SB Nation - Vermont Catamounts

Canadian Content

rbala — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:00:14 -0000

We have news on Steve Nash, the Vermont lady basketballers made big waves on the opening weekend of the NCAA season, lots of CIS recaps and other assorted news in this edition of Canadian Content.

If you haven't already heard, Canada Basketball has launched some awesome new tees. Get in the spirit and rep for Canada. Canada Basketball | CANADA BASKETBALL LAUNCHES CB CLASSIC COLLECTION TSHIRTS

Here are some stories on Canada's favorite point guard ...

Steve Nash: Sunshine superman - thestar.com

Nash is money in the bank | Basketball | Sports | Toronto Sun

Some news on a couple of Canada Basketball's current members ...

Canada Basketball | KAYLA ALEXANDER 'AMAZING' IN NCAA DEBUT COACH SAYS

Canada Basketball | FRANCIS SUFFERS 1ST REGULAR SEASON LOSS AS ALBERTA COACH

Two great game reports on the dynamic duo of Courtnay Pilypaitis and May Kotsopolous at Vermont. Pilypaitis became the school's all time leader in three pointers made and Kotsopolous was MVP of a recent season opening tournament. And on top of that freshman Kendra Seto win America East Rookie of the Week.

Athletics : University of Vermont

Women's Basketball : University of Vermont

Now a few stories from around the CIS started off by a weekend recap by Mark Wacyk at cishoops.ca ...

CIS Hoops.ca

Female Sea-Hawks dominate Axewomen | the Muse

Lancers dish out payback to Gee-Gees

Unhandled Exception

Ravens on song

Win doesn't satisfy coach

Here are a couple of CCAA stories about the always tough Sheridan Bruins and the Fleming Knights ...

The Brampton Guardian: Providing Local Community News for Brampton, Ontario 24/7

Knights improve to 7-0 - Peterborough Examiner - Ontario, CA

Finally here are a few girls high school championship recaps from Southern Ontario ...

timestranscript.com - Hoop Royals open tourney with win | Times & Transcript Staff - Breaking News, New Brunswick, Canada

Basketball dynasty: St. Anne's girls take 4th WECSSAA crown

Lastly, for all you shoeheads, sneakerfiends and celebrity junkies the DJ AM Memorial Sneaker Auction is in full effect. Here is your chance to pick up a pair of rare shoes, size 12 only though peeps, and help out a charity at the same time. Check out the link below on Nicekicks.com. R.I.P. DJ AM.

DJ AM Memorial Fund Sneaker Auction | NiceKicks.com

Know your March Madness Spoilers

SFBE.NF — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:34:26 -0000

Joe Lunardi resurfaced today on ESPN.com, and he wasn't kind to the little guy. This year, according to the original Bracketologist, only Xavier will qualify as a non-BCS, at-large tournament team. It's sad to think, but maybe true. I say we blame the economy!

Despite this sobering news, below are 10 players we reccommend you at least take heed of, so you're not Googling them when Greg Gumbel is singing their praises after an incredible first round upset in March.

Luke Babbitt; Sophomore, Nevada - So you're a McDonalds All-American and receive offers from nearly every Pac 10 school, Ohio State and Gonzaga...what do you do? Well, if you're Luke Babbitt, you stay close to home and go to Nevada. After initially committing to play for Thad Matta, Babbitt got cold feet and decided he wanted to remain near his parents. He's a pro prospect, but playing in a lesser conference seems to put more pressure on the sophomore, who will be expected to be great for the entire season, turn his "Freshman of the Year" award into "Player of the Year" and build upon his 17/7.3/1.3 stat line.

Marqus Blakely; Senior, Vermont - OK let's get this out of the way...America East is one of the least basketball-centric conferences in the country, so when a player catches our eye, he must be impressive. Blakely is a two-time American East player of the year and is going to have quite a burden on his shoulders, as the Catamounts graduated 35 percent of their scoring and it's all time assists leader Miki Trimboli. But at 6'5" 235, Blakely is an explosive scoring threat, and a feared shot blocker who probably will lead his team in all major categories.

Osiris Eldridge; Senior, Illinois State - Finishing a close third to Siena's Just-in'love Smith and Cal's Bak Bak, Eldridge holds claim to one of the baddest names in the college game. Last season ended on a sour note for Eldridge, as he missed a three pointer that would have forced a second overtime against Northern Iowa in the Missouri Valley Tourney Final. Expect the Redbirds to be matched-up against the Panthers once again when the precious NCAA Tournament berth is on the line. Also please take note of his nicely maintained Euro-hawk.

Kenneth Faried; Junior, Morehead State - Quick, who was second in the NCAA last season in double-doubles? No idiot, it wasn't Eric Devendorf, this title belongs to Faried, a New Jersey native who migrated to eastern Kentucky to serve as one of the most imposing players in Ohio Valley Conference. This guy probably plays harder, meaner and faster than any of his opponents, and just may be the country's most prolific rebounder by the end of this season.

Paul George; Sophomore, Fresno State - Come March, George's time as 'just a nice mid-major player' will likely be long gone. After a surprise freshman season (averaging 14 and 6) George often executes foolish dunks, strokes at a 45 percent clip from behind the arc, and is a legit NBA prospect drawing comparisons to Rudy Gay. Yeah, many BCS-schools are kicking themselves for missing this one.

Anthony Johnson; Senior, Montana - In his first season playing DI basketball as a JuCo transfer, Johnson lit up the Big Sky last year putting up scoring numbers not seen by the conference since Rodney Stuckey was killin it at Eastern Washington. Johnson is the reigning conference POY and as a 6'3" wing player, is very efficient . He shoots at 50 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from long range.

Johnathan Jones; Senior, Oakland - Last season's NCAA leader in assists, Jones dropped double-digit dimes (now there's some alliteration) in nine of the Grizzlies last 12 games. Starting every game since he's been on campus, and the only player to ever chalk up 1000 points and 500 assists in a career, Jones has already earned the title as the program's most decorated player. And with that darling Ben Woodside of North Dakota State moving on, Oakland is the favorite to win the Summit league as Jones will enjoy dishing out to three other returning starters all season long.

Larry Sanders; Junior, Virginia Commonwealth - No Eric Maynor, no Anthony Grant, no problem! The 6'10" junior who shares the same name as Gary Shandling's hit HBO show is still here! Sanders has a freakish 91 inch wingspan, and was 11^th in the country last season in blocks. While it's quite rare in college basketball, Sanders will be a triple-double threat this season if CAA players repeatedly try and shoot over this guy. NBA scouts like him, but will love him if he develops are more consistent offensive game this season. Nonetheless, first year coach Shaka Smith has a real asset in his frontcourt.

A.J. Slaughter; Senior, Western Kentucky - He's still eligible? That's right, after two years of playing along side Courtney Lee, Tyrone Brazelton and Orlando Mendez-Valdez, Slaughter is still kicking around and arguably the top player in the Sun Belt. Along with Steffphon Pettigrew, Slaughter will lead a team that returns four starters and itching to get back to the dance after being on the wrong side of one of last season's plays of the year.

Edwin Ubiles; Senior, Siena - For what it's worth, Edwin Ubiles has won more NCAA Tournament games than recent college basketball notables Nick Calathes, Eric Gordon, and Greg Monroe combined. After a dramatic victory over Ohio State last season, Siena comes in this season as the trendy mid-major looking to be a Top 25 mainstay this season- and Ubiles will be the man to lead them. Georgia Tech aside, the Saints schedule is pretty benign, so the selection committee will leave little wiggle room for this program to be an at-large bid candidate. Ubiles' athleticism is on par with the top players in the country, and if he develops any sort of outside game he could be an NBA draft pick.

Canadian Content

rbala — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:23:33 -0000

There have been a few things going on since the weekend: CIS basketball is in full swing from coast to coast, there have been some Canadians playing well in the NCAA and there was a great effort from Tyler Kepkay in Germany in this edition of Canadian Content.

A story on Leo Rautins that made SLAM Online. SLAM ONLINE | " Internationally Known

The second installment of the video diary on Findlay Prep. Check out how well Tristan Thompson is in front of a camera. SLAM ONLINE | " Video: Findlay Prep - The Encore

Senior Men's Team Point Tyler Kepkay make some noise overseas. Canada Basketball | KEPKAY POURS IN 30 FOR WINLESS GERMAN SQUAD

Well, another take on the Simon Fraser move to the NCAA. Former CIS President sounds off on SFU’s decision to join NCAA || Dalhousie Gazette

NCAA News

Devoe Joseph may be pushing to make a move from bench to starter. Devoe Joseph makes case for starting job at point guard as Gophers swat Moorhead - TwinCities.com

There are six Canadian ladies on the Lady Catamounts this season and here is there story. Vermont Cynic - Canadian influence ignites women’s basketball

A look at Dallin Bachynski. ASU expected to land 7-foot-2 recruit

CIS News

SPARTANS EARN RESPECT IN ROAD LOSS TO BYUBy Howard Tsumura, Sports Reporter, Vancouver Province

Rams Cruise to 93-54 Exhibition Win over Concordia - RHODE ISLAND OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE

TheSpec.com - Sports - Crusaders' point guard returns in time for playoffs

Slammin’ start to season | www.charlatan.ca

Ravens, GGs men's hoops teams win | Other Sports | Sports | Ottawa Sun

timestranscript.com - Celtics suffer first defeat - Breaking News, New Brunswick, Canada

GuelphMercury.com - Sports - Hoop Gryphs edged in opener

B-ball Huskies present big trouble for opponents

Little Man On Campus

dailygleaner.com - X-tra dismay for displaced UNB hoopsters | By ROBERT TOUCHIE - Breaking News, New Brunswick, Canada

If you speak French, this is the first installment of the online video show on Quebec hoops. JET7BASKET| Le 5 Partant, la web-émission du basketball universitaire québécois

The Can Ball Report's NCAA Canadian Player Preview

rbala — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:00:34 -0000

The Can Ball Report gives what can only be described as the only NCAA Canadian player preview that matters. Join us for a look at the Canuck ballers that we expect to be making big waves this season.

So it’s is finally here people! All the waiting is over because the NCAA basketball season will officially start in a few days. There are roughly about 75 Canadians on Division 1 men’s basketball rosters this season and it looks like it will be a good one for our boys. We have two bona fide stars headlining what can be said is the most talented set of Canadian players playing at this level, ever. There are upperclassmen that have earned preseason honors; there are two reigning conference rookies of the year; there are a whole host of preseason all conference selections as well as players who will play major roles to their respective teams’ success. Since we are all basketball enthusiasts (I’ll let you gauge the degree of your enthusiasm in silence now for a moment) the Can Ball Report has compiled a list of players that we feel are worthy of early notice. Now some of you may know a few of the names already, if you do then good for you. For those of you who are not so familiar with them we suggest you, to quote Clinton Sparks, get familiar quickly. The players listed below are guys we feel you'll be hearing a lot about on this site, and any other Canadian media outlet for that matter, from the opening tip to the One Shining Moment in March and we want you to get it here first. So here we go people, the first annual Can Ball Report’s NCAA Canadian Player preview.

Most Outstanding Player – Harouna Mutombo, G - Western Carolina

A consensus pre season Southern Conference First Team selection this season after an incredible Rookie of the Year campaign, Mutombo is poised for a big (ger) year. He led the Catamounts in scoring, rebounding and steals on his way to a Second Team All SoCon nod so I wonder what the encore will be this season.

Top Newcomer – Manny Arop, G - Gonzaga

Arop may not have the best shot nor be the best rebounder as a freshman, but he does everything well enough that he will be an impact player for the Zags from day one. The team will be short on frontcourt help this year so he will be given every opportunity to contribute on a small ball lineup. Of all the newbie Canadians playing this year at the D1 level, Arop should be the best of them come March.

Best Shooter – Andy Rautins, G - Syracuse

Do you really need any explanation here? He is the best deep threat on a perennial national power team. Check his stats. He took 279 threes last year with gunner Eric Devendorf on the team and Rautins made an average of 2.8 makes per game. And that’s high quality defense in his face night in, night out. We don’t need to say anymore.

Best Defender – Andrew Nicholson, F/C – St. Bonaventure

After hitting the weight room this summer, the rookie record setting block machine is back to hold down the lane for the Bonnies. A legit Mutombo-like game changer, teams better rethink the attack when he’s they see his shadow looming.

Best Situation – Chretien Lukusa, G - Binghamton

The scandal that rocked Binghamton earlier this school year sent three starters and three supporting players packing, including two conference first teamers. An accomplished defender, Lukusa is the only returning starter so he pretty much should be good to go on both ends from day one.

Worst Situation – Ryan Wright, F - Oklahoma

The much ballyhooed Wright left UCLA for Oklahoma last year. Now with Blake Griffin in the NBA, the pressure is on him to contribute immediately to a team that has no real experienced frontcourt players returning. This may be a sink or swim situation that could turn against Wright in a hurry.

Most Important to Team – Andrew Nicholson, F/C – St. Bonaventure

Not enough can be said about Nicholson’s importance to his team this year so we’ll only use one word: very. He was the difference between a dead last finish and going .500 last season in the perennially tough A-10 Conference. This year, the team’s success will hinge largely on him and his improvements on both ends of the floor.

Super Sleeper – Willie Galick, F – Cal State-Northridge

Galick has been steadily flying under the radar for most of his college career finally breaking out last season as a junior transfer at Cal State-Northridge. Last year he started 25 of 33 games averaging 9.3 points and 5.5 rebounds, both fourth and second respectively on the team. This year, he will get the starting nod at the power forward spot from the beginning of the season for the Matadors and should really shine in the California sun.

Best Down the Road – Manny Arop, G - Gonzaga

Call me crazy but a having great games against the best in the world at your age group should be an indicator of how good you are. Arop showed how good he was in New Zealand at the U19 Worlds this summer. He will have every chance this season to show why he may be the best recruit in the Zags class this year and will only get better with experience.

Due for a Breakout - Rob Sacre, C - Gonzaga

Last season, Rob Sacre was hindered by a foot injury that kept him out of all but five games. After spending the summer working out with the Canadian Senior Men's National Team, the recovered Sacre will be the man in the middle with the departures of Josh Heytvelt and Austin Daye. With Sacre getting the first look at the starting center spot and a lack of real interior players, expect the breakout to come sooner than later.

Redemption Time – Maurice Joseph, G - Vermont

MoJo was another heralded Canadian export from the 2004 high school class along with Wright. He started out at Michigan State and was a big contributor to the team’s Tournament run in ’06 but he decided to transfer to Vermont after his sophmore campaign. Last season amid very high expectations, he began as a starter but finished coming off the bench. This season is the Montreal native’s final year to prove that he was worthy of big expectations when he became a Catamount.

Don’t Call It a Comeback – Olu Ashoalu, G/F – Louisiana Tech

Ashoalu has been on the top end of many school recruiting lists since he was a high school sophomore in Atlanta. He chose to follow the coach that recruited him to Louisiana Tech and got lost in the mix somehow. He was expected to play a big role in the team’s turnaround but red shirted his first year. Last year he showed flashes of what he could do averaging 5.3 ppg and 4.3 rpg playing in all 33 games. This year he will be asked to shoulder more of the load on both ends and should finally begin to play the way many predicted he would at this level.

Remember Me – William Archambault, F - Davidson

If you’re not aware of whom Archambault is you’ll know by the end of this season. With Stephen Curry starting in the NBA and taking with him much of the experienced outside shooting from last year’s team, the sweet shot forward will be the Wildcats’ primary outside gunner. He was the third leading scorer for the team despite starting only nine games and can light it up in a hurry. He is selected as a pre season SoCon All Conference selection, by the coaches no less, so we should all expect a big senior season from Archambault.

Diamond in the Rough - Max Boudreau, F - Buffalo

There seems to be something in the Quebec water that has the province producing seemingly unathletic yet highly efficient basketball players. Max Boudreau can arguably be the most underrated player on any team. He only averaged 13.8 minutes per but quietly put up 6.1 points and 3.3 rebounds playing in all 33 contests. He managed to lead the team in scoring four times and rebounding six times last years, with two of those feats coming in the post season. This year may be the year for him to finally play more and potentially be a starter, finally.

Fab Five All Canadian First Team:

Andrew Nicholson, F/C - St Bonaventure

Harouna Mutumbo, G – Western Carolina

Andy Rautins, G - Syracuse

William Archambault, G/F - Davidson

Rob Sacre, C - Gonzaga

Ten Players to Watch:

Alex Johnson, G – Cal State-Bakersfield

Kai Williams, F – South Dakota State

Jon House, G – Belmont

Bol Kong, F – Gonzaga

Devoe Joseph, G – Minnesota

Hernst Laroche, G – New Mexico State

Tyrone Watson, G – New Mexico State

Marc Trasolini, F – Santa Clara

Francis Cedric-Martel, G/F – Richmond

Alwayne Bigby, G/F – Northeastern

Poll

Who will have the best season this year in the NCAA?

Andy Rautins - Syracuse

34 votes

Andrew Nicholson - St. Bonaventure

11 votes

Manny Arop - Gonzaga

144 votes

Harouna Mutombo - Western Carolina

16 votes

Other

12 votes

217 votes | Poll has closed

BtB 2009-10 America East Preview

Chris Dobbertean — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:29:24 -0000

Editor's Note: I'd hoped to have this up last night. Unfortunately, a deadline at my day job intervened.

The story of the offseason in the America East is the defending champion, Binghamton. Kevin Broadus' Bearcats tied with Vermont for the league regular season title, then defeated 2008 champ Maryland-Baltimore County to make the NCAA Tournament, where they were promptly beaten by second seeded Duke, 86-62.

Since then, story after story has been flowing out of Broome County. First, all-America East guard Emanuel "Tiki" Mayben was arrested on cocaine possession and sales charges and booted from the team. Then, Broadus dismissed five players, including star performers D.J. Rivera and Malik Allen, from the program for unspecified reason. In a matter of days, the Bearcats lost their three top scorers from a year ago--accounting for an average of 43 points a game.

Those dismissals cost athletic director Joel Thirer his job and led to a review of the Binghamton athletic department (to be headed by the former Chief Judge of New York state). Additionally, the university now says Broadus violated NCAA rules regarding contact with recruits.

The Bearcats looked like a good pick to repeat in the America East at the beginning of the offseason, but with all of the turmoil in the Southern Tier, Boston University and Vermont appear to be the two teams ready to take advantage. More after the jump.

Let's first take a look at last season's America East standings.

2008-2009 America East Conference Standings

(updated 3.24.2009 at 12:08 AM EDT)

	Conf		Overall
	W	L	W	L
Vermont Catamounts	13	3	24	9
Binghamton Bearcats	13	3	23	9
Boston U. Terriers	11	5	17	13
Stony Brook Seawolves	8	8	16	14
New Hampshire Wildcats	8	8	14	16
UMBC Retrievers	7	9	15	17
Albany, N.Y. Great Danes	6	10	15	16
Maine Black Bears	4	12	9	21
Hartford Hawks	2	14	7	26

Now, here are my picks for 2009-10, presented in reverse order.

Binghamton (last NCAA: 2009) Considering the Bearcats lost three starters, two reserves, and one newcomer (F/C Paul Crosby), the remaining players will struggle to keep their heads above water and out of the America East basement.

Maine (last NCAA: None) The Black Bears are perennial fixtures in the America East's second division, having spent the last nine seasons outside the top four. Their chances of moving up are hurt by the graduation of Mark Socoby, the team's top scorer the past two seasons. However, the other half of the starting backcourt, Gerald McLemore (12 ppg) does return, which should provide some stability. The Black Bears did get bigger this offseason, picking up two Canadian high school teammates, 6-9 C/F Mike Allison and 6-6 F Murphy Burnatowski, to complement the addition of 6-7 UMass transfer Travon Wilcher.

Hartford (last NCAA: None) The Hawks get start guard Joe Zeglinski back this season, after he only featured in 10 contests last season because of an ankle injury. Hartford missed Zeglinski's outside shooting. He hit 103 threes in 2007-08, when the Hawks finished second in the league. Last year, the Hawks didn't do well on the road, winning only once in 17 attempts. If solid defensive PG Andres Torres (5.9 ppg) can improve his offense and sophomore C Genesis Maciel can give some scoring support inside to PF Morgan Sabia, the Hawks might win some road games and move up in the standings.

New Hampshire (last NCAA: None) The Wildcats managed to get to the semifinals of the America East tournament last year, after tying for fourth with Stony Brook, then knocking the Seawolves out in the 4/5 game. They may not improve on their standing this year, however. While the presence of Alvin Abreu (12.8 ppg) and Tyrone Conley (8.9 ppg) gives UNH a backcourt with some scoring punch--even with the loss of leading scorer Tyrece Gibbs (14.6 ppg), the Wildcats' frontcourt isn't as strong. 6-8 center Dane DiLiegro has some promise. He's a stout rebounder (6.9 rpg) who needs to work on getting shots (5.7 ppg, but shooting 52.5%).

Maryland-Baltimore County (last NCAA: 2008) While the Retrievers only finished in sixth place during the regular season, they were able to storm through the America East tournament to meet Binghamton in the final. Much like the 2008 championship team, this UMBC squad will feature impact transfers. Chris De La Rosa, a Siena transfer, should be a worthy replacement for Jay Greene at the point. 6-11 center Robbie Jackson, a transfer from Marshall, should easily be able to replace the 8.8 boards a game the 6-4 Darryl Proctor got, and then some. If the transfers mesh with the Retrievers' three returning starters, they could challenge BU and UVM.

Stony Brook (last NCAA: None) Four of the five starters who led the Seawolves to a 16-14 mark last season return. The good news for the people of Long Island is that three of the four were freshmen, while the fourth is senior guard Muhammad El-Amin (15.7 ppg). Last year's performance was Stony Brook's best since moving up to D-I in 2001-02, and they may very well improve on it because of their focus on defense. The Seawolves allowed just a hair under 61 points per game, while forcing almost 9 steals a game on the way to securing an average turnover margin of +2.8 per contest. With the three freshman starters a year older and 6-6 F Preye Preboye ready to contribute immediately, Stony Brook is going to continue to be a tough out in the conference.

Albany (last NCAA: 2007) Will Brown's team is looking to return to the heights of their 2006 and 2007 NCAA bids, but they'll have to incorporate five freshmen and 6-8 Croatian junior college transfer Fran Urli to reach those heights again this season. 6-6 F Will Harris, a senior, and 6-0 G Tim Ambrose, a junior, will provide leadership to the Great Danes this season. Harris did an admirable job in his first season after transferring from Virginia, averaging almost 13 points a game and grabbing 6.5 boards per contest. The Scoobies did lose their starting point guard, as Anthony Raffa transferred, but reserve Mike Johnson should be a more than adequate replacement (3.4 ppg, but 2.8 apg).

Vermont (last NCAA: 2005) Before the Great Danes represented the AmEast in back to back tournaments, the Catamounts were represented the league three straight times. While Head Coach Mike Lonergan hasn't been able to get back to the Promised Land after replacing Tom Brennan at the beginning of the 2005-06 campaign, UVM has always been in the race. It will be a little more difficult this season, as the Catamounts lost all-time assist leader Mike Trimboli--who also contributed 16 points per game--and F Colin McIntosh, responsible for 12.6 points and 5 boards per game. However, two-time defending America East Player of the Year/Defensive Player of the Year Marqus Blakely is back. If G Maurice Joseph, who averaged 8 points per game last season, is able to put up more performances like the 24 points he scored against UW-Green Bay in the College Basketball Invitational last year, Vermont should be able to remain the America East's most powerful offense.

Boston University (last NCAA: 2002) With the rise of Vermont, Albany, and Binghamton, Dennis Wolff could only get the Terriers to the NCAAs once, a fact that ultimately cost him his job. Former Villanova assistant Patrick Chambers takes over. Chambers has plenty of NCAA experience, as he assisted Jay Wright during Nova's last five NCAA appearance, and he'll need every bit of it. The Terriers boast nine seniors, but are coming off a disappointing 17-13 record. BU is perimeter-oriented, however. That means Chambers can implement Nova's dribble-drive offense. If players like junior G/F John Holland (18.1 ppg), 2009 AmEast Newcomer of the Year F Jake O'Brien (12.5 ppg), and senior G Corey Lowe (17.2 ppg) can adjust to it, the Terriers should make a triumphant return to March. The Terriers will have a chance to put themselves on the national radio at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off in November, starting with a first round game against Kansas State.

So, for those of you following along at home, pencil in the Terriers for the America East's bid in my 2009-10 Final Preseason Bracket. I'll release that on November 9. To wrap up this preview, here is my preseason All-America East team, featuring the best returning players from last season.

Preseason All-America East Team

Player of the Year: Marqus Blakely, 6-5 F, Sr. (Vermont)

Remainder of the Team
Will Harris, 6-6 F, Sr. (Albany)
John Holland, 6-5 G/F, Jr. (Boston University)
Corey Lowe, 6-2 G, Sr. (Boston University)
Joe Zeglinski, 6-0 G, Jr. (Hartford)

Poll

Who is your pick to win the America East this season?

Albany

8 votes

Binghamton

2 votes

Boston University

6 votes

Hartford

2 votes

Maine

1 votes

UMBC

0 votes

New Hampshire

0 votes

Stony Brook

2 votes

Vermont

8 votes

29 votes | Poll has closed

Morning Coffee Urges Mack Brown To Capitalize

Peter Bean — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:34:29 -0000

King of the hill. Almost. A host of stories have been written this week about Mack Brown's ability to pocket an astounding 19 commitments from top prospects by March 1. He's "changing the game" and running an "unmatched machine." These aren't empty numbers, either: both our own Big Roy and Barking Carnival's Scipio Tex agree that the early haul is of exceptionally fine quality. As Burnt Orange Beat's Gerry Hamilton told the Statesman, "I think they already have a top-10 class. It's just a matter of whether it becomes top three."

For many of the reasons discussed amply in the links above, I wholeheartedly endorse the position Mack Brown and his staff have staked out. With only one caveat: A critical component of the value in this strategy is rooted in the opportunities the position affords the staff to hone in on the dozen or so best-of-the-best prospects who aren't interested in early commitments. To the extent Mack Brown capitalizes on that position to increase his odds landing some of those kids, the strategy is nothing short of ideal. Contrarily, failing to appreciate and/or take advantage of that benefit drains the strategy of a sizable amount of its value.

Throughout his career at Texas Mack Brown has been at his best when he is hungry and active in looking for ways to squeeze maximum value from his monstrous machine; occasional bouts of complacency and contentedness with "good enough" have led to underachievement. It's in that sense that neither Mack Brown's critics nor his "do no wrong" defenders both have it wrong -- he's accomplished a ton, positioned himself near-ideally, and, yes, can do more yet if he really wants to stick his boot on opponents' throats. Go for it, Mack. (Figuratively speaking, of course. We like that you can and do win Bobby Dodd Awards.)

Bubble burst? With Kansas State's 71-77 loss in Stillwater last night, Bring on the Cats more or less resigns the Wildcats' fate to the NIT. Probably true, though I'm not 100% sure TB's right the 'Cats would need to secure the #4 seed and then beat Texas and KU in the conference tourney just to clear the hump. Texas alone might do the trick, depending what happens with A&M and/or Oklahoma State. Either way, Kansas State needs to thump Colorado and look good reaching the conference semifinals.

The Madness approaches. Speaking of Championship Week... Card Chronicle has as thoroughly outstanding a primer for the Madness as one could possibly hope for. Brilliant.

More Madness. If you missed the end of the Washington State-Arizona State game in Pullman on Saturday... don't. Or if it's jaw-dropping dunks you need to get your March Madness blood roiling, I've got you covered in three easy steps:

1. The Paul Harris Experience

2. Jeff Teague Flies

3. Marqus Blakely Is Fearless (via the Card Chronicle post mentioned above)

Kansas Jayhawks @ Colorado Buffaloes Basketball Game Preview

irish1611 — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 17:36:54 -0000

8-7, 0-1
NR (AP)
NR (USA Today)

January 17th, 2009
Who: Colorado Buffaloes vs. Kansas Jayhawks
Where: Coors Event Center (Boulder, Colorado)
1:30 pm MT
TV: ABC
Radio: AM 760
Live Stats: ESPN.com
Line: Kansas -12.5

12-4, 1-0
NR (AP)
NR (USA Today)

It is hard to dedicate a full preview to the Buffs basketball team. With some positives going down in football right now, I find it much more satisfying to talk about that but it is the start of Big 12 play and the defending National Champions are coming into Boulder today for a 1:30 pm MT tipoff on ABC against the Black and Gold. Football is just a little better to write about right now as the Buffs basketball team is coming off a 45 point loss to a less-than-dominant Missouri team who lost to Nebraska a couple nights before. The 45 point loss was the eighth worse loss for a conference game in league history. Missouri shot 63.3% and it was the Tigers first time over 100 points in conference play in eight years. I am not going to get too negative on Bzdelik or the team because, like I have said before, they were left in a worse spot than the football team after Barnett got finished with it. The Buffs have one upperclassmen and are extremely young. They lack an inside presence and depend too much on a couple players to win them ball games. Let's just not have any more embarrassing moments this year. Keep it within 20.

And what is with Missouri beating down the Buffs. Most recently, the Buffs basketball team lost 67 - 102. Last year the Buffs basketball team kept it close but still lost both meetings and in football the last two years, Mizzou has beat the Buffs by a combined score of 113 - 10. That is having someone's number. Anyone we can play them every other year? Bring Texas Tech into the North, we can beat them.

Okay, onto some Kansas Jayhawk discussion and links. Right now the Buffs are 12.5 point underdogs. With losses to Montana State (at home), SMU, Vermont (by 25), TCU (at home by 16) and Buffalo...you tell me what you think about that line? Don't forget the 45 point loss a couple nights ago as well. Kansas is 12 - 4 and yes, they are inconsistent with a ton of youth and they don't rebound particularly well but that does sound like somebody we know? Yes, it is the Buffs. Young and inconsistent but the talent level is a different story. Kansas is 0 - 2 on the road (1-1 on a nuetral floor) this year but those losses were against a good Michigan State team and an Arizona team who is pretty athletic and a difficult matchup inside with PF/C Jordan Hill. The Buffs don't have a great inside presence like Jordan Hill and are not athletic enough to run up and down with the Jayhawks. Back to the spread of 12.5 points. I only checked back to 2003 - 2004 but over those 5 years, CU has played Kansas, for the most part, pretty well in Boulder but have never lost by less than 12 points (0 - 5). This year the Buffs are 3 - 8 against the spread while Kansas is 12 - 4 ATS, which is their record.

I am looking for a reason from you, the readers, why this game will be close. The game is sure to be half full of Jayhawk fans. The real question is will Dan Hawkins let his 11+ recruits attend the game with all the opposing team's fanbase in full support. I would love to see the Buffs only lose by single digits but it is hard for me to believe that will happen. Cory Higgins will need to go off in a big way and the defense will have to be much better than allowing a Missouri team to shoot 63% from the field. Last game, the Buffs shot in the 30% range which was by far their worst performance of the year. Coloradpo is 7 - 2 at home but the wins aren't that impressive and the losses were against TCU and Montana State. Here's to a big upset and Vegas proving me wrong.

Here are some links about the game today:

The Kansas City Star recognizes that today's matchup is the closest thing to a home game away from Fogg Allen Field House:

Thousands of Kansas fans will be on hand today when the Jayhawks take on Colorado in what has become an annual crimson-and-blue invasion of the Coors Events Conference Center in Boulder.

The Star likes Kansas' chances at getting their first road win of the year today...me too.

From the Denver Post, Bzdelik always cuts to the chase which is refreshing:

"We need to strap it on against Kansas," Bzdelik said. "It's got to come down to our guys saying enough is enough, in terms of being manhandled all the time."

The Buffs have lost 4 of their last 5 and the only win during that stretch as against Western State, a Division II foe.

A good article from the RMN on where the Buffs basketball program is right now. You can sense the frustration Bzdelik is going through and I agree, it is going to take 2 - 3 recruiting classes to get this thing straightened out:

“I’m tired of being politically correct,” Bzdelik said. “We’re not on a level playing field as of this moment with other schools in the Big 12. Fortunately, our administration understands that.

“So, it’s a process. I’m excited about where we’re headed; I know the support is here to get us to a level playing field.”

If you want some more quick facts for the game today, check out cubuffs.com as they put together good one liner stats for every game.

We answered a few questions from our buddies at the SBNation KU site, Rock Chalk Talk, for the upcoming game. I am particularly proud of my answer to the final question about Buff football. I wouldn't read the other five answers about Buff basketball. Stay with the positives. They also put out a pretty good synopsis of the Colorado Basketball team for the upcoming game.

A game thread post will go up today as this game is on ABC 1:30 MT. We will have player stats for you. Feel free to leave some comments about the game as hopefully the Buffs pull a 180 today and compete.

Terps Eke Out Win Over Vermont in Overtime

Ben Broman — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:28:12 -0000

I'm left a little bit speechless right now. I mean, it wasn't exactly the best game Maryland's ever played. Hopefully, this gave the team enough of a scare. Maybe they'll play like they did in overtime for an entire game now.With that said, the Terps did win 89-74, so you can't complain all too much.

I will say this: Greivis Vasquez, for and undeserved criticism I have ever given you: I apologize from the bottom of my heart. You carried the team through the final minutes, and that final shot blew my mind. Adrian Bowie, you deserve to be a starter. You played out of your mind and made some crazy plays on rebounding and defense. Dave Neal, you made some shots today, I give you that. However, if you ever take those shots in that situation again, I hope Gary benches you. Props to hitting them, but dear god don't do it again. Braxton Dupree, I know you have good technique in the low post and all, but man, I think this might be your last game starting. Not the best game for you, and I'm sure you know that. So go to the gym and work hard. By the way - you're a center, not a guard. Get on the block, don't stand out on the perimeter. Gary Williams: I know the final five were getting it done in OT - they deserved to play then. But this team has a massive amount of depth - use it! Please! When you keep the same guys in there for long periods of time, especially at the end of the game, you make your only big strength into a weakness.

Well, that game was very scary. But in the end, it worked. Congrats on #400, Gary.