Author: Ray Maloney

A native of Bismarck, N.D., Ray is a graduate of North Dakota State University where he began studying athletic training and served as a student trainer for several Bison teams including swimming, wrestling and baseball and was a trainer at the 1979 NCAA national track and field championship meet at the University of Illinois. Ray later worked in the sports information office at NDSU. Following his graduation from NDSU he spent five years in the sports information office at Missouri Western State University and one year in the sports information at Georgia Tech. He has nearly 40 years of writing experience as a sports editor at several newspapers and has received numerous awards for his writing over the years. A noted sports historian, Ray is currently an assistant editor at Amateur Wrestling News.

Columbia Shakes Off Rust to Improve Record to 11-2, Overtakes Ohio 81-59

Columbia did some things with a bang. But it was being masterful at doing the little things with a slow and deliberate precision that allowed the Lions to put themselves in a position to fire on all cylinders and eventually rolling past Ohio University 81-59 in women’s college basketball Dec. 29 at Levien Gymnasium.

Shannon Provides Late Spark as Illini Knock Off No. 2 Longhorns in Jimmy V Classic

That only left Matthew Mayer to make his mark until Shannon got going. And in the end, it was enough as the Fighting Illini overcame a double-digit lead in the second half on the way to an 85-78 overtime win over the Longhorns on Dec. 6 in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden.

Sun Devils Roll Past Michigan to Win Legends Classic

Few prognosticators were giving Arizona State much recognition heading into the start of the 2022-23 basketball season. The Sun Devils proved them all wrong with a history-making performance that lifted Arizona State to the championship in the Legends Classic on Nov. 17 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

OVC Recaps and Weekly Preview, Week of 11/13/2022

It was only a matter of time before Geno Hess put his name atop the record book at Southeast Missouri State University. And he did so in a resounding way as the Redhawks rolled over Tennessee State 42-0 on Nov. 5 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

OVC Recaps and Weekly Preview, Week of 10/1/2022: OVC Title Race Coming Into Focus

Little by little, week by week, the crystal ball is coming into focus in the Ohio Valley Conference as UT Martin and Southeast Missouri both picked up wins on Oct. 1 to remain perfect in league play as the halfway point of the 2022 season looms on the horizon.

OVC Recaps and Weekly Preview, Week of 10/1/2022: Sparse Schedule Offers Glimpse Into OVC Expectations

Southeast Missouri and UT Martin will look to post back-to-back wins after earning victories a week ago when they return to action this weekend.

OVC Recaps and Weekly Preview, Week of 9/25/2022: Conference Champs Begin Title Defense

Ohio Valley Conference newcomer Lindenwood will put its perfect season on the line when the Lions tangle with defending conference champion UT Martin on Sept. 24.

OVC Recaps, Week 2: Drama Reigns Supreme Across OVC, 9/12/2022

After winning just one of six games in the opening week of play, Ohio Valley Conference teams fared better the second time around.

OVC Teams Struggle in First Week

While the arrival of a new college football was welcomed by a throng of fans from coast to coast, the Ohio Valley Conference had a less than rousing performance in the first week of the new season. UT Martin was the lone OVC squad to come away with a win as the league combined for […]

North Dakotan Lute Olsen Earns Place in Naismith Hall of Fame

The list of honors and other accolades garnered by Lute Olson during his illustrious coaching career could nearly rival the number of miles he logged on the road going from coaching stops in Minnesota, Colorado, California and Iowa, before ending his brilliant career in Tucson, Arizona.

Kansas State’s Bill Snyder Succeeds Where No One Else Had

Snyder resuscitated a once-moribund program, dubbed “Futility U” in a Sports Illustrated article a short time before Snyder’s arrival. The school had appeared in just one bowl game in school history and Snyder turned the Wildcats into one of the most consistent programs over the course of the next three decades.

Gillespie Clutch as Wildcats Win Big East Crown

The six-foot, two-inch guard, who was held scoreless in the first half, ended the game with 17 points, with eight of those coming in the final three minutes of play as Villanova rallied to defeat Creighton 54-48 to win the Big East championship on March 12 at Madison Square Garden.

Top Seeds Survive to Meet in Big East Semifinals

Despite all efforts to the contrary, the top four seeds all survived to remain alive in the 2022 Big East Tournament, albeit in mostly dramatic fashion, being held at Madison Square Garden.

Butler, Seton Hall Win Thrillers in First Round of Big East Tournament

There has never been a shortage of exciting games at the Big East Tournament and the 40th edition of the tournament at the world’s most famous arena continued that long line of drama.

Black History Month: Simon Roberts Helped Pave Way for African-American Success in Wrestling

Long before Black History Month was officially recognized in the United States, Simon Roberts made a name for himself and began to kick in doors that were previously closed to African-Americans in the sport of wrestling.

Vince Dooley’s Plan Leads to Legendary Status

No celebration of Georgia’s recent national football championship can be complete without looking back on the foundation Vince Dooley began putting in place more than half a century ago and culminating when Dooley and the Bulldogs won the national championship in 1980 by defeating Notre Dame 17-10 in the Sugar Bowl.

Montana State Head Coach Brent Vigen Knows A Thing Or Two About Bison, Frisco

Montana State has spent nearly half a century panning for another national title in football and it’s taken a graduate of North Dakota State to lead the Bobcats to the threshold of achieving that goal.

Former Georgia Tech Head Basketball Coach Bobby Cremins Lives Out Dream

The platinum blond hair made Bobby Cremins one of the most easily recognizable figures in college basketball. The success he had in turning collegiate basketball programs around made him one of the best coaches in the history of the game.

Women’s Basketball, Men’s Basketball to Share Same Court In Never Forget Tribute Classic

A unique college basketball doubleheader returns to the hardwood with the renewal of the Never Forget Tribute Classic.

Jimmy V Classic: Villanova Controls the Boards in Defeating Longtime Rival

The renewal of a longstanding rivalry between two former Big East Conference foes put all the is good about college basketball on full display in front of nearly 15,000 fans as No. 6 Villanova defeated Syracuse 67-53 on Nov. 9 in the nightcap of the 2021 Jimmy V Classic at famed Madison Square Garden.

College Basketball Returns to Famed Madison Square Garden for Jimmy V Classic

In a city known for its rich basketball tradition on the asphalt courts that abound on nearly every street corner, college basketball takes center stage once again with the annual Jimmy V Classic.

St. Francis-Brooklyn Women Notch Historical Triumph

St. Francis-Brooklyn coach Linda Cimino conjured up some classic Norman Dale after her Terriers scored the final six points of the game, all in the last 45 seconds, to overtake and stun Michigan State 66-63 to record what is believed to be the biggest win in the history of the program at the school.