Royce White and Trevor Mbakwe updates

During the 76 Classic out in Anaheim, Andy Katz reported that Trevor Mbakwe had a shot of rejoining the Gophers fairly soon as the Minnesota coaching staff anticipated that the charges against him could be dropped.

That may not actually be true, according to Gold in the Barn:

[A] source with the Miami district attorney's office said Thursday prosecutors will proceed with charges against Mbakwe and expect to establish a new trial date early next year.

"Absolutely NO TRUTH to the rumor(s) you are hearing," the source said. "[Prosecutors in the case] are proceeding with [the] deposition schedule of the defense witnesses in preparation for trial."

Between the Katz report and reports that the prosecution couldn't find the accuser, there was hope that Mbakwe would be able to join the team soon.

As of now, it doesn't look like that is the case.


Royce White is in a bit of a different situation. White has been suspended indefinitely since an incident at the Mall of America on October 13th, but on Dec. 2nd he plead guilty to charges of shoplifting and disorderly conduct.

But earlier this week White sent out an interesting tweet that got Minnesota fans a bit riled up:

'';x'REAL Royce White Story' From me. Coming 10pm Youtube tonight. 100% truth since nobody else wants to. Immm Back!!!

Well, White isn't returning, he was just promoting this youtube video of him shooting jumpshots:



Tubby Smith had this to say about White's timetable:

"This is the first time he really in his scholastic career (hasn't played). His expectations are pretty high. I can see (that). But we try to let our players know that the wheels of justice turn very slowly. You have to be patient. Hopefully, he won't get too frustrated and (will) continue to do the things he has to do to get back on the team.

"At this point in time, it really hasn't changed. I'm hoping we can get things resolved. I (was) hoping it would be resolved by now, but that's not the case."

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2009-2010 College Basketball Season Preview: Best Dunkers

There aren't too many things that will fire up a crowd more than an electrifying dunk. The momentum of a game can change on just one outlet pass that turns into a thunderous slam. There won't be a shortage of rim-rockers this year, and there are plenty of guys out there with the hops capable of putting on a show for the fans.

With the season tip-off being literally hours away, what better way to get back into the spirit of the game than by going over the biggest high-flyers of the upcoming season.

As we have certified ourselves as the preeminent dunk experts on the intrawebs, here is out list of the top 10 dunkers this season. Don't be surprised if these guys make quite a few Sportscenter top 10's.

Chris "Top Flight" Wright - 6'8" forward, Dayton

I can make this short, because, well, his nickname is "Top Flight". Wright is by far the most talked-about dunker entering this season, and with the high expectations that have been set for Dayton, we could be seeing a lot of the this high-flyer on weekly top tens throughout the year. There are more than a handful of dunks you could pick as being Wright's most memorable. When he dunked over Marquette's Maurice Acker, I was pretty sure he left the atmosphere (seriously, look at where he catches the ball, then think about the fact that he doesn't use a dribble to get to the rim). Not only is Wright one of the best dunkers in the country, he is also one of the most athletic players out there. With Blake Griffin and Gerald Henderson, arguably two of the best dunkers last year, leaving for the NBA, "Top Flight" has become the premiere rim-rocker at the college level.









Trevor Booker - 6'7" forward, Clemson

He's your prototypical power-dunker. The true definition of a rim-rocker. The bulk of his highlight reel dunks come on tip-ins and follow-up slams. Clemson is a widely known as a "push-the-pace" team, and Booker has become an expert at trailing the break and following up on the glass. He's also a beast on the offensive rebounds. His physical strength can get him over, around, or through any defender in his way.









Paul George - 6'8" forward, Fresno State

A lot of people across the country didn't get to see a single Fresno State game on the television last season. They missed out on one of the most entertaining players in the entire country. But George's popularity has soared because of his highlight reel videos across the internet and youtube. He made his case for last season's "Dunk of the Year" with a monstrous one-handed slam from just inside the foul line against St. Marys. Did I mention that he did this in only his second game in his college career? Entering his sophomore season, George will undoubtedly capture the spotlight in the Mountain West Conference. He's long and lanky and is still some-what raw, but he has smooth transitions and can get up off the ground in a hurry.









Stanley "Stix" Robinson - 6'9" forward, UConn

The man known as "Stix" has been soaring across the sky in Storrs for the past two seasons. He had to leave the team to tend to personal issues a year ago, but came back to the team for the second part of last season. Since then, he has been the Huskies resident skywalker. His dunking ability is a combination of great athleticism and entertaining excitement. With the Husky's style of play lending to outside jumpers, "Stix" has a great presence of mind to get to the basket after the shot. However, having said all that, we must remember that he does have a tendency to be on the wrong end of posterizations. See Summers-comma-Durrell or Anderson-comma-Joe for more details.

(first highlight here)









Durrell Summers - 6'4" guard, Michigan State

Mr. Summers makes the list for his ability to be in the right place at the right time along with feeling at home soaring above the rim. A long and athletic wing with a wiry frame, Durrell was MSU’s most dynamic big-play threat last season. His knack for making a big shot, or finishing off a nice transition has made him a star among the East Lansing faithful. He is an integral part of the Spartans transitional play and press-break, usually starring as finishing touch. Spartan fans were acustomed to nightly viewings of Durrell Summers finishing off a Michigan State possesion with a fierce slam. Summers is forever linked to Robinson because of the monumental posterization that Summers laid down during the Final Four.









The best of the rest

Willie Warren - 6'4" guard, Oklahoma





Gerard Anderson - 6'6" forward, Cal State-Fullerton



Will Coleman - 6'9" forward, Memphis





John Wall - 6'4" guard, Kentucky





Carlon Brown - 6'3" guard, Utah





Who did we miss?
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2009-2010 College Basketball Season Preview: Power Forwards

The season is fast approaching. The first games are on Nov. 9th, and the BIAH live blog during ESPN's season kickoff is just two weeks away. So with just a week until actual games are played, we figured the best way to finish up our 2008-2009 season previews is to give you our Top 10 players at each position. You know how much we love a good Top 10 list here.

A few caveats. First, we're talking about how good these guys are as college players, not how well they project as a pro. Second, while it may be too much power for me, I am making the executive decision on what "position" a player is (and it may not necessarily be what he is listed as on a roster). Third, I am not putting the freshman in the list. As much as I've read about these guys and as many Youtube clips as I have watched, I have yet to see many of them play a real game (the all-star games don't count), and I don't think that I could give an accurate assessment until I see them play. Lastly, I love me a good argument, so if you think someone is too low or too high or the wrong position, leave a comment and let me hear about it.

Here are the point guards.
Here are the shooting guards.
Here are the small forwards.
There are the power forwards.

Best Freshman:

• Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech
• DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky
• Mouphtaou Yarou, Villanova
• Renardo Sidney, Mississippi State
  

Best of the Rest:

• Samardo Samuels, Louisville
• Luke Babbitt, Nevada
• Kenneth Faried, Morehead State
• Stanley Robinson, UConn
• Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech
• Deon Thompson, UNC
  

Top 10:

• 10. Matt Howard, Butler: Howard is a guy that doesn't get a lot of press playing for Butler. But make no mistake, Howard is as good as any four in the country. Howard is what you might refer to as a land warrior - he isn't going to outquick or outjump anyone in the country, but he is so strong. An excellent rebounder with a solid back to the basket game, Howard's strength offensively is his ability to seal and hold position in the post. He is the rock for a talented Butler team.
  


• 9. Damion James, Texas: A lot was expected out of James last season, but he didn't quite live up to the hype he received in the preseason. A big reason for that is James was asked to play more minutes on the perimeter with the emergence of a big front line for Texas. The biggest strength of James' game is his ability to rebound the ball on the offensive end and how well he cuts to the basket and finishes at the rim. His back to the basket game is decent, but playing more minutes on the perimeter will limit his touches inside. James is dangerous offensively because he is not only able to shoot the ball, but he has some ability to put the ball on the floor and go around a bigger defender. James is forever a tweener - not really big enough to be a four, but lacking the true perimeter skills to be a three.
  


• 8. Lazar Hayward, Marquette: Last year, all anyone talked about when it came to Marquette was their guard play. While those three were definitely talented, Hayward might have been the most valuable player on the roster as the only real big man. Hayward, who is a converted small forward, in dangerous because of his perimeter skills. Without much in the way of a post game, Hayward does his damage shooting the ball and taking advantage of the mismatches when a big forward guards him on the perimeter. Also an excellent rebounder, expect big numbers out of Hayward this year as Marquette's go-to player offensively.
  

Lazar Hayward is counting to be counted on heavily by Marquette.
(photo credit: ESPN)

• 7. Devin Ebanks, West Virginia: Ebanks is as raw as a prospect comes. In terms of tools, there are few forwards that match him. He has the wingspan of an albatross, can run the floor, has above average athleticism, and plays hard. All of that made him an excellent defender and rebounder, especially on the offensive end. But the rest of his game still needs to be developed. His ball handling ability is not much more than the one or two dribbles it takes to for to get to the rim. His jumper was so inconsistent last year that he himself actually decided that he would not longer shoot outside jumpers. But with Alex Ruoff gone, and an offseason of developing his skills, Ebanks should be ready to turn into one of the best forwards in the Big East.
  


• 6. Al-Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest: Aminu is another guy I'm not completely sold on. Right now, he relies almost exclusively on his tools. He is long, athletic, plays with energy, and has excellent body control. Last year he was at his best when he was able to get out in the open court and outrun the defense. His skills were quite raw, however. While his handle and his jump shot no doubt improved with an off-season of working out, Aminu has a long way to go before he can be considered "talented" skillwise and a threat in the half court. All that said, we are talking about a guy that averaged 12.9 ppg and 8.2 rpg on a team with a big front line, Jeff Teague, and James Johnson. Imagine what he will do as the first offensive option.
  

Al-Farouq Aminu will need to rely on more than just athleticism this season.
(photo credit: freewebs)

• 5. Trevor Booker, Clemson: Booker is one of the best athletes in the country. While there are a number of guys at the power forward position that have more talent than Booker, there are few that play with his aggressiveness and determination. Every second he is on the court, he is going hard - whether it is defensively, posting up, hitting the glass, cutting to the rim. Booker seems to have an endless supply of energy. He doesn't have the best back to the basket game, relying heavily on his physical tools (strength holding position, jumping over a defender) to score. Where he has become more effective, and where he needs to improve to make it at the next level, is in his perimeter game. If he can continue to get better putting the ball on the floor and getting to the basket and keep improving his jump shot, Booker has a shot at winning the ACC player of the year award.
  


• 4. Greg Monroe, Georgetown: Monroe is the perfect fit for the Princeton offense that JTIII likes to run. Standing 6'11", Monroe has the offensive skills of a point forward. He can use the dribble to get to the basket, he can knock down a perimeter jumper, and he has excellent court vision and passing instincts. There are really three aspects of his game that Monroe needs to improve to become a dominant forward in the Big East. He needs to improve his ability with his right hand - he struggles dribbling and finishing in that direction. He needs to improve his strength and toughness in the paint offensively, defensively, and on the glass. Most importantly, he needs to be able to assert dominance on a game. There are few players with the talent that Monroe has, but how many times last season did you find yourself thinking "Greg Monroe has taken this game over"?
  


• 3. Craig Brackins, Iowa State: Brackins, at the college level, is a match-up nightmare. Standing 6'10", Brackins has the ball handling and the quickness to get by bigger defenders that try to come out and guard him on the perimeter. If you don't guard him, or if a smaller, quicker defender is on him, Brackins is a very dangerous shooter out to about 17 feet. Where Brackins has really developed during his first two seasons is with his toughness and his aggresiveness. He came with 17 rebounds of averaging a double-double last season, and has the makings of what could turn into a solid back-to-the-basket game.
  


• 2. Patrick Patterson, Kentucky: Patterson proved last season to be one of the most dominant and efficient players in the country. Patterson's just 6'8", but his length, his athleticism, and his strength make him so difficult to handle on the block. He has a solid righty hook and an above average turn around jumper, but his ability in the post centers around how good he is at establishing position. He seals hard, and really understands how to use his body to hold off his defender. He showed some improved ball skills last season, and if he can develop a consistent jumper this season, Patterson will be near unstoppable this year.
  

Harangody's biggest improvement during his career has been his jumper.
(photo credit: basketme)

• 1. Luke Harangody, Notre Dame: If there is an argument against Luke Harangody as the best power forward in the country, I cannot think of it. The guy can average 25 and 12 this year, and I won't be surprised. By now, you should know Gody's game. An underwhelming athlete, Gody struggles going against bigger opponents with his back to the basket. But over the course of his career, the big fella has developed an excellent face-up game. He has developed range out beyond the three point line (and showed NBA three point range during the draft process). The biggest improvement in his game is his fitness - Gody looked as svelte and in shape as he ever has during the draft process.
  

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No. 13: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Clemson Tigers

2008-2009 Record: 23-9, 9-7 ACC (t-5th)

Key Losses: KC Rivers (14.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg), Terrence Oglesby (13.2 ppg, 38.8% 3's), Raymond Sykes (7.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg)

Key Returners: Trevor Booker (15.3 ppg, 9.7 rpg), Demontez Stitt (8.7 ppg, 3.8 apg), David Potter (4.9 ppg)

Newcomers: Milton Jennings, Devin Booker, Noel Johnson, Donte Hill

Trevor Booker dunks as hard as anyone in the country.
(photo credit: YouGotDunkedOn)

The Tigers of the last few seasons have been notorious for winning a lot of early, non-conference games, only to struggle down the stretch of ACC play and fizzle out in the NCAA Tournament. Last season was no different as Clemson was upset in the first round of the ACC Tourney and lost to Michigan in a 7-10 game in the Big Dance.

Hopefully for Oliver Purnell, this is the year that changes. Yes, the Tigers lost two of their top three scorers as KC Rivers graduated and Terrence Oglesby left for Norway, but he does return one of the best big men in the ACC in Trevor Booker. Booker has turned into a beast during his time at Clemson. Booker is not the most talented guy, but there may not be a more athletic and aggressive power forward in the country. He defends hard, he rebounds hard, he posts hard, he goes the rim hard. When Booker is on the floor, you know you are going to be getting 110% out of him, and when your star player is leaving everything he has on the floor, it is tough for the rest of the team not to follow suit.

What makes Booker so good for Purnell's system is his athleticism. He is mobile enough to play up front on the Tigers excellent press, but he is also big and strong enough to control the glass and defend the post. He can also play inside and outside on the offensive end. You don't want him taking six threes a game, but he has developed a good enough stroke that if you leave him open from the perimeter he can knock down some jumpers (he was 9-22 from deep last season). But if he is being guarded by the opposing four, he is able to put the ball on the floor for one or two dribbles either direction and get to the rim. An 18 and 10 season is not out of the question.

Joining Booker up front will be a typical Clemson front line, meaning they are loaded with long, rangy, athletic fours. The best of the bunch may end up being freshman Milton Jennings when it is all said and done. Jennings is 6'9" and very skilled, especially on the perimeter, but he still needs to improve his strength and get tougher inside. But skilled, rangy big men are the perfect fit for the system run at Clemson, and Jennings will thrive playing for Oliver Purnell. Jerai Grant and Devin Booker, Trevor's brother, will also see significant minutes up front. Grant is not overly skilled, but he plays hard, runs the floor, and is athletic enough to grab a few boards and block a few shots. The younger Booker is about where the elder was at this stage. He is an excellent athlete with some polished post moves, and if he can work as hard as Trevor, he should be an impact player immediately. Don't be surprised is 7'2" sophomore Catalin Baciu sees some increased minutes this season.

The point guard spot is going to be held down by junior Demontez Stitt, who I personally believe is one of the more underrated guards in the ACC. Stitt is an excellent on the ball defender, which makes him extremely valuable to Purnell. Offensively, he is quick with the ball and able to penetrate. As he gains more confidence in his scoring and passing ability, he will become more effective. His development will be crucial to the Tigers success this year as they lost a lot of scoring the past two seasons.

Perhaps the most important player on this team will be 6'6" freshman Noel Johnson. Johnson joins the Tigers with a reputation as a shooter and scorer from the perimeter, and with their only two perimeter threats leaving, he will be asked to contribute a lot immediately.

Joining Stitt and Johnson on the perimeter will be David Potter, Tanner Smith, and Andre Young. Potter and Smith are both excellent defenders with a lot of size (6'6" an 6'5", respectively). You know what you are going to get from those two in terms of defense and hustle, but they are going to need to increase their scoring if Clemson wants to become a player in the wide open ACC. Young is a quick, 5'9" sophomore that will back up Stitt. He may be a better offensive player than Stitt at this point in his career, taking better care of the ball and being a better shooter. But until he proves the ability to score inside the arc (he was just a 36% shooter from two) he will be just a role player. Also expect Brian Narcisse and Donte Hill, and extremely athletic 6'4" freshman, too provide quality minutes as well.

Outlook: I really like this Clemson team. While they lost some of their scoring from last season, they are going to be much more athletic this year. Trevor Booker will be in the conversation for ACC player of the year, so as long as guys like Stitt and Johnson live up to their expectations, and the role players on this team play hard and defend, Clemson should be in the race for the ACC crown. The Tigers run a tough press, and with the number of quality guards that left the ACC, it is feasible to believe that Clemson could bring home an ACC crown.
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