Sports

Several Candidates for No. 2 Spot Behind Unbeaten Kentucky

Published

11 years ago

February 17, 2015

Virginia head coach Tony Bennett instructs from the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against the NC State in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)

AARON BEARD, AP Basketball Writer

There’s no argument about who is No. 1.

The second-best team in the nation behind Kentucky, however, is up for debate.

This week, Virginia is the No. 2 in the Top 25. But Gonzaga keeps winning out West. Duke is led by a freshman who is probably the nation’s best big man. Wisconsin has experienced talent. And Villanova, coming in at No. 6 this week, can be a tough matchup with its ability to shoot the 3-pointer.

It would have been an easier choice before Virginia lost guard Justin Anderson to a finger injury. As long as he’s out, the Cavaliers are in flux.

And that opens the door for Wisconsin.

The Badgers aren’t the most explosive team, but they can go on efficient runs that turn close games into blowouts. Beyond the obvious stats, they protect the ball (No. 21 nationally in turnover margin), rebound (No. 21 in rebounding margin) and avoid mistakes (third in assist-to-turnover margin).

If senior floor leader Traevon Jackson, who is out as he recovers from a January foot injury, can get all the way back, the tournament-tested Badgers have the look of a team to trust.

Here’s a closer look at the candidates in the race for No. 2 behind the undefeated Wildcats:

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NO. 2 VIRGINIA

The Cavaliers (24-1) are miserable to play against. They control tempo and play defense that makes opponents work for everything. The reigning Atlantic Coast Conference champions also have experience and complete trust in coach Tony Bennett’s formula.

But losing Anderson for several weeks makes things tougher. He’s a physical guard averaging about 13 points and shooting an ACC-best 48 percent from 3-point range, and the Cavs won their first two games without him by a combined five points before Monday’s 61-49 win against Pittsburgh.

“They miss (Anderson), but they’ve still got a really, really good team that understands Tony’s system and they play very well together,” said Wake Forest coach Danny Manning, whose team lost 61-60 to the Cavaliers on Saturday.

___

NO. 3 GONZAGA

Gonzaga’s offense is humming. The Zags (26-1) entered the week shooting a national-best 52.7 percent and leading the country in points per 100 possessions (127.7) in a show of efficiency, according to STATS. Kentucky transfer Kyle Wiltjer gives the Zags an inside-outside scorer alongside a strong backcourt. And their only loss came at now-No. 7 Arizona in overtime.

“We’re as balanced as probably we’ve ever been up here,” coach Mark Few after last week’s win against Loyola Marymount.

But Gonzaga remains an annual mystery in one respect: Trying to measure its West Coast Conference dominance against power-conference teams. The Zags have played just two ranked opponents this year and haven’t survived the tournament’s opening weekend since 2009.

___

NO. 4 DUKE

Freshman big man Jahlil Okafor has been as good as advertised, averaging 18.2 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting 67 percent. He’s also a solid passer against steady double teams to create openings for Quinn Cook, Tyus Jones and Justise Winslow. Wins at both Virginia and Wisconsin say plenty about this team’s upside.

“There’s not one key when you’re playing Duke,” North Carolina coach Roy Williams said. “You’ve got to play a total game.”

But the Blue Devils (22-3) struggled defensively in losses to North Carolina State and Miami, particularly against dribble penetration. Kicking Rasheed Sulaimon off the team this month didn’t help on that front, either, leaving the Blue Devils vulnerable to foul trouble with only eight scholarship players — though all were McDonald’s All-Americans in high school.

___

NO. 5 WISCONSIN

Preseason All-American 7-footer Frank Kaminsky can score (17.3), rebound (8.3) and shoot from outside, while Sam Dekker and Nigel Hayes are strong frontcourt sidekicks on a veteran team coming off a Final Four run.

Wisconsin (23-2) is also one of the nation’s most efficient offensive teams, ranking second to Gonzaga in points per 100 possessions, according to STATS.

The Badgers miss Jackson running the show for them, though sophomore Bronson Koenig has filled in well. And the defense isn’t exactly of the lockdown variety.

“I’d still like to see more production from the eight guys that hit the floor,” Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan said. “And that includes the starters, in some ways: rebounding, defense. So I’ll always find things.”

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NO. 6 VILLANOVA

When Villanova (24-2) is playing well — as during its first-half domination of Georgetown — the Wildcats are a scary matchup with their ability to spread the floor. They also have tremendous balance with six guys averaging at least 9.2 points led by Darrun Hilliard, who hit a game-winner at Butler on Saturday.

But they rely heavily on the 3 (eight made per game), so what happens if the shot isn’t falling? And Villanova has had a recent history of late-season fades, last reaching the round of 16 in 2009.

“We’ve been good enough to win,” Villanova coach Jay Wright said after this month’s win against Marquette, “but I really think we’re a work in progress.”

___

Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardap

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

3 weeks ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

7 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

10 months ago

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Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.