Every Friday I will give my thoughts on the game I love, college basketball.

• This year, there are several new in-season college basketball tournaments. I love the idea that these events provide better competition instead of many cupcake city games that often dot the non-conference agenda. Think about the event in Puerto Rico from November 15-18. Eight different conferences are being represented, including the ACC, Big East, A-10, Colonial, SEC, Conference USA, Southern and MAAC. Look at the first round match-ups and you see there are quality squads in the field: Virginia Commonwealth, which upset Duke in the NCAA tournament, takes on Tom Penders' Houston squad; Frank Haith's Miami-Florida team meets Marist; Providence and Temple battle; and Arkansas, under new coach John Pelphrey takes on Bobby Cremins' College of Charleston team. I think Patrick Beverley of the Razorbacks will have a super season.

• Tom Izzo is expected to receive another one-year extension to his contract. My friends, he truly exemplifies what a college coach is all about. The Izzone is a very special place and the fans in East Lansing have to be thrilled with the program. I feel Michigan State will be a top 10 team this season with Drew Neitzel leading the way.

• Bobby Gonzalez is already making a difference in bringing in talent to Seton Hall. He recently added a gem when 6-6 Robert Mitchell transferred from Duquesne. Mitchell, the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year last season, averaged 16.4 ppg. and 5.4 rpg. He will sit out the upcoming season, but his addition is a real positive for Gonzalez.

• Congratulations to Holy Cross coach Ralph Willard on his recent five-year extension. Willard has led the Crusaders to the NCAA tournament four times in his eight-year tenure with Holy Cross. Last year the team went 25-9 and made it to the big dance. During the 2006-07 campaign he went over the 300-win mark as a college head coach.

• For those looking ahead, here is the NCAA Division I men's basketball committee list for this season. You will be hearing a lot from this group come tourney selection time. The chairman is Tom O'Connor from George Mason. Also on the committee are UCLA's Dan Guerrero; Jeff Hathaway from Connecticut; Lynn Hickey from UT-San Antonio; Chris Hill from Utah; Laing Kennedy from Kent State; Jon LeCrone from the Horizon League; Stan Morrison from UC-Riverside; Mike Slive from the SEC and Gene Smith from Ohio State.

• This is going to be a very special year for diaper dandies. I always look forward to seeing the newcomers having an impact across America. There is excitement galore when you think about O. J. Mayo at USC, Kevin Love at UCLA, Eric Gordon at Indiana, Michael Beasley at Kansas State, Derrick Rose at Memphis, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith at Duke, Patrick Patterson and Alex Legion at Kentucky, Jai Lucas and Nick Calathes at Florida. There are many more who will help out their respective schools.

• With Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr., Ron Lewis and Daequan Cook gone, Thad Matta's young Buckeye squad will rely on veteran guard Jamar Butler to come through big-time! There are nine players on the roster who are freshmen or somphomores, so Butler's leadership will be a factor during the 2007-08 season. Butler started all 39 games last season and he averaged over 31 minutes per game and 8.5 ppg. He is the top returning scorer for Ohio State.

• If you are looking for a quiet success story, think about Kent State. Jim Christian is an unsung head coach who deserves more national publicity. My friends, the Golden Flashes have enjoyed nine straight winning seasons. Kent State's ambitious schedule this season includes a trip to Chapel Hill to face the Tar Heels.

• You can go home again … at least that is what Boston native Anthony Gurley decided when he transferred from Wake Forest and opted for Massachusetts. The 6-3 guard will sit out the upcoming season. He scored 24 points in a game against Georgia Tech last season, showing his potential as a long-range shooter.

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