Sept. 11
Like so many Americans, I was tuned in on Wednesday morning, watching the 9/11 tributes. I am so proud to be an American, the way we have reacted and unified over the past year.

Watching on TV, I was proud of the way we honored those who tragically lost their lives while performing their daily tasks. The one premise that came through loud and clear: We will never forget those who lost their lives in the horrific act of terrorism.

	We will never forget those who lost their lives in the horrific act of terrorism.

That cowardly action won't ever break the spirit of this country. The people will remain strong, and it will remain the greatest nation of them all.

Now, as we try to move forward in our everyday lives, there have been several recent issues in the sports world. Here are a few thoughts on those items:

Make Michigan pay for past without hurting present
Let's start with Chris Webber and the Michigan "Fab Five" fiasco. I hope that the NCAA issues a punishment -- maybe removing the banners from the two trips to the NCAA Final Four that fly in Crisler Arena, plus financial penalties. It was a disgrace finding out the players received extra incentives, and they certainly were big-time incentives. Force the university to pay back all the money received for those Final Four journeys.

I hope and pray that innocent young men currently wearing the maize and blue of Michigan, as well as current coaches and administrators who are busting their butt now, don't get penalized because of the actions of others. They should not have to pay the price for the "Fab Five" era. Let the school pay big-time with financial penalties while removing the honor of their place in history.

Take away Michigan's place in the record books, like other schools have been punished for infractions. Don't make the Wolverines give up scholarships to hurt the current group that has worked hard to keep things clean.

Kentucky vs. Louisville
Wow, things are heating up even more in the Bluegrass State, baby! Rick Pitino vs. Tubby Smith is something special as both of them have a passion for winning. They strive for the goal of being the best!

Marvin Stone will be playing in the post on Dec. 28 at the Kentucky-Louisville matchup. He won't be wearing the blue and white as the original script indicated earlier in his career. He will be a slimmed-down, active player in a Cardinals uniform.

Now the battle gets more intense since James Lang, the 6-foot-10, 305-pounder from Birmingham, Ala., has decided to visit five schools. Remember, he gave Louisville an oral commitment, leaving the Cardinals' boosters ecstatic. Now, Lang has decided to look at several options, and one of the five he'll visit is Kentucky!

I don't think anyone expected a smooth, silky transition for Kentucky fans accepting Pitino at Louisville. Competition, my friends, is what it is all about.

Final call on USA's debacle
In the aftermath of the disappointing showing at the World Championships, the bottom line is very simple: The NBA players have been ripped and buried, and in the future, we need players who don't think it is painful and a penalty to spend a few weeks wearing the red, white and blue. We must have players who want to show up and compete and have an unbelievable passion for the sport.

If they ever sat down and watched the championship game between Argentina and Yugoslavia, seeing the enthusiasm and unbelievable spirit of the players and their fans, they would see something special. The game is not just about shooting jumpers and running up and down the floor. Basketball is about emotion, feeling, and playing with pride. This USA team went through the motions.

I feel bad for George Karl and his staff. I know people like Karl, and assistants Kelvin Sampson and Mike Montgomery, and they have pride. Unfortunately, those who wore the uniform thought they could simply put on the uniform, shoot their jumpers, dazzle the crowd with their ballhandling skills. Instead, they were humiliated and embarrassed.

It wasn't just losing three games, but doing it on our soil, the first time we hosted the event! Shame on those players.

In selecting the next team, scrutinize them and evaluate them. Make them write an essay about why they want to be part of this national team. Find out how much they want to play for the USA!

Let them see the spirit displayed by Argentina and Yugoslavia as an example. I would rather lose and have a bunch of kids play their hearts out than a bunch of millionaires hopping into their Rolls Royces and Mercedes Benzs and not caring.

UCLA loses Burns
The Bruins suffered a big loss when McDonald's All-American Evan Burns was declared ineligible to compete at the school. He will be a partial qualifier at San Diego State instead.

People were praising the potential of Burns, who would have been a big factor in UCLA's rotation.

Lavin will still have a lot of talent with Jason Kapono leading the way. The key will be the development of Cedric Bozeman.