Portland State Vikings in CIT tournament

By Gregory Crawford, Managing Editor of the East West Hoops

Congrats to the Portland State Vikings for making the CIT tournament. The Vikings will match-up in the first round on Tuesday, March 18th against the San Diego Toreros of the West Coast Conference. 

The winner of the Tuesday night contest in San Diego, will take on the the winner of the Pacific Tigers/Grand Canyon game.

Some sources have indicated to the East West Hoops, that instead of playing San Diego on Tuesday night, the Vikings more than likely would have been playing U of Portland, but the Pilots finished the season one game below .500 and CIT rules are that a team to be eligible for the CIT needs to have at least a .500 or better record for the year.

What a match-up that would have been in Portland, Oregon, Vikings/Pilots in postseason. It would have created quite the buzz.

Sigh of relief in Portland, Oregon

By Gregory Crawford, Managing Editor of the East West Hoops

A big sigh of relief went over Portland, Oregon and beyond on Friday night, when the Blazers defeated the New Orleans Pelicans.

Not only was it a great come from behind road win, but it also stopped the Blazers' losing streak, counting four straight on the road. The win comes at the end of the Blazers' five game road trip, they now come home for three straight starting on Sunday. After that, it is no road rest as Portland heads out on their final long road trip of the year, another five game trip

Since we always love to hear from our readers, where do you think Portland will wind up as a seed in the Western Conference and how far will they advance in the playoffs?

Bracketology: NC State upgrades their resume in ACC Tournament

T.J. Warren is the ACC Player of the Year

If you haven't heard about the NC State Wolfpack this season, you will hear about them a lot more after tonight's victory over the Syracuse Orange in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament.

The Wolfpack are now 21-12 on the season and they don't have great resume wins but they did beat Florida Gulf Coast earlier in the season. The Eagles of FGCU are the regular season champs of the Atlantic Sun conference and will most likely be in the NIT.

Then they have another good resume win against Eastern Kentucky out of the Ohio Valley Conference. Last week, the Colonels of EKU won the OVC Tournament and will be going to the NCAA Tournament. You can now add tonight's win over Syracuse to give them that great resume win.

With the Wolfpack advancing to the semifinals it at least puts them in the conversation for the NCAA Tournament. Let's not forget they also have the ACC Player of the Year in sophomore forward T.J. Warren. Warren is averaging 24.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.

In tonight's big win over Syracuse, he had 28 points and 8 rebounds and played all 40 minutes. With Selection Sunday only being two days away it will be interesting to see where NC State ends up.

Phil Jackson era starts in New York

By Gregory Crawford, Managing Editor of the East West Hoops

Lots of fanfare, lots of plaudits for the New York Knicks hiring of Phil Jackson. Reputation deserved in one area of basketball does not always carry over to the other areas.

My take on Jackson is that after two years, he will become bored with the front office and move onto another area of basketball. You have to give Jackson credit for his competitive fire, but this time around he will not be on many road trips, he will not be at every practice and he will not be in the huddle with his famous glare of players and motivational tactics.

Yes, I give him two and done. In addition, I do not think he will be successful in his new role, being able to translate from the greatest NBA coach of all time to a great front office guy. It is just very hard to do and few people have succeeded at the job.

Per usual, in the East West Hoops, what are your thoughts on this subject? Thank you.

NCAA Postseason Tournaments: Blah, Blah, Blah and more Blah

By Gregory Crawford, Managing Editor of the East West Hoops

How about really sprucing up NCAA D-1 basketball. I mean really sprucing it up. Simple way, do away with all postseason conference tournaments. Conference tournaments only cut it with the true basketball junkie.

For sure the game needs to add new fans and develop a new base. There is no better way to do so than to make the regular season count, really count.

Can you believe what kind of games we would get. And on top of that, add on a balanced schedule for every single team. It would work, it just has to have someone have the guts to make the decision.

Per usual, we always want the East West Hoops to be interactive. What do you think about the above comments ?

Wichita State, For Sure Number 1 Seed

By Gregory Crawford, Managing Editor of the East West Hoops

It is shocking, that some people do not think the Wichita State Shockers belong as a number 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Of course they do, completing the regular season at 34-0 they have to be a lock to be the number 1 seed.

What do you think, are they a deserving number 1 seed and how far will they go in the NCAA tournament? Please comment below and thank you very much.

CAA Tournament: Delaware Blue Hens outlasts Hofstra

(Photo: Mark Jordan/Bluehens.com)

In the first game of the CAA quarterfinals, the number one seed Delaware Blue Hens took on the eighth seed Hofstra Pride. The Blue Hens would go on to win 87-76.

Hofstra started out the game early on fire giving the Blue Hens a run for their money. At the half, The Pride had a 40-37 lead. But then the Blue Hens woke up and had a 50 point scoring outburst in the second half.

The scoring outburst was led by guards Davon Usher and Jarvis Threatt. Usher scored a game high 28 points and was unstoppable for the most part in today's game. Usher also had eight rebounds and shot 4 of 7 from the three point line.

His teammate Jarvis Threatt was the closer down the stretch scoring 22 points in the game and making 6 out 10 free throws from the line.

Still give credit to Hofstra as they only played seven players as they were shorthanded. They got a lot from their players and they definitely did show "Pride."

Delaware now sits and waits for the winner of the 4/5 game between the Drexel Dragons and Northeastern Huskies.

NBA D-League has perhaps best year ever

By Gregory Crawford, Managing Editor of the East West Hoops Loop

It has a been a great year so far for the NBA D-League. Lots of close games, lots of high scoring games, many great individual games, plus some much needed publicity.

Now it is your time, who do you think will win the D-League championship this year? One choice and let us know in the comment section below.

Oh, my choice, the LA Defenders, yes with a name like that, how can you not lose.

My coach of the year in D-1 basketball

By Gregory Crawford, Managing Editor of the East West Hoops

This is a year that probably 20 people could be the coach of the year in D-1 college basketball. Certainly the favorites have to be Gregg Marshall of undefeated Wichita State and Bill Donavan of Florida.

My powerful vote goes to Rex Walters of the San Francisco Dons of the West Coast Conference. All Walters did was lead his team to a 20-10 season, a 13-5 record is the ever tough West Coast Conference and a number three seed in the WCC tournament.

This great season happened after Walters had his best player and one of the top five players in the WCC leave his team in November after an altercation with a teammate. Losing Cody Doolin at the time time was a big blow, but Walters regrouped his team and the Dons played great basketball in January and February, despite being one of the shortest teams in the country and having no true center.

There is no question Walters is a wonderful coach, it really showed this year and for that reason, he is my national coach of the year.

And since the East West Hoops is all about interactive, who is your national coach of the year? Be sure to make your opinions known in our comment section and thank you.

Portland State ends regular season tonight

By Gregory Crawford, Managing Editor of the East West Hoops

Portland State will end its regular season tonight with a home game at 7:00 pm against Idaho State. It has been an up and down season for the Vikings, but it is for sure ending on a high note. Winners of 4 of last 5, with a really good chance to make the Big Sky playoffs and  finishing in the top seven in league.

As a matter of fact if the Vikings win tonight, they will finish at least in fifth spot, a position they are tied with at present with  Eastern Washington and Northern Colorado, but hold the tiebreaker over both of those teams.

Tyler Geving and his wonderful staff, will never get the credit they deserve this year for the coaching job they have done. After Geving dismissed his best player in early January, almost everyone wrote off Geving and his team, except people that know basketball and know what a good coach he is indeed.

It is thought that Geving is in the last year of his contract and it was the total sentiment going around the Stott Center last Thursday night, that Portland State should give Geving an extension even before tonight's game, as a strong statement for the job he has done. I am convinced he will get that extension, but it can't come soon enough.

One of the best coaching jobs on the west coast was done right here in Portland, Oregon, at Portland State University.

Your thoughts?

Report: Phil Jackson offered front office role with New York Knicks

It seems like every year the Zen Master himself; Phil Jackson finds his name being called on for head coaching jobs. This time around it's not for a head coaching job instead it's for a front office position.

According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, Jackson has been offered a front office position by the Knicks and is expected to give a decision next week.

This news is really interesting to hear because I truly believe that Phil Jackson can turn around the Knicks. Right now, the New York Knicks are in a terrible spot and who better to fix it then Phil Jackson. Remember in his playing days, Jackson was a Knick and won two championships with them. Also as a coach he has 11 rings with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers.

Also in Isola's piece, an NBA source said "that it would be more than a consulting job." When you think of Jackson taking on this role just imagine what Pat Riley is doing with the Miami Heat.

Riley rebuilt the Heat, signed Chris Bosh and Lebron James in free agency, and so far got two titles out of the Big Three. Finally, he also got a great coach in Erik Spoelstra who he promoted within.

If Jackson decides he wants to take the front office position and if James Dolan gives him control, his first task at hand will be trying to convince Carmelo Anthony to stay in New York.

If the Zen Master can keep Melo in NY and build around him the right way, Madison Square Garden might be the Mecca of basketball again.

Huge Two Games For Portland State Vikings

By Gregory Crawford, Managing Editor of the East West Hoops

It will be a huge two nights, starting tonight and ending on Saturday for the Portland State Vikings, as they battle for a playoff spot in the ever competitive Big Sky Conference.

It all gets underway tonight when the Vikings entertain already league champion Weber State at 7:00 p.m., with the same game time on Saturday night against Idaho State.

In earlier meetings this season, the Vikings lost to both teams. At present Portland State is playing some of the best basketball of their season, winning three of four, all on the road.

Coming Friday, March 7th---East West Hoops D-1 Coach of they Year

By Gregory Crawford, Managing Editor of the East West Hoops

This Friday, that is actually tomorrow, the East West Hoops will tell you who we think should be national coach of the year in D-1 men's basketball.

There are many great choices, but only one can be selected. We will have not a bizarre choice, but a surprise choice for sure. So be sure to check back often, to see who we have chosen.

Thanks

Can Doug McDermott lead Creighton to the Final Four?

[Photo: AP/Nati Harnik]

The Creighton Blue Jays out of the Big East Conference are making a name for themselves as the beasts of the east. Creighton, who was originally apart of the Missouri Valley Conference is making it known that they are tough and are challenging for a Final Four.

But their superstar player in senior forward Doug McDermott is the reason why the Blue Jays could be contending for a Final Four. McDermott, who is moving up the NCAA Division I scoring list, is making a case for himself to be a first round pick in this summer's NBA Draft. All signs point to McDermott being a first round or lottery pick.

This season, McDermott is averaging 26.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Personally, this is the best basketball he has played in his entire career. Despite McDermott's shooting prowess he has intangibles that any coach would love to have on their team. It just so happens that McDermott's head coach is father.

Whenever Doug McDermott is on the floor, he demands attention but is also a leader. When the Blue Jays need a big shot, McDermott is there to give it to them. He is the complete total package. Now when it comes to the NCAA Tournament, can he lead Creighton to the Final Four? Yes. The Blue Jays will probably be a two seed in the field of 68 and will have a good chance of making it far.

This season, they have proved that they can beat the good teams such as the Villanova Wildcats twice. But only time will tell if the can go all the way to Arlington, Texas in April.

Wilt Chamberlain: The NBA's Greatest Game, March 2nd, 1962

By Gregory Crawford, Managing Editor of the East West Hoops

I am not sure you can argue the point with any validity, but would love to hear your readers' thoughts. Was this the greatest one game in NBA history.

Today is the 52nd anniversary of Wilt Chamberlain's 100 point game. No one since has come even close to scoring 100 points in a game. Not sure if there is anyone in the NBA that can accomplish the iconic moment.

For the record, the game was played in Hershey, Pa., in front of 4,124 fans. That attendance has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, with many people who were born in the 80s and 70s, stating boldly they were in attendance.

Of course, I was not there, but I did watch the game on smart phone that memorable day in March, while constantly texting my friends about the history and even after it was over I faxed the box score to many people.

In case you want to know, Wilt's stat line on offense included being 36 field goals made on 63 attempts, as well as being 28 of 32 from the free throw line. Remarkable,  considering Wilt was never a good free throw shooter. FINAL SCORE: Philadelphia Warriors 169 New York Knickerbockers 147.

Reader ??????

1. Was this amazing fete the greatest game ever by one person in the NBA?

2. Was this the NBA's greatest game ever, having one player score 100 points?

3. Is Wilt the greatest player ever in the NBA, as many people think he is ?

My two cents, this is the greatest game ever in the NBA and Magic Johnson without question is the greatest player ever in the NBA, greater than Michael Jordan.

Gregory Crawford @wchoops

Portland, Oregon Basketball

By Gregory Crawford, Managing Editor of the Alford/Crawford East West Hoops

Each week, or even more, myself and our senior editor Jovan Alford will try to give you a little flavor of our hometowns, Portland, Oregon and Philadelphia, as per the basketball scene. Of course Philadelphia and Portland will forever be joined at the hip, as per the dramatic NBA Finals of 1977, when the heavily favored 76ers, lost four straight in the NBA Finals to the a Bill Walton led Trail Blazer team, still to this day, one of the great Finals in NBA history and forever changed basketball in Rip City. Enjoy.

Trail Blazers----In the midst of a five game winning streak, the Blazers have to endure two five game road trips in the month of March. Terry Stotts is proving that he is a wonderful NBA coach, as many people have said for a long time.

Of course it does not hurt to have two NBA super-stars in the starting line-up, with Lillard and Aldridge. With the tough road schedule, the Blazers need to fight like crazy in March to maintain fourth or higher in the western conference and gain the first round home court advantage.

Portland State----After two mid-February losses at home to Northern Arizona and Sacramento State, everyone wrote off the Vikings. But with Tyler Geving as head coach, you are going to see a team that plays hard every single night. The Vikings over the weekend, ended a four game road stretch, winning 3 of 4 and are now very much back in the playoff hunt for a Big Sky playoff berth.

Portland State will close out the regular season this week, with games against Weber State and Idaho State. Both winnable and almost must wins if the playoffs are going to come calling in 2014.

U of Portland----It was a much better season for the Pilots on the court in 2013-14 as compared to 2012-13, as the Pilots finished the year at 15-15.

The Pilots had to overcome one of the most brutal league schedules ever given any team in the history of sports. The first five WCC league games were played home, with no students in attendance and also meaning 55 percent of the league home schedule was over by January 9th.

With all those home games, U of Portland finished the regular season losing four straight on the road and needs to re-gather some momentum for the WCC tournament which opens this week, as the Pilots being the 7th seed, match up with 10, Loyola Marymount.

Around The NCAA, Men's Basketball

By Gregory Crawford, Managing Editor of Alford/Crawford East West Hoops

Jahii Carson----With Carson playing his home game for Arizona State yesterday, a blowout win over California, it is really important to keep in mind that Carson stayed that extra year, that extra year that is so vital to becoming a successful professional basketball player.

Carson is the glue of the Arizona State team and he is for sure going to be an excellent pro, even with his small stature. One Pac-12 coach recently told me, "Carson is one of the best players I have ever seen as far as court awareness. He never misses an opportunity to take advantage of defensive mistakes and at the same time to make his teammates on the floor look better."

Everyone is going to have lots of fun watching Carson next year in the NBA, that is a given. Projection: Middle to late first round pick, that probably is a mistake, as whoever gets Carson, will be getting a wonderful player.

Officiating----There has never been a year in my 50 plus years of watching NCAA basketball where there has been as much controversy about NCAA basketball calls.. Perhaps it is just the expanded media coverage that magnifies this, but at the same time, the officiating really is not that good for my money. And it has nothing to do with Duke/Syracuse, the call by Tony Greene was absolutely correct, I have watched it over and over.

What is obvious, the fact officials are working too many games, too many nights in a row. As independent contractors, they have every right to do so and make a huge amount of money, who can blame them.

But the flip side is that it really hurts the game of basketball and all of these people owe a lot to the game, which is some cases has made them much money for the pay they get and equally famous, so they can go outside of games, host referee camps and give speeches which bring in added revenue to each individual.

NCAA basketball coaches, you are just going to have to live with officiating in some cases being sub-par, because until we have a centralized officiating system, where all games are assigned out of one office, not through conferences, the game will continue to be hurt by bizarre calls and bizarre actions by officials.

Just think about it, if you worked any job 10 straight days, your performance on the that 10th day, is not going to be as effective as the first day. We often seem many officials working several days in a row, it is a problem, but only can be solved by a centralized officiating system, which appears right now to be way down the road.

Mark Cuban----Cuban is sometimes wrong and sometimes right. He sure is right about the D-League being a better option for many players wanting to play professional basketball than the NCAA. The one and done rule needs to change.

It needs to change to this. If a player goes into college, he must complete at least two years of school, before he can head to professional basketball. If he wants to go right into the NBA out of high school, he can do as such, as well.

Obviously the competition is much greater in the D-League, but the option of two years of college should be available, as many players blossom much later than they expect too.

Gregory Crawford @wchoops

Who will represent the East in the NBA Finals?

Paul George is leading the charge for Indiana

With the second half of the NBA season beginning a few weeks ago, the push to the playoffs are beginning. Teams are starting to separate themselves from contender to pretender. This is more prevalent in the NBA's Eastern Conference, where there are two teams fighting for supremacy. Those two teams are the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat.