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Wednesday, October 27
Cleaves' injury cuts into Spartans

By Dick Vitale
Special to ESPN.com

Already, after just rolling out the basketballs to start practice, there have been a number of injuries that have popped up across America. A few of those unfortunately could hamper some nationally rated teams.

The biggest news came out of East Lansing, Mich. Point guard Mateen Cleaves suffered a stress fracture in his right foot, sidelining him for the first half of the season. Cleaves has been bothered by injuries throughout his career, though this is a tough one for coach Tom Izzo to swallow. Redshirt David Thomas figures to see most of the playing time at point guard.


	Cleaves will be stuck on the bench until January.

You have to wonder how Doug Davis feels. He was a back-up point guard before deciding to transfer to Miami (Ohio).

The big question now is whether Cleaves can return at close to 100 percent. His recovery time means he'll likely return during the tough part of the Big Ten schedule. With an injury like this, there is the unknown factor of how he'll be able to perform, will this affect his shooting, his running, his stamina? It is all one big question mark, baby!

Think about DePaul. Lance Williams went to the shelf with a broken bone in his right foot. The good news is the injury may not be as severe as first thought.

The Blue Demons did get some good news when the NCAA Clearinghouse gave 7-foot diaper dandy Steven Hunter the green light to play. He's eligible and he'll get some early PT to develop if Williams is sidelined. Ultimately, this may become a positive if Hunter gains experience.

When you look at that DePaul front line, it can be dynamite with Williams, Bobby Simmons and, my All-Rolls Royce member, Quentin Richardson. Add Hunter in there and you can understand why Pat Kennedy is smiling, baby!

Out in Lawrence, Kan., the Jayhawks received some bad news when Luke Axtell, a member of my All-Marco Polo team, a big-time impact transfer, suffered a fractured bone in his non-shooting (left) hand. Axtell is multidimensional and versatile, a great shooter with size. Kansas is expecting him to be ready for the season opener on Nov. 19 vs. Fairfield.

And then there's Ronald Curry at North Carolina. The Tar Heels lost their backup point guard when Curry, the school's quarterback, tore his Achilles tendon against Georgia Tech. Doctors say he'll be out for six months.

When you think about the development of players and teams, it is crucial to get familiar with your team's system. That is especially true when you are the new guy on the block.

These are setbacks, but these players can overcome them.

Unveiling my top 20
With the injury to Cleaves, plus Jason Richardson's ineligibility, it's time to bring out my revamped preseason Top 20!

1. Connecticut: Jim Calhoun lost Richard Hamilton to the NBA, but Huskies fans shouldn't worry with Khalid El-Amin and Kevin Freeman in the lineup.

2. Cincinnati: Bobby Huggins' teams always compete with intensity, and now the Bearcats have found a key element in point guard Kenny Satterfield.

3. North Carolina: You know the Tar Heels will be motivated after losing to Weber State in the first round of last year's NCAA Tournament. Ed Cota is one of the nation's premier point guards.

4. Florida: Billy the Kid, also known as Billy Donovan, has done a masterful job putting together this team. Mike Miller is the complete package.

5. Auburn: Auburn stormed out of the SEC to earn a No. 1 regional seed in the NCAA Tournament. Chris Porter is an All-Rolls Roycer.

6. Duke: I know the Blue Devils will be young, but Coach K has plenty of talent to turn to. Shane Battier and Chris Carrawell will have to step it up as returning veterans.

7. Temple: John Chaney's team is solid and Pepe Sanchez is a leader. Mark Karcher has worked hard in the offseason to get himself in better shape.

8. Arizona: The loss of Jason Terry is big, though Lute Olson welcomes All-Marco Polo 7-footer Loren Woods.

9. Kansas: Eric Chenowith will be a force with his moves in the low blocks. He could become a big-time scorer. Roy Williams also brought in a good recruiting class.

10. UCLA: If Baron Davis had stayed for another year, I'd be talking about the Bruins in the top five. Dan Gadzuric gives UCLA a presence in the middle that most schools lack.

11. Stanford: Look for Mike Montgomery's team to rely on Mark Madsen up front. Newcomer Casey Jacobsen can have an immediate impact.

12. Kentucky: The losses of Wayne Turner, Heshimu Evans and Scott Padgett, plus the transfers of Michael Bradley and Ryan Hogan, hurt. Tayshaun Prince will step it up.

13. Ohio State: Can the Buckeyes continue their magic? The backcourt is one of the best in America with Scoonie Penn teaming with Michael Redd.

14. Illinois: I don't know if people know enough about the talent Lon Kruger has. Cory Bradford is a PTPer. Dynamite point guard Frank Williams could be a key.

15. Utah: Rick Majerus' team is the favorite in the Mountain West, even without Andre Miller. The multidimensional Hanno Mottola will be the key.

16. Syracuse: Jimmy Boeheim has a very athletic and talented team. Etan Thomas and Jason Hart form a solid inside/outside duo. Perimeter shooting will make or break this Orangemen squad.

17. Michigan State: Tom Izzo returns other key members of last year's Final Four team, led by Morris Peterson. The injury to Cleaves is a major blow.

18. Maryland: Gary Williams lost a lot of talent, including Steve Francis. Williams has Terence Morris back plus point guard Steve Blake may contribute immediately.

19. DePaul: If the Blue Demons get improved guard play to go with the super, scintillating and sensational front line, watch out. Richardson can flat-out dominate on the glass.

20. Fresno State: Courtney Alexander really knows how to score. He has NBA first-round potential written all over him.

For more predictions, check out my magazine on newsstands now.

A great doubleheader
I can't wait for the Coaches vs. Cancer event at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 11-12. It is for a great cause. Jim Haney of the NABC, in conjunction with the American Cancer Society, does a great job in seeing the coaches play a vital part in raising dollars for this. Jimmy Satalin, the former St. Bonaventure coach, heads this.

Anything that can help wipe out cancer is something I am all for.

Connecticut, the defending national champion, hooks up with Iowa. The Hawkeyes have a tough test in Steve Alford's debut as Iowa head coach. The second game features Stanford vs. Duke.

In looking at the Cardinal and Blue Devils, there are two dynamite head coaches. Look for a big year from the Mad Dog, Mr. Madsen on the baseline. The key for Stanford will be the health of Jarron and Jason Collins. If they can stay healthy, the Cardinal can be something special.

Stanford's backcourt is a bit inexperienced since Mike Montgomery lost both Arthur Lee and Kris Weems. There is talent on the perimeter.

Duke will need Shane Battier to have a big season as he goes from a support player role to the main attraction. He should come up big.

Remember, this is Hoops Malone saying I can't wait for the season to start. That's right, as you will see soon in promos, I'm not Dickie V. ... I'm Hoops Malone, baby!


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