On3 Round Table: Mid-major coaches, No. 1 in 2023, McDonald's snubs

High schools are having state championships, colleges are starting conference tournaments, and On3 is updating class rankings. There is a lot going on at the On3 headquarters. National Analysts Jamie Shaw and Gerry Hamilton take a look at who we will each be pushing for at No. 1 in the 2023 class. Which mid-major coaches should be at the top of high-major AD’s hiring lists? Who was our biggest snub from the McDonald’s All-American game?

1. On3 is in the process of updating its 2023 rankings. Who will you be making a push for the No.1 spot?

Jamie: G.G. Jackson is the obvious choice here for me. With his size, frame, and skill set, he has been one of the more dominating players this high school season. While others have leveled off with inconsistency, Jackson has brought it in every setting. The 2023 On3 Consensus No. 7 ranked player will play in his state championship game this week. Jackson’s explosion, along with his ability to handle, shoot and create, make him a matchup nightmare at 6-foot-8/6-foot-9. 2023 will be an interesting grouping because I believe Jackson is in a tier by himself at the top. But that second tier of player could be about 11 or 12 deep.

Gerry: My push is for G.G. Jackson. His skillset for a 6-foot-8, 210-pound power forward is very high-end. His ability to play on the perimeter off the bounce sets him apart for me. He is a threat from three off the catch and being able to create space and get clean looks off the dribble. He’s physical in the paint, strong with the ball, and scores in traffic. He will also rebound outside his area. Jackson has continued to ascend in his class when others have leveled off or regressed this season.

2. The McDonald’s All-American committee announced its game roster recently. Who was this year’s biggest snub?

Jamie: Jalen Hood-Schifino popped out immediately. Hood-Schifino is a solid 6-foot-5 point guard at Montverde (FL) Academy. Since middle school, he has been on the national scene but has been someone who has continually gotten better each year. On3’s No. 8 player in 2022 was great during Session one of the Peach Jam Bubble, where he averaged 17 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. He missed the second part due to health and safety protocols. The Indiana signee has not slowed down since, carrying the hot play to the regular season.

Gerry: Brandan Hausen for me. The Amarillo High (Texas) guard has always been underrated and not appreciated. He sacrifices stats for victories, and the Sandies are 30-6 headed into the third round of the playoffs. The Villanova signee could go out and score 28-30 points per game if he chose but is instead chasing an elusive state title. Hausen will be a 40% three-point shooter at the next level that will impact winning in several ways without being a volume shooter. He has position versatility in a pinch, plays both ends at max level, and places winning above personal stats.

3. The college basketball regular season is coming to an end. Which mid-major coach is primed to get a high-major job this off-season?

Jamie: There are some good candidates here, and I think you will see multiple coaches get the bump. For me, Matt McMahon at Murray State is an obvious choice to get a bump. He is in his seventh season at Murray State, where the Racers are on a 28-2 run and 18-0 in the conference. This Murray State team is only the sixth in the history of the Ohio Valley Conference to go undefeated in conference play. McMahon has won 69.5-percent of his games in seven seasons. Over his last five seasons, McMahon has won 77.1-percent of his games and made two of the three possible NCAA tournaments leading into this year.

Gerry: Grant McCasland at North Texas is an easy choice. He was key in helping Scott Drew build the Baylor program as an assistant from 2011-16. As a head coach, he has been tremendous. He posted a 55-12 record at Midwestern State in two seasons, with a pair of NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearances. He won 20 games in his lone season at Arkansas State and has ascended at North Texas. He’s 101-55 in Denton in five seasons thus far. He won an NCAA Tournament game last year and is 22-4 this season. There is zero doubt McCasland is ready and deserving of a high-major job after this season.