×

Hoops du Jour

George Washington at Pitt men

NIT First Round

Tipoff: 7 p.m., Petersen Events Center

Records: George Washington (21-12, 10-8 in Atlantic 10); Pittsburgh (19-14, 8-10 in ACC)

Coaches: Jamie Dixon is 307-110 in his 12th year as Pitt’s head coach; Mike Lonergan is 68-59 in 4 years as GW’s head coach, and is 445-215 in 22 years overall.

TV: ESPN

Radio: WFBG-AM (1290)

Probable starters: George Washington – G Patricio Garino, 6-6 Jr. (12.4), G Joe McDonald, 6-1 Jr. (10.2), F John Kopriva, 6-8 Sr. (6.9), F Kevin Larsen, 6-10 Jr. (10.7), F Yuta Watanabe, 6-8 Fr. (7.2). Pittsburgh – G James Robinson, 6-3 Jr. (8.8), G Cameron Wright, 6-5 Sr. (9.2), F Sheldon Jeter, 6-8 So. (4.7), F Jamel Artis, 6-7 So. (13.8), F Michael Young, 6-9 So. (13.5).

Notes: George Washington junior Patricio Garino needs 10 points to reach 1,000 for his career. … The winner of tonight’s game will play the survivor of the Bucknell, Temple game that will be played Wednesday. … Both Pitt and George Washington made the NCAA Tournament a year ago. … The teams haven’t played since the 1981-82 season when they split a pair of games as part of the Eastern Eight Conference. … George Washington lost at Penn State, 64-51 on Dec. 14. … Pitt is a 31?2–point favorite.

Mirror prediction: Pittsburgh 74, George Washington 66

Comment: Panthers will want to make up for disappointing senior night loss to Miami the last time they were on their home floor.

Mirror prediction record: 22-11

– Michael Boytim

Bowling Green at SFU men

First round, CollegeInsider.com Tournament

Tipoff: 7 p.m., DeGol Arena

Records: Saint Francis (16-15); Bowling Green (20-11)

Coaches: Rob Krimmel is 31-60 in his third season at Saint Francis. Louis Orr is 121-132 in his eighth season at Bowling Green and 221-212 in 14 seasons overall.

Radio: The Edge, AM 1400

Probable starters: Saint Francis – G Malik Harmon, 5-11 So. (9.5); G Greg Brown, 6-2 Jr. (8.1), G Ollie Jackson, 6-3 Sr. (7.8), F Earl Brown, 6-6 Sr. (15.9), F Ronnie Drinnon, 6-7 Jr. (8.0). Bowling Green – G David Joseph, 6-0 Jr. (4.2), G Jehvon Clarke, 6-1 Sr. (10.4), G Anthony Henderson, 6-1 Sr. (8.7), F Richaun Holmes, 6-8 Sr. (14.8), F Spencer Parker, 6-7 Jr. (8.1).

Notes: This is Saint Francis’ first postseason appearance (beyond the conference tourney) since 1991, when the team went to the NCAA Tournament. The bid was a bit of a surprise given that the Red Flash finished tied for fifth in the NEC, but it’s a welcome occurrence for a program that has battled through plenty of adversity for decades. This will be a very tough game for SFU as Bowling Green comes in with an impressive 20-11 record and has a very experienced squad that starts three seniors and two juniors. The Falcons went 11-7 in the MAC East Division, finishing third, one game behind Buffalo and Kent State. For some context, Buffalo is in the NCAA Tournament as a 12 seed, and while Bowling Green lost both regular-season meetings, the second one two weeks ago was a 77-75 decision against Buffalo. Bowling Green is coached by a very familiar name in college basketball in Louis Orr, a former standout at Syracuse who went on to play in the NBA for six seasons and averaged 9.7 points for his career. He was part of the famous “Louie and Bouie Show” while at Syracuse, starring alongside Roosevelt Bouie. Orr was an assistant at Syracuse from 1996-2000 and later served as head coach at Seton Hall from 2001-06.

Mirror prediction: Saint Francis 71, Bowling Green 68

Comment: This should be an outstanding game. It’s always tough to pick against the Flash at home when they’re playing a team of similar caliber. Bowling Green is probably the better team and has a lot of experience, but you have to believe Saint Francis badly wants to win this game after its long postseason drought.

Mirror prediction record: 21-9

– Cory Giger

Hoops du Jour

Penn State men vs. Iowa

Second round, Big Ten Tournament

Tipoff: 2:30 p.m., United Center, Chicago

Records: Penn State (17-15, No. 13 seed); Iowa (21-10, 12-6, No. 5 seed)

Coaches: Patrick Chambers is 55-74 in his fourth season at Penn State and 97-102 in six seasons overall. Fran McCaffery is 95-73 in his fifth season at Iowa and 346-250 in 19 seasons overall.

TV: BTN

Radio: ESPN Radio 1430 WVAM

Probable starters: Penn State – G D.J. Newbill, 6-4 Sr. (20.7), G Shep Garner, 6-1 Fr. (9.3), G Geno Thorpe, 6-3 So. (8.8), F Ross Travis, 6-7 Sr. (5.1), C Jordan Dickerson, 7-1 Jr. (2.6). Iowa – G Mike Gesell, 6-2 Jr. (7.1), G Peter Jok, 6-6 So. (7.1), F Jarrod Uthoff, 6-9 Jr. (12.2), F Aaron White, 6-9 Sr. (15.9), C Adam Woodbury, 7-1 Jr. (6.8).

Notes: Penn State advanced with a 68-65 win over Nebraska on Wednesday, while Iowa had a first-round bye. The Hawkeyes are led by White, a first-team all-conference player who also averages 7.4 rebounds to go along with his 15.9 points. The Lions gave Iowa a tough game two weeks ago at the Jordan Center, losing in overtime, 81-77. White had 21 points and Gesell 14 to lead Iowa, while Newbill had 19 and Garner 17 for PSU. Iowa is a lock for the NCAA Tournament and currently is projected to be a 7 seed by Joe Lunardi. The Hawkeyes have won six in a row, although not against great competition, and they also have wins against Maryland, North Carolina and two against Ohio State on their resume. Iowa is favored by 71?2.

Mirror prediction: Iowa 74, Penn State 69

Comment: A lot of times in tournament settings, the team that won and got the jitters out of the way the day before have an advantage over the team that had the bye. Don’t be surprised, then, if PSU gets off to a good start while Iowa is getting acclimated to the arena and shooting conditions. The Hawkeyes are the better team, though, and should find a way to win.

Mirror prediction record: 25-7

– Cory Giger

Hoops du Jour

Penn State men at Minnesota

Tipoff: 1 p.m., Williams Arena, Minneapolis

Records: Penn State (15-15, 3-14 Big Ten); Minnesota (17-13, 6-11)

Coaches: Patrick Chambers is 53-74 in his fourth season at Penn State and 95-102 in six seasons overall. Richard Pitino is 42-26 in his second season at Minnesota and 60-40 in three seasons overall.

TV: BTN

Radio: ESPN Radio 1430 WVAM

Probable starters: Penn State – G D.J. Newbill, 6-4 Sr. (20.3), G Shep Garner, 6-1 Fr. (9.2), G Geno Thorpe, 6-3 So. (8.6), F Julian Moore, 6-10 Fr. (1.5), C Jordan Dickerson, 7-1 Jr. (2.5). Minnesota – G Andre Hollins, (14.3), G Nate Mason, (9.7), F Charles Buggs, (3.7), F Joey King, (9.0), C Maurice Walker, (11.5).

Notes: This is the Lions’ regular-season finale, and they’ve lost six in a row. PSU is assured of finishing next to last in the Big Ten, ahead of only Rutgers (2-16). One of the Lions’ three league wins came against Minnesota at the Jordan Center, 63-58, on Jan. 28. Newbill had 12 points and was the only PSU player in double figures, but he shot just 4-of-15 from the field. Thorpe and Payton Banks had nine points apiece for the Lions. Hollins led Minnesota with 17. This has been a disappointing season for the Gophers, who had hopes of finishing much stronger in the Big Ten. They’ve lost a bunch of close games but do have good wins over Michigan State, Iowa and Purdue. Minnesota is favored by 8 .

Mirror prediction: Minnesota 71, Penn State 66

Comment: Both teams are better than their record indicates. But then again, when teams have records this bad, there are plenty of reasons for it.

Mirror prediction record: 23-7

– Cory Giger

Hoops du Jour

Pitt men at Florida State

Tipoff: Noon, Donald L. Tucker Center, Tallahassee, Fla.

Records: Pittsburgh (19-12, 8-9 in ACC); Florida State (15-15, 7-10 in ACC)

Coaches: Jamie Dixon is 307-108 in his 12th year as Pitt’s head coach. Leonard Hamilton is 234-171 in his 13th year at Florida State and is 434-381 in his 29th year overall.

TV: ESPN2

Probable starters: Pittsburgh – G James Robinson, 6-3 Jr. (9.1), G Cameron Wright, 6-5 Sr. (9.1), F Sheldon Jeter, 6-8 So. (4.9), F Jamel Artis, 6-7 So. (13.7), F Michael Young, 6-9 So. (13.7). Florida State – G Devon Bookert, 6-3 Jr. (10.4), G Xavier Rathan-Mayes, 6-4 Fr. (14.4), G Montay Brandon, 6-8 Jr. (12.0), F Phil Cofer, 6-8 Fr. (6.9), C Michael Ojo, 7-1 Jr. (2.4)

Notes: Pittsburgh leads the all-time series 10-2 including a 73-64 win at the Petersen Events Center on Jan. 14. Pitt will enter the ACC Tournament as either the No. 8, 9 or 10th seed. A win would give Pitt 20 wins for the 14th consecutive season. Pitt attempted just eight free throws against Miami, a season-low.

Mirror prediction: Pittsburgh 70, Florida State 68

Comment: The Panthers’ bubble likely burst with the loss to Miami. They’ll need a win here and some magic in the ACC Tournament or they’ll be heading to the NIT.

Mirror prediction record: 21-10

– Michael Boytim

SFU men at SFU Brooklyn

Semifinals, Northeast Conference Tournament

Tipoff: 2 p.m., Pope Athletic Complex, Brooklyn

Records: Saint Francis (16-14, 9-9 NEC, No. 5 seed); St. Francis Brooklyn (22-10, 15-3, No. 1 seed)

Coaches: Rob Krimmel is 31-59 in his third season at Saint Francis. Glenn Braica is 82-72 in his fifth season at St. Francis Brooklyn

TV: MSG Network

Radio: The Edge, AM 1400

Probable starters: Saint Francis – G Malik Harmon, 5-11 So. (9.2); G Greg Brown, 6-2 Jr. (7.6), G Ollie Jackson, 6-3 Sr. (8.1), F Earl Brown, 6-6 Sr. (15.8), F Ronnie Drinnon, 6-7 Jr. (8.2). St. Francis Brooklyn – G Brent Jones, 5-10 Sr. (14.2), G Tyreek Jewell, 6-2 Jr. (9.0), F Chris Hooper, 6-6 Jr. (5.3), F Lowell Ulmer, 6-5 Sr. (3.1), F Jalen Cannon, 6-6 Sr. (16.4).

Notes: The winner of this will move on to Tuesday’s NEC championship game against the winner of Robert Morris vs. Bryant. That one will be for a berth in the NCAA Tournament, which the Red Flash have not achieved since 1991. St. Francis Brooklyn won the NEC regular-season title with ease, besting Bryant and Robert Morris by three games. The Terriers won both previous meetings against the Flash, but both games were close. One, in fact, was a sensational finish and heartbreaking loss for the Flash at home Jan. 18. Saint Francis led 59-58 in the closing seconds when Chris Hooper missed a shot up close with about a second to go. Brent Jones grabbed the offensive rebound and, in one quick motion while falling to the ground, lofted up a 4-footer that went in at the buzzer to give the Terriers a 60-59 win. The second meeting occurred two weeks ago in Brooklyn, and the Flash hung tough most of the way, trailing 28-27 at the half and being within striking distance in the final minutes. Malik Harmon hit a 3-pointer to pull SFU within 53-49 with 4:13 to play, but the Terriers closed strong and pulled away in the final two minutes for a 66-54 win. … The Terriers are led by NEC Player of the Year Jalen Cannon, a very similar type of player to the Flash’s Earl Brown in that he’s an undersized (6-6) but strong guy (230 pounds). Cannon averages 10.4 rebounds. He had only seven points and three rebounds in the first meeting but poured in 23 and grabbed 15 boards in the second. … The Flash won at Mount St. Mary’s to advance, 73-58, while the Terriers won the battle of Brooklyn over LIU, 79-70. … The Terriers are favored by 5.

Mirror prediction: Saint Francis 62, St. Francis Brooklyn 59

Comment: Just a gut feeling on this one. It’s hard to beat a team three times in one season, especially when the teams are so close like these two. So look for the Flash to be poised and finish strong to pull off the upset and move within one win of a long-awaited NCAA Tournament berth.

Mirror prediction record: 21-9

– Cory Giger

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today