Caitlin Cooper is BACK to answer the remaining questions Alex and Facci have for her about the current and future of the team!

Here are questions 6-10 from our 10 Burning Questions Series!

• Obi Toppin's injury, and will impact him long term?
• Pacers cut RayJ Dennis for Ethan Thompson. How does ET fit this team and what have you liked?
• Pascal Siakam's awesome season, what type of center does he need to play next to and will his game age well?
• Are we seeing a slight decline in McConnell's overall play?
• Aside from a healthy Tyrese, and a starting center, what is this team missing the most?

We also discuss Kam Jones returning from injury to play with the Boom on Sunday, and how that whole injury really set him back with a great chance to play due to all the injuries.

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Alex and Facci are joined by Mike Scotto of HoopsHype to discuss the latest buzz, news and rumors around the league! Here are the topics discussed in today's show:

• Pacers rumored interest in Keon Ellis
• Jarace Walker a name to monitor?
• Teams watching closely to what Indiana does with Benn Mathurin
• Pacers in the market for a center? Who?
• Bucks trying to fix things with Giannis?
• If Bucks move Giannis, what players also could be on the move?
• Boston Celtics latest intel
• Pelicans once again find themselves in a bad spot record wise...what's next?
• Clippers in a tough spot with no draft pick this year. How does that impact their willingness to make trades?
• MORE

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On today's episode of Setting the Pace, Alex Golden and Mike Facci are joined by the amazing Caitlin Cooper, of Basketball She Wrote. Today, Caitlin answers 5 of the 10 burning questions we have about the team in Pt. 1 of our podcast!

Topics for today's show:

• How has Benn Mathurin improved as a defender this season?
• What has been the reason for Jarace Walker's inconsistent play?
• Thoughts on Andrew Nembhard as the lead ball handler and playing without Tyrese Haliburton?
• Is the Center by Committee working for the Pacers, or do they need to address the starting Center position? Who or What Type of Center fits best with this team?
• In a small sample size, what did you think of Aaron's play early on this season, specifically being asked to be more of an on-ball scorer?

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On today's episode of Setting the Pace, Alex Golden is joined by Marc Dykton of 107.5 The Fan, to discuss the horrific effort we saw from the Pacers on Sunday night, where the Pacers lost by 19-points to the WORST team in the NBA. The guys dive into why this is the worst loss of the season, a video shared on twitter that showed Pascal dejected during the game, and some postgame comments made by Jay Huff.

Then, the guys pivot and discuss John Cena's last match, whether or not the ending was the right booking or not, Alex and Marc share their Mount Rushmore of WWE wrestlers and ponder who could be the next great to retire. To end the show, the guys discuss Old Man Rivers leading the Colts to a near road victory against the BEST team in the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks. What we thought of the Colts efforts and where the Colts go in the offseason with so much uncertainty.

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Alex and Facci round out the December Mailbag with these 7 questions!

1). @spenlodun

does anyone else think Cam Boozer is a viable option at center if we can get a top 3 pick? i've heard no one mention this

2). @N-B-MMA

Besides another legit center what other position do you think we need the most help on?

3). @AIL_A_Guy_Needs

STP love yall. Still need to go try my bagel sandwich. My question I have for yall is if we're resigning Mathurin who is out the door? I am 100% confident herb ain't paying the tax so who's the next man out.

4). @jerronperry309

Hey guys, I feel that time is up for ljax, Nembhard and Walker to be on the block with us getting a high lottery pick, move mathurin to the 2 and keep neismith at the 3. Can we get that center via trade?

5). @jakeriley3738

Do you guys think it's time to give QJax a standard contract? and if Ethan Thompson continues to play well for us Do you also maybe consider a guy like him as well? Love the pod.

6). @N-B-MMA

What 4 guys are you nost excited to see play with tyrese next season?

7). brianroeder

Is Facci secretly rooting for the Wizards to get the 1st pick next season? It's a tight race.

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Alex and Facci are back to answer more questions from the December Mailbag!

Join the Setting the Pace CHAT Group on Chat BCC...going to kick it off strong in 2026 with some SUPER cool prizes/giveaways.

1). David Cole @David Cole 24

Do you think a top 4 pick forces a consolidation trade, and who gets sent out?

2). David Cole @David Cole 24

Do you think the Pacers trade the draft pick in a win-now move or keep it? (Asking what you think the organization WILL do, not SHOULD do)

3). David Cole @David Cole 24

How much do you think it will cost to keep

Mathurin here?

4). Rooster @roosterbra812

Reports pelicans may listen to offers on Herb. Do we still want him and what would you trade for him?

5). Rooster @roosterbra812

Rank these players in terms of who you think will be on the team the longest.

Mathurin

Jarace

JRE

Ethan Thompson

Furphy

Sheppard

6). Rooster @roosterbra812

Also, rank these players in terms of which one you'd want to be next years starting 5

Obi

Huff

Ware

Edey

Zubac

Kessler

7). djstylistic

I think Matherin and Walker have the best chances to be trade. What do you think the best trade packages we can get for each player and what could we get if we combine them together.

Feel free to add anything like other players, picks or cash to make deal work.

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Please join our the Setting The Pace Group Chat on Chat BCC!

On today's episode of Setting The Pace, Alex and Facci answer the following Mailbag Questions:

1). Geoff Ferrer @Boys1974115307

I look forward to hearing the episode. What do you two think is the best choice: trade our draft pick in 2026 or use the draft pick? I feel like the team is in such an obvious win-now mode that draft and develop isn't the best option. Low-hanging fruit, I know, but I'm curious.

2). Geoff Ferrer @Boys1974115307

At what point do we stick with a rotation of players, for development purposes, and disregard the W-L column? I know continuity is been the biggest issue this year. Don't we need to get the younger guys into consistent roles to adequately assess their fit for the team next year?

3). Alexandre Mendes @AlexVTMendes

Considering the 26/27 season, what piece is missing from this Pacers roster? Who is a trade asset?

4). Ed Helinski @MrEd315

In your estimation, is there any hope for this season or has it already gone kaput?

5). Pacer Faithful @jlh0215

Give your percentage likelihood for each:

1. The Pacers make a trade this season
2. Siakam makes an all star or all nba team (he should)
3. Jarace is on the roster next year

Over/under for each:

4. 37: Mathurin's 3p% to end the season

5. 17: Tyrese's ppg in the '26-'27 season

6). CF - @CFalcon31

I still believe this team needs a pure shooter on the roster. Is there a name out there you think would be a good additon? I personally like Corey Kispert.

7). jessehobbs6

Will the pacers make a trade this season?

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Alex Golden and Mike Facci recap the Indiana Pacers 11-point win over the Sacramento Kings! The Big 3 of Siakam, Nembhard and Mathurin were sensational; Jarace Walker had a strong performance off the bench; Ethan Thompson got his first ever NBA start; Jay Huff continues to protect the rim at an elite level and the PEP IN THE STEP IS BACK!

Remember, when the Pacers WIN, you win too! Get a FREE side or drink at Ripple Bagel & Deli with your purchase if you show them you are subscribed to Setting The Pace. Also, try the Setting The Pace sandwich, which is ONLY available at Ripple Bagel & Deli.

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