Bleacher Report - Articles by William Qualkinbush

Where Cinderellas Perish: March Madness First Weekend Superlatives

William Qualkinbush — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:00:00 -0400

March Madness is one-third of the way complete, and if you subscribe to the theory that the best teams in the country will separate themselves throughout the course of the tournament, then you probably got to compliment yourself on your bracket around the water cooler on Monday morning.

As we saw the original field of 65 trimmed down to 16, there were some memorable performances that kept Americans on the edge of their sofas and office chairs for a four-day stretch that is arguably among the most compelling in all of sports.

There's always time to try and dissect what will happen next, but in the whirlwind of 48 games in one weekend, sometimes it helps to look back to see what we may have watched but never really absorbed from the opening weekend of the NCAA basketball tournament. Here are a few superlatives from this year's version of March Madness:

BEST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE

Robert Sallie's 35-point, 10 three-pointer explosion vs. Cal-State Northridge.

If Memphis gets to the Final Four, this guy may deserve the Most Valuable Player award simply for getting them past the first round.

Against a small, quick, and scrappy bunch from 15th-seeded Northridge, the Tigers looked over-matched at times offensively—until Sallie began raining threes from all over the floor.

This showing, from a guy who averaged 4.5 points per game coming in, may prove to be the most clutch of the tournament.

Honorable Mention: Cole Aldrich's triple-double vs. Dayton, A.J. Price's play the entire weekend.

MOST DOMINANT TEAM:

Connecticut (won by 56 vs. Chattanooga, won by 26 vs. Texas A&M).

In a tournament in which fellow top seeds Louisville and Pitt have struggled to survive, the Huskies have been remarkably focused and consistent.

Blowing out Chattanooga in the opener was only shocking because Jim Calhoun wasn't there, but handling the red-hot Aggies like they did proved this team is here to make a run.

Honorable Mention: NONE.

BIGGEST BUST: Wake Forest (lost to 13th-seeded Cleveland State 84-69).

Really, Wake Forest? After being ranked No. 1 at one point in the season, the Demon Deacons left with their heads down after an embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Vikings, a loss which I correctly predicted—take that, America!

This team played to the level of its competition all season long, and this matchup was the perfect storm, as Cleveland State played solid defense and did not turn the ball over.

Even for a young team, though, this should never have happened—definitely not to such a talented roster.

Honorable Mention: West Virginia (lost to 11th-seeded Dayton 68-60).

TOUGHEST DRAW:

Purdue (beat Northern Iowa by 5, beat Washington by 2).

On paper, it just looks like the fifth-seeded Boilermakers struggled to squeak by each of their first two opponents. But a closer look suggests that no team overcame more than Matt Painter's squad in the first two rounds.

For starters, Northern Iowa was a veteran team that was under-seeded and really pushed hard toward the end. Then they had to face No. 4 seed Washington in a virtual road game in Portland.

The fact that they were able to survive makes them legitimate Final Four contenders in the Glendale regional.

Honorable Mention: Pittsburgh (beat under-seeded East Tennessee State by 10, beat Oklahoma State by 8).

BIGGEST SHOT:

Gonzaga freshman Demetri Goodson's runner with 0.9 seconds left to beat Western Kentucky 83-81.

Can anyone say Tyus Edney? Just like the former UCLA point guard in the mid-1990s, Goodson raced up the floor from an inbounds pass and banked in the game-winning shot for the Bulldogs.

That runner ended what may have been the best game so far in the Big Dance.

If Gonzaga knocks off North Carolina, they will have this young man to thank for the opportunity to even be there.

Honorable Mention: Siena guard Ronald Moore's two clutch three-pointers to send the game into double overtime, then to win it in the extra session.

BIGGEST BONEHEAD PLAY:

Morgan State forward Ameer Ali's flip of Blake Griffin.

Down a ton late in the game, Ali decided to get chippy with Griffin, arguably the nation's best player.

The two got tangled up under the rim, so to untangle himself, Ali decided to throw Griffin over his back and onto the ground.

This was such a ridiculous play that I think the kid should be suspended for the start of next season. Griffin didn't seem to mind, though; he let his play do the talking.

Honorable Mention: Clemson's Terrence Oglesby elbowing Michigan's Stu Douglass.

FAVORITE TO WIN IT ALL:

Pittsburgh.

The Panthers showed the toughness to survive a strong test from East Tennessee State, one of the best low seeds in history. Then the Panthers knocked off Oklahoma State in what was a difficult matchup for them.

They still possess the best combination of point guard (Levance Fields), wing player (Sam Young), and post presence (DeJuan Blair) in the field, which gives them the edge.

Honorable Mention: Louisville.

Something's Gotta Give: Wake Forest-Clemson Preview

William Qualkinbush — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 12:32:07 -0500

Oliver Purnell says his team won't apologize for starting the season well and will continue to do so. Dino Gaudio says his team is one of the best in the country. Both men have reason for optimism going forward based on what has transpired so far in the 2008-09 season.

Two of the nation's final trifecta of unbeaten teams will step onto center stage in the upstate of South Carolina on Saturday in the biggest game in Littlejohn Coliseum in over a decade.

Wake Forest has history on its side; its storied tradition of hoops history was replaced with a few mediocre teams over the past five years. Now arguably the most youthfully athletic team in America will try to make a statement on the road in the ACC.

Clemson has the edge in experience; Purnell has built a solid program that has continued its upward climb every step of the way since his hiring in 2003. The senior leadership of K.C. Rivers has been key to this team maintaining focus this season.

Several factors will influence the outcome of this game, but there is no question that it will be a great battle between teams that have proven their respective worth all year long.

Key Matchup: Wake's Jeff Teague vs. Clemson's Demontez Stitt

Teague has been sensational over the past couple of weeks, torching BYU, North Carolina, and Boston College in succession. It will be a difficult task for Stitt to contain a combo guard with the athletic ability of Teague. But keeping him out of the paint will need to be the focus of the entire Clemson defense, as he can be pretty creative with the ball.

Key Stat: Turnovers

Wake Forest has shown a propensity to turn the ball over this season. With Clemson's pressing style designed to wear opponents down over an entire 40-minute game, mental mistakes could be costly. On the flip side, the Tigers haven't been exactly consistent with turnovers this season, as they tend to hang onto the basketball in spurts. Whichever team can minimize costly turnovers down the stretch has the edge.

X-Factor: Littlejohn Crowd

The students have been hyped up for this game at levels. Some students stood outside to get tickets all day Friday, then were turned away because there weren't enough. At a school that has historically used basketball season as a springboard to football spring practice, the crowd noise for this game should be deafening, as the game has been sold out for weeks. How an inexperienced Wake Forest team responds will be huge for the Demon Deacons.

Winner: Clemson

The combination of experience and balance will put the Tigers over the edge. They haven't lost at home in a year and they have shown resilience throughout the season. Wake's run this year has been wonderful, but they don't have a ton of big-game experience as a group. I look for the crowd to give Clemson a significant edge and for Wake to wear down facing the relentless Tiger pressure. Should be a terrific show in Tiger Town on a chilly January afternoon.

Wake Win Sets Up Colossal Conference Clash with Clemson

William Qualkinbush — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:10:51 -0500

Having North Carolina and Duke atop the conference automatically inserts the ACC into the national spotlight.

Lately, however, two sleeping giants have begun to end their respective slumbers and made a sudden push for the top spot in the nation's second-best conference.

Normally, a big game in the Atlantic Coast Conference involves some shade of blue, whether light or dark, and the Cameron Crazies or the Dean Dome. It is because of this perception of a two-horse race that the showdown between top ten foes Wake Forest and Clemson in the upstate of South Carolina on Saturday is important.

With the Demon Deacons' victory over Boston College on Wednesday, both schools have a golden opportunity to establish themselves atop the conference; both also have the opportunity to remain unbeaten, as this game features two of the three remaining unblemished squads in America.

It wasn't too long ago when Wake Forest was a national power. Guys like Tim Duncan, Randolph Childress, and Dave Odom had the Demon Deacons in the discussion for the Final Four for several years. Recently, however, a recruiting downturn and overall youth had the program in a swoon.

For Clemson, success has been historically difficult to reach in long stretches. Oliver Purnell has done a masterful job building a winner, and this game has been billed as the biggest game in Littlejohn Coliseum in over a decade.

Littlejohn has become a difficult place to play on a regular basis over the past couple of years, and this game has been sold out for weeks. Momentum has built up on both sides throughout this season, as both have marquee wins. Wake has won at BYU and beaten North Carolina, while Clemson boasts victories at Miami and South Carolina and a home win over Alabama, as well as a neutral site win against Temple.

The hype surrounding this game is unusual in a conference dominated by two historically strong programs; in fact, the pull of the Carolina blue is so great that while the top two ACC teams record-wise play, the ESPN College Gameday crew will be in Chapel Hill for a game featuring a struggling Miami team and a North Carolina team which is currently in the basement of the conference standings.

This is not to say that UNC will finish last, and this is not to point out Miami's flaws. This is simply to say the stranglehold of the "Big Two" on the conference is still intact, and both Wake and Clemson can make a valid push to disrupt the world order with a solid performance on Saturday.

Both teams have strengths and weaknesses that should make this one fun to watch. For more on that, come back tomorrow.

But for now, let's celebrate the fact there's more going on in the ACC than just in the "Blue Zone" of Tobacco Road.

Heart of a Champion: Why Tony Dungy's Legacy Will Outlive His Career

William Qualkinbush — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:21:04 -0500

Tony Dungy was the exception—period.

In a realm where the majority of the media attention is placed on the negative actions of thugs, Dungy made headlines for all the right reasons. Frankly, it wouldn't have bothered him if the press never batted an eye at him.

In a profession where being loud, demonstrative, and forceful is considered to be the foundation for a successful coach, Dungy showed an ability to motivate and find success by relying on the same "quiet strength" which provided the title of his best-selling book.

In a setting that can cause even the most noble to become selfish, Dungy resisted and instead used his platform as a football coach to better the lives of others through charitable works.

In a society where the successful are almost exclusively expected to trumpet their accomplishments, Dungy let his record on the field do the talking.

In a culture where "nice guys finish last", Dungy won a Super Bowl ring being "nice"—and in doing so, he broke down a racial barrier that preceded him, becoming the first title-winning black head coach.

And in a time where free agency and impatience creates an inferno of instability in so many franchises, Dungy showed—and was showed—a great deal of loyalty, both to his coaches and to his players. In return, Colts GM Bill Polian and owner Jim Irsay respected Dungy enough and wanted him around enough that they arranged for him to fly Irsay's private jet down to Tampa, where his family resides, to watch his son Eric—who is a senior in high school—play football on Friday nights.

It says a lot about Dungy that when he met with Irsay to discuss his future, the Colts owner begged him to stay. Fans have been touched in innumerable ways by him on and off the field. He is universally admired by those in the coaching profession.

Oh, and by the way, he was a pretty good football coach. He racked up 148 wins in his 13 years as a head coach, seven with Tampa Bay and six in Indy. His Colts teams won the AFC South five straight times, and he led his squads to the postseason in ten consecutive seasons, making him the only man since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to accomplish that feat.

Granted, it helps to have perhaps the greatest quarterback to ever play the game on your roster. It is also beneficial to have a stable organization committed to winning the right way from the top down.

But Dungy took a horrible defense and turned it into a productive one. Despite its inability to stop the run on many occasions, Dungy's "Tampa 2" defensive scheme has found its way into many locker rooms due to its effectiveness in covering the field in pass coverage.

Dungy inherited a robust collection of offensive talent and refused to make drastic changes. He and Polian showed an ability to draft talented players in all rounds of the draft that is second to none.

He dealt with injuries as well, if not better, than any other coach in the NFL. His mantra, "Do what we do", extended from Peyton Manning down to the practice squad, and if your number was called, you were expected to perform at a high level.

That meant rookies were often thrown into the fire early in their careers—perhaps too early by NFL standards—but the Colts never missed a beat. Despite his regular season successes, Dungy's 9-10 career playoff record has always been the monkey on his back—even after he acquired the Lombardi Trophy in 2007.

Considering the body of work, it is undeniable that Dungy was instrumental in building a solid program through hard work, integrity, and that same "quiet strength" that has allowed him to carve out his own legacy in the storied history of professional football.

His influence was felt in other locker rooms because of the way he tutored and mentored his assistant coaches. Over the years, Dungy has developed a nice coaching tree that reaches across the league. Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Herman Edwards of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears coached under Dungy in Tampa.

Dungy has also mentored coaches such as Rod Marinelli and Mike Shula, who were both head coaches previously. The man replacing him as Colts head coach, Jim Caldwell, is currently on his staff.

Nobody can blame a man like Dungy for pursuing other goals; he has said on many occasions he feels he has a higher calling to minister to the less-fortunate. He has done extensive charity work in both Indianapolis and Tamps and operates a prison ministry that he helped jump-start.

So Dungy will move onto greener pastures; the Colts will move on with a foundation for success currently in place; and the NFL will continue to function as normal, with the headlines coming from self-absorbed prima donnas who want nothing more than to eat up the spotlight instead of the always-classy presence of guys like Dungy.

But there is no replacement for Tony Dungy. He represents everything that is good about sports, about coaching, and about life. He will be sorely missed—not just by die-hard Colts fans, but by the football community and the sporting world as well.

In an era where coaching a successful franchise seems to be the pinnacle of a career, Dungy recognized that there was something else in the cards for him to accomplish.

That alone makes him the exception—period.

The Ridiculous Coaching Carousel: How Sports Is Failing Fans

William Qualkinbush — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:34:57 -0500

In these trying economic times, the unemployment rate has risen steadily for the past several months. Considering the condition of the financial markets, this is not surprising; however, some of the names on the list of the unemployed are flat-out shocking.

Names like Tommy Bowden, Tommy Tuberville, Phillip Fulmer, Sylvester Croom, Barry Melrose, and Sam Mitchell find themselves without work today, many of them for little or no reason. It's a part of a culture in sports that has such paralyzing short-term memory loss that the only thing that matters is what happened last week or yesterday.

Forget all the accolades; set aside all the awards. If you didn't win your last game in today's sporting world, you may as well get ready to have the seat of your pants scalded. This unfortunate trend to give up on successful coaches for a short-term bump in the road only revs up ridiculous expectations and has blown salaries absurdly out of proportion.

Firing coaches midseason--or at the beginning of the season--has become the rule rather than the exception. This includes announcing that a coach will be fired but will "remain with the team through the end of the season," which is just a nice way of saying that there's not an adequate replacement in place, so you're all we've got.

There are quality coaches across the nation on edge because schizophrenic athletic directors or greedy owners/presidents hold the keys to their economic futures. Any loss could mean hiring a real estate agent and resume-shopping. In an arena as fragile as athletics, where games are decided by inches on a regular basis, that is no way to operate.

Granted, sometimes a change needs to be made. That's why nobody can point a finger in anyone's face and say, "This is wrong" or "This is right". There is no universal way to handle a coaching situation, because every team, every circumstance, every coach is totally different.

In the case of former ESPN great Barry Melrose, fired before the ink was dry on his new contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning, there were apparently some irreconcilable differences with the front office that led to his ouster.

How a general manager and an owner can conduct an interview, decide a guy is perfect for their franchise, hire him with much fanfare, then find out that they goofed because their viewpoints didn't match up (from the looks of things, their viewpoints are not even close) is beyond me.

What exactly did the interview encompass if the question, "What is your philosophy on turning around this franchise?" was never broached?

We expect this kind of thing from hockey, but college football has become NHL lite when it comes to firing successful coaches.

Tommy Bowden was a two-time ACC Coach of the Year, but he never won a championship. Questions were raised concerning how much effort his teams were putting forth. That coaching change seemed justified enough, because it was for a consistent pattern of falling short and an inability to motivate his team.

Phillip Fulmer, on the other hand, has a national championship ring. Yes, it was over a decade ago, but just last season, Tennessee played in the SEC title game. It did so by having a greater conference record than Georgia and Florida, the two teams that they supposedly cannot compete with anymore.

Fulmer is a winner, he loves his Volunteers more than anything else, and Tennessee gave him a raw deal by letting him go.

Tommy Tuberville had the most recent success, but this situation was doomed from the start. I mean, the coach should have won a national title just four years ago.

Yes, he hired an offensive coordinator to run an offense that his team couldn't learn, then fired him before his principles and personnel were in place. He followed this by watching as his team mailed it in and missed a bowl game. One bad year and he gets the ax?

Sylvester Croom is the reigning SEC Coach of the Year, and now he's out of work? Sure, the offense under Croom was miserable, but somehow he won eight games a year ago and was recruiting good talent.

Even the NBA has joined the fray, with the Raptors telling Sam Mitchell to take a hike. You know, the same Sam Mitchell that was the NBA Coach of the Year two seasons ago. At only one game under .500, the Raptors felt that the season was sinking for a reason that I cannot even begin to think up.

The point of all this is that coaching success does not translate into longevity. Fans have no patience, and the ones that do don't bother to show up on the message boards.

Athletic Directors' see three fans upset and they cringe and frenetically conjure up a search committee for a new coach. GM's look at dollars and cents instead of wins and losses.

This bipolar disorder in the sporting community has to be fixed; there are too many variables for everyone to expect to win every game or fire the coach.

College coaches need five years to properly build a program; professional coaches normally need two to five, depending on the situation. Let's give them time to work, to do their jobs to the best of their abilities, and stop firing coaches at the first whiff of failure.

How to Deal with Disappointment: Enjoying College Football Week Two

William Qualkinbush — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 02:47:36 -0400

OK, so Week One was an abject disaster for several prominent college football programs. For some teams (or ACC coaches from upstate South Carolina who will remain nameless), the aftermath has been worse for the prestige of the program than the actual 60-minute bludgeoning that way too many people ended up witnessing. And, thanks to the constant replaying of games on ESPNU, America got to see your favorite squad screw up royally over and over and over again.

Despair has crept into the hearts of even the most blindly optimistic, and talks of championships have turned into talks of buyout clauses and losing records.

Fans of Virginia Tech (which I predicted to lose for weeks, by the way), Pittsburgh, Texas A&M, Washington, Virginia, and—a little bit closer to home—Clemson are probably still trying to summon the courage to wear their school colors within 100 miles of campus after each team suffered its respective severe meltdown last weekend.

The past week has been difficult, I'm sure, but there are reasons to be excited about football. And not just for fans of the SEC or East Carolina or USC (the real one).

For those of you who still question your inner desire to be at the stadium on Saturday, even willing to risk that pesky "Consecutive Home Games Viewed In Person" streak, here are five reasons why your couches should be empty this weekend.

1. It's not last week

Yes, last week was atrocious at best, unbearable to watch at worst. But this isn't last week—in fact, last week will never happen again. This whole week has been spent with the players on your favorite team stewing and itching to get back out there (and, hopefully, being coached up a little bit better than before). Chances are, your team will play with a chip on its shoulder when Saturday rolls around.

2. Refocus on the roster

Your team was solid—in some cases, even great—before last week. Don't let one game let you forget who you have on the two-deep. Just because a team goes out and lays an egg doesn't mean they all of a sudden can't play football anymore. Every team has at least one horrific showing—your guys just picked the opening week to get theirs out of the way.

3. Everybody loves a good tailgate

Nothing brings out the spirit of football fans like a solid tailgate (especially in the South). Crank up the propane tanks for the grill (or, if you prefer, light up the charcoal), let the tailgate of your pick-up truck down, and relax with the many others who came into this game as discouraged and dejected as you.

4. Think of the tradition

Chances are, if you're disappointed in your school's inaugural effort, then you probably have a pretty solid tradition of excellence. You probably expect your team to win every single week. Your fellow fans probably pack the stadium, rain or shine, to watch good football. Don't succumb to the general consensus of doom and gloom. Never stop being an optimist when it comes to your favorite team, because that sucks the fun right out of it.

5. It's only one game

This is pretty obvious, but think about it. There are 11 more to play. That means, in theory, you could go 11-1 and forget all about what happened way back before conference play even started. Once we get to November, August will seem like an eternity ago. Those games from Week Numero Uno don't amount to anything—as long as you take care of business the rest of the way. And as long as fans of the team continue to be fans. That's what makes this game special—the passion of the fans. Don't blow it. Be a fan. Support your team—players and coaches. Right now, I can say with absolute certainty that they need it.

Hey Society! Let the Kid Play!

William Qualkinbush — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:45:48 -0400

Doing my usual morning perusal of the ESPN.com headlines, I discovered an article that made me want to throw up all over political correctness.

The Youth Baseball League of New Haven, CT has banned nine-year-old pitcher Jericho Scott and threatened to disband his team.

Why? This preteen didn't throw at a batter's head. He didn't start a bench-clearing brawl. He didn't backtalk a coach or umpire. He didn't get into an altercation with a teammate. Heck, the kid didn't even make bad grades.

No, the Youth Baseball League of New Haven banned little Jericho Scott from pitching because he was too good. Period.

This kid can throw upwards of 40 miles per hour before his tenth birthday. He throws the baseball so hard and so well that the league deemed that Jericho's pitching style posed a physical threat to some of the younger players, although according to his coach, Jericho has not hit a single batter this year.

Two games after the league banned Jericho from taking the mound, his coach put him back out there—which, to be clear, probably wasn't the brightest move. But why wouldn't he? The kid is unhittable and he gives the rest of the team their best chance to win the ballgame.

So what does the opposing coach do when he sees this rugrat begin to warm up? He walks his team off the field and forfeits the game, proving to his team that the logical response to challenges in life is to back down and quit.

Now, there may be other motives for the league's decision; one report suggests that Jericho declined an invitation to play for a team that is run by the employer of a league official (To be clear, if this is in fact a case of retribution, it would be a perversion of youth sports to the highest degree).

But the question remains: Aren't youth sports supposed to teach kids values that will help them in life? Aren't our youth supposed to experience adversity and learn how to overcome it? Aren't we pushing our kids to be great in whatever they do?

Apparently the Youth Baseball League in New Haven missed that memo. Apparently it is now par for the course to penalize kids for being too good.

I understand that winning isn't the only goal of youth sports. As a coach, I know that it is about teaching, coaching, and giving your kids an opportunity to succeed. But when I was growing up, I realized that it is not fun to lose. And it is exhilarating to win.

When I was 10, I played on a baseball team that went 0-16. It was the worst sports experience of my life. The coaches were incompetent and didn't put kids in positions to be successful. They didn't care a lick about winning, and the team wasn't motivated to go out and win. I hated it.

On the flip side, my younger brother, then an 8-year-old, played on a team that went 18-1 and won the league championship that very same year. He learned a great deal about playing the game the right way and his team enjoyed success. That season, among others, has led to him receiving interest from several programs about playing collegiate baseball.

No, we shouldn't exploit kids just for wins and losses. No, winning isn't the most important thing. No, we shouldn't wear a kid's arm out just because he can throw harder than anyone can swing.

But we should not sacrifice the greatness of our kids because some don't quite measure up. And we should certainly not show the ones facing the Jericho Scotts of the world that the way to solve your problems is to have them removed, not to face them.

American youth sports programs are quickly becoming controlled by people who desire to take the competitive nature out of baseball, basketball, football, soccer, field hockey ,and whatever else kids might become involved in.

It's frustrating that the values of hard work, dedication, perseverance, mental and physical toughness, teamwork, and the will to win that I learned growing up are falling by the wayside so that kids can "feel good about themselves."

The best feelings I have had in my life are times when I triumphed over the odds, when I accomplished something extraordinary, when I faced an obstacle and overcame it. America's youth today are told that it doesn't matter how big the mountain is, you can always find a way around it.

I say, let the kid play. And show the others how to scale the mountain.

Qualk Talk: Top Five Heisman Trophy Sleepers

William Qualkinbush — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:55:55 -0400

Yesterday I gave you a list of the top Heisman Trophy contenders for the upcoming season. But there are more than five guys with a legitimate shot at college football's top individual award. Trust me, if these guys have the types of years they are capable of having, they won't sneak up on anybody.

5. Graham Harrell, QB—Texas Tech

Playing in Mike Leach's offense has paid dividends for Harrell, whose numbers are just filthy.

He threw for over 5,000 yards as a junior last season, becoming only the sixth player in history to do so. He has over 10,000 career passing yards, has completed just under 70 percent of his passes, and has thrown for 86 touchdowns in the past two seasons.

There will always be questions about whether or not Harrell is a system quarterback, but I believe this guy is for real.

4. Cullen Harper, QB—Clemson

On a team with two All-Americans at tailback and an All-American at receiver, Clemson's best shot at a Heisman may be its unheralded quarterback.

After winning the job as a long-shot prior to last season, Harper was the ACC's most efficient passer, throwing 27 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He was just shy of 3,000 yards for the season and had numbers that were as good as—if not better than—Matt Ryan of Boston College.

If Harper can duplicate his numbers from a season ago, there should plenty of accolades headed his way.

3. Max Hall, QB—BYU

If you haven't heard of this guy yet, get ready. Max Hall is getting ready to hit the college football universe in a big way.

Hall threw 26 touchdown tosses and surpassed 4,000 yards passing a season ago. He completed 60 percent of his passes and was the unquestioned leader of the Cougars.

Hall is widely considered to be the best non-BCS player on the best non-BCS team. He may be a long shot to win, but if BYU crashes the BCS party this season, his name deserves to be mentioned among the nation's elite.

2. Sam Bradford, QB—Oklahoma

In a conference loaded with big-time talent at quarterback, Sam Bradford's name often gets pushed aside. This season, people won't be able to overlook him any longer.

Bradford was the nation's most efficient passer last season and set an NCAA freshman record with 36 touchdown passes. He may have been higher on this list but for the loss of his favorite target from a season ago, new Washington Redskins receiver Malcolm Kelly.

Bradford's incomparable consistency throwing the football gives him a shot at the Heisman Trophy.

1. Chris Wells, RB—Ohio State

I got a lot of flak yesterday for my exclusion of Chris Wells from my top list. Make no mistake, this guy has the talent to get it done this year.

As a sophomore last season, Wells rushed for over 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns while playing through an injury. In the national title game loss to LSU, Wells provided a silver lining, rushing for 146 yards. He averaged almost six yards per carry, as well.

If Wells can avoid injury—and that's a big if—then he has as good a chance as anybody else to win the Heisman.

As always, thanks for reading. I may look at coaches on the hot seat tomorrow, but I'm not totally sure. I guess you'll just have to check back in to find out. God bless!

Qualk Talk: Top Five Heisman Contenders

William Qualkinbush — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 04:25:03 -0400

First of all, I would like to apologize for not posting on Friday or Monday. It's been a hectic and stressful few days--I'll just leave it at that.

Anyway, this year's Heisman winner is anybody's guess. In my opinion, there are about ten or twelve guys who are capable of winning. This is a list of the upper tier of contenders as I see them.

5. Jeremy Maclin, WR Missouri

Maclin is the best all-purpose player in the country, and he only has one season under his belt.

Last season, he amassed 2,776 all-purpose yards, which set a freshman record and ranks fifth in NCAA history. He is a threat to score every time he touches the ball--there are other players who may be faster, but Maclin's football speed is virtually unmatched.

Expect another incredible year from Maclin, as he becomes more knowledgeable and experienced.

4. Knowshon Moreno, RB Georgia

Not many people play harder than this guy, who routinely runs back to the huddle just as quickly as he runs with the football.

Moreno burst onto the scene as a freshman last season with over 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is good enough to win the Heisman, but I'm not convinced that Mark Richt will allow him to get enough touches to match his stats from a season ago.

Plus, Georgia's brutal schedule could prove to be a mental nightmare for this youngster. Still, watch out for him to set the tone for the Georgia offense in a big way.

3. Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech

Crabtree shattered all freshman receiving records last season, and thrust his name into this year's Heisman conversation with his consistency, size, and speed.

His numbers (134 receptions, 1,962 yards, and 22 touchdowns) were far and away the best in college football, which is partially due to playing in Mike Leach's offense. Still, this guy has through-the-roof potential and the perfect offense to put up video game-esque stats once again.

Look for Crabtree's stock to rise after big games early in the conference schedule.

2. Chase Daniel, QB Missouri

4,306 passing yards and 33 touchdowns will get anybody a ton of exposure. For Chase Daniel, the only senior on my list, it may take a trip to a BCS bowl game to get Heisman voters to notice him this year.

This guy's arm is golden--he has an absolute cannon when he unleashes the deep ball, and his touch is remarkable on slants and outs. Plus, with weapons like Maclin at receiver, Daniel should be able to pile up stats once again.

His Heisman stock will be directly linked to Missouri's team performance this season, which I think will be pretty good.

1. Tim Tebow, QB Florida

Forget his Heisman from a year ago. Forget the fact that Emmanuel Moody now gives Florida a threat at tailback. My theory on greatness is that it shows itself, no matter what the circumstances may be.

Tebow's sophomore season has been well-documented--4,181 yards of total offense and 55 total touchdowns (23 rushing, 32 passing). While his stats may not be quite as gaudy after the addition of Moody to the backfield, he will still get enough media attention to heighten his achievements.

I think Tim Tebow's greatness will show itself once again, and I predict that he will win his second consecutive Heisman Trophy.

Once again, thanks for reading! Tomorrow, I'm thinking of discussing five potential Heisman winners who are flying under the radar a little bit. God bless!

Qualk Talk: Top Five Toughest Non-Conference Schedules in America

William Qualkinbush — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:35:33 -0400

We hear a great deal of discussion around the college football universe about how the big time programs are more interested in getting easy wins than scheduling quality opponents. A great example is right here in my backyard, where Clemson will play two FCS (formerly Division I-AA) opponents this season.

On one hand, many coaches feel that the season is enough of a grind with the conference schedule and would like a couple of weeks during the season to rest starters and heal as a team. Also, a large portion of the funding for many smaller FBS (formerly Division I-A) and virtually all FCS schools is earned via royalties for playing more prestigious programs.

On the other hand, fans want to see good football. Fans are much more willing to pay to see their teams play the USCs of the world and possibly lose than they are to watch Directional South Dakota in a glorified scrimmage. Potential revenues make it a tough call for athletic directors and coaches across the country.

Choosing the top five schedules was pretty tough, to be perfectly honest. There are about 10 or 12 worthy teams for this list, so trimming it down was a chore. I'm sure there will be some backlash from some fans who think their team should be included for a schedule that is utterly ridiculous.

Here are the top five as I see them.

5. Miami (FL)

Yes, they start off with Charleston Southern—that knocks them down the list. But for a team consisting of mostly freshmen and sophomores, the next two trips will be daunting.

On Sep. 6, the Hurricanes travel to Gainesville to take on Florida in the Swamp. After a week off to regain sanity, they travel to another hostile environment, Kyle Field, to take on Texas A&M.

Tack on a game against a potentially dangerous UCF team at midseason, and you're looking at a rough schedule overall.

4. Florida Atlantic

Howard Schnellenberger has some work to do if he wants to improve on his team's 8-5 finish of a season ago. The Owls will start with an almost-impossible-to-win trip to Texas, followed by a home date with UAB.

After that, it's off to Big Ten country for games against Michigan State and Minnesota. Coach Schnellenberger had better be stockpiling frequent flyer miles.

3. East Carolina

I believe I have been perfectly articulate about my feelings on this East Carolina team. They will start with a neutral-site game against Virginia Tech, which should be interesting. They then host the West Virginia Mountaineers, which is also an intriguing matchup.

From there, they have a couple of games with ACC opponents Virginia and NC State mixed in the schedule. While these may not be the class of the conference, kudos to Skip Holtz for putting together a non-conference schedule totally void of mid- or low-major conference opponents.

2. Washington

The Pac-10 has, by far, the toughest group of out-of-conference schedules in the country. I debated putting UCLA and USC on this list, but Washington made the cut despite having all three of its non-league contests at home.

The Huskies will welcome BYU, the best non-BCS team in the country, and Oklahoma on consecutive September Saturdays, and they could be looking at an ugly start. Tyrone Willingham's former team, Notre Dame, comes calling on Oct. 25.

This slate is made tougher by the intense pressure—that's the way it's being perceived, at least—on Willingham to win this season. Good luck with that.

1. Troy

Man, I do not envy this schedule for a second. Yes, there is the game with Alcorn State, but other than that, you can forget about anybody touching this difficulty—three road games in four weeks against really, really good teams in really, really tough environments.

The slate is as follows: Sep. 6 at LSU, Sep. 13 vs. Alcorn State, Sep. 20 at Ohio State, and Sep. 27 at Oklahoma State. In the words of a good friend of mine: Doneya.

As always, thanks for reading. I haven't decided about tomorrow yet, but I'm leaning towards either the easiest non-conference schedules or a rundown of the winners from each conference. God bless!

Qualk Talk: Top Five Most Underrated Teams in America

William Qualkinbush — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:50:20 -0400

There are always teams that the coaches and media miss, teams that constantly hover under the radar until they arrive on the national scene with force. Here are five teams that could surprise in 2008.

5. Indiana

The Hoosiers appeared in the postseason for the first time in 15 years last season. Expect another trip to a bowl game this season.

Quarterback Kellen Lewis, who is currently practicing with the second and third team offenses after missing spring practice due to academics, will win the starting quarterback job eventually and is a perfect fit for the no-huddle spread offense that Bill Lynch wants to implement this season. He will team with Marcus Thigpen to form a lethal combination in the backfield.

Wide receiver could be a trouble spot after the loss of James Hardy to the NFL—unless the unit, which is deeper than last year's, can find a way to make up Hardy's production.

Defensively, the Hoosiers are led by All-American candidates Greg Middleton and Geno Johnson. Middleton was among the nation's leaders in sacks a season ago, and his pass rush will be key as the secondary may be weak. Without Michigan or Ohio State on the schedule, this could easily be an eight-win team.

4. North Carolina

The Tar Heels are quickly building a contender in the ACC under Butch Davis. In a down year for the conference, don't be surprised if this team makes a run at the Coastal Division crown.

T.J. Yates has plenty of weapons at his disposal, including wideout Hakeem Nicks and former wideout Greg Little at tailback. This team should put up points on a weekly basis, but that will be predicated on Yates' development as a drop-back passer. The recent addition of highly touted receiver Dwight Jones only deepens the talent pool.

The entire secondary returns on defense, but that's about it. Still, there are plenty of solid athletes, including 2007 recruiting prize and future NFL player Marvin Austin at defensive tackle. The schedule is void of Clemson, Wake Forest, and Florida State, so a nine-win season could be in store.

3. Miami

Miami has two major problems: They need to find a quarterback, and all their talented players are freshmen or sophomores. That's okay, because once again, the very forgiving ACC will allow this team to develop.

Javarris James and Graig Cooper will lead the offense from the backfield until a quarterback emerges—if one ever emerges.

Defensively, the Hurricanes will be fast—super fast. The thing that impresses me about this unit is that they seem to have regained the Miami swagger of years gone by (not the logo-stomping arrogance of a couple of years ago, but the type of swagger that has been missing since the BCS title game in 2003).

The schedule is pretty tough early on, with trips to Florida and Texas A&M on tap. After that, however, Miami should be able to grow and mature. I don't think this team will finish with another losing record, something that most seem to be predicting. In fact, this team is a major ACC sleeper, in my opinion.

2. Mississippi State

With all this talk about the greatness of the SEC and how flashy all the coaches are and how many national titles they have all won, Mississippi State and Sylvester Croom are probably feeling left out. That's not a good thing for the rest of the conference.

Wesley Carroll made great strides toward the end of last season and improved his touchdown-to-interception ratio tremendously. Anthony Dixon is a workhorse tailback coming off a 1,000-yard season and should be even better with a sound passing game to take some pressure off of him.

The Bulldog defense is nothing special, but they force turnovers. That alone makes them dangerous.

This team won seven games last year, and I don't have any idea how. They just continued to find a way to win. Now, with another year's experience, the Bulldogs could be a dark horse in the SEC. As well, they avoid Georgia and Florida, which is a huge plus.

1. East Carolina

Skip Holtz has done a remarkable job turning around this program in a short amount of time. This year, they could be poised for a couple of major upsets.

Patrick Pinkney and Rob Kass complement each other well at quarterback: Pinkney is a solid athlete, while Kass is a drop-back passer. Both had high completion rates a season ago and should be improved. Chris Johnson left a big hole at tailback when he left, but Jonathan Williams and Dominique Lindsay have been the talk of spring practice.

The front seven on defense is really good and will be able to handle every team on the schedule. There is a big question mark in the secondary, however, as that unit was extraordinarily bad last year. If they can patch up the holes at DB, the Pirates can have a pretty nasty defense.

As far as the schedule goes, the opener with Virginia Tech is interesting. It was a really close game last year in Blacksburg, and with the Hokies searching for answers offensively, this could be a major Week One upset. I see this team pushing for nine or 10 wins and a Conference USA title.

As always, thanks so much for reading! Tomorrow I'll profile the five toughest out-of-conference schedules in the country.

Qualk Talk: Top Five Most Overrated Teams in America

William Qualkinbush — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:35:15 -0400

Yesterday, we looked at what the coaches got right—for the most part. Today, I'm going to spotlight what they got wrong.

There are several teams that are trendy picks to make a serious run this season that I have some major problems with. There are also some really average teams that the coaches have anointed worthy of Top 25 consideration.

Again, my list is based totally on the strength of the rosters, with a tiny bit of weight given to the strength of schedule.

5. Illinois

Yes, I am fully aware that Ron Zook is a master recruiter and that the Illini finished 9-4 last season after amassing only two wins in 2006. But they sorely lack an experienced back following the loss of Rashard Mendenhall, and I'm not convinced that Juice Williams can win games with his arm—although his running ability and his playmaking skills are unquestionable.

On defense, J Leman is a huge loss at linebacker, but this unit is actually not that bad. There are several potential leaders on this unit. However, it remains to be seen if the Illinois defense can compensate for the offensive drop-off that is sure to occur.

Trips to Penn State, Michigan, and Wisconsin highlight a tough schedule that also includes a visit from Ohio State and a neutral site matchup with Missouri to open the season. The coaches rank them 19th, but I don't see this team winning any more than eight games.

4. Texas Tech

This may be the trendiest pick in the country. Nobody questions the talent on offense, where Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree form the nation's most explosive quarterback-wide receiver tandem. This team can put up 60 points at the drop of a hat.

But the defense...oh, the defense. This is a defense that will have to improve tremendously for Mike Leach to get to the Big 12 title game for the first time.

There was some life in the D a season ago, especially in the Oklahoma game. But I don't know if the Red Raiders can stop their opponents on a week-to-week basis and allow the team to take the next step.

The schedule isn't too difficult: Oklahoma and Kansas are by far the toughest road tests. Also, Texas comes to Lubbock. I still see this team, which the coaches picked 14th, as an 8-4 team.

3. Michigan

This is the one that puzzles me the most. All offseason, the talk has been about the Wolverines under Rich Rodriguez and how there isn't a prototype quarterback in the stable to run his offense. Then there were the defections and unrest. It was tumultuous, to say the least.

So the coaches vote the Wolverines 24th in the preseason poll. Yeah, that makes total sense.

The fact is that Rodriguez is attempting to "change the culture" in Ann Arbor. We all know that means there will be some growing pains as his plans begin to take shape.

There is some talent on defense, and the offense won't be atrocious, but it's going to take some time to adapt to the spread.

Trips to Penn State, Ohio State, and Notre Dame—yes, I said Notre Dame—will be tough. Due to the changing of the guard, there may be a couple of embarrassing losses in there, depending on how quickly the team is willing to mold itself around its new head coach. I predict 7-5 or 6-6 for this bunch.

2. LSU

I know that Tiger Nation thinks there will be a repeat this year, but this is me officially bursting your collective bubbles.

This roster is immensely talented—Les Miles has continued Nick Saban's legacy of great recruiting classes. The defense is big, strong, and fast.

There are also plenty of playmakers on the perimeter. The problem is that there is nobody to get them the ball.

Harvard transfer Andrew Hatch and freshman Jarrett Lee will duke it out to win the job, but neither is the quarterback that Matt Flynn (or even Ryan Perrilloux) was.

Plus, in the uber-tough SEC, wins will be difficult to come by, especially with a schedule that includes trips to Auburn and Gainesville.

I'm not dumb enough to think that LSU won't win nine or 10 games this season, but this is not a national championship contender.

1. Virginia Tech

Frank Beamer is a super coach, maybe the best in the game today. His special teams are the best in the business, and he always gets the very most out of his team.

This year, however, the coaches have really miscalculated in putting this team 15th in the preseason poll.

The two-headed monster of Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon returns at quarterback. The two-man system could work out great, but it could just as easily backfire, especially considering the lack of any semblance of a running game after the loss of Branden Ore.

Although the offensive line is considered a strength, the receiving corps has been totally decimated and lacks experience as well as ability across the board.

Defensively, the Hokies will be good despite losing several key components from last year's squad.

Victor "Macho" Harris is as good as it gets at cornerback, and the D-line is experienced. Beamer consistently does a good job getting his defense to make plays, and this year should be no exception.

The schedule isn't tough at all, especially considering the absence of Clemson and Wake Forest. The Hokies may win eight games due to a lackluster year for the ACC, but this will be the most difficult coaching job that Frank Beamer has faced.

I expect plenty of hateful comments from Illini, Raider, Wolverine, Tiger, and Hokie fans in response to this list. But isn't that what it's all about?

Tomorrow, I'll talk about five teams who will burst onto the scene in 2008. Thanks for reading!

Qualk Talk: Top Five College Football Teams in America

William Qualkinbush — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:29:38 -0400

The college football season is quickly approaching, but is still three weeks away. Personally, I've been ready for it since January 8th of last year, the day after LSU slaughtered Ohio State to win the national championship.

So to keep myself occupied while meaningless baseball and women's synchronized swimming are dominating the sports scene, and to provide some quality discussion about the upcoming year, I have decided to give an exclusive preview of the season from all angles. I'll call it my "Top Five" series.

During the next three weeks, I will break down teams, coaches, players, and schedules from different viewpoints, find my top five in each category, then post them here for all to see.

The best place to start is the polls, where the coaches have anointed Georgia the team to beat this season. Forget who the best team is, we all know that the best two teams aren't necessarily the two highest-ranked. There are many more factors that come into play.

So here are my top five college football teams going into the season, including my pick for the national champion.

5. Clemson

And right off the bat I go with the homer pick. But Clemson is the hands-down choice to win the ACC this season, and has arguably more playmakers than any team in America. Cullen Harper had better efficiency numbers than Matt Ryan last year, and James Davis and CJ Spiller look healthy and strong in camp.

On top of that, three quality receivers return including All-American candidate Aaron Kelly. If the offensive line can gel early—which it should considering the talent level up front—this team will be nearly impossible to stop.

Defensively, there are question marks at linebacker since none of last year's starters return. But this was a top-ten defense a season ago, and in a conference virtually bare of talented quarterbacks, it should be a top-ten defense once again.

The schedule sets up nicely—a neutral site meeting with Alabama and road games at Wake Forest and Florida State are the only potential stumbling blocks. I predict a 10-2 season and a BCS berth, but this team has the talent and schedule to go as far as it wants.

4. Oklahoma

Forget the BCS futility of the past few years this team is absolutely stacked. Sam Bradford was the most efficient passer in college football a season ago, and there's no reason to expect a drop-off this year. Wideout Juaquin Iglesias and tailback DeMarco Murray are spectacular all-purpose players. Murray ran a pair of kickoffs back for touchdowns and Iglesias averaged over 10 yards a carry last year on end-arounds. With all five starters on the O-line coming back, there should be plenty of holes to run through.

Bob Stoops' defense is always ready for prime time. Gerald McCoy is a hole-clogger on the inside, but the presence of linebacker Curtis Lofton inside will be missed. This unit is tough as nails and should be extremely difficult to run the football against.

The Big 12 is tougher this season, but the Sooners get Texas Tech, Nebraska, and Kansas at home. As usual, the game against Texas in the Cotton Bowl will be the key to a great season.

3. USC

Hard to find a more talented roster year in and year out. The only offensive question mark seems to be at running back. Just kidding. The Trojans have a zillion game-breaking tailbacks, including Reggie Bush clone Joe McKnight.

The receiving corps will sorely miss All-American tight end Fred Davis, but the talent is there to be a special group. Mark Sanchez and Mitch Mustain have a ton of potential behind center, but neither is especially proven as a leader and Sanchez has shown a propensity to be injury-prone.

This team is stacked on defense. Linebacker Rey Maualaga is a beast. I did not see any other defenders that played with his speed last season. Other than that, the secondary is top-notch, and has the depth to overcome injuries. The defensive line, while young, is big and fast at all four positions.

The schedule works out in USC's favor this time around, as Ohio State, Oregon, and Arizona State come calling, and the only major road game is across town against UCLA. This team needs to show more consistency than last year's bunch did, but it's hard to bet against Pete Carroll.

2. Georgia

Best team in the country—no doubt in my mind. The coaches got it right. Matthew Stafford is a prototype drop-back NFL passer who will flourish if a young receiving corps grows up fast. Muhammad Massaquoi returns as a major threat on every play. Knowshon Moreno can win the Heisman this year if he avoids injury and if defenses remain unable to scheme against him. This kid has a motor that is constantly running.

Defensively, the Bulldogs return seven starters, including leading tackler Dannell Ellerbe. They are particularly ferocious at home, but the speed of this unit is phenomenal across the board. Prince Miller and Asher Allen form the most underrated cornerback tandem in America; these guys can lock down just about anybody across from them.

The reason Georgia is not at the top of my list is because of an absolutely brutal schedule. Trips to LSU, Auburn, and Arizona State highlight the schedule, while the Florida game in Jacksonville could factor in the national title race. This team is good enough to win the national championship this season, but the schedule looks pretty much impossible.

1. Ohio State

As a Southern guy, I hate to say it, but this is the year that Ohio State gets over the hump. Todd Boeckman is a great game-manager at quarterback—sort of in the Craig Krenzel mold. Chris Wells is a man-child running between the tackles and has some incredible breakaway speed. This team is built around its offensive line, which should be a force.

James Laurinaitis is back at linebacker for the Buckeyes and is looking to follow up on a sensational 2007 season that ended with him holding the Butkus Award. Cornerback Malcolm Jenkins was a projected first-round draft choice last season and should improve his stock with a strong showing this year. This unit is normally among the best in the nation in yards and points allowed and, without many threatening offenses on the schedule, this should be another solid year.

The only tough game is the trip to USC on Sept. 13th. Other than that, it's virtually a green light to the national title game. I like this team and I feel that after losing in the BCS Championship Game twice in a row, losing a third time is not an option.

Come back tomorrow for the second installment. Thanks for reading!

Bracketbreaker: Butler Bulldogs

William Qualkinbush — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:41:21 -0400

In 1998, a team from the Horizon League (Valparaiso) led by an experienced senior guard (Bryce Drew) made a Cinderella run to the Sweet 16 as a No. 13 seed.

Ten years later, another team from the Horizon League (Butler) led by an experienced senior guard (AJ Graves) will attempt to repeat history with a trip to the Sweet 16 and beyond.

True, there are major differences between these two teams; Valpo came into the tournament as a No. 13 seed, virtually unknown nationally. In contrast, over the past decade, Butler has been a known commodity, making the Big Dance six times—and last season, the Bulldogs gave eventual national champion Florida a handful in the Sweet 16.

Also, Butler comes into this tournament with a No. 7 seed, which makes the Bulldogs a favorite in their first-round contest against South Alabama. In many ways, Butler doesn't fit the mold of a classic Cinderella story.

But that doesn't mean that Butler can't make a splash in this year's tourney.

When identifying a team that could make a surprise run in the NCAA Tournament, there are three factors to consider:

1. Tournament experience

2. Consistent guard play

3. Solid coaching

The Bulldogs definitely have a stranglehold on the first two attributes, and the jury is still out on the third. But, if you look at the makeup of this team, this is a squad that will be a tough out for anybody.

Butler starts four seniors; its fifth starter, freshman forward Matt Howard, is perhaps its most valuable piece. Howard gives the Bulldogs an inside presence that they have not had in previous years. It almost gives this team a Gonzaga-type feel as a unit that can dump the ball down low and shoot it from the outside.

Graves is a senior guard who has been a starter for the majority of his career at Butler. He has been a solid leader and playmaker that has really stepped his game up the past couple of seasons. He is the type of player who will help a team have success in a tournament.

Point guard Mike Green is a complete player and arguably the most important piece of the puzzle. Not only is he the leading scorer at 14.9 points per game, he is also Butler's leading rebounder (6.6 RPG) and leading assist man (5.1 APG). This guy has been somewhat overshadowed, at least nationally, by Graves. This season, however, he has broken out. During one stretch this season, Green reached double digits in scoring in 16 consecutive games.

Outside of that stellar guard play, there are a couple of solid forwards. Howard has been a big addition in the low post, as he shoots 60 percent from the floor and 77.6 percent from the free-throw line. He is an athletic big man who can run the floor well and rebound with bigger guys.

Another senior, Pete Campbell, is a streaky shooter who has converted five or more 3-pointers on seven different occasions this season. Other role players—Julian Betko, Willie Veasley, and Drew Streicher—help this team to carve out a defensive identity that have allowed it to frustrate teams all season long.

First-year coach Brad Stevens may not have head coaching experience in the tournament, but he has coached under two men—Todd Lickliter (Iowa) and Thad Matta (Ohio State)—who have left Butler for Big Ten coaching jobs after a great deal of success in March.

He has gotten solid training and has guided this team to a 29-3 record, with some impressive wins coming against the likes of Florida State, Texas Tech, Virginia Tech, and Ohio State, among others.

This is a complete team with experience and an ability to attack opponents in different ways, as well as the ability to defend effectively in the half court.

In other words, this is a dangerous bunch, no matter who they face off against.

In the first round, Butler should be able to hold off South Alabama, who lost its last game at home to a mediocre Middle Tennessee team.

Next up will come Tennessee, who can score a ton of points but will struggle to stop the penetration and outside shooting of the Bulldogs.

After that, a team like Louisville will give Butler problems, but the Cardinals are easily frustrated by tough defenses. That gives the Bulldogs the edge.

I think Butler's ride will come to a halt against a better North Carolina team in the Elite Eight. But, regardless of when it ends, the ride will be long, and the country will be forced to take notice.

In 1998, Bryce Drew hit a magical shot to propel Valparaiso past fourth-seeded Ole Miss in the first round.

Graves and the Butler Bulldogs are looking for some similar magic that will lead to a long run in March.

Clemson-UNC: Keys to the ACC Championship

William Qualkinbush — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 06:32:50 -0400

After squeaking by with a couple of tough wins, third-seeded Clemson and top-seeded North Carolina will face off this afternoon for the ACC Championship. Here are three keys for each team...

NORTH CAROLINA

1. Convert easy baskets.

Clemson loves to press and will sometimes leave the basket open after trapping the first pass. If North Carolina can convert easy lay-ups and 3-on-2 and 2-on-1 situations, it will make life easier.

2. Get Booker on the bench.

Clemson's front line of Trevor Booker and James Mays has presented Tyler Hansbrough with his toughest matchup problem this season. His lowest point total came in Littlejohn Coliseum, and he hit 17 free throws to get points in the second game. Booker has been prone to early foul trouble, so getting him on the bench will be a priority.

3. Get Wayne Ellington some touches.

Ellington has averaged 35 points in two matchups with the Tigers this season, so his production will be key, especially if Hansbrough is kept quiet.

CLEMSON

1. Force turnovers.

Clemson's press has caused problems for UNC in both games, and it changed momentum against Duke. The press needs to be effective to slow North Carolina's run-and-gun ways.

2. Hit the offensive boards.

Clemson has to win the battle of second-chance points; it was those opportunities that allowed the Tigers to maintain the lead over Duke throughout the second half.

3. Play with confidence down the stretch.

Against Duke, Clemson handled the final four minutes brilliantly, as Bob Knight pointed out on ESPN. The Tigers have given the first two games with the Tar Heels away down the stretch; if they can hold onto a lead again, it would be huge for the program.

PREDICTION: Clemson 90-87 (OT)

ACC Tournament Picks: Part Three

William Qualkinbush — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 05:39:38 -0400

Friday's action produced a lot of sluggish play; other than Clemson, no team looked particularly impressive in winning in the quarterfinals. But as the stakes get higher, the teams will almost certainly be more focused and ready to play.

Here is a look at what will happen in Charlotte on Saturday...

No. 4 Virginia Tech (19-12, 10-7) vs. No. 1 North Carolina (30-2, 15-2)—1:30 ET

Virginia Tech spoiled my perfect day yesterday with one of its ugly wins, a 53-49 decision over Miami. The Hokie defense stifled the Hurricanes from the outset, offsetting an atrocious offensive performance that will certainly be inadequate against the high-powered North Carolina Tar Heels.

North Carolina didn't play particularly well, either, in its 82-70 win over Florida State. It is clear that Ty Lawson is not 100 percent, no matter what Roy Williams tells people; his ability to get to the rim is crucial to the success of the offense. Williams was clearly upset at the lack of foul calls made for Tyler Hansbrough; watch to see if that changes in this one, as VA Tech's defensive style is conducive to a high number of fouls.

This game could get chippy, as North Carolina beat the Hokies by about 1000 the last time they met in Chapel Hill. Seth Greenberg's team has a physical presence that, if established, can change the way a team plays offensively. Still, Hansbrough inside and the plethora of perimeter weapons should provide enough offense to propel the Tar Heels to the title game.

PREDICTION: UNC 71-65

No. 3 Clemson (23-8, 11-6) vs. No. 2 Duke (27-4, 14-3)—4:00 ET

Clemson played its best game of the season in the nightcap on Friday, an 82-48 win over Boston College. Without shooting the ball particularly well, the Tigers forced 22 turnovers and held Tyrese Rice to only 15 points. When the pressure defense is working like that, there aren't many teams who can beat Clemson on a neutral floor.

Duke leapt out to an early lead against Georgia Tech but couldn't put the Yellow Jackets away until the end. That lack of a killer instinct could come back to bite the Blue Devils against the Tigers. When they are hitting outside jump shots, Duke is a difficult match up for any team.

Duke will challenge Clemson tremendously defensively with its ability to spread the floor. But I like the Tigers against any team in the country when they play with the same intensity that they did last night.

PREDICTION: CLEM 85-82

Early prediction for the championship game: Clemson over North Carolina 80-75

Come back later for my "Keys to the Championship"—should be a great day of basketball!