NCAA Basketball FanHouse

Harper Filling Yow's Big Shoes at N.C. State

Michelle Smith — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:10:00 EST

Filed under: NC State, Oregon, Tennessee, ACC, Pac-10, SEC, Women's Basketball

Kay Yow is still very much a presence in the North Carolina State women's basketball program.

Her name is on the athletic department's Wall of Fame, and on the basketball court at Reynolds Coliseum. Her photo still hangs in the women's basketball locker room.

"She was North Carolina State basketball, and you don't and you can't wipe that away with a new staff," said new N.C. State head coach Kellie Jolly Harper.

Harper Filling Yow's Big Shoes at N.C. State originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vaccaro: adidas Wrong With MJ's Son

Tim Povtak — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:15:00 EST

by Tim Povtak

Filed under: Conference USA, Coaches, UCF

Take it from the pioneer who started this idea of cozy, contractual relationships between the shoe giants and the NCAA schools: adidas has screwed up this time.

Sonny Vaccaro speaks from experience.

"What a PR nightmare for adidas. This should have been a no-brainer,'' Vaccaro said. "It's nothing but a personal thing against Michael Jordan.''

At issue is the recent decision by adidas to severe its relationship with the University of Central Florida, which has a contract that requires all of its athletes and coaches to wear adidas products.

Vaccaro: adidas Wrong With MJ's Son originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NCAA Clears Cincinnati's Stephenson

Brett McMurphy — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:58:00 EST

by Brett McMurphy

Filed under: Cincinnati

Cincinnati freshman Lance Stephenson has been cleared by the NCAA and is eligible to play immediately.

A 6-foot-5, 210-pound forward, Stephenson was named the 2009 Big East Preseason Rookie of the Year.

"I am happy to be able to put this behind me," Stephenson said in a statement. "Since I committed to the Bearcats back in the summer, all I have wanted to do was get here and start playing ball with my teammates. I want to thank everyone that has given me encouragement and support during this, especially my family, coaches and teammates. They have been with me every step."

The NCAA had been investigating Stephenson's amateur status. Stephenson will make his debut Thursday night when the Bearcats play an exhibition against Saginaw Valley State.

NCAA Clears Cincinnati's Stephenson originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Refusing adidas Is Far From a Swoosh

David Whitley — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:15:00 EST

by David Whitley

Filed under: UCF

So you think Air Jordans are expensive? The pair Marcus Jordan put on Wednesday night cost $3 million.

That's what his school's exclusive deal with adidas was worth. Now adidas has canceled the contract, and UCF athletes may have to play in their Crocs.

If we didn't know better -- and we don't -- we'd say it's all a Nike conspiracy.

It wanted adidas to make a stink over Jordan's feet so it can swoosh in on a white horse. But until that plot is exposed, we'll take this rift face value.

That means only one person can truly save the day.

Come on, Marcus. Put on the adidas.

Refusing adidas Is Far From a Swoosh originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Never a Dull Moment for SEC Coaches

Chas Rich — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST

by Chas Rich

Filed under: Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, SEC, Coaches

SEC Commissioner Mike Slive might have been hoping that when college football season ends, he would not have to be issuing weekly warnings to his high profile coaches to watch their mouths. But it looks more like he will be chiding coaches some time into April.

The addition of John Calipari at Kentucky means the SEC coaching family gatherings promise to be more entertaining. Calipari has never been one to build warm relationships with other coaches in his conference (right, John Chaney?). His soured relationship with Rick Pitino should make his meetings with Florida's Billy Donovan more interesting.

The warm and special relationship that was built during his time at Memphis, with Tennessee's Bruce Pearl will undoubtedly produce the most entertainment. .

Never a Dull Moment for SEC Coaches originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big 12 Forces Its Way Into Nation's Elite

Terrance Harris — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

by Terrance Harris

Filed under: Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas, Texas Tech, Big 12, Missouri

It seems like every year the usual suspects are lined up as contenders for the best basketball conference in the country.

Big East. ACC. Pac-10. Big Ten.

But the Big 12 never seems to get much love, despite some impressive numbers that suggest the newest of the major conferences deserve to be part of the conversation. No conference has advanced more teams to Elite Eight (13) and Final Four (six) since 2002. The Kansas Jayhawks even cut down the nets in 2008.

Big 12 Forces Its Way Into Nation's Elite originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hoops Isn't Skylar Diggins' Only Dream

Elie Seckbach — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST

by Elie Seckbach

Filed under: Notre Dame, Video, FanHouse Exclusive, Women's Basketball

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

Skylar Diggins is an incredible basketball player now in her freshman year at Notre Dame. As a high school player, Diggins was among the best in the nation, averaging 20 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks a game. She also won many awards, including 'Gatorade Indiana Player of the Year' (twice), All American Honors (three times) and was named the '2009 Indiana Miss Basketball.' In this FanHouse Exclusive, we catch up Diggins and her parents to get the full story on Skylar.

Check out the video after the jump.

Hoops Isn't Skylar Diggins' Only Dream originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Marcus Jordan's Choice Costs UCF Deal

FanHouse Newswire — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:30:00 EST

by FanHouse Newswire

Filed under: Conference USA

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- A fight over the shoes Michael Jordan's son will wear at the University of Central Florida has cost the school any future sponsorship with adidas.

"The University of Central Florida has chosen not to deliver on their contractual commitment to adidas," adidas spokeswoman Andrea Corso wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "As a result we have chosen not to continue our relationship with them moving forward."

Marcus Jordan's Choice Costs UCF Deal originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Le Moyne Leaves Orange Seeing Red

David Whitley — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST

by David Whitley

Filed under: Syracuse, Big East

There could have been bigger upsets Tuesday night. Mike Bloomberg could have lost the New York mayor's job to Stephon Marbury. Or "The Jay Leno Show" could have won its time slot.

If you were caught up watching those returns, you may have missed the biggest upset in the history of mankind, or at least New York.

Move over, Joe Willie. Step aside, Miracle on Ice.

Give it up for Le Moyne!

Le Who?

More Coverage: Syracuse's Lousiest Day Ever

Le Moyne Leaves Orange Seeing Red originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Battle for Big East Gets Even Bigger

Brett McMurphy — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

by Brett McMurphy

Filed under: Big East

NEW YORK -- Last season, Pittsburgh made the NCAA tournament's Elite Eight. This year, the Panthers aren't even picked to finish in the top eight of the Big East Conference.

Such are the occupational hazards of playing in the biggest and baddest basketball league in the land.

"You can go from first to 10th in this league in one season," Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin told FanHouse. "Pittsburgh went to the Elite Eight last year and they're picked to finish ninth in the league this year.

"Not only is it hard to climb in this league, it's just as easy to fall."

Battle for Big East Gets Even Bigger originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Syracuse Loses Exhibition Game to Complete Lousiest Day

Chas Rich — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST

by Chas Rich

Filed under: Syracuse, Big East, Fans

There are days that make you question why you put up with the things you do as a fan. For Syracuse fans, Tuesday was that day. The continuing fallout from the football team's best player abruptly quitting (ahead of an apparent second suspension) has been tough enough.

Now the basketball team drops an exhibition game to a Division II school, 82-79. This was not just losing to a D-II program, like Michigan State and Ohio State both did two years ago. That's embarrassing enough. This was losing to the Le Moyne Dolphins, a D-II school located right in Syracuse. It really doesn't get any more humiliating than that. Bragging rights in town for the year.

Syracuse Loses Exhibition Game to Complete Lousiest Day originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Arkansas Basketball Players Face New Inquiry Into Rape Allegations

Chas Rich — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:43:00 EST

by Chas Rich

Filed under: Arkansas, SEC, Campus, Police Blotter

A serious situation at the University of Arkansas seemed to resolve itself last month when it was determined that there was insufficient evidence to file rape charges against three unnamed Arkansas Razorback basketball players. For a program that has had numerous off-the-court distractions and dysfunctional coaching searches, this was a small relief not to have it hanging over its head when the season got underway.

So much for that plan. Questions quickly arose surrounding the prosecutor that determined there was insufficient evidence. Now the Razorbacks are looking at a case that's being reopened by a special prosecutor appointed by the state, just as the season opener looms.

Arkansas Basketball Players Face New Inquiry Into Rape Allegations originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Knight Remains Away from Indiana

Chas Rich — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:08:00 EST

by Chas Rich

Filed under: Indiana, Big Ten, Coaches, Media Watch

It really shouldn't come as a surprise that Bob Knight would opt not to attend his own induction into the Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame. His departure from Indiana was ugly, well-documented and Knight has never been one to easily forgive and forget.

Or maybe he is mellowing just a bit. Rather than not even respond to the invitation, Knight actually let Indiana know that he would not attend.Not just passing word along through an intermediary or via press release. He called Indiana's athletic director Fred Glass directly. A former sportswriter that is a longtime friend of Knight, will represent Knight at the ceremony.

The reason claimed is that Knight would not attend because he didn't want a media crunch that would ensue were he to attend, to overshadow the induction of many of his former players. That almost seems reasonable except for one thing. Considering Bob Knight is being inducted, regardless of his physical presence, he will overshadow the event.

Knight Remains Away from Indiana originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Billy Gillispie Admits to DUI

Chas Rich — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:36:00 EST

by Chas Rich

Filed under: Kentucky, Coaches

Twice before in his life, Billy Gillispie had been accused of drunk driving. He avoided an actual admission and penalties the first couple of times. The third time was the not quite the charm as the former Kentucky coach pled guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol in Anderson County District Court in Kentucky.

Gillispie limited most of his responses to the judge to one word answers. He received a sentence similar to most first-time offenders in Kentucky. A 30-day suspension of his driver's license, a fine plus all court costs and being required to complete an Alcohol Drivers Education Program.

Billy Gillispie Admits to DUI originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:36:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Look At the Top 5 Schedules in Women's College Basketball

Michelle Smith — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:53:00 EST

by Michelle Smith

Filed under: Connecticut, Oklahoma, Stanford, Tennessee, Big 12, Big East, Pac-10, SEC, Women's Basketball

Part of the beauty of college basketball is that it isn't like college football. The top teams don't have to be afraid of playing a tough opponent; worried that risking a single loss would derail a season's worth of effort.

Instead, the best teams in college basketball want to cut their teeth on one another, learn from their shortcomings, shore up before spring, or build a resume for the NCAA committee by collecting wins against stiff competition.

The following is a list of the top five schedules in women's college basketball this season. These teams are going to do it the hard way. And you gotta admire that.

A Look At the Top 5 Schedules in Women's College Basketball originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kentucky Will Have to Wait Two More Weeks for John Wall

Chas Rich — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:45:00 EST

by Chas Rich

Filed under: Kentucky, SEC

Oh, the uber-talented guard is practicing and with the Wildcats and impressing all who see John Wall play. It's just that the NCAA has suspended him for the first two games. Well, an exhibition and the season opener. So it is more like 1.5 games. Wall will miss the exhibition game against NAIA Campbellsville on Monday, November 2. He will also miss the season opener with Morehead State. That means his debut will be on November 16 against Miami (Ohio).

Wall's eligibility was called into question because his AAU coach/adviser/future entourage and hanger-on Brian Clifton had also been failing to be an NBA agent while Wall was being recruited as a high school junior. Clifton had helped pay for some of Wall's travel expenses for unofficial visits to schools. Wall also has to repay Clifton almost $800.

Somehow, Kentucky should be able to find a way to get past those first two opponents without Wall.

Kentucky Will Have to Wait Two More Weeks for John Wall originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As Expected, Kansas Starts Season No. 1

Terrance Harris — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:10:00 EST

by Terrance Harris

Filed under: Kansas

Kansas coach Bill Self has known the bulls-eye was coming the Jayhawks' way for quite some time.

But there is nothing like dealing with the reality that the rest of the nation is looking up at you, as Self came to realize Thursday when his Jayhawks were selected as the consensus preseason No.1 team in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Top 25 polls for just the second time in program history.

Now comes the difficult part of living up to those lofty expectations.

As Expected, Kansas Starts Season No. 1 originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cal's Youth Movement Taking Hold

Michelle Smith — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:32:00 EST

by Michelle Smith

Filed under: California, Pac-10, Women's Basketball

Joanne Boyle came to Cal four years ago as the head coach, inheriting a team built on freshmen talent.

And here she is again, in a gym full of young, inexperienced players, not entirely sure what she has or how they will perform when games begin in two weeks.

"It's going to be an interesting season," Boyle said. "I think we're going to be good. I'm just not sure when."

Boyle has taken the Bears from a struggling program to one that has cemented itself among the national elite -- a regular member of the rankings, an NCAA participant, a player in the Pac-10.

Cal's Youth Movement Taking Hold originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stanford Takes Another Hit

Ray Holloman — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:28:00 EST

by Ray HollomanMore than two week before Stanford kicks off its season on the Friday the 13th, the Cardinal is already swimming in bad luck.

Head coach Johnny Dawkins suspended star sophomore Jeremy Green indefinitely late Wednesday night, citing unspecified team rule violations. The suspension comes just one week after the team's top freshman, Andy Brown, was lost to the season to an ACL tear.

The school provided no further information on the suspension or its possible length.

Equally unclear is how the Cardinal will replace Green's production.

Stanford Takes Another Hit originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dwight Howard Advises Marcus Jordan on Shoe Controversy

Tim Povtak — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:59:00 EST

by Tim PovtakOrlando Magic center Dwight Howard didn't exactly toe the Adidas party line, but he did offer a bit of advice Tuesday for young Marcus Jordan -- son of Michael Jordan -- when it comes to his dilemma over which brand of shoe to wear for his freshman season at the nearby University of Central Florida.

Jordan has been caught in the middle of the Nike/Adidas shoe battle that is being waged over his feet.

Because of his father's long-time business tie-in with Nike, Jordan had planned on wearing nothing but Nikes during his college career, much like he has since he started walking.

The University athletic department, though, has a contract worth close to $3 million annually that gives them exclusive rights to provide the shoes and apparel for all intercollegiate athletes and coaches on campus.

Dwight Howard Advises Marcus Jordan on Shoe Controversy originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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