August 13, 2025 • 19 mins
Utah Valley head basketball coach Todd Phillips joins Brice and Bianucci to discuss the Wolverines' returners, newcomers, the changing landscape of college basketball, and more!
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Right now, We've got a guess that joins us quite often.
It's been a minute since we've talked to him though
here on the program. But it is Todd Phillips, the
head coach of the Utah Valley men's basketball program, that
joins us here to kick off our number three coach.
Long time, no talk has your offseason been?
Speaker 2 (00:14):
It's been great. Excited to be here on a beautiful
day and it's supposed to be hot today, but right
now it is perfect out here on the golf course.
My big regret is, maybe it's not a regret, but
I'm not playing right now. We're just at a whole
shaking hands and give them out some T shirts. But
been excited to be here. Yeah, how is the golf game?
A I'm decent at golf. I'm just good enough to
take and beat. You know, I don't I don't do
(00:36):
golf enough probably you know, ten fifteen times a year.
I do enjoy it. You know, you have one good
shot brings you back, I think, is what they say.
And so just good enough to go out with some guys.
And what I try to do is not necessarily beat guys.
But when guys play, hopefully I get him to play bad, yeah,
you know, and then I can make make the loser
ball a couple of times from strokes. And but I
(00:57):
do enjoy playing and it's just a great, great golf
tournament right now. And excited to be here.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
Do you have a favorite course that you play in
the state of Utah?
Speaker 2 (01:04):
This is one of the best, right and I know
the people who own this thing and run it. This
is one of the best courses in the state. I
love here. You know. We play up a talent's cove
as well, and you know, and then I'm up at
the country club quite a bit too, at Riverside, and
so this is actually probably five minutes from my house
here and Vineyard. So I love the course here. It
looks like the greens are great today and so excited.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
Yeah, it's a beautiful day out here at Sleepy Ridge
Golf Course.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
For sure.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Let's talk a little bit of basketball. Basketball seasons coming
up right around the corner. Your team looks a little
bit different from a season ago, but there are some
guys that return like Jackson Holcombe, Trevin Lenhart, know it
tates are all back. What are you expecting from these
guys that return in terms of just leadership and what
they bring to the court this year.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Yeah, I mean, I think that's the biggest thing. Continuity
a little bit. You know, I think obviously those guys
all have a big impact on our team this year,
and so continuity is huge in this ever change gene.
You know, whatever landscape it is of the college basketball.
You know, it's like, you know, I think Baylor lost
every single guy they they left and and transferred, and
so you know, we have about four or five guys back,
(02:10):
some young guys, a couple of red shirts that that
didn't play last year but have been in the program,
understand the culture, understand the winning, winning mentality we have,
and so no, we we hit the We hit the
ground running this summer. Had eight weeks with the guys.
To be honest, we really liked the team, really liked
their energy. You know, the young guys are willing to learn,
sit and watch a lot of tape with the coaches,
(02:31):
you know, and I think I think people are really
gonna like our team. I think we're long and athletic,
and they played really really hard.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
A couple of guys that you lose down low, but
you you've done a good job in replacing him. I
think the biggest question for me is who's going to
replace a guy like Carter Welling, who's so great on
the defensive end of the court. Who do you have
coming in on defensive side that's going to step up
and be that shot blocker in the force in the middle.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Yeah. No, I think that's a good question. I don't
have an answer for you. You know, I just saw
Carter got married the other day, and congrats to him.
But you know, I don't know if we say, hey,
we got this guy to replace him. I think we've
got guys that do some things similar and and it's
better in some different areas. Obviously, we have his brother back, Hayden,
a year two in our program, which is huge for us,
and I think he'll he'll make a big step up,
(03:17):
and he had some big games for us last year.
And you know, his goal is just be consistent what
he's doing, you know, be good game in and game out.
And that's really hard, especially for younger guys, to be
consistent game in and game out, and so we're excited
for him to step up. You know, I really like
our big I think we got some really good bigs
coming in that can help. You know, Isaac Hawkins, we
climb hawk uh six' ten ultra athletic bouncy shot. Blocker
(03:41):
he'll help with the shot. Blocking you, know we do
all the stats and do all the analytics for the,
summer and you, know kind of looking at that we
didn't block as many shots this, summer but like we
shot about same amount of shots in all our live.
Play we only started really our live, play you, know
our five on, five and you know we were three
or four block shots. Less but we also were missing
missing our big six eleven kid that just got in
(04:02):
here From, Israel Isaac davis only got to play half
the summer and just kind of get through some stuff
that's going on, there you know with our. Guys so
we had a lot of guys in and out with
injuries and still you, know a four blocks kind of
shy of what we did last. Summer SO i think
we have a lot of pieces that help step in last.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Year in The Western Athletic conference before you make the
jump over to The Big. West we'll talk about The
Big west in a, minute BUT i do want to
get your thoughts on the conference this. Year the conference
slate a little bit, different you're gonna see some teams
three times a. Year what does that mean for you
in terms of preparation and what are your thoughts on
the conference?
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Schedule, YEAH i mean interesting. Thing you, know, great great
day to be alive with with with the craziness of college.
Basketball you, Know i've done it actually multiple times at
the junior college. Level as far as playing teams three,
times it's not. Easy and actually what you're gonna up
doing to playing teams four times by the time you
playing in the. Tournament you, know it's just kind of
this old. Cliche you, know you're going and play each
(04:53):
each game is a different. ONE i think where you
get in the trap a little bit is like say
you beat them at their, place and then you get
them a home then you got to go on the
road against, like, oh these guys are. Easy we're gonna
beat these, Guys and it's just not the. Case you.
Know our goal is what has been every, year is
to get better as the year goes, Right we'll put
a super super aggressive non conference schedule. Together it's really.
Tough you. Know the schedule's not. Out, YEAH i know
(05:14):
a bunch of people have been asking about. That it
is getting really. CLOSE i think we have one game
left to fill and so we just got to get that.
Done but, uh, yeah you got you got to get
better as a year goes. On and and you know
what we've done the last two years is play our
best basketball down the. Stretch and you know two years
ago we went eight of ten and basically ten to
ten down the stretch this last. Year and SO i
think as you get playing and every game is a
(05:36):
different one for, you just continue to be play your best.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
Basketball Todd phillips is, here the head coach of The
Utah valley men's basketball. Team On bryson Ban ucci ONE,
o three nine and ninety eight THREE Espn The. Fan
you mentioned the preseason. Schedule it's getting really. Close can
you give? Us can you give us anything of? It
can you TELL i KNOW.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
I shouldn't have said much about. That, yeah can.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
You slide us a little?
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Information you, KNOW i THINK i think we have more
home games this. YEAR i could tell WHAT i this
a little. Bit i'll give you a little bit of
an excuse or a reason why it takes a while
for for mid majors to do your. Schedule, obviously we're
trying to get the best teams to get into our, place,
which if you, know in COLLEGE basketba right, now nobody's
traveling to anybody's place to. Play, yeah it's just kind
(06:15):
of it's. Weird it's like people don't want to do that.
Anymore so you get neutral. Games we we do have
a neutral game at The Delta. Center i'm not quite
sure if that's been. Announced, Shit so MAYBE i won't
tell you who we're playing and all that, stuff but
But i'm looking at my sid over here and these he's,
saying don't but, yeah, don't. Don't don't be breaking stuff
And i'm kind of done with this. Stuff SOMETIMES i
(06:36):
tell say THINGS i. Shouldn't but that's coming. Out so
we have a really good non conference schedule coming, up
and who we're, playing we're gonna be on to the
roads some really good. Teams you. Know, anyway as as a,
team you're trying to get teams to play, you to
buy you to go in and, play and and when
you you're better and better and your strengthen you know
you're a better. Team it comes down you look at
(06:58):
The King palm, ratings that, rating and so a lot
of teams have a formula and, say, hey we're not
going to play anybody over this, net you, know and
and and so we get in, that we fall in
that trap of we're above, that you, know usually a
top hundred, team and so we just it's really hard
to find, games and so our schedule always takes longer
just just because of. That you, know you're trying to
find the right. Fit last year we were a think
(07:19):
In alabama four times early in the. Year this this,
YEAR i think we'll be on The west coast for
the most, part and tried to try to make the
schedule work out that. Way BUT i will say it's
it's it's it might be our best non conference schedule
that we've had as far as home games and really
good road.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
Games so you mentioned they do it off The Ken
palm ratings and the different ratings that they. Have obviously
that would have been for the season prior, correct? Correct
how do they justify in doing that when your team
doesn't even look the same as last year's, team you
have fifteen new guys on the. Roster how did they
justify that in scheduling when then you have no idea
what you've got in a team?
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Anyway, Right, no it's all. Projections you'd be shocked at
everything that's out. There there's there's more ultiple analytics programs
that we that we subscribe to pay for whatever you
want to call, it and it will have every single
kid that We've like if you look at our, team
off every kid that we have, signed and so then
they'll they'll do their voodoo or whatever they do with
(08:14):
that their analytics based on those guys transfers coming. In you,
know obviously it doesn't come into account like how well
the guys end up playing at your. Program we haven't
done the due diligence to go back and, say, man
they're way off on all this. Stuff but like we
look at all that for who we're looking to play next.
Year you, know what do they have coming? Back who
they sign to bring? In you? Know and so some
teams like, hey they were terrible last, year and then
(08:36):
you look what they've done and, like oh we've signed
two top top ten. Kids we've got this kid transferred
from another high, major and so you got you got
you got to you got to go through. That and
LIKE i, said there's programs out there that we buy
and subscribe to that that that give us all that
data and entail and you, know just playing like playing
the big. Boys they see all, that and then you
look in year and year out what teams are, doing you,
know AND i think At Utah, valley you, know they
(08:58):
might not know some of the guys were bringing. In
we're trying to find diamonds in a, row just Like Dom.
NELSON i, Mean dom Was Black player of The, year
AND i don't know if anybody in the in in
our league even knew who he was before we stepped
on the court and start. Playing and so it's not
a perfect, science but that's what teams.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Use Adam jacobson runs to the analytics for you guys
in house. There how big has it been to have
him in the program the last couple of seasons to
understand a lot of that analytic stuff and what is
he brought to the? Table what difference has it?
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Made, yeah that's a that's a that's a great. Question
so What, Adam adam spent a couple of years in
it with an analytics program right working for, them so
he knows the ins and. Outs BECAUSE i think that's
one of the difficult, teams especially a guy like me
who who kind of grew up in the air before
analytics is IS i LOVE i love the. NUMBERS i
love the. Information we use it a, lot use it
(09:48):
a lot to help develop our. Guys but like, now
taking those numbers and what they really, mean, Right AND
i think What adam brought as another layer of understanding
of what you're looking at when you, say, hey THE
ppp is a one point two compared to a one
point one or you know a point a one point.
Zero you, know field goal percentage compared to compared to
(10:08):
what you're doing from three point percentage and the adjusted
field goal and all that. Stuff and so he brought
not only the data and helped the, data but he
also brought the understanding of that to help our, players
especially and our coaches drive that to make better decisions
and what we.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
Do Todd phillips is here On bryce and Bian nucci's
head coach The Utah valley men's basketball, team right here
on the home of The wolverines ONE o, three nine
to nine THREE espn The. Fan as we look forward
to this upcoming, season couple of newcomers that are on this.
Roster who who do you think is going to make
the biggest impact that you've seen so far throughout the.
(10:45):
OFFSEASON a guy that some fans might not, know but
we'll step in and have a huge role for this
team this.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
Year, yeah that's a good. Question you, know the. Summers this,
summer the, numbers we do the, numbers we look at
what they were last year and do all. That that's
a good. QUESTION i. THINK i think we have a
lot of guys that are gonna step up and. Play
probably the probably the guy that a lot of people
are really excited, about Who i'm very excited about Is. Hendricks.
Uh Tyler hendricks is a transfer From Central FLORIDA uh six.'
(11:12):
six trying to think of a comparable for him or
just how to describe his game. Really Smooth what tyler
brings is a guy he does. Everything right he's just
always in the. Right spot he's he's been around the
game for three years now with playing he's red shirted
and played a couple. Of years he's coming From the,
big twelve and so he just understands how to play
and so that that's such a big jump for him
(11:35):
coming in big help for us because you know you're
bringing good junior college kids and kids to. Transfer in,
you know they got to learn and they got to understand.
Our system he's a guy that from day one kind
of figured, it out and, you know a guy that's
just just there all. The time AND so i think
the fans will really. Like. Him uh he. Does everything
he can shoot, the three he gets to, the rim
he rebounds, and defense, and, so uh he's gonna gonna
(11:57):
be a guy that's gonna be a big anchor for
us just as we, move forward especially ur in the
years guys are growing. And learning you know him And
obviously trial who's returner. For us treuv's kind of one
of those. Guys too he just kind of does. Everything
right and as, a coach, It's, like OKAY sometime i
focus on other guys, a lot but those are guys
are always in the right spot and and and make
make our team run. Really well what was the recruiting
(12:18):
process Like For.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Tyler, hendricks obviously his brother plays For The, utah jazz
so that helps out a.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Little Bit In.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
Taylor hendricks but what was that, Recruiting, process like it's
not often you pulling well for actually it is kind
of often that you guys pulling dudes from the State.
Of florida how is it that you guys recruited out
of the State, of florida so well bringing him Here.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
To, UTAH well i tried TO get i tried to
get a condo, out THERE so i spend a lot
of time, out there, you know AND so i can
just go around and watch. Kids, play no it's just,
just networking. You know recruiting him was really. Really, good obviously,
his mom mom was, a great huge factor. In it
she she Lives In, salt lake and so she won
both boys closer and and we were very happy to oblige.
(12:56):
With that AND so i think it's a god a.
Great dynamic he's been able to work out with his
brother all summer long and, you know just continue to.
Get better and so that's that that's been a big plus,
for us, you know with. With HIM and i think
the comfort level right away that he has, with us and,
you know basically it feels good when you come, and,
say hey we need you to we need you be
a dude, for us right and and we we want
we see you, doing this this, and this and putting
(13:18):
high expectations and high goals. On him and, you know he's,
A braceset he's a bracet for us, For sure and
and so he's gonna be a great piece.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
For us, ALL right a lot of fans want to
know as you look forward, next year you'll be In
The big west playing a Bunch of, california schools a
lot of great. BASKETBALL talent a couple of them were.
Right there probably should have been a two big league,
last year but just couldn't quite get that second team into.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
The.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
Tournament uh what does it look like in the future
With The big west and those schools that are gonna
be coming through orm?
Speaker 2 (13:47):
Next, Year, yeah no it's gonna it's gonna be a really,
good league. You KNOW and, i, think uh to be honest,
with you the last, few years The whack is has
kind of been a little bit ahead Of The big
west as far As The kim palm ranks all that stuff.
Like that but the last couple of years they've made.
HUGE strides i think they actually were one up on
us last. Year too they might have been the Tenth
rink league of the Ninth drink league something like that
(14:07):
last year because of how good their top, teams performed.
You know and so it's gonna be a lot of
fun going to. THE league I think the biggest difference
for us is the amount. Of teams, you know it's
gonna be a huge probably they're talking, right now maybe
twenty game, league schedule the twenty, two, games wow and
so that's a lot. Of games that's a lot of.
League games but we're excited. For it obviously Going to
(14:27):
california is a lot closer than than Flying. To texas
but no excited. For that but to be honest with
you are our sole focus this year is on the whack,
you know the last our last year, in it and
it's it's been a. Great league it's been Great For
utah valley and our goals go out and win this
thing again and and go TO The. Ncaa tournament does it.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
Change recruiting at all having the State of california open
up to you a little, bit more with the opportunity
to go and play more games throughout the State.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Of, CALIFORNIA yeah i think it does a. Little bit,
YOU know i think the recruiting nowadays has. Probably changed
it's probably flipped said the last three years, Of regions
hey we recruit, This region hey we, Do this hey we.
Do that we're not a big region team, like hey You,
got california You, got florida You got Utah. And texas,
you know we're we're kind of scaring around trying to
(15:14):
bring the right Guys Into utah valley that that fit
our culture and and, you know kind of that then
that dynamic that we've kind of put together as a
staff for recruiting of what what, works here right and
and so with the, transfer portal which union, COLLEGE kids,
i mean you're you're getting kids from, from, everywhere right,
you know, like, say hey we Were in israel looking
at kids and we saw saw Our Recruit. JEWEL no
(15:35):
i mean we we we watched college basketball and saw
on a big. Twelve team he he was a good
freshman who didn't. Play much but, you know it's looking for.
An opportunity and so those guys are the guys that
we've had tons of. Success with, you know younger guys
maybe it's not quite, their turn and then we get
them to our place and and give them a little
bit more love and, say hey it's, your turn and
(15:55):
to have them step up and, be big big. Time players.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
All right you promoted two dudes on the, coaching Staff uh,
Trey Obviously Ivory tray young now an assistant coach Along With,
trevor stranger an assistant coach who was formerly.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
The ops guy.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
As well talk to us a little bit about those
two dudes and why you made.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
That, DECISION yeah I think trev's sing is some people ask,
those questions, you know why? What what what's? You, Know
basically trev we changed his, job TITLE and i think
part of the reason we wanted to change his job
title is because he does more than just just do.
Operation stuff. You know now nowadays you can have. Five
coaches they can all be on, the floor they can
all coach on, the floor they can, all recruit they
(16:33):
can basically. Do Everything So trev treuv just, has, more
more more duties piled onto his his, his, workload right
and he was already doing it for the. Last year
so we just wanted to kind of identify that, to,
say hey he's just not, a guy uh just doing.
The schedule, you know he's on the floor with, the
guys he's meeting, with him he's talking, and coaching and
he's a big part of of. Our success. You know
(16:54):
i've moved him up TO my dobo ONCE once i
got the job as FROM a ga and he's been
here with all our success, we've had so he's been fantastic.
For us and and now with the with the, better
title we just got to give him even, more work
right and that, what happens just more work, that way
so we'll we'll get him going some more and the
same thing a. Little bit Trey obviously trey now is
(17:15):
his his title is from from skill development to to.
Assistant coach but, you know we're really big with all
of our staff is trying to develop them from the.
Get go there's no job that's too big or. Too
Small i've i've learned that over. My years is obviously
being an assistant with with head coaches who, You Know
coach connor Who's at washington now is a mentor. OF
(17:36):
mine i coach with him for eight years and he'd
be the guy that'd get out and sweep the floor
sometimes before practice if it wasn't. Done right he's the
ONE that i all go clean the dry erase board
if if it's not done and ready, to go and
so use that. SAME mentality i like to get those.
Things done, you KNOW sometimes i do it because it
calms my nerves a, little bit get in and just
do do something you don't have to. Think about but
(17:58):
we train all, our guys from them from our gas
to our skilled. Development guys we want them to be
able to step into those roles and and and the
more they're capable, of doing the more we're gonna put on.
Their workload you.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
Also Brought back. Jaden McClanahan this time is a. Graduate
assistant tell us a little bit about the process Of bringing.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
Jaden, BACK yeah i mean. THE processes i Was working
jaden when he is a senior playing. For us, great
mind hungry to be a, watch video always looking for
the next, next advantage next thing, that helps. You KNOW
and i told him as, a senior, you's like you
need to BE a ga. Next year you need to
come work for me and da, Da da and, you
know he wanted to look into the pro game a,
little bit, you know get his feet wet there and and,
(18:36):
you know, like everybody we all want to. Play FOREVER
but i think he's right where he needs. To be
he's going to be a great grat assistant. For us
he's going to be tremendous with. Our guys you had big,
time energy both Him and trey bring the juice every
day and so just. REALLY excited, i MEAN it's i
feel great about. Our staff we've been really lucky to
keep guys and have a, little turnover and, you know
it's it's when you have a great staff then then
(18:58):
it gives you even more confidence as a.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
Head coach, All right Head Coach todd phillips here with
Us on Bryson ben, ucci coach good luck this. Upcoming
season we appreciate you sitting down, With.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Us thank you excited, for it and appreciate you. Being
here
Right now, We've got a guess that joins us quite often.
It's been a minute since we've talked to him though
here on the program. But it is Todd Phillips, the
head coach of the Utah Valley men's basketball program, that
joins us here to kick off our number three coach.
Long time, no talk has your offseason been?
Speaker 2 (00:14):
It's been great. Excited to be here on a beautiful
day and it's supposed to be hot today, but right
now it is perfect out here on the golf course.
My big regret is, maybe it's not a regret, but
I'm not playing right now. We're just at a whole
shaking hands and give them out some T shirts. But
been excited to be here. Yeah, how is the golf game?
A I'm decent at golf. I'm just good enough to
take and beat. You know, I don't I don't do
(00:36):
golf enough probably you know, ten fifteen times a year.
I do enjoy it. You know, you have one good
shot brings you back, I think, is what they say.
And so just good enough to go out with some guys.
And what I try to do is not necessarily beat guys.
But when guys play, hopefully I get him to play bad, yeah,
you know, and then I can make make the loser
ball a couple of times from strokes. And but I
(00:57):
do enjoy playing and it's just a great, great golf
tournament right now. And excited to be here.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
Do you have a favorite course that you play in
the state of Utah?
Speaker 2 (01:04):
This is one of the best, right and I know
the people who own this thing and run it. This
is one of the best courses in the state. I
love here. You know. We play up a talent's cove
as well, and you know, and then I'm up at
the country club quite a bit too, at Riverside, and
so this is actually probably five minutes from my house
here and Vineyard. So I love the course here. It
looks like the greens are great today and so excited.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
Yeah, it's a beautiful day out here at Sleepy Ridge
Golf Course.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
For sure.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Let's talk a little bit of basketball. Basketball seasons coming
up right around the corner. Your team looks a little
bit different from a season ago, but there are some
guys that return like Jackson Holcombe, Trevin Lenhart, know it
tates are all back. What are you expecting from these
guys that return in terms of just leadership and what
they bring to the court this year.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
Yeah, I mean, I think that's the biggest thing. Continuity
a little bit. You know, I think obviously those guys
all have a big impact on our team this year,
and so continuity is huge in this ever change gene.
You know, whatever landscape it is of the college basketball.
You know, it's like, you know, I think Baylor lost
every single guy they they left and and transferred, and
so you know, we have about four or five guys back,
(02:10):
some young guys, a couple of red shirts that that
didn't play last year but have been in the program,
understand the culture, understand the winning, winning mentality we have,
and so no, we we hit the We hit the
ground running this summer. Had eight weeks with the guys.
To be honest, we really liked the team, really liked
their energy. You know, the young guys are willing to learn,
sit and watch a lot of tape with the coaches,
(02:31):
you know, and I think I think people are really
gonna like our team. I think we're long and athletic,
and they played really really hard.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
A couple of guys that you lose down low, but
you you've done a good job in replacing him. I
think the biggest question for me is who's going to
replace a guy like Carter Welling, who's so great on
the defensive end of the court. Who do you have
coming in on defensive side that's going to step up
and be that shot blocker in the force in the middle.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Yeah. No, I think that's a good question. I don't
have an answer for you. You know, I just saw
Carter got married the other day, and congrats to him.
But you know, I don't know if we say, hey,
we got this guy to replace him. I think we've
got guys that do some things similar and and it's
better in some different areas. Obviously, we have his brother back, Hayden,
a year two in our program, which is huge for us,
and I think he'll he'll make a big step up,
(03:17):
and he had some big games for us last year.
And you know, his goal is just be consistent what
he's doing, you know, be good game in and game out.
And that's really hard, especially for younger guys, to be
consistent game in and game out, and so we're excited
for him to step up. You know, I really like
our big I think we got some really good bigs
coming in that can help. You know, Isaac Hawkins, we
climb hawk uh six' ten ultra athletic bouncy shot. Blocker
(03:41):
he'll help with the shot. Blocking you, know we do
all the stats and do all the analytics for the,
summer and you, know kind of looking at that we
didn't block as many shots this, summer but like we
shot about same amount of shots in all our live.
Play we only started really our live, play you, know
our five on, five and you know we were three
or four block shots. Less but we also were missing
missing our big six eleven kid that just got in
(04:02):
here From, Israel Isaac davis only got to play half
the summer and just kind of get through some stuff
that's going on, there you know with our. Guys so
we had a lot of guys in and out with
injuries and still you, know a four blocks kind of
shy of what we did last. Summer SO i think
we have a lot of pieces that help step in last.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Year in The Western Athletic conference before you make the
jump over to The Big. West we'll talk about The
Big west in a, minute BUT i do want to
get your thoughts on the conference this. Year the conference
slate a little bit, different you're gonna see some teams
three times a. Year what does that mean for you
in terms of preparation and what are your thoughts on
the conference?
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Schedule, YEAH i mean interesting. Thing you, know, great great
day to be alive with with with the craziness of college.
Basketball you, Know i've done it actually multiple times at
the junior college. Level as far as playing teams three,
times it's not. Easy and actually what you're gonna up
doing to playing teams four times by the time you
playing in the. Tournament you, know it's just kind of
this old. Cliche you, know you're going and play each
(04:53):
each game is a different. ONE i think where you
get in the trap a little bit is like say
you beat them at their, place and then you get
them a home then you got to go on the
road against, like, oh these guys are. Easy we're gonna
beat these, Guys and it's just not the. Case you.
Know our goal is what has been every, year is
to get better as the year goes, Right we'll put
a super super aggressive non conference schedule. Together it's really.
Tough you. Know the schedule's not. Out, YEAH i know
(05:14):
a bunch of people have been asking about. That it
is getting really. CLOSE i think we have one game
left to fill and so we just got to get that.
Done but, uh, yeah you got you got to get
better as a year goes. On and and you know
what we've done the last two years is play our
best basketball down the. Stretch and you know two years
ago we went eight of ten and basically ten to
ten down the stretch this last. Year and SO i
think as you get playing and every game is a
(05:36):
different one for, you just continue to be play your best.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
Basketball Todd phillips is, here the head coach of The
Utah valley men's basketball. Team On bryson Ban ucci ONE,
o three nine and ninety eight THREE Espn The. Fan
you mentioned the preseason. Schedule it's getting really. Close can
you give? Us can you give us anything of? It
can you TELL i KNOW.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
I shouldn't have said much about. That, yeah can.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
You slide us a little?
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Information you, KNOW i THINK i think we have more
home games this. YEAR i could tell WHAT i this
a little. Bit i'll give you a little bit of
an excuse or a reason why it takes a while
for for mid majors to do your. Schedule, obviously we're
trying to get the best teams to get into our, place,
which if you, know in COLLEGE basketba right, now nobody's
traveling to anybody's place to. Play, yeah it's just kind
(06:15):
of it's. Weird it's like people don't want to do that.
Anymore so you get neutral. Games we we do have
a neutral game at The Delta. Center i'm not quite
sure if that's been. Announced, Shit so MAYBE i won't
tell you who we're playing and all that, stuff but
But i'm looking at my sid over here and these he's,
saying don't but, yeah, don't. Don't don't be breaking stuff
And i'm kind of done with this. Stuff SOMETIMES i
(06:36):
tell say THINGS i. Shouldn't but that's coming. Out so
we have a really good non conference schedule coming, up
and who we're, playing we're gonna be on to the
roads some really good. Teams you. Know, anyway as as a,
team you're trying to get teams to play, you to
buy you to go in and, play and and when
you you're better and better and your strengthen you know
you're a better. Team it comes down you look at
(06:58):
The King palm, ratings that, rating and so a lot
of teams have a formula and, say, hey we're not
going to play anybody over this, net you, know and
and and so we get in, that we fall in
that trap of we're above, that you, know usually a
top hundred, team and so we just it's really hard
to find, games and so our schedule always takes longer
just just because of. That you, know you're trying to
find the right. Fit last year we were a think
(07:19):
In alabama four times early in the. Year this this,
YEAR i think we'll be on The west coast for
the most, part and tried to try to make the
schedule work out that. Way BUT i will say it's
it's it's it might be our best non conference schedule
that we've had as far as home games and really
good road.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
Games so you mentioned they do it off The Ken
palm ratings and the different ratings that they. Have obviously
that would have been for the season prior, correct? Correct
how do they justify in doing that when your team
doesn't even look the same as last year's, team you
have fifteen new guys on the. Roster how did they
justify that in scheduling when then you have no idea
what you've got in a team?
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Anyway, Right, no it's all. Projections you'd be shocked at
everything that's out. There there's there's more ultiple analytics programs
that we that we subscribe to pay for whatever you
want to call, it and it will have every single
kid that We've like if you look at our, team
off every kid that we have, signed and so then
they'll they'll do their voodoo or whatever they do with
(08:14):
that their analytics based on those guys transfers coming. In you,
know obviously it doesn't come into account like how well
the guys end up playing at your. Program we haven't
done the due diligence to go back and, say, man
they're way off on all this. Stuff but like we
look at all that for who we're looking to play next.
Year you, know what do they have coming? Back who
they sign to bring? In you? Know and so some
teams like, hey they were terrible last, year and then
(08:36):
you look what they've done and, like oh we've signed
two top top ten. Kids we've got this kid transferred
from another high, major and so you got you got
you got to you got to go through. That and
LIKE i, said there's programs out there that we buy
and subscribe to that that that give us all that
data and entail and you, know just playing like playing
the big. Boys they see all, that and then you
look in year and year out what teams are, doing you,
know AND i think At Utah, valley you, know they
(08:58):
might not know some of the guys were bringing. In
we're trying to find diamonds in a, row just Like Dom.
NELSON i, Mean dom Was Black player of The, year
AND i don't know if anybody in the in in
our league even knew who he was before we stepped
on the court and start. Playing and so it's not
a perfect, science but that's what teams.
Speaker 1 (09:14):
Use Adam jacobson runs to the analytics for you guys
in house. There how big has it been to have
him in the program the last couple of seasons to
understand a lot of that analytic stuff and what is
he brought to the? Table what difference has it?
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Made, yeah that's a that's a that's a great. Question
so What, Adam adam spent a couple of years in
it with an analytics program right working for, them so
he knows the ins and. Outs BECAUSE i think that's
one of the difficult, teams especially a guy like me
who who kind of grew up in the air before
analytics is IS i LOVE i love the. NUMBERS i
love the. Information we use it a, lot use it
(09:48):
a lot to help develop our. Guys but like, now
taking those numbers and what they really, mean, Right AND
i think What adam brought as another layer of understanding
of what you're looking at when you, say, hey THE
ppp is a one point two compared to a one
point one or you know a point a one point.
Zero you, know field goal percentage compared to compared to
(10:08):
what you're doing from three point percentage and the adjusted
field goal and all that. Stuff and so he brought
not only the data and helped the, data but he
also brought the understanding of that to help our, players
especially and our coaches drive that to make better decisions
and what we.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
Do Todd phillips is here On bryce and Bian nucci's
head coach The Utah valley men's basketball, team right here
on the home of The wolverines ONE o, three nine
to nine THREE espn The. Fan as we look forward
to this upcoming, season couple of newcomers that are on this.
Roster who who do you think is going to make
the biggest impact that you've seen so far throughout the.
(10:45):
OFFSEASON a guy that some fans might not, know but
we'll step in and have a huge role for this
team this.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
Year, yeah that's a good. Question you, know the. Summers this,
summer the, numbers we do the, numbers we look at
what they were last year and do all. That that's
a good. QUESTION i. THINK i think we have a
lot of guys that are gonna step up and. Play
probably the probably the guy that a lot of people
are really excited, about Who i'm very excited about Is. Hendricks.
Uh Tyler hendricks is a transfer From Central FLORIDA uh six.'
(11:12):
six trying to think of a comparable for him or
just how to describe his game. Really Smooth what tyler
brings is a guy he does. Everything right he's just
always in the. Right spot he's he's been around the
game for three years now with playing he's red shirted
and played a couple. Of years he's coming From the,
big twelve and so he just understands how to play
and so that that's such a big jump for him
(11:35):
coming in big help for us because you know you're
bringing good junior college kids and kids to. Transfer in,
you know they got to learn and they got to understand.
Our system he's a guy that from day one kind
of figured, it out and, you know a guy that's
just just there all. The time AND so i think
the fans will really. Like. Him uh he. Does everything
he can shoot, the three he gets to, the rim
he rebounds, and defense, and, so uh he's gonna gonna
(11:57):
be a guy that's gonna be a big anchor for
us just as we, move forward especially ur in the
years guys are growing. And learning you know him And
obviously trial who's returner. For us treuv's kind of one
of those. Guys too he just kind of does. Everything
right and as, a coach, It's, like OKAY sometime i
focus on other guys, a lot but those are guys
are always in the right spot and and and make
make our team run. Really well what was the recruiting
(12:18):
process Like For.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Tyler, hendricks obviously his brother plays For The, utah jazz
so that helps out a.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
Little Bit In.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
Taylor hendricks but what was that, Recruiting, process like it's
not often you pulling well for actually it is kind
of often that you guys pulling dudes from the State.
Of florida how is it that you guys recruited out
of the State, of florida so well bringing him Here.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
To, UTAH well i tried TO get i tried to
get a condo, out THERE so i spend a lot
of time, out there, you know AND so i can
just go around and watch. Kids, play no it's just,
just networking. You know recruiting him was really. Really, good obviously,
his mom mom was, a great huge factor. In it
she she Lives In, salt lake and so she won
both boys closer and and we were very happy to oblige.
(12:56):
With that AND so i think it's a god a.
Great dynamic he's been able to work out with his
brother all summer long and, you know just continue to.
Get better and so that's that that's been a big plus,
for us, you know with. With HIM and i think
the comfort level right away that he has, with us and,
you know basically it feels good when you come, and,
say hey we need you to we need you be
a dude, for us right and and we we want
we see you, doing this this, and this and putting
(13:18):
high expectations and high goals. On him and, you know he's,
A braceset he's a bracet for us, For sure and
and so he's gonna be a great piece.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
For us, ALL right a lot of fans want to
know as you look forward, next year you'll be In
The big west playing a Bunch of, california schools a
lot of great. BASKETBALL talent a couple of them were.
Right there probably should have been a two big league,
last year but just couldn't quite get that second team into.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
The.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
Tournament uh what does it look like in the future
With The big west and those schools that are gonna
be coming through orm?
Speaker 2 (13:47):
Next, Year, yeah no it's gonna it's gonna be a really,
good league. You KNOW and, i, think uh to be honest,
with you the last, few years The whack is has
kind of been a little bit ahead Of The big
west as far As The kim palm ranks all that stuff.
Like that but the last couple of years they've made.
HUGE strides i think they actually were one up on
us last. Year too they might have been the Tenth
rink league of the Ninth drink league something like that
(14:07):
last year because of how good their top, teams performed.
You know and so it's gonna be a lot of
fun going to. THE league I think the biggest difference
for us is the amount. Of teams, you know it's
gonna be a huge probably they're talking, right now maybe
twenty game, league schedule the twenty, two, games wow and
so that's a lot. Of games that's a lot of.
League games but we're excited. For it obviously Going to
(14:27):
california is a lot closer than than Flying. To texas
but no excited. For that but to be honest with
you are our sole focus this year is on the whack,
you know the last our last year, in it and
it's it's been a. Great league it's been Great For
utah valley and our goals go out and win this
thing again and and go TO The. Ncaa tournament does it.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
Change recruiting at all having the State of california open
up to you a little, bit more with the opportunity
to go and play more games throughout the State.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Of, CALIFORNIA yeah i think it does a. Little bit,
YOU know i think the recruiting nowadays has. Probably changed
it's probably flipped said the last three years, Of regions
hey we recruit, This region hey we, Do this hey we.
Do that we're not a big region team, like hey You,
got california You, got florida You got Utah. And texas,
you know we're we're kind of scaring around trying to
(15:14):
bring the right Guys Into utah valley that that fit
our culture and and, you know kind of that then
that dynamic that we've kind of put together as a
staff for recruiting of what what, works here right and
and so with the, transfer portal which union, COLLEGE kids,
i mean you're you're getting kids from, from, everywhere right,
you know, like, say hey we Were in israel looking
at kids and we saw saw Our Recruit. JEWEL no
(15:35):
i mean we we we watched college basketball and saw
on a big. Twelve team he he was a good
freshman who didn't. Play much but, you know it's looking for.
An opportunity and so those guys are the guys that
we've had tons of. Success with, you know younger guys
maybe it's not quite, their turn and then we get
them to our place and and give them a little
bit more love and, say hey it's, your turn and
(15:55):
to have them step up and, be big big. Time players.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
All right you promoted two dudes on the, coaching Staff uh,
Trey Obviously Ivory tray young now an assistant coach Along With,
trevor stranger an assistant coach who was formerly.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
The ops guy.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
As well talk to us a little bit about those
two dudes and why you made.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
That, DECISION yeah I think trev's sing is some people ask,
those questions, you know why? What what what's? You, Know
basically trev we changed his, job TITLE and i think
part of the reason we wanted to change his job
title is because he does more than just just do.
Operation stuff. You know now nowadays you can have. Five
coaches they can all be on, the floor they can
all coach on, the floor they can, all recruit they
(16:33):
can basically. Do Everything So trev treuv just, has, more
more more duties piled onto his his, his, workload right
and he was already doing it for the. Last year
so we just wanted to kind of identify that, to,
say hey he's just not, a guy uh just doing.
The schedule, you know he's on the floor with, the
guys he's meeting, with him he's talking, and coaching and
he's a big part of of. Our success. You know
(16:54):
i've moved him up TO my dobo ONCE once i
got the job as FROM a ga and he's been
here with all our success, we've had so he's been fantastic.
For us and and now with the with the, better
title we just got to give him even, more work
right and that, what happens just more work, that way
so we'll we'll get him going some more and the
same thing a. Little bit Trey obviously trey now is
(17:15):
his his title is from from skill development to to.
Assistant coach but, you know we're really big with all
of our staff is trying to develop them from the.
Get go there's no job that's too big or. Too
Small i've i've learned that over. My years is obviously
being an assistant with with head coaches who, You Know
coach connor Who's at washington now is a mentor. OF
(17:36):
mine i coach with him for eight years and he'd
be the guy that'd get out and sweep the floor
sometimes before practice if it wasn't. Done right he's the
ONE that i all go clean the dry erase board
if if it's not done and ready, to go and
so use that. SAME mentality i like to get those.
Things done, you KNOW sometimes i do it because it
calms my nerves a, little bit get in and just
do do something you don't have to. Think about but
(17:58):
we train all, our guys from them from our gas
to our skilled. Development guys we want them to be
able to step into those roles and and and the
more they're capable, of doing the more we're gonna put on.
Their workload you.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
Also Brought back. Jaden McClanahan this time is a. Graduate
assistant tell us a little bit about the process Of bringing.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
Jaden, BACK yeah i mean. THE processes i Was working
jaden when he is a senior playing. For us, great
mind hungry to be a, watch video always looking for
the next, next advantage next thing, that helps. You KNOW
and i told him as, a senior, you's like you
need to BE a ga. Next year you need to
come work for me and da, Da da and, you
know he wanted to look into the pro game a,
little bit, you know get his feet wet there and and,
(18:36):
you know, like everybody we all want to. Play FOREVER
but i think he's right where he needs. To be
he's going to be a great grat assistant. For us
he's going to be tremendous with. Our guys you had big,
time energy both Him and trey bring the juice every
day and so just. REALLY excited, i MEAN it's i
feel great about. Our staff we've been really lucky to
keep guys and have a, little turnover and, you know
it's it's when you have a great staff then then
(18:58):
it gives you even more confidence as a.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
Head coach, All right Head Coach todd phillips here with
Us on Bryson ben, ucci coach good luck this. Upcoming
season we appreciate you sitting down, With.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Us thank you excited, for it and appreciate you. Being
here
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