|
|
|
| Site menu | The Dagger - NCAAb | Resources |
|
Main page
Top Stories
Baseball
- MLB
- NCAA Baseball
NFL
- NCAA Football
NBA
- NCAA basketball
WNBA
- NCAA Women's Basketball
BasketballLive Scores!
NHL
- NCAA Hockey
TennisLive Scores!
Golf
Motor Sports
- F1
- Motor Sports: CART
- Motor Sports: IRL
- Motor Sports: NASCAR
SoccerLive Scores!
- Premier League
- MLS
Athletics
Swimmming
Winter Sports
- Skiing
Cycling
Volley
Olympic Sports
Horse Racing
Poker
Videos Bettor's Corner Rumors All Blogs - Shutdown Corner - NFL - Big League Stew - MLB - Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Puck Daddy - NHL - Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - The Dagger - NCAAB - From the Marbles - NASCAR - Devil Ball Golf - Golf - Roto Arcade - Fantasy - Cagewriter - MMA - Early Doors(UK) - Soccer - Jim White(UK) - Soccer - Paul Parker(UK) - Soccer |
Mike Krzyzewski says he’s committed to coaching Duke through at least 2016 [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 23, 2013, 11:37 am] When Mike Krzyzewski and his wife were discussing earlier this spring whether he ought to return as U.S. men's national coach, she asked if that commitment would be easier for him if he resigned from his post at Duke prior to the 2016 Olympics. Krzyzewski's response will make all Blue Devils fans smile. "Really it's just the opposite," Krzyzewski told reporters at a news conference in Durham on Thursday. "I don't think anybody should coach the (Olympic) team unless they're still coaching. You've got to stay sharp. I'm coaching in the best league against the best competition and the best players that I can. Doing that, it becomes easier." Asked to clarify if that meant he'd definitely coach at Duke through at least the 2015-16 season, the 66-year-old Krzyzewski said, "Obviously I'm not going to end before the Olympics." And with that, any chatter about Krzyzewski retiring soon should die down for the foreseeable future. Barring a sudden reversal, college basketball's winningest coach will be on the Duke bench for at least the next three seasons, and he doesn't sound as though he's certain he'll be ready to step down even then. Krzyzewski has long maintained coaching the U.S. national team has energized him and rekindled his passion for his profession, a point he emphasized again on Thursday. He reiterated the point Duke president Richard H. Brodhead made earlier in the news conference when he said that Krzyzewski had become an even better coach as a result of taking on the challenge of coaching the NBA's biggest stars. "I don't think I did it bad before the Olympics," Krzyzewski said. "We weren't bad before then. But I got better from doing it. Just like a player gets better from doing it, we all got better. That energizes you because it's like a teacher learning new material. I'm 66. I don't know how you're supposed to feel at 66, but I never think of my age. I may look my age, but I feel energetic, passionate, wanting to achieve." That Krzyzewski remains enthusias John Calipari explains why Kentucky’s freshmen declined U-19 invitations from USA Basketball [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 23, 2013, 9:03 am] The release of USA Basketball's training camp roster Wednesday afternoon for the U-19 world championships inspired one obvious question: Why weren't any Kentucky players participating? It's not that USA Basketball wasn't interested or that John Calipari advised against it. Forward Julius Randle, guards Andrew and Aaron Harrison and the rest of the members of Kentucky's top-ranked recruiting class simply preferred to spend the summer getting acclimated to college life and preparing for a run at the national title. "Most of it is, they didnât want to play. Iâm not forcing kids to do anything," Calipari told Sporting News. "I think the reason they all turned it down is, they want to get started." "Iâm happy theyâre thinking in those terms. They know the spotlightâs on them." The knee-jerk reaction here is to criticize players for turning down a potentially once-in-a-lifetime chance to represent their country, but in this case that doesn't seem fair. First of all, the Kentucky incoming freshmen were far from alone in their decision. Arizona-bound Aaron Gordon was the lone top 20 Class of 2013 recruit who chose to try out for the U-19 team and the only other incoming freshmen on the roster are Arizona's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Washington's Nigel Williams-Goss and UCLA's Bryce Alford. Secondly, Kentucky's decorated recruiting class faces a different level of pressure than any of their peers. Thanks to the arrival of a group of freshmen considered as one of the greatest recruiting hauls of all time, Kentucky will likely begin the season No. 1 in the polls and with championship-or-bust expectations. It makes sense that a team with so many newcomers would want to spend the summer building chemistry on and off the court to ensure they don't flop the way last year's team did. Ultimately, the decision of the Kentucky freshmen and fellow class of 2013 stars Jabari Parker (Duke) and Chris Walker (Florida) explains why the U-19 championship is the most difficult for U Offering ex-Florida forward Cody Larson a fresh start is worth the risk for South Dakota State [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 22, 2013, 3:44 pm] Had Cody Larson opted to attend South Dakota State straight out of high school a few years ago, the highly touted in-state product's decision would have been celebrated as a tremendous recruiting coup. The response was far more muted Wednesday, however, when Larson announced he is leaving Florida after three tumultuous years and transferring back home to play for the Jackrabbits. It's difficult to project how big an impact Larson can make at South Dakota State because the former top 100 recruit rarely saw the floor at Florida. Larson played for the Gators just one of his three years in Gainesville, redshirting as a freshman, averaging 0.5 points and 0.8 rebounds during the 2011-12 season and leaving the team altogether in October after Billy Donovan pulled his scholarship. Part of the reason Larson's once-promising career stalled is because of a spate of off-the-court problems. Larson was suspended during his senior year of high school for sharing prescription pain pills with a teammate. He violated the plea agreement he reached after that incident in April 2011 when he was arrested in St. Augustine for breaking into a vehicle outside a bar after closing time. Donovan set certain conditions for Larson to meet in order to keep his scholarship for the 2012-13 season, but the 6-foot-9 forward did not satisfy them. He declined to remain on the team as a walk-on last season, opting instead to merely attend classes and focus on his academics and personal issues. Larson told the Argus Leader he's transferring to South Dakota State because he is ready to move forward with his life and try to rekindle his basketball career again. Depending on the outcome of the petition he'll likely file with the NCAA, he will either play right away with two years eligibility remaining or sit out next season and have only one year of eligibility left. "I wanted to come closer to home where I can have some fun and just play basketball with no outside distractions," he told the Argus Leader. Marcus Smart headlines list of 24 players invited to try out for U.S. U-19 squad [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 22, 2013, 12:02 pm] Unlike most levels of international basketball, the U.S. has seldom been dominant at the U-19 World Championships. Six different countries have captured gold in the last six tournaments, with the U.S. failing to medal altogether three times. Not only do other countries have the advantage of fielding more cohesive teams who have played together previously, USA Basketball often struggles to attract the top American players since many are either getting acclimated at college or preparing for the NBA draft. The training camp roster the U.S. has assembled for this year's event has a bit more star power than usual but it's still reflective of past problems. Of the 24 players trying out in Colorado Springs next month for the 12-player U.S. Team, there are only a couple of established college stars or incoming McDonald's All-Americans. One of the centerpieces of the team will almost certainly be Marcus Smart, the Oklahoma State rising sophomore who likely would have been a top 10 pick had he chosen to enter next month's NBA draft. Duke's Rasheed Sulaimon, Tennessee's Jarnell Stokes, Louisville's Montrezl Harrell and Syracuse's Jerami Grant are also among the returning college players who will compete for a roster spot. The most highly touted incoming freshman on the roster is Arizona signee Aaron Gordon, a gifted forward who was among the top players in the Class of 2013. Besides him, however, not one of Rivals.com's top 20 players in the Class of 2013 are participating in the training camp, likely contributing to USA Basketball's decision to invite Class of 2014 standouts Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow. Though the U.S. team's roster would surely be more stacked if the likes of Andrew and Aaron Harrison or Julius Randle were trying out, the good news is the Americans haven't always needed star power to win. In 2009, the U.S. captured gold for the first time since 1991 even though its best players were modest talents like Tyshawn Taylor (Kansas), Trey Thompkins (Georgia Antonio Barton will announce his choice Sunday, and all four of his suitors need him badly [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 22, 2013, 8:39 am] Earlier this week, former Memphis big man Tarik Black revealed he'll transfer to Kansas for the 2013-14 season. Now the other impact Tigers transfer appears to be on the verge of announcing where he will play his final season of college basketball. Point guard Antonio Barton will choose between Maryland, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Kansas State at a Sunday afternoon press conference at his church, brother Will Barton tweeted Tuesday night. Barton is on pace to graduate from Memphis this summer and would be eligible to play immediately at his new school. There's no mystery why Barton chose to leave Memphis: he's in search of more playing time. The 6-foot-2 Baltimore native averaged a career-low 16.7 minutes per game off the bench last season as he was surpassed in the Memphis rotation by fellow guards Joe Jackson, Geron Johnson and Chris Crawford, each of whom are expected to return to the Tigers next season. It's unclear which of Barton's potential choices should be considered the front runner entering Sunday's announcement, but the one thing each of the schools he has visited has in common is ample playing time available at point guard. Maryland has been in search of a point guard since Pe'Shon Howard decided to transfer earlier this spring, leaving only sophomore Seth Allen and incoming freshman Roddy Peters with any experience at the position. The Terrapins could be an appealing option for Barton because of the proximity to Barton's hometown of Baltimore and the presence of close friend Nick Faust on the roster. Tennessee and Kansas State are even more desperate for a point guard than Maryland as a result of the key departures earlier this spring. Angel Rodriguez's surprise transfer in late April deprived the Wildcats of an all-conference point guard, while Trae Golden's dismissal earlier this month leaves the Vols without a single true point guard on their roster. The connection with Texas A&M stems from associate head coach Glynn Cyprien, who helped recruit both B Vanderbilt reportedly will not release transfer Sheldon Jeter to Pittsburgh [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 21, 2013, 12:23 pm] The irony is unmistakable. Vanderbilt football fans were irate this week over Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy's decision to block quarterback Wes Lunt from transferring to any school in the SEC. Now Commodores basketball coach Kevin Stallings appears to be doing the same thing to a transfer from his own program. Stallings is blocking rising sophomore forward Sheldon Jeter from transferring to Pitt, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Tuesday. Jeter, a Pennsylvania native, announced Friday he was leaving Vanderbilt to transfer to a school closer to home, citing personal issues as the reason for his departure. The Jeter family is appealing to Vanderbilt's athletic department to overturn Stallings' ruling, Pantherlair.com reported Tuesday. If Jeter loses that appeal, he can enroll at Pitt and pay tuition for one year before being put on scholarship or he can transfer to a school other than Pitt. That Stallings would attempt to block Jeter's transfer only reinforces how disappointed the Vanderbilt coach was to lose a key piece of the Commodores' rebuilding efforts. Jeter averaged 5.5 points and 3.4 rebounds as a freshman, showing comfort in the paint and on the perimeter and emerging as a likely starter next season had he remained. Nonetheless, just because Stallings is frustrated at losing a key player doesn't make it right for him to impede Jeter's quest to find a school that's a better fit, especially if there's no evidence Pittsburgh tampered in this instance. Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan learned this the hard way last year when his attempt to block Jarrod Uthoff's transfer to numerous schools resulted in national outcry. Stallings is risking taking a public relations hit here as well unless he reverses course. Just like college coaches leave their programs for higher-profile or better-fitting jobs all the time, college players should be able to do the same. Steven Pearl pokes fun at his father’s barbecue blunder in clever radio ad [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 21, 2013, 8:06 am] A little over two years after Tennessee fired Bruce Pearl for lying to NCAA investigators in hopes of covering up a minor violation he committed, the ex-Vols coach apparently doesn't mind some good-natured ribbing about his career-altering mistake. Steven Pearl, Bruce's son and host of a weekly show on Tennessee Sports Radio, recently appeared in a radio commercial for Calhoun's, a well-known Knoxville-based chain of barbecue restaurants. The minute-long spot pokes fun at the backyard barbecue Bruce Pearl hosted at his home for recruit Aaron Craft, a violation uncovered by the NCAA enforcement staff when they found pictures of the future Ohio State point guard at Pearl's home. "Hey TSR, I'm Steven Pearl, and if there's one thing we Pearls know, it's how to throw a barbecue," the younger Pearl begins. Then after lauding the food at Calhoun's, Pearl delivers this hilarious line: "Just remember, my two rules for legendary backyard barbecues â get your food from Calhounâs and absolutely no photography." Of course the commercial's most memorable one-liner comes during the legal disclaimer at the end of Pearl's pitch. "Offer not available to Aaron Craft." Pure genius. It's pretty terrific that Bruce Pearl and his family are able to laugh at themselves over what had to be a traumatic period of their lives. By compounding a minor mistake with the foolish decision to lie to NCAA investigators, Pearl cost himself a job he had worked hard to attain. By being willing to endure a joke or two at his expense, he has helped Vols fans forgive his mistake and attained the acceptance that could one day help him get back into coaching if he chooses. (Thanks, College Basketball Nation) Kansas gets even stronger with the addition of coveted transfer Tarik Black [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 20, 2013, 4:33 pm] Bill Self already landed the nation's most coveted high school recruit last week. Now the Kansas coach has also received a commitment from one of the most prized transfers on the market. Tarik Black, a 6-foot-9, 260-pound big man who played at Memphis the past three years, has chosen Kansas over Duke, Oregon and Georgetown, among others, CBSSports.com reported Monday. The rising senior has graduated from Memphis and will be eligible immediately for the Jayhawks. It's a testament to the laws of supply and demand that Black had all these powerhouse programs pursuing him considering he lost his starting job at Memphis last season and averaged a modest 8.1 points and 4.8 rebounds off the bench. One reason he was in such high demand is there simply weren't many available big men with size and athleticism that teams could plug into their rotation right away. The other is that teams felt he has untapped potential he was never able to fully utilize at Memphis. Once projected as a potential NBA draft pick early in his college career, Black fell out of favor in Memphis because his production plateaued after his freshman season and he was often foul-prone and inconsistent. His NCAA tournament performance was a microcosm of his Memphis career: 12 points and seven rebounds on perfect 5 of 5 shooting against Saint Mary's in a round of 64 victory gave way to six points, two rebounds and four fouls in a loss to Michigan State two days later. Nonetheless, Black may yet be a significant addition for Kansas if a change of scenery and Self's history of success developing big men can help. With all five starters from last season graduating or turning pro and a wealth of young talent set to play immediately, Kansas had a clear-cut need for a veteran big man it can plug into its rotation. Black will team with promising sophomore Perry Ellis, reserve Jamari Traylor and shot-blocking freshman Joel Embiid to form a talented and versatile frontcourt nucleus. It's a bit surprising Black would George Washington’s new basketball floor features famous D.C. monuments [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 20, 2013, 1:35 pm] In the three years since Oregon launched the trend of jazzing up basketball floors with creative designs, there have been plenty of hits and misses. Long Beach State's palm trees? A smash hit. Florida International's beach towel-themed court? A tacky miss. Towson's pale orange tiger stripes? Ehhh, not bad. And Cal State Bakerfield's dark blue floor? Yikes. George Washington is the latest school to enhance its floor with a design, and credit the Colonials for getting it right. The school announced Monday the floor of the Charles E. Smith Center will include silhouette images of The White House, the Capitol building and the Washington Monument, a subtle yet distinctive design that sends the message to fans and recruits they're watching a Washington D.C. program. "Unveiling this spectacular new floor design today further emphasizes our campus setting in the heart of D.C.," George Washington athletic director Patrick Nero in a press release. "When people around the world are watching our games, we want them to immediately recognize and understand the universityâs unique setting in the middle of the action in this world-class city." The other unique touch to the floor is the "#RaiseHigh" hashtag behind one of the baselines where the university's name would typically be. The slogan, originally coined during the 2011-12 basketball season, has developed into a campus-wide rallying cry featured on T-shirts and billboards. Since George Washington's court isn't as gaudy as other new designs have been, it likely won't get the same nation-wide publicity Oregon or FIU did. No matter, though. The classy court design will be a source of pride for years to come. (Thanks, D.C. Sports Bog) Can a fresh start at Missouri help Deuce Bello tap into his potential? [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 20, 2013, 11:20 am] As soon as the first report surfaced Monday morning that Missouri had landed Baylor transfer Deuce Bello, Tigers fans on social media responded in a wide variety of ways. Some lauded Bello's potential, posting high school highlight reels in which the 6-foot-4 wing showcased an explosive first step to the rim, impressive length and athleticism and an array of high-flying dunks. Others wondered why Missouri would want a player who averaged a modest 2.4 points and 1.4 rebounds last season for a Baylor program that wasn't exactly loaded at the shooting guard and small forward spots. So, which side of the debate is right? Well, in a lot of ways, both of them. Bello is a classic boom-or-bust transfer because of his elite talent but lack of production. Missouri has to hope that a change of scenery, more playing time and a year to sit out and develop his game will help Bello tap into the immense potential that made him a top 60 recruit in the Class of 2011. Hailed as a key piece of Baylor's future when he arrived along with high school teammate Quincy Miller two years ago, Bello made minimal impact in his two seasons in Waco. He averaged just over 10 minutes per game both seasons, occasionally injecting energy with hustle plays and highlight-worthy dunks but shooting too poorly from the free throw line and the perimeter to justify a greater role. With veterans Brady Heslip and Gary Franklin returning for Baylor and incoming guards Allerik Freeman and Kenny Chery set to contribute right away, it's unlikely Bello would have seen more playing time as a junior. As a result, he announced earlier this month that he was leaving Baylor in search of a school where he'd receive more playing time. Missouri has become a destination for elite transfers under coach Frank Haith, but the question will be whether the Tigers are the appropriate fit for Bello. He could have dropped down a level and ensured himself ample opportunity to play for a mid-major program from his native North Carolin Long Beach State cuts loose three players after tumultuous season [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 20, 2013, 9:17 am] Midway through a mid-November practice in preparation for his team's matchup with North Carolina later in the week, Long Beach State coach Dan Monson halted a drill to tear into Keala King for his lack of effort. Monson needed King to go all-out crashing the glass as a member of the scout team to help prepare the rest of the roster for North Carolina's vaunted offensive rebounding prowess. The highly touted Arizona State transfer clearly didn't appreciate the criticism, sniping back at Monson, then making a show of mockingly counting out loud every time he got a rebound the rest of practice, sometimes even when he merely picked the ball up after an opposing player made a basket. That scene I witnessed at the lone practice I attended last season surely only scratches the surface of the behind-the-scenes issues that plagued Long Beach State, but it does help illustrate why Monson apparently felt his program needed a makeover. King, former DePaul transfer Tony Freeland and rising sophomore Deng Deng will each not be allowed to return to the team next season, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reported on Sunday. It's a shame for Long Beach State that King and Freeland couldn't behave well enough to remain part of the program because both were talented enough to help the 49ers become a mid-major power on the West Coast. Monson recruited King, Freeland and Jennings to help replace the five ultra-productive seniors who led Long Beach State to a No. 12 seed in the NCAA tournament in 2012. King, who was averaging a team-high 13.7 points as a sophomore at Arizona State when Herb Sendek sent him packing, has an explosive first step to the rim and excellent size and length for a combo guard. Freeland, a bouncy 6-7 forward who once erupted for 24 points at Georgetown and 25 at Syracuse, had natural ability rarely seen from a forward in the Big West. Those two teamed with Jennings, standout point guard Mike Caffey and high-scoring wing James Ennis to lead the 49ers to a Big West reg Brittney Griner says Baylor coaches wanted her sexuality kept quiet [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 19, 2013, 10:42 am] It's apparently no accident former Baylor star Brittney Griner didn't publicly reveal she was gay until after her college career ended last month. Griner told espnW that Baylor women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey requested players not be publicly open about their sexuality out of fear it would affect the perception of the program in the community and negatively impact recruiting. "It was a recruiting thing," Griner told espnW. "The coaches thought that if it seemed like they condoned it, people wouldn't let their kids come play for Baylor. "It was just kind of, like, one of those things, you know, just don't do it. They kind of tried to make it, like, 'Why put your business out on the street like that?'" Griner casually acknowledged she was gay last month during a series of interviews with reporters leading up to the WNBA draft. The No. 1 overall pick of the Phoenix Mercury told reporters her friends and family had known she was gay since her freshman year of high school and it was an open secret among her Baylor coaches and teammates. That Baylor would discourage gay players from publicly discussing their sexuality is a sad testament to the pervasiveness of homophobia in America and to the pressure on college coaches to win. Mulkey was apparently willing to ask players to hide part of their identity because she couldn't risk alienating a recruit or two who wouldn't be comfortable playing alongside openly gay teammates. Of course, this issue is far from unique to Baylor in women's college basketball. In 2007, longtime Penn State coach Rene Portland was forced to resign amid criticism over her longstanding policy that no lesbian would ever play on her team. A 2011 ESPN the Magazine article also revealed how Iowa State and other prominent programs would more subtly market themselves to straight recruits by selling themselves as "family-oriented" and "wholesome." Recruits interviewed in the story perceived the practice as a thinly veiled attack on programs led by unmar Steve Alford will pay New Mexico $300,000 and forgo bonuses ending feud over departure [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 18, 2013, 9:24 am] New Mexico and Steve Alford have reached a deal on a separation agreement. Alford and UCLA will pay $300,000 to New Mexico to satisfy a buyout clause in his contract with his former employer. New Mexico had initially demanded a $1 million buyout when Alford was hired by UCLA in late-March. Alford left New Mexico on March 30 just 12 days after agreeing to a new contract with New Mexico that was scheduled to take effect on April 1. Alford maintained that he was not responsible for the $1 million buyout in that new deal because he was hired by UCLA before it went into effect. New Mexico argued that because Alford didn't provide 30 days notice of his departure as required by both his contracts at New Mexico, he was responsible for the $1 million. New Mexico reported Friday a $625,000 net benefit to the school in its separation with Alford. That figure includes bonuses that Alford had previously agreed to forgo. Want to join the conversation? Follow @YahooDagger on Twitter and @KyleRingo and be sure to "Like" The Dagger on Facebook for basketball conversations and stuff you won't see on the blog. Ben McLemore pledges to cooperate with NCAA investigators to clear his name [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 17, 2013, 12:47 pm] Ben McLemore is under no obligation to speak to NCAA investigators since he no longer plays for Kansas, but the future NBA lottery pick appears willing to cooperate anyway. In an interview at the NBA draft combine in Chicago on Thursday, McLemore told SI.com if NCAA investigators want to chat about alleged payments an agent made to his former AAU coach, he'd be willing to meet with them. "I would tell them the truth and tell them what I know, and just cooperate with them," McLemore said. "Hopefully they'll cooperate with me and hear my side." McLemore's side appears to be that he knew nothing about the $10,000 cash and gifts AAU coach Darius Cobb admitted to USA Today he accepted from a runner this spring in return for steering the talented shooting guard toward certain agents. If he reiterates that stance to investigators and they find no proof to the contrary, it will put the NCAA in a difficult position as it tries to determine the punishment. On one hand, the money Cobb acknowledged taking did not benefit Kansas in the least since it had nothing to do with McLemore choosing the Jayhawks two years prior. At the same time, the payments rendered McLemore ineligible based on the letter of the NCAA rulebook, which means Kansas could be punished and perhaps even have to vacate the wins it achieved after Cobb allegedly began accepting cash and gifts. McLemore seems intent on doing everything he can to clear his name and that of Kansas. He told SI.com he has not spoken to Cobb since learning of the payments and he was hurt that Cobb would jeopardize his reputation by accepting money. "I hope it don't affect Kansas because there's so much tradition there," McLemore told SI.com "I don't want to be one of those guys that can't be allowed to come back." Unbalanced Big Ten schedule favors Wisconsin, gives Iowa a rough road [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 17, 2013, 8:01 am] The release of the Big Ten's unbalanced schedule earlier this week undoubtedly inspired different reactions from various fan bases. They were smiling in Madison. They were cringing in Iowa City. Wisconsin caught a huge break only playing Big Ten contenders Michigan State and Ohio State once apiece, both at home, a coup for a Badgers team 0-8 in the Breslin Center since 2004 and 9-1 at home against the Buckeyes since 2001. The advantage is tempered a bit by also getting perennial bottom feeders Nebraska and Penn State once as well, but not going to East Lansing or Columbus should enable Wisconsin to contend for yet another top four Big Ten finish. Iowa is positioned to rise in the Big Ten pecking order after returning the core of a NIT finalist, but schedule makers did the Hawkeyes no favors giving them all the league's top teams twice apiece. The four teams Iowa faces once are rebuilding Nebraska, mediocre Purdue and Penn State and an Indiana program likely to take a step or two backward after the departure of Cody Zeller, Victor Oladipo, Jordan Hulls and Christian Watford. Unbalanced schedules are necessary in the 12-team Big Ten because schools favor an 18-game league schedule over a 22-game round-robin format. As a result, Big Ten schools play seven conference opponents twice and faces the remaining four only once. The other disadvantage to the format is it fails to guarantee rivalry games will be played twice each year. Next season, for example, Michigan and Ohio State will only meet in Columbus and Indiana and Purdue will only meet in East Lafayette. When the Big Ten adds Rutgers and Maryland in time for the 2014-15 season, this is a problem league officials should consider addressing. It's worth guaranteeing every team in the league two games against its chief rival so that this predicament doesn't become more common in the future. Looks like Tennessee and Memphis will continue basketball series after all [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 17, 2013, 12:13 am] Nothing is finalized but it's looking like Tennessee and Memphis will continue their series in basketball with an agreement in principle for four games over the next four seasons. The Knoxville News reported the deal as all but done with ongoing talks about also meeting in future seasons on the football field. âWeâre going to play,â Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart told the paper. âWeâre going to continue the basketball series.â Meanwhile, several outlets reported that the Memphis Commercial Appeal has told its readers that while scheduling has been discussed between the two schools, there is no deal. Memphis coach Josh Pastner can't be happy if he is going to have to play the Vols again. Pastner made it clear last season he doesn't like playing the Vols because doing so every two years in Memphis boosts Tennessee's recruiting presence in the city and hurts Pastner's chances of keeping some of the elite players Memphis produces at home for school. "When we're done with them (this year), it's over," Pastner told the Commercial Appeal early this year prior to the last scheduled game in the series, which Memphis won. The Knoxville News asked Pastner about the agreement this week and Pastner said he stands by decisions made by Memphis AD Tom Bowen. Memphis is changing conferences moving out of Conference USA and into the American Athletic Conference, which has myriad scheduling issues to work out. The Memphis-Tennessee series announcement probably won't come until the new leagues gets its conference scheduling ironed out. Want to join the conversation? Follow @YahooDagger on Twitter and @KyleRingo and be sure to "Like" The Dagger on Facebook for basketball conversations and stuff you won't see on the blog. Daughter’s 21st birthday latest excursion for Rick Pitino and national championship trophy [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 16, 2013, 1:02 pm] Rick Pitino appears to have adopted an NHL mentality after winning the national championship last month. Just as they do in hockey with the Stanley Cup, Pitino has taken the national championship trophy along on a few adventures. The latest was a trip to Florida to celebrate his daughter Jacqueline's 21st birthday. Pitino, his daughter and several friends posed for the picture above in Fort Lauderdale at Cafe Martorano.(h/t busted coverage.com) Pitino also took the trophy on a recent trip to the Bahamas where he caught an 80-pound marlin. It's good to be Pitino these days and it's fun to see him enjoying the spoils of victory. Most Pitino's peers would probably have the trophy locked away in some glass case by now. Want to join the conversation? Follow @YahooDagger on Twitter and @KyleRingo and be sure to "Like" The Dagger on Facebook for basketball conversations and stuff you won't see on the blog. How Mike Krzyzewski’s 2011 income compares to the highest-paid coaches in other sports [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 16, 2013, 11:24 am] In addition to becoming the winningest Division I basketball coach in history in 2011, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski had bragging rights over his peers in at least one other respect. He was very, very well paid. Krzyzewski made nearly $9.7 million in total compensation during the 2011 calendar year, USA Today reported Wednesday after reviewing the Duke coach's federal tax return recently filed by the school. That is the highest single-year salary for a college basketball or football coach since the newspaper began tracking compensation in 2006, topping the $8.9 million Louisville coach Rick Pitino received in 2010-11. Krzyzewskiâs base salary in 2011 was $1,978,401, but the rest of his total income came from several sources. He earned $5,642,574 in bonus and incentive compensation and $1,982,097 in retirement and other deferred compensation. There was also $59,616 for "other reportable compensation" such as charter travel for family and friends and $19,344 from non-taxable benefits. USA Today reported Krzyzewski earned more than $7.2 million in the 2010 calendar year and nearly $4.7 million in 2009. Assessing why Krzyzewski's annual compensation more than doubled in two years is tough because private schools typically decline to make their contracts available to reporters. It's also difficult to compare salaries across sports due to differences in accounting methods. Nonetheless, here's a look at how Krzyzewski's total compensation in 2011 compares to the highest paid coaches in major sports today. Highest paid soccer coach: José Mourinho (Real Madrid) Salary: $19.7 million per year Source: Sports Business Daily Highest paid NFL coach: Sean Payton (New Orleans Saints) Salary: $8 million per year Source: ESPN.com Highest paid NBA coach: Doc Rivers (Boston Celtics) Salary: $7 million per year Source: Yahoo! Sports Highest paid college football coach: Nick Saban (Alabama) Salary: $5.3 million per year Source: Forbes Highest paid MLB coach: Mike Scioscia (Los Angeles A Wake Forest fans erect a billboard demanding the firing of their coach and athletic director [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 15, 2013, 10:28 pm] They've taken out newspaper ads, donned T-shirts and launched websites to no avail, so now Wake Forest fans eager to see a change in leadership in their basketball program are upping the ante one step further. They've raised $4,500 to erect a billboard calling for the firing of fourth-year coach Jeff Bzdelik and the athletic director who continues to stand behind him. The billboard stands along U.S. Route 52 in Winston Salem, a monument to the anger and discontentment many Wake Forest fans feel after Ron Wellman gave Bzdelik a fourth season to turn around the program even though he's just 34-60 in his first three. The top line of the billboard features the hashtags #BuzzOut and #FireWellman and the message below that reads "Demand Accountability, Rewake the Nation." Brian Stratton, the Wake Forest fan behind the billboard and FireRonWellman.com, explained to WXII in Winston Salem he believes the campaign is necessary because Wellman has alienated the fan base with his allegiance to Bzdelik. Stratton elaborated further on Wednesday in a Facebook post to the Fire Jeff Bzdelik group, noting that fans have sent hundreds of emails, placed dozens of phone calls and tried every possible way to convey they want the unpopular coach gone. "To date, we haven't received a single reply from Wellman, the athletic department, or the administration," Stratton wrote. "This is very odd considering that 90 percent of the fan base wants Bzdelik gone. It's even more insulting given the fact that Wellman wants us to donate to the Deacon Club, renew season tickets, and help fund the cost of buying and renevating the Joel. "All would have been forgiven had he done the right thing and fired Bzdelik at the end of the year, however, he boxed us into a corner and we had to take the next step. Ron Wellman has clearly brought this on himself and needs to be relieved of his duties." Wellman certainly has nobody to blame but himself for the negative PR because it was clear this sort of thing was Josh Davis picks San Diego State, providing the Aztecs a much-needed scoring threat [Yahoo! Sports: Blogs: May 15, 2013, 1:16 pm] San Diego State has found a player who may be capable of filling the huge void left by the departure of Jamaal Franklin to the NBA. The Aztecs out-dueled Gonzaga and numerous other top programs to land coveted Tulane transfer Josh Davis, the 6-foot-8 forward's former high school coach confirmed Wednesday. Davis, who averaged 17.6 points and 10.7 boards at Tulane last season, is a versatile player capable of rebounding, defending multiple positions and scoring with his back to the basket or by attacking the rim. He has graduated from Tulane and will be eligible to play his final year of eligibility next season for San Diego State. "I think San Diego State is a really good fit for him," Athens Drive High School coach Robert Clemons said. "Gonzaga was really high on his list too. It came down to either or and I think he just liked San Diego State a little bit better." Originally a North Carolina State signee under Sidney Lowe, Davis transferred to Tulane after a freshman season in which he played only 10.4 minutes per game for the Wolfpack. The Raleigh native became an impact player for the Green Wave, playing either forward position the past two years and even some center and helping lead the team to a 20-15 record last season. Davis considered staying at Tulane and turning pro, but ultimately he decided his best option would be playing his final year of college basketball on a bigger stage than the Green Wave could provide. Numerous high-major schools expressed interest since he was coming off an impressive season and would be eligible immediately, but San Diego State was ultimately Davis' top choice. Clemons said Davis felt comfortable with the San Diego State coaching staff and liked that the Aztecs will have ample playing time available to him. It also probably didn't hurt that Fisher has been successful with athletic, active, versatile forwards in the past at San Diego State, from Billy White, to Kawhi Leonard, to Franklin. With Franklin, Chase Tapley and Xavi |