The Jekyll and Hyde Illini: Can Illinois crack the tourney?
Speaking to ESPN college basketball commentator Sean Farnham ahead of his team’s Jan. 31 road meeting against Michigan State, first-year Illinois head coach John Groce said that if the Illini could beef up their three-point shooting in conference — then hovering around 25 percent — they’d crack the NCAA tournament. Illinois shot 9-of-25 that night [...]
Whip-around: mascot fights!
Your semi-weekly look at college basketball news from around the Web. We will see how this goes, as it will be a work in progress until I fine-tune this process. Also, feel free to send tips or links to me via Twitter: @JeremySBN. • This is a day old, but mascot stuff is always funny, [...]
Utah must make a decision on Jim Boylen’s future
In nearly every way, Utah head coach Jim Boylen is the anti-Rick Majerus—well, except for the most important job of winning basketball games. Boylen has always been an enthusiastic and outgoing coach: He takes the microphone at the end of every single home game to thank the crowd for coming. He is a great listen when [...]
BYU fan leaves tickets to Jimmer Fredette doubter
By now, most basketball fans have seen or heard about the open letter written by Michelle Peralta to the BYU student newspaper, The Daily Universe, in which she asked why Fredette was worthy of such praise: I can’t walk across campus without hearing Jimmer Fredette’s name a dozen times. His name comes up everywhere: in class, at [...]
Is now the time for Pearl to be cracking jokes?
You might be thinking, Norlander, seriously, you’re going to kill a guy over making one crack at the most hated coach in Tennessee history? No, not kill him. But hear me out.
Bruce Pearl won’t coach the first 8 SEC games
It’s an odd-looking, specific kind of suspension for Pearl. Details and quotes from the SEC commish inside.
Women’s coach wears ridiculous suit to garner attention
Oh, we must kill it with fire.
That’s Morehead State women’s coach Tom Hodges looking like your father’s sock drawer mated with his closet and then vomited up the baby.
A vacant seat in Wooden’s honor at Pauley Pavilion
There’s been plenty — you won’t find many arguments for too many — tributes to the late John Wooden since his death in June. Tonight in Westwood, another tribute to the most successful coach in college basketball history
Bobby Gonzalez didn’t bother to visit Herb Pope in the hospital
You know, there was a time when Bobby Gonzalez was thought of by many as a future superstar in coaching. But Gonzalez quickly saw his star dim, and now he’s an exile in the sport. The latest helps explain why.
Who exactly is shocked Isiah Thomas’ interests lie somewhere else?
Thomas is on one long self-driven and ridden train of retribution, even if no one notices or hears it coming down the tracks.
Self, Pastner discuss eligibility and current NCAA rule landscape
When I spoke with Bill Self and Josh Pastner recently, I wanted to see the differences in each coach’s cadence, disposition and outlook. After all, one coach has his premier 2010 recruit eligible to play this season. The other is still waiting for the good news to come.
Tom Izzo reflects on his topsy-turvy summer
The Michigan State coach talked to me about how phone calls from his basement to Steve Mariucci played a role in deciding to go back to the Spartans. Plus, how many games will Korie Lucious miss in the wake of his drinking-and-driving ordeal last month?
Jamie Dixon helps 2 escape from overturned car
Dixon was driving home when he noticed a car flipped on its side. The Panthers coach stopped to see if anyone needed help, and sure enough, two people were still stuck inside.
Many A10 coaches baffled, worried about July recruiting
While the potential loss of July loomed large, the coaches were just as upset over the communication breakdown from commissioners on down to athletic directors on down to their offices.
UT acknowledges Pearl’s violations, yet writes up a new contract for him?
No university has mastered the art of floundering subterfuge like Tennessee. Last night, the AP reported the university had terminated Bruce Pearl’s contract on Sept. 9, the day before it became publicly known that he’d lied to and misled the NCAA. Then WBIR TV got a hold of the inter-office letter that was sent to [...]
Prosser to be inducted into Xavier HOF at Classic in his honor
The fact Xavier and Wake Forest — the two schools Skip Prosser coached at prior to his sudden death in 2007 — have an ongoing Skip Prosser Classic is one of the best things about college basketball.
Lavin already doing what Norm Roberts never could
Mainly, recruiting both national and local talent and delivering leveled, realistic expectations.
Pastner remains grateful for his opportunity at Memphis
Thirty-three-year-old Memphis Tigers coach Josh Pastner is still giddy as ever over his employment; he doesn’t have time to publicly worry about what fans expect of this group this season.
