NCAA Basketball FanHouse

Robert Novak: Duke May Save My Life, but I Still Don't Like the Blue Devils or Their Fans

Michael David Smith — 2008-09-06T20:38:00+00:00

The political columnist Robert Novak is known for his strident conservatism, but in a column about his fight with brain cancer, he sounds as if he's turning over a new leaf, even having nice things to say about Ted Kennedy.

But read a little further into the column, and we find out that brain cancer hasn't completely changed Novak. After mentioning that his doctor is the chief of neurosurgery at the Duke University Medical Center, Novak writes:

The irony of my going to Duke to save my life can only be appreciated by somebody who knows that I am a fanatic University of Maryland basketball fan with no use for the Duke Blue Devils and their student basketball fans, who certainly have not turned the other cheek toward me.

The ingenious taunts by the students at Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium are usually directed against opposing players, but I am one fan who also has been the target of the "Cameron Crazies."

During my last visit there to watch a game won by Maryland, students raised a placard with two pictures: one of Benedict Arnold and one of me. "Two Traitors," said the headline.

It's good to know that a little thing like a brain tumor won't change the passions of a college basketball fan, even though Novak also writes, "it will be very difficult for me to inveigh against Duke in the future."

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Teams Announced For 2009 'Bracket Busters'

Sportz Assassin — 2008-09-06T01:15:00+00:00

Filed under: Butler, Creighton, Davidson, George Mason, Nevada, WCC, Wichita State, Mid-Majors, MVC, NCAA Basketball Fans, NCAA Basketball Media Watch

The Bracket Busters is a series that began in 2003 and was designed to pit mid-majors in inter-conference battles late in the regular season. With ESPN tied in, it brings national TV audiences to places they may normally not go.

It helps these teams immensely by getting them exposure, pumping up their RPI numbers and answers some of those questions about the strength of these mid-major conferences.

102 teams were named to be in this year's event ... which will take place on February 20-21.

The marquee name will be Davidson College, home of Stephen Curry and a Wildcats team that were a shot away from getting to the Final Four.

Other big time mid-majors include Butler, Drake, San Diego, Nevada, St. Mary's, Bucknell and George Mason.

Matchups will be set on February 9th. After the jump are the teams that are participating.

Home teams: Ball State, Boston, Bowling Green, Bucknell, Cal Poly, Central Michigan, Creighton, Davidson, Drake, Drexel, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Evansville, Fairfield, Georgia Southern, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana State, James Madison, Kent State, Long Beach State, Loyola-IL, Marist, Murray State, Nevada, New Mexico State, Niagara, Old Dominion, Portland State, Rider, San Diego, San Jose State, Siena, Southeast Missouri, St. Mary's, Tennessee State, Towsom, UC-Davis, UC-Santa Barbara, UIC, UNC-Wilmington, UT-Martin, UW-Milwaukee, Valpo, Vermont, Western Michigan, Wichita State, William & Mary, Winthrop, Wright State and Youngstown State.

Away teams: Akron, Appalachian State, Austin Peay, Boise State, Bradley, Buffalo, Butler, Canisius, Cleveland State, CS-Fullerton, CS-Northridge, Delaware, Detroit, Eastern Illinois, Elon, FDU, Fresno State, George Mason, Hartford, Hofstra, Illinois State, Iona, Jacksonville State, Loyola-MD, Liberty, Louisiana Tech, Gardner-Webb, Manhattan, Miami-OH, Missouri State, Montana State, Morehead State, Morgan State, North Dakota State, Northeastern, Northern Illinois, Northern Iowa, Ohio, Pacific, South Dakota State, Southern Illinois, St. Peter's, Tennessee Tech, Toledo, UC-Irvine, UC-Riverside, UMBC, Utah State, UW-Green Bay and VCU

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Derrick Caracter to Southern Miss? Really?

Chas Rich — 2008-09-06T00:15:00+00:00

Filed under: Louisville, Big East, Conference USA, NCAA Basketball Gossip

It seemed like a done deal that Caracter would drop down to play right away. The transfer to Oklahoma City in the NAIA seemed like a lock. There was no way he'd transfer from Louisville to somewhere else in Division 1. He'd have to sit out a year, and given the lack of motivation he had when he had playing time, what would happen to him if he sat? Of course, this is Derrick Caracter, who seems to have no clue what he wants. So, why not transfer to Southern Mississippi.

Southern Miss has apparently received Caracter's release and transcript from Louisville to make the transfer happen. Caracter sitting out a year. Just working out and (maybe) going to class. That doesn't seem likely.

I'm not rooting against the kid. With the talent he has occasionally shown, I'd love to see it work. If I had to bet, though, the money would be flowing the other way.

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Defending Champs Find a Challenge in Canada

Chris Burke — 2008-09-04T17:19:00+00:00

Filed under: Kansas, Big 12

There's been a lot of chatter throughout the past few college hoops seasons about expanding the size of the NCAA Tournament field. But maybe that approach needs to be updated -- instead of adding a bevy of marginal mid-major teams, how about dropping a Canadian college squad or two into the field?

Alright, we're probably a long way from that being a realistic possibility. Still, there is some talent north of the border. Defending NCAA champion Kansas led a contingent of American teams into Canada for exhibition games from Aug. 25-Sept. 3, and Jayhawks' coach Bill Self came away impressed:

"Absolutely the top Canadian teams can be competitive in the NCAA, although maybe not at the [highest] level," Self said. "Carleton could be competitive in a lot of leagues in the NCAA, there's no doubt about that."

Before you assume that Self has been -- oh, I don't know -- hanging out with Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur, check that scoreboard from Saturday night.

Kansas 84, Carleton 83.

And the mighty Ravens missed a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer that would have brought the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (aka "The Canadian NCAA") an impressive victory.

In all fairness, there are a few points to keep in mind before someone writes Carleton into the preseason top 25:

-- The Jayhawks return exactly zero players from their 2006-07 starting five, so the team that headed to Canada looked a wee bit different than the March Madness version.

-- Carleton, until a loss in last year's national tournament, had won five straight CIS championship.

-- Kansas played a double-header on Saturday, beating McGill University by five in the morning, changing venues and then taking down the Ravens.

The Jayhawks did fair better than some of the other American teams. Carleton actually took down Buffalo and South Alabama, and smoked Northeastern by 30 (might want to hold off on those tournament ticket order forms, Huskies' fans). Elsewhere, McGill actually took down Virginia, 88-83.

Even for Northeastern or Virginia, though, it's hard to argue against the merits of the trip. NCAA basketball teams can venture off U.S. soil for exhibition games once every four years, and it's a boost when they do, both for the hosts and the visitors. The Canadian teams get to play some top-notch competition, while the Americans get ahead of the NCAA curve.

"The great thing about this trip is it's a jump start to the season for us," said (South Alabama head coach Ronnie) Arrow. "We're going to be further along when we start back in October. We've been able to practice 10 times, and playing these games will help get the new guys accustomed to what we want them to do."

And for a bunch like Kansas, which is both trying to completely rebuild and defend a national title, a few extra practices and games could go a long way come November.

The Jayhawks open their real exhibition slate on Nov. 4 against tiny Washburn, and you have to imagine that Carleton gave KU more of a battle than the Ichabods will. Tip of the hat to Washburn's moniker, however; it is challenged in "What the heck?" stature only by Kansas's last foe on the Canada trip: The Ottawa Gee-Gees (insert Bee-Gees cover band joke here).

All told, the American teams finished this year's exhibition jaunt to the Great White North with a 46-9 record. Not great for the Canadians, but there's something to be said for those nine victories.

Respect from the coach of the defending NCAA champs has to count for something too.

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Pope Reverses Course -- Again -- Now He Will Transfer to Seton Hall

Chas Rich — 2008-09-04T00:15:00+00:00

Filed under: Seton Hall, Big East, Mid-Majors, NCAA Basketball Recruiting

Herb Pope has reversed course once more -- in just the space of a weekend -- and decided that yes, he will transfer from New Mexico State to Seton Hall. This is fascinating insofar as the three major perspectives of the decision: NMSU, Seton Hall and Herb Pope

The good news for New Mexico State and Marvin Menzies is that they won't have to wonder when Pope will consider another transfer or decide to turn pro. They don't have to be the team worried that he will do something else really stupid, and make them look like a program that will take any player with talent regardless of the baggage. On-the-court, another talented sophomore, Wendell McKines, is staying in Las Cruces after contemplating a transfer. So, there is that.

The downside is obviously losing a very talented, athletic power forward in Pope. After finally getting eligible, Pope immediately improved the Aggies and was very good. The Aggies also stood by Pope when he had to fight the NCAA over his academic eligibility. They didn't flinch when he got a charged with a DUI while still waiting to get approval from the NCAA. New Mexico State put a lot into getting Pope eligible to play, and only got 16 games out of it.
For Seton Hall, given Pope's history it is risk, but for Coach Bobby Gonzalez, it is desperately needed gamble. They are getting a very talented and athletic front court player -- one of their weakest areas. He has his eligibility issues squared away. This is Gonzalez's third year at Seton Hall, and the performance and recruiting have yet to match his proclamations. The fans seem firmly behind him -- on the message boards, though, not in the realm of filling the arena -- but the administration is less so. Gonzalez's big talk, confrontational and abrasive style is a lot less pleasant for those dealing directly with him.

He's also taken a lot of chances with academically shaky players. Power Forward/Center Mike Davis was originally a Pitt verbal for the 2005 season, but couldn't get academically eligible until 2007 -- as a freshman. Another, Michael Glover completely failed all NCAA eligibility requirements, and lost his longshot motion to get an injunction against the NCAA to let him play this year failed..

Seton Hall has to hope that Pope is as mature as he claims to be at this point. History says otherwise, but people do change. Plus, Pope has NBA potential so it is deeply in his interest to show he has more than a 10-cent-brain to go with the million-dollar-talent.

Gonzalez is hoping to get Pope eligible this year rather than waiting with a claim of family hardship, along with another transfer, Keon Lawrence, late of Missouri. Lawrence is from New Jersey and has a severely ill father.

So what is the hardship that pulls Pope from Las Cruces, New Mexico to East Orange, New Jersey?

"I have family matters back home and I wanted to get closer to the east coast," Pope said. "I am a father and I want to get closer to my daughter because I don't want her to go through the same things that I went through."

Foster homes were a part of Pope's life that he didn't want to share with his daughter. He is also close to his younger brother and sister in Aliquippa.

"I don't want them to go through foster care and endure some of the things that I had to," Pope said. "I'm a patriarch of my family, and whether I wanted to or not, I have excelled at that role."

That sounds good and noble. Until you realize that that family of which he speaks is in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania -- nearly 400 miles from Seton Hall's campus. Yes, it's closer than New Mexico State, but it's hardly playing in Pittsburgh (Robert Morris or Duquesne) or even Penn State. Suddenly it seems less about the family responsibility and more about the exposure of playing on the East Coast and in the Big East.

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CS Fullerton, Pacific Get Jump on 2008

Adam — 2008-09-02T13:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Mid-Majors

Cal State Fullerton and Pacific -- two teams that figure to compete for the Big West title -- got an early start on the 2008-09 season with a Labor Day trip to Canada. Both teams, however, have their own set of problems to work through.

The Titans made their first NCAA appearance since 1978, but will welcome in a host of junior college transfers and a pair of redshirts to go with all-world shooting guard Josh Akognon. Pacific has had some off-the-court troubles during the summer, and likely welcomed a chance to concentrate on basketball for a change.

Pacific was perfect on its Canadian swing, going 3-0. Cal State struggled in its final game to finish its trip 2-1.
Cal State started its trip late, nearly playing its first game on the airport runway. Akognon scored 38 points in the first game with a performance that one observer said left the Canadians "slack-jawed," as the Titans cruised past Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia. Cal State received some clutch free-throw shooting (something you don't hear about the Titans every day) to get past Simon Fraser University in the second game.

But the University of British Columbia put a blanket around Akognon in the third game and defeated Cal State, 99-81. That will be something that every Big West team will likely attempt against the Titans this season.

"And this trip showed we need to develop more scoring options than Josh Akognon," said coach Bob Burton who was otherwise pleased with the trip.

"I was really, really happy with the trip and our team's effort. We accomplished exactly what we wanted to do. We have to remember we have nine new players and they were just getting to know each other."

Pacific's Chad Troyer hit a pull-up jumper in the lane at the buzzer to give the men's basketball team a 67-65 victory at the University of Victoria on Monday, Sept. 1. Pacific defeated the University of Victoria the previous night, 75-70. The Tigers destroyed Vancouver Island University on Saturday night.

Coach Bob Thomason used a variety of different lineups to get a look at all of his players. The team already was down Steffan Johnson who transfered to Idaho, along with Michael Kirby and senior center Michael Nunnally who are taking time off from the team. Guard C.J. Morgan also did not play for the Tigers.

Like Burton, however, Thomason must be pleased that his skeleton crew was able to win and get some valuable playing time.

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It's Deja Vu for New Mexico State's Herb Pope

Chas Rich — 2008-08-30T00:06:00+00:00

Filed under: Mid-Majors, WAC, NCAA Basketball Gossip

Once upon a time, Herb Pope was considered one of the best recruits in the 2007 class. Teams like Louisville, UConn, Pitt, and Memphis were recruiting him. Then, they started backing away. Pope had a disastrous summer AAU season in 2006. His effort was questioned. He fought with his AAU coach.There were increasing signs that he wasn't worth the risk.

Eventually he signed with Reggie Theus and New Mexico State. Pope was shot several times in March 2007 while at a party. New Mexico State stood by him, and even after Theus left for the NBA Pope decided to stick with the Aggies. Granted, it took a lot longer with some academic questions from the NCAA. NMSU stood by Pope even after a DUI arrest.

Pope had a bad family history as he bounced to family members and changed schools several times. He appeared to find some stability in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania (outside of Pittsburgh). Yet, just before the start of his junior and senior years he nearly transferred to a prep school in Florida -- only to change his mind back at the last minute.

So, really, should it have come as a shock that Pope would explore transferring from NMSU just as the new school year is about to get underway? Well, he looked into Seton Hall and possibly Duquesne. The problem was that Pope wanted to have the NCAA give him a hardship waiver to play this season -- before he actually transferred. They system doesn't work that way -- and it was hard to figure what family issues would excuse playing in New Jersey when his family is in Western Pennsylvania and Maryland.

So, after all of that, Pope decided to remain with the Aggies. If history is any indication, NMSU Coach Marvin Menzies can expect this to repeat itself at least one more season -- if Pope lasts that long.

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Gustav Forces St. John's to Cancel Mexico Trip

Sportz Assassin — 2008-08-29T03:03:00+00:00

Filed under: Big East, NCAA Basketball Fans

Hurricane Gustav has already affected the New Orleans Saints. Now it is changing the St. John's Red Storm's plans to tour Mexico.

St. John's was supposed to take a five day trip to Cancun, Mexico where they'd play a couple of games against international teams. By NCAA rule, they were allowed to have 10 days of practice before the trip. Since the trip in cancelled, they cannot continue those practices.

"We were looking forward to the trip to Cancun, but with the severe weather in the area we decided it best to keep our team and student-athletes out of potential harm's way," St. John's coach Norm Roberts said. "We are disappointed, but it is the right thing to do, and we were able to get a few great days of practice in and get the freshmen on the court for one day as well. We're all really looking forward for the 2008-09 season, and will get a chance to travel internationally before next year begins."

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ESPN Releases 2009 'College Basketball Gameday' Schedule

Sportz Assassin — 2008-08-28T00:18:00+00:00

Filed under: ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Conference USA, Mid-Majors, Pac-10, SEC, NCAA Basketball Media Watch

(Hat tip to Awful Announcing)

As the conferences are slowly releasing their schedules, ESPN has released part of theirs. Remember that they now do "College Gameday" on Saturdays for hoops just like they do for the pigskin.

In the basketball version, the crew of Rece Davis, Digger Phelps, Hubert Davis and Jay Bilas travel to a school to hold their show ... with a big game being held that night at that location.

Below is the list of games:

January 17- Chapel Hill, NC (Miami-North Carolina)
January 24- South Bend, IN (UConn-Notre Dame)
January 31- Knoxville, TN. (Florida-Tennessee)
February 7- Spokane, WA (Memphis-Gonzaga)
February 14- Madison, WI (Ohio State-Wisconsin)
February 21- Austin, TX (Oklahoma-Texas)
February 28- Berkeley, CA (UCLA-California)
March 7- Morgantown, WV (Louisville-West Virginia)

As you can see, there are some outstanding games on that schedule and some great campus sites. I'm sure the gang is looking foward to going up to Wisconsin in the middle of February.

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Buffalo Player Finishes His Own Book Report, Back on the Team

Chas Rich — 2008-08-27T12:24:00+00:00

Filed under: NCAA Basketball Campus

You may remember the University at Buffalo player who was caught advertising on his Facebook page for someone to write a paper for him. He was suspended from the Bulls for the entire spring and summer. Well, good news, Andy Robinson finished that paper and all the rest of his coursework over the summer.

The school and team reinstated him on the team, allowing him to resume working out and practicing with the team once more. This includes the Labor Day weekend trip to Canada for scrimmages. He will, however, be suspended for the first three games of the season.

"He is back practicing with the team after serving a suspension in the spring," said UB coach Reggie Witherspoon in a statement released by the school. "He has done everything asked of him from the university, division of athletics and men's basketball program to atone for his actions and has learned and grown from his mistake. Andy had a successful summer session in the classroom and we look forward to a successful senior season on the court."

I'll give Buffalo credit. They actually did a lot more than most programs would in punishment. Most may have suspended him over the spring, but then let him back on and not have him miss a game. Saying things how it was time to move on. Especially the team's leader in scoring and steals. While letting him back on the team, they have actually issued a real punishment with game suspensions.

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ACC Releases 2008-2009 Schedule

Sportz Assassin — 2008-08-27T01:01:00+00:00

Filed under: Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Georgia Tech, Maryland, NC State, UNC Basketball, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, ACC, NCAA Basketball Fans

The ACC has released the 2008-2009 college basketball schedule. Now we can start getting our markers out and circling some dates.

Here is the first dates for marking: UNC at Duke on February 11th ... Duke at UNC on March 8th.

North Carolina: UNC has a tough schedule ... with Kentucky as their second game of the season, the loaded Maui Invitational ... and a game against Michigan State at Ford Field. Penn, Oral Roberts, Rutgers and Nevada aren't pushovers. There is also a rematch against UNC-Asheville, also known as the "game Tyler Hansbrough dunked on a 7'7 guy"

Duke: Coach K won't have Kobe, LeBron or D-Wade ... but he won't be seeing Spain or Argentina, either. They will play Xavier in East Rutherford right before Christmas and host Georgetown in the middle of January. Duke will also play a true road game (that isn't in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge) when they take on Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Miami: The Canes will play in the Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands. They will get Ohio State in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge ... which looks like a great football contest a few years ago. Miami will also visit Kentucky and St. John's.

Clemson: They'll play in the Palmetto Classic in Charleston, SC. They'll also go up the road to UNC-Charlotte to try to avenge a loss from last year. They will play at Illinois and South Carolina ... then host Alabama (by the way: Clemson hosts Alabama's football team this Saturday).

NC State: The Wolfpack head to Charlotte to take on Davidson. Uh-oh! NC State gets some national TV love with a road game at Florida on January 3rd. They also host Marquette. The Wolfpack will actually host two games at good ol' Reynolds Coliseum.

Florida State: They'll face Cincinnati in the opening round of the Las Vegas Tournament. The Noles will host Pittsburgh in late December. Their annual date with Florida will take place on December 2nd.

Virginia: The Cavs are bringing it a bit. They'll host Xavier and Auburn ... and travel to Minnesota and Syracuse.

Maryland: Yawn! They do open with Bucknell and then play in the Old Spice Classic.

Wake Forest: The Deacs breakout season takes them on a tour of the state (NC Central, UNC-Wilmington, Winston-Salem State) before heading off to the Anaheim Classic.

Virginia Tech: Hey! Not fair! The Hokies will play in both the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Classic and the Holiday Festival in New York. Indiana and Bucknell will be decent battles ... as will traveling to BYU.

Boston College: They will be in the preseason NIT before hosting Iowa in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Other than a game at UMass, there really isn't much on the non-con schedule worth a second glance.

Georgia Tech: Tech will spend some time on the west coast as they'll visit USC and Pepperdine. The Jackets will revisit their SEC roots as they have a roadie at Alabama ... and will host Georgia and Vanderbilt.

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Phil Ford's 2000 Final Four Ring Is On eBay

Sportz Assassin — 2008-08-26T01:31:00+00:00

Filed under: UNC Basketball, ACC, NCAA Basketball Coaches

Here is an interesting item worth bidding on: Phil Ford's ring.

Ford's 2000 Final Four ring is apparently up on eBay. Ford was an assistant coach to Bill Guthridge on the 1999-2000 North Carolina Tar Heels team. Here is the description:

This is Ford's original ring that was given to him by UNC. 100% GUARANTEED. I purchased the ring earlier this year from David Gerald Timepieces in Chapel Hill. Ford had given the ring to a good friend (Bernard) as a gift several years ago. The friend ended up consigning the ring for sale with David Gerald in 2008. I have displayed pictures of the two cards I received from David Gerald Timepieces along with the ring. One reflects the purchase (I have obscured my last name, telephone number, etc. in the picture) and the other is a thank you note from David Gerald himself which references Phil Ford.

There is a nice cubic zirconia in the center of this ring ... which looks like a chewed up piece of bubble gum.

However, if what he is saying is legit, this would be quite a keeper for a diehard UNC fan. Ford is held up to being the greatest player in North Carolina history.

This comes a few months after a 2005 Tar Heels' National Championship ring was sold for $3,600 on eBay (it is believed to have belonged to David Noel).

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Oklahoma's Blake Griffin Outrages Public Decency in Norman

Chas Rich — 2008-08-25T23:44:00+00:00

Filed under: Oklahoma, Big 12, NCAA Basketball Campus, NCAA Basketball Police Blotter

This is when you know society has changed quite a bit, but the names for some laws haven't.

Blake Griffin, is very likely going to be a top-5 NBA draft pick next year. The power forward likely turned down the chance to be at least top-10 after his freshman season to come back to Oklahoma for his sophomore year. Griffin found himself in trouble for violating Norman, Oklahoma Municipal Code 15-411, "outraging public decency."

Yet in Norman such a ominous sounding offense is up there with a speeding violation. You sign the ticket and move on with life.

What did he do? Did it involve sheep? Did he shout fire in a crowded movie theater? Was he wearing Texas gear? Nope. He took a whiz in some bushes near a parking lot on campus around 1am on a weekday.

Griffin, according to the citation, was observed by Officer Grippen urinating on the east side of a parking lot at 701 College Avenue. The police officer was on foot patrol in the area.

Griffin, according to the citation, admitted urinating on the bushes but said he was waiting for a friend and could not leave the area to find a bathroom. He was initially uncooperative and didn't want to sign the ticket but later cooperated, the officer said.

Griffin is 6-7 and around 240 pounds. It's very unlikely he could look inconspicuous standing by some bushes at any time. Let alone late on a weeknight.

Surprisingly with a story involving public urination. There are no allegations or charges of drinking (Griffin is under 21). Apparently, he just really needed to go.

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At Long Last Caracter Leaves Louisville

Chas Rich — 2008-08-22T10:35:00+00:00

Filed under: Louisville, Big East, NCAA Basketball Campus

We think. No, really. This time, for sure. Maybe. Never, say never? Okay, yeah, I think it really is the end for Louisville, Derrick Caracter and Rick Pitino.

"I don't think there is any chance of him reaching the stipulations that we set forth," Pitino said. " ... It's in his best interest to do exactly what he's doing."

What is he doing? Well, his newfound devotion to doing whatever it took to re-earn his place at Louisville lasted less than a month. Instead, very quickly he ended up running back home to New Jersey and appeared to be re-evaluating things (Given Caracter's history of conditioning, that likely involved a fair amount of donuts and Tastycakes. Mmmm. Butterscotch Krimpets.). So much for getting his academics back in order.

Caracter, showing his typical maturity and responsibility, had his mother let a Louisville assistant know he was transferring.

What lucky school will be getting Derrick Caracter? It looks like he will drop all the way to the NAIA level and 2-time defending champs Oklahoma City University. He will be able to pair with ex-Tennessee guard Ramar Smith who was dismissed for academics.

At long last this story appears to be done with respect to any relevance in college basketball.

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Mike Cook Denied 6th Year Under NCAA Math

Chas Rich — 2008-08-21T00:51:00+00:00

Filed under: Pittsburgh, Big East, NCAA Basketball Campus

Arguably, Pitt's Mike Cook had little shot at getting a medical redshirt. He would essentially be asking for a 6th year of eligibility. He transferred from East Carolina after his sophomore year -- sitting out per NCAA rules. He went down in the 11th game of Pitt's season.

The NCAA rules do not permit a player to get a medical redshirt if they suited up for more than 30% of the team's games. Pitt played in a total of 37 games in 2007-08, but they don't all get counted. According to the NCAA rules the four-game Hispanic College Fund Basketball Challenge Pitt participated counted as only two games. The Big East Tournament, in which Pitt played four games, only counted as one game. The two NCAA Tournament games are not counted at all. So, Pitt is credited with playing 30 games. That put Mike Cook's percentage of games played at 36.67% (11/30). In that respect, it was no surprise when the NCAA finally said no to his appeal.

So what exactly were Pitt and Mike Cook appealing, and why did it take the NCAA's student-athlete reinstatement committee some two months to turn down his appeal?
It seems Pitt pointed out a flaw in the way they do the math.

The way the NCAA counts games that a team plays is a little strange. They only credit Pitt for 30 games. Mike Cook, however, is credited with playing 11 games, with four of the games being the aforementioned Hispanic College Fund Basketball Challenge. The same four games that the NCAA counted as counting for only two games in the number the school played. If they were consistent, then Mike Cook should only be credited with playing 9 games. That would put his percentage at exactly 30% (9/30) of Pitt's games played, and eligible for the redshirt.

That case was made to the reinstatement committee nearly two months ago. Its members apparently thought hard about this, because they did not issue an answer for quite a while. But they still said no.

"They say, 'There may be merit to your case, but we can't do anything about it,' " Dixon said.

The university was told it could attempt to change the rule through the NCAA's legislative process.

Of course, by the time a new rule could be adopted, Mike Cook's grandkids would be D-I prospects.

If the committee had wanted to be just, it could have essentially rewritten the rule by issuing a precedent-setting decision. Instead, the committee chose expedience.

That's supposed to be the point of the appeals committee. To hear and consider other information. To make a decision based on both the rules and what fairness and equity dictate. The NCAA, however, loves its bureaucracy. Rules must be followed. The system is fine. Order is maintained.

At least Pitt is doing right by the still rehabbing Mike Cook. While Pitt continues to oversee his rehab, he may continue to take classes at Pitt towards a masters degree on scholarship.

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Eyeballing The 2008 Preseason NIT Match-Ups and Seedings

Chas Rich — 2008-08-20T06:39:00+00:00

Filed under: Arizona, Boston College, Davidson, Oklahoma, Purdue, ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-10

The Preseason NIT field and locations have been known, but not the match-ups or seedings. Well the NIT has released the schedule (PDF). The top four seeds are Purdue, Oklahoma, Arizona and Boston College

*North Bracket
Monday, November 17, host and No. 1 seed, Purdue faces Eastern Michigan and will play the winner of Georgia-Loyola Chicago on the 18th.

*East Bracket
Monday, November 17, host and No. 4 seed, Boston College versus Loyola (Md.) and then goes against the winner of St. John's-Cornell.

*North and East champs will play each other on Wednesday, November 26 at Madison Square Garden.

*South Bracket
Monday, November 17, host and No. 2 seed, Oklahoma plays Mississippi Valley State and will get the winner of Davidson-James Madison.

*West Bracket
Monday, November 17, host and No. 3 seed Arizona goes against Florida Atlantic and then faces the winner of UAB-Santa Clara.

*South and West champs will play each other on Wednesday, November 26 at Madison Square Garden.

*Championship game is Friday, November 28, afternoon game at 3:30 on ESPN2, the day after Thanksgiving..

There are consolation games, including a runner-up battle before the championship game at 1:30.

Just eyeballing the games in the first couple rounds, it's hard to see a Gardner Webb over Kentucky scenario -- but then no one saw that scenario until it happened. Arizona would seem the most likely, based on the turmoil and turnover from last year. Still, hard to envision, though, Arizona looks to have the toughest game in the second round with the winner of UAB-Santa Clara.

Assuming Davidson beats James Madison, the Oklahoma-Davidson will be the most hyped game with Stephen Curry and Blake Griffin.

With most of the games being shown on the ESPN networks, the timing of the games makes sense. They scheduled around most of the college football still on the schedule. (Your choice. Colorado-Nebraska or Bowling Green-Toledo in college football or the pre-season NIT Championship game.)

It also provides a nice early treat for those who do whatever they can to avoid shopping on Black Friday.

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South Florida Won't Improve if the Recruits Can't Qualify

Chas Rich — 2008-08-19T21:45:00+00:00

Filed under: Big East

If Baylor can drag itself out of NCAA sanction purgatory, recruit talent to Waco, and get into the NCAA Tournament then any team in a major conference should believe it can as well. Especially if the program dwells in a talent-rich state. Of course, the talent has to actually have the grades to make it.

Stan Heath has almost as tough a job with South Florida. A team with little history, less tradition and plays in the 16-team behemoth Big East. He is recruiting in Florida where, despite the football-first mentality (much like in Texas), there is still a sizable talent base to recruit basketball players.

I understand that when you are building a program -- and that is what he has to do -- you may have to take a chance on players with a shaky foundation. Whether it is brushes with the law, bad family or academics. Even the best programs will, if the talent warrants it.

Heath, however, has continually gone to the academically shaky with some frequency, and it has been a struggle. So far USF has had three recruits fail to qualify. Teeng Akol, Dwan McMillan and now George Teague. That's just for the 2008 recruiting class.

Not to worry, they just added a 20-year old freshman to help this year. His grades seem in order at last.

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Syracuse Players on Probation for Being Cleared of Accusations of Wrongdoing

Chas Rich — 2008-08-18T15:51:00+00:00

Filed under: Syracuse, Big East, NCAA Basketball Campus, NCAA Basketball Police Blotter

A quiet, nasty story that stayed below the regular media in the spring, was that several Syracuse basketball players were involved in a sexual assault investigation. Eventually it was revealed that there was an investigation involving starting point guard Jonny Flynn and bench players Scoop Jardine and Rick Jackson. Ultimately the Onondaga County Grand Jury hearing the charges, found that the allegations did not rise to the standards of criminal activity and the matter was dismissed.

That was only the criminal side of things. The next phase was going before the Syracuse University Judicial Hearing Board. This was much like the judicial review panel at Pacific University that suspended three players for the year after the alleged victim declined to file charges of sexual assault.

The judicial review panel at many universities have come under fire for the way they conduct the hearing.

You have already been cleared of all charges in a government court room by a jury of your peers. Still, you now have to stand in front of a panel of strangers who will not take that legal decision into account and will determine your fate based on not only the words of your accuser but on yours as well. You will not be allowed to have a lawyer stand next to you and advise you on legal issues or your rights. If you don't testify, it's practically an admission of guilt, so you have no choice. If you want your accuser cross examined, you have to do it yourself.

At least one player at Pacific is rumored to be planning a lawsuit against Pacific for his suspension. At Syracuse, Jonny Flynn was also prepared to file suit if he was suspended or kicked out of school.
On the day of the hearing, Scoop Jardine did not appear. It seems his father's car broke down on the drive to Syracuse from their home in Philadelphia. Not the best planning by Jardine. A matter like this suggests trying to get back to Syracuse a couple days early, just to go over with his lawyer how to conduct himself and what he wants to say. Not stay at home hiding from all of this until the last minute.

Ultimately the Syracuse University Judicial Hearing Board cleared them of any wrong doing but went with a punishment for what didn't happen -- but could have.

But the panel concluded some disciplinary action was warranted because the players' conduct could have threatened the mental health of the female student.

The players -- Jonny Flynn, Antonio "Scoop" Jardine and Richard Jackson -- and a fourth student who was not on the basketball team all were ordered to be placed on university probation through the Spring 2011 semester. They also were all ordered to perform 30 hours of community service on campus, participate in gender-sensitivity and domestic violence educational programs, undergo evaluation to determine if counseling is needed and to stay away from the female student, who no longer attends SU.

That or they just felt they needed to punish them for having to go before the panel to face the accusations. At worst they seem to say, "No you didn't actually do anything wrong, but you were very close."

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Indiana to Host Gonzaga at New Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis

Sportz Assassin — 2008-08-14T11:55:00+00:00

Filed under: Gonzaga, Indiana, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Big East, Big Ten

The Indiana Hoosiers will play Gonzaga at the brand spanking new Lucas Oil Field in downtown Indianapolis. It will be part of something called the "Hartford Hall of Classic Basketball" doubleheader on December 6th.

Historically, the Hoosiers are awesome in the state capital. The are a combined 71-14 in the old RCA Dome, old Market Square Arena, really old Hinkle Fieldhouse and Conseco Fieldhouse.

That record may not improve on that day. Indiana is in shambles after Kelvin Sampson left town and Gonzaga will be one of the higher ranked teams in the country next season. Still, Indiana is willing to play it tough with this game, a Maui Invitational with North Carolina, Texas and Notre Dame (their first round opponent), Kentucky and Wake Forest on their non-conference schedule.

Another Indiana school -- Notre Dame -- will host Ohio State in the second game of the doubleheader.

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Will Arkansas Have Anyone Who Can Score?

Chas Rich — 2008-08-11T23:58:00+00:00

Filed under: Arkansas, SEC, NCAA Basketball Gossip

Some interesting timing in announcements for the Razorbacks. After announcing a raise and one year extension for basketball coach John Pelphrey, Arkansas also announced the raising of ticket prices and the creation of 34 super-premium seats that cost $12,000 per year and are only available to those fans who donate at least $10,000 per year to the athletic department.

All well and good, but will there be anything worth watching at Bud Walton Arena? The team was already trying to rebuild and had lost four of its five leading scorers from the past year to graduation. Now the team's second leading scorer and leading rebounder is also gone for the upcoming season.

Late Friday afternoon the UA sports information department issued a two-sentence press release stating: "Junior guard Patrick Beverley will not compete for the Razorbacks in the 2008-2009 basketball season. The University of Arkansas, including its administration and coaches, will have no further comment due to student privacy laws."

By all reports, Beverley is academically ineligible. Not simply, one or two classes he has to make-up and could be ready by December academically ineligible. Apparently this is, worse. To the point, where it isn't even clear that Beverley will bother staying in Fayetteville. Instead he may be looking to go pro overseas.

The top returning scorers -- Stefan Walsh and Michael Washington -- didn't combine to average 10 points per game last season. The Razorbacks have only ten scholarship players including five true freshmen, a redshirt freshman and a junior college transfer. Not much of a doubt that Pelphrey will be earning his salary this coming season.

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