NCCU band's big moment had some hurdles

PASADENA, Cal. -- N.C. Central University's Marching Sound Machine had to overcome funding problems, sieges of bad weather and even fear of flying to complete its long-standing goal: marching in Saturday's 122nd Rose Parade.

Thousands of roadside spectators cheered on the Marching Sound Machine as they played Michael Jackson's "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" while executing some of Jackson's most famous dance moves - the moonwalk and anti-gravity lean.

"I never imagined how many people would be there," said Letitia Harris, a junior trombone player. "I can't even think right now; I'm just trying to catch my breath."


Videographer: Music 213

Sound Machine 'brings it'

PASADENA, Calif. -- The N.C. Central University Marching Sound Machine's debut at the Rose Parade on Saturday was a success. The tricky 110-degree turn onto Colorado Boulevard? Flawless. The moon-walking dance moves? Smooth as silk. The response of the crowd? Almost louder than the band's drum line.

"It went very, very well," said Brian Henry, tuba player and senior in mass communication at NCCU. "The turn was very easy. Everybody did an excellent job. It was awesome!"

NCCU plays Disney

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- For members of the N.C. Central University Marching Sound Machine band, Tuesday was their longest day -- it began with packing up in Durham at 2 a.m. and ended 22 hours later in California with the receipt of their new uniforms.

The new costumes arrived at the hotel just in time for their first performance at Disneyland on Wednesday. The design is the same as that developed in 2003, but the band members appreciated having bright new uniforms for their Tournament of Roses Parade performance on New Year's Day in Pasadena.


Videographer: Music 213 -  NCCU Marching Sound Machine performance @ Pasadena Bandfest, Part 1.

NCCU Marching Sound Machine Band honors FAMU's late Dr. William P. Foster

The North Carolina Central University Marching Sound  Machine Band honored the late Dr. William P. Foster at the December 30, 2010, Bandfest in Pasadena, California. The band played a tribute to Dr. Foster, performing Michael Jackson's Bird Song.  Dr. Foster was the "dean and innovator of American university marching bands."

The NCCU band has been greatly influenced by the legendary musical and marching innovations of Dr. Foster through their director, Mr. Jorim E. Reid.  Mr Reid is a positive example of the many fine musicians that have fully developed, enhanced and perfected their craft and musicianship under the late Dr.William P. Foster's leadership at Florida A&M University.

Mr. Reid, a former FAMU Marching 100 drum major, oboe player, piano major, student music arranger for the famous Marching 100 Band, and conductor extraordinaire, is creating his own legacy and influence on student- musicians throughout North Carolina and the World.

Take a listen to the superb musicianship, showmanship, symphonic arrangements and marching precision of the North Carolina Central University Marching Sound Machine Band on part 2 of the Pasadena, California Bandfest performance. Eagle Pride - Amplified!


Videographer: Music 213 - NCCU Marching Sound Machine Band, Part 2.

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Texas Southern 60, #23 Baylor 68

Baylor Bears Survives Scare from Texas Southern

WACO, Texas - LaceDarius Dunn scored all but two of his 17 points in the second half, and A.J. Walton and Quincy Acy made key defensive plays down the stretch as Baylor held off Texas Southern 68-60 Sunday.

Acy had 16 points and eight rebounds, as well as two big blocks in the closing moments that helped Baylor (9-3) survive its first game since two losses in Hawaii's Diamond Head Classic the week of Christmas that dropped the Bears out of the AP Top 25 for the first time this season.

Walton added 13 points and a career-high seven rebounds, and forced a key turnover by Travele Jones with 48 seconds left that snuffed out the Tigers' final bid.

Video Highlights

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Tennessee State 86, #21 Memphis 91

Antonio Barton scored 20 of his 24 points in the second half, including two key free throws with 17 seconds left, as No. 21 Memphis escaped 50 percent 3-point shooting by Tennessee State in a 91-86 victory Sunday at FedExForum.

Tarik Black was 9 of 11 from the field and had 22 points for Memphis (11-2), while Will Barton finished with 19 points and eight rebounds.

Tennessee State (6-8), which was trying to record its first victory over a ranked team in school history, put a scare into Memphis. Tennessee State, which led most of the way, was 12 of 24 from outside the arc.

Photo Gallery

Coach John Cooper Post Game Comments

TSU Tigers fight hard in loss to No. 21 Memphis

Memphis, Tenn. - In a tale of two Tigers that featured 10 lead changes, Tennessee State University dropped a tough, 91-86, loss at No. 21 (AP) Memphis on Sunday afternoon at the FedEx Forum. In front of a crowd of more than 15,831, TSU (6-8) tied a season-high shooting from the floor, 50 percent, with five players scoring in double figures.

Kenny Moore tied a career-high, 22 points, hitting 7-of-11 from the floor, while helping the Tigers shoot 50 percent (12-of-24) from behind the arc, nailing 5-of-6 of his own. Wil Peters notched 17 points and a team-high seven assists. Robert Covington followed, hitting 7-of-12 overall, to finish with 16 points. Patrick Miller added 12 points and Jacquan Nobles hit 4-of-8 to chip in 11 points off the bench.

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NEXT GAME: January 6, 7:30 p.m. at MURRAY STATE

North Carolina Central Marching Sound Machine debut at 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade and at Disneyland

2011 Rose Bowl Parade- Part 1 Bands included in this video: Southwest Dekalb High School Marching Panther Band (Decatur, Ga.), North Japan Green Marching Band, North Carolina Central University Marching Sound Machine Band. Professor Jorim E. Reid - NCCU Director of Bands.

By Videographer: TheOProductions1907


Videographer: Music213 (Live Stand View)


Videographer: SFVCyclone


Videographer: MrTJ85
NCCU Marching Sound Machine Performance at Disneyland, California

Videographer: aespejo104
NCCU Marching South Maching at the 2011 Bandfest in Pasadena, CA

Videographer: TheCyberTraveler

Videographer: Music213

Jorim E. Reid

NCCU Director of Bands

Professor Jorim Edgar Reid graduated from Miami Norland Senior High School in Miami, Florida, where he was a student of the renowned bandmaster, Kenneth Rudolph Tolbert.

He then graduated from Florida A&M University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in music education (1999) with piano as his major instrument. There he privately studied arranging, composition, and film scoring with Professor Lindsey B. Sarjeant and Dr. Marty Robinson. Reid served the band program as principal oboist for wind ensemble and symphonic bands and head drum major, saxophone, and student arranger for marching band.

He later received his masters degree in music education (2000) from the Florida State University School of Music with oboe as his major instrument. There he studied arranging and composition under Professor Brian Gaber and Professor Bill Peterson. Jorim is currently studying for a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Boston University (2009, DMA). Reid is on faculty of music department and serves as director of bands at North Carolina Central University. He is also advisor to Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity and Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority.

Mr. James O. Seda

Director of Bands

Southwest Dekalb High School, Decatur, Georgia

James O. Seda is currently the Director of Bands at Southwest Dekalb High School. He is a product of the Atlanta Public School System, having graduated from Southside Comprehensive High School. Mr. Seda received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Music Education from Florida A&M University. While there, he studied conducting with Dr. William P. Foster and Dr. Julian E. White. He was also in the trumpet studio of Dr. Marty Robinson. Mr. Seda is currently enrolled in the Masters of Music Education Program at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Illinois.

Mr. Seda has been the Director of Bands at Southwest Dekalb High School since 2001. Prior to that he served as Assistant Director of Bands at Chapel Hill Middle School for two years, the primary feeder school to Southwest Dekalb High School, also assisting with the band program at Southwest Dekalb simultaneously. Mr. Seda is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, The International Trumpet Guild, Georgia Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Screen Actor's Guild and MACE. Mr. Seda was The STAR Teacher for Southwest Dekalb High School in 2005-2006 and has been recognized and honored by Who's Who Among America's Teachers multiple times.

While attending Florida A&M University, Mr. Seda was a very active musician. He held the principal trumpet chair in the FAMU Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, and the lead trumpet chair in the FAMU Jazz Ensemble. As a member of the world famous 'Marching 100' Mr. Seda served as trumpet section leader for two years, as well as being elected business manager, vice-president, and president in consecutive years.

Mr. Seda has performed in Paris, France, The Montreaux Jazz Festival in Montreaux, Switzerland and the North Seas Jazz Festival in The Haag, Holland. He has also performed in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Television and radio features are also to his credit as CNN displayed his talents in a television documentary on the life of jazz musician Jesse Stone. He has done studio sessions for television and radio commercials, as well as short films and movies. Mr. Seda also worked on the 20th Century Fox motion picture DRUMLINE as a music arranger, band organizer, instrumentalist, and actor extra.

The Southwest Dekalb High School highly acclaimed marching band is 230+ musicians and is performing in its second Tournament of Roses Parade (2006, 2011).

Mr. Seda's and Southwest Dekalb Marching Panther Band assistant directors of bands are: Mr. Steven L. Cooper (West Palm Beach, FL), Florida A&M University; Mr. Demetrius Hubert (Atlanta, GA) - Director of Percussion, Florida A&M University; Mr. Byron Ellie Jackson (Decatur, GA), Staff Assistant/ Director of Drum Majors, Florida A&M University; and Ms. Stasha Dion Ogletree (Atlanta, GA), Dancing Diva Director/Choreographer, Albany State University.

Former S.C. State OL Lee sets sights on playoffs with Bucs

TAMPA, Fla. - James Lee will play the biggest game of his young career today in New Orleans.

In 2007, Lee was playing at South Carolina State as an offensive lineman honing his craft in hopes of one day being a integral part of an offensive line in the National Football League. Three years later, the former Bulldog will play against the defending Super Bowl champions and division rival Saints as he and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers try to make their way into the playoffs.

After giving everything he had at Pro Day and other workouts three years ago, Lee was intiailly signed by the Cleveland Browns in 2008 as an undrafted free agent. After a short stint with Cleveland, Lee...

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' James Lee, Jeremy Trueblood battle for right tackle spot

James Lee, who missed most of the last two games with an ankle sprain, took the first reps Thursday at right tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but still alternated with Jeremy Trueblood. Coach Raheem Morris did not name a starter for Sunday's game at New Orleans and said he plans to evaluate the practice tape.

"The first team reps are being split right now. I would have to say James Lee went out first. Trueblood went out second and they went out there and competed again today. I've got to go watch tape and evaluate it, obviously.''


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Hampton 77, Colorado State 75

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Hampton’s Kwame Morgan tallied 29 points, none bigger than the final three, as the junior guard knocked down a trey with 0.8 seconds left, to defeat Colorado State, 77-75, snapping the Rams’ six-game win streak.

Colorado State trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half, but fought back to take their first lead, 62-61, with 7:20 left to play in the contest. And with CSU clinging to a one-point lead, 75-74, with 7.3 seconds left, Morgan’s shot all but ended the game. The Rams’ ensuing inbound was deflected back out of bounds and when they got the ball in play, Travis Franklin’s desperation heave with 0.4 left came up well short.

The Rams committed a season-worst 18 turnovers, and the Pirates converted those extra possessions into 23 points. With the loss, Colorado State falls to 10-4 on the season while Hampton improves to 11-3.

MORGAN SHOOTS PIRATES PAST RAMS

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Hampton University junior guard Kwame Morgan hit a 3-pointer with 0.8 seconds remaining to lift the men’s basketball team past Colorado State 77-75 on Saturday in the final day of the Hilltop Classic at War Memorial Gym.

It was Morgan’s second game-winning trey of the season; he also hit the game-winner in the closing seconds on Dec. 22 against Liberty. Morgan (Largo, Md.) scored a career-high 29 points on 8-for-19 shooting and 6-for-14 from 3-point range in keying Hampton’s fourth win in its last five games. Hampton’s win also snapped Colorado State’s six-game winning streak.

Junior guard Darrion Pellum (Hampton, Va.) scored 17 points and dished out a team-high four assists. Senior forward Charles Funches (Jersey City, N.J.) and junior guard Christopher Tolson (Laurel, Md.) each added 10 points, with Funches adding a team-high eight rebounds.

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NEXT GAME: 1/8/2011, 4 p.m., Pirates (11-3, 1-0 MEAC) at Coppin State Eagles (4-7, 0-1), Baltimore, MD

Ellie Hyppolite Signs with Florida A&M Football

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Erie Community College defensive lineman Ellie Hyppolite (Daytona Beach, Fla./Spruce Creek) has signed a National Letter of Intent to enroll and play football at Florida A&M. The 6-foot-4, 270 pound Hyppolite recorded 13 tackles (9 solo/4 assists) in eight games in 2010. He made 3.5 tackles for loss, broke up one pass, and forced one fumble. Hyppolite posts a 4.8 40-yard dash time.

Florida A&M won a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship in 2010, finishing with an 8-3 overall record. The midyear junior college transfer signing period started December 15, 2010 and runs until Jan. 15, 2011.



Boyd Anderson QB is leaning toward FAMU

Boyd Anderson High School quarterback Dane James would like to take advantage of early enrollment at a university so that he would have some leverage to compete for the starting job during spring workouts. James and his father told the Democrat on Saturday that there are at least four schools on his list. Florida A&M is the front-runner, they said.

Mark James also said his son will make his decision within a week so that he could enroll no later than a week after classes begin next week.

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Texas Southern signs Chicago star basketball player Kenny Stevenson

Seton Academy's Kenny Stevenson Jr., a sharp shooting 6-2/175 combo guard, attended prep school in New Jersey and will enroll at Texas Southern University for the upcoming semester. Kenny  was coached by his well-respected father, who served as the school's athletic director and head coach, leading the program to the 2009 IHSA Class 2A State Championship.

Chicago, IL - Former Seton Academy basketball star Kenny Stevenson doesn't mind sitting out a semester. Stevenson, a 2010 Seton grad, will enroll at Texas Southern University after spending a semester at Central Jersey Each One Teach One in Somerset, N.J.

"I think it will make me better, because I will have that much more time to learn the plays and the system," Stevenson said. "I know they are graduating a few guards, so if I work hard, I think I will have a chance to play right away."

Right away is the 2011-2012 season. Stevenson originally committed and signed with Illinois-Chicago, but when coach Jimmy Collins retired, he decided to look elsewhere.


Videographer: danpon1 (Kenny Stevenson (Seton) Highlights and Interview with Daniel Poneman)

Seton basketball coach Ken Stevenson leaving school

Ken Stevenson is the reigning Chicago Catholic League and Illinois Times Coach of the Year (2009).  Sevenson was 106-75 in seven years in building Seton's program from scratch.

He came, he saw, he conquered.

Now, he's moving on. After starting a boys basketball program from scratch when Seton Academy went coed in the fall of 2003 and leading the Sting to a Class 2A state championship last spring, Ken Stevenson told The Times on Wednesday that he has resigned as head coach. He'll also step down from the athletic director's position at the end of the school year.

"I'm going to leave the whole shebang," Stevenson said. "I've had seven wonderful years at Seton Academy. I had the opportunity to build a program to my liking, but I just felt it was time for me to do something a little different.

Ken Stevenson named coach at Urban Prep's South Shore campus

Ken Stevenson will be starting from the ground floor again.

He started the boys basketball program at Seton Academy and won the Class 2A state title in 2009. The Hales Franciscan grad built the Sting into a Class 2A power before stepping down after last season. He was 106-75 in seven years.

Stevenson was named to a similar position at the new Urban Prep Charter Academy for Young Men's South Shore campus. He said he is excited about the challenge of starting a program.

"I believe in giving back, and this is one way to give back is to help develop young men and help guide them in their lives," Stevenson said. "Whether it is city kids, suburban, Seton, Catholic school or public school, I am looking forward to getting the program going and working with these young men."

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Florida A&M Shoots Down East Carolina 89-85

AMES, Iowa - The Florida A&M University Women’s Basketball team had four Lady Rattlers to score in double –figures as the Lady Rattlers held on for a 89-85 win over East Carolina in their final game of the Cyclone Challenge, here Thursday afternoon at Hilton Coliseum.

FAMU (5-6) was paced by Antonia Bennett as she scored a game high 24 points to lead all scorers. Tameka McKelton dropped in 22 points, followed by Christian Rateree with 16. Shekeira Copeland in her first collegiate start at FAMU finished with 10 points. Qiana Donald led the Lady Rattlers on the boards with 12 rebounds, while McKelton dished out a team high five assists.

ECU (6-7) also had a quartet of Pirates to score in double-figures with...

FAMU coming off big win

While doing her review of a midweek loss to No. 25 Iowa State, coach LeDawn Gibson saw enough encouraging signs in the Florida A&M women's basketball team. She pointed them out to her players then sent them out to take on East Carolina.

"I told them about, pride, fight and the heart that they play with (against ISU) and we needed to go out and play like that every night," Gibson said. "They showed a lot of class."

Florida A&M Shoots Down ECU, 89-85

AMES, Iowa - East Carolina could not overcome Florida A&M's hot shooting in the first half, seeing a second-half rally fall just short in an 89-85 loss to close out the Iowa State Cyclone Challenge. The Pirates will enter Conference USA play at 6-7 overall while the Rattlers are now 5-6.

East Carolina matched its program record for three-point field goals, knocking down 13. Senior Allison Spivey also took over sole possession of second place on the school charts as she now owns 167 as a result of the four in Thursday's game.

ECU converted 31 of 81 shots from the floor for a 38.3 shooting mark, but FAMU had the accurate hand, shooting 31-for-65 (48.8 percent). The Rattlers also ended with a 47-43 advantage on the glass with East Carolina grabbing 24 offensive boards to 16 for FAMU. The Pirates were stronger in the paint, winning the battle down low with 30 points as compared to 22 for the Rattlers. Florida A&M also turned the ball over 23 times while East Carolina recorded 16 miscues.

No. 20 Iowa State 85, Florida A&M 60

Ames, Ia. — The Iowa State women’s basketball team didn’t show much rust from an eight-day break Wednesday. Senior forward Kelsey Bolte made 7-of-13 3-pointers and poured in a career-high 28 points as the 20th-ranked Cyclones (9-2) rolled past Florida A&M 85-60 in the first night of the Cyclone Challenge. Iowa State will play at 7:30 p.m. tonight against Prairie View A&M (4-6), which lost 68-55 to East Carolina (6-6).

“Kelsey’s having a phenomenal senior season,” Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly said. “Right now, when she plays well, we’re hard to beat. They started in a zone and her eyes got really big.” Playing before a crowd of 7,512 at Hilton Coliseum, the Cyclones took command by making 13-of-15 shots during a 31-10 run in the first half. That gave them a 42-15 lead.

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NEXT GAME: 1/2/2011, 6 p.m. CT  @ University of Nebraska - Lincoln
                          WATCH LIVE FREE: CLICK LINK - FAMU vs. NEBRASKA 

Earnest Collins Jr. ready to make Northern Colorado football coaching job his own

UNC Bears Coach Earnest Collins Jr.

The University of Northern Colorado football program has enlisted a strong choice to serve as its next leader.

 Earnest Collins Jr. has his job. He has sought this position, worked for it, prepared for it, learned for it and now has ownership of it. It is not a stepping stone. It is not a learning experience. It's what he wants, and that is a good thing for the Bears.

Collins first attempt to claim his job occurred in 2005 when he interviewed to replace Kay Dalton. Not hired, he listened closely to the critiques relayed to him.

His true calling: Earnest Collins achieves goal to become UNC coach

Earnest Collins, Jr., didn't always know where life was going to take him, but he certainly knew that it would someday lead him back to the University of Northern Colorado.

That dream happened for Collins, the former Alcorn State head coach, on Thursday when he was officially introduced as the new head football coach at UNC before a full house in the Champions Room of the Butler-Hancock Sports Pavilion.

Speaking from his heart and without any script, Collins, who is the Bears 16th head coach, displayed his passion for the UNC football program, his family and his faith as he was introduced publicly for the first time before a room filled with media, UNC personnel and supporters of the program.

Collins aims to restore passion for program

GREELEY, CO - New University of Northern Colorado head football coach Earnest Collins Jr. made one thing clear Thursday at his introductory news conference: He is going to make sure that Colorado and the school's alumni are excited about UNC football again.

Collins promised he would restore the winning tradition the school had during his playing days and his time as an assistant coach when it was a Division II program. "My No. 1 focus right now is to recapture the state of Colorado," Collins said. "That's the No. 1 goal for me, because when I was here, that's what it was. I don't know what it's like to lose. We never lost here."

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Link: UNC Bears Football

Commentary: Where Are They Now -- Coaches Alvin "Shine" Wyatt and Archie "the gunslinger" Cooley?

Former Bethune-Cookman Coach Alvin B. "Shine" Wyatt

Why have highly successful football coaches Alvin B. Wyatt Sr., and Archie "the Gunslinger" Cooley practically disappeared from the Sports landscape?

Just a few years ago, NFL Pro Bowlers Eric Weems and Nick Collins were recruited to Bethune-Cookman University by former Wildcats head football coach Wyatt.

Wyatt, also known as "Shine," is a B-CU graduate and former All-American defensive back for the Wildcats. As a student-athlete, he was drafted in the NFL 6th Round by the Oakland Raiders in 1970. Coach Wyatt also played for the Buffalo Bills (1971-72) and Houston Oilers (1973).

He landed back at B-CU in 1975 as a defensive assistant football coach under legendary NFL Hall of Famer, Larry Little. In 1978, he was asked to re-build the Wildcats women basketball program, along with coaching football.

In 13 seasons, Wyatt became the winningest head coach in B-CU football history with a record of 90-54 (.620). He also wasn't a shabby basketball coach, setting the school record for wins in 18 seasons with a 260-200 (.565) career record, and two MEAC Titles.

Shine holds the distinction of being unceremoniously dumped (November 23, 2009) by his Alma Mater quicker than you can say, Coach Ralph Friedgen and University of Maryland, after a 5-6, 4-4 MEAC season in 2009. He finished 2008 with an 8-3, 5-3 MEAC record.

One of Coach Wyatt's greatest deficiency was the inability of his "Wyatt-bone offense" to consistently beat in-state rival -- Florida A&M University and its hall of fame coaches, William "Billy" Joe and Joseph "Joe" Taylor. Wyatt was 4-9 during his career with the football Wildcats in the Florida Classic.

Lately, it has become virtually impossible for any Bethune-Cookman football coach and team to defeat the FAMU Rattlers in the 2nd largest attended FCS game. Just ask Wyatt's replacement, Coach Brian Jenkins, who undefeated 10-0 Wildcats were soundly stomped 38-27, by the Rattlers before 61,712 fans and a national ESPN Classic broadcast audience last month.

History repeated itself with FAMU (8-3, 7-1 MEAC) spoiling the Wildcats perfect season and gaining a three-way share of the 2010 MEAC championship with South Carolina State and B-CU.

NFL caliber players Wyatt did produce -- cornerback Ricky Williams (Chicago Bears) and Rashean Mathis (Jacksonville Jaguars), Nick Collins (Green Bay Packers) and Eric Weems (Atlanta Falcons), among other standouts. And Shine ran a "clean program" without any run in with the NCAA.

But, Wyatt's lawsuit against the university for breach of contract, ageism and wrongful termination has not been resolved by the parties nor the Court system. The school basically threw Wyatt under the proverbial bus after getting stampeded 42-6 by a bunch of Rattlers from FAMU, in the 2009 Florida Classic.

Surprisingly, Wyatt name is not even in the conversation for current vacancies at NCAA Division I or Division II programs. What's wrong with this picture -- with current head coaching vacancies at North Carolina A&T, Alcorn State, Savannah State, Delaware State, Howard University, Lincoln (Missouri) and Miles College? What say, Elon, Oklahoma Panhandle State (NAIA D2), Furman, Gardner-Webb, and Texas State. And non-BCS programs like Kent State and Miami-Ohio should all be blowing up Shine's cell phone.

Will Coach Wyatt become another iconic figure in football lore like former Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils, Archie "the Gunslinger" Cooley?

Cooley produced the greatest player in NFL history --Wide Receiver, Jerry Lee Rice and a "Satellite" quarterback --Willie Totten, who set numerous (18) NCAA passing and offensive records. In the 1984 season, Totten threw for 5,043 yards and 58 touchdowns and then threw for 39 touchdowns in 1985, without Rice, averaging 51 points per game.

Legend has it that Totten, and the Delta Devils team of hard working country boys once bused 21 hours from Itta Bena, Mississippi to Topeka, Kansas (1984) to play Washburn University. It was a no-contest with the Delta Devils demolishing the Ichabods 77-15.

Prior to arriving at MVSU in 1980 as the head coach, believe it or not, the gunslinger had been a defensive assistant at Alcorn State and Tennessee State. Within three years, Valley was the number one team in all of 1-AA Football.


Videographer: bruceeien: "Rare film clips of a 1984 game between Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils at Louisiana Tech."

Few know this true fact -- Coach Cooley was the innovator of the SPREAD offense that is run by every NFL team today, and most of the college and high school football programs in America. Cooley's "Satellite Express" offense broke just about every NCAA 1-AA passing record during the 1980's.

They can call it the West Coast Offense, Gulf Coast Offense, No-huddle offense, Run and Shoot, the Shot Gun, the Spread, the Gun Spread, the Gun Option, the Air Raid, the Zone Read, or the Pistol. But it all comes from the creative offensive coaching genius of Archie "the gunslinger" Cooley and the more than 200 offensive plays he innovated.

But, its Coach Cooley's offense that he perfected in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) long before Jerry Rice's first NFL coach, Bill Walsh, saw film of MVSU running the "Satellite Express" and decided to incorporate the passing schemes into the 49'ers offense for Rice and Joe Montana.

Award winning author Denny Dressman wrote about how Cooley's offense was stolen by San Francisco 49ers Coach Bill Walsh with the help of legendary coach W.C. Gorden, Jackson State -- in Jerry Rice's Hall of Fame Career a Tale of Stolen Magnolias. The rest is history of how Walsh integrated Cooley's passing innovations into the 49ers offense to win three Super Bowls and a permanent home in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Today, Coach Cooley barely gets mentioned and received no job or economic windfall from the NFL for his innovation of the passing game. Not even one lousy "consulting job" was offered by any major college program to Coach.

Because of the same barriers that exist today for black head football coaches, Cooley head coaching career lasted a total of 13 years combined at Mississippi Valley (1980-86), Arkansas - Pine Bluff (1987-90) and Norfolk State (1993), based on records in the College Football Data Warehouse. It's a crying shame that the gunslinger never received the recognition that his talents truly deserved.

The next time a grasshopper or a recruit criticizes the coaching in the MEAC, SWAC, CIAA or SIAC, please send him a link to the Stolen Magnolias article or the few articles on Marino "The Godfather" Casem, Coach Cooley or W.C. Gorden. Maybe it will help him/her realize the ice is not colder on the other side of the tracks or at the PWCs.

Based on the recent 2010 Football Hiring Report Card, at no time in our history have black head football coaches been better prepared to lead major college football programs, with experience as both NFL players, position coaches, and prior head coaching experience at the lower divisions. Just check the biographies of Wyatt and all the current head coaches in the SWAC, MEAC, CIAA and SIAC, who continue to toil in obscurity and for below market compensation.

Then, check the biography of the coaches currently job jumping each season hoping to win off the talent coached and assembled by the previous successful coach, who has moved on or been removed before the 10-2 season comes to fruition the very next season. Sounds familiar, B-CU?

The greater question--Is Coach Wyatt football coaching career over or will Shine be provided the opportunity by a smart athletic director to build another program to championship level? Only time will reveal his fate...

-beepbeep

BETRAYAL OF TRUST: Why SSU fired football coach Robby Wells

1/1/2011 UPDATE:  SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN DISMISSED FROM THE ROBBY WELLS LAWSUIT BY THE COURT.  MORE TO FOLLOW, AS WE SEEK A COPY OF THE DISMISSAL DOCUMENT.

Savannah State University played its final football game Saturday and ended its season with a losing record for a 12th consecutive year. The Tigers' troubles, however, extend well beyond the football field.

On Dec. 22, 2007, SSU - an institution listed among the South's historically black colleges and universities - broke tradition when Robby Wells became its first white football head coach. Barely more than two years later, Wells was gone, having resigned amid a cloud of charges and countercharges that included allegations of unethical behavior on his part and racism on the part of the university.

View documents on ethical issues involving Robby Wells

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2 ex-Bethune-Cookman stars make NFL Pro Bowl

Undrafted out of Bethune-Cookman. Cut in training camp. Nearly a season a half on the practice squad. All of Eric Weems' struggles to become an NFL player were validated Tuesday, as the former Seabreeze and Bethune-Cookman standout -- and now current Atlanta Falcons special teams ace -- was named to NFC roster for the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl as a specialist.


Videographer: tonypanzarella: Eric Weems 12/05/10 103 Yard Return

Joining Weems in the Jan. 30 game in Honolulu will be former Wildcats teammate Nick Collins, a Green Bay Packers cornerback who was selected to the NFL's all-star game for the third straight season.

The pair will become the first from B-CU to play in the same Pro Bowl, and Weems becomes just the fifth Wildcat to be selected for the game, joining Collins, Rashean Mathis, Larry Little and Cy McClairen.


Videographer: bbgun1967

Bethune-Cookman's Eric Weems Joins Seven Atlanta Falcons at The 2011 Pro Bowl

The Atlanta Falcons, who have the NFC’s best record at 12-3, placed an NFL-best seven players on the National Football Conference All-Star team that will face the American Football Conference All-Stars in the 2011 Pro Bowl – the kickoff to Super Bowl week – the NFL announced today.

The 2011 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, January 30, 2011 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii one week before Super Bowl XLV in North Texas. Broadcast live on FOX at 7:00 PM ET, the Pro Bowl will be held prior to the Super Bowl for the second consecutive year and serve as the signature kickoff event of Super Bowl week.

Packers Get 5 Pro Bowlers; Rodgers, Williams Snubbed

GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Packers will send five players – left tackle Chad Clifton, safety Nick Collins, wide receiver Greg Jennings, outside linebacker Clay Matthews and cornerback Charles Woodson – to Hawaii for the 2011 Pro Bowl.

But three players who arguably deserved to be on that list as well – or instead – were snubbed: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, cornerback Tramon Williams and nose tackle B.J. Raji.

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Pellum scores 34 as Hampton Pirates wins in San Francisco

Darrion Pellum scored a career-high 34 points for Hampton University (10-2), which pulled away late to beat Dominican (Calif.) 78-65 Wednesday at the Hilltop Challenge in San Francisco.

Pellum, a Hampton High graduate, knocked down a career-best nine 3-pointers for the Pirates, who outscored Division II Dominican 17-6 over the final 4:59. Charles Funches had 14 points and 16 rebounds for Hampton. Kwame Morgan added 20 points.

Marin brief: Dominican men lose basketball tourney opener

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- The Dominican University men's basketball team overcame an early 8-0 deficit to take a 19-18 first-half lead, but in the end the Penguins were unable to hold off Hampton, falling 78-65 in the first round of the Hilltop Challenge at USF.

Dominican (0-8) trailed 37-24 at halftime but the Division II Penguins got no closer than seven points in the second half. The Pirates (10-2), a Division I team, pulled away late in the game.

Leon Hart led the Penguins with 17 points and Killian Larson added 16. Hampton's Darrion Pellum scored 34 points, hitting 9 of 13 3-point attempts in the process.

Troy Trojans Fall to Hampton University at Georgia State Invitational

ATLANTA – Dressing only nine players, the Troy University women's basketball team fell behind early on Wednesday afternoon and were unable to recover, falling 61-43 to Hampton University in the opening round of the Georgia State Invitational.

Junior DeAngela Sword (Montgomery, Ala./Pensacola JC) led the Trojans with 16 points, as she was the only player in double figures. Meanwhile, senior Donette McNair (New London, Conn./New London HS) recorded team-high eight rebounds just hours after arriving in Atlanta due to the blizzard in the northeast.

Quanneisha Perry led Hampton with 15 points and 17 rebounds, as she was one of two players to record a double-double on the night. Choicetta McMillian added 10 points and 10 rebounds in the win, while Jericka Jenkins scored 13 and Melanie Warner added 11 points in the win.

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Savannah State men snap 13-game skid

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Preston Blackmon scored a career-high 26 points and Joshua Montgomery scored 22 points to lead Savannah State University past Southeastern Louisiana, 74-65, on Wednesday, snapping the Tigers' 13-game losing streak.

After the Lions scored the first basket in the Hardwood Club Holiday Tournament, SSU (2-13) grabbed the lead with an 18-4 run and never relinquished it despite a late threat from Southeastern Louisiana.

With the Tigers leading by 16 in the second half, the Lions (5-5) used a 12-0 run to close to 51-47. Blackmon hit a 3-pointer and a jumper to end that spurt, but with 5:36 to go, David Ndoumba scored eight straight points to get Southeastern Louisiana within 68-65 with 1:30 left.

Second Half Rally Falls Short In 74-65 Loss To Savannah State

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Preston Blackmon scored a career-high 26 points, including a 5-for-5 performance from behind the 3-point line, and Savannah State snapped a 13-game losing streak as it built a 16-point lead and held off Southeastern Louisiana, 74-65, on Wednesday in the USM Hardwood Club Holiday Classic at Reed Green Coliseum.

Joshua Montgomery added 22 points, including 3-for-6 from behind the arc, as SSU (2-13) shot a season-high 55 percent (23-for-42) from the floor and 64 percent (9-for-14) from behind the 3-point line. Southeastern, which fell to 5-5 overall will face the loser of the Southern Miss-Mississippi Valley contest in the consolation game.

SSU beats IUPUI, 69-52

Courtney Long scored a game-high 18 points, Darice Fountaine added 11 points and Brittany Cade chipped in 10 points as Savannah State cruised past Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 69-52, in a women's basketball game Tuesday night.

A Tiger Arena crowd of 230 watched as SSU (6-7) jumped out to a 37-18 halftime lead. IUPUI (3-8) was led by Jasmine Horne and Shea Collins, who...

IUPUI JAGS SLOW START RESULTS IN 69-52 LOSS TO SAVANNAH STATE

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Playing its first game in 15 days, IUPUI showed signs of rust and fell in an early double-digit hole that it could not crawl out of as it dropped a 69-52 decision to Savannah State Tuesday evening at Tiger Arena.

The Jaguars came into the game averaging a shade over 40 points per game in the paint over the last four contests, but the size of Savannah State limited IUPUI to half that total and the 36-20 scoring advantage inside proved to be the difference for the Tigers.

“We had a lot of first-half turnovers that put us behind the eight ball,” said head coach Austin Parkinson. “When you can’t score points in the paint and you turn the ball over on the road, it’s going to be a tough night.”

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Colorado Buffs Slog Through Easy Win Against Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks

BOULDER, CO - Colorado mostly went through the motions Wednesday night in dispatching outmanned Maryland Eastern Shore 92-65 at the Coors Events Center.

If there is an upside, this is it: Even in going through the motions against an inferior opponent, the motions might be getting better - a promising sign with Big 12 Conference play only 10 days away.

But first-year CU Coach Tad Boyle had trouble seeing it that way. He shouldered the blame for a lackluster start that seeped through most of the opening half until the Buffs got their heads, ah, back into their assignments.



UMES INCONSISTENT IN 92-65 LOSS AT COLORADO

BOULDER, Colo. - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team showed a lot of fight but were overcome by inconsistency as they fell, 92-65, to the University of Colorado Wednesday night at the Coors Events Center.

Redshirt junior Hillary Haley (Oxon Hill, Md.) tallied 18 points in the loss on 7-of-12 shooting from the field. Haley also chipped in four rebounds and a steal on the night. Senior Kevin White (Brooklyn, N.Y.) added in 12 points while junior Dishawn Bradshaw (Baltimore, Md.) had 11 of his own. Tonight's game marks the third consecutive double-figure scoring effort by both Bradshaw and Haley.

The Hawks (3-9) were led in rebounding by junior Tyler Hines (Sicklerville, N.J.), who had seven in the contest (five defensive).

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Alcorn State Collins accepts head football coaching job at Northern Colorado

Collins becomes first minority head coach at NCU

LORMAN, MS — For the third time in four seasons, Alcorn State University will have a new head football coach patrolling the sidelines in 2011.

The University of Northern Colorado announced Tuesday that Earnest Collins has accepted the head coaching position for the Bears. Collins coached the Braves in 2009 and 2010, amassing an 8-12 overall record and a 7-9 record in the SWAC.

Collins served as associate head coach at Alcorn in 2008 under then-head coach Earnest Jones. After Jones was relieved of his duties following the 2008 season, Collins was elevated to head coach. He finished 3-6 overall and 3-4 in the SWAC in 2009, and was 5-6 overall and 4-5 in the SWAC this past season.

Northern Colorado hires Earnest Collins as its football coach

GREELEY, CO — Northern Colorado found its new football coach at Alcorn State and in the UNC record book. Earnest Collins Jr., a former UNC defensive back, punt returner and assistant coach who still has a school record, is returning to his alma mater to be the Bears' head coach. Collins was Alcorn State's coach the last two seasons.

"This is a chance for me to come home to the place that made me who I am," Collins said in a statement. "My mom and UNC made me the man I am today, so I am thankful for the opportunity to come home. I believe every coach's dream is to come back and coach at his alma mater and win championships at his alma mater. I can't wait to get started and see what we can accomplish. I know we can do some great things at UNC."

Former UNC football standout to take over as head coach

GREELEY, CO — A former Northern Colorado assistant coach has been named as the school's new coach. Athletics director Jay Hinrichs said Tuesday that Ernest Collins Jr. will be the Bears' 16th football coach. Collins, on the team from 1991 to 1994, is the school's single-season school record holder for punt return yards — 497 his senior season. He amassed a total of 978 punt return yards.

Collins told the Greeley Tribune that a press conference on his new job is planned for Thursday. Collins will succeed Scott Downing, fired in November after five seasons and a 9-47 overall record.

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Coppin State finds Wrong Gym

Coach Fang Mitchell plays 66% of Eagle games on the road

Since he has been at Coppin State, Coach Fang Mitchell has played 66 percent of his games on the road - half the MEAC games and practically all the nonconference games when his team collects guarantees to play the big boys in their arenas.

Amazingly, Coppin had never shown up at the wrong gym - until last week. Even though it was supposed to play UConn in Hartford on Dec. 20, the team was instructed to show up in Storrs the night before to practice, according to Mitchell. The gym was closed.

Eventually, Coppin got inside. They had one ball for half-an-hour. Eventually, they got enough balls to conduct a practice. And played the game the next night at the XL Center in Hartford. Coppin lost, 76-64, not a bad result against a really good team.

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Clemson Cruises Past Delaware State, 76-41

Jerai Grant scored 15 points to lead a balanced Clemson attack Monday night as the Tigers cruised past Delaware State 76-41.



Clemson Tigers crush Delaware State Hornets

Grant scored 15 while also dishing out five assists while Milton Jennings added 11 points and nine rebounds.
Delaware State trailed 12-11 with 12 minutes left in the first half before the Tigers responded with an 18-0 run over the next five minutes of play.

“It was a really good win for our guys. I thought we played really efficient basketball," head coach Brad Brownell said afterwards. "I talked to our team about playing with basketball sureness tonight—making the extra pass, sharing the ball, being strong, meeting passes, and limiting turnovers.

"We were facing a team that plays a bunch of different defenses and tries to make you get out of rhythm. They go trap at different times. I think our guys showed good poise.”

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Recap: Louisville vs. Morgan State

Preston Knowles scored 31 points, Kyle Kuric had 25 and No. 22 Louisville carried its 30-point halftime lead to the final buzzer in a 104-74 rout of Morgan State.

Kuric hit five three-pointers and scored 17 of his points in the first half for the Cardinals (11-1), who built a 58-28 lead after 20 minutes and went ahead by as many as 34 in the second half.

Knowles and Kuric combined to go 13-for-19 from three-point range in the game as Louisville earned its third straight win since being upset by Drexel on December 14.

Preston(!), Kuric post career highs as Louisville rolls

In one of the best shooting performances in program history, Louisville hit 17-of-23 three-point attempts and routed visiting Morgan State 104-74 in their final tune-up before Friday's showdown with arch-rival Kentucky.

The bulk of the damage from beyond the arc was done by Preston Knowles and Kyle Kuric, who combined to hit 13-of-19 from three. Each posted career scoring highs, Knowles with 31 and Kuric with 25.

It was the second straight 100-plus performance by the Cards, who crushed Western Kentucky 114-82 on Dec. 22.

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Slow-starting LSU Tigers heat up late to pull away from Southern Jaguars

Not long after the LSU men’s basketball team pulled away from Southern in the second half for a 62-41 victory Monday night, fans trickled out of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center and headed into the night, many of them surely searching for updates on the just-under-way Saints-Falcons game.

By then, the temperature in Baton Rouge had dipped to 31 degrees and headed toward the 20s. How fitting. For much of Monday night’s game between these two struggling teams, the Jaguars and Tigers were both ice-cold from the floor.

Assessing basketball season as SWAC play nears

Yes, the Southern men’s basketball team lost to LSU by 21 points on Monday night, 62-41.

Yes, it was the Jaguars’ ninth straight loss.

No, they probably won’t sniff a Southwestern Athletic Conference championship.

They probably won’t finish above fifth.

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Return of key seniors a gift for TSU

The Texas Southern men's basketball team received some early Christmas presents when three of its key players returned to action earlier this month.

Senior forward Travele Jones and senior guards Harrison Smith and Justin Ray are back in the lineup after having to miss nearly a quarter of the season because of compliance issues. Jones returned to the starting lineup against Iowa State on Dec. 12, and Smith and Ray were activated one and two games later, respectively.

Jones, the preseason Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year, has provided an immediate boost for the Tigers (2-8). He averaged ...

TSU softball signs 3 early

The TSU softball team landed three recruits during the early signing period. The Tigers signed...

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Morgan State (4-5, 1-0 MEAC) at U of Louisville (12-1, 0-0 Big East)

Morgan State Bears Coach Todd Bozeman

MSU Gamenotes

Game 10
Morgan State (4-5, 1-0 MEAC) vs. Louisville (12-1, 0-0 Big East)
Monday, Dec. 27, 2010 – 7 p.m. (ET)
KFC Yumi! Center – Louisville, Ky.
Television – WHAS TV (Ch. 11 in Louisville)
Radio – WKRD 790 AM
Websites: www.MorganStateBears.com; www.uoflsports.com

Follow Morgan State men's basketball on twitter @morganstbears for in-game updates and the latest news on the squad.

The Opening Tip
Morgan State, the 2010 MEAC champions, will take on Louisville on Monday, Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. at the KFC Yumi! Center in Louisville, Ky. MSU 4-5 will look to rebound from a 97-55 non-conference loss at No. 5 Syracuse on Dec. 20 at the Carrier Dome. Louisville dropped Western Kentucky 114-82 on Wednesday night at the E.A. Diddle Arena to improve to 10-1. Monday night's game will mark the third meeting between the teams, Louisville holds a 2-0 advantage.

Big East Basketball: Louisville hosts Morgan State - Monday Night

THE STORY: Fresh off a dominating performance in their first road game, No. 25 Louisville returns home for another tuneup before the schedule gets much tougher. The Cardinals will try not to overlook Morgan State with a visit from No. 14 Kentucky scheduled for Friday and the Big East slate starting next week. Rick Pitino’s team has impressed all season with its ability to get out and run off pressure defense and shoot 3-pointers, a style that plays well with a young team and a 10-man rotation.

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Globetrotters helped shape VUU history

In March 1941, Virginia Union scheduled a game against the Harlem Globetrotters. What followed was one of the most devastating losses in Union history, and the repercussions still can be felt today.

Before 1947, Virginia Union didn't have its own basketball court. The Panthers played at either the Municipal Recreation Center or on the stage of the Richmond Landmark Theatre, then known as The Mosque. They didn't have a bus, either. Fans would drive players from campus to the court, watch them play and drive them back.

The Belgian Building, the current home of Virginia Union's basketball team, wasn't built in Richmond. It was constructed in 1939 for the New York World's Fair. The federal government awarded the building to VUU in 1941.



Harlem Globetrotters true to their name

The worst trip Hi Rise Brown ever endured went from Dubai to London to New York to Miami to Brazil to Argentina. The journey lasted 37 hours. "Everyone got their bags except me," Hi Rise said.

Just as the name suggests, a big part of being a Harlem Globetrotter is traveling to all corners of the earth. Hi Rise, a 6-5 forward from the Chicago area, has flown on a Blackhawk helicopter in Iraq and walked on the Great Wall of China.

In their 84 years, the Globetrotters have visited 120 countries. Handles Franklin, a 6-1 guard from Harrisburg, Pa., has been to more than 50 countries in his four years as a Globetrotter.



Link: Photo gallery - Globetrotters in Richmond

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North Carolina A&T 50, Arizona State 56

'Tis the season for college basketball letdowns. With the holidays inching closer, teams across the land are about to break for a few days, turning that final get-away contest into an adventure. Arizona State nearly fell victim Thursday afternoon, needing to rally from a 12-point deficit in the second half to defeat spunky North Carolina A&T 56-50 at Wells Fargo Arena.

ASU coach Herb Sendek credited the 5-6 Aggies, picked to finish eighth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference preseason poll, but he also questioned himself, scheduling a noon tip so the players could get started on a three-day break.

"They have a game, they're all hustling to the airport," Sendek said. "With a disproportionate number of newcomers, these guys haven't been home (in a while), so I know it's just human nature (to look) forward to hustling out of here."

Photos from the game

Aggies fall short in bid for upset

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Rihards Kuksiks scored 15 points, including a tie-breaking 3-pointer with 2:52 left, and Arizona State rallied to beat N.C. A&T 56-50 on Thursday. Kuksiks' 3 gave the Sun Devils (7-4) a 53-50 advantage, and they held on to come back from a 12-point deficit.

Nic Simpson, who missed three 3s in the final 1:23, scored 17 points and had five assists to lead the Aggies (5-6). A&T led 29-23 at halftime and extended its advantage to 38-26 in the first four minutes of the second half. But Aggies forward Thomas Coleman picked up his third and fourth fouls in a 26-second span and had to go to the bench with 14:55 remaining.

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