No Shot Clock

It's finally here. A real, full high school basketball season is on the way. The first games start on Monday. Get ready for the next five months with the preseason preview.  Michael O'Brien and Joe Henricksen start the season with an exclusive look at the preseason Super 25, talking about each of the teams that cracked the rankings. 

On the latest episode of No Shot Clock Michael O'Brien and Joe Henricksen debate the format of this hastily thrown together answer questions from the listener mailbag and give their Two Takes, a regular weekly feature of commentary and opinion on high school basketball. -Why didn't CPS plan a season-ending event or set of games? -Player of the Year discussion -Breaking down DePaul Prep's big Chipotle tournament win -An in-depth look at all the Chipotle games -Why did Simeon and Young get knocked out of the tournament? -Would the basketball season been more successful in the spring? All that and more.

On the latest episode of No Shot Clock Joe Henricksen and Michael O’Brien answer questions from the listener mailbag and give their Two Takes, a regular weekly feature of commentary and opinion on high school basketball. The mailbag is the biggest and longest of the season, with tons of questions addresed: -Is Simeon senior/Michigan recruit Isaiah Barnes a Player of the Year contender? -Mid-Suburban League title game predictions -Building the perfect conference -How good has Indian Creek been the last two years? -Who are the best underclassmen in the Chipotle event? -Could Downers Grove North upset Glenbard West? The episode wraps up with debate and predictions for all four of the Chipotle Clash of Champions quarterfinal games and of course picks to win it all.

On the latest episode of No Shot Clock Joe Henricksen and Michael O’Brien answer questions from the listener mailbag and give their Two Takes, a regular weekly feature of commentary and opinion on high school basketball. The podcast concludes with a look at the week ahead. Topics include: -How good is Glenbard West and why they aren't in the Chipotle Classic -More shot clock debate -Should the overtime format be changed? -Is Bryce Hopkins the best Catholic League player since Corey Maggette? -Why can't schools just hold their own state tournament? -Is this the most offensive firepower ever in the Mid-Suburban League East? -Thoughts on the East Suburban Catholic -Debating the area's best rivalry and best student sections -First impressions of Kenwood sophomore JJ Taylor -Are Simeon and Young the state's two best teams? And by how much? -Curie, once again, is surprisingly good despite a lack of experience. What is the ceiling for the Condors? All that and more.

On the latest episode of No Shot Clock Joe Henricksen and Michael O'Brien reveal the five teams that have surprised them the most with major success so far this season.  The episode opens with a listener mailbag and then Joe and Mike give their Two Takes, a regular weekly feature of commentary and opinion on high school basketball. The podcast concludes with a look at the week ahead. Topics include: -What's going on with Player of the Year and All-Area? -Is there really a holiday tournament happening on Saturday? -Diving in to Kankakee's success under Chris Pickett All that and more.

On the latest episode of No Shot Clock Michael O'Brien and Joe Henricksen debate the recently revealed season-ending tournament, the Chipotle Classic.  Then we preview the top six basketball teams in the Chicago Public League, which begins its basketball season over the next week.  Then Joe and Mike give their Two Takes, a regular weekly feature of commentary and opinion on high school basketball. The podcast concludes with a look at the week ahead. Topics include: -A look at Hersey's high-scoring Ethan Roberts -Is St. Rita's James Brown the state's next star? -Appreciating Mundelein big man Scottie Ebubue -Why Notre Dame's ceiling is still so high, despite losing the No. ranking All that and more

Joe Henricksen and Michael O'Brien talk about their initial impressions of the very young and very short high school basketball season.  The episode opens with a brief news update and a listener mailbag. Then Joe and Mike give their Two Takes.  The podcast concludes with a look at the week ahead. Topics include: -Which players may have their recruitment hurt by the lack of a full season? -What is the best way to find streaming games? -How are we going to pick a season-ending No. 1 team? -Lincoln-Way East's potential -Bolingbrook's ceiling this season -Why white numbers on white uniforms just don't work All that and a ton more.

Michael O’Brien and Joe Henricksen get started on a new season of the podcast.  The episode opens with a big mailbag of listener questions. After that we break down the preseason Top 10, which is revealed for the first time.  The podcast concludes with a look at the week ahead.  Topics include: -How COVID-19 has changed recruiting -What is the status of Public League basketball? -How will Evanston look without Jaylin Gibson? All that and a ton more. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, it helps new listeners find the podcast.

Joe Henricksen and Michael O'Brien review the past week of action in Chicago high school basketball. The episode opens with a big mailbag of listener questions. After that we break down every Class 3A and Class 4A sectional semifinal, since that is the last basketball fans across the state will get this season.  The podcast concludes with a look at the possible top ten teams for next season.  Topics include: -The Illinois High School Association's decision to cancel the state tournament -Fenger's terrific season -What is the deal with sub-sectionals? -Is there a clear-cut preseason No. 1 team next season? Is it Notre Dame, Simeon or Evanston? All that and a ton more.

Michael O’Brien and Joe Henricksen review the past week of action in Chicago high school basketball. The episode opens with a quick preview of the Class 1A and Class 2A supersectionals and then we breakdown the five players that received votes for the Sun-Times All-Area team but didn’t make the final list of 20 players. After that it is all sectional talk. We break down every Class 4A sectional semifinal in the state and hit on all of the Class 3A semifinals in the Chicago area. Topics include: -Aurora’s two underdogs -Appreciating Wauconda’s season -The Fox Valley’s chances at Peoria -Very in-depth looks at Bloom vs. Marian, H-F vs. Thornton, Curie vs. Morton All that and a ton more.

Joe Henricksen and Michael O’Brien review the past week of action in Chicago high school basketball. The episode opens with an in-depth discussion of the Illinois High School Association’s tentative schedule for the new state finals weekend format. Topics include: -Why is the IHSA playing third place games at 7 pm on Thursday and Friday in the new state format? -Is Notre Dame the clear favorite in Class 3A? -Could Joliet West really play for the Class 4A state title? -Don’t miss a possible Dom Martinelli vs. Max Christie matchup on Friday -Why the state tournament has to move to Champaign -The top ten regional games in the Chicago area -Watch out for Lincoln and Peoria Notre Dame All that and a ton more.

Michael O’Brien and Joe Henricksen review the past week of action in Chicago high school basketball. The episode starts up with our Two Takes.  Then we get into the feature segment, where we dive into a huge listener mailbag full of all types of questions. Things finish up with a brief look at the week ahead. Topics include: -Could Barrington make a state tournament run? -Will Evanston make it to Peoria? -What trades would you make to improve teams? -How will Rolling Meadows and Buffalo Grove fare in March? -Rants on the seeding process -Will Oak Forest finally win the conference? -More on Indian Creek -Aquan Smart’s commitment to Maryland   All that and a ton more.

Joe Henricksen and Michael O’Brien review the past week of action in Chicago high school basketball. The episode starts up with a big listener mailbag followed by Mike and Joe each giving their Two Takes. Then we get into the feature segment, where we answer some of the season’s big questions.  Things finish up with a brief look at the week ahead. Topics include:  -Does Joliet West have enough to make a run to state? -Player of the Year talk -What is the state’s best conference? -The season’s biggest surprise? -Our favorite teams to watch -Which player would you want to take a game winner? -What team has the most to prove in March? -This season’s biggest disappointment -The team no one is talking about but should be All that and a ton more.  

Michael O’Brien and Joe Henricksen review the past week of action in Chicago high school basketball. The episode starts up with a huge listener mailbag followed by Mike and Joe each giving their Two Takes. Then we get into the feature segment, Conference Surprises, where we breakdown some of the things that have surprised us so far in various conference races. Things finish up with a brief look at the week ahead. Topics include: -Should the Public League ditch the super conferences? -Sleeper picks for state in all four classes -Top five candidates for Player of the Year -Undefeated Indian Creek and the Little Ten -Should non-boundaried schools play for a different state title? All that and a ton more.

Joe Henricksen and Michael O'Brien review the past week of action in Chicago high school basketball. The episode starts up with a quick listener mailbag followed by Mike and Joe each giving their Two Takes. Then we get into the feature segment, The Stock Report, where we each breakdown five teams whose stock we think is overvalued and five teams whose stock we would purchase.  Things finish up with a brief look at the week ahead. Topics include: -How good was Ronnie Fields as a pro prospect? -A look back at the When Sides Collide Shootout -Which White Division teams could pull off upsets in the city tournament? -Has Simeon turned the corner? -Previewing the Public League playoffs -Undefeated Indian Creek   All that and a ton more. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, it helps new listeners find the podcast. The podcast is on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, so please subscribe.

Michael O'Brien and Joe Henricksen review the past week of action in Chicago high school basketball. The episode starts up with a listener mailbag followed by Mike and Joe each giving their Two Takes. Then we get into the feature segment, talking about eleven teams that have flown under the radar while putting together excellent seasons.  Things finish up with a brief look at the week ahead. Topics include: -Why didn't a Chicago venue bid on the state basketball tournament? -Has Orr considered moving up in class? -DePaul Prep's resurgence -Appreciating Thornton -Why it appears the state tournament is moving back to Champaign -A look at Buffalo Grove, Naperville Central, St. Patrick, Richards and more as we get into the under the radar teams All that and a ton more. 

Joe Henricksen and Michael O’Brien review the past week of action in Chicago high school basketball.  The episode starts up with a huge listener mailbag and then Mike and Joe each pick five breakout players that have opened eyes this season. Things finish up with a brief look at the week ahead. Topics include: -DeKalb’s new status -More shot clock talk -The state bracket has been determined. A look at the draw in Class 3A and Class 4A -The Pat Gordon situation at Lincoln Park -Fun White Division basketball -Aquan Smart’s recruitment All that and a ton more.

Joe Henricksen and Michael O'Brien take a look back at the past decade. The episode opens with a small mailbag of listener questions and a brief discussion of some happenings from the last several days.  Then it is time to dive into the 2010s. First we discuss the ten best players of the decade, breaking them down into a first and second team.  Up next is an in-depth discussion of the 13 best teams of the decade, including a handful of great teams that just missed the cut.  Both those lists have been revealed previously, but there is some No Shot Clock exclusive content as well. We reveal the ten programs that arrived on the scene this decade. It's a list of teams that never had winning programs or had been dormant for ages and came alive and experienced great success the past ten years. 

Michael O’Brien and Joe Henricksen review all the holiday tournament action from around the state, including tournaments at Pontiac, Proviso West, Hinsdale Central, Wheeling, York, Maine East, Effingham, Pekin, Centralia and more.  The episode starts up with a huge listener mailbag and then Joe and Mike each pick five players or teams to give a post-holiday tournament stamp of approval. Things finish up with a brief look at this weekend’s games. Topics include: -Would AJ Casey be putting up the same numbers at Simeon? -Could Max Christie or Bryce Hopkins win Player of the Year this season? -Status checks on Bloom, Cary-Grove, Marian Catholic heading into January -Don’t forget about Zion-Benton’s Amar Augillard -Rich East’s rugged schedule -Joliet West and emerging star Jamere Hill -Why Curie started the season at No. 12

Michael O’Brien and Joe Henricksen preview the state’s major holiday tournaments. Full previews of Wheeling, Pontiac, Proviso West, York (Jack Tosh) and Hinsdale Central. -Which teams have the most to prove at the holiday tournaments? -What player in each tournament is the most underrated? -Three players to watch at each holiday tournament -The best first round game at each holiday tournament -The favorites to win, a sleeper pick to win and our picks to win each holiday tournament -Has the Pontiac title game lost steam in the last few years and would switching to Pekin’s schedule be a good move? We also take a look at some of the other holiday tournaments around the state, including Effingham/Teutopolis, Bloomington (State Farm), Rich South (Big Dipper), Centralia, Pekin and Plano.