Rams’ Resurgence Continues Rise by Ray Floriani BRONX, N.Y. – The program and basketball fortunes here are on the rise. Since his arrival several years ago, Dereck Whittenburg has painstakingly built the Rams into a team to be reckoned with. The days are gone when Atlantic 10 opponents can circle […]

Rutgers Men and Women Come Home by Ray Floriani PISCATAWAY, N.J. – On consecutive evenings this past week the Rutgers women and men, respectively, hosted Big East opposition. Both contests coming in this early portion of conference play gave us some interesting insight to store away as the weeks progress. […]

Defense Rules Garden Doubleheader by Ray Floriani NEW YORK – Like defense? If you are a connoisseur of stops, deflections and making the offense earn every precious point, this was your night. The Aeropostale Classic at Madison Square Garden featured a defensive clinic in the nightcap as Duke edged Gonzaga. […]

Pride Successfully Returns to Holiday Festival by Ray Floriani NEW YORK – Hofstra made its return to the Aeropostale Holiday Festival at Madison Square Garden a triumphant one. Several years ago under Jay Wright, the Pride captured two straight festival titles. Only a close loss in the 2000 finals to […]

Fairleigh Dickinson, St. Bonaventure Honor Swanson by Ray Floriani TEANECK, N.J. – The afternoon called for an officiating assignment at Jersey City (NJ) St. Anthony’s. Following that, a Monday evening women’s game was on tap. Action was relatively light and it gave the opportunity to see the Fairleigh Dickinson women […]

Harvey Leads Hall Past Penn State by Ray Floriani EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Exit the Seton Hall campus and make a right turn you are on South Orange Avenue. Following the road will take you into the Vailsburg section of Newark. As you proceed through the neighborhood, the avenue will […]

Jimmy V Classic a Learning Experience For All by Ray Floriani NEW YORK – Teams competing in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden found out something about themselves. That is bound to happen when you face top-flight competition this early. In the opener of the doubleheader, Oklahoma State […]

Big Apple Classic Has Promising Start by Ray Floriani NEW YORK – It is an event planned to be an annual happening. There were growing pains, as expected, but the inaugural Big Apple Classic provided a showcase for four schools not frequently seen on SportsCenter. It featured a doubleheader with […]

Butler Makes Most of Long-Awaited Return to the Garden by Ray Floriani NEW YORK – It was well worth the wait. The last time Butler appeared in Madison Square Garden was March of 1959 in the NIT. That was the ‘old Garden’ 16 blocks uptown. Butler had yet to appear […]