May 2008 - Posts
Some college basketball programs are synonymous with one name. When it comes to UNLV hoops, that name’s Jerry Tarkanian. Even fewer names invoke a bigger love-hate relationship than Tark the Shark’s.
Yet there’s one unassailable fact when it comes to Tarkanian and hoops – the man won games at ridiculous rate.
And that reason makes UNLV is No. 20 among the greatest college basketball programs.
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The Friday links, for your reading pleasure. (Even if you’ve already left work to enjoy a long weekend.)
Lute Olson wants to coach until he's 80. Marquette has a star returning. UCLA found a replacement for Kevin Love and Tom Crean lost another player.
Isn't this the offseason?
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When it comes to football schools as hoops contenders, few can match what Rick Barnes has done with Texas. Behind a host of NBA lottery picks, UT has truly become one of college sports’ dual threats on the hardwood and the gridiron.
But it took more than just Barnes’ recent success to establish the Longhorns as No. 21 among the greatest college basketball programs.
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When the NCAA tournament seedings were announced, it was easy to spot some similarities between this year’s Kansas team and the Danny Manning-led version 20 years ago.
Both teams played in Lincoln, Neb., before traveling to Michigan for the regional semifinals. “Danny and the Miracles” beat a favored Oklahoma team for the championship, while Mario’s Miracle sealed the title against favored Memphis this season.
But Kansas wasn’t able to defend the 1988 title because of an NCAA rules violation. Could there now be one more similarity?
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One game shouldn't propel a team into the ranks of the greatest college basketball programs.
But it's a good place to start.
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Monday was all about paperwork. How long until the season starts again?
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The Friday links, for your clicking pleasure.
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Temple has all the makings of an elite hoops program.
One of Philadelphia’s legendary “Big Five,” the Owls have 26 NCAA tournament appearances, 16 conferences titles, claimed the first NIT trophy and produced their share of NBA players.
The most impressive number though? Temple’s 1,689 victories, sixth most among D-I schools. Yes, the program’s been around since 1895, but it’s won 64 percent of those games – the same percentage as Indiana and Arizona.
That kind of prolonged success is a big reason behind Temple’s position at No. 23 in the greatest college basketball programs of all time.
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The post-Final Four, pre-NBA draft, mid-late-signing period 2008-09 preseason college basketball rankings can be tricky.
Thankfully, the Web is here to help.
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