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..

South Carolina: Gamecocks Embrace $25K Win

South Carolina earned a $25,000 fine after fans rushed the court following the team’s 68-62 win against No. 1 Kentucky, according to an Associated Press report.

Fans celebrated with the team immediately after the final buzzer sounded, which violates an SEC policy intended to prevent mayhem that could endanger fans, coaches, referees or players. The rule was a product of the madness in Detroit when a fan threw a beer onto Ron Artest, then of the Indiana Pacers, and a players vs. fans brawl erupted.

On Tuesday, Kentucky coach John Calipari immediately left the floor instead of shaking hands the South Carolina team. The rule stands in place to especially protect members of the opposing team, who must navigate a path through unruly celebrating fans to the locker room. They’re not happy about losing; hundreds of fans are delirious about winning. It’s a volatile mix.

“This policy is designed to create a safe environment for everyone who participates and attends our athletic contests,” SEC commissioner Mike Slive said in a statement. “The security and protection of our student athletes, coaches, officials and fans is our primary concern.”

Despite the rule, it’s hard to find an appropriate release for thousands of emotional fans. Devan Downey, who led South Carolina to the victory with 30 points, encouraged fans to join the team on the court.

Downey pointed to the crowd, yelling “I told you so” after the win. When asked about a potential SEC fine Tuesday night, he smiled and said, “I’m pretty sure the university’s got some money somewhere to pay the fine.”

“I’m not saying it’s right, wrong or whatever, but when you beat a No. 1 team in the country, you want to remember that moment in a special way,” he said. “Yeah, I told them to come on the court.”

Tennessee: Vols Win Despite Suspensions

Tennessee started its suspension-riddled part of the season with an 88-71 win against Charlotte.

The Volunteers played the 49ers, who notched a big win at Louisville earlier in the season, without Tyler Smith, Cameron Tatum, Brian Williams and Melvin Goins, who are suspended indefinitely after they were arrested Jan. 1 on gun and drug charges. They account for more than a third of the team’s scoring and rebounding.

In their absence, Wayne Chism led the way with 18 points. The determined Volunteers overcame an early first-half deficit with a 14-0 run that put them up for good. Another 14-0 run later in the first half iced the game, despite a 21-2 run by Charlotte in the second half.

Although Charlotte isn’t an SEC heavyweight, the 49ers are a tough team. With so many key players missing, Tennessee is essentially starting from scratch in building an NCAA Tournament résumé. The selection committee will want to see how the Volunteers perform without key players like Smith, Tatum and Williams. Tennessee entered the season as one of the favorites to contend with Kentucky for the SEC title.

The incident is the second newsworthy legal malfeasance at Tennessee in recent months. Three football players were arrested and charged with attempted armed robbery. In response to the latest troubles, university athletic director Mike Hamilton wants to impose harsh punishments, according to an Associated Press report.

“I think it’s a really good time to do a gut check with our student-athletes and our coaches and our staff to make sure we’re doing everything possible,” Hamilton said.

Ohio State: Turner Returns Nearly a Month Ahead of Schedule

After a scary fall while dunking against Eastern Michigan Dec. 5, Ohio State’s Evan Turner returned to the starting lineup in the Buckeyes’ 79-54 win against Indiana, according to an Associated Press report.
Turner had a decent return, scoring eight points and grabbing five rebounds in 20 minutes. Before the injury, which doctors thought would shelve him for eight weeks, Turner averaged 18.5 points, 11.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. He is a likely candidate for Big Ten Player of the Year and key to the Buckeyes’ post-season aspirations.
While Turner recuperated, Ohio State went 3-3, including two losses to Wisconsin and Michigan to open conference play. The team also has dropped out of the top 25. With Turner back in the lineup, Ohio State hopes to rally in the conference and the polls. Turner needs to continue to play well to show the NCAA Tournament selection committee that the Buckeyes are the team that started 10-2 while Turner was in the lineup in November and early December.

Xavier: Freshman Guard to Miss A-10 Opener

Xavier freshman guard Mark Lyons will miss at least tonight’s game against La Salle after injuring his left knee in the team’s double overtime loss to Wake Forest Jan. 3, according to a SportingNews.com report.
Lyons averages 9.4 points and 2.1 assists per game as a freshman starter for the Musketeers, who open conference play tonight against La Salle. In his place, Xavier likely will turn to senior Dante Jackson or Brad Redford.

California: Bears Face LA Teams With Less Depth

California sophomore guard Jorge Gutierrez will miss the Golden Bears’ home games against UCLA and USC this week after he sprained his right knee against Stanford, according to an Associated Press report.
Gutierrez averages 5.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game for California, which is looking to build an early advantage in the Pac-10 after stomping Stanford 92-66 in the teams’ conference opener last weekend.

Minnesota: Sampson Sits Again in Gophers’ Loss to Purdue

Minnesota sophomore center Ralph Sampson III – yes, the son of that Ralph Sampson – missed his second straight game when he sat out in the Golden Gophers’ 79-60 loss at Purdue, according to the Associated Press.
Sampson, who averages 7.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, is recovering from an ankle injury that forced him to miss Minnesota’s win against Iowa last weekend. Sophomore Colton Iverson started both games in Sampson’s place, amassing only two points but 14 rebounds.
Without Sampson, coach Tubby Smith has played a smaller lineup and hastened the pace. Against Iowa, Minnesota forced 25 turnovers en route to an 86-74 win, an uncharacteristically high scoring affair for two Big Ten teams. One of the best teams in the nation, Purdue was better prepared for the Golden Gophers’ game plan, committing 17 turnovers while stifling Minnesota’s half-court offense. The Golden Gophers shot only 30.8 percent from the field in the loss.

Maryland: Korean Forward Returns Home to Enter Pro League

Maryland sophomore forward Jin Soo Choi announced that he will leave the Terrapins to pursue a professional career in South Korea, according to an Associated Press report.
Choi is the first South Korean native to receive a Division I scholarship. And he didn’t make much of an impact in College Park. Choi averaged 0.8 points and 1.1 rebounds in nine games this season. He posted averages of 1.6 points and 1.1 rebounds in 21 games last season.
His departure shortens the Terrapins’ depth for a bench that averages only 14.2 points per game. At times this season, the Terrapins have struggled on offense, especially when senior star Greivis Vasquez is resting on the bench or struggling to score.

USC: Trojans Banned from Post-Season Play for This Season

USC will curtail its recruiting activities for two seasons and ban the team from post-season play this season as part of penalties associated with violations related to former Trojan O.J. Mayo, according to a FoxSports.com report.
The Trojans won’t play in the Pac-10 Conference Tournament and won’t accept invitations to post-season tournaments this season. In addition, USC loses one scholarship for this season and next season, removes one coach from next summer’s off-campus recruiting trail, and trims the team’s recruiting days from 130 to 110 for the 2010-11 season. And finally, the team will vacate all 21 wins from the 2007-08 season, Mayo’s only year with the Trojans before he left for the NBA. He now plays for the Memphis Grizzlies.
The self-imposed penalties are a product of the university’s investigation into Mayo’s recruitment. According to a former associate of Mayo, the booster who helped steer Mayo to the Trojans received hundreds of thousands of dollars from a sports agency. In addition, reports indicated that former Trojans coach Tim Floyd paid the booster, Rodney Guillory, $1,000 in cash for his work to convince Mayo to come to USC. Flord quit as USC coach in June after the allegations surfaced.
Coach Kevin O’Neill replaced Floyd, and he has the Trojans off to a 10-4 start, including 2-0 in the Pac-10. He said he recognizes the university’s need to punish the team. He expressed disappointment that his team won’t have the opportunity to compete in the post-season but added that the Trojans will treat every game like a post-season match up.

Texas A&M: Roland Has Successful Surgery After Horrific Injury

Texas A&M senior guard Derrick Roland arrived home on Christmas Day after having surgery to insert a rod and three screws in his leg, which he broke while jumping under the basket against Washington Dec. 22, according to a university press release.

Roland crumpled to the floor with his right tibia and fibula snapped. The force of the fall pushed a bone through the skin and left his leg at nearly a 90-degree angle. Fans recoiled in empathetic anguish, and coach Mark Turgeon and Washington doctors rushed to Roland’s aid, according to an ESPN.com report. After a 10-minute delay, Roland was stabilized, loaded into an ambulance and taken to Harborview Medical Center for emergency care.

A Washington spokesman said the only similar injury he remembers is Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann suffering a broken leg that was graphically visible on national TV in 1985.

Roland was posting career-best averages of 10.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game for the Aggies. Like Theismann’s injury did to the Redskins quarterback, many speculate that this injury will end Roland’s playing career.

Metro Atlantic: Conference Tournament to Taste Basketball History in 2012

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference will hold its conference tournament in Springfield, Mass., the birthplace of the sport, in 2012-14, according to a conference press release.

The conference will play all tournament games at the MassMutual Center, which is a neutral site. Several teams wanted the tournament to move to a neutral site instead of playing at opponents’ courts.

“The coaches and administrators had expressed to the Council and league office during the selection process that home sites have become too big of a playing and recruiting advantage for the host school.  This is understandable, and speaks to the increased competitiveness of the MAAC.  It seems appropriate and financially sustainable to move beyond the comfortable confines of an arena with a home school fan base. I would note that the MassMutual Center and the Local Organizing Committee have guaranteed the league its best ever financial result,” said conference commissioner Rich Ensor.

Springfield is home to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, named for James Naismith, the inventor of the game of the basketball. He devised the game while working at the Spingfield YMCA in the late 1800s.  He later founded Kansas’ storied basketball program and witnessed basketball become an Olympic sport.