March Madness 365 With Andy Katz

Andy was at SEC media week, and sat down with Kentucky head coach John Calipari to hear what John has to say about being ranked #1 in the country going into the season, and how he feels about opening against Duke. John also speaks candidly about the graduate transfer rule, and what made Reid Travis an exception, and what kind of roles he expects Nick Richards and PJ Washington to play this year. And then LSU head coach Will Wade joins with an update on how he, his team and his staff are holding up after the murder of Wade Simms. Will describes the events of that tragic night, how he broke the news to the players, and what they're doing to honor their teammate. via Knit

Michigan State Hall of Fame head coach, Tom Izzo, has seven vets returning to the team, and thinks the Big East as a league is going to be better and tougher this year. He talks about the transformation of Nick Ward, the reason everybody wants their son to be Cassius Winston, and why he's excited about Aaron Henry. He also has thoughts on last year's loss to Syracuse, and this season's opening game against Kansas in Indianapolis. And then Andy sits down with UCF Knights players Aubrey Dawkins, BJ Taylor, Chad Brown and Tacko Fall, who update the team's injury status, goals for the season, and why they have no objection to Andy calling them the "sleeping giants." via Knit

Gonzaga Senior point guard Josh Perkins makes a case for Gonzaga's #1 ranking going into the upcoming season, and his argument has a lot to do with their stellar returning roster including Killian Tillie, Rui Hachimura, and Zach Norvell Jr. Josh also speaks to the lessons learned from Coach Mark Few, and the team's Championship loss to North Carolina. And Loyola Of Chicago coach Porter Moser is ready for the high expectations and the hype surrounding his team this coming season! He lays out the schedule, outlines the strength of the Missouri Valley Conference, and explains how he's keeping his roster motivated, hungry, and focused on the road to a possible return to the NCAA Tournament. And of course he's got an update on how the remarkable Sister Jean has been handling her newfound celebrity! via Knit

Nevada head coach Eric Musselman and his players are dealing with the hype of being a tournament team this coming season! He explains how they're preparing, what contributions he's expecting from returners Cody and Caleb Martin, and Jordan Caroline. He's also speaking about the impact that incoming freshman Jordan Brown will immediately make on the team, and why he considers integrating his four transfers a "fun challenge." Plus, UCLA's Kris Wilkes joins in an interview that we taped before Shareef O'Neal announced the medical condition that will prevent him from playing this season. Kris also talks about the UCLA basketball brotherhood, why he loves playing against Arizona in Arizona, and what LeBron James' arrival in LA potentially means for ALL LA basketball! via Knit

USC's Bennie Boatwright is this week's Fast Break Interview, and he's speaking candidly about his health, and his decision to return to school. And Andy sits down for a one-on-one with Providence Head Coach Ed Cooley who breaks down his team's strengths and weaknesses, explains why the Big East should be worried about St. John's, shares the key to his program's culture and success, and speaks to the importance of both perseverance and levity. Plus, Andy's "No Love" list of returning seniors! via Knit

Florida State's Leonard Hamilton is fired up for this season, and loves his team! He breaks down his returning players and incoming freshman, his recruiting philosophy and culture, and how that was shaped by his time in the NBA with Michael Jordan and the Washington Wizards, and his go-to activity when it comes times to chill out and relax! And Indiana's Juwan Morgan speaks to his decision to return to school after flirting with the NBA, what he learned from his brief experience with the league, and why everyone should believe the hype about Romeo Langford! Plus, Andy's Top 15 Impact Freshman! via Knit

It's the Championship episode with 2018 NCAA Women's Champions Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw, and 2018 NCAA Men's Champions Villanova head coach Jay Wright! Muffet recounts the whirlwind it's been for the team and especially star, Arike Ogunbowale, how she feels about a possible three-peat this coming season, what she expects from returner Brianna Turner now that she's recovered from her knee injury, and why Notre Dame is the best job in the country! Then Jay Wright joins to talk about the differences between this off-season and the 2016 post-Championship off-season. He also addresses filling the void after losing 4 players to the NBA (including Omari Spellman), what he expects from returners Phil Booth, Eric Paschall, and Dylan Painter, and why he feels Jalen Brunson had a "Hall of Fame type" college career. via Knit

Georgetown Head Coach Patrick Ewing says his second season is all about erecting the building on the foundation the program built last season. He speaks to the roles that he expects Jessie Govan and Trey Mourning to play, what he learned from his time as an assistant coach in the NBA, and why his hat is off to Villanova. And Iowa Head Coach Fran McCaffery is focusing on defense and strength, his 9 returners including Trey Cook, coaching his son, Connor, his team's upcoming game schedule, and the one thing he believes every young player needs early in their career. Plus, Chicago Bulls Laurie Markkanen explains the influence and role that late Senator John McCain had on his basketball career, and why it was so important for Laurie to pay tribute to McCain in the wake of his death. via Knit

Lefty Driesell is about to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame, and shares his reaction to the incredible honor. He also talks about his time at Maryland, creating Midnight Madness, and his unorthodox recruiting philosophy and how selling encyclopedias helped craft his recruiting style. Plus, the entire Drew basketball coaching family joins Andy! Baylor Head Coach Scott Drew, Vanderbilt Head Coach Bryce Drew, and their father, former Valparaiso Head Coach Homer Drew, speak to their various coaching styles, balancing family and basketball, and what they really discuss during those 11pm three-way phone calls during basketball season! via Knit

Syracuse Head Coach Jim Boeheim has the luxury of coaching his son, Buddy, this year. He explains what Buddy brings to the program, and why he's also excited about Elijah Hughes' and Jalen Carey's potential contributions. Coach Boeheim speaks to the strength of the ACC Conference and what Syracuse has to do to achieve NCAA Tournament success this season. Plus, he weighs in on his former longtime assistant turned head coach at Washington, Mike Hopkins' success in the Pac 12, and what it means for Roy Williams' to have his name on the court at the Smith Center having experienced that same honor himself at the Carrier Dome. via Knit

The court at North Carolina's Smith Center will now have Coach Roy Williams' name on it, and you'll hear how he feels about that honor! Roy's also breaking down his current roster, including what he expects Luke Maye, Nassir Little, Coby White, and Garrison Brooks to contribute to the team, along with how he plans to improve his players' ability to defend and score close to the basket. Plus, Roy speaks of his time in Kansas, and why it was such a huge gamble at the time for him to be hired to coach that program. via Knit

Illinois Head Coach Brad Underwood is building a solid foundation with his current roster that includes 7 players who know the system well. He's talking Da'Monte Williams, Andres Feliz, Trent Frazier, and Giorgi Bezhanishvili (but can he spell Giorgi's last name)? And Coach Underwood expresses gratitude to Coach Bob Huggins, who gave him the opportunity that ultimately landed Brad in Illinois. Then Coach Huggins joins to define West Virginia's identity and culture, and weigh in on Jevon Carter and what it's going to take to replace him. via Knit

Butler Head Coach LaVall Jordan defines "The Butler Way," shares some of what he learned from Michigan Coach John Beilein and how he applies it to his own staff and culture at Butler, discusses the return of Kamar Baldwin, and explains what it was like having to leave Milwaukee after just one season. Then Brad Brownell from Clemson weighs in on his recent contract extension, discusses the program's brand new facility and the long, hard 22-months it took to get there, and explains why the Clemson football program's success of the last few years is a great thing for Clemson basketball, and the college itself. via Knit

TCU Head Coach Jamie Dixon has an update on Jaylen Fisher's health issues and his expected return to play. He also breaks down the similarities and differences between this TCU team and some of his former teams at Pitt, and he weighs in on what the Big 12 needs to do to get more teams to the NCAA Tournament. And then Pac 12 Coach Of The Year, Mike Hopkins of Washington, joins to assess his first year running Washington's program, and how his current roster of talent is shaping up for season 2. He expresses hopes and goals for returning Defensive Player of The Year Matisse Thybulle, breaks down his incoming 8 players, and explains why being an interim head coach was a lot like driving a Tesla. via Knit

The next set of Final Four destinations was just announced and Andy Katz spoke with NCAA Sr. VP of Basketball, Dan Gavitt, and outgoing Chair of the NCAA Selection Committee, Bruce Rasmussen, about how a Final Four city is chosen, and why Houston, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Indianapolis were all awarded spots in this latest round. They also explain why Detroit, Los Angeles, and North Texas did not make the selection this time around. Then UCF Head Coach Johnny Dawkins joins to update the status of last year's injured players Tacko Fall, B.J. Taylor, and his son, Aubrey. He also speaks to what he learned from playing with former great Manute Bol and Shawn Bradley on the Philadelphia 76'ers, and how those lessons are aiding him in coaching and guiding center Tacko Fall. via Knit

New Rhode Island Head Coach David Cox speaks to the importance of maintaining and building upon the culture set by former coach Dan Hurley, returning players Jeff Dowtin and Cyril Langevine, losing the Nevada game from their upcoming schedule, and why he aspires to be like Gonzaga. Marquette Deputy Athletic Director Mike Broeker provides a verbal tour of their brand new, state-of-the-art arena, and what it's been like scheduling games around the Milwaukee Bucks. And Marquette Head Coach Steve Wojciechowski talks about the competitive Big East, his young but experienced team, and how he plans to make Marquette an NCAA tournament team for years to come. via Knit

Jeff Capel is the new head coach at Pitt, and he's got plans for rebuilding the Pitt brand of basketball, and making his team competitive despite their smaller size. He shares the valuable lessons he learned as an assistant at Duke under Coach Krzyzewski, and what he hopes his Pitt team learned during a recent trip to Arlington National Cemetery and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History And Culture in Washington DC. And Andy talks to South Carolina head coach Frank Martin about Chris Silva's return to school, Summer recruiting, preparing players for the NBA, and his team's upcoming schedule of games. via Knit

Wake Forest Head Coach Danny Manning and UNLV Head Coach Marvin Menzies weigh in on the NBA draft rule that currently prohibits players who declare and go undrafted from returning to college. Coach Manning also shares stories from his Gold Medal Olympic team, what he learned from Bill Self, and how he feels about his roster this upcoming season. And Coach Menzies shares thoughts on Brandon McCoy, the Mountain West Conference, and why he wants to emulate Villanova. Plus, Davidson Head Coach Bob McKillop checks in on his team's incredible trip to Auschwitz, and why it's so important for them to make this non-basketball related journey. via Knit

Texas Longhorns head coach Shaka Smart checks in with an update on Andrew Jones leukemia battle, and his plans to return to school and basketball. Shaka also has a theory on Kansas' success, why Texas' Kerwin Roach has the opportunity to be one of the best two-way players in the country, and details on the Longhorns' upcoming season schedule. And Nebraska head coach Tim Miles gives Andy a tour of the campus and basketball facilities, including some of the high tech amenities available to players, and discusses his returning lineup of players, how they hope to contend in the Big 10 regular season, and makes a valiant effort to spell player Thorir Thorbjarnarson's name. via Knit

John Beilein is staying at Michigan, and plans to retire there! He explains the decision that involved him turning down an NBA offer from the Detroit Pistons. He also speaks to Charles Matthews' NBA draft process experience and subsequent return to Michigan, and the skill development goals he's set for his returning roster of players. Then St. John's coach Chris Mullin checks in with thoughts on his roster for the upcoming season which includes incoming transfers and true freshman. He also talks about Shamorie Ponds withdrawal from the NBA draft, St. John's schedule of games, and the dynasty that is the Golden State Warriors. via Knit