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Roundball Chatter
Dick VitaleSPECIAL TO ESPN.COM
Every Friday I will give my thoughts on the game I love, college basketball.
How about a salute to the Purdue Boilermakers! Is it possible that this is the same program that lost to Wofford earlier this season? Matt Painter has done a super job and the Boilermakers reached the 20-win mark by beating Michigan State earlier this week. Purdue is 11-1 in the Big Ten, and recent wins over the Spartans and Wisconsin Badgers prove this team is for real. Diaper dandy Robbie Hummel may not get as much national publicity as Derrick Rose, Eric Gordon and OJ Mayo, but he is certainly valuable. Hummel had 24 points and 11 boards in the win over Tom Izzo's squad.
Watching Duke, the difference between last year and this season is depth and the contributions of the diaper dandies – Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith and Taylor King. It also helps to have DeMarcus Nelson and Greg Paulus healthy.
My friends, the SEC is not the league it used to be. Just check out what happened to Kentucky when it went to Vanderbilt. The Wildcats were held to 11 points in the first half. Tennessee is clearly the best team in the conference, but I feel this is not a vintage season in SEC country.
Syracuse's loss at South Florida Wednesday was a major blow to Jim Boeheim's team because the upcoming schedule is brutal. The next four games for the Orange: Georgetown, at Louisville, at Notre Dame, Pittsburgh. If Syracuse can do well in those games, the RPI will climb up!
Missouri coach Mike Anderson decided to dismiss Stefhon Hannah following his problems at a nightclub. Anderson had little choice as he attempts to instill discipline within his program. It has been a tough season for the Tigers.
USC was dealt a major blow. Sophomore Daniel Hackett, the team's assist leader, was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back. The good news is surgery isn't needed. The bad news is the uncertainty of his return this season. Rehabilitation will be used to strengthen his back, but his absence will hamper Tim Floyd's squad as it battles down the stretch in the competitive Pac-10.
I really believe that if Hasheem Thabeet of Connecticut returns for his junior season next year, he has the potential to be the most dominant big man in the nation. He is simply getting better and better with more experience. Thabeet is a dominant shot-blocker and rebounder, and his offensive skills are showing major improvement.
Seeing Texas defeat Kansas earlier in the week, I believe that the Longhorns are capable of beating anybody at any time because of the play of their backcourt. DJ Augustin and AJ Abrams are one of the best guard tandems in America.
It is a shame that a few psychos can ruin a good time at a college basketball game. Look at what happened in Oregon when Kevin Love came in with UCLA. The same can be said for the Illinois fans and the treatment of Eric Gordon.
There is a key showdown in the Mountain West this weekend. BYU and UNLV will square off with first place on the line. Lon Kruger has quietly done a super job as the Runnin' Rebels have 19 wins.
Isn't it amazing watching like father, like son: Tony Bennett at Washington State, Sean Sutton at Oklahoma State, Davis at Drake and now Pat Knight at Texas Tech. They all have something in common with their dads – a fierce, competitive mentality.
I spoke with George Mason coach Jim Larranaga recently. Remember the amazing job he did with the Cinderella Patriots as George Mason beat Michigan State, North Carolina and Connecticut to make the Final Four in 2006. This year's team is in a battle with Virginia Commonwealth in the underrated Colonial Athletic Association. Larranaga is so happy that his son, Jay, will be the coach of the Irish national Olympic team and I am not talking about Notre Dame, baby!
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.
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