NCAA Basketball FanHouse http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com NCAA Basketball FanHouse http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif NCAA Basketball FanHouse http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Another Inevitable Conclusion for UConn?http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/13/connecticut-another-inevitable-conclusion/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/13/connecticut-another-inevitable-conclusion/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/13/connecticut-another-inevitable-conclusion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Geno AuriemmaWhen 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.The Huskies are an interesting combination of swagger and hunger. The championship run of last March marked the first time in four years that Connecticut had won a title, a virtual eternity in Geno-years. They wanted their trophy back. They are going to want it again.

Auriemma was asked whether he thinks this will be a better team that the last one, that one that won every game by double-digits, by an average margin of 30.5 points a game.

"I don't know. Things change, people change. Certainly circumstances change," Auriemma said. "I think each individual on our team will be better than they were last year. ... Does that translate into having a better team? I don't know. Again, you can't discount what Renee did and how she did it."

Stanford looks to be Connecticut's biggest challenger, returning six players with starting experience, bringing the nation's deepest post game, led by senior center Jayne Appel, and one of the country's top freshman -- forward Joslyn TInkle -- into the mix.

If the Cardinal get consistent, high quality guard play from the experienced trio of JJ Hones, Rosalyn Gold-Onwude and Jeanette Pohlen, they might be in a very good spot to claim the program's first title since 1992.

Most everybody else in the elite ranks looks pretty young. Baylor, North Carolina, Oklahoma -- all are in various states of rebuilding after large exoduses of experience and talent.

Tennessee, meanwhile, is in a form of recovery. Last year, a freshman-laden team drove Pat Summitt crazy and exited the NCAA Tournament in the first round for the first time in the history of the program. That's a lot to atone for. Now a sophomore group led by last year's national freshman of the year Shekinna Stricklen, along with Glory Johnson and Kelley Cain, are taking another shot at living up to the program's high standards.

The Big 12 has a new power in Kansas, led by senior Danielle McCray, but the big story will be at Baylor, where the Bears are highly ranked and those votes of confidence come largely based of the presence of freshman Brittney Griner, the dunk machine making her collegiate debut in the hot glare of the national spotlight.

Ohio State has been a regional powerhouse, the recent ruler of the upper Midwest, but OSU is still waiting to break through on a national level. This could be that year for the Buckeyes with a strong inside-out combination in point guard Samantha Prahalis and junior center Jantel Lavender. The start of the season has been marred, however, by three-game suspensions to two players, including senior defensive standout Shavelle Little.

North Carolina will lead the way in an ACC race in which all of the top teams have undergone significant turnover. Five ACC teams are in the preseason rankings, but most of them are dependent on newcomers after losing stalwarts such as Kristi Tolliver and Marisa Coleman (Maryland), Chante Black and Abby Waner (Duke), Rashanda McCants (UNC) and Tanae Davis-Cain and Mara Freshour (Florida State).

"I think it just so happens to be that a lot of the teams that are ranked high have a lot of underclassmen," Baylor coach Kim Mulkey said. "Hopefully it will make for some interesting games."

But it may not prevent the foregone conclusion at the end of the season.

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.

 

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]]>Geno AuriemmaKim MulkeyPat SummittMichelle SmithFri, 13 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST ACC Players, Coaches Wag Finger at New Taunting Rulehttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/25/acc-players-coaches-wag-finger-at-new-taunting-rule/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/25/acc-players-coaches-wag-finger-at-new-taunting-rule/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/25/acc-players-coaches-wag-finger-at-new-taunting-rule/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

ACC referee Karl HessGREENSBORO, N.C. -- The talk of the Atlantic Coast Conference's basketball media day Sunday was the trouble a player could get into if he talked too much.

Or said the wrong thing, or gestured the wrong way, or celebrated excessively, or did anything else that might be considered "unsporting behavior,'' according to a new zero-tolerance policy approved for this season by the NCAA.

Many of the players and coaches gathered at Greensboro's Grandover Resort bluntly said they either did not like the change, didn't understand why it was necessary, or both. The biggest issue: there is too much room left for the wrong interpretation.

"If you dunk on someone or whatever -- that's just someone's game. They take pride in it, "insisted Virginia Tech guard Malcolm Delaney. "They don't mean to disrespect people, but that's sometimes how it comes out.

"I think they should have done a survey with the players, asked us for our input,'' he added. "We're the ones playing, and they wouldn't know how we feel about it unless they ask us. They wouldn't know how it affects how we play if they don't ask how we feel."

Said Maryland guard Greivis Vasquez -- formally voted by the media as preseason first-team all-ACC, and informally picked as the player most constrained by the new rule -- "What if you dunk on someone, and it's a crazy dunk, and you can't keep the emotions inside of you? I guess that's what they want us to do. But, that's why they have rules.''

Not even a coach's reputation as "old school'' kept him from being perplexed by the new rules, which call for a technical if an official -- at his discretion -- deems a player's actions as over the line.

"That's why college basketball is a great game, because of that exuberance,'' Maryland coach Gary Williams said, adding that there is a distinct difference between celebration and taunting. "These are 18-and-22-year-old kids who have grown up playing a certain way. It may not be the way I grew up playing it, but it's a great way to play.

"And I hope nobody gets penalized for making a great play and being penalized for it. You've seen it in football already,'' he added. "Hopefully, nobody loses a game over something like that.''

Williams was referring to the infamous "excessive celebration'' football penalty that essentially cost Georgia a victory over LSU earlier this month, a mistake the Southeastern Conference later had to admit to and for which the officiating crew was suspended. Georgia Tech's Paul Hewitt also recalled that play, and laughed when asked about the new basketball rule.

"You always teach your players to respect the game, so I think it's important that you're serious about that -- but I'm smiling, because you're putting a lot on the officials,'' Hewitt said. "They're officiating the best athletes in college sports ... This is just another thing you're piling on their plates.''


The taunting rule is one of a handful of changes or areas of emphasis to be put into play this season. There now will be a specific blocking-charging area under the basket, but one that will not be marked by a line as in the NBA. Also, the use of replay will be expanded to determine whether certain fouls are called flagrant, intentional or technicals; three-seconds will be scrutinized more; excessively swinging elbows by a player with the ball will be subject to flagrant fouls; the choices coaches have in picking a replacement foul shooter when the fouled player is injured were narrowed, and distracting free-throw shooters once they are at the line was outlawed.

Even as he was explaining the new taunting rules, ACC officiating supervisor John Clougherty admitted that the Georgia-LSU situation "went too far.'' On the other hand, he said, the basketball officials would now have wide latitude on calling, for example, pointing at an opponent or standing over him after a dunk, flexing muscles, posing, speaking or gesturing to him.

The players would have to walk a fine line between celebrating with teammates and inspiring a home crowd, Clougherty said, and acting unsportsmanlike. As a guide, he said, "Act like you've been there, don't embarrass your opponent.''

Coaches and players don't mind the obvious unsportsmanlike acts being whistled, but they said there are too many that are being confused with normal expressions of excitement. With those, they said, there's no good reason to halt them anyway.

"You're not doing anything wrong, you're just showing the love of the game,'' Williams said. "It doesn't bother me. Obviously it bothers some people ... This is the 2009-2010 season. We're not playing in the 1960s, where everybody wears a crew cut.''

One of the few players who believed it would not alter how he plays was North Carolina forward Deon Thompson: "Not with our team. Our coaches don't like when our team dunks in a guy's face and taunts him -- he doesn't like that,'' meaning head coach Roy Williams.

Hewitt pointed out that with the way players grow up playing ball nowadays, traveling all over the country and building friendships in competition that continue as they move to differing college teams, what might look like trash-talk might be a completely innocent exchange between long-time acquaintances. "I don't think that was considered when they put this in,'' Hewitt said, adding that it would not have hurt for coaches as well as players to be "consulted'' on such a move.

Ironically, Thompson has such a bond with Clemson's Trevor Booker, a teammate on the United States' under-19 World University Games squad in Belgrade last summer; Booker, also a preseason all-ACC pick, boasted of what he and his team would do to Thompson's Tar Heels, and said of the rule, "That's a big one for me; I like showing my emotions ... They have to let you get your crowd into it.''

North Carolina, the defending regular-season and NCAA champs, and Duke, winners of last year's ACC tournament, tied for first in the preseason voting, the first time there has been a tie in 41 years of media voting. Duke's Kyle Singler was chosen player of the year and was joined on the all-conference first team by Vasquez, Booker, Delaney and North Carolina's Ed Davis. Georgia Tech's Derrick Favors was the overwhelming pick for rookie of the year.

The 2012 tournament, already awarded to Atlanta, will be played in Philips Arena rather than the Georgia Dome, the site the last two times the city hosted it, conference officials announced. The two preceding it and the three following it will be held at the Greensboro Coliseum.

ACC Players, Coaches Wag Finger at New Taunting Rule originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Derrick FavorsEd DavisGary WilliamsKyle SinglerKyleSinglerPaul HewittDavid SteeleSun, 25 Oct 2009 22:30:00 EST Duke Finally Gets Its Pointhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/22/duke-finally-gets-its-point/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/22/duke-finally-gets-its-point/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/22/duke-finally-gets-its-point/#commentsFiled under:

With a gentle tug on a blue baseball cap, Kyrie Irving gave the grandest gesture of the past few seasons that Duke can still finish what it starts in the recruiting world..

Irving, a 6-foot-1 point guard from Elizabeth, N.J., gave a verbal commitment to the Blue Devils at a press conference televised live on ESPNU Thursday. The fifth-ranked player in the 2010 class according to Scout.com, Irving solves two problems for the Blue Devils, giving Mike Krzyzyewski its first playmaking point guard in six season and proving that, after whiffing on select targets like Patrick Patterson (Kentucky), Greg Monroe (Georgetown) and another electric point guard, Kenny Boyton (Florida), Duke still knows its way around the recruiting trail.

Irving credited his relationship with the Duke staff for his decision.

"When I went on my official visit, it felt like home," Irving said. "And it's the place for me."

Irving is the latest in a line of New Jersey point guards to choose Duke. Jersey City's Bobby Hurley led Duke to three Final Fours and two national championships in the early '90s, while Plainfield's Jason Williams led the Blue Devils to the 2001 title.

Irving should also kickstart a point guard legacy that's fallen on hard times since Chris Duhon graduated following Duke's 2004 Final Four run, not coincidentally its last trip to college basketball's biggest stage. Neither Sean Dockery nor Greg Paulus developed into a serious threat at the point, while Shaun Livingston, Duke's top recruit in 2004, opted for the NBA instead of a trip to Tobacco Road.

When Duke failed to land either John Wall or Boynton last year, the Blue Devils were left with a roster without an effective option at point. Combo guard Nolan Smith couldn't hold down the position last season and though the team seemed to respond to shooting guard Jon Scheyer taking over the role, a 23-point loss to Villanova in the Sweet 16 made it amply clear the Blue Devils hadn't solved their issues at the point.

"This is a guy you expect to have a [Chris] Duhon or [Jason] Williams-like impact on the backcourt. He's that level of player," Scout.com recruiting analyst Dave Telep told the Durham Herald-Sun. "I think he's capable of having an enormous impact on their program.

Irving joins Josh Hairston, Scout.com's 10th ranked power forward and Tyler Thornton, the 20th-ranked point guard in the Blue Devils' 2010 class. Shooting guard Andre Dawkins, originally a 2010 commitment, enrolled early at the school and will play this fall.

With Irving on board, Duke will focus its attention to the prize of its 2010 class, Harrison Barnes, a 6-foot-6 power forward from Ames, Iowa. The top-ranked player in the nation has been a Duke target so long you might think Krzyzewski signed his birth certificate.

Barnes says he will make a decision before his high school team starts practice Nov. 16. The commitment of Irving, a playmaking point guard and a player Barnes has long been friendly with, should help Duke's cause. Just don't expect Irving to take on the role of recruiting coordinator.

"I'll let the Duke coaching staff handle that," Irving said on television.

Then again, with a tug of the baseball cap, Irving had already more than done his part.

Duke Finally Gets Its Point originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:48:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>kyrie irvingRay HollomanThu, 22 Oct 2009 19:48:00 EST Duke May Add Star Guard Andre Dawkins 1 Year Ahead of Schedulehttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/16/duke-may-add-guard-depth-with-early-entry-of-andre-dawkins/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/16/duke-may-add-guard-depth-with-early-entry-of-andre-dawkins/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/16/duke-may-add-guard-depth-with-early-entry-of-andre-dawkins/#commentsFiled under: ,

For once, Duke should be looking forward to an early entrant.

Andre Dawkins, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard from Virginia Beach, Va. and the Blue Devils top recruit of the 2010 class., may suit up for the Blue Devils a year earlier than expected.

But according to his father, the decision, first reported by FOX Sports' Jeff Goodman, isn't final.

"He still has to complete something before that would take place," Dawkins' father, also named Andre, told the Raleigh News & Observer. "He has all of the requirements as far as credits. He did real well on the entrance exams."

For Duke, which is returning just scholarship guards from a team plagued by point guard trouble last season, Dawkins can't get on campus fast enough.
Rising sophomore Elliot Williams, who emerged as one of the team's most dynamic players in the second half of the season, transferred out of the program in June, while guard-forward Gerald Henderson left behind a year of eligibility to enter the NBA. Seth Curry, brother of ex-Davdison star Stephen Curry transferred in from Liberty, but must sit out until the fall of 2010, leaving Duke with just Nolan Smith, Jon Scheyer to fill out the guard rotation. (In fact, after the departure of Williams, head coach Mike Krzyzewski had as many former scholarship guards coaching on his bench -- both assistants Steve Wojciechowski and Chris Collins played for the Blue Devils -- as he did playing in front of it.)

Dawkins could fill the athletic void left by Williams and, one of the best outside shooters in his class, should help shore up a thin perimeter that slumped badly against Villanova in the Blue Devils' Sweet 16 loss.

But getting him on campus this fall isn't guaranteed. Dawkins has already completed four years of high school -- he transferred from a public school to Atlantic Shores Christian Academy after his freshman year and repeated his freshman year for basketball reasons -- but remains one class short of graduation, according to the Daily Press.

Dawkins will still have to be cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

If the shooting guard does enroll this fall, Dawkins will join an already solid recruiting class for the Blue Devils, that includes McDonald's All-Americans Ryan Kelly, a 6-foot-10 face-up threat, and Mason Plumlee (6-11, 220), an athletic, if not physically dominant, forward.

Duke May Add Star Guard Andre Dawkins 1 Year Ahead of Schedule originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Andre DawkinsRay HollomanThu, 16 Jul 2009 13:05:00 EST London Calling Mike Krzyzewski in 2012http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/08/london-calling-mike-krzyzewski-in-2012/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/08/london-calling-mike-krzyzewski-in-2012/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/08/london-calling-mike-krzyzewski-in-2012/#commentsFiled under: ,

Mike Krzyzewski, Team USAIt's three more years for Team USA and Mike Krzyzewski, according to multiple media reports.

The 62-year-old coach, who skippered the so-called "Redeem Team" to an 8-0 record and a gold medal in the Beijing Olympics, is expected to be tabbed for an encore performance later this month, a story first reported by the Boston Globe's Marc J. Spears.

Krzyzewski, a former captain in the U.S. Army and coach at West Point, called the job the "ultimate honor" when he was originally named to the position in October, 2005, and quickly set about revamping Team USA's image, following disappointing finishes at the world championships in 2002 and the Olympics in 2004. Krzyzewski finished the Olympic cycle with a 36-1 record in international competition and a host of gold medals draped around his neck after Team USA defeated Spain in the final game in Beijing.

Team USA chariman Jerry Colangelo had expected to name a coach in the fall, but is now expected to officially name Krzyzewski at a press conference July 20 or 21.

"With the success that we had, I would do everything in my power to keep everything intact," Colangelo told The Associated Press.

"I'm a strong believer in not upsetting the apple cart."

Krzyzewski's return may also help retain the USA's top players for the London Games, including Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. (Can a Krzyzewski puppet be far behind?)

"[Krzyzewski] is everything I thought he would be and more," Bryant said in an interview with Duke Sports Information in 2007. "I have been excited and waiting for this opportunity for a long time. Playing for him now, you realize why he is such a great coach."

For Krzyzewski, who has won three national titles and is on pace to break former mentor Bob Knight's all-time men's Division I coaching victories mark, the commitment will require more time away from the Blue Devils, a program that's lost some of its postseason luster during Krzyzewski's commitment to the Olympic program. Since Krzyzewski was named coach before the 2006 college basketball season, Duke is just 5-4 in the NCAA tournament, and hasn't advanced past the Sweet 16.

Krzyzewski would be the first to lead Team USA in successive Olympics since Henry Iba in 1964, 1968 and 1972 and could match Iba as the only coach to win two gold medals.

London Calling Mike Krzyzewski in 2012 originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>mike krzyzewskiRay HollomanWed, 08 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST John Wall's Misdemeanor Likely Won't Impact Recruitmenthttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/05/05/john-walls-misdemeanor-wont-likely-impact-recruitment/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/05/05/john-walls-misdemeanor-wont-likely-impact-recruitment/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/05/05/john-walls-misdemeanor-wont-likely-impact-recruitment/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

John Wall, the nation's top point guard recruit and possible No. 1 pick of the 2010 NBA draft, was charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering yesterday.

Contrary to what my colleague wrote, this will likely have minimal impact on the teams recruiting him.

So far no team or coach has even circulated a rumor that they are done recruiting Wall (though NCAA regulations prohibit coaches and programs from speaking directly about an unsigned recruit).

After Wall makes a decision, no doubt the snubbed coaches will imply or let intermediaries suggest that they stopped recruiting him after this incident. Fans of the snubbed schools will doubtlessly claim that they are happy that a "thug" and "criminal" like Wall is not going to sully their program.

Please.

Wall was cited -- not even arrested -- for misdemeanor breaking and entering (North Carolina GS Sec. 14-54(b)) last week. It was into an empty house, with no sign of forced entry (not a bad house, judging by the listing).

Essentially, Wall and a couple friends were stupid enough to decide to walk into an empty house. They did not take anything. Essentially, the police wrote him a ticket.
The officer saw Wall leaving from the rear door of the residence and detained him without incident, [Raleigh police spokesman Jim] Sughrue said.

A few minutes later, a second teenager, Bria Renea Draughn, 16, was detained while walking on a nearby street. A third, Reginald Leonard Jackson II, 17, was detained when he returned to the Laurel Glen Drive house, Sughrue said.

Each of the three was issued a citation on a misdemeanor charge of breaking and entering, said Wake County chief magistrate Gary Wills.

The citation is similar to one issued for a traffic violation, Wills said. "You can be cited for a misdemeanor breaking and entering," he said. No warrant was executed.
This is not to minimize what he did, but sneaking into an empty, abandoned house is not exactly an unheard-of action for teenagers, even an 18-year-old under plenty of scrutiny for his basketball prowess. When even a county magistrate is comparing it to a traffic violation, it is hard to draw real outrage.

Athletes in Trouble With the Law

    May 4: Prized recruit John Wall is charged with a misdemeanor breaking and entering. Click through to see more sports figures in trouble with the law.

    Chris Williams, Icon Sports Media

    May 4: NFL wide receiver Biren Ealy, pictured, and tight end Kolomona Kapanui were accused of being drunk, urinating in public and exposing themselves.

    Getty Images

    April 30: Former football star Lawrence Phillips, pictured here with the Dolphins in 1998, will go to trial on charges that he attacked his girlfriend in 2005. Phillips already is serving a 10-year sentence for hitting three teenagers with his car in Los Angeles.

    AFP / Getty Images

    April 26: Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips was cited for misdemeanor battery for allegedly striking a security guard in the face at a hotel.

    Tom Hevezi, AP

    April 22: Former Jaguars star Jimmy Smith faces multiple drug charges, plus a charge of driving with a suspended license following an arrest.

    Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images

    April 20: Purdue point guard Lewis Jackson pleads guilty to illegal alcohol consumption and possession of drug paraphernalia.

    Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images

    April 15: Eugene Edgerson, a former Arizona basketball player who tours with the Harlem Globetrotters, was arrested for the second time in two months on domestic violence charges.

    Jesse D. Garrabrant, NBAE / Getty Images

    April 16: Former Broncos running back Travis Henry admitted to a single count of conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute and faces 10 years or more in prison.

    Doug Pensinger, Getty Images

    April 13: Michigan State's Glenn Winston was sentenced to six months in jail after pleading guilty to assault charges.

    Carolyn Kaster, AP

    April 11: Buffalo Bills safety Donte Whitner was arrested on charges of aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting police outside a Cleveland nightclub.

    Paul Jasienski, Getty Images

John Wall's Misdemeanor Likely Won't Impact Recruitment originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 05 May 2009 13:44:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>john wallChas RichTue, 05 May 2009 13:44:00 EST Coach K on <i>The Colbert Report</i>http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/04/22/coach-k-on-i-the-colbert-report-i/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/04/22/coach-k-on-i-the-colbert-report-i/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/04/22/coach-k-on-i-the-colbert-report-i/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you've never seen The Colbert Report before, please take the following steps -- close your browser, shut down your computer, and move to another country. Seriously, Stephen Colbert's ability to make any and all confrontations between famous authors, politicians and now college basketball coaches funny is a thing of beauty. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was on the Report Tuesday, talking about his new book and, thanks to Colbert, he somehow wound up comparing Stephen to LeBron James.

The Colbert Report Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Mike Krzyzewski
colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Gay Marriage Commercial

Coach K does admit that the best basketball player he ever coached was a Tar Heel (Oh, the insanity!), but that was of course Michael Jordan with the 1992 Dream Team. Also, the best exchange of the entire interview was when Colbert suggested some sort of Flying V basketball play, only to get a mild smile from Krzyzewski, who admitted he might try the play at some point.

(Since we are talking about The Colbert Report and sports people, we might as well link to Bill Simmons on the show back in 2006. Always good to trot that one out there.)

Coach K on The Colbert Report originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:56:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>bill simmonsBillSimmonsLebron jamesLebronJamesMichael JordanMichaelJordanmike krzyzewskiMikeKrzyzewskiStephen ColbertStephenColbertShane BaconWed, 22 Apr 2009 13:56:00 EST Transition to Football Gaining Popularity http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/04/18/transition-to-football-gaining-popularity/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/04/18/transition-to-football-gaining-popularity/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/04/18/transition-to-football-gaining-popularity/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The few weeks after the NCAA Basketball season concludes are traditionally chock full of player movement announcements -- new recruits, transfers, entry entrants into the NBA draft, etc. This year has been no exception, but there is a trend gaining more steam. Having a collegiate basketball player become a football player isn't a new thing. Antonio Gates is an All-Pro tight end who didn't play a snap of college football, for example.

Still, the movement from football to basketball seems to be increasing in recent weeks. It makes sense, considering the speed, quickness and agility needed in both. For post players in basketball, they've become accustomed to a physical game anyway, and have the necessary strength-athleticism combo for a position like tight end. Here are four currently considering the shift:

Greg Paulus - Duke's former point guard is supposedly considering entering the NFL draft -- where the Packers are interested -- tranferring to Michigan to play football, or staying at Duke to play football. That's probably not all he's considering, but the high school All-American quarterback definitely has options. Holding a clipboard for the Packers, playing quarterback in the Big House, or playing wide receiver on a famiilar campus all seem appealing to varying degrees, so we'll see how he chooses. Of course, you could argue picking basketball over football was the wrong move in the first place, so there is precedent for a sub-par decision.

Jamelle Cornley - Here's a guy who played basketball like it was football at times. At 6-foot-4, 248-pounds, he definitely has the frame to take on the more physical sport. Apparently, he never got the chance to try his hand at the gridiron because his father didn't allow it when Jamelle was growing up. Now, after leading the Penn State Nittany Lions to an NIT Championship as a senior, Cornely is reportedly considering a go-round in pads. In fact, he would have a year of collegiate football eligibility, so it's possible he's added to the fray at Penn State for next season. He's also considering his NBA, NFL and overseas basketball options.

Jon Brockman - Friday night during his on-air visit with the Seattle Mariners broadcast team, Brockman mentioned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had contacted him and were very interested in the big man. He hasn't even been on a football field competitively since junior high. He said he played some receiver and some lineman. So that narrows it down, I guess? Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing in at 255, though, makes Brockman yet another perfect tight end candidate, should he answer the Bucs' call. For what it's worth, he said he wanted to keep pursuing basketball, but if that didn't work out he'd certainly give football a try. Can't say I blame him.

Fendi Onobun - The former Arizona forward has never played football, but he's got the body for it (6-foot-6, 250 pounds). Onobun played basketball like a football player as well, but he had much less grace than Cornley. Unlike Cornley, he has no chance of playing in the NBA, so the NFL would be his only route, should he wish to make money in America playing a sport. He's currently learning the game, and has worked out for the Patroits, Panthers and Bills. His potential position? You guessed it: Tight end.

Transition to Football Gaining Popularity originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>antonio gatesAntonioGatesfendi onobunFendiOnobungreg paulusGregPaulusjamelle cornleyJamelleCornleyjon brockmanJonBrockmanMatt SnyderSat, 18 Apr 2009 14:30:00 EST The Packers Are Going After Paulus?!?http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/04/13/the-packers-are-going-after-paulus/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/04/13/the-packers-are-going-after-paulus/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/04/13/the-packers-are-going-after-paulus/#commentsFiled under: ,

It isn't any surprise that since Brett Favre announced he'd be done with football (umm, the fourth time), the quarterback situation with the Packers would be tumultuous.

Nobody thought it would get to this. Even with Aaron Rodgers doing whatever he can in Green Bay to win people over, rumors are flying around that the Packers have worked out Duke basketball player Greg Paulus. Yes, that was "Duke basketball player" you just read.


According to PFT ...

Paulus is a former high school Gatorade Football Player of the Year selection who was offered football scholarships to Notre Dame and the University of Miami, but chose to play basketball at Duke.

Paulus was a three-year starter for the Blue Devils at point guard who was once named second-team All-ACC. He was a third-team Academic All-American selection.

Unless Jerry Jones made it clear that he was interested in Roger Clemens backing up Tony Romo this year, Paulus could be the most obscure and random person to contact about a position in the NFL. He was a great football player in high school, but that was four years ago, and barring any A++++ intramural team championship Paulus lead his team to, the Packers have gone a little insane.

Right now Green Bay has Matt Flynn, who actually played football at LSU, and Brian Brohm, who was a pigskin member at Louisville, behind Rodgers.

If Paulus works out, I guess that will be one professional sport that Mike Krzyzewski produces good talent to. Zing!

The Packers Are Going After Paulus?!? originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Aaron RodgersAaronRodgersBrett FavreBrettFavreBrian BrohmBrianBrohmGreg PaulusGregPaulusMatt FlynnMattFlynnMike KrzyzewskiMikeKrzyzewskiRoger ClemensRogerClemensTony ROmoTonyRomoShane BaconMon, 13 Apr 2009 22:35:00 EST Sorry T, Lawson Is True Top Heelhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/08/sorry-t-lawson-is-true-top-heel/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/08/sorry-t-lawson-is-true-top-heel/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/08/sorry-t-lawson-is-true-top-heel/#commentsFiled under: , ,


On a night North Carolina coach Roy Williams tried to start seven seniors, it turned out to be another reminder that all the Tar Heels really need is one junior.
No. 2 North Carolina 79, No. 7 Duke 71: Recap | Box Score | RPI | Scores

After all, for two days, North Carolina point guard Tywon Lawson had the most famous foot in sports this side of Tom Brady's protective boot.

Lawson, who injured his toe in practice Friday, was rumored to be on crutches leading up to Sunday's game against rival Duke. So when the ball went up at the Dean E. Smith Center, it was a bit of a surprise to see him in the starting lineup.

But to see him finish the Blue Devils was just downright predictable.

As predictable as the roar of the hometown crowd for departing senior Tyler Hansbrough. As predictable as Mike Krzyzewski's frequent umbrage with the refs. As dadgum predictable as Williams lacing his post-game press conference with a sugar bowl full of dadgums, frickins and doggones.

On a night dedicated to Hansbrough, Lawson would again remind everyone that he is the most important player in the nation. Even with a bad wheel.

"He wasn't the Ty we've seen all year long, but nine assists is pretty doggone good," Williams said after North Carolina's 79-71 win over rival Duke. "He's been so big in close games and he's played so well since the first two games [of the ACC season, both North Carolina losses]."

If this Lawson wasn't as good as it gets, the rest of the NCAA tournament field should just start spring break early, bone up for exams or do anything except try to survive a Bracketville brawl with these 'Heels. If Lawson gets better than he was Sunday, then the engraving has already been done on North Carolina's fifth national championship plaque.

The junior nearly put a triple-double on the Blue Devils. He grabbed eight rebounds, handed out nine assists and scored 13 points, including the five points that all but put the game out of reach, turning a four-point edge with 1:50 left into a nine-point edge 58 seconds later. He turned Duke's defense into a blue-and-white bag of pretzels and twisted through the lane with moves that made you think his joints were made of Play-Doh.

And for the fifth time in five career tries, Lawson beat Duke.

And somewhere along the way he proved what should be as obvious as the Alexander Julian trim on North Carolina's uniforms: Ty Lawson is the true leader of the Heels.

"He has been so big in close games," Williams said of Lawson, when asked about the ACC Player of the Year race. "And I'll say this too. I've never coached anybody that's had to face as much on the court as (Hansbrough) has faced, and he has been awfully impressive. To do the things he has done with two and three guys going at him, as physical as he has played ... I don't know who is player of the year, but you go past those two and I find it hard to believe."

But all you had to do was listen to Mike Krzyzewski to figure out who, exactly, won that game. His post-game autopsy singled out three plays that made the difference.

"I thought that three-point play by [Deon] Thompson, the 3-point shot by [Danny] Green and the 3-point play by Lawson," Krzyzewski said, "those three exchanges were what won the game."

Pour a bottle of luminol over those and you'll see Lawson's fingerprints everywhere. The Thompson bucket, which came after a Gerald Henderson dunk cut the lead to two with just over five minutes to play, came because Lawson's entry pass moved quicker than Duke's Lance Thomas, who was doubling down.

When a Jon Scheyer 3-pointer again trimmed the lead to two with 3:24 left, it was Lawson again who drove the lane so effectively you'd be excused for thinking he had a GPS chip somewhere in his head, and kicked it out for Green's wide-open 3-pointer.

And if there was any doubt left, Lawson took a nail-gun to Duke's coffin on the last of Krzyzewski's three plays. After the Blue Devils rebounded a Lawson miss with 1:18 left, Singler turned the ball over as he stumbled out of bounds with the ball. The Tar Heels got a new 35-second clock to protect their four-point edge. Lawson needed just 14 seconds to blow by Scheyer, sink a layup and head to the charity stripe for another point.

Lawson five. Duke zero.

"Ty Lawson," his coach added succinctly, "was awesome."

He'll never get the publicity of his teammate Hansbrough. Then again, the Tar Heel center couldn't get more fawning press coverage if his first name was Barack and his last name was Tebow. Look hard enough and the Florida quarterback and the president probably have their own Facebook group protesting his coverage.

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    Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan directs his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Indiana on Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 85-61. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

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    Wisconsin senior Joe Krabbenhoft acknowledges the crowd in the final minutes against Indiana in an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 85-61. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

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    Wisconsin's Jason Bohannon shoots against Indiana's Tim Pritchard during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 85-61. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

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    Niagara forward Kashief Edwards, left, grabs a rebound in front of Rider forward Mike Ringgold during the first half of their Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference NCAA college basketball semifinal game in Albany, N.Y., Sunday, March 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

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    Indiana coach Tom Crean directs his team during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin on Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 85-61. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

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    Rider guard Harris Mansell (32) drives on Niagara guard Bilal Benn during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in Albany, N.Y., Sunday, March 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

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    Wisconsin's Rob Wilson (33) shoots against Indiana's Tijam Jobe, left, and Steven Gambles during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 85-61. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

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    Niagara forward Kamau Gordon grabs a rebound in front of Rider guard Ryan Thompson (5) in the first half of a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference NCAA college basketball semifinal in Albany, N.Y., Sunday, March 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

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    College of Charleston's Tony White Jr., left, moves around Davidson's Bryant Barr (24) late in an NCAA college basketball game at the Southern Conference tournament in Chattanooga, Tenn., Sunday, March 8, 2009. College of Charleston won 59-52. (AP Photo/Angela Lewis)

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    Davidson's Andrew Lovedale (41) loses control of the ball as College of Charleston's Jeremy Simmons (21) watches in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Southern Conference tournament in Chattanooga, Tenn., Sunday, March 8, 2009. College of Charleston won the game 59-52. (AP Photo/Angela Lewis)

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But what makes North Carolina so dangerous isn't the halfcourt game that Hansbrough excels in, and it sure as heck isn't its defense -- there are kids that go to the dentist with more enthusiasm than the Heels man up -- it's the Lawson-led transition game. Watch the speedy point guard go about his business and it'll look like defenders are wearing Army boots and running in sand. Watch him fly up the court for an and-1 layup, and you have to double-check that he isn't wearing ice skates.

Take Hansbrough out of that lineup, and you've still got what Williams would undoubtedly refer to as a heckuva frickin' team. Behind him, there's Deon Thompson, who scored 14 points, just three fewer than the team star in six fewer minutes. There's freshman Ed Davis, who would likely start on any other ACC team except perhaps Wake Forest. And on, and on, until your realize there's enough height on that team to clean Williams' gutters without fetching a ladder.

But there is no replacement for Lawson anywhere in college basketball.

When he went down a season ago, the Heels lost to an almost exact copy of this Duke team by 11. Backup Quentin Thomas filled in well enough that the Heels, with huge games from Hansbrough, didn't lose again in his six-game absence. But the only thing that was the same about those teams was the uniforms. And as good as Hansbrough has been this year, Lawson has been better. According to Ken Pomeroy's offensive ratings, Lawson is the single most efficient player in the nation, regardless of possessions used. Hansbrough is 21st.

When Lawson has been slowed, the Heels have lost. In North Carolina's three defeats, he's averaging just 3.7 assists per game, almost half of his season average of 6.4 assists. Keep him at five assists and under and you've got a shot of winning. Let Ty drop more than six dimes and you may as well hit Expedia.com for travel arrangements home.

Lawson did get a share of criticism earlier in the year when Jeff Teague and Tyrese Rice torched North Carolina in back-to-back losses to start the season and more than a few wondered if his heart was in college hoops. It was, after all, understandable criticism for a player who thought he'd be cashing paychecks in the NBA this season. (Lawson declared for the NBA Draft last year, but, after an inability to guarantee a top-20 selection returned to campus for a junior season. Some would say it was due to an alcohol charge just before the draft, but the oft-troubled NBA turning its back on a player for a minor arrest seems about as likely as a homeless man sending back a meal because the foie gras was paired with the wrong wine.).

Lawson's one-toe tribute to Willis Reed puts North Carolina almost exactly where it was before the start of ACC play, the favorite to cut down the nets in April.

That is, assuming his bum toe doesn't keep him from playing at full speed. These Heels have seen more injuries than a sweeps-week episode of ER this season; lose Lawson, and Williams may as well as start handing out more Kansas stickers, because North Carolina will need someone else to root for.

"It's just tough for me to move on it or pivot off it right now," Lawson said. "It felt numb. I felt like I was running on four toes. I was able to do everything I could, but now I'm coming down off it and it's real painful right now."

And if those words send a shiver colder than that ice pack on Lawson's foot up the spine of North Carolina fans everywhere, it's likely because they've long known what should be obvious to everyone.

There is no replacing Ty Lawson. And when he's healthy, there's no stopping him either.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.

Sorry T, Lawson Is True Top Heel originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 08 Mar 2009 22:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Danny greenDeon thopmsondukeEd DavisJon Scheyermike krzyzewskinorth carolinaroywilliamsTy Lawsontyler hansbroughTylerHansbroughTywon LawsonRay HollomanSun, 08 Mar 2009 22:00:00 EST For Blue Devils, a Loss in Name Onlyhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/08/for-blue-devils-a-loss-in-name-only/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/08/for-blue-devils-a-loss-in-name-only/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/08/for-blue-devils-a-loss-in-name-only/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mike KrzyzewskiIf you've ever seen a man get a five-figure bill from the IRS while an elephant simultaneously steps on his foot, you might have a general frame of reference for the level of rancor Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski can raise when defeat comes his way.

So, as he explained a 79-71 loss to North Carolina, the sixth Heel win in the last seven games and the second time in three seasons he's been swept by his rival, a funny thing happened.

Krzyzewski was calm, as though you had told him some trivial bit of bad news, like his rental car had been dented or dinner might be a little late.

""I thought both teams played really well, I know our team played well," Krzyzewski said. "We had an opportunity to win the game. You put yourself in this environment with the caliber of team that they are. They're a terrific team."

And like usual, the three-time national champion coach is exactly right.

Duke didn't win, but the Blue Devils have more to feel good about than just that they'll likely never see departing North Carolina senior Tyler Hansbrough again.

Call it glass half full with a slice of lime.

"We played better defense. I thought we had better shots. I thought we competed better. I just think we are a better basketball team than we were a month ago. But they're really good. Ya know, if they're not the top team, they have to be one of top two or three. I'm good with where my team is at.

"I mean that's a hell of a game, that's a real good basketball game."

Sure, Duke didn't stop Ty Lawson, but that just means the Blue Devils joined a club of about 340 other teams. Heck, the Hair Club for Men doesn't have this many members. Blaming Duke for not stopping Lawson is like blaming your pediatrician for not curing the common cold.

And sure, Duke gave up 17 to Hansbrough, but it seems like the longtime senior has been dropping double-digit games on opponents since uniforms still had belts. North Carolina gave Duke trouble on the boards too, but second chance points were an even nine to nine, and when you miss as many shots as the Blue Devils did in the second half, defensive rebounds are plentiful.

So, while there's no need to start TiVoing over your old Jason Williams highlights, Duke fans would probably be wise to take the lead from their leader.

Even with the loss, Duke should feel pretty good about itself. And when was the last time you could say that about a Blue Devil team heading into the postseason, a team that's crashed so badly in the postseason that even Sully Sullenberger himself couldn't have safely landed those teams.

The Blue Devils should feel good because Gerald Henderson is still a force on the court unlike last year's injury-induced slump, and, despite his best efforts has yet to crack the Earth's mantle with the force from a particularly angry dunk. Sure, he still struggles going to his left and finished with just 14 points, but he's still the biggest matchup problem this team has, unless the league lets the Devil play with pitchfork in hand.

"G can play better," Krzyzewski said, dismissing concerns about the only Duke player that could change the lights in the shot clock without a ladder. "We're fine with G."

The Blue Devils should feel good because Elliot Williams is still causing matchup problems and is slipping through defenses like he's wearing a jersey made of Crisco. The freshman had eight points, including a mix of whirls through the lane and played a solid defensive game in 38 minutes of work, ignoring his tendency to foul when the ball is so far away from the basket that the twine is barely visible over the curve of the Earth.

The Blue Devils should feel good because the Jon Scheyer experiment is working. In his six games at the point he's shooting 46 percent from the floor and 46 percent from 3-point range. Against North Carolina he scored 24 points on 7-for-7 shooting, with five assists, no turnovers and four steals. Scheyer could've handcuffed Tyler Hansbrough to a radiator in the second half and done only slight more to lead Duke to victory than he did.

"Jon had a great game," Krzyzewski said, "not a big game, a great game."

The Blue Devils should feel good because they simply missed a lot of shots and still kept North Carolina within seven points for all but the final 52 seconds of the game. Stars Kyle Singler and Henderson went 3-for-14 in the second half and yet the Blue Devils kept a tow-rope firmly attached to North Carolina's bumper.

The Blue Devils should feel good because Nolan Smith is on his way back, and, despite lacking their top perimeter defender, forced North Carolina to play at a pace of the Devils' choosing. And Smith should go a long way toward erasing that zero Duke put up in bench points.

And the Blue Devils should feel good because it's March and, instead of entering like a lamb and leaving like a sacrifice, these Blue Devils are actually starting to get better.

So to Duke, here's a toast. Mike Krzyzewski, please raise your half-full glass.

For Blue Devils, a Loss in Name Only originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 08 Mar 2009 21:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>elliot williamsgerald hendersonjon scheyerkyle singlermike krzyzewskity lawsontyler hansbroughtywon lawsonRay HollomanSun, 08 Mar 2009 21:45:00 EST Christian Laettner, Rick Pitino Relive 'The Shot' in Vitamin Water Adhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/05/christian-laettner-rick-pitino-relive-the-shot-in-vitamin-wa/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/05/christian-laettner-rick-pitino-relive-the-shot-in-vitamin-wa/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/05/christian-laettner-rick-pitino-relive-the-shot-in-vitamin-wa/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Christian Laettner did many amazing things in his four years at Duke. But one instance stands out above the rest, a pump-fake, turnaround, buzzer beating jump shot against Kentucky in the 1992 regional final which gave the Devils a single-point victory in overtime against Kentucky, then coached by Rick Pitino. Vitamin Water relives that classic moment in hysterical fashion with the following awesome commercial (via Rush the Court).

Christian Laettner, Rick Pitino Relive 'The Shot' in Vitamin Water Ad originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Christian LaettnerChristianLaettnerRick PitinoRickPitinoWill BrinsonThu, 05 Mar 2009 19:20:00 EST Duke Getting Desperate With Crazieshttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/03/duke-getting-desperate-with-crazies/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/03/duke-getting-desperate-with-crazies/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/03/duke-getting-desperate-with-crazies/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The slow and steady decline of innovation with Duke's infamous Cameron Crazies is all the rage right now. Of course, this isn't Earth-shattering news. We told you about it a few weeks ago with their weakcheer sheet performance during the Carolina game.

But things have hit an all-time low now, as head coach Mike Krzyzewksi has resorted to writing pep talk letters to the Duke students, urging them to be "louder" and "more passionate" tonight as the Devils take on Florida State.
Later tonight at 8 p.m. against Florida State, though, we need it even louder, even more passionate, even more Duke blue and even hungrier, as we pursue our 11th win of the ACC season. And just as importantly, it's a special night for your classmates-three seniors (David McClure, Greg Paulus and Marty Pocius) who have represented the program so well during their time at Duke. We need to honor them with our best game of the year in Cameron-our loudest and our most passionate.

I know we can do it-two hours of complete Cameron chaos should be our lasting memory of the 2008-2009 home season. I hope you'll join us and be a part of this special night. I can't wait to be in that moment with you!
Now, in fairness, it is senior night, so there's very good reason to try and work the Crazies into a bigger frenzy than normal. And it's also worth noting that the Duke fans were loud at the Carolina game.

But come on. This is the last home game of the season and these are the Cameron Crazies we're talking about; there's absolutely no reason anyone should have to tell them to get excited, right? Yet, well over 12 hours before tip-off, Coach K felt the need to urge the students with a letter in the student newspaper. I'm not saying the Crazies can't be helped, but anyone who thinks they're just as amusing, clever and enthusiastic as in years past should probably think again.

Duke Getting Desperate With Crazies originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>david mcclureDavidMccluregreg paulusGregPaulusmarty pociusMartyPociusmike krzyzewskiMikeKrzyzewskiWill BrinsonTue, 03 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST Traveling Rule Doesn't Apply to Duke's Jon Scheyerhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/01/traveling-rule-doesnt-apply-to-dukes-jon-scheyer/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/01/traveling-rule-doesnt-apply-to-dukes-jon-scheyer/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/01/traveling-rule-doesnt-apply-to-dukes-jon-scheyer/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Above, Duke's John Scheyer takes approximately 147 steps and somehow doesn't get whistled for traveling late in Saturday's win over Virginia Tech. Duke led Virginia Tech by three with about 20 seconds left at the time, meaning the officials cost the Hokies the chance to get the ball back and send the game into overtime.

Here's how David Teel of The Daily Press describes it:
Scheyer caught an inbounds pass in backcourt from Kyle Singler and was swarmed immediately by Tech's J.T. Thompson and Terrell Bell.

In this morning's print column, also available online, I described Scheyer's subsequent tapdance as an "apparent walk." Well, there's no apparent about it.

Scheyer changed his pivot foot at least twice, maybe three times. But officials Gary Maxwell, Tony Greene and Bob Donato swallowed their whistles until Duke was able to call timeout.

Tech coach Seth Greenberg was quick to volunteer during his postgame news conference that there's no guarantee the Hokies would have made a 3 to tie the game, but he did say the officials missed it.

They sure did, leading Tech fan Burt Baker and others to dub it the "Scheyer Shuffle."
The refs let Duke get away with a blantant travel last week, too. Way to work the refs, Coach K.

Traveling Rule Doesn't Apply to Duke's Jon Scheyer originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sun, 01 Mar 2009 10:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Michael David SmithSun, 01 Mar 2009 10:50:00 EST Hokie Fans Thinks Paulus Likes Liptonhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/28/hokie-fans-thinks-paulus-likes-lipton/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/28/hokie-fans-thinks-paulus-likes-lipton/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/28/hokie-fans-thinks-paulus-likes-lipton/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Greg Paulus is always a bit of a goat in terms of national hatred (see: "Duke Sucks" having more entries at Mister I than "Greives Vasquez".) Of course, he's following a long line of Duke point guards who have experienced the same thing. Although I don't know if they all heard "Tea-Bag-Paul-Us!" as the announcers in the following clip seemed to imply while the Virginia Tech fans mocked the Duke point guard during some free throw attempts.


"Tea-Bag-Paul-Us" from Will Brinson on Vimeo.

Hokie Fans Thinks Paulus Likes Lipton originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Greg PaulusGregPaulusgreivis vasquezGreivisVasquezTeabaggingTeaBagPaulusWill BrinsonSat, 28 Feb 2009 18:40:00 EST Virginia Tech's Tourney Hopes Turn Bluehttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/28/duke-might-have-sunk-virginia-techs-tourney-hopes-saturday/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/28/duke-might-have-sunk-virginia-techs-tourney-hopes-saturday/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/28/duke-might-have-sunk-virginia-techs-tourney-hopes-saturday/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Virginia Tech needed a crucial win at home to solidify its NCAA tournament status with only two games remaining on its regular-season ACC schedule. But a Nolan Smith-less Blue Devil squad likely had a few points to prove as well.

And the Blue Devils' agenda won out.

That is, after a little controversy and a heckuva run by the Hokies.

Duke 72, Virginia Tech 65: Box Score | AP Recap | ACC Scores & Standings

Duke did just that, for most of the game, streaking out to an 11-point halftime lead. But the Hokies stormed back and tied the game at 58 with four minutes remaining, only to lose by seven, as a controversial ending -- Duke's Jon Scheyer blatantly traveled with his team up three and 18 seconds left, but no call was made -- gave Duke the free-throw opportunities to salvage a win in Blacksburg.

Seth Greenberg's squad, despite suffering some close losses, has now dropped four of its last five games and the Hokies have to play North Carolina and Florida State to close out the season. If they don't win one of those games, they're staring down 7-9 in the ACC.

And that, folks, despite setting them up as one of the top eight teams in the conference, probably isn't enough to punch the Hokies' ticket to the dance. Joe Lunardi had them as an No. 11 seed before the Duke game, and Ken Pomeroy had them at No. 71 in his ratings; that's not so much as to point to outside influence, as it is to say that the Hokies have had trouble distinguishing themselves from the rest of the bubble pack.

Granted, Virginia Tech beat then No. 1 Wake Forest, but so too did Georgia Tech, Miami and N.C. State. In other words, Wake's track record against the bottom of the conference doesn't really justify giving the Hokies credit. The only other bullet point Virginia Tech has to offset its overall record is a win against Clemson. The selection committee might want more.

But give the Blue Devils credit, because, even if the Hokies aren't that strong of a team, they still stepped up and pulled off a huge road win, despite Smith being sidelined by a concussion.

Virginia Tech's Tourney Hopes Turn Blue originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>jon scheyerJonScheyernolan smithNolanSmithseth greenbergSethGreenbergWill BrinsonSat, 28 Feb 2009 18:20:00 EST No. 7 Duke Holds Off Marylandhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/25/no-7-duke-holds-off-terps/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/25/no-7-duke-holds-off-terps/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/25/no-7-duke-holds-off-terps/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Heading into Wednesday night's Duke-Maryland tilt, the big story was about a resurgent Terps team, fresh off an overtime win over the second-ranked Tar Heels, and its sudden NCAA tournament prospects. Despite an inconsistent start to the season -- which included a home loss to Morgan St. and a 85-44 thrashing against the Blue Devils in Durham -- an emotional home-court victory over the ACC's best squad suddenly gave an aimless season direction. If Maryland could manage to upset seventh-ranked Duke, its tournament ticket would be punched.
Duke 78-Maryland 67: Box Score | AP Recap | ACC Standings
It didn't happen. Perhaps the Terps were mentally spent after their dramatic win over the Heels. More likely: Duke, on most nights, is the better team. Maryland played inspired for stretches, but late-game foul trouble would be their eventual undoing.

Lost amid all the pre-game hype was the fact that Duke, too, has struggled with inconsistency this season. The low point, it could be argued, came two weeks ago when Coach Mike Krzyzewski admitted, unprovoked, that "We're not as good as they are right now," in the minutes after UNC beat Duke 101 87 in Cameron Indoor Stadium. But the things that don't kill you, as they saying goes.

Which helps explain last Sunday's 101-91 victory over eighth-ranked Wake Forest.

"Tonight was a huge game for us," Krzyzewski said after Sunday's win. "It was as big a game as we've had in three years. ... So whatever you can do ethically, legally and physically, you got to try to do."

There's still much to be decided -- including an end-of-season rematch against the Tar Heels -- but Coach K has to be pleased with how his team has responded after a 2-3 stretch to start the month.

No. 7 Duke Holds Off Maryland originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Mike KrzyzewskiMikeKrzyzewskiRyan WilsonWed, 25 Feb 2009 23:45:00 EST Terp Fans Prank Duke Hotel Roomshttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/25/terp-fans-prank-duke-hotel-rooms/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/25/terp-fans-prank-duke-hotel-rooms/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/25/terp-fans-prank-duke-hotel-rooms/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Maryland-Duke is not a rivalry to be taken lightly, even if Duke did wallop the Terps by 41 in Cameron earlier this season. Now that Maryland is firmly on the bubble (and climbing), though, the stakes are raised again. Which may explain why Maryland fans are going all out in their pre-game prep for Wednesday night's matchup.

"All out" here doesn't just mean "making funny chant sheets," either; the Terps have not only created Facebook groups dedicated to "Operation: Scheyerface 2.0" (via Joe Ovies) but they also spent the week prank-calling Duke's hotel room.

Yes, that's right -- someone figured out where the Blue Devils were staying, and for whatever reason, the hotel's operator freely connected Maryland fans to the rooms of Duke players and coaches. To wit, a poster on the message board Terpcenter claims to have had the following conversation with Greg Paulus:
"Hello, this is ****** with the Washington Times, sorry to bother you at this hour Mr. Paulus, but we are running a small piece tomorrow and I was hoping to take 2 minutes and ask you a question?"

Him: "Uhhh, sure"

"If you had to choose between Deron Washington, Danny Green, and Dwayne Collins, who's[sic] n*ts would you say tasted the best?"

Him: ...click.
While crude, that's also kind of amusing. Of course, so is this goal to get as many photos of Jon Scheyer's face up as possible.
This time, we need everyone to print out one black and white scheyerface (or more since I'm sure people will miss this) from the end of this description and taunt him. It doesn't matter which one, just pick one. If you are on the wall, I'm pretty sure shooting 2nd half free throws into a wall of Scheyerfaces would work to perfection. I can get quite a few, but not enough for every student and we can always go bigger. Larger signs and such are encouraged as well as the normal d00k signage. Feel free to use the wall for ideas, suggestions, etc.

Invite whoever, there needs to be some serious teamwork for this to work as well as possible.
See? That's creative. Please take note, Cameron Crazies. And next year, when Maryland comes back to Cameron, throw some anti-perspirant at Gary Williams. Or something more humorous than that. Point being, Maryland hates Duke and their fans are willing to go to almost any lengths to make grown men cry.

Terp Fans Prank Duke Hotel Rooms originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>greg paulusGregPaulusjon scheyerJonScheyerWill BrinsonWed, 25 Feb 2009 16:15:00 EST Ranking the Rankings: Pitt's Full Circlehttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/24/ranking-the-rankings-pitts-full-circle/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/24/ranking-the-rankings-pitts-full-circle/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/24/ranking-the-rankings-pitts-full-circle/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Ranking the rankings criticizes the critics when the polls come out.

Headlining: Pittsburgh beat Connecticut to kick off the week, led by DeJuan Blair's ridiculous 22-point, 23-rebound effort. It seemed relatively unlikely at the time that the Panthers could manage to jump both North Carolina and Oklahoma, providing that either one of the two won out for the week.

But then Saturday rolled around. The Tar Heels fell to Maryland and Oklahoma, without Blake Griffin for most of the game, coughed one up to Texas.

And suddenly, Pitt was No. 1 in both polls and without any real question to the matter. Just four first-place ballots went elsewhere. There shouldn't have been any debate, either. Memphis nearly lost to UTEP while the Panthers throttled DePaul to close out the week on a seven-game winning streak.

Free-Fallin': Wake Forest (20-5). Despite the dead-horse nature of "young Wake team in Cameron" from Sunday night, there's a little bit of truth to what people are saying about Dino Gaudio's team -- they've hit a wall. It's intriguing to see just how streaky Wake Forest, and specifically star guard Jeff Teague, played in Durham. Yes, they're obviously talented, but, no, they're probably not winning the national title this year.

You Gotta Rise Up: Duke (22-5). It's not so much that the Devils skyrocketed in the polls, it's just that they switched Elliot Williams into the starting lineup and pumped Mike Krzyzewski full of Red Bull for the six hours leading up to the Wake game. It was a bizarre turn for a team that seemed to be free-falling (hence their inclusion) and games at Maryland and at Virginia Tech this week could make for some interesting schizophrenic tendencies as well. But, frankly, I think the Blue Devils are much more likely to keep rolling.

Hyped: UCLA (20-7). The Bruins earned three of their seven losses over the past two-and-a-half weeks, dropping games to Arizona State, Arizona and Washington State. It's certainly a rough patch, although it is a stretch that includes a win over Washington. That's nice and all, but the problem, as Mr. Papagiorgio pointed out, is that it was UCLA's first win over a ranked opponent. Yet, somehow they're still in the Top 25. See where I'm going with this?


Bunked: Kansas (23-5). What interests me is how high the pollsters will push the Jayhawks after their win over Oklahoma. I tend to think they might get discounted because Griffin didn't play on Monday. If that's the case, it seems a little bit silly since Kansas has only lost twice since the start of 2009, and those two losses were to Michigan State and Missouri. Yes, both teams are in the top 10.

WTF? Griffin didn't play Monday night because he couldn't pass the "Standard Assessment of Concussion." Like a good little blogger, I googled that mess to try and find out what kind of sheet Holly Rowe was actually holding up. And this link (a Word Doc) appears to best represent the test. Frankly, I hope they administered that before the season and gauged Griffin based on relative results, because there's almost no chance that I could pass that thing right freaking now.

People Who Vote Are Smart (Brought to You by Pollspeak.com): Roger Clarkson pulls the bizzaro ballot this week, and really it's for just two reasons. First of all, he has Wake Forest ranked seventh. That's unacceptable with the week the Deacons had, unless he missed the game Sunday night against Duke. That would actually be even more unacceptable. Secondly, he's got Memphis 12th. Twelfth! Something ain't stirring the Kool-Aid there.

Ranking the Rankings: Pitt's Full Circle originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>bill selfBillSelfblake griffinBlakeGriffindejuan blairDejuanBlairdino gaudioDinoGaudioelliot williamsElliotWilliamsjeff teagueJeffTeaguemike krzyzewskiMikeKrzyzewskirankingtherankingsWill BrinsonTue, 24 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST Elliott Williams Gets a Free Travel Passhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/23/elliott-williams-gets-a-free-travel-pass/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/23/elliott-williams-gets-a-free-travel-pass/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/02/23/elliott-williams-gets-a-free-travel-pass/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Conspiracy theorists will tell you that Duke gets more calls at Cameron Indoor than the Lakers do at Staples Center. John Cloughtery, the head of ACC officiating, will probably tell you differently. And it is, for the most part, a conspiracy. But the following video, in which white-hot Duke frosh Elliot Williams takes "a few" steps before dribbling against Wake last night, probably won't help matters, especially considering this was a no call.



I actually missed this call, because I was donning my KFC hat in order to get to the office on time, but grabbed it via the Piler. Personally, I don't think Duke gets too much love at home -- Mike Krzyzewski's best work is usually done on the officials -- but this one was pretty blatant.

Elliott Williams Gets a Free Travel Pass originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>eliot williamsEliotWilliamsjohn cloughteryJohnCloughterymike krzyewskiMikeKrzyewskiWill BrinsonMon, 23 Feb 2009 10:50:00 EST