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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Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Florida State JR G Anthony Polite

Posted on March 16, 2021 by Jon Teitel

Last Sunday Florida State earned an at-large bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Seminoles lost to Georgia Tech in the ACC tourney title game but still kept their streak alive of making the NCAA tourney ever year since 2017. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Anthony Polite about being a great 3-PT shooter and making the NCAA tourney.

You were born/raised in Switzerland: what are the biggest sports in that country, and how did you 1st get into basketball? The biggest sports are soccer/hockey, but basketball is growing more and more. My father/grandfather both played basketball and I watched a lot of basketball growing up.

Your father Michael scored more than 1000 PTS for the Seminole basketball team: how much of an impact was he on your own decision to attend Florida State, and who is the best athlete in the family? He never put any pressure on me to come here: it was my decision and after my visit I decided that it was the best fit for me. We have a lot of contenders in our family but I would definitely say that I am the best athlete!

You play for Coach Leonard Hamilton: what makes him such a great coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him so far? He cares about us both on and off the court. He wants us to be great on the court and in the classroom and wants us to be okay in life once the ball stops bouncing. He is like a father-figure to all of us.

In the 2019 NCAA tourney you beat Vermont/Murray State before losing to Gonzaga in the Sweet 16: what did you learn from that tourney run that you think will help you this time around? You have to focus on 1 game at a time and each possession counts. If you lose then you go home so every detail is important.

What is it like to be a college basketball player during a pandemic? It is definitely different: there are a lot more sacrifices that we have had to make, such as where we go and what we do. You have to keep up with it if you want to stay in line with your goals.

You were an AAU teammate of Raiquan Gray: how close are you 2, and what makes him such a good player? He is a great guy: we always joked about going to college together. We are extremely close and he is 1 of my best friends. He is good at everything and does not have a weakness.

You are shooting 43.9 3P% and your team is #9 in the nation with 39 3P%: what is the key to making shots from behind the arc? Being consistent and getting into the gym as much as possible. You have to be disciplined and just keep to your routine.

Your team won 9 of 10 games after New Year’s Eve but lost 3 of your past 5 games since late-February: what is the mood of the team heading into March Madness? We are extremely excited and ready to give our all and play our best basketball of the year.

You played 1 game as a true freshman before having to redshirt due to knee injuries, and you missed 4 games last January due to a left shoulder injury: how is your health at the moment? I feel good right now and nothing is bothering me: I cannot wait to get onto the court!

What do you think about being a #4-seed, and what do you know about UNC-Greensboro? We are blessed to be in this position. We know that UNCG has some really good players so we will just go out and play our game.

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Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Ohio cheerleader Alexa Grillis

Posted on March 16, 2021 by Jon Teitel

Last Saturday Ohio beat Buffalo by 15 PTS in the MAC tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Bobcats started 3-4 in conference play but have won 9 of their past 10 games to claim the school’s 1st NCAA tourney bid since 2012. 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 Alexa Grillis about her future in the legal profession and not being able to join the basketball team in Indianapolis this week.

You were born/raised in Ohio: what made you choose Ohio University? I have had multiple family members attend Ohio University, and as I visited over the years I fell in love with Athens and OU’s beautiful campus. The journalism school is great too.

You did competitive cheerleading for 9 years before college and have been on your college cheer team for 3 years: what is your favorite part of being a cheerleader? My favorite part of being a cheerleader is the athletic discipline and teamwork involved. Cheerleading requires tremendous trust: it entails literally putting your life in your stunt partner’s hands. Personal discipline is also essential for success so it keeps me motivated. While some think of cheerleading as just an accessory to another sport, it is much more than that to us cheerleaders.

What does the cheer team do at basketball games during a normal year? In a normal year the cheer team is very involved and busy during basketball games. There are multiple opportunities for us throughout games to do tumbling, partner stunts, and team mounts. While the game is being played we cheer on the team loudly from behind the hoop. During almost every timeout we go out onto the court and put up team mounts. These include most team members putting together a pyramid. The girls are required to tumble out onto the court and then tumble back to the sideline at the conclusion of the timeout. For every foul shot our team makes, the girls do a standing tuck (standing back flip) which often amounts to a large number in the end. We run out with the team at the beginning of the games and the boys wave OHIO flags. We are constantly moving and/or yelling the whole game.

What do you think the role of a college cheer team is today, and how has it changed over time? I think the role of the college cheer team has moved away from being just something pretty to look at and toward an athletic team with real entertainment value. Although cheerleading is still looked at by some as pretty girls in skirts, it has morphed into something that takes talent and athletic rigor. College cheer teams provide other athletes encouragement in their games, while also giving fans entertainment during breaks and adding to the gameday experience.

You are a senior studying journalism strategic communication with a minor in political science: why did you pick those subjects? I chose to study journalism and political science because I have always been interested in writing and the current political happenings.

You will be attending Indiana University Bloomington Maurer School of Law next fall: why did you choose law, and what is the post-law school plan? I chose law because I see its impact and importance increasing every day. I keep up with politics and happenings of the court, and it is something that I truly enjoy. Post-law school, I hope to be possibly working in government.

How do you like basketball, and is that your favorite sport? I was not the biggest basketball fan before coming to college but the sport has really grown on me. Being at every home game and being so close to the team was an awesome experience and made me appreciate the sport more.

Last Saturday the Bobcats had a 15-PT win over Buffalo in the MAC tourney title game: how excited was the student body after the win to give you your 1st NCAA tourney appearance since 2012? The win was very exciting for the student body and it is special to be an OU student right now. Everyone is really excited and looking forward to cheering on the Bobcats on Saturday!

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? It is extremely frustrating being unable to cheer at the games during this time, especially as a senior. Missing out on this season and watching from home has been disheartening and difficult, especially when you are used to being at every game. The fact that our team is in the NCAA Tournament this year makes it even more frustrating, but we are so proud of the team and continue to cheer them on from home.

You are playing defending champion Virginia on Saturday: any predictions? Hoping to see a Bobcat upset!

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Tourney Talk: HoopsHD interviews Middle Tennessee JR G Anastasia Hayes

Posted on March 15, 2021 by Jon Teitel

Last Saturday the Middle Tennessee women’s team beat Rice by 3 PTS in the C-USA tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Blue Raiders lost 3 of 4 games by double-digits heading into early-March but turned things around over the past 10 days to claim the school’s 1st NCAA tourney bid since 2016. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Anastasia Hayes about being named conference POY and making the NCAA tourney.

You went 102-5 at Riverdale High School: did it reach a point where you just expected to win every single time that you stepped onto the court? For sure! We had a mindset that we would never get beat, and I think that we went undefeated during my senior year.

You were named Tennessee Miss Basketball in Class AAA in Murfreesboro: what made you choose the Lady Vols? I am from Tennessee and the Lady Vols have a great program that has won 8 titles.

You were named SEC 6th Player of the Year as a freshman: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? I knew the team needed a spark off the bench so I tried to do whatever I could to help, especially on defense.

Why did you decide to transfer, and what made you choose Middle Tennessee? I needed to be closer to home and to my family. Middle Tennessee has a great program and it was a blessing for me.

You were named C-USA Newcomer of the Year/1st-team All C-USA as a sophomore: how were you able to make such a smooth transition after switching schools? It was hard at 1st but I worked out every single day to get better. I studied the game by watching a lot of film.

You also finished 5th in the nation that year with 221 FTA: how crucial to your success is your ability to get to the FT line? It is very crucial. I get fouled a lot when I drive to the basket and I know that making those FTs are huge. I also want to get better at making the FTs as well!

You are a 5’7” guard: do you see your size as an advantage or disadvantage on the court? I see it as an advantage although I do not really see size. I am fast and play hard with my heart.

This year you were named C-USA POY: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? I am blessed/grateful and it means a lot. I worked hard so to do that in front of my family has been amazing.

In the C-USA conference title game last Saturday you scored 17 PTS in a 3-PT win over Rice en route to being named conference tourney MVP: what did it mean to you to win a title, and how were you able to play your best when it mattered the most? It meant a lot: we had a long season but worked hard despite not knowing what would happen with COVID. I have been so happy for the past 3 days and keep having flashbacks to the win. I am still in shock about how we were able to do it together as a team.

What do you think about being a #14 seed? I do not really know: whatever seed we get and whoever we play, I know that we will play hard.

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