Fanshots

Cody Zeller didn't realize he was talking to Michael Jordan after the Hornets drafted him

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I froze. That meant it was Michael Jordan on the line. He had gone out of order. I scrambled to say, "Thank you Mr. Jordan" — or maybe I just said, "OK." I have no idea. I had just rambled on for a minute to the best basketball player ever and I didn’t even know it was him.

via The Players' Tribune

D1Baseball.com is bullish on the Hoosiers entering the final stretch of the season

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Indiana lost both ends of home-and-home dates with Indiana State and Evansville, dropped a game to Cincinnati and managed only one series win—against Rutgers, who’d lose to some of the better high school teams in Texas. I was done paying attention to Indiana. But then the Hoosiers swept Maryland on the road last weekend, and the latest Stock Report has them next in line to make it back into the field. So is the real Indiana the team with as much talent as any non-Illinois team in the Big Ten and the kind of pitching depth you need to play deep into June? Or the one that lost at home to Ian Happ and the Seven Dwarves?

Michael Baumann discusses Indiana's chances to not only make the field, but make a run into June in his D1Baseball.com column

Victor Oladipo Enters Dunk Contest

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The Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo and Orlando Magic's Victor Oladipo have committed to participating in the All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk contest, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Brooklyn Nets center Mason Plumlee also will be a part of the competition, sources told Yahoo Sports. Another strong possibility for the competition is Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Zach LaVine, sources said. The dunk contest is set as the final event of All-Star Saturday night on Feb. 14 at the Barclays Center in New York. The All-Star game is Feb. 15 at Madison Square Garden. Antetokounmpo and Oladipo have emerged as the two most dynamic players from the 2013 draft class and separated themselves with their ability to play above the rim. Antetokounmpo, known as the "Greek Freak," is 6-foot-11 with long arms and massive hands, and has built a cult following for the Elastic Man quality to his dunks. Oladipo has been fast developing as a star for the Magic, and LaVine, 19, has a 44-inch vertical leap. Plumlee high-jumped 6-8 in high school and was the runner-up in the McDonald's High School All-American game dunk contest.

- Adrian Wojnarowski, Twitter

Brad Stevens: "This is what I want to be doing."

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"I’ve committed to being here. I’ve already left a situation once and that was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to choose to do. This is something that as long as they want me to be here, this is what I want to be doing and I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. I know it’s all specific to the rumor mills and the discussion of one spot. I think they’ve got a good coach who’s done a helluva job. He doesn’t deserve that speculation. "I’m the head coach of the Boston Celtics. This is the job. This is where I am. This is what I want to do really well and I’m committed to being as good as I can every single day for the Celtics."

as told to our NBA writer Paul Flannery

IUFB Commitments 12/14/14

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The recruiting wire has been buzzing this morning, with 3 signings coming on Sunday. -From David Woods of the Indy Star: "Indiana adds 2 football commitments: Maryland safety Tyler Green, St. Louis OL DeVondre Love." -From Matt Weaver: "IUFB picks up 3rd commit of the day in 3-star athlete Isaac James from Carmel HS (IN)"

Twitter @DavidWoods007 @MB_Weaver

Turns out, UAB can afford football.

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Another example of why you probably shouldn't cite "numbers" as a reason, when the numbers don't actually back up your decision.

Screw the Math: UAB Can Afford Football, so Why Is It Choosing Otherwise? | VICE Sports

ESPN Story - "Basketball means more in Indiana"

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"The only thing I can compare it to is Alabama football,'' said Birmingham native Christian Watford. "And I think people here are crazier.''

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/8896650/basketball-touches-life-all-levels-indiana-college-basketball

Fun Fact I learned today: Purdue has a five man advising, supervision and development team for...

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Fun Fact I learned today: Purdue has a five man advising, supervision and development team for their new athletic facilities. 3 of the 5 are IU grads.

@SethDavisHoops Seth davis @TomCrean I'm not stunned in the least Tom. I have never seen a fan...

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@SethDavisHoops Seth davis @TomCrean I'm not stunned in the least Tom. I have never seen a fan base support its team so well for so long during tough times. College Basketball Reporter for Sports Illustrated's response to Tom Crean's tweet about the 7600 student season tickets sold.

http://twitter.com/#!/SethDavisHoops

TreyMambaLyles Trey Lyles "#HoosierNation help me out with followers @jlyle11 has more then me and...

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TreyMambaLyles Trey Lyles "#HoosierNation help me out with followers @jlyle11 has more then me and he's not even committed #futureofiubb"