What does it take to make a Junior College basketball team? In this episode of Making the Team, I sit down with Coach Andrew May, head coach of the powerhouse Snow College Men’s Basketball program. After finishing last season as the #1 ranked JUCO team in the nation and currently sitting at #4, Coach May shares exactly what it takes to succeed at the JUCO level — on and off the court.🏀 Topics we cover include:How to stand out and make a JUCO rosterThe differences between JUCO and 4-year programsThe raw reality of junior college basketballBuilding a winning culture at Snow CollegeAdvice for high school players, parents, and coachesWhether you're a student-athlete, a parent, or a coach, this conversation offers a rare look into the mindset, structure, and recruiting expectations at the JUCO level — from one of the best in the country.Be sure to check follow the Snow College Basketball Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/snowcollegemensbasketball/Please consider following us on social:https://www.youtube.com/@MakingTheTeamPodcast?sub_confirmation=1https://www.instagram.com/making_the_team/https://www.tiktok.com/@making.the.team⏰ TIME CODES ⏰0:00 Intro0:38 Reality of JUCO Ball5:17 Importance of Academics7:31 Winning and Recruiting11:40 Player Development14:50 Structuring Effective Practices20:02 Recruiting: Players Who Stand Out28:47 Physical Conditioning Expectations30:44 Recruiting: Snow's Appeal to Players36:00 Recruiting Process40:10 Persuasion vs Manipulation42:08 Player Roles45:00 Parent Roles in College46:21 A Player's Daily Schedule50:41 Game Day & Travel53:52 Crazy Manager Stories56:40 Jimmermania59:22 Living up to Expectations1:03:28 After a Win/After a Loss1:06:35 Process over Outcome1:08:04 Best Part of Coaching1:09:33 Hardest Part of Coaching1:13:50 A Coach's Control Mid Game1:16:30 Passions Outside Basketball1:17:51 Instagram Question1:21:14 Gift of Communication1:22:36 Electrifying Moments1:26:31 GOAT & Mt. Rushmore1:26:51 Advice for High School Senior

In this episode of Making the Team, Erik Soderborg sits down with Connor Patten, head basketball coach at Tintic High School, a small-town program in Eureka, Utah.

Tintic is a 1A school - the smallest classification of high schools in the state. Coach Patten opens up about what it’s really like to lead a basketball team in a community where every player matters, every season is personal, and resources are limited — but passion runs deep.

🎙 Topics include:

Coaching challenges at a small high school

How to build a strong team culture with a small roster

Balancing mentorship, leadership, and development

The emotional highs and lows of rural coaching

Why small schools still matter in the world of high school sports

If you’re a coach, player, or sports fan who believes in the power of heart over hype, this conversation will inspire and motivate you.

👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews from Making the Team – where we highlight athletes and coaches shaping the game from the ground up.

Be sure to follow Coach Patten's journey on his Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/coach.patten/

Follow Tintic basketball here: https://www.instagram.com/thsbbasketball/

Please consider following us on social:

https://www.youtube.com/@MakingTheTeamPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

https://www.instagram.com/making_the_team/

https://www.tiktok.com/@making.the.team

⏰ TIME CODES ⏰

0:00 Intro Teaser

0:20 1A Realities

2:38 What Tryouts Are Like

3:59 Player Development

5:47 Youth Development Pre High School

8:30 Hopes and Dreams of 1A Players

11:01 Picking a Staff

14:15 Travel & Rivalries in 1A

16:43 Swag and Fundraising

18:43 Rural Economic Drivers

22:44 Building a Culture of Winning Now

26:25 Scouting Other Teams

30:23 Connor's Coaching Journey

37:18 Coaches and their Spouses

38:43 This Upcoming Year

43:20 Coaching Hard is Caring

45:33 Entertainment in a Small Town

48:36 School Boundaries

49:35 Multi-Sport Athletes

52:12 Connor Outside Basketball

53:08 Message For Players and Parents

58:08 No Quit Mentality

#basketball #podcast #basketballpodcast #makingtheteam #smalltownsports

In this episode of Making the Team, Erik Soderborg sits down with Parker Van Dyke, former University of Utah basketball standout and current professional player, to break down his incredible journey through the game.

From AAU tournaments and Utah high school hoops, to playing for the Utah Utes in the Pac-12, and now taking his game to the professional level, Parker shares the highlights, the grind, and the moments that made it all worth it.

🎯 Topics covered:

Growing up in the Utah basketball scene

Dominating High School Basketball

Playing for the U of U and hitting clutch shots

The transition to professional basketball

Lessons learned from AAU to college to the pros

Advice for young players trying to make the team

If you’re a basketball fan, athlete, or someone chasing your dream — this episode is full of real talk, insights, and inspiration.

📌 Subscribe to Making the Team for more interviews with top athletes and coaches.

Be sure to check follow Parker's journey on his Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/parkervandyke/

Please consider following us on social:

https://www.youtube.com/@MakingTheTeamPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

https://www.instagram.com/making_the_team/

https://www.tiktok.com/@making.the.team

⏰ TIME CODES ⏰

0:00 Intro Teaser

0:37 First Meeting Parker Story

1:45 The Importance of Intense Practice

3:44 When Basketball Became Life

6:07 Multi-Sport Athletes

8:12 Getting Over Perfectionism

11:02 AAU Successes

17:27 Parker's Shot Form

20:45 High School Moments

26:42 Daily Routine in High School

29:07 Effective Training

32:46 College Recruiting Experience

35:31 Advice to College Recruits

37:01 Why The University of Utah

39:58 High School Regrets

41:51 2 Years Off Basketball - Mission

43:45 Coach's Quote - Embrace Your Role

48:08 Taking the Weight Room to Another Level

52:06 College Daily Routine

53:52 College Conditioning

56:30 Importance of Diet

58:14 College Game Experience

1:00:01 Toughest Player Parker Played Against

1:01:38 Chad Chadrickson

1:02:56 The Dunk

1:05:23 UCLA Game Winner

1:11:04 Toughest Atmosphere to Play

1:12:34 What Parker Would Change About College

1:15:05 Professional Basketball: Overseas

1:22:29 European Basketball Money

1:24:55 G League: Austin Spurs

1:27:11 Game Day Traditions

1:29:54 Picking Number 5

1:31:48 Most Influential Basketball Movie

1:32:30 Favorite Shoe

1:32:55 85 Point Game

1:36:09 Parker on Winning

1:40:00 Blind Ranking/Guessing Basketballs

1:48:18 Life Outside Basketball

1:49:58 Favorite Pokemon

1:51:15 Staying Grounded

1:52:58 Parker's Future Hopes

1:54:00 Where to Play in the Offseason

1:56:13 Was It Worth It?

#basketball #podcast #basketballpodcast #makingtheteam #parkervandyke