The Halfcourt Trap Vol. I, No. 35.

With the Madness of March behind us, the Trap heads to the Bay Area this week for the Nuggets-Warriors clash. Here are some topics to keep college hoops fans buzzing into the offseason.

1. For The Love Of Money. We all realize coaching has become big business. Coaches are as much CEOs as they are instructors these days. The Oklahoma State situation will provide a fascinating test case as to how much money now rules the game. If Bill Self or Billy Gillispie take OSU up on what would be mammoth offers, we’ll know that money is all that talks these days.

2. Tyreke’s Choice. The best unsigned recruit in college basketball is now faced with a decision that will have major impact on two national programs. If, as his brother has publicly stated the family wishes, he picks hometown favorite Villanova, the Wildcats move from a really good team to a legitimate Final Four contender. On the other hand, if he picks Memphis, that will ensure at least one more season of Tiger dominance in C-USA.

3. Crumbling Tide. Alabama is in pure disarray. Suspensions, NBA defections, lousy play on the floor, etc. You name it, they’re suffering from it. Mark Gottfried can expect to feel the heat wratcheted up in the coming weeks.

4. LSWho? With new AD Joe Allevo on board, it’s time for the Tigers to get down to the business of hiring a basketball coach. We’ll learn a lot about the new man in charge by what route he takes on this hire.

5. In or Out? The annual spring ritual of waiting to see who does and does not enter the NBA is in full swing. The top of next year’s preseason polls will be dictated by what happens between now and April 29th. North Carolina, Connecticut, and Southern Cal are among the teams that will sweat out decisions by multiple key contributors.

6. Divine Providence? The Friars, attempting to regain relevance in the Big East, have struggled mightily in the coaching search. Failure to get the right coach this time around will relegate PC to the bottom of the conference for the forseeable future.

Until next week, stay classy, Volnation.