Inside College Basketball Now

Jon Rothstein sits down with Grant McCasland for a wide-ranging conversation on his journey, his Texas Tech program, and what it takes to build a Final Four contender. McCasland reflects on turning 50, balancing family and coaching, lessons learned under Scott Drew, and how Texas Tech has grown through adversity this season. He breaks down the roster, injury updates, the impact of JT Toppin, recru...

College basketball is starting to separate contenders from noise, and this week delivered real clues. We break down UCLA’s long-awaited breakthrough, Arizona’s push toward its first Final Four in 25 years, and why Saturday’s North Carolina–Virginia matchup will tell us a lot about the Tar Heels. Plus, Rothstein’s National Coach of the Year rankings, key injury news at Illinois, a historic Pitino f...

Virginia head coach Ryan Odom joins Jon Rothstein to break down UVA's unexpected 16-2 start, his style of play compared to Tony Bennett and his role in the UMBC/Virginia upset. Then, Jon and Ryan discuss this year's roster in Charlottesville and what it's going to take for the Cavaliers to play deep in to March. (0:00) Intro + Ryan Odom joins the show (0:15) His reaction to the start of UVA’s seas...

Jon Rothstein recaps a busy weekend in college basketball. Florida and Kentucky make important strides in the SEC and conference title races are taking shape. Then, JT Toppin and Darryn Peterson are must-see in the Big 12 and three good nuggets from around the sport. (0:00) Intro (2:50) Florida, Kentucky have big week in the SEC (12:20) Power conference races are taking shape (23:15) JT Toppin is...

In this episode, Jon Rothstein sits down with Iowa State coach TJ Otzelberger to trace his path into coaching, the jump from JUCO to the Big 12, and what it’s really like building a program in one of college basketball’s toughest leagues. He breaks down how losses — including the setback against Kansas — are used inside the locker room to refocus, which Iowa State team stands out the most, and why...

Jon Rothstein is back breaking down Kentucky's NARROW win over LSU, North Carolina's defensive issues, Sean Miller rallying Texas and more. (0:00) Intro (2:28) Kentucky SURVIVES at LSU, NCAA tournament hopes feel cloudy without Jaland Lowe (8:22) North Carolina has BIG problems at PG, on defense16:02 Sean Miller has rallied Texas (25:17) 5 teams that have recently gotten their seasons back28:20 An...

Jon Rothstein is joined by Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard on the heels of the Badgers beating Michigan in Ann Arbor. Jon and Greg discuss what makes Michigan so good, the development of his team the last few weeks and what it's like coaching college basketball in 2026. (0:00) Intro + Greg Gard’s text messages after the Michigan win (1:30) Where does the Michigan win rank on the regular season wins...

Jon Rothstein is back on Inside College Basketball Now to break down an excited weekend in the sport. Michigan falls to Wisconsin while Arizona cruises yet again. Plus, Fred Hoiberg's case for national coach of the year, a look at the blue bloods in college hoops and reactions to the AP Top 25. (0:00) Intro (1:30) Michigan looks Mortal. Arizona looks dominant (12:13) Nebraska is the best story in...

Jon Rothstein is back talking about Michigan and UConn facing some tough tests, Arkansas and Kentucky trading places and more. (0:00) Intro (1:55) UConn and Michigan tested in back-to-back days (11:55) Why are Arkansas and Kentucky going in different directions (21:48) Brayden Burries and Arizona are undervalued (28:45) Rothstein Ranks: Best CBB conferences (35:30) Three Good Nuggets (39:02) Games...

Jon Rothstein is joined by Vanderbilt head coach Mark Byington to break down the 14-0 start for the Commodores, what it's like coaching in the SEC and the keys to a deep tournament run in March. (0:00) Intro + Vandy’s Mark Byington joins! (0:20) What if someone told you Vanderbilt would be undefeated in January? (1:00) Why has this team been so dominant? (2:05) The keys to Vanderbilt’s offense &am...

Jon Rothstein is back to break down a loaded weekend of college basketball. St. John's loses again, what's next for the red storm. Darryn Peterson was awesome in the first half against UCF. We were quickly reminded his talent hasn't defined his season at Kansas. Then, AP Poll reactions, chat questions and plenty more from the week that was in college hoops. (0:00) Intro + we’re back with a live IC...

Michigan and UConn are beginning to separate themselves from the rest of the college basketball field — and the numbers back it up. We break down why both programs look like legitimate one-seed contenders, what their upcoming schedules tell us, and how much space they’re creating between themselves and everyone else. From there, we head to Tobacco Road, where Duke, North Carolina, and NC State all...

Fred Hoiberg joins the show to discuss Nebraska’s perfect start and what’s fueling one of the most promising seasons in program history. He reflects on the Christmas break and when he first realized this team could be special. Hoiberg breaks down key wins over Illinois, Creighton, and Wisconsin, the transition to coaching in the Big Ten, and the differences between building at Nebraska versus Iowa...

We break down three big things shaping the college basketball landscape right now — starting with AJ Dybantsa’s eye-opening freshman season and why the next 60 days could define BYU history. Plus, Purdue’s dominant stretch flying under the radar and why January looms as a must-move month for NC State. Rothstein digs into key news and notes across the country, and spotlight teams quietly putting to...

Michigan head coach Dusty May joins Jon Rothstein to discuss his path from FAU’s historic Final Four run to quickly rebuilding Michigan into a national contender. May reflects on the lessons from the Final Four, the timing of his move, how this Michigan roster has taken shape, and why he wants the toughest non-conference schedule possible. Plus, insight on key players, locker-room balance, NCAA To...

Kentucky fans can finally exhale, Houston and Texas Tech deliver major résumé-building wins, and Hubert Davis continues to answer the bell as North Carolina steadies itself. We open with the three biggest takeaways from the weekend before reacting to the updated AP Top 25 and unveiling our Midseason All-Americans across three teams and honorable mention. Plus, news and notes from around the countr...

Kentucky head coach Mark Pope joins Jon Rothstein to discuss his relationship with Rick Pitino and what it will be like going up against his former head coach on Saturday, his impressions of this Kentucky team and the potential the Wildcats have, as well as an update on Jayden Quaintance and how he could change Kentucky once back healthy. (0:00) Intro (0:18) When was the first time Mark Pope met R...

Jon Rothstein is BACK breaking down UConn's path to a 1-seed in the NCAA tournament, why Darius Acuff deserves more national attention, the 5 best PG in college basketball and MORE. (0:00) Intro (2:35) Darius Acuff deserves MORE national attention (13:16) UConn has the cleanest path to a 1-seed in the NCAA tournament (21:17) Why the Kentucky-St. John's matchup is more valuable for St. John's (29:2...

Jon Rothstein sits down with USC head coach Eric Musselman to talk about coaching at both the college and NBA levels, how to build a basketball program and USC and what this year's Trojans need to do to ensure a deep run in the tournament. (0:00) Intro + how has coaching changed over the last 11 years? (0:35) Coaching at USC compared to his other jobs (1:55) Bouncing from being a head coach in the...

Jon Rothstein is back with another episode of Inside College Basketball Now after a loaded weekend of college hoops. The Big 12 is the best conference in the sport, how many teams will they get on the top four seed lines? Duke and UConn are in a race for the East region and Nebraska has officially arrived. They're not just a feel good story anymore. Then, instant reactions to the new AP Top 25 &am...

Alabama coach Nate Oats joins Jon Rothstein to talk about his journey to college coaching, building Alabama into a powerhouse, the importance of Labaron Philon and more. (0:10) What he remembers from his first D-I coaching season (1:29) Did he always want to be a college coach? (3:53) On hearing from the Hurley brothers about joining Buffalo staff (6:34) Being promoted to head coach at Buffalo (8:...

Jon Rothstein is BACK breaking down Michigan's upcoming schedule, whether Notre Dame should join the Big East and MORE. (0:00) Intro 2:21 Who will put game pressure on Michigan? (12:53) Big East is at a crossroads, should take a long hard look at Notre Dame (29:48) Nebraska is 10-0 and SURGING under Fred Hoiberg (37:24) Rothstein Ranks: 5 Guards Who Deserve More National Attention (39:24) This is...

Jon Rothstein sits down with Florida head coach Todd Golden to talk about the weight of defending a national championship, this year's Gators team and how he adjusts realistic goals each year after winning a title. (0:00) Intro + the last eight months (1:10) Is it harder to build a title team or maintain one? (2:05) What Billy Donovan has told him about trying to win back-to-back national champion...

Jon Rothstein is back to recap a massive weekend of college hoops! Iowa State put the entire country on notice against Purdue at Mackey Arena. Cameron Boozer leads Duke to another impressive win and the Kentucky Wildcats are in serious danger through one month. Plus, chat questions, AP poll reactions and more from the college basketball world! (0:00) Intro (2:45) Iowa State sent a message against...

Pat Kelsey joins Jon Rothstein to talk about the team's loss to Arkansas, looking ahead to Indiana and much more.