College Hoops Today With Jon Rothstein

Ohio State's Chris Holtmann has the Buckeyes off to an 8-2 start and feels good about his group and the balance between transfers and home-grown talent. Is it hard for him to believe he's been the head coach at Ohio State for seven seasons now? Why winning road league games is tough! Their back-court evolution and why it might be one of the best in the country. Can Purdue be challenged in the Big Ten? Thoughts on the Big Ten becoming a cross country conference. How hard was it to not be in the NCAA Tournament last season? And why it's all about how you perform in March. Plus, parity rules again! Jon brings you his college hoops headlines!

Tennessee's Rick Barnes wants to see more discipline, toughness, and consistency from the Volunteers after their first seven games. Why he believes their grueling non-conference schedule will benefit them at the end of the season. Getting back to full strength will be a key moving forward. Why coach is not big on complacency. Why you must get better and getting better. How much longer does he see himself coaching? Why he loves the fans in Tennessee. Could he see himself doing something other than coaching? And do they have enough to get back to the Final Four? Plus, parity reigns supreme. No dominate team has emerged and that makes for a fun season!

Miami's Jim Larranaga likes the Hurricanes early season scoring but would like to see the rebounding and defense improve. His thoughts on Kentucky ahead of their big matchup Tuesday night. What did he learn about his team after the Baha Mar Tournament? The reality of getting every teams best shot and why coach looks forward to that. Wooga Poplar... has he exceeded expectations so far? And as the games start to get tougher, can they keep their mental and emotional poise? Plus, Jon's takeaways from Feast Week!

Arizona's Tommy Lloyd gives us his thoughts on the Wildcats' first five games. Is he surprised by how in sync they've been with so many new players? Discussing the big win at Duke. Why he loves the balance of this year's team. Finding balance with Love. Why he enjoys the challenge of the non-conference schedule. Previewing their matchup with Michigan State. And why you don't get bitter, you get better! Plus, Jon's giving thanks for the amazing spread of college basketball games this week! And is this the best Maui Invitational field ever?

Illinois' Brad Underwood and the Illini are gearing up and preparing for an early season test against Marquette. Coach breaks down this heavily anticipated matchup. He also discusses the importance of early season "buy" games and exhibitions. Terrence Shannon Jr is their go-to guy but who are the candidates to emerge as other primary scorers? His assessment of their point guard play. Why he likes his team depth. Thoughts on possibly going to a 20 + league game schedule. And what are the biggest keys for the Illini to have a successful season? Plus, week one is in the books! Arizona with a monumental win at Duke. Previewing the Gavitt Games and Champions Classic.

Virginia's Tony Bennett enters the season with a new look team and a ton of excitement. But how good will they be defensively and what goes into finding that identity? Was it harder to build Virginia up to a national championship contender or keep it among the nation's elite after winning it all in 2019? Breaking down his team - Who steps up as a returner and who makes the biggest impact out of the incoming players? How can the ACC get more teams into the NCAA tournament this season? How much separation is there really between conferences? And will taking the underdog approach be the key to a successful season? Plus, College Basketball games are finally here! Jon's four big questions heading into the season. Plus, the return of games to watch!

Purdue's Matt Painter is humbled by the Boilermakers back-to-back early NCAA tournament exits and has taken a deep dive into why that has happened. How has his team been so dominate in the regular season and not been able to find success in the NCAA Tournament? But why is a teams' success only measured by their NCAA Tournament performance? Is the NCAA not listening to the coaches? His thoughts on the current NCAA system. With the core nucleus in tack for this season the expectations are sky high... What is the biggest key to getting back to the tournament? Why he's thankful for an exhibition against Arkansas. How Zach Edey continues to learn and grow as a player. The hardest part about losing to Fairleigh Dickinson as the one seed in the NCAA Tournament? And has he figured out who will get frontcourt minutes with the plethora of talent on the team? Plus, only one week away from the start of the 2023-24 NCAA Basketball season! Why Jon's impressed by Tennessee. And can Ty Berry be the X-factor for Northwestern?

North Carolina's Hubert Davis enters his third season as the Tar Heels head coach and wants to bring their vintage pace back to the forefront. Will filling the court with multiple playmakers accomplish that? Why he loves this year's mix of veterans and incoming freshman... Armando Bacot and RJ Davis are back and there is major buzz around freshman Elliot Cadeau and his playmaking ability. But can they sure up their defense this season and become dominant again in the rebounding department? Discussing the necessity of blocking out the outside noise. Reflecting on last season and why they didn't get the results they wanted. And why it's all about teaching life lessons through basketball. Plus, only two weeks away from games starting up! Is Marquette the Big East Favorite? A dark horse Final Four contender lurking in the SEC? And find out who is shining in Tennessee, Alabama, and USC practices!

UConn's Dan Hurley is coming off a National Championship season and believes this year's team has tremendous potential to repeat. Why the development of the bench is of the upmost importance. Which freshman will be able to produce? A Donovan Clingan update. Why he believes UConn is the college basketball Capital of the world. His emotions when UConn was being mentioned as a possible target for the Big 12? Why the Beg East is a beast. Why they have earned the right to play in big time non-conference games. And how has his life changed since wining it all? Plus, Jon is feeling good as we are just 3 weeks away from college basketball! Cincinnati and Xavier updates.

Houston's Kelvin Sampson is entering his 10th season with the Cougars and is proud of the program that he has built. How he's made Houston his "next job". Why he credits his staff continuity for their success. His thoughts on entering Big 12 play this season. Which returning player makes the biggest jump? How about a newcomer poised to make an impact? Why he believes growth is the biggest key to success this season. Win or lose you must grow. Does going to the Big 12 re-invigorate him as a coach? How much longer can he see himself coaching? And thoughts on going back to Oklahoma to play a game. Plus, only four weeks away from the start of college basketball! Jon gives you updates from visits to Arizona and Arizona State.

UCLA's Mick Cronin has a brand-new challenge with lots of foreign appeal as the Bruins lost over 80% of its scoring from last season. Will an influx of talent from abroad be the answer to getting back to a Final Four? What can we expect from big man, Adem Bona? Is Dylan Andrews the next quintessential guard at UCLA? Just how good is their incoming class of freshman and how much will they need to rely on them this season? Why we can expect to see a lot of "big man ball" from the Bruins. Why he's enjoying the team attitude. Thoughts on playing the last season in the historic Pac-12. Why he believes the true measure of a coach is the ability to bridge drills at practice into the games. And what are realistic expectations and the biggest keys to UCLA again being a tough out in late February and March? Plus, a recap of Jon's visits to Florida Atlantic, Miami and Syracuse.

Michigan State's Tom Izzo has a loaded team and is excited to get their first official practice under the belt. Are the Spartans built to get back to a Final Four for the ninth time under Coach Izzo? Why it's all about the chemistry. Which returning players will have the biggest jump in production this year? Discussing their talented Freshman class. Could they have up to a 12-player rotation? Thoughts on the Big Ten becoming a coast-to-coast league? And why hasn't the Big Ten done better in the in the NCAA Tournament? Plus, a report from Jon's road travels! How's Villanova and the Big East looking?

Duke's Jon Scheyer knows continuity is a major factor in the Blue Devil's success this year, but you can't assume anything, and every day is a chance to get better. How has the summer progressed for the team? Have they been getting better each day? An update on Kyle Filipowski's health. Who steps up and makes the biggest jump this year? Excitement around their incoming Freshman class. Why he wants to be tough and together. Thoughts on their style of play this year. Conference realignment and how the ACC is a coast-to-coast league now. And why he believes the key to the season is blocking out the noise and being present in the moment. Plus, just seven weeks away from the start of College Basketball!

Miami's Jim Larranaga led the Hurricanes on a tremendous run in the NCAA Tournament last year that ended in the Final 4! Is it National Championship or bust for coach and the Canes this year? Reflecting on last year's team and season. Reasons for playing "small". Which returning players make the biggest jump this year? Why he believes their bench needs to get more experience. Could he imagine a life without basketball in it? Thoughts on the ACC/SEC matchup with Kentucky. Why the ACC regular season is all about sustained effort. And find out the one goal coach has left to accomplish! Plus, don't miss this week's 5-Good Nuggets.

Florida Atlantic's Dusty May led the Owls to a historic season that ended with an appearance in the Final 4! Was it a surprise to him that they had such a great year? Can they sustain this type of success into the future? Dealing with being the "hunted". Lessons learned from Bob Knight. How were they able to keep their core nucleus intact in a time when player movement is the new normal? Thoughts on moving up a weight class and joining the American Athletic Conference. Tackling a daunting non-conference schedule. Why he coaches confidence and fearlessness. And how do they put themselves in a position to achieve this same success again? Plus, we are only 9 weeks away from the start of a new season!

Saint Mary's Randy Bennett has been the head coach of the Gaels for over 20 years... How has he built what he has up in Moraga, California?! Can he lead them to a third NCAA Tournament in a row for the first time in school history? Is the door open in the WCC to win the conference outright? Gonzaga vulnerable? The Saint Mary/Gonzaga dynamic. How they've cracked the scheduling code. When did he start thinking about implementing an international pipeline? His unique coaching tree. Thoughts on his team this season... one that returns 70% of their scoring from last year. Why there is no skipping steps. And why he's doubling down on development. Plus, a full WCC offseason breakdown and preview of what's to come this season!

Auburn's Bruce Pearl has consistently led the Tigers into the NCAA Tournament but knows it will be harder to sustain success moving forward. What will it take for the Tigers to get back to a Final Four? Could this be the team to do it? Why team depth is a strength for them. Discussing his philosophy of "getting old and staying old". The sense of pride he feels coaching at Auburn. Using Non-conference scheduling to send a message to the fans? Could we see eight SEC teams back in the NCAA Tournament this year? And why he believes they can be the best offense team in the conference. Plus, a full SEC offseason breakdown and preview of what's to come this season! Is there a true "Great" team in the conference?

Villanova's Kyle Neptune is thankful the Wildcats are finally healthy and ready to be the best they can be in 2023. What was it like for them to lean into the transfer portal this offseason? Why he believes they have a deep and committed team. What are the expectations for Justin Moore? Why basketball is the lead sport in the Big East. Discussing their difficult non-conference schedule and why it's nothing new for them. And how iron sharpens iron... Does this squad have a chance to be a "vintage" Villanova team? Plus, a full Big East offseason breakdown and preview of what's to come this season! Could they get up to seven teams in the NCAA Tournament?

San Diego State's Brian Dutcher had a season to remember; leading the Aztecs to the Final Four and their first ever National Championship game appearance! How can they get back and finish the job this year? It might start with the starting back court from last season returning... Why coach loves his team depth and mix of returning and new players. Why rim protection and rebounding will be of the up most importance this season. The importance of getting better every day. And is this their toughest non-conference schedule ever? Plus, a full Mountain West offseason breakdown and preview of what's to come this season! Will the league expand?

Colorado's Tad Boyle has his core nucleus of players returning and is looking to make some noise in their last season in the Pac-12. What went into the decision to leave the conference? His initial feelings on this year's team? Why he believes in building, developing and buy in. What are realistic expectations for freshman Cody Williams? Why he likes the continuity of his team. And can they win the Pac-12 title outright this year? Plus, a full Pac-12 offseason breakdown and preview of what's to come this season! Who will emerge in this re-tooled league?