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Final Four, Not Josh Pastner's Optimism, Vacated in Memphis

Posted: Aug 20th 2009 6:21PM by Terrance Harris (author feed)
Filed under: Memphis, Conference USA, FanHouse Exclusive, NCAA Tournament

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New Memphis basketball coach Josh Pastner was bracing for anything, but hoping for the worst as he, along with all the Tigers faithful, awaited Thursday's NCAA ruling on a two major infractions.

Pastner was able to let loose a sigh of relief Thursday afternoon once the NCAA Committee on Infractions ruling was official. The Memphis Tigers program was ordered to vacate its 38-win Final Four season under John Calipari and the team is on three years probation, but the silver-lining in it all for Pastner was there are no sanctions for the current or future teams, meaning there is no postseason ban or reduction in scholarships.

"You hate to see anything like this happen in the sport you love to student-athletes, coaches, university officials, that's no fun for anybody," Pastner told FanHouse Thursday. "But for us, the current and future of the program, there are so many positives to look forward to. Nothing inhibits us from competing at the highest level and having an opportunity to win at the highest level and compete for the best student-athletes in the country."

Continue Reading Final Four, Not Josh Pastner's Optimism, Vacated in Memphis

Pastner Is Coaching Star in the Making

Posted: Apr 16th 2009 6:24PM by Shane Bacon (author feed)
Filed under: Memphis, Coaches

2 COMMENTS

At first glance, Josh Pastner might not look like much.

He's just 31 years old but recently landed the head coaching job at Memphis after one of his mentors, John Calipari, jumped ship to Kentucky. His coaching experience isn't something that is going to knock you out of your computer chair, but the longevity of it doesn't compares to what he's been able to do in his short period as an assistant coach.

Memphis fans should be thrilled to have him.

Continue Reading Pastner Is Coaching Star in the Making

Sean Miller Accepts Arizona Job

Posted: Apr 6th 2009 1:31PM by Shane Bacon (author feed)
Filed under: A-10, Pac-10, Tourney Coaches

3 COMMENTS

A day ago, folks in Tucson thought yet another coach had turned down the offer to be the next head coach of the Arizona Wildcats.

A day changes a lot of minds. Xavier coach Sean Miller originally declined the offer from Arizona athletic director Jim Livengood, but asked for a day to sleep on the decision. After waking up, Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Miller took the job, letting Xavier officials know on Monday he would not be returning.

Continue Reading Sean Miller Accepts Arizona Job

Tim Floyd Reportedly Takes Arizona Job

Posted: Apr 1st 2009 11:32PM by Shane Bacon (author feed)
Filed under: Pac-10, WCC, Tourney Coaches

2 COMMENTS

Third Update: ESPN is reporting that USC coach Tim Floyd will be Arizona's next coach. ESPN's radio affiliate in Phoenix reports that the Trojan coach and Arizona athletic director Jim Livengood are finalizing a deal and an announcement is expected Thursday. Floyd coached USC for four seasons, including three NCAA tournaments and proved to be a highly effective recruiter. The Tuscon Citizen is reporting that Floyd flew in to discuss the job, but citing an unnamed source, says it is unclear if the coach was offered the job or even visited the campus. The paper reports that no press conference is yet scheduled for Thursday.

Continue Reading Tim Floyd Reportedly Takes Arizona Job

Has Arizona Ruined Its Coaching Search?

Posted: Mar 31st 2009 3:52PM by Shane Bacon (author feed)
Filed under: Pac-10, Tourney Coaches

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Everyone knew Russ Pennell had no chance to stay in Tucson as the head coach once Louisville finished off the Wildcats. It was an incredible run to the Sweet 16, seeing as though nobody even wanted the name "Arizona" in the tournament to begin with.

As the buzzer sounded on that 39-point rout, the coaching search became official. The Wildcats needed a high-profile coach to fill the shoes, and the legacy, of Lute Olson. That was easy in theory, but couldn't have gone worse thus far in the recruiting game.

Continue Reading Has Arizona Ruined Its Coaching Search?

On Campus With 'Cinderella' Arizona

Posted: Mar 25th 2009 6:00PM by Shane Bacon (author feed)
Filed under: Pac-10, Tourney Fans, Midwest Region

1 COMMENT

After winning two tournaments in the NCAA and advancing to the school's first Sweet 16 since 2005, Tucson is buzzing with excitement for a super-size-d Cinderella. We talked with the Arizona Daily Wildcat's associate sports editor Lance Madden about the entire experience (and their cool video of the run).

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Save the Last Dance for Arizona

Posted: Mar 11th 2009 10:44AM by Shane Bacon (author feed)
Filed under: Arizona, Pac-10, March Madness

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Update: Is it over? The Wildcats fell to Arizona State 68-56 in the opening round of the Pac-10 tournament.

It was 1983 when Lute Olson first came to Tucson as the head coach of an abysmal basketball program. He had just taken Iowa to the Sweet 16 the year before and was brought to the University of Arizona to turn the Wildcats around. His first season was a rebuilding year. They only won 11 games, missed the NCAA tournament and finished eighth in the Pac-10.

Since that season, Arizona hasn't missed the NCAA tournament, making it 24 straight times.

Now the streak is in jeopardy.

Continue Reading Save the Last Dance for Arizona

Pac-10 Roundup: Arizona Teams Struggle, LA Teams Roll

Posted: Mar 6th 2009 9:48AM by Shane Bacon (author feed)
Filed under: Arizona, Arizona State, California, Oregon, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Pac-10, Oregon State

1 COMMENT

On a night when the University of Arizona honored famed coach Lute Olson during halftime, something became very clear as the ceremonial speeches ended and the basketball began. If the Wildcats want to continue their NCAA streak of 25 consecutive tournament appearances, they would need more than an uplifting video (it got dusty in my apartment) and the memory of a coach that has been through a lot the last two years. The Wildcats need a W.

It wasn't happening, as Jerome Randle absolutely murdered the 'Cats in the second half, helping California (22-8, 11-6) improve to third in the Pac-10 with the 83-77 win and put the Wildcats in another uncomfortable position similar to last season -- leaving their March Madness dreams up to chance.

Continue Reading Pac-10 Roundup: Arizona Teams Struggle, LA Teams Roll

Arizona Making a Late Charge to Keep NCAA Tournament Streak Alive

Posted: Feb 7th 2009 8:36PM by Shane Bacon (author feed)
Filed under: Arizona, March Madness

3 COMMENTS

Some teams need a kick in the pants to get going. The Arizona Wildcats apparently needed one to the grill.

Since the now famous Facegate, when Houston's Aubrey Coleman placed his foot directly on Chase Budinger's noggin, the Wildcats have been on fire, winning five straight including that one against Houston. The latest was an impressive win Saturday against Oregon in Eugene, making it a sweep for the Wildcats on their road trip after going winless in meaningful road games this season.

Latest College Basketball Photos

Oregon State's head coach Craig Robinson reacts in the second half of their NCAA college basketball game with Arizona State, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009, at Gill Coliseum, in Corvallis, Ore. Arizona State defeated Oregon State 49-38. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Arizona State's Jamelle McMillan (10) steals the ball from Oregon State's Daniel Deane (30) in the second half of their NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009, at Gill Coliseum, in Corvallis, Ore. Arizona State defeated Oregon State 49-38. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Arizona State's Jeff Pendergraph (4) pulls down a rebound as Oregon State's Joey McConnell (12) looks on in the second half of their NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009, at Gill Coliseum, in Corvallis, Ore. Arizona State defeated Oregon State 49-38. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Arizona State's head coach Herb Sendek shouts to his team in the second half of their NCAA college basketball game with Oregon State, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009, at Gill Coliseum, in Corvallis, Ore. Arizona State defeated Oregon State 49-38. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Duquesne's David Theis (22) celebrates with teammate Aaron Jackson (1) in the final seconds of a 72-68 upset win over Xavier in an NCAA college basketball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009. Duquesne upset Xavier 72-68. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Duquesne fans flood the court after a 72-68 upset of Xavier in an NCAA college basketball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Ohio State's William Buford, center, shoots over Minnesota's Damian Johnson, left, Al Nolen (0) and Blake Hoffarber (24) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 64-58. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)

Xavier's B.J. Raymond, left, shots over Duquesne's Melquan Bolding (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009. Duquesne upset Xavier 72-68. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Duquesne's Aaron Jackson, left, drives past Xavier's Dante Jackson during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009. Duquesne upset Xavier 72-68 with Jackson leading all scorers with 21 points. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Duquesne coach Ron Everhart reacts during the final minute of an NCAA college basketball game against Xavier in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009. Duquesne upset Xavier 72-68. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Continue Reading Arizona Making a Late Charge to Keep NCAA Tournament Streak Alive

Jamelle Horne Might Have the Lowest Basketball IQ Ever

Posted: Jan 17th 2009 11:00PM by Shane Bacon (author feed)
Filed under: Arizona, USC, Pac-10

1 COMMENT

What is that saying? You know, the one about fooling people? Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me?

Saturday night, I was sitting on the couch with my roommate, a fellow Arizona Wildcat, watching our "team" play Southern California in Los Angeles. Thursday night the Wildcats couldn't cover a 20-point spread against UCLA, a game that was so one-sided I actually told a friend, "If Arizona played UCLA 20 straight games, we'd lose by double digits in all of them." Goliath, meet David without the slingshot.

The USC tilt wasn't that exciting, but towards the end, the Wildcats were hanging in there and even leading with less than a minute left. What is that you hear? Yep, it's Jamelle Horne music.

Continue Reading Jamelle Horne Might Have the Lowest Basketball IQ Ever