North Dakota State Basketball In Running for Top 100 Player

I saw this on ESPN.com the other night and I heard he was visiting this week.  Jay Harris is ranked as the No. 15 point guard in the nation and No. 64 overall.

The 6′0″ guard from Oswego, IL, is looking at NDSU as well as the University of Northern Iowa and Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

“Harris has a great feel for the game with his ball handing, passing, the ability to finish in transition and making plays one on one. Harris can also score in a variety of ways in addition to his ability to get his own shot. He can spot up behind the arc on the side of dribble penetration, come off screens and attack the basket in transition. Harris is terrific at scoring over or around taller defenders although his must get stronger in order to be as successful on the next level. Playing with Boatright really allowed Harris to be very productive at the shooting guard position although he is a true point. Harris also displayed the ability to defend both guard positions and he came up with a couple on ball and cover down post steals with his quick hands. Harris has the talent and basketball IQ to be a terrific college lead guard but he must make the weight room a priority”  From ESPN.com.

If Harris signs, he would be the first Top 100 player to commit to the play in Fargo starting in the 2010 season, and the single biggest signing in NDSU basketball history.

Trayvonn Wirght, the 6′7″ 175 pound power forward from Waterloo, IA, has already signed to play for coach Saul Phillips and is rated as the 77th best power forward in the country.

“Wright excels in open court situations where he can use his athleticism to his benefit. He has the ability to score the ball in the paint with different finishes and uses the rim wisely to protect himself. Trayvonn was able to rebound the ball outside of his area and grab the ball at its highest point. However, he was uncomfortable with physical play and needs to learn how to take advantage of his quickness to combat opponent’s strength. Wright has limitations with his ball handling skills; he has no lateral movement in his dribble and cannot easily shift positions; when cut off on drives, he will spin. He has made tremendous strides since the end of the high school season and has a lot of upside.”  From ESPN.com.

Landing those two players would be another substantial building block to the foundation that was laid with the plan to; sit the four seniors, Ben Woodside, Brent Winkelmen, Mike Nelson, Lucas Moormann, win the conference, and play in the NCAA tourney the first year eligible.  We could not imgaine the extra hype of Woodside dropping 60 and getting Sportcenter shout-outs.  But it helped.

The 2009-10 season may not be as successful in terms of wins, trophies and accolades, but it is necessary in building this program to the next level.

College Basketball Rankings

Were are getting closer to the college basketball season kicking off and Kansas is the No.1 team in the country.  It is going to be a more competitive season than last season.

Anyway, previews are coming, but here are the preseason rankings for 2009-10 Men’s College Basketball.

AP Top 25

1. Kansas (55) 0-0 1,612

2. Michigan State (5) 0-0 1,515

3. Texas (1) 0-0 1,397

4. Kentucky (3) 0-0 1,372

5. Villanova 0-0 1,347

6. North Carolina (1) 0-0 1,320

7. Purdue 0-0 1,284

8. West Virginia 0-0 1,115

9. Duke 0-0 1,064

10. Tennessee 0-0 897

11. Butler 0-0 864

12. Connecticut 0-0 844

13. California 0-0 800

14. Washington 0-0 776

15. Michigan 0-0 578

16. Ohio State 0-0 465

17. Oklahoma 0-0 410

18. Mississippi State 0-0 393

19. Louisville 0-0 335

20. Georgetown 0-0 326

21. Dayton 0-0 318

22. Georgia Tech 0-0 301

23. Illinois 0-0 282

24. Clemson 0-0 217

25. Minnesota 0-0 172

Others Receiving Votes Maryland 171, Siena 112, Notre Dame 107, Florida State 92, Vanderbilt 90, Syracuse 83, Oklahoma State 65, UCLA 63, Florida 53, Wake Forest 50, Xavier 42, Gonzaga 37, South Carolina 28, Kansas State 24, Brigham Young 21, Northern Iowa 16, Tulsa 16, Mississippi 15, Texas A&M 10, Missouri 8, Boston College 6, Pittsburgh 4, Western Kentucky 2, Utah State 2, Virginia Commonwealth 2, Old Dominion 1, Holy Cross 1.

Complete Rankings

ESPN/USA Today Poll

1. Kansas (27) 0-0 770

2. Michigan State (3) 0-0 732

3. Texas 0-0 676

4. North Carolina (1) 0-0 653

5. Kentucky 0-0 635

6. Villanova 0-0 620

7. Purdue 0-0 586

8. Duke 0-0 528

9. West Virginia 0-0 501

10. Butler 0-0 408

11. Tennessee 0-0 406

12. California 0-0 370

13. Washington 0-0 364

14. Connecticut 0-0 361

15. Michigan 0-0 279

16. Oklahoma 0-0 244

17. Ohio State 0-0 241

18. Minnesota 0-0 151

19. Mississippi State 0-0 149

20. Georgia Tech 0-0 136

21. Georgetown 0-0 134

22. Dayton 0-0 130

23. Louisville 0-0 123

24. Clemson 0-0 114

25. Syracuse 0-0 111

Others Receiving Votes Maryland 100, Illinois 83, Siena 72, UCLA 59, Vanderbilt 38, Oklahoma State 29, Missouri 28, Xavier 25, Gonzaga 24, Notre Dame 22, USC 22, Pittsburgh 19, Tulsa 17, Kansas State 16, Brigham Young 16, Florida State 15, Florida 13, Wake Forest 13, San Diego State 8, Creighton 7, Boston College 4, Texas A&M 4, Southern Illinois 3, Utah State 3, Cornell 3, Memphis 3, Mississippi 3, UNLV 2, South Carolina 1, Northern Iowa 1.

Complete Rankings

Update

Hey DTP viewers, or people who landed here by accident.

I am working on a couple of large pieces previewing the NBA and College Basketball.  So, I am sorry that I have been a slightly delinquent poster, but I will return!

Quick Bits For You:

1.  I am pulling for the Phillies.

2.  The Vikings looked amazing in the first half against the Raven and then the defense was awful.

3.  The US Soccer team draw against Costa Rica, but should have won by 3 goals, at least!

4.  The NBA Preseason is going along, and the Timberwolves made another trade.

5.  The NBA refs are close to signing.

6.   FIFA 2010 was released and I have not played it.

7.  I won two out three fantasy football games.

8.  Bill Simmon’s book, The Book of Basketball, comes out next week and ESPN is pimping Simmons out to everyone.

9.  Jordan’s son wants to wear dads shoes.

10. Landon Donovan wins 6th US Player of the Year Award.

11.  ESPN’s Steve Phillips has got some issues. Amazingly, not on the front page of ESPN.com.  Crazy!

12.  Mike Sando’s MVP Watch has Brett Favre ranked third and Adrian Peterson tenth.

OK, that is all I have for now.  See you soon.

NDSU’s Midnight Madness on ESPNU

I have a whole lot of college basketball preview and picks to get out there, and I will do that soon.

But first, North Dakota States basketball team will be highlighted on the four hour broadcast on ESPNU and ESPN2.

“Other schools being featured are Connecticut, Duke, Georgetown, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State, North Carolina and Washington. ESPNU anchor Lowell Galindo will host the show with Jim Barbar providing on-site commentary at NDSU.” taken from the Fargo Forum article.

Should be a good time to start the season.

Quick Hits: 8/28/09

NBA Puts the Brakes on Smith and Richardson

OK.  Lame title.

The NBA had to suspend Denver Nugget’s J.R Smith and Golden State Warrior’s Jason Richardson for being horribly stupid drivers.

Smith will be on the bench in street clothes for seven games after pleading guilty for reckless driving and Richardson gets a two game suspension for driving drunk.

Both guys have had issues driving.  Smith was in an accident that caused the death of a passenger in his car in 2007  and Richardson drove 90 mph in a 35 mph zone with his three year old son in the back seat WITHOUT a car seat.

Richardson is the bigger idiot, but Smith seems to find his name in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.  Either way, suspensions were warranted.

Arsenal Vs. Manchester United

For those of you who did not know, the English Premiere League started up again.  And this Saturdays match-up at Old Trafford, is the first real test of the season for Arsenal and the first match-up of any of the “Big Four” – ManU, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.

United has already had a bump in the road in the form of recently promoted Burnley, but a match-up against another major squad, may set the Red Devils back on course.

This is also the match of the EPL two longest-term tenured coaches in Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger, who has been there since 1996, and United Sir Alex Ferguson, who has been the head of this giant since 1986.

My Prediction – Arsenal 2 – United 1*  United is having issues with the back four and Wayne Rooney has yet to convince me that he is the team leader, but Arsenal needs Cesc Fabregas to be fit.

Dick Vitales Top-40 Teams

I like this list - Short, sweet, and to the point.   Here is a quick hint: Kansas is No. 1 and Kentucky is No.2.

Should be a interesting year.

LeBron by LeBron

Here is a sold write about LeBron James’ documentary by Fanhouse’s Will Bronson.

World Football Daily

After much thought and public feedback, Steven Cohen has decided to move in a new direction.   Changing the branding from World SOCCER Daily to World FOOTBALL Daily, the new show will be viewed and heard by paying a monthly subscription.

On a short show today Steven, with co-host Kenny Hassan, explained the changes that are taking place.  Highlighting the new shift in programing, the creation of a new company, the revamped focus of the show, and how the show intends to “stay afloat”.

The brief broadcast showcased the greater investment in the show that has been made by the hosts, with a few other, to validate the $9.99 monthly subscription.   The greater investment was obviously seen in the higher quality cameras, closer and improved camera angles, and improved sound equipment.  Side note: the sound still needs to be worked out however.

Cohen had decided to stop production of World Soccer Daily after threats of all kinds, from a certain group of Liverpool Supporters, had become too intense and were not only directed at Cohen, but also his step-children and their friends.  The backlash was from the Liverpool supporters, was based on comments Cohen had made about the tragedy that took place in 1996 known as the Hillsborough Disaster, which involved the death of 96 Liverpool fans.

As I have stated in prior posts, I do not have enough knowledge to have an opinion on the events that took place in 1996 or Cohen’s comments.  Either way, the show will have it’s last free broadcast on Monday, August 31st.

www.worldsoccerdaily.com

You can listen to Friday’s podcast by heading to this page.

Preseason Wooden Award Top-50

The Wooden Award, college basketball’s highest individual honor, released it’s list of the Top-50 players in the 2009-10 season.  There are a ton of good players on this list and I would imagine we will see a freshmen or two on the final list.

Notre Dame’s Senior Forward, Luke Harangody, looks to be the early favorite to win the award.  Here are seven of my “need-to-know” that we will need to pay attention to throughout the season.

1. Manny Harris, Michigan Guard
2. Luke Babbit, Nevada Forward
3. Matt Bouldin, Gonzaga Guard
4. E’Twaun Moore, Purdue Guard
5. Tasmin Mitchell, LSU Guard
6. Craig Brackins, Iowa State Forward
7. Evan Turner, OSU Forward

Preseason Top 50 List

Player First	Player Last	Height	Position	Class	University
Solomon	Alabi	7-1	C	So.	Florida State
Cole	Aldrich	6-11	C	Jr.	Kansas
Al-Farouq	Aminu	6-9	F	So.	Wake Forest
Luke	Babbitt	6-9	F	So.	Nevada
Talor	Battle	5-11	G	Jr.	Penn State
Trevor	Booker	6-7	F	Sr.	Clemson
Matt	Bouldin	6-5	G	Sr.	Gonzaga
Craig	Brackins	6-10	F	Jr.	Iowa State
Da’Sean	Butler	6-7	F	Sr.	West Virginia
Sherron	Collins	5-11	G	Sr.	Kansas
Ed	Davis	6-10	F	So.	North Carolina
Devan	Downey	5-9	G	Sr.	Sourth Carolina
Jerome	Dyson	6-3	G	Sr.	Connecticut
Devin	Ebanks	6-9	F	So.	West Virginia
Corey	Fisher	6-1	G	Jr.	Villanova
Luke	Harangody	6-8	F	Sr.	Notre Dame
Manny	Harris	6-5	G	Jr.	Michigan
Gordon	Hayward	6-8	G/F	So.	Butler
Jeremy	Hazell	6-5	G	Jr.	Seton Hall
Robbie	Hummel	6-8	F	Jr.	Purdue
Damion	James	6-7	G/F	Sr.	Texas
Sylven	Landesberg	6-6	G	So.	Virginia
Gani	Lawal	6-9	F	Jr.	Georgia Tech
Kalin	Lucas	6-0	G	Jr.	Michigan State
Tasmin	Mitchell	6-7	F	Sr.	Louisiana State
Greg	Monroe	6-11	C	So.	Georgetown
E’Twaun	Moore	6-3	G	Jr.	Purdue
Raymar	Morgan	6-8	F	Sr.	Michigan State
A.J.	Oglivy	6-11	C	Jr.	Vanderbilt
Patrick	Patterson	6-9	F	Jr.	Kentucky
Jerome	Randle	5-10	G	Sr.	California
Scottie	Reynolds	6-2	G	Jr.	Villanova
Samarado	Samuels	6-8	F	So.	Louisville
Larry	Sanders	6-11	F	Jr.	VCU
Jon	Scheyer	6-5	G	Sr.	Duke
DeShawn	Sims	6-8	F	Sr.	Michigan
Kyle	Singler	6-8	F	Jr.	Duke
Tyler	Smith	6-7	G/F	Sr.	Tennessee
Isaiah	Thomas	5-8	G	So.	Washington
Deon	Thompson	6-8	F	Sr.	North Carolina
J.T.	Tiller	6-3	G	Sr.	Missouri
Evan	Turner	6-7	G/F	Jr.	Ohio State
Jarvis	Varnado	6-9	F/C	Sr.	Mississippi State
Greivis	Vasquez	6-6	G	Sr.	Maryland
Deonta	Vaughn	6-1	G	Sr.	Cincinnati
Kemba	Walker	6-1	G	So.	Connecticut
Willie	Warren	6-4	G	So.	Oklahoma
Terrico	White	6-5	G	So.	Mississippi
Nic	Wise	5-10	G	Sr.	Arizona
Chris	Wright	6-8	F	Jr.	Dayton
www.woodenaward.com

Quick Hits: 8/19/09

Favre in Minnesota Purple and Gold

This is a surprise to no one and to be honest, it is a great move all around.  Here is some Quick Hits reasoning to why this is a good move.  

For the MN Vikings - They get a legit QB on a team many people believe were a legit QB away from the Super Bowl.

Ziggy Wilf- Financially this is a win-win.  The media coverage and the ticket/jersey sales is going to be awesome.

Adrian Peterson – Teams will not be able to stack the box as much.

Viking Receivers – You get a QB who can throw the ball into the ocean.

Brett Favre – No matter what he says, the Packers ran Favre out of town.  They did – and now he has a chance to shut them up.

Michael Vick – We moved off this topic for a couple days.

The NFL – They get another story line that is not highlighting some criminal act.  Unless you talk to the Packer Fans – they might view this as a misdemeanor at least!  

I have never been a Favre fan, but I have always respected him and enjoyed watching him play.  And I can understand that if a team offers you a chance to play and compete at a high level, $12 Million a year, and an opportunity to go back to Green Bay and stick it to Ted Thompson - you tell me why he doesn’t sign. 

One thing I would like to say to Brett – because I am sure he checks out the blogs:  Remember – this was a good team without you with a great running back and defense, stay within the system.  Please – it worked in Green bay your last year – just let it happen and don’t force the issue unless necessary.

Former Duke PG Greg Paulus to Start at QB for Syracuse

Someone would have to prove it, but I am not sure this has ever happened before.  An athlete that goes from being a starting point guard at one school to becoming the starting quarterback at another school.

Just like the Favre story, this will be an interesting ride.  Click here for the ESPN write-up and video.

MN Timberwolves Head Coach – Kurt Rambis 

The Rambis signing is one that I understand and I “ok” with.  This is a young team that needs to grow together and why not have a new coach that willl grow with them.  Mark Jackson would have been fine, but I do think Rambis is more ready to lead a team.

Ben Woodside Update

NDSU’s All-Time leading scorer is going to play over in France.  After playing on the Timberwolves summer squad, the 5′10″ point guard has picked his bags and will follow former teammate Brett Winkelman to Europe.  Winkelman will  play with Edimes Pavia in Italy.

“Woodside signed a contract to play professionally with BCM Gravelines Dunkerque, a team that placed sixth last year in the 16-team Pro A League — the highest league in France. Woodside would not disclose his salary but said he has an option until early September to sign with another team.”  *Taken from Dickinson Press 8/12/09.

Good Luck Guys – have fun.

Timberwolves Have A Coach

It is Kurt Rambis – that is all I will say now.  I will expand later.

True Hoop Blog: Post on Shaun Livingston

TrueHoop had a recent post by Henry Abbott that gives an update on Livingston’s progress with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Check it out here.

Day After (or a week) The 2009 NBA Draft

My head is still spinning.  With a the point guards and all the trades prior, it is was very crazy.

MN T’Wolves Equals PG

When I sat down and look at what I hoped that Timberwolves leadership would do tonight, picked four point guards was not in the top ten scenarios possible.

Granted, UNC guard TY Lawson is headed to Denver and Florida guard Nick Calathes is going to Dallas.  And everything I have heard and read is that there is going to be a deal with including Ricky Rubio.

Wayne Ellington at 28 is a good pick, but it is tough to give them a grade when it still seems up in the air.

Carter to the Magic

I get the need to fill the void of Hedu Turkaglu and Vince Carter replaces the scoring, but trading Country Lee makes me sad.  He was something they did not have, a good defensive player who could get to he basket and make a mid-range jumper.  Carter is going to have to figure out how to play with a quality big man, which he has not done, ever.  And Carter will have to find how to be effective with out the ball in his hands.

This trade is a reaction to various things.

1. Trade - With Shaq coming to Ohio and the Wizards adding Mike Miller and Randy Foye, the Magic needed to improve as top in the east got a little more crowded.
2. Hedu Opting Out - With Turkeglu opting out of his contract, the Magic would have had a hole in the line-up.
3. The Economy – it makes sense for teams to dump salary.

Many NBA “experts” like this trade and I am not sure I do.  Mainly because you lose Courtney Lee.  If this because he missed that lay-up?  Pau Gosal hit the rim and the pass pulled him behind the backboard.  Just leave him alone.  I think Lee is going to blow-up in Jersey – ala Devin Harris – and those two could become the best young backcourt in the league.

Clippers – So Far So Good

Lets be honest, it would have been pretty hard for the em to mess this up, but there is still time, it’s the Clippers for cry-out-loud.

Blake’s brother, Tyler, was drafted at 48 to Phoenix.

Panthers in the 2nd Round

Both DeJuan Blair and Sam Young fell into the second and were picked back-to-back with Young going to Memphis at No. 36 and Blair to the Spurs at No. 37.  I think Blair fell because of his knees and Young because of his age.  Both will grow and will be assets the moment the put on a uniform.