Episode 8: Mike Brey

University of San Diego assistant men's basketball coach Pat Baldwin joins Let's Take a Look to preview Make Every Place Your Big Time, From The Big Ten to Pro Basketball, Conversations With Champions and Change Makers, his first book, set for release on November 10th.You can purchase your copy here:https://www.yourbigtimestore.com/But first, host Steve Groothuis discusses the influence of the late Jim Valvano and the difference between "big-timers" and "rats (4:03)."Topics:Does Leavenworth, Kansas really have a military prison? (15:09)The challenges of growing up in a house with 9 people (18:34)Michael Jordan's influence on Pat's decision to attend Northwestern (31:14)Playing for Bill Foster at Northwestern (32:40)The "Big-time" MakersEvan Eschmeyer (53:40)Bryant McIntosh (57:07)Patrick Ewing (59:06)Joe Turek (1:05:19)Rebuilding Northwestern with Head Coach Chris Collins (1:10:48)Coaching his son, Patrick Baldwin, Jr., a future NBA first round draft pick (1:17:40)Addressing rumors Coach K offered him a coaching position while recruiting his son, Patrick (1:26:06)The Questionnaire (1:35:39)

New York Times best selling author Jonathan Abrams joins the program to discuss his newest book, When We Were Young and Fearless: Kevin, Russell, James and the Making of the Modern NBA, available November 3rd, anywhere books are sold.Jonathan discusses his working relationship with Bill Simmons (11:32), how Kevin Durant transitioned from "The Force" to "The Dark Side," Durant's relationship with Russell Westbrook (23:55), Sam Presti's management style (30:35), the time James Harden asked Sam Presti for a job (35:47), the relationship of all three superstars today (42:27), his personal favorite stories from the book (43:33), and he sits for the Let's Take a Look questionnaire (45:39).But first, host Steve Groothuis explains how Jonathan's book reminds him of his favorite Muhammad Ali story (10:24).You can get your copy here: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/when-we-were-young-and-fearless-jonathan-abrams?variant=44804542857250

Coaching veteran Chris Casey of Fairfield University (CT) describes the challenges a mid-major program faces in the era of NIL (4:38), the valuable advice he received from coaching legend Gordon Chiesa (42:02), the NCAA Tournament experience (53:07), running the New York Marathan while an assistant in the Big East (1:06:48), and he sticks around to answer the questionnaire (1:11:06).But first, host Steven Groothuis gives his thoughts on the status of college basketball.

Coach Mike Brey joins the program a few hours before the Atlanta Hawks' first pre-season game with the Memphis Grizzlies to discuss his NBA experience (13:41), Notre Dame recruits that got away (53:31), why Snoop Dogg and Spike Lee visited the Notre Dame Basketball offices (1:11:11), and he explains what it was really like working for Coach K (1:17:00). But first, host Steven Groothuis shares why Marv Albert almost led to Coach Brey firing him just a few weeks after joining the student managerial staff at the University of Delaware.

Former National Basketball Association official Ronnie Nunn joins "Let's Take a Look" to discuss the calls he made (and did not make) that still give him restless nights (16:11), why he holds no ill will towards Red Holzman for cutting him from Knicks training camp (35:40), what could have prevented the "Malace at the Palace"(47:40), his legacy as the Supervisor of Officials (58:20), what separates Kobe Bryant from all other NBA players (1:10:37), Jerry Sloan's unique verncular (1:05:34), and he becomes the third guest to take our "Let's Take a Look" questionnaire (1:23:12).This episode is dedicated to the memory of Leon and Harold Gecker.

This week, Let's Take a Look is joined by Keith Glass.  The agent, author, and basketball coach compares his career to that of Jerry Maguire (12:30), shares his favorite negotiations, discusses Tom Izzo getting tongue lashings from Jud Heathcote (21:53), the legend of Camp Keeyumah (44:55), being John Wooden's personal chauffeur and coaching at UCLA (49:43), as well as the genius and status of his relationship with Larry Brown.  Plus, he sticks around for Let's Take a Look's vaunted Questionnaire (1:24:01)!

Member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Bob Hurley, Sr. joins the program to discuss his first book, Divided Loyalties: The Diaries of a Basketball Father.  Written with the late Phil Pepe of the New York Daily News, it is a review of 1992-1993, a year in the life of Bobby and Danny Hurley, as seen through the eyes of their father.  Coach Hurley provides his perspective while watching his children guard each other in the 1993 NCAA Tournament (16:50), experiencing two of the greatest shots in NCAA Tournament history (22:11), turning down multiple overtures to coach in college (35:40), Bobby's recruitment (45:37), his approach to player discipline (1:06:28), Danny's recruitment (1:01:42), Danny's relationship with the fans at Seton Hall (1:23:42), Bobby's relationship with Christian Laettner (1:29:05), the NBA Draft (1:36:38), and he also becomes the first guest to sit for host Steve Groothuis' viral questionnaire (1:44:50).

Let's Take a Look welcomes Alabama State's new head coach Chris Wright to discuss his first steps to bring his winning ways to Montgomery, Alabama, being a white head coach at an HBCU, why he felt the need to suspend his best player for a national championship game, why he does not have any fun coaching, and what "NAIA" actually means. But first, host Steve Groothuis reviews Episodes One and Two ofThe Dynasty: UConn Huskies, the new documentary available on Apple TV.

Former NBA First-Round pick and New Jersey legend Rodrick Rhodes going in-depth on his relationship (past and present) with Rick Pitino, the gifts of Coach Bob Hurley, the first call he received after being drafted by the Houston Rockets, and the "glow" of Michael Jordan.But first, host Steve Groothuis discusses his thoughts on his relationship with the New York Knicks.

Championship Productions presents Let's Take a Look.....and we have a guest!  Legendary Davidson College head men's basketball coach Bob McKillop joins the program to discuss the current state of college athletics (9:30), Stephen Curry's bedroom, his days at the storied Five-Star Basketball Camp, the challenges taking over the basketball program at Davidson, and his potential professional baseball playing career.