April 2013 | Page 24 of 32 | 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, Louisville

Kevin Ware netsATLANTA — This was just before “One Shining Moment” and Kevin Ware was walking across the confetti-strewn floor at the Georgia Dome on crutches.

Soon the Bronx native was with his teammates again as they climbed up on a ladder to cut down the net in the wake of Louisville’s 82-76 victory over Michigan in the national championship game.

Ever since suffering that gruesome leg injury in the Midwest Region final win over Duke, Ware has been pleading and prodding with his teammates to “just win.”

Articles, Louisville


ATLANTA — It’s entirely possible that no coach will ever replicate the week that Rick Pitino completed at 11:46 EST Monday night here in the Georgia Dome.

With Louisville’s 82-76 victory over Michigan in the national championship game before a crowd of 74,346, the newly minted Naismith Hall of Fame capped a historic day by becoming the first man ever to lead two different schools to an NCAA title.

The New York City native coached a loaded Kentucky team to the NCAA championship in 1996, and tonight guided Louisville to its first title since 1986 and third overall.

“I know how much this means to him,” Louisville senior floor general Peyton Siva said of Pitino after scoring 14  of his 18 points in the second half to go with six rebounds, five assists and four steals in his final collegiate game. 

Knicks

ATLANTA — It was 1997 and Bernard King was on the beach on the Caribbean island of Anguilla for his honeymoon when he heard a voice say, “Hey, B.”

The voice belonged to Patrick Ewing.

And who was also walking along the beach with Ewing?

Dikembe Mutombo and Alonzo Mourning. The former Georgetown big men were at the beach resort for Mourning’s wedding.

Ewing turned to Mourning and said, “If ‘B’ and I played together, we would’ve kicked your butt,” referring to the Knicks and the Miami Heat.

Andrew Wiggins, Articles

Andrew WigginsBy JEREMY WOO & DANIEL PONEMAN

Special to ZAGSBLOG

CHICAGO — As the NCAA’s late signing period nears, one question looms in the minds of college hoops fans everywhere: whose jersey will Andrew Wiggins be wearing in the fall?

The 6-foot-8 Wiggins, the top overall 2013 prospect according to most major recruiting services, currently stands as the lone unsigned McDonalds All-American. The otherworldly athlete and skilled forward from outside Toronto has kept coaches on the edge of their seats since reclassifying as a senior last fall.

His list is down to four: Florida State, Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina.

And of course, everyone wants him as a teammate. Wiggins’ immense talent will be a huge addition, no matter where he goes.

Last week at the McDonald’s All-American Game, his potential teammates made their cases.

Knicks

By JOSH NEWMAN
Special to ZAGSBLOG

J.R. SmithIf one didn’t believe the Knicks are peaking at the right time of the regular season, Sunday afternoon’s effort should have taken care of any doubts.

A 36-point, 12-rebound effort from Carmelo Anthony and clutch shooting late from J.R. Smith delivered the Atlantic Division-leading Knicks their 12th straight victory, 125-120, at the Oklahoma City in what was arguably a possible preview of the NBA Finals.

Anthony now has 167 points in his last four games, the Knicks have won 50 games in a season for the first time since 1999-2000 and the magic number to clinch the Atlantic Division for the first time since 1993-94 sits at one.

Articles

By JOSH NEWMAN
Special to ZAGSBLOG

Scott MachadoLooking to shore up its roster for just its second playoff appearance in the last 19 years,  former Iona College star point guard Scott Machado was en route to Oakland on Sunday afternoon and will sign a 10-day contract with the Golden State Warriors.

The 2012 MAAC Player of the Year and Haggerty Award winner, Machado will play through his 10-day contract and is then expected to be signed for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.

Since leading the Gaels to last season’s NCAA Tournament, the Queens native has experienced a mixed bag in his first season as a professional. Undrafted, Machado had a strong showing for the Houston Rockets’ summer league team, which prompted a non-guaranteed contract for the season.

Articles, Louisville, Michigan

ATLANTA — Rick Pitino could have become the Michigan coach in 2001.

Reiterating a story he has told before, the Louisville coach said that he nearly took the job in 2001 when he returned to the college ranks after leaving the Celtics.

Louisville, of course, will play Michigan here for the national championship Monday night.

Michigan ultimately chose Tommy Amaker, who previously coached Seton Hall.

Michigan, of course, beat Seton Hall in the 1989 NCAA title game.

Anyway, here’s Pitino’s version of the story:

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