Bad News for Vols Fans

Today we have some unfortunate news to share with Tennessee Volunteers fans. Forward Emmanuel Negedu will not play any basketball this upcoming season. Apparently he’s been having some terrible healthy problems that required surgery. He suffered sudden cardiac arrest recently and will now require a chest monitor. This is bad news for Negedu and the rest of his team and the Tennessee fans out there. Bruce Pearl had this to say, according to the ESPN.com article about the event:

“Emmanuel is such a special young man. You don’t come across many like him. He’s faced a tremendously frightening obstacle with unbelievable courage. He is going to be an inspiration to many, and we all feel truly blessed that he’s still here with us.”

Pearl said it best. Let’s hope this guy makes it through alright. Here at the Final Four Blog, our thoughts are with you. We hope to see Emmanuel back out on the court someday when his health improves.

To get NCAA basketball tickets, go to StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 9, 2009 - Post a comment

Jeff Jordan, Michael’s Son, Might Return to Play for Illini

Jeff Jordan, the oldest son of basketball legend Michael Jordan (ever heard of him?), has hinted that he might return to play for the Illinois Illini basketball team.  Jeff walked onto the team two years ago, playing without a scholarship at first, but then winning one this past season. He was expected to move up the ranks at Illinois and perhaps even earn a starting role as one of the team’s guards. However, he suddenly resigned from the team after last season in order to focus on his studies.

However, it seems as though Jeff might return to the court. From his Twitter account he hinted that he’s like to play ball with his former teammates. The rumors around Champaign, Illinois are swirling and twittering.  We’re sure that coach Bruce Weber would love to have all the help he can get from Jeff Jordan, as Illinois will face a tough schedule this season. Let’s hope this story works out for all involved.

To get NCAA basketball tickets, go to StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 8, 2009 - Post a comment

Injury Will Sideling UCLA Forward Up to 6 Weeks

Some bad news hit Westwood, California today. UCLA Bruins forward James Keefe will have to sit out for four to six weeks because he recently injured his shoulder. Although the AP article (courtesy of ESPN) does not say how he injured his shoulder, it does say that the MRI taken on the joint was negative. That’s good news for Bruins fans.

Last season Keefe, who is listed at 6-8, 230, has to miss a couple of weeks in the early part of the season because of another injury to his left shoulder. Let’s hope that his current rehab time clears up the problem for the long haul. Keefe was a decent backup forward who provided some solid minutes off the bench. This year it he was likely going to see an increased role, as the Bruins are trying to fill some holes, especially in the frontcourt, after losing tons of players over the past few years to the NBA Draft.

To get NCAA basketball tickets, go to StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 7, 2009 - Post a comment

Turning Tragedy into Triumph for Jake Kelly

Jake Kelly was one of the stars of the Iowa basketball team last season. In fact, he led the team in scoring during the 2008-09 campaign with 11.6 points per night. The 6-6 guard has a knack for grabbing rebounds and can play tough perimeter defense when the time comes. He averaged 3.3 assists per game as well, second best on the Iowa squad behind Jeff Peterson. But behind the ease with which he played lived a difficult, trying emotional struggle for Jake Kelly, whose mother was suddenly killed in a plane crash the summer before the season started.

It was tough for Kelly to stay away from the family’s home town in Terra Harte, Indiana, so after the season was over he decided to try to transfer to play for the Indiana State Sycamores, his home town team. The NCAA let the transfer go through, and not only that, the league has allowed Kelly to play in his first season with his new team. Usually transfer students have to sit out for their first season in their new school. There’s a nice story by Dana O’Neil about Jake Kelly at ESPN.com. Check it out!

To get NCAA basketball tickets, go to StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 6, 2009 - Post a comment

Notes on the ACC Shootaround Preview at ESPN

ESPN went over the preseason storylines for the Atlantic Coast Conference earlier this month. Here are some of the “Cliff Notes” to ESPN’s awesome coverage of the conference preview. Andy Katz always does a great job investigating, so if you get a chance, check out the preview right here at ESPN’s archive.

  • North Carolina: Won’t Be Easy to be King Again - The Tar Heels were one of the most dominant teams in college basketball history last year. But as you well know, the team was pretty much gutted as their top scorers and rebounders (Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green) from last season left for the NBA. They’ve got Marcus Ginyard and Deon Thompson to help smooth the transition, but surely they’ve lost a step.
  • Duke: Bigger and Stronger  - The Blue Devils are expected by Andy Katz to be the No. 2 team in the ACC this season. If you were just getting used to the Dukeies playing small and shooting from the perimeter, you’re going to have to switch your expectations about this year, as they boast one of the most formidable frontcourt of bigs in the ACC.
  • Georgia Tech: From the Basement to the Attic - One of the biggest turnarounds this upcoming season will likely be GT, which Katz says is ready for a breakout season. The Yellow Jackets were 2-14 in ACC play last season, but they’ve landed new recruits and keep some of their best players from last season.

To get NCAA basketball tickets, go to StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 5, 2009 - Post a comment

Notes on the Atlantic Ten Shootaround Preview at ESPN

ESPN went over the preseason storylines for the Atlantic Ten Conference earlier this month. Here are some of the “Cliff Notes” to ESPN’s awesome coverage of the conference preview. Dana O’Neil always does a great job investigating, so if you get a chance, check out the preview right here at ESPN’s archive.

  • Xavier and Dayton: Staying At the Top - Xavier went to the Sweet Sixteen last season and Dayton lost to Kansas in the second round. They finished one-two in the conference standings, and that’s where Dana O’Neil expects they’ll finish once again. Of course there are big changes, most notably the coaching switch at Xavier.
  • Richmond and La Salle: Moving Up the Ladder - Richmond and La Salle neither went to the NCAA Tournament nor the NIT, but both had winning records and showed some promise. With a few added playmakers on both squads, these two teams could wind up in the AP Top 25 before too long.
  • UMass: Loaded with Frosh - The Minutemen will get plenty of minutes out of their freshmen, including exciting rookies like forwards Raphael Putney and Terrell Vinson.

To get NCAA basketball tickets, go to StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 2, 2009 - Post a comment

Notes on the Big East Shootaround Preview at ESPN

ESPN went over the preseason storylines for the Big East Conference earlier this month. Here are some of the “Cliff Notes” to ESPN’s awesome coverage of the conference preview. Dana O’Neil and Jay Bilas always do a great job investigating, so if you get a chance, check out the preview right here at ESPN’s archive.

  • Same Teams Should Dominate Big East - Last season the Big East was one of the most dominating conferences in the history of the NCAA, as a full seven teams from this league went to the NCAA Tourney and three went to the NIT. Villanova, which went to the Final Four last season, is expected to pace the conference next year, according to Jay Bilas. UConn and West Virginia should also be up there.
  • Rick Pitino: We’re all Rooting for a Comeback - Rick Pitnio was obviously part of the sports media headlines this offseason, and not for anything good. We don’t need to remind you about all the drama. But will this season offer some on-the-court redemption?
  • Movers and Shakers - Notre Dame returns arguably the best big in the conference in Luke Harangody, and Cincinnati has a boatload of new recruits coming in to fill gaps. Will the Irish and Bearcats make some noise in the Big East this season?

To get NCAA basketball tickets, go to StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on October 1, 2009 - Post a comment

Notes on the Big Ten Shootaround Preview at ESPN

ESPN went over the preseason storylines for the Big Ten Conference earlier this month. Here are some of the “Cliff Notes” to ESPN’s awesome coverage of the conference preview. Andy Katz, Reggie Rankin and Doug Gottlieb always do a great job investigating, so if you get a chance, check out the preview right here at ESPN’s archive.

  • Another Final Four At Home - Last season the Final Four was in Detroit, and although the MSU Spartans couldn’t take advantage of their huge home town crowd, the Big Ten, if they send another team to the Final Four, will get to enjoy games played in Indianapolis. Michigan State and Purdue are licking their chops, as they look like the class of the Big Ten this season.
  • Michigan Moving Up the Ranks? - The Wolverines will enjoy some early-season hype this year, as they return just about all of their major contributors from last year. Michigan went 21-14 overall and 9-9 last year, earning a trip to the NCAA Tourney with some nice late-season play. Everyone’s anxious to see this program return to prominence.
  • Penn State Looking for Revenge - The Nittany Lions didn’t make the NCAA’s last season, much to the chagrin of their fans, who assumed a 10-8 conference record and 27-11 overall record would get them more than a birth in the NIT. This year they return their energetic PG Taylor Battle, but they’ve lost some bigger players. Will Penn State get its vengeance?

To get NCAA basketball tickets, go to StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on September 30, 2009 - Post a comment

Notes on the Big 12 Shootaround Preview at ESPN

ESPN went over the preseason storylines for the Big 12 Conference earlier this month. Here are some of the “Cliff Notes” to ESPN’s awesome coverage of the conference preview. Dana O’Neil and Fran Fraschilla always do a great job investigating, so if you get a chance, check out the preview right here at ESPN’s archive.

  • Kansas: The New North Carolina - The Kansas Jayhawks are largely expected to top every preseason NCAA basketball poll, including the AP and Coaches Polls, so they’re going to be hyped pretty good by the time the season actually begins. They’ll have expectations to match UNC last season, what with Cole Aldridge and the rest of the gang returning. But will they follow through like the Tar Heels?
  • Texas: To Many Guards Not Enough Bigs - Texas has been known for providing some large and speedy guards over the past few seasons, and this year they’ll be stacked even thicker with 1 and 2 position talent. Frosh Avery Bradley joins Dogus Balbay, Varez Ward and Justin Mason as well as one of the most exciting recruits a year ago, Jai Lucas, a transfer from Florida. Who will rebound for all of these shooters and drivers?
  • Muddle in the Middle - The Big 12 has plenty of great teams, which should lead to a fantastic season of play from start to finish. But who will win a Tourney spot and who will go to the NIT or stay home? Teams like Oklahoma, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Baylor, Missouri and Iowa State all have eyes for the postseason, but not all of them will make it.

To get NCAA basketball tickets, go to StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on September 29, 2009 - Post a comment

Notes on the Mountain West Shootaround Preview at ESPN

ESPN went over the preseason storylines for the Mountain West Conference earlier this month. Here are some of the “Cliff Notes” to ESPN’s awesome coverage of the conference preview. Dana O’Neil and Doug Gottlieb always do a great job investigating, so if you get a chance, check out the preview right here at ESPN’s archive.

  • BYU: Always a Good Bet… Until the Tourney - Brigham Young is always an athletic powerhouse and this season in hoops ought to be no different. The Cougars return pretty much every critical piece from their 25-8 (12-4 MWC) season last year, and they’re the pick of the litter in the conference this season.  But… they never seem to last too long in the Tourney. With all the experience returning, can this team make a run in March?
  • Montezuma’s Revenge - San Diego State was right on the verge of getting a ticket to the NCAA Tournament last season, going 26-10 overall. Many believe they were snubbed. Montezuma demands vengeance. They’re even hungrier this year and they return Tim Shelton and D.J. Gay. Lots of talented transfers and frosh could make this an AP Top 25 team very soon.
  • Home Pit Advantage - The Pit, the home of the New Mexico Lobos, is getting a renovation. While we don’t expect the new stuff to take away from the gritty atmosphere, we’re interested to see a game there nonetheless.  Look for some UNM tickets at StubHub.

To get NCAA basketball tickets, go to StubHub.com.

Permalink - Posted in General on September 28, 2009 - Post a comment


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