Dec. 30, 2005
Each Friday I will have my thoughts on the world of college basketball.
* There are a number of interesting matchups as we ring out the old year and bring in 2006. Included on the New Year's Eve agenda:
-- Arizona-Washington as the Huskies try to remain unbeaten against Lute Olson's squad.
-- Villanova-Temple in a Big Five showdown. Wow, Randy Foye and company against Mardy Collins!
-- LSU-Ohio State as the Buckeyes try to remain unbeaten.
-- California-UCLA: The Bruins looked very good in racing to a big lead in their win over Stanford Thursday.
-- Stanford-USC . . . can the Cardinal bounce back?
-- Wisconsin-Pittsburgh as Jamie Dixon's squad faces its toughest test of the season.
-- Alabama-Oklahoma as the Tide has been a disappointment early.
-- St. Joseph's-Gonzaga as Mark Few's team tries to bounce back from a loss at Memphis.
* Speaking of Pittsburgh, we're going to find out a lot about Jamie Dixon's club when they go against Bo Ryan's Badgers. With Carl Krauser in the backcourt, an improved Aaron Gray up front, and the Zoo rooting on the Panthers, this should be a thriller. Diaper dandy Sam Young had 16 points in a big win at South Carolina earlier in the week. If Levon Kendall can play as well as he did against the United States over the summer in international play, Dixon has the potential to smile this season.
* Memphis earned a big victory over Gonzaga because it could affect seeding come NCAA tournament time. The Tigers have marquee wins over UCLA and Alabama. I feel John Calipari's team will get even better as the younger players jell and play even better defense. I love their athleticism.
* I've been really impressed with the team chemistry displayed by Billy Donovan's Gators. The sophomore-laden starting lineup has been outstanding, which is why Donovan is my pre-conference coach award winner.
* The Missouri Valley Conference has had its share of marquee wins over the first two months of the season. Think about Indiana State's upset over Indiana; Northern Iowa beat LSU and Iowa; Creighton knocked off Xavier; Bradley got past DePaul. The league has also seen its share of close calls: Wichita State lost to Illinois by one; Drake dropped heartbreakers to Boston College and Iowa; Missouri State fell at Arkansas by four; Northern Iowa lost to Iowa State by seven.
* Talking about Wichita State, the Shockers have a gem in coach Mark Turgeon. The former Kansas point guard under Larry Brown will end up being a big-time star in the coaching profession.
* Clemson suffered a blow when sophomore James Mays was declared academically ineligible for the second semester. Mays averaged 9.2 ppg. plus a team-high 7.6 rpg. over the first 11 games. The Tigers were 11-0 with Mays, but lost the first game without him, 72-69 against Georgia.
* UAB sent Conference USA a message with its blowout win (90-71) over Oklahoma State on Wednesday. Marvett McDonald scored a career-high 27 points for the Blazers.
* Washington has become Boeheim West. Lorenzo Romar needs to get a plane ticket to take his squad around the country. The Huskies play 13 of their first 14 games in the state of Washington. The lone trip was to Anaheim, where the team beat New Mexico. Give Romar credit for building up this program and next season he adds another solid recruiting class led by Spencer Hawes.
* It was nice to see Syracuse honor guard Gerry McNamara by playing a game in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. As far as I'm concerned, McNamara is the mayor of Scranton! He had 20 points, seven assists and five steals as the Orange beat Towson, 86-52 before over 8,200 fans.
* Kansas State has one of the most improved players in America in 6-8 junior Cartier Martin. After averaging 10.5 ppg. and 4.8 rpg. last season, Martin is currently at 19.4 ppg. and 7.6 rpg. He's also averaging over 34 minutes per contest this season.
* Former Nuggets coach Jeff Bzdelik is doing a great job at Air Force. The Falcons got a big win over Georgia Tech, giving the squad its first 11-1 start in school history. 6-10 John Frye hit three trifectas to rally Air Force to the win over the Yellow Jackets.
* Another player who deserves some more publicity is the University of San Diego's Kevin Lewis. The 6-10 senior forward has had four straight games with 20 or more points. Brad Holland's team has won eight of its last nine games and could be the second-best team in the WCC behind Gonzaga.
* Wouldn't it be great to see an SEC-Big 12 Challenge the way the ACC and Big Ten battle? How about a Pac-10 vs. Big East showdown? It would limit some of the bargain basement goodies that happen in pre-conference play, generating more excitement.
* Andy Kennedy has done a super job leading the Cincinnati Bearcats to seven straight wins. Yes, I said Cincinnati would see its streak of consecutive NCAA appearances snapped at 14, but Kennedy's squad is making me rethink that remark.
* When there's a big intersectional game, I suggest the neutral officials are used. There are times where the visiting team gets the officials, and that puts pressure on the men calling the game.
* I had a great conversation on radio with Miami-based Dan LeBatard over the best shooters in college basketball. We talked about some of the great ones in the past, guys like Rick Mount, Steve Alford, Chris Mullin, Kyle Macy, Jerry West . . . and I said the best pure college shooter I've seen is St. John's star Mr. Mullin.
* Finally, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. I am looking forward to the Fiesta Bowl as Ohio State takes on Notre Dame. I am enjoying a trip to Arizona to see the game as my two daughters and son-in laws attended South Bend. It should be exciting, baby!
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.
