Dec. 14, 2005

At this time of the season, fans look at different schools and try to figure out which are legitimate contenders and which are pretenders. There are many teams that post gaudy numbers, with plenty of early wins. They may have just one L and it could be misleading. After further review, they have played a lot of cupcakes to make their record look good.

Then there are teams that have faced more marquee competition and suffered a few poundings. I know it is Christmas time and everyone is in a joyous mood. Some schools have loaded up on bargain basement goodies, getting all of those Ws, and then reality sets in. We will find out about several teams, seeing if they are legitimate. Time will tell about some of these squads.

Look at Tennessee, off to a great start under first-year coach Bruce Pearl. The Vols have a dynamic backcourt in C. J. Watson and Chris Lofton. Tennessee has a couple of tough tests ahead, at Texas and against Eddie Sutton's Oklahoma State Cowboys, at Oklahoma City.

Pittsburgh is off to a good run. Jamie Dixon's squad has a test at South Carolina and at home on New Year's Eve against Wisconsin. Carl Krauser and company have won seven in a row. La Salle opened well, but Villanova is on the docket December 22nd. Underrated Steven Smith will be tested against the Wildcats. Clemson has a big win over South Carolina, but we'll have to see what happens at the San Juan Shootout, at surprising Georgia and of course, ACC play. Texas A&M has had few early tests, so we will have to see if the Aggies are for real.

Ohio State is 5-0 and nobody talks about Thad Matta. The Buckeyes had an impressive win at St. Joseph's, a school which knocked off Kansas. Ohio State and Michigan could surprise the upper echelon of the Big Ten, led by Michigan State, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. Remember, Minnesota got Vincent Grier back recently, and the battle for the top five in the conference is going to be intense. Making the first five should lead to a berth at the big dance.

There are some unblemished clubs that deserve to be toasted. Jeff Ruland's Iona team got a big W at Iowa State and is one of the teams to beat in the MAAC. Tim O'Shea is a star in the making at Ohio U. Howard Garfinkel of Five-Star camp sings his praises. Life in the MAC is not easy as this is one of the most underrated conferences in the nation.

Indiana State made some noise by stunning Indiana. The school that gave us the Hick from French Lick, Larry Bird, has a target on its back after beating the Hoosiers. Opponents will play at a fever pitch as nobody will take the Sycamores lightly. A salute to Royce Waltman and Indiana State. We will learn more about these teams in the next few weeks before conference play heats up.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.