NCAA Basketball FanHouse

Pitt Gets Levance Fields Back on Friday

Josh Alper — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh Basketball, Big East Basketball, NCAA Basketball Injuries, Pittsburgh

Jamie Dixon has done a good job with his Pittsburgh team this year. They lost starting guard Mike Cook for the season with a knee injury to sour a win over Duke and then, the next time out, Levance Fields broke his foot in a blowout loss to Dayton. Losing your starting backcourt would kill a lot of teams but Dixon reshaped his team to its new reality. He relied on Sam Young for scoring and DeJuan Blair for interior toughness and got surprisingly strong play from senior guard Ronald Ramon at the point.

It's worked pretty well. The Panthers have gone 8-4 since losing Fields, including a lights-out performance against Providence on Tuesday night. Now, in advance of a crucial stretch run, Dixon gets his point guard back to lead them. Fields is expected to play against Marquette on Friday and, logically, at Notre Dame next week in two games that will have a lot of say in who gets a bye in the first round of the Big East tournament.

Frankly, I like Pitt's chances. With Fields healthy, Ramon and his 42% three-point touch will move to shooting guard. That gives Pitt more flexibility and balance on offense to go with their always strong defense. That's the team that handed Duke their only loss of the season and a team that should close the season with a flourish.

Pitt Gets Levance Fields Back on Friday originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bill Cowher Now a Women's Basketball Analyst

Michael David Smith — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 11:48:00 EST

Filed under: Steelers, NFL Media Watch, NCAA Basketball Media Watch, Women's Sports, Pittsburgh

Former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher has made a fairly successful transition from the sideline to the studio as an analyst for the NFL on CBS. But it turns out that pro football isn't his only sport. CBS is also using him to discuss women's college basketball:

As Awful Announcing notes, Cowher has a fairly solid background in women's college basketball. His wife, Kaye Young, played at North Carolina State and in the now-defunct Women's Professional Basketball League. All three of his daughters play, with Meagan Cowher and Lauren Cowher at Princeton and his youngest daughter playing in high school. Cowher has watched a lot of women's basketball.

I don't think Cowher is going to be covering women's basketball all season, but I wish he would. He'd be a welcome addition.

Bill Cowher Now a Women's Basketball Analyst originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 11:48:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pittsburgh Ends Duke's Perfect Start

Shiloh Carder — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:18:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh Basketball, Duke Basketball, ACC Basketball, Big East Basketball, Carolina, Pittsburgh

This is why I love college basketball season: it is filled with big games against big programs from big conferences. The Big East's Pittsburgh (ranked #9) met the ACC's Duke (#7) in New York's Madison Square Garden tonight ... with the winner continuing their undefeated start to the season.

It was a great basketball game. Duke was gangbusters in the first half ... running out to a 12-point halftime lead. However, Pitt came back with great defensive pressure (holding the Blue Devils to just 38% shooting) and clutch shooting:

DeMarcus Nelson had given the Blue Devils the lead at 63-62 with a twisting reverse layup and foul shot for a three-point play with 1:36 left in overtime. Pitt's DeJuan Blair, who had 20 rebounds, fouled out on the play. Kyle Singler's free throw a minute later made it 64-62.

But Fields, who led all scorers with 21 points, drained his three-pointer on Pitt's final possession, and the clock ran out on Duke, which had no time-outs left and got off only a long three at the buzzer.

Pitt moves to 11-0, but all isn't great for the Panthers. Swingman Mike Cook suffered a severe knee inury about :30 into overtime. No word yet about the severity of it, but Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon seemed to think it was pretty bad:

"This is the most bittersweet night in my coaching career," Dixon said. "I don't think it's good for Mike. We'll do what's best for him. "I told them at the timeout with 16 seconds left to win this one for Mike and then his best friend hits the winning shot after we come back the way we did. I am so proud of my kids."

Cook came out on crutches wearing a knee brace and was taken to a hospital after the game.

Pittsburgh Ends Duke's Perfect Start originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The City Game Almost Mattered

Charles Rich — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 23:50:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh Basketball, A-10 Basketball, Big East Basketball, Pittsburgh

Never heard of the City Game? I understand. It's a Pittsburgh thing. It's what they call the annual Pitt-Duquesne basketball game. Since Pitt had won 25 of the past 28 meetings, it's lost nearly all of what luster it once had. That Pitt hasn't dropped the game in favor of having another non-con home game in odd years like Boston College has with Holy Cross, probably has more to do with Pitt's desire to avoid negative local publicity than true concern with history and tradition.

Pitt ultimately won the game 73-68, though, it was arguably a win for both teams.

Duquesne showed that it will be a factor in the Atlantic-10 this season. The Dukes have a solid front court of Achara and James with size and speed, and have the option to throw waves of guards at opponents. This allows them to force the faster tempo.

Pitt got a needed challenge after seven easy to cupcake wins. The next four games on their schedule are at Washington, Oklahoma State, Duke at Madison Square Garden and at Dayton. Facing a team that had size and athleticism can only help them prepare. While Pitt is playing at faster tempo this season, they still controlled the pace, and were able to slow Duquesne down when it worked to their advantage. Freshman Forward/Center DeJuan Blair appears to be better than advertised even as he gets overshadowed by the talented number of freshmen players this year.

The City Game Almost Mattered originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 23:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pitt Point Guard Tasered

Charles Rich — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 23:34:00 EST

Filed under: Pittsburgh Basketball, Big East Basketball, NCAA Basketball Police Blotter, Pittsburgh

Words that never come together in a good way -- night club, drunk, altercation, taser. Pitt's starting point guard, Levance Fields had an interesting Saturday night, and a lousy Sunday morning.

The incident took place at 1:50 a.m. at Pure nightclub. According to a police affadavit, an officer working an off-duty detail at Pure spotted Mr. Fields yelling at another police officer. The police officer approached Mr. Fields and asked him to stop yelling and using offensive language.

Mr. Fields then went into the street and began arguing with an unknown black male. The officer approached Mr. Fields again and repeated his request that he stop yelling and using offensive language, at which time Mr. Fields cursed at the officer and struck him in the chest.

Mr. Fields then grabbed at the officer's weapon. The officer pushed him away, and a security officer shot Mr. Fields in the chest with a taser.

After being treated at a local hospital, he was taken to Allegheny County Jail where he stayed until he was arraigned and released Sunday afternoon. Fields was charged with aggravated assault, disarming a law enforcement officer, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.

Fields is only 20-years old and has his court date next Monday. That gave Pitt coach Jamie Dixon the wiggle room to hold off on acting immediately regarding his only experienced point guard. Instead Dixon opted to go with the, "we will let the judicial process run its course before determining what disciplinary action is necessary," approach.

Pitt Point Guard Tasered originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 16 Sep 2007 23:34:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Duquesne's Stunning Hypocrisy

Charles Rich — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 08:37:00 EST

Filed under: A-10 Basketball, NCAA Basketball Police Blotter, NCAA Basketball Recruiting, Pittsburgh

Last year at this time, Duquesne University was dealing with major upheaval and tragedy following a shooting at a school-sponsored event. Five Duquesne basketball players were shot. Sympathy for the program was rampant. While, thankfully, none were killed, the injuries effectively ended one career, and another player filed a lawsuit against the school -- while still on scholarship.

A year later, Stuard Baldonado, the player who filed a lawsuit was suspended from the team indefinitely for violating the "code of student rights." What exactly? Turns out he decided that drug dealing was a good idea to fill the time in between his rehabbing, classes and practices.

Mr. Baldonado, 22, who did not play last weekend in Toronto because of academics and a long rehabilitation for bullet wounds in the left elbow and lower back, was charged with criminal conspiracy involving the manufacture, delivery or possession of a controlled substance.
...
Police said Mr. Baldonado acted as a lookout while another man crossed the street and handled a drug transaction. Police said the unidentified man then crossed back over to where Mr. Baldonado was standing and the two got into a taxi.

No drugs were found on Baldonado, but he was charged with conspiracy as his friend had two baggies with marijuana in them.

Obviously losing yet another player in the past week frees up a scholarship or two. The Dukes actually had some "good luck" in accepting Damian Saunders after he failed to academically qualify at Marquette. Saunders is considered a 4-star recruit, and was accepted the week before the Baldonado arrest.

Apparently Duquesne and Coach Ron Everhart, while not tolerant of lookouts who are suing the school, had no problem with a player arrested for possession of marijuana this summer. No, I'm sure it was because Baldonado violated the school's student code of conduct. Saunders transgression happened before he enrolled at the school so there was no student code violation.

Saunders was only possessing. Baldonado was with someone else who was buying or selling. Totally different issues. Or it could just be the different talent levels of the two.

UPDATE: Baldonado is pleading not guilty to the conspriacy charge.

Previously at FanHouse:
Shedding Players at Duquesne
Marquette Has/Had Too Many Recruits

Duquesne's Stunning Hypocrisy originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 06 Sep 2007 08:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shedding Players at Duquesne

Charles Rich — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 22:44:00 EST

Filed under: Seton Hall Basketball, A-10 Basketball, Big East Basketball, NCAA Basketball Recruiting, Pittsburgh

When you are trying to get a program to even the NIT (where it hasn't been since 1994), there are going to be some bumps. Duquesne has had more than its share in the past year. Now it will lose its leading scorer.

Robert Mitchell, the 2006-07 A-10 Rookie of the Year decided to transfer.

Duquesne's Robert Mitchell showed up a couple minutes late for a 6 a.m. basketball practice Tuesday. He spent the next hour or so running the track at the Palumbo Center before joining his teammates.

That afternoon, he went upstairs to coach Ron Everhart's office and told him, "I think it would be best for me to leave Duquesne."

Everhart answered, "I agree."

Mitchell and Everhart apparently clashed over issues involving his effort in and desire to practice. Mitchell was their leading scorer from last year, with 16.4 ppg and 5.1 rpg. He now plans to play closer to home for Seton Hall and Bobby Gonzalez, after sitting out a year.

Another JUCO recruit didn't make it into Duquesne at all. Ricky Jackson was denied admission for academic reasons and released from his National Letter of Intent.

That'll free up a few more scholarship spots.

Shedding Players at Duquesne originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 05 Sep 2007 22:44:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Duquesne Now Facing Lawsuits

Charles Rich — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:35:00 EST

Filed under: A-10 Basketball, NCAA Basketball Campus, NCAA Basketball Police Blotter, Pittsburgh

Last fall, five Duquesne basketball players were shot following a confrontation at an on-campus dance. One of the players has now filed a lawsuit against the school.

The lawsuit, filed late Wednesday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, says university officials did not take action once they knew of potential criminal activity. A doorman let two armed men into the dance even after their friend asked if the men would be frisked, according to the lawsuit.

"Rather than alerting the campus police who were present inside the ballroom about (the frisking inquiry), or taking other similar reasonable steps, the doorman simply responded that they would not be frisked," and allowed the men to enter, the lawsuit states.

From a civil liberty/personal freedom standpoint, it's uncomfortable to think that inquiring about what security scrutiny one faces should subject a person to heightened suspicion. On the other hand, it simply could be a reflection of the world today.

Stuard Baldonado, a JUCO from Miami, was shot in the arm, and is the one who filed. He remains on scholarship and on the team, though with a medical redshirt. Bet those practices might be a little awkward after this.

Previously on Fanhouse:
Whatever They Did, They're Sorry

Duquesne Now Facing Lawsuits originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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