ESPN.com - What's hot, what's not<br>for 2001-02 college hoops

ESPN.com: Page 2

Wednesday, November 7, 2001
Updated: November 8, 10:42 AM ET
What's hot, what's not
for 2001-02 college hoops

By Dan Shanoff
Special to Page 2

As the new college hoops season tips off (beginning Thursday and Friday with Maryland, Arizona, Florida and Temple at Madison Square Garden, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2), it becomes increasingly important to be able to add more value to your at-work lunchtime debates than "Hey, I really like that Jason Williams kid." Your preparation must include the scoop on the hottest storylines, names and trends. Heaven forbid you mistakenly reference "Shane Battier" and risk social ostracism.

Study the 2001-2002 college hoops "What's Hot, What's Not" List below, then settle back for a season of Big Mondays, climb aboard your favorite barstool, dive into a debate among co-workers, or -- as always the tradition of the Page 2 "What's Hot, What's Not" List -- impress your significant other during a romantic dinner date:

Page 2's Hot 'n' Not list for NBA season
Category	Hot	Not
Hairstyle	Grow it out (like Gonzaga's Dan Dickau)	Cornrows (like St. Joe's Marvin O'Connor)
Needs more pub	Bernard Robinson (Michigan)	Tayshaun Prince (Kentucky)
Jersey the cool kids are wearing	"Mizzou 21" (Kareem Rush)	"N.C. 42" (Kris Lang)
Mighty mite	John Linehan (Providence)	Jason Gardner (Arizona)
"Matt Brust Hasn't-He-Been-In-College-Forever? Award" winner	Luke Recker, Iowa	B.B. Waldon, South Florida
Freshman not named DeJuan Wagner	Julius Hodge (N.C. State)	Tyson Chandler (Chicago Bulls)
On-court style statement	Socks pulled up high	Headbands
Skill to show NBA scouts	Mid-range jumper	Flashy dunking
Sleeper	Butler	Georgia State
Conference	C-USA	WAC
NCAA controversy	Status of European club players	Preseason tournament exemptions
Venue	The Pyramid (Memphis, Tenn.)	Anywhere in Las Vegas
RPI factor	Strength of non-conference schedule	Total number of team wins
Telegenic coach	Rick Pitino (Louisville)	Fran Fraschilla (New Mexico)
Overconfident of NBA-readiness	Chris Duhon	Omar Cook
Arena nickname	The Dunk (Providence's Dunkin Donuts Center)	The Barn (Minnesota's Williams Arena)
Location for Bobby Knight tantrum	Lubbock, Texas	Bloomington, Indiana
Key to deep NCAA tourney run	Stingy defense	Hot point guard
Most talent in Memphis	Tigers	Grizzlies
In the paint	Stocky rebounders (like Florida's Udonis Haslem)	Lean shot-blockers (like ex-Arizona center Loren Woods
Barstool debate	Williams/Duhon: Best backcourt EVER?	Calipari/Pitino: Better dresser?
Road-trip junkie Mecca	Cole Field House (Maryland)	Shoemaker Center (Cincinnati)
Shoes to fill	Brian Scalabrine (USC)	Shane Battier (Duke)
"Me, Too!" Coaching Strategy	PG full-court press	Everyone shoot 3s!
Blood-boiling rivalry	Louisville-Memphis	Kentucky-Indiana
Baby name in Tennessee	DeJuan	Buzz
Unconventional pick for champ	St. Joseph's	The "D"-word

Dan Shanoff is a regular contributor to Page 2.