January 2008 - Posts
Kansas State called this one. Might as well call Michael Beasley Joe Namath.
An upset of No. 2 Kansas on Wednesday – the Jayhawks’ first loss of the season – was proclaimed long ago by the Wildcats’ star freshman, who had yet to play a game for K-State.
"We're gonna beat KU at home," Beasley said last summer. "We're gonna beat 'em at their house. We're gonna beat 'em in Africa. Wherever we play we're gonna beat 'em."
He’s a man of his word.
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It’s Super Bowl media day. A time when nonsensical stories take center stage as the media horde (about 4,000 microphones worth) descends upon 100 or so NFL players a few days before the big game. Few questions actually relate to the game (Tom Brady was asked what his favorite band was, while Michael Strahan sang and Richard Seymour showed off his pedicure.)
On that note, I offer two college basketball stories about incidents off the court, tangentially related to the sport.
First, UConn coach Jim Calhoun.
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My prevailing thought during UConn's win against Louisville? Both teams look like a 6 or 7 seed in the tourney. That's a nasty thought for any 2 or 3 seed.
Unless UConn or Louisville rip off a big winning streak, the best seed either squad will likely receive is 5, making both a dangerous second-round matchup for a Final Four hopeful.
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What’s with Oregon?
It’s a simple question, really, though probably not one many people are asking. How does a team that returns four starters from a 29-7 Elite Eight squad appear to be floundering midway through the 2007-08 season?
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When it comes to Player of the Year, it looks like it’ll come down to Tyler Hansbrough vs. the fab freshmen. I just can’t decide just how many freshmen he’s contending against…
North Carolina’s star junior forward, who leads ACC team in points (22.0) and rebounds (10.1), is a lock for All-America honors and a Player of the Year finalist. It’s a little remarkable that a guy who’s been an All-American his first two seasons has been ever better as a junior as there’s usually some kind of letdown.
Then again, most upperclassmen don’t have to deal with a freshmen class like this.
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Tuesday was the Kentucky we expected to see this season. It always should’ve been a tough, defensively sound team with flashes of brilliance, despite a young roster led by a new coach.
But until a win against No. 3 Tennessee it was unclear if we’d see this Kentucky team this year. But UK seems to have figured it out.
So what to make of Kentucky now? And Tennessee, for that matter?
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It’s times like these when Rick Majerus probably wishes he were still an ESPN analyst.
First, it was an awful offensive performance. Then an unflattering article. Now he's made an Archbishop angry.
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Conference play always has its share of upsets.
The Big East has had its share lately, whether it’s Cincinnati (9-9 overall, 4-2 in league play) beating two Top 25 teams in a week or UConn improving to 3-3 in conference standings after upsetting Marquette.
But I’m amazed by the Big 12’s weekend.
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It’s been nearly two months since Kevin Love and O.J. Mayo ended up in my mailbox together. Glad I finally get to see them on the same court Saturday.
As a West Coast resident, I had USC-UCLA as my Sports Illustrated college basketball cover this season, which was a result of the nation’s most hyped recruit landing in the same city as the sport’s most storied program. Not a bad angle.
It’s just too bad Mayo’s Trojans haven’t been in the same league as Love’s Bruins. But by season's end, that could change -- IF a couple things work out.
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I hope Tubby Smith has enjoyed Minnesota’s surprising start. The next 10 days could be rough.
The Gophers (12-3) have been one of the nation's best stories, but with Indiana, Michigan State and Ohio State coming up, we may soon forget about them.
It could be worse. You could be Arizona State (13-2) and have road game at Cal, Stanford, UCLA and USC in the next 17 days. Ouch.
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Guess Pitt missed the memo about writing off this season.
For the last few weeks, the Panthers have heard about how tough their season will be without starters Mike Cook and Levance Fields. But a 69-60 win against No. 5 Georgetown should silence any remaining doubters and reestablish Pitt as a Final Four contender.
It’s amazing what a few weeks, a good coach and lots of talent will do.
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These guys are good.
North Carolina, Memphis and Kansas. Three undefeated teams, all loaded with future NBA players and carrying Final Four expectations and title aspirations.
It’s funny, too. They’ve been this good all season. But just how much longer can they keep this up?
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This is when the writer’s strike really hurts. In less than two weeks, we’ve seen three new records for scoring futility. [Insert raunchy joke here.]
First, it was Pennsylvania setting a record for fewest points in a half (6) during a 60-30 loss to Florida Gulf Coast.
Nine days later, Savannah State to put on a real (ugly) show.
But wait, it gets even worse.
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Everyone loves a big story. And few things are bigger than Kenny George, the tallest player in NCAA history.
A 7-foot-7 senior at UNC-Asheville, George has been a curiosity for most of his college career. Recruited out of Chicago, George missed his first two seasons with injures (ruptured knee caps), averaged 5.5 points and 2.0 blocks a game (in about 10 minutes playing time) last season, but has played a bigger role this year.
Much bigger. Few players this season have improved as much as George.
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The Big 12 has been better than expected, Tubby Smith has his Gophers contending and Cal could be a surprise team in the Pac-10.
But what other surprises and disappointments are out there as conference play begins? Plus, here's a breakdown of the real contenders for the NCAA Tournament.
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