This week's episode of @Notevend2 features Melvin Council Jr. Melvin grew up in Rochester where he attended high school at Greece Athena and UPrep. The standout guard committed to play for Monroe Community College for his first two years of college basketball (2021-23). After two years of being recognized as a NJCAA all-american, Council committed to Wagner.

At Wagner, Melvin led Wagner to their first conference championship since 2003. Council was named 1st-team All-NEC during a campaign averaging 14.9 points and 5.7 assists. Melvin's name began to buzz after leading Wagner, as a #6 seed, to a conference championship. After winning the NEC, Wagner had to play in the First Four game in the NCAA tournament. Council had a historic performance to lead his team to victory over Howard. In just one season playing in the NEC, the Wagner star entered the transfer portal.

The rising senior heard from plenty of high major schools after his run during March Madness. Council ended up committing to St. Bonaventure to play in the A-10. Melvin has been one of the best guards in the conference and Bonaventure picked up their second consecutive 20+ win season.

Hear about his journey growing up in Rochester, his favorite memories from Wagner's tournament run, and what his mindset is going into the A-10 tournament. This episode is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Make sure to subscribe to the podcasts YouTube channel @Notevend2 for more sports content.

Enjoy the episode!

Sneak Peek- 00:00-00:13

Alfred/Utica MBB Updates- 00:13-05:17

Intro- 05:17-10:24 Scouting @ St. Bonaventure, Best Guard in the A-10?- 10:24-13:13

Mindset going into A-10 Tournament, Bonaventure's Fan Base, WOJ Joining Bonaventure- 13:13-17:56

Coach Mark Schmidt, Story of the WWE Belt- 17:56-22:39

Growing up in Rochester, Mothers Impact- 22:39-29:18

Court Case in HS, Motivations after Case- 29:18-37:42

Playing JUCO Basketball- 37:42-42:07

Break- 42:07-42:17

Wagner's 2023-24 NCAA Playoff Run, Top Memories in March Madness- 42:17-51:08

Recruitment Process after Wagner, Choosing St. Bonaventure- 51:08-53:42

Opinions on the A-10, "Dog" Leadership Mindset, Future for Melvin Council- 53:42-01:03:10

Rapid Fire (Favorite Artist, Favorite Food, Favorite NBA Player)- 01:03:10-01:04:57

Starting 5: Best Rochester Hoopers- 01:04:57-01:07:09

Intro to Empire 8 Segment- 01:07:09-01:08:10

Alyssa Polosky (Geneseo WBB, Head Coach)- 01:08:10-01:23:56

Dayion Thompson (Utica MBB, G)- 01:23:56-01:30:07

Only in D3- 01:30:07-01:34:47

Outro- 01:34:47-01:35:23

Octavio Brito, two time Divison 3 All-American joins this week's episode of @Notevend2 . Brito is a Rhode Island native and has dominated the LEC during his time at Keene State. After winning the LEC Rookie of the Year in the 2021-22 season, Brito finished his sophomore and junior seasons as an All-American. During his team at KSC, Octavio has won the LEC championship every year. Brito is closing in on the all-time Keene State scoring record and one of few to ever be a 3x All-American.

Now in his final year playing for the Owls, the senior is playing at his highest level. Octavio is averaging 22.9 points per game (11th in the country) while leading Keene State to another #1 seed heading into the conference playoffs. KSC has been nationally ranked in the top 25 for most of the year and will be on every teams radar going into the NCAA tournament.

Hear about his journey leading up to Keene State, his favorite memories playing for KSC, and his future goals post college.

This episode is available wherever you get your podcasts. Make sure to subscribe to the podcasts YouTube channel @Notevend2 for more sports content.

Enjoy the episode!

Sneak Peek- 00:00-00:10

Alfred/Utica MBB Updates- 00:17-04:54

Intro- 04:54-09:57

Mindset Heading into Conference Playoffs, Entering Transfer Portal- 09:57-12:18

Breaking Keene States Scoring Record, Leaving Legacy at Keene State- 12:18-13:31

Relationship with Coach Enright, Playing for 3 Different Coaches during Career- 13:31-15:13

Summer Basketball with Keene State, Hoop Scene in Rhode Island- 15:13-18:50

Recruitment out of HS, Relationship/Duo with Jeff Hunter- 18:50-22:19

Keene States Dominance in the LEC, Hosting NCAA Tournament at Home, Mindset going into Big Games- 22:19-26:57

Break- 26:57-27:06

Playing Against D'vontay Friga, Ty vs. Octavio 1v1- 27:06-30:19

Off-season Work, Scoring 2k points, Best Class in KSC History?- 30:19-34:44

Future for Octavio Brito- 34:44-35:44

Rapid Fire (Top 3 RI Hoopers, Favorite LEC Matchups, Funniest Teammates, Music, Favorite Buckets)- 35:44-41:23

Starting 5: Best Players Played With- 41:23-43:39

Empire 8 Segment (Peyton Maneri- Brockport WBB G)- 43:39-47:18

Only in D3- 47:18-49:20

Outro- 49:20-49:55

​ @Notevend2 talks with NYU's standout guard, Hampton Sanders, on this week's episode. Hampton grew up in South Brunswick, New Jersey and graduated from Lawrenceville High School. After his senior year of high school, Sanders played AAU for Rod Wave Elite (RWE). The popular AAU program founded by Cam Wilder took off over the last few years and Hampton has remained a popular name surrounding the program.

Hampton committed to @NYUAthletics ahead of the 2023-24 season. That same year the Violets won a shared UAA conference title. This year, the Violets picked up right where they left off, as they are currently ranked #2 in the country. Hampton, now with a bigger role, is averaging 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists as one of the most efficient players in Division 3. Currently holding a 21-1 (10-1) record, Hampton and the rest of the NYU team have high hopes for the rest of the season. Hear about Hampton's favorite memories playing for RWE, perspective being a student-athlete at a prestigious school like NYU, and what to expect from the #2 ranked team come NCAA tournament time.

This episode is available wherever you listen to podcasts. Make sure to follow the podcasts YouTube channel @Notevend2 for more sports content.

Enjoy the episode!

Sneak Peek- 00:00-00:17

Alfred/Utica MBB Updates- 00:17-03:08

Intro- 03:08-09:37

Buzzer Beater against Chicago, Division 3 Parity- 09:37-11:28

Better Hoop State: NY vs. NJ, Relationship with Hank Morgan, Runs @ NYU this Summer- 11:28-17:49

NYU's Trip to China, Partnership with Hoop Culture- 17:49-20:19

Playing for Rod Wave Elite, Relationship with Cam Wilder / Zeddy Will, Favorite Memories with RWE- 20:19-27:13

Break- 27:13-27:26

Recruitment out of HS, Choosing NYU, Academics @ NYU- 27:26-34:06

NYU MBB Success, Mindset coming off the Bench, Favorite Matchups in the UAA- 34:06-41:33

NESCAC vs. UAA Debate- 41:33-44:23

Personal Focus for the Remainder of the Year- 44:23-46:28

Rapid Fire (Favorite things to do in NYC, Funniest RWE Player(s), Favorite Artists / Jersey Club)- 46:28-51:25

Starting 5: Best RWE Players- 51:25-53:41

Only in D3- 53:41-55:48

Outro- 55:48-56:24

​ @Notevend2 talks with Jalen Haynes on this week's episode. Jalen Haynes grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he ended up playing high school basketball under legendary coach Darryl Burrows. After graduating high school, Haynes did a post-grad year at @montverdeacademy . The Florida native attended the prep school during Covid-19 when Monteverde had future NBA players, including Jaren Duran and Andrew Nembhard.

After a dominant post-grad year, Haynes committed to Virginia Tech. Haynes played one year for the @hokiesports ; during his one year, Virginia Tech won the ACC championship (2021-22). Jalen transferred after his first year at Virginia Tech to East Tennessee State University. Haynes finished his lone year at ETSU as an all-conference player that averaged 14.6 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game.

The standout big man entered the transfer portal once more heading into the 2023-24 season. Jalen heard from plenty of Power 5 schools, and ultimately choose @georgemasonuniversity . Haynes redshirted his first year, but is now having a very efficient season playing in the Atlantic-10. George Mason is currently 20-5 (11-1) with Haynes playing a major role averaging north of 12 ppg and 7 rpg.

Hear about Haynes journey playing at different schools throughout his career, what the goals are for this year's GMU team are, and what the future of his career looks like.

This episode is available wherever you get your podcasts. Make sure to subscribe to the podcasts YouTube channel @Notevend2 for more sports content.

Enjoy the episode!

Sneak Peek- 00:00-00:17

Alfred/Utica MBB Updates- 00:17-02:23

Intro- 02:23-08:26

Daily Schedule, Personal Tattoos- 08:26-10:54

SC Top 10 Dunk, GMU's Roster/Success, Teams Goal for the 2024-25 Season- 10:54-18:00

Growing up in Florida, Post-grad Year @ Monteverde Academy- 18:00-22:40

Year @ ETSU, Staying Ready after Playing @ Virginia Tech, ACC Championship Memories- 22:40-26:36

Redshirting @ GMU, GMU Vs. Duke- 26:36-28:01

Break- 28:01-28:14

Recruitment after ETSU, Transfer Portal, Opinions on Atlantic-10- 28:14-30:55

Coach Tony Skinn, Future for Jalen Haynes- 30:55-33:14

Rapid Fire (Top 3 Fl Teammates, Favorite Rod Wave, Funniest Teammates- 33:14-35:59

Starting 5: Best Players Played With- 35:59-37:41

Only in D3- 37:41-41:53

NEW Empire 8 Segment- 41:53-43:30

Mekhi Beckett (Brockport MBB)- 43:30-48:29

Kristin Suydam (Geneseo WBB)- 48:29-52:57

Damien Call (Utica MBB)- 52:57-58:57 Outro- 58:57-59:34

Patriot League football standout, Curtis Harris-Lopez talks on this week's episode of @Notevend2 Harris-Lopez played four years at Holy Cross and in each year the free safety contributed to consecutive Patriot League titles. During his final year at Holy Cross, Harris-Lopez was an all-league player.

Curtis dealt with injury during his first year resulting in a redshirt year. Now, after completing his career at Holy Cross, Curtis has one year of eligibility left. The all-league player entered the transfer portal and heard from plenty of FBS schools, including some Power 5 schools. The dynamic free safety narrowed his final schools to Hawaii, Wyoming, and James Madison. The prior year the Holy Cross head coach, Bob Chesney, along with plenty of Curtis' teammates left to join the JMU football program. This made Curtis' decision fairly simple.

Now committed to play for the Dukes, Harris-Lopez has plans to continue the success with Chesney and prior staff that they had at Holy Cross.

Hear about some of Harris-Lopez's favorite memories playing for the Crusaders, his perspective on the impact NIL is having on college football, his goals for the 2025 season playing for JMU, and much more.

This episode is available wherever you get your podcasts. Make sure to subscribe to the podcasts YouTube channel @Notevend2 for more sports content.

Enjoy the episode!

Sneak Peek- 00:00-00:17

Alfred/Utica MBB Updates- 00:17-02:40

Intro- 02:40-09:11

Off-season Focus, Academic Process at JMU, Last year at Holy Cross- 09:11-13:51

Playing Sports in NH, Recruitment out of HS- 13:51-18:50

Getting Adjusted to College Football, Playing FS, Hectic Football Schedule- 18:50-26:22

Holy Cross' Dominance in Patriot League, 2022 Season- 26:22-31:32

Break- 31:32-31:45

Transfer Portal Experience, Choosing JMU- 31:45-37:28

NIL Impact on FCS Football / College Sports- 37:28-42:05

2025 Goals Playing for JMU, JMU's Past Season, Opportunity to play FBS Football- 42:05-45:50

Rapid Fire (Favorite Music Artists, Funniest Teammates, Basketball vs Football)- 45:50-48:32

Top 5: DB's Played With- 48:32-51:12

Only in D3- 51:12-56:03

Introducing NEW Segment (Empire 8 POTW)- 56:03-56:54

Sidney Tomasso (St. John Fisher College WBB)- 56:54-01:01:39

Grace Rittenhouse (Alfred University WBB)- 01:01:39-01:10:26

Outro- 01:10:26-01:11:02

Felix Kloman, four year basketball player at Brown University, joins this week's episode of @Notevend2 . Felix was a standout player in high school playing for Pingree School in Massachusetts. Out of high school Felix had few Division 1 offers, but coach Mike Martin and his staff offered Kloman late in his senior year of high school.

Felix committed to play for Brown University going into the 2020-21 season; unfortunately his first season was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic. Kloman played in limited minutes for his next two college seasons following his freshman year, until senior year when he started 18 games during one of Brown's best seasons under coach Martin.

With one year of eligibility left, Felix entered the transfer portal. After hearing from schools at all three divisions, Kloman committed to play for Babson College. The grad student is off to a great start of the season averaging an efficient 18.8 ppg. Babson will be in contention for an NCAA tournament appearance due to the addition of Kloman.

Hear about Felix's favorite memories during his basketball career, what it was like playing in the Ivy League, and his goals for the rest of the 2024-25 season.

This episode is available wherever you listen to podcasts. Make sure to subscribe to the podcasts YouTube channel @Notevend2 for more sports content.

Enjoy the episode!

Sneak Peek- 00:00-00:22

Alfred/Utica MBB Updates- 00:22-02:12

Intro- 02:12-10:49

Daily Schedule, Injury Update- 10:49-12:49

Instagram Name, Music Taste- 12:49-15:21

Recruitment out of HS, Early Years at Brown, Being a Ivy League Student-Athlete, Social Scene at Brown- 15:21-23:26

Senior Season at Brown, Ivy League Rivalries- 23:26-28:08

Break- 28:08-28:20

Deciding to Play for 5th Year, Commitment to Babson/D3- 28:20-31:38

Babson's Current Season, Goals going into 24-25 Season, Double OT Game against Trinity-31:38-37:01

Opinion on D3 Basketball- 37:01-39:36

Working out with Mitchell Kirsch, Stories Playing against Duncan Robinson- 39:36-42:31

Advice on Staying Consistent/Patient- 42:31-45:11

Rapid Fire (Fav Music Artists, Funniest Teammates, Food in Providence)- 45:11-49:14

Starting 5: Best Players Played With- 49:14-51:00

Only in D3- 51:00-58:00

Outro- 58:00-58:42

Jusin Allen, one of the best players in all of Division 3 joins this week's episode of @Notevend2 . Justin grew up in White Plains, NY and attended Fox Lane high school. Allen committed to the only UAA school that recruited him, Carnegie Mellon.

Allen has continuously increased his production since his freshman year. He completed his sophomore year as a 1st team UAA player, and breaking Carnegie Mellon's single season scoring record with 557 points (21.4 ppg). After his breakout season, Allen entered the transfer portal where he heard from over ten Division 1 schools.

Justin decided to stay with the Tartans and picked up right where he left off. The junior is currently the 2nd leading scorer in Division 3 (26.8 ppg). Justin recently broke the school's single game scoring record that hadn't been broken since the 1958 season. During his 50 point performance, Justin shot 9-13 from three which broke the programs single game three pointers made record.

Hear about Justin's recruitment process out of high school, what went into his decision to return to Carnegie Mellon, and what his future looks like.

This episode is available wherever you get your podcasts. Make sure to subscribe to the podcasts YouTube channel @Notevend2 for more sports content.

Enjoy the episode!

Sneak Peek- 00:00-00:24

Alfred/Utica MBB Updates- 00:24-03:26

Intro- 03:26-09:10

Daily Schedule, Recovery after Games, Living in Pittsburgh- 09:10-10:37

50 point performance- 10:37-14:05

Playing for Chris Ward AAU, White Plains Basketball, Recruitment out of HS- 14:05-17:14

Entering Transfer Portal, Mindset Coming back to Carnegie Mellon- 17:14-19:02

Developing game over Career, Favorite Players to Model game after- 19:02-21:11

Break- 21:11-21:22

UAA Battles, UAA vs. NESCAC Debate, Mindset for Non-Conference Games- 21:22-28:31

Carnegie Mellon Big 3 (Justin Allen, R.J. Holmes & Buckley DeJardin), Factors Influencing Individual Success- 28:31-30:43

Justin Allen's Future- 30:43-31:53

Rapid Fire (Pregame Music, Best White Plains Players Played, Funniest Teammates)- 31:53-35:07

Starting 5: Best Shooters Played With- 35:07-37:17

Only in D3- 37:17-42:00

Outro- 42:00-42:37

This week's episode of @Notevend2 features the head coach of #5 ranked, Washington University in St. Louis, head coach Pat Juckem. The Bears are currently 10-1 heading into UAA conference play.

Juckem got his first head coaching job in 2005 at Coe College; in seven seasons at Coe, Juckem finished 104-80 (.565). Juckem's career took off when he got the job at UW-Oshkosh. UW-Oshkosh became a WIAC force and national contender under Juckem. During the 2017-18 season, UW-Oshkosh made a run to the Division 3 National Championship. Although Juckem would leave the following year for WashU, Oshkosh would continue the success and complete the quest of winning the first National Championship in program history.

WashU hired Juckem ahead of the 2018-19 season. Since then, Juckem has not had a losing season and has yet to finish below 3rd place in the UAA. Of the many great players that Juckem has coached, Justin Hardy has to be amongst the top. Hardy passed in 2022 due to stomach cancer but his impact and inspiration around the sports community is still strong today.

Hear about Juckem's favorite memories during the 2017-18 run to the National Championship, the process of taking the job at WashU, what it was like coaching Justin Hardy and much more.

This episode is available wherever you get your podcasts. Make sure to subscribe to the podcasts YouTube channel @Notevend2 for more sports content.

Enjoy the episode!

Sneak Peek- 00:00-00:43

Alfred/Utica MBB Updates- 00:43-02:17

Intro- 02:17-11:15 Daily Schedule, Holiday Plans- 11:15-14:09

IWU/Washu Rivalry, Film Process @ WashU, Learning from 1st Loss- 14:09-24:44

Memories from 2018 Run to National Championship @ UW-Oshkosh- 24:44-34:10

Decision to take HC Role at WashU- 34:10-39:15

Differences in WIAC vs. UAA, UAA Competition/Schedule- 39:15-56:02

Break- 56:02-56:13

Justin Hardy, Hardy Foundation- 56:13-01:12:51

Coaching Philosophy, Finding Players that Fit Philosophy- 01:12:51-01:19:44

Rapid Fire (Fav Basketball Memories, Teams to compete against 2018 UW-Oshkosh, Pregame Rituals)- 01:19:44-01:27:21

Starting 5: Smartest Players- 01:27:44-01:32:18

Only in D3- 01:32:18-01:36:09

Outro- 01:36:09-01:36:45