9 posts tagged “college basketball”
It was the first sellout game at The Garden that I was in attendance for all year, and the game lives up to all the hype. Two top 10 college team facing off in the world's greatest arena. It appearing that Pitt lost all hope of keeping the game close in the first half, but they came out ready to play in the second half and forced the game into overtime. DeJuan Blair is a beast of a freshman, putting up 15 points and 20 boards. However, Pitt would not have won the game if it were not for Lavance Fields, who hit the game winning 3 with seconds left in the game. Another shot that brought the crowd to their feet was DeMarcus Nelson's reverse lay-up, after getting hit by Blair. This game was filled with emotion and Duke fans had to leave the stadium sobbing and with their first loss of the season. Definitely the best game I have seen all year and the best time I have had. For entertainment purposes look how stupid Tony Kornheiser looks now.
This is the 2nd year in a row that I have went to the Jimmy V Classic, and I am ready to make it an annual tradition. Every year the event is able to draw respected programs that have superstar freshman, and this year was no change with players like OJ Mayo, Michael Beasley, and Derrick Rose. This year The Irish defeated KSU by a score of 68-59 and USC fell in overtime time to Memphis by a score of 62-58. In a game that was built up for its match-up of Rose vs. Mayo the battle did not really live up to the hype. While I witness sparks of elite play they players were very inconsistent during the games and shot poorly. At times the game was just sloppy, which can be due to the fact that these kids are just freshman. However, if the NBA did not implement their age limit all three of these players would be in the NBA right now. Either way, spending $10 for two college games is well worth it, especially when it easy to upgrade your own seats. My MVP of the night is Nortre Dame Center Luke Harangody.
The Jimmy V Classic was the cap to Jimmy V week on ESPN. While at the games the big screen projected the famous Jimmy V speech from the 1993 ESPY's and words from his close friend Dick Vitale. To learn more about the V Foundation go to their home page.
I do not respect man who goes back on his word, especially when it is a decommitment from Illinois to go to Indiana. I am over the fact that we lost a recruit who could be one of the best players in the nation. However, hearing a little bad news about the IU basketball program still makes me feel a little better. Scampson and his staff continue to be up to no good violating NCAA regulations, which is a story in itself, but now the karma has turned a little bit on Gordon himself. In a game against Northern Alabama Gordon has his front tooth knocked out. Despite the injury he still managed to score 32 points. February 7th EG will probably make his on college visit to Champaign as a collegiate player, and the Krush will have plenty to rant about upon his arrival.
There are two other Soulja Boy clips that I think are worth a watch. One with with Superman cartoon, and is the most popular on YouTube. The other is one that I saw a few weeks ago, which uses Barney and his little friends to sing the song.
USA Today Hagel
1) UNC 1) UCLA
2) UCLA 2) Memphis
3) Memphis 3) UNC
4) Kansas 4) Kansas
5) Georgetown 5) Georgetown
6) Louisville 6) Tennessee
7) Tennessee 7) Arizona
8) Michigan State 8) Louisville
9) Indiana 9) Michigan State
10) Washington State 10) Marquette
11) Duke 11) Indiana
12) Marquette 12) Gonzaga
13) Oregon 13) Oregon
14) Gonzaga 14) USC
14) Texas A&M 15) Texas
16) Texas 16) Arizona
17) Arizona 17) Duke
18) USC 18) Pittsburgh
19) Arkansas 19) Syracuse
20) Pittsburgh 20) Kentucky
21) Stanford 21) Kansas St.
22) Kentucky 22) Southern Illinois
23) Southern Illinois 23) Davidson
24) NC State 24) UConn
25) Villanova 25) Ohio State
I could spend days discussing college basketball but I hope this was enough to tickle your fancy.
The seniors have left, PTPers have left for the draft, and the HS Class of 2007 have signed their letters of intent. Now teams are preparing for the 07-08 season and its time to rate the teams before Midnight Madness, Andy Katz ain't got nothing on me.
1) UCLA
2) UNC
4) Louisville
5) Kansas
6) Tennessee
7) Indiana
8) Michigan State
9) USC
10) Georgetown
11) Washington State
13) Stanford
14) Marquette
15) Texas
16) Kentucky
17) Gonzaga
18) UCONN
19) Texas A&M
20) Arizona
21) Pitt
22) Oregon
23) Syracuse
24) Kansas State
25) Florida
The deadline for players to withdraw their names from the NBA draft has passed, and Shaun Pruitt is one of the players who decided to return to campus. Its no surprise to me that Pruitt will return for his senior season. Choosing to attend the pre-draft camps gave him a great opportunity to compete with other elite players at a high level, but he is not ready to make to the jump to the pros. Right now he is projected as a late second rounder in next years draft. Surprisingly, Pruitt is the only player to start every game over the past two seasons. This consistency is something that is needed on an Illini team that was prone to injury last season. The expectations are not as high for this years Illini squad, but Pruitt will have to emerge as a leader. Brian Randle has not lived up to his potential and Shaun will have to step it up. If he can improve his game as much as Warren Carter did last year I can see him having a shot at the NBA. Even though he is a true center and one of the best big men in the Big 10 he will need to improve his game immensely to get drafted to the NBA. If he has the same fortune as other recent Illini alums, he will have a great senior year and will fight for his spot on an NBA roster.
In other related Illini basketball news, Bracketology by Joe Linardi has the Illini as a 9 seed facing the Pitt Panthers in the first round. It does not have a lot of meaning at this point in the year or at all, but it is still fun to discuss. If that game does happen I will have to buy my roommate tickets because he is a Pitt fan, and any game he goes to the team he roots for ends up losing. Furthermore, there are also trade rumors that the Rockets may be looking to ship Luther Head in exchange for a Power Forward.
The big news today for the Illinois basketball program was landing recruit Jeff Jordan, yes the son of the Michael Jordan. Jordan is no 5-star recruit and will have to walk on the team. He has been accepted to school and will join the rest of the incoming class during the summer. The most notable recruit is Demetri McCamey (6-4 PG) followed by Bill Cole (6-9 PF), Mike Tisdale (6-11 C), Quinton Watkins (6-3 SF from COMPTON), and Juco transfer Rodney Alexander (6-7 F). This group of freshman will have to replace my most unfavorite Illini of all time, Rich McBride. Not only did he try and fight me one night but during the 06-07 season his FG% (.342) was less than his 3PT% (.350). And its not like his was coming off the bench taking a shot or two a
While Shaun may have entered the draft he has not signed an agent and I expect him to return to school for his senior year. He was invited to the predraft camp in Orlando, but I believe that is as far as he will go and by June we will know that he will return to Illinois. There was talk this season how C.J Jackson was unhappy with his role on the team and rumors he could transfer. Well I think the waters have calmed with that story and the big man has begun to practice with Ron Zook's Football Club. Jackson was a bigtime football recruit out of the state of Georgia but choose to play basketball at Illinois instead. Overall, I must say GO ILLINI!
Before players decide to leave early and jump to the NBA I decided to make list my top 10 schools for next year. I have made some assumptions about players leaving early, or deciding to stay. In addition, I have considering the incoming freshman class which is loaded with young talent.
1) UCLA - They will reach the final four for a third time in a row and possibly bring home the hardwood with the addition of Kevin Love, the best big man for the class of '07. The bruins did not have one senior on their roster to reach to the final four this year. The entire team should return, including Afflalo, Collison, Mbah a Mute, & Josh Schipp. Adding Kevin Love to this team should make the Bruins cream their pants.
2) Memphis - Conference USA may be a mid major conference these days but it still has one of the best teams in the nation. It will also be bringing in a top 10 recruiting class and a top 5 player in Derrick Rose. I wish he was heading to Champaign but he is not, and he might help Memphis better their 33-4 record. Last year Standford brought in the Lopez twins this year its going to be the Morris twins. Despite their ugly jersey this team is going to be nasty
3) Ohio State- Greg Oden can be the number one pick if he chooses to enter the draft this year. However, everyone knows he is not ready to compete at a high level with talented NBA centers. I have a feeling that reaching the national championship game was not enough and Oden will choose to stay at OSU. He should be 100% the entire year and can lead this team back to the final four, with both hands. Mike Conley Jr. has proved himself to be one of the best PG's in the country and will do very well on draft day. However, I don't think that he will leave his high school teammate behind. Let's not forget
4) USC - OJ MAYOOO. This kid is just ridiculous. He may have been a bust at the McD's game but take a look at his final dunk in high school. The kid is out of control and will bring even more talent to other SoCal club. This year the trojans were over achieving. But I think all their underclassmen will return. Taj Gibson will continue to represent Brooklyn and with Gabe Puitt and Nick Young's leadership they can be something special. OJ Mayo, is not the best high schooler in the country, but this video just makes me laugh. I'm not sure they are deserving of this ranking but OJ Mayo called me up and told me to do it (not true at all)
6) UNC - This is the team I am most unsure as to who may be returning. Brandon Wright is going to be a lottery pick, and he is not going to pass up that money. Tyler Hansbrough is nuts and can be a mid first rounder with his offensive skills under the basket. Yet, he is not ready to leave Roy Williams. On the other hand, Ty Lawson may use his speed to run right to the draft. I think that Wright will be the only one to leave and UNC will continue to use their depth to wear down opponents. They should win the ACC and be happy with that. I'm still upset they won the championship in 2005.
7) Tennessee - Bruce Pearl is an enemy to the Illini nation but also a part of the Jewish nation. It helped that he
8) Arizona - Chase Budinger has already said he is going to return for another year. This diaper dandy had a great season and proved to me that he can play not only volleyball but basketball too. Marcus Williams notified the team that his was leaving before the season was even over. With an attitude like that they should not even want him on the team. The 'Cats are bringing in two more 5-Star recruits, with Bayless and Horne coming from the west coast. Lute Olson will continue to do his job. At number 8 look for this team to reach the elite 8 and possibly repeating their 2005 game against Illinois losing a heart breaker in the final 4 minutes (One of the greatest comebacks ever)!
10) Louisville - Rick Patino is a Long Island boy and deserves some respect for turning around the cards this season. Mid season it looked as if they were heading to the NIT but they made a great run into the tourney. Last year their recruiting class was on of the best and included names like Derrick Character and Edgar Sosa, who is straight out of Manhattan. David Padgett, Juan Palacious, and Terrance Williams are all returning. The Big East Champs are not even going to be on the East Coast but in the center of Kentucky.
Other Teams Considered: Georgetown, Indiana, George Tech, Gonzaga, Kansas State (Best Freshman Class), Syracuse, and of course ILLINOIS
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