Season preview: HoopsHD interviews Virginia Tech Special Assistant to the Head Coach Ace Custis

CLICK HERE for all of Hoops HD’s Continued and Extensive Preseason Content

We hope you are ready for a season unlike any other: testing, distancing, and bubbles, oh my! Nobody knows exactly what is going to happen, when it is going to happen, or whether anything actually will happen…but in the meantime we will try to restore some order with season previews featuring the best players/coaches/administrators in the country. We continue our coverage with Virginia Tech Special Assistant to the Head Coach Ace Custis. He won an NIT title in 1995, was named an All-American in 1997, and played pro basketball for more than a decade. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Coach Custis about his recent promotion and his expectations for this year.

You were born/raised in Virginia: what made you choose Virginia Tech for college? I had some other schools recruiting me but some hometown guys who I looked up to were playing basketball/football at Virginia Tech. I enjoyed my visit and committed right then and there.

In the 1995 NIT title game tourney MVP Shawn Smith made a pair of FTs with 0.7 seconds left to clinch a 1-PT OT win over Marquette: did you think that he was going to make them both, and what did it mean to you to win a title? Shawn got fouled: I was glad that it was him instead of me! We huddled during a timeout and Shawn sat off to the side: he was in a zone by himself, came back onto the court, then made both FTs. We were like family so it was an exciting way to end the season after missing out on the NCAA tourney.

In the 1996 NCAA tourney you scored 8 PTS in a loss to Kentucky (Antoine Walker had 21 PTS/11 REB): where does that 34-2 championship-winning Wildcat squad (with NINE guys who eventually played in the NBA) rank among the best college teams that you have ever seen? They were very good: we were in it during the 1st half but they kept throwing a lot of talent against us. Our coach Bill Foster was interviewed before the game and asked, “What does it feel like to play against a team full of McDonald’s All-Americans?” He came back with a classic statement, “We have a lot of guys that eat at McDonald’s.”

In 1997 you were named an All-American and during your pregame Senior Day ceremony the school announced that they were going to retire your #20 jersey: what did it mean to you to receive such outstanding honors? At 1st I was surprised that it did not leak out. When they unveiled my jersey it was very emotional: I prepared myself to be the best player I could be so to be respected on Senior Night was 1 of the best feelings of my life.

You remain top-15 in school history in career PTS/REB/STL: how were you able to balance all these different aspects of your game? I did not see myself as full of talent but rather someone who would outwork my opponent. I just did whatever I could to help my team win, which allowed me to become a stat-stuffer.

You went undrafted in 1997 and then had a severe knee injury while trying out for Dallas before becoming 1 of the best power forwards in Asia for more than a decade: do you think that you would have made the Mavericks’ roster if you were healthy, and how did basketball in the US compare to basketball overseas? When I took my preseason physical with Dallas the doctor said that I would tear my ACL…and 2 weeks later I tore it in a game against Phoenix. Coach Don Nelson said in the locker room that I was going to make the team regardless of my injury but the following year they drafted some other guys and I did not make it. I later went overseas and had a lot of success but my ultimate goal was to come back to the NBA. I finished my career in Japan: there was some really good talent/great fans over there. I felt that I would play until my wheels fell off and by the end of my career I was in pain after every game. I think basketball is the same everywhere: you can see the talent of international players in the NBA. Some of the rules are different but basketball is basketball .

In 2007 you were inducted into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame: where does that rank among the highlights of your career? When I got that call I was excited because I am a Hokie until I die and I love it here. I was unable to come back for the ceremony so my wife gave a speech in my place: I really wanted to be a part of it in person but I was able to record a little speech of my own.

In 2019 you were hired as the Hokies’ coordinator of basketball relations and earlier this month you were promoted to Special Assistant to the Head Coach Mike Young: what did it mean to you to return to your alma mater, and how do you like working for Coach Young? I had tried to come back for years and finally had the opportunity to give back to a place that gave me an opportunity to get my degree and play basketball. I am thrilled to be a part of Mike’s staff: he is a basketball wizard and a great teacher of the game.

What is it like to be an African-American man in 2020? It is no different for me than it was 20 years ago: there are still many struggles but now things are getting recorded on cell phones and gaining some media attention. The news spreads faster now via Twitter but I still had to talk to my oldest son 10 years ago about how to interact with police. I have 2 younger kids but I had to have similar conversations with them at a much earlier age.

What are your goals for this season, and what are your expectations for this season? I just want us to go out and compete and leave everything on the floor. We have more size up front and brought in a lot of experience so it is going to be exciting with Mike’s style/personnel. I cannot wait for that first jump ball to go up on November 25th: I know there is a lot of stuff going on in our country right now but to finally have a date for opening night is like a shining star and feels great.

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The Olympians: HoopsHD interviews 1988 Olympic gold medalist Susan Yow and 2 of her Elon colleagues

The NBA Finals date back to 1947 (when they were known as the Basketball Association of America Finals) and the very 1st NCAA tourney was held in 1939. Olympic basketball competition is even older: it debuted as a demonstration event in 1904 and the men’s version became a medal sport in 1936, with the women finally getting their chance to go for the gold in 1976. The United States has dominated Olympic basketball competition from the start: the men have won 15 gold medals in the 18 tournaments they have participated in during the past 84 years, while the women have won 8 gold medals in the 10 tournaments in which they have competed during the past 44 years. Those of you who were looking forward to the 2020 Olympics opening ceremonies in Tokyo on July 24, 2020 will have to wait an extra 364 days, as the coronavirus caused a postponement until July 23, 2021. Due to the absence of college basketball since mid-March, HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel decided to fill the void by trying to interview as many prior Olympic players/coaches as possible so that you have something to read this summer while not watching the Summer Games. We continue our coverage by chatting with Susan Yow, Janie Brown (former Elon PE professor), and Kyle Wills (Elon Senior Associate Director of Athletics) about Susan becoming an All-American at 2 schools and winning a gold medal in 1988. Today marks the 32nd anniversary of team USA’s 87-81 win over Czechoslovakia in Olympic round-robin pool play.

You were born/raised in North Carolina: what made you choose Elon? Susan Yow: My sister, Kay Yow, was the main reason. She had taken the job at Elon 2 years prior to me graduating from high school so it was assumed that Elon is where I would go to further my play: it was a natural decision. I had experienced playing for Kay when I was a sophomore in high school. We found ourselves that season without a coach. Kay was at UNCG working on her Masters’ degree after having coached/taught the previous 4 years at another high school in our conference. The “powers that be” asked her if she would coach our team that season and it turned out to be a rehearsal for my collegiate career. Janie Brown: She grew up in Gibsonville, which is only 4-5 miles away. Her family came to games here and her father would often come to my office to talk. Her sister Kay was already coaching here so I think that was the main factor. Kyle Wills: I assume because her sister Kay was the coach.

You were named team captain as a junior and were an All-American in the very 1st year of the award in 1975: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? SY: It meant a lot at the time for two reasons. It was such a surprise because it was the first time an All-American team had ever existed on the collegiate level for women. It was not something I was striving to achieve, but when you have a passion for playing the game and are recognized at the highest level it is a nice feeling. JB: I am sure that it meant a great deal to her but she was never 1 to flaunt her honors. She is a very humble person and it was a real honor for our school: she remains the 1st Elon woman to become an All-American.

Despite standing 5’9” you still rank top-10 in Elon history with 8.5 career RPG: what was your secret for being such a great rebounder? SY: Being in the right place at the right time. My career-high of 27 rebounds happened when Kay had us in a 2-3 zone defense and I was on the back left side. The opposing team ran their offense to the right so when they shot and missed most of their misses came to the left side. Again: it was about being in the right place at the right time. JB: I call it “court sense” or a sense of space on the floor and where the ball/opponent was. She had the knack even though she did not jump very high. She was aggressive and knew how to get to the ball and where it was coming off the rim. It was certainly not due to her height, although she was a great athlete. KW: She was a student of the game and had natural instincts. Those types of players always seem to know where to be on the court at the right time.

After your older sister Kay left Elon to become head coach at NC State you decided to follow her there by transferring: how big a deal was it at the time for an All-American player to transfer after her junior year? SY: It was a very big deal after spending 3 years at Elon where I had developed many great friendships. During the initial years of collegiate sports for women, we were under the governing body of AIAW (Association of Intercollegiate Athletic for Women). It was not until 1982 that the NCAA accepted women’s athletics under their umbrella, but for that one year in 1982 both the AIAW & the NCAA each had a Women’s Basketball National Championship. By 1983 we were under one governing body: the NCAA. I say all of that because the AIAW did not have any rules regarding transfers…thank goodness. I give credit to both schools for working together for my personal interest. Kay was a very persuasive individual so I think she was instrumental in bringing it all together. I along with two other teammates made the transfer. I returned to Elon in the summer of 1976 and completed my degree so I could return to NC State and work as a graduate assistant coach under Kay. The other two graduated from NCSU. JB: It was a big deal for the men because they had strict transfer rules in the NAIA but for the women in the AIAW the philosophy was that athletics were more for the students than for the school. Some men in our athletic department were very unhappy about it but she had some other teammates also transfer to NC State to play for Kay. She had done a lot for Elon but we thought that it was best for her so we let her leave. Kay was a great coach/person so I understood the players’ allegiance to her. There was not a lot of recruiting back then so playing time was also important. KW: It would normally be difficult but because of the circumstances with Kay being her sister everyone understood.

You led the Wolfpack in almost every category (19.4 PPG/11.9 RPG/58.4 FG%/83.2 FT%) and were named an All-American for the 2nd straight year: how did you like playing for Kay, and do you think that doing so allowed you to play your best? SY: I believe my stats speak to that: I do not think that my college career could have worked out any better. Kay was a special sister, person, and coach. She had a knack for getting along with people. I had a passion for the game so she never had to motivate me to play hard. I wanted to be the best at everything I did on the court: of course I was not the best at everything but I was always striving to be the best. Our teams always had unity and we all got along which speaks to Kay. We respected Kay so much and wanted to please her: it was very harmonious. JB: No doubt. They related very well to 1 another but Kay taught her players to know the entire game (not just their individual roles), which fit Susan’s style. She certainly knew the game and was a strong athlete but she was a low-key person, as was Kay. Kay coached her to be the best that she could be but I do not know if it would work for everyone in all circumstances. KW: Normally I think it is hard to play for a family member because they expect/demand more from you. However, if I was Kay back then I would have loved having Susan on my team. She understood her, knew her ability, and allowed her to grow. The same went for Susan: she knew how Kay thought and what she expected from her as a player/leader on the team.

The following summer you returned to Elon to complete your degree in Physical Education, then went back to NC State to become an assistant to Kay for 2 years: how do you balance your allegiance between the 2 schools after spending so much quality time at both? SY: I spent 3 years at both schools so I have a strong affinity for both, but Kay’s 34-year tenure at NC State presented many more opportunities to associate with the athletic department at State vs. Elon. Debbie and I received our undergraduate degrees from Elon. Debbie presently serves on the Board of Trustees at Elon and I presently serve on the Hall of Fame Board. Both universities and the people at both are special to us. JB: She still attends many events/games at both schools: I went with her last year to a Louisville-NC State game. I am not sure how she manages it: her sister Debbie was athletic director at NC State but she balances her allegiance and contributes to both schools. She valued the fact that she came back here to finish her degree: I taught 2 of her classes and worked with her. NC State did not have a physical education degree and she knew that she wanted to coach. KW: I believe she truly enjoyed playing in the ACC…but I also think that she was an Elon person at heart.

In 1978 you began your head coaching career at East Tennessee State, then later became coach at Drake/Kansas State/UNC-Wilmington: how were you able to build a reputation as a rebuilder of so many different programs? SY: I tended to take jobs where the emphasis was to rebuild or change the culture. I think one of my main strengths as a coach was teaching the game so those two scenarios probably created that thought. JB: I know that she relates well to people so part of her success was her ability to recruit. She could relate to parents/students to help them succeed and was not afraid of a challenge.

You were an assistant to Kay for team USA at the 1988 Olympics: what did it mean to you to represent your country, and what did it mean to you to win a gold medal? SY: It was an honor that is difficult to put into words. To be selected by your sister as an assistant coach and represent your country was beyond anything that I could have ever imagined. I remember when she called me at Drake to ask if I would serve as one of her assistants: I was floored. It was a very emotional moment. Every four years when our USA Women’s Basketball Team takes the court in the Olympics the memories of 1988 grow richer. JB: I know that it meant a great deal to her. The Russian women’s team actually played at Elon in 1974 during a tour of the US. They came to play a team made up of American players from several universities and Kay got along well with the Russian official who traveled with the team. I have never seen their gold medals but I am sure they are kept in a special place. International basketball was a great experience but she would not bring it up herself.

Your sister Kay is in the Naismith Hall of Fame, your sister Debbie/cousin Virgil are in the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, and your brother Ronnie played football at Clemson: who is the best athlete in the family, and who is the best coach in the family? SY: I believe Kay would have said that I was the best athlete and I believe Debbie would agree, but my brother might have been the best athlete in the family. Of the 3 girls, I think I hold that credential. Best coach has to go to the Naismith Hall of Fame coach, but Debbie had an outstanding coaching career before she went into administration. As it turned out we each achieved high honors: one as an athlete, one as a coach, and one as an administrator. JB: That is a loaded question! I knew Ronnie but never saw him play. I would say that Susan was the best athlete because she came along at a time when women’s athletics was growing, whereas Kay never got to show her talent. Kay was the best coach, although Debbie was pretty successful before becoming an administrator. KW: She was an unbelievable athlete so I assume that she was the best. She took jump shots before most girls were doing that. Obviously Kay was an unbelievable coach, as her record indicates.

When people look back on your career, how do you want to be remembered the most? SY: I hope they saw me as a teacher of the game and someone who gave it her all, regardless of the outcome. Someone who cared for the student-athlete and wanted to see them achieve great things both on and off the court. My coaching career was not what I had hoped, but coaching is one of the greatest professions you could ever be in and I never regret choosing that as my profession. JB: As a great athlete but also as a great person of character. She could be competitive but it did not dominate her thoughts. She was a friendly/caring person and that is how I know her. KW: As 1 of the best women’s basketball players in Elon history.

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Season preview: HoopsHD interviews Utah State JR SG Brock Miller

CLICK HERE for all of Hoops HD’s Continued and Extensive Preseason Content

We hope you are ready for a season unlike any other: testing, distancing, and bubbles, oh my! Nobody knows exactly what is going to happen, when it is going to happen, or whether anything actually will happen…but in the meantime we will try to restore some order with season previews featuring the best players/coaches/administrators in the country. We continue our coverage with Utah State JR SG Brock Miller. He served a mission before college, missed most of his freshman year with a foot injury, and got married last year. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Brock about winning the 2020 MWC tourney and his expectations for this year.

You served a 2-year LDS mission in Buenos Aires before going to college: how did you like Argentina, and how important is your faith in you life? It was a great experience for me to learn the culture and help out any way that I could. My faith is the centerpiece of my life, along with my family.

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 is an amazing coach due to his energy and how he knows his players. What he emphasizes the most is “NBA”: Next Best Action. He knows that mistakes will happen but teaches us to move onto the next play. “Find a way” is another big quote he uses as our leader/teacher/coach. His consistency has allowed us to be consistent as a team, especially when getting to March so that we can be our best.

You played in each of the 1st 5 games in 2017 before missing the rest of the year due to a foot injury: how bad was the injury, and how were you able to get back onto the court? My last game was at the PK 80 tourney against Portland State. I knew that something was up because my foot had been throbbing a few days earlier but I could not even walk after that last game. The doctor found a fracture in my foot and I was pretty devastated, but I really worked on my body/my game as much as I could while in a boot. It ended up working out well because I was able to get that year back.

In the 2019 NCAA tourney you scored a team-high 13 PTS/3-6 3PM in a loss to Washington: what did you learn from that game about what it takes to win games in March? It takes a team that stays together, is fundamentally sound, and just finds a way. We played a good Washington team and struggled little bit but it was still nice to get a taste of March Madness. You have to come ready to play and it all starts in the preseason and being focused on getting better every day and never being satisfied. Our defense is what has carried us a lot in the past and will be a big key for us again this year.

You got married in 2019: what impact has your wife Bailey had on you either on or off the court? She has had a great impact on me: she is very supportive and pushes me to be better. She played college volleyball and knows the time/dedication involved in playing your best as an athlete. She has been a huge blessing to me and our marriage is a very positive thing. Her dad actually played here in the 1980s!

In the 2020 MWC tourney title game you scored 2 PTS and Sam Merrill made a 3-PT shot with 2 seconds left in a 3-PT win over top-seeded San Diego State: did you think that Sam’s shot was going in, and where does it rank among the most clutch shots that you have ever seen? That has to be the most clutch shot I have ever seen…but I knew that it was going in because I have seen him make those kinds of shots since high school. He loves the rhythm dribble to his left and I think that he will do great things at the next level.

A few days later you learned that the NCAA tourney was canceled due to the coronavirus: what was your reaction when you 1st heard the news, and how do you feel about playing this year despite having an autoimmune disease? When we 1st heard the news we discussed playing without fans and we were okay with that, even though it is much cooler when you have fans in the stands. It was very devastating when we learned that the season was over because we thought that we had the experience to make a nice run. 1 of the side effects of my disease is a lower immune system but we are keeping ourselves safe and testing and doing the right things. I just take my vitamins and stay healthy: I want to play basketball so I will do whatever is within my control to make it happen.

Your teammate Neemias Queta was 2019 conference ROY/DPOY but missed 9 games last year while recovering from an injury: what makes him such a good player, and how crucial is he going to be to your team’s success this year? He is very crucial to our success. He is a great player who has an impact on both the offensive/defensive ends of the court. As a wing defender it is nice to know that he has my back if the guy I am guarding beats me to the basket. He was really good on offense 2 years ago but has gotten even better by working on his jump shot and he has great touch around the rim. We are excited to have him back because he is phenomenal.

Your older brothers Brandon/Corbin and father Brett all played college basketball: who is the best athlete in the family? It depends on who you ask: if you ask me I will say me and if you ask the others they will say themselves! It is pretty cool to have a sporty family: we have a lot of basketball in our blood.

What are your goals for this season, and what are your expectations for this season? The #1 goal is to win another MWC title, and then make a run to March Madness. We got cheated last year so we will do whatever it takes to win. A lot of teams in our conference will be coming for us so we just need to be locked in every day and keep our 8 freshman on the same page so that we can mesh with them.

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The Olympians: HoopsHD interviews 2000 Olympic gold medalist Peggie Gillom-Granderson

The NBA Finals date back to 1947 (when they were known as the Basketball Association of America Finals) and the very 1st NCAA tourney was held in 1939. Olympic basketball competition is even older: it debuted as a demonstration event in 1904 and the men’s version became a medal sport in 1936, with the women finally getting their chance to go for the gold in 1976. The United States has dominated Olympic basketball competition from the start: the men have won 15 gold medals in the 18 tournaments they have participated in during the past 84 years, while the women have won 8 gold medals in the 10 tournaments in which they have competed during the past 44 years. Those of you who were looking forward to the 2020 Olympics opening ceremonies in Tokyo on July 24, 2020 will have to wait an extra 364 days, as the coronavirus caused a postponement until July 23, 2021. Due to the absence of college basketball since mid-March, HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel decided to fill the void by trying to interview as many prior Olympic players/coaches as possible so that you have something to read this summer while not watching the Summer Games. We continue our coverage by chatting with Peggie Gillom-Granderson about having a Hall of Fame sister and winning a gold medal in 2000. Today marks the 20th anniversary of team USA’s 90-61 win over Cuba in Olympic round-robin pool play.

You grew up playing basketball on a dirt court in a cow pasture but did not play on an organized team until 10th grade at Lafayette County High School: how hard was the adjustment from playing in your yard to joining a real team? It was not really a cow pasture but it was a dirt court! There was no real adjustment because I did not start playing until later on because I was tall and people told me that I was pretty good.

After graduating in 1976 you became the 1st African-American woman to be awarded an athletic scholarship to Ole Miss: how big a deal was it at the time? You might think that I am humble but I never thought about it. My brother was there at the time and that was where I wanted to go. I did not realize that accomplishment until much later on.

You remain the all-time leading scorer and rebounder in school history (2486 PTS/1271 REB): did you realize at the time how prolific a player you were, and do you think that anyone will ever break your records? I have no idea. When I played I had the best teammates and had the time of my life. I had fun and when they gave me the ball I would make a turnaround jumper. I just played because I loved the game but I did not realize that I was the leading scorer/rebounder until a long time afterward: I did not look at the stats. My coach did tell me about 1 stat: he told me that I only had about 6 AST in my career (because once the ball went into the black hole it never went out again!). I was told to shoot the ball and that is what I did.

After graduating you played 1 year of pro basketball for the Dallas Diamonds of the Women’s Professional Basketball League: what was it like to play with a legend like Nancy Lieberman and against legends like Carol Blazejowski/Ann Meyers? They were awesome people. Nancy was great to play with and was very funny. She was the stud but our coach never treated her any differently than the rest of us. Annie was not only a great player but 1 of the best people I have ever met. The Blaze could score: she and I were inducted into the Hall of Fame as “Trailblazers of the Game”. It was fun to contact people who I have not seen since my playing days. There were more than 60 players who showed up.

In the 1983 NCAA tourney as an assistant to your former college coach Van Chancellor, you had a 7-PT 3-OT loss to Tennessee: what was it like to face Pat Summitt in March, and where does that rank among the most devastating losses of your career? Tennessee was always great: I think we only beat them once while I was there. I remember playing against Holly Warlick. Pat was a legend back then as well as a great person. We always wanted to beat her but they were always good. I scored 45 PTS against Tennessee and my sister Jennifer scored more than 30 PTS against the Lady Vols.

Jennifer was an amazing scorer whose 2186 PTS ranks #2 on the school’s career scoring list: how did you like coaching her, and who was the better player? We were 2 totally different players. I will give her credit as the better all-around player while I mostly rebounded/scored. She loved the game and played morning/noon/night. I remember her losing a state title game 1 time in Jackson, MS…and she came back that night and was playing ball out on the dirt court. After practice she would ask me why I made her run but we always respected each other on the court. 1 time we played LSU and Coach Van Chancellor was on her case for not doing this and that. I showed him the stat sheet and once he saw that she had 30 PTS/15 REB he felt bad about it.

In 1997 you moved to the WNBA and as an assistant to Chancellor with the Houston Comets you won back-to-back titles in 1997/1998: what is the biggest difference between college basketball and pro basketball, and were do those Comet teams rank among the best that you have ever seen? We had so many great players like Sheryl Swoopes/Cynthia Cooper/Tina Thompson/Kim Perrot: I do not think there will ever be another team like that. They were locked in and played together because they were on a mission. I loved being in the pros because you did not have to worry about recruiting or any other responsibilities. In college you had to worry about ordering the uniforms but in the pros you can just focus on building great relationships. I still stay in touch with the players I coached and we will always have a relationship.

At the 2000 Olympics you and Geno Auriemma were assistants to Coach Nell Fortner on team USA: what was it like to work with Geno, and what did it mean to you to win a gold medal? That was 1 of the best times of my life. You might think there would be a problem with so much talent but Geno was in his place and everyone knew that Nell was the head coach. He gave his input but knew his role and everyone got along and knew what we were there to do. Nell did a great job.

In the spring of 2000 Ole Miss named its soccer/softball/volleyball complex after you and your sister (the Gillom Sports Center), the trophy for the best women’s college basketball player in the state was named in your honor in 2008, and you were inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013: what did it mean to receive such outstanding honors? I cannot believe that: of all the awards the 1 naming the building after us was 1 of the best honors of my life. I am not dead and never donated a ton of money but that shows what the school thought of us! When I got a call that they were naming the Gillom Award after only me I was surprised because Jennifer had more honors than I did. To be named to the Hall of Fame was also shocking: I just played basketball but was not a superstar like Sheryl Swoopes.

After returning to your alma mater as an assistant to your former teammate Carol Ross, you 2 were driving to Memphis on a recruiting trip in 2004 when a patrol car pulled you over for speeding but the cop just gave you a warning and let you go: was that a factor in your decision to marry him the following year?! That was how I met my husband! He pulled us over and told us to slow down: I looked at Carol and said that I could probably go out with him. He called me a few months later, we were married soon after, and are still married 15 years later.

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Season preview: HoopsHD interviews Liberty JR PG Darius McGhee

CLICK HERE for all of Hoops HD’s Continued and Extensive Preseason Content

We hope you are ready for a season unlike any other: testing, distancing, and bubbles, oh my! Nobody knows exactly what is going to happen, when it is going to happen, or whether anything actually will happen…but in the meantime we will try to restore some order with season previews featuring the best players/coaches/administrators in the country. We continue our coverage with Liberty JR PG Darius McGhee. He had an upset win over Mississippi State in the 2019 NCAA tourney, won 30 games last year including the Atlantic Sun tourney title game, but will have to take a leadership role this year after the Flames graduated an amazing senior class a few months ago. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Darius about his team’s tempo and his expectations for this year.

You are 5’9”: do you see your size as an advantage or disadvantage on the court? It is definitely an advantage: it is easier to turn corners against my opponents due to my quickness.

You were born in North Carolina and went to high school in Virginia: what made you choose Liberty? I went to an all-boys boarding school in Virginia where I learned what I needed to do to play D-1 basketball. Coach McKay started recruiting me a few years ago and this place is so unique that I fell in love with it.

You play for Coach Ritchie McKay: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him so far? His overall care for the entire person. We have a great relationship outside of basketball. He has taught me to be attentive to the small details for a reason: as the season progressed it started to click/make sense.

In the 2019 NCAA tourney you had a 4-PT upset of Mississippi State before a 9-PT loss to Virginia Tech: what is the key to winning games in March? Being able to have a defensive identity and get stops when it matters. Offense comes and goes but your entire team has to be connected on defense.

You did not start a single game as a freshman but started all 34 games as a sophomore: what is the biggest difference between starting a game vs. coming off the bench? You have a responsibility in either role and have to do your best in both positions.

In the 2020 Atlantic Sun tourney title game you scored 13 PTS in a win over Lipscomb, then a couple of days later you learned that the NCAA tourney was canceled due to the coronavirus: what was your reaction when you 1st heard the news, and do you think that it was the right decision? I was excited after winning the title because we were trending in the right direction. After hearing the news I was devastated for our seniors because until that point the sky was the limit. I think it was a great decision: public health is first and foremost.

You lost an amazing senior class from last year in Caleb Homesley/Scottie James/Myo Baxter-Bell/Georgie Pacheco-Ortiz: how on earth will you try to replace all of their offense/leadership? They were so important to us not just as teammates but as brothers. They instilled so much in this program that it seems like their legacy has never left.

In an era of up-tempo offenses your team plays at 1 of the slowest paces in the nation: it obviously works well (since you won 30 games last year) so what makes it so effective? On offense we do not settle for bad shots and work together to get the greatest shot possible, and we are all tuned in on defense.

What is it like to be an African-American man at Liberty in 2020? Liberty is a great place regardless of your race: I have not heard 1 person here endure any tragedy/trauma. The people are loving/kind and the place is full of love.

What are your goals for this season, and what are your expectations for this season? Just to do everything possible to win and leave nothing to chance. Hopefully we can win another A-Sun championship tourney and then make a run in March Madness.

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The Olympians: HoopsHD interviews Jack Rodgers about 1952 Olympic gold medalist Charlie Hoag

The NBA Finals date back to 1947 (when they were known as the Basketball Association of America Finals) and the very 1st NCAA tourney was held in 1939. Olympic basketball competition is even older: it debuted as a demonstration event in 1904 and the men’s version became a medal sport in 1936, with the women finally getting their chance to go for the gold in 1976. The United States has dominated Olympic basketball competition from the start: the men have won 15 gold medals in the 18 tournaments they have participated in during the past 84 years, while the women have won 8 gold medals in the 10 tournaments in which they have competed during the past 44 years. Those of you who were looking forward to the 2020 Olympics opening ceremonies in Tokyo on July 24, 2020 will have to wait an extra 364 days, as the coronavirus caused a postponement until July 23, 2021. Due to the absence of college basketball since mid-March, HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel decided to fill the void by trying to interview as many prior Olympic players/coaches as possible so that you have something to read this summer while not watching the Summer Games. We continue our coverage by chatting with Jack Rodgers about his friend/teammate Charlie Hoag winning an NCAA title and gold medal in 1952.

Charlie was born in Oklahoma and went to high school in Illinois: what made him choose Kansas? He was born in Guthrie, OK, in 1931 and his family later moved to Oak Park, IL. I met him during high school and along with Bob Mayer we became close friends. Charlie’s family was from Oklahoma and had put pressure on him to go to Oklahoma even thought he was good enough to go to any school that he wanted. Bud Wilkinson was the Oklahoma football coach and recruited Charlie and I with our parents in Oak Park. He offered football scholarships to both of us and invited us to fly down the following weekend to visit the campus. Coach Wilkinson and his staff did an excellent job of recruiting us and we both left OU thinking that would be our 1st choice. Warren Woody, a successful/wealthy insurance executive for Equitable, was a huge KU fan who lived in Chicago and had been recruiting Charlie for some time so the following weekend we were invited to visit the campus at Kansas. The only difference is that instead of the coaches it was the players who did the recruiting, and the frosting on the cake was when Coach Phog Allen came into the picture. He knew that we loved basketball and went out of his way to meet us and got Coach Jules Sykes to agree that after the football season we were welcome to join the basketball team. Charlie was an unbelievable athlete in grade school and high school: he ran track and the 1st time he did the broad jump at a grade school meet he jumped over the pit! They moved the starting point back 1 foot, he jumped again…and still made it over the pit but hurt his arm on his landing. In high school Charlie won the Illinois state discus championship and set a new state record. He was a sports hero and everyone loved him.

He played basketball/football/track at Kansas: which sport was he best at, and which sport did he enjoy the most? He was the best at all of them so I assume he loved them all! I think that basketball was his favorite because he reached goals that he did not reach in other sports. However, were it not for a football injury in 1952 he might have given Billy Vessels a run for the Heisman Trophy. We also loved playing basketball for Phog Allen/Dick Harp.

What made Allen such a great coach, and what was the most important thing that Charlie ever learned from him? He was a basketball icon and an interesting person. He was a philosopher who loved to talk/preach/share his beliefs. He imprinted his values on his players and we were no exception. He was a great coach who had a great assistant in Coach Harp who was the X’s and O’s man. Everyone loved/respected Phog and we played our hearts out for him.

In the 1952 NCAA title game he scored 9 PTS in a win over St. John’s: what did it mean to him to win a title? I did not make the traveling squad so I listened to the game on the radio in the athletic dorm at KU. Dean Smith was also a close friend on the team. I lived the win vicariously with Charlie and Dean when they returned and we celebrated together. Soon after that we were excited to see 7 of our players going to the Olympics. It meant a lot to Charlie but he never bragged about it.

That summer he was 1 of 7 Jayhawks (with Allen serving as assistant coach) who won a gold medal at the 1952 Olympics: what did it mean to him to win a gold medal, and what was the reaction like when the team got back to Lawrence? The gold medal was as meaningful to Charlie as the NCAA title was. Just like anyone else would be who won a gold medal for his country, he was bursting with pride to have had the opportunity. Charlie played well throughout the tournament and represented himself/his country/KU with pride.

He was a 2-time All-Conference tailback, still holds the school record with 3233 career all-purpose yards, and was picked in the 1st round of the 1953 NFL Draft by Cleveland: how devastated was he after suffering a career-ending knee injury in the 1953 Kansas-Kansas State football game? Charlie and I both had knee surgeries during Thanksgiving vacation of our senior year and it kept both of us off the basketball team that winter. I was more upset about it because most of the other Olympians had graduated and I could have finally made the traveling team! I think that Charlie took it better than I did because he had already achieved so many of his goals. That KU team went on to lose to Indiana in the 1953 NCAA title game by 1 PT: if Charlie was on that team then I think we would have won back-to-back titles.

He spent some time in the Air Force: what impact did his service have on him either on or off the court? We joined the Air Force ROTC together during college and served 2 years as lieutenants after graduating. I served in Arizona and Charlie was in Texas. The Air Force experience was a good transition from college while we were planning our business careers after we were discharged.

After retiring from basketball he worked as an insurance broker: how did he get into the business, and how did he like it? Warren Woody, who recruited Charlie to go to KU, looked out for his athletes after graduation and made sure that Charlie was offered a job as an insurance salesman. He worked there for several years and later became an insurance manager in Topeka, which was his primary business career.

In 2008 he was inducted into the Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame: where did that rank among the highlights of his career? I think that he took it in stride. He was happy about it and his family was very proud as well.

He passed away in 2012: when people look back at his career, how do you think that he should be remembered the most? As I remember him! He is still placed on a pedestal for the athlete he was and I am happy that I was there to share the experience with him. I spoke at his funeral in Lawrence along with Bob and we highlighted all of his accomplishments: it brought him back to us as we remembered his greatness as an athlete, person, friend, and family member.

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