College Hoops Today with Jon Rothstein

Latest Episodes:

Episode 433 - Houston's Kelvin Sampson Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

Houston's Kelvin Sampson has the 3rd ranked Cougars atop the Big 12 standings in their first season in the conference and looking to make a deep run into March. Just how tough has Big 12 conference play been in their first season? Why loosing road games has been a part of the learning process. Has playing in the Big 12 invigorated coach? The evolution of Jamal Shead into a leader. Is this the best backcourt he's had at Houston? Discussing the modern program and the best approaches to building and sustaining one with current N.I.L. rules. Why the key to Big 12 play is winning your home games. And does tough league play prepare you more for the NCAA Tournament? Plus, explaining the differences in "Quad" wins.

Episode 432 - New Mexico's Richard Pitino Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

New Mexico's Richard Pitino is looking to get the Lobos back into the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014! Why he's extremely happy with the Lobos' 18-4 start but also knows there's a lot of basketball left to be played. Are they the best in the Mountain West? How the next few weeks will truly define their season. Why the fan basses in the Mountain West are second to none. Why the Mountain West must take over the West with the Pac-12 dissolving. Just how good is the backcourt of Mashburn Jr., House, and Dent? Why it's all about consistency and building stability. What are the biggest keys for this team to have postseason success? And why future non-conference schedules will be challenging to fill out. Plus, UConn continues to separate itself from the field. Where's the defense, Kentucky? And Big Ten blues?

Episode 431 - South Carolina's Lamont Paris Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

South Carolina's Lamont Paris is making headlines leading the Gamecocks' to a 17-3 start in his second year as head coach. How his cool, calm and collected demeanor has lead to success in a power conference. Why experience and maturity have been key factors. Why he wants to keep a good balance of transfers and home grown talent to sustain program success. How program culture factors into winning basketball. The influence Bo Ryan has on his coaching philosophy and style. Previewing a tough matchup with Tennessee. And why staying the course and keeping a chip on their shoulder is paramount to a possible NCAA Tournament bid. Plus, we are starting to see separation at the top of the sport. Discussing an exciting slate of games this week. And is there a real possibility the ACC only gets two teams in the NCAA Tournament if Clemson does not finish strong?

Episode 430 - Wisconsin's Greg Gard Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

Wisconsin's Greg Gard has the Badgers off to a 14-4 start and they are scoring in a variety of ways. What has been the "secret sauce"? Why he believes they can get even better if they tighten up the defense. How experience has been a big factor along with a deep and balanced bench. How a loss to Providence in mid-November has helped propel them to where they are today. Discussing his philosophy on using the portal versus bringing in high school talent to develop. What type of "guardrails" does he think the sport needs around transferring? Why hasn't the Big Ten performed better in the NCAA Tournament of late? Thoughts on the Big Ten becoming a national conference. And why it's always about health coming down the stretch. Plus, Kentucky continues to stand out. North Carolina on a heater. And Purdue's Zach Edey continues to put up video game type numbers... Is he a lock for back-to-back National Player of the Year honors?

Episode 429 - Auburn's Bruce Pearl Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

Auburn's Bruce Pearl has the Tigers off to a tremendous 14-2 start but knows the next two weeks will tell him a lot about his team. How efficiency, defense, and rebounding have been the backbone of their success. With his team being so deep this year, how will he decide who plays in crunch time? Discussing how the transfer rules have become unclear and why it's a "flee not fight" mentality now. Coach is closing in on becoming the winningest head coach at Auburn... Does he think about that? Is getting to a Final Four the true measure of a successful season? And does he believe this team have the requisites to make a deep run in March? Plus, eight of last week's AP top 10 teams all lost to unranked opponents! Could we have a new number one? And freshman is starting to emerge for Kansas.

Episode 428 - Kansas' Bill Self Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

Kansas' Bill Self describes the Jayhawks' 13-1 start as "good, but not great". What must improve for them to make a deep run into March? He discusses his time away from the team last spring and how it has renewed his sense of gratefulness to coach. Why does Hunter Dickinson look so effortless on offense? Could Kevin McCullar be an All-American this year? The power of the Covid Senior and transfer portal... How it has changed the recruiting dynamic. How often does coach think about winning a third National Championship? Does he think UConn could repeat as National Champs? Why the Big-12 schedule is a "Monster". And why players relish tight games and big-time moments. Plus, Purdue is starting to separate itself from the field. UConn continues to win without Donovan Clingan. And why the SEC is intriguing to Jon. Don't miss this episode of College Hoops Today with Jon Rothstein!

Episode 427 - BYU's Mark Pope Jan 02, 2024

Show notes

BYU's Mark Pope has the Cougars off to an impressive 12-1 start as they are set to play in their first Big-12 Conference game this week. How's he feeling about entering the gauntlet that is Big-12 hoops? Just how have they gotten off to such a solid start? Why it's rewarding to build something and watch it grow. Why he loves his team's balanced scoring and how it provides security knowing they have plenty of options. The luxury of having your top scorer coming off the bench. And why coach believes the key to this season will be staying true to their style of play no matter how much adversity they face. Plus, Jon gives you the 411 on conference play starting this week!

Episode 426 - Nebraska's Fred Hoiberg Dec 26, 2023

Show notes

Nebraska's Fred Hoiberg has the Huskers off to a 10-2 start and is handling business in the non-conference portion of their schedule. What are the biggest keys to sustaining this success? Why he loves the chemistry of this year's team. Can they make it back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014? How about the possibility of winning a NCAA Tournament game for the first time in school history? The confidence and swagger of Keisei Tominaga. The rebounding power of Juwan Gary. A Rienk Mast update. How Pinnacle Bank Arena has become a massive home court advantage. And why defense and rebounding are always the key. Plus, parity continues to reign supreme in the sport. And find out which non-power conference teams are threatening this season.

Episode 425 - Oklahoma's Porter Moser Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

Oklahoma's Porter Moser has the Sooners off to a 10-0 start and ready for a primetime matchup with North Carolina. How was he able to re-tool the program so quickly? The importance of taking it one game at a time. Why you must continue to get better as the season progresses. Thoughts on joining the SEC next season. The biggest difference from being the head coach at Oklahoma versus at Loyola Chicago? And why selling development is so important in college athletics. Plus, Kentucky's Aaron Bradshaw is a game changer. Could Kansas have two first-team All-Americans? Michigan State makes a statement. And Big East conference play beings this week!

Episode 424 - Ohio State's Chris Holtmann Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

Ohio State's Chris Holtmann has the Buckeyes off to an 8-2 start and feels good about his group and the balance between transfers and home-grown talent. Is it hard for him to believe he's been the head coach at Ohio State for seven seasons now? Why winning road league games is tough! Their back-court evolution and why it might be one of the best in the country. Can Purdue be challenged in the Big Ten? Thoughts on the Big Ten becoming a cross country conference. How hard was it to not be in the NCAA Tournament last season? And why it's all about how you perform in March. Plus, parity rules again! Jon brings you his college hoops headlines!

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