Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews FGCU JR G Tyra Cox

Posted on March 17, 2021 by Jon Teitel

Last Sunday the Florida Gulf Coast women’s team had a 22-PT win over Liberty in the ASUN tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Eagles lost back-to-back games in November but have won 25 in a row and are back in the NCAA tourney for the 4th straight year. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Tyra Cox about her role as Diversity Inclusion Chair and making the NCAA tourney.

You began your college career at William & Mary: what made you decide to transfer, and what made you choose FGCU? I got really sick due to some mold in my room and my doctor found out that I was deathly allergic to that. It is an older school so switching rooms would not have helped because there was mold everywhere. FGCU had recruited me out of high school and is close to my home so I got in touch with them and then came here.

You play for Coach Karl Smesko: what makes him such a great coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him so far? I have been in boardrooms with VPs but he is 1 of the smartest people I have ever met. He knows so much not just about basketball but many other things as well. He creates such a good game plan that even if we are undersized we know that we can compete with anyone.

You are majoring in Management with a concentration in International Business: what made you choose those subjects, and will the post-college plan include a job at Disney?! My plans have changed a little since I was a freshman: I already have my undergrad degree and will be getting my MBA. I love to talk and meet people and have traveled a lot (which is why I attended 11 different schools!), so now I am looking at consulting.

You are the Diversity Inclusion Chair within FGCU athletics: what is the purpose of the position, and what have you been able to accomplish so far? I also sit on a council with some athletic administrators. I try to represent our student-athletes and raise any issues that people may have concerning diversity. We have a lot of international students so we have discussed having cultural events. I have helped organize some town halls and also helped lead a unity march last November.

What is it like to be a college basketball player during a pandemic? It is a challenge for sure. Our games were taken away from us and then we had to find a way to stay in shape when gyms were closed: we tried Zumba workouts at home while having film sessions on Zoom. We could not hang out with anyone but it is still very rewarding to get to play basketball.

You led the team this year with 38.4 3P%: what is the secret to making shots from behind the arc? Just hard work. Coach spends time with me after practice and we use machines that calculate my arc to ensure that I stay within 44-46%. We shoot threes in practice so in games it just becomes 2nd nature.

You lost back-to-back games right after Thanksgiving: how have you been able to win each of your 25 games since then? The beginning of the season was rough: I was out with a broken hand and 1 of my teammates was injured as well. We have focused on efficiency on both offense and defense: we try to do what we do well and exploit the weaknesses of our opponents.

Take me through the ASUN tourney last week:
In the quarterfinals you scored a career-high 21 PTS/7-13 3PM in a win over Jacksonville: how were you able to play your best when it mattered the most? The conference tourney is 1 of the most stressful times of the year so it is just about focus. We took it 1 game at a time and wanted to make sure that we gave ourselves the best possible chance to win while leaving no room for doubt.

In the title game you scored 5 PTS in a 22-PT win over Liberty: what did it mean to you to win a title, and what was the feeling like in your locker room afterward? It was amazing! We were crowned co-champs last year and had such a great season before the NCAA tourney was canceled: to go get that win this year made me feel that it was for our senior class last year. This was my 4th title…but it is still exciting!

How do you feel about being a #11-seed, and what do you know about Michigan? Sometimes your seed is not exactly what you hoped for or expected but we are just happy to be in the NCAA tourney. You cannot count us out no matter what # is in front of our name. We are preparing for Michigan right now but know that we will have to really guard the post and hit shots (as always).

Your father Fred played football at Illinois: who is the best athlete in the family, and how does he feel about the Wolverines?! I would say that I am the best: he played in the Big 10 but he is moving a little slower now! He says that we have to beat the Blue and is calling me every couple of days to ask about our scouting reports. He is also happy that his Illinois team is a #1-seed on the men’s side.

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Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews UCSB dancer Lily Hurtubise

Posted on March 17, 2021 by Jon Teitel

Last Saturday UCSB beat UC-Irvine by 16 PTS in the Big West tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Gauchos were swept by the Anteaters in December but won 18 of 19 since then to make the NCAA tourney for the 1st time since 2011. In addition to shining a light on the players who got the job done on the court, it is also important to recognize the spirited students who have worked just as hard on the sidelines, such as band members/cheerleaders/dancers. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Lily Hurtubise about being a captain and not being able to join the basketball team in Indianapolis this week.

What made you choose UCSB? I had a lot of different choices coming out of high school and was considering several schools. I have a lot of family in Canada but after visiting UCSB I just knew that I wanted to spent the next 4 years of my life there.

You teach at a dance studio and are a member of the United Spirit Association Dance Staff: what is your favorite part of being a dancer, and do you have time to do anything not involving school or dance?! I just completed my 3rd year on the dance staff and it was a big part of my life. My favorite part is to share my love of dance with the younger students. To see them develop the same love that I have for dance is great. It helps me in a lot of other areas of my life: I have learned about responsibility and being a team player. I have time for a few other things and am in the honors program at my school.

Last spring you were voted to be a captain for the dance team: what is the key to being a good leader? It is all about lifting up the people on your team. My style is to be understanding/accepting of all my teammates so I just try to make sure that everyone is being heard/valued.

You are a Communication major, a French minor, and are also pursuing a Technology Management certificate: why did you pick those subjects, and what is the post-graduation plan? I am trying to broaden my horizons because I want to dance professionally after college. I think I am the only student here studying all 3 of those diverse subjects! Technology management focuses on finance/management/organizational leadership so I decided to add that as well, and my dad speaks French so it brings me closer to him. I am currently looking at summer internships in marketing/PR.

What does your team do at basketball games during a normal year? We arrive super-early to warm up, do a pregame formation, and then perform coordinated cheers with our cheer team as well as some jazz/hip-hop routines. I just wish we could have done all of that this year.

What do you think the role of a college dance team is today, and how has it changed over time? For me dance is about entertaining the audience that is there to watch the sports team, while also supporting our athletic department. People have told me that there is a different energy in the arena when we are dancing/cheering for our athletes. Dance teams are primarily female, which has not changed a lot. In the past I think that dance teams were an object of decoration, which I think is unfortunate, but it is becoming more about female empowerment and being a separate entity from the male sports teams. We are there to cheer them on, but also to entertain the crowd and showcase our own talents because we have been training our entire lives.

How do you like basketball, and is that your favorite sport? You are going to get me in trouble: we also dance at soccer games but basketball is my favorite! We dance at the Thunderdome, which is smaller than most arenas, but it feels like home because during the season I am there twice/week with my friends in the crowd: it is a great environment. I hope to dance in the NBA after graduation and want to pursue both my dance/career goals at the same time.

Last Saturday in the Big West tourney title game the Gauchos had a 16-PT win over UC-Irvine: how excited was the student body to get its 1st NCAA tourney appearance in a decade? It is definitely a good feeling: in this time where there is not a lot of connection between people it was a moment of unity for our school. We are not considered a “sports” school so it was a big deal for us: people who do not know anything about us are talking about it a lot on social media. I am excited to see what happens this weekend.

Due to COVID your team has been unable to participate this season and you will not be traveling with the team to Indianapolis this week: how frustrating is it to be a dancer for a great basketball team during a pandemic? It is tough. We had plans to do other things beyond gameday (like an annual competition) but we could not get approved for that. We had 8 freshman who we were trying to integrate into our team: I could focus on the negative aspects but I know that we will come back stronger from this. As long as we can stand behind the other teams who get do their thing, that is the main goal.

You are playing Creighton on Saturday: any predictions? All I can say is that I will be cheering on UCSB from home.

I heard a rumor that your brother Taggart is an actor: are we ever going to see you on the big screen someday as well?! He was a child actor who was really into acting: he was perfect for the big screen. I grew up wanting to be like him but I decided to take the dance route. We both moved to LA with my mom for a summer, which was a great learning experience, but he decided to pursue other things and is now a ski team coach in Tahoe. His drive/motivation to entertain audiences and put on a different persona to play different characters has really inspired me as a dancer. I did a few voiceovers/commercials as a kid…but the only big screen you will see me on in the future is at a pro sports arena!

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Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Abilene Christian cheerleader Emilee Gant

Posted on March 17, 2021 by Jon Teitel

Last Saturday Abilene Christian beat Nicholls State by 34 PTS in the Southland tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Wildcats lost only 4 games all year en route to making the NCAA tourney for the 2nd time in 3 years. In addition to shining a light on the players who got the job done on the court, it is also important to recognize the spirited students who have worked just as hard on the sidelines, such as band members/cheerleaders/dancers. Earlier this week HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Emilee Gant about being a captain and not being able to join the basketball team in Indianapolis this week.

You were born/raised in Texas: what made you choose Abilene Christian? I started out my first semester of college at the University of Oklahoma but decided pretty early on that I wanted to be at a smaller Christian school with a D-1 collegiate cheer program. Abilene Christian has the perfect environment in which I am a part of a tight-knit Christian community but can also have the college gameday experience that I always wanted while cheering on the sidelines.

You have been cheering for most of your life and are now a senior on the cheer team: what is your favorite part of being a cheerleader? My favorite part of cheer is stunting: I love being in the air and getting to learn new stunts. I also love seeing and being able to work with the younger girls who look up to me because I remember being in those exact shoes 10-15 years ago.

2 years ago you got to travel with the team to Florida when they faced Kentucky in the 2019 NCAA tourney: what are your memories of your experience in Jacksonville? Getting to cheer in the 2019 NCAA Tournament was one of the greatest weeks of my life. I loved the time I got to spend with my team and the school pride that we felt while being a part of ACU making history. My favorite memory is cheering on the sidelines and tearing up as I looked into the crowd because I was living everything that I had ever dreamed of in that moment.

You have been captain for the past 2 years: what is the key to being a good leader? I think the key to being a good leader is mutual respect between captains and teammates. As a leader it is important to have high expectations for your team, but also to build a relationship with them so that you can be a voice for the team as a whole while helping them become stronger athletes.

What does your team do at basketball games during a normal year? During a normal year our team cheers on the sidelines in Moody Coliseum at all home basketball games. We perform during timeouts, cheer on the boys throughout the game, and help with media appearances. We do a lot of running/tumbling/stunting/jumping as well.

You are majoring in Special Education: why did you pick that subject, and what is the post-graduation plan? I chose Special Education as my major because of the impact my two younger brothers with special needs have had on my life. I am passionate about teaching those with learning differences because I think it is so important for them to know that they are capable of achieving amazing things no matter what their diagnosis is.

How do you like basketball, and is that your favorite sport? I LOVE college basketball. Football was my favorite sport to cheer at during high school, but ever since I felt the energy at my first ACU basketball game cheering in Moody Coliseum it has been my favorite by far!

Last Saturday in the Southland tourney title game the Wildcats had a 34-PT win over Nicholls State: how excited was the student body to get its 2nd NCAA tourney appearance in the past 3 years? We were STOKED to make it to the NCAA tournament for the second time. Our boys have been unbelievable this year and I expect ACU to be making many more NCAA tournament appearances in the future!

Due to COVID your team has been unable to participate this season and you will not be traveling with the team to Indianapolis this week: how frustrating is it to be a cheerleader for a great basketball team during a pandemic? In all honesty, spending my final season cheering during a pandemic has been really hard. I am really disappointed that we will not be traveling to Indianapolis to cheer on our team, but I am so thankful to have been part of such an amazing program and cheer at the home games this season, even if it looked a little bit different.

You are playing Texas on Saturday: any predictions on facing your in-state rival? I grew up as a UT fan so I was so excited when I found out that we are playing them on Saturday. Considering the season our boys have had, I think that we could end up giving the Horns a run for their money if we play our best game: anything is possible!

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Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Utah State FR G Steven Ashworth

Posted on March 17, 2021 by Jon Teitel

Last week Utah State had an 11-PT loss to San Diego State in the MWC tourney title game but still earned an at-large bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Aggies had won 6 in a row entering the title game and are back in the NCAA tourney for the 2nd time in 3 years. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Steven Ashworth about being a great FT shooter and making the NCAA tourney.

You were born/raised in Utah: what made you choose Utah State? I have always dreamed of playing basketball in my home state and staying close to home. Utah State was the first program to offer me a full ride early on in high school so throughout the next few years they remained at the top of my list. They believed in me first so I believed in them, and that is why I wanted to be a part of this program.

You play for Coach Craig Smith: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him so far? He demands greatness from all of us, including and especially himself. Whenever you can have that level of accountability throughout a program your going to be great. He teaches the principle of consistency and I have truly learned that how you do one thing is how you do everything.

You played in 27 games this year as a freshman: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? I had to be confident in what I brought to the team, which I believe is a voice, offensive ability, and energy. Its not easy to play as a freshman (especially on a really good team) but with hard work I have accomplished that and I know that if I keep getting better then it will continue.

You made 44-49 FT this year: what is the secret to making FTs? Go to your happy place. Anyone who plays basketball has made thousands of free throws so when I am at the line in practice I treat it just like a game and when I get into a game it feels normal and natural.

Last Saturday you had an 11-PT loss to the Aztecs in the MWC tourney title game: how nervous were you on Selection Sunday, and how did it feel to hear your team’s name called? It was a very anxious day, especially knowing that it was out of our hands. I did have somewhat of a confident feeling that we would get in due to how talented our league was this year, but hearing our name called is something that I will never forget!

You played several NCAA tourney teams this year in BYU/San Diego State/VCU: which of them impressed you the most? All three are very talented teams but San Diego State is a team that we played three times and had battles with each and every game. They are a team like ours who I feel could make a deep run in this year’s tournament!

JR C Neemias Queta was recently named conference DPOY for the 2nd time in 3 years: how crucial has he been to your team’s success this year? Without Neemias I do not know if we would have made it here! He is a major part of our success on both ends of the floor. He is by far the most talented big man in the country and his defensive instincts are second to none.

Your team’s 62.3 PPG allowed is #15 in the nation: what is the key to playing great defense? Have a 7-footer in the paint who averages 3 BPG! Alongside Neemy we have elite defenders and our coaches do a great job at making sure that we are prepared for the teams we play against.

You served a 2-year LDS mission in Indianapolis: how excited are you to return to the Hoosier State this week? I could not be happier about it: I am thrilled to be back here in the great Hoosier state! I had a lot of great memories here sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. I met some amazing people and my life was forever changed by it. I do not plan on staying another two years…but we do plan to be here for a while!

What do you think about being a #11-seed, and what do you know about Texas Tech? I think we are in a great spot to make a run and are preparing for a very physical game against a great team that is very aggressive on the defensive end!

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Bracket Tactics: HoopsHD provides some tips for surviving and advancing

Posted on March 17, 2021 by Jon Teitel

The best week of the year is finally here! This is the reason why we ponder the impact of high-school All-Americans, the importance of having a smart/veteran coach, and exactly how many different “Cougars” 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 Villanova (lost to Georgetown in Big East tourney 1st round) before penciling them in as your champ.

TIP #2: Since 1979 only 2 national champions did not have a McDonald’s All-American on their roster (2002 Maryland/2014 UConn).
STRATEGY: A coach who cannot recruit the best high school players usually fails to win it all so beware of picking Illinois/Iowa to go all the way.

TIP #3: 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 Isaac Brown (Wichita State).

TIP #4: Since UNLV won it all in 1990, 28 of the past 29 champs have come from a power-conference (except for UConn in 2014): ACC (11), SEC (6), Big East (7), Pac-12 (2), Big 12 (1), Big 10 (1).
STRATEGY: You might want to think twice before picking anyone from the A-10/WCC to win it all.

TIP #5: 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 Michigan (Juwan Howard has 0 prior tourney appearances)/Connecticut (Dan Hurley has 2 prior tourney appearances) might need a little more seasoning before they can win it all.

TIP #6: Each champ since 2002 had a strength of schedule that was among the top-75 in the nation.
STRATEGY: You have to play the best to learn how to beat the best you might want to stay away from VCU (#79)/Houston (#79).

TIP #7: BYU has played in the most NCAA tournaments (27) without ever making the Final 4.
STRATEGY: If the Cougars could not reach the Final 4 with Danny Ainge/Jimmer Fredette they will probably not make it with this year’s squad.

TIP #8: There are 5 active coaches who have won at least 70% of their NCAA tournament games (minimum 5 wins).
STRATEGY: Do not expect Roy Williams of North Carolina (75.2%)/Chris Beard of Texas Tech (75%) to be catching an early flight home.

TIP #9: There are 5 teams who have won at least 90% of their games in the round of 64 (minimum 5 games).
STRATEGY: Connecticut (18-2)/North Carolina (31-1) are near-automatic in their opening games.

TIP #10: There are 10 teams who have won at least 73% of their games in the round of 32 (minimum 5 games).
STRATEGY: Michigan State (18-6) is looking good vs. the Abilene Christian-Texas winner if they can get by UCLA & BYU, and if not then UCLA (20-7) is not a bad alternative.

TIP #11: There are 7 teams who have won at least 75% of their Sweet 16 games (minimum 5 games).
STRATEGY: Florida (9-2)/Michigan (13-3) have played great in their Sweet 16 games so Arkansas/Florida State should beware.

TIP #12: There are 10 teams who have won at least 70% of their Elite 8 games (minimum 5 games).
STRATEGY: Keep an eye on the #2 seeds in case either Ohio State (11-4)/Houston (5-0) can make it to the 2nd Sunday.

TIP #13: There are 6 teams who have won at least 70% 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 East Region then you might want to pick them to get all the way to the title game.

TIP #14: There are 13 teams who are undefeated in their NCAA tournament games in a specific state (minimum 5 games).
STRATEGY: It is a shame that Indiana did not make the tourney because it is 10-0 all-time in the state of Indiana.

TIP #15: There are 7 teams who have won at least 70% of their NCAA tournament games as an at-large team (minimum 5 games).
STRATEGY: Do not sleep on Kansas because even though they did not win the Big 12 tourney they still have a terrific track record when they do not get an automatic bid (56-22).

TIP #16: 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: Alabama (2019 NIT)/Illinois (no postseason in 2019) are certainly ready for primetime but might not be ready to go all the way.

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Hoops HD Report: NCAA Tournament Edition

Posted on March 16, 2021 by David Griggs

Tonight the panel goes through and fills out a bracket game by game, and analyzes each match-up.  They talk about potential first round upsets, what non-protected seeded teams may be able to go on a deep run, who they think will make the Final Four, and who the pick is to win it all.  They also take a peak at the NIT and CBI brackets, and lastly we reveal the much awaited AC8 Bracket!!!

Below is our filled out bracket, but don’t look at it until you’ve watched the show!!

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

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