March Madness 365 with Andy Katz

Kansas head coach Bill Self returns and explains why he's feeling nervous going into the season-opening Champions Classic (and it has nothing to do with Kansas' preseason #1 ranking). Bill's got an update on Silvio de Sousa, analysis of his four freshmen, and a few thoughts on what he perceives to be his team's biggest weakness this early in the season. Missouri's Counzo Martin joins to share an update on Jontay Porter's season-ending injury, and how Mizzou plans to fill those minutes. He's also talking about the importance of the Champions Classic opening the basketball season, and why he thinks this year may be one the best basketball seasons ever in the history of the SEC. And finally, ESPN College Basketball analyst Seth Greenberg breaks down the two marquee Champions Classic matchups, previews next week's Armed Forces Classic between Arkansas and Texas, and speaks to how Gonzaga plans to handle Killian Tillie and the injury which has him sidelined for up to 8 weeks.

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski is looking forward to his team's marquee opening against Kentucky, and breaks down his roster of players including Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish, Tre Jones, and Marques Bolden. And Virginia head coach Tony Bennett speaks to the development of Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome, what De'Andre Hunter brings to the team, and why he's excited about Alabama transfer Braxton Key's eligibility. Tony also reflects on last year's disappointing and surprising loss to UMBC at the NCAA Tournament, and what he hopes the team and coaching staff (himself included) learned from it.

Andy was at SEC media week, and sat down with Kentucky head coach John Calipari to hear what John has to say about being ranked #1 in the country going into the season, and how he feels about opening against Duke. John also speaks candidly about the graduate transfer rule, and what made Reid Travis an exception, and what kind of roles he expects Nick Richards and PJ Washington to play this year. And then LSU head coach Will Wade joins with an update on how he, his team and his staff are holding up after the murder of Wade Simms. Will describes the events of that tragic night, how he broke the news to the players, and what they're doing to honor their teammate.

Michigan State Hall of Fame head coach, Tom Izzo, has seven vets returning to the team, and thinks the Big East as a league is going to be better and tougher this year. He talks about the transformation of Nick Ward, the reason everybody wants their son to be Cassius Winston, and why he's excited about Aaron Henry. He also has thoughts on last year's loss to Syracuse, and this season's opening game against Kansas in Indianapolis. And then Andy sits down with UCF Knights players Aubrey Dawkins, BJ Taylor, Chad Brown and Tacko Fall, who update the team's injury status, goals for the season, and why they have no objection to Andy calling them the "sleeping giants."

Gonzaga Senior point guard Josh Perkins makes a case for Gonzaga's #1 ranking going into the upcoming season, and his argument has a lot to do with their stellar returning roster including Killian Tillie, Rui Hachimura, and Zach Norvell Jr. Josh also speaks to the lessons learned from Coach Mark Few, and the team's Championship loss to North Carolina. And Loyola Of Chicago coach Porter Moser is ready for the high expectations and the hype surrounding his team this coming season! He lays out the schedule, outlines the strength of the Missouri Valley Conference, and explains how he's keeping his roster motivated, hungry, and focused on the road to a possible return to the NCAA Tournament. And of course he's got an update on how the remarkable Sister Jean has been handling her newfound celebrity!

Nevada head coach Eric Musselman and his players are dealing with the hype of being a tournament team this coming season! He explains how they're preparing, what contributions he's expecting from returners Cody and Caleb Martin, and Jordan Caroline. He's also speaking about the impact that incoming freshman Jordan Brown will immediately make on the team, and why he considers integrating his four transfers a "fun challenge." Plus, UCLA's Kris Wilkes joins in an interview that we taped before Shareef O'Neal announced the medical condition that will prevent him from playing this season. Kris also talks about the UCLA basketball brotherhood, why he loves playing against Arizona in Arizona, and what LeBron James' arrival in LA potentially means for ALL LA basketball!

USC's Bennie Boatwright is this week's Fast Break Interview, and he's speaking candidly about his health, and his decision to return to school. And Andy sits down for a one-on-one with Providence Head Coach Ed Cooley who breaks down his team's strengths and weaknesses, explains why the Big East should be worried about St. John's, shares the key to his program's culture and success, and speaks to the importance of both perseverance and levity. Plus, Andy's "No Love" list of returning seniors!

Florida State's Leonard Hamilton is fired up for this season, and loves his team! He breaks down his returning players and incoming freshman, his recruiting philosophy and culture, and how that was shaped by his time in the NBA with Michael Jordan and the Washington Wizards, and his go-to activity when it comes times to chill out and relax! And Indiana's Juwan Morgan speaks to his decision to return to school after flirting with the NBA, what he learned from his brief experience with the league, and why everyone should believe the hype about Romeo Langford! Plus, Andy's Top 15 Impact Freshman!

It's the Championship episode with 2018 NCAA Women's Champions Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw, and 2018 NCAA Men's Champions Villanova head coach Jay Wright! Muffet recounts the whirlwind it's been for the team and especially star, Arike Ogunbowale, how she feels about a possible three-peat this coming season, what she expects from returner Brianna Turner now that she's recovered from her knee injury, and why Notre Dame is the best job in the country! Then Jay Wright joins to talk about the differences between this off-season and the 2016 post-Championship off-season. He also addresses filling the void after losing 4 players to the NBA (including Omari Spellman), what he expects from returners Phil Booth, Eric Paschall, and Dylan Painter, and why he feels Jalen Brunson had a "Hall of Fame type" college career.

Georgetown Head Coach Patrick Ewing says his second season is all about erecting the building on the foundation the program built last season. He speaks to the roles that he expects Jessie Govan and Trey Mourning to play, what he learned from his time as an assistant coach in the NBA, and why his hat is off to Villanova. And Iowa Head Coach Fran McCaffery is focusing on defense and strength, his 9 returners including Trey Cook, coaching his son, Connor, his team's upcoming game schedule, and the one thing he believes every young player needs early in their career. Plus, Chicago Bulls Laurie Markkanen explains the influence and role that late Senator John McCain had on his basketball career, and why it was so important for Laurie to pay tribute to McCain in the wake of his death.

Lefty Driesell is about to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame, and shares his reaction to the incredible honor. He also talks about his time at Maryland, creating Midnight Madness, and his unorthodox recruiting philosophy and how selling encyclopedias helped craft his recruiting style. Plus, the entire Drew basketball coaching family joins Andy! Baylor Head Coach Scott Drew, Vanderbilt Head Coach Bryce Drew, and their father, former Valparaiso Head Coach Homer Drew, speak to their various coaching styles, balancing family and basketball, and what they really discuss during those 11pm three-way phone calls during basketball season!

Syracuse Head Coach Jim Boeheim has the luxury of coaching his son, Buddy, this year. He explains what Buddy brings to the program, and why he's also excited about Elijah Hughes' and Jalen Carey's potential contributions. Coach Boeheim speaks to the strength of the ACC Conference and what Syracuse has to do to achieve NCAA Tournament success this season. Plus, he weighs in on his former longtime assistant turned head coach at Washington, Mike Hopkins' success in the Pac 12, and what it means for Roy Williams' to have his name on the court at the Smith Center having experienced that same honor himself at the Carrier Dome.

The court at North Carolina's Smith Center will now have Coach Roy Williams' name on it, and you'll hear how he feels about that honor! Roy's also breaking down his current roster, including what he expects Luke Maye, Nassir Little, Coby White, and Garrison Brooks to contribute to the team, along with how he plans to improve his players' ability to defend and score close to the basket. Plus, Roy speaks of his time in Kansas, and why it was such a huge gamble at the time for him to be hired to coach that program.

Illinois Head Coach Brad Underwood is building a solid foundation with his current roster that includes 7 players who know the system well. He's talking Da'Monte Williams, Andres Feliz, Trent Frazier, and Giorgi Bezhanishvili (but can he spell Giorgi's last name)? And Coach Underwood expresses gratitude to Coach Bob Huggins, who gave him the opportunity that ultimately landed Brad in Illinois. Then Coach Huggins joins to define West Virginia's identity and culture, and weigh in on Jevon Carter and what it's going to take to replace him.

Butler Head Coach LaVall Jordan defines "The Butler Way," shares some of what he learned from Michigan Coach John Beilein and how he applies it to his own staff and culture at Butler, discusses the return of Kamar Baldwin, and explains what it was like having to leave Milwaukee after just one season. Then Brad Brownell from Clemson weighs in on his recent contract extension, discusses the program's brand new facility and the long, hard 22-months it took to get there, and explains why the Clemson football program's success of the last few years is a great thing for Clemson basketball, and the college itself.