UNCASVILLE, Conn. – The 2012 Hall of Fame Tip-Off concluded on Sunday with four games. Two champions were crowned in the Springfield and National Brackets, with Loyola (Md.) beating Albany in the former and Ohio State taking home the latter with a win over Washington.
Here are some quick hitters from Sunday’s games.
- For the national anthem, Whitney Houston’s rendition from before Super Bowl XXV was played. It was a terrific idea as it is still by far the best rendition of it I have heard (and I hear many every season from all the games I cover).
- The All-Tournament teams were announced a day later. The Springfield Bracket team consisted of Jacob Iati and Mike Black from Albany, MVP Erik Etherly and Dylon Cormier from Loyola (Md.) and Estan Tyler from UMKC. The Naismith Bracket team consisted of Aaron Craft and MVP Deshaun Thomas from Ohio State, Mike Powell from Rhode Island, Fuquan Edwin from Seton Hall and C.J. Wilcox from Washington.
- Norfolk State head coach Anthony Evans said his team is dealing with more than just the newness factor of holdovers in new roles and newcomers having to contribute right away. They’re also dealing with injuries to a few starters, from starting point guard Jamal Fuentes (missed the last three games due to a concussion) to Pendarvis Williams (strained MCL) to big man Brandon Goode (sprained ankle).
“We’re kind of dealing with changes in terms of lineups and also trying to patch up for some injuries,” said Evans.
- Norfolk State has a good deal of length and athleticism that should allow them to contend in the MEAC despite heavy personnel losses. In addition, Williams should be primed to really break out and freshman Rashid Gaston has made an impact right away.
“I think we have a lot of potential, it’s just a matter of how quickly the chemistry comes together,” Evans said. “This team is learning how to be consistent, learning how to play together.”
- UMKC came into the season concerned about defense and rebounding, and on Sunday they were good with the former and a mixed bag with the latter. They held Norfolk State below 38 percent from the field, but were out-rebounded 35-29. The upshot is that they closed the gap in the second half as they were out-rebounded 24-14 in the opening frame. The Kangaroos also allowed just three offensive boards in the second half.
- One player who especially bounced back on Sunday for UMKC was Trinity Hall. The junior wing didn’t make a field goal in Saturday’s loss but started out quickly on Sunday with seven early points en route to 11 for the game. With a capable floor leader in Estan Tyler and the potential Hall has, the Kangaroos’ perimeter could be very good. However, a post presence offensively would help, as Fred Chatmon is a capable rebounder but needs to get touches so they don’t lose him.
“We’d love to get the ball inside,” said head coach Matt Brown. “We have three different guys we can play at the center position, but we definitely need a post presence in there.”
- Washington’s offensive numbers were fine, for the most part, on Sunday. The Huskies shot nearly 48 percent from the field and were 9-18 from long range. While they had 13 turnovers, that wasn’t a killer. Instead, Ohio State out-rebounded them by six and had just seven turnovers, but also got to the foul line. Still, there was some room for improvement offensively in Lorenzo Romar’s mind.
“I think there were times tonight where we didn’t run offense the way we should have,” said the Husky mentor. “When we ran offense, we got good shots.”
- Rhode Island head coach Danny Hurley said Nikola Malesevic was suspended for Sunday’s game due to a violation of team policy. “We have a very high standard for how you need to carry yourself at all times in our basketball program, and we don’t tolerate anything.”
- Next year, the event’s field will have a Springfield Bracket with Belmont, Hartford, Hofstra and Holy Cross, and a Naismith Bracket with Fairfield, Louisville, North Carolina and Richmond.
