12.30.2011 College Football "ONE DAY SALE" 4-0 BOWL PLAYS

HI ALL IT'S VR AGAIN.  HOPE EVERYONE IS GREAT.


ON DAY SALE FOR THE BOWL PACKAGE $49.99
Please e-mail VR for an PayPal Invoice
"collegebasketballwinner@gmail.com"


WELL ANOTHER WINNER LAST NIGHT IN CFB BOWL GAMES.  BELOW I'M GOING TO POST MY CFB RECORDS BUT KEEP IN MIND LAST SEASON VR SPORTS WON 71%
OF IT'S PLAYS, SO THIS IS NOTHING FOR ME. I WOULD'NT DO THIS FOR A LIVING IF I COULD'NT COME UP WITH NUMBER'S LIKE THIS.  I'M LIVING PRETTY GOOD.


COLLEGE FOOTBALL 2011 SEASON,  34-10 ATS,+50 UNIT'S


77.6% WINNERS
17-1 AGAINST THE SPREAD LAST 18 PLAYS
10 GAME WINNING STREAK
4-0 ATS BOWL PLAYS, +9 UNIT'S


NOT BAD NUMBERS, THE ONLY CAPPER WITH BETTER NUMBER'S 

VINCENT RIZZO SPORTS- HOLIDAY BOWL PREVIEW

8:00 pm EST

 

12.27.2011 College Football, Bowl Play #3 Missouri -4.5 WINNER

Hi all it's VR again,  hope alls good!


Well last night's Bowl play #3,
Missouri -4.5  Was a winner.  31-10 at halftime,  so it was pretty much in the books early.


Here's a break-down of one of the greatest season's
you'll ever see.


College Football in 2011-12,  
33-10 against the spread, PLUS 46 Unit's


9 Game Winning Streak


16-1 against the spread last 17 plays


77% Winners in College Football.


When my #1 fans read this BLOG,  and my #1 fans
are those SCUMBAG HATERS.  I'd love to know what
they think when they see the greatest single-season number's ever!
I do know John Harrison looks at these number's and says"
WOW,  VR is great"

12.23.2011 Vincent Rizzo Sports College Basketball Up-Date!

TGS HOOPS UPDATE...COLLEGE BASKETBALL SPECIAL TICKER!

Arizona State...G Chris Colvin (7.1 ppg, 3.3 assists) was kept out of Saturday's game against North Dakota State due to disciplinary reasons. He remains questionable for the December 17th game against Northern Arizona.

Cincinnati...Four players were suspended as a result of the brawl in the Xavier game Dec. 10. F Yancy Gates (the Bearcats' 2nd-leading scorer at 13.5 ppg and top rebounder with 9.5 rpg), C Cheikh Mbodj (4.6 ppg, 3 rpg) and F Octavius Ellis (2 ppg, 1.3 rpg; appeared in just 4 games) all got six-game suspensions and will be eligible to play again Jan. 4. G Ge'Lawn Guyn (2.3 ppg) sat out one game and will be able to play against Radford Saturday.

Drexel...G Derrick Thomas was sick and missed his team's last two games against Princeton & Niagara. Thomas has scored 8 ppg, grabbed 3 rpg and dished for 1.8 assists this season.

Florida International...Golden Panthers' leading scorer and rebounder G DeJuan Wright suffered a wrist injury Wednesday against Maryland and is questionable for Saturday's visit to Dayton.

LSU...Tigers' leading scorer G Andre Stringer (12 ppg) didn't play against Boise State last Saturday night due to dizzy spells and has been ruled out of Thursday's (Dec. 15) game against UC Irvine.

Loyola-Chicago...Loyola surprisingly upset Toledo without the services of two key cogs in the Rambler machine. Leading scorer F Walt Gibler missed the visit to Toledo due to back spasms, and G Joe Crisman was out with an injury to his off hand. Gibler scored 13.5 ppg and took 5.5 rpg in the Ramblers' first eight games but is questionable for the December 17th game against Chicago State. Crisman is the team's third-best scorer at 9.6 ppg.

Marquette...Undefeated Golden Eagles are without C and 2nd-leading rebounder Chris Otule, who injured his knee two minutes into the Dec. 6 game against Washington and sat out last Saturday's Green Bay game. Marquette beat the Phoenix 79-61, but couldn't quite get the cover Saturday in part due to the fact that they dressed just eight players due to injuries. Besides Otule, reserves Juan Anderson (shoulder) and Jamil Wilson (4 ppg, 3.3 rpg; ankle) were also in street clothes.

Michigan...Leading scorer G Tim Hardaway Jr. (15.6 ppg) was limited to 19 minutes and scored only 8 points after bruising his tailbone against Arkansas Pine Bluff, but he isn't expected to miss any more time.

Middle Tennessee State...F Jason Jones (8.5 ppg this season, 13 ppg last year) missed the Tenn.-Martin and Belmont games with a back injury and is questionable for the Dec. 21st game against Mississippi. Backup sharpshooting G Kerry Hammonds (just 4.4 ppg but 53% on treys) has appeared in just one of the Blue Raiders' last five games due to a recurring stress fracture in his foot.

Mississippi State...Lanky 6-11, 230-pound F Arnett Moultrie (Memphis transfer), who has quickly become the top inside scorer for Bulldogs, missed the FAU game due to knee tendinitis and is questionable for Saturday's game vs. Detroit. 6-3 G Brian Bryant (8.4 ppg and Bulldogs' 2nd-leading rebounder with 5.6 rpg) was suspended for the last three games but will be eligible to return Saturday against Detroit.

Ohio State...Star F Jared Sullinger (19 ppg & 10.3 rpg) returned to action Wednesday night against South Carolina Upstate. Sullinger, who had missed the Buckeyes' previous two contests with back spasms, came off the bench and played 25 minutes, scoring 12 points and taking down 10 boards.

San Jose State...6-3 G Calvin Douglas (8.4 ppg) missed the Cal Poly SLO game with a sprained ankle and is ? for the Dec. 20 game vs. UC Davis.

Washington...Top rebounder C Aziz N'Diaye suffered a knee injury against Duke last Saturday and isn't expected to play Friday vs. UC Santa Barbara.

Western Michigan...Power F Flenard Whitfield (10.4 ppg and a team-best 7.9 rpg) sprained his ankle in practice and probably won't play until after Christmas. Whitfield is definitely out for Saturday's game against Duquesne.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee...F Kyle Kelm (9.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg) injured his shoulder against Northern Iowa and has missed practice with his arm in a sling. The Panthers were already playing without G Ja'Rob McCallum (10 ppg) due to a wrist injury.

Wright State...Top scorer G Julius Mays (10 ppg) suffered head and back injuries against Cincy and is questionable for Saturday's game against Ohio.

Xavier...As a result of the incident with Cincy, top scorer Tu Holloway was suspended for the Oral Roberts game. Also suspended were second-leading scorer G Mark Lyons (17.4 ppg; 2 games), swingman Dezmine Wells (9.5 ppg; 4 games) and reserve Landen Amos (4 games). Lyons will be eligible to return Dec. 31st, Wells & Amos Jan. 7.

12.23.2011 Vincent Rizzo Sports, CBB 3 Straight Winners!

Hi all it's VR again,  Hope everyone is great.


It's funny,  non-of-the-HATERS-mention-my-HISTORY-MAKING-COLLEGE-FOOTBALL-SEASON.


76.6% WINNER'S,  32-10 ats,+45 Unit's


I'd like to see the SHIT-BAG-HATERS-EVEN-TRY-TOO-
WIN-2-IN-A-ROW!!!!!!!!!!


COLLEGE BASKETBALL WE'VE WON 3 STRAIGHT
AND AS I PROMISED WE WILL GET TO MY 70%
IN SEVERAL WEEKS,  IT'S COMING.  
MY CLIENT'S WILL GET IT,  AND MY HATERS WILL EAT SHIT AS ALWAYS.  NOT ONE HATER CAN STAND NEXT TO ME,  IF YOU CAN COME 6147 FLEMINGO.


CALL ME 877-WIN-ATS9

12.18.2011, What else is new? Vincent Rizzo Sports ANOTHER CFB WINNER

12.18.2011

Sunday

2011-12 College Football Bowl Season

In 2011-12 Vincent Rizzo Sports

is having One Of The Greatest

College Football Season's 

of all-Time

With Last Night's New Orleans Bowl Win

the current record

31-10 Against The Number

+43 Unit's

When Was The Last time a 

Handicapping Service WON 

76% WINNER'S

Last Night's win ( UL-Laf.+4)

started this package off right.

1-0 ats, +3.00 Unit's

If You Would Like To Get 

On Board 

E-Mail VR and you'll get set up

collegebasketballwinner@gmail.com

12.16.2011 Vincent Rizzo Sports, Our first Bowl Release on TAP/Saturday!

Hi all it's VR again,  hope everyone is great.

Well it's here, the 2011-12 College Football Bowl Season.  VR Sports have many, many
client's looking forward to this season.  WHY?

Well for starters,  is there a better College Football Handicapping Service out there?

75% WINNERS.  Enough said,  That say's it all.  30 wins and 10 loses,  Plus 40 Unit's
Those are number's people pay for.  VR came thru in a huge way for his client's.
Even his non-client's were taking care of,  FREE PLAYS 10-3 ats,+7 Unit's

Saturday there's a 3 Unit Bowl Release and two College Basketball Top Rated winners!

If your not a member for the Bowl Season,  well read
what I wrote and look in the mirror and say WHY
aren't I a Client?

12.9.2011 Friday, College Football Final Record!

Hi all it's VR again,  just a quick heads up of
our Final number's from the 2011 College Football Season.


30 wins,  10 loses
+40 Unit's


CFB finished with 75% Winner's.


My 400 Client's are very happy,  that's the most important 
thing.  Here's something just as great.


Free Play Winnier's for Non-Client's


10-3 against the spread
+7 Unit's


Free Plays won 70%,  that's better than services top plays.


Looking forward till the Bowl Season to get kicked off!


75% winner's in 2011,  71% Winner's in 2010


Like I alway's said "Any One, AnyWhere, Anytime"!!!!

12.3.2011 Saturday College Football and College Basketball

Hi all it's VR again,  hope all's great.

Well today got rolling in CFB,  coming into the day were on a 5 game
winning streak with College Football.

Our first play this Saturday was a "Free Play" and it's a WINNER!

Baylor -140  WINNER

Free plays,
10-3 ats, +7 Unit's

My FREE PLAY record is better than most's Top Plays, I promise you it's
better than most cappers plays.
Overall CFB with that win
29-10 ats,+37 Unit's

Also our Top Rated just kicked off,
Oklahoma State -2.5  pending

Top Rated College Basketball for today
Kent State -10

College Football this season has been great,  29-10 against the spread, winning 37 unit's.
Those are nice number's.  Last season I was 27-11 ats.  So we improved several games.

College Basketball this season hasn't started as I hoped,  but you know what were 20 days into the season and were down 5 unit's.  Totally not worried, I can get going and win 35 outta 43 plays so believe me I'm not worried at all.

I heard news this morning,  this scumbag handicapper was thrown off his own web-site by his co-handicappers.  I guess the shit-bag who was thrown off the site,  it was his own site!!!!!!!

11.30.2011 Wednesday, Vincent Rizzo Sports

Hi all it's VR again,  Hope all you cat's are great.


Planning my every step for this weekend's College Football
Championship Weekend.


Let's step back a minute though,  here's some nice CFB number's


Top Rated CFB,
28-10 ats,+36 Unit's


Free Plays CFB,
9-3 ats, +5.80 Unit's


Overall CFB,
37-13 ats, +42 Unit's


Those overall number's are nice,  every-single one of my CLIENT'S have enjoyed those winning's.


76% winning's in 2011-12,  71% winning's in 2010-11 (27-11)


College Hoop's were 20 day's in and were on a 2 game losing streak.  That's funny, 2 game losing streak.  My client's are 
laughing also,  and the haters have there second to get-off!
Please do and do it fast because your head's going to spin when I slap 70% in your face when April roll's around!!!!

11.26.2011 Saturday CFB, WOW, another WINNER=74% WINNERS

Hi all it's VR again.

Todays CFB Top Rated
Wisconsin -14.5  (1UNIT)  WINNER

28-10 ats,+36 Units
74% Winners in 2011
71% Winers in 2010

11.25.2011 Friday CFB, 73% WINNERS IN 2011, With Todays Top Rated WINNER !!!

Hi all it's VR again,  hope all's great.


Today "BLACK FRIDAY" VR Sports attacked the books
with two releases.


Top Rated College Football,
LSU -11.5 (3Units)  WINNER, WINNER


Comp play,
CBB UNC-20.5  WINNER


GREAT 2-0 ATS DAY!!!!!!!


With today's win in CFB were at 73% winners topping last seasons 27-11 ats, 71% winners.


Bottom line,,  IS THERE A BETTER COLLEGE FOOTBALL HANDICAPPER OUT THERE?


We know who own's College Hoop's,  but the question is "Who Own's CFB?  I have an answer,  the best is john harrison!!!!
LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL


73% winner's people!!

11.19.2011 Saturday CFB/CBB, HUGE DAY MY FRIEND'S!!!!

Hi all it's VR again,  hope everyone is great!

Quick note,  OUR COLLEGE BASKETBALL IS ROLLING!!

4 STRAIGHT WINNER'S WITH OUR TOP RATED PLAYS.

TODAY WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL,  OUR COMP PLAY

KANSAS STATE +8

OUR TOP RATED CFB PLAY IS UP AND READY!!!

CFB,  24-10 ats,+26.50 Unit's
CBB,  6-3 ats, +.50 Unit's

11.17.2011 Thursday CBB, 2K SPORTS COLLEGE HOOP'S CLASSIC, VR'S IN!!!

Hi all it's VR again,  there's so much COLLEGE BASKETBALL the last
few day's I'M LOVING IT!!!!!


Tonight we have a play,  A Top Rated Play.
2K College Hoop's Classic,  Texas A&M vs Mississippi State

VR Sports riding a TWO game WINNING streak.  At 4-3 ats tonight is huge trying to get to
2 games over .500.

Purchase a SINGLE DAY AND RECEIVE TWO (2) DAY'S WORTH OF TOP RATED!!

By the way,  Huge Weekend coming with College Football,  ONE COMP PLAY,
TWO TOP RATED PLAYS.

See yea a the "Ticket Window" cashing tic's!!!

11.15.2011 Tuesday CBB, "ESPN MARATHON IS UNDERWAY"

Hi all it's VR again, Hope all's well.
As of this writing were 12 hours into ESPN Marathon.


As of right now,  we have a Top Rated going, and a COMP
going.


Comp Play,
UC-Santa Barbara -5.5


Top Rated tips later on!


2-3 ats CBB

11.14.2011 Monday CBB, ESPN TIP OFF MARATHON "Starts Tonight"!

Hi all it's VR again,  It's here!!


ESPN Tip Off Marathon,  Believe or not this is my favorite sports days of the year.  Being a College Hoop's guy, this is it!


Our first of a few plays is up and ready!
If you purchase this play you'll receive FREE the rest of my plays during the Tip Off Marathon which ends Wednesday morning!!!


Vincent Rizzo Sports!!!

11.11.2011 Friday CBB, 3 Unit Top Rated Tonight

Hi all it's VR again,  hope everyone is great.

If you purchase 2011-12 College Basketball Package $99,  You'll
receive the several College Football weeks that are left FREE

Top Rated Play Going Tonight (3 Unit's )

CFB winning 72% Range,  not to bad!!!

24-9 ats,+29.80 Unit's,  you do the math!

877-WIN-ATS9

11.10.2011 Thursday CFB, "Comp Play" for the Peeps!!

Hi all it's VR again, hope all's great.

Tonight is "Comp Play" night

Houston -33  WINNER, WINNER

Comp Plays,
8-3 ats, +4.80 Unit's

Overall CFB,
24-9 ats,+29.80 Unit's

7 game WINNING STREAK IN CFB

Several Big Time Games/Unit's next few days.

11.9.2011 Wednesday College Basketball, We go for #2 Straight!

Hi all it's VR again,  hope all's great.

Well night two of the 2011-12 College Basketball season,  were going for
#2 straight.  Monday's winner Valpo +14 was a great cover.

Here we go,
Duquesne +9  @  Arizona -9

Goto vincentrizzosports.com and get your WINNER.

11.7.2011 Monday College Basketball. We start off with, guess what-A WINNER

Hi all it's VR again,  LOL, What did you think,  I'd lose?????


College Basketball Openiing Night Top Rated Play,


Valparaiso +14  WINNER,  WINNER 


College Basketball,
1-0 ats,+1.00 Unit's


I have a question,  Where's the HATERS?
They haven't been here in like a Year!!!!!!


What can they say, CFB is 72% Winners,  MLB 66% Winners
Hoops last season 66% winners and 1-0 ats this yr.

11.6.2011 Sunday, Please Excuse VINCENT RIZZO SPORTS.COM

Hi all it's VR again,  hope everyone is great.

PLEASE EXCUSE THE MESS AT VINCENT RIZZO SPORTS .COM,  WEB-SITE

IS UNDER-CONSTRUCTION.  ALL'S WELL IN A FEW DAY'S

THANK YOU,
Vincent Rizzo Sports

11.5.2011 Saturday CFB, VR Sports SWEEPS CARD again!!!!!!

Hi all it's VR again,  hope everyone is great.
Today is Vincent Rizzo Sports BIGGEST DAY of this football season.

Top Rated Play's,
LSU +5  ( 5 unit's )  WINNER, WINNER 

LSU  @  Alabama POSTED TOTAL  41.5 (3 unit's )  WINNER, WINNER

"Comp Play",
Houston -27.5  ( 1 unit )  WINNER, WINNER


College Football OVERALL 23-9 ats,+28.60 Unit's

Good luck to all today,  Purchase today and receive final 4 weeks half price, $25.00

11.4.2011 Friday CFB, Friday Night Top Rated Play WINNER

Hi all it's VR again, hope all's great!


Well were in the game tonight,  Friday Night TOP RATED


Southern California -20.5 WINNER, WINNER


20-9 ats,+19.60 Unit's


VINCENT RIZZO SPORTS WINNING 70% CFB

10.30.2011 Sunday, GREAT DEAL CFB PACKAGE

Hi all it's VR again,  hope everyone is great.


Another GREAT DAY with TOP RATED PLAYS ON Saturday.
2-0 ats,+2.00 Unit's
Oklahoma state -13.5 WINNER
Washington -4 WINNER


19-9 ATS,+18.60 UNIT'S


Here's a GREAT OFFER,  for the final month of the Regular
season you can have all my TOP RATED PLAYS for,


$49.99


E-Mail me and I'll send you a PayPal Invoice for
$49.99


collegebasketballwinner@gmail.com


If you purchase the College Basketball Package I'll throw
in the College Football Package for FREE

10.29.2011 Saturday CFB, 2-0 ats Top Rated Plays

Hello all it's VR again
Hope everyone is GREAT !


2 HUGE TOP RATED PLAYS for Saturday.




Baylor @ Oklahoma State  WINNER
Arizona @ Washington  WINNER


College Football 19-9 ats,+18.60 Unit's


Purchase the days card and receive next week's card FREE!!!!

10.27.2011 Thursday CFB, Thursday Night Posted Total

Hi all it's VR again,  hope alls well.
Thursday night football brings us to South Beach.


UofVirginia @ Miami,Fl.


Top Rated play!!!!


Purchase tonight's ONE UNIT play and receive
the weekend free.

10.26.2011 Wednesday CFB, "Comp Play"

Hi all it's VR again,
Hope all's well.


first of a huge money weekend !!


Comp Play,
Bowling Green -3.5 


Comp plays,
6-2 ats,+3.80 Unit's

10.23.2011 Sunday CFB, Our First Losing Week!!!!!

Hi all it's VR again, hope all's well.


Well I knew one week it would bite us in the 
butt and you know what it.


Vincent Rizzo Sports College Football Season had it's first 
losing week.  


1-2 ats, -1.20 Unit's


Overall CFB 17-7 ats,+17.70 Unit's


We will get up, brush ourselves off and get it,  start
another great streak.

10.22.2011 Saturday College Football, Let's Keep It Rolling......

Hi all it's VR again,  hope all's great.


Today we have TWO GREAT PLAYS, don't
forget Thursday WINNER Arizona -4.5 .


Top Rated Play,
Wisconsin @ Michigan State


Comp Play,
UL Lafayette -2.5 (hook)


CFB 17-5 ats, +20. Unit's

10.20.2011 Thursday CFB Result's, ANOTHER WINNER FOR VINCENT RIZZO SPORTS

Hi all it's VR again,  Well another Top Rated Play Release and "What do you know,
ANOTHER WINNER.

Arizona -4.5  WINNER, WINNER, WINNER


CFB Overall 17-5 ats, +20.00 Unit's


74% WINNERS........................

10.20.2011 Thursday CBB, COLLEGE BASKETBALL SALE

HUGE COLLEGE BASKETBALL SALE!!!!!!!!!


E-MAIL VR,  collegebasketballwinner@gmail.com


GUY'S DON'T MISS OUT,  LAST SEASON 87-44 ATS,+183 UNIT'S


$99.99 GET'S YOU THE ENTIRE SEASON IN
COLLEGE BASKETBALL

10.20.2011 Thursday CFB, Mid Week Top Rated Play

Hi all it's VR again, hope all's great.


Well it's time for Week 8 to get going.
Were 16-5 ats, +19 Unit's overall in College Football.


Here's our First Top Rated Play to start the week,


UCLA @ ARIZONA
9:00 PM EST. ON ESPN


To purchase goto www.vincentrizzosports.com


purchase tonight's TOP RATED PLAY and you'll RECEIVE THE ENTIRE CFB SEASON.

10.15.2011 Saturday CFB, "Flawless Weekend" Another SWEEP!!!!!

Hi all it's VR again.
Hope all's well

Top Rated Play,

SMU -2.5  WINNER, WINNER
Top Rated plays
10-4 ats, +14.10 Unit's

Comp Play
Auburn +2  WINNER, WINNER

16-5 ats,+19.00 Unit's

10.13.2011 Thursday College Football, "Top Rated Plays" and "Comp Plays" UP & READY FOR WEEKEND. Theme...."FLAWLESS WEEKEND"

Hi all it's VR again, hope alls great.
Top Rated play is up & ready.
Our Comp play is up & ready.


Goto Web-Site and Fill-in Free Play Box 
and play will be e-mailed to you.


Comp Plays,
5-1 ats,+3.90 Unit's


Top Rated Play,
9-4 ats, +11.10 Unit's

10.8.2011 Saturday CFB, Top Rated Play 1-0 ats, +3.00 Unit's

Hi all it's VR again,
Well it's been a while since we SPLIT the card !


Top Rated Play,
Oklahoma -9.5  3 unit's  WINNER, WINNER


Comp play,
Iowa +3.5  1 unit  loss


Todays result's,
1-1 ats, +1.90 Unit's


Plus UNIT's THAT's ALL THE MATTER'S


Guy's you need to get on board,  were rolling along.
14-5 ats, +15.00 Unit's Overall CFB.

10.1.2011 Saturday CFB Result's, Nothing Like SWEEPING the Card for my PEOPLE !

Hi all it's VR again,  Hope all's GREAT !
I'm SUPER.


Besides the $ there's nothing better than hard work
and you plays PLAY-OUT as you planned them.


I sent out e-mails today that not only will Alabama win
but they will BEAT-UP-FLORIDA.  PERIOD !!!


Here's today's damage,


Georgia tech -9.5  WINNER, WINNER  (1 unit)
Alabama -4  WINNER, WINNER            ( 3 unit )
Auburn +9.5  WINNER, WINNER          ( 1 unit )


Today,
3-0 ats, +5.00 units


Top Rated Plays,
8-4 ats, +8.10 Unit's


Free Plays,
5-0 ats, +5.00 Unit's


Overall CFB,
13-4 ats, +13.10 Unit's

10.1.2011 Saturday "Gameday"

Hi all it's VR again,  hope alls great!!
Well it's "Gameday" and I'm so ready.
Thursday was tough with USF loss.  But it's time 
to get it back plus !


Top Rated Plays,


Georgia Tech -9.5  WINNER, WINNER
Alabama @ Florida


Free Play,


Auburn +9.5  WINNER
Free Plays,
5-0 ats, +5.00 Unit's


11-4 ats, +9.10 Unit's OVERALL CFB.


Free plays have yet to loss,  VR Sports
takes care of his peep's !!!!!!!

9.29.2011 Thursday Night Special !! South Florida @ Pittsburgh

Hi All it's VR again, Let's do this !!


"Thursday Night College Football
              SPECIAL"


South Florida  @  Pittsburgh


Vincent Rizzo Sports has the WINNER !!
Buy it and Get TWO DAYS.


10-3 ats, +9.50 Unit's Overall

9.26.2011, Vincent Rizzo sports Top 50 College Basketball Teams Going Into 2011-12, #49 BELMONT

The Atlantic Sun is coming off a banner season, as it earned a No. 17 RPI ranking out of the 32 Division I conferences in 2010-11. Belmont’s big year helped, but the Bruins’ reign will end soon.

It’s not that the Bruins will stumble because of a lack of talent but rather the fact Belmont will move to the Ohio Valley Conference for the 2012-13 season.

Rick Byrd has led Belmont to the NCAA Tournament four times in the last six seasons. (AP Photo)

No one in the A-Sun will be sorry to see the Bruins depart, especially after last season, when Belmont put up a 19-1 conference record and won the Atlantic Sun Tournament championship game by 41 points.

Belmont is favored to repeat this season, and East Tennessee State and Jacksonville are expected to be in their usual spots near the top of the standings. And watch out for a rising North Florida program.

The Bruins’ pending move will be the second departure in two years, as Campbell will be starting its inaugural Big South season in 2011-12. With Florida Gulf Coast and South Carolina Upstate eligible for postseason play for the first time, that means 10 teams now are in contention for the A-Sun Tournament’s eight spots.

The statistic that stands out when reviewing Belmont’s 2010-11 season—aside from the team’s 30-5 record—is how widely the playing time was distributed. Eleven players averaged 10-plus minutes, and the highest average was just 24.6 minutes a game. The bad news for the other A-Sun teams is that nine of those 11 are back this season.

Leading the charge is 6-9 senior Mick Hedgepeth, the team’s top rebounder (5.9 per game) and second-leading scorer (10.8) last year. Also back to give the Bruins a big advantage under the basket is 6-10, 250-pound senior center Scott Saunders, who ranked second on the team in rebounds (5.2) and third in scoring (9.9) in 2010-11.

With Hedgepeth and Saunders causing problems down low, that frees up junior Ian Clark, who can make shots from anywhere and was Belmont’s leading scorer (12.2) last season.

THE ROSTER

Brandon Baker, F, 6-6, 220, Jr., Milford, Ohio

Adam Barnes, G, 6-2, 190, Jr., Clarksville, Tenn.

Seth Cavera, G, 6-2, 195, Fr., Colorado Springs, Colo.

Reece Chamberlain, G, 6-1, 175, Fr., Goodlettsville, Tenn.

Ian Clark, G, 6-3, 175, Jr., Memphis, Tenn.

Drew Hanlen, G, 5-11, 180, Sr., St. Louis

Mick Hedgepeth, F/C, 6-9, 235, Sr., Crossville, Ala.

Blake Jenkins, F, 6-7, 205, Soph., Knoxville, Tenn.

Kerron Johnson, G, 6-1, 175, Jr., Huntsville, Ala.

Chad Lang, C, 6-11, 275, Fr., Marietta, Ga.

J.J. Mann, G/F, 6-6, 210, Soph., Smyrna, Ga.

Holden Mobley, G/F, 6-3, 200, Fr., Nashville, Tenn.

Trevor Noack, F, 6-7, 240, Jr., Keller, Texas

Scott Saunders, F/C, 6-10, 250, Sr., New Orleans

Spencer Turner, G, 6-3, 185, Fr., Bloomington, Ind.

9.26.2011, Vincent Rizzo sports Top 50 College Basketball Teams Going Into 2011-12, #50 NORTHWESTERN

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The only school from a major conference that never has played in an NCAA Tournament is knocking on the postseason door—one that previously had been bolted shut. Really, it’s just a matter of time. Perhaps that time is now.

Bill Carmody’s program posted a 20-14 record last season, with 12 losses against teams that reached the NCAA Tournament. Northwestern won its first eight games and then stumbled out of the chute in league play, including two last-possession losses to Michigan State. Despite a 14-point win over Michigan in January and a rare victory at Indiana, the Wildcats wound up 7-11 in conference play.

Bill Carmody hopes to become the first Northwestern coach to lead his team to the Big Dance. (AP Photo)

After splitting a pair of games in the Big Ten Tournament—a second win over Minnesota and a heartbreaking overtime loss to then-No. 1 Ohio State—Northwestern had to settle for the NIT. Without the strength of schedule or quality wins required, the Wildcats’ NCAA bubble burst.

Instead, the ’Cats played a postseason game at home for the first time since 1994 and beat Wisconsin-Milwaukee (68-57) in the opening round. They then stunned Boston College, 85-67, in Chestnut Hill, Mass. However, their shot at reaching Madison Square Garden disappeared in Pullman, Wash., as they fell to Washington State by three points in overtime.

Carmody knew how close Northwestern was to being a top-tier Big Ten team and an NCAA invitee. He also knew how far the group had come, especially after star forward Kevin Coble chose not to return for his final season and mysteriously called it quits as a collegian.

Just when a lot of people were thinking, “Maybe next decade,” Northwestern fought back behind a fearless leader, senior guard Michael Thompson. At 5-10, he was smaller than almost every opponent. Yet, he started for four years and became the first Wildcat to leave with back-to-back 20-win seasons and three consecutive NIT appearances.

He had plenty of help from forward John Shurna, who averaged 24.4 points in his first eight games. If Shurna hadn’t sprained an ankle in the last nonconference game or sustained a concussion at Minnesota, who knows how the numbers might have changed. He finished with 16.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game and shot 43.4 percent from the 3-point line.

After checking his NBA stock, Shurna (6-9, 215) chose to stay and take Northwestern to new heights. His 1,150 points are the second most in two seasons for any Wildcat.

Drew Crawford, a 6-5 junior wing, had a solid follow-up to an excellent debut campaign. He averaged 12 points and 4.7 rebounds but must improve on his outside shooting after hitting just 32.7 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.

It’s good to have experience in the middle, where 6-11 senior Luka Mirkovic (7.4 points, 5.2 rebounds) returns. He can take defenders away from the basket and shoot 3-pointers (42.9 percent last year) or work down low.

When Mirkovic needs help (and even when he doesn’t), Carmody can call on 6-9 senior big man Davide Curlett (4.0 points, 1.9 rebounds). He gives the team some much-needed toughness.

JerShon Cobb (7.4 points, 3.0 rebounds), a 6-5 sophomore guard, showed great potential at times last winter but must become more consistent. And 6-3 junior guard Alex Marcotullio (6.2 points, 2.5 rebounds) showed a willingness to fire from long range with 126 3-point attempts. With Thompson gone, he could see more action.

The freshmen include Tre Demps, a 6-2 guard from San Antonio, and Dave Sobolewski, a 6-1 guard from nearby Naperville, Ill. Northwestern also will welcome Mike Turner, a 6-8 freshman forward from Chicago.

THE ROSTER

Nikola Cerina, F, 6-9, 245, Jr., Topola Oplenac, Serbia

JerShon Cobb, G, 6-5, 205, Soph., Decatur, Ga.

Drew Crawford, G/F, 6-5, 210, Jr., Naperville, Ill.

Davide Curletti, F, 6-9, 230, Sr., Farmington Hills, Mich.

Tre Demps, G, 6-2, 195, Fr., San Antonio

Nick Fruendt, G, 6-5, 205, Sr., Batavia, Ill.

Reggie Hearn, G, 6-4, 210, Jr., Fort Wayne, Ind.

Alex Marcotullio, G, 6-3, 180, Jr., Warren, Mich.

Luka Mirkovic, C, 6-11, 245, Sr., Belgrade, Serbia

Austin Nichols, G, 6-0, 190, Jr., Lansing, Mich.

John Shurna, F, 6-9, 215, Sr., Glen Ellyn, Ill.

Dave Sobolewski, G, 6-1, 185, Fr., Naperville, Ill

Mike Turner, F, 6-8, 205, Fr., Chicago