Riley Frain

2 weeks ago | midmajormadness.com | Riley Frain

In 2009, Mike Magpayo was living in Southern California and working as CEO of a multi-million dollar real estate firm that he helped start after graduating from UC Santa Barbara. He became a prominent JV high school basketball coach within the region during his spare time but as the real estate market plunged between 2007-08, Magpayo knew his company needed to adapt. So, in 2010, he decided to pursue a master’s degree on the other side of the country.

2 weeks ago | hoopshq.com | Drew Blouin |Brett Friedlander |Riley Frain |Justin Perri

SAN ANTONIO — “7 KILLS.”  That was the only thing written on the whiteboard in Florida’s locker room after the Gators’ 79-73 national semifinal win over Auburn on Saturday at the Alamodome. The Gators face Houston on Monday night with a chance to claim their third championship in program history. In Florida’s dictionary, a “kill” is defined as three consecutive defensive stops. Each game, the team’s goal is seven kills.

2 weeks ago | hoopshq.com | Drew Blouin |Brett Friedlander |Riley Frain |Justin Perri

Bueckers doesn’t have to do these things. But she does. She always does. “She cares so much for the people around her that sometimes she forgets about herself,” 6-foot-5 redshirt freshman center Jana El Alfy said Saturday during a media availability before Sunday’s UConn-South Carolina national championship game. Bueckers has been in the spotlight since high school, when she was the country’s No. 1 recruit coming out of Hopkins (Minn.) High, in the Minneapolis suburbs.

2 weeks ago | hoopshq.com | Drew Blouin |Brett Friedlander |Riley Frain |Justin Perri

RJ Luis Jr., 6-foot-7 junior guard, Saint John’sWhen Rick Pitino made the decision to bench Luis, his leading-scorer, with time winding down in the Johnnie’s second round loss to Arkansas, he sent shockwaves through the nation. Sure, Luis finished that game 3-17 from the field, but people still wondered: How could a coach bench his star in the closing minutes? How would Luis react?

2 weeks ago | hoopshq.com | Drew Blouin |Brett Friedlander |Riley Frain |Justin Perri

Bueckers knows better. “We haven’t watched film yet,” she said with a laugh. Throughout the game, Fudd felt like things were really clicking. But when Auriemma praised them in the postgame, her eyes widened. “I thought we played really well, but not perfectly. So when he said that I was like, ‘Is he feeling okay?’” Fudd said with a laugh. “But it was a great game. We really executed our scout and made it difficult for them. So I’m really proud.” The Huskies have done something rare this season.