NBA Notes

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (5/28/2009)

In today’s News & Notes there are some player evaluations from last week’s Gym Rat Challenge in Albany (NY) that Big East fans will find relevent as several possible Big East targets were in action. Elsewhere, the situation with Jarrid Famous is still unclear and just as confusing as a day ago. Louisville sees another of their 2010 verbal commitments become open again. There is a recruiting update on Dante Holmes as well as NBA Draft process updates on Paul Harris and Luke Harangody and a good Q&A on USF star Dominique Jones for readers today.

Read about all this below…

Read more

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (5/26/2009)

Hope all our readers had a nice Memorial Day weekend! Of course, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and once again the summer will bring exciting action on the basketball court throughout the country. In June a couple of our favorite events will remain the Rumble in the Bronx at Fordham and the NBA Top 100 camp at the University of Virginia. This weekend NBE should also be able to spend some time covering the NY2LA Invitational on the Marquette campus and we also look forward to covering Hoop Group Metro Summer Showcase and other events throughout the next month leading up to what will definitely be an exciting July as the college coaches will hit the evaluation trail like caged animals being released from captivity after the NCAA did away with the April evaluation period.

Today in our News & Notes update, it is chock full of recruiting lists found around the web. There are lists from dozens of players and everyone will find something of interest with their program today. Also, a look at some of the NBA draft workouts of Jonny Flynn and an impressive Paul Harris, an update on the Jio Fontan situation and ESPN.com runs through the 2009 Big East recruiting classes…

Read more

BELLY OF THE BE-AST: ‘MELO EDITION

by Ray Mernagh

The first time I saw Carmelo Anthony play he was 18-years old and I knew he would be a fantastic pro. That’s not saying a lot as everyone on the planet — save Joe Dumars — recognized the same thing. The second time I saw him was his only year at Syracuse against Pitt. The Panthers were extremely physical with him and limited his output the best they could for the duration of that game. I remember sitting down before the game started and the man sitting next to me asking me “who’s the great freshman ‘Cuse is supposed to have?” I answered “it’s that kid in the headband and this will be the only time you see him here because he’ll be the number two pick in the draft next summer,” — damn Dumars!

As I explained Anthony had sort of an up and down game. With about ten minutes left the guy leaned over and said “he’d better come back to school because he’s definitely not ready for the NBA.” Not more than a minute later ‘Melo beat his man from the wing on the dribble, spun to avoid the double team and laid the ball up on the other side of the basket to avoid the block. He did all of that while getting fouled and showing an incredible mixture of quickness, athleticism and a quality that can only be described as smooth. I leaned back over and said “he’s ready.”

Read more

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (5/22/2009)

Many of our readers are already on the road ready to enjoy the long holiday weekend. The NBE Basketball Report and all of our staff wish that everyone enjoys their Memorial Day festivities and travels safe this weekend. We thank everyone for their continued support of our website and we are sure everyone is ready for the upcoming summer schedule to get rolling!

Today we take a tour through the Big East and it is somewhat of an abbreviated ensemble of news and notes. We start with Rutgers who is still trying to figure out what to do at point guard next year and the staff promises to leave no stone unturned looking from within as well as continuing to look outside for help. James Beatty and Jio Fontan status updates are included as well. Cincinnati looks to ave a better handle on their point guard position for next season. West Virginia’s Bob Huggins is focused on winning, DePaul is finally focused on recruiting some local talent and the investigation into alleged recruiting violations at UConn moves along, slowly. Also, Doug Ferguson takes a stab at a mock NBA draft following the draft lottery of earlier this week.

We have some recruiting news and notes that will be coming throughout the weekend…so, in between the bar-b-que and picnics, stop and and see what is happening at NBE…

Read more

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (5/20/2009)

We are kind of getting off track from our regular News & Notes postings, sorry, I will try and be better in that area.

Today is kind of a wrap-up of some of the news and notes that hgave been hanging around for a couple days. May is the slowest of months around college basketball, but still some worthwhile news to catch up on including recruiting updates on Marquis Teague, Dominique Ferguson, Chris Evans and Ja’Quon Parker. Also, USF sees another player leave and they are still looking at a potential incoming transfer. Mick Cronin is optimistic, Mike Brey hints at more Big East Tournament changes, Rutgers gets a head start on the 2009-2010 season, Scottie Reynolds continues his NBA audition and more can be found below today…

Read more

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (4/29/2009)

First, our apologies for the technical difficulties forcing the site down for about 12 hours from last night until early this morning. With the quick growth and exploding traffic of the last couple months, we exceeded our server bandwidth limitations. We are back up and running and the news around the Big East continues to fly in from all angles…let’s see if we can catch everyone up!

———————————————————
This Week’s Featured Ticket Deals:

NHL Playoff Ticket Deals

Best NBA Playoff Ticket Deals

Best New York Yankees Ticket Deals

Best Philadelphia Phillies Ticket Deals

——————————————————

Read more

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (4/24/2009)

Its been quite a week around the Big East and Louisville has been the center of quite a storm of stories in the past several days. Also, stories on Dan Jennings, Brandon Triche and Jim Boeheim’s opinion on how the Syracuse fate with three players leaving early for the professional ranks. Also declaring for the draft his week, but not retaining agents, are Ater Majok of UConn and ‘Nova’s NCAA Tourney hero Scottie Reynolds.

Also, with college coaches evaluating high school prospects in open gyms, several recruiting updates are available as well as the 2009 SEC-Big East Invitational match-ups are announced, too.

Read more

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (4/17/2009)

Nice day to catch up around the Big East on the latest news and stories. Again, it is a busy time with underclassmen making their NBA Draft decisions known, such as Greg Monroe, Jonny Flynn, Hasheem Thabeet, Dar Tucker and Luke Harangody. It was also the beginning of the spring signing period this week and a few stories on the impacts of the comings and goings at UConn as well as the official additions at Providence, WVU, Marquette, Rutgers, South Florida as well as the recruitment of Jarrid Famous and other USF frontcourt prospects. Also, an update on Carson Desrosiers, who had quite a busy morning today…

It will be a busy weekend for the NBE Basketball Report with coverage of the Pittsburgh JamFest put on by The HoopGroup, the HoopHall Classic staged by BasketBull of CT and the Jordan Brand Classic Regional and National game. Check back often this weekend for the latest news…

Read more

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (4/14/2009)

Here is another quick run through of the news and notes of the day in the Big East conference. We will have quite a bit of new information later this afternoon and into tomorrow from the busy weekend that was last weekend on the AAU trail…

For today, a strange story out of Syracuse involving Paul Harris and ‘his’ decision to enter his name in the NBA Draft, you kind of have to read it to believe it. Also, Earl Clark officially puts his name into the draft, a player is leaving Georgetown, Devin Ebanks is staying put at WVU and recruiting updates on Jarrid Famous, Markus Kennedy and Lamont Jones are linked below for readers to check out…

Also, as a preview to some additional Big East football coverage that will be coming in the future, especially on our team blog sites, Matt Whitfield caught up with Notre Dame football commit Theo Riddick recently on the basketball trail and you can find his story at our Notre Dame Team Blog site. Matt continued with the football theme with a story on Rutgers’ WR Kenny Britt who has high hopes in this month’s NFL Draft. You can see that story at our Rutgers Team Blog page.

Read more

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (4/13/2009)

Following the holiday weekend, Monday has been a quiet day for news around the Big East conference. Jonny Flynn’s situation of whether or not he signed with an agent seems to be the biggest story, at this point, all signs point to that being very imminent and he will pass on his final two years of eligibility at Syracuse.

A few reviews on the Derby Festival Basketball Classic and the Capital Classic where Louisville and Villanova recruits impressed onlookers. Also an article on UC recruit Sean Kilpatrick and his high hopes for his college career with the Bearcats, Jeff Goodman has updated the transfer list and six Big East student-athletes from the 2008-2009 season are currently looking for new homes to continue their college careers. On the recruiting front, articles on Matt Brown, who could be a Big East football or basketball recruit, and JJ Moore can be found as the pair could gain more Big East interest as the spring and summer AAU season continues.

Read more

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (4/10/2009)

Even though it is the offseason, news seems to be coming out of the conference left and right leaving your head spinning. We will try to get you caught up on as much as possible in this morning’s News & Notes from around the Big East…

We take a look at NBA draft decisions of the Syracuse trio and DeJuan Blair and the impacts on their current teams. Also, Jim Calhoun has come to a quick decision about his future. On the recruiting front, lots of news and notes to go over as the recruiting news will begin to pick up pace quickly as the spring signing period nears and the AAU travel season really begins to pick up. We will have eyes and ears on the road this weekend at the Boo Williams Invitational and the DC Assault event down in Virginia and will report on the news and notes Big East fans will find interesting next week…

Read more

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (4/8/2009)

There is a lot going on these days around the Big East basketball conference. Of course, the immediate aftermath of the final four brought a quick surge of recruiting news and stories here are some of the recruiting and event stories from the last several days:

NBE Prep Corner w/ Pat Stevens (news on an upcoming visit to St. John’s for a prep school guard)
National High School Invitational Review (Part I) (A look at players from Findlay, St. Benedict’s and Mountain State Academy).
Playaz Spring Fling Review (Phase II) (article loaded with player reports and recruiting info)
Class of 2010 Intro: Kadeem Jack (Rice HS PF/C has Big East schools looking)
Class of 2010 Intro: Derrick Williams (St. Anthony’s big forward seeing some Big East schools looking)
More Talent at God’s Academy (Texas prep school has several on Big East radar, including KC Ross-Miller)
Class of 2011 Intro: Jermaine Sander (Rice HS guard getting early Big East interest)
Class of 2011 Intro: Marquis Teague (Louisville a possible destination for elite ’11 guard)
Class of 2011 Intro: Jordan Allen (Bay Shore HS in Long Island forward receiving Big East interest)
Class of 2011 Intro: Mike Taylor (NYC guard has Big East schools lining up already)

In today’s update, there are also recruiting updates and notes on Terrell Vinson, Jonathan Graham, Jarrid Famous, Tom Droney and Kyrie Irving, as well as a look at the impact the NCAA’s decision to eliminate the April live evaluation period for Division 1-A coaches.

This time of year also brings with it player and coaching movement. Assistants are candidates for head coaching jobs, players are declaring for the NBA draft every day and early looks at next season are beginning to circulate and articles looking at high expectations, and questions, ahead for UConn, ‘Nova, Syracuse and West Virginia.

Read more

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (4/1/2009)

With the coaching carousel in college basketball in full swing, beware of the April Fool’s jokes. Last year it was no joking manner, but Tom Crean shocked the Marquette faithful when he left for Indiana on April 1st. Will a big coaching domino fall today. One thing is certain, John Calipari’s move from Memphis to Kentucky will cause some recruiting waves.

Elsewhere in college basketball, two Big East teams are gearing up for the Final Four as UConn and Villanova continue preparations to do battle. The Wildcats hope their previous Ford Field basketball experience is of help while the Huskies should get an emotional lift on their bench and in pre-game warmups.

Louisville is preparing for next season and Pittsburgh will be adding a big man to the line-up already possessing the Pitt will to improve. The NBA early entry decisions have begun to trickle in, and one Big East player is off to the NBA and not looking back.

Lance Stephenson is back in a holding pattern. Jeremy Tyler could be the next Stephenson as a documentary film star. Tyler, in the class of 2010, is already committed to a Big East school.

Read more

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (3/30/2009)

The 2009 NCAA Tournament Final Four is set and the Big East is well represented with half the field remaining. Villanova, on the strength of their thrilling last second win over Pittsburgh in the Elite 8, and Connecticut, who brushed distractions aside in their run through the West, will represent the conference.

To this point, the Big East is 17-5 in the NCAA Tournament, 16-4 against non-Big East schools.

We run through the news and notes around the Big East as the spring recruiting period will heat up very quickly. Also, the coaching carousel will begin to spin, for head coaches and assistants, players will decide to stay or go, either in regards to the NBA Draft or the transfer route and some are looking towards to next year following the end of this season.

Also, the spring AAU travel season kicked off last weekend and Matt Whitfield has the report on Saturday at the Playaz Spring Fling (Phase I) event as many top Big East targets of the future were in action.

Read more

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (3/25/2009)

Once again today we take the tour of the five Big East teams preparing for Sweet 16 action in the 2009 NCAA Tournament. Also, we have laid out links for fans to purchase the tickets to see their team in each step of the way this week as UConn, SU, Pitt, Louisville and ‘Nova vie for spots in Detroit.

The big news dominating college basketball today is the Y! Sports exclusive on recruiting irregularities by UConn in the recruitment of Nate Miles. Also, Notre Dame meets Kentucky with a spot in the NIT Final Four in New York City on the line. The coaching carousel rumors are starting to spin. A few Big East assistants are candidates at Boston U and a couple Big East coaches are being tossed into the discussion at Virginia.

Also, Marquette and Buzz Williams say good-bye to a great group of seniors, but are ready to get to work on the future. In recruiting, a former Big East target (and onetime early commit) is back on the market.

Read more

BELLY OF THE BE-AST: SAM GOES OUT WITH A BANG

A classic match-up of conference titans highlighted Senior Day in Pittsburgh last weekend

by Ray Mernagh

How do you know when a game’s a classic?

Is it when you’re looking at stats and are surprised that neither team shot the ball all that well? How about when the total number of turnovers on both sides is 19 for the game, despite each squad playing a ferocious, physically exhausting brand of defense. Or maybe when two players put up monster first halves in different ways, and one equals his output in the second half while the other does everything in his power to continue his dominance except the one thing he can’t do (throw himself the ball).

Those are three good indicators, but that’s not how, or when, I knew I was watching a classic.

I knew the rematch between Pittsburgh and Connecticut had the makings of a classic about three minutes into the first half when two thoughts hit me right around the same time. First, my buddy “Knuckles,” a Pitt fan since birth, sent a picture to my phone of the bedlam going on in the arena to let me know he’d managed to get in, something he’d been trying to make happen for the last two weeks. I smiled looking at the picture, thinking ‘cool, Knuckles deserves to see this.’ It was right after this that I realized I’d forgotten all about the obstructed view seat I was in that had me a bit upset just minutes earlier. The seat was obstructed because I was placed up top in a section for media I’d never knew existed, right behind a radio guy’s sound equipment. So I had two choices if I wanted to see the nearest sideline: stand up and block the guy’s view behind me or lean waaay forward in my seat and hope the sound guy didn’t take it the wrong way.

Read more

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (3/6/2009) & GAME PREVIEW

The regular season finales began last night and Villanova got what they wanted while they will send Providence on to New York for the 2009 Big East Tournament next week in New York City at Madison Square Garden still in search of what they are looking for.

While Dominic James is done for the season, Marquette’s NCAA seed could be adjusted down even more than their late season losing streak would have on its own with James. Pittsburgh is hoping their floor general is good to gon on Saturday for the highly anticipated match-up with Connecticut.

DePaul sophomore Dar Tucker looks into leaving college for the NBA while Rutgers sophomore Corey Chandler has not made a final decision to leave the Scarlet Knight’s program as of yet.

There is a story on top 2010 target Carson Desrosiers for readers as well as our game preview on tonight’s Big East action between Notre Dame and St. John’s.

Read more

BIG EAST IN THE NBA (11/12/2008)

NBA in the Big East

by Doug Ferguson

The NBA had its normal full Wednesday schedule last night with some great action. Dwayne Wade headlined the action again for the Big East school alum.

3 Stars

#1 Star- Dwayne Wade (Miami Heat/Marquette)

Dwayne Wade is making a home for himself in the #1 star spot but he has earned it every last time. Last night he put up a season high 36 points to go with a full stat sheet of 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. The Heat are still struggling to get wins as they picked up a loss at home to Portland but it is no fault of Wade’s.

Read more

BIG EAST IN THE NBA (11/7/2008)

Full Schedule in NBA from Friday

by Doug Ferguson

The NBA had another loaded Friday night schedule with 13 games lined up. Allen Iverson made his Piston debut and many other great Big East performances went down. Here’s the rundown

3 Stars

#1 Star- Dwayne Wade (Miami Heat/Marquette)

Dwayne Wade continues to tell everyone he is back as he came one assist from clocking a triple double. He chalked up 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists as Miami easily beat a San Antonio team that continues to struggle. Wade continued to excel defensively as he collected 3 steals.

Read more

BIG EAST IN THE NBA (11/6/2008)

Big East in the NBA 11/6

by Doug Ferguson

Iverson Debuts with Detroit Tonight

Allen Iverson makes his long anticipated debut with the Detroit Pistons tonight. He’ll make his debut across the Hudson River from the Big Apple tonight. The Pistons will play the New Jersey Nets. Iverson has promised to tear things up (or something a little more explicit than that) and will finally get his chance.

Read more

« Previous Page — Next Page »