Épisodes

  • UConn's Shocking Loss: Defense Fails, What's Next?
    Feb 19 2026
    Can the Huskies fix the cracks before March? 🏀 In this condensed 10-minute breakdown of The Hoops Cap, Mark Zanetto dives into UConn's defensive struggles following their surprising 91-84 loss to Creighton. While the Huskies' offense showed flashes of brilliance, the defensive end left fans with more questions than answers. In this episode: The Defensive Breakdown: Why UConn struggled to contain the perimeter and what went wrong in transition. Key Takeaways: Is this a fluke performance or a blueprint for how to beat the Huskies? The Road Ahead: What Dan Hurley needs to adjust as we head into the most critical stretch of the season. Watch/Listen for the "Big East Energy" perspective you won't get anywhere else Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    14 min
  • Breaking Down UConn's Surprising Defeat to Creighton
    Feb 19 2026
    A huge thank you to our sponsors for making this episode of The Hoops Cap possible! Shout out to HomeFieldApparel.com—the premier vintage apparel company for college alumni and fans. If you want to show off your school pride with authentic, ultra-comfortable gear, Home Field has you covered. A big thanks to Vancord.com as well. For all your cybersecurity needs, be sure to call 855-VANCORD. Their team is available 24/7, ready to protect your business and help you stay secure in today’s digital world. We appreciate their support and encourage our listeners to check them out! On this episode of The Hoops Cap, host Mark Zanetto welcomes UConn alum and Big East Energy Network contributor David Pohorence to break down UConn’s stunning 91-84 loss to Creighton. The two dive into what went wrong for the Huskies, from lapses in defense and rebounding woes to questions about the team’s chemistry and leadership. They explore the challenge of maintaining high-level play in a tough Big East Conference, the reality of growing pains with transfers and new players, and whether fans should be sounding the alarm—or staying optimistic about what’s ahead. With honest insights, some Husky nostalgia, and a dash of tough love, Mark Zanetto and David Poharance assess UConn’s tournament outlook, the impact of roster construction, and why it’s time to take things one game at a time. If you’re a UConn fan processing the ups and downs of the season, this conversation is for you. 00:00 UConn's Defensive Struggles Highlighted 03:43 "Emeka Okafor's Legacy Reflection" 06:16 Basketball IQ vs. Athleticism Debate 11:59 "Searching for an Offensive Alpha" 16:08 "Turnovers, Rhythm, and Rim Protection" 18:04 Evaluating Transfers and Offense Struggles 22:02 "Hurley’s Rotation Philosophy Explained" 24:24 "Perspective on Challenges and Growth" 28:23 "One Game at a Time" 30:02 "Why Not Me Podcast" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 min
  • The Hoops Cap (Condensed) | Georgetown, UConn's Crowd & The Amp Brawl
    Feb 16 2026
    Short on time? We’ve cut the latest episode of The Hoops Cap down to the absolute essentials. Get the full breakdown of the week’s Big East madness in just 10 minutes. In this episode: Georgetown’s Identity Crisis: We dive into the current state of the Hoyas and what needs to change. The UConn Atmosphere: Why the Huskies have the most intimidating home-court advantage in the country right now. The Amp Brawl: A raw breakdown of the chaos that went down at the Dunk and what it means for the rivalry moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    16 min
  • Dan Hurley BLASTS UConn fans after Georgetown win
    Feb 16 2026
    Thank you to our sponsors and Partners Sponsor: Shop the best vintage collegiate threads at Homefield Apparel: homefieldapparel.com Local Sponsor: For world-class cybersecurity and infrastructure, visit Vancord: vancord.com Community Partner: Support the CT Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and their mission at: ctbgc.org This episode of The Hoops Cap delivers an unfiltered, expert take on the shifting dynamics in Big East basketball. Host Mark Zanetto dissects UConn’s narrow win over Georgetown, Dan Hurley’s viral criticism of the “wine and cheese” crowd, and whether success has dulled the home-court advantage at Gampel Pavilion. We unpack electric milestones from Alex Karaban, reflect on the legendary Hashim Thabeet’s return, and contrast UConn’s energy with Providence’s powder-keg atmosphere. Plus, we spotlight the viral brawl at The AMP, debating if fierce rivalries and raw fan passion are what makes the Big East truly elite. If you’re searching for the latest Big East basketball analysis, UConn fan debates, or insider reactions to recent conference drama—including NIL controversies and the ever-evolving college hoops landscape—this is your must-watch episode. 00:00 – UConn vs Georgetown recap and Dan Hurley’s fan critique 01:12 – Comparing UConn’s home energy to Providence’s wild crowd 01:27 – Milestones: Alex Karaban sets a new program record; Hasheem Thabeet honored 02:53 – Hurley and Ed Cooley call out fan lethargy 05:22 – Is the Big East better with buttoned-up fans or raw intensity? 06:25 – The impact of historic moments and the atmosphere at Gampel 08:44 – Why pro-level results demand pro-level expectations 12:21 – Gampel’s crowd compared to other Big East arenas 14:00 – Providence’s crowd erupts: Malice Scale segment begins 17:11 – Movie references: Gangster and revenge energy in sports 18:06 – Duncan Powell’s hard foul and media response 20:50 – Hockey analogies: How real sports handle on-court chaos 22:33 – The difference in fan energy: Providence vs. UConn 23:54 – Message to UConn fans: It’s time to step up! #UConn, #DanHurley, #CollegeBasketball, #BigEast, #HoopsCap, #GampelPavilion, #Huskies, #BasketballCapital, #FanCulture, #Providence, #StJohns, #MaliceScale, #HashimThabeet, #AlexKaraban, #NIL, #BasketballAtmosphere, #WineAndCheese, #SportsPodcast, #HomeFieldApparel, #Vancord, #BasketballFans, #CollegeHoops Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    28 min
  • Boys & Girls Clubs and The Hoops Cap, Changing the Game in CT
    Feb 13 2026
    You’re listening to a special 10-minute “best of” edition of The Hoops Cap, where we shine the spotlight on our incredible community partners: The Connecticut Boys & Girls Club. In this condensed episode, host Mark Zanetto welcomes guest Don Maleto for a fast-paced, heartfelt look at the vital work these clubs do across Connecticut. Hear how 14 organizations and 57 club sites team up to serve over 36,000 young people each year, providing much more than just a safe space after school. Learn how the clubs build lasting relationships, open doors to new opportunities, and help shape kids into tomorrow’s leaders and community changemakers. Mark Zanetto and Don Maleto also share their personal connections to the clubs and discuss how fans, alumni, and anyone listening can get involved—whether by volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word. Packed with inspiring anecdotes, real-life examples, and a powerful call to action, this episode celebrates the spirit of giving back and the importance of supporting our youth. Don’t miss this special highlight reel dedicated to the positive impact of the Connecticut Boys & Girls Club! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    15 min
  • Behind UConn’s Victory and Empowering Connecticut Youth: A Deep Dive with Don Maleto
    Feb 12 2026
    UConn bounces back with an 80-70 win over Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse! Solo Ball drops 24, Braylon Mullins goes off in his homecoming, and Demary dishes 10 assists. We break it all down. Then we sit down with Don, Executive Director of the Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs in Connecticut, to talk about the incredible work being done for youth across the state — and why that pipeline matters for the future of college basketball. 🔒 This episode is presented by Vancord Cybersecurity Manage. Defend. Respond. 🌐 https://www.vancord.com 📞 855-VANCORD 0:01 – UConn vs. Butler recap and episode overview 1:21 – Introducing guest Don Maleto, CT Boys & Girls Club CEO, and his basketball roots 2:44 – Season reflections: UConn’s progress and how fan expectations are shaped by recent championships 5:24 – Player spotlight: Solo Ball’s breakout performance & the impact of Braylon Mullins 7:07 – Braylon Mullins analysis, development, and the insider family perspective 10:30 – Coaching perspective: Defensive lapses, motivation after tough games, and key adjustments 13:04 – On-court leadership: Who’s UConn’s emotional anchor this season? 14:35 – Bench development, strategy, and Eric’s role on offense 15:51 – Home Field Apparel ad & how sponsorship supports CT Boys & Girls Club 19:28 – Inside the Boys & Girls Club: Impact, access, and how UConn fans are helping local kids 22:28 – What a day at the Club looks like for Connecticut youth 26:57 – Honoring CT Boys & Girls Club legends & legacy of giving back 27:26 – How YOU can get involved—volunteering, donating, and making a difference 30:22 – Final thoughts, basketball shoutouts, and closing 📲 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigeast_energy X/Twitter: @bigeastenergy | @thehoopscap TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hoopscappod TikTok (Mark): https://www.tiktok.com/@hoopscapmz TikTok (Network): https://www.tiktok.com/@bigeastenergy 🔗 RESOURCE LINKS CT Boys & Girls Club Alliance: https://www.ctbgc.org Homefield Apparel: https://www.homefieldapparel.com Big East Energy Network: https://www.bigeastenergynetwork.com #UConn #BigEast #BigEastEnergy #TheHoopsCap #UConnBasketball #BoysAndGirlsClub #CollegeBasketball #SoloBall #DanHurley #Vancord #HomefieldApparel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 min
  • Live Reaction to UConn's 80-70 Win vs Butler
    Feb 12 2026
    UConn survives at Hinkle Fieldhouse, beating Butler 80-70. The Huskies move to 23-2 (13-1 Big East) but the complete effort remains elusive. We give Butler credit for showing up after a brutal stretch, break down UConn's inconsistency problem, and explain why you might just need to embrace the chaos . Presented by Homefield Apparel and Sponsored locally by Vancord. Homefield Apparel — homefieldapparel.com — Vintage-inspired, retro college apparel featuring unique designs for schools across the country, including Big East programs. Vancord — vancord.com | 855-VANCORD — A cybersecurity and IT services firm protecting businesses across Connecticut, Providence, and Massachusetts with comprehensive data security solutions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    26 min
  • UConn DOMINATES Xavier 92-60...Wins 18th straight game.
    Feb 4 2026
    The Huskies take on the Musketeers in a massive Big East clash! Join us LIVE as we react to every bucket, big stop, and momentum swing in real-time. Can UConn maintain their dominance, or will Xavier pull off the upset at home? 🗣️ Join the conversation: Drop your score predictions in the chat and let us know who you've got! #UConn #Xavier #BigEast #CollegeBasketball #LiveReaction We are powered by Vancord, a premier Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) specializing in incident response, threat detection, and managed IT services. Whether you need a CMMC compliance audit or 24/7 security monitoring, visit Vancord.com to build your defensive game plan. Who is Vancord? Vancord is a leading Information Technology and Cybersecurity company dedicated to being "global defenders in a world where good wins". They specialize in Incident Resilience, acting as a strategic partner to defend mission-critical systems and respond rapidly to data breaches and cyberattacks. From higher education to global brands, they ensure your operations are always "tournament ready" with 24/7 monitoring and expert-led security strategies. Get Protected Don’t wait for a security breach to happen. Get in touch with the experts at Vancord today: * Website: Vancord.com * Request a Consultation: Contact Vancord * Phone: 1-855-VANCORD (1-855-512-4817) * Podcast: Listen to their fundamental-focused cybersecurity podcast, CyberSound™, for the latest industry trends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 min