October 13, 2006
Each Friday I write about the sport I love, college basketball.
It has been tough news down at NC State for new coach Sidney Lowe. First he loses a few recruits who decided not to come to Raleigh. Then comes the tough break, the real shocker as 6-10 Andrew Brackman decided to opt for baseball, baseball, baseball. Brackman is a highly-regarded pro baseball prospect as a pitcher, and he decided to work on that instead of playing hoops for the Wolfpack this season. That is a major setback as he would have been a quality performer on the baseline. This could be a tough season for NC State as the personnel is very light compared to the talent it will have to face.
Here is a beautiful story. A player to watch this season is down at Rice, a guy who was not a McDonald's All-America, but right now could compete with some of the better players in America right now because he has developed. I am talking about a PTP'er named Morris Almond, arguably the top player in Conference USA. The 6-6 senior averaged almost 22 ppg. last season, and over 25 ppg. in league games. Reflect back to the days of David Robinson and Tim Duncan and realize they were not highly recruited yet they became National Player of the Year winners. Almond should have a special season in 2006-07, making the right decision to return to school by pulling out of the NBA draft.
As I mentioned last week, Lorenzo Romar has had a tough stretch with injury problems already. The latest blow came when his diaper dandy, center Spencer Hawes, was scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery. He was expected to miss practice time and an exhibition but was slated to return in time for the team's opener vs. Pepperdine.
Down at Notre Dame, Mike Brey has to be enthusiastic about the decision to revitalize the Joyce Center and athletic facilities. The cost is approximately $25 million. It will have that Cameron Indoor Stadium feel to it and it will help in recruiting and provide a homecourt advantage. Several Notre Dame alums came through to help out with the project. They were very generous and this will play a big part in the future of Notre Dame athletics.
St. Joseph's will be expanding its Fieldhouse over the next few years. The plan includes new locker rooms, coaches offices, expanded media relations, and over 1,000 new seats. Events in the new facility could begin as early as 2010. Coach Phil Martelli has to be thrilled with this news on Hawk Hill!
Last week I also talked about athletes taking accountability for their actions. Recently Southern Illinois announced guard Jamaal Tatum will miss the first three games of the season for violating team rules. The Salukis also suspended forwards Jamaal Foster and Tony Boyle for one game each for unrelated incidents. Dayton's Norman Plummer was suspended for driving under the influence. Massachusetts suspended Chris Lowe and Nana Ampin for their role in a fight that led to a disorderly conduct charge. Auburn is shorthanded with sophomore Josh Dollard and transfer Quan Prowell suspended for violating team rules. It is tough to keep reading about these stories. Players have to realize there are consequences for their actions.
Sad to hear about the passing of former Purdue coach George King. He led the Boilermakers to the Final Four in 1969 and was later athletic director at the school. He passed away at age 78.
Bob Knight already has one of the best guards in America in Jarrius Jackson. I have felt that a lot of fans don't realize how good this guy is! Jackson is on my All-Rolls Royce team and he could be the best player people don't know about. Knight also had 6-1 guard Charles Burgess coming in from Howard College in Texas. Burgess was recently named the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year. Keep an eye on this dynamic duo.
Good news for a couple of Big East teams. Georgetown has really put together a solid team and the future is bright for coach John Thompson III. The Hoyas got a commitment from guard Chris Wright, who originally said he was going to NC State but reneged when coach Herb Sendek was let go. At St. John's, Norm Roberts got good news when 6-10 Dele Coker from South Kent Prep in Connecticut decided to join the Red Storm next season.
Bobby Lutz had to be happy with the recent commitment of 6-9 Eric Whitehurst, who is playing at Blinn JC in Texas this season. He chose Charlotte over Texas A&M and Marquette.
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.
