HoopDirt.com’s Daily News from the college basketball coaching world…
- Kentucky associate head coach Kenny Payne is getting some strong support for the Louisville job. In a recent article by Rick Bozich on WDRB.com, former Cardinal standouts Pervis Ellison and Billy Thompson give Payne (a Louisville alum) their endorsement. Also, Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown calls him a “perfect fit.” The full story can be found HERE.
- It took a while, but first-year Coppin State head coach Juan Dixon finally earned win #1 on the season last night with a 79-78 win over Florida A&M. After starting the season 0-17, CSU finally snapped the nations longest losing streak (20 straight L’s dating back to last season). The former Maryland standout will look to keep the Eagles winning streak alive when they travel to NC Central on Saturday.
- Speaking of first-year head coaches…Furman’s 12-4 start under head coach Bob Richey is the best for a 1st-year Paladin head coach since Eddie Holbrook back in 1978-79. Richey’s squad is currently 3-0 in the SoCon, and will face Chattanooga on the road tomorrow.
- The Pac-12 announced that Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley would be reprimanded following his comments made about the officiating during the Sun Devils’ loss last week at Colorado. Hurley called a late game foul a “joke”, which according to PAC-12 commish Larry Scott violates rules that prohibit coaches from publicly commenting about officiating. You be the judge, but looks like Hurley has a point – VIDEO HERE.
- Good video HERE from the Big Ten Network of Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery’s ejection on Sunday vs. Maryland. Apparently unhappy late in the first half, McCaffery decided to come out on the court to make his point to the officials.
- HoopDirt.com mentioned last week that Dakota State (SD) head coach Gary Garner was returning to the sidelines following surgery for pancreatic cancer back in October. I’m happy to report that Coach Garner had a successful return, going 1-1 over the weekend and snapping DSU’s six game losing streak.
- Some milestone victories…
Villanova’s 100-90 win over Marquette this weekend was the 400th in Jay Wright’s career at ‘Nova. Wright now has 522 career wins – 122-85 in seven seasons at Hofstra, 400-162 (and counting) at Villanova. His #1 ranked Wildcats host Xavier tomorrow night.
Bellarmine is off to a 13-0 start to the season, and this weekend’s win over William Jewell gave head coach Scott Davenport the 300th of his career. The head coach of the Knights since 2005, Davenport now holds a 300-93 career record. His squad is currently ranked #3 in the DII NABC Coaches Poll.
Maryville College’s Randy Lambert coached his 1,000th career game on Saturday afternoon, as the Scots used a come-from-behind effort for a 69-61 victory over USA South foe N.C. Wesleyan. Lambert – in his 38th season – finished his first 1,000 games with a 687-313 record, as he also searches for his 700th win this year.
Missed this one from a few weeks ago…North Central College head coach Todd Raridon’s won the 500th game of his career. He is now one of 13 active NCAA Division III coaches with at least 500 career wins. Raridon ranks 45th in the history of college basketball in wins among coaches with at least 10 seasons of experience at the Division III level.
- The HoopDirt.com Coach of the Week presented by Just Play Solutions winners were announced yesterday. The full list of winners from the DI, DII, DIII, NAIA, and JUCO levels can be found HERE. Nominations for next week’s award can be sent to: [email protected]
