Category: NCAA

Final Four podcast with Michael Roberson: LSU brings great offense as Iowa can grind it out under the basket

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LSU’s Angel Reese and LaDazhia Williams react during the second half of an NCAA Women’s Final Four semifinals basketball game against Virginia TechFriday, March 31, 2023, in Dallas. (AP News photo)

On the Final Four podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Michael how much work was it for the LSU Tigers (33-2) to come back from behind to win their first title 79-72 over the Virginia Tech Hokies (31-5) on Friday?

#2 Talk about the offensive shooting of LSU’s Alexis Morris who scored 27 points and Angel Reese with 24 points.

#3 The South Carolina Gamecocks (36-1) had an incredible roll going but got stopped in their tracks by the Iowa Hawkeyes (31-6) 77-73. How shocked are you after 36 straight wins that it all ended Friday night for South Carolina?

#4 Michael talk about Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder saying rebounding against the Gamecocks is like going to bar fight. Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley said,  “We’re not bar fighters. We’re not thugs. We’re not monkeys. We’re not street fighters.”

#5 It all boils down to Iowa and LSU know what you’ve seen from both team what outcome do you see on Sunday in the NCAA women’s championship.

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

Cal Bears report: Mark Madsen named Golden Bears head coach; Leaves Utah Valley after three seasons

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 Utah Valley head coach Mark Madsen directs his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kentucky in Lexington, Ky., Monday, Nov. 18, 2019. Madsen becomes the new Cal Bears head coach for the 2023-24 season. (AP file photo)

By Michael Duca and Morris Phillips

Mark Madsen knew the job was his but he had to complete coaching at Utah Valley in the NIT semifinals against the UAB Blazers on Tuesday night. Had the Wolverines won and advanced Madsen would have held off on his official announcement that he would take the job at UC Berkeley in the Cal Bears men’s basketball program.

Utah Valley lost by two points 88-86 in overtime and that was the last and final game that Madsen would be coaching at Utah Valley as he makes his way to the Pac 12 to coach the Golden Bears. Madsen who was a Stanford Cardinal standout and a NBA veteran, finished coaching Utah Valley to a WAC Championship and led the Wolves to a 28-9 record this season.

Over his three seasons at Utah Valley he put together an impressive record at 34-15. Madsen before joining Utah Valley was an assistant coach at the Los Angeles Lakers. Madsen was an assistant coach in the G league and at Stanford. As a college player Madsen was an accomplished player achieving the two time all conference.

Madsen is best remembered for his performance in the Final Four in 1998 and making it as a first round pick in 2000 and helped the Lakers win two championships. Madsen left the Lakers and played six years for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Madsen’s name came up as a possible replacement for Stanford head coach Jerod Haase but Stanford decided at the end of the Pac 12 Tournament to keep Haase as head coach. Cal was considering St Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett, Bennett said he wanted to stay at St Mary’s and so the Bears focused their attention in going after Madsen.

Cal fired head coach Mark Fox at the conclusion of the Pac 12 Tournament after Cal was eliminated in the first game of the tournament. Fox guided the Bears to a 3-29 season in 2022-23. Cal hadn’t been to the big dance tournament since 2016. Cal had gone through three head coaches since their last tournament, Cuonzo Martin 2014-2017 (62-39), Wyking Jones 2017-2019 (16-47), and Mark Fox 2019-2023 ( 38-87).

Morris Phillips and Michael Duca are Cal Bears beat writers for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Final Four podcast with Michael Roberson: South Carolina off the chain defeat Maryland 86-75; Virginia Tech advances defeats Ohio State 84-74

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South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston (4) holds up her piece of the net defeating Maryland in an Elite 8 college basketball game of the NCAA Tournament in Greenville, S.C., Monday, March 27, 2023. (AP News photo)

On the Final Four podcast with Michael R:

#1 Ayliah Boston of the South Carolina Gamecocks (36-0) led with 22 points and ten rebounds and Zia Cooke scored 18 points as the Gamecocks in the second quarter left the Maryland Terrapins (28-7) in the dust to advance to the Final Four with a 86-75 win on Monday night.

#2 South Carolina won for their 36th consecutive game in a row and once again head coach Dawn Staley’s game plan to have Boston and Cooke lead the way proved effective and Terrapins really didn’t have a chance at any offensive comeback.

#3 Michael, most schools who face who go in and face the Gamecocks know that they’re going to have their hands full in the case of the Terrapins did they just plain get beat or did they just lose focus on shutting South Carolina’s game down.

#4 The Virginia Tech Hokies (31-4) also advances to the Final Four with a ten point win over the Ohio State Buckeyes (28-8) in a ten point win Elizabeth Kitley led with 25 points followed up with Georgia Amoore who had 24 points.

#5 Michael let’s get your take on the Final Four and who you like South Carolina and Iowa and in the other match up LSU and Virginia Tech.

Michael Roberson will be attending the Women’s Final Four in Dallas on Fri Mar 31 at the American Airlines Center and podcasts the NCAA on http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears waiting for Madsen to accept head coaching job

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Current Utah Valley Wolverines head coach Mark Madsen draws up plans for his players is coaching tonight Tue Mar 28, 2023 NIT game against UAB. Most likely when Utah Valley is eliminated Madsen will make his announcement that he will be joining the Cal Bears as head coach. (photo by 1160 KSL Salt Lake City)

By Michael Duca and Morris Phillips

The vacancy at the Cal Bears men’s basketball program is all but almost filled as Utah Valley head coach Mark Madsen who also played for the Stanford Cardinal is close to being the next head coach at Cal. The Bears are waiting for Madsen to make a decision but sources say it’s very likely he will accept the position.

According to news reports the only thing that stands in the way of Madsen not coming to Cal is some unforeseen circumstance but all indications point that he will accept the head coaching job. Cal women’s basketball coach Charmin Smith is a former Stanford player and is familiar with Madsen.

CBS Sports said that Madsen is the leading candidate and that Cal has offered him the job as head coach. Earlier today it was reported that Madsen had accepted the job. One of the reasons why Madsen might not be making any official announcement is because his current team Utah Valley is in the NIT and about ready to face UAB later tonight. If Utah Valley were to lose to UAB tonight Madsen could announce his accepting the Cal job during the post game press conference.

Michael Duca and Morris Phillips cover Cal Bears basketball for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Rebels’ stingy defense ends Cardinal tournament run 54-49

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Stanford forward Cameron Brink (22) drives to the basket against Mississippi forward Madison Scott, right during the second half of a second-round at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sat Mar 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Friday, March 17, 2023

A highly successful women’s basketball season came to an end for Stanford Sunday, as the No. 1-seeded Cardinal fell to No. 8-seed Mississippi 54-49 in the second round of the Seattle 4 Region tournament in a game played at Maples Pavilion.

Stanford finished its season 29-6, while the Rebels improved to 25-8 as they advance to the Sweet 16. The loss snapped the Cardinal’s streak of 14 consecutive years reaching the regional round.

“I thought our team really battled in the second half,” Cardinal coach Tara VanDerveer said in the postgame media session. “We kind of dug ourselves a hole, but you know, we battled back. We tied it up and we had an opportunity to win the game.

“I think Mississippi is a very experienced and very determined team. They made plays down the stretch that we didn’t make.”

Cameron Brink missed the Cardinal’s NCAA tournament opener against Sacred Heart with what was described as “a non-COVID-19 illness.” She played 34 minutes, scoring a team-high 20 points along with 13 rebounds, seven blocks and two steals. Brink also hit 10-of-10 free throws.

“I think I just – I felt sick,” Brink said. “I think I’m still getting back to my normal self but I definitely got a little winded throughout the game, but I tried my best.”

Senior Haley Jones had 16 points, eight rebounds and three steals in her final game for Stanford.

“I think Ole Miss is a great defensive team,” Jones said. “And we heard them say that they prided themselves on their defense. They packed it in their suitcase, and they were going to come in and execute that plan. I think they did a great job.

“They (Mississippi) were contesting shots in a great way. But we missed a lot of shots that we usually make, which is disappointing.”

Angel Baker was the top scorer for Ole Miss with 13 points, followed by Marquesha Davis with 12 and Madison Scott with 11. Davis had four of the Rebels’ nine steals, and Rita Igbokwe grabbed eight rebounds in 17 minutes.

The Rebels, who led 29-20 at halftime, never trailed and scored 24 points off 21 Stanford turnovers. After Mississippi built a 49-41 lead with 5:47 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Cardinal used an 8-0 run, capped by two Brink free throws, to tie the game at 49-49 with 1:15 left.

Scott sank a pair of free throws with 18 seconds remaining to put the Rebels back in front at 51-49. Three seconds later, after Jones turned the b ball over, Davis hit two free throws to increase the Ole Miss lead to 53-49. Myah Taylor stole the ball from Jones with 15 seconds remaining and sank 1 of 2 foul shots.

Mississippi will face 4-seed Texas or 5-seed Louisville in the regional in Seattle on Friday. The Longhorns and Cardinals play on Monday.

NCAA Tournament/Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Robeson: VanDerveer ready to lead Cardinal in round 2 vs. Ole Miss Sunday

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Stanford Cardinal head coach Tara VanDerveer as seen coaching against the Sacred Heart Pioneers on Fri Mar 17, 2023 at Maple Pavilion is set for the next challenge against the Ole Miss Rebels Sun Mar 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Michael, the Stanford Cardinal (29-5) handled the Sacred Heart Pioneers (19-14) rather handedly 92-49 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and they did it without high scorer Cameron Brink.

#2 Haley Jones picked up where Brink left off leading with 17 points Haley’s been a go to all season long.

#3 On defense the Cardinal held the Pioneers to 18 points in the first quarter, 8 points in the second quarter, 11 points in the third quarter, and 12 points in the fourth quarter.

#4 Michael, how important of a win is this for Stanford considering they opened the tournament without Brink and had to create plays and win that opening game.

#5 Michael, Stanford will carry on for their next opponent and their opponent will be well aware of the kind of season Stanford is having.

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

Cardinal cruise past Sacred Heart 92-49; Stanford moves to second round Sunday vs. Ole Miss

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Stanford forward Francesca Belibi (5) shoots against Sacred Heart center Kelsey Wood (34) during the first half at Maple Pavilion in Palo Alto on Fri Mar 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Friday, March 17, 2023

Even without the services of star center Cameron Brink, No. 1-seed Stanford had little trouble rolling over No. 16-seed Sacred Heart 92-49 in Friday’s opening round of the Seattle 4 Region women’s basketball tournament.

Brink missed NCAA tournament opener with what was described as
“a non-COVID=19 illness.” Specifics about Brink’s illness have yet to be disclosed and there’s no timetable for how long she will be out of the Cardinal lineup.

Brink confirmed on an Instagram post that she has been experiencing a stomach virus that has been going around the team over the last few days, adding that “I’ll be back asap.”

Haley Jones stepped up and led the Cardinal (29-5) with 17 points while grabbing six rebounds and shooting 7-of-12 from the field. Francesca Belibi added12 points and ten rebounds for Stanford, which shot 49.3 percent (37 of 75) and outrebounded Sacred Heart 57-28.

Hannah Jump also had 12 points for Stanford, Indya Niyar had 11 and Lauren Betts added 10. Talana Lepolo contributed seven assists and three steals.

Ny’Ceara Pryor was the top scorer for the Pioneers (15-14) with 12 points.

The Cardinal faces Mississippi in the second round on Sunday 6:30pm tip off.

Road Loses Continue To Pile Up For Warriors – Lose To Hawks 127-119

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Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson, right, shoots a 3-point basket against Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins during the first half at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Fri Mar 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

Road Loses Continue To Pile Up For Warriors – Lose To Hawks 127-119

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Golden State Warriors (36-35) met the Atlanta Hawks (35-35) at State Farm Arena. The Warriors dropped the first game of this road trip to the Los Angeles Clippers 134-126. Every road loss pushes the Warriors further and further away from their ultimate goal a playoff spot.

At home the Warriors are the number two team shooting from beyond the arc but on the road they make whoever they are playing look like world champions. The differential is uncanny as the Warriors seven wins on the road this season and they didn’t get their eighth road win against the Hawks losing 127-119.

Game recap: The Warriors got off to a good start in the first quarter taking a 16-4 lead in the opening minutes. With three minutes left in the quarter the game was tied at 27 and the Hawks had turned this game completely around leading after the first 12 minutes 39-31. There was a bit of trouble brewing after the first quarter for Golden State.

The Hawks continued to lead through most of the second quarter. With 3:25 left in the first half, the Warriors trailed 61-58 and were looking to take the lead into the locker room. Golden State could not get anything going even though they had more rebounds and more field goals.

They struggled from beyond the arc and that was the difference. The Warriors shot at 26.3% while the Hawks had a 39.1% winning the battle from outside. The Hawks led after two quarters 71-66. The Warriors also had nine turnovers in the first half. The Golden State starters all had double digits with the exception of Jonathan Kuminga who was right on the edge with eight points. The Warriors had some work to do in the second half in this must win game.

The Warriors continued to trail in the third quarter. While they did have numerous open shots not a lot of them were dropping. At 5:42 in the third quarter the Warriors trailed 89-77 in yet another shocker on the road. The Warriors were having a miserable three-point shooting night. After three the Hawks led 104-96.

The Warriors did pull to within one point in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter but just could not get over the hump. Golden State was 11 of 40 on three’s a shocking stat.

This was a collective horror show for the Warriors. The three’s failed hitting 11 of 40. They are now seven and 28 on the road. Six players had double digits in the game with Stephen Curry hitting the high with 31 points. Kevon Looney had 16 rebounds and 18 points. Golden State will have to pull it together as they head to Memphis tonight.

There will be little time for the Warriors to digest this one as they take on the Memphis Grizzlies tomorrow with tipoff scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel Dullum: Cardinal handle Sacred Heart without Brink in tournament opener 92-49

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Stanford guard Haley Jones (30) shoots against Sacred Heart guard Ny’Ceara Pryor during the first half at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Fri Mar 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 Daniel, the Stanford Cardinal (29-5) handled the Sacred Heart Pioneers (19-14) rather handedly 92-49 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and they did it without high scorer Cameron Brink.

#2 Haley Jones picked up where Brink left off leading with 17 points Haley’s been a go to all season long.

#3 On defense the Cardinal held the Pioneers to 18 points in the first quarter, 8 points in the second quarter, 11 points in the third quarter, and 12 points in the fourth quarter.

#4 Daniel, how important of a win is this for Stanford considering they opened the tournament without Brink and had to create plays and win that opening game.

#5 Daniel, Stanford will carry on for their next opponent and their opponent will be well aware of the kind of season Stanford is having.

Join Daniel for Stanford basketball on http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NCAA Tournament/Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal enter their 35th straight NCAA Tournament Friday

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Stanford forward Francesca Belibi motions after scoring against UCLA during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Pac-12 women’s tournament Friday, March 3, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP News photo)

On the NCAA Tournament/ Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Stanford enters it’s 35th straight NCAA Women’s Tournament as they will face either Sacred Heart or Southern on Friday night at Maples Pavilion.

#2 The Cardinal (28-5) got the No.1 seed for the third straight season and will be at the Spokane Region.,

#3 Stanford is one of the top overall seeds as they are ranked No.1 coming into the Tournament on Friday.

#4 Stanford will open it’s 36th overall postseason against either the Pioneers or Jaguars Friday. Also on the same day the big draw it will be Ole Miss No.8 (23-8) against No.9 Gonzaga (28-4).

#5 Some of the big names on the Stanford Women’s team to talk about Christine Brink, Haley Jones, Talana Lepolo, and Fran Belibi what year and what a performance this season.

Join Michael Roberson during the NCAA Tournament/Stanford women’s podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com