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American Press
10-06-2025
- Sport
- American Press
Cowboys learn tourney schedule
Last November, the Cowboys used a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands to help build the camaraderie that led to a historic season. McNeese State hopes to do that again this year. The Cowboys will be the headline act at the four-team field for the 2025 Cayman Islands Classic, which runs November 23-25. 'We're thrilled to participate in such a prestigious event, set in one of the most beautiful locations in the world,' said McNeese head coach Bill Armstrong. 'Competing against three programs with strong traditions of postseason success will be a significant early test for our team. Each matchup will present unique challenges and provide a valuable gauge of our current standing. 'It's a great opportunity to learn, grow, and identify the areas we need to improve as we prepare for conference play.' McNeese is coming off a 28-7 campaign that saw the Cowboys win their second straight Southland Conference championship, marking the first time in program history. The Cowboys also won their first NCAA Tournament game ever, upsetting Clemson 69-67 in the opening round of the Midwest Regional in Providence, Rhode Island. McNeese would lose its second-round match against Big Ten powerhouse Purdue. Armstrong takes over the Cowboys following Will Wade's departure for North Carolina State last March. He was able to retain four key members from last year's team, including starters Javohn Garcia and sharpshooter DJ Richards. Garcia was the Southland Conference's Player of the Year last season. With eight or nine new players on the roster, Armstrong will use this trip to continue building the Cowboys' team unity. 'It is important that we use trips like this to come together as a team,' Armstrong said. 'It will be great for an educational experience and a chance for us to bond as a group. 'We will also get a chance to play some good teams at a time when we are still trying to figure things out. I would rather play a tournament setting because there is a prize, but getting these three games against like competition will be big for us.' McNeese will be joined by George Washington, Murray State and Middle Tennessee State in the round-robin event. 'We're excited to welcome these outstanding programs to this year's Cayman Islands Classic,' said Joe Wright, owner and chief executive officer of Caymax Sports Ltd. 'They're in for a first-class experience — both on the court and in the beautiful Cayman Islands. It's going to be a special week of competition, camaraderie, and unforgettable memories for teams and fans alike.' The Cowboys will open the tourney, which is in its seventh year, against George Washington on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 4 p.m., Lake Charles time. Middle Tennessee State and Murray State will play the night's second game. The following night, the Cowboys will play Murray State in the late game, roughly 6:30 p.m., with Middle Tennessee and GW in the opener. McNeese will open the final night with a 4 p.m. game against Middle Tennessee in John Gray Gymnasium in George Town, Grand Cayman. Middle Tennessee State went 22–12 in 2024-25, advancing to the National Invitation Tournament under head coach Nick McDevitt. Chris Caputo returns for his third year as head coach at George Washington, which plays in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Ryan Miller enters his first year as head coach at the Missouri Valley Conference's Murray State, looking to improve on the team's 16–17 record from last year. The Cowboys are still looking to fill the final two games of their schedule in hopes of finding a pair of Power 4 opponents. Tournament Schedule (all times central) Sunday, Nov. 23 McNeese vs. George Washington, 4 p.m. Middle Tennessee vs. Murray State, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24 Middle Tennessee vs. George Washington, 4 p.m. McNeese vs. Murray State, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25 Murray State vs. George Washington, 4 p.m. McNeese vs. Middle Tennessee, 6:30 p.m.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kentucky guard Otega Oweh comments on pending draft decision
Mar 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) dunks the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers in the second half during a Midwest Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images Kentucky guard Otega Oweh said this week that he wants to make the most of his upcoming predraft process before making a decision on his future in basketball. Oweh was an All-SEC second-team selection this past season as a junior, averaging 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.6 steals on 35.5% shooting from 3-point range. He registered 13 20-point games, including a season-high 28 points and six rebounds on Feb. 26. Advertisement The 21-year-old announced last month that he would declare for the 2025 NBA draft while maintaining his remaining eligibility. He offered an update on his thought process after working out with the Portland Trail Blazers, his third this draft cycle. 'I'm all in,' Oweh said on Thursday, via Aaron Fentress of the Oregonian. 'I have one more year of eligibility, but my goal is to play in the NBA, so I'm not doing this process one foot in, one foot out. I'm all in." Oweh isn't projected to be drafted, though the 6-foot-4 guard was among the prospects invited to the combine, beginning Sunday in Chicago, Illinois. There, he'll be able to gain feedback from teams about his draft stock and whether he should stay in or return to school. He has established himself as a defensive-minded prospect who can impact games at a high level. He can guard multiple positions and believes he can defend opposing teams' best players, while offering a dynamic scoring option on the other end of the court. Advertisement Oweh has also worked out with the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets, with additional visits scheduled ahead of the early entry withdrawal deadline on May 28. The upcoming three-plus weeks will be a crucial period for him as he weighs his on-court options. 'I believe I'm a first-round guy,' Oweh said. 'I'm just gonna go through these workouts, give it my all, and then when it's all said and done, I'll see where I'm at and then I'll make that decision.' This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: NBA rumors: Kentucky guard Otega Oweh comments on draft decision
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Clemson's Ian Schieffelin will switch from basketball to football, playing tight end for Dabo Swinney
Ian Schieffelin has used up his college basketball eligibility at Clemson, having finished four years with the Tigers this past season. However, NCAA rules allow student-athletes to compete in other sports within an overall five-year window of eligibility. With one year remaining, the 6-foot-8, 225-pound power forward is taking up football coach Dabo Swinney's offer of playing tight end for the Clemson football program next season. Advertisement Schieffelin announced on social media that he intends to pursue football in what he called "the next chapter" of his athletic career. "I'm excited about Ian's addition,' Swinney said in a statement. 'He is a great competitor with high level success at the college level. He has elite football measurables that I believe will translate well. I'm looking forward to helping him transition and build a football foundation that will give him a chance to not only help us at Clemson but also give him a chance to play pro football." Schieffelin is currently listed on Clemson's official football roster as a tight end with redshirt senior status. This past season, Schieffelin averaged 12.4 points and 9.4 rebounds, helping the Tigers to a 27-7 record and a second-place finish in the ACC at 18-2. Clemson was a No. 5 seed in the Midwest Regional of the NCAA men's tournament, but was upset by McNeese in the first round. Though his college basketball eligibility was finished, Schieffelin entered the transfer portal after the season on the possibility that he might receive a fifth year amid lawsuits against the NCAA pushing for five seasons of eligibility during a five-year span. However, he acknowledged that an "outside chance" would allow for another year playing basketball. Advertisement So Schieffelin had been preparing for an opportunity to play professionally overseas or in the G League. That is, until Swinney floated the idea of playing football for a season. "I've been just training for basketball, getting ready for the next level," Schieffelin told ESPN's David Hale. "Dabo just walked me through the opportunity he was willing to give me, and it all sounded great, something I wanted to jump on," Schieffelin told ESPN's David Hale. "It really just sparked my interest in wanting to try, and being able to put on a Clemson jersey again was very enticing to me," he continued. "To be able to be coached by Dabo and [tight ends coach Kyle] Richardson is just a huge opportunity I couldn't pass up." Clemson lost top tight end Jake Briningstool, leaving a chance for Schieffelin to compete for a spot among several unproven prospects including Josh Happ, Olsen Patt-Henry and Banks Pope. He played tight end and quarterback in high school, but decided to focus on basketball as a junior and senior. Pivoting from basketball to football has resulted in great success for some players, notably Hall of Famers Antonio Gates and Julius Peppers, in addition to Jimmy Graham. Until the renaissance of tight ends over the past 15 years or so, football coaches often lamented that the best prospects at the position opted to play basketball instead. That has certainly changed, creating an opportunity for players like Schieffelin.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kentucky is eyeing the early top-ranked transfer
Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images With Lamont Butler departing and Kerr Kriisa's future uncertain, the Kentucky Wildcats are expected to target a point guard in the transfer portal. The Wildcats are already pursuing one of the top names available. Advertisement According to Joe Tipton of On3 Sports, Kentucky is among the programs showing interest in UNLV transfer Dedan Thomas, ranked as the No. 1 overall transfer by 247 Sports. Other schools in the mix include Florida, UCLA, and Gonzaga. Thomas, a Las Vegas native, entered the portal on March 17 after UNLV head coach Kevin Kruger's departure. The sophomore guard was a Third Team All-Mountain West selection, averaging 15.6 points, 4.7 assists, and 2.0 rebounds per game while shooting 35.3% from 3-point land. As a freshman, he posted 13.6 points and 5.1 assists per game, starting all 34 games for the Runnin' Rebels, who finished 18-15. Kentucky has taken a measured approach to the portal, focusing on its Sweet 16 matchup against No. 2 Tennessee in the Midwest Regional. Mark Pope's first recruiting class ranked No. 5 nationally and included key transfers like Otega Oweh, Andrew Carr, and Amari Williams. However, the Wildcats are set to lose multiple contributors, creating a need for reinforcements. Expect Kentucky to be aggressive in its pursuit of a new floor general once its tournament run concludes. It is worth noting that UNLV did just hire Josh Pastner as its next head coach, so it will be interesting to see if he can get Thomas to consider a return to the Runnin' Rebels. More from
USA Today
31-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
When is the last time all Final Four Teams were No. 1 seeds? Auburn finishes first sweep since 2008
When is the last time all Final Four Teams were No. 1 seeds? Auburn finishes first sweep since 2008 Show Caption Hide Caption Jon Scheyer to uphold Coach K's legacy with Duke's Final Four berth Jon Scheyer isn't worried about the pressure of coaching Duke after Coach K, he's looking to build on his legacy. They are who we thought they were. The four No. 1 seeds in the 2025 NCAA men's tournament have turned out to be the four left standing. No. 1 overall seed Auburn joined Duke, Houston and Florida in the Final Four with a win over Michigan State Sunday. It's the first time since 2008 that all four No. 1 seeds will make up the Final Four and just the second time ever. Coincidentally, that Final Four of 17 years ago was also played in San Antonio, Texas, as it will be this season. The Gators opened the Elite Eight round by making a miraculous comeback with an 84-79 win against No. 3 Texas Tech on Saturday. The Blue Devils knocked out No. 2 Alabama in the nightcap 85-65. On Sunday, the Cougars cruised to an easy 69-50 victory over another No. 2 seed in Tennessee. The top-overall seeded Tigers knocked out No. 3 remaining, Michigan State, 70-64, in the second game of a doubleheader on Sunday. The Final Four starts on Saturday, April 5, with a matchup between two SEC foes in Florida and Auburn. A matchup between Duke and Houston will follow that. Here's what you need to know about the historic Final Four and the last time four No. 1 teams qualified for the Final Four: When is the last time the Final Four featured four No. 1 seeds? The 2008 NCAA Tournament was the first all four No. 1 seeds qualified for the Final Four North Carolina was the No. 1 overall seed, while Kansas, Memphis and UCLA also earned No. 1 seeds. The Tar Heels (ACC), Jayhawks (Big 12), Memphis (Conference USA) and UCLA (Pac-10) all won their respective conferences. UNC swept through the East Regional with wins over No. 16 Mount St. Mary's (113-74), No. 9 Arkansas (108-77), No. 4 Washington State (68-47) and No. 3 Louisville (83-73) to reach the Final Four. In the Midwest Regional, Kansas defeated No. 16 Portland State (85-61), No. 8 UNLV (75-56), No. 12 Villanova (72-57) and No. 10 Davidson (59-57). UCLA beat No. 16 Mississippi State Valley (70-29), No. 9 Texas A&M (51-49), No. 12 Western Kentucky (88-78) and No. 3 Xavier (76-57) in the West Regional. Memphis defeated No. 16 Texas-Arlington (87-63), No. 8 Mississippi State (77-74), No. 5 Michigan State (92-74) and No. 2 Texas (85-67) in the South Regional. However, the Tigers had all of their wins vacated due to the investigation of Derrick Rose and his eligibility. In the Final Four at the Alamodome, Kansas knocked off North Carolina 84-66, while Memphis disposed of UCLA 78-63 for both teams to advance to the championship. In the national title game, the Jayhawks, led by Mario Chalmers, beat Memphis 75-68 in overtime. Who's in the 2025 Final Four? For just the second time in tournament history, the 2025 Final Four will feature four No. 1 seeds. Auburn, the top seed in the Big Dance this season, was the final team to qualify for the Final Four with a 70-64 win over Michigan State. The Tigers also had wins over No. 16 Alabama State (83-63), No. 9 Creighton (82-70) and No. 5 Michigan (78-65). Duke has been the most dominant team during the tournament, with victories over No. 16 Mount St. Mary's (93-49), No. 9 Baylor (89-66), No. 4 Arizona (100-93) and No. 2 Alabama (85-65). Houston defeated No. 16 SIU Edwardsville (78-40), No. 8 Gonzaga (81-76), No. 4 Purdue (62-60) and No. 2 Tennessee (69-50). Meanwhile, Florida has had the bumpiest ride, needing two late comeback victories. The Gators defeated No. 16 Norfolk State (95-69), No. 8 UConn (77-75), No. 4 Maryland (87-71) and No. 3 Texas Tech (84-79). No. 1 Auburn (South) No. 1 Duke (East) No. 1 Houston (Midwest) No. 1 Florida (West) Final Four schedule Saturday, April 5
