Atlantic 10 Power Rankings: Checking in with the coaches

By CHRIS GOFF ISL Correspondent Trying to make sense out of the Atlantic 10 isn’t easy. Almost 42 percent of the games this season have been decided by six points or fewer. Projections by leading bracketologists have Butler, VCU, Saint Louis, La Salle and Temple in the NCAA tournament, but there is no guarantee any […]

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Indiana’s Victor Oladipo flying up NBA draft boards

By COLLIN O’CONNOR ISL Correspondent Everyone has seen his highlight-reel plays: the steals, the dunks, the acrobatic passes on the interior. Victor Oladipo’s athleticism has never been in question since he arrived at Indiana, but his abilities as a basketball player were very raw coming out of high school. Two years into his career with […]

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First Thoughts: Nets 89, Pacers 84

By CHRIS GOFF ISL Correspondent Let’s take a quick look at how the Brooklyn Nets came back for an 89-84 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. WHY IT HAPPENED:  The Pacers overcame a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter, but Joe Johnson made a 10-footer on the move […]

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Andrew Smith to sit Wednesday with abdominal injury

By CHRIS GOFF ISL Correspondent Butler center Andrew Smith will miss Wednesday night’s game against Charlotte, coach Brad Stevens announced Monday. Smith suffered an abdominal injury during Saturday afternoon’s 59-56 victory over George Washington. Stevens said there was no damage to Smith’s ribs. With the ball loose at one point, Smith attempted to pursue it […]

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Samples: Major League Baseball preview

By CHUCK SAMPLES ISL Correspondent Pitchers and catchers report this week, and for the first time in a long time, I’m excited to say that. Part of it is the time of year. Part of it, though, is the resurgence of my favorite team (Baltimore) and the interest surrounding the team closest to me personally […]

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Samples: Kansas hoops conundrum and Shakespeare’s Richard III

By CHUCK SAMPLES ISL Correspondent Loosely translated: A point guard! A point guard! A (conference) title for a point guard! Near the end of William Shakespeare’s Richard III, the featured character is leading his troops into a battle. The night before, ghosts of his victims appear in his dreams repeatedly, tormenting the king and openly […]

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First Thoughts: Indiana 81, Ohio State 68

By CHRIS GOFF ISL Correspondent Let’s take a quick look at how the Indiana Hoosiers pulled off an impressive 81-68 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday afternoon at Value City Arena. WHY IT HAPPENED:  Indiana’s frontcourt trio of Victor Oladipo, Christian Watford and Cody Zeller dominated this game almost from start to finish. […]

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First Thoughts: Butler 59, George Washington 56

By CHRIS GOFF ISL Correspondent Let’s take a quick look at how the Butler Bulldogs survived in a 59-56 victory over the George Washington Colonials on Saturday afternoon at the Charles E. Smith Center. WHY IT HAPPENED:  No. 14 Butler withstood an offensive drought of epic proportions down the stretch, scoring just four points in […]

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Klemet: Purdue needs to “fight back” against Michigan State

By SAM KLEMET ISL Correspondent Purdue and Michigan State have developed a rather contentious relationship over the past two seasons. The foes have exchanged blows both literally and figuratively. Saturday, Michigan State has a chance to deliver a knockout blow to a team that has been wobbling on the mat. For Purdue, the showdown in West Lafayette […]

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