
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
56 episodes
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...
•
Season 3
•
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 ...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 7
•
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! ......
•
Season 3
•
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 ...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 6
•
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...
•
Season 3
•
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...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 5
•
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...
•
Season 3
•
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...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 4
•
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...
•
Season 3
•
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...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 3
•
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...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 2
•
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!
•
Season 3
•
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...
•
Season 3
•
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...
•
Season 3
•
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...
•
Season 3
•
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...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 1
•
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...
•
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...
•
Season 2
•
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...
•
Season 2
•
19:29

A Flyer By Another Name: Travis Weiss
We are very excited to bring you today's program as we close out season two with '94 grad Travis Weiss along with the last minute addition of our very special guest Bob Alpers, who aside from being athletic director and a hall of fame golf coac...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 10
•
1:01:30

On The Court with Ethan Youso
This week senior manager Ethan Youso took a few minutes before Monday's game to talk to the guys about his plans after graduation, why he came to St. John's and his role with the team. ...Thanks Ethan for taking the time.
•
Season 2
•
18:01

The Parent Trap: Bassett Edition
Today, we step off the court and welcome one of the staunchest and longest-tenured supporters of St. John's basketball, ‘58 grad Jim Bassett, who is the 2024 recipient of the Father Walter Reger Distinguished Alumnus Award, which recognizes out...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 9
•
47:28

On the Court with Kyle Johnson and Luke Healy
This week sophomore Kyle Johnson and junior Luke Healy were kind enough to take some time to talk with the guys about game prep, their approach as they come off the bench as well as how they got to St. John’s in the first place. And the late ni...
•
Season 2
•
21:34

Hometown Boys Make Good pt. 2
Today we get to the conclusion of our conversation with ‘87 grad Phil Johnson and ‘84 grad John Wiehoff. Both of whom played key roles in making the ‘80s one of the most successful decades in Johnnie basketball history. With a couple more timel...
•
Season 2
•
Episode 8
•
57:00

On the Court with Head Coach Pat McKenzie (mid-season update)
This week we circle back with head basketball coach Pat McKenzie as he joins the guys from the road for a mid-season check-in. ...This season of "No Place I'd Rather Be ..." is sponsored by the Sexton Family Foundation, help...
•
Season 2
•
16:34
