Podcasts
Ep. 150 - MLK Weekend Recap w/Link Academy HC Bill Armstrong
On Episode 150 of the Ballislife In The Paint Show, hosts Ronnie Flores and Ani Umana go hard on MLK weekend hoops and the updated FAB 50.
Ron and Ani welcome on special guest Bill Armstrong, the head coach at Link Academy (Branson, Mo.), which is currently 18-0 and No. 3 in the FAB 50. Armstrong talks about his team's title performance at the Bass Pro TOC and unbeaten start. Armstrong also discusses the differences between high school basketball when he played for his father in the mid-1990s and coaching at a level where nearly the entire rotation will play at Power 5 colleges.
The first-year coach also talk about the preparation necessary to play at the elite high school level and the challenges of getting his team ready to finish off the season strong, including a big five-week gap between the end of the regular season and a potential run in GEICO Nationals.
The ITP crew also break down other top performances from MLK weekend, including FAB 50 No. 1 Paul VI (VA), No. 2 Montverde Academy (FL), No. 6 Columbus (FL), No. 7 Centennial (CA), No. 10 Camden and No. 27 Kenwood Academy (IL), which will take on Camden this week.
Ron and Ali talk about the mid-season grades of top seniors such as Camden's D.J. Wagner and give a quick take on some of their borderline McDonald's All-American picks.
The fellas also talk about the perils of gunplay on colleges campuses in light of the arrest of Alabama’s Darius Miles and the perils for young student-athletes of speeding and not wearing their seat belts. How prevalent are these issues and will they become even bigger problems now that elite college athletes will have more money in their pockets (NIL) moving forward?
The ITP crew offers some terrific insight on a variety of topics, so make sure to tune in to Episode 150 from start to finish!
(0:00) - Intro
(1:38) - Quick MLK FAB 50 Updates
(6:25) - Difference between No. 6 Columbus (FL)/No. 7 Centennial (CA)
(9:43) - Realities of Big-Time HS Basketball
(15:10) - Bill Armstrong (Link Academy HC) Interview
(17:56) - Armstrong on Bass Pro TOC Victory
(25:01) - Armstrong on 90s vs. Current HS Landscape
(30:21) - Armstrong on Handling GEICO Nationals Expectations
(37:49) - D.J. Wagner: If He’s Not No. 1 Then Who?
(42:16) - Kenwood (IL) Chances vs. Camden (NJ)
(46:00) - Next Pod: McDonald’s Reaction + Borderline Picks!
(48:44) - 150 ITP Podcasts: Memories & Fav Pods!
(55:37) - MLK Statue & Ron Naclerio MLK Story!
(1:00:15) - College Issues: Gun Play, Speeding & Seat Belts
(1:09:38) - Leaving to Prep School: Serious Approach to Game
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