• I am looking forward to seeing Georgia Tech take on North Carolina in Chapel Hill this weekend. Very quietly, Paul Hewitt's team has won seven of its last eight games, with the lone loss in that stretch coming at Clemson by one point. The Yellow Jackets have shot 50 percent or better from the floor in five straight games. Javaris Crittenton is averaging 18.8 ppg. in four ACC games. It is always tough to win at the Dean Dome, but Georgia Tech is on a bit of a roll and should make this an interesting battle.
• What a match-up in the Pac-10 this weekend as UCLA battles Arizona. It is important in the league standings. What really intrigues me is the showdown between an offensive machine like Lute Olson's Wildcats against a defensive dynamo in Ben Howland's Bruins. Do you prefer the offensive firepower or the tenacious defense? This will be exciting to watch and if it is close at the end, keep an eye on Arron Afflalo, who likes having the ball in his hands in crunch time.
• A number of players made the wise decision of pulling out of the NBA draft and returning to school. Think about Aaron Gray of Pittsburgh, Afflalo of UCLA, Nick Fazekas of Nevada and Morris Almond of Rice. All four are enjoying productive seasons while enjoying the college life and environment. They will have the opportunity to play at the next level in due time.
• Looking for an underrated backcourt, just head out to Madison, Wisconsin. The duo of Kammron Taylor and Michael Flowers have a great feel and understanding of how to play. The Badgers are a lot more than just Alando Tucker.
• At Providence, the Friars have a solid all-around player who deserves more ink nationally. Remember this name -- Geoff McDermott. The 6-7 guard-forward is among the best in the Big East in assists and rebounds. You don't usually see a player excel in both of those categories.
• I really believe Missouri will get the job done under new coach Mike Anderson, though it will take a little time. I was really impressed with the effort of the Tigers squad despite a loss Monday night at Kansas. It was a Maalox Masher, baby! Remember, Anderson was hired late and didn't have the same opportunity to recruit. He has a great opportunity to build the Missouri program into something special.
• Levance Fields of Pittsburgh is going to be a very special player. He understands how to play the point guard position, and he knows about good shot selection. He will be a premier player for Jamie Dixon's Panthers. Pittsburgh also has balance and an ability to hit the three.
• Indiana has been a team on the rise. Kelvin Sampson's system is being adopted by his players. DJ White has been playing well; he had 23 points and 12 rebounds in a win over Iowa earlier this week. The Hoosiers meet Connecticut on the road this weekend. Things are going well in Bloomington, Indiana because Sampson knows what it takes to win. He keeps the team together, knows the importance of good shot selection and understands how to defend.
• There is a lost art in college basketball. There are only a handful of players who can feed the post and only a few really good passers among big men. I really like the passing ability of Pittsburgh's Gray, Duke's Josh McRoberts and Nick Welch of Air Force.
• This season, Marquette coach Tom Crean has gone up against five coaches that have previously won the national championship – Bob Knight, Mike Krzyzewski, Rick Pitino, Jim Boeheim and Jim Calhoun. Now that is matching wits against winners, baby!
• Texas A&M got a break when 6-7 tight end Martellus Bennett was added to the hoop squad. He gives coach Billy Gillespie some added depth and versatility off the bench. Bennett is an outstanding athlete who almost went to the NBA.
Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.
