Hampton University and the University of Virginia share the same state and a berth in the 2016 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. That’s about all the two schools share.
The unlikely duo will face each other at 2:10 p.m. Thursday, March 17 when their respective tournaments begin in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Pirates are the 16th seed in the Midwest Regional, while the Cavaliers are the top seed.
Virginia was a 24-point favorite Tuesday – yet I would take the Pirates and those two-dozen points. Why? Hampton coach Edward Joyner Jr.
Joyner Jr.’s team will be making its third NCAA Tournament appearance in his six years at the school as champion of the MEAC Conference.
Last year, Hampton “upset” Manhattan 74-64 in one of the NCAA Tournament play-in games before falling to eventual Final Four representative Kentucky. Hampton hung with the heavily favored Wildcats for much of the first half before falling 79-56.
Joyner Jr.’s skill as a coach and unbridled enthusiasm make him somewhat unique – and it should make him a candidate for SLU’s coaching vacancy.
Yahoo Sports calls Joyner Jr. “the kind of coach you want to see succeeding at this time of year because he seems to have a way of adding to the fun.”
After Hampton spanked South Carolina 81-69 in the MEAC championship, Joyner Jr. shook the hands of opposing coaches and players and then raced to stand on a short wall behind his bench to pump his fist and celebrate with Hampton fans.
When was the last time there was enthusiasm displayed by a coach in Chaifetz Arena? Try never.
After last year’s win against Manhattan, the youthful coach was asked about the daunting task of facing Kentucky and how he would prepare for the game.
He picked up his cellphone and pretended to call Jesus. He asked Jesus how to handle Kentucky and Jesus immediately hung up.
SLU basketball needs a fresh face. It needs better players, better recruiting and more energy. This is no time for a retread and/or recently fired coach or one that is closer to retirement than to winning NCAA Tournament games.
Joyner Jr. was the 2015 HBCU Male Coach of the Year and his Pirates also played in the 2014 CBI postseason tournament. He is the winningest coach in Hampton’s history since it moved up to the Division 1 level.
HBCU teams do not have the facilities or recruiting budget of schools in the Atlantic 10, but Joyner Jr. has found a way to win. SLU does not match up with BCS conference members when it comes to those same budgets, but a guy like Joyner Jr. would be able to take what he is given and win. He’s already doing it.
SLU will most likely play a waiting game to see what shakes out in the tournament before naming a coach. Many teams will be interviewing during Final Four weekend in Houston because the national coaching conference is held on the same weekend.
While his season will most likely end on Thursday, SLU should give him a call and set up an interview. For those who ask why, I counter with “why not?” It isn’t like SLU has anything to lose.
No, I didn’t pick Kansas
My bracket this year isn’t too crazy – and I didn’t pick my Kansas Jayhawks to win the national championship. I didn’t pick them to reach the Elite Eight.
Too many heartbreaking, early tournament losses in the past and too much California in the Sweet 16 game.
Of course, I hope I’m wrong.
My consolation is that I have Cal beating KU, surprising Miami and Oklahoma to reach the Championship game. They will finally lose to North Carolina, who I pick as champion.
Other highlights of the Reid Bracket
Northern Iowa, dramatic winner of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, will reach the Sweet 16 after beating Texas and Texas A&M.
While Syracuse and Michigan should not have been selected for the tournament over Monmouth, both will do well. Michigan will have beaten Tulsa in the play-in game and will shock Notre Dame before losing to West Virginia.
Syracuse will top Dayton before bowing out against Michigan State – who will lose to Virginia in the Midwest Regional Final.
Speaking of Tulsa, you can say what you want about coach Frank Haith but he hit the ground running and has his team in the tournament. Meanwhile, down at Mizzou ….
The NCAA did not do Villanova a favor by setting up a matchup with Temple in Brooklyn, N.Y. I find ‘Nova coach Jay Wright a bit arrogant and will enjoy watching his team make another early exit from March Madness.
Unfortunately, Baylor and Oklahoma will meet in the West Regional Final, canceling a chance for two Big 12 teams to advance. The Sooners win at the buzzer.
My pitfalls will come because I have too much faith in the Big 12 and not enough in the Big Ten. If Cal departs the first weekend of the tournament, I’m in trouble.
Let the games begin!
