TOP POST

Inside the recruiting battle, and what coaches can learn from it

Seldom do observers of the college recruiting process get the kind of blow-by-blow details that were offered up by the New York Times a few days ago.

Times' writer Thayer Evans followed the recruitment of top-rated Texas high school football prospect Jamarkus McFarland and wrote an extensive piece on the harried final days leading up to McFarland's decision to attend Oklahoma over their rivals at Texas.

IN THE ZONE

Thursday night football becomes more attractive

According to The Oregonian's Rachel Bachman, "The University of Oregon athletic officials want to move the 2009 Civil War football game to a Thursday night. The reason: TV money."

Budget cuts have forced athletics departments to look for other ways to help increase revenue. The TV money associated weekday football games is a attractive to schools, and TV networks like the lack of competition from other from other football games.

Some Oregon faculty members aren't happy about the prospect of the Ducks moving the Civil War game to the Thursday of "dead week," the last week of fall classes and just before final exams begin.

Chicago's woes continue; Maroons now 0-12

Last week, we wrote about the University of Chicago men's basketball team, and it's shocking 0-11 start this season. The Maroons, which had a combined record of 38-14 in the previous two seasons, returned three starters off last year's NCAA Tournament team and has been one of Division III's best programs over the last decade.

On Saturday, Chicago hosted the third-ranked and defending national champion, Washington University in St. Louis. Chicago's misery continued, as Wash U. handed the Maroons a 74-62 loss. Chicago's next games are Friday night against Emory and Sunday afternoon versus Case Western Reserve. We'll keep you posted on Chicago's progress.

Northern State's inspirational Meyer becomes all-time winningest basketball

Northern State men's basketball coach Don Meyer won his 903rd career game over the weekend with an 82-62 victory over Mary. With the win, Meyer passed Bob Knight as college basketball's all-time winningest coach.

Meyer's story is remarkable both on and off the court. In September, the 64-year-old was in a serious automobile accident that sent him to the hospital for 55 days and forced the partial amputation of his left leg. Doctors also discovered unrelated slow-growing cancer in his intestines and liver. Meyer will go through treatment once he recovers from the automobile accident. Meyer has been coaching from a wheelchair this season.

Congratulations to Coach Meyer, and best of luck in his recovery.

Tebow returning to school

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow will return to school for his senior season. The two-time National Champion and 2007 Heisman Trophy winner will be looking to add to his already-impressive legacy in Gainsville. With much of the Florida's nucleus returning next season, Florida will most likely be highly-ranked to begin next season. If Tebow wins another Heisman Trophy and national title next year, would he be considered the greatest college football player in history?

UNC's Sylvia Hatchell joins 800-win club

North Carolina women's basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell became the fourth women's coach to reach the 800th career win plateau after yesterday's overtime victory over North Carolina State, 75-66. Hatchell joins legendary coaches Pat Summitt, Jody Conradt and C. Vivian Stringer as the only coaches in the women's basketball history to accumulate 800 wins. In 23 seasons at UNC, Hatchell has won 528 games, and has led the Tar Heels to eight ACC titles, three Final Four appearances and the 1994 National Championship.