Maverick Rowan Updates Recruitment, Scores 34 in Win

By JACK LeGWIN

LAKELAND, Fla.– Maverick Rowan, one of the top players in the state of Florida, scored 34 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in a 73-38 State Semifinal win over St. Pete Gibbs in front of Louisville head coach Rick Pitino, assistant Mike Balado, UNC Assistant Hubert Davis and Wisconsin Assistant Gary Close.

The No. 36 ranked player in the class of 2016 by 247 Sports, Rowan recently visited NC State on January 11, to see them play Duke. He says that if he chose to attend NC State, he would see himself playing in Trevor Lacey‘s current role for the Wolfpack.

Big East Needs Postseason Run to Boost Credibility

If the NCAA Tournament started today, the Big East Conference would have six of its 10 teams in the Big Dance, including Villanova as a No. 2 seed in the East, according to projections from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi.

A year ago, four Big East teams made the NCAA Tournament but none advanced past the first weekend.

So while the Big East could certainly make a statement by getting 60 percent of its teams in this year, the real litmus test will be whether one or more of those teams can make a run at least to the second week of the tournament.

“It would help the league’s credibility. The more teams that play on the second weekend with an opportunity to go to the Final Four builds credibility,” said St. John’s coach Steve Lavin, whose team is currently projected as a 10 seed and has a critical home game Saturday against Georgetown at Madison Square Garden.

Big East Rookie of the Year Race Shaping Up to Be Close

The Big East Rookie of the Year race is shaping up to be interesting.

While a majority of Big East coaches told SNY.tv that Villanova’s Darrun Hilliard is their choice for Player of the Year, the coaches are split more on Rookie honors.

Seton Hall’s Angel Delgado got the most votes in an informal poll, but Georgetown’s Isaac Copeland and Xavier’s Trevion Bluiett also got multiple votes. And there are still several games remaining in the regular season.

Seton Hall’s Isaiah Whitehead, the Preseason Big East Rookie of the Year who has won two Rookie of the Week honors, did not get any votes.

Here’s a breakdown of the three leading candidates:

Vanderbilt Coach Kevin Stallings Issues Apology for Comment to Wade Baldwin

https://vine.co/v/O2n26MTU9d3

Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings issued the following apology after an incident with Wade Baldwin following Vandy’s 73-65 win over Tennessee Thursday night.

“After the game, an incident occurred in which I need to apologize for,” Stallings said in a statement. “One of our players acted inappropriately and violated what we believe is good sportsmanship following the game. In my haste to resolve the situation, I made a very inappropriate comment. While obviously it was not meant literally, it was still inappropriate. I apologized to the player immediately following the game.  Displaying good sportsmanship is of the highest priority in our program win or lose. I am very remorseful of my actions tonight.”