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NATIONAL PREP CHAMPIONSHIP RECRUITING NOTES
March 14, 2010 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
Lost in the shuffle of last week’s excitement with the Big East Tournament was the National Prep Championships that were held at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven (CT). Eight of the top prep schools in the country came together to battle it out over the course of two days last week and the action culminated with Brewster Academy taking the title with an overtime victory of Northfield Mount Hermon.
Big East coaching staffs were represented throughout as Villanova assistant Jason Donnelly was on hand Tuesday and Wednesday saw Rutgers’ Fred Hill and Darren Savino make the trip along with Connecticut’s Pat Sellers and Providence’s Pat Skerry.
2010 Big East commits in action included Isaiah Epps (Pittsburgh/Hargrave Military Academy), Gerard Coleman (Providence/Tilton), Ron Giplaye (Providence/Notre Dame Prep), CJ Fair (Syracuse/Brewster), Austin Carroll (Rutgers/Brewster) and Markus Kennedy (Villanova/Winchendon) and several potential spring targets of Big East schools in the class of 2010 were also in action. NBE has recruiting updates on Cleveland Melvin, Bryon Allen, Maurice Walker, who now has a list of six favorites out of the Big East and is looking to set up visits to three of them, and Majok Majok along with underclassman Naadir Tharpe.
To see the latest you can sign up for NBE Premium access and SUBSCRIBE (HERE) to read on below…
CLEVELAND MELVIN UPDATE: DUKE, OTHERS MAKE INQUIRY
March 12, 2010 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
After backing off verbal commitment to UConn, Notre Dame Prep forward expanding recruiting list
Baltimore native and current Notre Dame Prep forward Cleveland Melvin recently re-opened his recruitment, backing off a verbal commitment he made to Connecticut in mid-November of 2009.
The Huskies had recruited the 6-foot-8, 210-pound Melvin as a power forward and that was their long range vision for him. With the additional verbal commitment of 6-foot-7 small forward Roscoe Smith of Oak Hill Academy in the class of 2010, Melvin had second thoughts about his decision as he has been working on expanding his game this season to have the chance to play wing at the college level.
“I just wanted to reopen my recruitment process back up and have the oppurtunity to play more on the wing when I go to college,” Melvin told NBE Basketball Report this week.
Now Melvin is receiving interest from a variety of new schools, including an ACC power, and has plenty of schools on his list to give him some interesting options as a potential spring signee for one college. You can sign up for NBE Premium access and SUBSCRIBE (HERE) to read on below for the latest scoop on Melvin’s recruiting situation and more on his game and improvement while at ND Prep…
2010 BIG EAST TOURNAMENT COVERAGE: DAY TWO RECAP
March 11, 2010 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
by RAY FLORIANI and MATT WHITFIELD
NEW YORK CITY – Day two at the 2010 Big East Tournament is complete and one thing is definitely certain, we will have a new champion.
The scores:
Georgetown 69, South Florida 49
Marquette 57, St. John’s 55
Notre Dame 68, Seton Hall 56
Cincinnati 69, Louisville 66
Ray’s ten points of emphasis from Wednesday…
1. Georgetown did it the old fashioned way. They defended the heck out of South Florida. Dominique Jones of USF had 21 points to lead all scorers but the Bulls outstanding junior talent had no one to lend a helping hand. Credit the Hoya defense that forced South Florida into a 29% afternoon from the field.
NATIONAL PREP CHAMPIONSHIP OPENING DAY
March 10, 2010 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
by PAT STEVENS
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Gerard Coleman (Tilton/Providence) had the day’s high of 43 points as the fourth annual National Prep Championships are underway, this year from Albertus Magnus College.
Big East signees Isaiah Epps (Pittsburgh), CJ Fair (Syracuse) and Austin Carroll (Rutgers) all helped their teams to victories that have them slated for Wednesday’s semifinals and potential championship game.
Epps and No. 1 seed Hargrave Military Academy meet No. 5 Northfield Mount Hermon and Fair and Carroll lead No. 2 seed Brewster Academy against No. 6 St. Thomas More, with the championship set for 7:30 p.m.
Read on for more on the opening day of the National Prep Championship, including recruiting updates on Cleveland Melvin, who has plenty of Big East interest and plans a Big East visit in the near future, and Bryon Allen, who is likely to take a Big East official visit this spring. Both were previously Big East verbal commitments and still might land in the conference next season. To see the latest you can sign up for NBE Premium access and SUBSCRIBE (HERE) to read on below…
BIG EAST TOURNAMENT COVERAGE: MERNAGH’S THOUGHTS ON DAY I
March 10, 2010 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
by RAY MERNAGH
USF 58 DePaul 49
A lot is being made about South Florida winning without scoring from outside a few feet and I’ll concede it’s one of the more stranger things I’ve seen in a long time.
But it also points to the control that Stan Heath has over this squad. The Bulls finished 0-8 from three but only took two of those in the second half.
Why? Because they didn’t have to make three’s or a lot of jump shots to beat DePaul. Heat told them that and they executed their game plan of getting to the rim.
Today against Georgetown they’ll have to hit some J’s, but because they realized they didn’t need to yesterday they got to today.
It’s all about advancing folks.
2010 BIG EAST TOURNAMENT COVERAGE: WEDNESDAY PRIMER
March 10, 2010 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
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After a thrilling doubleheader Tuesday to close the first day of action of the 2010 Big East Tournament, we roll on into Wednesday with four more games as the action will continue to heat up into the weekend at Madison Square Garden.
Here is Wednesday’s schedule (and your chance to get tickets to the games):
9) South Florida vs. 8] Georgetown, Noon.
13) St. John’s vs. 5) Marquette, 2 PM.
Big East Basketball Tournament Tickets – Session 3 March 10 2010 (USF vs GTown & SJU vs. MU)
10) Seton Hall vs. 7) Notre Dame, 7 PM.
11) Cincinnati vs. 6) Louisville, 9 PM.
Big East Basketball Tournament Tickets – Session 4 March 10 2010 (SHU vs. ND & UC vs. UL)
The rest of the schedule this week (and your chance to buy tickets to see the action live at MSG):
QUARTERFINALS: THURSDAY, MARCH 11th:
Big East Basketball Tournament Tickets – Session 5 March 11 2010
1) Syracuse vs. GTown/USF, 12 noon.
4) Villanova vs. MU/SJU, 2 PM.
Big East Basketball Tournament Tickets – Session 6 March 11 2010
2) Pittsburgh vs. ND/SHU, 7 PM.
3) West Virginia vs. UL/UC, 9 PM.
Semifinals, Firday March 12th:
Session 7:
Big East Basketball Tournament Tickets – Session 7 (Semifinals) March 12 2010
Championship, Saturday March 13th:
Session 8:
Big East Basketball Tournament Tickets – Session 8 (Championship) March 13 2010
BIG EAST TOURNAMENT COVERAGE: DAY ONE RECAP
March 10, 2010 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
by RAY FLORIANI and MATT WHITFIELD
NEW YORK CITY – The first round of the 2010 Big East Tournament is in the books. Four games, one upset with St. John’s over UCONN in a surprisingly lopsided contest . The scores:
South Florida 58, DePaul 49
St. John’s 73, Connecticut 51
Seton Hall 109, Providence 106
Cincinnati 69, Rutgers 68
—Be sure to visit NBE’s 2010 Big East Tournament home page (HERE!) for the full schedule and links to get tickets to each session—
Ray’s ten points of emphasis from this first day:
1. Loved the attitude of South Florida coach Stan Heath. His Bulls defeated DePaul and are 20-11. Rather than discuss the bubble Heath simply tells his players to keep playing. “We win we get to keep playing,” Heath said, “and that takes care of itself.” Bulls jumped out to a 30-15 halftime lead and outside of a late run fueled by DePaul’s Will Walker (20 points), did a good defensive job.
2010 BIG EAST TOURNAMENT: TUESDAY PRIMER
March 9, 2010 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
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Let the Madness begin!! The 2010 Big East Tournament tips off today at high noon with a double-header this afternoon at Madison Square Garden.
16) DePaul vs. 9) South Florida, 12 noon.
13) St. John’s vs. 12) Connecticut, 2 PM.
It is not to late to find tickets, but you have to act fast for this afternoon’s session:
Big East Basketball Tournament Tickets – Session 1 March 9 2010 (DePaul/USF & UConn/SJU)
The nightcap doubleheader for the opening day:
15) Providence vs. 10) Seton Hall, 7 PM.
14) Rutgers vs. 11) Cincinnati, 9 PM.
Again, tickets are still available and for great prices:
Big East Basketball Tournament Tickets – Session 2 March 9 2010 (PC/SHU & RU/UC)
All three NYC/NJ-area teams are in action today, as well as UConn. South Florida and Seton Hall desperately need wins to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive and kicking.
For tickets to any session of the Big East Tournament, or to purchase a full tournament ticket package, please visit our 2010 Big East Tournament and Tickets page for the complete schedule and links to purchase tickets. Stub Hub and the Big East conference have teamed up to provide fans with quality tickets and your tickets are guaranteed to be in hand before the game, even when purchasing for the early sessions of the BET: StubHub.com – The Safe Way to Buy & Sell Tickets Online.
Read on below for more News & Notes on today’s action as well as other notes regarding the Big East Tournament…
NBE POST-SEASON ALL-BIG EAST TEAMS & AWARDS
March 8, 2010 by NBE Blogger · 2 Comments
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The regular season is complete and the Big East Tournament tips off Tuesday so be sure to visit our 2010 Big East Tournament & Tickets page for the full tournament schedule and the links needed for Big East basketball fans to purchase tickets to any or all of the 2010 Big East Tournament sessions.
Throughout the day the majority of NBE writers and contributors contemplated, debated and discussed our post-season awards for the Big East conference. Its been another great season with 16 teams battling it out for 18 games each through the 71 days of Big East action from December 26th through this past Saturday. After much deliberation…here are the NBE Big East 2009-2010 season awards:
NBE Big East Player of the Year: Scottie Reynolds, Villanova
BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (3/8/2010)
March 8, 2010 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
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The regular season is complete and the Big East Tournament tips off tomorrow so be sure to visit our 2010 Big East Tournament & Tickets page for the full tournament schedule and the links needed for Big East basketball fans to purchase tickets to any or all of the 2010 Big East Tournament sessions. The Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden is an event Big East fans must experience when they have the opportunity and here is your chance to get your tickets early before they become harder, and more expensive, to find. They still have plenty of seats, and inexpensive options, for the early sessions as well as the entire tournament.
Stub Hub and the Big East conference have teamed up to provide fans with quality tickets and your tickets are guaranteed to be in hand before the game, even when purchasing for the early sessions of the BET: StubHub.com – The Safe Way to Buy & Sell Tickets Online.
Before we dive into the stories of the Big East Tournament and the post season awards and the latest on this coach’s future and who doesn’t like this coach, which is all below, we urge everyone to check out Keith Sargeant’s blog post at Scarlet Scuttlebutt titled Caring for Brayden and see the stories he wrote on Rutgers men’s basketball recruiting coordinator Jim Carr. His son, Brayden, has been battling epilepsy for most of his 18-month old life and the efforts of the Carr family and those close to them and young Brayden to find a cure.
Now, onto today’s News & Notes around the Big East…
2010 BIG EAST TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE & TICKETS
March 6, 2010 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
Madison Square Garden in New York City is the place to be beginning next Tuesday
After 18, hard fought regular season contests all 16 teams head to New York City and Madison Square Garden for the 2010 Big East Tournament as this year’s ‘Garden Party’ tips off at high noon, Tuesday, March 9th.
There is a lot at stake once again in MSG as teams fight for NCAA Tournament seeding and a few fight for their postseason lives. This year’s conference tournament promises to be as wide open as any in recent memory. Below we map out the week’s schedule and offer fans links to buy tickets through StubHub.com and your tickets are guaranteed to be in your hand prior to the games with StubHub’s guarantees.
Enjoy the week…March Madness is here!
BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (3/5/2010)
March 5, 2010 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
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Here is a quick Happy Hour fix of the news and notes around the Big East as we take a quick glance back at last night’s action and preview the first game of the weekend tonight that kicks off the final games of the Big East regular season. Also in the news today is the visit list for tomorrow’s Freedom Hall finale as the host cards look to stamp that NCAA Tournament resume. The season has not gone quite as well as planned for Mick Cronin and Cincinnati, but the UC coach can expect to give it at least another try next year with the Bearcats. South Florida and Notre Dame enter this last weekend with hopes remaining of NCAA Tournament bids.
Speaking of tournaments this time of year, a good luck shout out goes to the girls team at Northwest HS in Wichita, Kansas as they play in the sub-state final tonight. Good luck to the Grizzlies in their quest to earn a spot in the state tournament.
It is now less than a week away, so be sure to visit our 2010 Big East Tournament & Tickets page for the links needed for Big East basketball fans to purchase tickets to any or all of the 2010 Big East Tournament sessions. The Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden is an event Big East fans must experience when they have the opportunity and here is your chance to get your tickets early before they become harder, and more expensive, to find. Stub Hub and the Big East conference have teamed up to provide fans with quality tickets and you can get tickets to ANY Big East conference or non-league game by following this link: StubHub.com – The Safe Way to Buy & Sell Tickets Online
Now, onto today’s News & Notes around the Big East…
2010 BIG EAST TOURNAMENT PROJECTED SEEDS/SCHEDULE
March 5, 2010 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
The last days of the 2009-2010 regular season are here as we prepare for the conference tournament
All 16 Big East teams will conclude their regular season with a conference game beginning tonight and finishing on Saturday We go through the scenarios and break down the seed possibilities for the 2010 Big East Tournament as this year’s ‘Garden Party’ tips off at high noon, March 9th, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. There will be a lot riding on these final regular season games, but the real action will begin next week a teams will be fighting for their collective seasons and trying to make their final cases in impressive the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee. Selection Sunday is just nine days away…are you ready?
Below we break down the scenarios and lay out the Big East Tournament seeding landscape in the conference. Also, we provide links for fans to secure tickets to all the action, closing the regular season and opportunities to buy 2010 Big East Tournament Tickets. This year’s tournament promises to be wide-open and exciting, secure your seats today!
BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (3/3/2010)
March 3, 2010 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
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Four games were on last night’s Big East schedule and Marquette made quite a statement, and it was loud and clear. The Golden Eagles are GOOD! MU ran Louisville out of the Bradley Center and the loss puts the Cards back onto the bubble, at least according to Rick Pitino who believes they need a win this weekend to give them enough breathing room before NYC. In other action, South Florida kept their postseason dreams alive while Cincinnati’s looks to be just about shattered. In the process, DePaul gets closer to commencing their job search full steam ahead, but one of their top candidates looks to be off the board. Villanova held on to, at least temporarily, right their ship while Syracuse had a laugher in the Carrier Dome over St. John’s allowing the Orange to celebrate their outright regular season Big East championship.
Tonight is a big game as Notre Dame and UConn put their NCAA Tournament hopes on the line in South Bend. No Luke Harangody again for the Irish…
In other news, Dane Miller is drawing comparisons to another former Big East star from his home area and Jermaine Dixon looks to reach a milestone of his own in his Pitt career. Also, more talk on the Big 10 expansion heats up after the initial report comissions by the conference says it is a feasible plan to move ahead…
Also, it is now less than a week away, so be sure to visit our 2010 Big East Tournament & Tickets page for the links needed for Big East basketball fans to purchase tickets to any or all of the 2010 Big East Tournament sessions. The Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden is an event Big East fans must experience when they have the opportunity and here is your chance to get your tickets early before they become harder, and more expensive, to find. Stub Hub and the Big East conference have teamed up to provide fans with quality tickets and you can get tickets to ANY Big East conference or non-league game by following this link: StubHub.com – The Safe Way to Buy & Sell Tickets Online
Now, onto today’s News & Notes around the Big East…
TARIQ CAREY UPDATE; LAWHORN DECIDES, HANNER CLOSE
March 2, 2010 by NBE Blogger · 3 Comments
by JEFF BORZELLO
One of the more underrated players nationally in the class of 2012 is New Jersey product Tariq Carey.
College coaches know all about the 6-foot-1 sophomore guard, though.
Carey is getting plenty of early attention from Big East schools and he has a ‘dream school’ out of the ACC showing him interest. NBE gets the latest update from the 2012 prospect that is sure to become a well-known name in recruiting circles in the near future…
Also, Danny Lawhorn contacts NBE about his commitment and a source updates Jamir Hanner who might be closing on on his…
BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (3/2/2010)
March 2, 2010 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
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Da’Sean Butler went out as a winner in his West Virginia final home game as the Mountaineers dealt slumping Goergetown another loss. The Hoyas were without Austin Freeman, who is battling an illness, and their lack of depth makes it very tough to overcome.
Tonight on the Big East schedule is four games. Deonta Vaughn hopes to go out as a winner in his final regular season home game at Cincinnati and the Bearcats hopes to finish strong while Villanova, losers of three of their last four, hope to make some short-order repairs in time for the post-season. Syracuse hopes to wrap-up the regular season conference title outright with a win over St. John’s as the Carrier Dome crowd gets to cheer 5th year seniors Andy Rautins and Arinze Onuaku one last time. South Florida looks to keep their hopes for a .500 Big East season alive when they visit DePaul and Louisville and Marquette have an intriguing nightcap with several post-season implicatons tied to the outcome.
In other news, Lenn Robbins gives it to a couple Big East coaches following their weekend losses. Notre Dame is likely without Luke Harangody at least one more time as UConn and the Irish battle tomorrow in a game that has very big post-season ramifications. Carleton Scott has given ND a lift during ‘Gody’s absence. Pitt coach Jamie Dixon is a candidate for coaching awards as the Panthers look to sew up a double-bye in the Big East Tournament in their last two games this year.
Also, it just a week away, so be sure to visit our 2010 Big East Tournament & Tickets page for the links needed for Big East basketball fans to purchase tickets to any or all of the 2010 Big East Tournament sessions. The Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden is an event Big East fans must experience when they have the opportunity and here is your chance to get your tickets early before they become harder, and more expensive, to find. Stub Hub and the Big East conference have teamed up to provide fans with quality tickets and you can get tickets to ANY Big East conference or non-league game by following this link: StubHub.com – The Safe Way to Buy & Sell Tickets Online
Now, onto today’s News & Notes around the Big East…
UNSIGNED 2010 UPDATE: JAMIR HANNER
March 1, 2010 by NBE Blogger · 5 Comments
Senior forward of NIA Prep is seeing a variety of schools enter the picture in his recruitment
Earlier in February the National Prep Showcase offered several unsigned 2010 prospects the chance to kickstart their recruitments into high gear heading towards the spring recruiting period which culminates with the April signing period which annually runs from April 15th – May 15th. One player who took advantage of this opportunity was Philadelphia (PA) native Jamir Hanner who is currently playing for NIA Academy in New Jersey. He was voted onto the NPSI all-tournament team for his performance in Rhode Island last month.
Hanner has impressed NBE in earlier views with his athletic ability on the glass and in transition. He also showed the ability to face up and attack off the dribble. This 6-foot-7, 200-pound forward has generated some new recruiting interest in this prep season at NIA and currently has an offer from a school in the Big East and in the Big 12 with interest coming from other schools in the Big East, Big 12, Big 10, PAC 10 and more. Right now it looks like one Big East program is the team to beat and Hanner updated NBE earlier today on that and his impressions from a visit to a Big East school over the weekend…
UPDATED 2010 BIG EAST TOURNAMENT SEEDING SCENARIOS
March 1, 2010 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
Calendar flips to March and the last week of the regular season is upon us as teams jockey for position
All 16 Big East teams were in action with eight highly competitive conference match-ups this past weekend. This year’s conference tournament is shaping up to be as wide-open and as important as ever with NCAA Tournament seeding and bids on the line for several teams. We go through the scenarios and break down the seed possibilities for the 2010 Big East Tournament as this year’s ‘Garden Party’ tips off at high noon, March 9th, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Between tonight’s Big Monday contest (3/1) and next Saturday (3/6), everyone in the Big East will close their regular season with two conference games. Everyone is jockeying for position with conference tournament seeding up for grabs, NCAA Tournament bids and NCAA Tournament seeding riding on the outcomes of these games.
Below, we break down the scenarios and lay out the Big East Tournament seeding landscape in the conference. Also, we provide links for fans to secure tickets to all the action, closing the regular season and opportunities to buy 2010 Big East Tournament Tickets. Later today we will do the same with the NCAA Tournament and how the Big East teams are shaping up for their shot at making, or earning a top seed, in the Big Dance.
BIG EAST TEAMS JOCKEYING FOR NCAA TOURNAMENT SEEDING & BIDS DOWN THE STRETCH
February 26, 2010 by NBE Blogger · Leave a Comment
Many key games will highlight the last eight days of the Big East regular season with NCAA implications
Earlier today we took a look at how the 2010 Big East Tournament Seeding is shaping out and how the last three games for each team in the regular season can still determine quite a bit of the match-ups for Madison Square Garden beginning March 9th.
Now, we take a look at the bigger picture and how the last week will impact the Big East and the NCAA Tournament. At this point, everyone is pretty much agreed that five teams are locks from the Big East to earn NCAA bids: Syracuse, Villanova, West Virginia, Georgetown and Pittsburgh.
Over the course of the next eight days, beginning tomorrow, six other Big East teams will have the opportunity to play themselves into (or out of) the NCAA Tournament or onto (or off of) the infamous tournanent bubble. An argument could be made that a seventh team could make a case for themselves if they run the table this last week as well. Below we will go over some of the key scenarios yet to play out in the final days of the Big East regular season before all 16 teams hit NYC for one last shot and the 2010 Big East Tournament.
2010 BIG EAST TOURNAMENT SEEDING AT A GLANCE
February 26, 2010 by NBE Blogger · 1 Comment
Plenty left to play for in the Big East over the final eight days of the regular season beginning tomorrow
A rare two-day break from conference action allows us to go in-depth and analyze where everyone stands with three regular season games left before the postseason gets underway. We go through the scenarios and break down the seed possibilities for the 2010 Big East Tournament, which promises to be as exciting and as wide-open as a game of online roulette. This year’s ‘Garden Party’ tips off at high noon, March 9th, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Between tomorrow (2/27) and next Saturday (3/6), everyone in the Big East will close their regular season with three conference games. Everyone is jockeying for position with conference tournament seeding up for grabs, NCAA Tournament bids and NCAA Tournament seeding riding on the outcomes of the games.
Below, we break down the scenarios and lay out the postseason landscape in the Big East. Also, we provide links for fans to secure tickets to all the action, closing the regular season and opportunities to buy 2010 Big East Tournament Tickets. Later today we will do the same with the NCAA Tournament and how the Big East teams are shaping up for their shot at making, or earning a top seed, in the Big Dance.
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