Tidbits – Rush The Court

NCAA Tournament Final Tidbits: 04.03.12 Edition

WCarey — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:45:58 +0000

With the season now finished, this will be our last version of NCAA Tournament Tidbits. Special thanks to contributors Brian Goodman and Walker Carey for putting these together throughout March Madness.

Kentucky

John Calipari finally won his first National Championship Monday night, which many think will catapult him from being a good coach to being a great coach. No matter your thoughts, it is time to give the coach his due. Dan Wolken argues that you cannot blame John Calipari for the one-and-done culture that helped earn Kentucky its title. Wolken notes that Calipari has always been the same coach, but it is [...]

NCAA Tournament Tidbits: 03.31.12 Edition

WCarey — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 19:46:22 +0000

Kansas

When former Kansas coach Larry Brown watched this year’s Jayhawks practice early in the season, he was not sure if this year’s squad would win 15 games. Considering this notion, Bill Self has really done an exceptional job this season. During his first three seasons at Kansas, Tyshawn Taylor would be hardly allowed to play through his miscues. Now, the senior guard has the freedom and responsibility to correct errors and lead the team on the right path. Even though he only played a limited role last season, many pundits still saw Thomas Robinson as a first round pick. Bill Self believes [...]

NCAA Tournament Tidbits: 03.30.12 Edition

WCarey — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:17:03 +0000

Kansas

Bill Self has enhanced his already strong coaching reputation by leading a Kansas team with not as much talent as Kansas teams of the past to the Final Four. Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News believes the career of Tyshawn Taylor mirrors that of a Shakespeare character. DeCourcy notes that Taylor’s career has consisted of conflict, resolution, dramatic twists, and ultimate redemption. Despite the fact that Danny Manning and Barry Hinson have taken head coaching jobs at Tulsa and Southern Illinois respectively, Bill Self assured the public that all of Manning and Hinson’s attention is on Kansas this weekend. Kevin Young compiled a career-best 14 [...]

NCAA Tournament Tidbits: 03.29.12 Edition

WCarey — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 23:36:07 +0000

The NCAA Tournament is here and there’s more news, commentary and analysis than any of us can possibly keep up with. To make things a little easier, we’ll bring you a list of daily links gathered about teams in each of the four regions all the way through the Final Four.

Kentucky

The play of sophomore forward Terrence Jones has been scrutinized all season. John Calipari notes that he realizes something that most fans do not and that is “Terrence Jones wants to please me in the worst way.” John Calipari has his fair share of critics, but what Deron Snyder of The Washington Times points [...]

NCAA Tournament Tidbits: 03.28.12 Edition

WCarey — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:59:16 +0000

Kansas

Heading into his second Final Four in four seasons, Kansas head coach Bill Self is the lowest paid of the four coaches who will be in New Orleans this weekend. Of the group, only Self and Louisville head coach Rick Pitino have won titles. While Kansas reserve forward Kevin Young’s contributions [...]

NCAA Tournament Tidbits: 03.27.12 Edition

WCarey — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:19:11 +0000

Kansas

Is calling the 2011-12 Jayhawks overachievers minimizing the season these guys had? Kansas has potential NBA talent at four of its five starting positions. It also has a four-year starting point guard (Tyshawn Taylor) and a Wooden Award finalist (Thomas Robinson). Kansas senior point guard Taylor and junior forward Robinson have [...]

NCAA Tournament Tidbits: 03.26.12 Edition

WCarey — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:48:14 +0000

Midwest Region

Where does Bill Self belong in the hierarchy of active college coaches? ESPN.com’s Jason King believes Self belongs at the very top. The triangle and two defense that Kansas utilized towards the end of the game against North Carolina on Sunday left Roy Williams and the Tar Heels very confused. [...]

NCAA Tournament Tidbits: 03.24.12 Edition

WCarey — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 20:12:38 +0000

Midwest Region

Kansas has been winning dangerously throughout the NCAA Tournament against seemingly inferior competition. If the Jayhawks do not play better against North Carolina on Sunday, their run in the tournament may very well come to an end. Kansas center Jeff Withey’s block with 10 seconds left helped save the Jayhawks [...]

NCAA Tournament Tidbits: 03.23.12 Edition

WCarey — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:18:07 +0000

Midwest Region

Kansas star forward Thomas Robinson’s personal tragedies have been well-documented. The junior, who just turned 21 last week, is the key player for the Jayhawks as they look to move into the Elite Eight. Kansas senior guard Tyshawn Taylor has faced a lot of adversity in basketball and in life. The [...]

NCAA Tournament Tidbits: 03.22.12 Edition

rtmsf — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:33:43 +0000

Midwest Region

Ohio University has seen its share of stars come through its program, but that has not translated into postseason success until this year. Cincinnati may be playing in Boston as part of the East Regional, but several individuals from the Cincinnati area have played key roles in the growth [...]

NCAA Tournament Tidbits 03.21.12 Edition

Brian Goodman — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 15:41:52 +0000

West Region

Marquette’s offseason conditioning regimen tends to resemble football practices, with sleds, rope climbs and even some boxing. The result is a team of physical yet fast players like Junior Cadougan and Todd Mayo. Freshman Florida guard Bradley Beal has come through in a huge way for the Gators in the postseason, leading the [...]

NCAA Tournament Tidbits: 03.20.12 Edition

Brian Goodman — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:44:57 +0000

South Region

Ever since Bob Knight was dismissed, Indiana has struggled on the court and even had some problems off the court. In his fourth season as the Hoosiers’ head coach, Tom Crean has helped alleviate those issues, as he has Indiana back in the Sweet Sixteen since 2002. Kentucky head coach John [...]

NCAA Tournament Tidbits 03.19.12 Edition

Brian Goodman — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:57:46 +0000

East

After an atrocious opening game where they nearly became the first #1 seed to a #16 seed, Syracuse rebounded with a solid performance that helped remind some people why they were a #1 seed in the first place. One of the keys to Wisconsin‘s consistent play in the postseason has been there [...]

NCAA Tournament Tidbits 03.18.12 Edition

Brian Goodman — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 15:25:14 +0000

West Region

As if his play wasn’t enough to win fans over, everyone seems to cling to Draymond Green‘s outgoing personality. Green’s leadership has been one of the keys to Michigan State‘s terrific season. Saint Louis’ Brian Conklin has learned to keep his confidence up even when he turns the ball over. Louisville is riding high, now [...]

NCAA Tournament Tidbits: 03.17.12 Edition

Brian Goodman — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 17:38:14 +0000

Midwest Region

North Carolina head coach Roy Williams is looking forward to pushing the pace against Creighton. Both teams prefer to push the ball, so tomorrow’s third round matchup ought to be a fun watch. South Florida knocked Temple out of the dance despite shooting just 17-50 from the floor with only three made shots in [...]