Month: April 2023

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Son of Former NBA All-Star Point Guard Transferring to TCU, per Report

After spending just over two weeks in the transfer portal, sought-after junior guard Jameer Nelson Jr. has reportedly made a decision on where he will continue his college career.

Nelson, the son of former NBA All-Star and St. Joseph’s star point guard Jameer Nelson, announced Friday he has committed to play for TCU and coach Jamie Dixon, according to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello. The Horned Frogs will reportedly land Nelson following the former Delaware star’s decision to enter the transfer portal on March 14.

A first-team All-CAA talent this past season, the 6-foot-1 Nelson turned in his best collegiate campaign in 2022–23, averaging 20.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Nelson, who was in second season with Delaware, began his career in 2019 at George Washington, where he averaged 9.4 points, 2.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game across two years.

The Blue Hens, led by seventh-year coach Martin Ingelsby, did not make the NCAA tournament and finished the year 17–16 after falling to Towson in the quarterfinals of the CAA tournament. The disappointing season followed a 2021–22 campaign where Delaware, with Nelson as their leading scorer (13.6 PPG), earned the program’s first CAA title and NCAA tournament berth since 2014. The fifteen-seeded Blue Hens went on to lose to No. 2 Villanova in the first round.

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Author: Jelani Scott

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ESPN Reveals Record-Setting Ratings for Women’s Final Four

The Women’s Final Four captivated millions across the country on Friday evening, and the viewership numbers back it up. 

ESPN revealed that the 2023 Women’s Final Four was its most viewed edition of the NCAA Division I women’s college basketball semifinal across ESPN platforms in recorded history, according to viewership data from Nielsen’s fast nationals. 

Per ESPN, across its platforms, the two NCAA tournament semifinal games averaged 4.5 million viewers, up 66% from last season’s Final Four games. 

In particular, Caitlin Clark and Iowa’s matchup against Aliyah Boston and South Carolina drew the most eyes, with ESPN reporting as many as 5.5 million viewers, an increase of 72% from 2022.

The matchup between LSU and Virginia Tech was viewed by 3.4 million viewers, an increase of 57% year over year. 

On ESPN+, the network’s streaming service, the two semifinal matchups were the most-viewed college basketball games ever on the platform among men’s and women’s games, indicating just how great the appeal was over Friday night’s games.

Clark and the Hawkeyes punched the program’s first-ever national championship ticket as the junior guard dropped 41 points in a 77-73 victory over the Gamecocks. 

Iowa will take on LSU on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. EST in the national championship. 

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Author: Karl Rasmussen

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Grant Hill Attempted a Putt During Final Four Broadcast and Jim Nantz’s Call Was Fantastic

Unlike Florida Atlantic and San Diego State, which hit nearly every three-pointer they hoisted up in the first half of their Final Four showdown, Grant Hill came up short with perhaps the simplest shot taken over the first twenty minutes.

No, seriously.

The two-time NCAA champion, who starred in his time with Duke before a career in the NBA, struggled to nail a 12-foot putt during the first half of the Final Four showdown between the Owls and the Aztecs. CBS play-by-play man Jim Nantz provided the commentary for the pressure-laced putt and delivered with yet another call for the ages.

After blowing the simple putt during a timeout, Hill blamed hearing Nantz calling the birdie attempt in his ear.

“I got nervous hearing your voice, c’mon now,” Hill said with a laugh.

Add another memorable highlight to Nantz’s legendary career at the Final Four. However, this hilarious one will not be one Hill would like to see re-aired. 

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Author: Frankie Taddeo