A weekly round-up of A-10 men’s hoops.
Nicholson etching his name in SBU lore
Mark Schmidt remembers it well. He had just finished his first season as head coach with St. Bonaventure, and his Bonnies, who hadn’t known a winning season in five years, limped to the finish line with just two victories in Atlantic 10 conference play and an overall record of 8-22. He introduced his recruiting class – the group to which he would stake his claim and received a tepid response especially for one player whose name created little interest.
Four years later, the Bonnies are looking for back-to-back winning seasons, and Andrew Nicholson, whose name was known to few at one time, is now a player-of-the year candidate.
“No one knew who he was,” Schmidt recalls. “On our recruiting we brought four or five guys in. He was this kid from Toronto.”
Two A-10 teams recognized in Coaches’ Preseason Top 25
NEWPORT NEWS, Va.–Two Atlantic 10 Conference teams have received recognition in the Preseason USA Today/ESPN Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Top 25, which was released Thursday. Xavier, the A-10’s preseason favorite was picked 15th in the poll while Temple, the league’s preseason number two pick, received votes and would be ranked 29thif the poll went that far.
Xavier received 277 points following a 24-8 record last year. The Musketeers return Preseason First Team All-Conference guard Tu Holloway and Preseason Second Team All-Conference guard Mark Lyons. Holloway was also named to the Preseason Wooden Award watch list. Coach Chris Mack enters his third year with a 50-17 record at XU, including a 15-1 A-10 mark last season. XU was an at-large NCAA Tournament selection last season, losing to Marquette 66-55 in the second round.
Nicholson ranked in nation’s top 30 big men
You might think I’m foolish for assembling this kind of list, since the college-has-no-big-men cry has gained traction in the past decade. But taking into account power forwards and true centers, I really didn’t have a problem getting to 30. In fact, keeping out a few players, like Yale’s Greg Mangano (someone getting NBA looks), was a little tough.
A storyline to follow this season: Five teams have legitimate frontcourts — or at least they should. UConn, Mississippi State, Kentucky, North Carolina and UCLA all have more than one player on this list. I love that, because having competent big play and getting it from two guys give the game a dynamic it sorely lacks for years at a time. If the aforementioned schools can get serious production from their 4s and 5s, it’s going to be a lot of fun to watch.
Juan Fernandez to play for Argentina at Pan-American Games
PHILADELPHIA – Senior guard Juan Fernandez has been added to the Argentine squad that will compete in the 2011 Pan American Games. Fernandez joins the team this weekend with the basketball portion of the Games running from October 26-30 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
“It is a great honor and privilege to represent my country,” said Fernandez. “ I am thankful for the opportunity, and for Temple University and Coach Dunphy to allow me to take this time away to compete at the Pan American Games.”
Former Owl Luis Guzman to play for Dominican Republic at Pan-American Games
PHILADELPHIA – Luis Guzman, the starting point guard on the 2009-10 Temple University men’s basketball team that posted a 29-6 record en route to a third straight Atlantic 10 Conference championship, has been selected as a member of the Dominican Republic team that will compete in the 2011 Pan American Games. Competition in men’s basketball takes place from October 26-30 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
ESPN’s Andy Katz at 2011 A-10 Media Day
Rick Majerus’ left leg is still a bit bruised from a freak injury that occurred when two players collided into him during a game against Bowling Green on Jan. 1, sending him into the scorer’s table and ultimately to the hospital.
His heart is still broken after the summer death of his mother, Alyce, whose long battle with cancer led her to be placed in hospice care.
And he’s still seething over a coaching move from just last week, when the Cleveland Cavaliers hired his top assistant and former player Alex Jensen to coach for the Cavs’ D-League team four days before practice was set to begin.
To read this rest of this article and for team capsules and videos click here.
College Chalktalk’s Diary series with UD asst. Kevin Kuwik
For all of us basketball lovers, this is the one of the best times of the year. Preseason practices lead into scrimmages and exhibitions, and then it’s onto the non-conference portion of everyone’s schedule. Every team is still undefeated, and excitement and optimism abound.
However, in the midst of installing set plays, defensive schemes, press breaks, and out-of-bounds looks, it is very easy to lose sight of the fact that each and every coaching staff has a responsibility to continue to develop their players individually, from both a skill and strength/conditioning standpoint.
Diary series with UR associate head coach Kevin McGeehan
Following up a historically successfully 2010-11 season in which we went to the Sweet Sixteen, won a record setting 29 games and graduated a group that contributed over 4,000 career points will be no small task. I am fully confident in the group of people; coaches and players that we have and our commitment to be highly successful again.
Signed, sealed, delivered: La Salle
“He’s a terrific player. He has great awareness and instincts around the basket. He can pop out to fifteen feet. He could make an impact at La Salle in his freshman year. He can score with both hands. He’s a good rebounder and a great shot blocker.”
Signed, sealed, delivered: Fordham
“He has the potential to be freshman of the year. He is a dynamic scorer. He can slash. He can catch and shoot. He can put the ball to the floor and create his own shot.”
Signed, sealed, delivered: Xavier
“N.B.A. or bust. He has tremendous skill. He reminds of a bigger Eric Gordon. If he has learned a work ethic, they have an N.B.A player. He can shoot it. He can handle it. He can pass it. He can post. There’s nothing he can’t do as a two-guard. He’s an A-10 rookie-of-the-year talent. I coached him in a game when he scored 42.”
Chalktalk’s Top 5 A-10 shooting guards
–Temple coach Fran Dunphy expected Ramone Moore to step up last year and become a big time scoring guard for the Owls; the Philadelphia native didn’t disappoint his mustached mastermind. Moore doubled his scoring average from his sophomore year (7.6 to 15.2) and did so while shooting the deep ball at a very respectable 38% clip. Moore will team with Juan Fernandez to give Temple one of the league’s best backcourts; something they have become familiar to seeing around Broad Street. The senior notched signature moments last year scoring 30 in a win against 10th ranked Georgetown, and pouring in 26 and 24 against Dayton and Richmond in back to back wins during Temple’s 12 game conference unbeaten streak. Expect Moore to be a top five scorer in the league during his final go-round in the A10.
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Chalktalk’s Top 5 Point Guards
Holloway is not only the premier playmaker in the A10, he’s also one of the best players at this position in the country. Holloway was second in the league in scoring a year ago (19.7) and lead the conference in assists (5.4) while getting to the foul line 270 times and connecting on 87% of those attempts; good for second in the league. Holloway has the task this year of trying to deliver Xavier to their first Final Four, a goal that is capable of being achieved if Holloway shines on the nation’s biggest stage come March. A true stat sheet stuffer, Holloway is also an exceptional rebounder (5.1) and terrific defender. He’ll will be the face of the conference this season and his work ethic and talent level are more than enough to shoulder that weight. Expect Holloway to be the league’s Player of the Year, and an All American.
UD fares well in latest graduation rates
Indianapolis – The NCAA Graduation Success Rate report on Division I student-athletes released today places the University of Dayton in familiar territory – among the nation’s best in graduating its student-athletes. UD’s 95 GSR in this year’s report places the University tied for 21 st in the nation and tied for first in the Atlantic 10.
The Flyer men’s and women’s basketball teams both have 100 GSR scores. UD’s men’s team is the only one in the Atlantic 10 with a perfect GSR, while the women are one of five.
Pecora anxious to accelerate Fordham
When Tom Pecora was considering his move from Hofstra to Fordham eighteen months ago, there were certain promises he needed from Fordham’s administration in order to seal the deal.
Fast forward 18 months and that vision Pecora has for his Fordham program is beginning to take shape.
Fordham coach Tom Pecora has several drills that he uses to develop toughness in his basketball players. One of his favorites is known as “Rebounding League,” in which a trio of three-man teams engages in a simultaneous scramble for the ball. It can get physical.
Duquesne will look to McConnell for production
It happened during a recent tour of Canada. Ron Everhart and his Duquesne Dukes were getting in some off-season exhibition work . The opposition was a semi-pro team from north of the border. The teams lined up for a free throw. T.J. McConnell stood in the back-court watching his teammate at the line. The shot kicked off the rim, and came to rest in an opponent’s hands who quickly turned and released an over-hand full-court baseball pass. The orange globe hissed through the air destined for its target when McConnell deftly stepped in its path. In one motion the 6’1″ guard elevated, grabbed the ball with two hands, planted his feet and delivered his own full-court pass to an open teammate for a lay-up.
Lyons: Xavier will be tough
Last season Xavier guard Mark Lyons scored in double figures 23 times and averaged 13.6 points with 3.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He says the Musketeers are poised to have an even better campaign this year.
Five questions with…Alan Major
Alan Major is in his sophomore season as Charlotte’s men’s basketball coach, but Xavier fans may remember him as a three-year Musketeers assistant under Thad Matta. XU went 78-23 with three NCAA appearances, including the 2004 Elite Eight, when he was on staff. Major assisted Matta at Ohio State for six seasons before taking over the 49ers’ program. Charlotte went 10-20 in his debut.
Losing to win: 20lbs. lighter, Spider ready for key role
Derrick Williams caught a pass in the low post during the University of Richmond’s scrimmage on Saturday and converted a power move while leveling the defender, 6-foot-9 Alonzo Nelson-Ododa.
There was no offensive foul. Williams, a 6-foot-6, 260-pounder, just overwhelmed a thin freshman. And Williams has dropped 20 pounds since April.
He still looks as though he ought to be drive-blocking rather than defending the pick-and-roll. The stacked physique suggests the sophomore from Harlem, N.Y., is just a tall, muscular guy trying hoops. The perception is incorrect, according to UR coach Chris Mooney.
Flyer coach has support of brother
First-time head coaches almost always have mentors in the profession who can help them navigate through their first few seasons on the job.
Archie Miller, the first-year University of Dayton basketball coach, admits he’s needed that and has talked to his primary confidant every day since landing the position in April. That may be asking a lot of someone to be so accessible, but he’s never had to worry whether he’s imposing or if his calls are an inconvenience.
Former Explorer Overton to be inducted into Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
PHILADELPHIA – Former La Salle men’s basketball player Doug Overton will be inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Bucks County Chapter tomorrow evening.
A guard, Overton played at La Salle from 1987-1991, serving as captain his senior season.
Over the course of his career at 20th and Olney, he amassed 1,795 points (14.6 points per game), averaging 22.3 points per game his senior season.
Fresh talent will test Kellogg
Another season of college basketball, another chance for University of Massachusetts coach Derek Kellogg to win over students and alumni like me. Nobody denies that Kellogg, a fellow alum, was a great point guard, but it’s not clear that he’ll be as fondly remembered as the head coach of the UMass basketball program. A new group of promising young players will give Kellogg another opportunity to prove that he can actually develop talent.
In his three years at the reins of Minutemen basketball, the best that Kellogg has done was 15-15 overall this past season. He has yet to lead the team to a winning record in the A-10. This year, he’ll have a few new ways to get the job done.
St. Joe’s adds three walk-ons
PHILADELPHIA – Saint Joseph’s men’s basketball coach Phil Martelli announced that the Hawks have added three walk-ons to the 2011-12 Hawks – Christopher Coyne, Ryan Hess and Colin Kelly.
The players will practice with the Hawks every day and one of the three will dress for each home game on a rotational basis. They will not travel with the team to away games.
Majerus tabs Jim Crews as assistant coach
ST. LOUIS – Jim Crews, former head coach at Army and Evansville, has been named assistant coach at Saint Louis, as announced today by SLU head coach Rick Majerus. Crews begins his duties immediately.
Crews brings 24 years of head coaching experience to the Billiken staff. Including Majerus and assistant coach Jim Whitesell, the trio has 73 years of combined head coaching experience and 1,232 total victories.
Frease reinstated
CINCINNATI — Xavier University senior center Kenny Frease has been reinstated to the team, head coach Chris Mack announced today. Frease will participate in today’s practice session, his first since the official start of practice on October 14.
Holloway will sit first game
CINCINNATI — Xavier senior guard Tu Holloway will sit out the first game of the upcoming basketball season due to a secondary violation of NCAA rules.
I clicked on the Alan Majors article for one reason: a pic or video of the hairline. Disappointing. Nothing there.
I wish the Fordham coach would give more insight to the 3-on-3 rebounding drill he uses. I like how he has the team pick their teammates in competitive drills with some left out. Ouch. Reality check to the fullest.
My thoughts on Holloway’s season last year (from a Temple alum, keep in mind): he was a great scorer and distributor, but he forced shots and penetration when towards the end of close games. Casey – you watch more Xavier tha I ever will – what’s your assessment of him as a floor general in tight games? I am probably biased because one of those games for me was the crosstown shootout last year where he played below satisfactory.
Rey – having seen Holloway a couple of times last year, I am going to add my 2 cents. Casey can correct me if I am wrong. I thought that for most of last season, Holloway was a their point guard and their best scoring option at times. That is a fine line to handle both.
Against St. Bonaventure, I thought he did a great job of letting the game come to him and took control of the game late. Against Dayton in the A-10 tourney, they fell behind early and he was forced to push and score. Same thing happened in the tourney against Marquette.
I think if Xavier can get some more consistent scoring from a few others not named Holloway – I think you will him force fewer shots.
Rey – hard to against your assessment of Holloway. At times it seemed that way, but some of that might have been by design. Don’t forget that in the span of about one week Xavier lost Brad Redford, Jamel McLean and Justin Martin. Redford was gone for the season. McLean broke an orbital bone. Originally, he was thought to be lost until the second half of the season. Martin was a freshman expected to contribute significant minutes last year. He was ruled ineligible.
The loss of Redford had a domino effect on the Musketeer offense. His absence showed in transition. He was great at getting open opposite Holloway for a quick three. Redford created space on the floor. Without him last year, opposing defenses crowded the middle of the floor, and Holloway struggled to get a rhythm from time to time. McLean and Kenny Frease also missed Redford. It was too easy for defenders to double down on them.
All that being said, Holloway was almost 2:1 assists to turnovers. He averaged 5.4 assists with 3.4 turnovers. He had 2 triple-doubles and missed a third by one rebound. A game in which he had 15 assists.
But he struggled mightily in the biggest games. In the NCAA tournament loss to Marquette, it didn’t help that Mark Lyons picked up his third foul in the first half.
Good article on Holloway in the Cincinnati Enquirer: https://news.cincinnati.com/comments/article/20111029/SPT0102/110300364/Tu-Holloway-rebounds-from-grief-loss-renewed-focus