Not Even D2

Darin Smith Jr. is taking the next step in his career, transferring to Rutgers and preparing to compete in the Big Ten. Smith is coming off a season where he established himself as one of the nation’s best scorers, averaging 20.7 points per game, which ranked 21st in the country. With Rutgers returning a lot of key pieces from last season, the Scarlet Knights have high hopes for what Smith can bring to the team. Smith’s 2025-26 campaign at Central Connecticut State was one of the best individual seasons in program history. He scored 621 points, the third-most in a single season in CCSU history, while earning NEC Player of the Year honors. His production helped establish him as one of the top players in the conference and set the stage for his move to the Big Ten. At 6-foot-7, Smith is a versatile wing who can score at all three levels, giving Rutgers another dynamic offensive weapon. Even more intriguing, Smith has two years of eligibility remaining, giving him plenty of time to continue developing and proving himself at the highest level of college basketball. With his scoring ability and experience already under his belt, there’s no telling where his future can go. Available wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe ⁨@Notevend2⁩ Enjoy the episode!

Georges Niang is heading into his 11th NBA season with the Golden State Warriors, creating an almost full-circle moment after originally joining the organization on a training camp deal back in 2017. Since then, Niang has built a successful NBA career, going from Philadelphia to Cleveland before joining Atlanta, where he averaged 12.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting 40.7% from three during the 2024-25 season. After the season, Niang suffered an injury and spent much of last year working to get healthy. Now back with Golden State, he gets another opportunity with the organization where his NBA journey first began.Before reaching the NBA, Niang spent all four years at Iowa State, where he established himself as one of the best players in program history. He earned All-Big 12 honors multiple times and helped lead the Cyclones to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances. Niang currently ranks second all-time in scoring at Iowa State and remains the only player in program history to reach the NCAA Tournament in four consecutive seasons.Now, Niang joins a Warriors team that many around the league may be sleeping on heading into the season. With a mix of established stars, experienced veterans, and young talent, there is a belief within the organization that this group can be much better than outside expectations suggest. With Niang bringing another veteran presence and floor-spacing ability, Golden State could be one of the more intriguing teams to watch this season.Available wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to @Notevend2

Hank Morgan’s journey through the NESCAC was a story of consistent growth, culminating in one of the best individual seasons in the conference. After four years at Hamilton College, Morgan improved year after year, breaking through as a First Team All-NESCAC selection as a junior before taking another major step as a senior and being named NESCAC Player of the Year. His development at one of Division III’s premier conferences ultimately earned him an opportunity to chase his professional basketball dreams. Morgan’s first year in the professional ranks was anything but conventional. He earned a spot with the Utah Jazz’s G League affiliate through an open tryout and got off to a strong start before ultimately being waived. The opportunity didn’t last long, though, as Morgan was picked up by the Maine Celtics, where he began to find his footing in a better situation. He averaged over 8 points per game while shooting above 40% from three, showing that his game could translate against professional competition. After a strong showing at NBA Summer League, Morgan has put himself in a position to continue climbing the professional ranks. The Celtics organization places a significant emphasis on evaluating its G League talent, giving Morgan a legitimate opportunity to earn another chance in the system. After going from a Division III standout to an NBA Summer League participant, his next step could be another opportunity to prove that he belongs at the professional level. Available wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow and subscribe @Notevend2 Enjoy the episode!

Evan Bradds is returning to his alma mater, Belmont University, where he was a two-time AP All-American Honorable Mention and the program’s all-time leading scorer during the Division I era. After his playing career, Bradds quickly rose through the coaching ranks, gaining experience at the highest levels of basketball and ultimately becoming the second-youngest head coach in Division I basketball. Now, he returns to Nashville with the opportunity to lead the program where he made his name. Bradds’ coaching journey has taken him through some of the most respected organizations in basketball. Most recently at Duke, he was part of a team that won 35 games, while his NBA experience with the Boston Celtics and Utah Jazz gave him the opportunity to be instrumental in the development of players like Walker Kessler, Keyonte George, and Grant Williams. He also worked alongside some of the game's most respected coaches, including Joe Mazzulla, Brad Stevens, and Ime Udoka, experiences that have helped shape his approach as a coach. Bradds now takes over a Belmont program coming off an MVC Championship under Casey Alexander, with several key pieces returning and expectations remaining high. Belmont’s tradition and consistent success have established a standard that Bradds will be expected to maintain, but his familiarity with the program and experience across basketball's highest levels make this a particularly exciting new era for the Bruins. Available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow and subscribe @NotEvenD2 Enjoy the episode!

Aaron Johnston has spent the last 26 seasons building South Dakota State University into one of the premier mid-major programs in women’s college basketball. Under his leadership, the Jackrabbits have dominated the Summit League, consistently winning conference championships and earning NCAA Tournament berths. Most recently, SDSU has reached the NCAA Tournament in four consecutive seasons, continuing a standard of excellence that has made the Jackrabbits the benchmark for success in the conference.One of the most remarkable aspects of Johnston’s career is that he successfully guided the program through its transition from Division II to Division I without missing a beat. While many programs struggle through that process, the Jackrabbits quickly established themselves as contenders at the Division I level. Johnston has also intentionally challenged his teams with demanding Power Four non-conference schedules, believing those early-season tests prepare his players to compete in March and elevate the program into the national conversation year after year.As South Dakota State enters a new chapter following the departure of star Brooklyn Meyer, plenty of attention will be on how the Jackrabbits respond. Even with key pieces to replace, Johnston’s track record suggests the expectations won't change. With a culture built on player development, consistency, and championship habits, South Dakota State is poised to remain one of the nation's top mid-major programs and a team capable of making noise in the NCAA Tournament every season.Available wherever you get your podcasts. Follow and subscribe ⁨@Notevend2⁩ Enjoy the episode!