Slate’s sports podcast on the NCAA tournament and the supposed death of the Big East. Also: an interview with Belmont coach Rick Byrd.

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In this week’s episode of Slate’s sports podcast Hang Up and Listen, Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss all things March Madness, including the vulnerability of the top seeds and the best ways to gamble on the tournament. They also speak with Belmont coach Rick Byrd about life as an NCAA Cinderella. Finally, they examine whether the death of the Big East is good for college basketball.

Here are links to some of the articles and other items mentioned on the show:

• The 2013 NCAA Tournament bracket.
• Peter Keating’s ESPN Insider article says this year’s No. 1 seeds are more vulnerable.
• Ken Pomeroy’s Slate story on the pointless debates about seeding.
• Nate Silver argued that the No. 15 seed was as good as the No. 8 seed.
• In Slate, Alan Siegel offers 11 alternate ways to gamble on the tournament.
• The Fat Pastor’s fifth annual Mascot Bracket.
• The Belmont Bruins have made six of the last eight NCAA tournaments.
• Josh Cooper’s USA Today profile of Belmont coach Rick Byrd from January.
• Josh’s Slate story about Belmont’s 2008 loss to Duke.
• Belmont lost to Georgetown 74-59 in last year’s tournament.
• Mike discussed the Big East’s demise on NPR’s “All Things Considered.”
• The Washington Post’s Sally Jenkins says the dissolution of the Big East is all about money.
• Alexander Wolff’s Sports Illustrated cover story on the rise and fall of the Big East is not yet online. Here is a preview.
• Deadspin’s Isaac Rauch ripped Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin for his realignment comments.

Read more from Slate’s coverage of the NCAA tournament.

Hang Up and Listen’s weekly Steinhagens:

• Mike’s Steinhagen: How did Capital One decide Sam Houston State was the sixth-best program in Division I athletics?
• Stefan’s Steinhagen: For a more acceptable Olympic salute, lift your arm higher and close your fist.
• Josh’s Steinhagen: Car racing would be a lot more exciting if there were blacksmiths involved.

Podcast production and edit by Mike Vuolo. Our intern is Eric Goldwein.

You can e-mail us at hangup@slate.com.