Career Legacy of AJ Rizzo - CH2k11

[R1zzo23]

Re: Career Legacy of AJ Rizzo - CH2k11

JuCo sophomore center Freddy Braxton visited UNH's campus this week. The 6'10" big man loved his trip and according to his dad is leaning towards committing to the Wildcats.

If UNH can sign both Braxton and three-star JuCo soph PF Jerrod Finley, they would sure up their front line for two seasons. #UNH

Coach Rizzo just visited Jerrod Finley at home. He said it was a good sit down with Jerrod's family, but they still have work to do to get him to sign.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Career Legacy of AJ Rizzo - CH2k11

Feb 20, 2011 - SBU at UNH
TEAM	1ST	2ND	SCORE
Stony Brook (10-16)	29	30	59
New Hampshire (7-18)	27	22	49

Feb 23, 2011 - UNH at UMBC
TEAM	1ST	2ND	SCORE
New Hampshire (8-18)	27	17	44
UMBC (10-17)	21	22	43

Feb 23, 2011 - UVM at UNH
TEAM	1ST	2ND	SCORE
Vermont (13-14)	20	20	40
New Hampshire (9-18)	32	26	58

The Wildcats end the regular season on a two-game winning streak. With an entire week off before the conference tournament starts, let's hope that the injured players can all return to form to help New Hampshire make a push to possibly win the conference tournament. It may be a long shot, but it's their only chance to make the NCAA tournament.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Career Legacy of AJ Rizzo - CH2k11

Winston Sorrentine, 6'7" PF from Brooklyn, visited the UNH campus this past weekend. He was "pleasantly surprised with the campus and coaching staff" and will make his decision tougher.

Quinippiac was well ahead in the race for Sorrentine, but with that campus visit, they seem to be neck and neck with both schools offering a scholarship.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Career Legacy of AJ Rizzo - CH2k11



With the conference tournament right around the corner, it seems like the Wildcats will be as healthy as they have been all season. After separating his shoulder, reserve guard Ryan Herrion is back and fully ready to compete at the highest level. He will be leaned on heavily for scoring off the bench.

Also returning is freshman shooting guard Scott Morris who is finally back after breaking his wrist two months ago. The added punch will be a huge addition to the bench depth of this team. Herrion and Morris are the first two players expected to come off the bench for this team.

With the good comes the bad, but it is not devastating. In the final game of the regular season, starting small forward Ferg Myrick tweaked a hamstring and is listed as day-to-day. According to Myrick, he will play through the pain. He was quotes as to saying "it's sore and hurts to make all the moves I am used to, but it's not bad enough to keep me from helping this team win in the conference tournament."

[R1zzo23]

Re: Career Legacy of AJ Rizzo - CH2k11

America East Conference Conference Standings - Updated: Mar 3, 2011
TEAM	REC	PCT	CONF	PF	PA	STRK
Boston University	17-11	.607	11-5
Stony Brook	11-17	.392	10-6
Binghamton	14-14	.500	9-7
Hartford	19-12	.612	9-7
Vermont	14-14	.500	8-8
UMBC	12-17	.413	8-8
New Hampshire	9-18	.333	6-10
Maine	12-16	.428	6-10
Albany	8-20	.285	5-11

AEC Basketball Leaders - Updated: Mar 3, 2011
Points Per Game	PPG	Rebounds Per Game	RPG
1. Zeglinksi - HART	20.4	1. McAllister - USB	7.6
2. Wright - BING	20.3	2. Wasco - UMBC	7.6
3. Glass - UVM	17.3	3. Estes - HART	6.5
4. Singleton - ME	13.9	4. Piotrowski - BU	6.0
5. Rugg - UVM	13.4	5. Rapier - USB	5.9
Assists Per Game	APG	Steals Per Game	SPG
1. Groce - UMBC	4.7	1. Wasco - UMBC	1.7
2. Rhoads - UNH	4.6	2. Singleton - ME	1.7
3. Rouse - USB	4.1	3. Wilcher - ME	1.6
4. Pena - BING	3.7	4. Marsails - UVM	1.6
5. Singleton - ME	3.4	5. Voelkel - UVM	1.6
Blocks Per Game	BPG
1. Wright - BING	1.8	1.
2. Rugg - UVM	1.4	2.
3. Fry - UMBC	1.2	3.
4. Voelkel - UVM	0.8	4.
5. Piotrowski - BU	0.5	5.

NCAA Hoops Rankings - AP Top 25 - Updated: Mar 3, 2011
RK	LW	TEAM (VOTES)	RECORD
1	1	West Virginia	24-5
2	3	Pittsburgh	24-5
3	4	Duke	22-6
4	2	Kansas	22-6
5	5	Georgetown	21-7
6	7	Florida State	23-7
7	8	Marquette	22-7
8	9	Connecticut	19-9
9	6	Ohio State	19-10
10	10	Texas	21-8
11	11	Michigan State	18-9
12	13	North Carolina	18-12
13	12	Tennessee	20-9
14	14	Temple	22-7
15	20	Indiana	19-10
16	22	UTEP	22-6
17	15	Washington State	21-8
18	25	Illinois	19-11
19	--	Louisville	17-13
20	19	Missippi State	18-11
21	17	Memphis	18-12
22	21	USC	16-11
23	24	Seton Hall	19-11
24	18	Middle Tennessee State	19-8
25	16	Notre Dame	17-12

NCAA Basketball Leaders - Updated: Mar 3, 2011
Points Per Game	PPG	Rebounds Per Game	RPG
1. L. Dunn - BAY	30.2	1. A. Thompson - SHSU	11.8
2. K. Lawson Jr. - CREI	28.9	2. C. Kucinskas - COPP	10.9
3. J. Pullen - KSU	28.1	3. N. Stapert - WMU	10.4
4. D. Morrison - ORU	27.9	4. D. Simpson - FAU	10.4
5. H. Barnes - UNC	26.8	5. J. Cole - IOWA	10.1
Assists Per Game	APG	Steals Per Game	SPG
1. R. Moquete	6.2	1. J. Smith - RAD	2.6
2. C. Tapley - SDSU	5.6	2. C. Sights - PV	2.5
3. R. Moore - WSU	5.6	3. C. Jackson - SIE	2.5
4. J. Coleman - HAW	5.5	4. T. Kenny - WSS	2.4
5. J. Youngblood - RID	5.3	5. C. Stanley - L-IL	2.4
Blocks Per Game	BPG
1. C. Black - BGSU	2.4	1.
2. G. Biruta - RUT	2.3	2.
3. T. Harris - TEN	2.3	3.
4. A. Booker - ISU	2.1	4.
5. J. Johnson - PUR	2.1	5.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Career Legacy of AJ Rizzo - CH2k11

America East Conference Tournament Tree - 2011

Boston University
UNH/Albany

Vermont
Binghamton

UMBC
Hartford

Maine
Stony Brook

***UNH & Albany square off in a play-in game. Winner plays BU.***

[R1zzo23]

Re: Career Legacy of AJ Rizzo - CH2k11

Mar 7, 2011 - ALB at UNH
TEAM	1ST	2ND	SCORE
Albany (8-21)	17	27	44
New Hampshire (10-18)	21	28	49

Albany
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
J. Iati	15	4-6	0-0	1-1	1	2	0	0	0	9
T. Ambrose	25	2-6	2-6	1-2	0	1	0	0	4	7
R. Watts	29	4-8	0-1	2-3	3	4	0	0	0	10
J. Lindfors	20	0-4	0-0	0-0	4	1	1	0	3	0
F. Uril	27	4-6	1-1	1-3	6	0	2	0	1	10
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
L. Aronhalt	13	1-2	0-1	2-2	1	1	0	0	0	4
L. Devlin	5	0-0	0-0	0-0	1	0	0	0	1	0
D. Tartt	6	1-3	0-2	0-0	1	0	0	0	2	2
B. Allen	6	0-1	0-0	0-0	0	1	0	0	2	0
R. Moore	2	0-0	0-0	0-0	1	0	1	0	0	0
J. Puk	1	1-2	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	2
B. Metcalf	1	0-0	0-0	0-0	1	0	0	0	1	0
TEAM TOTALS		17-38	3-11	7-11	18	10	4	0	14	44

New Hampshire
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
C. Rhoads	23	2-3	0-0	1-1	5	5	0	0	4	5
D. Buckley	26	4-8	0-2	2-5	2	0	2	0	2	10
F. Myrick	18	0-1	0-0	1-2	0	0	0	0	0	1
J. Valladares	17	2-5	1-2	2-5	3	0	0	0	0	7
C. Matagrano	23	3-5	0-1	4-4	3	1	0	0	3	10
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
S. Morris	12	0-1	0-0	0-0	4	0	0	0	1	0
R. Herrion	12	2-4	0-2	2-4	0	1	0	1	0	6
A. Abreu	7	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	1	0	1	1	0
T. Conley	4	1-2	1-2	1-2	0	0	0	0	0	4
P. Konan	2	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	1	0
K. Nyanquila	3	2-2	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	4
D. DiLiegro	3	1-1	0-0	0-1	1	0	0	0	0	2
TEAM TOTALS		17-32	2-9	13-24	18	8	2	2	12	49

Although it was a defacto play-in game, Coach Rizzo and the New Hampshire Wildcats get a win in the AEC tournament. Now waiting for them is the #1 seed Boston University. UNH and BU split their season series one game a piece, but this is the biggest meeting of them all.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Career Legacy of AJ Rizzo - CH2k11

Mar 8, 2011 - UNH at BU
TEAM	1ST	2ND	SCORE
New Hampshire (10-19)	14	9	23
Boston University (18-11)	26	37	63

New Hampshire
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
C. Rhoads	23	3-7	0-0	1-2	4	1	0	0	3	7
D. Buckley	24	0-7	0-3	1-2	1	0	0	0	5	1
F. Myrick	24	1-7	0-1	1-2	0	2	0	0	1	3
J. Valladares	20	0-3	0-0	1-2	2	0	1	0	2	1
C. Matagrano	22	2-3	0-1	4-7	8	0	2	1	1	8
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
S. Morris	12	1-3	1-2	0-0	2	0	1	0	0	3
R. Herrion	12	0-3	0-3	0-0	0	0	1	0	2	0
A. Abreu	7	0-1	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
T. Conley	2	0-1	0-1	0-0	1	0	0	0	0	0
P. Konan	1	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
K. Nyanquila	2	0-2	0-1	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
D. DiLiegro	1	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
TEAM TOTALS		7-37	1-12	8-15	18	3	5	1	14	23

Boston University
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
D. Irving	20	2-6	1-3	0-0	1	4	0	0	0	5
T. Robinson	16	1-5	1-2	0-0	5	1	0	0	3	3
J. Holland	6	1-2	1-2	1-2	4	0	0	0	1	4
J. O'Brien	4	0-0	0-0	0-0	2	0	0	0	0	0
M. Piotrowski	10	1-2	0-0	0-1	1	0	1	0	0	2
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
D. Partin	20	3-5	1-1	2-2	4	1	2	1	2	9
P. Hazel	17	1-3	1-2	2-2	5	0	0	0	0	5
J. Pelage	21	4-4	0-0	2-2	4	0	1	0	3	10
H. Gaskins	26	7-19	5-13	4-6	8	2	0	0	0	23
M. Griffin	4	0-0	0-0	2-2	2	1	0	0	0	2
D. Morris	3	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
M. Thomas	3	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
TEAM TOTALS		20-46	10-23	13-17	36	9	4	1	9	63

Well, I guess the Wildcats aren't big fans of playing games on back-to-back days...

[R1zzo23]

Re: Career Legacy of AJ Rizzo - CH2k11

America East Conference Tournament Results

Boston University - 63
UNH - 23

Vermont - 52
Binghamton - 42

UMBC - 43
Hartford - 52

Maine - 76
Stony Brook - 56
________________________

Boston University - 52
Vermont - 46

Hartford - 66
Maine - 57
________________________

Boston University - 69
Hartford - 55

The Boston University Terriers will represent the America East Conference in the NCAA tournament!

[R1zzo23]

Re: Career Legacy of AJ Rizzo - CH2k11

2010-2011 Season Awards

NCAA Champions	Marquette Golden Eagles [29-8]
		PPG	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG
Player of the Year	Lacedarius Dunn - Baylor	29.3	3.7	2.6	1.7	0.0
Mid-Major PoY	Kenny Lawson, Jr. - Creighton	28.3	7.0	0.9	0.5	0.6
Coach of the Year	Jamie Dixon - Pittsburgh
Defensive PoY	Kyle Singler - Duke	16.7	8.0	3.3	1.6	0.7
Big Man of the Year	Jonathan Mitchell - Rutgers	25.1	6.5	2.0	2.0	0.0
Freshman of the Year	Harrison Barnes - UNC	26.0	6.3	1.7	1.6	0.4
First Team All-American	Jacob Pullen - KSU	26.8	1.9	2.6	1.7	0.1
	Lacedarius Dunn - Baylor	29.3	3.7	2.6	1.7	0.0
	Harrison Barnes - UNC	26.0	6.3	1.7	1.6	0.4
	Jonathan Mitchell - RU	25.1	6.5	2.0	2.0	0.0
	Kenny Lawson, Jr. - CREI	28.3	7.0	0.9	0.5	0.6
Second Team All-American	Kemba Walker - CONN	24.9	2.3	2.6	1.7	0.0
	Jimmer Fredette - BYU	25.2	2.2	2.2	1.4	0.1
	Kyle Singler - DUKE	16.7	8.0	3.3	1.6	0.7
	Dominique Morrison - ORU	28.1	6.5	0.2	0.7	0.1
	Tobias Harris - TENN	21.0	6.7	2.2	10.8	2.3
Freshman All-American	Ian Miller - FSU	22.7	2.7	2.9	1.6	0.0
	Charles Jenkins - HOF	22.2	2.4	1.7	0.9	0.2
	Harrison Barnes - UNC	26.0	6.3	1.7	1.6	0.4
	Patric Young - FLA	20.4	4.8	1.3	1.2	0.6
	Tobias Harris - TENN	21.0	6.7	2.2	10.8	2.3
Conference Champions
America East Conference	Boston University Bulldogs
Atlantic Coast Conference	Duke Blue Devils
Atlantic 10 Conference	Temple Owls
Big East Conference	West Virginia Mountaineers
Big Ten Conference	Ohio State Buckeyes
Big 12 Conference	Kansas Jayhawks
Pacific-10 Conferece	Washington States Cougars
Southeastern Conference	Tennessee Volunteers
AEC Coach of the Year	Patrick Chambers - BU
AEC Player of the Year	Zach Zeglinkski - HART	20.6	3.6	2.8	1.4	0.0
AEC Freshman of the Year	Clancy Rugg - UVM	13.3	4.6	2.3	0.7	1.5
AEC First-Team	Zach Zeglinkski - HART	20.6	3.6	2.8	1.4	0.0
	Gerald McLemore - ME	10.5	4.3	2.4	1.0	0.0
	Ralph Watts - ALB	8.9	4.7	3.1	0.9	0.2
	Greer Wright - BING	20.5	5.3	0.6	1.1	1.9
	Matt Piotrowski - BU	6.6	5.6	1.0	0.9	0.5
AEC Second-Team	Raheem Singleton - ME	14.7	0.5	3.2	1.7	0.1
	Bakari Smith - UMBC	10.3	2.8	1.7	0.8	0.0
	Brian Voelkel - UVM	4.4	4.7	0.6	1.6	0.7
	Matt Glass - UVM	17.1	4.7	0.5	0.3	0.0
	Chris Matagrano - UNH	8.8	4.7	0.2	0.7	0.0
Freshman All-Conference	Henry Gaskins - BU	12.4	3.5	2.9	1.0	0.1
	Travis Robinson - BU	7.7	2.4	1.1	1.1	0.4
	Ralph Watts - ALB	8.9	4.7	3.1	0.9	0.2
	Clancy Rugg - UVM	13.3	4.6	2.3	0.7	1.5
	Matt Piotrowski - BU	6.6	5.6	1.0	0.9	0.5

[R1zzo23]

Re: Career Legacy of AJ Rizzo - CH2k11

2011 Coaching Carousel: A Legend Retires

Shortly after the Marquette Golden Eagles cut down the nets after winning the national championship, the coaching carousel began to spin with one of the game's biggest names calling it quits. Lute Olsen, the long time coach of the Arizona Wildcats, has decided to walk away from the game once and for all. Arizona made it to the Sweet 16 in his final year as coach and they weren't looking to take a step back, so they quickly named his replacement.

Mark Few, the young and energetic coach from Gonzaga, will stay on the west coast and make the jump from mid-major to elite program as he replaces Olsen at Arizona. Few has had his name thrown around for the past few years as he has turned Gonzaga into a WCC powerhouse. Let's see what he can do in a major conference.

With Mark Few jumping ship, Gonzaga went in to panic mode and may have been a little impatient in deciding on their replacement as they chose former Hartford coach Dan Leibovitz. Not sure if he was first on their list or just the first to interview, but they must have liked what they saw as he will take over the mid-major power.

Hartford makes a big splash by signing Kevin O'Neill as their new coach. After serving as Arizona's assistant coach, he was told that he would be Olsen's successor, but things didn't work out the way he had liked as they brought in Mark Few, so he moved out to the Northeast and took over for Hartford. Looks like Coach Rizzo has got some serious competition waiting for him.Valparaiso had an unexpected loss at coach as Homer Drew stepped down as head coach. After the season, Coach Drew said that he needed to spend more time with his family and would be leaving the coaching ranks for now. Replacing Drew is the former Boston College coach Al Skinner. After being out of the game for a full season, he jumps back in at Valpo and will have his work cut out for him.

Last, but certainly not least, is a coach who has a ton of potential. Unfortunately, he didn't get the big time college offer many would have thought. Jackson State's coach Tevester Anderson officially retired, but the school moved quickly and grabbed top assistant Josh Pastner. Pastner worked under John Calipari for years and was in line to become a head coach at a major school. He should be able to pull in some great talent at Jackson State and could turn them in to a powerhouse within a couple years.

It's rare to see only five schools making coaching changes, but there were some pretty big names changing places and starting anew at these fine institutions.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Career Legacy of AJ Rizzo - CH2k11

New Hampshire Wildcat Player Departures

Name	POS	OVR	Status
James Valladares	PF	62	Graduated
Alvin Abreu	SG	58	Graduated
Tyrone Conley	PG	57	Graduated
Dane DiLiegro	PF	57	Graduated

[R1zzo23]

Re: Career Legacy of AJ Rizzo - CH2k11

Two Wildcat Targets Sign Elsewhere

April 13, 2011

Durham, NH - The first day in the off-season recruiting period left the New Hampshire coaching staff scrambling to find recruits to replace the two that got away. Richard Esparza, a 6'1" point guard and Mr. Basketball of Maine, decided to stay and play for his home university. The Black Bears were the favorites to land him all season, but UNH held out hope that maybe they could sneak up his board.

The bigger loss for UNH is Winston Sorrentine, who actually held a scholarship offer from Coach Rizzo. The 6'7" power forward from Brooklyn, NY decided to play at Quinnipiac. Perhaps Sorrentine believed that JuCo sophomore Jerrod Finley would sign with UNH and eat away at his minutes for two seasons, but that move hasn't transpired yet.

With Sorrentine going elsewhere, Coach Rizzo now has one scholarship to hand out plus three that he is still awaiting a decision on. These next five weeks will be a huge indicator on how next season will play out as they are very thin in the front court.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Career Legacy of AJ Rizzo - CH2k11

First day he could, Coach Rizzo was in Elizabeth, NJ to visit Jerrod Finley once again. He is pushing hard to make him a Wildcat. #UNH

Visit with Finley went well, but #UNH loses out on JuCo soph center Freddy Braxton, who signed with Cornell this past week.

[R1zzo23]

Re: Career Legacy of AJ Rizzo - CH2k11

UNH Signs Two Prospects

After a long season of recruiting, Coach Rizzo could only pull in two recruits this year. Recruiting is a steep learning curve, so hopefully the young coach can use this as a learning tool for next year. If he can bring in some good talent, the AEC is a conference to be had and there's no reason why the Wildcats can't be champs.

The first signing of Rizzo's career was Junior College sophomore power forward Jerrod Finley. The three-star prospect out of New Jersey as been at the top of the target list for the whole season and it was a great relief once he finally signed. A bit undersized at 6'5", Finley plays bigger than his size on defense and can stretch the floor with his jumper. A great addition to the roster, it's a shame that he only has two years of eligibility remaining.

The other signing is Moises Butch out of Hartford, CT. The two-star point guard prospect is just added depth behind Rhoads and Herrion and will most likely red-shirt his first year on campus. He's a steady hand at the point, but his offense leaves a lot to be desired.