DICK'S TIDBITS | June 6
In Iowa State Cyclones country, the fans can't be too happy that 6-5 forward Adam Haluska has transferred across the state to the Iowa Hawkeyes. He averaged nine points per game last season. That's like Marvin Stone saying bye-bye to the Kentucky Wildcats and going down the road to join the Louisville Cardinals.
Iowa coach Steve Alford will benefit from the addition of Haluska, a solid player who has three years of eligibility. Haluska left after former Iowa State coach Larry Eustachy left the Cyclones and was replaced on May 14.
It will be interesting to follow Haluska as he wears a Hawkeye uniform.
NCAA HOLDS OFF ON RULES CHANGES
I was disappointed to learn that the NCAA has put off the implementation of new rules for one year.
Those rules, including the widening of the lane (using the trapezoid like the international game) and pushing the 3-point line back would have really helped make the game I love even better. But I understand that a number of schools were concerned about complying with the new rules so quickly.
I hope there isn't a change of heart that leads to these rules not being used in the future. They would make the game better. They say good things take awhile to unfold, and now we'll have to wait for these changes to take place.
LOUISVILLE ADDS JUCO TRANSFER
Big news out of Louisville. Rick Pitino is ecstatic with the commitment of Donta Smith, a juco superstar now playing at Southeastern Illinois College. He will join the Cardinals after playing his sophomore season in the juco ranks in 2003-04.
Smith built up his body and is now 6-7 and 220 pounds. I know Pitino is thrilled about the future of this versatile talent. Smith comes from Oldham County (Kentucky) High School and he has really improved.
OKAFOR KEYS PAN AM TEAM
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo is serving as head coach of the Pan Am games, and he just completed his roster. He has a solid team, led by Emeka Okafor of the Connecticut Huskies.
Will next year be the year Connecticut has the player of the year in both men's and women's basketball? It could happen with Okafor and Diana Taurasi.
It's great news that Okafor decided to turn down the NBA and return to the college ranks. He has his priorities in order, just as Tim Duncan did, and it didn't hurt the Spurs' two-time MVP. Duncan had patience and wanted to enjoy his college life. The former Wake Forest star worked hard and developed his game.
Okafor also seems to be headed in the right direction.
