Legendary coach Eddie Sutton has passed away

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

Legendary college basketball coach Eddie Sutton has passed away. He was 84.

Sutton’s death was first reported by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The newspaper said that he had been in hospice care recently before his passing.

Death Candle (Photo by Pixabay.com)

He died in Tulsa, Oklahoma, according to the story.

He passed away weeks after he was named to the Class of 2020 for the Basketball Hall of Fame. He will now be honored posthumously when the Class of 2020 is honored in Springfield, Mass. later this year.  

This honor comes nine years after he was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame.

As a men’s basketball coach, he is one of eight head coaches at the Division I level to have more than 800 career wins. He ended his career with an 806-326 record.

Sutton also went 84-14 at the junior college level. He coached the Southern Idaho Golden Eagles for three seasons.

After coaching the Golden Eagles, he also coached the Creighton Bluejays, Arkansas Razorbacks, Kentucky Wildcats, Oklahoma State Cowboys, and the San Francisco Dons. During the 2007-08 season, he served as an interim head coach, going 6-13.

The legendary Sutton was twice named the Associated Press Coach of the Year in 1978 and 1986. He was also named the NABC Coach of the Year in 1986.

He was also named the Henry Iba Award winner in 1977. Sutton won the SWC Coach of the Year Award four-times in 1975, 1977, 1979, and 1981.

He also received the SEC Coach of the Year Award in 1986. The Big East Conference named him their Coach of the Year in 1993.

Sutton was twice named the Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year in 1998 and 2004.

He is survived by his three sons Sean Sutton, Scott Sutton, and Steve Sutton. His wife Patsy previously passed away.

Sean and Scott are both in the coaching field, like their father. Sean is the Advisor to the head coach with the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Scott is the assistant coach for the Cowboys.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Doug Gottlieb (@gottliebshow)

Report a Typo or Correction

Copyright © 2007-2020. The Capital Sports Report. All Rights Reserved.

All information contained in this Digital Publication are copyright by The Capital Sports Report, and may not be duplicated, copied, modified or adapted, in any way without our written permission. Your use of our work does not constitute any right or license for you to use our trademarks, without the prior written permission of The Capital Sports Report. Our Content, as found within our Website, is protected under United States and foreign copyrights laws. The copying, redistribution, or use of our publication by you of any such Content, is strictly prohibited. Your use of our Website does not grant you any ownership rights to our Content.

The Capital Sports Report and its logo are official trademarks of Anthony Caruso III and Anthony Caruso Enterprises.

Hoyas coach Patrick Ewing has tested positive for the coronavirus

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

Georgetown Athletics announced on Friday that their Men’s Basketball head coach Patrick Ewing has tested positive for the coronavirus. It is not clear at this time how long he may have had the virus.

Ewing is presently in isolation at a hospital. He could be still in the Washington, D.C. area.

Coronavirus (Stock Photo)

Despite having the coronavirus, Ewing seems optimistic that he’ll defeat this virus.

“I want to share that I have tested positive for COVID-19,” Ewing said in a statement. “This virus is serious and should not be taken lightly. I want to encourage everyone to stay safe and take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Now more than ever, I want to thank the healthcare workers and everyone on the front lines.

“I’ll be fine and we will all get through this.”

The New York Knicks legend has been the Hoyas head coach for the past three seasons. In the three seasons, he has a 49-46 record for a .516 win percentage.

This past season, he guided the Hoyas to a 15-17 record. He also guided the team to a 15-15 record during the 2017-18 season.

His best coaching season at this alma mater came during the 2018-19 season when he guided the team to a 19-14 record.

Report a Typo or Correction

Copyright © 2007-2020. The Capital Sports Report. All Rights Reserved.

All information contained in this Digital Publication are copyright by The Capital Sports Report, and may not be duplicated, copied, modified or adapted, in any way without our written permission. Your use of our work does not constitute any right or license for you to use our trademarks, without the prior written permission of The Capital Sports Report. Our Content, as found within our Website, is protected under United States and foreign copyrights laws. The copying, redistribution, or use of our publication by you of any such Content, is strictly prohibited. Your use of our Website does not grant you any ownership rights to our Content.

The Capital Sports Report and its logo are official trademarks of Anthony Caruso III and Anthony Caruso Enterprises.

Simulation: Spiders defeat Bruins in battle of 11-seeds in the 2020 NCAA Tournament

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

The Richmond Spiders defeated the UCLA Bruins in this simulated battle of 11-seeds in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. The Spiders won 72-67 in the contest.

Now, with the virtual win, the Spiders advance to play the No. 6 Iowa Hawkeyes. With the loss, the Bruins season came to an end,

Blake Francis playing against the VCU Rams (Photo by the Richmond Spiders Athletic Department)

The virtual win gave the Spiders a 25-7 record. This virtual win gave them a five-game win streak, including 11-5 road record.

The virtual loss dropped the Bruins to a two-game losing streak. They also lost to the USC Trojans on March 7^th before the sports world was shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The last time this game was actually close was when the game was tied at 25 all when Cody Riley made a two-point basket.

Richmond then went on a 4-0 run to lead 29-25 following Nathan Cayo’s free throws. The Spiders led throughout the rest of the game.

Late in the contest, the Spiders led by 16 points when Jacob Gilyard made a free throw to go up 67-51. The Bruins then cut the lead to 67-57, before Blake Francis made a three-point basket for a 70-57 lead.

UCLA scored 10 points over the course of the rest of the game. Francis made back-to-back free throws for their final two points of the game.

Francis led the Spiders with 18 points. He also had one rebound, one assist, and two steals.

Every game except one has Francis scored more than double-digits, even in this virtual game. The game he did not score double-figures was against the Auburn Tigers when he scored seven points.

Nick Sherod and Grant Golden also contributed 13 points each. Cayo added 10 points.

Chris Smith led the Bruins with 14 points. He also had seven rebounds.

With this virtual game, Smith has scored double-digits in his last three games. He also had 12 points against the Trojans on March 7^th and 17 against the Arizona Wildcats on March 29^th.

Riley contributed 12 points. Jaime Jaquez Jr. also added 10 points.

Report a Typo or Correction

Copyright © 2007-2020. The Capital Sports Report. All Rights Reserved.

All information contained in this Digital Publication are copyright by The Capital Sports Report, and may not be duplicated, copied, modified or adapted, in any way without our written permission. Your use of our work does not constitute any right or license for you to use our trademarks, without the prior written permission of The Capital Sports Report. Our Content, as found within our Website, is protected under United States and foreign copyrights laws. The copying, redistribution, or use of our publication by you of any such Content, is strictly prohibited. Your use of our Website does not grant you any ownership rights to our Content.

The Capital Sports Report and its logo are official trademarks of Anthony Caruso III and Anthony Caruso Enterprises.

Simulation: Shockers escape with two-point win over Wolfpack in 2020 Tourney

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

We’re simulating the 2020 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, also known as the NCAA March Madness Tournament. With the sports world on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic – that included the loss of the Men’s Basketball Championship – we’ll simulate games until we have a winner.

In this matchup between 11 seeds, the Wichita State Shockers defeated the North Carolina Wolfpack, 79-77. The Shockers will advance to the next round of the tournament, where they will face the No. 6 seed Michigan Wolverines.

Erik Stevenson dribbles the ball against the USF Bulls (Photo by the Wichita State Athletic Department)

With the virtual win, the Shockers would have improved to 24-8 on the season, including a two-game win streak. The virtual loss dropped the Wolfpack to 20-13 on the season in their final contest before the off-season.

Late in the contest, the game was tied at 55 all when Jamarius Burton made a free throw. Braxton Beverly then gave the Wolfpack a three-point lead with a 58-55 lead.

Burton cut the lead to 58-57 with a two-point basket. North Carolina responded with a basket by CJ Bryce to make it 60-57.

The game would then eventually get tied at 62 all when Tyson Etienne made a free throw. Wichita State went on a 7-2 run when Trey Wade made a three-pointer to go up 69-64.

Bryce tied the game at 69 all, before Wade broke the tie with a three-point basket for a 72-69 lead. The Wolfpack went on an 8-7 to end the game.

With the Shockers leading 79-77, Markell Johnson missed a two-point basket. D.J. Funderburk got the rebound and passed the ball back to Johnson, who then missed a three-point basket to end the game.

Wade and Erik Stevenson led the Shockers with 14 points each. Wade had also had three rebounds and one steal.

Stevenson had one assist, three rebounds, and two steals.

This virtual contest was Stevenson’s second straight double-digit game. On March 8^th, he scored 18 points against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane after not having more than 10 points in three straight games.

This virtual game with 14 points for Wade was the first-time in four games that he had double-figures. His last double-digit game before this virtual contest was a 21-point performance on February 27^th against the Temple Owls.

They were two of four Wichita State players, who scored in double-digits. Grant Sherfield contributed 11 and Jaime Echenique added 10.

Johnson led the Wolfpack with 21 points. He also had 11 assists, 1 rebound, and two steals.

He was one of three North Carolina State players, who scored in double-figures. Bryce added 18 and Devon Daniels scored 11.

Johnson scored his first 20-plus performance in this virtual contest in five games. His last real-life game with 20 or more points came on February 25, 2020 against the North Carolina Tar Heels when he had 21 points.

Report a Typo or Correction

Copyright © 2007-2020. The Capital Sports Report. All Rights Reserved.

All information contained in this Digital Publication are copyright by The Capital Sports Report, and may not be duplicated, copied, modified or adapted, in any way without our written permission. Your use of our work does not constitute any right or license for you to use our trademarks, without the prior written permission of The Capital Sports Report. Our Content, as found within our Website, is protected under United States and foreign copyrights laws. The copying, redistribution, or use of our publication by you of any such Content, is strictly prohibited. Your use of our Website does not grant you any ownership rights to our Content.

The Capital Sports Report and its logo are official trademarks of Anthony Caruso III and Anthony Caruso Enterprises.

Simulation 2020 Men’s Basketball Tourney: Saints blows out Panthers in play-in game

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

The No. 16 seed Siena Saints have advanced in our simulation NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. They defeated the Prairie View A&M Panthers, 88-62, in the First Four play-in game at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio.

In our simulated tournament, the Saints improved to 21-10 on the season. Next, they will face the No. 1 seed, Kansas Jayhawks in an upcoming game.

Manny Camper attempting a dunk against the Manhattan Jaspers (Photo by the Siena Saints Athletic Department)

With this virtual win, it would be the Saints 11th straight win.

The Panthers season came to an end with a 19-14 record.

At one point in the second half, Siena led 53-52 when Gerard Andrus cut the led to one point. Manny Camper then hit a two-point basket to put the Saints back up 55-52.

The Panthers also got close again at 55-54 when Leon Sneed scored a two-point basket. The Saints started to pull away from there after Donald Carey’s three-point basket for a 58-54.

Siena then went on a 30-8 run to end the game.

Camper led the Saints with 20 points, 13 rebounds. He also had three assists and one steal.

He was one of four Siena players, who finished in double-digits. Jalen Pickett also had 19, while Elijah Burns had 17, and Carey had 12.

The Saints shot over 50% from the field. They shot 58.3% in field goals, while going 57.1% from three-point range.

Their best shooting came from the free throw line, as they went 58.8% from the charity stripe.

Andrus led the Panthers with 16 points. He also had five rebounds.

He was the only Prairie View A&M player, who scored in double-digits, as Devonte Patterson was one point shy with one point.

Prairie View struggled from the field. They shot 39.3% from the field and just 29.4% from three point range.

They were; however, 81.3% from the free throw line.

Iona hires Rick Pitino as men’s basketball head coach

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

Rick Pitino is back in college basketball. One day after the Iona Gaels saw their head coach step away, they have a new head coach once again.

The veteran coach has been out of the game since September 2017 when he was dismissed due to another scandal with the Louisville Cardinals. He replaces Tim Cluess, who stepped down on Friday.

Basketball (Photo by Pixabay.com)

Pitino – a very successful coach – was played on leave by the Cardinals on September 27, 2017 after the federal prosecutors said that the school was involved in a “pay for play” allegations that rocked college basketball at the time. He was then placed on unpaid leave, before he was fired for cause on October 16, 2017.

He has been coaching Panathinaikos B.C., also known as Panathinaikos or Panathinaikos B.C. OPAP, in Athens, Greece since December 2018-2019 and this current 2019-20 season. Presently, he has guided the team to a 14-14.

On March 12^th, the EuroLeague announced the suspension of their league operations due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Pitino takes over a program that went 12-17. The team went 9-11 in the Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference play

He is also taking over a program that went 17-16 during the 2018-19 season. While the team had a bad win-loss record, they actually went 12-6 in conference play.

In fact, they won the MAAC Tournament for the fourth-time when they defeated Monmouth, 81-60, to win the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, also known as the NCAA March Madness Tournament.

Despite receiving their conference bid, they received the 16^th seed in the Midwest region. They were eliminated by the No. 1 seed North Carolina Tar Heels in their 88-73 win.

As a college coach, Pitino has a 770-271 record in 1,041 games. He has won 74% of his games with the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors, Boston Terriers, Providence Friars, Kentucky Wildcats, and the Cardinals. The 67-year-old has won the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship twice.

However, the 2013 Championship was later vacated by the NCAA. This win, including every one during the 2012-13 season was vacated during the NCAA’s investigation into a “sex-for-play” scandal.

When the NCAA stripped Louisville of the Championship, it was the first-time that the school had a championship stripped for any reason.

Report a Typo or Correction

Copyright © 2007-2020. The Capital Sports Report. All Rights Reserved.

All information contained in this Digital Publication are copyright by The Capital Sports Report, and may not be duplicated, copied, modified or adapted, in any way without our written permission. Your use of our work does not constitute any right or license for you to use our trademarks, without the prior written permission of The Capital Sports Report. Our Content, as found within our Website, is protected under United States and foreign copyrights laws. The copying, redistribution, or use of our publication by you of any such Content, is strictly prohibited. Your use of our Website does not grant you any ownership rights to our Content.

The Capital Sports Report and its logo are official trademarks of Anthony Caruso III and Anthony Caruso Enterprises.

Antelopes fire Dan Majerle after seven seasons at school

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

A familiar face, who spent time in the NBA, is seeking employment now. He has been fired by his previous employer.

Dan Majerle – who is famous for his time with the Phoenix Suns – has been fired by the Grand Canyon University on Thursday. A nationwide search is underway to find his replacement.

Basketball (Photo by Pixabay.com)

“We have made the decision to move in a new direction with our men’s basketball program,” President Brian Mueller said. “We wish Coach Majerle the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

Majerle had just completed his seventh season at the school. This past season, the Antelopes finished with a 13-17 record, including an 8-8 mark in the Western Athletic Conference.

The school was the sixth-best school in the conference with the 8-8 record. Only the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners (6-10), Utah Valley Wolverines (5-10), and the Chicago State Cougars (0-14) had worse records in conference play.

As their head coach, he went 136-89 at the Phoenix, Arizona school. He gets fired on the day that the Antelopes were expected to begin their Western Athletic Conference tournament with the UMKC Kangaroos before it was canceled.

The entire sports community is being halted, as they attempt to stop spreading the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. With the games halted, that means that Majerle and his team were at the end point in their season.

“GCU has become a premier mid-major basketball destination with its resources, facilities, and student and community support,” GCU Strategic Advisor Jerry Colangelo said. “We look forward to the future of the program under the direction of the new head coach.”

At this present time, Marvin Menzies will serve as interim head coach. Isaac Chew will also remain on the coaching staff for the time being.

Menzies spent one season with the Antelopes. However, he has previous head coaching experience at the Division I level with the New Mexico State Aggies and the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels.

As a head coach, he is 246-159. However, in postseason play, he is 0-6, as he is 0-5 in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, also known as the NCAA March Madness Tournament. He also lost his lone National Invitation Tournament (NIT) game.

Report a Typo or Correction

Copyright © 2007-2020. The Capital Sports Report. All Rights Reserved.

All information contained in this Digital Publication are copyright by The Capital Sports Report, and may not be duplicated, copied, modified or adapted, in any way without our written permission. Your use of our work does not constitute any right or license for you to use our trademarks, without the prior written permission of The Capital Sports Report. Our Content, as found within our Website, is protected under United States and foreign copyrights laws. The copying, redistribution, or use of our publication by you of any such Content, is strictly prohibited. Your use of our Website does not grant you any ownership rights to our Content.

The Capital Sports Report and its logo are official trademarks of Anthony Caruso III and Anthony Caruso Enterprises.

Cornhuskers coach Hoiberg sick, team quarantined

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher

Nebraska Cornhuskers men’s basketball head coach Fred Hoiberg was shown visibility sick on the sideline during the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday. At this time, it is not clear what is going on with him.

Hoiberg has had medical problems in the past. He left the game with 4 minutes remaining in a 89-64 loss to the Indiana Hoosiers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Fred Hoiberg looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers (Getty Images)

He was showing signs that something was wrong. Hoiberg attempted to continue to coach; however, he was not able to finish the game.

Hoiberg was taken to a local hospital.

We’re not going to speculate if Hoiberg has the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. But with college teams traveling as much as they do, like NBA teams, it’s possible that he may have gotten it through contact with somebody else.

The hospital will do the proper teams to confirm whether he has or not. Hoiberg could also possibly have the common cold, which is possible as well.

On Wednesday night, it was confirmed that Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert had a positive test for the coronavirus. This caused the NBA to suspend its NBA season until further notice.

Gobert have had interacts with his teammates or even opponents, who may as well be a carrier for the virus, as well.

While Hoiberg is sick, the team is presently quarantined to ensure that they do not get it, as well.

The 47-year-old coach is in his first-year with the Cornhuskers. He returned home to his hometown when he was hired by the Cornhuskers, as he was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, which is the home of the school that he coaches.

Hoiberg had to take a hiatus as a player after having an enlarged aortic root (aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva). He had a successful operation, before coming back and retiring in April 2006 with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

He then took a job with the Timberwolves. Hoiberg was coaching the Iowa State Cyclones from 2010 through 2015, then moved on to coach the Chicago Bulls from 2015 through 2018.

After being fired by the Bulls in December 2018, he was named the Cornhuskers head coach on March 30, 2019.

Jesus, Fred Hoiberg looks awful. This is scary. pic.twitter.com/mhyzDEaW7W

— Robin Washut (@RobinWashut) March 12, 2020

Report a Typo or Correction

Copyright © 2007-2020. The Capital Sports Report. All Rights Reserved.

All information contained in this Digital Publication are copyright by The Capital Sports Report, and may not be duplicated, copied, modified or adapted, in any way without our written permission. Your use of our work does not constitute any right or license for you to use our trademarks, without the prior written permission of The Capital Sports Report. Our Content, as found within our Website, is protected under United States and foreign copyrights laws. The copying, redistribution, or use of our publication by you of any such Content, is strictly prohibited. Your use of our Website does not grant you any ownership rights to our Content.

The Capital Sports Report and its logo are official trademarks of Anthony Caruso III and Anthony Caruso Enterprises.

2020 Big Ten Tournament Preview: #8 Rutgers vs. #9 Michigan

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher 

The Michigan Wolverines and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will do battle on Thursday afternoon. They will tip off at noon EST  at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

This matchup will be in the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament. The winner then will play No. 1-seed Wisconsin Badgers on Friday at noon. 

Jon Teske celebrates scoring a three-point basket against the Montana Grizzlies in the NCAA Tournament game (Photo by the Associated Press/Nati Harnik)

This second-round matchup between Michigan and Rutgers features the #8-seed Rutgers and #9-seed Michigan. 

Michigan brings a 19-12 record into the contest under first-year head coach Juwan Howard. Rutgers had one of their best seasons in years and ended the regular season with a 20-11 mark. 

The Wolverines were 4-0 in neutral site games this season. However, the Scarlet Knights struggled in neutral site games, as they lost both of them. 

With a pair of wins over Rutgers already under their belt, the Wolverines should be confident heading into Thursday’s matchup as three-point favorites. But the Scarlet Knights finished the year with two of their best victories all season (home over Maryland and at Purdue) and Steve Pikiell should be able to make some savvy adjustments, having already seen Michigan twice. There’s value betting on the Rutgers moneyline at +140.

Michigan has never lost a second-round matchup in the Big Ten Conference. They are 4-0 all-time. 

However, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the Wolverines are just 11-10 all-time. Plus, they are 13-0 all-time against Rutgers. 

The Scarlet Knights had their first 20-win regular season in 37-years in 1982-83. Plus, their was their first 20-win overall season since the 2003-04 campaign. 

While Pikiell is 0-6 against Michigan, Rutgers is 3-3 in Big Ten Tournament games under him. 

Rutgers is scoring 69.9 points per game, while giving up 62.6 points per content. 

Ron Harper Jr. leads the team with 12.1 points per game. Myles Johnson leads the team with 7.9 rebounds per contest. 

Michigan is also scoring 69.9 points per game. However, they are giving up 58.3 points per game on defense. 

Ignas Brazdeikis leads the team with 14.8 points per game. Jon Teske also leads the team with 7.0 rebounds per contest. 

Report a Typo or Correction

Copyright © 2007-2020. The Capital Sports Report. All Rights Reserved.

All information contained in this Digital Publication are copyright by The Capital Sports Report, and may not be duplicated, copied, modified or adapted, in any way without our written permission. Your use of our work does not constitute any right or license for you to use our trademarks, without the prior written permission of The Capital Sports Report. Our Content, as found within our Website, is protected under United States and foreign copyrights laws. The copying, redistribution, or use of our publication by you of any such Content, is strictly prohibited. Your use of our Website does not grant you any ownership rights to our Content.

The Capital Sports Report and its logo are official trademarks of Anthony Caruso III and Anthony Caruso Enterprises.

Shaq’s son Shareef says he’s transferring to LSU

By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher 

Shareef O’Neal recently took a recruiting trip to Louisiana State University. It was a significant trip, as his legendary father previously played for the program. 

This is his third commitment in his college basketball journey. He initially agreed to a letter of intent with the Arizona Wildcats. 

Basketball (Photo by Pixabay.com)

He then decommitted from Arizona, before committing to the UCLA Bruins. He left the Bruins program following just 13 games this season. 

During an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Robin Lundberg, O’Neal announced his transfer to LSU. 

“I’m going to LSU, it’s a done deal,” O’Neal said to Lundberg. “It’s real big footsteps, but I’m ready for it. It’s a great program and Louisiana is a different scene. I’ve been in LA most of my life, but I’m ready for it.” 

The younger O’Neal visited LSU during the weekend of January 31st.

O’Neal was not happy with his benching in five games by first-year Bruins head coach Mick Cronin. When he did play for UCLA, he averaged 2.2 points per game. 

He also missed the 2018-19 season with the Bruins after having to medical redshirt the season due to a heart condition. 

The legendary O’Neal spent three seasons with the Tigers from 1989 through 1992. He was then the No. 1 overall pick by the Orlando Magic in the 1992 NBA Draft. 

After playing for the Magic, he played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Boston Celtics.