NCAA Basketball FanHouse

Geno Auriemma: Tennessee Won't Be Back on UConn's Schedule

Michelle Smith — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:45:00 EST

Filed under: Women's Basketball

SAN ANTONIO -- I should have known better.

Never leave a Geno Auriemma press conference. At least, not without leaving behind the tape recorder.

Geno Auriemma: Tennessee Won't Be Back on UConn's Schedule originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

All Is Well in Homesick Delle Donne's Delaware Debut

David Steele — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Women's Basketball

LORETTO, Pa. -- Delaware women's basketball coach Tina Martin let the phrase "triple-double'' creep into her comments following her team's season opener Tuesday night, and once it was out, she couldn't reel it back in. But anybody who had watched the highly anticipated, unusually delayed college debut of Elena Delle Donne wouldn't have needed prodding to envision such feats in the future.

"If Coach says it, then yes, I can, definitely. Whatever I can do to contribute to the team the best I can to my ability, I'll try it,'' said Delle Donne, the redshirt freshman who, on her way back to her favorite sport, had once been the best high school player in the country, then one of its best-known victims of intense homesickness.

"We'll see what the future holds,'' she added.

All Is Well in Homesick Delle Donne's Delaware Debut originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Top Teams Teeter, But Don't Fall

FanHouse Newswire — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:01:00 EST

by FanHouse Newswire

Filed under: Kansas

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- In the rematch, Kansas missed the free throws and Memphis had the final shot.
The Jayhawks won again, but not without a tougher-than-expected fight from the undermanned and supposedly overmatched Tigers.

Cole Aldrich had 18 points, 11 rebounds and blocked five shots, helping No. 1 Kansas overcome a sloppy night to hold off Memphis 57-55 in a rematch of the 2008 national championship game Tuesday.

No miracles from Mario, no confetti flying from the rafters, but still another exciting finish.

"I can tell you this for sure: I'm 32 but I'm getting out at 35," Memphis coach Josh Pastner said. "I don't know how these coaches coach until they're 70. It's unbelievable."

More Coverage: Gonzaga Scares No. 2 Spartans

Top Teams Teeter, But Don't Fall originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Blowouts Rule the Night in San Antonio

Michelle Smith — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST

Filed under: Connecticut, Tennessee, Women's Basketball

SAN ANTONIO -- Tennessee and Connecticut in the same gym, but not on the court at the same time. Maybe San Antonio will bring Pat Summitt and Geno Auriemma back together, but not on this night.

Instead, the top-ranked Huskies and the Lady Vols combined to behave a little ungraciously to their Texas hosts in the ESPNU Road to the Championship doubleheader at the AT&T Center.

Tennessee routed overmatched Texas Tech in the first game, 91-53, while the Huskies had little trouble with No. 10 Texas, winning 83-58.

But the night wasn't going to end without a little excitement. Not with Auriemma in the house.

Blowouts Rule the Night in San Antonio originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Glaring Hall Omissions: Jim Phelan, His Bowtie and His 830 Wins

David Steele — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:55:00 EST

Filed under: Coaches

Jim Phelan will remind you in a heartbeat that he's already in the Hall of Fame, a bunch of them. It's not that he wonders why he keeps getting asked about the one in Springfield, Mass., the one that won't let him in. It's that it doesn't bother him as much as it bothers so many others.

"I really don't care,'' Phelan said Monday morning, after knocking golf balls around the lawn of his home in Emmitsburg, Md., less than a mile from the college he put on the basketball map half a century ago. "When I was active, it was a nice trivia question --- who has the most wins and is not in the Hall of Fame?''

The answer is Phelan, who won 830 games in 49 seasons at Mount St. Mary's, the tiny historic Catholic university in the mountains near the Pennsylvania border. Exactly three men have won more games coaching at Division I colleges: Bobby Knight, Dean Smith and Adolph Rupp. Two, Smith and Rupp, have won more games at a single school. None, at any level, has ever coached more games at one school than the 1,354 Phelan coached at "The Mount'' from 1954-2003.

Glaring Hall Omissions: Jim Phelan, His Bowtie and His 830 Wins originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Wall Saves Wildcats in Kentucky Debut

Ray Holloman — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:45:00 EST

Filed under: Kentucky, Mid-Majors

When John Calipari accepted the Kentucky coaching job, he warned that there are no easy solutions in college basketball. At the time, it was like telling a state full of lottery winners about the value of sound investment strategies.

Thank Miami University for proving your point, Coach.

And thank John Wall for reminding Wildcats fans just why they were so darn excited in the first place.

Wall scored 19 points, including the biggest two of the season, a 15-foot jumper with less than a second left that lifted the No. 4 Wildcats to a 72-70 win over the Redhawks, narrowly avoiding the first major upset of the college basketball season.

Wall Saves Wildcats in Kentucky Debut originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

First Impressions of the Brand New Women's Basketball Season

Michelle Smith — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Women's Basketball

What have we learned after one weekend of the college season?

Brittney Griner is a freshman. OK ... that's a little obvious. But we might forget that as we are distracted by the dunking. When Griner picked up four fouls early in the second half against Tennessee, it was a needed jolt of reality. Freshmen, well, they have a tendency to foul at inconvenient times and with maddening frequency. Keeping Griner on the floor may be a bigger challenge for Baylor than breaking in a load of young players.

Jayne Appel isn't 100 percent. Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer said as much about her senior center, who is coming off offseason knee surgery for the second year in a row, after the team's win over Rutgers, the end of a very good starting weekend for the No. 2 Cardinal. Appel finished with 11 points against the Scarlet Knights on 3 of 10 shooting, and 12 rebounds. But VanDerveer sounds concerned.

"She has no ups," VanDerveer said. "She doesn't have spring."

First Impressions of the Brand New Women's Basketball Season originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Damion James Ready to Carry Longhorns

Terrance Harris — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:07:00 EST

by Terrance Harris

Filed under: Texas, Big 12

Texas swingman Damion James made what seemed to be a difficult decision this past June when he walked away from NBA riches to return to school.

James apparently impressed many as he went through NBA workouts this past spring. But when it came time to be all in, James made the decision to return to the Longhorns for his senior season. James said the choice wasn't hard to make.

"It was cool," James said to FanHouse. "We have a great team, probably the best team in the country and I've come back to lead them. It really wasn't a tough decision at all. It was a great decision."

Damion James Ready to Carry Longhorns originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Another Inevitable Conclusion for UConn?

Michelle Smith — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Connecticut, Duke, Stanford, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-10, Women's Basketball

When Connecticut ran through the 2008-09 season with a 39-0 record and cruised through the Final Four to a national title, they turned an entire season, thousands of games involving hundreds of teams, into an exercise in inevitability.

At the cusp of a new college season, the biggest question is: Can the Huskies do that again? Or will the search for a new point guard to replace Renee Montgomery will bring UConn back to the pack?

Connecticut is the undisputed No. 1 team in the nation at its start, the unanimous choice in both national polls. But, of course. The Huskies have Maya Moore and Tina Charles, two of the top three or four players in the country, they have outstanding role players such as Kalnna Greene and Kaili McLaren. They have Geno Auriemma, who embraces the role of front-runner in a big, enthusiastic bear hug.

Another Inevitable Conclusion for UConn? originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Harrison Barnes Picks North Carolina

Ray Holloman — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:24:00 EST

Filed under: North Carolina

Once again, North Carolina beats Duke. And just about everybody else in the nation.

Harrison Barnes, the nation's top basketball recruit, selected the defending national champion Tar Heels over the Blue Devils, long rumored to be Barnes' fruont-runner, as well as UCLA, Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa State at a press conference at his high school in Ames, Iowa on Friday.

And if Barnes can play basketball half as well as he can draw out the suspense, Roy Williams is in for another banner year.

Harrison Barnes Picks North Carolina originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

UK Hopes Calipari's Debut Not So Blue

David Steele — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Kentucky

Kentucky is used to the madness surrounding the official debut of a new basketball coach, even a new big-name, highly touted, expectation-driving coach. It's just not used to the madness taking place twice in three years.

The fact that the implosion of the coach he's replacing is so fresh in the Kentucky faithful's memory, seems not to be bothering John Calipari -- but signs are that he isn't blissfully ignorant of it, either. He takes the court at Rupp Arena Friday evening for the first time as Wildcats coach in a game that counts, against Morehead State, and the anticipation is as high for this night as it was two years ago when Billy Gillispie, the savior from Texas A&M, did the same thing.

Gillispie's downward spiral began not long afterward, of course, with the now- (and then-) infamous loss at home to Gardner-Webb in the second game of the 2007-08 season.

UK Hopes Calipari's Debut Not So Blue originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Stanford Now Has 1-2 Ogwumike Punch

Michelle Smith — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Connecticut, Notre Dame, Stanford, Pac-10, Women's Basketball

Tara VanDerveer, right, has been coaching for nearly 30 years. She doesn't think she's recruited siblings before. So as new experiences go, it's worked out pretty well.

Chiney Ogwumike, a 6-foot-3 forward from Texas and the No. 1-rated recruit in the country, signed her national letter of intent to play at Stanford on Thursday. Chiney will join her older sister Nneka, who is a sophomore forward for the No. 2-ranked Cardinal. Ogwumike chose Stanford over Connecticut and Notre Dame.

Stanford Now Has 1-2 Ogwumike Punch originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Brittney Griner Cleared for Takeoff

Michelle Smith — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Stanford, Tennessee, Big 12, Women's Basketball

Dunks in women's basketball have been like meteors in the night sky, fleeting moments of excitement, flashes that fade quickly until the next one shows up. Six women have dunked in a college game, totaling 15 dunks.

When a dunk happens, it makes the highlight reel, sparks a brief discussion about the impact on the women's game and then fades away again.

But along comes Baylor's Brittney Griner, who promises a meteor shower. It's no overstatement to say that Griner will change the women's game beginning Sunday when the seventh-ranked Bears take on No. 8 Tennessee in Knoxville in the State Farm Tip-off Classic.

Brittney Griner Cleared for Takeoff originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Arkansas Suspends Fortson, Four Others

FanHouse Newswire — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:39:00 EST

by FanHouse Newswire

Filed under: Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) -The University of Arkansas suspended five players Tuesday, including three athletes identified in a rape complaint that did not result in charges, for violating unspecified team rules.

Coach John Pelphrey said guards Courtney Fortson, the top returning scorer, and starter Stefan Welsh were suspended indefinitely. Guard Marcus Britt was suspended for six games, forward Glenn Bryant two games, and walk-on guard Nick Mason will not dress for games during the fall semester.

The school did not provide specific reasons for the suspensions, which will keep all players out of Friday night's season opener.

An 18-year-old freshman accused three basketball players of raping her Aug. 27 at a fraternity house party. The police report identified the players as Britt, Bryant and Mason. The prosecutor in the case, John Threet, said there was insufficient evidence to file charges, but the case is now before a special prosecutor at the request of the woman and her attorney.

Arkansas Suspends Fortson, Four Others originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:39:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In Big Ten, a Race Like No Other

Ray Holloman — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:37:00 EST

Filed under: Big Ten

For a man who said goodbye to his 2009 team as reluctantly as a kid giving back a puppy, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo took the fastest possible route to this year's season kick-off.

He arrived in an Indy Car.

With the Final Four in Indianapolis, you don't exactly need your college lit professor to explain the symbolism of Izzo's Midnight Madness ride, (though the prof might help in search of the metaphor to describe what a 220-pound man wedged in a car the sized of a futon looks like). Then again, you could consider it it foreshadowing of a Big Ten race that will be just as fierce and clustered as anything waged on the brickyard.

Please be sure to buckle up.

"I honestly see nine or 10 ... teams that could realistically win the league," Izzo said at the Big Ten media day. "Top to bottom, the league is the best it's been in a long time."

In Big Ten, a Race Like No Other originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Boeheim's 800th Deserves a 'Wow'

David Steele — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Syracuse

In his 34 years as Syracuse's head coach -- even during the years when his face was one of those synonymous with Big East basketball, not even when he won a long-awaited national championship -- never was Jim Boeheim the type to dwell for long on his own accomplishments. On Monday night, when he earned his 800th career victory over Albany at the Carrier Dome, he was quoted in the Syracuse Post Standard this way: "I guess there's a 'wow' factor, winning 800. But then, it's not like playing golf with Tiger Woods. I mean, that's a real 'wow' factor.''

Boeheim playing down his feat was as expected as was his reference to his other favorite sport. But is it really possible to look at 800 victories, all at one school, with that school being his alma mater, and not greet it with at least a 'wow'?

If the fact that only seven other coaches with at least 10 years in Division I have done it doesn't elicit that reaction, then consider some of the legends who either have not gotten there yet, or never got there at all.

Boeheim's 800th Deserves a 'Wow' originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Illini's Jordan Out for Two Games

Ray Holloman — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Illinois

Illinois junior Jeff Jordan announced his return to the Illini basketball team last month, but following an NCAA ruling Tuesday, it will be another two games before he finally suits up for Bruce Weber's team.

Jordan, the oldest son of former NBA great Michael Jordan, quit the team in June, but decided to return in October. During a compliance investigation, the NCAA found that he participated in an non-sanctioned basketball tournament and was ruled ineligible for the first two games. Weber said he believed the event was a 3-on-3 tournament.

Illini's Jordan Out for Two Games originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Seton Hall's Lawrence Facing DWI, Suspended Indefinitely

Chas Rich — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:27:00 EST

by Chas Rich

Filed under: Seton Hall, Big East, Police Blotter

The only good news in this story is that somehow Seton Hall's Keon Lawrence did not kill anyone. This, despite causing a two-car accident while driving the wrong way in the express lanes of the Garden State Parkway.

Lawrence's blood-alcohol level was over the .08 limit -- the exact level not known -- and was charged with driving while intoxicated. Not only that, but Lawrence was driving with a suspended license and had two traffic warrants outstanding. The accident occurred after 3AM Monday morning.

Head coach Bobby Gonzalez suspended Lawrence, who was expected to play this season after transferring from Missouri, indefinitely.

Seton Hall's Lawrence Facing DWI, Suspended Indefinitely originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:27:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Isiah Thomas' Shot at Redemption

Terence Moore — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:30:00 EST

by Terence Moore

Filed under: Florida International

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The universally popular bashing of Isiah Thomas is justified, but only to a point. Whatever the case, it continued on Monday night at the Dean E. Smith Center, where it was mostly harmless and often humorous.

Ailing mothers have a tendency to soften hard souls.

So, for the first time since just shy of forever, Thomas walked into a basketball arena as somebody that many wished to hug instead of choke. That's because hours before he made his debut as a college basketball coach for Florida International University against North Carolina (yes, that North Carolina), Mary Thomas was in a Chicago hospital preparing to have her 86-year-old heart repaired.

Isiah Thomas' Shot at Redemption originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.