As Providence advances in the NIT, rebuilding picks up steam

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – After his team’s 77-68 win to advance to the quarterfinals of the NIT, Providence head coach Ed Cooley got on the microphone and had a message for the Friar faithful.  It was a “Thank You” message, as it’s their final game in the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in 2012-13, and he told them the Friars need them to pack the building like this more often because they are tough to beat when that happens.

A few fans later chanted, “Ledo, Ledo,” to implore heralded recruit Ricky Ledo to stick around for next season.  That’s a conversation for another time.  For now, however, whether Ledo is around next season or not, the Friar faithful have reason to be optimistic based on what this season’s team has done.

… Continue Reading

NCAA Tournament is proving how even college basketball is

At any point in the season, if asked who I think would be in the Final Four I had a standard response that at first glance might sound like a cop-out: it’s so wide-open and matchups are so crucial that I can’t answer the question at that time.  In January of most years I couldn’t tell you who I think would get there at least for the latter reason, but especially this season because the former has never been more true.

If the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament doesn’t bear this reality out, I don’t know that anything will.

Just look at the highlights of the rounds that led us up to the Sweet 16:

… Continue Reading

Charlotte wanted more but feels like they accomplished something

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Just minutes after a season ends, it’s not easy to sum up a season in an instant analysis style. Ask Alan Major about this season right now, however, and there’s a clear theme from the Charlotte head coach: pride in how his team handled so much that was thrown at them in the 2012-13 season and a feeling the program is on its way to where he hopes it will be.

Charlotte’s final record this season is 21-12. It’s a good record, although plenty of teams will sport better ones come April 9. They also started off 9-0, so one might wonder what’s impressive about going 12-12 to end the season. Let’s just say that none of it came easily, and along the way this team developed an identity as a team with the chemistry and belief in one another that they can get through anything.

… Continue Reading

NCAA Tournament players to watch – Part 2

Every year, the NCAA Tournament brings new faces into the limelight.  For some schools, it’s their first time with a large national TV audience even if they have played a conference championship game on TV.  The attention is different from the conference championship because now everyone is watching.  For some players, they aren’t the stars of their team but they make a big shot, big stop or other big play, or have a big game come tournament time that brings them out from behind the shadows.

That’s all part of what makes the NCAA Tournament special, and Louisville head coach Rick Pitino echoed this sentiment when, after his team won the Big East Tournament behind a big effort from Montrezl Harrell, said, “You never know in college basketball who’s going to step up.  That’s the beauty of college basketball.”

Who are the players you may learn about this year?  Earlier, we showed you players on teams playing their first game on Tuesday or Thursday.  Now we bring you players on teams who play their first game of the NCAA Tournament on Wednesday or Friday.

… Continue Reading

NCAA Tournament players to watch – Part 1

Every year, the NCAA Tournament brings new faces into the limelight. For some schools, it’s their first time with a large national TV audience even if they have played a conference championship game on TV. The attention is different from the conference championship because now everyone is watching. For some players, they aren’t the stars of their team but they make a big shot, big stop or other big play, or have a big game come tournament time that brings them out from behind the shadows.

That’s all part of what makes the NCAA Tournament special, and Louisville head coach Rick Pitino echoed this sentiment when, after his team won the Big East Tournament behind a big effort from Montrezl Harrell, said, “You never know in college basketball who’s going to step up. That’s the beauty of college basketball.”

Who are the players you may learn about this year? Here is a look, starting with the teams playing their first game on Tuesday or Thursday. A little later, we will bring you players on teams who play their first game on Wednesday or Friday.

… Continue Reading

Louisville looks like a national title contender in Big East finale

NEW YORK – The box score tells you that Louisville is leaving New York as the champions of the last Big East Tournament as we know it by virtue of a 78-61 win over Syracuse. But the box score only tells part of the story, as is so often the case. Among the things it doesn’t tell is why this Cardinal team might not be done winning championships.

Down 45-29 just over four minutes into the second half, Louisville had to do something. Syracuse was clicking on all cylinders, continuing their offensive renaissance in New York, and the Cardinals couldn’t do anything against the zone. Who did they turn to for help? Montrezl Harrell, of course.

… Continue Reading

Despite semifinal loss, Notre Dame feels better leaving New York than when they entered

NEW YORK – Let the debate about the value of conference tournaments rage on. You’ll find a few willing supporters of them in New York, including Notre Dame’s Mike Brey, even after his team was eliminated by Louisville 69-57 in the semifinal on Friday night. There was plenty of value for him and his team here, and it wasn’t just sentimental, although there was a little of that.

“I can’t say enough about the Big East, man,” said Brey. “I don’t think it’s really hit me yet saying bye to (associate commissioner Tom Odjakjian) and John (Paquette) and some of the other people, and the Big East has kind of made me.”

… Continue Reading

Championship matchup is one more appropriate gift

NEW YORK – The first Big East semifinal was a thriller. The second one wasn’t, but its result leads to the possibility of one in the final championship game in the Big East Tournament as we know it. What’s not a possibility, but rather, a given, is that the second one sets up a final that is only fitting for a very different reason.

With Syracuse already in the final by virtue of a 58-55 overtime win over Georgetown, Louisville then punched their ticket with a victory over Notre Dame. The Cardinals gradually pulled away from the Fighting Irish, who were able to hang around most of the night and even tied the game in the first half, for a 69-57 victory.

… Continue Reading

Everything about this game made perfect sense

NEW YORK – There was no way it could be any different. Everything came together just right for Georgetown and Syracuse to play each other one last time as Big East members. The only way this game could go was to be a thriller; there was no other option.

It was a close game almost throughout, as Syracuse had a 12-point lead for a short period, and then overtime was a possibility – and it came. It was the first overtime game in the Big East Tournament between these two in more than 27 years. A second overtime looked like a possibility, but it wasn’t meant to be as Syracuse closed out Georgetown 58-55.

… Continue Reading

Doubts about Northeastern in the CAA are sure to come again

It’s been said many times and in many contexts that history repeats itself. Surely one form of that is already here and will continue: the question of whether or not Northeastern can win in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Northeastern had to overcome a 24-point deficit against George Mason in the semifinals and then fell behind big early in the championship before falling to James Madison. The Huskies were the CAA regular season champions, but they couldn’t close it out thanks to a poor performance in the biggest game of the year.

… Continue Reading