Mad About Hoops

We are back for some Summer updates! With news of voluntary workouts returning for Ohio State, It's time to catch up on all the happenings of the sport since March. Texas Tech lands a star point guard transfer, talking out loud about Ohio Classic Ideas, a new look Big East, and the climb of the Richmond Spiders are all highlighted in this episode!

After taking some time away to digest how this season ended, we tried to summarize what happened and what we will remember about it. The NCAA is in the process of ruling on extra-eligibility for spring sports, and the winter ones will be left out. There will be some newness next year as Bryce Drew and "Slick Rick" Pitino will return to head coaching positions. Recruiting will take a wild turn going forward, and the anticipation we feel for next year will be fulfilled.

So we're doing this podcast at 3pm on March 12th, the Day the Tournament died. Only we got this whole thing done before the tournament died. But damnit do we have takes on the cancelled tournaments, how the Big East actually thought they would start their tournament on Thursday, and we had a long interesting chat with Assoc. HC Mike Farrelly of Hofstra. How awful do you feel for those mid major coaches and players who don't get this kind of shot every year? Mike gives some great insight and opinions on how postponing would've been a great way to go about it. There's no more Big Dance, but here's one more podcast where that idea still lived!

Do you want to hear what it's like when two die hard college hoops podcasters get the news "live" that the NCAA is closing it's doors to fans. That's at 22:02. Then at 24:18 we're joined by an Ohio Valley Conference tournament MVP and a Belmont Bruin in Nick Muszynski. By the way, he's brilliant. And he gives his full thoughts on COVID-19 and the status of the tournament being closed to public (34:20). What's the emotion knowing that you've worked so hard to get here when at any second they could cancel the whole thing? Either way, whatever happens with coronavirus, Mad About Hoops will be here!

Tim and EBC spread some more love to their hometown Top 20 college basketball team and give some tips on what you should have Ohio State doing in the Big Dance. And what about the conference they play in? Does the Big Ten deserve to be called the best conference in the country? Plus, there's four conference tourneys that finish up this weekend...which means TICKETS PUNCHED!!!

Those two things just go together so well don't they? But as everyone in the world seems to be addressing the virus in some way or another, this podcast finally does too. Because they're saying it might affect March Madness. And oh yeah do we have thoughts on that. Then after a cooling off period EBC brings steers you into what you can enjoy within the many conference tourneys picking up play. Tim tells you how to construct the perfect small conference tourney, from format all the way to location. Happy March and enjoy! We'll see you very soon.

The next time we'll be podcasting to you, we will be in the Queen Bee of months. The mother of all months. The 31 days we look forward to more than Christmas, Thanksgiving and summer vacation combined. So we hit you with our comprehensive NCAA Tournament Superlatives. Everything from who'll disappoint the most in this year's field, to who are our favorite mid major star players from the past. There's also a really wild and interesting thing going on in Conference USA (19:30), plus there's a new feud going on in college hoops between Power Five coaches (28:30). Enjoy, and we'll see you in March!

Tim and EBC come right outta the gates in a debate about what day of the NCAA Tournament is best. They both have their reasons. Then at 14:10 you'll want to hear someone's interesting idea for the Selection Committee to consider in the future. After careful consideration, the idea is shot down by this podcast. And Ohio State freshmen guard D.J Carton made an announcement after previously stepping away from the team to focus on mental health. Maybe the rest of sports should pay attention to this one. Enjoy this week's pod hoops lovers!

Is there a "Top" of college hoops? Timmy takes a look at how the Top 4 in the rankings has seemed to stabilize with Baylor, Kansas, Gonzaga and San Diego State. Wouldn't it be cute for one of the top teams to win it all in a season this chaotic? Duke-UNC part one was one of the craziest contests you'll ever see. Missing on purpose at the free throw line and executing that is apparently not a myth, it's real. And Evil Bald Colin's Mid Major Flavor returns!

We haven't done a full dive into Bracketology yet on this podcast. But it's February and we're doing it now. And we're using the original, Joe Lunard-dog's ESPN version. Evil Bald Colin already has the national champion picked, so you can stop stressing about your bracket. Timmy has a passionate view on Dayton being a 1 seed. March Madness is quickly approaching and we're here to help you prepare! Now listen to the pod!