Two basketball tidbits on a chilly Philly Friday:
- Freshman transfer (out of Gonzaga) Keegan Hyland — the one who was spotted on campus getting a tour from the Penn coaching staff — just committed to play for the Fairfield Stags. You know, the ones now coached by former Princeton head-man Sydney Johnson.
- First-year Cornell coach Bill Courtney may not be long for Ithaca. This one's very preliminary, but here's the theory, as per the Washington Post: George Mason coach Jim Larranaga is bound for Miami to take over the Canes' opening (You know, the one that Harvard coach Tommy Amaker was in talks for, but turned down). That leaves the Mason job open — and the Post's Matt Bonesteel (awesome last name...) lists the Big Red's Courtney as a possible replacement. Courtney was an assistant to Larranaga at Mason for eight years, and was key in recruiting the Patriots' 2006 Final Four team. I wouldn't take much from his one season at Cornell (seeing as there is a major vaccum of talent after last year's senior class left), but as the head coach there, he compiled a 10-18, 6-8 Ivy record. For what it's worth, he was able to beat Penn both times around this year.
scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:100px; height:27px;" allowTransparency="true">
The Hyland news is quite interesting because of Princeton's no-transfers rule and the rumblings about Princeton admin support (or lack thereof) possibly driving SJ away. Could it be that he was making a hard push for Hyland at Princeton and the admins refused to make an exception to their no-transfers rule? And that this was a sort of straw-that-broke-the-camel's-back sort of issue for SJ's frustration with the Princeton admin? This is pure speculation, but I find it interesting.
It's been a tough beginning to Keegan's college basketball career - a stress fracture, a concussion that never quite resolved itself - and many here hope he finds a whole new beginning at Fairfield. I'm sorry to have seen him play only at a summer intrasquad exhibition game and not against other competition. He has nice form and good fundamentals. More strength and size, and he'll be a monster later on.
Good luck Keegan.
No need for any more camel references, Noah (http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local/animals&id=8088271) but I highly doubt that one recruit (and not a huge get either) would be the difference maker for Sydney Johnson.
Interesting how Silcox worked in the name comment about Bonesteel.
FOJL
It's appropriate time to make some plans for the long run and it's time to be happy. I have learn this publish and if I may I desire to recommend you few interesting issues or advice. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things approximately it!
Good information. Lucky me I recently found your site by accident (stumbleupon). I've bookmarked it for later!