Tri-State College Basketball Podcast

Full coverage of Rutgers MBB Media Day and observations from open practice. Comments from Steve Pikiell and Bryan's 1 on 1 interview with senior captain Jeremiah Williams (29:00 - 39;00)

Other topics include: Impact of freshmen Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, Rutgers length and depth, Center battle between Emmanuel Ogbole and Lathan Sommerville, transfers Tyson Acuff, Zach Martini, PJ Hayes and Jordan Derkack, and predictions for Rutgers in the Big Ten.

Ivy League Player of the Year, Caden Pierce, joins the podcast to preview the Tigers season. Caden also discusses why he ultimately returned to Princeton and turned down NIL opportunities elsewhere. He and fellow junior, Xaivian Lee, promise to be one of the best 1-2 junior tandems in the country, as Princeton tries to regain the Ivy League Title won by Yale last season.

Author Richard Kent joins Bryan to talk about his latest book, "The Madness of Ivy Basketball" which chronicles a wild season of men's and women's basketball in the Ivy League. Richard, who grew up in New Haven, CT as a fan of Yale and Princeton too, is currently a color commentator for Yale basketball. He offers plenty of anecdotes and insight into the players, coaches and teams from Bill Bradley in the 1960s to Caden Pierce and Bez Mbeng from today.

As summer workouts are underway at Rutgers, Head Coach Steve Pikiell assesses his most talented roster ever. Pikiell talks about:

dealing with high expectations

adding experienced players through the portal

addressing free throw woes

incoming freshman class

team size, depth and versatility

what the offense will look like

2024-25 schedule and more!

UConn Head Coach Dan Hurley joins Bryan DeNovellis in the wake of Alex Karaban's announcement that he's returning to Storrs. Hurley covers a number of topics including:

Karaban's return

His "deepest roster ever"

Incoming transfers (Reed and Mahaney) and freshman McNeeley

Why he engages opposing fans

Next Year's non-conference schedule

Quest to 3-Peat

Seton Hall Radio Announcer Dave Popkin joins Bryan to discuss Seton Hall's thrilling win over Indiana State to claim the program's 2nd NIT Championship and recap the Hall's 25-win season.

Plus Bryan analyzes UConn's dominating win over Purdue to claim their 2nd straight NCAA Title and 6th in program history. Hear Bryan's thoughts along with postgame sound from Head Coach Dan Hurley.

:00-22:30 UConn

22:30-45:00 Interview with Dave Popkin

45:00-52:00 Seton Hall's Dre Davis enters the portal

Fran Fraschilla previews the NIT Final Four and the NCAA Final Four as Seton Hall and UConn both try to win national titles. Fraschilla will broadcast the NIT Final Four and Title Game on ESPN. He breaks down Seton Hall's road as the Pirates try to win what would be their 2nd NIT Title in program history (1953). And Fraschilla also breaks down UConn's historic quest to win back to back NCAA Championships.

1:30 Seton Hall and the NIT Final Four

17:50 UConn and the NCAA Final Four

Veteran CBS Broadcaster Ian Eagle previews the NCAA Tournament, first round matchups in Brooklyn, and his promotion to lead play by play announcer. Ian also recounts a story of when NBA center, Rick Mahorn, gave him a "wedgie" on an airplane! Yes, it really happened! Plus Bryan recaps Wagner's win over Howard and preview's St. Peter's and Yale

:00 Bryan DeNovellis talks about Seton Hall and St. John's being snubbed

7:30 Interview with Ian Eagle

32:30 Wagner beats Howard in First Four

37:45 St. Peter’s NCAA Preview=

42:45 Yale NCAA Preview

Donald Copeland joins Bryan to discuss Wagner's historic NEC Championship run and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. It's just the 2nd time in program history. It's even more amazing Copeland did it with 7 healthy players for 2 and a half months.

Plus Bryan breaks down the St. John's win over Seton Hall in the Big East Tournament. What went right for St. John's and wrong for Seton Hall?

Quinnipiac Coach Tom Pecora joins Bryan to talk about QU's first-ever MAAC Regular Season Title and how his team is preparing for the MAAC Tournament in Atlantic City. Plus the MAAC Coach of the Year shares stories from his 40 years of coaching in high school, JUCO, and schools like UNLV, Hofstra, Fordham and Quinnipiac.

Plus Bryan goes Around the Tri-State

32:30 MAAC Tournament Preview and Predictions

39:40 Big East All-Conference Awards and Tournament Preview  

45:00  St. John’s vs Seton Hall preview - 3 Keys and X-Factors

55:35 Ivy Madness Preview