Mark Pope previews Kentucky's 2026-27 roster and highlights possible surprise players

Mark Pope previews Kentucky's 2026-27 roster and highlights possible surprise players

Kentucky head coach Mark Pope joins Inside College Basketball Now for an in-depth offseason conversation, covering everything from roster construction and player development to coaching against Rick Pitino and the expectations that come with leading one of college basketball's biggest programs. Pope opens up about why Kentucky is his "favorite job of all time," reflects on the challenges of last season in Lexington, explains how injuries reshaped the Wildcats' roster, and discusses why last year's team became a foundation for the program's long-term vision. Plus, Pope shares updates on Kentucky's offseason, the potential for a St. John's home-and-home series, his relationship with Rick Pitino, what he's expecting from key returners like Malachi Moreno and additions like Zoom Diallo and Milan Momcilovic, the Wildcats' non-conference schedule, and what real progress looks like entering next season. (0:10) Offseason plans (1:10) Finding balance in today's college basketball landscape (1:50) Why Kentucky is "the favorite job of all time" (2:25) Reflecting on the 2025-26 season (3:15) Biggest frustrations from last year (4:20) The St. John's game (5:20) Coaching against Rick Pitino (6:25) St. John's home-and-home series? (7:05) If Pitino returned to Kentucky... 7:45 Lessons learned from Pitino (8:50) Santa Clara victory and its impact (11:05) Ideal roster size in modern college basketball (12:45) Kentucky's roster outlook (13:45) Malachi Moreno's development (15:15) Zoom Diallo's next step (16:50) Milan Momcilovic's fit (19:35) Biggest surprise on next year's roster (21:00) Non-conference scheduling (22:35) What defines success for Kentucky next season?

SEC Power Rankings: Is Anyone Catching Florida?

Jon Rothstein breaks down the SEC heading into the 2026-27 season, starting with why Florida is in a class of its own thanks to an unprecedented level of roster retention. Plus, why Texas looks like the biggest challenger, what's holding back LSU, and his full preseason SEC power rankings from 1 through 16. Rothstein also reveals his preseason SEC awards, including Player of the Year, First Team All-SEC, sleeper picks, breakout candidates, and the freshmen who could make the biggest impact in 2026-27. Plus, Twitter questions and final thoughts on the nation's deepest conference. (0:00) Welcome Back (1:50) Florida's Ridiculous Retention (5:15) Texas Looks Like the Biggest Threat (9:00) LSU: The SEC's Mystery Team (13:40) SEC Preseason Power Rankings (25:20) SEC Preseason Awards (31:20) Twitter Questions (36:45) Final SEC Thoughts

Mickey McConnell on learning from Randy Bennett, Saint Mary's roster for next season and MORE

Jon Rothstein sits down with new St. Mary’s head coach, Mikey McConnell, to discuss working under Randy Bennett, the roster he put together and what WCC play is going to look like without Gonzaga. (0:00) - Intro (1:30) - McConnell on when he met Randy Bennett (2:15) - McConnell on how Randy Bennett achieved what he did at St. Mary’s over the years (4:30) - McConnell on when he was named head coach in waiting (5:00) - McConnell on conversation with Randy Bennett when he left for ASU (6:00) - McConnell on how he follows what Randy Bennett did as head coach (7:30) - McConnell on the biggest differences from being a head coach vs. an assistant coach (8:30) - McConnell on the roster he has put together (9:00) - McConnell on losing players due to financial reasons (10:00) - McConnell on which returning guy will make the biggest jump (11:44) - McConnell on what WCC play is going to look like without Gonzaga (12:45) - McConnell on if Gonzaga and St. Mary’s will keep a non-conference game (13:15) - McConnell on his non-conference schedule (15:40) - McConnell on a win and loss he holds on to

Jon Rothstein reacts to Dusty May leaving Michigan for the Mavericks

Unpacking the breaking news of Dusty May leaving Michigan following two seasons and a national championship for the Dallas Mavericks. What led to this decision? What happens with the Wolverines now? (0:00) Dusty May to NBA (15:03) Mike Boynton Promotion (17:00) Chat Questions (24:00) Closing Thoughts #CollegeBasketball #CBB #NCAA #BigTen #SEC #ACC #EyeOnCollegeBasketball #JonRothstein 🎥 WATCH • Subscribe to this channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CBSSportsCBB [https://www.youtube.com/@CBSSportsCBB] • Watch CBS Sports HQ: https://cbssports.com/live [https://cbssports.com/live] • Watch CBS Sports Network on your TV or the CBS Sports App with your cable provider 🎧 LISTEN • Stream and follow Eye on College Basketball & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vk8wq9lunf3agEif1kM8T?si=b4e091007c2545c6 [https://open.spotify.com/show/2vk8wq9lunf3agEif1kM8T?si=b4e091007c2545c6] • Download and follow Eye on College Basketball & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eye-on-college-basketball/id268800565 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eye-on-college-basketball/id268800565] • Stream and follow Inside College Basketball Now with Jon Rothstein & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t03SRmmslKzdQ5AtGlXiM?si=9443b63851324a18 [https://open.spotify.com/show/3t03SRmmslKzdQ5AtGlXiM?si=9443b63851324a18] • Download and follow Inside College Basketball Now & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-college-basketball-now/id1823022867 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-college-basketball-now/id1823022867] 📱FOLLOW • Twitter: https://twitter.com/EyeOnCBBPodcast [https://twitter.com/EyeOnCBBPodcast] • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbssportscbb/ [https://www.instagram.com/cbssportscbb/] • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cbssportscbb?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@cbssportscbb?lang=en] ▶︎Gary Parrish: https://twitter.com/GaryParrishCBS [https://twitter.com/GaryParrishCBS] ▶︎Matt Norlander: https://twitter.com/MattNorlander [https://twitter.com/MattNorlander] ▶︎Jon Rothstein: https://x.com/JonRothstein [https://x.com/JonRothstein]

This is what Bobby Cremins told Scott Cross about being the Georgia Tech head coach

Jon Rothstein sits down with first-year Georgia Tech head coach Scott Cross to talk about gettting the job in Atlanta, how to get the Yellow Jackets humming again and the goals for year one. (0:00) Intro + Scott Cross joins the show (0:15) First memories of Georgia Tech basketball & coming to a program with Final Four history (2:20) Reversing the NCAA tournament inconsistency at GT (3:25) Reaching out to previous head coaches for advice & home court advantage (5:20) Balancing the transfer portal and high school recruiting (6:45) The differences between leading a high-major and mid-major program (8:00) From the tournament to a new job in just a few days (8:45) How being fired from UT-Arlington changed his coaching career (9:51) Learning from Jamie Dixon at TCU (11:45) What upgrades do Georgia Tech need? (13:00) Moving to a multi-bid league after living in a single-bid league (14:50) First impressions of the roster & nonconference schedule (16:00) One win and one loss that stick (17:15) What are the goals and expectations for year one? 🎥 WATCH • Subscribe to this channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CBSSportsCBB [https://www.youtube.com/@CBSSportsCBB] • Watch CBS Sports HQ: https://cbssports.com/live [https://cbssports.com/live] • Watch CBS Sports Network on your TV or the CBS Sports App with your cable provider 🎧 LISTEN • Stream and follow Inside College Basketball Now with Jon Rothstein & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3t03SRmmslKzdQ5AtGlXiM?si=9443b63851324a18 [https://open.spotify.com/show/3t03SRmmslKzdQ5AtGlXiM?si=9443b63851324a18] • Download and follow Inside College Basketball Now & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-college-basketball-now/id1823022867 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-college-basketball-now/id1823022867] 📱FOLLOW • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbssportscbb/ [https://www.instagram.com/cbssportscbb/] • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cbssportscbb?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@cbssportscbb?lang=en] ▶︎Jon Rothstein: https://x.com/JonRothstein [https://x.com/JonRothstein] 📖 READ • More college basketball news: https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/ [https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/] 🎙ABOUT INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW We're also the home for Inside College Basketball Now, hosted by Jon Rothstein. Known for his unmatched insider knowledge, bold takes, and relentless coverage, Rothstein goes deep to deliver what’s really happening in college hoops. From breaking down the biggest storylines to in-depth interviews with the top coaches in the country, this podcast is your all-access pass to the pulse of the game — 365 days a year. This. Is. March… and everything in between.