Remembering Marvin Webster (Morgan State), Once a Knicks Savior

He came to New York to be a savior. He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. “Can Marvin Webster turn the Knicks around?” the magazine asked. Instead, Webster — who was found dead of possible coronary artery disease in his Tulsa, Okla., hotel room Monday at the age of 56 — became one of the sadder chapters in the history of the franchise.

During a brief coaching run, Willis Reed campaigned publicly for the Knicks to sign The Human Eraser, as Webster was known, when he became a free agent. Webster had been the shot-blocking defensive hub for the rising Seattle SuperSonics during a run to the N.B.A. finals, where Seattle lost to the Washington Bullets. Reed, a great believer in post defense for obvious reasons, got his man at what was then a considerable financial cost: $650,000 a season over six years.

And then — those being the days when the league’s commissioner, Larry O’Brien, was empowered to impose compensation to the team shorn of a player — it got worse. O’Brien awarded the Sonics the Knicks’ athletic power forward, Lonnie Shelton, as well as a first-round draft choice and $450,000.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
7'1" Morgan State star played for Nuggets, SuperSonics and Knicks
Former Knicks center Marvin 'The Human Eraser' Webster dead at 56
His memory never erased
Former NBA Star Marvin Webster Found Dead In Tulsa Hotel
Marvin Webster found dead in the Ambassador Hotel Tulsa
Marvin Webster, 56, found dead
Former Sonic Marvin Webster dies at 56
Webster center of attention for Nuggets in '70s

New TSU coach wants to turn up tempo

Style of offense will take full advantage of players' talents

Lots of players are quick to say they prefer fast-break basketball over a half-court attack. Tennessee State's men's team got to experience both styles last season. With Cy Alexander as coach, the Tigers relied on the slower, half-court style. After Alexander was fired Feb. 6 and assistant Mark Pittman took over on an interim basis, the Tigers kicked it into a much higher gear. After the change, a team that started 6-16 went on a tear, winning six of its last eight games.

Not surprisingly, several players said they hoped to stick with the faster pace, and with former Auburn assistant John Cooper taking over, they'll get their wish. "One of the things I noticed is that if you look at this team at the beginning of the year and then toward the end, they averaged almost 10 points more per game,'' the 40-year-old coach said during his first news conference Monday. "I've been able to watch a little bit of videotape and get a general feel for the players in the program and I think there are some that it will certainly help their style if we're able to get out in the open court and execute."

Cooper met the Nashville media for the first time since he was named Alexander's replacement Friday. Pittman was also among those considered for the job.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Former Shocker John Cooper finally gets chance to lead
TSU picked the right guy for basketball job
Auburn assistant picked to coach TSU men's team
Interim TSU coach unsure of his future plans
OVC Tournament men's semifinals gives one familiar matchup
Roundup: Murray State men send TSU out of tourney

Six takes over HU women's program

Former Hampton High girls basketball coach David Six was named the interim women's basketball coach at Hampton University late Tuesday in a quick move by athletic director Lonza Hardy. Six will replace four-year coach Walter Mebane, whose contract expired Tuesday and was not renewed. "I'm very excited," said Six, who coached 14 years at Hampton High before resigning in May 2008 to become HU's Director of Intramurals for the 2008-09 school year. "It's a tremendous opportunity for me. I'm very appreciative for the administration at Hampton University to think that I can come in and do a good job."

Six won two Group AAA state titles (2001, 2007) and compiled a 331-93 mark in his time at Hampton High. Six also coached Gloucester's boys basketball team from 1995-97 and went 24-39. Six officially was named the interim coach for the upcoming season, but Hardy is looking beyond. "Our thought process was that this would evolve into a permanent position," Hardy said late Tuesday. "We wanted to get him started and have him get our program back on track. We have every intention of making it a full-time position after the upcoming season.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Alabama State gains NCAA play-in game

MONTGOMERY — Alabama State will have to earn a chance to play No. 1 overall seed Louisville in the NCAA tournament. The Hornets will face Ohio Valley Conference tournament champion Morehead State in the play-in game. The winner faces Louisville in the Midwest Regional in Dayton, Ohio, on Friday. Alabama State beat Jackson State in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game.

It’s their first NCAA tournament since losing to Duke in 2004 and their third overall. They are 22-9 and have won 13 of their last 14 games. Alabama State had an impressive turnaround after starting 1-6 against a tough early schedule. The Hornets will try to do something no SWAC team has done since Alcorn State in 1980: win an NCAA tournament game.

Along with Louisville, Pittsburgh, North Carolina and Connecticut are the top seeds in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. The Cardinals are the top seed in the entire tournament, as well the Midwest, while Pittsburgh is No. 1 in the East, Carolina in the South and Connecticut in the West.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
ASU to face Morehead State in NCAA play-in game
Morehead State dancing to play-in game
Alabama State to tangle with Morehead State in NCAA Tournament
Alabama St: 2009 NCAA Tournament Capsule

N.C. State one stop on long road tour for N.C. Central

Eagles learning hard lesson on road

N.C. Central coach Henry Dickerson said that if his players can get through this season, they will be able to handle just about any hurdle they face in life. In its second season of Division I basketball, N.C. Central is traveling 25,344 miles for 21 road games in 14 states, including today's 7 p.m. game at N.C. State. The Eagles have scheduled seven teams from BCS conferences, including Wake Forest, South Carolina and Miami. When injuries hit on top of everything else, a dismal record became almost inevitable for N.C. Central.

The Eagles are 2-22 and ranked last among the 347 Division I men's teams in the Sagarin computer ratings through Sunday's games. NCCU was 4-26 last season. "No matter what they go through in life, this will truly prepare them," Dickerson said of his players. "It seems to me that everybody should go through it to see what it's like." N.C. Central was hurting before it even played its opener. Projected starting forwards Lamar Pittman and Dami Sapara suffered season-ending knee injuries.

In the Eagles' most recent game against Savannah State, 6-foot-9 center Stevy Worah-Ozimo broke an arm. The Eagles are a virtually guaranteed win for many of their opponents, which enrich N.C. Central's athletics budget for playing on the road without demanding a return trip. N.C. State (11-8) will pay N.C. Central $50,000 for playing at the RBC Center in Raleigh. Dickerson said players spend so much time on buses and jets that he has to cut short practice in order for them to keep up with their school work.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

2nd Annual Glenn Wilkes Classic

Daytona Ocean Center, Daytona Beach

The second annual Glenn Wilkes Classic will kick off the 2008/2009 NCAA Men's Basketball season at the Ocean Center, Friday through Sunday, November 21st through 23rd. Teams from Marshall University, Morgan State University, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, University of Utah, University of Mississippi and Rollins College will compete in the three-day event.

Friday, Nov. 21
2:00pm: Marshall University vs. Morgan State University

4:15pm: University of Wisconsin-Green Bay vs. Rollins College
6:30pm: University of Utah vs. University of Mississippi

Saturday, Nov. 22
2:00pm: University of Wisconsin-Green Bay vs. Marshall University
4:15pm: Morgan State University vs. University of Utah

Sunday, Nov. 23
11:00am: University of Wisconsin-Green Bay vs. Morgan State University
4:00pm: Marshall University vs. University of Mississippi

Tickets are on sale at the Ocean Center Box Office from 10:00am until 5:00pm. Monday through Friday, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.TicketMaster.com, or by phone at (407) 839-3900. One-day tickets are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 12 and under accompanied by an adult. Three-day tickets are $25.00 for adults, and $10.00 for children 12 and under accompanied by an adult. Applicable service charges will be applied to all tickets.

Price Info:
1-Day - $10.00 (general), $5.00 (ages 12 & under w/adult); 3-Day - $25.00 (general), $10.00 (ages 12 & under w/adult)

Date & Time Info:
Friday through Sunday, November 21st through 23rd, 2008
See Description for Game Times

Contact Info:
407-839-3900

Location:
Daytona Beach Ocean Center
101 N. Atlantic Ave.
Daytona Beach, FL 32118

For more information about the basketball classic, go to http://www.glennwilkes.classic.com/

Grambling, first-year coach Donnita Drain have a winning debut

(L) Head Coach Donnita Drain; (R) Sophomore forward Secrett Anderson, a transfer from Florida A&M 2006-07 team, was the game high scorer.

First-year women's basketball coach Donnita Drain made a successful debut as the Grambling State University Lady Tigers captured a 91-63 exhibition win over Huston-Tillotson on Sunday afternoon in the Assembly Center. With eight newcomers receiving extensive action in the first half, it took some time for the Lady Tigers to establish an offensive rhythm as Huston-Tillotson managed to claim an early 16-15 lead at the 10:36 mark. However, the tide of the contest began to change as Grambling went on a 13-0 run that was sparked by newcomers Rachele Dobbins and Secrett Anderson. From that point, Grambling never looked back as they closed out the first half ahead 47-37.

Huston-Tillotson drew to within eight points on several occasions early in the second half but never could get over the hump as the Lady Tigers managed to stop several of their runs with defensive stops. As a result, Grambling eventually secured control of the contest midway through the second half with an 18-1 surge that featured five points and four rebounds from senior Gabrielle Fleming.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Winston-Salem State to start basketball practice this week

Senior forward Jamal Durham, 6-6/215, Winston - Salem, N.C./North Davidson High School.

Rams preparing to play in Bahamas tournament at the end of the month

Winston-Salem State's young basketball team will get a head start this year by opening practice Wednesday. WSSU is taking advantage of an NCAA rule that permits a school to play in an early tournament once every four years. The Rams will have what amounts to 10 extra practices and then play two games at the end of this month in the Bahamas.

Coach Bobby Collins, who will be in his third season with the Rams, said: "I think this is great because we'll be able to bring them all together, and we'll see what we have real early." The official opening day for other college programs is Oct. 15. The Rams will open practice Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Gaines Center, and then have nine more practices before leaving for the Bahamas on Aug. 29. They will play two exhibition games and then return to campus on Sept. 1. Collins said that his team won't miss any classes.

CONTINUE READING,CLICK BLOG TITLE.

WSSU Rams 2008/09 Men's Basketball Schedule

Aug 29-31- Tournament in Nassau, Bahamas

Nov 14 - at Georgia Tech
Nov 18 -at Eastern Kentucky
Nov 24 Wake Forest
Nov 27-30 at Illinois State Tournament (Normal, Ill.)

Dec 6 at S.C. State
Dec 13 at N.C. State
Dec 18 at N.C. Central
Dec 30 Averett
Dec 31 at Old Dominion

Jan 5 Columbia Union
Jan 10 at Maryland Eastern Shore
Jan 12 at Delaware State
Jan 17 at Howard
Jan 19 at Hampton
Jan 24 N.C. A&T
Jan 26 Norfolk State
Jan 31 at Florida A&M

Feb 2 at Bethune-Cookman
Feb 7 Morgan State
Feb 9 Coppin State
Feb 11 N.C. Central
Feb 14 Howard
Feb 16 Hampton
Feb 21 at N.C. A&T
Feb 28 Florida A&M

Mar 2 Bethune-Cookman
Mar 5 S.C. State
Mar 14 N.C. Central (MEAC Tournament game at Joel Coliseum)

Fans say Grambling basketball can bounce back, despite recent struggles

GRAMBLING — Supporters insist Grambling State’s new basketball coaches will take over programs with a wealth of potential, despite last season’s slumping records.
That starts with GSU’s sparkling new Assembly Center, a long-awaited hoops facility that opened a year ago. Already, it’s been featured on a national television broadcast, as Grambling faced Southern in February.

A recruiting cornerstone for years to come, it bolsters many boosters’ resolute belief that things can get better in the wake of Grambling’s twin announcements on Tuesday that neither men’s coach Larry Wright nor women’s coach David “Rusty” Ponton would return.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Photo: Interior of GSU new Assembly Center (GSU vs. JSU 2008).

Grambling should be an expert on how not to recruit a new coach after the FAMU bru-ha-ha with Rod Broadway a few months ago. Before sending up trial balloons in the press, the Grambling power brokers need to pick up the telephone and call Patricia Bibbs, Willis Reed and others, and see if they are first "interested" in the Grambling openings.

Secondly, forget the high school coaches for any head coaching position(s) in the SWAC. That in itself says, Grambling ain't serious about basketball, especially with 8-10 "money games" on the schedule each season.

Reed was a great Grambling and New York Knicks player, but 99.9% of the youth today are clueless and he just as well be Mr. Irrelevant. Few know that Reed coached in the NBA as a head coach with the Knicks and at Creighton University.

If the brand on the building does not read--LSU, Louisiana Tech, UL-Monroe, UL-Lafayette, Tulane, New Orleans, McNeese, Northwestern State or other such mid-major program, Grambling could hire Knicks coach Isaiah Thomas and the results would be nearly the same.

Doug Williams, with all the name recognition, could not change the trend of blue chips going the other direction away from HBCUs, like Grambling. Former coach Larry Wright of NBA Washington Bullets fame, couldn't change that nor compete outside of the SWAC for talent.

It will take more than name recognition and a new facility to build a success basketball program. It's a great START, but you need a great recruiter and teacher at the head of these programs. HBCUs need to find another revenue stream other than "money games" which destroys most programs, the conference RPI, and many head coaching careers in both SWAC and MEAC.

My two cents says, go to the Division II level and select a coach that's proven and committed to building these programs. It's not an overnight project nor should GSU waste time being the training grounds for rookie coaches that should not be at the Division I level. Go for the proven coach that has built NCAA championship level programs with little financial support at the D-II level.

Finally, leave those high school coaches alone. They do a fine job at that level and its necessary to produce good/great college players, but Division I is not high school.

-beepbeep

Carter says future could be bright for SCSU Men

It takes Tim Carter a few seconds to find the word to describe his just-completed inaugural season as South Carolina State men's basketball coach.

When he does, the word of choice is more than understandable and fitting following a campaign which saw the Bulldogs lose the most games in school history.

"Without a doubt, I was say this was the most challenging year in my coaching career," Carter said Monday.

The 13-20 overall record only tells a part of the story for what Carter experienced in his first season. Taking over a program demoralized by three straight losing seasons and the controversy which ultimately led to the firing after one season of predecessor Jamal Brown and a brutal non-conference schedule, Carter faced the dual challenge of trying to erase the damage on the fly while putting together a winning product on the floor.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK ON BLOG TITLE.

MEAC holding final Raleigh tournament

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference brought its basketball tournament here three years ago with high expectations. Growth, publicity and income were all but promised to the league, which would send its champion to the NCAA Tournament.

Three years later, on the eve of its final tournament in Raleigh, the MEAC is about to leave town; neither of its Raleigh winners advanced past the play-in game in the NCAA field of 65; and the Division I league is looking for a new home.

The MEAC will hold its final Raleigh tournament today through Saturday at the RBC Center. There will be some parties to attend, but many here aren't weeping about the tournament's impending departure.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Simpson's half-court heave ends HU Pirates' slide

Photo: Sophomore guard Vincent Simpson, 6-1/170, was the game high scorer with 24 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. Simpson hit the game winning three point shot to avoid overtime. He is a product of Cardinal Dougherty H.S., Philadelphia, PA.



Vinny Simpson beats the buzzer and South Carolina State as Hampton wins at home after two straight road losses.

HAMPTON - Vinny Simpson's heave from half court as time expired went off the backboard and in to avert overtime and salvage a trying day for Hampton University's men's basketball team.

Hampton moved the ball in 2.4 seconds to beat South Carolina State 77-74 Saturday in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game at an electrified HU Convocation Center. Adrian Woodard found Simpson with the inbound pass on the right side, and Simpson took a dribble before turning and launching.

"I'm the third option on that play," Simpson said. "I usually don't loop across, I pop out from the 3-point line. But I saw an open spot.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

SC State Bulldogs to face Florida A&M Rattlers

Both South Carolina State basketball teams will be trying to extend one-game winning streaks Monday when they host Florida A&M in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheader, beginning with the women's contest at 5:30 p.m. The men's game will follow at approximately 7:30 p.m.

The Lady Bulldogs will have a different look as they will wear pink uniforms to support the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's "Think Pink" initiative to bring awareness to breast cancer. Attendees are encouraged to wear pink and bring a donation for the organization.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Southern Lady Jaguars tops Alcorn State

The Southern women’s basketball team beat Alcorn State 46-39 Saturday even while missing 49 shots in a victory that provided further proof of how the Jaguars win with their energetic defense and their ultra-active freshman forward Freda Allen.

Allen played the final 10 minutes with four fouls and still came up with her customary double-digit rebounding and making a host of hustle plays — and also canceling out one of the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s top scorers. “Freda is one of those players like (Dennis) Rodman was to the (Chicago) Bulls,” Southern coach Sandy Pugh said.”

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

GSU Tigers wins on road over UAPB Golden Lions

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – The Grambling State Tigers put together their first winning streak of the season via a strong second half en route to a 63-51 road win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday night. Each team controlled a part of the first half as Grambling State (3-12, 3-5 SWAC) led for the first four-and-a-half minutes until UAPB (9-10, 5-3 SWAC) tied the game at 9-9 via a Jarvis Gunter jumper at the 15:30 mark.

Andrew Prestley led GSU with a double-double of 17 points and 11 boards while Duran Diaz also added 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field. Anthony Williams came off the bench to score 17 points along with three steals. Larry Williams led UAPB with 17 points and was followed by Marcelle Goins’ 12 points.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AND VIEW BOX STATS BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

North Carolina A&T stampede Howard Bison

Photo: Ta'Wuana Tweet Cook led the Aggies with 22 points and five assists in 93-58 win over Howard University Bison. The 5-8 sophomore guard is from Seventy-First H.S., Fayetteville, N.C.

GREENSBORO, February 2, 2008 – On a night when former great players of the North Carolina A&T women’s basketball program came together at Irvin-Corbett Court to honor a fallen teammate and team manager, they also got to witness what appears to be future Aggie greats.

The 2007-2008 edition of Aggie women’s basketball won their seventh straight game and remained undefeated in conference play with a 93-58 win over Howard Saturday night. Ta’Wuana Cook led the Aggies (14-5, 7-0) with 22 points and five assists. It was her third straight game in which she scored more than 20 points. Teammate Amber Bland added 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and Brittanie Taylor-James finished with 19 on 9-for-13 shooting.

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY AND VIEW GAME STATS BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

Delaware State beats Coppin State, looks ahead to Morgan State

BALTIMORE -- Despite starting a new lineup on Saturday, it wasn't a change in chemistry that Delaware State needed. Instead, it was the same old thing -- the lack of defense -- that nearly cost the Hornets. While the revamped starting five showed it might yield positive results down the road, DSU learned it is defense it needs most after nearly surrendering a 19-point lead in the second half of a 56-48 men's basketball victory over Coppin State at the Coppin Center.

The Hornets' Mid-Eastern win gives DSU (8-11, 5-2) momentum for Monday's game at conference leader Morgan State (7-1 MEAC).

CONTINUE READING AND VIEW BOX STATS BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

PVAMU Lady Panthers remain undefeated in SWAC

Photo: PVAMU #20 Sophomore 6-0 guard/forward Gaati Werema, from Orlando Christian Prep, Orlando, Florida in eariler game at North Carolina. Werema was leading Lady Panther scorer at Alabama A&M with 15 points.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.- After running into a tie ball game at 43 all with 10:59 remaining in the second half the Prairie View A&M Lady Panthers (13-7, 8-0 SWAC) managed to pull out a 58-55 victory over the Alabama A&M Lady Bulldogs (6-11, 4-4 SWAC) clinching their tenth consecutive win.

The Lady Panthers put a total of four players in double figures with sophomore forward Gaati Werema leading the way with 15 points on 6-of-15 shooting from the floor. Shavonne Smith, Candice Thomas, and Chari Smith round out the list of PVAMU double digit contributors tallying 14, 13, and 10 points respectively. Prairie View A&M shot 42 percent from the field while holding AAMU to just 28 percent from the floor for the game. Junior Aminata Dieye came up big for PVAMU on the defensive end racking up six blocks and four rebounds.

Rebekkah Barnes scored 15 points while Christian Malone added 10 points and six assists for Alabama A&M.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AND VIEW BOX STATS BY CLICKING ON BLOG TITLE.

Morgan State pulls away in second half from UMES

Photo: Forward Boubacar Coly had 15 points, 13 rebounds and six blocked shots in his outing with UMES. The 6-9/220 senior is from Ziguinchor, Senegal, Laurinburg Institute.

Senior guard Jamar Smith scored 18 points, and three Bears posted double doubles in a 67-52 victory that didn't satisfy coach Todd Bozeman. The lead changed hands eight times in the first half, and there were three ties before senior center Boubacar Coly scored inside with 2:51 left to put Morgan ahead 32-30. Junior forward Marquise Kately added a free throw before the buzzer.

That was ugly," Bozeman said. "We didn't play well at all, but the hard part is, when you're trying to change a [losing] culture and you've got a bull's eye on your back, everybody is coming after you." The Bears (12-8, 7-1) are off to their best start since the 1978-79 season, when they were 18-12. They've won five straight games and are 6-0 at home.

CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE AND VIEW BOX STATS BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.