Roundball Chalk Talk | Feb. 3, 2006
Each Friday, I share my thoughts on the world of college basketball …
• I'm looking forward to seeing the Rowdy Reptiles in action down at Gainesville this weekend when Kentucky comes to town. The Wildcats are riding a five-game win streak and sit at 15-6, including a 5-2 mark in SEC play. Patrick Sparks came on strong and had 25 points at Mississippi State. Joe Crawford has been contributing as well. Now Tubby Smith's team faces a challenge, though the Gators are shorthanded with Lee Humphrey sidelined with a shoulder injury suffered while riding a bike.
• Notre Dame simply can't catch a break. Mike Brey's team lost 71-70 at West Virginia, meaning the Irish have lost seven Big East games by a total of 23 points. I keep thinking Notre Dame will get a big victory and turn things around, but it will be tough facing Louisville this weekend, another team desperately needing a W. I feel that with Taquan Dean back, Rick Pitino's club could make a little run here.
• Speaking of needing a W, Jim Boeheim's Orange got one at home against an improving Rutgers squad. Quincy Douby deserves consideration for the league's Player of the Year honors, and he scored 41 big points in the loss. Douby is having a super season. Give Syracuse credit for pulling this one out, minus the services of Gerry McNamara, who was injured in the first half.
• From the How Do You Figure This Out Department: Temple was held to 34 points in its first meeting was Massachusetts as the Minutemen won a rout, 60-34. In the rematch, John Chaney's Owls took it to UMass, beating Travis Ford's club 76-47. Watch out for Mardy Collins and company, making a run for an NCAA berth.
• There is a really great story at Oklahoma. Michael Neal, who is Mr. Instant Offense off the bench for the Sooners, was near-death in 2002, following surgery to help alleviate headaches. His mother was told Neal might not make it through the night, but he has recovered and Kelvin Sampson is happy to have him coming off the bench. Neal did not play in earlier Big 12 losses to Missouri and Nebraska, and his presence is a factor.
• Out West, the Mountain West conference is heating up as UNLV has made a little run, winning six of its first eight league games. San Diego State and Air Force appear to be the teams to beat, with the Rebels coming on.
• I bet that when the bracket comes out on Selection Sunday, nobody will want to see the name Bucknell as an opponent. Pat Flannery's team remains unbeaten in the Patriot League at 8-0, and 17-3 overall. This is an experienced club that beat Kansas in the tournament last season and won at the Carrier Dome this season.
• I am all for physical and aggressive basketball, but there have been times this season when I have seen taunting and things getting out of hand. There is no place for taunting in the sport of college basketball. Trash talking is a no-no, baby!
• I continue to be amazed how some players just don't understand clock and score late in a basketball game. Think about what happened to Arkansas when it had a three-point lead over Alabama. The Razorbacks fouled Ronald Steele on a 3-point try and the guard converted all three free throws; the Tide won in overtime. Brandon Bowman's foul on a successful 3-pointer against Notre Dame gave the Irish a four-point play and a tie that sent that contest to overtime. The Hoyas ended up prevailing. Last weekend, it was Stanford down three when Washington fouled Chris Hernandez on a 3-point attempt. The Cardinal guard made all three and Stanford won in overtime. Wow!
• Basketball down in the DC area is pretty good these days. Think about it … Georgetown has enjoyed a very good season. George Washington is in the top 10 this week. Maryland has potential to make some noise come tournament time. Don't forget about Jim Larranaga's George Mason squad, which is right in the hunt in the Colonial Athletic Association.
• One of the hottest teams in America that gets no ink is Birmingham Southern. Coach Duane Reboul's team is battling Winthrop for Big South honors. The Panthers have an eight-game win streak after beating UNC Asheville earlier in the week.
• Mark my words -- Josh McRoberts is going to be a star at Duke. He will take his game to another level when he gets into a comfort zone moving into the post. He will be a very special player for Mike Krzyzewski.
• I wish there would be a better way to end college basketball games that are not close. It seems like some of them take 20 minutes to play the final few ticks on the clock. I know some things have been tried in the past, but it feels like some games drag out when the conclusion is decided already.
• When I look at some of these conference alignments and see some wacky traveling, I know that it is all about money, money, money. It seems sad that some rivalries get pushed aside because schools opt to switch conferences.
• One of the wildest conference races is in the Missouri Valley. Entering this weekend, four teams are tied for first atop the conference standings at 9-3 -- Northern Iowa, Creighton, Wichita State and Southern Illinois. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out as the league deserves multiple bids this season.
• Have people noticed the job Bill Herrion has done at New Hampshire? This team is .500 in league play and beat Boston University earlier in the week.
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.
