October 31st, 2026 - SEC Associate Commissioner: Garth Glissman

Bob Rathbun (0:04)

Hey there everybody, and welcome to this week's edition of A Trophy Life, the official podcast of the Naismith Awards in Atlanta, presented by Jersey Mike's. I'm your host, Bob Rathbun, and coming up on the podcast this week, my guest will be Garth Glissman, who's the Associate Commissioner for Men's Basketball in the SEC.

He'll talk about this powerhouse conference that begins the campaign with the AP Top 25 Preseason No. 1 Team, the Florida Gators. We'll talk about Florida, the great teams, players and coaches in the SEC on the men's side as we get this new season underway. And what a way to get it underway with the Sunday doubleheader for the men and women, Villanova and Notre Dame in Rome. What a way to get it going. And then when we get to Monday, some great matchups. A lot of TV viewing for college basketball fans. It begins at 6 p.m. on ESPN2 Eastern Time as No. 1 Florida takes on No. 14 Miami and Tampa. Now, this gator team, of course, is loaded. It's a ranked team, No. 1 for a reason. They've got the experienced corps coming back, a talented front court. But an immediate test, the Hurricanes are ranked No. 14 That's at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.

And as we get into the evening, FS1 at 7 Eastern Time, No. 18 Iowa State and Memphis and Sioux Falls. That's an interesting game to keep your eye on. Before we get to that TNT doubleheader that begins in Vegas at 7.3 Eastern Time, with No. 15 Gonzaga against Purdue, the Boilermakers outside the top 25 as the season gets going, but a great chance to make an immediate impact in that game. And then the headliner in Vegas is No. 5 Arizona and No. 22 UCLA, and a rank showdown between former conference rivals. And then coming up on Friday, it will be No. 4 UConn and No. 16 Michigan in Boston, also on TNT, a rematch of last season's National Championship game. But the season's here, we can't wait. Let the big games begin, and we can just sit back and enjoy them all.

When we come back, my conversation with Garth Glissman will talk about SEC men's basketball right after this from Jersey Mike's.

Garth Glissman (2:18)

Jersey Mike's subs are great to enjoy in all kinds of places.

Bob Rathbun (2:21)

So I can have a BLT at the lake? Exactly.

Garth Glissman (2:24)

Or a Mike's Famous Philly on the road?

Bob Rathbun (2:26)

Sure thing.

Garth Glissman (2:27)

Or a number four when I'm riding a bike.

Bob Rathbun (2:29)

Uh, that might be too hard. How would you steer? It's a tandem bike. Who's steering? That's a good point. Well, hey, are you free for the next, like, half hour? Uh, sure. I got nothing else going on today. Sick. Hop on. Freshly sliced and freshly grilled subs for anytime, anywhere.

Garth Glissman (2:45)

It's a Jersey Mike's thing.

Bob Rathbun (2:47)

A sub above.

Joining us on the Naismith Podcast this week is the Associate Commissioner for Men's Basketball in the SEC. Garth Glissman joins us on the podcast. And first of all, Garth, welcome. It's great to talk to you and Happy New Year. It's here. We've been waiting all summer and college basketball has arrived.

Garth Glissman (3:08)

Thanks for having me on, Bob. Excited to tip things off on Monday night. I'll be starting things off in Tampa, Florida, watching the Florida Gators take on a very good Miami team.

Bob Rathbun (3:21)

And what a way to get started. The SEC, of course, has been just incredible in men's basketball, women's basketball too, but we'll concentrate on the men on our call today. And Garth, this is just an embarrassment of riches for this conference. The preseason top 25 comes out, seven SEC teams led by the club you just mentioned, the Florida Gators, so strong, four starters return.

The headliner, of course, Thomas Hauck and our Naismith Defensive Player of the Year from last year, Ruben Chinyulu. This is a loaded basketball team. It's so rare these days to have so many starters to come back, and Florida is in that particular situation. Your impressions of the Gators?

Garth Glissman (4:04)

I watched a lot of this core group for Florida play over the years. And obviously, the core three have national championship experience. Followed that up with a one seed last year. The NCAA tournament didn't go the way it wanted, the way they wanted it to, of course. But we all know that's a big reason why they're all back, to make one more run together. And it's great for college basketball when we have teams with returning players who are familiar to fans across the country.