A weekly round-up of men’s basketball in the Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Latham joins Loyola-Maryland as transfer
BALTIMORE – Loyola University Maryland Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jimmy Patsos has announced the addition of former Baltimore City standout Jordan Latham to the Greyhounds program.
Latham, who played high school basketball at nearby City College High School, competed as a freshman at Xavier University. He will be eligible to compete for the Greyhounds in 2012-2013 after satisfying the NCAA year-in-residency requirement.
“We are happy to have Jordan join our program,” Patsos said. “He is another Baltimore product who will bring a strong post presence for us when he steps on the court.”
The 6-foot-8, 245-pound, forward earned All-Metro honors from The Baltimore Sun following his senior year at City where he averaged 17 points and nine rebounds per game for the Knights. He was joined on The Sun’s All-Metro team by current Loyola guard Dylon Cormier.
Sydney Johnson announces Fairfield coaching staff
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Sydney Johnson announced his coaching staff, stating Tony Newsom, Brian Nash, and Tyson Wheeler will serve as assistant coaches while Martin Bahar will be the director of basketball operations.
“”I am pleased that Tony, Brian, Tyson and Martin will join me in working with our student-athletes to achieve success on and off the court,” Johnson said. “Fairfield University is a special place to earn a degree, to develop as a young person, and to play Division I college basketball at a high level. As a coaching staff, we look forward to motivating and supporting our players to take on the challenges ahead.”
Newsom, who will be the program’s associate head coach, spent the last seven seasons as an assistant coach at Princeton University, including the last four with Johnson. Before Princeton, the New Jersey native was a member of the coaching staff at the College of the Holy Cross, helping the Crusaders win 26 games and earn an NCAA tournament berth in 2002-03. He was promoted to associate head coach for the 2003-04 campaign at Holy Cross. He also spent time as an assistant coach at Rider University from 1997-2003 where the Broncs earned a post-season berth in the 1998 National Invitation Tournament (NIT). He started his coaching career as an assistant coach at Siena College from 1995-97. He was graduated from Niagara University in 1993.
Jordan Latham talks Loyola commitment
When Jordan Latham decided to leave Xavier after his freshman season, the former City power forward quickly zeroed in on several East Coast programs as potential transfer destinations.
“I visited all the local schools, including Delaware, Towson, Loyola, and I also visited Morgan State University,” said Latham, who appeared in 16 games for the Musketeers this season. “What I did was weigh the pros and cons against each other. Loyola was the best for me.”
St. Peter’s and Dunne working on a new deal
St. Peter’s College is prepared to reward fifth-year coach John Dunne with a new multi-year contract after he led the Peacocks to their first NCAA appearance in 16 years and restored the program to a competitive level for MAAC league play.
Dunne had inherited a bare cupboard when he was hired after the departure of coach Bob Leckie, who resigned when the great KeeKee Clark completed his four years on the Boulevard.
Regardless of motives, addressing scholarship shortfall a good thing
Let’s get one thing straight: Despite the headlines you’ve read in the past two days, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany didn’t suggest on Wednesday that his conference is looking into paying athletes a salary. At least not the kind of salary you’re probably thinking. Delany suggested that the Big Ten will look into providing scholarships that cover the athlete’s actual cost of attendance, and that it will discuss the possibility with other conferences.
That alone is a big deal. And it raises the question: Why now?
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.
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