Roundball Chatter
• The summertime usually leaves some players hurting as kids get injured. That was the case in a recent scary event. Gonzaga's Austin Daye, according to published reports, was going to miss the season with a torn ACL. Then came a further review and good news as the son of former UCLA star Darren Daye has a bone bruise and more minor damage. Austin Daye should be fine for the start of the season, great news for coach Mark Few. This is a program that should be Top 15 this season with the return of Daye, Jeremy Pargo and Josh Heytvelt.
• Congratulations to Temple coach Fran Dunphy, who was given a two-year contract extension through the 2013-14 season. Dunphy led the Owls to a 21-season and a berth in the NCAA tournament during the 2007-08 campaign.
• I think the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer event has the potential of being something special. A possible final showdown could feature UCLA and Duke. Speaking of the Bruins, another rivalry on the slate has the Bruins hosting Notre Dame on February 7th.
• Davidson coach Bob McKillop has several future stars on his USA under-18 team competing in Argentina this week. The American squad is playing in the gold medal game after winning its first four contests. UCLA's Malcolm Lee, Kemba Walker of Connecticut and Alabama newcomer JaMychal Green are among those that impressed in a win over Canada. Oregon newcomer Matt Humphrey also shined in a rout of Puerto Rico earlier in the tourney.
• I really feel Brandon Costner of NC State will be a player to keep an eye on this season. Now that J.J. Hickson has left for the NBA, Costner will have to come up big for Sidney Lowe's Wolfpack this season.
