Late Night Snacks: Manhattan, Delaware, and Wofford garner bids

By Matt GilesMar 11, 2014, 2:52 AM EDT

Game of the night: Delaware 75, William & Mary 74

The Blue Hens were the top seed in the CAA tournament, and despite a furious scoring explosion from William & Mary, replete with a flurry of makes from Marcus Thornton and Omar Prewitt (aka, the Tribe’s offensive core next season), UDee is dancing for the first time in fifteen years. W&M had a chance to earn their inaugural NCAA tournament bid in program history, but a double cut and made two by UD big Carl Baptiste in the final minute provided Monté Ross’ squad with the win.

Important outcomes

1) Manhattan 71, Iona 68

The Jaspers ended Iona’s hegemony on the MAAC, showcasing a stout man defense that chased the Gaels’ shooters from the three-point line and prevented open looks for AJ English, Sean Armand, and Isaiah Williams. An interesting aspect of title game, though, is whether Tim Cluess’ squad will earn an at-large bid; the team’s best win at the moment is a non-conference victory over Wofford.

2) Wofford 56, Western Carolina 53

For the third time in five seasons, Mike Young and his staff are piloting Wofford to the NCAA tournament. Other than the Terriers’ stout defense (more on that later in Late Night Snacks), the title game’s highlight was the play of Karl Cochran. The junior is one of the Southern Conference’s best perimeter shooters, but he somehow found himself open consistently against the Catamounts, making five of his ten three-point attempts.

3) BYU 79, San Francisco 77 (OT)

The Dons were the hottest team in the WCC entering the game, and despite a double-double from senior forward Cole Dickerson, the Cougars were able to outlast San Francisco.

Starred
1) Taylor Braun (North Dakota State)

Recently named Summit League player of the year, Braun manhandled Denver’s defense in a game that was lopsided soon after the opening tip. The senior wing scored 28 points through a combination of efficient shooting (two of four from within the arc, four of five from three) and aggressiveness: his twelve free throw attempts led both teams.

2) Carl Baptiste (Delaware)

Easily the CAA’s most improved player, Baptiste was a defensive mismatch for W&M. There wasn’t a member of the Tribe who could handle Baptiste’s heft, and the forward scored 24 points, including the game-winning shot, and grabbed eight rebounds.

3) David Stockton (Gonzaga)

The senior guard posted his most complete game this season, scoring 21 points, hauling in six rebounds, dishing out four assists, and somehow not recording a turnover in a 70-54 WCC semifinal win over Saint Mary’s.

Struggled

1) Denver’s defense

North Dakota State’s final margin of victory was nearly forty points, and the Bison posted a whopping offensive efficiency rating of 1.55 points per possession. Not only did NDSU make more than 60 percent of their twos, they also converted over 60 percent of their threes.

2) Trey Sumler (Western Carolina)

The senior is one of DI’s all-time feel good stories: a former walk-on who transforms into an all-first team candidate. Wofford was able to silence the prolific scorer, hamstringing Sumler to just nine points — he didn’t make his first field goal until eleven minutes or so remained in the second half.

3) Saint Mary’s offense

Gonzaga’s defense is stout this season, but their stinginess doesn’t entirely explain how Saint Mary’s was able to score just .81 PPP. Other than Brad Waldow, no other Gael made more than three field goals.

Conference tournaments

CAA: Another Phil Martelli assistant is dancing

Ross was a part of the 2003-04 St. Joe’s coaching staff, and like Matt Brady a year ago, his team earned the CAA’s auto bid following a 75-74 win over William & Mary. UDee has the pieces to spring an opening round upset — while their defense can be shaky, their guards are among the most complete and offensively proficient in DI.

MAC: Status quo continues

All the top seeds advanced, a group that includes Ohio (vs. Ball State, 76-64), Miami of Ohio (vs. Kent State, 71-64), Eastern Michigan (vs. Central Michigan, 72-60), and Northern Illinois (vs. Bowling Green, 54-51).

MAAC: After a ten year hiatus, the Jaspers return to the NCAAs

When Manhattan last cracked the tourney field, Bobby Gonzalez was still a head coach, and Luis Flores was spearheading an upset of Florida. This year’s squad is a bit different: a number of players form a cohesive offensive unit that prides itself on defensively manipulating opponents, as evidenced by Manhattan’s 71-68 victory against bitter rival Iona.

MEAC: Can North Carolina Central make the Dance?

LeVelle Moton’s squad doesn’t play until Wednesday, but the opening rounds of the MEAC began Monday night: Norfolk State beat UMES, 78-74, and Savannah State did what they do best — defensively frustrate opponents (vs. South Carolina State, 61-47). Should North Carolina A&T defeat Howard, there will be a rematch of the 2013 MEAC tournament, one in which the Aggies defeated the Eagles.

Southern: Wofford continues to dominate the Southern conference tournament

Despite a wild finish and plenty of missed free throws, Wofford was able to secure a coveted bid, defeating Western Carolina 56-53.

Summit: Path cleared for Taylor Braun and rest of NDSU

North Dakota State seems destined to secure the Summit’s NCAA bid. The team posted what is likely their most efficient offensive rating in a thumping of Denver, and Braun’s personal offensive rating was completely ridiculous: 203. It is unclear how IPFW, which defeated South Dakota State on Monday night (64-60), will be able to defend what appears to be a scoring juggernaut.

WCC: Does BYU need to beat Gonzaga to make the NCAAs?
For the first time since joining the WCC in 2011-12, BYU has made the tournament final, and will be matched up against Gonzaga. The Cougars have a stronger non-conference resume than the Zags, including wins Texas and Stanford, and Dave Rose’s squad has split the two meetings with Gonzaga this year. At the moment, it would seem BYU will crack the field of 68 even if they lose to the Bulldogs, so it will be interesting to see which BYU team emerges on Tuesday: the one that allowed San Francisco to take the lead at half? Or the BYU team that stymied the Dons late in the second half and overtime?

UConn adds former Rutgers guard Cam Spencer from transfer portal

Associated PressJun 9, 2023, 10:17 PM EDT

Kamil Krzaczynski/USA TODAY Sports

STORRS, Conn. — National champion UConn added some shooting depth to its roster Friday, announcing the signing of former Rutgers guard Cam Spencer from the transfer portal.

Spencer, who graduated last month with a year of eligibility remaining, averaged 13.2 points in his only season in New Jersey. The 6-foot-4 guard, who played his first three seasons at Loyola of Maryland, shot 44.4% from the floor, including 43.4% from 3-point range.

“Cam is the perfect addition to our basketball program,” UConn Coach Dan Hurley said. “He brings a unique combination of high-level skill and feel for the game, with a fierce competitiveness that has allowed him to enjoy a terrific college basketball career thus far.”

The Huskies lost their top 3-point scoring threat, sophomore Jordan Hawkins, to the NBA draft, along with wing Andre Jackson Jr. and post Adama Sanogo.

Guard Tristen Newtown gave the Huskies a boost last month when he withdrew his name from the draft pool and returned to Storrs.

The Huskies began summer workouts this week, welcoming a top recruiting class led by 6-6 point guard Stephon Castle, a McDonald’s All-American from Georgia. The class also includes 6-7 wing Jayden Ross and 6-4 guard Solomon Ball from Virginia, 6-7 wing Jaylin Stewart from Seattle, Washington, and 7-foot center Youssouf Singare from New York.

“I think that some of my strengths will stand out in UConn’s style of play,” Spencer said. “They have a lot of great movement and they play so well together, with great chemistry. I think that I can come in and hopefully contribute to that.”

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.