Three UConn players miss tonight's exhibition

Three players - Jerome Dyson, Donnell Beverly, and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel - all were held out of UConn's scrimmage against American International College on Wednesday night.

Dyson and Beverly were held out due to "pending routine educational document review for eligibility certification." Coombs-McDaniel was held out as a result of "pending initial-eligibility clearances from the NCAA eligibility center. In his case, academic records have been requested and a review of those records is currently underway."

Beverly, a junior guard, is not expected to get major minutes for the Huskies, but losing Dyson or Coombs-McDaniel would be a big loss for the Huskies.

Dyson is one of the best two guards in the country, and his athleticism will be a huge factor in the Huskies game plan this season. Freshman Coombs-McDaniel is not expected to start, but he has the talent and versatility to be an impact player as a freshman.

UConn has been quiet on the issue, but it looks like all three should be ready when the start of the season rolls around Nov. 13th.
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Marcus Jordan costs UCF their deal with Adidas

Last month, news leaked that Central Florida freshman Marcus Jordan, who is Michael's son, was refusing to wear Adidas shoes during the season. According to Marcus, he wanted to wear Jordan brand shoes because it was important to his family.

Today, the news broke that Adidas would not be renewing their contract with UCF.

"The University of Central Florida has chosen not to deliver on their contractual commitment to adidas," adidas spokeswoman Andrea Corso wrote in an e-mail to the Associated Press. "As a result we have chosen not to continue our relationship with them moving forward."

Personally, I think Marcus should be more concerned with his decision to go with the rec-specs/headband combo than the shoes he will wear.
(photo credit: basketfever)

Now, a lot of people are going to blame the younger Jordan for this. While I agree that Marcus is being a bit irrational - I mean, it was his father that made these shoes famous, not him - I think the UCF coaching staff are the ones to blame here. They knew going in how much wearing Jordan's meant to Marcus. The coaches even told him it wouldn't be an issue:

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.

Well, apparently the coaches didn't talk to the Adidas people.

And that is what cost them this deal.

Promises they couldn't keep.

Not Marcus Jordan wanting to wear Jordan's.
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No. 6: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Purdue Boilermakers

2008-2009 Record: 27-10, 11-7 Big Ten (t-2nd)

Key Losses: Nemanja Calasan (6.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg), Marcus Green (4.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg)

Key Returners: E'Twaun Moore (13.8 ppg, 3.0 apg), JaJuan Johnson (13.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.1 bpg), Robbie Hummel (12.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg), Keaton Grant (7.9 ppg)

Newcomers: Stevie Loveless, Kelsey Barlow, Dru Anthrop, Kyle Coleman, DJ Byrd, John Hart, Patrick Bade, Sandi Marcius

Robbie Hummel, Chris Kramer, and JaJuan Johnson will lead an experienced Boilermaker team.
(photo credit: Lafayette-Online)

Two years ago, Purdue came out of nowhere to make the NCAA tournament on the strength of three freshmen - Robbie Hummel, E'Twaun Moore, and JaJuan Johnson. Last season, those three led a beat-up Purdue team to the Sweet 16. Now fully healthy and returning six of their top seven scorers, the Boilermakers looked primed to make a run at the Big Ten title.

Purdue's team is centered around team play, execution, and defense. There may not be a team in the country that plays better fundamental defense that the Boilermakers. Whether its getting to the charge spot, jumping to help side, or perfectly rotating when the ball swings, Purdue hangs their hat on the ability to make every shot a difficult one. The best defender on the team is Chris Kramer, who won the 2008 Big Ten defensive player of the year. Kramer is tough as nails and routinely defends an opponent's best perimeter player. He even slid down to the four spot defensively when Hummel was injured.

While Purdue is strong on the defensive end, that doesn't mean that they don't have some talent on the offensive end. Their best offensive weapon is probably Hummel. Hummel played last season with a painful stress fracture in his back which forced him to wear a brace on his back, even when he wasn't playing. He is now 100%, which is great news for Matt Painter. Hummel is a versatile offensive player in that skill-wise, he is a small forward but he plays the power forward spot on this team. He stands 6'8", but his is at his best playing on the perimeter thanks to his excellent jump shot. He is mobile and a heady player, resulting in a lot of easy baskets moving without the ball. Where Hummel struggles is when he is forced to put the ball on the floor. He has a decent handle, but his limited-at-best athleticism stifles his ability to get by a defender and finish at the rim.

Joining Hummel up front is JaJuan Johnson. Johnson came into Purdue as a rail thin, 6'10" center, but in his two seasons he's beefed up 40 lbs to 210 and can now bench 285 lbs. Johnson is a shot blocker that has a decent back to the basket game and a solid jumper out to about 15 feet. He is easily the best NBA prospect on the Boilermakers roster, a testament to his development as he played JV as a high school junior. Johnson still could use some added strength to help him battle the Big Ten's biggest and needs to improve his rebounding, especially on the offensive end, but his presence inside will be so important as Purdue does not have much else up front.

On the perimeter for Painter is E'Twaun Moore and Keaton Grant. Moore has led Purdue in scoring the last two seasons. He isn't a flashy player or an overly athletic guy, but he's smooth on the offensive end with good instincts and a better jump shot. He won't blow by a defender every time, but can get to the rim when the opportunity is there. Likewise, he isn't going to be shooting 25 footers all game, but he can knock down open jumpers at a pretty good clip. In short, Moore is a smart player that picks his spots well. Grant had a fantastic sophomore season in '07-'08, averaging 11.2 ppg and shooting 44% from deep. He struggled a bit last season as he, too, was beat up, but one thing that's for sure is that Grant can shoot when he is healthy.

Lewis Jackson will run the point for Purdue. Jackson had an up and down freshman season, but should be expected to come back strong during his sophomore campaign. Jackson is a jet with the ball and should help the Boilermakers get some easy baskets in transition. He proved to be better than expected in the half court, however. Given his diminutive stature (5'8"), he will probably never be a dominant player a la Kalin Lucas. But Purdue doesn't need that. They need a guy that won't turn the ball over and can get the ball to their stars in a position to score. Jackson should be able to do that this year.

I mentioned it earlier, but the biggest issue for Purdue this season is going to be depth. Outside of the six guys I just mentioned, who else will be able to contribute minutes, especially up front? Sophomore Ryne Smith is a shooter, but played just 18 games last season. 6'10" Croatian freshman Sandi Marcius was expected to contribute minutes, but he will be out for about another month with an injury. After that, there are a lot of freshman that will battle for role playing minutes. Patrick Bade, a 6'8", 235 lb forward, may see some reserve minutes up front. On the perimeter, DJ Byrd and Kelsey Barlow are both talented enough to see some time as well.

Outlook: A lot of people had Purdue pegged as a potential Big Ten champion and Final Four team last season. But a rash of injuries kept the Boilermakers from playing at full strength most of the season. With everyone back, and three potential Big Ten player of the year candidates, it is feasible to believe that Purdue could outlast Michigan State and win the conference. If they do, it will be a result of their defense. I'm not sold on them being a Final Four candidate this year, however. Unless they have some interior depth surface, Jackson develops into a more consistent PG, and either Moore or Hummel turns into a dominant go-to scorer, I just don't see Purdue being a team built for March.
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No. 7: 2009-2010 Team Preview: North Carolina Tar Heels

2008-2009 Record: 34-4, 13-3 ACC (1st)

Key Losses: Tyler Hansbrough (20.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg), Ty Lawson (16.6 ppg, 5.6 apg), Wayne Ellington (15.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg), Danny Green (13.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg)

Key Returners: Deon Thompson (10.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg), Ed Davis (6.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg)

Newcomers: David Wear, Travis Wear, Leslie McDonald, John Henson, Dexter Strickland

Ed Davis has the potential to be a star this season.
(photo credit: Zimbio)

Can any team in the country say they lost more talent than the Tar Heels did? Not only are they losing the players, but in Ty Lawson and Tyler Hansbrough, they lost the guys that gave them their identity. That said, North Carolina brings in an absolutely loaded recruiting class, which combined with the stud freshman Roy Williams brought into the program last season, give him plenty of potential to work with.

Not to put too much pressure on him, but the key to this team's season is going to be sophomore point guard Larry Drew. Ty Lawson was the engine that made UNC go last year. His ability to push the ball in transition and break down a defender in the half court is a major reason that the Heels were able to take advantage of the talent they had on the offensive end of the floor. Can Drew do that same? He isn't as quick as Lawson (few are), but he has shown some ability to get into the paint and find an open man. His three point shot is about where Lawson's was at this point in his career as well - below average. Drew has a lot to prove this season, and his ability to run this team will be instrumental in how good the Heels end up being.

Another big change is going to be UNC's shooting ability. Last year, guys like Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, and Bobby Frasor were very good shooters. This season, the UNC wings are going to be far from great from the perimeter. Marcus Ginyard, who is back from the injury that forced him to redshirt last season, is an excellent player. He will defend, he will attack the rim, he will rebound, but he isn't an explosive offensive talent like an Ellington, or even a Green. The same can be said for junior Will Graves, who butted heads a bit with Williams last season.

As with every position on the court, UNC is going to rely heavily on their young guys on the wings. Dexter Strickland and Leslie McDonald are both highly touted freshman joining the program. Strickland is a combo guard. His size and athleticism make him dangerous on the wing, as he excels when he is able to get out in transition or when he is attacking the basket. He will be able to slide over and play some point as well. An improved shooter during his senior season, Strickland is still a ways from being considered a real threat from deep. McDonald is not quite the slasher that Strickland is, but he may be a better shooter (he is probably the Heels best shooter on the perimeter). One of the comparisons I have been seeing a lot of is that McDonald is Marcus Ginyard with a better jumper. Probably not a starter, but he is a guy that will provide a lot of good minutes for the Heels.

Williams has said that 6'10" freshman John Henson is going to see a lot of minutes on the perimeter. Henson could be an x-factor for UNC. He is a play maker that always seems to be around the ball - whether it is making a backdoor pass for a lay-up, blocking a shot, grabbing a rebound and going coast-to-coast. The consensus seems to be that Henson is a 6'10" combo forward with a 7'1" wing span and the perimeter skills of a guard. If he develops this season, Henson has the chance to be a weapon in UNC's full court attack.

The Heels inside play has a bunch of question marks as well. Back are Deon Thompson and Ed Davis. Davis has the potential to be a game-changing big man. He is long, athletic, and aggressive on the boards. Davis also provides the Heels with a shot blocking presence they have not had in a long time. His biggest problem right now is that he has not proven the ability to score with his back to the basket. That said, a breakout season, a la Cole Aldrich, out of Davis has been predicted by many. Thompson is a known commodity. He doesn't really do anything great, but he is a solid all-around post. He is a decent scorer, either backing his man down or facing him up. He'll grab some rebounds. He'll play some decent post defense. With the youth on the Heels front line, Williams is going to count on Thompson for leadership and consistency.

The other three guys up front will be Tyler Zeller and David and Travis Wear. Zeller had a bit of a disappointing freshman season, as a broken wrist suffered in the season's second game kept him out for the bulk of the season. But Zeller has talent. He is a legitimate seven footer, but his strength on the offensive end of the court is his perimeter game. He can shoot it (and may actually be the best shooter on the roster) and he can put the ball on the floor and go by an opposing center. According to reports, Zeller has been playing with the first team over Davis in early season practices.

The 6'9" Wear twins are similar to Zeller. The two are essentially the same player, with David being better offensively and Travis better defensively. Both are excellent with the ball in their hands, shooting the ball from the perimeter and using the bounce to get to the basket. The problem is that neither are good with their back to the basket.

In fact, none of the UNC bigs are that good with their back to the basket, which is why there may be a change to the UNC offense this season. Last year, the Heels looked inside to Hansbrough quite a bit, as Pyscho T was able to score with two and three defenders draped over him in the post. No one on the UNC roster can play like that this year. With how good most of the UNC bigs are facing up with the ball in their hands, Roy will look run even more of a spread attack. The two bigs will operate at the high post a lot, allowing more space for guys to slash to the rim because players like the Wears, Thompson, Zeller, and even Henson are a threat from 17 feet.

Outlook: UNC is going to be raw this season, as they have a ton of youth and inexperience on the roster. Even senior leader Marcus Ginyard is coming off of a season where he played just three games. The Heels are still going to run, but their secondary break is going to be a bit different. Instead of dumping the ball in to Hansbrough and allowing him to score or kick out to a shooter, the Heels are going to look to get their touches in the paint via penetration from the wings. An area where UNC should be better this season is defensively. Davis, Henson, and Zeller are all capable shot blockers, and guys like Strickland, McDonald, Ginyard, and Drew are defensive improvements on the perimeter. In short, UNC has the talent to be a Final Four team, but whether or not these kids develop into a group that can make it that far remains to be seen.
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Wednesday Morning Dump

Ancient city discovered, bigger than downtown LA; I dont know what is better, the actual chair, or the fact that the guy got a DUI in the chair?; 10 worst national anthem performances; Hollywood's biggest potheads; Newspaper is dying; Forklift fail; Steven Colbert loves obscure sports; Rondo cashes in; Now thats what I call a coach who protects his players; Pita bread = delicious, PETA the organization = crazy; Apparently, being able to hit a ball 300 yards isn't long enough for some people; Jim Nantz settles divorce case; Google passed on buying the New York Times; 3 girls found dead in sunken jeep; broadcasting awards for the MLB season.

- Interesting stat - players improve the most between freshman and sophomore seasons.

- Lawyer thinks Renardo Sidney could be cleared as early as today.

- Good read on a post-Calipari era in Conference USA.

- An excellent point about choosing the right school.

- ESPN releases its Full-Court schedule.

- Arkansas guard suspended for exhibition game.

- Play-by-play broadcaster discusses UNLV.

- Ken Bradley interviews Bruce Pearl.

- Adam Zagoria on recruiting updates.

- NBA recruiting violations?

- Andy Katz on ASU's Derrick Glasser's emergence and coaching trees

- Jeff Goodman thinks Purdue is good but thin.

- Gary Parrish breaks down the Big East.

- Turning exhibition games into practices.

- Popeye Jones arrested and roughed up.

- New stat - number of shots you get blocked.

After the jump, the hockey goalie moonwalk.



He looks, he shoots, and he scores...



Funny commercial from a San Diego bail bondsman when the Raiders came to town.



Some rather impressive goalie saves (0:37 is ridiculous)



The best lacrosse saves of 2009


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Syracuse is upset by LeMoyne in an exhibition game

This is not the ideal start to a season for the Orange.

Playing against crosstown "rival", the Orange were upset 82-79 by the LeMoyne Dolphins.

The DII LeMoyne Dolphins.

Like I said, not an ideal way to kick off the season. The Orange were down by five with under a minute to play, but a Wesley Johnson three with 17 seconds left gave the Orange a 79-78 lead. But the Dolphins responded as Christopher Johnson buried a triple with 8 seconds left for the win.

This picture says it all.
(photo credit: The Dagger)

This has happened before. Michigan State, then the No. 8 team in the country, lost in double overtime to Grand Valley State 85-82. Ohio State was also knocked off by Findlay 70-68 that year. Both GVSU and Findlay are DII programs.

This isn't a good sign for the Orange. Michigan State was blown out by Memphis in the second round of the tournament that season, while Ohio State went to the NIT.

If the Orange faithful are to take anything out of this, its that Wesley Johnson looks primed to live up to the hype. He went for 34, but missed a three that would have tied it at the end of regulation.

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Duke's Nolan Smith suspended two games

Duke's already thin back court suffered a minor blow on Tuesday as Nolan Smith told reporters after an exhibition game against Findlay that he would be missing the season's first two games.

Over the summer, Smith played in a non-sanctioned game near his home town of Washington DC.

"He shouldn't have done it," Krzyzewski told the Charlotte News & Observer after the game. "The guys know. And this is what every basketball player has to know, don't play in a game that has time and score, unless it's a sanctioned game."

Nolan Smith will sit the first two games after playing in a non-sanctioned game over the summer.
(photo credit: Sports Universe)

Smith will miss the Nov. 13th contest against UNC-Greensboro and the Nov. 16th game against Coastal Carolina.

It was apparent during the scrimmage what the loss will mean to the Blue Devils. Smith sat the entire first half, which saw Duke take a 36-23 lead while committing ten turnovers. The Blue Devils pulled away in the second half, winning 84-48. Smith played 12 minutes in the second half.

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2009-2010 College Basketball Season Preview: Shooting Guards

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.
These are the shooting guards.

Best Freshman:

• Avery Bradley, Texas
• Kenny Boynton, Florida
• Xavier Henry, Kansas
• Lance Stephenson, Cincinnati

Best of the Rest:

• Elliot Williams, Memphis
• Jeremy Hazell, Seton Hall
• Osiris Eldridge, Illinois State
• William Buford, Ohio State
• Steven Gray, Gonzaga
• Denis Clemente, Kansas State
  

Top 10

• 10. Tyshawn Taylor, Kansas: Taylor is not on this list for the numbers he is going to put up. That would be impossible playing on a team as talented as Kansas this year. But Taylor may be the best team player in the country. He's no stranger to talented teams - his St. Anthony's High School team sent seven kids to D1 schools. Taylor's biggest strength is his intelligence on the court. He makes good decisions with the ball, is an excellent passer (especially feeding the post), and is as good of a defender as you will find at the position. Offensively, he has yet to really show the country what he can do. He picks his spots well, so don't be surprised if Taylor has a couple games where he goes for 25 this year.
  


• 9. Deonta Vaughn, Cincinnati: At 6'1", 195 lb, Vaughn is built like a running back, but it isn't his physical tools that make him special. Vaughn can flat out score the ball. He is a streaky shooter, but when he gets hot he can go for 30 on a given night. Vaughn also has the quickness and the handle to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. Simply put, Vaughn has all the skills you could ask for in a scoring guard. The problem the last two seasons has been his supporting cast, as Vaughn was not only asked to be the team's point guard, but to also be the team's only true perimeter threat. With Cashmere Wright back from injury and Lance Stephenson joining the team, he now has that. Don't expect Vaughn's scoring numbers to shoot through the roof, as the addition of Wright and Stephenson will reduce his shots, but do expect to see a better Cincinnati team and a much more efficient Deonta Vaughn.
  


• 8. Jerome Dyson, UConn: Dyson was the overlooked guy on the UConn Huskies last season. With Jeff Adrien and Hasheem Thabeet inside, and AJ Price running the show, people forgot about Dyson. It didn't help that he missed the end of the season with a knee injury either. But Dyson is a star in the making. With athleticism to burn, Dyson is at his best when he is slashing to the rim and making plays in the full court. He can knock down a three when he is left open, but his slow release makes it difficult for him to get his shot off at times. The faster tempo that UConn is going to play at this season will fit in perfectly with Dyson's skill set as he is a terror in the passing lanes and always a threat to posterize a defender on a break.

Jerome Dyson will make quite a few posters this season.
(photo credit: daylife)

• 7. E'Twaun Moore, Purdue: Moore isn't a flashy player. He isn't going to wow you with cross overs or dunks. He isn't going to take over games on the offensive end. What Moore does is play a very controlled game. He isn't going to blow by his defender every time down court, but when it is there he can get to the rim. He isn't a gunner, but he is a good enough shooter that you have to contest it (although his shooting numbers dipped quite a bit last season). He's a good passer, a good rebounder, and a very good defender. And to top it off, he has led Purdue in scoring in his first two seasons. He may not be the most athletically gifted at the position, but you would be hard-pressed to find a two guard in the country better suited for the system they play in.
  


• 6. Matt Bouldin, Gonzaga: I love Matt Bouldin's game. He is such a heady, fundamental player. Playing on Gonzaga's most talented team last season, Bouldin was forced into a bit of a complimentary role. But that was more of a result of his all-around ability than a lack of ability. Bouldin can shoot, he can handle the ball, he can penetrate and kick, he can defend - there really isn't a weakness to his game, except for maybe a lack of ideal explosiveness out of a two guard. We shall see this season if he can develop into a star. If he does, don't be surprised if he wins a WCC player of the year award and Gonzaga makes another NCAA Tournament.
  


• 5. Terrico White, Ole Miss: The Rebels caught a devastating case of the injury bug last season, as they had three back court guys go down early with season ending knee injuries. While it put quite a damper on their season, the blessing in disguise was it allowed Andy Kennedy to see what he had in freshman Terrico White. White is an athlete, but he relied a bit too much on that athleticism a year ago. He also had trouble with shot selection and decision making on the offensive end, but a big reason for that was the fact he was forced to play a lot of minutes in a de facto lead guard role with Chris Warren out. Now that Warren is healthy, White will be able to move off the ball, where he shined this summer with the U19 team.
  


• 4. Malcolm Delaney, Virginia Tech: Delaney has put up impressive numbers during his first two seasons with the Hokies, but playing behind guys like AD Vassallo and Deron Washington kept his profile to a minimum. Don't doubt him though, because Delaney can play. He will likely handle the ball quite a bit this year for Seth Greenburg, but Delaney's at his best when he is looking to score. He is a dead eye three point shooter when he is open, but he has a tendency to force it a bit, although some of that is a result of Tech having a limited number of playmakers. If he can mature a bit in his decision making and shot selection, Delaney has the potential to be a lethal scorer this year.

Malcolm Delaney is a name you will hear a lot of this season.
(photo credit: flickr)

• 3. Isaiah Thomas, Washington: Thomas played a lot of minutes as Washington's point guard last season, but with the addition of Abdul Gaddy to run the show, Thomas will slide over to the off guard spot. Off the ball is where Thomas should be more effective as he is a natural scorer. He is at his best when he is using the bounce to penetrate. He has a tight handle and a tremendous first step, which makes him a nightmare to try and defend. That ability will be magnified as he will be playing in a Washington system that will allow him countless opportunities in the open court. Thomas's diminutive size is his biggest weakness. Standing just 5'9", he was inconsistent as a perimeter shooter when he had a hand in his face, but in the lane it is less of an issue as he has an advanced in-between game - he has an excellent floater and knows how to uses body contact to create space between himself and his defender.
  


• 2. James Anderson, Oklahoma State: Anderson is first and foremost a shooter. His entire offensive repertoire is based on his catch and shoot ability from deep. An excellent athlete, Anderson is also able to use one or two dribbles and elevate over defenders in the mid-range. Where he struggles is with his ball-handling. He is very much a straight line dribbler without the ability to change direction or change speed. While it may be tough to top the 18.2 ppg he posted last season, if he improved this aspect of his game in the off-season, Anderson will be a much more complete player.

Willie Warren and James Anderson will compete for the Big XII scoring crown.
(photo credit: kfor.com)

• 1. Willie Warren, Oklahoma: Warren struggled at the beginning of his freshman campaign, but by the end of the year many considered him a lottery pick. Warren is a fantastic athlete, but what makes him so dangerous is his exceptional scoring instincts. With a quick first step, the ability the change gears and change directions, great body control in the lane, and the explosiveness to finish above the rim, it isn't hard to see that Warren was built to score. The fact that he can handle the ball (he played a lot of point last season for the Sooners) and shoot it from deep (he struggled to start the year, but shot 38% in Big XII play) only makes him more dangerous. With Tommy Mason-Griffin headed to Norman, Warren will be allowed to move off the ball where he can focus on, what else, scoring.
  

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Minnesota's Devron Bostick and Royce White suspended

Its a good thing Minnesota is deep this year, because they keep losing players.

Yesterday, it was Trevor Mbakwe, who AD Joel Maturi determined would have to sit out until his legal issues are figured out.

Today, it was Devron Bostick and Royce White. Bostick, a 6'5" senior guard that averaged 4.3 ppg last season, and White, a highly regarded 6'8" freshman forward out of Minneapolis, were both suspended indefinitely by Tubby Smith for a violation of team rules.

Devron Bostick has been suspended for at least two games.
(photo credit: Pictopia)

White was likely suspended for an arrest on October 13th stemming from shoplifting charges. Allegedly, White took more than $100 worth of merchandise from the Mall of America and twice pushed a guard to the ground that approached him.

No word yet on what Bostick did to get himself suspended.

White and Bostick will miss at least two games, Smith said.

This shouldn't be too devastating to the Golden Gophers chances of winning the Big Ten. Tubby Smith has a deep squad this season, and while both Bostick and White (and Mbakwe as well) are talented kids, none looked destined to start early in the season. Hopefully White will get his legal troubles cleared up quickly - legal troubles are the reason that Mbakwe will be forced to sit - as he has a chance to be a very good player in the Big Ten.

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Tim Floyd: Hero?

Tim Floyd's coaching career has momentarily come to an end.

But that doesn't mean the good still isn't out there trying to help people!



Yup, that's Tim Floyd breaking up the fight, crazy chair-wielding redheads be damned.

(h/t Herms Perm via Deadspin) Continue reading...

No. 8: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Butler Bulldogs

2008-2009 Record: 26-6, 15-3 Horizon (1st)

Key Losses: None.

Key Returners: Gordon Hayward (13.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 45% 3's), Matt Howard (14.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Shelvin Mack (11.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.5 apg), Willie Veasley (8.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg)

Newcomers: Andrew Smith, Chase Stigall, Emerson Kampen

Butler returns their entire team from last year's 26 win season.
(photo credit: IndyStar)

Brad Stevens has quite a program in Indianapolis. The Bulldogs have reached the NCAA Tournament the past three seasons, making the Sweet Sixteen in 2007 under Todd Lickliter. They won 30 games in Stevens' first season at the helm before losing basically everyone, including Mike Green and AJ Graves. Not much was expected out of Butler last year, but on the strength of an excellent recruiting class, the Bulldogs won 26 games and their third consecutive regular season title. The best news? They bring everybody back.

Butler's recruiting class last season was anchored by Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack, who both made the U19 team over the summer. Hayward, who stands 6'8", ends up playing the power forward spot for a good number of minutes, but he is much more of a perimeter oriented player. Easily one of the best shooters in the country (he knocked down almost 45% of his threes), Hayward uses the threat of his jumper effectively to sell pump fakes. His biggest limitation as a prospect is his limited athletic profile, but he makes up for it with incredible smarts and craftiness. He knows how to get a defender off balance using jabs, fakes, and hesitations, and once he gets in the lane is satisfied with finding an open teammate instead of forcing a tough shot in the paint. Defensively is where the issue lies. Hayward, as I said, is a match-up nightmare on the offensive end because he plays the four, but his slight frame doesn't hold up against some of the bigger guys on the block.

Mack is as good of a point guard as you are going to find. He is strong with the ball, an excellent defender, and a very good rebounder for his size. He isn't the quickest guy when he puts the ball on the floor, but he is big and strong enough (6'3", 215 lb) that if he gets his shoulders by a defender, he is going to get to the rim. Butler is going to be very talented this season, which means that Mack, once again, won't have to carry the load offensively as much as he will be asked to run Stevens' system. But, as he did last year, Mack is a good enough scorer that if things start to get bogged down, he can carry the team.

Butler likes to lay a four-out, one-in offense, meaning the surround one post with four perimeter players. The other two guys that will be starting on the perimeter are sophomore Ronald Nored and senior Willie Veasley. Nored is a tenacious defender that will harass opposing point guards. He is quick and can get to the rim and out in transition, but he really struggles offensively otherwise, hitting just 23% from deep and 46% from the line. Willie Veasley, a 6'3" wing, is the perfect senior for this team. He does everything well on the court - he can shoot when open, he rebounds the ball, he defends. He turns the ball over a little more than one would like, but beyond that he is exactly what you look for out of a senior leader.

The "one-in" on this team may be the most valuable guy on this roster. Matt Howard, a 6'8" junior and reigning league player of the year, is a bit of a throw back big man. A land warrior, Howard does not have the overwhelming athleticism of many guys playing on the blocks these days. To compensate, he is excellent at gaining position, sealing his man, and finishing inside. He is a strong kid, and has developed a very nice back to the basket game. As the only real threat in the post, Howard is going to be so important to how far Butler can make it this year.

The Bulldogs don't have the deepest bench, but they do have some quality role players. Zach Hahn, a 6'1" junior, is the Bulldogs resident sharp shooter. 6'0" Shawn Vanzant is a scrappy point guard coming off the bench. Avery Jukes, a 6'8" senior, is the guy that will spell Howard inside. And don't be surprised when 6'11" freshman Andrew Smith, who has a nice game on the block and plays with a great deal of energy, sees some quality minutes this season.

Outlook: Butler has been very good for a while now, but this is probably their best team to date as Hayward, Howard, and Mack form one of the best inside-outside-wing combos in the country. Their biggest issue is going to be inside, where they are smaller than most power conference teams. Hayward will need to play big on the block if the Bulldogs have any hope of reaching a Final Four. That said, expect the mismatch that Howard creates to force teams to go small to match-up with them. An excellent defensive team that plays with a great deal of smart, Bulldog fans should expect another Horizon League title, and 30 wins and a deep tourney run is well within their reach.
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Tuesday Morning Dump

Responsible or drunk?; 75 of the worst album covers of all time; I thought this girl was still in middle school?; Building your own fire was so 1997; Why sex doesnt always sell; Halloween brawl; How to build a man cave; The IT department's custom whip; Halloween costume breakdown; High school dances just aint what they used to be; 84-year-old women rides 150 miles in high heels.

- Minor league hockey team honors Michael Jackson.

- Bill Walton is hanging up his microphone.

- Purdue's AD is confident.

- A nice, quick read about Larry Bird's stint as a Hoosier.

- Mike DeCourcy on Butler's tough schedule.

- Luke Winn on an improving Kansas State squad.

- AJ Ogilvy missed a scrimmage with a concussion.

- Texas is having problems getting basketball fans? But they're so good.

- Gary Parrish on the recruiting reform package.

- New Orleans loses senior guard for up to a month.

- Andy Katz on Big Ten contenders.

- Jeff Goodman on why Dayton is more than just "top flight" Wright.

- Another point guard commits to Syracuse.

- Billy Gillespie pleads guilty to DUI.

- A long but good read about writing for ESPN.

- Denver Post bans beat writers from making predictions.

- Not a record I would want.

- After the jump, MMA goes primetime.


You better be watching CBS this Saturday night



Christopher Walken does Lady Gaga's poker face



Florida linebacker suspended for one half for this eye gouge.



The next great rapper.

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2009-2010 College Basketball Season Preview: Point Guards

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.

Best Freshman:

• John Wall, Kentucky
• Abdul Gaddy, Washington
• Maalik Wayns, Villanova

Best of the Rest:

• Charles Jenkins, Hofstra
• Chris Warren, Ole Miss
• Courtney Fortson, Arkansas
• Jimmer Fredette, BYU
• Trevon Hughes, Wisconsin
• Mac Hobson, Idaho
• Corey Fisher, Villanova

Top 10:

• 10. Talor Battle, Penn State: Talor Battle was the major reason that Penn State was relevant down the stretch last season. Battle's offensive game is based on his ability to shoot, where he is excellent, especially in the clutch as he knocked down a couple game-winners last year. When he puts the ball on the floor, Battle is good at getting into the paint and is a solid finisher in the lane despite lacking outstanding explosiveness. If he improves his ability to create for his teammates (he averaged 5.0 apg last season, but a lot of that was simply the result of moving the ball around the perimeter), this ranking may end up being too low by the end of the year.


• 9. Shelvin Mack, Butler: Mack is one of the more underrated point guards in the country. Playing on a team with Gordon Hayward and Matt Howard in the Horizon League will do that to you. But don't doubt his ability. Mack is an effective scorer, capable of carrying the Bulldogs if Hayward and/or Howard happen to be struggling. A big, strong kid (6'3", 215 lb), Mack is an excellent defender and a good rebounder from the guard spot. He needs to improve on his quickness getting into the lane, as well as add some consistency to his perimeter jumper, but the bottom-line is that Mack is the guy that runs the shows for Butler, who most believe will be a top 10 or 15 team this season.

Shelvin Mack is one of the most underrated point guards in the country.
(photo credit: Horizon League)

• 8. Nic Wise, Arizona: Arizona caught a huge break when Nic Wise decided to return to school. With all the turnover in the Arizona program, Wise declared for the 2009 NBA Draft and expected to end up playing overseas this season. But when Sean Miller was able to sign five top 100 recruits this summer, Wise decided that the Wildcats just might have enough talent to be a factor this year. Arizona is going to go as far as Wise carries them. After slimming down before his junior season, Wise had an exceptional junior campaign, at times carrying a Wildcat team with two NBA draft picks on it. While he is capable of creating opportunities for others, Wise is going to be asked to shoulder much more of a scoring load this year as the young Wildcats adjust to the college game.


• 7. Scottie Reynolds, Villanova: Reynolds doesn't get the national credit that he deserves. He's not a guy that is going to be a great pro, as his athletic limitations will limit his effectiveness at the next level. But at the collegiate level, his smarts allow him to get by. Reynolds is a deadly three-point shooter, but when he is playing his best, he is putting the ball on the floor and going to the rim. Despite an underwhelming vertical, he finishes well in the paint because he is able to use his body to shield his man. He has had his play-making duties reduced with the emergence on Corey Fisher along side him. Where Reynolds is at his best in the clutch. He is the guy that Jay Wright is going to go to when he needs a basket.


• 6. Jerome Randle, Cal: I've said it before and I'll say it again - Jerome Randle might be my favorite player in the country to watch. The catalyst for Cal's resurgence last season, Randle should once again carry the team that was picked to win the Pac-10. Randle is the perfect fit for the spread system that Mike Montgomery is running in Berkeley. Very solid with the ball in his hands, Randle is adept at beating his man off the dribble thanks to his fantastic ability to change speeds. But you cannot lay off of him as he is one of the best shooters in the country. If Cal is going to win the Pac-10, it will be Randle's play that will carry them there.

Despite his small stature, Jerome Randle is one of the best scorers in the country.
(photo credit: DailyCal)

• 5. Devan Downey, South Carolina: Downey is small, even for a point guard, but he is unbelievably quick. Downey can flat out score. He is at his best when he is attacking the rim, where an effective floater and an impressive ability to create space through contact with the defender allows him to finish inside. Downey tends to settle for threes, but when he is on he can hit four or five in a row from deep. Downey is a high-risk, high-reward kind of guy. He takes a lot of tough shots, but makes a good number of them. He tries quite a few risky passes and gambles for steals on the defensive end, but again, he is successful enough of the time that it isn't a huge issue. Expect big numbers once again from Downey, as his speed and ability to create in the open court will be instrumental in Darrin Horn's uptempo, pressuring style of play.


• 4. Kemba Walker, UConn: Walker came into UConn as a much-herald recruit out of NYC's Rice High, but was stifled a bit last season by UConn's slower tempo and the presence of all-american AJ Price. With UConn being a smaller, more athletic team this season, expect Jim Calhoun to play a much faster pace with Walker being the catalyst. He is an absolute menace on the defensive end as he may be the quickest player in the country. Offensively, he is near impossible to stay in front of. Despite his small size, Walker can finish at the rim, but he is at his best when he collapses a defense and finds an open man - be it a big at the rim or a shooter on the perimeter. While his jump shot could still use some improvement, Walker is going to be the motor that makes the Huskies engine run this season.


• 3. Greivis Vasquez, Maryland: Simply put, Vasquez will be the most exciting player in the ACC this season. While his time in College Park has been maddeningly inconsistent, Vasquez improved his decision making last year. He didn't force as many tough shots and more often settled for the smart, easy pass as opposed to the highlight reel play. When he is playing well, Vasquez can completely take a game over, even against a much more talented team (see his triple-double is MD's win over UNC last year). He still will need to focus on making the smart play this year, but in terms of pure talent, Vasquez is good enough to carry an undermanned Terp team to a second straight NCAA tournament.


• 2. Kalin Lucas, Michigan State: Lucas is the perfect fit for the team-oriented offense that Tom Izzo likes to run. He can play on the ball or off, and is excellent at picking his spots to attack. Not the quickest player in the world, he is excellent at changing speed and direction when putting the ball on the floor. Lucas is going to be instrumental for the Spartans this season as Izzo is going to look to play a quicker pace than he did last year. Lucas is valuable for a talented MSU team because he can run a team and keep an offense moving without dominating the ball, but if the shot clock is winding down, he is more than capable of creating a good shot, either for himself or for a teammate.

Sherron Collins and Kalin Lucas are the two best point guards in the country.
(photo credit: daylife)

• 1. Sherron Collins, Kansas: Collins is an easy pick atop these rankings. First team pre-season all-american and the star player and leader for the consensus best team in the country. Collins is a great scorer at this level. He is strong enough to get to the rim on just about anyone, but he has three-point range well beyond NBA line. What makes Collins so good is he really developed into a point guard last season. While he had to shoulder a bulk of the scoring load for a young Jayhawk team, he was a good decision maker. He knew when he should pass and he knew when he needed to shoot. But the biggest difference between Collins and anyone on this list is his ability to make a big play when you really need it. If you are down one with 15 seconds left on the clock, is there anyone in the country you would rather have with the ball in their hands?

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No. 9: 2009-2010 Team Preview: West Virginia Mountaineers

2008-2009 Record: 23-12, 10-8 Big East (t-7th)

Key Losses: Alex Ruoff (15.7 ppg, 3.3 apg)

Key Returners: Da'Sean Butler (17.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg), Devin Ebanks (10.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg), Truck Bryant (9.8 ppg, 2.9 apg), Joe Mazzulla (5.6 ppg, 3.7 apg)

Newcomers: Dalton Pepper, Danny Jennings, Deniz Kilicli

Da'Sean Butler might be the best player in the country you never hear about.
(photo credit: ESPN)

It didn't take long for Bobby Huggins to mold West Virginia into his kind of team. In his third season at the helm, Huggy Bear is at the helm of the best Mountaineer team in recent memory.

Last season, West Virginia was a team known for their toughness on the defensive end and their ability to hit the glass, especially on the offensive end. Not much will change this season, as the Mountaineers return their entire front line. The best of the bunch is 6'9" Devin Ebanks. Ebanks developed into one of the most productive freshman in the country by the end of last season, especially in the Big East Tournament (he twice set career highs of 20 and 22 points, and set his career high in rebounding with 18). Still quite raw, where Ebanks excels is using his exceptional tools. He is long, active, athletic, and very tough. Most of his offense last season came in transition, on the offensive glass, or off of assists. Where he really struggled was with his perimeter jumper, to the point that he stopped shooting threes all together. He also needs to improve his handle to effectively transition to the three full time, but if he put in the work this summer, Ebanks has all the potential in the world to be a big time player for WVU.

Joining Ebanks up front is a slew of guys standing about 6'8". Senior Wellington Smith started at center last season, and there is no reason to expect that to change. A tough rebounder (especially at the offensive end as he grabbed more offensive rebounds than defensive) and with a fantastic leaping ability, Smith is probably the Mountaineers best interior defender. He can also step out and knock down a perimeter jumper if he is left open. A lot is going to be expected out of sophomore Kevin Jones after he had a productive freshman season off the bench. Jones is not the best athlete in the group, but he might be the strongest and plays as hard as anyone in the country. Junior Cam Thoroughman played sporadically throughout the season, but he is a tenacious offensive rebounder that will play defense hard. Junior John Flowers is not as strong as the other three, but is more of an athlete and can defend on the perimeter as well. Freshman Danny Jennings, a top 100 recruit out of St. Thomas More, will also provide some quality minutes up front. Another freshman, Deniz Kilicli, may see some time at the end of the season, but was recently suspended for the first 20 games but the NCAA for playing on a team in Europe with a professional.

In fewer words, the West Virginia front line is going to be deep, they are going to be tough, and they are going to be athletic. These six guys are essentially interchangeable, which means that minutes are going to be difficult to come by. Playing for Huggins, these kids are going to be asked for defense, physicality, and rebounding out of this group. Whoever provides that, on what may become a game-to-game basis, is going to be who plays. These guys are going to work hard every minute they are on the floor, so if you don't box out against WVU, they are going to kill you on the glass.

Where WVU struggled last season was in the half court. Losing second leading scorer Alex Ruoff is going to hurt them offensively, but the Mountaineers did catch a couple breaks this off-season as both Truck Bryant and Joe Mazzulla will be returning to the team (both players were suspended indefinitely over the summer for off-the-court issues). Mazzulla was a key player for West Virginia in 2007-2008 when the Mountaineers upset Duke en route to a Sweet 16 appearance. Mazzulla is a perfect glue guy at the lead guard spot. He defends, he rebounds, but most importantly he was able to get into the paint a create opportunities for others. He missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, but he should be healthy to start out this year.

Bryant, a sophomore, proved to be a worthy replacement last season. Also a tough defender, Bryant is a better scorer than Mazzulla, but not quite as good of a creator. Bryant struggled with his decision-making at times, but it was nothing you wouldn't expect from a freshman forced to start in last season's rugged Big East. I'd expect these two to share the back court quite a bit this season, as it would provide Huggins with two guards capable of getting points on the board in a half court set.

The guy that is going to carry the load for the Mountaineers will be Da'Sean Butler. Butler is one of the best kept secrets in the country, leading the Mountaineers with 17.1 ppg last season. He is an above average jump shooter, especially when he gets time to get his feet set. This will be all the more important for WVU with Ruoff's graduation, as Butler is really the only shooter they are going to have on the floor much of the time. While he is 6'7", long, and mobile, he is not the most explosive player and struggles at times when putting the ball on the floor. When he does get into the paint, he is able to finish, either by going up strong or by using a floater. Butler does excel around the rim, however, as he is a good offensive rebounder from the wing and has shown a decent post game. If Butler can improve his ability to create shots for himself form the perimeter using the dribble, he might be the most dangerous wing scorer in the Big East.

Freshman Dalton Pepper is another guy that will see some time on the perimeter. Pepper is a similar player to Butler. More of a small forward than a two guard, Pepper has three point range, but is not a shooter. At 6'5", he has shown the ability to score on the offensive end, but is known more for his ability to defend, his smarts, and his potential to be a system guy.

Outlook: West Virginia is going to play a lot of low scoring games this season. This team is built around toughness on the defensive end and on the glass. With the athletes on their team, they can use so many potential line-ups. They can go small by sliding Butler to the three, or even the four with Ebanks inside, and playing two point guards. Or they can also go big by putting him at the two and allowing Ebanks to play the wing. Whatever Huggins decides to do, when you play West Virginia you better be read for a physical battle.
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Preseason AP all-american team released today

The AP preseason all-american team was released today, and there really were no surprises:

• Luke Harangody (57 votes out of 65 ballots)
• Cole Aldrich (49)
• Sherron Collins (39)
• Patrick Patterson (35)
• Kyle Singler (30)
  

Can't really argue with that team. My only problem is that it isn't, actually, a team as much as it is a list of the five kids most likely to with player of the year. Call me crazy, but I've always been partial to the all-american team consisting of two guards, two forwards, and a center, preferably with a point guard and a two guard, as well as a power forward and a small forward.

Whatever. Preseason awards and rankings are nothing other than blowhards like myself pontificating about the season and trying to show off their knowledge about the sport. More likely than not, at least one of these guys will not be on the postseason AP all-american team. Continue reading...

Trevor Mbakwe out until legal matters resolved

About two months ago, Minnesota AD Joel Maturi ruled that Trevor Mbakwe was going to be allowed to practice with the team, but would hold off on on making the decision of whether or not Mbakwe would be allowed to play in games.

You see, Mbakwe is currently facing charges back in Florida, where he attend Miami-Dade Community College last year. In early April, a woman accused Mbakwe of assaulting her, although Mbakwe claims it is a case of mistaken identity.

Trevor Mbakwe will sit out until his legal problems are resolved.
(photo credit: Minnesota Athletics)

Today Maturi made his decision, as he will not allow Mbakwe to dress for home games or travel with the team on road games until his legal situation is figured out.

I'm torn on this ruling. While I applaud Maturi for doing what most AD's wouldn't - essentially suspending a player in trouble while their legal matters are sorted out - I can't help but wonder what happened to innocent until proven guilty? What if Mbakwe is actually innocent?

Regardless, the loss shouldn't be that big of a blow for Minnesota. Mbakwe is a big, athletic kid that was expected to contribute along the Gophers front line, but Minnesota is deep up front. Mbakwe may not have been the first player off the bench at either the four or the five spots this season.
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No. 10: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Washington Huskies

2008-2009 Record: 26-9, 14-4 Pac-10 (1st)

Key Losses: Jon Brockman (14.9 ppg, 11.5 rpg), Justin Dentmon (14.4 ppg, 2.7 apg)

Key Returners: Isaiah Thomas (15.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg), Quincy Pondexter (12.1 pg, 5.9 rpg), Matthew Bryan-Amaning (6.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg)

Newcomers: Abdul Gaddy, Clarence Trent, CJ Wilcox, Tyreese Breshers

Isaiah Thomas will team with Abdul Gaddy to form one of the most exciting back courts in the country.
(photo credit: Tucson Citizen)

Washington won the Pac-10 last season, and despite losing two of their top three scorers, many are predicting a second title in as many years for the Huskies.

The biggest reason for that is their back court. Sophomore Isaiah Thomas and freshman Abdul Gaddy will be as exciting as any duo in the country this season. We know what to expect out of Thomas this season. He is an excellent scorer, especially when he is putting the ball on the deck and getting to the paint. Despite being just 5'8", he is able to finish amongst the trees thanks to an array floaters and scoop shots. Thomas is at his best when he is playing in the open court, thanks to his shiftyness and his ability to handle the ball. Where he could still use some improvement is in his jump shot. He was inconsistent as a freshman, especially from beyond the three point line.

The biggest key for Thomas this season may actually be the addition of Abdul Gaddy. Thomas is better when he plays off the ball, looking to score first. Gaddy is more of a natural point guard that has drawn some comparisons to Mike Bibby. Gaddy's strength lies in his ability to handle and pass the ball. He isn't overly quick or bouncy, but his crossover is deadly and he can throw any pass with either hand on the money. His stroke has been much improved of late, and may end up being a strength for him at this point.

Joining those two in the back court will be Venoy Overton. Overton may be the best perimeter defender in the country. He is a ball hawk that will provide Lorenzo Romar with a defender for 94 feet. Offensively, he will get some points in transition, and knock down a three here and there. Sophomore Elston Turner and freshman CJ Wilcox will also see time in the back court. With the graduation of Justin Dentmon, the Huskies are going to need another scoring punch from the wing. Lorenzo Romar will be counting on one of these two to step up.

The front court is where the question marks are going to be. Gone is Jon Brockman, one of the best big man in the history of the Pac-10 conference. Brockman controlled the glass for the Huskies, and had a motor that couldn't quit. The issue was that, despite the fact he ran the floor hard, Brockman was far from what you would call a great athlete. So while his loss will no doubt hurt, given the Huskies increased emphasis on an uptempo style of play, getting more minutes from Matthew Bryan-Amaning and Darnell Gant may not be a terrible things.

Junior Bryan-Amaning is more talented than Gant, and will be counted on more for production. At 6'9", he can run the floor and finish, but his rebounding and defense will need to be improved. Gant is more of a hustle guy. As a redshirt freshman last season, he struggled a bit offensively and with his consistency. Redshirt freshman Tyreese Breshers should also see some minutes in the post.

Perhaps the key for Washington this year will be Quincy Pondexter. Pondexter was a highly regarded recruit coming out of high school, but until last season he really struggled with his ability and consistency. As a junior, Pondexter really began to develop an offensive game. He averaged 12.1 ppg and 5.9 rpg, scoring a lot of points as a result of his hustle and athleticism. Justin Holiday is another guy in similar shoes. Also 6'6", Holiday is a rangy athlete that is still coming into his own talent wise. Both Holiday and Pondexter should be able to thrive playing the forward spot in an uptempo system like Washington will play.

Outlook: The Huskies do have a ton of talent. Their back court is loaded with Thomas and Gaddy, and Bryan-Amaning and Pondexter both look primed for excellent seasons. The issue is going to be with how the Huskies can handle this change of style. Will their big guys be able to play against teams with bigger and stronger front lines? Will the athleticism on this roster be taken advantage of when they are in the open court? Will someone outside of Thomas develop into a shooter? Those are a lot of questions to be answered, but the Huskies will have time as they play in a watered down Pac-10. The league title will come down to U-Dub and Cal.

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The NCAA might want take another look at the one-and-done rule

Brandon Jennings was supposed to be the poster boy for terrible advice and decision making.

In the summer of 2008, Jennings was the first kid to try playing professionally in Europe for a season to avoid playing a year in college. Many questioned his decision to play a year abroad, and that number grew as Jennings struggled to get consistent playing time and posted mediocre numbers in his one season in Rome.

But that didn't stop the Bucks from taking Jennings with the 10th pick in the 2009 draft.

And it looks like they made the right decision.

Brandon Jennings has played great in his first two NBA games.
(photo credit: ESPN)

We are just two games into his NBA career, and Jennings looks like the star that every thought he would be. In his debut, Jennings went for 17 points, 9 boards, and 9 assists. In his second outing on Halloween, Jennings went for 24 points, including 16 during a third quarter that saw the Bucks turn an 11 point deficit into an 11 point advantage.

I know that this is just two games, but that doesn't change the fact that Jennings has had an incredible start to his career. While I am happy for him, this could be a really bad thing for college basketball. The NCAA's whole argument is that college is the best place for a basketball player to develop, which is why these kids need to spend at least one, and possibly two, seasons on campus.

But Jennings is currently in the process of proving that theory wrong.

I mean, think about the decision a kid like Jennings has to make. You can either play in college, where you have to go to class and get reimbursed with a free education; or you can go play somewhere in Europe, make a bunch of money, get experience as a professional, and still come back and be drafted.

Which sounds more appealing to you?

If Jennings does end up becoming a successful player early on in his career, that could open the floodgates for 18 and 19 year olds to head overseas to play in order to avoid their one year in college. While this isn't a problem for the NBA front office guys - they still get a chance to scout these prospects for a year outside of high school - it could be a major issue for the NCAA.

How are they going to be able to convince the best of the best to make it to campus?

Somewhere, Sonny Vaccaro is smiling.
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Could the Renardo Sidney saga be coming to a close?

That's at least what Rick Stansbury is hoping.

On Friday, Andy Katz reported that the Sidneys met with their lawyer and some NCAA representatives to show bank deposits and bank statements that Sidneys hope will prove that they could afford the house they lived in for two years in Southern California.

Renardo Sidney could have a decision regarding his eligibility made this week.
(photo credit: MaxPreps)

In case you forgot, Renardo Sidney is a top 20 recruit that moved from Mississippi to SoCal after his freshman season. He was originally expected to go to both UCLA and then USC, but the schools dropped him as a recruit after reports surfaced that Sidney was living in a mansion, and able to afford it thanks to a deal with Reebok.

Jackson said that the information would be reviewed on Monday or Tuesday, and that a decision could possibly be rendered then.

The Bulldogs first game is on November 13th. Sidney has been cleared academically and has been allowed to practice with the team, but was not allowed to participate in Saturday's scrimmage.

Mississippi State is a tournament team and a borderline top 25 team without Sidney on their roster. With the talented big man, we could be talking about the SEC champs.
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Monday Morning Dump

Let the kid sail around the world already; Pearl Jam must be sports fans; The olympic torch is on the juice; why was he living in the shed?; gotta love those Philly fans; extra point knocks out the power.

- Chase Buford is second Jayhawk to get a DUI diversion in the past month.

- Rules committee looks to clean the game up.

- John Wall wasn't the only player that was suspended.

- John Henson will be playing the three for the Tar Heels.

- St. Louis loses guard for the season.

- Hockey player gets drilled.

- David Wells can write?

- Andre Agassi wore a wig.

- Marbury has officially lost it. That guy really needs a hobby.

- He really does have a great stache.

After the jump, more Tyler Hansbrough.

Goals are so rare, you almost have to make the celebrations memorable



Psycho T doing some more acting



Another big hit from the NFL



Manu Ginobili - the exterminator.


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