Syracuse, Ohio State Advance to MSG for NIT Semi’s

 For Syracuse it was the Jonny Flynn show.  He helped lead Syracuse over Siena by breaking Carmelo Anthony’s Freshman scoring record in a game.  Flynn scored 28 while dishing out 9 assists.  The next night he wasn’t as effective as a scorer however he was still able to contribute.  He dished out 6 assists, and made 1 field goal.  However it was a 3 point FG in a tie game with 5.3 seconds left that allowed Syracuse to escape with a Win.

 The Buckeyes Advanced without the excitement Syracuse needed.  Ohio State defeated Wiscsonsin Green-Bay in a rout.  They were led by Sophomore David Lighty’s  21 points and 8 rebounds.  The next night they played Columbia where they struggled for a while, however a 12-0 run in the 2nd half ended Columbia’s dream of playing at the Garden.  Ohio State was lead by freshman sensation Kosta Koufus who scored 19 points on 8-12 shooting.

The other 4 teams joining them in NYC will be the winners of the Washington/Utah game and the Texas A&M/Utep game

ESPN/USA Today Poll

1 North Carolina (10) 739

2 UCLA (12) 734

3 Memphis (8) 731

4 Kansas (1) 669

5 Georgetown 625

6 Louisville 620

7 Tennessee 598

8 Michigan State 503

9 Indiana 479

10 Washington State 464

11 Duke 390

12 Marquette 381

13 Oregon 360

14 Gonzaga 252

14 Texas A&M 252

16 Texas 216

17 Arizona 205

18 USC 189

19 Arkansas 173

20 Pittsburgh 160

21 Stanford 158

22 Kentucky 155

23 Southern Illinois 137

24 North Carolina State 119

25 Villanova 111

26 Kansas State 94

27 Syracuse 69

28 Ohio State 65

29 Clemson 56

30 Connecticut 55

31 Butler 42

32 Davidson 39

33 Xaiver 38

34 Alabama 31

35 Mississippi 30

36 Florida 26

37 Wisconsin 21

38 Illinois 16

39 Washington 12

39 BYU 12

41 Nevada 8

42 Bradley 7

42 Virginia 7

44 VCU 5

45 Utah 4

46 Baylor 3

46 Old Dominion 3

46 Saint Josephs 3

49 Fresno State 2

49 Utah State 2

49 George Mason 2

52 Notre Dame 1

52 California 1

52 Maryland 1

College Basketball: Top Freshmen

OJ Mayo G – USC. This freshman does not lack confidence.  He will make an immediate impact for Tim Floyd @ USC.  He has a high basketball IQ, a terrific perimeter game, as well as several moves with the ball where he can create and get to the basket.  If he could improve his mid range game, this kid would be unstoppable.  Expect big things from him in the Pac 10.

Eric Gordon G – Indiana.  Very smart player, with a terrific jump shot.  He can shoot off the dribble from anywhere on the perimeter.  He needs to work on his rebounding as well as his passing, but not many people will notice too many weaknesses when they see this kid light it up in the Big 10.

 Kyle Singler G/F – Duke.  This versatile freshman will bring his game to the ACC.  He has a nice perimeter shot as well as the smarts that Coach K looks for in a player.  He is not the strongest of players, but he will definantly contribute for the Dukies this year.

Michael Beasley F – Kansas State.  If you saw any of the Mcdonalds All American game you saw what this kid brings to the table.  He is versatile where he can score from the low block and the perimeter.  He needs to work on his passing as he should create a lot of double teams this year in Manhatten.

Kevin Love C – UCLA.  This horse will help UCLA out in having one of the best front courts in America.  He is an impact player who can score from the low block and also start a break with his solid outlet passes.  One of his weaknesses could be his ability to run the floor, however with Ben Howlands grind it out style at UCLA it wont be that big of an issue for the Bruins.

Derrick Rose G – Memphis.  An athletic point guard who will thrive with John Calipari at Memphis.  This kis is not easily rattled, so he will be able to handle whatever pressure is brought upon him.  He is one of the finer passers you will see as a true freshman.  If he could work on his perimeter shot a little he could be the total package for a point guard.  He should thrive in Conference USA.

Jerryd Bayless G – Arizona.  This kid is always on the attack.  He is an aggresive scorer who will succeed with Lute Olsen and the high powered Wildcats. Improvement with his passing and the changing of speeds during the course of the game should be worked on to make him more of a complete player.

Bill Walker G/F – Kansas State.  Another of the top freshman is headed to play in the Big 12 for K-State.  Walker is an athletic finisher who will put points on the board.  He struggles with his ball handling and 3 point range, but this competitor will find a way to put some points on the board.

Donte Greene F – Syracuse.  The last time Jim Boeheim landed a top recruit from Baltimore it worked out pretty well.  Green has so much potential to thrive in the Big East with Syracuse.  He is a very athletic kid who has a good perimeter shot.  If he could learn how to finish he would be a force to be reckoned with at Syracuse.  He should put up some good points as a freshman and be a big part of the 2-3 zone with his length down low.

Austin Freeman G/F – Georgetown.  He will play on a loaded Georgetown team.  He is a big time scorer who is very versatile.    He has good instincts and should get plenty of minutes with the Hoyas this year.  A little work on his perimeter shot never hurt anyone, but he will be a tough player to matchup with in the Big East with Freeman and Hibbert on the same team.

Johnny Flynn G – Syracuse.  Boeheim lands another top recruit as he had to do after losing Nichols, Watkins, Roberts, and Andy Rautins (to injury).  Flynn is a big game player who has a passion for the game.  He also has the poise to be a point guard in the Big East.  With his quickness if he could shoot off the dribble he could be as close to unstoppable as a freshman could be.  He should log plenty of minutes for Coach Boeheim as Josh Wright has struggled as point guard in his brief career.

NCAA Basketball: Players You May Not Know!

Jaycee Carroll 6′2 Guard – Utah State.  Jaycee has been selected as the Wac preseason player of the year.  He is one of the nations best shooters.  He is currently 1st in 3 point shooting at Utah State, second in 3 pointers made, and fourth in 3 pointers attempted.

Stephen Curry 6′0 Guard – Davidson.  Son of former NBA Sharp Shooter Dell Curry, Stephen has followed in his footsteps.  He has one of the prettiest shots in college basketball.  Many people remember the name from last years NCAA Tournament when they almost upset a tough Maryland squad in round 1.  Davidson should be back in the tournament again this year, and it won’t be a team that top seeds are going to want to see their team squaring off with when the brackets come out on selection sunday, and Stephen Curry is a major reason why.

Randal Falkner – 6′7 F – Southern Illinois.  This kid brings it every night.  He is 6′7 which is not tall for a big man, however he makes up for it with heart.  He plays on one of the best defensive teams in the country, and if you love low scoring games, tune into Southern Illinois.  It is a treat to see them scrap and fight for 40 minutes each game, usually on their way to victory.

Marcelus Kemp 6′5 G – Nevada.  With Nick Fazekas gone and in the NBA now, the team will now run through this talented guard.  He could have his hands full, being the only starter back from a talented team last year, however with his versatile play he can shoot from the perimeter and get to the basket, he should have a solid 07-08 season.

Eric Maynor 6′2 G – VCU.  This is a talented guard who plays both ends of the court.  He was a main reason why VCU was able to beat Duke in the first round last year.  With him back at VCU, some other big name school will have the challenge of facing VCU in round 1 of the NCAA Tournament.

Reggie Williams 6′5 F – VMI.  This kid is a scoring maching.  He lead the nation in scoring last year, and should be set to have another solid season.  You may not have heard of this guy because all of the hype in this conference goes to a solid Winthrop team, however if you get a chance to see this kid play, he is worth the price of admission and won’t allow the scorekeeper to take a second to relax.

Others:

Kentrell

Gransberry

6-9

C

So. Florida

A.J.

Graves

6-1

G

Butler

Courtney

Lee

6-5

G/F

Western Kentucky

Bo

McCalebb

6-0

G

New Orleans

Jeremy

Pargo

6-2

G

Gonzaga

Jason

Thompson

6-11

F

Rider

NCAA Basketball – Big East Preseason honors

 

2007-08 Preseason Player of the Year

Roy Hibbert, Georgetown

2007-08 Preseason Co-Rookies of the Year

Donte’ Greene, Syracuse

Jonny Flynn, Syracuse

2007-08 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team

*Roy Hibbert, Georgetown (Player of the Year), C, Sr., 7-2, 278, Adelphi, Md.Jeff Adrien, Connecticut, F, Jr., 6-7, 238, Brookline, Mass. Jonathan Wallace, Georgetown, G, Sr. 6-1, 188, Harvest, Ala.David Padgett, Louisville, C, Sr., 6-11, 245, Reno, Nev.Terrence Williams, Louisville, F, Jr., 6-6, 210, Seattle, Wash.Dominic James, Marquette, G, Jr., 5-11, 185, Richmond, Ind.Jerel McNeal, Marquette, G, Jr., 6-3, 200, Chicago, Ill. Geoff McDermott, Providence, F, Jr., 6-7, 230, New Rochelle, N.Y.Kentrell Gransberry, USF, C, Sr., 6-9, 270, Baton Rouge, La.Eric Devendorf, Syracuse, G, Jr., 6-4, 180, Bay City, Mich.*Scottie Reynolds, Villanova, G, So., 6-2, 195, Herndon, Va. 

*unanimous selection

2007-08 Preseason Honorable Mention

Edgar Sosa, Louisville, G, So., 6-1, 175, New York, N.Y.

Levance Fields, Pittsburgh, G, Jr., 5-10, 195, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Georgetown and Louisville  are co-favorites to win Big East Basketball championship

2007 NIT Season Tip-Off

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/nit/sports/m-pnit/auto_pdf/2007-tip-off-bracket-080907.pdf

The College Basketball Blog

 

This blog will discuss what is going on in NCAA basketball.  This will keep track of the ESPN/USA Today, and AP poll.  Will also provide information on what players to watch in the upcoming basketball year.  I will provide predictions on big games for the week as well as my predictions for the Final Four.  This will also be a guide to help you follow some of the potential Cinderella teams you may see this upcoming March.