Latest news with #Battle4Atlantis
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Spartans rumored to face major Big East opponent in an exhibition game this season
Michigan State basketball is rumored to be lining up a big-time opponent for an exhibition game this upcoming season. Storrs Central -- a UConn NIL marketing partner -- posted on social media on Thursday that Michigan State is expected to play the Huskies in an exhibition game this upcoming fall. There were no other details included on the date or location of the potential big-time exhibition matchup. Michigan State and UConn have been two of the biggest and most successful basketball programs in the modern era. The Huskies have experienced more success recently, of course, with back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024. But Michigan State did get the best of UConn in their last meeting in the third-place game of the Battle 4 Atlantis in 2021. Michigan State is already set to play a number of college basketball's biggest brands this upcoming season. The Spartans have already announced games against Duke (home), North Carolina (neutral site) and Kentucky (neutral site), and also rumored to play Arkansas (home). So adding this major exhibition game is just another fun wrinkle on the Spartans' 2025-26 schedule. Should this exhibition game occur, it would be a third straight year the Spartans played in a marquee exhibition matchup. In 2023, Michigan State hosted Tennessee in a top 10 battle that also served as a charity event to benefit Maui wildfire relief efforts, and this past season the Spartans traveled to Northern Michigan to play an exhibition against Tom Izzo's alma mater. We will keep our eyes out for any formal announcement or report of this potential exhibition matchup. I'm personally hoping this isn't just a rumor and becomes official soon enough. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NBA Draft 2025: Memphis Grizzlies add backcourt burst with Javon Small at No. 48
The Memphis Grizzlies continued reshaping their roster. The team has selected West Virginia's Javon Small with the 48th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Small becomes the second rookie addition for Memphis this year, joining No. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 11 pick Cedric Coward. While not projected for immediate heavy minutes, Small's ability to create his own shot and contribute on both ends of the floor gives the Grizzlies another intriguing option behind Ja Morant. Javon Small joins the Memphis Grizzlies' backcourt Javon Small's journey to the NBA was anything but traditional. A four-year college player across three schools, Small took the scenic route to draft night and made sure he left a mark at every stop. Now, after a breakout senior season at West Virginia, the 6-foot-1 Indiana native is headed to Memphis to join a backcourt loaded with talent. The Memphis Grizzlies selected Small with the 48th pick in the second round. His arrival adds to a group that includes Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cole Anthony, all backing up franchise centerpiece Ja Morant. While his playing time may be limited early, Small's impact could grow quickly if his production translates to the next level. Small was one of the most productive guards in the NCAA during the 2024–25 season. In 32 games for the Mountaineers, he averaged 18.6 points, 5.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals, earning All-Big 12 First Team honors and an AP All-American Honorable Mention. Despite being slightly undersized (190 pounds) for an NBA combo guard, Small made up for it with elite athleticism. He boasts a vertical leap of over 40 inches and a fearlessness in key moments. Among his standout performances at West Virginia: - Scored 31 points against Gonzaga at the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. - Hit the game-winning free throw to upset Kansas, delivering in crunch time against one of the top programs in college basketball. - Poured in 12 points in the final two minutes to seal a dramatic comeback victory over Iowa State. Also Read: He also shot a respectable 35.3% from beyond the arc in his senior season, showcasing a well-rounded offensive game that includes strong playmaking and the ability to hit tough shots under pressure.
Indianapolis Star
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Indiana basketball strengthens schedule with neutral-site game against Louisville
BLOOMINGTON – IU officially announced Thursday a nonconference date with Louisville, strengthening its schedule ahead of Darian DeVries' first season. The Hoosiers will tip off against U of L at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 6, with the game to be held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. IndyStar understands the meeting will be a one-off, rather than part of a multi-year series. One of the most active and successful teams in the spring portal window, Louisville looks to build off a 27-win season in Pat Kelsey's first year in charge. The Cardinals finished tied for second in an admittedly weak ACC, before losing in the first round of the NCAA tournament to Creighton. This will be Indiana's 22nd game all time against Louisville, and its third in the last three years. Kelsey's team routed IU, 89-61, in an opening-round of last season's Battle 4 Atlantis. Louisville now occupies one of the coveted December Saturday slots typically reserved for high-level nonconference matchups in college basketball. IU will travel to Kentucky the following Saturday for the first game in a four-year series renewing that interstate rivalry, with tipoff time to be determined. The Hoosiers' game with Louisville adds flavor to what will already be a busy Saturday in Indianapolis — the Big Ten football championship game is scheduled for the same day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Our book on Bob Knight makes a great Father's Day gift! Thursday's announcement formally adds to what is now a sturdy nonconference schedule. The Hoosiers will play Marquette on Nov. 9 in Chicago, in addition to games against the Cardinals (Indianapolis) and Wildcats (Lexington). IU is also expected to pursue a nonconference home game against a high-major opponent, likely in another one-off setup similar to last year's visit from South Carolina. Kansas State is understood to be among the possibilities.
USA Today
22-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Cold shooting dooms UNC in NCAA Tournament exit vs. Ole Miss
Cold shooting dooms UNC in NCAA Tournament exit vs. Ole Miss UNC couldn't overcome an eventual 22-point deficit. Too many times during their 2024-2025 basketball season, the North Carolina Tar Heels needed late-game comebacks to keep themselves within a fighting chance of victory. UNC came back from a 20-point deficit against Dayton in the Battle 4 Atlantis, winning 92-90. North Carolina (23-14, 13-7) ACC) nearly shocked Duke in the ACC Tournament semifinals, but a missed free throw and lane violation thwarted that comeback attempt. On Friday, against Ole Miss in their Round of 64 NCAA Tournament matchup, the Tar Heels found themselves in a massive hole once again. UNC trailed by 18 points at halftime, then later by 22 early in the second half, en route to a 71-64 loss that ended its season. The Rebels' defense forced North Carolina to take shots it didn't want to, while North Carolina's defense couldn't stop a physical Rebels offense. Tar Heels junior guard Seth Trimble, who recorded nine points, four rebounds and a steal in 27 minutes off the bench, spoke postgame about he and his teammates' slow start. "We were really lifeless in the first half, Trimble said in a postgame interview transcribed by InsideCarolina. "We had no passion. We had no joy. We looked like the group we were a few months ago." Head coach Hubert Davis also gave his take on UNC's slow start, pointing to a lack of competitive fight and dealing poorly with Ole Miss' physicality. "I just know in the first half, we didn't play nearly as well as we needed to play, and what was missing was that competitive fight," Hubert said. "It had nothing to do with Xs and Os. It was just a competitive fight on both ends of the floor, to do the things that we needed to do and needed to execute. And that's why I called an early time-out, to let them know that they were very far from where we needed to be, in order to beat a team like Ole Miss." North Carolina shot just 38.1 percent (24-of-63) as a team, with an ice-cold 5-of-24 mark from deep. The Tar Heels couldn't break the Rebels' physicality and defense early, which later cost them and ended their season. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Five takeaways from UNC's season-ending loss to Ole Miss in Round of 64 NCAAT matchup
The North Carolina Tar Heels faced a golden opportunity right in front of their eyes, facing the Ole Miss Rebels on Friday afternoon, in the NCAA Tournament's Round of 64. UNC advanced to face Ole Miss by virtue of dominating San Diego State, 95-68, in its First Four matchup. The Rebels, on the other hand, were one of 14 teams in a loaded SEC to make the NCAA Tournament field. When the final buzzer sounded from Milwaukee, Wis. inside the Fiserv Forum, the Tar Heels walked into their locker room dejected, after a 71-64 defeat in which recurring issues forced their hand once again. North Carolina (23-14, 13-7) found itself playing from behind once again, just as it did too many times in the regular season, trailing by as many as 22 points. UNC scored just 26 points in the first half, something it couldn't afford to do against a balanced Ole Miss (23-11, 10-8 SEC) offense. The Rebels (23-11, 10-8 SEC) started Friday on an 11-2 run, in large part due to five quick points from Dre Davis. Jaylen Murray and Jaemyn Brakefield, the latter of who played at Duke for one season, drained two 3-pointers in the span of one minute. Despite the Tar Heels surging late in the second-half, like they've done all season, their 20-plus-point deficit proved too much to overcome. North Carolina had all the momentum with just over a minute to go, closing its gap to two points on RJ Davis' and-one, but Sean Pedulla took over with five points in the final minute. I feel like the Tar Heels spent most of their close games down by double-digits at one point, then later give fans hope with a late surge. We saw this same exact scenario against Dayton and Michigan State in the Battle 4 Atlantis, Senior Night and in the ACC Tournament Semifinals against Duke, plus most recently Friday against Ole Miss in the NCAA Tournament. As hard as North Carolina fights, it struggles to close out games after making its big comebacks. 17 seconds after RJ converted his and-one, Pedulla drained a 3-pointer and crushed UNC's hopes. If North Carolina could put together a complete 40 minutes, they would be playing Sunday in the Round of 32. Alas, UNC proved once again, this time Friday against Ole Miss, it's a second-half team. The Tar Heels trailed the Rebels by 18 at halftime. If not for Elliot Cadeau's free throw with four seconds left in the first half, North Carolina would've tied an NCAA Tournament record. North Carolina's 18-point halftime deficit is the 2nd-largest in program history in the NCAA Tar Heels trailed Houston by 19 at halftime of the 1967 3rd-place game. — Bryan Ives (@awaytoworthy) March 21, 2025 I'm not going to make excuses for Hubert after Fridays' season-ending loss, but frankly, I'm tired of hearing "Fire Hubert." Unless North Carolina has someone waiting in the wings, this would be one of the most head-scratching decisions in recent program history. I will acknowledge, however, that Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard outcoached Hubert by a mile. Beard instructed his players to keep their foot down in the first half, helping them mount a massive lead against a UNC team many expected to win via upset. The Tar Heels mounted a near-comeback-for-the-ages, part of which you can credit Hubert for. Beard won the coaching battle, though. He made adjustments that Hubert failed to, which is why the Rebels are moving on to Sunday. When your team trails by as much as North Carolina did Friday, what's the quickest way to cut back into a deficit? Making 3-pointers. The Tar Heels made 14-of-24 perimeter attempts against SDSU on Tuesday, so I liked their chances to quickly erase their deficit Friday. There's just one issue: UNC couldn't make a 3-pointer to save its life against Ole Miss. North Carolina made just 5-of-24 attempts, with Drake Powell nailing two of those. The Tar Heels couldn't replicate Tuesday's success from deep – and it cost them. Layups are some of the most high-percentage looks a team can take in a basketball game. UNC loves to drive the rim, generating a ton of its offense from doing so. When you can't make layups, though, it's tough to win games. North Carolina missed three straight layups between the 4:12 and 3:16 mark of the second half, a microcosm of a stretch during which Ole Miss went scoreless for nearly six minutes. Ole Miss went 5.5 minutes without scoring. UNC missed 3 straight is March. — Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) March 21, 2025 This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Five takeaways as UNC season ends in NCAA Tournament against Ole Miss
