The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and ESPN have announced the already decided schedule of games involving MAAC teams that will be televised over the sports network during the upcoming season.
There will be some other games to receive national exposure via ESPN, but those are still to be determined.
Among the highlights is that the 2011 MAAC Women's Basketball Championship Game, scheduled for Monday, March 7 at 1:00 p.m., will be broadcast nationally for the first time on ESPNU, the 24-hour college sports network. The men’s championship game will also be played on Monday at 7:00 p.m., and will air on either ESPN or ESPN2. The Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Conn. will host the 2011 MAAC Basketball Championships from March 3-7.
Seven regular season men's basketball games will also air on ESPNU, a multimedia college sports brand highlighted by a 24-hour television network that launched March 4, 2005.
The conference's network TV schedule begins on Friday, January 7, as Niagara hosts Rider for a 9:00 p.m. matchup at the Gallagher Center. On Friday, January 21, Siena will take on host Saint Peter’s at 9:00 p.m. at the Yanitelli Center. Fairfield will host Iona on Friday, February 4 at 9:00 p.m. at the Arena at Harbor Yard.
Additionally, a wildcard game will air on ESPN2, along with a second game on ESPNU, on Friday, February 25 that will be selected in late January. Games scheduled that day are Manhattan at Canisius, Siena at Fairfield, Iona at Saint Peter’s, Loyola at Niagara and Rider at Marist.
ESPNU will broadcast three men’s and women’s basketball doubleheaders this season. On Friday, January 14, Loyola hosts Fairfield for a true twin bill, as the women’s programs play at 4:30 p.m., followed by the men’s teams at 7:00 p.m.
On Friday, January 28, the Canisius women will host the Manhattan Jaspers at 4:30 p.m., followed by the Griffs against the Niagara men at 7:00 p.m. Iona College’s Hynes Athletics Center is the locale for the final ESPNU doubleheader on Friday, February 11. The first game will feature the Gaels’ women’s program versus Marist, the defending champion, at 4:30 p.m., and then Iona men versus Siena, last year’s MAAC champion, at 7:00 p.m.
Furthermore, MAAC teams will be in television action all season long during non-conference play. Highlighting the list of those matchups is the opening round of the Old Spice Classic, as Manhattan takes on the University of Wisconsin for a 2:00 p.m. game live on ESPN2. Several other local, regional and/or national games are currently being finalized for both conference and non-conference games.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
A Look at Fairfield's Non-League Schedule
Here's another installment in the series looking at non-league schedules of conference teams.
Up now, Fairfield ...
The Stags will play home games in the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Conn., on Nov. 23 (St. Joseph's), Dec. 7 (Howard) and Dec. 20 (Vermont), will host a BracketBusters' game on Feb. 19, and are looking to fill one more home date.
Fairfield will play on the road on Nov. 13 (at Sacred Heart), Nov. 15 (at Rutgers), Nov. 19 (at Penn State), Nov. 26 (vs. Norfolk State at the Palestra in Philadelphia), Dec. 2 (at Savannah State), Dec. 12 (at Holy Cross) and Dec. 29 (at Florida).
Here's a game-by-game look at Fairfield's non-conference opponents:
- Sacred Heart: Picked for 10th in the 12-team Northeast Conference. Finished 14-15 last season. Best player: Senior point guard Jerrell Thompson (4.6 assists per game), 6-9 senior center Mehmet Sahan (4.3 rebounds). Coach Dave Bike is entering his 33rd season at the school, but the team's top four scorers from last season graduated.
- Rutgers: Picked for 14th in the 16-team Big East Conference. Finished 15-17 last season. Best player: 6-7 senior forward Jonathan Mitchell (11.8 points). The Scarlet Knights have never had a winning conference record in 15 seasons in the Big East.
- Penn State: Picked for 7th in the 11-team Big Ten Conference. Finished 11-20 last season. Best player: 6-0 senior guard Talor Battle (18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists). Battle should join 1950s-era player Jesse Arnelle as the program's only players to lead the Nittany Lions in scoring for four straight seasons.
- St. Joseph's: Picked for 10th in the 14-team Atlantic 10 Conference. Finished 11-20 last season. Best player: 6-7 junior forward Idris Hilliard (11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds).
- Norfolk State: Picked for 2nd in the 11-team Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Finished 11-19 last season. Best player: guard Rob Hampton (12.4 points, 4.4 rebounds), center Kyle Quinn (11.5, 8.6).
- Savannah State: An independent program previously, it joins the MEAC this season as a provisional member. Finished 11-15 last season. Best player: guard Tracy Rankins (13.0 points).
- Howard: Picked for 7th in the 11-team MEAC. Finished 7-25 last season. Best player: forward Calvin Thompson (12.0 points, 5.1 rebounds).
- Holy Cross: Picked for 3rd in the 8-team Patriot League. Finished 9-22 last season. Best players; 6-3 junior guard R.J. Evans (13.4, 5.1), 6-9 senior center Andrew Keister (10.2, 8.9). Keister led the Patriot League in rebounding last season.
-Vermont: Picked for 4th in the 9-team America East Conference. The Catamounts won the conference last season and finished 25-10 overall. Top Player: Evan Fjed, a 6-foot-8 senior forward (10.7 points, 6.1 rebounds per game last season). He is the team's only returning starter.
- Florida: Picked for 2nd in the 6-team East Division of the Southeast Conference. Finished 21-13 last season. Best player: 5-8 junior guard Erving Walker (10.1 points, 4.2 assists), 6-9 senior forward Chandler Parsons (12.4 points, 6.9 rebounds). The Gators won national championships in 2006 and '07. Florida's coaching staff includes former Siena head coach Rob Lanier, who is an assistant with the Gators.
Up now, Fairfield ...
The Stags will play home games in the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Conn., on Nov. 23 (St. Joseph's), Dec. 7 (Howard) and Dec. 20 (Vermont), will host a BracketBusters' game on Feb. 19, and are looking to fill one more home date.
Fairfield will play on the road on Nov. 13 (at Sacred Heart), Nov. 15 (at Rutgers), Nov. 19 (at Penn State), Nov. 26 (vs. Norfolk State at the Palestra in Philadelphia), Dec. 2 (at Savannah State), Dec. 12 (at Holy Cross) and Dec. 29 (at Florida).
Here's a game-by-game look at Fairfield's non-conference opponents:
- Sacred Heart: Picked for 10th in the 12-team Northeast Conference. Finished 14-15 last season. Best player: Senior point guard Jerrell Thompson (4.6 assists per game), 6-9 senior center Mehmet Sahan (4.3 rebounds). Coach Dave Bike is entering his 33rd season at the school, but the team's top four scorers from last season graduated.
- Rutgers: Picked for 14th in the 16-team Big East Conference. Finished 15-17 last season. Best player: 6-7 senior forward Jonathan Mitchell (11.8 points). The Scarlet Knights have never had a winning conference record in 15 seasons in the Big East.
- Penn State: Picked for 7th in the 11-team Big Ten Conference. Finished 11-20 last season. Best player: 6-0 senior guard Talor Battle (18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists). Battle should join 1950s-era player Jesse Arnelle as the program's only players to lead the Nittany Lions in scoring for four straight seasons.
- St. Joseph's: Picked for 10th in the 14-team Atlantic 10 Conference. Finished 11-20 last season. Best player: 6-7 junior forward Idris Hilliard (11.2 points, 5.4 rebounds).
- Norfolk State: Picked for 2nd in the 11-team Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Finished 11-19 last season. Best player: guard Rob Hampton (12.4 points, 4.4 rebounds), center Kyle Quinn (11.5, 8.6).
- Savannah State: An independent program previously, it joins the MEAC this season as a provisional member. Finished 11-15 last season. Best player: guard Tracy Rankins (13.0 points).
- Howard: Picked for 7th in the 11-team MEAC. Finished 7-25 last season. Best player: forward Calvin Thompson (12.0 points, 5.1 rebounds).
- Holy Cross: Picked for 3rd in the 8-team Patriot League. Finished 9-22 last season. Best players; 6-3 junior guard R.J. Evans (13.4, 5.1), 6-9 senior center Andrew Keister (10.2, 8.9). Keister led the Patriot League in rebounding last season.
-Vermont: Picked for 4th in the 9-team America East Conference. The Catamounts won the conference last season and finished 25-10 overall. Top Player: Evan Fjed, a 6-foot-8 senior forward (10.7 points, 6.1 rebounds per game last season). He is the team's only returning starter.
- Florida: Picked for 2nd in the 6-team East Division of the Southeast Conference. Finished 21-13 last season. Best player: 5-8 junior guard Erving Walker (10.1 points, 4.2 assists), 6-9 senior forward Chandler Parsons (12.4 points, 6.9 rebounds). The Gators won national championships in 2006 and '07. Florida's coaching staff includes former Siena head coach Rob Lanier, who is an assistant with the Gators.
Monday, September 27, 2010
A Look at Marist's Non-League Schedule
Here's another installment in the series looking at non-league schedules of conference teams.
Up now, Marist.
The Red Foxes play home games on Nov. 27 (UC Irvine), Dec. 10 (Leigh), Dec. 19 (Holy Cross), Dec. 29 (Penn) and either Feb. 19 or 20 (a BrackeBusters game).
Marist plays away games in the preseason NIT on Nov. 16 (at Villanova), Nov. 17 (vs. either George Washington or Boston University at Villanova), Nov. 19 (at Boston University), Nov. 22 and 23 (preseason NIT games at sites and vs. opponents to be determined), Dec. 7 (at Rutgers), Dec. 12 (at Vermont), and Jan 5 (at Princeton).
Here's a game-by-game breakdown of Marist's non-conference opponents:
- Villanova: Picked for 3rd in the 16-team Big East Conference. Finished 25-8 last season. Best players: 6-8 senior forward Antonio Pena (10.5 points, 7.0 rebounds), 6-5 senior guard Corey Stokes (9.5 points). The Wildcats also have incoming 6-7 freshman forward JayVaughn, a McDonald's All-American; and, 6-5 freshman guard James Bell, a High School All-American by USA Today and Parade Magazine.
- Boston University: Picked for 3rd in the 9-team American East Conference. Finished 21-14 last season. Top players: 6-5 senior guard/forward John Holland (19.2, 6.1), 6-8 junior forward Jack O'brien (13.8, 6.4).
- UC Irvine: Picked for 9th in the 9-team Big West Conference. Finished 14-18 last season. Best player: 6-5 senior forward Eric Wise (16.3, 6.5).
- Rutgers: Picked for 14th in the 16-team Big East Conference. Finished 15-17 last season. Best player: 6-7 senior forward Jonathan Mitchell (11.8 points).
- Lehigh: Picked for 5th in the 8-team Patriot League. Finished 22-11 last season. Best player: 6-3 freshman guard C.J. McCollum (19.1, 5.0). McCullum led all freshmen nationally in scoring last season.
-Vermont: Picked for 4th in the 9-team America East Conference. The Catamounts won the conference last season and finished 25-10 overall. Top Player: Evan Fjed, a 6-foot-8 senior forward (10.7 points, 6.1 rebounds per game last season). He is the team's only returning starter.
- Holy Cross: Picked for 3rd in the 8-team Patriot League. Finished 9-22 last season. Best players; 6-3 junior guard R.J. Evans (13.4, 5.1), 6-9 senior center Andrew Keister (10.2, 8.9). Keister led the Patriot League in rebounding last season.
- Penn: Picked for 5th in the 8-team Ivy League. Finished 6-22 last season. Best player: 6-1 junior point guard Zack Rosen (17.7, 44 assists).
- Princeton: Picked for 2nd in the eight-team Ivy League. Finished 22-9 last season. Best Player: Sophomore forward Ian Hunter (6.9, 3.1)
Up now, Marist.
The Red Foxes play home games on Nov. 27 (UC Irvine), Dec. 10 (Leigh), Dec. 19 (Holy Cross), Dec. 29 (Penn) and either Feb. 19 or 20 (a BrackeBusters game).
Marist plays away games in the preseason NIT on Nov. 16 (at Villanova), Nov. 17 (vs. either George Washington or Boston University at Villanova), Nov. 19 (at Boston University), Nov. 22 and 23 (preseason NIT games at sites and vs. opponents to be determined), Dec. 7 (at Rutgers), Dec. 12 (at Vermont), and Jan 5 (at Princeton).
Here's a game-by-game breakdown of Marist's non-conference opponents:
- Villanova: Picked for 3rd in the 16-team Big East Conference. Finished 25-8 last season. Best players: 6-8 senior forward Antonio Pena (10.5 points, 7.0 rebounds), 6-5 senior guard Corey Stokes (9.5 points). The Wildcats also have incoming 6-7 freshman forward JayVaughn, a McDonald's All-American; and, 6-5 freshman guard James Bell, a High School All-American by USA Today and Parade Magazine.
- Boston University: Picked for 3rd in the 9-team American East Conference. Finished 21-14 last season. Top players: 6-5 senior guard/forward John Holland (19.2, 6.1), 6-8 junior forward Jack O'brien (13.8, 6.4).
- UC Irvine: Picked for 9th in the 9-team Big West Conference. Finished 14-18 last season. Best player: 6-5 senior forward Eric Wise (16.3, 6.5).
- Rutgers: Picked for 14th in the 16-team Big East Conference. Finished 15-17 last season. Best player: 6-7 senior forward Jonathan Mitchell (11.8 points).
- Lehigh: Picked for 5th in the 8-team Patriot League. Finished 22-11 last season. Best player: 6-3 freshman guard C.J. McCollum (19.1, 5.0). McCullum led all freshmen nationally in scoring last season.
-Vermont: Picked for 4th in the 9-team America East Conference. The Catamounts won the conference last season and finished 25-10 overall. Top Player: Evan Fjed, a 6-foot-8 senior forward (10.7 points, 6.1 rebounds per game last season). He is the team's only returning starter.
- Holy Cross: Picked for 3rd in the 8-team Patriot League. Finished 9-22 last season. Best players; 6-3 junior guard R.J. Evans (13.4, 5.1), 6-9 senior center Andrew Keister (10.2, 8.9). Keister led the Patriot League in rebounding last season.
- Penn: Picked for 5th in the 8-team Ivy League. Finished 6-22 last season. Best player: 6-1 junior point guard Zack Rosen (17.7, 44 assists).
- Princeton: Picked for 2nd in the eight-team Ivy League. Finished 22-9 last season. Best Player: Sophomore forward Ian Hunter (6.9, 3.1)
Sunday, September 26, 2010
A Look at Canisius's Non-League Schedule
Here's another installment in the series looking at non-league games for men's conference teams.
Up now, Canisius.
The Golden Griffins will play home games on Nov. 12 (St. Bonaventure), Nov. 20 (Eastern Michigan), Nov. 23 (Buffalo), Dec. 10 (St. Francis of N.Y.), and Dec. 29 (Northwestern State).
Canisius plays away games on Nov. 14 (at Syracuse), Nov. 30 (at Binghamton), Dec. 19 (at Northwestern State), Dec. 22 (at Lamar), and Feb. 19 (in a to-be determined BracketBusters game).
Here's a game-by-game look at Canisius' non-league opponents:
- St. Bonaventure: Picked for 14th in the 14-team Atlantic 10 Conference. Finished 15-16 last season. Best player: 6-9 junior forward Andrew Nicholson (16.4 points, 7.1 rebounds).
- Syracuse: Picked to win the 16-team Big East Conference. Finished 30-5 last season, but lost forward Wesley Johnson to the NBA. Top Players: 6-7 junior forward Kris Joseph (10.8 points, 5.5 rebounds), who was the Big East's Sixth Man of the Year last season. Also, 6-9 senior forward Rick Jackson (9.7 points, 8.0 rebounds) and 6-4 sophomore Brandon Triche (8.1 points).
- Eastern Michigan: Picked for third in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference. Finished 17-15 last season. Best player: 6-6 senior forward Brandon Bowdry (16.3 points, 10. rebounds).
- Buffalo: Picked for 6th in the 6-team East Division of the Mid American Conference. Finished 18-12 last season. Lost all five starters and top six scorers from last season. Top player: 6-7 junior forward Titus Robinson (5.8 points).
-Binghamton: Picked for 6th in the 9-team America East Conference. Finished 11-17 last season. Best player: 6-7 senior forward Greer Wright (15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds).
- St. Francis (N.Y.): Picked for 5th in the 12-team Northeast Conference. Finished 11-18 last season. Best players: 6-2 senior guard Ricky Caldell (15.9 points), 6-3 senior guard/forward Akeem Bennett (15.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists). Former Canisius standout Clive Bentick (1997-2001) is an assistant coach at St. Francis.
- Northwestern State: Picked for 4th in the 6-team East Division of the Southland Conference. Best players: 6-1 senior guard Devon Baker (14.0 points), 6-5 senior forward Will pratt (13.4 points, 4.1 rebounds). In a relatively unusual arrangement, the Griffs play a home-and-home series with Northwestern State.
- Lamar: Picked for 3rd in the 6-team East Division of the Southland Conference. Finished 14-18 last season. Best player: 6-1 senior guard Anthony Miles (14.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists).
Up now, Canisius.
The Golden Griffins will play home games on Nov. 12 (St. Bonaventure), Nov. 20 (Eastern Michigan), Nov. 23 (Buffalo), Dec. 10 (St. Francis of N.Y.), and Dec. 29 (Northwestern State).
Canisius plays away games on Nov. 14 (at Syracuse), Nov. 30 (at Binghamton), Dec. 19 (at Northwestern State), Dec. 22 (at Lamar), and Feb. 19 (in a to-be determined BracketBusters game).
Here's a game-by-game look at Canisius' non-league opponents:
- St. Bonaventure: Picked for 14th in the 14-team Atlantic 10 Conference. Finished 15-16 last season. Best player: 6-9 junior forward Andrew Nicholson (16.4 points, 7.1 rebounds).
- Syracuse: Picked to win the 16-team Big East Conference. Finished 30-5 last season, but lost forward Wesley Johnson to the NBA. Top Players: 6-7 junior forward Kris Joseph (10.8 points, 5.5 rebounds), who was the Big East's Sixth Man of the Year last season. Also, 6-9 senior forward Rick Jackson (9.7 points, 8.0 rebounds) and 6-4 sophomore Brandon Triche (8.1 points).
- Eastern Michigan: Picked for third in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference. Finished 17-15 last season. Best player: 6-6 senior forward Brandon Bowdry (16.3 points, 10. rebounds).
- Buffalo: Picked for 6th in the 6-team East Division of the Mid American Conference. Finished 18-12 last season. Lost all five starters and top six scorers from last season. Top player: 6-7 junior forward Titus Robinson (5.8 points).
-Binghamton: Picked for 6th in the 9-team America East Conference. Finished 11-17 last season. Best player: 6-7 senior forward Greer Wright (15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds).
- St. Francis (N.Y.): Picked for 5th in the 12-team Northeast Conference. Finished 11-18 last season. Best players: 6-2 senior guard Ricky Caldell (15.9 points), 6-3 senior guard/forward Akeem Bennett (15.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists). Former Canisius standout Clive Bentick (1997-2001) is an assistant coach at St. Francis.
- Northwestern State: Picked for 4th in the 6-team East Division of the Southland Conference. Best players: 6-1 senior guard Devon Baker (14.0 points), 6-5 senior forward Will pratt (13.4 points, 4.1 rebounds). In a relatively unusual arrangement, the Griffs play a home-and-home series with Northwestern State.
- Lamar: Picked for 3rd in the 6-team East Division of the Southland Conference. Finished 14-18 last season. Best player: 6-1 senior guard Anthony Miles (14.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists).
Saturday, September 25, 2010
A Look at Rider's Non-League Schedule
Here's another look at non-league schedules of conference teams. Up now, Rider.
The Broncs play home non-conference games on Nov. 14 (LaFayette), Nov. 29 (Hofstra), Dec. 8 (UMBC), and Dec. 15 (Monmouth).
They hit the road for games on Nov. 12 (at UMass), Nov. 17 (at Southern California), in the Springfield Basketball Hall of Fame event on Nov. 20 (Texas Christian) and Nov. 21 (Loyola Marymount), Dec. 4 (at Pittsburgh), Dec. 11 (at Drexel), Dec. 22 (at La Salle), and Dec. 28 (at Howard).
Here's a game-by-game breakdown of Rider's non-league opponents:
- Lafayette: Picked for first (by The Sporting News' College Basketball Preview magazine) in the 8-team Patriot League. Finished 8-6 in the Patriot League and 19-13 overall last season. Best player: 6-9 senior center Jared Mintz (14.1 points, 5.7 rebounds) who became the first player ever to lead the league in field-goal percentage (.537) and free-throw percentage (.873) in the same season.
- USC: Picked for 8th in the 10-team PAC-10. Finished 16-14 overall last season. Best player: Junior forward Nikola Vucevic (10.7 points, 9.4 rebounds). USC's head coach is Kevin O'Neill, who worked for several years with NBA teams, including one (2004-05) as the head coach of the Toronto Raptors.
- Texas Christian University: Picked for 7th in the 9-team Mountain West Conference. Finished 13-19 overall last season. Best player: 6-2 junior point guard Ronnie Moss (14.9 points, 5.9 assists last season).
- Loyola Marymount: Picked for 3rd in the 9-team West Coast Conference. Finished 18-16 overall last season. Best players: 6-8 junior forward Drew Viney (16.7 points, 7.0 rebounds) and 6-4 senior guard Vernon Teel (15.4 points, 5.4 assists). After a 3-win 2008-09 season, the Lions' jump to 18 was the second-biggest jump in the country (Coastal Carolina's was the biggest). All five starters return from last season.
- Hofstra: Picked for 7th in the 12-team Colonial Athletic Association. Finished 19-15 overall last season. Best player: 6-3 senior guard Charles Jenkins (20.6 points per game), who was 20th nationally in scoring last season. Former Iona and Providence coach Tim Welsh originally signed to coach Hofstra only to resign three days laster after a DWI arrest. Former College assistant coach Mo Cassara replaced Welsh. Former Iona assistant coach Steve DeMeo is the team's associate head coach.
- Pittsburgh: Picked for 2nd in the 16-team Big East Conference. Finished 25-9 last season. Best players: Junior guard Ashton Gibbs (15.7 points), senior point guard Brad Wanamaker (12.3 points, 4.7 assists).
-UMBC: Picked for 8th in the 8-team America East Conference. Finished 4-26 last season. Best Player: 5-10 senior point guard Chris De La Rosa (11.7 points, 5.1 assists). De La Rosa began his career at Siena College, where he was a reserve as a freshman. UMBC's roster also includes 6-9 center Laurence Jolicoeur, a graduate student, who played three seasons at Manhattan.
- Drexel: Picked for 6th in the 12-team Colonial Athletic Association. Finished 16-16 last season. Best players: 6-5 junior forward Samme Givens (8.3 points, 8.3 rebounds), 6-2 sophomore guard Chris Fouch (11.3 points).
- Monmouth: Picked for 9th in the 12-team Northeast Conference. Finished 12-19 last season. Best player: Senior guard Will Campbell 911.2 points).
- La Salle Picked for 11th in the 14-team Atlantic 10 Conference. Finished 12-18 last season. Best player: 6-10 sophomore forward Aaric Murray (12.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 blocks).
- Howard: Picked for 7th in the 11-team Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Finished 7-25 last season. Best player: Senior forward Calvin Thompson (12.0 points, 5.1 rebounds).
The Broncs play home non-conference games on Nov. 14 (LaFayette), Nov. 29 (Hofstra), Dec. 8 (UMBC), and Dec. 15 (Monmouth).
They hit the road for games on Nov. 12 (at UMass), Nov. 17 (at Southern California), in the Springfield Basketball Hall of Fame event on Nov. 20 (Texas Christian) and Nov. 21 (Loyola Marymount), Dec. 4 (at Pittsburgh), Dec. 11 (at Drexel), Dec. 22 (at La Salle), and Dec. 28 (at Howard).
Here's a game-by-game breakdown of Rider's non-league opponents:
- Lafayette: Picked for first (by The Sporting News' College Basketball Preview magazine) in the 8-team Patriot League. Finished 8-6 in the Patriot League and 19-13 overall last season. Best player: 6-9 senior center Jared Mintz (14.1 points, 5.7 rebounds) who became the first player ever to lead the league in field-goal percentage (.537) and free-throw percentage (.873) in the same season.
- USC: Picked for 8th in the 10-team PAC-10. Finished 16-14 overall last season. Best player: Junior forward Nikola Vucevic (10.7 points, 9.4 rebounds). USC's head coach is Kevin O'Neill, who worked for several years with NBA teams, including one (2004-05) as the head coach of the Toronto Raptors.
- Texas Christian University: Picked for 7th in the 9-team Mountain West Conference. Finished 13-19 overall last season. Best player: 6-2 junior point guard Ronnie Moss (14.9 points, 5.9 assists last season).
- Loyola Marymount: Picked for 3rd in the 9-team West Coast Conference. Finished 18-16 overall last season. Best players: 6-8 junior forward Drew Viney (16.7 points, 7.0 rebounds) and 6-4 senior guard Vernon Teel (15.4 points, 5.4 assists). After a 3-win 2008-09 season, the Lions' jump to 18 was the second-biggest jump in the country (Coastal Carolina's was the biggest). All five starters return from last season.
- Hofstra: Picked for 7th in the 12-team Colonial Athletic Association. Finished 19-15 overall last season. Best player: 6-3 senior guard Charles Jenkins (20.6 points per game), who was 20th nationally in scoring last season. Former Iona and Providence coach Tim Welsh originally signed to coach Hofstra only to resign three days laster after a DWI arrest. Former College assistant coach Mo Cassara replaced Welsh. Former Iona assistant coach Steve DeMeo is the team's associate head coach.
- Pittsburgh: Picked for 2nd in the 16-team Big East Conference. Finished 25-9 last season. Best players: Junior guard Ashton Gibbs (15.7 points), senior point guard Brad Wanamaker (12.3 points, 4.7 assists).
-UMBC: Picked for 8th in the 8-team America East Conference. Finished 4-26 last season. Best Player: 5-10 senior point guard Chris De La Rosa (11.7 points, 5.1 assists). De La Rosa began his career at Siena College, where he was a reserve as a freshman. UMBC's roster also includes 6-9 center Laurence Jolicoeur, a graduate student, who played three seasons at Manhattan.
- Drexel: Picked for 6th in the 12-team Colonial Athletic Association. Finished 16-16 last season. Best players: 6-5 junior forward Samme Givens (8.3 points, 8.3 rebounds), 6-2 sophomore guard Chris Fouch (11.3 points).
- Monmouth: Picked for 9th in the 12-team Northeast Conference. Finished 12-19 last season. Best player: Senior guard Will Campbell 911.2 points).
- La Salle Picked for 11th in the 14-team Atlantic 10 Conference. Finished 12-18 last season. Best player: 6-10 sophomore forward Aaric Murray (12.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 blocks).
- Howard: Picked for 7th in the 11-team Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Finished 7-25 last season. Best player: Senior forward Calvin Thompson (12.0 points, 5.1 rebounds).
Sheehan Opts to Leave Georgia Tech
Siena's Dec. 22nd game at Albany's Times Union Center against Georgia Tech lost a little bit of luster when it was recently reported that former Capital Region high school standout Brad Sheehan, a 7-foot senior center/forward, has decided not to return to the team for the upcoming season.
Sheehan is a graduate of Shaker High School, located about a mile away from Siena. His career at Georgia Tech never reached the heights that Yellowjackets' coach Paul Hewitt had hoped for. In Sheehan, Hewitt saw a mobile big man who could shoot from long range and had above-average on-court instincts. But, Sheehan was relatively slender and never added the bulk/strength required to absorb and administer the inside pounding in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Still, fans in upstate New York were looking forward to his return and the primary scheduling of the Georgia Tech-Siena series, which began last season with a Siena game in Atlanta, was to give Sheehan a home-town showcase in his senior season.
Sheehan would have been a redshirt senior since he redshirted during his true freshman season. He graduated with a degree in management in May. While at Georgia Tech he averaged 1.3 points in 7.6 minutes per game last season. In three seasons, he averaged 1.6 points and 1.6 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per game.
In the interest of full disclosure, your blogger has known Sheehan since the young man was eight or nine years old. He is a terrific person who chose Georgia Tech as much for its academic opportunities as for its basketball. He graduated on time with dean's list work throughout his four years.
Whether he chases professional basketball overseas, or moves into the work force, your blogger knows this young man will be a success.
And while he'll be missed when Georgia Tech comes to Siena's court this season, the contest still remains highly anticipated locally since Hewitt formerly coached the Saints in the late 1990s.
Sheehan is a graduate of Shaker High School, located about a mile away from Siena. His career at Georgia Tech never reached the heights that Yellowjackets' coach Paul Hewitt had hoped for. In Sheehan, Hewitt saw a mobile big man who could shoot from long range and had above-average on-court instincts. But, Sheehan was relatively slender and never added the bulk/strength required to absorb and administer the inside pounding in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Still, fans in upstate New York were looking forward to his return and the primary scheduling of the Georgia Tech-Siena series, which began last season with a Siena game in Atlanta, was to give Sheehan a home-town showcase in his senior season.
Sheehan would have been a redshirt senior since he redshirted during his true freshman season. He graduated with a degree in management in May. While at Georgia Tech he averaged 1.3 points in 7.6 minutes per game last season. In three seasons, he averaged 1.6 points and 1.6 rebounds in 8.4 minutes per game.
In the interest of full disclosure, your blogger has known Sheehan since the young man was eight or nine years old. He is a terrific person who chose Georgia Tech as much for its academic opportunities as for its basketball. He graduated on time with dean's list work throughout his four years.
Whether he chases professional basketball overseas, or moves into the work force, your blogger knows this young man will be a success.
And while he'll be missed when Georgia Tech comes to Siena's court this season, the contest still remains highly anticipated locally since Hewitt formerly coached the Saints in the late 1990s.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
A Look at Siena's Non-League Schedule
Here's the latest in the series looking at non-league schedules of conference teams.
Up now, Siena.
The Saints play home games on Nov. 13 (Vermont), Nov. 23 (Butler), Dec. 4 (UAlbany), Dec. 13 (Florida Atlantic), and Dec. 22 (Georgia Tech).
Away games are Nov. 15 (at Minnesota), Nov. 20 (at Northeastern), Nov. 28 (at Princeton), Dec. 28 (at St. Bonaventure) and Dec. 31 (at St. Joseph's).
Siena will also host a Feb. 19 BracketBusters game against an opponent to be determined.
Here's a game-by-game look at Siena's non-conference opponents:
- Vermont: Picked for fourth (by The Sporting News' College Basketball Preview magazine) in the 9-team America East Conference. The Catamounts won the conference last season and finished 25-10 overall. Top Player: Evan Fjed, a 6-foot-8 senior forward (10.7 points, 6.1 rebounds per game last season). He is the team's only returning starter.
- Minnesota: Picked for 8th in the 11-team Big 10 Conference. Finished 21-14 last season. Top Player: Senior guard Blake Hoffarber (10.0 points, 3.6 rebounds) with a 3-point shooting percentage of 46.7, third-best nationally last season. The last time the two programs met was in the second round of the 1989 NCAA tournament (Minnesota won, 80-67).
- Northeastern: Picked for 5th in the 12-team Colonial Athletic Association. Finished 20-13 last season. Top player: Senior Chaisson Allen (11.1, 4.9), a 6-4 guard.
- Butler: Picked to win the 10-team Horizon League. Finished 33-5 last season and advanced to the NCAA tournament's chamnpionship game before losing there to Duke. Top Players: Senior guard Shelvin Mack (14.1 points per game), 6-8 senuior forward Matt Howard (11.6, 5.2).
- Princeton: Picked for 2nd in the eight-team Ivy League. Finished 22-9 last season. Best Player: Sophomore forward Ian Hunter (6.9, 3.1).
- University at Albany: Picked for 8th in the 9-team America East Conference. Finished 7-25 last season. Best player: 6-2 senior guard Tim Ambrose (12.4, 5.3).
- Florida Atlantic: Picked for 3rd in the 6-team East Division of the Sun Belt Conference. Finished 14-16 last season. Best player: Freshman guard Greg Gantt (15.6, 2.4). The team's head coach is Mike Jarvis who previously coached at Boston University, George Washington University and St. John's.
- Georgia Tech: - Georgia Tech: Picked for 10th in the 12-team Atlantic Coast Conference. Finished 23-13 last year, but lost two players early to the NBA, including Derrick Favors, the No. 3 pick overall by the New Jersey Nets in this past season's draft. Best player; Guard Iman Shumpert (10.0 points, 4.0 assists). The game is a homecoming for two members of the program. Head coach Paul Hewitt coached at Siena (1997-98 through the 1999-00 seasons). Reserve senior forward Brad Sheehan played scholastically at Shaker High School, about a mile away from Siena's campus.
- St. Bonaventure: Picked for 14th in the 14-team Atlantic 10 Conference. Finished 15-16 last season. Best player: Junior forward Andrew Nicholson (16.4, 7.1).
- Saint Joseph's: Picked for 10th in the 14-team Atlantic 10 Conference. Finished 11-20 last season. Best Player: Guards Darren Govens (13.9), Garrett Williamson (12.2).
Up now, Siena.
The Saints play home games on Nov. 13 (Vermont), Nov. 23 (Butler), Dec. 4 (UAlbany), Dec. 13 (Florida Atlantic), and Dec. 22 (Georgia Tech).
Away games are Nov. 15 (at Minnesota), Nov. 20 (at Northeastern), Nov. 28 (at Princeton), Dec. 28 (at St. Bonaventure) and Dec. 31 (at St. Joseph's).
Siena will also host a Feb. 19 BracketBusters game against an opponent to be determined.
Here's a game-by-game look at Siena's non-conference opponents:
- Vermont: Picked for fourth (by The Sporting News' College Basketball Preview magazine) in the 9-team America East Conference. The Catamounts won the conference last season and finished 25-10 overall. Top Player: Evan Fjed, a 6-foot-8 senior forward (10.7 points, 6.1 rebounds per game last season). He is the team's only returning starter.
- Minnesota: Picked for 8th in the 11-team Big 10 Conference. Finished 21-14 last season. Top Player: Senior guard Blake Hoffarber (10.0 points, 3.6 rebounds) with a 3-point shooting percentage of 46.7, third-best nationally last season. The last time the two programs met was in the second round of the 1989 NCAA tournament (Minnesota won, 80-67).
- Northeastern: Picked for 5th in the 12-team Colonial Athletic Association. Finished 20-13 last season. Top player: Senior Chaisson Allen (11.1, 4.9), a 6-4 guard.
- Butler: Picked to win the 10-team Horizon League. Finished 33-5 last season and advanced to the NCAA tournament's chamnpionship game before losing there to Duke. Top Players: Senior guard Shelvin Mack (14.1 points per game), 6-8 senuior forward Matt Howard (11.6, 5.2).
- Princeton: Picked for 2nd in the eight-team Ivy League. Finished 22-9 last season. Best Player: Sophomore forward Ian Hunter (6.9, 3.1).
- University at Albany: Picked for 8th in the 9-team America East Conference. Finished 7-25 last season. Best player: 6-2 senior guard Tim Ambrose (12.4, 5.3).
- Florida Atlantic: Picked for 3rd in the 6-team East Division of the Sun Belt Conference. Finished 14-16 last season. Best player: Freshman guard Greg Gantt (15.6, 2.4). The team's head coach is Mike Jarvis who previously coached at Boston University, George Washington University and St. John's.
- Georgia Tech: - Georgia Tech: Picked for 10th in the 12-team Atlantic Coast Conference. Finished 23-13 last year, but lost two players early to the NBA, including Derrick Favors, the No. 3 pick overall by the New Jersey Nets in this past season's draft. Best player; Guard Iman Shumpert (10.0 points, 4.0 assists). The game is a homecoming for two members of the program. Head coach Paul Hewitt coached at Siena (1997-98 through the 1999-00 seasons). Reserve senior forward Brad Sheehan played scholastically at Shaker High School, about a mile away from Siena's campus.
- St. Bonaventure: Picked for 14th in the 14-team Atlantic 10 Conference. Finished 15-16 last season. Best player: Junior forward Andrew Nicholson (16.4, 7.1).
- Saint Joseph's: Picked for 10th in the 14-team Atlantic 10 Conference. Finished 11-20 last season. Best Player: Guards Darren Govens (13.9), Garrett Williamson (12.2).
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Siena Men/Women Recruiting Roundup
Here's the final installment of the series looking at players joining MAAC programs for the coming season.
Up now ...
SIENA
MEN
- Rakeem Brookins, 5-10 guard, Roman Catholic H.S., Philadelphia
Brookins averaged 18,9 points and six assists per game this past season.
Brookins originally committed to attend Tulane university, but was released from his commitment there after a coaching change.
"When we heard he was available, we made him a prime target because we felt the need to bring in a point guard," Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro said. "So he fills that need. But the unique thing about him is he can also score, so I'd characterize him as a scoring point guard. He has the ability to make threes, so he adds that dimension."
- Trenity Burdine, 6-5 forward/guard, Reading (Pa.) H.S.
No senior season statistics available.
Your blogger has seen Burdine play a number of times in AAU events. He is a versatile wing player whose multiple skill set is reminiscent of former Saint Edwin Ubiles.
- Brandon Walters, 6-9 center/forward, transfer from Seton Hall
He averaged 1.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per game appearing in 28 contests during the 2008-09 season at Seton Hall.
Walters is a true big man, a 245-pounder, who is eligible for the coming season after sitting out last season due to transfer rules. He did practice with the Saints last season and showed an ability to be effective in the post as well as a nice mid-range lefty shot.
ANALYSIS: All three new players will contend for playing time, with Brookins and Burdine competing for starting roles.
WOMEN
- Ciara Stewart, 5-7 point guard, North Point H.S., Pomfert, Md.
Stewart averaged 11.4 points, 7.2 assists and 5.2 steals this past season.
Stewart is a true point guard who will add quickness and athleticism to the Saints.
- Onyx Mintah, 6-1 center/forward, Hun Schoo, Princeton, N.J.
No senior season statistics available, but she averaged 10.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game as a junior.
"Onyx is a very athletic and strong post player," said Siena coach Gina Castelli. "She will add much needed depth and size to our front court. She also has incredible potential to be very good as her years go on here at Siena."
- Allison Mullings, 5-9 guard, Northwest Catholic H.S., West Hartford, Conn.
No senior season statistics available, but she averaged 15 points, six rebounds and five assists per game as a junior.
"Ally is an athletic combo guard," said Castelli. "She has an excellent mid-range game, along with speed and quickness on the defensive end. She has the potential to become a go-to player in her career at Siena.
- Kanika Cummings, 5-7 guard, Masuk H.S., Monroe, Conn.
No senior season statistics available. She averaged 16.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game as a junior.
"Kanika can play both the two guard and point positions," Castelli said. "She has the ability to score off the dribble as well as hit the 3-point shot. She has very good leadership qualities that could translate well into the point guard position."
- Kate Zarotney, 6-0 forward, Berlin (Conn.) H.S.
No senior season statistics available. She averaged 14.5 points, nine rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game as a junior.
"Kate is a talented and athletic forward," Castelli said. "She can play both inside and out. Her toughness and her will to compete are qualities that will make a difference in every game."
ANALYSIS: All five freshmen add quickness and athleticism to the program. Zarotney and Mullings looked the most-ready to contribute early, but all five incoming players appear capable of contributing in the not-so-distant future.
Up now ...
SIENA
MEN
- Rakeem Brookins, 5-10 guard, Roman Catholic H.S., Philadelphia
Brookins averaged 18,9 points and six assists per game this past season.
Brookins originally committed to attend Tulane university, but was released from his commitment there after a coaching change.
"When we heard he was available, we made him a prime target because we felt the need to bring in a point guard," Siena coach Mitch Buonaguro said. "So he fills that need. But the unique thing about him is he can also score, so I'd characterize him as a scoring point guard. He has the ability to make threes, so he adds that dimension."
- Trenity Burdine, 6-5 forward/guard, Reading (Pa.) H.S.
No senior season statistics available.
Your blogger has seen Burdine play a number of times in AAU events. He is a versatile wing player whose multiple skill set is reminiscent of former Saint Edwin Ubiles.
- Brandon Walters, 6-9 center/forward, transfer from Seton Hall
He averaged 1.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per game appearing in 28 contests during the 2008-09 season at Seton Hall.
Walters is a true big man, a 245-pounder, who is eligible for the coming season after sitting out last season due to transfer rules. He did practice with the Saints last season and showed an ability to be effective in the post as well as a nice mid-range lefty shot.
ANALYSIS: All three new players will contend for playing time, with Brookins and Burdine competing for starting roles.
WOMEN
- Ciara Stewart, 5-7 point guard, North Point H.S., Pomfert, Md.
Stewart averaged 11.4 points, 7.2 assists and 5.2 steals this past season.
Stewart is a true point guard who will add quickness and athleticism to the Saints.
- Onyx Mintah, 6-1 center/forward, Hun Schoo, Princeton, N.J.
No senior season statistics available, but she averaged 10.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game as a junior.
"Onyx is a very athletic and strong post player," said Siena coach Gina Castelli. "She will add much needed depth and size to our front court. She also has incredible potential to be very good as her years go on here at Siena."
- Allison Mullings, 5-9 guard, Northwest Catholic H.S., West Hartford, Conn.
No senior season statistics available, but she averaged 15 points, six rebounds and five assists per game as a junior.
"Ally is an athletic combo guard," said Castelli. "She has an excellent mid-range game, along with speed and quickness on the defensive end. She has the potential to become a go-to player in her career at Siena.
- Kanika Cummings, 5-7 guard, Masuk H.S., Monroe, Conn.
No senior season statistics available. She averaged 16.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game as a junior.
"Kanika can play both the two guard and point positions," Castelli said. "She has the ability to score off the dribble as well as hit the 3-point shot. She has very good leadership qualities that could translate well into the point guard position."
- Kate Zarotney, 6-0 forward, Berlin (Conn.) H.S.
No senior season statistics available. She averaged 14.5 points, nine rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game as a junior.
"Kate is a talented and athletic forward," Castelli said. "She can play both inside and out. Her toughness and her will to compete are qualities that will make a difference in every game."
ANALYSIS: All five freshmen add quickness and athleticism to the program. Zarotney and Mullings looked the most-ready to contribute early, but all five incoming players appear capable of contributing in the not-so-distant future.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Fairfield Men/Women Recruiting Recap
Here's the latest in a series looking at incoming player to MAAC programs.
Up now ...
FAIRFIELD
MEN
- Maurice Barrow, 6-5 forward, Christ The King H.S., NYC
Barrow averaged 12.4 points and 6.5 points per game last season.
- Jamel Fields, 6-1 guard, Cheshire (Conn.) Academy prep school
No statistics available for last season, but Fields averaged 20.8 points per game in the 2008-09 season playing at Albany (N.Y.) Academy.
Your blogger has seen Fields play a number of times. He is an athletic guard who is capable of playing either backcourt spot, but seems more of a shooter than a distributor.
- Keith Matthews, 6-5 forward, Sebastian (Fla.) H.S.
He averaged 19.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game last season.
Desmond Wade, 5-8 point guard, transfer from Houston
Wade left Houston after coach Tom Penders resigned. He averaged 5.7 points and 4.8 assists last season. He is a legit point guard who takes care of the ball (167 assists vs. 62 turnovers last season). He started 31 of Houston's 35 games last season. He is required to sit out this season, although he can practice with Fairfield, and will have two remaining seasons of eligibility beginning in the 2011-12 season.
- Rakim Sanders, 6-5 senior guard/forward, transfer from Boston College
Sanders left BC afteer its coach, Al Skinner, was fired after this past season. He averaged 11.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game at the Atlantic Coast Conference school this past season. Sanders is required to sit out this season, although he can practice with the Stags. He has only one season of eligibility remaining, the 2011-12 season.
ANALYSIS: The Stags add some nice pieces, particularly the transfers who should play significant roles when they become eligible a year from now. However, the incoming group did not address the program's greatest need ... height. Fairfield has only two players taller than 6-5 on its roster for the coming season, 7-0 junior Ryan Olander, a reserve previously; and, 6-7 senior Greg Nero, who missed all of last season with injuries and doesn't appear likely, according to a variety of reports, to be at full strength for the upcoming season. The team originally announced the signing of 6-8 forward Majok Majok to a national letter of intent, and Majok would have been a nice addition. But, there have been reports that Majok had significant "paperwork issues" that cannot be resolved and will not attend Fairfield. He does not appear on the school's roster in its preseason prognosis, and, right now, neither Fairfield's sports information nor coach Ed Cooley is responding to media requests to discuss Majok.
WOMEN
- Christelle Akon-Akech, 5-10 forward/guard, Blair Academy prep school.
"Christelle is an athletic wing player who will add versatility to our team," said Fairfield coach Joe Frager. "She has excellent vertical leaping ability and played multiple positions in the past."
Akon-Akech played three seasons at Blair, and is a native of Lyon, France. She is the niece of former Fairfield men's player Ajou Deng.
- Brittany Obi-Talbert, 6-1 forward, Watertown, (Mass.) H.S.
She averaged 20.6 points amd 14/1 rebounds per game this past season.
"She was a 1,000 (1,325 point)-1,000 (1,252 rebound) kid in high school; she's very athletic," said Frager. "She'll add some athleticism to our front court."
- Alexys Vazquez, 5-10 guard, Berlin (Conn.) H.S.
No senior season statistics available.
"She is an outstanding 3-point shooter with range ... (Diana) Taurasi range. Crazy range," said Frager.
- Katie Cizynski, 6-2 orward/center, 6-2, Pomperaug High, Southbury, Conn.
No senior season statistic available.
"She had a big, big high school career. She ended up as the leading scorer in the history of Pomperaug High," said Frager.
ANALYSIS: An talented, versatile incoming class that lacks only a point guard. Cizynski, Obi-Talbert and Akon-Akech should all get into the playing group and help a front court that suffered heavy graduation losses. If Vazquez is as good a shooter as advertised, she'll get playing time, too, and help remedy a Fairfield deficiency from the outside of last season.
Up now ...
FAIRFIELD
MEN
- Maurice Barrow, 6-5 forward, Christ The King H.S., NYC
Barrow averaged 12.4 points and 6.5 points per game last season.
- Jamel Fields, 6-1 guard, Cheshire (Conn.) Academy prep school
No statistics available for last season, but Fields averaged 20.8 points per game in the 2008-09 season playing at Albany (N.Y.) Academy.
Your blogger has seen Fields play a number of times. He is an athletic guard who is capable of playing either backcourt spot, but seems more of a shooter than a distributor.
- Keith Matthews, 6-5 forward, Sebastian (Fla.) H.S.
He averaged 19.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game last season.
Desmond Wade, 5-8 point guard, transfer from Houston
Wade left Houston after coach Tom Penders resigned. He averaged 5.7 points and 4.8 assists last season. He is a legit point guard who takes care of the ball (167 assists vs. 62 turnovers last season). He started 31 of Houston's 35 games last season. He is required to sit out this season, although he can practice with Fairfield, and will have two remaining seasons of eligibility beginning in the 2011-12 season.
- Rakim Sanders, 6-5 senior guard/forward, transfer from Boston College
Sanders left BC afteer its coach, Al Skinner, was fired after this past season. He averaged 11.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game at the Atlantic Coast Conference school this past season. Sanders is required to sit out this season, although he can practice with the Stags. He has only one season of eligibility remaining, the 2011-12 season.
ANALYSIS: The Stags add some nice pieces, particularly the transfers who should play significant roles when they become eligible a year from now. However, the incoming group did not address the program's greatest need ... height. Fairfield has only two players taller than 6-5 on its roster for the coming season, 7-0 junior Ryan Olander, a reserve previously; and, 6-7 senior Greg Nero, who missed all of last season with injuries and doesn't appear likely, according to a variety of reports, to be at full strength for the upcoming season. The team originally announced the signing of 6-8 forward Majok Majok to a national letter of intent, and Majok would have been a nice addition. But, there have been reports that Majok had significant "paperwork issues" that cannot be resolved and will not attend Fairfield. He does not appear on the school's roster in its preseason prognosis, and, right now, neither Fairfield's sports information nor coach Ed Cooley is responding to media requests to discuss Majok.
WOMEN
- Christelle Akon-Akech, 5-10 forward/guard, Blair Academy prep school.
"Christelle is an athletic wing player who will add versatility to our team," said Fairfield coach Joe Frager. "She has excellent vertical leaping ability and played multiple positions in the past."
Akon-Akech played three seasons at Blair, and is a native of Lyon, France. She is the niece of former Fairfield men's player Ajou Deng.
- Brittany Obi-Talbert, 6-1 forward, Watertown, (Mass.) H.S.
She averaged 20.6 points amd 14/1 rebounds per game this past season.
"She was a 1,000 (1,325 point)-1,000 (1,252 rebound) kid in high school; she's very athletic," said Frager. "She'll add some athleticism to our front court."
- Alexys Vazquez, 5-10 guard, Berlin (Conn.) H.S.
No senior season statistics available.
"She is an outstanding 3-point shooter with range ... (Diana) Taurasi range. Crazy range," said Frager.
- Katie Cizynski, 6-2 orward/center, 6-2, Pomperaug High, Southbury, Conn.
No senior season statistic available.
"She had a big, big high school career. She ended up as the leading scorer in the history of Pomperaug High," said Frager.
ANALYSIS: An talented, versatile incoming class that lacks only a point guard. Cizynski, Obi-Talbert and Akon-Akech should all get into the playing group and help a front court that suffered heavy graduation losses. If Vazquez is as good a shooter as advertised, she'll get playing time, too, and help remedy a Fairfield deficiency from the outside of last season.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Majok Majok Appears Out at Fairfield
It already looks like there's one prediction your blogger made in The Sporting News' College Basketball Annual's MAAC preview that won't come true.
We picked Fairfield's Majok Majok, a highly touted 6-8 forward/center who appeared to be a candidate for considerable playing time with the Stags this season, to be the conference's "top newcomer."
But, now, it appears that the redundantly named Majok won't be playing for Fairfield this season, if ever.
Fairfield's preseason prospectus, written by the school's sports information department, was released recently and Major is not listed on the team's roster.
A source with contacts within the program has indicated that there is a major paperwork issue that doesn't seem likely to be resolved and that it does not appear that Majok will ever play for the Stags.
Fairfield's sports information staff has not returned e-mail requests for information.
Majok is a Sudanese refugee whose family left the oppression of that African nation to settle in Australia several years ago. His brother, Ater Majok, played one season at UConn before withdrawing from that school earlier this week.
Reports indicate that Ater Majok might return to Australia to play professionally. There is no indication whether Majok Majok's situation at Fairfield has any connection to his brother's.
Majok Majok averaged 16.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game at Northfield Mount Herman Prep School last season and was recruited by higher level programs, including Georgia Tech and Boston College, before deciding to attend Fairfield. He was expected to be a key member of a Stag frontcourt that, now, is considerably thinner than expected.
We picked Fairfield's Majok Majok, a highly touted 6-8 forward/center who appeared to be a candidate for considerable playing time with the Stags this season, to be the conference's "top newcomer."
But, now, it appears that the redundantly named Majok won't be playing for Fairfield this season, if ever.
Fairfield's preseason prospectus, written by the school's sports information department, was released recently and Major is not listed on the team's roster.
A source with contacts within the program has indicated that there is a major paperwork issue that doesn't seem likely to be resolved and that it does not appear that Majok will ever play for the Stags.
Fairfield's sports information staff has not returned e-mail requests for information.
Majok is a Sudanese refugee whose family left the oppression of that African nation to settle in Australia several years ago. His brother, Ater Majok, played one season at UConn before withdrawing from that school earlier this week.
Reports indicate that Ater Majok might return to Australia to play professionally. There is no indication whether Majok Majok's situation at Fairfield has any connection to his brother's.
Majok Majok averaged 16.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game at Northfield Mount Herman Prep School last season and was recruited by higher level programs, including Georgia Tech and Boston College, before deciding to attend Fairfield. He was expected to be a key member of a Stag frontcourt that, now, is considerably thinner than expected.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Iona's Men/Women Recruiting Recap
Here's the latest in a series looking at incoming players to conference teams this season.
Up now ...
IONA
MEN
- Randy Dezouvre, 6-5 forward from Montreal, Quebec, transfer from Monroe Community College.
He averaged 11 points and 5.3 rebounds per game at Monroe this past season. Monroe finished the season as the No. 7 ranked NJCAA Division I squad, earning their second straight Region XV championship.
- Michael Glover, 6-7 forward, transfer from the College of Eastern Utah, a junior college in Price, Utah.
He averaged 17.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game this past season. Coming out of high school he signed a letter of intent to attend Seton Hall before opting to attend junior college. He played a year at the prep school level at Boys to Men Academy in illinois, helping lead that program to a prep school national title in 2007.
- Javon James, 6-4 guard/forward, Patterson (N.J.) Catholic H.S.
He averaged 5.7 points, 4.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds this past season.
James originally committed to Fordham, but was released from his commitment there after last season's interim coach, Jared Grasso, was not retained. Grasso then signed on as an assistant at Iona and James followed.
Your blogger saw James play several games in this past June's GymRat Challenge AAU tournament, and was highly impressed. James is a multi-talented player capable of playing any of the three perimeter positions at the college level.
- Aleksander Kresic, 6-7 forward, Huntington (West Va.) Prep School.
He averaged 10.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game this past season.
Some sites list him as 6-8 and 210 pounds. He is a native of Serbia, and is described as a prototypical European-style big man that can shoot the ball from the outside.
- Sean Armond, 6-2 guard, Central Jersey Each One Touch One Academy.
He averaged 28.0 points per game this past season at the prep school level.
"We're extremely excited to have Sean on board next season," said Iona coach Tim Cluess. "Sean is a fine young man that adds scoring dimension to an already talented roster and we look forward to having him in the program this fall."
Armond has been described as having an outstanding long-range shot. As a high school senior he averaged 27.0 points, 12 rebounds and four assists per game at Jacqueline Onassis H.S. in Manhattan.
- Ra'Shad James, 6-2 guard, transfer from St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, N.Y.
James averaged 16.6 pints, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists at the Division II level last season.
As a transfer, James will sit out the coming season but can practice with the Gaels. Reports indicate that he will not be on scholarship for the coming season, but is expected to become a scholarship player for the 2011-12 season.
ANALYSIS: The Gaels were the MAAC's deepest team in the league last season. Despite the early departures of Rashard McGill (last year's 8th leading scorer) and Keon Williams (11th in scoring), and graduation losses of Jon Huffman and Milan Prodanovic, the incoming group all but ensures Iona will have a capable bench again this season. Four of the five incoming eligible players are already at least a year beyond high school. Dezouvre and Glover both come in as juniors after two seasons of junior college ball, while Kesic and Armand each have a post-high school year of prep experience. James is the only incoming player coming directly from high school, and he is already physically equipped for the college game.
WOMEN
- Sabrina Jeridore, a 6-4 center from Francis Lewis H.S. in Queens
She averaged 10.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 5.2 blocks per game as a senior this past season.
"I feel she has all the tools to be one of the top centers in the MAAC for years to come," said Iona coach Tony Bozzella.
- Shonice Hawkins, a 5-6 guard from St. Anthony's H.S. in Jersey City, N.J.
She averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game this past season.
"Shnice is a dynamic, athletic guard who will be able to play both guard positions for us and be very effective in our defensive pressure," said Bozzella.
ANALYSIS: The Gaels graduated their two best players from last season, 6-1 center Anna McLean and 5-8 guard Thazina Cook (who regoins the program as an assistant coach). Jeridore and Hawkins appear to be logical replacements at those two spots. Jeridore will provide a stellar defensive presence because of her height and rare shot-blocking ability. Hawkins, by all accounts, is an athletic approximation of Cook. Don't expect either to immediately duplicate what the two graduated players did this past season, but they both look to be potential standouts at some point in the not-so-distant future.
Up now ...
IONA
MEN
- Randy Dezouvre, 6-5 forward from Montreal, Quebec, transfer from Monroe Community College.
He averaged 11 points and 5.3 rebounds per game at Monroe this past season. Monroe finished the season as the No. 7 ranked NJCAA Division I squad, earning their second straight Region XV championship.
- Michael Glover, 6-7 forward, transfer from the College of Eastern Utah, a junior college in Price, Utah.
He averaged 17.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game this past season. Coming out of high school he signed a letter of intent to attend Seton Hall before opting to attend junior college. He played a year at the prep school level at Boys to Men Academy in illinois, helping lead that program to a prep school national title in 2007.
- Javon James, 6-4 guard/forward, Patterson (N.J.) Catholic H.S.
He averaged 5.7 points, 4.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds this past season.
James originally committed to Fordham, but was released from his commitment there after last season's interim coach, Jared Grasso, was not retained. Grasso then signed on as an assistant at Iona and James followed.
Your blogger saw James play several games in this past June's GymRat Challenge AAU tournament, and was highly impressed. James is a multi-talented player capable of playing any of the three perimeter positions at the college level.
- Aleksander Kresic, 6-7 forward, Huntington (West Va.) Prep School.
He averaged 10.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game this past season.
Some sites list him as 6-8 and 210 pounds. He is a native of Serbia, and is described as a prototypical European-style big man that can shoot the ball from the outside.
- Sean Armond, 6-2 guard, Central Jersey Each One Touch One Academy.
He averaged 28.0 points per game this past season at the prep school level.
"We're extremely excited to have Sean on board next season," said Iona coach Tim Cluess. "Sean is a fine young man that adds scoring dimension to an already talented roster and we look forward to having him in the program this fall."
Armond has been described as having an outstanding long-range shot. As a high school senior he averaged 27.0 points, 12 rebounds and four assists per game at Jacqueline Onassis H.S. in Manhattan.
- Ra'Shad James, 6-2 guard, transfer from St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, N.Y.
James averaged 16.6 pints, 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists at the Division II level last season.
As a transfer, James will sit out the coming season but can practice with the Gaels. Reports indicate that he will not be on scholarship for the coming season, but is expected to become a scholarship player for the 2011-12 season.
ANALYSIS: The Gaels were the MAAC's deepest team in the league last season. Despite the early departures of Rashard McGill (last year's 8th leading scorer) and Keon Williams (11th in scoring), and graduation losses of Jon Huffman and Milan Prodanovic, the incoming group all but ensures Iona will have a capable bench again this season. Four of the five incoming eligible players are already at least a year beyond high school. Dezouvre and Glover both come in as juniors after two seasons of junior college ball, while Kesic and Armand each have a post-high school year of prep experience. James is the only incoming player coming directly from high school, and he is already physically equipped for the college game.
WOMEN
- Sabrina Jeridore, a 6-4 center from Francis Lewis H.S. in Queens
She averaged 10.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 5.2 blocks per game as a senior this past season.
"I feel she has all the tools to be one of the top centers in the MAAC for years to come," said Iona coach Tony Bozzella.
- Shonice Hawkins, a 5-6 guard from St. Anthony's H.S. in Jersey City, N.J.
She averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game this past season.
"Shnice is a dynamic, athletic guard who will be able to play both guard positions for us and be very effective in our defensive pressure," said Bozzella.
ANALYSIS: The Gaels graduated their two best players from last season, 6-1 center Anna McLean and 5-8 guard Thazina Cook (who regoins the program as an assistant coach). Jeridore and Hawkins appear to be logical replacements at those two spots. Jeridore will provide a stellar defensive presence because of her height and rare shot-blocking ability. Hawkins, by all accounts, is an athletic approximation of Cook. Don't expect either to immediately duplicate what the two graduated players did this past season, but they both look to be potential standouts at some point in the not-so-distant future.
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