College Hoops Today with Jon Rothstein

Jon's 2023 NCAA Tournament Picks & Bracket Breakdown!

Houston's Kelvin Sampson and the Cougars are ready to embark on a national title run. First, they must navigate a tough AAC Conference tournament. The importance of taking it one game at a time this time of year. Does momentum gained by winning a conference tournament directly correlate with winning in the NCAA Tournament? Staying true to who you are as a team. Dealing with the "elephant in the room"... The Final Four is in Houston... How does he manage that? The importance of Jamal Shead. Who are the x-factors? And why it's really all about health. Plus, expect anarchy... THIS IS MARCH!

Kansas State's Jerome Tang can do more than just recruit, he can coach! The Wildcats are in position to earn a top seed in this year's NCAA Tournament in his first season as a head coach. How did he turn the program around so quickly? The value of great personnel. Why he believes Keyontae Johnson and Markquis Nowell are having All American type seasons. X-Factors. Is this the best the Big 12 has ever been? Learning from his brother and friend, Scott Drew. And the biggest key to make a deep run in the tournament this year? Plus, we're preparing for an unpredictable tournament season! Why Brandon Miller is part of the story now for Alabama. And selection Sunday on the horizon... Take your pick!

UCLA's Mick Cronin has the Bruins in great position heading into March but knows they must improve in key areas to be able to win it all. Why he couldn't be prouder of his seniors. How their athletic freshman have helped them play elite defense. Why seeding isn't everything. Ignoring criticism and deflecting praise. The secret to March. And the beauty of evolving throughout the season. Plus, it's tough to be #1. National Coach of the Year talk. And TCU Final Four caliber?

Miami's Jim Larranaga loves his team's chemistry and is pleased with how well things have clicked so far. How have they been so consistent this year? The respect between Isaiah Wong and Nijel Pack. Examining their "small ball" line up. The impact the transfer portal is having on the sport. Has the philosophy shifted from building a program to building for a single season? Miami's dominance in ACC play over the past two seasons. And why rebounding and turnovers are key to the Hurricanes making a deep run into March. Plus, Jon gives you his big picture thoughts as we get closer and closer to selection Sunday!

Alabama's Nate Oats has the Crimson Tide in position to potentially earn a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. How are they 20-3 after losing 3 of the top 4 scores from last year? Total buy in from the Freshman. Why the defense picked up after the Gonzaga loss. Why he believes if they continue to do the little things and bring consistent effort they will be in good shape down the stretch. And discussing his contract extension... The plan is to be at Alabama for a long time. Plus, could we see five Mountain West teams in the NCAA Tournament? And we're counting down to selection Sunday... Only five more weeks!

Northwestern's Chris Collins knows the value of a veteran lead team. Coupled with excellent guard play and elite defense the Wildcats are in position to make some noise come March. How were they able to recalibrate so quickly after losing two key players to the transfer portal? How role allocation has played a huge part in team success. Discussing their retain and develop philosophy. Eliminating the outside noise but embracing the buzz around campus. Creating program legacy. And how can they finish the job and make it to the NCAA Tournament? Plus, Jon explores the big picture headlines in College Basketball! Is it Final Four or bust for Purdue?

Xavier's Sean Miller has the Musketeers siting atop the Big East standings but knows they are entering an important week of play. Thoughts on tough road games at UConn and Creighton. What has allowed them to play next level offense? Why they most improve their defense. How time away from the sport allowed him to become a better coach. And why he's focusing on staying in the moment over the next six weeks. Plus, Jon explains why this season reminds him of the 2010-11 season.

New Mexico's Richard Pitino is making great progress with the program and has the Lobos off to a 16-2 start. With huge road wins at Saint Mary's and San Diego State, the Lobos are back in the national spotlight. Is their dynamic back-court the best in the country? How were they able to build the program back up after some down years? Why the Mountain West Conference is in a healthy spot. And how getting home court advantage back has rejuvenated the town and the players in the program. Plus, parity rules! And four first-team All Americans have emerged.

Purdue's Matt Painter has used his straight forward, honest style to build the Boilermaker program into a perennial powerhouse that is off to a 15-1 start this season. Examining a coach's mindset. Has Center Zach Edey surpassed his expectations? Do the pieces on this team fit together as well as teams in the past? The key to managing a deep team. When did he decide to roll with two freshman guards? Why hasn't the Big Ten been more successful in the NCAA Tournament? And discussing the importance of being ready at all times. Plus, is there a "great" team this season? Potential #1 seeds starting to emerge.

Missouri's Dennis Gates is our first guest of the new year and he's off to a hot start in his first season with the Tigers. How they've come to the national forefront with big wins against Illinois and Kentucky. But coach knows it's not about how you start but how you finish. When did he realize he had an elite shooting team? Recruiting players that embody their core values. The importance of player connection. Applying the lessons learned from the great Leonard Hamilton. His journey from being overlooked as an assistant to thriving in a power 5 conference. The power of player evaluation. Continuing to get better as the season progresses. And the importance of coaching through players to clearly get his message across. Plus, why the Big 12 is ultra-competitive this year. Marquee names in the Big East struggle. And of course, Jon gives you some games to watch in this first week of 2023!

Mississippi State's Chris Jans has used stifling defense to lead the Bulldogs to an 11-1 start heading into SEC conference play. Why has the defense been so good to start the season? How can they improve offense production? Focusing in on their match-up with Alabama. The emergence of Tolu Smith. Coach's thoughts on his first go around in SEC conference play. And the biggest keys to getting to the big dance. Plus, Jon details why this week gets "real".

UNLV's Kevin Kruger is in year two with the Running Rebels and off to a 10-1 start. What has been behind the solid non-conference play? How do they keep it going into Mountain West play? How often does he get advice from longtime coach and father, Lon Kruger? Raising the conference profile with aggressive scheduling. Could we see 4-5 teams make it into the NCAA Tournament from the Mountain West? And the biggest keys to hopefully making it back to the big dance for the first time in a long time. Plus, UCLA playing defense. Kansas going small ball. And will UNC's dramatic win be a turning point in the season?

Ohio State's Chris Holtmann has the Buckeyes out to a 7-2 start but knows his young team is still a work in progress. The balance of building a team in the "transfer portal" era. The importance of playing freshman and getting them integrated into the program. Zed Key's evolution as a prominent post player. Describing the wild ending to the game against Rutgers. Why there are no easy nights in the Big Ten. Thoughts on taking on UNC at Madison Square Garden. And a reminder to stay present in the moment. Plus, Jon details Monday's news regarding Chris Beard. And the SEC is off to a hot start...

Iowa's Fran McCaffery gives his early assessment of the Hawkeyes after their 6-1 start. Thoughts on some early season challenges coming up this week. Taking on Duke. Playing at Madison Square Garden. Why it's all about enjoying the journey. Finding the proper balance of playing time between players. Kris Murray stepping into a lead role and doing things his way. And the depth of the Big 10 is no surprise to coach, he's come to expect it. Plus, discussing some crazy results. And whose rising and falling?

Illinois' Brad Underwood has seen a lot of growth within the team and believes their new pieces belong. How chemistry and character has contributed to a hot start to the season. What the UCLA win says about the program. Switching style of play... Is he enjoying it? Why it's so important to play like you practice... Hard. The evolution of Terrance Shannon Jr. Why they must continue to grow defensively. Thoughts on playing Syracuse at Madison Square Garden. And what is the ceiling on this year team? Plus, is there a "great" team this year in college basketball?

UCONN's Dan Hurley finds himself pleased with the Huskies' 5-0 start to the season but knows the team is still developing a collective confidence. Are they ready to compete in the PK85 tournament in Portland? Just how deep is this year's team? Changing the mindset from contending for a championship to winning a championship. How sharp shooters like Jordan Hawkins and Andre Jackson can help with floor spacing for big man, Adama Sanogo. And why we're in the "We Season". Plus, don't overreact to these early season tournaments! And why Maryland has our attention.

Saint Louis' Travis Ford leads the Billikens into a pivotal week early in the season. Thoughts on the big match up with Memphis. His early assessment of the team. Will we continue to see high volume three point shooting? Navigating and surviving a grueling non-conference schedule. Is this the most talent he's had on a roster? And why coach wants more commitment and consistency in defensive and rebounding efforts. Plus, what a first week! Anarchy? Nope, just College Basketball!

Providence's Ed Cooley is feeling the optimistic energy after coming off a year in which the program reached the Sweet 16 and won the Big East Championship. The importance of turning the page on last year's accomplishments. What type of jump does Jared Bynum make? How will coach blend new pieces with existing program guys? Having a strategic schedule that helps build team confidence. Is a deep NCAA Tournament run possible and now that they've had a taste, are they craving to get back? And the biggest keys to a successful season. Plus, opening day is finally here! Jon gives you his games to watch and nuggets to watch for!

Michigan State's Tom Izzo is cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season but knows he can lean on a veteran filled team. How building a strong program core leads to chemistry and consistency. How will they handle a monster of a schedule? Is it the toughest he's ever had? Thoughts on UCLA and USC coming to the Big 10. Thoughts on the possibility of an expanding NCAA Tournament field. Does he see himself ever retiring? And what must happen for the Spartans to be in a position to have a magical ride into March? Plus, only one week away from the start of the season! Jon gives his thoughts on some of the exhibition games being played.