Setting The Pace: A Pacers Podcast
Setting The Pace is a Pacers Podcast with Alex Golden and Mike Facci. Brought to you by the Blue Wire Podcast Network.
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Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back to officially close the book on the Pacers’ toughest season in franchise history.
To wrap things up, the guys hand out season grades for all 17 players who saw the floor this year, evaluating performances, growth, expectations and overall impact.
Who exceeded expectations?
Who disappointed?
And which players showed enough to be part of Indiana’s future?
Alex and Facci go player-by-player, offering honest breakdowns and final report cards for the entire roster.
A full season review, honest evaluations and a final look at where things stand heading into a pivotal offseason.
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Alex Golden is joined by Grace and Michael, the Pacers fans who went viral after being caught on the TV broadcast during Indiana’s game against the Nets in Brooklyn — a moment that quickly took off across social media.
The couple shares the story behind that now-famous clip, what they were actually talking about, and how they reacted to suddenly becoming viral stars.
But that’s just the beginning.
Alex dives into:
- Why this isn’t their first time going viral
- The overwhelming response from fans praising their relationship and chemistry
- Their advice for other couples
- Their shared love for the Indiana Pacers
- Going to Indiana University together
- And their experience traveling to Miami for the Championship game
A fun, genuine and memorable conversation with two fans who captured the internet’s attention — and represent what being a Pacers fan is all about.
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The tank is complete.
The Indiana Pacers have lost enough games to secure the best odds for the No. 1 overall pick, and to retain their top-4 pick.
On this solo episode of Setting The Pace, Alex Golden breaks down what this means for the franchise moving forward — and puts this season into historical perspective.
Alex discusses:
- Why this will go down as the worst record in Pacers franchise history, regardless of Sunday’s result
- How the 1982-83 season led to the No. 2 overall pick, and how that selection ultimately played out for Indiana
- And what recent draft history tells us about picks outside the Top 4, particularly in the 5–9 range
With the lottery now in focus, the conversation shifts to what matters most: landing in that Top 4.
A painful season… but potentially a franchise-altering outcome.
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Alex Golden debuts a brand new show — Fever Focus — a weekly deep dive into the Indiana Fever, joined by recurring cohost, Casey Johnson. The show will cover everything from roster moves and rumors to on-court play throughout the season.
In Episode 1, Alex and Casey go all the way into the offseason bag.
The guys break down:
- How the new WNBA CBA could reshape roster building
- What the Fever roster could look like next season
- Which players should return — and who might be on the way out
- Key free agents that could fit Indiana’s needs
- Where the team’s biggest roster hole currently sits
- Potential draft targets to keep an eye on
Plus, they discuss how the Fever’s new $78 million practice facility could be a game changer in attracting top talent to Indiana.
A new show. A fresh perspective. And a deep dive into the future of Fever basketball.
Welcome to Fever Focus.
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Alex Golden goes solo for a deep dive into the Indiana Pacers’ upcoming offseason on Setting The Pace.
Alex opens the show by breaking down Indiana’s NBA Draft assets, including what second-round picks they hold this year and in the future, and how much cash flexibility they have to potentially buy into the draft.
Then, he shifts to roster decisions:
- Which players are free agents this summer
- Who is on non-guaranteed deals
- And how the Pacers could approach each situation
Next, Alex dives into extension-eligible players, what decisions loom for key pieces, and how landing a Top-4 pick would impact both the salary cap and rotation moving forward.
He also discusses the potential futures of Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard as they approach restricted free agency down the line, and what that could mean for roster construction.
To close, Alex zooms out to show just how much the roster has already changed — comparing this team to last year’s Finals roster and even back to when Tyrese Haliburton first arrived in 2021-22.
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The Indiana Pacers fall to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Mike Facci is joined by Destin Adams to break it all down on Setting The Pace.
Despite the loss, there were some positives to take away. Ethan Thompson turned in a strong performance, continuing to show growth, while Jalen Slawson provided solid minutes off the bench once again.
However, the game ultimately slipped away due to turnovers and sloppy execution, allowing Minnesota to take control — especially during a decisive third quarter run.
Facci and Destin discuss:
- What went wrong for Indiana
- The impact of turnovers on the outcome
- Encouraging signs from Thompson and Slawson
- And how the Timberwolves took over in the second half
- Jarace Walker's return from injury
A frustrating loss, but still plenty to evaluate moving forward.
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Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACE and use code PACE and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup
Alex and Facci are back with a deep dive into the NBA Draft, breaking down Alex’s latest two-round mock draft for Sports Illustrated and how it impacts the Pacers.
With the No. 2 overall pick, Alex has Indiana selecting Darryn Peterson, and the guys discuss how that choice would reshape the roster and what it means for the team’s future.
They also debate a key question:
Should the Pacers take Cameron Boozer over Peterson at No. 2?
What does each prospect bring and how would either fit into Indiana’s long-term plan?
Later in the show, things get even more interesting.
Alex projects a mid-first round trade, sending Jarace Walker to the Charlotte Hornets for Pick No. 16, where Indiana selects Cameron Carr, a 6-foot-6 wing from Baylor.
The guys break down:
- Whether Carr is the right fit at 16
- Other players Indiana could target in that range
- Why the Pacers might consider moving Jarace
- And if Pick 16 is fair value for Walker
A full mock draft breakdown, roster construction debate, and big-picture thinking about Indiana’s future.
If you want to read Alex's full Mock Draft, here is the link!
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Read Alex's Full Two Round Mock Draft with Trades!
Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back to recap the Cavaliers’ win over the Pacers. It was a loss that, combined with Brooklyn’s victory, moves Indiana to the 2nd worst record in the NBA.
Despite the loss, there were plenty of standout moments.
Micah Potter delivered an incredible performance and added a memorable personal moment with a gender reveal at the start of the game, using the color of his shoes to share the news with family, friends, and fans.
The guys also discuss:
- Jalen Slawson’s career-high scoring night
- Obi Toppin’s season-high performance
- Jay Huff flashing some impressive passing ability
- Tough shooting nights from Ethan Thompson and Kam Jones
To close things out, Alex and Facci fire up Tankathon for two spins to see how the lottery odds shake out for Indiana.
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READ: Alex has put out a BRAND NEW NBA Consensus Mock Draft, Consensus Big Board, and Personal Mock Draft. This is a 3-in-1 article, with over 4500 words of NBA Draft coverage, that we know you will enjoy! Check it out!
Alex Golden is joined by Brad Knight of The Pacers Post Up for a fun and debate-filled episode of Setting The Pace.
The guys kick things off by diving into a hot topic circulating on social media: should the Pacers prioritize Jarace Walker over Aaron Nesmith moving forward? Alex and Brad break down both players, their roles, development trajectories and what each brings to Indiana’s future. (2:05)
Then, the tone shifts to something a little more laid back.
The guys go through all 18 players on the roster and try their hand at giving each player a nickname — some serious, some creative, and some that might actually stick. (31:40)
A mix of thoughtful debate and lighthearted fun to round out a loaded episode.
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Facci goes solo on today’s episode of Setting The Pace to recap the Pacers’ season series sweep of the Chicago Bulls, led by a career-high scoring performance from Ethan Thompson.
Facci breaks down Thompson’s big night and what stood out most from Indiana’s performance as they continue to evaluate talent late in the season.
He also dives into:
- How this win impacts the inverse standings and lottery positioning
- How the Sacramento Kings helped Indiana out with a win over Toronto
- And what all of this means for the Pacers’ chances moving forward
To close things out, Facci fires up Tankathon for one spin to see where the Pacers could land.
Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACE and use code PACE and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup!
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