We had ourselves quite the weekend. While there wasn’t an overwhelming amount of high level hoops on this weekend, there was a lot of action. There was a bevy of highlights, and even more lowlights. The Morning Mix is going to get to them all.
By the way. Today is the beginning of “Exam Week”, which just so happens to be the lightest week of college hoops. If you have stuff to do at night this week, do it. You won’t be missing much.
Lets hit the links.
Monday’s Top Games: No joke, this is the entire D-I schedule for today
7:00 p.m. – Longwood @ No.15 Georgetown
7:00 p.m. – Mississippi Valley State
7:00 p.m. – Bryant @ Navy
7:30 p.m. – Alabama State @ Detroit
8:00 p.m. – Southeastern Illinois @ Louisiana-Monroe
8:00 p.m. – William Carey (NAIA) @ Southern
9:05 p.m. – Seattle @ Eastern Washington
Read of the Day:
More intriguing details about the African-American Studies classes at UNC and the participation of college basketball players. Read it. (Raleigh News & Observers)
Top Stories:
Late Night Snacks: The best recap of Sunday’s action you will find, including why UNLV’s close victory over Cal could potentially cost them a few days in March.
Hollywood Union goes on strike against the Pac-12 Network: The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, one of the largest unions in Hollywood, plans to strike against the newly formed Pac-12 Network, calling it an “unfair employer”.
Noreen breaks out as WVU hands Virginia Tech first loss: The Mountaineers’ sophomore big man had a breakout performance against Virginia Tech, in which the Hokies were handed their first loss of the season.
Appalachian State center Brian Okam shoots worst foul shot ever: This is the worst foul shot you have ever seen. I’m sure there is an explanation as to why this was so bad, but it’s not really necessary.
Illinois no longer “a feel good story”, are now a real threat: Not many believed Illinois would be able to contend this season under John Groce. But thanks to the outstanding efforts of Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson, the Illini are 10-0 which includes a huge road victory over Gonzaga.
Unexpected challenger emerged in the MAAC this weekend: in a conference many felt had as many as six teams capable of winning the conference, Canisius was discussed as a few in the offseason, sits atop the standings with a 2-0 conference record. Bolstered by the arrival of head coach Jim Baron and son Billy, the Golden Eagles now 6-1 on the season after their 94-82 win over Marist on Sunday afternoon.
Taylor’s “Silent Night Game” is best tradition in hoops: The small NAIA school has gained a reputation for hosting the single best tradition in college hoops, and it took place this past weekend.
Is offense a concern for the Hoyas following ugly 49-40 win over Towson? The No. 15 Georgetown Hoyas are 7-1 with the loss coming against the nation’s top team in overtime. Despite this, the Hoyas are averaging just 49-ppg in their last three games.
Hoops Housekeeping
- UNLV star Mike Moser dislocated his elbow last night in the Runnin’ Rebels 76-7 win over California. His status remains up in the air, but he could be out for the remainder of the season (Eye on College Basketball)
- A big ol’ hat-tip is in order for Kansas center Jeff Withey, who graduated early this weekend (KUsports.com)
- Indiana sophomore Austin Etherington fractured his patella against Central Connecticut State on Saturday and will miss the remainder of the season (Indianapolis Star)
- Former Murray State guard Zay Jackson will be in court today for his arraignment. If he had taken a previously offered plea deal he could have limited the amount of jail time he gets. But because he turned it down, he may be looking at a lot more (Mid-Major Madness)
- Kentucky center Nerlens Noel is battling through knee soreness (Lexington Herald-Leader)
- Norvelle Pelle has yet to be cleared by the NCAA and is unlikely to play for Iona this season (SNY.tv)
Observations & Insight:
- In its last full year as a basketball power, the Big East Conference is showing its dominance over other BCS conferences. (Cracked Sidewalks)
- Mike DeCourcy provides a thorough look at the week ahead. (Sporting News)
- Some excellent commentary on the Ohio Valley Conference and expansionocalypse (OVC Ball)
- It shouldn’t be too shocking to see that Providence is 7-2. But all things considered, it’s pretty shocking that Providence is 7-2. (Hoopville)
- Jeff Borzello thinks it’s a good thing that Duke freshman Rasheed Sulaimon isn’t Austin Rivers (Eye on College Basketball)
- Following the Wildcats’ Big-5 victory over Penn on Saturday, Villanova head coach Jay Wright stated he feels optimistic about the future of the Big-5 (Philly.com)
- Mississippi State will travel to Loyola (Ill.) this weekend to face the Ramblers in a rematch of the historic 1963 “Game of Change”. This will be the first time the two programs have faced off since then. (Jackson Clarion-Ledger)
- After yet another loss, this time to in-state rivals Marquette, is it time for the Wisconsin Badgers to panic? (Bucky’s 5th Quarter)
- Younger fans are starting to board the Oklahoma State bandwagon, but it’s the older generation that needs to show support (The Oklahoman)
Odds & Ends:
- Gonzaga bench “Air Guitar” is the new “Hammer of Dill” (Backyard Sports)
- Texas and UCLA played at Reliant Stadium on Saturday. Only 3,000 people showed up. The following video needs to get burried and this game should never get discussed ever again. (Deadspin)
- It needs reiterating. The game between UCLA and Texas was a comedy of errors (Los Angeles Times)
- Mantaque Gill-Cesear: Future #AllNameTeam member (NBE Basketball Report)
- Northern Arizona commit Ako Koluna shatters another backboard. I saw another because he has a history of this (Big Sky Basketball)
Picture of the Day:
This is what “the worst foul shot ever” looks like prior to launch. (Backyard Sports)
Dunk(s) of the Day:
Indiana’s Victor Oladipo is you clubhouse leader for “Poster Dunk of the Year”. (Ballin’ is a Habit)
Dunk(s) of the Day:
Archie Goodwin is in a close second place (Ballin’ is a Habit)
Video(s) of the Day:
Worst. Free throw. Ever.
Video(s) of the Day:
Rick Pitino gives one of the better press conferences in the country. Here he is answering a reporters phone during a presser. Improvisation at it’s finest.
Do you like the new Morning Mix? Hate it? Have a suggestion or wanted something featured? Troy Machir will take all your praise, insults and inquiries via Twitter (@TroyMachir)
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VIDEO: Shaka Smart throws a strike, gets his own bobblehead
May 18, 2013, 9:00 PM EDT
photo courtesy of the Richmond Flying Squirrels
Friday evening, VCU head coach Shaka Smart did one of those things coaches do in the offseason. He took to the field in a minor league game to throw out a first pitch. It was an auspicious day for the Rams’ head man, as he was being honored with his very own bobblehead doll last…
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AP
There has been a lot of change at Arizona over the past few months, with several players and even a coach leaving the program. Replacing assistant James Whitford, who became head coach at Ball State, was easy: Wildcat legend Damon Stoudamire came back home to round out the staff. But the personnel situation on the…
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Report: Baylor coach told Griner not to talk about her sexuality
May 18, 2013, 5:20 PM EDT
Getty Images
Former Baylor player and current WNBA top draft pick Britney Griner made it quite clear recently that she has no problem talking about her sexuality. She spoke with Sports Illustrated shortly after her college career ended, and was candid about something that is, frankly, not really anybody’s business. We now know why she never mentioned…
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AP
The Atlantic Sun tournament was played in front of a near-capacity crowd at Mercer’s Hawkins Arena last March. Hawkins was chosen as the tourney site ahead of time, and the whole event played out there. The reported crowd of 4,394 was packed with Mercer fans who simply had to roll out of bed and find…
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Since he led Team USA to a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics in London, Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski has maintained that it would, in fact, be his last run at the head of the USA Basketball program. That may be changing, however. According to a report from Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated, Coach…
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Adreian Payne, Lacey Holsworth attended Dick Vitale’s gala on Friday
May 18, 2013, 2:32 PM EDT
Adreian Payne was a special guest at Dick Vitale’s celebrity gala on Friday night, but he wasn’t the star of the show. Lacey Holsworth was. If you haven’t heard the story by now, watch the video above. In short, Payne has befriended a seven-year girl, Lacey, who has been battling cancer for much of her…
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Georgetown forward Brandon Bolden transfers to Kansas State
May 18, 2013, 1:15 PM EDT
After appearing in only four regular season games and registering five minutes of playing time with no statistics, Georgetown forward Brandon Bolden has opted to transfer to Kansas State, the Wildcats announced on Friday. The 6-10, 210-pound Bolden will sit out the upcoming 2013-14 season due to NCAA transfer rules, but will have three years of…
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Report: Lipscomb hires a former Belmont player as head coach
May 18, 2013, 12:12 PM EDT
Lipscomb has finally replaced long time head coach Scott Sanderson, as they hired Stetson head coach Casey Alexander, according to a report. Alexander led the Hatters to a 15-16 record last season, as they finished 11-7 in the Atlantic Sun. Both records were the best for the program since the 2008-2009 season. But here’s where…
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FIBA
Oregon State picked up a late 2013 commitment when 6-2 combo guard Malcolm Duvivier opted to sign his letter of intent on Friday after previously being a member of the 2014 class. Duvivier — a native of Toronto — was previously regarded as Rivals’ No. 116 player in the 2014 national rankings before filling an…
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Report: Tennessee center Makanjuola transfers to UNC-Wilmington
May 18, 2013, 10:02 AM EDT
AP
Tennessee sophomore center Yemi Makanjuola has opted to transfer to UNC-Wilmington, per a Tweet from Brian Mull of StarNews. Makanjuola — a 6-9, 250-pound native of Nigeria — will have two years of eligibility remaining after NCAA transfer rules force him to sit out next season. Makanjuola will be eligible in the 2014-15 season and saw action…
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Washington guard C.J. Wilcox undergoes surgery on left foot
May 17, 2013, 9:02 PM EDT
AP
One month after making the decision to return to Washington for his senior season, second team All-Pac-12 selection C.J. Wilcox underwent surgery on his left foot to stabilize a stress fracture that according to the Associated Press lingered for much of the 2012-13 season. The purpose of the surgery was to stabilize the fifth metatarsal…
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AP
Last May 6-7 forward Sheldon Jeter chose to attend Vanderbilt, picking the Commodores over Penn State and Wisconsin and South Carolina with Pittsburgh showing some interest late but never offering the Beaver Falls, Pa. native. Jeter played 17.5 minutes per game as a freshman, averaging 5.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. And after one…
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AP
In the immediate aftermath of Steve Alford’s decision to leave New Mexico to take over as head coach at UCLA, many wondered how much would he have to pay UNM in order to get out of his contract. While Alford and his representation argued that the coach, who led the Lobos to four Mountain West…
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Reuters
A good week on the recruiting front for the Xavier coaching staff got even better Friday afternoon. 6-4 guard Remy Abell, who spent his first two seasons at Indiana, announced his decision to transfer to Xavier as reported by multiple outlets. Abell won’t be eligible to play this season per NCAA transfer rules, but he will…
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Marshall bolsters backcourt depth with addition of Jaylen Brantley
May 17, 2013, 5:23 PM EDT
ny2lasports.com
With three guards, most notably leading scorer DeAndre Kane, deciding to transfer Marshall head coach Tom Herrion was in need of some extra depth for his backcourt in 2013-14. Thanks to a commitment from 2013 combo guard Jaylen Brantley, the Thundering Herd won’t go into next season shorthanded in that area. Brantley, who played at…
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Report: Sandi Marcius transferring to DePaul for final season
May 17, 2013, 4:36 PM EDT
AP
Last month it was reported that Purdue forward Sandi Marcius was running into a major complication in regards to his decision to graduate and then transfer to another school where he would be able to play as a graduate student. That major complication was Purdue’s refusal to pay for the summer school courses Marcius needs…
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Report: Nebraska to open Pinnacle Arena against Florida Gulf Coast
May 17, 2013, 3:21 PM EDT
Getty Images
Florida Gulf Coast was one of the best stories of the 2013 NCAA tournament, becoming the first 15-seed to reach the Sweet 16 and earning the moniker “Dunk City” (thanks to Troy Machir) with their attractive style of play and penchant for above the rim finishes. And next season the Eagles, under new head coach…
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AP
After two quiet seasons at the University of Texas, sophomore Jaylen Bond made the decision to transfer. Bond, a 6-7 forward from Philadelphia, averaged just 3.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in just under 14 minutes per game during his Longhorn career. Friday, Bond announced his decision to transfer to Temple via Twitter and it’s safe…
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WCC, commissioner Jamie Zaninovich agree to three-year extension
May 17, 2013, 1:43 PM EDT
Getty Images
In his six seasons as commissioner of the West Coast Conference, Jamie Zaninovich has helped the conference improve its brand in a variety of ways. Whether it’s been the addition of BYU (Pacific joins this summer) or the idea to move the conference basketball tournaments to Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, it’s safe to say…
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Getty Images
While in Chicago taking part in this week’s NBA Draft Combine, former Kansas shooting guard had to answer some questions regarding the allegations levied by his former AAU coach, Darius Cobb, a couple weeks ago. In a story done by USA Today in early May, Cobb stated that he accepted $10,000 from a runner in…
