Where They Stand: SEC

Eastern Division:

South Carolina 9-1 (0-0)
Florida 8-2 (0-0)
Tennessee 8-2 (0-0)
Kentucky 8-3 (0-0)
Vanderbilt 8-3 (0-0)
Georgia 7-3 (0-0)

Western Division:

Arkansas 8-1 (0-0)
LSU 8-1 (0-0)
Alabama 6-3 (0-0)
Ole Miss 7-4 (0-0)
Miss State 7-4 (0-0)
Auburn 6-4 (0-0)

Favorite: Tennessee
Contenders: Florida, South Carolina, and Arkansas
Sleeper: Kentucky
Destined for Last: Georgia and Auburn
Biggest Non-Conference Win: Tennessee 90 vs Georgetown 78
Biggest Non-Conference Loss: Mercer wins over Alabama and Auburn

This is not football. Unfortunately the SEC is probably the worst BCS conference in the country. Tennessee is their best team and they are ranked #17 by the AP and there are four Big East teams ranked ahead of them. This conference has been cupcake city so I don't think anybody knows what to expect outside of Tennessee's success. The lack of quality competition is really a huge problem. LSU has not played anybody and neither has South Carolina, who lost to the College of Charleston. Sorry SEC fans but outside of the Vols and maybe Florida and Arkansas, your conference stinks.

Where They Stand: Pac-10

Stanford 8-0 (0-0)
Arizona State 10-1 (0-0)
California 9-2 (0-0)
UCLA 9-2 (0-0)
Arizona 8-3 (0-0)
USC 8-3 (0-0)
Washington State 8-3 (0-0)
Washington 7-3 (0-0)
Oregon 5-6 (0-0)
Oregon State 4-5 (0-0)

Favorite: UCLA
Contenders: Stanford, Arizona State, USC
Sleeper: Arizona
Destined for Last: The Oregon Schools
Biggest Non-Conference Win: Arizona 69 vs Gonzaga 64
Biggest Non-Conference Loss: Portland 80 vs Washington 74

New coach Johnnie Dawkins has been loading up on cupcakes so his record is somewhat inflated. If they are good then it will show when conference play starts. Arizona State looks to be the team most capable of defeating UCLA and winning the Pac-10. USC freshman DeMar DeRozan is slowly coming along which will only help the Trojans get better. Arizona, a program that was almost torn apart by the abrupt retirement of Lute Olsen, is quietly a factor and boasts a solid trio in Jordan Hill, Chase Budinger, and Nic Wise.

Where They Stand: Big East

Pittsburgh 12-0 (0-0)
Connecticut 10-0 (0-0)
Syracuse 12-1 (0-0)
Villanova 11-1 (0-0)
Georgetown 9-1 (0-0)
Cincinnati 10-2 (0-0)
Marquette 10-2 (0-0)
Notre Dame 9-2 (0-0)
St. John's 9-2 (0-0)
West Virginia 9-2 (0-0)
Louisville 7-2 (0-0)
Rutgers 9-3 (0-0)
Seton Hall 8-3 (0-0)
Providence 8-4 (0-0)
DePaul 7-5 (0-0)
USF 4-7 (0-0)

Favorite: Connecticut
Contenders: Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Notre Dame, Georgetown, and Louisville
Sleeper: West Virginia and Cincinnati
Destined for Last: USF
Biggest Non-Conference Win: Notre Dame 81 vs Texas 80
Biggest Non-Conference Loss: Western Kentucky 68 vs Louisville 54

Depth and quality. The Big East has both and at they have at least 11 or 12 potential NCAA Tournament teams. It will be a dogfight during conference play because of the new 18 game schedule. Everybody plays everybody else at least once. UConn seems to be the best but will be challenge by Pitt, Syracuse, and Notre Dame. Louisville has been very disappointing and they look disinterested and they don't play hard. If Rick Pitino gets these guys into shape then they could be dangerous. The league will be dominant in March, this is the Year of the Big East.

Where They Stand: Big Twelve

Oklahoma 12-0 (0-0)
Baylor 10-1 (0-0)
Texas A&M 10-1 (0-0)
Texas 10-2 (0-0)
Missouri 9-2 (0-0)
Texas Tech 9-3 (0-0)
Kansas 8-3 (0-0)
Kansas State 8-3 (0-0)
Oklahoma State 8-3 (0-0)
Nebraska 7-3 (0-0)
Colorado 6-3 (0-0)
Iowa State 7-4 (0-0)

Favorite: Oklahoma
Contenders: Baylor, Texas A&M, Texas
Sleeper: Missouri
Destined for Last: Iowa State
Biggest Non-Conference Win: Texas 68 vs UCLA 64 / Oklahoma 87 vs Purdue 82
Biggest Non-Conference Loss: South Dakota State 65 vs Iowa State 58

The conference championships is Oklahoma's to lose. Baylor has great guard and wing players but they lack a big to battle Blake Griffin. Texas has stars with Damion James and AJ Abrams but their role players must step up if they want to beat Oklahoma. Missouri has been a nice surprise under Mike Anderson and so has Texas A&M. The Big 12 is down compared to past years but the top teams are great, it's just the overall quality that is lacking.

Where They Stand: Big Ten

Minnesota 11-0 (0-0)
Ohio State 9-0 (0-0)
Illinois 11-1 (0-0)
Penn State 11-2 (0-0)
Purdue 10-2 (0-0)
Michigan 9-2 (0-0)
Michigan State 8-2 (0-0)
Northwestern 8-2 (0-0)
Wisconsin 9-3 (0-0)
Iowa 9-3 (0-0)
Indiana 5-6 (0-0)

Favorite: Purdue
Contenders: Minnesota, Michigan State and Ohio State
Sleeper: Michigan
Destined For Last: Indiana
Biggest Non-Conference Win: Minnesota 70 vs Louisville 64
Biggest Non-Conference Loss: Drake 60 vs Iowa 43

Minnesota is the story of the Big Ten so far because of their early success under Tubby Smith. They scheduled cupcakes but came away with a huge win against Louisville last weekend. They are young and may not be as talented as other teams, but if they listen to Smith they can shock some people and push Purdue and Michigan State down the stretch. The overall quality of the Big Ten is nice especially since the only team with a losing record, Indiana, is rebuilding the program. Michigan has wins over UCLA and Duke this year so don't sleep on the Wolverines.

Where They Stand: ACC

Clemson 12-0 (1-0)
North Carolina 11-0 (0-0)
Wake Forest 11-0 (0-0)
Duke 10-1 (0-0)
Florida State 11-2 (0-0)
Boston College 10-2 (0-0)
Maryland 8-2 (0-0)
NC State 7-2 (0-0)
Georgia Tech 7-3 (0-0)
Virginia Tech 8-4 (0-0)
Virginia 5-4 (0-0)
Miami 7-3 (0-1)

Favorite: North Carolina
Contenders: Clemson, Duke, Wake Forest
Sleeper: Florida State
Destined For Last: Virginia
Biggest Non-Conference Win: North Carolina 98 vs Michigan State 63/ Duke 76 vs Purdue 60
Biggest Non-Conference Loss: Liberty 86 vs Virginia 82


Not much surprise in the ACC. North Carolina is destined to win the regular season and I doubt any team will put up a fight outside of maybe Duke. Florida State has been playing well all year but the shocker may be how well Wake Forest is playing. Many pundits said they were a year away but freshman forward Al-Farouq Aminu has emerged as a threat as well as sophomore sensation Jeff Teague. Miami has ground to make up but could also be dangerous as well.

Weekend Picks

(6) Duke vs (7) Xavier (East Rutherford, NJ)

Defense will win this game. Sean Miller and Mike Krzyzewski are known for preaching defense. On paper Duke looks like the better but make no mistake, Xavier will be ready to play. It will be interesting to see what happens in the post. Xavier freshman center Kenny Frease has good size and is the x factor in this game. His battle with Brian Zoubek in the post could tip the balance of the game. Unfortunately for Xavier, Duke is playing well and is hitting on all cylinders.

Duke 81 vs Xavier 72

(9) Louisville vs Minnesota (Glendale, AZ)

Rick Pitino's team has been steamrolling the competition since their loss to Western Kentucky. Minnesota is a feel good story with their renaissance under the guidance of Tubby Smith. The Golden Gophers are undefeated but they face a tall task with mismatch forward Earl Clark. Clark should carry Louisville and will help create space on the perimeter for Jerry Smith, Edgar Sosa, and company.

Louisville 85 vs Minnesota 73

(19) Michigan State vs (5) Texas (Houston, TX)

Tom Izzo's Spartans have been underwhelming this year because of injuries to frontcourt players Goran Suton and prized freshman Delvon Roe. This has been a trying season but once they get healthy, MSU will be dangerous. Kalin Lucas on AJ Abrams will be a track race and if MSU loses Abrams in transition, then he could get 30. Dexter Pittman is going up against a thin frontcourt and is confidence has only been getting better.

Texas 79 vs Michigan State 70

Temple at Kansas

Normally this would be a Kansas rout but the world is rethinking Temple, especially after their domination of Tennessee last weekend. Guard Dionte Christmas is a marked man and will see a litany of defenders. If Kansas contains Christmas, then sophomore Cole Aldrich will be able to work in the post and collect a double double. Easier said then done, Temple will keep it close but Sherron Collins will win it for the Jayhawks.

Kansas 78 vs Temple 73

Arizona at UNLV

During a day of basketball throwdowns, this game is under the radar but could prove to be a classic. UNLV was the popular it team going into the season. Arizona was written off because of the program's turmoil and change after Lute Olsen's departure. UNLV is the home team and Wink Adams is a great talent but is in a tough matchup with Nic Wise. Chase Budinger will own the wing and budding star Jordan Hill will control the post. Or Arizona could continue their Jekyell and Hyde act and lose this game. I think the confidence because of the Gonzaga win will last.

Arizona 75 vs UNLV 73

(22) Davidson vs (13) Purdue (Indianapolis, IN)

I had a chance to see Stephen Curry play in the Jimmy V Classic two weeks ago. He was absolutely fantastic and won the game when he needed too. Purdue has more talent than West Virginia and they will put Chris Kramer on Curry and hope for the best. The rest of Davidson will have to deal with E'Twuan Moore and Robbie Hummel. In the post, the chiseled Andrew Lovedale will push around JaJuan Johnson but won't do the same against Nemanja Calasan. Purdue just has too much.

Purdue 78 vs Davidson 72

(2) Connecticut vs (8) Gonzaga (Seattle, WA)

Talent and more talent will be on the floor in Seattle. Jeremy Pargo goes up against AJ Price, Austin Daye against Jeff Adrien and Josh Heytvelt against Hasheem Thabeet. UConn junior Stanley Robinson is back from exile and may be a game or two away from being a factor. These two teams, no matter who wins or loses, will both be Final Four contenders in March. Pargo showed his weakness is a trapping zone. UConn will be all over him. Gonzaga will counter with scoring power and tough D. This could be the game of the day.

Gonzaga 84 vs Connecticut 83

(11) Syracuse at (23) Memphis

This game is actually easier to pick because of the recent news regarding Syracuse. Junior guard Eric Devendorf is suspended for the game and sophomore star Jonny Flynn is a game time decision with a hip injury. Without their starting backcourt, it will be a tall task for the 'Cuse to pull one out on the road. Memphis gets a quality win but with an asterisk.

Memphis 82 vs Syracuse 74

BYU at (20) Arizona State

Even if BYU, I don't think it would be an upset. They are on the cusp of being a Top 25 team and feature a star in forward Lee Cummard. Cummard will be locked in a scoring battle with NBA talent James Harden. The role players will decide this game and I like Jeff Pendergraph, Ty Abbott, and three point threat Rihards Kuksiks better than Jimmer Fredette and Jonathan Tavernari.

Arizona State 78 vs BYU 70

UPSET OF THE WEEKEND

(3) Pittsburgh at Florida State

The Seminoles have height, a lot of height. Pitt's main inside threat, the uber talented DeJuan Blair, is a shade over 6-7. The Seminoles will use this size and hope that they can stop or at least contain the other part of the Pitt trio in Levance Fields and the pump fake king Sam Young. Freshman Chris Singleton will say hello to the country with a tremendous performance. If they win, consider Florida State a team that will finish in the top five of the ACC.

Florida State 68 vs Pittsburgh 66

Last Week: 4-1
Season: 4-1

Weekend Picks

My picks for the top games of the weekend.

(8) Tennessee at Temple:

There is a lot to like about Bruce Pearl's team right now. Tyler Smith looks like he is becoming the star people know he can be and JUCO transfer Bobby Maze is handling the job at point guard with ease. Pearl is never afraid to schedule tough games but this is not the same Temple teams that we're accustomed to seeing. They beat Penn State is their last game and came within four points of knocking off Clemson. Those teams, however, are nowhere close to Tennessee.

Tennessee 82 at Temple 70

(17) Memphis at (19) Georgetown:

A heavyweight matchup last season and this year the game still has a lot of intrigue. Freshman Tyreke Evans (Memphis) and Greg Monroe (Georgetown) have been solid players so far this year. What this game comes down to is style. If Memphis can run and push the tempo, they could win. On the other side, if Georgetown slows down the pace than Memphis is in trouble. I like the guard play for Georgetown better with Jessie Sapp, Chris Wright, and Austin Freeman. DaJuan Summers and Robert Dozier could be a wash up front. The home team prevails, but it will be close.

Georgetown 71 vs Memphis 67

Indiana at Kentucky:

Normally this game is full of talent because these two programs are among the most storied in college basketball. IU's program is slowly getting built back up but a hostile Rupp Arena crowd won't cut them any slack. Indiana does not have a big man to match UK's sophomore sensation Patrick Patterson.

Kentucky 79 vs Indiana 60

Utah at (5) Oklahoma

This game has upset written all over but OU knows that and will come out on fire. Luke Nevill against Blake Griffin in the post should be fun to watch because both are big time talents. The role players will decide this game and Oklahoma, with Taylor Griffin, Willie Warren, Austin Johnson, and Cade Davis have more talent than a Utah team that did win at Oregon earlier this season. Oregon and Oklahoma are on two different levels right now, it won't be easy but Utah could make it interesting.

Oklahoma 80 vs Utah 73

(10) Xavier at Cincinnati

The Battle for Ohio is so much more now that Mick Cronin has Cincinnati on the rise. Xavier has posted some quality wins beating Missouri, Virginia Tech (on a buzzer beater), and Memphis in overtime. They have great talent in B.J. Raymond, Derrick Brown, C.J. Anderson, and Dante Jackson. If Xavier underestimates their opponent, they could lose. Cincinnati boasts Deonta Vaughn, Mike Williams, Alvin Mitchell, and freshman Yancy Gates. Their only loss came at the hands of rising ACC power Florida State. This looks like an upset game but Xavier knows that and it will eke one out. This game could be a classic.

Xavier 75 at Cincinnati 74

If your looking for upsets, there aren't many games that could provide it. Cincinnati has a chance as does Utah. One more possible upset game is Villanova at LaSalle. Jay Wright's club has not been playing well recently and that will give LaSalle a lot of confidence. They have players like Rodney Green, Kimmani Barrett, and a guy with a great name in Yves Mekongo Mbala. Watch out for this Philly slugfest.

Jimmy V Classic Recap

Some thoughts and quick-hitters from the games tonight.

Davidson 68 vs West Virginia 65

Stephen Curry's sidekick, whether he likes it or not, is senior big man Andrew Lovedale. He possesses a fantastic inside-out game because of his feathery touch and fearlessness to mix it up inside. He finished with 15 points and also collected three critical blocks. Curry may be the entree but Lovedale is certainly a tempting appetizer.

Davidson controlled the game until they lost it with under two minutes to play, only to gain it back when Curry launched a three to cut WVU's lead to one and then another bomb thirty seconds later to put Davidson ahead by two. It was a lead they never gave up. Kudos to forward Ben Allison and his ten points off the bench tonight. Davidson was playing without guard Max Paulhus-Gosselin (sounds like a Renaissance monarch) and needed someone to step up, it was Allison. He had several thunderous slams in the first half that energized the team and kept them going.

What more can you say about Curry? When his team needed him he delivered, what a special player.

For the Mountaineers team, they have to be happy about having one of the best forward tandems in the Big East in Da'Sean Butler and freshman Devin Ebanks. Butler has a nice shot, can play superb defense, and is athletic. He crashed the boards and ended up with 17 of them to go with his team-high 24 points. As for Ebanks, he is a Rudy Gay clone. He possess a similar build and at this point in his career, he rebounds better than Gay and is not afraid to shoot. Ebanks has some problems with the nuances of the game but what freshman doesn't? Ebanks will be a special player in Morgantown.

The Mountaineers failed where all of Curry's foe's have also failed: late game defense. Curry is not unguardable by any stretch of the imagination but in late game situations, WVU needs to find the shooters and stay with them. Curry faked a pick and used a step back to create space that led to the first of his pair of threes that ended WVU's chance to win. Also, not sure what happened to PG Joe Mazzulla but WVU was struggling with their half court sets because he was not in. His ability to get in the lane and draw defenders is so important to the team.

Butler's travel with 23 seconds left pretty much ended the game and Butler looked upset. Lets hope he has another chance to redeem himself.

Texas 67 vs Villanova 58

Rick Barnes should be absolutely ecstatic about the way his bench played tonight. The bench scored 14 points and collected 21 rebounds. Underused guard Varez Ward was thrust onto the court and played very well and did not look nervous playing in front a pro-Villanova crowd at Madison Square Garden. Sophomore Gary Johnson was active on the glass and always took a shot when he was open. His 3-11 night looks bad on paper but his willingness to shoot and grab boards will pay dividends down the road.

The defense of Dogus Balbay on Scottie Reynolds in the first half was exquisite. He forced Reynolds into two offensive fouls and got in his head because the usually unflappable Reynolds was visibly upset and frustrated with himself.

Texas has a great two man game with Damion James and AJ Abrams, who combined for 42 of the teams 67 points. That won't win the Big 12 (or maybe it will) but it will keep them in contention. Their teammates need to learn how to pick their spots and find open space when James and Abrams play the pick and roll game. Justin Mason could be that third star but for now, Rick Barnes will settle with Mason's steady hand (seven assists) and timely defense ( two steals). His ability to run the offense will allow Abrams to focus on scoring.

If Dexter Pittman gets in shape, watch out. The big (huge) man from Texas played only 15 minutes but was very effective. Texas constantly fed him the ball with a high lob into the post. His frame lets him easily carve out space in the paint and that was visible against a small Villanova team ('Nova seems to always be small).

Davidson needs to rebound if they want to be a player in March again.

West Virginia needs consistency and the steady hand of Joe Mazzulla.

Texas needs to find another reliable scorer to go with Abrams and James.

Villanova needs to cut down on turnovers (they had 19) and also force Corey Stokes to diversify his game (took nine shots and seven were from deep).

Picks for the weekend coming on Friday

2008 ACC-Big Ten Challenge

These two conferences are somewhat down compared to past seasons but the top teams are still fantastic and the fans will be treating to two possibly epic showdowns: Duke-Purdue and North Carolina-Michigan State. Here are my predictions for the Challenge.

Monday Dec. 1

Wisconsin at Virginia Tech

Tuesday Dec. 2

Duke at Purdue
Clemson at Illinois
Ohio St at Miami
Virginia at Minnesota
Iowa at Boston College

Wednesday Dec. 3

North Carolina vs Michigan State (Ford Field, Detroit)
Indiana at Wake Forest
Michigan at Maryland
Florida State at Northwestern
Penn State at Georgia Tech

WINNERS:
Virginia Tech
Purdue
Clemson
Miami
Minnesota
Boston College
North Carolina
Wake Forest
Maryland
Florida State
*Upset Special Penn State over Georgia Tech

ACC 8-3

The ACC dominance will because of the lack of depth in the Big Ten and also key games will be played at ACC venues with the exception of the Duke-Purdue game.

Hidden Gems: Players You Don't Know But Should. Part Two

BIG EAST CONFERENCE:
Deonta Vaughn SG Cincinnati- The junior from Indianapolis scored 17.3 points a game last year while also handling the ball and often guarding the opponents best guard. The Big East is so deep that a guy like Vaughn goes unnoticed. This year he is expected to lead Cincinnati to a possible NCAA Tournament berth as well as being competitive in the best conference in the country.

Arinze Onuaku C Syracuse-Everybody thinks they know about Syracuse. Eric Devendorf, Jonny Flynn, Jim Boeheim and the despair the Orange have felt on Selection Sunday the last two years. The burly Onuaku is a possible double double threat every night and with the return of Devendorf and Andy Rautins on the perimeter, he should find more room to operate in the post.

Da'Sean Butler SF West Virginia- The long and rangy Butler has the typical small forward physique (6-7, 225) and has a game fit for an up tempo contest. His long range shot has quietly improved and this could be his national coming out season. He dropped 19 in his first game including a perfect three for three from deep, watch out.

PAC-10:
Lawrence Hill PF Stanford- With the Lopez twins gone, Johnny Dawkins really needs Hill to step up and be the man inside. He has a great inside out game and has the experience of starting and learning with two NBA rookies. He dropped 22 on Yale with an efficient 8 of 11 from the field. Hill is ready for the big time.

Dwight Lewis SG USC- Although he plays second and sometimes third fiddle in the USC offense, Lewis is no slouch and is capable of torching any defense on any night. He will see plenty of open looks because of the attention drawn to freshman DeMar DeRozan as well as the precise passes of Daniel Hackett. Don't sleep on him because you will pay.

Patrick Christopher SG California-Another great player lost on a rebuilding team. Christopher has great guard size and uses that by scoring in a variety of ways. He gets to the line and he also can pass and find his teammates. He needs to work on his rebounding to become a great all-around player but his scoring prowess will suffice for now.

SEC:
Dan Werner PF Florida-Nick Calathes garners most of the pub in Gainesville but if this team goes deep into March, Calathes will need to thank Werner for keeping the perimeter clean. The 6-9 Werner has a sweet shooting touch and can also go into the paint and mix it up with the big men. Werner has endless possibilities.

Michael Washington F/C Arkansas- The homegrown junior sat back and watched a perimeter attack last year. Now with Patrick Beverly and Sonny Weems gone, the burden falls on Washington's broad shoulders. His 30 point 14 rebound debut is just the first of many big games for the talented power player.

Chris Warren PG Ole Miss-You may have heard about him last year because of the hot start Ole Miss but after they cooled down, Warren fell off the radar. The small but speedy sophomore has a nice jump shot and can also create for his teammates. He struggled in his opener but he'll shrug that off, stars always do.

Hidden Gems: Players You Don't Know But Should. Part One

ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE:
Jeff Teague PG Wake Forest- He was learning on the job as a freshman last year but now with experience across the board, Teague will show his superb end to end speed and quality decision making. Scored in double figures in seven of his last eight games last season, including 26 in the upset of Duke.

Gani Lawal PF Georgia Tech- GT has been underachieving recently but there is no denying the talent of Lawal. The long and athletic sophomore was stuck in a t-shirt last year because of his slender physique but has now bulked up to 233. There is not much athleticism up front so Lawal will get looked at early and often.

Jeff Allen PF Virginia Tech- The burly (6-7, 240) sophomore averaged close to eight rebounds a game last year and will certainly improve on that. Allen joins forces with guard AD Vassallo to form one of the best inside-outside combos in the ACC. His 11.8 points per game also figure to rise.

BIG 10 CONFERENCE:
Demetri McCamey SG Illinois- The solid sophomore guard was an exciting addition and showed with his superb scoring ability. He put up 26 on a terrific defensive team in Purdue and flashed his ability often. He also can pass the ball a little bit and will be counted to score and also look for teammates.

Chris Allen SG Michigan State- Drew Neitzel was the focal point of the Spartans offense last year so now that he's gone, the points will be evenly distributed. He shot a decent 36 percent from deep last year and will step into the starting SG spot. Look for Allen, Durrell Summers, and the rest of the Spartans to pick up the slack.

Trevon Hughes PG Wisconsin- If you witnessed his late game heroics at Texas last year then you know what he is capable of. He is fantastic on the defensive end and will need to put in work to become a solid distributor. He has All-Big Ten possibilities.

BIG 12 CONFERENCE:
Dominique Sutton SF Kansas State- A possesses a wide receiver like frame (6-5, 220) and can rebound with players much taller. He averaged 13 points and 8 rebounds a game last year while playing sidekick to star Michael Beasley. He is a sidekick no more, it's time for him to take on a lions share of the offense.

James Anderson G/F Oklahoma State-He was overlooked last year because of two things: OSU''s futility and the rest of the freshman class. Although OSU is still down some, Anderson's talents will not be overlooked. He has a pure jump shot and is a surprisingly strong rebounder. That 50 percent from deep is nice too.

Bryan Davis PF Texas A&M- He has an excellent inside outside game but should do most of his damage in the post. He has great strength at 6-9 and 240. He combines that girth with a nice jump shot that turned into 50 percent from deep. Don't be surprised when he makes the Big 12 first team.

Early Season Tournaments to Watch

COACHES VS CANCER
Championship Game: November 21
Key Teams: Michigan, Southern Illinois, UCLA, and Duke
Probable Matchup: UCLA vs Duke
Bracket Buster: Southern Illinois
Players to Watch: Darren Collison, Jrue Holiday, Josh Shipp, Nolan Smith, Gerald Henderson, Manny Harris, Anthony Booker, and Kyle Singler.
Early Edge: UCLA
MVP: Darren Collison

PUERTO RICO TIP-OFF
Championship Game: November 23
Key Teams: USC, Memphis, Xavier, and Virginia Tech
Probable Matchup: USC vs Xavier
Bracket Buster: Missouri
Players to Watch: Johnathan Hon, Antonio Anderson, Tyreke Evans, Leo Lyons, Paul Gause, Taj Gibson, Daniel Hackett, DeMar DeRozan, AD Vassallo, and Derrick Brown
Early Edge: USC
MVP: Daniel Hackett

PARADISE JAM
Championship Game: November 24
Key Teams: Miami, San Diego, Connecticut, and Wisconsin
Probable Matchup: Connecticut vs Wisconsin
Bracket Buster: San Diego
Players to Watch: Jack McClinton, Lance Hurdle, Brandon Johnson, Hasheem Thabeet, AJ Price, Kemba Walker, Trevon Hughes, and Marcus Landry
Early Edge: Connecticut
MVP: Hasheem Thabeet

CBE CLASSIC
Championship Game: November 25
Key Teams: Syracuse, Kansas, Florida, and Washington
Probable Matchup: Syracuse vs Kansas
Bracket Buster: Florida International
Players to Watch: Alex Galindo, J'Nathan Bullock, Jon Brockman, Quincy Pondexter, Sherron Collins, Cole Aldrich, Nick Calathes, Chandler Parsons, Jonny Flynn, and Eric Devendorf
Early Edge: Syracuse, barely.
MVP: Jonny Flynn

MAUI INVITATIONAL
Championship Game: November 26
Key Teams: Alabama, North Carolina, Notre Dame, and Texas
Probable Matchup: North Carolina vs Notre Dame
Bracket Buster: St. Joseph's
Players to Watch: Ronald Steele, JaMychal Green, Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Luke Harangody, Kyle McAlarney, Tajuan Porter, Michael Dunigan, AJ Abrams, and Damion James
Early Edge: North Carolina
MVP: Tyler Hansbrough

NIT SEASON TIP-OFF
Championship Game: November 28
Key Teams: Oklahoma, Purdue, Davidson, and Arizona
Probable Matchup: Oklahoma vs Purdue
Bracket Buster: UAB
Players to Watch: Robbie Hummel, E'Twaun Moore, Blake Griffin, Willie Warren, Stephen Curry, Andrew Lovedale, Chase Budinger, Jordan Hill, and Tyrese Rice
Early Edge: Purdue
MVP: Robbie Hummel

ANAHEIM CLASSIC
Championship Game: November 30
Key Teams: Wake Forest, Arizona State, Baylor, and St. Mary's
Probable Matchup: Wake Forest vs Arizona State
Bracket Buster: Providence
Players to Watch: Patty Mills, Jeff Teague, James Johnson, James Harden, Jeff Pendergraph, Sharaud Curry, Curtis Jerrells, and LaceDarius Dunn.
Early Edge: Arizona State
MVP: James Harden

OLD SPICE CLASSIC
Championship Game: November 30
Key Teams: Gonzaga, Georgetown, Tennessee, Michigan State, and Maryland
Probable Matchup: Tennessee vs Michigan State
Bracket Buster: Siena
Players to Watch: Austin Freeman, DaJuan Summers, Austin Daye, Jeremy Pargo, Greivis Vazquez, Raymar Morgan, Kalin Lucas, James Anderson, Kenny Hasbrouck, Tyler Smith, and Wayne Chism
Early Edge: Michigan State
MVP: Raymar Morgan

First Team All-America

C Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina- This is a fairly obvious pick. Hansbrough was named the Player of the Year by virtually every publication last year and returned to UNC for his senior year. He is being hampered by a stress reaction but when he comes back, he will be fantastic. He has tremendous players around him but the focal point of every defense remains number 50. If he actually improves on his numbers from last year, then 23 and 12 is not out of the question.

PF Blake Griffin, Oklahoma- Another trendy pick poised for a huge year. He has more NBA potential than Hansbrough because of his superb athleticism, developing jump shot, and his tireless work ethic. He averaged about 15 points and 9 rebounds a game last year and those numbers will certainly improve. Griffin is ready to shoulder the load offensively and should post a double double. If Oklahoma goes deep into March, it will because of Griffin.

SF Tyler Smith, Tennessee- Smith is another guy who is going to step forward and become the go-to guy. Smith possesses a terrific all-around game and it reflects in his stats. 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. He is a perfect fit in Bruce Pearl's offense and may lead it because of the point guard concern and the graduation of Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith. His options aren't completely diminished because of big man Wayne Chism and freshman wing Scotty Hopson. Smith will shine.

SG Stephen Curry, Davidson- Another no-brainer after what he did last season, specifically what he did in March against Gonzaga, Georgetown, Wisconsin, and Kansas. His scoring barrage and contagious smile endeared him to the fans of basketball. He will be handling the ball more this year because of Jason Richards' departure. Make no mistake, Curry's job will always be to find his shot first and his teammates second. 30 a game is not out of the question. Curry is so dynamic.

PG Darren Collison, UCLA- The last time we saw Collison, he was getting man-handled by the Memphis defense and specifically Derrick Rose. Collison has been to three Final Four's and shot an unbelievable 51 percent from deep last year. He is a tough and smart point guard who looks for his teammates first and then himself. What sets him apart from other guards is his defensive ability. He has quick feet and can hound anybody. He is a leader.

Second Team All-America

C Luke Harangody, Notre Dame- The reigning Big East Player of the Year was absolutely dynamite last year. He had 17 double doubles and had a career-high 40 points against Louisville late last season. He does not possess the natural athleticism that other skilled big men have but he gets around it by having superior position and going all out every possession. This season he will not sneak up on anyone so it remains to be seen how Harangody can handle the pressure of being a marked man.

PF Patrick Patterson, Kentucky-The Class of 2007 with Beasley, Rose, and Mayo was so deep that guys like James Harden and Patrick Patterson were overlooked, no more. Patterson was the only inside force Kentucky had last year and working against double and sometimes triple teams, he put up 16.4 points and 7.7 rebounds a game. He will again need to be a force in the middle if UK wants to dance in March. He lost solid guards Ramel Bradley and Joe Crawford to graduation so he will be the number one option on offense. He's poised for a big year.

SF Damion James, Texas- Plays the four in the Texas offense but is closer to a small forward because of his ever evolving perimeter game, which displays his soft touch and shot selection. He shot 41 percent from beyond the arc and may have the most dynamic offensive game in the Big 12. He's been overshadowed by Kevin Durant, AJ Augustin,and now AJ Abrams. He is ready to stake his claim as possibly one of the best small forwards in the nation.

SG James Harden, Arizona State- Just like Patterson, James Harden was overlooked because of Kevin Love and Mayo, who both played for Pac-10 teams. Harden is a true shooting guard who possess excellent size (6-4, 218) and touch (40 percent from deep). He also grabbed five rebounds a game to round out his very polished game. Expect Harden to hover around 20 points a game and to be a lottery pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.

PG Tywon Lawson, North Carolina- He has been hyped since he step foot on campus three years ago and has delivered but not to the level that people have expected. With all of UNC's main cogs back, it's finally time for Lawson to emulate what Raymond Felton did in 2005, run the show and win a National Championship. Lawson gets up and down the floor and if he improves his jump shot, the possibilities are endless.

Third Team All-America

Third Team All-America: The selection of players is a combination of past success, hype, teammates and opportunity.




C Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut- The former project from Dar Es Salaam is now a bonafide star. His offensive numbers have slowly improved while being known for his seven-foot three frame and his gaudy 5.2 block/game average in conference play. He averaged just about 10 points and 8 rebounds a game last year. He scored 14 points in last years tournament loss to San Diego. He should be in for a huge year, offensively and defensively.

PF Jon Brockman, Washington- He has been hidden by U-Dub's recent struggles but make no mistake because Brockman has major talent. The senior from Snohomish averaged 11.6 rebounds a game last season, good for third in the nation behind only Michael Beasley and Jason Thompson, both first round picks in the NBA Draft. He grabbed 15.5 rebounds a game in his last meeting with UCLA and then Stanford. Thats 15 rebounds plus against Kevin Love and Brook Lopez, two fantastic players. Brockman can battle with the best of them.

SF Chase Budinger, Arizona- Another great Pac-10 player overshadowed by recent program maladies and an offseason in which he entered and then withdrew from the NBA draft. He passed up the pros for Lute Olsen, but now he has Russ Pennell. He still dropped 17 a game and used his slender but athletic frame to score in a multitude of ways. His wide open style will make him very attractive at the next level, but for now he can settle as an All-American.


SG Tyreke Evans, Memphis- The only freshman that will appear on this list. He already has NBA size at 6-6, 218. He also has the natural scoring ability that the Tigers will need if they want to play into the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. John Calipari is going to let him go and create his own shot in the Tigers popular offense Dribble Drive Motion. Pencil him for at least 17 points and serious consideration for Freshman of the Year.

PG Jonny Flynn, Syracuse- This may some wishful thinking but you have to like his freshman stats (15.7pts and 5.3ast) and the return of guards Andy Rautins and Eric Devendorf from injury. Many scribes are touting the improvement of Center Arinze Onuaku and this will only add to the plethora of options for Flynn and the Syracuse offense. His true talent is when the pressure is on, witness his game winning three against St. Joseph's in only his second collegiate game.

Preseason Top 25

1. North Carolina
2. Connecticut
3. Purdue
4. Notre Dame
5. Pittsburgh
6. Oklahoma
7. Duke
8. UCLA
9. Michigan State
10. Louisville
11. Tennessee
12. Gonzaga
13. Texas
14. Georgetown
15. Memphis
16. Wake Forest
17. Villanova
18. Florida
19. Marquette
20. Kansas
21. UNLV
22. Southern California
23. Davidson
24. Arizona State
25. Syracuse

National Predictions

National Champion: North Carolina

Runner Up: Connecticut

Final Four: North Carolina, Connecticut, Michigan State, UCLA

Elite Eight: UNC, UConn, Mich. St, UCLA, Oklahoma, Texas, Gonzaga, Notre Dame

Player of the Year: Tyler Hansbrough, F, North Carolina

Freshman of the Year: DeMar DeRozan, G/F, Southern California

Coach of the Year: Sidney Lowe, North Carolina State

Biggest Disappointment: Pittsburgh

Best Unknown Major Conference Player: Curtis Jerrells, G, Baylor

Stephen Curry NCAA Tournament Mid-Major Star: Brandon Johnson, G, San Diego

2008-2009 College Basketball Preview: Non-BCS Teams

Memphis and Gonzaga are routinely part of the Top 25 year in and year out. What people forget is that they play in non-major conferences like Conference USA and the West Coast Conference, respectively. Here are the mid-major teams to watch this season.

Davidson:

Where they play: Southern Conference
Why we like them: Stephen Curry (25.9 ppg) is unreal and singlehandedly took Davidson to the brink of the Final Four.
Caution: Curry lost heady PG Jason Richards to graduation. Now he needs to find his teammates and his own shot.
Tests: North Carolina St, at West Virginia, at Purdue, and at Duke.
Prediction: NCAA Second Round

Gonzaga:

Where they play: West Coast Conference
Why we like them: Jeremy Pargo, Austin Daye, Matt Bouldin, and Josh Heytvelt
Caution: Daye is coming back from a knee injury over the summer. With all the talent, expectations will be high
Tests: vs Oklahoma St, vs Maryland or Michigan State, vs Indiana, at Washington State, vs UCONN, at Tennessee
Prediction: Sweet 16

Memphis:

Where they play: Conference USA
Why we like them: A mix of veterans (Antonio Anderson, Robert Dozier) and freshman (Tyreke Evans, Wesley Witherspoon)
Caution: They lost Derrick Rose, Chris Douglas-Roberts, and Joey Dorsey. Replacing experience is always tough.
Tests: vs Seton Hall or USC, at Georgetown, Syracuse, at Tennessee
Prediction: NCAA Second Round

Nevada:

Where they play: Western Athletic Conference
Why we like them: Solid veterans with Joey Shaw and Brandon Fields. Freshman big Luke Babbit was a McDonald's All American.
Caution: A relatively young team (7 sophomores and freshman) that needs to grow up or be eaten up.
Tests: vs Oregon State, vs UNLV, vs North Carolina.
Prediction: NCAA First Round

Siena
Where they play: Metro Atlantic Athletic Association
Why we like them: They return their top three scorers in Kenny Hasbrouck, Edwin Ubiles, and Alex Franklin
Caution: They were the Cinderella darlings last season and anything less will be a disappointment.
Tests: vs Tennessee, at Pittsburgh, at Kansas
Prediction: NCAA First Round

St. Mary's (CA)
Where they play: West Coast Conference
Why we like them: They have four of their top six scorers back including Australian Olympic player Patrick Mills.
Caution: They play in the same conference as Gonzaga so anything less than a league title may not be good enough.
Tests: at Oregon, vs Wake Forest, Southern Illinois
Prediction: NCAA Bubble

UNLV
Where they play: Mountain West Conference
Why we like them: Return four of five top scorers and also welcome redshirt freshman center Beas Hamga.
Caution: Wink Adams is the team's best player, the rest of the squad must learn to play off him consistently.
Tests: California, Arizona, at Louisville
Prediction: NCAA Second Round

Xavier:
Where they play: Atlantic Ten
Why we like them: Four upperclassmen (C.J. Anderson, Derrick Brown, Jason Love, and B.J. Raymond) have tournament minutes.
Caution: Thin backcourt that will rely on many inexperienced players.
Tests: vs Missouri, vs Duke, Butler
Prediction: NCAA Second Round

2008-2009 College Basketball Preview: SEC

It's safe to say that the SEC can be had by anyone. Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, LSU, and Alabama could all possibly win the conference. LSU might falter because of a new coach in Trent Johnson and the loss of key player Anthony Randolph to the NBA. But what you can like is the return from injury of Tasmin Mitchell, the defensive toughness of Garrett a Temple, and the scoring prowess of Marcus Thornton.
Alabama is also welcoming back a key player, PG Ronald Steele. The heady guard is back from injury and will be ready to team with freshman forward JaMychal Green and senior guard Alonzo Gee. They have been picked to win the SEC West and will need to play with confidence and not let expectations bring them down.
Kentucky is another team with some nice players like sophomore Patrick Patterson, freshman guard DeAndre Liggins, and junior guard Jodie Meeks, another player coming back from...injury ( Lots of key players back). What is battling them is their lack of depth and quality options off the bench. A guy like sophomore forward AJ Stewart will need to step up off the bench and give Kentucky some quality minutes.
Florida is not bringing back someone from injury but they are trying to replace sophomore Marreese Speights who went pro. Up front will be junior Dan Werner, sophomore Alex Tyus, and freshmen Kenny Kadji and Eloy Vargas. The backcourt is stacked with Nick Calathes, Jai Lucas, and senior Walter Hodge.
Tennessee lost Chris Lofton to graduation while Ramar Smith and Duke Crews were booted. Whats left? They have an absolute star in Tyler Smith, who has to become the go-to-scorer and demand the ball in crunch time. Flanking him will be freshman Scotty Hopson, and juniors Wayne Chism and J.P. Prince. Bruce Pearl is a tremendous coach and always schedules tough non-conference games. These early battles will show a lot about what kind of team the Volunteers have.

SEC EAST:
1. Tennessee*
2. Florida
3. Kentucky
4. South Carolina
5. Vanderbilt
6. Georgia

SEC WEST:
1. Alabama
2. LSU
3. Ole Miss
4. Arkansas
5. Auburn
6. Mississippi State

*overall champion

AWARDS SECTION:

Player of the Year: Tyler Smith, F, Tennessee

Freshman of the Year: JaMychal Green, F, Alabama

Most Improved Player: Stefan Welsh, G, Arkansas

Coach of the Year: Trent Johnson, LSU

All-SEC 1st Team:

C AJ Ogilvy, Vanderbilt
PF Patrick Patterson, Kentucky
SF Tasmin Mitchell, LSU
G/F Tyler Smith, Tennessee
PG Nick Calathes, Florida

2008-2009 College Basketball Preview: Pac-10

It seems like every year UCLA is the favorite to win the Pac-10 and this year is no different. Back are familiar faces Darren Collison, Josh Shipp, and Alfred Aboya. Joining them will be the slowly emerging James Keefe, sharp shooter Michael Roll, and a fabulous freshman class highlighted by guard Jrue Holiday and forward Drew Gordon. With the talent on the floor and the brain trust on the bench, a fourth straight Final Four is not out of the question.
Challenging UCLA will primarily be USC and Washington State. The Trojans lost OJ Mayo to the NBA but have a capable replacement in freshman DeMar DeRozan. The steady hand of Daniel Hackett will be key because he knows how to spread the ball and how to lead. Junior Taj Gibson returns up front and will look to regain the positive draft buzz he had after his freshman year.
Washington State returns three solid contributors in big man Aron Baynes, forward Daven Harmeling, and guard Taylor Rochestie. Many of the authorities on college basketball have been touting freshman forward Klay Thompson as a possible star. If Thompson can fulfill these lofty expectations, then coach Tony Bennett should have another successful season on his hands.
A team to watch will be Arizona State. Kevin Love and Mayo outshined James Harden last year as Pac-10 freshman so now Harden will have his time to shine. The Sun Devils have a nice inside out combo with Harden and senior forward James Pendergraph. Pendergraph needs to be as productive on the inside as Harden is on the outside for ASU to be successful.
You also can't count out Arizona as well as a possible surprise team in Oregon. Brandon Jennings shocked the world when he bypassed college for a year of European basketball. Lute Olsen still has junior star Chase Budinger as well as solid big man Jordan Hill. The 'Zona role players like Nic Wise, Jamelle Horne, and Fendi Onobun will have to step up or Arizona will be close to the bubble come March. For Oregon, their hopes will rest on the small shoulders of TaJuan Porter. The 5-foot-6 junior is the Ducks' best player and will need to score early and often every game. Senior Churchill Odia has one more year to fulfill the potential many people thought he had and will need to step up for his team. In the post, Maarty Leunen is gone and now the bulk will fall to talented freshman Michael Dunigan from Chicago. Keep an eye on Joevan Catron, he could in for a big season.

1. UCLA, 2. USC, 3. Washington State, 4. Arizona State, 5. Arizona, 6. Stanford, 7. Washington, 8. Oregon, 9. California, 10. Oregon State

Awards Section:

Player of the Year: James Harden, SG, Arizona State

Freshman of the Year: DeMar DeRozan, G/F, USC

Most Improved Player: Jamelle Horne, F, Arizona

Coach of the Year: Herb Sendek, Arizona State

All Pac-10 1st team:

C Jon Brockman, Washington
PF Taj Gibson, USC
SF Chase Budinger, Arizona
SG James Harden, Arizona State
PG Darren Collison, UCLA

2008-2009 College Basketball Preview: Big Twelve

Big 12 member Kansas took home the title last season but after massive graduation and NBA defections, they are full of newcomers and while possessing tremendous talent, will falter early on because their youth and inexperience. The contenders for the Big 12 title fall to Oklahoma and Texas.
It seems like Rick Barnes loses NBA talent every season and still puts together a quality team. He is a fantastic recruiter and this team is no different from some of his others in the past. His main scoring option will be senior AJ Abrams. He may be short in stature at 5-11 but his ability to shoot and score points in unparalleled. If Rick Barnes chooses to go with three guards, watch out for the steady handed Justin Mason to play the small forward spot and freshman PG Dogus Balbay to handle the point. If Balbay emerges, it could free up Abrams to primarily focus on scoring. Up front are Damion James, Gary Johnson, and Connor Atchley. James has made significant strides the last two seasons and this could be the year he becomes an All-American.
Oklahoma looks like the slight favorite over Texas because of their experience (three starters back) and especially sophomore PF Blake Griffin, a possible top five NBA draft pick in 2009. Along side Griffin will be his brother, Taylor, sweet shooting senior Austin Johnson, and McDonald's All-American guard Willie Warren. Look for UCLA transfer Ryan Wright to have a nice impact in the post off the bench for the Sooners.
Nipping at the heels of the top two will be Baylor. Scott Drew has stockpiled talented guards and is working with Curtis Jerrells, LaceDarius Dunn, Henry Dugat, and Demond "Tweety" Carter. They will push the ball at every opportunity and will make every game a track meet. The big question will be if Kevin Rogers, Qunicy Acy, Josh Lomers, and Mamadou Diene can hold down the fort up front. The long term success of this team depends on the development of their frontcourt players.

1. Oklahoma, 2. Texas, 3. Baylor, 4. Kansas, 5. Kansas State, 6. Texas A&M, 7. Missouri, 8. Oklahoma State, 9. Texas Tech, 10. Nebraska, 11. Iowa State, 12. Colorado.

Awards Section:

Player of the Year: Blake Griffin, F/C, Oklahoma

Freshman of the Year: Marcus Morris, F, Kansas

Most Improved Player: Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas

Coach of the Year: Frank Martin, Kansas State

All- Big 12 1st Team:

F/C Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
PF Damion James, Texas
SF James Anderson, Oklahoma State
SG AJ Abrams, Texas
PG Curtis Jerrells, Baylor

2008-2009 College Basketball Preview: Big Ten

The top five from last year, Wisconsin, Purdue, Indiana, Michigan State, and Ohio St will still be tough this year, except for Indiana because of their gutting and subsequent rebuilding this season. Purdue and Michigan State look like the favorites on paper. Purdue is returning every important player minus Scott Martin (transfer) and Tarrance Crump (senior). Still on board are Robbie Hummel, Chris Kramer, Keaton Grant, and budding star guard E'Twaun Moore. Matt Painter's baby Boilermakers finished second last year and figure to stay in second or ascend to the top. The development of Hummel, Moore, and especially Johnson will be the key. Development will equal a Big Ten regular season championship.
Nipping at their heels will be a familiar face, Michigan State. Tom Izzo looks like he may finally have the right combination of size and speed that he has been looking for since his first and only title in 2000. Raymar Morgan, Travis Walton, Goran Suton, and Kalin Lucas are back. Drew Neitzel is gone but MSU fans could have an addition by subtraction deal on their hands. Neitzel was a supreme talent but his teammates defferred to him too much, now it's their turn to shine. Lucas, along with Chris Allen and Durrell Summers will need to step up and show that they deserved their lofty expectations coming out of high school two years ago. Throw in super freshman Delvon Roe and you have size, speed, and depth at every position. Even if they don't win the Big Ten, the Spartans could make noise in March.
Ohio State has been stockpiling talent for several years now but this talent is still young and may not be ready for the big stage. The frontcourt will be anchored by freshman BJ Mullens and sophomores Dallas Lauderdale and Evan Turner. Mullens, who some said was the best high school player in the nation, will be counted on early and often to score and rebound consistently. In the backcourt is David Lighty, a strong 6-foot-5 guard who can score and also provide leadership to a young team. Lighty will need to help out because it could be a point guard by committee with freshman Anthony Crater and junior PJ Hill.
A team to look out for is Tubby Smith's Minnesota team. They lose three out of their top five but Smith's coaching abilities can't be overlooked. They return Big Ten Tournament hero Blake Hoffharbar and quick guard Lawrence Westbrook. Smith also brought in a highly touted freshman class with guard Devoe Joseph, forward Colton Iverson, and center Ralph Sampson III (yes that Ralph Sampson). The excitement is there, watch out for this team late in the season.

Outside the top four, the rest of the Big Ten is relatively weak.

1. Purdue, 2. Michigan State, 3. Ohio State, 4. Wisconsin, 5. Penn State, 6. Michigan, 7. Iowa, 8. Minnesota, 9. Illinois, 10. Northwestern, 11. Indiana.

Awards Section:

Player of the Year: Raymar Morgan, F, Michigan State

Freshman of the Year: BJ Mullens, C, Ohio State

Most Improved Player: JaJuan Johnson, F, Purdue

Coach of the Year: Ed DeChellis, Penn State

All-Big Ten 1st team:

C BJ Mullens, Ohio State
PF Raymar Morgan, Michigan State
SF Robbie Hummel, Purdue
SG E'Twaun Moore, Purdue
G Manny Harris, Michigan

2008-2009 College Basketball Preview: Big East

You look at the teams and talent in this league and you can only say wow. This could be the best conference top to bottom in the history of college basketball. Talented bigs? Luke Harangody, Hasheem Thabeet, DeJuan Blair, Earl Clark, check. Floor leaders? Levance Fields, Jonny Flynn, Dominic James, AJ Price, check. It's going to be a dogfight once conference play opens and the team who survives and excels will be the team that wins the regular season conference title. The tournament is up for grabs because all sixteen teams are in and if you get hot, you can make a run.
You must start with the top tier teams of the conference in Connecticut, Notre Dame, and Louisville. UCONN has another potent three guard lineup with AJ Price, Jerome Dyson, and McDonalds All-American Kemba Walker. Up front is Jeff Adrien and Hasheem Thabeet. They may get hit on the offensive boards, but their speed will be the difference because they can control the tempo. Add Stanley Robinson from his hiatus in December and your looking at a Final Four possibility.
Notre Dame has the inside-outside combination of Luke Harangody and Kyle McAlarney. Throw in Tory Jackson, Luke Zeller, and the underrated Zach Hillesland to create a smart, veteran, and talented core. The Irish were stymied by the stingy Washington State defense last March and are motivated to move past that and into the Sweet 16. This is Mike Brey's most talented team to date.
Rick Pitino's Louisville Cardinals also boast depth and talent. In the backcourt are veterans Andre McGee and the sweet shooting Jerry Smith. Edgar Sosa looms on the bench after a season in Pitino's doghouse. If Sosa can find his game, then the team will take off. Earl Clark and freshman Samardo Samuels will carry the load upfront. Athletic freshman big Terrance Jennings could be a darkhorse contributor off that bench as well.
Even with those talented teams, Pittsburgh (Levance Fields, DeJuan Blair, Sam Young), Syracuse (Jonny Flynn, Paul Harris, Eric Devendorf, Marquette (Dominic James, Jerel McNeal, Wes Matthews, and Villanova (Scottie Reynolds, Corey Stokes, Dante Cunningham) have the talent to play big-time basketball. The talent is sublime and it will be an absolute treat to watch the conference this season.

DISCLAIMER: Every lower ranked team has the potential and talent to move up. That's West Virginia, Georgetown, Cincinnati, DePaul etc.

1. Connecticut, 2. Notre Dame, 3. Louisville, 4. Pittsburgh, 5. Marquette, 6. Syracuse, 7. Georgetown, 8. Villanova, 9. Cincinnati, 10. West Virginia, 11. Rutgers, 12. DePaul, 13. South Florida, 14. St. Johns, 15. Providence, 16. Seton Hall

Awards Section:

Player of the Year: Sam Young, F, Pittsburgh

Freshman of the Year: Samardo Samuels, F, Louisville

Most Improved Player: Chris Wright, G, Georgetown

Coach of the Year: Jim Boeheim, Syracuse

All-Big East 1st Team:

C Luke Harangody, Notre Dame
PF Earl Clark, Louisville
SF Sam Young, Pittsburgh
SG AJ Price, Connecticut
PG Jonny Flynn, Syracuse

2008-2009 College Basketball Preview: ACC

Clearly the class of the ACC and of the nation is North Carolina. They are far and away the most talented team in the nation. They bring back Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, Marcus Ginyard, Danny Green, Deon Thompson, and a guy named Tyler Hansbrough. Don't forget Bobb Frasor and highly touted freshman bigs Luke Zeller and Ed Davis. Their only problem is on defense, if they can hustle back and play tough man-to-man defense and possibly win a slowdown game, then they can win the title. Fix the halfcourt offense and defense, the title will be all but guaranteed.
Many of the teams in the ACC have questions that, with favorable answers, will translate into success. Maryland has an amazing player in Greivis Vazquez but they also have questions about who will shoulder the load in the post. Miami also has talent with Jack McClinton, who established himself as one of the premier ACC guard last season. He is aided by blue-chip freshman DeQuan Jones. Once again, inside scoring will be a problem. Anthony King is gone so all eyes on Dwayne Collins to see if he can really be as talented as everyone thinks he is.
Once again Duke is a threat to UNC because of their unbelievable array of slashing and shooting talent. Greg Paulus, Nolan Smith, Gerald Henderson, Jon Scheyer the list goes on. Keep an eye on Clemson, Miami, and especially Wake Forest. The Deamon Deacons return all their key players and add a stacked frontcourt class of Al-Farouq Aminu, Tony Woods, and Ty Walker.
Even NC State, the last place team in the conference last season, has a chance to make some noise. The team admittedly had some chemistry problems last year but this year the chi looks better. Brandon Costner needs to forget his sophomore slump and become ready to carry the Wolfpack like the star player he can be.

1. North Carolina, 2. Duke, 3. Miami, 4. Wake Forest, 5. NC State, 6. Clemson, 7. Virginia Tech, 8. Georgia Tech, 9. Maryland, 10. Florida State, 11. Boston College, 12. Virginia

Awards Section:

Player of the Year: Tyler Hansbrough, F/C, North Carolina

Freshman of the Year: Al-Farouq Aminu, F, Wake Forest

Most Improved Player: Gani Lawal, PF, Georgia Tech

Coach of the Year: Sidney Lowe, NC State

All-ACC 1st Team:

C Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
PF James Johnson, Wake Forest
G/F Greivis Vazquez, Maryland
SG Jack McClinton, Miami
PG Tyrese Rice, Boston College

Euro 2008 Viewing Guide

NOTHING TO DO:
Austria v Croatia 11:50 AM ESPN2 June 8th
Romania v France 11:50 AM ESPN2 June 9th
Switzerland v Turkey 2:30 PM ESPN2 June 11th
Austria v Poland 2:30 PM ESPN2 June 12th
Greece v Russia 2:30 PM ESPN2 June 14th
Poland v Croatia 2:30 PM ESPNC June 16th

EH, MAYBE:
Germany v Poland 2:30 PM ESPN2 June 8th
Greece v Sweden 2:30 PM ESPN2 June 10th
Italy v Romania 11:50 AM ESPN2 June 13th
Austria v Germany 2:30 PM ESPN June 16th
Netherlands v Romania 2:30 PM ESPNC June 17th
Russia v Sweden 2:30 PM ESPN2 June 18th

DVR IF YOU HAVE TO:
Switzerland v Czech Republic 11:50 AM ESPNC June 7th
Portugal v Turkey 2:30 PM ESPNC June 7th
Spain v Russia 11:50 AM ESPN2 June 10th
Turkey v Czech Republic 11:50 AM ESPNC June 15th
Switzerland v Portugal 2:30 PM ESPN2 June 15th
Greece v Spain 2:30 PM ESPN June 18th

MUST WATCH:
Netherlands v Italy 2:30 PM ESPN2 June 9th
Czech Republic v Portugal 11:50 AM ESPN2 June 11th
Croatia v Germany 11:50 AM ESPN2 June 12th
Netherlands v France 2:30 PM ESPN2 June 13th
Sweden v Spain 11:50 AM ESPN2 June 14th
France v Italy 2:30 ESPN June 17th

Kobe Bryant flicks towel into woman's face

2008 NFL Mock Draft (21-32)

21. WASHINGTON REDSKINS- PHILLIP MERLING DE CLEMSON- Th Redskins seem to never have many draft picks but this team they are back and need to find a DE. Their current line is aging fast and losing speed. Merling completely upgrades the line. He will be coming off a sports hernia injury but he should be fine.

22. DALLAS COWBOYS- JONATHAN STEWART RB OREGON- Another coming off injury but he is simply a beast. A perfect blend of size, speed, and production. He was a consistent star for Oregon and rarely had a bad game.

23. PITTSBURGH STEELERS- GOSDER CHERILUS OT BC- Pittsburgh is another team with an aging line. They also lost Alan Faneca to the Jets. With Cherlius they get a guy who can step in at right tackle and help provide some stability to a line that is anything but. Willie Colon could also switch to guard which also could help the line.

24. TENNESSEE TITANS- LIMAS SWEED WR TEXAS- Quick, name a Tennessee receiver. I bet you can maybe Brandon Jones? How about Roydell Williams? The point being VY needs a WR so he can elevate his passing and running game. Sweed went to Texas so that can only help chemistry with Young.

25. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS- DUSTIN KELLER TE PURDUE- Another shock pick and this is a bit of a reach but Keller is the best TE in a weak class and Seattle needs a TE and their other needs aren't all that great. A reach, but a need.

**26. ATLANTA FALCONS (FROM JAC)- BRIAN BROHM QB LOUISVILLE- The Falcons use their treasure chest of picks to move back into round one and get their QB of the future, Brian Brohm. An ironic pick because Brohm and the Falcons both share a past coach (Bobby Petrino). A need pick and a smart for the Falcons.

27. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS- ANTOINE CASON CB ARIZONA- On a team with few holes to fill, what direction do you go? They lost Drayton Florence to FA and in a league with Brady and Manning, premium corners are a must. Cason is a proven talent who can be a nickel back from day one.

28. DALLAS COWBOYS- JAMES HARDY WR INDIANA- One week ago they needed a WR, CB, and RB. They traded for Pacman Jones, they nabbed Jonathan Stewart, and now they have a WR. This guy is tall and very physical. He will be tutored by Terrell Owens and could eventually be as good as Owens.

29. SAN FRANCISCO (FROM IND)-KENTWAN BALMER DT NORTH CAROLINA- SF has many needs however their biggest needs are filled by players who are off the board. Balmer has a ton of upside and could provide a consistent rush from the inside of the defensive line. They could also look for an inside linebacker to pair with DROY in 2007, Patrick Willis

30. GREEN BAY PACKERS- BRANDON FLOWERS CB VIRGINIA TECH- Charles Woodson and Al Harris are getting older so a young DB is needed to provide depth and to be a future starter. VT is known for sending quality secondary players to the league and Flowers should carry on the tradition.

31. NEW YORK GIANTS- KENNY PHILLIPS S MIAMI (FL)- This is exactly what the Giants wanted. They lost Gibril Wilson to Oakland in the off-season and now they have a glaring need at S. Phillips is a tremendous player who has the Miami confidence and the production to match it. Value and need with this pick

2008 NFL Mock Draft (11-20)

11. BUFFALO BILLS- DEVIN THOMAS WR MICHIGAN ST-No brainer right here. The Bills need someone opposite Lee Evans because Roscoe Parrish is no more than a return man. Thomas is a fast rising prospect and is an immense talent. Has the size (6'2 214lbs) and speed (4.40) to be a game changer.

12. DENVER BRONCOS-BRANDEN ALBERT OG VIRGINIA- A guard in college who projects as a tackle in the pros. This is the kind of versatility and talent that Denver needs because of their aging line. Mark Lepsis retired and a new talent must take his place. Great value right here as well.

13. CAROLINA PANTHERS- RYAN CLADY OT BOISE ST-Just what Carolina wanted. They are set at tackle but Clady could play inside at guard. They need his physical style because Carolina has lost a lot of edge in the last several years. Clady stabilizes a line that needs to protect the QB.

14. CHICAGO BEARS- JEFF OTAH OT PITTSBURGH- Da Bears continue the run on lineman by going with the enormous Otah. The Bears desperately need help in order to protect Rex Grossman but also to hopefully get Cedric Benson's career going because his first several years have been lackluster.

15. DETROIT LIONS- JEROD MAYO MLB TENNESSEE-There is a general consensus that the Lions need a MLB and Mayo fits the popular Tampa 2 defense that they run. Mayo is athletic, smart, and fits in well with OLB Ernie Sims.

16. ARIZONA CARDINALS-DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE TENN ST-The first small school guy is off the board. The Cardinals looked very hard at Rashard Mendenhall then realized secondary help is more important. The cousin of Antonio Cromartie hopes to provide the same impact that his Pro Bowl cousin has in SD.

17. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (FROM MIN)-CHRIS WILLIAMS OT VANDERBILT- The key here is potential. Williams is full of it and at 6'6 and 315lbs this guy could put on more weight and retain his supreme athleticism. A possible steal here for KC who get their QB and OT of the future.

18. HOUSTON TEXANS-RASHARD MENDENHALL RB ILLINOIS- Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, and who? They need a RB to really send this offense to the next level. Mendenhall is fast, strong, and explosive. He can be a fixture in the backfield for years to come and he also free up coverage on Johnson.

19. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES-DESEAN JACKSON WR CALIFORNIA-Donovan McNabb wants playmakers then he's got it. Jackson is small but he is fast and can stretch the field, which is what No. 5 really wants. This may be a bit early but the Eagles need speed and they will acquire another pick in the first several rounds because of their plan to trade Lito Shepard.

20. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS-AQIB TALIB CB KANSAS- Don't rule out a WR here but the need for defense is just as great. With Ronde Barber getting there in age it means that Tampa Bay will need some help in the secondary. They fill an immediate and future need with this pick.

2008 NFL Mock Draft (1-10)

1. MIAMI DOLPHINS- JAKE LONG OT MICHIGAN- No surprise hear. It was easy to negotiate with his agent and that is why he is the pick. Well, and they need all the help they can get.

2. ST. LOUIS RAMS- CHRIS LONG DE VIRGINIA-The Rams love big white DL guys (Grant Wistrom&Adam Carriker) who also happen to great pass rushers. Long has a great motor and may not be supremely athletic but makes up for it with determination.

3. ATLANTA FALCONS-GLENN DORSEY DT LSU-Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff is a smart man. He worked for the evil empire (Patriots, obviously) but knows his stuff. With three second round picks he can hop back into the first and nab the QB people thought they would take for Bobby Petrino...

**4. NEW YORK JETS (FROM OAK)- DARREN MCFADDEN RB ARKANSAS-The Jets invested big money into their defense this past off-season and now need to put some star power into their offense. Oakland could have taken McFadden and the Jets weren't sure of Oakland's plans so they jump up to 4 and nab some offensive firepower.

5. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS- MATT RYAN QB BC-The Chiefs traded disgruntled DE Jared Allen to Minnesota for their first round pick and two others. Now with an extra first rounder secured, KC can nab their QB of the future (We all know Brodie Croyle isn't) while also getting a quality OT to protect him in the middle of the round.

**6. OAKLAND RADIERS (FROM NYJ)- SEDRICK ELLIS DT USC- With Warren Sapp gone and Tommy Kelly in, Oakland needs another DL to solidify their line. Ellis is a beast at DT and could also play inside in a 3-4 scheme. With the extra pick they collected from the Jets, they can look to offense in the second round.

7. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS-VERNON GHOLSTON DE/OLB OHIO ST-The drop nobody thought would happen. This guy is a major upside pick and because of LB and DL questions, the Pats answer them all with the physically gifted Gholston. Somewhere Jets fans are scared of seeing Gholston dominate Clemens and Pennington for two weeks every year.

8. BALTIMORE RAVENS-LEODIS MCKELVIN DB TROY- Obviously they are unhappy that Matt Ryan could not fall this far but they will go with the next best choice for them, McKelvin. He will help shore up an aging secondary and help Baltimore move into the post-Brian Billick era.

9. CINCINNATI BENGALS-KEITH RIVERS OLB USC-This guy has been on top for a while. He was highly rated in HS and is highly rated now. The Bengals need some good guys that won't be in trouble and Rivers is alright. He also is a great OLB and will immediately upgrade the LB corps in CIN and he may start from day one.

10. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS-DERRICK HARVEY DE FLORIDA-You would think that with Will Smith and Charles Grant the Saints are set, wrong. The Giants proved you can never have enough premium pass rushers on your team. Grant and Smith are both big enough to play on the inside on some downs. With this pick, NO can strengthen their DL after acquiring LB Jon Vilma from the Jets in the off-season.

**PROJECTED TRADE

Fan Catches Foul Ball, Drops It 30 Seconds Later

Best Intercontinental Title Matches-Number Five

Bret Hart vs Roddy Piper at Wrestlemania 8

Face vs Face. Hart wins the title and becomes a headliner. One year later he enters Wrestlemania 9 as the heavyweight champion. Also, Gorilla Monsoon is the best commentator ever.

Best Intercontinental Title Matches-Number Four

Owen Hart vs Steve Austin at SummerSlam 1997

Owen Hart accidently dropped him on his head and broke his neck. He finished the match and even won. Austin showed the grit and determination that made him a fan favorite

Best Intercontinental Title Matches-Number Three

Ricky Steamboat vs Randy Savage at Wrestlemania 3

This match made Savage very popular and he won the WWF title the next year at Wrestlemania 4. 93,00+ in the Pontiac Silverdome

Best Intercontinental Title Matches-Number Two

Razor Ramon vs Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 10.

First Ladder Match at a pay-per-view. Awesome match that really launched a new era for wrestling.

Best Intercontinental Title Matches-Number One

Bret Hart vs Mr. Perfect at Summerslam 1991.

Two of the best technical wrestlers ever in one of the best matches ever. Bret Hart kicks out of the PerfectPlex

END OF SEASON TOP 25

1. KANSAS
2. MEMPHIS
3. UCLA
4. NORTH CAROLINA
5. TEXAS
6. LOUISVILLE
7. XAVIER
8. DAVIDSON
9. TENNESSEE
10. WISCONSIN
11. STANFORD
12. MICHIGAN STATE
13. WASHINGTON STATE
14. WEST VIRGINIA
15. VILLANOVA
16. WESTERN KENTUCKY
17. GEORGETOWN
18. DUKE
19. NOTRE DAME
20. PITTSBURGH
21. PURDUE
22. CONNECTICUT
23. DRAKE
24. CLEMSON
25. VANDERBILT

One Shining Moment 2008

KANSAS JAYHAWKS-2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

National Championship Preview

MEMPHIS VS KANSAS

JOEY DORSEY VS DARNELL JACKSON

ROBERT DOZIER VS DARRELL ARTHUR

CHRIS DOUGLAS ROBERTS VS BRANDON RUSH

ANTONIO ANDERSON VS RUSSELL ROBINSON

DERRICK ROSE VS MARIO CHALMERS

MEM BENCH:
WILLIE KEMP
DONEAL MACK
SHAWN TAGGART

KU BENCH:
SASHA KAUN
SHERRON COLLINS
COLE ALDRICH

The National Championship is here. This game will fun to watch because of the up-tempo offenses for the Jayhawks and Tigers as well as the individual matchups to watch with Chris Douglas-Roberts vs Brandon Rush and Derrick Rose vs Mario Chalmers, Russell Robinson, and Sherron Collins.

KU WILL WIN IF: They can limit the transition game of Memphis. They can contain, not stop, Derrick Rose and Chris Douglas- Roberts from driving into the paint and making a play. Forcing turnovers and making them into fast break points, and finally playing with poise, not panicking and always staying focused.

MEM WILL WIN IF: They keep playing the way they did in dominating wins over Michigan State, Texas, and UCLA. Joey Dorsey produces another defensive gem like his game against UCLA where he had 15 rebounds and held Kevin Love to 12 points. And finally if they play with confidence.

PREDICTION: KANSAS 82 VS MEMPHIS 80

Final Four Prediction

NORTH CAROLINA VS KANSAS

TYLER HANSBROUGH VS DARNELL JACKSON

DEON THOMPSON VS DARRELL ARTHUR

MARCUS GINYARD VS BRANDON RUSH

WAYNE ELLINGTON VS RUSSELL ROBINSON

TY LAWSON VS MARIO CHAMLERS

UNC BENCH: KU BENCH:
QUENTIN THOMAS SASHA KAUN
ALEX STEPHESON SHERRON COLLINS
DANNY GREEN COLE ALDRICH

Even bigger than the game itself is the massive storyline on the sideline: Roy Williams vs Kansas. The old Kansas coach who visited the Final Four with the Jayhawks in 2002 and 2003 is back against his old team. It's the Tar Heel Nation vs The Rock Chalk Jayhawks. This game will be fast paced, high scoring, and exciting to watch.

KU WILL WIN IF: Sherron Collins scores in double figures off the bench, Mario Chalmers forces Ty Lawson into turnovers, and Sasha Kaun and Darnell Jackson force Hansbrough to the free throw line and limit offensive rebounds.

UNC WILL WIN IF: Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson win the backcourt battle, Tyler Hansbrough gets 23+points and 10+rebounds, and if they improve on their 72.2 points per game allowed.

PREDICTION: KANSAS 82 VS NORTH CAROLINA 79



MEMPHIS VS UCLA

JOEY DORSEY VS KEVIN LOVE

LUC R. MBAH A MOUTE VS ROBERT DOZIER

JOSH SHIPP VS CHRIS DOUGLAS-ROBERTS

RUSSELL WESTBROOK VS ANTONIO ANDERSON

DARREN COLLISON VS DERRICK ROSE

MEM BENCH: UCLA BENCH:
WILLIE KEMP JAMES KEEFE
DONEAL MACK LORENZO MATA-REAL
SHAWN TAGGART ALFRED ABOYA

Another important coaching storyline hangs over this game, but not as an uncomfortable thought but a story line of breaking through. John Calipari in his first Final Four since 1996 with UMASS and Ben Howland in the Final Four for the third year in a row. Howland has never won the title and only went to the title game once (2006).

MEM WILL WIN IF: They can run and show off their superb athleticism, they don't get nervous playing in their first Final Four, and if they can bottle up Kevin Love and Darren Collison.

UCLA WILL WIN IF: They make this game a half-court affair, get Kevin Love plenty of touches and looks for the outlet pass, and if they can limit Derrick Rose.

PREDICTION: UCLA 78 VS MEMPHIS 77

The Worst Music Theme Ever

2008 ACC Tournament. I can't believe someone thought this was a good idea. It was so funny to hear on TV.

J-DHS Junior Basketball Players

Brandon Triche and Alshwan Hymes, helping my alma mater dominate. Only HS juniors!

How Old Are You?

MEMPHIS:

JOEY DORSEY-SENIOR-24 years old
ROBERT DOZIER-JUNIOR-22 years old
CHRIS DOUGLAS-ROBERTS-JUNIOR-21 years old
ANTONIO ANDERSON-JUNIOR-22 years old
DERRICK ROSE-FRESHMAN-19 years old

AVERAGE YEAR-JUNIOR/AGE-22

NORTH CAROLINA:

TYLER HANSBROUGH-JUNIOR-22 years old
DEON THOMPSON-SOPHOMORE-19 years old
MARCUS GINYARD-JUNIOR-20 years old
WAYNE ELLINGTON-SOPHOMORE-20 years old
TY LAWSON-SOPHOMORE-20 years old

AVERAGE YEAR-SOPHOMORE/AGE-20

UCLA:

KEVIN LOVE-FRESHMAN-19 years old
LUC RICHARD MBAH A MOUTE-JUNIOR-21 years old
JOSH SHIPP-JUNIOR-22 years old
RUSSELL WESTBROOK-SOPHOMORE-18 years old
DARREN COLLISON-JUNIOR-20 years old

AVERAGE YEAR-SOPHOMORE/AGE-20

KANSAS:

DARNELL JACKSON-SENIOR-22 years old
DARRELL ARTHUR-SOPHOMORE-20 years old
BRANDON RUSH-JUNIOR-22 years old
RUSSELL ROBINSON-JUNIOR-22 years old
MARIO CHALMERS-JUNIOR-21 years old

AVERAGE YEAR-JUNIOR/AGE-21

Strength in Location?

If you compare the starting lineups of each Final Four team you will see that you have two national programs, one regional program, and one program that is a combination of the two.

NATIONAL PROGRAMS:

MEMPHIS: PLAYER-HOMETOWN-DISTANCE FROM SCHOOL

JOEY DORSEY-BALTIMORE MD-916 miles
ROBERT DOZIER-LITHONIA, GA-407 miles
CHRIS D-R-DETROIT, MI-745 miles
ANTONIO ANDERSON-LYNN, MA-1324 miles
DERRICK ROSE-CHICAGO, IL-535 miles

AVERAGE DISTANCE-785 miles

NORTH CAROLINA-HOMETOWN-DISTANCE FROM SCHOOL

TYLER HANSBROUGH-POPLAR BLUFF, MO-807 miles
DEON THOMPSON-TORRANCE, CA-2538 miles
MARCUS GINYARD-ALEXANDRIA, VA-266 miles
WAYNE ELLINGTON-WYNNEWOOD, PA-415 miles
TY LAWSON-CLINTON, MD-279 miles

AVERAGE DISTANCE-861 miles

REGIONAL PROGRAM:

UCLA-HOMETOWN-DISTANCE FROM SCHOOL

KEVIN LOVE-LAKE OSWEGO, OR-958 miles
LUC R. MBAH A MOUTE-MONTVERDE, FL-2496 miles
JOSH SHIPP-LOS ANGELES, CA-7 miles
RUSSELL WESTBROOK-13 miles
DARREN COLLISON-RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA-58 miles

AVERAGE DISTANCE-706 miles/take away Mbah A Moute and distance is 259 miles

REGIONAL/NATIONAL PROGRAM

KANSAS-HOMETOWN-DISTANCE FROM SCHOOL

DARNELL JACKSON-OKLAHOMA CITY, OK-317 miles
DARRELL ARTHUR-DALLAS, TEXAS-520 miles
BRANDON RUSH-KANSAS CITY, MO-41 miles
RUSSELL ROBINSON-NEW YORK, NY-1233 miles
MARIO CHALMERS-ANCHORAGE, AK-3563 miles

AVERAGE DISTANCE-1134 miles/take away Chalmers and distance is 527 miles

Royal Rumble 1992 Ending plus Ric Flair interview

Watch Flair's interview starting at 3:33, great stuff...YA'LL PAY HOMAGE TO THE MAN!!!!WOOOOOOOO!!!!

Elite Eight Predictions (Part Two)

SOUTH REGION:

(1) MEMPHIS VS (2) TEXAS

JOEY DORSEY VS CONNOR ATCHLEY

ROBERT DOZIER VS DAMION JAMES

CHRIS DOUGLAS-ROBERTS VS JUSTIN MASON

ANTONIO ANDERSON VS AJ ABRAMS

DERRICK ROSE VS DJ AUGUSTIN

UM keys to victory- They need to pressure and disrupt Abrams and Augustin. Texas uses ball screens to give the handlers open space but the Tigers need to fight through the picks and screens to stay in front of the Longhorn backcourt. Offensively they need to keep doing what they are doing. Rose needs to have a big game against Augustin because when he is on, he gets his teammates involved and this Memphis team plays at another level. Robert Dozier vs Damion James is the key matchup because if Dozier can score and get him in foul trouble, then Texas could have problems.

UT keys to victory- Great guard play once again. DJ Augustin is the heart and soul of this team. He needs to be on his game because if he is not, Texas could be in for a long night. AJ Abrams will have a taller defender on him and will need to use his speed and elusiveness to create space for his shot. Justin Mason is the glue of this team and will have to limit the points for Chris Douglas-Roberts. In the frontcourt, James and Connor Atchley must rebound and defend against the more athletic Memphis players. Atchley's ability to spread the floor with the three will be important.

PREDICTION: TEXAS 84 VS MEMPHIS 82

MIDWEST REGION:

(1) KANSAS VS (10) DAVIDSON

DARNELL JACKSON VS THOMAS SANDER

DARRELL ARTHUR VS ANDREW LOVEDALE

BRANDON RUSH VS MAX PAULHUS GOSSELIN

RUSSELL ROBINSON VS STEPHEN CURRY

MARIO CHALMERS VS JASON RICHARDS

KU keys to victory- Play like you have been here before. The Jayhawks have no reason to lose this game. They have size, talent, experience, and the burning desire to go to the Final Four. Arthur, Jackson, and Sasha Kaun have a big time size advantage over Davidson and will need to use it. Defensively, Robinson needs to do everything he can to stop Stephen Curry. If Kansas is focused and ready to play, they will be heading to San Antonio

DC keys to victory- Don't think you are Cinderella because this game is winnable. They need to follow the same blueprint as they have this entire tournament. Curry needs to get his and Jason Richards needs to be solid handling and distributing the basketball. Lovedale and Sander will have their hands full but if they can play tough D, Davidson can stay in this game. In the end, Kansas may have just too much for the Wildcats.

PREDICTION: KANSAS 84 VS DAVIDSON 72

Elite Eight Predictions

EAST REGION:

(1) NORTH CAROLINA VS (3) LOUISVILLE

TYLER HANSBROUGH VS DAVID PADGETT

DEON THOMPSON VS JUAN PALACIOS

MARCUS GINYARD VS TERRENCE WILLIAMS

WAYNE ELLINGTON VS JERRY SMITH

TY LAWSON VS ANDRE McGEE

UNC keys to victory- Keep doing what your doing. They need to push the ball and make sure Ty Lawson is not in foul trouble. Ginyard needs to have a superb defensive effort against Terrence Williams because his penetration sets up Jerry Smith and the rest of Louisville from the perimeter. Hansbrough needs to stay in the post and battle with David Padgett because he needs to have a big game. Danny Green needs another stellar performance from three and also playing tough D. The experience and explosiveness could put them over the top.

UL keys to victory- David Padgett must draw Hansbrough away from the hoop. Louisville will look to spread UNC on defense to allow for dribble penetration and one-on-one matchups in the post. Louisville has a great chance to win and they can't panic of they get down early because they can win this game. Rick Pitino has big game coaching experience and needs to make sure his team is settled down because they are emotional and feed off that intensity. Win the individual battles and win the war.

PREDICTION: NORTH CAROLINA 86 VS LOUISVILLE 84

WEST REGION:

(1) UCLA VS (3) XAVIER

KEVIN LOVE VS JOSH DUNCAN

LUC RICHARD MBAH A MOUTE VS DERRICK BROWN

JOSH SHIPP VS C.J. ANDERSON

RUSSELL WESTBROOK VS STANLEY BURRELL

DARREN COLLISON VS DREW LAVENDER

UCLA keys to victory- Play tough, play smart and don't fall behind. UCLA has gotten away with starting slow this tournament but they may not be as lucky if they fall early to Xavier. A strong start is essential and getting Kevin Love established against the undersized Musketeer front line will be important. Josh Shipp has been cold but is starting to warm up after his 14 point showing against Western Kentucky. The backcourt of Collison and Russell Westbrook need to cut back on turnovers and Collison needs to be especially careful guarding dyanmo Drew Lavender. If UCLA play the way they are capable of and don't fall behind, Ben Howland could be looking at a Final Four three-peat.

XU keys to victory- Well, since I forgot to finish this and UCLA has a seven point lead. I say they play tough D and not force the ball on offense.

PREDICTION(KIND OF): UCLA 70 VS XAVIER 63

Sweet Sixteen Predictions

EAST REGION:

(1) NORTH CAROLINA VS (4) WASHINGTON STATE

UNC keys to victory-They need to play their way. They like an up tempo game where the outlet goes to sophomore PG Ty Lawson and he gets it to Marcus Ginyard, Danny Green, and Wayne Ellington on the perimeter or he gets it ahead to his big men in Tyler Hansbrough, Deon Thompson, and Alex Stepheson. If they got bogged down into a halfcourt game then Washington State has a fighting chance. If UNC uses their superb athletes and speed, they should not have a problem.

WSU keys to victory- They have to force their way on UNC because if they don't it will be a long night. They need to play excellent defense on the ball, meaning Derrick Low or Tyler Rochestie on Ty Lawson. They need to force him into turnovers and not let him push the ball. Aron Baynes needs to push around and out-muscle Tyler Hansbrough in the post. If the help D works out on Hansbrough, that would go a long way to winning this game.

Key Matchup- Ty Lawson vs Derrick Low. Whoever wins this battle will be an important factor in the pace and outcome of this game. If Lawson runs, good night Cougars but if Low frustrates him and scores as well, Washington State could pull the upset.

PREDICTION: NORTH CAROLINA 85 VS WASHINGTON STATE 70

(2) TENNESSEE VS (3) LOUISVILLE

UT keys to victory- Don't get demolished in the paint. Big men Duke Crews and Wayne Chism need to defend well in the post against the dearth of big men Louisville has in David Padgett, Earl Clark, Juan Palacios, and Derrick Caracter. If they can limit Louisville's point production in the post, then they can focus on their offense. Chris Lofton needs to find open shots and Bruce Pearl needs a big time game from his PG, whether it be JP Prince or Ramar Smith. If either one turnovers the ball more than getting assists, it will be a long night.

UL keys to victory- Play their style. They need to get open shots, break the UT press, and force turnovers defensively. This game is shaping up to be a track meet but on paper Louisville is the better overall team. They have size, speed, and experience at every position. They need to find David Padgett in the half-court game and make sure he finds the cutters and shooters. Edgar Sosa needs to stop thinking about his poor and inconsistent play this season because without quality minutes from him, this team may not win.

Key matchup- Earl Clark vs Tennessee forwards. He is the most versatile player on this team and if he has a big game, Louisville will win. He needs to get in the paint and cause problems for Chism and Crews.

PREDICTION: LOUISVILLE 84 VS TENNESSEE 78

WEST REGION:

(1) UCLA VS (12) WESTERN KENTUCKY

UCLA keys to victory- Play the way they can. Get Josh Shipp confidence and Kevin Love touches in the post. They should not a problem with this team unless they are not focused. Ben Howland will not let this team get surprised by WKU because their ultimate goal is the national title. Play UCLA ball and the game should be in cruise early in the second half.

WKY keys to victory- Don't be afraid. If they don't lie down because they are going up against UCLA then they could be in this game for a while. They need to find the open shots and not force anything because UCLA can play fast and slow. Get Courtney Lee his touches and let his teammates play off it. Knock down half of their threes and they have a fighting chance.

Key matchup- Kevin Love vs WKU post players. The Pac-10 Player of the Year needs to have his way early and often. Once he establishes his dominance in the paint and his teammates work off that, goodnight.

PREDICTION: UCLA 75 VS WESTERN KENTUCKY 61

(3) XAVIER VS (7) WEST VIRGINIA

XU keys to victory- Pressure the ball. They need to get after Joe Alexander, Alex Ruoff, and Joe Mazzulla. Ruoff is a great shooter but if they stick to him then he could have a long knight. They are the superior defensive squad and need to remember that. Get off to an early lead and it can be protected. An early deficit may be harder to play with. They need to find the shooters and if the defense clicks, the offense will follow.

WVU keys to victory- Get open shots for Alex Ruoff. The team feeds off his big shots as well as the tough play of Joe Alexander. The two lead this team emotionally and statistically so they can't be stifled by Xavier's pressure or they won't win. On defense, they need to contain the penetration of Drew Lavender and the steady hand of Stanley Burrell. Xavier is a balanced offensive team so a complete defensive effort for 40 mintues is needed.

Key matchup- Alex Ruoff vs Stanley Burrell- The winner of this matchup will determine the winner of the game. If Ruoff is not spreading the D, then Alexander will not have the same seams and one-on-one matchups. Burrell needs to be the leader that he is and shut down Ruoff.

PREDICTION: XAVIER 79 VS WEST VIRGINIA 72

Best of Gus Johnson - Rise and Fire

IT'S TOURNEY TIME, LET THE MADNESS BEGIN!

Sweet Sixteen Set

EAST REGIONAL:
(1) NORTH CAROLINA VS (4) WASHINGTON STATE
(2) TENNESSEE VS (3) LOUISVILLE

MIDWEST REGIONAL:
(1) KANSAS VS (12) VILLANOVA
(3) WISCONSIN VS (10) DAVIDSON

SOUTH REGIONAL:
(1) MEMPHIS VS (5) MICHIGAN STATE
(2) TEXAS VS (3) STANFORD

WEST REGIONAL:
(1) UCLA VS (12) WESTERN KENTUCKY
(3) XAVIER VS (7) WEST VIRGINIA

Day One and A Look Ahead to Round Two

Best Game: Belmont vs Duke

Nobody expected the game to be as close and as exciting as it was and a lot of fans know Duke got away. Belmont played Duke wire to wire and the big question for Duke heading into their tilt with West Virginia tomorrow is can they find their defense? If they play the way Coach K wants and needs them too, then tomorrow should be a great game because if they play lackluster D once again, they could be in deep trouble.

Biggest Disappointment: Kent St. vs UNLV

Kent St. scored exactly ten points in the first half, TEN! They were blitzed from the get-go by a surprisingly good UNLV team. They came to play and despite some late buckets from the Golden Flashes, the game was a blowout. Kansas should not be looking past this team because they could get a run for their money.

Biggest Surprise: Kansas St. vs USC

Frank Martin out-coached Tim Floyd in what was a surprising double digit win for Beasley and co. He put Dominique Sutton on OJ Mayo and "Juice" looked all squeezed out by the time the game was over. Mayo got his 20 but his points were late and were non-factors. Beasley got his (23pts and 11reb) but it was Billy Walker's 22pts and KSU's team surge in the first half that led to the victory. A date with Wisconsin is up next, and that is a game that KSU could win.

GAMES TO WATCH SATURDAY:

(4) Pittsburgh vs (5) Michigan State 2 P.M.

You have to love this game because you have the fast paced offense of the Spartans against the slow down game of the Panthers. Pittsburgh is the hot team and the big question will be if MSU's role players like Raymar Morgan, Kalin Lucas, Chris Allen, etc can make up the slack if senior Drew Neitzel falters again. Pittsburgh is on fire and should march towards a show down in Houston with Memphis.

(4) Pittsburgh 74 vs (5) Michigan State 70


(3) Stanford vs (6) Marquette 3 P.M.

Size and quickness always make for a great matchup. Marquette's guards dueling with the seven-foot Lopez twins of Stanford. Both have experience and both can get after the ball. Stanford has the size but Marquette coach Tom Crean has been to a Final Four and has experience. Stanford may have to go small but if they force Marquette to go big, watch out.

(3) Stanford 70 vs (6) Marquette 62


(4) Washington State vs (5) Notre Dame 1 P.M.

Offense against defense yet again. Washington State, one of the best and most efficient defenses in the nation going up against the shooting of Kyle McAlarney and the down low scoring of Luke Harangody. If ND can hit their shots, WSU will have to play farther out and that would open up Harangody down low. ND can't play their opponents game because a slow down game is what the Cougars want. It will be difficult for WSU to play their way but fans in Denver should be getting a great game.

(4) Washington State 71 vs (5) Notre Dame 76


(3) Xavier vs (6) Purdue 4:40 P.M.

Not many people expected Purdue to be so good so fast because of their youth. Matt Painter's group is now entering uncharted territory and Xavier is up next. Purdue boasts a balanced scoring attack with several key freshman in E'Twan Moore, Robbie Hummel, JuJuan Johnson, and Scott Martin. Xavier will look to shut down the Boilermaker attack with their suffocating defense led by Stanley Burrell. His defensive play along with the leadership of Drew Lavender should push the Musketeers into the Sweet Sixteen.

(3) Xavier 64 vs (6) Purdue 57

THE NEXT FOUR:

(3) Wisconsin 67 vs (11) Kansas State 60

(1) Kansas 84 vs (8) UNLV 70

(1) UCLA 75 vs (9) Texas A&M 68

(2) Duke 82 vs (7) West Virginia 76

Thursday Schedule and Games to Watch

WEST REGIONAL:
(1) UCLA VS MISS VALLEY ST (16)
(2) DUKE VS BELMONT (15)
(3) XAVIER VS GEORGIA (14)
(6) PURDUE VS BAYLOR (11)*
(7) WEST VIRGINIA VS ARIZONA (10)*
(8) BYU VS TEXAS A&M (9)*

MIDWEST REGIONAL:
(1) KANSAS VS PORTLAND ST. (16)
(3) WISCONSIN VS CAL ST FULLERTON (14)
(6) USC VS KANSAS ST. (11)*
(8) UNLV VS KENT ST. (9)*

SOUTH REGIONAL:
(3) STANFORD VS CORNELL (14)
(4) PITTSBURGH VS ORAL ROBERTS (13)
(5) MICH ST VS TEMPLE (12)*
(6) MARQUETTE VS KENTUCKY (11)*

EAST REGIONAL:
(4) WASHINGTON ST VS WINTHROP (13)
(5) NOTRE DAME VS GEORGE MASON (12)*

* MUST SEE GAMES

Final Four Prediction

Final Four: North Carolina vs Kansas, Texas vs UCLA.
National Championship: Kansas vs UCLA
National Champion: Kansas
Most Outstanding Player: Mario Chalmers G Kansas

Bracket Breakdown: West Region

Top Four Seeds: UCLA, Duke, Xavier, Connecticut
Favorite: UCLA
Sleeper: Connecticut
Bracket Buster: Baylor
Best First Round Game: West Virginia vs Arizona
Upset Watch: Drake vs Western Kentucky
Best Player You Don't Know: Courtney Lee G Western Kentucky

The Bruins have the easiest road to San Antonio of the four number one seeds and it should be no surprise that barring a major upset, UCLA will most likely reach its third consecutive Final Four. Ben Howland is to the national championship game what John Calipari is to the Final Four; they just can't make that next step. The Bruins are loaded with everything. They have a heady lead man in Darren Collison, a versatile wing scorer in Russell Westbrook, and a beast inside with Pac-10 Player of the Year Kevin Love. Duke is the two seed in this region and have been great for most of the year but have been down recently. The only inside game from the Blue Devils is bench player Brian Zoubek. Duke's lack of an inside game has caught up with them but the experience of Coach K on the sideline could a major factor in the success they have this tournament. Xavier won the A-10 by three games but are relatively unknown to most fans. Stanley Burrell and Drew Lavender form a potent back-court that is equally on offense and defense. the up-and-down UCONN Huskies are the four seed and if they play up to their potential, a Sweet Sixteen matchup with UCLA should be in order. Watch out for Baylor as a possible Cinderella because of their ability to score and play up tempo. In the end, the Bruins have too much of everything.

Sweet Sixteen: UCLA, Connecticut, Baylor, Duke
Elite Eight: UCLA vs Duke
West Region Champion: UCLA
Most Outstanding Player: Darren Collison G UCLA