LCB Hoops Picks: Rivalry Week

With football season finally over and the NBA season taking a break for all-star festivities, Berndon and myself move our focus to selecting college basketball. Our picks for this weekend's best games are after the jump..

Marquette-Tennessee:Studs & Duds

Handing out some post-game awards for last nights game, where UT was victorious 80-68

Studs:

Wesley Matthews- This was the first game I have been able to watch the new-look/Buzz Williams led Golden Eagles and he was by far the most impressive player on both sides of the floor. Matthews played amazing ball, dropping 30 and making it look easy. He was all over the court grabbing 4 rebounds, dishing out three assists, and defending his way to three steals. In my opinion he has NBA talent and will become a good role player for one lucky professional franchise.

Wayne Chism- The talented big man finally broke through for the Vols, and was the main reason they were able to escape Nashville with a win. He scored a career high 26 points, shooting 8-11 from the field and 8-11 from the line. He also held it down on the boards grabbing 11, giving him a double-double. In this game, Chism finally showed that he can be a prime time player.

Tyler Smith- Smith continued to be the all-everything player Bruce Pearl needs him to be; scoring 14 points with 6-6 from the line, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 0 turnovers.

Lazar Hayward- Helped keep the Golden Eagles in the game with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block.

Bobby Maze- Pushed the fast break at an intense pace and ran the offense well; leading him to six assists, 10 points, 4 rebounds, and a steal.

Tennessee Bench- They helped wear down the injury shortened roster of Marquette; they also did some damage on the scoreboard, outscoring their bench 23-3.

Duds:

Scotty Hopson- The heralded recruit for the Vols was ghastly from the floor, with 1-7 shooting. He seems to settle for threes, instead of driving the lane or taking mid-range jumpers for much more manageable buckets. Even if he had shot well, he would still make the dud list for getting a dunk blocked by 5'11 Dominic James.

Dominic James- I questioned making him a stud, just for the beautiful block he made on Hopson. However the amazing block didn't save him from a rough night of shooting (3-12) and foul trouble. Only managed 8 points and turned it over 3 times, but dished out 5 assists and grabbed 5 rebounds.

Jerel McNeal- Overall played okay, but needed to stay out of foul trouble to keep Marquette in the game. He couldn't manage to keep himself on the floor and turned the ball over far too often (4 TOs). Added 10 points though.

Overall it was a good game played by both sides, but Tennessee's deep bench overtook the short handed and foul plagued Golden Eagles. Chism had a game of a lifetime, Wesley Matthews made me a fan, and Maze is turning into a reliable point guard.

College Rankings 15-9

After the amount of writing I've been doing here, I feel like (insert 12th man of your favorite NBA team's name here, preferably a foreign white dude like the retard from Semipro). Anyway, here are my 15-9 teams, with the Elite Eight coming either late Thursday night or early Sunday morning.

15. Marquette( 25-10)
Last Year: lost in 2nd Round
Coach: Buzz Williams
Stud: Jerel McNeal
Glue: Wesley Matthews

I think my brother Dan is going to provide some game recaps about his alma mater during the course of the season, so I won't go into too much depth here. The major loss they will endure isn't a player, but their coach. Tom Crean decided to take on the massive rebuilding effort at Indiana, leaving assistant Buzz Williams in charge.
He inherits a trio of senior guards, who I feel have underachieved in their time in Milwaukee. Dominic James, Wesley Matthews, and Jerel McNeal have all had their moments, but haven't really won as much as people expect. McNeal is probably the best all-around, while James is streaky. They are all suspect from the outside, so it will be interesting to see if the new 3 point line has an effect. Maurice Acker and David Cubillian are pint-sized, but give the Eagles a loaded backcourt. Lazar Hayward is the best inside player, although he too shoots a lot from the outside. If they can get some production out of freshman big Chris Otule, Marquette can make some noise. They get Wisconsin and Tennessee non-conference, then the wars of the Big East to see if the senior guards, and their new coach can make a "buzz" in the tourney (terrible I know).



14. Davidson ( 29-7)
Last Year: Lost in the Elite 8
Coach: Bob McKillop
Stud: Stephen Curry
Glue: Andrew Lovedale
Schedule: Purdue, Duke, Oklahoma, West Va.

If college basketball teams were girlfriends, UNC would be the girl I've been steadily dating and that I'll probably marry someday. Last year, Davidson became the girl that I just met that I devloped a crush on. Nothing is going to come from it, because I'll always be faithful to UNC, but they still keep things interesting. The Wildcats should be in the top 25 all year, and it all starts with Stephen Curry. Probably the best pure shooter in the college game I've seen in my 20-21 years following the sport (sorry JJ), Curry is simply amazing. Watching him shoot them into the sweet 16 last year, and watching him put up 44 on Oklahoma last night proves that Davidson will never really be out of any game. The big issue will be the loss of their point guard, Jason Richards. He led the country in assists last year, allowing Curry to just come off screens and shoot. Now Curry has to be the primary distributor and scorer. Davidson has enough coming back from that tourney run in big Andrew Lovedale, William Archambault, and Max Paulus-Gossling to be just as good if not better than last season. They already played Oklahoma, and will play Purdue, Duke, and West Virginia. Look for them to once again play deep into March, especially if Curry can handle playing the point without losing any shots.

13. Gonzaga (25-8)
Last Year: lost in the 1st round
Coach: Mark Few
Stud: Austin Daye
Glue: Jeremy Pargo
Schedule: Tennessee, UCONN, Memphis, (possible matchups with Georgetown and Michigan St.)

The Zags are underated now to the point where they are almost overated. They've been such a mid-major powerhouse since the days of Matt Santangelo and Richie Frahm, and are consistently in the top 25 every year. They probably got hosed last year having to play Davidson in the first round, but they still should have went further. Almost all of the pieces from that team are still in place, so there's no reason to think they won't go a little further this year. Rail-thin Austin Daye is being hyped for All-American honors, as he can play inside and stroke the 3 ball. I really like Jeremy Pargo. Another Chicago kid, Pargo is a sick athlete who does a little bit of everything. It'll be worth it to stay up late and watch him and Patty Mills from St. Mary's duke it out at the point. Josh "Dude,where's my shrooms" Heytvelt provides more banging inside with Robert Sacre and 7-4 Will Foster. Micah Downs and Matt Bouldin will play the two and the three. The Zags will be deep, with Ira Brown, Steven Gray, and three freshman. The Zags look to once again be loaded. Even though the WCC has caught up to them a little bit with St.Mary's and San Diego, they should still win the league and can go far with a little help from the selection committee this time around.

12. Tennesee ( 32-5)
Last Year: lost in the sweet 16
Stud: Tyler Smith
Glue: J.P. Prince
Schedule: Marquette,Gonzaga, Kansas, Memphis, SEC

How can you not like Bruce Pearl? The guy is probably one of my favorite coaches in the college game, and I'm not biased, and don't get a boner for Tennesee like Michael Langston does. I think he's one of those coaches who if I was 8 inches taller and was a legitimate D1 prospect, I would have loved to play for. That being said, he does do a good job recruiting, and he has arguably turned UT into a bball school for the time being. This year, they lose 2 of the 3 Smith boys, Chris Lofton, and malcontent Duke Crews. They still have plenty back however, as Tyler Smith will be one of the best in the SEC. Smith is a slasher who can do pretty much everything. When healthy, J.P. Prince will cause matchup problems for anyone who has to play him. The Vols are loaded with athletes, with highly-publicized Scotty Hopson to back them up. They still have muscle inside with Wayne Chism, Brian Williams, and Ryan Childress. Tennessee and Florida will more than likely battle it out as the best in the conference, with tough matchups with Marquette, Gonzaga, Kansas, and interstate foe Memphis to get them ready. Replacing Lofton's shooting touch will be a must. If they can find something outside to go along with the athleticsm and turnovers they'll cause with the press, Bruce Pearl will be on tv more. This can only be a good thing.

11.Purdue (25-9)
Last year: lost in the 2nd round
Coach: Matt Painter
Stud: Robbie Hummel
Glue: Chris Kramer
Schedule: Duke, Davidson,Boston College, and probably Oklahoma. Big 10

It's been a while since Purdue has been up this high. I would have to guess the last time they were sniffing the top-10 was the days of Glenn Robinson. (WTF happened to him). The Boilermakers are loaded with sophmores who serve as the bourbon, while they have talented juniors that serve as the beer. (bartending reference). Robbie Hummel, Jajuan Johnson, and E'Twuan Moore(just wasted 10 seconds I'll never get back figuring out how to spell that) are the sophmores that stepped in and made a splash last year as frosh, with Hummel having the best year. Hummel is in the Tyler Hansborough effort mold, but he is athletic and will make defenders pay if they underestimate him. The development of Johnson as a true post presence will be a big difference. Kramer is not a shooter, but the former high school qb can distribute and defend. Grant is a shooter and scorer, while Moore also shot abover 40 percent from 3. Painter played for Gene Keady, so you know he'll bring an old-school approach that will make Purdue mentally tougher than most. They look really good already, and will get a test from Oklahoma in the NIT final if everything breaks right. Look for them to challenge the boys from East Lansing more top Big 10 honors, and probably at least an elite 8 appearance.

10. Notre Dame (25-8)
Last Year: lost in 2nd round
Coach: Mike Brey (thank god its not Charlie Weis)
Stud: Luke Harangody
Glue: Kyle McAlarney
Schedule: UCLA, Big East, (potential matchups with Texas and UNC in Maui)

I do not have the same affinity for Notre Dame hoops as I do for the football squad. I like separate D1 football and bball teams because I did not go to a D1 school. Plus MJ played for UNC. This is an arugment for another time whether or not you're allowed to this. Back to the informative content. Luke Harangody literally looks like he could be cast in Hoosiers 2k8. (Don't worry, I'm working on the screenplay). Bad haircut and all, Gody is a potential Big East player of the year. He is a load inside, and teams will struggle to stop him. To balance things out, the Irish can bomb from outside with Kyle McAlarney. Tory Jackson will be the primary ballhandler, and with slasher Ryan Ayres, shooter Luke Zeller, and do-everything Zach Hillenstand, Notre Dame has a little bit of everything. They will play UCLA and will probably get to see UNC in the battle of Berndon's favorite teams if they can beat Texas in Maui. If Harangody can be a force like last year, I don't see too many teams who will beat the Irish in conference play. Much like every power team in the conference, if they can emerge unscathed from those battles, they'll be a solid bet to potentially make the Final 4.

9. Pitt (27-6)
Last year: lost in the 2nd round
Coach: Jamie Dixon
Stud: Sam Young
Glue: Levance Fields
Schedule: Nobody really until the Big East punches them in the face

Pitt, while not necessarily the most fun team to watch, is the definition of grind it out basketball. They're like Wisconsin, only without the white dudes. They have been consistently good however for a while now, averaging 26.4 wins since Jamie Dixon took over for Ben Howland. Last year, Sam Young turned into a decent go to guy. After losing Aaron Gray to the Chicago Bulls' bench, Young became the go-to-guy. He can score inside and out, and he has the perfect complement in Dejuan Blair. Normally I make fun of fat people, but Blair is impossible not to like. If he takes a big frosh-to-soph jump, then look out. Levance Fields runs the point while looking like Jermaine Dupri, which is an impressive feat. Fields is straight out the Brandin Knight mold where he's not going to wow anyone offensively, yet gets the job done. They have more experience in Tyrell Biggs, and Gilbert Brown. Travon Woodall will back up Fields, while other freshman Asthon Gibbs, and Dwight Miller should get mintues. I feel like a broken record, but this is another Big East squad who will lose some conference games, yet should be a in a great position to make a late March run.

Rocky Top Preview: We got hop son!!

Bruce Pearl has brought this team to heights it hasn't seen in a long time. Last season was a great one for the Volunteers, they were ranked as high as number one in the land and earned a number one seed for the tournament. They went 31-5, which was only bested by four other teams in the country. But for the second year in a row they couldn't manage to get past the sweet sixteen, this time bowing out to Louisville. Players gone from last years team include Chris Lofton, JaJuan Smith, ladies man Jordan Howell, Ramar Smith, and Duke Crews. Jordan, JaJuan and Chris all graduated. Lofton and JaJuan are both pursuing life in the pros, with the former playing in Turkey and the latter just recently being cut by the Mavericks. Ramar and Duke were dismissed from the program for violations of the University of Tennessee’s substance-abuse policy and academic shortcomings. I am guessing the substance abuse led to the academic shortcomings.

Tyler Smith will be the unquestioned leader of this team. The transfer from Iowa had a fantastic sophomore season he led the Vols in assists (3.4 apg), rebounding (6.7 rpg) and field goal percentage (.536) and was third in scoring (13.6 ppg). He earned first team all-SEC honors. Smith has the size of a small forward, but often initiates the offense with his passing and ball-handling ability. He’ll likely look for his shot a little more this season considering all the firepower the Vols lost. Swingman JP Prince and Wayne Chism will also be counted on heavily as returning players. Chism is a load down low when he plays under control, and Prince’s slashing and athleticism are a great fit in Pearl’s offense. Brian Williams also return up front, giving the Vols some strength to bang down low, although he must watch his fouls more this year. Ryan Childress returns to infuriate me with idiotic three point attempts and untimely fouls.

With five players gone from last years team, there is a huge hole to fill. Bruce Pearl and his assistants did their very best to fill each hole, with equal or better talent. They did just that with the seventh ranked recruiting class in the country.

Headlining the recruiting class is Scotty Hopson, who will be the first McDonald's All-American to suit up for the Vol's since Vincent Yarborough. The 6'7 guard is a terrific athlete with good range on his jumper and should be an impact player from the first day of practice. He has the talent to be a one-and-done player, he is that good.

Emmanuel Negedu a native of Nigeria is a consummate energy guy who dunks whenever he can in traffic and has the ability to face-up and drive the lane. Renaldo Woolridge (aka "The Answer" ) the son of Orlando Woolridge, stands at 6'8 and has the ability to play guard and forward. He will mostly play at forward as he can stretch the defense but also crash the boards when needed. Bobby Maze, a JUCO All-American transfer, looks to battle for the starting point-guard spot with J.P. Prince. Whoever whens the starting gig should be a major upgrade from former would-be starter Ramar Smith. Daniel West provides depth at the two positions the Vols need most, the guard spots. But I wouldn't be surprised if he is red-shirted. Phillip Jurick rounds out the fantastic recruiting class. A 6'10 center out of Chattanooga, who will be looked at to contribute early and often. Especially if Chism and Brian Williams get into foul trouble, strike that, when Chism and Williams get into foul trouble.

The schedule should test the young team throughout the season, equipping them to be ready to make a good run come tournament time. I haven't taken a look at other programs schedules but I would venture to say that they have one of the toughest in the country.

Although they lost a ton of experience, they return enough upperclassmen to help guide them through the SEC. Mix in the talented freshmen, and the Vols are a threat to go deep in the NCAA Tourney once again. How far they go will depend on how quickly Hopson and the young guys adapt to the college game, but it looks like Tennessee basketball is here to stay.

Games to watch:
Old Spice Classic :Includes possible games vs. Georgetown, Maryland, Michigan St., Gonzaga, Oklahoma St., Siena, and Witchita State. Games can be seen on ESPN2. Takes place in Orlando from Nov. 27th- Nov. 30th.
Florida (ESPN Jan. 31st and @UF on CBS March 9th) College gameday crew will be on hand for home game vs. Florida
Kentucky (ESPN Jan. 13th and @UK on CBS Feb. 21st)
at Temple (ESPN, Dec. 13 at noon)
Marquette (ESPN, Dec. 16 at 9:30 p.m.)
at Kansas (ESPN, Jan. 3 at 2 p.m.)
Gonzaga (ESPN2, Jan. 7 at 9 p.m.)
Memphis (CBS Jan. 24th at 3:30)

Emmanuel Negedu, I envy you

Have you heard of Emmanuel Negedu, well its time you have. Next fall he will be on the court in Knoxville playing for Bruce Pearl and the Volunteers of Tennessee. If his play is as good as his announcement and life has been recently the Vols could be looking at another trip deep in the tournament. Negedu, graduate of Brewster Academy is the latest top recruit to commit to Tennessee. But I bet none of the recruits in the history of UT mens basketball have even half as cool a story. Here is an exceprt from Gary Parrish's blog:

...with the release from Arizona and the recruiting battle between
Tennessee, Memphis, Indiana and Georgia Tech, Griffin decided to invite Emmanuel
to California to film some stuff and make his
announcement from there. So that's what's been going on this week. While you
are living whatever life you live, Emmanuel Negedu is kicking it in Santa Cruz
with a Hollywood producer and a supermodel (who happened to top
Maxim's Hot 100 list this year, case you didn't know), and it's times like
these when I really wish I was Emmanuel Negedu

Yeah so hes just a regular kid, hanging out with movie producers and Marisa Miller. Negedu will join 5-star recruit Scotty Hopson, 4-star recruits Philip Jurick and Renaldo Wooldrige(Orlandos son), and 3-star recruits Bobby Maze and Daniel West. Negedu is considered a 4-star recruit. Recruiting rankings from Rivals.com

Gary Parrish: The Thoughts