started, the first since 2017.  Paul and Nick talk about the tournament which is baseball's international gem.  They look at what to expect and what teams to keep an eye on.  The guys also talk about the number of major leaguers playing in the tournament this year and why that is a major positive.  Paul and Nick finish with more college basketball as tickets are being punched during conference tournament week.

This week's edition of Fresh Takes may be the only sports podcast not talking Aaron Rodgers and his stranglehold on the NFL.  Paul Russo and Nick Felice are ready however to talk more basketball.  The NBA has had an eventful week and a half post All-Star break.  The guys discuss a couple streaking teams in the east.  Paul and Nick look at the Knicks and talk whether or not their winning streak is legitimate or fool's gold.  With some conference tournaments already started, the guys tackle college basketball once again.  Syracuse has had their worst stretch of basketball perhaps ever.  Paul and Nick talk about the growing frustration in the fanbase as a lone regular season game remains.  The guys look at potential top-seed Alabama and how their season is officially lost because of the administration and coach's decisions on Brandon Miller.  Wrapping up, the guys talk sectional basketball after running in to each other over the course of the past few days of semifina

Paul Russo and Nick Felice are in the studio for an all-new Fresh Takes.  The guys get to business with the NBA All-Star Weekend out in Salt Lake City.  They discuss the overall product of the weekend as it stands right now.  With the competitions on Saturday and "game" on Sunday, they talk about whether a change is needed before the weekend ultimately becomes the Pro Bowl, if it hasn't already.  College basketball enters its final days of regular season play.  Paul and Nick talk about whether there are any true leaders of the pack as February winds down.  The guys also discuss the climate of the sport, as comments about NIL and players making headlines for all the wrong reasons take center court.  They also touch on the local high school basketball scene as post-season has begun and what they look forward to most in the coming 10 days of play.

The Chiefs and the Eagles left it all on the field in Super Bowl LVII on Sunday.  Paul Russo and Nick Felice recap the big game from kick-off to the Fail Mary.  The guys discuss if the defensive holding call will continue to overshadow what was a great game played on the field.  They also talk about the halftime show which saw Rihanna perform live for the first time since 2018.  Pitchers and catchers have reported for major league teams in Arizona and Florida.  Paul and Nick talk about if they take this as a sign of spring.  They also talk about the rule changes coming for the MLB this year and how they feel about them.  NASCAR starts its season this weekend in Florida with the Daytona 500.  Paul and Nick talk about the season coming up and preview the Great American Race on Sunday.T

A personal favorite of hosts Paul Russo and Nick Felice, Super Bowl Spectacular V of Fresh Takes is ready to tackle all things Super Bowl LVII.  From the actual game on the field and the key players and factors to their favorite bets and props of the game, they'll cover it all.  The guys also talk about the halftime show which is headlined by Rihanna and what they look forward to on gameday from food to squares.  The NBA trade deadline has already been exciting.  Paul and Nick discuss the Nets active week which has now seen not only Kyrie Irving on the move but also Kevin Durant.  The guys wonder what other moves we may see as big names have been moved and could continue to be moved by the time the deadline comes and goes.

After his week sabbatical, Nick Felice returns to join Paul Russo on Fresh Takes.  The guys get right to the business of breaking down NFL Championship Weekend which saw the Eagles dominate the 49ers and the Chiefs outlasting the Bengals.  The guys breakdown the games and discuss their biggest takeaways from the games.  College basketball's parity is officially on full display.  A full succession circle between all teams has been completed by the start of February.  Paul and Nick talk about the season and if the past few weeks have shown them anything in terms of favorites for March.  NASCAR returns this Sunday with the Busch Clash at the Coliseum.  Paul and Nick talk about the race from two different perspectives as the motorsports season gets rolling in the United States.

The NFL playoffs are near the end of the line as the championship games for the conferences are set.  Paul Russo is joined by producer Nate Sharman and Josh Durso with Nick Felice out for the day.  The guys get down to business discussing the games from the Divisional Round including the snow fest in Buffalo between the Bills and Bengals.  The guys also discuss what from the games stood out, and for the teams advancing what needs to be improved by Sunday in order to lock in their ticket to the Super Bowl.  Paul, Josh, and Nate make their picks for the final Sunday of multiple football games until September.  The All-Star break is closing in on the NHL, Paul, Josh, and Nate talk about what this season has stood out to them.  They also discuss the Sabres surprise season so far as the young core of skaters punch above their weight class.  To finish the show, the guys offer their thoughts on the Baseball Hall of Fame voting as Scott Rolen is the lone member to be inducted from t

The NFL Playoffs heading into the divisional round take center stage on Fresh Takes.  Paul Russo and Nick Felice first look back at the crazy Super Wild Card Weekend.  They then head into discussing the games ahead and what could be factors that impact each game.  Lastly, the guys make their picks for who will advance to championship Sunday next week.  The NBA is nearing the trade deadline and the rumor mill is turning.  Paul and Nick talk about where their favorite teams stand and what improvements they'd like to see to the roster.  They also look around the league as a whole and predict who may be on the move to a new city.

College football fans were left wanting something better Monday night as Georgia routed TCU to earn their second straight title.  Paul Russo and Nick Felice look back at the game and what possibly went wrong for the Horned Frogs.  The guys also discuss the legacy of this era of Georgia football and where key figures like Kirby Smart and Stetson Bennett rank.  The NFL playoffs begin this weekend.  Paul and Nick look back at the entertaining Sunday night that cost the Packers a playoff spot and saw Seattle sneak in.  They look at the games for Wild Card Weekend and predict who will advance to the Divisional Round.  The Carlos Correa saga has finally ended with the shortstop signing back with the Minnesota Twins.  Paul and Nick offer their thoughts on the situation and if anything was learned from the ordeal to make sure this doesn't happen again.

In what many thought to be an unreal sports weekend, it quickly became one that they wish didn't happen.  FingerLakes1.com's Paul Russo and Nick Felice from the Finger Lakes Times discuss everything that occurred.  The game on the field took a backseat Monday night when Bills Safety Damar Hamlin collapsed after tackling Tee Higgins.  Paul and Nick talk about how they felt, how the teams handled the situation, what the next steps could be, and the latest on Hamlin's condition.  They also talk about the other storylines from the weekend and make their week 18 picks.  The College Football Playoff had its most exciting semifinals to date. TCU upset Michigan and Georgia survives a missed field by Ohio State at the stroke of midnight.  Paul and Nick recap the games and offer an analysis of the championship to be played on Monday night.  With conference play in full swing, the guys wrap up the show looking at the college hoops scene.  Paul and Nick debate whether the ACC is wi

There is plenty to get to following the Christmas weekend on Fresh Takes.  FingerLakes1.com's Paul Russo and Finger Lakes Times' Nick Felice look at the football action starting with the ongoing QB saga with the Jets.  The guys look at the major weather games which included some of the coldest games in NFL history.  Paul and Nick make their picks for a pivotal week 17 of the season.  College football is nearing its conclusion, with the major bowl games looming this weekend.  Paul and Nick look at the games and break down what to expect.  The guys also look towards their squads' games with Syracuse in the Pinstripe Bowl and Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl.  Paul and Nick wrap up the podcast with a brief discussion on the ongoing Carlos Correa issue with his leg and now problems with the agreed deal with the Mets.  They also review the movie Violent Night which Paul and Nick saw on Christmas.

Although not the true North American sports equinox, the action is everywhere, and the Fresh Takes crew is ready to discuss all the main headlines.  The NFL had one of its more exciting weekends of the season so far.  Paul Russo and Nick Felice dive into Baker Mayfield's historic game-winning drive on Thursday Night Football.  Joe Burrow finally defeated the Browns, and the Bills took more than just a win from the Jets.  The guys make their week 15 picks as the playoffs draw ever closer.  A smaller week of college football awaits as bowl mania begins.  Paul and Nick look at a couple of the unique games this weekend including the Fenway Bowl and its odd history.  They also share their thoughts on Mike Leach after he passed away Monday night.  Fresh Takes wraps up with a look at the NBA as a third of the season is already behind us.  Paul and Nick also talk a little Would Cup as the final is set between France and Argentina.