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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Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Hartford coach John Gallagher

Posted on March 16, 2021 by Jon Teitel

Last Saturday Hartford had a 14-PT win over UMass-Lowell to earn an automatic bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Hawks have been playing D-1 basketball for almost 4 decades and after winning 4 America East tourney games during a 15-day span they clinched the 1st NCAA tourney appearance in school history. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Coach John Gallagher about leading the #Neighborhood team and making the NCAA tourney.

You played basketball at St. Joseph’s under Coach Phil Martelli: how good a player were you back in the day, and what was the most important thing that you ever learned from Martelli? I was a good high school player in the Philadelphia Catholic League but not a good college player. I learned so many things from Phil but the #1 thing was the unconditional love for his players and the family he built.

You made it to the Sweet 16 in 1997 before losing to eventual national runner-up Kentucky: what are your memories of playing in the tourney, and could you have ever imagined that then-Wildcats coach Rick Pitino would still be coaching in the NCAA tourney almost a quarter-century later? We were the #4-seed and BC was the #5-seed. It was a huge game in Salt Lake City with Rashid Bey (23 PTS) vs. Scoonie Penn (10 PTS) and went into OT. I will never forget the euphoria in the locker room afterward. I just saw Coach Pitino in the hallway tonight: he was very good friends with my high school coach. He is 1 of the best ever: say whatever you want but nobody loves the game like he does. Iona will be in the tourney a lot in the years ahead because he is that good and I have the utmost respect for him.

You spent 2 years as an assistant to Coach Glen Miller at Penn: what was your reaction when you heard that the Ivy League would not be playing any basketball this year? 2 of my best friends in the world are current Penn coach Steve Donahue/former Penn assistant coach Mike Martin. My stance is that the Ivy League has its principles and does not deviate from them so you have to respect it. The rest of us did the right thing for our schools and found a way to play, but mental health-wise I think it affects kids more to NOT play. I have 4 kids of my own and understand being in a community: when you are part of the team you are part of something bigger than yourself, but when you take away that commitment it throws some people off. There is a life rhythm that is taken away from you, which is what concerns me.

What is it like to be a college basketball coach during a pandemic? We did not sign up for this but we still have to embrace everything that we are going through. You cannot run away from the daily protocols and you have to be a part of all the processes to playing. There is so much to do just to get to practice: it is a lifestyle commitment where you cannot go to a restaurant or a party so you have to engage with people in a different way.

Last Saturday in the America East tourney title game you had a 14-PT win over UMass-Lowell: what did it mean to you to win a title, and what was the feeling like in your locker room afterward? It was like a relief. Coach Fran O’Hanlon had a great line: “To be a coach you have to lie down with pain”…but he did not say that it would be 11 years of pain! It is a great feeling.

How big a deal is it for the school to get its 1st NCAA tourney appearance ever? Words cannot describe it. We have spent 36 years in D-1 so it is monstrous. The school’s original coach (Jack Phelan) died last summer but he is a part of this. For our former players/current donors/etc., this is for them: it is truly for the #Neighborhood.

You played a pair of NCAA tourney teams this year in Connecticut/Villanova: which 1 of them impressed you the most? I think that Villanova is a national championship contender with a healthy Collin Gillespie…but without him it is hard. I have so much respect for Coach Jay Wright’s culture. Danny Hurley could be a surprise Final 4 team: I think they will be the best team in the Big East next year. He has elevated that program in such a short time because he is elite at a LOT of things. As a guy who lives in the same state, when UConn is good it is good for everyone in the state and he will have a perennial top-5 program. I think they will win a national title within the next 5 years, and if they make the Final 4 this year it would not shock me at all.

Your team is #9 in the nation with 28.7 3P% allowed: what is the key to protecting the 3-PT line, and what impact does your 1-3-1 defense have on that stat? Last year we were #1 in the country. We have the best defensive guard in the nation: Stony Brook coach Geno Ford was being interviewed recently and he said, “You may laugh at me, but Traci Carter is the best defender in the country.” He is a transfer from Marquette/La Salle and is a big reason why we can defend the 3-PT line. We have schemed it that way but I will not lie to you: the 1-3-1 will be huge for us this week, especially when playing in a dome.

Your sisters Ann/Joan each played D-1 basketball: who is the best athlete in the family? Definitely me! Joanie was a 3-PT specialist and Annie was 1 of the best PGs in La Salle history. My aunt (Sister Kate Touey) is actually the best athlete in our family: she is now a nun. Loyola-Chicago coach Porter Moser is 1 of my best friends: he may have Sister Jean…but I have Sister Kate!

What do you think about being a #16-seed, and what do you know about Baylor? It is our # but I am still shocked at how people view the America East Conference. Take a high-major team to Vermont any time during the last 6 years: I do not care who you are but you are not winning that game. In the last 10 years the winningest program in New England is not BC or UConn: it is Vermont. Look at UMBC coach Ryan Odom when he upset Virginia a few years ago. The top-4 teams in our league can go anywhere/anytime and win, and people need to know that. We have won 4 high-major games in a row: nobody will play Vermont but people need to see how much we have all improved. You “got the Irish up” in me, and right before St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow! The numbers just cannot be right: UMBC should not have been a 16-seed in the 2018 NCAA tourney, which is why Virginia lost to the Retrievers. Go read John Feinstein’s stuff: he says the league does not get the credit it deserves. Our commissioner (Amy Huchthausen) has done a great job: we were the 1st league to appear on ESPN3 because she had the vision. The game we won on Saturday was a high-level game and I want to build this team into a mid-major power.

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Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Drexel women’s assistant coach Laura Kurz

Posted on March 16, 2021 by Jon Teitel

Last Saturday the Drexel women’s team had an 11-PT win over Delaware to earn an automatic bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Dragons lost to James Madison in their regular season finale before winning 3 CAA tourney games in 3 days to clinch the 2nd NCAA tourney appearance in school history. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with assistant coach Laura Kurz about being named Big 5 POY and making the NCAA tourney.

You made the 2005 Elite 8 as a player at Duke: how did you like playing for Hall of Fame coach Gail Goestenkors, and how close did you come to making the Final 4? We only had 8 eligible players on our roster that year so we were a really small group. We made a great run but got stopped by LSU in a close game. The following year we beat LSU in the Final 4 and made the title game (before losing to Maryland by 3 PTS in OT). I have a ton of respect for Coach G and she did a lot of great things for the program.

Why did you decide to transfer, and what made you choose Villanova? I wanted to make more of an impact on a team and was unsure if I would get the role I wanted in Durham. I grew up about 25 minutes from the Villanova campus and wanted to be closer to home so that my friends/family could come see me play. They won the Big East a few years earlier and I felt that I would fit in well from a basketball standpoint.

You were named Big 5 POY/All-American in 2009: what did it mean to you to receive such outstanding honors? That was always a goal of mine and I was really fortunate to play with some really good teammates. It was cool because the Big East was the best conference in the country at the time so every game was super-competitive, whereas Duke was a perennial top-5 team that blew everyone out.

You were also a team captain: what is the key to being a good leader? I am not someone who is super-vocal so I tried to lead by example and was in the gym a lot of the time during the offseason. I showed up to play.

After graduation you played pro basketball in Greece: what is the biggest difference between basketball in America vs. basketball overseas? They use a 24-second shot-clock so the game is faster over there. We played a slow tempo at Villanova but in Greece we tried to get quicker buckets.

Last March Amy Mallon was promoted from assistant coach to head coach: how was she able to be so successful in her 1st year as head coach? She is really special and it has been such an honor to work under her leadership style. She is the type of coach who can get on her players but they respect her because they know how much she is invested in them as people 1st. What I love about her is that she makes everything fun: it was a long season due to COVID and our players were more burned out than normal but she made accommodations to bring the best out of them.

What is it like to be a college basketball coach during a pandemic? It is very strange. We have been tested for 155 of the past 157 days with only 2 days off due to Christmas and a snowstorm! Everyone is lacking a social connection so you have to be more sensitive to what your players are going through. Practice/games are the same, albeit without fans. You still have to worry about your offense/defense, and recruiting via video rather than in person has been a big change. Our whole mantra is that we have to be flexible: with so many teams dealing with cancellations we are just grateful for every opportunity that we have to play.

In the CAA tourney title game on Saturday you had an 11-PT win over Delaware: what did it mean to you to win a championship, and what was the feeling like in your locker room afterward? It was so exciting! We just had that “it” factor from our very 1st game at Elon, then had a pair of nice comeback wins against JMU/Delaware after trailing at halftime. I do not know if I have ever won a championship before so it was a really special moment and is something that I will always look back on.

The men’s team at Drexel won their own CAA title last Tuesday: how much interaction is there between the 2 teams, and how great is it to be a Dragon this month?! It is so cool. The men’s and women’s teams are closely connected, both players and coaches. There is a lot of interaction and both staffs reached out to each other after winning their respective titles so we are really lucky.

What do you think about being a #14-seed, and what do you know about Georgia? I know a little bit because we played them when I was at Villanova. They have had a lot of success and have 4 senior starters in their veteran group. They are big/athletic so it will be a tough match-up for us but we are looking forward to the challenge.

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Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Abilene Christian JR F Joe Pleasant

Posted on March 16, 2021 by Jon Teitel

Last Saturday Abilene Christian had a 34-PT win over Nicholls State 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. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Joe Pleasant about his Super father and making the NCAA tourney.

You grew up in Kansas: what made you choose Abilene Christian? I was born/raised in North Carolina and then moved to Kansas around age 10. I knew 1 of their assistant coaches from my church and also played AAU basketball with a guy who got a scholarship there.

You play for Coach Joe Golding: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him so far? He is a great guy and really looks out for all of his players and cares for us. There is nothing that he would not do for us and I cannot say enough about what he has done for me. He is a stand-up guy who looks for character in all of his players.

In the 2019 NCAA tourney you had 2 REB in a loss to Kentucky: what did you learn from that game that you think will help you this time around? Just to treat this like another basketball game and not get too riled up.

What is it like to be a college basketball player during a pandemic? It is different than being a regular student: we cannot do the normal things that we would do during the semester. We have to be careful when we travel so that we do not test positive and have to miss any games.

This season you were named to the Southland All-Academic 1st-Team: how do you balance your work on the court with your work in the classroom? Just discipline and focusing on getting everything done. I stay on top of my schoolwork: they give us good support so that I can maintain my schedule throughout the day.

Last Saturday in the Southland tourney title game you scored 13 PTS in a 34-PT win over Nicholls State: what did it mean to you to win a title, and what was the feeling like in your locker room afterward? It was a surreal feeling: I was really happy to win it with this team. It is a special journey that we are on with a lot of new guys. It was also gratifying because we worked so hard throughout the year.

You played a pair of NCAA tourney teams this year in Texas Tech/Arkansas: which 1 of them impressed you the most? Both of them are very impressive and are good programs with good players. They do good things on offense/defense but it was a lot of fun to play them.

Your team is #7 in the nation with 60.5 PPG allowed: what is the key to playing great defense? You have to play hard and play together and have each other’s backs even if you make a mistake. We stay locked in on the game plan.

Your father Anthony won a pair of Super Bowls with the New England Patriots: who is the best athlete in the family? It is funny: my older brother is actually the best natural-born athlete that I have ever seen!

What do you think about being a #14-seed, and what do you know about Texas? We will learn more about their personnel later tonight but they have a good program. It will be a challenge but we are all ready for it: the seed does not matter and we are excited to play them.

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