I am here in Portland, Ore., covering the NCAA basketball tournament. Today is the first day of games. The first game I covered was the Northern Iowa – Purdue game for the Des Moines Register. They can be seen here on their site, mixed in with some AP photos.
Tonight’s Western Kentucky – Illinois game is the next game I am covering. Pictures will be posted shortly after the conclusion of the game.
WKU defeated South Alabama 64-56 Tuesday night in Hot Springs, Ark to win the Sun Belt Conference. This win also secures WKU an automatic bid in the NCAA basketball tournament. WKU will find out its seed and game location this coming Sunday.
This SBC win is WKU’s second in a row. They reached the Sweet 16 in last year’s tournament.
AJ Slaughter was named the tournament’s most outstanding player.
Orlando Mendez-Valdez goes up for layup against South Alabama's DeAndre Coleman. Mendez-Valdez finished the game with 10 points and eight assists.
Orlando Mendez-Valdez tries to break free of a South Alabama defender.
Members of WKU hold up their Sun Belt Conference trophy.
WKU head coach Ken McDonald holds up the Sun Belt Conference championship trophy. McDonald, who is in his first year as head coach, exceeded all expectations as he led the Hilltoppers to their second straight NCAA bid.
AJ Slaughter helps cut down the net as part of a championship tradition. Slaughter was named the tournament's most outstanding player.
WKU defeats North Texas to advance to the Sun Belt Conference Finals which will be played tomorrow at 9 PM Central in Hot Springs, Ark.
Jeremy Evans (40) dunks as North Texas players George Odufuwa and Eric Tramiel watch.
WKU's Sergio Kerusch battles North Texas's Harold Stewart for a rebound. Kerusch was the player of the game. He finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
AJ Slaughter drives to the basket against Dominique Johnson. Slaughter finished the game with 22 points.
WKU fans celebrate the Hilltoppers 77-70 victory over North Texas.
WKU defeated Florida International 66-48 in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference tournament on March 8, 2009 in Hot Springs, Ark. WKU will face North Texas next.
Orlando Mendez-Valdez led WKU with 18 points.
Sergio Kerusch goes up for a jumper as he is defended by FIU's Nikola Gacesa. Kerusch finished the game with eight points and six rebounds.
Jeremy Evans finishes off an alley-oop dunk.
Orlando Mendez-Valdez goes up for a layup against FIU's Michael Dominguez. Mendez-Valdez, who was named the player of the game, finished with 18 points.
Jeremy Evans goes up for a jumpshot as he is defended by FIU's Russell Hicks. Evans finished with 10 points.
Sergio Kerusch drives towards the basket against FIU's J.C. Otero.
Anthony Sally scrambles for a loose ball.
DJ Magley celebrates a WKU basket in the closing minutes of the second half.
Well, I’ve just arrived here in Hot Springs for the Sun Belt Basketball Tournament. Assuming WKU wins all their games, I’ll be shooting on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
The first round game is against Florida International on Sunday at 1230. Pics will be posted after the game.
My name is Michael Ip. I am a photojournalist based in New York City. I am currently shooting for the New York Daily News for summer 2009.
You can reach me at (315) 777-0343 or email me at mike@mikeip.com
I am open to all sorts of freelance work. Please contact me for assignments.
Here is a list of stuff I’ve had published:
MP Training, March 13, 2008 for the Fort Drum Blizzard
NCAA Round 1 – Northern Iowa vs Purdue, March 19, 2009 for the Des Moines Register
Jim Ellson – Retired FDNY, June 4, 2009 for the NY Daily News
High School Volunteers, June 7, 2009 for the NY Daily News
National Pigeon Day, June 14, 2009 for the NY Daily News
Brownsville Bred, June 17, 2009 for the NY Daily News
7-train Extension, June 20, 2009 for the NY Daily News
Rainy Days, June 21, 2009 for the NY Daily News
Father’s Day Park Cleanup, June 21, 2009 for the NY Daily News
Beyonce Press Conference, June 23, 2009 for the NY Daily News
The Dirty R Train, June 25, 2009 for the NY Daily News
City Hall Guard House Painted, June 30, 2009 for the NY Daily News
NYPD Car Strikes Five Pedestrians, July 1, 2009 for the NY Daily News
Harlem Charter School, July 4, 2009 for the NY Daily News
Dog Illness, July 4, 2009 for the NY Daily News
Hunter College Students Lose Scholarships, July 9, 2009 for the NY Daily News
Ex-WBA Lightweight Champ Joey Gamache, July 11, 2009 for the NY Daily News
Joey Gamache Lawsuit, July 15, 2009 for the NY Daily News
Mobile Vet Clinic, July 25, 2009 for the NY Daily News
Free Activities in Queens, July 28, 2009 for the NY Daily News
Former NYC Mayor Ed Koch Returns Home, July 28, 2009 for the NY Daily News
Blind Comedian Brian Fischler and his Guide Dog Nash, August 1, 2009 for the NY Daily News
