Welcome to another exciting episode of Locked On UConn! It’s Free for All Friday, and we’re diving into our Top 10 College Basketball Players, ranked from 10 to 1. Join us as we break down each player’s strengths, contributions, and why they deserve their spot on the list. From Hunter Dickinson at Kansas to Johni Broome at Auburn, we cover the best of the best.

Show Notes:

1. Introduction

• Welcome to Free for All Friday on Locked On UConn.

• Reminder to subscribe on YouTube and follow on podcast platforms.

2. Housekeeping

• Encourage YouTube subscribers to download the audio version.

• Request for 5-star reviews to help grow the Locked On UConn audience.

3. Sponsor: FanDuel

• Information on FanDuel’s summer offers and daily boosts.

4. Top 10 Coaches in College Basketball

• Discussion on top coaches like Bill Self, Scott Drew, and Tom Izzo.

5. Sponsor: eBay Motors

• Promotion for eBay Motors and their offerings for car enthusiasts.

6. Top 10 Players in College Basketball (10-6)

• Number 10: Hunter Dickinson, Center, Kansas

• Dominant presence in the paint, double-double threat, defensive edge.

• Number 9: Aiden Mahaney, Shooting Guard/Point Guard, UConn

• Dynamic playmaker, clutch performer, versatile guard.

• Number 8: RJ Davis, Point Guard, North Carolina

• Exceptional ball-handling, playmaking skills, defensive tenacity.

• Number 7: Mark Sears, Point Guard, Alabama

• Explosive scorer, strong defensive presence, versatile.

• Number 6: Jackson Robinson, Point Guard/Shooting Guard/Wing, Kentucky

• Athletic, versatile, effective on both ends of the floor.

7. Sponsor: The Feel Good Lab

• Testimonial and promotion for The Feel Good Lab’s wellness products.

8. Top 10 Players in College Basketball (5-1)

• Number 5: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Center, Creighton

• Impressive shot-blocker, defensive presence, reliable scorer.

• Number 4: Qadari Richmond, Point Guard/Shooting Guard, St. John’s

• Strong defensive skills, adept ball handler, versatile.

• Number 3: Alex Karaban, Power Forward, UConn

• High basketball IQ, versatile scorer, strong defender.

• Number 2: Johnell Davis, Shooting Guard/Point Guard, Michigan

• Dynamic scorer, defensive tenacity, versatile backcourt player.

• Number 1: Johni Broome, Wing, Auburn

• Versatile scorer, strong defender, comprehensive skill set.

9. Locked On Sports Today

• Information about the Locked On Sports Today 24/7 streaming channel.

10. Conclusion

• Recap of the episode.

• Encourage listeners to stay connected and locked in.

• Signature sign-off: “Stay locked in, stay connected, make sure your toughness meter is always rising, and as always, Go Huskies!”

Hashtags

#UConn #Huskies #CollegeBasketball #NCAA #LockedOnUConn #Top10Players #Basketball #FanDuel #eBayMotors #TheFeelGoodLab #FreeForAllFriday #BasketballPodcast #UConnNation #GoHuskies

“Will Alex Karaban Win National Player of the Year?”

@LockedOnUConn

In this episode of Locked On UConn, host Mark Zanetto dives into the potential of UConn’s own Alex Karaban becoming a contender for the National Player of the Year (NPOY) award. Special guest Dan Meehan, owner and founder of the EXIT 68 brand, joins the show to discuss Karaban’s chances and the competition he faces from other top players like RJ Davis, Mark Sears, Johni Broome, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Hunter Dickinson. The episode also covers the support from the UConn community, the importance of subscribing and following the podcast, and a special segment on the Gametime app for last-minute ticket deals. Additionally, Mark and Dan share their thoughts on the best UConn players of all time and discuss the latest in sports news on the Locked On Sports Today channel.

Show Notes:

1. Introduction and Welcome

• Thanks for making Locked On UConn your first listen every day.

• Reminder to subscribe on YouTube and follow on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

2. Housekeeping

• Encouragement to download the audio version to help grow the Locked On UConn audience.

• Request for 5-star reviews to trigger referrals and attract new listeners.

3. Sponsor: Gametime

• Details on how to use the Gametime app for last-minute MLB ticket deals.

• Personal anecdote about enjoying MLB games and using Gametime for ticket purchases.

4. Main Topic: Alex Karaban’s NPOY Chances

• Introduction of guest Dan Meehan from EXIT 68.

• Discussion on whether Alex Karaban should be considered a contender for NPOY.

• Analysis of the competition, including RJ Davis, Mark Sears, Johni Broome, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Hunter Dickinson.

• Mark’s perspective on Karaban’s strengths and chances in the NPOY race.

5. Gametime Ad Read

• Encouragement to use Gametime for MLB tickets and details on app features like Flash Deals and Zone Deals.

6. Discussion with Dan Meehan

• Dan’s thoughts on the best UConn players of all time.

• Discussion about the EXIT 68 brand, which offers a variety of apparel and merchandise celebrating UConn sports and culture. Collections include themes like “3PEAT,” “CARDIAC KEMBA,” and “IRON SHARPENS IRON.” More details are available on their website, EXIT 68.

7. Locked On Sports Today

• Information about the Locked On Sports Today channel on YouTube and Amazon Fire TV.

• Promotion of the 24/7 sports streaming channel for top sports stories and expert analysis.

8. Conclusion

• Recap of the episode and final thoughts.

• Reminder to stay connected and stay locked in.

• Signature sign-off: “Stay locked in, stay connected, make sure your toughness meter is always rising, and as always, Go Huskies!”

In this episode of Locked On UConn, we discuss why the UConn men’s basketball team is criminally underrated for the 24/25 season and why that’s a strategic advantage for Coach Dan Hurley. Despite their back-to-back national titles, UConn isn’t receiving the recognition they deserve. We’ll explore how Hurley can use this underestimation to fuel his team’s motivation and draw parallels with a recent storyline in the Netflix Show, Cobra Kai.

Show Notes:

Introduction:

• Welcome and housekeeping

• Encourage YouTube subscribers to download the audio version on podcast platforms

• Request for 5-star reviews to help grow the audience

• Sponsor mention: Gametime

Segment 1: UConn’s Criminally Underrated Status

• Discussion Points:

• Despite back-to-back national titles, UConn is not getting the recognition it deserves.

• Key returning players and new high-impact recruits.

• Parallels with Cobra Kai’s underdog story.

• Hurley’s ability to use the underdog mentality for motivation.

• Insights:

• Media labels and historical bias: Notre Dame Football, Duke Basketball, Kansas Basketball.

• Political parallels: How oversimplified labels shape perceptions.

Ad Break:

• Sponsor mention: Gametime

• Highlight the benefits of using Gametime for last-minute MLB game tickets.

• Promo code: LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off the first purchase.

Segment 2: Media Labels and UConn’s Underdog Spirit

• Discussion Points:

• Persistent media labels and their impact on team perception.

• UConn’s journey from underdog to champion under Jim Calhoun and Dan Hurley.

• The challenge and opportunity of being underestimated.

• Insights:

• Comparison to political labels and their influence on public perception.

• Hurley’s strategy to leverage the underdog narrative for team cohesion and motivation.

Ad Break:

• Promotion for Locked On Sports Today, a 24/7 sports streaming channel on YouTube and Amazon Fire TV.

Bottom Line:

• Media labels simplify narratives, often ignoring current realities.

• For UConn, being underestimated serves as both a challenge and an opportunity.

• Dan Hurley can use this narrative to drive continuous improvement and excellence within the team.

• Analogy: Like a chef who publicly showcases their culinary skills but privately uses past critiques to drive innovation and perfection.

Conclusion:

• Recap of key points.

• Encourage listeners to subscribe, follow, and leave reviews.

• Teaser for the next episode.

Outro:

• Mention of Locked On Sports Today’s availability on YouTube and Amazon Fire TV.

• Sign-off: “Stay locked in, stay connected, make sure your toughness meter is always rising, and as always, Go Huskies!”

Hashtags:

#UConn #LockedOnUConn #DanHurley #CollegeBasketball #MauiInvitational #NCAABasketball #UConnBasketball #Huskies #SportsPodcast #BigEast #NCAA #netflix #cobrakai