Roundball Chalk Talk | March 3, 2006
Each Friday, I share my thoughts on the world of college basketball …
• It should be a special atmosphere at Cameron Indoor Stadium Saturday night. It is a farewell, the final home game for J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams. My friends, I can assure you it will be an emotional evening and a few tears will be shed. Duke is coming off a tough loss to Florida State, and Roy Williams' Tar Heels are on a roll, winning nine of their last 10. Williams has done an amazing job and is my choice for Coach of the Year. It should be a great environment and I am looking forward to being in Durham, N.C., for all of the excitement.
• Crowd control is an issue in college basketball. I understand that fans want to celebrate after a big win, like Florida State did against Duke. There cannot be such chaos, as the situation became dangerous Wednesday night. These things have to be addressed before the game --if the home team wins, what can be done to stop the bedlam? I was doing a report for "SportsCenter" and I was being bumped by fans who stormed the court. I feel that individual schools have to do a good job of preparing for those situations.
• A number of teams enhanced their tourney chances on Wednesday. Kentucky got a big road win at Tennessee. Texas A&M got a buzzer-beater against Texas. Indiana beat Purdue, Louisville got past Marquette in overtime, Maryland knocked off Miami. It is crunch time, baby, and Selection Sunday is approaching. I love championship week for a number of reasons. The little guy gets a chance to earn an invite to the Big Dance. Teams that are on the bubble get to prove themselves in pressure situations.
• The Missouri Valley Conference has been outstanding all season long. Two of the conference's quarterfinal showdowns are incredible. Missouri State, the third seed, has a five-game win streak and sits at 20-7 overall, 12-6 in conference play. Barry Hinson's team meets Northern Iowa, a No. 6 seed at 22-8 and 11-7 in league action. Greg McDermott's Panthers closed the regular-season at 1-4 in their last five games. Despite wins over Iowa and LSU, a loss here could be devastating to NIU. Fifth-seeded Bradley, on a five-game win streak (18-9 overall, 11-7 in league) meets Creighton (2-3 in its last five games; 19-8 overall, 12-6 in MVC play) in another thrilling quarterfinal. The NCAA selection committee will have a tough time determining at-large bids because this league is so deep.
• Speaking of the MVC, Wichita State's Paul Miller became the first Shocker to win conference MVP honors since Xavier McDaniel in 1985. The big man is a major factor to be watched come NCAA Tourney time.
• There have been so many unpredictable teams this season. How do you figure out Seton Hall and Cincinnati, for example? The tournament selection committee will have an interesting time with a number of clubs that have been up and down.
• If Wisconsin-Milwaukee is to do damage in the Horizon League tournament, it needs a healthy Adrian Tigert. He has been bothered by back problems.
• How about a salute to St. Peter's guard Keydren Clark, who is now in the top 10 of NCAA Division I all-time leading scorers? This guard has led the nation in scoring twice.
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.
