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President Obama’s Carrier Classic Pregame Speech (Video)

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As you know, President Barack Obama is a huge college basketball fan. (He's also the most impressive of my 619 Twitter followers by the way) On Veteran's Day, the Commander-in-Chief addressed the crowd of 8,100 who took in the Michigan State Spartans vs North Carolina Tar Heels game, the first to ever be played on an aircraft carrier. And not just any carrier, the same exact … [Read more...] about President Obama’s Carrier Classic Pregame Speech (Video)

Carrier Classic: ’09 National Championship Rematch Reaches New Heights

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For the Michigan State basketball team, the tests that the players take in the classroom are probably a breeze compared to the tests Tom Izzo gives them. How’s this for a multiple-choice question? To open your season you will: a)  Face a  #1 ranked UNC squad b)  Face a top-ten Duke team at Madison Square Garden c)   Face a Gonzaga team in a game that has packed much … [Read more...] about Carrier Classic: ’09 National Championship Rematch Reaches New Heights

#1 North Carolina Tar Heels: College Basketball 111 in 111

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Welcome to The Sports Bank’s second annual college basketball season preview series.  Last year we looked at 99 teams in 99 days.  This year, we are being slightly more aggressive and expanding to 111 teams in 111 days.  We will rank the 74 power conference teams and top 37 mid-majors in reverse power ranking order.  We’ll break down rosters, non-conference schedules, and pick … [Read more...] about #1 North Carolina Tar Heels: College Basketball 111 in 111

Preseason All-America Hoops Team Released; Buckeyes Sullinger Only Unanimous Choice

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The Big Ten conference as a whole may take a step backward this college basketball season, but their star power will remain high this hoops season. The AP All-American preseason first team was released a few short hours ago, and the league made a very tremendous impact on that very short list. Ohio State's Jared Sullinger was the only unanimous choice of the 65-member … [Read more...] about Preseason All-America Hoops Team Released; Buckeyes Sullinger Only Unanimous Choice

UNC’s Harrison Barnes, OSU’s Sullinger Early Favorites for Wooden Award

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The Preseason Top 50 List for the John R. Wooden Award was released today. Chosen by a preseason poll of national media members, the list is comprised of 50 players who, based on last year’s individual performance and team records, are the early frontrunners for college basketball’s most prestigious honor. Transfers, freshmen and medical redshirts are not eligible for the … [Read more...] about UNC’s Harrison Barnes, OSU’s Sullinger Early Favorites for Wooden Award

North Carolina Tar Heels Very Impressive; Ready for Test from Kentucky Wildcats

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You wouldn’t have thought that the UNC Tar Heels team playing Friday night was the same one that was defensively challenged all year. College basketball teams were able to get up and down on them pretty much at will. But on Friday night, they stepped up and answered the call, holding Marquette to 15 first half points – the second fewest in the program’s storied tournament … [Read more...] about North Carolina Tar Heels Very Impressive; Ready for Test from Kentucky Wildcats

NCAA Tournament East Regional Sweet 16 Breakdown

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My hands still sting from all the loud clapping I did during Marquette's third round victory against Syracuse.  As winnable as their first two games were, reality sets in a bit as the Golden Eagles have a mountain to climb if they want to complete an improbable run to the Final Four.  Ohio State, North Carolina, and Kentucky are all powerhouse programs loaded with NBA talent.  … [Read more...] about NCAA Tournament East Regional Sweet 16 Breakdown

Bulls Take Over 1st in East, Celtics Doc Rivers Shows Great Respect

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It was a day of mixed results for Glenn “Doc” Rivers, the Head Coach of the Boston Celtics. The Chicago native returned home to be with (and congratulate) his son Austin Rivers, as he was named winner of the 2011 Morgan Wootten Player of the Year Award today for his accomplishments on and off the court. He is after all, the #1 college basketball recruit in the nation (headed … [Read more...] about Bulls Take Over 1st in East, Celtics Doc Rivers Shows Great Respect

Duke Recruit Austin Rivers Takes Home National Player of the Year Award

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Austin Rivers, the #1 college basketball recruit in the nation (headed to Duke) was named winner of the 2011 Morgan Wootten Player of the Year Award today for his accomplishments on and off the court. Rivers, the 6-3, 200 lb. prep star from Winter Park High School in Winter Park, Fla. has been selected as first-team All-State since his freshman year. Rivers is the son of … [Read more...] about Duke Recruit Austin Rivers Takes Home National Player of the Year Award