Category: College Basketball (Page 153 of 153)

The two best teams in the nation (right now) square off tomorrow on a neutral court. Gametime is 1:30 ET / 10:30 PT on CBS and, according to the HD sports guide, the game will be broadcast in HD. Joy!

Having played for Bo Ryan during his tenure at UW-Platteville, I knew the man could coach. Over his final 12 seasons at Platteville, he compiled a 314-37 (.895) record, averaging 26.2 wins a season. He led the Pioneers to four national championships, including the 1995 team that I started for. We went 31-0 and beat an undefeated Steve Alford-led Manchester team for the title.

Ryan recruited me just after winning his first title (1991) and he was always mentioned when Division I jobs opened up in the area. When I asked him whether or not he was going to leave while I was there, he said, “John, the only job I want other than this one is the University of Wisconsin job.” That job opened up a couple times over the next several years and Ryan was passed over both times. Despite all the success at the D3 level, he realized he needed to get some D1 experience before he’d get a chance with the Badgers, so he took the head position with UW-Milwaukee. After turning that program around in two seasons, he finally got his chance to lead the Badgers.

Like I said, I knew he could coach, but his performance over the last four years leading Wisconsin proved that he could coach. I wasn’t sure how Ryan’s disciplined nature was going to go over with the thinner-skinned D1 scholarship players, but from what I’ve heard, he’s adjusted his coaching style a bit and has led the Badgers to an average of 23.3 wins in his first four seasons. During that span, Wisconsin has won two Big Ten championships, and Ryan has won two Big Ten Coach of the Year awards in the process. Wisconsin has earned four straight NCAA tournament births, and last year they advanced to the Elite Eight after two straight Sweet Sixteen appearances.

His talents were on display again tonight as the Badgers visited the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the ACC / Big Ten Challenge – the Deacons prevailed, 91-88. The Badgers weren’t themselves defensively, allowing Eric Williams to dominate inside and Justin Gray to score a career high 37 points. Somehow Wisconsin stayed in the game, riding Alando Tucker’s 23 second half points. Tucker is Wisconsin’s best player, with Brian Butch and Kammron Taylor chipping in – it will be interesting to see how this relatively young team progresses as the year goes on.

One thing’s for sure: Bo will “coach ‘em up.”

To understand Ryan’s philosophy, check out the great article he wrote for collegeinsider.com.

Time winding down in the Duke/Memphis game, tied 67-67. Duke has the ball with about 40 seconds left. A shot is taken and, as it is coming off the rim, Shelden Williams tips it in. I’m a big Duke fan, but it looks like a goaltend to me. Memphis brings the ball up with about 20 seconds to go, forces a shot, Duke grabs the rebound and gets fouled.

During the free throws, they show the “above the rim” replay which clearly shows that the ball was still in the cylinder (in fact, it was on the rim) when Williams tipped it in. What does Vitale say?

“Good tip. Not on the cylinder.”

He needs to get the vision checked in his one good eye.

A source close to the decision told the AP that Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has been chosen to lead Team USA in the 2006 World Championships and the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The official word isn’t due until October 29th and the U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Basketball wouldn’t comment on the leak.

In the world of basketball, Krzyzewski is certainly the best collegiate coach and maybe the best coach at all levels. He is a great choice for USA Basketball, who is reeling from a sixth place finish in the 2002 World Championships and a third place finish in last summer’s Olympics. It will be interesting to see how he deals with all the NBA egos and attitudes. I’ve got one tip for Mike: get some players who can shoot.