October 2008

BIG EAST IN THE NBA (10/30/2008)

NBA 3 Stars for 10/30

by Doug Ferguson

It was a light schedule for the NBA and its Big East stars on Halloween Eve but the way Ron Artest played most likely scared a lot of people.

#1 Star- Ron Artest (Houston Rockets/Saint Johns)

One of the season’s big question marks has been whether Ron Artest can mesh with his new teammates in Houston to contend for a title. In their first big road test, Artest showed the top end value he can have down in the dirty south. Artest put up 29 points and 7 rebounds as well as locking up Josh Howard on key possessions in the Rockets 10 point victory over Dallas.

#2 Star- Hilton Armstrong (New Orleans Hornets/Connecticut)

3 points, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks……not the most impressive line we’ve ever seen. However, the 3 blocks is indicative of the tone Hilton Armstrong set all not down low as Shaq had just 8 points and Amare Stoudemire was held to just 21. This was a direct result of Armstrong’s decision to not step down from the heavyweights from the opening tip.

#3 Star- Emeka Okafor (Charlotte Bobcats/Connecticut)

Its very evident that Okafor wouldn’t have been on this list on a high game volume night but he did have the 3rd best performance out of the Big East alumni. 7 points and 12 rebounds were his totals in Larry Brown’s embarrassing debut loss for Charlotte to the Cavs.

EDDIE GRIFFIN CHALLENGE: CLASS OF 2010 GAME

Juniors from Philly outscore counterparts from Jersey to take contest

by Matt Whitfield

New Jersey would try and get revenge on Philadelphia in the junior game. The roster for this game was loaded with talented player such as Shaquille Thomas (NJ), Mike Poole (NJ), Derrick Williams (NJ), Cameron Ayers (Philly), Isaiah Epps and Marcus Kennedy (Philly).

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BIG EAST ALL-TIME TOP 50 PLAYERS: #23 - #21

Today we continue the countdown of the Big East All-Time Top 50 Players compiled by NBE Basketball Report recruiting analyst and staff writer Chris Dokish.

Over the course of four weeks, leading up to the start of the 2008-2009 regular season, our top 50 list will be revealed as we countdown to the #1 Big East player of all-time.

Today we continue with a look at #23, #22 and #21 on our list. On Monday we will return as we begin the countdown of our top 20. We will unveil two members a day over the last two weeks, finishing at #1 on Friday, November 14th.

Enjoy the trip through the history of the Big East.

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EDDIE GRIFFIN CHALLENGE: CLASS OF 2011 GAME

Team from Philly upends Jersey counterparts in challenge game

by Matt Whitfield

The young and talented sophomores from New Jersey lead by Myles Davis and Sterling Gibbs started off the day facing off against a much bigger and more physical looking sophomore crew from Philadelphia, lead by Devin Coleman.

Philadelphia, who at my count, had four players that physically looked like they were in college came out and controlled the game from the start. Despite the efforts and hard fought play New Jersey could never control their own destiny as they were simply out sized and rebounded. Philadelphia controlled the rebounds by a margin of 47 to 33. They were also able to quell New Jersey runs in the 3rd and 4th quarter en route to a 93-85 victory.

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BIG EAST IN THE NBA (10/29/2008)

NBA Alumni Top Performers from 10/29

by Doug Ferguson

The first full slate of NBA action for the 08-09 season kicked off on Wednesday night. Plenty of Big East alums had big nights to begin their respective campaigns. Here is the recap.

#1 Star- Charlie Villanueva (Milwaukee Bucks/Connecticut)

Scott Skiles proved that he will play games according to what the matchup dictates on the particular night which he proved whole-heartedly on Wednesday. Charlie Villanueva, who played just 8 minutes (4 points) in the Bucks’ opener on Tuesday, scored 20 points and pulled down 12 boards Wednesday to spoil Oklahoma City’s inagural night in hosting its own pro sports team. The Bucks left the Wheat Belt with an 11 point victory. The Bucks blew the Thunder off the floor while Villanueva was in the game, outscoring them by 24 points in his 34+ minutes.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (10/30/2008)

We continually inch closer to the beginning of the regular season. Many of the Big East teams will be kicking off their season’s this weekend by holding exhibition contests against lower-division schools. So, game time is getting closer…

Speaking of getting closer, the decision on a future college for Durand Scott could be nearing. Former Arizona commit Mike Moser might wait until later to decide, a few from the Big East are trying to make their pitch to bring him east. A former Louisville commit and current Arizona frosh looks to be on the move. Also, get used to it Pitt fans, as long as the position is open, Jamie Dixon’s name will be smack dab in the middle…

Also articles looking at the seven Big East teams in the preseason top 25 according to the latest polls, Marquette’s recruiting situation and the year ahead of Wesley Johnson, a Syracuse transfer student. Articles also on Sam Young, Earl Clark, Notre Dame’s maturation and Rutgers’ and DePaul’s youth movements.

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BIG EAST ALL-TIME TOP 50 PLAYERS: #26 - #24

Today we continue the countdown of the Big East All-Time Top 50 Players compiled by NBE Basketball Report recruiting analyst and staff writer Chris Dokish.

Over the course of four weeks, leading up to the start of the 2008-2009 regular season, our top 50 list will be revealed as we countdown to the #1 Big East player of all-time.

Today we continue with a look at #26, #25 and #24 on our list. Enjoy the trip through the history of the Big East.

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CATCHING UP WITH STERLING GIBBS

Class of 2011 point guard enjoys Big East trip, plays well at EGC

It was certainly a busy weekend for Sterling Gibbs, a standout point guard from Seton Hall Prep and the NY Panthers AAU squad. The first part of the weekend, Gibbs and his family went to Pittsburgh to visit his older brother Ashton, who is a freshman with the Panthers. To finish the weekend, Sterling was on the Rutgers campus participating in the Eddie Griffin Challenge, pitting the top players from New Jersey against the top players from Philadelphia in their respective classes. The NBE Basketball Report caught up with Sterling to see how his weekend was.

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BIG EAST IN THE NBA (10/28/2008)

NBA Alumni Top Performers from 10/28

by Doug Ferguson

The Chicago Bulls got impressive performances from many of their young players in their opener against Milwaukee on Tuesday, but it was big shots from veteran Ben Gordon (UConn) that put them over the top for their first victory. Gordon had 18 off the bench including three three-pointers in the fourth quarter. Gordon steadied a very impressive second team for Chicago which also featured Kirk Hinrich and Andres Nocioni.

Former Villanova standout Malik Allen was very impressive for Milwaukee. Allen scored 10 points on 5-7 from the floor in 20 minutes. Allen is being asked to play mostly out of his natural position by coach Scott Skiles mostly backing up Andrew Bogut at center. Gordon’s former UConn teammate Charlie Villanueva scored just four points as foul trouble limited his time.

Joe Alexander (WVU) and Aaron Gray (Pitt) collected DNP’s.

Elsewhere, former All-American and Connecticut star Ray Allen saw the banner raised for his first NBA title. Allen scored just 8 points in the Celtics five point victory over the Cavs.

BELLY OF THE BE-AST (16-Shot Edition)

by Ray Mernagh

Bob Hurley, the greatest basketball coach in the world, has a “free-shot” philosophy when it comes to steals made by his Friars. The second a steal is made, Hurley’s bench is up screaming “free shot” to the players on the court. The message to the thief when he hears the chorus is that he should push the ball up the court (unless it’s the center) and create an offensive opportunity going to the basket. The message to the other four players is to bust it down the court for a likely second-shot-off-the-offensive-glass opportunity. Hurley describes it as an extra, or free, possession, therefore the player making the steal has the freedom to create the best scoring situation he can knowing full-well that a) he’s undoubtedly in a transition situation where the defense is either on their heels or flat-out retreating and b) the cavalry’s bringing up the rear.

So with the preseason prognosticating officially underway, I thought I’d pay tribute to Coach Hurley by stealing the preseason picks of the Big East Bosses (head coaches poll released at media day) and — having a pretty tight handle still — taking sixteen “free shots” of my own. Just opinions on each squad, most of them informed, others maybe not so much (there’s a reason for the comments section people). Having already been staked, let’s get to this before NBE sends the goons to my domicile.

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BIG EAST ALL-TIME TOP 50 PLAYERS: #29 - #27

Today we continue the countdown of the Big East All-Time Top 50 Players compiled by NBE Basketball Report recruiting analyst and staff writer Chris Dokish.

Over the course of the next four weeks, leading up to the start of the 2008-2009 regular season, our top 50 list will be revealed as we countdown to #1.

Today we continue with a look at #29, #28 and #27 on our list. Enjoy the trip through the history of the Big East.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (10/28/2008)

OK, another busy day around the Big East as Dominic Cheek and Isaiah Epps will take a trip to a Big East school this weekend. Fellow NJ Playaz member Jayon James has a leader and former SHU commit Jamel Jackson has a new Big East school very much on his mind.

At UConn, Gavin Edwards might be moving to a new position to help out. AJ Price is coming along a little slower which might shuggle the backcourt line-up. Also, Scottie Haralson is showing the deep tough that was expected and a blow by blow recap of practice from Monday is available.

Carleton Scott is playing well at ND and the Irish will have a big man visiting this weekend and a highly touted junior guard. Also, Gonzo unplugged, St. John’s hits the road for a practice and WVU is ahead of last year’s pace as they know a little more of what to expect from coach Huggins. There is also a tribute to a NYC AAU legend that was recently passed away.

Also today we continued the look at the Top 50 Players of the Big East and had articles on the recent Metro Classic and recruiting targets Shane Southwell and Sherrod Wright who both have plenty of Big East attention.

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CATCHING UP WITH SHERROD WRIGHT

Mt. Vernon senior continues a hot Fall with Metro Classic performance

by Zach Smart

Mount Vernon is only a few square miles, but the Westchester, N.Y.-area city has outclassed several other big city areas on the New York basketball map. The potent tradition of basketball excellence is what the 914-landscape that Dick Clark and Denzel Washington emerged from is most widely recognized for. It has always been that way, since day one.It’s a basketball breeding house that continues to grow and prosper. On every Mount Vernon playground and gym, every church team, youth club, and junior varsity team, the next legend is born.

Each year, the Knights pull together a team of 12 top-notch, athletically-gifted players. Cohesively, these young men show relentless poise, entertaining thoughts of a state championship trip even before the season breaks out. They blow local “competition” out by 30-plus and pull off pulsating upsets against some of New York City’s elite teams.

Mount Vernon is a perennial power that’s produced the likes of Rodney and Scooter McCray, the former professionals whose careers included stays with the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, and Seattle Supersonics, amongst others. More recently, the program has launched Ben Gordon (UConn/Chicago Bulls), Jomo Belfor (James Madison) Chris Lowe (UMass), Keith Benjamin (Pittsburgh), Dexter Gray (St. John’s/Iona), Jonathon Mitchell (Florida/Rutgers), Michael Colburn (Rutgers), and Kevin Jones (West Virginia) to Division-I hardwood homes or professional basketball careers.

The working class city needs basketball like the tabloids need a sex scandal, like lungs need air, and like Zeke Thomas needs to stop tarnishing his golden legacy as a player. It’s why Washington and Gordon donated a king’s ransom to keep the storied tradition intact. Yes, that’s right. In the summer, Mount Vernon faced a budget crisis, forcing them to eliminate school sports completely. With the funds supplied by a number of different people—including an anonymous $200,000 donation—Mount Vernon hoops will survive.

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BIG EAST ALL-TIME TOP 50 PLAYERS: #32 - #30

Today we continue the countdown of the Big East All-Time Top 50 Players compiled by NBE Basketball Report recruiting analyst and staff writer Chris Dokish.

Over the course of the next four weeks, leading up to the start of the 2008-2009 regular season, our top 50 list will be revealed as we countdown to #1.

Today we continue with a look at #32, #31 and #30 on our list. Enjoy the trip through the history of the Big East.

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CATCHING UP WITH SHANE SOUTHWELL

Rice High School junior recently visited Marquette, has plenty of Big East interest

While most of the attention towards the 2008-2009 Rice High School team centers around senior Durand Scott, junior Shane Southwell is carving out a very impressive following on the recruiting trail and will be a major supporting character for Scott in Rice’s quest for a championship this season.

Southwell is a versatile 6-foot-6 forward who is the definitition of ‘long and lean.’ Southwell weighs in close to 210 pounds and had a measured wingspan over the summer of 7-feet. After starting out his high school career at All Hallows, Southwell is now at Rice HS where he joins fellow NY Gaucho Scott with some impressive goals for this season, both for his team and individually.

“My expectations for my Rice team is to win the state championship and, individually, I just want to play well enough to become the # 1 player in the state of New York,” Southwell explained to NBE.

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HOWIE FRAJBERG METRO CLASSIC SUMMARY

NYC Boros hold off the ‘burbs to win on overtime, 124-120.

by Zach Smart

West Hempstead—The New York City-based Boros had fought back valiantly all afternoon, roaring back from an early 17-point deficit.

For three minutes, however, the crowd collectively crossed its fingers. Durand Scott went down hard, landing awkwardly after attempting to alter a fast break layup by the Burbs’ Sherrod Wright.

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BIG EAST ALL-TIME TOP 50 PLAYERS: #35 - #33

Today we are back for the second week of our countdown of the Big East All-Time Top 50 Players compiled by NBE Basketball Report recruiting analyst and staff writer Chris Dokish.

Over the course of the next four weeks, leading up to the start of the 2008-2009 regular season, our top 50 list will be revealed as we countdown to #1.

Today we continue with a look at #35, #34 and #33 on our list. Enjoy the trip through the history of the Big East.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (10/27/2008)

As usual, the Monday round-up is full of bits and pieces from around the league. Fans at Louisville, Pittsburgh and Providence took in preseason inter-squad scrimmages while Villanova, Syracuse and Marquette hosted some form of kick-off celebration patterned after Midnight Madness.

Also, articles on Bob Huggins binging NYC hoops to WVU, Rick Pitino considered a return to PC last spring, John Garica talks about his health and teammates, St. John’s is hoping to mature, the Big East presents all sorts of challenges in its current state and Mike Tranghese talks bout the conference he is leaving after 30 years.

There are a few injury updates on some key players, recruiting updates on Dominic Cheek and Arslalan Kazemi, while Marquette picks up a weekend commitments as well.

Do not forget, we will continue our look at the Big East All-Time Top 50 Players a little later with numbers 35, 34 and 33 of our countdown today.

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NBE BIG EAST MEDIA NOTES, PART III

by Raymond Balter

Key roles for Jordan Theodore, Mike Davis at SHU

As it stands right now, Seton Hall will enter this season thinner than Head Coach Bobby Gonzalez would like. Still, the Pirates skipper feels that his team can expect some reinforcement and improvement at two key areas that should make them a stronger team this year. He spoke about that at length to NBE Report at last Wednesday’s Big East Media Day.

Freshman point guard Jordan Theodore’s commitment to Seton Hall did not bring with it the fanfare that, two years ago, accompanied the arrival of his predecessor, incumbent starter Eugene Harvey. Still, Bobby Gonzalez feels that the addition of Theodore, along with the return of a healthy Paul Gause, can have an impact that’s just as significant – indeed, one that Harvey himself will be the primary beneficiary of.

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NBE BIG EAST MEDIA DAY NOTES, PART II

Rutgers Moving Up

Fred Hill enters his third year as head coach of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, a program that since its arrival in the Big East in 1995 has never finished above .500 in conference play. After listening to him speak at last Wednesday’s Big East Media Day, he’s clearly confident that he has the program headed in the right direction, but still cautions that it’s going to take time to turn Rutgers into a consistent winner in a league that may almost be too big and strong for its own good.

It hasn’t been an easy first two years for Hill at RU. Rutgers has gone 21-39 and twice failed to qualify for the league’s post-season tournament. They’re guaranteed to make it this year, but even if the rule hadn’t been changed, optimism would still abound around the program. That’s because Hill has lived up to his reputation as a strong recruiter, enabling the Scarlet Knights to enter this campaign with more talent and depth than in previous years – even if much of it is still quite young.

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