Marching to Madness

Going into Saturday's home outing with FAU, Coach Hodge has the Mean Green atop the AAC as North Texas is tied in the loss column with Memphis and UAB. NT holds opponents to 58.6 points per game (4th/CBB) and limits the opposition to only 19-of-47 as a shooting ratio on the season, only about 41% from the field. Atin Wright, Rondel Walker, and Jasper Floyd join Latrell Jossell and Johnathan Massie as one of the deepest backcourts in college basketball.

Topics of Discussion Include

• A premise of NT's prolific defensive mantra
• Brenan Lorient and Wednesday's 76-67 win over Temple
• Moulaye Sissoko and Rondel Walker set the tone for a strong rebounding unit
• Structuring a quality three-point game inside of North Texas' attack

Coach Sendek has Santa Clara sitting in a four-way tie for second place in the WCC as the Broncos host Washington State in a key contest on Thursday evening. SC comes off of a 103-99 win over Gonzaga as the post 18 three-point field goals, the most by an opponent in the Kennel's history. Adama Ball and Carlos Stewart are prime leaders in the Broncos' 9-man rotation.

Topics of Conversation include:

• How the Broncos' have put together a 10-2 record over their last 12 games
• Abilities of a back court of Adama Bal and Carlos Stewart
• Inside the team's three-point acumen
• Sustainability of talent as the Broncos post nine players with a double figures average

… And much more!!!

Coach Eric Musselman's USC Trojans have shown impressive form lately, winning six of their last eight games. In the upcoming 1000th episode of "Marching to Madness," Coach Musselman will discuss his team's recent successes, including back-to-back victories over Illinois and Iowa, as they prepare to face Wisconsin at the Galen Center this Saturday at High Noon PST. Key players to watch, such as Desmond Claude and Saint Thomas, bring versatility and scoring ability to the floor.

Topics of Discussion include:

– The dynamics and versatility of various players

– The impacts of Desmond Claude and Saint Thomas

– Wesley Yates, III, and his significant minutes on the court, averaging 38 mpg in his last three games

– Keys to going 6-2 in the last eight games vs. quality competition

… And Much More!

Oregon State is 12-5 overall and 2-2 in the WCC and the Beavers feature one of the top defensive attacks in college basketball, holding opponents to 40.2 percent from the floor and 63.7 points per game. Coach Tinkle is developing his roster which includes quality depth as he has nine new players on his roster for this '24-25 season. Senior Michael Rataj is a solid inside-outside player who leads the Beavers in scoring at 16.6 points per game.

Topics of Discussion Include:

• Rataj and Nate Kingz inside a three-point attack that averages 37.8 percent
• The skill and quickness of Damarco Minor on both ends of the floor
• Inside a steadfast defensive attack that allows opponents to shoot 40.2 percent and score 63.7 points per contest
• Liutauras Lelevicius' scoring versatility

… And Much More!

Coach Dustin Kerns brings the Mountaineers back onto "Marching to Madness." They broke a four-game losing streak on Saturday night with a 72-61 win over Texas State. Coach Kerns' defense is always a focal point of his teams and this season Appalachian has held it's opponents to 28.7 percent from three and 39 percent from the field.

Topics of Conversation Include:

• The effectiveness of Myles Tate as a leader and scorer
• C.J. Huntley's inside ability
• The use of film study to repair his team's issues
• Using rotations in matchups

… And much more!

Coach Ritchie McKay is closing in on that 400th win as the boss of the Flames as he sits at 397 as of now and presides over a club that currently sports a 12-1 ledger. Liberty won at Seattle and then took back-to-back wins over Kansas State and McNeese State as they won the title of the Paradise Jam. The Flames have a strong strong 8-man rotation as they will be a tough out in Conference USA. Liberty is a defensive fortress as opponents only 38.5 percent (21st/CBB) from the floor and average only 58 points per game.

Topics of Conversation Include:

• Kaden Matheny's overall game as he shoots 44.2 percent from three
• Zach Cleveland, Isaiah Inhen, and Owen Aquino as a strong triplicate in the post
• The ability of point guard Colin Porter
• Coach Mcakay's wife, Julie, and her importance to him and his programs

… And Much More!

Coach Tim Miles joins "Marching to Madness" as his Spartans have won five of their last six games as they match up with Kennesaw State on Saturday before breaking into the Mountain West schedule next week. We discuss leading scorer Josh Uduje and his growth into the San Josè State program after being the Mountain West Sixth Man of the Year at Utah State last season. Coach Miles gets into the depth of the Mountain West and the success therein as it has grown into one of the nation's top conferences.

Topics of Discussion Include:

• Uduje's sustainability inside of the program
• Will McClendon's scoring upon his transition from UCLA
• Ideas and philosophy in scouting an upcoming opponent
• The impact of Day Day Hall, who scored 33 points and clutch 11 rebounds vs. Cal Poly

… And Much More!

Coach Moser has led his Sooners to a 10-0 start after they defeated Oklahoma State, 80-65 on Saturday night. Sam Goodwin scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the Sooners' defense held the Cowboys to only 39.3 percent from the floor with just five made three-point shots. Coach Moser discusses his defensive approach on "Marching to Madness" as well as the three-point game and many of his ideas and philosophies inside the game.

Topics of conversation include:

• The turnaround from the Battle4Atlantis Championship into the win over Georgia Tech in the SEC/ACC Challenge
• A defense that forces 15.4 turnovers, including 10.6 steals per game
• The Leadership and presence of Jalon Moore and Jeremiah Fears
• The movement of the Sooners into the SEC where they have added to conference depth

Coach Claxton has seen the Hofstra Pride win four out of its last five games to start with an 8-3 record. Over those 11 games, Hofstra has been a strong defensive team in holding opponents to 38.7% from the floor. Coach Claxton is in his fourth season at Hofstra where he has posted a 74-37 mark to win 67% of his games.

Before we start, there is some terrible noise coming from my end of the conversation and I apologize for that. The cafè where I do many shows is hardly ever this noisy and is an easy recording area on my computer. The listener can hear Coach Claxton's thoughts and comments in my normal perfect format.

Topics of Discussion Include:

• The most recent contest which was an 80-67 win at Norfolk State
• How leading scorer Cruz Davis is a multi-talented catalyst for the Pride
• Kijan Robinson and Jaquan Sanders as keys in a tough three-point offense that averages 9.1 triples per game
• Hofstra's depth as 10 players are currently averaging double figures in minutes

Coach Pearl has his Auburn Tigers posted at No. 2 in the AP Top 25 where the SEC has nine teams ranked in the poll this week. Auburn is led by a deep rotation where post Johni Broome averages 19.6 ppg and 11.9 rebounds while dishing out 3.8 assists per contest. Broome is joined in the paint by Dylan Cardwell and Chaney Johnson. This trio complements a consistent three-point attack where Chad Baker-Mazara, Tahaad Pettiford, Miles Kelly, and Denver Jones have been efficient from behind the arc. Kenpom.com has Auburn rated No.1 in adjusted offensive efficiency and No. 23 in adjusted defensive efficiency.

Topics of Discussion Include:

• The effectiveness of Johni Broome on the offense and defense
• The Tigers' chemistry in shooting the 3-Ball
• Winning the Maui Classic
• The "Auburn Family"