NBE Basketball Report

RECRUITING NOTEBOOK (4/16/2013): COMMITMENTS CONTINUE AS LATE SIGNING PERIOD NEARS

by Alex Schwartz Two of the top uncommitted players in the nation made their commitments while in Chicago for the McDonald’s All-American Game and numerous other 2013 prospects also pledged in the past several days. Elite frontcourt prospect Aaron Gordon of Archbishop Mitty (CA) announced his intentions to attend Arizona for his college ball, per multiple reports. A 6-foot-8 power forward, Gordon is one of the top ranked players in America in the class of 2013. He selected the Wildcats over Kentucky, Oregon and Washington. Gordon is the second McDonald’s All-American in Arizona’s recruiting... [Read more.]

RECRUITING NOTEBOOK (4/1/2013): RECRUITING TRAIL HEATING UP ONCE AGAIN

by Alex Schwartz There has been a lot of news in the world of high school hoops in the past few weeks, including a few talented juniors making early commitments, an elite senior ending his recruitment and some high-profile players in setting announcement dates. One of the best players in the nation, Julius Randle, declared his intentions to attend Kentucky. The 6-foot-9 power forward from Prestonwood Christian (TX) opted for the Wildcats over Florida, Kansas and Texas. Randle joins an absolutely loaded seven-man 2013 recruiting class for UK that many are calling the greatest group ever assembled. Also,... [Read more.]

RECRUITING NOTEBOOK (3/15/2013): CATCHING UP ON THE LATEST RECRUITING NEWS & NOTES

There has been a lot of news in the world of high school hoops in the past couple weeks, including a few juniors making early commitments and some high-profile players in multiple classes setting announcement dates. First off, beginning with 2013 commitments as usual, Texas A&M landed JuCo point guard Chad Frazier, per Alex Kline of TheRecruitScoop.com. The 6-foot-4 prospect out of Gulf Coast Community College (FL) selected the Aggies over South Carolina. According to Dave Telep, Frazier is from North Carolina and is a former Oklahoma State commit. Future150.com had the news that JuCo recruit... [Read more.]

BIG SKY TOURNAMENT: COULD GRIZZLIES, WILDCATS MEET AGAIN?

By Raphielle Johnson   Tournament Central   Through the use of a 20-game full round-robin schedule there’s little doubt as to who the two best teams in the Big Sky are. Montana (19-1) once again won the league’s regular season title, with Weber State’s (18-2) loss at Montana State back in late January being the difference between the two teams. As a result Wayne Tinkle’s team gets home-court advantage for the conference tournament and a bye to the semifinals as only the top seven teams in the Big Sky qualify for the event.   But this isn’t a group in the best... [Read more.]

BIG WEST TOURNAMENT: 49ERS LEAD COMPETITIVE FIELD

By Raphielle Johnson   Tournament Central   With the addition of Hawai’i to the Big West only the top eight teams qualify for the conference tournament, and this season’s edition should be more suspenseful than last year’s. Long Beach State won the regular season title outright for the third straight season but this group isn’t as dominant as the one led by Casper Ware in 2012-13. James Ennis was named Big West Player of the Year and point guard Mike Caffey was also a first-team all-conference selection, and with some key transfers this group has plenty of talent.   But... [Read more.]

MERNAGH: WILL REGAN INTRODUCES HIMSELF IN BUFFALO’S 76-61 WIN

It looked like Ball State, behind the deep shooting and attack-dribble of Jauwan Scaife, was set on continuing their hot late season run of wins. BSU was knocking down shots–Scaife had 17 at the break — and handling Buffalo’s spread offense pretty effectively in the first half last night. Everything was working beautifully for Billy Taylor’s group but their 36-30 halftime lead felt like it should have been bigger –the Bulls had missed some point blank chances at the hoop and also turned the ball over 9 times. Then three things happened things happened that helped Buffalo... [Read more.]

WAC TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: BULLDOGS, PIONEERS TOP TWO SEEDS

By Raphielle Johnson   The time has come for the “final” rendezvous for the WAC, as the conference will look drastically different at the end of the current academic year. Six schools are leaving for other leagues, which could add to the intensity at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. On Tuesday Texas State and UT-San Antonio won their first round games, and as a result they’ll take on regular season co-champions Denver and Louisiana Tech respectively. Michael White’s Bulldogs received the top seed, but Louisiana Tech’s lost two straight after beginning WAC play 16-0.... [Read more.]

PAC 12 CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: UCLA THE SLIGHT FAVORITE?

After ten years in Los Angeles the second edition of the Pac-12 tournament makes its move to Las Vegas, and given how unpredictable this season’s been the change in location may be appropriate. UCLA, with its mix of talented freshmen and savvy veterans found a way to win the regular season title outright but the Bruins weren’t as dominant as many expected them (and Arizona) to be during the preseason.   Pac-12 Co-Freshman of the Year Shabazz Muhammad leads the way offensively but classmate Jordan Adams is no slouch on the perimeter himself, and forward Kyle Anderson consistently stuffs... [Read more.]

MOUNTAIN WEST TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: LOBOS HOPE TO REPEAT

By Raphielle Johnson   Mountain West tournament bracket   After a regular season that began with high expectations for UNLV and San Diego State finished with New Mexico winning the title by two games, the Mountain West is back in Las Vegas with the expectation of grabbing five NCAA tournament bids. The fun begins on Tuesday night in the 8/9 game, which matches Wyoming and Nevada. The winner will take on the Lobos on Thursday afternoon, and that’s the day that will loom large when discussing the league’s national hopes.   Steve Alford’s team features the conference Player... [Read more.]

LEFT COAST LAYUPS (3/6/2013): PAC 12 RACE STILL TO BE DECIDED

By Raphielle Johnson   With one final weekend of regular season play left to be completed the Pac-12 race is still up in the air, with two of the three teams involved being unexpected participants based on the preseason poll. UCLA, with its combination of elite young talent and veterans looking to make good on a second chance, is the one team expected to be a part of the title chase. After wins over Arizona State and then-No. 11 Arizona, Ben Howland’s team is 12-4 in conference play and re-entered the AP poll on Monday.   While freshmen Kyle Anderson and Shabazz Muhammad get the majority... [Read more.]

RECRUITING NOTEBOOK (3/6/2013): JUSTON JACKSON POPS FOR NORTH CAROLINA

by Alex Schwartz While the last few days have not had too much news, some of what has happened has involved a few of the nation’s top players and high-major programs. First off, beginning with 2013 commitments as usual, Texas A&M landed JuCo point guard Chad Frazier, per Alex Kline of TheRecruitScoop.com. The 6-foot-4 prospect out of Gulf Coast Community College (FL) selected the Aggies over South Carolina. According to ESPN.com’s Dave Telep, Frazier is from North Carolina and is a former Oklahoma State commit. Another JuCo prospect, Skyler Halford, has committed to BYU, per Greg Wrubell... [Read more.]

WCC TOURNAMENT PREVIEW: NO. 1 GONZAGA THE CLEAR FAVORITE

By Raphielle Johnson   Before the 2012-13 season began there was a feeling that the Gonzaga Bulldogs would return to their perch atop the WCC after Saint Mary’s took over the top spot last season. But while Mark Few’s team did as expected, it’s tough to think that the masses expected the program that has carried the WCC banner for more than a decade would ascend to the top of the national polls as well.   But that’s exactly what’s happened, as Gonzaga hasn’t lost since January 19 at Butler and enters this week’s conference tournament on a 12-game win... [Read more.]

RECRUITING NOTEBOOK (3/1/2013): RIP JOSH LEVEL

by Alex Schwartz Before getting into the recruiting news, we want to send our condolences to the family and friends of Josh Level. A standout basketball player from North Carolina in the junior class, Level sadly passed away last week, far too young. The guys over at Ball is Life put together a nice “Josh Level Tribute Mix,” which can be found Here. On the trail, one of the biggest pieces of news involved a star dual-sport athlete. Derrick Griffin of Terry (TX) committed to Miami for football, in news that looks to have been broken by Peter Ariz of Canesooks to have been broken by Peter Ariz... [Read more.]

2014 PF QUADRI MOORE IS WIDE OPEN IN HIS RECRUITMENT

Quadri Moore is a prime recruiting target for many current BIG EAST programs and his recruitment is expanding, much like his game. The 6-foot-8, 230-pound power forward out of Linden (NJ) High School is learning this season that simple is sometimes better as he faces more and more attention from the opponents who try to slow him down. “I am starting to now improve on beating double teams and learning to make the easier plays and passes rather than flashy things,” Moore told NBE earlier today on what he is working on the most to improve this season. When the spring and summer evaluation... [Read more.]

LEFT COAST LAYUPS (2/27/2013): NEW MEXICO TAKES CONTROL OF MOUNTAIN WEST RACE

By Raphielle Johnson   During the preseason much was made about the talent at schools such as UNLV and San Diego State, and with good reason. Both reached the NCAA tournament in 2012, and with their respective hauls on the recruiting trail joining some talented returnees both the Rebels and Aztecs had the look of teams capable of not only winning the Mountain West but also make waves nationally. While there’s still time for both of those teams, along with Colorado State, to make an impact nationally with the NCAA tournament on the horizon, there’s no doubt who the best team in the... [Read more.]

RECRUITING NOTEBOOK (2/20/2013): RECAPPING THE LATEST RECRUITING HIGHLIGHTS

While the recruiting world focused its attention on football’s National Signing Day recently, things have also been quite active on the hoops recruiting trail as well. Rutgers landed its second commit of 2013, as JuCo prospect Craig Brown of Broward College (FL) popped to the Scarlet Knights, per Jerry Carino of NJ Hoops Haven. Brown is a 6-foot-5 class of 2013 small forward who began his college career at Lynn University, a DII school. Travis Jorgenson of New Hampton (NH) is off the board, according to Scout.com’s Evan Daniels. A 6-foot point guard in the class of 2013, Jorgenson is a Missouri... [Read more.]

LEFT COAST LAYUPS (2/20/2013): DON’T LET PAST HISTORY CLOUD VIEW OF NO. 3 GONZAGA

By Raphielle Johnson   On Saturday afternoon Mark Few’s Gonzaga Bulldogs picked up their first win at San Francisco since 2009, outlasting the Dons by the final score of 71-61. While beating the Dons certainly isn’t a result that many will use as evidence of Gonzaga’s ability to get to the Final Four the Bulldogs made the tough plays they needed to make down the stretch, things that had not happened in the three trips prior. But the question remains for Gonzaga: is this team capable of getting to Atlanta?   While the Bulldogs have done little this season to suggest otherwise,... [Read more.]

LEFT COAST LAYUPS (2/13/2013): MONTANA – WEBER STATE MATCHUP ONE TO WATCH THURSDAY

  By Raphielle Johnson     The Montana Grizzlies had some issues during the non-conference portion of their schedule, due in large part to the broken foot that sidelined senior guard Will Cherry for much of the slate. But once the reigning Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year shook off the rust the Grizzlies have taken off, winning 14 straight games heading into their showdown at second-place Weber State on Thursday night. Overall Montana has won 25 straight Big Sky games, a breaking a record established by Weber State (24 straight wins) some four decades ago.   And with a win in... [Read more.]

MERNAGH: NOEL LATEST EXAMPLE OF WHY NBA NEEDS TO STEP UP

Sad day today. Thoughts go out to Nerlens Noel. I hope he can return and get back to the form that will allow him to see the millions of dollars he’s now no doubt worrying about never making. Terrible situation. For those of you unaware, Noel’s knee buckled and slammed into the basket support in Gainesville last night after he chased down a sure layup and turned it into another block. Noel’s been a defensive shot-blocking extraordinaire seemingly since he came out of the womb. It’s what he was put here to do –block shots. I distinctly remember watching Noel in Orlando... [Read more.]

LEFT COAST LAYUPS (2/6/2013): BRACKETBUSTERS GIVES ST. MARY’S GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

By Raphielle Johnson   One big reason why the Ramada BracketBusters event is in its final year of existence is the fact that there are few opportunities for mid-major teams to truly enhance their at-large profiles. What’s meant to be a game in which both teams can possibly benefit turned into an elimination game of sorts, with the loser finding itself in a precarious position with just a couple weeks remaining in the regular season. But for those who get the opportunity to boost their at-large resumes it can be a valuable shot at the statement victory they truly need.   That’s the... [Read more.]

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