Today’s news and notes from around the college basketball coaching world…
- Pitt head coach Jeff Capel said he’s worried about his players and let it be known he doesn’t trust the NCAA, wonders about the amateur status of college players and can’t understand why they are attempting to play games right now. Capel told KDKA, “One of the biggest problems with our sport is that we have no leadership. You don’t know where to turn to, to get answers or who’s truly looking out for the best interest of the young men and women who are competing.” More HERE.
- Wake Forest’s men’s basketball team isn’t likely to play again until facing Syracuse on Dec. 30, Coach Steve Forbes says. This means that the Deacons would be facing a 33 day gap between games. Forbes said during his weekly radio show that the next game on the Deacons’ schedule, a Dec. 21 matchup against Virginia Military Institute, was “not going to happen.” Wake Forest last played on Nov. 27 against Longwood. Wake Forest paused team activities last week because of results from COVID-19 testing and contact tracing. The coach said Wake Forest experienced “a significant increase” in positive tests during the last week.More HERE.
- After beating Cincinnati on Sunday, Xavier head coach Travis Steele told the media during his post game presser that he was heading to dive bar Dana Gardens and that he was going to drop $2,000 on drinks for Xavier fans. That’s $1,000 for each of his wins in the rivalry. Steele made good on his promise by walking into the Gardens, sauntering up to the bar and plunking down $2,000. “We own this city for the next year,” Steele said as he walked out the door. Xavier fans went nuts. More HERE.
- Former Georgetown head coach John Thompson’s autobiography “I Came as a Shadow.” has been released posthumously. A great review by the New York Times is HERE. Hint: It’s almost Christmas – this would make a great gift.
- Iona released a statement of support for head coach Rick Pitino following the NCAA enforcement staff’s response to Louisville’s rebuttal on allegations levied by the NCAA. The 70-page “enforcement reply” can be found HERE. This is the statement from Iona:
- ICYMI: Stetson assistant Brendan Suhr resigned and will be entering private business. More HERE.
Week 2 HoopDirt.com / Just Play Solutions Coach of the Week winners were released yesterday. Complete list of winners is HERE.
