The Morning Mix

By Troy MachirOct 31, 2012, 8:00 AM EDT

The big news of the day was that the NCAA finally adopted new enforcement policies that “creates additional levels of infractions, hastens the investigation process and ratchets up penalties for the most egregious violations”. The two best reactions I’ve read thus far are from Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports and Eamonn Brennan of ESPN

– With the NBA season getting started last night, Rush The Court fills us in on the whereabouts of all 54 former Pac-12 players now on NBA rosters

– Ken Pomeroy released his statistical team rankings for the 2012-2013 season. This is the one site that every diehard fan needs to pony up the cash and subscribe to. It’s 1000% worth it. Dan Hanner, the stats wizard at Basketball Prospectus also released his rankings. I highly recommend you subscribing to Basketball Prospectus. Mid-Major Madness analyzes the rankings from a small school perspective. Hustle Belt does the same for Mid-American Conference programs. Chris Burrows has some good things to say about the rankings as well

– If the trend continues, we could be seeing an even higher number of transfers than we last season. A Utah State player has decided to leave the program after just one exhibition game. I understand not every situation is perfect, but I’d recommend sticking it out until at least the first week of real games

– Matt Kavanaugh was supposed to be the starting center for the Dayton Flyers. But last week Kavanaugh was suspended for the entire season for violating the school’s code of conduct. Luckily for the Flyers, freshman Jalen Robinson stepped up and provided a double-double in the first exhibition game of the season. If the Flyers want to compete in the deep Atlantic-10, they will need to Robinson to step up on a regular basis

– Well here’s something kinda interesting: It appears as though both Chane Behanan and Wayne Blackshear will start the season coming off the bench for the Louisville Cardinals

– If the Big East is to get a new television deal, they will need a stable basketball product to market

– UCLA’s 100-year old student-run newspaper, The Daily Bruin, has several issues with the way the NCAA is handling the eligibility issues of Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson. They do make fine points, but if a player is eventually ruled ineligible, then there needs to be some sort of accountability for the games they participated. Unfortunately, it looks like trying to resolve this sort of scenario is miles down the road

– Although he will be sidelined for the entire season with an ACL injury, Wisconsin’s Josh Gasser wants to impart his wisdom on the Badger’s young backcourt in what he term’s “a coaching internship”

– A nice-read on Niagara’s Juan’ya Green, who in only his second season will be asked to provide leadership for a young Purple Eagles squad looking to improve on last season’s 14/19 record

– Prior to taking over the Memphis program, Josh Pastner was on staff at Arizona. While he never coached along side current Wildcats head coach Sean Miller, he does credit him for much of the Tiger’s offensive success

– It should come as no surprise that South Carolina is projected by many to finish at the very bottom of the SEC this year. Frank Martin will turn this program around, but it will take at least a year. But starting out with a one point exhibition win against Kentucky Wesleyan doesn’t exactly set the best tone what’s bound to be a difficult season

– Rick Pitino signed a contract extension that will keep him on the Louisville sidelines until the 2021-2022 season, at which point he will be 70 years old

– Austin Peay senior guard Jerome Clyburn will miss the first month of the season as he rehabs from a torn meniscus

– In our Ivy League preview, Rob Dauster explains why Harvard is still the favorite to contend for the league championship

– Jason King ranks the top-10 best point guards in the country. Jeff Goodman ranks the top-50 best shooters in the country

– Andy Katz explains the problems the Hofstra basketball program has encountered due to Hurricane Sandy

– Nicole Auerbach informs us how Mason Plumlee uses his older brothers wisdom to help lead the Duke Blue Devils

– Here’s an interesting topic: What university has the best 1-2 punch in means & women’s head coaches. Up until a few months ago, UConn was the obvious choice. But if you ask the people in Lexington, they’d be happy to tell you all about Matthew Mitchell and the job he has done with the women’s program

– Reason No.10 why Rush The Court loves college basketball. What.A.Game. I remember like it was yesterday

– In case you’re in to that sort of thing, Adam Zagoria provides the opening night rosters for every team in the NBA

– You’ve got to be kidding me right? The Duke women’s team beat Shaw College by 106 points, 138-32. That’s crazy. Shaw was the 2011-2012 Division-II National Champions. Of course Duke is going to beat them, but by 100 points? That’s crazy

Troy Machir is the managing editor of the college basketball website Ballin’ is a Habit. You can find him on twitter @TroyMachir.

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.