Andrew Zoldan is in his second year with the Inside TBT (@InsideTbt) podcast. He joins us to discuss the Wichita Regional, his interviews with AfterShocks GM Ron Baker and Wichita State coach Isaac Brown and the growth of The Basketball Tournament since its start in 2014. Zoldan breaks down some of the top teams in the Wichita Regional and players to watch from the AfterShocks, Team Arkansas, LA Cheaters and others in the field. We talk about the popularity of college alumni teams, such as those from Creighton, Kansas State and Oklahoma State that will also play in Koch Arena starting July 16. And, of course, we talk about the Elam Ending.
Jacob Herrs and Brycen Bush join the podcast to discuss their favorite moments from the past four seasons, how they got hooked on basketball and their outlook for the Shockers in 2021-22. We talk about the decision to join Wichita State as walk-ons, advice from their Shocker family members and why they think Wichita State coaches do a good job with scouting reports.
Wichita State basketball’s Morris Udeze and Monzy Jackson talk about their first impressions of each other and why Udeze wasn’t sure about Jackson after that pickup game at the YMCA. They talk about their lessons learned in college basketball, how they viewed the sudden end to the season in the NCAA Tournament and their hopes to play in front of big crowds in Koch Arena. Udeze discusses the transfer portal and what he thinks potential transfers might learn from the experience. Jackson details his plans to work on his game in the off-season.
Wichita State forward Ricky Council IV joins the podcast to talk about his strong debut season and what’s next during spring and summer workouts. Council, a 6-foot-6 forward from Durham, N.C., averaged 7.1 points and 3.4 rebounds for the Shockers with a high game of 23 points vs. Cincinnati. He earned a spot on the American Athletic Conference’s all-freshman team. Council reminisces about backyard basketball with his older brothers and describes his affection for Kevin Durant and what the Shockers can learn from their NCAA Tournament experience.
Wichita State director of athletics Darron Boatright discusses the process of hiring men’s basketball coach Isaac Brown. We talk about how he evaluated Brown, on and off the court, and why he considered it important let things play out over the course of the season. We discuss Brown’s personality, his ability to win on the road and the significance of the win over Houston. Boatright also talks about what he learned about the perception of the job nationally, why coaches at prominent programs inquired and who brought the confetti cannon to Friday’s announcement at practice.
Chad Gibney coaches one of the best women’s junior college basketball teams in the country at Western Nebraska Community College. He talks about his path to coaching, his season coaching both men’s and women’s basketball at Western Nebraska and which Shocker coaches he borrows from. Gibney, a manager at Wichita State for the men’s team from 2010-16, discusses his favorite Shocker memories, what made practices special and why Steve Nash is his favorite NBA star.
Taylor Eldridge, a 2011 communications graduate from Wichita State, is the Shocker athletics beat writer for The Wichita Eagle, a position he has held since 2017. Eldridge joins the podcast to discuss his popular video breakdowns, how his job changed over the years and his advice for young journalists. He discusses the Shockers, the impact of Morris Udeze and Tyson Etienne’s rise. We wrap up by talking about his favorite stories, his favorite pickup basketball spots and how he handled the time-honored tradition of a sportswriter locked in a stadium late at night.
The Shockers are 2-2 after Tuesday’s win at Tulsa and we have radio voice Mike Kennedy to give us his thoughts. We discuss how improved practices and a full roster are helping and how newcomers such as Craig Porter Jr., and Alterique Gilbert are fitting in. Mike talks about how the pandemic has changed his work life and his long break in between March and the fall.
Steve Strain and Bob Hull join the podcast to break down the early results for Wichita State women’s and men’s basketball. The women are off to a 3-1 start and Strain details the improvements he sees and how the Shockers can improve. Wichita State’s men are 1-1 and Hull talks about the new faces and how they might help as the roster returns to full strength.
Shockers assistant Chester Nichols – a former pass-rushing defensive lineman – updates us on the 2020-21 season. He discusses Wichita State’s newcomers and leadership progress by returners such as Carla Bremaud and Seraphine Bastian. We wrap up with Nichols recommending some of his favorite books.
