Tag: NIT

USF Coach Brian Gregory’s Daughter Moves Into Notre Dame

For most of the past 17 years, Brian Gregory has devoted his life to being a college basketball head coach.

For most of the past 17 years, Brian Gregory has devoted his life to being a college basketball head coach. He has coached the past three years at USF, leading the program to the most recent CBI championship. Before that, he coached Georgia Tech for five seasons, which came after an eight-year tenure at Dayton, which included the 2010 NIT title. With 296 career wins, he’ll reach that coveted 300 mark next season, whenever that comes.

Though he’s built a solid resume, one opponent Gregory never will defeat is time. On Wednesday, he came to terms with that further when he moved his daughter, Isabella, into Notre Dame for her freshman year. Yes, in spite of her father being a major conference coach, she made the decision in March to continue her education in South Bend, which her dad was perfectly fine with:

The day before moving his daughter in, Gregory toured the campus. And if this tweet is any indication, he wasn’t able to fight back tears when it was time to let go:

Sooner than they would like, all parents have to send their child off on their own. And whether you’re on the giving or receiving end of it, emotions almost always are there. But don’t worry, Coach. Your daughter and her future are in good hands.

Notre Dame Legend Whitmore Dies at 73

Bob Whitmore was a pioneer for the Notre Dame basketball program The DeMatha (Md.) Catholic High School product chose to attend Notre Dame after an outrageous high school career that saw his team go 55-3 over his junior and senior seasons, even …

Bob Whitmore was a pioneer for the Notre Dame basketball program  The DeMatha (Md.) Catholic High School product chose to attend Notre Dame after an outrageous high school career that saw his team go 55-3 over his junior and senior seasons, even beating Lew Alcindor and Power Memorial (NY) in 1965.

It was at Notre Dame where Whitmore would again meet up with Alcindor, jumping against the legend in the first jump ball ever performed at the Joyce Center.

Whitmore scored 1580 points and secured 1053 rebounds in his three seasons for the Fighting Irish and helped lead them to the NIT Semi-finals his junior year before an NCAA Tournament appearance his senior season.

Current Notre Dame head basketball coach and fellow-DeMatha graduate Mike Brey remembered the Irish legend on Saturday.

“We have lost one of our great players, but also a great gentleman. Bob Whitmore laid a foundation for this program that is still being felt to this day. My thoughts and prayers go out to Bob’s family, friends and former teammates.” – Mike Brey

Whitmore helped establish a Notre Dame pipeline to the Washington, D.C. area which in turn helped direct Austin Carr, Adrian Dantley, Collis Jones, Sid Catlett, Don Williams, Jerian Grant, Prentiss Hubb and others to play basketball at Notre Dame.

Whitmore recorded 47 double-doubles in his 84 games at Notre Dame and finished with a career average of 18.8 points and 12.4 rebounds per game.  Whitmore’s six 20-point/20-rebound games remain the most in Notre Dame basketball history to this day.

Whitmore had been sick with a variety of health issues but was able to make it back to campus in 2019 to be inducted into the Purcell Pavilion Ring of Honor.

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Bob Whitmore was 73 years old.

Notre Dame 15 Years Tournament: No. 11 Seed – 2017-18 Irish

Notre Dame had reason to believe the 2017-18 season would build on the success of the recent past.

Notre Dame had reason to believe the 2017-18 season would build on the success of the recent past, which included six NCAA tournaments in the previous seven years. It was ranked 14th in the preseason poll, and in the early part of the schedule, it upset No. 6 Wichita State to win the Maui Invitational. Ultimately, the Irish went 10-3 in nonconference play, ascending their ranking to as high as fifth.

The Irish won their first three ACC games, but by the time conference play had begun, they were out of the rankings, perhaps as an omen of things to come. After that 3-0 start to ACC play, they lost seven straight, and the wins that followed ultimately were too little, too late. In spite of this, they remained a bubble team for the NCAA tournament until the end, and it earned them a top seed in the NIT. After defeating Hampton in the first round, they lost to Penn State in the second to finish 21-15.

Bonzie Colson and Matt Farrell were the senior leaders for this group. Colson averaged a double-double of 19.7 points and 10.1 rebounds a game, while Farrell ended up with 16.3 points and a team-high 5.5 assists a game. T.J. Gibbs and Martinas Geben rounded out the top scorers with respective scoring averages of 15.3 and 11.1.

Notre Dame 15 Years Tournament: No. 13 Seed – 2005-06 Irish

The oldest team in our tournament field, the 2005-06 Irish gave fans something to talk about early by jumping out to a 9-2 record.

The oldest team in our tournament field, the 2005-06 Irish gave fans something to talk about early by jumping out to a 9-2 record with the nonconference schedule. At the beginning of Big East play, Notre Dame nearly took down a then-perfect Pittsburgh team before falling in double overtime. The Irish never recovered from that as they ended up losing eight of their first nine conference games. Amazingly, their record never fell below .500, and despite being one-and-done in the Big East tournament, they earned an NIT spot.

Notre Dame made its mark in the first round of the NIT with a win at home over Vanderbilt. It traveled to Michigan for the second round and lost to the eventual tournament runner-up by three in double overtime. Playing beyond regulation time was not kind to the Irish this season as they dropped all five games that required longer than 40 minutes.

Chris Quinn was the big player on this team as he led the Irish in both scoring (17.7) and assists (6.4). Notre Dame also got double-digit scoring averages from Colin Falls (13.8), Russell Carter (11.5) and Torin Francis (11.6), who also was the team leader in rebounds (9.4). Six players started at least 10 games this season, and seven started at least nine.

Paced by Falls’ 102 field goals from beyond the arc and 70 from Quinn, the Irish were fifth in 3-point field-goal percentage (.403) and sixth in 3-pointers made (288).

Notre Dame 15 Years Tournament: No. 12 Seed – 2008-09 Irish

Fresh off Luke Harangody’s Big East Player of the Year campaign, Notre Dame entered 2008-09 anticipating a big season.

Fresh off Luke Harangody’s Big East Player of the Year campaign, Notre Dame entered 2008-09 anticipating a big season. The national writers agreed, ranking the Irish ninth in the AP preseason poll. At first, the Irish rewarded the writers’ faith with a 9-2 nonconfernce record and a 3-1 start to Big East play. The ranking ascended to as high as seventh.

Unfortunately, the bottom fell out once the tough part of the Big East schedule began as the Irish lost their next seven games, six of them against ranked teams, and the final deficit in each never was closer than seven points. Somehow, the Irish recovered enough to earn an NIT berth, and they made the most of it. They won their first three tournament games in South Bend before falling to Penn State in the semifinals at Madison Square Garden. At 21-15, things certainly could have gone a lot worse.

Averaging 23.3 points and 11.8 rebounds a game, Harangody broke LaPhonso Ellis’ program record for most double-doubles in a season (25) and became the sixth Notre Dame player to reach 400 rebounds in a season (401). This season was the last for seniors Luke Zeller, Ryan Ayers, Zach Hillesland and Kyle McAlarney, all of whom were key cogs in the rotation for their farewell tour. Tory Jackson was the team’s best passer with 4.9 assists a game to compliment a 10.6 scoring average.

Notre Dame Plays on ACC Tournament’s Last Normal Night

Notre Dame began its ACC tournament run against Boston College on Wednesday with fans in attendance at Greensboro Coliseum.

Notre Dame began its ACC tournament run against Boston College on Wednesday with fans in attendance at Greensboro Coliseum. The crowd was sparse, which is expected during the early rounds of these conference tourneys, especially when marquee programs aren’t involved. That’s not a knock on the Irish, but let’s just say the basketball program has a long way to go to catch up with the football program in prestige.

At the same time, it’s fair to say the coronavirus pandemic might also have affected the crowd size. And it’s that very pandemic that likely will prevent any fans from attending the rest of the tournament. As of this writing, no official word had come down yet, but speculation on Twitter suggests the ACC will follow the Big Ten, Big 12 and others in banning fans from the rest of their tournament games.

Coupled with no fans being allowed at the NCAA tournament at all, this surely was the last night of normal college basketball of the season at the Division I level. Even if the Irish receive an NIT invite and a home game, the prospect of fans inside Purcell Pavilion for it is looking less likely. They should be likely they had the opportunity to play Wednesday’s game in front of anyone from the general public.

We’re undoubtedly living in the most uncertain time to be a sports fan in our lifetimes. Thursday and beyond will confirm that. It’s unfortunate it had to happen during the time of year everyone is focused on college basketball. Alas, as the song goes, que sera sera.

Coronavirus forcing NCAA basketball tournaments to make changes to fan attendance

As conference tournaments are underway and automatic bids for the Men’s and Women’s NCAA tournaments are up for grabs, it has been announced that the games played in the NCAA Tournament will be played without fans in the stadium due to the rapid …

As conference tournaments are underway and automatic bids for the Men’s and Women’s NCAA tournaments are up for grabs, it has been announced that the games played in the NCAA Tournament will be played without fans in the stadium due to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus.

It was announced earlier today by NCAA President Mark Emmert that the tournament is scheduled to go on as scheduled, but without fans in the arenas.

Emmert states that only family members and essential staff will be allowed to attend the games, no word yet on what the protocol will be for media members.

The NCAA is not the only organization to close it’s doors to fans out of fear of COVID-19. The NIT, also referred to as the tournament for the teams that didn’t make the cut for ‘March Madness,’ also announced it will be played without fans.

The College Basketball Invitational (CBI) tournament announced that it won’t be playing at all in 2020.

There are rumors surrounding the location of games for both the NIT and the NCAA Tournament, especially the Final Four which was scheduled to be held in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on what the next steps are from all organizations involved.

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Alabama basketball’s Nate Oats deserves grace during his first season

It’ll take more than one season (plagued with injuries) to turn this program around, and I think Nate Oats is the right guy for the job. 

This feels ridiculous to even have to write, but someone has to say it: give Nate Oats a break.

For real, give him a chance. It will take TIME to rebuild a program that has been underperforming for years, long before Oats’ arrival in Tuscaloosa.

Sure, making it to the NCAA tournament would have been nice to witness, but it’s not Oats’ fault. Alabama suffered many injuries throughout the entire season, and at very unfortunate times at that.

And there were many moments throughout the season that showcased a team that’s on the brink of a breakthrough. A breakthrough that Alabama fans have hoped for, for years.

Whether it’s the 83-64 win at home over Auburn, a road OT win over Georgia, or even an impressive win over LSU, we witnessed this Alabama team make their mark.

Sure, they lost games many thought were a “given” but they also won games people thought they had no chance to win.

Nate Oats is not only rebuilding a team, he’s rebuilding an atmosphere to a program that has been somewhat dead for years. 

Oats knew when he took the job, it wasn’t just about putting the best players on the court, it was also creating an energy and atmosphere that would help fill an out-dated Coleman Coliseum.

When you see the culture at Alabama, you understand one thing: excellence is expected.  Football, softball, gymnastics, tennis, golf, swimming, wheelchair basketball, track and field, and so on, are winning championships, but it took time.

Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2007. 2 years later, he helped lead a team to a National Championship for the first time since 1992. Saban rebuilt a program that was desperate for change and excitement.

The same thing is happening with basketball. This program is desperate for a chance. A chance to be elite again. After all, basketball hasn’t won a national championship… ever. The best shot they’ve had in the NCAA tournament was the 2003-2004 season under Mark Gottfried when they made it to the Elite Eight.

Nate Oats knows what it takes to make it to the NCAA tournament. He led the Buffalo Bulls to 3 NCAA tournament appearances in the past 4 years.

He can do the same for Alabama, but it will take time and patience.

Oats has the ability and passion to turn this team around. This team has talent, and if they would’ve stayed healthy all season, this team would be NCAA tournament bound, no doubt about it. 

Just wait and see. Give Nate Oats some time. And don’t call for his firing when his first season isn’t even over yet.

In Saban’s first season at Alabama, the Tide went 7-6, including a loss to 21-14 loss at home to Louisiana Monroe. And aren’t you glad they didn’t fire Saban after his first season?

So give Nate Oats the grace he deserves. It’ll take more than one season (plagued with injuries) to turn this program around, and I think Nate Oats is the right guy for the job. 

 

Georgia men’s basketball announces new season attendance record

For the second consecutive year, Georgia’s men’s basketball has surpassed Stegeman Coliseum’s annual attendance record.

For the second consecutive year, Georgia’s men’s basketball has surpassed Stegeman Coliseum’s annual attendance record.

Attendance spiked following Tom Crean’s 2018 appointment as the Bulldogs’ head coach. When Crean managed to secure the commitment of 2019’s top high school prospect Anthony Edwards, excitement built further for Georgia basketball fans.

So, an average season with an above-average NBA prospect ended on a sour note against rival Florida. Georgia fans have every right to feel dejected.

Win or lose, however, Georgia faithful kept buying tickets to hoot and holler for the Dawgs. The Steg was packed and, oh my, was it loud.

A sure sign of an impassioned fanbase, the majority of the home crowd stayed until each game’s final whistle all year.

Mind you, that’s not just because of the fans’ recognition of the inevitably horrific post-game traffic splitting from Carlton Street toward either Lumpkin Street or East Campus Road.

The 2019-2020 Bulldogs’ hopes aren’t dead. There’s still an entire conference tourney left to be played.

Crean’s squad, which entered the campaign with high hopes, needs to win next week’s SEC Tournament to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Unless conference tournament results prove otherwise, the Dawgs are considered a bubble team for the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

In that case, a conference quarterfinal or semifinal would ostensibly improve Crean and company’s chances, but after such an up-and-down season, nothing can be guaranteed (always the case in the sports) or even predicted (always the case in Georgia sports).

Should the Bulldogs receive an NIT invite, they have the opportunity of hosting another game in Athens, potentially adding to the season’s attendance record.

Opinion: No, Georgia basketball did not waste its only season with Anthony Edwards

After Anthony Edwards committed to UGA in February of 2019, many Georgia fans quickly deemed him the Dawgs’ deliverer from mediocrity.

Anthony Edwards arrived in Athens, Georgia to much fanfare.

Depending on which recruiting service you asked, Edwards was either the first- or second-ranked high school basketball prospect of the 2019 recruiting cycle.

After the senior out of Atlanta’s Holy Spirit Prep announced his commitment to Tom Crean’s Bulldogs in February of 2019, many Georgia fans quickly deemed him the Dawgs’ deliverer from mediocrity.

Reminder: this was over three months before Edwards had even graduated high school and over eight months before he would play in his first collegiate competition.

What is almost certainly the Dawgs’ only regular season featuring Anthony Edwards ends with an even 15-15 record. Unless the 2020 Bulldogs can replicate the results of 2008’s unlikely winners in next week’s SEC tournament, Georgia may not qualify for any further postseason play.

Crean’s squad, which entered the campaign with high hopes, needs to win the conference tourney to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Unless tournament results prove otherwise, the Dawgs are considered a bubble team for the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

A quarterfinal or semifinal appearance in the conference tourney would likely earn them a spot, anything less would likely leave them out. But Georgia basketball fans probably don’t want to think of any more what-ifs.

Though plagued with blown leads and those pesky what-ifs, the Bulldogs’ 2019-2020 campaign was highlighted by several miraculous finishes, wins over Georgia Tech and Auburn, and a slew of NBA-worthy clips from Edwards.

All of that sounds bad. And don’t get me wrong, it’s not great. But here’s the thing: Edwards is still projected as the top NBA draft pick by more than one draft analyst.

This isn’t a moral victory thing. Anyone who watched Georgia’s men’s basketball team all season saw the team fold and surrender late leads on multiple occasions.

To me, a recovering pessimist constantly checking my peripheral vision for any sort of bright side, such results don’t blind me from what I’ve learned to see truth of the matter:

If a star player like Anthony Edwards can come into Georgia’s historically average basketball program and maintain his projected draft position while packing Stegeman Coliseum to the brim, it shows young local talent that they can do the same and receive that fanfare and adoration similar to Edwards’.

That is, before they go get a fat paycheck in the NBA.

Though not assuredly, this could prove vital for a program currently struggling to tread water alongside a strong and balanced Southeastern Conference no longer run just by traditionally powerful Kentucky, Florida, and Tennessee (each of which can usually predict its two annual division games against Georgia as wins).

The Atlanta area is one of the highest-concentrated NBA breeding grounds in the United States. Georgia often lands local four-star recruits but very seldom secures commitments from upper echelon five-stars. The last was current Los Angeles Laker Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in 2011.

Examples: 2018’s Ashton Hagans and E.J. Montgomery enrolled at Kentucky. Wendell Carter enrolled at Duke in 2017. Kobi Simmons enrolled at Arizona in 2016.

So, yeah, in the short term, this isn’t ideal. Especially knowing that .500 winning percentage could’ve been a .533 or a possibly a .567, or heck, maybe even .600!

But since I’m speaking in hypotheticals, Georgia could very well have lost some of their eventual dramatic victories, namely against SMU, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas.

Given what Edwards’ success could mean for the future of Georgia men’s basketball recruiting in the future, I choose to see this year’s 15-15 record as a glass half full.

Even in the short term, the Bulldogs’ hopes aren’t dead. There’s still an entire conference tournament to be played.