Coach John Jones, along with his wife Molly,  owns Shipley's Tavern in Madison, IN. Shipley's is the second oldest bar in the state of Indiana. Coach Jones is also a successful women's college basketball coach at Hanover College.  In this episode we talk our experience with barrel selection process at both Woodford Reserve and Cascade Hollow Distillery (George Dickel)How Coach Jones used his barrel selection to also raise money for the town of MadisonWe talk about the most recent women's final four and coach Jones talks about watching Iowa's Caitlin Clark's shooting workout, prior to the NCAA Final 4What Jones looks for in a recruitHis starting 5 of bourbonsmuch more

In this recent episode we talk to Nashville Recording Artist Clayton Anderson. Anderson has a new single out called "Indiana" A song about growing up in the state of Indiana! Anderson performed his new song before the IHSAA girls and boys state finals games this past season.  In the podcast we discuss his love for basketballhis boyhood idol, Damon BaileyAdvise that Coach Bob Knight gave him his freshman year at IUHis favorite bourbon and the bourbon he will take a sip of before he hits the stage!Working with Country singer Thomas RhettLessons learned from playing HS basketball in IndianaFunny story about sneaking into a Floyd Central dance after a road gamemuch much more

Episode 19 we talk to bourbon and basketball enthusiast Brian Haara. Brian is a Louisville, Kentucky attorney who found a way to combine his passions for law, bourbon, and history.  After stumbling upon the Pepper v. Labrot case from 1881 and then learning the real truth about Col. E. H. Taylor, Jr., Brian knew that he had to tell the true story about bourbon and its connections with the development of American commercial law and the growth of the nation.   Brian and I talk about Kentucky basketball and how he fell in love with the Wildcat team. He talks about the 1996 Kentucky team and has a story about the team party after the championship. Brian also tells us about his passion for bourbon as well as his starting 5 of bourbons!

In Episode 18 of Basketball and Bourbon Podcast we talk to Billy Powell. Billy is a basketball historian and hosts a weekly podcast called Keeping the Nostalgia Alive. Billy and I get into a great rabbit hole of 6 degrees of separation basketball style! Billy and I discuss IU’s Coach Mike Woodson, and the impact he has had on Billy and many other in the Indianapolis area. Billy and I also talk a little Sycamore basketball and Billy opens up about his sobriety. Of course many more Indiana basketball stories here.

Episode 17, we talk to the host of Indiana Sports Beat Jim Coyle. Jim and I discuss our passion for basketball and bourbon. Jim talks transfer portal and NILGrowing up in Southern Indiana Whiskey Row in LouisvilleHis Grandparents working at the distilleryIU Men's and Women's teamsThe Movie Stripes being filmed at the Jim Beam DistilleryHis most exciting day calling a gamemuch much more

On episode 16 of the Basketball and Bourbon Podcast Matt Kusek returns to match a bourbon with each player on the 1996 Chicago Bulls roster! We also discuss Whiskey Advocates Whiskey of the Year Jack Daniels Bonded. What is the difference between Tennessee Whiskey and Bourbon. You might be surprised they really aren't all that different. The Last Dance and much more

Episode 15 is the 2nd part of our Interview with Former ISU players Greg Thomas and Rob Vickers. In Episode 2 we talk:   more stories about some of their teammatesTry bourbon Old Grand Dad 114About the time Coach Tates Locke kicked them out of their locker room and made them dress in the women's locker room. the lasting impact a coach can have on their playersEarning something vs being given something

In Episode 14,  I talk to college friends, and former Indiana State Sycamore Men's Basketball Players; Greg Thomas and Rob Vickers. Vickers played for the Sycamores from 1987-1990, during that time Vickers played in 79 games and was a dead eye from 3-point range shooting 40% for his career.  Thomas played at Indiana State from 1989-1993. Thomas scored over 1,000 career points in high school and college. In 1993 Thomas was named to the 2nd Team Academic All-American Team! During that season, Thomas led the Missouri Valley Conference in FT% at 86.7%. In part 1 we discuss Rob & Greg talk about growing up playing on the black top courtsRob tells us about the time former Maryland Coach Lefty DriesellGreg talks about the two things his dad gave him before he dropped him off for college. Both give us their toughest match-ups in college, a little hint they all come from the Big 10Greg gives us his bourbon starting 5We do some taste testing of bourbonsmany more great stories!

In Episode 13, Walt Ferber joins the basketball and bourbon podcast! Over the past four decades, Walt has become one of the most familiar voices in Southern Indiana area today. Walt is a graduate of New Albany High School and Indiana University.  He started in radio at WREY where he was the youngest radio sports director in the entire state.  He worked for radio stations in Bloomington before joining WITZ, in Jasper, 1980. Walt is an award-winning broadcaster and sports Hall-of-Famer, Walt has broadcasted many sports in the Southern Indiana area. Walt and I discuss Chicken Cock Bourbon (you don't want to miss how Walt talks about Chicken Cock's way of using barrels)How he got started in radioFormer MLB great Scott Rolen was an outstanding basketball player too. Walt talks about what made Scott a winner in all sportsWalt's earlier days he worked with  IU athletic announcers Don Fischer and Joe SmithWalt calls a game at Cannleton. They have to stop the game because the volunteer fire department was below the gym floor! Walt talks about calling a game at Cameron Indoor Stadium. much much more!

In Episode 12 our guest is division 1 basketball official Mike Kashirsky  Mike officiates games in the Big 10, Mountain West, WAC, Big Sky, MAC, Summit, and Horizon League. During the MLB season Mike serves as the batting practice pitcher and replay coordinator.  Mike, is a former minor league player in the Chicago White Sox organization. He played collegiate baseball at St. Joseph's University. Mike and I talk about: Importance of having mentors in the officiating professionHow to advance in the ranks of officiatingAdvice he gives young officials when officiating a game where coaches and fans are chirping The replay process at the college levelThe Netflix Untold documentary “Flagrant Foul”Difference between replay in basketball and baseballWhat it would take for him to T a coach upA Unique story about his connection to former MLB player Ron LeFloreA couple funny interactions with coaches

On Episode 11 I sit down with Indiana Bourbon Drinkers Facebook Founders Nate Van Sell and Eric Wathen.  Episode 11 is heavy bourbon talk, as Nate and Eric share their Bourbon experiences with us. They have over 5,000 followers on their facebook page and after listening to this podcast you can certainly tell why! Their passion for bourbon can be heard all episode long!  In this episode we discuss The reason and the vision behind the Indiana Bourbon Drinkers Facebook page. They Talk about how they do a barrel selectionThey discuss one of their favorite distilleries, Old 55 DistilleryEach of us talk about the first bourbon that got us hooked into the bourbon hobby.Some places you can go in Indiana to find great Store PicksBest Bargain Bourbons for your $$Nate and Eric give us their starting 5much much more

In Episode 10 of the Basketball and Bourbon podcast, we talk to Meghan Mckeown. Meghan is an award-winning sports broadcaster based out of Chicago with a unique range of skills. A former basketball player at Northwestern University, the Medial School of Journalism alum has served as a color analyst for Big Ten Network, the Chicago Sky, Big East Digital Network, and ESPN+. In 2018 Meghan was named to STAA’s Top 30 Sportscasters Under 30. Meghan welcome to the basketball and bourbon podcast. In this episode Meghan and I discuss  How she prepares for a basketball game as an analystHer and I both had fathers who were life long coaches. We talk about the road trips we would take with our fathers on scouting and recruiting tripsMeghan previews IU and Purdue women’s basketball teams Some of the great basketball atmospheres in both the men's and women’s gamesWe talk wine and Meghan gives us her starting 5 of bottle of wines. Talk about one of her mentors, PTI’s Michael Wilson, and his influence on her careerShe talks about covering the WNBA champions Chicago Sky and how Chemistry, peaking at right time, and being healthy were the recipe for the Sky winning the 2021 championship. We both share how family plays a big part of our careersOf course much much more!

Episode 9 We talk to Greg Rakestraw. Greg has played a major role in the Indianapolis sports scene for over 25 years. Greg has called play-by-play on the radio and tv for HS sports, Indianapolis Colts, IUPUI basketball, Indy Eleven Soccer, and hosts a post game show after every Colts game. Greg and I discuss a variety of topics How we both would flip professions if either of us had decided not to pursue our current career choiceGreg talks about HS hoops in southern Indiana when he was growing upHis experience with sports growing up  in a locker room how it has helped him in his career todaythe sports of tennis and soccer and how some of the skills in those sports transfer to basketball.I talk about some of the best bourbons under $50We compare the IU/Purdue rivalry to the UK/Louisville rivalryGreg takes us through how he prepares for calling a gameThe difference between calling play by play on radio vs tvHe talks St Elmo's bourbonI have a change in my bourbon starting 5, as I drop one of my favorites from the starting 5And much much

Episode 8 I talk to Purdue FT Wayne Coach Jon Coffman and DuPont Hospital CEO Mark Dooley.  In this episode we talk about How Coach Coffman has been able to sustain success over his tenure at Purdue FT. Wayne.Coach Coffman, a native from Atlanta, tells us he had the Hoosiers movie poster up in his room and how much it meant to him to speak at a clinic in the gym Hoosiers was filmed. Mark tells us how he took an Uber to get a bottle of Weller 12Coach Coffman & UK's Coach John Calipari suit story! Mark compares Indiana HS basketball to Alabama HS basketballBenefits of the NIL Coach Coffman as a mentor to his players and how he has teamed up with a local business leaders to help his players prepare for life after basketballMark gives us an impressive bourbon starting 5Mark tells us what made his HS team so successfulCoach Coffman talks about how he prepared his team for a recent trip to Italy.of course much much more!

Episode 7 we talk to Bourbon Analyst with malt-review.com Matt Kusek. Matt and I share a passion for both bourbon and basketball! We discuss many basketball and bourbon topics, including:  Some bourbons are hard to find or outrageously expensive, but Matt says you can find great tasting bourbon that is readily available at a reasonable price Matt talks about  the importance of chemistry for a basketball team as well as making a great bourbon. We talk about how Matt went from not playing basketball in HS only to play basketball in college. Scottie Pippens value to the 90’s Bulls team as well as Scottie Pippens bourbon Digits. Matt’s love for playing pickup basketball still today! The “Curry” effect on the game of basketball todayWhat if Reggie Miller played in today’s game “Kusek Law” and how this can help you when it comes time for finding a Christmas gift for that bourbon lover you knowOur bet for the upcoming season between Matt’s Bulls and my Pacers! What goes into reviewing a bourbon How each persons pallets are different. Difference between sour mash and sweet mashMatt’s thoughts on Peerless Bourbon and why he gave it a high review! Much More!

In Episode 6 we talk with National Junior College Athletic Association Hall of Fame Coach Joe Kuhn. Coach Kuhn is entering his 26th season as a head coach at the NJCAA Division 3 level and his first season at the College of Dupage in Illinois. Over the past 25 seasons Coach Kuhn was the coach at Joliet Junior College. During his time at Joliet, Kuhn had record of 525-259, including a National NJCAA Division 3 title in 2010. In the podcast Coach Kuhn and I discuss: The importance of "attention to details " whether it is making bourbon or coaching a basketball teamHis first reaction to trying Peerless Bourbon Why he loves recruiting kids from Indiana and how his teams have benefitted from having Indiana players on his teams.Coaching Kokomo's Dustin Smith, who happens to be 2022 Indiana Mr. Basketball & current Purdue player Braden Smiths father. The time commitment of coaching Who are some of the current NCAA teams he likes to studyand much more

In Episode 5 we talk to former basketball coach and current talkshow host Dan Dakich. Dan and I talk about the first time we both got hooked on basketballDan growing up playing basketball in the regionPlaying in the 1980 IHSAA Final FourThe time when Dan's father canceled school on the Monday after Calumet HS won the sectional in the early 70"sDan's favorite bourbonsTalk about the 4 finger pour!What it is like watching our kids play sports opposed to coaching The desire to win as a coachOnly thing Dan misses about coachingmuch more!

In Episode 4 we talk with Nick Greene, Author of the Book: How to Watch Basketball Like a Genius: What Game Designers, Economists, Ballet Choreographers, and Theoretical Astrophysicists Reveal About the Greatest Game on Earth. We talk: Rare stories about basketballs inventor James NaismithThe George Mikan effect on the evolution of basketballHow the shot clock evolvedFT % from across the decades, you will be shocked at what he reveals!The Elam basketball endingSlow motion and Michael JordanReggie Miller to Steph and Klay To purchase Nick's book  you can go to https://www.nickgreenewriter.com

This week our guest is Indiana Pacers Radio Play by Play announcer Mark Boyle. Boyle will be entering his 35th season calling Pacer games via the radio, and later this season Boyle will call his 3,000 NBA game for the Pacers!  In the episode Mark and I discuss: How he likes sports but how his passion is for his work not the sportHis appreciation for the fansHow he prepares for a gameHis relationship with Bobby "Slick" LeonardHow he came about to liking bourbonHis favorite bourbons and cigarsHow loud Market Square Arena would getWhen he first met Johnny Most

In this episode of Basketball and Bourbon we talk to IHSAA basketball official Tim Cartright. Last school year Tim officiated in the state finals for football, girls basketball, and boys basketball. Tim has nearly 30 years of officiating experience at levels from HS to college basketball.  In this episode Tim and I discuss many basketball and bourbon topics : Official shortages in HS sportsThoughts on Implementing the shot clock in high schoolHis thoughts on how we can make the game more enjoyable to the fansHis everyday bourbonTim's bourbon starting 5Some of the greatest atmospheres he has officiated inHis favorite distillery tour & much much more