Dancing Bulldogs. Drake wins MVC Tourney title
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USA Today
15 hours ago
- USA Today
Celtics reveal 5 fun facts about second-round pick Max Shulga
Max Shulga established himself as the 57th pick in the 2025 NBA draft, and the Boston Celtics recently dropped some quick facts about their two-way rookie guard. Shulga was the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year at VCU, averaging 15 points, 5.9 rebounds, four assists and 1.8 steals on 38.7% shooting from 3-point range as a fifth-year senior. He ranked ninth in the conference in points (526) and eighth in the country in win shares (7.0). The 6-foot-5 Ukrainian played the first three years of college at Utah State before following coach Ryan Odom to Richmond. He helped the Rams to a 28-7 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament in their second season under Odom. Here is one of the facts offered by team writer Taylor Snow: Shulga and fellow Celtic Neemias Queta were previously teammates at Utah State. The pair met up for dinner a few weeks before the 2025 Draft when Shulga was in Boston for a workout. Shulga debuted with the Celtics in the NBA Summer League, averaging five points, 3.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.6 rebounds in five appearances. He had a summer league-high seven points, two assists and two steals in a win over the New York Knicks on July 13. The 23-year-old will split his time next season between the NBA and the Maine Celtics in the G League. He is eligible to be active for up to 50 games in the NBA and will earn $636,435, which is equal to 50% of the minimum salary applicable to a player with zero years of service. Shulga will now have the chance to begin his career with the Celtics and develop within the organization. He is currently the second player signed to a two-way contract, along with the recently acquired RJ Luis.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Syracuse men's basketball: the 'science' behind how the Orange are building their 2025-26 schedule
As the Syracuse Orange men's basketball team slowly reveals its schedule for the 2025-26, fans may have noticed some major differences compared to usual. Among them, making decisions like not playing Georgetown or putting its usual yearly games against Cornell and Colgate on hold. Some might think it's odd, but in reality, it could be a key for Syracuse to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in half a decade. A recent story from sheds light on how Syracuse and the rest of the ACC more tactically constructed their non-conference schedules during the summer. Specifically, how the schedules can reflect better in the NET — a key metric in the Selection Committee's process to see who makes the tournament field. To date, Syracuse's non-conference schedule is close to being fully filled out. It includes a gauntlet in Las Vegas for the Player's Era Tournament, where the Orange are already guaranteed to face two top-20 opponents per Bart Torvik (No. 1 Houston and No. 17 Kansas), plus a third to-be-determined opponent that could very be ranked top-50 in the metrics. Of course, there's the annual SEC/ACC Challenge where 'Cuse will once again be facing Tennessee (No. 13 in Bart Torvik), this time at home. But after that, there's nothing too crazy or scary on paper. For the remaining eight confirmed games on the non-con slate, six are at home. In those home matchups, three of them are opponents Bart Torvik has ranked outside the top-300 in its rankings: Stonehill (No. 318), Mercyhurst (No. 362), Binghamton (No. 332). The other half are teams ranked between No. 188 (Monmouth) and No. 239 (Hofstra), with Northeastern at No. 218 sandwiched in the middle. Syracuse's other two non-games are against St. Joe's (No. 99) and Drexel (No. 265), both neutral-site. And yes, some fans might be thinking: doesn't it make sense to play teams like Colgate and Cornell, in-state opponents where the Orange have a lengthy history competing against. Of course it does, Paul Brazeau — the ACC's senior associate commissioner of men's basketball — told in that story. But, in terms of the NET, absolutely not. This quote in particular stood out: 'Let's take Colgate,' Brazeau said. 'Because at the end of the year, they're gonna be at best a bottom Quad 3. So, you gotta beat them by 40 to make a difference? What are we doing here?' All of these decisions certainly seem calculated. The broader goal coming from the conference down to teams: squeeze every inch of potential out of the NET and avoid scheduling teams that do absolutely nothing for your NET, and to be honest, probably do more harm than good. Take a look at Syracuse's non-con schedule last year, for example. The Orange finished 6-5 in their out of conference slate in 2024-25. The wins came against Le Moyne (by four), Colgate (by two), Youngstown State (by nine in double-overtime), Cornell (by ten), Albany (by 17) and Bucknell (by 12). Here is how those opponents ranked to end the year, per KenPom: Le Moyne: No. 354 Colgate: No. 261 Youngstown State: No. 199 Cornell: No. 129 Albany: No. 275 Bucknell: No. 226 So, Syracuse only had two of the wins come by double-figures, and just one opponent was outside the top-300 in KenPom. How about the losses? Syracuse dropped its games versus Texas (by four, neutral-site), Texas Tech (by five, neutral-site), Tennessee (by 26, road), Georgetown (by four, home) and Maryland (by 27, neutral-site). There was some missed opportunities (particular the Texas and Texas Tech games), but on the flip side, why play G-Town (No. 90 in KenPom) just to maybe win, when 'Cuse can play some team outside the top-300 in the NET, and hope to smoke them by 30 or 40. Again, playing Georgetown every year makes all the sense in the world, from keeping the historic series going to the general interest among fans on both sides. It doesn't for the NET, or for maximizing the Orange's chances at making the NCAA Tournament… for better or worse. Syracuse's 2025-26 schedule was made with a clear strategy: cut out the middle and maximize the periphery. Play those two or three Q1 games and hope to win at least one, then push for matchups that would reflect better in the eyes of the NET, even if the matchups aren't as intriguing or historically relevant. That's also partly why the ACC made the move to trim the number of conference games a year from 20 to 18. Those are two extra games that can go to a team like Syracuse diversifying its resume (aka: schedule Stonehill) over playing a 50-50 matchup against the Florida State's and Notre Dame's of the world. Last year, just four ACC teams made the NCAA Tournament; only Duke was able to get past the First Round. The conference in recent years has received fewer spots to go to the Big Dance. Now, it's hoping teams like Syracuse can not only turn things around by being more efficient with their scheduling, but that doing so will get more teams in the field. Of course, whoever the opponent is, Syracuse will still need to handle business enough times. But unlike recent years, there is clearly a calculated plan here with the schedule, even if it leaves out a few usual opponents.
USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
Spartans to reportedly play regular NCAA Tournament team in season-opener
Colgate has made the NCAA Tournament five of the last seven seasons as the Patriot League champions Michigan State basketball's season-opening opponent has been released. College basketball insider Jon Rothstein reported a handful of notable opening night matchups for the upcoming 2025-26 season, which included the Spartans' opener. According to Rothstein, Michigan State will play Colgate in the season-opener on November 3. The game will be played at the Breslin Center, according to Rothstein. Colgate went 14-19 last season, and finished in third place in the Patriot league. Prior to last year, Colgate had reached the previous four NCAA Tournaments and five of the last six. The full Michigan State schedule has not yet been released, but it should be coming out very soon. The Spartans will be playing an exhibition game at UConn in the middle of November as a prep matchup for this season opener against Colgate. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
