Alford more than once has been the target of Enfield's not-so-veiled criticisms, including one in October when Enfield famously warned his players about the team's new up-tempo pace.
"We play up-tempo basketball here," he said. "If you want to play slow, go to UCLA."
That remark was the spark.
His recent comments to a room full of USC boosters ignited the flame war.
"I don't worry about them," said Enfield in a report by Men's Journal when asked about competing with Alford for recruits. "I've made it to one Sweet 16 in two years, and he's made it to one Sweet 16 in 18 years."
So Enfield has come out with guns blazing.
But the true test will come when his team tries to back up these declarations when the squads meet in Westwood on Jan. 5.
Then we'll see who's still talking.
ST. JOHN'S GUARD SUSPENDED
St. John’s freshman guard Rysheed Jordan had been drawing rave reviews for his performances with the Red Storm even before making his official debut, but that show abruptly stopped when he was suspended indefinitely by coach Steve Lavin for violating team rules.
Jordan missed Friday’s game against Monmouth, which the Red Storm won, 64-54, to move to 3-1 on the season.
"We have high expectations for all of our student-athletes at St. John’s,” Lavin said. “We are hopeful that moving forward Rysheed will be able to meet his responsibilities and rejoin our team on the court.”
A 6-4 guard from Philadelphia, Jordan was voted preseason Big East Rookie of the Year and was a top-20 recruit according to ESPN.com. To date, he was averaging 4.3 points and 2.3 assists. Without him in the lineup Friday, guard Phil Greene logged a season-high 36 minutes.
Lavin told the New York Post he expects that Jordan will return to the team, but would not indicate whether he will play Tuesday in a non-league game against Longwood.
WILLIAMS UNSURE ON HAIRSTON
Uncertainty continues to be the word surrounding North Carolina standouts P.J. Hairston and Leslie McDonald. The players did not travel with the team to Connecticut for this weekend’s Hall of Fame Tipoff Classic because of lingering eligibility issues with the NCAA.
Meanwhile, Tar Heels coach Roy Williams did not strike the most encouraging tone Saturday when asked by CBS Sports writer Gary Parrish whether he felt he’d ever have the chance to coach Hairston again.
“I think I will,” Williams told Parrish. “But I just don’t know.”
Authorities twice cited Hairston during the offseason while he was driving a rental vehicle linked to a felon and party promoter, raising the possibility of an improper benefits violation.
The school hasn't specified McDonald's issue, though UNC had to send a letter this summer ordering a company that makes designer mouth guards to stop using McDonald's image on a website promoting its brand. McDonald had made at least one social media post last year about wearing one of the company's mouth guards. NCAA rules prohibit athletes from endorsing or promoting a company or product.
North Carolina struggled in a loss to Belmont without both players a week ago (and also struggled to put away Richmond on Saturday before winning, 82-72), but their absences for Sunday's victory obviously didn't hurt.
The Tar Heels now have a week off before returning to the court Dec. 1 at UAB. UNC then plays at Michigan State on Dec. 4 as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
A MONEY MAKER
Chalk this one up to great marketing: Syracuse is already selling T-shirts in preparation for the Orange’s first game against Duke as a member of the ACC.
Given that the Feb. 1 game at the Carrier Dome could attract a record crowd (just not as big a record as hoped), and it’s being contested by the two winningest coaches in college basketball history in Mike Krzyzewski and Jim Boeheim, the only thing we’re surprised about is that these shirts weren’t out in July.
When this game rolls around, the hype will reach insane levels. ESPN’s College GameDay will be there, which means we’ll be reminded only once every 3.8 seconds about that game in the weeks leading up to the contest.
Well done by Syracuse’s profiteers to capitalize on a situation that is indeed worth mining for gold. The prices ($16.99 to $18.99) are a little expensive for a T-shirt, but that’s not the worst price mankind has ever paid for a shirt. We’ll see our share inside the Dome in a few months.
FUN IN THE SUN
Saturday was an off-day in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Challenge, giving teams the opportunity to enjoy the 86-degree weather in San Juan.
Michigan was one such team soaking up the sun following Friday’s overtime win over Florida State that got them to Sunday's championship game vs. Charlotte.
Meanwhile, the midday temperature in Ann Arbor was 25 degrees, something that was not lost on the school's media relations director, Tom Wywrot, in tweeting this picture.
Meantime, the team got together for a group picture in the ocean. It wasn't difficult to pick Mitch McGary from the crowd, given he's head and shoulders above his teammates.
Basketball is a lot of work, but there are a ton of cool perks, too. Trips like this are one of them.
Contributors: Kami Mattioli, Roger Kuznia, Mike DeCourcy and The Associated Press
