Tri-State College Basketball Podcast

by Bryan DeNovellis

Season 6

Rutgers Coach Steve Pikiell talks about the shape of his '26-'27 roster; recruiting in the portal, roster retention, the ever-changing NCAA guidelines, AD Keli Zinn, GM Rob Sullivan and how he'll fill the remaining roster spots.

Steve Pikiell discusses how he shaped his '26-27 roster with the guidance and efforts of Athletic Director Keli Zinn and General Manager Rob Sullivan. He also discusses how recruiting in the portal is constantly evolving, roster retention, recruiting size and rebounders, and how he plans to fill his remaining roster spots.

S6 · E28

May 5, 2026

36:00

UConn falls to Michigan in the National Championship Game; The Huskies bid for a 3rd national championship in four years falls short as Michigan was bigger, stronger, taller and more athletic. Plus the Transfer Portal is officially open.

UConn's bid for a 3rd national championship in four years falls short. Analysis of the game, and post game reaction from Dan Hurley and Alex Karaban. Plus how much did the officiating play a role in this title game? And the transfer portal is officially open. How is it affecting teams in the Tri-State?

S6 · E27

Apr 8, 2026

41:30

CBS Sports Announcer Ian Eagle discusses UConn's stunning comeback over Duke, calling the game-winner by Braylon Mullins, it's place in NCAA Tournament lore, and previews the Final Four matchups in Indianapolis.

Ian Eagle, CBS Lead Play-By-Play Announcer for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, discusses his call on Braylon Mullins game-winning 3-pointer versus Duke; how he described it, where the play and the shot rank among the greatest moments in NCAA Tournament history, and previews the Final Four matchups.

S6 · E26

Apr 2, 2026

30:09

Braylon Mullins hits the shot heard 'round the country to shock Duke and propel UConn into the Final Four for the 3rd time in four years; plus St. John's Sweet 16 is soured by Duke

Braylon Mullins hits one of the greatest shots in NCAA Tournament history, and the biggest shot in UConn history. Breaking down UConn's historic comeback over Duke in the Elite Eight St. John's Sweet 16 is soured by Duke; Duke played "bully ball" while Ruben Prey sat on the bench. Rick Pitino re-signs with St. John's. What's next?

S6 · E25

Mar 31, 2026

52:06

Sportswriter Adam Zagoria "Zags" of nj.com, breaks down the NCAA Tournament draw for St. John's and UConn; No respect for the Big East again; Seton Hall turns down the Crown. What's Next? Plus can Hofstra or LIU pull off an upset in the NCAAs?

4:00 Adam Zagoria analyzes the draw for St. John's. Were the Johnnies under seeded and why is the East the toughest bracket? How far can St. John's go? 20:00 Zagoria analyzes the draw for UConn. Why are they in the same East Region as St. John's? How far can the Huskies go? 29:30 Why did Seton Hall turn down the College Basketball Crown? And what's next for the players and Shaheen Holloway? 42:00 Plus...can Hofstra or LIU pull off an upset in the NCAA Tournament?

S6 · E24

Mar 17, 2026

53:09

Sportswriter Brian Fonseca of nj.com breaks down the hiring of Gary Redus as Rutgers women's basketball coach, and shares his thoughts on what's on tap for the Rutgers MBB team; plus my Big East Tournament preview, the MAAC, CAA and LIU in the NEC.

3:00 Brian Fonseca of nj.com explains why Rutgers hired Gary Redus II as the new head coach of the women’s basketball program. Plus what’s the future for the Rutgers men’s basketball program now that Steve Pikiell will be retained as head coach for at least another year. And…as the Big East Tournament begins, my thoughts on: 32:40 St. John’s 38:50 UConn 45:40 Seton Hall And, I’ll preview: 55:40 MAAC Championship: Merrimack vs Siena. Will Joe Gallo be a hot commodity on the coaching market? 59:00 CAA: Hofstra vs Monmouth? 1:02:30 NEC: LIU punches its ticket

S6 · E23

Mar 9, 2026

1:06:41

Stevens Head Coach Bobby Hurley on qualifying for the DIII NCAA Tournament; Alex Karaban leads UConn over Seton Hall on senior day; Zuby's triple-double helps St. John's rout Villanova; Rutgers wins at Maryland; MAAC Tournament Preview in A.C.

4:30 Interview with Stevens Head Coach Bobby Hurley; The Ducks are MAC Freedom Tournament Champions 20:40 UConn makes the plays late to top Seton Hall; A salute to the ultimate UConn Husky, Alex Karaban. Dan Hurley on Karaban’s career at UConn. 33:40 Where does Seton Hall go from here? How can they get a bid to the NCAAs? 34:40 St. John’s drubs Villanova; A triple-double for Zuby and Ian Jackson comes alive. Zuby on staying at St. John’s. Rick Pitino on coaching Zuby for 3 years. 43:50 Rutgers hangs on to win at Maryland. What players should Rutgers retain? Will Steve Pikiell or Rick Pitino go after Seton Hall big man Najai Hines? 49:30 Rutgers fires Women’s Basketball Coach Coquese Washington 51:30 MAAC Tournament Look Ahead

S6 · E22

Mar 3, 2026

57:33

New York Post sports writer Zach Braziller on St. John's 13-game winning streak and previews St. John's vs UConn Part II; Road Trip - Virginia vs Miami; Seton Hall wins "The Seton Hall Way" Last week in the MAAC; and NJIT locks up a Top 4 seed

4:00 Zach Braziller breaks down St. John’s 13-game winning streak and previews St. John’s vs UConn in Hartford 24:45 Road Trip to UVA: Thoughts on Virginia vs Miami 28:45 Seton Hall defeats Georgetown “The Seton Hall Way” 34:50 Final week of the regular season in the wild MAAC; Merrimack Coach Joe Gallo could be a hot commodity; Look out for Fairfield and Iona 43:00 NJIT loses to Vermont but secures a top 4 seed in the America East

S6 · E21

Feb 24, 2026

47:06

NYU Women's Coach Meg Barber on NYU's record-breaking 82-game win streak. Plus UConn gets back on track vs Butler; Seton Hall bounces back with a win over Providence; Monmouth and Hofstra rise in the CAA; NJIT is building bricks; and CCSU in the NEC

4:00 NYU Women’s Coach Meg Barber on NYU’s 82-game winning streak 23:40 UConn tops Butler. Solo Ball was balling. Dan Hurley reaction. 32:50 Seton Hall shows resilience in beating Providence. Shaheen Holloway reaction. 46:00 Monmouth and Hofstra rise to the Top 4 in the CAA thanks to Kavion McClain and Cruz Davis 51:25 NJIT is building bricks in the Brick City in a record-setting season 55:45 CCSU has won 3 straight to start February

S6 · E20

Feb 14, 2026

1:00:00

Montclair State Coach Justin Potts. The Red Hawks are #1 in DIII for the 1st time. St. John's tops UConn then squeaks past Xavier. How will UConn respond? An epic collapse by Seton Hall vs Creighton. And is Fairfield this year's Mount St. Mary's?

2:30 - Montclair State Coach Justin Potts 30:00 St. John’s knocks off UConn and squeaks past Xavier in OT 32:00 The X-Factor Dylan Darling; no one has bigger church bells. Rick Pitino praises his son. 41:00 UConn looks to regroup after losing to St. John’s. Dan Hurley reaction. 50:00 Seton Hall’s epic collapse in the final minute vs Creighton 1:07:00 MAAC - Merrimack, St. Peter’s and is Fairfield this year’s Mount St. Mary’s?

S6 · E19

Feb 11, 2026

1:15:31

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