Congratulations to the Detroit Titans men’s basketball team. They beat Valpo last night in the Horizon League Championship 70-50.
To make it more impressive, Ray McCallum’s team did it on Valpo’s home floor in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
It’s the first trip to the Big Dance since 1999 for Detroit.
Ray McCallum Jr. led the way with 21 points on 10-16 shooting from the field.
A big key in the game was Detroit’s defense; they forced Valpo into 18 turnovers on the night.
A couple of years ago when Titans point guard Ray Jr. was being recruited out of Detroit Country Day I told someone that follows the game the outstanding point guard will go to U of D and play for his father. The guy looked at me and said it was a mistake if he did that, that the kid should go off on his own and make his own name and play big time basketball somewhere else. Hate to say it but this guy was wrong.
Give credit to the Detroit fans that showed up at Valpo to support their guys. Loved their passion and enthusiasm in the stands.
What is it with NBA players that drive into the lane and scream? Jeremy Lin is now officially an NBA player. When he drives to the goal and gets bumped, he screams, “AAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY”
Congratulations to Stan Heath of South Florida; he was named Big East Coach of the Year.
Speaking of the Big East, ESPN makes a crucial turnover by not having Fran Fraschilla on their telecasts for the tournament at Madison Square Garden.
I also have to send congrats to Harvard, they are dancing for the first time since 1946. Tommy Amaker has done a great job.
Myron Medcalf of ESPN.com on Western Kentucky, after firing their head coach earlier this year and their record at 5-14 at one point will be playing in the NCAA tournament, they are the Sun Belt Champs. The Hilltoppers are 15-18 on the season.
John Supinie of the Lincoln Courier on a college basketball player, Meyers Leonard not voted to the Big Ten all-conference team; his coach, Bruce Weber has pumped him up for the up coming conference tournament.
“You have something to prove. Go to Indianapolis, help us be successful. You finish on a great note and make all-tournament. The only way to make all-tournament is to win. You have to play more than one game. It’s something I’ve told them all the time. The guys that make all-conference come from the teams that have success.’’
Mike Cassazza of the Charleston Daily Mail on Bob Huggins of West Virginia and his thoughts on his guy, Kevin Jones not being named Player of the Year in the Big East.
“It doesn’t bother me as much as whoever it was that didn’t deem him as first-team,” Huggins said. “I mean, how could he not be a unanimous pick for the first team? Who can name six players in this league who are better than he is? ”Someone didn’t think he was nearly as good as obviously we think he is, or that he didn’t have the year we thought he did. But I couldn’t imagine who didn’t put him on the first team.”
Speaking of awards, The Sporting News named Bill Self Coach of the Year. I’m not a big fan of this award, it could have gone to guys like Tom Crean, Frank Haith, John Beilein, Tom Izzo or Mike Brey.
Raymond Rolak of the Boxscore with MAC hoops notes reports that Charlie Coles at Miami of Ohio will retire. Coles is one of the nicest guys you can ever meet in the coaching business.
LIU and Robert Morris tonight for the NEC Championship.
Still looking for everyone’s help during the next few weeks. Keep an eye out for a late game situation at the HS or college level. Up 3, on defense, less than 7 seconds left in the game. Do you foul or just defend?
Quote of the Day: “When it comes to the NBA, it’s not about getting there, it’s staying there.’’ -Bruce Weber
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