ForumsWith a weekend that will go a long way toward defining this college football season straight ahead, here’s a sampling of what’s up in the world of hoops:
1. The Best Laid Plans… Last week, I talked to former Tennessee assistant Scott Edgar. He was excited about the prospects for his Southeast Missouri team this season. We discussed the similarities between Nolan Richardson and Bruce Pearl. Today, word came down that Coach Edgar has been placed on leave after SEMO received word that the NCAA is investigating serious allegations of impropriety on the part of the basketball program. Here’s hoping Coach Edgar comes out of this alright.
2. The Rest Of The Story… When I spoke with Bobby Gonzalez recently, he was upbeat about the squad he has at Seton Hall, but really had something else he wanted to talk about. Coach Gonzalez wanted to emphatically state that the transfers of Herb Pope and Keon Lawrence were not attempts at a quick fix. His position is that he doesn’t think it’s the end of the world if the NCAA denies both of their wavers for immediate eligibility. He considers both players long term solutions, not rent a players.
3. Full Circle… Sometimes, life has a very interesting symmetry. Kevin O’Neill is back in the NBA with the Grizzlies. The irony there is that Memphis is the city where he coached his final game as UT’s head coach. Here’s a prediction: With Kevin’s guidance, OJ Mayo will make the NBA All Defensive Team within two seasons.
4. Crean Of The Crop… Indiana’s NCAA mess hasn’t hurt Tom Crean on the recruting trail. After salvaging a decent class this spring, the Head Hoosier has a half dozen top flight prospects committed to enroll in the fall of ‘09. IU’s time in the Big 10’s nether regions will be short.
5. Bouncing Back… At the end of the ‘06-’07 season, Bobby Lutz was in trouble. Charlotte had suffered through a poor season and the fan base was up in arms about Lutz’s flirtation with the South Alabama job becoming public. However, a soild ‘07-’08 season started to turn the tide. Now, Lutz has a commitment from Chris Braswell, beating out a number of Big East and ACC powers for the coveted prospect.
6. Magazine Madness… The preseason annuals are hitting the stands. Every year it becomes more apparent that publishers are cutting back on content, essentially conceding to the internet. Only The Blue Ribbon Yearbook has maintained its high level of quality.
Until next week, stay classy, Volnation
