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The Indianapolis-to-Ohio State-to-Indianapolis connection continues for Butler basketball. Greg Oden and Jon Diebler, both former Ohio State players under coach Thad Matta, are joining Matta’s Butler staff, sources confirmed to IndyStar.
Gordon Hayward would be happy with Pacers trade
Indiana saw several teams (such as the Mavericks) back off Turner after his foot injury. That could give the Charlotte Hornets an easier path to the Pacers center. The Hornets could try to build a package around veteran Gordon Hayward, who is believed to still favor Indiana (where he played for the Butler Bulldogs), or P.J. Washington and Mason Plumlee.
WNBA star and current Indiana Fever general manager Tamika Catchings joined the demonstration along with former Indiana Pacers player and Broad Ripple High School graduate George Hill and current Butler basketball head coach LaVall Jordan. Catchings says it is important for public figures to encourage people to vote. "But you’re going to be the ones that are going to lead this charge and lead us into that next generation, and we need you guys to step up," she says.
The travel schedules of the Boston Celtics and the Butler Bulldogs happened to align perfectly this week in Milwaukee, allowing Gordon Hayward and Brad Stevens the rare opportunity to escape the NBA lifestyle and cheer on their former collegiate team. After wrapping up Celtics practice on the Marquette University campus Wednesday evening, Hayward and Stevens headed over to Fiserv Forum, also the sight of Thursday night’s Celtics-Bucks game, to see the Bulldogs in action against the No. 11 Golden Eagles. They were joined by Celtics assistant coach Micah Shrewsbury, who was also on Stevens’ Bulldogs staff, as well as C’s player development staffer Alex Barlow, who played for four years under Stevens at Butler.
With the Pacers honoring the legendary Butler coach Tony Hinkle during Sunday's Hickory Night against the New York Knicks, here are 10 things to know about Hinkle's life and legacy. He was born just outside of Logansport on Dec. 19, 1899. His father, Edgar, was a farmer and schoolteacher. He attended high school in Chicago, however. His birth name was Paul David. He picked up the nickname "Tony" from his basketball coach at the University of Chicago, who admonished him for eating spaghetti and meatballs in a pre-game meal. The coach gave him an Italian nickname as a way of poking fun, and it stuck.
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Former Butler standout Joel Cornette, who started for the Bulldogs from 1999 to 2003 and led the program to three NCAA Tournament appearances, died early Tuesday at his home in Chicago. He was 35 years old. "This morning, we spoke with the Cornette Family, who has confirmed that their beloved son and brother, Joel, passed away early this morning due to natural causes," read a statement from Butler Basketball's official Twitter account. "They are shocked and devastated by this news. The Butler Family also mourns the loss of one of our favorite Bulldogs."
Stevens graduated with a degree in economics, but when Thad Matta offered him a low-paying, part-time position in Butler's basketball program, Stevens jumped at the opportunity and resigned from his marketing job at Eli Lilly. He learned alongside Butler assistant Todd Lickliter, who quickly became a friend and mentor. It was Lickliter who stressed the value of a clear mind and fresh legs -- Butler's practices usually lasted no longer than an hour -- and the need to keep the game plan as simple as possible.
Smiles were aplenty at Butler University's Hinkle Fieldhouse on Wednesday evening, as the Indiana Pacers hosted a party to show their appreciation for full season ticket holders. But that elation was not limited to just the fans, as Pacers' players, coaches, and staff, alike, appeared to thoroughly enjoy themselves as they took part in the array of amusing activities. Boomer and some of the Pacemates joined in on the fun as well. According to Ian Mahinmi, the event gives the players a chance to connect with their fans. "We don't get to do that much so once we can it's always a good time. I always enjoy doing that."
The Orlando Magic have expressed interest in former Butler forward/center Kameron Woods. Woods posted Wednesday on Twitter that he has interviewed with the Magic. Butler coach Chris Holtmann said the Magic's front office spoke with him for about an hour last week. The NBA club is interested in Woods as a power forward.
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Olimpia Milano turned with decision on Shelvin Mack for the point-guard position. The former Butler Bulldogs is under contract with Atlanta Hawks for 884.293 $, but his contract is not-guaranteed. Atlanta seems intentioned to cut him because the pick of Dennis Schroeder and the matched offer for Jeff Teague close the doors for him in the point-guard position.
As reported by the most important Greek website, Matt Howard is targeted by Olympiacos. The American power forward spent his college career with Butler Bulldogs averaging 16.4ppg and 7.7rpg as senior in NCAA. Howard went undrafted in 2011 NBA draft and planned to start his pro career in Europe.
Butler Bulldogs junior guard Shelvin Mack, who led the Bulldogs to a second straight NCAA championship game appearance, will declare for the NBA draft but not sign with an agent, coach Brad Stevens said. According to Stevens, Mack will test the draft process between April 24 and May 8 to see where he would fall in the first round.
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