World Best Sports

The exclusive supplier of game jerseys for the National Basketball Association is moving all of its production contracts to Asia, a decision that may idle a sports uniform factory in Perry and its 100 employees.

Adidas, the global sportswear powerhouse that manufactures game jerseys for the NBA and several National Football League teams — including the Buffalo Bills — notified the owners of the American Classic Outfitters factory in Perry about six weeks ago that it was canceling a contract that began in 2008 and was supposed to run through the end of 2014.

Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., is among those calling on Adidas to change its mind and continue to produce NBA uniforms in the United States rather than move the work from ACO and two other U.S. suppliers to factories in Thailand. He made an appearance at the factory Tuesday afternoon to urge such a change in plans.

“It is flat wrong for Adidas to take away the production of NBA game jerseys from the company and workers here in New York who have done so well for the NBA for so long,” Schumer said in a statement issued by his office Tuesday morning. “And to do it in this economic climate adds insult to injury. Basketball is a marquee American sport and the NBA is its premier stage.” continue reading…

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After the Memphis game, I complained that KU didn’t shoot the trey often enough and that they didn’t press. Believe it or not, I actually saw a full court press against Central Arkansas. Ok, it was only once or twice, but that’s still infinitely more than normal. Maybe… just maybe… Self will employ it in the future. And, instead of only five three-pointers against Memphis, the Hawks shot 19 Thursday night, hitting 11. Obviously, my opinion had nothing to do with it, but it’s always good when I don’t have to complain.

KU was overwhelmingly dominant. They led at one point 37-15 including a 23-0 run in the first half. At another point, they led 53-17. And, the final margin was 50. For the most part, the game was an exhibition in KU’s depth – which included CJ Henry getting his first minutes and making the most of them (3-4, 8 points, including 2-3 from threes). But, of course, with that comes the problem of the 10th man. Self’s nine-man rotation didn’t last long and it is only going to get worse in few weeks when Withey and Morningstart to demand time. continue reading…

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NCAAB Picks: East Carolina vs. Tennessee Basketball Odds – Nov 20th, 2009: Virgin Islands Sport & Fitness Center in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, will be the sight for this weekend’s U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam. Today, we have a terrific Conference USA vs. Southeastern-East conference matchup, as the (1-2) East Carolina Pirates [+26½] take on the 10th ranked (2-0) Tennessee Volunteers [-26½].

Tennessee is coming off one of the biggest blowouts in school history, as it’ll be looking to have a repeat performance of its 75-point destruction of NC Asheville, 124-49. It was the second biggest margin of victory in NCAAB Picks: East Carolina vs. Tennessee Basketball Odds – Nov 20th, 2009the school’s history, second only to the 79-point rout of University of New Mexico back in 1966.

“I like the chemistry. I like the way they’re sharing the ball,” Volunteers coach Bruce Pearl said. “I like the fact that they’re able to see what they’re capable of doing if they apply themselves.”

For the underdog Pirates, they’re coming off back-to-back losses: 89-58 to Wake Forest on Sunday and a 74-68 defeat at the hands of Campbell. The loss on Tuesday marked East Carolina’s 16th straight L against ranked teams, not to mention both of its losses against Tennessee in 1978 and 1991. continue reading…

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C.J. McCollum scores 22 points to help Lehigh post 79-71 win over Quinnipiac.

Unable to gain weight and realizing that playing quarterback wasn’t in his athletic future, C.J. McCollum gave up on football and concentrated more on basketball in the eighth grade.

The basketball coach at Glen Oak High in Canton, Ohio, had to love that decision because McCollum scored with ease there — as he did in his first home game at Lehigh Wednesday night at Stabler Arena.

The Mountain Hawks, who were picked to finish second in the Patriot League, relied mostly on McCollum’s team-high 22 points to beat Quinnipiac 79-71 in a non-league matchup.

McCollum took charge with his dribble and shooting to score seven of his points in the final six minutes. That’s when Lehigh (1-2) turned a four-point advantage into a more comfortable 66-56 lead off a McCollum soft, hanging jumper in the lane with 3:49 remaining. continue reading…

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While Arkansas exploded in its first game, it got brought down to reality by 20th-ranked Louisville. Several other SEC teams have lost already as well.

One of those teams is 18th-ranked Mississippi State.

The biggest surprise for the conference, however, was a positive one. Rotnei Clarke blew past SEC and Arkansas records on his way to a 13-of-17 performance from downtown to post 51 points against Alcorn State.

Here are Week One’s awards.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Rotnei Clarke (33.5 ppg, 2.0 stl, 66.7% 3PT)

COACH OF THE WEEK: Trent Johnson (3-0 with win over Western Kentucky)

FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Marshawn Powell (16.0 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 2.5 blk)

A breakdown of each team’s performance thus far follows.

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Between now and New Year’s Eve, the fledgling Indiana Hoosiers basketball team will face 10 opponents ranging from pushovers (hello, Bryant University!) to a possible powerhouse (rival Kentucky).

After opening the season with exhibition wins over Grace College and St. Joseph’s (Indiana), it’s time to find out just how good this youthful team can be.

Let’s take a look at IU’s first 12 games of 2009-10. continue reading…

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