Marching to Madness

In Episode 751 of "Marching to Madness," Ken Cross welcomes George Mason head coach Kim English. As Coach English is building GMU, he pushed the Patriots into the middle of the Atlantic 10 last season.

Topics of discussion include:

• The key areas to build upon
• The rise of a three-point attack that averaged 9.3 threes per game
• Josh Oduro's presence on the interior
• The impact of Tennessee transfers Davonte Gaines and Victory Bailey, Jr.

… And much more!

In Episode 750 of "Marching to Madness," Ken Cross welcomes UNCW head coach Takayo Siddle. The Seahawks moved in the CAA as they shared the top of the league with Towson as both put up 15-3 records while UNCW finished 27-9 overall with a CBI Championship.

Topics of discussion include:

• The coach's philosophy and psychology with his team
• How Sykiem Phillips' roles may change as he is the leading returning scorer
• The play from Trazarien White as his second season with the team unfolds
• The responsibilities of Jamari Harvey and Amari Kelly
• Much more!

In Episode 749 of "Marching to Madness," Ken Cross welcomes Baylor head coach Scott Drew. The Bears won the national championship to end the 2021 season and came back last year to win the Big 12 and finished 27-7. Drew has 397 wins in 19 seasons as the Bears coach as he begins his 20th season in Waco.

Topics of discussion include:

• Characteristics other than basketball that allow players to achieve all-America status
• The return of LJ Cryer and Adam Flagler
• Flo Thamba and Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua on the boxes
• The presence of freshman Keyonte George
• And much more!

In Episode 748 of "Marching to Madness," Ken Cross welcomes Portland head coach Shantay Legans. The Pilots won 19 games last season which were the most since the 2010-11 season. Legans bought over three key players from his former Eastern Washington team in Tyler Robertson, Mike Meadows, and Jack Perry.

Topics of discussion include:

• How the Pilots were able to put up 19 wins in Coach Legans' first season
• Tyler Robertson working as the leading scorer and rebounder
• The versatility of Moses Wood
• Key additions that will make the Pilots a deeper team

… And much more!

In Episode 747 of "Marching to Madness," Ken Cross welcomes Wake Forest head coach Steve Forbes. The Demon Deacons finished 25-10 and they were 13-7 in the ACC, in which they were fifth. WFU improved by 19 wins last season as they were led by Alondes Williams and Grizzlies first-round pick Jake LaRavia. Forbes has put together a solid group of player on the roster for the 2022-23 campaign.

Topics of discussion include:

• Davion Williams and Damari Monsanto putting together a solid one-two punch
• Cameron Hildreth's influence with his play on both ends of the floor
• How Florida transfer Tyree Appleby fits into a deep backcourt
• The mix of a solid transfer class and freshmen Zach Keller and Bobi Klintman

… And much more!

In Episode 746 of "Marching to Madness," Ken Cross welcomes Long Beach State head coach Dan Monson. He led The Beach to a 14-3 record and first place in the Big West Conference. Coach Monson has 237 wins at LBSU and is the winningest coach in program history.

Topics of discussion include:

• The success of The Beach in the '21-22 season
• The return of Joel Murray and Jordan Jones to the backcourt
• Aboubacar Traore's impact on games
• Incoming players that will be important for the success of The Beach this season

… And much more!

In Episode 745 of "Marching to Madness," Ken Cross welcomes North Florida head coach Matt Driscoll as he enters his 14th season as the head coach of the Ospreys. Driscoll has led UNF to a 58.6 winning percentage inside the Atlantic Sun Conference

Topics of discussion include:

• Jose Placer and Jarius Hicklen as leaders in the backcourt
• Carter Hendrickson's level of play from the interior
• The Ospreys' trip to the beach and how it is a consistent fundamental in bringing the team together
• The availability of potentially eight teams in position to win the A-Sun Tournament

… And much more!

In Episode 744 of "Marching to Madness," Ken Cross welcomes Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl, who has a 72.6 percent winning percentage which is second in the SEC. The Tigers won the SEC regular season title with a 15-3 record this past season

Topics of discussion include:

• The presence of Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler
• The returning Auburn backcourt of KD Johnson, Wendell Green, Jr., Zep Jasper and Allen Flanigan
• Incoming players in Johni Broome and Yohan Traore
• The Tigers' trip to Israel over the summer

… And much more!

In Episode 743 of "Marching to Madness," Ken Cross welcomes Duquesne head coach Keith Dambrot as he rebuilds the program with 10 new Dukes in the program this season. Coach Dambrot, who was Lebron James' former high school coach at Saint Vincent-Saint Mary, also won 65 games in his first four seasons at Duquesne.

Topics of discussion include:

• The return of Tre Williams and Kenny Easley, who were the second and third leading scorers
• How Dae Dae Grant will fit into the Dukes' schemes
• Making changes with so many new faces
• The offensive impetus of 5-8 Tevin Brewer

… And much more!

In Episode 742 of "Marching to Madness," Ken Cross welcomes SMU head coach Rob Lanier, who begins his first season as head coach of the Mustangs. Lanier comes over from Georgia State where he led the Panthers to a 53-30 mark over three seasons. Lanier also has eight seasons as an assistant head coach to Rick Barnes with four at Tennessee and four at Texas.

Topics of discussion include:

• Coach Lanier's vision for the program
• Returnees in Zach Nuttall, Zhuric Phelps, and Jalen Smith
• The inclusion of eight transfers into this season's roster
• How Efe Odigie can show a leadership role

… And much more!