Roundball Chalk Talk | Jan. 27, 2006
Each Friday, I share my thoughts on the world of college basketball …
• I'm looking forward to the Texas-Oklahoma game in Norman on Saturday night. It is basketball's version of the Red River Shootout, baby! I spoke to Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson and he felt that if he had Michael Neal in the lineup (Neal was out with a groin injury), the Sooners wouldn't have lost heartbreakers to Nebraska (by one) and Missouri (by two). Neal is back, and the 6-foot-3 junior came through in a recent win over Texas Tech. Oklahoma needs big performances from Neal and Terrell Everett against the Longhorns. Rick Barnes' Texas team has won nine straight and Daniel Gibson has been scintillating. Texas has regrouped after losses to Duke and Tennessee.
• Down at West Virginia, the Mountaineers are really rolling in Big East play, despite Wednesday's nonleague upset loss to Marshall. I have one question: Do fans know the name Mike Gansey? They had better, my friends! Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun recently told me that Gansey could be the Big East Player of the Year. I can't wait to see Mr. Gansey in person when West Virginia meets Pittsburgh on Feb. 9.
• I hope that Houston coach Tom Penders is feeling better after his scary collapse during the UAB game. On that subject, it was a total joke that the officials didn't rescind the technical foul that was called once they found out what happened to Penders. I have never heard of something so ludicrous. That was poor judgment by the crew, as acknowledged by Conference USA.
• Maryland suffered a blow when senior guard Chris McCray was declared academically ineligible recently. He was the team's best all-around player and Maryland lost defense and scoring with his departure. Speaking of the Terps, Nik Caner-Medley had 33 points in the first game McCray missed. That gave Gary Williams his 348th win at Maryland, tying him with Lefty Driesell for the school record. The Terps hit 41 of 45 free throws in that win over Georgia Tech.
• Congratulations to Penn coach Fran Dunphy on his 300th win and Boston University's Dennis Wolff on victory number 200.
• Southern Illinois extended its home win streak to 33 games with a hard-fought win over Creighton. Head coach Chris Lowery has done a solid job with the Salukis. Southern Illinois' next home game is Feb. 1 against Indiana State. Illinois also won its 32nd straight at home, beating Minnesota.
• Freshman guard Micah Downs recently quit the Kansas team. Kids have no patience at all; they want instant gratification and instant playing time. When they don't get it, they pack their bags and move on, rather than fight, scrap and claw for more playing time. If Downs was doing the job in practice on a regular basis at Kansas, the he would have earned time on the court. Bill Self, like every coach, wants to get to the winner's circle and would play his best team.
• I wish I had a chance to see Ronnie Brewer of Arkansas in person. I have been hearing some rave reviews. I remember his dad, Ron Brewer, part of the famed "Razorbacks Triplets" with Marvin Delph and Sidney Moncrief. One of the biggest mistakes I made during my coaching career with the Pistons was not drafting Moncrief when I had the opportunity. The younger Brewer is a chip off the old block. He is not only an offensive talent, but a defensive stopper as well.
• I have also been impressed with Virginia's Sean Singletary, after watching a few of his games on TV. Head coach Dave Leitao has done a good job with the Cavaliers, now tied for second in the ACC at 4-2 in league play.
• It's time to give some publicity to Colorado. Coach Ricardo Patton's team is now 14-3 after an 82-59 win over Nebraska. Richard Roby is another player deserving a lot more ink.
• A sign of how tough things are in the Big East: Look at South Florida during its seven-game losing streak. Among the defeats, coach Robert McCullum's team lost at Villanova by three, at Seton Hall by five in overtime, at Georgetown by three, at Syracuse by six and West Virginia by four. Success often comes when you respond after a difficult defeat. South Florida has played hard and opponents know that it will not be an easy game. By the way, give Villanova credit for prevailing despite the absence of Allen Ray, who strained a hamstring in practice.
• Out West, have people taken notice of what has happened in the Big West? UC-Irvine upset Stanford earlier this season, but the Anteaters were 4-8 in nonconference play. The team has responded to the challenge in league action, going 7-0 so far to take charge.
• Iowa State's Curtis Stinson continues to impress. He had 27 big points as the Cyclones won easily at Missouri.
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.
