The N.C.A.A. revealed the 65-team field for its men’s basketball tournament on Sunday amid vigorous discussions about significantly changing this rite of March by adding 31 teams. Yet the assembling of this year’s field was perhaps defined by the undistinguished nature of the teams on the tournament’s bubble. Among the final teams to receive bids were Utah State, Florida and Minnesota, [...]

Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) – Blake Hoffarber scored 26 points and Al Nolen added 13, as Minnesota toppled eighth-ranked Purdue, 70-67, at Williams Arena. Hoffarber made 10-of-15 shots and stood toe to toe with Purdue’s All-American candidate JaJuan Johnson, who scored 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Boilermakers (15-2, 4-1 Big Ten). “Any time another player on another [...]

Phil Knight and the University of Oregonunveiled Matthew Knight ArenaThursday night for the Oregon Ducks’ game against the USC Trojans. And while the $227 million dollar arena is a state-of-the-art facility, the unique basketball court is drawing the ire of many. [Quick take: From my view in the 100 level last night, the in-person court visuals are not overwhelming. Being accustomed to [...]

By Marcus Shockley The Chris Paul Elite Guard Camp is exactly what it sounds like: a high intensity skills camp designed to work specifically on the skills needed to be an elite point guard, not just at the college level but beyond. This event is a no-nonsense camp not intended to showcase players, but to work strictly on their game. Chris Paul immerses himself and the attendees in all-out workouts, [...]

It seemed like Austin Rivers was destined to stay near his home in Florida. After he committed to the in-state Florida Gators, it seemed like a done deal. The Gators would get one of the best point guards in the 2011 class, Austin would stay close to home (Gainesville is relatively close to Winter Park, FL) and everything seemed settled. But as Rivers continued to improve, he began to consider that [...]

We love college basketball around here. As the season ended a couple of months ago, a lot has happened in the world of college basketball, even as the sports world turned its’ attention away from the Final Four and March Madness, and focused on the NBA Finals, and then the 2010 World Cup. But that did not mean teams like UNC and Duke suddenly took a long break. The players immediately started [...]

NBA players take a lot of pride in their abilities. No duh, that is how they become skilled enough to make it to the NBA. Nonetheless, that deep-seated self-confidence is important, which is why players always react when another player calls them out. That’s exactly what happened in Dallas. Last weekend, on his Twitter account, Mavericks superstar Dirk Nowitzki took some questions from fans. [...]

Minnesota Timberwolves 109, Washington Wizards 97 Does this prove that the Western Conference is still stronger than the Eastern Conference? Or does it prove that the Timberwolves are less bad at home than the Wizards are on the road? Or does it not prove anything because there is no spoon? You decide. Oklahoma City Thunder 125, Orlando Magic 124 39 and 18 for Dwight Howard, 36 points on 17 shots [...]

Raise your hand if you’re excited about tonight’s Thunder game. Yeah, me too, kiddies. Me too. Orlando Magic at Oklahoma City Thunder  About the only bad thing about this matchup is that both teams played last night. Orlando went to overtime and OKC took on the Rockets. Between the extra time and the fast pace, this could be sloppy. Can’t win ‘em all. Miami Heat at Denver [...]