March 2012 | Page 8 of 28 | Zagsblog
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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.
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Articles, Syracuse

BOSTON — Hardly a day goes by that an NBA scout or executive doesn’t reach out to Wilson Arroyo about Dion Waiters.

Arroyo coached Waiters at Burlington (N.J.) Life Center and is now with the New Jersey-based AAU program Team Final.

“The San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Utah Jazz have been calling me, and a couple of background-checking people  have called,” Arroyo told SNY.tv Friday by phone. “They do background checks for the NBA.”

Syracuse

BOSTON — Jim Boeheim was in a combative mood from the get-go in his press conference here Friday.

First, the Syracuse coach was asked if he ever has to get his players to “buy into” the zone defense and whether any player since Derrick Coleman had suggested he move to a man defense.

“First of all, they buy into it because they want to play,” Boeheim cracked.

Then he went off about how no analysts (read Dick Vitale and Doug Gottlieb, among others) ever criticize Duke for staying in a man defense.

Articles, Syracuse

BOSTON — Thad Matta says he envies Jim Boeheim.

No, it’s not necessarily because Boeheim owns an NCAA championship ring and Matta does not.

It’s more because Boeheim walked on at Syracuse 50 years ago and never left.

Like most of his colleagues in the coaching brethren, Matta has changed jobs and moved his family to numerous stops. He has served as a head coach at Butler, Xavier and now Ohio State.

Articles, St. John's

Chris Obekpa and JaKarr Sampson will take official visits to St. John’s beginning today, sources confirmed to SNY.tv.

Scout.com first reported news of Obekpa’s visit.

“Official,” Eric Jaklitsch, an assistant at Our Savior New American, said by text.

St. John’s recently landed a commitment from Obekpa’s teammate, 6-3 wing Felix Balamou and would love to add the 6-9 shot-blocker, too.

Articles, Duke, NBA Draft

BOSTON — Austin Rivers figures to be a Top 15 pick in the NBA Draft, according to one veteran NBA scout.

“I think he’s going in the Top 15,” the scout told SNY.tv Friday. “He’s had a good year. He got better as the year went on. He slowed down and got himself more under control and figured it out.

“He has a great upside. He has a bright future.”

A second NBA scout disagreed, saying Rivers won’t be a lottery pick: “Rivers is a scorer who can get to the basket. He needs to work on his perimeter shooting and defense. First round but not lottery.”

DraftExpress.com has Rivers, the son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, projected at No. 18 in its mock draft.

Articles, Transfers

BOSTON — One year at Iowa State proved to be enough for Tavon Sledge.

The 5-foot-9 Spring Valley, N.Y., native is transferring after his freshman season in hopes of getting more playing time at another school.

“The opportunity for playing time doesn’t exist for Tavon at Iowa State,” his mentor and former AAU coach, Mike Moore, told SNY.tv. “The feeling amongst many people in the basketball circles is that Tavon is a dynamic point guard who has tremendous upside. It’s also felt that in the right situation, Tavon has the ability to dominate at the point guard position.

Articles, Syracuse

BOSTON — The last time Syracuse played NCAA Tournament games here, a guy named ‘Melo ended up leading them to a national championship in New Orleans.

This time around, the Orange are missing their only Melo, yet they hope to be cutting down the nets once again in The Big Easy.

“We’re trying to do the same thing,” Syracuse guard Dion Waiters said after scoring 13 points in No. 1 Syracuse’s 64-63 nail-biting win over No. 4 Wisconsin at TD Garden that was only cemented after Jordan Taylor missed a 3-point attempt and Josh Gasser’s follow jumper failed to go down in the final seconds.

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