ATLANTIC TEN CONFERENCE

[EPJr]

Butler Will Begin Play in the
Atlantic 10 In 2012-13


INDIANAPOLIS, IND. -- Butler University will begin competition in the Atlantic 10 Conference in the fall of 2012, a year ahead of schedule, Athletic Director Barry Collier announced today. Earlier this month, Butler announced that it would leave the Horizon League after 2012-13 to join the A-10, but an accelerated timetable was made possible by both leagues.

“We are grateful to the Atlantic 10 for welcoming us into the fold a year ahead of schedule,” Collier said. “Since announcing our intention to depart after 2012-13, Butler and the Horizon League have discussed the terms for next season. Ultimately, it was in our best interest to reach an agreement with the Horizon League for immediate departure.”


http://www.butlersports.com/releases/052912aaa

[EPJr]

A10 releases conference matchups for 2012-13 season

BUTLER
Home – CHA, DUQ, URI, UR, SBU, SLU, TU, XU
Away – UD, FOR, GW, LAS, UM, SJU, SLU, VCU

CHARLOTTE
Home – UD, FOR, LAS, UM, SJU, TU, XU, VCU
Away – BU, DUQ, GW, URI, UR, SBU, SLU, TU

DAYTON
Home – BU, DUQ, FOR, UR, SBU, SJU, TU, XU
Away – CHA, GW, LAS, UM, URI, SLU, VCU, XU

DUQUESNE
Home – CHA, GW, URI, SBU, SJU, SLU, VCU, XU
Away – BU, UD, FOR, LAS, UM, UR, SBU, TU

FORDHAM
Home – BU, DUQ, UM, URI, UR, SJU, SLU, TU
Away – CHA, UD, GW, LAS, SBU, SJU, VCU, XU

GEORGE WASHINGTON
Home – BU, CHA, UD, FOR, LAS, SBU, SLU, TU
Away – DUQ, LAS, UM, URI, UR, SJU, VCU, XU

LA SALLE
Home – BU, UD, DUQ, FOR, GW, UM, UR, SJU
Away – CHA, GW, URI, SBU, SLU, TU, VCU, XU

MASSACHUSETTS
Home – BU, UD, DUQ, GW, URI, UR, SJU, TU
Away – CHA, FOR, LAS, URI, SBU, SLU, VCU, XU

RHODE ISLAND
Home – CHA, UD, GW, LAS, UM, SBU, VCU, XU
Away – BU, DUQ, FOR, UM, UR, SJU, SLU, TU

RICHMOND
Home – CHA, DUQ, GW, URI, SBU, SLU, VCU, XU
Away – BU, UD, FOR, LAS, UM, SJU, TU, VCU

ST. BONAVENTURE
Home – CHA, DUQ, FOR, LAS, UM, SLU, VCU, XU
Away – BU, UD, DUQ, GW, URI, UR, SJU, TU

SAINT JOSEPH’S
Home – BU, FOR, GW, URI, UR, SBU, TU, XU
Away – CHA, UD, DUQ, FOR, LAS, UM, SLU, VCU

SAINT LOUIS
Home – BU, CHA, UD, LAS, UM, URI, SJU, VCU
Away – BU, DUQ, FOR, GW, UR, SBU, TU, XU

TEMPLE
Home – CHA, DUQ, LAS, URI, UR, SBU, SLU, VCU
Away – BU, CHA, UD, FOR, GW, UM, SJU, XU

VCU
Home – BU, UD, FOR, GW, LAS, UM, UR, SJU
Away – CHA, DUQ, URI, UR, SBU, SLU, TU, XU

XAVIER
Home – UD, FOR, GW, LAS, UM, SLU, TU, VCU
Away – BU, CHA, UD, DUQ, URI, UR, SBU, SJU

[EPJr]

DICK VITALE: Additions to A-10 toughen conference


When you look at the Atlantic 10 conference, do you think commissioner Bernadette McGlade has a reason to smile? Her conference was underrated last year and now has become even stronger by adding Butler and VCU. Butler made back-to-back appearances in the national title game in 2010 and 2011 and VCU is supposed to be a tough environment to play at. I have not been there, but people have told me it's unbelievable.


http://espn.go.com/espn/dickvitale/stor ... 012-13-ncb" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[EPJr]

Top non-conference contests for the 2012-13 campaign
By Jeff Goodman | College Basketball Insider


2012-13 Top Non-Conference Games

1) Dec. 29 - Kentucky at Louisville
2) Nov. 27 - North Carolina at Indiana (ACC-Big Ten)
3) Nov. 13 - Kentucky vs. Duke, Champions Classic (Atlanta)
4) Nov. 13 - Kansas vs. Michigan State, Champions Classic (Atlanta)
5) Dec. 22 - Kansas at Ohio State
6) Nov. 28 - Ohio State at Duke (ACC-Big Ten)
7) Dec. 15 - Louisville at Memphis
8) Dec. 28 - Missouri at UCLA
9) Dec. 1 - San Diego State vs. UCLA in Wooden Classic
10) Nov. 9 - Syracuse vs. San Diego State in Battle of Midway
11) Dec. 29 - UNLV at North Carolina
12) Nov. 27 - N.C. State at Michigan
13) Dec. 15 - Florida at Arizona
14) Dec. 1 - Baylor at Kentucky
15) Nov. 9 - Ohio State vs. Marquette at Carrier Classic in Charleston
16) Dec. 28 - Baylor at Gonzaga
17) Nov. 14 - Wisconsin at Florida
18) Dec. 5 - Florida at Florida State
19) Nov. 29 - Kentucky at Notre Dame (SEC-Big East)
20) Dec. 15 - Indiana vs. Butler in Indianapolis
21) Dec. 8 - Wisconsin at Marquette
22) Jan. 4 - Memphis at Tennessee
23) Dec. 15 - Alabama at VCU
24) Jan. 19 - Gonzaga at Butler
25) Dec. 22 - Texas at Michigan State
26) Dec. 22 - Florida vs. Kansas State in Kansas City
27) Dec. 19 - North Carolina at Texas
28) Dec. 31 - Gonzaga at Oklahoma State
29) Dec. 8 - Texas vs. UCLA in Houston
30) Dec. 15 - Kansas State at Gonzaga in Seattle
31) Jan. 5 - Temple at Kansas
32) Dec. 8 - Duke vs. Temple in Newark (Izod Center)
33) Nov. 28 - Michigan State at Miami
34) Nov. 27 - Minnesota at Florida State
35) Nov. 29 - Marquette at Florida (SEC-Big East)
36) Dec. 22 - Temple vs. Syracuse in the Gotham Classic (NY)
37) Dec. 15 - West Virginia vs. Michigan in Brooklyn
38) Dec. 4 - Texas vs. Georgetown in the Jimmy V Classic (NYC)
39) Dec. 4 - N.C. State vs. UConn in the Jimmy V Classic (NYC)
40) Dec. 9 - Kentucky vs. Maryland in Brooklyn
41) Dec. 29 - Xavier at Tennessee
42) Dec. 5 - South Florida at Oklahoma State
43) Dec. 1 - Alabama at Cincinnati
44) Nov. 25 - San Diego State at USC
45) Dec. 5 - Ohio at Memphis
46) Dec. 18 - Stanford at N.C. State
47) Dec. 9 - UNLV at California
48) Dec. 2 - Wisconsin at California
49) Nov. 28 - Saint Louis at Washington
50) Nov. 30 - Tennessee at Georgetown
51) Dec. 1 - St. Joe's at Creighton
52) Dec. 31 - St. Joe's at Drexel
53) Nov. 30 - Syracuse at Arkansas
54) Nov. 11 - Loyola Marymount at SMU

* TBD - Cincinnati vs. Xavier - No date has been set yet


http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketb ... 3-campaign" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[EPJr]

" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati and Xavier University announced today their Crosstown rivalry in men's basketball will continue in 2012, but with some changes, including a new name and venue.

The Skyline Chili Crosstown Classic benefiting the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will provide a new direction for the annual rivalry. The 2012 game date has been set for Dec. 19 at U.S. Bank Arena

The changes will be implemented on a trial basis for up to two years with annual reassessment. Changes to the game include:
•A name change - A new name, Skyline Chili Crosstown Classic, has been selected to emphasize a new direction for the game and its new emphasis on the city and its riverfront. Both institutions are pleased Skyline Chili will continue as the primary sponsor. After the two-year trial period, should the game continue, the new name will remain.

•A new logo incorporating the new name and the new direction.

•A neutral site - the U.S. Bank Arena, located on the city's waterfront.

•The addition of a new beneficiary of the game - The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, located along the riverfront, will receive a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales from the game.

[EPJr]

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[EPJr]

College Basketball's Lockdown Defensive Teams for 2012-13


After Kentucky spent 2011-12 proving the old adage that “defense wins championships,” it’s only fitting to give some preseason credit to the teams that will make opposing offenses miserable next year. Whether they’re swatting away shots like the record-setting national champs, pressuring the ball or just forcing opponents into low-percentage shots, these squads will be dangerous foes even if their own offenses are having an off night.

One team that’s made its living on defense for the last few seasons—and will continue doing so next year—is Shaka Smart’s Virginia Commonwealth squad. VCU plays as tough a pressure defense as any team in the country, and their ability to force turnovers will be vital as they try for a third straight trip to March Madness in their first season in the Atlantic 10.

1. Louisville
2. Wisconsin
3. VCU
4. Kansas
5. Kentucky
6. Saint Louis
7. Ohio
8. South Florida
9. Harvard
10. Saint Joseph's
11. Drexel
12. Memphis
13. Stephen F. Austin
14. UMass
15. Delaware State

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[EPJr]

Dezmine Wells, Xavier:

Tu Holloway and Mark Lyons dominated the ball for the Musketeers in 2011-12. Until Xavier's late-season run to the NCAA tournament, the Dec. 10 brawl with Cincinnati dominated the season storylines. All the while, freshman guard Wells was quietly having a very solid freshman campaign. He is a massively athletic, built-like-a-truck guard who plays much bigger than his 6-foot-4 size -- he might have missed his calling as a linebacker, but don't tell him I said that -- and few players in college basketball can attack the rim with a LeBron-esque head of steam quite like this. Wells will have ample touches in 2012-13. The sky is the limit.

The full article can be read here: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketba ... or-2012-13

[EPJr]

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION: 100 Years Of Basketball


UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - From Millhiser Gymnasium and Richmond Arena to the Robins Center and Sweet 16's, 100 years of Spider Basketball will come to life during a season-long celebration in 2012-13.

The Spiders, who began playing men's basketball in the 1913-14 season, have enjoyed national success and will put that tradition on display with festivities marking the 100th Anniversary of Spider Basketball.

A 100 Years of Spider Basketball logo has been unveiled to tip-off the season-long trip down memory lane. The logo will be prominently displayed including on the Spiders' uniforms, painted on the Robins Center court and raised to the arena's rafters.

http://www.richmondspiders.com//ViewArt ... =205459211

[TheDancinMonarch]

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION: 100 Years Of Basketball


UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - From Millhiser Gymnasium and Richmond Arena to the Robins Center and Sweet 16's, 100 years of Spider Basketball will come to life during a season-long celebration in 2012-13.

The Spiders, who began playing men's basketball in the 1913-14 season, have enjoyed national success and will put that tradition on display with festivities marking the 100th Anniversary of Spider Basketball.

A 100 Years of Spider Basketball logo has been unveiled to tip-off the season-long trip down memory lane. The logo will be prominently displayed including on the Spiders' uniforms, painted on the Robins Center court and raised to the arena's rafters.

http://www.richmondspiders.com//ViewArt ... =205459211

The last time I was there it looked like most of their fans were at the first game in 1913.

[EPJr]

On Monday, July 2, 2012, VCU will be hosting an A-10 celebration at Home Team Grill in The Fan.

Greg Burton will be broadcasting live on-site from 3-6:30 p.m. Guests are expected to include Shaka Smart, Brad Stevens, Phil Martelli, Jay Bilas and more.

Home Team will have a special A-10 menu, and there will be commemorative A-10 shirts.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/features/A1 ... ationParty" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CAA Flagship]

On Monday, July 2, 2012, VCU will be hosting an A-10 celebration at Home Team Grill in The Fan.

Greg Burton will be broadcasting live on-site from 3-6:30 p.m. Guests are expected to include Shaka Smart, Brad Stevens, Phil Martelli, Jay Bilas and more.

Home Team will have a special A-10 menu, and there will be commemorative A-10 shirts.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/features/A1 ... ationParty" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I had a club sammich at HTG just a week and a half ago.
Old Dominion flag hanging from beam was noted.

[CAA Flagship]

Edit: Double post

[EPJr]

Orlando Magic select St. Bonaventure Forward
Andrew Nicholson with No. 19 pick in NBA draft


ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic have selected St. Bonaventure power forward Andrew Nicholson with the 19th pick in the NBA draft.

A Canadian-native, the 6-foot-9 Nicholson played four seasons at St. Bonaventure and finished as the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year as a senior. He averaged 18.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game in his final college season.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sport...i ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[EPJr]

RAMS BECOME OFFICIAL MEMBER OF ATLANTIC-10, ARE ALL-IN FOR THE A-10


RICHMOND, Va. -- VCU officially became a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, July 1. Here's a little history lesson for Ram Nation on their new home.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/features/Al ... r_the_A-10" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[EPJr]

Spiders gain second hoops commitment


Deion Taylor, a 6-foot-6 forward from New Orleans, on Monday gave the Spiders' staff an oral commitment. About this time last month, UR received an oral commitment from 6-8 Terry Allen, a resident of the Houston area.

Taylor, a 16-year-old senior at St. Augustine High in New Orleans, averaged 11 points and 7 rebounds as a junior. He will turn 17 in February.

"Schools liked his athleticism and his ability to knock down the 3-ball," said Clifford Barthe, the coach at St. Augustine.

Taylor, who was also recruited by Tulane, UTEP, Murray State and Tulsa, made 38 percent of his 3-point attempts last season.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/sports/20 ... r-1322219/

[EPJr]

Monday’s A-10 NBA Summer Leaguers in action on NBA - TV
Monday, June 9th:

11AM – Brooklyn (Bryant Dunston, Fordham) v Orlando (Bradford Burgess, VCU / Kevin Anderson, Richmond / Justin Harper, Richmond / Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure) (replay at midnight)

1PM – Boston (Dionte Christmas, Temple / Stephane Lasme, UMass) v OKC (replay at 8PM)

3PM – Utah (Tony Gaffney, UMass / Mike Green, Butler) v Detroit (replay at 4AM)

5PM - Indiana v Philadelphia (Lavoy Allen, Temple / Chris Johnson, Dayton / Devon Searcy, Dayton)

[EPJr]

Tuesday’s A-10 NBA Summer Leagers in action

players did not play due to coaches decisions, but fans of those players will get a chance to catch their guys in action tomorrow during the following games:

11AM – Philadelphia (Lavoy Allen, Temple / Chris Johnson, Dayton / Devon Searcy, Dayton) v Utah (Tony Gaffney, UMass / Mike Green, Butler)

3PM – Detroit v Orlando (Bradford Burgess, VCU / Kevin Anderson, Richmond / Justin Harper, Richmond / Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure)

5PM – Brooklyn (Bryant Dunston, Fordham) v Boston (Dionte Christmas, Temple / Stephane Lasme, UMass) (replayed at midnight)

http://www.a10talk.com/2012/07/tuesdays ... in-action/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[EPJr]

ESPN Top 10 Non Power-6 Teams

link for those with insider
http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/story?id ... -teams-ncb" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

1. Memphis
2. UNLV
3. Saint Louis -Saint Louis is a team that, like Memphis, was beloved by the advanced rating systems but largely shrugged off by the traditionalists. BPI rated the Billikens No. 15 overall team entering the NCAA tournament, but they received just a 9-seed and the tall order of facing fellow advanced metric darling Memphis in the first round. They beat the Tigers and put a real scare into the 1-seeded Michigan State Spartansbefore bowing out. Saint Louis can be underrated by the eye test because it plays slow, grinding, defense-first basketball.
The good news is that the keys to the Billikens' defense are all back -- the extraordinary 25 percent defensive rebounding rate of junior Dwayne Evans, the ball pressure of juniors Mike McCall Jr. and Jordair Jett and the rim protection of junior Rob Loe. The bad news is that their offense went through departed senior Brian Conklin, a combo forward who was one of the most dominant post scorers in the nation. Point guard Kwamain Mitchell and forward Cody Ellis are both proven 3-point bombers. If the Billikens can put together an interior attack that still gets Mitchell and Ellis shots, they should be top-25 material.

4. Creighton
5. Gonzaga
6. San Diego St.
7. New Mexico
8. Davidson
9. VCU - It shouldn't be considered a shock if the Rams' defense is the best in the country. They placed six players in the top 350 in steal percentage last year, and they're all back, including national leader Briante Weber.
Star forward Bradford Burgess has graduated, though, and that means points will be harder to come by.

10. Butler - Defensive superstar Ronald Nored graduated, but Butler has plenty of talent on the roster.
Last year's biggest issue was 27 percent 3-point shooting, and that should be remedied nicely with transfer Rotnei Clarke and freshman Kellen Dunham -- two of the best shooters in the country -- in the 2013 rotation.

Next tier: BYU, Harvard, Murray State, Ohio, South Dakota State, Saint Mary's

[EPJr]

Consensus 2012 top-100 recruit Melvin Johnson commits to VCU


Shaka Smart and the VCU basketball program were looking for a shooter to help fill the void that Troy Daniels’ will leave once he graduates after this season. The staff had been on the trail for some time looking for a shooter and they have found their man in highly-touted 6’2 St. Benedict’s/NY Gauchos guard Melvin Johnson. Johnson had previously been committed to Miami before opening up his recruitment. He was pursued by a number of high major schools both before and after he opened it up and is considered a top-100 recruit by ESPN (85), Rivals (99), and Scout.com (76). He joins Jordan Burgess as a consensus 4-star ESPN/Scout/Rivals recruit and the 2nd ESPN 100/Rivals150 player in VCU’s 2012 class.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-t8F7rR ... r_embedded

http://www.vcuramnation.com/2012/07/con ... ts-to-vcu/

[EPJr]

ED MCLAUGHLIN NAMED VCU DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

RICHMOND, Va. (July 24, 2012) – Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao today introduced Ed McLaughlin as VCU’s new director of athletics, effective Aug. 13.

McLaughlin has been athletics director at Niagara University since 2006 and is credited with leading the greatest period of athletic success in that school’s history, improving the student-athlete experience and winning more conference titles in his six years at Niagara than in the previous 75 years combined.

McLaughlin, 39, was chosen after a national search that produced more than 50 exceptional candidates.

http://www.vcuathletics.com/features/Mc ... ing-072412" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[EPJr]

College Madness Top 144 preview begins...

George Washington at 137.

St Bona at 112



http://www.collegesportsmadness.com/men ... 4-previews" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[EPJr]

1. Hello, Butler and VCU: The Atlantic 10 gladly took Butler (Horizon) and VCU (CAA) a year early and pulled off the coup of the realignment season. These two weren't going to be allowed to play in the respective conference tournaments so the choice was obvious -- bolt to the A-10. The league can make a strong case to be a top-seven conference in the country -- and the Bulldogs and Rams immediately leap to the top of the conference power structure. They will compete for the regular-season and conference tournament titles. Book it.

2. Headed to Brooklyn: The A-10 had a hard time finding a home for its conference tournament. The perfect location would've been the Palestra in Philadelphia, but it's simply too small. So the league headed to a big-time media market when it chose the brand-new Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets. The league's Big Apple debut might result in a record number of bids for this stacked conference.

3. Saint Louis as a favorite: This is exactly why Rick Majerus returned to college coaching. He loves to coach. He relishes teaching. But let's not fool ourselves -- he wants to win. And he did it as well as any coach in the country at Utah. The Billikens are the favorite because they have the most experience and now have NCAA tournament experience. They expect to win. Xavier and Temple have dominated this league and I would never count out either in the title chase. But the favorite this season is in St. Louis.


http://espn.go.com/ncb/notebook/_/page/ ... tlantic-10" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Temple's season could go either way. Obviously, a lot depends on the status of Wyatt. I'd like to think Dunphy can out the right pieces in place to give us a chance to make one last run as a member of the A10. We've owned this conference for the better part of 25 years.....

[EPJr]

Ranking the nation's top college basketball coaches


Athlon Sports ranked each coach in the ACC, Atlantic 10, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC along with the top 20 coaches from outside those seven conferences.

The rankings presented a difficult task. The job of a college coach is multi-faceted. The best coaches in college basketball excel in a handful of areas -- recruiting, talent development, teaching and preparation, game-day tactics and motivation. The best coaches tend to be well-rounded, able to do handle all with equal skill.

Those were the factors we weighed in our conference-by-conference rankings, and that continues in our national rankings. We also examined each coach’s success in the regular season and the postseason. In many cases, we took into account what the coach has done with his current program in addition to previous stops in his career.

http://www.athlonsports.com/college-bas ... ll-coaches