Philly College Sports

Month: March 2017

  • Samuelson Leads UConn To The American Tournament Championship

    Samuelson Leads UConn To The American Tournament Championship

    UNCASVILLE, CT. 3/6/2017 – UConn forward Katie Lou Samuelson rewrote much of the record book in the game.  She set an NCAA record for consecutive made three-pointers shooting a perfect 10 – 10 from beyond the arc.  It was also a tournament mark for made three-pointers.  Samuelson also set the mark for most points in a tournament game with 40 breaking the record of 30 set by Feyonda Fitzgerald of Temple two nights earlier. For the game Samuelson made 12 of 14 field goals, was a perfect 6 for 6 from the line, got 2 rebounds, 5 assists, and played good defense.

    “The thing was I didn’t focus on threes, I tried to focus on just playing,” said Samuelson.  “They kept going in and I kept shooting it.  I was getting open shots.”

    The result, Connecticut keeps its perfect record in the title game with a 100 – 44 blitz over USF. With the win in the Frontier Communications American Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Championship at the Mohegan Sun Arena, UConn claims the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.  More streaks? The Huskies are 32 – 0 and have won 107 consecutive games, the longest in NCAA history.

    Samuelson was named the tournament Most Outstanding Player.

    “She was special,” USF Coach Jose Fernanadez said about Samuelson.  “She was in rhythm.  She didn’t force shots. She let the shots come to her and knocked them down.”

    In the four year history of this tournament the UConn Huskies appeared in every championship game.  Three consecutive times the opponent has been the USF Bulls. It was UConn and Louisville in the first title tilt in case you’re interested.  Also, the Huskies are now 82 – 0 in the American.

    The issue was decided early.  Eight minutes into the game the top-seeded Huskies lead 22 – 7, forced 8 Bulls turnovers, and had a 15 – 0 edge in points off turnovers.

    By the half the lead extended to 62 – 23.  Connecticut shot 24 of 34 and made 10 of 14 from beyond the arc.  Points off turnovers grew to a 25 – 2 on 14 Bulls miscues.  Samuelson had 29 points in the half.  It took the California native less than 30 seconds to break the record with a three-pointer at the 7:32 mark.

    “There is not much you can say when you see something like that, the way it transpired,” said UConn Coach Geno Auriemma.  “We just had something going on that was hard to capture.  We want to capture and hold on to it for a long, long time.  It started in the first four possessions.  We made hardly any mistakes at all on defense and that got it going on the other end.”

    Napheesa Collier added 15 points for the Huskies to go along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists.  Gabby Williams scored 12 points and took down 3 rebounds and handed out 4 assists.  Saniya Chong scored 11 points. Natalie Butler had 10 for a UConn team that went 38 of 61 (62.3%) from the field and were an incredible 16 of 27 (59.3%) from three-point land.

    USF were led by Dorottya Nagy who scored 15 points.  Kitija Laksa counted for 13 points.

    Williams and Collier were named to the All-Tournament team along with Jespersen and Laksa. Fitzgerald was also named to the team.

    UConn Seniors Accepting The Championship Trophy

     

     

     

     

     

  • Temple Falls To USF In The American Semifinal

    Temple Falls To USF In The American Semifinal

    UNCASVILLE, CT. 3/4/2017 – A 10 – 0 run early in the fourth quarter gave the USF Bulls the space they needed to hold off a rally by the Temple Owls to earn a berth in the American Championship final against Connecticut for the third straight year.

    “This was a tough one to swallow,” said Temple Coach Tonya Cardoza.  “We couldn’t get any shots to fall down for us. We had a few defensive lapses.  We so wanted to get to that championship game.”

    Temple got to within 60 – 56 with a bit over 20 seconds to play on a three-pointer by Alliya Butts, who 17 in the game.  Her two free throws got it to a three-point deficit, but it was too little too late.  USF put the game away by making 10 of 14 free throws over the last three minutes.

    The Temple game plan was to contain the USF guards.  The offense for the Bulls ran through the inside play of Tamara Henshaw and Maria Jespersen who combined for 29 points in the game.  Jespersen added a team-high 13 rebounds.  Of the 15 points for Henshaw, 11 came in the first half.

    “Henshaw scored a lot in the first half, but that was taking away possessions for their guards,” said Temple Coach Tonya Cardoza.  “We did a good job of limiting their touches, so the option was to go inside.  They had to find another option, and that’s the one they went with.  She did a really good job.”

    Kitija Laksa led USF with 18 points.

    For the Owls Feyonda Fitzgerald contributed 18 points and added 6 assists. For the tournament Fitzgerald totaled 48 points while handing out 13 assists.  The numbers did not matter to Fitzgerald, the team did.

    “I am doing whatever I have to do to help my team win a game,” said Fitzgerald. “Whether it is diving on the floor, or playing defense, or scoring the ball, or finding an open teammate.”

    Tanaya Atkinson recorded her 10th double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

    “She was concentrating, finishing, and rebounding the basketball,” Cardoza said of the play of Atkinson.  “She has been doing this all year.  These numbers are what she has been doing all season.  She is going to do whatever the team needs her to do.”

    USF goes to the final.  Could this be their year?

    “It’s Connecticut,” said Laksa.  “You can prepare, but they always will surprise.  We can make it a tough battle. It’s the third game of the year playing them.  The third time is the lucky one?”

    The Owls will play a waiting game for the selection committee.  They have a good chance to be selected, still.  But this game can have an effect on the seeding and site.

    “This was one of those games that could take you to a different level,” Cardoza said.  “A different seed possible depending upon what happens to different teams.  That was a reason why we wanted to get to the championship game.  I am sure we will be selected, but disappointed if we were not.”

    Boxscore

    Written By: Glenn Papazian

    Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

     

  • American Women’s Basketball Tournament – Semifinal Recap

    American Women’s Basketball Tournament – Semifinal Recap

    UNCASVILLE, CT. 3/5/2017 – The final match is set.  The American Championship game will be between UConn and The Bulls of USF, again.

    # 1 Connecticut Huskies 78 # 4 UCF Knights 56

    It took awhile for UConn to get going, but they did over the second and into the third quarter for consecutive victory number 105.  The Huskies had a 37 – 25 lead at the break, then won the third quarter by a 24 – 12 margin to take control.

    “”Nothing was easy, everything was a struggle,” said UConn Coach Geno Auriemma.  “The way we responded in the third quarter was a lot if fun for me.  Our players generally respond to challenges, and they did a great job of that.”

    The key to quarter was that UConn got some turnovers and easy baskets.  UCF was playing physical and did a good job of protecting the ball.  When 3 turnovers turn into 11, that’s a problem.  And Connecticut seemed to be rushing and shot the ball at a 38.7% clip in the first half.  In the third quarter the ball went in 62.5% of the time (5 – 8).

    “We try to crash the boards extra harder,” Huskies guard Napheesa Collier said about what the team tries to do when they are not shooting well.  “We try to get other things like transition, things like that.”

    Connecticut had four players score in double figures.  Collier and Gabby Williams had 16 points each.  Collier had a double-double pulling down 12 rebounds.  Williams was one rebound shy as she grabbed 9 boards.  Crystal Dangerfield scored 14 points.  Katie Lou Samuelson had 12 points along with 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

    Zykira Lewis scored a game-high 22 points.  Aliya Gregory had 13 points and 8 rebounds.

    “We wanted to play hard on every play, be in attack mode,” said Gregory.  “It really worked in the first half.”

    Connecticut is 31 – 0 on the season.  UCF finishes the season at 20 – 7, and there should be a post-season in their immediate future.

    # 3 USF Bulls 63 # 2 Temple Owls 58

    A 10 – 0 run early in the fourth quarter gave the USF Bulls the space they needed to hold off a rally by the Temple Owls to earn a berth in the American Championship final against Connecticut for the third straight year.

    “It was an important game for both teams for NCAA seedings,” said USF Coach Jose Fernandez.  “Our kids wanted this game, so this is the third year in a row that we are playing on Monday night.  When you play in this tournament, you want to play for a championship and have this opportunity.”

    Temple got to within 60 – 56 with a bit over 20 seconds to play on a three-pointer by Alliya Butts, who 17 in the game.  Her two free throws got it to a three-point deficit, but it was too little too late.  USF put the game away by making 10 of 14 free throws over the last three minutes.

    The Temple game plan was to contain the USF guards.  The offense for the Bulls ran through the inside play of Tamara Henshaw and Maria Jespersen who combined for 29 points in the game.  Jespersen added a team-high 13 rebounds.  Of the 15 points for Henshaw, 11 came in the first half.

    “Henshaw scored a lot in the first half, but that was taking away possessions for their guards,” said Temple Coach Tonya Cardoza.  “We did a good job of limiting their touches, so the option was to go inside.  They had to find another option, and that’s the one they went with.  She did a really good job.”

    Kitija Laksa led the Bulls with 18 points.

    For the Owls Feyonda Fitzgerald contributed 18 points and added 6 assists.  Tanaya Atkinson recorded her 10th double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

    USF goes to the final.  Could this be their year?

    “It’s Connecticut,” said Laksa.  “You can prepare, but they always will surprise.  We can make it a tough battle. It’s the third game of the year playing them.  The third time is the lucky one?”

  • American Women’s Basketball Tournament Quarterfinal Round Recap

    American Women’s Basketball Tournament Quarterfinal Round Recap

    UNCASVILLE, CT. 3/4/2017 – The opening round is in the books with the Tulsa Golden Hurriane, Houston Cougars, and SMU Mustangs earning another game.

    In the first game of the quarterfinal round UCF outlasted Tulane at the Frontier Communications American Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Mohegan Sun Arena.  Top-seeded Connecticut took the floor next and had no problem with Tulsa.  Temple ousted Houston, and USF survived agaisnt SMU.  The top-four seeds advanced to the Sunday double-header.

    #4 UCF Knights 61 #5 Tulane Green Wave 57

    The largest lead in the game was 7 points, a down to the wire, grind it out game that the Knights survive and move on.  The 4 – 5 match up is usually the most even game in a tournament, and this game showed why.

    For UCF It was their first time to get 20 wins and made the conference semifinal round, another first.

    “There are a lot of firsts,” said UCF Coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson.  “The first time we got twenty win, the first time we won a tournament game.  I am proud of them that they got these firsts, and especially the seniors.  They have great memories.”

    Tulane held a 52 – 50 lead with 1:57 left in the 4th quarter on a traditional three-point play by Kolby Morgan.  UCF got the lead back on a three-pointer by Zykira Lewis and was the start of a 7 – 0 run for the Knights. It was their 8th field goal out of 10 shots, and put the game in the win column.

    “We wanted to be poised and make sure we found each other,” said Lewis.  “If somebody was open, give it to them. That’s what it came down to, focusing as a team.”

    The Green Wave got to win 2, but the Knights made 7 of 10 from the line to clinch it.

    It was a turnover filled game with Tulane committing 25 and UCF 20, who had a 26 – 21 edge in points off turnovers.

    “The last time we played them, we didn’t have a lot of turnovers, and if we could do that again, we would have a chance,” said Tulane Coach Lisa Stockton.  “Turnovers were a big because we gave them too many opportunities.”

    The Knights won the rebounding battle 39 – 26, and had 19 offensive boards.

    Lewis scored a team-high 17 points.  Forward Tolulope Omokore registered a double-double scoring 11 and pulling 10 rebounds.

    “That’s my thing, rebounding,” Omokore said.  “It’s important to get those boards and try to give my team a chance to score.”

    Morgan led the Green Wave with a game-high 25 points.

    UCF to the semifinal round.

     

    #1 Connecticut Huskies 105 #9 Tulsa Golden Hurricane 57

    The University of Connecticut Huskies won their 30th game of the season defeating the Golden Hurricane of Tulsa 105 – 57.  UConn coach Geno Auriemma wanted to have multiple contributors, and got it from his team.

    “That was a point of focus for us, we needed contributions from everybody,” Auriemma said.  “When you play three games in three days you’re going to need a lot of help from a lot of people.  It was a great way to start the tournament.”

    All but one of the UConn players scored.  Napheesa Collier led the way with 24 points.  Katie Lou Samuelson had 19 and Gabby Williams scored 17.

    The Huskies shot 62.3% from the field.  They had 27 assists on 38 baskets and turned the ball over 5 times.

    “When you combine how many assists we get and few turnovers, that’s a tough combination for a team playing against us,”  Auriemma said.  “If they can’t turn us over and get transition baskets, and when we get easy baskets, it’s going to be tough.”

    The explosion came in the second quarter.  The Huskies led 25 – 12 after one.  Within the first five minutes the advantage grew to 44 – 15 an a Samuelson 3-pointer.  Connecticut won the second quarter by a 33 -12 margin to take a 58 – 24 lead into the locker room.

    For Tulsa, who made 38% from the floor, Erika Wakefield had a team-best 15 points making 7 of 12 field goal attempts and handed out 3 assists.  She appears to be a building block for Tulsa.

    “It starts with Erika,” said Matilda Mossman.  “She has been a great leader for our team.  She has been a great mentor and leader.  IT will be good for her when those young players become sophomores and juniors.”

    Fun fact of the game: the teams were a combined 24 – 24 from the free throw line.  Tulsa made four of them.

    “We a high-level of focus because it is a tournament game, ” said Williams about free throw shooting.  “We have a high-level for every game.  We were working on it.”

    UConn and UCF in the first semifinal.

    #2 Temple Owls 67 #10 Houston Cougars 58

    The Temple Owls behind a conference tournament record 30 points by senior guard Feyonda Fitzgerald over came the 10th seeded Houston Cougars 67 – 58 and move on to the American semifinal round.  Fitzgerald made 10 of 21 from the floor and made 8 of 10 from the stripe.  In addition she handed out a game-high 7 assists.  Her focus was on the team and winning.

    “I was unaware of that,” said Fitzgerald when asked if she knew she was setting a record.  “I wasn’t worried about my points, I was just doing what I had to do to help my team.”

    The game did not start well for either team on offense.  The Owls were able to stay ahead by their work on the boards, winning the stat by a 40 – 33 margin.  However, it was on the offensive glass that helped the Cherry and White getting 15 to get an 18 – 6 edge in second chance points.

    “Even the shots that we missed were all good shots,” said Temple Coach Tonya Cardoza.  “They just weren’t falling, so we had to make sure we got second chance opportunities.”

    Fellow back court mate Alliya Butts scored 19 points as she made 4 of 9 from beyond the arc.  Tanaya Atkinson, who won the conference 6th Player of the Year Award and a Connecticut resident, recorded her 9th double-double of the season scoring 16 points and taking down 12 boards, 7 on offense.  All but 2 points came from Fitzgerald, Butts, and Atkinson.

    Forward Ruth Sherrill grabbed 15 misses.  Her career-high was 19 that came in a game at Houston in January. It was she who scored the other two points for the Cherry and White.

    For Houston Angela Harris and Jacqueline Blake scored a team-best 15 points for the 12 – 19 Cougars.  With an increased number of conference victories and a win in the opening round Houston is trending in the right direction.

    “It’s big especially for the freshmen,” said Harris.  “It was good for us to get a win in this tournament and build that for next year because I know what we are capable of.  To get a win here is big.  And to beat Cincinnati, a team that beat us twice, getting over the hump is big for us.”

    Temple moves on to the conference semifinal round, their second conference tournament win.  It is an accomplishment of meaning to a team that just might have solidified a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

    “It means a lot, we work hard each and every day and during the summer,” Fitzgerald said.  “To know that it’s paying off and we able able to advance to the semifinals in the conference tournament means it is paying off.”

    #3 USF Bulls 62 # 6 SMU Mustangs 55

    The game was much closer than the final score indicated.  The SMU Mustangs were primed to pull an upset leading after three quarters 44 – 39, and kept that lead.  But the Bulls found a way and escape with the win, and advance to the semifinals.

    “We wanted this bad, this season,” USF forward Maria Jespersen said.  “I saw the season pass by me, and I said we worked too hard for this.  We picked it up and found a way to win.”

    With just under three and a half minutes to play SMU took a 53 – 50 lead on a three-pointer by Kiara Perry, 3 of her 12 points.  USF would answer back behind an 8 – 0 run capped by a three-point bank shot at the end of the shot clock by Bulls guard Laia Flores with a little over a minute remaining.

    “That was a back-breaker,” said Mustangs Coach Travis Mays.  “We thought we were in solid defensive position, we thought she threw up a prayer,  she didn’t call ‘bank’ but when it went in I could see our energy go.  At that point you’ve got to get the energy back up and make a couple of plays.”

    SMU got to within a possession with the ball, but turned the ball over.  USF closed it out by hitting four free throws.

    McKenzie Adams scored a game-high 26 points for the Mustangs making 12 of 20 from the floor.  Perry handed out 4 assists.

    Flores scored 15 points and had 8 rebounds and 6 assists, both team-highs, to her stat line.  Kitija Laksa contributed a team-best 17 points.  Jespersen scored 14 markers.

    The Bulls meet the Owls for a trip to the finals.

    “It’s going to be a physical game on both ends of the floor,” said USF Coach Jose Fernandez.  “We have to defend and limit them to one shot.  We have to run our offense and make them guard us.”

    Written By: Glenn Papazian

    Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

     

  • Temple Advances In American Behind Record Breaking Performance By Feyonda Fitzgerald

    Temple Advances In American Behind Record Breaking Performance By Feyonda Fitzgerald

    UNCASVILLE, CT 3/4/2017 – The Temple Owls behind a conference tournament record 30 points by senior guard Feyonda Fitzgerald over came the 10th seeded Houston Cougars 67 – 58 and move on to the American semifinal round.  Fitzgerald made 10 of 21 from the floor and made 8 of 10 from the stripe.  In addition she handed out a game-high 7 assists.  Her focus was on the team and winning.

    Feyonda Fitzgerald Who Set A Conference Record Scoring 30 Points

    “I was unaware of that,” said Fitzgerald when asked if she knew she was setting a record.  “I wasn’t worried about my points, I was just doing what I had to do to help my team.”

    The game did not start well for either team on offense.  The Owls were able to stay ahead by their work on the boards, winning the stat by a 40 – 33 margin.  However, it was on the offensive glass that helped the Cherry and White getting 15 to get an 18 – 6 edge in second chance points.

    “Even the shots that we missed were all good shots,” said Temple Coach Tonya Cardoza.  “They just weren’t falling, so we had to make sure we got second chance opportunities.”

    Fellow back court mate Alliya Butts scored 19 points as she made 4 of 9 from beyond the arc.  Tanaya Atkinson, who won the conference 6th Player of the Year Award and a Connecticut resident, recorded her 9th double-double of the season scoring 16 points and taking down 12 boards, 7 on offense. All but 2 points came from Fitzgerald, Butts, and Atkinson.

    Forward Ruth Sherrill grabbed 15 misses.  Her career-high was 19 that came in a game at Houston in January. It was she who scored the other two points for the Cherry and White.

    For Houston Angela Harris and Jacqueline Blake scored a team-best 15 points for the 12 – 19 Cougars.  With an increased number of conference victories and a win in the opening round Houston is trending in the right direction.

    “It’s big especially for the freshmen,” said Harris.  “It was good for us to get a win in this tournament and build that for next year because I know what we are capable of.  To get a win here is big.  And to beat Cincinnati, a team that beat us twice, getting over the hump is big for us.”

    Temple moves on to the conference semifinal round, their second conference tournament win.  It is an accomplishment of meaning to a team that just might have solidified a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

    “It means a lot, we work hard each and every day and during the summer,” Fitzgerald said.  “To know that it’s paying off and we able able to advance to the semifinals in the conference tournament means it is paying off.”

    Boxscore

    Written By: Glenn Papazian

    Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

     

  • Saint Joseph’s Falls To Rhode Island On Senior Night

    Saint Joseph’s Falls To Rhode Island On Senior Night

    PHILADELPHIA, PA. 3/1/2017 – The Rhode Island Rams are one of the top defensive teams in the Atlantic 10 and limited the offense of the Saint Joseph’s Hawks as the Hawks fall 68 – 49 on Senior Night at the Hagan Arena.  The winless streak for the Saint Joe’s has reached nine games.

    “We scored 49 points in a college game,” said Saint Joseph’s Coach Phil Martelli.  “You’re not winning.”

    Rhode Island led from beginning to end.  The Rams give up an average of 66 points per game, and held the Hawks under that by 17 points.  Rhode Island held Saint Joe’s to 38% shooting (19 of 50).  Turnovers committed by Saint Joseph’s especially early was a factor. In the first half Saint Joe’s had 9 miscues (4 early) that gave Rhody a 14 – 4 edge in points off turnovers.  The early part of the game set the tone.

    “We turned the ball over four times before the first media timeout,” Martelli said. “It has everything to do with the skill of running, passing, and dribbling the ball.  We threw at least three passes into the crowd.  We were not in the game.  That was a participation, not a competition.”

    “They are really aggressive, so you have to be on your p’s and q’s against them, ” said Saint Joseph’s guard James Demery.  “We had a lot of turnovers, unforced.  We were out thinking the game.  Hopefully we learn from this and get better.”

    The Hawks stayed somewhat in the neighborhood, but did not seriously threaten.  It also did not help that SJU went 9 for 20 from the free throw line, their lowest free throw percentage of the year.

    Charlie Brown led SJU with 13 points.  He set the record for most three’s by a freshman in program history with 66. His first basket was a three, and his last bucket was from beyond the arc.

    Fouling was an issue for the Rams as they committed 22 in the game.  Saint Joe’s was in the double bonus within 8 minutes in the second half, but did not make opponent pay for it.  E.C. Matthews led the team with 13 points. Hassan Martin had 12 and Kuran Iversen contributed 11 markers.

    The Rams are a team on the NCAA Tournament bubble.  Wins are important for them, and this was their fourth in a row.  They also won on Hawk Hill for the first time in six years.  The victory also put URI (20 – 9, 12 – 5) in contention for a seed as high as second the upcoming Atlantic 10 Tournament.  There are too many variables right now to explain how.

    Saint Joseph’s has one more regular season game left at Duquesne.  The Hawks will play in an opening round game of the tournament played in Pittsburgh.  Who and when remains to be determined.

    Prior to the game Saint Joseph’s honored seniors Brandon Casper, Javon Baumann, and ‘The Hawk’ Timmy Parks in their final home game.

    “They had two championships in four years,” Martelli said about his seniors.  “They are leaving as champions.  They got two Atlantic 10 rings.  Job well done.”

    Boxscore

    Written By: Glenn Papazian

    Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

  • Off The Boards By Jack Scheuer – March 1, 2017 Edition

    Off The Boards By Jack Scheuer – March 1, 2017 Edition

    Off The Boards

    By Jack Scheuer

    March 1, 2017 Edition

    As the season is winding down, it’s time to pick the third annual Big 5 Boards Awards, and they are as follows:
    MVP- Villanova’s  Mr. Everything, Josh Hart.  No surprise here,  however it must be said that Jalen Brunson has also had a terrific season, and is a close second.

    Most Improved – Shizz Alston, Jr. from Temple.  After averaging 2 points per game last season, he’s scored 14 a game this year, and leads the Owls in assists.

    Rookie of the Year – Saint Joe’s 6-7 freshman Downtown Charlie Brown.  He is averaging 12.8 points and has made 64 three-pointers in taking over the scoring brunt for the injury-riddled Hawks.  Penn’s AJ  Brodeur also impressed.

    Coach of the Year – Jay Wright, who despite having  just a 7-man rotation (and sometimes 6) has his Wildcats ranked # 2 in the nation, with high hopes heading into tournament time.

    Unsung Hero- La Salle’s Amar Stukes.  The junior guard has very quietly had a very solid season for the inconsistent Explorers. He’s  averaging 8.6 points per game, and his 109 assists are 37 more than any teammate.

    There should also be some mention here of Saint Joe’s junior guard Shavar Newkirk, who was on his way to a terrific season (20 ppg) before being sidelined with an injury.

     

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    Congratulations to Speedy Morris for being honored as the recipient of the 2017 Morgan Wootten Award for Lifetime Achievement in Coaching High School Basketball as announced by the Naismith Hall of Fame.  A well deserved award for a Philadelphia treasure.

     

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    John Gillon, Syracuse’s much traveled guard, has made 47 straight free throws.  The previous school record was held by Brandon Triche at 37.  The Atlantic Coast Conference record is 66, held by N.C. State’s Scott Wood.

     

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    Trivia Time: Speaking of free throws, who is the NBA’s all- time best foul shooter (at least 800 attempts)?  Answer at the end of the column.

     

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    Whenever I see a coach on the sidelines going a little crazy, waving his arms, pointing here and there and constantly yelling instructions, I think of a quote by John Wooden.  “I don’t understand it,”  said the greatest coach ever, ” what do they do at practice?”

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    This and That: Bill (fumes) Walton stops being funny when he babbles on while there is action on the court….Also, by accident, I clicked on the Shannon and Skip show, and it is still brutal. They should bring in Stephen A to add a little humility….La Salle leads the A-10 in free throw shooting, but the Explorers also give up the most points. (77.4 per game)…..I would think Drexel’s Kurk Lee certainly has a chance of being the CAA’s Rookie of the Year….  Look out for Kentucky.  Those lightning-quick freshmen guards (Fox and Monk) will have experienced a lot of games come tournament time…Bryce Alford, playing for Dad Steve, is going to end up being 5th on UCLA’s all-time scoring list…. And whatever happened to Andrew Bynum?

     

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    Answer to Trivia Time: The all-time  leader is Steve Nash (90.4%).  Mark Price is a close second.