HoopDirt Daily News – 12/6/17

HoopDirt.com’s Daily News from the college basketball coaching world…

  • Texas head coach Shaka Smart had a triumphant return to VCU last night where his Longhorns earned a hard fought 71-67 win. The win was also meaningful because Smart earned his 200th career victory (overall record of 200-93 in his ninth year).


  • Interesting match-up in Columbia, SC tonight as Frank Martin’s Gamecocks take on Allen Edward’s Wyoming Cowboys. Back in the early 1990’s, Edwards played for Martin at Miami Senior HS. GamecocksOnline.com has a great article about their relationship and the importance of family within a basketball program (HERE). Best Quote from the story:  “Allen played for me when I was like 23 years old. I had no idea what I was doing, other than I knew how to yell.”


  • Men need to hear the story of Old Dominion head coach Jeff Jones’ recovery from prostate cancer. One of the really good guys in this business is raising awareness for something most want to ignore. A very important message from Coach Jones HERE in the Virginian-Pilot.


  • Former St. Johns head coach Frank Mulzoff has passed away. Mulzoff led the Johnnies for three seasons between 1970-73, guiding St. John’s to a 56-27 overall record. You can read more about Mulzoff’s career HERE.


  • Our thoughts are with Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford as he takes a leave of absence “for the immediate future to address his health” (HORNETS PRESS RELEASE). Clifford, who has spent the past 15+ seasons in the NBA, was a longtime college coach before making the jump to the league. He has served as the head coach at Adelphi, and worked as an assistant at Fairfield, Boston University, Siena, East Carolina, and St. Anselm.


  • From the lighter side: Michigan State head coach was at a taping of the Judge Mathis show over the summer. The episode aired yesterday (WATCH HERE). Apparently Judge Mathis’ daughter worked for Izzo when she was an undergrad at Michigan State.