MORGANTOWN, W.Va.— West Virginia University says men’s basketball coach Bob Huggins has been released from a Las Vegas hospital.

WVU says coach Bob Huggins released from hospital

The university says Huggins was released Wednesday. He had been hospitalized since breaking seven ribs in a fall in his hotel room on Friday while in Nevada [...]]]> Associated Press

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.— West Virginia University says men’s basketball coach Bob Huggins has been released from a Las Vegas hospital.

WVU says coach Bob Huggins released from hospital

The university says Huggins was released Wednesday. He had been hospitalized since breaking seven ribs in a fall in his hotel room on Friday while in Nevada on a recruiting trip.

Follow us on Twitter: CSN_Cincy

INDIANAPOLIS —Texas-San Antonio athletic director Lynn Hickey is getting ready for her next big balancing act.

Yes, she wants to be the impartial judge and find a workable format for the NCAA’s new 68-team format for the men’s basketball tournament. She also must perform her role as an advocate for schools such as UTSA [...]]]> Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS —Texas-San Antonio athletic director Lynn Hickey is getting ready for her next big balancing act.

Yes, she wants to be the impartial judge and find a workable format for the NCAA’s new 68-team format for the men’s basketball tournament. She also must perform her role as an advocate for schools such as UTSA and smaller conferences such as the Southland.

All 10 men’s basketball committee members will face a similar dilemma next week as they sift through the responses to the format change. The five days of meetings in Indianapolis will not include much easy reading, and it’s not likely to be a simple vote, either.

“It’s the first time we’ll have a summary of what the different conferences are submitting,” Hickey said. “I think there’s been a variety of responses, but they’re all over the map.”

Those reactions could complicate what once looked like a simple process.

After meeting in May, the committee asked NCAA schools to give their opinions on the recommended expansion to four opening-round games, one in each region. Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith confirmed there were three options on the list—making the eight lowest seeds in the tourney play in the opening round, making the last eight at-large teams in the field play or a combination of the two.

The only clear answer heading into the meetings, which start Sunday, is this: Nobody wants to play in the opening-round games.

Teams competing in conferences such as the Southland, like Hickey’s Roadrunners, or the Southwestern Athletic, a league made up primarily of historically black colleges and universities, do not want to be pigeonholed into playing an extra tourney game each year. Power-conference schools, which usually take most of the 34 at-large bids, think they should avoid the opening-round games, too.

So Smith and Hickey must figure out how to play both advocate and arbiter.

“My responsibility is to the groups I represent, so I need to be very well informed about what they want,” Hickey said.

The expectation is that a vote will take place next week, though a formal announcement may not come right away.

Should the committee want more time to consider the schools’ suggestions, which Hickey described as going “above and beyond” previous proposals, it could push back the vote.

“I think what the committee will do is engage in a robust discussion about the various options. Short of that discussion, it’s impossible to anticipate where it comes out, how it comes out because it’s the committee’s decision,” NCAA vice president Greg Shaheen said. “I don’t think it (the time frame) has changed at all. I think it remains on the course that it has been.”

Committee chair Dan Guerrero has said that a decision would be made this summer and that the new format is still expected to be in place for the 2011 tournament.

Smith, who replaces Guerrero, UCLA’s athletic director, as selection committee chair later this year, wouldn’t even guess at what will happen this week.

Last month, Guerrero said putting the eight lowest-seeded teams in the opening-round games would help the selection committee stay “true to the seed process”—though he understands why some leagues are worried. Committee members also must determine when and where the opening-round games will be played. Previous games have been played in Dayton, Ohio.

And with so many schools and conferences trying to score points in this debate, nobody can be sure of what will happen next.

“It’s going to be very interesting when we get the full report,” Hickey said. “What we have to see is how our principles are written, how our entertainment principles are written and then look at what’s best for the tournament and, most important, what’s best for the student-athlete. So it should be an interesting discussion.”

Follow us on Twitter: CSN_Cincy

UCLA’s legendary former basketball coach John Wooden, who in 27 years led his teams to stunning triumphs and was just as well known for mentoring his players off the court and for his motivational “Pyramid of Success,” died at 6:45 p.m. of natural causes. He was 99. His 100th birthday would have been [...]]]> Associated Press

UCLA’s legendary former basketball coach John Wooden, who in 27 years led his teams to stunning triumphs and was just as well known for mentoring his players off the court and for his motivational “Pyramid of Success,” died at 6:45 p.m. of natural causes. He was 99. His 100th birthday would have been Oct. 14.

LOS ANGELES (AP)—Jamaal Wilkes answered his phone a week ago and heard Michael Warren’s voice urging him to get to the hospital to see John Wooden.

The former UCLA coach and Hall of Famer had been in and out of the hospital in recent years, but this time, it was different.

Warren told Wilkes that Wooden might be nearing the end of his inspiring life. A few days later, a grave Bill Walton called Wilkes, saying, “Jamaal, you need to get over here.”

So Wilkes headed to campus to see his 99-year-old former coach, one of many long-ago UCLA basketball greats who gathered at Wooden’s bedside in his final days to say farewell.

“There were lots of people coming through,” said Keith Erickson, who starred on the 1964 and ’65 national title teams. “Everybody wanted to give their last regards to him and let him know for sure that we had been there and how much we loved him.”

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, known as Lew Alcindor in his college days, rushed back from Europe, reaching Wooden’s side hours before he died Friday night. Gary Cunningham, a player, assistant under Wooden and later head coach of the Bruins, cut short a vacation in the Sierra Nevada. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre, a longtime friend, came by, too.

“It was very sweet,” said Andy Hill, a reserve on UCLA’s national championship teams in 1970, ’71 and ’72. “I got to tell him he can leave, but he really can’t because he’s in all of us.”

Erickson spent a few minutes with Wooden on Wednesday night, tenderly holding the long, bony fingers of his mentor’s hand.

“When I spoke to him, he opened his eyes just a little bit and got a little bit of a smile,” he said. “He talked a little bit, but I couldn’t tell what he was saying.”

By Friday, though, Erickson said it was evident the end was near. Wooden didn’t respond to anyone in the room, resting with his pale blue eyes closed, hours away from his long awaited reunion with his late wife Nell.

“They had a very, very close relationship. I’m sure today John is a happy person,” said Gene Bartow, who had the unenviable task of succeeding Wooden in Westwood.

Erickson reminisced Saturday under the 11 national championship banners hanging in a quiet Pauley Pavilion, taking solace in knowing that Wooden was no longer in pain.

“The last couple years he was not happy. He didn’t want to go through this, but he was a fighter,” he said. “He went two years longer than anybody thought he could and he kept getting real sick and he came back.”

Walton didn’t join Saturday’s informal player gathering on Nell and John Wooden Court at Pauley Pavilion.

“The joy and happiness in Coach Wooden’s life came from the success and accomplishments of others. He never let us forget what he learned from his two favorite teachers, Abraham Lincoln and Mother Teresa, “that a life not lived for others is not a life,”’ Walton said in a statement released by the university.

“I thank John Wooden everyday for all his selfless gifts, his lessons, his time, his vision and especially his faith and patience. This is why our eternal love for him will never fade away. This is why we call him ‘Coach.”’

Wilkes, Cunningham, Erickson, Hill, and Marques Johnson traded handshakes and hugs not far from a wreath of red carnations, red roses and white roses sprayed Bruin blue that rested next to Wooden’s seat in the second row behind UCLA’s bench. Overhead hung the blue and gold banner signifying UCLA’s 1975 national championship, Wooden’s record 10th and last.

President Barack Obama said Saturday he was saddened to hear of “the passing of an incredible coach, and an even better man, John Wooden. … As an American, I salute the way he achieved all that success with modesty, and humility, and by wholeheartedly dedicating his life to the betterment of others.”

Like Wooden, who starred at Purdue, Larry Bird became an Indiana basketball legend. The Indiana Pacers president said in a statement, “John Wooden, basketball, Indiana. One doesn’t go without the others.”

Denny Crum played for Wooden from 1956-58, then served as his assistant on three NCAA title teams before leaving to coach Louisville in 1971.

“Coach never talked about winning, ever,” he said. “His theory was that you get the guys in shape, you teach ‘em the fundamentals and then you get ‘em to play together. And he did that better than anybody.

“If you asked him what he did, he’d tell you he was a teacher. That’s what he did. He was really good at that.”

Erickson recalled practices in the old men’s gym were no-nonsense under Wooden.

“He’d blow that whistle and everybody would turn,” he said. “He’d say, “Goodness gracious sakes alive,’ and everybody knew they were in trouble.”

That was Wooden’s version of an expletive. “Fourteen years together and I never heard him use a swear word once,” Cunningham said.

Nearby, Wilkes rested his lanky body in a chair, arms folded across his chest, his eyes focused upward at the banners in the rafters.

“His aura isn’t going to be hanging over the place, but he’s still coaching up in heaven,” he said. “He’s doing his thing, he’s got his notecards, he’s running drills and making them better angels up there.”

Follow us on Twitter: CSN_Cincy


]]> http://www.cincysportingnews.com/wooden%e2%80%99s-final-days-filled-with-love/2010/06/06/feed/ 0 http://www.cincysportingnews.com/kentucky-strickland-switching-roles/2010/05/15/ http://www.cincysportingnews.com/kentucky-strickland-switching-roles/2010/05/15/#comments Sat, 15 May 2010 15:49:15 +0000 admin http://www.cincysportingnews.com/?p=7859 Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. —Kentucky assistant coach Rod Strickland has been voluntarily reassigned to another position within the program.

Strickland will move into an administrative role to reduce travel requirements following his DUI charge last month.

The school announced Thursday that Strickland will move into an administrative role to reduce travel requirements. The move comes a [...]]]> Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. —Kentucky assistant coach Rod Strickland has been voluntarily reassigned to another position within the program.

Strickland will move into an administrative role to reduce travel requirements following his DUI charge last month.

The school announced Thursday that Strickland will move into an administrative role to reduce travel requirements. The move comes a month after Strickland was charged with drunken driving. He has pleaded not guilty.

The search for Strickland’s replacement will begin immediately. Strickland came to the school with coach John Calipari last spring after working the Calipari at Memphis. He played 17 seasons in the NBA and has twice been convicted of drunken driving.

The school also promoted deputy athletic director Rob Mullens to director of day-to-day operations within the men’s basketball program.

Follow us on Twitter: CSN_Cincy

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State star David Lighty has refractured a bone in his left foot and will undergo surgery.

OSU guard David Lighty suffered an injury during spring workouts Tuesday.

Coach Thad Matta said Wednesday that Lighty suffered the injury during spring workouts Tuesday and will have surgery Friday at the Ohio State [...]]]> Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State star David Lighty has refractured a bone in his left foot and will undergo surgery.

OSU guard David Lighty suffered an injury during spring workouts Tuesday.

Coach Thad Matta said Wednesday that Lighty suffered the injury during spring workouts Tuesday and will have surgery Friday at the Ohio State Medical Center.

The foot is the same that Lighty broke in December 2008, an injury that forced him to sit out the remainder of the 2008-2009 season.

Recovery is expected to take up to three months.

Lighty, a junior, averaged 12.6 points this season, helping lead Ohio State to an NCAA tournament round of 16 appearance and Big Ten regular-season and tournament championships.

Follow us on Twitter: CSN_Cincy

LEXINGTON, Ky. —John Calipari is reassuring Kentucky basketball fans that he plans to coach the Wildcats next year, despite speculation he is being pursued by the NBA.

ohn Calipari is reassuring Kentucky basketball fans that he plans to coach the Wildcats next year

Calipari sent a message on Twitter on Friday that said: “I [...]]]> Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. —John Calipari is reassuring Kentucky basketball fans that he plans to coach the Wildcats next year, despite speculation he is being pursued by the NBA.

ohn Calipari is reassuring Kentucky basketball fans that he plans to coach the Wildcats next year

Calipari sent a message on Twitter on Friday that said: “I will be coaching at Kentucky next year. Now let’s finish what we started!”

Calipari added that Kentucky is “the best job in the country” but that he couldn’t stop the speculation. He also said he was addressing the topic for the last time.

Several reports have linked Calipari to the vacant head coaching position with the NBA’s Chicago Bulls and Derrick Rose, the point guard he coached at Memphis.

Follow us on Twitter: CSN_Cincy

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (AP)—Seton Hall says three of its top basketball players will return to school instead of entering the upcoming NBA draft.

Assistant athletic director Matt Sweeney confirmed Friday that guard Jeremy Hazell and forwards Jeff Robinson and Herb Pope have filed the paperwork to withdraw their names from the draft, thereby retaining [...]]]> Associated Press

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (AP)—Seton Hall says three of its top basketball players will return to school instead of entering the upcoming NBA draft.

Assistant athletic director Matt Sweeney confirmed Friday that guard Jeremy Hazell and forwards Jeff Robinson and Herb Pope have filed the paperwork to withdraw their names from the draft, thereby retaining their amateur status.

Pope, who averaged 11.5 points last season and led the Big East by averaging 10.7 rebounds, collapsed last week while working out at the university. Sweeney said he could not provide an update on Pope’s condition, citing federal privacy laws.

Hazell was the Pirates’ leading scorer last season with a 20.4 average, while Robinson averaged 12.2 points.

Follow us on Twitter: CSN_Cincy

CINCINNATI — Xavier’s Jordan Crawford has decided to enter the NBA draft.

Xavier University sophomore Jordan Crawford has decided to keep his name in the upcoming June 24 NBA Draft. Crawford is bidding to become the 15th former Xavier player to play and/or be drafted to play in the NBA Draft since 1990.

The [...]]]> Associated Press

CINCINNATI — Xavier’s Jordan Crawford has decided to enter the NBA draft.

Xavier University sophomore Jordan Crawford has decided to keep his name in the upcoming June 24 NBA Draft. Crawford is bidding to become the 15th former Xavier player to play and/or be drafted to play in the NBA Draft since 1990.

The Atlantic 10’s leading scorer has hired agent Mark Bartelstein, the school announced Friday night. He had until May 8 to decide whether to return to Xavier for his junior season or make himself a candidate for the June 24 draft.

Crawford played one season at Indiana before transferring to Xavier and sitting out a season. In his only season with the Musketeers, he averaged 20.5 points and helped Xavier win a share of a fourth straight A-10 title.

He was at his best in the NCAA tournament, averaging 29 points in three games. He scored a career-high 32 points in a 101-96 double-overtime loss to Kansas State in the regional semifinals.

Follow us on Twitter: CSN_Cincy

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky coach John Calipari says while he’s open to a contract extension, he’s not interested in a raise.

Calipari says he loves coaching at Kentucky and the Wildcats went 35-3 in his first season.

Calipari said Wednesday in an audio tweet on lexy.com that athletic director Mitch Barnhart approached him 10 [...]]]> Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky coach John Calipari says while he’s open to a contract extension, he’s not interested in a raise.

Calipari says he loves coaching at Kentucky and the Wildcats went 35-3 in his first season.

Calipari said Wednesday in an audio tweet on lexy.com that athletic director Mitch Barnhart approached him 10 days ago about restructuring his contract.

Calipari says he told Barnhart that he welcomes the idea but doesn’t want his compensation to change. He recently finished the first year of an eight-year deal that pays him just under $4 million a season.

The contract talks surfaced shortly after reports that Calipari was interested in coaching the NBA’s Chicago Bulls.

Calipari says he loves coaching at Kentucky and the Wildcats went 35-3 in his first season. Freshmen stars John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins have both declared for the NBA draft.

Follow us on Twitter: CSN_Cincy

Calipari, Kentucky working on new contract

//

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky coach John Calipari could be in line for a raise.

Athletic director Mitch Barnhart said Tuesday night the university and Calipari have started talks on a new deal that would keep the coach with the Wildcats for the rest of his career.

“We have [...]]]> Associated Press

Calipari, Kentucky working on new contract

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky coach John Calipari could be in line for a raise.

Athletic director Mitch Barnhart said Tuesday night the university and Calipari have started talks on a new deal that would keep the coach with the Wildcats for the rest of his career.

“We have begun initial discussions on restructuring his contract so that he’s the coach at Kentucky until he retires,” Barnhart said in a statement.

Barnhart’s comments came just hours after reports surfaced linking Calipari and the coaching vacancy with the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, who fired Vinny Del Negro on Tuesday.

Calipari, already the highest paid coach in men’s college basketball, just completed the first year of an eight-year deal that averages nearly $4 million a season. Kentucky went 35-3 last season behind the play of freshmen stars John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins.

“I’m extremely proud of what Coach Calipari has done in just one year as the leader of our men’s basketball program,” Barnhart said. “Cal has brought Kentucky men’s basketball back to its rightful place of national prominence and I’m excited about our future.”

Calipari tried to brush off the NBA speculation on his Facebook page.

“Every year you will hear my named mentioned for NBA jobs because I coached in the league before,” Calipari posted. “I’m very happy at Kentucky.”

Calipari went 72-112 in two-plus seasons with the New Jersey Nets in the late 1990s. He spent the 1999-2000 season as an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers before returning to the collegiate level to coach at Memphis.

The 51-year-old Calipari spent nine seasons with the Tigers before coming to Kentucky last spring. He revitalized the program with arguably one of the greatest recruiting classes in history in Wall, Cousins, Eric Bledsoe and Daniel Orton.

All four, however, are headed to the NBA. So is junior forward Patrick Patterson. Calipari has already put the finishing touches on another stellar class that includes point guard Brandon Knight, rated the top-rated high school senior in the country by Rivals.com.

Calipari has become something of a phenomenon during his one season in the Bluegrass, embracing the school’s tradition and legacy while connecting with one of the most demanding fan bases in the country. He has reveled in the spotlight but acknowledged on Monday that it can be draining.

“I love coaching here, but this is a hard job,” he said. “I haven’t had a day off in a long time. I am looking forward to it at some point, because we still have to finish this recruiting class, to just getting away.”

His destination, however, does not appear to be the NBA.

Follow us on Twitter: CSN_Cincy