UNLV planning to build a statue of Jerry Tarkanian

To me UNLV basketball will always be about Jerry Tarkanian. Even though he was thought to be a renegade, Tarkanian lifted the Runnin' Rebels to their greatest heights.

In 19 seasons at UNLV, Tarkanian won 509 games and led the program to four Final Four appearances and a national title in 1990. Tarkanian was finally elected to the Naismith Hall of Fame as a member of the 2013 class.

The school will make plans to build a statue of Tarkanian to honor the godfather of UNLV basketball.

UNLV will hold a press conference Wednesday to announce plans to construct a statue of former basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian outside of the Thomas & Mack Center, according to multiple sources.


Jim Ratigan, the executive director of the UNLV Alumni Association, confirmed the group is working on something for Tarkanian but added the specifics are still being worked out.

"We are spearheading an effort to work on a project honoring coach Tarkanian," Ratigan said. "We’re still working on all the details.”

The floor at the Thomas & Mack center, the Rebels' home court is named in his honor. The statue is long overdue as Tarkanian meant a lot to that program and the city.

Stephen Curry challenges Michigan's Nik Stauskas to 3 point contest

Michigan's Nik Stauskas burst onto the college basketball scene with his sharpshooting ability. After his latest YouTube video, Stauskus' reputation is growing.

Stauskus nailed 70 of 76 three pointers in the rain which prompted Golden State Warriors marksman Stephen Curry to throw out a challenge to Stauskus.

"3pt contest sometime @NStauskas11 ????? this is Impressive," Curry tweeted, linking Stauskas' video.

Staukus response: "Thanks for the s/o bro! Im always down fot a 3pt contest, wouldn't mind going up against the best shooter in the world!!," he tweeted. "I love waking up to a challenge by the best 3 point shooter in the world!!! Today might be a good day HA!"

Curry shot 45.3 percent from deep in the NBA while Stauskus shot 44 percent and set a  Michigan freshman record for three pointers in a season.

I wonder would this be from NBA range or a college shootout.

Eastern Michigan basketball player suspended for assault charge

Eastern Michigan basketball player Glenn Bryant has been suspended indefinitely by the school after his 19-year-old girlfriend said he choked her during an argument at an off-campus apartment.

Glenn Bryant was arraigned Wednesday in Ypsilanti District Court on assault by strangulation and aggravated domestic violence charges.

The 22-year-old from Detroit was arrested Monday.

Interim Athletic Director Melody Reifel Werner says in a statement that Bryant's suspension under the school's student-athlete discipline policy will continue "until the charges are dropped, dismissed or otherwise resolved."

Bryant was a transfer from Arkansas and averaged around 10 points after sitting out the 2011-2012 season.

Pistons will interview Lindsey Hunter for coaching job

The Detroit Pistons might look to another former player to coach the team.

Reports say that the Pistons will interview Phoenix Suns interim head coach Lindsey Hunter for the vacant coaching job. The Pistons asked the Suns for permission to interview for the opening.

I know Hunter was a long time Piston (1993-2000, 2003-08) and has family in the Detroit area but I don't like the idea of Hunter coaching the team.

For starters look at his record in Phoenix (12-29). I know the Suns didn't have the best team but when you have a player (Michael Beasley) say that he plays better when he's not listening to the coaches, that's an indictment on the coach and his staff. The Suns finished with the worse record in the Western Conference.

Secondly, it would be Joe Dumars being loyal Joe. The last time the Pistons hired a former as coach was the Michael Curry experiment which lasted only one season. Hunter doesn't have much experience in the coaching ranks and if Dumars hires Hunter the Pistons will be looking at another season in lottery land.

The very last thing this team needs is another former Piston as Head Coach. I have great respect for Lindsey Hunter and Joe Dumars but it would be a mistake to appoint him as the next coach.