Hoos Hoopin' - A Virginia Basketball Podcast

The guys welcome in Kevin Cook, better known as HoozGotNext! Kevin gives his story on how he got into the Virginia Cavaliers fandom and eventually became HoozGotNext, a premier UVA recruiting expert. Khari and Sean hear from Kevin about what a typical recruiting timeline looks like for a basketball recruit and what Tony Bennett's special recruiting style looks like in comparison to the rest. The group go on to discuss in depth the current UVA recruiting picture for the classes of 2024 and 2025, especially major targets and upcoming September visitors (David Punch, Jacob Cofie, Matthew Hodge, and Kon Knueppel). Kevin follows up by giving his insights on recruiting overall, how it's changed over the years, and what UVA has done to stay current and relevant. The guys pepper Kevin with rapid fire questions and take HoozGotNext down memory lane and hear some of his best quick reactions. To close out the podcast, as they do with all guests, Khari and Sean check in with HoozGotNext on his favorite and toughest wahoo moments!

Khari sits down with Lo Davis to discuss all things in the new world of college athletes being able to profit off their name, image, and likeness (NIL) and what impact it has on UVA athletics. Lo Davis is the Executive Director at Cav Futures, the Official NIL Collective of the University of Virginia and has spent a lot of his career dedicated to helping UVA athletes whether that's through the Virginia Athletics Foundation (VAF) or his current role with Cav Futures. During this 1 on 1 interview, Khari asks Lo about his path to UVA and Cav Futures, what is Cav Futures and how it's different from other collectives at other universities, and even just talking simply about what NIL is and is not. Lo goes in-depth on how Cav Futures can provide support for current athletes, how prospective athletes may hear or learn about Cav Futures, and even how former UVA athletes who weren't able to benefit from NIL are doing their part through Cav Futures to make sure this generation of athletes can maximize their opportunities and their earning potential.

Khari and Sean breakdown the tough loss to end UVA's season as well as reflect on how the year was overall for the Cavaliers. The guys quickly get into the rocky start to the off-season that saw many Wahoos leave whether that was super seniors out of eligibility, early draft declarations, or transfer portal entries. Alongside players leaving, the guys discuss some of the coaching carousel rumors around the team as well as a major departure. To build some optimism for the season, the guys also discuss some major transfers that will be in Wahoo uniforms next season and who the coaching staff may turn to next on the recruiting trail. To close out, Khari and Sean break down where they think the program needs to head next to continue their success.

Khari and Sean discuss Virginia's latest stretch of games and some recent struggles against the bottom of the ACC. With 4 games remaining in the regular season, the guys breakdown UVA's chances at finishing atop the ACC and what their ACC tournament potential looks like. Virginia has put themselves in a good position for success in March but what does that mean for their seed line on Selection Sunday? Who else from the ACC will see their name in the bracket? The guys close out by breaking down UVA's potential in the tournament alongside the rest of the ACC to see is a Final Four for UVA more likely than 3 ACC teams making it to the Sweet Sixteen.

Khari and Sean are joined on the pod by their first guest host Ben Griffin (UVA '17). The guys discuss UVA's recent wins against Albany and Georgia Tech as well as some positive transfer news the Hoos received with a commitment from Georgetown point guard Dante Harris. To close out the episode, the guys do a pick'em challenge to construct the best UVA rosters possible under the Tony Bennett era. With $15 as their budget, they choose between 5 point guards, shooting guards, small forwards, power forwards, and centers to determine what's the best lineup money can buy!

Khari and Sean breakdown UVA's early season success. The Virginia Cavaliers are 5-0 and their performances so far have been nothing short of incredible so we discuss their huge wins in Vegas, some takeaways in the first 5 games, Isaac Traudt's redshirt year, and following up on our Twitter poll for most important loss for UVA's success this last decade.