Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Lipscomb SR F Jacob Ognacevic

Posted on March 12, 2025 by Jon Teitel

Last Sunday Lipscomb beat North Alabama 76-65 in the Atlantic Sun tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to next week’s NCAA tournament. The Bisons had won 20 games each of the past 2 years but won 25 this year to claim the school’s 1st NCAA tourney bid in 7 years. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Lipscomb SR F Jacob Ognacevic about being named conference POY and making the NCAA tourney.

You grew 10” from 8th grade to 12th grade: how did that impact you on the court? Height is a big thing in basketball. I was 6’1” as a FR but shot up to 6’6” as a SO, which obviously helped. I took the next step in my game that year, and after that I got noticed more.

As a freshman at Valpo you played in all 28 games and shot 51.7 3P%: how were you able to make such a smooth transition from high school to college? I practiced my shooting a lot. As a freshman I was a skinny kid so if I wanted to make an impact, I knew that I had to shoot the 3-ball better. There were some struggles during the transition to college, but I hit my stride as the season went on.

Why did you decide to transfer, and what made you choose Lipscomb? I arrived at Valpo in August…and 1 week later we got shot down for COVID. I did not have a roommate, so I was all by myself a lot. We had a lot of talent on our team (for example, we beat Drake by 17 PTS that February), but it was just not a good fit for me, so I entered the portal to look elsewhere. I could not take any campus visits during COVID but I did a lot of zoom calls and then committed to Lipscomb.

As a sophomore your 60.7 FG% was #2 in the nation: what is the secret to being a great shooter? Just taking good shots. I take shots that I know I can hit, and I have teammates who get me the ball in the right spots.

You faced several NCAA-tourney-caliber teams this year including Arkansas/Wofford/Kentucky: which of them impressed you the most? Kentucky put it on us and is a very good team: that was when they were all healthy. I am happy that we played Arkansas/Kentucky early on because that will help us this month.

Earlier this month you were named conference POY: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? It was a cool honor. I wanted to validate it by winning the conference tourney, as that was the main goal, but I am still thankful to have won that award.

Last Sunday you scored 14 PTS in a win over North Alabama to clinch the Atlantic Sun tourney title: what did it mean to you to win a title, and after missing all last year with a knee injury did you think it would even be possible to reach this point? I did think it was possible because we had a lot of guys coming back so we have a very experienced starting 5. To win it on our home floor with my whole family watching in the stands was great. Everyone here is excited, and a lot of people were very emotional after it finally sunk in.

Your aunt ran track at Milwaukee: who is the best athlete in the family? My sister is probably the best athlete: she had a 4.0 GPA and was good at every sport she did in high school.

What are your favorite pro sports teams? I loved Rajon Rondo growing up and had the jerseys of the Celtics’ “Big 3″…but I am a big Bucks/Packers fan now.

What kind of seed do you think you deserve, and what kind of seed do you think you will get? I would guess that we will get a #13 seed, and I have seen that we might play in Denver or Seattle, but we will find out on Sunday.

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Championship Week Video Notebook – Day 10

Posted on March 12, 2025 by David Griggs

Welcome Selection Committee Members!! We are here to provide you with all the news and notes that you need!!

Check out the HOOPS HD SURVIVAL BOARD, which shows who is a lock, who is on the bubble, and who needs the auto-bid

Also, don’t miss our CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT PAGE, which has brackets, times, and viewing information for all 31 conference tournaments

Check out our new HOOPS HD TEAM SHEETS AND DEFCON RATINGS for all 364 D1 teams

Finally, be sure to keep an eye on our most recent BRACKET PROJECTIONS

Saint Francis pulled off the upset at Central Connecticut to win the NEC Championship tonight. Robert Morris held off Youngtown to win the Horizon League for the first time since joining the league, and UNC Wilmington ended Delaware’s Cinderella run to win the CAA. We discuss all that, as well as all of the other conference tournament action today.

And, for all you radio lovers, below is an audio only version of the show…

BIG SKY CHAMPIONSHIP:

PATRIOT LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP:

SOUTHLAND CHAMPIONSHIP:

CONFERENCE USA QUARTERFINALS:

METRO ATLANTIC QUARTERFINALS:

MEAC QUARTERFINALS:

SWAC QUARTERFINALS:

WAC QUARTERFINALS:

ACC 2ND ROUND:

BIG 12 2ND ROUND:

BIG EAST OPENING ROUND:

BIG WEST OPENING ROUND:

MOUNTAIN WEST OPENING ROUND:

AMERICAN 1ST ROUND:

ATLANTIC 10 1ST ROUND:

BIG TEN 1ST ROUND:

SEC 1ST ROUND:

Posted in Championship Week Video Notebook, Podcasts, Videocasts | 1 Comment

All-Access at the A-10 Tournament in DC: HoopsHD interviews Duquesne basketball father Eric Anish

Posted on March 11, 2025 by Jon Teitel

Conference tournaments are about basketball but also so much more: the fans, parents, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The A-10 Tournament is taking place this week in Washington, DC, and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD is covering all the angles so you can look forward to an abundance of access in the days ahead. Jon Teitel continues our coverage from DC with an interview of Duquesne basketball father Eric Anish about the Dukes’ magical run last March and how he thinks they will do this week.

You spent several years working with the US Olympic Committee Sports Medicine Program and were a member of the US Medical Staff at the 2011 Pan American Games: what was the best part of working for Team USA? The people that I had the opportunity to work with from around the country. It was a multi-disciplinary group, and I learned a lot from those health care professionals while working collaboratively with some of the best athletes in the world.

You also serve as a medical consultant for the Pittsburgh Penguins: how exciting was it to work with them during their run of 3 Stanley Cups in a 9-year span? It was a tremendous honor to work for an amazing organization. They have some incredible athletes as well.

Your son Ethan grew up in Pittsburgh: how good a player was he in high school? He was a very good high school player and always had a lot of heart. He has a real passion for the game, and it was fun to watch him play.

What made him choose Duquesne for college? It was a perfect fit both athletically/academically. He had a strong connection to the program and has grown up around it. Coach Keith Dambrot welcomed him into the locker room, so he got to know the coaches/staff very well long before they recruited him to play basketball. It felt like home for him to join Duquesne as a student-athlete.

Take me through the magical 2024 postseason:
Duquesne entered the A-10 tourney as the #6 seed but won 4 games in 5 days to clinch the title: how on earth were they able to hoist the trophy after starting out 0-5 in conference play? They had a special group of players. Despite the adversity during that bad start they never lost hope/confidence in their abilities and never splintered. They had great leadership from the coaching staff, who continued to emphasize that they could turn the season around. They never gave up, righted the ship, and came together at the right time.

In the NCAA tourney they had a 4-PT win over BYU for the school’s 1st tourney win in 55 years: where does that rank among the Anish family highlights? It certainly is up there and was a special event. I was not sure I would see the team win an NCAA tourney game during my tenure…but they did!

You work as the team’s physician: how healthy is the team this week, and is it extra-special to get to travel around the country with your son while the Dukes try to win a title? We are ready to play. Like our run last year in Brooklyn/Omaha, it is great to share these experiences with my son.

Ethan is a sophomore: what is his major, and does he have a post-graduation plan yet? He is a business major, but it is too early to tell what he will do in the future.

You ran cross country and track at Penn: who is the best athlete in the family? I could beat him in a 1-mile race, but he could probably beat me 1-on-1…although I am still a better FT shooter than him!

Any predictions for their game tomorrow vs. St. Bonaventure? I certainly hope we can win tomorrow. We already beat them once this year so there is no reason to think we cannot do so again.

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All-Access at the A-10 Tournament in DC: HoopsHD interviews VCU cheerleader Raegan Willis

Posted on March 11, 2025 by Jon Teitel

Conference tournaments are about basketball but also so much more: the fans, parents, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The A-10 Tournament is taking place this week in Washington, DC, and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD is covering all the angles so you can look forward to an abundance of access in the days ahead. Jon Teitel continues our coverage from DC with an interview of VCU cheerleader Raegan Willis about being a captain and how she thinks the Rams will do this week.

You grew up in Maryland/Virginia: what made you choose VCU? I liked the welcoming environment of Richmond, and it was not too far away from home.

You are a double-majoring in homeland security/criminal justice with concentration in forensic crime scene investigation and minoring in gender/women/sexuality studies: how did you choose those subjects? I grew up wanting to help people and watched a lot of crime shows with my dad growing up.

You are a senior: what is the post-graduation plan? I hope to work for the Arlington Police Department if I get in. If not, then hopefully some government job.

You are captain of the team: what is the key to being a good leader? Listening to your teammates and hearing people out. You must be willing to be there for your teammates no matter the circumstance and put the team 1st: almost as if you are the “team mom”!

How did you 1st get into cheering, and what is the best part? My mom is a cheer coach so I started in middle school and cheered for her throughout high school. I enjoy stunting but hanging out with my teammates is the best part: we have bonded very well together.

The Rams have not had a single losing season during the 21st century: is it more fun to cheer for a team when they are so successful? It is the best part, especially with the crowd involvement. Continuing that winning streak is very exciting.

How does your school decide who gets to go to DC, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? We use our seniors the most and then see who wants to go. It is pretty exciting: we have a good group and will show our skills to everyone while supporting our basketball team.

Does your squad have anything extra-special planned for this week? Not that I know of, but we are going to Daytona to cheer at nationals so hopefully we will finish ranked very high.

Your team has made the NCAA tourney during each of the past 3 odd-numbered years (2019/2021/2023): do you think they will continue the trend in 2025? Hopefully because I am ready to travel!

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All-Access at the CAA Tournament in DC: Championship Tuesday

Posted on March 11, 2025 by Jon Teitel

Conference tournaments are about basketball but also so much more: the fans, parents, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The CAA Tournament is taking place this weekend in Washington, DC, and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD is covering all the angles so you can look forward to an abundance of access in the days ahead. Jon Teitel continues our coverage from DC with a recap of the championship game on Tuesday night.

There was some serious pre-game pageantry with the national anthem played by a trumpeter, and you know it is a big game when the Space Force marches out with the flags:

I missed out on dinner to do happy hour with a friend visiting from out of town. Let’s tip off the title game and see who will hoist the trophy:

DELAWARE-UNCW

The 2 coaches are ready to roll:

It is hard to believe that Delaware PG Izaiah Pasha is only a freshman. He scored 10 PTS in the 1sy half by getting to the rim for layup after layup and was a perfect 4-4 from the FT line:

In contrast, UNCW got most of its scoring from a pair of 6’5″ veteran guards. Grad student Bo Montgomery made a pretty bank shot off the glass and a pair of layups, while JR Greedy Williams made a leaner in the lane and a corner 3:

The good news for Delaware is that after falling behind 29-14 they made a nice little run to finish the half with just an 8-PT deficit. The very BAD news for the Blue Hens is that the Seahawks are 23-0 this year when leading at halftime:

In the 2nd half the Blue Hens took a 41-40 lead right before the under-16 timeout on a 3 by John Camden as the fans went crazy:

His teammate Cavan Reilly, who went scoreless in the 1st half, got off to a hot start in the 2nd stanza with a pull-up J, a layup, a 3, and a pair of tough scoops to give his team a 58-57 lead with 8 minutes remaining…and the dream was alive!:

Delaware F Niels Lane made a ton of layups in the 2nd half including 1 that cut the deficit to 65-62 with under 5 minutes left:

I walked down to the court to prepare for the postgame celebration and got to hang out by the UNCW bench with Sammy while we waited to see whose ticket would get punched:

I almost missed the Blue Hens pulling off an all-time Cinder-Dela story…but Seahawk G Donovan Newby made some clutch FTs down the stretch to clinch a 76-72 victory:

That is a wrap for tonight, check back tomorrow for some great UNCW celebration photos, and check back later this week when the A-10 comes to DC!

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All-Access at the A-10 Tournament in DC: HoopsHD interviews Rhode Island cheerleader Sophia Castilletti

Posted on March 11, 2025 by Jon Teitel

Conference tournaments are about basketball but also so much more: the fans, parents, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The A-10 Tournament is taking place this week in Washington, DC, and we could not be more excited to be there in person! HoopsHD is covering all the angles so you can look forward to an abundance of access in the days ahead. Jon Teitel commences our coverage from DC with an interview of Rhode Island cheerleader Sophia Castilletti about cheering for a winning team and her prediction for today’s game vs. Fordham.

You are from Long Island: what made you choose Rhode Island? A major part of my decision was the cheer team.

You are majoring in nursing: how did you choose that subject? URI has a really good nursing program. My mom is a nurse so I grew up around it: she would always tell me stories so her passion made me want to follow in her footsteps.

You are a junior: what is the post-graduation plan? I want to get a job but am unsure what specialty to choose yet. I might also go to grad school.

What has been the highlight of your season so far: starting 9-0, Senior Night, other? Starting 9-0 was great, but our upset over Providence at home in that 9th game was the highlight because it is a big rivalry within the state.

The Rams had losing seasons each of the past 4 years but are 18-12 this year: is it more fun to cheer for the team when they are playing well? Yes, but even when they are having a losing season it is not hard to remain in high spirits. The more energy we can bring on the sideline, the more energy the players will have on the court.

How does your school decide who gets to go to DC, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? Our coach decides who will go based on availability/experience, so our upperclassmen travel more often. It is very exciting to get an opportunity to show off our skills in front of a large audience.

Does your band have anything extra-special planned for this week? Not really: we practiced yesterday to make sure all our skills are perfect and hopefully we will keep winning.

Any predictions for your game today vs. Fordham? I think our chances are good: we played them last Saturday and our team won by almost 20 PTS because the team did what it had to do.

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