Masiello Stays With Manhattan

((HT: ESPN))

Provided he gets the 10 credits he needs to complete his degree at the University of Kentucky...

This was a proud moment for the Manhattan program this post-season... making it into the tourney...
((HT: CBS Sports Network))


And because of the success the Jaspers had, head coach Steve Masiello was a hot commodity. The University of South Florida wanted Masiello to take over for the departed Stan Heath. But in checking his background, the school discovered the lacking of a degree from his undergrad time at UK.

USF found him out and didn't want him anymore.
Manhattan had to figure out what to do with him, and it looks like they're giving Masiello a solid...

"I am extremely grateful and humbled by the opportunity to continue as the head men's basketball coach at Manhattan College," Masiello said in a statement released by the school. "I made a mistake that could have cost me my job at an institution I love. Details matter. Manhattan College has shown me a great deal of compassion and trust during this process, and I will do everything in my power to uphold that trust. I understand that I am very fortunate to have the chance to remain here at Manhattan."

"After an extensive review of the situation and extenuating circumstances, we determined that Mr. Masiello executed poor judgment but did not intentionally misrepresent himself in applying to the college. After participating in graduation ceremonies at the University of Kentucky, he enrolled in summer courses with the intention of completing his degree, but never followed through to make sure that the degree was awarded," Manhattan president Brennan O'Donnell said in the statement.

"We appreciate the counsel of all involved in assessing this complex situation. Our policy was always that the coach must have at least a four-year undergraduate degree. We are confident that Mr. Masiello will be able to complete his degree this summer and return soon thereafter to resume his duties."

Associate head coach Matt Grady will serve as interim head coach during Masiello's summer school.

Here's to hoping Masiello gets a degree and does some good with it...

Masiello In Trouble At USF And Manhattan

Manhattan head coach Steve Masiello had to face his mentor Rick Pitino in the first round of this year's March NCAA tournament in one of those 4-13 match-ups... and it wasn't really fair...

But Masiello got to parlay the Jaspers success into a job offer from the University of South Florida- who was looking at a replacement for Stan Heath...

Problem...

Masiello's resume claims that he majored in communications and graduated from Kentucky in 2000. However, in the verification process, USF found out that Masiello did not in fact graduate from UK...

The job offer from USF has been withdrawn and he is now on administrative leave at Manhattan...

"The agreement was pending a verification of credentials," South Florida said in a statement. "Through the verification process it was determined the candidate's credentials could not be substantiated and therefore he did not meet the requirements for the position."

"As a result of a background check commissioned by the University of South Florida, Manhattan College has learned there is a question of the validity of head men's basketball coach Steve Masiello's undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky," reads a statement from Manhattan. "Masiello is currently in the process of reviewing his degree status with the University of Kentucky. Manhattan College has placed Masiello on leave while he completes this process with the university."

Jeff Goodman discusses
((HT: ESPN))

Florida Gulf Coast U. Denied A Buzzer Beater Because Of Obscure Rule

They were the darlings of last year's NCAA Tournament, Florida Gulf Coast.

Nine months later Andy Enfield is coaching at Southern California and with the Eagles off to a 5-5 start FGCU doesn't look so pretty now.

Tuesday night Chase Fieler hit a catch and shoot buzzer beater with point 3 seconds left that would have sent the game against South Florida in triple overtime.

Thanks FGCU Eagles


The catch and shoot was the problem. The officials ruled that the shot attempt was not a tip in and waved off the basket giving South Florida a 68-66 win over Florida Gulf Coast.

FGCU's Chase Fieler Beats The Clock But Denied Basket

"I'll take it," South Florida head coach Stan Heath said.

During the time out the officials reminded the FGCU coaches that with point 3 seconds on the clock it had to be a tip-in situation.  

Still photos do show that the ball was out of Fieler's hands before the red light came on.

Judgment call.

Holtz Fired... No, Not That One...

Reports out of Tampa have the patience gone at the University of South Florida...

Skip Holtz is out as head coach after his successful run at East Carolina beforehand...

The Bulls (3-9, 1-6 in the Big East Conference) completed the worst finish in their 16-season football history, taking last place in the conference and missing the postseason for the second straight year, all before a listed attendance of 18,841 in their season-ending loss to Pitt.

Holtz finished 16-21 at USF, 5-16 in the conference.

USF AD Doug Woolard is now set to pay a $2.5-million in a buyout over the next five years.

More when know more...

Look Out Big East, Here Comes Rutgers, Scarlet Knights Defeat South Florida 23-13

Either Rutgers is making an early claim as the beast of the Big East or auditioning for a new conference home with the state of Big East football.

Thursday night the Scarlet Knights with those cool silver helmets took down South Florida 23-13 in Tampa.

Jawan Jamison, a native of Starke, Florida, carried the ball a Rutgers record 41 times for 151 yards and this 41 yard touchdown run, with an insane spin move,  that put the game on ice for the Scarlet Knights.  (Thanks ESPN)

 

Jamison has now run for over 100 yards in his last four games dating back to the 2011 season.

As for Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights are off to their 3-0 since 2007.  Up next for Rutgers, at Arkansas.

TWTW: The Ones Where We Don't Know What To Think- Iowa State, South Florida, Rice

((HT: WHO-TV Des Moines))

The Cy-Hawk game, itself, was astronomically painful- a 9-6 final...
The HQ doesn't know if this is an upset, or just bad football...


The South Florida game was an interesting match-up with Nevada in Reno...
Cody Fajardo was 27-for-38 for 271 yards, but it took a last-second TD pass by the Bulls to steal the win at Chris Ault Field...

Are both teams good and just needed the full 60 minutes to figure out a winner, or are we just fooling ourselves...???
((HT: MyNews4.com Reno))


This next one, the HQ just likes to get a good belly laugh about it...
Rice kicked a last-second field goal to beat Kansas in Lawrence...
Here's the highlights...
((HT: FoxSports))


And here's Charlie Weis talking about it... more laughter...
((HT: TheScotsmanable))

TWTW: The Upsets- Notre Dame, Duke, Oregon State (With Bonus Virginia and VaTech Coverage)

((HT: WSBT-TV/WRALSportsfan.com))

And, yes, the HQ knows that this is kind of a stretch...

A lot of people had South Florida taking out the fighting Irish... it took almost six hours through two weather delays, but it finally happened. And it took USF about six hours to print the t-shirt...
 

And the HQ also knows that Richmond is a class-A I-AA outfit while Dook is a perpetual struggler in the Aay-Cee-Cee...
Sean Robertson has the details with bonus coverage of VaTech-App State and UVa-William and Mary...
((HT: WTVR-TV Richmond))
 

But the funkiest game of the day, when it comes to upsets, was with Sacramento State and Oregon State... and the Beavers were not nice...
Nick Krupke stands behind a desk...
((HT: KVAL-TV Eugene))