Category: NCAA

NCAA Women’s Final Four podcast with Michael Roberson: Iowa vs. Connecticut and South Carolina vs.NC State

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Iowa Hawkeyes Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates their victory over the LSU Tigers to advance to the Elite Eight Mon Apr 1, 2024 in Albany NY (AP News photo)

On the NCAA Women’s Final Four podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Michael wanted to start with the Iowa Hawkeyes Caitlin Clark who scored 41 points that help beat Kim Mulky and the LSU Tigers 94-87 Monday night.

#2 Michael, the win by the Hawkeyes avenges the loss they had against LSU from last season.

#3 Iowa is advancing onto the a tournament that you’ll be covering they’ll be facing Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma whose Huskies are 33-5 and just recently defeated the USC Trojans 80-73.

#4 In the other Final Four the No.1 South Carolina Gamecocks (37-0) will battle the No.3 NC State Wolfpack (32-6). The Wolfpack are coming off a win over the Texas Longhorns 76-66 and the Gamecocks are coming off a win against the Oregon State Beavers 70-58.

#5 South Carolina is undefeated going into the Final Four does that make a big difference or is it irrelevant?

#6 Here’s a team that hits home in the NIT the Illinois Fighting llini (18-15) who tip off against the Villanova Wildcats (22-12) on Wednesday. The Illini are almost a .500 team and here they are in the NIT what are they’re chances against a team like Villanova?

Michael Roberson covered the NCAA for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NCAA Women’s Tournament/Headline Sports with Jessica Kwong: Clark offered $5 million to play in the Big 3; NCAA president bans prop betting; plus more news

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The Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark has been offered $5 million to join the Big 3 league owned by Ice Cube. The Hawkeyes are currently in the Sweet 16 facing Colorado Buffaloes this Sat Mar 30, 2024 in the NCAA Tournament. (AP News photo)

Headline Sports with Jessica Kwong:

#1 Ice Cube made a big offer to Iowa’s Caitlin Clark to play in the Big 3 league for $5 million. Ice Cube wanted to keep the offer private until the NCAA Tournament was over but since the news leaked out Cube confirmed the news,  “But I won’t deny what’s now already out there: BIG3 made a historic offer to Caitlin Clark. Why wouldn’t we? Caitlin is a generational athlete who can achieve tremendous success in the BIG3.”

#2 NCAA president Charlie Baker says he’s banning prop bets that something anything can go wrong since the bet is not about the final score of the game but based on how many three pointers are converted or missed or how many free throws are converted or missed. Baker says it’s big problem and temptation that could throw games or athletes could get harassed about scoring too many or too little points, “Sports betting issues are on the rise across the country with prop bets continuing to threaten the integrity and competition and leading to student athletes and professional athletes getting harassed. The NCAA has been working with states to deal with these threats and many are responding by banning college prop bets,” Baker read in a statement.

#3 The Utah Utes women’s basketball team switched hotels from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to Spokane after players, marching band members, cheerleaders were walking from a restaurant near their hotel in Coeur d’Alene. About 100 people or witnesses said two trucks with a confederate flags revving it’s engines with the drivers saying the N word to the Utes traveling party while driving by them. The traveling party felt threatened and called it a hate crime and made a police report. Authorities are looking for the suspects and plan to prosecute them for civil rights violations and hate crimes.

#4 Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes are a drawing card for a national television audience. The Hawkeyes with Clark have drawn 3.23 million viewers as the games are telecasted on ABC. The Hawkeyes played Holy Cross last Saturday and it was the highest viewed women’s game in NCAA history.

#5 The Iowa State Cyclones were eliminated by the Stanford Cardinal last Sunday in the second round of the Women’s Tournament 87-81. The Cardinal are rolling moving to the third round they face NC State on Friday night. In the game against Iowa State the Cyclones kept Cameron Brink under wraps with just eight points it was Kiki Iriafen who led with a huge 41 points for Stanford.

Join Jessica Kwong for Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NCAA Tournament/Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal open tournament against Norfolk State Friday at Maples Pavilion

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Stanford Cardinal Women tip off against the Norfolk State Spartans for the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Fri Mar 23, 2024 (photo by Erin Chang isiphotos.com)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 The No.2 Stanford Cardinal (28-6) Women open the NCAA Tournament first round against the No.15 Norfolk State Spartans (27-5) at Maple Pavilion in Palo Alto. Talk about some of the expectations that Stanford has going into the NCAA Tournament.

#2 Michael, lets talk about the Cardinal’s last game they battled a very tough road tested USC Trojans (27-5) losing Sun Mar 10th in Las Vegas at the Pac 12 Tournament 61-74.

#3 It was a full on effort by Stanford forward Cameron Brink who scored 19 points but found herself getting double teamed and the Trojans set up some good defenses against the Cardinal.

#4 That last Stanford game had some historical significance it was the final Pac 12 game for the Stanford Women and for head coach Tara VanDerveer she will miss the Pac 12 format but is ready for the next chapter in Stanford basketball in the ACC.

#5 Stanford gets set this Friday for a 7:00pm PDT tip with the Norfolk State Spartans. The Spartans are hot they’ve won 15 straight games going into the NCAA Tournament. They’re ranked 15th. The Cardinal are No.2 and have the home floor advantage. Do you see the Cardinal having their hands full or will they have a chance to control the Spartans in this first round game?

Join Michael Roberson for the Stanford Cardinal Women podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

WSU ends Cardinal season 79-62 in Pac-12 tourney; Haase dismissed

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Stanford Cardinal guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) shoots over the Washington State Cougars center Ruben Chinyelu (20) in the first half of the Pac 12 Tournament quarter round at the T Mobile Center in Las Vegas on Thu Mar 14, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Two things happened Thursday when Washington State defeated Stanford 79-62 in the quarterfinal round of the final Pac-12 men’s basketball tournament.

1) The loss ended the Cardinal’s season, and 2) almost simultaneously, Coach Jerod Haase was dismissed after leading Stanford to a 126-127 record in eight seasons at the Cardinal’s helm.

In a statement, the Stanford athletic department said a nationwide search for Haase’s replacement would begin immediately.

The No. 2-seed Cougars (24-8) will make their first appearance in the Pac-12 semifinals since 2008 on Friday. Stanford’s season ends with a record of 14-18. They were 8-12 in the conference.

Fifth-year forward Isaac Jones, an All-Pac-12 first team selection, led the Cougars with 16 points and six rebounds while making 7-of-12 shots. Myles Rice, the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and all-conference first team, and Jaylen Wells each scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds. Rice and Wells combined for 11 assists.

Andrej Jakmovski scored 13 points for WSU, followed by Kymany Houinsou and Rueben Chinyelu with 11 and 10 points, respectively, off the Cougars bench.

The Cardinal took an early 9-7 lead before Washington State took a 15-9 advantage. Over the next five minutes, the Cougars extended their lead to 10 points, eventually leading 29-19.

Brandon Angel and Michael Jones combined for 21 first-half points, as no other Cardinal had more than three points at the break. WSU held a 45-29 halftime lead after holding Stanford to 1-for-10 on 3-pointers in the first 20 minutes.

Five minutes into the second half, Rice’s jumper pushed the Cougars’ lead to 58-34. Stanford responded with a 12-2 run, cutting its deficit to 60-46.

After Rice converted a steal into a dunk, Washington State pushed its lead back to 21 after a Wells 3-pointer. Isaac Jones made a short jumper and Rice’s layup put the Cougars up 69-48 with 7:22 left.

Michael Jones led Stanford with 22 points, followed by 15 points by Angel. The Cardinal never got closer than 17 points for the remainder of the game.

Cal Bears game wrap: Bears’ season ends in tragedy with blown lead to hated rivals 87-76 in overtime

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The Cal Bears guard Jaylon Tyson (20) gets snuffed by the Stanford Cardinal forward Spencer Jones (14) in overtime in round one of the Pac 12 Tournament at the T Mobile Center in Las Vegas on Wed Mar 13, 2024 (AP News photo)

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada

Stanford Cardinal 87

California Golden Bears 76

By Stephen Ruderman

Tragedy struck on the opening day of the 2024 Pac-12 Tournament, as the Bears’ bounce back season came to a sudden end after they blew an 18-point lead to their hated rivals, the Stanford Cardinal losing at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas 87-76.

After losing both games to Stanford in the Regular Season, which included getting trounced by the Cardinal in the regular season finale last Thursday, the two bitter rivals were set to face off in the opening round of the final Pac-12 Tournament.

Every team in the Pac-12 got a spot in the tournament, regardless of how their season went. The Bears went 13-18, which was not the greatest season on paper, but miles better than their 3-29 season a year ago.

It was a season that has seen so many epic comebacks and memorable moments for the Bears. Tonight was one more chance to continue their improbable longshot fight towards March Madness.

Stanford won the opening tip, but it was Cal who struck first when Jalen Celestine hit a three. The Bears assumed control of the game early, as they jumped out to a 15-4 lead just over five minutes into the game. In that opening run, Jalen Cone hit a pair of threes; Fardaws Aimaq hit a layup and a jumper; and Jaylon Tyson contributed with a layup.

Stanford went on a 12-5 run to cut Cal’s lead to 20-16, but the Bears quickly regained control, and went on a 7-1 run to jump back out to a 10-point lead at 27-17 with 6:55 to go in the first half. The Cardinal then scored five unanswered points to make it 27-22, but the Bears regained control again, and went into the half up 45-34.

The Bears carried their momentum into the second half, and a three by Celestine opened their lead to 18 points at 63-45 with 14:36 to go.

Throughout the season, when the Bears were down by double digits in the second half, that often meant that they were going to come back. However, forgotten through all of the Bears’ comebacks was the fact that the Bears being up double digits in the second half often meant they were going to blow a big lead, as has happened too many times this season.

Right on queue, Stanford immediately scored eight unanswered points to cut Cal’s lead to 63-53. The Bears got a quick reprieve when Jaylon Tyson hit a jumper to make it 65-53, but Stanford kept coming. Spencer Jones led the way for the Cardinal, and suddenly it was 65-63 with 3:45 to go.

There would be no scoring for nearly two minutes until there was a sudden change in fortunes. Stanford was just about to tie it, as a jumper went in, but after review, it was determined that the shot went in after the shot clock had expired. The Bears got the ball back, and Jalen Cone hit a three-ball to make it 68-63.

The Bears were up five with less than two minutes to go, and after catching a massive break, they seemed to have the momentum back on their side. Brandon Angel laid one in for Stanford to make it 68-65 with 1:01 to go. Cone was fouled, and made one of two from the line, and the Bears were up 69-65, and 32 seconds away from another late epic win.

Spencer Jones was fouled and made of two from the line to make it 69-66. Keonte Kennedy then had the ball stolen from by Benny Gealer, and Gealer passed it to Michael Jones who tied the game with a three with 18 seconds to go. Both teams missed shots on their next drives, and the game was going to overtime at 69-69.

The Bears won the tip in overtime, but neither retake the lead for nearly a minute. Brandon Angel and Spencer Jones made threes to put Stanford up 75-69.

After Spencer Jones made one of two from the line to make it 79-71 with 1:46 to go, the Bears were all but dead. However, Jalen Cone was fouled going for three, and made all three at the lint to make it 79-74.

Perhaps, the Bears had one last fight in them, but it wasn’t meant to be. The Cardinal proved to be too much for the Bears, and went on to win it by a final of 87-76 to crush the Bears’ faint March Madness hopes and brutally end their painful bounceback season.

Despite how grueling the end to the Bears’ season was, they did have an incredible year. Going from 3-29 to 13-18 with a slim chance to get into March Madness just a year later was no small feat.

It was an all-around team effort. Jaylon Tyson and Jalen Cone led the way for the most part, but Fardaws Aimaq, Jalen Celestine and Keonte Kennedy also had their moments, as did Rodney Brown Jr. and Grant Newell.

The Bears’ season was also thanks in large part to Head Coach Mark Madsen, who was extended another two years through the 2029-30 season prior to tonight’s game.

However, a lot of the players from this year’s team may not be back next year. Cone, Aimaq and Kennedy are all graduates, and if they do indeed leave, the Bears will have lost three solid players. Tyson, who was arguably the Bears’ most valuable player this season, will return next season as a senior, as will Celestine. Brown and Newell will also be returning.

The Bears will also begin a new era, as they and Stanford will move to the Atlantic Coast Conference next season. Despite some big names leaving, the Bears appear to be headed in the right direction under Madsen going forward, and it is safe to say that the excitement at Haas Pavilion is back.

Stanford Cardinal game wrap: Cardinal ends Cal’s season with 87-76 overtime win in Pac-12 tourney

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Stanford Cardinal forward Brandon Angel (23) celebrates after hitting a three pointer against the Cal Bears in overtime at the T Mobile Center in Las Vegas on Wed Mar 13, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Stanford enjoyed a big overtime period to upend California 87-76 in the opening round of the final Pac-12 men’s basketball postgame tournament at Las Vegas, Nev.

The game was tied 69-69 before the Cardinal (14-17) outscored Cal 18-7 in the extra period. The Bears were held scoreless for nearly 10 minutes in the second half, blowing an 18-point lead in the process.

Spencer Jones led Stanford with 21 points and seven rebounds, Maxime Raynaud was next with 20 points and a team-high 13 boards. Brandon Angel had 16 points and eight rebounds, and Kanaan Carlyle added 10 points.

Cal (13-19) was led by Jalen Cone with 18 points and five assists. Jaylon Tyler had 18 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, John Celestine was next for the Bears with 14 points and five rebounds, and Keonte Kennedy had 11 points and five boards.

Stanford outshot Cal from the field 42.6 percent (29 of 68) to 39.4 percent (28 of 71). The Bears hit 14 3-pointers, while the Cardinal made five shots behind the arc.

The Cardinal enjoyed an advantage at the free throw line, hitting 24 of 36; Cal made 6 of 9. Stanford outrebounded the Bears 58-39.

Cal was leading by four points with 33 seconds left in regulation. Spencer Jones made it a three-point game by making a free throw with 26.4 remaining. A Cal turnover led to a Michael Jones 3-pointer that tied the game at 69-69 with 19.6 seconds remaining.

After Stanford made a pair of 3s to open the overtime, the Bears never got their offense going in the extra period.

Stanford will meet Washington State in the quarterfinals on Thursday, while Cal ended its season with four straight losses.

San Jose State Spartans Lose In The First Round Of The Mountain West Tournament To Colorado State 72-62

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San Jose State Spartans were eliminated from the Mountain West Tournament at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas after losing to the Colorado State Rams on Wed Mar 13, 2024 (photo by San Jose State Spartans)

Wednesday, March 13th, 2024

By Troy Ewers

It’s the first round of the Mountain West Conference tournament and the San Jose State Spartans are in Sin City taking on the Colorado State Rams. Last game for the Spartans lost to No. 22 Utah State.

Alvaro Cardenas recorded his fourth double-double of the season to lead San José State (9-22, 2-16 Mountain West) in a 90-70 loss to Utah State (25-5, 13-4 Mountain West) on Wednesday night. Unfortunately for the Spartans they were one and done after this first tournament game losing 72-62 in Las Vegas at the Thomas and Mack Center.

The 1st Half for the Spartans started off very hot, but Colorado State went on a run to end the half that gave them a nice lead. 34-29 at half, Colorado State on top.

The second half had a lot of Spartans fans thinking they had a chance to move on to the next round. Cardenas and MJ Amey Jr. were the leading scorers all game for SJSU, but the gap was never closed. As for CSU, they were led by two big performances from Joel Scott, who had 18 points and Isaiah Stevens who recorded a double-double.

CSU despite not shooting great from the three point line won by 10, 72-62. Almost all of CSU’s points came from the paint or mid range and it was all they needed to beat a SJSU team who surprised a lot of people in this tournament game. 

The season isn’t over for Colorado State as they face off against the Nevada Wolfpack in round 2 of the tournament, but for Tim Miles and the Spartans, the season has come to an end. 9-23, with a 2-17 Mountain West record is nothing to brag about, but guys like Amey Jr, Cardenas, and Tibet Gorener had a highlight season where they could hang their hat on going into their off seasons.

Stanford Cardinal/Pac 12 Tournament podcast with Michael Roberson: Stanford and Cal meet Wednesday for first tournament game

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Stanford Cardinal Maxime Raynaud (42) led with 20 points on the last day of the regular season against the Cal Bears at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Thu Mar 7, 2024. Raynaud and the Cardinal face the Golden Bears in a Pac12 rematch on Wed Mar 15th at the T Mobile Center in Las Vegas (Stanford Cardinal file photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 The Stanford Cardinal (13-17)sent the California Golden Bears (13-18) into Hibernation on the Farm, 80-58, in their last Bay Battle as members of the Pacific 12 Conference last Thu Mar 7th.

#2 Michael talk about Maxime Raynaud he’s had a great season he led with 20 points against the Cal Bears.

#3 The Cardinal Kanaan Carlyle followed up with 12 points, the Cardinal stayed ahead of Cal for most of the game and Carlyle’s contribution helped keep the gap wide for Stanford.

#4 Cal’s top scorer was Fardaws Aimaq with 18 points followed by Jayson Tyson with 15 points, try as hard as they may the Bears couldn’t catch the Cardinal.

#5 Stanford and Cal match up once again this Wed night for a 6:00pm PDT tip off at the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Do you see Cal making a closer game since they had just seen Stanford or will Stanford get another blow because they just saw Cal?

Michael Roberson is a Stanford Cardinal beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal/Pac 12 Tournament podcast with Michael Roberson: Stanford tips off against USC Sunday at the MGM Grand Arena

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Stanford Cardinal guard Hannah Jump (33) is fired up after hitting a three pointer in the first half against the Oregon State Beavers at the Pac 12 Tournament in the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal Women’s basketball podcast with Michael:

#1 Michael, the Stanford Cardinal’s (28-4) Hannah Jump scored 20 points against the Oregon State Beavers (24-7) at the Pac 12 Tournament in Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena to help lead the Cardinal to a 66-57 win.

#2 The Cardinal who outscored the Beavers in the third quarter 23-8 put the stop on the Beavers offense eliminated the Beavers from the tournament.

#3 The Cardinal are a battling group and if they can go all the way they’ll pick up their 16th and final Pac 12 Tournament championship.

#4 Cameron Brink on Friday scored 16 second behind jump pulling down 12 rebounds this was her second consecutive double double in the tournament. Kiki Iriafen picked up 14 points and Brooke Dementre scored ten points against OSU.

#5 The Cardinal face the USC Trojans (25-5) on Sunday for a 2:00pm PDT tip at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Trojans are ranked No.2. They defeated the UCLA Bruins (25-6) Friday in overtime 80-70. USC women have won four straight games and have won seven of their last ten games. How do you see this match up on Sunday afternoon in Vegas?

Michael Roberson is a Stanford Cardinal beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal game wrap: Cardinal Win Final PAC-12 Battle of the Bay versus the Golden Bears, 80-58, inside Maples Pavilion, on Senior Night

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The Stanford Cardinal bench stood up thrilled to end the season with a win over the Cal Bears at Maple Pavilion in Palo Alto in the last Pac 12 regular season game in league history (Stanford Cardinal

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (13-17, 8-12 Pac-12)sent the California Golden Bears (13-18, 9-11 Pac-12) into Hibernation on the Farm, 80-58, in their last Bay Battle as members of the Pacific 12 Conference.

California got the party started, with an opening layup. The two point advantage would be their largest lead of the first 20 minutes of play, despite having a 5-0 run during this timeframe. There were also 5 lead changes.

Stanford, on the other hand, led by as much as 14 points. This included a 9-0 run and making 7 threes in the first half. The Cardinal shot 48% from the field, and a whopping 47% from beyond the arc.

The Golden Bears did claw their way back into the game, by cutting the deficit to six points, with 14 seconds before recess. However, freshman Kanaan Carlyle put a dagger into the visitors’ momentum, with a three-pointer 10 seconds later. This put the Cardinal up by nine, and was the margin at intermission, 41-32.

Stanford only had one double-digit scorer at the half, and he was junior Maxime Raynaud, with 13 points and 5 rebounds. Cal’s junior guard Jaylon Tyson contributed 15 points for his east Bay squad.

Senior forward Spencer Jones’ 8 first half points put him into the Cardinal hoopers’ Top 10. He added two rebounds, two assists and a steal.

The second half began with the Cardinal getting on the scoreboard first. They also led by as much as 24 points and had a 10-0 run. Stanford was in total control of the second 20-minute block.

The Cardinal added three other players to the double-digit plateau. Maxime Raynaud tallied 20 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Kanaan Carlyle added 12 points on four 3s. Freshman Andrej Stojakovic scored 10 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Senior Spencer Jones also garnered 10 points, with 4 rebounds in his last game at Maples. Senior James Keefe was able to get into the scoring column, despite his troubling 0-4 from the free throw line.

California added one other player to the tens column. Tyson only improved total by two (17) and graduate senior Fardaws Aimaq offered 18 points and 9 rebounds.

After 40 minutes of basketball action, the home team won by 22 points. Stanford 80, California 58, on a late Thursday night game.

Both teams will next be in action March 13-17 in Las Vegas (T-Mobile Arena) for the Last PAC-12 Conference tournament. This rivalry will continue in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) starting next season.