News Nuggets, 08.20.03
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Private money rolls in for TCU basketball palace

FORT WORTH — The fundraising goal has been met for a new basketball practice complex, and construction on the 22,000-square-foot facility is underway, Texas Christian Athletics Director Eric Hyman announced Tuesday.

"This facility makes a huge statement to the commitment we have towards our basketball programs," said Hyman. "This is another step in the master plan for facilities that was developed five years ago. The money for this project was raised through private donations and endowments and there is no cost to the university. That speaks volumes for the TCU community, especially Ed and Rae Schollmaier, to raise this money in this economic climate," added Hyman.

Planners envision an attractive structure, matching the light brick look of TCU's family of athletic venues. The $6 million project will stand southwest of Daniel-Meyer Coliseum on the grounds formerly used as the baseball field. The facility will feature office space for both coaching staffs, two NCAA regulation practice courts, meeting rooms, weight room, a lobby and courtyard.

"I am committed to building a nationally-recognized and respected Division I basketball program at TCU," basketball coach Neil Dougherty said. "Construction of this practice facility is an important step in achieving this goal and assuring that we can compete in recruiting and on the court in Conference USA and nationally. We appreciate those who stepped up and made this complex a reality."

In the past five years, TCU has made funding commitments to a number of programs and facilities, including the Bayard Friedman Tennis Center, the Robert and Maria Lowdon Track & Field Complex, the Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium, the Clifton and Sheridan Morris Football Practice Fields, the Charles and Marie Lupton Stadium for baseball and the John Justin Athletic Center for all sports.

Berry starts unraveling Army QB logjam

WEST POINT — Army's clouded quarterback picture has gotten a bit clearer this week as head coach Todd Berry narrowed the list of potential starters from five to three with the release of a tentative depth chart based on the first full week of preseason camp.

With five returning players who saw action at quarterback a year ago and no definitive starter entering preseason camp, Berry has focused on the area throughout the early going. The fourth-year Army mentor had stated his desire to cut the list of potential starters from five to three following Saturday's scrimmage. He did that on Monday when he unveiled an early depth chart featuring Reggie Nevels, Matt Silva and Laron Bybee atop the list, but in no certain order. Sophomores Zac Dahman, who started four games a year ago and led the Black Knights in pass attempts, pass completions and passing yardage, and Connor Crehan are currently slotted in behind the lead trio.

"The quarterbacks made this a tough decision," Berry said. "I kind of thought they would. The first week, we wanted to see some consistent performance, but we also wanted to see their athleticism come out and see who was going to make plays and who wasn't going to make plays.

"What made it difficult is that they were all making plays throughout the first week. I was very pleased with that. But we had to whittle it down to three to get those players more repetitions."

Berry mentioned that he would like to slice the list by one following this Saturday's scrimmage, before naming a starter shortly thereafter.

Bearcats' hoops slate loaded with heavyweights

CINCINNATI — Twelve games against teams which appeared in postseason play last season and a new format for Conference USA play highlight the University of Cincinnati's 2003-04 men's basketball schedule.

The Bearcats will have seven games against teams which participated in the NCAA tournament, including Marquette which reached the Final Four, and five from last year's NIT, including quarterfinalist UAB. Cincinnati will play seven games against teams ranked in the top 50 of either the final Sagarin or RPI computer ratings and 14 against teams rated in the top 100.

For the first time since the league expanded to 14 teams, UC will face every school in Conference USA. C-USA has abandoned its two-divisional format for regular season scheduling. All teams will be in a single playing league. Each team will play every other team once. Additionally, each team will play a second game against three "traditional rivals" designated by the conference. Cincinnati's designated "traditional rivals", with whom the Bearcats will have home-and-home contests, are Louisville, DePaul and Charlotte.

In non-league play, UC will restart a series with ACC regular season champion Wake Forest, No. 8 in the final Associated Press. The Bearcats will play at Wake Forest on Feb. 15. UC has home games with Dayton (No. 16 AP) and Clemson. The annual Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout vs. Xavier will be played on Feb. 3 at Xavier. UC will play the Miami RedHawks at U.S. Bank Arena on Dec. 28.

Cincinnati Bearcats 2003-04 Men’s Basketball Schedule

November
Tue. 11 EA Sports (exhibition)
Sat. 15 NORTHERN KENTUCKY (ex.)
Sat. 22 AKRON
Mon. 24 OAKLAND
Sat. 29 COPPIN STATE

December
Tue. 2 at Valparaiso
Wed. 17 CLEMSON
Sat. 20 MIDDLE TENNESSEE ST.
Tue. 23 DAYTON
Sun. 28 MIAMI (O.)
U.S. Bank Arena
Tue. 30 ELON

January
Wed. 7 at Tulane*
Sat. 10 DePAUL*
Wed. 14 at Marquette*
Sat. 17 TCU*
Wed. 21 at Louisville*
Sat. 24 at Southern Mississippi*
Wed. 28 EAST CAROLINA*
Sat. 31 CHARLOTTE*

February
Tue. 3 at Xavier
Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout
Sat. 7 at Houston*
Wed. 11 USF*
Sun. 15 at Wake Forest
Wed. 18 at UAB*
Sat. 21 LOUISVILLE*
Wed. 25 SAINT LOUIS*
Sat. 28 at Charlotte*

March
Thr. 4 at DePaul*
Sat. 6 MEMPHIS*
Wed- 10- Conference USA Tournament
Sat. 13 - Cincinnati, Ohio

* Conference USA game

News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2003 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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