Mountain West Media Day Recap and Response

Posted on October 26, 2021 by David Griggs

CLICK HERE For All of Hoops HD’s Continued and Extensive Preseason Content

MEDIA DAY PRESEASON POLL:

  1. Colorado State
  2. San Diego State
  3. Nevada
  4. Boise State
  5. Utah State
  6. Fresno State
  7. UNLV
  8. New Mexico
  9. Wyoming (tied 8th)
  10. San Jose State
  11. Air Force

 

COMMENTS FROM DAVID:

-There is a lot of love for Colorado State this year, who finished in a tie for first place (in the loss column) a year ago, and who went on a run in the NIT, and who returns all five starters for this season.  They are also a Front Range team, and WE AT HOOPSHD LOVE THE FRONT RANGE!

-After two fantastic seasons San Diego State is in a bit of a reset mode, but if there is one thing I’ve learned it’s to never underestimate this group.  Only two starters are back, but Matt Bradley transfers in after being a key player at Cal a year ago, which gives them another key quality player.  If some guys from last year can step into big roles, we could once again see them near the top of the standings and safely inside the NCAA Tournament bubble.

-I really like this Nevada team and feel they can also make a run at the NCAA Tournament.  While they had an unspectacular year overall last year, they were playing a lot better down the stretch and with all five starters back they should be able to continue that momentum into this year.

-Boise State has a good core group of players back from a team that finished 18-9 a year ago.  While they did taper off down the stretch, I still think they’ll be closer to the top of the standings than they are to the bottom.  They have balance, depth, and a good coach in Leon Rice.

-Utah State is another program that appears to be in a bit of a reset mode with just two starters back.  They’ve won 20+ games for three straight seasons, and you never want to underestimate this group or its coaching staff.  They have a lot of size in the frontcourt, and if some guys can step in to bigger roles this year they could end up exceeding expectations.

-Fresno State has all five starters back from a team that finished below .500 a year ago, but that experience should result in seeing some improvement.  I don’t expect this team to go dancing but I do think they can finish in the top half of the league.

-UNLV is a program that seems to be a sleeping giant.  That’s the good news.  The bad news is that it’s a sleeping giant that never seems to wake up.  They won just 12 games a year ago and lost a lot of key players from that team so they are rebuilding…again.  With a new coach and a new lineup it seems as though there are more questions than answers surrounding them.

-New Mexico has had some ups and downs over the years.  Last year was one of the downs.  They won just 6 games, and while they shouldn’t be as bad this year I still think they’ll be closer to the bottom than they will be to the top.

-Not a lot of love for Wyoming in the preseason poll, but they do have three starters back, and they were noticeably better down the stretch last year than they were when conference play began, and they add some nice transfers.  So, I think the Cowboys can exceed expectations this year.  That, and WE AT HOOPSHD LOVE THE FRONT RANGE!!

-San Jose State won just five games a year ago, and through most accounts don’t seem like they’ll be a whole lot better this year.  However, they did do one thing this offseason that should improve their fortunes: they hired Tim Miles as head coach!!  This is a man who builds up programs: it’s what he does!  He did it when North Dakota State was transitioning, he did it at Colorado State when he took them from being outside the top-250 to the NCAA Tournament, he did it at Nebraska, and given time he can do it at San Jose State.

-As for Air Force…well…WE AT HOOPSHD LOVE THE FRONT RANGE!!!  But…man, this may be a long year for the Falcons.

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Season preview: HoopsHD interviews new Austin Peay coach Nate James

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Jon Teitel

We are keeping our fingers crossed in the hope that we can return to a “normal” version of college basketball this fall: fans in the stands, announcers without masks, etc. Nobody knows exactly what is going to happen but we will try to restore some order with season previews featuring the best players/coaches in the country. We continue our coverage with new Austin Peay coach Nate James. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Coach James about winning titles as a coach/player and his expectations for this season.

In 1996 you were named a McDonald’s All-American: which of your fellow honorees impressed you the most (Mike Bibby/Kobe Bryant/Richard Hamilton/other)? I think it was arguably 1 of the best McDonald’s classes you could throw out there. We had so many guys who went onto the NBA: the late/great Kobe Bryant who won 5 NBA titles, Stephen Jackson who won a title with San Antonio in 2003, Rip Hamilton who won a title with the Pistons in 2004. Regretfully, Rip and his UConn teammates beat me in the 1999 NCAA title game when I was at Duke! Mike Bibby had a heck of a college career and a long NBA career as well. Our class also had Loren Woods/Ed Cota/so many other big-time basketball players. I was just humbled to be on the floor as those guys, but hands-down we all marveled at Kobe. From the moment I saw him at the NBA Top-100 Camp I knew that he was different.

You played (and later worked) for Coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke: what makes him such a great coach, and what was the most important thing that you ever learned from him? There is not just 1 thing that makes him great. He does everything to the maximum level every day and has the discipline to prepare each and every day no matter who we were facing. Regardless of his success, his preparation is 2nd to none and he was unbelievable at adapting to get the most out of his players. A team must have togetherness to be successful and all of the little details matter. At my new school I have tried to teach my guys about playing as a fist: as 1. He taught us how to use our instincts and empowered us to mix them in with total team play along with your brothers on the court. There were so many wonderful lessons that I have applied to my life. There are a lot of outstanding coaches out there but he is just a cut above. I know that this is his last season and he will give the current team the best that he has.

You were a 2-time co-captain: what is the key to being a good leader? You have to want the responsibility to lead: it is not easy to be the “mother hen” and be held accountable for accomplishing the mission. Leaders will step up but must be willing to listen/follow at times to show that they are being extremely observant. It is not always easy to step up to the challenge but your communication must be at an all-time high so that everyone knows what is expected. Leadership is sometimes a lonely job but is also an amazing honor. I was fortunate to be co-captain of the 2001 NCAA championship team along with Shane Battier. Coach K taught us how to do it in a way that people would be excited to follow us. We would run through a brick wall for him and I hope that my team wants to do the same for me.

Due to taking a medical redshirt year you became the 1st player in ACC history to be a member of 5 regular-season conference championships: how was your team able to remain so dominant for such a long period of time? We had an amazing coach/terrific staff who recruited a collection of guys who wanted to pay the price to be a winner. We were all very competitive warriors: our practices were harder than our games. We had several players who were all-conference and played in the NBA because they gave 110%. I know it is a cliche but that is what we tried to do. We pretty much ran through the ACC: we did not have many 1-and-dones back then like Elton Brand/Corey Maggette. We were an old veteran team with guys like Battier/Trajan Langdon.

In the 2001 NCAA tourney title game you scored 6 PTS in a 10-PT win over Arizona: what did it mean to you to win a title, and what was the reaction like when you got back to campus? It was a dream come true to have that 1 shining moment! To be crowned king was not easy: we had to beat some big-time teams in the Final 4 like Maryland/Arizona. The Terps had us down by 20 PTS and we had to overcome a huge deficit, but they won the title the following year. Arizona had a big-time coach in Lute Olson and high-level players like Gilbert Arenas/Richard Jefferson/Luke Walton. I will treasure it for all of my days: when I take my boys back to Duke I can show them the banner from our 2001 team. The city of Durham was electric: the Cameron Crazies are the best fans in the world and had waited 9 years for another title so they partied! There was a stretch where it seemed like either us or UNC won it all.

You won a pair of NCAA titles in 2010/2015 as an assistant at your alma mater, becoming the 1st person to win championships at Duke as both a player and a coach: how did winning as a coach compare to winning as a player? Nothing compares to being a player who can impact the game himself. As a coach the amount of preparation that goes into those games to put your team in a position to win takes countless hours and you feel it. It is more about using your mind/words to inspire your players: it is a totally different feeling but is still great. To be a part of this amazing brotherhood and learn from the GOAT (Coach K): I just pinch myself. I am the son of a Marine and have been able to accomplish a lot.

Last April you were hired as head coach at Austin Peay: why did you take the job, and how is it going so far? I look forward to taking Coach K’s teachings and giving them to my group. Wherever you go the people are what make the place special: I had a relationship with AD Gerald Harrison, who I knew from Duke and who had a vision. Austin Peay is a totally different animal but I felt that I could learn/grow/be successful in the OVC (until we move to the Atlantic Sun next year). We have a brand-new arena and the athletic department is buzzing. The players have worked hard every day and I am excited to see what kind of culture/program I can establish. Wherever I went at Duke I met people who took ownership of the university and there is a similar sense of pride here.

Your non-conference schedule includes games at Dayton/TCU/Vanderbilt: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? All of them will be a test: we have a tough schedule with a lot of road games. We have to teach our guys how to be winners and every game will be a challenge so we will take it 1 practice at a time to see who we can become.

Your wife Bobbi is an actress on the Tyler Perry TV series Ruthless: how difficult is it to have a normal family life when you 2 have such busy professional lives? Coach K always said that you have to read and react in a motion offense! My wife has a terrific career and it is really cool to see her utilize her talent to go after her dreams. We have to keep our kids grounded because they see us on TV so much. It will be somewhat of a challenge because all of my wife’s family was in North Carolina so now we have to figure out how to do this thing here in Tennessee. I am a God-fearing man so I will just follow my instincts and use some common sense. We are blessed to lead the life we live so we support each other.

What are your goals for this season, and what are your expectations for this season? The goal is to get better every day, show up, and have no bad days in practice. Building those habits and establishing that mindset is the hardest thing to do. I do not know how many games we will win but I will prepare them to win every day. If you believe in playing as a fist it will improve your chances, but you have to be worthy of winning. Talent helps…but you still have to pay the price and roll up your sleeves every day.

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In Memoriam: HoopsHD interviews George Kennedy about his father Don

Posted on October 26, 2021 by Jon Teitel

Don Kennedy was a St. Peter’s institution, winning more than 300 games during his 20+ years with the Peacocks to become the winningest head coach in school history. He made 5 trips to the NIT, set a school record with 24 wins in 1968, and was posthumously inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Don’s son George Kennedy about his father winning a high school national championship and winning the 1st-ever sold-out college basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Today marks the 17th anniversary of Don’s passing on October 26, 2004 so we take this time to honor his life/legacy.

In 1948 your father Don coached Regis High School to a national championship as the team extended its winning streak from the previous year to a remarkable 37 games in a row: what did it mean to him to win a title? He was very excited about it but he did not show his emotions as much as most people. He would put the honor on his players but he was overjoyed because he had been knocking on the door for several years. Regis took the smartest kids and he loved coaching those players: he only had to tell them things once or twice.

After becoming coach at St. Peter’s he also served as the school’s athletic director: how did he balance being a coach with being an administrator? He actually loved doing both and got along with everyone. Many coaches back then were also athletic directors and he loved all sports. He played many sports as a kid and was good at most of them. He actually planned to retire as a coach and just be an AD.

In 1962 you played 1 season for your father: what was the best part and what was the not-so-best part? He treated me pretty well considering I was his son. Some of the players felt funny about it but I knew that I could play. Sometimes he would make an example of me but he had coached my older brother in the past so he had learned his lessons. I played the kind of basketball he liked: I would rather pass the ball then score.

He was known for using a full-court press on defense and a fast-break on offense: what made his tactics so effective, and how exhausted were his players by the end of each season? I started the season around 200 pounds…and was down to 175 by the end of the year! He usually played 7-8 players but we did not press the entire game. St. John’s would not play against St. Peter’s: Coach Lou Carnesecca said that he did not want to face my father because he used some crazy defenses…but we played a lot of zone. Some of the defenses were a little complicated and we would really charge at our opponents. My dad never got the best players in the country but he got the most out of his blue-collar guys. He was big on the basics: his teams always boxed out and made good passes.

In 1966 he cut Bob Hurley from his team: could he have imagined at the time that Hurley would eventually become 1 of the best high school coaches ever? I told my dad once that I was surprised because Hurley seemed like his kind of player. When Hurley tried out he shot a lot and my dad did not like that: I think that if he had tried out again he might have made it.

In the 1968 NIT he had a 100-71 win over nationally-ranked Duke in the 1st-ever sellout for a college basketball game at the 1-month old Madison Square Garden: how did he pull off the upset, and where does that rank among the greatest wins in school history? His tallest player was only about 6’5” but they were fast and Duke was not used to playing against a team with that kind of speed: it was almost embarrassing to watch the Duke players try to keep up with them. He loved being the underdog and instilled that in his players. Duke was surprised and just kept spinning. The St. Peters’s players knew where to go on fast breaks and secondary breaks and caught Duke completely off guard.

His 323 wins remain the most in school history: did he realize at the time how prolific a coach he was, and do you think that anyone will ever break his record? Somebody should break his record at some point: the schedules back then were tougher and he wanted to play the best teams in the nation. Back then he played the local schools and they all had good teams: Manhattan, Iona, Fordham, etc. A lot of other coaches did not want to play against my father because his defenses confused them.

He ran a summer camp in East Hampton for almost 40 years: what made it different from other camps? He worked on basics all the time. The kids who went there learned a lot even though he did not advertise it much.

1 of his obituaries called him “arguably the most prominent non-Jesuit in Saint Peter’s College history”: what impact did he have on the school? He had such a belief in himself and followed his code of honesty. If you were his friend then you were his friend for life. A lot of his players did not like him but they all respected him. His code was similar to the Jesuit thinking and he respected other people. He was very friendly with the priests and they would come over for dinner all the time.

In 2013 he was posthumously inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame: when people look back on his career, how do you think that he should be remembered the most? I think that he should be remembered for the work he did and the fact that he was true to himself/his players. He did things the right way and was successful everywhere he went. When he 1st thought about taking the job someone told him not to take it because they thought it was a dead end but he loved it. The people at St. Peters were great. 1 year he was playing Seton Hall when they were the #1 team in the nation: he went up to Coach Honey Russell and told him to take it easy on him. St. Peter’s missed a layup at the buzzer and Coach Russell said, “If you ever pull that s— again I will punch you in the face!” After games the bartender would provide a number of shots depending on the outcome of the game: he took losses hard but never changed his personality. He went to a holiday tournament 1 year and offered a scholarship to a kid who was only a sophomore named…Bill Raftery!

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The Hoops HD Report: SEC Preview

Posted on October 25, 2021 by David Griggs

We take a look at all the teams in the SEC.  Kentucky is favored to win the league despite going just 9-16 a year ago, but they add a lot of older and more experienced players and we discuss whether or not that will get them back to being a Final Four contender.  We also really like Alabama, and feel they’ve got a shot at winning the conference and going deep in March.  Auburn, Tennessee, Mississippi State are other teams that we think can go far.  We discuss all of them and more on this SEC Preview.

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

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Big Sky Media Day Recap and Response

Posted on October 25, 2021 by David Griggs

CLICK HERE For All of Hoops HD’s Continued and Extensive Preseason Content

MEDIA DAY PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL:

  1. Southern Utah
  2. Weber State
  3. Montana State
  4. Montana
  5. Northern Colorado
  6. Idaho State
  7. Portland State
  8. Eastern Washington
  9. Northern Arizona
  10. Sacramento State
  11. Idaho

MEDIA DAY PRESEASON MEDIA POLL:

  1. Southern Utah
  2. Weber State
  3. Montana State
  4. Montana
  5. Northern Colorado
  6. Idaho State
  7. Eastern Washington
  8. Portland State
  9. Sacramento State
  10. Northern Arizona
  11. Idaho

 

COMMENTS FROM DAVID:

-It has been a lot of fun watching Southern Utah’s program improve over the years.  This is a team that won the Centenary Award back in 2014.  Last year they won 20 games and finished in first place in the conference before losing in the semis of the conference tourney.  With four starters back, look for them to once again end up at or near the top of the league.

-Weber State did lose their top scorer and perhaps their best player in Isiah Brown, but the other four starters are back along with some impressive looking transfers.  Weber is usually a league frontrunner and that should once again be the case this year.

-Montana State hit a major skid in the middle of last season but did finish strong, managing to finish 4th in the league and make it to the Big Sky Championship game.  With four starters back this should be one of the conference favorites if they are able to stay healthy.

-We are used to seeing Montana at or near the top of the Big Sky standings, but last year they failed to put together a winning record in conference, which is an extreme rarity.  Four starters are back and that experience should help them this year.  It feels strange seeing them projected to finish as low as 5th, but based on the year they had last year it kind of makes sense.

-All five starters are back for Idaho State, and after going 8-6 in league play last year they are undoubtedly hoping that their experience can help them build on that this year.  They did struggle down the stretch last year losing four out of their last five, but the majority of them were close games so there is reason to be somewhat optimistic.

-Northern Colorado is another team that has a lot of experience coming back, including their leading scorer in Bodie Hume.  After three straight 20+ win seasons they managed to just go 11-11 last year and return some others who averaged in double digits as well.

-Eastern Washington had a fantastic year last year where they posted a 12-3 record in league play, won the conference tournament, and then gave Kansas all they could handle in the NCAA Tournament.  Unfortunately they seem to be in complete reset mode this year with just one starter back.  I think the long term health of the program is in good shape but this year will most likely be a building year.

It’s a bit of a drop off after that.  Northern Arizona, Sacramento State, and Portland State might have some promise to compete with the teams in the middle of the pack.  Idaho is just a hot mess.  They won just one game a year ago, and while they may not be quite as bad this year I don’t see them finishing all that much higher than the very bottom.

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Pac-12 Media Day Recap and Response

Posted on October 24, 2021 by David Griggs

CLICK HERE For All of Hoops HD’s Continued and Extensive Preseason Content

PAC-12 MEDIA DAY PRESEASON POLL:

  1. UCLA
  2. Oregon
  3. USC
  4. Arizona
  5. Oregon State (tied 4th)
  6. Colorado
  7. Arizona State
  8. Washington State
  9. Stanford
  10. Utah
  11. Washington
  12. California

 

COMMENTS FROM DAVID:

-After barely making the NCAA Tournament last year, UCLA kicked it into a gear that  I don’t think anyone knew they had and blew through the NCAA Tournament making it all the way to the Final Four where they barely lost to top-ranked Gonzaga.  All five starters from that team are back, as well as some other pieces.  They aren’t just the best team in the Pac-12, but are starting off ranked #2 in the nation and are a real threat to get back to the Final Four this year.

-Saying Oregon will be good this year is getting to sound like saying the temperature will go up in the summertime.  They routinely win 20+ games, make the NCAA Tournament, and are more often than not in the rankings.  I don’t see it seeing being any different this year.  Three starters are gone from last year’s Sweet Sixteen team, but the pieces they have coming in should keep them from having any sort of a setback.

-USC did something down the stretch last year that you normally don’t see out of an Andy Enfield team, and that’s that they started to slow the tempo down and play to their strengths.  They won 25 games and made it all the way to the Elite Eight, and once again exceeded pretty much all preseason expectations.  They do lose three key players from a year ago, but if I’ve learned anything about the Trojans it’s that you should never underestimate them.

-A fantastic story from last season was Oregon State.  They had an unspectacular season where they basically went into the Pac 12 Tournament needing to win it in order to make the field.  They did win it, and then they kept winning until they lost in the Elite Eight.  I don’t expect to see this team back in the Elite Eight this season, but I don’t expect to see them so far outside the bubble going into the conference tournament either.  Hopefully last year’s run gave the Beavers’ program a bit of a jolt, and with three starters back they can carry that momentum into this season.

-Arizona has a new coach in Tommy Lloyd, and while they did go through a bit of a roster overhaul, they have some good pieces back (including four starters) and I think the pieces are there to where they can get back to the NCAA Tournament.

-I always seem to be high on Colorado coming in to the year.  Most aren’t looking at them as a potential NCAA Tournament team, but…once again…I kind of like their team and think they can be a bit of a dark horse.

-Washington State is a program to keep an eye on.  I don’t think they’ll make the NCAA Tournament this year, but they’ve improved significantly in each of the last two seasons, and with four starters back it wouldn’t shock me at all to see them take another major step forward this year.  Coach Kyle Smith has done a hell of a job.

-Utah had a rather long season last year and with a roster overhaul will look to improve this year.  I still look at them as being in rebuilding mode, though.

-Washington had perhaps a longer season and is also in rebuilding mode this year.  They may have even more to rebuild than Utah.

-Stanford and Cal is…well…a great rivalry!!

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