Rise Hoops has added a pair of Kentucky recruits to their high school players of the week list.
They recognize 2010 recruit Brandon Knight for his 48-point performance against Winter Park on ESPN2. In addition to that performance, he had 42 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists against Florida Air Academy on Tuesday.
Perry Ellis, a 2012 Kentucky recruit, is also honored after finishing with 27 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists in a victory over Kapaul Mt. Carmel (Ks.) on Friday night.
Source
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Thomas More Continues to Roll in Conference Play
Thomas More 72
Washington & Jefferson 68
Final from Crestview Hills, Kentucky
Game recap by Thomas More:
(CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky.) - The Thomas More College men's basketball team rallied from a 10-point first half deficit to defeat Washington & Jefferson College, 72-68, today (Saturday, February 6, 2010) in a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) game at the Connor Convocation Center in Crestview Hills, Kentucky.
With the win the Saints improve to 16-5 overall and 7-2 in the PAC and with the loss the Presidents fall to 9-13 and 4-5 in the PAC.
W&J raced out to an early 1305 lead when Albert Varacallo made a three-pointer at the 16:00 mark of the first half. Thomas More answered with an 11-7 run capped by two free-throws by sophomore center Colt Stafford (Groveport, Ohio/Bishop Hartley) to cut the lead to 20-16 with 10:35 to play in the first half. The Presidents responded with a 6-0 run to extend the lead to 26-16 with 7:50 left in the half when Paul Matthews made a three-pointer. The Saints came right back with a 14-6 run to cut the lead to 32-30 when junior center Brian Muse (Bethel, Ohio/Bethel) made one-of-two free-throw with 2:55 to play in the opening half, but W&J's Akram Hidmi made a layup with 1:40 left in the half to extend the lead to 34-30 at halftime.
The Presidents opened the second half on a 9-5 run to extend the lead to 43-35 with 17:28 left in the game when Nick Morelli made a layup. The Saints answered with a 12-2 run to take their first lead of the game at 47-45 when senior point guard Romell Salone (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills) made a layup with 14:05 to play in the game. W&J then put together a 9-7 run to tie the game at 54-54 when Matt Drakeley made jumper with 8:00 to play in the second half. Thomas More responded with a 10-4 run to take its biggest lead of the game at 64-58 with 4:10 to play in the game when Muse made a layup. The Presidents then put together a 10-6 run to cut the lead to 70-68 when Brian Felker made two-free throws with 16-seconds to play in the game, but that would be as close as they would come as Thomas More went onto the 72-68 win.
Senior power forward Daniel McKeehan (Maineville, Ohio/Little Miami) led three Saints in double-figures with 18 points. Joining him in double-figures were Muse and junior shooting guard Johnny Bovard (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) with 12 and 11 points respectively. McKeehan and Muse led the team on the boards with seven rebounds each, while McKeehan led the team in steals with four and Muse led the team in blocks with eight.
The Saints remain at home on Wednesday (February 10) when they host Waynesburg University at 6:30 p.m. at the Connor Convocation Center in Crestview Hills, Kentucky.
Washington & Jefferson 68
Final from Crestview Hills, Kentucky
Game recap by Thomas More:
(CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky.) - The Thomas More College men's basketball team rallied from a 10-point first half deficit to defeat Washington & Jefferson College, 72-68, today (Saturday, February 6, 2010) in a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) game at the Connor Convocation Center in Crestview Hills, Kentucky.
With the win the Saints improve to 16-5 overall and 7-2 in the PAC and with the loss the Presidents fall to 9-13 and 4-5 in the PAC.
W&J raced out to an early 1305 lead when Albert Varacallo made a three-pointer at the 16:00 mark of the first half. Thomas More answered with an 11-7 run capped by two free-throws by sophomore center Colt Stafford (Groveport, Ohio/Bishop Hartley) to cut the lead to 20-16 with 10:35 to play in the first half. The Presidents responded with a 6-0 run to extend the lead to 26-16 with 7:50 left in the half when Paul Matthews made a three-pointer. The Saints came right back with a 14-6 run to cut the lead to 32-30 when junior center Brian Muse (Bethel, Ohio/Bethel) made one-of-two free-throw with 2:55 to play in the opening half, but W&J's Akram Hidmi made a layup with 1:40 left in the half to extend the lead to 34-30 at halftime.
The Presidents opened the second half on a 9-5 run to extend the lead to 43-35 with 17:28 left in the game when Nick Morelli made a layup. The Saints answered with a 12-2 run to take their first lead of the game at 47-45 when senior point guard Romell Salone (Cincinnati, Ohio/Walnut Hills) made a layup with 14:05 to play in the game. W&J then put together a 9-7 run to tie the game at 54-54 when Matt Drakeley made jumper with 8:00 to play in the second half. Thomas More responded with a 10-4 run to take its biggest lead of the game at 64-58 with 4:10 to play in the game when Muse made a layup. The Presidents then put together a 10-6 run to cut the lead to 70-68 when Brian Felker made two-free throws with 16-seconds to play in the game, but that would be as close as they would come as Thomas More went onto the 72-68 win.
Senior power forward Daniel McKeehan (Maineville, Ohio/Little Miami) led three Saints in double-figures with 18 points. Joining him in double-figures were Muse and junior shooting guard Johnny Bovard (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) with 12 and 11 points respectively. McKeehan and Muse led the team on the boards with seven rebounds each, while McKeehan led the team in steals with four and Muse led the team in blocks with eight.
The Saints remain at home on Wednesday (February 10) when they host Waynesburg University at 6:30 p.m. at the Connor Convocation Center in Crestview Hills, Kentucky.
Kentucky Showing Interest in 2011 PG Tyrone Johnson
ZagsBlog.com reports that Kentucky has been showing interest in 2011 point guard Tyrone Johnson from Plainfield (N.J.) High.
Johnson has just picked up and offer from the Georgetown Hoyas and he also holds offers from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Virginia Tech.
Kentucky is joined by Villanova, West Virginia, Connecticut, Indiana, Virginia, Temple and UNLV as schools that are showing interest in the athletic point guard.
Rivals.com ranks Johnson #46 overall in the 2011 class.
Source
Tyrone Johnson in action:
Johnson has just picked up and offer from the Georgetown Hoyas and he also holds offers from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Virginia Tech.
Kentucky is joined by Villanova, West Virginia, Connecticut, Indiana, Virginia, Temple and UNLV as schools that are showing interest in the athletic point guard.
Rivals.com ranks Johnson #46 overall in the 2011 class.
Source
Tyrone Johnson in action:
Kentucky Stands Alone on Top of SEC Power Rankings
The Kentucky Wildcats stand alone again this week on top of the SEC Men's Basketball Power Rankings:
1. Kentucky (22-1, 7-1 Southeastern Conference) The No. 4 Wildcats pounced on the struggling Tigers Saturday night in Baton Rouge, routing LSU 81-55. Although the Tigers held freshman phenom John Wall to a season-low six points, LSU was no match for the Kentucky’s aggressive rebounding and play in the paint.
2. Vanderbilt (17-5, 6-2)
3. Tennessee (18-4, 6-2)
4. Florida (17-6, 6-3)
5. Ole Miss (17-6, 5-4)
6. Mississippi State (16-7, 4-4)
7. Arkansas (12-11, 5-3)
8. South Carolina (13-9, 4-4)
9. Alabama (13-10, 3-6)
10. Georgia (10-11, 2-6)
11. Auburn (11-12, 2-6)
12. LSU (9-14, 0-9)
Complete Article
1. Kentucky (22-1, 7-1 Southeastern Conference) The No. 4 Wildcats pounced on the struggling Tigers Saturday night in Baton Rouge, routing LSU 81-55. Although the Tigers held freshman phenom John Wall to a season-low six points, LSU was no match for the Kentucky’s aggressive rebounding and play in the paint.
2. Vanderbilt (17-5, 6-2)
3. Tennessee (18-4, 6-2)
4. Florida (17-6, 6-3)
5. Ole Miss (17-6, 5-4)
6. Mississippi State (16-7, 4-4)
7. Arkansas (12-11, 5-3)
8. South Carolina (13-9, 4-4)
9. Alabama (13-10, 3-6)
10. Georgia (10-11, 2-6)
11. Auburn (11-12, 2-6)
12. LSU (9-14, 0-9)
Complete Article
Union College to Host "Think Pink" Night Monday
BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - The Union College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will host “Think Pink” Night at the men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader against Bluefield (Va.) College Monday.
This is the fourth “Think Pink” event the SAAC will have hosted this academic year.
In October, the SAAC held events at football game, a soccer doubleheader and a volleyball match.
As part of the event, the SAAC will sell Union College “Think Pink” T-shirts for $12 apiece and will have giveaways throughout the games. All proceeds will go to the Knox County Cancer Patient Fund and the American Cancer Society.
The SAAC will also present a check to the Knox County Cancer Patient Fund prior to the men’s basketball game.
The Lady Bulldogs will tip off at 5:30 p.m. with the men’s game to follow at approximately 7:30 p.m.
This is the fourth “Think Pink” event the SAAC will have hosted this academic year.
In October, the SAAC held events at football game, a soccer doubleheader and a volleyball match.
As part of the event, the SAAC will sell Union College “Think Pink” T-shirts for $12 apiece and will have giveaways throughout the games. All proceeds will go to the Knox County Cancer Patient Fund and the American Cancer Society.
The SAAC will also present a check to the Knox County Cancer Patient Fund prior to the men’s basketball game.
The Lady Bulldogs will tip off at 5:30 p.m. with the men’s game to follow at approximately 7:30 p.m.
What the @#$%? Knight to Miss ESPN GameDay at Rupp
Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald-Leader is reporting that Bob Knight will not be in Lexington Saturday for ESPN GameDay at Rupp Arena.
Knight created a national buzz several weeks ago when he made negative comments about Kentucky and head coach John Calipari during a speaking engagement.
Tipton adds that Knight will be working games two days before and two days after Saturday.
On a bright note, Erin Andrews will be in Lexington along with Dick Vitale and Dan Shulman. The GameDay crew will be Rece Davis, Jay Bilas, Hubert Davis and Digger Phelps.
Kentucky has distributed more than 23,000 tickets for the GameDay telecast (not the game, the pre-game show).
Survive and Advance; Murray State Wins at Buzzer
Murray State 65
Austin Peay 63
Final from Murray, Kentucky
Game recap by Murray State:
Isacc Miles hit a jumper at the buzzer Saturday to give the Murray State Racers a thrilling 65-63 victory over the Austin Peay Governors in the Regional Special Events Center in front of the largest crowd of the season of 6,017 in Murray, Ky.
Miles' heroics came after APSU's John Fraley hit a pair of free throws to tie the game at 63 with 4.1 seconds remaining.
"We work on that play in practice, the five-four-three-two-one play," Miles said. "The shot felt good when it left my hand."
After a review by the game officials, the shot was confirmed good.
Miles was a big reason the Racers were able to overcome a 61-58 deficit in the game's final 2:51 as he drove to the basket twice making tough shots.
He scored MSU's final seven points for his entire game total; he had was 0-of-6 from the field before his run at the end.
"The game wasn't going my way all night as far as making shots," Miles said. "But I believe taking it to the rim a couple of times late in the game gave me some confidence for the last shot."
The win kept MSU's remarkable run alive, they've won 13 straight games and are chasing the program's all-time winning streak of 16 set twice in the late 1930's.
"Obviously very thankful to get the win," MSU head coach Billy Kennedy said. "We've been on the other situation of that for three years. I can remember four games where someone has hit the game winner against us, so It's nice to finally get some breaks and Isacc made a heck of a play."
"In 4.1 seconds you can go the length of the court, especially if you're as fast as Isacc Miles," Kennedy added. "He made the right play and thankfully he made the shot. It worked out the way we drew it up, but it doesn't always work out like that."
The Racers battled the Govs zone defense from the opening tip and fell behind in the first nine minutes by a 21-10 score.
MSU got back into the contest with a 14-3 run to tie it at 28 with 3:37 before halftime.
APSU had a 49-43 lead in the early second half, before the Racers mounted their rally.
Danero Thomas, who scored a career-high 30 points against the Govs a year ago, scored 23 in this one and made two three-pointers in the second half. He also tied his career-high with 11 rebounds.
Tony Easley scored 12 points to go with eight boards, to help the Racers push their home win streak to 16.
The night was a special even before Miles' buzzer beater.
The MSU Hall of Fame 2010 class was honored and Marcus Brown had his No. 5 retired at halftime.
The Racers return to action Thursday with a 7:30 p.m. game at Tennessee Tech and travel to Jacksonville State Saturday for a 4:30 p.m. game. Both games will be aired on the Racer Television Network.
Video of final shot (Video by WPSD, audio by the Racer Radio Network with Neal Bradley):
Austin Peay 63
Final from Murray, Kentucky
Game recap by Murray State:
Isacc Miles hit a jumper at the buzzer Saturday to give the Murray State Racers a thrilling 65-63 victory over the Austin Peay Governors in the Regional Special Events Center in front of the largest crowd of the season of 6,017 in Murray, Ky.
Miles' heroics came after APSU's John Fraley hit a pair of free throws to tie the game at 63 with 4.1 seconds remaining.
"We work on that play in practice, the five-four-three-two-one play," Miles said. "The shot felt good when it left my hand."
After a review by the game officials, the shot was confirmed good.
Miles was a big reason the Racers were able to overcome a 61-58 deficit in the game's final 2:51 as he drove to the basket twice making tough shots.
He scored MSU's final seven points for his entire game total; he had was 0-of-6 from the field before his run at the end.
"The game wasn't going my way all night as far as making shots," Miles said. "But I believe taking it to the rim a couple of times late in the game gave me some confidence for the last shot."
The win kept MSU's remarkable run alive, they've won 13 straight games and are chasing the program's all-time winning streak of 16 set twice in the late 1930's.
"Obviously very thankful to get the win," MSU head coach Billy Kennedy said. "We've been on the other situation of that for three years. I can remember four games where someone has hit the game winner against us, so It's nice to finally get some breaks and Isacc made a heck of a play."
"In 4.1 seconds you can go the length of the court, especially if you're as fast as Isacc Miles," Kennedy added. "He made the right play and thankfully he made the shot. It worked out the way we drew it up, but it doesn't always work out like that."
The Racers battled the Govs zone defense from the opening tip and fell behind in the first nine minutes by a 21-10 score.
MSU got back into the contest with a 14-3 run to tie it at 28 with 3:37 before halftime.
APSU had a 49-43 lead in the early second half, before the Racers mounted their rally.
Danero Thomas, who scored a career-high 30 points against the Govs a year ago, scored 23 in this one and made two three-pointers in the second half. He also tied his career-high with 11 rebounds.
Tony Easley scored 12 points to go with eight boards, to help the Racers push their home win streak to 16.
The night was a special even before Miles' buzzer beater.
The MSU Hall of Fame 2010 class was honored and Marcus Brown had his No. 5 retired at halftime.
The Racers return to action Thursday with a 7:30 p.m. game at Tennessee Tech and travel to Jacksonville State Saturday for a 4:30 p.m. game. Both games will be aired on the Racer Television Network.
Video of final shot (Video by WPSD, audio by the Racer Radio Network with Neal Bradley):
Campbellsville Defeats Georgetown for First Time Since 2006
Campbellsville 71
Georgetown 64
Final from Campbellsville, Kentucky
Game recap by CU:
Seniors Jordan Benock and T.J. Bishop can now say they've beaten every team in the Mid-South Conference, as Campbellsville University took down rival Georgetown College, 71-64, Saturday for the first time since the 2006 Mid-South Conference Tournament, they took down Georgetown.
"That says a lot about Georgetown's dominance. It says a lot about how hard it is to beat them. Give our guys the credit though. I'm so happy for them and so proud of them. We're not done, but at least they can taste that huge win over a big rival," CU head coach Keith Adkins said.
Adkins left the Benock, Bishop and senior center Nestor Colmenares, with one thought as they prepared for the rivalry game. "Do you want to end your career without beating this bunch?"
The seniors responded, as Colmenares led CU with 18 points and nine rebounds, Benock led the team with three assists and Bishop scored all nine of his points in the final eight minutes of the game.
Campbellsville opened the game with an 11-4 lead, but it didn't take long for Georgetown to work the game even and take the lead, 18-16, on a fast break by Villanova transfer Casiem Drummond. It was the first of 14 lead changes in the game.
CU held Georgetown's lead to three points entering halftime, 33-30, but was getting beat on the glass at Georgetown's end of the court. Campbellsville allowed five Georgetown offensive rebounds in the final two minutes of the first half - the same length of time Happy Osborne's team took the lead.
"They had 10 offensive rebounds in the half, and I told our guys at the half, that's not good enough. We won't win if they duplicate that in the second half, but we came back out and held them to just two in the second half," Adkins said.
CU blew the rebound battle wide open in the second half, finishing the game with 41 boards to Georgetown's 27. Leon Hart led the way for CU on the offensive glass with a game-high seven offensive rebounds. Most of those offensive rebounds resulted in points, including a put-back with 15 minutes left in the game to give CU a 38-37 lead.
With 11 minutes left to play in the game, Bowling Green native Shawn Savage hit back-to-back 3-pointers to turn a 42-41 game into a seven-point lead, 48-41, and the maroon Tigers never let up.
Bishop, who has been Mr. Clutch for the Tigers through conference play, was scoreless and shooting 0-of-6 from the field through the first 32 minutes of the game. But when Georgetown cut the lead to four points, 53-49, with 8:29 to play, Bishop came alive. The Boynton Beach, Fla., native worked the lead to six with a pair of free throws, then hit a 3-pointer two minutes later to give CU its only double-figure lead of the day, 60-49.
"You don't want to deflate a kid by going up to him in the middle of a close game and say, ‘I tell you what, that better have gone in,' but I wanted to. When he shot that I thought, oh my goodness, but that shows how bad he wanted to beat this bunch," Adkins said. "He kept telling me, ‘Coach I'm going to make a play.' Up until that point he wasn't very good. He'd turned it over a few times and was just OK defensively and he just couldn't buy one. But he came up big and made a couple of good shots and made some free throws down the stretch. When we needed him, the big senior was there."
Hollis Giles led Georgetown with 26 points and four steals, while Drummond finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The win keeps Campbellsville in a two-way tie for first place in the Mid-South, with a road trip coming up Thursday to Pikeville and a chance to take sole possession of the top spot. Tip is 8 p.m. for the men and is preceded by the women.
Georgetown 64
Final from Campbellsville, Kentucky
Game recap by CU:
Seniors Jordan Benock and T.J. Bishop can now say they've beaten every team in the Mid-South Conference, as Campbellsville University took down rival Georgetown College, 71-64, Saturday for the first time since the 2006 Mid-South Conference Tournament, they took down Georgetown.
"That says a lot about Georgetown's dominance. It says a lot about how hard it is to beat them. Give our guys the credit though. I'm so happy for them and so proud of them. We're not done, but at least they can taste that huge win over a big rival," CU head coach Keith Adkins said.
Adkins left the Benock, Bishop and senior center Nestor Colmenares, with one thought as they prepared for the rivalry game. "Do you want to end your career without beating this bunch?"
The seniors responded, as Colmenares led CU with 18 points and nine rebounds, Benock led the team with three assists and Bishop scored all nine of his points in the final eight minutes of the game.
Campbellsville opened the game with an 11-4 lead, but it didn't take long for Georgetown to work the game even and take the lead, 18-16, on a fast break by Villanova transfer Casiem Drummond. It was the first of 14 lead changes in the game.
CU held Georgetown's lead to three points entering halftime, 33-30, but was getting beat on the glass at Georgetown's end of the court. Campbellsville allowed five Georgetown offensive rebounds in the final two minutes of the first half - the same length of time Happy Osborne's team took the lead.
"They had 10 offensive rebounds in the half, and I told our guys at the half, that's not good enough. We won't win if they duplicate that in the second half, but we came back out and held them to just two in the second half," Adkins said.
CU blew the rebound battle wide open in the second half, finishing the game with 41 boards to Georgetown's 27. Leon Hart led the way for CU on the offensive glass with a game-high seven offensive rebounds. Most of those offensive rebounds resulted in points, including a put-back with 15 minutes left in the game to give CU a 38-37 lead.
With 11 minutes left to play in the game, Bowling Green native Shawn Savage hit back-to-back 3-pointers to turn a 42-41 game into a seven-point lead, 48-41, and the maroon Tigers never let up.
Bishop, who has been Mr. Clutch for the Tigers through conference play, was scoreless and shooting 0-of-6 from the field through the first 32 minutes of the game. But when Georgetown cut the lead to four points, 53-49, with 8:29 to play, Bishop came alive. The Boynton Beach, Fla., native worked the lead to six with a pair of free throws, then hit a 3-pointer two minutes later to give CU its only double-figure lead of the day, 60-49.
"You don't want to deflate a kid by going up to him in the middle of a close game and say, ‘I tell you what, that better have gone in,' but I wanted to. When he shot that I thought, oh my goodness, but that shows how bad he wanted to beat this bunch," Adkins said. "He kept telling me, ‘Coach I'm going to make a play.' Up until that point he wasn't very good. He'd turned it over a few times and was just OK defensively and he just couldn't buy one. But he came up big and made a couple of good shots and made some free throws down the stretch. When we needed him, the big senior was there."
Hollis Giles led Georgetown with 26 points and four steals, while Drummond finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The win keeps Campbellsville in a two-way tie for first place in the Mid-South, with a road trip coming up Thursday to Pikeville and a chance to take sole possession of the top spot. Tip is 8 p.m. for the men and is preceded by the women.
Say a Prayer for Kentucky Assistant Coach Orlando Antigua
Kentucky assistant Orlando Antigua has suffered a torn Achilles tendon during a game of pickup basketball. He was forced to miss the LSU trip.
I have witnessed this injury firsthand two times - once during a basketball game and once during a non-sports related accident. It is one of the most painful, bizarre injuries I have ever been around and trust me when I say, Coach Antigua needs your prayers tonight.
Kentucky Dismantles Weak LSU Team at Baton Rouge
(3) Kentucky 81
Lousiana State 55
Final from Baton Rouge, Lousiana
Game recap by Kentucky:
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Freshman DeMarcus Cousins had 19 points and 13 rebounds for his sixth consecutive double-double and No. 4 Kentucky cruised past LSU 81-55 on Saturday.
Cousins, who played only 20 minutes, is eighth in the country in doubles-doubles with 14 and 24th in the nation in rebounding.
The Wildcats (22-1, 7-1 Southeastern Conference) trailed 6-1 until John Wall hit a jumper 4:29 into the game. They needed only 3 minutes to erase LSU's lead, scoring 41 of the next 49 points to take a 42-14 halftime lead.
Patrick Patterson had 16 points for Kentucky and Eric Bledsoe added 10. The Tigers limited Wall, the star freshman, to season-low six points on 2-of-9 shooting. It marked only the second time that Wall failed to reach double figures this season.
LSU (9-14, 0-9) shot less than 19 percent from the field in the first half and finished at 26.7 percent overall (21 of 66).
Bo Spencer led LSU with 25 points, 19 in the second half, but he had seven turnovers. Tasmin Mitchell added 10 points for the Tigers.
The margin of defeat matched LSU's biggest of the season. LSU lost to Connecticut by the same score in the NIT Season Tipoff in November.
LSU, which won the conference last season, is still searching for its first league victory in this one.
The Tigers played scrappy defense, but had a hard time slowing down the much bigger and faster Wildcats, who average 82.4 points a game. Kentucky outscored LSU 34-14 in the paint and allowed the Tigers no second-chance or fast-break points.
Kentucky outrebounded LSU 53-31.
The Wildcats led by as many as 33 points, taking control and allowing coach John Calipari to play most of his bench, which provided 22 points.
DeMarcus Cousins Talks to Media After the Game:
Video courtesy John Clay, Lexington Herald-Leader via YouTube
Lousiana State 55
Final from Baton Rouge, Lousiana
Game recap by Kentucky:
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Freshman DeMarcus Cousins had 19 points and 13 rebounds for his sixth consecutive double-double and No. 4 Kentucky cruised past LSU 81-55 on Saturday.
Cousins, who played only 20 minutes, is eighth in the country in doubles-doubles with 14 and 24th in the nation in rebounding.
The Wildcats (22-1, 7-1 Southeastern Conference) trailed 6-1 until John Wall hit a jumper 4:29 into the game. They needed only 3 minutes to erase LSU's lead, scoring 41 of the next 49 points to take a 42-14 halftime lead.
Patrick Patterson had 16 points for Kentucky and Eric Bledsoe added 10. The Tigers limited Wall, the star freshman, to season-low six points on 2-of-9 shooting. It marked only the second time that Wall failed to reach double figures this season.
LSU (9-14, 0-9) shot less than 19 percent from the field in the first half and finished at 26.7 percent overall (21 of 66).
Bo Spencer led LSU with 25 points, 19 in the second half, but he had seven turnovers. Tasmin Mitchell added 10 points for the Tigers.
The margin of defeat matched LSU's biggest of the season. LSU lost to Connecticut by the same score in the NIT Season Tipoff in November.
LSU, which won the conference last season, is still searching for its first league victory in this one.
The Tigers played scrappy defense, but had a hard time slowing down the much bigger and faster Wildcats, who average 82.4 points a game. Kentucky outscored LSU 34-14 in the paint and allowed the Tigers no second-chance or fast-break points.
Kentucky outrebounded LSU 53-31.
The Wildcats led by as many as 33 points, taking control and allowing coach John Calipari to play most of his bench, which provided 22 points.
DeMarcus Cousins Talks to Media After the Game:
Video courtesy John Clay, Lexington Herald-Leader via YouTube
Louisville Puts Rutgers Away at Freedom Hall
Louisville 76
Rutgers 60
Final from Louisville, Kentucky
Game recap by Louisville:
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Jerry Smith scored 16 points and Samardo Samuels had a double-double Saturday as Louisville beat Rutgers 76-60.
Samuels had 14 points and 11 rebounds the Cardinals (15-8, 6-4 Big East), who led 47-43 with 16:20 to play before going on a 10-2 spurt for a 57-45 advantage with 12:23 left. Smith scored five points during the spurt.
Louisville led 63-50 with 8:53 remaining when the Scarlet Knights scored six straight points to close within 63-56 with 7:13 to play. But the Cardinals went on an 8-2 run for a 71-58 lead, as Rutgers got no closer than 10 points the rest of the way.
Smith made 5 of 9 shots from the field, including 4 of 7 from beyond the arc. Samuels made 4 of 7 shots. Senior guard Edgar Soso had 13 points and eight assists, while Jared Swopeshsire added 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
Rutgers (11-12, 2-9) had its two-game winning streak snapped.
Rick Pitino's Postgame Quotes:
(Opening Statement) "Going in this was our trap game. There's always a (trap) game mentally and we talked about it all week. The coaches said we had some wars that have taken a lot out of us and this was our game that was very similar to what can happen in the Big East. You have to come through that trap and play good enough defense to get a W and get out. We played good enough to win tonight and Rutgers did a tremendous job of staying in the game. They were beating our pressure early on with the quick in-bounds. He (Jared Swopshire) did a good job of rebounding tonight and gave us a great lift. Offensively, we were breaking our assignments. Swop, Jerry and Samardo played a really intelligent basketball game."
"We have two off days coming up and we have been in our four or five wars. Rutgers had been playing good basketball of late. They beat Notre Dame and beat St. John's undermanned a little bit, but they play good basketball. We knew it going in. We had to stay focused, going to the backboard and do a good job of making sure we got good shots going down the stretch."
(On Jared Swopshire) "He was the key in the first half as well in the second half. Swop is getting better and better and is the guy who has improved the most. Samardo is improving and Swop is improving. Those guys are really getting better."
(On the improvement of Jerry Smith) "Jerry had seven rebounds and three steals and he is driving more and mixing up his game. The offensive slump, which I don't pay much attention to, made him a better basketball player because he drives more. I think it has made him more of a complete basketball player and his shot is coming back as well."
(On shots from perimeter helping the offense) "I think it is key for us because Samardo is getting so much attention. That is why having Swop is such an offensive weapon for us. We can step out and shoot from one, two, three and four, and he gave us a big lift. I think, without question, we weren't hitting those before. Now, he is hitting them wasn't before."
(On Swopshire coming off the bench) "I thought he was playing really good basketball all along, but like I said, our chemistry got a little bit better. We had been starting TJ, but he was pouting and not playing. To be honest, he should be disappointed because the only time he got in was when Samardo was playing poorly. He is a competitor, so he should be disappointed. It is helping us now but (Samardo) didn't play well tonight. The scouting report was in Chinese for him. We needed Will Scott to translate for him. It was in a different language and I will have to get on Stevie Mass (Massiello) about that."
"This was a trap game. I thought the focus was good, but this is a trap game. You see it whether it is Providence at home against USF or another team. It probably happened against WVU today. They were down and ended up going on a 25-2 run. In BIG EAST, it happens all the time. We have been through so many wars and adversity. We knew this was going to happen tonight."
(On the upcoming schedule) "We will take two days off because the rule book says one day off a week or two days every 14 days. We want to get two days preparation for every opponent and we will take two days off right now and face St. John's at the Garden and Syracuse. We said six out of nine and now it is five out of eight, which becomes a little more realistic. Three weeks ago it was a little unrealistic and now it is more realistic."
(On Samardo being aggressive) "I think Samardo is playing really good basketball. I thought three weeks ago, he was acting real immature and wasn't coming around mentally. But now, he's coming around a lot more professionally, doing good things. He made a good pass to Jared back door and those are things he wasn't doing before. He is becoming much more of a complete basketball player."
(On his memory of the Cards' 1975 team) "I do remember. It may sound strange, but (where I grew up) we had no one to root for, there was just the Knicks. You didn't root for a college team. St. John's was it if you were going to, otherwise it was just the Yankee League Conference, so Louisville always stuck out. For a lot of New Yorkers, Louisville was a team you rooted for primarily because they were a city team that had a lot of African Americans, while other southern teams did not. We rooted hard for Louisville so we knew that at the time. Louisville has not only been admired for the way they played but for the tradition of basketball. That always excited everybody. Each era excited people and had great basketball players. There was the Camden Connection and the Mt. Vernon Connection and the local connection, which I wish would come back."
(On Muhammad Ali being at the game) "I like Muhammad Ali. Our players did not see him fight but they know him. He is the most recognized athlete in the world. We are proud of him being from Louisville and for him to come back here. There is a guy like Rakeem (Buckles) who was cheering and looking and wanting to meet Ali. But here we have a game to play. But it is great and it's great for Louisville. It is great that Muhammad is back and we were excited to see him."
(On the team coming together) "We played really good basketball. In a trap game, we played well today. We played terrific at WVU and really good at Pitt. It is our own fault that we missed free throws down the stretch. It happens in a game. I think we are executing in the half court really well. I thought we played excellent and did a lot of good things against a team that really came to play -- playing really loose and well in Rutgers." Source
Rutgers 60
Final from Louisville, Kentucky
Game recap by Louisville:
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Jerry Smith scored 16 points and Samardo Samuels had a double-double Saturday as Louisville beat Rutgers 76-60.
Samuels had 14 points and 11 rebounds the Cardinals (15-8, 6-4 Big East), who led 47-43 with 16:20 to play before going on a 10-2 spurt for a 57-45 advantage with 12:23 left. Smith scored five points during the spurt.
Louisville led 63-50 with 8:53 remaining when the Scarlet Knights scored six straight points to close within 63-56 with 7:13 to play. But the Cardinals went on an 8-2 run for a 71-58 lead, as Rutgers got no closer than 10 points the rest of the way.
Smith made 5 of 9 shots from the field, including 4 of 7 from beyond the arc. Samuels made 4 of 7 shots. Senior guard Edgar Soso had 13 points and eight assists, while Jared Swopeshsire added 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
Rutgers (11-12, 2-9) had its two-game winning streak snapped.
Rick Pitino's Postgame Quotes:
(Opening Statement) "Going in this was our trap game. There's always a (trap) game mentally and we talked about it all week. The coaches said we had some wars that have taken a lot out of us and this was our game that was very similar to what can happen in the Big East. You have to come through that trap and play good enough defense to get a W and get out. We played good enough to win tonight and Rutgers did a tremendous job of staying in the game. They were beating our pressure early on with the quick in-bounds. He (Jared Swopshire) did a good job of rebounding tonight and gave us a great lift. Offensively, we were breaking our assignments. Swop, Jerry and Samardo played a really intelligent basketball game."
"We have two off days coming up and we have been in our four or five wars. Rutgers had been playing good basketball of late. They beat Notre Dame and beat St. John's undermanned a little bit, but they play good basketball. We knew it going in. We had to stay focused, going to the backboard and do a good job of making sure we got good shots going down the stretch."
(On Jared Swopshire) "He was the key in the first half as well in the second half. Swop is getting better and better and is the guy who has improved the most. Samardo is improving and Swop is improving. Those guys are really getting better."
(On the improvement of Jerry Smith) "Jerry had seven rebounds and three steals and he is driving more and mixing up his game. The offensive slump, which I don't pay much attention to, made him a better basketball player because he drives more. I think it has made him more of a complete basketball player and his shot is coming back as well."
(On shots from perimeter helping the offense) "I think it is key for us because Samardo is getting so much attention. That is why having Swop is such an offensive weapon for us. We can step out and shoot from one, two, three and four, and he gave us a big lift. I think, without question, we weren't hitting those before. Now, he is hitting them wasn't before."
(On Swopshire coming off the bench) "I thought he was playing really good basketball all along, but like I said, our chemistry got a little bit better. We had been starting TJ, but he was pouting and not playing. To be honest, he should be disappointed because the only time he got in was when Samardo was playing poorly. He is a competitor, so he should be disappointed. It is helping us now but (Samardo) didn't play well tonight. The scouting report was in Chinese for him. We needed Will Scott to translate for him. It was in a different language and I will have to get on Stevie Mass (Massiello) about that."
"This was a trap game. I thought the focus was good, but this is a trap game. You see it whether it is Providence at home against USF or another team. It probably happened against WVU today. They were down and ended up going on a 25-2 run. In BIG EAST, it happens all the time. We have been through so many wars and adversity. We knew this was going to happen tonight."
(On the upcoming schedule) "We will take two days off because the rule book says one day off a week or two days every 14 days. We want to get two days preparation for every opponent and we will take two days off right now and face St. John's at the Garden and Syracuse. We said six out of nine and now it is five out of eight, which becomes a little more realistic. Three weeks ago it was a little unrealistic and now it is more realistic."
(On Samardo being aggressive) "I think Samardo is playing really good basketball. I thought three weeks ago, he was acting real immature and wasn't coming around mentally. But now, he's coming around a lot more professionally, doing good things. He made a good pass to Jared back door and those are things he wasn't doing before. He is becoming much more of a complete basketball player."
(On his memory of the Cards' 1975 team) "I do remember. It may sound strange, but (where I grew up) we had no one to root for, there was just the Knicks. You didn't root for a college team. St. John's was it if you were going to, otherwise it was just the Yankee League Conference, so Louisville always stuck out. For a lot of New Yorkers, Louisville was a team you rooted for primarily because they were a city team that had a lot of African Americans, while other southern teams did not. We rooted hard for Louisville so we knew that at the time. Louisville has not only been admired for the way they played but for the tradition of basketball. That always excited everybody. Each era excited people and had great basketball players. There was the Camden Connection and the Mt. Vernon Connection and the local connection, which I wish would come back."
(On Muhammad Ali being at the game) "I like Muhammad Ali. Our players did not see him fight but they know him. He is the most recognized athlete in the world. We are proud of him being from Louisville and for him to come back here. There is a guy like Rakeem (Buckles) who was cheering and looking and wanting to meet Ali. But here we have a game to play. But it is great and it's great for Louisville. It is great that Muhammad is back and we were excited to see him."
(On the team coming together) "We played really good basketball. In a trap game, we played well today. We played terrific at WVU and really good at Pitt. It is our own fault that we missed free throws down the stretch. It happens in a game. I think we are executing in the half court really well. I thought we played excellent and did a lot of good things against a team that really came to play -- playing really loose and well in Rutgers." Source
Western Kentucky Grabs Much-Needed Victory
Western Kentucky 87
Troy 69
Final from Bowling Green, Kentucky
Game recap by Western Kentucky:
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Behind a long range barrage, Western Kentucky University (13-11, 6-6 SBC) knocked down a season-high 12 three-pointers to bounce back against the Sun Belt Conference East-leading Troy Trojans (13-11, 8-5 SBC) 87-69 on Saturday night before a crowd of 6,531 at E.A. Diddle Arena. Steffphon Pettigrew scored a season-best 25 points to lead four players in double figures.
The 6-5 junior from Elizabethtown, Ky. opened the game with a three-pointer from the left wing, one of his three long balls on the night, as WKU led 7-0 before Brandon Hazzard got the Trojans on the board with a 16-footer at the 16:30 mark. Hazzard entered the game tied with AJ Slaughter for the Sun Belt scoring lead at 17.0 ppg.
Troy drew within a bucket at 11-9 on an Antywan Jones' breakaway dunk with 13:14 left in the first half, but Pettigrew fueled a 25-10 run, scoring nine points, as the Hilltoppers broke the game open 36-19 on Slaughter's second triple with 7:12 to play. Slaughter, Pettigrew, and Sergio Kerusch all connected from downtown during the decisive spurt.
The 43-28 lead at the break marked the largest of the season for the Hilltoppers. As a team, WKU was 8-of-14 from three-point range in the opening stanza.
WKU opened the second half just the way it ended the first, with a 16-6 run, to balloon the spread to 25, leading 59-34 on a Cliff Dixon offensive rebound and dunk with 13:11 to play. Dixon finished with five points and four rebounds in 15 key minutes off the bench.
Troy made its run over the ensuing four minutes, rattling off 16 of the game's next 21 points to claw within 64-50 on rare four-point-play from Michael Vogler with 9:30 to play. But after the Trojans had a few opportunities to further close the gap, Pettigrew converted a pair of free throws with 7:38 on the clock and then freshman Caden Dickerson caught fire down the stretch, knocking down a pair of threes and scoring nine of the Hilltoppers' final 21 points as WKU won going away 87-69. Dickerson finished with a career-high 15 points with 12 coming in the second half.
The 87 points was the most scored by the Hilltoppers this season, and equals the most WKU has scored in a game since beating Troy 99-76 at Diddle Arena last season.
Slaughter finished with 17 points on 9-of-12 at the stripe to go with four points and three steals in 36 minutes as he edged in front of Hazzard for the Sun Belt scoring lead. Hazzard tallied 16 on the night.
Sergio Kerusch, in his second game back after missing 14-straight contests with a foot injury, added 15 points on 3-of-6 from long range to go with four rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes off the bench. Jeremy Evans had his career-best five-game double-digit scoring streak halted with nine points.
Jones led the Trojans with 20 points while Vogler chipped in 11.
WKU won the battle of the boards 41-30, shot 46.2 percent on 12-of-26 from downtown, and finished with a 24-13 edge in points off turnovers.
WKU steps back out of conference play for the final time in 2009-10 when the Hilltoppers host Houston on Tuesday, February 9 at 7:00 PM. Aubrey Coleman not only leads the Cougars in the scoring at 25.9 ppg, but is the top scorer in all of Division I, more than a full point per game ahead of Notre Dame's Luke Harangody. The game will be a white-out and all WKU fans are asked to where white to the game. The first 1,000 students in attendance will receive a free Russell t-shirt.
Troy 69
Final from Bowling Green, Kentucky
Game recap by Western Kentucky:
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Behind a long range barrage, Western Kentucky University (13-11, 6-6 SBC) knocked down a season-high 12 three-pointers to bounce back against the Sun Belt Conference East-leading Troy Trojans (13-11, 8-5 SBC) 87-69 on Saturday night before a crowd of 6,531 at E.A. Diddle Arena. Steffphon Pettigrew scored a season-best 25 points to lead four players in double figures.
The 6-5 junior from Elizabethtown, Ky. opened the game with a three-pointer from the left wing, one of his three long balls on the night, as WKU led 7-0 before Brandon Hazzard got the Trojans on the board with a 16-footer at the 16:30 mark. Hazzard entered the game tied with AJ Slaughter for the Sun Belt scoring lead at 17.0 ppg.
Troy drew within a bucket at 11-9 on an Antywan Jones' breakaway dunk with 13:14 left in the first half, but Pettigrew fueled a 25-10 run, scoring nine points, as the Hilltoppers broke the game open 36-19 on Slaughter's second triple with 7:12 to play. Slaughter, Pettigrew, and Sergio Kerusch all connected from downtown during the decisive spurt.
The 43-28 lead at the break marked the largest of the season for the Hilltoppers. As a team, WKU was 8-of-14 from three-point range in the opening stanza.
WKU opened the second half just the way it ended the first, with a 16-6 run, to balloon the spread to 25, leading 59-34 on a Cliff Dixon offensive rebound and dunk with 13:11 to play. Dixon finished with five points and four rebounds in 15 key minutes off the bench.
Troy made its run over the ensuing four minutes, rattling off 16 of the game's next 21 points to claw within 64-50 on rare four-point-play from Michael Vogler with 9:30 to play. But after the Trojans had a few opportunities to further close the gap, Pettigrew converted a pair of free throws with 7:38 on the clock and then freshman Caden Dickerson caught fire down the stretch, knocking down a pair of threes and scoring nine of the Hilltoppers' final 21 points as WKU won going away 87-69. Dickerson finished with a career-high 15 points with 12 coming in the second half.
The 87 points was the most scored by the Hilltoppers this season, and equals the most WKU has scored in a game since beating Troy 99-76 at Diddle Arena last season.
Slaughter finished with 17 points on 9-of-12 at the stripe to go with four points and three steals in 36 minutes as he edged in front of Hazzard for the Sun Belt scoring lead. Hazzard tallied 16 on the night.
Sergio Kerusch, in his second game back after missing 14-straight contests with a foot injury, added 15 points on 3-of-6 from long range to go with four rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes off the bench. Jeremy Evans had his career-best five-game double-digit scoring streak halted with nine points.
Jones led the Trojans with 20 points while Vogler chipped in 11.
WKU won the battle of the boards 41-30, shot 46.2 percent on 12-of-26 from downtown, and finished with a 24-13 edge in points off turnovers.
WKU steps back out of conference play for the final time in 2009-10 when the Hilltoppers host Houston on Tuesday, February 9 at 7:00 PM. Aubrey Coleman not only leads the Cougars in the scoring at 25.9 ppg, but is the top scorer in all of Division I, more than a full point per game ahead of Notre Dame's Luke Harangody. The game will be a white-out and all WKU fans are asked to where white to the game. The first 1,000 students in attendance will receive a free Russell t-shirt.
Hicks is Clutch as Pikeville Earns Overtime Road Win
Pikeville College 79
Lindsey Wilson 78
Final from Columbia, Kentucky
Game recap by Pikeville College
COLUMBIA, Ky. – Junior Justin Hicks hit two free throws with 12 seconds left in regulation to force overtime and then a 14-foot jumper with 14 seconds left to push Pikeville College past Lindsey Wilson College 79-78 Saturday at the Biggers Sports Center.
For Hicks, who scored the 1,000th point of his career on Thursday, those were four of only seven points he had in the game.
Lindsey Wilson (12-12, 3-5 in the Mid-South Conference) led by 17 (39-22) after senior Eric McPherson hit a jumper with 58 seconds left in the first half to end a 12-0 Blue Raider run. The edge was 39-24 at the half.
But Pikeville slowly, methodically battled back, getting the lead under double digits for the last time when senior Maurice Thomas hit two free throws with 14:04 left to make it 43-35.
Lindsey led the entire way, and when senior Andrija Tintor hit two free throws with 2:51 left, the edge was back to eight at 66-58. From there, the Bears scored 10 of the last 12 points of regulation.
Down five (68-63) with 21 seconds left, junior Chris Donald scored in traffic and was fouled, hitting the free throw. The Bears then forced a turnover, with Hicks going to the line with 12 seconds left.
The junior from Hazard calmly hit both free throws to tie the game and send it to overtime. It was the first tie of the basketball game.
Pikeville (19-3, 6-2) took their first lead of the game with 4:12 left in overtime when senior Jonathan Clark converted a three-point play (71-68). But Lindsey wasn’t finished, battling back to take the lead twice.
With 29 seconds left, Tintor got the ball inside and scored to tie the game at 77. He hit the free throw to put his team in front 78-77.
But Pikeville got it downcourt to Hicks, who hit a jumper with 14 seconds left. It was only his second field goal in 14 attempts in the game, but put the Bears in front.
Lindsey had two more opportunities, missing inside on a shot the Bears fumbled out of bounds with 4.5 seconds left. McPherson sprang free with a 17-foot jumper as the horn sounded that bounced off the side of the rim.
Clark led the Bears with 16 points and added five rebounds. Donald followed with 15, while Thomas came off the bench for 14 and a team-high eight rebounds.
The Raiders were led by freshman Kalen Kimberland’s 20 points. Tintor turned in a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Raiders won the rebounding battle 45-38.
Junior Jeremiah Diebler had 12 points on 3-of-6 shooting from the arc, while McPherson finished with 11 and nine rebounds.
Pikeville will return to action on Monday night, traveling to Bristol, Tenn., for the last non-conference game of the season at King College at 7. It will begin Revenge Week for the Bears, who entered the week with only two losses – to King on Dec. 2, and to Campbellsville on Jan. 14. The Tigers come to Pikeville on Thursday night.
Lindsey Wilson will host Rio Grande on Thursday night at 8 p.m. CST.
Lindsey Wilson 78
Final from Columbia, Kentucky
Game recap by Pikeville College
COLUMBIA, Ky. – Junior Justin Hicks hit two free throws with 12 seconds left in regulation to force overtime and then a 14-foot jumper with 14 seconds left to push Pikeville College past Lindsey Wilson College 79-78 Saturday at the Biggers Sports Center.
For Hicks, who scored the 1,000th point of his career on Thursday, those were four of only seven points he had in the game.
Lindsey Wilson (12-12, 3-5 in the Mid-South Conference) led by 17 (39-22) after senior Eric McPherson hit a jumper with 58 seconds left in the first half to end a 12-0 Blue Raider run. The edge was 39-24 at the half.
But Pikeville slowly, methodically battled back, getting the lead under double digits for the last time when senior Maurice Thomas hit two free throws with 14:04 left to make it 43-35.
Lindsey led the entire way, and when senior Andrija Tintor hit two free throws with 2:51 left, the edge was back to eight at 66-58. From there, the Bears scored 10 of the last 12 points of regulation.
Down five (68-63) with 21 seconds left, junior Chris Donald scored in traffic and was fouled, hitting the free throw. The Bears then forced a turnover, with Hicks going to the line with 12 seconds left.
The junior from Hazard calmly hit both free throws to tie the game and send it to overtime. It was the first tie of the basketball game.
Pikeville (19-3, 6-2) took their first lead of the game with 4:12 left in overtime when senior Jonathan Clark converted a three-point play (71-68). But Lindsey wasn’t finished, battling back to take the lead twice.
With 29 seconds left, Tintor got the ball inside and scored to tie the game at 77. He hit the free throw to put his team in front 78-77.
But Pikeville got it downcourt to Hicks, who hit a jumper with 14 seconds left. It was only his second field goal in 14 attempts in the game, but put the Bears in front.
Lindsey had two more opportunities, missing inside on a shot the Bears fumbled out of bounds with 4.5 seconds left. McPherson sprang free with a 17-foot jumper as the horn sounded that bounced off the side of the rim.
Clark led the Bears with 16 points and added five rebounds. Donald followed with 15, while Thomas came off the bench for 14 and a team-high eight rebounds.
The Raiders were led by freshman Kalen Kimberland’s 20 points. Tintor turned in a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Raiders won the rebounding battle 45-38.
Junior Jeremiah Diebler had 12 points on 3-of-6 shooting from the arc, while McPherson finished with 11 and nine rebounds.
Pikeville will return to action on Monday night, traveling to Bristol, Tenn., for the last non-conference game of the season at King College at 7. It will begin Revenge Week for the Bears, who entered the week with only two losses – to King on Dec. 2, and to Campbellsville on Jan. 14. The Tigers come to Pikeville on Thursday night.
Lindsey Wilson will host Rio Grande on Thursday night at 8 p.m. CST.
Bellarmine Handles Maryville with Ease
Bellarmine 86
Maryville 67
Final from Louisville, Kentucky
Game recap by Bellarmine:
LOUISVILLE, KY—The Bellarmine University men’s basketball team used a balanced scoring attack to derail Maryville University, 86-67, on Saturday afternoon in front of 905 fans at Knights Hall.
Bellarmine (16-7, 9-5 GLVC) had five players score in double figures, led by Luke Sprague’s 17 points and five rebounds. Sprague connected on three of four opportunities from beyond the three-point line, and added five rebounds.
The Knights trailed by one point at halftime, thanks to a 59.3 percent shooting effort by Maryville. The Saints drained eight of 13 threes in the half for a staggering 61.5 percent. Bellarmine’s defense cooled them off in the second period, as Maryville finished the game at 44.6 percent.
“To allow (Maryville) to shoot that well in the first half was disturbing to me,” Bellarmine Head Coach Scott Davenport said.
Justin Benedetti (15), Jeremy Kendle (14), Kevin Allen (12), and Chris Dowe (10) were the other Bellarmine players to tally double digits in points.
Braydon Hobbs led all players with nine assists, while Oladapo Fagbenle pulled down a team-high six reboubnds. The Knights outrebounded Maryville 36-27 for the game.
“(Fagbenle) did so many things that don’t show up on the stat sheet, but help you win championships,” Davenport said. From setting screens to his low-post play and blocking out, he was key in this game.”
Maryville (2-21, 0-14 GLVC) was led by Tyler Saxton’s 25 points off nine of 16 shooting from the field. Steven Gallian led all players with eight rebounds, and Mike Ford had four assists.
Bellarmine moves into a critical final stretch of the season, beginning Thursday night with a home contest against Northern Kentucky University, who the Knights beat 74-69 in front of a national television audience on January 23.
“Every game from this point forward, our NCAA Tournament berth is on the line,” Davenport said.
Tipoff for Thursday’s game is scheduled for 8 p.m.
Maryville 67
Final from Louisville, Kentucky
Game recap by Bellarmine:
LOUISVILLE, KY—The Bellarmine University men’s basketball team used a balanced scoring attack to derail Maryville University, 86-67, on Saturday afternoon in front of 905 fans at Knights Hall.
Bellarmine (16-7, 9-5 GLVC) had five players score in double figures, led by Luke Sprague’s 17 points and five rebounds. Sprague connected on three of four opportunities from beyond the three-point line, and added five rebounds.
The Knights trailed by one point at halftime, thanks to a 59.3 percent shooting effort by Maryville. The Saints drained eight of 13 threes in the half for a staggering 61.5 percent. Bellarmine’s defense cooled them off in the second period, as Maryville finished the game at 44.6 percent.
“To allow (Maryville) to shoot that well in the first half was disturbing to me,” Bellarmine Head Coach Scott Davenport said.
Justin Benedetti (15), Jeremy Kendle (14), Kevin Allen (12), and Chris Dowe (10) were the other Bellarmine players to tally double digits in points.
Braydon Hobbs led all players with nine assists, while Oladapo Fagbenle pulled down a team-high six reboubnds. The Knights outrebounded Maryville 36-27 for the game.
“(Fagbenle) did so many things that don’t show up on the stat sheet, but help you win championships,” Davenport said. From setting screens to his low-post play and blocking out, he was key in this game.”
Maryville (2-21, 0-14 GLVC) was led by Tyler Saxton’s 25 points off nine of 16 shooting from the field. Steven Gallian led all players with eight rebounds, and Mike Ford had four assists.
Bellarmine moves into a critical final stretch of the season, beginning Thursday night with a home contest against Northern Kentucky University, who the Knights beat 74-69 in front of a national television audience on January 23.
“Every game from this point forward, our NCAA Tournament berth is on the line,” Davenport said.
Tipoff for Thursday’s game is scheduled for 8 p.m.
Centre Rebounds with Important Road Win Over DePauw
Centre 63
DePauw 56
Final from DePauw
Game recap by Centre College:
After suffering three straight close loses the Centre men's basketball team was able to come away with a 63-56 win over DePauw University on Saturday, Feb. 6 in Greencastle, Ind. Centre improved to 11-8 on the season and 7-5 in the SCAC with the win over the Tigers.
DePauw began the game by going up 6-1 on the Colonels, but Centre would tie the game at 6-6 when freshman Josh Crawford (Corbin, Ky.) made a layup with 13:46 to go in the game. The Tigers then went on an 8-0 during the next 2:57 to go up 14-6.
Centre would comeback and take a 19-18 lead after freshman Bryon Ellis (Russell Springs, Ky.) hit a three point basket with 3:13 to go in the half.
During the remainder of the first half the lead would switch a few times and at the end of the half Centre was ahead 24-22.
The Colonels shot 39% from the field and 50% from the free throw line during the first half, while the Tigers shot 36% from the floor and 67% from the free throw line.
Centre would build a six point lead in the first few minutes of the second half, but DePauw would fight back and take the 31-30 lead after Tony James hit a jumper with 15:38 to go in the game.
The Tigers were eventually able to build a five point lead of their own in the second half.
Centre sophomore Jeff Mullaney (Louisville, Ky.) would hit a layup at the 11:14 mark to tie the game at 41-41. Senior Danny Noll (Ft. Mitchell, Ky.) then hit a layup to put the Colonels up 43-41.
DePauw would tie the game back up and then go up by one at the 8:16 mark after James hit a pair of free throw shots to make the score 45-44. The lead would go back and forth the next few possessions and with 6:45 to go in the game Centre would take control as Noll hit a layup to make the score 51-49.
The Colonels went on to win the game 63-56 after shooting 51% from the floor and 68% from the free throw line. DePauw was only able to hit 42% of their shots from the floor in the game, but they did shoot 85% from the free throw line.
Crawford led Centre in scoring with 16 points, while junior Alex Lloyd (Versailles, Ky.) recorded nine rebounds. Noll had four assists in the game.
James was the leading scorer for DePauw as he registered 19 points. Tom Callen and Steve Lemasters each had five rebounds.
Centre will take on Oglethorpe University next on Friday, Feb. 12 in Atlanta, Ga. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m.
DePauw 56
Final from DePauw
Game recap by Centre College:
After suffering three straight close loses the Centre men's basketball team was able to come away with a 63-56 win over DePauw University on Saturday, Feb. 6 in Greencastle, Ind. Centre improved to 11-8 on the season and 7-5 in the SCAC with the win over the Tigers.
DePauw began the game by going up 6-1 on the Colonels, but Centre would tie the game at 6-6 when freshman Josh Crawford (Corbin, Ky.) made a layup with 13:46 to go in the game. The Tigers then went on an 8-0 during the next 2:57 to go up 14-6.
Centre would comeback and take a 19-18 lead after freshman Bryon Ellis (Russell Springs, Ky.) hit a three point basket with 3:13 to go in the half.
During the remainder of the first half the lead would switch a few times and at the end of the half Centre was ahead 24-22.
The Colonels shot 39% from the field and 50% from the free throw line during the first half, while the Tigers shot 36% from the floor and 67% from the free throw line.
Centre would build a six point lead in the first few minutes of the second half, but DePauw would fight back and take the 31-30 lead after Tony James hit a jumper with 15:38 to go in the game.
The Tigers were eventually able to build a five point lead of their own in the second half.
Centre sophomore Jeff Mullaney (Louisville, Ky.) would hit a layup at the 11:14 mark to tie the game at 41-41. Senior Danny Noll (Ft. Mitchell, Ky.) then hit a layup to put the Colonels up 43-41.
DePauw would tie the game back up and then go up by one at the 8:16 mark after James hit a pair of free throw shots to make the score 45-44. The lead would go back and forth the next few possessions and with 6:45 to go in the game Centre would take control as Noll hit a layup to make the score 51-49.
The Colonels went on to win the game 63-56 after shooting 51% from the floor and 68% from the free throw line. DePauw was only able to hit 42% of their shots from the floor in the game, but they did shoot 85% from the free throw line.
Crawford led Centre in scoring with 16 points, while junior Alex Lloyd (Versailles, Ky.) recorded nine rebounds. Noll had four assists in the game.
James was the leading scorer for DePauw as he registered 19 points. Tom Callen and Steve Lemasters each had five rebounds.
Centre will take on Oglethorpe University next on Friday, Feb. 12 in Atlanta, Ga. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m.
Brescia Wins Tough KIAC Battle Over Asbury College
Brescia 63
Asbury 57
Final from Owensboro, Kentucky
Game recap by Asbury:
Owensboro, Ky. - Brescia snapped Asbury's four game winning streak on Saturday with a 63-57 win over the Eagles. Asbury now slides back to 3rd in the KIAC with Brescia taking sole possession of 2nd place.
Phillip Morrison (Louisville, Ky.) led the Eagles with 19 points on eight-of-17 shooting, including three-of-four from three, but it was the two that he didn't get that were the most important. With 30 seconds left and Asbury down four Morrison drove down the right side and elevated as a defender slid underneath of him, he made the shot but was whistled for a charge and Asbury lost it's best opportunity to rally back. Morrison also led the team with five assists.
Brian Johnson (Wilmore, Ky.) scored 14 points and Justin Jones (Hazard, Ky.) had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Both Johnson and Jones had to battle the big, athletic front line of Brescia all night and limited Anthony Ingram, Andre Sharp, and Hugh Weiskittel to a combined 23 points and 18 rebounds.
Brescia was led by Andrew Howard who poured in a game-high 23 points on nine-of-16 shooting and was three-of-five from three. Howard scored 19 points in the first half, but Daniel Drury's defense in the second half shut him down until Howard hit two tough jumpers late in the game. Brescia shot 41% from the field while Asbury was 43%. The Eagles turned the ball over 18 times while the Bearcats protected the ball with only eight turnovers. Asbury won the battle on the boards 37-33.
Asbury (13-13, 5-4 KIAC) will finish the road portion of their season schedule with a trip to Cincinnati Christian on Tuesday February 9th at 8:00 pm.
Asbury 57
Final from Owensboro, Kentucky
Game recap by Asbury:
Owensboro, Ky. - Brescia snapped Asbury's four game winning streak on Saturday with a 63-57 win over the Eagles. Asbury now slides back to 3rd in the KIAC with Brescia taking sole possession of 2nd place.
Phillip Morrison (Louisville, Ky.) led the Eagles with 19 points on eight-of-17 shooting, including three-of-four from three, but it was the two that he didn't get that were the most important. With 30 seconds left and Asbury down four Morrison drove down the right side and elevated as a defender slid underneath of him, he made the shot but was whistled for a charge and Asbury lost it's best opportunity to rally back. Morrison also led the team with five assists.
Brian Johnson (Wilmore, Ky.) scored 14 points and Justin Jones (Hazard, Ky.) had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Both Johnson and Jones had to battle the big, athletic front line of Brescia all night and limited Anthony Ingram, Andre Sharp, and Hugh Weiskittel to a combined 23 points and 18 rebounds.
Brescia was led by Andrew Howard who poured in a game-high 23 points on nine-of-16 shooting and was three-of-five from three. Howard scored 19 points in the first half, but Daniel Drury's defense in the second half shut him down until Howard hit two tough jumpers late in the game. Brescia shot 41% from the field while Asbury was 43%. The Eagles turned the ball over 18 times while the Bearcats protected the ball with only eight turnovers. Asbury won the battle on the boards 37-33.
Asbury (13-13, 5-4 KIAC) will finish the road portion of their season schedule with a trip to Cincinnati Christian on Tuesday February 9th at 8:00 pm.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
MSU Nets Win as Tech Has No Answer for Faried
Morehead State 84
Tennessee Tech 75
Final from Morehead, Kentucky
Game recap by Morehead State University:
MOREHEAD, Ky.— Senior Brandon Shingles and sophomore Steve Peterson picked a good night to have career performances.
Peterson and Shingles both had career highs and were two of four Morehead State players in double figures, leading the Eagles to an 84-75 win over Tennessee Tech Saturday night at Johnson Arena.
Junior Kenneth Faried had 26 points, one off his career high, and Peterson finished with 20 points, setting a new career high by four points. Junior Demonte Harper scored 17 points and Shingles had 13 points, eclipsing his previous career high of 11. Faried also pulled down 17 rebounds for his ninth straight double-double and 18th overall.
It was Morehead State’s (17-7; 11-2 OVC) second straight win and 13th in the last 14 games. It was also MSU’s fifth straight win over the Golden Eagles. Morehead State shot over 50 percent from the field for the second straight game, hitting 27-of-52 for 51 percent.
Leading for most of the second half, Morehead State got the lead to eight on a stick-back dunk by Faried, but couldn’t shake the pesky Golden Eagles. MSU eventually drove the advantage to double digits until a traditional three-point play by Shingles.
TTU whittled away at the lead, closing to within three with a 3-pointer by Kevin Murphy and a pair of free throws by freshman Jud Dillard, who led the Golden Eagles with 25 points. A 6-2 Morehead run, spurred by two lay-ups by Shingles pushed the lead to seven and the Eagles hit their free throws down the stretch to secure the win.
Early offensive struggles by MSU allowed Tech to lead for the first 15 minutes of the first half, pushing it as high five on a 3-pointer by senior Frank Davis. A lay-up by Peterson and a triple by Shingles erased the Tech advantage and sparked a 12-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Harper, gave MSU a 30-23 lead with a little over three minutes left. A pair of 3-pointers from Davis helped Tech close the gap to two at halftime, 34-32.
“These are the game you have to win,” MSU coach Donnie Tyndall said. “There are no easy games in this league. They have great players and they’re well coached and I think tonight was a good example of that.”
Dillard scored his 25 on impressive 9-of-12 shooting and pulled down 12 rebounds for a double-double. Davis was 7-for-9 from beyond the arc, tallying 21 points and Murphy added 16 points for the Golden Eagles (12-12; 6-7 OVC). TTU was also the second straight opponent to score 75 points on Morehead State, who entered the game holding OVC opponents to 61.9 points per game.
The Eagles will make their final OVC road swing of the year next week, travelling to Eastern Illinois for a nationally televised game on ESPNU Thursday at 8:30 pm ET before a Saturday date at Southeast Missouri.
Tennessee Tech 75
Final from Morehead, Kentucky
Game recap by Morehead State University:
MOREHEAD, Ky.— Senior Brandon Shingles and sophomore Steve Peterson picked a good night to have career performances.
Peterson and Shingles both had career highs and were two of four Morehead State players in double figures, leading the Eagles to an 84-75 win over Tennessee Tech Saturday night at Johnson Arena.
Junior Kenneth Faried had 26 points, one off his career high, and Peterson finished with 20 points, setting a new career high by four points. Junior Demonte Harper scored 17 points and Shingles had 13 points, eclipsing his previous career high of 11. Faried also pulled down 17 rebounds for his ninth straight double-double and 18th overall.
It was Morehead State’s (17-7; 11-2 OVC) second straight win and 13th in the last 14 games. It was also MSU’s fifth straight win over the Golden Eagles. Morehead State shot over 50 percent from the field for the second straight game, hitting 27-of-52 for 51 percent.
Leading for most of the second half, Morehead State got the lead to eight on a stick-back dunk by Faried, but couldn’t shake the pesky Golden Eagles. MSU eventually drove the advantage to double digits until a traditional three-point play by Shingles.
TTU whittled away at the lead, closing to within three with a 3-pointer by Kevin Murphy and a pair of free throws by freshman Jud Dillard, who led the Golden Eagles with 25 points. A 6-2 Morehead run, spurred by two lay-ups by Shingles pushed the lead to seven and the Eagles hit their free throws down the stretch to secure the win.
Early offensive struggles by MSU allowed Tech to lead for the first 15 minutes of the first half, pushing it as high five on a 3-pointer by senior Frank Davis. A lay-up by Peterson and a triple by Shingles erased the Tech advantage and sparked a 12-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Harper, gave MSU a 30-23 lead with a little over three minutes left. A pair of 3-pointers from Davis helped Tech close the gap to two at halftime, 34-32.
“These are the game you have to win,” MSU coach Donnie Tyndall said. “There are no easy games in this league. They have great players and they’re well coached and I think tonight was a good example of that.”
Dillard scored his 25 on impressive 9-of-12 shooting and pulled down 12 rebounds for a double-double. Davis was 7-for-9 from beyond the arc, tallying 21 points and Murphy added 16 points for the Golden Eagles (12-12; 6-7 OVC). TTU was also the second straight opponent to score 75 points on Morehead State, who entered the game holding OVC opponents to 61.9 points per game.
The Eagles will make their final OVC road swing of the year next week, travelling to Eastern Illinois for a nationally televised game on ESPNU Thursday at 8:30 pm ET before a Saturday date at Southeast Missouri.
Eastern Kentucky Escapes with One-Point Win
Eastern Kentucky 66
Jacksonville State 65
Final from Richmond, Kentucky
Game recap by Eastern Kentucky:
RICHMOND, Ky. – Junior Justin Stommes converted the go-ahead layup with 21 seconds remaining and sophomore Joshua Jones drew a charge on the ensuing possession to help the Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team escape with a 66-65 win over Jacksonville State Saturday night in McBrayer Arena.
Eastern Kentucky (17-8, 9-4 OVC) is now 7-0 all-time at home against the Gamecocks (10-13, 6-7).
With JSU clinging to a 65-64 edge, Stommes drove to the rim, drew some contact and completed the layup to give the Colonels the lead with 21 ticks on the clock. On Jacksonville State’s ensuing possession, Jones drew a charge on Nick Murphy with six seconds left. The Gamecocks were then forced to foul. Jones missed the resulting free throws attempts to give Jacksonville State one final chance, but Jeremy Bynum’s desperation three-pointer was wide left as the clock expired.
Eastern senior Papa Oppong led all scorers with 20 points, which was one point shy of his career high. Stommes and Jones scored 16 and 12 points, respectively. Junior Spencer Perrin came off the bench to score 11 points and tally a team-best six rebounds.
Trenton Marshall paced JSU with 19 points, while Murphy contributed with 15 points and Bynum scored 13.
JSU led for a majority of the first half before a step-back three pointer by Jones with 12 seconds on the clock tied the score at 25-25.
However, Murphy converted a layup four seconds before intermission to send the Gamecocks into the locker room ahead, 27-25.
The Colonels shot just 38.5 percent from the field in the first half and turned the ball over six times. JSU, meanwhile, committed only two turnovers in the first 20 minutes, but was 0-for-8 from three-point range.
EKU wasted little time in getting its first lead since 16:11 in the first half, as Oppong drained a trifecta 43 seconds into the second half to give the Colonels a 28-27 advantage.
After a three by Bynum sparked a JSU rally that put the Gamecocks up 39-33, Stommes scored six straight points by himself to tie the score at 39 with 11:24 showing on the clock.
EKU took the lead again when Perrin converted a three-point play to make it 46-45 with 9:30 remaining in the game.
Two minutes later, a pair of free throws by Oppong gave the Colonels their largest lead of the game, 57-50. However, JSU responded as Marshall knocked down a jumper with 4:41 on the clock to cap a 10-2 run to give the Gamecocks the lead, 60-59. JSU would not relinquish the lead again until Stommes’ layup with 21 seconds showing on the clock.
Jacksonville State forced 15 EKU turnovers, the most by the Colonels in 14 games dating back to Dec. 19 at Ohio. Eastern held its own on the glass, though, and improved to 5-0 this year when finishing with more rebounds than the opposition (30-28).
EKU returns to action on Thursday, Feb. 11, when the Colonels travel to Southeast Missouri at 8:45 p.m.
Jacksonville State 65
Final from Richmond, Kentucky
Game recap by Eastern Kentucky:
RICHMOND, Ky. – Junior Justin Stommes converted the go-ahead layup with 21 seconds remaining and sophomore Joshua Jones drew a charge on the ensuing possession to help the Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team escape with a 66-65 win over Jacksonville State Saturday night in McBrayer Arena.
Eastern Kentucky (17-8, 9-4 OVC) is now 7-0 all-time at home against the Gamecocks (10-13, 6-7).
With JSU clinging to a 65-64 edge, Stommes drove to the rim, drew some contact and completed the layup to give the Colonels the lead with 21 ticks on the clock. On Jacksonville State’s ensuing possession, Jones drew a charge on Nick Murphy with six seconds left. The Gamecocks were then forced to foul. Jones missed the resulting free throws attempts to give Jacksonville State one final chance, but Jeremy Bynum’s desperation three-pointer was wide left as the clock expired.
Eastern senior Papa Oppong led all scorers with 20 points, which was one point shy of his career high. Stommes and Jones scored 16 and 12 points, respectively. Junior Spencer Perrin came off the bench to score 11 points and tally a team-best six rebounds.
Trenton Marshall paced JSU with 19 points, while Murphy contributed with 15 points and Bynum scored 13.
JSU led for a majority of the first half before a step-back three pointer by Jones with 12 seconds on the clock tied the score at 25-25.
However, Murphy converted a layup four seconds before intermission to send the Gamecocks into the locker room ahead, 27-25.
The Colonels shot just 38.5 percent from the field in the first half and turned the ball over six times. JSU, meanwhile, committed only two turnovers in the first 20 minutes, but was 0-for-8 from three-point range.
EKU wasted little time in getting its first lead since 16:11 in the first half, as Oppong drained a trifecta 43 seconds into the second half to give the Colonels a 28-27 advantage.
After a three by Bynum sparked a JSU rally that put the Gamecocks up 39-33, Stommes scored six straight points by himself to tie the score at 39 with 11:24 showing on the clock.
EKU took the lead again when Perrin converted a three-point play to make it 46-45 with 9:30 remaining in the game.
Two minutes later, a pair of free throws by Oppong gave the Colonels their largest lead of the game, 57-50. However, JSU responded as Marshall knocked down a jumper with 4:41 on the clock to cap a 10-2 run to give the Gamecocks the lead, 60-59. JSU would not relinquish the lead again until Stommes’ layup with 21 seconds showing on the clock.
Jacksonville State forced 15 EKU turnovers, the most by the Colonels in 14 games dating back to Dec. 19 at Ohio. Eastern held its own on the glass, though, and improved to 5-0 this year when finishing with more rebounds than the opposition (30-28).
EKU returns to action on Thursday, Feb. 11, when the Colonels travel to Southeast Missouri at 8:45 p.m.
Marcus Brown Honored at Murray State
Racer great Marcus Brown saw his No. 5 retired Saturday at halftime of the Murray State game against Austin Peay at the Regional Special Events Center in Murray, Ky.
Brown who has gone on to become the all-time leading scorer in Euroleague history in his 14 years in the league was an all-star for MSU between 1992-96.
His number is the ninth retired at MSU.
The other numbers retired (numerical order) are: 15, Jeff Martin (1985-89), 16, Garrett Beshear (1950-53), 19, Howie Crittenden (1952-56), 20, Johnny Reagan (1945-48), 21, Bennie Purcell (1949-52), 26, Joe Fulks (1941-43), 30, Paul King (1987-91) and 54, Popeye Jones (1988-92)
Brown enjoyed the moment with his family as part of the weekend MSU Hall of Fame class of 2010 activities.
The Murray State family sends out well wishes to Marcus and his family
Source: Press release by Murray State
Brown who has gone on to become the all-time leading scorer in Euroleague history in his 14 years in the league was an all-star for MSU between 1992-96.
His number is the ninth retired at MSU.
The other numbers retired (numerical order) are: 15, Jeff Martin (1985-89), 16, Garrett Beshear (1950-53), 19, Howie Crittenden (1952-56), 20, Johnny Reagan (1945-48), 21, Bennie Purcell (1949-52), 26, Joe Fulks (1941-43), 30, Paul King (1987-91) and 54, Popeye Jones (1988-92)
Brown enjoyed the moment with his family as part of the weekend MSU Hall of Fame class of 2010 activities.
The Murray State family sends out well wishes to Marcus and his family
Source: Press release by Murray State
Jodie Meeks to Participate in Special Olympics Clinic
Former Kentucky Wildcat sharpshooter Jodie Meeks continues to perform good deeds as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Meeks will join around half the Bucks' roster in hosting a Special Olympics Basketball Clinic.
Participating with Meeks will be Andrew Bogut, Charlie Bell, Luke Ridnour, Hakim Warrick, Kurt Thomas and Dan Gadzuric. Bucks assistants Jim Boylan and Joe Wolf will also be on hand, as well as the Bucks' mascot, Bango.
The event will include more than 200 Special Olympics athletes during a two-hour clinic that prepares their teams for upcoming competition.
Source
Meeks will join around half the Bucks' roster in hosting a Special Olympics Basketball Clinic.
Participating with Meeks will be Andrew Bogut, Charlie Bell, Luke Ridnour, Hakim Warrick, Kurt Thomas and Dan Gadzuric. Bucks assistants Jim Boylan and Joe Wolf will also be on hand, as well as the Bucks' mascot, Bango.
The event will include more than 200 Special Olympics athletes during a two-hour clinic that prepares their teams for upcoming competition.
Source
Georgetown College Hopes to Break in Louisville's New Arena
Sources tell LouisvilleMojo.com that Georgetown College hopes to become Louisville's firts opponent in their new basketball arena.
Here is an excerpt:
Sources at Georgetown College tell me they hope Coach Happy Osborne's Tigers will be the University of Louisville's first exhibition opponent in the downtown arena. However, I'm sure Bellarmine Coach Scott Davenport is lobbying ex-boss Rick Pitino for the same honor.
I'll be surprised if U of L plays any exhibition games before the official grand opening. That opponent has yet to be named, but I understand that U of L and Duke are negotiating for a three-game series – next season's opener in the new arena here, a game in Cameron Indoor, and a neutral-site game in New York's Madison Square Garden.
Personally, I think the official opening-game opponent should be Memphis, in honor of the Cards' best rivalry during the Freedom Hall era, but it's understandable that U of L would want to schedule one of the nation's signature programs – North Carolina, UCLA, or Indiana if not Duke.
Complete Article
Here is an excerpt:
Sources at Georgetown College tell me they hope Coach Happy Osborne's Tigers will be the University of Louisville's first exhibition opponent in the downtown arena. However, I'm sure Bellarmine Coach Scott Davenport is lobbying ex-boss Rick Pitino for the same honor.
I'll be surprised if U of L plays any exhibition games before the official grand opening. That opponent has yet to be named, but I understand that U of L and Duke are negotiating for a three-game series – next season's opener in the new arena here, a game in Cameron Indoor, and a neutral-site game in New York's Madison Square Garden.
Personally, I think the official opening-game opponent should be Memphis, in honor of the Cards' best rivalry during the Freedom Hall era, but it's understandable that U of L would want to schedule one of the nation's signature programs – North Carolina, UCLA, or Indiana if not Duke.
Complete Article
Future Hilltopper Scores 37 as Yates Rolls Again
Future Western Kentucky guard Brandon "Snap" Peters scored a game-high 37 points as #1 Yates High School rolled to a 121-94 victory over Reagan High School. Yates has now won 48 consecutive basketball games.
Excerpt of article from Chron.com:
Brandon Peters scored 21 of his game-high 37 points in the second half on an array of acrobatic layups and putbacks in the paint, leading Yates to a 121-94 win over Reagan on Friday night at a packed Delmar Fieldhouse.
By defeating the Bulldogs (15-10, 7-4 District 21-4A) for the second time this season, the top-ranked Lions (24-0, 11-0) remained unbeaten and extended their winning streak to 48 games.
Darius Gardner scored 18 points, reserve Clyde Santee had 12, and Alex Davis added five blocks for Yates, which continues to find the offense to reach the 100-point mark. The Lions have surpassed 100 points in 16 games for the season.
Complete Article
Excerpt of article from Chron.com:
Brandon Peters scored 21 of his game-high 37 points in the second half on an array of acrobatic layups and putbacks in the paint, leading Yates to a 121-94 win over Reagan on Friday night at a packed Delmar Fieldhouse.
By defeating the Bulldogs (15-10, 7-4 District 21-4A) for the second time this season, the top-ranked Lions (24-0, 11-0) remained unbeaten and extended their winning streak to 48 games.
Darius Gardner scored 18 points, reserve Clyde Santee had 12, and Alex Davis added five blocks for Yates, which continues to find the offense to reach the 100-point mark. The Lions have surpassed 100 points in 16 games for the season.
Complete Article
Friday, February 5, 2010
Source: Brandon Knight Will Announce Decision After Season
I talked to Fabian Lyon of the Miami-Herald today about 2010 superstar recruit Brandon Knight.
Lyon has covered Knight and his recruitment as closely as anyone and has a great deal of insight on the nation's top-rated player in next season's recruiting class.
Reports that Knight is close to making a decision may be false according to Lyon. In fact, he cites sources close to Knight as saying that he will likely announce his decision after his high school season ends.
He adds that everything he is hearing from Knight and his circle would indicate that no favorite has emerged from his final list at this time. In comments from a recent post-game interview, Knight stated that he has no favorite from his final list of six schools: Kentucky, Florida, Syracuse, Miami (FL), Connecticut and Kansas.
Here are a pair of Lyon's recent articles on Brandon Knight and Pine Crest:
Another good source told me tonight that it is possible that Knight has already made a decision or will make one soon, but will not announce it publicly until after the season. This would limit any distractions for Knight's team as they enter the stretch run of their high school season.
The source I spoke with tonight said that his gut feeling is that a decision has already been made and that even the coaching staffs of the schools on Knight's list may have already been informed. He added that if this is the scenario, Knight's decision will very likely be leaked before a public press conference is held.
After watching Knight on ESPNU tonight, the level of excitement surrounding his recruitment is very understandable. Knight dropped 48 points (15-36 FG, 15-15 FTs) on Austin Rivers and Winter Park.
Rivers, who scored 41 points himself, earned the last laugh though as Winter Park defeated Pine Crest by a score of 87-76.
Kentucky's John Wall is Finalist for Bob Cousy Award
Kentucky freshman point guard John Wall has been named one of the eleven finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, given to the top point guard in college basketball.
The list, which was trimmed from 73 to 11, also includes the likes of Kansas' Sherron Collin and Villanova's Scottie Reynolds.
Finalists for the Bob Cousy Award:
- John Wall, Kentucky
- Sherron Collins, Kansas
- Matt Bouldin, Gonzaga
- Devan Downey, South Carolina
- Trevon Hughes, Wisconsin
- Jeremy Lin, Harvard
- Kalin Lucas, Michigan State
- Ronald Moore, Siena
- Scottie Reynolds, Villanova
- Jon Scheyer, Duke
- Greivis Vasquez, Maryland
The winner will be announced April 5 at the Final Four.
The winner will be announced April 5 at the Final Four.
Benedetti Leads Knights to Victory Over Missouri S&T
Bellarmine 81
Missouri S&T 65
Final from Louisville, Kentucky
Game recap by Bellarmine:
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Justin Benedetti scored a game-high 24 points as the Bellarmine University men’s basketball team outscored the Missouri University of Science & Technology by 18 in the second stanza to win 81-65 on Thursday night at Knights Hall.
The Knights (15-7, 8-5 GLVC), coming out of the halftime break in a 34-32 deficit, exploded for 19 points in the first media segment of the second half. Benedetti connected on two consecutive three-pointers, before Missouri S&T called a timeout. Braydon Hobbs stole the ball on the ensuing possession and passed it to Benedetti for yet another triple.
“At halftime, we talked about how we were going to have each other’s backs, especially offensively,” Bellarmine Head Coach Scott Davenport said. “You have to give them credit. They all found (Benedetti) whenever he was open.”
Benedetti was one of three double-digit scorers for the victorious Knights. Luke Sprague posted 16, while Jeremy Kendle added 12, including 10 in the second half.
Bellarmine dominated the glass throughout the game, outrebounding the Miners 38-24. The Knights also dished out 21 assists on 29 made field goals.
“The key stat for us tonight was getting 15 assists on 18 made baskets in the second half,” Davenport said.
The Miners (7-14, 3-10 GLVC) were led by Bryce Forster’s 18 points and eight rebounds. Adam Knollmeyer, A.J. Mandani, and Byron Bundy all scored 11 or more, while Mike Malat had a team-high four assists.
Bellarmine returns to the court on Saturday afternoon with a game against conference newcomer Maryville University. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. at Knights Hall.
Missouri S&T 65
Final from Louisville, Kentucky
Game recap by Bellarmine:
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Justin Benedetti scored a game-high 24 points as the Bellarmine University men’s basketball team outscored the Missouri University of Science & Technology by 18 in the second stanza to win 81-65 on Thursday night at Knights Hall.
The Knights (15-7, 8-5 GLVC), coming out of the halftime break in a 34-32 deficit, exploded for 19 points in the first media segment of the second half. Benedetti connected on two consecutive three-pointers, before Missouri S&T called a timeout. Braydon Hobbs stole the ball on the ensuing possession and passed it to Benedetti for yet another triple.
“At halftime, we talked about how we were going to have each other’s backs, especially offensively,” Bellarmine Head Coach Scott Davenport said. “You have to give them credit. They all found (Benedetti) whenever he was open.”
Benedetti was one of three double-digit scorers for the victorious Knights. Luke Sprague posted 16, while Jeremy Kendle added 12, including 10 in the second half.
Bellarmine dominated the glass throughout the game, outrebounding the Miners 38-24. The Knights also dished out 21 assists on 29 made field goals.
“The key stat for us tonight was getting 15 assists on 18 made baskets in the second half,” Davenport said.
The Miners (7-14, 3-10 GLVC) were led by Bryce Forster’s 18 points and eight rebounds. Adam Knollmeyer, A.J. Mandani, and Byron Bundy all scored 11 or more, while Mike Malat had a team-high four assists.
Bellarmine returns to the court on Saturday afternoon with a game against conference newcomer Maryville University. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. at Knights Hall.
Kentucky Wesleyan Spanks Maryville at Home
(16) Kentucky Wesleyan 110
Maryville 76
Final from Owensboro, Kentucky
Excerpt of game recap by KWC:
After two weeks of grinding road games, Kentucky Wesleyan College was ready for a little fun on the basketball court.
The No. 16 Panthers certainly found the opportunity on Thursday night.
Shooting 3s with abandon and getting up and down the court like an NBA game, KWC rolled to a 110-76 shootout victory against Maryville.
"It was a lot of fun, but we still had to come out and play hard," said Willlie Richardson, who led the Panthers with 17 points.
Richardson had one of the most memorable shots on the night when he made a steal, and took it by himself for a tomahawk slam that had the Sportscenter crowd of 2,000 howling in approval.
"I've had plenty of those," Richardson said about his circus dunk numbers for this season.
The 6-foot-2 junior out of New Orleans also pulled down eight rebounds and wasn't the only Panther enjoying himself on the offensive end of the court. He was one of seven Panthers reaching double figures in the scoring column.
Complete Recap
NOTE: Kentucky Wesleyan holds at #16 in this week's NCAA DII Rankings
Maryville 76
Final from Owensboro, Kentucky
Excerpt of game recap by KWC:
After two weeks of grinding road games, Kentucky Wesleyan College was ready for a little fun on the basketball court.
The No. 16 Panthers certainly found the opportunity on Thursday night.
Shooting 3s with abandon and getting up and down the court like an NBA game, KWC rolled to a 110-76 shootout victory against Maryville.
"It was a lot of fun, but we still had to come out and play hard," said Willlie Richardson, who led the Panthers with 17 points.
Richardson had one of the most memorable shots on the night when he made a steal, and took it by himself for a tomahawk slam that had the Sportscenter crowd of 2,000 howling in approval.
"I've had plenty of those," Richardson said about his circus dunk numbers for this season.
The 6-foot-2 junior out of New Orleans also pulled down eight rebounds and wasn't the only Panther enjoying himself on the offensive end of the court. He was one of seven Panthers reaching double figures in the scoring column.
Complete Recap
NOTE: Kentucky Wesleyan holds at #16 in this week's NCAA DII Rankings
Mid-Continent Nets Critical Conference Win at Home
Mid-Continent 86
Trevecca Nazarene 75
Final from Paducah, Kentucky
Game recap by MCU:
Paducah, KY - Mid-Continent University (12-10, 5-3 TSAC) went ahead by 15 points in the first half and led 42-29 at halftime and by as many as 17 points in the second half enroute to an 86-75 TranSouth conference victory over Trevecca Nazarene University (14-7, 5-3 TSAC), Thursday, February 4, at Paducah Tilghman High School.
With Cumberland defeating Lyon Thursday night, coupled with MCU's win over Trevecca, all three schools reside in a third-place tie in the TSAC race. For its next action, MCU meets Lyon College (5-16, 1-8 TSAC) for a TranSouth game, Saturday, Feb. 6, in Batesville, Arkansas, at 4:00 p.m.
Senior guard Tiron Peoples (Kevil, KY/Heath HS) came off the bench and led the Cougars with 19 points, 12 in the first half, 2 three-pointers, 2 thunderous slam dunks, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Also off the bench, senior guard Donovan Willis (East Orange, NJ/East Orange HS/Essex CC, NJ) added 13 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, and senior All-TSAC center Kenny Thomas (Orange, NJ/Orange HS/Essex CC, NJ) returned to the starting line-up after an injury and contributed 13 points on 6 of 7 shots, 3 rebounds and a blocked shot. Senior point guard Aaron Pearson (Baton Rouge, LA/Southern Laboratory HS/Cabrillo HS, CA) finished with 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 6 steals and continues to lead the conference in steals. Senior reserve guard David Gratton (Jacksonville, FL/Sandalwood HS/Palm Beach CC, FL) added 9 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
Trevecca guard Matthew Elliott led all scorers with 21 points and had 2 three-pointers, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Guard Michael France totaled 18 points, 4 three-pointers and 4 rebounds, and forward Jeremy Dixon contributed 15 points, 2 three-pointers, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Forward Keith Morris added 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
MCU erased an 18-15 Trevecca lead at 13:07 with a 27-11 run over the rest of the first half and led 42-29 at halftime. The Cougars scored 14 consecutive points in one stretch, growing the lead from 24-23 to 38-23 with 3:57 left before intermission. In the second half, MCU built the lead to as many as 17 points, 53-36, with 15:58 left, 68-51 with 7:56 left, and 70-53 with 7:02 left in the game. Trevecca whittled the lead down to 8 points with 29 seconds left but came no closer.
After shooting .680 from the field in the first half, MCU finished the game shooting .585 from the field (31-53), made 4 of 15 three-pointers and 20 of 34 free throws and committed 17 turnovers. MCU outrebounded Trevecca, 34-22, and stole the ball 11 times. Trevecca shot .529 from the field (27-51), made 9 of 22 three-pointers and 12 of 14 free throws and committed 24 turnovers.
Trevecca Nazarene 75
Final from Paducah, Kentucky
Game recap by MCU:
Paducah, KY - Mid-Continent University (12-10, 5-3 TSAC) went ahead by 15 points in the first half and led 42-29 at halftime and by as many as 17 points in the second half enroute to an 86-75 TranSouth conference victory over Trevecca Nazarene University (14-7, 5-3 TSAC), Thursday, February 4, at Paducah Tilghman High School.
With Cumberland defeating Lyon Thursday night, coupled with MCU's win over Trevecca, all three schools reside in a third-place tie in the TSAC race. For its next action, MCU meets Lyon College (5-16, 1-8 TSAC) for a TranSouth game, Saturday, Feb. 6, in Batesville, Arkansas, at 4:00 p.m.
Senior guard Tiron Peoples (Kevil, KY/Heath HS) came off the bench and led the Cougars with 19 points, 12 in the first half, 2 three-pointers, 2 thunderous slam dunks, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Also off the bench, senior guard Donovan Willis (East Orange, NJ/East Orange HS/Essex CC, NJ) added 13 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, and senior All-TSAC center Kenny Thomas (Orange, NJ/Orange HS/Essex CC, NJ) returned to the starting line-up after an injury and contributed 13 points on 6 of 7 shots, 3 rebounds and a blocked shot. Senior point guard Aaron Pearson (Baton Rouge, LA/Southern Laboratory HS/Cabrillo HS, CA) finished with 9 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 6 steals and continues to lead the conference in steals. Senior reserve guard David Gratton (Jacksonville, FL/Sandalwood HS/Palm Beach CC, FL) added 9 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
Trevecca guard Matthew Elliott led all scorers with 21 points and had 2 three-pointers, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Guard Michael France totaled 18 points, 4 three-pointers and 4 rebounds, and forward Jeremy Dixon contributed 15 points, 2 three-pointers, 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Forward Keith Morris added 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
MCU erased an 18-15 Trevecca lead at 13:07 with a 27-11 run over the rest of the first half and led 42-29 at halftime. The Cougars scored 14 consecutive points in one stretch, growing the lead from 24-23 to 38-23 with 3:57 left before intermission. In the second half, MCU built the lead to as many as 17 points, 53-36, with 15:58 left, 68-51 with 7:56 left, and 70-53 with 7:02 left in the game. Trevecca whittled the lead down to 8 points with 29 seconds left but came no closer.
After shooting .680 from the field in the first half, MCU finished the game shooting .585 from the field (31-53), made 4 of 15 three-pointers and 20 of 34 free throws and committed 17 turnovers. MCU outrebounded Trevecca, 34-22, and stole the ball 11 times. Trevecca shot .529 from the field (27-51), made 9 of 22 three-pointers and 12 of 14 free throws and committed 24 turnovers.
Thomas More's McKeehan Earns Academic Honors
(DELAWARE, Ohio) - Thomas More College power forward Daniel McKeehan (Maineville, Ohio/Little Miami) was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV First Team today (Thursday, February 4, 2010) by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). As a first team selection, McKeehan advances to the Academic All-American ballot.
McKeehan carries a 4.00 grade point average in economics and business finance. After 20 games this season his is first on the team in scoring with 15.0 points per game and assists with 47 and is second in rebounding with 4.7 rebounds per game and steals with 39.
McKeehan and the rest of the Saints will host Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) rival Washington & Jefferson College at 3 p.m. on Saturday (February 6) at the Connor Convocation Center in Crestview Hills, Kentucky.
ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District teams are voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) within their respective district. District IV consists of member schools in the states of Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. In order to be eligible for nomination, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore and hold a 3.30 cumulative grade point average.
Source: Press release by Thomas More
McKeehan carries a 4.00 grade point average in economics and business finance. After 20 games this season his is first on the team in scoring with 15.0 points per game and assists with 47 and is second in rebounding with 4.7 rebounds per game and steals with 39.
McKeehan and the rest of the Saints will host Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) rival Washington & Jefferson College at 3 p.m. on Saturday (February 6) at the Connor Convocation Center in Crestview Hills, Kentucky.
ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District teams are voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) within their respective district. District IV consists of member schools in the states of Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. In order to be eligible for nomination, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore and hold a 3.30 cumulative grade point average.
Source: Press release by Thomas More
Justin Coleman Commits to the Louisville Cardinals
Scout.com is reporting that Justin Coleman has committed to the Louisville Cardinals.
Coleman is a 6-4 small forward that plays for Huntington Prep (W.Va.). He ranks #45 on the Rivals150 List for 2010.
Scout.com ranks Coleman as the #4 small forward in the 2010 class.
Weather Forces Changes to Union's Weekend Sports
BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - Due to heavy rains and wintry weather, the basketball doubleheader with Bluefield (Va.) College has been moved to Monday and the Union baseball season opener with University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) has been pushed back to Sunday.
As of noon on Friday, Bluefield had already received eight inches of snow with the forecast calling for more and did not feel it would be safe to make the trip Saturday. The Lady Bulldogs will now play Monday at 5:30 p.m. with the men's game set for 7:30 p.m.
The Bulldog baseball team was to open the season Saturday, but the rainy weather and the forecast of more rain and potentially snow on Saturday has postponed the game with Cumberlands until Sunday at 1 p.m.
As of noon on Friday, Bluefield had already received eight inches of snow with the forecast calling for more and did not feel it would be safe to make the trip Saturday. The Lady Bulldogs will now play Monday at 5:30 p.m. with the men's game set for 7:30 p.m.
The Bulldog baseball team was to open the season Saturday, but the rainy weather and the forecast of more rain and potentially snow on Saturday has postponed the game with Cumberlands until Sunday at 1 p.m.
Hilltoppers Suffer Disappointing Loss at UL-Monroe
UL-Monroe 67
Western Kentucky 66
Final from Monroe, Louisiana
Game recap by Western Kentucky University:
MONROE, La. -- ULM (10-14, 5-8 SBC) scored the game's final seven points inside the last 1:49 to shock Western Kentucky University (12-11, 5-6 SBC) 67-66 at Fant-Ewing Coliseum on Thursday night. In handing the Hilltoppers their fifth-straight road setback, the Warhawks defeated WKU for the first time in five all-time meetings.
Jeremy Evans, playing less than one hour from his hometown of Crossett, Ark., turned in a spectacular game with a season-high 19 points to go with six rebounds and five blocks. With 200 career blocked shots, Evans passed Clarence Martin (1983-87) for second all-time at WKU, now just 14 behind Chris Marcus (2000-03) for the top spot.
Trailing by 10 at the half, WKU scored the first eight points of the final stanza, and behind a 20-9 run in the opening nine minutes, claimed their first lead at 48-47 on a three-pointer from Caden Dickerson. After combining for just eight first-half points, AJ Slaughter and Steffphon Pettigrew each scored six during the run.
ULM proceeded to tie the game on three occasions, but were unable to retake the advantage as WKU built their largest spread of the game, 60-54, with 4:59 to play on an Evans' dunk. But Lawrence Gilbert scored four-straight and Colby Carr sank a pair of free throws at the 3:19 mark to knot the game up at 60-60. Carr finished with 10 points while Gilbert accounted for nine of the team's 16 bench points.
Eleven seconds after seeing their lead disappear, AJ Slaughter sank a three, and then Evans connected on his second triple of the season with 2:07 to play as WKU quickly pushed back out by their largest margin, 66-60.
Tommie Sykes converted a key three-point play on the ensuing possession with 1:47 remaining and then after WKU misfired on a three-point attempt, Kenneth Averette connnected on a game-tying triple with 25 ticks left to knot the score at 66-66.
WKU seemingly had a chance to win the game with the final shot, or at least do no worse than overtime, but Gilbert turned WKU over next midcourt and kicked it ahead to Dynile Forbes who was fouled with 1.9 left. Forbes made the first of his two free throw attempts to seal the upset 67-66.
Forbes finished with a game-high 22 points after scoring 20 in the first half on 6-of-6 from long range. Rudy Turner was an inside presence for the Warhawks with 11 points, eight rebounds, and six blocks.
In the first half, ULM raced to a 15-7 advantage and pushed that spread into double figures on a Forbes' trey with 6:02 left, making it 30-20. The Warhwaks would carry that 10-point bulge into the lockerroom at the break, ahead 38-28.
Slaughter finished with 18 points while Pettigrew added nine. Dickerson contributed 10 points while Sergio Kerusch chipped in seven points and five rebounds in his first game back after missing 14-straight contests with a foot injury.
WKU returns home to host Troy on Saturday, February 6 at 7:00 PM at Diddle Arena.
Western Kentucky 66
Final from Monroe, Louisiana
Game recap by Western Kentucky University:
MONROE, La. -- ULM (10-14, 5-8 SBC) scored the game's final seven points inside the last 1:49 to shock Western Kentucky University (12-11, 5-6 SBC) 67-66 at Fant-Ewing Coliseum on Thursday night. In handing the Hilltoppers their fifth-straight road setback, the Warhawks defeated WKU for the first time in five all-time meetings.
Jeremy Evans, playing less than one hour from his hometown of Crossett, Ark., turned in a spectacular game with a season-high 19 points to go with six rebounds and five blocks. With 200 career blocked shots, Evans passed Clarence Martin (1983-87) for second all-time at WKU, now just 14 behind Chris Marcus (2000-03) for the top spot.
Trailing by 10 at the half, WKU scored the first eight points of the final stanza, and behind a 20-9 run in the opening nine minutes, claimed their first lead at 48-47 on a three-pointer from Caden Dickerson. After combining for just eight first-half points, AJ Slaughter and Steffphon Pettigrew each scored six during the run.
ULM proceeded to tie the game on three occasions, but were unable to retake the advantage as WKU built their largest spread of the game, 60-54, with 4:59 to play on an Evans' dunk. But Lawrence Gilbert scored four-straight and Colby Carr sank a pair of free throws at the 3:19 mark to knot the game up at 60-60. Carr finished with 10 points while Gilbert accounted for nine of the team's 16 bench points.
Eleven seconds after seeing their lead disappear, AJ Slaughter sank a three, and then Evans connected on his second triple of the season with 2:07 to play as WKU quickly pushed back out by their largest margin, 66-60.
Tommie Sykes converted a key three-point play on the ensuing possession with 1:47 remaining and then after WKU misfired on a three-point attempt, Kenneth Averette connnected on a game-tying triple with 25 ticks left to knot the score at 66-66.
WKU seemingly had a chance to win the game with the final shot, or at least do no worse than overtime, but Gilbert turned WKU over next midcourt and kicked it ahead to Dynile Forbes who was fouled with 1.9 left. Forbes made the first of his two free throw attempts to seal the upset 67-66.
Forbes finished with a game-high 22 points after scoring 20 in the first half on 6-of-6 from long range. Rudy Turner was an inside presence for the Warhawks with 11 points, eight rebounds, and six blocks.
In the first half, ULM raced to a 15-7 advantage and pushed that spread into double figures on a Forbes' trey with 6:02 left, making it 30-20. The Warhwaks would carry that 10-point bulge into the lockerroom at the break, ahead 38-28.
Slaughter finished with 18 points while Pettigrew added nine. Dickerson contributed 10 points while Sergio Kerusch chipped in seven points and five rebounds in his first game back after missing 14-straight contests with a foot injury.
WKU returns home to host Troy on Saturday, February 6 at 7:00 PM at Diddle Arena.
Et Tu, Minnesota? Tubby Smith Can't Win for Losing
I have always loved Tubby Smith as a college basketball coach. He is a great coach and a school could not ask for a better person to represent its basketball program.
During Smith's last 2-3 seasons at Kentucky, however, the team did not meet expectations on the court and on the recruiting circuit. Tubby was essentially under fire for so long that he succumbed to the pressure, resigned and took the head coaching position at Minnesota.
In his third season at Minnesota, Smith is seemingly under fire again. Patrick Reusse of the Star Tribune writes that the Gophers' progress under Smith "is at a crawl."
Here are some excerpts from Reusse's article:
The complaints over Dan Monson's tenure at Minnesota were numerous and included this: Players that appeared to have talent seldom showed improvement and occasionally went backward.
We are now in the third season with the costly and much praised Tubby Smith in charge, and it's sad to report the roster has taken on a Monson-like quality.
He closes with:
That has been a too familiar theme with Smith's 2009-10 roster. For close to $2 million annually, Tubby's employers have a right to see a level of improvement in the athletes that offers no reminders of Coach Monson.
During Smith's last 2-3 seasons at Kentucky, however, the team did not meet expectations on the court and on the recruiting circuit. Tubby was essentially under fire for so long that he succumbed to the pressure, resigned and took the head coaching position at Minnesota.
In his third season at Minnesota, Smith is seemingly under fire again. Patrick Reusse of the Star Tribune writes that the Gophers' progress under Smith "is at a crawl."
Here are some excerpts from Reusse's article:
The complaints over Dan Monson's tenure at Minnesota were numerous and included this: Players that appeared to have talent seldom showed improvement and occasionally went backward.
We are now in the third season with the costly and much praised Tubby Smith in charge, and it's sad to report the roster has taken on a Monson-like quality.
He closes with:
That has been a too familiar theme with Smith's 2009-10 roster. For close to $2 million annually, Tubby's employers have a right to see a level of improvement in the athletes that offers no reminders of Coach Monson.
NOTE: The Gophers stand at 13-8 (4-5 Big Ten) on the season, but have lost 5 of their last 7 games
Smith's Time in Minnesota:
2007-08 20-14 (8-10) NIT 1st Rd.
2008-09 22-11 (9-9) NCAA 1st Rd.
2009-10 13-8 (4-5)
Terrence Ross Likely Heading to Arizona Prep School
Terrence Ross, a talented 2010 wing, it likely heading to Westwind Academy Charter High School in Phoenix, Arizona.
Ross surprisingly announced last week that he was leaving Montrose Christian (Md.) in the middle of his senior season. Sources indicate that the reason he chose to leave the well-respected program at Montrose was a "parental decision."
He will join Westwind team that is currently 24-2 on the season.
Ross is ranked #43 on the Rivals150 List for 2010. He recently de-committed from Maryland and is said to be considering Duke, Kentucky and Kansas. There are other schools interested Ross and some think Maryland is still an option.
Ross surprisingly announced last week that he was leaving Montrose Christian (Md.) in the middle of his senior season. Sources indicate that the reason he chose to leave the well-respected program at Montrose was a "parental decision."
He will join Westwind team that is currently 24-2 on the season.
Ross is ranked #43 on the Rivals150 List for 2010. He recently de-committed from Maryland and is said to be considering Duke, Kentucky and Kansas. There are other schools interested Ross and some think Maryland is still an option.
St. Catharine Grabs Conference Road Win at LWC
St. Catharine 61
Lindsey Wilson 58
Final from Columbia, Kentucky
Game recap by LWC:
COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Despite four ties and two one-point leads, the Lindsey Wilson College men's basketball team was never able to get over the hump and take control of the game as St. Catharine (Ky.) College held on for a 61-58 win on Thursday at Biggers Sports Center.
Joshua Cherry paced the Blue Raiders with a career-high 18 points, while Eric McPherson tallied 13 and Kemo Duncan added 11.
St. Catharine (16-7, 3-4 MSC) was led by Ervin Williams with 14 points and Arthur Latham adding 10 points and six rebounds.
Lindsey Wilson (12-11, 3-4 MSC) led once by one point in each half, while seven points were the most it trailed the entire game.
Latham hit a jumper in the paint with just less than three minutes to play that pushed the Patriot lead to four points (58-54). Then the Blue Raiders went to work at the free throw line, including a made basket on a foul by Cherry that tied the game at 58-58 with just over a minute left in the game.
The Blue Raiders, however, would not score again as they turned the ball over in the final 20 seconds and missed a three to tie the game in the final seconds.
Lindsey Wilson shot 43.2 percent from the field, while St. Catharine hit 52.0 percent of its shots. The Patriots finished the game without a 3-pointer on five attempts. The Blue Raiders hit just 30.0 percent (3-for-10) of its shots from behind the arc.
Led by Duncan and Darren Ballou with eight rebounds each, Lindsey Wilson outrebounded St. Catharine 30-28. The Blue Raiders turned the ball over 22 times as the Patriots stripped away 11 steals.
Lindsey Wilson returns to action at 4 p.m. CT on Saturday, Feb. 6 against Pikeville (Ky.) College at Biggers Sports Center.
Lindsey Wilson 58
Final from Columbia, Kentucky
Game recap by LWC:
COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Despite four ties and two one-point leads, the Lindsey Wilson College men's basketball team was never able to get over the hump and take control of the game as St. Catharine (Ky.) College held on for a 61-58 win on Thursday at Biggers Sports Center.
Joshua Cherry paced the Blue Raiders with a career-high 18 points, while Eric McPherson tallied 13 and Kemo Duncan added 11.
St. Catharine (16-7, 3-4 MSC) was led by Ervin Williams with 14 points and Arthur Latham adding 10 points and six rebounds.
Lindsey Wilson (12-11, 3-4 MSC) led once by one point in each half, while seven points were the most it trailed the entire game.
Latham hit a jumper in the paint with just less than three minutes to play that pushed the Patriot lead to four points (58-54). Then the Blue Raiders went to work at the free throw line, including a made basket on a foul by Cherry that tied the game at 58-58 with just over a minute left in the game.
The Blue Raiders, however, would not score again as they turned the ball over in the final 20 seconds and missed a three to tie the game in the final seconds.
Lindsey Wilson shot 43.2 percent from the field, while St. Catharine hit 52.0 percent of its shots. The Patriots finished the game without a 3-pointer on five attempts. The Blue Raiders hit just 30.0 percent (3-for-10) of its shots from behind the arc.
Led by Duncan and Darren Ballou with eight rebounds each, Lindsey Wilson outrebounded St. Catharine 30-28. The Blue Raiders turned the ball over 22 times as the Patriots stripped away 11 steals.
Lindsey Wilson returns to action at 4 p.m. CT on Saturday, Feb. 6 against Pikeville (Ky.) College at Biggers Sports Center.
Morehead State Shakes Off Peay; Rolls Over Jacksonville State
Morehead State 94
Jacksonville State 75
Final from Morehead, Kentucky
Game recap by Morehead State University:
MOREHEAD, Ky.— Maze Stallworth poured in a season high 26 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field and tallied 11 rebounds to lead Morehead State to a 94-75 victory over Jacksonville State Thursday night in Johnson Arena.
The Eagles (16-7, 10-2 OVC) came out firing, jumping out to a 10-2 lead on treys from Terrance Hill and Stallworth, and lay-ups from Kenneth Faried and Sam Goodman.
MSU continued to maintain its lead throughout the first half and Hill’s third 3-point bomb of the period stretched the Eagle lead to 15 at 35-20.
JSU clawed back into the game however, using an 8-1 run to cut the MSU advantage to eight, 36-28 with 5:58 to go in the opening stanza. That was as close as the Gamecocks would get as two freebies from Stallworth and a Ty Proffitt alley-oop to Faried stopped the Gamecock run and elevated the MSU lead back into double-digits. Stallworth’s free throws started a 10-3 MSU run that stretched the Eagle lead back to 46-31.
Treys from Brandon Shingles and Steve Peterson sandwiched around two Gamecock scores made the half-time score 52-36 in favor of MSU.
Faried totaled 10 points and eight rebounds in the half and the Eagles shot 53 percent from both the field (18-of-34) and from behind the arc (8-of-15) en route to their highest scoring half of basketball this season. MSU also held an outstanding 25-7 edge on the boards at the half.
MSU opened the second¬ half much the same way they opened the first, this time going on a 9-4 run during the first four minutes. Buckets by Faried, Peterson, Goodman and a triple by Stallworth contributed to the scoring spurt that pushed the lead over the 20 point mark, 61-40.
The MSU offense continued to fire on all cylinders, despite Faried fouling out with 11:15 to go in the game, and the Eagles cruised home from there to a 94-75 victory. The season-high 94 points was the most scored by an Eagle squad since MSU also put up 94 against Tennessee State last season. The Eagles shot a season high 53 percent from the field and nailed a season high 13 3-pointers in the contest.
“I would have taken [Faried] out with eight minutes left in the game anyway,” said MSU coach Donnie Tyndall, “but he wanted to play.”
MSU dominated the glass in the contest, outrebounding the Gamecocks 41-20. 17 of those rebounds came on the offensive end.
“Our goal is to lead the country in rebound margin and I think we have a chance,” stated Tyndall.
Stallworth led MSU with a season high 26 points to go with 11 rebounds, his second double-double of the year. Harper led three other Eagles in double figures with 18, 12 in the second half, Faried tallied 12, and Peterson finished with 10. The Eagles also tallied a season high in assists with 26 led by Shingles with seven while Proffitt dished out a career high six.
“We were unselfish, and we put a very big emphasis on getting the ball out of our hands,” said Tyndall.
Nick Murphy tallied a double-double for JSU, scoring 22 points and 12 rebounds. Jeremy Bynum had 15 points, Dominique Shellman had 14. Morehead State held OVC scoring leader Trenton Marshall to 10 points, 8.6 points shy of his season average.
MSU is back in action Saturday night when the host Tennessee Tech. Tip is set for 8:00 pm in Johnson Arena.
Jacksonville State 75
Final from Morehead, Kentucky
Game recap by Morehead State University:
MOREHEAD, Ky.— Maze Stallworth poured in a season high 26 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field and tallied 11 rebounds to lead Morehead State to a 94-75 victory over Jacksonville State Thursday night in Johnson Arena.
The Eagles (16-7, 10-2 OVC) came out firing, jumping out to a 10-2 lead on treys from Terrance Hill and Stallworth, and lay-ups from Kenneth Faried and Sam Goodman.
MSU continued to maintain its lead throughout the first half and Hill’s third 3-point bomb of the period stretched the Eagle lead to 15 at 35-20.
JSU clawed back into the game however, using an 8-1 run to cut the MSU advantage to eight, 36-28 with 5:58 to go in the opening stanza. That was as close as the Gamecocks would get as two freebies from Stallworth and a Ty Proffitt alley-oop to Faried stopped the Gamecock run and elevated the MSU lead back into double-digits. Stallworth’s free throws started a 10-3 MSU run that stretched the Eagle lead back to 46-31.
Treys from Brandon Shingles and Steve Peterson sandwiched around two Gamecock scores made the half-time score 52-36 in favor of MSU.
Faried totaled 10 points and eight rebounds in the half and the Eagles shot 53 percent from both the field (18-of-34) and from behind the arc (8-of-15) en route to their highest scoring half of basketball this season. MSU also held an outstanding 25-7 edge on the boards at the half.
MSU opened the second¬ half much the same way they opened the first, this time going on a 9-4 run during the first four minutes. Buckets by Faried, Peterson, Goodman and a triple by Stallworth contributed to the scoring spurt that pushed the lead over the 20 point mark, 61-40.
The MSU offense continued to fire on all cylinders, despite Faried fouling out with 11:15 to go in the game, and the Eagles cruised home from there to a 94-75 victory. The season-high 94 points was the most scored by an Eagle squad since MSU also put up 94 against Tennessee State last season. The Eagles shot a season high 53 percent from the field and nailed a season high 13 3-pointers in the contest.
“I would have taken [Faried] out with eight minutes left in the game anyway,” said MSU coach Donnie Tyndall, “but he wanted to play.”
MSU dominated the glass in the contest, outrebounding the Gamecocks 41-20. 17 of those rebounds came on the offensive end.
“Our goal is to lead the country in rebound margin and I think we have a chance,” stated Tyndall.
Stallworth led MSU with a season high 26 points to go with 11 rebounds, his second double-double of the year. Harper led three other Eagles in double figures with 18, 12 in the second half, Faried tallied 12, and Peterson finished with 10. The Eagles also tallied a season high in assists with 26 led by Shingles with seven while Proffitt dished out a career high six.
“We were unselfish, and we put a very big emphasis on getting the ball out of our hands,” said Tyndall.
Nick Murphy tallied a double-double for JSU, scoring 22 points and 12 rebounds. Jeremy Bynum had 15 points, Dominique Shellman had 14. Morehead State held OVC scoring leader Trenton Marshall to 10 points, 8.6 points shy of his season average.
MSU is back in action Saturday night when the host Tennessee Tech. Tip is set for 8:00 pm in Johnson Arena.
Campbellsville Dismantles West Virginia Tech in MSC Action
(9) Campbellsville 83
West Virginia Tech 56
Final from Campbellsville, Kentucky
Game recap by Campbellsville:
Campbellsville University's energy level is up and the Tigers' smiles were back Thursday night, as CU downed West Virginia Tech, 83-56, to move back into a first-place tie in the Mid-South Conference.
The Tigers dropped from the top spot Monday after losing at home by three points to St. Catharine College with pour shooting and ball control. Thursday was a much different story, as the Tigers impressed their fans at times with their ability to work the ball around the perimeter early.
"We answered the bell to say the least. I'm real happy with our energy level and our approach to this game," CU head coach Keith Adkins said. "I don't think we came out Monday night with any energy. I think we took it lightly, and I don't think we gave St. Catharine any respect. I thought we did a good job coming out with energy, and as long as we do that, we have a chance."
Campbellsville shot 56.7 percent in the first half, while holding the Golden Bears to 33 percent, but the key was the perimeter shooting. Clinton County native Justin Vitatoe, who earned a conference starting roll last month for his defense, hit three 3-pointers in the first 13 minutes of the game to help CU gain distance. Kansas native Brett Crittenden's 3-pointer with 10:45 left to play in the first half build CU's first three-possession lead, and the Tigers didn't look back en route to a 45-32 halftime and near 30-point win.
"Vitatoe came out and banged three threes in the first half and that gave us some cushion. Anything he gives us offensively is gravy," Adkins said. "We need him to be the best perimeter defender in the conference. I want that to be his focus."
Vitatoe's assignment for the night was the Golden Bear's leading 3-point shooter, Darryl Slack, who he held to one field goal.
The Golden Bears still managed to come close to their average of seven 3-pointers a game, with six, but they were scattered. The real struggle was inside the perimeter, where CU held Tech to 5-of-22 shooting in the second half. Two of those were dunks.
"Defensively we got back to being pretty good. We didn't do a great job rebounding in the first half, but we limited them to four second chances in the second half. We have to make sure we are great defensively and great at defensive rebounding. If we're those two things, once again, I feel pretty good about our chances," Adkins said.
The Tigers' fun really started to show in the second half as the Tigers put up a highlight reel with a two-handed power dunk by Nestor Colmenares, a finger roll with plenty of air time by Jordan Benock and a 3-point shoot out for T.J. Bishop and Shawn Savage. The two guards combined for 5-of-6 beyond the arc in the second period.
Bishop led the Tigers with five 3-pointers and 15 points, while Colmenares and Caleb Harris each had 13 points and Benock had 11.
The win returns CU (17-6, 5-2) into a three-way tie for the MSC lead with Pikeville (18-3, 5-2) and Georgetown (17-5, 5-2), which comes to town Saturday at 4 p.m.
"That's great, but at the same time we've just got to concentrate on each game. We can't worry about ratings and standings. Going into Saturday, we have to worry about Georgetown," Adkins said. "The longer we go, those things will take care of themselves as long as we take care of business on the floor."
CU fans are encouraged to wear maroon as they pack Powell Athletic Center on Saturday. The game will be broadcast live on local Comcast Channel 10 in Campbellsville and streamed online at CampbellsvilleTigers.com.
West Virginia Tech 56
Final from Campbellsville, Kentucky
Game recap by Campbellsville:
Campbellsville University's energy level is up and the Tigers' smiles were back Thursday night, as CU downed West Virginia Tech, 83-56, to move back into a first-place tie in the Mid-South Conference.
The Tigers dropped from the top spot Monday after losing at home by three points to St. Catharine College with pour shooting and ball control. Thursday was a much different story, as the Tigers impressed their fans at times with their ability to work the ball around the perimeter early.
"We answered the bell to say the least. I'm real happy with our energy level and our approach to this game," CU head coach Keith Adkins said. "I don't think we came out Monday night with any energy. I think we took it lightly, and I don't think we gave St. Catharine any respect. I thought we did a good job coming out with energy, and as long as we do that, we have a chance."
Campbellsville shot 56.7 percent in the first half, while holding the Golden Bears to 33 percent, but the key was the perimeter shooting. Clinton County native Justin Vitatoe, who earned a conference starting roll last month for his defense, hit three 3-pointers in the first 13 minutes of the game to help CU gain distance. Kansas native Brett Crittenden's 3-pointer with 10:45 left to play in the first half build CU's first three-possession lead, and the Tigers didn't look back en route to a 45-32 halftime and near 30-point win.
"Vitatoe came out and banged three threes in the first half and that gave us some cushion. Anything he gives us offensively is gravy," Adkins said. "We need him to be the best perimeter defender in the conference. I want that to be his focus."
Vitatoe's assignment for the night was the Golden Bear's leading 3-point shooter, Darryl Slack, who he held to one field goal.
The Golden Bears still managed to come close to their average of seven 3-pointers a game, with six, but they were scattered. The real struggle was inside the perimeter, where CU held Tech to 5-of-22 shooting in the second half. Two of those were dunks.
"Defensively we got back to being pretty good. We didn't do a great job rebounding in the first half, but we limited them to four second chances in the second half. We have to make sure we are great defensively and great at defensive rebounding. If we're those two things, once again, I feel pretty good about our chances," Adkins said.
The Tigers' fun really started to show in the second half as the Tigers put up a highlight reel with a two-handed power dunk by Nestor Colmenares, a finger roll with plenty of air time by Jordan Benock and a 3-point shoot out for T.J. Bishop and Shawn Savage. The two guards combined for 5-of-6 beyond the arc in the second period.
Bishop led the Tigers with five 3-pointers and 15 points, while Colmenares and Caleb Harris each had 13 points and Benock had 11.
The win returns CU (17-6, 5-2) into a three-way tie for the MSC lead with Pikeville (18-3, 5-2) and Georgetown (17-5, 5-2), which comes to town Saturday at 4 p.m.
"That's great, but at the same time we've just got to concentrate on each game. We can't worry about ratings and standings. Going into Saturday, we have to worry about Georgetown," Adkins said. "The longer we go, those things will take care of themselves as long as we take care of business on the floor."
CU fans are encouraged to wear maroon as they pack Powell Athletic Center on Saturday. The game will be broadcast live on local Comcast Channel 10 in Campbellsville and streamed online at CampbellsvilleTigers.com.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Delph Continues Hot Streak; Asbury Grabs Big Win
Asbury College 94
Indiana-East 81
Final from Wilmore, Kentucky
Game recap by Asbury College:
Wilmore, Ky. – Adam Delph and Phillip Morrison combined for 57 points as Asbury won a pivotal game in the KIAC, beating Indiana-East 94-81 on Thursday night. The win keeps the Eagles in 2nd place in the KIAC, tied with Brescia at 5-3.
Delph (Louisville, Ky.) led the team in the first half with 15 points on seven-of-11 shooting. The Eagles went into the break up by six 43-37. The lead changed hands five times early on with the largest lead coming at the break. Delph poured in a career-high 29 points on 10-of-17 shooting. He hit eight-of-10 from the line and one-of-four from three. He also grabbed a team high nine rebounds, and had four steals, and two blocks.
Morrison (Louisville, Ky.) scored 28 points on the night, knifing through the Red Wolves defense and finding ways to finish over the taller defenders. Morrison hit nine-of-17 from the floor and 10-of-13 from the line. This was Morrison’s first 20 point game since January 12th against Cincinnati Christian when he scored 31.
Justin Jones (Hazard, Ky.) was also in double-figures with 11 and grabbed seven rebounds. Jones and Brian Johnson got into foul trouble in the second half, each picking up four with more than 11 minutes left. Without much depth in the frontcourt Coach Shouse went with senior Don Witt to battle the big post players of IUE. Witt only scored three points and grabbed three rebounds, but ate up 20 minutes and allowed the Eagles to stay in the game.
Asbury (13-12, 5-3 KIAC) moves above .500 for the first time since January 12th when they were 9-8. The Eagles have won four in a row, all in KIAC action. Indiana-East (12-10, 4-4 KIAC) drops into a tie for fourth in the conference with Berea. The top four seeds in this year’s KIAC Tournament will host first round games February 23rd with the semi-finals and finals taking place at the Frankfort Civic Center in Frankfort, Kentucky on February 26th and 27th.
The Eagles will travel to Owensboro, Kentucky to battle Brescia University for sole possession of second place in the KIAC on Saturday at 4:00 pm. Brescia will be playing their third game in four days. Asbury won the first meeting 65-59 in overtime.
Indiana-East 81
Final from Wilmore, Kentucky
Game recap by Asbury College:
Wilmore, Ky. – Adam Delph and Phillip Morrison combined for 57 points as Asbury won a pivotal game in the KIAC, beating Indiana-East 94-81 on Thursday night. The win keeps the Eagles in 2nd place in the KIAC, tied with Brescia at 5-3.
Delph (Louisville, Ky.) led the team in the first half with 15 points on seven-of-11 shooting. The Eagles went into the break up by six 43-37. The lead changed hands five times early on with the largest lead coming at the break. Delph poured in a career-high 29 points on 10-of-17 shooting. He hit eight-of-10 from the line and one-of-four from three. He also grabbed a team high nine rebounds, and had four steals, and two blocks.
Morrison (Louisville, Ky.) scored 28 points on the night, knifing through the Red Wolves defense and finding ways to finish over the taller defenders. Morrison hit nine-of-17 from the floor and 10-of-13 from the line. This was Morrison’s first 20 point game since January 12th against Cincinnati Christian when he scored 31.
Justin Jones (Hazard, Ky.) was also in double-figures with 11 and grabbed seven rebounds. Jones and Brian Johnson got into foul trouble in the second half, each picking up four with more than 11 minutes left. Without much depth in the frontcourt Coach Shouse went with senior Don Witt to battle the big post players of IUE. Witt only scored three points and grabbed three rebounds, but ate up 20 minutes and allowed the Eagles to stay in the game.
Asbury (13-12, 5-3 KIAC) moves above .500 for the first time since January 12th when they were 9-8. The Eagles have won four in a row, all in KIAC action. Indiana-East (12-10, 4-4 KIAC) drops into a tie for fourth in the conference with Berea. The top four seeds in this year’s KIAC Tournament will host first round games February 23rd with the semi-finals and finals taking place at the Frankfort Civic Center in Frankfort, Kentucky on February 26th and 27th.
The Eagles will travel to Owensboro, Kentucky to battle Brescia University for sole possession of second place in the KIAC on Saturday at 4:00 pm. Brescia will be playing their third game in four days. Asbury won the first meeting 65-59 in overtime.
Wall Still on Top But Turner Is Charging in POY Race
A second unofficial media poll by AnnArbor.com shows Kentucky freshman John Wall still on top in the race for college basketball's player of the year award, but by a much more narrow lead than he owned two weeks ago.
The new poll has Wall leading Ohio State's Evan Turner by a 106-82 margin. Wesley Johnson of Syracuse comes in third with 38 points.
In the first poll, Wall led Turner by 71 points.
UK "Has the Talent But Not the Heads" to Win It All
The "Basketball Outsider" feels that Kentucky is meltdown prone and essentially has no shot at winning a national championship.
Here are some excerpts from an "interesting" article:
The NCAA tournament is about getting red hot on those eleven days. Kentucky has the talent to do it but doesn’t have the head. The crowd on the host cities usually goes for the underdogs. Imagine this team, with all their cheapness, down on the second half to the Daytons, Xaviers and Butlers of the world, with the crowd on their heads, the game gets physical. All of a sudden Cousins gets ejected, Wall tries to do everything by himself and Calipari goes nuts on the sidelines. Tell me that’s not a very possible scenario.
And some thoughts on DeMarcus Cousins:
On the frontcourt, DeMarcus Cousins is such a dominant player that sometimes when I read mock drafts with him going outside the lottery I go insane but I completely understand why. Every Kentucky game there’s cheapness and on every game he’s the reason why, there’s always an elbow flying.
For fun, here's the complete article
Here are some excerpts from an "interesting" article:
The NCAA tournament is about getting red hot on those eleven days. Kentucky has the talent to do it but doesn’t have the head. The crowd on the host cities usually goes for the underdogs. Imagine this team, with all their cheapness, down on the second half to the Daytons, Xaviers and Butlers of the world, with the crowd on their heads, the game gets physical. All of a sudden Cousins gets ejected, Wall tries to do everything by himself and Calipari goes nuts on the sidelines. Tell me that’s not a very possible scenario.
And some thoughts on DeMarcus Cousins:
On the frontcourt, DeMarcus Cousins is such a dominant player that sometimes when I read mock drafts with him going outside the lottery I go insane but I completely understand why. Every Kentucky game there’s cheapness and on every game he’s the reason why, there’s always an elbow flying.
For fun, here's the complete article
Great Article on Morehead State's Kenneth Faried
Steve Megargee, a College Basketball Staff Writer for Rivals.com, has produced an excellent article about Morehead State's junior big man Kenneth Faried.
I highly recommend this article as it is a great read and a great story about a great kid.
Introduction:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The nation’s top rebounder has earned a reputation as his own toughest critic. In reality, he isn’t even the harshest judge in his family.
After collecting 20 points and 16 rebounds in a recent victory over Eastern Kentucky, Morehead State forward/center Kenneth Faried told reporters that he would give himself only a “C” for that performance because he fell short of his season-long goal of 20 rebounds.
Faried wanted to deliver a 20-rebound game because that’s what his ailing mother has asked of him. When he finally met that goal last week with 23 points and 21 rebounds in a 65-50 victory over Tennessee State, Faried called his mom with the happy news.
“He was trying to get to 20,” said Waudda Faried, who monitors her son’s progress while battling lupus from her home in Newark, N.J. “I told him I want 30.”
Only three times since 1980 has any Division I player pulled down as many as 30 rebounds in a single game. But if anyone can add his name to that exclusive list this season, Faried’s the guy.
Faried leads the nation at 13.7 rebounds per game and has pulled down at least a dozen rebounds in 12 consecutive outings. He ranked third in the nation last season at 13.0 rebounds per game.
Faried, a 6-foot-8 junior, says he owes much of his rebounding acumen to his parents. Faried often would follow his parents to the court as a child. Their message always was the same: If you can rebound, then you can shoot.
“The first thing they instilled in me is, ‘You’ve got to rebound it to shoot it.’ That’s just stuck with me,” Faried said. “In order for me to shoot, I’d have to rebound it.
Read Complete Article (Highly Recommended)
I highly recommend this article as it is a great read and a great story about a great kid.
Introduction:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The nation’s top rebounder has earned a reputation as his own toughest critic. In reality, he isn’t even the harshest judge in his family.
After collecting 20 points and 16 rebounds in a recent victory over Eastern Kentucky, Morehead State forward/center Kenneth Faried told reporters that he would give himself only a “C” for that performance because he fell short of his season-long goal of 20 rebounds.
Faried wanted to deliver a 20-rebound game because that’s what his ailing mother has asked of him. When he finally met that goal last week with 23 points and 21 rebounds in a 65-50 victory over Tennessee State, Faried called his mom with the happy news.
“He was trying to get to 20,” said Waudda Faried, who monitors her son’s progress while battling lupus from her home in Newark, N.J. “I told him I want 30.”
Only three times since 1980 has any Division I player pulled down as many as 30 rebounds in a single game. But if anyone can add his name to that exclusive list this season, Faried’s the guy.
Faried leads the nation at 13.7 rebounds per game and has pulled down at least a dozen rebounds in 12 consecutive outings. He ranked third in the nation last season at 13.0 rebounds per game.
Faried, a 6-foot-8 junior, says he owes much of his rebounding acumen to his parents. Faried often would follow his parents to the court as a child. Their message always was the same: If you can rebound, then you can shoot.
“The first thing they instilled in me is, ‘You’ve got to rebound it to shoot it.’ That’s just stuck with me,” Faried said. “In order for me to shoot, I’d have to rebound it.
Read Complete Article (Highly Recommended)
Centre's Danny Noll Honored on ESPN the Magazine Team
Centre senior Danny Noll (Ft. Mitchell, Ky.) was selected to the 2010 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Basketball Team for his achievements on the basketball court and in the classroom.
Noll was selected to the District 4 College Division First Team by the College of Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) for the 2009-2010 basketball season.
The senior has maintained a 3.80 GPA so far at Centre and is majoring in Economics. On the season the Colonels are 10-8 overall and have a 6-5 record in the SCAC. Noll has started all of Centre's 13 games so far this season and is currently ranked 13th in the conference in scoring with 244 points and is 10th in field goal percentage at 41.8%. He is also fourth in the conference in rebounding with 139.
During Noll's first three year's at Centre the basketball team won three straight SCAC regular season titles, as well as winning the SCAC Tournament Championship two times in three years. The basketball team also made it to the NCAA Division III basketball tournament two of those three years.
Prior to the 2009-2010 season beginning he was named an Honorable-mention Pre-season All-American by D3hoops.com. In his junior season Noll was named to the 2008-2009 Pre-season D3hoops All-American 4th Team, he was an All-SCAC First Team member, SCAC Tournament MVP, NABC and D3hoops South Region Second Team member, and a District 4 College Division Second Team Member, which is put out by CoSIDA. During his sophomore year Noll was selected to the All-SCAC Honorable Mention Team and in his freshman year he was the SCAC Newcomer of the Year.
Not only has Noll played a huge role for the Colonel basketball team he has also played a huge role in the Centre community. He has been the Habitat for Humanity Treasurer for the past three years, served as a resident director for the past two years, he was a member of the Student-Athletic Advisory Committee, served on the Student Judiciary Board, and was a Junior Marshall for the class of 2010.
While accomplishing everything he has, Noll has been able to remain on the Dean's List every semester since coming to Centre.
Centre will be in action next on Saturday, February 6 as they take on DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. The game will start at 3:00 p.m.
Source: Release by Centre College
Noll was selected to the District 4 College Division First Team by the College of Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) for the 2009-2010 basketball season.
The senior has maintained a 3.80 GPA so far at Centre and is majoring in Economics. On the season the Colonels are 10-8 overall and have a 6-5 record in the SCAC. Noll has started all of Centre's 13 games so far this season and is currently ranked 13th in the conference in scoring with 244 points and is 10th in field goal percentage at 41.8%. He is also fourth in the conference in rebounding with 139.
During Noll's first three year's at Centre the basketball team won three straight SCAC regular season titles, as well as winning the SCAC Tournament Championship two times in three years. The basketball team also made it to the NCAA Division III basketball tournament two of those three years.
Prior to the 2009-2010 season beginning he was named an Honorable-mention Pre-season All-American by D3hoops.com. In his junior season Noll was named to the 2008-2009 Pre-season D3hoops All-American 4th Team, he was an All-SCAC First Team member, SCAC Tournament MVP, NABC and D3hoops South Region Second Team member, and a District 4 College Division Second Team Member, which is put out by CoSIDA. During his sophomore year Noll was selected to the All-SCAC Honorable Mention Team and in his freshman year he was the SCAC Newcomer of the Year.
Not only has Noll played a huge role for the Colonel basketball team he has also played a huge role in the Centre community. He has been the Habitat for Humanity Treasurer for the past three years, served as a resident director for the past two years, he was a member of the Student-Athletic Advisory Committee, served on the Student Judiciary Board, and was a Junior Marshall for the class of 2010.
While accomplishing everything he has, Noll has been able to remain on the Dean's List every semester since coming to Centre.
Centre will be in action next on Saturday, February 6 as they take on DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. The game will start at 3:00 p.m.
Source: Release by Centre College
Anyigbo, Peters Ink During Houston Area Signing Day
Kene Anyigbo and Brandon "Snap" Peters joined many other Houston-area athletes in yesterday's National Signing Day event.
The talented 2010 hoopsters will be joining the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers next season. Anyigbo is a power forward for Bellaire High School and Peter is an explosive guard for Yates High School, the nation's top-rated team.
Peters is looking forward to his days in Bowling Green:
“I’m really not much of a big city guy, I am really like a small town guy,” said Yates senior guard Brandon Peters. “I just want to go down there and make a name for myself.”
Source
The talented 2010 hoopsters will be joining the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers next season. Anyigbo is a power forward for Bellaire High School and Peter is an explosive guard for Yates High School, the nation's top-rated team.
Peters is looking forward to his days in Bowling Green:
“I’m really not much of a big city guy, I am really like a small town guy,” said Yates senior guard Brandon Peters. “I just want to go down there and make a name for myself.”
Source
Confucius Say: "Too Much Chinese Food Bad for Caracter"
Bill Knight of the El Paso Times has an in-depth article about former Louisville Cardinal big man Derrick Caracter, who now plays for UTEP.
The article explains Caracter's issues during his time with Rick Pitino and Louisville and talks about his rebirth as a productive college basketball players.
Here is an excerpt of the article where Caracter discusses some of his bad habits and weight problems at Louisville:
"I had problems with the coach at the prep school and I didn't play that much and when I got to Louisville, I weighed 320-pounds," he said, shaking his head. "I was just eating Chinese food and doing unnecessary stuff. My first year at Louisville was cool. I felt some of the assistants were harder on me than the other guys, but that just made me better.
"It seemed like I had a certain leadership on the team," he said. "A lot of guys would follow me, do what I did, even dress like me. In some ways that hurt us and in some ways that was a good thing. But if I felt like I was better than David Padgett and I was not playing, I would be negative. Coach (Rick) Pitino felt it was like a cancer, that it would spread."
And so Derrick Caracter and Louisville parted ways. He came to El Paso last January, enrolled in UTEP and sat out the NCAA-required year. Since becoming eligible in December, Caracter has averaged 13.7 points, 8.6 rebounds a game. Double-doubles are the norm and Saturday in Birmingham he had 20 points, 13 rebounds to help UTEP defeat No. 25 UAB. He was named the Conference USA Player of the Week for that effort.
The article explains Caracter's issues during his time with Rick Pitino and Louisville and talks about his rebirth as a productive college basketball players.
Here is an excerpt of the article where Caracter discusses some of his bad habits and weight problems at Louisville:
"I had problems with the coach at the prep school and I didn't play that much and when I got to Louisville, I weighed 320-pounds," he said, shaking his head. "I was just eating Chinese food and doing unnecessary stuff. My first year at Louisville was cool. I felt some of the assistants were harder on me than the other guys, but that just made me better.
"It seemed like I had a certain leadership on the team," he said. "A lot of guys would follow me, do what I did, even dress like me. In some ways that hurt us and in some ways that was a good thing. But if I felt like I was better than David Padgett and I was not playing, I would be negative. Coach (Rick) Pitino felt it was like a cancer, that it would spread."
And so Derrick Caracter and Louisville parted ways. He came to El Paso last January, enrolled in UTEP and sat out the NCAA-required year. Since becoming eligible in December, Caracter has averaged 13.7 points, 8.6 rebounds a game. Double-doubles are the norm and Saturday in Birmingham he had 20 points, 13 rebounds to help UTEP defeat No. 25 UAB. He was named the Conference USA Player of the Week for that effort.
Note: I know how Caracter felt - Chinese is my favorite!
2010 Forward C.J. Leslie Has NOT Committed to N.C. State
I received a couple of e-mails yesterday and this morning from UK fans that were concerned that C.J. Leslie has given a commitment to North Carolina State, which is one of the legitimate schools on his final list.
A good friend of mine finally sent me a link that explains where the confusion started.
Here is an excerpt of an article from Whiteville.com:
Word of God, which is the alma mater of current University of Kentucky standout John Wall, got a 29-point effort from Desmond Wells. C.J. Leslie, Word of God’s 6-10 senior center who has committed to play for N.C. State, had 15 points. (Source)
This is a false report that should be revised. C.J. Leslie has NOT committed to N.C. State and as a matter of fact, Kentucky head John Calipari travelled to North Carolina last night to watch the 2010 big man in action.
If you encounter fellow Wildcat fans and message board posters today that are worried about Leslie, you can help ease their fears.
A good friend of mine finally sent me a link that explains where the confusion started.
Here is an excerpt of an article from Whiteville.com:
Word of God, which is the alma mater of current University of Kentucky standout John Wall, got a 29-point effort from Desmond Wells. C.J. Leslie, Word of God’s 6-10 senior center who has committed to play for N.C. State, had 15 points. (Source)
This is a false report that should be revised. C.J. Leslie has NOT committed to N.C. State and as a matter of fact, Kentucky head John Calipari travelled to North Carolina last night to watch the 2010 big man in action.
If you encounter fellow Wildcat fans and message board posters today that are worried about Leslie, you can help ease their fears.
Hazard Man Slaps Miller with Additional Theft Charges
Dale Williams, a Hazard (Ky.) chiropractor, has stepped forward and stated that he paid former Kentucky Wildcat Derrick Miller $1,200 for 2008-09 UK tickets that he did not receive.
Miller, who is already serving a 360-day jail sentence for related charges in Clark County, is facing theft by deception charges in numerous other Kentucky counties.
He will be sentenced on charges in Fleming County on February 19.
Goodman Names His NCAA Basketball All-Freshman Team
Jeff Goodman breaks down his All-Freshman Teams and includes two Kentucky Wildcats on the First Team. He notes that there are some surprises this season.
Goodman's First Team
F - Elias Harris, Gonzaga
F - Derrick Williams, Arizona
C - DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky
SG - Avery Bradley, Texas
PG - John Wall, Kentucky
He lists Kentucky's Eric Bledsoe as a player that "Almost Made the Cut" and he names Cousins as the "Best Rebounder" in the freshman class.
Complete Article
Goodman's First Team
F - Elias Harris, Gonzaga
F - Derrick Williams, Arizona
C - DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky
SG - Avery Bradley, Texas
PG - John Wall, Kentucky
He lists Kentucky's Eric Bledsoe as a player that "Almost Made the Cut" and he names Cousins as the "Best Rebounder" in the freshman class.
Complete Article
Gorgui Sy Dieng Says Louisville Game Was "Awesome"
I talked to 2010 big man Gorgui Sy Dieng tonight to see how his visit to Louisville went on Monday night.
He said the experience was "awesome." He alluded to the great atmosphere at the game between the Cardinals and the Connecticut Huskies.
He added that Rick Pitino was in attendance at Huntington Prep's game last night.
Gorgui also stated that Michigan, Memphis and Georgia Tech have been coming on strong lately and he hopes to visit all three schools.
Burton Has St. Catharine Headed in the Right Direction
When the 2008-09 season came to a close, the St. Catharine Patriots found themselves in the basement of the Mid-South Conference. The Patriots won only one league game and finished the season with a non-impressive record of 5-24.
For many, coach J.T. Burton's team was likely considered a non-factor heading into the 2009-10 season. Then, the Patriots topped last season's win total - in November. They closed the month with a 121-40 shellacking of Ohio State University-Mansfield and an impressive 10-2 record.
As St. Catharine prepares to visit Lindsey Wilson tonight in a Mid-South battle, they find themselves with a 15-7 overall record and sitting in a three-way tie for fourth place in the conference standings.
I talked to head coach J.T. Burton following an impressive 56-53 upset victory over #9 Campbellsville on Monday night.
Coach Burton, congratulations on the win at #9 Campbellsville. That is a big win for your program as you continue to turn things around and build a solid future. Talk a little about what a win like this does for your program.
This win helps us in all aspects. People in the community know Campbellsville and their history, so they understand we are making steps in the right direction. In recruiting, we can tell coaches and players, hey we have tripled our win total from last season, and have won 4 games against ranked opponents.
Last season was a tough one for St. Catharine and here you are a year later sitting at 15-7 and 3-3 in a very tough Mid-South Conference. How did you get to this point?
We did a great job last year of bringing in guys at Christmas break and we taught them our system while they redshirted. We hang our hat here as being a blue collar program and we got out and really tried to find the players we thought fit that mold. It’s tough to always find the perfect fit, but sometimes you get lucky and we did with a few guys.
Your team has proven that it can play with anyone in the conference, and the nation for that matter. How are your players handling a taste of success? Do you feel that your team is gaining confidence with each win?
We are gaining confidence. The first week of MSC play kicked us in the mouth and we were down. You can’t start 0-2 and have much confidence, but we broke the guys down a little, and then we built them back up and we showed them game footage of our wins against Southern Poly and our non conference game against Georgetown, to show them we are a good basketball team. We put ourselves in position to win at Pikeville, and that was huge. Then to get these 2 wins this week is unreal, it took the Pikeville game for our guys to see what it takes to win in the league, I’m not sure we learned our lesson at WV Tech and at home against Cumberlands. When we watched the film of the Pikeville game and saw we didn’t play our best but had a chance at the end, we addressed issues and I think our guys responded. We are happy with the last two, and our guys have enjoyed being the talk on campus, but it doesn’t get any easier.
Coach, you are building a reputation as an extremely hard-working head coach and staff and I have heard more than once this season that your team simply out-worked the opposition. Coach Adkins at Campbellsville stated after the game the other night, "The most disappointing and embarrassing part of tonight is to go out on our home court with a Top 10 ranking and watch someone play harder than us." How does a comment like that make you feel following such a big game for your program?
Well it means a lot coming from Coach Adkins, a guy who has taken his program to the Fab Four. We try to make our guys understand that you can’t just work hard on the days when you feel good, because a lot of people do. We need to work hard when we are hurt, sick, and so on. Our program is based on working hard, we have no choice to do otherwise. In this league, if you don’t bring it every day, as a staff and program, you get left behind. To come from where we were last year and now be hearing coaches who have won championships say good things about your program, it makes you feel good and like I said, although Coach Adkins was disappointed, and his comments were showing that, it is taken as a compliment for us.
As we enter the stretch run and March looms, how do you feel about the position your team is sitting in at the moment and where do you go from here?
Well, we put ourselves in a tough spot starting out 1-3 in league play. Now we are 3-3, but we still have a huge hill to climb. We like the fact our guys have fought back and responded, but we can’t be satisfied. We have eight league games left and it is going to be brutal. The only thing we know how to do is go back to work. We are going to talk about last night’s win before we practice, then we will forget it and get after it. We want to be playing in March, so we have to continue to focus on how we got to this point, and that is through hard work.
For many, coach J.T. Burton's team was likely considered a non-factor heading into the 2009-10 season. Then, the Patriots topped last season's win total - in November. They closed the month with a 121-40 shellacking of Ohio State University-Mansfield and an impressive 10-2 record.
As St. Catharine prepares to visit Lindsey Wilson tonight in a Mid-South battle, they find themselves with a 15-7 overall record and sitting in a three-way tie for fourth place in the conference standings.
I talked to head coach J.T. Burton following an impressive 56-53 upset victory over #9 Campbellsville on Monday night.
Coach Burton, congratulations on the win at #9 Campbellsville. That is a big win for your program as you continue to turn things around and build a solid future. Talk a little about what a win like this does for your program.
This win helps us in all aspects. People in the community know Campbellsville and their history, so they understand we are making steps in the right direction. In recruiting, we can tell coaches and players, hey we have tripled our win total from last season, and have won 4 games against ranked opponents.
Last season was a tough one for St. Catharine and here you are a year later sitting at 15-7 and 3-3 in a very tough Mid-South Conference. How did you get to this point?
We did a great job last year of bringing in guys at Christmas break and we taught them our system while they redshirted. We hang our hat here as being a blue collar program and we got out and really tried to find the players we thought fit that mold. It’s tough to always find the perfect fit, but sometimes you get lucky and we did with a few guys.
Your team has proven that it can play with anyone in the conference, and the nation for that matter. How are your players handling a taste of success? Do you feel that your team is gaining confidence with each win?
We are gaining confidence. The first week of MSC play kicked us in the mouth and we were down. You can’t start 0-2 and have much confidence, but we broke the guys down a little, and then we built them back up and we showed them game footage of our wins against Southern Poly and our non conference game against Georgetown, to show them we are a good basketball team. We put ourselves in position to win at Pikeville, and that was huge. Then to get these 2 wins this week is unreal, it took the Pikeville game for our guys to see what it takes to win in the league, I’m not sure we learned our lesson at WV Tech and at home against Cumberlands. When we watched the film of the Pikeville game and saw we didn’t play our best but had a chance at the end, we addressed issues and I think our guys responded. We are happy with the last two, and our guys have enjoyed being the talk on campus, but it doesn’t get any easier.
Coach, you are building a reputation as an extremely hard-working head coach and staff and I have heard more than once this season that your team simply out-worked the opposition. Coach Adkins at Campbellsville stated after the game the other night, "The most disappointing and embarrassing part of tonight is to go out on our home court with a Top 10 ranking and watch someone play harder than us." How does a comment like that make you feel following such a big game for your program?
Well it means a lot coming from Coach Adkins, a guy who has taken his program to the Fab Four. We try to make our guys understand that you can’t just work hard on the days when you feel good, because a lot of people do. We need to work hard when we are hurt, sick, and so on. Our program is based on working hard, we have no choice to do otherwise. In this league, if you don’t bring it every day, as a staff and program, you get left behind. To come from where we were last year and now be hearing coaches who have won championships say good things about your program, it makes you feel good and like I said, although Coach Adkins was disappointed, and his comments were showing that, it is taken as a compliment for us.
As we enter the stretch run and March looms, how do you feel about the position your team is sitting in at the moment and where do you go from here?
Well, we put ourselves in a tough spot starting out 1-3 in league play. Now we are 3-3, but we still have a huge hill to climb. We like the fact our guys have fought back and responded, but we can’t be satisfied. We have eight league games left and it is going to be brutal. The only thing we know how to do is go back to work. We are going to talk about last night’s win before we practice, then we will forget it and get after it. We want to be playing in March, so we have to continue to focus on how we got to this point, and that is through hard work.
I wish you the best the rest of the way, Coach. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me.
I appreciate your time and all you do for NAIA basketball.
I appreciate your time and all you do for NAIA basketball.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Blog Archive
-
►
2012
(327)
-
►
01/22 - 01/29
(71)
- Wildcats Talk About Road Test at LSU
- Campbellsville University Holds Off Shawnee State
- Bellarmine, Kentucky Wesleyan Earn Huge GLVC Wins
- Patrick Patterson Talks Video Games and More
- Kentucky 2012 KHSAA Sweet Sixteen Draw
- Brandon Knight's Mother Sues Hyatt Regency Hotel
- Tennessee Tech Thumps EKU Behind Big Night from Mu...
- WKU Loses Heart-Breaker at Florida Atlantic
- Eric Bledsoe Plays Well in D-League Debut
- Allkyhoops.com: Our First Ever NAIA Court Storm
- Murray State Players Visit Sedalia Elementary Stud...
- Lawrence Frank Continues to Praise Brandon Knight
- Kentucky vs. Syracuse: Who Would Win?
- Union College Upsets Bluefield in AAC Action
- Eric Bledsoe Assigned to Bakersfield Jam in D-Leag...
- Bilas: Anthony Davis is Best Big Man in College Ba...
- Canaan, Two Wildcats in CBSSports Player of the Ye...
- Jeff Goodman Says 1996 Kentucky is 6th Best Team E...
- Troy Williams Trims List to Four; UK in the Mix
- Rex Chapman Squeezes in Some Cardio and a Great Pi...
- Peyton Siva Leads Louisville to Big Win Over Villa...
- Chase Spreen Nominated for GEICO Play of the Year
- Three Recruits to Visit Indiana University This We...
- Scarbinsky: SEC Takes Care of UK with Basketball S...
- UPIKE to Give Away Truck on Appalachian Wireless N...
- Where Are the Louisville Basketball Fans?
- Louisville to Honor Former All-Americans in Februa...
- More Photos of Kentucky's New Nike Uniforms
- Houston Rockets Decline Option on Terrence William...
- Nike Press Release: Hyper Elite Platinum Uniforms
- Ramel Bradley to Sign with Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem...
- Kenneth Faried, Teammates Support Special Needs St...
- Orlando Magic Will Not Pick Up Team Option on Dani...
- Kentucky Recruit Julius Randle Talks About Texas T...
- Eric Bledsoe May Spend Time in NBA Development Lea...
- No. 1 Kentucky Rolls Past Georgia in Athens
- Morehead State Earns Tough Road Win at Norfolk Sta...
- How is This for All Kentucky Hoops?
- Full Circle: Bellarmine Back on Top of NABC/DII Po...
- Even Pat Forde Thinks Kentucky Will Win National T...
- Pregame Thoughts from Terrence Jones and MKG
- KWC's Cardell McFarland Out at Least a Month with ...
- Report: Washington Wizards Have Fired Flip Saunder...
- Madison Central Takes Over Top Spot in AP High Sch...
- Patrick Patterson Welcomes Ricky Rubio to the NBA
- 2012 Touchstone Energy All "A" Classic Tips Thursd...
- Anthony Davis: "Just bring him in here, I'm going ...
- Kentucky Recruit Anthony Bennett Breaks Down Top 5...
- Brandon Knight is Playing Well for Detroit
- Georgetown, LWC in Top 10; UPIKE Back in Top 25
- ► 01/15 - 01/22 (98)
- ► 01/08 - 01/15 (65)
- ► 01/01 - 01/08 (93)
-
►
01/22 - 01/29
(71)
-
►
2011
(4626)
- ► 12/25 - 01/01 (73)
- ► 12/18 - 12/25 (74)
- ► 12/11 - 12/18 (89)
- ► 12/04 - 12/11 (82)
- ► 11/27 - 12/04 (91)
- ► 11/20 - 11/27 (79)
- ► 11/13 - 11/20 (80)
- ► 11/06 - 11/13 (80)
- ► 10/30 - 11/06 (70)
- ► 10/23 - 10/30 (60)
- ► 10/16 - 10/23 (61)
- ► 10/09 - 10/16 (52)
- ► 10/02 - 10/09 (62)
- ► 09/25 - 10/02 (53)
- ► 09/18 - 09/25 (65)
- ► 09/11 - 09/18 (57)
- ► 09/04 - 09/11 (54)
- ► 08/28 - 09/04 (60)
- ► 08/21 - 08/28 (89)
- ► 08/14 - 08/21 (91)
- ► 08/07 - 08/14 (93)
- ► 07/31 - 08/07 (105)
- ► 07/24 - 07/31 (94)
- ► 07/17 - 07/24 (89)
- ► 07/10 - 07/17 (79)
- ► 07/03 - 07/10 (75)
- ► 06/26 - 07/03 (76)
- ► 06/19 - 06/26 (95)
- ► 06/12 - 06/19 (74)
- ► 06/05 - 06/12 (82)
- ► 05/29 - 06/05 (93)
- ► 05/22 - 05/29 (91)
- ► 05/15 - 05/22 (111)
- ► 05/08 - 05/15 (73)
- ► 05/01 - 05/08 (92)
- ► 04/24 - 05/01 (85)
- ► 04/17 - 04/24 (95)
- ► 04/10 - 04/17 (109)
- ► 04/03 - 04/10 (88)
- ► 03/27 - 04/03 (122)
- ► 03/20 - 03/27 (101)
- ► 03/13 - 03/20 (111)
- ► 03/06 - 03/13 (110)
- ► 02/27 - 03/06 (123)
- ► 02/20 - 02/27 (114)
- ► 02/13 - 02/20 (118)
- ► 02/06 - 02/13 (109)
- ► 01/30 - 02/06 (108)
- ► 01/23 - 01/30 (118)
- ► 01/16 - 01/23 (127)
- ► 01/09 - 01/16 (113)
- ► 01/02 - 01/09 (131)
-
►
2009
(2417)
- ► 12/27 - 01/03 (78)
- ► 12/20 - 12/27 (62)
- ► 12/13 - 12/20 (85)
- ► 12/06 - 12/13 (83)
- ► 11/29 - 12/06 (95)
- ► 11/22 - 11/29 (98)
- ► 11/15 - 11/22 (90)
- ► 11/08 - 11/15 (110)
- ► 11/01 - 11/08 (86)
- ► 10/25 - 11/01 (95)
- ► 10/18 - 10/25 (86)
- ► 10/11 - 10/18 (49)
- ► 10/04 - 10/11 (43)
- ► 09/27 - 10/04 (42)
- ► 09/20 - 09/27 (47)
- ► 09/13 - 09/20 (35)
- ► 09/06 - 09/13 (37)
- ► 08/30 - 09/06 (36)
- ► 08/23 - 08/30 (36)
- ► 08/16 - 08/23 (41)
- ► 08/09 - 08/16 (44)
- ► 08/02 - 08/09 (54)
- ► 07/26 - 08/02 (35)
- ► 07/19 - 07/26 (29)
- ► 07/12 - 07/19 (38)
- ► 07/05 - 07/12 (47)
- ► 06/28 - 07/05 (47)
- ► 06/21 - 06/28 (43)
- ► 06/14 - 06/21 (46)
- ► 06/07 - 06/14 (36)
- ► 05/31 - 06/07 (40)
- ► 05/24 - 05/31 (42)
- ► 05/17 - 05/24 (40)
- ► 05/10 - 05/17 (46)
- ► 05/03 - 05/10 (41)
- ► 04/26 - 05/03 (40)
- ► 04/19 - 04/26 (35)
- ► 04/12 - 04/19 (38)
- ► 04/05 - 04/12 (33)
- ► 03/29 - 04/05 (40)
- ► 03/22 - 03/29 (53)
- ► 03/15 - 03/22 (63)
- ► 03/08 - 03/15 (42)
- ► 03/01 - 03/08 (44)
- ► 02/22 - 03/01 (30)
- ► 02/15 - 02/22 (18)
- ► 02/08 - 02/15 (19)
-
►
2006
(3)
- ► 12/31 - 01/07 (2)
- ► 08/27 - 09/03 (1)
Posts
_logo.png){kind=logo}
