October 31, 2001

 

NBA TOP PERFORMERS

New Jersey forward Keith Van Horn was ten of 21 from the field and finished with 26 points and seven rebounds in the Nets’ 103-97 win over Indiana. Van Horn made four three-pointers.

 

Teammate Jason Kidd shined in his Nets’ debut as he nearly had a triple-double. He had 14 points, ten rebounds and nine assists.

 

Pacers small forward Jalen Rose scored 43 points in the loss as he made 18 of 27 shots from the field.

 

Los Angeles center Shaquille O’Neal made ten of 23 shots from the field and nine of 16 from the line as he finished with 29 points and 18 rebounds in the Lakers’ 98-87 win over Portland. He added five assists and five blocked shots

 

Teammate Kobe Bryant also had 29 points in the Lakers’ win. He finished with seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.

 

Milwaukee guard Ray Allen made eleven of 21 shots and all six free throws as he finished with 32 points in the Bucks 119-112 overtime win over Utah.

 

Teammate Glenn Robinson was also eleven of 21 from the field in a 28-point effort.

 

Dallas guard Michael Finley made 14 of 28 shots as he scored 34 points in the Mavericks’ 94-87 win over Detroit. 

 

ROBINSON TO SIT OUT SEASON FOR BUCKEYES

Ohio State basketball player Doylan Robinson will sit out his senior season to concentrate on academics. Robinson was academically ineligible for the first quarter this year and would not have been able to play until January. He sat out the 1998-99 season as a non-qualifier after being Division I Player of the Year for Akron (OH) Butchel. Robinson played in 31 games and averaged 1.6 points per game as a sophomore. He was injured in a car accident Dec. 3, 2000, and appeared in only nine games as a junior, averaging 1.1 points per game. The Buckeyes finished 20-11 last season and were 11-5 in Big Ten play, third in the conference. Ohio State has made it to the NCAA tournament the past three seasons. They return eight of their top nine scorers, losing just center Ken Johnson.

 

October 30, 2001

 

SCHILLING WILL TRANSFER

Junior shooting guard Shane Schilling will not return to the Gophers men's basketball team and will transfer to another school

He started 31 games last season and averaged 8.4 points per game, but was suspended indefinitely Saturday by Gophers coach Dan Monson for undisclosed violations of team rules. The loss of Schilling leaves the Gophers with only nine scholarship players and weakens an already suspect backcourt. Kevin Burleson, Kerwin Fleming, Travarus Bennett, Steve Esselink and Maurice Hargrow will be candidates for playing time at shooting guard. Burleson started ten games last season at point guard and averaged 6.3 points per game. Fleming had one start and scored 6.8 points per contest. Bennett had seven starts and averaged 4.5 points per game. Esselink transferred from Augustana, where he averaged 6.2 points and 1.6 rebounds per game in 1999-2000 as a freshman. He sat out last season and shined this summer during the Howard Pulley Summer League. Esselink is presently a walk-on, but he may receive a scholarship with Schilling gone. Hargrow averaged 24.7 points and 13.5 rebounds per game as a senior at St. Paul (MN) Highland Park. It was expected that he would be redshirted, but that could change now.

 

The Gophers finished 17-10 last season and were 5-9 in Big Ten play. Minnesota start the 2000-01 season 15-4, but faltered down the stretch as starting forwards Mike Bauer and John Blair-Bickerstaff. The Gophers have received two verbal commitments so far from 6-10 center Aliou Kane of Dyke (VA) Blue Ridge School and 6-7 forward Stanley Gaines from Providence (IL) St. Mel's. Minnesota has three Division I transfers sitting out the season as walk-ons. They are Ben Johnson from Northwestern, Matt Smriga of Kent State and Brent Lawson from St. Francis (PA). All three are Minnesota natives, who decided to transfer closer to home. Johnson started all 30 games season for the Wildcats and averaged 10.7 points per game. However, since he transferred from another Big Ten school, he can’t receive a scholarship.  

 

The Gophers open the season November 17th at home against Mercer.

 

October 27, 2001

 

BLUE RIBBON COLLEGE BASKETBALL YEARBOOK TO HIT NEWSTANDS

The 21st edition of Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook is hot off the presses and available now through its new publisher, Brassey¹s Inc. Fans of the 384-page "Bible" of college basketball, which features profiles on every Division I team, can order the book by calling 800-775-2518, or by going to Brassey¹s website, Brasseysinc.com. The book will also be available in bookstores around the country, including Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, Walden¹s and Borders.

 

Blue Ribbon is a must-read for the true basketball fan with the most in-depth coverage in the coverage. I have written for Blue Ribbon for many years and I rely on it throughout the season. I have every back issue and enjoy looking back at the college basketball’s past and history. I strongly recommend that you pick up a copy of Blue Ribbon today

 

LUKE ANDERSON TO TRANSFER TO MINNESOTA STATE MANKATO

6-6 shooting guard Luke Anderson of Eagan (MN) High has decided to go to a school closer to home as he will sit out the season at Minnesota State Mankato (my alma mater) after signing with Montana State last fall. Anderson had verbally committed to Minnesota before his senior season, but signed with Montana State after it became apparent that the hometown Gophers wanted him to walk-on his first season. He played at the Nike All-American camp in 2000 and played with the Howard Pulley Panthers. His older brother, John, played at Division III Augsburg.  Anderson is an excellent outside shooter and is a better athlete than given credit for. He’ll sit out the season and be eligible next season. The Mavericks previously  added three Division I transfers.

 

5-10 guard Jevin Budde played in just five games at Creighton and averaged 1.8 points and 0.6 rebounds per game this season. He redshirted the 1999-2000 season. Budde is a native of Bettendorf, Iowa, who was named a first-team all-state selection in his senior season and led his team to three straight state tournament appearances, including a third-place finish during his junior campaign. Recently named Maverick head coach Matt Margenthaler recruited Budde as an assistant coach at South Dakota State.

 

6-10 center Chris Johnson averaged 1.8 points and 1.4 rebounds per game this season for Eastern Washington. His numbers dropped from 4.3 points and 3.8 caroms per game in 1999-2000 as a redshirt freshman when he started seven contests.   University team for the past two seasons. In his time with the Eagles, Johnson, a Colorado Springs, Colo., native, appeared in 53 games , averaging 3.1 ppg and 2.6 rpg. A 1998 graduate of Thomas Doherty High School, Johnson was a honorable mention all-area selection as a junior and played in the Southern Colorado All-Star game.

 

6-4 forward Jermaine Brown played two seasons at Bradley. Brown, a native of Bellwood, Ill., averaged 3.1 points and 1.5 rebounds, while shooting 50.0% from the field in 17 games in the 1999-2000 season. He is the younger brother of ten-year NBA veteran Randy Brown, a member of three World Championship teams with the Chicago Bulls and currently with the Boston Celtics.

 

October 26, 2001

 

ACADEMY NATIONAL INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT SETS ITS FIELD

The first annual Academy National Invitational may be new, but the event appears to be loaded with of the country’s top teams and players plus plenty of local Houston talent. The event will be held December 26th through the 29th with the Texas high school division championship at 7:00 p.m. and the national high school division championship at 8:30 p.m. The venue is the Campbell Center near Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport and it seats 4,700 fans.

 

There are several outstanding matchups in the national division. St. Patrick’s (NJ) High is led by 6-8 power forward Paul Williams, 6-5 Mawel Soler, 6-10 junior center Grant Billmeier, and 6-1 junior point guard Michael Nardi. They were 21-7 last season. Midwest City (OK) High is paced by College Basketball News’ number six senior Shelden Williams and #39 DeAngelo Alexander. Williams committed to Duke, while Alexander, who verballed to Oklahoma, is reportedly considering his options. Midwest City claimed its second consecutive 6A title with a 71-61 victory over Putnam City last season. The Bombers have won 35 straight games vs. Oklahoma schools and were 26-2 last year. They finished sixth in the final USA Today poll.

 

Westchester (CA) High won the Los Angeles section for the fifth time and captured the prestigious City of Palms Tournament in Fort Myers, Fla. They were 28-2 last year and finished 12th in the final USA Today poll. Westchester has three players among College Basketball News’ top 100 seniors in #98 Brandon Bowman (who committed to Georgetown), #70 Brandon Heath and #19 Hassan Adams. They also have New Meixco commitment Ashanti Cook and standout junior Trevor Ariza. Louisville (KY) Male won their seventh Region championship, but lost in the state finals to Lafayette (Lexington) 54-49. They finished 32-4 and ended 14th in the final USA Today poll.  Male is led by 6-6 small forward Lavar Carter and College Basketball News’ number 22 junior Mike Bush, who might be Kentucky’s best football player.

 

Beaumont Ozen (TX) High defeated Lanier (San Antonio) 58-42 to claim the 4A state title and finish the season 35-0. College Basketball News’ number two junior Kendrick Perkins, a 6-11 center, shined at this summer’s adidas ABCD camp. He will face a talented big man in 7-2 Shagari Alleyne of New York (NY) Rice. Rice was just 13-11 last season, but they return their entire starting five. 6-0 point Jason Wingate is an excellent floor general.

 

Mouth of Wilson (VA) Oak Hill Academy is the defending USA Today national champion after finishing 33-0 last season. They lost their three top players, but are still loaded with College Basketball News’ number two senior Carmelo Anthony, who committed to Syracuse and #10 Sani Ibrahim, who is considering the NBA draft. They also have #42 6-2 point guard Chadd Moore, who committed to Cincinnati, #75 6-1 point guard Justin Gray, who committed to Wake Forest, 6-7 small forward Antywane Robinson, (Temple), Ian Johnson (Davidson), 6-3 Eric Wilkins (Miami of Florida) and 6-5 Richard Joyce (Wake Forest). The Warriors will face Concord (CA) De La Salle. De La Salle finished 27-5 last season and

won its third straight CIF North Coast Division and fourth straight Bay Valley Athletic League titles.

 

NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION BRACKET

 

Wednesday December 26th

St. Patrick’s (NJ) vs. Midwest City (OK) 7:00 p.m.

Thursday December 27th

Westchester (CA) vs. Louisville Male (KY) 2:30 p.m.

Beaumont Ozen (TX) vs. Rice (NY) 7:00 p.m.

Mouth of Wilson (VA) Oak Hill Academy vs. DeLaSalle (CA) 8:30 p.m.

 

TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION BRACKET

 

Thursday December 27th

Westbury Christian vs. Texas City 11:30 a.m.

Cypress Springs vs. Aldine Nimitz 1:00 p.m.

Heritage Christian vs. Clements 4:00 p.m.

Eisenhower vs. Westfield 5:30 p.m.

 

 

WILDCAT FAN TO GO EARLY SNEAK PEEK AT THEIR RECRUITS

The three future Kentucky Wildcat players are scheduled to play in Lexington in December. 6-5 shooting guard Antwain Barbour of Wabash Valley (IL) CC, 5-9 point guard Brandon Stockton from Glasgow (KY) High and 6-9 power forward Bernard Cote of St. Lambert (Ontario) Champlain will participate in the inaugural Adolph Rupp Classic on December 14-15 at Lexington Catholic. Barbour is considered among the top two JC players in the country. He shined at the U.S. Trails this summer. Stockton is the early favorite for Mr. Basketball in the state of Kentucky and is College Basketball News’ #68 senior.

 

The schedule:

Friday, Dec. 14

Lexington Catholic (KY) vs. Schenectady (NY) 6 p.m.

DeMatha Catholic (Md) vs. Scott County (KY) 7:30 p.m.

Wabash Valley College (IL) vs. St. Catharine College (KY) 9:15 p.m.

 

Saturday, Dec. 15

Schenectady (NY) vs. Scott County (KY), 4 p.m.

Madison Central (KY) vs. Glasgow (KY), 5:30 p.m.

Lexington Catholic (KY) vs. DeMatha Catholic (MD), 7 p.m.

Champlain St. Lambert (Canada) vs. Pleasure Ridge Park (KY), 8:30 p.m.

 

HANOUR LEAVES ARIZONA

Sophomore guard Travis Hanour has decided to leave the program immediately due to personal reasons. Hanour, a 6-6, 188-pound guard from Laguna Beach, California, averaged 3.1 points and 1.4 rebounds, while shooting .339 from the floor in 20 games last season. Hanour was the team’s third leading returning scorer for the Wildcats. Arizona now returns just four players from last year’s 28-8 team that advanced to the NCAA Championship game. They welcome back just one starter, Jason Gardner.

Arizona opens the 2001-02 season against Maryland on November 8 at the Coaches vs. Cancer IKON Classic in New York, N.Y.  The game will be televised by ESPN2.

 

NBDL INVITES 163 PLAYERS

The National Basketball Development League (NBDL) has invited 163 players to the Central Training Camp at the Suwanee Sports Academy in Suwanee, Georgia to compete for one of 88 roster spots with the league's eight teams. The camp will be held from Friday, October 26, through Saturday, November 3rd. Players who have been signed by the league will be attend four days of practice and tryouts (Oct. 27-30), which will be followed by the NBDL's Inaugural Central Training Camp Draft on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Each team's 12 draft selections will be announced on Thursday, Nov. 1, at the Sports Academy. Teams of 16 (12 draft selections and four allocation players) will then practice for two days (Nov. 1-2) before coaches must cut rosters down to 11 players for individual team training camps beginning Nov. 6. On Nov. 3 the league will conduct a Supplemental Draft, which will include "last cuts" from NBA training camps. Players selected in this draft will join team training camps on Nov. 6 to compete for final roster spots. NBDL teams will open individual training camps in their respective cities on Tuesday, Nov. 6, and must submit their final 11-player roster requests to the NBDL Office by 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 14. Final rosters will consist of at least one "allocation player" and two "first-year professional players." The National Basketball Development League will tip off its inaugural season on Nov. 16, 2001.

 

The Fayetteville Patriots (NC), North Charleston Lowgators (SC), Huntsville Flight (AL), Mobile Revelers (AL), Roanoke Dazzle (VA), Columbus Riverdragons (GA), Greenville Groove (SC), and Asheville Altitude (NC) will compete in a 56-game regular season schedule that runs from mid-November through March, followed by playoffs. A total of 24 games will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2 and ESPN, and 19 games will be broadcast regionally on FOX Sports Net South.

 

The following is a look at the 163 players who are invited to the Central Training Camp.

 

#

PLAYER

HT

POS

SCHOOL

109

Kareem Abdul Jabbar Jr.

6-6

SF

Western Kentucky '99

143

Chris Andersen

6-10

PF

Blinn CC '99

110

Harold Arceneaux

6-6

SF

Weber State '00

9

Tezale Archie

6-1

PG

Pepperdine '00

144

Jeff Aubrey

6-10

C

Cornell '99

145

Victor Avila

6-10

PF

Oklahoma '00

146

Chris Bacon

6-10

SF

Nicholls State '01

42

Alan Barksdale

6-3

SG

UALR ' 01

57

Tyrone Barksdale

6-1

PG

IUPUI '98

43

Le'Andrew Bass

6-3

PG

UAB '01

91

J.B. Bickerstaff

6-5

SG

Minnesota '01

183

C.J. Black

6-8

PF

Tennessee '00

76

Anthony Blakes

6-4

SG

Wyoming '00

123

Jeff Boese

6-7

SF

Mesa State '01

111

Keith Booth

6-6

SF

Maryland '97

44

Juan Bragg

6-3

PG

Oklahoma City University '00

92

Geoff Brower

6-5

SG

Lander University 00

32

Lavell Brown

6-2

PG

Cal-State Bakersfield '99

33

Tierre Brown

6-2

SG

McNeese State '01

34

Terik Brown

6-2

PG

Oregon '99

124

Joe Brown

6-7

SG

Coppin State '01

157

Sah-u-rah Brown

6-11

C

Lehigh '01

200

Kris Bruton

6-7

SF

Benedict College '94

158

Michael Canady

6-11

C

Morgan State '01

112

Chris Carrawell

6-6

SF

Duke '00

77

Brett Carey

6-4

SG

UNC-Asheville '01

184

Don Carlisle

6-8

SF

IUPUI '01

93

Ian Chadwick

6-5

SG

Wofford '01

94

Michael Chadwick

6-5

SG

Georgia ' 00

172

Kip Christianson

7-1

C

St. Johns (MN) '97

125

Tony Christie

6-7

SF

Clemson '99

133

Luther Clay

6-9

PF

Rhode Island '00

35

Merl Code

6-2

PG

Clemson '98

95

Eric Coley

6-5

SG

Tulsa '00

45

Jaraan Cornell

6-3

SG

Purdue '00

159

Ben Coupet

6-11

C

Bradley '97

160

Walter Craft

6-11

C

Detroit '01

126

Chris Crosby

6-7

SF

Washington State '00

46

Edwin Daniels

6-3

PG

TCU '01

168

Yinka Dare

7-0

C

George Washington '94

56

Larry Davis

6-3

SG

South Carolina '97

169

Deng D'Awol

7-0

C

Wayland Baptist University '01

36

Harold Deane

6-2

PG

Virginia '97

148

Tate Decker

6-10

F

Oklahoma City University '01

170

Pate Diene

7-0

C

Texas A&M Corpus Christi '01

113

Eugene Edgerson

6-6

PF

Arizona '01

127

Raphael Edwards

6-7

SF

East Carolina '98

173

Neil Edwards

7-1

C

York College '00

96

Tyrone Ellis

6-5

SG

Southern Nazarene '01

152

Cheikh Fall

6-10

C

Long Island University '01

54

Daymeon Fishback

6-5

SF

Auburn '99

53

Joel Fleming

6-2

PG

Western Carolina '98

97

Keith Friel

6-5

SG

Virginia ' 01

37

George "Gee" Gervin Jr.

6-2

SG

Houston '00

185

Ceedric Goodwyn

6-8

SF

Colorado State '00

114

Antonio Grant

6-6

SF

South Carolina '01

79

Brian Green

6-4

SG

Nevada '01

98

Kenny Gregory

6-5

SG

Kansas '01

10

Allen Griffin

6-1

PG

Syracuse '01

47

James Griffin

6-3

SG

Alabama '95

80

Artie Griffin

6-4

PG

College of Charleston '01

115

Rob Griffin

6-6

SF

Iowa '01

128

Lonnie Harrell

6-7

PG

Northeastern '96

8

Tony Harris

6-0

PG

Tennessee '01

48

Steve Hart

6-3

SG

Indiana State '98

149

Charles Hathaway

6-10

C

Tennessee '01

186

Isaac Hawkins

6-8

SF

Pittsburgh '01

116

Curtis Haywood

6-6

SF

Oklahoma City University '99

99

Johnny Hemsley

6-5

SG

Miami '00

100

Erik Herring

6-5

SG

George Mason '01

4

Derrick Hines

5-11

PG

Elizabeth City State '00

187

Derek Hood

6-8

PF

Arkansas '99

101

Fred House

6-5

SG

Southern Idaho '01

188

DeeAndre Hulett

6-8

SF

College of Sequoias '00

81

Jimmie Hunter

6-4

PG

Life University '00

161

Shaun Igo

6-11

PF

Rice '99

82

Antonio Jackson

6-4

SG

Mississippi State '01

83

Cornelius Jackson

6-4

PG

Marshall '01

189

John Jackson

6-8

PF

Mississippi '98

117

Nate James

6-6

SG

Duke '01

134

Alvin Jefferson

6-9

PF

Auburn '97

129

Reggie Jessie

6-7

SF

St. Johns '01

174

Darryl Johns

7-1

C

Chicago State '01

130

Nate Johnson

6-7

SF

Louisville '00

135

Edward Johnson

6-9

PF

Utah '93

150

Lorenzo Johnson

6-10

PF

Colorado State '98

84

Brian Jones

6-4

PG

Santa Clara '01

102

Anthony Jones

6-5

SG

Ohio University '01

190

Anthony Jones

6-8

SF

Chicago State '01

103

Mark Karcher

6-5

SG

Temple '00

136

Ron Kelley

6-9

PF

NC State '01

85

Mike King

6-4

SG

GWU '01

38

Tim Kisner

6-2

PG

Central Michigan '01

191

Maurice Linton

6-8

SF

Wisconsin '01

131

Rahim Lockhart

6-8

PF

Mississippi '01

86

Shenard Long

6-4

SG

Georgia State '01

49

Terrance Martin

6-3

SG

Alabama '01

87

Sergio McClain

6-4

SG

Illinois '01

118

Jason McCutcheon

6-6

SF

Nicholls State '99

201

Cedric McGinnis

6-8

PF

Georgia Southern '99

5

Terrell McIntyre

5-11

PG

Clemson '99

39

B.J. McKie

6-2

PG

South Carolina '99

192

Kevin Melson

6-8

SF

Wright State '01

104

Jeff Meyers

6-5

SG

Drexel '97

193

Jamario Moon

6-8

SF

Meridian CC '00

199

Rodney Morning

6-10

C

Fayetteville State '01

176

Gabe Muoneke

6-7

PF

Texas '00

6

Calvin Murphy Jr.

5-11

PG

Houston '01

151

Mohamed Niang

6-10

C

Delaware '99

105

Max Owens

6-5

SG

North Carolina '01

12

Chris Palmer

6-3

SG

Howard '98

1

Tyson Patterson

5-10

PG

Appalachian State '00

2

Rashad Phillips

5-10

PG

Detroit '01

106

Marshall Phillips

6-5

SF

Appalachian State '00

153

Johhny Phillips

6-10

PF

Texas Tech '01

55

Derrick Pickens

6-3

SG

West Alabama '98

171

Kareem Poole

7-0

C

Tyler (TX) JC '99

177

Reed Rawlings

6-7

SF

Samford '00

154

J.B. Reafsynder

6-10

C

Syracuse '96

11

Leland Redmond

6-1

PG

Texas Southern '99

178

George Reese

6-7

SF

Ohio State '00

162

Osiris Ricardo

6-11

C

Missouri Southern State College '00

155

JaJa Richards

6-10

PF

Loyola University '96

137

Albert Richardson

6-9

PF

Kentucky Wesleyan '99

28

Tryrian Ridges

6-1

PG

Union University '00

163

Craig Rodgers

6-11

C

Toledo '01

40

Troy Rolle

6-2

SG

Utah State '00

29

Rasul Salahuddin

6-1

SG

Long Beach State '96

198

Eric Schraeder

6-9

SF

St. Mary's (CA) '99

164

Lee Scruggs

6-11

F

Georgetown '01

175

Terry Sellers

7-2

C

Iona '01

165

Nick Sheppard

6-11

C

Pepperdine '00

194

Clayton Shields

6-8

SF

New Mexico '98

119

Jason Singleton

6-6

SG

Ohio State '99

181

Jason Skaer

6-7

SF

Rice '99

30

Edward Smith

6-1

PG

Arizona Western JC '96

41

Saul Smith

6-2

PG

Kentucky '01

120

Cedric Smith

6-6

SF

South Florida '01

107

Stephen Starks

6-5

SG

Drexel '01

195

Greg Stempin

6-8

SF

Toledo '01

138

Greg Stolt

6-9

SF

Florida '99

7

Tevis Stukes

5-11

SG

Baylor '00

31

Deaundra Tanner

6-1

PG

Oregon State '01

88

Corey Tarrant

6-4

SG

Eastern Michigan '00

139

Jermaine Tate

6-9

PF

Cincinnati '00

182

Carl Thomas

6-7

SF

College of Charleston '99

140

Rahmeen Underwood

6-9

PF

Texas Southern '01

50

Jeremy Veal

6-3

PG

Arizona State '98

156

Rineo Vlijter

6-10

C

St. Ambrose '01

51

Jaquay Walls

6-3

PG

Colorado '00

89

Brian Wardle

6-4

SG

Marquette '01

90

Fred Warrick

6-4

SG

Coppin State '99

108

Donald Watts

6-5

SG

Washington '99

121

Sedric Webber

6-6

SF

College of Charleston '99

142

Joe White

6-9

PF

Texas A&M '99

52

Tess Whitlock

6-3

PG

Hawaii '97

141

Tom Wideman

6-9

PF

Clemson '98

3

Mike Wilks

5-10

PG

Rice '01

122

Marcus Williams

6-6

SG

Campbellsville University '01

196

Tony Williams

6-8

SF

Louisville '00

166

Le'Shell "Lee" Wilson

6-11

C

Arkansas '97

197

Dewitt Youngblood III

6-8

PF

Old Dominion '00

167

Keil Zepernick

6-11

PF

Barton College '99

 

October 25, 2001

 

IUPUI FORT WAYNE MAKES MOVE UP

IUPUI Fort Wayne will play a strong Division I schedule this season as the Mastadons play Michigan State, Michigan, Colorado State, San Diego State and Long Beach State. They are like Gardner-Webb and Savannah State as they are Division I counter, but will have no RPI ranking. Last year, they faced a Division II schedule and finished 7-23. Third year head coach Doug Noll has moved the team from the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) to Division I. The Mastadons have had just four to five scholarships, while the other conference members such as Division II powerhouse Kentucky Wesleyan’s ten. They will move from ten to eleven scholarships to 13 full rides. The Mastadons are pursuing joining a conference such as the Horizon (formerly the Midwestern Collegiate) or Mid-Continent. The Midwestern Collegiate finished eleventh among conferences in RPI and the Mid-Continent was 21st. The Horizon is closer geographically, while the Mid-Continent is more spread out with teams like Southern Utah, Oral Roberts and Missouri-Kansas City.

 

The Mastadons return their top six scorers and have just two seniors on their team. 6-5 senior Nick Wise led the team with 18.2 points per game and 6-0 junior Brad Noll, the coaches’ son, scored 14.6 points per contest.  They have two former Division I transfer who will play this season. 6-8 sophomore John Watkins transferred from Wright State, while Fort Wayne native Terry Collins will be eligible second semester after leaving Appalachian State, where he did not play as a freshman. 6-8 David Simon is sitting out the season after transferring from Loyola (IL), where he played volleyball.

 

They will play just two games at the Memorial Coliseum, home of the Mid-Continent Tournament, as the building is undergoing a 40 million dollar renovation

 

The Mastadons are hoping that playing in the state’s second biggest city and the addition scholarships will help their recruiting. They had received a verbal commitment from 6-6 Jonathan Hunter of Gaston (IN) Wes-Del. Hunter averaged 20 points and ten rebounds per game for the small Indiana school that has just 300 students. Unfortunately, Hunter was killed in an automobile accident on September 29th. Noll got word of the tragedy the following day, ironically on his birthday. Hunter was an honor student who worked church camps. He had a 42-inch vertical and had just been on campus the previous week. Hunter was a popular kid in the community and his funeral drew more than 1,000 visitors. He is survived by parents, Stephen and Kimberly, and two brothers and a sister. In memory of Hunter and IUPUI Fort Wayne, he will remain on my list of commitments.

 

SLANINKA TO TRANSFER FROM MARYLAND

7-4 redshirt freshman Matt Slaninka has decided to transfer from Maryland to a smaller school to get more playing time. Slaninka missed the Terps' first preseason scrimmage on last Saturday, claiming he was ill and skipped the team's next two practices. His departure leaves Maryland with a twelve-man roster. The Terps have received verbal commitments from 6-4 shooting Chris McCray of Capitol Heights (MD) Fairmont, 6-6 small forward Nik Caner-Medley of Portland (ME) Deering,

6-2 point guard John Gilchrist from Salem (VA) High and 6-8 power forward Travis Garrison of Hyattsville (MD) DeMatha Catholic and could use Slaninka’s scholarship to sign a fifth player, but they may be leaning toward holding the scholarship for the next year.

 

Slaninka was a four-year letterwinner at Dematha and was a team co-captain who helped lead DeMatha to a consensus No. 9 national ranking while coming off the bench as a senior. His father, Rick, played offensive tackle with the Maryland football team from 1968-70.

 

October 24, 2001

 

FIELD FINALIZED FOR TIMBERWOLVES QUADRUPLE HEADER

The Minnesota Timberwolves have scheduled a prep afternoon doubleheader the past several years before their own NBA contest. However, they are going to out-do themselves as they are planning a high school tripleheader with three of the top Minnesota teams facing three out-state squads as they finalized the field.

 

Hopkins, Litchfield and Minneapolis Patrick Henry are the three local squads that are scheduled for the January 26th event at the Target Center before the Timberwolves-Atlanta Hawks contest. Hopkins will be led by three outstanding juniors. College Basketball News’ #14 junior Kris Humphries leads the Royals, but Darren Clarke and Dan Coleman are among the top juniors in the state. Clarke played for the Howard Pulley 16 and under team this summer and started for the royals as a sophomore. Coleman is the nephew of former Minnesota and Maryland big man, Ben Coleman, who played five seasons in the NBA. He is transferring from Minneapolis Southwest.

 

Litchfield was the 2000 Minnesota Class AA champion after finishing 30-0 and was 24-4 last season before losing to Annadale in the Section 5AA District 20 title 53-49. The Dragons are led 6-6 junior John Carlson, who was named second team Minnesota Associated Press All-State. He averaged 14.5 points, seven rebounds, three assists and 1.2 steals per game and shot 57 percent from the field and 70 percent at the foul line. They must replace leading scorer Mike Patten, who averaged 18.8 points per game last year. The 5-10 point guard will play at Division II powerhouse North Dakota State. However, the Dragons should be one of the top teams in the state as they started one junior (now senior) and three sophomores (now juniors) last year.

           

Patrick Henry has won back-to-back Class AAA titles and head coach Lawrence McKenzie is calling this year’s squad perhaps his best team ever as they are the likely favorites in Minnesota’s second largest class. The Patriots return 6-2 Terry Pettis and 6-3 Zerek Knight, who started for the Howard Pulley 17-and-under team this summer. Lawrence McKenzie Jr. is being recruited by Wisconsin, Michigan State and Nebraska as a junior and the Partios added junior center/forward Calvin Walls, who played for Class AAAA champion Osseo last season. Osseo lost just once last season to nationally number one ranked Mouth of Wlison (VA) Oak Hill Academy at last year’s Timberwolves event. Henry finished 28-2 last season. The Patriots defeated Gainesville (FL) High two years when the teams met at the Target Center as part of the 1999 event. Gainesville was led by Gator Orien Greene. Minneapolis Henry finished second in the recent Future Stars/Hoops in the Heartland Tournament in Iowa City
 
Three out-state teams will face the Minnesota squads. Hopkins will face Houston (TX) Westbury Christian in the last of the three prep games at 3:00. Westbury Christian is led by College Basketball News’ #9 junior Nbudi Ebi. He is a 6-8, 185 pound forward, who shined this summer at the Nike Peach Jam.
 
Henry will square up against Brooklyn (NY) Lincoln. They are paced by College Basketball News’ number one sophomore Sebastian Telfair. Litchfield will meet Oakland (CA) Tech, led by College Basketball News’ number three junior Leon Powe.
 
The Minnesota teams have had an excellent track record in this event. Minneapolis North blew out perennial power Oak Hill Academy as Khalid El-Amin shined over William Avery in a 30-point win. Minnetonka led by current Minnesota guard Shane Schilling defeated Lexington (KY) Catholic, who featured Notre Dame’s Patrick Graves. 
 
Last season, Oak Hill Academy gave Minnesota Class AAAA state champion Osseo their only loss and Duluth East, led by McDonald’s All-American defeated Potomac (VA).

 

 PRESEASON ASSISTS AND STEALS LEADERS

The NBA season starts next Tuesday and many of the league’s top stars are showing that they are ready for a big year. The following is a look at the leaders in assists and steals during the preseason.

 

PLAYER

TEAM

GAMES

ASSISTS

AVERAGE

Marbury

Phoenix

4

34

8.5

Payton

Seattle

5

42

8.4

Claxton

Philadelphia

5

40

8.0

Miller

Cleveland

5

39

7.8

Van Exel

Denver

4

29

7.3

A. Williams

Toronto

5

36

7.2

Francis

Houston

5

35

7.0

Davis

Charlotte

6

41

6.8

Stockton

Utah

5

34

6.8

Nash

Dallas

6

40

6.7

 

PLAYER

TEAM

GAMES

BLOCKS

AVERAGE

Mourning

Miami

4

14

3.5

LaFrentz

Denver

5

17

3.4

Mutombo

Philadelphia

3

10

3.3

B. Wallace

Detroit

6

17

2.8

Kirilenko

Utah

5

12

2.4

MacCulloch

New Jersey

5

12

2.4

Ostertag

Utah

5

12

2.4

Chandler

Chicago

5

11

2.2

Garnett

Minnesota

5

11

2.2

Olajuwon

Toronto

5

11

2.2

Woods

Minnesota

5

11

2.2

 

October 23, 2001

 

PRESEASON SCORING AND REBOUNDING LEADERS

The NBA season starts next Tuesday and many of the league’s top stars are showing that they are ready for a big year. The following is a look at the top scorers and rebounders during the preseason.

 

PLAYER

TEAM

GAMES

POINTS

AVERAGE

Stackhouse

Detroit

6

140

23.3

Bryant

L.A. Lakers

5

114

22.8

Jordan

Washington

4

91

22.8

Allen

Milwaukee

5

111

22.2

Carter

Toronto

5

111

22.2

Francis

Houston

5

110

22.0

Pierce

Boston

5

129

25.8

Stojaokic

Sacramento

5

103

20.6

Walker

Boston

6

121

20.2

Garnett

Minnesota

5

99

19.8

 

PLAYER

TEAM

GAMES

REBOUNDS

AVERAGE

Garnett

Minnesota

5

55

11.0

Wright

Memphis

5

54

10.8

Fortson

Golden State

5

49

9.8

B. Wallace

Detroit

6

54

9.0

Doleac

Cleveland

5

44

8.8

Walker

Boston

6

50

8.3

Pierce

Boston

6

48

8.0

Abdur-Rahim

Atlanta

5

39

7.8

Duncan

San Antonio

5

39

7.8

Hill

Orlando

5

39

7.8

 

SCHOETZ TO MISS SECOND STRAIGHT SEASON

Wake Forest redshirt freshman center Dshamal Schoetz will sit out the 2001-02 season after tearing the anterior cruciate and
medial collateral ligaments in his right knee. The seven footer injured the knee during last Friday’s practice session at
the Kenneth D. Miller Center. He’ll have surgery November 2nd and the expected recovery time is nine to twelve months.

Schotz, a native of Cottbus, Germany, redshirted last season and came to Wake Forest after playing two seasons on the high school level at High Point Wesleyan Academy. Wake Forest was 19-11 last season and was lost to Butler in the NCAA tournament first round. The Demon Deacons return three starters and welcome first year head coach Skip Prosser. Prosser replaced Dave Odom, who is now the head coach at South Carolina. Prosser led Xavier to a 21-8 mark last season and an appearance in the NCAA tournament, where they lost to Notre Dame in the first round.

 

October 22, 2001

 

COLLEGE FANTASY BASKETBALL CONTEST

As some of you readers might know, I am a fan of fantasy sports. I have written the fantasy basketball section for the Sporting News’ Pro Basketball Yearbook and for Fantasy Football Weekly, CDM Fantasy Challenge and other fantasy magazines. I am planning on having a fantasy college basketball contest available for readers of College Basketball News. The contest would allow owners to battle against each other as they try to pick the best possible teams made up of players from the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Big East, Pac-10, Conference USA and SEC. The rules are very simple and you can win a first place prize of $2,500. For a look at how the game would run, click the link. The contest starts in January during conference play, but sign-ups begin today.

 

College Fantasy Contest Rules

 

ACC Fantasy Contest

Big East Fantasy Contest

Big 10 Fantasy Contest

Pac 10 Fantasy Contest

Big 12 Fantasy Contest

SEC Fantasy Contest

 

BUSH AND JOHNSON PROVE THAT COLLEGE PLAYERS CAN SHINE IN TWO SPORTS

Washington State is off to a surprising 7-0 start and has moved up to number ten in the country. Wide receiver Mike Bush is one of the key reasons for the Cougars’ #10 spot in the ESPN/USA Today Poll. He has caught 30 passes for 607 yards (20.7 per reception) with seven touchdowns. Bush has caught a touchdown pass in the last five games and has snared two each in the last two contests. They play Oregon, which lost for the first time this past weekend, on Saturday. Conference rival Teyo Johnson of Stanford redshirted last season as a quarterback and was moved to wide receiver in the spring. He has 14 catches for 222 yards and has three touchdowns. Johnson caught five passes for 95 yards in the Cardinal’s upset win over #5 Oregon Saturday and he scored on a 28-yeard touchdown pass and added a two-point conversion. Johnson was valuable frontline player off the bench for a Cardinal team that was ranked #1 in the country and reached the NCAA West Regional last season. He averaged 4.1 points and 2.2 rebounds and was named honorable mention All-Pac 10 freshman. 

 

October 21, 2001

 

OTHER HOOP STARS SHINE ON THE GRIDIRON

We have looked at the exploits of College Basketball News’ #1 high school player, LeBron James of Akron St. Vincent- St. Mary, on the football field. However, the Irish wide receiver is not the only outstanding two-sport athlete who is playing in shoulder pads this fall. Iowa verbal Jeff Horner of Mason City (IA) High was the MVP of last weekend’s Future Stars/Auto Glass Center “Hoops in the Heartland” Tournament as he led Marin Brothers Blue to the title. The former QB has shined this season at the wide receiver spot. He has caught eleven touchdowns on just 26 catches for 541 yards (20.8 yards per reception). Mason City is 6-2 so far this season after beating Marshalltown 42-13. Horner caught two passes in Friday’s win for 47 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown. their first winning season in twenty years. They are 3-1 in the Iowa Conference and are tied with Newton, just one game behind Valley. They have not qualified for the playoffs since 1985 and just 3-6 last season. Horner is ranked #41 among seniors by College Basketball News, a ranking that might be a bit low. Horner is an outstanding passer, especially on court length passes and has terrific shooting range. 

 

Louisville (KY) Male junior Michael Bush might be the best high school football player in Kentucky. He certainly made a compelling performance Friday as the 6-3, 225-pound All-Stater scored four times, including twice in the final 2:30, as the Bulldogs edged St. Xavier 28-20 before an overflow crowd of 8,000 at Manual Stadium. Bush put Male ahead 21-20 with a one yard run on fourth down with 2:30 left. He scored again on an eight yard run with 1:12 left. He was a Courier-Journal first-team All-State choice at defensive back as a sophomore. He finished with 70 yards on eight carries and three pass receptions for 87 yards, including touchdown strikes of 33 and 36 yards from quarterback Brandon Blackerby. He also had 10 tackles. Male is 8-1 this season and is poised to repeat as state champions in Class 4-A.

 

TOP FANTASY POINT GUARDS

For NBA fantasy fans who are preparing for their fantasy drafts, I’ve been posting the top players at each position each day over the past five days. Yesterday, we looked at the top small forwards. In this final installment, we will look at the top point guards. Seattle playmaker Gary Payton has voiced his displeasure with the sonic organization, but that has not stopped him from producing on the court. He averaged 23.1 points per game last season, the second highest average in the career and had more than eight assists per contest for the fourth straight season. His rebounding and three-pointers fell off a bit, but he gives an owner help in many categories. Last year’s second and third best point guards in terms of points, assists, rebounds, steals and blocks per game (PARBS), Stephon Marbury and Jason Kidd were traded for each other in the offseason. Marbury needs to work on increasing his steals and his offense is likely to drop a bit with the Suns. Kidd led the NBA in assists and finished fourth in steals. His shooting percentage has never wowed fantasy owners, but he has made great strides throughout his carerr in his free throw shooting and he is the best rebounding point guard in the league. Sam Cassell had his second straight strong seasons with the Bucks. However, his three-point shooting has severely dropped off the last few years. He has made 56 “threes” combined the past two seasons, compared to 63 in 1994-95, 73 in 1995-96 and 81 in 1996-97. His 47.4% shooting percentage was the best among the top ten point guards, but his steals totals are a bit subpar. The point guard spot has some young talent with Baron Davis of Charlotte and Mike Bibby, now with Sacramento, who figure to improve on last year’s numbers.

 

The following is a look at the top fifty-six point guards.

 

TEAM

NAME

P

G

MIN

MPG

PPG

RPG

APG

FG%

FT

FT%

3FG

TRB

AST

STL

BLK

PTS

PARBS

AVG

Seattle

Payton

PG

79

3244

41.1

23.1

4.6

8.1

.456

271

.766

102

361

642

127

26

1823

2979

37.7

NJ Nets

Marbury

PG

67

2557

38.2

23.9

3.1

7.6

.441

362

.790

110

205

506

79

5

1598

2393

35.7

Phoenix

Kidd

PG

77

3065

39.8

16.9

6.4

9.8

.411

328

.814

69

494

753

166

23

1299

2735

35.5

Milwaukee

Cassell

PG

76

2709

35.6

18.2

3.8

7.6

.474

277

.858

30

290

580

88

8

1381

2347

30.9

Denver

Van Exel

PG

71

2688

37.9

17.7

3.4

8.5

.414

204

.819

135

241

600

61

18

1259

2179

30.7

Cleveland

Miller

PG

82

2848

34.7

15.8

4.4

8.0

.452

375

.833

17

360

657

119

28

1296

2460

30.0

Minnesota

Brandon

PG

78

2821

36.2

16.0

3.8

7.5

.451

195

.871

33

298

583

161

21

1250

2313

29.7

Orlando

Armstrong

PG

75

2767

36.9

15.9

4.6

7.0

.412

220

.884

143

343

524

135

13

1189

2204

29.4

Vancouver

Bibby

PG

82

3190

38.9

15.9

3.7

8.4

.454

143

.761

108

304

685

107

12

1301

2409

29.4

Charlotte

Davis

PG

82

3192

38.9

13.8

5.0

7.3

.427

228

.677

85

408

598

170

36

1131

2343

28.6

Dallas

Nash

PG

70

2387

34.1

15.6

3.2

7.3

.487

231

.895

89

223

509

72

5

1092

1901

27.2

Miami

Hardaway

PG

77

2613

33.9

14.9

2.6

6.3

.392

145

.801

189

204

483

90

6

1150

1933

25.1

Utah

Stockton

PG

82

2397

29.2

11.5

2.8

8.7

.504

227

.817

61

227

713

132

21

944

2037

24.8

Golden St

Blaylock

PG

69

2352

34.1

11.0

3.9

6.7

.396

53

.697

73

272

462

163

20

760

1677

24.3

Portland

Stoudamire

PG

82

2655

32.4

13.0

3.7

5.7

.434

172

.831

82

303

468

106

8

1066

1951

23.8

Indiana

Best

PG

77

2457

31.9

11.9

2.9

6.1

.440

187

.827

37

222

473

110

11

918

1734

22.5

Philadelphia

Snow

PG

50

1740

34.8

9.8

3.3

7.4

.418

122

.792

5

166

369

77

7

491

1110

22.2

LAClippers

McInnis

PG

81

2831

35.0

12.9

2.7

5.5

.463

130

.807

52

220

447

75

7

1046

1795

22.2

LA Lakers

Fisher

PG

20

709

35.5

11.5

3.0

4.4

.412

50

.806

25

59

87

39

2

229

416

20.8

New York

Jackson

PG

83

2588

31.2

7.6

3.7

8.0

.419

73

.785

70

305

661

84

7

631

1688

20.3

Toronto

A. Williams

PG

82

2394

29.2

9.8

2.6

5.0

.430

109

.752

33

212

407

123

26

802

1570

19.1

Detroit

Atkins

PG

81

2363

29.2

12.0

2.1

4.1

.399

90

.692

121

173

330

67

5

971

1546

19.1

Portland

Strickland

PG

54

1371

25.4

9.2

2.6

5.6

.424

130

.751

4

140

303

53

5

498

999

18.5

Sacramento

Williams

PG

77

2290

29.7

9.4

2.4

5.4

.407

60

.789

98

185

416

94

9

720

1424

18.5

Atlanta

Knight

PG

53

1457

27.5

6.3

3.2

5.9

.375

54

.818

1

168

311

101

4

333

917

17.3

Washington

Whitney

PG

59

1532

26.0

9.5

1.8

4.2

.387

101

.894

93

106

248

55

3

558

970

16.4

Dallas

Eisley

PG

82

2426

29.6

9.0

2.4

3.6

.393

104

.825

107

197

295

99

12

741

1344

16.4

San Antonio

Daniels

PG

79

2060

26.1

9.4

2.1

3.8

.468

121

.776

74

163

304

61

14

745

1287

16.3

Milwaukee

Hunter

PG