Radford

#8 Georgetown vs. #18 Notre Dame: Monday's Preview

Raphielle Johnson — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 21:01:03 -0800

The current era of college sports means that fans have become used to conference foes meeting for the first time in a season in late February, as is the case with #18 Notre Dame (20-9, 12-4) visiting #8 Georgetown (21-6, 11-5) on Monday night. Both teams lost games in the tri-state area over the last five days with the Hoyas getting blown out at Seton Hall and Notre Dame losing at St. John's on Saturday, but these are still teams that can make noise in New York next week. On the line at the Verizon Center is (at the very least) the inside track for one of the two remaining double-byes in the Big East Championship, a perk Mike Brey's team would clinch with a win.

Neither team was expected to be in this position early in the season, with the prognosticators selecting the Hoyas to finish tenth in the Big East and Notre Dame expected by many to be an NIT team (or worse) when Tim Abromaitis went down with a torn ACL. That's why both head coaches, Brey and John Thompson III, have to be considered Big East Coach of the Year candidates and while the teams have different styles the tempo's about the same. Georgetown will use their big man, senior center Henry Sims, as a distributor within their system and he's done well in the role.

Sims leads the team with an average of 3.4 assists per game while also scoring 11.3 points and grabbing 5.5 rebounds, a far cry from the numbers he put up in his first three seasons as a Hoya. Sims' emergence has relieved some of the pressure on Jason Clark and Hollis Thompson offensively while also giving Georgetown an added dimension at the five that was missing with Julian Vaughn there last season. Both Clark and Thompson, who lead the team in scoring, shoot better than 48% from the field and no Hoya who averages 19 minutes or more per game shoots worse than 45.5%.

Notre Dame has become well-known for their "burn" offense, a system first instituted when Luke Harangody went down with a knee injury two seasons ago. The move got the Irish to the NCAA tournament that season, but at this point it's difficult to figure out if Notre Dame is running the special offense of if this is just how they play at this stage. Young guards Eric Atkins and Jerian Grant have been major factors for the Irish, and their maturation has resulted in Notre Dame being a better team than many anticipated. The primary frontcourt scorer is Jack Cooley, a 6'9" forward who has no problem with physical play and shoots 62.8% from the field.

One area the Hoyas have to keep an eye on defensively is the three-point line, as Notre Dame has some players who can get hot from deep. Their percentage of 33.2% may not be the best (Georgetown shoots 35.1%) but Notre Dame isn't shy about putting shots up, with Atkins, Pat Connaughton and Alex Dragicevich being three of the most likely options. The Irish have done a good job of taking care of the basketball (10.0 turnovers per game) and they'll need to continue that against a Georgetown team that forces turnovers on 20.8% of their opponents' possessions as well as keep the Hoyas off the offensive glass (Hoyas have an OR% of 36.4%) in order to win.

#5 Kansas will look to keep on the right track towards a one-seed in the NCAA tournament with a win at Oklahoma State, and #14 Baylor shouldn't have a problem with Texas Tech in Waco. Mississippi Valley State looks to move to 17-0 in SWAC play as they visit Jackson State, with last week's hero (Paul Crosby) having the versatility to have an impact in multiple facets of the area.

In the MEAC there are two games remaining in the regular season with three teams separated by a game atop the standings. Savannah State (12-2) hosts North Carolina A&T while Delaware State (11-3) hosts Morgan State and Norfolk State (11-3) visits Florida A&M. NSU's Kyle O'Quinn is the likely Player of the Year but he and his teammates have a little work to do if they're to win the regular season crown.

The most important games on Monday take place in the Big South as seeds seven through ten meet in the first round of the Big South tournament. Radford, who has had a tough season due to the lack of success on the court along with NCAA sanctions being handed down, visits a VMI team that swept the regular season series but by a total of just nine points. The second meeting, a 65-60 VMI win at Radford, featured 42 combined turnovers with the Highlanders squandering a 52.6% first half with 16 turnovers. If Radford can slow down Stan Okoye they'll have a shot, and RU's Javonte Green put up 23 and 11 in that meeting.

The other first round game matches Gardner-Webb and High Point, who split their season series with the home team winning each meeting by four points. Scott Cherry's Panthers won 81-77 in overtime on February 4th, shooting an impressive 15-for-28 from beyond the arc to make up from their 32% shooting from inside of it. Nick Barbour was on fire in that contest as he scored 34 points, making seven of ten shots from three-point range. It's pretty clear who the Bulldogs are going to focus on slowing down Monday night. Tashan Newsome is the lone Bulldog averaging double figures (12.0 ppg) but four Gardner-Webb players finished in double figures in the February meeting.

Top 25 Games
9:00 PM (5) Kansas at Oklahoma State (ESPN)
7:00 PM (18) Notre Dame at (8) Georgetown (ESPN)
9:00 PM Texas Tech at (14) Baylor (ESPNU)

NCAA Division I Games
7:00 PM Mississippi Valley State at Jackson State (ESPNU)
7:00 PM Radford at VMI
7:30 PM Norfolk State at Florida A&M
7:30 PM Hampton at Bethune-Cookman
7:30 PM Morgan State at Delaware State
7:30 PM Gardner-Webb at High Point
7:30 PM Coppin State at Maryland-Eastern Shore
7:30 PM North Carolina Central at South Carolina State
8:00 PM Texas-Pan American at North Dakota (FCS)
8:00 PM North Carolina A&T at Savannah State
8:30 PM Alabama State at Prairie View A&M
9:00 PM Northern Arizona at Montana State
9:00 PM Longwood at Gonzaga (ROOT)
9:00 PM Alabama A&M at Texas Southern
9:00 PM Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Grambling State

Jon Teitel's Forgotten Legends Series: Radford Great Doug Day

Jon Teitel — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 21:18:44 -0700

In the latest installment in his "Forgotten Legends" interview series CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with Doug Day, the all-time leading scorer in Radford University history. Day, who is also one of the college basketball's most prolific three-point shooters, is currently the head coach at Blacksburg (VA) High School.

Jon Teitel: Why did you decide to go to Radford?
Doug Day: I chose to attend Radford for a few reasons. One, it was close to home and would allow my family the opportunity to see me play. Two, I really liked Coach Oliver Purnell and his style of play. And three, I saw an opportunity to be a part of a rebuilding program and to be part of something special.

JT: You were an All-Big South performer during each of your four years at Radford. How were you able to come in and contribute as a freshman, and how were you able to remain consistent throughout the rest of your career?
DD: Growing up my parents always stressed to my sisters and I to set goals both academically and athletically, and they encouraged us to work hard to achieve those goals. Going into my freshman year I set the goal of wanting to be a starter and a major contributor on the team. I worked as hard as I could to prepare myself for the competition of D-I basketball. After each season was complete, I set new goals and dedicated myself to becoming a better player than I was the year before.

JT: In 1990 you scored a career-high 43 points on a school-record 11 three pointers made (5th-most in NCAA history) vs. Central Connecticut State. Was it just one of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were "in the zone"?
DD: Coach Purnell said it reminded him of a shark in a feeding frenzy! It seemed to me that the basket was as big as the ocean, and no matter where I was on the court I felt like the ball had a good chance of going in. My teammates did an outstanding job of setting screens for me and getting me the ball in positions that allowed me to get good looks at the basket.

JT: In 1992 you helped lead your team to the first-ever conference title in school history. How big a deal was it to win that title, and what was the reaction like back on campus?
DD: Winning the first-ever conference title was a huge deal for the culture of the basketball program at RU. It seemed to bring a lot of pride and excitement to not only the program, but to the entire university. The student body, faculty, staff, and administration were outstanding in their support of us.

JT: In 1993 you completed your career as the Division I career leader in three-point shooting with 401 three pointers made. What did it mean to you to get the record, and what is your secret for three-point shooting?
DD: Knowing the history of college basketball and all the great players that played the game make it very special. Anytime a player is able to accomplish an individual record, there are a lot of teammates and coaches that played a major role in achieving this goal. I was very fortunate to play with some great players and be coached by some outstanding coaches. I feel like the secret to my success as a shooter was the countless numbers of hours my father and I put into shooting practice shots under game-like situations.

JT: Two of the guys who have since broken your record, JJ Redick and Curtis Staples, are both from Roanoke which is less than an hour's drive from your hometown of Blacksburg. What do they put in the water in Southwest Virginia, and what are the odds that three guys from the same region turned out be some of the best three-point shooters in the history of the sport?
DD: I have often thought about this phenomenon. It is really amazing to think of all the athletes who have played D-I basketball, and to have three of the top three-point shooters from the same small region is pretty remarkable. Curtis and JJ both had outstanding college careers and were fun to watch. JJ has continued to improve each and every year and has developed into a real good NBA player.

JT: You graduated as the all-time leading scorer in school history. Did you realize at the time how prolific a player you were?
DD: When I graduated from RU, I felt blessed and fortunate to have had the type of career that I did. It was with the support of my family and the help of God that I was able to accomplish many of my goals. Being a student athlete at Radford opened many doors and afforded me opportunities that I will always cherish. I look back on my career and have many fond memories of the things that I accomplished and the people that I met.

JT: You are currently the basketball coach at Blacksburg High School, where you took over for your dad Doug Sr. How big an influence was he on your own decision to go into coaching, and what did it feel like to take over for him?
DD: I am currently in my 8th year as head coach at Blacksburg. I took over the program from veteran Bob Trear, who was my coach when I was in school there. Coming home to teach and coach at the school where I graduated from is very special. Continuing the tradition of excellence and respectability is of utmost importance. It has been a joy and an honor to have my father as my top assistant since he retired from his job in 2008.

JT: One of your former players, Daniel Mitchell, walked on to the Radford team in 2008. Why did he decide to go to Radford, and what did it mean to have one of your players play basketball at your alma mater?
DD: Daniel was an outstanding player for us at Blacksburg. He helped lead us to the State AA semifinals in the 2007-2008 season. He received interest from several D-III schools, but decided that he would attend RU and walk-on to the team. It is very rewarding to have one of your former players playing D-I basketball at your alma mater. It was especially gratifying watching him play in the first round of the 2009 NCAA tourney against North Carolina (Mitchell had two rebounds in two minutes).

JT: When people look back on your career, what do you want them to remember the most?
DD: I would like for them to remember me as a team player who was always willing to do what was best for his team to be successful. I hope they walked away knowing that I gave it my all each and every minute!

Doug is also on Jon's list of best fantasy players in Big South history

Charleston Southern: Ben Hinson (1987) 2,295 PTS (#1), 45.7 3P% (#2), All-American, conference Player of the Year
Coastal Carolina: Tony Dunkin (1993) 2,151 PTS (#1), 721 REB (#4), 52.1 FG% (#4), All-American, four-time conference Player of the Year
Gardner-Webb: George Adams (1972) 2,404 PTS (#1), 1,113 REB (#1), 60.3 FG% (#1)
High Point: Arizona Reid (2008) 2,069 PTS (#1), 1,013 REB (#1), two-time All-American, two-time conference Player of the Year
Liberty: Karl Hess (1980) 2,373 PTS (#1), 648 AST (#1), 89.8 FT% (#1)
NC Asheville: Josh Pittman (1998) 1,549 PTS (#4), 175 STL (#2), 2-time conference Player of the Year
Radford: Doug Day (1993) 2,027 PTS (#1), 401 3PM (#1)
Virginia Military: Reggie Williams (2008) 2,556 PTS (#1), 820 REB (#4), 196 3PM (#4)
Winthrop: Charles Brunson (1982) 1,850 PTS (#1), 913 REB (#1), 61.3 FG% (#2), two-time All-American

2010 CollegeHoops.net Mid-Major All-Americans

CHN — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:47:47 -0800

Being the best player on a Top 15 team is a recipe for earning CollegeHoops.net's Mid-Major Player of the Year honors. Gordon Hayward averaged 15.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg, and 1.8 apg in leading Butler to a 28-4 record. He's joined on the Mid-Major First Team by CAA Player of the Year Charles Jenkins, Cornell leader Ryan Wittman, and big men Keith Benson of Oakland and Art Parakouski of Radford.

Butler has three players on the list: Hayward, 2nd teamer Shelvin Mack, and Honorable Mention Matt Howard. Other teams with multiple players include Cornell (Wittman & Jeff Foote), IUPUI (Alex Young & Robert Glenn), Northeastern (Matt Janning & Chaisson Allen) Siena (Ryan Franklin & Ryan Rossiter),

CollegeHoops.net Mid-Major Player of the Year:

Gordon Hayward, Butler, So

CollegeHoops.net First-Team Mid-Major All-America
G Charles Jenkins, Hofstra
G Gordon Hayward, Butler
G/F Ryan Wittman, Cornell
F Keith Benson, Oakland
C Artsiom Parakhouski, Radford

Second-Team Mid-Major All-America

G Shelvin Mack, Butler
G CJ McCollumn, Lehigh
F Kenneth Faired, Morehead St
F Alex Young, IUPUI
C Adnan Hodzic, Lipscomb

Third-Team Mid-Major All-America
G David Kool, Western Michigan
G Damian Lillard, Weber St
F Marqus Blakely, Vermont
F Larry Sanders, VCU
F Alex Franklin, Siena

Fourth-Team Mid-Major All-America

G Gerald Lee, Old Dominion

G Matt Janning, Northeastern

F Tyren Johnson, Louisiana-Lafayette
F Charles Garcia, Seattle
F Orlando Johnson, UCSB

Honorable Mention

Chaisson Allen, Northeastern

Noah Dahlman, Wofford
Rahmon Fletcher, UWGB
Jeff Foote, Cornell

Robert Glenn, IUPUI

Andrew Goudelock, Charleston

Joseph Harris, Coastal Carolina
Marquez Haynes, UT-Arlington

John Holland, Boston U

Reggie Holmes, Morgan St

Anthony Johnson, Montana

Matt Howard, Butler

Jeremy Lin, Harvard

Ashton Mitchell, Sam Houston St

Derek Needham, Fairfield

TJ Robinson, LBSU

Ryan Rossiter, Siena
David Schneider, William & Mary

Chris Singletary, Kent St
AJ Slaughter, Western Kentucky
Ben Smith, Jacksonville
Ryan Thompson, Rider

G Dominic Waters, Portland St

College Hoops Thursday Recap: WAC and WCC Now Have Clear Favorites

Raphielle Johnson — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:21:46 -0800

Before getting into the games of Thursday it would be appropriate to mention the tragic death of University of Southern Indiana basketball player Jeron Lewis, who fell and hit his head during a game against Kentucky Wesleyan. Tragically the senior had returned to school following the birth of his first child around Christmas. An autopsy will be performed on Friday. Jeron Lewis was 21 years old.

Three Key Happenings

1. Gonzaga picks up a big win at Saint Mary's. After winning at Portland in their last game there was just one obstacle left in the way of Mark Few's team making the early statement in regards to who will eventually be the top dog in the WCC. And while Randy Bennett's Gaels were competitive for most of the game they didn't have an answer for Elias Harris, who scored a career-high 31 points and grabbed thirteen rebounds in the Bulldogs' 89-82 win. Now with wins over said contenders, on the road no less, the Bulldogs have taken a definitive step towards yet another WCC regular season title despite the fact that they're just two games into the league schedule.

What cost the Gaels? Simply put they couldn't get stops when they needed them. Gonzaga shot 59.7% from the field and outrebounded Saint Mary's 45-25. To put that in a proper place Omar Samhan had twelve of those rebounds for the home team; Gonzaga is too good of a team to be afforded that kind of edge on the glass. Samhan (31 points) and Matthew Dellavedova (23 points) led the way for SMC but it wasn't enough to pull off the win. Gonzaga has been through the battles in the non-conference schedule, a slate that has them more than ready to make a run at their tenth consecutive WCC title.

2. Louisiana Tech defends their home floor against Fresno State. Louisiana Tech had the look of a team that would have serious staying power in the WAC race going into tonight's game against Fresno State (who was also undefeated in league play). And they did little to dispel that notion in beating Fresno State 81-73 to move to 5-0 in WAC play and take early control of the regular season race. Kyle Gibson, one of the best guards in college basketball that you don't see on ESPN every night, led the way with 32 points while Jamel Guyton added seventeen and Magnum Rolle 16 points and 13 rebounds.

The good news for Kerry Rupp's team is that they already have wins over both Nevada and Utah State, and while both of those games were in Ruston they have an edge that could be a cushion once they hit the road for rematches if they take care of business. Four Fresno State players finished in double figures (Sylvester Seay's 19 led the way) but their rebounding (-9 margin) and three point shooting (33.3%/7-21 to Louisiana Tech's 47.8%/11-23) played a major role in their demise. There's still a long way to go in the WAC race but Louisiana Tech took a step in the direction of their first-ever WAC title.

3. Radford reminds Coastal Carolina that they're defending Big South champions. It's not like the Chanticleers didn't know that the Highlanders were the conference's representative in the NCAA Tournament. But on a night that began with the home folks hoping that Cliff Ellis' team could take a solid hold of the Big South race Radford responded with a gritty effort to win 62-52. Reigning conference Player of the Year Artsiom Parakhouski scored 20 points and grabbed ten rebounds in the win as Radford was first to wake up from a slow start to take a 26-19 lead into the locker room.

And while the second half brought an increase in offensive production the Highlanders remained in front as CCU shot just 31.7% from the field. And on a night that saw both teams struggle from behind the arc Radford did a better job of getting good looks to make up for the cold night. The ability to adjust is one more reason why Radford was the preseason pick to win the conference and they backed it up in Conway.

Top Three Games

1. Mississippi State 82, Arkansas 80 Jarvis Varnado posted his second triple-double in leading the Bulldogs to the win in Starkville. Dee Bost added 20 points while Marshawn Powell (25 points, eight rebounds) spearheaded a furious Razorback rally with 14 points in the final eight minutes.

2. New Orleans 67, Arkansas-Little Rock 66 (OT) A Carl Blair layup with 34 seconds left in overtime gave the Privateers the home win. Devin McDonald led UNO with 20 points and Charles Carmouche added 18 with leading scorer Billy Humphrey out with a knee injury. Courtney Jackson led the Trojans with sixteen points.

3. San Francisco 70, Loyola Marymount 67 Kwame Vaughn scored six of his seventeen points in the game's final two minutes to lead the Dons to the victory in Los Angeles. Larry Davis led the Lions with sixteen points off the bench.

Three Notable Performances

1. F Jarvis Varnado (Mississippi State) Varnado's triple-double (17 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocks) led the Bulldogs to an 82-80 win over Arkansas.

2. G Chase Simon (Detroit) Simon scored 33 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in leading the Titans to an 81-65 win at Milwaukee.

3. F Elias Harris (Gonzaga) Harris scored 31 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the Bulldogs' 89-82 win at Saint Mary's.

College Hoops Thursday: Your Commentary

Raphielle Johnson — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:48:51 -0800

Thursday's schedule may be lacking in regards to "marquee" games but there are important conference games to check out. Louisiana Tech hosts Fresno State in a matchup of the WAC's only two undefeated and there will be plenty of offensive talent on display. Kyle Gibson currently leads the conference in scoring and teammate Magnum Rolle has played the way people expected the LSU transfer to play when his career began. But on the other end, Louisiana Tech will have to account for Paul George and Sylvester Seay, two wings with the ability to light up the scoreboard.

There are also important games in the West Coast and Big South conferences, with Gonzaga visiting Saint Mary's while defending Big South champ Radford takes on Coastal Carolina. The Bulldogs have already won at Portland so a win in Moraga would clearly hand them the driver's seat in the WCC. But Randy Bennett's squad will be up to the task thanks to the presence of Omar Samhan and others.

As for the Highlanders of Radford they'll lean on big man Artsiom Parakhouski in an important road game against the Chanticleers, who are 6-0 in conference play. Joseph Harris and Chad Gray make up one of the better frontcourt pairings many haven't heard about this season and they'll give Radford headaches if they aren't careful. A Radford win ties them in the loss column for first place while a win for Coastal Carolina provides the Chanticleers with much-desired separation.

TV GAMES

7p ESPN2 Auburn at Tennessee
7p ESPN Seton Hall at Georgetown
7p ESPNU Arkansas at Mississippi State
7p CBS-College Lehigh at Navy
9p ESPN Indiana at Michigan
9p ESPN2 Providence at DePaul
9p ESPNU Tennessee Tech at Tennessee-Martin
9p ESPN+ Fresno State at Louisiana Tech
10:30p FSN Stanford at Washington
11p ESPN2 Gonzaga at St. Mary's (Calif.)
11p ESPNU Santa Clara at Pepperdine

OTHER GAMES

7p Cleveland St at Butler
7p Radford at Coastal Carolina
7:30p Eastern Illinois at Eastern Kentucky
7:30p High Point at Charleston Southern
8p Wright St at Green Bay
8:30p Arizona St at Oregon
10p California at Washington St
10:30p Portland at San Diego

ONE PREDICTION

Louisiana Tech over Fresno State: The pick here is Louisiana Tech in the battle of the Bulldogs because of the rebounding ability of Ola Ashaolu. With all the scoring talent you'll see on the floor it will be the one player known more for his defense and rebounding that makes the difference.

College Hoops Wednesday Recap: Cincinnati Knocks Off UConn

Raphielle Johnson — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:20:20 -0800

The first few days of the Big East conference schedule certainly haven't lacked drama, with Seton Hall, Marquette and Cincinnati all having opportunities to knock off more established programs. But the difference between the Bearcats and the other two schools is that they were able to take full advantage of their opportunity, knocking off #10 Connecticut 71-69 at Fifth Third Arena. Lance Stephenson passed his first conference test with flying colors, scoring 21 points and knocking down two free throws with seven tenths of a second remaining to provide the final margin.

The question that many will ask in regards to this game will be whether or not Stephenson was fouled on his final drive. John Cahill simply called what he saw and is generally regarded as one of the better referees in the business. But to point to that as the sole reason for the Huskies' loss would be extremely unfair. Offensively Connecticut struggled to run their offensive sets efficiently and the Bearcats deserve some credit for that. But if UConn can't figure out how to go about making things happen in their half-court sets they're going to be in trouble as they advance through Big East play.

As for what this win means for Cincinnati it's a solid result that nets them a 1-0 conference record. But they aren't without their issues either; Ibrahima Thomas needs to become more physical in regards to finishing inside and there were stretches of play in which it was hard to notice that Yancy Gates was even on the floor. But with Stephenson and Deonta Vaughn leading the way, Mick Cronin's team may be able to build on the momentum gained from this victory.

Three Key Happenings

1. William & Mary picks up another good non-conference win. There really hasn't been a mid-major "team du jour" since Portland returned back to reality following their run to the title game of the 76 Classic. But maybe the Tribe of William & Mary should receive more praise for their 9-2 start, and they added another line to their resume with a win at Maryland. The Tribe led by as many as sixteen in their 83-77 win at the Comcast Center, their second road win over an ACC opponent this season (Wake Forest).

Quinn McDowell led the way with 28 points and at 9-2 the Tribe are off to their best start since 1977. Could William & Mary's turnaround following an 0-2 start help the CAA make a case to be a two-bid league? That remains to be seen, especially as league play progresses since five or six teams will be able to throw their hat into the title race. But the Tribe's recent play has certainly helped in that department.

2. Illinois survives Northwestern in Champaign. Had there been an extra second or two on the clock at the end of regulation this spot could have been about Bill Carmody's Wildcats picking up a huge road win. But it wasn't granting the stripped D.J. Richardson a reprieve in the form of overtime, which Illinois took over to pick up the 89-83 victory. And despite the high score it was the Illini defense that helped secure the win, limiting Northwestern to 33.3% shooting from the field and 16-for-47 from behind the arc.

Giving up eighty-three points isn't necessarily the best way to start Big Ten play but as those percentages show it may have been a start. And when all else fails Bruce Weber can look to his two Mikes on the inside. Tisdale and Davis combined for 51 points and 28 rebounds in the win, and if they can continue to produce while getting some help from the perimeter Illinois should be a safe bet for the NCAA Tournament.

3. Radford's going to be tough to beat in the Big South. George Mason has been a bit erratic this season but for the defending Big South champs to beat them in the fashion that they did on Wednesday night should serve notice to the rest of the conference. Artsiom Parakhouski and Lazar Trifunovic combined for 49 points and 29 rebounds in the 80-53 pasting, and Radford held the frigid Patriots to 27% shooting from the field. The Highlanders didn't make a three pointer (0-9) on the night but that doesn't matter when you can get just about anything you want inside.

That's a luxury that having a player the caliber of reigning Big South POY Parakhouski affords you. And when you add Joey Lynch-Flohr to the aforementioned tandem you've got a trio that will likely control the glass in most conference games. If one or two of their guard consistently knock down perimeter shots don't be surprised if Radford returns to the NCAA Tournament come March.

Top Three Games

1. Illinois 89, Northwestern 83 (OT) See above.

2. Cincinnati 71, Connecticut 69 See above.

3. Central Connecticut St. 89, UMBC 86 (2OT) Robby Ptacek led the victorious Blue Devils with 23 points while UMBC's Chris De La Rosa led all scorers with 25 and teammate Robbie Jackson added 24 points and 15 rebounds.

Three Notable Performances

1. C Artsiom Parakhouski (Radford) The senior big man was a man among boys against George Mason, tallying 34 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks in the Highlanders' 80-53 victory. Teammate Lazar Trifunovic added 15 points and 17 rebounds.

2. C Mike Tisdale (Illinois) Tisdale posted a line of 31 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks and two steals in the Fighting Illini's 89-83 overtime win over Northwestern. Teammate Mike Davis added 20 points and 17 rebounds.

3. F Kevin Thompson (Morgan State) Thompson scored 13 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in the Bears' 87-70 win over LIU. But that rebound total was a far cry from his season-high: 25. And he's just a sophomore.

College Basketball: Preseason Mid-Major All-Americans

CHN — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:58:58 -0800

CollegeHoops.net's Preseason Mid-Major All-America Team is led by one of the few underclassmen on the list, Butler's Gordon Hayward. Hayward is joined on the First Team by teammate Matt Howard. Boston U, Butler, Cornell, Gonzaga are the only teams with multiple players.

CollegeHoops.net Preseason Mid-Major Player of the Year: Gordon Hayward (Butler)

CollegeHoops.net First Team Mid-Major All-America

Matt Bouldin	Gonzaga	SR	G
Gordon Hayward	Butler	SO	G
Ryan Wittman	Cornell	SR	F
Matt Howard	Butler	JR	F
Marqus Blakely	Vermont	SR	F

CollegeHoops.net Second Team Mid-Major All-America

AJ Slaughter	Western Kentucky	SR	G
Charles Jenkins	Hofstra	JR	G
Larry Sanders	VCU	SR	F
Kenneth Faried	Morehead State	JR	F/C
Art Parakhouski	Radford	SR	C

CollegeHoops.net Third Team Mid-Major All-America

Ben Smith	Jacksonville	SR	G
Edwin Ubiles	Siena	SR	G/F
Ryan Thompson	Rider	SR	F
Kyle Austin	UC-Riverside	JR	F
Omar Samhan	Saint Mary's	SR	C

CollegeHoops.net Honorable Mention Mid-Major All-American

Darion Anderson	Northern Illinois	JR	G
Keith Benson	Oakland	JR	C
Zahir Carrington	Lehigh	SR	F/C
Louis Dale	Cornell	SR	G
Devin Gibson	Texas-San Antonio	JR	G
Jeremy Goode	Mount Saint Mary's	SR	G
Andrew Goudelock	Charleston	JR	G
Steven Gray	Gonzaga	JR	G
Brandon Hazzard	Troy	SR	G
John Holland	Boston U	JR	G/F
Brandon Johnson	San Diego	SR	G
Corey Lowe	Boston U	SR	G
Dior Lowhorn	San Francisco	SR	F
Matt Janning	Northeastern	SR	G
Anthony Johnson	Montana	SR	G
Gerald Lee	Old Dominion	SR	F
Tyrone Lewis	Niagara	SR	G
Grant Maxey	Jackson State	SR	F
Harouna Mutombo	Western Carolina	SO	G
Kevin Palmer	TAMU-Corpus Christi	SR	G/F
Rodney Pierce	Buffalo	SR	G
Jonathan Rodriguez	Campbell	SR	F
Desmond Yates	Middle Tennessee St	SR	F

Other CollegeHoops.net Preseason Awards

- National All-Americans

- High-Major All-Americans (A10, CUSA, MVC, MWC, WAC)

- Preseason All-Freshman Team

Poll: Who Will Win the Big South?

Shawn Siegel — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:23:59 -0700

Radford Basketball Preview: #124

Joel Welser — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:23:57 -0700

Overall Rank: #124

Conference Rank: #1 Big South

2008-09: 21-12, 15-3

2008-09 postseason: NCAA

Coach: Brad Greenberg (31-32 at Radford, 31-32 overall)

Radford dominated the Big South, going 15-3, but the non-conference portion of their schedule was filled with losses and a few wins against non Division I opponents. That is how they ended up as 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they promptly got slaughtered by eventual national champions North Carolina. Most of the key pieces to the team are back and the Highlanders should find themselves right back on top of the conference standings.

Key Losses: F Eric Hall, G Martell McDuffy, G Chris McEachin, G Kenny Thomas

Key Newcomers:

It is the frontcourt that has the most talent and that talent will get a boost from Lazar Trifunovic, a transfer from Binghamton. The 6-8 junior started nearly every game during his playing time at Binghamton and will make an already dominating frontcourt even better. Yet, the most important newcomers could be in the backcourt where freshmen Jamal Curry, Evan Faulkner, Blake Smith and Gorkem Sonmez will all battle for important minutes and possibly even a starting job.

Backcourt:

Martell McDuffy was kicked off the team after 13 games last year and Chris McEachin has opted to transfer. McEachin, who averaged 8.7 points per game after missing the first semester due to academic reasons, would have likely been the starter at shooting guard had he opted to stick around. Even Aaron Austin, who played in just 12 games last year, would have likely seen quite a bit of playing time, but he too has transferred. That leaves walk-on Cole Wilder as the lone experienced shooting guard and he might even start until one of the freshmen unseat him. The good news is Amir Johnson is returning. The point guard averaged 9.6 points per game and dished out 5.2 assists per game. As long as Johnson can find the big men, the offense is in good hands.

Frontcourt:

The frontcourt duo of Artsiom Parakhouski and Joey Lynch-Flohr were nearly impossible to stop in conference play. Parakhouski, a 6-11 senior, led the way averaging 16.2 points, 11.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. Lynch-Flohr added 13.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per contest. The only thing that made the duo suffer was Lynch-Flohr’s knack for getting in foul trouble. With the addition of Trifunovic, worrying about foul problems is a thing of the past. Phillip Martin started 21 games last year after McDuffy was gone and did an admirable job. Martin has the ability to take the outside shot and turn into a legitimate scoring threat now that the proven shooters are absent.

Who to Watch:

Parakhouski, Lynch-Flohr and Trifunovic would be a quality frontcourt in any conference. The two returning starters may not put up such gaudy numbers this year since Trifunovic is now in the mix, but having three quality big men is certainly better than having two. The only possible concern is the lack of outside shooting from the big men. Those three are not going to stretch out the defense with their outside shooting very often and that may be a problem since the Highlanders lost most of their outside shooters.

Final Projection:

And it is that outside shooting that will be the difference between a good year and a great year. Johnson is a capable shooter and scorer, but he will be busy running the point most of the time. Radford must find a couple players on the wing that can score, especially from long range or the defense can simply pack it in and stop the big guys inside. Most teams in the Big South will not be able to stop them anyway, but if Radford wants to make a little noise out of conference, they must have a more dynamic offense.

Projected Post-season Tournament: NCAA

Projected Starting Five:

Amir Johnson, Senior, Guard, 9.6 points per game

Cole Wilder, Senior, Guard, 0.7 points per game

Phillip Martin, Senior, Forward, 4.2 points per game

Joey Lynch-Flohr, Senior, Forward, 13.7 points per game

Artsiom Parakhouski, Senior, Center, 16.2 points per game

College Basketball Preview - 144 Teams in 144 Days - Preview Interviews

Radford: 2009 NCAA Tournament Capsule

Joel Welser — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:46:11 -0700

Radford Highlanders

Big South

Last NCAA Appearance: 1998, First Round loss to Duke

Coach: Brad Greenberg (First NCAA appearance)

Why They Can Surprise:

The numbers might be a little misleading since Radford plays in the Big South, but this is still a great rebounding team that ranks 19^th in the nation with a 6.4 rebounding margin. This is a group that outrebounded Wake Forest and Duquesne this season and hung right in there with George Mason and Virginia. Artsiom Parakhouski is the biggest reason for the Highlanders domination on the glass. The 6-11 junior is averaging 15.3 points and 10.9 rebounds on the year, and those lofty numbers are in spite of a slow start to the season by Parakhouski.

The other big presence in the post is Joey Lynch-Flohr. At 6-8 and 221 pounds, Lynch-Flohr provides Radford with another large presence in the paint. He is not the shot blocking threat or as effective of a rebounder as Parakhouski, but Lynch-Flohr has developed into a very consistent and efficient scorer in the paint.

Why They Can Disappoint:

The frontcourt makes the overall shooting percentage pretty good, but there are not a lot of long range shooters on this team. However, the turnovers are a bigger problem. Amir Johnson is a good scorer and a quick point guard who will find his teammates, but he turns the ball over 3.3 times per game. The frontcourt does not help the overall number either and the Highlanders commit a total of 16.4 turnovers per game and few teams in the postseason will have a higher number than that.

Who To Watch:

Kenny Thomas is the star of the backcourt. He is most consistent outside shooter on the team and he will knock down nearly 2.5 three-pointers per game. However, if his shot is not falling, the perimeter will have trouble scoring. Johnson can pick up some of the slack, but he will do most of his scoring by using his quickness to get to the basket, not from outside. The team as a whole only hits 5.0 three-pointers per game and for a team that has so many scoring options in the paint, the guards will get plenty of open looks. The other possible scorer on the perimeter is Chris McEachin. The 6-5 sophomore has had some impressive scoring outputs during conference play and will use his size to help out on the glass. He is not much of a shooter and at some point Radford will have to make some three-pointers to keep pace with more talented teams in the tournament.

Probable Starters:

Amir Johnson, Junior, Guard

Kenny Thomas, Senior, Guard

Phillip Martin, Junior, Forward

Joey Lynch-Flohr, Junior, Forward

Artsiom Parakhouski, Junior, Center

Key Roleplayers:

Eric Hall, Senior, Forward

Chris McEachin, Sophomore, Guard

+ Following final Bracket announcement, more team info will be added, including final RPI, final team statistical rankings, Joel's prediction, and more!

+2009 NCAA Tournament
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