Clearing Out the College Hoops Thoughts Desk

Now that we’ve dropped a dime to the Fashion Police about the hat Digger Phelps wore at Duke this past weekend, let’s take a look around the college hoops world since the last regular season weekend concluded:

·        Did North Carolina actually defeat Duke without Tyler Hansbrough attempting a single free throw?

·        Even though John Calipari insists his team will make free throws in the tournament when they need to, don’t you get the feeling that their 58.7 percent average will cost Memphis at some point?

·        Speaking of the state of Tennessee, watch out for the Volunteers.  They gang rebound, they can run, shoot, and most importantly, they defend.  Plus, Chris Lofton is an end-of-the-game assassin. The scary thing is that Ramar Smith, Tyler Smith, J.P. Prince, Duke Crews, and Wayne Chism are all sophomores.

·        Any truth to the rumor that UCLA has filed a petition to have Christmas moved to March after the three horrendous officiating calls handed them two gift wins last week vs. Stanford and Cal? You talk about home cooking!

·        Raise your hand if you thought Texas would be this good without Kevin Durant.

·        How about some National Coach of the Year votes for Billy Gillispie? Be honest, how many of you left the Wildcats for dead after the Gardner-Webb fiasco to start the season?

·        OK, if you don’t want to vote for Gillispie, then how about Matt Painter at Purdue?

·        As imposing a player as Roy Hibbert is, wouldn’t you like to see what Georgetown could do to teams if they opened up their offense?

·        Will Billy Packer vehemently object to either Duke or North Carolina advancing to the Final Four without having to leave the state of North Carolina with the same gusto that he did in 2003 when Syracuse got to play a regional final in New York? I’m thinking no.

·        And since we mentioned the Orange, yes, they aren’t going to the tournament after getting waxed by Villanova in the Big East tournament but let’s face facts (and we’re speaking to you Doug Gottlieb):  If Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins didn’t suffer ACL tears thus robbing the Orange of their best three-point shooters, the only argument is if Syracuse is a three or four seed. And if Donte’ Greene and Paul Harris make smart decisions to put off the NBA for one more year, Syracuse will be loaded for next season.

·        Is it me or are the Kansas Jayhawks, a wrecking machine for almost the entire season, flying below the radar? And can we please stop the nonsense about Bill Self not being able to win the big one? Self is a great coach whose team is as good as there is in the country. And his Jayhawks are going to win the Big 12 tournament.

·        Now that San Diego defeated Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference tournament final to punch their dance ticket, maybe everyone can pay attention to Rob Jones the basketball player and not Rob Jones the grandson of Jim Jones. Rob Jones had a solid freshman campaign averaging 8.8 points per game and shooting 49.8 percent from the floor in 33 games.

·        Lute Olson announced his intentions to return next year to the Arizona bench. This should make for an interesting off-season with regards to current interim coach Kevin O’Neill.

·        George Mason will be dancing again just two years removed from their Cinderella run to the 2006 Final Four. Can seniors Folarin Campbell and Will Thomas conjure up some more magic and bounce one or two of the big boys again?

·        Random conference tournament predictions: Louisville in the Big East, Purdue in the Big Ten, Xavier in the Atlantic 10, Tennessee in the SEC, UCLA in the Pac Ten, and North Carolina in the ACC.

·        Lastly, if you’re a true college hoops fan, then you’re rooting for UNC-Duke III on Sunday. We’ll be back after the brackets are out. Until then, enjoy the conference tournaments and get ready for the madness!