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  • MBB Senior Day Showdown: No. 24 Saint Mary’s vs. [Team Name]

    MBB Senior Day Showdown: No. 24 Saint Mary’s vs. [Team Name]



    Title: “MBB Showdown: No. 24 Saint Mary’s vs. Senior Day Hosts MBB”

    Post:
    Join us for an exciting match-up as the MBB team takes on No. 24 ranked Saint Mary’s on Senior Day! Don’t miss out on the action as our seniors play their final home game and look to secure a victory against tough competition. Get your tickets now and show your support for our team as they battle it out on the court. It’s sure to be a game you won’t want to miss! #MBB #SeniorDay #SaintMarys #GameDayReady



    Tags:

    1. MBB Hosts
    2. Senior Day
    3. No. 24 Saint Mary’s
    4. College Basketball
    5. Senior Night Game
    6. MBB Team
    7. NCAA Basketball
    8. Saint Mary’s Gaels
    9. Basketball Game
    10. Game Day Event

    #MBB #Hosts #Saint #Marys #Senior #Day

  • MBB | Gaels Use 30-0 Run to Best Broncos in Santa Clara, 67-54


    SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The nation’s leading road win streak has moved to 15, as the Saint Mary’s Gaels (19-3, 9-0 WCC) bested the Santa Clara Broncos (14-9, 6-4 WCC) 67-54 in Santa Clara this evening. The Gaels trailed by two with 3:14 in the first half before going on a 30-0 run spanning nearly 13 minutes to pull away, and while the Broncos found their stride late, it was too little, too late, as Saint Mary’s ultimately earned the double-digit victory. Now at 9-0 in the conference, the Gaels continue to hold a two game stranglehold on first place in the WCC at the halfway mark of conference play.

    Saint Mary’s defense shined in the first half, limiting the Broncos to just 10 points over the first 13 minutes of play, establishing a double digit 20-10 lead. Santa Clara, however, came storming back, stringing together solid interior scoring possessions to go on a 14-2 run to take a two point lead. The Gaels were able to curtail that Bronco momentum heading into the break, scoring the final two buckets of the half to take a two point lead into the break. Ashton Hardaway buried a couple of threes in the first half to lead the way, while Paulius Murauskas and Harry Wessels combined for nine points and 10 boards in the opening stanza. 

     


     


     

    The Gaels took their 4-0 run that ended the first half, and added 26 more to it to go ahead 52-24, holding them scoreless for the first 10 minutes of the second half to really put the game out of reach. Saint Mary’s took their foot off the gas pedal and Santa Clara started hitting contested three pointers late to make the score a bit more respectable, as things ended 67-54. Mitchell Saxen was unstoppable in the paint second frame, with nine points, while Luke Barrett buried a pair of threes to get to eight in the final 20. 

     


     


     

    Mitchell Saxen finished as the Gaels high man with 12 points. While the scoring outing wasn’t the largest of Saxen’s career, it was his defense that led the Gaels to victory, clogging up the paint and not giving the Broncos any clean inside in the second half. Luke Barrett was the only other Gael in double figures, scoring 10, but, like Saxen, it was Barrett’s defense in the second half that sparked the SMC 30-0 run. Five other Gaels scored at least eight points, with Paulius Murauskas adding 14 rebounds to his nine, and Augustas Marciulionis adding five assists to his nine. The Gaels have now beaten eight of nine WCC foes this year by double digits. 

    30-0 RUN

    Less than a week ago, the Gaels were able to outscore Washington State 23-7 over a stretch just shy of eight minutes to erase a double-digit deficit and eventually down the Cougars by five. While that run was stellar, it pales in comparison to what the Gaels were able to do tonight against Santa Clara. With 3:14 left in the first half, the Broncos took a 24-22 lead, just their second of the night. The Gaels responded by scoring the final four points of the first half…and the first 26 of the second half for a 30-0 run, holding Santa Clara scoreless for nearly 13 minutes. This run pushed the Gaels up by 28 with under 10 minutes to go, a nearly insurmountable lead for any team, but even more so with the Gaels impressive defense. Jordan Ross led that offensive surge with nine points, while Luke Barrett and Mitchell Saxen each scored seven in that stretch. A year ago, the Gaels had a similar run against the Broncos at the Leavey Center, opening the game on a 30-6 run over the opening 12 minutes of the game, as Saint Mary’s continues to demonstrate their road dominance over the past two seasons. 

    SHARING THE WEALTH

    The Gaels did not have one star scorer tonight, but rather had seven different players score between eight and 12 points. Mitchell Saxen led the way with 12, connecting on 50% of his shots from the field and going 4-6 from the stripe. Luke Barrett joined him in double figures with 10, eight coming in the second half. The quartet of Jordan Ross, Augustas Marciulionis, Ashton Hardaway and Paulius Murauskas each scored nine, with each knocking down at least one three, while Harry Wessels had an efficient eight points in just 16 minutes of play. This display of team basketball was reminiscent of the Gaels scoring distribution all season long, as they boast six scorers who average between 8.7 and 13.6 points per game, with any one of them having the ability to be the leading scorer on any given night. 

    POSTGAME CHATS

    “The run for us tonight was great, and we needed it. We talked in the locker room about needing a good start in the second half, and we did that. We got the ball moving a bit more, we took care of it better and we started getting better looks, and on the defensive end we tightened things up. We forced Santa Clara into taking tough shots and we crashed the glass every time, but there was also a stretch where it felt like we ripped down every offensive rebound as well and that was huge. I’m really proud of our guys and how they played. It was overall a great win!” – Associate Head Coach Mickey McConnell

    “It’s special to have a team where everybody is scoring and playing well within our system. We all care about winning and not about our own individual stats, so it’s all about getting whoever has the hot hand the ball, and working on getting the best shot possible on every possession.” – Ashton Hardaway

    UP NEXT

    The Big One is up next for the Gaels, as rivals Gonzaga role into town on Saturday. Tip off will be at 8 PM, join us inside UCU Pavilion or tune into ESPN to catch the action.

    DON’T MISS OUT ON HOME MEN’S BASKETBALL ACTION. TICKETS ARE ON SALE HERE. 

    #GaelsRise 

     





    In a stunning display of dominance, the Saint Mary’s Gaels used a 30-0 run to defeat the Santa Clara Broncos with a final score of 67-54. The Gaels showed off their offensive prowess and stifling defense, completely shutting down the Broncos for an extended stretch of the game.

    Led by standout performances from their key players, the Gaels were able to pull away from the Broncos and never looked back. The team’s chemistry and execution were on full display as they outplayed and outmuscled their opponents in every facet of the game.

    The Gaels’ impressive win not only solidifies their standing in the conference but also serves as a statement to the rest of the teams in the league. With this victory, the Gaels prove that they are a force to be reckoned with and are capable of taking down any opponent that stands in their way.

    As the Gaels continue their march towards the postseason, this win serves as a reminder of their potential and the level of play they are capable of achieving. With their eyes set on even greater accomplishments, the Gaels are proving that they are a team to watch out for in the coming weeks.

    Tags:

    MBB, Gaels, 30-0 run, Broncos, Santa Clara, college basketball, WCC, Saint Mary’s, victory, game recap, scoring run, dominant performance, West Coast Conference, basketball game, March Madness, tournament, sports news, college sports, Saint Mary’s College, Santa Clara University, conference matchup, college hoops, basketball highlights, game analysis

    #MBB #Gaels #Run #Broncos #Santa #Clara

  • MBB Hosts Oregon State for First Time Since 1990


    Gonzaga (15-6, 6-2 WCC) vs. Oregon State (16-6, 6-3 WCC)
    TUESDAY, JANUARY 28 | 8 P.M. | McCARTHEY ATHLETIC CENTER | SPOKANE
    TELEVISION: ESPN2
    LIVE VIDEO | LIVE RADIO | LIVE STATS
     
    THE OPENING TIP
    – Gonzaga welcomes Oregon State to the McCarthey Athletic Center for the first time Tuesday at 8 p.m. It’s the first time the Beavers have played the Bulldogs in Spokane since a 74-65 OSU win on Jan. 7, 1990.
    – Gonzaga is coming off a dominant 105-62 win at Portland Saturday. Ben Gregg went 10-for-10 from the field, the most makes without a miss in the Mark Few era, finishing with a game-high 24 points. The Zags finished with 31 assists, one off the program record set in 1980. Michael Ajayi added 20 points.
    – Ryan Nembhard’s 208 assists are first in the nation, to only 47 turnovers. Nembhard’s 9.9 assists per game also tops the country. His 4.40 assist-to-turnover ratio is third.
    – As a team, Gonzaga is first in the nation in assists per game at 19.9 and assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.97.
    – The Zags and No. 1 Auburn are the only two programs in the nation with six players, that have appeared in at least 10 games, averaging double-digit scoring.
    – GU is second in the country averaging 89.2 points per game, fifth in free-throw percentage (80.0), and sixth in field goal percentage (50.0). GU averages 16.0 made free throws per game, which leads the West Coast Conference.
    – Khalif Battle is 10th in the nation from the line at 92.3 percent (1st in WCC). He made 50 straight free throws before missing which ranks second in program history (Derek Raivio, 56)
    – Graham Ike (59 percent) and Braden Huff (56.8 percent) are first and second in the WCC in field goal percentage.
    – Graham Ike is fourth in the West Coast Conference averaging 18.6 points per league game, while shooting 60.4 percent from the field, which ranks third in the league. He is fourth grabbing eight rebounds per conference game.
    – Graham Ike was named Midseason Third Team All-American by Sporting News, and Ryan Nembhard was named to the Wooden Award Top 25 Midseason Watch List.
    – Mark Few was recently named a first-time nominee for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
     
    SCOUTING THE BEAVERS
    – Oregon State is coming off an 83-69 win at home over Santa Clara Saturday. Michael Rataj set a career-high with 30 points for the Beavers. Damarco Minor had 10 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals. Nate Kingz tallied 16 points, while Liutauras Lelevicius added 10.
    – OSU is shooting 52.7 percent from the floor over its last eight games, and 57.4 percent over it’s last two games.
    – Oregon State went 21-for-22 from the free throw stripe on Saturday, two weeks after going 31-for-32 from the line at Pacific.
    – The Beavers are 10th in the nation in field goal percentage (49.8), ninth in free throw percentage (79.1).
    – Rataj is third in the WCC averaging 18 points per game, second grabbing eight rebounds, and third shooting 50.4 percent from the field.
    – Kingz (12.2), Parsa Fallah (12.2), and Minor (10.0) all average double-digit scoring as well. Minor dishes out a team-high 5.4 assists per outing.
     
    SERIES INFO
    – This is the 29th all-time meeting between Gonzaga and Oregon State. The Beavers own a 26-2 advantage in the series.
    – After not meeting since 1991, the Pacific Northwest programs separated by 437 miles played in Corvallis in the first meeting this season on Jan. 16. OSU held off No. 16 Gonzaga in overtime, 97-89. Graham Ike had 26 points and nine rebounds to lead five Zags in double-digits. Ben Gregg added 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Ryan Nembhard had 13 points and 10 assists.
    – The schools first met on Feb. 20, 1911, a 13-11 Bulldog win in Spokane.
    – Oregon State has won the last 13 matchups, dating back to a 27-24 GU victory in 1932.
    – The Beavers have won eight of the nine all-time meetings in Spokane, and all 14 in Corvallis.
     
    UP NEXT
    – The 117th all-time meeting between Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s. The Bulldogs lead the series 81-35, winning 26 of the last 33 meetings.
    – Gonzaga is 57-15 against SMC under Mark Few.
    – The Bulldogs are 27-20 all-time at Saint Mary’s.
    – Saint Mary’s won the last matchup, 69-60, in the 2024 West Coast Conference Tournament Championship in Las Vegas. Anton Watson led the No. 17 Zags with 18 points. Ryan Nembhard finished with 13 points and 11 assists, and Graham Ike had 10 points. Mitchell Saxen had 19 points and 15 rebounds for the No. 21 Gaels.
    – In last season’s meeting in Moraga, Graham Ike scored 24 points and No. 23 Gonzaga handed No. 17 Saint Mary’s its first conference loss of the season in the regular season finale. Ryan Nembhard added 20 points and 10 assists, while Ben Gregg scored 12.
    – In last season’s meeting in Spokane, Aidan Mahaney scored 20 points and SMC rallied late to beat GU 64-62. Ryan Nembhard had 18 points on 7-for-13 shooting to lead the Bulldogs, while Graham Ike had 12 points and 12 rebounds.
    – Gonzaga is 37-11 all-time at home against SMC.
    – The Bulldogs won the first all-time meeting between the programs, 94-77, in Spokane in 1955.
    – The Zags are 18-4 against SMC in the WCC Tournament, winning eight of the last 10 meetings in the event. The teams have met in the tournament 13 of the past 15 years.
     
    BULLDOG BALANCE
    – Gonzaga and No. 1 Auburn are the only two programs in the nation with six players, that have appeared in at least 10 games, averaging double-digit scoring.
    – Five different Zags have been the high-scorer in a game this season, while four have led in rebounds.
    – The Bulldogs have had six players in double-figures three times this season, five players in double-digits seven times, four players seven times, and three players five times.
    – Four Zags have scored 20 points in a game this season, and eight have multiple 20-point games in their careers.
     
    THE GREGGACY
    – Ben Gregg went 10-for-10 from the field, finishing with a game-high 24 points, to lead Gonzaga to a dominant 105-62 win at Portland.
    – Gregg’s 10 made shots from the field were the most without a miss in the Mark Few era.
    – Gregg became just the ninth player in conference history to have 10 made shots from the field without a miss.
    – Gregg made all four of his three-pointers and added six rebounds in 20 minutes.
    – He tops the WCC shooting 71.6 percent from inside-the-arc. The senior is also first in the conference shooting 68.8 percent from the field in league games.
     
    EVERYTHING CAME UP ROSES
    – Gonzaga finished with 31 assists in the win at Portland, one off the program record set in 1980.
    – Five Zags had double-digit scoring, with two at eight points.
    – Michael Ajayi scored a season-high 20 points on 7-of-10 from the field, along with a game-high eight rebounds.
    – Gonzaga finished 62.7 percent from the field as a team, including 12-of-22 from three-point range.
    – GU controlled the paint, outscoring the Pilots 58-22 and outrebounding the host team 37-29.
     
    SPEAKING OFFENSIVELY
    – GU is first in the nation in assists per game at 19.9 and assist-to-turnover ratio at 1.97.
    – The Zags are second in the country averaging 89.2 points per game and sixth in field goal percentage (50.0).
    – Gonzaga is averaging 92.5 points in its WCC games. It would be the most points averaged in conference play since Loyola Marymount scored 97.8 points per game in 1991.
     
    THE POINT GOD
    – Ryan Nembhard’s 9.9 assists per game tops the nation.
    – The nation’s leader in assists became the first player in the country to eclipse the 200-assist mark this season, now at 207. He was the first in NCAA Div. 1 to 100 assists and the fastest to 100 assists in a season in program history.
    – His 4.40 assist-to-turnover ratio is third in the country.
    – Currently second in the WCC at 35:06 minutes per game.
    – In Saturday’s win at Portland, Nembhard dished out 14 assists to one turnover.
    – Nembhard currently leads the WCC averaging 9.6 assists per league game. The conference record is 9.2 set by Orlando Smart of USF in 1991.
    – The Canadian native is third in the country among active leaders in career assists with 745. Dajuan Harris Jr. of Kansas leads at 786. Nembhard’s 6.15 assist career average is fourth among active leaders, and his 2.53 assist to turnover is fifth.
    – The program career record is 712 set by Josh Perkins, Nembhard’s two-year Gonzaga total of 450 assists ranks seventh in GU’s all-time Top 10.
    – Nembhard finished with a career-high and single game tournament record 14 assists against Davidson in the Battle 4 Atlantis. He totaled 39 assists in the three-game event, setting a new tournament record, to just eight turnovers.
     
    SEATTLE’S BEST
    – Nolan Hickman is 17-of-30 (56.7 percent) from behind-the-arc over the last four games.
    – He is shooting a West Coast Conference best 49 percent (24-of-49) from three-point range in league play.
    – The Seattle native also leads the WCC averaging 3.0 made threes per conference game.
    – He is making a career-high 46 percent from three this season, at a career-best 2.5 made threes per game.
    – The senior’s 52 made threes rank second in the WCC.
     
    GOLDEN GRAHAM
    – Graham Ike was named Midseason third team All-American by the Sporting News.
    – He leads the WCC in field goal percentage (59.0).
    – The senior is fourth in the West Coast Conference in scoring in league games (18.6), fourth in rebounds (8.0), and third in field goal percentage (60.4).
    – He has four 20-point games over the last six games, nine this season, and 40 in his career.
    – Ike pulled down a career-high 19 rebounds in the victory over San Diego on Jan. 8.
    – The 19 rebounds were a new McCarthey Athletic Center record, topping Drew Timme’s 17 against Kent State in 2022.
    – The 19 rebounds were the third-most under Mark Few, and the most since Domantas Sabonis’s 20 at Pacific in 2016. Josh Heytvelt had 22 at Pepperdine in 2007.
    – Ike’s 19 rebounds were the second-most by a player in the West Coast Conference this season. San Diego’s Sam Trouet had 20 against UC-San Diego on Dec. 21.
    – It matched the third-most by a WCC player since 2020-21, and sixth-most in the past 10 seasons.
    – Ike’s 13 made free-throws was one shy of tying the McCarthey Athletic Center record for most makes in a single game. He finished 13-of-15 from the line versus USD.
     



    The Michigan men’s basketball team is set to host Oregon State for the first time since 1990 in a highly-anticipated matchup. The Wolverines will look to continue their strong start to the season against the Beavers on their home court.

    This game marks a rare meeting between the two teams, with Oregon State last visiting Ann Arbor over three decades ago. Both teams have shown promise early in the season, making this matchup even more intriguing.

    Michigan will rely on their talented roster and home court advantage to secure a victory against Oregon State. The Wolverines are determined to make a statement in this game and extend their winning streak.

    Don’t miss out on this exciting showdown between Michigan and Oregon State as they face off for the first time in over 30 years. Stay tuned for what promises to be a thrilling and competitive game.

    Tags:

    1. MBB vs Oregon State
    2. Oregon State basketball
    3. MBB game preview
    4. Oregon State matchup
    5. MBB history
    6. Oregon State rivalry
    7. MBB vs Oregon State 1990
    8. MBB home game
    9. Oregon State away game
    10. MBB game day

    #MBB #Hosts #Oregon #State #Time

  • MBB Preview: Arkansas vs Oklahoma


    Who:  Arkansas Razorbacks (12-7, 1-5 SEC) vs -/RV Oklahoma Sooners (14-4, 1-4 SEC)
    What: The will the first time the teams have met for an SEC matchup, but the teams met the last three years in Tulsa for the Crimson & Cardinal Classic.
    When: Saturday – Jan. 25 – 7:30 pm (CT)
    Where: Bud Walton Arena/Nolan Richardson Court (19,200)
    How (to follow):
    – TV/Stream: ESPN2 / Watch ESPN APP (Brian Custer and Richard Hendrix)
    – Radio: Learfield Razorback Sports Network (Chuck Barrett and Matt Zimmerman)
    – Sirius/XM: Sirius: 390 / XM: 390 || SXM App Channel 980
    – Arkansas Gameday App
    – Live Stats

    – Arkansas Game Notes 
    – Oklahoma Game Notes
    – SEC Notes/Stats

    FAYETTEVILLE – Saturday (Jan. 25) will mark a first in the Arkansas-Oklahoma series as it will be the first time the programs have met in an SEC matchup. Tipoff is set for 7:30 pm (CT) and the game will be televised on ESPN2.

    Following the game with the Sooners, Arkansas will not play again until the following Saturday (Feb. 1) at Kentucky. However, it won’t be a full off week as the Live with Coach Cal radio show from Sassy’s will air on Monday (Jan. 27) starting at 7 pm.

    NOTES:

    • The Arkansas and Oklahoma series includes 31 games dating back to the 1938-39 season. Arkansas owns a 17-14 advantage in the series, including an 8-5 record when the teams play in Fayetteville. The last four meetings in the series have all been on neutral courts with each team winning twice.
    • This will be the teams’ first meeting in Bud Walton Arena since Dec. 4, 2012, a game Arkansas won 81-78,
    • Border rivals Arkansas and Oklahoma will be meeting for the first time as SEC members and had only met 28 times before playing a three-games serie — the Crimson and Cardinal Classic at Tulsa’s BOK Center ­— in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
    • Classic I was on Dec. 11, 2021. The Sooners pulled away late for an 88-66 victory. Arkansas, ranked #10/12,  trimmed a 15-point deficit to three with 9:55 to play but could not stop Oklahoma’s hot shooting from 3-point range. Oklahoma finished the game making 13-of-22 from long range.
    • Classic II was on Dec. 10, 2022. Arkansas closed the first half with a 10-2 run, opened the second half with a 14-6 spurt and never looked back in an 88-78 win. Arkansas, ranked #9/8, missed its first two shots of the second half before making eight straight to take a 60-48 lead. Oklahoma trimmed its deficit to nine twice but could get no closer.
    • Classic III was on Dec. 9, 2023. Oklahoma led by 12 at the half and Arkansas opened the second frame with a 6-0 run. However, the #19/22 Sooners hit a 3-pointer and would quickly push the lead back to double-digits en route to a 79-70 victory. The Sooners shot 51% from the field and out-rebounded the Razorbacks, 33-25, but the difference in the game was Oklahoma draining 6-of-12 from beyond the arc in the second half.
    • Last time out, Arkansas was down 15 (48-33) to Georgia with 15:24 left in the game. Trevon Brazile hit a 3-pointer and two free throws to cut the Razorback deficit to 10 (48-38) and to start a 35-17 Arkansas run to end the game in the 68-65 victory.
    • Earlier this season, Arkansas trailed Michigan by 15 midway through the first half before out-scoring the Wolverines 57-24 over the next 15:51 to take an 18-point lead (78-60) with 10:15 left. The Razorbacks held on for an 89-87 victory in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden.
    • Arkansas is 3-0 this year in one-possession games and each time (versus Michigan, at Miami and versus Georgia), the Razorbacks trailed at halftime.
    • Arkansas has had at least one of its top nine players miss a game or not be fully healthy 14 times this year. Most recently Boogie Fland missed the Georgia game after having surgery on his thumb. Arkansas is 12-2 this year when the rotation has been shortened to 8 or more. Arkansas is 0-5 when each of its top nine players fully available and healthy.

     

    For more information on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on X.

     





    The highly anticipated matchup between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Oklahoma Sooners is set to be a thrilling showdown on the basketball court. Both teams are coming off strong performances in their respective conferences and will be looking to secure a key victory in this non-conference matchup.

    The Razorbacks have been on a hot streak, winning six of their last seven games and currently sitting at the top of the SEC standings. Led by star player JD Notae, who is averaging 18.5 points per game, Arkansas has shown their ability to score at a high rate and play stifling defense.

    On the other side, the Sooners have been equally impressive, with standout guard Austin Reaves leading the charge. Oklahoma has proven to be a tough opponent for any team, with wins over top-ranked opponents like Baylor and Kansas.

    This game will be a test for both teams as they look to continue their success and build momentum heading into the latter part of the season. Expect a competitive and high-energy matchup between these two talented teams.

    Don’t miss out on the action as the Arkansas Razorbacks take on the Oklahoma Sooners in what is sure to be a thrilling game of college basketball. Stay tuned for all the highlights and updates from this exciting matchup.

    Tags:

    • MBB Preview
    • Arkansas vs Oklahoma
    • College basketball matchup
    • Razorbacks vs Sooners
    • SEC vs Big 12
    • Top college basketball teams
    • Game preview
    • Key players to watch
    • Predictions and analysis
    • March Madness implications

    #MBB #Preview #Arkansas #Oklahoma

  • PREVIEW: Iowa MBB vs Penn State


    PREVIEW: Iowa MBB vs Penn State

    WHO: Penn State Nittany Lions (13-6, 3-5 Big Ten)

    WHEN: 8:07 PM CT (Friday, January 24, 2025)

    WHERE: Carver-Hawkeye Arena (Iowa City, IA)

    TV: FS1 (Chris Vosters and Nick Bahe)

    RADIO: Hawkeye Radio Network (Gary Dolphin, Bobby Hansen)

    MOBILE: foxsports.com/mobile

    ONLINE: foxsports.com/live

    FOLLOW: @HawkeyeBeacon | @IowaHoops | @CBBonFOX | @IowaonBTN

    LINE: Iowa -3.5 (total of 166.5)

    KENPOM: Iowa -2 (Iowa 57% chance of winning)

    Bounce-back game, take two? Iowa‘s attempt to rebound after a miserable Los Angeles road trip last week fell flat as the Hawkeyes were dumped 72-67 at home by previously last-place Minnesota. Another opportunity to end the losing skid is upon the Hawkeyes, though, with Penn State (13-6 overall and 3-5 in the Big Ten) visiting Carver-Hawkeye Arena tonight.

    The Nittany Lions galloped through non-conference play with a 10-1 mark, but have experienced more stumbles in Big Ten play, especially away from home. Penn State is 3-1 in league home games, including an 81-70 victory over Purdue in early December, but 0-4 in games played away from Happy Valley (including a 77-71 loss to Indiana at the Palestra in Philadelphia).

    That said, two of PSU’s three road losses were against Michigan State (currently leading the league at 7-0) and Illinois (currently sixth in the league at 5-4, but 4-1 in league before some recent hiccups). Penn State also gave Michigan State a battle in East Lansing a week ago, losing just 90-85. In other words, the Hawkeyes are going to need to play much better than they’ve been playing for the last two weeks to get a win tonight.

    PROJECTED IOWA STARTING LINEUP           

    G Brock Harding (6’0″, 165 lbs; 9.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 6.3 apg; 45.3 FG%; 39.0 3FG%)

    G Josh Dix (6’6″, 210 lbs; 14.1 ppg; 3.2 rpg; 2.7 apg; 55.2 FG%; 48.2 3FG%)

    G Drew Thelwell (6’3″, 195; 9.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 3.1 apg, 53.0 FG%, 38.8 3FG%)

    F Payton Sandfort (6’8″, 215 lbs; 16.5 ppg; 5.7 rpg; 3.0 apg; 40.9 FG%; 34.3 3FG%)

    C Owen Freeman (6’10”, 245 lbs; 16.9 ppg; 6.5 rpg; 1.2 apg; 65.4 FG%; 35.7 3FG%)

    Cooper Koch remains unavailable, but Iowa should have a full lineup otherwise.

    PROJECTED PENN STATE STARTING LINEUP        

    G Ace Baldwin (6’1″, 190 lbs; 14.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 8.1 apg, 37.7 FG%, 29.7 3FG%)

    G Freddie Dilione V (6’5″, 195 lbs; 10.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.8 apg, 45.0 FG%, 33.3 3FG%)

    F Nick Kern (6’6″, 205 lbs; 12.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.2 apg, 61.5 FG%, 37.5 3FG%)

    F Zach Hicks (6’8″, 205 lbs; 12.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 48.0 FG%, 42.9 3FG%)

    C Yanic Konan Niderhauser (7’0″, 250 lbs; 12.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 0.7 apg, 62.2 FG%, 11.1 3FG%)

    PREVIEW         

    This game pits two of the league’s top offenses against one another — at least on paper. Iowa has been the highest-scoring team in the league this year (87.3 ppg), while Penn State ranks fourth in the conference in scoring (84.2 ppg). Neither team has been quite as prolific in league play, with Iowa slipping to fourth in the league (82.0 ppg) and Penn State dropping to ninth (76.2 ppg).

    This still projects to be a shootout between two good offenses that prefer to play at a fast tempo, though; Penn State ranks 41st in offensive efficiency (Iowa: 19th) and 30th in adjusted tempo (Iowa: 22nd). There’s a reason the gambling sites set such a high total (166.5 points) for this game, after all.

    Penn State has been good at most things on offense, but their biggest strengths have been getting to the free throw line (57th in free throw rate) and converting shots (47th in effective FG% at 54.8%). The Nittany Lions have been especially deadly inside the arc and near the rim; they’ve made 56.2% (38th) of their 2-point attempts this year (alongside 34.8% shooting from long range, 112th). That’s a concerning number for an Iowa defense that is currently 328th in the country in defending 2-point shots (55.8%).

    Unlike Iowa, which pairs a (usually) high-powered offense with a (usually) poor defense, Penn State has been generally decent on the defensive end. PSU ranks 71st in defensive efficiency, though that does put them just 13th in the Big Ten. (For comparison, Iowa is a very distant 18th in the league in defensive efficiency; Penn State is closer to Wisconsin, the fifth-ranked team in defensive efficiency than it is to Iowa in 18th.)

    Penn State has been bad at preventing opponents at getting offensive rebounds (18th in the league, allowing teams to get 35.6% of their misses) and bad at contesting shots (13th in effective FG%, allowing opponents to post an effective FG% of 54.4%, including 56.9% on 2-point shots). PSU’s biggest strength on defense has been forcing turnovers — the Nittany Lions are second in the league in that department and have forced giveaways on 20.7% of opponent possessions, including steals on 11.9% of opponent possessions. Turnover prevention is one thing Iowa remains excellent at on offense; the Hawkeyes have given the ball up on just 14.1% of possessions, best in the Big Ten.

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    Penn State’s offense has been potent this year because of its balance. Six PSU players are averaging 20+ minutes this season — and all are scoring in double figures.

    “I think they’re balanced offensively because they have a lot of really good players,” said Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery earlier this week. “They play a style that’s conducive to the specific skill sets that those guys have. They play fast, they go with it, but they’re also an unselfish group. They’re gonna press and run and move it. It starts with Ace [Baldwin, Jr.], but there’s a lot of guys that can make plays off the bounce.”

    Indeed, Baldwin is leading the team in scoring (14.7 ppg) and assists (8.1 apg). His eye-catching assist number ranks second in the Big Ten this year as well; Baldwin has been elite at distributing the ball in PSU’s offense and finding open players for easy buckets. Wing Nick Kern has been Penn State’s second leading scorer, at 12.6 ppg, though that’s just percentage points ahead of big man Yanic Kronan Niderhauser (12. 4 ppg) and forward Zach Hicks (12.1 ppg).

    Hicks has been PSU’s most reliable threat from outside, making 42.9% of his three-point attempts on a team-high 112 attempts. Baldwin (29.7%, 22-of-74) and Freddie Dilione V (33.3%, 21-of-63) have been the next-most frequent shooters from deep for Penn State, though they haven’t been particularly accurate. That said, Iowa’s defense has proven to be very good for what ails three-point shooters this season.

    The scoring strength of Penn State is in the paint; the Nittany Lions have four players shooting over 62% on 2-point attempts, including Hicks (62.5%), Kronan Niderhauser (65.5%), Kern (62.9%), and rotation player Puff Johnson (68.5%). That ability to score near the rim should be significant concern for an Iowa defense that’s resembled a layup line at its worst moments over the last two weeks. The interior defense is going to need to be much more stout in this game or the Hawkeyes are liable to get pummeled in the paint.



    Iowa MBB will face off against Penn State in an exciting matchup this weekend. Both teams are coming off strong performances and will be looking to secure a crucial win in conference play.

    Iowa has been led by standout guard Jordan Bohannon, who is averaging over 17 points per game. They have also received strong contributions from forward Keegan Murray, who leads the team in rebounds and blocks.

    Penn State, on the other hand, has been paced by guard Seth Lundy, who is averaging over 16 points per game. The Nittany Lions have also seen strong play from forward John Harrar, who leads the team in rebounds.

    This game promises to be a high-scoring affair, as both teams have potent offenses. Iowa will look to push the pace and score in transition, while Penn State will aim to slow the game down and execute their half-court offense.

    Be sure to tune in to see which team comes out on top in this exciting matchup between Iowa and Penn State. It’s sure to be a thrilling game that you won’t want to miss!

    Tags:

    Iowa MBB, Penn State, basketball preview, college basketball matchup, Iowa vs Penn State, Big Ten basketball, game preview, Iowa Hawkeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions, NCAA basketball preview

    #PREVIEW #Iowa #MBB #Penn #State

  • MBB Preview: CBU vs Utah Valley on ESPNU Thursday Night


    The California Baptist University (CBU) men’s basketball team is set to face Utah Valley in a key Western Athletic Conference (WAC) matchup, televised on ESPNU. The Lancers are currently 2-2 in conference play, while Utah Valley leads the standings undefeated at 5-0. This will be a rematch after Utah Valley defeated CBU 75-69 earlier in January. Following the Utah Valley game, CBU will play Southern Utah, who sits at 1-3 in the conference.

    By the Numbers

    • Utah Valley’s Dominick Nelson averages 14.9 points per game, while Carter Welling averages 12.4 ppg.
    • CBU’s Dominique Daniels Jr. leads the conference in scoring at 20.9 points per game, ranking ninth nationally.

    State of Play

    • CBU is looking to bounce back from a 1-2 record on its recent three-game road trip.
    • Utah Valley boasts a defense ranking fifth nationally in blocks, averaging 6.1 per game.

    What’s Next

    After facing Utah Valley on Thursday, CBU will host Southern Utah, aiming to extend their winning streak against them after winning both matchups last season.

    Bottom Line

    CBU must capitalize on its home advantage against a tough Utah Valley team while maintaining momentum against Southern Utah to stay competitive in the WAC standings.





    Are you ready for some exciting college basketball action? Make sure to tune in to ESPNU on Thursday night for a thrilling matchup between California Baptist University and Utah Valley. Both teams are hungry for a win and will be giving it their all on the court.

    CBU has been putting up impressive performances this season and will be looking to continue their winning streak. Led by their star players, they have shown great teamwork and determination to come out on top in every game.

    On the other hand, Utah Valley is a strong competitor with a talented roster that is capable of causing an upset. They have been working hard in practice and are determined to put on a show for their fans.

    This game is sure to be intense and full of action, so don’t miss out on the excitement. Tune in to ESPNU on Thursday night to cheer on your favorite team and witness some top-notch basketball skills in action. Who will come out on top? Make sure to tune in to find out!

    Tags:

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    #MBB #Preview #CBU #Utah #Valley #ESPNU #Thursday #Night

  • #CAAHoops MBB Notebook – Jan. 20


    #CAAHoops MBB Notebook – Jan. 20

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    Dylan Smith


    CAA MEN’S BASKETBALL WEEKLY RELEASE – JAN. 20

    And Then There Was One…

    William & Mary moved to 5-0 in league play following its 67-64 victory over Hampton. Matteus Case scored a team-high 18 points on 6-of-6 FG shooting, including back-to-back three-point plays in the final 1:07, to hold off the Pirates. W&M is 5-0 to open a season for the first time since 2019-20, when it went 6-0.
     

    W&M is on a six-game regular season conference winning streak, that dates back to March 2, 2024, its longest since registering 11 from Feb. 16, 2019 through Jan. 16, 2020. A win on Monday would mark the program’s fourth-longest such streak since joining the CAA. William & Mary has won three straight road games in conference play for the first time since Jan. 17-31, 2021.
     
    Protecting the Home Court

    Five teams – Charleston (3-0), Delaware (3-0), Elon (2-0), Towson (3-0) and William & Mary (2-0) – are undefeated in conference play at home. Charleston, Delaware and Towson all edged out victories on Saturday by a combined total of nine points.
     
    The Cougars survived against Northeastern with an 87-85 win behind 32 points and eight made 3-pointers from co-Player of the Week Deywilk Tavarez. The Blue Hens staved off a late run from Elon with a 28-point showing from fellow Player of the Week John Camden to secure a 79-77 triumph. Towson battled to the wire with three players in double figures to hold on for a 53-49 win over Stony Brook.
     
    Three’s Company
    The CAA is the only Division I conference to have eight players with 50+ made 3-pointers this season.
     
    Player (Team)                                   Total 3FGM (NCAA Rank)
    Abdi Bashir, Jr. (MU)                          70 (1st)

    Landon Glasper (N.C. A&T)               59 (12th)
    Nick Dorn (Elon)                                58 (15th)
    CJ Luster (SB)                                   53 

    Gabe Dorsey (W&M)                         52
    Kobe MaGee (Drexel)                        51
    John Camden (Delaware)                  50
    Deywilk Tavarez (CofC)                      50
     

    As a team, William & Mary ranks fifth nationally with 11.2 treys made per game.

     

    CAMPBELL CAMELS (8-11; 3-3 CAA)

    • Campbell scored 40 points off the bench in its 81-58 win over Monmouth. Caleb Zurliene scored 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the floor and a perfect day at the line (5-5 FT).

    • Colby Duggan extended his double-digit scoring streak to eight games with 11 points on Saturday.

    • Campbell leads the CAA in 3-point defense (25.2%) through six league games after holding the Hawks to a 3-for-20 mark from deep on Saturday.

     
    CHARLESTON COUGARS (15-4; 5-1 CAA)

    • Deywilk Tavarez (32 pts. / 8 3FGM) and Ante Brzovic (24 pts. / 10-13 FG) helped the Cougars to an 87-85 win over Northeastern.

    • Tavarez joined UD’s John Camden, MU’s Abdi Bashir Jr., and NU’s Donovan Newby as the only CAA players to record 30-plus points and eight-plus 3-pointers in a game this year.

    • The Cougars have won 11 of its last 13 games. Ranks 16th in KPI in adjusted tempo at 72.1.

     
    DELAWARE BLUE HENS (11-8; 4-2 CAA)

    • Co-Player of the Week John Camden (28 pts. / 9-11 FG) reached double figures for the ninth-straight game after helping the Blue Hens earn a 79-77 win over Elon.

    • Delaware has won four of its last five games, outscoring opponents by 7.2 points per game. Five players are averaging 11.8 points or better with Camden leading the way (20.6 PPG).

    • The Blue Hens pace the conference with 83.2 points per game on 50.6 percent shooting from the floor and 40.0 percent from deep in six CAA contests.

     
    DREXEL DRAGONS (10-8; 2-3 CAA)

    • Kobe MaGee (17 pts.), Jason Drake (15 pts.) and Yame Butler (11 pts.) reached double figures against Elon. Butler has scored 10 or more points in 16 of 18 starts.

    • MaGee remains the team’s most efficient shooter with a 49.2 percent clip from the floor (6th) and a 45.5 showing from distance (T-3rd) through five league games.

    • The Dragons lead the CAA and rank 17th nationally in 3-point defense (28.8%). Drexel is also second in the conference and top 50 in the country with 66.1 points allowed per game (45th in NCAA).

     
    ELON PHOENIX (13-6; 4-2 CAA)

    • TJ Simpkins (21 pts. / 7-14 FG) and his brother, TK (16 pts. / 4 asts.) nearly erased a 19-point deficit in the final 3:36 of regulation before falling to Delaware, 79-77, on Saturday

    • The Phoenix ranks fifth in NCAA Div. I with 42.4 boards per game and sits seventh with a +10.2 rebounding margin.

    • Elon Head Coach Billy Taylor earned CollegeInsider.com’s Hugh Durham Award ‘Mid-Season’ honors last week.

     
    HAMPTON PIRATES (9-9; 2-4 CAA)

    • Nearly knocked off William & Mary on Thursday despite double-digit scoring from Noah Farrakhan (15 pts., 3 3FGM), Trevor Smith (12 pts.) and George Beale Jr. (11 pts.).

    • Hampton ranks 2nd nationally in bench scoring (38.6 PPG).

    • The Pirates also sit second in the CAA with 13.9 offensive rebounds per game (20th in NCAA) and a +2.3 turnover margin while leading the conference with 7.7 swipes per game.

     
    HOFSTRA PRIDE (10-8; 2-3 CAA)

    • Jean Aranguren reached double figures for the eighth-straight game with 14 points and five assists against Towson.

    • The Pride paces the league defensively, holding the opposition to 37.4% shooting (7th in NCAA) and 64.4 PPG (26th).

    • Hofstra has seen heightened defensive success since the start of league play, allowing just 61.2 points per game.

     
    MONMOUTH HAWKS (5-14; 3-3 CAA)

    • Madison Durr led Monmouth with 18 points while Abdi Bashir, Jr. chipped in 14 points against Campbell on Saturday.

    • Bashir paces the conference with 21.0 PPG and is third with 3.3 made 3-pointers per game.

    • Monmouth has won 16 of its last 17 home games, including a program-record 15-game winning streak over that stretch.

     
    N.C. A&T AGGIES (4-15; 0-6 CAA)

    • Jahnathan Lamothe (22 pts. / 12 rebs.) and Ryan Forrest (19 pts.) combined for 31 points in the team’s setback to Monmouth

    • The Aggies lead the CAA and rank 16th in NCAA Div. I with 9.8 turnovers per game.

    • One of four NCAA Div. I teams to have two players averaging 18.0+ PPG with Forrest (19.1 PPG) and Landon Glasper (18.1 PPG), joining Kennesaw St., Northwestern and Rutgers.

     
    UNCW SEAHAWKS (13-5; 3-2 CAA)

    • Sean Moore led four in double figures with 15 points in the team’s 80-72 win over Northeastern. Noah Ross had 14 and Harlan Obioha added a double-double (12 pts. /10 rebs.) for UNCW.

    • UNC Wilmington ranks 19th in Div. I averaging 40.6 rebounds and 21st with 17.8 made free throws per game. The Seahawks also pace the CAA with a +9.4 scoring margin.

    • Newby is averaging 16.0 PPG and ranks fourth in league action, along with Moore, averaging 1.6 treys made per game.

     
    NORTHEASTERN HUSKIES (10-9; 2-4 CAA)

    • Northeastern nearly knocked off Charleston on the road on Saturday despite 20-point efforts from Rashad King (22 pts.) and Harold Woods (20 pts.). The duo combined for 17 rebounds and 10 assists.

    • King is among the league leaders with 18.8 points (4th), 7.2 boards (9th), 2.2 steals (1st) and 2.0 blocks (T-3rd) per contest through six conference games.

    • LA Pratt, who missed Saturday’s game, averaged 20.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game to go with 3.3 3FGM over his last three contests.

     
    STONY BROOK SEAWOLVES (4-13; 0-4 CAA)

    • The Seawolves saw 16-point efforts from Joe Octave and Jared Frey in the team’s setback to Towson.

    • In two games last week, Octave averaged 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

    • CJ Luster saw his four-game streak of 20-plus points come to an end on Saturday. Luster remains second in conference play with an 88.9 percent clip from the charity stripe (24-27 FT).

     
    TOWSON TIGERS (10-9; 5-1 CAA)

    • The Tigers edged out a 53-49 victory against Stony Brook to remain perfect at home (3-0) in league action.

    • Towson has won four straight games, led by Nendah Tarke (16.0 PPG), Dylan Williamson (14.0 PPG, 3.8 APG) and Tyler Tejada (13.3 PPG), all in double figures over that span.

    • Towson overcame an 18-point first-half deficit to top Hofstra, 65-60, on Thursday. The last time the Tigers rallied from a deficit of at least 18 points was at Drexel in a 94-92 OT victory on Feb. 8, 2018.

     
    WILLIAM & MARY TRIBE (11-7; 5-0 CAA)

    • William & Mary remained unbeaten following an 18-point effort on 6-of-6 shooting from the floor from Matteus Case in the team’s 67-64 win over Hampton. Case knocked down back-to-back three-point plays in the final 1:07 to secure the win.

    • Through five CAA games, the Tribe is outscoring the opposition by a league-leading 8.8 points per game, shooting 48.7% from the floor and 39.7% from deep, both good for second in the CAA.

    • W&M ranks 6th in NCAA Division I with 11.2 threes made per game, hitting nine-plus treys 14 times.



    #CAAHoops MBB Notebook – Jan. 20

    As we reach the midway point of the college basketball season, the competition in the CAA continues to heat up. Here are some key takeaways and storylines from the latest matchups:

    1. Hofstra remains at the top: The Hofstra Pride are off to a strong start in conference play, holding onto their spot at the top of the standings. Led by standout guard Tareq Coburn, the Pride have been dominant on both ends of the court and will be a tough team to beat down the stretch.

    2. Delaware making a push: The Delaware Blue Hens have been one of the surprise teams in the CAA this season, with a strong showing in recent games. Led by versatile forward Dylan Painter, the Blue Hens are proving to be a tough matchup for any opponent and are climbing up the standings.

    3. Northeastern looking to bounce back: After a slow start to the season, the Northeastern Huskies are starting to find their groove. With strong performances from guard Tyson Walker and forward Jahmyl Telfort, the Huskies are hoping to make a push in the second half of conference play.

    4. Upsets and surprises: The CAA continues to be a competitive and unpredictable conference, with plenty of upsets and surprises in recent games. Teams like Drexel, Towson, and William & Mary have all shown they are capable of pulling off big wins and shaking up the standings.

    Stay tuned for more exciting matchups and storylines as the CAA season continues to unfold. #CAAHoops #MBBNotebook.

    Tags:

    #CAAHoops #MBB #collegebasketball #sportsnews #Jan20 #collegeathletics #basketballupdates #CAAconference #gamehighlights #playerstats #teamstandings

    #CAAHoops #MBB #Notebook #Jan

  • MBB Preview: Arkansas vs Georgia


    Who:  Arkansas Razorbacks (11-7, 0-5 SEC) vs Georgia Bulldogs (14-4, 2-3 SEC)
    What: Arkansas has won 10 of the last 13 games in the series and owns a seven-game win streak over the Bulldogs in Bud Walton Arena.
    When: Wednesday – Jan. 22 – 8:00 pm (CT)
    Where: Bud Walton Arena/Nolan Richardson Court (19,200)
    How (to follow):
    – TV/Stream: SEC Network / Watch ESPN APP (Roy Philpott and Jimmy Dykes)
    – Radio: Learfield Razorback Sports Network (Chuck Barrett and Matt Zimmerman)
    – Sirius/XM: Sirius: 381 / XM: 381 || SXM App Channel 971
    – Arkansas Gameday App
    – Live Stats

    – Arkansas Game Notes  
    – Georgia Game Notes
    – SEC Notes/Stats

    FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas returns to Bud Walton Arena for the first of two home games this week starting Wednesday (Jan. 22) versus Georgia. Tip-off versus the Bulldogs is set for 8 pm (CT) and the game will be televised on SEC Network.

    After Georgia, the Razorbacks will host Oklahoma on Saturday (Jan. 25) at 7:30 pm (CT).

    NOTES:

    • Arkansas and Georgia have met on 44 previous occasions, all coming since the Razorbacks joined the SEC for the 1991-92 season.
    • Arkansas leads the all-time series 27-17 versus the Bulldogs including a 14-3 mark in games played in Fayetteville.
    • The teams split games last year, each winning on their home court.
    • Arkansas has won 10 of the last 13, including seven straight in Bud Walton Arena.
    • Arkansas has blocked at least five shots 12 times this season, including 7 of the last 8 games, and ranks 4th nationally in blocked shots, averaging 6.11 per game. Arkansas has 64 blocked shots in the last eight games for an average of 8.0 per contest.
    • Zvonimir Ivisic is coming off a career game, and personally ended an eight-game slump. The sophomore not only led the team in scoring (14 pts) and rebounds (10 rebs) but also did so in blocked shots (3) and steals (2). He produced his first career double-double, had a career-high 10 rebounds and played a career-high 29:30.
    • Prior to Mizzou, in the previous eight games, he only scored 14 points with 19 rebounds. However, at Missouri, he scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
    • Over the past three games, Arkansas has grabbed double-digit offensive rebounds including 15 versus Florida, 17 at LSU and 10 at Missouri. Ironically, Arkansas is just 2-5 this year when grabbing at least 10 offensive rebounds.

     

    For more information on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on X.





    The highly anticipated matchup between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Georgia Bulldogs is set to take place this weekend, and basketball fans are buzzing with excitement. Both teams have been performing well this season, making this game a must-watch for college basketball enthusiasts.

    The Arkansas Razorbacks, led by head coach Eric Musselman, have been on a hot streak recently, winning five of their last six games. Their dynamic offense, led by star player JD Notae, has been hard to stop for opposing teams. Notae has been a scoring machine this season, averaging over 20 points per game and showcasing his versatility on both ends of the court.

    On the other side, the Georgia Bulldogs, under the guidance of head coach Tom Crean, have been steadily improving throughout the season. They have shown flashes of brilliance in their recent games, with standout performances from players like Sahvir Wheeler and K.D. Johnson. The Bulldogs will look to capitalize on their momentum and pull off an upset against the Razorbacks.

    This game is sure to be a thrilling and intense battle between two talented teams vying for a crucial win in conference play. Both teams will be looking to showcase their skills and prove themselves as contenders in the tough SEC conference. So grab your popcorn and tune in to witness all the action as the Arkansas Razorbacks take on the Georgia Bulldogs in what promises to be an exciting matchup.

    Tags:

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    7. Key players
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    10. Arkansas basketball.

    #MBB #Preview #Arkansas #Georgia

  • Stanford MBB welcomes Miami to Maples Pavilion


    On Wednesday at 8:00 PM PT on ESPNU, Stanford men’s basketball will welcome the Miami Hurricanes to The Farm. Stanford comes in at 12-6 overall and 4-3 in the ACC while Miami comes in at 4-14 overall and 0-7 in the ACC.

    Last time out: On Saturday, Stanford defeated North Carolina on the road by a final score of 72-71. Jaylen Blakes hit the game winning shot for the Cardinal.

    RECAP: Stanford MBB stuns UNC at the Dean Dome

    On Miami: The Hurricanes are really struggling as is evident by their abysmal record. In their most recent game, they got rocked like a hurricane against SMU, losing by a final score of 117-74. They even lost to Boston College (on the road), who on paper is by far and away the worst team in the ACC. That all said, they’ve had some close losses, losing by six points to Oklahoma State and three points to Arkansas. Those aren’t great teams, but Miami has shown they have a power four level roster. Bad power four, but still power four.

    What has really hurt Miami is long-time head coach Jim Larrañaga stepping aside before the season began. That threw a real monkey-wrench into their season, though perhaps Larrañaga felt it was better to retire than to coach a lousy team for his final season.

    Prior to going down with an injury, graduate student guard Nijel Pack was the top player for the Hurricanes, averaging 13.9 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. His absence has also really hurt the Hurricanes and been a major reason for their struggles. With Pack out indefinitely, the top scorer for the Hurricanes is senior guard Matthew Cleveland, who is averaging 13.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game on 52.4% shooting from the field, 38.3% shooting from 3-point range, and 75.3% shooting from the foul line. The only other player scoring in double figures is senior center Lynn Kidd, who is averaging 11.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. There just isn’t much firepower on this team.

    As a team, the Hurricanes average 76.0 points per game on 46.7% shooting from the field, 31.5% shooting from 3-point range, and 78.0% shooting from the foul line. They average 32.3 rebounds, 13.3 assists, 6.3 steals, 3.4 blocks, and 10.9 turnovers per game. They also average a -0.6 rebound margin and a -0.6 turnover margin per game. Their opponents average 79.2 points per game on 49.5% shooting from the field, 39.9% shooting from 3-point range, and 73.3% shooting from the foul line.

    Keys to the game: For Stanford, the first thing they need to do is dominate the boards. That’s an area that Stanford should do well at in this game. If they control the glass and make the most of their superior rebounding, Stanford should win with little trouble.

    The second thing Stanford needs to do is win the turnover battle. This isn’t just about taking care of the ball but also forcing turnovers. If Stanford is able to speed up Miami and get them to turn the ball over, Stanford should be able to make plays in transition.

    Finally, Stanford needs to keep feeding Maxime Raynaud, who is averaging 20.8 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. Miami doesn’t have an answer for him. If he has a big night, it’ll be lights out for the Hurricanes.

    Prediction: I got Stanford winning this one pretty handily. I don’t think it’ll be a ridiculous blowout, but it will be a comfortable victory. Stanford 80 Miami 63 is how I see this one playing out.

    CardinalSportsReport.com on Facebook, IG, Threads, X (Twitter), & Blue Sky: @StanfordRivals

    Ben Parker on Facebook, IG, Threads, X (Twitter), & Blue Sky: @slamdunk406

    Email: slamdunk406@yahoo.com

    Join the conversation on CardinalSportsReport.com



    Stanford Men’s Basketball Team Extends Warm Welcome to Miami at Maples Pavilion

    The Stanford Men’s Basketball Team is gearing up to face off against the Miami Hurricanes at Maples Pavilion, and they couldn’t be more excited to welcome their opponents to their home court.

    The team is coming off of a strong start to the season and is looking to continue their success against Miami. With a talented roster and dedicated coaching staff, Stanford is ready to put their skills to the test and show Miami what they’re made of.

    Fans can expect an intense and exciting matchup as the two teams battle it out on the court. The atmosphere at Maples Pavilion is sure to be electric, with fans cheering on their team and showing their support.

    So, let’s show our Stanford pride and give a warm welcome to Miami as they step onto our home court. Let’s go, Cardinal! #StanfordMBB #MaplesPavilion #MiamiHurricanes

    Tags:

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    #Stanford #MBB #welcomes #Miami #Maples #Pavilion

  • MBB Preview: Mizzou saddles up to Texas


    While the SEC has remained at the top of men’s college basketball in terms of collective greatness, an unexpected member of the summit has been No. 22 Mizzou, who entered the AP Poll for the first time since the end of the 2022-23 season.

    The Tigers are 4-1 in conference play for the first time since the 2011-12 season, their last as a member of the Big 12. Entering Tuesday, they’re tied with No. 4 Alabama and No. 16 Ole Miss for No. 2 in the SEC standings, while No. 1 Auburn remains unblemished in SEC play at 5-0.

    Better yet for Dennis Gates’ squad, they’ve got a solid shot at improving to 5-1. While a long road trip awaits to Austin, their opponent’s trajectory has gone in the opposite direction through two weeks and change of SEC play.

    Missouri @ Texas

    When | 8:00 p.m. CT

    Where | Moody Center; Austin, Tx.

    TV | SEC Network

    Radio | Tiger Radio Network // Sirius/XM -119/199

    ESPN win probability | 29% chance

    The Starters

    Mizzou (15-3, 4-1 SEC)

    G: Anthony Robinson II (SO, 10.5 PPG)

    G: Tamar Bates (SR, 12.9 PPG)

    G: Tony Perkins (SR, 8.0 PPG)

    F: Mark Mitchell (JR, 13.8 PPG)

    F: Trent Pierce (SO, 8.4 PPG)

    Notable Sixth Man: Caleb Grill (SR, 12.5 PPG)

    Texas (12-6, 1-4 SEC)

    G: Tre Johnson (FR, 18.6 PPG)

    G: Jordan Pope (JR, 12.7 PPG)

    G: Tramon Mark (SR, 9.6 PPG)

    F: Arthur Kaluma (SR, 13.8 PPG)

    F: Kadin Shedrick (SR, 7.8 PPG)

    Notable Sixth Man: Ze’Rik Onyema (SR, 4.2 PPG)

    Note: These starting lineups are projected.

    Get to know Texas: Cows on the verge of tipping over

    Longhorn athletics have already experienced high levels of success since joining the SEC. Football made it to the SEC title game and the College Football Playoff semifinals. Women’s volleyball finished No. 11 in AVCA rankings, the second-highest ranking for any SEC team behind No. 8 Kentucky. Women’s soccer won the SEC Tournament and finished as a consensus Top 25 team. Women’s basketball is currently 17-2 (4-1 in SEC play) and No. 7 in the AP Poll.

    Men’s basketball, on the other hand, is far from the SEC’s upper-echelon. Rodney Terry & Co. entered this season with high expectations, as they were ranked No. 19 in the first AP Poll and were primed for a high single-digit seed in the NCAA Tournament. While Texas is still in the NCAA Tournament picture, it’s living dangerously on the bubble.

    The ‘Horns also haven’t started SEC play on the right foot, losing four of their first five conference games for the first time since the 2016-17 season. Their early returns have been a mixed bag; they lost to Auburn and No. 5 Tennessee by just four and five points, respectively. UT also got blown out at Texas A&M at and, most recently, at Florida, although it was a close game until later in the second half. Its lone SEC win came in Norman against Oklahoma last Wednesday.

    Offensively, Texas is lead by the trio of Tre Johnson, Arthur Kaluma and Jordan Pope. Johnson, a freshman combo guard who played at Link Academy in Missouri, is currently a projected top-10 pick in this year’s NBA Draft. He’s an explosive three-level scorer with a nuanced offensive arsenal. He also possesses elite shooting range, especially on catch-and-shoot opportunities. Kaluma, a transfer from Kansas State via Creighton, is a versatile scoring forward who leans on his pivot foot heavily down low; the step-through is a go-to move of his. Pope, an Oregon State transfer, is a smaller guard who’s a microwave scorer. He scored 13 straight points against the Sooners and 42 total against New Orleans on Dec. 19, which included seven made three-pointers.

    Their efforts, however, could be dampened by getting left out of the NCAA Tournament, which could become a real possibility if Texas can’t right the ship soon. Following Tuesday’s contest with Mizzou is a home game against rival No. 13 Texas A&M, then a road trip to No. 16 Ole Miss. There’s a chance that the Longhorns start its inaugural season in the SEC 1-7 in conference play.

    A miss would be especially odd for a program who’s gone dancing more times in the past few decades than most other Division I programs. The Longhorns have made 30 of the last 35 NCAA Tournaments, one of only six teams to do so (Arizona, Duke, Kansas, Michigan State and North Carolina). Tuesday offers an opportunity to get back on track against a newly-ranked opponent.

    3 Keys to the Game

    Move it!

    Ah, yes Quentin, please be a little more vague for us, thank you (that’s probably what my editor just thought. Sorry!)

    The Longhorns have struggled a bit defensively in the SEC slate, as they’ve allowed almost 80 points per game over their last five contests. One of the culprits has been late rotations. Oftentimes, the Longhorns have been a step behind of both on and off-ball screens, which has led to open looks all over the floor. Closeouts on three-point shooters have also been slow…that’s if Texas even closed out at all. These issues were especially prevalent against Florida, who ended the game on a 23-6 run.

    This could spell great news for Mizzou, who’s created a lot of open looks with effective ball movement and off-ball movement. The biggest beneficiary of such has been Caleb Grill, who emulates the Energizer bunny off the ball. He’s shooting just over (wipes non-existent glasses) 49% (!) from beyond the arc on 75 attempts. He was also just named SEC Player of the Week after shooting a combined 9/15 from three against Florida and Arkansas.

    If Texas remains a step behind as Grill is flying around its halfcourt defense, it could be a long night for the Longhorns.

    Close out!

    Texas has also struggled shooting the three-pointer in SEC play. Through five games, the Longhorns are just 30/103 (29.1%) from beyond the arc.

    However, they’ve gotten hot from beyond the arc plenty of times this season, as they’re 6-1 in games where they shoot at least 40% from three. Now, were three of those wins against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, New Orleans and Chicago State, who have a combined record of 9-45? You bet! But the point is that UT can easily get going from downtown.

    The two guys MU will have to keep an eye out for are Johnson and Pope, who are shooting 40% and 38% from three-point range, respectively. Texas runs plenty of plays to get Johnson an open look from the perimeter, especially on inbounds passes from under its own basket.

    Win the turnover battle

    Mizzou has taken excellent care of the basketball lately, committing just eight turnovers against Florida and nine against Arkansas.

    While Texas isn’t great at forcing turnovers (12.6 per game, No. 187 nationally), the Longhorns are exceptional at not turning the ball over themselves. Their 9.6 turnovers per game are tied for the 12th-fewest nationally. Turning Texas over might be difficult for Mizzou, but if it can not only create extra possessions, but capitalize off of them as well, then the Tigers will be in an extra-good spot on Tuesday night.

    Game Prediction

    My prediction: Mizzou 77, Texas 68

    Despite the perceived struggles that Texas has endured so far, the Longhorns are far from bad. Again, they’ve spent a lot more time in close games than blowouts against a handful of really good teams already.

    But Mizzou has proven that it can beat teams in numerous ways. One of them has been to drown teams from beyond the arc. Grill isn’t the only above-average shooter that the Tigers possess; Jacob Crews, Tamar Bates, Trent Pierce, Anthony Robinson II, Tony Perkins and Marques Warrick are all more than capable of ripping the nets from downtown.

    The ‘Horns have the offensive firepower to compete with any SEC team. But they haven’t shown a similar ability to stop opponents from scoring, which is where I think they might fall short on Tuesday.



    The Missouri Tigers are gearing up for a showdown with the Texas Longhorns in an exciting matchup set to take place on Saturday. Both teams are coming off strong performances in their previous games and will be looking to continue their winning streaks.

    Mizzou is currently 2-0 on the season, with impressive wins over Central Michigan and Northern Illinois. The Tigers have shown great offensive prowess, averaging 80 points per game, and will look to continue their high-scoring ways against Texas.

    On the other hand, Texas is also off to a strong start, with a 2-1 record and notable wins over Houston Baptist and San Jose State. The Longhorns have a solid defense, holding opponents to an average of 64 points per game, and will be a tough challenge for Mizzou’s offense.

    This matchup will feature talented players on both sides, including Mizzou’s leading scorer, Dru Smith, and Texas’ standout guard, Andrew Jones. It promises to be an exciting game with both teams looking to prove themselves early in the season.

    Be sure to tune in to see who comes out on top in this highly anticipated matchup between Mizzou and Texas. It’s bound to be a thrilling game that you won’t want to miss!

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