Catching Up On the Coaching Carousel

As far as we know, the coaching carousel is nearly complete. Did you even notice?

The usually far-reaching dominoes haven't fallen as much with plenty of positions being filled by out-of-work coaches, mid-major coaches and assistant coaches. There hasn't been a whole lot of poaching from one major school to the next, or at least not as much as usual. One high-profile move to the NBA, though, and that could all change.

With that said, here is a quick breakdown of what has occurred so far, with 30 positions having been filled and 13 still to go as of Friday morning:

Alcorn State
Alabama A&M
Florida A&M
Southern


Videographer: familymattersfirst; Reach Sports Director Luther Riley (Alcorn State University new head basketball coach) Returns from Taiwan.

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2011 CIAA Tournament Championships: CIAA LIVE STREAM

Watch live streaming video from ciaa at livestream.com

March 5, 2011 Games at Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, N.C.
CIAA Tournament Finals

March 5, 2011 Women's Championship

Shaw University 62 --CIAA Champions
Johnson C. Smith University 56

March 5, 2011 Men's Championship

Livingstone College 69

Shaw University 72 --CIAA Tournament Champions

(Television: ESPNU Delayed Broadcast at 12:30 AM, Sunday)



Videographer: FWithers

March 4, 2011 Women's Games

Saint Augustine's College 65
Shaw University 74

Bowie State University 64

Johnson C. Smith University 69

March 4, 2011 Men's Games

Johnson C. Smith University 69
Shaw University 82

Fayetteville State University 71
Livingstone College 81

March 3, 2011 Men's Scores

Elizabeth City State University 48
Shaw University 71

Livingstone College 59
Virginia Union University 58

Fayetteville State 66
Winston-Salem State 63

Johnson C. Smith 82

Bowie State 66

March 2, 2011, CIAA Men's Basketball Tournament Scores

Lincoln (Pa.) 43
Shaw University 67

Fayetteville State University 74
Virginia State University 58

Saint Augustine's College 51
Elizabeth City State University 65

Chowan University 60
Johnson C. Smith University 67

Saint Paul's College 52
Livingstone College 71

FOR LIVE CIAA ACTION, CLICK HERE: theCIAA.com

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2011 CIAA Men's Tournament Championships: CIAA LIVE STREAM

Watch live streaming video from ciaa at livestream.com

March 2, 2011, CIAA Men's Basketball Tournament Schedule

Lincoln (Pa.) 43
Shaw University 67

Fayetteville State University 74
Virginia State University 58

Saint Augustine's College 51 
Elizabeth City State University 65

Chowan University 60
Johnson C. Smith University 67

Saint Paul's College
Livingstone College
@9 PM

FOR LIVE CIAA ACTION, CLICK HERE: theCIAA.com
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2011 CIAA Tournament Championships: CIAA LIVE STREAM

Watch live streaming video from ciaa at livestream.com

March 1, 2011 CIAA Women's Basketball Evening Schedule 

Virginia State University 53
Shaw University 72

Winston-Salem State University 56
Bowie State University 63

Saint Augustine's College 70
Elizabeth City State University 68

Chowan University 52.
Johnson C. Smith University 71

@Time Warner Cable Arena - Charlotte, NC CIAA Tournament - Quarterfinal


FOR LIVE CIAA ACTION, CLICK HERE: theCIAA.com

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FAMU upset Morgan State in O.T.

Photo: Lamar Twitty led the Rattlers in scoring with 28 points, 10 rebounds with 10 of 14 shooting from the floor over MEAC leader, Morgan State.

Demps' free throw in OT gives Florida A&M 90-89 win over Morgan State.




TALLAHASSEE, FL - Darryl Demps' free throw with 13.7 seconds left in overtime boosted Florida A&M to a 90-89 upset win over Morgan State in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game on Saturday.

Demps, a walk-on player, who was only in the game because FAMU's other two big men Akini Akini and Larry Jackson had fouled out, made 1-of-2 from the free throw line and the Bears turned the ball over at the other end to seal the win.

The Rattlers (11-14, 5-6 MEAC) snapped a four game losing streak with the victory.

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

Darryl Demps (23) is a freshman forward, 6-6/215 that attended Florida High School in Tallahassee. He is currently majoring in architect design and executed the final two plays just like Coach Harris drew it up on the board. Just call Demps HERO for this game.

Does anyone have a good explaination on why the attendance to this game was only 1,123 for a game with the conference leader?

WSSU Hall of Famer-- Earl the Pearl's story to be told in film

Photo: Earl Monroe retired Winston Salem State University jersey, where he won a national championship with the Rams.

Before Earl Monroe dazzled NBA fans with his flamboyant game, the Hall of Famer honed his skills at little Winston-Salem State University under the tutelage of legendary coach Clarence "Big House" Gaines.

The 6-3 guard's wizardry earned him several nicknames, including Earl the Pearl, Black Jesus and Thomas Edison — because of the moves he invented. Monroe, who averaged 41.7 points his senior year at WSSU, is one of the subjects of an upcoming film on historically black colleges and universities, "Black Magic."

CONTINUE READING THIS STORY BY CLICKING ON THE BLOG TITLE.

For you young college and high school students, you don't know beans about basketball unless you have watched Earl "The Pearl" Monroe shake and bake with Walt "Clyde" Frazier. These clips are no accident, but hall of fame material. You will enjoy watching them...

Thowback - Earl "Thomas Edison" Monroe



Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, Career Game Hightlights

MEAC/SWAC Kaleidoscope of Victory

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, "What are you doing for others?" - Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Kirk Franklin - Lean On Me


Yolanda Adams - Victory (from The Gospel)

JSU Tigers look to build on last season's NCAA appearance

By Kareem Copeland, Clarion Ledger

Jackson State kicks off its 2007-08 basketball campaign with a 7 p.m. practice Friday evening. The Tigers are coming off their first NCAA Tournament appearance in seven years - a 112-69 opening round loss to eventual champion Florida.

JSU rode SWAC Player of the Year Trey Johnson to a 21-14 record last season while finishing second in the regular season SWAC standings (12-6). The Tigers won the conference tournament and a NCAA Tourney invite with an 81-71 victory over Mississippi Valley State.

Johnson recently signed with the New Orleans Hornets after averaging 27.1 points and 4.5 rebounds as a senior.

However, the Tigers return four starters, including 6-foot-7 sophomore forward Grant Maxey (8.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg).

Junior center Jeremy Caldwell (7.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg), senior guard Catraiva Givens (5.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 143 assists) and senior guard Kay Martinez (5.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg) round out the top returners.

Coach Tevester Anderson begins his fifth season at the helm of the program. His Jackson State record sits at 63-65, though his win total has increased each year.

The Tigers will play two exhibition games before opening the regular season. JSU will host Springhill College on Nov. 1 and Miles College on Nov. 8.

JSU will also have a tough pre-SWAC schedule. JSU will travel to Baylor on Nov.11, BYU on Nov. 16 and Louisville on Nov. 18. The Tigers will host Southeastern Louisiana on Nov. 27 and UC Davis on Dec. 21.

NO NAME HT/WT POS Hometown/Last School
44 Caldwell, Jeremy 6-8/200 C Jackson, MS
3 Givens, Catraiva 5-8/155 G little Rock, AR
32 Grant, Maxey 6-7/180 F Toledo, OH
12 Griffin, Dariron 6-3/185 G Toledo, OH
10 Henry, Carl 6-1/180 G london, England
22 Jarrow, Edwin 6-6/166 F
33 Johnson, Garrison 6-6 F Smyrna, GA
24 Johnson, Trey 6-5/218 G Jackson, MS
00 Jones, Marcus 6-8/185 C Houston, TX
5 Martinez, Kay 6-7/195 G Limon, Costa Rica
4 Russell, Kenny 6-3/195 G Atlanta, GA
30 Swanier, Kyle 6-1/160 G Jackson, MS
40 Turner, Stanley 6-11/295 C /Lamar, MS
42 White, Kevin 6-1/180 G Gary, IN
34 Young, Julius 6-6/185 G Jackson, MS

TSU's sights set on OVC title run

By MIKE ORGAN, The Tennessean

Coaches pick Tigers to finish sixth

The middle of the pack is not where Cy Alexander expected Tennessee State's men's basketball team to be headed into his fifth season with the Tigers.

But that's where the coaches and sports information directors in the Ohio Valley Conference picked TSU at Wednesday's media day at LP Field.

Austin Peay was the overwhelming pick to win the conference, Eastern Kentucky was second, and Tennessee Tech third. TSU was picked sixth.

It's hard for Alexander to paint a brighter picture than what was predicted and he admitted the team's inability to reach the upper-echelon of the conference has created a sense of urgency.

"We had to take a step back last year and that was disappointing,'' Alexander said. "I felt the pain every time we lost. There is a sense of urgency because we want to turn the corner. We've been close, but we haven't really turned this program back into a winning and championship caliber program."

Over the past three years TSU regressed. The Tigers went 14-17 and finished sixth in the OVC in 2004-05; 13-15 and a seventh-place finish in 2005-06, and 12-20, finishing eighth in 2006-07.

Missing key players

Alexander said losing key players in each of the last two seasons has been the reason TSU has failed to gain ground.

In 2005-06, the Tigers lost 6-foot-1 guard Bruce Price to a knee injury and Eric King, a 6-7 senior, who abruptly quit the team. Then last year, Price re-injured his knee and Jerrell Houston, a 6-8 transfer from Mississippi State, became eligible only for the final five games.

"We've had two years in a row where two of our better players haven't been able to play,'' Alexander said.

"You go two years without arguably your two best players and there were a lot of close games over that span that you could argue, had those two guys each year been on the court, possibly the outcome of those games might have been different."

TSU lost five games last season by six points or fewer.

Price returns

With Price healthy again this year and Houston's eligibility problems resolved, at least Alexander's expectations, if not the rest of the league's coaches, are rising again.

"Bruce is a warrior and he also has the capabilities of being a very good leader because he plays hard all the time and practices hard,'' Alexander said.

"Jerrell wasn't able to do much for us last year because he had missed 20-something games and he was anxious and he really didn't know our system very well because he was on the scout team when he wasn't eligible. We expect a lot more out of him.''


OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE FORECAST
Predicted order of finish as voted by conference coaches and sports information directors, with first-place votes in parentheses. Teams selected by coaches and sports information directors:

OVC MEN
1. Austin Peay (19) 199
2. E. Kentucky (1) 166
3. Tennessee Tech (2) 160
4. Murray St. 149
5. SE Missouri 131
6. Tennessee St. 101
7. Samford 85
8. Eastern Illinois 75
9. Jacksonville St. 61
10. Morehead St. 50
11. Tennessee Martin 33

Preseason top players
G-Bruce Carter, Murray State
G-Anthony Fisher, Tennessee Tech
F-Brandon Foust, SE Missouri
G-Adam Leonard, E. Kentucky
G/F-Fernandez Lockett, Austin Peay
G-Romain Martin, E. Illinois
F-Amadi McKenzie, Tennessee Tech
C-Travis Peterson, Samford
F-Drake Reed, Austin Peay
G-Mike Rose, E. Kentucky
Preseason player of the year: Drake Reed, Austin Peay

OVC WOMEN
1. SE Missouri (19) 199
2. Samford (2) 161
3. Murray State 155
4. Eastern Illinois (1) 119
5. Tennessee Tech 118
6. UT Martin 114
7. Eastern Kentucky 105
8. Morehead State 100
9. Austin Peay 69
10. Tennessee State 48
11. Jacksonville State 22

Preseason top players
F_Rachel Galligan, E. Illinois
G_Jessica Huffman, E. Illinois
G_Crystal Jones, E. Kentucky
G_Amber Guffey, Murray St.
F_Alex Munday, Samford
F/C_Missy Whitney, SE Missouri
G_Ashley N. Hayes, Murray St.
G/F_Sonya Daugherty, SE Missouri
F/C_Phyllisha Mitchell, Tenn.-Martin
G/F_Obiageli Okafor, Tennessee St.
Preseason player of the year: Missy Whitney, SE Missouri

Experience may pay off for AAMU Bulldogs

By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

Returnees hope to put A&M back on winning path

Two years after winning the school's first Southwestern Athletic Conference men's basketball championship, Alabama A&M's program hit rock bottom.

The Bulldogs, fielding a team made up primarily of freshmen and sophomores, finished 10-20 and failed to reach the SWAC Tournament.

However, A&M coach Vann Pettaway says the experience gained from last year's disappointing season has provided the impetus his team needs to turn things around.

"I'm looking forward to this season," said Pettaway, who is beginning his 22nd campaign at A&M. "On paper, we're still a young team, but these guys have grown up. Hopefully, we can go out and redeem ourselves from last year."

If the Bulldogs are to redeem themselves, they will do so with Mickell Gladness and Trant Simpson leading the way.

Gladness, A&M's 6-foot-11, 205-pound senior center, is the league's reigning Defensive Player of the Year. He led the nation in blocked shots, averaging more than six per game and also set the single-game record with 16 against Texas Southern.

While Gladness' prowess has been on the defensive end, Pettaway needs him to be more effective on the offensive end.

"He has to step up and be a threat for us," he said. "I'm looking for four more points and four more rebounds per game. That will make him a double-double guy and take some of the pressure off of our perimeter people."

Simpson, the league's Freshman of the Year, was A&M's top perimeter player a year ago. He averaged 13 points and six assists while shooting 81 percent from the foul line.

"Trant had a really good freshman year and he's only going to get better," Pettaway said. "We had to play him too many minutes and we've added some depth to that position and we hope that will make our team better."

Junior Norris Arnold, 6-8 and 225 pounds, will back up Gladness at center, while Jonathan Inman and Jonathan Belt, a pair of rugged sophomores, will split time at power forward. Inman is 6-5 and 215, while Belt is 6-6 and 235.

"Inman played real well down the stretch last year," Pettaway said. "We're counting on both of those guys to give us some scoring punch inside."

Kudus Ogbara, who was granted a medical redshirt last year after sustaining a knee injury, will play both forward spots, Pettaway said.

The Bulldogs have an ample amount of talent at small forward, shooting guard and point guard.

Sophomores LaNorris Smith and Andrew Williams will compete for the starting job at small forward.

Smith, 6-4 and 215, is regarded as the team's best athlete. Williams, also 6-4 and 215, isn't far behind.

"Smith has to pick it up," Pettaway said. "He has shown some signs in preseason practice that he may be ready to come around. He was a little heavy last year, but he's lighter and leaner this year.

"He has looked impressive in preseason workouts and he has that look in his eye. He's a very gifted athlete. He's got to have his motor running every game."

Sophomore Cornelius Hester returns at shooting guard, but will be challenged by redshirt freshman Desmond Jackson and junior Evan Hilton.

Hester averaged 10.4 points per game, but shot just 35 percent from the field, including 29 percent from 3-point range. Jackson has been solid in preseason workouts, Pettaway said, while Hilton hopefully will emerge after splitting time between shooting guard and point guard the last two seasons.

"Jackson can put the ball in the basket," Pettaway said. "We think we have created a very competitive situation by grouping those three guys together."

Simpson is the clear leader at point guard, but freshmen Jabari Deshields and Reggie Porter will also see playing time.

"We expect more from this cast of players," Pettaway said. "If Mickell can shoulder some of the offensive production in the paint and we can stay healthy, I like our chances."

Alabama A&M University Maroon and White Marching Band

MEAC voters pick Hampton University

DSU's Roy Bright (#45) named MEAC Pre-Season Player of the Year.

By MARTY O'BRIEN, Daily Press

The men's team returns all five starters as coach Kevin Nickelberry heads into his second season.

Hampton University enters the 2007-08 men's basketball season as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference favorite. The Pirates were picked first in a poll of conference coaches and sports information directors released on Tuesday, with two-time defending regular season champion Delaware State second.

"I think, if anything, this is a rubber stamp of the progress we've made here," Pirates' coach Kevin Nickelberry said. "This shows that the program is heading in the direction I want it to go with respect to academics, recruiting and development of players.

"There's no way I thought this would happen after only one year. But the reality is, we still have to go out and win games."

Nickelberry guided the Pirates to a 15-16 record and third-place finish in his first season as the Pirates' coach. All five starters return from that team, including guard Rashad West, who won the MEAC scoring title last season with a 17.8 average.

West, a 6-foot-1 senior, was the lone Hampton player voted to the preseason all-conference team. Delaware State forward Roy Bright, who averaged 15.3 points last season, was selected the men's preseason Player of the Year.

Nickelberry said Tuesday that he signed point guard Jordan Brooks of C.H. Flowers High in Springdale, Md. just prior to the school year. Nickelberry said that Brooks might start at the point this season because signee Chris Tolson of Laurel High did not qualify academically.

Like Tolson, Brooks earned a spot on the Washington Post All-Met third team last season. Brooks averaged more than 20 points per game in leading Flowers to the Maryland 4-A South regional final. He also started at point guard on the D.C. Assault AAU team that featured Kansas State signee Mike Beasley, the top recruit nationally last year.

"Jordan is one of those little guys (5-foot-7) who makes it hard for people to get the ball up court and who knows how to get the ball to people," Nickelberry said. "We were lucky to be able to get him to replace Chris Tolson."

Kwame Morgan, a first team Washington Post All-Met selection, also will sit out this season because he did not qualify. He averaged 27.5 points last season for Maryland 3-A semifinalist Largo.

They are the first players to sit out for any reason during Nickelberry's tenure. All of Hampton's players and recruits were academically eligible both semesters last season.

MEAC coaches picked Hampton's women's team to finish fifth. Defending regular season champion Coppin State is the women's preseason favorite.

Below is the predicted order of finish for the MEAC.

MEN

1-Hampton, 2-Delaware State, 3-North Carolina A&T, 4-Morgan State, 5-Florida A&M, 6-Bethune-Cookman, 7-South Carolina State, 8-Coppin State, 9-Norfolk State, 10-Howard, 11-Maryland-Eastern Shore.

WOMEN

1-Coppin State, 2-Delaware State, 3-Morgan State, 4-North Carolina A&T, 5-Hampton, 6-Florida A&M, 7-Maryland-Eastern Shore, 8-Howard, 9-South Carolina State, 10-Norfolk State, 11-Bethune-Cookman.

WSSU Rams get good news about Morris

WSSU has recruited size for this upcoming season.

Center has been cleared to play by NCAA with basketball practice about to begin

By John Dell, JOURNAL REPORTER

Coach Bobby Collins of Winston-Salem State let out a big sigh of relief last week when the NCAA Clearinghouse gave the OK for center Corey Morris.

Morris, a 6-10, 255-pound center from Elizabeth City, had been waiting for the Clearinghouse to make its decision. It came down to one class from his senior year at Northeastern High School.

"I'm excited that this got cleared up," Morris said last week. "Now that I know I'll be out there, I can't wait for practice to begin."

The new-look Rams will begin practice Oct. 12. Of the six players that Collins brought in, three are 6-8 or taller.

Morris is the tallest, followed by post players Paul Davis (6-9) and McIntoche Alcius (6-8).

In Collins' first season, the Rams had one post player, but at 6-5, Jamal Durham was undersized. With the added height, Durham can move over to his more natural position at forward.

"Last year, I was posting up guys who were 6-4 or 6-5, and this year I'll have guys who are posting up 6-9 or 6-10," Collins said. "And that's going to give us a totally different look. This will allow us to do things that I've had in the past because I've always had a big man in the middle."

With returning player Julian Murphy-Long, a 6-9 walk-on, the Rams will have four players who are 6-8 or taller, which might be a first at WSSU.

Last season, the Rams suffered through the school's worst record (5-24). What made it worse was that the Rams played just five home games, although they made about $500,000 for playing some big-name programs on the road.

"We've got 14 home games this year, and that's going to bring a new flavor to us," Collins said. "Last year, in having 25 road games, we were fighting an uphill battle from the beginning. We weren't playing the school for the blind, either - we were playing teams like Georgetown and Georgia Tech."

Playing a balanced schedule and a full MEAC schedule should make things a lot easier for the Rams. They won't be eligible for the MEAC title until the 2010-11 season, but at least they are on more of a level playing field compared to last season. Another difference is that the Rams are scheduled to play all 14 home games at either Joel Coliseum or the Annex. However, because of the new pro hockey team playing at the Annex, two or three games could be moved to the Gaines Center.

Both the men's and women's team will open practice with a "Ram Madness" at 7 p.m. on Oct. 12 at the Gaines Center.

"We're excited about the first day of practice coming up," Collins said. "We are very young but very talented. We'll have a much different look than we had last year.… It's going to be a different kind of year."

Savannah State releases 2007-08 men's basketball schedule

Savannah State University Sports Information

Photo: SSU Coach Horace Broadnax

SAVANNAH, Ga. --- Savannah State men's basketball coach Horace Broadnax has released the Tigers 2007-2008 schedule. SSU opens their season on November 9 with a home contest against Carver Bible College.

The Tigers slate features games that will take them to nine different states (Florida, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Illinois, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Kansas and Virginia).

SSU has twelve home games with six coming after the winter holidays. The Tigers will host Southern Mississippi on January 5.

After the season opener against Carver, SSU hits the road to play at Jacksonville on November 11, then back home to face the University of South Carolina Aiken before hitting the road to face Wisconsin, Colorado and Florida A&M.

The Tigers will play home and home games with Jacksonville, North Florida, Stetson and High Point.

Notable road games include Nebraska, Northwestern, Marquette and Kansas State.

Savannah State posted an 12-18 record last year and returns three starters from last year in guard Joseph Flegler who averaged 10.1 points a game, guard/forward Patrick Hardy who as a freshman averaged 22.1 minutes a game and forward Lazarius Coleman who shot 49 percent from the floor and was second on the team in rebounds and blocked shots.

MEN'S BASKETBALL
2007 - 2008 Schedule

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME RESULTS

Fri., Nov. 9 CARVER COLLEGE Savannah, Ga. 7:00 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 11 Jacksonville University Jacksonville, Fla. 3:00 p.m.

American Youth Classic
Tues., Nov. 13 SOUTH CAROLINA AIKEN Savannah, Ga. 7:00 p.m.

American Youth Classic (Madison, Wis.)
Thurs., Nov. 15 University of Wisconsin Madison, Wis. 8:00 p.m. (CT)
Fri., Nov. 16 Univ. of Colorado Madison, Wis. 4:30 p.m. (CT)
Sat., Nov. 17 Florida A&M Univ. Madison, Wis. 4:30 p.m. (CT)

Wed., Nov. 21 SOUTHEASTERN Savannah, Ga. 6:00 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 24 EMANUEL COLLEGE Savannah, Ga. 1:00 p.m.
Tues., Nov. 27 NORTH FLORIDA Savannah, Ga. 7:00 p.m.
Thurs., Nov. 29 Creighton University Omaha, Neb. 7:05 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 1 Northwestern University Chicago, Ill. 8:00 p.m. (CT)
Sat., Dec. 8 South Carolina State University Orangeburg., S.C. 6:00 p.m.
Tues., Dec. 11 University of Nebraska Lincoln, Neb. 7:00 p.m. (CT)
Sat., Dec. 15 University of New Orleans New Orleans, La. 4:30 p.m. (CT)
Tues., Dec. 18 High Point University High Point, N.C. 7:00 p.m.
Thurs., Dec. 20 STETSON UNIVERSITY Savannah, Ga. 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 22 HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY Savannah, Ga. 2:00 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 29 Marquette University Milwaukee, Wis. 1:00 p.m. (CT)
Wed., Jan. 2 University of Maryland College Park, Md. 8:00 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 4 SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI Savannah, Ga. 4:00 p.m.
Mon., Jan. 7 Kansas State University Manhattan, Kan. 7:00 p.m. (CT)
Thurs., Jan. 10 Bethune-Cookman University Daytona Beach, Fla. 7:00 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 15 JACKSONVILLE UNIV. Savannah, Ga. 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 19 LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY Savannah, Ga. 2:00 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 29 Kennesaw University Kennesaw, Ga. 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 2 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, Fla. 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 9 Longwood University Farmville, Va. 2:00 p.m.
Tues., Feb. 12 North Florida Jacksonville, Fla. 7:00 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 16 UTAH VALLEY STATE Savannah, Ga. 4:00 p.m.
Tues., Feb. 19 Stetson University Deland, Fla. 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 29 TEXAS PAN-AMERICAN Savannah, Ga. 7:00 p.m.

ALL HOME GAMES IN CAPS

Reynolds in running for TSU basketball coaching job

By BRANDON C. WILLIAMS, Houston Chronicle

The latest name to toss in his hat for the Texas Southern men's basketball coaching job is a familiar one to longtime Tigers fans.

Dr. Lacey Reynolds, who is currently an instructor at the school, was confirmed as the third man who applied for the position, joining former TSU basketball star and current Worthing boys basketball Kevin Granger and Paul Mills, coordinator of men's basketball operations at Baylor. Candidates are vying to replace Ronnie Courtney, who was fired in July after four seasons with the Tigers.

Reynolds served as an assistant coach at TSU from 1983-95, where he helped guide the Tigers to four Southwestern Athletic Conference regular-season titles and three trips to the NCAA tournament. Among the players he helped bring to the school as chief recruiter was Granger, who starred for the team from 1993-97.

Reynolds was the head coach at Grambling from 1995-99 before returning to TSU as the women's basketball coach from 2000-03. A graduate of Delta State University, he began his collegiate coaching career at the age of 23 when he led Mississippi Industrial College to a 19-10 record during the 1975-76 season. He recently received his educational doctorate in curriculum and instructions.

Granger was the latest to have a formal interview, having met with school officials on Friday.

Whoever is named for the job will face the challenge of putting together a full roster before fall practice begins on Oct. 15. The Tigers have only six players on scholarship returning from a team that finished 14-17 last season.

Graham or Harris, FAMU's next men basketball coach

Florida A&M University athletic director Nelson Townsend confirmed last evening that the selection process for the new head basketball coach is nearing completion. The two finalist are Georgia State assistant coach Eugene Harris and former Colorado assistant coach Paul Graham. If your questions are like mine--who the heck are these guys and what do they bring to the table, here are a brief bio on both.

FAMU is currently conducting background checks and Mr. Townsend and FAMU President Dr. James Ammons are expected to make the public announcement on the selection as soon as a contract is finalized. The announcement is expected next week.

These are exciting times for FAMU and the MEAC. Each of the coaches brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our conference. With the new teaching gym, expect FAMU to become a mid-major power in basketball---soon. (beepbeep)

Coach Eugene Harris (photo on right)

ATLANTA (April 23, 2007) – Georgia State head men’s basketball coach Rod Barnes has announced Eugene Harris as his second hire for his new coaching staff.

Harris, a veteran of 23 years in college athletics in the southeast, brings more recruiting contacts and experience with his basketball knowledge.

“Eugene Harris is known as one of the best recruiters in the southeast,” Barnes noted. “We are excited to be able to add him to our staff at Georgia State because he is well thought of and respected. No doubt, he will be an asset in helping us take this program to a higher level.”

Harris began his college coaching with Cliff Ellis at South Alabama in 1983 and moved on to 10 years at Clemson University, 11 years at Auburn and one year at Alabama. He has also been a high school coach at Rickard High in Tallahassee, Fla., Pelham High in Pelham, Ga. and Smiths Station High in Smiths, Ala.

As a college player, Harris was a three-year starter for the Seminoles of Florida State under Coach Hugh Durham. The guard was a co-captain of the Florida State team that won the Metro Conference in 1978 and was the team’s most valuable defensive player winner for three seasons.

“It is obvious that Coach Harris has improved the programs every where he has been a coach,” Barnes added. “He brings invaluable experience and maturity to our program. I know he has recruited not only good college players, but players who have gone on to play extensively in the NBA.”

Harris is a graduate of Scottsboro, [Ala.] High School and of Florida State University in 1979.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to coach with Rod Barnes,” Harris said. “Coach Barnes has an outstanding reputation on and off the court. I look forward to helping improve this program.”
Harris and his wife, Phyllis, have three daughters.


Coach Paul Graham

(from Web files - Colorado basketball)

Paul Graham coached for fourth season with Colorado and brings over 19 years of coaching expertise. “Paul is a great addition to our staff and brings vast experience having served with future Hall of Fame coach Eddie Sutton,” Patton added. “Paul adds a great deal of experience and knowledge, and we expect him to continue to add to the success this team will have.”

Graham, 55, came to Boulder from Washington State, where he was the head coach from 1999-2003. He assists the Buffaloes with on the floor coaching, the development of the student-athletes, recruiting and scheduling. With over 18 years coaching experience, Graham was an assistant at Southern Methodist University, the University of New Mexico, and Oklahoma State, with 12 of his teams advancing to the NCAA Tournament. In 1995, Graham was part of a coaching staff at OSU from 1992-1999 that went 150-72 with five NCAA Tournament appearances including the 1995 Final Four when the Cowboys lost to eventual national champion UCLA. Five of those NCAA teams produced 20-win seasons.

At New Mexico from 1990-92, Graham was an assistant coach and helped the Lobos to a 40-23 record and a NCAA Tournament appearance in 1991. While an assistant at SMU, Graham helped the Mustangs to three NCAA Tournament berths (1985, 1986, 1988) and 129-58 mark. In addition to his coaching experience, Graham was the head boys’ coach at Justin F. Kimball High School in Dallas from 1974-82 with an impressive 111-40 record. Graham graduated from North Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and history minor in 1974 and earned his master’s degree in Education Administration from Prairie
View University in 1979. While at North Texas, he qualified for the NCAA Track and Field Championships in the high hurdles.

Born March 11, 1951, in Kansas City, Kan., Graham graduated from Sumner High School and was a member of a state championship basketball team as well as being an all-city basketball selection and a state track champion in the high hurdles and 60-yard dash. Graham and his wife, Vanessa, have two children, Nicholas (25) and Brittany (19).

The Graham File

Full Name: Paul Graham
Family: Wife Vanessa, son Nicholas,
daughter Brittany
Birth-date: March 11, 1951
Hometown: Kansas City, Kan.
High School: Sumner High
College: North Texas State ‘74
Graduate School: Prairie View ‘79
Coaching Career
2003-Present
Assistant Coach, University of Colorado
1999-2003
Head Coach, Washington State
1992-99
Assistant Coach, Oklahoma State
1990-92
Assistant Coach, New Mexico
1989-90
Head Cross Country Coach, Samuell
High School (Dallas, Texas)
1988-1989
Assistant Athletic Director, Southern
Methodist University
1982-88
Assistant Coach, Southern Methodist
University
1974-82
Head Coach, Kimball High School
(Dallas, Texas)

If Walls Could Speak...

Here is what is coming out of Houston regarding Paul Graham who received the endorsement of the Houston Chronicle sports writer Ronnie Turner on August 19, 2007, for the vacant head coaching position for basketball at Texas Southern University.

"Speaking of Texas Southern athletic director Alois Blackwell, he really needs to speed up his search for a men's basketball coach. Classes start Aug. 27, and there's no one in place to help prepare the Tigers for the upcoming season.

Some alumni have pushed for the hiring of former Rocket and Basketball Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy, but I'm not so sure this would be a wise thing. After all, Murphy doesn't have any real coaching experience, and probably isn't too familiar with NCAA rules.

Considering the turmoil the TSU athletic department is currently mired in, the school can't afford to screw up this coaching hire. TSU needs someone who is very familiar with NCAA rules, who has several years of experience at the collegiate level and who has the top-notch credentials that recruits look for when deciding on which coach to sign with. TSU needs someone like former Colorado assistant coach Paul Graham.

I can't vouch for the other candidates (many whom I don't know), but Graham, who spent the last four seasons on Ricardo Patton's staff at Colorado, would be my pick for the job. Graham, who put in his application last week, probably has the best resume of the entire group.

Graham, 56, has 22 years of experience at the collegiate level, including a four-year stint as head coach at Washington State (1999-2003). He was apart of three NCAA Tournament teams (1985, 1986, 1988) as an assistant at SMU from 1982-88, and five NCAA Tournament teams as an assistant under legendary coach Eddie Sutton at Oklahoma State from 1992-99. He also helped lead the Cowboys to an appearance in the 1995 Final Four.

I spent nearly an hour talking with Graham on Saturday night, and he's excited to have a chance at another head coaching gig. His four years at Washington State produced a lowly 31-79 mark, but he's confident that, given some time, he could turn around the TSU program.

Graham's former boss, Patton, left Colorado at the end of last season and was hired by Northern Illinois, but Graham declined to join him. Now out of work, Graham is simply praying for another opening into the college coaching business.

After our conversation, I'm convinced Graham has a great vision for the TSU program, which I'll share with you at some point in the near future. However, it's been a long day, so I think I'll bring this entry to a close and call it a night.

Anyways, Graham is my pick, but that's just me. Who would you rather have: a highly-experienced coach such as Graham or a basketball celebrity with few, if any, coaching credentials such as Murphy?
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9/14/2007 - The Houston Chronicle reported that the leading candidate at Texas Southern is Kevin Granger. He is the school's leading career scorer and led the nation in scoring in 1996.

Delaware State Hornet women to host Michigan State

Delaware State News

DOVER — A visit to the University of Delaware in the opening round of the Preseason National Invitation Tournament and a home contest against national power Michigan State highlights the 2007-08 Delaware State University women’s basketball schedule released Tuesday.

DSU, the defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champ, opens its title defense in the opening round against Delaware on Nov. 9. It will be the first intra-state game between the two since 2001 and the ninth meeting overall.

The Delaware State/Delaware winner will take on Maryland or Princeton in the NIT’s second round.

DSU’s regular-season schedule features 12 home games, including an appearance by Big 10 powerhouse Michigan State on Nov. 26. The Spartans, led by 6-9 sophomore center Allyssa DeHaan, were 24-9 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season. Michigan State has made eight NCAA Tournament appearances, and reached the Final Four in 2005.


The Hornets’ home opener is Nov. 20 against St. Peter’s. The Hornets, who went 20-13 in 2006 and will return all five starters, will also welcome first-time opponent Army to Memorial Hall on Dec. 1.

Later in December, DSU will head to the University of Alabama-Birmingham tournament and the University of Virginia tournament.

The Hornets also travel to Colonial Athletic Association power Old Dominion for the second straight year on Dec. 20. Old Dominion has won the last 16 CAA Tournament titles.

The MEAC opener is Jan. 12 at South Carolina State, and the Hornets’ first MEAC home game is Jan. 19 against Norfolk State.

FAMU narrows search for men's basketball coach to final five

By Heath A. Smith, Tallahassee Democrat

The search for Florida A&M's next men's basketball coach has been narrowed to a list of five finalists.

University of Michigan assistant coach Jerry Dunn, Mississippi State assistant coach Robert Kirby, Georgia State assistant coach Eugene Harris, Chipola Junior College coach Greg Heiar and former Colorado assistant men's basketball coach Paul Graham are expected to be interviewed for the position in person or by phone this week, according to FAMU Athletic Director Nelson Townsend.

"No one has been contacted yet," Townsend said. "We have some very good candidates."

Townsend said he expects to meet the self-imposed Sept. 15 deadline to name a new coach. FAMU fired Mike Gillespie Sr., the university's coach for the past six years, last month.

"I feel confident that we'll be on time," Townsend said. "We have not set an interview schedule yet."

The seven-member search committee met for three hours Saturday after going through the resumes of more than 50 applicants last week, according to state Sen. Al Lawson, who is on the committee.

Lawson said each committee member chose a list of 10 applicants to be voted on by the committee Saturday.

Each applicant from that pool who received two votes from the committee moved on to the next round of votes until the list was paired down to five finalists.

Lawson said that in addition to picking the five finalists, the committee made a motion that he be a part of the interviewing process along with Townsend and FAMU President James Ammons.