JuiceCruz16

Devin Ebanks is set to take his visits with his final four schools. Texas, West Virginia, Rutgers, and Memphis. He said those are it and he should decide soon. He wants a place that will be nationally televised often, something similar to what he had with Indiana. Wisconsin also picked up a commit from a kid out of Arizona. I can't recall his name at the moment, but a solid get for Wisky. His name is Ryan Evans, a late bloomer type with a strong senior year. He's 6'6 and was said to choose the Badgers over Illinois, Portland State, and Pepperdine.

QUOTE (Palehosefan @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 10:05 AM) I would have had no problem at all if Roy would have been decked out in his Kansas gear at home watching the game, or even sitting in the stands to watch the game without the Kansas sticker and colors. Instead his team is at home watching the team that just handed them their asses with Roy sitting on his hands, while Roy is at the game cheering on the team that sent them home. It's just absolutely retarded. Whatever psychological problems Roy has with the Kansas departure, he needs to get over it immediately, otherwise he's not going to have the UNC or the Kansas job. That and I'm tired of hearing him constantly harp about hating to have to do coaches shows or coaches radio shows, and always mentioning how he has more passion for UNC in his little pinky than any of the fans have in their body. I now understand what Kansas fans were always talking about when they said he would drive you nuts even with all his success. We will have to disagree on this one. Roy is 100% loyal to UNC, he does have a very important 15 years of his life/career with Kansas. He is a great support system for his players, and the fact that he stuck around and rooted for the team that knocked them out is a good example of dealing with a failure without being a bitter ass. His guys know how committed he is to them and UNC. LOse with grace and win with class!

QUOTE (Palehosefan @ Apr 7, 2008 -> 08:16 PM) Roy really needs to watch what he says here. Most UNC fans have had about enough of him, especially after seeing him wearing a kansas shirt and rooting for them two days after getting embarassed by them. I have no problem with that at all. They whipped our Heels,and he has a long important connection with his Kansas days. Why be all sour grapes about it, cheer on your former team and be happy for them if it couldn't be you. He wears his emotions on his sleeve, and as bad as he feels about coming up short, it's good to see him root for his close ties with Kansas. What about Larry Brown, rooting for Kansas against UNC. He is a strong part of the Carolina family, but brought Self onto his staff at KU. That was surpriseing to me to see clips of him cheering on Kansas while matched against Carolina.

QUOTE (Jimbo's Drinker @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 12:48 AM) WOW tears of joy and I LOVE MY SELF!!!!! Congrats on a great win and a well deserved national championship. ROCK, CHALK, JAYHAWK the best in the land. I didn't have a real rooting interest even though I had Kansas in my money pool, I was out of the money anyway without UCLA making it to the game against them, so I was hopeing for a good game and I got that.

QUOTE(whitesoxfan99 @ Apr 6, 2008 -> 06:26 PM) http://blogs.newsobserver.com/accnow/index...p;tb=1&pb=1 Maybe, but the rumor right now is that is what is being announced. I think these rules are ridiculous to be honest. I understand it in football because HS kids just can't physically compete at all with NFL players. But HS players have had a ton of success in the NBA and frankly I would be really pissed if I was forced to wait 2 years to make my money because of some ridiculous arbitrary rule. Why the hell should guys like Rose, Beasley, Durant, Oden, etc. be forced to stay in college when they gain absolutely nothing from it. People like to complain about college athletes not being compensated enough for playing for schools and yet at the same time we are keeping them from making money they deserve based on arbitrary rules. Edit: I do think a fair compromise would be a rule similar to baseball where you give guys the choice of going pro out of high school and if they decide to go to college they are required to stay for 2 years. I agree 100%! These rules are ridiculous. If the kid is ready at 18 he should be able to go. The gm's don't want to make the tougher calls on potential and draft picks, so they get in cahoots with the ncaa to take away the kids ability to offer his skills all together for a couple of years. Just for the millionaire owners and colleges to make money, but screw the actual kid with the talent. But it's for their own good, it's in the kids best interest that we are doing this. (wink, wink).

Congrats to Kansas & Memphis they were the best teams in two marquee matchups. My Heels were thumped early and often, it's a disappointing finish to a strong season. They made a good run at it, but the better team won. All around big time job by the Jayhawks & Tigers. I picked Kansas all year, but all 4 teams were so closely matched for these two to rise above and win so convincently is impressive. I'm just hopeing for a good game Monday.

QUOTE(farmteam @ Apr 3, 2008 -> 11:31 PM) There's a shocker. In all honesty, IU fan or not, I think he has too many kinks to work out to go pro yet. That said, if you're that young and can get that much money, it's hard to blame him for taking it, especially considering he could get injured and whatnot if he stays. Not likely, but possible. He was injured this year and he will still be a top 6 pick or so. Crazy if he would stay. At the worst work out your kinks like Jermaine O'neal, Tyson Chandler, etc. and the like did with sparse playing time, while making millions, then put yourself in position for a huge free agent contract when you are ready.

QUOTE(fathom @ Apr 3, 2008 -> 06:57 PM) Koufos is most likely gone. He could use some seasoning, but I would say 85-90% he's gone.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Apr 2, 2008 -> 10:47 AM) I want an outside take on this question, because I think my perception is much too isolated and close to the situation: Is Marquette really a good enough program to lure someone like Miller away from Xavier? Or, speaking more generally, where does Marquette rank in the country -- when taking everything into account, i.e. practice facilities, potential $$$, tradition, recruiting-prospects, whatever else you want to base it on -- as far as basketball programs? I'm just trying to get a gage on just how appealing (or 'not' appealing) the vacancy may look to people not so close to the program (i.e. people who probably have a tad more objectivity than I may have)? I see them as a very middle of the road program. Being a small fish in the big pond of the Big East makes Marquette a tougher sell to many coaches, I would think. Plenty to be proud of with the program, but nowhere near a "final destination" type dream job place.

Rumors are starting to swirl that Gillepse had enough of the Kentucky fan base already and might be moving to Oklahoma State. You can never tell why guys make moves, but the Marquette job will be interesting to see who is interested.

Scotty Hopson commits to Tennesee. HUGE get for Pearl even if he is one and done. He should slide into Lofton's role nicely.

I know Marquette was one of the schools Holloway was looking at after getting out of his LOI from IU after Sampson was let go. With Crean coming to Bloomington maybe he will stick with IU. The possible probation still will be a problem though with wooing him back.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Mar 31, 2008 -> 02:28 PM) Evans is a perfect fit for Memphis. Garbage in a garbage can. Well I do know Carolina totally backed off of him after he all but said he was theres as a lifelong Tarheel fan last season. Then during the off season UNC no longer had him on their list and Tyreke was not mentioning them as a possibility either. He is very talented, and if he focuses on actually being a team guy in college even if it is only for 1 year he can be a big help stepping in for Rose at Memphis.

King makes it official and announces he will transfer from Duke. This has been rumored for a while, he and coach K. did not see eye to eye. His lack of playing time did not sit well with him. Silly things were making news about him like the fact that he smoked on campus. He probably will be headed back west, he signed with Duke over UCLA, but I'm hearing Gonzaga as a very possible spot for him this time around.

NYC hoops.net is reporting that Tyreke Evens has committed to Memphis. I have not seen anyone else report this though so we will wee. Ebanks looks to be a heavy Memphis lean at this point also. Could be an amazing week for Memphis in more ways then one. I also hear that Bassett has left IU. Some conflicting reports on wheather he hwas kicked off or just left. IU is imploding though.

Wake Forest stud recruit Aminu has got himself in a bit of trouble by shooting some lady with a b.b. gun or something. I have not seen the entire story yet, but not good. He had the rep. of being a pretty solid kid so this is a bit surpriseing.

You can make a case for every team in the 4 to be a legit favorite. I'm thrilled that UNC made it, but the Kansas matchup is as rough as it gets. Memphis/UCLA as well. The best 4 teams all year, are all healthy and playing well and matched up for the title. Even if you don't have your team in this it should be great basketball for any hoop fan to enjoy. Uncle Roy gets the side drama of facing off with his former team to boot, as if any side story was needed for these matchups. Lawson vs. Collins/Robinson Chalmers vs. Ellington Rush vs. Ginyard/Green Thompson/Stephenson vs. Arthur Hansborough Vs. Jackson/Sasha Quality matchups at every position.

Floyd has been saying he's "semi" retired for a while now. He will fight Cotto only if it is worth his while money & prestige wise. He damn sure does not fear Cotto though, he has been a buisness man first for a while, and Cotto just doesn't do anything for him yet.

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Mar 27, 2008 -> 10:02 PM) Indiana Class 3A is good competition, not great. Most people they were the best team in the state regardless of class, however. Memorial, who they beat in the regional has Kyle Kuric which is going to Louisville. But they were not tall. They were 6'3, 6'4, 6'5 at best. Zeller also had a 6'10 or 6'11 teammate so they did tower over some teams. I think the biggest thing to take from it is that his team beat the #1, #2, #3 and #6 teams in the state along the way and he had consistently superior performances. He'll win Indiana Mr. Basketball and play on the All-Star team in the annual series against KY. Playing 3A was a major advantage for Zeller. They could compete with anyone, but if they matched up with East Chicago, Lawrence North, New Albany, North Central, Brownsburg etc. they would have a struggle to advance. In 3A it would have been a major upset to see them fall. The road is WAY easier to get the crown. But hell my East Chicago team lost to a HORRID South Bend Riley team in the regional finals, who couldn't have even contended for the 3A crown, so you never know they may have rolled through everyone easily, but I doubt it. Zeller is the clear Mr. basketball. Lazy ass Angel Garcia (from my Cardinals) is as talented, maybe more talented but he is brain dead on the court and disappears quite often. I will be surprised if he qualifies and actually plays for Memphis next year. Hopefully Tyler will blend well with Ed Davis for my Heels and come in strong next year.

Loiusville/UNC could be a epic battle. Both teams are really playing well, and in this one and done format this one could be a classic. I'm SO thankful Roy did not rush Ty Lawson back frrom his ankle injury, he seems to be full speed and they are a different team with him running the show at breakneck speed. I'll be a bundle of nerves waiting for this one.

Memphis can go! The talent levels were not even close with Michigan State. Texas shoots free throws just about as bad as Memphis without all the negitive publicity, so that could be the difference. This game should be played at a high level; a ton of talent will be on the court.

The big 11 needs to get more athletic and start playing basketball again. That UGLY grind it out all defense is not only painful to watch but it is a tough to style win with, when you do little to nothing on the offensive end. Mich. St. and Wisky were solid teams but with the lack of any real scoring, save a hot Neitzel here and there they got about as far as they could hope to have gone. The Davidson matchup should have been well within Wisconsin's skills though. They didn't use their massive low post mis- matches, and their vaunted dee was lit up. I argued with a buddy about Davidson being a top 25 team when UNC beat them in a close one to open the season, but elite 8 I didn't see. Kansas looks as strong as ever, they are a load to deal with for any team, Davidson has more then their hands filled, but George Mason did take out the best team in the nation in the elite 8 by beating UCONN in their cinderella run to the 4, so who knows. Congrats on a solid year to the Wisky fans!

Oral Roberts (sweet 16) S. Alabama Davidson Baylor, but I hope not Western Kentucky St. Joseph's Arizona (sweet 16/elite 8)

Texas to the four.

Kansas clear favorite for me. G'town maybe, but if I'm Kansas I like the draw. Second weakest region.