East Carolina

Carolinas/Region

Conference USA

February 5, 2006
Super Bowl Sunday

From Bonesville.net
-Myatt: Game slips away from Pirates in OT
-BVL: ECU vs. Houston Box Score
BVL Audio: ECU-Houston postgame interviews
Nuggets: Notes from ECU, C-USA and beyond
� Bass may be in line for new ECU post
� SMU AD Copeland calling it quits
� Bunting experiences technical difficulties
� C-USA Basketball Scoreboard & Schedule

From ecupirates.com
-Lady Pirates Rally To Beat Marshall, 57-56
-Men's Basketball Falls In Overtime To Houston
-Swimming & Diving Teams Split With UNCW
-ECU Women's Tennis Takes Pair in South Carolina
-ECU's Kim Lewellen To Appear On The Big Break V

From the Greenville Daily Reflector
-Turnovers haunt ECU
-Pirate women prevail

Houston rallies past ECU in overtime
Kinston Free Press

ECU falls to Houston in overtime game
Washington Daily News

UH survives East Carolina
   Dyer propels Cougars to win at line in overtime
Houston Chronicle

Houston Holds Off East Carolina In Overtime, 64-60
   Lanny Smith scored 20 points, Oliver Lafayette netted 18 points and Ramon Dyer tallied 17 points and a career-high 18 rebounds to lead Houston to a 64-60 overtime win against East Carolina on Saturday.
uhcougars.com

Mills, Pirates edge Herd
   East Carolina's Cherie Mills scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Pirates to a 57-56 win over Marshall
Huntington Herald Dispatch

February 4, 2006

From Bonesville.net
-Nuggets: Notes from ECU, C-USA and beyond
� Here come Cougs and fully-cognizant Penders
� Wolfpack bats light up for A-Rod
� History of the NCAA now in print
� C-USA Basketball Scoreboard & Schedule
WNCT: Talk of The Town

Pirate Game Day
Men's Basketball vs. Houston
 5:00 pm ET - Greenville, NC
 Gametracker/CSTV Media Link
Women's Basketball vs. Marshall
 7:30 pm ET - Greenville, NC

From ecupirates.com
-Men's Basketball Game Day Central
   East Carolina will look to post back-to-back Conference USA home wins for the first time this season as it hosts the University of Houston Cougars inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on Saturday afternoon.
-Lady Pirate Basketball Gameday Central
   The East Carolina women's basketball team will square off against Marshall Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. inside Minges Coliseum.

Houston's Penders finds success with junior college players
   In 17 years of coaching at the collegiate level, Houston men's basketball coach Tom Penders had never recruited a junior college player.   But a run to the Elite Eight of the 1990 NCAA tournament changed his approach.
Greenville Daily Reflector

Women: Well-rested Herd eyes end to skid
   Coming off the toughest scheduling stretch of the season, the Thundering Herd has had equal parts rest and practice this week while getting ready for today's game at East Carolina.
Huntington Herald-Dispatch

Sammy Batten on ECU's class (mp3 file)
   High school football players around the country signed with colleges Wednesday. Fayetteville Observer college football recruiting expert Sammy Batten discusses the Class of 2006.
Fayetteville Observer

Jimmy Bass, MSU senior associate director for development and marketing resigns
   ...he is considering is the newly created post at East Carolina University of senior associate athletic director for external affairs, a similar job to the one he had at Mississippi State. Bass has worked at ECU in the past.
Jackson Clarion-Ledger

February 3, 2006

From Bonesville.net
-Mumau: Hoops Recruiting Report
� ECU's big man of the future honing raw skills
-BVL Lists: C-USA team-by-team recruiting classes
-Nuggets: Notes from ECU, C-USA and beyond
� FSU blue chipper says analyst advocated Irish
� Golden Eagles work the home front
� Pirate softball hurler gets preseason honor
� C-USA Basketball Scoreboard & Schedule
WNCT: Talk of The Town

From ecupirates.com
-Softball Picked To Finish Second In C-USA Preseason Coaches' Poll
   East Carolina junior Keli Harrell was tabbed as the C-USA Preseason Pitcher-of-the-Year.
-Women's Soccer Program Announces 2006 Class
-Pirates Sweep Mount Olive In Home Tennis Opener

From the Greenville Daily Reflector
-Freshman making her point known for Lady Pirates
   Don't expect to see East Carolina point guard Jasmine Young arguing with an official on the basketball court.  When you grow up with one in the house, you tend to gain a healthy respect for them.
-Diamond Bucs polish defensive assignments
-Around Campus: ECU's Holland rallies spirits for chamber growth
   Organizers decked out ECU's Murphy Center like Pirate sports central to ignite a membership fever, with purple pompoms, pennants, Pirate football helmets as table centerpieces, and even the university's athletics director, Terry Holland, as honorary campaign co-chairman and featured speaker.
-Around Campus: What's hidden below Shearin's "Surface?"
   When East Carolina University professor John Shearin auditioned for a part in NBC's prime-time TV show "Surface," he hadn't even seen an episode.

East Carolina Baseball Preview
Raleigh News & Observer

IA recruiting roundup in North Carolina
   East Carolina head coach Skip Holtz had to wait longer than most college coaches to complete the Pirates 2006 recruiting class.
Shelby Star

February 2, 2006
Groundhog Day

From Bonesville.net
-Myatt: View From The 'ville
� Recruiting class of '06 represents upgrade
-BVL List: Roster of ECU's Recruiting Class of 2006
BVL Audio: Skip Holtz Signing Day press conference
-AP: Marshall fends off Pirates
-BVL: ECU vs. Marshall Box Score
-Nuggets: Notes from ECU, C-USA and beyond
� Bailey heads for Starkville via Iraq
� Texas A&M gridders vie in "Big Splash"
� C-USA Basketball Scoreboard & Schedule
WNCT: Talk of The Town

From ecupirates.com
-East Carolina Football Announces 2006 Signees
   Replenishing personnel shortages at the offensive line and linebacking positions, and enhancing the height and athleticism of his skill and secondary personnel were all addressed by East Carolina Head Football Coach Skip Holtz as the Pirates announced their 23-member 2006 signing class Wednesday.
-ECU Falls to Marshall in Tough Road Battle, 72-66
   Mark Patton scored 17 points to lead Marshall to a 72-66 win over East Carolina on Wednesday.

From the Greenville Daily Reflector
-Immediate impact
   Two stars, three stars or five, East Carolina coach Skip Holtz certainly didn't ponder the internet's football recruiting sites to find the 23 players who signed letters of intent Wednesday to play at ECU.
-Conference USA victory eludes Pirates against Marshall
   The East Carolina men's basketball team couldn't find an answer for Marshall center Mark Patton and couldn't find its mark from long range on Wednesday night.

Thundering Herd Defeat East Carolina, 72-66
herdzone.com

Herd gets back on track
   The Thundering Herd (9-10) defended and ran its way to a 13-point first half lead and kept East Carolina (7-13, 1-6) at arm's length the remainder of the way ...
Huntington Herald Dispatch

Pirates sign 23 players
   Coming off its most successful season since 2001, East Carolina and head football coach Skip Holtz announced his second signing class with enthusiasm. �This is a really exciting day for East Carolina football,� Holtz said.
Kinston Free Press

East Carolina�s Holtz introduces his second recruiting class
New Bern Sun Journal

A big sign of relief
   But in the case of Richmond�s Norman Whitley, East Carolina assistant coach Junior Smith came up with a new and fresh recruiting pitch to get his man.
Fayetteville Observer

From the Washington Daily News
-Pirates announce 2006 signees; nine new players are from N.C.
    No college football team has ever won a game in February, at least none that Pirates coach Skip Holtz can remember. Yet, there�s so much emphasis put on National Signing Day.
-Diamond Pirates visit Washington�s Zac�s Deli
   As is tradition, the Beaufort County Pirate Club provided a meet-and-greet party for members to rub elbows with the ECU baseball coach as his season nears.

From the New Bern Sun-Journal
-Reynolds inks with Pirates
   New Bern cornerback happy process is over
-East Carolina�s Holtz introduces his second recruiting class

From the Charlotte Observer
-College Notes
   East Mecklenburg linebacker Nick Johnson signed with East Carolina
-Holtz signs 23 in first full recruiting season with Pirates

Marshall hangs on for 72-66 win over ECU
   ... drafty on the defensive end, but Marshall made up for it on offense to chalk up a much-needed 72-66 Conference USA victory over East Carolina Wednesday night. ...
Charleston (WV) Gazette

Marshall starts February with victory over ECU
   After going 0-3 at home in January, Marshall started off February with something to celebrate, a 72-66 win over East Carolina.
Beckley Register-Herald

Recruiting comes easier for Holtz
News 14 Charlotte

Gates open for Stallions
   .... Burney signed with the University of North Carolina (at Chapel Hill), Marshall with East Carolina University and Cumberland with Navy, all prominent DI programs. ...
Jacksonville Daily News

February 1, 2006
National Signing Day

From Bonesville.net
-Bradsher: The Bradsher Beat
� Attention riveted on talent hunt's climax
-Nuggets: Notes from ECU, C-USA and beyond
� Marshall crash will become film theme
� Memphis soccer faces professional team
� Green Wave gets Omaha rings
� C-USA Basketball Scoreboard & Schedule
WNCT: Talk of The Town

Pirate Game Day
Men's Basketball vs. Marshall
 7:00 pm ET - Huntington, WV
 Gametracker/CSTV Media Link

From the Greenville Daily Reflector
-Dishing it out
   Keeping those around him pleased has always come easy for McNeil, who is on the verge of etching his name in the record books once again as ECU travels to Marshall tonight. When the Pirates and Thundering Herd tip off at 7, McNeil needs just three assists to break the school's single-season record of 122, which he set last season.
-Pirate football expected to sign about 24 players
   Twenty-four very important faxes will be expected in the East Carolina University football office this morning, the second layer of head coach Skip Holtz's plan for gridiron resurrection at the university.

Men's Basketball Game Day Central
   After securing its first Conference USA victory of the season this past Saturday night, East Carolina will attempt to post its first conference road victory of the year Wednesday night as it travles to Huntington, W.Va. to face C-USA newcomer Marshall at 7 o'clock.
ecupirates.com

East Carolina looks to end travel woes at Marshall
   Now that East Carolina has posted its first Conference USA win, the Pirates are looking to change the course of another old nemesis � losing ...
Kinston Free Press

Marshall and East Carolina To Meet Wednesday Night In Henderson Center
herdzone.com

Herd not taking Pirates lightly
   Marshall is preparing for East Carolina's best shot tonight.
Huntington Herald Dispatch

Marshall in need of Conference USA victory
   The Herd has lost four C-USA games in a row, sandwiched around the improbable victory over West Virginia.
Huntington Herald Dispatch

Marshall hosts ECU in important league game
   A pair of teams in dire need of a conference win meet tonight in Huntington.
Beckley Register-Herald

From the East Carolinian
-Recruiting rankings can't be judged on Signing Day
-Lady Pirates gear up for season
   In fact so much attention is paid towards the success of the ECU baseball team few recognize the previous success of the ECU softball team.

Blitz on to recruit area prep athletes
   Wide receiver Devin Harris has already signed a baseball scholarship at East Carolina.
Charlotte Observer

January 31, 2006

From Bonesville.net
-Bailey: From The Anchor Desk
   LeClair example inspires members of elite group
-BVL: Richmond Co. star poised to join Pirates
-BVL: Updated ECU football recruiting thumbnails
-Nuggets: Notes from ECU, C-USA and beyond
� Signing Day extravaganza looms for ECU fans
� C-USA Basketball Scoreboard & Schedule
WNCT: Talk of The Town
WNCT: Brian Bailey Show (recruiting interviews)

East Carolina Football To Host Signing Day Fan Fest
   East Carolina Head Football Coach Skip Holtz will officially display his second signing class to all Pirate fans on Wednesday, Feb. 1 during a special "2006 Signing Day Fan Fest" from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., in Harvey Hall at the Murphy Center.
ecupirates.com

Marshall hopes for energetic crowd
   Both Marshall and Wednesday's opponent, East Carolina, are seeking a much-needed second Conference USA men's basketball victory.
Huntington Herald Dispatch

From the Greenville Daily Reflector
-Scotland native planning cross-country bike trip
-Marshall plane crash to be basis for movie

From the East Carolinian
-Pirates defend home court; beat Tulsa 59-45
-Around Campus: Females outnumbering males at ECU
   Contributing factors to high female population

Finally, a close win
   East Carolina�s 59-45 win over Tulsa at Minges Coliseum on Saturday gave the Pirates their first conference win of the season.
Kinston Free Press

January 30, 2006

From Bonesville.net
-Hinton: Henry's Highlights
� Stars may be aligning for upturn in ECU hoops
-BVL: Updated ECU football recruiting thumbnails
-Nuggets: Notes from ECU, C-USA and beyond
� Wolfpack sends cash to Southern Miss athletes
� C-USA Basketball Scoreboard & Schedule

From ecupirates.com
-Lady Pirates Fall To Tulsa 74-52
-Pirates Bow To Bucs 4-0 In Neutral Site Matchup
-Pirates Drop First Match Of Season To Wake Forest
-Lady Pirates Win Three of Four Matches to Open Season

From the Greenville Daily Reflector
-Profs add a little depth to Pirates' bench
   Maybe it was just the little bit of inspiration the East Carolina University men's basketball team needed.
-Tulsa storms Pirates
-Around Campus: ECU Notes

Herd still looking to make mark in C-USA
   Coach Ron Jirsa's team has been competitive but currently finds itself in 11th place in the new-look, 12-team C-USA standings. Marshall hosts the league's last place squad, East Carolina (7-12, 1-5), on Wednesday. Tip-off at Cam Henderson Center is 7 p.m.
Huntington Herald-Dispatch

TU Women Use Balance Attack to Get Past East Carolina, 74-52
TulsaHurricane.com

February 5, 2006

From the Raleigh News & Observer
-Cowher power begins at home
   Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher, a former NCSU player who married a Pack basketball star, has a side that most don't see.
-Blue Devils refuse to buckle
   No. 2 Duke, thanks to J.J. Redick's 36 points and Shelden Williams' late steal and free throws, wills itself to a pulsating OT victory over Florida State.
-Heels make it 52-0 despite sloppy play
   North Carolina @ Chapel Hill extended its home winning streak against Clemson to 52 with a 76-61 victory Saturday at the Smith Center.
-Excitement building for UNC@CH-Duke
-Pack's McConnell perfect in debut
   Long layoff doesn't faze right-hander.

Virginia knocks off Wake Forest
   Cavs control boards, send Deacs to fifth straight loss 75-73
Winston Salem Journal

From the Columbia (SC) The State
-Get off Odom�s case
   Coach should be judged on entire season, which could end on upswing
-Tigers� 52nd card a loser against UNC
-Golf: USC, Coastal open with big test
   Mercedes Benz event includes three top-10 teams, seven players ranked in top 25

From the Charlotte Observer
-Coastal has Winthrop's number
-Davidson's long run ends

Wolfpack staying focused even on Super Bowl Sunday
Durham Herald-Sun

UVa crushes Wake on boards
Greensboro News-Record

February 4, 2006

From the Greensboro News-Record
-Life in Krzyzewskiville- A beautiful day nearly spoiled
-Wake tries to find wherewithal, way out of cellar

From Columbia (SC) The State
-Thursday home to must-see USC
  Schedule features two ESPN weeknight games, including opener vs. Miss. St.
-Game, not streak on Tigers� minds
  Not long ago, former North Carolina Sen. Jesse Helms proposed the construction of a zoo in Chapel Hill.

From the Greenville (SC) News
-Tigers hope to break tradition at Chapel Hill
   Clemson has lost last 51 on road at North Carolina
-Gamecocks football schedule set
   Wofford replaces Central Florida for September 16 game at Williams-Brice

From the Raleigh News & Observer
-Pack's bats hot to open season
-A-Rod's visit surprises Corona, Pack
   The early February weather turned spring-like for State's first game on Friday. When the State players took batting practice, they found themselves being watched by a man who can really crush it, American League MVP Alex Rodriguez.

From the Winston Salem Journal
-Deacs to try to end slump
   Struggling WFU will play at Virginia today
-NBA: Bobcats end their 13-game streak
-Wooing the Fans
   New arena, star visitors boosting Bobcats' visibility
-NHL: Brodeur helps Devils blank Hurricanes 3-0

February 3, 2006

From the Winston Salem Journal
-Grobe says Deacons' recruiting continues to improve in quality
-Wofford shoots down Appalachian

From the Durham Herald-Sun
-Holding on- trademark of veteran Duke squad
   Duke senior J.J. Redick had never played in Boston College's haunts, but as the final minutes ticked away and the Eagles pecked away at Duke's once-large lead, the scene started to feel hauntingly familiar.
-Heels bust Maryland's win streak in Comcast

From Columbia (SC) The State
-A certainty of life
   Even luck seems to abandon the Tigers when they travel to the home of the Tar Heels, a trip that produces heartache and loss
-Spurrier hoping for four-star camaraderie
   Still �irritated� by bowl effort, coach hopes recruits share a hatred for losing

Bowden finally gets his facilities
   Trucks full of concrete have emptied their loads, several hundred more bricks have been placed and now a few more blue-chippers have signed on at Clemson.
Spartanburg Herald-Journal

College Baseball Previews from the Raleigh News & Observer
-East Carolina
-Duke
-North Carolina-Chapel Hill
-N.C. State

February 2, 2006

From the Durham Herald-Sun
-Blue Devils avoid Eagles' upset bid
   One minute, the Duke Blue Devils were in complete control. The next minute, Boston College's fans were out of control.
-Evtimov, Pack pull through, top Cavs
   Ilian Evtimov had to play through a lot of pain during most of his time on the court Wednesday night.
-UNC-CH fares best with in-state football recruits
   John Bunting was thrilled to sign so many in-state players. Chuck Amato didn't seem to mind that he signed so few. Ted Roof acknowledged that he would have liked to sign more.
-Late QB signing makes Devils' day
   Duke knew it would receive a significant influx of talent for its offensive and defensive lines before Wednesday's Signing Day.
-Pack meets need for speed
   Chuck Amato said his N.C. State football program already had all the linemen it's going to need for a while. So the Wolfpack went out and signed a lot of fast guys.

From the Charlotte Observer
-UNC-CH, Clemson score big
-College Baseball: Staying simple
   Davidson's Heafner had the nation's 2nd best average in '05
-College Baseball: Conference Capsules
-49ers keep winning on road

From the Raleigh News & Observer
-Another 'thriller' for State
   UVa's Singletary misses familiar last-second shot.
-Gators, Noles clean up
   Florida State, Miami, Clemson and North Carolina-Chapel Hill are rated among the top 25 classes in the country by Scout.com. Rivals.com doesn't have UNC-CH in its top 25, but it does list Florida State as having the third-best class in the country.

From Columbia (SC) The State
-Spurrier raids Georgia and Alabama for recruits
   USC signs as many Peach State residents as South Carolinians
-USC baseball | Team predicted second in SEC
-Clemson�s class falls into place �effortlessly�
   After shoring up early commitments, tail back Spiller was �icing on the cake�
-Second-half fade dooms Clemson
   Thornton sparks 14-0 run for Florida State in victory

Open borders
   Out-of-state schools seeking high school football talent invaded the state of Virginia this past year, leaving Virginia and Virginia Tech reeling.
Hampton Roads Daily Press

From the Virginian Pilot
-What�s wrong with ODU? Here�s the painful truth
-U.Va. Signing Day- Gurus not impressed but Groh says group fills many key needs
-Va. Tech Signing Day- Hokies fill some holes, but a few key recruits got away

February 1, 2006

From the Greensboro News-Record
-Top talent skipping out again
   According to Rivals, in the past four recruiting classes, only 17 of 40 top-10 North Carolina prospects chose to play in the state. Scout's numbers aren't much better -- 21 of their top 40 signed with schools in North Carolina.
-Deacons continue downward spiral

From the Winston Salem Journal
-Hot-shooting Miami downs WFU
   Hurricanes rally from six-point deficit eary in second half to pull out 78-69 victory
-Tangled- Web sites are affecting recruiting
-ACC teams preparing for signing day

From Columbia (SC) The State
-Signing Day | USC, Clemson wait for players to make their college choices
   Gamecocks� recruiting class heavy on offensive lineman and light on pizzazz players � but it fills need
-USC adds Ellis to its class
-Signing Day | Tigers eye C.J. Spillers
   Landing the country�s top undeclared running back would be icing on the cake for Tigers
-Tigers, Seminoles face mirror images
   Clemson, FSU in similar situation heading into today�s game in Tallahassee

From the Greenville (SC) News
-Star Search
   Gamecocks, Tigers work to restock their rosters with high school recruits
-Tigers get two for price of one in recruiting class
   Tigers get two for price of one in recruiting class

Recruiting approach varies on calendar
   Some schools like early commitments; others wait
Charlotte Observer

From the Raleigh News & Observer
-Coaches exercise thumbs to recruit
   Text messaging fits through loophole in NCAA rules.
-Time for recruits to sign on the line

From the Durham Herald-Sun
-Players prepped to sign letters
-Wolfpack looks to protect home court against Virginia
-This one (finally) is living up to the preseason hype
   Duke at Boston College tonight at the Silvio O. Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, Mass., should get more attention than usual.
 

January 31, 2006

Quinn runs odd route to Vandy
   Quinn had several offers from Division I-AA schools such as Furman, Appalachian State and the Citadel, but Vanderbilt and East Carolina were the only Division I-A schools to offer. A life-long South Carolina fan, Quinn decided if he couldn�t play for the Gamecocks, he would at least like to play against them.
Columbia (SC) The State

Terriers share glory in win against UNCG
Spartanburg Herald-Journal

From the Durham Herald-Sun
-NHL: Canes trade for Weight
   The skate is on the other foot for the Carolina Hurricanes. In some past seasons, it wasn't uncommon to see the club give up a solid veteran late in the season to a contending team in exchange for young prospects and draft picks.
-Foundation examines steroids and recruiting

From the Winston Salem Journal
-Could a road trip help? Deacons heading to Miami to reverse slide to ACC cellar
-Charleston holds Apps in check
   Poor shooting, 23 turnovers doom Mountaineers to SoCon road defeat By Tommy Bowman

From the Charlotte Observer
-Lutz- We need to rebound from this slump
-Deacons grounded by giveaways
-NBA: Bobcats lose 12th straight, Felton to injury

ODU men draw Marist for ESPN BracketBusters game
The Virginian-Pilot

January 30, 2006

From the Raleigh News & Observer
-Pack refuses to wilt
   15th-ranked Pack outlasts Clemson 94-85 in double overtime.
-College introduces motorsports program
   Belmont Abbey College near Charlotte announced last week that it will introduce a bachelor's degree program this fall concentrating on motorsports management

Quality doesn't count on ACC football slates
   "Which team faces the tougher football schedule in 2006...?"...Is it possible to vote "None of the above?"
Richmond Times-Dispatch

From the Columbia (SC) The State
-Recruiting | Waiting game now for USC, Clemson
   Wait. Wonder. And make phone calls. That�s all that�s left for college football recruiters to do with the few remaining uncommitted players on their boards.
-Game on the line; Tigers fall
   More misses at the charity stripe doom Clemson, which slips further from an NCAA berth

February 5, 2006

Big-time Memphis leaves Rice a little short
   Facing embarrassment at the hands of the deep and athletic Tigers, the Owls bowed their collective necks, clawed back from a 15-point second-half deficit and gave Memphis all it wanted before falling 84-79 on Saturday night.
Houston Chronicle

Tigers hold Rice at bay in close one
   With less than a minute left and a background featuring mocking chants from the Rice students, Darius Washington had a chance to seal the victory for the University of Memphis from that same spot with which he will forever be connected.
Memphis Commercial Appeal

From the Hattiesburg American
-Mustangs slip past Eagles
   The University of Southern Mississippi men's basketball team lost its sixth straight Conference USA game Saturday night, falling to SMU 58-53 at Moody Coliseum.
-Of a college baseball player
   Marc Maddox lives his life like the baseball version of Batman.

Golden Eagles can't hold big lead, drop sixth consecutive game
Jackson Clarion-Ledger

From the Huntington Herald Dispatch
-Ice-cold Marshall hits new low
   Marshall never found its shooting touch and the result was the Thundering Herd's lowest scoring game in nearly 60 years
-Snyder completes first class with sigh of relief
   The relief and sense of achievement was tough to ignore. Mark Snyder was a popular figure Wednesday, humbling accepting repeated back-pats and applause at a local restaurant. His first recruiting class as Marshall University's football coach was announced earlier, and supporters obviously were impressed.

From the New Orleans Times Picayune
-Gomez sparks Wave rout of Marshall
-TU players victims of cuts
   When Tulane kicker Jacob Hartgroves went to sleep Dec. 8, nearly two months of tossing and turning and sleepless moments disappeared.

From the Orlando Sentinel
-Knights' effort falls just short
   So many times this season, it has been hard to predict what type of UCF basketball team would show up to play.
-Changes include exit in marketing
   UCF projects a gleaming sports-car athletics image on the outside with new facilities and more on the way, but the Knights are trying to end their under-the-hood sputtering.

From the El Paso Times
-Miners return to win column
-Big 3-pointer swings game in UTEP�s advantage

Sure, Bryant is pro-Alabama, but what about UAB?
Birmingham News

February 4, 2006

From conferenceusa.com
-Conference USA Baseball Notebook
-2006 UCF Baseball Preview
-Johnson, Washington, Jr., Named Cousy Award Finalists

Copeland to step down as SMU AD
   SMU athletic director Jim Copeland said Friday he is retiring after more than 11 years with the Mustangs.
Houston Chronicle

From the Memphis Commercial Appeal
-Tigers' West has surgery
   University of Memphis football coach Tommy West underwent triple bypass heart surgery Friday at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis, several weeks after tests revealed blockage.
-Williams adjusts to seeing double
   Try a ball-fake. That's what Joey Dorsey told Shawne Williams to do next time he catches it on the block and is immediately surrounded by defenders.
-No. 3 Tigers at Rice

UCF can control its own destiny
   UCF beat two of its remaining foes, Houston and East Carolina, on the road earlier this season.
Orlando Sentinel

Miners look to start another win streak
   The Miners are 12-6 overall, 5-1 in Conference USA play, and looking at a matchup with Tulsa tonight. UTEP put together a five-game winning streak to open conference play, but Houston put an end to that streak Wednesday night.
El Paso Times

Stuck in neutral, Herd seeks jump start
   Tonight's opponent, Tulane, along with Rice, SMU, East Carolina and Southern Miss are 9-19 in conference games combined.
Huntington Herald-Dispatch

Herd hits road to take on Green Wave
Beckley Register-Herald

Marshall wants to land plenty of state recruits in 2007 class
   It wasn't just a lean year for NCAA Division I-A prospects in West Virginia.  It was downright anorexic.
Charleston (WV) Daily Mail

From the Birmingham News
-Blazers expect fight out of 9-9 Golden Knights
   If the win-loss record is a true indication, then UAB won't have trouble today at UCF.
-Voice of the Blazers to call 1,000th game

Craft assumes larger role than USM expected
   After a week's hiatus from Conference USA competition, Southern Miss freshman guard Craig Craft is chomping at the bit to get back on the basketball court.
Jackson Clarion-Ledger

USM tangles with SMU in C-USA action today
Hattiesburg American

February 3, 2006

From conferenceusa.com
-Houston Tops Conference USA Preseason Softball Coaches' Poll
   The Cougars earned 67 points to edge out East Carolina (64) and league newcomer Marshall (63) for the top spot in the preseason coaches' poll.
-Three C-USA Relievers on NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List
-2006 Marshall Baseball Preview
-Women's Basketball Notebook

Miners try to focus on next game
   It is all part of the game, part of the chase, part of the two-month run at a conference championship.
El Paso Times

Strong pitching anchors Eagles
   Russum returns to bolster staff
Biloxi Sun Herald

From the Charleston Daily Mail
-Highly recruited linebacker is key late addition for Marshall
-MU recruit capsules

From the Huntington Herald-Dispatch
-Bro Grebe makes quick impact
   Literally and figuratively, Jean Francois Bro Grebe was the center of attention following Marshall's 72-66 victory over East Carolina. In his most extended action with the Thundering Herd, the sophomore center scored seven points, including a key second half dunk
-Recruiting's 11th hour produces big prize for Herd
   They've come to Marshall's football family from varying hometowns and circumstance. For some student-athletes, the Thundering Herd first became a possibility as a high school junior. That first recruiting letter soon was followed by a visit and scholarship offer from a Marshall coach.

Eagles restock defense
   There were ear-to-ear grins around the Southern Miss football camp on Wednesday.
Hattiesburg American

UH notebook- Phillips forgets about troubles after learning he will be inducted into Hall of Honor
Houston Chronicle

U of M's game plan to attract notice- Keep on winning
Memphis Commercial Appeal

February 2, 2006

Conference USA Recruiting Rankings
-SCOUT.com
-RIVALS.com

From conferenceusa.com
-Conference USA Football Signees
-2006 Rice Baseball Preview

After a tense final two weeks, 24 commit
   ... It's a bit different on Scout.com where UAB is ranked sixth in Conference USA behind East Carolina, Houston, Memphis, Tulane and Marshall and 75th overall. ...
Birmingham News

From the Huntington Herald Dispatch
-Johnson highlights busy signing day for Herd
-Movie will tell Marshall's story to entire nation
   The movie will focus on Jack Lengyel, who coached the Young Thundering Herd the first four years after the crash, Red Dawson, an assistant coach who drove back from the game at East Carolina instead of taking the team's charter flight, and Nate Ruffin, a defensive back for the Herd who didn't make the trip to East Carolina because of an injury.

From the New Orleans Times Picayune
-Wave holds on against Mustangs
   Tulane tops SMU 59-56 after holding 16-point lead
-STILL WAITING
   With 24 new prospects signed and secured before noon Wednesday, Tulane football coach Chris Scelfo and his staff can now look forward to some much-needed R&R.
-Green Wave scrambles, then scores with recruits
-TULANE SIGNEES
   WR Alan Mitchell, Cedar Grove, Ellenwood, Ga., 6-4, 175 -- A three-year starter with 4.5 speed. Had 38 receptions for 667 yards and four touchdowns as a senior, averaging 17.5 yards per reception. Had interest from Western Michigan, Temple and East Carolina.

From the Memphis Commercial Appeal
-Tiger signing class will help address needs
   Forget the lack of high-profile prep talent. And disregard the small numbers in the 2006 University of Memphis football recruiting class.
-Tigers fatten up on turnovers
   It's a press designed to force tempo, not turnovers. But if an opponent can't help but to give the ball away, then the University of Memphis will take it and lay it in, dunk it or turn it into a 3-pointer, depending on where and when the mishap occurred.
-One Tiger newcomer decides to keep it all in the family

Knights plug holes, but lack 'star' power
Orlando Sentinel

Redoubled efforts within state pay off
   Eagles reel in 17 players with Mississippi ties, including 13 from C-L Top 40
Jackson (MS) Clarion-Ledger

From the Houston Chronicle
-Houston- Cougars get depth, rushers
-Rice- Owls expect to take off with new receivers
-Going small helps UH stand tall against UTEP
   Cougars use edge in quickness to upend UTEP

UTEP's shots don't drop at end of first C-USA loss
El Paso Times

February 1, 2006

From the Memphis Commercial Appeal
-Favored Tigers must flourish as road show
   Robert Dozier was talking to his coach the other day. Among the freshman's concerns was University of Memphis fans and how they could be louder.
-National Signing Day Whose dreams will come true?
   Bryan Wright, a defensive back from Miami's Northwestern High, will be among as many as 17 players expected to sign National Letters of Intent today with the University of Memphis.

TU guards begin to get grip
New Orleans Times Picayune

Brown, coaches busy on the road
   His recruiting work was nearly through last week but UAB head coach Watson Brown continued to stay busy on the road with his assistant coaches.
Birmingham News

From the El Paso Times
-Wounded Miners set for tricky road trip
   UTEP and Houston will try to ignore injuries and play some good basketball tonight in a pivotal Conference USA showdown.
-Miners get recruiting coup
   UTEP pulled a last- second coup Tuesday night in nabbing Dallas Kimball's potential dual-sport athlete Robert Williams

From the Houston Chronicle
-UH Notebook- Phillips forgets about troubles after learning he will be inducted into Hall of Honor
-RICE NOTEBOOK- New football staff getting fast results

Marshall expected to sign 25 today
   Countless hours and thousands of travel miles are rewarded today when Marshall unveils its football recruiting Class of 2006. Approximately 25 prospects are expected to become official recruits when their letters of intent arrive at the Shewey Building.
Huntington Herald Dispatch

From the Jackson (MS) Clarion-Ledger
-Miners forced to dig for stingier defense
   UTEP coach Doc Sadler must be wondering what he did to ruffle the feelings of the basketball deities.
-USM loses 1, adds 3

Long wait almost over
   Months of speculation and the wooing of teenagers will come to an end today
Hattiesburg American

Signing Day awaits
   Are recruits taking notice of the late success SMU had?
Dallas Morning News

Women's Basketball Notebook
conferenceusa.com

January 31, 2006

From conferenceusa.com
-Men's Basketball Notebook
-Tulsa Faces C-USA's Top Two Teams This Week on the Basketball Court

Marshall filming to start in March
   The film would capture the repercussions the school and Huntington faced while recovering from the plane crash that killed 75 people including 37 members of the football team.
Charleston (WV) Daily Mail

UTEP men hit the road without top deep threat
El Paso Times

Is Tigers' Carney among top players?
   In Marcus Camby, John Calipari has had a National Player of the Year. So the University of Memphis coach knows what it takes to win such an award.
Memphis Commercial Appeal

Running back verbally commits to Herd
   Conference USA rivals. Memphis, Southern Miss, UAB and UCF also recruited Kilow, who rushed for 1,805 yards and 22 touchdowns last season.
Huntington Herald Dispatch

January 30, 2006

Around Conference USA
USA Today

Weekend Men's Basketball Roundup
   UTEP is 5-0 in conference play for the first time since starting the Western Athletic Conference slate 6-0 in 1994-95.
conferenceusa.com

From the El Paso Times
-UTEP coach unwavering in his optimism
   Despite an injury-filled season, Sadler has the Miners at 12-5 and, more importantly, a spotless 5-0 in Conference USA.
-Senior guard undergoes surgery for groin injury
   Senior sharpshooter Miguel Ayala underwent groin surgery early Sunday morning and will be out of the UTEP basketball lineup indefinitely.

Four verbally commit to Herd
Huntington Herald-Dispatch

A review of Herd�s �01 class
Charleston (WV) Gazette

Wishing upon a star (Or four)
   Online services' recruiting rankings gospel to some, voodoo to others
Jackson Clarion-Ledger