Hoops HD

All-Access at the CAA Tournament in DC: HoopsHD interviews William & Mary baritone player Aaron Kopp

Posted on March 9, 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 an interview of William & Mary baritone player Aaron Kopp about his favorite hiking spot and what it would mean for the Tribe to finally make the NCAA tourney.

You are from Alexandria, VA: what made you choose William and Mary? My folks went here, my uncle went here, and my little brother is going to go here: it is a family thing.

You are majoring in mathematics: how did you choose that subject? I hated math in elementary/middle school but it finally clicked for me during a calculus class in high school. It was during COVID and there was nothing else to do: I finally started seeing math less as numbers and more as patterns.

You are a junior: do you have a post-graduation plan? Not yet, but I hope work in forestry or land management.

You play the baritone: how long have you been playing it, and what is your favorite song to play? I actually started on the trumpet…but since I was bad at it my teacher made me switch to baritone in 4th grade. My favorite song to play is “Land of 1000 Dances”: you will recognize it when you hear it.

You are a big hiker: do you have a favorite hiking spot? The Southern Rockies. I spent last year in New Mexico and got to hike the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

What has been the highlight of your season so far: starting conference play 5-0, Senior Night, other? I would say being ALMOST undefeated at home (12-2). There are more students attending games this year than I have ever seen before.

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? It is based on our attendance at regular season games. I did not get to attend last year, but did come to DC as a freshman. I love my band family and I am graduating in December so this is my final week to play at our basketball games.

Does your band have anything extra-special planned for this week? This is our spring break so everyone who is here took time out of their time off to be here.

Any predictions for your game today vs. Delaware? This has already been a big year for underdogs (Washington Commanders making the NFC title game, ASU/Indiana football making the College Football Playoff, etc.). I want us to keep winning, make the NCAA tourney, and then play 1 of the top teams like Auburn/Duke because we have risen to the occasion this year against the best.

The Tribe have been playing basketball for 120 years but have never made the NCAA tourney: what would it mean to your school to finally break the streak? There is a slim-but-very-real chance, and it would mean so much. We have been in the NIT before but a trip to the NCAA would transform us from laughably bad to having a chance for a good run in the years ahead. It is great to have an exciting sports culture on our campus.

Posted in News and Notes | Tagged Aaron Kopp, William & Mary | Comments Off

All-Access at the CAA Tournament in DC: HoopsHD interviews Towson pom squad member Victoria Magan

Posted on March 9, 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 an interview of Towson pom squad member Victoria Magan about being a captain and her prediction for today’s game vs. Drexel.

You are from Manalapan, NJ: what made you choose Towson? I wanted to dance at a school that was close to home…but not TOO close, and Towson is the perfect distance!

You are majoring in Exercise Science with a minor in Health Science: how did you choose those subjects? I want to help people and love working with kids. I got to shadow someone during high school who does occupational therapy and I really liked it.

You are captain of the team: what is the key to being a good leader? You need to have a voice and hear your teammates at the same time.

After graduation you are heading to graduate school to get a doctorate in Occupational Therapy: what is the long-term plan? School for 3 years, then find a job, and maybe move closer to home.

You are in a sorority: how big is Greek life at your school? You do not need to be part of the Greek system to have a social life, but it is fun.

Towson has won 20+ games during each of the past 4 years: how nice is it to get to do pom for such a successful team? I love it: the atmosphere at our arena is crazy!

What has been the highlight of your season so far: the 12-game winning streak in January/February, Senior Night, other? Senior Night was the most packed that I have ever seen our arena: it was awesome.

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? It is based on availability and who has been on the team the longest. Since we are the #1 seed this year it is a lot of fun.

Does your squad have anything extra-special planned for this week? No: we are just along for the ride. We are cheering at the men’s tournament this weekend and at the women’s tournament next weekend.

Any predictions for your game vs. Drexel? I think we will win today and I hope we will win it all in the days ahead: we just need to stay focused.

Posted in News and Notes | Tagged towson, Victoria Magan | Comments Off

All-Access at the CAA Tournament in DC: HoopsHD interviews Towson cheerleader Jada Williams

Posted on March 9, 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 an interview of Towson cheerleader Jada Williams about having a twin as a teammate and her prediction for today’s game vs. Drexel.

You are from Vineland, NJ: what made you choose Towson? The cheer program: it is amazing.

You are majoring in Mass Communications with a minor in PR: how did you choose those subjects, and what is the post-graduation plan? I like working in social media, and I want to do PR as a profession.

How did you 1st get into cheering, and what is the best part? I started cheering in high school and eventually became captain of the team. I wanted to continue cheering in college, and after attending a clinic at Towson I just loved it. The best part is having such great teammates.

1 of those teammates is your twin sister Vanessa, who was also your high school swim teammate: who is the best athlete in the family? I cannot pick who is best: we both have our strong suits and balance each other out very well.

Towson has won 20+ games during each of the past 4 years: how nice is it to get to cheer for such a successful team?! It is really fun: our arena is packed and our students are really into it.

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? It is based on seniority and who is the best fit. It means the world to me to be here because we work so hard during the year.

Does your squad have anything extra-special planned for this week? We are doing a halftime performance with the pom team, and also do an original dance while our band plays the ESPN theme song.

Any predictions for your game today vs. Drexel? I think we will win because our team has great chemistry.

Posted in News and Notes | Tagged Jada Williams, towson | Comments Off

Hoops HD Daily Rundown – Regular Season Finale! Sunday, March – 9th

Posted on March 9, 2025 by David Griggs

NEWS AND NOTES:

-For all of the conference tournament News and Notes, check out our CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK VIDEO NOTEBOOK – CLICK HERE

-First and foremost, we had our first Quadrupler of the season!!!! Notre Dame held off Cal 112-110 in a four overtime thriller!

-Alabama and Auburn squared off in what may turn out to be the most exciting game of the regular season. Alabama, having lost two straight, managed to get a huge OT win in this one 93-91 as Mark Sears hit the game winning shot at the buzzer. The two teams won on each others’ home floors, and may face off again this week in the SEC Tournament!

-North Carolina was competitive with Duke for a half, but the Blue Devils wore down the Tar Heels in the 2nd half and cemented outright first place in the ACC with their win. UNC is now in must-win mode for the entirety of the ACC Tournament.

– Houston also finished conference play 19-1 with their road win at Baylor; the Cougars continue to make a strong case for a #1 seed themselves.

-Saint John’s also won in a buzzer beating overtime thriller as they took down Marquette on the road 86-84. The Johnnies may struggle with shooting the ball, but they do everything else right and keep finding ways to win games.

-Kentucky’s resume got a lot stronger as they added another high caliber road win to it. They went into Missouri and picked up a 91-83 win in a game they basically lead from tip to buzzer.

-Arkansas barely held on to beat Mississippi State 93-92 and keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive. Mississippi State actually had a shot at the buzzer that would have won them the game, but it didn’t go down.

-Georgia finished the regular season on a four game winning streak, which may be enough to land them inside the bubble. They knocked off a pretty solid Vanderbilt team 79-68 yesterday and will face an Oklahoma team in their first SEC Tournament game that is also squarely on the bubble. Speaking of Oklahoma…

-The Sooners are lacking in road wins and conference wins, so picking up a conference road win against their rivals Texas 76-72 is exactly what they needed to do to close out the season. That upcoming conference tournament game against Georgia is absolutely huge.

-Indiana is squarely on the bubble and got a nice 66-60 win against Ohio State, who is also squarely on the bubble. The Hoosiers will feel a lot safer if they can pick up some wins in the Big Ten Tournament, but right now they appear to be on the right side of the cut line.

-UC Irvine and UC San Diego both closed out their season with road wins. I think UC San Diego will get in regardless of what they do in the Big West Tournament, and that UC Irvine should get in, but is less likely to be selected.

– Xavier and San Diego State were other teams near the cut line that also won their regular season finales. Neither team should assume that they’re in if they’re one-and-done in their conference tournaments, though.

HIGHLIGHTED GAMES:

-MICHIGAN AT MICHIGAN STATE (Big Ten). Both teams are probable protected seeds, but Michigan State is red hot and Michigan has lost their last two. Beating Michigan State on the road to close the season would be one of their biggest wins both on and off paper, but pulling it off won’t be easy.

-IOWA AT NEBRASKA (Big Ten). This is a must win game for Nebraska. They are at home against a team that’s nowhere near the bubble, so they need to win it to avoid slipping outside of it themselves. They also need to win it just to make it to the Big Ten Tournament. If they lose, they are mathematically eliminated and I can’t see the committee taking them if they don’t even make it into the Big Ten Tournament.

-OREGON AT WASHINGTON (Big Ten). It’s a road rivalry game for the Ducks, so it’s a chance to add another road win to their resume and feel good about themselves for beating their rivals in the process.

And in case you missed it, here is our first look at the NCAA Selection Board for 2025:

SIU-Edwardsville and Omaha are the first teams to qualify; there will be 3 more auto bids handed out today in the Atlantic Sun, Missouri Valley and Big South. Also keep an eye on the board on Thursday as this is when the Hoops HD Selection Committee will reveal their first ballot of NCAA Tournament teams as well as teams Under Consideration.

Posted in Daily Rundown, News and Notes | Comments Off

All-Access at the CAA Tournament in DC: HoopsHD interviews Hampton basketball father Lamont Strothers

Posted on March 9, 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 an interview of Hampton basketball father Lamont Strothers about playing in the NBA and his prediction for his son’s game tonight against UNCW.

At Forest Glen High School you were struck in the left eye during a fistfight involving a guy with brass knuckles: what impact did that incident have on you either on or off the court? It happened after my senior year. I was already enlisted at the time but he hit me 5 days before I was going to begin my military service. The doctors reexamined me and decided that it was such a serious injury that they honorably discharged me before I served a single day!

How close did you come to attending Georgia, and what made you choose Christopher Newport? I only had a partial scholarship to Georgia so I decided to make some money by working for 1 year. Most people know about the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (PIT) but I played in a tournament after that called the Suffolk Invitational Tournament. I played against a team that had a bunch of ex-pros and I ended up scoring 28 PTS in the 2nd half. I introduced myself to the opposing coach and he assumed that I was an older guy due to my performance. When I told him that I was just 18 he told that he would come back the next day with some papers to sign so that I could get enrolled at Christopher Newport.

In 1991 you were named 1st-team All-American and D-3 national POY: what did it mean to you to receive such outstanding honors? I went to school for an education, but 1 of my advisors suggested that since I was so good at basketball I might want to change majors. The honors were great, but I credit it all to my work ethic.

You scored 2709 career PTS in college and graduated as the #3 all-time scorer in D-3 history: what is the secret to being a great scorer? WORK! Those unseen hours will add up. I tell young players that if you play against guys in your age group then it will make you comfortable, but when you play against older guys you have to work harder and come up with new moves.

In the summer of 1991 you were drafted 43rd overall by Golden State (2 spots ahead of Bobby Phills and the highest-ever selection of a D-3 player at the time) and were subsequently traded to Portland: what did it mean to you to get drafted, and what did it mean to you to get traded? Getting drafted meant everything to me: it is something that every player dreams about. Portland did not think I would be around at #43. You hear a lot of teams tell you, “Oh yeah, we think you are a good player so we will trade up to get you if you are available”…but it actually happened!

You played 13 games with Portland/Dallas: what is your favorite memory from your time in the NBA? The 1st real time I spent on the floor was in a game vs. the Lakers: I scored 7 PTS in 6 minutes. There was also a preseason game vs. the Bulls when some guy named Michael Jordan ran past me and caught a lob for a dunk.

You also played in the CBA but spent most of your career in the Philippines: what is the biggest difference between basketball in the US vs. basketball overseas? I spent 6 years in the Philippines and 4 years in Turkey. Back then big men in the US would play in the post with their back to the basket, but in Turkey the “bigs” would play on the perimeter and were good passers. The pace overseas was a bit slower: they used 20-minutes halves. The rules in the Philippines were patterned after NBA rules (such as illegal defense) so the game was pretty similar. The other big difference was the physicality: it was a much more physical game in the US.

Since retiring as a player you have spent many years as a high school basketball coach: how do you like coaching? I enjoy all aspects of it: coaching/developing/strategizing. I have been running a spring break camp for more than 2 decades. 1 of the alumni from my camp is Kennedy Harris, who just won the A-10 women’s tourney title today with GMU after beating St. Joe’s.

Your brother Calvin Jr. played football/basketball at New Hampshire, your sister Janell Joyner played high school basketball, your son Allen plays at ETSU, your daughter Adria played at Hampton, and your son Etienne plays for Hampton: who is the best athlete in the family? Allen is the most athletic, but Adria is the best shooter.

Any predictions for your son’s game tonight vs. UNCW? It is hard to say. UNCW beat Hampton by 21 PTS in January but lost to Hampton by 13 PTS in Feburary. The Seahawks have 8 grad transfers so it is tough to play against all those grown men. I like Hampton coach Ivan Thomas: I actually coached against him when he was a high school coach.

Posted in News and Notes | Tagged Hampton, Lamont Strothers | Comments Off

Championship Week Video Notebook – Day 7

Posted on March 9, 2025 by David Griggs

Welcome Selection Committee Members!!! We are here to help you through the selection and seeding process!!

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

We had our first conference champion and an additional auto-bid that was clinched tonight. SIUE won the OVC for their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance, and Omaha has clinched the auto-bid out of the Summit League. They will face Saint Thomas tomorrow, who is ineligible for the postseason. We also had a crazy day in the SoCon with a couple of upsets, a wild 2nd round day in the CAA, two crazy semifinal games in the NEC, and a lot of other action. We recap it all and preview all of tomorrow’s games.