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ON CAMPUS A look at the area college sports scene

Thursday, March 31, 2011

SCSU baseball postponed

Today's baseball game between Southern Connecticut State University and Post University has been postponed due to inclement weather.
No makeup date has been announced. The No. 5 nationally ranked Owls (21-0) are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Franklin Pierce in Northeast-10 Conference action.

Answers for your questions on baseball bats

Here we go again.
You’ve made your annual trek to your local sporting goods outlet to purchase a bat for your son.
The prices, of course, are outrageous and the choices are unlimited. But there are things you should be aware of before you buy a bat.
Arnie Mann, the commissioner of the Greater New Haven Umpires Association, said that all bats will be checked to see if they meet federation standards. Any bat used in high school this season must be stamped (no decal) with a BESR (bat exit speed rating) approval.
But, this will be the last year that these bats are legal. Next year, all bats must be stamped with a BBCOR approval.
Mann said the bats used this season are basically the same bats that have been used for several seasons but soon they will become dinosaurs. He has his large staff of umpires go through the dugouts prior to game time and check all the player’s bats.
“I honestly don’t take it as a nuisance,” Mann said. “I take this very seriously. That’s how much I value the safety of the kids. One portion of the evaluation of the umpires is how well they check the bats.
“If I find that someone is not doing a good enough job checking the bats then I will reduce their schedule.”
Mann said that the CIAC, headed by Director of Officials Joe Tonelli, is also coming up with a list of bats that will also be allowed for high school use. He said that there are currently around 35-40 bats, not stamped with a BESR rating, that will receive an exemption to be used in games. He said the list will be circulated before next week’s season openers and it could be found on National Federation website and is changing fluidly.
Said Mann: “What parents should be aware of is before they spend $300-$400 on a bat with a BESR rating, is that it won’t be legal for next year.”
BBCOR bats have less of a trampoline effect and resemble the speed of the ball hit with a wooden bat. The sound they make is music to Mann’s ears.
“I really wish that Connecticut would follow other states and go back to wood,” he said. “I remember doing a game while back when a kid came up to the plate with a wooden bat and the catcher said, ‘Hold on. Is that legal?’”
Mann said that even high school coaches throughout the state are confused by the restrictions especially with the list of bats that will receive exemptions.
Little League baseball is also caught up in the confusion. Little League baseball is banning bats with composite barrels but the handles can still be made of composite materials. But, there are currently 16 composite barrelled bats that have been approved.
You can check the list by searching for: little league baseball bats approved for 2001.

Kemba Walker wins Cousy Award

UConn junior guard Kemba Walker has been presented with the Bob Cousy Award as the Nation’s top point guard. Walker will lead UConn against Kentucky in the Final Four on Saturday, April 2 at 8:49 p.m. Eastern time.

The award is presented annually to the nation’s top point guard and is named for former Boston Celtic and Hall of Famer Bob Cousy. The other 2011 finalists included Norris Cole (Cleveland State), Jimmer Fredette (BYU), Nolan Smith (Duke) and Jordan Taylor (Wisconsin).

“I am thrilled that Kemba has been named the winner of the Bob Cousy Award. He is having one of the great seasons ever in college basketball history,” said Jim Calhoun, head coach of the Huskies and member of the Hall of Fame Class of 2005. “Beyond the stats, game-winning shots and accolades, he epitomizes the leadership that a great point guard must have and what he has done to lead our young team to a BIG EAST Championship and to a spot in the Final Four has been unforgettable.”

Walker has already been named a First-Team All-American by the USBWA, the Associate Press and Sporting News Magazine. Walker is still a finalist for the prestigious Wooden Award and NABC Player of the Year.

Walker has filled the stat sheet averaging 23.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.9 steals per game. The Bronx native set a new UConn single-season record with 931 points this year. On the season, he’s one of two players (Norris Cole – Cleveland State) to average over 20 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Among other records broken during Walker’s outstanding season include; Minutes total and per game (1,466 – 37.6 mpg), free throws attempted (302), free throws made (247) and field goals attempted (705). Walker also ranks second all-time with 305 field goals made, fourth all-time in single-season scoring average (23.9) and second in UConn history with 490 career free throws. He ranks seventh all-time with 1,749 career points.

Walker is also a finalist for the Naismith Award, presented to the nation’s top player. AT&T wireless customers -- and sports fans on other wireless networks -- will be able to text their votes for the player of their choice by texting VOTE to 345345. Fans will be eligible to cast their vote for the winner until 11:59 p.m. EDT on Saturday, April 2, 2011. AT&T is making the voting open to other wireless carriers, allowing even more fans to participate. Other wireless carriers must opt-in for their subscribers to participate. Standard messaging rates apply. Fans are allowed one vote per 24-hour period.

Previous Winners of the Bob Cousy Award
2004 Jameer Nelson - St. Joseph’s
2005 Raymond Felton - North Carolina
2006 Dee Brown - Illinois
2007 Acie Law Texas - A&M
2008 D.J. Augustin - Texas
2009 Ty Lawson North - Carolina
2010 Greivis Vasquez - Maryland

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Quinnipiac's Baskin to transfer

Quinnipiac’s Tevin Baskin has decided to leave the school, according to men’s basketball coach Tom Moore.

Baskin, a former two-time All-State selection from Trinity Catholic, appeared in 14 games this season averaging 2.9 points and 2 rebounds.

“Tevin and I met a couple of times over the last few weeks and he’s decided to transfer from Quinnipiac,” Moore said. “Tevin’s a good kid and I wish him all the best in the future.”

Baskin, a 6-6 forward from Stamford, had a brief and disappointing stint with the Bobcats. He had hoped to play last season but never gained clearance from the NCAA because of his academic transcripts. Baskin finally became eligible to play for the Bobcats during the second semester of the 2010-11 season, but never got into game shape. He then suffered a season-ending finger injury with five games to play.

If Baskin transfers to a Division I program he’d have to sit out another full season. He could, however, play right away at a junior college or Division II or III program.

Quinnipiac (22-10) finished second in the Northeast Conference standings this year and was eliminated in the opening round of the CollegeInsider.com tournament.

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By Bill Cloutier, Assistant Sports Editor
bcloutier@nhregister.com
@BillCloutier
Quinnipiac’s Tevin Baskin has decided to leave the school, according to men’s basketball coach Tom Moore.

Baskin, a former two-time All-State selection from Trinity Catholic, appeared in 14 games this season averaging 2.9 points and 2 rebounds.

“Tevin and I met a couple of times over the last few weeks and he’s decided to transfer from Quinnipiac,” Moore said. “Tevin’s a good kid and I wish him all the best in the future.”

Baskin, a 6-6 forward from Stamford, had a brief and disappointing stint with the Bobcats. He had hoped to play last season but never gained clearance from the NCAA because of his academic transcripts. Baskin finally became eligible to play for the Bobcats during the second semester of the 2010-11 season, but never got into game shape. He then suffered a season-ending finger injury with five games to play.

If Baskin transfers to a Division I program he’d have to sit out another full season. He could, however, play right away at a junior college or Division II or III program.

Quinnipiac (22-10) finished second in the Northeast Conference standings this year and was eliminated in the opening round of the CollegeInsider.com tournament.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Yale-UConn game postponed

Today's Baseball Game Vs. UConn Postponed to April 12
The Yale University baseball team will have to wait until at least the weekend to throw the first pitch on the 84th Opening Day at historic Yale Field.

Today's home game against No. 19 UConn has been postponed and will be rescheduled for Tuesday, April 12, at 3 p.m. at Yale Field. This comes a day after Yale's game against Central Connecticut was cancelled due to field conditions. No make-up date for that game has been announced.

The Bulldogs are currently scheduled to open the home schedule on Sunday, March 27, with a doubleheader against the University of Hartford beginning at 12 p.m.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

SCSU baseball on a roll

Southern moves to 16-0

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The No. 5 nationally ranked Southern Connecticut State University baseball team made it 16 consecutive wins today with a 3-0 triumph over Saint Rose. The win ties the program-record for most consecutive wins. Chris Zbin (Colchester, Conn.) received the victory going seven innings and giving up no runs on one hit and striking out eight. Ryan Yerina (Trumbull, Conn.) picked up the save going two innings and not allowing a run or a hit.

The offense only saw one hit in the game from Ryan Geffert (Plymouth, Pa.) back in the first inning which led to the first run. With the help on four errors by Saint Rose, the Owls were able to put two more runs up on the board and never looked back. Senior, Nick DeProspo (Worcester, Mass.) helped the team out by way of a hit-by-pitch which eventually led to the first run of the game.
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The Owls will continue play Thursday when they face Saint Rose up in Albany, N.Y. The game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Quinnipiac-Buffalo ---Live

Pre-game

A sparce crowd is on hand for the CollegeInsider.com opener at Hamden.
The students are on break so it should be a quiet evening.
I still think the NCAA should expand its field to 128 teams and do away these other postseason tournaments.
There is no reason for these good teams which have had fine seasons to feel like they should apologize for playing in postseason tournaments.

Tip off in a couple of minutes.

It's tip-off time

Easily the smallest crowd of the year here at the TD Bank Sports Center. Justin Rutty, one of the best players ever at the school was honored before the game for reaching 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds in his last game.

Buffalo 10, Quinnipiac 8 14:16
The Bulls look good on the boards so far and have hit two 3-pointers in the early going.

Buffalo 12, Quinnipiac 12 11:26
Rutty has 6 early for the Bobcats and Harrison surprisingly scored for Quinni.

Quinnipiac 18, Buffalo 15 7:57

Finally an easy basket for the Bobcats from Langston inside. The Bulls have had the easier looks but are shooting poorly thus far including three airballs on 3-pointers.


Quinnipiac 28, Buffalo 26 3:43

Twyman has nine for Quinni but was just hit with his second foul. Buffalo continues to play hard so this one could go down to the wire tonight.

Buffalo 20, Quinnipiac 18 6:54

The Bulls get five quick points and a timeout from QU bench. Buffalo has the better outside game with 3 3-pointers so far. Quinni hasn't tried a 3-pointer.

Buffalo 33, Quinnipiac 29 Halftime

Buffalo finishes the half on a 7-1 run to take a 4-point lead into the break. The last basket came just before the final buzzer and because there is no TV the officials could not go to the replay though it appeared to come after the red light came on.
Buffalo is bigger than Quinni and giving them problems on the backboards. The Bobcats are one of the best rebounding teams in the country but haven't had their way rebounding tonight.

Buffalo 41, Quinnipiac 36 15:41

Bad news for Quinnipiac as James Johnson is injured as Buffalo extends its lead to five on a 3-pointer by Barnett.

Buffalo 50, Quinnipiac 40 12:25

Buffalo taking control in the second half. James Johnson is back and OK for Quinnipiac but Langston was just injured. It's getting away from the Bobcats.

Buffalo 63, Quinnipiac 53 6:00

The Bobcats cut a 13-point lead to five but again Buffalo has responded.

Buffalo 71, Quinnipiac 63 :38


Buffalo 75, Quinnipiac 68 FINAL

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Get ready for the postseason

Quinnipiac opens play tonight
The Bobcats are the only game on the docket as they begin collegeinsider.com play at home against Buffalo.

This would have been a coup to get this game on TV but the game is only being streamed on the internet through the FoxCollegeSports.com site.

Buffalo is a talented team from a much better conference than the NEC but the Bulls have typically feasted on opponents at home and struggled on the road.
It seems to be a toss-up and probably a matter of who wants it more.
Quinnipiac coach Tom Moore said that last year, playing at Virginia Tech in the opening round of the NIT, the Bobcats ran into a team that were truly focussed on the tournament after not making the NCAA and Quinnipiac had a hard time against the talented Hokies in front of their large crowd.

The Bobcats expect a crowd of around 1,500 for tonight's game as the students are on Spring Break.

The Yale women's basketball team finds out its future Monday night when the WNIT pairings are announced.

Yale has put in a bid to host a game and coach Chris Gobrecht expects to play a Big East or ACC team from the region.

Check back on Monday for the pairings.

Collegeinsider.com
Buffalo at Quinnipiac
Where: TD Bank Sports Center
When: Today, 7 p.m.
Radio: WQUN-1220 AM
Internet: FoxCollegeSports.com
Records: Buffalo 18-13; Quinnipiac 22-9
Scouting Quinnipiac: The Bobcats lost to Robert Morris 64-62 in the NEC semifinals last week. That loss ended their dream of reaching the NCAA tournament. Last season Quinnipiac reached the NIT losing in the first round at Virginia Tech. Quinnipiac continues to be among the nation’s best rebounding teams but Buffalo will be a good match for them on the boards.
Scouting Buffalo: The Bulls were picked to finish last in the East Division by the MAC media to start the season but then opned the campaign 14-6 overall and 6-2 in the conference through Feb. 3. Buffalo then fell apart down the stretch losing seven of their last 10 games. Buffalo won its MAC tourney opener before losing to top seed Kent State. The Bulls have been perenially very good at home and have struggled on the road.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Quinnipiac's Rutty, Johnson honored

Here is the schedule for the NEC Men’s Basketball Tournament:
(All games played at home of higher seed)
Quarterfinals
Thursday
No. 8 Saint Francis (Pa.) at No. 1 Long Island, 7 p.m.
No. 7 Mount St. Mary’s at No. 2 Quinnipiac, 7 p.m.
No. 6 Wagner at No. 3 Robert Morris, 7 p.m.
No. 5 St. Francis (N.Y.) at No. 4 CCSU., 7 p.m.
Semifinals
Sunday, March 6
Lowest Remaining Seed at Highest Remaining Seed, noon or 2 p.m.*
3rd Highest Remaining Seed at 2nd Highest Remaining Seed, noon or 2 p.m.*
Noon game on MSG, 2 p.m. game on FCS, ESPN3 & ESPN FC
Championship
Wednesday, March 9
7 p.m., ESPN2

Rutty, Johnson earn All-NEC awards
Quinnipiac senior forward Justin Rutty and junior guard James Johnson have been named to the All-Northeast Conference First Team. Rutty takes the honor for the third straight year, while Johnson earns his first All-NEC accolade.
The awards give Quinnipiac coach Tom Moore a first-team honoree in each of his four years at the helm, including four different players, and a pair of first-team selections in each of the past two years.
Rutty averaged 14.5 points (10th-NEC) and a league-best 9.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 51.9 percent from the floor (5th-NEC) despite battling injuries in his senior season. He compiled 10 double-doubles, second-best in the league to Central Connecticut’s Ken Horton (12), despite playing seven fewer games. His 3.86 offensive rebounds per game led the league. Rutty’s career rebounding total stands at 999, and his next rebound would make him the third player in NEC history to grab 1,000 rebounds. LIU’s Carey Scurry (1,013) and CCSU’s Ron Robinson (1,022) remain in play as Rutty tries to become the league’s all-time leading rebounder.
“Justin Rutty has overcome two major obstacles this season while earning First Team All-NEC honors,” said Moore. “He spent the entire off-season rehabbing from major hip surgery and then missed seven games in the middle of January recovering from elbow surgery. His impact on our team is obvious as we have gone 18-4 when he has been in the lineup. He has been a dominant rebounder and low-post scorer for us in his time here and we are grateful for the recognition he has received from the NEC coaches.”
Johnson led the Bobcats at 16.3 points (4th-NEC), 3.7 assists (11th-NEC) and 1.6 steals. Johnson has made seven three-point field goals in a single game on three different occasions this season, and has been impressively durable, starting each of the 93 games Quinnipiac has played in his three years in Hamden.
“James Johnson has been the hardest-working player we have had here in my time at Quinnipiac University,” Moore said.
The second-seeded Bobcats play host to No. 7 Mount St. Mary’s in the NEC Tournament Quarterfinals on Thursday. The Bobcats and Mountaineers split their two meetings this season, with the home team winning each time. Opening tip from the TD Bank Sports Center is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on www.quinnipiacbobcats.com or through the TD Bank Sports Center Ticket Office (203-582-