One more upset for 2014:
Indiana cruised past #24 Michigan State, 70-51.
More results:
#5 Texas A&M bounced back from Monday's loss to pummel North Texas, 75-38.
Full scoreboard.
Player news:
Kentucky's Jennifer O'Neill is expected to return from injury for Friday's SEC opener.
Aggressive Bridget Perry is making a difference for Purdue.
An offensive mindset is serving UConn's Moriah Jefferson well.
Courtney Chelf is just the latest athlete in her family to play for Oklahoma State.
Team news:
#1 South Carolina is prepped for SEC play.
Rutgers point guard Briyona Canty is week-to-week with a bone bruise in her knee, and assistant coach Tasha Pointer has given birth to a girl. Betsy Yonkman will fill in for Pointer.
High school news:
Class of 2015 #3 prospect Jessica Shepard has torn her ACL and is out for the season. She had committed to Nebraska.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Donations to Lauren Hill's cancer charity reach 1 million
Here's a week brightener:
CINCINNATI -- A cancer charity backed by Ohio college basketball player Lauren Hill has used a final push to reach her goal of $1 million in donations by the end of the year.
Hill got national attention when she played in a Division III basketball game with Mount St. Joseph on Nov. 2 despite suffering from an inoperable brain tumor diagnosed a year ago. She made layups for the first and last baskets of the game.
Hill is a 19-year-old freshman. She has since November helped raise more than $775,000 for cancer research and treatment through a charity called The Cure Starts Now.
CINCINNATI -- A cancer charity backed by Ohio college basketball player Lauren Hill has used a final push to reach her goal of $1 million in donations by the end of the year.
Hill got national attention when she played in a Division III basketball game with Mount St. Joseph on Nov. 2 despite suffering from an inoperable brain tumor diagnosed a year ago. She made layups for the first and last baskets of the game.
Hill is a 19-year-old freshman. She has since November helped raise more than $775,000 for cancer research and treatment through a charity called The Cure Starts Now.
Things staying interesting
Some interesting results today:
UCLA beat USC, 59-52.
Long Beach State downed Colorado, 62-56.
Princeton took out Fordham, 67-53, to stay unbeaten.
Iowa State thumped UC Riverside, 71-54.
Texas Tech edged Houston Baptist, 60-59.
Villanova defeated NC State, 74-65.
Missouri State slipped by Missouri, 57-52.
Georgia Tech took down Louisiana Tech, 96-81.
Full scoreboard.
More news:
North Carolina junior forward Xylina McDaniel is sidelined indefinitely with a lower right leg injury.
UCLA beat USC, 59-52.
Long Beach State downed Colorado, 62-56.
Princeton took out Fordham, 67-53, to stay unbeaten.
Iowa State thumped UC Riverside, 71-54.
Texas Tech edged Houston Baptist, 60-59.
Villanova defeated NC State, 74-65.
Missouri State slipped by Missouri, 57-52.
Georgia Tech took down Louisiana Tech, 96-81.
Full scoreboard.
More news:
North Carolina junior forward Xylina McDaniel is sidelined indefinitely with a lower right leg injury.
Texas A&M-Washington quote outtakes
All the post-game quotes don't fit into a game story; there are always some left over. So I thought I'd share some of the outtakes from last night's Texas A&M-Washington match up.
Aggies coach Gary Blair is always a pleasure to interview, for his sense of humor and honesty. True to form, he gave plenty of credit to Washington, which upset his fifth-ranked team.
"Plum is the real deal," he said of sophomore Kelsey Plum, who lead the Huskies with 32 en route to crossing the 1,000-point career mark.
Blair also had high praise for Washington coach Mike Neighbors, who was his director of basketball operations from 1999-2001, when he was head coach at Arkansas.
"Mike was great tonight," he said. "If we had to lose to anybody, I'm glad it was Mike."
Blair said of his own team that they are "good, but not great." One of their main problems is post scoring.
"(#1) South Carolina and (#2) UConn are the only two great teams - everybody else is just pretty damned good," Blair said.
Neighbors said the Huskies are mature enough to handle adverse game situations, unlike last year.
"We do a good job of keeping each other level-headed," he said.
I asked about their uncanny ability to adjust in games, and Neighbors said that players usually take on most of that role. Arriving to shoot around that morning, Neighbors discovered that Talia Walton and Chantel Oshahor had already anticipated what he was going to say.
"'We were just talking about that,' they told me," Neighbors said. "That shows you the leadership we have."
Walton said that the team trusts each other and plays off one another. That when someone gets into a rhythm, it effects the entire squad.
"We always want to rise to the occasion," she said.
Plum, who is the Division I leading scorer, heaped praise on Aminah Williams, who she said was the MVP of the second half, and Walton. I asked about her point total, which made her the fastest in school history to reach 1,000 points. She shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't care," she said. "I didn't know I'd hit that mark until I heard them announce it."
Aggies coach Gary Blair is always a pleasure to interview, for his sense of humor and honesty. True to form, he gave plenty of credit to Washington, which upset his fifth-ranked team.
"Plum is the real deal," he said of sophomore Kelsey Plum, who lead the Huskies with 32 en route to crossing the 1,000-point career mark.
Blair also had high praise for Washington coach Mike Neighbors, who was his director of basketball operations from 1999-2001, when he was head coach at Arkansas.
"Mike was great tonight," he said. "If we had to lose to anybody, I'm glad it was Mike."
Blair said of his own team that they are "good, but not great." One of their main problems is post scoring.
"(#1) South Carolina and (#2) UConn are the only two great teams - everybody else is just pretty damned good," Blair said.
Neighbors said the Huskies are mature enough to handle adverse game situations, unlike last year.
"We do a good job of keeping each other level-headed," he said.
I asked about their uncanny ability to adjust in games, and Neighbors said that players usually take on most of that role. Arriving to shoot around that morning, Neighbors discovered that Talia Walton and Chantel Oshahor had already anticipated what he was going to say.
"'We were just talking about that,' they told me," Neighbors said. "That shows you the leadership we have."
Walton said that the team trusts each other and plays off one another. That when someone gets into a rhythm, it effects the entire squad.
"We always want to rise to the occasion," she said.
Plum, who is the Division I leading scorer, heaped praise on Aminah Williams, who she said was the MVP of the second half, and Walton. I asked about her point total, which made her the fastest in school history to reach 1,000 points. She shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't care," she said. "I didn't know I'd hit that mark until I heard them announce it."
Washington, Northwestern move into USA Today top 25 poll
In this week's USA Today top 25 poll, Washington and Northwestern come in, and James Madison and Michigan State drop out:
1. South Carolina
2. Connecticut
3. Texas
4. Notre Dame
5. Baylor
6. Louisville
7. North Carolina
8. Texas A&M
9. Tennessee
10. Maryland
11. Kentucky
12. Duke
13. Oregon State
14. Oklahoma State
15. Stanford
16. Nebraska
17. Rutgers
18. Mississippi State
19. Georgia
20. Iowa
21. West Virginia
22. Syracuse
23. Washington
24. DePaul
25. Northwestern
I've thought Northwestern, in particular, should have been ranked long ago. First ranking for Washington since 2003.
1. South Carolina
2. Connecticut
3. Texas
4. Notre Dame
5. Baylor
6. Louisville
7. North Carolina
8. Texas A&M
9. Tennessee
10. Maryland
11. Kentucky
12. Duke
13. Oregon State
14. Oklahoma State
15. Stanford
16. Nebraska
17. Rutgers
18. Mississippi State
19. Georgia
20. Iowa
21. West Virginia
22. Syracuse
23. Washington
24. DePaul
25. Northwestern
I've thought Northwestern, in particular, should have been ranked long ago. First ranking for Washington since 2003.
Indina Fever hires former Sparks assistant coaches
Maybe the Sparks are getting ready to hire a new head coach, as the Fever has hired their former assistants:
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Fever has named Gail Goestenkors and Gary Kloppenburg as assistant coaches to join Stephanie White in her first season as head coach on the Fever sidelines.
Goestenkors and Kloppenburg both have head coaching experience and last year they worked together as assistant coaches with the Los Angeles Sparks. Goestenkors was a long-time head coach at Duke and Texas in the college ranks, and last year made her coaching debut in the WNBA. Kloppenburg, a former Indiana assistant under Lin Dunn from 2008-11, was the head coach of the Tulsa Shock in 2012 and 2013.
White and Kloppenburg shared the Fever sidelines with Dunn during a 2011 season that saw Indiana finish 21-13 atop the Eastern Conference before falling in the conference finals. In separate seasons with Indiana, each was voted by league GMs as the top assistant coach in the WNBA.
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Fever has named Gail Goestenkors and Gary Kloppenburg as assistant coaches to join Stephanie White in her first season as head coach on the Fever sidelines.
Goestenkors and Kloppenburg both have head coaching experience and last year they worked together as assistant coaches with the Los Angeles Sparks. Goestenkors was a long-time head coach at Duke and Texas in the college ranks, and last year made her coaching debut in the WNBA. Kloppenburg, a former Indiana assistant under Lin Dunn from 2008-11, was the head coach of the Tulsa Shock in 2012 and 2013.
White and Kloppenburg shared the Fever sidelines with Dunn during a 2011 season that saw Indiana finish 21-13 atop the Eastern Conference before falling in the conference finals. In separate seasons with Indiana, each was voted by league GMs as the top assistant coach in the WNBA.
Monday, December 29, 2014
Washington, Minnesota with the upsets
The University of Washington upset #5 Texas A&M, 70-49. What a game.
Minnesota knocked off #12 Nebraska, 72-69.
More results:
#14 Maryland downed Ohio State, 87-78.
Vanderbilt edged James Madison, 66-62.
Miami beat LSU, 76-71.
Cal routed Old Dominion, 79-59.
Arizona turned away UT Martin, 61-56.
BYU escaped Portland, 83-79.
Full scoreboard.
Player news:
Ariel Massengale is putting her minutes to good use for the Lady Vols.
Minnesota knocked off #12 Nebraska, 72-69.
More results:
#14 Maryland downed Ohio State, 87-78.
Vanderbilt edged James Madison, 66-62.
Miami beat LSU, 76-71.
Cal routed Old Dominion, 79-59.
Arizona turned away UT Martin, 61-56.
BYU escaped Portland, 83-79.
Full scoreboard.
Player news:
Ariel Massengale is putting her minutes to good use for the Lady Vols.
Heading into Pac-12 play
At this moment (Washington plays #4 TAMU tonight), here are the records of Pac-12 teams:
Arizona State 11-1
Washington 10-1
Oregon State 10-1
Washington State 9-2
USC 8-3
Colorado 7-3
California 7-3
Stanford 8-4
Oregon 6-4
Arizona 6-4
Utah 5-5
UCLA 4-7
So far the standings don't match any of the preseason predictions, including mine. If I had to choose a Pac-12 champion today, I'd take Oregon State. The Beavers, who just had their first loss of the season yesterday, have looked utterly indomitable since day one of the season.
Stanford - the title holder for the last decade - has looked downright mediocre this year without any star players on board. Cal, which has challenged the Cardinal the last three seasons, has seen unexpected struggles with youth and depth. USC, who played for the tournament championship last season, lost its two top scorers and saw several transfers, so they too are seeing turbulence. UCLA, with the top 2014 recruiting class, has faced sewing an entirely new team together while playing a top-tier schedule.
On the flip side, there are a few teams doing better than expected.
Colorado, despite losses to graduation and major injuries, is holding tough. Oregon, under the tutelage of new coach hire/superstar Kelly Graves, is showing they can finish games now. Washington State has been able to make it happen with stars Tia Presley and Lia Galdeira, despite the coaching deficit that is June Daugherty.
I would not count Arizona State and Washington's successes as surprises. Sun Devil coach Charli Turner Thorne is a proven winner, and Washington is loaded with talent; they had numerous injuries last season.
Conference play begins Saturday, and I haven't been this excited in years. Depth and parity abound, and in any game, any team can win. Who will finish on top? Hard to tell.
Bring it on.
Arizona State 11-1
Washington 10-1
Oregon State 10-1
Washington State 9-2
USC 8-3
Colorado 7-3
California 7-3
Stanford 8-4
Oregon 6-4
Arizona 6-4
Utah 5-5
UCLA 4-7
So far the standings don't match any of the preseason predictions, including mine. If I had to choose a Pac-12 champion today, I'd take Oregon State. The Beavers, who just had their first loss of the season yesterday, have looked utterly indomitable since day one of the season.
Stanford - the title holder for the last decade - has looked downright mediocre this year without any star players on board. Cal, which has challenged the Cardinal the last three seasons, has seen unexpected struggles with youth and depth. USC, who played for the tournament championship last season, lost its two top scorers and saw several transfers, so they too are seeing turbulence. UCLA, with the top 2014 recruiting class, has faced sewing an entirely new team together while playing a top-tier schedule.
On the flip side, there are a few teams doing better than expected.
Colorado, despite losses to graduation and major injuries, is holding tough. Oregon, under the tutelage of new coach hire/superstar Kelly Graves, is showing they can finish games now. Washington State has been able to make it happen with stars Tia Presley and Lia Galdeira, despite the coaching deficit that is June Daugherty.
I would not count Arizona State and Washington's successes as surprises. Sun Devil coach Charli Turner Thorne is a proven winner, and Washington is loaded with talent; they had numerous injuries last season.
Conference play begins Saturday, and I haven't been this excited in years. Depth and parity abound, and in any game, any team can win. Who will finish on top? Hard to tell.
Bring it on.
62 games, that's right
Great slate of games on tap today.
In the meantime.......
Team news:
Northwestern is the NCAA's team of the week. I've been wondering why they aren't ranked yet.
Maryland is excited to play their first Big Ten game tonight.
Nebraska has experience but lacks depth.
Penn State is off to a rough start. I've been wondering what's up. They have the talent, even in a rebuilding year, but it's not gelling.
Player news:
Ohio State's Kelsey Mitchell is ESPN's player of the week.
Junior center Alicia Carline's basketball journey took her from New Zealand to Portland State.
In the meantime.......
Team news:
Northwestern is the NCAA's team of the week. I've been wondering why they aren't ranked yet.
Maryland is excited to play their first Big Ten game tonight.
Nebraska has experience but lacks depth.
Penn State is off to a rough start. I've been wondering what's up. They have the talent, even in a rebuilding year, but it's not gelling.
Player news:
Ohio State's Kelsey Mitchell is ESPN's player of the week.
Junior center Alicia Carline's basketball journey took her from New Zealand to Portland State.
AP top 25 poll: Seton Hall, DePaul in
This week's AP top 25 poll.....West Virginia and Green Bay drop out, DePaul drops back in, as does Seton Hall for the first time since Jan., 1995:
1. South Carolina
2. Connecticut
3. Texas
4. Notre Dame
5. Texas A&M
6. Baylor
7. Louisville
8. Tennessee
9. North Carolina
10. Duke
11. Kentucky
12. Nebraska
13. Oregon State
14. Maryland
15. Stanford
16. Rutgers
17. Mississippi State
18. Oklahoma State
19. Georgia
20. Iowa
21. Syracuse
22. Arizona State
23. Seton Hall
24. Michigan State
25. DePaul
1. South Carolina
2. Connecticut
3. Texas
4. Notre Dame
5. Texas A&M
6. Baylor
7. Louisville
8. Tennessee
9. North Carolina
10. Duke
11. Kentucky
12. Nebraska
13. Oregon State
14. Maryland
15. Stanford
16. Rutgers
17. Mississippi State
18. Oklahoma State
19. Georgia
20. Iowa
21. Syracuse
22. Arizona State
23. Seton Hall
24. Michigan State
25. DePaul
Sunday, December 28, 2014
First losses and upsets
#8 Tennessee put away #10 Oregon State, 74-63. It was the first loss of the season for the Beavers.
Seton Hall upset Georgia, 70-51, handing the Bulldogs their first loss.
Northwestern upended #20 Michigan State, 61-57.
Dayton upset #24 Green Bay, 72-66.
There are only five undefeated teams left in Division I: South Carolina, Texas, Princeton, Mississippi State and Akron.
More results:
#4 Notre Dame beat UCLA, 82-67.
Say what? Wisconsin downed Michigan, 63-53.
Purdue topped Illinois, 62-55.
FGCU outlasted CSUN, 73-64.
LSU routed UNC Greensboro, 82-61.
#16 Stanford beat up on winless UC Santa Barbara, 90-34.
#17 Rutgers shut down Indiana, 66-51.
Full scoreboard.
Team news:
Nebraska will be the first test for Rachel Banham-less Minnesota.
Ohio State faces new Big Ten powers next.
UConn is rolling with multiple offensive weapons.
Milestones:
Lehigh's Kerry Kinek and Bucknell's Audrey Dotson made their 1,000th career points today.
Seton Hall upset Georgia, 70-51, handing the Bulldogs their first loss.
Northwestern upended #20 Michigan State, 61-57.
Dayton upset #24 Green Bay, 72-66.
There are only five undefeated teams left in Division I: South Carolina, Texas, Princeton, Mississippi State and Akron.
More results:
#4 Notre Dame beat UCLA, 82-67.
Say what? Wisconsin downed Michigan, 63-53.
Purdue topped Illinois, 62-55.
FGCU outlasted CSUN, 73-64.
LSU routed UNC Greensboro, 82-61.
#16 Stanford beat up on winless UC Santa Barbara, 90-34.
#17 Rutgers shut down Indiana, 66-51.
Full scoreboard.
Team news:
Nebraska will be the first test for Rachel Banham-less Minnesota.
Ohio State faces new Big Ten powers next.
UConn is rolling with multiple offensive weapons.
Milestones:
Lehigh's Kerry Kinek and Bucknell's Audrey Dotson made their 1,000th career points today.
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Back in business
Today's results:
Saint Mary's rallied to edge Santa Clara, 62-61.
Gonzaga downed Brigham Young, 78-62. Sunny Greinacher hit 1,000 career points in the process for the Bulldogs.
#2 UConn spanked SMU, 96-45.
All results.
Big Ten:
Breaking down the Big Ten.
Iowa faces many challenges in the new-look Big Ten.
Five keys for Purdue in conference play.
Penn State has a clean slate to open Big Ten play. But the Lions are still struggling to fill the shoes of past teams.
Short-handed Nebraska leads a strong league.
Wisconsin prepares for conference competition without key pieces.
Player news:
Texas junior Sara Hattis has rejoined the basketball team, after completing volleyball season.
A trip home for Christmas left UConn junior Moriah Jefferson revitalized.
Freshman Kelsey Mitchell has already made an impression at Ohio State.
Coaching news:
More on the violations that lead to the firing of former Southeast Missouri State assistant coach Ben Coomes.
It's "no big deal" for Lady Vol coach Holly Warlick if UConn coach Geno Auriemma doesn't want the Huskies to play them.
Saint Mary's rallied to edge Santa Clara, 62-61.
Gonzaga downed Brigham Young, 78-62. Sunny Greinacher hit 1,000 career points in the process for the Bulldogs.
#2 UConn spanked SMU, 96-45.
All results.
Big Ten:
Breaking down the Big Ten.
Iowa faces many challenges in the new-look Big Ten.
Five keys for Purdue in conference play.
Penn State has a clean slate to open Big Ten play. But the Lions are still struggling to fill the shoes of past teams.
Short-handed Nebraska leads a strong league.
Wisconsin prepares for conference competition without key pieces.
Player news:
Texas junior Sara Hattis has rejoined the basketball team, after completing volleyball season.
A trip home for Christmas left UConn junior Moriah Jefferson revitalized.
Freshman Kelsey Mitchell has already made an impression at Ohio State.
Coaching news:
More on the violations that lead to the firing of former Southeast Missouri State assistant coach Ben Coomes.
It's "no big deal" for Lady Vol coach Holly Warlick if UConn coach Geno Auriemma doesn't want the Huskies to play them.
Friday, December 26, 2014
Waiting for games to begin again
Is it Dec. 27 already?
Team news:
Fordham has "adopted" a 5-year-old with sickle cell anemia.
Stanford is searching for answers.
Arizona State is excelling in the classroom, with a cumulative team GPA of 3.47.
Analysis: Middle Tennessee's start is good, not great.
Notre Dame has ramped up their defensive focus.
Player news:
Duke senior forward Amber Henson has battled through injuries to make an impact.
Pitt's Monica Wignot has made the switch from volleyball to basketball with ease.
Oklahoma State senior Liz Donohoe is among the program's greats.
Iowa's Melissa Dixon shattered the program three-point record before the break.
Richmond senior Liz Brown is making the most of her final season.
Siena freshman Margot Hetzke has already made a big impact.
Southern Illinois freshman Micah Norris has left the program.
JMU practice player Clay Harris is getting his court time.
Coaching news:
UConn coach Geno Auriemma says no to the possibility of reviving the Huskies-Lady Vols rivalry.
Kent State coach Danielle O'Bannion doesn't want your pity after being diagnosed with lymphoma.
North Carolina State coach Wes Moore is proud of his former team Chattanooga.
Team news:
Fordham has "adopted" a 5-year-old with sickle cell anemia.
Stanford is searching for answers.
Arizona State is excelling in the classroom, with a cumulative team GPA of 3.47.
Analysis: Middle Tennessee's start is good, not great.
Notre Dame has ramped up their defensive focus.
Player news:
Duke senior forward Amber Henson has battled through injuries to make an impact.
Pitt's Monica Wignot has made the switch from volleyball to basketball with ease.
Oklahoma State senior Liz Donohoe is among the program's greats.
Iowa's Melissa Dixon shattered the program three-point record before the break.
Richmond senior Liz Brown is making the most of her final season.
Siena freshman Margot Hetzke has already made a big impact.
Southern Illinois freshman Micah Norris has left the program.
JMU practice player Clay Harris is getting his court time.
Coaching news:
UConn coach Geno Auriemma says no to the possibility of reviving the Huskies-Lady Vols rivalry.
Kent State coach Danielle O'Bannion doesn't want your pity after being diagnosed with lymphoma.
North Carolina State coach Wes Moore is proud of his former team Chattanooga.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Virginia coach Joanne Boyle home for holidays with daughter
Here's a heartwarming holiday story: Virginia coach Joanne Boyle pressed on through much red tape to arrive home for the holidays from Senegal with her newly-adopted daughter.
Sixteen days later, Joanne Boyle is home. More importantly, so is Ngoty.
The Virginia women’s basketball coach returned to Charlottesville at 7:30 Tuesday morning, bringing with her a newly adopted daughter.
Boyle is a mother. Finally.
The trip to Africa is over. Finally.
Awwww.
Sixteen days later, Joanne Boyle is home. More importantly, so is Ngoty.
The Virginia women’s basketball coach returned to Charlottesville at 7:30 Tuesday morning, bringing with her a newly adopted daughter.
Boyle is a mother. Finally.
The trip to Africa is over. Finally.
Awwww.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
A wee bit of news is better than none
Player news:
Formerly-embattled Leticia Romero is eligible to play for Florida State, and will suit up Monday.
Laid-back Iowa State freshman Bryanna Fernstrom is adjusting to college life.
Jasmine Peeples is flourishing as Alabama State's center.
Duke's Rebecca Greenwell is excited about the holidays.
Redshirt junior Tina Roy is excelling with South Carolina.
Coaching news:
Coach Karen Aston has taken Texas to new heights.
Formerly-embattled Leticia Romero is eligible to play for Florida State, and will suit up Monday.
Laid-back Iowa State freshman Bryanna Fernstrom is adjusting to college life.
Jasmine Peeples is flourishing as Alabama State's center.
Duke's Rebecca Greenwell is excited about the holidays.
Redshirt junior Tina Roy is excelling with South Carolina.
Coaching news:
Coach Karen Aston has taken Texas to new heights.
Chattanooga, Long Beach State and Indiana State enter mid-major top 10
Three new teams break into ESPN's mid-major top ten:
1. Green Bay
2. Princeton
3. Chattanooga
4. James Madison
5. Florida Gulf Coast
6. Western Kentucky
7. George Washington
8. Long Beach State
9. Dayton
10. Indiana State
11. South Dakota State
12. ULAR
13. Cal State Northridge
14. Wichita State
15. (tie) Gonzaga and Marist
1. Green Bay
2. Princeton
3. Chattanooga
4. James Madison
5. Florida Gulf Coast
6. Western Kentucky
7. George Washington
8. Long Beach State
9. Dayton
10. Indiana State
11. South Dakota State
12. ULAR
13. Cal State Northridge
14. Wichita State
15. (tie) Gonzaga and Marist
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Temporarily gameless
UC Riverside and CSU Bakersfield continue their hot starts with wins tonight.
And now we're in the three-day break.......*sigh*
Team news:
Oregon State: taking a look back at 10-0.
Pro news:
Lisa Leslie says there's more to worry about in sports than the gender gap.
Tamika Catchings blogs.
And now we're in the three-day break.......*sigh*
Team news:
Oregon State: taking a look back at 10-0.
Pro news:
Lisa Leslie says there's more to worry about in sports than the gender gap.
Tamika Catchings blogs.
USA Today top 25 coaches poll changes
Cal and St. John's out, James Madison and DePaul in, and Kentucky and Stanford drop like stones in this week's USA Today top 25 poll:
1. South Carolina
2. Connecticut
3. Texas
4. Notre Dame
5. Texas A&M
6. Baylor
7. Louisville
8. North Carolina
9. Maryland
10. Duke
11. Tennessee
12. Oregon State
13. Kentucky
14. Nebraska
15. Stanford
16. Georgia
17. Oklahoma State
18. Rutgers
19. Mississippi State
20. Iowa
21. West Virginia
22. Michigan State
23. Syracuse
24. James Madison
25. DePaul
1. South Carolina
2. Connecticut
3. Texas
4. Notre Dame
5. Texas A&M
6. Baylor
7. Louisville
8. North Carolina
9. Maryland
10. Duke
11. Tennessee
12. Oregon State
13. Kentucky
14. Nebraska
15. Stanford
16. Georgia
17. Oklahoma State
18. Rutgers
19. Mississippi State
20. Iowa
21. West Virginia
22. Michigan State
23. Syracuse
24. James Madison
25. DePaul
Preparing for that slow down
The last three games until Saturday are today.
Team news:
Chattanooga is the NCAA's team of the week.
Texas is really, really good.
Texas Tech's 9-2 start could boost their confidence entering Big 12 play.
Player news:
Freshmen Kia Nurse and Gabby Williams are lighting it up at UConn.
Coaching news:
Louisiana Tech's Tyler Summmitt is easing into his coaching career.
Team news:
Chattanooga is the NCAA's team of the week.
Texas is really, really good.
Texas Tech's 9-2 start could boost their confidence entering Big 12 play.
Player news:
Freshmen Kia Nurse and Gabby Williams are lighting it up at UConn.
Coaching news:
Louisiana Tech's Tyler Summmitt is easing into his coaching career.
Monday, December 22, 2014
Some outstanding performances; Mater Dei are Nike TOC champs
Upset:
Ohio State thrashed #21 West Virginia, 96-54. Freshman Kelsey Mitchell lead the Buckeyes with 39 points.
More results:
BYU outlasted Utah State in two overtimes, 62-58. Lexi Eaton lead the Cougars with 29 points.
Creighton edged Kansas in overtime, 84-81.
Florida State defeated Tulane, 65-54.
Missouri got by UT Martin, 74-65. The Tigers are 10-2.
St. Bonaventure held off Georgetown, 70-64. Junior forward Katie Healy notched 1,000 career points in the process.
Eastern Washington downed Florida, 67-56.
Full scoreboard.
Team news:
No dunk, but a new dynamic for Notre Dame.
Coach Karen Aston is leading Texas to new heights.
Louisville is at ease under the radar.
Signs of progress are evident for Virginia.
Coach Joe Tartamella has signed a contract extension with St. John's through 2019-2020.
Michigan's energy in the paint is coming from Cyesha Goree and Danielle Williams.
Nike TOC Champions:
Mater Dei are Nike TOC champs after upsetting top-ranked Blackman, 53-44.
Ohio State thrashed #21 West Virginia, 96-54. Freshman Kelsey Mitchell lead the Buckeyes with 39 points.
More results:
BYU outlasted Utah State in two overtimes, 62-58. Lexi Eaton lead the Cougars with 29 points.
Creighton edged Kansas in overtime, 84-81.
Florida State defeated Tulane, 65-54.
Missouri got by UT Martin, 74-65. The Tigers are 10-2.
St. Bonaventure held off Georgetown, 70-64. Junior forward Katie Healy notched 1,000 career points in the process.
Eastern Washington downed Florida, 67-56.
Full scoreboard.
Team news:
No dunk, but a new dynamic for Notre Dame.
Coach Karen Aston is leading Texas to new heights.
Louisville is at ease under the radar.
Signs of progress are evident for Virginia.
Coach Joe Tartamella has signed a contract extension with St. John's through 2019-2020.
Michigan's energy in the paint is coming from Cyesha Goree and Danielle Williams.
Nike TOC Champions:
Mater Dei are Nike TOC champs after upsetting top-ranked Blackman, 53-44.
Changes in AP poll
Cal and DePaul drop out of this week's AP top 25 poll, and Green Bay and Arizona State drop in:
1. South Carolina
2. Connecticut
3. Texas
4. Notre Dame
5. Texas A&M
6. Baylor
7. Louisville
8. Tennessee
9. North Carolina
10. Duke
11. Oregon State
12. Kentucky
13. Nebraska
14. Georgia
15. Maryland
16. Stanford
17. Rutgers
18. Oklahoma State
19. Mississippi State
20. Michigan State
21. West Virginia
22. Syracuse
23. Iowa
24. Green Bay
25. Arizona State
This has got to be the highest ranking for Oregon State in program history, and it might be the lowest for Stanford in many years. Just, wow.
1. South Carolina
2. Connecticut
3. Texas
4. Notre Dame
5. Texas A&M
6. Baylor
7. Louisville
8. Tennessee
9. North Carolina
10. Duke
11. Oregon State
12. Kentucky
13. Nebraska
14. Georgia
15. Maryland
16. Stanford
17. Rutgers
18. Oklahoma State
19. Mississippi State
20. Michigan State
21. West Virginia
22. Syracuse
23. Iowa
24. Green Bay
25. Arizona State
This has got to be the highest ranking for Oregon State in program history, and it might be the lowest for Stanford in many years. Just, wow.
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Unbeatens dropping like flies
Wild day so far, on the first full day of games since finals........
Undefeated no more:
An Empress Davenport layup with 4.2 seconds to go sent #3 Texas over #4 Texas A&M, 67-65. It was the first loss of the year for the Aggies.
Indiana State upset St. John's in two overtimes, 73-67. SJU had been undefeated.
Arizona State gave Northwestern their first loss with an 88-75 trouncing.
Upset:
#13 Duke routed #8 Kentucky, 89-68.
Other notable results so far today:
#23 Iowa survived Drake, 100-98.
#18 Michigan State downed #19 Syracuse, 89-76.
#19 Oklahoma State rallied to beat USC, 66-62.
South Florida outlasted Penn State, 90-87.
#10 Louisville defeated #24 Cal, 70-57.
Arkansas over Oklahoma, 71-64.
Minnesota slipped by Central Michigan, 67-64.
Full scoreboard.
More:
Iowa State is looking for a consistent scorer.
Colorado's Lexy Kresl is playing better due to assistant coach Jamie Carey.
Off-season workouts have paid off for Maine's Anna Heise.
Pro news:
Lauren Jackson is back in action, playing in Australia.
Undefeated no more:
An Empress Davenport layup with 4.2 seconds to go sent #3 Texas over #4 Texas A&M, 67-65. It was the first loss of the year for the Aggies.
Indiana State upset St. John's in two overtimes, 73-67. SJU had been undefeated.
Arizona State gave Northwestern their first loss with an 88-75 trouncing.
Upset:
#13 Duke routed #8 Kentucky, 89-68.
Other notable results so far today:
#23 Iowa survived Drake, 100-98.
#18 Michigan State downed #19 Syracuse, 89-76.
#19 Oklahoma State rallied to beat USC, 66-62.
South Florida outlasted Penn State, 90-87.
#10 Louisville defeated #24 Cal, 70-57.
Arkansas over Oklahoma, 71-64.
Minnesota slipped by Central Michigan, 67-64.
Full scoreboard.
More:
Iowa State is looking for a consistent scorer.
Colorado's Lexy Kresl is playing better due to assistant coach Jamie Carey.
Off-season workouts have paid off for Maine's Anna Heise.
Pro news:
Lauren Jackson is back in action, playing in Australia.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
High school rankings, Nike TOC
This week's maxpreps.com rankings:
Maxpreps Xcellent 25:
1 McEachern (Powder Springs, GA)
2 Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, CA)
3 Blackman (Murfreesboro, TN)
4 Chaminade (West Hills, CA)
5 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)
6 Oakland (Murfreesboro, TN)
7 Potter's House Christian (Jacksonville, FL)
8 Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia, PA)
9 Rock Bridge (Columbia, MO)
10 St. Mary's (Stockton, CA)
11 Bishop McNamara (Forestville, MD)
12 Elizabethtown (KY)
13 Bedford North Lawrence (Bedford, IN)
14 Myers Park (Charlotte, NC)
15 Northside (Fort Smith, AR)
16 Miami Country Day (Miami, FL)
17 Paul VI (Fairfax, VA)
18 Lawrence North (Indianapolis, IN)
19 Gonzaga Prep (Spokane, WA)
20 Leavenworth (KS)
21 Konawaena (Kealakekua, HI)
22 Braintree (MA)
23 Millennium (Goodyear, AZ)
24 Oregon City (OR)
25 Cypress Woods (Cypress, TX)
Maxpreps computer rankings:
1 Cypress Woods (Cypress, TX)
2 Cedar Ridge (Round Rock, TX)
3 Vista Ridge (Cedar Park, TX)
4 North Shore (Houston, TX)
5 Liberty Christian (Argyle, TX)
6 Bedford North Lawrence (Bedford, IN)
7 Argyle (TX)
8 Georgetown (TX)
9 Hillside (Durham, NC)
10 New Hope Christian Academy (Thomasville, NC)
11 Lawrence North (Indianapolis, IN)
12 Clark (San Antonio, TX)
13 Ponchatoula (LA)
14 South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie, TX)
15 St. Ignatius (San Francisco, CA)
16 Barbers Hill (Mt. Belvieu, TX)
17 Miami Country Day (Miami, FL)
18 La Vega (Waco, TX)
19 Karr (New Orleans, LA)
20 Blackman (Murfreesboro, TN)
21 Noblesville (IN)
22 McEachern (Powder Springs, GA)
23 ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch, CO)
24 Bowie (Austin, TX)
25 Dekaney (Houston, TX)
In Arizona, the Nike Tournament of Champions heads into its final day tomorrow. Blackman and Mater Dei will play in the title game.
Day one recap.
Day two recap.
Photo gallery.
Maxpreps Xcellent 25:
1 McEachern (Powder Springs, GA)
2 Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, CA)
3 Blackman (Murfreesboro, TN)
4 Chaminade (West Hills, CA)
5 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)
6 Oakland (Murfreesboro, TN)
7 Potter's House Christian (Jacksonville, FL)
8 Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia, PA)
9 Rock Bridge (Columbia, MO)
10 St. Mary's (Stockton, CA)
11 Bishop McNamara (Forestville, MD)
12 Elizabethtown (KY)
13 Bedford North Lawrence (Bedford, IN)
14 Myers Park (Charlotte, NC)
15 Northside (Fort Smith, AR)
16 Miami Country Day (Miami, FL)
17 Paul VI (Fairfax, VA)
18 Lawrence North (Indianapolis, IN)
19 Gonzaga Prep (Spokane, WA)
20 Leavenworth (KS)
21 Konawaena (Kealakekua, HI)
22 Braintree (MA)
23 Millennium (Goodyear, AZ)
24 Oregon City (OR)
25 Cypress Woods (Cypress, TX)
Maxpreps computer rankings:
1 Cypress Woods (Cypress, TX)
2 Cedar Ridge (Round Rock, TX)
3 Vista Ridge (Cedar Park, TX)
4 North Shore (Houston, TX)
5 Liberty Christian (Argyle, TX)
6 Bedford North Lawrence (Bedford, IN)
7 Argyle (TX)
8 Georgetown (TX)
9 Hillside (Durham, NC)
10 New Hope Christian Academy (Thomasville, NC)
11 Lawrence North (Indianapolis, IN)
12 Clark (San Antonio, TX)
13 Ponchatoula (LA)
14 South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie, TX)
15 St. Ignatius (San Francisco, CA)
16 Barbers Hill (Mt. Belvieu, TX)
17 Miami Country Day (Miami, FL)
18 La Vega (Waco, TX)
19 Karr (New Orleans, LA)
20 Blackman (Murfreesboro, TN)
21 Noblesville (IN)
22 McEachern (Powder Springs, GA)
23 ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch, CO)
24 Bowie (Austin, TX)
25 Dekaney (Houston, TX)
In Arizona, the Nike Tournament of Champions heads into its final day tomorrow. Blackman and Mater Dei will play in the title game.
Day one recap.
Day two recap.
Photo gallery.
The strong stay strong....for now
Upset:
#11 Tennessee routed #7 Stanford, 59-40. The Lady Vols are on a roll; that was their fifth straight win.
More results:
#15 Georgia survived Furman, 58-51.
#25 St. John's outlasted Auburn, 56-49. They are undefeated.
#9 Baylor had to rally to beat #18 Michigan State, 84-65.
#16 Oregon State continued its domination with a 73-50 thumping of Nevada.
Minnesota is hanging tough. They downed Liberty, 74-60.
Washington edged UC Riverside, 74-71.
Utah took down Louisiana Tech, 67-52.
CSUN defeated San Diego State, 65-54.
Washington State pulled away from Montana State, 82-61.
Long Beach State won their own tournament with a 53-43 decision over Pacific.
Wisconsin rolled over Oral Roberts, 70-52.
Full scoreboard.
Player news:
Duke freshman Lynee Belton tore her ACL in Wednesday's game against Oklahoma, and will miss the season.
Three surgeries later, Becca Greenwell is "back to normal" as Duke's point guard.
Coach news:
UConn coach Geno Auriemma feels that the Huskies have a quirky schedule this year.
Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw will face her alma mater tomorrow.
#11 Tennessee routed #7 Stanford, 59-40. The Lady Vols are on a roll; that was their fifth straight win.
More results:
#15 Georgia survived Furman, 58-51.
#25 St. John's outlasted Auburn, 56-49. They are undefeated.
#9 Baylor had to rally to beat #18 Michigan State, 84-65.
#16 Oregon State continued its domination with a 73-50 thumping of Nevada.
Minnesota is hanging tough. They downed Liberty, 74-60.
Washington edged UC Riverside, 74-71.
Utah took down Louisiana Tech, 67-52.
CSUN defeated San Diego State, 65-54.
Washington State pulled away from Montana State, 82-61.
Long Beach State won their own tournament with a 53-43 decision over Pacific.
Wisconsin rolled over Oral Roberts, 70-52.
Full scoreboard.
Player news:
Duke freshman Lynee Belton tore her ACL in Wednesday's game against Oklahoma, and will miss the season.
Three surgeries later, Becca Greenwell is "back to normal" as Duke's point guard.
Coach news:
UConn coach Geno Auriemma feels that the Huskies have a quirky schedule this year.
Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw will face her alma mater tomorrow.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Contemplating the one-loss teams
Undefeated is great, but I've always thought there is a slight advantage to being a team with only one loss. For one thing, there's no more pressure to remain unbeaten. For most teams, there is something to prove after the insult of one loss.
Which teams are the most dangerous right now? There are the obvious ones in Connecticut, Notre Dame, Louisville, North Carolina, Baylor, Kentucky, Nebraska and Oklahoma State.
But I submit these other teams:
Long Beach State, which beat both Cal and LSU this week.
Indiana, who are playing so strongly this season.
Washington, who are feeling themselves.
James Madison, who have not faltered but for their lone loss.
Tulane almost has be convinced. San Diego and West Virginia, maybe.
Here's the list:
Florida State 11-1
Seton Hall 11-1
Kentucky 10-1
Long Beach State 10-1
Louisville 10-1
North Carolina 10-1
Notre Dame 10-1
Baylor 9-1
Indiana 9-1
Minnesota 9-1
Nebraska 9-1
San Diego 9-1
Tulane 9-1
Washington 9-1
Arizona State 8-1
Illinois-Chicago 8-1
Indiana State 8-1
James Madison 8-1
Oklahoma State 8-1
West Virginia 8-1
Connecticut 7-1
Kansas State 7-1
Louisiana-Lafayette 7-1
Southern Utah 6-1
Which teams are the most dangerous right now? There are the obvious ones in Connecticut, Notre Dame, Louisville, North Carolina, Baylor, Kentucky, Nebraska and Oklahoma State.
But I submit these other teams:
Long Beach State, which beat both Cal and LSU this week.
Indiana, who are playing so strongly this season.
Washington, who are feeling themselves.
James Madison, who have not faltered but for their lone loss.
Tulane almost has be convinced. San Diego and West Virginia, maybe.
Here's the list:
Florida State 11-1
Seton Hall 11-1
Kentucky 10-1
Long Beach State 10-1
Louisville 10-1
North Carolina 10-1
Notre Dame 10-1
Baylor 9-1
Indiana 9-1
Minnesota 9-1
Nebraska 9-1
San Diego 9-1
Tulane 9-1
Washington 9-1
Arizona State 8-1
Illinois-Chicago 8-1
Indiana State 8-1
James Madison 8-1
Oklahoma State 8-1
West Virginia 8-1
Connecticut 7-1
Kansas State 7-1
Louisiana-Lafayette 7-1
Southern Utah 6-1
Parity abounds in college hoops
Yep, we noticed.
Today's results:
#9 Baylor edged #19 Syracuse, 74-72.
#16 Oregon State stays perfect after beating Southern Illinois, 71-55.
Tulane got by Miami, 70-65.
Full scoreboard.
Player news:
Georgetown transfer Natalie Butler will serve UConn well.
Ohio State transfer Shayla Cooper is eager to make her debut.
One writer sees greatness in Indiana freshman Tyra Buss.
Basketball opened doors for former Oklahoma stand out Tamyra Rogers.
Team news:
Notre Dame will meet with police officials after their "I can't breathe" protest last weekend.
South Carolina has been hanging tough in a number one spot that's hard to hold.
Tennessee and Stanford are inside unfamiliar territory - outside the top five - after early-season losses. They face off Sunday in Knoxville for their annual match up.
Auburn players donated supplies to the day care of a local community center this week.
Coach news:
Q&A with Oregon State coach Scott Rueck.
WNBA news:
Owners of the New York Liberty are reportedly considering selling or moving the team.
Today's results:
#9 Baylor edged #19 Syracuse, 74-72.
#16 Oregon State stays perfect after beating Southern Illinois, 71-55.
Tulane got by Miami, 70-65.
Full scoreboard.
Player news:
Georgetown transfer Natalie Butler will serve UConn well.
Ohio State transfer Shayla Cooper is eager to make her debut.
One writer sees greatness in Indiana freshman Tyra Buss.
Basketball opened doors for former Oklahoma stand out Tamyra Rogers.
Team news:
Notre Dame will meet with police officials after their "I can't breathe" protest last weekend.
South Carolina has been hanging tough in a number one spot that's hard to hold.
Tennessee and Stanford are inside unfamiliar territory - outside the top five - after early-season losses. They face off Sunday in Knoxville for their annual match up.
Auburn players donated supplies to the day care of a local community center this week.
Coach news:
Q&A with Oregon State coach Scott Rueck.
WNBA news:
Owners of the New York Liberty are reportedly considering selling or moving the team.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
West coast teams building something
Today's results:
#19 Oklahoma State held off Weber State, 55-49.
Oregon got by Santa Clara in two overtimes, 92-88. The Ducks have finishing power these days.
The University of Washington topped San Diego State, 69-48. The Huskies have won nine in a row.
Cal State Northridge beat Northern Arizona, 77-71.
South Dakota State routed ULAR, 67-42.
Miami took down UCLA, 74-67.
Marquette defeated Vanderbilt, 80-67.
Full scoreboard.
More news:
UConn coach Geno Auriemma and DePaul coach Doug Bruno enjoy a solid friendship. Their teams face one another tomorrow.
South Carolina is building to contend.
A strong opening month has set the tone for Green Bay.
Lady Vol hoops report: Tennessee prepares to host Stanford this weekend.
Gonzaga senior guard Lindsay Sherbert is out until mid-to-late January with a sprained PCL.
#19 Oklahoma State held off Weber State, 55-49.
Oregon got by Santa Clara in two overtimes, 92-88. The Ducks have finishing power these days.
The University of Washington topped San Diego State, 69-48. The Huskies have won nine in a row.
Cal State Northridge beat Northern Arizona, 77-71.
South Dakota State routed ULAR, 67-42.
Miami took down UCLA, 74-67.
Marquette defeated Vanderbilt, 80-67.
Full scoreboard.
More news:
UConn coach Geno Auriemma and DePaul coach Doug Bruno enjoy a solid friendship. Their teams face one another tomorrow.
South Carolina is building to contend.
A strong opening month has set the tone for Green Bay.
Lady Vol hoops report: Tennessee prepares to host Stanford this weekend.
Gonzaga senior guard Lindsay Sherbert is out until mid-to-late January with a sprained PCL.
WNBA announces rule changes
The WNBA has announced several rule changes that will take effect next season. Most deal with instant replay, but there are a few other interesting odds and ends, too:
• The shot clock will no longer be reset to five seconds when a held ball is caused by the defense with fewer than five seconds remaining on the clock.
• On any midcourt throw-in, the ball shall be put in play from the sideline one step in the backcourt, allowing the team to pass the ball into either the back or frontcourt. (Under pre-existing rules, the ball could only be passed into the frontcourt).
• Teams may freely substitute players whenever any timeout is called. Prior to this change, there were limited circumstances in which a team couldn't substitute for certain players at timeouts.
• If a team has too many players on the court while the ball is in play, (i) the offending team would be assessed a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul and (ii) the non-offending team would continue to have the option of either accepting or nullifying the game action that occurred during the violation and, if the ball is put back into play via a throw-in, would be awarded the ball. Previously, if the offending team had possession, it would keep possession of the ball despite the violation.
• The shot clock will no longer be reset to five seconds when a held ball is caused by the defense with fewer than five seconds remaining on the clock.
• On any midcourt throw-in, the ball shall be put in play from the sideline one step in the backcourt, allowing the team to pass the ball into either the back or frontcourt. (Under pre-existing rules, the ball could only be passed into the frontcourt).
• Teams may freely substitute players whenever any timeout is called. Prior to this change, there were limited circumstances in which a team couldn't substitute for certain players at timeouts.
• If a team has too many players on the court while the ball is in play, (i) the offending team would be assessed a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul and (ii) the non-offending team would continue to have the option of either accepting or nullifying the game action that occurred during the violation and, if the ball is put back into play via a throw-in, would be awarded the ball. Previously, if the offending team had possession, it would keep possession of the ball despite the violation.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
LSU's Sheila Boykin defeats life-threatening illness
Here's a day-brightener:
As the effects of the syndrome left her body, Boykin was determined to come back. Collins and the team’s staff put her on an aggressive rehab program, as the muscles in her legs had wasted away. She started lifting weights to get the muscle back, and soon, she was practicing again.
Her coach was impressed, but not surprised. “Sheila has a different level of fight in her,” says Caldwell. “That’s one of the first things that attracted us to her when we were recruiting her. She’s not a quitter. Even when things were looking as bleak as they were, she still found a way to get back.”
As the effects of the syndrome left her body, Boykin was determined to come back. Collins and the team’s staff put her on an aggressive rehab program, as the muscles in her legs had wasted away. She started lifting weights to get the muscle back, and soon, she was practicing again.
Her coach was impressed, but not surprised. “Sheila has a different level of fight in her,” says Caldwell. “That’s one of the first things that attracted us to her when we were recruiting her. She’s not a quitter. Even when things were looking as bleak as they were, she still found a way to get back.”
More biting the dust
Tonight's upset:
Chattanooga took down #7 Stanford, 54-46. It's the second major upset for the Mocs this season:
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- The star power of the opponent doesn't concern Chattanooga. As long as the Mocs are playing at home, they believe they are going to win.
Still undefeated/no longer unbeaten:
Undefeated #21 Mississippi State handed Lousiana-Lafayette their first loss, 66-51.
#1 South Carolina, #3 Texas, Youngstown State and Northwestern all won, and remain among the 12 Division I teams without a loss.
Other notables include Montana's 70-64 win over Seattle University, which makes me wonder whether Redhawk coach Joan Bonvicini is on the hot seat.
North Carolina nipped Liberty, 67-64.
Full scoreboard.
Player and team news:
The rich get richer.....Imani McGee-Stafford has been cleared to play for Texas.
Rutgers senior forward Betnijah Laney will sit out Saturday's game with a sprained thumb.
UConn coaches weren't surprised by the departure of Sadie Edwards.
Kentucky assistant Christian Stefanopoulos has resigned due to an undisclosed illness.
Baylor has a deep, talented young roster.
It's a women's movement in Gonzaga country.
Iowa is staying focused this month.
Lauren Hill:
The Mount St. Joseph's freshman has retired as a player and will serve as an honorary coach for the team.
Chattanooga took down #7 Stanford, 54-46. It's the second major upset for the Mocs this season:
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- The star power of the opponent doesn't concern Chattanooga. As long as the Mocs are playing at home, they believe they are going to win.
Still undefeated/no longer unbeaten:
Undefeated #21 Mississippi State handed Lousiana-Lafayette their first loss, 66-51.
#1 South Carolina, #3 Texas, Youngstown State and Northwestern all won, and remain among the 12 Division I teams without a loss.
Other notables include Montana's 70-64 win over Seattle University, which makes me wonder whether Redhawk coach Joan Bonvicini is on the hot seat.
North Carolina nipped Liberty, 67-64.
Full scoreboard.
Player and team news:
The rich get richer.....Imani McGee-Stafford has been cleared to play for Texas.
Rutgers senior forward Betnijah Laney will sit out Saturday's game with a sprained thumb.
UConn coaches weren't surprised by the departure of Sadie Edwards.
Kentucky assistant Christian Stefanopoulos has resigned due to an undisclosed illness.
Baylor has a deep, talented young roster.
It's a women's movement in Gonzaga country.
Iowa is staying focused this month.
Lauren Hill:
The Mount St. Joseph's freshman has retired as a player and will serve as an honorary coach for the team.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
And then there were 13
North Carolina's loss to Oregon State tonight brings the number of undefeated Division I teams to 13:
Texas A&M, 11-0
Mississippi State, 11-0
Princeton, 11-0
Georgia, 10-0
South Carolina, 9-0
St. John's, 9-0
Texas, 8-0
Oregon State, 8-0
Northwestern, 8-0
Akron, 8-0
Youngstown State, 8-0
Lehigh, 7-0
Louisiana-Lafayette, 6-0
Team news:
Texas Tech's recent long break hurt them.
Cool retrospective walk down Oklahoma State's memory lane by longtime game callers Kevin Gum and Casey Kendrick.
Player news:
Guard Madison Cable is giving Notre Dame a toughness.
Walk-on Marie Berthuel is living her dream at Oregon.
High school news:
ESPN tries their hand at a top 25 list.
Texas A&M, 11-0
Mississippi State, 11-0
Princeton, 11-0
Georgia, 10-0
South Carolina, 9-0
St. John's, 9-0
Texas, 8-0
Oregon State, 8-0
Northwestern, 8-0
Akron, 8-0
Youngstown State, 8-0
Lehigh, 7-0
Louisiana-Lafayette, 6-0
Team news:
Texas Tech's recent long break hurt them.
Cool retrospective walk down Oklahoma State's memory lane by longtime game callers Kevin Gum and Casey Kendrick.
Player news:
Guard Madison Cable is giving Notre Dame a toughness.
Walk-on Marie Berthuel is living her dream at Oregon.
High school news:
ESPN tries their hand at a top 25 list.
Tonight's stunner
There is one less undefeated team in the country now, as #16 Oregon State shocked #6 North Carolina on their home court, 70-55. The Beavers are 8-0 for the first time in program history.
(Just wait til Kelly Graves gets going at Oregon, and the Oregon state rivalry match up will burn barns across three states)
More results:
Long Beach State just finished beating LSU, 59-44. They're now 9-1, which is their best start since 1986-87.
#11 Tennessee outlasted Wichita State, 54-51.
Pepperdine got past Northern Arizona, 66-63.
Alabama routed Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 71-27.
And it's here that I introduce Wade Chapman, a high school freshman in Alabama who will periodically contribute stories here. Wade is a women's basketball fanatic, an athlete in his own right, and he writes for his school newspaper. Wade's writing is better than that of many adults whom I have edited. Here's his first write up:
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama women’s basketball team earned a decisive 71-27 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Tuesday afternoon inside Coleman Coliseum. The win moves the Crimson Tide to 9-4 on the season while the Lady Lions fall to 2-7 overall.
Alabama limited Arkansas-Pine Bluff to just 27 points, the lowest total by an Alabama opponent this season and the second-lowest in Crimson Tide history. The lowest opponent point total in Alabama history was 21 by Georgia State on Dec. 21, 1990. The 47-point win was also the Tide’s largest margin of victory since Dec. 1, 2010, when Alabama earned a 49-point victory over Alabama State, 80-31.
The Crimson Tide recorded a season-high 16 steals and scored 40 of its 71 points off turnovers. Eleven of the Tide’s 12 players scored a point in this afternoon’s contest, with senior Briana Hutchen leading the Crimson Tide with 15 points. Freshmen Meoshonti Knight and Hannah Cook also scored in double-digits, with Knight recording 10 points and Cook adding 11 points along with a team-high five assists. In her second game for Alabama, sophomore transfer Breanna Hayden recorded a team-high 10 rebounds while adding five points to the Tide total.
Alabama will play its final game before the holiday break, returning to its usual home of Foster Auditorium to take on New Orleans on Sunday, Dec. 21. The Crimson Tide and Privateers will tip off at 2 p.m. CT with the game airing on SEC Network+.
Wade is at: twitter.com/Wade_WBB
Today's full scoreboard.
(Just wait til Kelly Graves gets going at Oregon, and the Oregon state rivalry match up will burn barns across three states)
More results:
Long Beach State just finished beating LSU, 59-44. They're now 9-1, which is their best start since 1986-87.
#11 Tennessee outlasted Wichita State, 54-51.
Pepperdine got past Northern Arizona, 66-63.
Alabama routed Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 71-27.
And it's here that I introduce Wade Chapman, a high school freshman in Alabama who will periodically contribute stories here. Wade is a women's basketball fanatic, an athlete in his own right, and he writes for his school newspaper. Wade's writing is better than that of many adults whom I have edited. Here's his first write up:
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama women’s basketball team earned a decisive 71-27 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Tuesday afternoon inside Coleman Coliseum. The win moves the Crimson Tide to 9-4 on the season while the Lady Lions fall to 2-7 overall.
Alabama limited Arkansas-Pine Bluff to just 27 points, the lowest total by an Alabama opponent this season and the second-lowest in Crimson Tide history. The lowest opponent point total in Alabama history was 21 by Georgia State on Dec. 21, 1990. The 47-point win was also the Tide’s largest margin of victory since Dec. 1, 2010, when Alabama earned a 49-point victory over Alabama State, 80-31.
The Crimson Tide recorded a season-high 16 steals and scored 40 of its 71 points off turnovers. Eleven of the Tide’s 12 players scored a point in this afternoon’s contest, with senior Briana Hutchen leading the Crimson Tide with 15 points. Freshmen Meoshonti Knight and Hannah Cook also scored in double-digits, with Knight recording 10 points and Cook adding 11 points along with a team-high five assists. In her second game for Alabama, sophomore transfer Breanna Hayden recorded a team-high 10 rebounds while adding five points to the Tide total.
Alabama will play its final game before the holiday break, returning to its usual home of Foster Auditorium to take on New Orleans on Sunday, Dec. 21. The Crimson Tide and Privateers will tip off at 2 p.m. CT with the game airing on SEC Network+.
Wade is at: twitter.com/Wade_WBB
Today's full scoreboard.
USA Today top 25 poll
USA Today top 25 looking a lot like the AP poll.......
1. South Carolina
2. Connecticut
3. Texas
4. Notre Dame
5. Texas A&M
6. North Carolina
7. Stanford
8. Kentucky
9. Baylor
10. Louisville
11. Maryland
12. Tennessee
13. Duke
14. Oregon State
15. Nebraska
16. Oklahoma State
17. Georgia
18. West Virginia
19. Rutgers
20. Mississippi State
21. Michigan State
22. Syracuse
23. California
24. Iowa
25. St. John's
1. South Carolina
2. Connecticut
3. Texas
4. Notre Dame
5. Texas A&M
6. North Carolina
7. Stanford
8. Kentucky
9. Baylor
10. Louisville
11. Maryland
12. Tennessee
13. Duke
14. Oregon State
15. Nebraska
16. Oklahoma State
17. Georgia
18. West Virginia
19. Rutgers
20. Mississippi State
21. Michigan State
22. Syracuse
23. California
24. Iowa
25. St. John's
Could there be anymore going on?
No.
Player news:
Southeast Missouri State coach Ben Coomes has been fired for violating NCAA rules: he shared a Netflix account with a recruit.
Bianca Cuevas has persevered through loss for South Carolina.
Drexel guard Meghan Creighton is out indefinitely with a knee injury.
Team news:
Xavier has turned things around with focus.
Lauren Hill:
"I want everybody to know I never gave up."
WNBA:
San Antonio coach Dan Hughes has signed a multi-year contract extension.
Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame:
2015 inductees will include Tamika Catchings and MaChelle Joseph.
FIBA's first-ever Women's World Basketball Cup:
Spain will be the host in 2018.
Player news:
Southeast Missouri State coach Ben Coomes has been fired for violating NCAA rules: he shared a Netflix account with a recruit.
Bianca Cuevas has persevered through loss for South Carolina.
Drexel guard Meghan Creighton is out indefinitely with a knee injury.
Team news:
Xavier has turned things around with focus.
Lauren Hill:
"I want everybody to know I never gave up."
WNBA:
San Antonio coach Dan Hughes has signed a multi-year contract extension.
Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame:
2015 inductees will include Tamika Catchings and MaChelle Joseph.
FIBA's first-ever Women's World Basketball Cup:
Spain will be the host in 2018.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Injury bugs bite
Today's results - and there are no surprises....a rarity this year.
Player news:
Kentucky senior Bria Goss will miss 4-6 weeks with a broken left thumb.
Missouri forward Kayla McDowell is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Team news:
Texas A&M is the NCAA's team of the week. They are 11-0.
Boise State has climbed out of its offensive rut.
Central Michigan is looking to improve their shooting and bench contributions.
Coaching news:
Abi Olajuwon is embracing her new role as assistant coach at Cal State Fullerton.
Passages:
Former Texas great Joy Willams-Purnell died Sunday after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Player news:
Kentucky senior Bria Goss will miss 4-6 weeks with a broken left thumb.
Missouri forward Kayla McDowell is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Team news:
Texas A&M is the NCAA's team of the week. They are 11-0.
Boise State has climbed out of its offensive rut.
Central Michigan is looking to improve their shooting and bench contributions.
Coaching news:
Abi Olajuwon is embracing her new role as assistant coach at Cal State Fullerton.
Passages:
Former Texas great Joy Willams-Purnell died Sunday after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
AP top 25 poll: just a few changes
This week's AP top 25 poll:
1. South Carolina
2. Connecticut
3. Texas
4. Texas A&M
5. Notre Dame
6. North Carolina
7. Stanford
8. Kentucky
9. Baylor
10. Louisville
11. Tennessee
12. Nebraska
13. Duke
14. Maryland
15. Georgia
16. Oregon State
17. Rutgers
18. Michigan State
19. Oklahoma State
20. Syracuse
21. Mississippi State
22. West Virginia
23. Iowa
24. California
25. DePaul
1. South Carolina
2. Connecticut
3. Texas
4. Texas A&M
5. Notre Dame
6. North Carolina
7. Stanford
8. Kentucky
9. Baylor
10. Louisville
11. Tennessee
12. Nebraska
13. Duke
14. Maryland
15. Georgia
16. Oregon State
17. Rutgers
18. Michigan State
19. Oklahoma State
20. Syracuse
21. Mississippi State
22. West Virginia
23. Iowa
24. California
25. DePaul
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Cal's "black lives matter" statement passionate and unplanned
It was something else to witness this yesterday:
"They articulated so well that they weren't comfortable playing for Cal and not talking about what they stood for," Gottlieb said. "There was a lot of emotion in the room - tears. They wanted to be part of the solution."
"They wanted to play ball, to protest, and to be non-violent. I asked them, 'what do you want the message to be?' And they came up with 'we are Cal' and 'black lives matter.'"
"They articulated so well that they weren't comfortable playing for Cal and not talking about what they stood for," Gottlieb said. "There was a lot of emotion in the room - tears. They wanted to be part of the solution."
"They wanted to play ball, to protest, and to be non-violent. I asked them, 'what do you want the message to be?' And they came up with 'we are Cal' and 'black lives matter.'"
High school top 25 rankings
Via maxpreps.com, as of Dec. 11:
1 McEachern (Powder Springs, GA)
2 Oakland (Murfreesboro, TN)
3 Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, CA)
4 Chaminade (West Hills, CA)
5 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)
6 Potter's House Christian (Jacksonville, FL)
7 Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia, PA)
8 Rock Bridge (Columbia, MO)
9 Blackman (Murfreesboro, TN)
10 St. Mary's (Stockton, CA)
11 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, NY)
12 Myers Park (Charlotte, NC)
13 Bedford North Lawrence (Bedford, IN)
14 Elizabethtown (KY)
15 Bishop McNamara (Forestville, MD)
16 Montini (Lombard, IL)
17 Riverdale Baptist (Upper Marlboro, MD)
18 Northside (Fort Smith, AR)
19 Gonzaga Prep (Spokane, WA)
20 Leavenworth (KS)
21 Paul VI (Fairfax, VA)
22 Braintree (MA)
23 Lawrence North (Indianapolis, IN)
24 Millennium (Goodyear, AZ)
25 Miami Country Day (Miami, FL)
1 McEachern (Powder Springs, GA)
2 Oakland (Murfreesboro, TN)
3 Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, CA)
4 Chaminade (West Hills, CA)
5 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA)
6 Potter's House Christian (Jacksonville, FL)
7 Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia, PA)
8 Rock Bridge (Columbia, MO)
9 Blackman (Murfreesboro, TN)
10 St. Mary's (Stockton, CA)
11 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, NY)
12 Myers Park (Charlotte, NC)
13 Bedford North Lawrence (Bedford, IN)
14 Elizabethtown (KY)
15 Bishop McNamara (Forestville, MD)
16 Montini (Lombard, IL)
17 Riverdale Baptist (Upper Marlboro, MD)
18 Northside (Fort Smith, AR)
19 Gonzaga Prep (Spokane, WA)
20 Leavenworth (KS)
21 Paul VI (Fairfax, VA)
22 Braintree (MA)
23 Lawrence North (Indianapolis, IN)
24 Millennium (Goodyear, AZ)
25 Miami Country Day (Miami, FL)
Easing into finals week
Remember, fans - this is finals week for most schools, so the game schedule will be less in the coming days, beginning tomorrow. Have patience while the youngins get their education.
No upsets in today's games, somehow. But several match ups were interesting because of their unexpected struggles:
Saint Mary's sneaked by Cal Poly in overtime, 65-64.
USC squeaked by Sacramento State, 101-99.
Arkansas-Little Rock hung on to beat Oklahoma, 66-62.
Texas Tech outlasted Texas-Pan American, 50-42.
Missouri slipped past Northern Illinois, 47-44.
Other results:
#11 Tennessee used defense to drop #17 Rutgers, 55-45.
Ohio State isn't doing bad with their small roster: they routed Western Michigan, 83-46.
Arizona is also exceeding expectations, as they bounced UAB, 49-44 for their fourth straight win.
Mercer downed Alabama, 46-39.
Kansas State and Florida also survived close ones.
Full scoreboard.
Milestones:
Nneka Enempkali of Texas and Alex Sheedy of Fresno State both crossed the 1,000-point career mark today.
Player news:
Iowa State guard Jadda Buckley is finding her groove after a rough patch.
Team news:
Major player finds are paving the way for Green Bay.
Lauren Hill:
The Mount St. Joseph's freshman with inoperable brain cancer keeps beating the odds: she played in the team's first home game yesterday.
No upsets in today's games, somehow. But several match ups were interesting because of their unexpected struggles:
Saint Mary's sneaked by Cal Poly in overtime, 65-64.
USC squeaked by Sacramento State, 101-99.
Arkansas-Little Rock hung on to beat Oklahoma, 66-62.
Texas Tech outlasted Texas-Pan American, 50-42.
Missouri slipped past Northern Illinois, 47-44.
Other results:
#11 Tennessee used defense to drop #17 Rutgers, 55-45.
Ohio State isn't doing bad with their small roster: they routed Western Michigan, 83-46.
Arizona is also exceeding expectations, as they bounced UAB, 49-44 for their fourth straight win.
Mercer downed Alabama, 46-39.
Kansas State and Florida also survived close ones.
Full scoreboard.
Milestones:
Nneka Enempkali of Texas and Alex Sheedy of Fresno State both crossed the 1,000-point career mark today.
Player news:
Iowa State guard Jadda Buckley is finding her groove after a rough patch.
Team news:
Major player finds are paving the way for Green Bay.
Lauren Hill:
The Mount St. Joseph's freshman with inoperable brain cancer keeps beating the odds: she played in the team's first home game yesterday.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Wins and losses
Today's results:
Cal State Long Beach upset #18 Cal in overtime, 58-56.
Oregon waited out a power outage during the game to take down Northern Arizona, 59-47. It was the Ducks' third straight win; they are 5-3.
BYU edged Utah, 60-56.
Full scoreboard.
More news:
North Carolina is 8-0 for the first time in 21 years.
The Muffet McGraw coaching tree has several branches.
After playing with a fractured wrist, Iowa State forward Claire Ricketts may redshirt.
Davionna Holmes has rejoined Missouri.
DePaul coach Dough Bruno rues losing Jewell Loyd to the Irish.
Cal State Long Beach upset #18 Cal in overtime, 58-56.
Oregon waited out a power outage during the game to take down Northern Arizona, 59-47. It was the Ducks' third straight win; they are 5-3.
BYU edged Utah, 60-56.
Full scoreboard.
More news:
North Carolina is 8-0 for the first time in 21 years.
The Muffet McGraw coaching tree has several branches.
After playing with a fractured wrist, Iowa State forward Claire Ricketts may redshirt.
Davionna Holmes has rejoined Missouri.
DePaul coach Dough Bruno rues losing Jewell Loyd to the Irish.
Notre Dame, Cal join "black lives matter" movement
Notre Dame players wore "I can't breathe" T-shirts in pregame warm ups today, in support of the family of Eric Garner, who died in New York in July after being placed in a police chokehold:
The players wore the shirts while warming up before their 70-50 win over Michigan. Starters took them off for the pregame introductions while the reserves kept them on.
Reimer said the players decided to wear the shirts because "it's an issue we're all passionate about."
Coach Muffet McGraw supports player's actions.
Cal wore warm up jerseys covered in duct tape that bore the names of shooting victims, and the statement "black lives matter" during their game today. Coach Lindsay Gottlieb is supportive:
As student-athletes at Cal, our young women have a voice and a platform, and they chose to use it today. They want to be part of a solution, and they took the steps that were in their power today.
We can talk about X’s and O’s all day, but in reality there are bigger life issues and the moral consciousness of our players is something I’m proud of. I don’t tell them what to think, but I do encourage them to think.
The players wore the shirts while warming up before their 70-50 win over Michigan. Starters took them off for the pregame introductions while the reserves kept them on.
Reimer said the players decided to wear the shirts because "it's an issue we're all passionate about."
Coach Muffet McGraw supports player's actions.
Cal wore warm up jerseys covered in duct tape that bore the names of shooting victims, and the statement "black lives matter" during their game today. Coach Lindsay Gottlieb is supportive:
As student-athletes at Cal, our young women have a voice and a platform, and they chose to use it today. They want to be part of a solution, and they took the steps that were in their power today.
We can talk about X’s and O’s all day, but in reality there are bigger life issues and the moral consciousness of our players is something I’m proud of. I don’t tell them what to think, but I do encourage them to think.
Friday, December 12, 2014
Rachel Banham, Lauren Hill, and more news
Rachel Banham:
The Minnesota star senior, who tore her ACL Wednesday, is eligible for a medical hardship waiver. But she is deciding whether or not to return.
Lauren Hill:
Mount St. Joseph's freshman Lauren Hill is terminally ill but "knows she will be fine."
Player news:
Two Pepperdine players are suing the school for harassment, discrimination and retaliation due to their sexual orientation.
Two Fresno State transfers are already making an impact.
Team news:
Kentucky coach Matthew Mitchell is shaking things up to get his team off to faster starts.
The Washington Huskies put the pack in "pack mentality."
The Pacific Tigers are finding their offensive rhythm.
North Dakota takes on an ACC opponent for the first time tomorrow, as they travel to Clemson.
Today's results:
Wichita State edged Kansas State, 51-48. It was the first loss of the season for the Wildcats.
Missouri rallied to beat Colorado, 53-50.
Fresno State downed Saint Mary's, 60-56.
UCLA defeated Sacramento State for their third consecutive win, 92-83.
Full scoreboard.
The Minnesota star senior, who tore her ACL Wednesday, is eligible for a medical hardship waiver. But she is deciding whether or not to return.
Lauren Hill:
Mount St. Joseph's freshman Lauren Hill is terminally ill but "knows she will be fine."
Player news:
Two Pepperdine players are suing the school for harassment, discrimination and retaliation due to their sexual orientation.
Two Fresno State transfers are already making an impact.
Team news:
Kentucky coach Matthew Mitchell is shaking things up to get his team off to faster starts.
The Washington Huskies put the pack in "pack mentality."
The Pacific Tigers are finding their offensive rhythm.
North Dakota takes on an ACC opponent for the first time tomorrow, as they travel to Clemson.
Today's results:
Wichita State edged Kansas State, 51-48. It was the first loss of the season for the Wildcats.
Missouri rallied to beat Colorado, 53-50.
Fresno State downed Saint Mary's, 60-56.
UCLA defeated Sacramento State for their third consecutive win, 92-83.
Full scoreboard.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Personalities in the news II
Today's results:
#12 Nebraska got by Creighton, 60-57.
#22 Mississippi State escaped Louisiana Tech, 81-77.
#24 Iowa won the showdown with Iowa State, 76-67.
St. John's is unbeaten after a 62-48 victory over UCF. Aliyyah Handford notched 1,000 career points in the process.
Purdue snapped a three-game losing streak by downing Kansas, 61-48.
Full scoreboard.
Player news:
Cal sophomore forward Courtney Range sustained a left knee sprain in Sunday's game against Kansas. She is out indefinitely.
Duke redshirt freshman Becca Greenwell has been worth the wait, as she leads the team in scoring.
Crystal Leary and Linda Stepney have formed a sisterly bond at West Virginia.
Hard-working Tamara Taylor is stepping up as a senior for South Florida.
Allisha Gray is Ms. Green Light for North Carolina.
Team news:
Hidden gems on the hardwood are the key to Fordham's recent successes.
Coach news:
Mentored by Hall of Famers, Stephanie Glance aims to teach Columbia to win.
#12 Nebraska got by Creighton, 60-57.
#22 Mississippi State escaped Louisiana Tech, 81-77.
#24 Iowa won the showdown with Iowa State, 76-67.
St. John's is unbeaten after a 62-48 victory over UCF. Aliyyah Handford notched 1,000 career points in the process.
Purdue snapped a three-game losing streak by downing Kansas, 61-48.
Full scoreboard.
Player news:
Cal sophomore forward Courtney Range sustained a left knee sprain in Sunday's game against Kansas. She is out indefinitely.
Duke redshirt freshman Becca Greenwell has been worth the wait, as she leads the team in scoring.
Crystal Leary and Linda Stepney have formed a sisterly bond at West Virginia.
Hard-working Tamara Taylor is stepping up as a senior for South Florida.
Allisha Gray is Ms. Green Light for North Carolina.
Team news:
Hidden gems on the hardwood are the key to Fordham's recent successes.
Coach news:
Mentored by Hall of Famers, Stephanie Glance aims to teach Columbia to win.
Rachel Banham tears ACL, is out for season
Such a harsh, harsh break for Minnesota's Rachel Banham:
Gophers women’s basketball star Rachel Banham tore her right anterior cruciate ligament on Wednesday night against North Dakota and will miss the rest of the season, first-year Minnesota coach Marlene Stollings announced the day after.
Another source with knowledge of the situation said Banham also partially tore the medial collateral ligament in the same knee.
It is unclear if Banham, a senior, would be eligible for a medical redshirt.
This makes me SO sad.
Gophers women’s basketball star Rachel Banham tore her right anterior cruciate ligament on Wednesday night against North Dakota and will miss the rest of the season, first-year Minnesota coach Marlene Stollings announced the day after.
Another source with knowledge of the situation said Banham also partially tore the medial collateral ligament in the same knee.
It is unclear if Banham, a senior, would be eligible for a medical redshirt.
This makes me SO sad.
Personalities in the news
Washington State has improved by taking its lumps.
Team growth is a season-long process for Penn State.
Asia Dozier's maturity is calming for South Carolina.
Nebraska guard Tear'a Laudermill is finding consistency beyond the arc.
Lexie Brown has accepted a greater role for Maryland.
Ohio State's up-tempo offense has expanded Ameryst Alson's game.
Northern Iowa junior forward Jen Keitel is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Q&A with UMass assistant coach Yolanda Griffith.
Kentucky assistant coach and former UConn star Tamika Williams is where she belongs.
Team growth is a season-long process for Penn State.
Asia Dozier's maturity is calming for South Carolina.
Nebraska guard Tear'a Laudermill is finding consistency beyond the arc.
Lexie Brown has accepted a greater role for Maryland.
Ohio State's up-tempo offense has expanded Ameryst Alson's game.
Northern Iowa junior forward Jen Keitel is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Q&A with UMass assistant coach Yolanda Griffith.
Kentucky assistant coach and former UConn star Tamika Williams is where she belongs.
2015 WNBA schedule released
Christmas/Hannukah comes early for WNBA fans this year, as the 2015 schedule just dropped:
-- Five ESPN2 telecasts featuring former league MVPs going head-to-head, including a pair of clashes involving the Mercury (Taurasi, 2009) and Lynx (Moore, 2014), first on June 14 when Minnesota visits Phoenix; then on Aug. 30 when the teams meet in Minneapolis. Other MVP matchups will take place July 21 when Taurasi and Phoenix visit Los Angeles (Candace Parker, 2013); Aug. 4 as Moore’s Lynx pay a call to Parker’s Sparks; and Aug. 16 when Catchings (2011) and Indiana travel to the Valley of the Sun to face Taurasi and the Mercury.
-- The Mercury will appear on six ESPN2 telecasts. All-Star-laden Chicago (Delle Donne, Jessica Breland, Sylvia Fowles, Epiphanny Prince, and Courtney Vandersloot) will make four appearances, and Minnesota (Moore, Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, and Lindsay Whalen), and Los Angeles (Parker, Nneka Ogwumike, and Kristi Toliver) will make three.
-- Western Conference rivals Minnesota and Phoenix, which met for the right to advance to the WNBA Finals presented by Boost Mobile in 2011, 2013, and 2014, will square off twice on ESPN2 (in Phoenix on June 14 at 3 p.m. ET; and on Aug. 30 in Minneapolis at 7 p.m. ET).
-- A pair of games featuring a rematch of the 2014 Finals presented by Boost Mobile between Phoenix and Chicago. Both contests will air on ESPN2, with the Mercury first hosting the Sky on July 28 at US Airways Center. (10 p.m. ET), followed by an Aug. 9 matchup at Chicago’s home, Allstate Arena (1 p.m. ET).
-- A rematch of the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals tips off on June 14, when Chicago meets Indiana at Bankers Life Fieldhouse (1 p.m.) in the first game of a doubleheader on ESPN2.
-- Season-long coverage on ESPN2 will include six Tuesday evening games and five Sunday telecasts.
-- Five ESPN2 telecasts featuring former league MVPs going head-to-head, including a pair of clashes involving the Mercury (Taurasi, 2009) and Lynx (Moore, 2014), first on June 14 when Minnesota visits Phoenix; then on Aug. 30 when the teams meet in Minneapolis. Other MVP matchups will take place July 21 when Taurasi and Phoenix visit Los Angeles (Candace Parker, 2013); Aug. 4 as Moore’s Lynx pay a call to Parker’s Sparks; and Aug. 16 when Catchings (2011) and Indiana travel to the Valley of the Sun to face Taurasi and the Mercury.
-- The Mercury will appear on six ESPN2 telecasts. All-Star-laden Chicago (Delle Donne, Jessica Breland, Sylvia Fowles, Epiphanny Prince, and Courtney Vandersloot) will make four appearances, and Minnesota (Moore, Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, and Lindsay Whalen), and Los Angeles (Parker, Nneka Ogwumike, and Kristi Toliver) will make three.
-- Western Conference rivals Minnesota and Phoenix, which met for the right to advance to the WNBA Finals presented by Boost Mobile in 2011, 2013, and 2014, will square off twice on ESPN2 (in Phoenix on June 14 at 3 p.m. ET; and on Aug. 30 in Minneapolis at 7 p.m. ET).
-- A pair of games featuring a rematch of the 2014 Finals presented by Boost Mobile between Phoenix and Chicago. Both contests will air on ESPN2, with the Mercury first hosting the Sky on July 28 at US Airways Center. (10 p.m. ET), followed by an Aug. 9 matchup at Chicago’s home, Allstate Arena (1 p.m. ET).
-- A rematch of the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals tips off on June 14, when Chicago meets Indiana at Bankers Life Fieldhouse (1 p.m.) in the first game of a doubleheader on ESPN2.
-- Season-long coverage on ESPN2 will include six Tuesday evening games and five Sunday telecasts.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Minnesota's Rachel Banham sustains knee injury
Praying for Rachel Banham:
Minnesota beat North Dakota, 68-55, but Gopher star Rachel Banham went down with a leg injury and did not return to the game. Banham came down from a layup awkwardly, and clutched her right knee after she fell to the court. She had to be helped off.
Please, don't let it be that.......
Almost-upset:
#5 Notre Dame survived #25 DePaul in overtime, 94-93. Jewell "the beast" Loyd had a career-high 41 points for the Irish, and the Blue Demons missed numerous free throws down the stretch.
More results:
Wisconsin edged Florida, 51-48.
Marist got by Albany, 61-58. It's their third straight victory.
UCLA notched their second win with a 57-43 romp over UC Riverside.
Arkansas bounced back with a 59-50 win over Missouri State.
Full scoreboard.
Minnesota beat North Dakota, 68-55, but Gopher star Rachel Banham went down with a leg injury and did not return to the game. Banham came down from a layup awkwardly, and clutched her right knee after she fell to the court. She had to be helped off.
Please, don't let it be that.......
Almost-upset:
#5 Notre Dame survived #25 DePaul in overtime, 94-93. Jewell "the beast" Loyd had a career-high 41 points for the Irish, and the Blue Demons missed numerous free throws down the stretch.
More results:
Wisconsin edged Florida, 51-48.
Marist got by Albany, 61-58. It's their third straight victory.
UCLA notched their second win with a 57-43 romp over UC Riverside.
Arkansas bounced back with a 59-50 win over Missouri State.
Full scoreboard.
Naismith Award watch list
Amazing list of players:
Lindsay Allen Notre Dame Soph. G ACC
Jillian Alleyne Oregon Jr. F Pac-12
Rachel Banham Minnesota Sr. G Big Ten
Brittany Boyd California Sr. G Pac-12
Crystal Bradford Central Michigan Sr. G Mid-American
Lexie Brown Maryland Soph. G Big Ten
Natasha Cloud Saint Joseph's Sr. G Atlantic 10
Alaina Coates South Carolina Soph. C SEC
Nia Coffey Northwestern Soph. F Big Ten
Jazmine Davis Washington Sr. G Pac-12
Kaela Davis Georgia Tech Soph. G ACC
Nina Davis Baylor Soph. F Big 12
Nneka Enemkpali Texas Sr. F Big 12
Chelsea Gardner Kansas Sr. F Big 12
Chastity Gooch Western Kentucky Sr. F Conference USA
Bashaara Graves Tennessee Jr. F SEC
Allisha Gray North Carolina Soph. G ACC
Reshanda Gray California Sr. F Pac-12
Dearica Hamby Wake Forest Sr. F ACC
Sara Hammond Louisville Sr. F ACC
Aliyyah Handford Saint John's Jr. G Big East
Isabelle Harrison Tennessee Sr. C SEC
Bria Holmes West Virginia Jr. G Big 12
Andrea Hoover Dayton Sr. G Atlantic 10
Brittany Hrynko DePaul Sr. G Big East
Marissa Janning Creighton Jr. G Big East
Moriah Jefferson Connecticut Jr. G American Athletic
Jonquel Jones George Washington Jr. F Atlantic 10
Samantha Logic Iowa Sr. G Big Ten
Jewell Loyd Notre Dame Jr. G ACC
Stephanie Mavunga North Carolina Soph. F ACC
Xylina McDaniel North Carolina Jr. F ACC
Imani McGee-Stafford Texas Jr. C Big 12
Tiffany Mitchell South Carolina Jr. G SEC
Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis Connecticut Sr. F American Athletic
Jennifer O'Neill Kentucky Sr. G SEC
Amber Orrange Stanford Sr. G Pac-12
Kelsey Plum Washington Soph. G Pac-12
Aerial Powers Michigan State Soph. F Big Ten
Shereesha Richards Albany Jr. F American East
Tyler Scaife Rutgers Soph. G Big Ten
Breanna Stewart Connecticut Jr. F American Athletic
Brittney Sykes Syracuse Jr. G ACC
Rachel Theriot Nebraska Jr. G Big Ten
Courtney Walker Texas A&M Jr. G SEC
Aleighsa Welch South Carolina Sr. F SEC
Sydney Wiese Oregon State Soph. G Pac-12
Courtney Williams USF Jr. G American Athletic
Elizabeth Williams Duke Sr. C/F ACC
A'ja Wilson South Carolina Fr. G/F SEC
Lindsay Allen Notre Dame Soph. G ACC
Jillian Alleyne Oregon Jr. F Pac-12
Rachel Banham Minnesota Sr. G Big Ten
Brittany Boyd California Sr. G Pac-12
Crystal Bradford Central Michigan Sr. G Mid-American
Lexie Brown Maryland Soph. G Big Ten
Natasha Cloud Saint Joseph's Sr. G Atlantic 10
Alaina Coates South Carolina Soph. C SEC
Nia Coffey Northwestern Soph. F Big Ten
Jazmine Davis Washington Sr. G Pac-12
Kaela Davis Georgia Tech Soph. G ACC
Nina Davis Baylor Soph. F Big 12
Nneka Enemkpali Texas Sr. F Big 12
Chelsea Gardner Kansas Sr. F Big 12
Chastity Gooch Western Kentucky Sr. F Conference USA
Bashaara Graves Tennessee Jr. F SEC
Allisha Gray North Carolina Soph. G ACC
Reshanda Gray California Sr. F Pac-12
Dearica Hamby Wake Forest Sr. F ACC
Sara Hammond Louisville Sr. F ACC
Aliyyah Handford Saint John's Jr. G Big East
Isabelle Harrison Tennessee Sr. C SEC
Bria Holmes West Virginia Jr. G Big 12
Andrea Hoover Dayton Sr. G Atlantic 10
Brittany Hrynko DePaul Sr. G Big East
Marissa Janning Creighton Jr. G Big East
Moriah Jefferson Connecticut Jr. G American Athletic
Jonquel Jones George Washington Jr. F Atlantic 10
Samantha Logic Iowa Sr. G Big Ten
Jewell Loyd Notre Dame Jr. G ACC
Stephanie Mavunga North Carolina Soph. F ACC
Xylina McDaniel North Carolina Jr. F ACC
Imani McGee-Stafford Texas Jr. C Big 12
Tiffany Mitchell South Carolina Jr. G SEC
Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis Connecticut Sr. F American Athletic
Jennifer O'Neill Kentucky Sr. G SEC
Amber Orrange Stanford Sr. G Pac-12
Kelsey Plum Washington Soph. G Pac-12
Aerial Powers Michigan State Soph. F Big Ten
Shereesha Richards Albany Jr. F American East
Tyler Scaife Rutgers Soph. G Big Ten
Breanna Stewart Connecticut Jr. F American Athletic
Brittney Sykes Syracuse Jr. G ACC
Rachel Theriot Nebraska Jr. G Big Ten
Courtney Walker Texas A&M Jr. G SEC
Aleighsa Welch South Carolina Sr. F SEC
Sydney Wiese Oregon State Soph. G Pac-12
Courtney Williams USF Jr. G American Athletic
Elizabeth Williams Duke Sr. C/F ACC
A'ja Wilson South Carolina Fr. G/F SEC
Princeton jumps to number 2 on mid-major poll
Big jump by the Princeton Tigers in this week's ESPN mid-major poll:
1. Green Bay
2. Princeton
3. James Madison
4. Western Kentucky
5. Florida Gulf Coast
6. George Washington
7. Saint Mary's
8. Gonzaga
9. Dayton
10. UALR
11. North Dakota
12. Albany
13. South Dakota State
14. Middle Tennessee State
15. Cal State Northridge
1. Green Bay
2. Princeton
3. James Madison
4. Western Kentucky
5. Florida Gulf Coast
6. George Washington
7. Saint Mary's
8. Gonzaga
9. Dayton
10. UALR
11. North Dakota
12. Albany
13. South Dakota State
14. Middle Tennessee State
15. Cal State Northridge
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
A few "say what?" results
Today's results:
#4 Texas A&M overcame cold shooting to top SMU, 70-62.
Princeton stomped Michigan, 85-55.
Washington State edged Gonzaga, 59-58.
Seton Hall downed Illinois, 82-72.
USC beat CSUN in overtime, 85-74.
Full scoreboard.
More news:
A lack of toughness is holding Notre Dame back, coach Muffet McGraw says.
Florida is suffering from poor defense and turnovers.
Freshman Sadie Edwards is leaving UConn due to lack of playing time.
Freshman Kaylee Page is leaving Nebraska, and her younger sister has been released from her letter of intent with the program.
South Carolina plays both tall and tough.
From Detroit to New Zealand, college basketball inspired Caitie Goddard to take on the world.
#4 Texas A&M overcame cold shooting to top SMU, 70-62.
Princeton stomped Michigan, 85-55.
Washington State edged Gonzaga, 59-58.
Seton Hall downed Illinois, 82-72.
USC beat CSUN in overtime, 85-74.
Full scoreboard.
More news:
A lack of toughness is holding Notre Dame back, coach Muffet McGraw says.
Florida is suffering from poor defense and turnovers.
Freshman Sadie Edwards is leaving UConn due to lack of playing time.
Freshman Kaylee Page is leaving Nebraska, and her younger sister has been released from her letter of intent with the program.
South Carolina plays both tall and tough.
From Detroit to New Zealand, college basketball inspired Caitie Goddard to take on the world.
USA Today top 25 poll
Changes in this week's USA Today top 25 poll:
1. South Carolina
2. Connecticut
3. Texas
4. Notre Dame
5. Texas A&M
6. North Carolina
7. Stanford
8. Kentucky
9. Baylor
10. Louisville
11. Maryland
12. Duke
13. Tennessee
14. Oregon State
15. Nebraska
16. Oklahoma State
17. California
18. Georgia
19. Rutgers
20. West Virginia
21. Michigan State
22. Syracuse
23. Mississippi State
24. Iowa
25. DePaul
1. South Carolina
2. Connecticut
3. Texas
4. Notre Dame
5. Texas A&M
6. North Carolina
7. Stanford
8. Kentucky
9. Baylor
10. Louisville
11. Maryland
12. Duke
13. Tennessee
14. Oregon State
15. Nebraska
16. Oklahoma State
17. California
18. Georgia
19. Rutgers
20. West Virginia
21. Michigan State
22. Syracuse
23. Mississippi State
24. Iowa
25. DePaul
Just a wee bit
Saint Mary's is the NCAA's team of the week.
UConn forward Morgan Tuck is ESPN's player of the week. Her leadership was apparent this past weekend.
Behind coach Dawn Staley, the fan base is growing for South Carolina.
Minnesota's Rachel Banham is back - with an assist from her father.
Pro news:
Seattle Storm coach Brian Agler has followed in his father's footsteps.
UConn forward Morgan Tuck is ESPN's player of the week. Her leadership was apparent this past weekend.
Behind coach Dawn Staley, the fan base is growing for South Carolina.
Minnesota's Rachel Banham is back - with an assist from her father.
Pro news:
Seattle Storm coach Brian Agler has followed in his father's footsteps.
Monday, December 8, 2014
Team RPIs this week
Fascinating stuff:
1 3 Kentucky Southeastern 8-1 2-0 2-1 4-0 0-0
2 1 Arizona St. Pac-12 6-1 1-0 2-1 3-0 0-0
3 2 UConn AAC 6-1 2-1 3-0 1-0 0-0
4 6 Southern California Pac-12 5-2 3-2 1-0 1-0 0-0
5 5 Green Bay Horizon 6-2 2-1 2-1 2-0 0-0
6 22 South Carolina Southeastern 8-0 1-0 2-0 5-0 0-0
7 11 Fresno St. Mountain West 4-3 1-3 0-0 2-0 1-0
8 9 Notre Dame Atlantic Coast 8-1 1-0 1-0 6-1 0-0
9 18 North Carolina Atlantic Coast 8-0 3-0 2-0 3-0 0-0
10 8 Western Ky. Conference USA 8-2 2-2 1-0 5-0 0-0
11 7 Michigan Big Ten 6-1 0-1 2-0 4-0 0-0
12 4 Washington Pac-12 7-1 2-1 3-0 2-0 0-0
13 14 Texas Big 12 6-0 2-0 0-0 4-0 0-0
14 19 Princeton Ivy 8-0 3-0 3-0 2-0 0-0
15 15 Middle Tenn. Conference USA 4-2 1-1 0-0 3-1 0-0
16 37 Baylor Big 12 6-1 1-1 0-0 5-0 0-0
17 12 Mississippi St. Southeastern 8-0 1-0 0-0 7-0 0-0
18 10 Louisville Atlantic Coast 8-1 2-0 0-0 6-1 0-0
19 24 Tulane AAC 7-1 3-0 1-1 3-0 0-0
20 13 Duke Atlantic Coast 5-3 2-2 0-0 3-1 0-0
21 21 California Pac-12 7-1 2-1 1-0 4-0 0-0
22 27 Stanford Pac-12 5-2 2-0 1-1 2-1 0-0
23 16 South Fla. AAC 6-3 1-1 3-1 2-1 0-0
24 28 Texas A&M Southeastern 9-0 2-0 2-0 5-0 0-0
25 29 St. Mary's (CA) West Coast 6-1 1-0 0-0 5-1 0-0
26 25 Florida St. Atlantic Coast 8-1 1-0 4-1 3-0 0-0
27 23 James Madison Colonial 7-1 2-0 1-1 4-0 0-0
28 17 Arkansas Southeastern 6-2 1-0 2-0 3-2 0-0
29 42 St. John's (NY) Big East 7-0 3-0 0-0 4-0 0-0
30 20 Nebraska Big Ten 7-1 2-1 0-0 5-0 0-0
31 34 Bakersfield Western Athletic 6-1 1-1 0-0 4-0 1-0
32 45 Iowa Big Ten 7-2 0-1 1-1 6-0 0-0
33 31 Vanderbilt Southeastern 6-2 1-0 1-2 4-0 0-0
34 39 Stetson Atlantic Sun 7-2 2-2 2-0 1-0 2-0
35 41 Toledo Mid-American 3-2 0-2 2-0 1-0 0-0
36 35 Hampton Mid-Eastern 2-5 2-4 0-0 0-1 0-0
37 26 Northwestern Big Ten 7-0 3-0 0-0 4-0 0-0
38 36 Illinois Big Ten 7-2 1-0 1-2 5-0 0-0
39 64 Syracuse Atlantic Coast 6-1 2-0 1-1 3-0 0-0
40 38 George Washington Atlantic 10 6-2 1-1 2-0 2-1 1-0
41 59 Seton Hall Big East 8-1 3-1 0-0 5-0 0-0
42 44 McNeese St. Southland 4-2 0-1 0-0 1-1 3-0
43 40 West Virginia Big 12 6-1 1-1 0-0 5-0 0-0
44 30 UC Riverside Big West 5-2 1-2 1-0 3-0 0-0
45 51 FGCU Atlantic Sun 6-2 0-1 2-1 3-0 1-0
46 49 Lehigh Patriot 7-0 5-0 0-0 1-0 1-0
47 32 Pittsburgh Atlantic Coast 5-3 1-2 0-0 4-1 0-0
48 63 Boston College Atlantic Coast 5-3 2-2 1-0 2-1 0-0
49 79 Long Beach St. Big West 7-1 3-0 1-0 2-1 1-0
50 52 Indiana St. Missouri Valley 7-1 4-0 0-0 2-1 1-0
51 47 South Dakota St. Summit 6-2 3-1 1-0 2-1 0-0
52 33 Purdue Big Ten 3-4 1-1 1-1 1-2 0-0
53 55 UALR Sun Belt 5-1 3-0 0-0 2-1 0-0
54 43 Maryland Big Ten 7-2 1-1 1-1 5-0 0-0
55 48 Youngstown St. Horizon 7-0 3-0 1-0 2-0 1-0
56 50 Colorado Pac-12 6-2 1-1 0-0 5-1 0-0
57 57 Quinnipiac Metro Atlantic 6-2 1-1 2-1 3-0 0-0
58 61 CSUN Big West 7-1 1-1 0-0 6-0 0-0
59 106 Rutgers Big Ten 7-1 3-0 0-0 4-1 0-0
60 67 Kansas St. Big 12 5-0 0-0 1-0 4-0 0-0
61 83 Dayton Atlantic 10 4-3 1-3 1-0 2-0 0-0
62 56 Furman Southern 6-3 1-1 1-2 4-0 0-0
63 60 North Dakota Big Sky 7-1 4-1 1-0 1-0 1-0
64 53 San Diego West Coast 6-1 2-0 0-0 3-1 1-0
65 84 Georgia Southeastern 10-0 4-0 0-0 6-0 0-0
66 68 Akron Mid-American 7-0 0-0 2-0 5-0 0-0
67 76 East Carolina AAC 7-2 2-1 2-1 3-0 0-0
68 65 Lafayette Patriot 5-3 2-3 0-0 3-0 0-0
69 66 Creighton Big East 3-4 1-3 1-0 1-1 0-0
70 46 Bucknell Patriot 4-3 2-3 0-0 2-0 0-0
71 74 San Francisco West Coast 6-2 1-2 0-0 3-0 2-0
72 73 Central Mich. Mid-American 3-2 0-1 2-0 1-1 0-0
73 58 Arkansas St. Sun Belt 3-2 0-2 0-0 2-0 1-0
74 70 Washington St. Pac-12 6-2 2-0 1-1 3-1 0-0
75 77 Western Mich. Mid-American 4-2 1-2 0-0 2-0 1-0
76 78 Indiana Big Ten 7-1 1-0 0-0 6-1 0-0
77 122 Drexel Colonial 4-2 0-1 1-1 3-0 0-0
78 54 Oklahoma Big 12 5-2 1-0 1-2 3-0 0-0
79 108 North Carolina St. Atlantic Coast 6-3 1-1 1-1 4-1 0-0
80 82 Iowa St. Big 12 5-1 0-1 1-0 4-0 0-0
81 71 Minnesota Big Ten 8-1 2-0 2-1 4-0 0-0
82 80 Virginia Atlantic Coast 6-2 2-1 0-1 4-0 0-0
83 69 Elon Colonial 4-2 1-2 0-0 2-0 1-0
84 119 Kansas Big 12 7-2 0-0 0-1 7-1 0-0
85 86 Mercer Southern 5-3 2-2 0-0 3-1 0-0
86 88 American Patriot 3-4 0-1 2-0 1-3 0-0
87 85 Idaho Big Sky 4-3 3-2 0-0 0-1 1-0
88 89 Michigan St. Big Ten 5-2 0-1 0-0 5-1 0-0
89 101 St. Bonaventure Atlantic 10 7-2 3-2 1-0 3-0 0-0
90 72 Cleveland St. Horizon 5-3 1-3 0-0 3-0 1-0
91 95 Oregon St. Pac-12 7-0 0-0 2-0 4-0 1-0
92 90 Ill.-Chicago Horizon 6-1 1-1 0-0 4-0 1-0
93 99 Texas Tech Big 12 5-2 0-0 0-2 5-0 0-0
94 117 Duquesne Atlantic 10 5-3 2-1 1-0 2-2 0-0
95 81 Tennessee Southeastern 6-2 1-2 0-0 5-0 0-0
96 96 South Dakota Summit 6-2 3-2 0-0 3-0 0-0
97 100 Southern Ill. Missouri Valley 4-2 1-1 0-0 3-1 0-0
98 98 UNI Missouri Valley 1-5 1-4 0-1 0-0 0-0
99 91 UC Davis Big West 4-4 1-0 1-1 2-3 0-0
100 103 Pepperdine West Coast 3-5 2-3 1-0 0-2 0-0
So South Carolina deserves that #1 ranking.
1 3 Kentucky Southeastern 8-1 2-0 2-1 4-0 0-0
2 1 Arizona St. Pac-12 6-1 1-0 2-1 3-0 0-0
3 2 UConn AAC 6-1 2-1 3-0 1-0 0-0
4 6 Southern California Pac-12 5-2 3-2 1-0 1-0 0-0
5 5 Green Bay Horizon 6-2 2-1 2-1 2-0 0-0
6 22 South Carolina Southeastern 8-0 1-0 2-0 5-0 0-0
7 11 Fresno St. Mountain West 4-3 1-3 0-0 2-0 1-0
8 9 Notre Dame Atlantic Coast 8-1 1-0 1-0 6-1 0-0
9 18 North Carolina Atlantic Coast 8-0 3-0 2-0 3-0 0-0
10 8 Western Ky. Conference USA 8-2 2-2 1-0 5-0 0-0
11 7 Michigan Big Ten 6-1 0-1 2-0 4-0 0-0
12 4 Washington Pac-12 7-1 2-1 3-0 2-0 0-0
13 14 Texas Big 12 6-0 2-0 0-0 4-0 0-0
14 19 Princeton Ivy 8-0 3-0 3-0 2-0 0-0
15 15 Middle Tenn. Conference USA 4-2 1-1 0-0 3-1 0-0
16 37 Baylor Big 12 6-1 1-1 0-0 5-0 0-0
17 12 Mississippi St. Southeastern 8-0 1-0 0-0 7-0 0-0
18 10 Louisville Atlantic Coast 8-1 2-0 0-0 6-1 0-0
19 24 Tulane AAC 7-1 3-0 1-1 3-0 0-0
20 13 Duke Atlantic Coast 5-3 2-2 0-0 3-1 0-0
21 21 California Pac-12 7-1 2-1 1-0 4-0 0-0
22 27 Stanford Pac-12 5-2 2-0 1-1 2-1 0-0
23 16 South Fla. AAC 6-3 1-1 3-1 2-1 0-0
24 28 Texas A&M Southeastern 9-0 2-0 2-0 5-0 0-0
25 29 St. Mary's (CA) West Coast 6-1 1-0 0-0 5-1 0-0
26 25 Florida St. Atlantic Coast 8-1 1-0 4-1 3-0 0-0
27 23 James Madison Colonial 7-1 2-0 1-1 4-0 0-0
28 17 Arkansas Southeastern 6-2 1-0 2-0 3-2 0-0
29 42 St. John's (NY) Big East 7-0 3-0 0-0 4-0 0-0
30 20 Nebraska Big Ten 7-1 2-1 0-0 5-0 0-0
31 34 Bakersfield Western Athletic 6-1 1-1 0-0 4-0 1-0
32 45 Iowa Big Ten 7-2 0-1 1-1 6-0 0-0
33 31 Vanderbilt Southeastern 6-2 1-0 1-2 4-0 0-0
34 39 Stetson Atlantic Sun 7-2 2-2 2-0 1-0 2-0
35 41 Toledo Mid-American 3-2 0-2 2-0 1-0 0-0
36 35 Hampton Mid-Eastern 2-5 2-4 0-0 0-1 0-0
37 26 Northwestern Big Ten 7-0 3-0 0-0 4-0 0-0
38 36 Illinois Big Ten 7-2 1-0 1-2 5-0 0-0
39 64 Syracuse Atlantic Coast 6-1 2-0 1-1 3-0 0-0
40 38 George Washington Atlantic 10 6-2 1-1 2-0 2-1 1-0
41 59 Seton Hall Big East 8-1 3-1 0-0 5-0 0-0
42 44 McNeese St. Southland 4-2 0-1 0-0 1-1 3-0
43 40 West Virginia Big 12 6-1 1-1 0-0 5-0 0-0
44 30 UC Riverside Big West 5-2 1-2 1-0 3-0 0-0
45 51 FGCU Atlantic Sun 6-2 0-1 2-1 3-0 1-0
46 49 Lehigh Patriot 7-0 5-0 0-0 1-0 1-0
47 32 Pittsburgh Atlantic Coast 5-3 1-2 0-0 4-1 0-0
48 63 Boston College Atlantic Coast 5-3 2-2 1-0 2-1 0-0
49 79 Long Beach St. Big West 7-1 3-0 1-0 2-1 1-0
50 52 Indiana St. Missouri Valley 7-1 4-0 0-0 2-1 1-0
51 47 South Dakota St. Summit 6-2 3-1 1-0 2-1 0-0
52 33 Purdue Big Ten 3-4 1-1 1-1 1-2 0-0
53 55 UALR Sun Belt 5-1 3-0 0-0 2-1 0-0
54 43 Maryland Big Ten 7-2 1-1 1-1 5-0 0-0
55 48 Youngstown St. Horizon 7-0 3-0 1-0 2-0 1-0
56 50 Colorado Pac-12 6-2 1-1 0-0 5-1 0-0
57 57 Quinnipiac Metro Atlantic 6-2 1-1 2-1 3-0 0-0
58 61 CSUN Big West 7-1 1-1 0-0 6-0 0-0
59 106 Rutgers Big Ten 7-1 3-0 0-0 4-1 0-0
60 67 Kansas St. Big 12 5-0 0-0 1-0 4-0 0-0
61 83 Dayton Atlantic 10 4-3 1-3 1-0 2-0 0-0
62 56 Furman Southern 6-3 1-1 1-2 4-0 0-0
63 60 North Dakota Big Sky 7-1 4-1 1-0 1-0 1-0
64 53 San Diego West Coast 6-1 2-0 0-0 3-1 1-0
65 84 Georgia Southeastern 10-0 4-0 0-0 6-0 0-0
66 68 Akron Mid-American 7-0 0-0 2-0 5-0 0-0
67 76 East Carolina AAC 7-2 2-1 2-1 3-0 0-0
68 65 Lafayette Patriot 5-3 2-3 0-0 3-0 0-0
69 66 Creighton Big East 3-4 1-3 1-0 1-1 0-0
70 46 Bucknell Patriot 4-3 2-3 0-0 2-0 0-0
71 74 San Francisco West Coast 6-2 1-2 0-0 3-0 2-0
72 73 Central Mich. Mid-American 3-2 0-1 2-0 1-1 0-0
73 58 Arkansas St. Sun Belt 3-2 0-2 0-0 2-0 1-0
74 70 Washington St. Pac-12 6-2 2-0 1-1 3-1 0-0
75 77 Western Mich. Mid-American 4-2 1-2 0-0 2-0 1-0
76 78 Indiana Big Ten 7-1 1-0 0-0 6-1 0-0
77 122 Drexel Colonial 4-2 0-1 1-1 3-0 0-0
78 54 Oklahoma Big 12 5-2 1-0 1-2 3-0 0-0
79 108 North Carolina St. Atlantic Coast 6-3 1-1 1-1 4-1 0-0
80 82 Iowa St. Big 12 5-1 0-1 1-0 4-0 0-0
81 71 Minnesota Big Ten 8-1 2-0 2-1 4-0 0-0
82 80 Virginia Atlantic Coast 6-2 2-1 0-1 4-0 0-0
83 69 Elon Colonial 4-2 1-2 0-0 2-0 1-0
84 119 Kansas Big 12 7-2 0-0 0-1 7-1 0-0
85 86 Mercer Southern 5-3 2-2 0-0 3-1 0-0
86 88 American Patriot 3-4 0-1 2-0 1-3 0-0
87 85 Idaho Big Sky 4-3 3-2 0-0 0-1 1-0
88 89 Michigan St. Big Ten 5-2 0-1 0-0 5-1 0-0
89 101 St. Bonaventure Atlantic 10 7-2 3-2 1-0 3-0 0-0
90 72 Cleveland St. Horizon 5-3 1-3 0-0 3-0 1-0
91 95 Oregon St. Pac-12 7-0 0-0 2-0 4-0 1-0
92 90 Ill.-Chicago Horizon 6-1 1-1 0-0 4-0 1-0
93 99 Texas Tech Big 12 5-2 0-0 0-2 5-0 0-0
94 117 Duquesne Atlantic 10 5-3 2-1 1-0 2-2 0-0
95 81 Tennessee Southeastern 6-2 1-2 0-0 5-0 0-0
96 96 South Dakota Summit 6-2 3-2 0-0 3-0 0-0
97 100 Southern Ill. Missouri Valley 4-2 1-1 0-0 3-1 0-0
98 98 UNI Missouri Valley 1-5 1-4 0-1 0-0 0-0
99 91 UC Davis Big West 4-4 1-0 1-1 2-3 0-0
100 103 Pepperdine West Coast 3-5 2-3 1-0 0-2 0-0
So South Carolina deserves that #1 ranking.
A-shifting they will go: AP top 25
To no one's surprise, a lot of shifting in this week's AP top 25 poll:
1. South Carolina
2. Connecticut
3. Texas
4. Texas A&M
5. Notre Dame
6. North Carolina
7. Stanford
8. Kentucky
9. Baylor
10. Louisville
11. Tennessee
12. Nebraska
13. Duke
14. Maryland
15. Oregon State
16. Georgia
17. Rutgers
18. California
19. Michigan State
20. Syracuse
21. Oklahoma State
22. Mississippi State
23. West Virginia
24. Iowa
25. DePaul
1. South Carolina
2. Connecticut
3. Texas
4. Texas A&M
5. Notre Dame
6. North Carolina
7. Stanford
8. Kentucky
9. Baylor
10. Louisville
11. Tennessee
12. Nebraska
13. Duke
14. Maryland
15. Oregon State
16. Georgia
17. Rutgers
18. California
19. Michigan State
20. Syracuse
21. Oklahoma State
22. Mississippi State
23. West Virginia
24. Iowa
25. DePaul
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Louisiana Tech wins home opener, with Pat Summitt in the house
So much to pull out of this story:
RUSTON, La. -- On Dec. 7, 1974, Pat Summitt coached her first game for the University of Tennessee. Forty years later to the date, her son, Tyler, coached his first home game for Louisiana Tech.
"Gives you chills almost," Tyler Summitt said when told of the coincidence before the Lady Techsters' game Sunday.
The original Coach Summitt lost her first game at Tennessee -- something she was quick to remind Tyler about after he and Louisiana Tech won their season opener earlier this season.
"[It's] probably the only thing I'll ever beat her at when it comes to coaching," Tyler joked.
And:
One close friend had a seat next to Tyler on the Louisiana Tech bench.
Summitt's former associate head coach, Mickie DeMoss, returned to her alma mater to coach alongside Tyler. Twenty-four years earlier, she had a very different responsibility -- getting Pat Summitt to Knoxville via chartered plane so she could deliver Tyler back home in Knoxville after her water broke on a recruiting trip.
"That's what makes life so fascinating," DeMoss said Saturday at practice. "Now that I look at it in the present moment, it all kind of unfolded the way it was supposed to. I really love working with Tyler and am committed to helping him get this program rolling."
Well, now:
One fan was personally invited by Tyler: NBA Hall of Fame player and Louisiana Tech graduate Karl Malone.
Before the game, Malone spoke with Tyler and his mother. He then watched La. Tech win on the court that bears his name.
As you will recall, Malone was critical of Tech when they fired Theresa Weatherspoon last spring. So him being there today is big.
This is cool, too:
Former La. Tech coach Leon Barmore, who coached the Lady Techsters to the 1988 NCAA title and is a Naismith Hall of Famer, also attended Sunday's game.
RUSTON, La. -- On Dec. 7, 1974, Pat Summitt coached her first game for the University of Tennessee. Forty years later to the date, her son, Tyler, coached his first home game for Louisiana Tech.
"Gives you chills almost," Tyler Summitt said when told of the coincidence before the Lady Techsters' game Sunday.
The original Coach Summitt lost her first game at Tennessee -- something she was quick to remind Tyler about after he and Louisiana Tech won their season opener earlier this season.
"[It's] probably the only thing I'll ever beat her at when it comes to coaching," Tyler joked.
And:
One close friend had a seat next to Tyler on the Louisiana Tech bench.
Summitt's former associate head coach, Mickie DeMoss, returned to her alma mater to coach alongside Tyler. Twenty-four years earlier, she had a very different responsibility -- getting Pat Summitt to Knoxville via chartered plane so she could deliver Tyler back home in Knoxville after her water broke on a recruiting trip.
"That's what makes life so fascinating," DeMoss said Saturday at practice. "Now that I look at it in the present moment, it all kind of unfolded the way it was supposed to. I really love working with Tyler and am committed to helping him get this program rolling."
Well, now:
One fan was personally invited by Tyler: NBA Hall of Fame player and Louisiana Tech graduate Karl Malone.
Before the game, Malone spoke with Tyler and his mother. He then watched La. Tech win on the court that bears his name.
As you will recall, Malone was critical of Tech when they fired Theresa Weatherspoon last spring. So him being there today is big.
This is cool, too:
Former La. Tech coach Leon Barmore, who coached the Lady Techsters to the 1988 NCAA title and is a Naismith Hall of Famer, also attended Sunday's game.
Upset-fest
Upset city today in college hoops.
The one that has me scratching my head is Kansas routing #10 Cal, 62-39. The Golden Bears held the Jayhawks scoreless for the first four minutes, but Kansas had the lead by the first media timeout, and kept it the rest of the way. It was Cal's lowest point total in 4.5 years, and their first loss of the season. Courtney Range sustained a left knee injury during game action, and had to be carried off the court.
Yikes.
#13 Kentucky upended #7 Louisville, 77-68. It was the Cardinal's first loss as well.
Also sustaining their first loss was #12 Nebraska, who went down to Alabama, 53-51.
#19 Georgia upset #16 Michigan State, 69-60. The Bulldogs are unbeaten, and I wonder why the Spartans have only played seven games so far.
Then there was the almost-upset game......#1 South Carolina needed a put-back from freshman A'ja Wilson to get away from #9 Duke, 51-50.
So, to recap: Notre Dame, Arkansas-Little Rock, Ohio and Southern Utah took their first losses yesterday, which makes seven less undefeated teams this weekend.
Remember that the season is only three weeks and two days old. I'm pumped.
More results:
Minnesota got past Butler in overtime, 88-86. They came from behind to win, and were lead by Rachel Banham's 35 points.
St. John's is 7-0 after edging South Florida, 55-52.
Dayton slipped by Purdue, 63-61.
Arizona surprised Wake Forest in overtime, 72-69.
UC Santa Barbara is winless.
Full scoreboard.
More news:
The Kentucky-Louisville rivalry needs to be embraced.
Coach Kim Mulkey is focused on keeping Baylor at the top.
The one that has me scratching my head is Kansas routing #10 Cal, 62-39. The Golden Bears held the Jayhawks scoreless for the first four minutes, but Kansas had the lead by the first media timeout, and kept it the rest of the way. It was Cal's lowest point total in 4.5 years, and their first loss of the season. Courtney Range sustained a left knee injury during game action, and had to be carried off the court.
Yikes.
#13 Kentucky upended #7 Louisville, 77-68. It was the Cardinal's first loss as well.
Also sustaining their first loss was #12 Nebraska, who went down to Alabama, 53-51.
#19 Georgia upset #16 Michigan State, 69-60. The Bulldogs are unbeaten, and I wonder why the Spartans have only played seven games so far.
Then there was the almost-upset game......#1 South Carolina needed a put-back from freshman A'ja Wilson to get away from #9 Duke, 51-50.
So, to recap: Notre Dame, Arkansas-Little Rock, Ohio and Southern Utah took their first losses yesterday, which makes seven less undefeated teams this weekend.
Remember that the season is only three weeks and two days old. I'm pumped.
More results:
Minnesota got past Butler in overtime, 88-86. They came from behind to win, and were lead by Rachel Banham's 35 points.
St. John's is 7-0 after edging South Florida, 55-52.
Dayton slipped by Purdue, 63-61.
Arizona surprised Wake Forest in overtime, 72-69.
UC Santa Barbara is winless.
Full scoreboard.
More news:
The Kentucky-Louisville rivalry needs to be embraced.
Coach Kim Mulkey is focused on keeping Baylor at the top.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Some Pac-12 news
Remember how I was waiting for that Oregon game?
The Ducks came back from a 23-point deficit to beat Navy, 72-64. It was the largest comeback in program history, and they did it with a 30-10 run in the final eight minutes.
Coach Kelly Graves is going to make me an Oregon fan if he keeps this up.
UCLA:
The rebuilding Bruins are working hard towards a bright future, by yours truly.
I was impressed with what I saw at a recent practice, and the players couldn't be more courteous and professional once practice is over.
The Ducks came back from a 23-point deficit to beat Navy, 72-64. It was the largest comeback in program history, and they did it with a 30-10 run in the final eight minutes.
Coach Kelly Graves is going to make me an Oregon fan if he keeps this up.
UCLA:
The rebuilding Bruins are working hard towards a bright future, by yours truly.
I was impressed with what I saw at a recent practice, and the players couldn't be more courteous and professional once practice is over.
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