An Early Look at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge
by StegerWithSwagg on May 14, 2012 4:38 PM CDT
in BT News
It may not be November just yet, but an early Thanksgiving gift to college basketball fans came Monday.
The matchups for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge for the upcoming season were announced early Monday afternoon. This is the 14th season of the Challenge, with the Big Ten winning the past three seasons.
Last season, the B1G was triumphant with ease with an 8-4 margin. This season, the Challenge will take place on Nov. 27 and 28 and will be presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Currently, nine teams total in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big Ten Conference are ranked in the preseason top-25, including five of the top ten in the nation.
0 commentsIndiana versus Kentucky series will not continue next season
by apy5000 on May 4, 2012 9:34 PM CDT
in Indiana
Despite the notion that the Kentucky versus Indiana game in Bloomington last winter was one of the most exciting games played all season, the two historic programs will not be meeting this year. IU and Kentucky had played a game against each other for 43 seasons in a row, but the respective administrations could not come to an agreement about the series in the future.
Kentucky wanted the series played at neutral sites, like Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and Freedom Hall in Louisville. A setup like that would produce more revenue, and it was the norm from 1990 until 2005, when the series flipped to home courts because of a scheduling conflict.
It was Indiana who wanted to have the series continue with games at Assembly Hall and Kenutcky's Rupp Arena. This setup would mean less money, but it would be easier for students to attend and would lead to much more raucous arena atmospheres.
IU athletic director Fred Glass explained the situation in a press release.
"While we understand that such neutral site games could be quite lucrative, we think the series should be continued as it is, home and home," said Glass. "Playing on campus enables our students to attend these marquee games which we believe is a great component of the overall college experience. Playing in the historic venues that are Assembly Hall and Rupp Arena is also a tremendous experience for our student-athletes."
Although it's hard to imagine that both sides couldn't reach some sort of compromise, Indiana and Kentucky will not play each other during the regular season in the near future. We're hoping that the historic nature of the rivalry and the great passion that both fanbases have toward their teams will cause the series to be continued at some point. For now, Inside the Hall says that IU made the right call.
In the end, Indiana decided keeping the game in front of its own fans every other season at Assembly Hall was the most important factor and it's hard to argue the logic. Last season's game produced the best atmosphere of the regular season in college basketball that cannot be reproduced at a neutral site. Walking away from the rivalry now, even if it's just for a couple of years, could produce the birth of another great home-and-home series.
Anyone who watched both Indiana/Kentucky games last season will tell you that the Assembly Hall atmosphere made a big difference for the Hoosiers. I'm pretty sure that playing the game in the enormous Lucas Oil Stadium wouldn't come close to providing that kind of hysteria, so it's tough to find fault in Indiana's logic.
Looks like we have one less thing to look forward to next season. We've still got a long summer ahead of us, though.
Wisconsin lifts all Uthoff transfer restrictions except for Big Ten schools
This really is a situation that got out of hand and was a bit overhyped by the media, but after talking to Jarrod Uthoff, Wisconsin athletic officials have agreed to lift all transfer restrictions except for Big Ten schools.. more understandable.
It's unfair to only blame Ryan for Jarrod Uthoff transfer restrictions
by apy5000 on Apr 19, 2012 1:37 PM CDT
in Wisconsin
A story about Wisconsin redshirt freshman Jarrod Uthoff leaving the Wisconsin basketball program has today turned into a big national story because of the restrictions that coach Bo Ryan put on the list of schools Uthoff can transfer to.
During an interview with ESPN's Mike and Mike in the Morning, Ryan was painted as a sort of villain because the restricted list included not only the Big Ten, but the entire ACC as well, plus Marquette and Iowa State. The rationale behind that, according to Ryan, is that Wisconsin could possibly play any team in the ACC over the next few years because of the annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
That sounds a little excessive. Like Bucky's 5th Quarter says, Wisconsin wouldn't look too silly if Uthoff scored a bunch of points against the Badgers in a non-conference game. It's not as though it was Ryan who kicked Uthoff out of Madison.
While talking with Mike and Mike, Ryan said that he made the list based on advice he got from fellow coaches regarding how to deal with a transferring athlete. The Wisconsin coach made it seem as though extensive lists like this are made every time an athlete wants to change schools. He also made it clear that if Uthoff really wanted to go to one of the schools on the list, he could appeal with school administration and he might get his way if he gives a good reason for leaving. According to Ryan, Uthoff didn't really give him one initially.
If an appeal can be made, then why make the list in the first place? Ryan didn't really give a clear answer, but I got the feeling that he did it because that's what other coaches had done. Now Ryan looks like a bad guy just for following protocol.
2013 NCAA Tournament Projection
ESPN's Joe Lunardi takes the first stab at predicting next season's NCAA Tournament.
Big Ten Basketball Links - 4/15/12
by BT Hoops on Apr 15, 2012 11:18 PM CDT
in Big Ten Basketball Links
Hey guys, sorry for the huge gap between posts, we have been figuring some things out and are finally back to business! There has already been some big news around the Big Ten with Nebraska and Illinois hiring coaches, Michigan State's Derrick Nix getting arrested, kicked off the team and then reinstated and the Big Ten Network announcing The Journey for football... it has been busy. The links are below!
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Andy Katz: Indiana Hoosiers still lead revised Top 25, but plenty of changes elsewhere - ESPN
With several underclassmen and recruiting decisions in the books, Andy Katz takes another look at the Top 25 for 2012-13.Big Ten basketball: How the Ohio State roster and conference race shape up next season | cleveland.com
The Buckeyes will be a top 25 team in the preseason but could have four or five Big Ten teams, including highly-ranked Indiana, ahead of them.NBA decisions good news for Big Ten hoops
Big Ten basketball is in good standing, especially with several key players staying in school.Michigan State's Derrick Nix back on team after guilty plea | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
"From this point on, I’ve got to become a man," Nix said, wearing a suit as tears rolled down his cheeks.(CLICK BELOW FOR MORE LINKS)
Offseason Phase 1: Who's going pro?
by babaoreally on Apr 4, 2012 10:06 PM CDT
in NBA Draft
As many of you are probably aware, Kentucky beat Kansas on Monday to win the NCAA Championship. Kansas used their tried-and-true strategy of getting behind early and then coming back at the end, which they used to eliminate two Big Ten teams, but it wasn't enough.
So now we move to the first phase of the true offseason. We have already made it through the preliminary phase of coaching changes; now we are ready to see which big time non-seniors will not be returning.
Definitely not returning: Meyers Leonard, Jared Sullinger, Jorge Brian Diaz
Big guys tend to get drafted and Leonard showed some of his potential this year. With the late-season collapse and the coaching change in Champaign, this comes as no surprise. If he continues to improve, he should be able to make and stay on an NBA roster for at least a few years.
Sullinger will be a lottery pick this year, and whatever team gets him will immediately improve their frontcourt. He is not without his weaknesses, and playing in the NBA is a lot different than playing in college, but his combination of size, strength and skill should translate well in the pros. For a good read on what Sullinger meant to Ohio State, check out this article from Luke Zimmerman.
Diaz is leaving early to go to his native Puerto Rico, where he has the chance to make some money playing basketball. Diaz was a solid inside player for the Huskers, but he had injury issues this year. He will be remembered by most Big Ten fans for hitting two clutch free throws to beat Indiana.
Probably not returning: Trey Burke
Jeff Goodman of CBSsports.com reported that Burke will most likely become the second point guard in a row to leave Michigan after their freshman year. It's not quite a done deal yet, but the people who make a living writing about this stuff think that he is gone. Darius Morris may have regretted leaving so early, since he wasn't picked until late in the second round. Burke is not a lock for the first round, but this is supposedly a weak group of point guards, so he should go higher than Morris did.
Probably returning: Trevor Mbakwe
Mbakwe was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA in March and it is probable at this point that he will use that year. He tore his ACL this season, which probably isn't good for his draft status, but, on the other hand, injuries like that sometimes make players try to get paid as soon as possible.
Unsure: Deshaun Thomas
Thad Matta said that Thomas is still weighing his options as of Wednesday. Thomas showed a lot of improvement this year, in both offense and defense. He has the potential to be a good scorer at any level of play. It's a somewhat crowded draft, but he will definitely get selected if he goes.
Thursday Info Dump
by babaoreally on Mar 28, 2012 10:13 PM CDT
in Big Ten Basketball Links
Most basketball fans have been giving their attention the past couple of weeks to the tournament, but a lot has been happening off the court. It's time to catch up on some recent events in the conference.
Nebraska hires Tim Miles as Coach
Miles previously coached at Colorado State, where this year he took the Rams to their first NCAA tournament in nine years. He was also named District VIII Coach of the Year by the US Basketball Writers Association. The folks at Corn Nation seem underwhelmed, but are optimistic about Ronald Coleman, an assistant who has deep Chicago ties. It's clear to everyone that the Nebraska program is miles away from competing at the top of the league, so maybe hiring a coach named Miles is a good idea. Check out the following links for more info:
Official Press Release from Nebraska
Husker CornCast: Tim Miles—Bad Hire?: The folks at Corn Nation discuss the hire on their podcast
Tim Miles Biography from Huskers.com
More news bites after the jump.
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