College Hoops Today With Jon Rothstein

San Diego State's Brian Dutcher led his Aztecs to a season to remember last year, going 30-2! Did it feel like it was a missed opportunity with the way the year ended or a dream season? Why he loves this years' veteran leadership and mix of new blood. The importance of playing top non-conference opponents. Recruiting smart. Building team chemistry during this wild off season. And how does he continuously turns out winning seasons. Plus, a full Mountain West Conference preseason preview! What can San Diego State do for an encore? Boise State a sleeper? And why the conference needs more out of UNLV.

Xavier's Travis Steele is dead set on winning the Big East conference title in his third year as the head coach there. What must the Musketeers improve on to make that happen? What to expect from an influx of talented transfers? Describing his "transfer up" philosophy. Why he's preaching to his team to control only what they can control. The addition of UCONN to the conference. And thoughts on playing 20 league games. Plus, a full Big East preseason preview! Villanova and Creighton are top 10 teams and UCONN adds major sizzle to the conference...

Cincinnati's John Brannen learned a lot in his first year as the Bearcats' head coach. What are the goals for year two? What was behind the strong second half finish to the season? Coaching in tight, overtime, games. Who steps up to fill the void left by Jarron Cumberland and Tre Scott? His impressions of coaching in the American. And the biggest keys to being back in a position to again reach the NCAA tournament. Plus, a full American Athletic Conference preseason preview! Houston the clear favorite? The pressure is on for Penny Hardaway and Memphis. And why the ceiling of the league could depend on waivers from the NCAA on transfers...

Saint Louis' Travis Ford likes the makeup of his team and is getting set for the upcoming season... However that may look. How's it been getting back to practice? Reflecting on last season, especially the end where they were red hot. The importance of playing a tough non-conference schedule. Could this be the best team he's had a chance to coach? How does he stay focused day-to-day as a leader? And why its all about staying safe. Plus, a full Atlantic 10 preseason preview! Why it's so important for this league to have big games in November and December...

LSU's Will Wade is thrilled about getting three key players back from the NBA draft process. Could this be one of the most talented teams he's ever coached? How do they go about tightening up their defensive play for next season? Any sleepers in the SEC to be keeping an eye on? And could the Tigers win the SEC again like they did two years ago? Plus, full personnel clarity in College Basketball! NBA draft deadline winners and losers... A lot of players returning makes for an exciting season!

Baylor's Scott Drew is confident that we will have season but just not sure when it will begin. How has he been staying connected with his players? Any updates on Jared Butler or MaCio Teague returning to the program or going pro? How they replace Freddie Gillespie. Breaking down a loaded Big 12. And why building team chemistry is so important. Plus, with the Covid-19 cloud still looming over the sport we are one week away from full clarity on the 20-21 season.

Iowa's Fran McCaffery is comfortable playing in the fall but knows player safety must come first. What is the best way to proceed with the upcoming season? How disappointing was it to not be able to finish the season last year especially when Luka Garza was having the type of season he was having? If Luka were to return... Where would he go down in Iowa basketball history? Balancing the notion of potentially having his best team at Iowa with what's best for Luka individually. Status update of Jordan Bohannon. And the mental toughness needed to get through this trying time in our country. Plus, ASU & Michigan get some good news on returning players.

Providence's Ed Cooley is taking advantage of the down time but is anxious to get back to preparations for the season! What can we expect from the Friars? Who makes the biggest jump? What can we expect from his two transfers? And how much better is the Big East now that UCONN is back in it? Discussing equality in coaching. And how he is proud to be one of five black coaches in the Big East. How can we get more into the game? Plus, why the only thing that's for sure is nothing is for sure!

Arizona State's Bobby Hurley had the Sun Devils peeking at the right time last year. Can he continue that momentum into next season? What has it been like trying to teach players during this global pandemic? What type of expectations are on incoming freshmen, Josh Christopher and Marcus Bagley? Where does Remy Martin rank among the Sun Devil greats? The idea of playing small next season to enhance the best potential line ups. The Pac-12 stepping up to 20 league games... Is that concerning to him? And has the idea of coaching against his brother ever crept into his mind? Plus, a mid-major making major noise with a 5 star commitment. And when will the season actually start?

Illinois' Brad Underwood had the Fighting Illini playing their best basketball late and would have been a dangerous team in the NCAA Tournament... What was it like to get the news that the tournaments were canceled? Does he anticipate his two pro prospects returning for another season? The balance between protecting players rights and selling stardom at the school. How well does coach think they can do next season? Could this be his most talented team to date? And navigating coaching duties while living during a pandemic... How does he make the most of his time? Plus, a little mid-major focus in 5 Good Nuggets!

Notre Dame's Mike Brey is preparing for anything and every scenario is on the table for the upcoming season. Has he been able to enjoy a little down time? How did the MLK Day game against Howard game come about? The importance of voting in the upcoming election. Exploring the transfer waiver rules... Is it good for the game? What he misses about playing in the Big East. Who out of his returning players makes the biggest jump this season? And is a Final Four run possible? Plus, Oklahoma State gets a big boost with top recruit, Cade Cunningham staying with the program.

Arkansas' Eric Musselman is getting creative with the ways in which he connects with his team. Why social media is important to have mastered. Discussing his influx of talent via transfer and incoming freshman. The two different plans involving Isaiah Joe. Playing a beefed up non-conference schedule. The power of brand when you're the only game in town. And discussing the importance of listening. Plus, could this be Gonzaga's best non-conference schedule in their school's history?

North Carolina's Roy Williams is more motivated than ever to bounce back after his first losing season as a coach. Why can they turn things around for next season? Who replaces Cole Anthony in the back-court? Thoughts on the transfer. Is he any closer to retiring? Was Michael Jordan always that competitive? And how they will re gain their winning ways. Plus, the penalties handed down to Oklahoma State discussed. What are the ripple effects?

Richmond's Chris Mooney has the Spiders in position to have its best team in over a decade. How can they build off their 24 win season last year? How a core group of top scores heightens their chances. How can the A10 improve its national standing? Their rivalry with VCU. Excitement to play Kentucky this year. And what expectations has he set for this year? Plus, Jon speaks to the bigger issues going on in the world today. "Be apart of the solution, not part of the problem".

Stanford's Jerod Haase has the Cardinal poised for a run at the Pac-12 crown. How Tyrell Terry's decision on whether or not to turn pro looms large. The story of how he landed top recruit, Ziaire Williams. How player development is going from afar. Their beefed up non-conference schedule. Building a program with today's transfer rules. And the lesson he cherishes most from his mentor, Roy Williams. Plus, no date for NBA draft means no deadline for players to enter it... and more questions for the NCAA regarding transfers.

For Texas' Shaka Smart everything seems to be aligning for him have his best season with the Longhorns. But has he had a chance to sit back and reflect on the end of last season? How less became more when it came to the injury bug... How will he handle more depth this upcoming season? Discussing his incredible spring recruiting class and what Greg Brown and Kai Jones can bring to the squad. Striking the balance between recruiting and player retention. And why the success of the upcoming season might hinge on the willingness of his players to commit to one another. Plus, don't miss what's happening in the world of college basketball with Jon's 5 - Good - Nuggets!

UCONN's Dan Hurley is leaning on his daily routine to get through these unprecedented times. What are his expectations for year 3 under his direction? Thoughts on returning to the Big East Conference. The process of rebuilding and all that goes into it. Is this year's front court the deepest he's coached? His concern for player development when access to players is limited. And what playing conference games in December means for the team focus early in the season. Plus, does coach believe the Huskies will make it back to the NCAA tournament next year?

Wake Forest's Steve Forbes is an American success story and is now a head coach for the first time in a power 5 conference. What are his year one goals for the Demon Deacons? How the hiring process unfolded. Getting the "spark" back into the program. Coaching in the prestigious ACC. Why the best recruiting tool is winning. And lessons learned from past coaches he's worked under. Plus, what the NBA draft postponement means for NCAA players.

UIC's Luke Yaklich has all the requisites to be a great head coach in college basketball. What are his first year goals with the Flames? Lessons learned from past coaching stops. His defensive mentality. The importance of being functionally fast while playing. And how he and his staff are building relationships with the squad while dealing with a pandemic. Plus, discussing the layers to the Danny Manning firing at Wake Forest. And Is Shaka Smart poised to have his best team yet at Texas after landing a 5-star recruit?

Grand Canyon's Bryce Drew knows there are different ways to be successful and is hoping his blue print will make an impact at his new home. What are his first year goals at Grand Canyon? The challenges of making connections with a new team while dealing with a pandemic. Lessons learned from his time in the media. Admiring Baylor's program. And why he's a better coach now then when he left Vanderbilt. Plus, Jon's take on top high school players skipping college and going pro.