No. 17: 2009-2010 Team Preview: UConn Huskies

2008-2009 Record: 31-5, 15-3 Big East (t-2nd)

Key Losses: AJ Price (14.7 ppg, 4.7 apg), Hasheem Thabeet (13.6 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 4.2 bpg), Jeff Adrien (13.6 ppg, 9.9 rpg)

Key Returners: Kemba Walker (8.9 ppg, 2.9 apg) Jerome Dyson (13.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg), Stanley Robinson (8.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg)

Newcomers: Alex Oriakhi, Ater Majok, Jamaal Trice, Darius Smith, Jamal Coombs-McDaniel

Stanley Robinson returns to the Huskies as arguably the best athlete in the country.
(photo credit: Inside Hoops)

UConn loses may lose more key pieces from last year's squad than any team in the country. Gone are AJ Price, Jeff Adrien, and Hasheem Thabeet, the Huskies three leading scorers from a year ago. But that doesn't meant the Huskies don't return any talent. With guys like Kemba Walker, Jerome Dyson, and Stanley Robinson deciding to come back to school, UConn is going to look like the Huskies of old this season.

Jim Calhoun's teams used to be known for their athleticism, their defensive pressure, and a helter-skelter style of play that resulted in a fast-paced game. The last couple of season's, Calhoun has veered away from that style as Price, Adrien, and Thabeet were all better suited to a slow, grind-it-out pace that allowed the Huskies to take advantage of their size on the interior. The Huskies won't have that size advantage this season, but what they will have is an athleticism advantage.

Kemba Walker will be the engine to this year's team. Walker is as quick and athletic as any point guard in the country. He is a terror defensively, utilizing those quicks to harass opposing ball-handlers. On the offensive end, Walker is going to be counted on to lead quite a few fast breaks. He has the speed and the ball-handling ability to get into the lane whenever he pleases, but last season he was a bit inconsistent once he got there - he forced some tough shots and committed a few too many turnovers. With a year of experience under his belt, Walker should be able to improve on that. This is going to be his UConn team to run, and how well he develops as a player will go a long way in determining the Huskie's success this season.

Joining Walker in the back court will be Jerome Dyson, another terrific athlete. Dyson is a bigger guard (6'4", 190 lb) that is the most dangerous in the open floor. A decent shooter when he has time, Dyson's strength is in his ability to get to the rim. He is explosive and a powerful finisher once he gets there. But like Walker, Dyson had a tendency to overpenetrate last season, resulting in a lot of tough shots. Defensively, Dyson is just as dangerous as Walker. He is a great athlete, and his length and anticipation make him a terror in the passing lanes. He and Walker will make life very tough on opposing back courts this season.

Beyond those two, UConn's back court will be very inexperienced. Two freshmen will be counted on heavily to provide back court depth - Darius Smith and Jamaal Trice. Smith and Trice are both exceptional athletes, and have been lauded by recruiting services for their defensive ability. Given the style that Calhoun will want to play this season, both Smith and Trice should be expected to be major contributors. At 6'5", Trice is a bit bigger than Smith, who is 6'1". Trice has big time athleticism, and has developed a knock-down jump shot. Smith is more of a combo-guard, and while his jump shot is not as developed as Calhoun would like, Smith has shown the ability to get into the paint at the high school level. Junior Donnell Beverly should also be expected to contribute some minutes.

But the back court isn't where the issues will be for the 2009-2010 Huskies. With Adrien graduating and Thabeet heading to the NBA Draft, a huge void is opened up in the middle. Senior Gavin Edwards will be back, but Edwards is not a guy that will be a star. An excellent role playing big man, Edwards is not a great offensive option in the post, but is a solid defender and rebounder. Freshman Alex Oriakhi will be counted on for major minutes, perhaps even stepping into a starting role off the bat. At 6'8", Oriakhi is closer to Jeff Adrien than a Josh Boone or Emeka Okafor. Strong in the paint, Oriakhi will provide the Huskies with some scoring, some defense, and a lot of rebounding and hustle inside.

Perhaps the biggest question mark for the Huskies will be 6'10" Sudanese refugee Ater Majok. Majok will become eligible after the first semester, but his impact on the court is still a question mark. Majok is long and athletic, and while his frame is a bit on the skinny side, Majok is still expected to be a big-time contributor for Calhoun. He is a defensive presence in the paint, but he also has enough skills on the perimeter that a defender is going to have to respect him. While Majok could end up being a star, UConn fans should be wary of the second coming of Ajou Ajou Deng.

The x-factors on this team are going to be Stanley Robinson and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel. Robinson might be the best athlete in the country. He is long (6'9") with crazy athleticism, and he plays with a ton of energy. It is widely known that he missed the beginning of last season while trying to prove to Calhoun he wanted to be a Husky, but when he returned, he was as good as he has been in his career. In fact, in postseason play, Robinson was absolutely dominant, averaging 17 ppg, 9.3 rpg, and over 2 bpg. Playing in the open court system that the Huskies will utilize this season, expect Robinson's athleticism and energy to take over at times.

Coombs-McDaniel is a bit different as a player. Another guy that's a tweener (at 6'7", he plays almost a point-forward kind of role), Coombs-McDaniel is knows for his versatility. He can penetrate, he is an excellent passer, and he is a smart, vocal leader, especially on the defensive end. He is not the overwhelming athlete that many Huskies are, but he is good enough defensively that there will be no drop off when he is in the game. Expect him to flourish as a Husky, and possibly slide into a starting spot by seasons end.

Two seven footers - Jonathon Mandeldove and Charles Okwandu - may also contribute some minutes up front.

Outlook: This is going to be an athletic team. The Huskies are going to have to press, to run the floor, and to crash the defensive glass. They don't have the shot-blockers that Husky fans have become accustomed too, but that shouldn't be a huge issue. Playing more of a full court style than they have the past two or three seasons, expect the Huskies to rely heavily on their athleticism to win games. If Kemba Walker and Stanley Robinson both develop into stars, UConn's fall should not be that tremendous and they could end up a top four team in the conference.
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Monday Morning Dump

I would never take a play off for this guy; David Cross is one ballsy dude; Hilarious? Yes. Necessary? Debatable; Squirrel Fight; I always thought bears liked ice?; Why are these people famous again?; bears target minivans.

- Steve Phillips fired from ESPN. Sean Salisbury has sued Deadspin, and one of the people Deadspin outed from ESPN admitted to what she was accused of.

- Marcus Ginyard, Bobby Frasor, and Erin Andrews?

- Big East media day player interviews.

- The ACC Tournament is going to shift venues....again.

- Tar Heels and Blue Devils share Co-Preseason Favorite Honors.

- The Best Matchups of Jan/Feb 2010.

- Missouri Valley Conference Preview

- Baseball's postseason scheduling sucks.

- NBA's most depressing players.

After the jump, anvil launching. Wyle E. Coyote must be so jealous.



Adrian Peterson uses the hit stick on Pittsburgh's William Gay



The NFL refs are having a rough season



The most badass knockout ever


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No. 18: 2009-2010 Team Preview: California Golden Bears

2008-2009 Record: 22-11, 11-7 Pac-10 (3rd)

Key Losses: Jordan Wilkes (4.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg)

Key Returners: Jerome Randle (18.3 ppg, 5.0 apg), Patrick Christopher (14.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg), Theo Robertson (13.1 ppg, 48.7% 3's)

Newcomers: Bak Bak, Brandon Smith, Markhuri Sanders-Frison

Jerome Randle will be on a lot of pre-season all-Pac 10 lists.
(photo credit: The Play in California)

Mike Montgomery, who spent 18 seasons as the head coach of Stanford, joined the Cardinal's biggest rival last season and had an excellent year, winning 22 games and earning a bid to the NCAA tournament. The improvement was all the more surprising given that Cal, who went 17-16 in 2008, lost two big men to the NBA - Ryan Anderson and DeVon Hardin.

With a hole in the middle, Montgomery brought a new style to the Bears, opting to run a fast-paced offense that relied on the open floor abilities of Jerome Randle. Randle might have been the most improved player in the country last season. As a sophomore, Randle averaged just over 11 ppg, deferring to guys like Hardin and Anderson. But as a junior, the diminutive Randle proved to be arguably the best point guard in a league with a lot of good point guards (Isaiah Thomas, Darren Collison, Nic Wise, Taylor Rochestie). Part of what made Randle so effective was that the open floor style allowed him to take advantage of his quickness. There may not be a player in the country that can go from 0-60 as quickly as Randle. This stop-and-go ability, combined with his small stature (listed at 5'10", looks closer to 5'8"), make Randle nearly impossible to stay in front off the bounce. But you can't slack off of him because he is nearly automatic from deep - he hit 46.3% from three last season. With the other shooters that the Bears have on their roster, Randle's ability to penetrate is going to be key - if there is help side defense, he can kick it out; if there isn't, he can finish in the paint.

But Randle is far from the only perimeter threat that the Bears have. Senior Patrick Christopher is a proven scorer. While he has never had to be a star for the Bears, he is a great complimentary scorer. Christopher's scoring ability is centered around his jump shot, which is fairly consistent in catch-and-shoot situations. But Christopher has a tendency to take some tough shots, and while he does make quite a few of them, it makes him a little less efficient than would be ideal. Theo Robertson might be the best three point shooter in the country. While he is just a moderate athlete, Robertson is capable of scoring inside the arc. While he shots 48.7% from deep, he only took 3.5 per game while laying 33.5 minutes.

Those three guys each played over 33 minutes per game last season, and should be expected to play a lot of minutes again. But when they do need to come out, Cal has a couple reserves that should be expected to contribute. Sophomores Omondi Amoke and Jorge Gutierrez are probably the best of the bunch. Gutierrez is an athlete, and is probably the best perimeter defender on Cal's roster. Amoke is a little bit bigger (6'7") and a more of a slasher, but he will get minutes in the paint. He gives Montgomery energy, hustle, and offensive rebounding off the bench. DJ Seeley, who you may remember from this game, should also see some time.

The biggest question mark for the Bears is going to be in their front court. Jamal Boykin is a good player. At 6'8", 240 lb, he provides muscle on the block, rebounding, and a decent scoring threat. The fact that Boykin is able to knock down jumpers from the perimeter means that the Bears can go five-out of the offensive end.

But after Boykin, there really is not all that much depth up front. Harper Kamp has some size (6'9"), but he doesn't provide much more than defense and rebounding. Bak Bak is an athletic 6'9", but he is still quite raw. Perhaps the biggest question mark, both literally and figuratively, will be 7'3" Max Zhang. Zhang played just 67 minutes as a freshman, but he was dominant in the World Univerity games over the summer, averaging 18.0 ppg, 17.3 rpg, and 5.6 bpg. He may be the only guy capable of providing Cal with a defender around the rim. Also expect JuCo transfer Markhuri Sanders-Frison to see some time if he can get into shape (at 6'7", he is currently pushing 300 lb).

Outlook: We could argue all day about who is the favorite in the Pac-10 - Washington or Cal. While Washington will be adding talented freshman Abdul Gaddy, Cal is loaded with experienced, and talented, players who have now had a season to learn the system they are playing in. With guys like Randle, Christopher, and Robertson, Cal is going to be able to put up points with anyone in the country. If they can rebound the ball and defend, Cal could win the Pac-10 and be the best team on the West Coast. If they can't, they may not be a top 25 team by year's end.
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2009-2010 College Basketball Season Preview: All-Name Teams

Kevin Pittsnoggle.

Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje.

Pops Mensah-Bonsu.

I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that a number of my favorite college hoopers of all-time are on that list simply because they had names that were, well, memorable.

With last season's clear-cut champ Chief Kickingstallionsims graduating, who will be this years best-named players?

All-Name First Team

Bak Bak, California
Just-in'Love Smith, Siena
Alibaba Odd, Deleware State
Blaise Ffrench, UTEP
Orion Outerbridge, Rhode Island

Ffrench's twitter name is JusBlaise.
(photo credit: Nathan Blue)

All-Name Second Team

Ja'Rob Macallum, UW-Milwaukee
Papa Guise, Cal St Fullerton
Colt Idol, Montana State
McIntoshe Alcius, Winston Salem
Lex Mongo, UMass

Ja'Rob McCallum played pick-up with La'Barack Obama.
(photo credit: daylife)

All-Name Third Team

Eni Cuka, North Florida
Duke Mondy, Providence
Chron Tatum, Idaho State
Wquinton Smith, Wisconsin
Dera Nd-Ezuma, Rider

All-Name Fourth Team

Nimrod Tishman, Florida
Magnum Rolle, Louisiana Tech
Bol Kong, Gonzaga
Mick Hedgepeth, Belmont
Storm Warren, LSU


So there you have it. The best 20 names in college basketball. But after going through the rosters of some 344 teams, there were more than just 20 guys with notable names.

Here are your honorable mentions.

All-Apostrophe First Team

Drake U'u , Cal Poly
An'Juan Wilderness, Charlotte
P'Allen Stinnett, Creighton
Sai'Quon Stone, Southern Mississippi
Da'Veed Dildy, Stanford

All-Apostrophe Second Team

De'Shaud Johnson, East Tennessee State
D'Walyn Roberts, Texas Tech
Jer'Vaughn Johnson, Cal. State Fullerton
La'Shard Anderson, Boise State
La'Ryan Gary, Louisiana-Lafayette


All-Sounds-Like-A-Disease Team

Tim Abromaitis, Notre Dame
Larry Gorganious, UC-Riverside
Mantoris Robinson, Winthrop
Zisis Sarikopolous, Ohio State
Dinko Marshavelski, Northeastern


All-Parents-Couldn't-Decide-On-A-Name Team

JohnMark Ludwick, William & Mary
JohnDre Jefferson, South Carolina
Markeith Cummings, Kennesaw State
Ella Ellis, Army
Gary Garris, NJIT


All-Edible Team

Cosmo Morabi, Citadel
Pawel Kielbasa, Chicago State
Derwin Kitchen, Florida State
Montarrio Haddock, Middle Tennessee State
Greg Danish, LaSalle


All-Inanimate-Object Team

Radar Onguetou, New Hampshire
Ivory McGilvery, Texas Pan-Am
Moussa Camara, Binghamton
Trinity Fields, Iona
J'hared Hall, Loyola (MD)


All-Misspelled-Name Team

Aaric Murray, La Salle
Rotnei Clarke, Arkansas
BeJay Corley, Mercer
Jarrid Famous, South Florida
Erique Gumbs, Towson
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More on John Wall's eligibility

As we mentioned yesterday in our original post, the latest expert weighing in on John Wall's eligibility has "sources" telling him that Wall will probably not miss any time.

From Jeff Goodman:

Sources close to the situation have told FOXSports.com that Wall will likely be cleared prior to Kentucky's season-opener – which is on Nov. 13 against Morehead State at Rupp Arena.

So, as would be the case with any reported violation by a big-name recruit, the news breaks and the initial reaction is catastrophic.

John Wall has been practicing with the Kentucky Wildcats.
(photo credit: Washington Post)

Will Wall's season be over?

How does this effect Kentucky's title chances?

Oh, the humanity!!

But once every had a chance to catch their breath, take a step back, and look at the facts, the whole situation seems fairly innocuous. For starters, it has been known that Brian Clifton was an agent for at least a year. Not only was he a non-factor in that industry (he has been quoted as saying he never even signed a client), but John Wall was a very high-profile recruit. Given the how closely the recruiting process of kids as talented as Wall is followed by fan bases and NCAA officials alike, I find it extremely unlikely that Clifton would be funneling Wall "substantial amounts" of money when he was the point man for Wall's recruitment.

Did he buy him a burger during an AAU trip?

Probably.

Did he help out with rides to and from recruiting trips and basketball games?

I don't doubt it.

But that is completely different than, say, Ronald Guillory giving thousands of dollars to OJ Mayo when Mayo was a high school star, with the understanding that Mayo would sign with Bill Duffy when he went pro.

If Wall does get a suspension, it will be a result of the NCAA making an example out of him - under no circumstances should you be associating with certified agents when you are an amateur. I would personally disagree with any suspension, but to be honest, I don't think that Wall has much of an argument if he does get suspended.

There are two other issues that I have yet to touch on:

1. When I first posted this and spoke about it with friends, the first reaction everyone had was "oh, they'll get away with it because its Calipari." Explain to me how Calipari has anything to do with a relationship a recruit has with his AAU coach and adviser, especially when you consider the rumors that Clifton did not want Wall to play for Cal.
   
   I'll wait.
   
   Look, I think Calipari is a great coach. His dribble-drive motion is great offense, he is a fantastic recruiter, and he is probably the best motivator in the sport. That said, I think even the most die-hard Kentucky fans will admit that Coach Cal is not squeaky clean. Simply put, it is not a coincidence that he has had two Final Fours wiped from the record books. But putting the blame on Calipari for this situation is unfair.


2. What if Calipari was still at Memphis?
   
   Most recruiting pundits assumed that Wall was going to go to Memphis before Coach Cal left. With the whole Derrick-Rose-wasn't-actually-eligible debacle there this summer, would the Tigers administration have taken another chance on a recruit with questionable eligibility so soon?
   

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No. 19: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Michigan Wolverines

2008-2009 Record: 21-14, 9-9 (t-7th)

Key Losses: Kelvin Grady (6.1 ppg), Zack Gibson (3.9 ppg)

Key Returners: Manny Harris (16.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 4.4 apg), DeShawn Sims (15.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Zack Novak (6.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg)

Newcomers: Darius Morris, Eso Akunne, Matt Vogrich, Josh Bartelstein, Blake McLimans, Jordan Morgan

Manny Harris is one of the best natural scorers in the country.
(photo credit: UMHoops)

John Beilein runs arguably the most unique system in the country, and as would be expected, it took the Michigan players a season to get used to what Beilein was asking of them. In Beilein's second year at the helm, his guys became more accustomed to the offense and the Wolverines had their most successful season in a long time, reaching the NCAA Tournament's 2nd round. This year, Michigan will be one of the best teams in the Big Ten.

Michigan's offense will be based around the play of DeShawn Sims and Manny Harris. Harris is one of the most natural scorers in the country. Standing a lithe 6'5", Harris is at his best when he is using his quick first step to attack the rim. He is still a bit toolsy, as his jump shot and handle can still be improved. Where Harris made strides as a sophomore was with his efficiency. He greatly improved his shot selection and his decision making when passing the ball, an aspect that should become even better as he gets more comfortable with Beilein's system. The one place that Harris still could use some work is his perimeter jumper. He has made less than a third of his three point attempts during his first two seasons. Given Beilein's reliance on the three in his offense, improving this aspect of his game would greatly improve Harris's effectiveness.

While Harris is a bit of an imperfect fit for the Beilein system on the perimeter, Sims seems to be slightly better. At 6'8", he is able to hold his on in the post at both ends. He has a solid back-to-the-basket game, with a turn-around jumper as his go-to move. But Sims also has the ability to step out and knock down a shot from the perimeter. While he could still stand to improve upon his consistency, opposing bigs still have to come out and respect the shot, which allows the nimble Sims opportunities to put the ball on the floor and go to the basket. The biggest area Sims needs to improve is in his energy level and his work ethic. He looked lethargic at times last season, and as a result had a number of games where he didn't show up; while he has games like the 28 and 12 he had against Duke or the 29 he went for against Purdue, there is also the chance he goes 3-14 like he did against Illinois or 4-11 he shot against UConn.

As they did last season, I would expect Michigan to start four guards around Sims. There are four guys who will likely compete for those three starting spots - sophomores Zack Novak, Stu Douglass, and Laval Lucas-Perry and freshman Darius Morris. Novak, Douglass, and Lucas-Perry are all essentially the same player. Big guards that can do a little bit of everything, Lucas-Perry came in with the best reputation last season, but he was forced to play out of position for a lot of the season as Michigan struggled with their point guard situation.

That problem should be fixed with Morris. Morris is not the greatest offensive player, but he can penetrate and find shooters, he plays defense, and most importantly, he is an actual point guard. His biggest competition for playing time this season - Lucas-Perry and Douglass - both prefer to play off the ball. Speaking of Douglass, he and Novak should both be expected to have big sophomore seasons. They are both heady players that are good three point shooters and athletic enough to be a play maker in the Wolverines 1-3-1 zone. Also expect freshman Matt Vogrich, another 6'4" shooting guard, to have an impact this season.

The biggest problem for Beilein is going to be finding another big man that can provide quality minutes. With the strength of the Big Ten this season, being forced to have 6'5" guards like Harris and Novak as your second biggest player on the floor will make rebounding the ball very tough. Freshmen Jordan Morgan, Blake McClimans, and Ben Cronin are all possibilities to fill that role. Morgan is a 6'8" kid out of Detroit, and as you would expect, he is a blue collar type player. He will provide Beilein with a tough, rugged presence in the paint, fighting for rebounds and making opposing bigs work for their touches. Cronin, who is 7'0", is coming off of hip surgery last season and could provide an impact.

But the guy to keep an eye on in Blake McLimans. McLimans is 6'10" and athletic enough that he played volleyball and baseball in high school. He is the perfect big man for Beilein - he is an excellent three point shooter, he can pass the ball from the high post, and he is comfortable playing onthe perimeter 22 feet from the rim. McLimans doesn't have the same ring to it, but he could be the next Kevin Pittsnoggle.

Outlook: This may be the most talented team that John Beilein has ever coached. Manny Harris is a legitimate all-american candidate, DeShawn Sims could be a first or second team all-Big Ten guy, and their supporting cast can all play. But none of that matters, because the Wolverines will go as far as Beilein's system takes them. The ability of the team to make back door cuts, hit three pointers, and rebound out of a 1-3-1 zone is what will be the difference for Michigan. Will they once again finish in the middle of the Big Ten and get a nine or ten seed in the dance, or can they make that next step and stay near the top of the league standings? If Zack Novak, Stu Douglass, and Laval Lucas-Perry all continue to develop, and Darius Morris and Blake McLimans can come in and fill a (much-needed) role, Michigan is going to win a lot of games.
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John Calipari and Bruce Pearl have a nice little rivalry going

Yesterday was SEC Media Day, and John Calipari and Bruce Pearl took turns sending shots at each other. There is a rivarly between them stemming from recruiting battles and disagreements over a home-and-home series while Cal was still at Memphis.

The guys over at GoVolsXtra give you an excellent break down of the verbal barbs being thrown. In reality, nothing all that bad is said, and more than anything these quotes just add to the hype of what is turning into an excellent rivalry.

But there was one quote that stood out to me. From GVX:

Calipari summed up his thoughts on Pearl near the end of his presentation.

"We're competitors," he said. "I'm never going to paint my body."

But it was Pearl who got the last laugh. When told of Calipari's body paint comment, Pearl was asked if there was anything Calipari does that he wouldn't do.

Pearl paused for effect, smirking at the media before answering and drawing raucous laughter: "I don't know all the things that he's doing."

Reason #2,583 why I love Bruce Pearl.
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Friday Morning Dump

There has been a lot of negative reaction towards Deadspin for their reaction to being scooped by the NY Post: from MGoBlog, Stupid Sports Blog, SBNation, With Leather, Sporting Blog, and AOL FanHouse.

- Bobby Lutz isn't on the hot seat.

- ZagsBlog catches up with the Big East coaches.

- Jai Lucas will be back earlier than expected.

- Ultra-marathon runners have problems with their toenails.

- Ole Miss is thinking about changing their fight song.

- Dana O'Neil on Indiana's freshman class.

- Dionte Christmas gets cut by the 76ers, then arrested on gun charges.

- Achraf Yacoubou, from the class of 2011, has decided to go to Villanova. Chris Mack and Xavier landed 2011 recruit Dezmine Wells.

- Charges dismissed against Brady Morningstar.

- Is it better for the A-10 to have a runaway champ?

- High school player beats up assistant coach.

- A closer look: Penn State vs. Michigan.

- Justin Fargas is pretty funny.

- The girl in the black is pretty flexible.



- Angels fan goes out on the center field rocks during the ALCS.




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John Calipari: "The SEC should get 7 or 8 teams"

The SEC had their media day today, and it was relatively uneventful.

Perhaps the biggest news came from John Calipari via his twitter (where else?).

I told the media the SEC should get 7 or 8 teams in the NCAA Tournament this year.

Some people took exception to this statement, specifically Eamonn Brennan over at The Dagger.

The Dagger is one of the best college hoops blogs out there, and I generally agree with most of what those guys say. But I have to disagree with this:

No, dude. No. If this was a coach from the Big Ten, sure. The ACC, maybe. The Big East? I'd listen. But not the SEC. Come on now... Everyone knows this is silly, right? I don't have to explain why this is silly?

Not only do I think there is a chance the SEC gets seven teams in this year, I think it is a very real possibility.

The SEC Tournament will be one of the most exciting come March.
(photo credit: NashvilleSports.com)

Why?

Because the SEC is going to be the most improved conference in the country.

Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi State (even without Renardo Sidney) are virtual locks to get a bid.

Ole Miss will return a healthy Eniel Polynice and Chris Warren, and when combined with Terrico White give the Rebels one of the best back courts in the league. I don't think it is out of the realm of possibility that Ole Miss wins 11 or 12 games in the league this year.

South Carolina barely missed the NCAA's last season, and returns Devan Downey, one of the best scorers in the country, and their entire front line.

Vanderbilt will be a sleeper in the league this year as they return everyone and add freshman John Jenkins, who may be the best shooter in the country, to the mix to fill their biggest hole last season.

Florida is overflowing with potential, and while they did lose their point guard Nick Calathes, the Gators may be better off with Kenny Boynton at the point.

Even Arkansas, a team that struggled to a 2-14 finish and may be the worst run program in the country, returns their top four scorers from a team that beat both Texas and Oklahoma early last season.

Simply put, the SEC, especially the eastern division, is going to be very good this season.
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SEC Commissioner Mike Slive tells ESPN John Wall has "eligibility issues"

There are not many things that would be able to damper the enthusiasm in Lexington about the '09-'10 version of the Wildcats.

One of the things that would - an ineligible John Wall.

After an ESPN.com report today, it seems as if that could be a very real possibility.

Wall's AAU coach, Brian Clifton, was a certified agent for FIBA up until August 2008. This is not a new piece of information, but it is one that the SEC has apparently been looking into.

The issue is whether or not any benefits Wall received from Clifton could now be considered illegal as he received them from an agent. If the amount that Wall illegally received is determined to be insignificant (less that $101), than he would be suspended for a minimum of 10% of his team's game - three or four games this season (Kentucky's first four games are against Morehead State, Miami-Ohio, Sam Houston State, and Rider) - and be forced to repay the money to Clifton. If it is determined to be more, Wall's eligibility may not be reinstated.

Personally, I do not believe that Wall will miss any game time. True, Clifton was technically an agent, but he was certified with FIBA (I doubt Wall will play overseas anytime soon) and admittedly never signed a client.

It would be one thing if Wall's AAU coach was Dan Fegan, Bill Duffy, or Arn Tellem, but Clifton is far from basketball's version of Scott Boras. (UPDATE: Gary Parrish is now reporting that a source close to the situation believes that Wall will probably miss "a few games, maybe three or four" and pay back an undetermined amount of money for expenses incurred when Clifton joined wall on recruiting visits).

If anything, I bet Wall pays some money back to Clifton and is ready to play November 13th against Morehead State.

More on this as information becomes available.
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UPDATE: Finally, Kyrie Irving will tell us where he is going to college

UPDATE: I'm moving this up to the top as Kyrie Irving, as expected, announced that he would be attending Duke.


Kyrie Irving will announce tomorrow on ESPN U where he is going to school. He will be choosing between Duke, Kentucky, and Texas A&M, the three schools at which he has taken official visits.

Barring a major surprise, Irving will be announcing his intentions to attend Duke and play for Coach K and the Blue Devils.

To be completely honest, I'm glad that this process is over. Maybe it is because Duke is the team that has been courting him, but I feel like Irving's name has constantly been in the news for the last month.

Want proof?

This is the second time that we've heard the Irving definitely will maybe commit to possibly being a Dukie.

Nothing against the kid, because he genuinely seems like he has a good head on his shoulders (a rarity these days). But the 2009-2010 season hasn't even started, and I have already spent way to much time worrying about what will happen in 2010-2011 should Irving go to Duke.

Irving is sick of it too. From his Twitter:

People are so funny when stuff actually hits the fan...have your fun commenting on my Twitter...thanks to all the REAL fans for being patient

So Kyrie, if you happen to read this, my apologies for not being patient.
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Marcus Jordan embroiled in shoe controversy

Marcus Jordan is Michael Jordan's son.

Marcus Jordan goes to Central Florida.

Central Florida is an Adidas school.

Marcus Jordan wants to wear Jordan brand shoes.

Hmm, it seems we have a problem here. You see, the ability to wear Jordans while playing in college was a requirement for Marcus, and Central Florida promised him he would be able to while they recruited him. From the Chicago Tribune:

When I was being recruited, we talked about it. They said they had talked to the Adidas people and it wasn't going to be a problem. I think everybody understands how big of a deal it is for my family.

Apparently the university never ran it past Adidas officials, however, and it could end up costing UCF a lot of money.

Why?

Because the school's deal with Adidas is up in 2010, and they are currently in the midst of negotiations for a new deal that could be worth up to $3 million. Adidas would provide free equipment and apparel for all 15 of UCF' sports teams, a value equivalent to 5% of UCF's athletics budget.

That's a lot of money in this economy.

If UCF loses their sponsorship with Adidas, what are the chances of the elder Jordan funding the athletics program with his own brand?

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Thursday Morning Dump

Man attacks neighbor after football ends up in his yard; women sets home on fire trying to catch a raccoon; crazy guy; Big Brother winner spends his money on pills, gets arrested; marathon delayed by train; that's a big spider; awful job; yup, that's Jesse Jackson, not Al Sharpton.

- Washington and Gonzaga may restart their rivalry series.

- Jay Wright interview.

- Tobias Harris could make Syracuse really, really good.

- Andy Katz on St. John's and the Anthony Mason injury.

- Fran Fraschilla takes a look at four teams chances this season.

- Illinois having success recruiting in Illinois.

- Dexter Pittman on his "extreme" workouts.

- Melvin Goins is almost ready to return to the court.

- Curry sends Davidson fans a thank you note.

- K-State football player now does porn (NSFW).

- Reggie Miller is having issues with the girl that sent the texts a while back.

- Henry Hill listens to J-Roll's game winner.



- Catching a laptop with your ass



- Phillies fan tries to stand on a car. Hilarity ensues.


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2009-2010 College Basketball Season Preview: Overlooked Stars

Utah State's Gary Wilkinson averaged 17 and 7 for the Aggies as they won 30 games last season and came a couple possessions away from upsetting Marquette in the NCAA tourney's first round.

Had you ever heard of him?

Dionte Christmas was one of the most explosive scorers in the country as a senior, averaging 19.5 ppg in leading Temple to the Big Dance with a season's worth of performance's like this.

But was he on anyone's all-american lists?

Craig Brackins averaged close to 20 and 10 for Iowa State as a sophomore last season, but I'm willing to bet the first time you will see Brackins play is when the Cyclones play Duke on ESPN2 in January.

Every season, the college basketball landscape is littered with talented kids that, for whatever reason, never make it into the national consciousness. Who will be this season's Overlooked Stars?

Evan Turner, Ohio State: I debated whether or not to put Turner on this list, as most pundits will have Turner somewhere on their all-american teams. I eventually decided to keep him here because, well, to the general public, Turner is still a fresh face. For a guy as talented as Turner is, it is a bit puzzling that he hasn't garnered more of a profile. The reason for that may be because Turner doesn't have a stand out skill. You hear about a guy like Stanley Robinson because he can dunk; Jarvis Varnado because he can blocks shots; Sherron Collins because he is a big time scorer, especially in the clutch. Turner's game is based on versatility - a 6'7" forward that averaged 17.3 ppg and 7.1 rpg, Turner will be playing a lot of minutes as Ohio State point guard this year. Turner is arguably the best all-around player in the country, a guy that deserves a spot as a first-team all-american. It is time he gets that much credit.

Despite being a 6'7" forward, Turner will see time running the point this year.
(photo credit: Times Union blog)

Terrico White, Mississippi: Ole Miss could not catch a break last season. They lost three players (two starters including star point guard Chris Warren) to season-ending knee injuries and head coach Andy Kennedy was arrested after hurling racial slurs, and then fists, at a cab driver in Cincinnati. But if those players had not gotten injured, Kennedy may have never found out what he had in Terrico White. White, who was the SEC's freshman of the year before an impressive performance for the U-19 national team, is a terrific athlete who managed to average 13.7 ppg while playing out of position as the Rebels lead guard. With Warren back in the mix, White's scoring numbers may not make a huge jump, but with an off-season's worth of work, expect White to be one of the best all-around two guards in the SEC.

Matt Bouldin, Gonzaga: Last season, Matt Bouldin played on arguably the most talented Gonzaga team to date. With guys like Jeremy Pargo, Josh Heytvelt, and Austin Daye on the roster, Bouldin played more of a complimentary role, as he is a heady player and a good passer. With those three guys gone, this will be Bouldin's team. Offensively, Bouldin is one of the best all-around wings that you will find. His game is based off of his ability to put the ball on the floor. He has a good mid-range game, is a smart passer that significantly cut down his turnovers last season, and has developed a dead-eye three point shot. While Gonzaga maybe a bit down compared to the last few seasons, don't be surprised if Bouldin posts impressive numbers as the Zags make another NCAA Tournament.

Devan Downey, South Carolina: There are few players in the country that can post the numbers that Downey does - 19.8 ppg, 4.5 apg, 2.9 spg. While some of that can be attributed to the faster pace that Darrin Horn's Gamecocks play, it become all the more impressive when you consider Downey is all of 5'9". Downey is a high-risk, high-reward kid. He takes a lot of shots, and a lot of tough shots at that (he often settles for tough threes or forces shots in the lane), but when he is hitting them, he is one of the most fun players in the country to watch. Any given night, Downey can explode for 30.

Kenneth Faried, Morehead State: Faried was one of the best rebounders in the country last year. Despite playing at a low-major, Faried's length, athleticism, and incredible motor has him on NBA Draft boards after averaging 13.9 ppg and 13.0 rpg as a sophomore. Faried's offensive game could use quite a bit of development still, but expect another season chock full of double-doubles. Faried will get quite a test early in the season, as the Eagles open the season at Rupp Arena against Kentucky.

Kenneth Faried made a believer out of Rick Pitino in last year's first round.
(photo credit: MSU Eagles nation)

Matt Howard, Gordon Hayward, and Shelvin Mack, Butler: Sure, you may know that Butler is all over pre-season top 10 lists. But can you name their three stars? Howard is a 6'8" horse on the block that is as good in the low post as anyone in the country. Hayward is a lights out shooter, but as a 6'8" wing with less-than-ideal athleticism, he thrives on a wide variety of shot-fakes, jab steps, and crafty dribble moves. Mack is a tough point guard that defends and rebounds well, but also showed the ability to be a big time scorer for the Bulldogs. These three guys should be household names by February.

Talor Battle, Penn State: While the Nittany Lions did not quite make it back to the NCAA Tournament last season, they were actually relevant down the stretch for the first time in recent memory. A huge reason for that was the play of Talor Battle. Battle's game is based around his perimeter shot, and while he could stand to improve its consistency, one thing that you can't question is his ability to stick shots in the clutch. Battle runs the point for Penn State, and if he can improve on his passing ability, especially once he gets into the lane and draws an extra defender or two, he could be the best point guard in the conference not named Kalin Lucas.

Jeff Taylor, Vanderbilt: Taylor was one of the best freshman you never heard about last year. Averaging over 12 points and 6 boards per, Taylor projects as more of a small forward despite playing a lot of minutes as Vandy's four last season. Taylor is one of the most athletic players in the SEC, and will provide the Commodores with defense and energy. But with an off-season to work on developing his offensive game, Taylor could turn into one of the best all-around forwards in the SEC. That potential is a big reason Vandy is picked as a sleeper in a deep SEC East.

Rodney Green, La Salle: A lot of people are predicting La Salle to make some noise in the A-10, and Green is a big reason why. Green is one of the best scorer's in the conference, averaging 17.8 ppg while using his size and strength to get to the rim and draw contact. Green stuffs the stat sheet - 5.0 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.9 spg, but also 3.3 t/o's, which is a bigger problem when you consider Green spent some time running the point. If he can cut down on some of those turnovers, La Salle could make a tournament run which would put Green in the conversation as the best player in Philly.

Malcolm Delaney, Virginia Tech: Delaney has been putting up solid numbers for a few years for Seth Greenburg, but he was overshadowed by talents like AD Vassallo and Deron Washington. As a junior, this Virginia Tech team will be Delaney's to lead. Delaney has talent to burn. At 6'3", he has excellent size and athleticism to be a combo guard. His quick first step allows him to beat just about any defender off the dribble in either direction. He also has an excellent three-point stroke, although he tends to force up contested shots from deep. Virginia Tech is down this season, but Delaney is talented enough to carry this team to the dance.

Malcolm Delaney will put up impressive numbers as the star of the Hokies this year.
(photo credit: flickr)

Jerome Randle, Cal: Most people are going to say that Washington has the best guards on the West Coast. While that may be true, there is a pretty good player down in Berkeley that should make some reconsider. Randle (who might be my favorite player in the country) is generously listed at 5'9", but he is blessed with outstanding speed and quickness. It is ability to change speeds, however, that makes him so effective. Difficult to stay in front of as you have to respect his jumper out to 25 feet, Randle is excellent at getting into the lane and finding an open man or finishing amongst the trees.

Others to watch:

• Trevor Booker, Clemson
  
• Aubrey Coleman, Houston
• James Florence, Mercer
  
• Jeremy Hazell, Seton Hall
• Troy Jackson, Alcorn State
  

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Rick Pitino gave Andy Katz an exclusive interview at Big East media day

Andy Katz landed an exclusive interview with Rick Pitino at the Big East media day. Here is the portion of the interview that was aired on Sportscenter.



Pitino doesn't really say anything new or interesting regarding the extortion case against Karen Sypher, harping on the fact that he is just a witness in a US attorneys case.

What was interesting to me were Pitino's comments on the lack of a suspension for Jerry Smith and Terrence Jennings.

I've busted their tails pretty stron. Suspensions, compared to what we do to the players, that's an easy way out. They would love to be suspended for a game or two compared to what I've done to them.

I believe it.
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2009-2010 College Basketball Season Preview: Freshman

In the one-and-done era of college basketball, the role of freshman has begun to change. No longer are they brought in to school to develop into superstars. Instead, many of the best are expected to star for and carry their respective programs from day one.

Think Greg Oden and Mike Conley, or Michael Beasley, or Kevin Durant.

But there are still plenty of coaches who recruit to fill a hole in their line-upor simply have enough talent on their roster that the freshman are not going to be asked to do more play a role, regardless of their talent level.

These are the Jrue Holidays and the Ed Davis's of the world.

Who will be this season's freshman stars? Which freshman will play the most important role's for their teams?

IMPACT FRESHMAN:

• John Wall, Kentucky: Everyone in the country should know by now what John Wall is capable of (Jerry Stackhouse sure does). Wall is a big, athletic point guard with the ability to get by just about any defender on the perimeter and finish above the rim. Wall also has the ability to find an open man if he draws an extra defender. He isn't the greatest shooter in the world, but he is effective enough that it deserves respect. Wall is the perfect fit as a guard in John Calipari's dribble-drive offense, and while he may not be the best player on Kentucky (that honor goes to Patrick Patterson until further notice), he will arguably be their most important.

John Wall will be a star from day one.
(photo credit: WUOG)

• Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech: Many people (including myself) are predicting the Yellow Jackets to be much improved over last season's 2-14 team. Favors is the main reason for that. He could use some polish on his offensive game, but his athleticism and strength will allow him to succeed at this level. Teaming with Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech will have a front line that few teams will be able to match-up with.
• Avery Bradley and Jordan Hamilton, Texas: Texas will have one of the biggest and best front lines in the country this season, but with the departure of AJ Abrams, the biggest question for Rick Barnes team is going to be where they get their perimeter scoring from. Bradley and Hamilton were two of the most highly sought after recruits in the nation, and their ability to create points (and make shots) from the perimeter will go a long way in determining whether Texas is going to be a good team or a great team.
• Lance Stephenson, Cincinnati: Stephenson's high school troubles were well-documented over the past year. From an overbearing father to questions regarding his eligibility to an arrest for allegedly groping a female classmate, "Born Ready" became the pariah of the 2009 recruiting class. He ended up at Cincinnati, which is happens to be a great fit for him. Stephenson may be the best all-around scorer in the class of '09, and when paired with senior Deonta Vaughn, he gives Mick Cronin arguably the best 1-2 punch in the Big East.
• Abdul Gaddy, Washington: Gaddy, like Stephenson, had a roller-coaster recruitment. Many originally thought he was destined for Memphis, but after a booster (who happened to be the CEO of FedEx) placed a call to Gaddy's mother (who is a customer service rep for FedEx), the Tigers seemed to back off his recruitment a bit. Gaddy then committed to Arizona, but backed out as a result of the changeover that program is going through. He ended up at U-Dub, where he will thrive in the uptempo system Lorenzo Romar runs. More importantly, his addition will allow Isaiah Thomas to get more minutes playing off the ball where is more effective.

Gaddy may be the best guard in the Pac-10 this year.
(photo credit: ESPN)

• Kenny Boynton, Florida: Billy Donovan's team lost Nick Calathes to Greece during the off-season, which left a gaping hole at the lead guard spot. While Boynton has a very different skill set than Calathes, he should come in and provide the Gators with a dominant perimeter scorer that can pay either guard spot.

MOST IMPORTANT FRESHMAN

• Keith "Tiny" Gallon and Tommy Mason-Griffin, Oklahoma: Both of these freshman will play very important roles for Jeff Capel. Gallon is a big body that will be relied upon to replace some of the production the Sooners lost with the Brothers Griffin leaving. Mason-Griffin is a tough point guard that can run a team, lead a break, and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. Oklahoma's biggest deficiency last season was their lack of a true point guard, and this addition will allow Willie Warren to slide over to the off-guard spot where he can focus on being a scorer.
• Andre Dawkins, Duke: Dawkins may actually be the most important freshman in the country. Duke was looking at coming into this season with just two guards on their roster, but Dawkins, who was originally committed to the Blue Devils for the class of '10, was heading into his fifth year as a high schooler. By taking summer school classes, Dawkins was able to graduate a year early and enroll at Duke. Not only will he provide some much needed back court depth, Dawkins can play. A big time athlete, he is able to provide a scoring punch on the perimeter for Coach K. His size may be his most important tool, as he will be able to play the two, allowing Jon Scheyer to slide over to the point, where he was more effectice this past season. If Dawkins lives up to his hype, Duke should be able to compete for the ACC crown.
• Dante Taylor, Pitt: Taylor will be instrumental in keeping Pitt's streak on NCAA Tournament appearances intact. After losing their entire starting front line (Sam Young, DeJuan Blair, and Tyrell Biggs), there are going to be plenty of minutes and shots available for Taylor. Coming into a program known for their grit in the paint, Taylor will have a lot of pressure on him to produce immediately. The McDonald's all-american should be up to the task.
• Alex Oriakhi, UConn: Like Taylor, Oriakhi is going to have some big shoes to fill along UConn's front line. Oriakhi is not the prototypical UConn center we have become accostomed to. Much less athletic and no where near as good of a shot blocker as guys like Emeka Okafor, Hasheem Thabeet, or Josh Boone, Oriakhi is more of a Jeff Adrien - a workhorse in the paint that will be a load to handle on the glass. He should see minutes right away as UConn's front court will be wide open this season, and if he is able to handle the rigors of a Big East schedule, the Huskies should not experience the drop-off they usually do after a Final Four run.
• John Jenkins, Vanderbilt: While Vanderbilt did not have a great season in '08-'09, they do return everyone off of that team. One of their biggest issues last season, however, was the lack of a scoring punch on the perimeter. Jenkins will provide that, as he may already be the best shooter in the country. Adding Jenkins to a team with AJ Ogilvy, Jeff Taylor, and Jermaine Beal makes the Commodores a sleeper in the loaded SEC East.

John Jenkins will be one of the best shooters in the country as a freshman.
(photo credit: Station Camp Basketball)

• Noel Johnson, Clemson: Clemson will begin this season without a proven scorer or shooter on their perimeter as KC Rivers graduated and Terrence Oglesby has left to play pro ball in Norway. Johnson, who originally committed to USC before the Trojans meltdown, will be the guy Oliver Purnell looks to as a replacement. He is a shooter with deep range and has shown the ability to create for himself when he puts the ball on the floor. The biggest question mark thus far will be his ability to play Clemson's full court press, but given his length and athleticism that should not be a problem if he commits himself
• Peyton Siva, Louisville: With Terrence Williams and Earl Clark leaving, Edgar Sosa is left as the only kid on the Cardinals roster with the ability to create offensively in the half court. As you know, Sosa has been wildly inconsistent during his three seasons in Louisville, which is why Siva is so important. Siva joins Pitino's program with a reputation for being able to ceate scoring opportunities for both himself and his teammates. If Sosa is unable to handle his role as the lead playmaker on this team, look for Siva to slide in and play a major role.
  
• Brandon Paul and DJ Richardson, Illinois: The Illini leaned so heavily on seniors Chester Frazier and Trent Meachem last season. Not so much in their ability to score, as big men Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale both developed into solid scoring threats. It was the little things. Those two defended, they knocked down open shots, and most importantly they were leaders. It is the little things that Bruce Weber will be looking for from Paul and Richardson. While Paul is probably a better offensive player at this point in their respective careers, it is Richardson's defense and toughness that Weber will covet. If these two can effectively replace the departed Illini back court, it will go a long way towards keeping Illinois out of the middle of the pack in a very good Big Ten.
  

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Wednesday Morning Dump

Man robs a shop en route to a police interrogation; really weird video from the dad of balloon boy; bear breaks into store, hangs out in the beer cooler; video of city bus crash; video of some poor kid stuck in an empty swimming pool

- Craziest thing you will read all day: letter from the PA Steve Phillip's was sleeping with to Phillip's wife.

- John Wall was second team all-SEC?

- Binghamton requests records protected.

- More trouble in Westwood - J'Mison Morgan injures his knee, the sixth player injured since practice started.

- Washington can't practice because the team has the flu.

- Anthony Mason Jr. injures hamstring, out for four weeks.

- Coach K says IU should honor Bobby Knight.

- Baseball needs a salary cap.

- Manny was in the shower when the Dodgers lost.

- Arkansas family tapes their father watching the Razorbacks.




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UPDATE: Kyrie Irving has(n't) committed to Duke

UPDATE: According to Kyrie Irving (via his Twitter), he actually has not yet committed to Duke.


Kyrie Irving's recruitment is over, at least according to Adam Zagoria, who spoke to three different assistant coaches that recruited Irving.

Apparently, the Rivals ninth ranked player will officially announce his commitment this week, maybe even as early as tomorrow morning.

The Cameron Crazies rolled out the red carpet for Kyrie Irving during his official visit back in September.
(photo credit: The Chronicle's Sports Blog)

If Irving does commit to Duke this time (he has been considered almost a lock to be a Blue Devil since he dropped Indiana, and this isn't the first time we've heard he's on the verge of officially committing), his signing is huge get for Coach K and the Dookies. The Devils are thin in the back court this season and lose Jon Scheyer to graduation.

But they will return Nolan Smith and Andre Dawkins, as well as add Seth Curry and Tyler Thornton to the mix. With Irving, Coach K will have a pure point guard with the ability to take over a game as a scorer or as a passer.

The addition of Irving makes that back court one of the best in the country. If the Devils catch a break and get Kyle Singler, both of the Plumlees, and Ryan Kelly to stay for another year, this team will be a preseason Final Four favorite come October 2010.
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2009-2010 Team Preview: UCLA Bruins

2008-2009 Record: 26-9, 13-5 Pac-10 (2nd)

Key Losses: Darren Collison (14.4 ppg, 4.7 apg), Josh Shipp (14.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg), Alfred Aboya (9.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Jrue Holiday (8.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.7 apg)

Key Returners: Nikola Dragovic (9.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg), Malcolm Lee (3.2 ppg), Jerime Anderson (2.3 ppg), Drew Gordon (3.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg)

Newcomers: Tyler Honeycutt, Reeves Nelson, Mike Moser, Anthony Stover, Brendan Lane

Nikola Dragovic will double as the Bruins leading scorer and best perimeter shooter.
(photo credit: life.com)

We are less than a week into practice, and the young UCLA Bruins are already beat up. Malcolm Lee has a concussion, James Keefe injured his shoulder, Drew Gordon sprained a knee ligament, Brendan Lane sprained his ankle, Mike Moser and Tyler Honeycutt have bad backs, and Jerime Anderson re-injured an ailing groin. Even Ben Howland had an off-season appendectomy. Luckily for Howland, none of these injuries are season-ending, so by the end of the year the Bruins should be at full strength.

UCLA lost a ton of talent, experience, and leadership from last season's team, but that doesn't mean that the Bruins cupboard will be bare. Howland's last two recruiting classes have been loaded, with nine of the ten guys coming into the program being rated as four or five star recruits by Rivals.

The kid getting the most off-season attention is Malcolm Lee. Lee played limited minutes last season as he was buried beneath Darren Collison, Josh Shipp, and Jrue Holiday. But many pundits, including myself, are predicting a break out season from the sophomore. Lee is a Russell Westbrook clone. Still very raw on the offensive end of the court, Lee will be a play maker on the defensive end. He is long (6'5" two-guard) and an explosive athlete that is a lock down defender and a terror in the passing lanes. Lee excels in the open court, and while he may not be the perfect fit for the grind-it-out style that Howland likes to play, Lee is a dynamic enough talent that he should be able to thrive in any system. Don't be surprised when he becomes a first-team all Pac-10 performer.

Joining Lee is the back court will be Jerime Anderson. Anderson was limited to garbage minutes as a freshman, but it was easy to see some potential as a point guard. Anderson understands how to run a team. He isn't as great scorer or a great athlete, but he is a crafty point guard that uses an array of fakes to get by his man. He understands things like offensive spacing and help side defense, which will go a long way to making him fit in Ben Howland's system. While he didn't seem like the best creator during his freshman season, he earned that reputation in high school, so it will be interesting to see what he can do when he plays major minutes. The biggest issue with Anderson last season was his body - although he is 6'3", Anderson dealt with a lack of strength that caused hm to be pushed around, especially on the defensive end. But a year with the UCLA strength training staff should help solve that problem.

Depth is going to be the biggest issue for the Bruin's back court. After Lee and Anderson, there really isn't another guy that can handle the ball. Michael Roll will see a good deal of time, but he is far from a point or even a combo guard. There isn't much Roll does on the offensive end besides shoot. While he is quite good at that (51.5% from deep), UCLA is going to need him to expand his game this season.

Two freshman will also contribute minutes on the perimeter. Tyler Honeycutt and Mike Moser are two fairly similar players. Moser is probably the better defender at this point. 6'8" and athletic enough to defend the one through the four, Moser is one of the more underrated recruits in the country. Part of the reason is that his offensive game has yet to really catch up to his effectiveness of the defensive end of the floor, but that defensive ability should make get him minutes in Howland's rotation. Honeycutt, who is coming off of a slight fracture to his lower back suffered over the summer, was considered by some to be the most talented and versatile recruit on the west coast. Standing 6'9", Honeycutt can play on the perimeter and in the post, although his frame may be too slight at this point to contribute major minutes inside. He attacks the glass, he blocks shots, he can play the perimeter and create shots for teammates, and he has three point range. The biggest knock on him is his aggressiveness - will he be tough enough to handle major college basketball? If he wants to play for Ben Howland, he will have to be.

The star in the making in Howland's front court is Drew Gordon. Gordon saw limited minutes during the '08-'09 season, but, as the case with Lee and Anderson, did show the potential to become an above-average player in the Pac-10. Gordon is a big, strong, and athletic kid, checking in at 6'9" and 240 lbs. While he did not show much of an offensive game in the few touches he got last season (although, he has a nice little jump hook with his right hand), what Gordon did show was an excellent motor and aggressiveness going to the glass - he averaged 3.4 rpg in just over 10 mpg. He had 17 foot range coming out of high school, and if he can develop a bit more of a presence on the offensive end, Gordon could turn into a guy capable of posting near a double-double on a nightly basis.

Senior Nikola Dragovic will likely be the other starter in the front court. Dragovic is a big body, standing 6'9", but his biggest strength is his ability to shoot and score from the perimeter. He was an excellent pick-and-pop guy last year with Collison, and should be again this season with Anderson. His ability to shoot makes it all the more important for Gordon to become a low-post scoring threat. With Dragovic keeping the floor spread, Gordon will have plenty of room to operate. James Keefe, another senior, will also be counted on to provide minutes up front. He is out for at least another month with a shoulder injury, however.

While Keefe is injured, freshmen Brendan Lane and Reeves Nelson will have a chance to prove their mettle as rotational players. Nelson might be the best fit. While he is not a great shooter or scorer, Nelson is an excellent athlete (although some reports have said that added muscle and a couple ankle injuries have tempered his explosiveness) that will bring energy to the table for the Bruins. Nelson is also a crafty player, with the ability to pass and handle the ball. Lane is more of a back-to-the-basket player. Where Gordon's game is based on strength and athleticism, Lane is more of a finesse guy. He is long with a nice touch and some decent post moves, but until he puts on weight and strength to his 6'9" frame, he is going to struggle to stay in the rotation.

The biggest question mark is J'Mison Morgan. He was a top 25 recruit coming out of high school, but attitude problems and a lock of motivation and work ethic kept him out of the UCLA line-up. If he can overcome that (and an off-season knee surgery), Morgan is big, talented center.

Outlook: The Bruins are young, inexperienced, and injured. That is not a good combination. But they are a talented group. Defensively, they should still be just as tough as they have been since Howland arrived. The issue is going to be offensively. Baskets were hard to come by at times during Collison and Shipp's reign in Westwood, and now those two are gone. Can anyone on UCLA step up and be a reliable scorer? There is a lot of promise, but there are also a lot of question marks as none of the guys projected to be "stars" saw many minutes last year. If those kids prove they are worthy of the hype, UCLA may finish in the top three in the Pac-10. If no one does, well, UCLA may still be in the top three as the Pac-10 is way down this season. While I think the Bruins are still going to reach the tournament, they are probably still a year away from being a Final Four contender.
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2009-2010 Team Preview: Syracuse Orange

This preview is brought to you by Just Blaze, loyal reader and our resident Orange fan.

2008-09 Record: 28-10, 11-7 Big East (6th)

Key Losses: Johnny Flynn (17.4ppg 6.7apg), Eric Devendorf (15.7ppg 3.0apg), Paul Harris (12ppg 8.1rpg), Kristoff Ongenaet (3.1ppg 4.8rpg)

Key Returners: Arinze Onuaku (10.3ppg 7.3rpg), Andy Rautins (10.5ppg 36 3P%), Rick Jackson (8.3ppg 5.8rpg)

Newcomers: Wes Johnson, Brandon Triche, James Southerland, DaShonte Riley

Andy Rautins has developed into a solid two-guard for Jim Boeheim.
(photo credit: fingerlakes1.com)

The squad that Jim Boeheim trots out for the 2009-10 season will look quite different than the one we saw at the end of last year. No longer will they have the backcourt duo of Flynn and Devendorf to initiate so much of their offense and carry them for streches (see the 6OT thriller vs UConn). Flynn was scooped up as a lottery pick by the woeful Timberwolves while Devendorf is still deciding whether to play in the NBDL or Europe. While Flynn was one of the preeminent guards in college basketball last year and was widely expected to bolt for greener pastures, Devendorf’s decision was much more surprising, but understandable after his troubles off the court last season and the need to feed his budding family.

They also lost Paul Harris who unexpectedly decided to enter his name in the draft but ended up going undrafted and has been sidelined with an injury in his attempt to latch on with the Utah Jazz during this preseason. Despite leading SU in rebounding last year from the small forward spot, Harris was maddening to watch as his decision making and lack of understanding of how to fit into the offensive flow of the squad hindered their ability to compete with the best in the Big East. Finally, Kristof Ongenaet was lost to graduation after providing a steady, hardworking presence off the bench last season.

The bruising tandem of Arinze Onuaku and Rick Jackson will likely be the focal point of the offense as long as they can remain on the court and avoid the foul trouble that plagued them at times last year. Jackson showed vast improvement from his freshman to sophomore year (3.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg vs. 8.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg) while having ample room still to develop. He has displayed a soft touch around the rim, finished with authority on feeds from penetration and did a respectable job protecting the rim (1.6 bpg in 22 mpg). Onuaku has the potential to be an unstoppable force in the paint in the Big East with his combination of strength, size (6’9”, 275 lbs) and touch, but his complete inability to hit free throws, a staggering 29% from the line, often makes him a liability, especially late in games, as teams were all too willing to hack AO knowing he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn from 15 feet. He has also had a string of injuries that have limited his mobility and explosiveness over his career so far, if he can take care of his body, he will be a nightmare for opposing bigs. Backing up these two will be the only other real post player likely to see any time, 7 foot freshman DaShonte Riley, a raw shot blocker who should be able to spell the bash brothers for a few minutes a night.

Andy Rautins returns for his final year of eligibility as the only experienced backcourt performer and de-facto leader of this squad. A deadeye shooter as soon as he stepped on campus, Rautins has developed into a well rounded swingman (3.3 rpg and 1.4 spg) whom Boeheim will rely on a lot this campaign. Capable of sliding over to the point guard spot on occasion because of his improved ball-handling skills and ability to see the floor extremely well (3.0 apg). Joining him in the starting backcourt will likely be freshman Brandon Triche, New York State’s Mr. Basketball and local product that has been drawing rave reviews. Triche is a 6’4” bulldog of a PG that has the size and craftiness to get into the lane and create. Scoop Jardine will be back after red-shirting last year due to injury to back up both guard spots. The 6’3” Jardine worked tirelessly during his time off on his skills, body, and overall approach to the game and should see significant time in the Orange backcourt.

Rounding out the starting five will be Wesley Johnson, a dynamic and athletic 6’7” 205lbs forward who transferred from Iowa State and sat out last year due to NCAA rules, and who might end up being their best player. Named to the Pre-Season All-Big East team, Johnson averaged 12.3 ppg and 7. 9rpg as a freshman and 12.4 ppg and 4.0 rpg as a sophomore despite a season-long ankle injury that limited his effectiveness. On offense, a versatile slasher with a solid outside game, Johnson also will be a perfect fit along the baseline in JB’s famous 2-3 zone with his length and athleticism. Big things are expected out of him and he should make an impact on both sides of the floor this season.

A trio of athletic wings, Kris Joseph, James Southerland and Mookie Jones will be competing for time on the wings. Joseph got spot minutes last year but ended up fading out of the rotation as the Big East schedule and postseason wore on. Southerland is a long, rangy 6'8" shooter who was compared by Jim Boeheim to former SU standout Preston Shumpert. Jones didn't see much time as a freshman because of hip injury that ended up requiring surgery, but should be fully healed. It will be interesting to see if Boeheim experiments with some small lineups with Johnson, Southerland or Joseph at the four in a Shawn Marion-type role.

OUTLOOK: The main challenge for the Orange coaching staff this year will be blending the talented newcomers and experienced veterans into the system while working to develop an identity for this versatile squad. Two keys to this season are whether or not a Triche/Jardine combo will be able to man the 1 effectively and whether this team will be able to make up for the loss of Flynn/Devo/Harris with the ability to shut down opponents with what promises to be a much longer, active 2-3 zone. Anytime a team loses as much pure talent as SU did this off-season, it is bound to take a dip, but with a Hall of Famer at the reins and a solid infusion of talent, a 5th or 6th place finish in the diminished Big East is not out of the question.
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