The Morning Dish – Wednesday, December 10th
Arizona defeats Texas: In the nightcap of the Jimmy V. Classic, Arizona topped Texas, 91-83. The game was tight at halftime, with the Wildcats holding a one-point lead. It seemed that Arizona, who had an early first half double digit lead, was ripe to be beaten due to its serious lack of depth. But the Wildcats were up to the task, especially sophomore Hasaan Adams, who poured in a game-high 30 points. Four other Wildcats scored in double figures. While this game featured plenty of offense, it was Arizona’s defense that was the difference. The Longhorns shot just 37 percent for the game, and 32 percent from the three-point line. Kenny Taylor and P.J. Tucker led Texas with 14 points apiece. Senior Brandon Mouton really struggled, hitting just 3-of-15 shots and scoring 10 points. Texas has not beaten Arizona since the 1971-72 season.
Providence stuns Illini: It took quite some time for the Providence Friars to realize that it was playing in a basketball game Tuesday night. The Friars spent the first 7:30 of the game watching the Illini build a 12-0 lead. And even though Providence started to show a little life, it still found itself down 30-24 at half. But in the second half, the Friars exploded. Its zone befuddled Illini guards Dee Brown and Deron Williams, and the offense finally started to produce as Providence cruised to a 70-51 win. They were led by Ryan Gomes, who had 24 points and 12 rebounds. Donnie McGrath scored all 15 of his points in the second half. Meanwhile, Brown and Williams combined for seven points on 3-of-17 shooting. The Illini also committed 22 turnovers in the loss.
St. Joe’s holds off Boston College: Not a whole lot of people know a whole lot about the 13th-ranked St. Joseph’s Hawks. Well, they might know of Jameer Nelson, the team’s star guard. But Nelson only scored 13 points on 4-of-13 shooting Tuesday night. Despite that, St. Joe’s rather easily disposed of Boston College, 67-57. The Hawks were led by Delonte West, who scored 27 points. St. Joe’s is a solid team with good guard play that is now sitting at 6-0.
Iowa upset: For the second time in the past three seasons, Northern Iowa has upset Iowa in Cedar Falls. With the home crowd behind them, Northern Iowa outlasted the Hawkeyes, 77-66. The Panthers were led by Erik Crawford, who scored 24 points and hit two late three-pointers to bury the Hawkeyes.
Dayton survives scare: The undefeated Dayton Flyers found themselves down nine at home versus Louisiana-Lafayette Tuesday night. But the Flyers perservered and topped the Cajuns 66-59 behind Keith Waleskowski’s 18 points.
Non-hoops controversy: Sure, Hoopville is here for the college hoops fan, but let us digress for a second to address an issue in college football. A federal judge has ruled that Sports Illustrated must name its anonymous sources for its story on fired Alabama coach Mike Price, who is suing the company for libel. It seems that SI should be protected not only by the First Amendment but by Alabama’s shield laws. However, the judge specified that the shield laws do not protect magazines, only television, newspapers and radio. Regardless, it would be a shame if the First Amendment is forever changed for journalists based on the fact that a disgruntled ex-coach wants to find out who ratted on him that he had sex with two women in a hotel room.
Razorback quarterback on the team: Matt Jones, junior quarterback of the Arkansas football team, is planning to join the Razorback hoops squad following the football team’s Dec. 31 Independence Bowl game. As a freshman, the 6-6 Jones joined the basketball team after football season. He played in 11 games, and averaged 4.2 points and 2.3 rebounds. Jones did not play basketball last year because he was nursing a shoulder injury.
Former coach Noe dies: Chuck Noe, who coached at three different Virginia colleges and was the athletic director at Virginia Commenwealth, has died at 79. Noe coached at Virginia Military Institute, Virginia Tech and Virginia Commonwealth, mostly during the 1950s and 1960s. A former pro baseball player, Noe also called games on radio until 2000.
Bliss quits high school job: Former Baylor coach Dave Bliss has left his position as a volunteer coach at a Denver area high school. Bliss originally took the job because his son was on the team. He has yet to give a reason for leaving the school. Bliss, of course, is best known for his role in the bizzare events at Baylor this past summer. After Patrick Dennehy was found dead, an investigation into the program revealed everything from payments to recruits to failed drug tests. It seems unlikely that Bliss will turn up on any college coaching bench anytime soon.
Former N.C. State coach dies: Norm Sloan, 77, died Tuesday of pulmonary fibrosis. Sloan led the N.C. State Wolfpack to the 1974 NCAA basketball title. His 627 wins ranks him 26th on the all-time list. He went 266-127 in 14 seasons at N.C. State. His N.C. State coaching tenure was sandwiched by two stints at Florida. He led the Gators to an 85-63 record from 1960-66. He then went 150-131 over nine seasons starting in 1980. While Sloan registered winning records wherever he went, he also was followed by controversy and scandal. Sloan’s 1973 team, led by superstar David Thompson, was ruled ineligible to compete in the NCAA Tournament, despite a 27-0 record, due to the illegal recruitment of Thompson. Sloan also ran into similar problems at Florida in the 1980s, where guard Vernon Maxwell admitted to both taking cocaine before games and receiving cash payments from coaches. Sloan also coached at Presbyterian and Citadel.
Tonight’s Menu
• Top ranked Florida is in action, hosting Maryland. The Gators assumed the top spot this past week following Kansas’ loss at Stanford. After Maryland, the Gators face Louisville on the road so there might be a fourth Hoopville number one team by this time next week.
• In other games, Louisville hosts Seton hall while Wisconsin faces in-state rival Wisconsin-Green Bay. Kansas hosts lightly regarded Fort Hays State.
