Red October to Blue November
Nate, Dan, Bill and Leon discuss the preseason rankings and the season expectations as we get closer to the 2022-23 season start and the Philadelphia sport teams continue to set high expectations.
Transcript
Welcome to Dragonscast
Nate H: Hello everybody and welcome to Dragonscast, the Drexel basketball podcast. I'm Nate and we've got Dan Leon and Bill with us here tonight. So, um, essentially calling this our season preview podcast for both teams, the men and the women. Um, it was a lot going on right now, so we're a little early on this.
Um, but you know, it seemed like a good time to do it. I was trying to mentally decide how many different things are going on between the World Series, Dan, throughout the Union, we have a Drexel graduate who could get a card to the championship four at nascar. I don't know and cares about NASCAR except me, but hey, it's out there and, you know, Eagles are undefeated playing Pittsburgh, by the way, so there's a million things going on Halloween and so, but we're just gonna get this outta the way.
We just had the preseason polls come out. So definitely a lot to talk about as far as that goes. What to start out though. You know, we had a great discussion last week with Coach Amy Mallon or the women's team and I, I guess the best way I could put it is I remember I really wanted to go to bed early or as soon as I was done on the podcast last, last Thursday.
Follow Up to Coach Mallon Pod
Nate H: And I think you, you have conversations with certain people that it just kind of sticks with you and you're like, man, and it give you a lot to think about and it's hard to fall asleep cuz you're thinking about all the, the things that she touched on and you just, like, that feeling you get around that program just makes you feel good.
And that was the other thing, I just, yeah, like this good vibe after that and so I didn't fall asleep like I wanted to. So, uh, that's a good thing. So it was a great, great conversation with her. And I know, uh, you know, Dan, you listened after the fact and, but any other kind of parting thoughts you guys had about that conversation?
Dan C: Yeah, it's funny. I, I loved having the chance to tune in, uh, and listen to it for once, but I, I was actually so anxious to listen to, um, that pod that I, uh, I didn't wait for the mix to come out and I just literally just downloaded her track. So I didn't hear your questions or anything else. I just heard her voice for like, and, and, and I was, I was, uh, I, I, I did listen back to it with you guys.
Um, when I got home, I was just on the road, so I couldn't, couldn't do it myself for the first like 20 minutes. And, uh, it was awesome. I, I wrote it down, but there were four words. I said, Energy, Confidence, Passion and Genuine. I. I think that's, that's what came across to me. Um, and man, that's pretty good, right?
Like that's, I think if you're a coach, it's kinda what you're going for. Uh, but she was incredibly believable, incredibly down to earth. Uh, I love the story, the, the backstory, talking about, you know, coaching, bartending, waitressing, moving furniture all while being at school. Like that kind of grind, that kind of hustle.
Um, you know, you could see how that mentality would, would, would project onto her players. When you get somebody like a Hannah Nihill or something like that. Clearly that relationship is special. Um, just really cool, just really, I enjoyed the heck out of, of listening to all of it. And I, I really like the fact that you guys split it up like 50 50 on the court and off the court.
Cause I think I like the off the court stuff, you know, really learning the backstory and about what drives her, what makes her a great coach, kind of, Um, just as much as I liked hearing about the, on the court, you know, um, or, or hearing about her thoughts on Anthony getting thrown out, whatever else, you know, it was, um, you know, it was fun.
It was just a fun time. So I appreciate, appreciate you guys having, having her on and, um, and her taking the time and, and just being a really cool interview.
Leon M: The genuineness. I, I think it was like one of those things where you'd ask a question and you'd get a very direct and upfront answer. And I think that was a little refreshing. Um, uh, and also the fact that she has a very unique backstory, right? Like e she went into it, she kind of took us from her, you know, high school, college career to all the way to right now.
And it was like she played basketball with Dr. Dr. J like that's, that's some crazy stuff, right? Like it's, it's not, And, and also the, just the, you can see the drive that she has and that she's been able to instill in this program. And, you know, coming with Coach Dillon behind her and, and through that all you can tell that they've kind of homegrown this, uh, very unique, I would say, very unique, uh, culture that is gonna be hard for anybody else to manufacture.
Like, and I'm so glad that Coach Mallon stuck around cuz it seems like she did have offers from the conversation you guys had. She was very open about that as well. But I'm so glad she stuck around because again, that, that, that takes, that's stuff that grows exponentially. But to get to that exponential growth and like kind of that, uh, people coming back from the program returning to the DAC unannounced, just to kind of watch the new team play, that kind of stuff.
It's, it's. It's hard to grow other than like organically. And when it does happen organically, it, it's, it's amazing and it, it can, it can vanish in her heartbeat because if, if she decided to go to another program, you wouldn't have somebody probably as, as close to it maybe. But you know, that, that it was so, I think it was so special that, and I'm a person that historically has been, admittedly not very close to following the women's program, but after that podcast, I, I don't know how I can not, it was just not only do, do they have a great team coming into this year, they have no transfers, which is, which is insane in this day and age.
And listening to Coach Mallon, it's hard not to get pumped. So I'll definitely be going to some games this year.
Bill M: She was great. You know, like quickly said, she was, you know, very straightforward and the, the program that she's built is amazing, really. I think that's the biggest takeaway I had as well, is that, you know, you know, the players coming back, um, the zero transfers, uh, that, that's, that's unbelievable.
Uh, like I was just looking at, you know, on the men's side, the rosters for pretty much the entire conference and, you know, some teams lost all but three players, all but all but four players. Um, and she lost no one. So it's, it's incredibly impressive to keep all those people around. And, and, and she sounded very dedicated to Drexel as well, I thought, like, it sounded like this is where she wants to be.
She's not job hunting. I mean, I obviously people are offering her spots but she likes it here, wants to take us to the next level and uh, yeah, it was just a very impressive interview.
Dan C: Yeah, and I think you guys both touched on, and I want to wrap it back, but yeah, the no transfers thing really, you know, that strikes me, and it's not just a men's side thing, right? She said 30 women's programs, I think nationally didn't have transfers last year. So it's the top 10% essentially, right?
It's elite company. And, and I think Bill, what you just said last was really, hit me, very much, which is that she doesn't have a desire to leave, you know, she said at the end of the pod, you know, my desire is to be here for a long time. How often do you hear that in coaching from, you know, a successful younger type, you know, just doesn't happen a whole lot.
And I think that helps build that buy-in. But, um, you could tell that she kind of believes in these players and she has that relationship with these players where she's putting as much into them as, as they're given to her. And, and, um, she's doing the same thing with Drexel. Right. And I do appreciate, we haven't talked about Eric Zilmer on this podcast in a while, but listen, let's be honest like he, he got Denise paid, he got her paid, right? Like that's, that's comfortable. Whatever. I mean, they may have done something else besides money, but you know, they took care of them, was just the point she made on the podcast. Right. You know, and, and, yeah, there are times where I wish she had, you know, maybe gone to the front office a few more times , for the athletics department fought a little bit harder for areas of athletics. But this is clearly, this was an area that was important to him and he made it important to John Fry. And going back Constantine Papadakis. And so that, that shows a belief in personnel. I think that's important. And it's, it's good to hear the school have, so just all of it.
But I guess, yeah, that, that bit where she doesn't wanna leave, that she's not trying to, she's not recruiting you so she can move on. Right. Most coaches these days are recruiting you and they want to jump and, and they want, they're gonna sell you on that. You have the ability to jump Right. You know, Um, she's not doing that.
She's, she's here to win with you. And I think that's a really cool and unique message that she gets to share. And, and she's got the body of work where no other coach can come into and recruits the house and say, Nah, she's BSing you. Right, can't do it, can't do it with her. So, very neat. Very neat. And, cool individual, like I said, cool time and, and appreciate you guys bringing those points up.
Bill M: It seems like she's, recruiting to a family is what it seems like, like a very successful basketball family. And you bring people in and they wanna stay and you see that and, and grow. It's, it's really amazing. So I'll leave it at that.
Nate H: Yeah, I think, and, and speaking of openness, and I think one of my concerns with keeping the roster together and avoiding transfers was, you know, playing time. And, I mean, Anthony actually, that was maybe the touchiest question I, I had for her, you know, was like, cuz I always, I was like, she only went like seven or eight deep.
And for me that's only, But I mean, that may be her philosophy. I know, you know, you feel like you, you feel the sense that coaches wanna get guys in just so they don't leave. Guys or women. But she didn't really play that way. You know, she played I against the roster and the, the lineups she thought were best and then somehow kept her, you know, kept, And Hetta Saatman is somebody I'm gonna use as a classic example who had a big role two years ago and then hardly ever played last year with Tess Brugler coming in and Hetta Saatman's back this year.
And I think she specifically brought up her having a bigger role. So I think, and, and then the comment she made almost like unsolicited was how, you know, if the worst problem you have at my program is playing time and I've done my job and it was a great way to put it and obviously kind of highlights why she's able to keep this roster together and this era of play now I wanna play right now.
It was just interesting to hear that. And, so, so yeah, great interview and, you know, good luck to that program, thinking big things. So, but any other thoughts you guys had?
Preseason Polls: Womens
Dan C: Well, I think if we're talking about big things, we gotta jump to the preseason polls, right?
Nate H: Yep. So let me, I'm gonna kind of read it off here first and, I'm switching to the page and maybe we'll just start out with the, the, preseason teams, because the picture on the CAA page is, Keishana Washington. So of course, you know, she's a preseason player of the year. And then, um, so I'm gonna screw up names, so I'm not gonna go through one by one.
Uh, you know, I, I worked hard to, to say Jenna Annecchiarico . Hopefully I'm saying that right. But she's, you know, I read somewhere online, you know, she's sort of maybe the, the, you know, Keishana doesn't win it and Annecchiarico could, could get in there. , so, you know, the, the guard from Charleston, scrappy player, she's fun to watch too.
And so interesting that, uh, you know, two players, Riley Casey and Sydney Wagner from William & Mary. Made the first team and despite that, uh, William & Mary was actually picked seven. So maybe speaks to some of the balance in the league, but, , but yeah. So we only, I would say only, but we had, you know, Keishana was our representative on the first and second teams all conference preseason and then, um, you know, then going through the polls and yeah, of course we were picked first.
Um, I think some other notables, uh, just to say, uh, that, that, uh, Towson in Delaware who had kind of been right up there with us the last few years have dropped out a bit. Fifth and sixth again speaks to the stability of our program cuz both those programs lost their head coaches, going into this year.
And I think they had a fair number of transfers too. I know Towson did for sure. Um, and then, yeah, you still see those, you know, um, Carolina teams like Charleston and Elon and then, uh, you know, they were second and fourth and then sneaking in there, Stony Brook, a newcomer into the conference you like, on the men's side seemed like all the new teams were kind of congregated at the bottom.
You know, Stoney Brook seeks in there. Looks like there'll be a nice addition to the conference. So, So yeah, the big take home is, you know, once again, uh, you know, like we've talked about on the podcast, the women's program has the target on their back and, they're gonna get everybody's best shot night in night out.
So that by itself makes it for a fun season. So any thoughts at the poll and any, anything that stood out to you guys?
Dan C: It wasn't a unanimous decision, right? I mean, it wasn't quite the slam dunk. I think the loss of Hannah maybe, you know, had some people, um, with, with other votes. But, well, the biggest thing that struck me is that Drexel's picked first fairly, he heavy favorite, I think it was 10 of 13 first place votes. And Amy's vote can't be for her own team.
So it's really 10 of 12 possible first place votes and, um, only one, not not just first team or, uh, with, with Keishana but she was the only first, second, nobody was even honorable mention, you know, they were saying we've only got one of the top 15 players in the league and yet are a slam dunk for, you know, first on your ballot and the standings.
That, that speaks to program, right? That speaks to just respect for the Drexel program. , I think, my guess is come the end of the year, the players probably will have a few more DUs next to them, in that first, second, third team. But that was what, what immediately jumped out at me. The only other thing there, obviously Stony Brook is a big addition to the conference. You don't really know what you're getting, which is exactly what, uh, Coach Mallon said, you know, with Towson and Delaware. Just a ton of turnover. Um, I, I don't know much about the new teams besides Stony Brook, but I know Stony Brook is kind of year and year out a pretty good program.
Obviously they're gonna have to deal with the jump. This is a better league than what they were in, but they're gonna compete. They, they're gonna be pretty good. Um, and you know, Charleston, Charleston gave the Dragons a run for their money last year. If you remember those two games, both at the DAC, they lose that game of the DAC.
Is that the game they lost?
Nate H: the winning streak. Yeah,
Dan C: And I thought they honestly should have lost in Charleston, right? I mean, they got a, they got a really nice whistle in that Charleston game and then they ran that baseline inbounds play. It was one of the, those memorable plays of last year. I know that cuz my memory sucks and I still remember it. They're gonna give 'em a run, I think. So I get that where the top of the standings are, but I'm a, I'm a big believer in, obviously in Coach Mallon, but the program, and to your point, Nate, they've got a lot of returnees that we're not talking about. And I think I expect some of those people to show up.
Also, I did wanna point out a, a newcomer. The, uh, the shooter from New England that she was talking about is from Westford, Massachusetts, which is right where I grew up. Um, so very excited to see some fresh blood, uh, coming from that area of the country. Um, but yeah, I, I expect, I guess the whole league expects good things out of, out of our team.
Nate H: Yeah. And you thrown out too. Um, Kylie Lavelle, we talked about briefly from Riverside too, so I, I don't know, I you, again, I haven't seen this freshman class, but I mean, just on paper I'm looking through. Um, Yeah, it looks pretty impressive and, and I, I'm, I'm pretty high in this team and I'll briefly in a second go through, I kind of went through the schedule to see what I thought, but I mean, again, yeah, a lot of these, a lot of these players, again, they didn't get a lot of playing time last year, so, you know, getting the opportunities, you know, like working in Hyduke, I think, you know, it showed flashes last year and, and now getting the opportunity to step up, I think you know, could, could make a big difference. And I, I liked, you know, I, I asked her about recruiting and if she's bringing in sort of different players and what we saw with Denise Dillon I think, you know, Jasmine Valentine were already same. She's gonna be junior, she's been around for a little bit, But Sira Ba, who's gonna be a sophomore this year, you know, in the time that we got to see her bigger type player and athletic.
So I'm curious to see what step she makes this year. So I, I don't know. I'm, I'm so pretty high on this team, and I mean, for obvious reasons. I mean, they just, they always seem to reload, as she said. So, um, you know, despite not having those recognitions, I mean, the post-season honors are the ones that matter and, um, I think we may see some more people pop up on those teams at the end of the year.
Dan C: Yeah, I liked the, um, the Bailey Greenberg 2.0. Right. Like put those expectations on a kid before they've played their first collegiate games. That's, that's fun. But I I, I like that too, right? Like they lost Hannah Nihill, like, no kidding, But Hannah Nihill won every award. She's been to the conference final every single year she's been here.
Like she was your leader in every sense of the word. You lost her. And when you ask her about her expectations, she's like, we should go deeper into the post-season. Like, she's not playing that kind of bullshit expectations game.
She really isn't. This is, this is, she sets, she has a high standard, she sets it.
Let's go. She's not a, she's not afraid to share it publicly and challenge herself and her players, which I think is awesome.
Nate H: Yeah. And I'll, I'll go through, I guess I, I went through the schedule and, and I'm drinking the Kool-aid this is the homer, uh, you know, pick of, of the century, I guess. So, I mean, but let hear me out though. You know, looking at the schedule, I mean, um, you know, non-conference. I think it's a nice schedule and, uh, you know, they, I think the toughest stretch they go to at Buffalo, who was second in the MAC this year.
I was on Getsomemaction.com. I have to point that out. And then they, um, I don't think they had their media day yet, or maybe they don't know, but they were second in the, in the league last year. So that's a tough trip. And then a few days later they go to Longwood who are second in the Big South and they're the ones that I think today had their media day.
So that's a tough stretch. But otherwise you look, you know, Yale was third in the Ivy Pick, third Dartmouth was seventh. Obviously the Penn State home game is gonna be difficult. Um, but it's interesting that Big 10 only picks a top five. So I don't really know where they think they're gonna shake out. So I'll be honest, I went through and I, I, I was like, they're probably not gonna win back to, or, you know, back to back games on the road at Buffalo and Longwood is in Farmville, Virginia.
That's a tough trip. And I think it's a weeknight. So, I mean, you look through it. And then what I was trying to say too is like, I think I like the, our travel schedules. So we get Elon and Charleston at home, which is a pretty nice break. And yeah, so we don't have to make maybe arguably two of the toughest trips in the conference.
So, I mean, yeah, if she puts these pieces back together, we have a good potential to have another type of season like we did last year. So I'm not gonna tell you, it sounds like I totally am drinking the Kool-Aid if I tell you the record that I picked. Uh, but, uh, it could be very good if, and I'm confident they're gonna put the pieces together.
Dan C: I want to hear the record. We'll label it like brought to you by Flo Sports.
Nate H: I, I got 28 and 1, like I said, that's the complete homer schedule and that's why it's, it's a completely worthless thing to say, but why wouldn't we beat LaSalle and Maryland Eastern Shore and Lehigh, you know,
Dan C: Who's the loss? I gotta know who we're
Leon M: Yeah, exactly.
Nate H: I'm like at Buffalo. So, um, but again, this is, and, and to, and Bill has made this point too. It's like, I don't know, I, I, I'm the type, and this, I'm gonna say this with the men's side too. It's like, I, I need to see these teams to really know who's left and what they look like. So I have no clue.
But all I'm saying is based on our history and, you know, what I saw last year and then the way the schedule sets up, I mean, again, all I'll say is we, all these games are very, I feel like, are very winnable. So, and I'm sure she's gonna do good job of mixing in lineups and whatnot, but all I'm saying is I, I'm confident, whatever.
So it's a total homer pick. But hey, I've been wrong before. If Phillies made the World Series, what do you want me to do?
Bill M: I think that, I think the interview, the interview really sets you, uh, sets you on fire about this, about the program in general here, 28 and 1
Nate H: Eagles are 6-0, you know, that's how I'm feeling right now. So, but, but I, Any other thoughts? I, I don't know if anybody else had briefly looked at the schedule, we should feel good about this team.
Leon M: I was gonna go 29 and 0 man. Come on. At this point, just let's just commit to it and just lean into it.
Nate H: if you're James Franklin, you want 1-0, so that's all he's worried about. So we'll go the James Franklin route. So, and as we know, the women start, so what's the, the 10th? November 10th. So we'll talk more about that coming up, but, um, and Leon gave you, hopefully other people have that same feeling.
They wanna go out to a game, so get people out and support this team.
Preseason Polls: Mens
Nate H: So. Alright, so let's pivot, so we'll talk about the, the men's team. So I'll start out, uh, same thing going through. Um, so, and, and top, the first thing you see on our webpage is, uh, let go through the, the all conference teams, if I can find at the bottom.
But the, the picture of Aaron Estrada and, uh, the pre-season player of the year. I, I, yeah, you could talk about Cam Holden and Thompson down at Towson. Uh, but from what I saw last year, Estrada, I mean, he lit us up with that midrange jump shot. So I don't have any beefs with that. Towson with three players on the first team, Holden, Thompson and Timberlake, and then Jameer Nelson, Jr from Delaware, rounding out the, the first team with, with the Estrada so second team, you know, JyΓ‘re Davis who came on especially in the tournament last year. Phillips from UNCW Smith from Charleston, and then Telfort from Northeastern. And then there's our man, Amari Williams on the second team. So excited to see him there.
And then, uh, I won't go through the whole honorable mention group, but I guess similar to the women. We only have one player on any of the teams, and it was Amari Williams and then going through the poll. So, you know, we got, we're picked seventh with Towson favored, Uh, we'll just give the top five, let's say Towson, Hofstra, uh, Delaware, Charleston, and then UNC Wilmington.
And then, like I said, the, uh, the newcomers taking up by my account with four of the last five spots. So not too much expected outta them, but maybe they'll surprise somebody. So, uh, that's how things look going into the season, so. Alright. Uh, any thoughts you guys have? Maybe we'll start with Bill.
Bill M: I mean, going back to the preseason team first, I thought that Towson having three on there was a bit much, I mean, it, I know they're preseason favorites, they're brought a lot back, but I just think that, I don't know it, I would highly doubt by the end of the season that they're gonna have three people on the first team All Conference.
Um, you know, I don't know if Amari was completely robbed, but I think Amari very easily could have been, um, on there instead of one of the, um, Towson players. Um, he's similar stats to I think, uh, Charles Thompson. So, and he was defensive player of the year, so he could have easily been on there. But again, you know, they're picked first and uh, I just think three's a lot for first team.
Other than that, no real complaints. We don't have anyone else who has the stats to, you know, even be considered for, um, pre-season conference teams. Hopefully that'll change when it comes to the actual All Conference team. We'll need somebody to step up and at least be close to, you know, getting on one of those teams in order for us to be successful this year.
Leon M: Does Towson have a lot of returning players? Or like what's is so they didn't have as many transfers either they seem like more of the definitive number one here than even our Women's Drexel team. Right?
Bill M: They return their top four scorers
Leon M: Okay.
Bill M: And I would say that they have some pretty good recruits coming. But I think it's probably mostly based on returning the top four scores. Not a lot of players, not a lot of teams in the league, uh, return anywhere near that. Like, even like Hofstra like Hofstra's picked number two, right?
I mean, Hofstra has like three guys back that contributed on the roster last year. Like, they have three guys. I mean, they're, they're good players and they have Estrada and, and you know, Darlinstone Dubar. I mean they're, uh, you know, those two are high producing, but they, like I said, it's three guys.
Whereas Towson returns their top four, not just three guys for the entire roster. So it, it's just a crazy turnover. And, you know, they were good last year, um, bringing back those guys. I think that's probably why they're picked number one. I, I think they're the clear cut number one in my opinion.
Nate H: I guess, you know, for me, Towson, it's like, you know, you just waiting for them to figure out how to put it all together. And last year, that first round game they had with Thompson and Holden both got hurt in that first game. And that's why as a Drexel fan, I was sitting there like, licking my chops. I'm like, Man, if we could figure out a way to get through Delaware, got a good chance to go to the semi final.
And of course we didn't and Delaware won the whole thing, but for some reason it just seemed like they can't put it all together. I feel like they have good talent, but when it comes to, I guess in a sense of putting it all together, organized and discipline in a tournament type setting, they can't really necessarily do it.
So, they'll prove that this year for me, so.
Dan C: Yeah, I, I thought a couple things. I mean, I agree with you on Towson and I do think that Pat Skerry's got a little bit of the Bruiser Flint. The worst thing that he could possibly happen to him is to be picked first, you know, um, that they will have a target on their back. Uh, he's probably got the upperclassmen and he's got the talent to deal with it, but he's, it's a big year.
It's a big year for him, uh, to kind of prove that, that he can do it when he's, when he is pick at the top, when he has those expectations. Um, From a Drexel perspective. Turn the page there for a minute. Um, it's tough, I think to look at Northeastern, who's coming off of I think a three basket season, um, to be picked in front of you, right?
Like, I mean, it's, it's, they were, they were atrocious last year. I think they had all kinds of, I don't know if on the court, on the court, but they were, they were a mess. I mean, there's injuries, there's covid, there's no, but they were, they were terrible. Um, so to be picked behind them, um, is, is a big testament.
And this is a coach's poll from what I saw on the website. So this is your peers essentially saying to you, We think Bill Coen can build a program in one year that at our place, which you've done in six to Zach Spiker and, uh, I, I'd have a chip on my shoulder. I have all this respect in the world for Bill Coen but he's, he's almost rebuilding from scratch.
Um, now they say the transfers, you know, the transfers and the recruits are very, very good. You know, every, all the reports out of there. But you hear that about everybody's transfers and recruits. You know, I, I, I have some folks up there, I believe a little bit more than most. So yeah, I believe they're probably gonna be pretty decent.
And Bill Coen a good coach. But, um, the idea that, um, you know, we there picked next to Drexel. It wasn't like they were picked well above, but I, I think it was a bit of a knock. I thought it was a bit of a knock and, you know, can you combine that with, with Amari Williams second Team Bill and, um, you know, not a lot of respect, not a lot of respect for the Dragons, um, from the coaches around the conference, which I thought was interesting.
Nate H: Where do you think that lack of respect comes from? What do people think we're missing?
Dan C: Well, listen, obviously, obviously. you lost Cam it's easier to point to you lost Cam when sometimes it's easier, um, to point to we lost this. Northeastern didn't lose anything cuz they weren't any good. So you can talk about you, when you talk about Northeastern, you're can talk about what they brought in. When you talk about Drexel, you're gonna talk about what they lost, right?
So some of it is perspective. So I think that's, that's part of it. But I just, I don't know. I don't know. Um, I don't know. There's been a ton of buy-in, um, to, to our program for the last decade, to be honest with you. I mean, I think we've been fairly consistently underrated in, in these polls ever since.
Kinda we dropped off under brew, never, never really got that respect back. Um, and they're gonna have to punch some folks with the teeth to, to earn if they want it. But it's not there yet.
Bill M: I think it is like the program Dan, right? Like it's, they look at the women's team who pretty much, you know, Keishana Washington's returning, so that's like big returnee. But then after that there's not, a lot of returning production as far as points go, whereas like, you know, so, but the program is always strong, so they're pick number one.
Like, it's, there's, there's a confidence there that they're gonna be at or near the top despite all of those losses. Whereas the men's team doesn't have that track record of success. I mean, we went to, you know, we went to the tournament a couple years ago, but I think we, we were six at the time. It was a weird year.
Um, but what's the highest We finished fourth? Was that this year? This is the past year we finished fourth. So, um, you know, I, I just don't think that we, like you said Dan, we don't, there's the respect isn't there for the program that, you know, with all of these losses that we're just gonna, you know, fill those gaps and, be a successful team again, this season.
Nate H: You know, I was saying I wanted to comment on the, the podcast you guys had with recruits and related to Cam and, you know, before I came on, they, Penn State basketball, social media, showing the team picture and then there's Cam Wynter so kinda interested to, to see some of his games this year. I, you know, I, I don't know if I was in the minority camp last year or where it was, uh, you know, I'm maybe sounding crazy for the second time after picking the women to go 28 1, but I, I, you know, Is it a loss?
Yes. I, I don't know that it's a, you know, devastating loss and, and I go back, I, I guess I'm trending back to that CAA tournament game again, where things were setting up. If we got by Delaware, we could find ourselves in the, in the final or at least the semifinal. And, you know, Cam coming out in the second half, red hot on fire.
Finally, we get some points and we're, we're getting close and he's running his mouth to the Delaware players. You're still looking at scoreboard, we're still down what, Five, seven points? Something like that. And then he kind of disappeared the rest of the game. And like there was never that like Cam Wynter game where it was like, like you think of the, the women's game last year and the, um, I can't remember who we played.
We, we came back from a big deficit in one in the, in the women's NIT where Keishana Washington, I mean, just went nuts brought us all the way back and won the game. He had games where he, you know, was hot and got close, but there was not that game and I, I, I never saw that from him. So I guess I'm not as like the world is, I don't know.
You guys are either, but I'm not like the world is over cuz Cam Wynter left. I think hopefully we can fill in with some other guys and maybe surprise at what they could do.
Bill M: I mean, I think Cam is one of the most decorated players ever played play at Drexel. And he's, uh, you know, was very successful here. But, um, I don't think it's like the end of the world that we've, that we've lost him either. I mean, you, you. His time was up, he was here four years. You know, that's how long you get a guy for, I mean, this weird covid years allowed him to move on to, you know, Penn State for another year.
But, um, well, I think it'll be missed. I mean, it depends, like you said, it'll depend on the guys behind of how much he's missed. Like, is, is Justin Moore ready to go if Justin Moore's ready to go and, you know, he can, he can fill in for the, like some of our other freshman point guards, uh, have over the years, whether it's Cam or, um, you know, Kirk Lee for a year, um, trial for a year.
Like those, we've always had a freshman point guard step up. So if, if he comes in and comply, then we won't miss Cam that much. But, you know, we didn't just lose Cam either. And I think that's, there's, there's a lot of other pieces that went. I mean, Xavier Bell's a big loss, James Butler, maybe less of, less of a big loss because of how good Amari's become, but.
Even Malik Martin, like we lost just a lot of guys, a lot of production, and there's a lot of unknowns with this team of who's gonna be that, who's gonna be that guy who steps up, Who's the, who's the bat, uh, the Robin to, uh, Amari's Batman. You know, we, we need, we need serious, you know, increases in production from a number of guys in order for us to have a successful season.
Leon M: I guess that's what happens when you lose like top, I think if you lost top all top four of our scores. Is that that sound right? Bill? So I, you know, to your point again, Cam, Great player took his first point guard at Drexel that I got to see take us to the tournament.
Uh, and just like, uh, so I definitely will always like him as a player, but you know, there is, his loss will only be trued out if we can't find a Point Guard. If Justin Moore is a good point guard, I think it'll be okay. We'll, we'll make do and, uh, there's Amari still around, so, but if, uh, if that doesn't pan out, then I think because of the other losses, like Xavier Bell too.
And I think, you know, you might start wishing otherwise, but I still wish him all the best in his, you know, he, he did four years, he did his time. It was okay for him to move to Penn State.
Nate H: You know, I, I plan to go see him. I agree. I'm in a root for him. And, but, and like, Bill listening to you describe some of the incoming freshmen had me excited. Yeah. Can you expect them to walk right in the door and, and be, you know, first team All CAA players? No. You know, I will say though, Spiker in his time has kept taking us to like a next level in certain positions and hey, maybe this guy takes us even to another level.
I don't know, but I'm excited to see what the next guy is gonna do for us. So see how it pans out.
Dan C: I mean, Amari, I'm interested to see what he did with the off season. I think he got pushed around a little bit against Towson against Delaware at times. You know, uh, I'd like to see him be a little more physical, so see if he put on some weight in the off season.
It sounds like maybe that happened. And also see, you know, 61% free throw shooter last year. That's certainly an area where if he works on it, there's a lot of room for growth. Um, but if he, if he can make, um, continued progress, he doesn't make need to make the Rob Battle, you know, leap that, that Rob made between software engineer.
Cause he's already so, so, so far along. But if he makes continued progress, you are returning, you know, three legit shooters around him. Right. And Oden was 41% last year, Okros was 40, Trane was 36. Um, you know, you kind of look at the Zach Spiker system. That offense should be pretty good. Like that offense should work, uh, with three legit shooters of an elite shot blocking big man, you know, in the middle.
Um, and then, you know, obviously point guard is, is what we're talking about here. That's the big one. But hypothetically the system works. If you walk in a room with. You know, look at what Zach Spiker does, what he's done since, since he's been here, and, and say, These are the types of players we want. He has those players and we have a whole bunch of mystery bags of guys coming in that Bill's giving us a pretty good breakdown on.
But, you know, if, if a couple of those guys can pan out, give you decent minutes, you know, your concerns are gonna be injuries, your concerns are being in depth, but it should at least be a competitive team, my opinion. Right. I mean, I, I don't think the baseline is as far as, as low as we might make it out to be is, you know, presumed health, but always presumed health with everybody's preview.
Um, I'm, I'm a little, I don't know, I'm, I'm still intrigued. Um, the defense obviously is, is the one has always been the question, Right? That's always been the question with this crew. And it's good to hear col and on Media Day talking about defense. Defense is all he wanna talk about. So hopefully that, that culture is, is getting there.
Leon M: We're also picked like sevenths, right? And middle of the Pack isn't a bad place to be. I'll I'll with this team that we have. And I'm, uh, and I, and the next team below us is like that, got 30 less votes. So it's a pretty big drop after the seventh place in the, in, in that, uh, preseason poll.
So, you know, I feel like definitely chip on our shoulder, but only place to go. I think for this team we should be able to hopefully finish better than that. So I'll take it.
Nate H: I guess if you're talking about chips on their shoulders. So I'm looking at UNC Wilmington Pick fifth, and I mean, not a bad place to be, but that team just couldn't get anybody's respect whether that was right or wrong. I, I personally, I can't decide either. But again, they're pick fifth and I mean, I, you know, I have to look to see how much they brought back, but a team can't seem to get a lot of respect, honestly.
So, um, so we'll. But I, I, you know, it's like, I, I guess I'm sitting here, it's like this conference unfortunately has been, and it's been, I think a problem is there's not one team that really asserts itself. And like, I think Bill, you said it's like the women's program has built the reputation, so, you know, they're picked tie, and then I hope too, if they have a good record, I don't know that at large starts to become a co on the co on the, you know, the conversation.
But, um, but when you consistently win and you're consistently at the top, um, you know, you start to, you know, gain a reputation. Not necessarily not just for your program, but for the conference. And unfortunately, again, this is an example of like where conferences all over the place. And I think that hurts our profile too, nationally, if I'm making sense there.
Bill M: No, I, I think, I mean, from a national perspective, I think we, the conference has to start winning more games. I mean, at a conference, like there's not a lot of big wins, I feel like the last few years. And then we get to the NCAA tournament too, and it's just a let down as, as well. Um, I can't remember us being too competitive in the last, you know, few years really.
Um, or seen. One team, Nate, maybe to your point, um, that's really had big wins. Like back when we had, you know, VCU and, and you know, this is back in like 2012, I guess, when we were really good, like you were seeing bigger wins on a regular basis from members of the conference. And I just don't think we see that as much these days.
Um, you know, hopefully that can change cuz I think you need to get some of those in order to raise the profile of the conference in.
Scheduling
Dan C: I agree, Bill, and part of that is who you schedule, right? And I get that schedule is not an easy thing. It's an art form more than a science, certainly at this level. Um, cause you gotta figure out who you can get, where they'll play you. But I do think that both the men and the women this year, cause I'm, I'm a big scheduled nerd, right?
This is two of the best schedules. Uh, um, I think I've seen, uh, the had a conference schedule for the men this year is, it's pretty fantastic. It's both winnable. Uh, it's approachable, I'll put it that way. Um, but it's, it's also, um, got some games in there. So, you know, you get obviously Old Dominion at home to start the season.
It's good to have Penn back, even if they are hot garbage. And they'll probably be pretty decent actually. Um, Nate, apologies. Garbage Flo Sports tournament. We'll ignore for a moment. Um, but you know, at Temple Lafayette, Princeton at LaSalle at Seton Hall, and then you got the tuneups, you know, Delaware State and Fairfield before you start CAA play.
It's a, it's a good, it's a good home slate. It's a great slate to show up to, um, much better home games than we've seen in, in a long time. Um, but also, you know, even the buy games at Seton Hall, so that's one, you know, it's gettable, um, both on the court and, and for fans that go up there and, and check 'em out.
I don't know if that's in Newark or I'm assuming it's, I'm assuming that game's in Newark. Um, but yeah, it's, uh, it's a good schedule to play. Uh, but more, I haven't looked around the conference to see kind of the other teams outta conference schedules yet. I'm, I'm a little behind with that, but, um, I'd like to see, I hope to see more CAA teams doing that and a lot less of these DII DIII games a lot less at these kind of bottom of the barrel games.
I know some of our Southern partners are having some problems filling out the schedule. It looks like. Um, I hear some complaints about that. There's always that complaints when the schedule comes out. Um, there's, these guys are playing D II teams. These guys are, you know, two, three non D Is. Um, we have our one, you know, Zach Spiker gets his one.
Um, but at least we're not playing multiple. Right. Um, yeah, everybody's gotta be grownups like this league. I don't know. I've been thinking a lot about lately. Lately, and yes, I do think about it in terms of Flo but you know, they gotta start acting like they want it, you know? Um, I think I hear complaints about, um, production, right?
TV production's been a popular Twitter complaint lately. Like some of the schools have not invested in TV production. Well, it's because Flo doesn't make you invest. The ESPN has minimum standards if they're gonna put you on ESPN plus. Right. Flo doesn't have that. So these schools don't have the choice not to invest.
Right. And we are being cheap. We're being cheap. Like the whole point of Flo is to get the linear TV games and get the national TV exposure games. I get that right. They're basically saying we don't care about online streaming. Audience, We care about getting these linear tv, these regional network games, these, these national TV broadcast games.
And we're gonna use this, the money from this to facilitate that. And they could pay for it otherwise. Right. You know, they don't have to be on Flo they could just pay for it. They, these schools have the endowments. I promise you. It's not that big a chunk to get a few games on national tv. Um, but you can't be a Drexel.
I don't wanna hear it. Quite frankly, from the Drexel administration, when they could criticize a team down south for not investing in production. Because if you weren't cheap with flow, they wouldn't be cheaper. Their production. Right. Like you didn't force the envelope. And I feel the same way kind of about these D one D two games.
Like, unless we're gonna pass a conference rule that says you can't, you have to schedule like this, which other conferences have done, then we gotta shut up and take it. Like, Bill, you're a hundred percent right. This conference needs exposure. It needs to win games, big games. But you have to force 'em to play it cuz they're not doing it on their own.
And at some point the conference office needs to, you know, Be big boys and come out and, and push an agenda and it just hasn't happened yet. So that's my rant. I'm done. I apologize. It was flow adjacent, Nate. Just using that as an example. But yeah, that's um, still out there.
Nate H: Well, I'm sitting here laughing because I'm about to do something. I, I've been saying a lot of things lately that I never thought I'd say in my life. And like, like so last night my son had basketball practice and I, and, and we're, we're here doing a, a basketball podcast and my thought was, I don't know if I could handle another sport.
Start. because I am now, for first time in life, I'm kind of interested in soccer and like you said, we, I gotta figure out how we're gonna watch the union game on Sunday night at eight o'clock. Uh, so I'm gonna say something else. Never thought I'd say for your sake, I almost wish the the Phillies were playing the Red Sox because then you could go to bed at night thinking about the World Series and the Red Sox, and not about how much you hate flow sports.
So you'd have like something else to worry about when you go to bed. So I, I can't believe I'm saying that, but yeah, there it is.
Dan C: if the worst thing I got to worry about when I gotta go to bed at night is Flo sports. I'm having a pretty good day. But, uh, no, I'm, I'm, I'm all in other Phillies, man. I had my Rollins Jersey in the, on the office today. I mean, I'm, I'm all in.
Nate H: yeah, I've, I've, I've had the thought of, um, we need to have like a separate, you know, whole other podcast on, on flow, uh, and that whole thing cause Yeah. Yeah. And actually what I'm, what I'm trying to pull up here is U C W's schedule, cuz I haven't looked at that. I remember when I lived down there for a period of time.
I kind of had that thought. I was like, Man, they don't really have a lot of, like, I was ready to go, They were like close to my closest ca school and I was like, Man, I go down and see 'em in. Yeah, you're, Oh yeah. Wow. Okay. So they open up with Emery and Henry. I'm not sure where that is. I don't know where those two guys live and that they have a basketball team apparently.
But, um, then they play Allen, looks like there's some type of, uh, Bee or Hornet mascot. Then they play, uh, the powerhouse known as Mount Olive. I'm not sure who they are. Uh, and then they're, they're playing sort of their close, you know, like coastal car that's a little better. Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, they're in the neighborhood.
High Point anything. And they play Campbell not in that conference yet. So, uh, yeah, you're right. My goodness. Uh, what's going on there? So, whatever's behind that and how you fix that, but I, I don't, I don't know the ins and outs of scheduling and how they figure that out, but yeah, that's a little disappointing.
So, But I don't know. I assume I, I'll look at Elon and see what that is, but, um, but no, and thank you for reminding me that because I did, I broke that down. I, I did the same thing for the women's team. I don't know if you guys had a chance, but I, I went through the men's schedule and I had us at 17 and 12.
I hope that's not too much of a homer prediction because, uh, if it is, if it is a homer prediction, it's gonna be a rough year. But, um, you know, I, I, uh, I think I had a, and like you said, I mean, we, we play Penn in Princeton. I mean, that's first and second in the Ivy League, so those are gonna be two tough games and both at home.
So that's gonna be fun. And then, you know, Old Dominion was picked ninth, and if I'm getting right, the Big South and just for point of reference, James Madison was picked forth, so kind of getting a sense of how we translate. I agree with you. I mean we play and especially the home schedule, some good regional teams close by, which I love.
And then some pretty competitive games. You know, Arcadia notwithstanding, although Arcadia does have Jaylen Watkins that a defensive player of the year in the Mac, I forget what it's Mac, Commonwealth is with Sia. Um, so I'm just saying that cuz if my preseason prediction of the schedule is, uh, being overly optimistic, that could be a close game.
Hopefully we're not running into that. Um, but you know, that's where I stood, 17 to 12. A lot of that back and forth, win, lose back and forth, can't really decide what team we're on. So
Leon M: think with the, with the schedule we have, I'd be happy with the 17 and 12
Nate H: Mm-hmm.
Leon M: I could live with.
Bill M: Yeah, I was gonna say, like, I haven't, I haven't broken it down, like looking at each game and figuring out how many games we win, but 17 and 12 would be, would be good. I think for what we have. I mean, it's just, like I've said before, this is kind of the mystery box team, right? It's like we just have so many unknowns.
Um, on the squad, there's a lot of new pieces. There's you. Three wings returning essentially, who all could potentially step their game up. But, you know, can they sustain their shooting percentages when they have to shoot it at a, a much higher rate, um, with a, a more focused defense on them. So, I don't know, uh, 1712 I think would be, would be a good record date.
Um, but like I said, I haven't, I haven't broken it down yet. Um, maybe I'll do that and get back to the next podcast.
Dan C: Yeah, I haven't either. I mean, I think I'd like to see, you know, a decent conference record, right? I mean, uh, couple games plus 500. So that probably puts you at 1712 without a conference schedule two eight. So, um, I think you, yeah, I mean, that's where I'd like to be. It seems reasonable and, uh, you're not gonna compete for the post-season at 17 and 12, which is unfortunate.
Um, but you know, then that's why you have March.
Nate H: All right. Um, I guess one last thing that I have, I mean, I think Dan, you kind of touched on it. Um, you know, I, I agree. Maybe Amari really kind of stepped forward, but do you see a, something that if it happens, then we have a better chance of being much higher than seventh. Is there anything that you look at going in that, that could change that?
Dan C: Well, I'm looking hard at the freshman, right? Um, and I'm looking hard to see, you know, how that point guard hole is filled. You know, if we can get real production outta that spot and we don't put that much pressure Bill on the shooters that you were talking about, how to take all those extra shots, Trane took a bunch of shot.
You know, I mean I think Lamar is the guy he'd probably looking to the most of those three returners is guy whose role is gonna be expanded. I don't think mate or or Coltrane's role is really gonna change a whole lot versus what they were at the end of last season. Um, they're not gonna be asked for that much more, I don't think.
Um, but Lamar will be certainly, I think Amari will be, although actually if you look at Ken Pom, I was looking at it, his usage rate is actually, his usage rate was higher than um, Cams. Um, by, it was very close. But if you look at, you know, percentage of plays impacted, um, so I mean, he was already the dominant, you know, guy that touched the ball on the team last year.
Uh, that will jump certainly this year even more so, so he'll take, he'll take the pressure off those wings. Um, but yeah, if we get the, if we get real contributions outta the point card spot and, and I think depth is gonna be the big thing so we have anything off the bench. Cuz you know, we, we kind of know these starters pretty well, but the, the bench is actually gonna play a pretty important role I think, uh, in this year's team.
Leadership Role
Nate H: My only last thought is, is related to leadership. And again, I I, I'm with you guys. I liked Cam as a player. There were games I went to where, you know, I'm thinking of um, you know, down at Elon, you could see there's some players that just flat out just didn't seem that interested.
And, you know, even I think the tournament game, I think there was some team going on with Marie. I don't know if he was about at the refs or what was going on, but that guy to kind of, you know, keep everybody's head in and, and keep everybody going. And I thought Malik Martin was a little bit of that player for us last year. And anybody you see taking that role for us,
Dan C: I mean, I think Zach Spiker brought Coltrane the Media Day and he's, he, to me, he's gotta be the guy. He seems to have a good head for it. Um, you know, Lamar, they, she's put out a good. Instagram real, or whatever you're call it. But the, um, video with Lamar who cracked me up just a few minutes before this podcast.
I saw it, but you know, he feels, feels a little class clown at all. Um, and I don't know that Amari from the Sounds really has that kind of demeanor. Um, you know, and that's fine. Um, but Trane seems like he's got a good head on his shoulders and he's the guy if I'm Zach Spiker but I'm investing in, and I think him bringing him to media data, be the guy, he's very representative of that.
You're usually gonna pick a senior to do that anyway. But I think he, you know, um, it was telling.
Nate H: That was so, it was in my head as you were saying that, cuz I like he, he seems like he just has kind of a level head, like you said. So. Yeah, hopefully he can, you know, kind of take that role and, and then, yeah, again, there were games where, I'm not gonna say who it was, but we were down at Elon and there was some, you could see it looks like he was crying at halftime when he came out.
We won that game by like 15, 20 points and there just something was going on and, you know, just kind of bringing those personalities together. And sometimes those little things, I mean, we're, we're talking about the Phillies, you know, it just, you know, sometimes those are the intangible type things. And at a conference that's kind of a log jam.
And to me, nobody really kind of jumping out, those are things that can, can make a big difference. So hopefully we see some of that go on, but,
Dan C: And Bill's better to talk about it than I am. But Coltrane made a jump last year, like a significant, he was like a bench piece. We kind of projected him as starting the year, you know, kind of a slow release shooter. You know, we questioned his defense, everything else, and I think that changed dramatically from beginning the year when he was given that opportunity.
And, I don't know, Bill, what you saw.
Bill M: I, I agree, Dan. I mean, I think his defense was the biggest thing for me. Like I didn't seeing him in even high school, I didn't think he had the, like, athletic profile to be a good defender. And like last year he actually came out and just was probably one of our best defenders. I don't, I don't know if he was our best, but he, I mean, with Amari obviously, but you know, as far as like, um, wing defenders, he was, he was definitely probably the best.
I mean, he just completely changed his game there and he's one of the guys who can create his own shot. Um, and hopefully he can build on that this year. But he, but definitely he took a big jump last year and became like a, a valuable piece. Um, whereas maybe like before that he would've thought, you know, he's just gonna be a wide open shooting role player.
Um, so no, I, I agree with you on that Dan.
Nate H: You, you guys have commented too, You seem to be buying it on defense too. So to have a a, you know, upperclass but type player wants to defend too, that's gonna make a good difference for us. So, so we'll see. Um, but so any last thoughts on, you know, it's a preseason poll schedule. Anything else you guys were, were wanting to pass along?
Cause if not, we got like five more minutes. Um, so Dan, let, here's my question. Um, we'll finish up on this. So your alternative to flow, what, what, what do you think should happen in place of flow? Let's,
Dan C: I'm not feeling this, This is not the Flow podcast. Not feeling the question, but
Leon M: Uh, I, I thought for sure it was gonna be a video board question over there, but
Dan C: Thank you. We haven't, we haven't covered, We have five minutes of video board we haven't covered yet. So we, we, we, we've gotta do that. That's good. Bailout Lee. And of course the flow sports feed will be on the video board.
So we've now come
full
Nate H: I wanted you to sleep tonight, so I thought, Well, if you talk about it now, then you can go to bed. You know, maybe thinking about when you came back from three oh down and get the Yankees or something.
Dan C: I got the Phillies, I got the union, I got real life in my head. I'm good. But the, uh, you know, if you, the one I will see, the one that I've been seen on Twitter that I a point I wanted to make tonight, actually I forgot about till now, was just, uh, a point you made early on Nate, which is the, the new teams are all at the bottom of the poll, Right?
And the men's side. And, and with the exception of Stonybrook, they're fairly low on the women's side. People look at that and kind of poo, they're making a jump. They're in lower leagues they've gotta recruit at this level. You know, they've gotta invest at this level. They're, you know, Payrolls and whatnot.
Were a east or, or, or big south payrolls like, you know, they're, they're not, they're making a step up. Um, I, I like to laugh at JMU right now, um, because that whole thing was insane. And, and I just don't like what their administration did at all, um, last year with, with pretending to play Dom and, and really, um, I thought they used their student athletes as a shield for themselves and now it was garbage.
But, um, you know, they're doing JMU actually for a team that's made the jump in college Football has done very well for themselves this year. They've lost the last two now and then they're, no, they're not any serious contenders for anything. Um, but they're, they're decent. They're respect. In their league.
Um, which is about the best you can ask for when you're making a jump upwards. You know, I, um, the jury's out for me. I think the new schools are fine, you know, could be a fine edition. Put it this way. I don't think they're like gonna be perennial doormats. I think they, they should expect be expected to be at the bottom this year.
Cause that's what happens when you move up, you know? So I don't view this as anything other than meeting expectations. Um, and I'm still kind of fine with the changes. Uh, but I, I just think the people who are shouting it down because, well, this was terrible for the conference. No, no, not in the long run.
You're looking at a single season. In the single season where they're transitioning. I just think that that's not fair.
Bill M: I think nc, NCAA and t actually is getting some high level recruits. I, I don't know how that'll translate. Um, but they're definitely recruiting. Um, At a high enough level, not, I don't know exactly why that is, but, um, they're, from what I've seen and from seeing reports on guys they've got in the last couple years, or maybe even last year, maybe just, but, um, they're recruiting at a level where they could be competitive.
Um, I, I, like, I don't know much about their coaching, I don't know much about the team in general outside of just what I've seen from their recruits. But, um, it'll be interesting to see how these teams fit in. Uh, it's, you know, there, it's gonna be an adjustment. Uh, some teams adjust quickly. Like I think when we jumped in the CAA was a pretty quick adjustment with, with Bruiser, obviously.
And then other teams like Towson, I know how long it took them, uh, 15 years. I mean, I don't know, like it was, they weren't good for a very long time. So, um, you know, it depends on what type of investment those schools wanna make in order to make that jump.
Nate H: Yeah. And, and adding programs to actually, what I was looking at, I, I, I'm a geographic guy, so you know, and what they can bring to the table and the type of teams they are is great. But I like too, like you. And I know people worry about, and we had that conversation with a gentleman from Northeastern about, you know, the profile academically.
I know that's all important stuff, but I just like having schools that make sense academically. And I'm, I'm buying it again to the North Carolina edition. And you know, I, I like, we have a trip we play on a Thursday night that, you know, we're down at, uh, at NCAA and t and then we follow up at Elon a few days later.
And I talked to the, I brought up with the DAC Pack guys, you know, getting in your car and making a trip. I'll pick, I'll make a plug, you know, it's a longer drive from Philly than it is here, but heading down to that Greensboro area in Central North Carolina. And it may not sound super exciting, but, you know, we found a barbecue restaurant there that, you know, they, and actually they banana splits that are like mountains, they're huge.
So it's like, you know, it's a cool trip is what I'm saying. So if you have the time and it's tough the Thursday, you have to take Friday off, but, um, you know, just to make a plug to go down there and, and see the games if you can. So, There's some neat stuff and if you're racing fan, it's right there in North Carolina.
So I think it could work out basically, is what I'm saying too. And we add Campbell and having that, that profile in North Carolina, I think could work out. Okay. We'll see how it goes, but,
Dan C: You had me at the barbecue and lost me at the banana split, but I, I do wanna know, is there anyway, if there's anybody listening who wants to take 10 minutes out of their day to email the SIDS of all these new schools and ask them about their jumbo tron measurements, that's how we're gonna find out if they're really ready to transition, I think, and I'm, I'd be excited to hear that back.
So if there's any listener out there with a couple minutes,
you know, available.
Leon M: ca requirement we have when it comes to, uh,
Dan C: I gotta have more video board.
Bill M: I'm looking forward to seeing the video board. I mean, it looks gigantic, but, um, the atmosphere that it can bring along with the lighting, uh, I just think is something that we've been lacking that other schools just already have. So just getting back to, you know, where they are. So, but I'm, I'm excited to be at the, at the gym this year, at the DAC, see the team, see the new players, and ODU will be a great first game.
So, uh, try to be there in person to watch that one.
Nate H: It's a good, you know, and now the current people haven't been around, but a lot of great memories playing whole Dominion, some great games over the years, so it's a cool team to play.
Dan C: Yeah. I mean, I'll make that trip with the home and home next year. I'll go down to Norfolk and, and that's a, that's a good run, Uh, spend, spend the weekend in Virginia Beach and um, get some barbecue down there.
Some Bru Stories and Wrapping Up
Bill M: Who, who was down there, Dan, for the, uh, are you with me or Leon? Were you there for the Uh, we were an old Dominion and the, uh, the fans were just heckling us the
Dan C: This is Bruiser suit, the Bruiser suit game.
Yeah. go
Bill M: and then like we were yelling something, I mean you can fill in some details here that I'm missing probably. But we were, we were yelling something at, uh, I dunno if it was the refs or the other team.
And they threatened to kick us out basically, or, um, or they were talking to us at least, and Bruiser basically told him to stop harassing us because they, their fans have been saying stuff to him all game and they weren't saying anything to the rest of the fans. So he just had our back and then they just left us alone after that.
I'm probably missing some details there, Dame, but that's the gist of it.
Dan C: Yeah. Back in the day, Right. The, the school was always generous enough for the DAC Pack. When we traveled, us penniless students were traveling, you know, 15 people in a clown car, um, that they would take care of us with, with the, the friends and family list tickets. So we'd sit right behind the badge and, uh, so we'd hear those interactions and brew VCU and odu, you know, I think he loved it secretly.
I think Bruiser loved it until, In his family or something like that, something off limits. But I think, I think he enjoyed the, the back and forth. But, um, yeah, yeah, he did. He had some, some interactions. The only one I was thinking of Bill, was the, uh, he turned around at one point, and this was an ODU game. I don't know if you were there for that one, but, um, somebody had, somebody took on his suit, somebody, he was wearing one of his plaid suit, you know, suit suits that he, that he, that he did back in the day.
And, and one of the, the people we call people behind the bench started yelling at yelling at him. And, uh, he finally got fed up and he turned around and he said, You know, this suit costs more than you make in a year.
Bill M: Okay,
Dan C: I just loved it. I mean, it was just, he, he'd had enough and, and he had his words and that shut him up.
It was great. So yeah, some, some good memories, but it's a, it is, it's a nasty place for po This is like an NBA arena, like that place that was video board and lighting before anybody had it's carpeted. It's night, like it's high level, um, uh, down there. So always, uh, always felt a little bit weird, actually felt like it didn't belong in the ca.
Um, so it'll be fun. It'll be fun to run back. And I've got some good Virginia Beach memories and stories too, so I'll make a family trip of it next year.
Nate H: two games I remember I would, I think Is Alex Lawon? Is that the player? No, he's
Dan C: Yeah. Australian guy. Yeah. Mm-hmm.
Nate H: But I'm, I'm, But um, yeah, the game they play had like 10 points at halftime or something ridiculous like that. And we ended up blowing him out. So that was a fun game. And then I was, I, I was already down in Norfolk for something else when I was in the Navy and I was there when, um, it was Kent Basmore senior night and he went for like 40 points.
But then, you know, Damien and Lee and that cast of characters basically outscored him. They almost blew it at the end. But, um, that was a great win. That was my favorite win from that season. So yeah, a lot of great old seeing Old Dominion on the schedule, it's like, Oh, cool. Yeah, I remember a lot of good memories and, and it kind of a big rivalry at, at, its kind of at its peak, so, um, nice to have them back
Dan C: This is a separate podcast, Nate, and, and, but Bill put a pin in this one cuz at some point we'll do it, but. Ken Base was a great example of a guy who, Russell Westbrook's, another one who I saw in college. Right. And, and right. Elite players. Right? They were, But Ken Base more wasn't great his first few years.
He was good. You know, you saw he had tools, um, but, you know, we kind of handled them like it wasn't, he didn't jump off the page when we played old me, we were like, this is an NBA guy, you know, Russell Westbrook again, you know, she Mason on him, if I, if I'm remembering correctly, uh, that UCLA Drexel game and, and I was like, what is everybody talking about?
What's all the hype? You know? Obviously, obviously they worked out right. But the, the difference, you know, we, we, we locked down, uh, JJ Reddick, right? Um, um, he, he did it right against us, but, um, who's the shooter? The big Syracuse that was. He ended up playing in the league, but we, we, we played a bunch, bunch of NBA guys back in the day and it was never like, I always thought we handled them like maybe it was Bruce defense, maybe it was just who we had out there.
We have a guy like Bashier that's different, but I never felt like these guys are that much better than the guys at Drexel. And then you're gonna tell me that Dian Lee, who's the best player, just off the page of any Dr. Player I've seen is a fringe NBA player. You know, I always thought it was weird. I just
did a podcast for another day.
But it's, it's, it's a Raz Razor thin edge.
Bill M: Yeah. It is crazy. And, and I think some guys even you've seen from the ca go down that, um, you'd think were like, they were stars here. And they go to the NBA and they just, they don't cut it. And other guys who seem like they were more like role players go and they have a long career. Look even on vcu, like there's Eric Mayer, right?
Eric Mayer was a star there. And then they had, and he was, had maybe a cup of coffee in the league and left. And then Larry Sanders, who was good, but you know, he wasn't superstar, superstar level and that guy lasted league for as long as he wanted to. I think he, you know, left on his own accord. But, um, but yeah, that would be, that would be interesting to dive into that at some point.
Leon M: When we do dive into that, we gotta talk about Ken Basmore being the reason Under Armour. Got a contract Curry. Yeah.
Bill M: have to dig back up that story again, but that was a good one.
Nate H: All right, well, anything else you guys have to add wanna have at least one more episode before the first game of the season and we're kind of building up towards, you know, you mentioned the video board and yeah, I agree. Hope it looks cool and went to a flyers game, watched a Phillies win from the flyers.
And the highlight of the whole night was the video board when Gritty was out there doing his thing on the ice. So it is important for atmosphere stuff, so bottom line, hopefully we, one more episode and then get everybody out to the, the games here coming up,
Dan C: go Union, go Phillies, and, and I'm all in on the video board if we get gritty.
Bill M: There you
Leon M: You gotta get Greaty Fanatic used to come to a Drexel game. Remember
Dan C: That's my Facebook profile picture. Right? Actually, I think that's my Twitter profile picture. I, I,
Leon M: gotta get greaty to come out.
Bill M: There we get gritty at it. I think. Let's, We can work on that
Dan C: All right, Greg Cusick, if you're listening, we want gritty and fanatic. Okay, let's, let's go for two.