The Big Ten has 18 teams in it, and going into the season the league appears to have a lot of parity. Purdue is the preseason favorite despite having to replace Zach Edey, but with several other key players returning and a really strong backcourt we will likely see the Boilers at or near the top of the league again. Expectations are also high for Indiana after failing to make the NCAA Tournament a year ago. We are also really big on UCLA as they begin their inaugural year in the conference. We run through all 18 teams, discuss all the parity in the league, and more…
And, for all you radio lovers, below is an audio only version of the show…
We are still about 3 weeks away from the tip-off of a new college basketball season, which means that we have plenty of time to start preparing for the action ahead. We will do so via a series of season previews featuring the best players/coaches in the country. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel continues our coverage with new Siena coach Gerry McNamara, who talked about winning an NCAA title and his expectations for this season.
You were born/raised in Scranton, PA, where you were a 2-time Associated Press State Player of the Year and finished high school as the #7 all-time scorer in state history with 2917 career PTS: what made you choose Syracuse for college? A number of reasons, but 1st and foremost was my relationship with the staff. Scranton was just a 2-hour drive down I-81 and they offered me a scholarship the 1st time they saw me, which meant a lot. It was an opportunity to play at a high level and still have my family be able to come see me play.
You were a player/assistant for Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim: what made him such a great coach, and what is the most important thing that you ever learned from him? He was completely transparent, told you the truth, and desired more from his players. He was really demanding but his consistency is what I took from him the most: he never let his emotions get too high or too low and his energy in practice never changed. If you were 1 of his guys, then he wanted you to go out and make plays: once you earned that trust he would let you play with plenty of freedom.
In the 2003 NCAA title game you scored 18 PTS/6-10 3PM in a 3-PT win over Kansas: what did it mean to you to win a title, and what was the reaction like when you got back to campus? It was a dream come true: it is the only time in my life that I ran when the buzzer went off but did not know where I was going! It is a goal that I kept chasing as an assistant coach because the feeling of winning is an addiction, and any competitor wants to get back there. I was lucky to play with a great group of guys and we were able to capitalize on it.
In the 2004 NCAA tourney you set a school record with 43 PTS/9-13 3PM in a 5-PT win over BYU: was it just 1 of those situations where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? I think so, but it was more out of necessity. BYU was destroying our 2-3 zone and Hakim Warrick got in foul trouble so we were trailing for most of the 1st half. I became a bit more aggressive and found some windows to create some space to get my shot off. Once the 1st couple of shots went down it was hard to guard me because I still could drive to the basket and get fouled. I took 16 FTs…but am still angry that I missed 4 of them.
In the 2005 World University Games gold medal game you scored 13 PTS for Team USA in a win over Ukraine: what did it mean to you to represent your country, and what did it mean to you to win a gold medal? That is 1 memory that I cherish as much as anything. In 4 years of college I got to win 1 NCAA title, 2 Big East tourneys, and then a gold medal while playing for Jay Wright: what an experience! I got to fly to Turkey and stay in the university village with all the other athletes: I am still in touch with a lot of those guys. You saw last summer what it meant to the guys in the Olympics: that was my mini-Olympics.
You still hold several school records with 400 3PM/88.8 FT%/4799 minutes played and are top-5 in several other categories with 258 STL/648 AST/2099 PTS: how were you able to balance all the different aspects of your game? I tried to be a complete player. My position now would be considered a “combo-guard” but I just tried to make shots, make good decisions, and make the people around me better. I attribute that to having good coaching in high school/AAU that focused on winning. I always judged myself by whether I won or lost so that is how I approached the game. I did not get a lot of REB…but I held up my end of the bargain at the 3-PT line. You must understand who you are as a player and how you can impact the game.
Last year your #3 jersey was retired by Syracuse: where does that rank among the highlights of your career? It is probably my most emotional accomplishment. 1 of the main reasons I chose Syracuse was due to how many great players had come through the program, and it continually humbled myself. To be recognized and have my jersey up there with guys I had idolized is every player’s dream after you hang it up. It is gratifying that people appreciated how I played and what I contributed to the program.
Last March you were hired as head coach at Siena: why did you take the job, and how is it going so far? I took the job because I was offered it! It is hard to get head coaching jobs, and it is something that I have dreamed of. Siena has a great tradition/proven history of success in the NCAA tourney, and it has been terrific so far. I could not have imagined leaving Syracuse for anything less: there is a high standard here and people care about the product and show up to games. The 1 thing at Syracuse is that the fans always showed up because they were passionate about the program. It is about something bigger than yourself, so I put the pressure on myself to be great.
You have 2 grad transfers and no seniors on your roster: have you figured out who your team leaders will be this year? I really love the maturity/approach of guys like Marcus Jackson/Major Freeman, who have such a great feel for the overall intensity it takes to impact winning and the work that goes on behind the scenes. They have bought into it and those 2 have set the table by example.
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? I always have high expectations: we had a team meeting about that and set the standard high. If you want to accomplish all those things then you must put in the effort. I go back to Coach Boeheim’s consistency: by the end of the season you want to be the most polished version, and you must work each day to reach those goals. When I wake up in the morning, I need to be the 1 to push them to get there.
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Even though Coach John Calipari switched SEC schools from Kentucky to Arkansas last April, his replacement Mark Pope is still bringing in the cream of the recruiting crop. Pope convinced former McDonald’s All-American Brandon Garrison to transfer in from Oklahoma State last April, received a commitment from 1 of the best big men in the Class of 2025 Malachi Moreno last August, and just last month he got a commitment from 5-star prospect Jasper Johnson. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Jasper while he was wrapping up his weekend at USA Basketball Junior National Team minicamp.
You were born/raised in Kentucky: how big is basketball in the Bluegrass State? It is very big: there are not many professional teams in the area so high school/college basketball is what everyone watches.
You had scholarship offers from several great schools including Alabama/Arkansas/Louisville/North Carolina but committed to Kentucky last month: what was the biggest factor in your decision? It was a long process: I prayed and talked to my family about it and that was where my heart was.
You are 6’4” but have a 6’8” wingspan: how much of an advantage is your length on the court? It helps me out a lot on defense: I can get into passing lanes and contest shots.
Last June you played for Team USA at the 2024 FIBA Men’s U18 AmeriCup: what did it mean to you to represent your country, and what did it mean to you to win a gold medal? It meant a lot to do it for all my family/supporters. It was very special to wear that USA jersey: not a lot of kids get that opportunity.
What position do you play for Overtime Elite, and what position will you feel most comfortable at in college? I play PG/combo guard right now and will probably do the same thing at Kentucky. I will do whatever Coach Mark Pope tells me to do.
As part of your NIL deal both you and your family received new vehicles: how do you like your Ford F-150 Raptor truck? I have not received it yet: they are still customizing some pieces for me, but I think it is getting shipped to me in Atlanta soon!
Your father Dennis was an all-SEC defensive end at Kentucky and played 3 years in the NFL: who is the best athlete in the family? He gets on my case and tells me how good he was back in the day…but it is definitely me!
This weekend you were at the USA Basketball Junior National Team minicamp, with more than 80 of the nation’s other top high school basketball prospects: how did it go, and which of your fellow prospects impressed you the most? It went well. There are a lot of guys here who are performing well, including some of my gold medal teammates from last summer.
1 of those prospects is fellow Kentucky native Malachi Moreno: how well do you know your future Wildcat teammate? Malachi is my guy! He is out here competing hard and blocking shots: he is a good big man.
I have seen you projected as a top-7 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft: if all goes well as a freshman then will we see you going pro in 2026? I think God has a plan for me so I will try to do my best, and if the opportunity to go pro presents itself then I will give it a shot.
Posted inNews and Notes|TaggedJasper Johnson, kentucky|Comments Off on Committed to the Cats: HoopsHD interviews future Kentucky Wildcat Jasper Johnson
Folks, it’s finally here!! Well, sort of. Today, at 1pm, est, Northern Michigan will face off against Michigan State. It’s just an exhibition game, so it doesn’t count. And, it’s not likely to be a close or exciting game all. But, for the first time since last year’s national championship game between UConn and Purdue, two college basketball teams are playing against each other. So…
HAPPY COLLEGE BASKETBALL SEASON EVERYBODY!!!
There is another game tonight between Prairie View A&M and Sam Houston, which is a charity exhibition and would actually probably be a better game to watch, but so far as I know the only way to see it is to buy a ticket.
We are still about 3 weeks away from the tip-off of a new college basketball season, which means that we have plenty of time to start preparing for the action ahead. We will do so via a series of season previews featuring the best players/coaches in the country. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel continues our coverage with Iowa State SO F Addy Brown, who talked about her great freshman year and her expectations for this season.
In the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Game you scored 5 PTS for the West in a 7-PT win over the East: which of your fellow honorees impressed you the most (Madison Booker/Hannah Hidalgo/JuJu Watkins/other)? I think Hannah impressed me quite a bit, as did MiLaysia Fulwiley: when she gets hot she cannot miss.
You were born/raised in Kansas and received scholarship offers from several great schools including Kansas State/TCU/Texas Tech: what made you choose Iowa State? I knew that I wanted to stay closer to home, at least in terms of driving distance. When I took my visit here, I saw that the culture/fan support was unmatched (for both the men/women). The coaching staff has been here 20+ years, so I felt comfortable knowing that they were not going anywhere.
You play for Coach Bill Fennelly: what makes him such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him so far? He finds a way to keep us motivated, be it personal messages or meeting with us in person. He has had versatile players like me thrive in his offense, so he knows how to get the best out of his players.
As a freshman you were the only player on your team to start all 33 games: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? I had to take myself out of the freshman mindset and just view myself as a college basketball player from day #1. Coach made it clear that I had to be ready to go for the team to succeed: there was no other option.
Last year you finished 2nd on the team in PPG and led the Cyclones in RPG/APG/MPG: how were you able to balance all the different aspects of your game? I just take it 1 game at a time and never look too far ahead. Some teams get so fixated on 1 specific matchup during the year but all we are worried about is our next opponent: I look at film and try to develop my skills.
You finished the season by being named All-Big 12 honorable mention: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? It was very special. I started the year with no expectations, so it was cool to see that I could do that in a conference full of great players.
In the 2024 NCAA tourney you scored 5 PTS in a win over Maryland and scored 18 PTS in a loss to Stanford: what did you learn from your postseason run that you think will help you this season? I was a bit nervous against Maryland because it was my 1st March Madness game, but now I have the experience to know that it is not the end of the world if I make a turnover/miss a shot.
The Big 12 had several additions/subtractions this year: any thoughts on conference realignment? It is interesting to have a lot of new teams this year. We do not know a lot about their style of play yet, so we must be ready for that. However, I am not a huge fan of not being able to play everyone twice: now we will be traveling further and not playing as many games close to home.
Your parents Mike and Danika played college basketball, and your sister Kennedy played basketball at Duke/Oregon State: who is the best athlete in the family? I will have to say myself…because all of them would say themselves if you asked them!
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? I really want to win the conference: I think we can do that with the talent that is coming in. I want to get better at anything and everything and am looking forward to having another good year.
We are still about 3 weeks away from the tip-off of a new college basketball season, which means that we have plenty of time to start preparing for the action ahead. We will do so via a series of season previews featuring the best players/coaches in the country. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel continues our coverage with Ohio State SR G/F Taylor Thierry, who talked about facing her twin sister this December and her expectations for this season.
You were born/raised in Ohio: what made you choose Ohio State? I chose Ohio State because I wanted to stay close to home, attend a large university, and be part of a large community. My teammates and coaches also played a major role in my decision to attend Ohio State.
In the 2023 NCAA Tournament you had 11 PTS/4 STL in a win over UConn: what was it like to face Geno Auriemma and the Huskies in the postseason, and how big a deal was it to help the Buckeyes make their first Elite 8 appearance in 30 years? It was super-cool to face legendary coach Geno Auriemma and his team. I have a lot of respect for him as a coach and was excited to have the opportunity to play against UConn. Therefore, it was an even better feeling beating them to move forward to the Elite 8. Any game is a great win for the Buckeyes, but being able to make an appearance in the Elite 8 after 30 years was an unforgettable accomplishment that I hope we will have the opportunity to do again this season.
Your first regular season game last year was a loss to USC and your final regular season game last year was a loss at Iowa: where does Caitlin Clark (35 PTS/9 AST/3 STL) rank among the greatest players that you have ever faced and how far behind her is JuJu Watkins (32 PTS/6 REB/5 AST)? Caitlin is a generational player who has changed the game of basketball, so I have a lot of respect for her as a player and what she has done for the sport. I would say she is top-2 as far as the greatest or hardest players that I have faced or had to guard. Georgia Amoore is #1…but JuJu is not far behind her. She may not be shooting from the logo during every game, but she is an exceptional all-around player who has a bright future ahead of her.
You have a career 61.1 FG%: what is the key to being a great shooter? It is important to take the right shots and be confident in your ability to make shots. I also focus on not forcing any shots and just being patient and trusting our offense and my teammates to allow me to take great shots.
You only made 1-5 3PM (20%) as a FR but have made a combined 25-60 3PM (41.7%) during the past 2 years: do you think you should be allowed to take more since you have proved that you can make more? I was never “not allowed” to shoot threes. I just struggled with my confidence to MAKE threes, which is why I consistently avoided shooting them my freshman year…but I have always been capable of making threes. Moving forward, I want to continue to increase my confidence offensively and take the right shots, whether that includes a layup, three-pointer, or mid-range jumper.
You were named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar in 2023 and Academic All-Big Ten in each of the past 2 years: how do you balance your work on the court with your work in the classroom? It is not easy, but I have done well at staying organized and communicating with my coaches/professors to ensure that I am staying on top of my work, especially when I must miss classes for games. I also focus on avoiding procrastination, which has helped me succeed academically.
The Big Ten added several new schools last summer: any thoughts on conference realignment? I thought the Big Ten was already a tough conference so adding these teams is only going to increase the competitiveness of the league. I am also excited for the new competition and think that it will be a different-but-exciting season for us.
Your late father John was selected 11th overall in the 1994 NFL Draft, your mother Elin played volleyball at Oklahoma, and your twin sister Haley plays basketball at Youngstown State: who is the best athlete in the family? I have to say we are all the best athletes in our family in our own different and unique ways. Obviously, I give all the credit for my athleticism and success as an athlete to my parents because I would not be in the position that I am today if it were not for them!
You host the Penguins on December 14th: will facing your twin sister be a dream or a nightmare or something in between? I am looking forward to it…but more so just viewing it as another game to try and win as a team. It has been an interesting experience playing college basketball without having her on my team, so playing against her just seems kind of off or weird to me, but I am excited for the competition of course and just the opportunity to play another game.
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? Two of my biggest goals for this season are to win the Big Ten Tournament and then win a national championship. I have a lot of expectations for this upcoming season because of the high level of talent on the team and am just excited to continue to grow and improve as team and see what we will accomplish.
