Not a whole lot.

We uncreative types are enthusiastically awaiting Midnight Madness to begin on Oct. 17.

But for Kentucky, by way of some “loop holes” no doubt, all the madness begins on Oct.10.

Bob McClellan & Andrew Skwara from rivals.com weigh in on if it’s fair for Kentucky to have this special exception.

A Sea of Blue takes a look at this year’s Kentucky squad with a visor free appeal.

Storming the Floor continues on their journey of the “State Project”. September 14th’s edition takes a look at the state of North Carolina. Who knew that Campbell University’s mascot was the camel? Who had ever heard of Campbell University?

Tar Heel Fan takes a look at UNC’s schedule for this year. Interesting similarities to Duke’s schedule.

Big Ten Geeks is currently previewing each team in the conference. The conference needs a strong showing from the hoop squads this season because it sure is not looking pretty for the gridironers thus far.

The Daily Gopher looks at the Minnesota schedule and predicts a 23-7 record.

Yeah, didn’t expect that creepy boldness did you?

Neither did I.

(scratches head)

And just for kicks I’ll throw in a Detroit Lions jab. This is from Footbawful.

Worst of the Weekend: The NFC

The Detroit Lions: Oh good God. This Lions team may very well give last year’s 1-15 Dolphins team a run for its money. One week after getting skewered by Matt Ryan and Michael Turner, they made Aaron Rodgers (see above) and Greg Jennings (6 receptions, 167 yards) look like first-ballot Hall of Famers. They’ve already given up 82 points so far this season and a quick look at their schedule provides grim tidings: If they can’t come through at San Francisco next week or at Houston in Week 7, they could very well lose every single game this season. No, seriously. Every. Single. Game.

Oh there’s more…

John Kitna: As awful as the Lions are as a team, Kitna was bad enough yesterday to warrant individual mention. His 276 yards and 2 touchdowns might have helped whatever poor schmucks might have started him on their fantasy squads this week, but he killed the Lions chances yesterday by standing statue-like in the pocket (leading to five sacks) and throwing three straight fourth quarter interceptions, the last two of which were run back for touchdowns by the Green Bay defense. As Kitna himself put it: “Unfortunately when we needed it the most, I didn’t get the job done.” True, John, but it was a little worse than that. You didn’t just fail to help the little old lady across the street…you pushed her in front of the speeding Mazda.

(Seriously thinking about converting to a Lions free lifestyle)

See you on the other side.

Photos via newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Storylines?

Hold it– 52… 52.

Nix that.

52 votes have been cast and 22 of the votes went to MSU’s Delvon Roe.

I think this polling thing is getting to Delvon’s head a bit.

Newscom

Thinking big: MSU freshman Delvon Roe believes the Spartans will national title contenders in his first season. “I think we can go all the way. We have everything in place – size, talent, athleticism,” he said.

source

Hold it right there…

Will they be able to post a solid enough record to warrant a top two or three seed in the tourney?

MSU’s schedule might be the “toughest” one yet, so says Tom Izzo.

Nov. 19- IPFW away
Nov. 27- Maryland in Orlando (Old Spice Classic)
Nov. 28- Gonzaga/Oklahoma St.
Nov. 30- Tennessee/Georgetown/ Wichita St.
Dec. 3- UNC in Detroit
Dec. 13- Alcorn St. home
Dec. 20- Texas in Houston
Dec. 27- Oakland in Detroit
Jan.10- Kansas home

Delvon Roe talks the talk, but can he walk the walk?

Izzo isn’t ready to make predictions on what Roe will give MSU on the court as a freshman. He has a good idea, though, what Roe will give off the court.
Moments after MSU’s season-ending 92-74 loss to Memphis, Roe sent text messages to every one of his future teammates, telling them to stay positive and start thinking about next season.
“I mean, who does that?” Izzo said. “They say leaders aren’t made, they’re born, and I think he might be one of those guys. I think he can lead for us right away.”

source

If Raymar Morgan doesn’t have an all conference type of season, it might not matter. Unless your name is Michael Beasley or Derrick Rose, leave the leading up to the experienced guys.

New poll is up, please vote.

Post from: EveryJoe

Polling is closed, top pre-season freshman crowned

In front of him stand two very accomplished upper classmen guards who, while not gaudy or brass, do their jobs well within the system. And it’s a rather lengthy backcourt as well. Junior Austin Johnson, 6’3, and senior Tony Crocker, 6’6, both play within themselves and are fundamentally sound. Both are expected to play 30 plus minutes a game, but don’t necessarily need to put up scoring numbers excessively better than last year. Quality, not quantity, should be Tony and Austin’s aim. Though 4.6 assists/gm between the two could afford to improve.

Besides the anticipation of Warren, there are four other newcomers to the program, three of which are JC transfers. Head Coach Jeff Capel likes each one, but is really impressed with 6′6 forward/athlete Juan Pattillo

“Juan is a great athlete,” stressed Capel. “He plays hard, has a tremendous body, can play above the rim. He’s guy who you don’t give a position. He’s just a basketball player. He can affect the game in different ways with his ability to slash and his mid-range shot. He should be a really good offensive rebounder and he has a chance to be a really good defender who can match up at multiple positions.”

Another prime time Juco athlete, 6’8 Kyle Cannon, can really shoot the ball, but Capel is still cautious as to which position Kyle is best suited for.

“Kyle is a 6-8 skilled player. I wouldn’t label him as a post guy, necessarily. Like Juan, he’s just a basketball player. When healthy, he’s a good athlete. He just has a good feel for the game. He’s another guy who will give us flexibility. We could play him, Taylor and Blake together; him, Taylor and Ryan together. We’ll be able to do different things because of Kyle’s ability to step away from the basket and shoot, and because of his ability to pass.”

source

I’m not so sure OU fans are keen on Capel’s avoidance of issuing positions to these great athletes. It could be a ploy, one in which gives the opposition some hope that said newcomers aren’t bona fide skilled players, just hyper athletes who could eventually develop. I’ve heard plenty of times how a player has the ability to shoot the ball, yet can’t be fitted for a position. Usually there’s an underlying falsity about the player’s “strengths”, and while the potential is there, no concrete authentication should probably come about from a position less athlete. But on paper the Sooners garner much enthusiasm because of the depth, height and overall seasoning they seemingly exude.

I find the Sooners to be in a position very similar to the Tar Heels. A one year window of opportunity (of course UNC’s window has been agape a lot recently) to win the big one is certainly attainable, just based on the top five players alone.

It was close. If normalcy had persisted, neither team would even be in the discussion this year.

Post from: EveryJoe

Sooners at #4

#1

Without the unparalleled presence of Tyler Hansbrough, this year’s UNC squad might just have fallen into the trap of entitlement.

Newscom

The players could easily look around and see that every one of the starters is back… plus the sixth man, notice that turnover machine Quentin Thomas graduated, feel comfort in Roy Williams’s oversight of each drill, meeting and walk through and really, habitually, know there’s a couple mindboggling good recruits fattening the depth even more in the interior and perimeter; so it’s all good.

Then the complacency sets in and ‘flip the switch’ therapy and psychology is circulated and digested from every fan and analyst alike.

Hopefully, if Tyler had left the program, his credence would have rubbed off on his teammates and nothing would have been taken for granted.

At least we know the answer now.

The top position is awarded to them simply by way of natural order. As many as 8 players on the current roster could lace them up in the NBA. Even if all of them end up playing like Brian Skinner, no one would have second guessed the tease.

Even if I didn’t think UNC was going all the way, I’d still have to put them in the #1 slot.

Did you not put the Celtics as the #1 team going in?

Post from: EveryJoe

Pre-Season Top 10

Rounding out the top five was Michael Beasley, Lester Hudson (Tennessee-Martin) and Stephen Curry.

DI scoring leaders- DI vs. DI only

With so many returning quality top (*power) conference players (Conference USA included) scattered throughout the top 30 or so of last season’s scoring list, the chances that one of them could end up leading the country in scoring this year is quite reasonable.

Top candidates for the scoring title

Luke Harangody (21.0) Notre Dame
Tyler Hansbrough (23.1) UNC
Stefon Jackson (23.6 ) UTEP
Robert Vaden (21.6) UAB
Tyrese Rice (21.0) Boston College

Other candidates…

Chase Budinger (Arizona), James Harden (ASU), Marcus Thornton (LSU), Jack McClinton (Miami Fl)

So I’m going to stick up for the big boys and predict a returning power conference player will win the scoring title. It will not necessarily be a player mentioned above, but it probably will be, because finding many others who have a realistic shot at it is tedious and unforgiving business.

Strong teams with depth never will have a guy who could score 26 plus ppg, unless of course your name is Tyler Hansbrough.

I wouldn’t put anything past that dude.

So it will be easiest for a decent team, a fringe NCAA team rather, to boast a player who can put up those kind of points.

But like most years, Joe Blow from Eastern Manitoba will take the title.

*ACC, Big Ten, Big East ,Big 12, SEC, Pac 10, Conference USA-

Sorry Stephen Curry, more facilitating than usual is in your future. Probably a top ten finish though. If Jason Richards was still playing, the title would be yours.

Post from: EveryJoe

Prediction six: Buckets