Fresh Takes Presented By Fingerlakes1.com

College football is officially back in 2025. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the season ahead and make their first round of picks with Week 0 kicking off on Saturday. The guys also discuss Watkins Glen from a couple of weeks ago, the new 2026 NASCAR schedule, and Minor League Baseball after making a trip to Syracuse this week.

NASCAR is making their annual journey to the Finger Lakes this weekend at Watkins Glen International. Paul Russo and Nick Felice preview the weekend ahead as the four national touring series prepare to make the lefts and rights at the birthplace of American road racing. The guys also begin with a review of the new Fantastic Four movie.

The MLB stove is getting hot with the trade deadline at the doorstep. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the latest as teams look to buy and sell. NASCAR makes its annual trip to the Finger Lakes next week. The guys preview the race weekend at Watkins Glen.

The MLB All Star Game had its first-ever swing-off to determine the winner on Tuesday night. Nick Felice and Paul Russo react to the game and the weekend as a whole as the league shifts to new partners next season. A new season of Big Brother kicked off last week, and Nick and Paul discuss what they expect to happen this season in the house.

It is the final podcast for Fresh Takes heading into the summer schedule. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the latest in the world of baseball. The guys do a movie review of F1 and discuss what they have planned for the holiday weekend.

The sports world is off to the summer with the Thunder winning the NBA Finals. Nick Felice and Paul Russo react to the seven-game series that left some fans wanting more following an injury to Pacers' star Tyrese Haliburton. The guys discuss the NBA Draft that begins on Wednesday night, the NASCAR In-Season Tournament, and baseball headlines to keep an eye on.

The Florida Panthers are back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the series that saw the Panthers repeat on the Oilers, and what it means for the sport. The guys then turn to the NBA Finals as the Thunder look to close out the series against the Pacers on Thursday night. The guys also talk about the US Open and JJ Spaun clutching up on the back nine on Oakmont during the final round to win the third major of the year.

The championship series for the NBA and NHL rolls on. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the games so far and what to expect the rest of the way. The guys discuss Paul's trip to Michigan for the NASCAR Cup race and a slight rule change in college basketball.

The NBA landscape changed greatly in a week. Nick Felice and Paul Russo preview the NBA Finals between the Pacers and Thunder, which feature small markets on the big stage. The guys also react to the Knicks firing Tom Thibodeau following their loss in the Eastern Conference Finals. Nick and Paul discuss the rematch in the Stanley Cup Finals between the Oilers and Panthers, and Paul is on the road this weekend for NASCAR in Michigan.

The conference finals in the NBA and NHL are nearing conclusions, with varying storylines in each series. Nick Felice and Paul Russo discuss the Knicks and Timberwolves looking to extend their seasons on the brink of elimination. In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Carolina finally won a game in the conference finals, but it may be too little, too late against the Panthers. The Stars also look to extend their series against the Oilers as they look to return to the Stanley Cup Final with a potential rematch against the Panthers.

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 Paul will be driving a team during the event.

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 golf by finally winning The Masters. Lastly, Paul recaps his trip to Bristol for the NASCAR weekend.

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 surrounding the team's handling of the Clemente Wall in right field. Lastly, Paul previews his trip this weekend to Bristol Motor Speedway.

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 on NIL. With the new NFL year here, Nick and Paul discuss the early surprises from the opening days of moves.