Splash City Basketball Podcast

The madness has officially arrived in Minnesota. As the girls state basketball tournament tips off at Williams Arena and the Maturi Pavilion, we are joined by Star Tribune and Strib Varsity reporter Cassidy Hettesheimer to break down the brackets, the star power, and the stories defining this season. In this episode, Cassidy shares her observations on the elite level of talent across the state—fro...

In this episode of the Splash City Basketball Podcast, host Steve Hartman dives deep into the current state of the Timberwolves and Gophers. We'll break down the Timberwolves' recent performance, including a tough loss to Orlando, and discuss what it means for their standing in the Western Conference. Steve looks at the starters' offensive production in wins vs losses to diagnose wh...

On today's episode of the Splash City Basketball Podcast , we’re crossing the border to the center of Midwest basketball: Sioux Falls, South Dakota. While our focus is usually on the gyms of Minnesota, all roads lead to the Sanford Pentagon this week for the NSIC Championships and the kickoff of the Summit League Tournament . To understand how Sioux Falls became a premier destination for prog...

In this episode, Steve Hartman sits down with Concordia College men's basketball head coach Tyler Bormann to recap a landmark season that saw the Cobbers secure their third straight trip to the MIAC tournament . Coach Bormann breaks down the team's 21-win season and their battles with conference champion Gustavus Adolphus, including an overtime thriller in Moorhead. Topics discussed in t...

On this episode of Splash City , host Steve Hartman is joined by Jacob Torgerson , head coach of the #1 ranked in Class 2A Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta Tigers . The Tigers finished the regular season undefeated, but the target is on their back. After a 21-7 campaign in 2024-2025 ended in a tough Section 3AA exit last year to rival Montevideo, Torgerson has this year's group playing with a disti...

In this college basketball centric episode host Steve Hartman ranks his weekly top 10 college basketball teams (1:30) after a wild weekend in men's college basketball.  Then he dives into the bubble (13:17). Who should be in? Why are the metrics and the criteria slanted in favor of high-major programs? Steve wants to see more Cinderella slippers and upsets in March!  Listen on Spotify , Apple...

March is officially in the air! In this episode of the Splash City Basketball Podcast we’re going behind the scenes of a championship household. I’m joined by my niece, Lily Mahoney—a Senior leader and defending State Champ—and her mom, my sister, to discuss the bittersweet emotions of a final high school run, the 'Sisters Season' on Varsity, and the legacy being left behind. But first,...

In this episode, host Steve Hartman walks through some of his mid-major teams that you'll want to know as you prepare for March Madness and preparing your bracket. From coast-to-coast Steve walks through what makes these teams dangers and potential upset picks.  Then it's the weekly teams of the week for Minnesota boys basketball and small colleges. St. Paul Central in AAAA, Northfield i...

In this episode, host Steve Hartman tackles issues plaguing both NCAA basketball and the NBA and what he thinks could fix them both.  Steve discusses the current state of college basketball, highlighting the exciting mix of experienced players who can now stay longer due to NIL opportunities and high-performing freshmen. He also identifies key concerns such as decreased fan loyalty due to frequent...

Big game Sunday: Wolves Watch, NBA Trades, and Gopher Hoops In this special Big Game Sunday episode, Steve is joined by Tyler and Tate as they watch the Minnesota Timberwolves and discuss various topics in sports. The conversation covers the Ayo Dosunmu and LA Clippers trades, the Minnesota Gophers' basketball upset over Michigan State, and predictions for the upcoming games. The trio also re...

This week on the Splash City Basketball Podcast, host Steve Hartman is joined by Andrew Dukowitz (Zone Coverage, The Missing Wolves podcast ) to break down a pivotal stretch in Minnesota hoops. The Timberwolves have reeled off four straight wins, but as the trade deadline looms, the rumors are getting wild. We dive into the "Giannis to Minnesota" hypothetical: what would the Wolves actua...

Host Steve Hartman opens this episode talking about the rough couple of weeks for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Golden Gophers.  Then Steve talks with Travarus Bennett, former Golden Gopher and 2002 Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Year, about his path from high school basketball in Mississippi to Minnesota to playing professionally overseas. Bennett talks about what made him into a g...

In this episode, we break down an electric finish in one of the most intense rivalries in college sports following Tuesday's heart-stopping Wisconsin vs. Minnesota clash. Host Steve Hartman is joined by Princeton, MN native and Wisconsin Badgers All-Big Ten Forward Jared Berggren . We take you inside Williams Arena to relive the intensity of the most recent Border Battle, and Jared shares how...

In this episode, host Steve Hartman welcomes St. Francis High School girls basketball coach Kyle Waterworth. The two discuss Kyle's transition from coaching boys to girls basketball, driven by his desire to watch his daughters play. He outlines the similarities and differences between coaching genders and emphasizes communication early, being able to have difficult conversations that positive...

In this episode, Steve talks the Wolves latest in over Miami and Rudy Gobert's monster impact.  But the main topic is an exciting night in college basketball. Near upsets for Michigan and Kansas, Florida gets right, and Houston survives Texas Tech.  Finally, a high school roundup of some surprising results in MN boys basketball.  It's all in the Splash City Basketball podcast!  Instagram...

This week, Steve Hartman is joined by long-time friend, coach, former official and a pillar of the Minnesota basketball community, Barnesville Trojans Head Boys Coach Matt Askegaard. With a resume that includes head coaching stints for both boys and girls programs—plus years of experience as a college and high school official—Matt brings a unique perspective to the game. We discuss how officiating...

In this special Christmas Eve edition of the Splash City Basketball podcast, Steve lists out his 4 items on the basketball wishlist as well as shares some wishes from listeners. Steve finishes the year with the final men's college basketball top 10 poll of the year. Some shake-ups in the final poll. Thanks for listening throughout 2025!  If you can share with your friends, like a post, leave...

Is defense still the secret to winning in the shot-clock era? This episode of the Splash City Basketball Podcast goes inside the huddle with Kevin McKenzie , head coach of the 4A #7 ranked Eagan Wildcats . Coach McKenzie breaks down what makes his defensive system so effective, holding opponents to just 47 points per game so far. McKenzie shares what it meant to the Eagan community to finally snap...

One-third of the way through 2025, the Minnesota Timberwolves are right in the thick of a crowded West. Steve Hartman and Andrew Dukowitz (The Missing Wolves Podcast and ZoneCoverage.com) break down the biggest surprises of the year, the evolution of Jaden McDaniels, and why Rudy Gobert remains the most polarizing (yet essential) piece of the puzzle. 1:39 Andrew Dukowitz joins and shares his journ...

Steve gets you ready for the weekend of basketball.  NBA Cup semi-finals taking place in Las Vegas. Can anyone slow down the Thunder and will we see an NBA Finals preview? The Timberwolves have an important weekend ahead at Golden State and home versus the Sacramento Kings. Yes, the Kings...again.  Interesting college games in the Big Ten, SEC and Big 12. Also, mid-major teams looking to make a st...

The Minnesota Timberwolves are climbing the standings, but the biggest story might be their rising two-way star. Host Steve Hartman dives deep into Jaden McDaniels' massive breakout , revealing how he went from a defensive stopper to one of the most efficient shooters in the league, currently ranking 3rd in the entire NBA in 3-Point Percentage !  We break down the Wolves' five-game winni...

Steve is joined by J Schwartz, Director of the East Metro Wave AAU program. They touched on a lot of subjects starting with J's story as a Park High coach and what brought him to start East Metro Wave.  They also discussed coaching and training in this era, and new challenges and opportunities in today's youth basketball landscape.  Steve also shares some of his favorite websites and app...

Steve breaks down the Wolves back-to-back excruciating losses. What happened in Sacramento 3 nights after a collapse in Phoenix?! How much is on head coach Chris Finch? It's a brutal trend that doesn't seem fixable with this current group of players. Plus thoughts on the Feast Week in college basketball. 1:26 Timberwolves blow another 4th quarter lead late 7:39 Wolves need to develop a r...

This week on Splash City Basketball, we dive deep into the heart of Upper Midwest hoops history! Host Steve Hartman welcomes UND basketball alum Ben Brickson, a key player from the 1995 North Central Conference (NCC) Championship team, to explore the seismic shift from Division II to Division I. Ben pulls back the curtain, sharing personal stories from the intense 1995 NCC Championship season and...

In this episode Steve breaks down the past week in the NBA and for the Timberwolves and college. We also look at some of the notable Minnesota prep hoopers committing to play college basketball. Finally, I give my Bucket List of college basketball venues.  0:10 Intro 1:28 Wolves go 2-1, but still haven't beaten a team over .500 10:28 NBA Performances of the Week: Steph and the Pistons 12:22 N...