News and notes from around the country:
- Texas head coach Rick Barnes believes freshman Gary Johnson will be cleared to play soon, but will use Dexter Pittman more until then. (ESPN.com)
- Memphis junior forward Robert Dozier performs well in big games, but needs to develop consistency if he is going to fulfill his vast potential. (Memphis Commercial Appeal)
- Arizona poses a more difficult challenge to Memphis than Georgetown did because of its talent and ability to match-up with the Tigers. (Memphis Commercial Appeal)
- The most intriguing personnel match-up this weekend is going to be a battle of freshmen: Memphis' Derrick Rose vs. Arizona's Jerryd Bayless. (Tucson Citizen)
- Syracuse freshman point guard Jonny Flynn is already being mentioned among the all-time great Orange point guards and the best guards in the country. (Syracuse Post-Standard)
- With the injured Mike Cook out for the season, Pittsburgh head coach Jamie Dixon will turn to redshirt freshman Gilbert Brown to fill the void in the starting lineup. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
- North Carolina junior guard Bobby Frasor tore the ACL in his left knee on Thursday and will miss the rest of the season. (Raleigh News & Observer)
- Washington hasn't won a non-conference road game since 2004, but will try to break that streak Saturday at LSU. (Seattle Times)
- Washington senior guard Tim Morris broke his nose in practice on Thursday, but will still start against LSU Saturday. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)
- Georgia Tech seems to be hitting its stride just in time for conference play, which starts Sunday against Florida State. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
- There are myriad reasons for Maryland's 6-6 start, including inconsistent offense; not winning at home against teams it should beat; slow starts to games; and freshmen playing like freshmen. (Baltimore Sun)
- St. John's redshirt freshman forward Rob Thomas is finally back on the basketball court after overcoming illiteracy at the age of 17, dyslexia and a severe knee injury last season. (New York Times)
I would argue that the best personnel match-up of the weekend will be Stefhon Hannah against Jamont Gordon. Two sparkplugs on disappointing teams.
ReplyDeleteIn other news, the MVC is increasingly looking to be a 1-bid league this year (with the caveat that if Southern Illinois runs through the league and loses in the title game, they get in).