Harvard: Crimson Look to Extend Amaker

While some coaches across the country look for new employment, Harvard wants to make sure coach Tommy Amaker feels at home in Cambridge.

According to a university press release, the team is negotiating a multiyear extension with Amaker. His name has popped up in relation to several other schools. Amaker has major conference experience at Michigan and Seton Hall.

While with the Crimson, Amaker has built a perennial contender. The Crimson had their best start in school history this season with a 14-3 record and reached as high as No. 21 in the RPI.

Some rumors have linked Amaker to the open position across town at Boston College. Harvard has won two consecutive games against the Eagles, so maybe Amaker will prefer to stick with the winners in Cambridge, if he receives a nice extension and pay raise.

NCAA Tournament Match Ups and Schedule

Check out the locations for all rounds of the NCAA Tournament and links to team summaries. Click on the map icons to see when that location will be hosting tournament games and who will be there. Click on the team name to go to a summary page with tons of useful information collected by Ken Pomeroy, the master of basketball statistics.
View 2010 NCAA Tournament in a larger map

Binghamton Withdraws From America East Tournament

Binghamton has elected not to participate in the 2010 America East Conference Tournament, the school announced in a statement on Monday.

In a statement, President Lois B. DeFleur said, “This action is being done voluntarily as part of our commitment to move forward as we develop a comprehensive plan to address the recommendations of the recent review.“  DeFleur referred to a recent report led by retired New York judge Judith Kaye, alleging numerous improprieties that led to several players being booted from the team and head coach Kevin Broadus being placed on administrative leave.

America East Commissioner Patrick Nero commented in a statement released Monday night: “We support Binghamton University’s decision, it is an important step forward. Our attention now is focused on the men’s and women’s teams competing this weekend. “

Binghamton went 13-18 overall, including an 8-8 record in America East games.  The Bearcats would have been the No. 5 seed in the conference tournament.  Instead, all four teams that finished below them in the standings will be bumped up and there will be no game between the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds.

Deane Out at Wagner

Mike Deane has been fired by Wagner after the young Seahawks finished 5-26 this season.  Deane, who has 26 years experience as a college head coach, was 95-113 in seven seasons at the school.

The Seahawks finished 11th in the 12-team Northeast Conference this season with a 3-15 mark.  They ended the season with an 81-76 win over St. Francis (Pa.), a win that snapped a seven-game losing streak.

Utah: Slap Earns Henderson One-Game Suspension

After BYU’s Jackson Emery exchanged words with Utah guard Marshall Henderson, the Utes’ freshman whacked Emery in the face with a backhand, earning an ejection and one-game suspension, according to an Associated Press report.

BYU had the game wrapped up, and Emery followed Henderson along the baseline to speak his mind after a play with 34 seconds to go. Henderson, who averages 11.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game, did not appreciate the disrespectful actions and slapped Emery with a backhand. Officials immediately tossed Henderson. NCAA rules dictate that players ejected for fighting receive a one-game suspension.

Utah will face Colorado State without one of the team’s best players. The Utes are 3-4 in Mountain West action but have lost two in a row on the road to Wyoming and BYU.

Florida State: DeMercy Searches for More Playing Time

Florida State junior forward Jordan DeMercy will leave the Seminoles in search of a team that will offer more playing time, according to an Associated Press report.

DeMercy averages 3.7 points and 2.1 rebounds per game this season, but his playing time has dropped in the new year. He has not played more than 14 minutes in any game since the team’s blowout victory against Alabama A&M. He is averaging 14.2 minutes per game for the season, a 28 percent drop compared to last season’s 19.7 minutes per game.

In a university statement, coach Leonard Hamilton said DeMercy is leaving for personal reasons. He added that DeMercy will try to find opportunities with another team.

Colorado: Buffs Dodge a Bullet

Colorado freshman Alec Burks could return to the court as early as this week after missing most of the team’s 64-63 loss to Iowa State Saturday following an injury, according to the Associated Press.

Burks sprained his left knee, and an MRI did not reveal significant damage. Colorado will host Kansas Wednesday night and could use the services of Burks, who averaged 17.2 points per game and is one of the Big 12′s best freshmen.

Minnesota: White Departs for Good

Minnesota freshman Royce White announced that he will withdraw from the university.

A highly regarded recruit, White has not played a minute for the Golden Gophers after a run-in with the law in the fall. He was under investigation for theft of a laptop from a campus dorm room. After that incident, he announced in a YouTube video that he quit the team — without informing anyone in the athletics department first. Upon further consideration, he decided to remain with the team, albeit suspended.

White recently returned to practice before making his announcement to withdraw.

UNC-Wilmington: Seahawks Boot Moss From Coaching Gig

Coach Benny Moss will not lead UNC-Wilmington to the conclusion of this season after the university decided to reassign him within the athletics department, according to a school press release.

The Seahawks are 7-14 this season, on pace to record their third losing season in four years with Moss at the helm. In his stead, assistant coach Brooks Lee will be interim head coach.

Moss arrived in Wilmington after working as an assistant at Charlotte for six seasons. This position was his first Division I head coaching job. He finishes it with a 41-74 record.

Lee will step into his first head coaching gig after working as an assistant with the Seahawks, Wofford, East Carolina and UNC-Greensboro.

Stanford: Cardinal QB Moves to the Hardwood

Stanford quarterback Tavita Pritchard has turned in his shoulder pads and helmet for a pair of sneakers and a jersey that wouldn’t make a referee feel protected on the football field.

After completing his eligibility as Stanford’s quarterback, Pritchard will continue his career as a Cardinal with the basketball team, giving coach Johnny Dawkins some much-needed depth, according to the Associated Press. Only six players average more than 14 minutes per game this season for the 10-9 Cardinal. Despite the mediocre record, Stanford is 4-3 in Pac-10 play, winning all four of their home games.

Pritchard will sit on the bench for the first time during the team’s game against Arizona. He just started practicing with the team, so don’t expect him in a game until next week.

On the gridiron, Pritchard had 2,865 yards and 15 touchdowns during his career..