Jelan Kendrick Returns to Practice, Marshall Dismisses Haymon

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Last time we checked in with Jelan Kendrick, the freshman guard was suspended by team officials for a possible "verbal threat" that he made to one of his teammates. However, Head Coach Josh Pastner only called it a "personal issue."

Memphis acquired Kendrick with knowledge of his off the court issues and fights that resulted in him jumping high schools, and AAU teams.

Nonetheless, the talented freshman guard has returned to practice for the Memphis Tigers. The Tigers are currently ranked No. 19 in the country and it's mostly due to its talented backcourt.

He hasn't got the nod as to when he will play his first game, but the good news is he will be playing for the Tigers this season.

The Marshall Thundering Herd dismissed their forward Antonio Haymon after being arrested Saturday Head Coach Tom Herrion said during an announcement.

The Thundering Herd didn't lose a lot with Haymon. 6-foot-6 Haymon averaged 4.9 points, and grabbed 2.9 rebounds for Marshall last year.

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Oregon Reveals New Basketball Court, Looks Real Tight

Posted by CoHoops Josh Dhani

Oregon revealed their new basketball court, and it looks like what Oregon would do. They do some tight things with their football program, now here they do it with basketball. It looks real nice. Take a look:

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Duke Reels In Point Guard Quinn Cook

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Quinn Cook, a 6-foot-1 guard from Oak Hill Academy recruitment has constructed a lot of buzz lately. His top three featured the North Carolina Tar Heels, UCLA Bruins, and Duke Blue Devils.

Tar Heels Head Coach Roy Williams grappled the chance to come visit point guard Cook recently but did not travel. That potentially damaged the chances of the 'Heels acquiring Cook.

Cook has coherently been pegged with Duke, and with Austin Rivers committing the Blue Devils seemed to make sense.

UCLA also made sense with the notion, that Cook could team up with Norman Powell and the Bruins always do a great job with guards.

Nonetheless, Cook ended the suspense with a verbal commitment to Duke. "It's just an honor for me to play there," Cook said.

Cook will team up with Rivers in what he said will be a "scary, scary" backcourt. "We knew by our visit together that we were going to play together," said Cook about teaming up with Rivers.

Cook followed up by saying his decision took longer because he wanted to make sure and talk to his family before making a commitment.

Kyrie Irving's decision to stay or go will not effect Cook at all saying it's a "win-win" situation for him. "If Kyrie [Irving] stays I'll get a chance to go against the best point guard in college basketball every day," Cook said. "If he leaves it's the opportunity for me to start. It's a win-win situation in my eyes."

Cook joins an already stacked 2011 class that features No. 1 overall player Rivers, top-five small forward Michael Gbinije, and center Marshall Plumlee.

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Big East Conference Preview

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Last season, the Big East conference was respected as the best in College Basketball. 10-of-16 teams embraced a winning conference record, while three teams were below 500 overall.

That benefited eight conference teams when Selection Sunday came around. The NCAA tournament would soon feature eight Big East teams.

This season, the same respect is due to the tough Big East conference.

The Big East embraces a tough Pittsburgh Panthers team that is currently ranked number five in the nation. Villanova's Corey Fisher is apart of the Big East as well.

Fisher scored 105-points this summer in a pick-up, and all Big East spectators will witness his ability once conference season comes about.

Jamie Dixon's Panthers were favored by the coaches to win the Big East conference capturing 12-of-16 first place votes.

Syracuse acquired two first place votes, and Villanova along with St. Johns both pocketed one each.

Most Talented Team
Pittsburgh Panthers - The Pittsburgh Panthers finished 25-9 last season with a 13-5 conference record after returning one starter from the year before. This season, the Panthers only lost one starter from last year's second round team. Ashton Gibbs, and Brad Wanamaker are the notable players returning that are ready to continue the Panthers Big East dominance.

Big East Sleeper
Seton Hall Pirates - The Seton Hall Pirates raised a lot of eyebrows with their performance in the Big East last season. The Pirates embraced the Big East's third leading scorer Jeremy Hazell, and rebounding leader Herb Pope. Hazell, and Pope both returned to Seton Hall for another season of College Basketball. With both Hazell and Pope partnered with transfer Eniel Poynice, a transfer from Ole Miss, the Pirates could dance this year. Seton Hall was selected to finish 11th in the Big East, but with scoring threat Hazell back the sky is the limit for the Pirates.

Team to Disappoint
West Virginia Mountaineers - West Virginia lost both De'Sean Butler, and Devin Ebanks from last years Final Four squad. Despite returning second-leading scorer Kevin Jones the Mountaineers will have a tough time replacing the contributions of Butler and Ebanks. The Mountaineers offense was ran through both Butler and Ebanks. Bob Huggins will have a tough time surviving as a number five seed in a tough Big East conference.

Team to Watch
Villanova Wildcats - The Villanova Wildcats could be flip-flopped in the above category. The Wildcats returned Corey Fisher who scored 105-points in a pick up game this summer. Villanova will rely on fisher to lead the team in the right direction. That is a tough task for someone who has never led a college program foregoing. If Fisher collars the role of leader, while implementing his scoring ability the 'Cats are in great hands. Villanova will only go as far as Fisher takes them.

Big East Player of the Year
Ashton Gibbs (PITT) - Ashton Gibbs, a junior guard for Pittsburgh accumulated 15.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and shot 39 percent from three as a sophomore. Without Jermaine Dixon in the starting lineup, expect to see more constant production from Gibbs. His offense is part of the equation, but Gibbs defense this season is what will place him over the top.

Most Improved Player
Peyton Siva (UL) - Peyton Siva took the backseat to Edgar Sosa during his freshman season. This season, Siva will lead the attack for the Cardinals and claimed the starting position. Remember, coming out of High School Siva was one of the more explosive guards in the country, which is one of the reasons why he was a McDonald's All-American. The talent is still there for Rick Pitino it's only a matter of time before we are all witnesses.

Top Newcomer
Fab Melo (SYR) - Fab Melo is a very great talent. Melo is a legit 7-foot center with exceptional length. With his long arms on offense the entry pass should not be a problem. On defense, Melo will able to block and alter a lot of shots. I expect to see Melo ignite the Syracuse frontcourt, grab a lot of rebounds, block shots and become one of the best young centers in the game.

All-Big East Team
Guards: Ashton Gibbs (Pitt), Austin Freeman (GTWN), Jeremy Hazell (HALL), Corey Fisher (Vill), Kemba Walker (UConn), Forward(s): Kevin Jones (WVU)

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Ben McLemore Deciding Between Missouri, and Kansas

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Ben McLemore's recruiting journey will continue at least two more weeks. A source with knowledge of McLemore's recruitment told me that he would decide amongst the Missouri Tigers and Kansas Jayhawks in the early signing period. McLemore has taken visits to both Kansas and Missouri, with the Jayhawks as the frontrunner.

McLemore, a 6-foot-5 guard from Oak Hill Academy overwhelms a lot of scouts with his athleticism. McLemore is the project that can blossom on the next level. He gets great lift on his jump shot, which expands to the three-point line.

He can also bring the ball inside and finish strong with monster dunks, and acrobatic lay ups.

His only blemish is his frame. He has very long arms, but lacks muscle. With dedication, McLemore will embrace a frame suitable for the challenges in the Big 12.

McLemore's talents could commend both Kansas, and Missouri. Despite Kansas being the reported frontrunner, Mizzou make more sense. He has a great frame with long arms. He has lockdown defender all over him. Under Mike Anderson, McLemore will grappled defensive tactics as well as continuing his scoring ability.

Nonetheless, Jayhawk fans are pretty confident that they will see McLemore in Lawrence next year. McLemore is set to declare either November 15th or 17th.

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