This Week in the BIG EAST - Weekly Overview of NCAA College Basketball's Top Conference
Now in its 10th season, This Week In The BIG EAST, hosted by Kevin McNamara and John Rooke, is the official podcast of BIG EAST basketball. Kevin, radio host, columnist and author, and John, a longtime play-by-play broadcaster, have combined to cover BIG EAST basketball for over 60 years. The show is a comprehensive look at the teams, coaches, players and storied tradition of the top basketball conference in America, welcoming guests from around the league. #TWITBE also brings sounds of the games – past and present – through @BIGEASTmbb game audio highlights from Butler, UConn, Creighton, DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Villanova and Xavier. Each episode, John (@JRbroadcaster) and Kevin (@KevinMcNamara33) recap the latest news in the BIG EAST and preview what’s to come. Tweet questions to John and Kevin while tagging #TWITBE.
This Week in the BIG EAST - Weekly Overview of NCAA College Basketball's Top Conference
#TWITBE Ep. 10.3 - Guests Jayden Epps, Dan Hurley and Rich Chvotkin
This Week In The BIG EAST Radio Show, distributed by Westwood One, continued its 10th season with guests Georgetown sophomore guard Jayden Epps, Connecticut head coach Dan Hurley and legendary play-by-play announcer Rich Chvotkin.
The third episode of This Week in the BIG EAST (TWITBE) takes a look at the league as a whole. Depth is a strength this season for the league with nine of the 11 teams ranked among the top 62 in KenPom metrics and seven listed among the top-50 of the NET rankings.
The BIG EAST Focus shines on Georgetown sophomore guard Jayden Epps, who discusses joining head coach Ed Cooley and the Hoyas after transferring from Illinois. Epps goes in depth on the overall pros and cons of the transfer portal, including the positive impact it has had on him personally. Epps also talks about the BIG EAST, with his favorite aspect being how competitive it is and the challenges each opponent brings night in and night out.
The BIG EAST Spotlight is on UConn head coach Dan Hurley. After capturing the fifth national title in program history this past April, the Huskies are once again taking the bull by the horns as they maintain the top-ranking in both the AP Poll and USA Today Coaches Rankings with a 17-2 (7-1 BIG EAST) overall mark. Hurley discusses the great expectations for his team as the Huskies head toward March, and how his team has continued to battle all season long.
Georgetown’s legendary play-by-play announcer Rich Chvotkin, celebrating 50-years as the Voice of the Georgetown Hoyas, gives a view on the national perspective. Chvotkin discusses the start of his career with the Hoyas in 1974 and the journey he has been on over the past 50 years. Opening the interview sharing some of his fondest BIG EAST memories, Chvotkin also gives his thoughts on the current state of the Hoyas and the impact he already sees Cooley having on the program.
The episode’s “Who’s Hot” segment features the return of “Blast from the Past”, rewinding the tape to 1994, when Providence’s Michael Smith pounded Syracuse on the glass for a BIG EAST record 26 rebounds. Smith’s rebounding record still stands today, and his 11.66 career rebounds per game still ranks first among the BIG EAST all-time leaders. “Who’s Got Next?” takes a look at the upcoming schedule, highlighting the big matchups.
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. 27 at 12 p.m. ET on Sirius 160 XM 201 Online 964 leading into the Marquette men’s basketball broadcast of Seton Hall @ No. 14 Marquette.