Easton Bazzoli on The System That Won (EP423)

The Basketball Podcast

Chris Oliver

Sports, Basketball

4.3 • 525 Ratings

🗓️ 6 May 2026

⏱️ 51 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

National champion head coach Easton Bazzoli discusses Gannon University's 2025-26 national championship-winning season and their approach to the Crutchfield basketball system. Easton explained how they built the program from a 3-win team to a 34-3 national champion, emphasizing the importance of constant pressure defense, decision-making development through game-like practice situations, and individual player development based on each player's unique strengths.

Bazzoli discussed their offensive philosophy of creating constant pressure while maintaining high IQ decision-making, their approach to practice where they play 5-on-5 competition almost daily, and their focus on developing high-character players over pure talent. Easton also shared insights on substitution patterns, player development, and how they've adapted the system to fit their personality and team needs while maintaining the core principles of constant pressure and relentless competition.

Easton Bazzoli led Gannon University to the 2026 NCAA Division II national championship, guiding the Golden Knights to a 34–3 record. Gannon also captured the PSAC West Division title and finished 19–1 in conference play. Bazzoli was named PSAC West Coach of the Year, and the national title marked the first men’s basketball championship in program history, establishing Gannon among the elite programs in Division II. Through two seasons as head coach, he has compiled a 61–10 overall record with an 8–1 mark in NCAA Tournament play.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Awesome to welcome Gannon University head coach Easton Vizzuli to the basketball podcast.
0:04.9	Gannon University won the 2006 NCAA Division 2 National Championship.
0:09.6	With a 34 and 3 record, Gannon also captured the PSAC West Division title and finished 19 and 1 conference play.
0:17.2	Bazouli was named PSAC West Coach of the Year and the national title marked the first
0:21.1	men's basketball championship in program history, establishing Gannon among the elite programs
0:25.8	in Division II.
0:27.4	Through two seasons as head coach, Pizzoli has compiled a 61 and 10 overall record and an
0:32.2	eight in one mark in NCAA tournament play.
0:35.2	Pizzoli began his coaching career at Union University in Tennessee, starting
0:38.4	his graduate assistant in 2017 before serving as an assistant coach from 2018 to 2023. He joined
0:44.9	Dan and staff in 2023 and was promoted to head coach in April 2024. Hey coach, brief interruption
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