Carrier Classics? Report says hoops game coming to Midway museum in November
March 20th, 2012 | After Action Basketball | Posted by Kevin Lilley
The USS Midway Museum, during a 2011 celebration of Chief Petty Officer Pride Day. Can you picture a hoops court in place of the insignia? (Navy photo by MC2 James R. Evans)
Last week came the news that a key organization behind the 2011 Quicken Loans Carrier Classic had settled on a new host on a new coast for 2012, scheduling a college basketball doubleheader (men’s and women’s) for the World War II-era carrier Yorktown, now a museum ship in South Carolina.
West Coast hoops-on-a-carrier lovers had only a few hours to be disappointed. A few days after the (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier report cited last week, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the USS Midway Museum, in San Diego Bay, will host a Nov. 9 men’s game, likely between San Diego State and Georgetown. This game would be called “Battle on the Midway” and would be televised nationally, according to the report.
Organizers with both events promised more information after the NCAA men’s tournament ends in early April: small items like confirmed participants, title sponsors, TV partners — that kind of thing. Those details will determine which, if either, of these events will be viewed as the true successor of last year’s inaugural game. Either way, the move from one game on a commissioned carrier to three games on two museum ships could make the proceedings a little less special.
Basketball: Binghamton’s losing streak ends, Navy men take over top spot
February 22nd, 2012 | Basketball Navy | Posted by Kevin Lilley
Forget March Madness. It’s just another reason for Navy basketball fans to be mad, period.
The Binghamton Bearcats, the only winless team in NCAA Division I basketball entering Tuesday’s action, snapped a 27-game losing streak last night with a 57-53 win over Vermont.
How does a late-season American East Conference upset affect the Midshipmen? Well, the Bearcats’ losing ways were providing the last bit of cover for Navy’s struggling squad: With Binghamton on a one-game tear, the Mids (3-23) now own the nation’s longest losing streak, which sits at 19 games entering tonight’s 7 p.m. home game against Patriot League rival Lehigh.
After Lehigh (21-7), Navy will travel to Bucknell (20-8) on Saturday to end the regular season. Then comes the Patriot League tournament, which probably means another trip to Bucknell. The Mids will be heavy underdogs in all three games; barring an upset, Navy would enter a long, long offseason on a 22-game skid — not quite this bad, but not exactly a feel-good academy hoops story.
However … if you’re going to pull an upset, there’s no better night than Senior Night. For the ever-faithful planning to attend tonight’s contest, the Mids have a series of fan appreciation events and ticket discounts available. Check here for the details.
Navy hoops losing streak: By the numbers
February 1st, 2012 | Basketball Navy | Posted by Kevin Lilley
Junior Navy guard Jordan Brickman dribbles during the Mids' season-opening win over Penn State-Altoona on Nov. 13 in Annapolis -- one of Navy's three wins on the season. (MC1 Chad Runge / Navy)
This is not the kind of record athletes want to be chasing.
A loss at Patriot League rival Lafayette on Saturday would be the 15th straight for the Navy Midshipmen — good enough, so to speak, to tie a team record for futility set during the 1988-89 season. A loss at home to Holy Cross on Feb. 8 would break the record, just in time to prepare for a Feb. 11 showdown at Army, which will air nationally on the CBS Sports Network.
The streak and the season so far, by the numbers, after the jump:
Hoops rivalry doubleheader this Saturday
January 12th, 2012 | After Action Army Basketball Navy | Posted by Andy Charest
What: Army vs. Navy men’s and women’s basketball
When: Sat., Jan. 14; women’s game at noon; men’s game at 2:30
Where: Alumni Hall, Annapolis, Md.
TV: CBS Sports Network
The storied Army vs. Navy rivalry hits the hardwood Saturday in two nationally televised games at the Naval Academy’s Alumni Hall.
While the basketball incarnation may lack the luster of the gridiron version, both the men’s and women’s teams are just a couple games into the meat of their Patriot League schedule, and the rivalry should prove a springboard for the rest of the season.
The schools’ women’s teams will play at noon, followed by the men’s teams at 2:30.
Forward Ella Ellis grabs a rebound in a game earlier this season against The Citadel. Ellis, a junior, is Army's top scorer. (Associated Press photo)
Men’s matchup
Last meeting: Navy 75, Army 58
Army: Junior forward Ella Ellis leads the Black Knights with close to 18 points and 5 rebounds a game. The team is banking on success from beyond the arc to stay competitive; roughly a third of Army’s scoring comes from 3-point range. Army has been averaging 14 assists a game, No. 1 in the Patriot League. The Black Knights are 0-2 in the Patriot League, losing to Bucknell and Lafayette.
Navy: The Mids’ disappointing 3-13 start has coincided with a scoring dropoff from senior guard Jordan Sugars. Sugars is averaging 11 points a game, five less than his average in 2010-11. But the Mids’ real Achilles’ heel is their inability to finish games strong: the team is 2-9 in games decided by single digits, and 0-4 in games decided by four points or less. Navy is 0-2 in the Patriot League, losing to Lafayette and Holy Cross.
Sophomore forward Jade Geif helps lead a Navy women's squad that won the Patriot League championship last year. (Patriot League photo)
Women’s matchup
Last meeting: Army 57, Navy 46
Army: Sophomore guard/forward Jen Hazlett and junior guard Anna Simmers, Army’s two leading scorers, scored 19 and 27 respectively during Army’s win over Bucknell in its Patriot League opener. Army also won its next game, beating Lafayette 44-43 on a layup by senior Meagan Doucette with six seconds left. The two wins kept Army atop the league standings, and Simmers was named the Patriot League player of the week.
Navy: The Mids have opened their Patriot League schedule 1-1, edging Lafayette 60-55, then losing to Holy Cross, 55-38. The team has a young nucleus led by sophomore forwards Audrey Bauer (11.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and Jade Geif (10.4 ppg, 8 rpg), and is tops in the Patriot League in rebounding, 3-point percentage and scoring defense.
Mark your calendars: Military sports 2012
January 5th, 2012 | Air Force Army Army-Navy game Basketball Football Hockey Navy | Posted by Kevin Lilley
From hoops to Olympics to football, the new year means a new sports calendar. (AP photo by Bebeto Matthews)
Not the hardest of hardcore sports fans? Saw the Orange Bowl score cross the bottom of the screen this morning and wondered out loud, “Say, Clemson’s 3-point shooters must be terrible”? Don’t want to be caught off-guard in the new year? Here are five important military sports dates to circle on your brand-new desk calendar.
1. Jan. 14, rivalry renewal: The first Army-Navy game of the new year takes place on the hardwood, with the women’s hoops teams squaring off at noon in Annapolis, followed by the men’s teams at 2:30 p.m. (both games on CBS Sports Network). Patriot League play for all four teams begins Saturday, when Army visits Bucknell and Navy travels to Lehigh. There have been few bright spots on the court for either school this year — of the four hoops teams, the Navy women hold the best record at 7-7. Bonus rivalry game: The Army ice hockey team hosts Air Force on Jan. 20 and 21, with the first game airing on CBS Sports Network at 7:30 p.m. Army is 2-9-6 entering Friday’s game against Canisius, while Air Force (10-5-2) is coming off its fourth Atlantic Hockey Association championship in five years.
2. July 27, the world is watching: Military athletes will abound at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. The Defense Department tracked 15 athletes with military affiliations in Beijing in 2008, including Army gold medalists Sgts. Walton “Glenn” Eller III (double trap) and Vincent Hancock (skeet). Shooters will get the first crack at the medal stand in London; the air rifle and air pistol finals take place the day after the opening ceremony.
3. Sept. 1, Irish eyes: From London to Dublin, as the Navy Midshipmen open the 2012 football season with the road game to end all road games — a 3,300-plus-mile trek to take on Notre Dame. A few more details are here.
4. Nov. 9, back to the (steel) beach: Nothing official from the folks at Quicken Loans, but the second edition of the Carrier Classic will be played on this date and will include the Connecticut Huskies — according to UConn, at least. Arizona is the likely opponent. Last November, North Carolina downed Michigan State 67-55 in the first-ever classic.
5. Dec. 8, brotherly love: Army-Navy football returns to Philadelphia, with the Black Knights attempting to end Navy’s 10-game win streak. The Mids are a perfect 7-0 against Army at Lincoln Financial Field, but the Black Knights’ last win did come in Philly — a 26-17, on Dec. 1, 2011, at the since-demolished Veterans Stadium. It will be the 83rd Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia, which will also host the 2013, 2015 and 2017 games; M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore is scheduled to host in 2014 and 2016. Mark your calendars accordingly.
Carrier Classic, continued
November 15th, 2011 | Basketball | Posted by Kevin Lilley
The 2011 Quicken Loans Carrier Classic tips off aboard the carrier Carl Vinson last Friday. Is it too early to talk 2012? (Navy photo by MC2 James R. Evans)
It’s been a few days since any NCAA teams played basketball on an aircraft carrier. Never too early to think about the next time, right?
The inaugural Quicken Loans Carrier Classic appears to have gone off without a hitch, as an outdoor hoops arena went up from scratch, a president made a cross-country visit … and somewhere along the way, the top-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels managed a 67-55 win over Michigan State.
So, what about 2012? This USA Today report outlines some of the details, including the proposed date (Nov. 9, apparently ending the play-on-Veterans Day streak at one), the potential matchup (Connecticut’s in, Arizona could commit next), and a possible doubleheader in 2013 that would feature men’s and women’s games.
One likely fix for next time: According to the USA Today report, contingency plans to play the game on the hangar deck in the event of harsh weather never fully materialized. Had there been rain, the game could’ve been called off. This ESPN blog post chronicles the problems with the covered arena.
Well, there’s a few hundred days left to work things out.
2011 Academy Basketball Preview: Air Force
November 3rd, 2011 | After Action Air Force Basketball | Posted by Andy Charest
Air Force guard Michael Lyons prepares to shoot during last year's game against Utah. Lyons is the Falcons leading scorer going into the 2011-12 season. (Air Force photo/Bill Evans)
The Falcons look to build on a seven-win improvement from 2010, but will need contributions from incoming freshmen to get over that hump.
Last season: Overall 16-16; Mountain West 6-10
Coach: Jeff Reynolds (fourth season)
Key player: G Michael Lyons (13.7 ppg., 3.5 reb.)
What to watch: The Falcons’ solid defense will need to step up even more this year, with three of the team’s top scorers graduating last year. Third-team All-Mountain West selection Michael Lyons can score in a variety of ways, and hit the 20-point mark seven times last season. The Falcons’ offense is largely perimeter-oriented, but Coach Jeff Reynolds said junior center Taylor Broekhuis (7.5 ppg., 3.4 reb.) has added weight and strength over the summer. Reynolds will rely on a slew of incoming freshmen to help bolster the team’s inside presence.
Season opener: Nov. 11, vs. Army.
2011 Academy Basketball Preview: Navy
November 2nd, 2011 | After Action Basketball Navy | Posted by Andy Charest
Navy guard Jordan Sugars drives toward the basket against an American University defender last season. Sugars, now a senior, will lead a young Navy team in Ed DeChellis' first season as head coach. (MC1 Chad Runge / Navy)
Navy faces a rebuilding year after a fifth-place finish in the Patriot League and an early exit in the conference tournament.
Last season: Overall 11-20; Patriot League 6-8
Coach: Ed DeChellis (first year)
Key player: G Jordan Sugars (16 ppg., 6 reb.)
What to watch:Former Penn State head coach Ed DeChellis — who has taken the Nittany Lions and East Tennessee State University to the NCAA tournament — takes the helm of one of the youngest teams in the country (three seniors, six sophomores, 10 freshmen). Fortunately, DeChellis has the talents of senior guard Jordan Sugars to work with. Sugars, voted to the all-Patriot League preseason first team, is one of three players nationally to return after averaging at least 16 points a game, 6 rebounds a game and making 60 or more three-pointers.
Season opener: Nov. 11, vs. Longwood
More on aircraft carrier hoops plans
March 17th, 2011 | After Action Basketball | Posted by Sean Smyth
Full details of the basketball game in San Diego on an aircraft carrier on Veterans Day 2011 haven’t been released, but there already are plans afoot to hold the event in the following two years.
Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis told the Lansing (Mich.) State Journal this week that the Spartans could play on a carrier in 2012 and 2013.
Weekend Preview: Dobbs doubtful, Army at Kent State, Falcons host Lobos
November 12th, 2010 | Air Force Army Basketball Football Navy | Posted by Chris Kelly
It’s week 10 in the college football world and the beginning of the college basketball season. Here’s what’s going on at Army, Navy and Air Force.
Navy
Football vs. Central Michigan – 3:30 p.m. EST: After absolutely throttling (76 points!) East Carolina on the road last week, the Mids return home to host the Chippewas, who are coming off a 26-22 win over rival Western Michigan. You might think that Navy will run away with this game after last week, but Ricky Dobbs is doubtful for Saturday. Without Dobbs at the helm, this one may be much more interesting.
Basketball at Buffalo – 12 p.m. EST: Things didn’t so well for Navy on the road against Texas, as they lost 83-52 in their season opening game, which was part of the 2KSports Classic Benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer. However, not many people were expecting them to pull off the upset against a perennial national power. With that game behind them, the Mids look to get their first road win at Buffalo, who will be opening their season this weekend.
Army
Football at Kent State – 2 p.m. EST: Army is coming off a 42-22 loss to Air Force, which gave the Falcons the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy for the first time since 2002. The Black Knights are 5-4 overall and one win away from becoming bowl eligible. Last week, Temple took down Kent State 28-10 at home, so the Golden Flashes will be hungry for a win, as they’re just two away from going bowling at 4-5.
Basketball vs. Vassar – Nov. 11 (Tonight) – 7 p.m. EST: It’s the start of a new season for the Black Knights tonight against Vassar. They’ll be looking to improve on their 14-15 record from last year, which was the most wins in a season for Army since Bob Knight (Yes, that Bob Knight) won 18 during the 1965-66 campaign. That was one season before this guy came to West Point. This is the opening game for Vassar as well, who went 2-23 in 2009-2010.
Air Force
Football vs. New Mexico – 4 p.m. MT (6 p.m. EST): As stated above, the Falcons took down Army last weekend by 20 to land the CIC trophy. New Mexico knocked off Wyoming at home 34-31 last week to earn their first win of the season and improve to 1-8 overall. Here’s a preview of the game from the Lobos.
Basketball vs. University of Colorado at Colorado Springs – Nov. 14 – 2 p.m. MT (4 p.m. EST): The Mountain Lions and the Falcons square off in an exhibition game this Sunday at the Air Force Academy. UCCS won an earlier exhibition this season against Johnson & Wales, but will face a much tougher time against Air Force.