Paul Biancardi! ESPN’s Recruiting Director on Big East Glory & Basketball Legends like Iverson, Thibodeau, Majerus, & Mutombo

This week on The JustIn Time Podcast, we sit down with Paul Biancardi—ESPN’s National Recruiting Director, 2004 Horizon League Coach of the Year, and former assistant to basketball giants like Tom Thibodeau, Rick Majerus, and Mike Jarvis. We journey through Paul’s decades-long career, from his gritty days as a walk-on at Salem State under Thibodeau, to his pivotal roles in Boston College’s legendary upsets and Ohio State’s Final Four run. Paul shares never-heard stories about coaching against legends like Dean Smith, Bobby Knight, and John Thompson, and breaks down the physical, no-mercy culture of the 90s Big East. He opens up about his transition to ESPN, how he evaluates high school talent, and the evolution of the game. If you love behind-the-scenes basketball tales, coaching wisdom, and the human side of sports, you won’t want to miss this episode. Subscribe and join us for a courtside seat to basketball history!

⏰ Timestamps:

(00:00:12) - Justin introduces Paul Biancardi and their broadcasting history

(00:05:23) - Paul’s playing days at Salem State under Tom Thibodeau

(00:12:47) - Coaching journey: From Boston University with Mike Jarvis to Boston College

(00:18:35) - The 1994 Boston College upset over North Carolina—game plan and execution

(00:25:18) - Big East battles: Facing Mourning, Mutombo, Iverson, and the era’s intensity

(00:34:42) - Prepping for legends: Dean Smith, Bobby Knight, and coaching strategies

(00:45:10) - Lessons from Rick Majerus and the art of teaching basketball

(00:58:05) - ESPN recruiting: Evaluating high school stars and changes in the game

(01:10:22) - Rapid fire: Best players, biggest hits and misses, and favorite Celtics memories

(01:20:33) - Reflections on coaching, media, and the relationships built over a lifetime in basketball.

💡Key Topics:

📌 Coaching legends: Tom Thibodeau, Rick Majerus, Mike Jarvis, and their impact

📌 Big East basketball in the 90s—physicality, rivalries, and iconic players

📌 Game planning for upsets: Boston College’s run and beating North Carolina

📌 High school recruiting: Evaluating talent, biggest hits and misses, and today’s challenges

📌 Behind-the-scenes stories: Locker room tales, coaching philosophies, and memorable games

📌 Evolution of the game: Shot clock debate, player IQ, and the rise of international talent

🏀 About Paul Biancardi:

Paul Biancardi is ESPN’s National Recruiting Director for boys high school basketball and a lead analyst for ESPN’s showcase events. A former Horizon League Coach of the Year at Wright State, Biancardi served as a top assistant at Boston College, Ohio State (Final Four 1999), and St. Louis under Rick Majerus. He’s renowned for his eye for talent, deep coaching pedigree, and storytelling ability.

🎙️ About the JustIn Time Podcast:

The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

🔔 Subscribe now on any major platform to never miss an episode of these timeless conversations.

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