Last Saturday Akron beat Toledo 79-76 in the MAC tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Zips did not make a single NCAA tourney from 2014-2021 but are now heading back there for the 4th time in the past 5 years. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Akron coach John Groce about his awesome offense and making the NCAA tourney.
Courtesy: University of Akron
You were an assistant to Thad Matta at Butler/Xavier/Ohio State: what was your reaction to his retirement yesterday? I congratulate him and his family because I think the world of them and they have meant a lot to me and my family. It is well-earned after making a lifetime impact on all of us. As good a coach as he is, he is an even better person.
At Columbus you 2 were NCAA tourney runner-up in 2007 and NIT champ in 2008: what is the key to winning games in March? The NCAA tourney is no different than a conference tourney: you are just 1 of 68, all of whom are good teams. It is about matchups, being prepared, and being a little fortunate.
As head coach at Ohio you had an upset of #3-seed Georgetown in 2010 and an upset of #4-seed Michigan in 2012: what is the secret to becoming a Cinderella? Having good players, a good team, and playing well that day. A lot of people like to compare previous teams, but they have nothing to do with how well we do this Friday. We need to control our preparation: we are talented enough with experienced high-character guys. Experience can be a great teacher if you want it to be, but it comes down to execution.
In the MAC tourney title game last Sunday Shammah Scott made a 3-PT shot with 6 seconds left to clinch a 3-PT win over Toledo (www.reddit.com/r/CollegeBasketball/comments/1ru1wsp/shammah_scott_sends_akron_to_the_ncaa_tournament): did you think the shot was going in, and where does it rank among the biggest shots in school history? I think he is capable of making any shot he takes: he is our version of Payton Pritchard, who makes big-time shots at the end of quarters for the Celtics. There is a reason we put him in that position and he delivered. I do not know all of the great shots at Akron…but that has to be up there.
You are heading back to the NCAA tourney for the 4th time in 5 years: do you learn something new each March that you can make use of next March, or do they each stand on their own as individual matchups? Probably a little bit of both. I expect my players/staff to get better from year to year, and I also expect that of myself. We all work hard to improve in different areas, so going through those experiences were helpful.
Your 1st road game this year featured your toughest opponent: what makes Purdue such a great team? It starts with their coach: Matt Painter is a great person and unbelievable coach who has built a great culture. He has really good players who play well together, and they made an unbelievable run to win the Big 10 tourney, which is not easy to do.
Tavari Johnson averaged just 4 PPG as a sophomore, but as a senior he led the MAC with 20.1 PPG/87 FT%: how has he been able to improve so much over the past 2 years? Part of it is his discipline and the way that he has embraced the details: weight room/recovery/etc. I call him a “pro’s pro”: he has always been talented, but has changed his body and is 1 of the best guards not just in our league but in the entire country. He was on pace for a 50-40-90 season earlier this year and is extremely efficient.
Your team is top-10 in the nation with 88.4 PPG/50.3 FG%/10.9 3PM/18.4 APG: what makes your offense so effective? The pace that we play at: we play very fast and it is impossible for us to play too fast. Our shot selection is high, we are very unselfish, and this is by far the best passing team that I have coached here. Our half-court execution has continued to grow, and our offensive rebounding numbers are good as well.
Your brother Travis Steele also made the NCAA tourney as head coach at Miami OH (who you lost to by 3 PTS last January): how do you put his team’s 31-game winning streak into context, and how do you like his chances against SMU tomorrow? I cannot even remember the last team to win 31 in a row: it is very special. I was excited to see their name called on Selection Sunday: the only person more excited was my mother! He has had a great season and I wish him the best of luck this week.
How do you feel about being a #12 seed, and what do you know about Texas Tech? I thought that we could maybe be a #11 seed because we are #1 in the MAC in offense/defense and had a good SOS. 4 of our 5 losses were to teams who won conference titles and/or tourney titles, and the other 1 (Murray State) is in the NIT. I am really impressed by the way Texas Tech responded after JT Toppin’s injury and you can tell their team is very connected. Coach Grant McCasland’s team is tough on defense and their 3-PT shooting numbers are as impressive as (if not better than) ours. They have great personnel starting with Christian Anderson: some of his passes remind me of Mike Conley Jr./DJ Cooper. They have good depth and I like watching LeJuan Watts play due to his physicality/motor.
The best week of the year is finally here! This is the time when we ponder the impact of geography, the importance of having a veteran coach, and exactly how many different “Wildcats” can make the Final 4. For those of you who need some last-minute bracket advice grounded in historical facts/trends, please see below for our Sweetest 16 Suggestions. For the rest of you, enjoy the Madness!!
TIP #1: No team that lost its opening game in its conference tournament has ever gone on to win the NCAA title that same year. STRATEGY: The extra few days of rest have not proven helpful in the past so take a long hard look at Miami OH (lost to UMass in the MAC tourney quarterfinals)/Texas Tech (lost to Iowa State in the Big 12 tourney quarterfinals) before penciling them in as your champ.
TIP #2: The last coach to win a title in his very 1st year as coach at a school was Tubby Smith at Kentucky in 1998. STRATEGY: History is not on the side of Villanova coach Kevin Willard/Virginia coach Ryan Odom.
TIP #3: Since UNLV from the Big West won it all in 1990, 32 of the past 33 champs have come from a power-conference (except for UConn from the American in 2014): ACC (11), Big East (9), SEC (6), Big 12 (3), Pac-12 (2), Big 10 (1). STRATEGY: You might want to think twice before picking anyone from the A-10/WCC to win it all.
TIP #4: Only 3 coaches with 4 or fewer prior tournament appearances have won the title since 1985 (Steve Fisher/Tom Izzo/Kevin Ollie). STRATEGY: Teams like BYU (Kevin Young has 1 prior tourney appearance)/Duke (Jon Scheyer has 3 prior tourney appearances) might need a little more seasoning before they can win it all.
TIP #5: Each champ since 2002 had a strength of schedule that was among the top-75 in the nation. STRATEGY: You must play the best to learn how to beat the best so you might want to stay away from St. Mary’s (SOS: 82)/Utah State (SOS: 80).
TIP #6: There are 11 active coaches who have won at least 2/3 of their NCAA tournament games (minimum 5 wins). STRATEGY: Do not expect Dan Hurley of UConn (75%)/Todd Golden of Florida (75%) to be catching an early flight home.
TIP #7: There are 7 schools who have won at least 85% of their games in the round of 64 (minimum 5 games). STRATEGY: Kansas (38-3)/North Carolina (33-3) are near-automatic in their opening games.
TIP #8: There are 8 schools who have won at least 75% of their games in the round of 32 (minimum 5 games). STRATEGY: Arizona (21-4) is looking good vs. the Villanova-Utah State winner if they can win their 1st round game, and if not then Clemson (5-1) is not a bad alternative.
TIP #9: There are 9 schools who have won at least 70% of their Elite 8 games (minimum 5 games). STRATEGY: Keep an eye on some of the top seeds in case either Houston (7-1)/Duke (18-7) can make it to the 2nd weekend.
TIP #10: There are 9 schools who have won at least 60% of their Final 4 games (minimum 5 games). STRATEGY: Michigan is 7-1 in the Final 4 so if you pick them to survive the Midwest Region then you might want to pick them to get all the way to the title game.
TIP #11: Only 3 teams have won an NCAA title after not being in the tournament the previous year it was held (1986 Louisville/2003 Syracuse/2014 UConn). STRATEGY: Nebraska (who won the Crown in 2025)/Virginia (no postseason appearance in 2025) are certainly ready for primetime…but might not be ready to go all the way.
TIP #12: There are 7 schools who have won at least 85% of their NCAA tournament games in their home state (minimum 5 games). STRATEGY: How excited is Houston (6-1 in the state of Texas) that the South Region is in Houston?!
TIP #13: BYU has played in the most NCAA tournaments (31) without ever making the Final 4. STRATEGY: I am a big fan of AJ Dybantsa…but if the Cougars could not reach the Final 4 with Danny Ainge/Jimmer Fredette, then they will probably not make it with this year’s squad.
TIP #14: Since 1988 only 3 champs have not been a top-3 seed (#4 Arizona in 1997, #7 UConn in 2014, #4 UConn in 2023) STRATEGY: Alabama/Kansas might be nice sleeper picks, but the odds are against them winning it all.
TIP #15: The last champ with only 1 loss was Texas Western in 1966, and the last 2 teams entering the NCAA tournament with only 1 loss ended up losing in the title game (2005 Illinois, 2008 Memphis). STRATEGY: Miami OH might make it to the title game, but the odds are against them winning it once they get there.
TIP #16: Each of the 4 times that Mount St. Mary’s lost in the Round of 64, the team that beat them won it all the next season. STRATEGY: The team who beat Mount St. Mary’s in last year’s Round of 64 was…Duke!
The Tournament field is set!! A full Hoops HD panel begins by talking about the selection committee and what they got right and wrong. From there we look at the bracket itself, discuss each game in the Round of 64, and fill out the entire thing as a panel. See what we think the upsets will be, who we think will go to the Final Four, and who we think will win it all!! And don’t miss as we unveil this year’s AC8 Field!
And for all you radio lovers, below is an audio only version of the show…
Last Saturday Arizona beat Houston 79-74 in the Big 12 tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Wildcats have now made 5 straight NCAA tourneys since hiring Coach Tommy Lloyd in 2021, and will open as a #1 seed against LIU in San Diego on Friday. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Arizona Pomline captain Maya Miller about running her own business and making the NCAA tourney.
You are from Chandler, AZ: what made you choose Arizona for college? I grew up in Chandler, and family has always been a huge part of my life. Because of that, I knew I wanted to stay relatively close to home, but not necessarily right down the road, so Tucson (being about an hour and a half away), felt like the perfect balance. When I toured the University of Arizona, I immediately fell in love with the campus. It has a unique blend of a large-campus atmosphere with a small-town feel, which made it easy for me to envision myself calling it home. The Arizona Pomline also played a significant role in my decision. Our program is known as a feeder for professional cheerleading, which was very exciting to me. We focus primarily on showmanship and game-day performance rather than competition, which aligns more closely with the professional cheerleading world. On top of that, the university offers excellent academics, great athletics, and a vibrant campus community, making it truly feel like the perfect fit.
You are majoring in human development and family sciences, and minoring in communication: how did you choose those subjects? I fell in love with my major as soon as I arrived at Arizona and stuck with it for all four years. I have always been interested in understanding people, relationships, and family dynamics, which is precisely what Human Development and Family Sciences focuses on. My minor took a little longer to figure out. I entered college knowing I eventually wanted to pursue family law, but I intentionally avoided a traditional pre-law major because I wanted to explore other interests and build a broader skill set before applying to law school. At one point, I considered becoming a family and marriage counselor and even completed an internship in that field the summer before my junior year. That experience helped me realize that counseling was not the right path for me, but it reaffirmed my interest in family systems and relationships. Communication ended up being the perfect minor because strong communication skills are essential in law, leadership, and really any career. It also provides me with flexibility in the job market and helps me better understand how to connect with and advocate for others.
Your post-graduation plans involve making an NFL cheer team and going to law school: which do you feel will be more difficult? I anticipate that both paths will be challenging in very different ways. Physically, making an NFL cheer team is extremely demanding. It requires strict discipline regarding training, nutrition, and constantly improving as a dancer. There is also the mental aspect of staying confident, focused, and not comparing myself to the incredibly talented women auditioning alongside me. Law school, on the other hand, will be academically and mentally demanding. It requires a significant amount of reading, critical thinking, and long-term dedication. Right now, my plan is to focus on pursuing professional cheerleading first. I would love to make an NFL team and gain that experience while I am still young. Law school is still very much in my future, but I want to ensure that I am financially and personally ready when I take that step.
How did you 1st get into dancing? I started dancing relatively late compared to most dancers: I was nine years old. Before that, from ages three to nine, I did karate and even earned my black belt, which was a huge accomplishment for me. After that, I decided I wanted to try something new, as dance had always been of interest to me. I joined a local dance studio and eventually made their competition team. When I reached junior high, I chose to shift my focus to school dance teams because I loved the idea of representing something bigger than just myself. I attended Perry High School and was part of the varsity pomline from my sophomore year through senior year. I was also involved in the school’s dance program all four years and made the dance company my senior year. Transitioning from high school pom to collegiate pom at Arizona was a big adjustment because the styles are very different. In high school, we focused on competition and trained all year for UDA nationals, where we competed against other schools from all over the country. At Arizona, our emphasis is on being ambassadors for the university and performing high-energy game-day routines that prepare us for professional cheerleading opportunities.
You have been a captain of the Arizona Pomline for 2 years in a row: what is the key to being a good leader? I believe the key to being a good leader is always putting your teammates’ best interests first. Our team has 24 dancers, each with different personalities, strengths, and needs. As 1 of the captains, it is our responsibility to ensure everyone feels confident, supported, and prepared for every performance. Our team structure is also built around seniority, which helps distribute responsibilities. The captains choreograph routines, create formations, lead rehearsals, organize travel details, and coordinate which dancers represent the university at various events in the Tucson community. We also try to mentor younger team members by giving them opportunities to choreograph or teach routines during the season if they are interested. Leadership is not just about directing; it is about creating an environment where everyone feels valued and has the chance to grow.
1 of your hobbies is hiking: do you have any hiking suggestions for any of our readers who find themselves in the greater Tucson area? Tucson has some incredible hiking spots. For those looking for a scenic place to explore without committing to a full hike, Mount Lemmon is a beautiful option. There are charming local shops up there: one of my personal favorites is the Cookie Cabin. If you want a shorter yet challenging workout, Tumamoc Hill is a great choice. It is not very long, but its steep incline provides an excellent cardio workout. Another favorite of mine is Sabino Canyon, known for its stunning scenery and a trail that leads to a gorgeous waterfall. And for something iconic, Sentinel Peak, also known as “A” Mountain, offers a shorter hike that ends in a view of the famous Arizona “A” overlooking the city.
You also have your own eyelash business: how are you able to balance school/dancing/business? During my sophomore year of college, I became certified in eyelash extensions. It turned out to be the perfect job for my schedule, as it allows me to work around my classes and Pomline practices. A traditional part-time job with fixed hours would be difficult to manage with such a busy schedule, but running my own business gives me the flexibility I need. I also offer private dance lessons to girls who aspire to join our team. These opportunities help me pay my rent and provide some extra “spending money”. I typically schedule lash clients during the week when I do not have class or practice and reserve weekends for private dance lessons with younger dancers. The key to balancing everything is to stay organized. I maintain a weekly calendar in my room that I constantly update with practices, games, gigs, clients, dance privates, and classes. Additionally, I keep an assignment tracker for all my coursework for the semester to stay ahead. Having a system like this makes it possible to manage everything successfully.
How does your school decide who gets to attend the NCAA tourney, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? Travel opportunities with our dance team are primarily based on seniority. For basketball tournaments, six dancers travel to each round of games. Generally, seniors and juniors travel with the men’s team, while juniors and sophomores often accompany the women’s team. This arrangement depends on the number of dancers in each class. Last year, I had the opportunity to travel for the first time with the women’s team to the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City. This year is especially exciting because I am traveling with the men’s team for both the Big 12 Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. During football season, all 24 dancers usually have the chance to travel to bowl games. In basketball, most dancers wait three or four years before getting the opportunity to travel, making the experience more meaningful. Performing on a national stage like that is something we work towards all year. Representing the University of Arizona and our team in front of a national audience is truly an unforgettable opportunity.
Does your squad have anything extra-special planned for San Diego? Our team is eager to make our mark in San Diego this year. While we are still waiting for our final itinerary, fans can expect some exciting moments, including the team send-off, pep rallies, and of course, cheering during the game itself. We are also preparing a halftime performance with the Arizona Cheer Team that we are excited to showcase. It is always a fantastic opportunity to bring energy and represent Arizona pride on a national stage.
Any predictions for the Wildcats this month? The Wildcats had an outstanding season, consistently demonstrating their capabilities. Winning the Big 12 regular season title and the conference championship were significant accomplishments, and I know the team is motivated to keep that momentum going. One of the team’s greatest strengths is its depth. With talented five-star freshmen, experienced veterans, and an incredibly energized bench, there is immense talent throughout the roster. Additionally, Coach Tommy Lloyd has done an amazing job leading the program. He remains level-headed, cares deeply about the players and the community, and has built a strong culture around the team. Because of this combination of talent, leadership, and coaching, I believe the Wildcats are well-equipped to make Tucson very proud this tournament season.
Last Friday Michigan State lost to UCLA 88-84 in the Big 10 tourney quarterfinals but was still good enough to earn an at-large bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Spartans have now made the NCAA tourney every single year since 1998 and will open up as a #3 seed against North Dakota State in Buffalo on Thursday. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Michigan State cheerleader Delaney Ferguson about facing Duke last December and making the NCAA tourney.
You are from Northville, MI: what made you choose Michigan State? I have always wanted to come to Michigan State. My parents/sister are all alumni and I have been a fan of the school since I was a kid. I got to attend a lot of games while growing up and watched several games from my family’s basement as well.
You are majoring in Elementary Education: why did you choose that subject? I knew that I did not want to be sitting at my desk for a career. I found a passion through our kids’ clinics of working with children.
You are a SR: what is the post-graduation plan? Next year I will complete an internship, move back home, and work 10 minutes away in Plymouth, MI: I should get matched pretty soon!
You are on the cheerleading team: how long have you been cheering for? I started cheering when I was 3 years old. I later did all-star cheer as well as high school sideline cheer as well.
Some of your hobbies include reading books/watching movies: any tips for our readers who want to pick up a book or watch a movie? I recently watched “1 Battler After Another”, which just won the Academy Award for Best Picture. I also liked “Dead Poets Society” and “Dune Messiah”.
The Big 10 had 9 teams make the NCAA tourney: what is it like to be part of 1 of the best basketball conferences in the country? I love watching our team and I get more into it every year. We have such a great alumni base so whenever I travel it is so surreal because we are all connected on such a big stage.
You played a lot of great teams at home this year in non-conference play (including Arkansas/Iowa/Duke): which 1 of them impressed you the most? Duke impressed me the most. When that game got put on our schedule we were all so excited to be a part of it. It was an important game to be at due to the basketball history between the 2 schools.
How does your school decide who gets to go to the NCAA tourney, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? We have a point system for GPA/skills/year/etc., and we work events throughout the year to increase our points. I finished 2nd and chose to attend the NCAA tourney. It is great to show off our skills: people are mainly watching the basketball, but it is still cool to be a part of March Madness and get to travel with my best friends.
Does your squad have anything extra-special planned for Buffalo? Not quite yet, but we might try to visit Niagara Falls because it is only 30 minutes from our hotel.
Any predictions for the Spartans this month? I am an optimist so even though we are in a hard region (East), our team is so great that I think we can definitely make it to the Sweet 16…at least!
Yesterday UCSD beat Hawaii 60-48 in the Big West tourney women’s title game to earn an automatic bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Tritons made the 1st 4 last year and are back in the NCAA tourney for the 2nd year in a row. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with UCSD SR SG Sabrina Ma about her “superfriends” and making the NCAA tourney.
You began your college career at San Jose State, where you were named to the MWC All-Freshman Team: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? Trusting in the work and all the extra hours I put in. I relied on the support of my teammates/coaching staff, who made me feel right at home and made playing that much easier.
You were also named to the Academic All-Conference Team: how were you able to balance your work on the court with your work in the classroom? I plan out things ahead of time and block out time to study. The academics here are rigorous so I use my counselors as well.
As a sophomore in 2023 you scored a career-high 31 PTS/7-15 3PM in a win over Bethesda CA: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? I just got in a rhythm/flow, saw the hoop get bigger, and had my teammates set me up for shots.
Why did you decide to transfer, and what made you choose UCSD? The culture at UCSD: I talked to the coaches when I was in high school and they are straightforward/honest so I knew exactly what I would get. They genuinely care for me as a person both on/off the court.
You play for Coach Heidi VanDerveer: what makes her such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from her so far? 1 big thing is the culture that she has established here. Her staff is a reflection of her, and her leadership shows in our selflessness. We all play for each other and have a bigger purpose outside of ourselves, which comes from her.
I saw that you and several of your teammates (Erin Condron/Rosa Smith/Dymonique Maxie/Makayla Rose) were referred to as the “superfriends”: do you think that your team plays so well because everyone gets along with each other so well? For sure! We spend a lot of time with each other and would not mind spending every day together. We do a lot of things outside of basketball like going to the beach or getting some food together as an entire team, which really helps our chemistry on the court.
Yesterday in the Big West tourney title game you had 7 REB/5 AST/0 TO in a win over Hawaii: what did it mean to you to win a title, and what was the feeling like in your locker room afterward? It was amazing: everyone was able to contribute and we focused on ourselves and trusted in the work that we had put in this season. We really capitalized on our defense in the 2nd half and tried to get the ball to Erin in the post.
You have increased your scoring during each of your 4 years in college: how have you been able to keep improving every single year? Getting up extra shots and using my teammates to get better. Scoring is nice, but I do not think about that and just play my game and have fun.
1 of your toughest opponents this year was Washington: what impressed you the most about the Huskies? It was a while ago and was a fun environment to play with. It was fun to see how Elle Ladine has developed as a player since I have known her since high school.
What kind of seed do you think you deserve, and what kind of seed do you think you will get? I have seen a lot of predictions that put us at a 13/14. Last year we were in the play-in game as a 16 so we are hoping for a higher seed than that.
