West Virginia at Auburn
December 5, 7:00, ESPN2
Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center; Birmingham, Ala.
Auburn Probables
6’7” F Korvotney Barber
6’4” G Frank Tolbert
6’1” G DeWayne Reed
6’3” G Quantez Robertson
6’5” G Rasheem Barrett
West Virginia Probables
7’0” C Jamie Smalligan
6’8” F Joe Alexander
6’8” SF Da’Sean Butler
6’6” F Alex Ruoff
6’2” PG Darris Nichols
How to Attack WVU: Covet each possession and treasure [...]

Last night the Texas Longhorns did something that no team has done since January of 2006; they beat the UCLA Bruins on the floor of Pauley Pavilion. Since the Bruins had lost to the Washington Huskies, they had run off 25 straight at the vaunted arena. The game was very entertaining, if not [...]

Second-year coach Herb Sendek’s Arizona State Sun Devils have started the year off eager to show off their growth after the pains of last season. Sendek’s squad suffered through an 8-22 season, including a 14-game losing streak. Close losses plagued the Sun Devils, as its youth showed in late-game situations.
Five games into the [...]

Stanford enters its trip to Boulder with a 7-1 record, including a loss at Siena. The Cardinal are coming off a disappointing end to their season last year, as they were blown out by Louisville in the first round of the NCAA Tournament after squeaking in as an 11-seed. Looking to be led [...]

Mike Anderson’s Missouri Tigers will compete a bit under the radar in the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series. Not only nationally, but within the Mizzou fanbase. Why? A little football game versus the Oklahoma Sooners in which Missouri is playing for the right to play for the national title.
That game aside, Missouri has [...]

Year one in the post-Billy Gillispie era is going better than expected for the Texas A&M Aggies. With new head coach Mark Turgeon running the show at A&M, the Aggies off are to a 7-0 start for the fourth straight season and have shown the nation that they again plan to make a major push [...]

Oklahoma State and Washington come into Saturday’s Pac-10/Big 12 Hardwood Series tilt looking for some consistency on the floor. Both teams were involved in preseason tournaments in New York and Hawaii; however, neither team was able to fully capitalize on the opportunity of playing against some of the best teams in the country on a [...]

The term rebuilding might come to mind when mentioning the Iowa State Cyclones and the Oregon State Beavers this season. However, the term might be viewed differently depending on which team you’re looking at.
For Iowa State the word brings to mind the possibility of improvements after a subpar 15-16 season overall. While most schools would [...]

Both Washington State and Baylor enter their second-ever meeting as programs on the rise, with bright young coaches they must work hard to keep in place.
The undefeated Cougars are ranked sixth in the nation, the highest ranking in school history. Tony Bennett’s team is led by the duo of Derrick Low and Kyle Weaver. [...]

On paper the roster looks like a total mess: five freshman, five sophomores, three juniors and not one single senior. It looks bad. Based on those numbers alone, it’s impossible to think that any team could ever dream of hanging with some of the best teams in the country, let alone even fathom vying for [...]

2006-2007 Record: 17-14 (9-7 Big 10, T-4th)
Postseason Games:

3/9/2007
Purdue
Big Ten Tournament
L
74-55

Returning Statistical Leaders:
7.5 ppg – Tony Freeman
4.6 rpg – Kurt Looby
3.7 apg – Tony Freeman

Starting Lineup:
Key Stat:

C
Seth Gorney
7’0
Sr.
57.5 FG% last year was career worst

PF
Kurt Looby
6’10
Sr.
Low experience; double-double threat

SF
Justin Johnson
6’6
Sr.
14.3 ppg through 7 games this year

SG
Dan Bohall
6’4
So.
Good: 3.1 apg; Bad: 2.1 turnovers per game

PG
Tony Freeman
6’1
Sr.
No. 2 scorer [...]

Ernie Kent’s Oregon Ducks enter this matchup with aspirations of winning the Pac-10 Title. And why not? The team returns the nucleus from last season’s Elite Eight squad, which was eliminated by the eventual national champion Florida Gators.
Maarty Leunen anchors the Ducks in the post, leading the team in rebounding and second on [...]

2006-2007 Record: 13-18 (2-14) T-10th
Postseason Games:

3/8/2007
Michigan State
Big Ten Tournament
L
62-57

Returning Statistical Leaders:
13.4 ppg – Kevin Coble
5.2 rpg – Kevin Coble
2.0 apg – Craig Moore

Starting Lineup:
Key Stat:

C
Kevin Coble
6’8
So.
Expected to be best Wildcat in history

PF
Jeff Ryan
6’6
So.
46.8 FG% last season

SF
Sterling Williams
6’4
Jr.
Just 3 games with 10+ shots in 3 years

SG
Michael Thompson
5’10
Fr.
Team-best 15.3 ppg through 4 games

PG
Craig Moore
6’4
Jr.
Stats through 4 games: [...]

The Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series begins tonight with Oregon traveling to take on talented freshman Michael Beasley and Kansas State. While that game is appealing to many if for nothing else than a chance to see Beasley play against solid competition, the series really kicks into high gear on Sunday, December 2, when there [...]

2006-2007 Record: 22-13 (8-8 Big 10, T-7th)
Postseason Games:

3/8/2007
Minnesota
Big Ten Tournament
W
49-40

3/9/2007
Ohio State
Big Ten Tournament
L
72-62

3/13/2007
Utah State
NIT
W
68-58

3/15/2007
Florida State
NIT
L
87-66

Returning Statistical Leaders:
5.7 ppg – Ron Coleman, Jerret Smith
4.0 rpg – Ekpe Udoh
3.4 apg – Jerret Smith

Starting Lineup:
Key Stat:

C
Zack Gibson
6’10
So.
68 FG% through six games

PF
DeShawn Sims
6’8
So.
In 6 games, 2.0 steals+blocks per game

SF
Ron Coleman
6’6
Sr.
Played less than 20 mins in last 7 games in [...]

2006-2007 Record: 11-19 (2-14 Big 10, T-10th)
Postseason Games:

3/8/2007
Illinois
Big Ten Tournament
L
66-60

Returning Statistical Leaders:
16.3 ppg – Geary Claxton
8.0 rpg – Geary Claxton
2.3 apg – Mike Walker

Starting Lineup:
Key Stat:

C
Jeff Brooks
6’8
Fr.
A top-60 recruit should sure up post

PF
Brandon Hassell
6’11
Sr.
Was just 6-foot-8 two years ago

SF
Geary Claxton
6’5
Sr.
8 rpg was second in Big Ten last year

SG
Talor Battle
5’11
Fr.
Averaged 28.1 ppg over last two prep [...]

2006-2007 Record: 23-12 (9-7 Big 10, T-4th)
Postseason Games:

3/8/2007
Penn State
Big Ten Tournament
W
66-60

3/9/2007
Indiana
Big Ten Tournament
W
58-54

3/10/2007
Wisconsin
Big Ten Tournament
L
53-41

3/16/2007
Virginia Tech
NCAA
L
54-52

Returning Statistical Leaders:
11.4 ppg – Shaun Pruitt
7.5 rpg – Shaun Pruitt
4.5 apg – Chester Frazier

Starting Lineup:
Key Stat:

C
Shaun Pruitt
6’10
Sr.
51.3 FT% and just 7 assists last year

PF
Brian Randle
6’8
Sr.
57.6 FT%; fouled out six times in ’06-‘07

SF
Rodney Alexander
6’7
Jr.
Two double-doubles to start ’07-’08 season

SG
Trent Meacham
6’2
Jr.
Team’s [...]

2006-2007 Record: 30-6 (13-3) 2nd
Postseason Games:

3/9/2007
Michigan State
Big Ten Tournament
W
70-57

3/10/2007
Illinois
Big Ten Tournament
W
53-41

3/11/2007
Ohio State
Big Ten Tournament
L
66-49

3/16/2007
Texas A&M-CC
NCAA
W
76-63

3/18/2007
UNLV
NCAA
L
74-68

Returning Statistical Leaders:
8.8 ppg – Brian Butch
5.9 rpg – Brian Butch
2.9 apg – Michael Flowers

Starting Lineup:
Key Stat:

C
Greg Stiemsma
6’11
Sr.
Fouls have limited potential breakthrough

PF
Brian Butch
6’11
Sr.
Don’t underestimate experience (88 games played)

SF
Marcus Landry
6’7
Jr.
Led team in blocks (31) last season

SG
Trevon Hughes
6’1
So.
Shot 31% in 31 games in [...]

2006-2007 Record: 22-12 (9-7, Big 10, T-4th)
Postseason Games:

3/9/2007
Iowa
Big Ten Tournament
W
74-55

3/9/2007
Ohio State
Big Ten Tournament
L
63-52

3/16/2007
Arizona
NCAA
W
72-63

3/18/2007
Florida
NCAA
L
74-67

Returning Statistical Leaders:
7.2 ppg – Chris Kramer
4.9 rpg – Gordon Watt
2.5 apg – Chris Kramer

Starting Lineup:
Key Stat:

C
JaJuan Johnson
6’10
Fr.
Based on three games, a 10-pt, 5-reb guy

PF
Robbie Hummel
6’8
Fr.
Nearly 2 double-doubles in 3 games

SF
Chris Kreamer
6’3
So.
Had 64 steals in stellar freshman season

SG
Keaton Grant
6’4
So.
Likes to dish (2.6 [...]

2006-2007 Record: 9-22 (3-13 Big 10, 9th)
Postseason Games:

3/8/2007
Michigan
Big Ten Tournament
L
49-40

Returning Statistical Leaders:
14.9 ppg – Lawrence McKenzie
6.0 rpg – Dan Coleman
2.8 apg – Lawrence McKenzie

Starting Lineup:
Key Stat:

C
Spencer Tollackson
6’9
Sr.
FG% dropped 9.1% last season

PF
Dan Coleman
6’9
Sr.
77.4 FT% was 9th best in Big Ten in ‘07

SF
Jamal Abu-Shamala
6’5
Jr.
43.1% 3-point shooter; 81.2% FT shooter

SG
Lawrence Westbrook
6’0
So.
Averaged 41 ppg as high school senior

PG
Lawrence [...]

The 2007-2008 college basketball season marks the commencement of the next great inter-conference made-for-TV matchup: Big 12/Pac 10 Hardwood Series. That’s right, get ready to renew a historic rivalry between two leagues who have battled it out for decades (especially since the Big 12 is but twelve years old). Get ready for the [...]

2006-2007 Record: 35-4 (15-1 Big 10, 1st)
Postseason Games:

3/9/2007
Michigan
Big Ten Tournament
W
72-62

3/10/2007
Purdue
Big Ten Tournament
W
63-52

3/11/2007
Wisconsin
Big Ten Tournament
W
66-49

3/15/2007
Cent. Conn St.
NCAA
W
78-57

3/17/2007
Xavier.
NCAA
W
78-71 (OT)

3/22/2007
Tennesseee
NCAA
W
85-84

3/24/2007
Memphis
NCAA
W
92-76

3/31/2007
Georgetown
NCAA
W
67-60

4/2/2007
Florida
NCAA
L
84-75

Returning Statistical Leaders:
8.5 ppg – Jamar Butler
4.5 rpg – Othello Hunter
3.6 apg – Jamar Butler

Starting Lineup:
Key Stat:

C
Kosta Koufos
7’0
Fr.
45.4% 3-point shooter through 5 games

PF
Othello Hunter
6’8
Sr.
20 blocks in 18 Big Ten games last year

SF
David Lighty
6’5
So.
Only 68.5% FT shooter and 20% [...]

2006-2007 Record: 21-11 (10-6 Big 10, 3rd)
Postseason Games:

3/9/2007
Illinois
Big Ten Tournament
L
58-54

3/15/2007
Gonzaga
NCAA
W
70-57

3/17/2007
UCLA
NCAA
L
54-49

Returning Statistical Leaders:
13.8 ppg – D.J.White
7.3 rpg – D.J. White
3.0 apg – Armon Bassett

Starting Lineup:
Key Stat:

C
DeAndre Thomas
6’9
Jr.
In 5 games, more fouls (18) than boards (16)

PF
D.J. White
6’9
Sr.
6 double-doubles in ’06-‘07

SF
A.J. Ratliff
6’3
Sr.
Averaged 9.3 ppg in just 22 mins per game

SG
Eric Gordon
6’4
Fr.
29.0 ppg as [...]

2006-2007 Record: 23-12 (8-8 Big 10, T-7th)
Postseason Games:

3/8/2007
Northwestern
Big Ten Tournament
W
62-57

3/9/2007
Wisconsin
Big Ten Tournament
L
70-57

3/15/2007
Marquette
NCAA
W
61-49

3/17/2007
North Carolina
NCAA
L
81-67

Returning Statistical Leaders:
13.5 ppg – Drew Neitzel
6.7 rpg – Goran Suton
6.5 apg – Drew Neitzel

Starting Lineup:
Key Stat:

C
Goran Suton
6’10
Jr.
2.6 TOs per game makes him liability

PF
Marquis Gray
6’8
Jr.
FG% (57.8) good, FT% (59.0) not so good

SF
Raymar Morgan
6’7
So.
Two double-doubles to start ’07-’08 season

SG
Drew Neitzel
6’0
Sr.
87.9% FT shooter, best [...]

For the first time in years the Big Ten’s “best” don’t include the names Illinois, Ohio State or Wisconsin. This season is expected to belong to Indiana and Michigan State while a handful of other teams fight for the third spot.
The big change in Big Ten country this season is two added conference games. Teams [...]

Illinois (4-1) jumped right into tough competition this season by making the trip to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational. The Illini blew out Arizona State 77-54 before losing to Duke 79-66 in the semi-finals. Illinois then dispatched Oklahoma State 65-49 in the third-place game. All this came after the first two wins of the season, [...]

Boston College (4-0), unlike many of the Big 10 and ACC schools, did not participate in an early-season tournament. In fact the Golden Eagles haven’t even left the friendly confines of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, but they’ll have to in order to get to Ann Arbor, home of the Michigan Wolverines. The Eagles are undefeated through [...]

North Carolina (5-0) has been tested twice in five contests, first in the season-opener and then again in the final of the Las Vegas Invitational. The Tar Heels beat a Davidson team that briefly entered the AP Top 25 by a 76-72 margin at home to kick of the 2007-2008 campaign. After three blowouts (two [...]

Virginia Tech (2-2) made the trip to Anchorage for the Great Alaska Shootout and it turned out to be a mostly humbling experience. After blitzing Eastern Washington by 17, the Hokies got bounced by Butler in the semis then lost big (82-64) to Gonzaga in the third-place game. A 69-64 home win over Elon to [...]

N.C. State (4-1) bounced back from a home loss to New Orleans to win three games in Lake Buena Vista, Florida and capture the Old Spice Classic championship. The Wolfpack beat Rider by nine points before edging South Carolina 63-61 in the semi-finals and Villanova 69-68 in the final. Those tough games on away from [...]