College Hoops Today with Jon Rothstein

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".