Wednesday’s slate and what to watch for

By Rob DausterFeb 15, 2012, 2:00 PM EST

All times ET. Television guide via here.

Game of the Night: New Mexico @ San Diego State, 10 p.m. (CBSSports Network)

Thanks to UNLV’s misstep at TCU on Tuesday night, the Lobos and the Aztecs will be squaring off for the right to call themselves the team to beat in the Mountain West. Now, SDSU already owns a win over New Mexico, soundly beating Steve Alford’s club in Albequerque back in January. But this is a different New Mexico team now, one that just may be the best team in the conference. Seriously. While head-to-head losses to both SDSU and UNLV make that a tough notion to believe, John Gasaway is not a man easily argued with, and with games against both the Aztecs and the Runnin’ Rebels this week, New Mexico will have a chance to showcase just what they are capable of.

Who’s getting upset?: North Carolina @ Miami, 7 p.m. (ESPN)

I like this Miami team, probably more than I should, rationally. But they have a hoss on the block in Reggie Johnson, they have a trio of talented guards, they have one of the most improved players in the country in the suddenly-lights out Kenny Kadji and they have a couple of athletes coming off of their bench. The Hurricanes had a five-game winning streak — which included a victory at Duke in overtime — with a five-point loss at Florida State over the weekend. With work left to do to get themselves into the NCAA Tournament, a win over UNC would go a long way. What to watch for: Tyler Zeller destroying whoever gets matched up with him. Johnson won’t be able to keep pace up and down the court and Kadji isn’t big enough to handle him on the block.

Mid-major matchup of the Night: Loyola Marymount @ St. Mary’s, 10:30 p.m. (CSN California)

Now that LMU is finally healthy, they are starting to show some folks why college basketball scribes have been touting this team for the past two years. They have quite a bit of talent on their roster, enough that they were able to knock off BYU in the Marriot Center. But St. Mary’s needs to win out to win the first league title that doesn’t include Gonzaga in 13 years. The Lions will be their toughest test.

Bubble Banter:

– Northwestern @ Indiana, 6:30 p.m. (Big Ten): This is a huge game for Northwestern. Well, at this point in the season, every game is a huge game. They’ve played the “close, but not enough” game for the NCAA Tournament too many times.

– Temple @ St. Bonaventure, 8 p.m. (CBSSports Network): Temple should be feeling pretty good about their chances to not only get into the NCAA Tournament, but to win the conference as well. The Bonnies, however, are a good team at home and have arguably the best player in the league in Andrew Nicholson.

– Arkansas @ Tennessee, 8 p.m. (SEC Network): We’re still waiting for Arkansas to win a game on the road, while Tennessee has won just enough to get themselves into the end of the bubble discussion.

– Purdue @ Illinois, 8:30 p.m. (Big Ten): Isn’t this what February basketball is all about? Two well-known programs fighting it out to try and remain in bubble consideration.

– Providence @ Cincinnati, 9 p.m. (ESPN3): What’s more surprising: that Cincinnati is still very much on the bubble …

– Colorado State @ Boise State, 10 p.m. (MTN): … or that Colorado State is?

Also keep an eye on:

– Delaware State @ Norfolk State, 7:30 p.m.: First place Norfolk State to take on the hottest team in the league in Delaware State.

– 8:00 pm: Tulsa @ Southern Miss, 8 p.m.: USM is currently tied with Memphis for first in Conference USA, but the Golden Hurricane have been creeping up lately.

– Oklahoma State @ Missouri, 9 p.m. (ESPN): The last time these two teams played, LeBryan Nash went for 27 points as the Pokes knocked off the Tigers. Wonder who remembers that?

Other notable games:

– Rutgers @ Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
– DePaul @ UConn, 7 p.m.
– Villanova @ South Florida, 7 p.m.
– Murray State @ SE Missouri St., 8 p.m.
– Richmond @ St. Louis, 8 p.m.
– UT-Arlington @ Stephen F. Austin, 8 p.m.
– Memphis @ Tulane, 8 p.m.
– Missouri State @ Wichita State, 8:05 p.m.

Rob Dauster is the editor of the college basketball website Ballin’ is a Habit. You can find him on twitter @ballinisahabit.

Biden celebrates LSU women’s and UConn men’s basketball teams at separate White House events

Associated PressMay 26, 2023, 11:56 PM EDT

Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK

WASHINGTON – All of the past drama and sore feelings associated with Louisiana State’s invitation to the White House were seemingly forgotten or set aside Friday as President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcomed the championship women’s basketball team to the mansion with smiles, hugs and lavish praise all around.

The visit had once appeared in jeopardy after Jill Biden suggested that the losing Iowa team be invited, too. But none of that was mentioned as both Bidens heralded the players for their performance and the way they have helped advance women’s sports.

“Folks, we witnessed history,” the president said. “In this team, we saw hope, we saw pride and we saw purpose. It matters.”

The ceremony was halted for about 10 minutes after forward Sa’Myah Smith appeared to collapse as she and her teammates stood behind Biden. A wheelchair was brought in and coach Kim Mulkey assured the audience that Smith was fine.

LSU said in a statement that Smith felt overheated, nauseous and thought she might faint. She was evaluated by LSU and White House medical staff and was later able to rejoin the team. “She is feeling well, in good spirits, and will undergo further evaluation once back in Baton Rouge,” the LSU statement said.

Since the passage of Title IX in 1972, Biden said, more than half of all college students are women, and there are now 10 times more female athletes in college and high school. He said most sports stories are still about men, and that that needs to change.

Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in federally funded education programs and activities.

“Folks, we need to support women sports, not just during the championship run but during the entire year,” President Biden said.

After the Tigers beat Iowa for the NCAA title in April in a game the first lady attended, she caused an uproar by suggesting that the Hawkeyes also come to the White House.

LSU star Angel Reese called the idea “A JOKE” and said she would prefer to visit with former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, instead. The LSU team largely is Black, while Iowa’s top player, Caitlin Clark, is white, as are most of her teammates.

Nothing came of Jill Biden’s idea and the White House only invited the Tigers. Reese ultimately said she would not skip the White House visit. She and co-captain Emily Ward presented team jerseys bearing the number “46” to Biden and the first lady. Hugs were exchanged.

Jill Biden also lavished praise on the team, saying the players showed “what it means to be a champion.”

“In this room, I see the absolute best of the best,” she said, adding that watching them play was “pure magic.”

“Every basket was pure joy and I kept thinking about how far women’s sports have come,” the first lady added, noting that she grew up before Title IX was passed. “We’ve made so much progress and we still have so much more work to do.”

The president added that “the way in which women’s sports has come along is just incredible. It’s really neat to see, since I’ve got four granddaughters.”

After Smith was helped to a wheelchair, Mulkey told the audience the player was OK.

“As you can see, we leave our mark where we go,” Mulkey joked. “Sa’Myah is fine. She’s kind of, right now, embarrassed.”

A few members of Congress and Biden aides past and present with Louisiana roots dropped what they were doing to attend the East Room event, including White House budget director Shalanda Young. Young is in the thick of negotiations with House Republicans to reach a deal by the middle of next week to stave off what would be a globally calamitous U.S. financial default if the U.S. can no longer borrow the money it needs to pay its bills.

The president, who wore a necktie in the shade of LSU’s purple, said Young, who grew up in Baton Rouge, told him, “I’m leaving the talks to be here.” Rep. Garret Graves, one of the House GOP negotiators, also attended.

Biden closed sports Friday by changing to a blue tie and welcoming the UConn’s men’s championship team for its own celebration. The Huskies won their fifth national title by defeating San Diego State, 76-59, in April.

“Congratulations to the whole UConn nation,” he said.

Marquette’s Prosper says he will stay in draft rather than returning to school

Associated PressMay 26, 2023, 7:08 PM EDT

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

MILWAUKEE — Olivier-Maxence Prosper announced he is keeping his name under NBA draft consideration rather than returning to Marquette.

The 6-foot-8 forward announced his decision.

“Thank you Marquette nation, my coaches, my teammates and support staff for embracing me from day one,” Prosper said in an Instagram post. “My time at Marquette has been incredible. With that being said, I will remain in the 2023 NBA Draft. I’m excited for what comes next. On to the next chapter…”

Prosper had announced last month he was entering the draft. He still could have returned to school and maintained his college eligibility by withdrawing from the draft by May 31. Prosper’s announcement indicates he instead is going ahead with his plans to turn pro.

Prosper averaged 12.5 points and 4.7 rebounds last season while helping Marquette go 29-7 and win the Big East’s regular-season and tournament titles. Marquette’s season ended with a 69-60 loss to Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament’s round of 32.

He played two seasons at Marquette after transferring from Clemson, where he spent one season.

Kansas’ Kevin McCullar Jr. returning for last season of eligibility

Associated PressMay 25, 2023, 9:18 PM EDT

Jeffrey Becker/USA TODAY Sports

Kevin McCullar Jr. said that he will return to Kansas for his final year of eligibility, likely rounding out a roster that could make the Jayhawks the preseason No. 1 next season.

McCullar transferred from Texas Tech to Kansas for last season, when he started 33 of 34 games and averaged 10.7 points and 7.0 rebounds. He was also among the nation’s leaders in steals, and along with being selected to the Big 12’s all-defensive team, the 6-foot-6 forward was a semifinalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award.

“To be able to play in front of the best fans in the country; to play for the best coach in the nation, I truly believe we have the pieces to hang another banner in the Phog,” McCullar said in announcing his return.

Along with McCullar, the Jayhawks return starters Dajuan Harris Jr. and K.J. Adams from a team that went 28–8, won the Big 12 regular-season title and was a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, where it lost to Arkansas in the second round.

Perhaps more importantly, the Jayhawks landed Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson, widely considered the best player in the portal, to anchor a lineup that was missing a true big man. They also grabbed former five-star prospect Arterio Morris, who left Texas, and Towson’s Nick Timberlake, who emerged last season as one of the best 3-point shooters in the country.

The Jayhawks also have an elite recruiting class arriving that is headlined by five-star recruit Elmarko Jackson.

McCullar declared for the draft but, after getting feedback from scouts, decided to return. He was a redshirt senior last season, but he has another year of eligibility because part of his career was played during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is a big day for Kansas basketball,” Jayhawks coach Bill Self said. “Kevin is not only a terrific player but a terrific teammate. He fit in so well in year one and we’re excited about what he’ll do with our program from a leadership standpoint.”

Clemson leading scorer Hall withdraws from NBA draft, returns to Tigers

Associated PressMay 25, 2023, 9:15 PM EDT

Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson leading scorer PJ Hall is returning to college after withdrawing from the NBA draft on Thursday.

The 6-foot-10 forward took part in the NBA combine and posted his decision to put off the pros on social media.

Hall led the Tigers with 15.3 points per game this past season. He also led the Tigers with 37 blocks, along with 5.7 rebounds. Hall helped Clemson finish third in the Atlantic Coast Conference while posting a program-record 14 league wins.

Clemson coach Brad Brownell said Hall gained experience from going through the NBA’s combine that will help the team next season. “I’m counting on him and others to help lead a very talented group,” he said.

Hall was named to the all-ACC third team last season as the Tigers went 23-10.

George Washington adopts new name ‘Revolutionaries’ to replace ‘Colonials’

Associated PressMay 24, 2023, 7:12 PM EDT

Getty Images

WASHINGTON — George Washington University’s sports teams will now be known as the Revolutionaries, the school announced.

Revolutionaries replaces Colonials, which had been GW’s name since 1926. Officials made the decision last year to drop the old name after determining it no longer unified the community.

GW said 8,000 different names were suggested and 47,000 points of feedback made during the 12-month process. Revolutionaries won out over the other final choices of Ambassadors, Blue Fog and Sentinels.

“I am very grateful for the active engagement of our community throughout the development of the new moniker,” president Mark S. Wrighton said. “This process was truly driven by our students, faculty, staff and alumni, and the result is a moniker that broadly reflects our community – and our distinguished and distinguishable GW spirit.”

George the mascot will stay and a new logo developed soon for the Revolutionaries name that takes effect for the 2023-24 school year. The university is part of the Atlantic 10 Conference.