CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Gerry McNamara, the former Syracuse basketball star, is now the coach tasked with reviving the fledgling program. Syracuse has missed the last five NCAA Tournaments, a stark contrast to its glory days under Jim Boeheim. McNamara, hired in March, is determined to bring the team back to national prominence. He emphasizes competitiveness and has already brought three players from the successful Siena team that nearly upset No. 1 Duke in the NCAA Tournament in March. McNamara's deep connection to Syracuse and his reputation are seen as assets in fundraising and recruiting. He believes his experience and understanding of the program can lead Syracuse back to success.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Virginia's Thijs De Ridder and Johann Grünloh adapted well to their first year as international pro players shifting to American college basketball. That transition was key in helping the Cavaliers win 30 games and play for an Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament championship in coach Ryan Odom's first season. Grünloh said Wednesday during the ACC's preseason media days that the transition “worked out pretty well for us.” De Ridder is from Belgium and Grünloh is from Germany. Odom says the key is helping them feel comfortable “like they're part of a family.”
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Jordan Faison came to Notre Dame as one of the nation’s top lacrosse recruits. Football was more of an afterthought for the prep quarterback who played in a Wing-T offense. Now the roles are reversed. Once content with walking on to the football team, Faison gave up lacrosse so he could become a prime target on a national championship contender. Faison leads the third-ranked Fighting Irish with 25 catches, 371 yards and four TDs and heads into Saturday's game against Stanford coming off an eight-catch, 132-yard game in the rainy victory at North Carolina. Faison’s next test comes Saturday when the Irish take on Stanford (2-3).
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — California changed offensive coordinators at halftime of the Golden Bears’ loss to UNLV last week. Coach Tosh Lupoi confirmed that he stripped offensive coordinator Jordan Somerville of play-calling duties and promoted passing game coordinator Pat McCann to the role during the team’s 39-31 loss to the Rebels. Cal has gotten off to a rough start in Lupoi’s first season with the offense struggling outside of one game against FCS-level Wagner. Somerville was hired as coordinator despite having no experience in the role. He had been assistant quarterbacks coach and a passing game specialist for Tampa Bay in the NFL.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Louisville coach Pat Kelsey took a deep dive into the transfer portal to boost the Cardinals' competitiveness in the Atlantic Coast Conference and against physical teams. This offseason, Kelsey secured eight transfers, including Kansas big man Flory Bidunga, the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Louisville has the No. 2-ranked transfer portal class, behind St. John's. Kelsey hopes to improve the Cardinals' rebounding and defense after being eliminated in the second round of last year's NCAA Tournament. The Cardinals added several four-star talents, hoping to maintain their fast-paced offense after losing Mikel Brown Jr. to the NBA draft.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner Jim Phillips says he isn't worried about four member schools supporting changes to the Protect College Sports Act. He highlighted the league's health and financial gains. Clemson, Florida State, Miami, and North Carolina want to increase the bill's membership cap for conferences and remove the requirement for a school to be independent for three years before joining another league. Phillips said he will continue to facilitate conversations but emphasized the conference's strong position. He declined to speculate on whether schools intend to leave, stating the conference is healthy and functioning well.
UNDATED (AP) — No. 2 Georgia at No. 6 Alabama and No. 21 UCLA at No. 13 Oregon are the top games in Week 6 of the college football season. The stakes have been high whenever the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide meet the last dozen or so years and this year is no different. This is only the fourth regular-season game between the teams since 2007. Seven other meetings were at neutral sites for SEC or national championship games. UCLA is 4-0 in Bob Chesney’s first season. The Bruins have one more win than a year ago.
