Hoops HD

Season preview: HoopsHD interviews CSUN assistant coach Mo Williams

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Jon Teitel

CLICK HERE for all of Hoops HD’s Preseason Coverage

We continue (and perhaps conclude, depending on whether a couple of people respond later this week!) our season preview coverage with CSUN assistant coach Mo Williams. There are plenty of current D-1 head coaches who had successful NBA careers (Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin, Penny Hardaway, etc.), but Coach Williams is 1 of the few D-1 assistants in the country with an NBA championship on his resume. In addition to winning a title with Cleveland in 2016, he was an All-Star in 2009 and remains 1 of the best FT shooters in NBA history. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Coach Williams about being a former player for his current boss and scoring 52 PTS in an NBA game.

In the 2001 McDonald’s All-American Game you scored 7 PTS for the East in a 6-PT loss to the West: which of your fellow honorees impressed you the most (Tyson Chandler/TJ Ford/David Lee/other)? We had a really good class. I have been good friends with TJ for a long time but the 1 guy who impressed everyone was Dajuan Wagner: he had scored 100 PTS in a high school game and had about 100 friends/relatives in the crowd.

You played for Coach Mark Gottfried at Alabama: what was it like to play for him, and what is it like to work for him almost 2 decades later? Our relationship is very strong: he started recruiting me when I was just 14-15 years old. We have formed a bond of friendship that has carried over to working on his staff: it has been remarkable for me because I have learned from him at every level.

In 2002 you started all 35 games at PG, averaged 10.4 PPG, and were named SEC ROY: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? I worked my behind off to put myself in a position to play. They agreed to give me the ball even though we had a lot of juniors/seniors on the team (such as Erwin Dudley/Rod Grizzard). It gave me a lot of confidence to see that the staff believed in me.

In 2009 as a member of the Cavaliers you were named an NBA All-Star: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? Personally it meant a lot but I did not really care about it until my name was actually called. After that I started to appreciate it and understood that only a select few guys get to play in that game every winter. It was a testament to what kind of season my team and I were having. I took full advantage of it and took it all in: it was like Christmas! I went to everything they had and tried to get into as many events as I could: I enjoyed every minute of it.

In January 2015 as a player for Minnesota you scored a franchise-record 52 PTS/19-33 FG in an 8–PT win over Indiana: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? It was 1 of those days where I did not really warm up before the game. I did not have the energy and did not feel like playing…but after making a couple of plays I had about 15 PTS at halftime. I came out in the 3rd quarter and just exploded with 28 PTS, and since it was a close game my competitive juices started flowing. We were on a 15-game losing streak at the time so it was real sweet to finally get a win.

In the 2016 NBA Finals with Cleveland, you become the 1st team in NBA history to win a title after being down 3-1 to Golden State: how were you able to win 3 in a row against the budding Warriors dynasty, and what did it mean to you to win a title? We just played our behinds off and took it 1 game at a time. I know it is a cliché but we really did: once you get to Game 7 anything can happen. There were a lot of stressful days because Golden State is such a good team but it showed who we were as a team and how together we were as a unit. When you are facing adversity the only factor that can turn things around is togetherness. I do not think that winning 3 games in a row when you are down 3-1 in the Finals will ever be done again.

Your 87.1 career FT% still remains in the top-30 all-time: what is the secret to making FTs? Concentration, repetition, and shooting it off your fingertips the same way every single time.

Last year PG Terrell Gomez was named conference ROY: as someone who played 13 years in the NBA as a 6’1” PG, how impressed are you to see someone succeed in college as a 5’8” PG? He shoots the ball at a high clip and does not miss very often. It allows him to stretch the floor and he is quicker than 99% of his opponents so he can use his height to an advantage.

Your non-conference schedule includes a game against Washington State: how do you prepare to face a team from a power conference? We have New Mexico on opening night so we are focused on them right now: they were 3rd in their conference last year. We are fortunate enough that those teams might overlook us so we will try to jump on them early and not look back.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? We want to get better every single day: we are a young team with 8 freshmen but we are still good enough to win some games.

Posted in Interviews | Tagged CSUN, Mo Williams | Comments Off

Conference Preview: Big Ten

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Chad

CLICK HERE for all of Hoops HD’s Preseason Coverage

Assessing the 2017-18 season for the Big Ten is not easy. On one hand, the conference had a 2 seed, a pair of 3 seeds and a 5 seed in the Big Dance, advanced two teams to the Sweet 16, and saw Michigan advance all the way to the national championship game. In addition, Penn State cut down the nets as NIT champions. On the other hand, only four teams made it to the Big Dance, a number that the conference felt was way too low. Do not expect so few participants this coming March.

Michigan State is the pick to win the conference, but the race for the league title should be exciting with Purdue and Michigan in the hunt, Nebraska expected to contend, and both Wisconsin and Indiana looking like they are ready for big years. Do not be surprised to see at least eight teams in the hunt for tourney bids by the end of the season. If the conference has that level of success this year, it should also continue into the future as some of the brightest stars in the league are among its newcomers, and it is hard to argue with the level of coaching talent in this conference, top to bottom.

Predicted Order of Finish

Michigan State – Despite Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson departing, the Spartans should once again be at or near the top of the Big Ten standings. This year, they will look for Joshua Langford and Cassius Winston to lead the way in the backcourt, and keep an eye on Nick Ward down low.
Wisconsin – After missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time this century last season, the Badgers should be back with a vengeance. The top eight scorers return, led by Ethan Happ and his near double-double averages. D’Mitrik Trice and Kobe King both missed much of last season with injuries but are back healthy now for a team that last season, with no seniors, gained a ton of experience.
Purdue – The Boilermakers were in the Sweet 16 last season despite Isaac Haas going down for the season to injury during their first round tournament game. Haas and three other starters are gone now, but prolific scorer Carsen Edwards is back, and should have plenty of help including 7-3 Matt Haarms and Dartmouth transfer Evan Boudreaux. A return to the NCAA Tournament’s second weekend is definitely possible.
Nebraska – The Cornhuskers return four out of five starters from a team that went 13-5 in Big Ten play last year, even if they did not get a bid to the Big Dance. Expect another big year from the likes of Isaac Copeland, Glynn Watson and James Palmer. The key to the season may be how much junior forward Isaiah Roby improves.
Michigan – The Wolverines are reloading this season now that Moritz Wagner and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman are gone, but the defending national runners-up still have weapons, especially in the backcourt with Charles Matthews, Jordan Poole and Zavier Simpson. Head coach John Beilein has also brought in one of the best recruiting classes in the nation and should get some immediate help from his newcomers.
Indiana – The Hoosiers should be markedly improved from last season’s 16-15 campaign, thanks to the leadership expected from senior Juwan Morgan and the addition of likely one-and-done star recruit Romeo Langford. Head coach Archie Miller has Indiana heading in the right direction, and it would not be a complete shock to see them finish even higher than this.
Ohio State – The Buckeyes lost their top two players from last year’s 25-win team, but head coach Chris Holtmann has a very strong recruiting class this year, and maybe an even better one coming in next, so the future remains very bright in Columbus. On the court this season, C.J. Jackson will be looked on to lead the way, though keep an eye on freshman guard Luther Muhammad.
Iowa – The Hawkeyes return the majority of their key contributors, led by the Big Ten’s top 3-point scorer Jordan Bohannon and a solid frontcourt manned by Tyler Cook and Luka Garza. The problems last season were on defense, where allowing 78.7 points per game was worst in the conference. If head coach Fran McCaffery can correct that problem, this team should be good enough to contend for an NCAA bid.
Minnesota – The Golden Gophers were snake-bitten by injuries last season and must now find a way to replace Nate Mason and Reggie Lynch. Having Jordan Murphy and Amir Coffey will help, as will hopefully having guys like Eric Curry back healthy. Speaking of healthy, keep an eye on freshman big man Daniel Oturu who is returning from shoulder surgery back in May.
Maryland – The Terps are one of the hardest teams to project in the Big Ten, as they have talent in both the frontcourt (led by Bruno Fernando) and in the backcourt (Anthony Cowan). The key whether or not they contend for a dance ticket may be a highly-regarded freshman class, led by potential one-and-done Jalen Smith.
Rutgers – Despite losing Corey Sanders and Deshawn Freeman, the Scarlet Knights may finally be ready to take the first step forward under head coach Steve Pikiell. Eugene Omoruyi returns to lead a strong defensive squad, and the addition of Quinnipiac transfer Peter Kiss could help answer the team’s outside shooting woes. The best new for Rutgers may be the team’s age – only one senior on the roster could make next year very exciting.
Northwestern – The good news is that the $110 million renovations at Welsh-Ryan Arena are done and the Wildcats will be back on their home floor this season. The bad news is that Scottie Lindsey and Bryant McIntosh, two of the leaders of the best four-year run in Northwestern history, are gone. Some of the scoring load will be taken on by Evansville transfer Ryan Taylor, and both Vic Law and Dererk Pardon are back, but a return to what this team did two years ago, when they made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history, is unlikely.
Penn State – The Nittany Lions ended last season with a championship – in the NIT. Had star guard Tony Carr not opted to turn pro early, Penn State would be among our picks to end this season in the NCAA Tournament. Without him, the offensive load will fall on Lamar Stevens’ shoulders, but there probably are not enough pieces around him to make a serious run at a dance ticket.
Illinois – Only four scholarship players return for Brad Underwood from last year’s 14-18 team, making this a rebuilding year in Champaign. Trent Frazier and Aaron Jordan will try to lead the way in the backcourt, and keep an eye on Kent State transfer Adonis De La Rosa, who is recovering from a torn ACL and probably will not be able to play until January.

Posted in Conference Preview | Tagged big ten, conference preview | Comments Off

Conference Preview: Big East

Posted on October 30, 2018 by Chad

CLICK HERE for all of Hoops HD’s Preseason Coverage

The Big East put six teams in last year’s NCAA Tournament, including a pair of 1 seeds and, of course, the eventual national champion in Villanova. It just does not appear possible for the league to replicate that level of success this season, with nearly all of the top programs having to rebuild. At the end of the day, it should once again come down to Villanova and Xavier for the regular season title, though Butler will make some noise as well.

Two teams that do appear to be on the rise are teams that did not make the NCAA Tournament last season. Chris Mullin may have the league’s best player at St. John’s in Shamorie Ponds, and a ticket to the Big Dance could definitely be in the cards this season. Although we are not picking DePaul to join them in the NCAA Tournament, the Blue Demons have as much talent this season as they have had in any year in recent memory, and a winning overall record should at least be within their grasp.

Predicted Order of Finish

Villanova – The defending national champions lost four players to the NBA Draft, but will still be a force to reckon with due to the return of Eric Paschall in the frontcourt and Phil Booth in the backcourt. Keep an eye on Albany transfer Joe Cremo and heralded freshman point guard Jahvon Quinerly as well.
Xavier – The Musketeers not only lost a ton of talent, including three double-digit scorers, but saw their head coach head to Louisville in the offseason. Travis Steele takes over for Chris Mack and, given the school’s track record with head coaching hires, fans can rightfully have big expectations. This season, Steele will need returnees Tyrique Jones and Quentin Goodin to lead the way for a solid group of graduate transfers and freshmen. Don’t be shocked if the Musketeers are right back at or near the top of the league standings again.
Butler – The Bulldogs were on the small side last season and lost their two best frontcourt players to graduation in Kelan Martin and Tyler Wideman. The team should be set in the backcourt, led by Kamar Baldwin, but will need to find some size, especially during the first semester when Duke transfer and former top 100 recruit Jordan Tucker is ineligible.
John’s – This could be the year the Johnnies get back to the Big Dance as Shamorie Ponds may be the best player in the conference, and having Justin Simon and Marvin Clark II, plus a strong defense, should help the team a ton. They key may be a pair of transfers – Mikey Dixon (Quinnipiac) averaged over 16 points per game, while Mustapha Heron (Auburn) did the same and has just received word that he will be eligible to play this season.
Marquette – Even without Andrew Rowsey, the Golden Eagles should still score a ton of points led by Markus Howard and Sam Hauser. The questions will still be on defense where the Golden Eagles ranked dead last in the Big East and 315^th nationally last season.
Providence – The Friars have a ton of question marks, especially at the point guard position. Alpha Diallo should be a star for the team this season, but they need Emmitt Holt to be back close to 100% after missing last season with an injury if they want any shot at a sixth consecutive NCAA tournament bid.
Seton Hall – Myles Powell will have to step up his scoring even more this season with three of last season’s top four point-producers gone. A pair of transfers – Taurean Thompson (Syracuse) and Quincy McKnight (Sacred Heart) will help, but a return to the Big Dance is probably a stretch.
DePaul – The Blue Demons have a serious chance to avoid the basement this year with Devin Gage back healthy, allowing Eli Cain to return to the wing. Illinois transfer Jalen Coleman-Lands and North Carolina A&T transfer Femi Olujobi will be the keys to the team possibly posting a winning record and maybe even playing in a postseason tournament.
Creighton – The Bluejays will likely take a step back this season without Marcus Foster and Khyri Thomas. However, there is still enough talent here to cause opponents problems, especially if junior forward Martin Krampelj can remain healthy.
Georgetown – The Hoyas only won 5 Big East games in Patrick Ewing’s first season but that was 6 or 7 more than some of us predicted! Don’t expect a big improvement this season, but the team does appear to be building in the right direction.

Posted in Conference Preview | Tagged big east, conference preview | Comments Off

Bracketology: The 2018-19 Preseason Media Bracket

Posted on October 30, 2018 by John Stalica

One of our favorite traditions at HoopsHD is to make a preseason bracket based on both the major polls (AP Poll and Coaches Poll) as well as preseason polls from all 32 Division I conferences. The 1-68 S-Curve is based on positions in the major polls along with Matt Norlander’s (of CBS Sports.com) comprehensive ranking of all 353 Division I programs.

This bracket is separate from what Chad Sherwood will be unveiling next week, so without further ado:

The top 4 ranked teams in order are Kansas, Kentucky, Gonzaga and Duke respectively. All 4 teams except Gonzaga meet in the State Farm Champions Classic next Tuesday – but even after that, there is a good chance that Duke and Gonzaga could meet in the championship of the Maui Invitational.

Elsewhere in the bracket, I did bump Western Kentucky up to the 11-seed line and the Miami/Texas opening round game down to the 12-line for bracketing considerations. I also had Alabama and Louisville flipped because the Cardinals cannot be in the South Region as the host institution for the Sweet 16/Elite 8 games in Louisville. Buffalo is also above the bubble since they got votes in the preseason polls, and if they have a strong regular season, it is not far-fetched to think that they could wind up this high. This is also why Saint Louis is down on the 12-line; they did not get any votes in either poll but were the media pick to win the Atlantic 10 Conference.

If you have any comments, feel free to tweet @jstalica78, @HoopsHD, @csherwood_1973, @jonteitel, @roccomiller8 or @DavidGPuppet.

Posted in Bracketology, CBB, Commentary, News and Notes, Under the Radar | Comments Off

Season preview: HoopsHD interviews UC Davis G TJ Shorts II

Posted on October 30, 2018 by Jon Teitel

CLICK HERE for all of Hoops HD’s Preseason Coverage

We continue our season preview coverage with UC Davis G TJ Shorts II. Few players made a more dazzling debut than TJ did last season in Davis: 13 PTS in his very 1st game at Northern Colorado, 13-13 FTs in a win over Lamar last December, a game-winning 3-PT shot with 2 seconds left in double-OT in a 1-PT road win at Long Beach State in February, and a triple-double in a triple-OT 8-PT win 12 days later at Cal Poly. After leading the Aggies to the Big West regular season title the awards kept pouring in: he became the 1st player in conference history to be named Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year in the same season. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with TJ about winning all of those awards and having a huge home-court advantage.

You are 5’9”: do you consider your size to be an advantage or disadvantage on the court? It has its advantages and disadvantages but this is the body that God gave me so I see it as an advantage.

You play for Coach Jim Les, who was named 2018 conference COY and had 884 career AST as a player at Cleveland State/Bradley: what makes him such a good coach, and do you 2 have a special bond because he was such a great PG himself? He just wants to win and is willing to do anything to win. He will cater the offense around his players. Our relationship is great due to his knowledge and he is always giving me pointers/tips: I appreciate everything that he does for me.

Last year you won 3 multiple-OT road games by single digits during an 8-game stretch to finish the regular season: how was your team able to keep pulling out these exhausting wins game after game? Just staying connected. We knew that we were capable of winning so we just stayed focused on the goal and stuck to the game plan.

You became the 1st player in Big West history to be named Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year in the same season: how were you able to come in and dominate right from the start? My coaches/teammates believed in me: it is a big thing that allows you to play to your full capability and showcase your talent from the jump so I took full advantage.

You ranked top-10 in the conference in many categories including PPG/APG/SPG: what is the key to being a good PG? Just leading: it might not be about scoring/passing specifically because it depends what your team needs you to do to get a win.

In the 2018 NIT you scored 10 PTS in a 10-PT loss at Utah: what did you learn from that game that will help you this year? We were leading for most of that game so our expectations are to take it up a notch. We want to make the NCAA tourney this season.

The Aggies went undefeated at home 2 years ago and 10-2 at home last season: how much of a home-court advantage do you have at the Pavilion? We have a great home-court advantage because the fans come out and we just do what we do. Hopefully we can start a new streak again this season.

Your non-conference schedule includes road games at Arkansas/Indiana/Arizona/USC: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? Each game will present different tests and we know they will all be tough, but they will set us up for conference play so we can get rolling as we get closer to the Big West tourney.

You are 1 of 5 seniors on the roster: how crucial will all of that experience be to your team’s success this year? It will be huge. It can be a blessing or a curse but as a veteran group we need to lead the younger guys and teach them.

What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? The main goal is to get to the NCAA tourney, which is the only thing that I am focused on. We want to win a regular season title, win the conference tourney, and then make a nice little run.

Posted in Interviews | Tagged TJ Shorts II, UC-Davis | Comments Off

The Hoops HD Report(s): American Athletic, Atlantic Ten, Mountain West, and West Coast Conference Previews

Posted on October 30, 2018 by David Griggs

CLICK HERE for all of Hoops HD’s Preseason Coverage

When it comes to the hierarchy of conferences, these four conferences are certainly NOT Under the Radar because 98 percent of the time they send multiple teams to the NCAA Tournament. But, you really wouldn’t classify them as power conferences either. We at Hoops HD haven’t really named their category (Group of 4?, Multi-Bid 4?, Really-Good-But-Not-Power 4?), but we’ve certainly been giving them a distinction in recent years (perhaps without even realizing it). Nevertheless, there are individual teams in these four leagues that can compete for NCAA Tournament at-large bids, a few that we think can compete for protected seeds, and two that we think can compete for spots in the Final Four. Watch each of the four videos as we break down the American Athletic, Atlantic Ten, Mountain West, and West Coast Conferences

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE