Best Buy Summer Tournament Update

I just wanted to mention that I updated the Rivals rankings and schools that the players have offers from or have already committed to. Lots of these players have made a huge impact already, as Arkansas has a highly-ranked class, in which most players I have already commented on. For a link to my notes from the tournament:

CLICK HERE!

These players will be the future of college basketball.

BCS Update

With the most important games upcoming, the BCS rankings are going to be more scrutinized than ever due to the fact of the possibility of a one-loss team reaching the national championship over a possible undefeated Boise State or TCU. Here are the relevant teams in the BCS picture right now:



*Note Stanford is higher than Nebraska because they are ranked higher in the Harris Poll compared to Nebraska than Nebraska is in the USA Today poll over Stanford.

Here are the tough challenges that lie ahead for these teams:
Oregon
Vs. #18 Arizona
@ Oregon State
Auburn
@ #12 Alabama
SEC Conference Championship game (Florida or South Carolina)
TCU
Vs. San Diego State
Boise State
Vs. Fresno State
@ #21 Nevada
LSU
@ #15 Arkansas
Stanford
Vs. Oregon State
Wisconsin
@ Michigan
Vs. Northwestern
Nebraska
@ #25 Texas A&M
Big 12 Championship Game (Oklahoma State)

The reason I bring this post up is because Oregon and Auburn are going to have some tough games in the very near future. TCU’s high BCS ranking is likely to drop as they have a bye week and two easy games remaining on their schedule. Boise State will jump up a little bit but if Nevada loses before they play, they will also drop in the rankings. LSU has an opportunity to jump both TCU and Boise State if they finish their season strong against Arkansas, however they will suffer because they won’t be playing in the SEC Championship. Stanford and Wisconsin will likely be trailing right behind, which could take away an at-large BCS bid. Nebraska still has a chance to make some noise, as the computers love Oklahoma State, and they will benefit if they win that game, and most of the other teams will be on a bye.

With all these crazy scenarios, here is my current BCS prediction:

BCS Championship: Oregon vs. LSU
Rose: Wisconsin vs. Stanford
Fiesta: Nebraska vs. Pittsburgh
Orange: Virginia Tech vs. TCU
Sugar: Auburn vs. Boise State

Bradley 2010-11 Season Preview

After an average season last year, the Bradley fans are expecting a breakthrough. With three seniors on the roster to lead the way, anything less than a top-3 finish in the Missouri Valley Conference will be a disappointment. Bradley’s tough non-conference schedule should prepare the team for the rigors of the Valley, as well as, help this team attempt to return to the NCAA tournament. Here is my breakdown:

Point Guard: Sam Maniscalco, SR, 6-0, 175 lbs (13.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.4 apg)

Maniscalco is the heart and soul of the Bradley team. However, he is recovering from ankle surgery last summer, and it is unknown how much that will affect him. Nonetheless, Maniscalco has a great jump shot, plays solid defense, and gets to the board nicely for a point guard. If Maniscalco can return to full-strength, expect Bradley to be the team that reaches the highest expectations set for them.

Shooting Guard: Dodie Dunson, SR, 6-3, 210 lbs (10.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.2 apg in 2008-09)

Dunson broke his forearm in the second game last season, and used his medical redshirt. In the game that he was injured, Dunson had 16 points in the first half. However, Bradley will need him to provide senior leadership as well as being the lockdown defender for the Braves. He will probably have the task of guarding the other team’s best guard, which is a tall task and his offensive numbers could suffer through it, although it will provide a greater benefit.

Small Forward: Andrew Warren, SR, 6-6, 210 lbs (14.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.5 apg)

Andrew Warren is the biggest scoring threat for the Braves, as his height and strength can overpower other guards from the three-point line all the way to the middle of the paint. Warren is another senior, whose leadership is going to be invaluable. If Warren can find his 15-20 points on a nightly basis, he will definitely help the Braves over the 67-point mark that they averaged last year.

Power Forward: Taylor Brown, JR, 6-6, 225 lbs (13.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg)

Taylor Brown was voted the Missouri Valley Most Improved Player last season, and he hopes to improve upon that by becoming more consistent. Brown holds tremendous potential on the offensive end, as he is built into a NBA small forward type role. To improve this season, Brown will need to focus more defensively and be more aggressive in the low post.

Center: Will Egolf, JR, 6-9, 239 lbs (7.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg)

Egolf battled foul trouble in a lot of games last season, but is going to have higher role this season. Bradley hopes to have Egolf double the numbers that he averaged last year, as he will be placed on the floor for most of the game whether its in the power forward or center role. Egolf is a much better jump shooter than most 6 foot 9 players, and he should use it to his advantage this season.

Bench:
SG – Dyricus Simms-Edwards, SO, 6-3, 205 lbs (5.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.7 apg)
PF – Jordan Prosser, FR, 6-9, 240 lbs (23.8 ppg, 12.6 rpg, 2.5 bpg in 2008-09 at Eureka HS)
SF- Jake Eastman, SO, 6-5, 210 lbs (2.9 ppg, 1.5 rpg)
PF – Milos Knezevic, SO, 6-8, 225 lbs (1.6 ppg, 0.9 rpg)
C– Anthony Thompson, JR, 6-10, 232 lbs (1.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg)
PG- Walt Lemon, FR, 6-3, 185 lbs (19 ppg, 5 rpg, 6 apg at Julian HS)
PF- Andrew Davis, FR, 6-10, 220 lbs (9 ppg, 8 rpg at IMG Academy)

Simms-Edwards came along at the end of last season and transformed into a good backup point guard. Simms-Edwards can slash to the basket better than most guards and due to his huge frame, can absorb the contact that he faces over the long course of a season. Expect him to jump into a higher role on the team and potentially be the Most Improved player in the Missouri Valley.
Prosser is Bradley’s highest rated recruit in recent years, and after redshirting this season and being proclaimed the most improved player over the summer, the expectations are high for him. Prosser started in the exhibition game versus Quincy, and will see a lot of playing time at the power forward and center positions. Prosser has a lot of muscle and should be able to punish skinnier post players for tons of points and rebounds.
Jake Eastman came along last season, and is the player that coaches love to coach. He is the ultimate hustle player that can play positions one through three, as well as pick up key rebounds or hit key jump shots. Eastman will play much more than he did last year, and I expect him to improve upon his play as he gains experience.
Knezevic is a tall sharp shooter than provides tons of mismatches for the opposition, as they struggle to find big men that can cover Knezevic. Knezevic will receive more minutes this season, and fans should expect him to rain jumpers throughout the season.
Thompson has gained a ton of weight since arriving on the Hilltop and will hold a key role in guarding the paint when he is put into the game. Anything on offense will be a bonus compared to the defensive presence that Thompson holds.
Lemon and Davis are both freshman. Lemon is ultra-quick and should get some minutes at the point guard position, but the key for all freshman will be limiting turnovers and playing at their own speed compared to going too fast and out of control. However, as Bradley fans have already seen thus far in the season, Lemon has the athletic ability to play with anyone in the Valley.

Season Outlook
The Bradley Braves should set their expectations on a 22-25 win season, with a Missouri Valley top-3 finish and a possible chance to reach the NCAA Tournament. With three seniors in the starting lineup, this is their best chance in recent years to reach the Big Dance, and will all of the players that they possess, I wouldn’t say that it is out of their reach.

2010-11 Golden Gopher basketball preview

After a work of Tubby magic last season, the Gophers rumbled to the Big Ten Championship in the conference tournament and earning a berth in the NCAA postseason tournament. However, this year is expected to bring more winning to Minneapolis, where the Gophers are expected to compete for a top-3 spot in the conference. The Big Ten will be deep this season, and one of the teams that everyone has their eye on as the surprising team is the Golden Gophers. Here is my breakdown:

Point Guard: Al Nolen, SR, 6-1, 188 lbs (6.7 ppg, 3.1 rbg, 4.6 apg)

Al Nolen was suspended during the end of the season last year after being ruled academically ineligible, but after working hard over the summer, I don’t expect his grades to become a problem again. Nolen has tons of speed and is a predator on defense, which is essential for Tubby Smith’s full-court defense. As a senior, Nolen has really progressed passing the ball and as a shooter since his freshman’s year. Smith hasn’t declared Nolen or Devoe Joseph the starter yet, but I expect Nolen’s veteran presence of running the team to come through and earn him the starting spot.

Shooting Guard: Blake Hoffarber, SR, 6-4, 210 lbs (10.0 ppg, 3.6 rbg, .467 3PT)

Hoffarber is still trying to establish his legacy as more than the kid who made the shot off of his butt to eventually give Hopkins a high school state championship. Hoffarber is one of the best pure shooters in the country, as he was almost 50% from deep last year, and I expect him to improve upon that number this year. Hoffarber’s game is turning more than just a shooter compared to when he first entered at Minnesota. He is no longer a liability on defense, and is using his height to create more disadvantages off of the dribble.

Small Forward: SF- Rodney Williams, SO, 6-7, 200 lbs (4.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg)

Rodney Williams entered the University of Minnesota with high expectations to match is high leaping abilities. Williams needed work on the offensive end, as he wasn’t a great shooter as well as taking defenders off of the dribble. Williams is one of the most explosive players, and after a year under Tubby Smith, I expect him to utilize his athletic abilities on the defensive end and another year to hone his jump shot. Williams has the potential to be a lottery pick in a future NBA draft with athletic abilities that remind me of Rudy Gay, but it will be up to him to work on his defense and jump shot.

Power Forward: Ralph Sampson III, JR, 6-11, 241 lbs (8.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg)

Ralph Sampson III will never be the player that his father was, but he has the potential to be an incredible force in the post. Sampson III should have better rebounding numbers, but that should increase, as he will play more minutes this year. Sampson III’s extreme height should allow his hook shots to drop in over more athletic forwards that have caused him trouble in his earlier seasons.

Center: Colton Iverson, JR, 6-10, 258 lbs (5.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg)

Iverson played well off of the bench last year, and will be rewarded with a starting role this season. Iverson exploded during the Big Ten Tournament, and holds an invaluable role for the upcoming season. Iverson may be undersized through his height but he can hold his own. Iverson should improve after playing another season and his numbers should improve nicely.

Bench:
PF– Trevor Mbakwe, JR, 6-8, 240 lbs (16.3 ppg, 13.2 rps, 2.7 bpg at Miami Dade College in 2008-09)
PG- Devoe Joseph, JR, 6-3, 179 lbs (9.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.0 apg)
PF- Maurice Walker, FR, 6-10, 289 lbs (12.5 ppg, 10.0 rbg at Brewster Academy in N.H. in HS)
SG- Austin Hollins, FR, 6-4, 180 lbs (18.9 ppg at Germantown, Tenn. HS)
SG- Chip Armelin, FR, 6-3, 186 lbs (23.5 ppg, 9.2 rbg at Sulphur, La. HS)

The number one reason I believe this Golden Gopher team has a chance to wreck havoc in the Big Ten is because of Trevor Mbakwe. Mbakwe was suspended all of last season, but holds immense potential to dominate this year. In summer leagues, he was known to drop over 30 points a game, as well as dominating on the boards. Mbakwe is a little undersized, but his athleticism makes up for it. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Mbakwe’s name for Big Ten player of the year, once the season is over.

Devoe Joseph played amazingly after Al Nolan was ruled ineligible to play. Although Joseph isn’t the best passer, he is a much better scorer than Nolan and forces defense to cover him from driving and taking jump shots, compared to spying on Hoffarber for the entire game. The Gophers played much better with Joseph on the court, and I would expect Tubby to try and let Nolan and Joseph co-exist in the same backcourt, to maximize both of the players’ strengths.

The Gophers have three new freshmen that have a chance to contribute immediately off of the bench. Walker is much bigger than a lot of freshmen, and I could see him logging a lot of minutes during non-conference play before the Gophers run into bigger forwards in the Big Ten. Walker struggles defensively, and that will probably lead him to sitting more than playing down the stretch. Austin Hollins is a good pure shooter, and could find his way onto the floor when they are struggling to score offensively. Chip Armelin is a scorer, but will probably be limited this season due to the plethora of guards in front of him on the depth chart.

Season Outlook
The Minnesota Golden Gophers haven’t been a force in the Big Ten for the last decade, but are looking to make that jump this season. They have several pieces in the proper game manager in Al Nolen, a great shooter in Blake Hoffarber, a threat inside in Trevor Mbakwe, and good post defense with Ralph Sampson III and Colton Iverson. The Gophers are playing in a tough conference this year, but with Tubby Smith on the sidelines, this team has a chance to go places.

Randy Moss waived by Vikings

As the entire state of Minnesota attempts to interpret the bombshell of Randy Moss being waived by the Vikings, I thought it would be perfect to throw in my two cents of why he is gone.

In case you have been hiding under a rock for the past several hours, the Minnesota Vikings waived WR Randy Moss (broken by NFL Network) after trading for him only four weeks ago. Vikings players said Monday that coach Brad Childress told them that Moss "is no longer with us."

Moss is available on the waiver wire until Tuesday afternoon. A team can claim him and pick up the final year of a contract that pays him $6.4 million a year. If no one claims him, the Vikings owe him the remaining $3.888 million of his deal and he's available for around $450,000 with Moss picking the team he would like to join.

Many teams have expressed interest in signing Moss through Adam Schefter, but I will be surprised if an average/mediocre team actually claims him. I could see a team that is contending for a Super Bowl pull the trigger, but I don’t think many teams want to pay $6.4 million for a player that has gone through two organizations. Contrary to public opinion, team chemistry is one of the most important building blocks for young teams, and I don’t think most general managers or coaches would want to mess with a possible headache of Moss.

In four games with the Vikings, Moss had 13 receptions for 174 yards and two touchdowns. The Vikings were 1-3 in those games, including Sunday's loss at New England.

My Breakdown

I fully believe that we will hear more about Moss’ tenure with the Vikings in the near future. I think a lot more happened at the end of the New England game than the public currently has knowledge of. After the Vikings’ loss, Moss was critical of Childress and vice-versa, but the fact that sticks out in my mind is that Moss stayed in the New England area after the Vikings flew back to Minnesota. His reasoning was that he wanted to see family, but I think that is a cover story.

Although Viking fans are extremely upset with Childress at this time, I wouldn’t be too critical until the full story comes out. I’ve read that people don’t understand how Childress will put up with Favre but not Moss, but the difference is that Favre has become a leader of this team, while there are reports that Moss has been a problem since he arrived in Minnesota.

Overall, the trade made sense for the Vikings, as they were 1-2 at the time of the trade and needed to stir things up to get on a winning streak. Although they lost a valuable draft pick for basically nothing, the Vikings have put all their marbles into this season, and needed to do their best to win a Super Bowl this year. However, all hell has broken loose, and it will be interesting to see how they finish out this season. Reports now have Percy Harvin injured as well, making the Vikings incredibly thin at the receiver position, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Vikings end the year with a disappointing 4-12 record.

*You can check my old posts on this blog and you can see that I wasn’t in favor of the Moss trade unless it produced a Super Bowl. With everyone saying that the Vikings were going to turn it around at the time, you can never overlook team chemistry on young and/or struggling teams (Ex. The difference between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers). If you don’t believe that chemistry plays a huge role, think about how baseball ended up with a San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers matchup in the World Series.