Welcome to The Hoops Cap! In this episode, we’re setting the stage for a fascinating NCAA Tournament showdown as UConn prepares to face the Southern Conference champions, the Furman Paladins. Host Mark Zanetto brings together two distinct voices from both sides of the bracket: Andre Gray, associate head coach at Western Carolina University with inside knowledge of the SoCon and Furman’s strategies, and Rasheen Davis, Seton Hall assistant coach who’s battled UConn in the Big East this season.

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UConn Women's Basketball is entering the postseason as the undisputed No. 1 team in the nation! In this video, we break down the 2025-26 BIG EAST Postseason Awards where the Huskies swept the major honors. From Sarah Strong making history as both Player and Defensive Player of the Year to Blanca Quiñonez’s breakout freshman campaign, we analyze why UConn is the heavy favorite to win the BIG EAST Tournament at Mohegan Sun.

We also preview the tournament bracket, looking at potential matchups against Villanova and Seton Hall, and discuss the key "Watch List" items for Geno Auriemma’s squad as they prepare for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

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Inside the Episode:

0:00 - Intro: UConn's Historic Undefeated Season

1:15 - Sarah Strong: The Unanimous BIG EAST Player of the Year

2:45 - The Defensive Dominance of Sarah Strong

4:10 - Blanca Quiñonez: Freshman & Sixth Woman of the Year

6:00 - Geno Auriemma wins 14th BIG EAST Coach of the Year

7:30 - All-BIG EAST First & Second Team Honors

9:15 - BIG EAST Tournament Preview: The Path to the Title

11:00 - Key Challengers: Villanova, Seton Hall, and Marquette

13:30 - What to Watch: Health, Fudd’s Scoring, and Bench Depth

15:45 - Final Predictions & NCAA Tournament Implications

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Key Postseason Awards Highlights:

Sarah Strong: 3rd player in history to win POY and DPOY in the same season (18.6 PPG, 3.2 SPG).

Blanca Quiñonez: First-ever freshman to win BIG EAST Sixth Woman of the Year.

Geno Auriemma: Led the Huskies to their 11th undefeated regular season (1st since 2018).

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What a way to close out the regular season at Gampel Pavilion! In this episode, we break down No. 6 UConn’s gritty 71–67 victory over a relentless Seton Hall squad. It was an emotional afternoon in Storrs as Alex Karaban made history, becoming the first active player added to the Huskies of Honor before putting up a game-high 23 points to lead the comeback.

Joining the show for a live reaction is Bryan DeNovellis, host of the Tri-State College Basketball Podcast and Assistant Professor at Montclair State. As a Seton Hall alum and veteran broadcaster, Bryan brings his unique perspective on how the Pirates nearly pulled off the upset after leading by 8 in the second half.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Karaban Legacy: Analyzing Alex’s historic pre-game ceremony and his clutch performance in his final home game.

Solo Ball’s Second Half Surge: How Solo’s 12 second-half points and ice-cold free throws in the final minute sealed the win.

Seton Hall’s Grit: Bryan breaks down the Pirates' impressive 3-point shooting turnaround and A.J. Staton-McCray’s 20-point effort.

Big East Outlook: What this win means for UConn’s momentum heading into the Big East Tournament and their quest for a three-peat.

Senior Day Emotions: Wrapping up the home season for Tarris Reed Jr., Braylon Mullins, and the rest of the Husky seniors.

Follow our guest:

Keep up with Bryan DeNovellis on X @bryandenovellis and check out his work at BryanDeNovellis.com.

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Join Mark Zanetto and Tee Baker as they dive into 'The Hoops Cap' and 'Big East Energy Network', discussing all things college basketball. They analyze the UConn Huskies, highlighting their performance and what it means for upcoming Ncaa games. Get ready for some insightful March Madness predictions!

A huge thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible! First, a shout-out to Homefield Apparel—be sure to check out their latest drop and join the Hoops Society today to grab the best vintage-inspired collegiate gear in the game. We also want to thank our local sponsor, Vancord.com; when it comes to protecting your business, they are the cybersecurity leaders you can trust for sophisticated defense and peace of mind. Or Call 855-VANCORD

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The Huskies just put on a defensive masterclass. In this live reaction show, we break down UConn’s absolute 72-40 beatdown of St. John's. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, it was total dominance.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Defensive Wall: How UConn held the Red Storm to just 40 points.

Key Performers: Which Huskies stepped up and controlled the tempo.

Big East Implications: What this statement win means for the standings and tournament seeding.

Post-Game Takeaways: Is this the most complete version of UConn we’ve seen all season?

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Welcome to The Hoops Cap! In today's episode, Mark Zanetto dives into UConn's commanding 76-63 victory over Villanova, a statement win that puts the Huskies back in the national conversation. Mark breaks down how Dan Hurley’s squad found their defensive identity again after recent struggles, and he doesn’t shy away from questions about coaching decisions, bench contributions, and the team's tournament prospects. Plus, he shares candid thoughts on the ACC, the real meaning of making the NCAA tournament, and what UConn needs to clean up moving forward. Whether you’re celebrating the win or scrutinizing every turnover, this episode offers an honest, passionate look at where the Huskies stand—and what’s next. Get ready for unfiltered hoops talk, right here on The Hoops Cap!

0:00 – Technical issues & episode sponsors shoutout

1:36 – UConn completes season sweep of Villanova: What does it mean?

2:15 – Dan Hurley’s coaching candidness and bench usage

3:23 – UConn’s path to a 1-seed or 2-seed in NCAA tournament

4:07 – Defensive improvements and keys to offensive success

4:44 – Spotlight on Terrence Reid’s breakout game

5:23 – Mark’s approach to unbiased game analysis

5:29 – Side talk: Duke vs Michigan & Mark’s take on officiating

6:48 – Debating the strength of Michigan, Miami, and the ACC

7:13 – Participation trophies & the real value of making the tournament

7:42 – Evaluating the bench performance and other Big East contenders

8:25 – Turnover issues and the importance of valuing possessions

9:56 – Closing thoughts: Closer mentality and Silas’s role

If you’re a true Big East basketball fan, smash that LIKE button and SUBSCRIBE for the latest breakdowns, analysis, and hot takes! Who do you think will win the Big East this year—and does UConn have what it takes to go all the way? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

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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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