Photo Courtesy of Lehigh Sports

Courtesy of LehighSports.com.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh men’s basketball team wraps up the first round of Patriot League play on Sunday when it welcomes Army to Stabler Arena for a special Coaches vs. Cancer Game. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. The Mountain Hawks will be participating in Suits and Sneakers Awareness Weekend to raise funds and awareness for the fight against cancer. Lehigh enters Sunday 16-6, 4-2 in the Patriot League and one game ahead of the Black Knights, who stand 10-11 and 3-3 in league play.

The Mountain Hawks are coming off a 71-60 win over Navy in front of a nationally-televised audience on CBS Sports Network. Lehigh struggled offensively in the first half, but responded by scoring 42 in the second to earn the 11-point win, the squad’s 14th double-digit victory of the season. The Mountain Hawks have responded with two or more straight wins following each of their last five losses, winning 16-of-20 ever since dropping the first two games of the season.

Junior C.J. McCollum enjoyed a strong all-around game Thursday, posting 24 points, a season-high 14 rebounds and three assists. He moved to 1,775 career points, passing former Lehigh standout Jose Olivero to move into fifth in school history and seventh in Patriot League history for career scoring. McCollum enters Sunday two points from passing former Colgate and NBA star Adonal Foyle for sixth in league history.

The win gave Lehigh its 16th win of the season, tying the team’s win total from all of last season. Ironically, the Mountain Hawks’ 16th win also came against Navy last year – in the Patriot League Semifinals.

The Mountain Hawks shot over 50 percent from the field for a second straight game. After shooting 58 percent at Lafayette, they shot 51 percent against Navy, their fourth and fifth games over 50 percent this season (Lehigh is a perfect 5-0 in those contests). Lehigh was outrebounded, 35-31, but has still outrebounded its opponent in six of its last eight and nine of its last 13.

Sunday marks game two of a three-game homestand as the squad hosts Holy Cross next Saturday. The Mountain Hawks are 6-1 at home this season, with four games still to go.

After starting the season 3-7, Army has reeled off wins in seven of its last 11 to pull within one game of .500 at 10-11. Most importantly, the Black Knights are 3-3 in Patriot League play, just one game behind Lehigh, American and Lafayette who are tied for second at 4-2. After starting league play 0-2, the squad has earned big victories at Navy, Colgate and Holy Cross to pull even. Ella Ellis leads the way offensively with 18.0 points (third in the league behind McCollum and American’s Charles Hinkle) and team-leading 4.9 rebounds per game while Julian Simmons also averages double figures at 12.3. Freshman Milton Washington has had a strong season, averaging 5.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, respectively; he has eclipsed double-figure points in five of his nine starts. Army has scored at an impressive pace (69.5), good for second in the league behind Lehigh’s 77.7. The Black Knights own a strong 43.9 field goal percentage and 38.9 from three-point range. They have turned the ball over 15.8 times per game, though.

Army leads the all-time series, 60-33, but the Mountain Hawks have been strong as of late. The Black Knights impressed early on, going 41-4 over the first 45 meetings from 1906 through ‘78. Since, Lehigh is 29-19, which includes a 15-7 record since the 2002-03 season. The Mountain Hawks have won four of the last five, including a strong 78-64 road win in West Point last Feb. 12. McCollum surpassed 1,000 career points last Jan. 15 in a 75-72 loss to the Black Knights.

Lehigh wraps up its three-game homestand next Saturday when it welcomes Holy Cross to Stabler Arena for a 2 p.m. tip. Tickets for all home games may be purchased on Lehighsports.com or by calling the ticket office at (610) 7LU-GAME.

Like Lehigh Men’s Basketball on Facebook for exclusive content, team updates and more: http://www.facebook.com/LehighMensBasketball

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh men’s basketball will host Army on Sunday, Jan. 29 as part of Coaches vs. Cancer® Suits and Sneakers Awareness Weekend. This marks the second time in as many years the Mountain Hawks will take part in the collaborative initiative of the American Cancer Society and the   National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).

“As the head men’s basketball coach at Lehigh University, it’s an honor to continue this initiative with the American Cancer Society to support cancer research in our overall goal to find a cure,” said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. “Cancer is such a devastating disease that affects so many lives. It’s humbling as a coach to be able to play a small role in raising awareness and funds to support such a noble cause.”

Participating coaches nation-wide will wear sneakers instead of dress shoes with their suits to demonstrate their support for the American Cancer Society and its vision of a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

Lehigh will have special Coaches vs. Cancer stickers on the baskets Sunday. In addition, items will be sold to raise money for a “wall of hope.” Fans are also encouraged to show their support by wearing sport coats and sneakers to the game, as well.

Fans may support this cause by texting COACH to 20222 from any wireless phone to make a $5.00 donation toward Coaches vs. Cancer and help in the search for a cure. For more information, visit the Coaches vs. Cancer Facebook page, facebook.com/coachesvscancer.

A table will be available at Sunday’s game with information from the American Cancer Society on cancer prevention and early detection information. Pink ribbons will be sold as well.

By lacing up sneakers with their suits, college and high school basketball coaches nationwide will spotlight the fact that while cancer remains a major health concern, everyone can take daily steps to reduce their risk of the disease. For those who do not smoke, weight control, exercise and a healthy diet are the best ways to improve health and reduce cancer risk. Obesity has been shown to increase the risk for many forms of cancer, including breast, prostate, and colon cancers and may account for 20 percent of cancer deaths in women and 14 percent in men.

About Coaches vs. Cancer
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of college and high school coaches and fans across the country, Coaches vs. Cancer participants have raised more than $70 million since 1993 to help the Society fund groundbreaking cancer research, provide up-to-date cancer information and education, advocate for public health policies that benefit communities, and deliver services that improve the quality of life for patients and their families. To learn more about Coaches vs. Cancer, visit coachesvscancer.org or call 1-800-227-2345.

About the National Association of Basketball Coaches
Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the NABC was founded in 1927 by Forrest “Phog” Allen, the legendary basketball coach at the University of Kansas. Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into this collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game. The NABC currently has nearly 5,000 members consisting primarily of university and college men’s basketball coaches. All members of the NABC are expected to uphold the core values of being a Guardian of the Game by bringing attention to the positive aspects of the sport of basketball and the role coaches play in the academic and athletic lives of today’s student-athletes. The four core values of being a Guardian of the Game are advocacy, leadership, service and education. Additional information about the NABC, its programs and membership, can be found at www.nabc.org.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; by helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.5 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

A weekly round-up of men’s basketball in the Metro-Atlantic Athletic  Conference.

Broncs add four to score

LAWRENCEVILLE-Rider University basketball coach Tommy Dempsey has announced the addition of four players to his 2011-12 roster.

“This is a recruiting class that will not only make an immediate impact but also continue to lay the foundation for long term success here at Rider,” Dempsey said.

Joining the Broncs in the fall will be Eddie Mitchell and Junior Fortunat of Philadelphia, Mark Medley of Wilmington, Delaware and Charles Oliver of Scotch Plains.

These four join Jeff Jones of Chester, PA who transferred to Rider from the University of Virginia and sat out the 2010-11 season.

Mitchell, a 6’0″ senior guard at La Salle College High School, averaged 16.2 points per game last season, earning First Team All-Catholic League and First Team All-City honors.

Fortunat is a 6’8″, 220 pound senior at Roman Catholic, the same high school that gave Rider Mike Ringgold ’11.  Fortunat averaged 11.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game to earn First Team All-Catholic and Honorable Mention All-City honors.

Medley is a 6’3″ senior at Tatnall High School, where he earned Second Team All-State honors as a junior and a senior.  Medley graduates with 1,410 career points, averaging 20.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game as a senior.

Masiello announces Manhattan basketball staff

RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Manhattan College head men’s basketball coach Steve Masiello has announced the hiring of associate head coach Matt Grady, assistant coach Rashon Burno, along with coordinator of basketball operations Matt Wilson. They join assistant coach Scott Padgett who will return for his second season at Manhattan. Grady brings nine years of NCAA Division I experience to Riverdale, most recently serving as associate head coach at Morehead State University. Burno, a local product who won two National Championships at St. Anthony’s High School for Naismith Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley, comes to Manhattan after an assistant coaching stint at Towson University. Wilson worked as the assistant video coordinator at Louisville last season after serving as a student manager the previous two years under head coach Rick Pitino.

Read more…

Buonaguro, Dempsey and Dunne honored at Yankee Stadium

The New York Yankees welcomed Coaches vs. Cancer during a pregame home plate ceremony at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, May 11, 2011, prior to their game vs. the Kansas City Royals. Siena head coach Mitch Buonaguro was one of 10 coaches recognized.

Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) that empowers basketball coaches, their teams, and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer.

The 10 coaches scheduled to attend were: Jim Boeheim (Syracuse University), Mitch Buonaguro (Siena College), Mo Cassara (Hofstra University), Tommy Dempsey (Rider University), Matt Doherty (Southern Methodist University), John Dunne (Saint Peter’s College), Mitch Henderson (Princeton University), Steve Lavin (St. John’s University), Mike Lonergan (George Washington University) and Mike Rice (Rutgers University).

Read more…

The New York Yankees welcomed Coaches vs. Cancer during a pregame home plate ceremony at Yankee Stadium Wednesday prior to their game vs. the Kansas City Royals. Rider University head coach Tommy Dempsey was one of the ten coaches.

Read more…

Dunne shows support for Coaches vs. Cancer

NEW YORK, NY - Saint Peter’s men’s basketball coach John Dunne continued his support for the American Cancer Society’s Coaches vs. Cancer initiative on Thursday with his participation at WJB Capital Group, Inc. (WJB) Charity Day in Midtown Manhattan. Dunne joined Naismith Hall of Fame basketball legend Julius “Dr. J” Erving, NFL superstar running back and 2011 Hall of Fame inductee Marshall Faulk, Hall of Fame basketball coach Bob Hurley Sr. and several college basketball coaches who all worked the phones to generate donations at WJB’s new headquarters on Third Avenue. The group proceeded to Times Square to celebrate the completion of Charity Day by ringing the NASDAQ Closing Bell.

Read more…

Masiello shows support for Coaches vs. Cancer

Coaches vs. Cancer (CvC) is a program founded by the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) that empowers basketball coaches, their teams and communities to join the fight against cancer by participating in a variety of national and local events. Since its inception in 1993, coaches have raised nearly $50 million through the Coaches vs. Cancer program. Today, nearly 2,000 college and high school coaches, the most ever, participate in the program.

Read more…

Rider to participate in Philly Hoop Group Classic

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.–The Philly Hoop Group Classic, a 5th annual, Thanksgiving Weekend basketball event featuring Division I level college teams.

The 2011 multiple team event will feature: University of Pittsburgh, James Madison University, LaSalle University, University of Pennsylvania, Rider University & Robert Morris University.

The Philly Hoop Group Classic’s Final Round games will be played at The Palestra on Friday, November 25th & Saturday November 26th. The event’s preliminary games will be played at participating schools from November 13th through the 23rd.

The Hoop Group, which organizes instructional camps, clinics, high school events and college events created The Philly Hoop Group Classic.

Read more…

Niagara’s Martelli joins Delaware coaching staff

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y.  – Niagara men’s basketball assistant coach Phil Martelli, Jr. has joined the Delaware Blue Hen coaching staff after spending the last five seasons at Niagara.

“It was a really tough decision,” Martelli said. “It was a lot of hours thinking, a lot of lists being put together, reasons to stay, reasons to come to Delaware. It was real hard because I’m leaving a great place, but more importantly, a great person in coach (Joe) Mihalich.”

Read more…

Ronald Moore’s team loses in Slovakian finals

Former Siena point guard Ronald Moore came up just short of winning a championship in his rookie season in Slovakia.

His Nitra team fell 70-58 to Levice in the deciding Game 5 of the finals in Slovakia’s Extraliga.

Levice won 3-2 in the best-of-five series.

Moore, Siena’s career assists leader, had 11 points, nine rebounds and two assists for Nitra.

Read more…

Siena assistant leaves for Lehigh

For the second straight day, news arrives of a local Division I assistant coach leaving a program.

This time, it’s Siena’s Stephen Ott, who’s taken a similar position at Lehigh, Siena head coach Mitch Buonaguro confirmed today.

Ott has already updated his employment status on his Facebook page and changed his residence to Bethlehem, Pa.

Read more…

Siena still searching after late signing period

The last day of the late signing period came and went on Wednesday with no news from the Siena basketball program, which still has two scholarships to offer for the 2011-12 season.

That doesn’t mean much because Siena can still come to a financial aid agreement with a recruit for next season. It just won’t be a binding document like the national letter of intent is.

“It is what it is,” Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro said. “Teams do it all the time, sign after the date.”

Buonaguro and his staff are still looking for a backup point guard to replace sophomore Jonathan Breeden, who transferred after the season. It won’t necessarily be easy with a lot of prospects already signed with other schools.

Read more…

Niagara’s Edwards will not return for 2011-12 season

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Niagara men’s basketball head coach Joe Mihalich has announced that forward Kashief Edwards will not return for the 2011-12 season.

“Kashief Edwards will graduate this summer and has decided to use his last year of eligibility at another school,” Mihalich said.  “We are extremely proud of all that Niagara University has done for Kashief on and off the floor and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Read more…

Buffalo News article on the release of Edwards

Niagara University forward Kashief Edwards has been released from his scholarship and will transfer to another school, according to sources.

Edwards, who would have been a fifth-year senior next season, will earn his degree this summer and is eligible to play for another school immediately.

A native of Philadelphia, Edwards averaged 12.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks as a junior in 2010-11. He was the Purple Eagles’ leading rebounder and third leading scorer.

Read more…

CBS Sports Network to televise Adidas grassroots evens

CBS Sports Network will broadcast three adidas grassroots basketball championship games this summer, including the adidas Nations finale in early August.

“We’re excited to partner with CBS Sports Network and bring adidas’ elite high school basketball events to millions of viewers across the country on television and online,” adidas vice president of Global Basketball Lawrence Norman said. “Our programs feature the game’s next superstars and we’re thrilled to showcase this high-level of basketball to viewers all across America.”

Read more…

Coming soon

Stay tuned for the first annual Pickin’ Splinters rundown on the MAAC’s incoming class. Fans can get an in-depth look at all the new student-athletes to play next season in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

A weekly round-up of Atlantic 10 men’s basketball.

Xavier Announces New Deal With Men’s Basketball Head Coach Chris Mack

CINCINNATI – Xavier University Associate Vice President and Athletic Director Mike Bobinski announced today that the University has entered into a new agreement with men’s basketball head coach Chris Mack through the 2017-18 season. Mack, a 1992 Xavier graduate, is beginning his third year as the XU head coach.

“This is the most comprehensive agreement we have ever offered to a head coach at Xavier University and we are pleased to do so,” said Bobinski. “Chris (Mack) is much more than just one of the best young coaches in college basketball. We believe he is one of the best coaches in college basketball and that our program will excel both on and off the court under his leadership in the years ahead.”

“I have said many times that the commitment from our administration has been paramount to our success in college basketball,” said Mack. “Xavier is a special place and the support from (University President Fr.) Mike Graham, (Vice President) John Kucia, (Athletic Director) Mike Bobinski and the entire Xavier Community is overwhelming. As both an alum and the head coach, I am excited about the future of the Xavier basketball program.”

Read more…

Further reading on the Mack contract extension

Mack’s contract sets Xavier record

CINCINNATI – Xavier and Chris Mack have agreed to a new seven-year deal that will keep the third-year men’s basketball coach at the helm of the Musketeers’ program through the 2017-18 season.

It also makes him the highest paid coach in XU history.

As a private institution, Xavier is not required to disclose the terms or conditions of coaching contracts. Athletic director Mike Bobinski declined to specify numbers but called it the “most comprehensive agreement” offered to an XU head coach.

“Chris has proven to us in a very significant way that he’s a very talented coach and he fits in well here,” Bobinski said. “It behooved us to make a very positive move to affirm that support of him.”

Read more…

Thornton Accepts Assistant Coaching Position at Furman

CINCINNATI – Brian Thornton, Xavier’s Director of Men’s Basketball Operations for the past two seasons, has accepted an assistant coaching position at Furman University. Xavier head coach Chris Mack announced that he will fill the director of basketball operations position with Jeremy Growe, who has been a graduate assistant in the program the past two years.

“Brian has done an excellent job on our staff the past two years,” said Mack. “He is ready to take that next step on the coaching ladder as an assistant coach. He will be missed on our staff but what an exciting opportunity for Brian. As a student-athlete, Brian was the total package. He was a First Team All-Atlantic 10 selection. He was an All-Academic performer. He’s someone that players can emulate in every way. As a coach, Brian is off to a great start to what I believe will be a long, successful coaching career at the college level.

Read more…

Tu Holloway Will Be Returning For His Senior Year

CINCINNATI - Xavier University junior guard Tu Holloway, a 2010-11 Associated Press Third Team All-American and the 2011 Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year, announced tonight that he will be returning to Xavier for his senior year. All of the underclassmen who have declared for the draft, but have not hired an agent, have until Sunday to withdraw their names from consideration and retain their eligibility.

Read more…

GW NAMES MIKE LONERGAN AS HEAD MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH

WASHINGTON, DC – Mike Lonergan is the new head coach for men’s basketball at The George Washington University, incoming Director of Athletics Patrick Nero has announced. Lonergan was introduced at a news conference at the Charles E. Smith Center on Monday.

“Mike Lonergan has the skills, experience and drive needed to take the GW men’s basketball program to new heights,” said incoming GW Director of Athletics Patrick Nero. “Out of an extremely talented national field of possible candidates, Mike distinguished himself as the right fit for George Washington University and the best candidate to lead our men’s basketball program to future success.”

“The opportunity to return to my roots in the Washington, DC, area and build a program at an exceptional school like George Washington was too good to pass up. The combination of GW’s strong academics, commitment to excellence and athletics tradition make it an ideal position, and I am eager to get started. I am committed to supporting and developing our student-athletes and building a program that will make GW proud,” said Lonergan.

Read more…

Further reading on the hiring of Mike Lonergan

Mike Lonergan sees opportunity in changing DC college hoops scene

WASHINGTON (AP) — Times are changing in college basketball in the Washington, D.C., area. Mike Lonergan figures that should work to his advantage at George Washington.

Lonergan was formally introduced Monday as GW’s new coach. His arrival comes as Maryland searches for a replacement for Gary Williams, and while Paul Hewitt is settling in as Jim Larranaga’s replacement at George Mason.

Read more…

Lonergan among Coaches vs. Cancer group honored at Yankee Stadium

Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) that empowers basketball coaches, their teams, and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer.

In addition to Lonergan, the other nine coaches in attendance were Jim Boeheim (Syracuse University), Mitch Buonaguro (Siena College), Mo Cassara (Hofstra University), Tommy Dempsey (Rider University), Matt Doherty (Southern Methodist University), John Dunne (Saint Peter’s College), Mitch Henderson (Princeton University), Steve Lavin (St. John’s University) and Mike Rice (Rutgers University).

Lonergan was introduced as GW’s new head coach at a May 9 news conference and takes over a GW program that returns four starters and six of the team’s top seven scorers from last season. The Colonials went 17-14 overall, 10-6 in the Atlantic 10 Conference (tied for 4th place) in 2010-11.

Read more…

49ers Participate in Shoe of Hope Event

Track and Field all-America Darius Law, President of the 49ers Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and Charlotte 49ers head men’s basketball coach Alan Major took members of the 49ers men’s and women’s basketball teams to Samaritan’s Feet’s Shoe of Hope event, April 29.  The student-athletes distributed shoes and washed the feet of the recipients.

In January, Law had spearheaded efforts to raise funds and collect shoes for Samaritan’s Feet, a Charlotte-based organization that provides shoes to those in need both locally and around the world.

Read more…

Duquesne’s Greg Gary accepts assistant coach position with Purdue

PITTSBURGH – Duquesne University head men’s basketball coach Ron Everhart announced today that assistant coach Greg Gary has resigned to accept an assistant position at Purdue University.

Gary, a native of Anderson, Indiana, is the third former Duquesne assistant under Everhart who will be coaching at a BCS school in 2011-12 joining Bill Barton (at Duquesne from 2007-08 through 2009-10; currently at Pittsburgh) and Richard Pitino (at Duquesne in 2006-07; currently at Louisville).

Gary, who was recruited as a Division I player out of junior college by Everhart in the early 1990s and was part of Everhart’s staff at McNeese State in 1997-98, was in his second stint at DU having coached on the Bluff in 2007-08 before leaving for a head coaching position at Centenary in 2008-09 and 2009-10. He returned to Duquesne prior to this past season.

Read more…

Ramon Galloway Transfers To La Salle

PHILADELPHIA - Ramon Galloway (Philadelphia, PA / William Dwyer (FL) / South Carolina) has been admitted to La Salle University and will play men’s basketball, head coach Dr. John Giannini announced. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

“Having multiple high level guards is an advantage for attaining high level team success,” Giannini said. “I believe Ramon will greatly strengthen our guard play both defensively and offensively. He is a proven player in major college basketball, he loves the game and will further develop his skills and strength. He will be a major part of a strong group of quick, skilled and unselfish young perimeter players to produce a winning and exciting style of play.”

Galloway (6-2, 175) averaged 10.7 points per game for South Carolina this past season, ranking third on the team. He added 2.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game for the Gamecocks while connecting on 44 three-pointers.

Read more…

From PHILAHOOPS.COM: Galloway happy to be home

Ramon Galloway is happy to be home.

The Philadelphia native officially transferred to La Salle on Wednesday and is excited to spend his final two seasons in an Explorers uniform after playing his first two years of college ball at South Carolina.

“I’m glad to be home,” Galloway said in an interview with Philahoops Wednesday night. “We’re going to be doing some great things – great.”

A 6-foot-2, 175-pound guard, Galloway averaged 10.7 points last season for the Gamecocks, ranking third on the team. He scored in double-figures in 17 games, including a career-high 22-point outburst against Western Kentucky on Nov. 22.

Galloway made just four starts last season and decided to transfer after a postseason meeting with Gamecocks coach Darrin Horn.

“Coach just said that moving forward he didn’t see me fitting in sort of kind of what he was trying to do next year and stuff like that,” Galloway said. “After that I started opening up doors to try and get back home.”

Read more…

Rookie season leaves former Minuteman, Gary Forbes, hungry for more in 2011-12

On media day 2010, rookie Gary Forbes sat in his assigned chair and watched reporters pass him by as they made their rounds on the Nuggets practice court.

To the uninitiated masses, he was considered little more than training camp fodder, someone who would be just another name on the waiver wire within a few weeks.

Forbes sat back and made mental notes. As a diabetic who went undrafted out of college despite being named the 2007-08 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, he was used to being underestimated and overlooked.

The NBA would know his name soon enough.

Over the course of the next several months, Forbes established himself as a legitimate NBA player who could provide defense, scoring and energy while playing multiple positions. He dressed for all 82 games and helped the Nuggets go 8-3 in 11 starts.

Read more...

UD’s on-campus practice facility to be named Cronin Athletics Center

DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Dayton has announced that its multi-sport on-campus practice facility has been given a new name and will undergo a major renovation project this summer and fall.  The facility, which is used by all 17 Flyer intercollegiate sports teams, will be known as the “Cronin Athletics Center.”

In addition, the University also announced a major renovation project for the second floor of the Cronin Athletics Center.  Renovations will begin May 10 to create new offices, meeting spaces, film rooms and technology suites for UD’s most prominent programs – men’s basketball, women’s basketball and volleyball.

When completed, the 9,000 square foot project will also create additional space for the Office of Academic Services for Student Athletes as well as UD’s other nationally-recognized athletics programs.

Read more…

Hard work pays off for St. Joseph’s Taylor Trevisan

PHILADELPHIA – A trail of sweat slowly flowed down Taylor Trevisan’s exhausted body, following his every step as he walked down the corridor that leads to the office of head coach and face of the Saint Joseph’s University men’s basketball team, Phil Martelli. Each step, brought him a foot closer to a life-altering decision. But the call was not his. The decision was out of his hands.

Taylor had just completed an open tryout with the men’s basketball team. Before fall break, the men’s basketball team holds an open tryout with 20-30 prospective walk-ons. Walk-ons rarely play in games. They are what some refer to as practice bodies. Taylor knew this. In fact, Taylor knew the entire open tryout routine. This was his second open tryout with the Hawks. He had been through this nerve-racking experience his freshman year and it did not end well. He was informed he did not make the team, no one had.

Read more…

The Hawk will never die: Joe Mreczko named Hawk mascot for 2011-12

PHILADELPHIA – Joe Mreczko has been selected to serve as the Saint Joseph’s University Hawk mascot for the 2011-12 season, becoming the 34th student to represent the University as its men’s basketball mascot in the tradition which has spanned 55 years.

Also, Nick Martino will return for his second season as the Hawk mascot for the women’s basketball team in 2011-12.

Mreczko, a native of Staten Island, N.Y. and graduate of St. Joseph By the Sea High School, is a fifth-year senior at SJU. He is majoring in food marketing and management and previously served as a team manager and Hawk mascot with the Saint Joseph’s women’s basketball program in 2009-10.

Read more…

Salecich to Transfer to Missouri Southern

ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis University head men’s basketball coach Rick Majerus announced today that guard Christian Salecich (Gold Coast, Australia) will transfer to Missouri Southern. Salecich had previously been granted a release from his SLU scholarship to pursue other opportunities.

“Christian is an exemplary student-athlete,” Majerus said. “He did a fantastic job in the classroom and always tried as hard as he could on the court. I know he will be able to play a more meaningful role for Missouri Southern, and he looks forward to that challenge. We thank him for his commitment to SLU and wish him nothing but the best in the future. We will always be good friends.”

Read more…

Moore, Nicholson and Lyons on Rivals.com pre-season team

Nicholson was a first-team All-Atlantic 10 pick last season, when he averaged 20.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. He scored in double figures in 30 of 31 games and had five 30-point games, including a 44-point outing against Ohio U. Nicholson was a second-team all-league selection as a sophomore and was the A-10’s freshman of the year in 2008-09. He’s a career 57.6 percent shooter from the field, which ties him for first in school history with Bonnies legend Bob Lanier. He’s solid in the classroom, too, as a physics major; he had been majoring in chemistry.

Read more…

UD recruit raves about program

Alexandre Gavrilovic loved his visit to the University of Dayton last week, is sold on coach Archie Miller’s style of play and bonded with the staff and returning players.

The 6-foot-9 forward from IMG Academy — who played on the French U-20 national team last summer — still is sorting through his college options, but he’s getting close to making a decision.

He said he’ll announce his choice before the end of the spring signing period May 19 or maybe even by Friday before he returns home to France.

Read more…

Coming soon

Stay tuned for the first annual Pickin’ Splinters rundown of the A10′s incoming class. Fans can get an in-depth look at the new student-athletes to play next season in the Atlantic 10.

Yankees to recognize Coaches vs. Cancer in pre-game on-field ceremony

The New York Yankees will welcome Coaches vs. Cancer during a pregame home plate ceremony at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, May 11, 2011, prior to their game vs. the Kansas City Royals.

Coaches vs. Cancer is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) that empowers basketball coaches, their teams, and local communities to make a difference in the fight against cancer.

The 10 coaches scheduled to attend are…

Read more…

St. Peter’s John Dunne named chair of NCAA basketball rules committee

Saint Peter’s Men’s Basketball Head Coach John Dunne was named Chair of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee earlier this week at the group’s annual meeting. Dunne, serving his second year on the committee, led the Peacocks to thier first MAAC Championship and NCAA Tournament since 1995 this past season. He also led Saint Peter’s to their first 20-win season since the 1990-91 campaign. Dunne replaces Notre Dame coach Mike Brey as the committee chair.

Iona’s Glover on Rivals.com Preseason team

Two mid-major teams made it to the Final Four this past season, and one of those teams – Butler – played in its second consecutive national title game.

The success of Butler and VCU is sure to focus more attention on the mid-major leagues, and what the casual fan will notice is that there are a lot of good players who toil outside the Big Six conferences.

Here’s a look at our Preseason All-Mid-Major team. Two players who would be on the team, Butler guard Shelvin Mack and New Mexico State forward Troy Gillenwater, aren’t listed because they have declared for the NBA draft. Neither has hired an agent and could return to school, but for now, they’re “ineligible” for our team.

Read more…

Fairfield on Katz’s list of winners

Sydney Johnson lifted Princeton from the bottom of the Ivy to the league title and within a basket of beating Kentucky. He’ll have most of the MAAC regular-season champs back and should keep the team atop the league. Solid hire.

Read more…

Emmert wants stiffer penalties

INDIANAPOLIS — Mark Emmert wants to start hitting NCAA rule-breakers hard.

The governing body’s president said Tuesday he wants schools that violate the rules to pay a stiff penalty — one that’s punitive enough to make coaches and others think twice about cheating.

“We need to make sure our penalty structure and enforcement process imposes a thoughtful level of concern, and that the cost of violating the rules costs more than not violating them,” Emmert said.

He offered no specifics, though Emmert already has taken a tough tack.

A little more than 13 months after being hired as the NCAA’s new president, Emmert acknowledged he has committed more resources to enforcement, which is now led by vice president Julie Roe Lach.

That’s not the only change.

Read more...

Men’s basketball rules committee recommends restricted area arc

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee on Wednesday recommended a restricted area arc three feet from the center of basket where a secondary defender cannot legally take a charge.

The idea of a restricted area arc has gathered momentum over the last few years and was thoroughly vetted at the rules committee meeting held Sunday through Wednesday in Indianapolis.

Read more…

Patsos statement on the retirement of Gary Williams

BALTIMORE – Loyola University Maryland Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jimmy Patsos was an assistant coach at the University of Maryland for Head Coach Gary Williams for 13 seasons. Patsos shares his thoughts on Williams’ retirement:

“What Gary did at Maryland was amazing for the basketball program, the university, but most of all for the players who he coached. I would not be a head coach if not for Gary, and there are a lot of NBA players who would not be in the league if not for him.

“I think what epitomizes Gary as a coach is to look at the NBA playoffs now and see Steve Blake (of the Los Angeles Lakers) and Greivis Vasquez (of the Memphis Grizzlies). A lot of people never expected them to be great players, even in college, but through Gary’s coaching, they became All-Americans at Maryland and great NBA players.

Read more…

Wanzer named Canisius faculty-athletic representative

Canisius College President John J. Hurley and Director of Athletics Bill Maher announced today that Dr. Melissa Wanzer, professor of communications studies, has been selected as the next Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) for the College.

Wanzer, who has been a faculty member at Canisius since 1996, will assume her responsibilities immediately.

The role of the Faculty Athletic Representative includes representing Canisius at NCAA and MAAC meetings, chairing the College’s Athletic Appeals Board and reporting to the College president on issues related to intercollegiate athletics. The faculty member is regarded by the NCAA as a bridge between intercollegiate athletics and the academic mission of the College, while providing oversight for intercollegiate athletics that spans academic integrity, fiscal accountability, institutional control and student-athlete welfare.

Read more…

Coming soon

Stay tuned for the first annual Pickin’ Splinters rundown on the MAAC’s incoming class. Fans can get an in-depth look at all the new student-athletes to play next season in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Pass it on

Pickin’ Splinters wants to build its readership. Please forward this article on to any basketball and/or MAAC fans. Make sure you don’t miss any updates – join the Pickin’ Splinters email list by commenting on this article.

The Coaches vs. Cancer program is a nationwide collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the NABC that empowers coaches, their teams and communities to join the fight against cancer. Since Coaches vs. Cancer’s inception, high school and college coaches across the country have raised more than $65 million to support the American Cancer Society’s mission. Through their passion for the game and their promotion of healthy lifestyles, coaches have elevated cancer awareness at their schools, in their communities and throughout the nation, often emphasizing how the disease has touched them personally.

In Philadelphia, Coaches vs. Cancer has a unique edge with all six NCAA Division I basketball coaches – Phil Martelli (Saint Joseph’s); Fran Dunphy (Temple); Jay Wright (Villanova); John Giannini (La Salle); Bruiser Flint (Drexel); and Jerome Allen (Penn) – uniting off the court to help fight back against this disease. These coaches lead the most successful Coaches vs. Cancer program in the nation, raising more than $6.5 million since 1996 to benefit the American Cancer Society through year-round fundraising events and initiatives.

Previous Chairs of the Coaches vs. Cancer National Council include Temple Coach Fran Dunphy; former Missouri Coach and Coaches vs. Cancer founder Norm Stewart; Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim; and most recently Maryland Coach Gary Williams. This year, a total of 24 members comprised of college basketball coaches, business leaders and volunteers will work together on the council.

“Following in the footsteps of Fran Dunphy and Gary Williams as the chair of the Coaches vs. Cancer Council is a daunting task,” said Martelli. “I am very committed to increasing the number of coaches involved in this fight. Together we can, and will, make great strides.”

Martelli’s involvement with Coaches vs. Cancer has been year-round since the inception of the Philadelphia program in1996. Through his efforts to expand the program and funds raised, he attends and speaks at various events to help support the Society’s mission. In addition to national events like Suits and Sneakers Day held in February, the six Philadelphia coaches are involved with the annual Tourney Tip-off Breakfast, where the Coaches and sports media discuss their picks for the NCAA tournament; the BasketBall black-tie gala; the Jim Maloney Golf Classic; and the School Initiative program, which encourages area high school and grade school basketball teams and coaches to get involved. The 2011 BasketBall Gala is slated for June 10, with Phil and wife Judy again serving as co-chairs with Ree and Fran Dunphy of Temple University.

“Coach Martelli has given generously of his time to the American Cancer Society. His passion and commitment for Coaches vs. Cancer in Philadelphia and across the nation has helped to shape the program into what it is today,” said Garry Pincock, CEO of the American Cancer Society, East Central Division. “We are greatly appreciative of all that Coach Martelli and his wife Judy do alongside the other five Philadelphia’s Division I Coaches and their wives to help further the Society’s programs and services for so many people undergoing cancer experiences.”

You can read the entire article on their web site, but here is the complete list:

1. John Wooden, college basketball
2. Vince Lombardi, NFL
3. Bear Bryant, college football
4. Phil Jackson, NBA
5. Don Shula, NFL
6. Red Auerbach, NBA
7. Scotty Bowman, NHL
8. Dean Smith, college basketball
9. Casey Stengel, MLB
10. Knute Rockne, college football
11. Pat Summitt, women’s college basketball
12. Paul Brown, NFL
13. Joe Paterno, college football
14. George Halas, NFL
15. Chuck Noll, NFL
16. Bob Knight, college basketball
17. Joe Gibbs, NFL
18. Tom Landry, NFL
19. Mike Krzyzewski, college basketball
20. Bill Belichick, NFL
21. Adolph Rupp, college basketball
22. Joe McCarthy, MLB
23. Eddie Robinson, college football
24. Bobby Bowden, college football
25. John McGraw, MLB
26. Bill Walsh, NFL
27. Woody Hayes, college football
28. Connie Mack, MLB
29. Bud Wilkinson, college football
30. Pat Riley, NBA
31. Pete Newell, college basketball
32. Joe Torre, MLB
33. Bill Parcells, NFL
34. Tom Osborne, college football
35. Walter Alston, MLB
36. Bo Schembechler, college football
37. Toe Blake, NHL
38. Sparky Anderson, MLB
39. Al Arbour, NHL
40. Amos Alonzo Stagg, college football
41. Tony La Russa, MLB
42. Geno Auriemma, women’s college basketball
43. Dick Irvin, NHL
44. Ara Parseghian, college football
45. Chuck Daly, NBA
46. Bobby Cox, MLB
47. Hank Iba, college basketball
48. Tommy Lasorda, MLB
49. Gregg Popovich, NBA
50. Herb Brooks, NHL

I figured that, for the most part, I would let the list speak for itself and just ask the rest of the bench to share your thoughts. The one thing that strikes me about the list, though, is how much more obvious the greatest coaches of all-time are for basketball and football than they are for baseball.

I’m pretty certain no one will argue that John Wooden is the greatest college basketball coach of all-time, or that the #1 spot in pro basketball comes down to either Phil Jackson or Red Auerbach. I also think that most people would pick Vince Lombardi for pro football, although I’m not entirely certain that Bear Bryant would be the consensus choice for college football. That is, I’m pretty sure one regular contributor here will disagree.

However, my point is that I’m a little surprised that Casey Stengel (#9) tops the baseball list over Joe McCarthy, who is all the way down at #22. But, more interesting is the fact that there are seven pro football coaches in the top 20 and only one baseball manager. My first inclination would be to think this is because football coaches are considered much more important to the success of their teams than are baseball managers, but could it possibly be that success with the New York Yankees, arguably the most dominating sports franchise of all-time, is discounted a little?

What are your thoughts on the list? We’d love to hear what you have to say.