Category: College Basketball (Page 127 of 153)

Iowa played the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks in the first round of the Hawkeye Challenge. My first question was why would they play the team that appeared to be the second best team in the tournament. As the home team you always set it up so that you can play in the finals. And every year since 1985 that was the case. Not only had Iowa played in the finals, but they had won it. In fact, they were 49-1 all time in the tournament.

However, the Warhawks coached by the 2007 Sun Belt Coach of the Year, Orlando Early, battled from a 14 point second half deficit to beat Iowa in overtime. In the championship game they routed the Rice Owls… Tornament MVP is a player that has flown under the radar, but will not be there very much longer. Tony Hooper was by far and away the best player over the two days. He not only scored, but made every big shot his team needed. Keep an eye on Hooper and the Warhawks.

Summit League takes a bite out of the Big Timers. Centenary knocked off Texas Tech on Saturday and IUPUI beat a very good UMASS team. Coupled with an earlier win b y South Dakota State over Northern Iowa and it looks like this could be the best the league has been from top to bottom.

Head Coach Jeff Reynolds was reprimanded by the Mountain West Conference for post game remarks made after a road loss to Montana. Here is what he said, “The fact that the official was right there, and he made the call, and this guy runs over from out of his territory to overrule him, you know, that’s questionable.” That call took the ball from Air Force and left them on the short end of a 59-57 score….Come on, are you kidding me? Go to the video tape and it will show you the truth. How about having the official respond to questionable calls after the game in a press conference….Why do we keep protecting officials? Make them answer the bell…

The truth be known most officials are good guys doing the best they can. Furthermore, I can accept a guy saying he made a mistake. You respect that.

One of the most sincere gestures I have ever heard of was when Rick Hartzell sent Jim Valvano a note apologizing for blowing a call in the NC State-Georgetown tournament game that cost NC State a victory. It also turned out to be the last game Valvano ever coached… If he can show class like that. Why can’t other officials answer the bell?

This week started Jimmy V Week in college basketball. Appropriately named for the former North Carolina State coach Jim Valvano. Having had the opportunity to hear him speak in person while he was still coaching I was mesmerized by his storytelling and motivational skills. It was easy to see why he was able to orchestrate the greatest upset in NCAA history. HIs run to the National Championship was something that every coach dreamed about. The little David pitted against the mighty Goliath (Houton “Phi Slamma Jamma” Cougars) is what Hollywood scripts are made of, however, I don’t know if anyone would have bought this one.

After leaving NC State he became one of the best in the broadcasting business. But what if he had taken the UCLA job. That afterall was his dream job. Being a former English major he grew up watching John Wooden hanging banners. How many more banners would be hanging in Pauley Pavillion if he had become the coach? Alas, it was not to be. Too much bueraucracy. His legacy will live on forever and I ask you to be generous in giving to the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Now back to basketball. The ACC – Big Ten Challenge is the highlight of Jimmy V Week and it looks like it will be a highlight for the ACC. After winning the conference showdown last year (8-3), the ACC is off to a 5-1 start this year. The first night winners were Wake Forest, Duke, Clemson,Florida State and Virginia. The lone victor for the Big Ten was Indiana…Speaking of Indiana, I will get a chance to see Indiana next week as part of the Big Ten Network. I am looking forward to seeing one of the best guards in the country, Eric Gordon. Forget about it, that he is only a freshman.

Duke was absolutely unstoppable last night as they steamrolled Wisconsin. A pretty good Badger team was no match for a hot shooting Duke squad. It looks like Duke has put the pieces together early for Coach K. So much for the coaching hangover from the Olympic team preparations.

One final note, if you get a chance tune into ESPN for the Jimmy V ESPY acceptance speech at 7:00est. Whether you are a sports fan or not you will not be disappointed.

I don’t want to take anything away from North Carolina State, but their win against Villanova in the Old Spice Classic was a result of a horrible call by an official. One thing that I feel needs to be changed about the officiating in the college game is that officials need to be held responsible. After every game players and coaches are expected to address the media and explain why they did what they did.

It is about time that officials are held to the same scrutiny. When you are making close to $2000 a game for blowing your whistle there needs to be some accountability. Having watched officials through the years get off scott free for a blown call, I think it is about high time that it changes. Speaking of blown calls I still want the official who made the call against Seton Hall in the championship game that allowed Michigan to win a national championship to step up and explain that one.

Sorry for the rant…

Teams flying under the radar, but off to good starts are Sam Houston State. The Bearcats have marquee wins over Texas Tech and Fresno State. They look more than ready to make run for another conference championship.

Coach Billy Herrion has his New Hampshire team off to their best start in close to two decades. Junior college transfer, Eric Gilchrese, has helped lead the resurgence. After a couple of good recruiting classes he has the Wildcats poised to make a run in the America East.

Also, hats off to Kerry Keating at Santa Clara. He has the Broncs off to a 4-1 start with three road wins.