The Morning Mix

By Troy MachirJan 14, 2013, 8:00 AM EST

As is the case every Monday, The Morning Mix is here to get you caught up to speed on everything that took place this weekend in the college hoops world. In case you spent your weekend under a rock, there are no more undefeated teams in the country. On the flip side, Grambling and Maryland-Eastern Shore remain the only two winless teams in the country.

Lets hit the links.

Monday’s Top Games:
7:00 p.m. – No. 3 Louisville @ UConn
9:00 p.m. – Baylor @ No. 6 Kansas

Read of the Day:
Everybody, but especially the stats-geeks will love this article about Central Connecticut State head coach Howie Dickenman and his fascination with statistics and crunching numbers. Read it. (Hartford Courant)

Top Stories:
NC State beats Duke, storms floor, knocks over kid in wheelchair? Following North Carolina State’ 82-76 win over No. 1 Duke, the students stormed the court in celebration. A student in a wheelchair was knocked out of his chair at the center of the courtstorming. Luckily C.J. Leslie was there to pick him up and save him from the stampede.

Kwame Vaughn buzzer beater lifts Cal State Fullerton over UC Riverside: Titans’ senior Kwame Vaughn was just 2-of-11 from the floor Saturday against UC Riverside, but his second make won his team the game. Vaughn drilled a step-back fallaway jumper to beat the Highlanders 71-69.

Delaware now 3-0 in the CAA thanks to Devon Saddler’s buzzer-beater: The Blue Hens moved to 3-0 in the CAA thanks to a 3-point buzzer-beater from Devon Saddler against Georgia State. Delaware has now won six straight after losing eight of their first ten games.

Still no timetable for Butler guard Rotnei Clarke’s return: Butler guard Rotnei Clarke took a horrific fall against Dayton on Saturday and was taken off the court on a stretcher. Clarke was able to leave with the team and was even seen in the gym on Sunday. But due to precautionary measures, he will be held out until further notice.

Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State give No. 2 Michigan first loss of season in Big Ten thriller: The Buckeyes fought off a furious rally from their hated rivals, and after 40 minutes of play, were able to hand the Michigan Wolverines their first loss of the season. The Buckeyes got out to a hot start, leading by as many as 21. But led by Trey Burke, the maize and blue fought back. Their efforts came up short, as Burke’s game-winning 3-pointer was off the mark.

No. 12 Illinois gets embarrassed at Wisconsin: The Illini, who are currently ranked No. 12 in the country, fell to 1-3 in Big Ten play on Saturday afternoon after losing at Wisconsin 74-51.

Ole Miss 2-0 in SEC after 15-point dismantling of No. 10 Missouri: The Missouri Tigers look like a different team without Laurence Bowers, and an upstart Ole Miss team took full advantage. Led by gun-slinging Marshall Henderson and physical specimen Murphy Holloway, the Rebels smacked the No. 10 Tigers 64-49, and now sit at 2-0 in the SEC.

Elston Turner scores 40, A&M beats Kentucky at Rupp: Elston Turner became the first player in 23 years to score 40 points against Kentucky in Rupp Arena. The senior guard had never even scored 30 points in a single game before, and went off on the Wildcats on 14-of-19 shooting.

Temple hands St. Louis first loss since death of Rick Majerus: The Temple Owls snapped the Saint Louis Billikens nine-game winning streak which dated back to the passing of legendary coach Rick Majerus.

Shabazz Napier, Tyler Olander power Connecticut to road win over No. 17 Notre Dame: The Connecticut backcourt duo of Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright combined for 34 points and nine assists as the un-ranked Huskies upset No. 17 Notre Dame Saturday in South Bend, Ind., 65-58.

Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery ducks flying shoe in win over Northwestern: With the Hawkeyes leading 51-37 Alex Marcotullio lost his shoe while defending Roy Devyn Marble, and instead of simply allowing the wayward shoe to remain on the court and become a possible injury risk Aaron White picked it up and tossed it off the court. Unfortunately White nearly hit his head coach in the head.

Hoops Housekeeping
– Syracuse forward James Southerland has been suspended until further notice due to an eligibility issue stemming from academics. Syracuse dealt with a very similar issue last year with Fab Melo. (The Dagger)

– Former-Michigan State guard Brandon Kearney will transfer to Arizona State. (MLive.com)

– Seton Hall sophomore forward Brandon Mobley suffered a dislocated shoulder on Sunday against Providence and could be sidelined for the remainder of the season. (My Central New Jersey)

– Three of the four Boise State players who were suspended for the Wyoming game due to a violation of team rules have been reinstated. (The Dagger)

– Casey Prather left Florida’s game against LSU early because of an apparent ankle injury. The x-rays were negative and it is likely that the Florida forward suffered a high ankle sprain. (Alligator Army)

– Seth Curry sustained an ankle injury in the late stages of Duke’s loss to North Carolina State on Saturday. His status for this week is unknown. (Devils In Durham)

Observations & Insight:
– With two undefeated teams going down this weekend, it shows that it may be impossible for a team to have an undefeated season in the modern era. (Yahoo Sports)

– Here is what Mike DeCourcy learned from Ohio State’s victory over Michigan. (The Sporting News)

– Jeff Eisenberg provides your stock report after a strong slate of Saturday games. (The Dagger)

– After being called out by head coach Rick Pitino for being soft, the Louisville defense has responded. The Cardinals will be put to the test tonight against UConn’s high-flying backcourt of Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright. (Louisville Courier-Journal)

– Nerlens Noel was upstaged by Elston Turner’s 40-point performance on Saturday. The Kentucky center finished with a robust state line of 15 points, 11 rebounds, 7 blocks, 6 assists and 4 steals. (Kentucky.com)

– Kentucky has only two wins against teams ranked inside the RPI top-215. With those numbers, is it possible that Cal’s cats are N.I.T.-bound and not NCAA-bound? (I Sports Web)

– Remember back when UCLA was an absolute train wreck? Well, not any more. The Bruins are 4-0 in the Pac-12. (Eye on College Basketball)

– Charlotte has yet to be really tested in A-10 play, but the 49ers are still 14-3 overall and should be a tough out in a very competitive league. (Hoopville)

– Sam Grooms is turning into Oklahoma’s glue-guy. The senior guard played a season-high 27 minutes on Saturday in the Sooners’ 77-68 win over Oklahoma State. (Rush The Court)

– Dick Vitale has selected as the newest member of the Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame. This is the 12th Hall of Fame that Vitale has been inducted in to. (ESPN)

Video(s) of the Night:
First-person view of the North Carolina State courtstorming from Will Privette, the wheelchair-bound fan that was nearly trampled during the celebratory stampede.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9afQLjXhSjc&feature=youtu.be]

Dunk(s) of the Day:
Best non-Jamaal Franklin ally-oop of the year. Shannon Scott to Sam Thompson.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8QdHpZuoPWk]

Do you like the new Morning Mix? Hate it? Have a suggestion or want something featured? Troy Machir will take all your praise, insults and inquiries via Twitter (@TroyMachir)

NCAA tweaks rules on block/charge calls in men’s basketball

Associated PressJun 8, 2023, 9:14 PM EDT

Jordan Prather/USA TODAY Sports

INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA is tweaking how block/charge calls are made in men’s basketball.

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved rule changes on Thursday that require a defender to be in position to draw a charge at the time the offensive player plants a foot to go airborne for a shot. If the defender arrives after the player has planted a foot, officials have been instructed to call a block when there’s contact.

Defenders had to be in position to draw a charge before the offensive player went airborne under previous rules.

NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee members made the proposal after NCAA members complained that too many charges were being called on those types of plays.

The panel also approved reviews of basket interference calls during the next media timeout – if the official called it on the floor – a shot clock reset to 20 seconds on an offensive rebound that hits the rim, and players being allowed to wear any number between 0 and 99.

A timeout also will be granted to an airborne player with possession of the ball, and non-student bench personnel will be allowed to serve as peacekeepers on the floor if an altercation occurs.

Charlotte head coach Ron Sanchez resigns after winning CBI title

Associated PressJun 7, 2023, 1:39 PM EDT

Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ron Sanchez resigned as head coach of the Charlotte 49ers.

Sanchez took over the 49ers on March 19, 2018, inheriting a team coming off a 6-23 campaign. In five years Charlotte went 72-78 under Sanchez, highlighted by winning the College Basketball Invitational championship this past season, the Niners’ first post-season tournament title in school history.

The 22 wins this past season are the most for Charlotte since 2001.

“Ron took over a proud but struggling program and carefully rebuilt it into a 22-game winner. He has led with class, dignity and devotion to our young men,” Charlotte director of athletics Mike Hill said. “His decision to step down from Charlotte was a difficult one for him and everyone associated with our program. We wish him and his family every happiness.”

Hill said the team has already begun a national search for a replacement.

“This is a bittersweet day for me and my family as I step down to pursue other opportunities,” said Sanchez, who came the 49ers after working as an assistant coach at Virginia under Tony Bennett. “It has been a tremendous privilege to lead the 49ers basketball program over the past five years and I want to thank Niner Nation for its support. I will be forever grateful to my staff, players and the university.”

Marquette extends Shaka Smart’s contract through 2029-30 season

Associated PressJun 6, 2023, 9:55 PM EDT

Adam Cairns/USA TODAY NETWORK

MILWAUKEE — Marquette coach Shaka Smart has received a contract extension after leading the Golden Eagles to their first outright regular-season championship and tournament title in the Big East.

Smart’s contract now runs through the 2029-30 season. This is the first extension Smart has received since signing a six-year deal when he took over as Marquette’s coach in 2021.

Marquette didn’t release financial terms of Smart’s deal.

“In a very short period of time, Shaka and his staff have done a tremendous job of establishing a winning culture, both on and off the court,” athletic director Bill Scholl said in a statement. “Shaka’s vision for the program is focused on extended, sustainable success. The individuals who interact with the team on a daily basis are able to observe frequent examples of growth and the excitement around the program is contagious.”

Marquette has gone 48-20 in Smart’s two seasons and reached the NCAA Tournament each of those years.

The Golden Eagles went 29-7 and won the Big East’s regular-season and tournament championships last season after the league’s coaches had picked them to finish ninth out of 11 teams. Marquette’s season ended with a 69-60 loss to Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament’s round of 32.

Purdue’s Edey returning to school at NBA draft deadline; Kentucky’s Tshiebwe stays in

Associated PressJun 1, 2023, 11:17 AM EDT

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Purdue’s Zach Edey decided it was the right call to go back to school instead of staying in the NBA draft. His predecessor as national player of the year, Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe, is sticking with his pro pursuit.

And Connecticut’s reign as NCAA champion will begin with multiple starters having left for the NBA draft and one returning after flirting with doing the same.

The 7-foot-4 Edey and UConn guard Tristen Newton were among the notable names to announce that they were withdrawing from the draft, the NCAA’s deadline for players who declared as early entrants to pull out and retain their college eligibility.

Edey’s decision came in social media posts from both the center and the Boilermakers program that earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament behind Edey, The Associated Press men’s national player of the year.

But Tshiebwe announced late in the afternoon that he would remain in the draft after a college career that included being named the AP national player of the year in 2022.

For the current champions, Newton (10.1 points, 4.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds) is returning after being one of four Huskies to declare for the draft after a run to UConn’s fifth national championship in early April. He scored a game-high 19 points to go with 10 rebounds in the victory over San Diego State in the title game.

The others were Final Four Most Outstanding Player Adama Sanogo, wing Jordan Hawkins and versatile guard Andre Jackson Jr. Sanogo (17.8 points) and Hawkins (16.3) have made it clear they have closed the door on their college careers, while team spokesman Phil Chardis said that Jackson (6.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists) would remain in the draft.

The Huskies have 247sports’ No. 3-ranked recruiting class for next year to restock the roster, led by McDonald’s All-American point guard Stephon Castle.

The NBA’s withdrawal deadline is June 12, but is moot when it comes to college players returning to school due to the NCAA’s earlier timeline to retain playing eligibility.

STAYING IN SCHOOL

TREY ALEXANDER: Creighton gets back a 6-4 guard who averaged 13.6 points and shot 41% from 3-point range in his first full season as a starter.

ADEM BONA: The 6-foot-10 forward and Pac-12 freshman of the year is returning to UCLA after starting 32 games as a rookie and averaging 7.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks – with coach Mick Cronin praising his toughness for “competing through multiple injuries for as long as he could” in a statement Wednesday.

EDEY: He averaged 22.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.5 assists while shooting 60.7% from the field. His presence alone helps Purdue be a factor in the Big Ten race.

JOSIAH-JORDAN JAMES: The 6-6 guard went through the NBA G League Combine and had workouts with multiple teams before opting to return to Tennessee for a fifth season alongside teammate Santiago Vescovi.

JUDAH MINTZ: The 6-3 freshman averaged 16.3 points and 4.6 assists for Syracuse, ranking third among Division I freshmen in scoring behind only Alabama’s Brandon Miller and Lamar’s Nate Calmese.

OWLS’ RETURNEES: Florida Atlantic got good news after its surprise Final Four run with the return leading scorers Johnell Davis (13.8) and Alijah Martin (13.4). ESPN first reported their decisions, while Martin later posted a social media statement.

TERRENCE SHANNON JR.: Illinois got a big boost with Shannon announcing his night in a social media post. The 6-6 guard is returning for a fifth college season after averaging 17.2 points.

SPARTANS’ RETURNEES: Michigan State announced that guards Jaden Akins and A.J. Hoggard have withdrawn from the NBA draft. Standout guard Tyson Walker had previously withdrawn in April, setting up Tom Izzo to have five of his top scorers back.

GOING PRO

KOBE BROWN: Missouri’s 6-8 swingman opted against returning for a fifth college season after being an AP first-team all-Southeastern Conference pick averaging 15.8 points last season.

JAYLEN CLARK: The third-year UCLA guard averaged 13.0 points and 6.0 rebounds while leading the Pac-12 with 2.6 steals en route to being named Naismith national defensive player of the year. Cronin called him a winner with strong intangibles who made UCLA “a better program because he chose to be a Bruin.”

BRICE SENSABAUGH: The Ohio State freshman averaged 16.3 points and 5.4 rebounds in 31 games before missing his final two in the Big Ten Tournament due to a knee injury. He’s a potential first-round prospect.

TSHIEBWE: The 6-9, 260-pound forward is a tough interior presence who led the country in rebounds for two straight seasons (15.1 in 2022, 13.7 in 2023) while racking up 48 double-doubles. But he faces an uncertain next stop and is projected at best as a second-round prospect.

North Carolina transfer Caleb Love commits to Arizona

Associated PressMay 31, 2023, 10:59 AM EDT

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Caleb Love is now headed to Arizona.

The North Carolina transfer tweeted, less than a month after decommitting from Michigan, that he will play next season with the Wildcats.

“Caleb is a tremendously talented guard who has significant experience playing college basketball at a high level,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said in a statement. “We look forward to helping Caleb grow his game at Arizona. And as we near the completion of the roster for the upcoming season, we feel great about how everything has come together. Now it’s time for the real work to start.”

A 6-foot-4 guard, Love averaged 14.6 points and 3.3 assists in three seasons at North Carolina. He averaged 17.6 points in seven NCAA Tournament games, helping lead the Tar Heels to the 2022 national championship game.

Love entered the transfer portal after leading North Carolina with 73 3-pointers as a junior and initially committed to Michigan. He decommitted from the Wolverines earlier this month, reportedly due to an admissions issue involving academic credits.

Love narrowed his transfer targets to three schools before choosing to play at Arizona over Gonzaga and Texas.

Love will likely start on a team that will have dynamic perimeter players, including Pelle Larsson, Kylan Boswell and Alabama transfer Jaden Bradley.