Roundball Chalk Talk | Feb. 24, 2006
Each Friday, I share my thoughts on the world of college basketball …
• The Big 12 lead is up for grabs this weekend in Austin. I'm sure Rick Barnes will be happy to be home after a loss at Oklahoma State and a scare at Kansas State. It should be a great battle as Bill Self's team has really turned things around after a 3-4 start. The Jayhawks have won 10 games in a row and haven't lost in over a month. Self's young squad is playing with more confidence and teamwork. It should be a fun game to call as Brad Nessler and I will be there, enjoying every minute of it.
• I'm also looking forward to the Villanova-Connecticut rematch this weekend. That should be so intense and special; the first game was outstanding.
• What an outstanding performance by Michigan's Daniel Horton in a key win over Illinois earlier this week. He had a career-high 39 points as the Wolverines gave Tommy Amaker a much-needed victory over a highly ranked opponent. The selection committee will see that as an important one.
• Super Garf, Howard Garfinkel of Five-Star Camp fame, told me recently that 7-foot Brian Zoubek of Haddonfield, N.J., will be the next big star. He will be attending Duke next season. Garf also said Tywon Lawson will be an immediate impact star guard at North Carolina.
• Paul Hewitt's Georgia Tech team has struggled this season, but this program won't be down for long. The Yellow Jackets have been tough but slipped in the final 10 minutes of so many games this season. Hewitt brings in the likes of Thaddeus Young and Javaris Crittenton, a pair of McDonald's All-Americans, to go with Jeremis Smith, Anthony Morrow and Ra'Sean Dickey. This will be a program to watch next season.
• As I mentioned recently, it has been a tough season for Louisville's David Padgett, and he has shut it down due to a bad knee. I hope the young man recovers and becomes a force for Rick Pitino and the Cardinals next season.
• Arkansas got a huge come-from-behind win over Alabama on Tuesday. I thought it was great to see the fans staying off the court after that game. The Razorbacks were fined $5,000 by the SEC earlier this season when fans stormed the court.
• I really like some of the things the NIT is doing this season. It is great for the little guy that wins the regular-season conference title but falls in the league tournament. Now those teams will get a chance to continue their season with an automatic invitation to the NIT. That will provide added exposure and the chance to improve for the future.
• Keep an eye on Bobby Lutz and his Charlotte team, winners of six of their last seven games. Curtis Withers and company could make some noise in the Atlantic 10 tournament. George Washington remains the team to beat. Karl Hobbs' squad has lost just once all season (to NC State).
• I have really been impressed watching Virginia guard Sean Singletary on television this season. Dave Leitao has done a nice job in his first season with the Cavaliers.
• Roy Williams should receive serious consideration for national coach of the year. To lose your top seven scorers and come out and challenge for second in the ACC is amazing.
• Out West, Air Force is in the hunt for an NCAA berth sitting behind San Diego State in the Mountain West. Jeff Bzdelik's first season as Falcons head coach has the school at 22 wins, tying a single-season record.
• Next year, Thad Matta has one of the premier recruiting classes coming in. This season, he has done a remarkable job as the Buckeyes contend for the Big Ten regular-season crown. Winning at Michigan State, snapping the Spartans' 15-game home win streak at the Izzone was also special.
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.
