Welcome to another episode of The Hoops Cap, where we dive deep into the latest debates and stories in college basketball. Hosted by Mark Zanetto and joined by Tee Baker, this episode explores the heated conversation around Sarah Strong’s candidacy for National Player of the Year and whether her dominance is overshadowing the incredible season from AZ Fudd. The team takes a historical look at UConn’s tradition of star duos, debates the merits of efficiency versus volume in award selection, and breaks down which teams pose the toughest threats as the NCAA tournament approaches. Plus, you’ll hear personal insights on the unique culture of UConn basketball, a shoutout to Home Field Apparel, and predictions for major matchups this March. If you love hoops, rivalries, and insider analysis, you’re in the right place. Let’s tip things off!

We want to extend a huge thank you to our amazing sponsors who make The Hoops Cap possible!

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00:00 UConn Basketball's Legacy of Stars

05:39 UConn's Team Basketball Culture

08:52 Michaela vs. Sarah: Impact Debate

11:24 Mikayla Brooks Wins Debate

13:40 Big East Energy Sponsor Highlight

17:32 Big East, Tournament, and Top Seeds

20:09 UConn's Potential NCAA Threats

23:07 UConn vs. South Carolina Analysis

26:50 UCLA's NCAA Dominance Discussed

#HoopsCap, #UConnWBB, #SarahStrong, #NCAAWomen, #BigEastEnergy

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Can the Huskies fix the cracks before March? 🏀

In this condensed 10-minute breakdown of The Hoops Cap, Mark Zanetto dives into UConn's defensive struggles following their surprising 91-84 loss to Creighton. While the Huskies' offense showed flashes of brilliance, the defensive end left fans with more questions than answers.

In this episode:

The Defensive Breakdown: Why UConn struggled to contain the perimeter and what went wrong in transition.

Key Takeaways: Is this a fluke performance or a blueprint for how to beat the Huskies?

The Road Ahead: What Dan Hurley needs to adjust as we head into the most critical stretch of the season.

Watch/Listen for the "Big East Energy" perspective you won't get anywhere else

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A huge thank you to our sponsors for making this episode of The Hoops Cap possible! Shout out to HomeFieldApparel.com—the premier vintage apparel company for college alumni and fans. If you want to show off your school pride with authentic, ultra-comfortable gear, Home Field has you covered.

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We appreciate their support and encourage our listeners to check them out!

On this episode of The Hoops Cap, host Mark Zanetto welcomes UConn alum and Big East Energy Network contributor David Pohorence to break down UConn’s stunning 91-84 loss to Creighton. The two dive into what went wrong for the Huskies, from lapses in defense and rebounding woes to questions about the team’s chemistry and leadership.

They explore the challenge of maintaining high-level play in a tough Big East Conference, the reality of growing pains with transfers and new players, and whether fans should be sounding the alarm—or staying optimistic about what’s ahead. With honest insights, some Husky nostalgia, and a dash of tough love, Mark Zanetto and David Poharance assess UConn’s tournament outlook, the impact of roster construction, and why it’s time to take things one game at a time.

If you’re a UConn fan processing the ups and downs of the season, this conversation is for you.

00:00 UConn's Defensive Struggles Highlighted

03:43 "Emeka Okafor's Legacy Reflection"

06:16 Basketball IQ vs. Athleticism Debate

11:59 "Searching for an Offensive Alpha"

16:08 "Turnovers, Rhythm, and Rim Protection"

18:04 Evaluating Transfers and Offense Struggles

22:02 "Hurley’s Rotation Philosophy Explained"

24:24 "Perspective on Challenges and Growth"

28:23 "One Game at a Time"

30:02 "Why Not Me Podcast"

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Short on time? We’ve cut the latest episode of The Hoops Cap down to the absolute essentials. Get the full breakdown of the week’s Big East madness in just 10 minutes.

In this episode:

Georgetown’s Identity Crisis: We dive into the current state of the Hoyas and what needs to change.

The UConn Atmosphere: Why the Huskies have the most intimidating home-court advantage in the country right now.

The Amp Brawl: A raw breakdown of the chaos that went down at the Dunk and what it means for the rivalry moving forward.

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Thank you to our sponsors and Partners

Sponsor: Shop the best vintage collegiate threads at Homefield Apparel: homefieldapparel.com

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Community Partner: Support the CT Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and their mission at: ctbgc.org

This episode of The Hoops Cap delivers an unfiltered, expert take on the shifting dynamics in Big East basketball. Host Mark Zanetto dissects UConn’s narrow win over Georgetown, Dan Hurley’s viral criticism of the “wine and cheese” crowd, and whether success has dulled the home-court advantage at Gampel Pavilion. We unpack electric milestones from Alex Karaban, reflect on the legendary Hashim Thabeet’s return, and contrast UConn’s energy with Providence’s powder-keg atmosphere. Plus, we spotlight the viral brawl at The AMP, debating if fierce rivalries and raw fan passion are what makes the Big East truly elite. If you’re searching for the latest Big East basketball analysis, UConn fan debates, or insider reactions to recent conference drama—including NIL controversies and the ever-evolving college hoops landscape—this is your must-watch episode.

00:00 – UConn vs Georgetown recap and Dan Hurley’s fan critique

01:12 – Comparing UConn’s home energy to Providence’s wild crowd

01:27 – Milestones: Alex Karaban sets a new program record; Hasheem Thabeet honored

02:53 – Hurley and Ed Cooley call out fan lethargy

05:22 – Is the Big East better with buttoned-up fans or raw intensity?

06:25 – The impact of historic moments and the atmosphere at Gampel

08:44 – Why pro-level results demand pro-level expectations

12:21 – Gampel’s crowd compared to other Big East arenas

14:00 – Providence’s crowd erupts: Malice Scale segment begins

17:11 – Movie references: Gangster and revenge energy in sports

18:06 – Duncan Powell’s hard foul and media response

20:50 – Hockey analogies: How real sports handle on-court chaos

22:33 – The difference in fan energy: Providence vs. UConn

23:54 – Message to UConn fans: It’s time to step up!

#UConn, #DanHurley, #CollegeBasketball, #BigEast, #HoopsCap, #GampelPavilion, #Huskies, #BasketballCapital, #FanCulture, #Providence, #StJohns, #MaliceScale, #HashimThabeet, #AlexKaraban, #NIL, #BasketballAtmosphere, #WineAndCheese, #SportsPodcast, #HomeFieldApparel, #Vancord, #BasketballFans, #CollegeHoops

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You’re listening to a special 10-minute “best of” edition of The Hoops Cap, where we shine the spotlight on our incredible community partners: The Connecticut Boys & Girls Club. In this condensed episode, host Mark Zanetto welcomes guest Don Maleto for a fast-paced, heartfelt look at the vital work these clubs do across Connecticut.

Hear how 14 organizations and 57 club sites team up to serve over 36,000 young people each year, providing much more than just a safe space after school. Learn how the clubs build lasting relationships, open doors to new opportunities, and help shape kids into tomorrow’s leaders and community changemakers. Mark Zanetto and Don Maleto also share their personal connections to the clubs and discuss how fans, alumni, and anyone listening can get involved—whether by volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word.

Packed with inspiring anecdotes, real-life examples, and a powerful call to action, this episode celebrates the spirit of giving back and the importance of supporting our youth. Don’t miss this special highlight reel dedicated to the positive impact of the Connecticut Boys & Girls Club!

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UConn bounces back with an 80-70 win over Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse! Solo Ball drops 24, Braylon Mullins goes off in his homecoming, and Demary dishes 10 assists. We break it all down.

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UConn survives at Hinkle Fieldhouse, beating Butler 80-70. The Huskies move to 23-2 (13-1 Big East) but the complete effort remains elusive. We give Butler credit for showing up after a brutal stretch, break down UConn's inconsistency problem, and explain why you might just need to embrace the chaos . Presented by Homefield Apparel and Sponsored locally by Vancord.

Homefield Apparel — homefieldapparel.com — Vintage-inspired, retro college apparel featuring unique designs for schools across the country, including Big East programs.

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The Huskies take on the Musketeers in a massive Big East clash! Join us LIVE as we react to every bucket, big stop, and momentum swing in real-time. Can UConn maintain their dominance, or will Xavier pull off the upset at home?

🗣️ Join the conversation: Drop your score predictions in the chat and let us know who you've got!

#UConn #Xavier #BigEast #CollegeBasketball #LiveReaction

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23-0. The streak continues! Welcome back to Big East Energy for a live reaction to #1 UConn’s dominant 96-66 victory over the Tennessee Lady Vols in Hartford.

It was a tale of two halves at PeoplesBank Arena. After a back-and-forth first half that left the game tied 42-42, the Huskies reminded the world why they are the undisputed top team in the country. UConn’s defense suffocated Tennessee in the second half, holding them to just 29% shooting and forcing 20 turnovers to pull away for the massive win.

Inside the Episode:

Azzi Fudd’s Masterclass: 27 points, 7 assists, and pure lethality from deep. Is she the NPOTY frontrunner?

The Second Half Surge: How Geno Auriemma’s squad outscored the Lady Vols 54-24 in the final 20 minutes.

The Supporting Cast: Sarah Strong’s glass-cleaning, Ashlynn Shade’s playmaking, and the bench energy from Serah Williams and Allie Ziebell.

Rivalry Respect: Reflecting on the UConn vs. Tennessee legacy and where Kim Caldwell’s Lady Vols go from here.

The Undefeated Road: Can anyone stop the Huskies before the NCAA Tournament?

The Huskies have now won 38 straight games dating back to last year's loss in Knoxville. Revenge is sweet, and the road to a perfect season is wide open.

Connect With Us:

#UConnWBB, #UConnHuskies, #AzziFudd, #WomensBasketball, #NCAAW, #BigEastEnergy, #TennesseeLadyVols, #GenoAuriemma, #CollegeBasketball, #HomefieldApparel, #HuskiesBasketball

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