ARMY-NAVY WEEKEND

Feb. 18, 2010

NEW YORK CITY- Last season had the opportunity and honor to cover Army-Navy in basketball. A special day and a true event when these two distinguished academies get together. On Saturday a trip is planned to West Point to cover both the women’s and men’s games in this historic rivalry.

Leading up to it was a reception at the Union League in New York City on Tuesday evening. The reception and dinner hosted by Army graduate and Union League member John Buckheit (USMA ‘84) was a gathering of the West Point Society of New York. The evening’s theme was a show of support of Athletic Director Kevin Anderson and the USMA coaches.

The busy schedules of the basketball and a few other staffs did not permit them to attend. On hand, besides Anderson, were football coach Rich Ellerson, soccer coaches Russell Payne (men’s) and Stefanie Golan (women’s), track coach Troy Engle, Michele DePolo (softball) and Alma Kovaco who directs the women’s volleyball program.

The evening allowed each coach to speak briefly before dinner. In that way each coach had ample time and everyone’s undivided attention. There was plenty of time to speak with the coaches before and after their short presentations.

Had the pleasure to meet all the coaches. Found it ironic that softabll’s season opener was cancelled because Georgia was inundated with snow the past weekend. Kovaco spoke with pride of her team’s volleyball accomplishments as defeating Pepperdine and Iowa and going to the NCAAs this past Fall.

A common thread among all the coaches was enthusiasm and attitude. Rather than lament the difficult recruiting situation given the academy’s academic and military demands, each coach focused on the positives. Simply, the special brand of student/athlete you are privileged to work with and coach at West Point. As Rich Ellerson told the group, “we will win because of West Point not in spite of it.”

Found Anderson, all the coaches and the other attendees to be passionately interested in college basketball. Not just at West Point as a number of people I spoke to asked questions about the Big East and my thoughts of proposed NCAA tourney (please NO) expansion.

In retrospect the evening was a special one which set the tone for a big day at West Point on Saturday.

PASSING OF A LEGEND

Feb. 8, 2010

LYNDHURST, NJ - Among all the activity of a very busy basketball week, was the sad news of the passing of Dick McGuire. His death last week at the age of 84 certainly gained notice in the New York area. It may not have made news nationally in basketball circles but for Dick that would have been fine. He was a man of very few words. And a man who epitomized dignity throughout an outstanding life.

McGuire had spent over half a century with the New York Knicks. He was an All-American at St. John’s and later an NBA All-Star. He coached the Knicks, scouted for the organization and most recent was a consultant. Right up until his passing McGuire, though slowed a bit in gait by having to use a cane, was very active on the scouting circuit.

The latter years he would travel and scout with his son Scott, also a member of the Knick scouting staff. Going to Madison Square Garden you were certain to see the McGuire’s, Dick and Scott. In the press room than taking their seats for a night’s work.

A man of few words Dick McGuire could recognize a good one. He urged and convinced the Knicks to take a chance on a guard named Walt Frazier out of then small college, Southern Illinois. Recently he commented that a certain player he was looking at,” never passes the ball at all.” That was wordy for McGuire.

Everyone who knew the two realized late brother Al had the gift of gab but Dick had the game. Dick McGuire was one of those rare people NO ONE could say a bad word about. He was class personified and respected by younger scouting peers as somewhat of an elder statesman with a link to the NBA’s formative years.

During the recent dark days of the Knick franchise before Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni came on board, the one positive link to a proud past was McGuire. By his presence at the college games and his work one had a ray of hope that better days were ahead for one of the league’s charter and respected franchises.

Dick McGuire and his Knicks made it to the NBA finals during his playing days. Once the Knicks did capture the elusive title McGuire could take pride in having played a significant part.

A man who grew up with the game, the ‘City’ game of pick and rolls and asphalt surfaces outside and dance hall floors indoors, McGuire embraced the game right up until his death.

It is almost inconceivable to return to MSG for a game and not see Dick in the press room sipping a beverage while perusing releases and statistics. But his calling came which, at 84, still seems too soon. Dick McGuire led a blessed life. And we who were fortunate to get to know him were the ones truly blessed.

WHY NOT ARMY

Jan. 5, 2010

LYNDHURST, NJ - A recent New York Times piece chronicled the metropolitan area’s recent lack of success in the NCAA tournament. To take it farther as they say in the lottery ‘you have to be in it to win it’, no New York metropolitan area team has made the Big Dance since 2006. Iona and Seton Hall qualified and were one and done.

It is a new year and hope springs eternal. One team that could end the drought, if you are willing to stretch the geographic limits about 50 miles, is Army. Up in West Point there is something happening that is catching the attention of followers.

Granted the Cadets come off a road trip with two losses but there were competitive outings at SMUY and Portland. To date Army is 9-4. Included are victories over Princeton, LIU and Harvard. Yes, the Harvard club that defeated Boston College and gave UCONN fits. After a January 6th meeting with Brown, Army opens up the Patriot League schedule at Colgate. The feeling around the historic , picturesque campus is the conference is up for grabs. Why not Army? The Cadets are getting attention and may be in line for a Big Dance invite, which would be a first in the program’s history.

A veteran cast returned this season but a large share of the credit has to go to new coach Zach Spiker who has been nothing short of outstanding. Spiker took the job in the Fall after Jim Crews was suddenly relieved of his duties . The remainder of the staff stayed in tact and Spiker has done a great job utilizing their talents with what he has to offer.

“He (Spiker) has a lot of veterans, several seniors so he was smart enough to change a whole lot,” said Cornell head coach Steve Donahue. The discussion about Spiker came shortly after Cornell captured the Madison Square Garden Holiday Festival Crown defeating St.John’s in late December. Donahue looked back with admiration on the fine job Spiker did in Ithaca. During five years as Cornell’s top assistant the Big red were 50-20 and played in the last two NCAA tournaments. “He (Spiker) is an offensive guy,“ Donahue said, “he had been with Gregg Marshall at Winthrop and John Beilein at West Virginia so he was a very valuable addition to our staff. He has just done a great job at Army.”

While Spiker has made a few adjustments to the Army attack, he has allowed assistant Jim Platt to handle the defense. “Jim Platt is a great defensive assistant,” Donahue said, “Zach has been smart enough to let him handle the defense and learn from him.

Part of Spiker’s learning has been constant, if not daily, phone conversations with his former boss. A former boss who is proud but not surprised at the success his one time top aide is enjoying in his new position.

BASKETBALL FEAST

Dec. 1, 2009

NEW YORK CITY – ESPN bills it as ‘Feast Week’. An appetizing buffet of tournaments, marquee matchups and non-conference meetings guaranteed to satisfy . It starts with Maui and ends at Anaheim with the 76 Classic. Once again , ‘Feast week’ gave us a great deal to ‘digest’. One conference that certainly enjoyed the week was the Big East. This might have been termed ‘Big East Feast Week’. A rundown of some of the highlights.

Cincinnati finished runner-up at Maui dropping a close contest to Gonzaga.

Marquette knocked off Xavier and Michigan before losing a tough one to Florida State in the Old Spice Classic.

West Virginia scored a convincing victory over Portland to earn the 76 Classic championship.

UCONN finished Pre-Season NIT runner-up after dropping the final to Duke.

St. John’s posted conquests of note defeating Siena and Temple in the Philadelphia Hoop Group Classic.

Extending action to the week before, Syracuse romped over North Carolina to win Coaches Vs Cancer. Villanova won the Puerto Rico Tip Off and Pitt finished runner-up to Texas in the O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic.

Overall an impressive showing by conference schools across the country and off the mainland.

The Pre-Season NIT at Madison Square Garden gave us a great final in Duke against UCONN. The final score was 68-59 Duke. In many respects it was not as close as it seemed. Duke enjoyed a comfortable double digit lead most of the second half before UCONN made a late run.

UCONN blocked 13 shots and ran away from LSU 81-55 in the semifinals to get to the finals. Thought the Huskies’ big men, notable Gavin Edwards and Alex Oriakhi, in particular, would pose a huge problem for the Blue Devils.

In the end result Duke showed they have a few skilled and tough interior players of their own. The ACC reps owned a 56-43 rebounding edge which included a 25-15 margin on the offensive boards. Brian Zoubek scored only two points for Duke but the 7-1 senior had 11 rebounds, seven on the offensive end.

UCONN limited Duke to 28% field goal percentage and only eight second half field goals and still lost . “I can’t remember ever happening to us,’ Husky mentor Jim Calhoun commented. Just another look confirmed why the huskies came up short, the rebounding edge.

Less discussed was Duke only committing 12 possessions against a pressure defense that had coach Mike Krzyzewski concerned.

Jon Scheyer scored 18 points and earned tournament MVP honors. Jerome Dyson paced UCONN with 15 points.

Duke is still the motion offense team with their precision cuts, crisp ball movement and the availability of great looks. The Blue devils also showed, with their bigger lineup, they have the size and toughness to compete in a war in the paint. And come out on top.

A final note, the game matched hall of fame coaches with a combined 1,647 wins and 5 national championships.

ORANGE CRUSH

Nov. 21, 2009

NEW YORK CITY – Coaches vs. Cancer turned out an ‘Orange delight’. That was for the Syracuse team and faithful that rocked Madison Square Garden like it was a mid march night in the Big East Tournament. In the semis Syracuse romped over a good California team 95-73. The final against fourth ranked North Carolina saw the Orange down two at the half. They came out on a 22-3 run over the initial eight minutes of the second half to regain the lead and pull away.

For Syracuse there were a number of contributors. Andy Rautins, Brandon Triche and Scoop Jardine split time at guard spot and were all effective. Wes Johnson, a 6-7 forward, scored a game high 25 points, pulled down 8 boards earning tournament MVP honors. UNC mentor Roy Williams noted how Johnson’s quickness outside and strength inside was too much for his club to handle.

Ohio state trailed by double digits most of their semifinal against North Carolina. Late in the contest the Buckeyes began to heat up from beyond the arc. With just under twenty seconds it was a one possession play but Carolina held on 77-73. Ohio state came back to earn a 76070 win over California in the consolation.

The big news was Syracuse. They lost Jonny Flynn, Eric Devendorf and Paul Harris but in the end appear to be a better team. They get out on the break, defend extremely well and have outstanding chemistry. That last characteristic is a very elusive and cherished quality.

Even Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim knows North Carolina will be a force. They are a team still getting acclimated and searching for identity after losing a number of players off last year’s national champion. As of now , guard Marcus Ginyard and Deon Thompson (though he struggled inside against Syracuse’s impressive frontcourt) are a pair counted on consistently producing and leading.

For North Carolina they can take solace in this loss occurring before Thanksgiving and not in late March. For Syracuse it was a great victory. One giving impetus of even bigger things to com.
 

PRETTY EARLY IN THE MORNING

Nov. 18, 2009

LYNDHURST, NJ – After years of venturing into New York to Madison square Garden it ‘never gets tired’ as they say. The ‘world’s most famous arena’ is a special venue. For players, coaches, even fans and certainly media. Coaches vs. Cancer features two marquee matchups. The opener is Syracuse-California followed by North Carolina facing Ohio State. There will be a consolation and championship on Friday. We not only get the defending national champion in Roy Williams’ Tar Heels but three other programs with lofty aspirations and a very rich tradition and history. To think it’s only mid-November and we are  fortunate to get matchups of a March Madness variety.

On Tuesday it was a 4 am wakeup to venture off to Jersey City for the Monmouth-St. Peter’s game at 6. This was part of ESPN’s marathon and the pre-dawn setting actually gave us an exciting, charged up atmosphere. St. Peter’s students, after an all-nighter of school sponsored activities and a 4 am breakfast buffet, were on hand in vociferous full force. Monmouth had an enthusiastic representation as well.

Beyond the atmosphere, excitement and novelty of the contest was the fact St. Peter’s has something going. John Dunne, in his fourth year, with his recruited players has a group that shares the ball, has good chemistry and defends.

In the 58-34 rout of Monmouth, Wesley Jenkins led a balanced St. Peter’s attack with 10 points. Defense, though, was the story as the Peacocks limited Monmouth to 10 of 47 (21 per cent) from the floor. That tough man to man allowed St. Peter’s to basically dictate from the early stages on. And send the home crowd home, a little tired, but very happy.
 

TIPPING OFF ANOTHER SEASON

Nov. 12, 2009

EAST ORANGE, NJ – The games have tipped off and another season is on the way. First order of note concerns Syracuse. The Orange dropped their exhibition to LeMoyne at the Carrier Dome and instantly questions arose. Exhibitions are not to be read into too closely. This is not to take away from LeMoyne’s outstanding achievement because Jim Boeheim is a competitor and naturally wanted to come out on the winning side of the ledger. These games however provide coaches an opportunity to experiment. They get an idea regarding lineups, offensive and/or defensive sets that work. It’s a chance to see how newcomers fare in actual game experience. A game played several weeks before Thanksgiving should not be the basis to judge a team.

In the LeMoyne game the Orange gave up a defensive efficiency of 116, a figure that is astronomically high. Defensive efficiency is the points per possession multiplied by 100. So Syracuse allowed 1.16 (almost a point and a quarter) per Le Moyne possession.

The 75-43 win over Albany saw the Orange hold the visitors to a 51 offensive efficiency, signifying a superlative defensive performance. On Wednesday, Robert Morris, another solid mid-major, was routed 100-60. The Colonials were limited to an offensive efficiency of 70, another notable performance by the Syracuse defense.

In the end result, the Le Moyne game did bear significance. It showed Syracuse had to address the defensive end. Judging by the first two regular season games, the SU players got the message.

Nice to see good officiating friend Brian Dorsey working the two recent games at Syracuse. Brian and I have worked basketball and soccer (as recently as September) a number of occasions. Suffice to say anyone fortunate to work with Brian has an excellent partner.


Ray Floriani is  in his eleventh season as a senior writer for collegeinsider.com. EMAIL RAY