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Roundball Chatter
Dick VitaleSPECIAL TO ESPN.COM
September 21, 2006
Each Friday I will write about the sport I love, college basketball.
At Marquette, there was great news as Tom Crean was given a long-term extension running through the 2016-17 season. Can you blame the school? If I was involved I may have given him a lifetime deal! That guy is such a winner, representing college basketball in a perfect way. Marquette is fortunate to have this dynamic leader. Talk about job security; that is a real commitment from the institution. Let's hope it is a two-way street and stability will exist in the program under Crean.
The pairings came out for the CBE (College Basketball Experience) event, starting with games at regional sites Nov. 12-14. This tournament, formerly known as the Guardians Classic, will have its semifinals and finals in Kansas City, Missouri on November 20-21. If form held true, the semifinals would be special. Crean's Marquette squad would meet the General, Robert Montgomery Knight and his Red Raiders. For the other semifinal, get out those SAT scores as Duke and Stanford would square off. America's premier sideline tactician, Coach K would face off with Trent Johnson. Could we see a final of teacher vs. student, Knight vs. Krzyzewski? Wow, Hall of Famers could meet, though Crean and Johnson may have other ideas. It should be an interesting doubleheader if things go as projected.
Staying on the Marquette bandwagon, Al McGuire would be smiling down knowing things are happening out in Milwaukee. Crean's Marquette program is on the verge of signing a deal to face Wisconsin-Milwaukee in a long-term series. The Panthers have made some noise in recent years, first with Bruce Pearl and now with Rob Jeter. That is interesting because UWM's success has helped create this matchup. Let me tell you how lucky Wisconsin-Milwaukee is to have Marquette agree to this rivalry. When I was coaching at Detroit, I begged and pleaded with the Wolverines of Michigan almost 30 years ago. The answer came back no, no, no … we have nothing to gain playing your Titans. UWM certainly has a solid resume now.
Michigan State lost a host of players from last year's NCAA tournament team. Tom Izzo knows it won't be easy to replace the likes of Paul Davis, Shannon Brown and Maurice Ager. It was a positive that his kids were that good to be wanted by the NBA. Now the Spartans look to rebuild and Izzo will fill in the blanks with people that are athletic and will defend. If anybody thinks Izzo will be cupcake city this season, they don't know the veteran coach. Drew Neitzel and company will battle on and compete in the rugged Big Ten.
Interesting scenario to follow down at Arkansas. The Razorbacks will have Gary Ervin out of New York City, who played for Mississippi State before transferring to Fayetteville. He becomes eligible this season and he should be a Marco Polo instant impact player in the backcourt. Arkansas was 22-10 last season and made the NCAA tournament.
Down at Florida State, the Seminole fans often think about Bobby Bowden and football. Keep an eye on the basketball team and one player who will make major noise this season is Al Thornton. He is one of the premier players in the ACC, my friends. He is one of the top-flight wing players in America.
Just thinking out loud, when will people set aside personal agendas and do the right thing. All over the country arenas are being named in honor of great coaches. No place should be named in honor of a coach more than at Indiana, where it should be the Robert Montgomery Knight Assembly Hall. I feel strongly, beyond a doubt, he has earned that with the success he enjoyed in Hoosierland. What a tribute it would be if it was announced this year, when he is going to break Dean Smith's record!
St. John's coach Norm Roberts received a little bit of bad news when recruit Rob Thomas, a 6-6 forward, was ruled a partial qualifier. He will not be eligible to play until January at the earliest.
Great to see Santa Clara retire Steve Nash's #11 jersey. Here's a little trivia for you … who was his running mate in the backcourt there? Go out to the Giants and look for Barry Bonds' outfield mate for your answer. That's right, Nash teamed up with Randy Winn, my friends!
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.  Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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