Not Even D2

Not Even D2

by KJ Allison
Non-ProfitBasketball
Season 2

Bill Fennelly - Transforming Iowa State Basketball into a National Power

31-year Head Coach for the Iowa State Cyclones (WBB), Bill Fennelly joins this week's episode of Not Even D2​⁠. Coach Fennelly's 800 career wins is currently 3rd amongst all active coaches in women's basketball. Under Coach Fennelly the Cyclones have averaged 21 wins per season and have made 23 NCAA tournament appearences. Coach Fennelly came to Iowa State in 1995 from previously coaching Toledo (1988-1995). Fennelly has completely transformed the program in every aspect. The Cyclones have been revamped as a national contender year in and year out. The average fan attendance when Fennelly arrived was only 733/game, now the program gets on average 10,000/game. The Cyclones finished the 2024-25 season 23-12 (12-6 Big 12) with a First Four victory over Princeton before falling to Michigan in the Round of 64. With majority of the roster returning, including 3rd-team All-American Audi Crooks, the Iowa State program has high expectations going into the 2025-26 season. ​⁠This episode covers a ton with Coach regarding coaching Audi, contract extension or retirement, Big 12 competition, and his motivations to keep evolving this late in his career. This episode is available wherever you get your podcasts. Make sure to subscribe to the podcasts YouTube channel ​⁠@NotEvenD2 for more sports content. Enjoy the episode! Sneak Peak- 00:00-00:20 Intro- 00:20-07:36 Summer Activities, Family's Involvement with the Program- 07:36-11:13 Building off of Last Year, 2025-26 Roster/Expectations, Helping Freshman Adjust during Summer Sessions- 11:13-15:21 Takeaways from Last 2 March Madness Experiences- 15:21-19:40 Recruiting Audi Crooks / Seeing Her Growth, Developing Post Players- 19:40-25:46 Trust that Iowa State has in Coach Fennelly, Retirement?- 25:46-29:10 "Iowa St. Way" Culture, Developing Fan Support throughout Career- 29:10-37:40 Break- 37:40-37:50 Biggest Changes in WBB through Different Eras- 37:50-41:11 Scout Against Caitlyn Clark / Her Impact in Iowa, Game Against 2025 National Champions (UConn)- 41:11-46:19 Thoughts Surrounding Big 12, Motivations Going into Year 31 Coaching the Cyclones- 46:19-51:15 Rapid Fire (Favorite Cyclone Tradition(s), Unforgettable Game(s), Restaurants in Iowa w/ Not Even D2- 51:15-55:08 Starting 5: Best Big 12 Players in the Last Decade- 55:08-57:10 Outro- 57:10-57:46
S2 · E39
Aug 21, 2025
57:46

Maggie Doogan - Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and the Road to the WNBA

Richmond WBB star, Maggie Doogan joins this week's episode of ​⁠. Maggie has had an eventful summer as she was invited to the AmeriCup Team Trials for Team USA. The senior plans to build upon a successful junior season where she led Richmond to a regular season championship and was a semifinalist for the Mid-Major Player of the Year award. Maggie is from Philadelphia where she attended Cardinal O'Hara and played high school basketball under her mom. After winning a state championship recruitment was busy for the 1st team player. Maggie heard from multiple P4 schools before ultimately committing to play for Coach Roussell and the Richmond Spiders. Each year at Richmond Maggie's stats have gradually increased; this past season (24-25) Maggie averaged 17 points and 7 rebounds while shooting 50/40 from the field. She exploded during March Madness in upsetting Georgia Tech with a 30 point performance and then following that performance with 27 points against the #1 seed UCLA. Maggie was awarded the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, becoming the first player in Richmond history to be awarded player of the year. Hear about her career heading into her final season of college basketball, her March Madness experience, and her future potentially playing in the WNBA. This episode is available wherever you listen to your podcasts. Make sure to subscribe to the podcasts YouTube channel ​⁠ for more sports content. Enjoy the episode! Sneak Peak- 00:00-00:18 Intro- 00:18-06:04 Richmond's Summer Sessions, Leadership Style, Thoughts on the 2025-26 Roster- 06:04-12:31 Team USA Trials, Takeaways from Experience with Team USA- 12:31-17:45 Improving Over the Years- 17:45-20:50 2025 March Madness, Game Against Georgia Tech & UCLA- 20:50-26:03 Growing up in Philadelphia, Cardinal O'Hara HS Basketball, Recruitment to Richmond- 26:03-33:53 Playing Under Coach Roussell- 33:53-36:26 Break- 36:26-36:35 Dealing with Injury during Freshman Year, Richmond's Offensive Style, Personal Reads during 1v1 Matchups- 36:35-42:55 Reaction to Winning A10 Player of the Year- 42:55-45:21 Being a Top WNBA Prospect Going into Last Year of CBB, Future for Maggie- 45:21-47:22 Rapid Fire (Favorite A10 Matchup, Hobbies outside of Basketball, Tips for Balancing School & Sports)- 47:22-49:24 Starting 5: Best A10 Opponents throughout Career- 49:24-52:18 Outro- 52:18-52:54
S2 · E38
Aug 14, 2025
52:54

Robert Jones - Sustained Winning, Culture, and Speaking Truth on MEAC Basketball

3x HBCU Coach of the Year, Robert Jones joins this week's episode of ​⁠. After another year leading Norfolk State to a MEAC title and NCAA tournament appearance, Coach Jones still has high expectations going into his 13th season as head coach of the Spartans. Jones is from Queens, New York and played his college basketball at SUNY New Paltz (D3). He was dominant during his career and was awarded all-american his senior season. He began his coaching career at multiple levels including high school and division 3 institutions before getting an assistant coaching job at Norfolk State. Coach Jones became the head coach at Norfolk State in 2013 and since then has only had one below .500 season. He's been awarded MEAC Coach of the Year 3x in his career along with many other coaching awards. He's brought in some of the most successful players in NSU history including Joe Bryant Jr., Brian Moore, and Kyle O'Quinn. Hear about Coach Jones journey leading up to NSU, his thoughts regarding the controversial 2024-25 MEAC MBB awards, his opinions surrounding MEAC vs. P4 schools, and more. This episode is available wherever you get your podcasts. Make sure to subscribe to the podcasts YouTube channel ​⁠ for more sports content. Enjoy the episode! Sneak Peak- 00:00-00:20 Intro- 00:20-08:11 Coaching "Friends" Around the Country, Relationship with Son, Mindset Behind Giving his Son Scholarship- 08:11-13:26 2025-26 NSU Roster & Preseason, Players Searching for in the Portal- 13:26-18:12 Adapting with the Evolution of Basketball, Playing Career at SUNY New Paltz, D3 Basketball & We Are D3 TBT- 18:12-29:50 Narrative behind MEAC vs. P5 Schools, P5 Schools Avoiding Playing Norfolk State- 29:50-36:36 Approach to Developing Players, Maintaining Success Year to Year- 36:36-41:00 Break- 41:00-41:08 Opinions on 2024-25 MEAC MBB Awards, HBCU Event Challenges- 41:08-50:46 NYC Background, Balancing Swagger vs. Professionalism as a Head Coach- 50:46-01:02:48 Rapid Fire (Favorite Away Arenas, Favorite Things about NYC/VA, Funniest Players Coached)- 01:02:48-01:08:30 Starting 5: Best Players Coached- 01:08:30-01:12:12 Outro- 01:12:12-01:12:47
S2 · E37
Aug 7, 2025
1:12:47

Chill Session: TBT Recap

Bonus
Introducing a new type of episode that ​⁠ will drop every Sunday, CHILL SESSION. Just the hosts will cover various topics involving life, school, sports, or whatever is trending during that week. This week, the hosts talk about the ​⁠ team that competed in the TBT. We Are D3 shocked the world when they upset Boeheim's Army for one of the biggest upsets in TBT history. A team made up of former Division 3 players made it all the way to the Final 4. The episode was recorded prior to their game against the Aftershocks (Wichita State Alum), so a recap of that game is not included. Hear about the hosts week with We Are D3, a recap of each game played, and the effect that this run had on all of Division 3. This episode is available wherever you listen to your podcasts. Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcasts YouTube channel ​⁠ for more sports content. Enjoy the episode! Intro to "Chill Sessions", Narrative Switch for D3 Basketball- 00:00-03:04 Covering We Are D3, First Getting to Syracuse- 03:04-07:00 Game Against Layne's Hope, Preparing for Boeheim's Army- 07:00-14:49 Game Against Boeheim's Army Syracuse Alum), Final Basket in Elam Ending, Game's Effect on Division 3- 14:49-26:33 Game Against Stars of Storrs (UConn Alum)- 26:33-30:21 Game Against Fail Harder, Elam Ending Struggles- 30:21-33:59 Outro- 33:59-35:16
S2
Aug 3, 2025
35:16

Gayle Fulks - Inside the Rise of Davidson Women's Basketball

Heading into her 9th year at the helm of the Davidson women's basketball program, Gayle Fulks joins this week's episode of ​⁠. Fulks looks to build upon her most successful season as a head coach where the Wildcats finished with 19 wins, including 13 Atlantic 10 conference wins. The 2024-25 team also broke a program record of 3 pointers made (250). Coach Fulks had many different coaching experiences becoming a head coach. She began as a video coordinator for the WNBA's New York Liberty before getting an assistant coaching job at Longwood University. After spending four seasons with Longwood, Fulks coached at UNC Greensboro and Wake Forest for a total of six seasons. Davidson finished the season 3rd in the Atlantic 10 behind two teams that made it to the NCAA tournament. The Wildcats have continuously ranked towards the top of the conference in three point categories on both sides of the ball. Hear about Coach Fulks journey leading up to coaching at Davidson, how her offensive philosophies have developed over time, and her experience being a committed international recruiter. This episode is available wherever you get your podcasts. Make sure to subscribe to the podcasts YouTube channel ​⁠ for more sports content. Enjoy the episode! Sneak Peak- 00:00-00:24 Summer Travel / Intro- 00:24-09:28 No Summer Session for Davidson, Following WNBA- 09:28-13:42 Offseason Focus after Successful 24-25 Year, Finding Players in Transfer Portal, NIL Impact on WBB/Davidson- 13:42-22:55 Offensive Philosophies & Developing Offense, Offensive Identity Advancing Defensive System- 22:55-32:28 Recruiting Specific Positions/Play Types, Recruiting Internationally, Overseas Youth System vs. US Youth System- 32:28-42:03 Using Steph Curry as a Tool for the Davidson Program, Steph's Impact on Davidson- 42:03-44:49 Break- 44:49-44:58 Each Coaching Stop & the Impact on Her Coaching Career, Memories Coaching @ Wake Forest- 44:58-51:21 Advice to Coaches Tasked with Rebuilding a Program- 51:21-54:08 Rapid Fire (Favorite BB Memory as a Player, Coaches that she Secretly Admires, Favorite Matchup in the A10)- 54:08-57:55 Starting 5: Best Players Coached Against- 57:55-01:00:44 Outro- 01:00:44-01:01:19
S2 · E36
Jul 31, 2025
1:01:19

Ty Nichols & Sam Peek - Leading We Are D3 in the $1M TBT Tournament

TBT 2025 starts this upcoming weekend! ​⁠ talks with two players on the ​⁠ team ahead of the tournament. Ty Nichols and Sam Peek have had two historic careers at the Division 3 levels and now are big time pros. Ty Nichols is from Springfield, Massachusetts who played his college career at Keene State. He is the all-time leading scorer at the school and has had a successful overseas career leading clubs to their first ever championship cups. Sam Peek went to Wesleyan University where early in his career he was getting limited minutes to finishing his career as an All-American. He transferred to a Division 1 school (Stetson) for his final year of college basketball and worked his way to play in the G-League where he's spent the last two seasons. We Are D3 is coming off of a year winning their first ever game in the TBT. Expectations are higher this year as the team is no longer just an underdog team in the tournament. For more information on where you can follow the TBT, visit: https://tbthoops.com/?__hstc=256726036.0416e71b56630a465892c870f4a0c2ea.1752667169235.1752667169235.1752667169235.1&__hssc=256726036.2.1752667169235&__hsfp=288830304 This episode is available wherever you listen to your podcasts. Make sure to subscribe to the podcasts YouTube channel ​⁠ for more sports content. Enjoy the episode! Sneak Peak- 00:00-00:25 TBT Explained / Intro- 00:25-09:55 Playing in Money Tournaments- 09:55-11:46 Sam's Past Season in the G-League, Summer Workouts- 11:46-15:34 Ty Playing in 1v1 Leagues, Sam Working Out w/ Trainer DJ Sackman- 15:34-20:09 Playing TBT, We Are D3 2025 Roster- 20:09-26:28 Ty's Mindset Going into Elam Ending, Playing in the Syracuse Region- 26:28-29:54 Thought Process Signing Overseas Contract(s)- 29:54-31:31 Keene State & Wesleyan Discussion: Then Vs. Now- 31:31-34:48 Final Words for TBT 2025- 34:48-35:43 Outro- 35:43-36:18
S2 · E35
Jul 17, 2025
36:18

Andrew Toole - Leading Robert Morris University Back to March with a New Conference Crown

​⁠​ @Notevend2 talks with Robert Morris' head coach, Andrew Toole on this week's episode. Coach Toole is entering his 16th year as RMU's head coach after spending three seasons on the Colonians staff. Coach Toole was recognized as the 2025 Horizon League Coach of the Year for the first time of his career. Robert Morris also won their first Horizon League championship and earned their third automatic bid into the NCAA tournament. Toole has led the Colonials during the athletic departments transition from the NEC to the Horizon League. In 2020, RMU won the NEC championship and made it to the NCAA tournament a few days before the tournament would get cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That summer Robert Morris announced their move to the Horizon League. Five years later, Toole has brought RMU to the top of the conference. RMU has been to seven national postseason appearances under Coach Toole's guidance. Toole also played in two NCAA tournaments during his playing days at the University of Pennsylvania. The two-time All-Ivy league player came to UPenn after playing his first two years of college basketball at Elon University. Toole talks about the success RMU experienced this past year making it to the big dance, his favorite memories during his own playing career, and the future of the RMU basketball program. This episode is available wherever you listen to your podcasts. Make sure to subscribe to the podcasts YouTube channel ​⁠ for more sports content. Enjoy the episode! Sneak Peak- 00:00-00:20 NBA Offseason "Losers" / Intro- 00:20-10:37 Following Other Leagues/Sports, Steelers Pride in Pittsburgh- 10:37-14:18 Recap of 2024-25 Season, What Separated 24-25 Roster from Past Season- 14:18-23:15 Offensive Scheme Year to Year, Scouting Process for Alabama in NCAA Tournament, Mindset during Comeback in NCAA Tournament Game- 23:15-29:48 Mindset going Against Legendary Coaches, Memories Playing at U Penn, Playing Experience in NCAA Tournament - 29:48-42:31 Personal Transfer Experience Impact on Coaching Today, Recruiting Alvaro Folgueiras & Him Transferring- 42:31-52:16 Road Bumps Experienced as a Young Head Coach- 52:16-55:44 Break- 55:44-55:52 Moving from NEC to the Horizon League, Future for RMU Program- 55:52-01:04:21 Rapid Fire (Toughest Player to Scout Against, Pregame Superstitions, Cut off Age for 1v1 Against Kids)- 01:04:21-01:06:26 Starting 5: Best Players Played Against- 01:06:26-01:08:30 Outro- 01:08:30-01:09:06
S2 · E34
Jul 10, 2025
1:09:06

Brian Moore Jr. - Mid Major Player of the Year, Now Set to Lead GCU

Brian Moore Jr., the 2025 Lou Henson award winner joins this week's episode of ​⁠. Moore enters his final year of college basketball playing for Grand Canyon University. After winning the mid major player of the year, Moore heard from plenty of Power 5 schools before ultimately deciding to run it back at the mid major level. Moore went to Kingston high school where he finished as the 4th leading scorer in school history. From there he went on to play junior college basketball before getting his first look of Division 1 basketball at Murray State. Moore spent two years playing for the Racers averaging close to double digits in each year. The 2024-25 season was special for Moore as he was now playing for Norfolk State. Moore led NSU to a MEAC regular season and tournament championship. He was the only guard in the country to average over 18 points per game while shooting over 52% from the field. Hear about his journey playing for 4 different colleges, his favorite matchups in the MEAC, and his goals going into the 2025-26 season. This episode is available wherever you listen to podcasts. Make sure to subscribe to the podcasts YouTube channel ​⁠ for more sports content. Enjoy the episode! Sneak Peak- 00:00-00:23 NBA Offseason Winners / Intro- 00:23-10:13 Getting Adjusted to Arizona, Breakdown of NIL for Athletes- 10:13-11:41 Preseason for GCU, JUCO Grind, Mindset Joining a New Team- 11:41-16:50 Transfer Portal Experience, Jordan McCabe Joining GCU- 16:50-19:34 Personal Off-season Focus, Confidence in Midrange & Working on Shot- 19:34-23:52 Buzzer Beater against NC Central, Winning the MEAC, HBCU Culture- 23:52-30:03 Committing to Howard?, Viral Clip with Dior- 30:03-32:56 Story Coming to Kingston, Chris Bamba's Impact on Kingston/Brian- 32:56-39:20 Break- 39:20-39:29 Pride on Being Efficient, Playing for Robert Jones & Future for Coach Jones- 39:29-45:06 Opinions on not Winning MEAC POTY, Favorite Matchups in the MEAC- 45:06-49:24 Goals for 2025-26 Season- 49:24-51:19 Rapid Fire (Song in Pregame Playlist, Most Hostile Gym Played In, Funniest Teammate(s)- 51:19-54:09 Starting 5: Best Teammates throughout Career- 54:09-55:51 Outro- 55:51-56:23
S2 · E33
Jul 3, 2025
56:27

Duane Simpkins- DMV Legend now Leading American to March Madness

​ @Notevend2 talks with current American University men's basketball head coach, Duane Simpkins, on this week's episode. Simpkins grew up in the DMV where he played under legendary coach, Morgan Wootten at DeMatha Catholic. Simpkins was a star and would finish his career as a McDonald's All-American. After a dominant high school career, he was recruited by most schools around the country and would end up committing to Maryland. Simpkins also had a good career at Maryland where he'd finish with 3 All-ACC honors. Even after much success as a player, getting into coaching didn't happen right away. Simpkins would end up becoming the Director of Basketball Operations at Towson University for his first college coaching opportunity. He'd later have stops coaching at the high school levell, UNC-Greensboro, and George Mason. He spent 8 seasons coaching at George Mason before getting his first head coaching opportunity. On April 1st, 2023 American University announced the hiring of Duane Simpkins. The 2024-25 season was just his second season in a head coaching role and he led American to their first NCAA tournament in over a decade. American finished the season 22-13 (13-5) and captured a Patriot League championship. Hear about Simpkins' favorite memories growing up in the DMV, what he learned coaching under different mentors, and how he plans to build upon the success his program recently had. This episode is available wherever you listen to podcasts. Make sure to subscribe to the podcasts YouTube channel ​⁠ for more sports content. Enjoy the episode! Sneak Peak- 00:00-00:56 NBA Finals Recap / Intro- 00:56-07:53 Offseason Differences being HC vs AC, Film Focuses, Developing Plays- 07:53-14:17 What Made AU Special during 2024-25 Season, Americans Fan Support, Patriot League Tournament- 14:17-21:10 Implementing Fast Paced Offense at American, Learning from Kim English- 21:10-24:06 Non-Conference Schedule for 2025-26 Season, How American Stands Out in the DMV- 24:06-30:07 Growing up in the DMV, Relationship with Kenny Blakeney, ACC/Maryland Basketball in the Late 90's- 30:07-42:02 Len Bias Situation & Impact on DMV, Honor Playing for Maryland, Advice to Younger Generation on Getting a Career in Sports- 42:02-50:33 Break- 50:33-50:43 Challenges Becoming a First Time HC, Learning from Mentors- 50:43-55:36 Player Development Process, Goals to Building on Previous Years Success- 55:36-01:02:17 Rapid Fire (Favorite ACC PG Matchup, Intense Arenas to Play/Coach In, Funniest Coaches Worked For)- 01:02:17-01:09:54 Starting 5: Best DMV Players- 01:09:54-01:14:17 Outro- 01:14:17-01:14:52
S2 · E32
Jun 26, 2025
1:14:52

Rob Senderoff- The Quiet Consistency of a Winner

​⁠ talks with the all-time winningest coach in Kent State's history, Rob Senderoff. Outside of taking a two year hiatus where he took his career to Indiana University to coach under Kelvin Sampson, Senderoff has spent the majority of his coaching career at Kent State. In 2011, Senderoff took over as the head coach and has never had a losing season since then. He joins Mark Few and Tom Izzo as the only coaches to never have a losing season (minimum 10 seasons coached). His 288 wins rank 7th all-time in MAC history. Some of his coaching highlights include being awarded the 2022 MAC Coach of the Year, leading Kent State to their first MAC tournament title since 2008, and leading Kent State to nine 20+ win seasons. This past season the Golden Flyers finished the year 24-12 and upset St. Bonaventure and Stanford in the NIT tournament. Hear about Coach Senderoff's philosophies on both ends of the ball, his favorite MAC matchups, and what is left to accomplish for his career and the Kent State program. This episode is available wherever you listen to podcasts. Make sure to subscribe to the podcasts YouTube channel ​⁠ for more sports content. Enjoy the episode! Sneak Peak- 00:00-00:30 NBA Finals Discussion / Intro- 00:30-08:48 Hobbies Outside of Basketball, Following the NBA & Learning from the NBA- 08:48-14:48 Signing Contract Extension, Rumors about Taking Another Job, Kent St Transfer Portal Culture- 14:48-28:51 Family Atmosphere throughout Program, Coaching Tree, Connections through Kent St- 28:51-32:32 Challenges in Sustaining Success, Valuing the Guard Position, Allowing Players to Play Freely- 32:32-41:12 Developing/Evolving Defensive Philosophies, Late Game Execution Strategies- 41:12-55:15 Break- 55:15-55:23 Relationship with Brian Windhorst (New GM?), Future Goals for Kent St Program, Rivalry with Akron- 55:23-01:02:45 UMass Entering the MAC, Being Involved with Social Initiative Movements- 01:02:45-01:09:20 Rapid Fire (Favorite Non Basketball Sport, Underrated MAC Arena, Favorite MAC Road Trip)- 01:09:20-01:11:46 Starting 5: Best Defenders Coached- 01:11:46-01:14:15 Outro- 01:14:15-01:14:50
S2 · E31
Jun 19, 2025
1:14:51
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