The Matt Cave - podcast cover

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!

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Episodes

Draft Week Reaction Spectacular

Send us a text 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 fol...

Jun 29, 202531 min

Utah Jazz Play It Safe While the Mammoth Plan a Draft Day Power Play

Send us a text 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 see...

Jun 22, 202529 min

Luna on Loan, RSL Wakes Up, and Xbox Drops Bombs

Send us a text 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 wr...

Jun 15, 202532 min

Luna Rising, BYU All In, and Gamers Left Dreaming

Send us a text 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, it happened. Wh...

Jun 08, 202532 min

RSL’s Gift to LA, Mammoth’s Russian Reinforcements, and Gamers Getting Played

Send us a text 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. Support the show...

Jun 01, 202526 min

RSL Meltdown, Mammoth Glory, and the Gaming Summer Ahead

Send us a text 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 Ma...

May 25, 202531 min

RSL's Harsh Reality, Mammoth on the World Stage & Gaming Goodness

Send us a text 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 d...

May 18, 202533 min

Rigged: The NBA’s Big Market Fix is Alive and Well

Send us a text 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. Support the show...

May 13, 202510 min

NBA Lottery Conspiracies, Bungie’s Bizarre Lawsuit, and RSL Sees Red Again

Send us a text 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...

May 11, 202531 min

Utah Hockey Club Becomes the Mammoth: Reactions, Rants & Hidden Logo Details

Send us a text 🚨 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 woul...

May 08, 202514 min

Utah Hockey Hits the IIHF, BYU’s Portal Wins, and Xbox’s Faceplant

Send us a text Spring might be rough on Matt’s sinuses, but the Utah sports scene keeps him going! This week, he breaks down the Utah Hockey Club’s big presence at the 2025 IIHF World Championship — with Clayton Keller rocking the “C” for Team USA and multiple players repping internationally. Then, it’s portal madness for BYU: from the Bachmeier brothers joining the football squad to a men’s basketball roster rebuild that looks... terrifying in the best way. Finally, Matt takes Microsoft to task...

May 04, 202531 min

Utah’s Quiet NFL Draft, RSL’s Big Transfer Splash, Oblivion’s Chaotic Comeback

Send us a text From Utah’s draft flop to Real Salt Lake’s surprising spending spree — plus Oblivion breaking (and stealing) hearts again The 2025 NFL Draft is officially in the books, and Matt dives deep into how players from Utah colleges fared, where they landed, and what it means for their future. Real Salt Lake's surprising moves at the MLS transfer deadline, including the signings of William Agada and Johnny Russell, and what it signals about new ownership's ambitions. Could Matt be wrong a...

Apr 27, 202533 min

Real Salt Lake’s New Owners: A Budget-Ball Disaster Waiting to Happen

Send us a text This week on The Matt Cave: ⚽ Rant Alert : Real Salt Lake is now owned by the Miller family, and Matt has thoughts . Spoiler: it’s not good. From price hikes to budget ball 2.0, this is the sequel nobody asked for—and fans should be furious. 🏒 Utah Hockey Club Offseason Wishlist : Who should Utah target in free agency and trades? Matt breaks down the big names and bold moves needed to take the leap next season. 🏀 Utah Jazz Rebuild Watch : Could Devin Booker be a target if the Ja...

Apr 20, 202530 min

Utah Sports Wrap-Up, BYU’s Recruiting Boom, and Nintendo’s Tone-Deaf Take

Send us a text The seasons are winding down, but the drama is just heating up. This week in The Matt Cave , Matt breaks down the Utah Jazz's 60-loss season and their odds of landing Cooper Flagg. He dives into the Utah Hockey Club’s narrow playoff miss and why they’re still one of the most exciting teams in the league. Real Salt Lake adds more heartbreak with a last-minute loss in Nashville. But there’s hope down south — BYU is on fire with the best football and basketball recruiting classes in ...

Apr 13, 202532 min

Utah Hockey Club’s Playoff Dream, Jazz Tank Watch, and Nintendo’s $500 Mistake

Send us a text In this week’s episode of The Matt Cave Podcast , Matt dives into a wild week across Utah sports and the gaming world. Real Salt Lake grabs a win over a shorthanded LA Galaxy, but how long can they hold onto Diego Luna? The Utah Jazz are sprinting toward the draft lottery finish line—but will the NBA let them win the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes? The Utah Hockey Club might be on life support, but there’s still a flicker of playoff hope—and Matt is ALL in on hockey. Then, in the gaming...

Apr 06, 202533 min

Utah Sports Breakdown: BYU Out, Utes in Weird Tourney, Jazz Tank, RSL Woes

Send us a text It’s been a rough week for Utah sports fans. In this episode of The Matt Cave , Matt breaks down the Utes' odd appearance in the College Basketball Crown—a new and bizarre postseason tournament. BYU crashes out of the NCAA tournament while its players face major decisions. Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz are leaning into late-season losses, and the Utah Hockey Club is slipping at the worst time. Oh—and Real Salt Lake? Ownership drama, no attack, and a whole lot of frustration. Buckle in,...

Mar 30, 202532 min

March Madness in Utah: BYU Advances, UHC Thrives, RSL Controversy

Send us a text It’s madness in March, and BYU is back in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since Jimmer-mania! 🏀 The Cougars lit it up and punched their ticket to the second weekend, bringing back memories of 2011 and sparking hopes of another deep tourney run. Meanwhile, the Utah Hockey Club puts on an absolute show with a performance that has fans buzzing, and RSL gets done dirty with one of the most questionable red cards we’ve seen in a while. ⚽ Matt’s breaking it all down with passion, ...

Mar 23, 202531 min

Bracketology Chaos: BYU’s Path to the Elite Eight?

Send us a text March Madness is here, and the brackets are wild ! BYU lands a No. 6 seed—can they make a deep run? Utah State gets a favorable matchup, but how far can the Aggies go? Matt breaks it all down, including his best (and worst) bracket picks. Plus, the Utah Jazz are tanking perfectly (even the NBA noticed), and the Utah Hockey Club is in a heated playoff race. Oh, and RSL actually won in Houston?! All of this and more in this jam-packed episode of The Matt Cave ! Support the show...

Mar 17, 202530 min

🏀 March Madness Looms: BYU & Utah’s Tournament Hopes, RSL’s Struggles & More!

Send us a text Sometimes, losing is the best path forward. Matt breaks down why the Utah Jazz’s recent struggles could actually be a good thing as they position themselves for better lottery odds. 🏀 College Hoops: BYU and Utah are in the thick of March Madness talk—who’s trending up, and who needs a miracle? ⚽ Real Salt Lake: A tough start—what needs to change? 🏒 Utah Hockey Club: The momentum is real, and the fan base is growing fast! All that and more on The Matt Cave Podcast —your go-to for...

Mar 09, 202530 min

Monster Hunting & Tanking? UHC’s Next Move & the Jazz’s ‘Winning’ Problem

Send us a text Will the Utah Hockey Club make some moves—or will they ride it out with the young core? Meanwhile, the Jazz are winning … which is actually a bad thing. With the NBA Draft looming, are these wins hurting their future? Plus, Matt got his hands on Monster Hunter Wilds ! First impressions—does it live up to the hype, or is it just another hunt? Join Matt in The Matt Cave Podcast for another deep dive into Utah sports and gaming! Support the show...

Mar 02, 202530 min

Stop Winning: The Utah Sports Paradox

Send us a text In this episode of The Matt Cave , Matt dives into the latest Utah sports drama. He starts with a detailed breakdown of Real Salt Lake’s dismal season opener—highlighting their possession versus finishing woes. Matt then rants about the Utah Jazz, who are winning games they should be losing in order to tank for a better draft pick, and shifts to the Utah Hockey Club, criticizing their defensive lapses despite offensive sparks. Finally, he covers college basketball, comparing the r...

Feb 23, 202531 min

All Star Weekend Blues, RSLs Season Begins and What World of Warcraft is Missing

Send us a text This week on The Matt Cave Podcast, Matt dives into All-Star Weekend and who gets it wrong, who gets it right and if Gary Bettman actually got something right! Then, he shifts gears to Real Salt Lake as they kick off their 2025 MLS season. What are the biggest storylines heading into the season, and what can we expect from RSL this year? Finally, Matt takes a detour into the world of gaming, breaking down what’s missing from World of Warcraft and what Blizzard needs to do to bring...

Feb 16, 202534 min

Super Bowl LIX Reaction, Jazz Trades Summed Up, UHC Makes History

Send us a text In this episode of The Matt Cave Podcast , Matt breaks down the most boring Super Bowl we’ve seen in nearly a decade (seriously, yawn city). Then, he untangles the Utah Jazz’s trade moves—who’s gone, who’s still here, and what it means. Utah Hockey Club makes history with their first-ever overtime shootout win, while BYU Men’s basketball... well, let’s just say they really need to hit those threes. Finally, Matt gives a brutally honest review of Sid Meier’s Civilization VII Suppor...

Feb 10, 202531 min

Jazz Trades, UHC NOT Trading and Super Bowl LIX Preview

Send us a text Matt picks the Super Bowl winner for the 59th edition! Chiefs? Eagles!? Matt will tell you who and why! The Jazz had a busy weekend but what were they doing? Matt tells you why he thinks Danny Ainge is taking the Godfather approach to the rest of the NBA. The Club missed out on another star caliber player in the trade market. What are they doing? Will they get any better? Will it be a repeat of last season!? There are two HUGE games coming out in February!! What are they and when ...

Feb 02, 202530 min

UHC, UTJ, BYU, UU, DWO OK!?

Send us a text This week, Matt catches up with the Utah Hockey Club, the Utah Jazz, BYU Men's Basketball, Utah Men's Basketball and reviews the newest installment of the Dynasty Warriors franchise! The Club missed out on Matt's pie in the sky trade. What was it? Will/are they being active in the trade market?? Matt gives the answers. The Jazz are losing, but are they losing "correctly"? What does that even mean? Who are the Jazzmen most likely to be moved? Matt has those answers too! College bas...

Jan 26, 202532 min

BYU Football 2024 Season In Review

Send us a text Matt finishes his look back at the year that was for the Big 3 college football schools in Utah! Ending with Brigham Young University, Matt will dive into the overall season performance, where he thought they would finish going into the season and the amount of production lost to the transfer portal. How did BYU do? Well... in a word, fantastically! Listen now to hear where the Cougars succeeded, where they looked worse than a Jake Retzlaff throw and the changes that are coming in...

Jan 19, 202533 min

University of Utah Football 2024 Year In Review

Send us a text Matt continues his look back at the year that was for the Big 3 college football schools in Utah! Moving on with the University of Utah, Matt will dive into the overall season performance, where he thought they would be going into the season and the amount of production lost to the transfer portal. How did Utah do? Well... we all know... Listen now to hear where the Utes succeeded (Yes, there was some bright spots!), where they fell harder than a Cam Rising sack and the changes th...

Jan 12, 202531 min

Utah State Football 2024 Year in Review

Send us a text It's time to take a look back at the year that was for the Big 3 college football schools in Utah! Starting with Utah State, Matt will dive into the overall season performance, where he thought they would be going into the season and the amount of production lost to transfer, graduation and the NFL Draft. How did Utah State do? Well, actually BETTER than the prediction! Listen now to hear where the Aggies exceeded, where they fell flatter than a piece of paper and the changes that...

Jan 05, 202531 min

BYU Bowl Reaction, The Club Is Not Comfortable at Home and the Jazz

Send us a text Well, Matt was not expecting THAT from the Cougars! He breaks down what he saw and puts a little damper on the end of the season party that occurred in San Antonio. Matt would like to know what is going on with the Club's home performances. Is it as simple as how the bowl is set? Matt gets into some ideas. Lastly, the Jazz seem to have figured out the formula that Matt has been preaching all season. What is it? Support the show...

Dec 29, 202425 min

Utah is Clubbing, Will is making things way too Hardy and Nixing a trade due to Madden ratings!?!

Send us a text The Club is on a winning streak! Not only that, they are on a 7 game point streak! How is Matt reacting to this?? We get it, Will. You're a really good coach. Matt explains what the Jazz need to do to make the rest of the season a success. The Jets. Need Matt say more? Probably not, but he's going to anyways! A BOMBSHELL article was published by The Athletic about the disfunction in New York. Matt highlights just a couple of the biggest stories from the wonderful article. Support ...

Dec 22, 202430 min
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