Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
NEW YORK — We all know the storied legacy associated with Georgetown centers.
Patrick Ewing.
Dikembe Mutombo.
Alonzo Mourning.
Roy Hibbert.
Greg Monroe could well be the next in that line, but he’s not ready to say so just yet.
“I’m honored to follow people that were so good here,” Monroe said after putting up 23 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 blocks as Georgetown dismissed Marquette, 80-57, to advance to Saturday night’s Big East championship against the West Virginia/Notre Dame winner.
West Virginia football coach Bill Stewart became the first Big East coach to openly talk about the league disbanding when he gave this video interview to WTAP in Parkersburg, W.Va., on Thursday.
The quotes first appeared on Brian Bennett’s ESPN.com blog.
There has been much talk about the Big 10 expanding and possibly raiding the Big East for Rutgers or another school. Stewart seemed to indicate that was inevitable and said the SEC and ACC will “do the same.”
“It’s exciting,” he said. “It’s disheartening as well. … The Big Ten could … they’ll pick a couple of our teams. However, the SEC and the ACC will also do the same, so that’s exciting. I don’t know where we’re going to land. We could land, whatever, in one of maybe three conferences, the ACC, the SEC, maybe the Big Ten.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Fuquan Edwin played his final high school game Thursday night when top-seeded Paterson Catholic lost to No. 2 St. Anthony, 63-49, in the North Non-Public B title game at Rutgers.
The 6-foot-5 Edwin led his team with 22 points and 6 rebounds, but only one other teammate (Kyle Anderson) managed double figures.
Another Paterson native, St. Anthony guard Elijah Carter, killed the Cougars with a game-high 28 points and 14 rebounds.
“He had a terrific game. He shot the ball well. He got into the lane. He dished off to his teammates. He just opened the floor for his teammates and that’s what killed us,” Edwin said of the St. Bonaventure-bound Carter.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Ronald Roberts, a 6-foot-8 forward from Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter’s Prep who has committed to St. John’s, said he was uncertain of his plans now that head coach Norm Roberts’ future is in doubt.
The New York Post on Thursday reported that Roberts would be let go at the end of the season. The team is NIT eligible and the school likely won’t make any official announcement until after Sunday night’s NIT selection process.
“I’m just going to see what happens. I’m really not sure. I’m disappointed, but I just don’t know what to do at this point,” Roberts said after scoring 16 points as St. Peter’s beat Seton Hall Prep, 64-54, to win the New Jersey Non-Public A North title at Rutgers.
Sources close to the St. Peter’s program said several Big East and ACC schools continued to call with inquiries about Roberts even though he has signed with St. John’s.