Splash City Basketball Podcast

Host Steve Hartman breaks down the 2026–27 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball season on a college edition of the Splash City Basketball Podcast.With Duke entering as the heavy preseason favorite, but coming off an early-season loss against Michigan State, Steve looks at whether anyone in the conference has the firepower to knock off the Blue Devils. Plus, we spotlight four players with Minnesota high school ties competing in the ACC this year, highlight the top contenders for ACC Player of the Year, and close out with the "3 and D" segment covering the biggest storylines and darkhorse picks across the league.In this episode:Conference Outlook: Why the ACC ranks fifth in overall conference strength and how many NCAA Tournament bids to expect.Minnesota Ties in the ACC: Checking in on Terrence Brown (North Carolina), Nasir Whitlock (Georgia Tech), Chase Thompson (Clemson), and Tommy Ahneman (Notre Dame).Players to Watch: Thijs De Ridder (Virginia), Patrick Ngongba II & John Blackwell (Duke), Flory Bidunga (Louisville), and Miami’s Malik Reneau & Shelton Henderson.The 3 and D Segment:Storyline 1: Can Duke head coach Jon Scheyer exorcise his March Madness demons?Storyline 2: Just how dangerous is Ryan Odom’s fast-paced, top-10 Virginia squad?Storyline 3: Can new coaches Michael Malone (UNC) and Gerry McNamara (Syracuse) immediately restore order at two proud programs?Darkhorse Picks: Why Clemson and Notre Dame will outperform expectations, plus Shelton Henderson as a Darkhorse Player of the Year.Sponsored by 2nd Chance SportswearScore vintage, pre-loved sports apparel, throwbacks and game-day gear at budget-friendly prices. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon or YouTube. Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Bluesky. 

Welcome to the very first installment of "Chalk Talk" on the Splash City Basketball Podcast! Host Steve Hartman is joined by Derek Long (Assistant Coach at Marshall High School & Host of Sideline Vibes) to break down game film, defensive schemes, and execution from the floor up. In this episode: Local Prep & Youth Hoops: Steve recaps his 7th-grade travel team's season-opening tournament, and Derek breaks down the high school basketball excitement building at Marshall High. Gophers Win a Thriller (63-61): Instant reaction to Minnesota's road victory over Cincinnati at Fifth Third Arena! We break down Bobby Durkin's cold-blooded buzzer-beater and Kyan Evans' career-best 26-point performance.  Chalk Talk — Ball Screen Defense Breakdown: Steve and Derek dive deep into four core defensive schemes—Hedge & Recover, Hard Show/Trap (Blitz), Chase & Drop, and ICE/Blue coverage—plus the exact countermeasures offenses use to exploit each one. Timberwolves Film Room & Tactical Focus: How Chris Finch and the T-Wolves execute drop coverage, handle high pick-and-rolls, and dismantle opponent defensive schemes in the half-court. Subscribe to the Splash City Basketball Podcast on Apple Podcasts & Spotify so you never miss an episode! Sponsored by Radke Basketball AcademyRBA provides small-group & 1-on-1 basketball training. Book a session today! Use code SPLASH5. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon or YouTube. Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Bluesky. 

College basketball season is officially here! Host Steve Hartman kicks off conference preview season with a deep dive into one of the nation's most consistent leagues: the Big 12.Joining the show is Iowa State alumnus and owner of Second Chance Sportswear, Joe Couillard. Together, Steve and Joe break down the main storylines, top contenders, and underrated sleepers heading into conference play.In this episode:Sponsor Spotlight: How Joe built Second Chance Sportswear into a sports thrift destination and where to get vintage college hoops gear.Minnesota Connections: Tracking MN natives and local ties across the league, including Taison Chatman (Utah), Christian Wiggins (Iowa St), Mercy Miller (Houston), former NDSU players moving up, and former Gophers/Timberwolves ties to Ames.3 Key Storylines: Is Bill Self’s Kansas program under pressure? Can anyone stop Arizona and Houston at the top? How the middle group (Iowa State, Texas Tech, Baylor, BYU) shapes up.Players to Watch: Mo Krivas, Ivan Kharchenkov, Caleb Holt, Tyran Stokes, and the return of Tamin Lipsey.Picks & Predictions: Big 12 champion picks, dark horse sleepers , and setting the NCAA Tournament bid line at 9.5.📌 Follow & subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Leave a rating and review to support the show!🛒 Check out vintage sports apparel at SecondChanceSportswear.com.Sponsored by 2nd Chance SportswearScore vintage, pre-loved sports apparel, throwbacks and game-day gear at budget-friendly prices. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon or YouTube. Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Bluesky. 

In this episode of the Splash City Basketball Podcast, host Steve Hartman is joined by Minnesota High School Basketball Hall of Fame coach Dave Cresap.With nearly 40 years of head coaching experience, over 650 career wins, and a Class AA State Championship at Perham, Coach Cresap shares his journey from legendary high school battles to leading the M State Spartans at the JUCO level in Fergus Falls.In this episode, we cover:The Transition to M State: What led to his move to the college ranks, navigating two-year roster turnover, and leading M State to a top-four national finish.The Heart O’ Lakes Battles: Reflecting on classic conference rivalries against coaches like Bob Torgrimson  at Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton and Brad Strand at Pelican Rapids, plus the toughest road environments to play in.The Euro Ball Screen Offense: How Coach Cresap became an early pioneer of 5-out continuity ball screens in Minnesota after studying European basketball. Building Program Foundation: Why youth development, core values, and surrounding yourself with trusted assistant coaches are essential to long-term success.The Evolution of the Game: The impact of the Minnesota high school shot clock, modern strength training, and what has remained constant across four decades on the bench.Sponsored by Radke Basketball AcademyRBA provides small-group & 1-on-1 basketball training. Book a session today! Use code SPLASH5. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon or YouTube. Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Bluesky. 

The exhibition games are done, and real Golden Gopher basketball is just about to tip off! In this episode, host Steve Hartman breaks down early takeaways from the preseason. highlighting Isaac Asuma's stellar offensive leap, Kai Shinholster's expected sophomore jump, and critical rotation questions in the frontcourt. Plus, we look at why the non-conference margin for error is razor-thin, map out the vital 5-game January stretch that could determine their NCAA Tournament fate, and dive into a complete Big Ten preview featuring top contenders, dark horses, and the predicted order of finish. Sponsored by 2nd Chance SportswearScore vintage, pre-loved sports apparel, throwbacks and game-day gear at budget-friendly prices. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon or YouTube. Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Bluesky. 

Steve Hartman sits down with Alexandria head boys basketball coach and Precision Basketball owner Forrest Witt. Witt talks about growing up in a West Central Minnesota coaching family in Morris, playing at St. Cloud State, and the unique dynamic of coaching his son to a Class 3A state championship. Forrest also breaks down how the recruiting landscape has evolved with the transfer portal and NIL, the philosophy behind fundamental skill development over fancy "bags," and Alexandria's transition to Class AAAA. Plus, Steve provides his thoughts on the Minnesota Timberwolves 3-0 start to the 2026-2027 NBA season! Sponsored by Radke Basketball AcademyRBA provides small-group & 1-on-1 basketball training. Book a session today! Use code SPLASH5. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon or YouTube. Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Bluesky. 

Recorded live on location at The Bright Spot in Mound, Minnesota, host Steve Hartman is joined by die-hard Wolves superfans and friends Joe and Eddie to give you the ultimate fan's-eye view of the upcoming 2026–27 Minnesota Timberwolves season. If you live and breathe Wolves basketball, this is your episode. The guys break down the massive offseason shakeup, reacting to the blockbuster arrival of LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga, and debating whether we're actually going to miss the roller-coaster days of Julius Randle and Naz Reid. From how LaMelo is going to unlock Ant’s game in transition to venting about why the national media still refuses to respect this squad in the West, this is pure, unfiltered fan therapy. Plus, the guys share their boldest predictions for the season record, seeding, and playoff ceiling! A massive shout-out to Molly at The Bright Spot for hosting us, and to Dan Radke at Radke Basketball Academy for sponsoring the show. Use code SPLASH5 at RadkebasketballAcademy.com to grab $5 off your next group session! Sponsored by Radke Basketball AcademyRBA provides small-group & 1-on-1 basketball training. Book a session today! Use code SPLASH5. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon or YouTube. Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Bluesky. 

In this episode of the Splash City Basketball Podcast, host Steve Hartman breaks down everything you need to know about the Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team heading into their second year under head coach Niko Medved. Is this the year the Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team returns to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2019? From returning core pieces and crucial transfer portal additions to towering new frontcourt size and the massive wild card surrounding Cade Tyson, we go position-by-position through the entire roster. Plus, we discuss early analytics rankings (KenPom, EvanMiya, and Bart Torvik), key areas for growth, and what to look out for in upcoming exhibition games against Omaha and Creighton! Show Segments & Highlights:0:00 – Welcome to the season: Gopher expectations, KenPom rankings, and our 2nd Chance Sportswear "Conversation starter" on the Elam Ending vs. traditional late-game rules. 2:00 – Guard breakdown: Evaluating the backcourt, Kayan Evans, Isaac Asama, Kai Shinholster, and freshman Cedric Tolmes. 6:55 – Wing analysis: Bobby Durkin's shooting gravity, Malachi Palmer's 3-and-D upside, Winters Grady, and Nolan Groves. 12:36 – Frontcourt depth: Jalen Crocker Johnson's leadership, Grayson Grove's high motor, 7'2" giant Malik Cordell, and freshman size. 19:35 – Projected starting five, rotational strengths, defensive concerns, and the path back to the NCAA Tournament. Sponsored by 2nd Chance SportswearScore vintage, pre-loved sports apparel, throwbacks and game-day gear at budget-friendly prices. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon or YouTube. Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Bluesky. 

The landscape of college athletics is shifting in real time. From name, image, and likeness (NIL) to revenue sharing models, college basketball is operating more like a professional business strategy than ever before. In this episode of the Splash City Basketball Podcast, host Steve Hartman sits down with Kevin Hughes, former UW-Green Bay player and founding partner at Walker Miles. Bringing 16 years of branding and strategy experience, along with a background in NFL athlete representation, Kevin offers an insider's look at how NIL is transforming collegiate sports. In this episode, we cover:The Evolution of NIL: Explaining the difference between "Salary NIL" under revenue sharing and "Real NIL" marketing endorsements. Budget Breakdown: How universities allocate the initial $22M revenue share cap across football, basketball, and non-revenue sports. Regulation & Oversight: The role of the College Sports Commission (CSC) and NIL Go in auditing deals for fair market value. Metropolitan Advantages: Why urban markets like the Twin Cities (featuring Minnesota Gophers and St. Thomas) are uniquely primed for corporate NIL partnerships and storytelling. Behind the Scenes: Stories from the athlete representation world, navigating the transfer portal, and where college sports governance goes from here. Follow & Subscribe: If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the Splash City Basketball Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Podcasts, or YouTube!Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon or YouTube. Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Bluesky. 

Host Steve Hartman is joined by Derek Long (aka Croonch) from the Sideline Vibes podcast for a deep dive into the latest in Minnesota hoops!In this episode, Steve and Derek break down the Lynx’s swift postseason exit against the New York Liberty, dissecting the match-up challenges, offensive flow, and key offseason outlooks. Then, the guys switch gears to the Timberwolves as training camp kicks into high gear. They talk about the team’s new-look chemistry, the dynamic impact of adding LaMelo Ball, Ant’s evolution as a leader, and what noticeable on-court changes to expect this season—from improved offensive flow to second-unit defensive stability.Plus, Steve breaks down an upcoming project on Niko Medved’s Princeton offense with the Minnesota Golden Gophers and shares details on an exciting vintage apparel collaboration with Dime House Hoops!Sponsor Shoutout: Special thanks to Dan Radke at Radke Basketball Academy for sponsoring this episode! Elevate your player’s game with group or individual training sessions by visiting RadkeBasketballAcademy.com and using code SPLASH5 for $5 off a group session.Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, and follow the Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Blue Sky!Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon or YouTube. Follow Splash City Basketball Podcast on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Bluesky.