Roundball Chatter
Each week I'll write about the game I love, college basketball:
•The NCAA has told Indiana University to wait until Sept. 26 to respond to the latest allegation that the school failed to monitor its men's basketball program. Last month, the school said it would submit a written response rather than request a second hearing with the infractions committee to answer the newest charge in the phone-call scandal. The allegation that the university did not properly monitor the basketball program was the fifth major accusation by the NCAA during the Kelvin Sampson era. Unfortunately, this story continues to linger on. My friends, I believe Indiana has the right coach to clean this mess up in the long term in Tom Crean.
•Former Illinois basketball player Jamar Smith was sentenced to 18 months of probation for violating an earlier court order stemming from his 2007 drunk-driving arrest. He has to learn from his mistakes. Smith, no longer with the Illini, is hoping to play at the University of Southern Indiana in the future.
•Speaking of the Illini, there was a special alumni game at Assembly Hall recently. Former head coach Lou Henson saw a number of his former stars there, including Deron Williams, Luther Head, Nick Anderson, Marcus Liberty, Kendall Gill, Frank Williams, Brian Cook and Kenny Battle. Deron Williams, fresh off the Olympics, scored 19 points.
•When the pairings were released recently, an interesting game came out in the Glenn Wilkes Classic in November. Utah vs. Mississippi has the potential to be a thrilling contest. Andy Kennedy has an exciting team and Utah is solid up front with 7-2 Luke Nevill in the middle.
•Georgetown guard Chris Wright missed 18 games with a foot injury last season. If he can stay healthy, he is a player to keep an eye on for the Hoyas. The 6-1 guard came to the school with good hype, and I believe he will eventually live up to expectations.
•Indiana State suffered a blow when point guard Harry Marshall was ruled academically ineligible for the fall semester. The six-foot junior started 25-of-31 games for the Sycamores last season, and ranked third in scoring at 10.1 ppg.
•UNC-Asheville may be without its big man on campus. 7-7 center Kenny George, who was a real presence in the lane as a shot-blocking threat and force on the glass, recently underwent procedures on an infected foot. He is not expected to return to school for the first semester. George was the Big South Defensive Player of the Year.
