Legends Classic News & Notes by Ray Floriani NEWARK, N.J. – The initial StubHub Legends Classic gave us ample evidence that life will go on without Kevin Durant. Texas head coach Rick Barnes would have loved to have the talented Durant stay in Austin a little longer. Regardless, there is […]

NIT Season Tip-Off Notes by Ray Floriani NEW YORK – The NIT Season Tip-Off served as a reminder not to write off Texas A&M. Acie Law is gone, and Billy Gillespie is roaming the sidelines in the Bluegrass State. Regardless, there is talent, coaching and a defense certain to give […]

2K Sports College Hoops Classic Recap and Notes by Ray Floriani NEW YORK – They entered Madison Square Garden with a lofty ranking and high expectations. Two nights later they exited with the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic title. As much as the critics wanted to find chinks in the […]

Rutgers, Seton Hall Open With Wins by Ray Floriani NEWARK, NJ – The season is here. Rutgers opened up at home on Friday, while Seton Hall unveiled a new home on Sunday. Both the Hall and Rutgers survived challenges from mid majors. But if this young season has told us […]

No Surprise Atop Hamilton Park Summer League by Ray Floriani JERSEY CITY, N.J. – In the end it was a familiar name in the winner’s circle. But the final encounter gave us proof that a sleeping giant is awakening. St. Anthony’s captured the boys division of the Hamilton Park Summer […]

Fall Jam Fest Recap and Notes by Ray Floriani PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The official name is “Louis Brown Athletic Center”. To all, the name is the “RAC”. Even the exit sign on route 18 signifies “Rutgers RAC”, the three-decade home of the Scarlet Knights. The RAC was one of the […]

Visitors Find Out How Good the Friars Are by Ray Floriani JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The name “St. Anthony’s” is nationally synonymous with high school basketball excellence. Now that reputation is going across the pond. St. Anthony’s defeated Bolwek Eiffel Towers Den Bosch 108-64 at Golden Door Charter School. The […]

Summer League Notes From Jersey City by Ray Floriani JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Getting to Hamilton Park for a mid-July officiating assignment, I was greeted as always by league director Pat Devaney. “Ray you will be working with Carmen (Valencia),” he said. “She’s from New York, she’s pretty good and […]

News and Notes From Eastern Invitational by Ray Floriani EWING, N.J. – Long before there was an ABCD, Rbk U or LeBron James Skills Academy, you had Eastern Invitational. Today, the Eastern Invitational camp is still going strong. It is run by the Hoop Group and directed by coaches Lamar […]

Friars May Be Poised For a Run in 2008 by Ray Floriani SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – The old axiom tells us next winter’s champions are made in summer. Judging by their play in the Hoop Group Metro HBC Basketball Classic at Seton Hall University, St. Anthony’s will be primed to […]