This week:
1. Baylor
2. Notre Dame
3. Connecticut
4. Stanford
5. Duke
6. California
7. Kentucky
8. Penn State
9. Tennessee
10. Texas A&M
11. UCLA
12. Maryland
13. Georgia
14. Dayton
15. Delaware
15. South Carolina
17. Louisville
18. North Carolina
19. Colorado
20. Green Bay
21. Purdue
22. Syracuse
23. Iowa State
24. Florida State
25. Nebraska
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Liberty sign Cheryl Ford
Detroit Shock reinvented continues.
College news:
Selflessness is a source of pride for Marist.
Syracuse's Kayla Alexander scored her 2000th point last night. Coach Quentin Hillsman lauds her development.
Kayla Thornton leads UTEP.
FGCU has entered a bid to be in the WNIT.
East Tennessee Coach Karen Kemp will retire.
The suspension of 19 Jackson Community College players for a bench-clearing incident has been upheld.
Mountain West Conference Awards:
SDSU's Chelsea Hopkins is player of the year.
List.
College news:
Selflessness is a source of pride for Marist.
Syracuse's Kayla Alexander scored her 2000th point last night. Coach Quentin Hillsman lauds her development.
Kayla Thornton leads UTEP.
FGCU has entered a bid to be in the WNIT.
East Tennessee Coach Karen Kemp will retire.
The suspension of 19 Jackson Community College players for a bench-clearing incident has been upheld.
Mountain West Conference Awards:
SDSU's Chelsea Hopkins is player of the year.
List.
McDonald's All American Morgan Wootten Player of the Year Finalists announced
Finalists for this year's award are:
o Lexie Brown, North Gwinnet (Suwanee, GA)
o Kaela Davis, Buford High School (Buford, GA)
o Diamond DeShields, Norcross (Norcross, GA)
o Linnae Harper, Whitney Young (Chicago, IL)
o Taya Reimer, Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, IN)
o Mercedes Russell, Springfield High (Springfield, OR)
Bios
o Lexie Brown, North Gwinnet (Suwanee, GA)
o Kaela Davis, Buford High School (Buford, GA)
o Diamond DeShields, Norcross (Norcross, GA)
o Linnae Harper, Whitney Young (Chicago, IL)
o Taya Reimer, Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, IN)
o Mercedes Russell, Springfield High (Springfield, OR)
Bios
Monday, March 11, 2013
More (repeat) champs
Gonzaga beat San Diego to claim the West Coast Conference championship. They're headed to the Dance for the fifth straight time.
Chattanooga squeaked by Davidson to claim the Southern Conference crown.
Marist put away Iona for their eighth consecutive MAAC title.
The Sun Belt championship goes to Middle Tennessee, who outlasted Arkansas-Little Rock.
Baylor thrashed Iowa State for their third Big 12 crown.
Semis:
In the Big East, Notre Dame tossed Louisville and UConn overcame Syracuse. I wonder how much the two teams look forward to facing each other again in the final.
Awards:
Big West
Big Sky
Bonus:
Finalists for the Russell Athletic "Together We R" Team Award are Cal State Fullerton, Ocean County College, Purdue University and the University of Oklahoma.
Chattanooga squeaked by Davidson to claim the Southern Conference crown.
Marist put away Iona for their eighth consecutive MAAC title.
The Sun Belt championship goes to Middle Tennessee, who outlasted Arkansas-Little Rock.
Baylor thrashed Iowa State for their third Big 12 crown.
Semis:
In the Big East, Notre Dame tossed Louisville and UConn overcame Syracuse. I wonder how much the two teams look forward to facing each other again in the final.
Awards:
Big West
Big Sky
Bonus:
Finalists for the Russell Athletic "Together We R" Team Award are Cal State Fullerton, Ocean County College, Purdue University and the University of Oklahoma.
AP top 25
In this week's AP poll, LSU and Toledo drop out, while Purdue and Iowa State drop in....though that might change, as the Cyclones are currently being annihilated by Baylor:
1. Baylor
2. Notre Dame
3. Connecticut
4. Stanford
5. Duke
6. Cal
7. Kentucky
8. Penn State
9. Texas A&M
10. Tennessee
11. UCLA
12. Maryland
13. North Carolina
14. Georgia
15. Delaware
16. Louisville
17. South Carolina
18. Dayton
19. Colorado
20. Green Bay
21. Purdue
22. Syracuse
23. Iowa State
24. Nebraska
25. Florida State
1. Baylor
2. Notre Dame
3. Connecticut
4. Stanford
5. Duke
6. Cal
7. Kentucky
8. Penn State
9. Texas A&M
10. Tennessee
11. UCLA
12. Maryland
13. North Carolina
14. Georgia
15. Delaware
16. Louisville
17. South Carolina
18. Dayton
19. Colorado
20. Green Bay
21. Purdue
22. Syracuse
23. Iowa State
24. Nebraska
25. Florida State
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Frenetic start to March Madness
More tournament news:
Baylor survived Oklahoma State's upset bid to make the Big 12 finals.
They'll face Iowa State, who took down Oklahoma.
In the Big East, Notre Dame again survived South Florida in the quarterfinals. In another quarter, UConn pounded DePaul.
Louisville defeated St. John's to advance.
In the Atlantic-10, Saint Joseph's upset Dayton to reach the final game. They'll face Fordham, who beat Temple in the other semi. It was Ram Coach Stephanie Gaitley's 500th victory.
San Diego is preparing to face top-seeded Gonzaga in tomorrow's West Coast Conference final.
Ohio State isn't used to playing the waiting game for an NCAA bid.
Miami is also on the bubble.
Awards:
Conference USA Awards:
2012-13 CONFERENCE USA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL POSTSEASON AWARDS
ALL-C-USA FIRST TEAM
Celeste Stewart, Sr., PG, East Carolina
Porsche Landry, Sr., G, Houston
Nicole Dickson, Sr., F, Memphis
Jessica Kuster, Jr., F, Rice
Keena Mays, Jr., G, SMU
Jamierra Faulkner, Jr., PG, Southern Miss
Taleya Mayberry, Sr., G, Tulsa
Anete Steinberga, Sr., C, UTEP
ALL-C-USA SECOND TEAM
Alisha Filmore, Sr., G, SMU
Akil Simpson, Jr., F, SMU
Danielle Blagg, So., G, Tulane
Olivia Grayson, Sr., G, Tulane
Karisma Chapman, Jr., F, UAB
Ashley Grimes, Jr.,G/F, UAB
Amber Jones, Sr., G, UAB
Gevenia Carter, Sr., G, UCF
Kayla Thornton, Jr., F, UTEP
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Marche' Amerson, F, Houston
Ariel Hearn, G, Memphis
Jerontay Clemons, G, Southern Miss
Kelsee Grovey, G, Tulsa
Briahanna Jackson, G, UCF
ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
Britny Edwards, RS Sr., F/C, East Carolina
Jessica Kuster, Jr., F, Rice
Jamierra Faulkner, Jr., PG, Southern Miss
Karisma Chapman, Jr., F, UAB
Kayla Thornton, Jr., F, UTEP
Outside of the tournaments:
Ohio University won't renew Coach Semeka Randall's contract.
Baylor survived Oklahoma State's upset bid to make the Big 12 finals.
They'll face Iowa State, who took down Oklahoma.
In the Big East, Notre Dame again survived South Florida in the quarterfinals. In another quarter, UConn pounded DePaul.
Louisville defeated St. John's to advance.
In the Atlantic-10, Saint Joseph's upset Dayton to reach the final game. They'll face Fordham, who beat Temple in the other semi. It was Ram Coach Stephanie Gaitley's 500th victory.
San Diego is preparing to face top-seeded Gonzaga in tomorrow's West Coast Conference final.
Ohio State isn't used to playing the waiting game for an NCAA bid.
Miami is also on the bubble.
Awards:
Conference USA Awards:
2012-13 CONFERENCE USA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL POSTSEASON AWARDS
ALL-C-USA FIRST TEAM
Celeste Stewart, Sr., PG, East Carolina
Porsche Landry, Sr., G, Houston
Nicole Dickson, Sr., F, Memphis
Jessica Kuster, Jr., F, Rice
Keena Mays, Jr., G, SMU
Jamierra Faulkner, Jr., PG, Southern Miss
Taleya Mayberry, Sr., G, Tulsa
Anete Steinberga, Sr., C, UTEP
ALL-C-USA SECOND TEAM
Alisha Filmore, Sr., G, SMU
Akil Simpson, Jr., F, SMU
Danielle Blagg, So., G, Tulane
Olivia Grayson, Sr., G, Tulane
Karisma Chapman, Jr., F, UAB
Ashley Grimes, Jr.,G/F, UAB
Amber Jones, Sr., G, UAB
Gevenia Carter, Sr., G, UCF
Kayla Thornton, Jr., F, UTEP
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Marche' Amerson, F, Houston
Ariel Hearn, G, Memphis
Jerontay Clemons, G, Southern Miss
Kelsee Grovey, G, Tulsa
Briahanna Jackson, G, UCF
ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
Britny Edwards, RS Sr., F/C, East Carolina
Jessica Kuster, Jr., F, Rice
Jamierra Faulkner, Jr., PG, Southern Miss
Karisma Chapman, Jr., F, UAB
Kayla Thornton, Jr., F, UTEP
Outside of the tournaments:
Ohio University won't renew Coach Semeka Randall's contract.
Crown 'em: champs
Texas A&M beat Kentucky for the SEC Championship.
Purdue defeated Michigan State for the Big Ten crown.
Duke routed North Carolina for the ACC Championship.
Liberty downed Longwood for the Big South title.
Stanford squeaked out a Pac 12 'ship win over hard-working UCLA.
Big 12, Metro Atlantic, Southern, Sun Belt and West Coast championships will be crowned tomorrow.
Brackets.
Purdue defeated Michigan State for the Big Ten crown.
Duke routed North Carolina for the ACC Championship.
Liberty downed Longwood for the Big South title.
Stanford squeaked out a Pac 12 'ship win over hard-working UCLA.
Big 12, Metro Atlantic, Southern, Sun Belt and West Coast championships will be crowned tomorrow.
Brackets.
WNBA free agent camp set to take place on Final Four weekend in New Orleans
Merit Management Group still has spots open for their April 7 WNBA Free Agent camp in New Orleans. This will be the 16th year for the event, which allows prospective league players to try out in front of WNBA coaches.
The camp has attracted coaches for years, and has facilitated many players getting contracts, such as Kelley Gibson, Kisha Ford and Jennifer Lacy. It is sometimes the only U.S. venue where athletes can be seen, after playing the winter overseas.
"Our camp is truly a win-win situation for everyone," Merit Management President Stephanie Stanley said. "Athletes get a chance to showcase their skills, and coaches are able to see dozens of players in one shot."
The camp begins with introductions, which includes speeches from former WNBA players who were previous camp participants. They let the athletes know what did and didn't work for them, which helps put them at ease. These former league players stay for the whole day and help run the camp.
Athletes are then put through stretching, drills, and position work before WNBA coaches arrive. Stanley said this is due to feedback from coaches that they'd prefer just to watch the game portion of camp.
Teams are then formed, and players are put through practices to ensure that they understand the set plays that have been implemented. The remainder of the day consists of 20-minute games, run on two separate courts simultaneously. This guarantees each and every player maximum exposure. All games are all videotaped.
The camp concludes with a question-and-answer session, which allows players to make any inquiries they have regarding next steps.
The camp is always during Final Four weekend, in the host city, as it was last year. Merit Management started it the year after the WNBA was formed.
In recent years, however, a few copycat camps have sprung up, causing confusion. Various claims of being a WNBA combine have surfaced, but the league's last combine was six years ago. Merit's free agent camp is the longest-running and the best-established, with the best track record of helping players get into the league, from the WNBA's early days.
Prospective attendees can apply through the Merit website.
The camp has attracted coaches for years, and has facilitated many players getting contracts, such as Kelley Gibson, Kisha Ford and Jennifer Lacy. It is sometimes the only U.S. venue where athletes can be seen, after playing the winter overseas.
"Our camp is truly a win-win situation for everyone," Merit Management President Stephanie Stanley said. "Athletes get a chance to showcase their skills, and coaches are able to see dozens of players in one shot."
The camp begins with introductions, which includes speeches from former WNBA players who were previous camp participants. They let the athletes know what did and didn't work for them, which helps put them at ease. These former league players stay for the whole day and help run the camp.
Athletes are then put through stretching, drills, and position work before WNBA coaches arrive. Stanley said this is due to feedback from coaches that they'd prefer just to watch the game portion of camp.
Teams are then formed, and players are put through practices to ensure that they understand the set plays that have been implemented. The remainder of the day consists of 20-minute games, run on two separate courts simultaneously. This guarantees each and every player maximum exposure. All games are all videotaped.
The camp concludes with a question-and-answer session, which allows players to make any inquiries they have regarding next steps.
The camp is always during Final Four weekend, in the host city, as it was last year. Merit Management started it the year after the WNBA was formed.
In recent years, however, a few copycat camps have sprung up, causing confusion. Various claims of being a WNBA combine have surfaced, but the league's last combine was six years ago. Merit's free agent camp is the longest-running and the best-established, with the best track record of helping players get into the league, from the WNBA's early days.
Prospective attendees can apply through the Merit website.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Upset city
The number of upsets tonight is mind-blowing:
In the Pac 12 Tournament, UCLA dominated Cal to reach the championship game tomorrow. They'll face Stanford, who struggled to top Colorado.
In the SEC, Texas A&M upset Tennessee. They'll go up against Kentucky in the final game. The Wildcats put away Georgia to get there.
Big Ten action saw Michigan State shock Penn State. They'll see Purdue in the final, who upended Nebraska en route.
The ACC saw North Carolina upset Maryland. They get the privilege of facing Duke, who took out Florida State.
More tournament results and news:
Tennessee-Martin has punched their ticket to the Tournament. So has Stetson and Princeton.
South Florida beat Rutgers in the Big East.
All brackets.
Full scoreboard.
Key Arena in Seattle is a good fit for the Pac 12 Tournament.
The Mountain West Conference seeds and bracket is set.
Southland Conference bracket.
Missouri Valley Conference bracket.
Seeds are set in the Big West Conference, after regular-season play concluded today.
Seeds are set in Conference USA.
Big Sky seeds.
Western Athletic Conference seeds.
In the Pac 12 Tournament, UCLA dominated Cal to reach the championship game tomorrow. They'll face Stanford, who struggled to top Colorado.
In the SEC, Texas A&M upset Tennessee. They'll go up against Kentucky in the final game. The Wildcats put away Georgia to get there.
Big Ten action saw Michigan State shock Penn State. They'll see Purdue in the final, who upended Nebraska en route.
The ACC saw North Carolina upset Maryland. They get the privilege of facing Duke, who took out Florida State.
More tournament results and news:
Tennessee-Martin has punched their ticket to the Tournament. So has Stetson and Princeton.
South Florida beat Rutgers in the Big East.
All brackets.
Full scoreboard.
Key Arena in Seattle is a good fit for the Pac 12 Tournament.
The Mountain West Conference seeds and bracket is set.
Southland Conference bracket.
Missouri Valley Conference bracket.
Seeds are set in the Big West Conference, after regular-season play concluded today.
Seeds are set in Conference USA.
Big Sky seeds.
Western Athletic Conference seeds.
Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins has become the face of college basketball - and some don't like it
John Altavilla of the Hartford Courant states the obvious, that Notre Dame point guard Skylar Diggins has become the face of college basketball, for many fans:
She is literally the face of women's basketball; high cheekbones, soft features, piercing eyes that have attracted more than 300,000 followers to her Twitter site — many male, some even intent on marriage.
She is the hometown kid who stayed home and in four years lifted Notre Dame to sustained national prominence in women's basketball; two straight national championship games and, most recently, an undefeated season in the Big East Conference.
But to some, Skylar Diggins All-American doesn't get enough credit for who she is and how she plays the game that has made her as familiar as perhaps any female athlete in the United States.
But some fans decry the attention given her. Diggins knows it:
Throughout the process, Diggins has remained true to herself. As galvanizing as she's been to the Irish, it's fair to say she's had somewhat of a polarizing impact on those who follow the game.
She's too pretty. She's too pouty. She gets too many foul calls and she complains when she doesn't. She is bigger than the game itself, social media's darling.
She has heard it all — over and over again.
I've noticed this too, and I don't agree with the criticism heaped on Diggins. It would be one thing if she tried to ride on her good looks and be a lazy player, but the young woman works hard. Her passion shows in every picture of her screaming in joy during a game - this season especially. It's not fair to blame her for our looks-biased society's leanings. If anything, she might be able to help shatter the myth that pretty women can't play.
It's time to lay off the Diggins hate.
She is literally the face of women's basketball; high cheekbones, soft features, piercing eyes that have attracted more than 300,000 followers to her Twitter site — many male, some even intent on marriage.
She is the hometown kid who stayed home and in four years lifted Notre Dame to sustained national prominence in women's basketball; two straight national championship games and, most recently, an undefeated season in the Big East Conference.
But to some, Skylar Diggins All-American doesn't get enough credit for who she is and how she plays the game that has made her as familiar as perhaps any female athlete in the United States.
But some fans decry the attention given her. Diggins knows it:
Throughout the process, Diggins has remained true to herself. As galvanizing as she's been to the Irish, it's fair to say she's had somewhat of a polarizing impact on those who follow the game.
She's too pretty. She's too pouty. She gets too many foul calls and she complains when she doesn't. She is bigger than the game itself, social media's darling.
She has heard it all — over and over again.
I've noticed this too, and I don't agree with the criticism heaped on Diggins. It would be one thing if she tried to ride on her good looks and be a lazy player, but the young woman works hard. Her passion shows in every picture of her screaming in joy during a game - this season especially. It's not fair to blame her for our looks-biased society's leanings. If anything, she might be able to help shatter the myth that pretty women can't play.
It's time to lay off the Diggins hate.
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