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Roundball Chatter
Dick VitaleSPECIAL TO ESPN.COM
October 27, 2006
Each Friday I write about the sport I love, college basketball.
Down at Kentucky, they had to be ecstatic with the performance of Joe Crawford at the Blue-White game. I know people say it was only a scrimmage type contest, but his aggressiveness on the inside was a big positive. People who saw him felt he asserted himself; remember, he was a McDonald's All-America. I recently spoke to Billy Reed, the outstanding writer from the Bluegrass State (who wrote the book Lombardi and Me with Paul Hornung), and he felt Kentucky is going to be better than people think. If the Wildcats are going to be a legitimate contender in the SEC, they will need big seasons from Crawford and Randolph Morris. It is time for both of them to step up and live up to some of the expectations from when they arrived on the campus.
A guy who I feel will have breakout year is Eric Devendorf of Syracuse. He showed flashes of brilliance last season, but as a young guy, he was up and down and a little inconsistent. I get the feel it will be a big year for the super soph. Reports indicate he has worked hard in the off-season. A big asset will be the play of Paul Harris, who should help out big-time. Harris is a physically tough-minded player.
There has been talk of the ACC expanding its league schedule from 16 games to 18. I find it interesting that the ACC has every team playing each other at least one time, opposed to the Big East. For example, Connecticut and Notre Dame will not meet this season, and it takes away from a true conference champion. I wish the Big East would have every member face each other at least once. As for the ACC expansion possibility, I think it is too much. Yes, it would be great for television, and would produce more revenue when you eliminate two cupcakes. Whenever you have 16 league games, that is quite enough. It is a sufficient number and you get some home dates for non-league play. I don't think the kids need more of a pressure-cooker right now with two more league contests.
Bobby Cremins has certainly brought energy and enthusiasm down to the College of Charleston. It's great to see the former Georgia Tech coach back on the sidelines. Charleston fans have responded to he presence as season tickets have been sold out already.
The Mid-American went the other way, going from 18 league games down to 16. That makes every conference contest even more important in a very competitive league. The conference also changed its conference tournament format, moving first round games from campus sites to one venue. Staying on the MAC theme, Akron has not made the NCAA tournament since 1986, when Bob Huggins led the Zips to the big dance. Now Akron is the MAC favorite to win the conference. A pair of LeBron James' former high school teammates – Dru Joyce and Romeo Travis – are keys to the success of the Zips.
For those who don't believe there are talented players all over the country, consider this. When the John Wooden Award preseason list of 50 candidates came out, among the conferences represented included the Mid Continent, Sun Belt, Horizon League, Colonial Athletic Association, and the Big Sky.
Jim Calhoun had to be happy with the news that 7-3 center Hasheem Thabeet has been declared eligible by the NCAA after meeting core curriculum requirements. Calhoun's Huskies were picked fifth by Big East coaches in the preseason poll, showing you how deep the conference really is.
Wow, it is Thompson vs. Thompson on December 27th. John Thompson III of Georgetown faces his brother Ronny Thompson, the new coach at Ball State. Their father, former Hoyas coach John Thompson felt it was stressful for the two brothers to meet. It will be intriguing to see as Georgetown is a ranked power.
Marquette and Wisconsin-Milwaukee finally agreed to a series that will begin in 2007, with the Golden Eagles hosting. Tom Crean and Rob Jeter should have a super rivalry in the state.
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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