The Matt Cave
The Voice for all things Utah sports, Matt gives you his unedited and unbridled opinion on the current events around the state. Sprinkled in are video game reviews and talk about important national sports stories. Listen now and become a spelunker today!
BYU’s Reality Check, Utah State Takes Control, and the Utah Mammoth’s Costly Collapse
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This week on The Matt Cave Podcast, Matt breaks down a tough reality check for BYU basketball after a brutal Big 12 stretch reveals the team’s true ceiling. With expectations sky-high, Matt explains why BYU is still ahead of schedule and why perspective matters when an 18-year-old star is carrying the weight of a program.
Utah State, meanwhile, has officially separated itself as the class of the Mountain West. After a statement win over San Diego State, the Aggies look like legitimate favorites to win both the regular season and conference to...
Holy War Redux, the Jazz’s Tank Note Era, and a Mammoth Team Ready to Move
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In this episode of The Matt Cave Podcast, Matt dives headfirst into a full Utah sports spiral! Starting with college basketball and ending with a full-on plea for the Utah Mammoth to stop waiting and make a move.
Matt breaks down Utah State’s sudden stumble after earning national respect, reacts to the final Holy War of the season as BYU takes down Utah behind a historic night from AJ Dybantsa, and takes a realistic look at where Utah basketball stands in year one of a rebuild that’s going to requ...
Transfer Dust Settling, Basketball Reality Checks, and a Red-Hot Utah Mammoth
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The transfer portal door may be closed, but the ripple effects are still shaping Utah and BYU heading into next season. Matt breaks down where both programs stand, why BYU’s talent retention under Kalani Sitake continues to separate them nationally, and how Utah has quietly reloaded after significant departures.
The episode then shifts to the Utah Mammoth, who are riding one of the best stretches in the NHL and holding firm in the playoff picture. Defensive consistency, unexpected contributors, and looming trade deadline questions take center stage as Utah proves it...
BYU’s Portal Masterclass, Holy War Hoops Chaos, Utah State’s Rise & Mammoth Momentum
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This week’s episode of The Matt Cave Podcast is packed with storylines across Utah sports.
The show opens with a full transfer portal breakdown across Utah State, Utah, and BYU — including why Kalani Sitake’s ability to retain elite talent has been one of the most impressive developments of the offseason. While there are still fair questions about BYU’s defensive coordinator hire, the overall roster retention and portal additions put the Cougars in an outstanding position heading into next season.
From there, the focus shifts to the <...
BYU’s DC Options, Utah’s Coaching Exodus, Mammoth Inconsistency & AJ Dybantsa’s Rise | Utah Sports to Start 2026
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The first episode of 2026 is a full-state check-in on Utah sports — and it starts with BYU finally having real options.
Matt breaks down the Cougars’ defensive coordinator search and explains why this hire is different from past cycles, with deep dives on Shaun Nua, Vic So’oto, Gary Andersen, Justin Ena, and why an in-house move would be settling. From there, the focus shifts north to a University of Utah program in flux, examining the coaching exodus to Michigan, the loss of elite offensive line development, roster depart...
Utah Football’s Bowl Finale, BYU & Aggies Predictions, Jazz Defensive Collapse, Mammoth Playoff Fight & A Thank You Message
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It’s the final Matt Cave Sunday of the year, so buckle up — because we’re hitting every major Utah team before we head into 2026.
Matt starts things off with bowl season, where Utah State gets a legit coin-flip matchup with Washington State, BYU gets a winnable showdown with Georgia Tech, and Utah walks into Kyle Whittingham’s last-ever game as a 16.5-point favorite in the Las Vegas. Then we jump to college hoops:
Utah State looks like the class of the Mountain West.Utah gears up for B...“Stepping Down” Isn’t Retiring, Bowl Season Apathy, and a Rare Win for the VGAs
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This week’s episode of The Matt Cave Podcast opens with a deep dive into the University of Utah’s oddly worded announcement that Kyle Whittingham is “stepping down” — not retiring — and why the timing of that decision raises real questions. With a $500 million private equity partnership suddenly entering the picture, Matt breaks down why the language matters, why the silence around it is strange, and why the story may not be as simple as it seems.
From there, the show turns to bowl season — and whether it has meant anything...
Championship Weekend Chaos, Utah Hoops Heating Up, Mammoth Meltdowns & a Must-Play Game Review
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This week on The Matt Cave, Matt's doing a full post-mortem on Championship Weekend…and folks, woof barely covers it. BYU walked into a Texas Tech buzzsaw with a one-legged freshman quarterback and left with a reminder of what a real championship roster looks like. Kalani isn’t going anywhere (and never was), and the Cougars now have their blueprint for the future, whether they like it or not.
Then we move into college basketball, where the Utes are confusing, Utah State is quietly becoming a wagon, and BYU Hoops looks like...
Utah Beats Kansas, BYU Surges, and Why Matt Says the CFP Committee Is Completely Broken
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In this week’s post-Thanksgiving episode of The Matt Cave, Matt delivers a full therapy session for Utah sports fans. He breaks down Utah State’s collapse in peak Bronco Mendenhall fashion, Utah’s narrow escape against Kansas, and BYU’s early-morning sleepwalk that turned into a dominant win to reach 11–1 heading into Championship Week.
Matt then unloads on the College Football Playoff Committee — calling out the contradictions, the SEC favoritism, and the outright nonsense surrounding strength of record, game control, and why certain teams (looking at you, Notre Dame) stay ranked witho...
Everyone Wins in Utah: BYU’s Statement Win, Utah’s Wild Finish, and Utah State Becomes Bowl Eligible
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Happy Thanksgiving, Spelunkers! 🦃 This week on The Matt Cave, Utah sports actually had a rare, beautiful moment — everybody won. BYU basketball handled Wisconsin in a revenge spot, Utah State became bowl eligible with a wild second-half turnaround, Utah pulled off a chaotic thriller against Kansas State, and BYU football got carried to victory by an absolutely monstrous performance from LJ Martin.
I break down:
BYU men’s basketball locking down Wisconsin with shockingly elite defenseUtah State shocking Fresno and keeping Mountain West title hopes aliveUtah surviving a back...Utah Football Runs Wild, BYU Rebounds, and Mammoth Fans Need to Chill
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This week on The Matt Cave, Matt breaks down another eventful weekend in Utah sports, featuring decisive wins, late-season drama, and some much-needed perspective for Mammoth fans.
The episode opens with Utah State’s double-overtime loss to UNLV, a game that perfectly showcased the traditional Bronco Mendenhall script: competitive, gritty, and frustratingly close. With Fresno State and Boise State left, the Aggies still have a narrow path to bowl eligibility, but the margin for error is gone.
From there, Matt dives into Utah’s dominant rushing perf...
BYU’s Ceiling, Utah’s Chances, and the Mammoth’s Brutal Schedule — The Bad Weekend in Utah Sports
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This weekend was one of those weekends in Utah sports.
BYU got humiliated on a national stage — again — and I’ve got some words for the coaches, the offensive line, and a fanbase that needs to calm down. Utah’s Big 12 hopes? Barely alive, but technically still breathing. Utah State? Quietly rolling and one win from bowl season.
Then we shift to hoops: BYU men’s basketball is fun again… but Rob Wright might be a black hole for the ball. I break down Kevin Young’s rotations and what needs to chang...
Rice-Eccles After Dark, BYU’s Big 12 Stakes, and a Final Four in Provo?
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Rice-Eccles at night once again reminded everyone why there’s nothing like Utah Football under the lights. Devon Dampier proved the doubters wrong, Utah rolled a supposedly “ranked” Cincinnati squad, and I break down why the national media’s obsession with the Kelce's is the only reason the Bearcats were even in the conversation.
Then we pivot south to Provo, where BYU’s entire Big 12 season hangs on an early-morning slugfest with Texas Tech. I’ll explain why it’s the defining game for both BYU and Utah’s playoff paths, and why Cougar f...
BYU Shocks Iowa State | Utah Destroys Colorado | Utah Mammoth Take Over the NHL
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In this week’s episode of The Matt Cave Podcast, Matt breaks down a most chaotic weekend in Utah sports.
BYU Football stuns Iowa State on national TV, led by true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier and a pair of elite game plans from coordinators Jay Hill and Aaron Roderick. Matt dives into how BYU’s defense adapted, why the offensive simplifications worked, and what this means for a possible Big 12 title run.Utah Football annihilates Colorado in Salt Lake City, handing Deion Sanders the worst loss of his Color...Holy War Fallout, RSL Backdoors the Playoffs, Aggies Stay Alive, and Mammoth Momentum
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We survived Rivalry Week — and somehow, Real Salt Lake survived the regular season too.
In this week’s episode of The Matt Cave Podcast, I break down:
The Holy War aftermath: BYU’s physical dominance, Utah’s offensive woes, and what this means for both programs moving forward.Real Salt Lake’s wild playoff berth: how a 2–2 draw was enough, and why that “achievement” feels hollow.Utah State’s sneaky bowl hopes: Bronco Mendenhall’s Aggies are scrappy, but can they actually sneak into the Mountain West ti...Utah’s Big 12 Takeover, Mammoth’s Strong Start, RSL’s Playoff Drama & Borderlands 4 Review
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It’s Sunday… and you know what that means. Time to spelunk back into the madness of Utah sports and a little gaming sanity check to wrap it all up.
This week I break down:
Real Salt Lake’s playoff rollercoaster — win and you’re in, lose and you’re out. Diego Luna’s return might be the spark they need.Utah Mammoth’s encouraging start — Cooley and Guenther look like future Olympians, and this young squad might just crash the playoff party.Utah State’s ongoing frustratio...BYU’s Win, RSL Surge, and the Jazz Still a Mess
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This week, BYU wins but looks banged-up doing it. Bear Bachmeier flashed brilliance, Kalani Sitake’s team racked up penalties, and the Cougars’ defense limped into the toughest stretch of their Big 12 schedule.
Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake pulled out a gritty 1-0 win over Colorado to stay alive in the playoff race (yes, really), and the Utah Jazz continue to prove that “rebuild” is just code for “eternal mediocrity.” Nepotism, busted draft picks, and confusing messaging — Matt’s got thoughts.
No game review this week, but next Sunday...
Utah Football Weekend Recap: BYU Stuns Colorado, Utah Shuts Down WVU, Aggies Impress, RSL Still on the Edge
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Three out of four Utah teams came away with wins this weekend — and you know I’ve got takes.
I start with Utah State, who looked surprisingly competitive against Vanderbilt before SEC depth wore them down. But with Bryson Barnes settling in and John Miller anchoring the defense, the Aggies may have more juice this season than expected.
Then it’s over to Salt Lake City’s big boys: the Utes absolutely suffocated West Virginia on the road, though Devin Dampier’s turnover issues still loom large. The defense looks legi...
Utah Football Meltdowns, BYU’s Defense, Aggies Reality Check & A PSA for Gamers
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This week inside The Matt Cave, it’s a full Utah football rundown:
The Utes got thrashed at home by Texas Tech — is Kyle Whittingham’s offense officially broken?Utah State cruised past McNeese, but Bronco Mendenhall’s philosophy is already raising red flags.BYU’s defense looks Big 12-ready, but can the Cougars’ offense keep up as Colorado looms?Plus, a quick look at the Utah Mammoth’s brand-new world-class practice facility as preseason gets rolling, and I close the show with a public service announcement for arena shooter players everywhere. (S...
Utes survive Wyoming; Utah State rolls Air Force; RSL tops SKC | Texas Tech preview, Mammoth rookies, Borderlands 4 first look
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Three wins in Utah this week and a whole lot to talk about.
I break down Utah’s gritty road win at Wyoming—dominant defense (hello, John Henry Daly), red-zone hiccups, and a freshman kicking game that has me chewing nails—then pivot to a huge Texas Tech at Utah preview with Big Noon Kickoff in town. After that, it’s Utah State shocking Air Force behind Bryson Barnes’ five touchdowns and why bowl eligibility suddenly feels real in Year 1 under Bronco. We jump back into MLS with Real Salt...
BYU’s Elite Defense, Utah’s Easy Win & Aggies’ Reality Check | Borderlands 4 & The Finals
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This week on The Matt Cave, Utah college football takes center stage. 🏈
BYU vs. Stanford: The Cougars’ defense dominated with sacks, turnovers, and shutdown play, but offensive play-calling remains a concern.Utah vs. Cal Poly: A blowout win revealed little, though questions linger about two-way players and receiver depth.Utah State vs. Texas A&M: Bronco Mendenhall’s Aggies showed fight but were ultimately outclassed in a tough paycheck game.Beyond football, the show covers the Utah Mammoth’s rookie camp at their brand-new...
Utah Football Hat Trick, BYU’s 69–0 Romp, and Why Borderlands 4 & Battlefield 6 Rule 2025
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🚨 New Episode Alert! 🚨
Week 1 of college football is in the books — and for once, we’ve got a Utah hat trick 🎩⚡ All three teams (Utah, BYU, Utah State) came away with wins… though some looked a whole lot prettier than others 👀
🏈 Utah’s defense embarrassed UCLA while Dampier took care of the ball
🏈 Utah State found stability (and some weird helmets) in Bronco Mendenhall’s debut
🏈 BYU’s true freshman QB Bear Bachmeier didn’t just survive — he thrived in a 69–0 demolition
Plus, I wrap things up with my hype check on Borderlands...
BYU Football 2025 Preview: Bear Bachmeier, Season Predictions & The Finals Game Review
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The 2025 college football season is here — and The Matt Cave is diving deep into the BYU Cougars football preview before Week 1 kicks off.
In this episode, Matt breaks down everything Cougar Nation needs to know:
QB1 Bear Bachmeier: true freshman starter, comparisons to Taysom Hill, and what fans can realistically expect.BYU’s offense: Chase Roberts, Tiger Bachmeier, JoJo Phillips, LJ Martin, and a rebuilt offensive line.BYU’s defense: led by Jack Kelly, Isaiah Glasker, and Raider Demouni — but can they finally...Utah Football Season Preview & EA Sports College Football 26 Review
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The Utes are on deck! This week on The Matt Cave Podcast, Matt dives deep into the University of Utah’s 2025 football season outlook under Kyle Whittingham. With Devon Dampier stepping into the spotlight and Jason Beck bringing a new-look offense, what can Ute fans realistically expect? Matt lays out Utah’s floor, ceiling, and his season prediction, plus the players to watch as the Big 12 era ramps up.
To close things out, Matt reviews EA Sports College Football 26. Was this year’s version a step forward or just an exp...
Utah State Football 2025 Preview & Why the Battlefield 6 Beta is a Game-Changer
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Football season is almost here, and it’s time to break down Year One of the Bronco Mendenhall era at Utah State. I cover the Aggies’ offense, defense, coaching staff, key players, and schedule before giving my official 2025 record prediction — and it might not be what Aggie fans want to hear.
Then we shift gears to gaming, diving into why the Battlefield 6 beta has over half a million concurrent players, how EA finally learned from Battlefield 2042’s mistakes, and why October 2025 could be the best month fo...
Real Salt Lake’s Leagues Cup Chaos, Battlefield 6 Hype, and Dallas Cowboys Drama
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Soccer, shooters, and some spicy NFL drama—this week’s Matt Cave has it all.
First, Matt breaks down Real Salt Lake’s wild run in the Leagues Cup, explaining what the tournament actually is, why MLS vs. Liga MX is heating up, and how RSL’s penalty shootouts became must-watch chaos.
Then it’s on to Battlefield 6, where EA finally looks ready to bounce back after the disaster of 2042. Hear why the new reveal has Matt cautiously hyped and why this could be the Battlefiel...
BYU Basketball in ESPN's Top 10?! Plus RSL's Playoff Push & Mammoth News Tease
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This week in The Matt Cave, Matt tries to process two things he never thought he'd say in 2025: Real Salt Lake is in playoff position, and BYU Men’s Basketball is being hyped as a national title contender. No, seriously.
First, he breaks down RSL’s wild 2-1 win over San Jose, featuring two goals that were more “gifts” than greatness. Then it's time to dive into an ESPN article that has BYU ahead of blue bloods like Duke, Kansas, and Michigan State — a sentence 15-year-old Matt would never believe. A...
RSL’s Oregon Breakthrough, Pokémon Z-A Hype, and a Six-Game Lineup Worth Your Wallet
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This week in The Matt Cave, Real Salt Lake finally breaks the curse in Portland, notching their first win in Oregon since 2017 — only to trip over themselves at home against Eastern Conference leader FC Cincinnati. Matt breaks down both matches and what they mean for RSL’s playoff hopes (yes, playoffs).
Plus: A quick but funny Utah Mammoth update involving ESPN’s painfully slow name correction, and a deep dive into six video games worth your time in a pretty meh release year. From Borderlands 4 hype to Pokémon Leg...
Diego Luna’s RSL Future, Big 12 Media Days Fluff, and BYU’s QB Mystery
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Real Salt Lake makes it four unbeaten, but are they for real? Diego Luna's return sparks life into the squad, but will he even be here for their next match? Matt dives deep into RSL's win over Houston, Luna's looming transfer, and the growing tension between short-term results and long-term planning.
Then it's Big 12 Media Days recap time: BYU and Utah showed up in full fluff mode, but there were still some nuggets to break down. Matt gives his honest take on Devin Dampier, Utah's new offense, Kalani Sitake's refreshing NIL...
Great Goals, Gritty Wins, and Garbage Defense
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Matt’s back after the holiday weekend with a three-segment breakdown across soccer and hockey, starting with Real Salt Lake’s chaotic 3-2 win over St. Louis City FC. Two own goals, clueless defending, and somehow a win? Yeah, it’s that kind of year in Sandy.
Then it’s all eyes on the USMNT as Matt breaks down their undefeated Gold Cup run and explains why this “C team” is actually putting pressure on the World Cup roster. Three new locks, a goalie controversy, and a whole lot of grit.
Finally...
Draft Week Reaction Spectacular
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This week, Matt dives into the 2025 NBA and NHL Drafts, and for once, he’s giving himself a little credit. The Utah Jazz surprised fans by drafting Ace Bailey at #5, trading up for Walter Clayton Jr., and grabbing John Tonje in Round 2. He breaks down each pick, roasts ESPN’s anti-small-market narratives, and celebrates a rare aggressive move by Utah’s front office.
Then it’s over to the ice, where Utah Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong pulls off a blockbuster trade for JJ Peterka and follows it up with two big draft-da...
Utah Jazz Play It Safe While the Mammoth Plan a Draft Day Power Play
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This week on The Matt Cave Podcast, host Matt Smith dives into the high-stakes world of draft strategy as the Utah Jazz and Utah Mammoth prepare for back-to-back draft nights. With both teams holding top-5 picks, the pressure is on—so Matt’s breaking down what he thinks they’ll do versus what they should do.
🏀 For the Jazz, Matt predicts a predictable pick (hello, Trey Johnson) and calls out the team’s addiction to “upside” and inaction in trade talks.
🏒 For the Mammoth, he sees potential for a bold, franchise-defining...
Luna on Loan, RSL Wakes Up, and Xbox Drops Bombs
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Real Salt Lake finally ends their brutal winless streak — and they did it without Diego Luna.
With the Gold Cup underway, Matt breaks down the USMNT’s roster, their chances (spoiler: not great), and why Luna’s value keeps rising.
On the gaming front, Xbox’s showcase delivered big with Clockwork Revolution, Beast of Reincarnation (yes, from Game Freak!), and news of a Halo Combat Evolved remaster. Plus: Is the Xbox Ally handheld the console killer we didn’t know we needed?
Matt wraps with early impressions of Dune: Aw...
Luna Rising, BYU All In, and Gamers Left Dreaming
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It was a quiet week in Utah sports—but not without drama. In this episode of The Matt Cave:
🇺🇸 Diego Luna earns the start for the USMNT against Turkey and makes a strong case for next summer’s World Cup roster.
🏀 BYU extends Kevin Young after one season. Is it a savvy move or a leap of faith in the new NIL era?
💰 The NCAA’s pay-for-play shift is official—what it means for schools like BYU, Utah, and Utah State going forward.
🎮 And Summer Game Fest 2025… well, i...
RSL’s Gift to LA, Mammoth’s Russian Reinforcements, and Gamers Getting Played
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Real Salt Lake keeps finding new ways to disappoint, gifting the LA Galaxy their first win of the season in spectacular fashion. Meanwhile, the Utah Mammoth lock in two towering Russian prospects to bolster the blue line. And in gaming, Matt breaks down why Elden Ring: Night Reign flopped and how AAA studios are cashing in on your loyalty — again.
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RSL Meltdown, Mammoth Glory, and the Gaming Summer Ahead
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In this Memorial Day weekend edition of The Matt Cave, Matt breaks down Real Salt Lake’s gut-wrenching 2-3 collapse against Vancouver and raises serious questions about the club's leadership, captaincy choices, and lackluster roster beyond Diego Luna.
He then celebrates Team USA’s exhilarating overtime win over Switzerland at the IIHF World Championship, led by Utah Mammoth stars Logan Cooley, Clayton Keller, Josh Doan, and Michael Kesselring.
Shifting gears, Matt previews the Mammoth’s exciting offseason—armed with the #4 pick, cap space, and a hunger for star power (hello, Mi...
RSL's Harsh Reality, Mammoth on the World Stage & Gaming Goodness
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In this week’s spelunk into The Matt Cave, the optimism surrounding Real Salt Lake has evaporated. Matt breaks down a rough two-game stretch, the scoring crisis plaguing the team, and the looming shadow of a rebuild that may be inevitable—yes, even involving Diego Luna.
Then it's off to the IIHF World Championship, where Utah Mammoth players are repping the USA, Canada, and Czechia with pride (and some serious stats). What does it mean for the club and the future?
Plus: a loaded dive into the world of vide...
Rigged: The NBA’s Big Market Fix is Alive and Well
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No intro music. No jokes. Just fire.
Matt breaks down the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery disaster—where the Jazz fell to 5th despite having the best odds—while Dallas, San Antonio, and Philly magically rose to the top.
He exposes the patterns, the hypocrisy, and the league’s blatant disrespect for small-market teams.
If you still believe the NBA Lottery is fair after this episode, you’re not paying attention.
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NBA Lottery Conspiracies, Bungie’s Bizarre Lawsuit, and RSL Sees Red Again
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This week in The Matt Cave:
🏀 The NBA Draft Lottery is almost here—and Matt breaks down the Jazz’s odds, the top prospects, and why the entire lottery system might be due for a major shakeup.
⚽ Real Salt Lake just can't stop getting red cards. Matt vents his frustration as RSL once again plays with 10 men and drops points they should’ve earned.
⚖️ In gaming news: Bungie is being sued for allegedly stealing Destiny 2’s Red War storyline… from a WordPress blog. The legal circus has Matt laughing and s...
Utah Hockey Club Becomes the Mammoth: Reactions, Rants & Hidden Logo Details
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🚨 BREAKING BONUS EPISODE! 🚨
The Utah Hockey Club has officially revealed its permanent name: The Utah Mammoth. In this quick-hit emergency spelunk, Matt breaks down the name reveal, digs into the branding rollout, unpacks the community-driven process (for better or worse), and gives you his honest thoughts on the new identity.
From “Tusks Up” to Mammoth Sands font, from YouTube leaks to puff pieces, and from potential lawsuits to paleontology, it’s all here. Plus: why Blizz would’ve been a branding disaster, and how Utah avoided going full Boaty McBoatface.
💥 First r...
