In his six years in Brookings, Hendo has guided the Jackrabbits to four Summit League regular season titles and two NCAA Tournaments, all the while exuding positive vibes and energy that make even bouncy football coach Dan Jackson say, "whoa."

John Gaskins catches up with the Iowa native to find out where the infectious spirit comes from as SDSU (13-8 overall, 4-2 in Summit League with three straight wins) gets ready for "State vs U" Saturday against USD. Hendo is teased about always talking about defense first, even after 109-point surges, and talks seriously about defending the fireworks display the Coyotes will bring to First Bank & Trust Arena.

Also — life with Oscar Cluff, the dominant Jacks big man (17.7 points, 12.3 rebounds) who grew up in Sunshine Coast, Australia, and may feel like a fish out of water in frigid Brookings.

A week after the passing of 54-year Hall of Fame Brewers radio announcer — Bob Uecker one of the most beloved and celebrated American broadcasters, beer pitch men and comedic entertainers of our lives — one of his booth partners for the last nine seasons joins us to capture intimate Uecker essence and experience.

Lane Grindle is a Hastings, Iowa, native and University of South Dakota graduate who started his sportscasting career as a daily radio sports talk host in Yankton and Coyote football and basketball broadcaster. He moved on to the Huskers radio network in Lincoln as a sports host and football sidelines commentator for the University of Nebraska. But it was as the Big Red's play-by-play baseball announcer for a decade that earned Grindle his call to the big leagues to work alongside Uecker in the Brewers booth starting in 2015.

What was it like to meet and work alongside, to the end, one of the funniest and most talented play-by-play announcers ever, who was also the most famous person in Milwaukee and heaped with love and admiration everywhere he went? Stories of Uecker's humor, wisdom, advice, and calls, plus the American sports icons that would drop by the booth.

Lane also shares his stories of another best friend and play-by-play man who battled cancer this past year — Greg Sharpe — the 17-year voice of Huskers football and baseball. Lane was called from the bullpen to fill in for Sharpe for Nebraska' final two football games, at Iowa and in New York for the Pinstripe Bowl.

Matt Zimmer's unique perspective on both Dan Jackson & Travis Johansen — both fan bases should be happy, but don't get too comfortable if your team continues to be a national title contender or winner. That's the reality of today's FCS.

Plus, a word about the fan bases of SDSU and USD and, yes, the attendance at their games and the way their teams are covered by the media and Sioux Falls Live. Is it fair? Depends on how you define "fair."

Why is Summit League hoops not as good as it once was? Why is it good in a different way now? We give an early assessment of both Jacks and Yotes men's and women's teams ahead of State vs U Saturday for both.

NFL: Should the Ben Johnson hire in Chicago concern Vikings and Packers fans? Does Zim belief in an NFL conspiracy aiding the Chiefs? Why does he and so many hate them?