Ostensibly Hoops

[eCat]

The discussion about Skip Bayless made me want to comment about the coolest commentator on ESPN, and that is hands down Barry Melrose.

I don't really like hockey but the guy doesn't care about being politically correct. Yesterday on PTI he was talking about how if you are playing Pittsburgh you have to go after Crosby, who has been fighting to stay in the lineup after some hard hits that led to multiple concussions. The PTI guys were taken back a bit asking if he really meant that and he was like "its a sign of respect, you can't give a good player open ice, otherwise you are disrepecting him".

Anyone that equates taking a star player out as a sign of respect is alright in my book.

[eCat]

Katz's top 20

1. Indiana

Indiana stays put at No. 1 after surviving the draft deadline unscathed. Cody Zeller and Christian Watford decided to stay in school and that means each of IU's top five scorers return from last season's Sweet 16 team, in addition to a top-10 recruiting class. So yes, the Hoosiers will still be the pick in the Big Ten and a preseason favorite for the national title. It took a while, but Indiana is back. Get used to it.

2. Louisville

Louisville didn't have to deal with any draft issues. The Cardinals are as untouched now as they were in New Orleans after losing in the national semifinal to Kentucky. The losses of Kyle Kuric and Chris Smith can't be dismissed, but everyone else returns, Wayne Blackshear will be around for a whole season, Mike Marra and (perhaps) Rakeem Buckles will return from injury, double-digit scorer Luke Hancock arrives from George Mason and Peyton Siva should be the preseason Big East player of the year. No reason the Cards can't make it back-to-back trips to the Final Four.

3. Kentucky

The Wildcats will almost certainly lose Anthony Davis, Terrence Jones and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to the NBA, and likely Doron Lamb and Marquis Teague, as well. Senior Darius Miller also is gone, and he was one of the best glue guys in the country. So how is Big Blue still No. 3? All about the newcomers. John Calipari has hauled in the nation's No. 1 class for the fourth straight year at UK, led by the nation's No. 1 player, shot-blocking extraordinaire Nerlens Noel. The additions of NC State transfer Ryan Harrow and freshmen Archie Goodwin, Alex Poythress and Willie Cauley -- along with a former top recruit like Kyle Wiltjer who will get his chance to shine -- will keep Kentucky near the top again.

4. Kansas

Kansas lost Thomas Robinson as expected, as well as senior Tyshawn Taylor. But the returnees (led by Jeff Withey and Elijah Johnson) and the newcomers (led by Perry Ellis and redshirt freshman Ben McLemore) make the Jayhawks once again the team to beat in the Big 12. No matter what the personnel losses are, haven't we learned our lesson not to dismiss this program as long as Bill Self is in charge? Yes. Yes, we have. KU isn't going anywhere.

5. Michigan

After flirting with the NBA, Trey Burke decided to remain in Ann Arbor. That's huge for the Wolverines, who would've had a serious void at the point without the invaluable Burke. He will join Tim Hardaway Jr. and a loaded freshman class that includes ESPNU 100 recruits Mitch McGary, Glenn Robinson Jr. and Nik Stauskas. This team is loaded and as long as the newcomers blend in, there's no reason to believe Michigan can't compete at the highest level in both the Big Ten and nationally.

6. Baylor

The Bears lost Quincy Acy and Perry Jones III to the NBA, but Quincy Miller decided to come back and that is huge for this team. Pierre Jackson and Brady Heslip should form one of the top backcourts in the country, and the Bears continue to recruit as well as any school in the country -- raking in another top-5 class. Adding Isaiah Austin to help fill the void inside is huge. Baylor has become a consistent Big 12 title contender with Kansas and that doesn't appear to be ending anytime soon.

7. NC State

How did this happen so fast? Is North Carolina State really the ACC favorite? Why not. North Carolina and Duke are taking on serious losses, and the Wolfpack overachieved under Mark Gottfried to get to the Sweet 16. C.J. Leslie still hasn't said for sure whether he's returning (he has until the NBA's April 29 deadline). If he doesn't, perhaps they move down a notch or two. But Gottfried has one of the top recruiting classes in the country coming in with Rodney Purvis, T.J. Warren and Tyler Lewis. So with or without Leslie, this program has a lot to look forward to.

8. Ohio State

9. Florida

The Gators have a real shot to be an SEC and national title contender if Bradley Beal decides to stay put. He let the NCAA deadline pass and is still trying to make up his mind. Even if he makes the jump, though, there's a ton of talent on hand. Patric Young has only scratched the surface of his potential. Kenny Boynton played deep into March two years in a row and should lead this squad. Erik Murphy is maturing and has improved his game. Recruiting is going well as always for the Gators. This program had a minor dip post-2007, but that is clearly no longer an issue after back-to-back Elite Eights.

10. Michigan State
11. North Carolina

The Tar Heels were gutted by early-entry departures from Kendall Marshall, Harrison Barnes and John Henson. Tyler Zeller was already leaving because he was a senior. But that just opens more minutes for Dexter Strickland, Leslie McDonald, P.J. Hairston, Reggie Bullock and James Michael McAdoo, who made Tar Heel fans breathe a little easier with his decision to return. Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson lead a top-10 recruiting class and will step in and deepen this team. Let's not kid ourselves: There's still plenty of talent on hand.

12. Syracuse
13. UCLA

The Bruins might be the most fascinating team of 2012-13. How will this all shake out? Not only is the embattled Ben Howland bringing in the No. 2 recruiting class led by a pair of top-five players (guards Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson), but also adds another stud recruit in Jordan Adams and UNC transfer Larry Drew II. And who knows what you'll get with a frontcourt that includes the Wear twins and the enigma that is Joshua Smith. Tyler Lamb and Norman Powell will also play signifcant roles. This has a true boom-or-bust feel to it. Nothing less than Howland's job security rides on it.

14. Memphis

The Tigers are losing Will Barton, but don't dismiss this team one bit. Memphis was on a roll before landing a bad matchup with Saint Louis in the NCAA tournament. The Tigers didn't get much national buzz in large part because they were in Conference USA and didn't have many stellar nonconference wins. But sleeping on Josh Pastner's crew would be a mistake. Barton is the only major loss and the Tigers add a big-time recruit in Shaq Goodwin, so the final season of C-USA for Memphis should end in yet another conference title. The Big East beckons, and this program will be in the mix once it arrives there, as well.

15. Duke

The Blue Devils lost Austin Rivers after one season. Miles Plumlee also departs. But Miles' brother, Mason, surprised some by returning. Huge. Duke also brings back Ryan Kelly, Seth Curry, Quinn Cook, Tyler Thornton, Andre Dawkins and yet another Plumlee, Marshall. If Rasheed Sulaimon delivers as an impact player, the Blue Devils will still be an ACC contender.

16. San Diego State
17. Arizona
18. Creighton
19. Notre Dame
20. Gonzaga

[BigRedMan]

"1. Indiana

Indiana stays put at No. 1 after surviving the draft deadline unscathed. Cody Zeller and Christian Watford decided to stay in school and that means each of IU's top five scorers return from last season's Sweet 16 team, in addition to a top-10 recruiting class. So yes, the Hoosiers will still be the pick in the Big Ten and a preseason favorite for the national title. It took a while, but Indiana is back. Get used to it.
"

I know it is nonsense, but damn that looks good to read.

[eCat]

"1. Indiana

Indiana stays put at No. 1 after surviving the draft deadline unscathed. Cody Zeller and Christian Watford decided to stay in school and that means each of IU's top five scorers return from last season's Sweet 16 team, in addition to a top-10 recruiting class. So yes, the Hoosiers will still be the pick in the Big Ten and a preseason favorite for the national title. It took a while, but Indiana is back. Get used to it.
"

I know it is nonsense, but damn that looks good to read.

Those Zellers are an interesting bunch. The kid is rated 7th in the draft lottery and decided to stay at Indiana. He'll be a load next year. I'm actually happy for Indiana. Crean seems a likeable enough guy. But you better not break our win streak at Rupp.

[THE_WIZARD_]

shaddup

[Bklyn]

Per Bucher Twitter feed wrt to DWade:

Something not right about DWade getting crushed for speaking his mind. Agree or not on players being paid, Olympics are big business now.

If you want the Olympics to be pure, don't select superstars and market the $%^* out of them/their unis. The money train starts there.

In any case, big $ is made off NBA stars via Olympics. Somebody's getting it. It's wrong for players to suggest they deserve a cut?

So...saying a star athlete, exploited under the guise of amateurism, is not patriotic if he asks for a cut, strikes me as wrong.

Easy way to divide Team USA value from NBA stardom: endorsements Brad Miller, David Wood and Michael Hawkins signed in '98.

[Jungle Rat]

ATM would flip!

http://deadspin.com/5901529/john-calipa ... he-and-its

[sardis]

They couldn't buy a vowel because they paid too much for their players...

[eCat]

Wade certainly has the right to speak his mind, but honestly, someone just needs to sit down every professional athlete and tell them "look, the public adores you until you bitch about not getting your cut of money".

nothing makes the public despise an athlete more than to hear them gripe about not getting paid enough for playing a game.

now throw in that his gripe is in regards to representing the United States in the olympics and its a pr nightmare.

I do believe Wade when he said he was just answering the question and it had no bearing on his desire to represent the U.S., but to Joe "I served my 4 years as a quartermaster in Kansas keeping you free by god" Six pack, they don't want to hear it.

[Jungle Rat]

Wade has a simple answer. Don't play. Next?

[eCat]

Tubby Smith is the leading candidate for the LSU coaching job

schools are shutting down around the state as Calipari is now on a train tour going city to city to show off the trophy. I didn't know you could actually take a train, much less the local populace know where functioning train tracks and a station still were but apparently that is still possible.

[Gator by God's Grace]

Tubby Smith is the leading candidate for the LSU coaching job

schools are shutting down around the state as Calipari is now on a train tour going city to city to show off the trophy. I didn't know you could actually take a train, much less the local populace know where functioning train tracks and a station still were but apparently that is still possible.

dude, it's Kentucky. them folk are all used to wandering down by the railroad tracks, looking for they hobo pappies...

[aTm]

Fact

[Jungle Rat]

Tubby Smith is the leading candidate for the LSU coaching job

schools are shutting down around the state as Calipari is now on a train tour going city to city to show off the trophy. I didn't know you could actually take a train, much less the local populace know where functioning train tracks and a station still were but apparently that is still possible.

I hope you are kidding about Kentucky and train tracks.

[eCat]

Right now it appears that word is filtering back to Teague that he will not be a lottery pick. They have told him that given next years class he could compete to be the #1 PG drafted if he came back for another year.

On the one hand I'd love the idea of Teague coming back, but it would give us an instant chemistry issue with Harrow expecting to lead the team this year - and, to a lesser degree, it would show that one of Cal's heralded PG's did not become NBA ready, even after leading the team to an NCAA championship.

I'd much rather have Doron Lamb come back but I can't see Lamb improving at all next year. The guy is almost a 50% shooter that can play point and drive the lane.

The Tubby Smith talk was apparently premature. I think LSU thought better of it.

[Fifer]

I'm reading on Catspause that more likely it's Lamb that will be back. Who knows? So much BS and speculation around. I do know that CAL is preparing for all of his starters and Miller to be gone. LSU would be crazy to hire Smith. Talk about a guy who's playing the back nine. Any SEC team other than UK needs a young coach with the ambition of Lucifer. Smith needs to hang it up and retire.

[eCat]

If Lamb comes it will be because Cal has told him Harrow and he will split PG duties.

I've never been a fan of PG by committee. I will say that if Lamb does come back, with Wiltjer and Polyress - we'll be shooting 3's like crazy.

Terrance Jones is announcing for the NBA ahead of schedule, which some assume is an end around by Cal to let Anthony Bennett know there is a start spot on the team for him next year. Some believe the reason he hasn't already announced for Florida is he wanted to see how UK shook out in the off season.

[aTm]

LSU would be crazy to hire Smith.

LSU already hired Johnny Jones.

[THE_WIZARD_]

Johnny "Lam" Jones?

[hedge]

I was reading Roger Ebert's blog today, he had written a touching piece about death and how a person kinda stays alive (at least in memory) as long as somebody who knew them is still alive, but how after that last person who knew them dies, then they truly disappear from existence, except maybe as a word or name, but not as a real entity. Anyway, as usual, there were tons of "thoughtful" comments, most of which I glossed over, but then this one caught my eye:

"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I've watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die."