Roundball Chatter
Each week I'll talk about the sport I love, college basketball:
• Luke Harangody made a wise decision pulling out of the NBA draft and returning to South Bend. What a terrific move for the Fighting Irish as Harangody will be one of the premier players in the Big East once again. Mike Brey must be absolutely jubilant; it is like getting a superstar recruit over the summer. It is a big positive because Notre Dame can build its offense around a player of Harangody's stature. He has a great chance to pass Austin Carr as Notre Dame's all-time leading scorer.
• Gary Williams had to be happy with Greivis Vasquez's decision to return to Maryland. What a difference that is for the Terps. I see Vasquez as a first-team All-ACC performer who will get better and better in College Park. Working on his game in college, with the practice time at that level compared to the amount he would have with the pros, is a plus for his future.
• At USC, here are a couple of names that have popped up in the rumor mill -- Reggie Theus and P.J. Carlesimo. Both have experience in college and the pros. It is a good job, but it could be a challenge rebuilding the program. It could take a while to come back depending on what happens with the NCAA investigations. It is still a program in a big-time conference, there are great facilities, and a coach with high stature will end up in that job. There will be no shortage of applicants. If Trojans athletic director Mike Garrett wants someone who will clean things up right away, he should give Robert Montgomery Knight a call. He has several good years of coaching still in him.
• The field for the eight-team 76 Classic in California (Nov. 26-29) is very impressive. It includes UCLA, Butler, Clemson, Long Beach State, Minnesota, Portland, Texas A&M and West Virginia. Six of the eight teams in the 76 Classic made the 2009 NCAA Tournament field. The Mountaineers, Tigers, Bulldogs and Aggies all have the potentisl to be in the preseason top 25.
• The Bruins suffered a blow when sophomore forward Drew Gordon suffered a partially torn patellar tendon in his right knee at the 2009 USA Basketball U19 World Championship Team Trials. Gordon played in 34 games for UCLA last season and more was expected this year. This injury could set him back for part or all of the 2009-10 campaign.
• Some good news for a couple of coaches receiving two-year contract extensions. Clemson gave Oliver Purnell a deal that now goes through 2016. The Tigers averaged 24 wins over the past three seasons; the return of Trevor Booker means more great things down at Littlejohn. Akron also gave Keith Dambrot a deal that goes to 2016. He's done a nice job during his five seasons with the Zips. You may remember Dambrot as he coached a pretty good player in high school -- King James, baby! That's right, LeBron James!
