Roundball Chatter
Each week I'll talk about the sport I love, college basketball:
• Dayton gave coach Brian Gregory a five-year extension that will take him through the 20-17-18 season. Gregory, a former Michigan State assistant under Tom Izzo, has done a super job with the Flyers. He led Dayton to the NCAA tournament last season and his squad has the potential to return to the big dance next season, led by forward Chris Wright. *It looks like Renardo Sidney will be playing at Mississippi State and not at USC. Sidney decided to go to play for Rick Stansbury, who had to be thrilled to add the McDonald's All-American. Jarvis Varnado has declared for the NBA draft, so Sidney would fit in nicely. If Varnado came back to school, watch out. Mississippi State becomes an SEC contender with the arrival of Sidney.
• Wow, Christmas in Hawaii! The new Diamondhead Classic will include USC, UNLV, St. Mary's and College of Charleston among the field of eight schools competing in the new event around the Holiday. Sounds like a fun way to spend the holiday. • Rule changes could happen in the future. Recommendations regarding defense under the basket and substitute free throw shooters for injured players have been made by the NCAA's Men's Basketball Rules Committee. The recommendation on play under the basket won't call for a restricted-area arc painted in the lane like the NBA has, but it prohibits a secondary defender from establishing position in the area from the front of the rim to the front of the backboard. A defender must establish position outside that area to draw a charge or player-control foul. I think it is a good idea. It should open up play inside. In the proposal of substituting for a free throw shooter who has been injured, the opposing coach would choose the player to attempt the free throws from the four remaining players on the court. Too many times you see the best foul shooter coming off the bench, giving the team with the injured player a decided advantage. • Wyoming extended coach Heath Schroyer's contract through the 2013-14 season. He led the Cowboys to a 19-win season, so he clearly earned his two-year extension. Wyoming also fared well in the recently-released APR (academic progress rate).
