The Marquette Golden Eagles with Dwyane Wade
Run it Back is LIVE here from the 2023 NCAA Final Four in Houston. Host Mateen Cleaves is joined by his old friend and 2023 Naismith Hall of Fame Inductee, Dwyane Wade! On the show D-Wade talks about his Chicago upbringing and early days hooping and his difficult path to Hall of Fame status. We also step back onto the court, remembering the '03 season and NCAA Tourney with Coach Crean and an outstanding Marquette University team.
The UCLA Bruins with Tyus Edney
The legendary UCLA “Point God” Tyus Edney joins the show with Host Mateen Cleaves. Tyus and Mateen break down the pressure of March Madness and how they each used that pressure to rise above and win championships respectively. Tyus also gets specific on the memories on his game winning shot to beat Missouri in the second round of the 1995 NCAA Tournament. Tyus is currently an Assistant Coach for the University of San Diego Toreros after a decade spent in various roles at UCLA.
The UNLV Runnin' Rebels with Anderson Hunt
UNLV college hoops was dominant in the late 80s and early 90s. The team won the '90 National Championship and then fell to Duke in the '91 Final Four after winning their previous 45 games. In this Run it Back, UNLV guard Anderson Hunt joins Mateen Cleaves and Josh Barnett to discuss growing up in Detroit, his journey to Vegas, Coach Tarkanian, Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon, Greg Anthony and how those teams changed the sport and basketball culture.
The Louisville Cardinals with Peyton Siva Jr.
Hailing from the basketball hotbed of Seattle, WA, Peyton Siva joins this episode of Run it Back to discuss his decorated college hoops career with Mateen Cleaves and Josh Barnett. Peyton, Mateen and Josh talk about Siva's 2013 National Championship Louisville Cardinals, the Big East Tourney, Coach Rick Pitino, Russ Smith, Kevin Ware, Bluegrass state battles and more!
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets with Kenny Anderson
One of the greatest NYC point guards of all time, Kenny Anderson made his way from Queens to Georgia Tech for school in the late 80s. In this RIB episode, Hosts Mateen Cleaves and Josh Barnett talk with Kenny about getting to Atlanta, Lethal Weapon 3 with Dennis Scott and Brian Oliver, his two years on campus and his new coaching career at Fisk University. The three also chop it up about great college battles with UNLV, Duke, Carolina and others, Mr. Chibbs, Bobby Cremins and why Kenny wore a t-shirt under his jersey.
The Villanova Wildcats with Tim Thomas
In this RIB Episode, Hosts Mateen Cleaves and Josh Barnett are joined by Tim Thomas, the only One and Done player in Villanova history. Tim shares memories and stories growing up in New Jersey, his AAU team which included Kobe Bryant, Rip Hamilton and Vince Carter, the heralded high school class of '96 and his decision to leave 'Nova after his Freshman year. He also discusses his relationship with "Nova Nation today and how NIL deals may have affected his decision to turn pro.
The Duke Blue Devils with Trajan Langdon
In the kick-off episode of Season 2, New Host and '00 National Champ Mateen Cleaves is joined by Josh Barnett of 19Nine and Trajan Langdon of Duke University. The "Alaskan Assassin" talks with Mateen and Josh about becoming the first McDonald's All American ever from the state of Alaska, being recruited to Duke, a difficult first two years in Durham and the '99 Blue Devils.
1981 Indiana Hoosiers with Isiah Thomas
At their peak in the 70s and 80s, the Indiana Hoosiers were dominant in college hoops. Here, the legendary Isiah Thomas reviews the 1981 championship team, one of the great defensive squads in basketball history. Isiah shares memories and experiences with that team, being coached by Bobby Knight and his connection to the Indiana program today.
1996 Kentucky Wildcats with Mark Pope
The Untouchables! In this episode of Run it Back, we visit with Mark Pope, captain of the star-studded '96 Kentucky Wildcasts. One of the great teams in college hoops history, Mark describes a championship season with Coach Rick Pitino, Ron Mercer, Antoine Walker, Tony Delk and many others.
1994 Arkansas Razorbacks with Nolan Richardson and Scotty Thurman
In this episode of Run it Back, Hall of Fame Coach Nolan Richardson and Razorback legend Scotty Thurman join us to discuss the '94 Arkansas championship season. Coach and Scotty describe the lead-up to that season, 40 Minutes of Hell, Corliss Williamson, the aftermath and having a President as their top fan.
2000 Michigan State Spartans with Mateen Cleaves
Over 20 years after winning their first national championship with Magic Johnson, Mateen Cleaves and the rest of the Flintstones delivered Coach Tom Izzo and the Spartans their second trophy in 2000. A battle tested group, MSU charged through the Big 10 that year before ultimately beating Wisconsin and Florida in the Final Four in Indy. In this Episode, Mateen discusses his storied career with Michigan State, the championship season and his special bond with Coach Izzo.
2007 Florida Gators with Corey Brewer
After returning its full starting line-up, the '06-'07 Florida Gators sought to become only the 6th school to win back-to-back hoops championships. With Coach Billy Donovan in charge, the team accomplished their mission in April of '07 before sending Corey Brewer, Al Horford and Joakim Noah to the NBA Draft. Here, Corey recalls that second championship run and the aftermath with his Gators family.
2006 Florida Gators with Corey Brewer
In 2004, the football minded University of Florida Gators recruited one of the best basketball classes ever. In 2006, that group led the Gators to the first national championship in school history. Here, Corey Brewer talks about going from an unranked team to the ultimate prize in April of '06. Corey recalls playing for Coach Billy Donovan and alongside his brothers including Al Horford and Joakim Noah.
1982 UNC with Sam Perkins
Sam Perkins was one of the stars on the UNC Tar Heels '82 team alongside Hall of Famers James Worthy and Michael Jordan. The first national championship for Coach Dean Smith, that team wrapped a 32-2 season with the ultimate prize in New Orleans in late March. Arguably one of the best teams in college hoops history, Perkins shares stories about Coach Smith that year, his teammates and battling foes including Ralph Sampson at UVA and Patrick Ewing at Georgetown.
2004 Saint Joseph's with Jameer Nelson
Jameer Nelson and the Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball team went 27-0 in the 2003–04 season. Unfortunately the team lost a heartbreaking game to Oklahoma State in the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament. Kenny, Josh, Brett and Jameer talk about the Hawks that year, managing the pressure of that season in Philly and how to deal with heartbreak when it's delivered.
1998 Utah with Andre Miller
Under Rick Majerus and Andre Miller, the Running Utes of Utah dominated 1998 college hoops. After beating defending champ Arizona in the Elite Eight and UNC in the Final Four, Utah ultimately succumbed to their rival Kentucky in the Finals that season in San Antonio. Hosts Kenny Dennard and Josh Barnett review that year in college hoops and the success of Miller's Utah squad.
1978 Duke with Mike Gminski and Kenny Dennard
Kenny Dennard + Mike Gminski join hosts Matt and Josh to discuss the Duke team that played and lost the NCAA title in 1978. They discuss the young roster, the tension of the season and the Tournament as we revisit the Duke team that sparked the school's success over the next four decades.