http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball Recent articles about College Basketball en-us In a surprising change of plans, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski told Sports Illustrated that he could be returning to coaching the Olympics in 2016. Sat, 18 May 2013 16:15:08 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/mike_krzyzewski_strongly_considering_return_to_coaching_team_usa_basketball/13646083 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/mike_krzyzewski_strongly_considering_return_to_coaching_team_usa_basketball/13646083 Coach K to return for 2016 Olympics? http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/mike_krzyzewski_strongly_considering_return_to_coaching_team_usa_basketball/13646083 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/6/b67396485f99326e6d9cc4e952b5c4ea1610a347/mini/165128574.jpg A couple of weeks ago there was a USA Today report wherein Ben McLemore’s AAU coach claimed to have funneled money from… a guy who helps players find agents at a non-profit basketball thing for helping basketball players find agents or something. I wrote about it here. Remember? We all chuckled to ourselves and said, “Well of course a SHAMateur athlete took money from some gut, that kid’s good at basketball!” Then maybe a few of us read the story closer and were a little put off by the low dollars. And then if we thought about it there was actually nothing in the story that even remotely explained how the money that was being paid out by Rodney Blackstock actually was supposed to end up in Ben McLemore’s hands but it might have possibly gotten to McLemore’s cousin. Well, today, USA Today (npi) published another BOMBSHELL!!! wherein Ben McLemore admits to everything! Yes, he knows Rodney Blackstock. They have a relationship! A close relationship! (NTTAWWT) That explains why he gave M... Sat, 18 May 2013 12:32:13 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/ben_mclemore_admits_to_something_but_not_really_anything/13645183 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/ben_mclemore_admits_to_something_but_not_really_anything/13645183 Ben McLemore admits to something but not really anything http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/ben_mclemore_admits_to_something_but_not_really_anything/13645183 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/e/fefdc3e22217e5f66e8d59cdb439d1950c2881fa/mini/6850942.jpg Kevin Ware is a name we know for one main unfortunate reason, and it has nothing to do with his basketball play on the court. Ware was the victim of a freak, and terrible leg injury (the video if you’re interested, though I wouldn’t recommend it) during the NCAA tournament that basically left his leg in two pieces. However, after surgery, Ware is on the road to recovery, and has received an immense amount of support from around the country that was documented by Pat Forde of Yahoo! Sports. The sophomore guard has been piled with letters and notes to the point where he has a person in the University Of Louisville’s office dedicated to handling and organizing the plethora of things being sent Ware’s way. Some supporters have taken it a step further, and have sent Ware gifts as a kind gesture. One problem: many of these gifts violate NCAA policy and cannot be accepted. Forde lists some of the gifts that have been returned or used for other purposes: A significant amount of the mail has been flagged for R Fri, 17 May 2013 22:39:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/louisville_guard_kevin_ware_receiving_tons_of_gifts_from_supporting_fans_cannot_accept_dog_toys_per_ncaa_rules/13642828 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/louisville_guard_kevin_ware_receiving_tons_of_gifts_from_supporting_fans_cannot_accept_dog_toys_per_ncaa_rules/13642828 NCAA: Ware can't receive gifts http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/louisville_guard_kevin_ware_receiving_tons_of_gifts_from_supporting_fans_cannot_accept_dog_toys_per_ncaa_rules/13642828 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/5/e5feabf5406d3b282f64480d8f63d0533bcb6143/mini/166089006.jpg Victor Oladipo mentions the late nights at the gym, the wear and tear on his key card, and he's quick to point out he's just a tad unusual, too. The Indiana product is also just a few weeks away from realizing a dream. The NBA draft is next month and Olapido figures to be one of the top picks after he helped lead the Hoosiers back to national prominence. ''It's surreal sometimes,'' he said. It's also the product of all those hours at the gym honing his shot and developing into something more than a defensive stopper. He spent so much time there he wore out his key card. Now, he's in for a big payoff. ''I'll be honest with you, I'm a weird dude,'' he said Friday at the NBA draft combine. ''At Indiana, we'd just finish watching a playoff game ... a late game, West Coast.'' That didn't stop Oladipo from going to the gym afterward. He swiped his key card so much it stopped working. Not Oladipo, though. With his infectious Fri, 17 May 2013 18:05:30 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/late_nights_at_gym_likely_to_pay_off_for_oladipo/13641514 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/late_nights_at_gym_likely_to_pay_off_for_oladipo/13641514 Late nights at gym likely to pay off for Oladipo http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/late_nights_at_gym_likely_to_pay_off_for_oladipo/13641514 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/1/f1a2dfa4e4dbc3f16686a27a3343fdbfbbd47a36/mini/5120248.jpg Kansas State says sophomore forward Brandon Bolden is joining the Wildcats after leaving Georgetown. Coach Bruce Weber announced the Bolden's decision Friday. Bolden will sit out next season as required by the NCAA, but has three years of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-10 Bolden, from Sumter, S.C., played in four games for the Hoyas last season, totaling just five minutes of playing time with no statistics. He played high school ball for Quality Education Academy in Winston-Salem, N.C., alongside incoming Kansas State freshman Jevon Thomas. Fri, 17 May 2013 18:05:29 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/k_state_adds_f_bolden_from_georgetown/13641499 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/k_state_adds_f_bolden_from_georgetown/13641499 K-State adds F Bolden from Georgetown http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/k_state_adds_f_bolden_from_georgetown/13641499 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png MINNEAPOLIS Gophers point guard Andre Hollins has been invited to try out for the World University Games this summer according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. New Minnesota head coach Richard Pitino made the announcement on Friday during a stop in New Ulm for the Gophers' caravan tour. Hollins will take part in training camp from June 24-July 1 in Colorado Springs, Colo. "Hopefully he makes it, because it will be a great experience for him," Pitino told the Pioneer Press. As a sophomore last year, Hollins led the Gophers with 14.6 points and 3.4 assists per game. The Memphis native also shot a team-high 41.8 percent from 3-point range and was an 80.6 percent free throw shooter. Hollins' former teammate, forward Trevor Mbakwe, also participated in the World University Games in 2011 as he was a part of the team that played in China. Follow Tyler Mason on Twitter. Fri, 17 May 2013 14:54:59 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/hollins_invited_to_try_out_for_university_games_team/13640275 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/hollins_invited_to_try_out_for_university_games_team/13640275 Hollins invited to try out for University Games team http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/hollins_invited_to_try_out_for_university_games_team/13640275 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/1/614c8748aa19ef681a64e4e827444b4ceb00807b/mini/6895156.jpg Former Indiana Hoosiers center Cody Zeller achieved a standing vertical leap of 35.5″ at the NBA Draft combine on Friday. The 20-year-old Zeller’s jump is a record for any individual listed at 6’9″ or above in the last decade. After averaging 16.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists over 36 games as a sophomore, the 7-foot, 240 pound Zeller unwisely declared for the draft in April. Once considered a top-five selection, Zeller is now only expected to go somewhere in the upper half of the opening round. An All-Big Ten First Team choice, it became clear that the native Indianan … Continue reading → Fri, 17 May 2013 14:29:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/despite_setting_a_standing_vertical_leap_record_former_indiana_hoosiers_center_cody_zeller_will_struggle_in_the_nba/13640149 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/despite_setting_a_standing_vertical_leap_record_former_indiana_hoosiers_center_cody_zeller_will_struggle_in_the_nba/13640149 Despite setting a standing vertical leap record, former Indiana Hoosiers center Cody Zeller will struggle in the NBA http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/despite_setting_a_standing_vertical_leap_record_former_indiana_hoosiers_center_cody_zeller_will_struggle_in_the_nba/13640149 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/0/108174f5047072716363b79afa3d33c254f00d60/mini/5944100.jpg Former Kentucky guard Archie Goodwin was one of those players I thought needed another year in college. Goodwin is physically not ready for the pro game, and he’s more than likely going to be in the D-League. I always had a feeling his mind was in the NBA while he was still serving his 1-year in Lexington. Goodwin never seemed to develop or improve that much under the coaching of John Calipari. NBA Draft executives have made note, and that is a major concern for someone looking to draft him. Goodwin was always trying to drive to the basket and overpower anyone and anything in his way. He may have had success doing that in high school, but that mentality hurt him in college. If he tries that in the NBA? He’ll get hurt. During today’s NBA Draft combine, Goodwin was participating in workouts in front of NBA personnel to showcase his skills. Most of the NBA Draft participants who are expected to be picked in the high first round sat out of today’s workouts. Some of the participants that sat out may have a Thu, 16 May 2013 19:46:40 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/goodwin_struggles_at_nba_combine/13634126 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/goodwin_struggles_at_nba_combine/13634126 Goodwin struggles at NBA Combine http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/goodwin_struggles_at_nba_combine/13634126 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/2/82a3f6e6d7c8b125596024d192d06752e1485d98/mini/6817876.jpg LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The pending arrival of eight heralded newcomers has allowed Kentucky coach John Calipari to quickly move on after losing out on top recruit Andrew Wiggins. Calipari is confident his large recruiting class will mesh and have the Wildcats back in national championship contention. Calipari acknowledges the challenge of melding the skills of another talented group of freshmen, one featuring six McDonald's All-Americans. Kentucky's latest recruiting class is considered the best in school history, ratcheting expectations of a ninth national championship next season. Wiggins was considered the final piece for a Wildcats' title run, but the nation's top-rated player committed to Kansas Tuesday. Still, Calipari's believes his class will be successful because junior Kyle Wiltjer and sophomores Willie Cauley-Stein and Alex Poythress return to provide experience and leadership for the rookies. His only caveat: expecting too much from his 13-man roster, especially after Kentucky Thu, 16 May 2013 08:55:24 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/calipari_confident_heralded_recruits_will_mesh/13629200 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/calipari_confident_heralded_recruits_will_mesh/13629200 Calipari confident heralded recruits will mesh http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/calipari_confident_heralded_recruits_will_mesh/13629200 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/4/c4b231c8f93bb1224fcbda6d9c8f6f149ce8817d/mini/NCAA_Basketball_Tournament_54fe.jpg via Zagsblog Kansas and Duke had eked out similar paths this season. Both had significant losses: Duke lost its top three scorers, Kansas lost its starting five. Both had superstar recruits: Jabari Parker for Duke and Andrew Wiggins for Kansas. Parker and Wiggins will undoubtedly be the focal point of their franchise, and both are wingmen. Kansas and Duke have good point guards, so the best complementary piece they need is a strong inside player. They cross paths again for Memphis transfer Tarik Black. per Zagsblog   Memphis transfer Tarik Black is visiting Duke today and will visit Kansas on Tuesday, sources confirmed to SNY.tv. Last week he visited Oregon and then went to Georgetown. The 6-foot-9 Black met recently with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, as well as Ohio State coach Thad Matta and San Diego State’s Steve Fisher.  The 6-9 Black averaged 8.1 points and 4.8 rebounds as a junior last season for the Tigers. He will have one year of eligibility remaining. “I will not be condu... Thu, 16 May 2013 05:04:20 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/kansas_vs_duke_for_tarik_black_highly_recruited_transfer/13628579 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/kansas_vs_duke_for_tarik_black_highly_recruited_transfer/13628579 Kansas vs Duke for Tarik Black: highly recruited transfer http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/kansas_vs_duke_for_tarik_black_highly_recruited_transfer/13628579 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/2/229ef54be8c2280a882666639cb92e2c054507ea/mini/5080744.jpg After landing his first two recruits, junior college point guard Robert Turner and forward Alex Foster, the Tubby Smith-era is in swing at Texas Tech. Due to the lack of certainty regarding the head coaching position at Texas Tech, the Red Raiders did not sign any recruits during the early signing period, so Turner and Foster are the first [...] Wed, 15 May 2013 22:15:29 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/tubby_smith_lands_first_two_recruits_at_texas_tech/13627106 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/tubby_smith_lands_first_two_recruits_at_texas_tech/13627106 Tubby Smith lands first two recruits at Texas Tech http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/tubby_smith_lands_first_two_recruits_at_texas_tech/13627106 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Even though Kentucky lost out on Andrew Wiggins on Tuesday, the Wildcats may still have a signing class for the ages. The Wildcats bring in six... Wed, 15 May 2013 10:15:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/top_25_college_basketball_recruiting_classes_since_2000/13622852 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/top_25_college_basketball_recruiting_classes_since_2000/13622852 The best college hoops recruiting classes since 2000 http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/top_25_college_basketball_recruiting_classes_since_2000/13622852 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/d/fd780cc5c8b943fff2766b74e8b690ddefa7d11f/mini/florida.jpg Evan Gordon has committed to Indiana, transferring from Arizona State. Gordon, younger brother of Eric Gordon, will be eligible to play immediately. “There’s nothing like an Indiana kid playing for IU,” Gordon said. “Coach (Tom) Crean has that program rocking and rolling.” Gordon began his college career at Liberty for two seasons before transferring to Arizona State. Gordon averaged 10.1 points per game last season for the Sun Devils. “It’s kind of crazy how I ended up back here (at Indiana),” said Gordon. “When I left Liberty the reason was to play on a bigger stage and it was a better opportunity to do that. This chance at IU just kind of came about and was hard to turn down.” Wed, 15 May 2013 10:11:49 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/evan_gordon_transfers_to_indiana/13621844 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/evan_gordon_transfers_to_indiana/13621844 Evan Gordon Transfers To Indiana http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/evan_gordon_transfers_to_indiana/13621844 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Twitter Andrew Wiggins’ commitment to Kansas today came as a shock to most of the country, despite the Jayhawks being one of the four finalists named during his recruitment. Many had pegged the two favorites to be Florida State, where his parents are alumni, and Kentucky, where literally half of the other top ten prospects had signed on to play. But perhaps there was more to his decision than just a desire to play for KU coach Bill Self. Last Friday, one of those big-time UK commits, Aaron Harrison, posted a Vine (video) to his Twitter account. In the video, one of his friends in the backseat was heard saying “f*** Andrew Wiggins, we don’t need him”. The video was quickly deleted, but not before being widely circulated on social media. Harrison, to his credit, said he had no issues with Wiggins and that he wasn’t the voice in the video: @bigr3d17 lol it wasn’t me or my brother! It was that kid in the backseat! Lol — Aaron Harrison (@AaronICE2) May 10, 2013 Fair enough. Maybe it wa... Tue, 14 May 2013 16:03:56 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/report_andrew_wiggins_saw_aaron_harrisons_vine_didnt_like_it/13616975 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/report_andrew_wiggins_saw_aaron_harrisons_vine_didnt_like_it/13616975 Wiggins didn't like Harrison's diss video http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/report_andrew_wiggins_saw_aaron_harrisons_vine_didnt_like_it/13616975 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/2/42b040cac7cc2b718aff5225eb228bc4cc6532a5/mini/a1.jpg Andrew Wiggins has finally made his choice. For those of you who don’t know, Wiggins is the top rated high school basketball player in the class of 2013, and he’s arguably the most highly touted prospect since LeBron James. And this morning, Wiggins finally announced where he will attend school in the fall. Amongst a small group of friends, family, and just one media member, Wiggins revealed that he has committed to the Kansas Jayhawks for the fall. This announcement comes as a bit of surprise because Kentucky, Florida State, and North Carolina were seen as the favorites. Wiggins, who won both the Naismith Prep Player of the Year and the Gatorade National Player of the year awards, joins a stacked recruiting class that will no doubt make Kansas an early Final Four favorite. Tue, 14 May 2013 12:46:11 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/report_andrew_wiggins_signs_with_kansas/13614959 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/report_andrew_wiggins_signs_with_kansas/13614959 Report: Wiggins to attend Kansas http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/report_andrew_wiggins_signs_with_kansas/13614959 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/4/842d8481accb9c5c0e3d39adce658222c70f1f27/mini/wiggins.jpg