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This Week’s Hoop Heads Podcast Episodes
BRITT MOORE – ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH – EPISODE 1200
Britt Moore is in his 9th season as the Men’s Basketball Head Coach at Elizabethtown College where he has the Blue Jays off to a 10-1 start this year. Before taking the head coaching position at Elizabethtown, Moore spent six seasons as the head coach at the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford, taking his Panther teams to the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Tournament each season.
REVISTING THE WESTERN CONFERENCE OVER/UNDERS – EPISODE 1201
On this episode, Mike and Jason look back at the Western Conference preseason over/unders and discuss each West team as the NBA season approaches the halfway point.
ROUND TABLE 85 – WHAT’S THE SMALLEST DETAIL IN A GAME THAT MOST FANS MISS BUT DRIVES YOU CRAZY (IN A GOOD OR BAD WAY)? – EPISODE 1202
January’s Round Table question is: What’s the smallest detail in a game that most fans miss but drives you crazy (in a good or bad way)?
Our Coaching Lineup this month:
Jake Boyd – Luther College
Stephen Halstead – Grace College
Joe Harris – Lake Chelan (WA) High School
Dave Hixon – Amherst College
Ron King – Putnam Valley (NY) High School
Mike Koehler – Elkhart Lake (WI) High School
Bob Krizancic – Mentor (OH) High School
Dave McGreal – Penn State Altoona
Josh Merkel – Randolph Macon College
Michael Rejniak – We Are D3
Don Showalter - USA Basketball
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This Week’s Coaching Articles
This article explains that players often shoot well in practice but struggle in games not because of nerves, but because practice doesn’t simulate the conditions and shot quality standards they face in real competition meaning players aren’t trained on deep, forgiving shots that hold up under pressure. It argues that coaches should emphasize shot behavior (such as arc and depth) over only form or makes, and use clear cues like “BRAD: Back Rim And Down” to help players internalize shot standards that survive fatigue and defense. Finally, the article suggests coaches focus on measurable feedback (charting misses and good/bad shots) instead of simply adding more reps, so players learn to self-correct and transfer consistent shooting mechanics into game situations.
This article argues that you can’t fix every problematic behavior on your team at once, so it’s important to categorize expectations into Coach Standards (non-negotiables you’ll always enforce), Team Standards (behaviors agreed upon and reinforced with your group), and Someday Standards (aspirational behaviors that will take time to develop). It emphasizes intentionally tolerating certain “Someday” behaviors for now while you build the culture and work toward elevating them. Finally, it encourages coaches to reflect on what they’re currently willing to tolerate and what’s needed to shift those behaviors into stronger team norms.
This article outlines ten practical strategies for coaches to maintain a strong locker room culture by building trust, clear communication, and meaningful connections with players rather than letting engagement fade. It emphasizes honesty with players, making each individual feel valued, empowering staff, creating shared ownership of standards, and using adversity as a unifying growth opportunity. The article also encourages coaches to prioritize purposeful standards, celebrate progress, reconnect after conflict, and even help players take ownership of their future to keep them committed and invested in the team’s success.
This Week’s NBA Articles
This article explains how tanking, strategically losing games to improve draft odds, evolved from a taboo practice into a widespread, even normalized part of NBA culture, amplified by tools like the Tankathon tracker and the Philadelphia 76ers’ “Process.” Despite multiple reform efforts by the league and commissioner Adam Silver to reduce incentives to tank (like flattening lottery odds and adding the play-in tournament), teams still manipulate rosters and outcomes to chase high draft picks, and the practice remains ingrained in fan and executive behavior. Ultimately, the article argues that tanking persists because the system still rewards losing and because fans and analysts have embraced it as a savvy strategy rather than a competitive flaw.
ESPN previews the NBA’s Feb. 5, 2026 trade deadline by highlighting a player to watch for each of the 30 teams, spotlighting stars like Ja Morant and Jonathan Kuminga as potential trade targets who could reshape contenders or help reshuffling rebuilds. The story breaks down how teams must decide whether to pursue win-now talent or leverage assets for future value as the deadline looms. It underscores the strategic decisions across the league as front offices weigh risks, roster fit, and playoff ambitions in shaping deals before the cutoff.
This article ranks the top 10 NBA duos where both players are 25 or younger, placing Victor Wembanyama (22) and Stephon Castle (21) of the San Antonio Spurs at No. 1 due to their high talent and potential impact. It highlights other elite young pairings like Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren in Oklahoma City and Alperen Şengün with Amen Thompson in Houston, emphasizing the league’s depth of youthful talent. The list showcases how these young duos are shaping the future of their franchises and could become foundational pieces as they continue to develop.
This Week’s College Basketball Articles
The NCAA has revised its college basketball transfer and recruiting rules so players can only enter the transfer portal during a 15-day window that begins the day after the NCAA Tournament ends, significantly shortening and tightening the process. It also includes a separate 15-day portal window tied to head coaching changes that opens a few days after a new coach is announced, with specific timing conditions if replacements are delayed. These changes aim to reduce recruitment distractions during March Madness and bring more structure and predictability to transfers and roster movement.
This article ranks the top 10 college basketball teams of the 2000s based on season performance, tournament success, and sustained dominance, with the 2007-08 Kansas Jayhawks claiming the No. 1 spot after winning the national championship and losing only three games all season. Other legendary teams on the list include the 2000-01 Duke Blue Devils and the 2006-07 Florida Gators, both national champions, as well as multiple entries from North Carolina and UConn reflecting their decade-long excellence. It also includes one dominant non-champion—2007-08 Memphis—recognized for its 26-game win streak and deep tourney run, highlighting how impact and consistency defined the era’s greatest squads.
Federal prosecutors have charged 20 individuals, including at least 15 former Division I men’s college basketball players and several gamblers, with participating in a widespread point-shaving and game-fixing scheme that manipulated outcomes for gambling purposes across multiple NCAA games and even some international contests. Authorities allege players were bribed to underperform to influence betting results, with some payments reportedly ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 per game, highlighting serious integrity concerns for college basketball. The sweeping indictment underscores the growing threat of illegal sports gambling on amateur athletics and has prompted calls for stronger safeguards to protect competitive fairness.
This Week’s YouTube Coaching Videos
This video breaks down the mechanics of passing lane steals. The surprising secret involves footwork and body positioning, drawing unexpected comparisons to fencing. Discover a repeatable technique that may change how you approach defense.
After losing three straight to San Antonio, the Thunder came in looking to prove they could handle Victor Wembanyama and this time, they did. This video breaks down how OKC’s hand-off actions carved up the Spurs defense, how Jalen Williams rediscovered his rhythm, and why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s mix of skill and guile continues to make him unstoppable. Plus, how the Spurs’ confusing “one-man zone” approach with Wemby backfired in the second half.
This video breaks down 2-man game concepts using a Pin Down as the primary example, but the same reads apply to Ball Screens and DHOs.
The video shows:
• How to attack when the defender goes over the top
• How to counter when they go under with a “Twist” rescreen
• Why the goal of the rescreen is to force the defender over the top
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