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Purdue’s Owens takes over RedHawk reins

3/29/2017

Recruiting considered a strength

OXFORD, Ohio - Miami University has tabbed Jack Owens to take over the reins of its men’s basketball program, athletics director David Sayler announced Wednesday. Owens becomes the 27th coach in Miami basketball history.

Owens spent the past nine seasons on staff at Purdue University, three as an assistant coach and the last six years as its associate head coach. Since his arrival, the Boilermakers have recorded 209 wins (23.2 per year), including 27 during the 2016-17 season, helping Purdue win a Big Ten Regular Season Championship.

“I’m extremely excited about becoming the head men’s basketball coach at Miami University,” said Owens. “I would like to thank President Greg Crawford and Athletic Director David Sayler for this opportunity, and I look forward to not only rebuilding this championship program, but also making this program one that all Miami alumni can be proud of.”

In Owens, Miami acquires a coach that . . .

Ohio's Simmons will test NBA draft process

3/28/2017

ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio men’s basketball redshirt junior guard Jaaron Simmons (Dayton, Ohio) announced his intention to declare for the 2017 NBA Draft on Monday (March 27) but will not hire an agent in order to retain his NCAA eligibility for his 2017-18 senior season.

Simmons can attend workouts scheduled by NBA teams and is eligible to compete in the NBA Draft Combine on May 9-14 in Chicago, if selected. The deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft and return for his senior year is May 24.

"Jaaron's decision is a smart one in today's . . .

Akron’s Dambrot accepts Duquesne job

3/28/2017

Keith Dambrot is moving on to Duquesne after guiding the Akron Zips to over 20 wins in each of the last 12 seasons. Akron owned the MAC's top record this past season (27-9, 14-4 MAC), but fell in the conference title game to rival Kent State. (MVSmith/MRO)

By EVAN MEYER
According to reports Monday evening, Keith Dambrot, the winningest coach in University of Akron men’s basketball history, is leaving the program to be the new head coach at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

In a statement released late Monday night, UA Athletic Director Larry Williams said “We are very grateful for the enormous contributions that coach Keith Dambrot has made to our excellent men's basketball program. His hard work with our student-athletes, combined with their dedication to going the extra mile, have brought great success to The University of Akron – including the winningest season in UA history – and we value his role in making that happen. He and the Dambrot family will always be a part of The University of Akron family, and we wish him well as he moves along.”

Williams’ statement also said . . .

CMU's Keene opting for pro ranks

3/28/2017

Marcus Keene led the nation in scoring in his one year with the Chippewas. (MVSmith/MRO)

Central Michigan’s Marcus Keene, who led Division I scorers with a 30.0 ppg average this past season, has announced he will be pursuing a career in professional basketball.

The 5-9 guard from San Antonio, Texas came to CMU via Youngstown State. In his single season with the Chippewas, he not only scored points by the bushel at times (e.g. 51 points in a come-from-behind home-court win over Miami), but also put CMU in the limelight. Feature stories on Keene appeared in publications such as Sports Illustrated, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal. His highlights appeared on ESPN’s SportsCenter and he was featured on the CBS Evening News.

Keene’s exploits also . . .

NABC All-District 14 teams announced

3/24/2017

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Akron’s Isaiah Johnson, Buffalo’s Blake Hamilton, Central Michigan’s Marcus Keene, Kent State’s Jimmy Hall & Ohio’s Jaaron Simmons were named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District 14 First Team.

Johnson, the 2017 MAC Player of the Year, has been the focal point of the Zips’ offense all season, leading Akron to back-to-back MAC regular-season championships. He leads . . .
(CLICK READ MORE TO CONTINUE . . . )

District 14
First Team
Isaiah Johnson, Akron
Marcus Keene, Central Michigan
Jimmy Hall, Kent State
Jaaron Simmons, Ohio
Blake Hamilton, Buffalo

Second Team
Steve Taylor, Jr., Toledo
Jonathan Williams, Toledo
Thomas Wilder, Western Michigan
Braylon Rayson, Central Michigan
James Thompson IV, Eastern Michigan

Rockets give Candle contract extention

3/23/2017

TOLEDO, Ohio - The University of Toledo and head football coach Jason Candle have agreed to a contract extension through the 2021 season, according to UT vice president and athletic director Mike O’Brien.

Candle led the Rockets to a 9-4 record and an appearance in the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl in his first full season as Toledo’s head coach in 2016. Candle took over the head coaching position at the end of the 2015 regular season, leading UT to a 32-17 victory over No. 24 Temple in the Marmot Boca Raton Bowl.

Before assuming the . . .

Wilder explores NBA option

3/23/2017

Maintains collegiate eligibility by eschewing agent

KALAMAZOO, Mich.— Western Michigan junior point Thomas Wilder has announced he will enter his name into consideration for the 2017 NBA Draft. Wilder will not sign with an agent.

NCAA officials adopted a proposal in January of 2016 that allows college basketball players to better assess their likelihood of success in the NBA without jeopardizing their college eligibility. By declaring for the NBA Draft, Wilder is able to attend workouts scheduled by NBA teams and, if invited, is eligible to compete in the NBA Draft Combine on May 9-14 in Chicago.

Players have until . . .

Mavericks bring curtain down on Zips

3/21/2017

By EVAN MEYER
ARLINGTON, Tx -- The Akron Zips saw their season come to an abrupt end Monday night, losing to Texas-Arlington in the second round of the 2017 National Invitational Tournament. Playing at home, the Mavericks dominated UA in every facet of the game en route to an 85-69 win at the College Park Center.

Akron (27-9) was led by. . .

Kent State rally falls short against talented Bruins

3/18/2017

By EVAN MEYER
SACRAMENTO -- The Kent State Golden Flashes saw their 2016-17 season come to an end Friday evening as the UCLA Bruins led from wire-to-wire for a 97-80 victory in the first round of the South Region at the Golden 1 Center.

The loss was just the second in the last 11 game for Kent State (23-12) making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2008 and the sixth in school history.

"Very proud of our group," Golden Flashes head coach Rob Senderoff said. "We had our chances. We didn't start off the game very well -- down 16-2 -- but battled back. (By) halftime it was an eight-point game. Started the second half off well, but ultimately we didn't get enough stops and they're a very good team."

KSU had four players . . .

PREVIEW: Kent State will face an offensive juggernaut

3/16/2017

By EVAN MEYER
Still basking in the glow of their Mid-American Conference tournament championship, the Kent State Golden Flashes, along with their fans, converged on the Water Street Tavern in downtown Kent late Sunday for a huge moment of excitement and discovery.

Not long after the on-court celebration subsided Saturday, KSU turned its attention to some obvious questions:
-- Who would the Flashes play in the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament?
-- Where and when would that contest be played?

As the tourney pairings . . .

NIT: Zips advance with upset road win over Houston

3/16/2017

Free throws seal victory in see-saw game

By EVAN MEYER
HOUSTON, TX - The Akron Zips advanced to the second round of the 2017 National Invitational Tournament as they defeated the Houston Cougars 78-75 Wednesday night at Texas Southern University’s E&PE Arena.

With the victory, Akron (27-8) set a school record for victories and also ended a six-game losing streak in postseason play dating back to the 2008 NIT when they won at Florida State.

“We had our . . .

Cardinals get record, Mastadons get win

3/16/2017

Second half rally sends Fort Wayne past BSU

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- The Ball State Cardinals’ season come to an end Wednesday with an 88-80 loss at Fort Wayne in the Lou Henson Classic in the opening round of the CIT.

The Cardinals (21-13) held a 41-34 lead at halftime but were outscored by 15 after the break. Fort Wayne big man Brent Calhoun led the charge with 27 points, including 20 in the second half.

Tayler Persons led . . .

Rockets rally comes up short

3/16/2017

Sanford shines, but UT bows out of tourney

WASHINGTON, DC – Toledo nearly rallied from a seven-point deficit with 2:33 remaining, but the Rockets came up just short in a 73-69 defeat at George Washington in the first round of the 2017 College Basketball Invitational.

Sophomore guard Jaelan Sanford . . .

Akron, Ball State, Toledo still playing

3/13/2017

While the Kent State Golden Flashes are headed to the NCAA tournament, several other Mid-American Conference schools will also be participating in tournaments during the upcoming week.
Akron, Ball State and Toledo have accepted invitations. Click Read More for details . . .

Kent State heading west to meet vaunted UCLA

3/12/2017

Bruins lead nation in PPG, FG%

Jimmy Hall works against MAC Player of the Year Isaiah Johnson in the MAC championship game. (SGW/BMP)

KENT, Ohio - The Kent State Golden Flashes have been selected as a 14th seed in the 2017 NCAA Tournament, facing third seed UCLA in Sacramento, California Friday, March 17.

Game time and network listing for Kent State's NCAA first round game has yet to be announced.

KSU earned an automatic bid to the NCAA event Saturday when the sixth-seeded Flashes knocked off No. 1 seed Akron 70-65 in the MAC tournament championship game. It was the ninth win over 10 outings for Kent State. Jaylin Walker scored 30 points in the final and was named tournament Most Valuable Player.

<<Previous

Purdue’s Owens takes over RedHawk reins

Ohio's Simmons will test NBA draft process

Akron’s Dambrot accepts Duquesne job

CMU's Keene opting for pro ranks

NABC All-District 14 teams announced

Rockets give Candle contract extention

Wilder explores NBA option

Mavericks bring curtain down on Zips

Kent State rally falls short against talented Bruins

PREVIEW: Kent State will face an offensive juggernaut

NIT: Zips advance with upset road win over Houston

Cardinals get record, Mastadons get win

Rockets rally comes up short

Akron, Ball State, Toledo still playing

Kent State heading west to meet vaunted UCLA

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