The Hoops Cap Pod

Big East Energy Network
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Hosted by Mark Zanetto 🎙 The Hoops Cap — only daily podcast For UConn men’s & women’s basketball. part of Big East EnergyNetwork

  1. 1D AGO

    Can Furman Pull Off the Upset vs UConn?

    Welcome to The Hoops Cap! In this episode, we’re setting the stage for a fascinating NCAA Tournament showdown as UConn prepares to face the Southern Conference champions, the Furman Paladins. Host Mark Zanetto brings together two distinct voices from both sides of the bracket: Andre Gray, associate head coach at Western Carolina University with inside knowledge of the SoCon and Furman’s strategies, and Rasheen Davis, Seton Hall assistant coach who’s battled UConn in the Big East this season. You’ll get expert insights into what makes Furman such a dangerous underdog, from their battle-tested roster and offensive depth to the coaching acumen of Bob Ritchie. The conversation also dives deep into UConn’s mindset as a perennial powerhouse, how they recover from adversity, and what they need to watch out for if Furman gets hot early. Both guests break down the match-up with X’s and O’s—from Furman’s tempo and health to UConn’s relentless half-court movement and potential defensive vulnerabilities. You’ll hear real talk on the physicality of the Big East vs. the SoCon, what it takes to pull off an upset in March, and player names you need to know heading into the game. Whether you’re a UConn faithful, a SoCon supporter, or just love high-stakes college hoops, this preview will have you hyped and ready. So grab your bracket and join us as we analyze if UConn will roll—or if Furman is primed to shock the basketball world! 00:00 "Basketball Debate: UConn vs. Furman" 05:34 UConn's Preparation and Performance Concerns 08:54 "Home Field Apparel Obsession" 11:09 "UConn's Offensive Motion Challenges" 16:00 UConn's Weakness: Turnover Pressure 18:35 "Underdog Upsets: Inside the Momentum" 19:48 "Underdogs and Playoff Pressure" 24:55 "Basketball Memories and Connections" 29:27 UConn's Efficiency and Role Players 30:58 "Mid-Range Game Over 3s" 36:17 UConn Predicted to Win Game 37:42 UConn Will Pull Away Late 43:02 "Elite Eight Journey Memories" 43:57 Elite Guards vs. Bigs Debate Huge thanks to our sponsors for making this episode possible! Home Field Apparel: For the best vintage collegiate gear. Use promo code TheDePaud for 15% off your first order! Vancord: Protecting your business from cyber threats with elite defense and response. Visit their site for a free cybersecurity assessment. We appreciate the support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    51 min

  2. MAR 7

    UNDEFEATED! UConn Dominates BIG EAST Awards + Can Anyone Stop the Huskies?

    UConn Women's Basketball is entering the postseason as the undisputed No. 1 team in the nation! In this video, we break down the 2025-26 BIG EAST Postseason Awards where the Huskies swept the major honors. From Sarah Strong making history as both Player and Defensive Player of the Year to Blanca Quiñonez’s breakout freshman campaign, we analyze why UConn is the heavy favorite to win the BIG EAST Tournament at Mohegan Sun. We also preview the tournament bracket, looking at potential matchups against Villanova and Seton Hall, and discuss the key "Watch List" items for Geno Auriemma’s squad as they prepare for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Support the channel! 🏀 Subscribe for more UConn Women's Basketball coverage: YouTube 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a Postgame Wrap-up! Inside the Episode: 0:00 - Intro: UConn's Historic Undefeated Season 1:15 - Sarah Strong: The Unanimous BIG EAST Player of the Year 2:45 - The Defensive Dominance of Sarah Strong 4:10 - Blanca Quiñonez: Freshman & Sixth Woman of the Year 6:00 - Geno Auriemma wins 14th BIG EAST Coach of the Year 7:30 - All-BIG EAST First & Second Team Honors 9:15 - BIG EAST Tournament Preview: The Path to the Title 11:00 - Key Challengers: Villanova, Seton Hall, and Marquette 13:30 - What to Watch: Health, Fudd’s Scoring, and Bench Depth 15:45 - Final Predictions & NCAA Tournament Implications Homefield Apparel Huge thanks to @HomefieldApparel for the best UConn vintage gear! Shop at HomefieldApparel.com 🐾 Vancord Proudly partnered with Vancord.com for elite cybersecurity. A top supporter of BigEastEnergynetwork.com! Key Postseason Awards Highlights: Sarah Strong: 3rd player in history to win POY and DPOY in the same season (18.6 PPG, 3.2 SPG). Blanca Quiñonez: First-ever freshman to win BIG EAST Sixth Woman of the Year. Geno Auriemma: Led the Huskies to their 11th undefeated regular season (1st since 2018). Follow us on Social Media: Twitter: @bigeastenergy Instagram : @bigeast_energy #UConnWBB #UConnHuskies #BigEastWBB #SarahStrong #AzziFudd #GenoAuriemma #CollegeBasketball #WomensBasketball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    30 min

  3. MAR 1

    Seniors, Honors, and a Big East Battle: UConn Edges Seton Hall + Live Reaction with Bryan DeNovellis

    What a way to close out the regular season at Gampel Pavilion! In this episode, we break down No. 6 UConn’s gritty 71–67 victory over a relentless Seton Hall squad. It was an emotional afternoon in Storrs as Alex Karaban made history, becoming the first active player added to the Huskies of Honor before putting up a game-high 23 points to lead the comeback. Joining the show for a live reaction is Bryan DeNovellis, host of the Tri-State College Basketball Podcast and Assistant Professor at Montclair State. As a Seton Hall alum and veteran broadcaster, Bryan brings his unique perspective on how the Pirates nearly pulled off the upset after leading by 8 in the second half. In this episode, we discuss: The Karaban Legacy: Analyzing Alex’s historic pre-game ceremony and his clutch performance in his final home game. Solo Ball’s Second Half Surge: How Solo’s 12 second-half points and ice-cold free throws in the final minute sealed the win. Seton Hall’s Grit: Bryan breaks down the Pirates' impressive 3-point shooting turnaround and A.J. Staton-McCray’s 20-point effort. Big East Outlook: What this win means for UConn’s momentum heading into the Big East Tournament and their quest for a three-peat. Senior Day Emotions: Wrapping up the home season for Tarris Reed Jr., Braylon Mullins, and the rest of the Husky seniors. Follow our guest: Keep up with Bryan DeNovellis on X @bryandenovellis and check out his work at BryanDeNovellis.com. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    42 min

  4. FEB 28

    UConn Dominates Big East | NCAA Tournament Implications

    Join Mark Zanetto and Tee Baker as they dive into 'The Hoops Cap' and 'Big East Energy Network', discussing all things college basketball. They analyze the UConn Huskies, highlighting their performance and what it means for upcoming Ncaa games. Get ready for some insightful March Madness predictions! A huge thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible! First, a shout-out to Homefield Apparel—be sure to check out their latest drop and join the Hoops Society today to grab the best vintage-inspired collegiate gear in the game. We also want to thank our local sponsor, Vancord.com; when it comes to protecting your business, they are the cybersecurity leaders you can trust for sophisticated defense and peace of mind. Or Call 855-VANCORD #UConnWBB, #BleedBlue, #WomensCollegeBasketball, #TheGenoEffect, #StandardOfExcellence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    37 min

  5. FEB 26

    UConn Demolishes St Johns 72-40

    The Huskies just put on a defensive masterclass. In this live reaction show, we break down UConn’s absolute 72-40 beatdown of St. John's. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, it was total dominance. In this episode, we discuss: The Defensive Wall: How UConn held the Red Storm to just 40 points. Key Performers: Which Huskies stepped up and controlled the tempo. Big East Implications: What this statement win means for the standings and tournament seeding. Post-Game Takeaways: Is this the most complete version of UConn we’ve seen all season? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    48 min

  6. FEB 23

    UConn Dominates Villanova! Is THIS the REAL Deal?

    Welcome to The Hoops Cap! In today's episode, Mark Zanetto dives into UConn's commanding 76-63 victory over Villanova, a statement win that puts the Huskies back in the national conversation. Mark breaks down how Dan Hurley’s squad found their defensive identity again after recent struggles, and he doesn’t shy away from questions about coaching decisions, bench contributions, and the team's tournament prospects. Plus, he shares candid thoughts on the ACC, the real meaning of making the NCAA tournament, and what UConn needs to clean up moving forward. Whether you’re celebrating the win or scrutinizing every turnover, this episode offers an honest, passionate look at where the Huskies stand—and what’s next. Get ready for unfiltered hoops talk, right here on The Hoops Cap! 0:00 – Technical issues & episode sponsors shoutout 1:36 – UConn completes season sweep of Villanova: What does it mean? 2:15 – Dan Hurley’s coaching candidness and bench usage 3:23 – UConn’s path to a 1-seed or 2-seed in NCAA tournament 4:07 – Defensive improvements and keys to offensive success 4:44 – Spotlight on Terrence Reid’s breakout game 5:23 – Mark’s approach to unbiased game analysis 5:29 – Side talk: Duke vs Michigan & Mark’s take on officiating 6:48 – Debating the strength of Michigan, Miami, and the ACC 7:13 – Participation trophies & the real value of making the tournament 7:42 – Evaluating the bench performance and other Big East contenders 8:25 – Turnover issues and the importance of valuing possessions 9:56 – Closing thoughts: Closer mentality and Silas’s role If you’re a true Big East basketball fan, smash that LIKE button and SUBSCRIBE for the latest breakdowns, analysis, and hot takes! Who do you think will win the Big East this year—and does UConn have what it takes to go all the way? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! Thank you to our Sponsors: Homefield Apparel: Check out Homefieldapparel.com or download their app Vancord.com- For all your cyber security needs, visit Vancord.com or call 855-VANCORD for 24/7 365 Support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    14 min

  7. FEB 21

    Efficiency vs. Volume: Comparing Sarah Strong and Mikayla Blakes for Player of the Year

    Welcome to another episode of The Hoops Cap, where we dive deep into the latest debates and stories in college basketball. Hosted by Mark Zanetto and joined by Tee Baker, this episode explores the heated conversation around Sarah Strong’s candidacy for National Player of the Year and whether her dominance is overshadowing the incredible season from AZ Fudd. The team takes a historical look at UConn’s tradition of star duos, debates the merits of efficiency versus volume in award selection, and breaks down which teams pose the toughest threats as the NCAA tournament approaches. Plus, you’ll hear personal insights on the unique culture of UConn basketball, a shoutout to Home Field Apparel, and predictions for major matchups this March. If you love hoops, rivalries, and insider analysis, you’re in the right place. Let’s tip things off! We want to extend a huge thank you to our amazing sponsors who make The Hoops Cap possible! Home Field Apparel
For the best vintage-inspired college gear, head to HomeFieldApparel.com. They’ve got the basketball capital of the world tee, men’s and women’s basketball styles, and so much more. Download their app for an exclusive 15% off your first purchase. Vancord
Big thanks to Vancord for their ongoing support. If you need top-tier cybersecurity solutions or IT services, visit Vancord.com. For immediate help, call their hotline at 855-VANCORD. Your support means the world— and don’t forget, our sponsors are a big part of what helps us give back to the Connecticut Boys and Girls Club and keep the conversation going for basketball fans everywhere! 00:00 UConn Basketball's Legacy of Stars 05:39 UConn's Team Basketball Culture 08:52 Michaela vs. Sarah: Impact Debate 11:24 Mikayla Brooks Wins Debate 13:40 Big East Energy Sponsor Highlight 17:32 Big East, Tournament, and Top Seeds 20:09 UConn's Potential NCAA Threats 23:07 UConn vs. South Carolina Analysis 26:50 UCLA's NCAA Dominance Discussed #HoopsCap, #UConnWBB, #SarahStrong, #NCAAWomen, #BigEastEnergy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    33 min

  8. FEB 19

    UConn's Shocking Loss: Defense Fails, What's Next?

    Can the Huskies fix the cracks before March? 🏀 In this condensed 10-minute breakdown of The Hoops Cap, Mark Zanetto dives into UConn's defensive struggles following their surprising 91-84 loss to Creighton. While the Huskies' offense showed flashes of brilliance, the defensive end left fans with more questions than answers. In this episode: The Defensive Breakdown: Why UConn struggled to contain the perimeter and what went wrong in transition. Key Takeaways: Is this a fluke performance or a blueprint for how to beat the Huskies? The Road Ahead: What Dan Hurley needs to adjust as we head into the most critical stretch of the season. Watch/Listen for the "Big East Energy" perspective you won't get anywhere else Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    14 min
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Hosted by Mark Zanetto 🎙 The Hoops Cap — only daily podcast For UConn men’s & women’s basketball. part of Big East EnergyNetwork

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