Duquesne Links

Duquesne University, one of OU’s opponents this coming season,  has been the subject of a couple of stories in the last week.  First, the Dukes have already begun practice as they are playing over Labor Day weekend in Canada. 

The other AP story picked up by a number of news sources is how the Duquesne players who were shot a year ago are progressing.  Stuard Baldonado’s recovery and return to the team is the focus of the piece.  (An interesting tidbit is that Baldonado is suing the university over the incident.)

Thankfully, it sounds as if all those involved are in various stages of recovery.  This could have been much, much worse.

I hope Grizzlies’ fans will show some love to the DU players during introductions on November 20. 

Thames Makes A Verbal Committment

Crystal Krauskoff of The Oakland Press reports that Port Huron Northern’s Jay Thames has made a verbal committment to play at Oakland.  (Per usual, the story cannot be found on the free version of the OP, so I’m not providing a link.) 

A 6′9″ small forward, Thames averaged 16 ppg, 12 rpg and four blocks at Northern a year ago.  According to the story, OU beat out Dayton, St. Joseph’s, St. Bonaventure, WMU, CMU and EMU for Mr. Thames’ services.   

While a verbal committment is a long way from donning the black and gold, it’s hard not to be excited about this news.  Thames joins Blake Cushingberry and Drew Maynard in next year’s increasingly impressive incoming class.  

With the groundwork Coach Kampe and company have in place, the Grizzlies could be a very entertaining (and successful) team for the next several years. 

Your 2007-08 Golden Grizzlies

The roster for the 2007-08 season has been released.  We are going to see plenty of new faces up front, but with the best starting backcourt in the Summit League, the potential for a strong season is there.

Stevens Leaving IUPUI?

Andy Katz at ESPN is reporting that IUPUI head coach Ron Hunter appears likely to be named the new coach at Ball State. Hunter could be offered a contract as early as tomorrow.

This is an interesting twist for the pre-season favorites in the Summit League.

Update: Hunter apparently turned down Ball State and the gig went to Lehigh’s Billy Taylor.

Grizzlies In Local Summer League

Oakland’s Brandon Cassise, B-Jay Walker, Shane Lawal and Keith Benson are playing in the Great Lakes Summer Pro-Am Basketball League.  Marvin Goodwin of The Oakland Press gives a rundown of what’s going on in the league.