The Basketball Podcast

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Samford head coach Matt Wise joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on taking over as a first year head coach.Matt Wise enters the 2025–26 season as the head women’s basketball coach at Samford University, continuing to build on a coaching career defined by player development, tactical innovation, and program elevation. After being officially introduced as head coach in April 2025, Wise took the reins following two seasons as an assistant coach with the Bulldogs, where he was deeply involved in all aspects of the program.Prior to his time at Samford, Wise served as the director of video and creative content for Alabama’s women’s basketball team during the 2021–22 season. His coaching journey also includes extensive experience on the men’s side, with assistant coaching roles at East Tennessee State, Little Rock, and two separate stints at the University of Wyoming. At Wyoming, he helped guide the Cowboys to a Mountain West Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2015, contributing to the development of NBA forward Larry Nance Jr.Wise began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Florida, where he supported the Gators during back-to-back Elite Eight appearances.A former four-year letter winner at Transylvania University, he led the Pioneers to a 2009 NCAA Division III Tournament appearance and earned his master’s degree in sport management from Florida in 2013.

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Rhode Island head coach Tammi Reiss joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on energy, skill and no skipping steps.Tammi Reiss has led the University of Rhode Island women's basketball program to unprecedented success since becoming head coach. In the 2022–23 season, she guided the Rams to a program-record 26 wins and their first-ever Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championship. The year prior, Rhode Island posted 22 wins, marking the first time in program history the team achieved back-to-back 20-win seasons. Under her leadership, the Rams advanced to the WNIT Super 16 in 2023, earning two postseason victories for the first time.Reiss was named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year in both 2020–21 and 2022–23. She was also recognized nationally as ESPNW Coach of the Week on February 14, 2022, and again on February 6, 2023.Before arriving at Rhode Island, Reiss served as an assistant coach at Syracuse, Cal State Fullerton, San Diego State and Virginia, contributing to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and conference titles. Her professional coaching experience includes roles with the WNBA’s San Antonio Silver Stars and Utah Starzz, as well as her alma mater, the University of Virginia.In addition to her collegiate achievements, Reiss was an assistant coach for Team USA’s 3x3 squads, helping lead them to a Bronze Medal at the Olympics and a Gold Medal at the World Championships.She was a four-year starter for the Cavaliers, earning All-American honors in1992. She led UVA to three ACC regular-season titles, two league tournament championships, and three Final Four appearances. Reiss earned All-Conference honors three times in her career and was named to the All-ACC TournamentTeam twice. She ended her collegiate career ranked first in school history in 3-point field goals made (139) and 3-point field goal percentage (.416) and was second in points (1,842) and free throws made (437).Reiss was the fifth overall pick in the 1997 WNBA Draft by the Starzz. She played two seasons for Utah, serving as team captain.

Chris Holguin, the Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach, shares a decade's worth of insights on defense and player development. He discusses how listening and curiosity shaped his coaching path, emphasizing defense's importance in building team chemistry. Holguin reveals effective defensive principles that improved the Clippers' ratings, focusing on accountability and anticipation in player positioning. He also explores the innovative Constraint-Led Approach in training, highlighting tailored drills that cater to both rookies and veterans, ensuring adaptability in skill development.

In this week's basketball coaching conversation, Canisius head coach Jim Christian joins the Basketball Podcast to share insights on their offensive DNA.Jim Christian brings nearly two decades of NCAA Division I head coaching experience to Canisius, with a proven track record of success across multiple programs. He owns over 300 career wins and is recognized as one of the most accomplished coaches in Mid-American Conference (MAC) history, holding the league’s highest winning percentage (.700) and earning MAC Coach of the Year honors twice.Christian led Kent State to five postseason appearances from 2002–08, including two NCAA Tournament berths and three NIT bids. He later guided Ohio University to a 49–22 record in two seasons, winning a regular-season MAC title and earning NABC District Coach of the Year honors. At Boston College, he oversaw the program’s most successful season in nearly a decade, highlighted by a win over No. 1 Duke and a postseason return in 2017–18.He also served as head coach at TCU and held assistant roles at Kent State, Pittsburgh, Miami (Ohio), Western Kentucky, and St. Francis (Pa.). Most recently, Christian was part of Kent State’s staff during back-to-back MAC Championship game appearances and a 2023 NCAA Tournament berth.

Mark Upton, founder of ShootXP and skill acquisition expert, shares his transformative journey in youth sports coaching. He discusses the evolution of coaching methods, emphasizing data-driven approaches that prioritize personal growth over competition. Upton advocates for tailored coaching techniques that meet individual player needs, integrating real-game scenarios into training. He also highlights innovative strategies in shooting techniques, and how embracing a neo-generalist perspective can enrich coaching by blending diverse experiences and modern advancements.

Mike Williams, assistant coach for the Utah Jazz, shares his insights from a successful G League tenure. He discusses the essential 'after action' concept, emphasizing adaptability and effective off-ball movement. Williams highlights tailoring coaching strategies to player strengths and the importance of decision-making in high-pressure situations. Additionally, he dives into maximizing transition offense and creating practice environments that mimic real-game scenarios, fostering improvement in team dynamics and player performance.

DJ Bakker, Assistant Coach for the Charlotte Hornets and Head Coach of the Greensboro Swarm, shares his extensive coaching journey and insights. He discusses the complexities of defensive switching and the need for real-time adaptability. Bakker emphasizes the importance of strategic offensive concepts to exploit defensive switches, highlighting the significance of speed and communication. He also touches on advanced skills such as dribble handoffs and the vital role of player development in enhancing team success.

Sundance Wicks, Head Coach at Wyoming and the 2023-24 Horizon League Coach of the Year, shares his transformative coaching insights. He discusses his 'teach and reach' philosophy, emphasizing the importance of building relationships with players. Wicks delves into advanced strategies to exploit defensive weaknesses and the balance of structured play with player creativity. He also highlights six championship factors crucial for success, particularly in lower divisions, and the role of analytics in modern coaching.

Dive into the fascinating world of basketball coaching where knowledge sharing and analytics redefine player performance. Explore how experiential learning promotes active engagement over traditional methods, enhancing decision-making on the court. Discover the importance of bridging practice with game dynamics to empower players. Learn about the flexibility needed in training, emphasizing personalized techniques rather than repetitive drills. Finally, uncover the role of individuality and supportive coaching in fostering young talent's growth and adaptability.

Kyle Milling, head coach of the Gunma Crane Thunders in Japan’s B.League, dives into the art of adaptive coaching. He compares coaching styles between France and Japan, highlighting the importance of team cohesion. Milling shares insights on building a strong defensive culture and emphasizes tailored strategies based on player strengths. He discusses fostering a positive team atmosphere and the significance of communication and relationships in coaching. Finally, he navigates the evolving strategies necessary for different player age groups and the complexities of modern basketball.