Alabama St

It wasn't that long ago that many left the Pittsburgh Panthers for dead, as they were in the midst of what would eventually become an eight-game losing streak. A key factor in the struggles that Jamie Dixon's team experienced was the absence of point guard Tray Woodall, who was out with abdominal and groin injuries. Woodall's back now and he looks to be healthy as well, as he led Pittsburgh to a 72-66 win over rival West Virginia in Morgantown with 24 points, four rebounds and three assists on the night.

In the most recent installment in his "Forgotten Legends" interview series CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with Alabama State great Kevin Loder. Loder, who began his collegiate career at Kentucky State, averaged 24.6 points per game in the Hornets' run to the 1980 NAIA title game. Loder now runs his own consulting firm.

Jon Teitel: At Ross Beatty (MI) HS you were a third team all-state split end, a standout baseball player, and a top-seeded tennis player. Which sport were you best at, and which 1 did you enjoy the most? 

With the NCAA Tournament now over and many resting up for a couple days before hitting the spring recruiting circuit (the Nike EYBL Boo Williams Invitational is this weekend), why not take a look at all 68 teams in this year's field and their early prospects for next season? With the NBA Draft deadline (May 8th) still a month away, here's a look at each of the teams in the East Region and what they'll likely have in 2011-12.

(1) Ohio State: lost in Sweet 16 to Kentucky

6:40 PM Texas-San Antonio vs. Alabama State (TruTV)

(1) Ohio State vs. (16) Texas-San Antonio/Alabama State

East Region - Cleveland

March 18 - 4:40 TNT
 

Recently CHN writer Jon Teitel caught up with Alabama State head coach Lewis Jackson, whose Hornets take on Texas-San Antonio in a "First Four" matchup on Wednesday night with the winner getting East top seed Ohio State on Friday in Cleveland. In addition to his accomplishments as head coach, Jackson is one of the greatest players in the history of Alabama State basketball.

Jon Teitel: You are the fourth all-time leading scorer in Alabama State history with 2,203 points and your #33 is retired.