This Week In The BIG EAST Radio Show, distributed by Westwood One, continued its ninth season with guests Providence sophomore forward Bryce Hopkins, DePaul head coach Tony Stubblefield and Field of 68 NCAA Basketball Analyst Jeff Goodman.
The second episode of TWITBE takes a look at Marquette, Providence and Xavier’s fast starts to conference play, as well as the incredible matchups already played in the opening month of BIG EAST competition.
The BIG EAST Spotlight is on Providence forward Bryce Hopkins, who discusses his transfer from Kentucky to Providence and the impact head coach Ed Cooley has had on rebuilding his confidence. Hopkins talks about how a back injury early in his freshman season at Kentucky limited his time on the court, but since transferring to Providence coach Cooley and “Friartown” have welcomed him with open arms and have helped him feel like himself again. Leading the Friars with 16.0 points and 9.1 rebounds per game at the halfway point of the 2022-23 campaign, Hopkins talks about how he is excited for the rest of the season and having the opportunity in March to play at Madison Square Garden in the BIG EAST Tournament.
The BIG EAST Focus shines on DePaul head coach Tony Stubblefield, fresh off the Blue Demons first victory over Villanova in 15 years. Stubblefield takes note of the milestone for his team, but explains how he immediately shifted the focus to Seton Hall Saturday at Noon ET, as his team continues to progress during conference play.
Stadium.com and Field of 68 Basketball Analyst Jeff Goodman gives a view on the national perspective. Goodman touches on the outstanding performances thus far throughout the BIG EAST, including the impressive start by Xavier under the direction of Sean Miller. He also discusses the national focus and how the BIG EAST matches up with the rest of the NCAA.
The episode’s “Who’s Hot” segment features the return of “Blast from the Past”, rewinding the tape to 2019, reliving a historic game for former DePaul superstar Max Strus when he scored a BIG EAST single-game school record 43 points on senior night to help the Blue Demons defeat St. John’s. With DePaul trailing by nine points at the half, Strus willed the Blue Demons to victory with 36 of his 43 points falling in the second half. “Who’s Got Next?” takes a look at the upcoming schedule, highlighting the big matchups.
The returning hosts for This Week In The BIG EAST (#TWITBE) are John Rooke, a longtime BIG EAST play-by-play voice, and Kevin McNamara, BIG EAST radio host, columnist and author. Rooke and McNamara give a comprehensive look at the teams, coaches, players and storied tradition of the top basketball conference in America in each episode.
To join the conversation and send questions to Rooke (@JRbroadcaster) and McNamara (@KevinMcNamara33), use #TWITBE on Twitter. Fans may submit questions to be featured on the show.
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This will air Saturday, Jan. 14 at 11 a.m. ET on Sirius 134 XM 201 Online 964 leading into the DePaul broadcast of Seton Hall @ DePaul.