Basketball Recruiting News…

Summertime is a hot time for college basketball recruiting.  Here are some updates on the nation’s best high school players.

Austin Rivers

Austin Rivers continues to show strongly as one of the best in 2011.  He had stellar performances at the major July basketball tournaments, and very may well

become the number 1 ranked player in his class.  By most accounts he is considered a Duke lean, but is reported to be considering Kansas, Florida,

Will Barton is academically ineligible to play college basketball.

Kentucky, and North Carolina too. If you remember, he de-committed from Florida a few months ago.

Several high-profile recruits still haven’t been cleared by the NCAA to play next season.  Will Barton, the most

heralded recruit in Memphis’ Top 5 recruiting class, has been declared ineligible due to academic reasons, and it is unlikely he will play next season (Barton is allowed to appeal, although an appeal is considered a long shot).

Superstar recruit Enes Kanter, who is committed to Kentucky, hasn’t been cleared to play either.  The NCAA is reviewing his affiliation with a professional basketball team in Turkey, where he is from.

Josh Selby's amateur status is being questioned by the NCAA.

Finally, Kansas commit Josh Selby’s eligibility remains unclear.  The NCAA is checking into the legitimacy of his amateur status (affiliation with an agent has been alleged). Selby is considered by some as the best player in his class.

Chicago phenom Anthony Davis will reportedly commit to Kentucky, reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.  The Sun-Times also alleged that the commitment “cost $200,000”, although they later retracted that statement.  Kentucky has threatened legal action against the newspaper for irresponsible journalism.

Check back later for more information on recruiting and college basketball!

Posted by Ben

The Capital of College Basketball

I know it’s not college basketball season.  But I can’t go a whole offseason without talking about it some.

I have recently on an online message board been arguing where the capital of college basketball is.  Some popular answers have been Lexington, KY, Lawrence, KS and Springfield, MA, among others.

Over the next week or so, I’m going to make a case for several cities / areas that I think are worthy of the title of college basketball’s title.  Then I will make my final decision.

Today I’m going to go over Lawrence, Kansas.

First and foremost,  Lawrence has deep-rooted history that is nearly unrivaled.  The University of Kansas is in Lawrence, which was practically the first college

Wilt Chamberlain is a famous Jayhawk who spent his college days in Lawrence, KS.

basketball program.  The inventor of the game of basketball, James Naismith, coached the Kansas Jayhawks.  One of the greatest and most-feared basketball (Allen Field House), is in Lawrence.  The history is simply amazing.

Along with all the history, the Kansas Jayhawks have been one of the most successful programs in all of college basketball.  They are one of only 3 teams in college basketball with 2000+ wins (Kentucky and UNC are the other two).  Including the pre-tournament era, the Jayhawks have 5 National Championships.  They own several current

Kansas Jayhawks fans are some of the best in all of college basketball.

NCAA records.  The accomplishment of that basketball program go on and on.

The fan base in Lawrence is simply amazing.  It is truly a college basketball town, and is high up on the list in the race for the capital of college basketball.  Thanks for reading.  Check back for my next post, where I will debate whether Tobacco Road is worthy of being the capital.

Posted by Ben

Final Four Predictions

If this hasn’t been the craziest NCAA Tournament ever, I couldn’t stand one with any more upsets than this one! Duke is the only #1 seed left, but some people even think that they could get beat in their first Final Four game. Duke needs to be careful and not go into the home stretch of the season thinking that they have a championship locked up; while they are the best team left overall, they still have to win two games against quality opponents. Here is my take on both games:

#5 Butler – #5 Michigan State (6:07pm, CBS) 

Who would’ve guessed that these teams would advance further than Kansas or Syracuse? But that is the beauty of the NCAA Tournament, anything can happen. Looking at both teams’ rosters, Michigan State has the size advantage, speed advantage, and experience advantage. Since Butler also has the pressures of playing in front of many friends and family, I’ll pick Michigan State. MSU’s coach, Tom Izzo, is severely underrated, there is no one I would rather have to set up a last minute play than him. Lastly, an interesting matchup will be Butler’s Gordon Hayward, a 3 position player, and MSU’s forward Raymar Morgan. Both are playing great and should be fun to watch this Saturday.

#1 Duke – #2 West Virginia (8:47pm, CBS)

If you would’ve asked me for my pick for the better team of these two prior to West Virginia’s Elite Eight win against Kentucky, I would’ve easily said Duke – with no hesitance; but the Mountaineers just keep winning – it might not look good – but they’re winning. Duke still should win, but who knows. This game will turn into a defensive battle, maybe not low scoring, but every point will be earned by both teams. West Virginia doesn’t have the most efficient offense, but can really get after the ball and make games close. If Duke can keep getting offensive rebounds, they will be tough to beat. The deciding factor on my pick is Duke’s guards – they are experienced, great shooters, and don’t turn the ball over much. Duke will have to play hard physically, something that they have struggled with at times, but I think they will easily win this one.

Unless you’re a Duke, Michigan State, or West Virginia fan, you’ll probably end up pulling for Butler. Butler would be the “Cinderella” of the decade if they could get a Final Four win, but that’s a big if.

Posted by Tom