Basketball – Page 62 – North Platte Post Archive

Lady Huskers to Host Duke in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Posted on June 4, 2014

Lincoln – Big Ten power Nebraska and ACC power Duke will go head-to-head in one of the marquee matchups of the 2014 ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Two of the nation’s premier conferences announced the eighth annual matchups for the series on Wednesday, June 4.

Coach Connie Yori’s Huskers will represent the Big Ten as the 2014 conference tournament champions. The Big Red finished with the second-most wins (26) and second-fewest losses (7) in school history in 2013-14. NU’s .788 winning percentage ranked No. 2 in program history, as the Huskers advanced to their third consecutive NCAA Tournament.

The 2013-14 Huskers finished No. 13 in the Associated Press Poll, No. 17 in the USA Today/Coaches Top 25 and No. 19 in the NCAA RPI. NU finished 12-4 in Big Ten regular-season play, before rolling to three straight wins as the No. 3 seed at the conference tournament in Indianapolis.

Nebraska, which has advanced to the NCAA Tournament in all three of its seasons in the Big Ten, advanced to the NCAA second round with a 74-55 win over Fresno State at UCLA. It marked the first time in school history that the Big Red won at least one NCAA Tournament game in back-to-back seasons.

Yori, who has won back-to-back Big Ten Coach-of-the-Year honors, enters her 13th season at Nebraska as the school’s all-time winningest coach with 241 victories. Her Huskers return four All-Big Ten starters led by honorable-mention AP All-American and first-team All-Big Ten point guard Rachel Theriot. Senior forwards Emily Cady (Second Team All-Big Ten) and Hailie Sample (Big Ten All-Defensive) have joined each other in the starting five for 100 consecutive games, while fellow senior Tear’a Laudermill earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in her first year as a starter in 2013-14.

The 2014-15 Huskers will be bolstered by a seven-player class of incoming freshmen that was ranked No. 9 nationally by ESPN, as the Big Red shoot for an unprecedented fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2015.

The 2013 Huskers, which featured current returning starters Cady, Sample, Theriot and Laudermill, advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16, falling to Duke, 53-45, in the third round at Norfolk, Va.

Duke finished 28-7 overall in 2013-14, closing the regular season at No. 9 in the AP Poll, before finishing 13th in the USA Today/Coaches Top 25. The Blue Devils entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 4 RPI team in the nation.

Duke, finished second in the ACC, losing three of its seven games on the season to NCAA runner-up Notre Dame, the last time in the ACC Championship Game on March 9. In fact, four of Duke’s last eight losses have come to Notre Dame, which also knocked the Blue Devils out of the 2013 NCAA Tournament in the NCAA Elite Eight.

Duke cruised to a first-round NCAA win over Winthrop in 2014, before being upset by DePaul in the second round. DePaul advanced to the NCAA Lincoln Regional at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Duke had advanced to three consecutive NCAA Elite Eight appearances and won three consecutive ACC regular-season titles along with a pair of conference tournament titles prior to last season.

Coach Joanne P. McCallie enters her eighth season at Duke, where she owns a 202-42 record. The Blue Devils lose three senior starters from last year’s group, including first-round WNBA Draft picks Chelsea Gray and Tricia Liston, along with Haley Peters. Gray went with 11th overall pick to the Connecticut Sun despite missing the final 18 games of the 2014 season with an injury. Liston was selected with the next pick by the Minnesota Lynx, before Husker senior All-American Jordan Hooper was chosen with the 13th pick by the Tulsa Shock.

That Duke senior trio of Gray, Liston and Peters combined for nearly 42 points per game a year ago, while departing seniors Chloe Wells and Richa Jackson also played key roles.

All-America center Elizabeth Williams returns as a 2015 senior and national player-of-the-year candidate, along with junior guard Alexis Jones. Seniors Ka’lia Johnson and Jenna Frush will be expected to add leadership for a young Blue Devil squad that includes sophomores Oderah Chidom, Amber Henson and Kendall McCravey-Cooper.

The Blue Devil program has made 21 trips to the NCAA Tournament and ranks sixth in history with 53 all-time NCAA Tournament wins.

The 2014 ACC/Big Ten Challenge will feature 14 games, including eight games on Wednesday, Dec. 3 and six games onThursday, Dec. 4.

2014 ACC/BIG TEN CHALLENGE SCHEDULE

Wednesday, Dec. 3

Duke at Nebraska
Maryland at Notre Dame
Florida State at Purdue
Minnesota at NC State
Indiana at Boston College
Wake Forest at Michigan
Virginia at Illinois
Pittsburgh at Ohio State

Thursday, Dec. 4

Iowa at Louisville
Penn State at Syracuse
Northwestern at Virginia Tech
Wisconsin at Miami
North Carolina at Rutgers
Georgia Tech at Michigan State

Duncan, James Set to Break Their Finals Tie

Posted on June 1, 2014June 1, 2014

MIAMI (AP) — Over the last 10 seasons, only one NBA player has been part of more wins than LeBron James.

His name is Tim Duncan.

So maybe it’s fitting that James and Duncan are among the last players standing this season. Duncan has played in 622 regular-season and playoff wins over the last decade, James has appeared in 621 victories, and both will try to add to those totals when San Antonio and Miami meet for the second straight year in the NBA Finals.

Game 1 is Thursday at San Antonio.

It’s the first finals rematch since 1997 and 1998, when the Chicago Bulls beat the Utah Jazz in six games both times. The Heat topped the Spurs in a seven-game series last season.

NBA Playoff Schedule

Posted on May 31, 2014May 31, 2014

All Times EDT

CONFERENCE FINALS
(Best-of-7; x-if necessary)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Miami 4, Indiana 2

Sunday, May 18: Indiana 107, Miami 96

Tuesday, May 20: Miami 87, Indiana 83

Saturday, May 24: Miami 99, Indiana 87

Monday, May 26: Miami 102, Indiana 90

Wednesday, May 28: Indiana 93, Miami 90

Friday, May 30: Miami 117, Indiana 92

WESTERN CONFERENCE
San Antonio 4, Oklahoma City 2

Monday, May 19: San Antonio 122, Oklahoma City 105

Wednesday, May 21: San Antonio 112, Oklahoma City 77

Sunday, May 25: Oklahoma City 106, San Antonio 97

Tuesday, May 27: Oklahoma City 105, San Antonio 92

Thursday, May 29: San Antonio 117, Oklahoma City 89

Saturday, May 31: San Antonio 112, Oklahoma City 107, OT

FINALS
(Best-of-7; x-if necessary)

Thursday, June 5: Miami at San Antonio, 9 p.m.

Sunday, June 8: Miami at San Antonio, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, June 10: San Antonio at Miami, 9 p.m.

Thursday, June 12: San Antonio at Miami, 9 p.m.

x-Sunday, June 15: Miami at San Antonio, 8 p.m.

x-Tuesday, June 17: San Antonio at Miami, 9 p.m.

x-Friday, June 20: Miami at San Antonio, 9 p.m.

NBA Expands Games to Mexico, London

Posted on May 29, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA will play regular-season games in Mexico City and London as part of its extended global schedule for next season.

The Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves will play at the Mexico City Arena on Nov. 12. The Milwaukee Bucks will face the New York Knicks at The O2 on Jan. 15.

The two regular-season games will follow the NBA global preseason games in October that will feature five teams — Brooklyn, Cleveland, Miami, Sacramento and San Antonio — playing a series of games in Brazil, China, Germany and Turkey.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says, “These regular-season games will bring the excitement and incredible competition of our league to more fans in Europe and Latin America.”

Williams Fills GA Position on Husker Staff

Posted on May 23, 2014May 25, 2014

Former Husker forward Meghin Williams will begin her pursuit of a coaching career as a graduate assistant manager on the Nebraska women’s basketball staff in 2014-15, Coach Connie Yori announced on Friday.

Williams’ primary responsibilities at Nebraska will include assisting with practice preparation and administrative duties, while coordinating Nebraska’s efforts on Twitter and Facebook. She will also help coordinate Nebraska’s practice players and will play a role with Nebraska Women’s Basketball Camps.

“We’re excited to give Meghin a chance to begin her career as a coach,” Yori said. “Meghin played a major role in developing great team chemistry on some of the best teams in school history here at Nebraska. She has a great personality and had to overcome quite a bit of adversity as a player, which should serve her well in her future as a coach.”

Williams, a four-year contributor on the court for Nebraska from 2009-10 through 2012-13, was a member of NU’s first two NCAA Sweet 16 teams as a freshman in 2010 and a senior in 2013. She also helped the Huskers to the 2012 NCAA Tournament.

Williams overcame nagging foot injuries throughout her career to play 98 career games. An outstanding leader, Williams helped the Huskers average nearly 24 wins per season during her four-year career.

Following the completion of the 2013-14 campaign when she worked as a student-assistant in the women’s basketball office, Williams participated in the “So You Want to be a Coach” program at the WBCA National Convention in Nashville.

Williams earned her bachelor’s degree in broadcasting from Nebraska in May of 2014 and is pursuing a master’s degree in education administration.

Stephens Returns to Nebraska

Posted on May 21, 2014

Lincoln – One of the most successful players in Husker history is back in Nebraska again, as Coach Connie Yori announced the addition of Amy Stephens to NU’s 2014-15 coaching staff on Wednesday, May 21.

Stephens, an Alliance, Neb., native who ranks among the top five Huskers in history in points (1,976, 4th), assists (444, 5th) and steals (280, 3rd), rejoined Yori’s staff for the second time. Stephens was also a member of Yori’s first Nebraska coaching staff in 2002-03, before being named the head coach at Drake in 2003.

“We’re really excited to have Coach Stephens back at Nebraska,” Yori said. “She is an outstanding coach and person, and we think she can really help our players in their individual skill development and with our team defense. Her head coaching experience is invaluable, and she has tremendous experience in recruiting as well. She is a great fit for our program right now.”

Stephens spent nine seasons as the head coach at Drake, compiling a 151-130 record. In 2008, Stephens led the Bulldogs to the Missouri Valley Conference title. The previous season, she guided Drake to the Missouri Valley Tournament title and an automatic bid to the 2007 NCAA Tournament. She also led the Bulldogs to four WNIT bids.

Stephens spent the 2013-14 season as the associate head coach at Memphis after spending 2012-13 as an assistant coach at Saint Louis.

Stephens will be Nebraska’s defensive coordinator while playing a major role in opponent scouting and recruiting.

“I’m so excited to be back at Nebraska,” Stephens said. “Coach Yori has done an unbelievable job in building Nebraska’s program to a consistent conference championship contender and a top-25 national program. I feel extremely fortunate to have another chance to work at Nebraska and contribute to the continued rise of this program.”

The 46-year-old Stephens was the first assistant coach hired by Yori in 2002, as she was named to Yori’s first Husker staff on June 27, just one day after Yori officially began her coaching duties as the ninth head women’s basketball coach in school history.

Stephens came back to the Husker program after spending eight extremely successful seasons at Nebraska-Kearney. She compiled a 197-43 record with the NCAA Division II Lopers. UNK averaged nearly 25 wins per season, won five Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference titles and made seven consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament. She was a four-time RMAC Coach of the Year. The Lopers also had an NCAA Division II record 87-game homecourt winning streak during Stephens’ stint at UNK. She was a WBCA national coach-of-the-year finalist in 2000.

Although Stephens was one of the most successful head coaches at the NCAA Division II level for the past eight seasons at Nebraska-Kearney, she jumped at the opportunity to join Yori’s Nebraska staff.

Before beginning her career as a head coach at UNK in 1994-95, Stephens served as an assistant coach at Iowa State for two seasons (1992-93 and 1993-94). She spent one season as an undergraduate assistant coach at Nebraska (1990-91), before spending one season (1991-92) as an assistant coach at Omaha South High School.

Stephens started 113 games during her Nebraska career and earned Kodak All-District V honors as a senior in 1988-89. She was also a first-team All-Big Eight Conference selection as a senior. As a junior in 1987-88, Stephens helped the Huskers to their only Big Eight title and the first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history. She was a member of the 1989 U.S. National Team and played professionally in the Women’s Basketball League in Germany.

In February 2000, Stephens claimed one of five spots on Nebraska’s All-Century Team as part of the school’s celebration of 25 years of women’s intercollegiate athletics. Stephens was also inducted in the Nebraska High School Hall of Fame in 1999.

Stephens earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education from Nebraska in 1991 and completed her master’s degree in educational administration from Nebraska-Kearney in 1997.

Cavs Continue Lottery Luck, get No. 1 Pick Again

Posted on May 21, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers have continued their remarkable lottery luck, winning the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft for the second straight year.

It’s the third time in four years the Cavs will be atop the draft after moving up from the ninth spot. They had just a 1.7 percent chance of winning the top spot Tuesday night.

They drafted Kyrie Irving first in 2011 and will hope to do better with this win than last year, when they took Anthony Bennett, who had a forgettable rookie season.

The Milwaukee Bucks fell one spot to second and the Philadelphia 76ers will draft third.

Nebraska’s Miles is Ticketed for Negligent Driving

Posted on May 19, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lincoln police ticketed Nebraska men’s basketball coach Tim Miles for negligent driving after he was involved in a three-vehicle accident.

Miles was driving in southwest Lincoln about 4 p.m. Friday when his Cadillac Escalade struck a Honda Pilot that had slowed in front of him. The impact pushed the Honda into the back of a stopped pickup.

According to the accident report, Miles told police he had taken his eyes off the road, and when he looked up he was unable to avoid hitting the Honda. The Honda’s driver said she went to a hospital to be examined for neck and back pain. There were no other injuries.

Estimated damage was $2,000 to Miles’ vehicle, $4,000 to the Honda and $500 to the pickup. Alcohol was not a factor.

NBA’s Biggest Losers Look for Lottery Win

Posted on May 19, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — They lost often, as in 67 times for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Sometimes they lost always, as in 26 straight times for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Now the NBA’s biggest losers have a chance for a huge win.

The draft lottery is Tuesday, a night some teams appeared to be aiming toward for months during a season featuring plenty of talking about tanking.

The winner gets the No. 1 pick in next month’s draft, when an Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker might make all of this season’s misery worth it.

It’s a potential make-or-break night for some teams, which is why a program about the results of a random drawing ends up as the prime-time lead-in for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.

For Payne, Lacey Remains on Mind

Posted on May 16, 2014

CHICAGO (AP) — There wasn’t a more touching story in college basketball this season than the friendship between Michigan State star Adreian Payne and Lacey Holsworth.

An 8-year-old girl fighting cancer. A basketball player bonding with her like a big brother.

NBA executives wanted to hear all about it, and Payne was happy to oblige.

The story came up quite a bit in meetings at the NBA draft combine in Chicago this week, with teams asking him to recount how he became friends with the girl from St. Johns, Michigan, who died April 8.

Payne says teams “really like what I did” and “just tipped their hat off to me about things that I did in the community.”