The Fast Break: July 22, 2015

Marquette announces opponents for Italy trip - Anonymous Eagle

On Tuesday, while in a Twitter conversation about a number of things including the only time I walked out of a Marquette game, I found myself on the GoMarquette.com schedule page for men's basketball. What did I find there? Surprisingly, and without warning, I found Marquette's four opponents for the trip to Italy in August.

Xavier's most un-clutch moment of 2014-2015 - Banners on the Parkway

Xavier came into this game having been treading water since the turn of the year. A meaningful conference winning streak was hard to come by, and X was 16-9 (7-6) and not feeling all that comfortable about the impending NCAA tournament when St. John's came to Cintas on Valentine's Day. Xavier got up 13-3 early but St. John's stormed back to make the game nip and tuck the rest of the way. Dee broke a two and a half minute dry spell with a layup at the 1:39 mark to make it a one-possession game, and Xavier settled in on defense needing one more stop to have a chance to tie at home.

Xavier's most clutch moment of 2014-2015 - Banners on the Parkway

Xavier was off to a 3-3 start in Big East play, carrying a disappointing loss DePaul and thumpings from Butler and Villanova into the game at Providence. The Muskies weren't categorically on the ropes, but they hadn't looked good early on in the conference and the annual Thanksgiving disappointment wasn't that far in the rear view. Another flat showing at Providence would have been a real gut punch for X and the fans.

Sportando: Mike Nardi to retire, join Villanova coaching staff - VU Hoops

Is Mike Nardi ready to return to the Main Line? Sportando is reporting that Nardi will retire, and may join the Villanova staff as an assistant coach. Nardi has been a mainstay in Italy for the last eight seasons (he holds an Italian passport) where he has played for Avellino, Pesaro, Pavia, Milano, Forlì and Latina.

The Darrun Hilliard Project(ion) - VU Hoops

As part of a larger offseason series on Darrun Hilliard - #1 in our hearts, #6 for the Pistons - we'll be taking a general look at his life and prospects in the NBA. The first portion is a stats-centric, roster-independent look at the skills he displayed in college, and how they might translate to the NBA.

Introducing The Hinkle Academy, A New Graduate Program - Butler.edu

Graduate students looking to become leaders in wellness, sport, and allied fields now have a new option: the Hinkle Academy, a joint online venture of Butler University's Department of Athletics, College of Education, and Health and Recreation Complex.

Juice List 2015: Why a Seton Hall hoops star has influence -- Nos. 21-25 - NJ.com

Juice is power. Juice is influence. Juice is also subjective. Each summer, sports columnist Steve Politi ranks the most influential people in New Jersey sports — a list that includes team owners, coaches, politicians and athletes from all levels of competition. No. 1 on the Juice List will be revealed July 29. Today: Nos. 21-25.

Amber Thompson signs with German Professional Team - RedStormSports.com

The all-time leading rebounder in St. John's Women's Basketball history, Amber Thompson has signed a contract to play for New Basket '92 Oberhausen e.V. in Germany's First Division.