Late-Night Snacks: A recap of Sunday’s action

By Raphielle JohnsonNov 12, 2012, 1:05 AM EST

While Sunday’s college basketball schedule wasn’t loaded with games there was one match-up of ranked teams and eight other contests involving Top 25 squads. So for those who may have spent the day hemming and hawing over their fantasy football team(s), here are some of the important happenings on the first Sunday of the college basketball season.

Games of the Day

1. South Carolina 82, Milwaukee 75 (OT)
The first win of the Frank Martin era in Columbia was a tough one, as the Gamecocks needed two free throws from Mindaugas Kacinas to send the game into overtime. Brenton Williams scored 12 of his 14 points in the extra session and freshman Michael Carrera went for 17 points and 15 rebounds to lead South Carolina past the Panthers.

2. No. 12 Arizona 83, Charleston Southern 73
This one ended up being much closer than many expected, but the Wildcats were able to hold off Charleston Southern to win their season opener. Mark Lyons may not have shot his best (5-of-14 FG) but he finished with 17 points, six assists and no turnovers. Arlon Harper led the Buccaneers with 20 points, and the two teams combined to attempt 60 three-pointers (making 21).

3. Holy Cross 74, Morgan State 73
Two free throws apiece from Dave Dudzinski and Justin Burrell gave the Crusaders a four-point lead with 4.8 seconds remaining, and they needed all four as Morgan State’s DeWayne Jackson hit a three as time expired. Dudzinski led Holy Cross with 20 points and eight rebounds.

Important Outcomes

1. No. 9 Syracuse 62, No. 20 San Diego State 49
The Battle on the Midway wasn’t pretty from an offensive standpoint, as the Aztecs shot just 27% from the field and nearly as bad (14-of-33) from the foul line. C.J. Fair led the Orange with 17 points and ten rebounds while Michael Carter-Williams scored 17 in addition to five assists, four rebounds and four steals.

2. Villanova 80, Marshall 68
With the Thundering Herd having the talent to challenge in Conference USA this was a tough home game for Villanova, especially considering the fact that they opened up against the University of the District of Columbia. Freshman point guard Ryan Arcidiacono led the way with 25 points, six assists and four rebounds.

3. Washington 85, Loyola (MD) 63
The Huskies weren’t at their best in the first half, turning the ball over 11 times and leading the preseason MAAC favorites by just two (33-31) at the intermission. Abdul Gaddy and company took far better care of the ball in the second half, and as a result Washington put up 52 points and rolled to a comfortable victory.

Starred

1. G Ahmad Starks (Oregon State): 33 points, five assists, five rebounds and four steals in the Beavers’ 71-62 win over New Mexico State.

2. F Ryan Anderson (Boston College): 29 points and 17 rebounds in the Eagles’ 84-70 win over FIU.

3. G Michael Lyons (Air Force): 33 points (7-of-12 3PT) to lead the Falcons past The Citadel 77-70.

Stunk

1. San Diego State: 17-of-63 (27%) from the field, 1-of-18 (5.6%) from three and 14-of-33 (42.4%) from the foul line.

2. Alabama State: Nine points in the first half of their 84-35 loss to No. 10 Florida. Sure they were overmatched, but nine points in 20 minutes of basketball?

3. Evan Hymes and Rob Poole (Siena): These two struggled mightily in the Saints’ 54-49 overtime win at Navy, combining to go 5-of-28 from the field (2-of-17 3PT).

Three Facts

1. The championship coach (Larry Brown) and Most Outstanding Player (Danny Manning) of the 1988 NCAA tournament both picked up wins in their debuts at new jobs. Brown’s SMU Mustangs beat Loyola Marymount 73-58, and Manning’s Tulsa squad blew out LSU-Shreveport 110-54.

2. The Pac-12 went perfect this weekend, with wins by Arizona, Washington and California moving the conference to 12-0. No real marquee wins, but when considering the three years prior that’s not a bad start.

3. Hofstra, who dropped an 83-54 decision at Purdue on Sunday, has lost back-to-back games by 29-point margins. The last time the Pride lost consecutive games by 29 or more was during the 1986-87 season, when they were the Flying Dutchmen.

Other Top 25 scores of note

1. No. 2 Louisville 79, Manhattan 51
Russ Smith led the way with 23 points and five steals, but there’s room for improvement in the shot selection department. The Cardinals struggled offensively in the first half, then dropped 51 points on the Jaspers in the final 20 minutes.

2. No. 23 Wisconsin 87, Southeastern Louisiana 47
The Badgers rolled as expected, and also of importance was the return of senior forward Mike Bruesewitz to the lineup after suffering a nasty cut in a weight room accident. Ben Brust posted a double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds) and Jared Berggren scored 19 points and grabbed eight boards for Wisconsin, who won their 11th straight season opener.

3. No. 4 Ohio State 82, Albany 60
All four teams involved in the two aircraft carrier game cancellations on Friday won their season openers on Sunday. Aaron Craft knocked down five of his seven shots from beyond the arc and led the Buckeyes with 20 points and seven assists, and Deshaun Thomas added 19.

Raphielle also writes for the NBE Basketball Report and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.

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.