November 8, 2006

In college basketball, I often talk about how essential point guard play is. Recently I mentioned the top point guards who will dominate this season, guys like Jarrious Jackson of Texas Tech and Ronald Steele down at Alabama.

Let me tell you just driving home from the Broken Egg after having a delicious omelet, I had a thought that several big guys have to step up and accelerate their game to a different level this season. They have to be positive forces for their teams to be successful.g I will start with the Kentucky Wildcats. Is there any doubt in Lexington that Tubby Smith needs solid play in the post from Randolph Morris. This will be a solid 'Cats club, with a rotation of eight players, but not a deep one. Morris came out of Georgia highly rated, and he must be efficient in Smith's offensive schemes.

At Notre Dame, the Irish have been NIT bound in recent years, falling just short of the big dance. One key to climb back into the NCAA mix is the development of McDonald's High School All-American Luke Zellar. He must give them that presence inside and outside. He must get tougher in the interior for Mike Brey's basketball team to move forward and make a run for the big dance.

People are excited in Badger country and it is about more than football and hockey. Bo Ryan's club is a contender in the Big Ten and Ryan is one of the most underrated coaches in America for what he does on a regular basis. We know Alando Tucker is one of the most versatile performers in the nation, a potential Big Ten MVP, but Wisconsin needs Brian Butch to elevate his game further. He showed some stretches where he was a factor last season, but he must be a major force if the Badgers are going to take the Big Ten and make a run for the Final Four. Butch was also a McDonald's All-American and he must be more consistent.

Down at Memphis, coach John Calipari lost a lot of talent but still has the favorite to win Conference USA. He needs big man Joey Dorsey to mature up front and provide more consistency. Dorsey is capable of big things on the glass.

These guys will be keys for the 2006-07 season. It is not just about the point guard, the penetrator and creator, it is also about getting offensive and defensive efficiency in the middle of the lane.

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.