Roundball Chatter
Each week I'll talk about the sport I love, college basketball:
• On draft night, there were a handful of underclassmen that felt they would go in round one but were disappointed. They could have gone back to college and been big men on campus. Now they have to hope they can make a roster without getting guaranteed money. I wonder if guys like Jodie Meeks, Chase Budinger, DaJuan Blair, Patty Mills and DeJuan Summers had regrets about their decision.
• One of the big winners before the NBA draft was the SEC. Think about how much stronger the league is with seven solid players pulling out of the draft and returning to school. No other conference was affected more with kids coming back. Think about it ... Patrick Patterson (Kentucky), Tyler Smith (Tennessee), Jarvis Varnado (Missisippi State), Devan Downey and Dominique Archie (South Carolina), Michael Washington (Arkansas) and Tasmin Mitchell (LSU). These guys could make up the All-SEC team, baby!
• I really believe there were a number of winners staying out of the draft. Villanova with Scottie Reynolds coming back; Texas is a top 10 club with Damion James back in Austin; Notre Dame is a different club with Luke Harangody returning;
• The ACC is clearly stronger with Gani Lawal and Greivis Vasquez back on the college campus. Both of these guys could challenge for All-ACC honors in the upcoming season. With Lawal, Derrick Favors and Iman Shumpert, Paul Hewitt's Yellow Jackets will be much improved in 2009-10.
• The NCAA shouldn't penalize Darrius Miller of Kentucky. The young man's name was listed on a high school basketball camp flier which he had no knowledge of. Miller worked for free at the camp. Give me a break. I know there are rules, but let's use common sense. Where is this kid gaining an advantage? Even if he has to sit out a meaningless game, why should he be punished? This kid deserves a break.
• Tulsa made a good move, giving coach Doug Wojcik a six-year extension. The new deal will take him through the 2014-15 campaign. Wojcik has posted an overall record of 81-53 in four seasons as Tulsa head coach. His last three teams have each won 20 or more games. You may remember Wojcik was a guard on the Navy team that made the elite eight with the Admiral, David Robinson. It has been a busy off-season for the Golden Hurricane, adding a pair of talented transfers in D.J. Magley (Western Kentucky) and Scottie Haralson (Connecticut).
• Illinois, Oklahoma State, Utah and Bradley are scheduled to play in the Las Vegas Invitational on November 27-28. My friends, that is a nice field. Bruce Weber's club will compete with Michigan State and Purdue in the Big Ten. James Anderson is a unsung star for Travis Ford's Cowboys. Jim Boylen's Utes will be a tough team in the Mountain West. Bradley will be heard from in the MVC.
