Monday News and Notes

Xavier news:

Xavier opens new student athlete academic center | Local News - WLWT Home
An academic center isn't as much fun as a new rec center or the updates to the Cintas Center, but it's still worthwhile news. Get in there and study, kids!

Xavier no longer recruiting Kobi Simmons - Banners On The Parkway
This isn't good news, even compared to an academic center. Simmons is likely to be a one or two and done, but that doesn't seem likely to be Xavier's problem now.

The rest of the world:

Five forgotten players that will provide a boost this season - Men's College Basketball Blog - ESPN
This mostly noted for featuring a player that will matchup against Xavier this year.

Rajiv Maheswaran: The math behind basketball's wildest moves | TED Talk | TED.com
I've not finished this, but it's been interesting so far. Analytics has made baseball far more enjoyable and really opened up the game to a level of understanding beyond "getting the uniform dirty" and "clogging the bases." (Sidenote: Dusty Baker was an idiot). KenPom has led the charge with basketball, but this TED Talk gets seriously in depth on things that could change the game.

Everything you need to know about the College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon | CollegeBasketballTalk
There are 24 hours of basketball coming your way, and this is a solid guide to what is going to happen in that time. If you watch all 24 hours, you're either very impressive or very unimpressive. I'll let you decide.

Moustapha Diagne, The NCAA Will Get to You When They Get to You - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
There should be no love lost for anyone regarding Syracuse, but this is absurd. Players like Myles Davis get caught in garbage like this all the time because the NCAA is too lazy and too apathetic to help the "student-athletes" they prattle on about while doing what they really love, making money.

Illinois dismisses forward Darius Paul - CBSSports.com
Again, if you can't stay sober, at least stay inside.