AP A few notes from the last day of college basketball in 2012. It’s Late Night Snacks.
Game of the day/night
Gonzaga 69, Oklahoma State 68 – Kelly Olynyk scored all 21 of his points in the second half. Marcus Smart had a chance to tie with nine seconds left, but missed both free throws. Kevin Pangos score 23 in the win and the Bulldogs got their signature win of the young season.
Games of note
Cincinnati 70, Pittsburgh 64 – The Bearcats needed this win after the home loss to New Mexico. They got it thanks to Cashmere Wright’s 18 points and holding the Panthers to 0-for-10 from the three-point arc. Solid job by Mick Cronin’s bunch.
Minnesota 76, Michigan State 63 – Minnesota just keeps doing what they need too. Trevor Mbakwe is all the way back from the torn ACL with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Andre Hollins finished with 22 points and the Golden Gophers hit 56.6-percent of their shots. That’ll get you a good win at home.
Starred
Kelly Olynyk, Gonzaga - This guy was headed for the list below this one in the first half, but then got himself 21 second half points and nine rebounds, including some key plays down the stretch, in the Zags win at Okie State.
Cody Zeller, Indiana - Again, Zeller doing Zeller things. 19 points and 10 rebounds in the tight win over Iowa.
Kinu Rochford, Farleigh-Dickinson – When a kid drops 32 points and 11 rebounds, it deserves applause (so long as it is against a Division I opponent). Rochford did it in a win over Longwood. Well done, young man.
Struggled
Kyle Vinales, Central Connecticut State - One the top scorers in the nation couldn’t get it done against, admittedly, a tough draw in Syracuse. He averages around 21 points per game, but Vinales finished with 14 points on 5-of-18 shooting.
Jordan Hulls, Indiana - The Hoosiers got the win, but a player that averages 11.4 points per game was held scoreless on 0-for-10 shooting.
Stuffing the stat sheet
Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse - It’s almost not fair when I get a game on a night I’m on here, and it features MCW. 18 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds for the sophomore in a win over CCSU.
Fanbase that can take a breath
Gonzaga – The Bulldogs were fine coming into the game at Oklahoma State. But leaving Stillwater with a win was a whole lot better than a loss, which could’ve brought up the dreaded “are they for real?” question, being that their only other true marquee game this season was a loss at home to Illinois. Great win.
Fanbase that can take a seat
New Mexico - The Lobos could’ve followed a banner win at Cincinnati with a win at St. Louis. They could’ve furthered the theory that the Mountain West Conference was more than a two-team race (and in fairness, they still can). They could’ve showed the world that this team is for real. For tonight though, they didn’t. We’ll see what 2013 brings them.
It’s been a pretty solid start to the college basketball season. Now it’s time to turn the page to 2013 and see what conference play offers us. Unless you’re the fan of an SEC team, which you would gladly take playing non-conference teams (kidding!).
Happy New Year, folks.
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AP
We just found out that Mike Krzyzewski will continue to shepherd America’s elite international basketball squad. Amid a tacit assertion of predictability in the coaching ranks, Coach K paid lip service to the notion that it’s time for USA Basketball to physically move out of its current offices in Colorado Springs. “I think in the near future…
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Former Texas Tech, Santa Clara guard arrested on murder charges
May 25, 2013, 2:05 PM EDT
NBC Bay Area
Former Texas Tech and Santa Clara guard Decensae White was arrested on murder charges stemming from the death of a rapper from Georgia named Lil’ Phat. White played at Texas Tech from 2006-2008 and was a member of the Santa Clara program during the 2008-2009 season. After a hiatus from the sport, White returned this…
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The key to recruiting Myles Turner: a good psychology department?
May 25, 2013, 1:48 PM EDT
Kelly Kline/Under Armour
Myles Turner is one of the hottest names on the AAU circuit this spring. The 6-foot-11 center Euless, TX, has the kind of length and athleticism that makes scouts drool, and he just so happens to have a face-up game and the ability to knock down a jump shot in pick-and-pop actions. That’s why he’s…
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Elite 2014 shooting guard Devin Booker draws significant attention
May 25, 2013, 12:10 PM EDT
Scott Phillips/NBC Sports
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AP
Lamar and head coach Pat Knight announced on Friday the signing of three junior college players to add to Lamar’s latest recruiting class. The Cardinals will add a pair of forwards in Octavius Green and Tyran de Lattibeaudiere, and also add potential All-Name Team member and point guard Nimrod Hilliard. Lamar had previously signed junior…
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Oregon State’s Joe Burton eyes potential motivational speaking career
May 25, 2013, 10:34 AM EDT
AP
Oregon State senior forward Joe Burton will graduate from the school in June after a four-year career and over 1,000 points scored. But although many college players with such a pedigree look to play professional basketball after their careers end — as Burton will also do — Burton’s mother said that he could also go…
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Former Marshall forward Jamir Hanner transferring to Buffalo
May 24, 2013, 8:55 PM EDT
AP
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AP
According to the Idaho Statesman, Boise State freshman forward Vukasin Vujovic has decided to leave the program. In his one season at Boise State, the native of Serbia saw action in just nine of the Broncos’ 32 games. In those nine games the 6-9 Vujovic averaged just 4.0 minutes and 1.4 points per game. Vujovic’s…
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Kyle Vinales won’t leave Central Connecticut State after all
May 24, 2013, 6:00 PM EDT
AP
When it was announced just over a month ago that Central Connecticut State leading scorer Kyle Vinales would look to transfer, the biggest factor in his decision was a desire to reach postseason play. Vinales, who averaged nearly 22 points per game as a sophomore, at one point tweeted his decision to transfer to Toledo only…
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DePaul grants forward Donnavan Kirk permission to pursue transfer opportunities
May 24, 2013, 4:38 PM EDT
AP
With the recent news that former Purdue forward Sandi Marcius would transfer to DePaul, it was only a matter of time before the other shoe dropped in this scenario. That would be Donnavan Kirk looking to finish his collegiate career at another institution. On Friday the school announced that it has granted Kirk permission to…
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Northeastern becomes final piece of 2013 Puerto Rico Tip-Off puzzle
May 24, 2013, 2:37 PM EDT
Last November the organizers of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off announced its completed eight-team field, with programs such as Florida State, Georgetown and Michigan being confirmed participants. Also among the eight teams: Auburn. But apparently something changed with the Tigers’ schedule, leading to a report from Andy Katz of ESPN.com that Northeastern would be the eighth…
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AP
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Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski appears on ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ (VIDEO)
May 24, 2013, 12:45 PM EDT
Getty Images
In an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show” this morning, Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski discusses topics such as his decision to return as head coach of the US men’s national team for the 2016 Summer Olympics and his future at Duke. Also of note were Krzyzewski’s comments on incoming freshman Jabari Parker, stating that…
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Getty Images
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Is Sheldon Jeter’s transfer ‘issue’ because of a lack of communication?
May 24, 2013, 10:20 AM EDT
Getty Images
In the aftermath of Sheldon Jeter’s decision to transfer from Vanderbilt it was reported that Vanderbilt head coach Kevin Stallings was blocking Pittsburgh as a possible destination. Some assumed that tampering was the reason for the move, but according to a report by Andy Katz of ESPN.com that may not be the case. Regardless of…
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Illinois forward Myke Henry requests release from scholarship
May 24, 2013, 8:52 AM EDT
AP
With the graduation of leading scorers Brandon Paul and D.J. Richardson, there was a chance that 6-6 forward Myke Henry would see more opportunities to produce for Illinois in 2013-14. However it seems as if the Chicago native won’t be around to realize such possibilities, as it was reported by the Champaign News-Gazette that Henry…
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Charlotte, head coach Alan Major agree to extension through 2017-18
May 23, 2013, 10:50 PM EDT
Getty Images
Head coach Alan Major led the Charlotte basketball program to its first 20-win season since 2008 this past year, as the 49ers won 21 games and received a bid to the Postseason NIT. Next up for Major’s program is Conference USA, and the former Ohio State assistant will make the move with a new contract…
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Colorado assistants get new titles in hopes of bolstering head coaching prospects
May 23, 2013, 9:30 PM EDT
AP
While the head coaching carousel is the focus every offseason the many changes within a coaching staff can also have an impact. At Colorado, head coach Tad Boyle is fortunate to have led the same staff for each of his three seasons in Boulder, resulting in the most successful stretch in the history of the…
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Getty Images
The eight-team field for the 2013 Cancun Challenge is finally set, with 2013 NCAA tournament participants Saint Louis and Wisconsin headlining the field. The event will feature two four-team fields, with the Billikens and Badgers being joined by Old Dominion and West Virginia in the Riviera Division. The Mayan Division bracket consists of Bowling Green,…
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Atlantic 10 announces that all members will play in 2014 conference tournament
May 23, 2013, 6:20 PM EDT
With four departures (Butler, Charlotte, Temple and Xavier) and one arrival (George Mason), the Atlantic 10 Conference will have 13 members for the 2013-14 academic year with Davidson joining in 2014. Those changes have brought about another for the conference: beginning next season, all members will play in the Atlantic 10 tournament at the Barclays…
