Jon Rothstein sits down with Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey to discuss his highly rated roster, Flory Bidunga's impact, the turn around at Louisville and plenty more.

(0:00) Intro + Pat Kelsey joins the show

(0:30) The vacation spot & family-work balance

(2:45) Why Pat can see himself doing this for a long time

(5:20) Louisville vs. Charleston and Winthrop

(7:00) 51-19 through two years at Louisville

(8:05) Louisville with and without Mikel Brown

(9:50) Coaching a brand new team every season in this climate

(11:30) Roster impressions (after a foreign tour)

(12:30) Flory Bidunga and the Louisville defense

(15:20) Importance of getting Adrian Wooley back

(17:00) Obinna Ekezie Jr.

(18:45) Non-conference schedule + potentially playing Rick Pitino’s St. John’s at the Players Era

(21:15) Biggest keys to a big season for Louisville

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🎙ABOUT INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW

We're also the home for Inside College Basketball Now, hosted by Jon Rothstein. Known for his unmatched insider knowledge, bold takes, and relentless coverage, Rothstein goes deep to deliver what’s really happening in college hoops. From breaking down the biggest storylines to in-depth interviews with the top coaches in the country, this podcast is your all-access pass to the pulse of the game — 365 days a year. This. Is. March… and everything in between.

Jon Rothstein sits down with Illinois head coach Brad Underwood for a wide-ranging conversation following the Fighting Illini’s run to the Final Four and a look ahead at what’s next for the program. Underwood reflects on whether reaching the Final Four has changed anything for him, the impact of Illinois’ early exit from the Big Ten Tournament and the biggest moments of its NCAA Tournament run, including the Sweet 16 win over Houston and the matchup with Iowa. He also reveals when he first realized his team was capable of making a Final Four run and what he learned from the experience. The conversation then turns to the upcoming season, as Underwood breaks down Illinois’ roster, the players poised to make the biggest jump, the program’s newcomers and how the Illini plan to move forward after Keaton Wagler. Plus, he discusses the schedule, the challenges of coaching in today’s college basketball landscape and what it will take for Illinois to make another deep March run.

Sean Miller joins Jon Rothstein to discuss all things Texas, including what he learned during the team's Sweet 16 run last season, what to expect from this year's squad and why Marcus Spears Jr. reminds him of Lauri Markkanen.

Additionally, they dive into Arizona's success in the Final Four last season, how important culture is in building a team and why he's a fan of a 76-team NCAA tournament.

0:00 Intro

0:07 How he would describe the year he spent between Arizona and Xavier

2:00 On continuing to have gratitude for the job and keeping perspective

4:36 How often he thinks about making the Final Four

5:48 How being head coach at Texas compares to Xavier and Arizona

8:12 What he learned during last season’s Sweet 16 run

10:43 On being a play away from the Elite Eight

12:41 What it was like to see Arizona make the Final Four

13:49 What Tommy Lloyd’s compliment meant to him and the importance of creating a winning environment

15:42 Initial impressions of the current roster

18:30 Does the lack of continuity in the Texas roster raise concerns

20:14 Which newcomers will have the biggest impact for Texas this season

21:37 Which player does Marcus Spears Jr. remind him of?

24:02 What makes an exhibition game with St. John’s so important

26:28 How a 76-team NCAA tournament will impact the SEC

30:08 Biggest keys for Texas to make the Elite Eight in 2026-27