A weekly round-up of men’s basketball in the Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference.
ESPN announces matchups for 2011 Old Spice Classic
ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, announced today the matchups for the 2011 Old Spice Classic, to be held Thanksgiving weekend, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, Nov. 24, 25 & 27, at HP Fieldhouse at the ESPN Wide World of Sports at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla.
The field for the sixth annual Old Spice Classic will include Arizona State, Dayton, DePaul, Fairfield, Indiana State, Minnesota, Texas Tech and Wake Forest. Three of those teams reached postseason in 2011, with Indiana State earning an NCAA Championship berth. Dayton and Fairfield played in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
Andy Katz’s bracket reveal: Old Spice Classic
Matchup I can’t wait to see: Fairfield-Arizona State. The Stags are a co-favorite in the MAAC with Iona. But if Fairfield is going to be taken seriously on the national stage, it must show well in this event. ASU adds a stud freshman in point guard Jahii Carson and the Sun Devils certainly have enough talent to win this first-round game against a tough mid-major. But Fairfield needs this game more to prove it belongs in the conversation.
Iona to open with Purdue in Puerto Rico
NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona College men’s basketball team drew the Big 10’s Purdue for its opening contest of the 2011-12 season on Nov. 17. The Gaels and Boilermakers will square off at 1:00 pm ET in the second game of the day in the 2011 Puerto Rico Tip Off in San Juan, PR.
The two teams on the top of the bracket will face either the Atlantic 10’s Temple or the Mid-American Conference’s Western Michigan the following day. The winner takes part in the semifinal round at 1:00 pm on Nov. 18 while the loser heads to the consolation round at 3:30 pm. The final day of competition is Sunday (Nov. 20) with the championship game aired at 8:00 pm on ESPN2.
Former Bronc Justin Robinson gets spot in Adidas commercial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PyxgwA6PvnI#at=33
Interview with former Bronc Jason Thompson
Thompson started out hot as a rookie, joining Spencer Hawes in a promising front line. But the hope that a Spencer Hawes/Jason Thompson front court could return the Kings to the playoffs dissipated quickly. Before last season, Hawes was traded to Philadelphia with Andres Nocioni for center Samuel Dalembert, clearing minutes for rookie DeMarcus Cousins. Lost in a four man rotation of Dalembert, Cousins and Carl Landry, Thompson struggled in his transition to a role player. After starting 114 games his first two seasons, JT started only 39 games last season and saw his minutes drop from 31.4 in year two to just 23.3 in his third year as a pro.
Catching up with Iona’s Scott Machado in Brazil
ICGaels.com had a chance to catch up with rising senior point guard Scott Machado who is currently in Minas Gerais, Brazil and in training camp with the Under-21 Brazilian national team. Machado – whose parents were both born in Brazil – got on Brazil’s radar after the Gaels run in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. While scouting a potential opponent in the CIT, Walter Roese – current University of Hawai’i associate head coach and a coach in the Brazilian national program – took notice of Machado on game film and his incredible stats from last season. When Roese uncovered Machado’s Brazilian heritage, he extended an incredible opportunity for the Iona guard this summer.
Iona adds Gomez, Jones for 2011-12
NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Iona College men’s basketball head coach Tim Cluess announced the addition of two players to the 2011-12 roster. The Gaels add widely heralded Arizona-transfer Lamont Jones (New York, NY / Univ. of Arizona / Oak Hill Academy (Va.)) and incoming freshman Josh Gomez (New York, NY / Rice HS).
“We’re very excited to introduce our recruiting class,” said Cluess. “The five young men are very talented and athletic performers and we look forward to their contribution to the program.”
Manhattan draws Syracuse in 2011 NIT Season Tip-off
RIVERDALE, N.Y. – The 2011 Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off 16-team field was revealed on Wednesday. Manhattan was paired with Syracuse in the opening round of the North Regional at the Carrier Dome. The Jaspers will then take on Albany or Brown in the ensuing round for either the regional’s championship or consolation contest. The first- and second-rounds will be held Nov. 14, 15 and 16 with specific game dates and times to be announced at a later date. ESPN will provide coverage throughout the event, either on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU or ESPN3.com.
Niagara to head to “The Great White North”
The Niagara men’s basketball team’s preparation for the 2011-12 season will lead it to “north of the border”. The Purple Eagles will venture to Montreal, Quebec, Canada for a four-game preseason tour from Aug. 30-Sept. 3.
Niagara will play the following teams: the University of Quebec on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.; Concordia University on Aug. 31 at 7 p.m.; Carleton University on Sept. 2 at 7 p.m.; and McGill University on Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. All games will be played on campus.
Beauty, eh?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BFPt001PYU
Niagara head associate coach, Dobrich resigns
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Niagara men’s basketball associate head coach Luke Dobrich (’00) has resigned from his post to pursue other career opportunities.
“We are very sorry to see Coach Dobrich go, but we wish him all the success in the world as he heads back into corporate America,” Niagara head coach Joe Mihalich said. “He will be a great success I am sure. Luke Dobrich made a major impact on our program in his eight years at NU. He helped us succeed in every possible way. We simply cannot thank him enough!”
Dobrich spent eight seasons on the bench for his alma mater where he helped the Purple Eagles earn two NCAA and two NIT bids, including an NCAA Tournament win in 2007. Dobrich was promoted to associate head coach at the start of the 2010-11 season.
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Multi-tasking in Las Vegas: Marlon Guild diary #4
I hope all is well with everyone. I am currently writing this while in Florida, as the second half of the live period is winding down. The past couple of days have been hectic with travel, getting to games on time and having the right prospective student athletes see you at their games.
For me the second half of the live period began in Las Vegas last Thursday. Initially I hadn’t planned on going to Las Vegas, but an invite to the Villa 6 professional development conference had me booking a flight to “Sin City.” The Villa 6 was a great experience as I met a lot of interesting people and really learned a lot about coaching development.
“I’m really looking forward to starting my career and helping my new team out in any way possible,” Rossiter said via e-mail. “I hope I can contribute to an already successful team.”
Former Siena assistant Norm Finch passes away
Former Siena men’s basketball assistant coach Norm Finch passed away Friday morning at 6 a.m. Finch served on the Saints’ staff from 1989-94 under Mike Deane, a five-year tenure that coincided with one of the great eras in program history.
“We are very saddened about Norm’s passing and extend the condolences of the Siena community to his family,” director of athletics John D’Argenio said. “He was an important part of the success of Siena basketball during the early 90s. His basketball knowledge was certainly an asset to Mike, the players and other assistant coaches. His wit and outlook on life made for a great team environment.”
Siena releases non-conference schedule
Home dates with Navy (Nov. 16), St. Bonaventure (Nov. 21), Fordham (Dec. 12), Princeton (Dec. 22) and the annual UAlbany clash for the Capital Cup (Dec. 5) highlight Siena’s 2011-12 men’s basketball non-conference schedule.
In addition to the five home matchups, the Saints will play five road games: the four released Thursday and an ESPNU BracketBusters contest to be announced in the coming weeks.
Siena sets records for private, corporate dollars
Even with a bad season in men’s basketball and despite a weak economy, the Siena athletic department set records for private donations and corporate sponsorships in 2010-11, according to the school’s annual report.
Siena said its Saints Alive! program received $478,554 in donations, a slight increase of $9,554 from the year before.
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Durant can’t outscore former MAAC star
NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant, playing summer basketball during the professional league’s lockout, scored 66 points in a Rucker League contest Monday night at the league’s Harlem venue.
Durant hit 9-of-11 3-pointers, including treys on five straight possessions.
“This was one of the great nights of my life,” said Durant, to reporters, afterwards.
But, not as great as one by a former MAAC standout who played several summers in the legendary Rucker League, the nation’s premier summer competitive situation that has drawn a who’s who of legendary performers to its venue over the years.
Steve Burtt Jr., a 2006 graduate of Iona College, turned in a 68-point performance in a Rucker’s game in the summer of 2007.
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