All-Access at the East Regional in DC: Sweet 16

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Jon Teitel

The NCAA tournament is about basketball but also so much more: the parents, fans, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The Sweet 16/Elite 8 are taking place in 4 cities around the country 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 4 of the bluest bloods in the sport.

Pregame meal: whatever I can afford with my $20 meal voucher…which turned out to be 3 chicken tenders and some French fries. My 1st big sighting of the night was Stanford Steve, who was courteous enough to let me enter the media workroom ahead of him. My best basketball sighting of the night was Duke FR superstar Cameron Boozer during warmups:

I was hoping for a seat down low but I cannot compete with all the big-time media members who are here. Then again, I heard that it costs $800 just to get into the building tonight, so I will take my nosebleed media seat and like it. Let’s tip off an enchanting evening of hoops in the nation’s capital:

GAME #1: St. John’s-Duke

Duke G Caleb Foster missed each of his team’s 5 postseason games this month due to a fractured right foot, so when he checked into the game after the under-16 timeout the Duke fans welcomed him back with a loud cheer. It was a close game throughout the 1st 20 minutes as the Blue Devils shot a sizzling 50 FG%. However, even though the Red Storm was a mediocre 3-PT shooting team during the season (33.2 3P%), they came out on fire with an equally sizzling 9-18 3PM and entered intermission with a 40-39 lead. I went downstairs at halftime and saw proud papa Carlos Boozer holding court behind the Duke bench:

Duke quickly retook the lead in the 1st 3 minutes of the 2nd half before St. John’s stormed back with a 13-0 run to take a 53-44 lead at the under-16 timeout. It is never fun to face a Hall of Fame coach like Rick Pitino and his pressure defense was on full display, forcing the Blue Devils into multiple turnovers while trying to inbound the ball and a 10-second call when they failed to hustle the ball over halfcourt. Boozer (double-double with 22 PTS/10 REB) and Zuby Ejiofor (great all-around game with 17 PTS/8 REB/6 AST/0 TO) showed out like the conference POY award-winners that they are, but it was Duke SG Isaiah Evans who looked like the best player on the court with 25 PTS/10-15 FG. The Johnnies stayed hot all game by making 13-32 3PM, but the Blue Devils countered with a 24-8 FTA advantage and hung on for an 80-75 victory and a spot in the Elite 8 on Sunday, with 1992 Duke national champ/current Howard coach Kenny Blakeney looking on:

I skipped the press conference, headed for the Duke locker room, and did a quick postgame interview with SR G/F Brock Davis:

You were born/raised in DC: how thrilling is it to win a Sweet 16 game in your hometown arena? It was a great win and a special night: this memory will last a lifetime. Also, we are going to win on Sunday.

Your team is now 28-0 when Isaiah Evans makes at least 3 threes in a game: how crucial is his 3-PT shooting to your team’s success? He is 1 of the best shooters that I have ever seen in my life.

I just saw Caleb Foster wheeling himself down the hallway after returning from a right foot fracture to score 11 PTS in 19 minutes: how was he able to do that? He is a warrior. To have an injury and be able to come back with a performance like that shows how he just kept fighting for possession after possession.

Cameron Boozer had yet another double-double with 22 PTS/10 REB: I know that I should be impressed but he seems to do that every single time he steps onto the court? That is because you have become desensitized to how good he is. He is a special talent who embodies everything that it means to say “Duke basketball”. He is a generational player.

How does it feel to be 1 win away from the Final 4? We are excited/prepared and have a lot of momentum so we will battle/compete on Sunday.

Let’s tip off the 2nd part of our doubleheader:

GAME #2: Michigan State-UConn

Former Spartans football coach Mark Dantonio has shown up to a lot of big basketball games in the past, and tonight was no different:

I missed most of the game while interviewing Cam Ward’s parents and wondering what range of emotions were going through the mind of 1991 Michigan State All-American Steve Smith:

The Huskies did what they usually do in March under Dan Hurley: win. That is a wrap for tonight but check back tomorrow for some Elite 8 coverage!

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Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Michigan State parents Rodney Ward and Ayana Ball-Ward

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Jon Teitel

Earlier this month 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 the NCAA tournament. The Spartans beat North Dakota State/Louisville in Buffalo last weekend and are battling UConn for a spot in the Elite 8 as we speak. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Michigan State parents Rodney Ward and Ayana Ball-Ward about their son Cam being a great scorer and making the NCAA tourney.

Your son Cam was born/raised in Upper Marlboro, MD, and you were his coach at Largo High School: what was the best part of having him play for you? Rodney: There were so many great moments. I have been coaching other parents’ kids for 30 years, so to have Cam for 4 years was a dream come true.

He helped lead the Lions to back-to-back state championships in 2024/2025: what did it mean to him to win a pair of titles? Rodney: It cements his legacy in the DMV, which is a hot-bed for basketball, as 1 of the better players in Maryland high school history.

He graduated as the all-time leading public-school scorer in Maryland history with 2716 career PTS: what is his secret to being a great scorer? Rodney: I told him to get as many dunks/layups/FTs as you can: the jumper will come. It also helps to be healthy/aggressive.

What made him choose Michigan State? Rodney: The family atmosphere, the campus, and Coach Tom Izzo…plus it is kind of hard to say no when Magic Johnson calls you!

What makes Izzo such a great coach? Rodney: He is a players’ coach, brings the same intensity each day, and is always fair. He genuinely loves his kids, which is why they all graduate and then come back to watch the current team.

He played 33 games this year and averaged 5.2 PPG while leading the team with 60 FG%: how was he able to come in and contribute right from the start? Rodney: His pedigree/upbringing and learning how to play the game the right way from a young age. Records are nice but Izzo has built a winning program and wants tough-nosed kids who want to win.

His fellow freshman Jordan Scott also grew up in the DMV area (Reston, VA) and played against Cam during high school: how has their friendship developed this year as they evolved from opponents to teammates? Rodney: It was not that hard: they have been facing each other since age 8-9 and now are roommates. They are very similar: 2 high IQ guys who could have left but chose to stay at a public school for 4 years. They are kindred spirits basketball-wise.

The Spartans lost their regular season finale to Michigan and their Big 10 tourney opener to UCLA: how were they able to bounce back last week with wins over North Dakota State/Louisville in Buffalo? Ayana: they just locked in, pulled it together, and focused on things that they had been slipping on.

Your wife Ayana is the girls’ basketball coach at your high school, and your other son Canaan is a sophomore on your basketball team: who is the best coach in the family, and who is the best athlete in the family? Rodney: Cam is probably the best athlete, he is the version 2.0 of me/my wife. She has won more state titles so she is the better coach. Ayana: We have 2 different coaching styles, but I have to give him credit because he knows what he is doing.

Any predictions for tonight’s game vs. UConn? Rodney: A big 2nd half comeback and the Spartans will pull it out by a bucket or 2.

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Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews St. John’s cheerleader Kolbey Nastri

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Jon Teitel

Earlier this month St. John’s beat UConn 72-52 in the Big East tourney title game to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. The Red Storm have now made the NCAA tourney for the 2nd year in a row, and after a buzzer-beating 67-65 win over Kansas last Sunday, they will face #1 seed Duke in DC tonight with the winner going to the Elite 8. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with St. John’s cheerleader Kolbey Nastri about making the Sweet 16 and facing Duke.

You are from East Haven, CT: what made you choose St. John’s? Coming from East Haven, I wanted a school that still felt close to home but also pushed me outside my comfort zone. Saint John’s really stood out because of its strong sense of community, its reputation in both academics and athletics, and the energy around campus. Once I visited, it just felt like the right fit: the campus, the cheer team, as well as the coaching staff were so welcoming, and I knew I had to be a part of this community. I would not change the experiences I am making here for the world: it is truly so rewarding to be part of this school and this cheerleading program.

You are majoring in psychology: how did you choose that subject? I have always been passionate about helping others, and psychology really stood out to me because it offers a wide range of graduate programs and many career paths that are focused on making a positive impact in people’s lives.

You are a freshman: do you have a post-graduation plan yet? Upon graduation, I intend to pursue an occupational therapy program to get my doctorate in OT.

You are on the cheer team: how long have you been cheering for? I have been involved in cheerleading for six years.

You were a captain on your high school cheer team: what is the key to being a good leader? In high school, I was a two-year captain, and one key aspect of being a good leader is supporting your team. Whether in high school or college, cheerleading always involves working hard toward a shared goal. It is essential to listen to others, stay positive, and motivate everyone to work towards that common goal.

St. John’s started this season 9-5, but have won 21 of their past 22 games: has it reached a point where the fans just expect them to win every time that they step onto the court? The fans definitely do not expect us to win every game, but with each victory, both the fanbase/cheerleaders gain more confidence in our team’s abilities, making every game exciting.

Last weekend Dylan Darling made the game-winning layup at the buzzer in a 2-PT win over Kansas (www.reddit.com/r/CollegeBasketball/comments/1s111cs/dylan_darling_takes_it_straight_to_the_cup_and_st): what was the reaction like on campus when he made that sensational shot? The reaction on campus and beyond was truly amazing and something very rare. Everyone from future students to current students and even alumni were beyond thrilled when Dylan made that shot. His game-winning layup caused genuine excitement throughout the Saint John’s community, and everyone shared the same emotions of happiness and celebration.

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? Our school bases its selections on seniority, so as a freshman I never expected to get this incredible opportunity…but since my stunt partner is a senior, we pushed ourselves hard all year long, and that dedication really shows when it is time to be chosen. Seeing my group on national TV is especially meaningful because I get to share this unforgettable experience with so many amazing people who truly deserve this moment more than anything.

Does your squad have anything extra-special planned for DC? The cheer team just wanted to walk around, explore DC, and try some of the local food. But honestly, the main thing was just being in the moment, taking everything in, and really enjoying the experience as it happened.

Any predictions for the Red Storm tonight vs. Duke? We are going to do great. I really believe in this team and know we can pull off a huge upset. We have beaten #2 seed UConn before, so this feels like just another chance to show out and show how we play: let’s go RED STORM!!

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All-Access at the East Regional in DC: UConn open practice

Posted on March 26, 2026 by Jon Teitel

The NCAA tournament is about basketball but also so much more: the parents, fans, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The Sweet 16/Elite 8 are taking place in 4 cities around the country 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 the UConn open practice.

It has not been an easy month for the Hurley family after Bobby got fired from ASU, then saw Braden Smith pass him for the all-time career AST record…but they do have 1 coach in the Sweet 16 in Dan (left) and another coach in the Hall of Fame in Bob Sr. (right), so 2 out of 3 ain’t bad:

There might not be a player in the country who is having a better NCAA tourney so far than big man Tarris Reed Jr.: 31 PTS/27 REB in a win over Furman and 10 PTS/13 REB/3 BLK in a win over UCLA:

Unlike most other teams, the star player (Reed) has not been receiving much help from his entire supporting cast. FR Braylon Mullins has risen to the occasion with 15 PPG through his 1st 2 career NCAA tourney games, but Silas Demary Jr. missed the Furman game with a Grade 2 high ankle sprain and calf/Achilles injury before coming back to score just 2 PTS vs. UCLA, and Solo Ball has been ice-cold by making just 1-12 3PM through 2 games and going scoreless in 13 minutes vs. the Bruins:

Unlike every other team, UConn has a 2-time champion in Alex Karaban, and if you played like he has (22 PTS vs. Furman and 27 PTS vs. UCLA while knocking down a combined 8-17 3PM) then you would be smiling too:

Check back for a lot more access all weekend long!

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All-Access at the East Regional in DC: UConn locker room interviews

Posted on March 26, 2026 by Jon Teitel

The NCAA tournament is about basketball but also so much more: the parents, fans, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The Sweet 16/Elite 8 are taking place in 4 cities around the country 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 some UConn locker room interviews.

SR G Alec Millender

You began your career at IU Indy: why did you decide to transfer to UConn? This was my dream school. I wanted to experience stuff like this: a big-time game on a big-time stage.

Your sister Ashton won 4 NCAA tourney games as a player at DePaul: who is the best athlete in the family? I am! She is very talented, but I am a better multi-sport athlete. I played baseball in the past, and in the 4th grade I was the #1 running back in the nation.

Your team started 22-1 but went 7-4 in its final 11 games before the NCAA tourney: how were you able to turn things around last week? Buckling down. We aired out all our problems, which brought us closer together, and we know that the biggest goal is still ahead of us.

What makes Dan Hurley such a great coach? The way he balances passion with care. He will get on you, but it comes from a place of love.

What do you know about Michigan State? They play hard, so whoever does the tougher things will come out victorious.

SR F Alex Karaban

You have won as many NCAA tourney games as any other active player in the country: what is the secret to winning games in March? Having a great coach and teammates. You must take it 1 game at a time: even after we found out who we had in front of us, it is just about living the dream.

Last month you were inducted into the Huskies of Honor: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? It means everything because it stamps my legacy here forever. It is a blessing and when I come back to visit in 20 years it will be fun to see my name up there.

Your team is top-15 in the nation in PPG allowed: what is the key to playing great defense? We all bought into the game plan and helped each other out.

What makes Dan Hurley such a great coach? The relationships/connections that he makes. I always feel that I can talk to him about anything because he balances pushing us with supporting us.

What do you know about Michigan State? They are super-fast and ultra-physical. They have a Hall of Fame coach and are playing their best right now, so we have much respect for them.

Check back for a lot more access all weekend long!

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All-Access at the East Regional in DC: Michigan State locker room interviews

Posted on March 26, 2026 by Jon Teitel

The NCAA tournament is about basketball but also so much more: the parents, fans, bands, cheerleaders, etc. The Sweet 16/Elite 8 are taking place in 4 cities around the country 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 some Michigan State locker room interviews

SR G Nick Sanders

Your father Barry was a Hall of Fame RB for the Detroit Lions (www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0VGmQ4SvTY): will he be in attendance this weekend, and how much of your success is due to good genes? I think he is coming to DC. He was such a freak athlete, but I need to give my mom some credit as well: she played volleyball/basketball.

Your team was 6-5 in its final 11 games entering the NCAA tourney: how did you turn things around last week? We all locked in a little more and watched some film: you want to be ascending in March.

What makes Tom Izzo such a great coach? He is unselfish and cares about his players/staff. He has already accomplished everything (including winning an NCAA title/making the Hall of Fame) so he just wants us to succeed.

Is Jeremy Fears Jr. just the next 1 in a long line of great Michigan State PGs or is he at another level? He is on track to be as good as (if not better than) the PGs who came before him like Mateen Cleaves/Magic Johnson because he just works hard.

What do you know about UConn? They won a title in 2 of the past 3 years and have that championship DNA so we will have to play as hard as hell.

SR G Denham Wojcik

Your father Doug is the associate head coach at Michigan State: is that the main reason you transferred from Harvard? I had some injuries in the past and wanted to be at a bigger program with a lesser role where I could be part of something special. My dad was certainly a factor, and Coach Tom Izzo was the other big reason.

You missed all last year due to surgery: how is your health? I am doing great. There is no time of the season like March so I will worry about everything else later.

Your father made 3 NCAA tourneys with David Robinson at Navy, your mother Lael did basketball/track at Navy, and your brother Paxson played basketball at Brown/UNC: who is the best athlete in the family? My mom was a pretty good athlete, my dad made it to the Elite 8 and has the most accolades, and my brother can shoot it the best. I have the most speed/quickness, but we are all close.

What makes Tom Izzo such a great coach? He is relentless and puts the time in so we are never unprepared. He always has a game plan and loves his players.

What do you know about UConn? It is going to be a bloodbath. They are physical and have played through a lot of things. Tarris Reed is a big presence inside, but we will be ready.

Check back for a lot more access all weekend long!

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