Marching To Madness

In Episode 761 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle as he goes about rebuilding the Beavers after a tough season a year ago. Two years ago, Tinkle took Oregon State to the Elite Eight after the Beavers won the Pac-12 Tournament for the first time in teams history. Topics of discussion include: Rodrique Andela’s presence as he returns from last year’s injury Adding nine new players to four OSU veterans from a year ago The upside of Glenn Young, Dexter Akanno, and Chlo Marial Coach Tinkle’s thoughts on NCAA Tournament expansion … And much more!

In Episode 760 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes Virginia Tech associate head coach Mike Jones, who joined coach Mike Young last season. Coach Jones joined the Hokies staff after 19 years at DeMatha High School where he had a 511-119 record in winning 81.1 percent of his games. Jones helped to lead Virginia Tech to it’s first ACC Tournament championship as the Hokies defeated the top three seeds in Notre Dame, North Carolina, and Duke to win their first tournament title since VT won a Metro Conference battle in 1979. Topics of discussion include: Virginia Tech’s ACC Tournament championship Hunter Catoor’s responsibilities other than the three-ball Justyn Mutts’ abilities and how they lead the Hokies Coach Jones’ thoughts on the expansion of the NCAA Tournament … And much more!

In Episode 759 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes Washington State head coach Kyle Smith, who placed the Cougars as one of the nation’s top defensive teams as it held opponents to 41.5 percent from the floor and just 64.9 points per game. Topics of discussion include: Mouhamed Gueye’s presence on both ends of the floor The addition of Auburn/Tennessee transfer Justin Powell T.J. Bamba as the leading returning scorer The use of analytics with his programs … And much more!

In Episode 758 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes Georgia Tech head coach Josh Pastner, who led the Yellow Jackets to the ACC Tournament championship in 2021. Pastner is rebuilding the program after it lost its two leading scorers in Michael Devoe and Jordan Usher. Topics of discussion include: Playing for Lute Olson at Arizona Kyle Sturdivant as the leading returning scorer Rodney Howard in the paint Coach Pastner’s thoughts on the potential of increasing the NCAA Tournament … And much more!

In Episode 756 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans, who turned New Mexico State into a WAC power over a five-year period. He claimed a 122-32 record with the Aggies while winning four WAC regular season titles and three WAC Tournaments. Topics of discussion include: The efforts of 6-11 Tolu Smith DJ Jeffries and his return to the Bulldogs program Shakeel Moore’s availability as a shooter Building the program to move forward … And much more!

In Episode 756 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes Cal State Fullerton head coach Dedrique Taylor, who had the Titans back in the NCAA Tournament after winning the Big West Tournament championship. Topics of discussion include: A look back into last season’s tournament experiences The effects of Jalen Harris as a leader and talented player Vincent Lee’s ability as the Titans’ power forward Coach Taylor’s look at the use of analytics … And much more!

In Episode 755 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins, who was placed in the National Basketball Hall of Fame in September of this year. Coach Huggins, who has 916 career wins, discusses the restructuring of his roster along with some upperclassmen who will help the Mountaineers to build themselves up once again in the Big 12. Topics of discussion include: Kedrian Johnson’s return and his impact on the Mountaineers The transfer of guard Joe Toussaint Iowa The return of Emmitt Matthews to the program Former WVU guard Joe Mazzulla as the Boston Celtics’ interim head coach … And much more

In Episode 754 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes Ole Miss head coach Kermit Davis, who has 467 career wins as he starts into his 24th season as a head coach at the D-1 level and his fifth year as the head coach at Ole Miss. Topics of discussion include: The return of Daeshun Ruffin and Matthew Murrell Jaemyn Brakefield’s shooting prowess The defensive abilities of his transfers The depth and rise of the SEC … And much more!

In Episode 752 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes Richmond head coach Chris Mooney who led the Spiders to their first Atlantic 10 Tournament championship since 2011. The Spiders welcome back Tyler Burton, who led them with 16.1 points and 7.7 rebounder game last season. Topics of discussion include: Last season’s A-10 title and the win over Iowa in the NCAA Tournament The multiple skills of Tyler Burton New additions to the program How to restart the Princeton Offense with generally a new group of starters and role players Much more!

In Episode 752 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes Marshall head coach Dan D’Antoni, who looks to push the Thundering Herd into the top of the Sun Belt Conference in the Herd’s inaugural year in the league. He has 140 career wins at Marshall after he built the high school basketball program at Socastee High school in Myrtle Beach and joined his brother Mike as an NBA assistant with the Suns, Knicks, and Lakers. Topics of discussion include: Turning the page on a tough 2021-22 season The defensive skills of Obinna Anochili-Killen Taveion Kinsey’s overall value in the program The addition of Kamdyn Curfman to join Andy Taylor in the backcourt … And much more!

In Episode 751 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes George Mason head coach Kim English. As Coach English is building GMU, he pushed the Patriots into the middle of the Atlantic 10 last season. Topics of discussion include: The key areas to build upon The rise of a three-point attack that averaged 9.3 threes per game Josh Oduro’s presence on the interior The impact of Tennessee transfers Davonte Gaines and Victory Bailey, Jr. … And much more!

In Episode 750 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes UNCW head coach Takayo Siddle. The Seahawks moved in the CAA as they shared the top of the league with Towson as both put up 15-3 records while UNCW finished 27-9 overall with a CBI Championship. Topics of discussion include: The coach’s philosophy and psychology with his team How Sykiem Phillips’ roles may change as he is the leading returning scorer The play from Trazarien White as his second season with the team unfolds The responsibilities of Jamari Harvey and Amari Kelly Much more!

In Episode 749 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes Baylor head coach Scott Drew. The Bears won the national championship to end the 2021 season and came back last year to win the Big 12 and finished 27-7. Drew has 397 wins in 19 seasons as the Bears coach as he begins his 20th season in Waco. Topics of discussion include: Characteristics other than basketball that allow players to achieve all-America status The return of LJ Cryer and Adam Flagler Flo Thamba and Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua on the boxes The presence of freshman Keyonte George And much more!

In Episode 748 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes Portland head coach Shantay Legans. The Pilots won 19 games last season which were the most since the 2010-11 season. Legans bought over three key players from his former Eastern Washington team in Tyler Robertson, Mike Meadows, and Jack Perry. Topics of discussion include: How the Pilots were able to put up 19 wins in Coach Legans’ first season Tyler Robertson working as the leading scorer and rebounder The versatility of Moses Wood Key additions that will make the Pilots a deeper team … And much more!

In Episode 747 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes Wake Forest head coach Steve Forbes. The Demon Deacons finished 25-10 and they were 13-7 in the ACC, in which they were fifth. WFU improved by 19 wins last season as they were led by Alondes Williams and Grizzlies first-round pick Jake LaRavia. Forbes has put together a solid group of player on the roster for the 2022-23 campaign. Topics of discussion include: Davion Williams and Damari Monsanto putting together a solid one-two punch Cameron Hildreth’s influence with his play on both ends of the floor How Florida transfer Tyree Appleby fits into a deep backcourt The mix of a solid transfer class and freshmen Zach Keller and Bobi Klintman … And much more!

In Episode 746 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes Long Beach State head coach Dan Monson. He led The Beach to a 14-3 record and first place in the Big West Conference. Coach Monson has 237 wins at LBSU and is the winningest coach in program history. Topics of discussion include: The success of The Beach in the ’21-22 season The return of Joel Murray and Jordan Jones to the backcourt Aboubacar Traore’s impact on games Incoming players that will be important for the success of The Beach this season … And much more!

In Episode 745 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes North Florida head coach Matt Driscoll as he enters his 14th season as the head coach of the Ospreys. Driscoll has led UNF to a 58.6 winning percentage inside the Atlantic Sun Conference Topics of discussion include: Jose Placer and Jarius Hicklen as leaders in the backcourt Carter Hendrickson’s level of play from the interior The Ospreys’ trip to the beach and how it is a consistent fundamental in bringing the team together The availability of potentially eight teams in position to win the A-Sun Tournament … And much more!

In Episode 744 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl, who has a 72.6 percent winning percentage which is second in the SEC. The Tigers won the SEC regular season title with a 15-3 record this past season Topics of discussion include: The presence of Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler The returning Auburn backcourt of KD Johnson, Wendell Green, Jr., Zep Jasper and Allen Flanigan Incoming players in Johni Broome and Yohan Traore The Tigers’ trip to Israel over the summer … And much more!

In Episode 743 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes Duquesne head coach Keith Dambrot as he rebuilds the program with 10 new Dukes in the program this season. Coach Dambrot, who was Lebron James’ former high school coach at Saint Vincent-Saint Mary, also won 65 games in his first four seasons at Duquesne. Topics of discussion include: The return of Tre Williams and Kenny Easley, who were the second and third leading scorers How Dae Dae Grant will fit into the Dukes’ schemes Making changes with so many new faces The offensive impetus of 5-8 Tevin Brewer … And much more!

In Episode 742 of “Marching to Madness,” Ken Cross welcomes SMU head coach Rob Lanier, who begins his first season as head coach of the Mustangs. Lanier comes over from Georgia State where he led the Panthers to a 53-30 mark over three seasons. Lanier also has eight seasons as an assistant head coach to Rick Barnes with four at Tennessee and four at Texas. Topics of discussion include: Coach Lanier’s vision for the program Returnees in Zach Nuttall, Zhuric Phelps, and Jalen Smith The inclusion of eight transfers into this season’s roster How Efe Odigie can show a leadership role … And much more!