News and Notes: Tuesday Edition

Below, news and notes for Tuesday.  Above, A Date in Cornell Basketball History, excerpted images from the Spalding 1912-1913 College Basketball Media Guide.  Cornell would go on to win the 1912-1913 and 1913-1914 Eastern Intercollegiate Basketball League/Ivy League titles...

• The University of South Carolina previews the Charleston Classic and notes of Cornell:

Cornell
 Head Coach: Bill Courtney (37-78 (.322), four seasons at Cornell/Overall Record the same)

2013-14 Record/Conference Finish: 2-26/1-13 Ivy, 8th

2013-14 Postseason: N/A

Final 2013-14 AP Ranking: N/A

2013-14 Season Notables: After unexpectedly losing three starters prior to the 2013-14 season due to injury and attrition, including a pair of All-Ivy League selections, Cornell went 2-26 ... The Big Red returned 2012-13 first-team All-Ivy League selection Shonn Miller and three of the team's top five scorers from a year ago ... Miller missed the season due to a shoulder injury ... Devin Cherry was one of just two players in the Ivy League to average at least 14 points, four rebounds and three assists in conference play.
Top Returners: Shonn Miller (Sr. - F - 6-7 - 210 - Euclid, Ohio - St. Ignatius HS), 11.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.9 spg, 1.9 bpg ... Devin Cherry (Sr. - G - 6-3 - 185 - Meridian, Miss. - Meridian HS), 12.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.5 apg ... Robert Hatter (So. - G - 6-2 - 165 - Houston, Texas - Westside HS), 9.0 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 2.1 apg.

• Gamecock Central writes of Cornell:

Cornell
The Big Red recorded its lowest win total in more than 100 years last season as Cornell posted a 2-26 record and went 1-13 in the Ivy League after the team was riddled with early season injuries. Back is senior point guard Devin Cherry who recorded 12.3 points and 3.5 assists per game, but gone are the services of last year's leading scorer Nolan Cressler (16.8 ppg).

• See photos of Errick Peck (Cornell '13) in the Indy Star from the Knox/Indy Pro Am this past weekend.  Peck will finish his Master's degree this year at Purdue and will be a teaching assistant in Purdue's communications department starting this fall.

•  College Sports Madness has its daily countdown of the top 144 teams in college basketball.

• Cornell Basketball Blog talked with The California Golden Blog about Dwight Tarwater.  Here is the full interview:

Q & A about MBB Transfer Dwight Tarwater with The Cornell Basketball Blog.

We got a new Men's Basketball player. So naturally we had some questions and the folks over at The Cornell Basketball Blog were kind enough to answer them for us. Thanks CBB!

1. What are Tarwater's strengths? Weaknesses?

Cornell Basketball Blog: Dwight is not very athletic, but he is a hard worker and is willing to do the dirty work. He is a classic tweener. He is neither a true power forward nor small forward. He likes to face up and take the three-pointer or the mid range jumper, but he'd be better served trying to score in or around the basket. He has good upper body strength and is capable of collecting points off the glass from missed shots. He's unselfish and a good passer. He's not quick enough to defend opposing small forwards and is too undersized to defend players bigger than him.

2. What are your impressions of Tarwater as a student?

CBB: Dwight is highly respected around the University off the court. He is a high character kid and is type of person you want in your program.

3. Was there any indication that Tarwater was looking to leave Cornell or did his decision take you by surprise?

CBB: Dwight was ineligible to play at Cornell. Ivy League rules prohibit graduate students. Dwight graduated from Cornell in 4 years and exhausted his eligibility in the Ivy League. The only way he could have played a 5th year is if he delayed/postponed his graduation. This would mean he would have had to pay 5 years of tuition towards an undergraduate program (no scholarships in the Ivy League). That's a lot to ask of a family that does not qualify for substantial need-based financial aid.

4. Tell us about Tarwater's athleticism. Can he dunk a basketball?

CBB: As mentioned earlier, Dwight is not athletic by Division I standards. He can dunk in the open Court. He had only 1 career dunk in his 4 years at Cornell. Cal is not getting a high flyer (and Cornell actually has a bunch of them, even at the BCS level).

5. What kind of a defender is he?

CBB: He is willing to defend and is intelligent, but his lack of quickness on the wing and lack of size underneath could be problems in the Pac12, they certainly were in the Ivy League.

6. Tarwater's shooting percentages don't really jump off the page; what can you tell us about his stroke and his shot selection? What role did he play in the Cornell offense?

CBB: Dwight is just not a pure shooter or a scorer, plain and simple. He likes to face up and take those mid range and long range shots, but they are not within his reliable shooting range. He was a reserve for 3 years at Cornell and became a starter as a senior after several players were lost to season ending injuries.

7. Despite being only 6'6, can Tarwater play 4? How does he compensate for his lack of height?

CBB: He is strong and has good upper body strength. While he is not athletic, he is very coordinated and is capable of scoring with his back to the basket. Although his preference is to face the basket (as most college players like to do).

8. How is Tarwater as a passer?

CBB: He makes smart passes and is unselfish. I wouldn't call him a dynamic passer, but he knows when to give the ball up.

9. Tarwater scored 20+ points twice last year (against Loyola, Dartmouth). What was special or unique about those games?

CBB: Cornell was devastated last season by injuries. Frankly, Dwight received the benefit of added playing time by default and found a couple of games where he was able to score the ball. Had he played at Cornell this year, he would have returned to a reserve role on the deeper end of the rotation.

Bonus question 1: What's your favorite Finger Lake?

CBB: Cayuga Lake which is where Ithaca is situated on the southern shore. It is stunningly beautiful and surrounded by miles of wine vineyards, waterfalls, parks and picturesque little towns.

Bonus question 2: What happened to Beau Sweeney?!

CBB: Hmm, not sure.

Thanks again to the fine folks at Cornell Basketball Blog for taking the time to answer our questions!

• Jeremy Lin is officially a "journeyman" signing with his 4th NBA team, the Lakers, in four seasons.  The 2010 Harvard graduate has also played for the Warriors, Knicks and Rockets.  The Lakers note:

Since 1979-80, there have been just 13 others players besides Lin hailing from the Ivy League to suit up in the NBA.
The list includes:
Jerome Allen
James Blackwell
Ira Bowman
Corky Calhoun
Chris Dudley
Jeff Foote
Steve Goodrich
Butch Graves
Armond Hill
Matt Maloney
Walter Palmer
Tony Price
Brian Taylor

News and Notes: Wednesday Edition

Below, news and notes for Wednesday...

• Former Cornell assistant coach, Woody Kampann, reportedly interviewed for the head coaching position at Hobart College and could be the frontrunner.  Kampmann graduated from Hobart and played in the program as well as coached there during 2006-2007 as an assistant to Izzi Metz.

• Black Shoe Diaries speculates that the Charleston Classic bracket pairings could be announced soon.

• The Indy Star says the State of Indiana Class of 2009, which included Errick Peck (Cornell '13), was the State's 8th best senior class of the  last ten years.  Peck will play this weekend in the Purdue-Indiana Knox/Indy Pro Am Rivals Rematch.

News and Notes: Monday Edition

Above, a Cornell team photo and huddle from the 2006-2007 season.  Kevin App (Cornell '07) (No. 11, top) stands above Steve Donahue in the huddle.  Below, news and notes...

• Kevin App (Cornell '07) is the new head coach at Williams College, a Division III power.  App beat out several finalists for the job, including Bucknell associate head coach Dane Fischer, Princeton assistant Brian Earl, Fairfield assistant Tony Newsom and Skidmore head coach, Joe Burke (a former Cornell assistant coach).  The Berkshire Eagle writes:

When Mike Maker left Williams to take the Marist men’s basketball job, a reporter contacted former Williams assistant coach Kevin App to see if he was interested.
"It would be an honor if Williams would have an interest in me," App responded on Facebook. Twelve days later, App has that job.
Williams made it official Saturday afternoon that App, 28, would be the 12th basketball coach in school history and would replace Maker, who resigned on June 16 to take his new job.
"[App] distinguished himself among perhaps the strongest pool we have had for any search," Williams athletic director Lisa Melendy said in a statement. "Kevin returns to Williams having learned the lessons other strong programs could provide to him."
App was one of four finalists and spent Wednesday on the Williamstown campus meeting with the search committee and a faculty committee. He also spoke with players during a conference call.
"I consider myself humbled and proud to be the head coach at Williams," App said. "I think I’ve been blessed to have worked for three people who have prepared me very well for this opportunity.
"I’m excited to get up there and get to work."
App was a member of Maker’s first staff at Williams in the 2008-09 season as the Ephs were 17-9. Williams won the Little Three championship that season, their first outright title since 1995-96.
"That 14, 15 months left an impact on me," said App, who was on the road recruiting for both his old school and his new one. "I didn’t think I would have the opportunity right now.
"I actually met with coach Maker a few months ago and talked to him about long-term career goals and how do I get in position to get Williams. The next thing you know, it happened two months later."
The new Williams coach said he has already been in contact with some of his returning players. One, senior, Ryan Kilcullen, was on campus last week and helped facilitate conference calls with other players.
"They didn’t have to show me around that much," App said with a laugh.
The new coach was offered the job on Friday after the last of the four finalists came through Williamstown. App said he accepted right away.
App is a 2007 graduate of Cornell where he played for former Boston College coach Steve Donahue. App took a spot on Donahue’s staff during the 2009-10 season when the Big Red went to the NCAA Division I Sweet 16. The Cornell team in 2009-10 was the first Ivy League team to reach the Sweet 16 in 31 years, beating fifth-seeded Temple and fourth-seeded Wisconsin. That team set an Ivy League record with 29 wins.
"He walked into my office and said he wanted to play," Donahue said in an interview with The Eagle. "He became a leader of the group as a freshman. It was obvious to me that he had the ability to lead.
"He’s been around three really good programs that prepared him at a young age."
App took an opening on the Cornell staff when Zack Spiker got the job at Army. The next year, Spiker hired App at West Point.
"The opportunity to be a head coach was always in his future and I am confident he will have success in a great situation at Williams," said Spiker. "Kevin has been a huge part of what we have built at West Point."

• Speaking of the Cornell's class of 2007, Ugo Ihekweazu is now practicing medicine at Baylor University Hospital while David Lisle is in the Department of Surgery at Columbia University/New York Hospital.  Graham Dow is a Fellow at Harvard University's NOAA Climate and Global Change Center.

• We hinted about it back in May and now the news has gone public, Dwight Tarwater (Cornell '14) will play a postgraduate season at Cal.  The school issued the following release:

BERKELEY – California head men’s basketball coach Cuonzo Martin has announced the addition of forward Dwight Tarwater to the program on Thursday.
Tarwater, who recently earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University after four seasons with the Big Red, is a graduate transfer to the University of California, Berkeley and will be eligible to compete for the Golden Bears for the 2014-15 season.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dwight to the Cal Family,” Martin said. “Dwight is a solid all-around player and an exceptional student who joins our program with a great depth of experience playing at the Division I level. Dwight’s undergraduate degree from a prestigious Ivy League institution transitions well to his graduate studies here at the No. 1 public university in the world.” 
The 6-6, 230-pound forward started all 28 games for Cornell last season where he averaged 7.1 points and a team-best 5.5 rebounds in 26.1 minutes per game as a senior. A captain for the Big Red in 2013-14, Tarwater ranked ninth in The Ivy League in rebounding. He recorded three double-doubles during his final season at Cornell, including 21 points and 11 rebounds against Loyola. The forward posted a career-best 23 points against Dartmouth last season.
Tarwater played in 79 career games, starting 36 contests during his four years at Cornell.
Tarwater was a two-time all-state and three-time all-region selection during his scholastic career at The Webb School in Knoxville, Tenn. He was named Tennessee’s Mr. Basketball in Division II-A in 2010. Tarwater averaged 23.2 points and 10.1 rebounds, shooting better than 60 percent from the field during his senior season at The Webb School, garnering first-team all-league honors during his senior campaign in 2010. He totaled more than 1,500 points in his four-year scholastic career.
Tarwater joins center Kingsley Okoroh and guards Brandon Chauca and Stephen Domingo as part of the Golden Bears’ 2014 class.
Cal opens the Cuonzo Martin era on November 14 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, Calif.

• See reports on the Tarwater commitment in NBC Sports, CNN/SI, BCSNN, Bear Talk, and the Knoxville News Sentinel.  NBC Sports' Dale Cuff tweeted Tarwater would be athletically overmatched in the Pac 12.  Bear Insider writes

With a roster of only nine healthy and eligible players heading into the 2014-15 season, finding some frontline depth this summer was a top priority for Cal men's basketball. Enter Cornell stretch 4 grad transfer Dwight Tarwater, who will join the Bears late this summer in his last season of eligibility.

The 6-7/230 Tarwater will add critical depth to a depleted Bears' roster featuring only senior forward David Kravish, oft-injured forward Christian Behrens and still-developing Roger Moute a Bidias in the frontcourt along with developing freshman center Kingsley Okoroh.
"I'm going to be getting my masters at Cal in public health," said Tarwater. "I just graduated from Cornell in May and I'll be enrolling at Cal soon. I'm really looking forward to it.
"Cal's a great university."
With assistant coach Yanni Hufnagel's connection to Cornell, he was the first to take the lead in Tarwater's recruitment, with an assist from head coach Cuonzo Martin.
"Coach Hufnagel took the lead on my recruiting in April and May and Coach Martin got involved later, too.
"Coach Hufnagel's full of energy and a great guy and a great coach from what I hear. He'll do a great job there.
"As far as Coach Martin, I've been a Tennessee fan for years. I've watched him for his three years at Tennessee and have nothing but respect for how he handles everything and how he coaches and his schemes and everything.
"I couldn't be more excited to play for him and get to know him more. He's a great hire for Cal and he's going to win a lot of games there."
As for the timing of Tarwater's arrival, it should be on the near horizon.
"I just received my acceptance letter from Cal today and I should be hearing back from Compliance soon to let me know when I can start practicing with the team," said Tarwater. 
Tarwater prepped at Webb School in Knoxville, where he put up 22 points and 10 rebounds a game while compiling an impressive 3.9 gpa before signing with Cornell was fresh off an NCAA appearance.
As a junior, Tarwater averaged 7.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game for Cornell. He'll be on scholarship his senior season at Cal while he pursues his masters degree. 

• California Golden Blog writes:

Named Div-IIA Mr. Basketball when playing for Webb High school, Tarwater played sparing during his first three years at Cornell.  As a senior co-captain, he posted a career high in points (7.1ppg) and was one of the Ivy League's leading rebounders at 5.5 rpg.

Although he has the ability to step out and hit the outside shot, the percentages (36.9 FG%, 31.9 3FG%) suggest that long-range shooting isn't his strong suit.

I'd imagine that his value goes beyond the stat sheet and is a great fit for Cal's shorthanded roster.  You're getting a smart, tough, veteran player who can back up both the 3 and the 4 spot.  Rebounding is a skill that translates very well and we'll be in dire need of it considering our lack of bigs.  He'll be a good steadying influence should our young wings start playing out of control or get themselves into foul trouble.  It's a nice pick-up for Coach Martin and his staff.

Although there weren't any specific highlights to be found, he did score a career high 23 points against Dartmouth and was featured in their highlight film.

Welcome to Cal, Dwight!

• The BU Bearcats Blog and Fox 40 reference Cornell's game against Binghamton this upcoming season.

• Nolan Cressler is mentioned in a Bleacher Report preview of the SEC. 

• Sports Edge ranks the Ivy League basketball logos and Cornell takes 3rd. 

• Cornell gets mention in Nunes Magician for large crowds at Carrier Dome basketball games.

• NBC Sports profiles Northfield Mount Hermon School and writes:

Harvard will be the favorite again next year, but the conference is more than the Crimson. Both Princeton and Yale have finished in the top half of the conference in each of the last six seasons. Brown and Columbia have made strides in the last few years under new head coaches. Cornell is four years removed from a Sweet 16 run, the last of three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. Penn’s back-to-back losing seasons don’t overshadow its longstanding tradition on the hardwood. And Dartmouth keeps landing NMH graduates with the same consistency as Harvard.

• Hustle Belt looks at Buffalo's schedule and writes:

January 3rd - Cornell (2-26), RPI: 334, Ken Pom: 341
Cornell was unusually really really bad last year. Like, one of the worst teams in the country bad. The Big Red can't seem to get back to the level they were at when Steve Donohue was the coach and was making NCAA Tournaments. It got so bad that leading scorer Nolan Cressler skipped town and transferred to Vanderbilt. It might be another ugly season for Cornell.

• Former Penn assistant coach, Jason Polykoff spoke with the Daily Pennsylvanian.  Here is an excerpt:

DP: Since you’re now moving away from coaching in the Ivies, what do you think of the balance of power the past few seasons? What do you think Harvard has done the past few years to take that next step forward?
JP: It’s the ebbs and flows of the Ivy League. At one point it was Cornell, for the longest point it was Penn and Princeton. It’s just what’s the flavor of the week, I guess you could say. Right now it’s Harvard, but in my eyes it’s only a matter of time before it’s someone else, and I think it’s going to be Penn. I’m a little biased, but I think it’s going to be Penn. Credit to them and obviously to coach Amaker for what they’ve been able to accomplish, but I truly believe that every program has their time and this has been Harvard’s time.

News and Notes: Thursday Edition

Below, news and notes for Thursday...

• A Wyoming high school prep player is hoping Cody Toppert (Cornell '05) can take him to a higher level during a postgrad season.  The Casper Star Tribune writes:

Dissatisfied with the collegiate basketball offers extended his way, recent Gillette graduate Cody Kelley will attend the Ganon Baker Elev8 Institute next fall with hopes of proving himself on a platform that will ultimately place him within a Division-I program.

Wyoming’s only two-time Gatorade player of the year in boys basketball chose Elev8, a preparatory school located an hour north of Miami in Delray Beach, Florida, for the opportunity to develop his game without surrendering a year of eligibility.

***

Playing under the tutelage of Baker, a renowned trainer who has worked with the likes of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and, in 2008, was hired as Amare Stoudemire’s personal skill development coach, and head coach Cody Toppert, regarded as one of the top trainers in the nation, figures to bring Kelley the necessary exposure required to get a fair shake.

Like Kelley, Toppert too was an unheralded recruit out of a less-populated area -- Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was one of the most decorated high school athletes in New Mexico before signing with Cornell in the Ivy League from 2001-05. Spending a year under his guidance, Toppert said, will help Kelley become a better all-around player on a stage that will allow more colleges to see him.

• Cornell's 2014-2015 Schedule will be highlighted by Cornell's participation in ESPN's Charleston Classic.  Visit the Cornell team page at the Charleston Classic for more information.   In this ESPN-produced event, Cornell is guaranteed three (3) games against the field of eight (8) participants and all games are broadcast on the ESPN family network.  Potential opponents in Charleston include: Miami, South Carolina, USC, Penn State,  Akron, Charlotte and Drexel.  Cornell's thirty (30) games for the 2014-2015 schedule is rumored to include the following: 
   1. Loyola, MD (away) 
  2. UMass-Lowell (home)
  3. Binghamton (away) 11/29/14 
  4. Colgate (home)
  5. Siena (away)
  6. St. Peter's (home)
  7. Howard (home)
  8. Radford (away)
  9. Canisius (home)
  10. Buffalo (away) (Guarantee Game) 1/3/15 
   11. George Mason (away) (Guarantee Game) 11/14/14
  12. Syracuse (away) (Guarantee Game)
  13. Alfred State
  14. Charleston Classic Game (U.Miami, South Carolina, USC, Penn State, Akron, Charlotte, Drexel)
  15. Charleston Classic Game
  16. Charleston Classic Game
  17-30. Fourteen Ivy League Games
  
  

Joel Davis Commits to Cornell

Cornell received a commitment from Joel Davis (Wayne Country Day School) Goldsboro, NC, 6-3, G.

Prior to committing, Davis was also receiving interest from Campbell and a host of smaller non Division I colleges in the region.  As a senior, Davis is a McDonald's All American Game Nominee   and was named all-state on the NCISAA 1A team.  As a junior he averaged 12.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks per game for Wayne Country Day.  He was named All Area as a junior by the Goldsboro News and is ranked as the #44 player in North Carolina by Phenom Hoop Report which evaluates him as follows:

Joel Davis is a fierce competitor who has a very high motor. Davis makes hustle plays, dives on the floor for loose balls,and pursues rebounds with consistent effort. Joel has a unique ability to see the play one pass ahead and react as a help defender. He plays a good “IN YOUR FACE” style defense and his hands are constant motion in attempts to disrupt the ball handler. Davis is at his best in transition as something positive usually happens when he is attacking the rim. He is constant motion which enables him to pick up easy buckets slipping behind the defense unnoticed for uncontested layups. He isn’t afraid to mix it up and score off offensive rebound put-backs. Davis is a good athlete who has a competitive edge. This young man’s stock is on the rise.

Following Davis' commitment, Phenom Hoop Report reported: 

NC Phenom Alum Joel Davis ended his recruitment before it really got started when he committed to Cornell on Tuesday. Davis is an explosive 6’3 lefty wing who plays his AAU ball with the Raleigh Capitals AAU program.
The rising senior at Wayne Country Day School says that Cornell’s style of play fit what he does, “It’s a good fit for me and my style of play. They play a fast paced pressured defense and get up and down on offense. They are also looking to build around me.”
As with most Ivy League schools the campus and facilities are beautiful at Cornell and not lost on Davis is the academic side of things, “They have a beautiful, big campus. I really liked their weight room. It was just redone and furnished with brand new equipment. You cannot beat that type of education, it taken advantage of, it can set you up for life.”
Coming off a five man class last year, Davis joins 6’5″ New Jersey wing Donvan Wright in this class for Cornell.

See additional video highlights (click here)

News and Notes: Tuesday Edition

Above, a Date in Cornell Basketball History.   The 100th Anniversary of the 1904-1905 Cornell Men's Baskebtall Team on the cover of the Cornell Daily Sun.  Below, news and notes for Tuesday..

• Bill Courtney talked to ESPN Ithaca on Monday.  Listen to the podcast.

• We updated our profile on Cornell's newest recruiting commitment, Donovan Wright (Blair Academy) Blairstown, NJ, 6-6, F.

Donovan Wright Commits to Cornell

Cornell received a verbal commitment from Donovan Wright (Blair Academy) Blairstown, NJ, 6-6, F.

During 2013-2014, Wright and Blair Academy captured the New Jersey Prep Championship.  Wright had 9 points in the state title game.

Prior to committing to Cornell, Wright also received an offer from Canisius and was receiving interest from Siena and Lafayette.  Prior to enrolling at Blair Academy, Wright, a native of Easton, Pennsylvania, played for the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut where he was First Team All NEPSAC as a sophomore in 2012-2013.  NJ Hoops/Rivals.com ranks him the #25 senior in New Jersey.

On the commitment, NJ Hoops/Rival.com writes:

6-foot-6 Blair wing Donovan Wright has made his college plans. Wright has made an early commitment to Cornell University  In addition to Cornell Wright had interest from Canisius, Brown, Columbia, BU, Davidson, Bucknell, Lafayette and VCU.  Wright played at the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut before transferring to Blair.  This season he helped lead Blair to a 16-6 record and final NJ Hoops ranking as the #1 Prep Team in the state.  On the summer circuit Wright was named to the All Tournament Team at Gym Rats Challenge and was a former Underclass All Star at Hoop Group Elite Camp. A terrific athlete, Wright is ranked among NJ Hoops top 25 seniors.

 

Wright was evaluated by New England Recruiting Report as, "Very strong and athletic but more 4 than 3; can make a wide open 3 but perimeter skill isn't forte."  Similarly, Future 150's Brian Flinn noted, "2015 wing Donovan Wright is an interesting prospect for Blair Academy. Super athletic and plays hard."  He was also evaluated at the Summer 2013 Gym Rat Invitational when playing for his AAU team, the New Jersey Thunder, as follows:

Donovan Wright (6-5 forward) N.J. Thunder/Hotchus H.S.: A strong, 220-pound body mixed with incredible explosive athleticism makes him a tough matchup. He is capable of posting up smaller defenders, and slower/big defenders have a tough time staying in front of him. His jumper is consistent out to the three-point line. Does a great job of rebounding out of his area, and he alters shots at the rim.  Hearing from Patriots.

News and Notes: Monday Edition

Below, news and notes for Monday...

• The Cornell Basketball Blog previously published the Big Red's 2014-2015 opponents.  This week, Jon Rothstein of CBS noted that George Mason will host Cornell in the Patriots' season opener on November 14, 2014.  The University of Buffalo also published the news of its January 15, 2015 game against Cornell.  See the Buffalo News and Bull Run.  Bull Run writes, "Cornell hasn't been able to capture the magic of their NCAA tournament a few years ago and was one of the worst teams in Division One last year, finishing at 2-26. Should be a nice tune up for the whole bench before MAC play starts."

• Cornell's Division III opponent, Alfred State, was 2-22 last season at the Division III level.

• When were the eight Ivy League coaches hired in relation to the 350 Division I programs?  Here is a look, courtesy of the Post Standard.

21. Apr 27, 1999-James Jones, Yale
93. Apr 13, 2007- Tommy Amaker, Harvard
134. Dec. 14, 2009- Jerome Allen, Penn
T-159. Apr 22, 2010 Paul Cormier, Dartmouth
161. Apr 23, 2010- Bill Courtney, Cornell
166. May 2, 2010- Kyle Smith, Columbia
200. Apr 20, 2011 Mitch Henderson, Princeton
257. Jun 1, 2012-Mike Martin, Brown

• Celebrity DJ and former Cornell basketball player, Rich Medina (Cornell '92) was profiled in the San Francisco Examiner. 

• Johnathan Gray ('13) tweeted about his excitement of playing for the Virgin Islands National Team again this summer.

• A former Lafayette player passed away and he is remembered for a "monster dunk" he had in Barton Hall against Cornell.  See the Easton Times.

• Keith Olbermann says Cornell's Sweet Sixteen performance in 2010 was more impressive than the U.S. Soccer performance in the World Cup.

News and Notes: Wednesday Edition

Below, news and notes for Wednesday...

The Cornell Sweet Sixteen Team which appeared in The Basketball Tournament in Philadelphia during June.

• Steve Donahue is attending the NBA Summer League in Orlando and noted of the 76ers, “My team at Cornell (that went 29-5 and reached the Sweet 16 in 2009-10) was older than this team.  We were the second-oldest (college) team in the country that year. We had seven guys 23 or older.”

• Jonathan Gray ('13) will play again for the Virgin Island SMNT in the Caribbean Basketball Confederation Championships.

Tickets and Travel Packages for 2014 Gildan Charleston Classic on Sale Now

Tickets and Travel Packages for 2014 Gildan Charleston Classic on Sale Now

Cornell Athletics

ITHACA, N.Y. -- Tickets for the 2014 Gildan Charleston Classic – to be held Nov. 20, 21 and 23, at TD Arena in Charleston, S.C. – are on sale now through the College of Charleston ticket office. The seventh annual Gildan Charleston Classic features an eight-team field, including Cornell, Akron, Charlotte, Drexel, Miami (Fla.), Penn State, Southern California and South Carolina.

Fans can purchase tickets to all six sessions (12 games) for $100 each, or single-session tickets (two games) for $22 each. Tickets are available at www.CharlestonClassic.com or by calling the College of Charleston box office at (843) 953-2632.

It will be the Big Red's first appearance in the Gildan Charleston Classic. The Big Red returns 2012-13 first-team All-Ivy League selection Shonn Miller and three of the team's top five scorers from a year ago under fifth-year head Bill Courtney.

The 2014 Gildan Charleston Classic will feature a bracket format with 12 games over three days. Each team will compete in one game per day, advancing through the bracket. The two teams that remain undefeated throughout will face off in a championship game on the final day of competition.

This will be the seventh year that Charleston has hosted the tournament. Charleston has been named the "Top U.S. City" by Condé Nast Traveler 2013 Readers' Choice Awards for the third consecutive year. Known for its fresh seafood and southern cuisine, Charleston was also voted the "Top City in the U.S. and Canada" in the Travel + Leisure 2013 World's Best Awards survey.

Fans can purchase travel packages that include official hotel accommodations by going to http://www.anthonytravel.com/Charleston or by calling 1-888-632-6951. Additional information can be found on the Charleston Classic's official Web site at www.CharlestonClassic.com. The Gildan Charleston Classic is owned and operated by ESPN Events, a subsidiary of ESPN.