The pre-Season NIT gave us four solid teams for the Thanksgiving week event at Madison Square Garden. Oklahoma captured the championship over Purdue in an overtime contest that had March-like intensity. Taking a look back, each team did several things well yet needs other areas to be addressed.
Author: Ray Floriani
Resilience at St. Bonaventure
The winters in Olean can be long and tough. In years gone, residents and St. Bonaventure students would take solace in the play of the Bonnies on the hardwood, but the recent years have made the winters seem endless. On Sunday, on a bright day in New Jersey, another ray of hope came through for Bonaventure faithful. St. Bonaventure upset Rutgers 64-63 in overtime at the Rutgers Athletic Center.
Notes From the 2K Sports Classic
The 2K Sports Classic to benefit Coaches vs. Cancer gave us some interesting insight. The coaches will tell you, and rightfully so, the season is a marathon not a sprint. Regardless, you want to start with a good rhythm and stride to weather the rough spots as the ‘race’ progresses.
Celebrated Newcomers Help Rutgers Women in Opener
It was quite an impressive debut. The Rutgers women cruised to an 86-59 win over Saint Joseph’s on Friday night at the Rutgers Athletic Center. Scarlet Knight mentor C.Vivian Stringer was quick to point out this was a team Rutgers struggled to defeat a year ago.
Army Rides Defense, Small Lineup to Victory
The defensive effort was there, which is no surprise in talking about a Jim Crews-coached Army team. The offense looked pretty good also. All things considered, it added up to a thorough 63-48 victory over Dartmouth on Saturday afternoon.
Bob Knight Remembers The NIT
NIT Has Special Meaning for Knight by Ray Floriani WEST POINT, N.Y. – One of the highlights of a relatively quiet fall bears recounting. The late Friday afternoon in September is quiet. Across the Hudson a train passes to pierce the silence. Nature has yet to begin her majestic display […]
Hamilton Park Summer League Winds Down
Hamilton Park Summer Playoffs Heat Up by Ray Floriani JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The Hamilton Park Summer League Summer League playoffs are winding down. Quarterfinal action in the boy’s high school games were held this past Friday. The scores: St. Peter’s Prep 36, St. Mary’s (JC) 29 Jersey Jayhawks 52, […]
St. Pat’s Takes Home Hoop Group Title
St. Patrick’s Wins Hoop Group High School Showcase by Ray Floriani NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – In March St. Patrick’s season ended at the hands of eventual Tournament of Champions titlist and nationally top-ranked St. Anthony’s. The Celtics gave no indication of looking back or lamenting as they more recently captured […]
Officiating Gives Former Star New Perspective
Officiating Helps Former Player See the Game Differently by Ray Floriani BAYONNE, N.J. – The assignment chart gave a familiar name. It was May and this city bordering Jersey City and Staten Island was hosting a big AAU tournament. On the Sunday list of games just before my scheduled times […]
Words Of Wisdom On Recruiting
Former College Coach Speaks on Recruiting, College Game by Ray Floriani EDISON, N.J. – He took the floor in front of the athletes and their parents. The players, high school girls, just finished their last of three games for the day. They checked cell phones and sipped Gatorade for a […]
