POSTERIZED: Ronald Roberts dunks on Dayton

Oklahoma State's Markel Brown tole the show on Wednesday night with his two monstrous dunks against Missouri, even drawing a technical on the second slam.

But Ronald Roberts of St. Joe's threw down a dandy of his own.

It's not often that you see somebody get #POSTERIZED off of a windmill jam, but well, if you've watched St. Joe's at all this year, then you know Roberts is capable of doing what ever he wants when he takes flight.



I love windmill dunks. Even if they are made in the open-floor. But when you add a foolish defender into the equation, you have something truly special.


Roberts continues to climb up the "Dunker of the Year" charts with his leaping abillity and creativity.

I would love to see Roberts go against Xavier's Dez Wells in an Atlantic-10 Dunk-Off.


But was it as good as these?

Markel Brown, Oklahoma State vs. Missouri, 1/25
Larry Nance Jr., Wyoming vs. San Diego State, 1/24
Dion Dixon, Cincinnati vs. Syracuse, 1/23
Victor Rudd Jr., South Florida vs. St. John's, 1/17 (DotY Candidate)
C.J. Fair, Syracuse vs. Pittsburgh, 1/16
TrayVonn Wright, North Dakota State vs. South Dakota, 1/14
Bandja Sy, New Mexico State vs. Utah State, 1/12
Kenny Hall, Tennessee vs. Mississippi State, 1/12
Dezmine Wells, Xavier vs. Duquesne, 1/11
Kadeem Batts, Providence vs. Louisville, 1/10
Karam Mashour, UNLV vs. CS-Bakersfield, 1/6
Tony Snell, New Mexico vs. Houston Baptist, 1/3
Tony Mitchell, Alabama vs. Georgia Tech, 1/3
Trevis Simpson, UNC-Greensboro vs. Miami, 1/2
Orion Outerbridge, Rhode Island vs. Boston College, 1/2
Sam Thompson, Ohio State vs. Indiana, 12/31
DeShon Minnis, Texas Tech vs. Southeastern Louisiana, 12/30
Keith Gabriel, VMI vs. Old Dominion, 12/22
Eric Etherly, Loyola (Md.) vs. Kentucky, 12/22
Chris Evans, Kent State vs. Texas-Arlington, 12/21
P.J. Hairston, North Carolina vs. Texas, 12/21
Robbie Hummel, Purdue vs. IPFW, 12/20
Robert Brown, Virginia Tech vs. North Florida, 12/19
Tony Mitchell, Alabama vs. Kansas State, 12/17
Torye Pelham, Southern Mississippi vs. Ole Miss, 12/17
Quincy Diggs, Akron vs. Florida A&M, 12/17
Anthony Davis, Kentucky vs. Chattanooga, 12/17
Langston Galloway/C.J. Aiken/Ronald Roberts, St. Joseph's vs. Villanova, 12/17
Terrence Ross, Washington vs. UC-Santa Barbara, 12/16
Jared Cunningham, Oregon State vs. Howard, 12/15
Raheem Appleby, Louisiana Tech vs. McNeese State, 12/14
Tony Mitchell, Alabama vs. Detroit, 12/12
Vander Blue, Marquette vs. UW-Green Bay, 12/11
Ronald Roberts, St. Joseph's vs. Creighton, 12/10
Dion Waiters, Syracuse vs. George Washington, 12/10 (DotY Candidate)
Victor Oladipo, Indiana vs. Kentucky, 12/10
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Georgia vs. Georgia Tech, 12/10
Vander Blue, Marquette vs. Washington, 12/6
Terrence Ross, Washington vs. Marquette, 12/6
Deville Smith, Mississippi State vs. West Virginia, 12/3
Terrence Jones, Kentucky vs. North Carolina, 12/3
Tony Mitchell, Alabama vs. Georgetown, 12/1
Anthony Marshall, UNLV vs. UNC, 11/26
Michael Kidd-Glichrist, Kentucky vs. Portland, 11/26/11 (DotY Candidate)
Markel Brown, Oklahoma State vs. Virginia Tech, 11/25
Rodney Williams, Minnesota vs. DePaul, 11/24
Thomas Robinson, Kansas vs. Duke, 11/23
Stan Okoye, VMI vs. Ohio State, 11/23
Kyisean Reed, Utah State vs. Southern Utah, 11/19
Ra'Shad James, Iona vs. Western Michigan, 11/18
Alandise Harris, Houston vs. Arkansas, 11/18
Sam Thompson, Ohio State vs. Jackson State, 11/18
Tony Mitchell, Alabama vs. Wichita State, 11/18
Eric Griffin, Campbell vs. North Carolina A&T, 11/18 (DotY Candidate)
Olek Czyz, Nevada vs. Pacific, 11/17
Chris Watson, Pikeville vs. Mountain State, 11/16
Ray Willis, North Carolina Central vs. Wagner, 11/16
Mike James, Lamar vs. Ohio, 11/15 (DotY Candidate)
Quincy Acy, Baylor vs. San Diego State, 11/15
Deniz Kilicli, West Virginia vs. Kent State, 11/15
Chris Evans, Kent State vs. West Virginia, 11/15
Tony Mitchell, Alabama vs. Oakland, 11/14
Isaiah Brown, East Tennessee State vs. Virginia Tech, 11/12
Michael Lyons, Air Force vs. Army, 11/11
Dezmine Wells, Xavier vs. Morgan State, 11/11
Jeremy Lamb, UConn vs. Columbia, 11/11 (DotY Candidate)
Andre Drummond, UConn vs. CW Post, 11/4
Moe Harkless, St. John's vs. CW Post, 10/26

Continue reading...

POSTERIZED: St. Joe's is officially renamed "Team POSTERIZED"

Never in my life have I seen a game in which one team so thoroughly abused the other in highlight reel fashion.

St. Joseph's handled Villanova in "The Holy War" in spectacular fashion. The Hawks embarrassed the Wildcats with poster-dunks, tip-jams, alley-oops, and everything in between.

Villanova won't have to wait until Monday to watch film. They'll be able to see a majority of the game on ESPN Top Plays.



How C.J. Aiken was able to go up and get that ball is mystery unto itself





Langston Galloway delivers a classic posterization





Villanova, do you mind playing some transition defense? No? OK then. Cue Langston Galloway....Again.





Ronald Roberts, stop it. Just stop it.





Say it with me Villanova...."DEFENSE".





I don't know what to say.



Yes, all these dunks too place in one game. This was no "Holy War".

This was a "Holy Public Humiliation".




But was it as good as these?

Terrence Ross, Washington vs. UC-Santa Barbara, 12/16
Jared Cunningham, Oregon State vs. Howard, 12/15
Raheem Appleby, Louisiana Tech vs. McNeese State, 12/14
Tony Mitchell, Alabama vs. Detroit, 12/12
Vander Blue, Marquette vs. UW-Green Bay, 12/11
Ronald Roberts, St. Joseph's vs. Creighton, 12/10
Dion Waiters, Syracuse vs. George Washington, 12/10 (DotY Candidate)
Victor Oladipo, Indiana vs. Kentucky, 12/10
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Georgia vs. Georgia Tech, 12/10
Vander Blue, Marquette vs. Washington, 12/6
Terrence Ross, Washington vs. Marquette, 12/6
Deville Smith, Mississippi State vs. West Virginia, 12/3
Terrence Jones, Kentucky vs. North Carolina, 12/3
Tony Mitchell, Alabama vs. Georgetown, 12/1
Anthony Marshall, UNLV vs. UNC, 11/26
Michael Kidd-Glichrist, Kentucky vs. Portland, 11/26/11 (DotY Candidate)
Markel Brown, Oklahoma State vs. Virginia Tech, 11/25
Rodney Williams, Minnesota vs. DePaul, 11/24
Thomas Robinson, Kansas vs. Duke, 11/23
Stan Okoye, VMI vs. Ohio State, 11/23
Kyisean Reed, Utah State vs. Southern Utah, 11/19
Ra'Shad James, Iona vs. Western Michigan, 11/18
Alandise Harris, Houston vs. Arkansas, 11/18
Sam Thompson, Ohio State vs. Jackson State, 11/18
Tony Mitchell, Alabama vs. Wichita State, 11/18
Eric Griffin, Campbell vs. North Carolina A&T, 11/18 (DotY Candidate)
Olek Czyz, Nevada vs. Pacific, 11/17
Chris Watson, Pikeville vs. Mountain State, 11/16
Ray Willis, North Carolina Central vs. Wagner, 11/16
Mike James, Lamar vs. Ohio, 11/15 (DotY Candidate)
Quincy Acy, Baylor vs. San Diego State, 11/15
Deniz Kilicli, West Virginia vs. Kent State, 11/15
Chris Evans, Kent State vs. West Virginia, 11/15
Tony Mitchell, Alabama vs. Oakland, 11/14
Isaiah Brown, East Tennessee State vs. Virginia Tech, 11/12
Michael Lyons, Air Force vs. Army, 11/11
Dezmine Wells, Xavier vs. Morgan State, 11/11
Jeremy Lamb, UConn vs. Columbia, 11/11 (DotY Candidate)
Andre Drummond, UConn vs. CW Post, 11/4
Moe Harkless, St. John's vs. CW Post, 10/26



Continue reading...

POSTERIZED: Holy War Holy Dunk

Midway through the first half of "The Holy War" between St. Joseph's and Villanova, Langston Galloway finished off a fast break by throwing a pass that was headed towards the back corner of Hagen Arena.

No chance anybody was going to catch the pass.

Well, not until C.J. Aiken came out of nowhere and finished with one of the best alley-oops of the year.



That's one hell of a dunk. And the atmosphere just make's it even better.

When we get a clean copy, well throw it in there, but for now, just enjoy.


But was it as good as these?

Jared Cunningham, Oregon State vs. Howard, 12/15
Raheem Appleby, Louisiana Tech vs. McNeese State, 12/14
Tony Mitchell, Alabama vs. Detroit, 12/12
Vander Blue, Marquette vs. UW-Green Bay, 12/11
Ronald Roberts, St. Joseph's vs. Creighton, 12/10
Dion Waiters, Syracuse vs. George Washington, 12/10 (DotY Candidate)
Victor Oladipo, Indiana vs. Kentucky, 12/10
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Georgia vs. Georgia Tech, 12/10
Vander Blue, Marquette vs. Washington, 12/6
Terrence Ross, Washington vs. Marquette, 12/6
Deville Smith, Mississippi State vs. West Virginia, 12/3
Terrence Jones, Kentucky vs. North Carolina, 12/3
Tony Mitchell, Alabama vs. Georgetown, 12/1
Anthony Marshall, UNLV vs. UNC, 11/26
Michael Kidd-Glichrist, Kentucky vs. Portland, 11/26/11 (DotY Candidate)
Markel Brown, Oklahoma State vs. Virginia Tech, 11/25
Rodney Williams, Minnesota vs. DePaul, 11/24
Thomas Robinson, Kansas vs. Duke, 11/23
Stan Okoye, VMI vs. Ohio State, 11/23
Kyisean Reed, Utah State vs. Southern Utah, 11/19
Ra'Shad James, Iona vs. Western Michigan, 11/18
Alandise Harris, Houston vs. Arkansas, 11/18
Sam Thompson, Ohio State vs. Jackson State, 11/18
Tony Mitchell, Alabama vs. Wichita State, 11/18
Eric Griffin, Campbell vs. North Carolina A&T, 11/18 (DotY Candidate)
Olek Czyz, Nevada vs. Pacific, 11/17
Chris Watson, Pikeville vs. Mountain State, 11/16
Ray Willis, North Carolina Central vs. Wagner, 11/16
Mike James, Lamar vs. Ohio, 11/15 (DotY Candidate)
Quincy Acy, Baylor vs. San Diego State, 11/15
Deniz Kilicli, West Virginia vs. Kent State, 11/15
Chris Evans, Kent State vs. West Virginia, 11/15
Tony Mitchell, Alabama vs. Oakland, 11/14
Isaiah Brown, East Tennessee State vs. Virginia Tech, 11/12
Michael Lyons, Air Force vs. Army, 11/11
Dezmine Wells, Xavier vs. Morgan State, 11/11
Jeremy Lamb, UConn vs. Columbia, 11/11 (DotY Candidate)
Andre Drummond, UConn vs. CW Post, 11/4
Moe Harkless, St. John's vs. CW Post, 10/26






Continue reading...

POSTERIZED: At St. Joe's, The Hawk always flies

The St. Joe's Hawk never dies.

It's wings are always flapping, and while Temple fans held a funeral for the mascot last year, the Hawk will never die.

The A-10 is way up this season. only three of the fourteen teams are below .500, and St. Joe's made a huge statement this weekend with a win against unbeaten No.17 Creighton.

Ronald Roberts, the Hawks sophomore forward scored in double-figures for the sixth time this season, capped off with a huge, and I mean HUGE poster-dunk over Creighton's Antoine Young.



(NOTE: When we can find a better clip of the dunk, we will get it to you)

This currently stands as the best chestnuts dunk of the year, no doubt about it.

But was it as good as these?

Dion Waiters, Syracuse vs. George Washington, 12/10
Victor Oladipo, Indiana vs. Kentucky, 12/10
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Georgia vs. Georgia Tech, 12/10
Vander Blue, Marquette vs. Washington, 12/6
Terrence Ross, Washington vs. Marquette, 12/6
Deville Smith, Mississippi State vs. West Virginia, 12/3
Terrence Jones, Kentucky vs. North Carolina, 12/3
Tony Mitchell, Alabama vs. Georgetown, 12/1
Anthony Marshall, UNLV vs. UNC, 11/26
Michael Kidd-Glichrist, Kentucky vs. Portland, 11/26/11 (DotY Candidate)
Markel Brown, Oklahoma State vs. Virginia Tech, 11/25
Rodney Williams, Minnesota vs. DePaul, 11/24
Thomas Robinson, Kansas vs. Duke, 11/23
Stan Okoye, VMI vs. Ohio State, 11/23
Kyisean Reed, Utah State vs. Southern Utah, 11/19
Ra'Shad James, Iona vs. Western Michigan, 11/18
Alandise Harris, Houston vs. Arkansas, 11/18
Sam Thompson, Ohio State vs. Jackson State, 11/18
Tony Mitchell, Alabama vs. Wichita State, 11/18
Eric Griffin, Campbell vs. North Carolina A&T, 11/18 (DotY Candidate)
Olek Czyz, Nevada vs. Pacific, 11/17
Chris Watson, Pikeville vs. Mountain State, 11/16
Ray Willis, North Carolina Central vs. Wagner, 11/16
Mike James, Lamar vs. Ohio, 11/15 (DotY Candidate)
Quincy Acy, Baylor vs. San Diego State, 11/15
Deniz Kilicli, West Virginia vs. Kent State, 11/15
Chris Evans, Kent State vs. West Virginia, 11/15
Tony Mitchell, Alabama vs. Oakland, 11/14
Isaiah Brown, East Tennessee State vs. Virginia Tech, 11/12
Michael Lyons, Air Force vs. Army, 11/11
Dezmine Wells, Xavier vs. Morgan State, 11/11
Jeremy Lamb, UConn vs. Columbia, 11/11 (DotY Candidate)
Andre Drummond, UConn vs. CW Post, 11/4
Moe Harkless, St. John's vs. CW Post, 10/26



Continue reading...

Holy War moved out of the Palestra

Remember when St. Joseph's flirted with an undefeated season?

Me too. They had a back court made up of Jameer Nelson and a pre-crazy Delonte West, they didn't lose until their A-10 Tournament quarterfinal date with Xavier, and came within a John Lucas jumper of making the Final Four. That was a very, very good basketball team.

Its only been seven years since that memorable season, but I wouldn't hold it against you if you didn't recognize the Hawks in their current state. They've made just one NCAA Tournament and haven't finished better than fifth in the league since 2005. The last two seasons, the Hawks have lost 20 games. That's a long fall from the team that was named the best of the 00's by Sports Illustrated.


Head coach Phil Martelli is looking for a way to spark the program, and in an effort to do so, he's moving St. Joe's Big 5 home games from the Palestra to the on-campus Hagan Arena.

There's been a lot of discussion at the highest levels on campus about creating the buzz, getting the fervor and the fire back," Martelli told Dick Jerardi of the Philly Daily News. "How do you do it? The easy thing is to say win games. To get the building where it's kind of bursting at the seams again."

"It's a way to get people to sit up and pay attention again."

Its an interesting move for Martelli to make. He's been adamant in the past about his love for the Palestra -- a building with as much tradition as any in college hoops -- and his desire to keep the Big 5 games, particularly the Holy War game against Villanova, in the building. But his first priority has to be rebuilding his program, and he appears to be on the right track. St. Joe's finished last season strong, making a run to the A-10 Tournament semifinals. With a roster that is young, fairly talented and returning all but one player from last year's team -- none of who will be seniors -- it at least appears the Hawks are headed in the right direction.

As Martellie explains it, the point isn't to take away from the Big 5 or to ignore the history of the Palestra, but to wake a program that's hit the snooze button the past two seasons. To reignite the Holy War, one of college basketball's fiercest rivalries that has lain dormant for the past five seasons.

"I am loud and clear on my love of the Palestra," Martelli said. "I'm loud and clear on my love of the tradition, Philadelphia basketball. At this moment in time, if somebody wants to say that this is a selfish act or it's two-faced, at least they're talking about us."

Its working.

When was the last time we wrote about St. Joe's here on BIAH?
Continue reading...

Phil Martelli is a good guy

Lenny Martelli, Jr., who is of no relation to Phil Martelli, the St. Joseph's head coach, was just a normal 15 year old a year ago today when he went snowboarding with some friends in rural Pennsylvania.

But Lenny crashed that day, an accident bad enough that it left him without feeling from the chest down:

Lenny Martelli was like any teen who seemingly had it all. He played sports, went to school at Bishop Kenrick, played drums with a passion. He also enjoyed snowboarding.

But one freak accident nearly robbed him of his ability to walk and fulfill his future. When the accident happened near Schwenksville, Pa., where he was with two close friends, he immediately had no feeling from the chest down. He told his friends he couldn't move. They didn't touch him and he was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery.

[...]

He underwent six hours of surgery and doctors fused bones from his hip with vertebrae in his neck. His spinal cord was bruised in the accident, as well.

Lenny Martelli spent a week in a Philadelphia hospital, then three months in a rehabilitation facility. Leti Martelli stayed by her son's side and lived at the hospital while her husband was at home taking care of their other two children. Leti Martelli rented an apartment in Philadelphia and pushed her son in a wheelchair every day to a new therapy center.

Lenny's mom called Phil Martelli, and while Phil initially was skeptical of the story -- not only did they have the same last name, Lenny attended a high school Phil used to coach at -- he eventually struck up a friendship with the youngster.

Lenny's rehab has gone well. He isn't quite to where he can walk on his own, but he is able to get around using two cames.

And tomorrow, one day after the one year anniversary of the accident, Lenny will walk with Phil out on to the court tomorrow night when St. Joe's takes on Xavier.

Impressive stuff from the St. Joe's head coach. The full story from the AP can be found here. Its a pretty good read.
Continue reading...

The BIAH Advent Calendar: Day 18

Yup, it is December. And as the temperatures outside drop, the heat is rising on college campuses across the country as basketball season kicks into full swing. But December is also a time to reflect on the past year. This December is special, because as we draw closer to the new year, we get closer to the end of the aughts. In the spirit of the holidays, we are going to celebrate the decade past by counting down the top 25 games, players, and teams of the last 10 years with the BIAH advent calender. Each day, we will be unveiling the next on each of our lists, culminating with our gift to you on Christmas Day: the best game, the best player, and the best team of the 2000's.

Here is No. 8:


2006: UCLA vs. Gonzaga: Gonzaga controlled the first 37 minutes of this game, going up by 17 in the first half and taking a 71-62 lead into the final three minutes. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute would start the comeback with two free throws, followed with a putback with just over two minutes left. After a missed jumper by Adam Morrison, Jordan Farmar scored at the other end to cut the lead to three, setting up this ending (and arguably Gus Johnson's greatest call):



Adam Morrison would leave Gonzaga after that season, and despite being an all-american (and a national player of the year, according to some outlets), his lasting memory as a college basketball player is lying on the court in tears.


Jameer Nelson, St. Joseph's: Nelson entered St. Joe's with a bang, joining forces with all-american Marvin O'Connor to lead the Hawks to the NCAA Tournament's second round. Nelson averaged 12.5 ppg and 6.5 apg in winning national freshman of the year honors. His sophomore season, St. Joe's would fail to make the tournament, but it was as a junior that Nelson really put himself on the map.

O'Connor, who averaged 18.9 ppg in this Hawks career, graduated and Nelson was forced to carry a much bigger load in the offense. As a junior, Nelson averaged 19.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, and 4.7 apg as the Hawks once again made the NCAA Tournament, but as a senior Nelson led St. Joe's to one of the best season's in recent memory. The Hawks, on the strength of Nelson and Delonte West in the back court, went 27-0 during the regular season before losing to Xavier in the A-10 tournament. St. Joe's would make it all the way to the Elite 8 before losing to Oklahoma State on a John Lucas three.

Nelson won the 2004 POY awards over Emeka Okafor.
(photo credit: SI)

Nelson averaged 20.6 ppg, 5.3 apg, and 2.9 spg as a senior, winning both the Wooden and Naismith awards before becoming a first round pick in the draft.


2002 Maryland: Coming off of a devastating loss in the 2001 Final Four, blowing a 22 point lead to rival Duke, Gary Williams took basically the same team and led them to an ACC regular season title. After losing in the first round of the ACC Tournament, Maryland went into the NCAA Tournament with a #1 seed and rolled through to a national title.

Maryland had quite a bit of local flavor on their 2002 title team.
(photo credit: Gamespot)

The most impressive part of this title team is that none of these guys were highly touted recruits. Instead, Williams resorted picking the right combination of role players and talented local kids. Juan Dixon (a Baltimore native) was their unquestioned leader, as he overcame a rough childhood and a slight build to become an all-american. Lonny Baxter, a DC native, was their horse on the block. Steve Blake was a good enough point guard that he made an NBA career for himself despite never averaging more than 11 ppg in college. Chris Wilcox was an athlete in the truest sense of the word, and really came on towards the end of his sophomore year. The glue that held this team together was Byron Mouton, a Tulane transfer


No. 9: Barton v. Winona State, Blake Griffin, St. Joseph's 2004 team
No. 10: West Virginia v. Wake Forest, Juan Dixon, Kansas's 2008 team
No. 11: Kansas v. Memphis, TJ Ford, Syracuse's 2003 team
No. 12: West Virginia v. Louisville, Stephen Curry, and UCLA's 2008 team
No. 13: Gonzaga v. Arizona, Kevin Durant, and Florida's 2006 Team
No. 14: UConn v. Duke, Joakim Noah, and Duke's 2002 team
No. 15: Oklahoma State v. St. Joe's, Chris Paul, and UConn's 2006 team
No. 16: Gonzaga v. Oklahoma State, Ty Lawson, and Kentucky's 2003 team
No. 17: Duke v. Maryland in the 2001 Final Four, Deron Williams, and Gonzaga's 2006 team
No. 18: Duke v. Indiana, Mateen Cleaves, Gonzaga
No. 19: Syracuse v. Kansas, Dwyane Wade, UCLA's 2006 team
No. 20: Pitt v. Villanova, Michael Beasley, and Duke's 2004 team
No. 21: Duke vs. Maryland in the 2001 ACC Semis, Josh Howard, Arizona's 2001 team
No. 22: Marquette v. Kentucky, Tayshaun Prince, UConn's 2009 team
No. 23: Vermont v. Syracuse, Andrew Bogut, and Memphis's 2008 team.
No. 24: UConn v. Miami, Luke Harangody, and Kansas's 2003 team
No. 25: Drake v. Western Kentucky, Wayne Simien, and Louisville's 2009 team.

Continue reading...

The BIAH Advent Calendar: Day 11

Yup, it is December. And as the temperatures outside drop, the heat is rising on college campuses across the country as basketball season kicks into full swing. But December is also a time to reflect on the past year. This December is special, because as we draw closer to the new year, we get closer to the end of the aughts. In the spirit of the holidays, we are going to celebrate the decade past by counting down the top 25 games, players, and teams of the last 10 years with the BIAH advent calender. Each day, we will be unveiling the next on each of our lists, culminating with our gift to you on Christmas Day: the best game, the best player, and the best team of the 2000's.

Here is No. 15:


2004: Oklahoma State vs. St. Joseph's: St. Joe's came into this game as a bit of a controversial #1 seed. Yes, they had gone undefeated throughout the regular season (their only loss was to Xavier in the first round of the A-10 tournament), but many people, including Billy Packer who was calling the game, believed that Oklahoma State was more deserving of the #1 seed than the Hawks.

The game itself pitted two of the best point guards in the country in John Lucas and Jameer Nelson. Lucas struggled in the first half, making just 1-6 shots from the field as the Cowboys trailed 33-27 at halftime. But in the second half, both teams started to heat up as the game became very back-and-forth. Neither team held a lead bigger than three over the final 12 minutes of the game, but a jumper from Lucas would give the pokes a 61-59 lead with just 41 seconds left. At the other end, however, Pat Carroll would answer with a three pointer to take the lead back. Then, well, I'll just let you watch:



Jameer Nelson would a fall away 17 footer at the buzzer and the Hawks would go on to win.

Chris Paul, Wake Forest: As a freshman, Chris Paul came in and, as a freshman, was one of the best point guards in America. Teaming with Justin Gray to form one of the most dynamic back courts in the country, Paul would win the ACC freshman of the year award, as well as national freshman of the year by some outlets, as he averaged 14.8 ppg, 5.9 apg, and 2.7 spg. Wake would finish as a #4 seed in 2004, reaching the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

Chris Paul was an all-american at Wake Forest.
(photo credit: NBC Sports)

As a sophomore, Paul was ever better. He was named a first-team all-american as he posted averages of 16.3 ppg, 6.6 apg, 4.5 rpg, and 2.4 spg in leading Wake to a second place finish in the ACC and a #2 seed in March. The Demon Deacons would lose in the second round in a thriller to West Virginia, but that did nothing to diminish the career of Chris Paul.


2006 UConn Huskies: In terms of talent, there were not many teams this decade that could match-up with the Huskies. Loaded with size and athleticism, this team had six guys averaging more than 9.7 ppg and had five players taken in the 2006 NBA Draft, four - Rudy Gay, Josh Boone, Hilton Armstrong, and Marcus Williams - in the first round. UConn would finish the regular season at 27-2, sharing the Big East regular season title and winning the Maui Invitational, before bowing out to Syracuse in the Big East Tournament during Gerry McNamara's unforgettable run.

Rudy Gay was the best player on a loaded UConn squad.
(photo credit: ESPN)

Despite that size and talent, this Husky team seemed to struggle when the lights were brightest. They came dangerously close to becoming the first #1 seed to lose to a #16 seed, trailing Albany by as much as 12 in the second half. The barely hung on to beat Kentucky and Washington in the next two rounds before losing in one of the all-time great upsets to George Mason in the Elite 8.


No. 16: Gonzaga v. Oklahoma State, Ty Lawson, and Kentucky's 2003 team
No. 17: Duke v. Maryland in the 2001 Final Four, Deron Williams, and Gonzaga's 2006 team
No. 18: Duke v. Indiana, Mateen Cleaves, Gonzaga
No. 19: Syracuse v. Kansas, Dwyane Wade, UCLA's 2006 team
No. 20: Pitt v. Villanova, Michael Beasley, and Duke's 2004 team
No. 21: Duke vs. Maryland in the 2001 ACC Semis, Josh Howard, Arizona's 2001 team
No. 22: Marquette v. Kentucky, Tayshaun Prince, UConn's 2009 team
No. 23: Vermont v. Syracuse, Andrew Bogut, and Memphis's 2008 team.
No. 24: UConn v. Miami, Luke Harangody, and Kansas's 2003 team
No. 25: Drake v. Western Kentucky, Wayne Simien, and Louisville's 2009 team.

Continue reading...

Friday Morning Shootaround

Only one ranked team took the court last night, as Villanova rallied to beat St. Joe's 59-56. The Wildcats were down for most of the second half, but took the lead with under a minute left. Ahmad Nivins hit two free throws to put St. Joe's up 56-55 with 44 seconds left. On the next 'Nova possession, Scottie Reynolds was fouled going to the basket. He hit both free throws, and Dante Cunningham stole the inbounds pass and was fouled, sealing the victory. Reynolds finished with 18 and 6 dimes, while Cunningham had 14. Nivins had 16 and 8 boards in a losing effort.

• Kansas State 74, Southern Miss 55
• Miami OH 69, UW-Milwaukee 45

Continue reading...

Thursday Lay-up Lines

There are only eight games on the schedule for tonight, and only one involves a ranked team. Villanova will host St. Joe's in one of the Big 5's more bitter rivalries. Last year, St. Joe's smacked 'Nova 77-55 at the Palestra. If you do watch this game, you will be treated to a great match-up inside as Ahmad Nivins (19 and 11) goes head-to-head with Dante Cunningham (17 and 8). 'Nova is ranked in the top 15 right now, but aside from their loss to Texas, they have not played anyone. While St. Joe's looks to be a little down this year, never count out a team in a rivalry games.

The only other game you may be interested in tonight is Kansas State hosting Southern Miss at 8:00 PM. Continue reading...