HoopDirt.com’s Daily News from the college basketball coaching world…
- Potential NCAA violations in the Patriot League?? Weird, but true…apparently three Holy Cross men’s basketball players have been suspended and did not play in the Crusaders loss on Wednesday (one in which they scored a program record low 34 point). According to a statement released by the college, “Holy Cross Athletics was made aware of potential NCAA violations involving current student-athletes. Those athletes have been placed on interim suspension from team activity pending a full investigation.” When asked about the suspensions, head coach Bill Carmody told the Worcester Telegram, “You probably got the statement from the school, so I’ll just leave it at that.” It will be interesting to see how this one plays out, I’m hearing three different versions of what they are looking at. More from the Telegram HERE.
- The mess at Colorado State continues…after yesterday’s REPORT that the school is planning to fire recently suspended head coach Larry Eustachy, the players boycotted their 3pm practice. According to the Reporter-Herald, “(Players) have to find out through you guys (in the media), and they are sick of it,” a source with the team said. Athletic Director Joe Parker eventually reached out to players on the phone late Thursday afternoon to inform them that a final decision regarding Eustachy hasn’t been made, according to the report. It sounds like we could have some more clarity on this one today. The full article can be found HERE.
- Georgia Tech men’s basketball Coach Josh Pastner denied Thursday that there was any truth to allegations made against him in a lawsuit filed that day by an Arizona couple. In it, the wife of a former longtime friend of Pastner’s accused the coach of inflicting “emotional harm” on her through “sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.” The court filing by the couple, Ron Bell and Jennifer Pendley, came as a counterclaim to a lawsuit Pastner had filed against them last month. The coach, in his second year at Georgia Tech, alleged that he was the victim of, among other things, defamation and attempts at extortion, after Bell said that he provided improper benefits to two Yellow Jackets players and that Pastner assaulted his wife. Read more HERE from the Washington Post.
- Steve Alford is now the “The Michael Price Family UCLA Men’s Head Basketball Coach” after a commitment of $6,500,000 from Jodi and Michael Price. The gift was made to establish The Michael Price Family UCLA Basketball Excellence Program, which is designed to make a difference in men’s and women’s basketball student-athletes’ experience. More on the big-time donation HERE.
- Central Baptist College (AR) head coach Chris Wright earned the 100th victory of his career last night. Wright also spent time as the head coach at Graceland (IA), and Fresno Pacific. His current squad is now 16-5 (12-4) on the season.
- The HoopDirt.com Coach of the Week presented by Just Play Solutions winners were announced earlier this week. 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]
