2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW BIG EAST CONFERENCE STAFF
Commissioner............................................................................................................... John Marinatto Senior Associate Commissioner (Football & Marketing) ...................................Nicholas Carparelli, Jr. Senior Associate Commissioner (Compliance & Governance)............................. Joseph D’Antonio, Jr. Senior Associate Commissioner (Administration).......................................................Donna DeMarco Associate Commissioner (Men’s Basketball)........................................................................ Dan Gavitt Associate Commissioner (Women’s Basketball)...................................................... Danielle Donehew Associate Commissioner (Television & Men’s Basketball Scheduling)............................ Tom Odjakjian Associate Commissioner (Communications) ................................................................. John Paquette Associate Commissioner (Olympic Sports).................................................................... James Siedliski Assistant Commissioner for Compliance ................................................................. Jennifer Condaras Assistant Commissioner for Women’s Basketball Officiating........................................ Barbara Jacobs Senior Director of External Affairs................................................................................. Ben Fairclough Director of Business Affairs............................................................................................... Susan Eaton Director of Communications..............................................................................................Sara Naggar Director of Communications.......................................................................................... Chuck Sullivan Director of Internet Services ......................................................................................... Mark Hodgkin Director of Men’s Basketball Operations.......................................................................Shawn Murphy Director of Sport Administration.................................................................................... Kristen Brown Director of Sport Administration........................................................................... Robert Weygand, Jr. Assistant Director of Communications.......................................................................... Michael Coyne Assistant Director of Compliance................................................................................ Kenneth Schank Assistant Director of Football & Video Administration................................................... Michael Costa Assistant Director of Sport Administration..................................................................... Sarah Emmett Coordinator of Football Officiating................................................................................. Terry McAulay Coordinator of Men’s Basketball Officiating...................................................... G. Arthur Hyland, Esq. Senior Administrative Assistant for Basketball & Administration.......................................Lois DeBlois Assistant to the Commissioner....................................................................................... Lisa Zanecchia Administrative Assistant.............................................................................................. Wanda L. Factor Administrative Assistant...................................................................................................... Linda Yates Receptionist................................................................................................................ Kathy Kirkpatrick Administrative Fellow..................................................................................................... Roberto Sasso Communications Assistant...................................................................................... S. Alexandra Lange Communications Assistant.............................................................................................. Chris Magnoli Olympic Sports/Sport Administration Assistant................................................................ Caitlin Reilly
PRIMARY BIG EAST BASKETBALL CONTACTS
BIG EAST.............................. John Paquette............................................................cell (401) 265-2244 Chuck Sullivan............................................................cell (401) 641-8760 Cincinnati............................. Doug Mosely.................................................................... (513) 556-0667 Connecticut......................... Kyle Muncy...................................................................... (860) 486-3531 DePaul................................. Greg Greenwell................................................................ (773) 325-7546 Georgetown......................... Bill Shapland.................................................................... (202) 687-2492 Louisville.............................. Kenny Klein...................................................................... (502) 852-6581 Marquette........................... Scott Kuykendall.............................................................. (414) 288-4794 Notre Dame......................... Bernie Cafarelli................................................................ (574) 631-7516 Pittsburgh............................ Greg Hotchkiss................................................................. (412) 648-8240 Providence........................... Arthur Parks..................................................................... (401) 865-2272 Rutgers................................ Kevin Lorincz.................................................................... (732) 445-4200 St. John’s.............................. Mark Fratto...................................................................... (718) 990-6367 Seton Hall............................ Matt Sweeney.................................................................. (973) 761-9493 USF...................................... Amy Woodruff................................................................. (813) 974-4087 Syracuse.............................. Pete Moore...................................................................... (315) 443-2608 Villanova.............................. Mike Sheridan.................................................................. (610) 519-4120 West Virginia....................... Bryan Messerly................................................................ (304) 293-2821 For information on BIG EAST Conference Men’s Basketball, please contact: John Paquette, Assoc. Commissioner E-mail: jpaquette@bigeast.org Chuck Sullivan, Director of Communications E-mail: csullivan@bigeast.org Big East Phone: (401) 453-0660 Big East Fax: (401) 751-8540 2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL MEDIA DAY oct. 19 • new york, n.y. BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Media Day will kick off the 2011-12 season in New York City. All 16 BIG EAST head coaches will be present, along with selected players from each team. Please contact John Paquette or Chuck Sullivan at the BIG EAST office for more information.
BIG EAST CONFERENCE MEN’S BASKETBALL COACHES Teleconference The BIG EAST will once again hold weekly teleconferences with its men’s basketball coaches, beginning in January and continuing each Thursday until the BIG EAST Championship. Media representatives wishing to participate in the teleconference should contact the BIG EAST office for the phone number and schedule.
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2........... Table of Contents/General Information 3-5............................................... News & Notes 6-7...................................................... Cincinnati 8-9...................................................Connecticut 10-11.......................................................DePaul 12-13.............................................. Georgetown 14-15................................................... Louisville 16-17................................................. Marquette 18-19.............................................. Notre Dame 20-21..................................................Pittsburgh 22-23................................................ Providence 24-25......................................................Rutgers 26-27................................................... St. John’s 28-29..................................................Seton Hall 30-31............................................................ USF 32-33.................................................... Syracuse 34-35................................................... Villanova 36-37.............................................West Virginia 38-39.................................... 2010-11 In Review 40.........................................Postseason Honors 41-46......................................2010-11 Statistics
CREDITS The 2011-12 BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Preview is published by The BIG EAST Conference. It was written and edited by John Paquette and designed by Chuck Sullivan. Editorial assistance by Chris Magnoli and Alex Lange. Photos by Mitchell Layton, Thomas Maguire, Bruce Schwartzman and BIG EAST member schools.
ON THE COVER Connecticut made an incredible run through the 2011 postseason, culminating in the program’s third NCAA Championship and seventh BIG EAST title. The Huskies won five games in five days at Madison Square Garden to capture the conference crown before reeling off six wins in the NCAA tournament.
The Big East Conference 15 Park Row West Providence, R.I. 02903
BigEast.org (401) 453-0660 • Communications (401) BIG EAST • Switchboard (401) 751-8540 • Fax @BigEastMBB • Twitter @bigeastconference • Facebook
bigeast.org The official website of the BIG EAST Conference features up-to-date information on all facets of the league. Men’s basketball standings, results, statistics and notes are updated as games are played.
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW HUSKIES WON IT ALL Connecticut won the NCAA title for the third time since 1999. The Huskies defeated Butler 53-41 in the 2011 championship game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. Guard Kemba Walker was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player. UConn reached the Final Four after winning the West Regional, making its fourth Final Four trip since 1999. The Huskies previously won the NCAA title in 1999 and 2004. In 2009, they lost to Michigan State in the semifinals. Since 1999, only Michigan State has made more Final Four trips than UConn. The Spartans have gone six times. UConn has won three of the BIG EAST’s six NCAA men’s basketball championships. HUSKIES KEEP BIG EAST IN FINAL FOUR NEWS Connecticut’s trip to the 2011 Final Four gives the BIG EAST five Final Four appearances in the last five seasons with four different teams. 2011 Connecticut 2010 West Virginia 2009 Connecticut, Villanova 2007 Georgetown BIG EAST AND THE FINAL FOUR Including Connecticut in 2010-11, a BIG EAST team has made the Final Four 17 times in 32 years of competition. A BIG EAST squad has played in the national title game 10 times. The conference’s NCAA champions are: Georgetown (1984), Villanova (1985), Connecticut (‘99, 2004 and 2011) and Syracuse (2003). Recent additional appearances were made by Louisville and Marquette just before both schools began competing in the BIG EAST in 2005-06. Louisville made it in 2005 and Marquette in 2003. Fifteen of the 16 league schools have played in the Final Four. FINAL FOUR COACHES CLUB INCLUDES SIX In 2009, Villanova’s Jay Wright became the sixth current BIG EAST head coach to participate in a Final Four. Connecticut’s Jim Calhoun made his fourth trip (2011, 2009, 2004, 1999). Louisville’s Rick Pitino is one of only two coaches in NCAA history to lead three different teams to the Final Four: Providence (1987), Kentucky (1997, ‘96, ‘93) and Louisville (2005). Jim Boeheim has been to the Final Four three times with Syracuse (2003, ‘96, ‘87). West Virginia’s Bob Huggins made it in 2010 and guided Cincinnati to the 1992 Final Four. Georgetown’s John Thompson III led the Hoyas to the Final Four in 2007. NBA TAKES THREE IN FIRST ROUND Three BIG EAST players were taken in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft. Kemba Walker was selected ninth overall by the Charlotte Bobcats. Providence’s Marshon Brooks went 25th to the Boston Celtics and was traded to the New Jersey Nets. Marquette’s Jimmy Butler was taken 30th by the Chicago Bulls. For the past 11 years, at least one BIG EAST player has been a top-10 pick. FIVE SCHOOLS TRAVEL ABROAD Five BIG EAST teams are taking summer trips abroad. DePaul will visit France Aug. 11-21. Georgetown takes a trip to China Aug. 13-27. Louisville will go to the Bahamas Aug. 10-13. Villanova has a European trip Aug. 7-16 that includes stops in France, Luxembourg and The Netherlands. West Virginia goes to Italy Aug. 8-22.
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Connecticut won its third NCAA title since 1999 to cap a magical postseason run LAMB, BELL EXCELLED ON USA BASKETBALL U19 SQUAD Connecticut’s Jeremy Lamb and Villanova’s James Bell helped USA Basketball’s U19 team place fifth at the 2011 FIBA U19 World Championships in Riga, Latvia this past July. Lamb, whose tip-in gave the U.S. a 78-77 win over Australia in the game to decide fifth place, led the team in scoring with a 16.2 average. Bell averaged 3.8 points and 3.1 rebounds. Lamb’s top game was a 35-point effort in a 107-105 overtime victory over Lithuania. Bell recorded 16 points and eight rebounds in an 83-54 win over Canada. Both players started all nine games in the tournament. BIG EAST MAINTAINED ELITE EIGHT STREAK The BIG EAST is the only conference to place at least one team in every NCAA Elite Eight since 2002. Seven different squads — Connecticut (2011, ‘09, ‘04, ‘02), West Virginia (2010, ‘05), Louisville (‘09, ‘08), Georgetown (‘07, ‘06), Villanova (‘09, ‘06), Pittsburgh (‘09) and Syracuse (‘03) — have reached the final eight over the last 10 seasons. THREE FROM BIG EAST MAKE WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES TEAM Three of the 12 players chosen for the 2011 USA Basketball World University Team are from the BIG EAST. Tim Abromaitis of Notre Dame, Ashton Gibbs of Pittsburgh and Scoop Jardine of Syracuse made the squad. The head coach of the team is Matt Painter of Purdue. The World University Games will be held Aug. 13-22 in Shenzhen, China. Gibbs and Jardine have prior USA Basketball experience. Gibbs helped the USA to a gold medal at the 2009 U19 World Championships and Jardine was a member of the USA Select Team that trained against the 2010 USA Men’s Select Team.
EXPANDED BIG EAST/SEC COMPETITION RETURNS IN DECEMBER The SEC-BIG EAST Invitational, which has included two doubleheaders for the past four seasons, has been expanded to the BIG EAST/SEC Challenge, which will match 12 teams from each conference over three nights. ESPN will provide exclusive coverage across ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU. All 12 games will be played at home sites with each conference hosting six games per year. Dec. 1
St. John’s at Kentucky Georgetown at Alabama Providence at South Carolina Mississippi at DePaul
Dec. 2
Vanderbilt at Louisville Florida at Syracuse Cincinnati at Georgia Auburn at Seton Hall
Dec. 3
Arkansas at Connecticut Pittsburgh at Tennessee West Virginia at Mississippi State LSU at Rutgers
VILLANOVA, MARQUETTE TO PLAY IN JIMMY V The BIG EAST will be represented in both games of the annual Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. On Tuesday, Dec. 6, Villanova will play Missouri at 7 p.m. ET followed by Marquette versus Washington. Both games will be carried on ESPN. ALL-TIME NCAA RECORDS BIG EAST teams compiled a 13-10 record in the 2011 NCAA Championship. Since the league began play in 1979-80, BIG EAST teams own a 276-170 (.619) record in NCAA play. The BIG EAST has had only one season when its teams had a combined losing record in the NCAAs. In 1992-93, the league was 2-3. Since the BIG EAST has been in its current 16team configuration, the league has an 89-65 (.577) record in NCAA play.
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW HALF OF BIG EAST HAS BEEN TO SWEET 16 IN PAST FIVE YEARS With the addition of Marquette this past year, eight BIG EAST teams have advanced to the NCAA Regional Semifinals over the past five years. Before this season, Connecticut last made it to the Sweet 16 round in 2009 when it advanced to the Final Four. BIG EAST LEADS IN SWEET 16 APPEARANCES With two NCAA Sweet 16 teams in 2011 (Connecticut and Marquette) the BIG EAST has had the most teams reach the regional semifinal round over the last nine seasons. REGIONAL SEMIFINALISTS (2003-11) BIG EAST 27 Big 12 19 ACC 18 MARQUETTE WAS ONLY THE SECOND NO. 11 SEED TO REACH THE SWEET 16 Marquette became only the second No. 11 NCAA seed from the BIG EAST to reach the NCAA Regional Semifinals. The only other league squad to make the Sweet 16 with a seed as low as 11 was Connecticut in 1991. BIG EAST RECEIVED 11 INVITATIONS The BIG EAST Conference received a record 11 bids to the NCAA Championship. The BIG EAST had held the previous record of eight in 2006, ‘08 and ‘10. Pittsburgh, the league regular-season champion, received the No. 1 seed in the Southeast Region. Nine of the 11 teams received a No. 6 seed or higher. 20 WINS REMAINS A GOOD YARDSTICK When a BIG EAST team reaches 20 wins by the end of conference tournament play, it has an excellent chance of receiving an NCAA invitation. Since the BIG EAST began in 1979-80, 147 of 152 teams with 20 wins received NCAA bids. This year, all 11 BIG EAST teams in the NCAA Championship had at least 20 wins. Last season, the BIG EAST had nine 20-win squads. BIG EAST WAS 16-11 AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS BIG EAST teams compiled a 16-11 record against teams ranked in the top 25 of the two major polls. That was the best record against ranked foes of any conference.
SYRACUSE, LOUISVILLE WERE SECOND, THIRD IN NCAA ATTENDANCE Syracuse and Louisville ranked second and third, respectively, in national attendance last season. Syracuse averaged 22,312 fans in 19 home dates. Louisville averaged 21,832 fans in its first season in the KFC Yum! Center. Six other BIG EAST teams ranked in the top 40: Marquette, 11th (15,586), Georgetown 25th (12,675), Connecticut 32nd (11,569), West Virginia 33rd (11,529), Pittsburgh 36th (10,843) and Villanova 38th (10,511). Louisville had the third largest increase from the previous year with a change of 2,435. St. John’s had the fourth largest increase, moving from a 6,107 average two years ago to 8,431 last season. CONNECTICUT MADE EPIC JOURNEY TO WIN BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP Last March, the Connecticut Huskies did what no Division I team had ever done in a conference tournament, winning five games in five days to capture the tourney crown. Entering as a No. 9 seed, the Huskies defeated in order: DePaul (97-71), Georgetown (79-62), Pittsburgh (76-74), Syracuse (76-71, ot) and Louisville (69-66). UConn was only the second No. 9 seed to win the BIG EAST championship. Syracuse did it in 2006. BIG EAST GAUNTLET WAS AS TOUGH AS NCAA’S Connecticut’s five-game run to the BIG EAST Championship included wins against four top-25 teams (Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Louisville) in as many days. The Huskies’ road to the NCAA title included three top-25 victories (San Diego State, Arizona, Kentucky) in six games. WALKER LED UCONN IN NEW YORK Connecticut guard Kemba Walker shattered The BIG EAST Championship scoring record while leading the Huskies to the title. He scored 130 points in the five contests to average 26.0 ppg in New York. Walker won the Dave Gavitt Trophy as the tourney’s Most Outstanding Player. CLOSE GAMES AT THE GARDEN The BIG EAST Championship Presented by American Eagle Outfitters had plenty of drama throughout the five days in New York in addition to the UConn/ Kemba Walker storyline. Three of the games went into overtime including both semifinal contests. The Huskies won the championship game 69-66 against Louisville. PITT WON THE REGULAR SEASON Pittsburgh was the BIG EAST regular-season champion. The Panthers posted a 15-3 league mark which matched their 15-3 record in 2008-09. For the third time in league history, Pitt was the top seed at The BIG EAST Championship. The other No. 1-seed years were 2003 and 1988. SURPRISES FROM THE PRESEASON POLL Pitt was the preseason favorite in the BIG EAST Coaches’ Preseason Poll and the Panthers won the regular-season title. Not every finish followed the poll closely, however. Notre Dame finished second with a 14-4 record after being picked seventh. Louisville placed third after being picked in a tie for eighth place. Cincinnati finished tied for sixth after being tabbed for 12th place.
St. John’s was one of a record 11 BIG EAST teams to reach the NCAA tournament in 2011
Buzz Williams took Marquette to the NCAA Sweet 16 last season CINCINNATI, ST. JOHN’S RETURN TO NCAA FIELD Cincinnati and St. John’s, two programs steeped in NCAA tradition, returned to the NCAA Championship after absences of several years. Cincinnati’s last NCAA appearance was in 2005. This season, the Bearcats finished 26-9 under coach Mick Cronin. St. John’s, which finished 21-12 under first-year coach Steve Lavin, was in the NCAAs for the first time since 2002. NON-LEAGUE RECORD BEST SINCE 1993-94 BIG EAST teams amassed a 170-49 (.776) record against non-conference competition in the 2010-11 season. That is the league’s best mark since 1993-94, when the conference had a .792 winning percentage against other leagues. BIG EAST HAD NINE IN AP POLL TWICE Twice this season, the BIG EAST tied its own record in the Associated Press poll with nine ranked teams. In the polls Jan. 17 and March 7, the AP poll included nine teams in the top 25, which matched the record set in January 2009. NATIONAL SEMIFINALS ARE STILL SPECIAL After Connecticut’s win against Kentucky in the national semifinals, the BIG EAST has an 8-4 record in the Final Four semifinals against non-conference opposition. Two times BIG EAST teams have played each other in the Final Four semifinals -- Syracuse beat Providence in ‘87 (77-63) and Georgetown topped St. John’s in ‘85 (77-59). HANSBROUGH WAS PLAYER OF THE YEAR Notre Dame guard Ben Hansbrough was named BIG EAST Player of the Year. He finished his season with an 18.4 scoring average and helped the Irish to a surprising second-place finish in the regular season with a 14-4 mark.
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW BIG EAST Returning Career Leaders
Entering the 2011-12 season, the following players have the highest career totals in their respective categories (conference games only): Points.........................................................612........................................Kevin Jones, West Virginia Scoring Average........................................ 15.4...........................Darius Johnson-Odom, Marquette Rebounds...................................................364........................................Kevin Jones, West Virginia Rebounding Average.................................. 6.7.........................................Kevin Jones, West Virginia 3-Point Field Goals.....................................109..........................................Ashton Gibbs, Pittsburgh 3-Point Field Goal Percentage................... .458................................................. Kyle Kuric, Louisville Field Goal Percentage............................... .500.............................................Yancy Gates, Cincinnati Free Throw Percentage............................. .877..........................................Ashton Gibbs, Pittsburgh Assists........................................................221........................................... Scoop Jardine, Syracuse Assists Average........................................... 5.2......................................Vincent Council, Providence Blocks..........................................................56.......................................... Alex Oriakhi, Connecticut Blocks Average........................................... 1.6.......................................... Alex Oriakhi, Connecticut Steals...........................................................62............................................ Scoop Jardine, Syracuse Steals Average............................................ 1.7......................................Vincent Council, Providence
2011-12 In-Season Tournaments
Many BIG EAST schools will participate in at least one in-season tournament this year. Here is a look at the schedule: Team Event First Game Other Teams Cincinnati Global Sports Challenge Nov. 13 Alabama State, Jacksonville State, Northwestern State, Marshall Connecticut Battle 4 Atlantis Nov. 23 Harvard, Florida State, Utah, Central Florida, College of Charleston, Massachusetts, UNC-Asheville DePaul Old Spice Classic Nov. 24
Arizona State, Dayton, Fairfield, Indiana State, Minnesota, Texas Tech, Wake Forest
Georgetown EA Sports Maui Invitational Nov. 14 Belmont, Chaminade, Duke, Kansas, Memphis, Michigan, Middle Tennessee State, Tennsssee, Towson, UCLA, UNC-Greensboro Louisville
Global Sports Invitational
Nov. 11 Arkansas State, Ohio, Lamar, Tennessee-Martin
Marquette Paradise Jam Nov. 18 Notre Dame CBE Classic
Drake, Drexel, Mississippi, Norfolk State, TCU, Virginia, Winthrop
Nov. 21
California, Georgia, Missouri
Pittsburgh Philly Hoop Group Classic Nov. 25
Penn, La Salle, Robert Morris, Rider, James Madison
Providence South Padre Island Invitational Nov. 25
Florida A&M, Southern, Rice, Northern Colorado, Western Carolina, Northern Iowa, Iowa State
Rutgers Triple Crown Cancun Challenge Nov. 17
Hampton, Illinois, Illinois State, Lipscomb, Richmond, Sacred Heart, SIU-Edwardsville
St. John’s
2K Sports Classic Benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer
Nov. 17
Arizona, Texas A&M, Mississippi State
Seton Hall Charleston Classic Nov. 17
Georgia Tech, Northwestern, Saint Joseph’s, LSU, Tulsa, VCU, Western Kentucky
USF Hall of Fame Tipoff Nov. 14
Vermont, Marist, Old Dominion, Kentucky, Penn State, Long Island, Radford
Syracuse Dick’s Sporting Goods Nov. 14 Albany, Brown, Florida International, Stanford, Preseason NIT SMU, Monmouth, George Mason, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Oral Roberts, UT-San Antonio, Manhattan, Fresno State, Colorado State Villanova 76 Classic Nov. 24 Boston College, UC Riverside, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Saint Louis, Washington State West Virginia IBN Sports Las Vegas Classic Dec. 22
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Baylor, Bethune-Cookman, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Tennessee Tech, Missouri State, Kennesaw State, Saint Mary’s
2012 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE & SITES First Round Tuesday and Wednesday, March 13 and 14 UD Arena Dayton, Ohio Host: University of Dayton
Second and Third Rounds Thursday and Saturday, March 15 and 17 The Pit Albuquerque, N.M. Host: University of New Mexico Consol Energy Center Pittsburgh, Pa. Host: Duquesne University Rose Garden Arean Portland, Ore. Host: University of Oregon KFC Yum! Center Louisville, Ky. Host: University of Louisville Friday and Sunday, March 16 and 18 Nationwide Arena Columbus, Ohio Host: The Ohio State University Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, N.C. Host: Atlantic Coast Conference Bridgestone Arena Nashville, Tenn. Host: Ohio Valley Conference CenturyLink Center Omaha, Neb. Host: Creighton University
Regionals Thursday and Saturday, March 22 and 24 TD Banknorth Garden Boston, Mass. Host: Boston College US Airways Center Phoenix, Ariz. Host: Arizona State University Friday and Sunday, March 23 and 25 Edward Jones Dome St. Louis, Mo. Host: Saint Louis University Georgia Dome Atlanta, Ga. Host: Georgia Institute of Technology
Final Four March 31 and April 2 Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, La. Host: Tulane University
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Cincinnati Bearcats 2011-12 ROSTER No. Name 0 Jeremiah Davis 3 Dion Dixon 2 Octavius Ellis 10 Alex Eppensteiner 24 Kelvin Gaines 34 Yancy Gates 14 Ge’Lawn Guyn 5 Justin Jackson 23 Sean Kilpatrick 13 Cheikh Mbodj 25 Anthony McBride 44 JaQuon Parker 15 Jermaine Sanders 11 Shaquille Thomas 1 Cashmere Wright
Class Fr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. Jr.
Pos. G G F G C F G F G C G G F F G
Ht. Wt. 6-3 200 6-3 195 6-9 210 6-3 210 6-10 225 6-9 260 6-1 175 6-8 210 6-4 215 6-10 245 6-2 176 6-3 210 6-5 225 6-7 180 6-0 175
Hometown/High School Muncie, Ind./Huntington Prep (W.Va.) Chicago, Il./Crane Technical Prep Common Memphis, Tenn./Whitehaven Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder Ocala, Fla./Arlington Country Day Cincinnati, Ohio/Withrow Georgetown, Ky./South Kent Prep (Conn.) Jacksonville, Fla./Arlington Country Day White Plains, N.Y./Notre Dame Prep (Mass.) Dakar, Senegal/Grayson County JC (Texas) Cincinnati, Ohio/Withrow Suffolk, Va./King’s Fork Far Rockaway, N.Y./Rice Paterson, N.J./NIA Prep Savannah, Ga./Urban Christian Academy
2010-11 RECORD 26-9 overall 11-7 BIG EAST (t6th) FINAL RANKING AP/ESPN rv/rv POSTSEASON NCAA Third Round
Head Coach: Mick Cronin (Cincinnati ’97) Associate Head Coach: Larry Davis (Asbury ’78) Assistant Coaches: Darren Savino (Jersey City State ’94), George Jackson (Wittenberg ’79) Head Coach Mick Cronin (Cincinnati ’97) Career Record (eight years) ........................................... 156-101 (.607) Cincinnati Record (five years).............................................. 87-77 (.530) Murray State Record (three years) ..................................... 69-23 (.750) BIG EAST Regular Season Record (five years)...................... 36-52 (.409) BIG EAST Tournament Record (four years).............................. 3-4 (.429) BIG EAST Overall Record (five years)................................... 39-56 (.411) NCAA Record (three appearances) ......................................... 1-3 (.250) NIT Record (one appearance).................................................. 1-1 (.500) CBI Record (one appearance).................................................. 0-1 (.000)
2011-12 PREVIEW The Big Picture After incremental improvement in the first four seasons of the Mick Cronin era, the Bearcats broke through in a big way last year, finishing 26-9 overall, 11-7 in the BIG EAST, and earning a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Championship. They defeated Missouri in a secondround NCAA contest before falling to eventual national champion Connecticut. It was UC’s first NCAA appearance since 1995. With eight letterwinners, including three starters, back in the fold, Cronin and the Bearcats are aiming to become NCAA regulars.
Who’s Back Yancy Gates, the rugged 6-9, 260-pound low-post standout, was the team’s top scorer and rebounder averaging 11.9 points and 6.9 rebounds. His strong finish in 2010-11 helped propel the Bearcats into the postseason. Junior Cashmere Wright returns to run the attack from his point guard position. He averaged 8.9 points and 3.9 assists last year. Senior guard Dion Dixon is back with Wright in the backcourt. Dixon averaged 11.6 points last year. Another key returnee is 6-4 Sean Kilpatrick. As a redshirt freshman, he gave UC some critical offensive punch, averaging 9.7 points and 6.2 rebounds in a sixth-man role. The Bearcats also were helped by 6-8 forward Justin Jackson who appeared in every game and averaged 2.5 points and 2.5 boards as a freshman. Junior guard JaQuon Parker (1.5 ppg) also helped.
Who’s Missing Forwards Rashad Bishop and Ibrahima Thomas were solid frontcourt contributors last season. The 6-6 Bishop averaged 8.4 points and 4.4 rebounds. Thomas’ contributions came closer the basket. He averaged 5.8 points and 5.4 boards. Forward Darnell Wilks (3.4, 1.9) and guard Larry Davis (3.2, 1.4) were not starters but were in Cronin’s regular rotation.
Storylines With returning starters Gates, Wright and Dixon, along with top reserve Kilpatrick, the Bearcats should field another strong squad. Cincinnati had always been a clawing defensive group and it maintained that reputation last season by leading the BIG EAST in scoring defense, yielding only 59.6 ppg. But the team made significant offensive strides last season, often led by Kilpatrick. UC improved to third in the league in turnover margin (+2.60). A group of seven newcomers should have opportunities to contribute, though Cronin should not have to depend on them to be key figures.
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2010-11 RESULTS (26-9, 11-7 BIG EAST)
NEWCOMERS Jeremiah Davis, G, Fr., 6-3, 200 Muncie, Ind./Huntington Prep (W.Va.) Octavius Ellis, F, Fr., 6-9, 210 Memphis, Tenn./Whitehaven Kelvin Gaines, C, Fr., 6-10, 225 Ocala, Fla./Arlington Country Day • Was redshirted in 2010-11. Ge’Lawn Guyn, G, Fr., 6-1, 175 Georgetown, Ky./South Kent (Conn.) Cheikh Mbodj, C, Jr., 6-10, 245 Dakar, Senegal/Grayson County JC (Texas) • Averaged a team-leading 14.6 points, 7.3 boards and 2.2 blocks for Grayson in 2010-11. • Named NJCAA All-America Honorable Mention last year. • Named North Texas Junior College Athletic Association Co-Player of the Year. Jermaine Sanders, F, Fr., 6-5, 225 Far Rockaway, N.Y./Rice • Named All-Manhattan Boys Basketball Player of the Year by the New York Post. • Averaged 18.1 points as a senior and led Rich to the CHSAA Class AA intersectional final. Shaquille Thomas, F, Fr., 6-7, 180 Paterson, N.J./NIA Prep • Ranked No. 23 among small forwards by Rivals.com.
(Home: 15-3/Away: 8-4/Neutral: 4-1) High Scorer/Rebounder NOVEMBER Global Sports Main Event 15 Mount St. Mary’s W, 69-59 4,083 Kilpatrick 21/Gates 10 20 IPFW W, 65-59 4,491 Gates, Kilpatrick 13/Thomas 9 Global Sports Main Event 22 Florida A&M W, 76-51 4,116 Wright 18/Gates 11 24 Savannah State W, 54-41 3,949 Gates 12/Gates 9 27 vs Dayton ^ W, 68-34 6,016 Dixon 20/Thomas 8 DECEMBER 1 Wright State W, 77-69 5,871 Kilpatrick 26/Gates, Bishop 7 4 at Toledo W, 81-47 5,332 Dixon 17/Thomas 8 11 Utah Valley State W, 92-72 5,054 Bishop 17/Thomas 12 14 Georgia Southern W, 99-54 4,516 Four with 12/Wilks 8 All-College Classic, Oklahoma City, Okla. 18 vs Oklahoma - ESPNU W, 66-56 10,625 Wright, Dixon 12/Gates 7 21 at Miami (Ohio) W, 64-48 3,297 Dixon 23/Thomas 13 23 Saint Francis (Pa.) W, 94-58 5,504 Kilpatrick 21/Parker 8 28 DE PAUL W, 76-60 7,795 Davis 20/Thomas 10 31 SETON HALL - ESPN2 W, 70-53 5,530 Kilpatrick 14/Thomas 9 JANUARY 6 Xavier - ESPN2 W, 66-46 13,176 Gates 22/Gates 14 9 at VILLANOVA L, 61-72 6,500 Bishop 14/Gates 9 12 USF W, 74-66 6,201 Kilpatrick 18/Dixon 6 15 at SYRACUSE L, 52-67 24,338 Dixon 18/Thomas 8 19 at NOTRE DAME - ESPN2 L, 58-66 8,309 Kilpatrick 16/Thomas, Gates 5 22 at ST. JOHN’S W, 53-51 5,602 Gates 13/Gates 8 26 RUTGERS W, 72-56 6,404 Bishop 20/Gates 12 29 WEST VIRGINIA L, 55-66 13,176 Wright 24/Kilpatrick 6 FEBRUARY 5 at PITTSBURGH L, 59-71 12,615 Davis 13/Jackson, Thomas 6 8 at DE PAUL - ESPN2 W, 71-68 7,643 Kilpatrick 19/Thomas 7 13 ST. JOHN’S L, 57-59 7,374 Kilpatrick 15/Thomas 8 16 LOUISVILLE - ESPN W, 63-54 11,511 Wright 20/Gates, Bishop 6 19 at PROVIDENCE - ESPNU ot W, 93-81 9,432 Bishop 23/Gates 8 23 at GEORGETOWN W, 58-46 13,241 Gates, Dixon 17/Gates 11 27 CONNECTICUT - ESPNU L, 59-67 11,246 Gates 14/Gates 8 MARCH 2 at MARQUETTE W, 67-60 15,538 Wright 15/Gates 11 5 GEORGETOWN W, 69-47 12,197 Dixon 14/Bishop, Wilks 6 BIG EAST Championship Presented by American Eagle Outfitters, New York, N.Y. 9 vs USF - ESPN W, 87-61 19,375 Gates 25/Dixon 6 10 vs Notre Dame - ESPN L, 51-89 19,375 Dixon 15/Gates 9 NCAA Championship 17 vs Missouri # - TNT W, 78-63 17,706 Gates 18/Gates 11 19 vs Connecticut # - TBS L, 58-69 18,684 Bishop 22/Gates 6 ^ U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio # Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
Yancy Gates 7
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Connecticut Huskies 2011-12 ROSTER No. Name 11 Ryan Boatright 25 Michael Bradley 2 DeAndre Daniels 5 Niels Giffey 3 Jeremy Lamb 13 Shabazz Napier 10 Tyler Olander 34 Alex Oriahki 22 Roscoe Smith 23 Benjamin Stewart 1 Enosch Wolf
Class Fr. Fr. Fr. So. So. So. So. Jr. So. Sr. So.
Pos. G C/F F G/F G/F G F F/C F F C
Ht. Wt. 6-0 160 6-10 235 6-8 195 6-7 210 6-5 185 6-0 170 6-9 225 6-9 240 6-8 205 6-5 205 7-1 260
Hometown/High School Aurora, Ill./East Aurora Chattanooga, Tenn./Tyner Academy Covington, La./IMG Academy (Fla.) Berlin, Germany/Heinrich-Schliemann Norcross, Ga./Norcross, Ga. Randolph, Mass./Charlestown Mansfield, Conn./E.O. Smith Lowell, Mass./Tilton School (N.H.) Baltimore, Md./Oak Hill Academy (Va.) Denver, Colo./Kent Denver Goettingen, Germany/Wilbraham & Monson
2010-11 RECORD 32-9 overall 9-9 BIG EAST (t9th) FINAL RANKING AP/ESPN 9/1 POSTSEASON NCAA Champion
Head Coach: Jim Calhoun (American International ’68) Associate Head Coach: George Blaney (Holy Cross ’61) Assistant Coaches: Kevin Ollie (Connecticut ’95), Glen Miller (Connecticut ’88) Head Coach Jim Calhoun (American International ’68) Career Record (39 years)................................................. 855-367 (.700) Connecticut Record (25 years)........................................ 607-230 (.725) Northeastern Record (14 years)...................................... 248-137 (.644) BIG EAST Regular Season Record (25 years)................... 270-154 (.637) BIG EAST Tournament Record (24 years)............................. 33-18 (.647) BIG EAST Overall Record (25 years)................................. 303-172 (.638) NCAA Record (22 appearances)........................................... 49-18 (.731) NIT Record (six appearances)................................................ 13-5 (.722)
2011-12 PREVIEW The Big Picture All journeys that end with a national championship are memorable, but the Huskies’ story last year was one for the ages. After losing four of its final five regular season games, UConn won five times in five days to win The BIG EAST Championship and won six more to take the NCAA crown. Guard Kemba Walker was the undisputed leader who won most outstanding player honors in both tourneys. Coach Jim Calhoun became only the fifth coach in college basketball history to own three national championships. Walker took his diploma and his skills to the NBA. What can the Huskies do for an encore? Walker was the only full-time starter to leave, so figure the Huskies to be a strong club in 2011-12.
Who’s Back Jeremy Lamb led the supporting cast last year, but he looks more than ready to accept a leading role. Last year as a freshman, he averaged 11.1 points and shot 48.7 percent from the field. In the summer, the 6-5 swingman was a standout on the USA Basketball U-19 Team that competed in the World Championships. Shabazz Napier also had an impressive rookie campaign. The 6-0 guard averaged 7.8 points. Both players made 46 3-pointers for the season and both were named to the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team. Alex Oriakhi returns in the frontcourt. The athletic 6-9 junior averaged 9.6 points and 8.7 rebounds. He also blocked 67 shots. Forward Roscoe Smith started 33 games as a freshman and averaged 6.3 points and 5.2 boards while playing 25.4 minutes per contest. Two more sophomores, guard/forward Niels Giffey and forward Tyler Olander, both helped the cause last year. Giffey made 10 starts, averaged 2.2 points,
and was a strong defender. Olander averaged only 9.6 minutes though he made 21 starts. He averaged 1.5 points and 1.8 rebounds. Seven-one center Enosch Wolf saw limited duty as a freshman. Six-ten center/forward Michael Bradley was redshirted. Who’s Missing Walker etched his name into UConn basketball lore with his leadership in the postseason run. A consensus all-American, he averaged 23.5 points, which was fifth in the nation in scoring. He was third in the BIG EAST in steals with a 1.9 average. Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, a reserve forward who averaged 5.6 points, transferred. Reserve center Charles Okwandu averaged 2.5 points and 2.8 boards while playing 15.4 minutes per game. Reserve guard Donnell Beverly was a steadying influence who saw 8.5 minutes per game and averaged 1.7 points.
Storylines Even with so many returnees, the Huskies will still be a young team in 2011-12 dominated by sophomores. Lamb and Napier should emerge as standout performers. Oriakhi will patrol the paint. Smith and Giffey, who came on strong in the postseason, will make the Huskies strong at forward. Two highly-touted freshmen, point guard Ryan Boatright and 6-8 forward DeAndre Daniels, will push the young nucleus. Despite last year’s youth, the Huskies maintained their stellar defensive reputation. They were first in the league in field goal defense, holding opponents to 39.3 percent.
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2010-11 RESULTS (32-9, 9-9 BIG EAST)
NEWCOMERS Ryan Boatright, G, Fr., 6-0, 160 Aurora, Ill./East Aurora • Was named Illinois Co-Mr. Basketball and first team all-state as a senior. • Averaged 31.2 points as a senior and scored more than 40 points seven times. • Was ESPNChicago.com Player of the Year. DeAndre Daniels, F, Fr., 6-8, 195 Covington, La./IMG Academy (Fla.) • Completed a postgraduate year at IMG Academy (Fla.) in 2010-11 before a prep career at Taft HS. • Was 10th ranked player overall and No. 3 small forward by Rivals.com • Selected to play in the Pangos All-American Camp.
(Home: 13-4/Away: 5-5/Neutral: 14-0) High Scorer/Rebounder NOVEMBER 12 Stony Brook W, 79-52 8,319 Walker 18/Oriakhi 18 17 Vermont (XL) W, 89-73 10,216 Walker 42/Walker 8 EA Sports Maui Invitational, Lahania, Hawaii 22 vs Wichita State - ESPN2 W, 83-79 2,400 Walker 31/Lamb 8 23 vs Michigan State - ESPN W, 70-67 2,400 Walker 30/Oriakhi 17 24 vs Kentucky - ESPN W, 84-67 2,400 Walker 29/Oriakhi 11 30 New Hampshire W, 62-55 8,558 Walker 30/Oriakhi 10 DECEMBER 3 Maryland-Baltimore County W, 94-61 10,591 Walker 24/Walker 13 8 Fairleigh Dickinson W, 78-54 8,241 Walker 21/Smith 10 20 Coppin State - ESPNU (XL) W, 76-64 10,193 Walker 20/Smith 10 22 Harvard (XL) W, 81-52 11,255 Walker 20/Oriakhi 9 27 at PITTSBURGH - ESPN2 L, 63-78 12,725 Walker 31/Lamb, Smith 8 31 USF - ESPNU (XL) ot W, 66-61 12,599 Walker 24/Walker 8 JANUARY 4 at NOTRE DAME L, 70-73 7,291 Walker 19/Walker 7 8 at Texas - ESPN ot W, 82-81 16,734 Walker 22/Oriakhi 21 11 RUTGERS (XL) W, 67-53 12,527 Walker 18/Oriakhi 12 15 at DE PAUL W, 82-62 9,581 Walker 31/Smith 7 17 VILLANOVA - ESPN W, 61-59 10,167 Walker 24/Oriakhi 12 22 Tennessee - CBS (XL) W, 72-61 16,294 Walker, Lamb 16/Oriakhi 10 25 at MARQUETTE W, 76-68 15,476 Lamb 24/Okwandu 10 29 LOUISVILLE 2ot L, 78-79 10,167 Napier 23/Smith 12 FEBRUARY 2 SYRACUSE - ESPN (XL) L, 58-66 16,294 Lamb 22/Okwandu 8 5 at SETON HALL - ESPNU W, 61-59 10,001 Walker 19/Lamb 7 10 at ST. JOHN’S - ESPN L, 72-89 13,652 Smith 16/Oriakhi 8 13 PROVIDENCE W, 75-57 10,167 Coombs-McDaniel 25/Okwandu 11 16 GEORGETOWN (XL) W, 78-70 16,294 Walker 31/Oriakhi 8 18 at LOUISVILLE - ESPN L, 58-71 22,776 Walker, Coombs-McDaniel 16/Oriakhi 8 24 MARQUETTE - ESPN (XL) L, 67-74 14,622 Walker 27/Oriakhi 15 27 at CINCINNATI - ESPNU W, 67-59 11,246 Lamb 17/Lamb, Smith 5 MARCH 2 at WEST VIRGINIA - ESPN2 L, 56-65 13,241 Walker 22/Oriakhi 9 5 NOTRE DAME - ESPN L, 67-70 10,167 Walker 34/Walker 6 BIG EAST Championship Presented by American Eagle Outfitters, New York, N.Y. 8 vs DePaul - ESPN2 W, 97-71 19,375 Walker 26/Oriakhi 19 9 vs Georgetown - ESPN W, 79-62 19,375 Walker 28/Walker 6 10 vs Pittsburgh - ESPN W, 76-74 19,375 Walker 24/Oriakhi 7 11 vs Syracuse - ESPN ot W, 76-71 19,375 Walker 33/Walker 12 12 vs Louisville - ESPN W, 69-66 19,375 Walker 19/Oriakhi 8 NCAA Championship 17 vs Bucknell ^ - TNT W, 81-52 17,706 Walker 18/Oriakhi 12 19 vs Cincinnati ^- TBS W, 69-58 18,684 Walker 33/Oriakhi 11 24 vs San Diego State # - CBS W, 74-67 17,890 Walker 36/Oriakhi 9 26 vs Arizona # - CBS W, 65-63 17,856 Walker 20/Oriakhi 6 APRIL 2 vs Kentucky * - CBS W, 55-54 75,421 Walker 18/Oriakhi 10 4 vs Butler * - CBS W, 53-41 70,376 Walker 16/Oriakhi 11 (XL) XL Center, Hartford, Conn. * Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas ^ Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. # Honda Center, Anaheim, Calif.
Shabazz Napier 9
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
DePaul Blue Demons 2011-12 ROSTER No. Name 5 Joe Belcaster 25 Macari Brooks 35 Montray Clemons 21 Jamee Crockett 33 Krys Faber 22 Tony Freeland 11 Jeremiah Kelly 23 Donovan Kirk 51 Edwind McGhee 32 Charles McKinney 12 Cleveland Melvin 15 Moses Morgan 10 Derrell Robertson, Jr. 20 Brandon Young
Class Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. So. Fr. So. So. Fr. So.
Pos. G G F F C F G F G G F F C G
Ht. Wt. 6-2 163 6-2 190 6-7 221 6-4 201 6-10 261 6-7 229 6-0 163 6-9 222 6-3 207 6-3 178 6-8 208 6-6 219 6-10 239 6-3 190
Hometown/High School Berwyn, Ill./Morton Matteson, Ill./Rich South Baltimore, Md./Polytechnic Chicago, Ill./Crete-Monee Palmdale, Calif./Ribet Academy Los Angeles, Calif./Fremont Chicago, Ill./American Christian (Pa.) Pontiac, Mich./Detroit Country Day/Miami (Fla.) Champaign, Ill./Central Evanston, Ill./Quality Education Academy (N.C.) Baltimore, Md./Notre Dame Prep (Mass.) Las Vegas, Nev./Palo Verde Pinola, Miss./Mendenhall Washington, D.C./Friendship Collegiate School
2010-11 RECORD 7-24 overall 1-17 BIG EAST (16th) FINAL RANKING AP/ESPN nr/nr POSTSEASON None
Head Coach: Oliver Purnell (Old Dominion ’75) Associate Head Coach: Ron Bradley (Eastern Nazarene ’74) Assistant Coaches: Brian Ellerbe (Rutgers ’85), Billy Garrett (Indianapolis ’91) Head Coach Oliver Purnell (Old Dominion ’75) Career Record (23 years)................................................. 401-302 (.570) DePaul Record (one year)...................................................... 7-23 (.233) Clemson Record (seven years)........................................... 138-88 (.611) Dayton Record (nine years)............................................. 155-116 (.572) Old Dominion Record (three years)..................................... 57-33 (.633) Radford Record (three years).............................................. 44-42 (.512) BIG EAST Regular Season Record (one year)......................... 1-17 (.056) BIG EAST Tournament Record (one year)................................ 0-1 (.000) BIG EAST Overall Record (one year)...................................... 1-18 (.053) NCAA Record (six appearances).............................................. 0-6 (.000) NIT Record (eight appearances).............................................. 9-8 (.529)
2011-12 PREVIEW The Big Picture As expected, the young Blue Demons struggled in BIG EAST play last season in coach Oliver Purnell’s first year leading the program. Purnell, however, has laid the groundwork for the future. Three freshmen made valuable contributions last year, including BIG EAST Rookie of the Year Cleveland Melvin. DePaul plans to give its incoming recruits opportunities to be a part of the Blue Demon resurgence. Purnell wants the improvement to start showing up in the BIG EAST win column.
Who’s Back DePaul returns eight players, including four who started at least 18 games last season. Forward Cleveland Melvin was the BIG EAST Rookie of the Year after averaging 14.3 points and 5.0 rebounds. Classmate Brandon Young made the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team after finishing second on the team in scoring with a 12.6 mark from his point guard spot. Melvin and Young were the league’s top two rookie scorers. Young also averaged 3.7 assists. Guard Jeremiah Kelly led the squad in minutes played (31.7) while averaging 7.6 points, including a teamhigh 50 3-pointers. The other starter returning in the frontcourt is senior Krys Faber who averaged 7.0 points and a team-high 5.3 boards. Junior forward Tony Freeland averaged 9.6 points and 5.0 rebounds while making eight starts. Moses Morgan helped
provide some offensive punch off the bench as a freshman. The 6-6 forward averaged 4.8 points. Overall, the Blue Demons return 79.8 percent of their scoring and 68.5 percent of their rebounding. Who’s Missing Guard Jimmy Drew was a reliable contributor and a part-time starter. He averaged 6.4 points and was second to Kelly in 3-pointers with 41. Swingman Mike Stovall also was a part-time starter and averaged 5.4 points. Backup point guard Michael Bizoukas (1.3) transferred.
Storylines Last season, Purnell got great production from his trio of freshmen – Melvin, Young and Morgan – and will look to a five-player freshman class this year to continue to build the program. Also, 6-9 sophomore forward Donnavan Kirk, a transfer from Miami (Fla.), will be eligible just before Thanksgiving. Purnell favors a team that can get up and down the floor. Some immediate help around the basket would be welcomed.
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW NEWCOMERS Macari Brooks, G, Fr., 6-2, 190 Matteson, Ill./Rich South • Named Class 3A All-State Second Team by Associated Press and by IBCA. • Recorded first triple-double in school history with 32 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. • Named All-State Special Mention by Chicago Tribune. Montray Clemons, F, Fr., 6-7, 221 Baltimore, Md./Mack Academy (N.C.) • Played a postgraduate season at Mack Academy in 2010-11. • Averaged 20 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks as a senior at Baltimore’s Polytechnic Institute. • Joins Baltimore natives Cleveland Melvin and Brandon Young. Jamee Crockett, F, Fr., 6-4, 201 Chicago, Ill./Crete-Monee • Averaged 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals as a senior. • Named Class 4A All-State Second Team by Chicago Sun Times and Associated Press. • Was named ESPNChicago.com All-Area. Donnavan Kirk, F, So., 6-9, 222 Pontiac, Mich./Miami (Fla.) • A transfer from Miami (Fla.), he will be eligible at end of autumn quarter in November. • Played 13 games at Miami (Fla.) as a redshirt freshman in 2010-11. • Averaged 2.7 points and 1.6 rebounds while playing 9.5 minutes per game at UM. Charles McKinney, G, Fr., 6-3, 178 Evanston, Ill., Quality Education Academy (N.C.) • Prior to playing at QEA last season, he played at Maine East H.S. in Park Ridge H.S. (Ill.) • A strong shooting guard candidate, he is one of five Chicagoland natives on the roster. • Measured a wingspan of 82.5 inches and a vertical jump of 38 inches.
2010-11 RESULTS (7-23, 1-17 BIG EAST)
(Home: 6-11/Away: 1-9/Neutral: 0-3) High Scorer/Rebounder NOVEMBER 14 Chicago State (MA) W, 114-81 3,501 Freeland 21/Drew 8 16 Western Carolina L, 64-69 7,021 Young 16/Freeland 6 76 Classic, Anaheim, Calif. 25 vs. Oklahoma State – ESPN2 L, 56-60 1,581 Stovall 13/Young 6 26 vs. Cal State Northridge – ESPNU L, 66-88 2,107 Young 14/Faber 7 28 vs. Stanford ot L, 74-81 1,307 Young 15/Faber 8 DECEMBER 2 Northern Illinois W, 86-84 7,044 Freeland 25/Freeland 9 5 Central Michigan W, 71-62 7,467 Young 31/Freeland 9 8 at Indiana State L, 51-73 6,879 Melvin 15/Faber 7 11 Ball State (MA) ot L, 77-79 3,454 Young 23/ Faber 9 14 Milwaukee W, 61-47 7,612 Freeland 14/Faber 8 18 Loyola-Chicago W, 81-74 8,154 Freeland 16/Faber 8 22 Florida Atlantic W, 71-62 7,823 Melvin 23/Faber 8 28 at CINCINNATI L, 60-76 7,795 Melvin 24/Melvin, Freeland 8 JANUARY 1 at GEORGETOWN L, 75-86 11,718 Melvin 29/Freeland 8 4 WEST VIRGINIA L, 65-67 8,189 Melvin 17/Drew 6 12 SETON HALL L, 67-78 7,211 Melvin 21/Melvin 9 15 CONNECTICUT L, 62-82 9,581 Mevlin 25/Mevlin 12 18 at MARQUETTE - ESPNU L, 64-94 15,091 Melvin 20/Drew 8 22 PITTSBURGH L, 50-80 8,325 Melvin 11/Faber 7 27 at USF - ESPNU L, 60-71 3,465 Melvin 17/Faber 6 FEBRUARY 3 NOTRE DAME – ESPN L, 58-83 10,982 Young 16/Melvin 10 5 at LOUISVILLE L, 57-61 21,704 Young 15/Faber 6 8 CINCINNATI – ESPN2 L, 68-71 7,643 Melvin 20/Freeland, Melvin 6 12 at WEST VIRGINIA L, 71-82 11,210 Young 14/Melvin 7 17 at PROVIDENCE – ESPN2 W, 79-76 5,021 Kelly 23/Drew 8 19 VILLANOVA ot L, 75-77 9,854 Kelly 25/Faber, Freeland 9 23 at ST. JOHN’S L, 51-76 5,602 Melvin 16/Freeland 8 26 USF L, 76-86 8,422 Young 23/Freeland 7 MARCH 2 RUTGERS L, 64-68 8,203 Young 21/Faber 8 5 at SYRACUSE L, 59-107 28,086 Freeland 25/Freeland 6 BIG EAST Championship Presented by American Eagle Outfitters, New York, N.Y. 8 vs Connecticut - ESPN L, 71-97 19,375 Young 20/Young, Freeland 4 (MA) McGrath Arena, Chicago, Ill.
Derrell Robertson Jr., C, Fr., 6-10, 239 Pinola, Miss./Mendenhall • Averaged 21 points, 11 rebounds and eight blocked shots as a senior. • Was ranked No. 39 among centers by ESPN. com. • Measured a wingspan of 87 inches.
Brandon Young 11
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Georgetown Hoyas 2011-12 ROSTER No. Name 0 Tyler Adams 32 Moses Ayegba 23 Aaron Bowen 25 John Caprio 21 Jason Clark 3 Mikael Hopkins 34 Nate Lubick 22 Otto Porter 14 Henry Sims 5 Markel Starks 1 Hollis Thompson 55 Jabril Trawick 2 Greg Whittington
Class Fr. So. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. So. Fr. Sr. So. Jr. Fr. Fr.
Pos. C C F G G F F F C G F G F
Ht. Wt. 6-9 270 6-8.5 250 6-6 210 6-5.5 210 6-2 180 6-8.5 222 6-8 240 6-8 200 6-10 242 6-2 175 6-7.5 205 6-5 205 6-8 205
Hometown/High School Brandon, Miss./Brandon Kano, Nigeria/Progressive Christian (Md.) Jacksonville, Fla./QEA (N.C.) North Caldwell, N.J./Seton Hall Prep Arlington, Va./Bishop O’Connell Hyattsville, Md./DeMatha Southborough, Mass./St. Mark’s Sikeston, Mo./Scott County Central Baltimore, Md./Mount St. Joseph Accokeek, Md./Georgetown Prep Los Angeles, Calif./Loyola Jenkintown, Pa./Abington Friends Columbia, Md./Oakland Mills
2010-11 RECORD 21-11 overall 10-8 BIG EAST (8th) FINAL RANKING AP/ESPN rv/rv POSTSEASON NCAA Second Round
Head Coach: John Thompson III (Princeton ’88) Assistant Coaches: Mike Brennan (Princeton ’94), Kenya Hunter (Duquesne ’96), Robert Kirby (Pan American ’83) Head Coach John Thompson III (Princeton ’88) Career Record (11 years)................................................. 228-115 (.665) Georgetown Record (seven years)..................................... 160-73 (.687) Princeton Record (four years).............................................. 68-42 (.618) BIG EAST Regular Season Record (seven years)................... 73-47 (.608) BIG EAST Tournament Record (seven years).......................... 11-6 (.647) BIG EAST Overall Record (seven years)................................ 84-53 (.613) NCAA Record (seven appearances)......................................... 7-7 (.500) NIT Record (three appearances) . ........................................... 2-3 (.400)
2011-12 PREVIEW The Big Picture The Hoyas produced their fifth 20-win season in the last six years with a 2111 mark last year. A wrist injury late in the season to point guard Chris Wright helped derail the team’s postseason aspirations. Wright and his stellar backcourt partner Austin Freeman picked up their diplomas. Both were four-year contributors. Coach John Thompson III will be looking to holdover guard Jason Clark and three other frontcourt regulars to help lead what will be a younger Hoya squad.
Who’s Back Clark was the third member of the Hoyas’ three-headed backcourt. He averaged 12.0 points. The 6-2 senior has been a double-figure scorer for the past two seasons. Junior Hollis Thompson averaged 8.6 points and 4.4 rebounds while making 22 starts at forward. Senior Henry Sims is back at center. The 6-10 pivot averaged 14.1 minutes as a reserve last season and posted averages of 3.6 points and 3.2 boards. As a freshman last season, forward Nate Lubick made a good first impression by averaging 4.0 points and 3.5 rebounds while playing just less than 20 minutes per game and starting 13 games. He is a physical 6-8 forward who also handles the ball well. Guard Markel Starks is another Hoya who will be asked for more in 2011-12. As a reserve point guard behind Wright, he averaged 1.5
points while appearing in 30 games. Sophomore center Moses Avegba saw limited duty. Who’s Missing Freeman enjoyed a standout career. Last season, he was fifth in the BIG EAST in scoring with a 17.6 average and was an All-BIG EAST First Team selection. Wright was the speedy distributor who also scored at a 12.9 clip. He was third in the conference in assists with a 5.3 average and made the All-BIG EAST Third Team. Julian Vaughn was a solid contributor in the paint. He averaged 7.8 points and a team-leading 6.1 rebounds.
Storylines It’s never easy to lose three starters, but the most experienced returning players – Clark, Thompson, Lubick and Sims – all have shown they can be good BIG EAST performers. Now, though, they will be asked to take on leading roles. With the loss of Freeman and Wright, Thompson may play a little more on the perimeter. Some freshmen will get long looks to offer some immediate help. In the backcourt, Jabril Trawick will be needed to help support Clark and Starks. Redshirt freshman Aaron Brown can help at the shooting guard and small forward. Michael Hopkins and Otto Porter, a pair of 6-8 newcomers, may be most suited to help at small forward. Closer to the basket, 6-9 Tyler Adams and 6-8 Greg Whittington will push to be noticed.
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW NEWCOMERS Tyler Adams, F, Fr., 6-9, 280 Brandon, Miss./Brandon • Averaged 18.0 points, 14.0 rebounds and 4.0 blocks as a senior. • Earned all-state honors as a senior and a sophomore. • Was a three-time team MVP. Aaron Bowen, F, Fr., 6-5, 180 Jacksonville, Fla./QEA (N.C.) • Was redshirted in 2010-11. • Averaged 17.5 points and 6.0 rebounds as a senior at QEA in 2009-10. Mikael Hopkins, F, Fr., 6-8, 222 Washington, D.C./DeMatha • Was named All-Met First Team as a senior. • Led DeMatha to three conference and city championships. • Was rated the No. 11 forward nationally by ESPNU. Otto Porter, F, Fr., 6-8, 200 Sikeston, Mo./Scott County Central • Named conference player of the year and earned all-state honors as a junior and senior. • In the state title game last season, he scored 29 points and had 35 rebounds. • Broke the school record for career rebounds that was held by his father. Jabril Trawick, G, Fr., 6-5, 207 Philadelphia, Pa./Abington Friends • Was named first team all-state and a McDonald’s All-America nominee as a senior. • Averaged 20.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks as a senior. • Scored 500 points as a senior and finished his career with 1,167 points. Greg Whittington, F, Fr., 6-8, 209 Columbia, Md./Oakland Mills • Named All-Met Player of the Year as a senior and played in the Capital Classic. • Helped Oakland Mills to an undefeated season as a senior. • Averaged 23.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, 4.4 blocks, 3.0 steals and 2.7 assists last season.
2010-11 RESULTS (21-11, 10-8 BIG EAST)
(Home: 10-4/Away: 7-5/Neutral: 4-2) High Scorer/Rebounder NOVEMBER 12 at Old Dominion W, 62-59 8,457 Wright 19/Vaughn 7 15 Tulane W, 69-53 10,031 Freeman 23/Clark11 Charleston Classic, Charleston, S.C. 18 vs. Coastal Carolina W, 80-61 1,977 Clark 22/Vaughn 7 19 vs. Wofford - ESPNU W, 74-59 2,148 Wright 18/Vaughn 10 21 vs. North Carolina State - ESPNU W, 82-67 4,631 Thompson 18/Thompson, Sims 9 27 North Carolina-Asheville W, 87-72 10,354 Freeman 32/Thompson 10 30 vs. Missouri – ESPNU ot W, 111-102 14,647 Freeman 31/Sims 7 DECEMBER 4 Utah State - ESPNU W, 68-51 12,106 Wright 21/Sims 6 9 at Temple – ESPN L, 65-68 9,509 Clark 15/Vaughn 8 12 Appalachian State W, 89-60 8,765 Clark 15/Vaughn 8 18 Loyola (Md.) W, 99-75 11,745 Freeman, Thompson 14/Thompson 4 23 at Memphis – ESPN2 W, 86-69 17,842 Freeman 24/Vaughn 10 29 at NOTRE DAME – ESPN2 L, 55-69 9,149 Freeman 21/Sims 7 JANUARY 1 DE PAUL W, 86-75 11,718 Clark, Freeman 21/Vaughn 10 3 at ST. JOHN’S – ESPN2 L, 58-61 8,897 Thompson 16/Thompson, Clark 7 8 WEST VIRGINIA – ESPN2 L, 59-65 13,603 Clark 16/Clark 5 12 PITTSBURGH – ESPN L, 57-72 15,712 Wright 14/Vaughn 7 15 at RUTGERS - ESPNU W, 74-65 7,122 Freeman 25/Freeman 9 18 at SETON HALL W, 80-75 7,593 Freeman 28/Three with 6 26 ST. JOHN’S W, 77-52 7,160 Clark 16/Vaughn 8 29 at VILLANOVA - ESPN W, 69-66 19,914 Freeman 30/Sims 5 31 LOUISVILLE - ESPN W, 62-59 12,164 Wright 24/Three with 5 FEBRUARY 5 PROVIDENCE W, 83-81 16,289 Freeman 23/Vaughn 11 9 at SYRACUSE – ESPN W, 64-56 26,904 Freeman 14/Vaughn 8 13 MARQUETTE - ESPN W, 69-60 14,284 Wright 20/Thompson 13 16 at CONNECTICUT L, 70-78 16,294 Wright 19/Lubick 8 19 at USF W, 61-55 6,190 Wright 26/Freeman 8 23 CINCINNATI L, 46-58 13,241 Freeman 19/Vaughn 8 26 SYRACUSE - CBS L, 51-58 22,076 Freeman 16/Clark 8 MARCH 5 at CINCINNATI L, 47-69 12,197 Freeman 21/Sims, Thompson 4 BIG EAST Championship Presented by American Eagle Outfitters, New York, N.Y. 9 vs Connecticut - ESPN 62-79 19,375 Clark 23/Clark 8 NCAA Championship 18 vs. Virginia Commonwealth ^ - TNT L, 56-74 17,369 Thompson 26/Vaughn 8 ^ United Center, Chicago, Ill.
Jason Clark 13
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Louisville Cardinals 2011-12 ROSTER No. Name 24 Chane Behanan 25 Wayne Blackshear 4 Rakeem Buckles 10 Gorgui Dieng 15 Tim Henderson 13 Mark Jackson, Jr. 22 Elisha Justice 14 Kyle Kuric 33 Mike Marra 1 Angel Nunez 12 Zach Price 3 Peyton Siva 5 Chris Smith 2 Russ Smith 21 Jared Swopshire 44 Stephan Van Treese 23 Kevin Ware
Class Fr. Fr. Jr. So. So. Fr. So. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Sr. So. Jr Jr. Fr.
Pos. F G/F F C G G G G/F G F C G G G F F G
Ht. Wt. 6-7 250 6-5 205 6-7 200 6-10 225 6-2 180 6-3 220 5-10 180 6-4 195 6-4 200 6-7 190 6-10 230 5-11 180 6-2 200 6-0 160 6-8 210 6-9 220 6-4 180
Hometown/Last School Bowling Green, Ky./Bowling Green Chicago, Ill./Morgan Park Miami, Fla./Monsignor Pace Dakar, Senegal/Huntington Prep (W.Va.) Louisville, Ky./Christian Academy Brooklyn, Calif./Taft Pikeville, Ky./Shelby Valley Evansville, Ind./Memorial Smithfield, R.I./Northfield Mt. Hermon (Mass.) Bronx, N.Y./Notre Dame Prep (Mass.) Louisville, Ky./Jeffersontown Seattle, Wash./Franklin Millstone, N.J./Manhattan College Briarwood, N.Y./South Kent (Conn.) St. Louis, Mo./IMG Academy (Fla.) Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence-North Conyers, Ga./Rockdale County
2010-11 RECORD 25-10 overall 12-6 BIG EAST (t3rd) FINAL RANKING AP/ESPN 14/22 POSTSEASON NCAA Second Round
Head Coach: Rick Pitino (Massachusetts ’74) Associate Coach: Richard Pitino (Providence ’05) Assistant Coaches: Wyking Jones (Loyola Marymount ’95), Kevin Keatts (Marshall ’11) Head Coach Rick Pitino (Massachusetts ’74) Career Record (25 years)................................................. 597-220 (.731) Louisville Record (10 years)............................................... 245-96 (.718) Kentucky Record (eight years)........................................... 219-50 (.814) Providence Record (two years)............................................ 42-23 (.646) Boston University Record (five years).................................. 91-51 (.641) BIG EAST Regular Season Record (eight years).................... 88-48 (.647) BIG EAST Tournament Record (eight years)............................. 7-7 (.500) BIG EAST Overall Record (eight years)................................. 95-55 (.633) NCAA Record (16 appearances)........................................... 38-15 (.717) NIT Record (four appearances)................................................ 5-4 (.556)
2011-12 PREVIEW The Big Picture The Cardinals began last season with no returning starters, without a vote in the Associated Press preseason rankings and an eighth-place slot in the BIG EAST preseason poll. But Louisville ended its season in familiar territory. The Cardinals posted their ninth straight 20-win season with a 25-10 mark, tied for third place in the BIG EAST and finished 14th in the final AP poll. They defeated seven top 25 teams along the way. Coach Rick Pitino begins the 2011-12 campaign with 597 career wins.
Who’s Back Unlike last year, the Cardinals return a strong nucleus, a total of 11 lettermen and three starters. Forward Kyle Kuric emerged as a top-flite scorer, averaging 10.8 points and 12.6 in league games. He was third in the BIG EAST in 3-point shooting, making 44.9 percent. Guards Peyton Siva and Chris Smith are back. Siva averaged 9.9 points and was second in the BIG EAST with a 2.0 steal average. He also was fourth in assists at 5.2. Louisville is hopeful that forward Jared Swopshire can return after he missed all of last season with a hamstring injury. In addition to the three returning starters, the Cardinals should be formidable in the frontcourt with junior Rakeem Buckles (6.8), shot-blocking sophomore Gorgui Dieng (5.7, 57 blocks) and
6-9 junior Stephan Van Treese. Six-four junior Mike Marra (6.4) is a 3-point shooting threat. Overall, the Cardinals return 66 percent of their scoring and 73 percent of their rebounding. Who’s Missing Guard Preston Knowles averaged 14.6 ppg and was a stalwart defender. Forward/center Terrence Jennings averaged 9.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and blocked 65 shots. Jennings was third in the BIG EAST in field goal shooting, connecting on 53.3 percent of his shots.
Storylines The Cardinals appear headed to roll up their 10th straight 20-win season and make their 38th NCAA appearance. Last season, Louisville made 309 shots from beyond the arc, easily the most in the BIG EAST. The outside shooting should be strong again. Defensively, UofL was seventh nationally in steals with a 9.3 average and was 13th nationally in field goal defense, allowing only 39.4 percent. The Cardinals also forced the most turnovers in the conference (16.1).
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW NEWCOMERS Chane Behanan, F, Fr., 6-7, 250 Bowling Green, Ky./Bowling Green • Averaged 23.3 points, 14.4 boards, 3.8 assists and 2.2 blocked shots as a senior. • Was a 2011 McDonald’s All-America selection and a Parade All-America Second Team pick. • A first-team all-state selection as a junior and senior, he was ranked No. 27 nationally overall by ESPN. Wayne Blackshear, G/F, Fr., 6-5, 200, Chicago, Ill./Morgan Park • Was a 2011 McDonald’s and Parade AllAmerica selection. • Averaged 32.6 points, 14.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 3.7 steals as a senior. • Was named the 2011 Chicago Sun Times Player of Year. Angel Nunez, F, Fr., 6-7, 190, Bronx, N.Y./Notre Dame Prep (Mass.) • Last year, averaged 13.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots. • Helped Notre Dame Prep reach the finals of the 2011 National Prep Championship. • Named MVP of the White Team in the 2011 Kentucky Derby Festival Classic. Zach Price, C, Fr., 6-10, 220 Louisville, Ky./Jeffersontown • Averaged 11.6 points, 6.9 rebounds while shooting 63 percent from the floor as a senior. • Helped Jeffersontown post a 25-7 record and reach the regional finals. • Was a first-team all-state pick as a senior and played in the Kentucky Derby Festival Classic. Kevin Ware, G, Fr., 6-4, 180 Conyers, Ga./Rockdale County • As a senior, averaged 13.2 points, 4.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 2.2 steals. • Helped Rockdale County post a 26-6 record and finish as the Georgia 4-A state runner-up. • Was a first-team all-state selection as a senior. • In 2008-09, he averaged 29.6 points and 7.3 rebounds at Archbishop Molloy (N.Y.) • Led the New York City Catholic League (CHSAA) twice in scoring.
2010-11 RESULTS (25-10, 12-6 BIG EAST)
(Home: 19-2/Away: 4-6/Neutral: 2-2) High Scorer/Rebounder NOVEMBER 16 Butler – ESPN W, 88-73 22,723 Buckles 17/Buckles 11 Global Sports Shootout 20 Jackson State W, 62-45 22,289 Jennings 14/Buckles 8 22 Chattanooga W, 106-65 21,191 Knowles 14/Jennings, Van Treese 6 27 Marshall W, 80-66 21,262 Buckles, Marra, Siva 12/Buckles 7 DECEMBER 1 Florida International W, 92-55 20,866 Knowles 18/Buckles 8 4 South Alabama W, 97-70 21,058 Marra 23/Buckles 14 8 San Francisco W, 61-35 21,049 Jennings, Siva 14/Buckles 10 11 UNLV - ESPNU W, 77-69 22,489 Knowles 20/Jennings 7 14 Drexel - ESPNU L, 46-52 20,912 Knowles, Siva 13/Buckles 6 18 Gardner-Webb W, 78-49 20,434 Knowles 24/Dieng 11 22 at Western Kentucky W, 114-82 7,326 Siva 29/Smith, Buckles 6 27 Morgan State W, 104-74 21,688 Knowles 31/Dieng, Buckles 6 31 Kentucky – CBS L, 63-78 22,803 Knowles 22/Smith 6 JANUARY 5 SETON HALL - ESPNU W, 73-54 21,912 Siva, Marra 14/Van Treese 10 9 at USF W, 86-77 4,375 Three with 12/Van Treese 14 12 at VILLANOVA – ESPN2 L, 74-88 13,199 Knowles 24/Dieng 5 15 MARQUETTE – ESPN2 W, 71-70 21,485 Knowles 17/Jennings 8 19 ST. JOHN’S W, 88-63 21,638 Knowles 25/Smith 6 22 at PROVIDENCE - ESPNU L, 67-72 12,051 Smith 19/Smith 7 26 WEST VIRGINIA - ESPNU W, 55-54 21,957 Smith 15/Jennings 9 29 at CONNECTICUT 2ot W, 79-78 10,167 Siva 19/Jennings 10 31 at GEORGETOWN - ESPN L, 59-62 12,164 Jennings 18/Jennings, Smith 7 FEBRUARY 5 DE PAUL W, 61-57 21,704 Kuric 19/Marra, Jennings 8 9 at NOTRE DAME - ESPNU ot L, 79-89 8,659 Kuric 28/Jennings 7 12 SYRACUSE – ESPN W, 73-69 22,755 Kuric 23/Jennings. Buckles 7 16 at CINCINNATI – ESPN L, 54-63 11,511 Jennings 14/Kuric 8 18 CONNECTICUT – ESPN W, 71-58 22,776 Siva 15/Dieng 12 22 at RUTGERS - ESPNU W, 55-37 5,633 Knowles 14/Knowles 8 27 PITTSBURGH - CBS W, 62-59 22,758 Siva 14/Kuric 7 MARCH 2 PROVIDENCE W, 87-60 22,724 Kuric 25/Knowles 10 5 at WEST VIRGINIA – ESPN L, 70-72 15,032 Kuric 21/Jennings, Siva 4 BIG EAST Championship Presented by American Eagle Outfitters, New York, N.Y. 10 vs Marquette - ESPN W, 81-56 19,375 Marra 22/Smith 11 11 vs Notre Dame - ESPN ot W, 83-77 19,375 Knowles 20/Dieng 8 12 vs Connecticut - ESPN L, 66-69 19,375 Knowles 18/Siva 7 NCAA Championship 17 vs Morehead State ^ - TBS L, 61-62 18,499 Smith 17/Kuric, Smith 6 ^ Pepsi Center, Denver, Colo.
Kyle Kuric 15
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Marquette Golden Eagles 2011-12 ROSTER No. 10 2 5 32 54 1 22 4 42 25 33 0
Name Juan Anderson Vander Blue Junior Cadougan Jae Crowder Davante Gardner Darius Johnson-Odom Jamail Jones Todd Mayo Chris Otule Jake Thomas Derrick Wilson Jamil Wilson
Class Fr. So. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. So. Fr. Jr. Jr. Fr. So.
Pos. F G G F F G F G C G G F
Ht. 6-6 6-4 6-1 6-6 6-8 6-2 6-6 6-3 6-11 6-3 6-0 6-7
Wt. 210 200 205 235 290 215 210 190 265 185 215 220
Hometown/High School Castro Valley, Calif./Castro Valley Madison, Wis./Memorial Toronto, Ont./Christian Life Academy Villa Rica, Ga./Villa Rica Suffolk, Va./King’s Fork Raleigh, N.C./Hutchinson JC (Kan.) Atlanta, Ga./Montverde Academy Huntington, W.Va./Notre Dame Prep (Mass.) Richmond, Texas/Ft. Bend Bush Racine, Wis./St. Catherine’s Anchorage, Alaska/The Hotchkiss School Racine, Wis./Horlick/Univ. of Oregon
2010-11 RECORD 22-15 overall 9-9 BIG EAST (t9th) FINAL RANKING AP/ESPN rv/20 POSTSEASON NCAA Sweet 16
Head Coach: Buzz Williams (Oklahoma City ’94) Assistant Coaches: Tony Benford (Texas Tech ’92), Aki Collins (Clark Atlanta ’97), Scott Monarch (Missouri Valley State ’86) Head Coach Buzz Williams (Oklahoma City ’94) Career Record (four years).................................................. 83-54 (.606) Marquette Record (three years).......................................... 69-37 (.651) New Orleans Record (one year).......................................... 14-17 (.452) BIG EAST Regular Season Record (three years)................... 32-22 (.593) BIG EAST Tournament Record (three years)............................ 5-3 (.625) BIG EAST Overall Record (three years)................................ 37-25 (.597) NCAA Record (three years)...................................................... 3-3 (.500) NIT Record..........................................................................................0-0
2011-12 PREVIEW The Big Picture Marquette is 6-for-6 in attaining NCAA Championship berths in its six seasons as a BIG EAST member. And last year, after compiling a 9-9 conference record, the Golden Eagles’ season ended in the NCAA Sweet 16 round after wins over Xavier and Syracuse. Coach Buzz Williams, in his fourth season, welcomes back three starters and seven lettermen from last season’s 22-15 squad.
Who’s Back Guard Darius Johnson-Odom was an All-BIG EAST Second Team pick after finishing seventh in the league in scoring with a 15.8 average, though he did even better in league games with a 17.2 mark. Forward Jae Crowder is back after averaging 11.8 points and 6.8 boards. He was also second on the team in blocks (32) and steals (48). Johnson-Odom and Crowder are seniors. Chris Otule is back at center. The 6-11 junior averaged 5.1 points and 3.6 boards. Vander Blue showed promise as a freshman guard, averaging 5.1 ppg and playing strong defense. Another guard, Junior Cadougan, averaged 4.0 ppg and 3.2 apg in a reserve role at the point. Sophomore Davonte Gardner shared post duty with Otule. Gardner averaged 4.6 points and 2.2 rebounds. Sophomore forward Jamail Jones saw limited duty.
Who’s Missing Forward Jimmy Butler was an NBA firstround draft choice. He averaged 15.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and was a solid defender, but he was just as valuable off the court as a leader. Guard Dwight Buycks is the other departing starter. He averaged 8.8 points. Forwards Joseph Fulce (3.2) and Erik Williams (2.2) played supportive roles.
Storylines Johnson-Odom and Crowder figure to anchor the squad as the Golden Eagles pursue a seventh straight NCAA appearance. Under Williams, Marquette is known as a team that plays with great intensity. The continued development of Blue and Cadougan should make the backcourt an area of strength. Two guard hopefuls, freshmen Todd Mayo and Derrick Wilson, will push to be noticed. Forwards Jamil Wilson and Juan Anderson may have a little better chance at immediate playing time because the frontcourt is a little thinner in terms of numbers. Last year, MU led the BIG EAST in scoring offense in league play, averaging 73.2 points.
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW NEWCOMERS Juan Anderson, F, Fr., 6-6, 210 Castro Valley, Calif./Castro Valley • Averaged 16.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists as a senior. • Helped Castro Valley to compile a 30-2 mark and advance to the Division I state title game. • Was a third-team all-state selection. Todd Mayo, G, Fr., 6-3, 190 Huntington, W.Va./Notre Dame Prep (Mass.) • Helped Notre Dame Prep to the national prep title game last season. • His 28.3 ppg average in the national tournament led all players. • Averaged 22.0 points and 6.0 assists while leading the team to a 33-4 record. Derrick Wilson, G, Fr., 6-0, 215 Anchorage, Alaska/The Hotchkiss School • Four-time All-New England selection at The Hotchkiss School in Conn. • Was three-time player of the year in the league while helping his team to four conference titles. Jamil Wilson, F, So., 6-7, 220 Racine, Wis./Univ. of Oregon • Transfer from Oregon who sat out 2010-11 season. • Started 14 games for Oregon in 2009-10, averaging 4.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. • Led Horlick HS to the 2009 Wisconsin state championship game, averaging 21.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.9 blocks that season.
2010-11 RESULTS (22-15, 9-9 BIG EAST)
(Home: 14-4/Away: 4-7/Neutral: 4-4) High Scorer/Rebounder NOVEMBER 12 Prairie View A&M W, 97-58 14,056 Butler 18/ Blue, Fulce, Crowder 7 14 Bucknell W, 72-61 13,783 Buycks 17/Crowder 10 O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic 17 Green Bay W, 89-69 13.968 Crowder 17/Crowder 9 20 South Dakota W, 82-69 14,117 Butler 20/Butler 9 O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic 22 vs. Duke ^ – ESPN2 L, 77-82 Butler 22/Butler, Johnson-Odom 6 23 vs. Gonzaga ^ – ESPNU L, 63-66 Butler 22/Butler 6 27 at Milwaukee W, 75-72 7,120 Johnson-Odom 29/Crowder 6 DECEMBER 4 Longwood W, 96-65 13,869 Otule 19/Butler 11 7 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi W, 86-50 13,505 Blue 21/Butler 9 L, 64-69 19,074 Butler 15/Johnson-Odom, Crowder 5 11 Wisconsin – ESPN2 18 Centenary W, 81-52 14,116 Johnson-Odom, Blue 16/Butler 10 21 Mississippi Valley State W, 102-77 13,930 Crowder 22/Johnson-Odom 6 29 at Vanderbilt – ESPN2 L, 76-77 13,604 Butler 15/Crowder 11 JANUARY 1 WEST VIRGINIA – ESPN2 W, 79-74 15,575 Crowder 29/Crowder 8 5 at RUTGERS W, 73-65 5,358 Johnson-Odom 29/Crowder 7 L, 81-89 11,438 Johnson-Odom 20/Butler, Crowder 7 8 at PITTSBURGH 10 NOTRE DAME – ESPN2 W, 79-57 16,951 Buycks 21/Crowder 7 15 at LOUISVILLE – ESPN2 L, 70-71 21,485 Johnson-Odom 16/Butler 9 W, 94-64 15,091 Butler, Johnson-Odom 20/Crowder 9 18 DE PAUL - ESPNU 22 at NOTRE DAME L, 75-80 9,149 Johnson-Odom 25/Crowder 8 25 CONNECTICUT L, 68-76 15,476 Butler 21/Crowder 9 W, 76-70 19,032 Crowder 25/Butler 8 29 SYRACUSE - ESPNU FEBRUARY 2 at VILLANOVA - ESPNU L, 70-75 6,500 Butler, Johnson-Odom 15/Otule 5 9 at USF – ESPN2 W, 59-58 4,153 Crowder 14/Blue, Butler 6 L, 60-69 14,284 Johnson-Odom 20/Otule 9 13 at GEORGETOWN - ESPN 15 ST. JOHN’S - ESPNU L, 68-80 17,270 Butler 23/Crowder 9 19 SETON HALL W, 73-64 18,436 Butler 16/Crowder 9 W, 74-67 14,622 Johnson-Odom 17/Crowder 11 24 at CONNECTICUT – ESPN 27 PROVIDENCE W, 86-62 16,768 Johnson-Odom 17/Crowder 13 MARCH 2 CINCINNATI L, 60-67 15,538 Butler 30/Otule 9 5 at SETON HALL L, 72-85 8,347 Butler 20/Butler, Blue 5 BIG EAST Championship Presented by American Eagle Outfitters, New York, N.Y. 8 vs Providence - ESPNU W, 87-66 19,375 Johnson-Odom 23/Butler 10 9 vs West Virginia - ESPN W, 67-61 19,375 Jones 15/Three with 5 10 vs Louisville - ESPN L, 56-81 19,375 Butler 14/Jones 7 NCAA Championship 18 vs Xavier # - Tru TV W, 66-55 20,164 Johnson-Odom 19/Crowder 6 20 vs Syracuse # - Tru TV W, 66-62 20,164 Johnson-Odom 17/Crowder 7 25 vs North Carolina * - CBS L, 63-81 18,278 Gardner 16/Otule, Crowder 8 ^ Sprint Center, Kansas City, Mo. # Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio * Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.
Darius Johnson-Odom 17
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2011-12 ROSTER No. Name 21 Tim Abromaitis 0 Eric Atkins 33 Mike Broghammer 32 Joey Brooks 24 Pat Connaughton 45 Jack Cooley 12 Alex Dragicevich 22 Jerian Grant 25 Tom Knight 14 Scott Martin 11 Garrick Sherman
Class Gr. So. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. So. Jr. Sr. Jr.
Pos. F G F G G/F F G G F G C
Ht. Wt. 6-8 235 6-1 173 6-9 243 6-6 215 6-5 205 6-9 244 6-6 215 6-5 185 6-9 253 6-8 219 6-10 240
Hometown/Previous School Unionville, Conn./Farmington Columbia, Md./Mount Saint Joseph Orono, Minn./Hopkins Houston, Texas/Strake Jesuit Prep Arlington, Mass./St. John’s Prep Evanston, Ill./Glenbrook South Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North Bowie, Md./DeMatha Dixfield, Maine/Dirigo Valparaiso, Ind./Purdue Kenton, Ohio/Michigan State
2010-11 RECORD 27-7 overall 14-4 BIG EAST (2nd) FINAL RANKING AP/ESPN 5/14 POSTSEASON NCAA Third Round
Head Coach: Mike Brey (George Washington ’82) Assistant Coaches: Anthony Solomon (Virginia ’87), Rod Balanis (Georgia Tech ’93), Martin Ingelsby (Notre Dame ’01) Head Coach Mike Brey (George Washington ’82) Career Record (16 years)................................................. 337-172 (.662) Notre Dame Record (11 years)........................................ 238-120 (.665) Delaware Record (five years)............................................... 99-52 (.656) BIG EAST Regular Season Record (11 years)...................... 112-75 (.599) BIG EAST Tournament Record (11 years)............................... 7-11 (.389) BIG EAST Overall Record (11 years)................................... 119-86 (.580) NCAA Record (nine appearances)............................................ 5-8 (.385) NIT Record (five appearances)................................................. 6-5 (.545)
2011-12 PREVIEW The Big Picture Picked seventh in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches’ Poll last year, the Irish significantly surpassed expectations. After splitting their first six league contests, Notre Dame finished in second place in the conference with a 14-4 mark. Guard Ben Hansbrough was named BIG EAST Player of the Year and Mike Brey took BIG EAST Coach of the Year honors. The Irish finished 27-7 overall. The win total was the second highest in school history.
Who’s Back Forward Tim Abromaitis and guard Scott Martin are the returning starters. Abromaitis, who was named BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, averaged 15.4 points and 6.1 rebounds. He is one of the league’s top long-range shooters, making 42.9 percent from 3-point range last year. Martin, who is also a good outside shooter, averaged 9.7 points and 4.8 boards. Eric Atkins showed promise at point guard as a freshman. Atkins averaged 5.8 points and led the BIG EAST in assist/turnover ratio (+2.56) while playing 25.4 minutes per game. Junior forward Jack Cooley emerged as an able contributor in the frontcourt. He averaged 3.7 points and 3.1 rebounds.
Who’s Missing Not only did Hansbrough give the Irish tremendous production, he gave the team toughness. Statistically, Hansbrough averaged 18.4 points, 4.3 assists and 3.9 rebounds but he also made the intangible contributions that all good teams need. Forwards Carleton Scott and Tyrone Nash were important support staff. Scott averaged 11.2 points and 7.4 rebounds. Nash chipped in 9.5 points and 5.9 boards.
Storylines Brey will be looking for someone to step in the leadership role that Hansbrough handled so well last season. Abromaitis and Martin are good-sized perimeter shooters – both are 6-8 – who should continue to be quality scoring threats. Atkins should slide easily into the starting spot at point guard. Cooley will have the chance to increase his playing time significantly in the frontcourt. Junior guard Joey Brooks played only 7.6 minutes per game last season, but will be aiming for more action. Freshman Pat Connaughton is considered a quality wing player. Six-five guard Jerian Grant will begin his collegiate career after sitting out last season.
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW NEWCOMERS Pat Connaughton, G/F, 6-5, 205 Arlington, Mass./St. John’s Prep • Led St. John’s to the Massachusetts state title last year and was named Gatorade State Player of the Year. • Finished his career as St. John’s all-time scorer with 1,713 points. • Averaged 23 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists for his prep career. Garrick Sherman, C, Jr., 6-10, 240 Kenton, Ohio/Michigan State • A transfer from Michigan State, he will be eligible in 2011-12. • Played in 70 games in two seasons at Michigan State. • Averaged 3.1 points and 2.6 rebounds as a sophomore while shooting a team-high 69.6 percent.
2010-11 RESULTS (27-7, 14-4 BIG EAST)
(Home: 17-0/Away: 5-4/Neutral: 5-3) High Scorer/Rebounder NOVEMBER 12 Georgia Southern W, 98-61 8,165 Hansbrough 20/Scott 7 14 Liberty W, 72-51 6,478 Hansbrough 19/Nash 9 17 Chicago State W, 102-62 6,252 Hansbrough 22/Scott 11 22 Maine W, 97-72 6,303 Abromaitis 26/Nash 11 Old Spice Classic, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. 25 vs. Georgia – ESPN2 2ot W, 89-80 2,973 Abromaitis 25/Scott 11 26 vs. California – ESPN2 W, 57-44 2,932 Scott 16/Abromaitis 11 28 vs. Wisconsin – ESPN2 W, 58-51 3,428 Atkins, Scott 12/Abromaitis 9 30 Indiana State W, 81-72 7,080 Hansbrough 24/Scott 8 DECEMBER DirecTV SEC/BIG EAST Invitational, Louisville, Ky. 8 vs. Kentucky – ESPN L, 58-72 Hansbrough 21/Scott, Abromaitis 8 11 Gonzaga – ESPN2 W, 83-79 8,570 Scott 23/Abromaitis 8 19 Stony Brook – ESPNU W, 88-62 6,211 Abromaitis 22/Abromaitis 8 22 Maryland-Baltimore County W, 93-53 6,265 Abromaitis 21/Abromaitis 11 29 GEORGETOWN – ESPN2 W, 69-55 9,149 Abromaitis 20/Nash 10 JANUARY 1 at SYRACUSE - ESPNU L, 58-70 23,058 Abromaitis 15/Abromaitis, Martin 7 4 CONNECTICUT W, 73-70 7,291 Hansbrough 21/Abromaitis, Nash 7 8 ST. JOHN’S - ESPNU W, 76-61 8,032 Hansbrough 26/Abromaitis 9 10 at MARQUETTE – ESPN2 L, 57-79 16,951 Atkins 15/Martn 11 16 at ST. JOHN’S L, 54-72 8,550 Hansbrough 18/Three with 4 19 CINCINNATI – ESPN2 W, 66-58 8,309 Hansbrough, Nash 13/Martin 8 22 MARQUETTE W, 80-75 9,149 Hansbrough 28/Scott 10 24 at PITTSBURGH – ESPN W, 56-51 12,591 Hansbrough 19/Scott 9 FEBRUARY 3 at DE PAUL – ESPN W, 83-58 10,982 Hansbrough 24/Nash 8 6 RUTGERS W, 76-69 8,139 Hansbrough 25/Scott 11 9 LOUISVILLE – ESPNU ot W, 89-79 8,659 Hansbrough 25/Abromaitis, Scott 8 12 at USF W, 78-55 6,104 Cooley 18/Scott 11 19 at WEST VIRGINIA – CBS L, 58-72 12,298 Hansbrough 19/Scott 11 23 at PROVIDENCE W, 94-93 11,185 Hansbrough 32/Scott 10 26 SETON HALL – ESPNU W, 60-48 9,149 Abromaitis 22/Scott 10 28 VILLANOVA – ESPN W, 93-72 9,149 Abromaitis, Hansbrough 30/Nash 11 MARCH 5 at CONNECTICUT – ESPN W, 70-67 10,167 Hansbrough 21/Abromaitis 7 BIG EAST Championship Presented by American Eagle Outfitters, New York, N.Y. 10 vs Cincinnati - ESPN W, 89-51 19,375 Hansbrough 23/Cooley 7 11 vs Louisville - ESPN ot L, 77-83 19,375 Martin 21/Martin 8 NCAA Championship 18 vs Akron # - TBS W, 69-56 17,352 Hansbrough 15/Scott 14 20 vs Florida State # - TBS L, 57-71 18,146 Abromaitis 21/Scott 11 ^ Freedom Hall, Louisville, Ky. # United Center, Chicago, Ill.
Tim Abromaitis 19
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Pittsburgh Panthers 2011-12 ROSTER No. Name 24 Khem Birch 2 Isaiah Epps 12 Ashton Gibbs 33 Malcolm Gilbert 5 Durand Johnson 4 John Johnson 44 J.J. Moore 15 Aron Nwankwo 21 Lamar Patterson 14 Nick Rivers 35 Nasir Robinson 11 Dante Taylor 1 Tray Woodall 3 Cameron Wright 42 Talib Zanna
Class Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. So. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Fr. So.
Pos. F G G C G/F G F F G/F G F F G G F
Ht. Wt. 6-9 220 6-2 175 6-2 190 6-11 235 6-6 190 6-1 175 6-6 200 6-7 195 6-5 220 6-0 180 6-5 220 6-9 240 5-11 190 6-4 200 6-9 225
Hometown/High School Montreal, Quebec/Notre Dame Prep (Mass.) Plainfield, N.J./Hargrave Military Acad. (Va.) Scotch Plains, N.J./Seton Hall Prep Smyrna, Del./Academy of the New Church (Pa.) Baltimore, Md./Brewster Academy (N.H.) Philadelphia, Pa./Life Center Academy (N.J.) Brentwood, N.Y./South Kent Prep (Conn.) Baltimore, Md./Baltimore City Lancaster, Pa./St. Benedict’s (N.J.) Phoenix, Ariz./Brophy Prep Chester, Pa./Chester Greenburgh, N.Y./National Christian Acad. (Md.) Brooklyn, N.Y./St. Anthony’s (N.J.) Cleveland, Ohio/Benedictine Kaduna, Nigeria/Bishop McNamara (Md.)
2010-11 RECORD 28-6 overall 15-3 BIG EAST (1st) FINAL RANKING AP/ESPN 4/12 POSTSEASON NCAA Third Round
Head Coach: Jamie Dixon (Texas Christian ’87) Assistant Coaches: Pat Sandle (San Francisco State ’87), Brandin Knight (Pittsburgh ’05), Bill Barton (Salem State ’89) Head Coach Jamie Dixon (Texas Christian ’87) Career Record (eight years)............................................... 216-60 (.783) Pittsburgh Record (eight years)......................................... 216-60 (.783) BIG EAST Regular Season Record (eight years).................... 98-38 (.721) BIG EAST Tournament Record (eight years)........................... 11-7 (.611) BIG EAST Overall Record (eight years)............................... 109-45 (.708) NCAA Record (eight appearances)........................................ 11-8 (.579) NIT Record..........................................................................................0-0
2011-12 PREVIEW The Big Picture The Panther streak of excellence continued last season. Pitt won the BIG EAST regular season title with a 15-3 mark, earned its 10th straight NCAA berth and finished with a 28-6 record. Under coach Jamie Dixon, the Panthers always seem to be able to put an experienced team on the floor that plays terrific defense. This season, Pitt has to replace three starters, but still seems to have experience at every position. Last year, some statistics helped tell the story. The Panthers were first in the BIG EAST in scoring margin (+13.0) and rebounding margin (+10.8).
Who’s Back Ashton Gibbs tested the NBA Draft waters, but returned for his senior season. A first-team All-BIG EAST selection last year, Gibbs was the team’s leading scorer, averaging 16.8 points, which was sixth in the league. He was first in the BIG EAST in 3-point shooting, making 49 percent and was second in free throw shooting, making 88.9 percent. His 102 3-point baskets also led the BIG EAST. Another senior, forward Nasir Robinson, is back after averaging 9.4 points and 4.9 rebounds. Junior Travon Woodall appears ready for a starter’s role at point guard. Last year, he averaged 6.4 points and 3.4 assists and finished second in the BIG EAST in assist/turnover ratio (+2.34). Six-nine forward Dante Taylor averaged 5.1 points and 4.5 boards in the regular rotation. Six-nine sophomore Talib Zanna was another
forward coming off the bench last year. He averaged 3.7 points and 3.4 rebounds while playing 11.8 minutes per contest. On the wing, 6-6 J.J. Moore (3.7) and 6-5 Lamar Patterson (2.6), a pair of sophomores, may battle for a starting position. Who’s Missing Guard Brad Wanamaker did a little of everything for the Panthers. The captain was second in scoring at 11.7 ppg and fifth in the BIG EAST in assists at 5.1. He also rebounded at a 5.2 clip and played the typical rugged Pitt defense. Gilbert Brown was a quality small forward who averaged 11.3 ppg and shot 41.3 percent from beyond the arc. Senior Gary McGhee kept improving throughout his career and averaged 6.9 points and 7.7 boards. In league games, he shot a leagueleading 62.1 percent from the floor.
Storylines Pitt will miss Wanamaker, Brown and McGhee, but the streak of success does not figure to end. Gibbs is one of the nation’s best shooters and will team with Woodall to form an excellent backcourt. Robinson returns at the power forward position with the roles of Taylor and Zanna likely to increase. Freshman Khem Birch is expected to push for some immediate playing time in the frontcourt along with Malcolm Gilbert. Freshman Durand Johnson may push Patterson and Moore at the small forward. The backcourt reserves include redshirt freshmen Isaiah Epps and Cameron Wright and true freshman John Johnson.
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW NEWCOMERS Khem Birch, F/C, Fr., 6-9, 220 Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec/ Notre Dame Prep (Mass.) • Named USA Today All-America Second Team and McDonald’s All-American last season at Notre Dame Prep. • Averaged 18 points, 13 rebounds and six blocked shots in 2010-11. • Helped lead Notre Dame to the title game of the National Prep Championships. Malcolm Gilbert, C, Fr., 6-11, 230 Smyrna, Del./Academy of the New Church (Pa.) • Helped Academy of the New Church to a 21-6 record and No. 6 state ranking as a senior. • Was a 2011 McDonald’s All-American nominee. • Had 10 points and eight rebounds in the Capital Classic All-Star Game. Durand Johnson, F, Fr., 6-6, 190 Baltimore, Md./Brewster Academy (N.H.) • Helped Brewster Academy to a 31-3 record last season and No. 1 national ranking for most of the year. • Led Brewster to the National Prep Championship semifinals, when it lost to Notre Dame Prep. • In 2009-10, played at Lake Clifton HS in Baltimore and averaged 15 ppg. John Johnson, G, Fr., 6-1, 175 Philadelphia, Pa./Life Center Academy (N.J.) • Was just the second prep player from the Philadelphia area to earn all-state honors in all four years. • In four seasons, he scored 2,314 points and his teams compiled a 95-23 record. • As a senior, he averaged 18.8 points, 4.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds.
2010-11 RESULTS (28-6, 15-3 BIG EAST)
(Home: 17-1/Away: 7-2/Neutral: 4-3) High Scorer/Rebounder NOVEMBER 2K Sports Classic 8 Rhode Island – ESPNU W, 83-75 9,256 Wanamaker 24/Zanna 11 10 Illinois-Chicago W, 97-54 9,148 Gibbs 24/McGhee, Taylor 8 13 North Florida W, 95-49 10,052 Moore 19/Taylor 11 2K Sports Classic 18 vs. Maryland ^ – ESPN2 W, 79-70 12,210 Zanna 14/Zanna 12 19 vs. Texas ^ – ESPN2 W, 68-66 11,723 Gibbs 24/Zanna, Wanamaker 6 23 Robert Morris W, 74-53 10,121 Gibbs 20/McGhee 12 27 Penn W, 82-58 10,594 Gibbs 12/Brown 7 DECEMBER 1 vs. Duquesne * - ESPNU W, 80-66 12,860 Gibbs 22/McGhee 13 4 Rider W, 87-68 8,719 Gibbs, Wanamaker 16/McGhee 10 8 Delaware State W. 70-42 8,520 Taylor 14/Taylor 10 DirecTV SEC/BIG EAST Invitational, Pittsburgh, Pa. 11 vs. Tennessee * - ESPN L, 76-83 15,166 Wanamaker 21/McGhee 7 18 Maryland-Eastern Shore W, 97-64 9,515 Brown 28/McGhee 10 22 American W, 91-46 9,489 Wanamaker 19/Taylor 7 27 CONNECTICUT – ESPN2 W, 78-63 12,725 Gibbs 21/McGhee 11 JANUARY 4 at PROVIDENCE W, 83-79 9,181 Brown 19/McGhee 9 8 MARQUETTE W, 89-81 11,438 Gibbs 19/Brown 7 12 at GEORGETOWN – ESPN W, 72-57 15,712 Gibbs 22/McGhee 9 15 SETON HALL W, 74-53 9,236 McGhee 13/McGhee 10 17 SYRACUSE - ESPN W, 74-66 12,925 Robinson 21/McGhee 13 22 at DE PAUL W, 80-50 8,325 Brown 17/McGhee 15 24 NOTRE DAME - ESPN L, 51-56 12,591 Brown 13/McGhee 7 29 at RUTGERS – ESPN2 W, 65-62 8,024 Gibbs 24/McGhee 8 FEBRUARY 5 CINCINNATI W, 71-59 12,615 Gibbs 25/McGhee 13 7 at WEST VIRGINIA - ESPN W, 71-66 14,175 Robinson 15/Wanamaker 9 12 at VILLANOVA - ESPN W, 57-54 6,500 Wanamaker 21/Robinson 7 16 USF W, 67-55 12,519 Robinson, Wanamaker 13/Robinson 10 19 at ST. JOHN’S - ESPN L, 59-60 14,514 Gibbs 26/McGhee, Brown 5 24 WEST VIRGINIA – ESPN W, 71-58 12,876 Robinson 15/Wanamaker 7 27 at LOUISVILLE - CBS L, 59-62 22,758 Brown 20/Wanamaker 12 MARCH 2 at USF - ESPNU W, 66-50 4,640 Robinson 18/Robinson 10 5 VILLANOVA - CBS W, 60-50 12,843 Gibbs 18/McGhee 10 BIG EAST Championship Presented by American Eagle Outfitters, New York, N.Y. 10 vs Connecticut - ESPN L, 74-76 19,375 Gibbs 27/Taylor 7 NCAA Championship 17 vs UNC Asheville # - Tru TV W, 74-51 17,578 Gibbs 26/McGhee 11 19 vs Butler # - TBS L, 70-71 18,684 Brown 24/McGhee, Wanamaker 7 ^ Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y. * Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pa. # Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
Ashton Gibbs 21
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Providence Friars 2011-12 ROSTER No. Name 51 Ted Bancroft 10 Kadeem Batts 41 Chirs Carter 1 Gerard Coleman 11 Bryce Cotton 32 Vincent Council 42 Bilal Dixon 33 Kiwi Gardner 34 Ron Giplaye 21 Lee Goldsbrough 23 LaDontae Henton 13 Brice Kofane 53 Michael Murray
Class So. So. Gr. So. So. Jr. Jr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr.
Pos. G F G G G G F/C G F F F F G
Ht. Wt. 6-4 187 6-9 250 6-4 180 6-4 180 6-1 165 6-2 180 6-9 245 5-7 155 6-6 230 6-9 220 6-6 220 6-8 205 6-2 188
Hometown/High School Marion, Mass./Bishop Stang Powder Springs, Ga./John McEachern Worchester, Mass./Shepherd Hill Regional Boston, Mass./Tilton School (N.H.) Tucson, Ariz./Palo Verde Brooklyn, N.Y./Patterson School (N.C.) Jersey City, N.J./Queen of Peace Manteca, Calif./Westwind Prep Lowell, Mass./Notre Dame Prep Newcastle, England/Manchester Magic Lansing, Mich./Eastern Yaounde, Cameroon/The Miller School Troy, N.Y./LaSalle Institute
2010-11 RECORD 15-17 overall 4-14 BIG EAST (14th) FINAL RANKING AP/ESPN nr/nr POSTSEASON None
Head Coach: Ed Cooley (Stonehill ’94) Associate Head Coach: Andre LaFleur (Notheastern ’87) Assistant Coaches: Brian Blaney (Roanoke ’94), Bob Simon (Eastern Michigan ’89) Head Coach Ed Cooley (Stonehill ’94) Career Record (five years)................................................... 92-69 (.571) Fairfield Record (five years)................................................. 92-69 (.571) BIG EAST Regular Season Record (first year)......................................0-0 BIG EAST Tournament Record (first year)...........................................0-0 BIG EAST Overall Record (first year)...................................................0-0 NCAA Record......................................................................................0-0 NIT Record (one appearance).................................................. 1-1 (.500)
2011-12 PREVIEW The Big Picture Ed Cooley is Providence’s new coach and he has hit the ground running preaching dedication, discipline and defense. The Providence native says he has his dream job. His first Friar team has some able young parts, but it likely is a little ways away from being a welloiled machine. Marshon Broooks, the BIG EAST scoring champion and firstround NBA draft pick, has departed. PC has no scholarship seniors on the 2011-12 roster and probably will start only two juniors.
Who’s Back The backcourt of Vincent Council and Gerard Coleman returns. Council, a 6-2 junior, averaged 13.7 ppg last year and led the BIG EAST with a 5.9 assist average. He also averaged 1.7 steals. Coleman, a 6-4 sophomore, averaged in double figures as a freshman, scoring 10.3 ppg. Both players have tremendous quickness and are extremely athletic. Forward/center Bilal Dixon, a 6-9 junior, has been a starter since he arrived on campus, but Cooley will want him to improve on his 5.7 scoring and 6.4 rebounding marks. Dixon often was saddled by foul trouble last year which reduced his playing time. Forward Kadeem Batts, a 6-9 sophomore, averaged 7.1 points and 5.8 rebounds in his first season as a starter. Forward Ron Giplaye, who averaged 1.6 points and 1.6 boards, and guard Bryce Cotton,
who averaged 4.0 points, got their feet wet as freshmen, seeing playing time in most games. They will be counted on for more contributions this year. Who’s Missing Brooks averaged a league-leading 24.6 points which was second nationally, and did even better in league play, averaging 26.0 points which earned him the BIG EAST scoring crown. His 468 points in BIG EAST regular-season games was a conference record. He also set the league single-game scoring record when he poured in 52 points against Notre Dame. Brooks also averaged 7.0 rebounds. Reserve guard Duke Mondy, who averaged 7.7 points and a BIG EAST-leading 2.1 steals in all games as a top reserve, transferred. Reserve center Ray Hall (1.1, 2.1) graduated.
Storylines Cooley will be trying to develop some chemistry with the numerous young faces. He also has five freshmen, including two redshirt rookies. In the backcourt, 5-7 Kiwi Gardner will push to get into the regular rotation. Closer to the basket, 6-9 Lee Goldsborough, 6-8 Brice Kofane and 6-6 LaDontae Henton will be looking to move in on the playing time of Dixon and Batts. Last year, PC was first in the BIG EAST in scoring offense (75.8), but 15th in scoring defense (75.3). Cooley will want that to change.
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW NEWCOMERS Kiwi Gardner, G, Fr., 5-7, 155 Manteca, Calif./Westwind Prep (Ariz.) • Averaged 23.7 points, seven assists and four steals for Westwind in 2010-11. • Led Westwind to a 30-2 record and the state championship. • Prior to Westwind, played three seasons at Manteca H.S. and averaged 24 ppg as a junior in 2009-10. LaDontae Henton, F, Fr., 6-6, 215 Lansing, Mich,/Eastern • Was mid-Michigan’s first four-time all-state selection. • Averaged 22.2 points for his prep career and is one of only 33 Michigan prep players to score 2,000 points. • Averaged 25.2 points, 14.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.1 blocks as a senior. Brice Kofane, F, Fr., 6-8, 205 Yaounde, Cameroon/The Miller School (N.Y.) • Was redshirted in 2010-11. • Averaged 12.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.2 blocks for the Miller School in 2009-10. • Was named to the all-tournament team in the 2009 state tournament.
2010-11 RESULTS (15-17, 4-14 BIG EAST)
(Home: 14-5/Away: 0-10/Neutral: 1-2) High Scorer/Rebounder NOVEMBER 13 Dartmouth W, 87-52 5,203 Council 18/Dixon 11 15 Yale W, 58-53 3,521 Council 18/Dixon 14 Cancun Challenge 18 Morgan State W, 77-55 4,620 Brooks 22/Brooks, Dixon 12 20 Prairie View A&M W, 78-62 5,851 Brooks 22/Dixon 14 23 vs. La Salle ^ - CBS C L, 73-84 330 Brooks 20/Brooks 11 24 vs. Wyoming ^ - CBS C W, 84-77 415 Council 29/Dixon 7 29 Central Connecticut W, 92-57 3,783 Brooks 26/Dixon 8 DECEMBER 1 Northeastern W, 77-72 4,828 Brooks 27/Dixon 12 4 Rhode Island W, 87-74 12,410 Brooks 26/Dixon 12 7 Brown W, 91-64 3,641 Brooks 33/Dixon 12 8 at Boston College L, 86-88 5,462 Brooks 28/Brooks, Batts 10 11 Alabama - ESPNU W, 82-70 8,056 Brooks 33/Brooks, Dixon 8 21 Sacred Heart W, 84-76 6,075 Brooks 25/Brooks 12 28 at SYRACUSE - ESPNU L, 74-81 20,388 Brooks 27/Dixon 8 JANUARY 1 ST. JOHN’S L, 65-67 8,157 Brooks 20/Dixon 7 4 PITTSBURGH L, 79-83 9,181 Brooks 28/Brooks, Batts 6 8 at RUTGERS L, 72-85 6,520 Brooks 29/Mondy 8 13 at WEST VIRGINIA – ESPN2 L, 63-93 11,052 Brooks 13/Batts, Brooks 8 16 at USF L, 72-79 3,526 Brooks 28/Batts 11 22 LOUISVILLE - ESPNU W, 72-67 12,051 Brooks 27/Batts 5 26 VILLANOVA W, 83-68 7,927 Brooks 20/Batts 9 30 at SETON HALL L, 71-81 9,880 Brooks, Council 20/Dixon 10 FEBRUARY 2 USF W, 68-63 3,785 Brooks 24/Council 8 5 at GEORGETOWN L, 81-83 16,289 Brooks 43/Brooks 10 13 at CONNECTICUT L, 57-75 10,167 Brooks 25/Brooks 7 17 DE PAUL – ESPN2 L, 76-76 5,021 Brooks 28/Batts 9 19 CINCINNATI - ESPNU ot L, 81-93 9,432 Brooks 27/Batts 11 23 NOTRE DAME L, 93-94 11,185 Brooks 52/Batts 7 27 at MARQUETTE L, 62-86 16,768 Brooks 17/Dixon 9 MARCH 2 at LOUISVILLE L, 60-87 22,724 Council 20/Dixon, Batts 10 5 RUTGERS W, 75-74 9,088 Brooks 28/Brooks 7 BIG EAST Championship Presented by American Eagle Outfitters, New York, N.Y. 8 vs Marquette - ESPNU L, 66-87 19,375 Council 21/Coleman 8 ^ Moon Palace Resort Convention Center, Cancun, Mexico
Gerard Coleman 23
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 2011-12 ROSTER No. 55 2 5 22 21 24 44 35 4 11 32 15 1
Name Gilvydas Biruta Austin Carroll Eli Carter Kadeem Jack Austin Johnson Malick Kone Mike Kuhn Greg Lewis Myles Mack Dane Miller Mike Poole Derrick Randall Jerome Seagears
Class So. So. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Jr. So. Fr. Fr.
Pos. F G G F/C F/C G/F G F G G/F G/F F/C G
Ht. 6-8 6-3 6-2 6-10 6-8 6-5 6-1 6-9 5-9 6-7 6-6 6-9 6-1
Wt. 240 205 190 218 255 200 190 225 165 215 195 235 170
Hometown/High School Jonava, Lithuania/St. Benedict’s (N.J.) Bedford, Mass./Brewster Academy (N.H.) Willingboro, N.J./Brewster Academy (N.H.) Queens, N.Y./CJEOTO Academy Elkins Park, Pa./Blair Academy (N.J.) Conakry, Guinea/Blue Ridge School (Va.) Oceanport, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy Randallstown, Md./St. Frances Academy Paterson, N.J./St. Anthony Rochester, N.Y./Rush-Henrietta Rosedale, N.Y./St. Benedict’s (N.J.) Brooklyn, N.Y./South Kent (Conn.) Silver Spring, Md./Flora MacDonald Academy
2010-11 RECORD 15-17 overall 5-13 BIG EAST (13th) FINAL RANKING AP/ESPN nr/nr POSTSEASON None
Head Coach: Mike Rice (Fordham ’91) Assistant Coaches: David Cox (William & Mary ’95), Van Macon (Southampton ’94), Jimmy Martelli (Dickinson ’05) Head Coach Mike Rice (Fordham ’91) Career Record (four years).................................................. 88-48 (.647) Rutgers Record (one year)................................................... 15-17 (.469) Robert Morris Record (three years)..................................... 73-31 (.702) BIG EAST Regular Season Record (one year)......................... 5-13 (.278) BIG EAST Tournament Record (one year)................................ 1-1 (.500) BIG EAST Overall Record (one year)...................................... 6-14 (.300) NCAA Record (two appearances)............................................ 0-2 (.000) NIT Record (one appearance).................................................. 0-1 (.000)
2011-12 PREVIEW The Big Picture In coach Mike Rice’s first season, the Scarlet Knights played spirited basketball. A 15-17 record was the final result, but Rice has the Scarlet Knight faithful excited about the future. He has only two starters returning, but has brought in the highest rated recruiting class in school history. He does not have a scholarship senior on this year’s squad, yet he expects his club to keep the positive vibe going and the wins to increase.
Who’s Back Six-eight Gilvydas Biruta is one of the returning starters. The forward made the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team after averaging 9.6 points and 5.6 rebounds. The native of Lithuania shot 52.9 percent from the floor. Biruta was first among BIG EAST freshmen in rebounding, field goal shooting (.529) and free throw shooting (.723). The other starter back is Dane Miller, who was a BIG EAST All-Rookie pick two seasons ago. Last year, the 6-6 wing averaged 9.2 points and 6.1 rebounds. He is also a quality defender. Sophomore guard Mike Poole is the third leading returning scorer after averaging 5.6 points while playing 19 minutes per game as a rookie. Other reserves who averaged double figures in minutes played were forward Austin Johnson (16.3) and guard Austin Carroll (10.6). Johnson averaged 4.5
points while Carroll showed promise as a strong perimeter shooter and averaged 2.7 points. Who’s Missing Three starters were lost, including the starting backcourt of James Beatty and Mike Coburn. Both players averaged 8.8 ppg and both played a little more than 32 minutes per game. Forward Jonathan Mitchell enjoyed a very good senior season, averaging 14.4 points and 5.6 rebounds. He was the only Scarlet Knight to average double figures in scoring.
Storylines A seven-man recruiting class will have opportunities to help the cause right away. The competition for the starting point guard position could be a battle between two freshmen, Myles Mack and Jerome Seagears. Another freshman backcourt candidate is Eli Carter who is considered a combo guard. Six-five Malick Kone may push Miller at small forward. Six-nine Kadeem Jack joined the program last January, but sat out the semester. He is expected to be a prime candidate to start up front with Biruta. Six-eight Derrick Randall and 6-9 Greg Lewis are other frontcourt candidates. With no scholarship seniors and only two scholarship juniors, RU knows it will be young, but Rice believes the future is bright.
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW NEWCOMERS Eli Carter, G, Fr., 6-2, 190 Willingboro, N.J./Brewster Academy (N.H.) • Helped Brewster to a 31-3 record last season. • Earned NEPSAC All-New England honors. • In 2009-10, averaged 15.2 points, six assists and five rebounds helping St. Anthony (N.J.) to 27-3 record. Kadeem Jack, F/C, Fr., 6-10, 218 Queens, N.Y./CJEOTO Academy (N.J.) • Enrolled at Rutgers mid-year last season and was redshirted. • Was ranked as the No. 33 overall prospect and No. 7 power forward by Rivals.com. • As a senior at Rice HS in 2009-10, was NYSSWA All-State First Team and New York Daily News All-City. Malick Kone, G/F, Fr., 6-5, 200 Conakry, Guinea/Blue Ridge School (Va.) • Averaged 15.9 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 56 percent as a senior at Blue Ridge. • Helped Blue Ridge to a 26-2 mark and was named most outstanding player at the 2010 Five Star Virginia Camp. • Was a two-time All-VISAA First Team selection. Greg Lewis, F, Fr., 6-9, 225 Randallstown, Md./St. Frances Academy • Rated No. 21 center prospect by ESPN.com. • Was an All-Baltimore Catholic League First Team selection as a senior. • Competed at the 2010 LeBron James All-America Camp and the NBA Players Association Top 100 Camp. Myles Mack, G, Fr., 5-9, 165 Paterson, N.J./St. Anthony • Was named first-team all-America by ESPN Rise, Rise/2k Sports and MaxPreps. • Averaged 15.2 points, 3.6 assists and 2.9 steals as a senior. • Helped St. Anthony to a 33-0 record and No. 1 national ranking in USA Today.
2010-11 RESULTS (15-17, 5-13 BIG EAST)
(Home: 10-6/Away: 3-8/Neutral: 2-3) High Scorer/Rebounder NOVEMBER 12 at Princeton ot L, 73-78 3,530 Beatty 15/Mitchell 8 Philly Hoop Group Classic 15 Fairfield W, 68-53 3,810 Mitchell 15/Miller, Lumpkins 6 21 Miami (Fla.) W, 61-45 4,753 Mitchell 12/Mitchell 7 Philly Hoop Group Classic 23 Norfolk State W, 83-59 3,986 Beatty 18/Biruta 8 26 vs. Saint Joseph’s L, 70-76 5,219 Coburn 13/Four with 4 DECEMBER 1 NJIT W, 66-54 3,531 Biruta 20/Mitchell 11 7 Marist W, 64-48 3,826 Mitchell 16/Biruta, Miller 10 DirecTV SEC/BIG EAST Invitational, Pittsburgh, Pa. 11 vs. Auburn – ESPN2 W, 63-54 15,166 Miller 17/Miller 10 14 Fairleigh Dickinson W, 79-65 4,026 Mitchell 22/Miller 9 18 at Monmouth W, 79-56 2,852 Coburn 18/Biruta,Beatty 9 23 Saint Peter’s W, 55-52 4,999 Poole 4/Miller 13 28 vs. North Carolina ^ – ESPN2 L, 55-78 9,401 Mitchell 20/Biruta 9 JANUARY 2 at VILLANOVA – ESPNU L, 65-81 6,500 Mitchell 17/Mitchell 5 5 MARQUETTE L, 65-73 5,358 Beatty 24/Miller 7 8 PROVIDENCE W, 85-72 6,520 Mitchell 21/Mitchell 10 11 at CONNECTICUT L, 53-67 12,527 Poole 11/Poole 10 15 GEORGETOWN – ESPNU L, 65-74 7,122 Biruta 14/Biruta 6 20 USF – ESPN2 W, 71-62 5,347 Mitchell, Beatty 20/Mitchell, Biruta 5 22 at SETON HALL W, 66-60 8,929 Miller 17/Biruta 11 26 at CINCINNATI L, 56-72 6,404 Mitchell 20/Miller 5 29 PITTSBURGH - ESPN2 L, 62-65 8,024 Three with 12/Mitchell 7 FEBRUARY 2 at ST. JOHN’S L, 56-58 5,002 Mitchell 21/Miller 7 6 at NOTRE DAME L, 69-76 8,139 Mitchell 24/Mitchell 8 9 VILLANOVA W, 77-76 6,892 Mitchell 25/Biruta 9 12 SETON HALL - ESPNU L, 64-69 8,057 Mitchell 24/Mitchell 7 19 at SYRACUSE ot L, 80-84 28,944 Coburn 18/Biruta, Miller 8 22 LOUISVILLE - ESPNU L, 37-55 5,633 Biruta 12/Miller 8 27 WEST VIRGINIA L, 54-65 7,752 Coburn 20/Miller 6 MARCH 2 at DE PAUL W, 68-64 8,203 Mitchell 18/Miller 9 5 at PROVIDENCE L, 74-75 9,088 Biruta 21/Biruta, Miller 6 BIG EAST Championship Presented by American Eagle Outfitters, New York, N.Y. 8 vs Seton Hall - ESPN2 ot W, 76-70 19,375 Mitchell 25/Miller 11 9 vs St. John’s - ESPN L, 63-65 19,375 Beatty 15/Biruta 8 ^ Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y.
Derrick Randall, F/C, Fr., 6-9, 235 Brooklyn, N.Y./South Kent (Conn.) • Rated No. 27 power forward by ESPN.com. • Helped South Kent to a 16-5 record last season. • Played with fellow freshman Myles Mack as a junior at Paterson Catholic which was ranked as high as No. 3 nationally before the school closed. Jerome Seagears, G, Fr., 6-1, 170 Silver Spring, Md./Flora MacDonald Acad. (N.C.) • Named a 2011 Jordan Brand East Region AllStar. • Was ranked the No. 23 point guard prospect by ESPN.com. • Averaged 21.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists last season.
Gilvydas Biruta 25
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
St. Red John’s Storm 2011-12 ROSTER No. Name Class Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School 3 God’sgift Achiuwa Jr. F 6-9 240 Port Harcourt, Nigeria/Erie JC (N.Y.) 22 Amir Garrett Fr. F 6-6 190 Los Angeles, Calif./Findlay Prep (Nev.) 1 Phil Greene Fr. G 6-2 170 Chicago, Ill./IMG Academy (Fla.) 4 Maurice Harkless Fr. G/F 6-8 190 Queens, N.Y./South Kent (Conn.) 11 D’Angelo Harrison Fr. G 6-3 186 Missouri City, Texas/Dulles 10 Nurideen Lindsey So. G 6-3 185 Philadelphia, Pa./Redlands JC (Okla.) 5 Norvel Pelle Fr. F/C 6-10 200 Compton, Calif./Price 15 Sir’Dominic Pointer Fr. G/F 6-6 205 Fraser, Mich./Quality Education Academy (N.C.) 14 Jakarr Sampson Fr. F 6-7 190 Akron, Ohio/Brewster Academy (N.H.) 31 Malik Stith Jr. G 5-11 184 Hempstead, N.Y./Bridgton Academy (Maine) 30 Jamal White Jr. G 6-4 202 Roosevelt, N.Y./Long Island U. Head Coach: Steve Lavin (Chapman ’88) Assistant Coaches: Mike Dunlap (Pierce ’78), Tony Chiles (Columbia ’89), Rico Hines (UCLA ’02)
2010-11 RECORD 21-12 overall 12-6 BIG EAST (t3rd) FINAL RANKING AP/ESPN 18/rv POSTSEASON NCAA Second Round
Head Coach Steve Lavin (Chapman ’88) Career Record (eight years)............................................... 166-89 (.651) St. John’s Record (one year)................................................ 21-12 (.636) UCLA Record (seven years)................................................ 145-77 (.653) BIG EAST Regular Season Record (one year)......................... 12-6 (.667) BIG EAST Tournament Record (one year)................................ 1-1 (.500) BIG EAST Overall Record (one year)...................................... 13-7 (.650) NCAA Record (seven appearances)....................................... 11-7 (.611) NIT Record (one appearance).............................................................0-0
2011-12 PREVIEW The Big Picture The first year of the Steve Lavin Era was a smashing success. The Red Storm finished 21-12, the most wins since 2002-03, with six victories over ranked teams, including four against foes in the top 10. Lavin took the program from a 6-12 BIG EAST mark two seasons ago to 12-6 last year. St. John’s finished 18th in the final Associated Press poll, marking the first time it qualified for the postseason as a ranked team since 2000-01. For the upcoming campaign, however, Lavin will have virtually a completely new squad with only one returning scholarship player.
Who’s Back Last year’s roster included 10 seniors. With one other player transferring, only junior point guard Malik Stith is back as a scholarship player. He averaged 3.3 ppg while playing an average of 12.2 minutes.
Who’s Missing The Red Storm lost 10 seniors and freshman forward Dwayne Polee who transferred. Guard Dwight Hardy was an All-BIG EAST First Team pick and the BIG EAST Most Improved Player. He averaged 18.3 ppg, which was fourth in the conference. Forward Justin Burrell was named BIG EAST Sixth Man of the Year. He averaged 6.3 points and 4.9 rebounds. Swingman D.J. Kennedy, the team’s captain and leader, averaged 10.4 points and 5.6 boards. Forward Justin Brownlee enjoyed a strong senior season, averaging 12.3 points. Guards Paris Horne (7.9) and Malik Boothe (4.1) joined Hardy to give the Red Storm a formidable and experienced backcourt.
Storylines The good news is that Lavin is bringing in one of the nation’s top recruiting classes. The bad news is that they will only have Stith to lean on for experience. Lavin prefers an up-tempo game that pressures opponents defensively. Six-foot-10 Norvel Pelle was ranked as the nation’s No. 2 center. Six-three D’Angelo Harrison is a combo guard who may find an immediate home at the off-guard spot. Nurideen Lindsey, a junior college transfer, is a top candidate to contend at point guard along with freshman Phil Greene Stith. Six-seven Jakarr Sampson is one of the nation’s top-rated prep power forwards. Sixeight Maurice Harkless may be a prime candidate at small forward where 6-6 Amir Garrett and 6-6 Sir’Dominic Pointer also will contend. Six-nine God’sgift Achiuwa is a first team JC allAmerica who can play power forward or center.
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW NEWCOMERS God’sgift Achiuwa, F, Jr., 6-9, 240 Port Harcourt, Nigeria/Erie JC (N.Y.) • Was an NJCAA All-America First Team selection last year while helping Erie finish fourth in the NJCAA tournament. • Averaged 22.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocked shots. Amir Garrett, F, Fr., 6-6, 190 Los Angeles, Calif./Findlay Prep (Nev.) • As a prep junior at Leuzinger HS, was named to Long Beach Press-Telegram Best In The West First Team with fellow incoming freshman Norvel Pelle. • Has garnered interest from MLB scouts with his fastball clocked in the low 90s. Phil Greene, G, Fr., 6-2, 170 Chicago, Ill./IMG Academy (Fla.) • Averaged 23.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 3.0 steals at IMG last season. • Helped IMG to a 35-16 record and was named team MVP. Maurice Harkless, G/F, Fr., 6-8, 190 Queens, N.Y./South Kent (Conn.) • Named Most Outstanding Player of the Hoop Group Elite camp this past summer. • Averaged 16.5 points and 11.5 rebounds as a junior at Forest Hills H.S. in 2009-10. D’Angelo Harrison, G, Fr., 6-3, 186 Missouri City, Texas/Dulles • Named Houston Chronicle Player of the Year as a senior. • As a shooting guard, was ranked No. 10 by Rivals.com. Nurideen Lindsey, G, So., 6-3, 185 Philadelphia, Pa./Redlands JC (Okla.) • Averaged 22 points, 5.5 rebounds, five assists and 2.5 steals at Redlands in 2010-11. • At Overbrook HS, scored 1,315 points in three seasons. Norvel Pelle, F/C, Fr., 6-10, 200 Compton, Calif./Price • Was ranked No. 1 prep center by Rivals.com. • Was named to Long Beach Press Telegram Best In The West First Team with fellow recruit Amir Garrett.
2010-11 RESULTS (21-12, 12-6 BIG EAST)
(Home: 12-3/Away: 5-7/Neutral: 4-2) High Scorer/Rebounder NOVEMBER 16 at Saint Mary’s - ESPN L, 71-76 3,500 Polee II 16/Burrell 7 17 Columbia (CA) W, 79-66 4,657 Kennedy 18/Polee II 9 Great Alaska Shootout, Anchorage, Alaska 25 vs. Ball State ot W, 78-73 4,632 Brownlee 20/Brownlee 8 26 vs. Drake W, 82-39 4,976 Brownlee 13/Burrell, Kennedy 8 28 vs. Arizona State W, 67-58 5,662 Browlee 20/Kennedy, Brownlee 4 DECEMBER 1 Wagner (CA) W, 69-61 4,008 Kennedy 20/Horne 8 7 St. Bonaventure (CA) L, 66-67 4,408 Hardy 24/Boothe 6 11 at Fordham L, 81-84 3,200 Hardy 30/Kennedy 9 Madison Square Garden Holiday Festival 20 Davidson W, 62-57 6,596 Kennedy 17/Kennedy 9 21 Northwestern W, 85-69 5,583 Hardy 24/Burrell 9 29 at WEST VIRGINIA W, 81-71 11,138 Hardy 20/Kennedy 11 JANUARY 1 at PROVIDENCE W, 67-65 8,157 Hardy 21/Brownlee 9 3 GEORGETOWN – ESPN2 W, 61-58 8,897 Hardy 20/Brownlee 7 8 at NOTRE DAME - ESPNU L, 61-76 8,032 Brownlee 17/Brownlee 7 12 SYRACUSE - ESPNU L, 59-76 14,440 Brownlee 13/Burrell 6 16 NOTRE DAME W, 72-54 8,550 Kennedy, Boothe 14/Kennedy 8 19 at LOUISVILLE L, 63-88 21,638 Horne 13/Burrell 7 22 CINCINNATI (CA) L, 51-53 5,602 Kennedy, Hardy 10/Burrell 10 26 at GEORGETOWN L, 52-77 7,160 Burrell 12/Burrell 8 30 Duke - CBS W, 93-78 19,353 Hardy 26/Brownlee 9 FEBRUARY 2 RUTGERS (CA) W, 58-56 5,002 Hardy 15/Brownlee 5 5 at UCLA - CBS L, 59-66 8,592 Hardy 32/Kennedy 6 10 CONNECTICUT – ESPN W, 89-72 13,652 Hardy 33/Kennedy 11 13 at CINCINNATI W, 59-57 7,374 Hardy 18/Brownlee 7 15 at MARQUETTE - ESPNU W, 80-68 17,270 Hardy 28/Burrell 12 19 PITTSBURGH – ESPN W, 60-59 14,514 Hardy 19/Burrell 8 23 DE PAUL (CA) W, 76-51 5,602 Hardy 21/Brownlee, Kennedy 10 26 at VILLANOVA - ESPN W, 81-68 16,042 Hardy 34/Kennedy 14 MARCH 3 at SETON HALL – ESPN2 L, 70-84 9,470 Hardy 23/Brownlee 7 5 USF (CA) W, 72-56 5,602 Kennedy 16/Evans 9 BIG EAST Championship Presented by American Eagle Outfitters, New York, N.Y. 9 vs Rutgers - ESPN W, 65-63 19,375 Hardy 17/Evans 9 10 vs Syracuse - ESPN L, 73-79 19,375 Hardy 22/Evans 12 NCAA Championship 17 vs Gonzaga ^ - TBS L, 71-86 19,216 Hardy 26/Evans 6 (CA) Carnesecca Arena, Queens, N.Y. ^ Pepsi Center, Denver, Colo.
Sir’Dominic Pointer, G/F, Fr., 6-6, 205 Fraser, Mich./Quality Education Academy (N.C.) Jakarr Sampson, F, Fr., 6-7, 190 Akron, Ohio/Brewster Academy (N.H.) Jamal White, G, Jr., 6-4, 202 Roosevelt, N.Y./Long Island University
Malik Stith 27
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Seton Pirates Hall 2011-12 ROSTER No. Name 33 Patrik Auda Aaron Cosby 35 Peter Dill 23 Fuquan Edwin 42 Aaron Geramipoor Sean Grannan Kevin Johnson Haralds Karlis Brandon Mobley 15 Herb Pope 10 Jordan Theodore Freddie Wilson
Class So. Fr. Sr. So. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Fr.
Pos. F G G G/F F/C G C G F F G G
Ht. Wt. 6-9 225 6-3 190 6-3 200 6-6 205 6-11 225 6-2 170 6-9 240 6-5 185 6-9 210 6-8 236 6-0 174 6-2 175
Hometown/High School Brno, Czech Republic/Canarias Academy Louisville, Ky./Northfield Mount Hermon Long Hill, N.J./Koinonia Academy Paterson, N.J./Paterson Catholic Manchester, England/Canarias Academy Sea Girt, N.J./Monsignor Donovan Woodland Hills, Calif./Taft Riga, Latvia/Canarias Academy Savannah, Ga./St. John’s Academy (Wis.) Aliquippa, Pa./New Mexico State Univ. Englewood, N.J./Paterson Catholic New Haven, Conn./Hillhouse
2010-11 RECORD 13-18 overall 7-11 BIG EAST (12th) FINAL RANKING AP/ESPN nr/nr POSTSEASON None
Head Coach: Kevin Willard (Pittsburgh ’97) Associate Head Coach: Shaheen Holloway (Seton Hall ’00) Assistant Coaches: Chris Pompey (Pittsburgh ’84), Dan McHale (Kentucky ’01) Head Coach Kevin Willard (Pittsburgh ’87) Career Record (four years).................................................. 58-67 (.464) Seton Hall Record (one year)............................................... 13-18 (.419) Iona Record (three years).................................................... 45-49 (.479) BIG EAST Regular Season Record (one year)......................... 7-11 (.389) BIG EAST Tournament Record (one year)................................ 0-1 (.000) BIG EAST Overall Record (one year)...................................... 7-12 (.369) NCAA Record......................................................................................0-0 NIT Record..........................................................................................0-0
2011-12 PREVIEW The Big Picture Coach Kevin Willard’s first Seton Hall team finished 13-18 overall and 7-11 in the BIG EAST. Twelve losses came by nine points or less. The Pirates were hampered when leading scorer Jeremy Hazell missed 13 games in the middle of the season. Willard is bringing in six freshmen this season as he continues to put his stamp on the program.
Who’s Back Point guard Jordan Theodore returns to run the attack. A 6-0 senior, he averaged 11.0 points and 4.4 assists last season. Forward Herb Pope recovered from serious health issues in the off-season to average 9.8 points and 7.9 rebounds. His rebound average was third in the BIG EAST. Six-six Fuquan Edwin was impressive as a freshman, averaging 7.9 points and 3.3 rebounds at small forward and shooting guard. Six-nine Patrik Auda also contributed as a freshman, playing 15.3 minutes per game and averaging 3.2 points and 2.5 boards. Another sophomore, 6-11 Aaron Geramipoor, saw limited duty at center.
Who’s Missing Jeremy Hazell was one of the BIG EAST’s top all-time shooters. He finished his career with a conference record 201 3-point baskets in league regular-season play. He also was first in steals in league play last season with a 2.4 average. Overall, he averaged 19.8 ppg. Despite missing so many games, he still made the All-BIG EAST Third Team. Dependable forward Jeff Robinson averaged 12.1 points and 6.4 rebounds. Reserve guard Eniel Polynice averaged 3.8 points while making seven starts.
Storylines Theodore, Pope and Edwin are three solid pieces to form the nucleus of Willard’s second Pirate squad, but a group of six freshmen needs to offer some immediate help. Guard Aaron Cosby may be the most likely backcourt candidate to see extensive playing time. Sean Grennan and Freddie Wilson are other guard hopefuls. Six-five Haralds Karlis joins the program from the Canarias Basketball Academy, the same team in Spain that Auda and Geramipoor attended. He is considered a strong perimeter player. Kevin Johnson and Brandon Mobley, who are both 6-9, will help Pope in the frontcourt. Johnson is considered more of a true center. Mobley can also step away from the basket.
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW NEWCOMERS Aaron Cosby, G, Fr., 6-2, 190 Louisville, Ky./Northfield Mount Hermon (Mass.) • Averaged 21.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.1 assists last year at Northfield Mount Hermon. • Named to the National Prep School Invitational All-Tournament Team. • Won the 3-point shooting contest at the Kentucky Derby Classic. Sean Grennan, G, Fr., 6-2, 170 Sea Girt, N.J./Monsignor Donovan • Averaged 19 points, five assists and four rebounds as a senor. • Was named All-Ocean County for three seasons. • Scored more than 1,400 points in his prep career. Kevin Johnson, C, Fr., 6-9, 240 Woodland Hills, Calif./William Howard Taft • Led Taft to a 29-3 record in 2010-11. Haralds Karlis, G, Fr., 6-5, 185 Riga, Latvia/Canarias Basketball Academy • Will be one of three players from Canarias Basketball Academy on the Pirate roster. Brandon Mobley, F, Fr., 6-9, 210 Savannah, Ga./St. John’s Military Academy (Wis.) • Averaged 20 points, eight rebounds and three blocks at St. John’s last season. • At Grove H.S. in Savannah two years ago, he was named first-team all-state. • Helped Grove to a 28-2 record as a senior. Freddie Wilson, G, Fr., 6-2, 175 New Haven, Conn./James E. Hillhouse • Led Hillhouse to a 20-2 record and conference championship as a senior. • Made the SCC All-Division Team and had 12 points, seven boards, six assists and four steals in the league title game.
2010-11 RESULTS (13-18, 7-11 BIG EAST)
(Home: 8-7/Away: 4-7/Neutral: 1-4) High Scorer/Rebounder NOVEMBER 12 at Temple L, 56-62 8,368 Hazell 17/Pope 8 14 Cornell W, 92-68 6,583 Hazell 28/Robinson 10 Paradise Jam, St. Thomas, USVI 19 vs. Alabama W, 83-78 3,122 Hazell 27/Hall, Pope 4 20 vs. Xavier L, 52-57 3,365 Robinson 15/Pope 8 21 vs. Clemson L, 58-64 3,893 Robinson 16/Robinson 8 29 Saint Peter’s W, 69-49 6,131 Theodore 11/Pope 8 DECEMBER DirecTV SEC/BIG EAST Invitational, Louisville, Ky. 8 vs. Arkansas - ESPN2 L, 62-71 Theodore 24/Pope 9 11 at Massachusetts W, 104-79 4,321 Theodore 17/Pope 13 13 Longwood W, 78-51 5,836 Theodore, Edwin 17/Edwin 9 19 NJIT W, 68-45 6,202 Edwin 14/Edwin 9 22 Dayton L, 65-69 7,162 Robinson 15/Pope 11 26 Richmond L, 61-69 6,634 Robinson 17/Pope 12 28 USF W, 64-55 6,022 Robinson 15/Pope 13 31 at CINCINNATI – ESPN2 L, 53-70 5,530 Lawrence 15/Lawrence 6 JANUARY 5 at LOUISVILLE – ESPNU L, 54-73 21,912 Edwin 18/Edwin 9 8 SYRACUSE L, 56-61 10,862 Robinson 17/Pope 20 12 at DE PAUL W, 78-67 7,211 Hazell 23/Lawrence 8 15 at PITTSBURGH L, 53-74 9,236 Pope 15/Pope 10 18 GEORGETOWN L, 75-80 7,593 Robinson 21/Pope 9 22 RUTGERS L, 60-66 8,929 Pope, Hazell 15/Pope 16 25 at SYRACUSE W, 90-68 21,950 Hazell 28/Hazell 9 30 PROVIDENCE W, 81-71 9,880 Pope 23/Pope 10 FEBRUARY 2 at WEST VIRGINIA L, 44-56 9,729 Robinson 9/Pope 7 5 CONNECTICUT - ESPNU L, 59-61 10,001 Hazell 20/Robinson, Hazell 11 12 at RUTGERS – ESPNU W, 69-64 8,057 Hazell 19/Robinson 8 15 VILLANOVA L, 57-60 9,408 Hazell 25/Robinson 7 19 MARQUETTE L, 64-73 18,436 Hazell 23/Hazell 6 26 at NOTRE DAME – ESPNU L, 48-60 9,149 Robinson 16/Edwin 7 MARCH 3 ST. JOHN’S – ESPN2 W, 84-70 9,470 Hazell 31/Pope 6 5 MARQUETTE W, 85-72 8,347 Hazell 21/Auda 6 BIG EAST Championship Presented by American Eagle Outfitters, New York, N.Y. 8 vs Rutgers - ESPN2 ot L, 70-76 19,375 Hazell 27/Polynice 8
Jordan Theodore 29
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
USF Bulls 2011-12 ROSTER No. Name 1 Ron Anderson, Jr. Anthony Collins 25 Alberto Damour 3 LaVonte Dority 32 Toarlyn Fitzpatrick 24 Augustus Gilchrist Andre Jackson Blake Nash 22 Shaun Noriega Jordan Omogbehin 5 Jawanza Poland 34 Hugh Robertson Victor Rudd
Class Sr. Fr. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. Jr. Sr. So.
Pos. F G F G F F/C C G G C G G F
Ht. Wt. 6-8 255 6-1 175 6-5 225 6-1 185 6-8 230 6-10 245 6-10 310 6-0 185 6-4 195 7-3 291 6-4 200 6-6 202 6-7 207
Hometown/Last School Upper Marlboro, Md./Kansas State Houston, Texas/Westbury Christian Poinciana, Fla./Poinciana Chicago, Ill./Edwin G. Foreman Tampa, Fla./King Clinton, Md./Progressive Christian Acad. (Md.) Dallas, Texas/Lee JC Casa Grande, Ariz./Williston State (N.D.) North Port, Fla./North Port Lagos, Nigeria/Atlantic Shores Christian (Va.) Wichita, Kan./Hutchinson CC (Kan.) Macon, Ga./Tallahassee JC Los Angeles, Calif./Arizona State
2010-11 RECORD 10-23 overall 3-15 BIG EAST (15th) FINAL RANKING AP/ESPN nr/nr POSTSEASON None
Head Coach: Stan Heath (Eastern Michigan ’88) Assistant Coaches: Reggie Hanson (Kentucky ’91), Eric Skeeters (Coppin State ’97), Steve Roccaforte (Lamar ’89) Head Coach Stan Heath (Eastern Michigan ’88) Career Record (10 years)................................................. 163-154 (.514) USF Record (four years)....................................................... 51-77 (.398) Arkansas Record (five years)................................................ 82-71 (.536) Kent State Record (one year)................................................. 30-6 (.833) BIG EAST Regular Season Record (four years) .................... 19-53 (.264) BIG EAST Tournament Record (two year)................................ 2-3 (.400) BIG EAST Overall Record (four years).................................. 21-56 (.273) NCAA Record (three appearances).......................................... 3-3 (.500) NIT Record (one appearance).................................................. 0-1 (.000)
2011-12 PREVIEW The Big Picture Last season, the Bulls were usually hanging in there, but a young squad had trouble finishing the job and getting into the win column in conference play. USF finished 10-23 overall and 3-15 in the BIG EAST. This year, coach Stan Heath welcomes back six of his top seven scorers and hopes that more experience, combined with the contributions of a couple of newcomers, can move USF up in the standings in 2011-12.
Who’s Back Forward Augustus Gilchrist returns for his senior season. If he can stay healthy, he can contend for all-league honors. Last year, the athletic 6-10 forward averaged a team-leading 13.4 points and 6.1 rebounds, even though he was slowed by injuries mid-season. Sophomore Jawanza Poland showed some flashes that he can excel in the BIG EAST. The 6-4 guard was second in scoring with a 9.1 average while making 22 starts. Junior Hugh Robertson started every game. He averaged 8.3 points and 4.3 boards and played strong defense whether it was at forward or guard. Six-four Shaun Noriega showed some promise as a 3-point threat, averaging 6.4 points while playing 16.5 minutes per game. Ron Anderson, Jr., a transfer from Kansas State, averaged 7.0 points and 6.4 rebounds while making 18 starts. Six-eight Toarlyn Fitzpatrick
is another frontcourt returnee. The sophomore can play either forward position. Last season, he averaged 4.3 points and 4.1 rebounds. Who’s Missing For ward Jarrid Famous was a dependable frontcourt player who averaged 8.7 points and 5.4 rebounds. He shot 51.1 percent from the floor. Point guard Anthony Crater averaged 4.0 points and 4.6 assists, which was seventh in the BIG EAST. Guards Mike Burwell (1.9) and Shedrick Haynes (1.0) transferred.
Storylines Heath is looking for someone to run the offense and junior college transfer Blake Nash, who has three years of eligibility remaining, will get a long look to be the starter. The Bulls also need more offensive punch and hope that Victor Rudd, a transfer from Arizona State, can contribute immediately at the small forward. Rudd is a strong perimeter shooter who can also take the ball to the basket. Freshmen LaVonte Dority and Anthony Collins are freshmen guard hopefuls. At center, 7-3 Jordan Omogbehin and 6-10 Andre Jackson can’t help but be noticed physically. They likely will play backup roles this season. Last year’s squad averaged only 61.7 ppg and shot just 41.7 percent from the floor and 29.9 percent from 3-point range.
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW NEWCOMERS Anthony Collins, Fr., G, 6-1, 175 Houston, Texas/Westbury Christian • Was a first-team all-state pick for three seasons. • Averaged 12.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.0 steals as a senior while shooting 60 percent for the floor. • Helped Westbury Christian win two Class 4A state championships. Andre Jackson, C, Jr., 6-10, 285 Dallas, Texas/Lee JC • Averaged 9.2 points and six rebounds at Lee in 2010-11. • Was a two-time all-district first-team selection at Pinkston HS in Texas. • Averaged 15 points and 12 rebounds as a senior at Pinkston. Blake Nash, G, So., 6-0, 185 Casa Grande, Ariz./Williston State JC (N.D.) • Averaged 22.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.3 steals at Williston State in 2010-11. • Shot 55 percent from the field and 42 percent from 3-point range. • Was named NJCAA All-America Second Team. Jordan Omogbehin, C, Fr., 7-3, 291 Lagos, Nigeria/Atlantic Shores Christian Acad. (Va.) • Averaged 15 points, 11 rebounds and eight blocks last season. • Played for Team Takeover AAU Team. • Speaks fluent English and French. Victor Rudd, F, So. 6-7, 207 Los Angeles, Calif./Arizona State • A transfer from Arizona State with three seasons of eligibility. • Played 15 games at ASU in 2009-10 and averaged 2.5 points in 6.2 minutes per game. • Was considered a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and Scout.com at Findlay Prep (Nev.)
2010-11 RESULTS (10-23, 3-15 BIG EAST)
(Home: 7-9/Away: 1-12/Neutral: 2-2) High Scorer/Rebounder NOVEMBER 12 Southern Mississippi L, 53-60 3,689 Poland 12/Gilchrist 10 15 Saint Francis (N.Y.) W, 74-71 2,722 Anderson Jr. 16/Famous 7 18 at Central Florida L, 59-65 7,653 Anderson Jr. 18/Robertson 8 South Padre Invitational 21 Georgia Southern W, 76-63 2,722 Gilchrist 23/Crater 7 23 Liberty W, 60-43 2,860 Burwell 15/Anderson Jr. 17 26 vs. Brigham Young ^ - FCS 2ot L, 75-77 1,100 Gilchrist 14/Anderson Jr. 13 27 vs. Texas Tech ^ W, 64-61 Anderson Jr. 16/Gilchrist 9 DECEMBER 1 Virginia Commonwealth ot W, 60-59 2,921 Robertson 14/Anderson Jr. 13 4 at Florida Atlantic L, 42-50 1,593 Famous 9/Gilchrist 7 12 at Kent State L, 51-56 3,183 Poland 15/Fitzpatrick 11 15 Auburn - ESPNU W, 61-49 2,896 Famous 15/Anderson Jr. 12 18 James Madison L, 61-66 2,850 Robertson, Poland 19/Robertson 11 22 at Cleveland State L, 62-69 4,711 Famous 22/Anderson Jr. 13 28 at SETON HALL L, 55-64 6,022 Robertson 14/Famous 7 31 at CONNECTICUT – ESPNU ot L, 61-66 12,599 Gilchrist 21/Gilchrist 8 JANUARY 6 VILLANOVA – ESPNU L, 71-83 4,510 Gilchrist 16/Gilchrist 10 9 LOUISVILLE L, 77-86 4,375 Gilchrist 25/Gilchrist 10 12 at CINCINNATI L, 66-74 6,201 Anderson Jr. 13/Anderson Jr., Gilchrist 7 16 PROVIDENCE W, 79-72 3,526 Robertson 17/Famous 14 20 at RUTGERS – ESPN2 L, 62-71 5,347 Gilchrist, Robertson 14/Famous 7 23 at WEST VIRGINIA L, 46-56 10,477 Gilchrist 20/Gilchrist, Anderson Jr. 10 27 DE PAUL – ESPNU W, 71-60 3,465 Robertson 16/Gilchrist 10 FEBRUARY 2 at PROVIDENCE L, 63-68 3,785 Poland 20/Robertson 11 5 SYRACUSE L, 49-72 10,051 Famous 14/Famous 8 9 MARQUETTE – ESPN2 L, 58-59 4,153 Fitzpatrick 16/Fitzpatrick 13 12 NOTRE DAME L, 55-78 6,104 Noriega 23/Anderson Jr. 11 16 at PITTSBURGH L, 55-67 12,519 Noriega 11/Robertson 7 19 GEORGETOWN L, 55-61 6,190 Gilchrist 22/Gilchrist 7 26 at DE PAUL W, 86-76 8,422 Gilchrist 32/Anderson Jr. 10 MARCH 2 PITTSBURGH – ESPNU L, 50-66 4,640 Famous, Gilchrist 15/Famous 12 5 at ST. JOHN’S L, 56-72 5,602 Gilchrist 16/Anderson Jr. 6 BIG EAST Championship Presented by American Eagle Outfitters, New York, N.Y. 8 vs Villanova - ESPNU W, 70-69 19,375 Noriega 22/Anderson Jr., Famous 5 9 vs Cincinnati - ESPN L, 61-87 19,375 Gilchrist 16/Gilchrist 5 ^ South Padre Island Convention Center, South Padre, Texas
Augustus Gilchrist 31
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Syracuse Orange 2011-12 ROSTER No. Name 25 Russ DeRemer Michael Carter-Williams Rakeem Christmas Trevor Cooney 5 C.J. Fair 4 Nolan Hart 13 Griffin Hoffmann 11 Scoop Jardine 21 Mookie Jones 32 Kris Joseph 12 Baye Moussa Keita 14 Matt Lyde-Cajuste 51 Fabricio Melo 24 Brandon Reese 2 Nick Resavy 43 James Southerland 34 Mike Tomaszewski 20 Brandon Triche 3 Dion Waiters
Class So. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. So. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. So. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. So.
Pos. G G F G F G G G F F F F F G G F F G G
Ht. Wt. 6-4 210 6-5 176 6-9 222 6-4 185 6-8 203 5-10 152 6-0 173 6-2 190 6-6 220 6-7 210 6-10 213 6-4 205 7-0 244 5-10 160 6-2 199 6-8 210 6-8 232 6-4 205 6-4 215
Hometown/High School Wrentham, Mass./Worcester Academy Hamilton, Mass./St. Andrew’s (R.I.) Bryn Athyn, Pa./Academy of the New Church Wilmington, Del./Sanford School Baltimore, Md./Brewster Academy Albany, N.Y./Albany Academy New York, N.Y./York Prep Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann-Goretti Peekskill, N.Y./Peekskill Montreal, Quebec/Archbishop Carroll (D.C.) Mouth of Wilson, Va./Oak Hill Academy Mt. Vernon, N.Y./Iona Prep Sagemont, Fla./Sagemont Davie, Fla./Pine Crest West Milford, N.J./West Milford Bayside, N.Y./Notre Dame Prep (Mass.) Seabrook, N.H./Holderness Jamesville, N.Y./Jamesville-DeWitt Philadelphia, Pa./Burlington Life Academy (N.J.)
2010-11 RECORD 27-8 overall 12-6 BIG EAST (t3rd) FINAL RANKING AP/ESPN 12/18 POSTSEASON NCAA Third Round
Head Coach: Jim Boeheim (Syracuse ’66) Associate Head Coach: Bernie Fine (Syracuse ’67) Assistant Coaches: Mike Hopkins (Syracuse ’93), Adrian Autry (Syracuse ’94) Head Coach Jim Boeheim (Syracuse ’66) Career Record (35 years)................................................. 856-301 (.740) Syracuse Record (35 years).............................................. 856-301 (.740) BIG EAST Regular Season Record (32 years).................... 338-184 (.648) BIG EAST Tournament Record (32 years)............................. 46-27 (.630) BIG EAST Overall Record (32 years)................................. 384-211 (.645) NCAA Record (28 appearances)........................................... 45-27 (.625) NIT Record (six appearances)................................................ 12-7 (.632)
2011-12 PREVIEW The Big Picture The Orange compiled a 27-8 record last season which included a 12-6 BIG EAST mark. SU finished No. 12 in the final Associated Press poll. Those accomplishments simply add to the mountain of success in the Jim Boeheim era which has stretched 35 years. Boeheim has won 856 games, which ranks second among active coaches. He is 10th in winning percentage (.740). Syracuse has 31 20-win seasons, the most in college basketball history under one coach. For 2011-12, SU will have to find a replacement for forward Rick Jackson who was the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, but the pieces are in place for another stellar year.
Who’s Back Senior Kris Joseph is another athletic wing player in a program that always seems to have a standout at that position. Last season, Joseph led the Orange in scoring with a 14.3 average. He also averaged 5.2 rebounds and was named All-BIG EAST Third Team. The backcourt of senior Scoop Jardine and junior Brandon Triche return after neither missed a start last season. Jardine averaged 12.5 points and led the BIG EAST in assists with a 6.1 average in league games. Triche averaged 11.1 points. Center Fab Melo started 24 games and averaged 6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds. Sophomore Baye Moussa Keita, an athletic 6-9 sophomore, started 10 games at forward and averaged 2.2 points and 3.7 boards. Sophomore C.J. Fair averaged 6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds in a promising freshman season.
Junior James Southerland was another frontcourt contributor, averaging 4.9 points and 2.3 boards. Dion Waiters helped in the backcourt with a 6.6 scoring mark. Who’s Missing Jackson averaged 13.1 points and a league-leading 10.3 rebounds. He also led the conference in field goal percentage, connecting at a 58.8 clip. Jackson was first in the BIG EAST in blocked shots with a 2.5 average. He was the first BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year from Syracuse since Etan Thomas in 1999-00.
Storylines The Orange appear to be very talented and very experienced, though Jackson will leave a void close the basket. After a slow start last year, Melo showed promise in the low post. Six-nine freshman Rakeem Christmas may have the best chance among the freshman to see some immediate playing time. The other newcomers are shooting guard candidates, 6-5 Michael CarterWilliams and 6-4 Trevor Cooney. Last season, SU led the BIG EAST in field goal shooting in league play, making 47.1 percent. With Joseph, Jardine and Triche, the Orange should be more than capable of handling the BIG EAST wars again.
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW NEWCOMERS Rakeem Christmas, F, Fr., 6-9, 222 Bryn Athyn, Pa./Academy of the New Church • Was the second rated center prospect by ESPNU and seventh by Rivals.com. • Was named a McDonald’s All-American. Michael Carter-Williams, G, Fr., 6-5, 176 Hamilton, Mass./St. Andrews (R.I.) • Was ranked No. 4 among shooting guards by ESPNU and No. 7 by Rivals.com. • Won Gatorade Rhode Island Player of the Year award twice. • Was first prep player from Rhode Island to earn McDonald’s All-America honors. Trevor Cooney, G, Fr., 6-4, 185 Wilmington, Del./Sanford School • Was rated the No. 17 best shooting guard prospect by ESPNU. • Helped Sanford to state titles as a junior and senior.
2010-11 RESULTS (27-8, 12-6 BIG EAST)
(Home: 16-3/Away: 6-3/Neutral: 5-2) High Scorer/Rebounder NOVEMBER 12 Northern Iowa W, 68-46 22,198 Jackson, Joseph 14/Jackson 7 14 Canisius - ESPNU W, 86-67 20,454 Jackson 17/Keita 15 Legends Classic 16 Detroit W, 66-55 17,379 Jardine 27/Jackson 22 21 William & Mary W, 63-60 17,933 Joseph 18/Jackson 10 26 vs. Michigan ^ - HDNet W, 53-50 6,273 Joseph 22/Jackson 12 27 vs. Georgia Tech ^ - HDNet W, 80-76 5,271 Joseph 19/Jackson 14 30 Cornell W, 78-58 20,548 Jackson 17/Jackson 13 DECEMBER 4 North Carolina State – ESPN2 W, 65-59 22,334 Jardine 23/Jackson 8 Jimmy V Classic 7 vs. Michigan State * – ESPN W, 72-58 19,391 Jardine 19/Jackson 16 11 Colgate W, 100-43 21,247 Jackson 18/Jackson 10 18 Iona W, 83-77 17,871 Joseph 21/Jackson 8 20 Morgan State W, 97-55 16,031 Jackson, Southerland 18/Jackson 9 22 Drexel W, 93-65 17,856 Joseph 25/Jackson 12 28 PROVIDENCE - ESPNU W, 81-74 20,388 Joseph 27/Jackson 17 JANUARY 1 NOTRE DAME – ESPNU W, 70-58 23,058 Joseph 18/Joseph 8 8 at SETON HALL W, 61-56 10,862 Joseph, Triche 15/Jackson 14 12 at ST. JOHN’S – ESPNU W, 76-59 14,440 Joseph 18/Jackson 10 15 CINCINNATI W, 67-52 24,338 Jackson 15/Jackson 11 17 at PITTSBURGH – ESPN L, 66-74 12,925 Fair 16/Jackson 11 22 VILLANOVA – ESPN L, 72-83 33,736 Joseph 23/Jackson 15 25 SETON HALL L, 68-90 21,950 Joseph 17/Jackson 11 29 at MARQUETTE - ESPNU L, 70-76 19,032 Joseph 18/Keita 7 FEBRUARY 2 at CONNECTICUT – ESPN W, 66-58 16,294 Triche 16/Jackson 13 5 at USF W, 72-49 10,051 Jackson 21/Jackson 12 9 GEORGETOWN – ESPN L, 56-64 26,904 Joseph 14/Jackson 8 12 at LOUISVILLE – ESPN L, 69-73 22,755 Triche 21/Three with 7 14 WEST VIRGINIA – ESPN W, 63-52 22,669 Triche 20/Jackson 9 19 RUTGERS ot W, 84-80 28,944 Joseph 21/Jackson 12 21 at VILLANOVA – ESPN W, 69-64 18,899 Jardine 20/Joseph 8 26 at GEORGETOWN – CBS W, 58-51 22,076 Jardine 17/Jackson 9 MARCH 5 DE PAUL W, 107-59 28,086 Jackson, Jardine 14/Jackson 7 BIG EAST Championship Presented by American Eagle Outfitters, New York, N.Y. 10 vs St. John’s - ESPN W, 79-73 19,375 Triche 22/Jackson 9 11 vs Connecticut - ESPN L, 71-76 19,375 Joseph, Jardine 20/Joseph 9 NCAA Championship 18 vs Indiana State # - Tru TV W, 77-60 20,164 Jackson 23/Joseph 10 20 vs Marquette # - Tru TV L, 62-66 20,164 Waiters 18/Joseph 9 ^ Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, N.J. * Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y. # Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Kris Joseph 33
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Villanova Wildcats 2011-12 ROSTER No. Name 34 Isaiah Armwood 32 James Bell 23 Dominic Cheek 4 Damun Hilliard 3 Tyrone Johnson 21 Markus Kennedy 12 Nick McMahon 20 Dallas Ouano 1 JayVaughn Pinkston 21 Maurice Sutton 5 Maalik Wayns 24 Achraf Yacoubou 13 Mouphtaou Yarou
Class Jr. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr.
Pos. F G G G G F G G F F/C G G F/C
Ht. Wt. 6-9 210 6-6 225 6-6 190 6-6 205 6-3 185 6-9 260 6-0 165 6-0 190 6-7 260 6-11 220 6-2 200 6-4 210 6-10 255
Hometown/High School Baltimore, Md./Montrose Christian Orlando, Fla./Montverde Academy Jersey City, N.J./St. Anthony’s Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty Plainfield, N.J./Montrose Christian (Md.) Yeadon, Pa./Brewster Academy (N.H.) Colts Neck, N.J./Christian Brothers Acad. Holmdel, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Loughlin Largo, Md./Largo Philadelphia, Pa./Roman Catholic Bronx, N.Y./Long Island Lutheran Natitingou, Benin/Montrose Christian (Md.)
2010-11 RECORD 21-12 overall 9-9 BIG EAST (t9th) FINAL RANKING AP/ESPN rv/POSTSEASON NCAA Second Round
Head Coach: Jay Wright (Bucknell ’83) Associate Head Coach: Billy Lange (Rowan ’94) Assistant Coaches: Doug West (Villanova ’88), Jason Donnelly (Muhlenberg ’99) Head Coach Jay Wright (Bucknell ’83) Career Record (17 years)................................................. 346-196 (.638) Villanova Record (10 years)............................................. 224-111 (.669) Hofstra Record (seven years) ........................................... 122-85 (.589) BIG EAST Regular Season Record (10 years)........................ 99-69 (.589) BIG EAST Tournament Record (nine years)............................ 8-10 (.444) BIG EAST Overall Record (10 years)................................... 107-79 (.575) NCAA Record (nine appearances).......................................... 11-9 (.550) NIT Record (four appearances)................................................ 4-4 (.500)
2011-12 PREVIEW The Big Picture Yes, the Wildcats turned in another 20-win season last year and made a seventh straight NCAA appearance, but their season ended on a six-game losing streak. If a team can feel like it has something to prove after a 21-12 year, Villanova may be that team. There are no seniors on this year’s roster and coach Jay Wright will lean on a group of five juniors to help soften the loss of seniors Corey Fisher, Corey Stokes and Antonio Pena – all 1,000-point scorers. In 2007-08, the Wildcats also had no seniors and that season ended with 22 victories and advancement to the NCAA Sweet 16 round.
Who’s Back Six-two Maalik Wayns is one of the five juniors who figure to form the nucleus of the 2011-12 squad. The lightning-quick Wayns is the team’s top returning scorer with a 13.8 average. He also averaged 4.5 assists. Mouphtaou Yarou is the other returning starter. The center averaged 8.4 points and tied for the team lead in rebounding with a 7.1 mark. Six-six swingman Dominic Cheek played 19.4 minutes per game as a top reserve. He averaged 5.6 points and 3.4 boards. Forward Isaiah Armwood also will be aiming for a more prominent role. The athletic forward averaged 2.5 points and 3.6 rebounds while playing 17 minutes per game. Center Maurice Sutton played 10.6 minutes per game and averaged 2.4 points and 2.3 boards. Sophomore guard James Bell may be slotted for a big increase in playing time. He averaged only 2.4
points after being slowed by stress fractures in both legs in the preseason. This summer, he played on the USA Basketball U19 Team that competed in the World Championships. JayVaughn Pinkston is back, though he did not play last season because of a violation of the university’s student code. The 6-7 forward came to Villanova as a McDonald’s All-American and figures to make a strong bid for a starting position. Who’s Missing Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes were the club’s top two scorers with 15.6 and 14.9 averages, respectively. Fisher also was tops in assists with a 4.8 average. Stokes was a prime 3-point shooting threat and made 89.4 percent of his free throws. Antonio Pena averaged 9.8 points and 7.1 rebounds as an anchor in the frontcourt.
Storylines The 2011-12 Villanova squad may be a little less productive offensively, but a little stronger on the defensive end than recent VU teams. Despite the loss of three starters, the Wildcats are still a talented group with a good nucleus of players who have been through the BIG EAST battles. Wayns may be ready to become an elite player in the league. Freshmen Tyrone Johnson and Achraf Yacoubou will try to earn some immediate time at guard. Freshman Darrun Hilliard may contend with Cheek in the backcourt and on the wing. The fourth newcomer is 6-9 Markus Kennedy who likely will back up Yarou and Armwood. Some immediate contributions from Pinkston would be welcomed.
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW NEWCOMERS Darrun Hilliard, G, Fr., 6-6, 205 Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty • Was a two-time Associated Press All-State First Team choice. • Averaged 19.7 points, grabbed 181 rebounds and made 54 3-pointers in his senior season. • Finished second on Liberty’s all-time scoring list with 1,413 points. Tyrone Johnson, G, Fr., 6-3, 185 Plainfield, N.J./Montrose Christian (Md.) • Scored 21 points to help beat Oak Hill Academy in the ESPN Rise National Invitational final. • Was named the tournament’s MVP. Was a first team All-Metro choice by the Washington Post while at Montrose in 201011. Markus Kennedy, F, Fr., 6-9, 270 Yeadon, Pa./Brewster Academy (N.H.) • Helped Brewster to a 31-3 record last year. • Originally signed with Villanova in fall of 2009 before electing to spend the 2010-11 year at Brewster. • Played AAU ball for the New England Playaz with JaKarr Sampson (St. John’s) and Duran Johnson (Pitt). Achraf Yacobou, G, Fr., 6-4, 210 Bronx, N.Y./Long Island Lutheran • Named 2011 Gatorade New York State Player of the Year. • Led Long Island Lutheran to a Class A state title. • Averaged 19 points and nine rebounds as a senior.
2010-11 RESULTS (21-12, 9-9 BIG EAST)
(Home: 13-4/Away: 7-5/Neutral: 1-3) High Scorer/Rebounder NOVEMBER 12 Bucknell W, 68-52 6,500 Fisher 24/Pena 8 Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off 16 Marist – ESPNU W, 84-47 6,500 Wayns 17/Sutton 9 17 Boston University W, 82-66 6,500 Pena 17, Pena 8 20 Lafayette W, 86-41 6,500 Stokes 19/Yarou 12 Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off, New York, N.Y. 24 vs. UCLA – ESPN2 W, 82-70 6,746 Fisher 26/Yarou 16 26 vs. Tennessee – ESPN L, 68-78 7,228 Yarou 15/Pena 8 DECEMBER 3 Saint Joseph’s – ESPNU W, 71-60 6,500 Stokes 17/Pena 14 8 at Penn W, 65-53 5,561 Stokes 34/Pena 8 12 at La Salle – ESPNU W, 84-81 3,400 Wayns 19/Yarou 9 18 Delaware (WF) W, 78-59 12,055 Fisher 21/Four with 5 22 at Monmouth W, 76-36 3,896 Fisher 20/Pena, Cheek 8 30 Temple – ESPN2 W, 78-74 6,500 Stokes 24/Pena 9 JANUARY 2 RUTGERS – ESPNU W, 81-65 6,500 Stokes 23/Cheek, Wayns 8 6 at USF - ESPNU W, 83-71 4,510 Stokes 22/Pena 7 9 CINCINNATI W, 72-61 6,500 Fisher 21/Yarou 7 12 LOUISVILLE (WF)– ESPN2 W, 88-74 13,199 Stokes 23/Yarou 11 15 Maryland (WF) – CBS W, 74-66 17,477 Wayns 22/Yarou 12 17 at CONNECTICUT – ESPN L, 59-61 10,167 Fisher 28/Yarou 10 22 at SYRACUSE – ESPN W, 83-72 33,736 Wayns 21/Pena 7 26 at PROVIDENCE L, 68-83 7,927 Wayns 18/Pena 15 29 GEORGETOWN (WF) – ESPN L, 66-69 19,914 Fisher, Wayns 15/Yarou 8 FEBRUARY 2 MARQUETTE – ESPNU W, 75-70 6,500 Yarou 18/Pena 10 5 WEST VIRGINIA (WF) – ESPN W, 66-50 16,106 Wayns 17/Cheek 9 9 at RUTGERS L, 76-77 6,892 Fisher 23/Pena 8 12 PITTSBURGH – ESPN L, 54-57 6,500 Yarou 15/Yarou 10 15 at SETON HALL W, 60-57 9,408 Bell 21/Pena 12 19 at DE PAUL ot W, 77-75 9,854 Fisher 34/Yarou 15 21 SYRACUSE (WF) – ESPN L, 64-69 18,899 Stokes 24/Armwood, Pena 10 26 ST. JOHN’S (WF) – ESPN L, 68-81 16,042 Stokes 20/Yarou, Pena 8 28 at NOTRE DAME – ESPN L, 72-93 9,149 Fisher 22/Pena 5 MARCH 5 at PITTSBURGH – CBS L, 50-60 12,843 Wayns 27/Yarou 5 BIG EAST Championship Presented by American Eagle Outfitters, New York, N.Y. 8 vs USF - ESPN2 L, 69-70 19,375 Wayns 24/Pena 5 NCAA Championship 18 vs George Mason ^ - TNT L, 57-61 20,164 Fisher 20/Yarou 13 (WF) Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pa. ^ Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Maalik Wayns 35
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
West Virginia Mountaineers 2011-12 ROSTER No. Name 12 Aaron Brown 14 Gary Browne 25 Darryl Bryant 20 Pat Forsythe 4 Jabarie Hinds 5 Kevin Jones 13 Deniz Kilicli 23 Tommy McCune 55 Keaton Miles 34 Kevin Noreen 1 Dominique Rutledge 3 Juwan Slaten
Class Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. So.
Pos. F G G C G F F F F F F G
Ht. Wt. 6-3 205 6-1 180 6-2 195 6-10 210 5-11 165 6-8 260 6-9 270 6-8 200 6-6 200 6-10 235 6-8 235 6-0 190
Hometown/High School Darby, Pa./Penn Wood Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico/Arlington Country Day Brooklyn, N.Y./St. Raymond’s Brunswick, Ohio/Brunswick Mount Vernon, N.Y./Mount Vernon Mount Vernon, N.Y./Mount Vernon Istanbul, Turkey/Mountain State Academy (W.Va.) Saginaw, Mich./Saginaw Dallas, Texas/Lincoln Minneapolis, Minn./Minn. Transitions Charter Newark, N.J./Western Texas JC Dayton, Ohio/Oak Hill Academy (Va.)
2010-11 RECORD 21-12 overall 11-7 BIG EAST (t6th) FINAL RANKING AP/ESPN 22/rv POSTSEASON NCAA Third Round
Head Coach: Bob Huggins (West Virginia ’77) Associate Head Coach: Larry Harrison (Pittsburgh ’78) Assistant Coaches: Erik Martin (Cincinnati ’93), Jerrod Calhoun (Cincinnati ’04) Head Coach Bob Huggins (West Virginia ’77) Career Record (29 years)................................................. 691-252 (.733) West Virginia Record (four years)...................................... 101-41 (.711) Kansas State Record (one year)........................................... 23-12 (.657) Cincinnati Record (16 years)............................................ 399-127 (.759) Akron Record (five years).................................................... 97-46 (.678) Walsh Record (three years)................................................. 71-46 (.732) BIG EAST Regular Season Record (four years)..................... 45-27 (.625) BIG EAST Tournament Record (four years).............................. 7-3 (.700) BIG EAST Overall Record (four years).................................. 52-30 (.634) NCAA Record (19 appearances)........................................... 27-19 (.587) NIT Record (five appearances)................................................. 3-5 (.375)
2011-12 PREVIEW The Big Picture The Mountaineers compiled a 2112 record last year, which included an 11-7 BIG EAST mark and a win in the NCAA Championship against Clemson before a loss to Kentucky. WVU is 101-42 in four seasons under coach Bob Huggins and 45-27 in BIG EAST regular-season competition. In 2010, the Mountaineers won the BIG EAST Championship and advanced to the Final Four. Huggins’ teams in Morgantown have been to the NCAAs all four years. Huggins had made 19 NCAA appearances, which ranks fifth among active coaches. In 2011-12, the Mountaineers can build around two returning starters and some valuable reserves who are expected to accept larger roles.
Who’s Back Forward Kevin Jones and point guard Darryl “Truck” Bryant, a pair of seniors and 1,000-point scorers, are the returning starters. The 6-8 Jones averaged 13.1 points and a teamleading 7.5 rebounds. Bryant, a threeyear starter, posted an 11.3 scoring average. Forward Dennis Kilicli also is back after starting 12 games a year ago. The 6-9, 270-pound Kilicli averaged 6.6 points and 4.0 rebounds. He is a skilled offensive player. Freshman Kevin Noreen saw action in seven games, but was granted a medical redshirt after an injury. The 6-10 forward is expected to offer more help this season.
Who’s Missing Guard Casey Mitchell was the team’s leading scorer with a 13.6 average, though he only started 17 games. Forward John Flowers averaged 9.2 points and 6.2 boards and was second in the BIG EAST with a 2.2 blocked shots average. Guard Joe Mazzulla averaged 7.7 points and led the team with a 4.2 assist average, but his career will be remembered for his leadership, toughness and critical contributions in the biggest games. Reserve forward Cam Thoroughman (2.7, 3.9) was known for his physical play. Forward Dalton Pepper (3.9) transferred.
Storylines Jones and Bryant are proven BIG EAST performers and Kilicli has plenty of experience. There is a need to have some new blood fill in at the other positions. A large newcomer class of seven should have ample opportunity to be noticed and make some immediate contributions. Freshman Keaton Miles and Aaron Brown could help right away with perimeter shooting. Freshman Jabarie Hinds may serve as a backup to Bryant at the point. Rebounding and defense have been staples of the success under Huggins. The newcomers who show they can help in those areas likely will be in good favor with the head coach.
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW NEWCOMERS Aaron Brown, F, Fr., 6-5, 205 Darby, Pa./Penn Wood • Helped Penn Wood to four straight Class AAAA state title games. • Was a two-time selection to the Associated Press Class AAAA All-State Team. • Averaged 19.0 points and 7.2 rebounds as a senior. Gary Browne, G, Fr., 6-1, 180 Trujillo Alto, P.R./Arlington County Day (Fla.) • Averaged 11 points, 7.5 assists and 4.0 steals as a senior. • Team finished No. 16 nationally by USA Today. • Has played on the Puerto Rico National Team since he was 14. Pat Forsythe, C, Fr., 6-11, 220 Brunswick, Ohio/Brunswick • Was named Division I first-team All-Ohio by Associated Press. • As a senior, he averaged 22.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, 6.1 blocks and shot 66 percent. • Was picked unanimously as Northeast Inland District Division I Player of the Year in 201011. Jabarie Hinds, G, Fr., 5-11, 165 Mount Vernon, N.Y./Mount Vernon • Named Class AA State Player of the Year by the New York State Sportswriters Association. • Averaged 17.7 points as a senior and led Mount Vernon to record ninth state title. • The only player in Mount Vernon history to win five Section 1 championships. Tommie McCune, F, Fr., 6-8, 190 Saginaw, Mich./Saginaw • Was named Saginaw News Player of the Year as a senior. • Was a repeat selection to Class A all-state squad. • Led Saginaw to the state championship as a freshman.
2010-11 RESULTS (21-11, 117 BIG EAST)
(Home: 12-2/Away: 5-6/Neutral: 4-3) High Scorer/Rebounder NOVEMBER 12 Oakland W, 95-71 12,707 Flowers 16/Kilicli 10 Honda Puerto Rico Tip-Off, San Juan, P.R. 18 vs. Davidson - ESPNU W, 84-70 4,018 Bryant 22/Jennings 10 19 vs. Vanderbilt – ESPNU W, 74-71 10,127 Mitchell 31/Jones 11 21 vs. Minnesota – ESPN2 L, 70-74 11,575 Mitchell 27/Kilicli 10 27 vs. VMI (CCC) W, 82-66 12,367 Mitchell 25/Flowers 9 DECEMBER 1 American W, 71-50 7,390 Mitchell 27/Flowers 6 4 at Miami (Fla.) L, 76-79 6,548 Bryant 20/Mitchell 7 7 Robert Morris W, 82-49 6,443 Kilicli 14/Flowers 10 12 at Duquesne W, 64-61 8,059 Jones 15/Jones 9 18 Cleveland State W, 74-63 11,235 Flowers, Mitchell 15/Flowers 11 29 ST. JOHN’S L, 71-81 11,138 Jones 17/Mazzulla 5 JANUARY 1 at MARQUETTE – ESPN2 L, 74-79 15,575 Bryant 25/Jones 8 4 at DE PAUL W, 67-65 8,189 Mitchell 18/Flowers 6, Jones 6 8 at GEORGETOWN – ESPN2 W, 65-59 13,603 Mitchell 28/Jones 8 13 PROVIDENCE – ESPN2 W, 93-63 11,052 Flowers 24/Jones 13 16 Purdue – CBS W, 68-64 14,173 Jones 17/Jones 9 19 vs. Marshall (CCC) L, 71-75 12,380 Mitchell 18/Mazzulla 8 23 USF W, 56-46 10,744 Three with 13/Mitchell 14 26 at LOUISVILLE – ESPNU L, 54-55 21,957 Mazzulla 18/Flowers 9 29 at CINCINNATI W, 66-55 13,176 Flowers, Mazzulla 16/Jones 9 FEBRUARY 2 SETON HALL W, 56-44 9,729 Jones 13/Jones 12 5 at VILLANOVA – ESPN L, 50-66 16,106 Jones 16/Jones 6 7 PITTSBURGH – ESPN L, 66-71 14,175 Kilicli 19/Jones 8 12 DE PAUL W, 82-71 11,210 Flowers 15/Mazzulla, Thoroughman 6 14 at SYRACUSE – ESPN L, 52-63 22,669 Mitchell 23/Kilicli 6 19 NOTRE DAME – CBS W, 72-58 12,298 Bryant 24/Flowers, Jones 10 24 at PITTSBURGH – ESPN L, 58-71 12,876 Mitchell 22/Mazzulla 6 27 at RUTGERS W, 65-64 7,752 Bryant 15/Jones 11 MARCH 2 CONNECTICUT – ESPN2 W, 65-56 13,241 Mazzulla 18/Jones 10 5 LOUISVILLE – ESPN W, 72-70 15,032 Jones 25/Jones 16 BIG EAST Championship Presented by American Eagle Outfitters, New York, N.Y. 9 vs Marquette - ESPN L, 61-67 19,375 Jones 15/ Three with 5 NCAA Championship 17 vs Clemson ^ - CBS W, 84-76 14,835 Bryant 19/Jones 9 19 vs Kentucky ^ - CBS L, 63-71 17,771 Mazzulla 20/Jones 9 (CCC) Charleston Civic Center, Charleston, W.Va. ^ St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Fla.
Keaton Miles, F, Fr., 6-6, 190 Dallas, Texas/Lincoln • Earned Texas Class 4A All-State Team honors as a senior. • Averaged 18 points and 13 rebounds while helping Lincoln to a 29-4 record. • Played AAU basketball with the Dallas Mustangs. Dominique Rutledge, F, Jr., 6-8, 235, Newark, N.J./Western Texas JC • Recently attended Western Texas College in Snyder, Texas. • Averaged 11.6 points and 8.5 rebounds for Miami Dade JC in 2009-10. • Attended Malcolm X Shabazz H.S. and averaged 15 points and 11 boards as a senior in 2007-08.
Kevin Jones 37
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
2010-11 In Review W-L Pittsburgh (4/12) 15-3 Notre Dame (5/14) 14-4 Louisville (14/22) 12-6 Syracuse (12/18) 12-6 St. John’s (18/rv) 12-6 West Virginia (22/rv) 11-7 Cincinnati (rv/rv) 11-7 Georgetown (rv/rv) 10-8 Connecticut (9/1) 9-9 Villanova (rv/-) 9-9 Marquette (rv/20) 9-9 Seton Hall 7-11 Rutgers 5-13 Providence 4-14 USF 3-15 DePaul 1-17
BIG EAST Pct. H .833 8-1 .778 9-0 .667 9-0 .667 6-3 .667 7-2 .611 7-2 .611 6-3 .556 5-4 .500 5-4 .500 5-4 .500 6-3 .389 4-5 .278 3-5 .222 4-5 .167 2-7 .056 0-9
Standings A W-L 7-2 28-6 4-4 27-7 3-6 25-10 6-3 27-8 5-4 21-12 4-5 21-12 5-4 26-9 5-4 21-11 4-5 32-9 4-5 21-12 3-6 22-15 3-6 13-18 2-7 15-17 0-9 15-17 1-8 10-23 1-8 7-24
Pct. .824 .794 .714 .788 .636 .636 .743 .656 .780 .636 .594 .419 .469 .469 .303 .226
OVERALL H A N 17-1 7-2 4-3 17-0 5-4 5-3 19-2 4-6 2-2 16-3 6-3 5-2 12-3 5-7 4-2 12-2 5-6 4-4 15-3 8-4 3-2 10-4 7-5 4-0 13-4 5-5 14-0 13-4 7-5 1-3 14-4 4-7 4-4 8-7 4-7 1-4 10-6 3-8 2-3 13-5 0-10 1-2 7-9 1-12 2-2 6-11 1-9 0-4
Streak Lost 1 Lost 1 Lost 2 Lost 1 Lost 2 Lost 1 Lost 1 Lost 5 Won 11 Lost 6 Lost 1 Lost 1 Lost 1 Lost 1 Lost 1 Lost 6
(Rank in March 14 Associated Press Poll followed by rank in April 5 ESPN/USA Today Poll)
POSTSEASON RESULTS NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP Second Round • March 17 East Region; Tampa, Fla. No. 5 West Virginia 84, No. 12 Clemson 76 Southwest Region; Denver, Colo. No. 13 Morehead State 62, No. 4 Louisville 61 Southeast Region; Washington, D.C. No. 1 Pittsburgh 74, No. 16 UNC-Asheville 51 Southeast Region; Denver, Colo. No. 11 Gonzaga 86, No. 6 St. John’s 71 West Region; Washington, D.C. No. 3 Connecticut 81, No. 14 Bucknell 52 No. 6 Cincinnati 78, No. 11 Missouri 63 Second Round • March 18 Southwest Region; Chicago, Ill. No. 2 Notre Dame 69, No. 15 Akron 56 No. 11 VCU 74, No. 6 Georgetown 56
Third Round • March 19 East Region; Tampa, Fla. No. 4 Kentucky 71, No. 5 West Virginia 63 Southeast Region; Washington, D.C. No. 8 Butler 71, No. 1 Pittsburgh 70 West Region; Washington, D.C. No. 3 Connecticut 69, No. 6 Cincinnati 58 Third Round • March 20 East Region; Cleveland, Ohio No. 11 Marquette 66, No. 3 Syracuse 62 Southwest Region; Chicago, Ill. No. 10 Florida State 71, No. 2 Notre Dame 57 Regional Semifinals • March 24 West Region; Anaheim, Calif. No. 3 Connecticut 74, No. 2 San Diego State 67
East Region; Cleveland, Ohio No. 8 George Mason 61, No. 9 Villanova 57
Regional Semifinals • March 25 East Region; Newark, N.J. No. 2 North Carolina 81, No. 11 Marquette 63
East Region; Cleveland, Ohio No. 11 Marquette 66, No. 6 Xavier 55 No. 3 Syracuse 77, No. 14 Indiana State 60
Regional Final • March 26 West Region; Anaheim, Calif. No. 3 Connecticut 65, No. 5 Arizona 63
BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP Tuesday, March 8 – First Round No. 9 Connecticut 97, No. 16 DePaul 71 No. 13 Rutgers 76, No. 12 Seton Hall 70 (ot) No. 15 USF 70, No. 10 Villanova 69 No. 11 Marquette 87, No. 14 Providence 66 Wednesday, March 9 – Second Round Connecticut 79, No. 8 Georgetown 62 No. 5 St. John’s 65, Rutgers 63 No. 7 Cincinnati 87, USF 61 Marquette 67, No. 7 West Virginia 61 Thursday, March 10 – Quarterfinals Connecticut 76, No. 1 Pittsburgh 74 No. 4 Syracuse 79, St. John’s 73 No. 2 Notre Dame 89, Cincinnati 51 No. 3 Louisville 81, Marquette 56 Friday, March 11 – Semifinals Connecticut 76, Syracuse 71 (ot) Louisville 83, Notre Dame 77 (ot) Saturday, March 12 – Championship Connecticut 69, Louisville 66
Final Four • April 2 Houston, Texas No. 3 Connecticut 56, No. 4 Kentucky 55 Final Four • April 4 Houston, Texas No. 3 Connecticut 53, No. 8 Butler 41
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW WEEK-BY-WEEK IN THE NATIONAL POLLS Week CIN Preseason -/- Nov. 15 -/- Nov. 22 -/- Nov. 29 rv/rv Dec. 6 rv/- Dec. 13 rv/rv Dec. 20 rv/rv Dec. 27 rv/rv Jan. 3 24/25 Jan. 10 25/rv Jan. 17 25/rv Jan. 24 rv/rv Jan. 31 rv/- Feb. 7 rv/- Feb. 14 -/- Feb. 21 -/- Feb. 28 rv/- March 7 25/rv March 14 rv/rv Final /rv
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SHU -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- /-
USF -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- -/- /-
SU 10/13 10/11 9/10 8/7 8/7 5/5 5/5 5/5 4/4 4/4 3/3 9/10 17/17 12/13 17/20 17/20 12/12 11/11 12/14 /18
VU 6/6 6/7 7/7 12/12 12/12 10/11 8/8 8/8 7/7 7/7 7/7 8/7 12/12 9/10 15/14 15/14 19/19 rv/rv rv/- /-
WVU rv/rv rv/rv rv/rv rv/rv -/rv rv/rv rv/rv rv/rv -/rv/rv 21/rv rv/rv 25/rv 25/rv rv/rv rv/rv rv/20/rv 22/rv /rv
* The Associated Press ranking is listed first, followed by the ESPN/USA Today ranking.
THE BIG EAST AGAINST THE CONFERENCES
THE BIG EAST IN THE POLLS
Conference Record America East 8-0 Atlantic Coast 8-7 Atlantic Sun 1-0 Atlantic 10 11-9 Big Sky 0-0 Big South 7-0 Big Ten 6-2 Big 12 6-1 Big West 0-1 Colonial 6-3 Conference USA 3-3 Great West 6-0 Horizon 10-2 Ivy 9-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic 9-0 Mid-American 6-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic 8-0 Missouri Valley 5-1 Mountain West 3-1 Northeast 12-0 Ohio Valley 0-1 Pacific-10 4-2 Patriot 7-1 Southeastern 9-7 Southern 8-1 Southland 1-0 Southwestern Athletic 4-0 Summit 3-0 Sun Belt 4-1 West Coast 2-3 Western Athletic 1-0
Pct 1.000 .533 1.000 .550 — 1.000 .750 .857 .000 .667 .500 1.000 .833 .900 1.000 .750 1.000 .833 .750 1.000 .000 .667 .875 .563 .889 1.000 1.000 1.000 .800 .400 1.000
Independents Division I Provisional Non-Division I
3-0 0-0 0-0
1.000 — —
170-49 117-10 13-14 40-25
.776 .921 .481 .615
Total: Home: Away: Neutral:
39
ESPN/USA Today Poll
Associated Press Poll
March 14 School Record 1. Ohio State (51) 32-2 2. Kansas (14) 32-2 3. Duke 30-4 4. Pittsburgh 27-5 5. Notre Dame 26-6 6. San Diego State 32-2 7. North Carolina 26-7 8. Texas 27-7 9. Connecticut 26-9 10. Brigham Young 30-4 11. Kentucky 25-8 12. Syracuse 26-7 13. Purdue 25-7 14. Louisville 25-9 15. Florida 26-7 16. Wisconsin 23-8 17. Arizona 27-7 18. St. John’s 21-11 19. Utah State 30-3 20. Xavier 24-7 21. Kansas State 22-10 22. West Virginia 20-11 23. Washington 23-10 24. Texas A&M 24-8 25. Vanderbilt 23-10
Pts 1,611 1,574 1,472 1,406 1,332 1,322 1,189 1,069 1,019 977 925 922 903 874 840 619 516 433 333 270 240 178 176 152 130
Receiving Votes: Georgetown 129, Temple 124, Cincinnati 115, Old Dominion 65, Richmond 47, UNLV 38, Gonzaga 30, Butler 18, Villanova 17, Missouri 13, Belmont 13, George Mason 10, Memphis 7, Clemson 4, Colorado 3, Marquette 3, UCLA 3, Long Island 1.
April 5 School Record 1. Connecticut (30) 32-9 2. Butler 28-10 3. Kentucky 29-9 4. Kansas 35-3 5. Ohio State (1) 34-3 6. Virginia Commonwealth 28-12 7. Duke 32-5 8. North Carolina 29-8 9. Arizona 30-8 10. Florida 29-8 11. San Diego State 34-3 12. Pittsburgh 28-6 13. Brigham Young 32-5 14. Notre Dame 27-7 15. Wisconsin 25-9 16. Texas 28-8 17. Purdue 26-8 18. Syracuse 27-8 19. Florida State 23-11 20. Marquette 22-15 21. Richmond 29-8 22. Louisville 25-10 23. Washington 24-11 24. Kansas State 23-11 25. Utah State 30-4
Pts 773 704 676 659 630 555 554 532 531 503 479 448 376 336 311 290 276 250 197 159 152 147 108 73 51
Receiving Votes: Temple 41, West Virginia 34, St. John’s 33, Texas A&M 31, Xavier 31, UCLA 25, Cincinnati 24, Vanderbilt 24, Wichita State 20, George Mason 9, Michigan 9, Old Dominion 9, Gonzaga 7, Georgetown 5, Missouri 2, Illinois 1.
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW BIG EAST Player of the Year Ben Hansbrough Notre Dame, G, Sr. Oppenheimer Funds/BIG EAST Coach of the Year Mike Brey Notre Dame BIG EAST Rookie of the Year Cleveland Melvin DePaul, F, Fr. BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year Rick Jackson Syracuse, F, Jr. BIG EAST Most Improved Player Dwight Hardy St. John’s, G, Sr. BIG EAST Sixth Man Award Justin Burrell St. John’s, F, Sr.
BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete of the Year Tim Abromaitis, BIG EAST Player of the Year Ben Hansbrough and BIG EAST Coach of the Year Mike Brey of Notre Dame
BIG EAST Sportsmanship Award Brad Wanamaker Pittsburgh, G, Jr. BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete of the Year Tim Abromaitis Notre Dame, Sr., F ALL-BIG EAST FIRST TEAM Kemba Walker, Connecticut, G, Jr., 6-1, 172, Bronx, N.Y. Austin Freeman, Georgetown, G, Sr., 6-3.5, 227, Mitchellville, Md. Ben Hansbrough, Notre Dame, G, Sr., 6-3, 206, Poplar Bluff, Mo. * Ashton Gibbs, Pittsburgh, G, Jr., 6-2, 190, Scotch Plains, N.J. Marshon Brooks, Providence, G-F, Sr., 6-5, 200, Stone Mountain, Ga. Dwight Hardy, St. John’s, G, Sr., 6-2, 195, Bronx, N.Y.
Cleveland Melvin
ALL-BIG EAST SECOND TEAM Preston Knowles, Louisville, G, 6-1, 190, Winchester, Ky. Darius Johnson-Odom, Marquette, G, Jr., 6-2, 215, Raleigh, N.C. Brad Wanamaker, Pittsburgh, G, Sr., 6-4, 210, Philadelphia, Pa. Rick Jackson, Syracuse, F, Sr., 6-9, 240, Philadelphia, Pa. Corey Fisher, Villanova, G, Sr., 6-1, 200, Bronx, N.Y. ALL-BIG EAST THIRD TEAM Chris Wright, Georgetown, G, Sr., 6-1, 208, Washington, D.C. Tim Abromaitis, Notre Dame, F, Sr., 6-8, 235, Unionville, Ct. Jeremy Hazell, Seton Hall, G, Sr., 6-5, 188, Bronx, N.Y. Kris Joseph, Syracuse, F, Jr., 6-7, 207, Montreal, Quebec Corey Stokes, Villanova, G, Sr., 6-5, 220, Bayonne, N.J. BIG EAST HONORABLE MENTION Peyton Siva, Louisville, G, So., 5-11, 180, Seattle, Wash. Jimmy Butler, Marquette, F, Sr., 6-7, 220, Tomball, Texas Scoop Jardine, Syracuse, G, So., 6-2, 190, Philadelphia, Pa. Kevin Jones, West Virginia, F, Jr., 6-8, 255, Mount Vernon, N.Y. BIG EAST ALL-ROOKIE TEAM Sean Kilpatrick, Cincinnati, G, Fr., 6-4, 215, White Plains, N.Y. Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut, G-F, 6-5, 185, Norcross, Ga. Shabazz Napier, Connecticut, G, Fr., 6-0, 170, Randolph, Mass. Cleveland Melvin, DePaul, F, Fr., 6-8, 210, Baltimore, Md. * Brandon Young, DePaul, G, Fr., 6-3, 175, Washington, D.C. Gilvydas Biruta, Rutgers, F, Fr., 6-8, 230, Jonava, Lithuania * unanimous selection
Brad Wanamaker 40
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Individual Statistics SCORING Player-Team Cl 1. BROOKS, Marshon-PC SR 2. WALKER, Kemba-UCONN JR 3. HANSBROUGH, Ben-ND SR 4. HARDY, Dwight-STJ SR 5. FREEMAN, Austin-GU SR 6. GIBBS, Ashton-PITT JR 7. JOHNSON-ODOM, Darius-MU JR 8. BUTLER, Jimmy-MU SR 9. FISHER, Corey-VU SR 10. ABROMAITIS, Tim-ND SR 11. STOKES, Corey-VU SR 12. KNOWLES, Preston-LOU SR 13. MITCHELL, Jonathan-RU SR 14. MELVIN, Cleveland-DPU FR 15. JOSEPH, Kris-SYR JR
G 32 41 34 33 32 31 37 37 33 34 29 34 32 27 34
REBOUNDING Player-Team 1. JACKSON, Rick-SYR 2. ORIAKHI, Alex-UCONN 3. POPE, Herb-SHU 4. McGHEE, Gary-PITT 5. JONES, Kevin-WVU 6. SCOTT, Carleton-ND 7. PENA, Antonio-VU 8. YAROU, Mouphtaou-VU 9. BROOKS, Marshon-PC 10. GATES, Yancy-CIN 11. CROWDER, Jae-MU 12. DIXON, Bilal-PC 13. ROBINSON, Jeff-SHU 14. ANDERSON JR, Ron-USF 15. FLOWERS, John-WVU
G OFF 35 120 41 152 30 86 34 89 33 108 30 44 33 70 33 89 32 72 34 74 37 83 32 76 31 60 33 79 33 74
Cl SR SO JR SR JR SR SR SO SR JR JR SO SR JR SR
FG 3FG FT Pts Avg 276 67 169 788 24.6 316 75 258 965 23.5 194 87 150 625 18.4 194 62 153 603 18.3 204 62 94 564 17.6 170 102 80 522 16.8 196 71 121 584 15.8 187 20 188 582 15.7 165 52 132 514 15.6 169 78 109 525 15.4 130 89 84 433 14.9 169 100 59 497 14.6 164 51 81 460 14.4 163 0 60 386 14.3 156 45 128 485 14.3
DEF 240 206 150 172 138 179 165 144 153 162 168 130 138 131 131
TOT 360 358 236 261 246 223 235 233 225 236 251 206 198 210 205
FIELD GOAL PCT (Min. 3.0 made per game) Player-Team Cl G 1. JACKSON, Rick-SYR SR 35 2. ROBINSON, Nasir-PITT JR 31 3. JENNINGS, Terrence-LOU JR 34 4. BIRUTA, Gilvydas-RU FR 32 5. MELVIN, Cleveland-DPU FR 27 6. THOMPSON, Hollis-GU SO 32 7. KURIC, Kyle-LOU JR 33 8. GATES, Yancy-CIN JR 34 9. ORIAKHI, Alex-UCONN SO 41 10. PENA, Antonio-VU SR 33
FG 193 115 129 109 163 98 130 162 153 133
FGA 328 210 242 206 312 189 253 317 302 265
Pct .588 .548 .533 .529 .522 .519 .514 .511 .507 .502
3-POINT FG PCT (Min. 1.0 made per game) Player-Team Cl G 1. GIBBS, Ashton-PITT JR 31 2. THOMPSON, Hollis-GU SO 32 3. KURIC, Kyle-LOU JR 33 4. HANSBROUGH, Ben-ND SR 34 5. STOKES, Corey-VU SR 29 6. ABROMAITIS, Tim-ND SR 34 7. BROWN, Gilbert-PITT SR 34 8. BUYCKS, Dwight-MU SR 36 9. SMITH, Chris-LOU JR 35 10. MITCHELL, Jonathan-RU SR 32
3FG 102 42 70 87 89 78 43 39 38 51
FGA 208 92 156 200 206 182 104 95 94 130
Pct .490 .457 .449 .435 .432 .429 .413 .411 .404 .392
41
All Games
Avg 10.3 8.7 7.9 7.7 7.5 7.4 7.1 7.1 7.0 6.9 6.8 6.4 6.4 6.4 6.2
FREE THROW PCT (Min. 2.0 made per game) Player-Team Cl G 1. STOKES, Corey-VU SR 29 2. GIBBS, Ashton-PITT JR 31 3. MITCHELL, Casey-WVU SR 30 4. FREEMAN, Austin-GU SR 32 5. HARDY, Dwight-STJ SR 33 6. TRICHE, Brandon-SYR SO 35 7. BRYANT, Darryl-WVU JR 32 8. WAYNS, Maalik-VU SO 33 9. WALKER, Kemba-UCONN JR 41 10. HANSBROUGH, Ben-ND SR 34
FTM 84 80 74 94 153 80 124 141 258 150
FTA 94 90 85 108 181 95 150 172 315 184
ASSISTS Player-Team 1. COUNCIL, Vincent-PC 2. JARDINE, Scoop-SYR 3. WRIGHT, Chris-GU 4. SIVA, Peyton-LOU 5. WANAMAKER, Brad-PITT 6. FISHER, Corey-VU 7. CRATER, Anthony-USF 8. WALKER, Kemba-UCONN 9. WAYNS, Maalik-VU 10. THEODORE, Jordan-SHU
Cl SO JR SR SO SR SR JR JR SO JR
G 32 35 29 35 34 33 30 41 33 31
Asst 189 205 153 182 174 159 137 184 148 137
Avg 5.91 5.86 5.28 5.20 5.12 4.82 4.57 4.49 4.48 4.42
STEALS Player-Team 1. MONDY, Duke-PC 2. SIVA, Peyton-LOU 3. WALKER, Kemba-UCONN 4. KNOWLES, Preston-LOU 5. KENNEDY, D.J.-STJ 6. COUNCIL, Vincent-PC 7. BEATTY, James-RU 8. KELLY, Jeremiah-DPU 9. NAPIER, Shabazz-UCONN 10. JARDINE, Scoop-SYR
Cl SO SO JR SR SR SO SR JR FR JR
G Steals Avg 28 59 2.11 35 69 1.97 41 77 1.88 34 63 1.85 32 56 1.75 32 55 1.72 32 54 1.69 31 52 1.68 41 66 1.61 35 55 1.57
BLOCKED SHOTS Player-Team 1. JACKSON, Rick-SYR 2. FLOWERS, John-WVU 3. DIENG, Gorgui-LOU 4. JENNINGS, Terrence-LOU 5. VAUGHN, Julian-GU 6. SCOTT, Carleton-ND 7. ORIAKHI, Alex-UCONN 8. MILLER, Dane-RU 9. OTULE, Chris-MU 10. MELVIN, Cleveland-DPU
Cl SR SR FR JR SR SR SO SO SO FR
G Blocks Avg 35 86 2.46 33 74 2.24 29 56 1.93 34 65 1.91 31 59 1.90 30 57 1.90 41 67 1.63 32 50 1.56 37 55 1.49 27 40 1.48
ASSIST/TURNOVER RATIO (Min. 3.0 assists/game) Player-Team Cl G Asst 1. ATKINS,Eric-ND FR 34 110 2. WOODALL, Travon-PITT SO 34 117 3. WANAMAKER, Brad-PITT SR 34 174 4. MAZZULLA, Joe-WVU SR 33 139 5. FISHER, Corey-VU SR 33 159 6. JARDINE, Scoop-SYR JR 35 205 7. BEATTY, James-RU SR 32 98 8. CADOUGAN, Junior-MU SO 36 115 9. WALKER, Kemba-UCONN JR 41 184 10. COBURN, Mike-RU SR 32 127
Pct .894 .889 .871 .870 .845 .842 .827 .820 .819 .815
Avg Turn Avg Ratio 3.2 43 1.3 2.56 3.4 50 1.5 2.34 5.1 77 2.3 2.26 4.2 62 1.9 2.24 4.8 75 2.3 2.12 5.9 100 2.9 2.05 3.1 48 1.5 2.04 3.2 58 1.6 1.98 4.5 93 2.3 1.98 4.0 65 2.0 1.95
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Team Statistics
All Games
SCORING OFFENSE Team 1. Providence 2. Notre Dame 3. Marquette 4. Louisville 5. Pittsburgh 6. Syracuse 7. Connecticut 8. Villanova 9. Georgetown 10. St. John’s 11. West Virginia 12. Cincinnati 13. DePaul 14. Seton Hall 15. Rutgers 16. USF
G W-L 32 15-17 34 27-7 37 22-15 35 25-10 34 28-6 35 27-8 41 32-9 33 21-12 32 21-11 33 21-12 33 21-12 35 26-9 31 7-24 31 13-18 32 15-17 33 10-23
Pts 2426 2558 2782 2623 2514 2568 2967 2384 2258 2313 2303 2412 2104 2092 2122 2044
SCORING DEFENSE Team 1. Cincinnati 2. Pittsburgh 3. Syracuse 4. Louisville 5. West Virginia 6. Connecticut 7. Villanova 8. Notre Dame 9. Rutgers 10. Seton Hall 11. Georgetown 12. USF 13. St. John’s 14. Marquette 15. Providence 16. DePaul
G 35 34 35 35 33 41 33 34 32 31 32 33 33 37 32 31
Pts 2086 2073 2216 2259 2134 2659 2159 2227 2101 2039 2123 2196 2211 2546 2411 2378
Avg/G 59.6 61.0 63.3 64.5 64.7 64.9 65.4 65.5 65.7 65.8 66.3 66.5 67.0 68.8 75.3 76.7
SCORING MARGIN Team 1. Pittsburgh 2. Louisville 3. Syracuse 4. Notre Dame 5. Cincinnati 6. Connecticut 7. Villanova 8. Marquette 9. West Virginia 10. Georgetown 11. St. John’s 12. Seton Hall 13. Rutgers 14. Providence 15. USF 16. DePaul
G OFF 34 73.9 35 74.9 35 73.4 34 75.2 35 68.9 41 72.4 33 72.2 37 75.2 33 69.8 32 70.6 33 70.1 31 67.5 32 66.3 32 75.8 33 61.9 31 67.9
DEF 61.0 64.5 63.3 65.5 59.6 64.9 65.4 68.8 64.7 66.3 67.0 65.8 65.7 75.3 66.5 76.7
Margin +13.0 +10.4 +10.1 +9.7 +9.3 +7.5 +6.8 +6.4 +5.1 +4.2 +3.1 +1.7 +0.7 +0.5 -4.6 -8.8
FTA 822 769 568 827 747 652 783 927 599 563 576 805 756 742 713 627
Pct .763 .757 .734 .724 .711 .710 .710 .696 .683 .677 .672 .671 .669 .668 .665 .663
FREE THROW PERCENTAGES Team G 1. Connecticut 41 2. Villanova 33 3. Georgetown 32 4. Notre Dame 34 5. West Virginia 33 6. USF 33 7. St. John’s 33 8. Marquette 37 9. DePaul 31 10. Rutgers 32 11. Seton Hall 31 12. Pittsburgh 34 13. Providence 32 14. Cincinnati 35 15. Syracuse 35 16. Louisville 35
FTM 627 582 417 599 531 463 556 645 409 381 387 540 506 496 474 416
Avg/G 75.8 75.2 75.2 74.9 73.9 73.4 72.4 72.2 70.6 70.1 69.8 68.9 67.9 67.5 66.3 61.9
FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGES Team 1. Georgetown 2. Pittsburgh 3. Syracuse 4. Marquette 5. Notre Dame 6. St. John’s 7. Louisville 8. Rutgers 9. Villanova 10. Cincinnati 11. Connecticut 12. West Virginia 13. DePaul 14. Providence 15. USF 16. Seton Hall
G 32 34 35 37 34 33 35 32 33 35 41 33 31 32 33 31
FG 809 886 936 973 843 807 949 783 796 848 1053 783 766 854 711 759
FGA 1703 1866 1983 2094 1832 1773 2097 1778 1819 1939 2429 1826 1800 2012 1710 1838
Pct .475 .475 .472 .465 .460 .455 .453 .440 .438 .437 .434 .429 .426 .424 .416 .413
FIELD GOAL PCT DEFENSE Team 1. Connecticut 2. Louisville 3. Syracuse 4. Pittsburgh 5. Villanova 6. Rutgers 7. Notre Dame 8. Cincinnati 9. West Virginia 10. Seton Hall 11. Georgetown 12. USF 13. St. John’s 14. Marquette 15. Providence 16. DePaul
G 41 35 35 34 33 32 34 35 33 31 32 33 33 37 32 31
FG 973 762 788 735 739 667 815 735 752 722 737 766 739 939 897 873
FGA 2478 1935 2000 1850 1823 1641 1996 1790 1827 1729 1763 1797 1703 2142 2001 1743
Pct .393 .394 .394 .397 .405 .406 .408 .411 .412 .418 .418 .426 .434 .438 .448 .501
3-POINT FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGES Team G 1. Pittsburgh 34 2. Notre Dame 34 3. Louisville 35 4. Syracuse 35 5. Georgetown 32 6. Marquette 37 7. Villanova 33 8. Rutgers 32 9. Cincinnati 35 10. West Virginia 33 11. St. John’s 33 12. Connecticut 41 13. Providence 32 14. DePaul 31 15. Seton Hall 31 16. USF 33
FG 202 273 309 222 223 191 210 175 220 206 143 234 212 163 187 159
FGA 512 708 854 628 631 547 604 509 651 611 427 711 673 519 611 524
Pct .395 .386 .362 .354 .353 .349 .348 .344 .338 .337 .335 .329 .315 .314 .306 .303
3-POINT FIELD GOAL PCT DEFENSE Team G 1. West Virginia 33 2. Louisville 35 3. Seton Hall 31 4. Syracuse 35 5. Villanova 33 6. Cincinnati 35 7. Pittsburgh 34 8. Providence 32 9. Connecticut 41 10. Georgetown 32 11. USF 33 12. Rutgers 32 13. DePaul 31 14. Notre Dame 34 15. Marquette 37 16. St. John’s 33
FG 172 199 160 244 210 171 199 191 261 176 180 227 141 234 260 253
FGA 592 639 509 775 656 529 610 584 798 522 524 657 403 662 727 681
Pct .291 .311 .314 .315 .320 .323 .326 .327 .327 .337 .344 .346 .350 .353 .358 .372
42
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
All Games REBOUNDING MARGIN Team 1. Pittsburgh 2. Villanova 3. Notre Dame 4. Connecticut 5. Cincinnati 6. Syracuse 7. West Virginia 8. USF 9. Georgetown 10. Marquette 11. Providence 12. Louisville 13. St. John’s 14. Rutgers 15. Seton Hall 16. DePaul
G 34 33 34 41 35 35 33 33 32 37 32 35 33 32 31 31
TM 1359 1223 1261 1626 1237 1308 1227 1169 1081 1329 1231 1272 1068 1062 1100 944
Avg OPP 40.0 992 37.1 1076 37.1 1111 39.7 1447 35.3 1088 37.4 1182 37.2 1116 35.4 1079 33.8 999 35.9 1241 38.5 1207 36.3 1268 32.4 1089 33.2 1096 35.5 1160 30.5 1183
Avg 29.2 32.6 32.7 35.3 31.1 33.8 33.8 32.7 31.2 33.5 37.7 36.2 33.0 34.2 37.4 38.2
Margin +10.8 +4.5 +4.4 +4.4 +4.3 +3.6 +3.4 +2.7 +2.6 +2.4 +0.8 +0.1 -0.6 -1.1 -1.9 -7.7
Blocks Avg/G 231 6.60 228 5.56 175 5.00 143 4.47 142 4.44 139 4.34 136 4.12 125 3.79 128 3.76 122 3.70 129 3.69 134 3.62 110 3.55 103 3.32 111 3.26 94 2.85
TURNOVER MARGIN Team 1. St. John’s 2. Louisville 3. Cincinnati 4. Seton Hall 5. Rutgers 6. DePaul 7. Marquette 8. Syracuse 9. Providence 10. Villanova 11. Connecticut 12. West Virginia 13. Notre Dame 14. Pittsburgh 15. Georgetown 16. USF
G 33 35 35 31 32 31 37 35 32 33 41 33 34 34 32 33
TEAM 408 459 401 381 389 420 455 433 407 392 466 397 364 397 433 496
Avg OPP 12.4 530 13.1 564 11.5 492 12.3 447 12.2 450 13.5 477 12.3 518 12.4 490 12.7 451 11.9 397 11.4 472 12.0 393 10.7 351 11.7 378 13.5 364 15.0 346
Avg 16.1 16.1 14.1 14.4 14.1 15.4 14.0 14.0 14.1 12.0 11.5 11.9 10.3 11.1 11.4 10.5
Margin +3.70 +3.00 +2.60 +2.13 +1.91 +1.84 +1.70 +1.63 +1.38 +0.15 +0.15 -0.12 -0.38 -0.56 -2.16 -4.55
G 34 35 34 35 37 32 33 31 35 33 31 32 41 33 32 33
Assists 595 608 563 566 574 481 491 446 497 450 422 434 534 417 399 407
ASSIST/TURNOVER RATIO Team G 1. Notre Dame 34 2. Pittsburgh 34 3. Louisville 35 4. Syracuse 35 5. Marquette 37 6. Cincinnati 35 7. West Virginia 33 8. Villanova 33 9. Connecticut 41 10. Rutgers 32 11. Georgetown 32 12. Seton Hall 31 13. DePaul 31 14. St. John’s 33 15. Providence 32 16. USF 33
Avg 16.6 17.5 17.4 16.2 15.5 14.2 14.9 13.6 13.0 13.6 15.0 13.6 14.4 12.6 12.5 12.3
Avg Ratio 10.7 1.55 11.7 1.50 13.1 1.32 12.4 1.31 12.3 1.26 11.5 1.24 12.0 1.24 11.9 1.15 11.4 1.15 12.2 1.12 13.5 1.11 12.3 1.11 13.5 1.06 12.4 1.02 12.7 0.98 15.0 0.82
G 35 35 33 32 32 31 35 31 37 41 33 32 33 34 33 34
Steals Avg/G 327 9.34 304 8.69 266 8.06 252 7.88 250 7.81 231 7.45 258 7.37 227 7.32 265 7.16 259 6.32 208 6.30 193 6.03 162 4.91 160 4.71 154 4.67 156 4.59
REBOUNDING OFFENSE Team 1. Pittsburgh 2. Connecticut 3. Providence 4. Syracuse 5. West Virginia 6. Notre Dame 7. Villanova 8. Louisville 9. Marquette 10. Seton Hall 11. USF 12. Cincinnati 13. Georgetown 14. Rutgers 15. St. John’s 16. DePaul
G Reb 34 1359 41 1626 32 1231 35 1308 33 1227 34 1261 33 1223 35 1272 37 1329 31 1100 33 1169 35 1237 32 1081 32 1062 33 1068 31 944
BLOCKED SHOTS Team 1. Syracuse 2. Connecticut 3. Louisville 4. Rutgers 5. Providence 6. Georgetown 7. West Virginia 8. Villanova 9. Notre Dame 10. USF 11. Cincinnati 12. Marquette 13. Seton Hall 14. DePaul 15. Pittsburgh 16. St. John’s
G 35 41 35 32 32 32 33 33 34 33 35 37 31 31 34 33
ASSISTS Team 1. Pittsburgh 2. Louisville 3. Notre Dame 4. Syracuse 5. Marquette 6. Georgetown 7. West Virginia 8. DePaul 9. Cincinnati 10. Villanova 11. Seton Hall 12. Rutgers 13. Connecticut 14. St. John’s 15. Providence 16. USF STEALS Team 1. Louisville 2. Syracuse 3. St. John’s 4. Rutgers 5. Providence 6. DePaul 7. Cincinnati 8. Seton Hall 9. Marquette 10. Connecticut 11. Villanova 12. Georgetown 13. USF 14. Pittsburgh 15. West Virginia 16. Notre Dame
43
Avg/G 40.0 39.7 38.5 37.4 37.2 37.1 37.1 36.3 35.9 35.5 35.4 35.3 33.8 33.2 32.4 30.5
Avg/G 17.50 17.37 16.56 16.17 15.51 15.03 14.88 14.39 14.20 13.64 13.61 13.56 13.02 12.64 12.47 12.33
Asst 563 595 608 566 574 497 491 450 534 434 481 422 446 417 399 407
Turn 364 397 459 433 455 401 397 392 466 389 433 381 420 408 407 496
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Individual Statistics SCORING Player-Team Cl 1. BROOKS, Marshon-PC SR 2. WALKER, Kemba-UCONN JR 3. HANSBROUGH, Ben-ND SR 4. HAZELL, Jeremy-SHU SR 5. HARDY, Dwight-STJ SR 6. MELVIN, Cleveland-DPU FR 7. JOHNSON-ODOM, Darius-MU JR 8. FREEMAN, Austin-GU SR 9. BUTLER, Jimmy-MU SR 10. GIBBS, Ashton-PITT JR 11. FISHER, Corey-VU SR 12. MITCHELL, Jonathan-RU SR 13. ABROMAITIS, Tim-ND SR 14. GILCHRIST, Augustus-USF JR 15. JOSEPH, Kris-SYR JR
G 18 18 18 14 18 15 18 18 18 15 18 18 18 18 17
REBOUNDING Player-Team 1. JACKSON, Rick-SYR 2. McGHEE, Gary-PITT 3. JONES, Kevin-WVU 4. POPE, Herb-SHU 5. SCOTT, Carleton-ND 6. CROWDER, Jae-MU 7. PENA, Antonio-VU 8. BATTS, Kadeem-PC 9. ORIAKHI, Alex-UCONN 10. GATES, Yancy-CIN 11. ROBINSON, Jeff-SHU 12. YAROU, Mouphtaou-VU 13. MELVIN, Cleveland-DPU 14. GILCHRIST, Augustus-USF 15. FLOWERS, John-WVU
G OFF DEF TOT 18 56 122 178 18 50 102 152 18 68 75 143 18 56 84 140 14 22 81 103 18 40 90 130 18 35 88 123 18 65 57 122 18 52 67 119 17 30 82 112 18 33 82 115 18 48 66 114 15 50 44 94 18 46 66 112 18 40 71 111
Cl SR SR JR JR SR JR SR FR SO JR SR SO FR JR SR
Conference Games
FG 3FG FT Pts Avg 162 37 107 468 26.0 131 35 94 391 21.7 118 46 90 372 20.7 87 32 52 258 18.4 101 34 89 325 18.1 112 0 37 261 17.4 103 39 65 310 17.2 111 32 53 307 17.1 95 9 103 302 16.8 76 49 43 244 16.3 95 34 63 287 15.9 98 28 51 275 15.3 89 43 43 264 14.7 91 4 75 261 14.5 80 27 58 245 14.4
FIELD GOAL PCT (Min. 3.0 made per game) Player-Team Cl G 1. McGHEE, Gary-PITT SR 18 2. JACKSON, Rick-SYR SR 18 3. BIRUTA, Gilvydas-RU FR 18 4. FAIR, C.J.-SYR FR 17 5. KURIC, Kyle-LOU JR 18 6. ROBINSON, Nasir-PITT JR 18 7. NASH, Tyrone-ND SR 18 8. JENNINGS, Terrence-LOU JR 17 9. MELVIN, Cleveland-DPU FR 15 10. HANSBROUGH, Ben-ND SR 18
FG 59 93 66 51 83 72 55 64 112 118
3-POINT FG PCT (Min. 2.0 made per game) Player-Team Cl G 1. GIBBS, Ashton-PITT JR 15 2. ABROMAITIS, Tim-ND SR 18 3. KURIC, Kyle-LOU JR 18 4. BUYCKS, Dwight-MU SR 18 5. STOKES, Corey-VU SR 14 6. THOMPSON, Hollis-GU SO 18 7. MITCHELL, Casey-WVU SR 15 8. HANSBROUGH, Ben-ND SR 18 9. NORIEGA, Shaun-USF SO 18 10. JOSEPH, Kris-SYR JR 17
3FG FGA Pct 49 101 .485 43 91 .473 41 88 .466 25 54 .463 43 95 .453 22 51 .431 37 86 .430 46 107 .430 31 75 .413 27 66 .409
FGA 95 152 121 94 153 134 104 125 219 232
Pct .621 .612 .545 .543 .542 .537 .529 .512 .511 .509
Avg 9.9 8.4 7.9 7.8 7.4 7.2 6.8 6.8 6.6 6.6 6.4 6.3 6.3 6.2 6.2
FREE THROW PCT (Min. 2.5 made per game) Player-Team Cl G 1. GIBBS, Ashton-PITT JR 15 2. TRICHE, Brandon-SYR SO 18 3. FREEMAN, Austin-GU SR 18 4. STOKES, Corey-VU SR 14 5. HANSBROUGH, Ben-ND SR 18 6. HARDY, Dwight-STJ SR 18 7. BRYANT, Darryl-WVU JR 18 MITCHELL, Jonathan-RU SR 18 9. KENNEDY, D.J.-STJ SR 18 10. WAYNS, Maalik-VU SO 18
FTM 43 44 53 42 90 89 68 51 75 79
FTA 46 50 61 49 106 108 84 63 93 98
ASSISTS Player-Team 1. JARDINE, Scoop-SYR 2. COUNCIL, Vincent-PC SIVA, Peyton-LOU 4. CRATER, Anthony-USF 5. FISHER, Corey-VU 6. WANAMAKER, Brad-PITT 7. WRIGHT, Chris-GU 8. MAZZULLA, Joe-WVU 9. WALKER, Kemba-UCONN 10. WAYNS, Maalik-VU COBURN, Mike-RU
Cl JR SO SO JR SR SR SR SR JR SO SR
G 18 18 18 18 18 18 16 18 18 18 18
Asst 109 93 93 91 89 87 74 83 81 79 79
Avg 6.06 5.17 5.17 5.06 4.94 4.83 4.63 4.61 4.50 4.39 4.39
STEALS Player-Team 1. HAZELL, Jeremy-SHU 2. MONDY, Duke-PC 3. SIVA, Peyton-LOU 4. COUNCIL, Vincent-PC 5. KNOWLES, Preston-LOU 6. KENNEDY, D.J.-STJ 7. JOSEPH, Kris-SYR 8. WALKER, Kemba-UCONN 9. HANSBROUGH, Ben-ND 10. FISHER, Corey-VU KELLY, Jeremiah-DPU
Cl SR SO SO SO SR SR JR JR SR SR JR
G Steals Avg 14 34 2.43 15 36 2.40 18 36 2.00 18 34 1.89 17 32 1.88 18 33 1.83 17 29 1.71 18 30 1.67 18 28 1.56 18 27 1.50 18 27 1.50
BLOCKED SHOTS Player-Team 1. JACKSON, Rick-SYR 2. FLOWERS, John-WVU 3. VAUGHN, Julian-GU 4. ORIAKHI, Alex-UCONN 5. MILLER, Dane-RU 6. SCOTT, Carleton-ND 7. JENNINGS, Terrence-LOU 8. McGHEE, Gary-PITT 9. OTULE, Chris-MU 10. KEITA, Baye Moussa-SYR
Cl SR SR SR SO SO SR JR SR SO FR
G Blocks Avg 18 51 2.83 18 46 2.56 18 35 1.94 18 31 1.72 18 30 1.67 14 23 1.64 17 27 1.59 18 28 1.56 18 26 1.44 18 25 1.39
ASSIST/TURNOVER RATIO (Min. 3.0 assists/game) Player-Team Cl G Asst 1. ATKINS,Eric-ND FR 18 60 2. WALKER, Kemba-UCONN JR 18 81 3. MAZZULLA, Joe-WVU SR 18 83 4. KELLY, Jeremiah-DPU JR 18 54 5. CRATER, Anthony-USF JR 18 91 6. WANAMAKER, Brad-PITT SR 18 87 7. FISHER, Corey-VU SR 18 89 8. BEATTY, James-RU SR 18 57 9. COBURN, Mike-RU SR 18 79 10. CADOUGAN, Junior-MU SO 18 55
Pct .935 .880 .869 .857 .849 .824 .810 .810 .806 .806
Avg Turn Avg Ratio 3.3 22 1.2 2.73 4.5 33 1.8 2.45 4.6 35 1.9 2.37 3.0 24 1.3 2.25 5.1 42 2.3 2.17 4.8 41 2.3 2.12 4.9 42 2.3 2.12 3.2 27 1.5 2.11 4.4 38 2.1 2.08 3.1 27 1.5 2.04
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2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Team Statistics
Conference Games
SCORING OFFENSE Team 1. Marquette 2. Providence 3. Notre Dame 4. Syracuse 5. Louisville 6. Villanova 7. Pittsburgh 8. Connecticut 9. St. John’s 10. West Virginia 11. Seton Hall 12. Georgetown 13. Rutgers Cincinnati 15. DePaul 16. USF
G W-L 18 9-9 18 4-14 18 14-4 18 12-6 18 12-6 18 9-9 18 15-3 18 9-9 18 12-6 18 11-7 18 7-11 18 10-8 18 5-13 18 11-7 18 1-17 18 3-15
Pts 1317 1304 1290 1275 1264 1262 1247 1222 1212 1184 1174 1168 1167 1167 1161 1115
SCORING DEFENSE Team 1. Pittsburgh 2. Cincinnati 3. West Virginia 4. Syracuse 5. Georgetown 6. Louisville 7. St. John’s 8. Seton Hall 9. Notre Dame 10. Connecticut 11. Villanova 12. Rutgers 13. USF 14. Marquette 15. DePaul 16. Providence
G 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
Pts 1081 1110 1127 1172 1174 1182 1189 1201 1204 1213 1245 1248 1251 1273 1421 1438
Avg/G 60.1 61.7 62.6 65.1 65.2 65.7 66.1 66.7 66.9 67.4 69.2 69.3 69.5 70.7 78.9 79.9
SCORING MARGIN Team 1. Pittsburgh 2. Syracuse 3. Notre Dame 4. Louisville 5. Cincinnati West Virginia 7. Marquette 8. St. John’s 9. Villanova 10. Connecticut 11. Georgetown 12. Seton Hall 13. Rutgers 14. Providence 15. USF 16. DePaul
G OFF 18 69.3 18 70.8 18 71.7 18 70.2 18 64.8 18 65.8 18 73.2 18 67.3 18 70.1 18 67.9 18 64.9 18 65.2 18 64.8 18 72.4 18 61.9 18 64.5
DEF 60.1 65.1 66.9 65.7 61.7 62.6 70.7 66.1 69.2 67.4 65.2 66.7 69.3 79.9 69.5 78.9
Margin +9.2 +5.7 +4.8 +4.6 +3.2 +3.2 +2.4 +1.3 +0.9 +0.5 -0.3 -1.5 -4.5 -7.4 -7.6 -14.4
FTA 334 412 430 315 316 404 355 462 298 433 280 324 347 342 400 284
Pct .743 .740 .740 .730 .728 .710 .710 .701 .695 .688 .675 .673 .671 .664 .658 .651
FREE THROW PERCENTAGES Team G 1. USF 18 2. Villanova 18 3. St. John’s 18 4. Georgetown 18 5. Connecticut 18 6. Notre Dame 18 7. West Virginia 18 8. Marquette 18 9. Rutgers 18 10. Pittsburgh 18 11. Louisville 18 12. Seton Hall 18 13. Cincinnati 18 14. Syracuse 18 15. Providence 18 16. DePaul 18
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FTM 248 305 318 230 230 287 252 324 207 298 189 218 233 227 263 185
Avg/G 73.2 72.4 71.7 70.8 70.2 70.1 69.3 67.9 67.3 65.8 65.2 64.9 64.8 64.8 64.5 61.9
FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGES Team 1. Syracuse 2. Notre Dame 3. Pittsburgh 4. Marquette 5. Georgetown 6. St. John’s 7. Rutgers 8. Louisville 9. Villanova 10. Cincinnati 11. Connecticut 12. USF 13. DePaul 14. West Virginia 15. Seton Hall 16. Providence
G 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
FG 468 430 426 445 413 411 433 464 419 413 442 394 434 411 429 463
FGA 994 918 919 988 929 926 982 1064 966 977 1068 953 1053 998 1044 1139
Pct .471 .468 .464 .450 .445 .444 .441 .436 .434 .423 .414 .413 .412 .412 .411 .406
FIELD GOAL PCT DEFENSE Team 1. Pittsburgh 2. Louisville 3. Syracuse 4. Connecticut 5. Georgetown 6. West Virginia 7. Rutgers 8. Villanova 9. Notre Dame 10. Cincinnati 11. Seton Hall 12. St. John’s 13. USF 14. Marquette 15. Providence 16. DePaul
G 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
FG 376 404 417 444 414 410 389 418 440 385 430 411 446 460 531 520
FGA 971 1000 1028 1075 997 984 925 986 1025 894 983 923 990 1009 1117 1011
Pct .387 .404 .406 .413 .415 .417 .421 .424 .429 .431 .437 .445 .451 .456 .475 .514
3-POINT FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGES Team G 1. Notre Dame 18 2. Pittsburgh 18 3. Villanova 18 4. Marquette 18 5. Syracuse 18 6. Louisville 18 7. Rutgers 18 8. West Virginia 18 9. St. John’s 18 10. DePaul 18 11. Georgetown 18 12. Connecticut 18 Cincinnati 18 14. Providence 18 15. USF 18 16. Seton Hall 18
FG 143 97 119 103 112 147 94 110 72 108 112 108 108 115 79 98
FGA 354 246 319 284 312 418 270 332 218 333 346 336 336 376 265 339
Pct .404 .394 .373 .363 .359 .352 .348 .331 .330 .324 .324 .321 .321 .306 .298 .289
3-POINT FIELD GOAL PCT DEFENSE Team G 1. West Virginia 18 2. Pittsburgh 18 3. Seton Hall 18 4. Louisville 18 5. Connecticut 18 6. Georgetown 18 7. Providence 18 8. Cincinnati 18 9. Syracuse 18 10. Villanova 18 11. Marquette 18 12. USF 18 13. Rutgers 18 14. St. John’s 18 15. Notre Dame 18 16. DePaul 18
FG 90 95 90 102 102 88 107 91 131 123 115 96 130 140 128 97
FGA 304 310 292 330 323 277 318 270 387 355 330 271 362 376 334 245
Pct .296 .306 .308 .309 .316 .318 .336 .337 .339 .346 .348 .354 .359 .372 .383 .396
2011-12 BIG EAST MEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW
Conference Games REBOUNDING MARGIN Team 1. Pittsburgh 2. West Virginia 3. Syracuse 4. Villanova 5. Cincinnati 6. Notre Dame 7. USF 8. St. John’s 9. Marquette 10. Georgetown 11. Connecticut 12. Louisville 13. Rutgers 14. Providence Seton Hall 16. DePaul
G 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
TM 673 656 642 625 605 603 605 579 608 592 665 618 566 642 604 562
Avg OPP 37.4 544 36.4 609 35.7 598 34.7 585 33.6 568 33.5 573 33.6 592 32.2 569 33.8 600 32.9 593 36.9 675 34.3 659 31.4 622 35.7 710 33.6 672 31.2 676
Avg 30.2 33.8 33.2 32.5 31.6 31.8 32.9 31.6 33.3 32.9 37.5 36.6 34.6 39.4 37.3 37.6
Margin +7.2 +2.6 +2.4 +2.2 +2.1 +1.7 +0.7 +0.6 +0.4 -0.1 -0.6 -2.3 -3.1 -3.8 -3.8 -6.3
Blocks Avg/G 123 6.83 85 4.72 79 4.39 78 4.33 77 4.28 74 4.11 62 3.44 59 3.28 59 3.28 58 3.22 58 3.22 58 3.22 55 3.06 55 3.06 49 2.72 47 2.61
TURNOVER MARGIN Team 1. Louisville 2. St. John’s 3. Seton Hall 4. Cincinnati 5. Marquette 6. Providence 7. Syracuse 8. Rutgers 9. West Virginia 10. Connecticut 11. Villanova 12. Notre Dame 13. DePaul 14. Pittsburgh 15. Georgetown 16. USF
G 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
TEAM 224 235 216 215 205 222 229 217 206 202 220 201 241 218 230 258
Avg OPP 12.4 268 13.1 277 12.0 256 11.9 247 11.4 229 12.3 242 12.7 234 12.1 219 11.4 207 11.2 196 12.2 208 11.2 186 13.4 221 12.1 189 12.8 184 14.3 176
Avg 14.9 15.4 14.2 13.7 12.7 13.4 13.0 12.2 11.5 10.9 11.6 10.3 12.3 10.5 10.2 9.8
Margin +2.44 +2.33 +2.22 +1.78 +1.33 +1.11 +0.28 +0.11 +0.06 -0.33 -0.67 -0.83 -1.11 -1.61 -2.56 -4.56
G 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
Assists 301 279 278 276 275 264 259 242 242 241 239 237 232 215 212 206
ASSIST/TURNOVER RATIO Team G 1. Notre Dame 18 2. West Virginia 18 3. Louisville 18 4. Marquette 18 5. Pittsburgh 18 6. Syracuse 18 7. Connecticut 18 8. Cincinnati 18 9. Rutgers 18 10. Villanova 18 11. DePaul 18 12. Seton Hall 18 13. Georgetown 18 14. Providence 18 15. St. John’s 18 16. USF 18
Avg 15.3 15.4 16.7 14.7 15.5 15.3 13.4 13.3 13.4 13.2 14.4 12.9 13.4 11.4 11.8 11.9
Avg Ratio 11.2 1.37 11.4 1.35 12.4 1.34 11.4 1.29 12.1 1.28 12.7 1.20 11.2 1.20 11.9 1.11 12.1 1.11 12.2 1.08 13.4 1.07 12.0 1.07 12.8 1.05 12.3 0.93 13.1 0.90 14.3 0.83
G 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
Steals Avg/G 157 8.72 146 8.11 144 8.00 138 7.67 135 7.50 127 7.06 126 7.00 117 6.50 111 6.17 106 5.89 101 5.61 92 5.11 89 4.94 80 4.44 79 4.39 79 4.39
REBOUNDING OFFENSE Team 1. Pittsburgh 2. Connecticut 3. West Virginia 4. Providence Syracuse 6. Villanova 7. Louisville 8. Marquette 9. USF Cincinnati 11. Seton Hall 12. Notre Dame 13. Georgetown 14. St. John’s 15. Rutgers 16. DePaul
G Reb 18 673 18 665 18 656 18 642 18 642 18 625 18 618 18 608 18 605 18 605 18 604 18 603 18 592 18 579 18 566 18 562
BLOCKED SHOTS Team 1. Syracuse 2. Connecticut 3. Georgetown 4. West Virginia 5. Louisville 6. Rutgers 7. USF 8. Cincinnati Seton Hall 10. Marquette Notre Dame Pittsburgh 13. Villanova Providence 15. DePaul 16. St. John’s
G 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
ASSISTS Team 1. Louisville 2. Pittsburgh 3. West Virginia 4. Notre Dame 5. Syracuse 6. Marquette 7. DePaul 8. Georgetown Connecticut 10. Rutgers 11. Cincinnati 12. Villanova 13. Seton Hall 14. USF 15. St. John’s 16. Providence STEALS Team 1. Louisville 2. Syracuse 3. St. John’s 4. Seton Hall 5. Providence 6. Cincinnati 7. Rutgers 8. DePaul 9. Villanova 10. Marquette 11. Connecticut 12. Notre Dame 13. Georgetown 14. USF 15. Pittsburgh West Virginia
Avg/G 37.4 36.9 36.4 35.7 35.7 34.7 34.3 33.8 33.6 33.6 33.6 33.5 32.9 32.2 31.4 31.2
Avg/G 16.72 15.50 15.44 15.33 15.28 14.67 14.39 13.44 13.44 13.39 13.28 13.17 12.89 11.94 11.78 11.44
Asst 276 278 301 264 279 275 242 239 241 237 259 232 242 206 212 215
Turn 201 206 224 205 218 229 202 215 217 220 241 216 230 222 235 258
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