The Morning Dish – Saturday, January 22nd
Player Dies on Court: There is some sad news to pass along in college hoops. Eastern Connecticut guard Antwoine Key died Thursday night after collapsing during the opening minutes of a game at Worcester State, officials said. Police and emergency personnel used defibrillators to try and revive Key, 22, a Boston native and 2001 graduate of West Roxbury High School. He was rushed to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Worcester where he was pronounced dead, officials said. It seems trivial to list stats for a player that has passed away, so Hoopville will refrain from that practice.
Air Force Un-Sportsmanlike: The Mountain West Conference has cited Air Force coaches and players with violating sportsmanship codes by criticizing officials after a loss to St. Mary’s last week. Coach Chris Mooney, center Nick Welch and guard Matt McCraw complained about the referees after the 59-58 loss on Jan. 11. Officials called 36 fouls and three technical fouls and disallowed a tip-in just before halftime by Air Force’s Tim Keller. The code bars coaches or athletes from criticizing “a game official, conference personnel, another member institution or a student-athlete or personnel of another institution.” The MWC handbook says a team can be given a public reprimand after a first offense and suspended after a second offense. What did they say? Welch said that the official called a technical because “he didn’t want us to win.”
Tar Heels Get Surprise Visitor: I can’t imagine that there could be anything more inspiring than to have Michael Jordan visit to share some words. And that’s exactly what the North Carolina Tar Heels were treated to when Jordan came by Thursday. Jordan posed for a picture with the players before the workout — they were in practice gear, he was not. It’ll be interesting to see how North Carolina responds in their game Saturday, although it seems Jordan has left town.
Minnesota Center’s Injury Not Serious: Jeff Hagen is not expected to play this weekend, but the big center’s MRI revealed no damage in his injured left knee. Hagen was diagnosed with a Grade 1 medial collateral ligament sprain and is listed as day to day. The injury occurred when Hagen got tangled up with Ohio State’s Terence Dials under the basket late in the first half of the Gophers’ 60-56 overtime victory Wednesday. The Gophers are hoping to continue their surprising play without Hagen, and Coach Dan Monson is not allowing Hagen’s injury to be an excuse for poor play.
Utes Getting Player Back: After being out for nearly a month, Utah forward Richard Chaney will be back in action for Saturday’s game against New Mexico at the Huntsman Center. It isn’t known how much he will be play. The Utes can use his 11.5 points per game and 2.7 rebounds per game. Chaney will have to play with a cast fitted for his left hand, which he broke in practice Dec. 27.
Cincy Reserve Guards Banged Up: Bearcat reserve guard Jamaal Lucas suffered suffered a cut on his cut on his chin and hurt his wrist on one play Wednesday night. On a drive to the hoop, Lucas was in a collision where he was unable to break his fall in time as he hit the floor. He had to get four stitches in his chin. He expects to be able to play in Cincy’s next game against Wake Forest, but he’ll have to play with a brace on his right wrist. Lucas isn’t the only injury concern for the Bearcats, however, as backup point guard Chadd Moore has been playing with pain in his left foot. He is also expected to suit up and play against the Demon Deacons, unless an MRI shows some serious damage. Moore has started four games this season and is third on the team with 49 assists. He has one fewer assist than starting point guard Jihad Muhammad, despite playing 211 fewer minutes than Muhammad. In other Bearcat news, guard Nick Williams is expected to start again Saturday after pouring in 22 points in a starting role earlier this week. Williams started in the place of Armein Kirkland, who has had trouble rebounding and thus earned the wrath of Cincinnati head coach Bob Huggins.
Myles Out for Louisville: A fractured left thumb will keep Louisville senior forward Ellis Myles out of Saturday’s game against Tennessee. The thumb on his non-shooting hand is splinted and he is expected to return for Wednesday’s game against Marquette. It’ll be a matter of playing through the pain.
