A weekly round-up of men’s basketball in the Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Coles and Logins honored by Jesuit Basketball Spotlight
Canisius College seniors Greg Logins and Julius Coles were honored on Tuesday for their work in the classroom by the Association of Jesuit College and Universities and the Jesuit Basketball Spotlight. Logins is one of six players nationally to be named to the 2010-11 National Jesuit All-Academic Men’s Basketball Team, while Coles earned honorable mention accolades.
The National Jesuit All-Academic Men’s Basketball awards program represents student-athletes from the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities spread across the United States that play basketball on all three levels of the NCAA and also in the NAIA. They share the mission of a Jesuit education, founded nearly 500 years ago, under the principles of St. Ignatius Loyola to educate young people to become men and women dedicated to service and compassionate leadership. Students at Jesuit colleges and universities have long excelled in the classroom and in the community, but they also have played a major role in collegiate basketball in the last 100 years.
Manhattan inks Donovan Kates
RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Manhattan head coach Steve Masiello has inked his first recruit to a National Letter of Intent during the spring signing period with the commitment of 6’5″, 190-pound combo guard Donovan Kates. Kates hails from Hopkinsville, Ky. where he attended Christian County High School and helped lead the Colonels to the 2011 Kentucky State Championship.
“We are very excited to have Donovan as a member of our Jasper family,” Masiello emphasized. “He comes from a program where there is a premium placed on winning.”
Buonaguro tabs Tobin Anderson assistant coach
Siena head men’s basketball coach Mitch Buonaguro has named Tobin Anderson the new assistant men’s basketball coach at Siena College. The announcement ends a nearly six-week comprehensive national search by Buonaguro to bolster his staff.
“I’m really excited with the hire,” Buonaguro said. “Tobin brings extraordinary experience to the job. I have known him for the last 20 years, and admired his knowledge and work ethic. He’s a first class person and coach. I’m confident he will help us bring Siena basketball back to the top of the MAAC.”
Click here for an interview with Coach Anderson.
Buonaguro said it was “hard” to break news to Deane
Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro said “it was hard” to tell former Saints coach Mike Deane that someone else had been hired to fill the assistant coaching position.
Deane, who led Siena to the 1989 NCAA Tournament and 1994 NIT semifinals, expressed interest and interviewed for the job.
Siena off-season work
Siena men’s basketball’s returnees have been working hard in the offseason to prepare for 2011-12. Click here to hear head coach Mitch Buonaguro speak about the importance of staying sharp, and see exclusive footage of the Saints as they look to improve for next season’s games!
Discreet, quiet steps taken before noise made with new coach
FAIRFIELD, Conn. — March 12 was huge day for Sydney Johnson for many reasons. Most were obvious, but the ultimate one wasn’t even known at the time by Johnson — by anyone, in fact, except for one man.
On that day, Johnson, then Princeton’s head coach, was going through an in-person audition, though he didn’t have a clue. He couldn’t have. The 36-year-old was coaching his Tigers through a one-game, winner-take-all Ivy League tiebreaker against Harvard. The victor would earn the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The loser: the NIT, somewhat of an afterthought on the national level. Coaching anywhere else was the furthest thing from his mind.
Ex-Siena coach Hewitt takes George Mason job
FAIRFAX, Va. — Paul Hewitt had no intention of returning to college basketball so soon. Let go by Georgia Tech in March, he had planned a trip to St. Maarten with his wife beginning Friday.
Then George Mason called. And after a quick courtship, the island plans were put on hold.
“I traded one paradise for another,” Hewitt said at his introduction on Monday.
Less than a week after an initial discussion, the two sides quickly moved forward. Hewitt is the ninth coach in George Mason’ 44-year history.
Rules committee recommends change
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 restricted arc, which must be clearly marked and discernable in the lane, would take effect in the 2011-12 season in all three divisions if it is approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel. That group, which considers all proposals from playing-rules committees, has a conference call on June 9. No rules proposals are final until the oversight panel approves them.
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.
Yes, recruiting changes are here again
The uncomfortable bleachers. The tiny outposts of North Augusta and, back in the day, Teaneck. The misguided Garmins that wind up dazed and confused in Las Vegas. Lunch at 4 p.m. and dinner at midnight.
These are the summer survival stories college basketball coaches tote around like badges of honor.
And it is during that July grind — knee-deep in the oppressive heat of Vegas, the humidity of South Carolina and stuck in sweaty gyms everywhere — that most of this country’s college basketball talent has been unearthed.
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.
Leave a Reply