No Place I'd Rather Be …
A podcast about St. John’s University (MN) basketball that features legendary coach Jim Smith as well as head coach and Johnnie alum Pat McKenzie ‘04. Hear from notable players and personalities that make this program one of the very best in all of Division III athletics. Whether a long-standing Johnnie basketball fan, a relative newcomer, or just a student of history, there's sure to be something for everyone on "No Place I'd Rather Be…"
Episodes
62 episodes
On the Court with assistant coach Danny Quinn
Hello everyone and welcome back! We’re here today with assistant coach Danny Quinn, who was nice enough to take some time Wednesday evening between team activities in Chicago to talk with the guys about the team’s travel plans changing due to t...
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Season 3
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19:25
The 2020 Team ...
Hello and welcome to the Season 3 finale! Today, we welcome Jubie Alade, Lucas Walford, Colton Codute, Kyle Sorensen, Oakley Baker, Ethan Novacinski and Sean Ryan from the 2020 team who were generous enough to tell us about their experience wit...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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1:03:00
On the Court with seniors Griffin Rushin and Luke Budzyn
Hello and welcome back! Today, we welcome back Griffin Rushin and Luke Budzyn to the program, who were nice enough to take some time Tuesday morning to get into the weeds on defensive philosophies, post graduation plans and a little breakdown o...
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Season 3
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24:30
The Parent Trap II
Hello and welcome back! Today, we welcome a handful of parents of this year’s team for our second installment of our version of The Parent Trap. We can’t thank Dave Scwhob, Cathy Budzyn, Heather Bean, Brian Healy, and Jeanine Wagner enough for ...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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51:59
On the Court with guards Luke Healy and Kyle Johnson
Hello and welcome back! Today, we welcome back Luke Healy and Kyle Johnson to the program to talk about the last couple games of the regular season and how practices can differ from early in the season to now. Thanks guys for making the time!
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Season 3
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18:26
Fr. Roman vs. The Rats
Hello and welcome back! Today, we revisit a fairly notable piece of the legacy of one of our previous guests this season … Fr. Roman Paur and his relationship with The Rats. Along the way we have some contributions from Joe Deignan, Troy Bigalk...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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40:58
On the Court with senior guards Andrew Wagner, Kooper Vaughn and Zach Longueville
Hello and welcome back! Today, we have the pleasure of welcoming back Andrew Wagner, Kooper Vaughn and Zach Longueville to the program to talk about their senior season. Thanks guys for making the time!...Support for benchwarmers...
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Season 3
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17:25
The Voice -- 25 Years Courtside with Mark Lewandowski
Hello and welcome back! Today, we feature the voice of Johnnie sports over the last quarter century -- Mark Lewandowski -- who talked with the guys about his start in radio, his transition to St. John's and some of his observations as he's had ...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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45:14
On the Court with Ryan Thissen, Blake Berg and Connor Schwob
Hello and welcome back! Today, we have the pleasure of welcoming back Ryan Thissen, Blake Berg and Connor Schwob to the program to talk about their collective decision to return for a fifth year. Thanks guys for making the time! ......
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Season 3
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19:28
The Transition
Hello and welcome back! Today, we focus on the tail end of Smitty’s incredible run as head coach of St. John's basketball and welcome the only other person to occupy the coach’s office since 1964 Head Coach Pat McKenzie. Which ties directly to ...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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46:04
On the Court with Jim Smith and Steve Fritz
Hello and welcome back! Today, we pulled from the archives to find some never before heard parts of our conversation with Smitty and longtime thorn in the Johnnies side, legendary St. Thomas coach Steve Fritz where they get into some of the fin...
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Season 3
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20:43
The View From Carpet Row
Hello and welcome back! Today, there’s a bit of a different bent in store as we shift the perspective from the court to carpet row as we welcome ‘71 grad Mike Dady, who played for coach smith during his student days and served as Board of Regen...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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51:20
On the Court with senior manager Andrew Nerud
Hello and welcome back! Today, senior manager Andrew Nerud joins the show to talk about his decision to come to St. John's, the transition from player to manager and some of the unique insights he has gained from seeing the game from a differen...
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Season 3
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20:10
The 2001 Team (carpe diem coffee cups and Chinese menus)
Hello and welcome back! Today, we have one of the most successful teams in St. John's history in the same room to turn back the clock and reminisce about their time together. Usually reserved for later in the episodes, we’re going straight to t...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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1:26:06
On the Court with Head Coach Pat McKenzie (mid-season update)
Hello! Today, we're back with Coach McKenzie for our mid-season update. ...Thanks to Coach McKenzie for taking the time to talk with the guys. Support for benchwarmers media productions provided by:- Six...
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Season 3
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22:24
Troy Bigalke
Today, we welcome another J-Club Hall of Honor member. This 2001 grad is the third-most prolific scorer in St. John's history with 1,568 career points, trailing only '57 grad Dick Matchinksky and '79 grad Frank Wachlarowicz. He is one of a hand...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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41:42
Joe Deignan
Hello Johnnie basketball fans and welcome back to No Place I'd Rather Be, the podcast about St. John's University basketball and the legacy of Minnesota’s all-time collegiate wins leader Coach Jim Smith. Today, we’re back with our regularly sch...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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45:52
On the Court with Lucas Walford
This week we welcome assistant coach and former player Lucas Walford to the show. Lucas was nice enough to sit down and talk with the guys about his path through basketball, how he got to St. John's and his role with the team. Thanks, Lucas!
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Season 3
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23:25
On the Court with junior guard Thomas Menk
This week for our On the Court feature we welcome junior Thomas Menk, who was nice enough to find some time to sit down and talk with the guys about some injury updates, his role with the team and what to grab at Kwik Trip for a solid late-nigh...
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Season 3
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18:24
On the Court with senior guard Andrew Wagner
This week, we welcome Andrew Wagner, senior guard from Prospect Heights, Ill., to the show as he was kind enough to carve out some time Thursday morning following the Johnnies first conference game of the season ... a 75-60 win over St. Olaf to...
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Season 3
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27:33
On the Court with Head Coach Pat McKenzie
First of all, we hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We’re back today with Head Basketball Coach Pat McKenzie as he was kind enough to talk with the guys first thing Monday morning after the team’s second consecutive weekend on the road, go...
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Season 3
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18:43
JBAA Preseason Tip-Off Event Live From Basement Bar with Special Guest Host Eric Thomes
Welcome back to "No Place I’d Rather Be," the podcast about Johnnie basketball and the legacy of Minnesota’s all-time collegiate wins leader coach Jim Smith. We have a very special episode of the show to bring you today. While we’re hard at wor...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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37:13
Special announcement -- 2024-25 Season Tip-Off Party details
Hey Johnnie Basketball fans! While we're hard at work getting season 3 of "No Place I'd Rather Be" all ready to go we didn't want you to miss out on the chance to get together with current players, Head Coach Pat McKenzie and his staff, reconne...
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3:30
Mankato State Game 45th Anniversary
45 years ago today, "Norma Rae" was just released and number one at the box office, Rod Stewart’s "Do Ya Think I’m Sexy" topped the charts of the Billboard Hot 100, and the St. John’s University basketball team was on its way to Mankato for wha...
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Season 2
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1:19:06
On the Court with Luke Budzyn and Griffin Rushin
This week, as the johnnies wrap up the regular season, we welcome Luke Budzyn and Griffin Rushin to the program to talk with the guys about the recruitment process, their approach off the bench, some housing plans for senior year, and Gary’s Pi...
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Season 2
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19:29