The Morning Mix

Friday’s schedule may consist of just 11 games but there are some solid contests to check out, most notably No. 15 Georgetown visiting Cincinnati. The Hoyas can move into first place in the Big East with a win, while a victory for the Bearcats would strengthen their NCAA tournament credentials. Two schools separated by ten miles meet in Riverdale, with Iona taking on a Manhattan squad that’s played some good basketball of late. And there’s also the America East showdown between Vermont and Stony Brook, with the Seawolves looking to return the favor after they were on the receiving end of a beating at Vermont last month.

Let’s hit the links.

Friday’s Top games:
7:00 p.m. – Pennsylvania at Harvard
7:00 p.m. – Iona at Manhattan (ESPNU)
7:00 p.m. – Vermont at Stony Brook (ESPN3)
7:00 p.m. – North Florida at Jacksonville (ESPN3)
9:00 p.m. - No. 15 Georgetown at Cincinnati (ESPN)

Read of the Day:
This piece is lengthy but it’s well worth the read when it comes to collegiate athletics and the NCAA’s history of reform. Let’s just say the governing body doesn’t look too good by the end. (Inside Higher Ed)

Read of the Day:
It looks as if another columnist has decided to ask the question of whether or not college basketball is in bad shape. This piece was sparked by the torn ACL suffered by Kentucky freshman Nerlens Noel, and whether or not we agree with such questioning it’s good to get a variety of opinions on the subject. (New Yorker)

Top Stories:
Nonprofit group sues NCAA over rule barring of felons from coaching AAU teams: In an attempt to help clean up grassroots basketball, the NCAA implemented restrictions baring former felons from coaching in sanctioned tournaments. A nonprofit group has stepped forwward with the hopes to get the rule overturned.

Deep rotation, defense spark Louisiana Tech’s 12-0 WAC start: The Bulldogs are just one of eight teams that remained unscathed in conference play. While the conference’s infrastructure is almost non-existent, Michael White’s has been playing at an extremely high level and could be poised to make some noise in March.

Five future Kentucky Wildcats named McDonald’s All-Americans: The McDonald’s All-America Game rosters were announced on Thursday, with five players who will attend Kentucky next year being chosen. The Harrison twins, Marcus Lee, James Young and Dakari Johnson all made the cut, and with Aaron Gordon and Andrew Wiggins still undecided UK could very well see that number increase.

Aesthetics mean little in Minnesota’s win over No. 20 Wisconsin: It wasn’t pretty but when a team has lost six of its last eight games beggars can’t be choosers. And fans may want to get used to the Golden Gophers winning ugly games.

Weber State makes statement in win over Montana: Randy Rahe’s Wildcats may still trail Montana by a game in the Big Sky standings, but their 87-63 win over the Grizzlies was quite the statement.

Colorado will ultimately go as far as Spencer Dinwiddie takes them: Colorado avenged a controversial loss with a 71-58 win over No. 9 Arizona and their sophomore point guard was a major reason why. In fact, if Colorado is to win games in March, Spencer Dinwiddie will have to lead the way.

Hoops Housekeeping:

Drexel’s Fouch aiming for 2013-14 return: Drexel fifth-year senior guard will miss the remainder of the season due to a fractured right ankle suffered in November. And according the head coach Bruiser Flint the plan is to apply for a sixth year of eligibility. Fouch has already missed on season due to a torn ACL, which could help his chances of receiving a sixth year.

Observations & Insight:
- Stanford’s rally fell just short at home, and the end result is a one-point loss to USC that doesn’t help their chances of grabbing a bid to the NCAA tournament (San Jose Mercury-News) 

- It was far-fetched a couple weeks ago to even consider California for the NCAA tournament, but their play of late has the Golden Bears thinking that they can make a late-season run (The Dagger)

- Weber State looked like the best team in the Big Sky on Thursday night, and their play has led one writer to make that case (Big Sky Basketball)

- Just four players in all of college basketball attempt 80% or more of their field goals from beyond the arc. Two of them are VCU’s Troy Daniels and Boise State’s Jeff Elorriaga, who have been key cogs in the attacks of their respective teams (Sports Illustrated)

- It’s safe to say that South Carolina head coach is none too thrilled with his team right now, especially after a disappointing effort in a 64-46 home loss to LSU (Gamecocks Online)

- With a trip to Harvard on Saturday looming, Princeton refuses to look past their game on Friday night at Dartmouth. (Trentonian)

Odds & Ends:
- Former Providence forward Dickey Simpkins is being inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame this weekend (Friar Basketball) 

Photo of the Day:
https://twitter.com/BrucePascoe/status/302229571938426880

Video of the Day:
Can’t say that I’m a fan of Ke$ha but she provided the music of choice for Minnesota, who did some dancing to celebrate their win over No. 20 Wisconsin (h/t The Dagger). 

Video of the Day:
Valentine’s Day has passed but the ACC used to occasion to catch up with one of the greatest backcourts in the history of the league. N.C. State’s “Fire and Ice,” Chris Corchianni and Rodney Monroe.

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