The Atlantic Coast Conference has released its 2009-10 men's basketball schedules.
Defending national champion North Carolina starts off with Florida International in Chapel Hill on Nov. 9 in the first round of the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Although that opponent now seems to be up for review.
The Tar Heels will get a rematch with national runner-up Michigan State in the Smith Center on Dec. 1 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and four days later visit revamped Kentucky in Rupp Arena. Two weeks later, Carolina plays Texas in the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Duke, which has 17 home games, begins the season Nov. 13 against UNC Greensboro in Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils visit Wisconsin Dec. 2 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Duke is also in the NIT Season Tip-Off and in a non-conference affair, meet Gonzaga in Madison Square Garden on Dec. 19.
N.C. State will open at home against Georgia State but the date is not final, either Nov. 12, 14 or 16. The Wolfpack will play in the Glenn Wilkes Classic in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Nov. 20-22 and host Northwestern in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Dec. 1. State visits Marquette on Dec. 5 and Arizona on Dec. 23.
Showing posts with label college men's basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label college men's basketball. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Jones headed to Oklahoma
I'm on the road, blogging from beautiful, sunny Palo Alto, Calif., home of Stanford University and birthplace of Hewlett-Packard (and the Grateful Dead!). But I've still got an item, thanks to former Wilson Times colleague Nick Livingston, now in Lawton, Okla.
Donovan Jones, former Greenfield School star, will transfer from UNC-Asheville to NCAA Division II member Cameron University. Jones earned a spot on the Big South Conference All-Rookie team but injuries decimated his sophomore season.
Glad to hear Donovan is back on his feet and going to continue his collegiate career. He had to overcome a devastating leg injury in the summer before his senior season at Greenfield and remains one of the most intense competitors I've had the privilege of covering.
Donovan Jones, former Greenfield School star, will transfer from UNC-Asheville to NCAA Division II member Cameron University. Jones earned a spot on the Big South Conference All-Rookie team but injuries decimated his sophomore season.
Glad to hear Donovan is back on his feet and going to continue his collegiate career. He had to overcome a devastating leg injury in the summer before his senior season at Greenfield and remains one of the most intense competitors I've had the privilege of covering.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Another happy day for UNC seniors
A little more than a month ago, the North Carolina Tar Heels and head coach Roy Williams were photographed countless times immediately after winning the NCAA championship with an 89-72 defeat of Michigan State in the tournament final.
Here's another photograph, sent today by UNC Sports Information Director Steve Kirschner, that will likely bring as much pride to these young men, their families and Coach Williams. It's the seven UNC seniors at Sunday's commencement ceremony in Kenan Stadium, along with teammate Marcus Ginyard, who was part of the signing class but opted for a medical redshirt fifth-year season.
This class won a school-record 124 games and lost just 21 times. They won three Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season titles, two ACC tournament titles and two NCAA regional championships.
The 2008-09 Tar Heels also won the Academic Progress Rate bracket compiled at the start of the NCAA tournament.
"We said they would have a chance to be successful on the court and have a chance to earn a degree from a great school," said Williams in the release. "We told them both of those come with hard work and dedication. I am so proud of what this class has accomplished in basketball and in the classroom. They have set a high standard for future Tar Heels and have been outstanding role models for student-athletes at all levels."
PHOTO CAPTION: University of North Carolina men's basketball seniors at 2009 Commencement at Kenan Stadium. (l-r) J.B. Tanner, Patrick Moody, Jack Wooten, Mike Copeland, Chancellor Holden Thorp, Tyler Hansbrough, head coach Roy Williams, Bobby Frasor, Danny Green and Marcus Ginyard (photo by Jeffrey Camarati)
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Cooper finally getting his due as UNC history-maker
Thanks to Dave Fulton of Charlotte who alerted me to this outstanding story by David Scott in Sunday's Charlotte Observer on Willie Cooper of Elm City.
Most people, myself included, think Charlie Scott was the first African-American basketball player at the University of North Carolina but Scott was only the first black member of the UNC varsity. Cooper actually integrated UNC basketball in 1964, two years before Scott arrived, after a standout career at Elm City's Frederick Douglass High School under head coach Harvey Reid Jr.
Cooper only played one season of freshman basketball then decided to concentrate on his academics, opening the way for Scott to make his historical entrance on the Tar Heels varsity squad.
The article by David Scott mentions that the Douglass High team's bus driver was a history teacher at the school named Phil Ford Sr., whose 8-year-old son would accompany the team to games. The elder Ford later taught at Fike High School and the younger Ford, well, he made a name for himself as the starting shortstop on Rocky Mount Senior High's 1973 4-A state championship baseball team as well as doing some things in basketball of note.
Anyway, thanks to Dave Fulton for the tip on an outstanding and historical read!
Most people, myself included, think Charlie Scott was the first African-American basketball player at the University of North Carolina but Scott was only the first black member of the UNC varsity. Cooper actually integrated UNC basketball in 1964, two years before Scott arrived, after a standout career at Elm City's Frederick Douglass High School under head coach Harvey Reid Jr.
Cooper only played one season of freshman basketball then decided to concentrate on his academics, opening the way for Scott to make his historical entrance on the Tar Heels varsity squad.
The article by David Scott mentions that the Douglass High team's bus driver was a history teacher at the school named Phil Ford Sr., whose 8-year-old son would accompany the team to games. The elder Ford later taught at Fike High School and the younger Ford, well, he made a name for himself as the starting shortstop on Rocky Mount Senior High's 1973 4-A state championship baseball team as well as doing some things in basketball of note.
Anyway, thanks to Dave Fulton for the tip on an outstanding and historical read!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
It's official: Zeller to miss 12-16 weeks with broken wrist
The University of North Carolina sports information department just confirmed what had been the worst-kept secret all day: freshman 7-footer Tyler Zeller suffered a broken left wrist at the end of Tuesday night's 77-58 defeat of Kentucky.
He had surgery today and is expected to miss 12-16 weeks — or in simpler language, the rest of the season. That's a bad break, no pun intended, for UNC but if there's one team that can handle such a loss its the No. 1-ranked Tar Heels.
Look for consensus national player of the year Tyler Hansbrough to return very soon. Carolina head coach Roy Williams stated after Tuesday's game, he thought (emphasis on "thought") Hansbrough was already capable of returning from the stress reaction in one of his shins that had sidelined him for the first two regular-season games.
With a game Friday at UC Santa Barbara and then onto the Maui Invitational, Hansbrough probably needs to be on the floor, in the mix, sooner rather than later.
Zeller is a tough loss but the Heels have plenty of depth inside with Deon Thompson, Danny Green, freshman Ed Davis and even William Graves. Besides, Zeller probably wasn't going to get a lot of minutes with Hansbrough's return imminent.
He had surgery today and is expected to miss 12-16 weeks — or in simpler language, the rest of the season. That's a bad break, no pun intended, for UNC but if there's one team that can handle such a loss its the No. 1-ranked Tar Heels.
Look for consensus national player of the year Tyler Hansbrough to return very soon. Carolina head coach Roy Williams stated after Tuesday's game, he thought (emphasis on "thought") Hansbrough was already capable of returning from the stress reaction in one of his shins that had sidelined him for the first two regular-season games.
With a game Friday at UC Santa Barbara and then onto the Maui Invitational, Hansbrough probably needs to be on the floor, in the mix, sooner rather than later.
Zeller is a tough loss but the Heels have plenty of depth inside with Deon Thompson, Danny Green, freshman Ed Davis and even William Graves. Besides, Zeller probably wasn't going to get a lot of minutes with Hansbrough's return imminent.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
VMI at the bottom of the heap?
VMI's monumental 111-103 upset of Kentucky on Saturday was bad enough for Wildcats fans but here's another look at it.
According to this Web site, it was a victory for the wallet as well. Kentucky had the biggest operating budget of any NCAA Division I program last year, coming in at $9,204,755 while VMI was 339th, or last, with a budget of $99,285, nearly 100 times smaller.
Keep in mind this are unsubstantiated figures but there are some numbers to ponder on the link. Duke is No. 3 at $8,010,066, North Carolina is 16th at $5,632,518 and N.C. State is 62nd at $3,130,284.
According to this Web site, it was a victory for the wallet as well. Kentucky had the biggest operating budget of any NCAA Division I program last year, coming in at $9,204,755 while VMI was 339th, or last, with a budget of $99,285, nearly 100 times smaller.
Keep in mind this are unsubstantiated figures but there are some numbers to ponder on the link. Duke is No. 3 at $8,010,066, North Carolina is 16th at $5,632,518 and N.C. State is 62nd at $3,130,284.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Ginyard's season off on a bad foot
The basketball season for North Carolina senior guard Marcus Ginyard got off on a bad foot, literally.
The Tar Heels defensive player of the year for the past two seasons had surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot Wednesday morning. He is expected to be out of action for eight weeks which would make him miss UNC's first eight or nine games.
But better now than later, says Heels head coach Roy Williams.
"You hate this for Marcus because he has worked so hard to get ready for his senior season, but he decided it was better to have the surgery now and be ready sometime in December, than risk a more substantial injury that would knock him out of action later in the season," Williams said in a release. "We will miss his play on both ends of the floor as well as his leadership with the young players. I am hopeful others will step forward to fill those roles. Marcus has been a joy to coach and I look forward to his return."
Ginyard started all 39 games last season, averaging 6.9 points and 4.5 rebounds.
The Tar Heels defensive player of the year for the past two seasons had surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot Wednesday morning. He is expected to be out of action for eight weeks which would make him miss UNC's first eight or nine games.
But better now than later, says Heels head coach Roy Williams.
"You hate this for Marcus because he has worked so hard to get ready for his senior season, but he decided it was better to have the surgery now and be ready sometime in December, than risk a more substantial injury that would knock him out of action later in the season," Williams said in a release. "We will miss his play on both ends of the floor as well as his leadership with the young players. I am hopeful others will step forward to fill those roles. Marcus has been a joy to coach and I look forward to his return."
Ginyard started all 39 games last season, averaging 6.9 points and 4.5 rebounds.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
UNC gets verbal from top shooting guard
Several newspapers in the state, including The News and Observer, Winston-Salem Journal and Fayetteville Observer, are reporting the North Carolina men's basketball team received another verbal commitment for its 2009 recruiting class.
Leslie McDonald, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard from Memphis, Tenn., has reportedly told UNC head coach Roy Williams he wants to be a Tar Heel. McDonald would join 6-10 John Henson of Texas, 6-3 guard Dexter Strickland of New Jersey and 6-9 twins David and Travis Wear of California as UNC commitments.
Tim Stevens of the News and Observer reported that McDonald was named Mr. Basketball in Tennessee and was selected to the Parade All-America team.
Leslie McDonald, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard from Memphis, Tenn., has reportedly told UNC head coach Roy Williams he wants to be a Tar Heel. McDonald would join 6-10 John Henson of Texas, 6-3 guard Dexter Strickland of New Jersey and 6-9 twins David and Travis Wear of California as UNC commitments.
Tim Stevens of the News and Observer reported that McDonald was named Mr. Basketball in Tennessee and was selected to the Parade All-America team.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Congratuations to Winona State
Yes, that Winona State; the same one that Barton College defeated for the NCAA Division II men's basketball championship last March.
The Warriors from Winona, Minnesota, didn't let a seven-point lead slip away in the final seconds this year as they overcame a 16-point deficit in the second half to defeat Augusta State 87-76 today in the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass.
Winona wrapped up its second Div. II crown in three years as it won its Div. II-record 38th game against one loss. The Warriors compiled a three-year mark of 105-6. The most famous of those losses, of course, came to Barton last year in the finals.
Winona defeated the Bulldogs in overtime in the first round of the 2006 Elite Eight, then upset defending champion Virginia Union 76-61 in the championship. In the 2007 final, Winona had a 57-game winning streak and a seven-point lead with 45 seconds to go and this happened.
Today, Winona made its mark in Div. II history by storming back in the second half. Jonte Flowers had 25 of his 30 points in the second half and was named tournament most valuable player.
Winona is where Barton head coach Ron Lievense, a Minnesota native, spent a season as a graduate assistant.
So congratulations to the Warriors for a nice run.
By the way, there was a nice clip of Anthony Atkinson on the CBS broadcast of the championship game today.
The Warriors from Winona, Minnesota, didn't let a seven-point lead slip away in the final seconds this year as they overcame a 16-point deficit in the second half to defeat Augusta State 87-76 today in the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass.
Winona wrapped up its second Div. II crown in three years as it won its Div. II-record 38th game against one loss. The Warriors compiled a three-year mark of 105-6. The most famous of those losses, of course, came to Barton last year in the finals.
Winona defeated the Bulldogs in overtime in the first round of the 2006 Elite Eight, then upset defending champion Virginia Union 76-61 in the championship. In the 2007 final, Winona had a 57-game winning streak and a seven-point lead with 45 seconds to go and this happened.
Today, Winona made its mark in Div. II history by storming back in the second half. Jonte Flowers had 25 of his 30 points in the second half and was named tournament most valuable player.
Winona is where Barton head coach Ron Lievense, a Minnesota native, spent a season as a graduate assistant.
So congratulations to the Warriors for a nice run.
By the way, there was a nice clip of Anthony Atkinson on the CBS broadcast of the championship game today.
Monday, March 24, 2008
A year later, those 45 seconds are still magical
Three hundred sixty-six days later this clip still gives me goose bumps.
I watch the NCAA Tournament now — the Division I tournament, that is — and exciting as some of the games are, none come close to this. Maybe none will ever come close to this.
I watch the NCAA Tournament now — the Division I tournament, that is — and exciting as some of the games are, none come close to this. Maybe none will ever come close to this.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Scene in the RBC right out of 'Gladiator'
Before Friday night's first-round game in the NCAA Tournament East Regional in Raleigh, my seat on press row was on the end of the court where No. 1 seed North Carolina was doing warm-up drills.
The Tar Heels seemed relaxed, even at home in the RBC Center, N.C. State's home floor where Carolina is seldom cheered. But on this night, many UNC fans tinted the arena light blue. The Heels should have been at ease considering that no top seed had ever lost to a No. 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament and their opponent, Mount St. Mary's, probably wasn't going to be the first.
After the teams finished their shootaround and player introductions were done, Mount St. Mary's came back to its bench for a few last words from head coach Milan Brown and his staff before the opening tip. I was seated about 10 feet away and the contrast between the Mount's players and the Tar Heels was striking.
Several of MSM's reserves had physical builds more commonly seen on NCAA Division II rosters. In fact, the Mount's dynamic star guard Jeremy Goode — at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds — bore resemblance to a certain former Barton College star point guard.
But more obviously was the difference in temperament between the teams. The MSM assistant coaches fidgeted with papers in their hands as their eyes flit nervously about the arena as they waited for Brown to return to the huddle. The players seemed taken aback by the sheer size of the stage as thousands of Carolina blue-clad fans roared their desire for the Heels to take it to the Mount.
The RBC Center suddenly seemed like a modern-day Roman Colosseum without the blood and gore.
However, UNC's 113-74 victory was probably gory enough for the MSM players, who no doubt are now content to be able to tell their future grandkids someday they played the No. 1 team in the country in the NCAA Tournament.
The Tar Heels seemed relaxed, even at home in the RBC Center, N.C. State's home floor where Carolina is seldom cheered. But on this night, many UNC fans tinted the arena light blue. The Heels should have been at ease considering that no top seed had ever lost to a No. 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament and their opponent, Mount St. Mary's, probably wasn't going to be the first.
After the teams finished their shootaround and player introductions were done, Mount St. Mary's came back to its bench for a few last words from head coach Milan Brown and his staff before the opening tip. I was seated about 10 feet away and the contrast between the Mount's players and the Tar Heels was striking.
Several of MSM's reserves had physical builds more commonly seen on NCAA Division II rosters. In fact, the Mount's dynamic star guard Jeremy Goode — at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds — bore resemblance to a certain former Barton College star point guard.
But more obviously was the difference in temperament between the teams. The MSM assistant coaches fidgeted with papers in their hands as their eyes flit nervously about the arena as they waited for Brown to return to the huddle. The players seemed taken aback by the sheer size of the stage as thousands of Carolina blue-clad fans roared their desire for the Heels to take it to the Mount.
The RBC Center suddenly seemed like a modern-day Roman Colosseum without the blood and gore.
However, UNC's 113-74 victory was probably gory enough for the MSM players, who no doubt are now content to be able to tell their future grandkids someday they played the No. 1 team in the country in the NCAA Tournament.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Bulldogs' backs are to the wall
Despite a big win Saturday against Mount Olive and an opening-round triumph against Belmont Abbey, the NCAA Division II national champions are on the ropes.
The Barton College men's basketball dropped out of the NCAA Div. East Region rankings this week, leaving the Bulldogs no choice but to win the Conference Carolinas Tournament to get back in the Div. II tournament. Barton, the league's No. 4 seed, is at No. 1 Mount Olive on Thursday night in the tourney semifinals.
I can't foresee a situation whereby the Bulldogs could get one of the five at-large berths allotted the East Regional tournament. Not when three Conference Carolinas teams (No. 5 Mount Olive, No. 9 Pfeiffer and No. 10 Queens) are ahead of them.
Alderson-Broaddus, which lost to Barton in the 2006 East Regional in Wilson Gym and to West Virginia State here in 2007, is the East's No. 1-ranked team. Other teams from the 2007 East Regional in the top 10 are California (Pa.) at No. 3, Mount Olive, Millersville (Pa.) at No. 6 and West Liberty (W.Va.) State at No. 8.
I stand corrected in my earlier posting that Barton hasn't cracked the women's East Region top 10 rankings.Apparently my post came before the poll had been updated. The Lady Bulldogs are indeed No. 10 in this week's poll, putting them in good position to earn a regional berth if they can reach the conference tournament final. While Conference Carolinas has typically received less respect than the other East conferences in women's basketball, I'd be surprised if the only CC team to get a bid is Anderson. If Barton loses the tourney championship to Anderson, I can't see anyway the Lady Bulldogs wouldn't get a bid, but you never know.
NCAA Division II East Region men's basketball poll
NCAA Division II East Region women's basketball poll
The Barton College men's basketball dropped out of the NCAA Div. East Region rankings this week, leaving the Bulldogs no choice but to win the Conference Carolinas Tournament to get back in the Div. II tournament. Barton, the league's No. 4 seed, is at No. 1 Mount Olive on Thursday night in the tourney semifinals.
I can't foresee a situation whereby the Bulldogs could get one of the five at-large berths allotted the East Regional tournament. Not when three Conference Carolinas teams (No. 5 Mount Olive, No. 9 Pfeiffer and No. 10 Queens) are ahead of them.
Alderson-Broaddus, which lost to Barton in the 2006 East Regional in Wilson Gym and to West Virginia State here in 2007, is the East's No. 1-ranked team. Other teams from the 2007 East Regional in the top 10 are California (Pa.) at No. 3, Mount Olive, Millersville (Pa.) at No. 6 and West Liberty (W.Va.) State at No. 8.
I stand corrected in my earlier posting that Barton hasn't cracked the women's East Region top 10 rankings.Apparently my post came before the poll had been updated. The Lady Bulldogs are indeed No. 10 in this week's poll, putting them in good position to earn a regional berth if they can reach the conference tournament final. While Conference Carolinas has typically received less respect than the other East conferences in women's basketball, I'd be surprised if the only CC team to get a bid is Anderson. If Barton loses the tourney championship to Anderson, I can't see anyway the Lady Bulldogs wouldn't get a bid, but you never know.
NCAA Division II East Region men's basketball poll
NCAA Division II East Region women's basketball poll
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Bulldogs in a precarious position
The bad news for the Barton College men's basketball team is that it fell out of the No. 8 spot in the NCAA Division II East Region rankings Wednesday.
The good news is the Bulldogs only dropped to the ninth spot, despite losing twice since the last poll came out Wednesday, Feb. 21.
What this means for Barton is that it is still in the running to claim one of the eight regional berths and have at least a fighting chance to defend its national title. The problem, as I see it, is that Barton is the fourth Conference Carolinas team in the East top 10. With the Pennsylvania State Athletics Conference and the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference each with an automatic bid for the respective champions and five teams combined in the top eight of the East poll, you can see it's sort of crowded. An at-large bid for the Bulldogs seems like a very, very long shot right now.
Of course, the Bulldogs could win the Conference Carolinas Tournament, which begins Monday, and get the automatic bid to the NCAA Div. II tournament.
But the 81-78 overtime loss Tuesday night at lowly St. Andrews did two things. First, it reinforced the commonly held belief by long-time league observers that no game should be considered a gimme. Front-running Mount Olive, the No. 2 East team and No. 17 Div. II squad, lost at Limestone on Saturday. Now, the Trojans have to win at Barton on Saturday to assure themselves of the regular-season championship — but more on that in a second.
The second thing the loss to the ninth-place Knights did for the Bulldogs — coupled with Belmont Abbey's defeat of Pfeiffer on Tuesday — was put them in the fifth spot in the standings. That means Barton's only chance of hosting a conference tournament game would be to beat Mount Olive on Saturday in front of a national television audience and win the coin flip for fourth.
(Update: Barton SID John Hackney has advised me that Barton will get the No. 4 seed if it beats MOC.)
If they beat Abbey in the opener, either in Wilson or Belmont, the Bulldogs would most likely go to Mount Olive for the semifinals. That's assuming, of course, MOC is the No. 1 seed and doesn't lose its first-round game.
There are a lot of variables to the equation right now and the Bulldogs could end up back in the regional, where anything can happen. But this team has had chance after chance to separate itself from the pack and it has not capitalized. Based on the history it's shown this season, I can't see Barton making a third straight regional trip, much less going to the Elite Eight for third year in a row.
The good news is the Bulldogs only dropped to the ninth spot, despite losing twice since the last poll came out Wednesday, Feb. 21.
What this means for Barton is that it is still in the running to claim one of the eight regional berths and have at least a fighting chance to defend its national title. The problem, as I see it, is that Barton is the fourth Conference Carolinas team in the East top 10. With the Pennsylvania State Athletics Conference and the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference each with an automatic bid for the respective champions and five teams combined in the top eight of the East poll, you can see it's sort of crowded. An at-large bid for the Bulldogs seems like a very, very long shot right now.
Of course, the Bulldogs could win the Conference Carolinas Tournament, which begins Monday, and get the automatic bid to the NCAA Div. II tournament.
But the 81-78 overtime loss Tuesday night at lowly St. Andrews did two things. First, it reinforced the commonly held belief by long-time league observers that no game should be considered a gimme. Front-running Mount Olive, the No. 2 East team and No. 17 Div. II squad, lost at Limestone on Saturday. Now, the Trojans have to win at Barton on Saturday to assure themselves of the regular-season championship — but more on that in a second.
The second thing the loss to the ninth-place Knights did for the Bulldogs — coupled with Belmont Abbey's defeat of Pfeiffer on Tuesday — was put them in the fifth spot in the standings. That means Barton's only chance of hosting a conference tournament game would be to beat Mount Olive on Saturday in front of a national television audience and win the coin flip for fourth.
(Update: Barton SID John Hackney has advised me that Barton will get the No. 4 seed if it beats MOC.)
If they beat Abbey in the opener, either in Wilson or Belmont, the Bulldogs would most likely go to Mount Olive for the semifinals. That's assuming, of course, MOC is the No. 1 seed and doesn't lose its first-round game.
There are a lot of variables to the equation right now and the Bulldogs could end up back in the regional, where anything can happen. But this team has had chance after chance to separate itself from the pack and it has not capitalized. Based on the history it's shown this season, I can't see Barton making a third straight regional trip, much less going to the Elite Eight for third year in a row.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Rankings and kudos to Bulldogs
Almost everyone has a poll of some sort these days. Maybe I should start one here.
Until that happens, here are some recent rankings of interest to Barton College fans.
The men's basketball team — make that the NCAA Division II men's basketball team — stayed at No. 8 in the Div. II East Region rankings. The Bulldogs remain on the bubble for one of the eight regional berths but a win tonight at Queens would likely put them a little higher up should a team above them stumble.
By the way, Mount Olive, the No. 1 team in Conference Carolinas and the East rankings, climbed from 16th to No. 11 in the Div. II national coaches poll this week.
NCAA Division II men's basketball regional rankings
NCAA Div. II coaches poll
The Barton golf team grabbed a spot in the national rankings per the Golf World/Nike Div. II coaches poll. The Bulldogs of head coach John Hackney tied for the 25th and final spot with Rollins (Fla.) College and St. Cloud (Minn.) State University.
Barton tied for third at the Johnny Palmer/Pfeiffer Intercollegiate tournament earlier this week.
Golf World/Nike college golf polls
Finally, a word of praise for the Barton baseball team, which started the season 0-4 but has won 7-of-9 including four wins against No. 30 Kutztown (Pa.) and Wednesday's 7-5 defeat of No. 9 Francis Marion.
Until that happens, here are some recent rankings of interest to Barton College fans.
The men's basketball team — make that the NCAA Division II men's basketball team — stayed at No. 8 in the Div. II East Region rankings. The Bulldogs remain on the bubble for one of the eight regional berths but a win tonight at Queens would likely put them a little higher up should a team above them stumble.
By the way, Mount Olive, the No. 1 team in Conference Carolinas and the East rankings, climbed from 16th to No. 11 in the Div. II national coaches poll this week.
NCAA Division II men's basketball regional rankings
NCAA Div. II coaches poll
The Barton golf team grabbed a spot in the national rankings per the Golf World/Nike Div. II coaches poll. The Bulldogs of head coach John Hackney tied for the 25th and final spot with Rollins (Fla.) College and St. Cloud (Minn.) State University.
Barton tied for third at the Johnny Palmer/Pfeiffer Intercollegiate tournament earlier this week.
Golf World/Nike college golf polls
Finally, a word of praise for the Barton baseball team, which started the season 0-4 but has won 7-of-9 including four wins against No. 30 Kutztown (Pa.) and Wednesday's 7-5 defeat of No. 9 Francis Marion.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Conference Carolinas Tournament may be coming to Wilson Gym
Here's a quick heads-up for Barton College basketball fans. The Conference Carolinas has changed the format for both the men's and women's basketball tournaments.
Instead of having the top five regular-season finishers get a bye while the bottom six teams go at it in the first round, the league has opted to allow just the top eight teams into the tournament.
Furthermore, the tournament will not be held at a common site but instead on the floor of the higher seed for each round. The down side to this is that the men's and women's championships are now, probably, split up.
The men's and women's tournaments begin on March 3 with the semifinals scheduled for March 6 and the finals set for March 8.
This is potentially good news for both Barton squads, which still have outside shots to win their respective conference races. Wilson Gym could be the site of either tournament final — or both.
Just a reminder that a week from Saturday on March 1, the Bulldogs will host conference leader Mount Olive at noon in a nationally televised game on CSTV and FSN (Fox Sports Network) South.
Instead of having the top five regular-season finishers get a bye while the bottom six teams go at it in the first round, the league has opted to allow just the top eight teams into the tournament.
Furthermore, the tournament will not be held at a common site but instead on the floor of the higher seed for each round. The down side to this is that the men's and women's championships are now, probably, split up.
The men's and women's tournaments begin on March 3 with the semifinals scheduled for March 6 and the finals set for March 8.
This is potentially good news for both Barton squads, which still have outside shots to win their respective conference races. Wilson Gym could be the site of either tournament final — or both.
Just a reminder that a week from Saturday on March 1, the Bulldogs will host conference leader Mount Olive at noon in a nationally televised game on CSTV and FSN (Fox Sports Network) South.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Bulldogs inch up to No. 8 in regional rankings
Despite losing at Pfeiffer last week, the Barton College men's basketball team moved up a notch in the NCAA Division II East Region rankings to No. 8, released Wednesday.
Eight is a magic number because there will be eight teams invited to the East Regional — the three conference champions (Carolinas Conference, Pennsylvania State Athletic Association and West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Association) and five at-large teams. The Div. II defending champion Bulldogs still have a chance to win the Conference Carolinas' top seed but more likely will hope to be an at-large entry.
Their chance to host the regional for the third straight year is pretty slim but I think a winning streak through the conference tournament could do it.
NCAA Division II men's basketball regional rankings
Eight is a magic number because there will be eight teams invited to the East Regional — the three conference champions (Carolinas Conference, Pennsylvania State Athletic Association and West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Association) and five at-large teams. The Div. II defending champion Bulldogs still have a chance to win the Conference Carolinas' top seed but more likely will hope to be an at-large entry.
Their chance to host the regional for the third straight year is pretty slim but I think a winning streak through the conference tournament could do it.
NCAA Division II men's basketball regional rankings
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Bulldogs barely make first East Regional rankings
The defending NCAA Division II men's basketball champion Barton College Bulldogs have their work cut out for a return to the Elite Eight for a third consecutive year.
The first Div. II regional rankings came out today and Barton came in No. 10 in the East Region. While the rankings are merely a barometer of the current situation in the region, keep in mind that only eight teams can make it to the regional. The champions of Conference Carolinas, Pennsylvania State Athletic Association and the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Association plus five at-large teams from the region.
Right now, Mount Olive, Barton's Conference Carolinas archrival holds the top spot in the East poll as well as the conference standings by a half-game over Pfeiffer, No. 8. Another CC member, Queens, is ranked No. 2.
The Bulldogs could possibly host the regional if they were to run the table through the conference regular season and tournament. Of course, they can return to Springfield, Mass., and the Elite Eight if they win the East Regional tournament in March. But they'd probably have to do it away from "The Dog House," which has been a house of horrors for the other regional teams the past two years.
In the spirit of the times, to paraphrase a famous political slogan from years gone by, at least now the Bulldogs know where they stand.
NCAA Division II men's basketball regional rankings
The first Div. II regional rankings came out today and Barton came in No. 10 in the East Region. While the rankings are merely a barometer of the current situation in the region, keep in mind that only eight teams can make it to the regional. The champions of Conference Carolinas, Pennsylvania State Athletic Association and the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Association plus five at-large teams from the region.
Right now, Mount Olive, Barton's Conference Carolinas archrival holds the top spot in the East poll as well as the conference standings by a half-game over Pfeiffer, No. 8. Another CC member, Queens, is ranked No. 2.
The Bulldogs could possibly host the regional if they were to run the table through the conference regular season and tournament. Of course, they can return to Springfield, Mass., and the Elite Eight if they win the East Regional tournament in March. But they'd probably have to do it away from "The Dog House," which has been a house of horrors for the other regional teams the past two years.
In the spirit of the times, to paraphrase a famous political slogan from years gone by, at least now the Bulldogs know where they stand.
NCAA Division II men's basketball regional rankings
Monday, January 21, 2008
Bulldogs, Trojans going national
On March 1, the men's basketball teams from Barton College and Mount Olive College are going national.
The game between the defending NCAA Division II national champion Bulldogs and their archrivals will be broadcast live on national television on CSTV (College Sports Television) and FSN (Fox Sports Network). Tip off is scheduled for noon in Wilson Gymnasium.
It will be the first Conference Carolinas regular-season game to be telecast live nationally.
The teams are currently tied atop the league standings. Barton has won the last seven games in the rivalry.
Even with the game being shown on TV, I suspect Wilson Gym will be crowded that day. After all, it's a great chance to get one's face on camera!
Here is the Conference Carolinas' release on the event:
The game between the defending NCAA Division II national champion Bulldogs and their archrivals will be broadcast live on national television on CSTV (College Sports Television) and FSN (Fox Sports Network). Tip off is scheduled for noon in Wilson Gymnasium.
It will be the first Conference Carolinas regular-season game to be telecast live nationally.
The teams are currently tied atop the league standings. Barton has won the last seven games in the rivalry.
Even with the game being shown on TV, I suspect Wilson Gym will be crowded that day. After all, it's a great chance to get one's face on camera!
Here is the Conference Carolinas' release on the event:
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