2012 BracketBusters Matchups Announced

Pairings for the 10th annual BracketBusters – a two-day men’s college basketball event pitting NCAA Championship hopefuls Friday, February 17 and Saturday, February 18 – were announced tonight, Monday, January 30. The field features No. 9 Murray State, the only undefeated team in the nation, against No. 16 Saint Mary’s, with a 21-2 record. The lineup also includes No. 12 Creighton and three additional teams receiving votes (Nevada, Wichita State and Long Beach State) in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ Poll.

BracketBusters will feature 13 nationally televised games across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3 selected from 142 eligible teams – the largest pool in the event’s history. ESPNU will air five games; ESPN2 and ESPN3 each have two exclusive; and four flex options to be televised on ESPN or ESPN2 (determined approximately one week before the game).

This year’s BracketBusters television package consists of teams from 14 conferences, including five from the Missouri Valley Conference; three from the Colonial Athletic Conference and Mid-American Conference; and two from Horizon League, Summit League, Western Athletic Conference and West Coast Conference.

BracketBusters highlights:

A top-25 matchup pitting No. 16 Saint Mary’s at No. 9 Murray State on Saturday, February, 18, at 5 p.m. on ESPN/ESPN2, as well as ESPN3.

Four 2011 NCAA Championship participants: UNC-Asheville, Akron, Old Dominion and VCU, which advanced to the Final Four Creighton, Murray State, Oral Roberts and Saint Mary’s have reached the 20-win plateau this season.

Twenty of the 26 teams are ranked in the top 100 of the NCAA Ratings Percentage Index (RPI): Creighton (18), Wichita State (24), Saint Mary’s (31), Murray State (33), Long Beach State (40), Northern Iowa (42), Iona (43), Oral Roberts (45), Davidson (49), Cleveland State (60), South Dakota State (64), Akron (66), Ohio (74), Nevada (76), Weber State (82), Missouri State (83), VCU (87), New Mexico State (88), Buffalo (93) and Drake (97)

2012 BracketBusters Schedule (All times are Central and are subject to change)

Fri, Feb 17
6 p.m. Northern Iowa at Virginia Commonwealth  - ESPN2 / ESPN3
8 p.m. Valparaiso at Loyola-Marymount - ESPNU

Sat, Feb 18
10 a.m. Drexel at Cleveland State - ESPNU
11 a.m. Wichita State at Davidson - ESPN / ESPN2 / ESPN3
12 p.m. Buffalo at South Dakota State - ESPNU
1 p.m. Akron at Oral Roberts - ESPN / ESPN2 / ESPN3
2 p.m. Drake at New Mexico State - ESPNU
3 p.m. Nevada at Iona  - ESPN / ESPN2/ ESPN3
4 p.m. Old Dominion at Missouri State -  ESPNU
5 p.m. No. 16 Saint Mary’s at No. 9 Murray State - ESPN / ESPN2 / ESPN3
6 p.m. UNC-Ashville at Ohio - ESPN3*
7 p.m. Texas-Arlington at Weber State - ESPN3*
9 p.m. Long Beach State at No. 12 Creighton - ESPN2 / ESPN3
* - exclusive

podcast 31, KG & the 5th Ward Wildcat

Topics: Houston Rockets and Chris Kaman trade rumor; Houston area colleges (HBU, UH, Prairie View, Rice, and TSU) scores and info; Guy V. Lewis Award; NCAA Mock Selection; NBA players in China and more!

mp3 | main page | iTunes | YouTube

Men's basketball finalists announced for 2011-12 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award

On Wednesday, ten NCAA® men’s basketball student-athletes who excel both on and off the court were selected as finalists today for the 2011-12 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition. The complete list of finalists follows this release.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

The finalists were chosen by a media committee from the list of 60 candidates announced in November. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to determine the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote on either the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award website or the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award Facebook fan page through March 18. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I men’s basketball head coaches’ votes to determine the winner.

Lowe’s, an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, will announce the men’s Senior CLASS Award® winner during the 2012 NCAA Men’s Final Four®, which will be held March 31 and April 2 in New Orleans.

For more information on all the finalists, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.


Men’s Basketball 2011-12 Finalists
William Buford - G, Ohio State
Ashton Gibbs - G, Pittsburgh
Draymond Green - F, Michigan State
Mick Hedgepeth - F, Belmont
Robbie Hummel - F, Purdue
Quinn McDowell - F, William and Mary
Ronald Nored - G, Butler
Zack Novak - G/F, Michigan
Zack Rosen - G, Pennsylvania
Tyler Zeller - F, North Carolina

Washington State's Faisal Aden Named Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has selected Washington State guard Faisal Aden as its Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week for games ending the week of Sunday, January 22. The USBWA's weekly honor is presented by Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook and will be handed out each Tuesday through February 21 this season.

As the Pac-12 Conference Player of the Week, Aden was nominated for the weekly award, which was chosen by a representative of the USBWA board of directors from a list of Division I conference players of the week.

Aden, a 6'4" senior from San Diego, CA, led the Cougars to a sweep over Stanford and Cal last week, defeating the Pac-12 leader each time. In the two games, he averaged 28.5 points and shot 65.5 percent (19-29) from the field. Aden scored a career-high 33 points against the Cardinal on Thursday, shooting 10-17 from the field while making all 13 free throw attempts. Aden also posted a season-best five rebounds to go with two assists and a steal in the 81-69 win.

Aden continued his scoring spree on Saturday in a 77-75 victory over the Golden Bears, going 9-12 from the field on his way to 24 points. He also was 6-7 from the free-throw line and grabbed two boards. He now has had four 20-point games this season and 10 in his career.

This is the third season that the USBWA has selected a national player of the week. The weekly Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week is added to the Oscar Robertson Trophy watch list, which will be released at mid-season.

Since the 1958-59 season, the USBWA has named a National Player of the Year. In 1998, the award was named in honor of the University of Cincinnati Hall of Famer and two-time USBWA Player of the Year Oscar Robertson. It is the nation's oldest award and the only one named after a former player.

At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for the award, which is voted on by the entire membership of the USBWA. The winner of the 2012 Oscar Robertson Trophy will be announced and presented by its namesake, Oscar Robertson, at the USBWA's annual awards breakfast on Fri., March 30 in New Orleans, site of the 2012 NCAA Men's Final Four.

2011-12 Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week
• Week of Dec. 11: Thomas Robinson, Kansas (Big 12 Conference)
• Week of Dec. 18: Mike Glover, Iona (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference)
• Week of Dec. 25: Doug McDermott, Creighton (Missouri Valley Conference)
• Week of Jan. 1: Kyle Weems, Missouri State (Missouri Valley Conference)
• Week of Jan. 8: Damian Lillard, Weber State (Big Sky Conference)
• Week of Jan. 15: Brandon Paul, Illinois (Big Ten Conference)
• Week of Jan. 22: Faisal Aden, Washington State (Pac-12 Conference)

Illinois' Brandon Paul is Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has selected Illinois guard Brandon Paul as its Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week for games ending the week of Sunday, January 15. The USBWA's weekly honor is presented by Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook and will be handed out each Tuesday through February 21 this season.

As the Big Ten Conference Player of the Week, Paul was nominated for the weekly award, which was chosen by a representative of the USBWA board of directors from a list of Division I conference players of the week.

Paul, a 6'4" junior from Gurnee, IL, had a career night in a 79-74 win vs. No. 5 Ohio State last Tuesday, scoring 43 points to go with eight rebounds and four blocks. The 43-point outburst was a career best, and marked the most points scored in a game by a Big Ten player since Purdue's Glenn Robinson in 1994. It's the second-highest individual scoring output of the season behind the 44 points scored by Creighton's Greg McDermott vs. Bradley.

In his only game of the week, Paul scored 28 points in the second half, including the Illini's final 15 points of the evening over the last 2:40. Paul shot connected on 11-15 from the field, including 8-10 from three-point range. The eight three-pointers matched a school single-game record.

This is the third season that the USBWA has selected a national player of the week. The weekly Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week is added to the Oscar Robertson Trophy watch list, which will be released at mid-season.

Since the 1958-59 season, the USBWA has named a National Player of the Year. In 1998, the award was named in honor of the University of Cincinnati Hall of Famer and two-time USBWA Player of the Year Oscar Robertson. It is the nation's oldest award and the only one named after a former player.

At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for the award, which is voted on by the entire membership of the USBWA. The winner of the 2012 Oscar Robertson Trophy will be announced and presented by its namesake, Oscar Robertson, at the USBWA's annual awards breakfast on Fri., March 30 in New Orleans, site of the 2012 NCAA Men's Final Four.

2011-12 Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week
• Week of Dec. 11: Thomas Robinson, Kansas
• Week of Dec. 18: Mike Glover, Iona
• Week of Dec. 25: Doug McDermott, Creighton
• Week of Jan. 1: Kyle Weems, Missouri State
• Week of Jan. 8: Damian Lillard, Weber State
• Week of Jan. 15: Brandon Paul, Illinois

Weber State's Damian Lillard is Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has selected Weber State guard Damian Lillard as its Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week for games ending the week of Sunday, January 8. The USBWA's weekly honor is presented by Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook and will be handed out each Tuesday through February 21 this season.

As the Big Sky Conference Player of the Week, Lillard was nominated for the weekly award, which was chosen by a representative of the USBWA board of directors from a list of Division I conference players of the week.

Lillard, a 6'3" junior from Oakland, CA, averaged 34 points, six rebounds and five assists for the week. He scored 30 points with seven rebounds, five assists and a blocked shot in the Wildcats' 79-71 win over Eastern Washington on Thursday. During the game, he scored his 1,500th career point.

Lillard followed that with 38 points, five assists and five rebounds an 88-81 victory over Portland State. Lillard scored 23 points in the first half, including a half-court 3-point shot at the buzzer to cut Portland State's lead to 51-44. In the two games last week, he shot 47.5 percent from the field, 57.1 percent from 3-point range, and 94.7 percent from the free-throw line.

Lillard leads the nation in scoring with an average of 26.3 points per game and has been selected as the Big Sky Conference Player of the Week four times this season.

This is the third season that the USBWA has selected a national player of the week. The weekly Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week is added to the Oscar Robertson Trophy watch list, which will be released at mid-season.

Since the 1958-'59 season, the USBWA has named a National Player of the Year. In 1998, the award was named in honor of the University of Cincinnati Hall of Famer and two-time USBWA Player of the Year Oscar Robertson. It is the nation's oldest award and the only one named after a former player.

At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for the award, which is voted on by the entire membership of the USBWA. The winner of the 2012 Oscar Robertson Trophy will be announced and presented by its namesake, Oscar Robertson, at the USBWA's annual awards breakfast on Friday, March 30, in New Orleans, site of the 2012 NCAA Men's Final Four.

2011-12 Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week
• Week of Dec. 11: Thomas Robinson, Kansas
• Week of Dec. 18: Mike Glover, Iona
• Week of Dec. 25: Doug McDermott, Creighton
• Week of Jan. 1: Kyle Weems, Missouri State
• Week of Jan. 8: Damian Lillard, Weber State

ESPNU Premieres Nolan Richardson Documentary 40 Minutes of Hell

On Saturday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m. CST, ESPNU will debut 40 Minutes of Hell, the latest installment in the new SEC “Storied” documentary series. The film explores the rise, fall and re-birth of a legendary coach -- Nolan Richardson -- and a time when the state of Arkansas was at the epicenter of American culture.

The film, produced by NASCAR Media Group and directed by Kenan Harris-Holley, includes interviews with former President Bill Clinton, Richardson himself, former Arkansas Chancellor John White and current Arkansas coach Mike Anderson. Players Corliss Williamson, Scotty Thurman, Corey Beck, Al Dillard, Ken Biley and John Engskov contribute to the film, as well as radio announcer Mike Nail, author Rus Bradburd and ESPN’s Dick Vitale and Ryan McGee.

Kyle Weems Named Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week

The U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) has selected Missouri State forward Kyle Weems as its Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week for games ending the week of Sunday, January 1. The USBWA's weekly honor is presented by Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook and will be handed out each Tuesday through February 21 this season.

As the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week, Weems was nominated for the weekly award, which was chosen by a representative of the USBWA board of directors from a list of Division I conference players of the week.

Weems, a 6'6" senior from Topeka, KS, helped the Bears open conference play 2-0 with a career-high 31-point output in Wednesday's win at No. 19 Creighton and 22 points in Saturday's home win over Drake. He was 21-for-34 (.618) from the field in the two games, including 5-of-6 (.833) from three-point range. He also led the team in rebounding in both games, averaging 8.0 caroms per game.

Weems was 11-for-22 from the field against Creighton with seven rebounds and knocked down all six free throws he attempted in the final 42 seconds to help the Bears secure their first-ever road win against a ranked opponent. He followed that with a 10-for-12 shooting effort against Drake with nine rebounds.

This is the third season that the USBWA has selected a national player of the week. The weekly Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week is added to the Oscar Robertson Trophy watch list, which will be released at mid-season.

At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for the award, which is voted on by the entire membership of the USBWA. The winner of the 2012 Oscar Robertson Trophy will be announced and presented by its namesake, Oscar Robertson, at the USBWA's annual awards breakfast on Fri., March 30 in New Orleans, site of the 2012 NCAA Men's Final Four.


2011-12 Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week
• Week of Dec. 11: Thomas Robinson, Kansas
• Week of Dec. 18: Mike Glover, Iona
• Week of Dec. 25: Doug McDermott, Creighton
• Week of Jan. 1: Kyle Weems, Missouri State

SEC Launches "We Back Pat" Week

The Southeastern Conference in cooperation with its 12-member institutions announces “We Back Pat” Week, a week-long initiative focused on bringing awareness and recognition to the Pat Summitt Foundation Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and its fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
               
During the week of January 15-22, SEC member institutions will support the Pat Summitt Foundation Fund during their home basketball games. During the 17 women’s and 12 men’s games slated for the week, various efforts will be made to increase awareness of the Pat Summitt Foundation Fund. Twenty of these games will be televised.  

“Pat Summitt is a leader both on and off the court.  The establishment of the Pat Summitt Foundation only reiterates this point.” said SEC Commissioner Mike Slive.  “We are pleased that the Southeastern Conference can play a small part in helping Pat reach her goals for The Foundation today and in the future.”

The Pat Summitt Foundation Fund will make grants to nonprofits which provide:
• Education and awareness of Alzheimer's, its onset and treatment
• Support services to patients, their families and caregivers
• Research to treat, prevent, cure, and ultimately eradicate this disease

Complete List of Men's Games During ‘WE BACK PAT WEEK’

17 (Tuesday)
*Auburn at LSU (ESPNU), 6:00 p.m.
*Arkansas at Kentucky (ESPN), 9:00 p.m. ET

18 (Wednesday)
*Tennessee at Georgia (SECN), 8:00 p.m. ET
*Mississippi State at Ole Miss (CSS), 8:00 p.m.

19 (Thursday)
*Vanderbilt at Alabama (ESPN/2), 6:00 p.m.

21 (Saturday)
*Alabama at Kentucky (CBS), Noon ET
*South Carolina at Auburn (SECN), 12:30 p.m.
Michigan at Arkansas (CBS), 1:00 p.m.
*Ole Miss at Georgia (SECN), 4:00 p.m. ET
UConn at Tennessee (CBS), 4:00 p.m. ET
*LSU at Florida (FSN), 6:00 p.m. ET
*Mississippi State at Vanderbilt (ESPN2), 6:00 p.m.

Lowry's 18 dimes leads Rockets over Hawks

If you're not following me on Twitter, please do so: TheHRReview.

I tweeted throughout Saturday's Rockets' 95-84 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

Here's my write-up (as well as a clip of Kyle Lowry's great blocked shot) of the game.

Happy New Year! Peace and Blessings to you and yours.

Creighton's McDermott is Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week

ST. LOUIS (USBWA) – The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has selected Creighton forward Doug McDermott as its Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week for games ending the week of Sunday, December 25. The USBWA's weekly honor is presented by Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook and will be handed out each Tuesday through February 21 this season.

As the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week, McDermott was nominated for the weekly award, which was chosen by a representative of the USBWA board of directors from a list of Division I conference players of the week.

McDermott, a 6'7" sophomore from Ames, Iowa, averaged 31.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists as Creighton picked up wins over Tulsa and Northwestern. McDermott shot 70.3 percent from the field (26-37), connected on 5-7 shots from three-point range (71.4 percent), and was perfect in five free-throw attempts.

He began his week with a career-high 35 points on Monday as the Bluejays handed Tulsa its worst home loss (83-64) since 2005-06. On Thursday against a 10-1 Northwestern team, McDermott had 27 points, five rebounds and a career-high five assists in an 87-79 win.

This is the third season that the USBWA has selected a national player of the week. The weekly Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week is added to the Oscar Robertson Trophy watch list, which will be released at mid-season.

Since the 1958-59 season, the USBWA has named a National Player of the Year. In 1998, the award was named in honor of the University of Cincinnati Hall of Famer and two-time USBWA Player of the Year Oscar Robertson. It is the nation's oldest award and the only one named after a former player.

At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for the award, which is voted on by the entire membership of the USBWA. The winner of the 2012 Oscar Robertson Trophy will be announced and presented by its namesake, Oscar Robertson, at the USBWA's annual awards breakfast on Friday, March 30, in New Orleans, site of the 2012 NCAA Men's Final Four.

Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, the most comprehensive college basketball publication in the world, returns for its 31st season, bigger and better in 2010-11. Blue Ribbon – long-known as "The Bible of College Basketball" – gives its readers the most thorough, up-to-date and timely evaluations of every Division I team in the country. For more information about Blue Ribbon Yearbooks, visit blueribbonyearbookonline.com.

2011-12 Oscar Robertson National Players of the Week
• Week of Dec. 11: Thomas Robinson, Kansas
• Week of Dec. 18: Mike Glover, Iona
• Week of Dec. 25: Doug McDermott, Creighton

NBA Scores Record Ratings on Christmas Day

The NBA tipped off the 2011-12 regular season by delivering record ratings across TNT, ABC and ESPN. 

The new season began on TNT as 5.9 million viewers tuned to the New York Knicks against the Boston Celtics making it the most viewed Christmas Day game in cable history, according to Nielsen. The game – in which the Knicks edged the Celtics 106-104 – was up 46 percent in viewers (4.0 million) and 48 percent in fast national ratings (4.0 vs. 2.7) over last year’s Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks game (ESPN). The game ranks as the fourth most watched regular season game in cable television history. 

ABC then presented its second most-viewed Christmas Day doubleheader (9.9 million viewers) featuring its third most-viewed regular season game ever as 11 million viewers tuned to watch the Chicago Bulls edge the Los Angeles Lakers, 88-87. The network tipped off its season earlier in the day with the Miami Heat defeating Dallas Mavericks 105-94, delivering 9 million viewers, up three percent, and a 4.9 fast national rating, up seven percent (4.6) over last year’s Boston Celtics-Orlando Magic game. 

ESPN capped off the Christmas Day action when the network nearly doubled its audience, including Los Angeles Clippers vs. the Golden State Warriors, which became ESPN’s highest-rated Christmas Day game ever in primetime (2.2 vs. 1.3) based on fast national ratings. In the first contest, the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Orlando Magic game was up 27 percent in viewers versus last year’s game (2.6 million vs. 2.0 millions) and up 29 percent in fast national ratings (1.8 vs. 1.4) while the Clippers vs. Warriors was up 74 percent in viewers (3 million vs. 1.7 million) and up 69 percent in fast national ratings (2.2 vs. 1.3) over last year’s Portland Trail Blazers vs. Golden State Warriors game. 

Spurs at Rockets, preseason -- Road Construction Note

Due to on-going downtown construction, fans attending Saturday night’s 7:00 p.m. Rockets game may experience slight delays getting to ToyotaCenter.  Traffic detours will be posted at the corner of LaBranch and Rusk streets as those roads will be closed to traffic for the weekend beginning on Friday 12/16/11 at 10:00 p.m.

Toyota Center patrons are advised to use Caroline street and turn onto Leeland in order to access ToyotaCenter.

David Stern's Statement Regarding

This statement from David Stern regarding the reason why the Chris Paul, 3-team trade was rescinded was released seven hours ago:

“Since the NBA purchased the New Orleans Hornets, final responsibility for significant management decisions lies with the Commissioner's Office in consultation with team chairman Jac Sperling. All decisions are made on the basis of what is in the best interests of the Hornets. In the case of the trade proposal that was made to the Hornets for Chris Paul, we decided, free from the influence of other NBA owners, that the team was better served with Chris in a Hornets uniform than by the outcome of the terms of that trade.”

Seven hours later, Stern's words still leave many people shaking their heads.

NBA BOG ratified 10-year CBA

The NBA Board of Governors, with a 25 to 5 vote, has ratified a new 10-year collective bargaining agreement, enabling training camps and the free agency period for the 2011-12 season to begin on Fri., Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. CST. As previously announced, the NBA will begin its 66th season on Christmas Day.

The agreement includes a 50-50 split of basketball-related income, a higher luxury tax with progressive tax rates and the retention of a soft salary cap system. The maximum length of player contracts will be five years (previously six) and maximum annual increases in salaries will be 7.5% for teams re-signing their own players and 4.5% for teams signing other teams' free agents.

The NBA and NBPA have agreed to form a committee to discuss issues related to the NBA Draft and NBA D-League, including Draft eligibility rules, the Draft combine, the number of rounds in the Draft and rules related to the assignment of NBA players to the D-League.

The NBA Board of Governors also voted Thursday to approve a new revenue sharing plan that will quadruple the funds previously shared among NBA teams.

KEY AGREEMENT POINTS
The following are the key points agreed to by the NBA and the Players Association in their new 10-year collective bargaining agreement:
• Players and owners agreed to a 50/50 split of basketball-related income (BRI). However, depending on BRI, players can receive as high as 51% or as low as 49%.
• The Salary Cap will remain soft and has been set for the 2011-12 season at $58.044 million.
• The maximum length of a player contract will be reduced by one year, from six years for a team's own players and five years forother players, to five years and four years, respectively.
• Salaries in new player contracts may increase by up to 7.5% per year for a team's own players and 4.5% per year for other free agents.
• Three Mid-Level exceptions now exist:
- For non-taxpayers: Mid-Level exception set at $5 million in 2011-12 and 2012-13, growing 3% annually thereafter; maximum contract length is four years.
- For taxpayers: Mid-Level exception set at $3 million, growing 3% annually thereafter; maximum contract length of two years.
- For teams operating with salary cap room: Mid-Level exception set at $2.5 million, growing 3% annually thereafter; maximum contract length of two years.
- For the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, the tax rate is $1 for every $1 in salary over the tax level.
-Beginning with the 2013-14 season, tax rates for incremental spending above the tax level will increase as follows: $0-5 million over tax level - $1.50 for $1; $5-10 million over tax level - $1.75 for $1; $10-15 million over tax level - $2.50 for $1; $15-20 million over tax level - $3.25 for $1.
- Rates increase by $0.50 for each additional $5 million above tax level.
• The amount of money that can be withheld from player salaries under the "escrow" system is 10%; if escrow funds are insufficient to reduce salaries and benefits to 50%, 1% benefit fund is available to make up shortfall.
• Traded Player Exception for non-taxpayers increased to the lesser of 150% of salaries of players being traded or the salaries of players being traded plus $5 million. For trades in which the salaries being traded exceed $20 million in total, the Traded Player Exception for non-taxpayers will be 125% of such salaries plus $100,000.
• Traded Player Exception for taxpayers remains at 125% of the salaries of players being traded plus $100,000.
• Except during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, teams are prohibited from using a sign-and-trade if their team salary post-transaction would exceed the tax level by more than $4 million. Sign-and-trade contracts will have a maximum length of four years and receive 4.5% annual increases.
• For the first five years of the CBA, each team will be permitted to waive one of its player contracts that was in effect prior to the 2011-12 season and have 100% of the player's salary removed from the team's salary for Salary Cap and Tax purposes. Each team may use this provision only once over the life of the agreement.
• The NBA's drug testing program has been strengthened to include up to two offseason tests for performance-enhancing drugs per year, increased penalties for performance-enhancing drugs and blood testing for HGH once the test is validated by a neutral panel of scientific experts.
• Veteran NBA players can be assigned to their team's NBA D-League affiliate for rehabilitation assignments with the players' consent. Beginning in 2012-13, players in their first three seasons in the NBA may be assigned to the D-League an unlimited number of times each year.
• The NBA and NBPA will create a committee to discuss issues related to the NBA Draft and NBA D-League, including Draft eligibility rules and rules related to the assignment of NBA players to the D-League.
• Non-discrimination language was added into the agreement that protects players from discrimination, including based on sexual orientation.
• Term of the contract is 10 years, with both the NBA and NBPA holding the ability to opt out after the sixth year.

NEW YORK -- The NBA today released its complete 2011-12 regular-season schedule and broadcast schedules for ABC, ESPN, TNT, NBA TV, and NBA on ESPN Radio, contingent on the timely ratification of the new collective bargaining agreement. The league's 66th season will feature each team playing 66 regular-season games and was unveiled Tuesday night exclusively on NBA TV at 6 p.m. CST.

Here's the official press release. | National tv schedule

Check out the Houston Rockets' 2011-'12 schedule.

NBA announces Christmas Day games

NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 2011 – The NBA today announced that the league’s 66th season will tip off Christmas Day with a five-game slate, contingent on timely ratification of the new collective bargaining agreement.

The Boston Celtics, featuring their All-Star foursome of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Rajon Rondo, visit the New York Knicks (11 a.m. CST) with their dynamic tandem of Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire. 

The action then will shift to ABC for an afternoon doubleheader when in a rematch of The Finals, 2011 Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki and All-Star Jason Kidd lead the reigning champion Dallas Mavericks against the Miami Heat and its power trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in the first
game (1:30 p.m. CT). Prior to tip-off, Dallas will raise its NBA championship banner. The second game features the Chicago Bulls, who won a league-best 62 games last season, visiting the Los Angeles Lakers (4 p.m. CT) with perennial All-Star Kobe Bryant making his record-tying 13th Christmas Day appearance.

ESPN will round out the day with a pair of matchups. Two-time NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant leads the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Orlando Magic, which features three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard (7 p.m. CT). Afterward, the Los Angeles Clippers and 2010-11 NBA Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin visit the Golden State Warriors and rookie head coach and former NBA great Mark Jackson (9:30 p.m. CT).

The 2011-12 NBA season will feature each team playing a 66-game schedule.

The full regular-season and broadcast schedules will be released at a future date.

NBA ON CHRISTMAS DAY GAMES

Boston Celtics at New York Knicks 11 a.m. CT TNT
Miami Heat at Dallas Mavericks  1:30 p.m. CT ABC
Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers  4 p.m. CT ABC
Orlando Magic at Oklahoma City Thunder 7 p.m. CT ESPN
Los Angeles Clippers at Golden State Warriors  9:30 p.m. CT ESPN

podcast 26 from KG & the 5th Ward Wildcat

Episode 26 -- Topics include Houston area college scores; Houston Cougars football in C-USA Championship; UH and Rice men's and women's basketball; NBA is back; and more!

mp3 | Main page | iTunes

Basketball Never Stops: Durant-style

Basketball Never Stops (w/ help from the legendary Sam Cooke):

2011-2012 NBA Schedule Breakdown

It is so much better to type / discuss NBA games, schedules, free agents, trades, etc. rather than litigation, BRI, "he said, he said" rhetoric.

For example, here is a general breakdown of what the 2011-2012 NBA schedule will look like for the 30 teams:

2011-12 NBA Schedule Breakdown
Regular Season Start Date: December 25, 2011
Regular Season End Date: April 26, 2012
Playoffs Start Date: April 28, 2012
Last Possible Finals Date: June 26, 2012

Individual Team Schedule Breakdown

Conference Games: 48
• Play 6 teams 4 times (2 home, 2 away)
• Play 4 teams 3 times (2 home, 1 away)
• Play 4 teams 3 times (1 home, 2 away)

Non-Conference Games: 18
• Play 3 teams 2 times (1 home, 1 away)
• Play 6 teams 1 time at home
• Play 6 teams 1 time away

Back to Back to Backs: All teams with at least 1; no more than 3

Playoff Back to Backs: Possible in second round

NBA owners, players reach deal

December 9th.

Mark your calendars, NBA fans.

Training camp and free agency will begin on that date because EARLY (2:42 a.m. CST) Saturday morning the NBA owners and the NBA players reached a "handshake deal to end the lockout".

Details of the agreement are written here via Chris Sheridan and here via David Aldridge and Steve Aschburner.

The 2011-2012 NBA season will begin Christmas Day; and, the regular season will consist of 66 games.

Merry Thanksgiving.

podcast 24, "KG & the 5th Ward Wildcat"

Topics: Houston area college scores; Oklahoma State tragedy (Rest in peace); UH, Rice, and TSU men's basketball; women's college basketball; ESPN GameDay; Houston Cougars football; changes to the BCS; and more!

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