During Kentucky's rout of Georgia last night at Rupp Arena, a Bulldogs' errant pass was kicked squarely into the face of referee Antonio Payne who staggered back and fell but was lucky enough to land in a cushy pile of Wildcats cheerleaders and their pom-poms.
The wayward pass— which was accidently kicked out of bounds by a Kentucky player— seemed like one of many Georgia mistakes as top-ranked Kentucky steamrolled the Bulldogs, 79-49, to back up their No. 1 ranking.
While the Bullgogs were hitting the ref in the sniffer, Kentucky players hit 15 three-point shots.
The referee was fine— maybe too fine.
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Jumat, 02 Maret 2012
Kamis, 15 September 2011
St. John's 2011-12 Recruiting Class Takes Hit; Sampson, Garrett & Pelle Ineligible
St. John's University's Top-3 nationally-ranked basketball class just got knocked down a few spots. Incoming 2011-12 recruits JaKarr Sampson, Norvel Pelle and Amir Garrett have yet to be approved by the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse and will not be eligible to play during the fall semester.
Head coach Steve Lavin announced Thursday that the three student-athletes-- one-third of his lauded nine top freshmen recruits-- are unable to qualify for the 2011 fall semester.
They won't be enrolled for this semester and remain "under review" by the NCAA committee. They were expected to have received clearance by the NCAA by this time.
The university is in its third week of classes and will work with the NCAA to review the three cases for possible enrollment in spring 2012.
Lavin said, "We are hopeful Amir, Norvell and JaKarr will be able to join us on the court this winter and in the classroom when the spring 2012 semester begins."
All three are consulting with their families and reviewing their options. There is a good chance they could still be approved and be on the court in late December after the fall semester ends. The team would have played 10 games by then.
These aren't just any incoming freshmen.
Garrett is from California but played for Findlay prep in Henderson, Nev.. The 6-foot-6, 190 pound offensive threat was rated as high as the 68th best over-all player in the country and the #15 power-forward. The left-handed pitcher was the 22nd-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds and signed a minor league contract in the off-season.
Pelle was a standout power-forward from Los Angeles and he was rated the #2 center in the country. The 6-foot-10, 200 pounder is a shot-blocking machine.
Sampson is a 6-8 swingman who starred in Akron at St. Vincent's-St. Mary's-- LeBron James high school-- before transferring. He was rated as high as the #11 combo-forward in the country.
Lavin will begin his second year with the Red Storm after rejuvenating the sinking program last season. After taking the team to its first NCAA tournament since 2002, he announced he was battling prostate cancer.
Head coach Steve Lavin announced Thursday that the three student-athletes-- one-third of his lauded nine top freshmen recruits-- are unable to qualify for the 2011 fall semester.
They won't be enrolled for this semester and remain "under review" by the NCAA committee. They were expected to have received clearance by the NCAA by this time.
The university is in its third week of classes and will work with the NCAA to review the three cases for possible enrollment in spring 2012.
Lavin said, "We are hopeful Amir, Norvell and JaKarr will be able to join us on the court this winter and in the classroom when the spring 2012 semester begins."
All three are consulting with their families and reviewing their options. There is a good chance they could still be approved and be on the court in late December after the fall semester ends. The team would have played 10 games by then.
These aren't just any incoming freshmen.
Garrett is from California but played for Findlay prep in Henderson, Nev.. The 6-foot-6, 190 pound offensive threat was rated as high as the 68th best over-all player in the country and the #15 power-forward. The left-handed pitcher was the 22nd-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds and signed a minor league contract in the off-season.
Pelle was a standout power-forward from Los Angeles and he was rated the #2 center in the country. The 6-foot-10, 200 pounder is a shot-blocking machine.
Sampson is a 6-8 swingman who starred in Akron at St. Vincent's-St. Mary's-- LeBron James high school-- before transferring. He was rated as high as the #11 combo-forward in the country.
Lavin will begin his second year with the Red Storm after rejuvenating the sinking program last season. After taking the team to its first NCAA tournament since 2002, he announced he was battling prostate cancer.
Jumat, 09 September 2011
Wisconsin-GB Basketball Walk-on Shows Us What's Right About Sports
Who says hard work doesn't pay off? For Wisconsin-Green Bay walk-on basketball player Eric Valentin, it meant getting the best news of his young lifetime.
On Tuesday, at a practice for The Phoenix basketball squad, coach Brian Wardle surprised his 5-foot-4 guard by offering him the team's last scholarship for the 2011-12 season.
It was an emotional moment for Valentin and a life long dream realized-- and it was all caught on video.
Valentin, who stands almost a full foot shorter than the average college basketball guard was rewarded by Wardle for the young man's "hard work and character," but not without some ribbing before he handed Valentin the official document.
On the first day of his senior year, the coach singled out Valentin in front of the team and asked him "if he needed money or a job" because it seemed like his young charge was preoccupied during the practice.
It was then, Wardle said, "I found you a full-time job" and handed the scholarship papers to a unsuspecting Valentin. The coach smiled and asked him, "Do you know what that is?"
As his teammates cheered, Valentin nodded his head and pulled his shirt up to shield his tearing eyes before he walked over and hugged his coach.
"It's a full-time scholarship, my man," said the coach. "No one's earned it more than this guy right here."
The tiny guard with big ambitions walked up to Wardle last year, after transferring from a Florida community college, and said he wanted to play for his basketball team.
Valentin, as a junior, only played in five games and averaged 1.2 points, but was a notable presence around the campus.
The Orlando native broke the Guinness World Record for most half-court shots made in a minute and was interviewed on ESPN, but the scholarship means more than the notoriety he gained for those moments. For the ambitious Valentin, the full scholarship means validation for a job well done.
After all, he came off the bench to spark a win over Houston Baptist last season.
Valentin's feel-good story is a nice switch from the usual off-the-court antics which pass as sports news these days and, better yet, Valentin may not have to get that other job.
On Tuesday, at a practice for The Phoenix basketball squad, coach Brian Wardle surprised his 5-foot-4 guard by offering him the team's last scholarship for the 2011-12 season.
It was an emotional moment for Valentin and a life long dream realized-- and it was all caught on video.
Valentin, who stands almost a full foot shorter than the average college basketball guard was rewarded by Wardle for the young man's "hard work and character," but not without some ribbing before he handed Valentin the official document.
On the first day of his senior year, the coach singled out Valentin in front of the team and asked him "if he needed money or a job" because it seemed like his young charge was preoccupied during the practice.
It was then, Wardle said, "I found you a full-time job" and handed the scholarship papers to a unsuspecting Valentin. The coach smiled and asked him, "Do you know what that is?"
As his teammates cheered, Valentin nodded his head and pulled his shirt up to shield his tearing eyes before he walked over and hugged his coach.
"It's a full-time scholarship, my man," said the coach. "No one's earned it more than this guy right here."
The tiny guard with big ambitions walked up to Wardle last year, after transferring from a Florida community college, and said he wanted to play for his basketball team.
Valentin, as a junior, only played in five games and averaged 1.2 points, but was a notable presence around the campus.
The Orlando native broke the Guinness World Record for most half-court shots made in a minute and was interviewed on ESPN, but the scholarship means more than the notoriety he gained for those moments. For the ambitious Valentin, the full scholarship means validation for a job well done.
After all, he came off the bench to spark a win over Houston Baptist last season.
Valentin's feel-good story is a nice switch from the usual off-the-court antics which pass as sports news these days and, better yet, Valentin may not have to get that other job.
Senin, 23 Mei 2011
Polee To Leave St. John's; 2011-12 Team Has No Returning Starters
The youngest men's basketball team in St. John's University's history just got a little more youthful after sophomore forward Dwayne Polee II, the only returning starter from last year's NCAA Tournament team, decided to return to Los Angeles to be closer to his family.
This is the first stumbling block for Steve Lavin's Red Storm after a wild ride into the NCAA's and completing the most highly-touted incoming class in the school's history. It also takes away the team's most experienced player.
Family health issues are the reason for Polee's proposed transfer and apparently involve his mother. Polee released a statement which read," Right now I feel it is best to be close to my family and help us get through a health issue."
Polee, the 2010 Los Angeles High School Player of the Year, did not specify the illness or the seriousness of it.
No one could be more understanding about family illnesses than Lavin. His father battled prostate cancer two decades ago and the head coach himself is currently going through a radical treatment to beat the same disease Lavin himself was diagnosed with at the beginning of last season. He withheld his illness from the public until the season was over.
"Dwayne is an outstanding individual with a bright future," said Lavin. "He has been a valued member of our basketball family. He leaves St. John's University in good standing and we wish him well."
The loss of Polee, who started 27 0f 33 games last season, leaves St. John's with one returning player, reserve-guard Malik Stith, and a lot of heralded, but green, college freshmen.
Lavin has his work cut out for 2011-12. He brings in a nine-man recruiting class which is the #2 rated group by Rivals.com. The head coach was counting on Polee to be the veteran leader and guiding force to one of the youngest men's NCAA basketball squads in over 100 years. The transition of going from an experienced Big East team to a group of highly anticipated newbies just got harder without the stability of a Polee on the court.
The 6-foot-7 Polee could play next season if the NCAA regards his situation a hardship transfer. If Polee doesn't sit out next year, he could possibly be going to San Diego State, UCLA or UC-Santa Barbara. Polee originally planned on attending USC before their head coach Tim Floyd was replaced.
This is the first stumbling block for Steve Lavin's Red Storm after a wild ride into the NCAA's and completing the most highly-touted incoming class in the school's history. It also takes away the team's most experienced player.
Polee, the 2010 Los Angeles High School Player of the Year, did not specify the illness or the seriousness of it.
No one could be more understanding about family illnesses than Lavin. His father battled prostate cancer two decades ago and the head coach himself is currently going through a radical treatment to beat the same disease Lavin himself was diagnosed with at the beginning of last season. He withheld his illness from the public until the season was over.
"Dwayne is an outstanding individual with a bright future," said Lavin. "He has been a valued member of our basketball family. He leaves St. John's University in good standing and we wish him well."
The loss of Polee, who started 27 0f 33 games last season, leaves St. John's with one returning player, reserve-guard Malik Stith, and a lot of heralded, but green, college freshmen.
Lavin has his work cut out for 2011-12. He brings in a nine-man recruiting class which is the #2 rated group by Rivals.com. The head coach was counting on Polee to be the veteran leader and guiding force to one of the youngest men's NCAA basketball squads in over 100 years. The transition of going from an experienced Big East team to a group of highly anticipated newbies just got harder without the stability of a Polee on the court.
The 6-foot-7 Polee could play next season if the NCAA regards his situation a hardship transfer. If Polee doesn't sit out next year, he could possibly be going to San Diego State, UCLA or UC-Santa Barbara. Polee originally planned on attending USC before their head coach Tim Floyd was replaced.
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