Previewing Fordham/Robert Morris

In his third season, Andy Toole has built Robert Morris into perennial contenders, but Colonials are 0-2 entering tonight's matchup with Fordham.  (Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Fordham takes the court for their third game of the season tonight, entertaining the Colonials of Robert Morris University inside the Petersen Center in Pittsburgh.  To shed some further light on this matchup for the Rams, we enlisted John Templon of Big Apple Buckets, who specializes in coverage of the Northeast Conference, to give us some insight on what lies ahead for Tom Pecora and company.

1) The loss of Lijah Thompson looks like a bigger one on paper than it may be for Robert Morris. How have they replaced him early, and what will be the biggest key to victory against a deeper Fordham front line that will include two freshmen in Ryan Rhoomes and Travion Leonard?

Robert Morris has replaced Thompson by playing younger players. Vaughn Morgan is playing big minutes as a junior. He's joined in the front court by Mike McFadden and the athletic Lucky Jones. Freshman Stephan Hawkins is coming off the bench and is another body at 6'9".

2) At 6-5, Lucky Jones is a lot smaller than some other wings he'll be facing in the nonconference schedule, but he definitely has the length and athleticism to stay with them for 40 minutes. What will he need to do to prevent Chris Gaston from going for his usual double-double?

I really doubt it's going to be Jones on Gaston. He'll probably end up with McFadden or Morgan on him as they're more traditional posts. Jones looked really good during the summer and was expected to have a breakout season as a sophomore, but he's struggled a little early going 2-8 in both games and scoring a total of 15 points. He needs to trust his athleticism. It's obvious that he can make plays. Jones has particularly struggled from the three-point line, going 2-9 in the first two games.

3) This team was picked as a possible NEC champion after the incident at LIU Brooklyn was dealt with, but they have struggled early in games that they have been competitive in over recent years. What is the biggest challenge that Fordham presents, and how will Robert Morris combat it?

Andy Toole was obviously frustrated after the Lehigh game when he said, "We've wasted too much time the last 8 weeks, and this is what happens. We're learning is it takes everyone on every possession." I think the fact that RMU gets to play on back-to-back nights is really helpful in this case, as the Colonials can't dwell on another sub-par game. The big problem though is defense. RMU just isn't playing at the level defensively that they need to in order to win games. Thankfully, Fordham's anemic offense might be helpful in that regard. I think the biggest problem Fordham brings is the pace at which the Rams want to play. This was a problem against Rider. RMU isn't equipped to run up and down the court with teams. It needs to dictate pace, take good shots and get back defensively.

4) The Colonials return everyone except Lawrence Bridges to a program that has been to four straight conference championship games, so they definitely have the experience edge on Fordham. How has this program remained successful, even after the transition from Mike Rice to Andy Toole?

Quite simply, Andy Toole is one of the best young coaches in America. The defense is always in the top 140 or so in the country thanks to an ability to force turnovers and the offense thrives on offensive rebounding. That's where the loss of Thompson hurts though. Still, even through two blowouts RMU is rebounding the ball well. The Colonials just aren't forcing turnovers with enough regularity. I expect their defense will start locking down moving forward.

5) What has been the most surprising part of Robert Morris' 0-2 start? For a team that has lost by 25 and 29 in their first two games, is this Fordham matchup a must-win, and what must they do to prevent Fordham from pulling away?

If Robert Morris loses this game the Colonials could be 0-6 heading into their game at Campbell. Thus I think from a confidence standpoint this is basically a must-win type of atmosphere. RMU needs to prove that it can play winning basketball and turn the season around. Past results indicate that RMU is the better team, but can they get it done when the lights go on? That's been the problem this season.

Machado To D-League

After failing to see playing time in opening week of season, Scott Machado will be assigned to Rockets' NBDL affiliate.  (Photo courtesy of the Associated Press)

Scott Machado will be seeing professional action after all, but just not directly in the NBA.

The Iona guard, who was signed by the Houston Rockets as a free agent in September, will be assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBDL, according to Mark Berman of KRIV in Houston.  Machado was assigned to the Vipers, the Rockets' developmental affiliate, along with first-round NBA draft pick Royce White and 2011 draft choice Donatas Motiejunas.

Machado made Houston's opening day roster when Shaun Livingston was waived on the final day of the preseason, but has yet to see any playing time for coach Kevin McHale.  By sending him to the NBDL, the Rockets are actually doing him a favor by keeping him active and on the court, which will serve both the player and team well later in the season should something happen to incumbent point guards Jeremy Lin and Toney Douglas.

A Daly Dose Of Hoops will have further updates on Machado and his progress throughout the season.

Seton Hall 78, Norfolk State 65

Three days removed from a 39-point domination in their season opener, Seton Hall started out rocky, but ultimately recovered.

With double-doubles from Fuquan Edwin (23 points, 10 rebounds) and Gene Teague, (16 points, 11 rebounds) the Pirates were able to use that offensive productivity and stifling defense to improve to 2-0, defeating reigning NCAA Tournament darling Norfolk State (1-1) by the final of 78-65 tonight at the Prudential Center.

"I'm very happy with where we're at defensively," said Pirates coach Kevin Willard, whose team held Norfolk State to a 32 percent (18-for-56) shooting clip from the field.  "I thought this team would be way behind on defense."

Through the first half and beginning of the second, defense was what kept the Pirates ahead. Norfolk State took a brief lead late in the period, but a three-pointer from freshman point guard Tom Maayan started a 9-4 run that ultimately gave Seton Hall the lead for good after both foul trouble and cold outside shooting plagued the Spartans throughout the night.

For Edwin, who led the nation in steals last season and had six more thefts tonight, his 23-point outing was a positive sign, but his coach pointed out his precocity after the game.  "He has to let the game come to him a little more early in the game," said Willard, implying that the former Paterson Catholic star; who is the last remaining link Seton Hall has to former coach Bobby Gonzalez, may be trying to do a little too much early on.

Former Iona sharpshooter Kyle Smyth, who transferred to Seton Hall after graduating in the offseason, added 14 points off the bench; all but two of which came on three-pointers, while Patrik Auda and Aaron Cosby chipped in with eight each.  Cosby, the Louisville product who played alongside Jordan Theodore in the Pirate backcourt last year, was making his season debut after the knee injury he suffered shortly before the start of practice in October kept him from taking part in Friday's victory over UMKC.  Pendarvis Williams led Norfolk State with 20 points as the Spartans could not replicate their winning ways of Friday night, when they defeated Dan Hurley and Rhode Island.

Seton Hall next heads to Mohegan Sun to participate in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off, which begins Saturday night against Lorenzo Romar and Washington in a 7:30 start time.  The Pirates will then face either Ohio State or Rhode Island on Sunday to complete the tournament.

MSG To Host East Regional In 2014

Already boasting a rich basketball history, Madison Square Garden will add one more notch to its belt when it hosts 2014 NCAA Tournament East regional.  (Photo courtesy of St. John's University)

For the second time in as many years, St. John's University will help play host to NCAA Tournament action.

With the early rounds of the women's tournament coming to Carnesecca Arena in March, the Red Storm and Big East Conference will again join forces to welcome the East Regional semifinals and finals to Madison Square Garden in 2014, as announced by the NCAA this afternoon.  It will be the first tournament basketball at the "World's Most Famous Arena" since 1961, first in either New York City or Long Island since Nassau Coliseum was an opening-round regional site in 1996; and second regional in the Tri-State area in four years, as the Prudential Center in Newark saw John Calipari and Kentucky cut down its nets in 2011.

Despite the fact that New York will host Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games, New York City's college team may not.  NCAA rules state that a team who plays more than three games in a host venue will be unable to compete in that said venue in NCAA Tournament play, which means that St. John's will be sent away from home should the Red Storm make the 2014 Tournament, or unless Steve Lavin magically schedules the majority of his home games on campus at Carnesecca Arena.  The Empire State will technically receive another regional as well, when Syracuse and the Carrier Dome will be the hosts for the East in 2015.

"The bid process was as competitive as ever," said Dan Gavitt, an NCAA official whose father Dave was instrumental in establishing the Big East, and served as the conference's first commissioner.  "We are excited about the Tournament returning to the 'World's Most Famous Arena.'  Only three arenas have hosted more tournament games than Madison Square Garden.  That gives you a great sense of the historical significance of bringing it (the tournament) back there."

St. John's may not be able to take part in the next Garden regional, but schools such as Duke, North Carolina, Syracuse and Kentucky, each of whom have managed to draw well wherever they travel; especially at the Mecca of college basketball, will almost certainly be considered as No. 1 seed candidates if their record allows for it.

The Garden will host their East Regional dates on March 28th and 30th, 2014, with the NCAA Tournament itself getting underway on the 18th and 19th of March with the First Four games in Dayton.

Iona 65, Denver 58

Iona's Taaj Ridley wins opening tip of 2012-13 season as Gaels defeat Denver 65-58 in their season opener.  (Photo courtesy of the author's personal collection)

Playing their first game since last March's infamous NCAA Tournament meltdown, Iona College wasn't expecting the same uneasy feeling in the second half.  Only this time, though, as they had several times prior to having their 25-point lead over Brigham Young erased, the Gaels fought through it.

Following a first half that was textbook Iona since head coach Tim Cluess arrived in New Rochelle in 2010, the Gaels (1-0) allowed for a few tenuous moments down the stretch before righting the ship to defeat Denver (0-1) by the final of 65-58 at the Hynes Center.  Iona started out strong in their season opener, shooting 61 percent (14-for-23) from the field in the first half to take a 40-17 lead into the intermission against the Pioneers, a team they defeated narrowly on the road last December.

"This year, we have to key in on our defense," said junior guard Sean Armand, who scored thirteen of his nineteen points in the first half.  "We're probably not going to lead the nation in scoring again."  Armand's backcourt partner Momo Jones led the Gaels with 20 points and seven assists, and echoed similar sentiments after the game.  "We gotta play together for 40 minutes and not for 20 minutes," Jones said when asked about the Gaels' defensive struggles in the second half.

Jones, playing his first game as Iona's point guard following the graduation of Scott Machado, set the tone early and often for the Gaels, scoring the first points of the game prior to draining a three-pointer seconds later that propelled Iona to an early 5-0 lead.  The senior's leadership qualities were tested in the final stanza, especially after Armand picked up his fourth foul.  With Denver having chipped away at the Iona lead throughout the final half, Jones came up biggest in the final two minutes when the Gael advantage was a mere six points; first knocking down an uncontested three from the right wing, and then finishing off a transition pass from Armand for a bucket that gave Iona a 64-53 cushion which effectively put the game away.

"He (Armand) and Momo have become great leaders," Tim Cluess said after the game.  "The two of them are much better leaders than anybody we've had here."

In addition to Jones and Armand, Tre Bowman had a solid game, contributing eleven points and four rebounds in his Iona debut after transferring from Penn State.  Guard Tavon Sledge, also making his first appearance for the Gaels after being granted a hardship waiver following his exodus from Iowa State, chipped in with a well-rounded effort of six points to go with five assists and a team-high seven rebounds.  Chris Udofia led Denver with 20 points.

Iona's next contest comes this Friday night from the Virgin Islands, when the Gaels tip off against Quinnipiac in their first game of the Paradise Jam.

Ryan Rhoomes Eligible For Fordham, Who Tips Off Tomorrow

Once a highly regarded high school prospect, Ryan Rhoomes finally takes next step in his career tomorrow night after it was announced that he was declared eligible for Fordham.  (Photo courtesy of New York Post)

It has been said that everything is bigger in Texas.  With their season opener taking place tomorrow night in San Marcos against Texas State, Fordham just became bigger too this evening upon hearing that freshman forward Ryan Rhoomes was declared eligible for the Rams, as reported to this website by college basketball insider Jon Rothstein.

A 6-8 forward who was a one-time star under Ron Naclerio at Cardozo High School in Bayside before transferring to NIA Prep in New Jersey, Rhoomes landed at Fordham this summer to conclude a whirlwind journey into the collegiate ranks, one that saw Rhoomes verbally commit to TCU before signing with Tom Pecora and the Rams, where he awaited word on his eligibility until tonight.

With Rhoomes now in the fold, Fordham has another option inside to join Chris Gaston up front as the Rams look to replace the rebounding void left by the graduation of Kervin Bristol.  Rhoomes and fellow freshman Travion Leonard have already been hailed by Pecora as two of the better newcomers to a deeper frontcourt, which also includes 6-9 sophomore Ryan Canty and swingman Luka Zivkovic.

The Rams' season opener tomorrow night against Texas State will be just the second meeting between the two schools, as well as a return match from last year's inaugural collision, won by Fordham at Rose Hill Gym by the final of 81-70 on December 22nd.  The Bobcats return five of their top eight players and three returning starters, led by 6-10 senior Matt Staff, who was Texas State's leading scorer last season.

Audio of the opener will of course be available on WFUV (90.7 FM in the New York area and wfuv.org for those on the Internet) as the Rams embark on a five-game road trip, which resumes on Monday night at the Petersen Center against Pittsburgh.  A Daly Dose Of Hoops will have updates on Fordham basketball throughout the season, even for contests away from Rose Hill.

Iona Starts Encore With Opener vs. Denver

Now running point with Scott Machado in NBA, Momo Jones becomes leader for an Iona team intent on returning to NCAA Tournament.  (Photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated)

The college basketball season starts at long last Friday night, and for a mid-major just over the Bronx/Westchester border, it will be the beginning of a campaign where the program hopes to continue its success from recent years that resulted in the awarding of just the second at-large NCAA Tournament bid to a school from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Iona College does not have the firepower it enjoyed last year with point guard Scott Machado and power forward Mike Glover, but the Gaels are actually deeper and more talented in their third year under head coach Tim Cluess.  With nine new players on the Iona roster, three of whom are high-major transfers that will be able to play immediately, Cluess is confident that his personnel overhaul will bring more of the same results on the court for the Gaels, who have won twenty-five games in each of the 53-year-old coach's first two seasons in New Rochelle.  "Our guys kind of have to get used to each other," Cluess said earlier today.  "It's a growing process.  We're trying to keep a consistent program here and just grow it one step at a time."

Despite the nine newcomers that will take the court, the Gaels still return three starters from last year's team that won the regular season MAAC championship and represented the conference in Dayton for the First Four.  Replacing Machado, who signed with the Houston Rockets as an undrafted free agent, will be Momo Jones, who joined the Iona roster last season following a transfer from Arizona, who he led to an Elite Eight along with former No. 2 overall draft pick Derrick Williams.  Jones, who ran the point at Arizona; as well as for Iona last season when Machado was off the court, will return to that role this season after playing primarily off the ball a year ago.  "Momo's our point guard, period," Cluess stated.  "He's the best point guard on our roster, and I expect him to have a really good year in that spot.  I'm not looking for the same number of assists, (as Machado) but I think the overall production will equal out."

Sean Armand will join Jones in the backcourt for his junior season, and has been lauded by Cluess for improving his game to the point where the Brooklyn native is no longer just a shooter.  "His game itself has transformed," said Cluess of his X-factor last season.  "He's come a long way, and I'm looking forward to a big season from him."  Tre Bowman, a transfer from Penn State, will compete with Toledo import Curtis Dennis for the third and fourth spots, while Taaj Ridley likely fills up the inside for the Gaels until junior college transfer David Laury becomes eligible.  Tavon Sledge, the third transfer to join the Iona roster this season, comes to New Rochelle by way of Iowa State, but Cluess is being realistic with the explosive 5-9 guard early in the season.  Freshman A.J. English is a 6-4 guard described by Cluess as a "slasher who can shoot the three and get to the rim," and the coach is already enamored with his potential.  Shawn Jackson will also make an impact for the Gaels as a 6-8 forward who could ultimately help fill the void left by Glover.  "He's a hard-nosed player, he's passionate and he plays with a lot of energy," Cluess said.  "He's not at Mike's level yet, but he can make some plays."

Iona opens their season Friday night at the Hynes Center against Denver, who they defeated in overtime on the road last December in the midst of a month-long trip away from home.  "They outplayed us 99 percent of the game last year," Cluess said of the Pioneers, who lose leading scorer Brian Stafford, but return swingmen Chris Udofia and Royce O'Neale; as well as sophomore sharpshooter Brett Olson, in their first year in the Western Athletic Conference after competing in the Sun Belt last season.  "They brought back four starters and six of their top eight players.  They're going to want a piece of us," said Cluess.  "It's a good test for us, I'll tell you that."

The opener with Denver is part of a nonconference schedule that includes a trip to the Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam, as well as contests with NCAA Tournament darling Norfolk State and Atlantic 10 favorite Saint Joseph's later in the year, and Rutgers in the Holiday Festival at Madison Square Garden.  "It may be a stronger schedule than last year," Cluess said.  "With these games in hand, I should have a better feel for what our players can and can't do, and what our team can and can't do."

Gaels fans will get their first impression of the team in just over 72 hours.

Todd Mayo Ruled Academically Ineligible

Following impressive freshman season, Todd Mayo's encore may be delayed after Marquette guard was declared academically ineligible.  (Photo courtesy of New York Daily News)

With their season opener just four days away against reigning Final Four participant Ohio State, Marquette was dealt a severe blow when it was announced that sophomore guard Todd Mayo was ruled academically ineligible for the Golden Eagles.

Mayo, who averaged just under eight points per game in his rookie season last year, is unable to take the court for Marquette in both practice and game situations, and will be out indefinitely.  The younger brother of Dallas Mavericks swingman O.J. Mayo, Todd was expected to reprise his role as the sixth man for head coach Buzz Williams behind guards Trent Lockett and Vander Blue, the latter of whom he could have eventually pushed for a starting spot.

"Todd understands success in our program requires a sincere commitment to excellence on and off the floor," Williams said in a press release tonight.  "I'm extremely disappointed that he has put himself in this position, but he has the full support of our program as he works to improve."

Without Mayo, who was suspended during Williams' summer "boot camp" before rejoining Marquette later in the session, the Golden Eagles will look to incoming freshman Jamal Ferguson; as well as transfer Jake Thomas, to shore up their depth at the shooting guard positions behind Lockett and Blue, while sophomore Derrick Wilson returns as the backup at the point behind senior Junior Cadougan, regarded as one of the better pure point guards in the Big East.

At 60, Life Begins Again For Pitino

Almost two months removed from his 60th birthday, Rick Pitino's once-small window of remaining in college basketball coaching ranks has been thrust open with competitive fire reminiscent of his younger days.  (Photo courtesy of New York Post)

The Big East as everyone knows it has changed indelibly.  Jim Calhoun has retired, and Jim Boeheim will depart for the Atlantic Coast Conference following the conclusion of this season.  Yet for all the realignment talk and replacements of one program with another, one constant remains in what continues to be regarded as one of the strongest conferences in college basketball, a coach who has made more than his share of fans with his brutal candor and a pull-no-punches style that just somehow makes people appreciate him despite how controversial the subject matter at hand may be.

Rick Pitino may have just celebrated his sixtieth birthday on September 18th, but the Louisville head man is not going anywhere anytime soon.  In fact, Pitino, once notoriously tight-lipped in any conversations regarding his future, had routinely mentioned 2017 as the date in which he would step aside and ride off into the sunset.  Of course, this was before last season's scintillating run to the Final Four; one that may have rejuvenated the zeal and passion with which Pitino did his job, and before the contract extension he just signed earlier in the week that will keep him around the Louisville program through 2022, when the Cardinals' coach will be celebrating another milestone birthday, his 70th.

When asked at Big East media day if last year restarted the fire that he had so prominently displayed when coaching the Knicks and Celtics, as well as during his national championship season at Kentucky in 1996, Pitino was anything but evasive.  "My fire and passion today is just as good as it was in 1987," the coach stated, recalling his Louisville-esque Final Four run with Providence twenty-five years ago at the helm of a team that included current Florida coach Billy Donovan.

Pitino later went on to reveal some of the secrets that have made him successful over a career that has spanned bits and pieces of five decades dating back to his first head coaching job at Boston University, including some mistakes that he admits to making early in his career.  "My biggest regret was that I wasn't more humble in my thirties and forties," the coach intimated.  "That's my biggest regret, because I truly feel that the key to being happy at what you do and being passionate at what you do is humility; and I look out there right now and I see a young man from Butler, (Brad Stevens) and I see Shaka (Smart) from Virginia Commonwealth, and I see such great humility in them.  I didn't have that skill."

Personal skills aside, Rick Pitino more than makes up for it with his professional skills.  One does not need to look any further than his vast coaching tree, which over the past eighteen months has grown two new branches in Manhattan coach Steve Masiello; and most recently, Pitino's own son Richard, now the head coach at Florida International.  "He was the only son I couldn't talk out of becoming a coach," said Rick Sr. of Rick Jr.  "I'm very happy for him."  Regarding Masiello, whose Jaspers will open the season against the Cardinals next Sunday at the Yum! Center, Pitino said this of the 35-year-old prodigy who has the prohibitive favorites in the MAAC: "I think he's one of the best young coaches in our game.  He's very smart, especially in terms of recruiting."

The intelligence of Pitino's disciples are just part of the total package with which they arrive at their new programs, a product of having been prepared by one of the all-time greats in the industry, one whose imminent Hall of Fame induction will be a testimonial to what will go down in history as one of the best careers ever enjoyed in the sport despite lacking the gaudy statistics racked up by the Krzyzewskis, Knights and Smiths of the world.  "The way Coach Pitino treats you, like a head coach; and the responsibility and level he holds you to, gets you to the point where you're going to learn at all times," said Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin, a former Pitino assistant at Louisville before his brief stint as the head man at Murray State preceded his now seven-year run in charge of the Bearcats.  "It gets you ready to be a head coach, it definitely prepares you.  There's no way I'd be the coach I am without him."

His past accomplishments and track record clearly speak for themselves, but today, Rick Pitino stands determined to succeed yet again, with this Louisville team he leads into battle this season one of his best yet.  The consensus choice to win the Big East in nearly every preseason poll, his Cardinals will open against Manhattan in nine days in a matchup the coach described as a "basketball version of Watergate" against his former protege Masiello.  When age made its way into the conversation in midtown Manhattan two weeks ago, Pitino offered proof that it was merely a number after all.  "I can't believe I'm 60," the coach remarked.  "I just want to have fun every single day coaching and hope I wake up the next day."

So far, it looks like his simple objective is being carried out to the fullest.

A Closer Look At Syracuse

Following run to East regional final, Jim Boeheim brings one of deepest and most talented teams back to Syracuse in Big East swan song for the Orange.  (Photo courtesy of ESPN)

Our series of Big East previews concludes today with the biggest and deepest threat to Rick Pitino and Louisville, who were profiled yesterday.

The 2011-12 campaign was one of survival for Jim Boeheim and Syracuse.  From the sexual abuse allegations involving longtime assistant coach Bernie Fine to playing undefeated and as the No. 1 team in the nation for most of the season, the Orange found a way to rise above the pressure more often than not, battling their way to a 34-3 record that included an appearance in the East regional final in Boston, where they were the No. 1 seed despite falling to Ohio State with a trip to New Orleans at stake.  This time around, Syracuse prepares to end a legendary era; but at the same time create memories for a new one to come, as the Orange will depart the Big East at the end of the season in favor of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Not very often do you find programs that return deeper and stronger after losing three starters, but Boeheim and Syracuse are not your average bear in college basketball.  Gone are swingman Kris Joseph, point guard Scoop Jardine, and center Fab Melo; not to mention sixth man Dion Waiters, who was selected fourth overall in the NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the Orange will see their abundance of riches pay off this season.  Michael Carter-Williams will replace Jardine at the controls in the backcourt after only playing an average of ten minutes per game in his rookie season.  Even with the lack of action and experience in front of him on the depth chart, Carter-Williams still racked up 54 assists on the season, an average of over five helpers per minute.  The sophomore's passing ability will almost certainly give senior shooting guard Brandon Triche the confidence he needs to finally step up and become the unquestioned leader of this team, and it will come on the heels of a season where Triche shot 35 percent from three-point range, but failed to average double figures in scoring.  Redshirt freshman Trevor Cooney, who was another victim of the tremendous depth Syracuse enjoyed last season, should see significant minutes as Triche's backup.

In Joseph's absence, expect to see equal doses of C.J. Fair and James Southerland as each looks to add their name to the long and storied list of great Syracuse wings.  As a sophomore last season, Fair averaged over eight points and five rebounds per game, and will finally get a chance to show off his length and athleticism in the starting lineup on a full-time basis.  Southerland, a local product who was a one-time standout for Ron Naclerio at Cardozo High School in Bayside, averaged nearly seven points per contest with an average of just sixteen minutes a night, which equates to 17.5 points per game when adjusted for a full contest.  Fair and Southerland will be joined up front by junior Baye Keita and sophomore Rakeem Christmas, whose contributions on both the offensive end and in the middle of Syracuse's world-famous 2-3 zone defense will be magnified in the absence of Melo, who was drafted by the Boston Celtics this past June.

The Orange also welcome a pair of highly touted newcomers into the fold, as DaJuan Coleman comes to Boeheim by way of the same Jamesville-DeWitt High School program that the Hall of Famer successfully recruited the aforementioned Triche and former sharpshooter Andy Rautins from; as well as Jerami Grant, a 6-8 (and growing) swingman from DeMatha Catholic whose older brother Jerian is already in the Big East as the starting shooting guard at Notre Dame.  Both have been praised by Boeheim before the season has even started, as the coach mentioned that each was "going to surprise a lot of people," and that Coleman, a physically imposing 6-9 specimen, was "in the best shape of his life."

The Orange will open their season on November 9th against Steve Fisher and San Diego State in the "Battle on the Midway," with Wagner and new coach Bashir Mason serving as the opening act in the Carrier Dome nine days later.  Princeton (November 21st) and Colgate (November 25th) are next for Syracuse at home before they hit the road in an uncharacteristically early true road game, taking on Arkansas November 30th as part of the SEC/Big East Challenge.

Syracuse enjoys five more home games to open December, starting with Eastern Michigan on the 3rd and continuing with Long Beach State, (December 6th) Monmouth, (December 8th) Canisius (December 15th) and Detroit (December 17th) before the Orange make their annual in-season trip to the venue that is a de facto second home court for them.  No program and its fan base take over an arena anywhere near as much as Syracuse and "Orange Nation" do Madison Square Garden, and the experience will be put on full display when New York's College Team battles Temple inside the "World's Most Famous Arena" on December 22nd.  Alcorn State makes their way into the Carrier Dome a week later, with Central Connecticut State serving as Syracuse's final nonconference opponent when they invade the Dome on New Year's Eve.

The Orange open 2013 at home on January 2nd when Mike Rice and Rutgers are their first opponent on the Big East ledger, with a road trip to USF (January 6th) and Providence (January 9th) immediately following before Jay Wright and Villanova come into the Carrier Dome on the 12th of January.  A week off ensues prior to Syracuse traveling to Louisville, with a home date against Cincinnati on the schedule two days later.  From there, the Orange close out the first month of the calendar year with a January 26th collision with Villanova inside the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia that will wrap up a home-and-home series with the Wildcats.

Boeheim and Syracuse make the trip to the Petersen Center on the 2nd of February to face Jamie Dixon and Pittsburgh before returning home to host Notre Dame (February 4th) and longtime adversary St. John's (February 10th) in a precursor to a two-game road swing to Hartford for a matchup with Kevin Ollie and UConn on February 13th, and Kevin Willard's Seton Hall Pirates at the Prudential Center in Newark three days later.  The Orange complete a home-and-home series with Providence inside the Dome on the 20th, just prior to hosting Georgetown three days later.  Syracuse will then travel to Milwaukee for a February 25th showdown with Buzz Williams and Marquette.

Syracuse has three games in March to close out the regular season, the first of which coming on the 2nd in the back end of a home-and-home series with Rick Pitino and Louisville that will be played at the Yum! Center.  Following the final home game of the season on March 6th against DePaul, the Orange will contest their regular season finale three days later at the Verizon Center when they take on Georgetown in a noon matinee.

Scott Machado Makes NBA Debut Tomorrow

Having survived final preseason cuts, Scott Machado has made his way from Iona to NBA, and will be on Houston Rockets' roster for their season opener tomorrow night in Detroit.  (Photo courtesy of Houston Chronicle)

The long road is finally over, and as of tomorrow night, the tale of Scott Machado will write a new chapter.

Machado, the Iona point guard that was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Houston Rockets on the heels of a senior season that saw the Queens native lead the Gaels to their first NCAA Tournament since 2006 while earning MAAC Player of the Year honors in the process, made the opening night roster after Houston released fellow guard Shaun Livingston yesterday.  Machado will join former Knick Toney Douglas as backup point guards behind marquee free agent signing Jeremy Lin, and will be in uniform as the Rockets tip off the 2012-13 season at the Palace of Auburn Hills against the Detroit Pistons.

"I was a little nervous," Machado told the Houston Chronicle yesterday.  "We had four good point guards here, and I was the newcomer, the undrafted one.  With a whole bunch of people coming in, there was nervousness."

Machado, who racked up totals of 21 points and 32 assists in his six preseason games despite playing an average of just over thirteen minutes per game, joins a Houston roster that made headlines over the weekend when the Rockets acquired James Harden from the Oklahoma City Thunder; trading Kevin Martin and first-round draft choice Jeremy Lamb to the reigning Western Conference champions along with guard Daequan Cook, forward Lazar Hayward, and future draft considerations.  It is felt by some fans and even basketball insiders that the rookie will eventually win the starting job from Lin at some point, especially after a 9-point, 11-assist exhibition performance against the San Antonio Spurs two weeks ago, but the 22-year-old Machado is just thrilled to get to work and start his new life as a professional basketball player.

"I feel like it's a true blessing," Machado said.  "It's something I've always wanted.  I've been working hard to get to where I wanted to go.  It feels real good."

From the moment he takes the court in Michigan tomorrow night, Machado will have made it, becoming just the sixth Iona alumnus to play in the NBA, and first since Sean Green took the court in 1994.  A Daly Dose Of Hoops will have updates on Machado's rookie season throughout the year, so stay tuned for future news and notes.

A Closer Look At Louisville

Fresh off Final Four run, Peyton Siva and Louisville return core of that team with national championship aspirations in mind.  (Photo courtesy of ESPN)

After profiling a legitimate championship contender in Mike Brey and Notre Dame, next on the list is a reigning Final Four participant that is among the preseason favorites to cut down the nets as the national champions of the 2012-13 season.

Entering the NCAA Tournament as the No. 4 seed in the West regional, Louisville's road to a Final Four required the Cardinals to have to go through schools such as Michigan State and Florida on the way to New Orleans.  Somehow or another, the bracket opened up for them after the upsets of Missouri and Marquette, coupled with Louisville's own upset win over Tom Izzo and Michigan State, to get Rick Pitino's Cardinals into the national semifinals against eventual champion Kentucky.  "Last year was the only time the (Kentucky) game mattered to me," a brutally honest Pitino bluntly stated.  "It cost us the national championship."

The bad news is that Kentucky cost Louisville last year's national championship, but the good news is that this year's chances to be the centerpiece of "One Shining Moment" are even better, as Pitino has reloaded despite losing senior guards Kyle Kuric and Chris Smith.  Point guard Peyton Siva, the preseason choice for Big East Player of the Year honors, returns for his final campaign following a junior season in which the Seattle native averaged over nine points and five assists per game.  Siva will have several opportunities early and often to increase those offensive numbers, as Russ Smith will be in the starting lineup on a full-time basis for his junior campaign.  Smith, the Cardinals' top returning scorer despite serving as the sixth man last season, averaged more than eleven points per contest in just 21 minutes.

Mike Marra will be out for the season once again after tearing his ACL in practice, but Louisville gains the services of George Mason transfer Luke Hancock on the wing this season, and the Virginian is already being hailed by his new coach as the key to the team. "He's something that we need desperately," remarked Pitino.  "We got lucky because he was down to Virginia and us when he was going to transfer up."  The Cardinals also have a healthy Wayne Blackshear to act as their second swingman as he enters his sophomore season, with the physically and defensively imposing duo of Gorgui Dieng and Chane Behanan back to anchor the efforts up front.  Dieng, a Senegalese junior who Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin gave his preseason Player of the Year vote to, averaged over nine points and nine rebounds per contest while landing over three blocked shots a game as well; while Behanan, despite being a freshman in the Big East, managed over nine points and seven rebounds per night to go with a 51 percent shooting clip from the field.  Incoming freshman Montrezl (pronounced Mon-TREZ for those of you scoring at home) Harrell should also see significant minutes inside for the Cardinals.

Louisville's first game of the season comes a little later than others, but it should be an intriguing matchup, as former Pitino assistant Steve Masiello leads MAAC favorite Manhattan into the Yum! Center on November 11th.  Samford comes into Louisville four days later before the Cardinals head to the Bahamas to compete in the Battle 4 Atlantis, first against Northern iowa on November 22nd, with future opponents over the next two days to be determined.  Home games against Miami University and Illinois State ensure before a true road game on December 4th against College of Charleston and new coach Doug Wojcik.  UMKC makes their way into the Yum! Center four days later, with Louisville getting a week off after that to prepare for their annual showdown with Josh Pastner and Memphis, which this year takes place in the FedEx Forum on December 15th.

Four days later, Pitino entertains Florida International; now coached by his son Richard, at the Yum! Center before hitting the road on the 22nd of December to take on reigning Sun Belt Conference champion Western Kentucky.  The Cardinals' final nonconference game of the season is a Final Four rematch against John Calipari and Kentucky at the Yum! Center on December 29th, and Louisville will open 2013 on January 2nd for Big East game number one, hosting Ed Cooley and Providence as they look to avenge a 31-point loss last season.

A road trip to Newark to take on Seton Hall January 9th is next on the ledger for Louisville, who hosts USF three days later.  The Cardinals hit the road again immediately following for a January 14th collision with UConn at the XL Center, with Syracuse coming into Louisville for a January 19th matinee.  A road trip to Philadelphia and the nation's capital follow, as Louisville takes on Villanova (January 22nd) and Georgetown (January 26th) before returning home to face Pittsburgh (January 28th) and Marquette. (February 3rd) From there, the Cardinals head to the RAC to face Rutgers on February 6th, with a trip to Notre Dame on deck three days later.  The Cardinals return home briefly for a February 14th home date with St. John's, but will be back on the road for a February 17th matinee with USF in Tampa.

The Cardinals complete a home-and-home series with Seton Hall when Kevin Willard and the Pirates invade the Yum! Center on February 23rd, and Louisville's final road trip of the season is one that features two stops, first to DePaul on February 27th before heading to the Carrier Dome for the final time in Big East play when Pitino locks horns with Jim Boeheim and Syracuse on March 2nd.  Louisville plays its final two regular season games at home, with Cincinnati making their way into the Yum! Center on March 4th, with Notre Dame following suit on the 9th.

A Closer Look At Notre Dame

Jack Cooley (45) and Scott Martin (14) lead a core of experienced players that welcomes two talented freshman and one former Final Four participant into South Bend to give Mike Brey one of his best teams yet at Notre Dame.  (Photo courtesy of USA Today)

One more Big East contender gets a feature profile today following last night's closeup of Sean Kilpatrick and Cincinnati.

Last season was a battle for Notre Dame.  Following a lackluster 8-5 start to the year in nonconference play that saw senior forward Tim Abromaitis go down for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, the Fighting Irish split their first six Big East games, the last of which was a crushing upset loss to Rutgers at the RAC.  Suddenly, the Irish went on a roll, vaulting themselves into the top four in the conference standings with a nine-game winning streak that commenced with a nationally televised victory over then-undefeated and No. 1 Syracuse.  Notre Dame lost four of their last six, but still managed to reach the NCAA Tournament once again, where they were defeated by Xavier in the Round of 64.

Even after the loss, the Fighting Irish made headlines in the offseason, as it was announced that they would join Syracuse and Pittsburgh in leaving the Big East in favor of the Atlantic Coast Conference.  However, unlike the Orange and Panthers, Notre Dame has no set timetable on when they would make the move.  "I think we're going to be in this league this year and next year," head coach Mike Brey remarked at Big East media day, while also revealing his feelings on the latest realignment domino to fall.  "I had mixed emotions, and this is from a guy who grew up in ACC country and coached in the ACC.  It's like taking a new job without leaving."

For the near future, Notre Dame is still in the Big East, and Brey returns everyone from last year's roster with the exception of swingman Alex Dragicevich, who transferred to Boston College.  The Fighting Irish will again be led in the backcourt by juniors Eric Atkins and Jerian Grant, who played beyond their youth last season.  "I think because they didn't play well in the postseason, they're coming in with a chip on their shoulder," Brey said of his backcourt.  Scott Martin returns on the wing after being granted a sixth year of eligibility, and will join sophomore Pat Connaughton and incoming freshman Cameron Biedscheid; a talented swingman from St. Louis already being hailed by Brey for his potential, as swingmen for the Irish and bridges to the more experienced front line.  "We might have the oldest frontcourt in the country," said Brey.  "Scott just got his AARP card."

Senior Jack Cooley, who could easily be mistaken for former Notre Dame great Luke Harangody, returns to South Bend for his final go-round after a junior campaign that saw the 6-9 power forward average over twelve points and nearly nine rebounds per game in a season where he shot 63 percent from the field.  In addition to Cooley, Brey welcomes Massachusetts native Zach Auguste; a 6-10 freshman, into the frontcourt, as well as former Michigan State transfer Garrick Sherman.  The 6-10 Sherman, who played in the 2010 Final Four as a freshman with Tom Izzo's Spartans, will have two seasons of eligibility remaining after sitting out last season when arriving from East Lansing.  "He's already added leadership and is teaching Zach," Brey said.  "He's such a great addition."

Notre Dame starts their season on November 10th when Evansville makes their way into the Joyce Center, and Monmouth follows suit two days later.  From there, the Fighting Irish will invade the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, first taking on Saint Joseph's on November 16th before awaiting either Brigham Young or Florida State the following day.  Home games against George Washington, Saint Francis University and Chicago State are next once Notre Dame returns from Brooklyn, with Kentucky coming into the Joyce Center on November 29th to headline the SEC/Big East Challenge.  Brown comes into South Bend next on December 8th, with the Irish getting a week off before their neutral site matchup with Purdue on December 15th in Indianapolis.  IPFW, Kennesaw State and Niagara are the final nonconference opponents for Notre Dame, who opens Big East play at home on January 5th against Seton Hall.

The first true road game for the Irish takes place in Cincinnati on January 7th, with UConn heading into South Bend on the 12th, three days before Notre Dame hits the road again to face St. John's at Madison Square Garden.  From there, home games with Rutgers (January 19th) and Georgetown (January 21st) ensue, with a road trip to USF on January 26th preceding a home meeting with Villanova four days later.  Notre Dame opens February with a trip to Chicago on the 2nd to square off against DePaul, with their final Big East trip to the Carrier Dome taking place two nights later.

The Fighting Irish return to South Bend to host Louisville (February 9th) and DePaul (February 13th) before traveling to Providence on the 16th and then to the Petersen Center for the final time in Big East play to face Pittsburgh two days later.  Notre Dame alternates between home and road battles for their final four contests, starting at the Joyce Center on February 24th against Cincinnati, then facing Marquette on March 2nd in Milwaukee before hosting St. John's three days later, with a trip to the Yum! Center to meet Rick Pitino and Louisville on March 9th.

A Closer Look At Cincinnati

Cincinnati's Sean Kilpatrick enters his junior season with a great shot at Big East Player of the Year honors.  (Photo courtesy of ESPN)

One day removed from analyzing how Buzz Williams will reload at Marquette, next up in our profile of the Big East is another of its Sweet 16 participants, this one with the potential conference Player of the Year.

The University of Cincinnati is finally back among the national elite after a long period away from the spotlight.  Following the departure of Bob Huggins, the Bearcats were rebuilt from the ground up as head coach Mick Cronin inherited just one scholarship player the day he was hired in 2006.  Six years later, Cronin has guided his alma mater and hometown program into a respected institution that is coming off two straight 20-win seasons and NCAA Tournament appearances, the latter of which culminated with a trip to the East regional semifinals in Boston last March.

"For me, it's special," Cronin said of the Cincinnati resurgence that he has been proud to spearhead during his tenure.  "There's a great responsibility on my shoulders to resurrect the program."

Junior guard Sean Kilpatrick is a big reason why.  In his second season as the Bearcats' go-to guy, the White Plains native averaged over fourteen points per game and shot 38 percent from three point range, and should threaten to score close to twenty per contest this year following an offseason in which his already incredible work ethic has again resurfaced.  "He really improved since he came here," said Cronin of his all-Big East shooting guard.  "His work ethic is what separates him."

Kilpatrick will once again have Cashmere Wright as a backcourt running mate as the Cincinnati point guard enters his senior season, and JaQuon Parker; who Cronin said was the key for the Bearcats while fighting injuries and the aftermath of the Crosstown Shootout against Xavier last season, will play a more natural guard position following the graduation of Dion Dixon.  Up front, Yancy Gates has departed as well after four years, but Cincinnati is in great position inside without him, with Justin Jackson and Cheikh Mbodj back to anchor a front line that welcomes back Jermaine Sanders for his sophomore campaign while also introducing redshirt freshman Shaquille Thomas and junior college transfer Titus Rubles into the fold.

Cincinnati opens its season at the Fifth Third Arena on November 11th against Tennessee-Martin, with reigning SWAC champion Mississippi Valley State making their way in two days later.  North Carolina A&T and Campbell come into Cincinnati after that before the Bearcats invade Las Vegas to face Iowa State and either Oregon or UNLV in the Global Sports Invitational.  Following the excursion to Sin City, Anthony Grant and Alabama come to the Ed Jucker Court at Fifth Third on December 1st for their SEC/Big East Challenge matchup, with Arkansas-Little Rock and Maryland-Eastern Shore coming in for nonconference home games as well.  The Bearcats' first true road game will come at Marshall on December 15th, with the Crosstown Shootout to be played four nights later on a neutral site at the US Bank Arena.  Home games with Wright State and New Mexico take Cincinnati into their Big East opener, which will be contested at the Petersen Center in a New Year's Eve matinee with Jamie Dixon and Pittsburgh.

Home games with St. John's (January 5th) and Notre Dame (January 7th) open 2013 for the Bearcats, who travel to the RAC on January 12th to meet Mike Rice and Rutgers before remaining on the road to square off against DePaul on the 15th of the month.  Cincinnati's final trip to the Carrier Dome in Big East play will come on January 21st against Syracuse, and it is sandwiched in between home games with Marquette two days prior and Rutgers on January 30th.  The Bearcats start the month of February with two on the road, first against Seton Hall (February 2nd) before traveling to Rhode Island to meet Ed Cooley and Providence on February 6th.

Three consecutive home games follow for Cincinnati, with Pitt, (February 9th) Villanova (February 12th) and Georgetown (February 15th) all invading the Fifth Third Arena before a road trip to UConn on the 21st and then to Notre Dame three days later.  Kevin Ollie and the Huskies come to Cincinnati on March 2nd to complete a home-and-home series before the Bearcats travel to Louisville two days later.  The Bearcats conclude the regular season at home on March 9th when they welcome Stan Heath and USF to Fifth Third.

A Closer Look At Marquette

With Darius Johnson-Odom and Jae Crowder gone, Junior Cadougan becomes leader for Marquette on both sides of the ball as the point guard enters his senior season.  (Photo courtesy of Paint Touches)

Following a preview of Jamie Dixon's Pitt team that is about to enter their final season in Big East play, the team-by-team previews continue with a program synonymous with four jerseys, three guards; and now, two consecutive Sweet 16 appearances.

In just four seasons since replacing Tom Crean after the longtime coach of the former Warriors left to succeed Kelvin Sampson at Indiana, Buzz Williams has made the transition from unknown to underrated, with results that have defied convention.  Now about to enter his fifth campaign at the helm of the Golden Eagles, the affable Texan has likened his program to building a house in recent interviews prior to the season opener.

"Every year, you build a house; and when that year is over, you have to sell it and buy a new one," Williams said at Big East media day last week.  "I think every team is specific to the house they live in.  We've got a lot of work to do to replicate what we've done."  Gone are all-Big East selections Darius Johnson-Odom and reigning conference Player of the Year Jae Crowder, but Williams brings mounds of depth and his usual cadre of underrated players into the Bradley Center this year.  "Those two guys were like a really good drug for us," said Williams of his two stars that later became NBA Draft selections this past June.  "We became addicts to what they gave us every day."

If Williams has built houses over the years, his Marquette players have turned them into mansions within just a few games, starting with senior point guard Junior Cadougan.  After having his freshman season essentially wiped out due to injury, the Canadian import has come a long way in three seasons, and will become the first player in the Williams era to be a four-year student-athlete.  Last season, Cadougan averaged just slightly over six points per game, but his passing ability was second to none, thanks in large part to his five-plus assists per contest.  Vander Blue returns to the backcourt for his junior season as well, this time with a new number, switching to No. 13 from his previous No. 2.  The Wisconsin native had a breakout sophomore season last year with averages of over eight points and four rebounds per game, and will almost certainly have the opportunity to do more as he shares the backcourt with Cadougan and Marquette's latest transfer into the program, former Arizona State guard Trent Lockett.  Lockett, who completed his degree at Arizona State, is eligible to play immediately in Milwaukee, and is already being hailed as a leader by his new coach.  "I don't think I've ever had someone who was eligible to be on our staff before I coached them," said Williams of Lockett, who should be the choice to replace Johnson-Odom in the Golden Eagles' starting five.  Todd Mayo should reprise his role as Marquette's sixth man as the sophomore adds to the deep backcourt Williams can also count reserves Derrick Wilson and Jake Thomas as members of.  Incoming freshman Jamal Ferguson will also see some minutes in the backcourt during the season.

One of Marquette's biggest concerns, as it usually is prior to every season, is how the frontcourt will hold up.  After tearing his ACL in the Golden Eagles' dramatic win against Washington in the Jimmy V Classic just eight games into the season, Chris Otule has received a medical redshirt, and the senior enters the season at "85 percent" according to Williams.  Fellow big man Davante Gardner, who missed eight games of his own, is back at full speed after a breakout sophomore campaign in which he averaged nearly ten points per game while shooting 56 percent from the field.  Junior swingman Jamil Wilson will see significant minutes as well following the former Oregon transfer's first season in a Marquette uniform, one in which he averaged over seven points and four rebounds per game.  Freshman Steve Taylor will also have a chance to contribute after the Chicago native impressed his new coach with his "high motor" in practice.

The former Warriors take the court for the first time on November 9th, when they face Ohio State in the Carrier Classic.  Early home games against Colgate and Southeast Louisiana precede a trip to the Maui Invitational, where Marquette will open with Butler as the Bulldogs spend their first year in the Atlantic 10.  The Golden Eagles will play two more games in Maui following their showdown with Butler, with the first against either North Carolina or Mississippi State, before returning home on November 26th for a meeting with UMBC at the Bradley Center.  A road trip to Florida three days later for Marquette's SEC/Big East Challenge game precedes the annual rivalry game with in-state adversary Wisconsin, to be contested this season on December 8th in Milwaukee after the Golden Eagles defeated the Badgers 61-54 in Madison behind a big game from Todd Mayo.

A home game against Savannah State (December 15th) and road trip to Wisconsin-Green Bay (December 19th) take Marquette into their final two nonconference games, the first being a return match with LSU at the Bradley Center on December 22nd before North Carolina Central comes to Milwaukee a week later.  After opening Big East play and 2013 at home on New Year's Day against UConn and new coach Kevin Ollie, the Golden Eagles welcome Georgetown to their home court on January 5th, and get a week off before invading the Petersen Center for the final time in Big East play on January 12th for a Saturday matinee with Pittsburgh.

Marquette returns home on January 16th to face Seton Hall for the first of two times this season, and heads to Cincinnati three days later.  A week off will precede a two-game homestand against Providence (January 26th) and USF (January 28th) that will take the Golden Eagles into February, which they will open on the 3rd of the month at Louisville before completing a home-and-home series with Stan Heath and USF on February 6th.  Three days later, DePaul comes into the Bradley Center for Al McGuire Day, which honors the legendary coach of the 1977 national championship team at Marquette.  Selfishly speaking, this writer hopes Buzz Williams pays tribute to McGuire by wearing the same jacket he wore last year.  (Photo courtesy of Fox Sports Wisconsin)

Marquette heads to Georgetown on February 11th to complete a home-and-home series with Georgetown before welcoming Pitt into Milwaukee on the 16th, when the Golden Eagles will celebrate the tenth anniversary of their 2003 Final Four team, led of course by Dwyane Wade.  Road battles with Seton Hall (February 19th) and Villanova (February 23rd) ensue before Williams' team welcomes Syracuse to the Bradley Center for a Monday night showdown on February 25th.  Senior day will take place five days later on March 2nd, when the Golden Eagles face Notre Dame before traveling to the New York metropolitan area for their final regular season games against Rutgers (March 5th at the RAC) and St. John's, on March 9th at Madison Square Garden.