Paterno Shouldn't Be Main Figure in Penn State Scandal

Emotions are running high in State College, PA after the immediate firing of legendary football coach Joe Paterno amid the sex scandal involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. The Penn State board of trustees voted unanimously to fire Paterno, effective immediately, and that prompted students to flock towards the Old Main administration building to express their anger over JoePa's firing. It has been one of the wildest few days in collegiate sports history and in this short amount of time JoePa and Penn State went from celebrating the coach's all-time wins record to pure chaos due to the scandal. Paterno is under fire and is the biggest face in this story and that has him under fire by many who can't believe he didn't do more to help those boys that were assaulted by Sandusky. We are running on a lot of emotion right now and I think that can cloud our minds. Who should we really focus on in this scandal? I'll give you a few names and none of them are Joe Paterno.



Penn State students took to the streets to protest JoePa's firing...



Why not Paterno? Because he followed protocol and told the higher-ups about the issue. Now, did he do any follow up or confront Sandusky about the manner? No, and obviously he should have. But the main things is, JoePa heard what happened and immediately notified the AD (Tim Curley) and the vice president (Gary Schultz). Schultz then notified the university president, Graham Spanier, and those three never notified the authorities. Put yourself in JoePa's shoes for a second. You are at home and a student manager comes in and tells you this horrific news. Obviously you are shocked and disgusted but at the same time it's one kid telling you what he saw. It's highly unlikely someone is going to call 911 right away and notify them. I'm not trying to clear Paterno's name completely but I am saying that he did his main job and that was to let the higher-ups know what had happened. They dropped the ball completely by doing nothing and they should get the jail time they deserve.

...and made complete idiots of
themselves by vandalizing a
media van and other property

Paterno's role in this scandal is a little one when it comes down to it. Instead of posting on Facebook about how Joe Paterno should be fired, instead of rioting to protest JoePa's firing, instead of tweeting how bad this decision is to let the legend go why don't we all stop and think about who should be blamed and who should be grieved for. I haven't heard or seen a word, not ONE word, about Jerry Sandusky these past few days. There are people expressing serious hate for JoePa and demanding he is fired. Oh yeah? Well what about Jerry Sandusky, the guy who actually raped young boys?? Why is no one hating on him, calling for him to be thrown in jail? It's absurd. Where do our priorities lie? This is about so much more than a legend being able to coach his last football game. This is about 8-10 young men who's lives are ruined because of one sick, nasty and disgusting individual. Sandusky is getting off pretty easy in the public view because most people are focused on JoePa. That's so wrong. It's not about him or his football program. This is more than a game.



I can't imagine what those young men are feeling right now, nor do I want to. However, I grieve for them and pray for them. They are the ones we should be concerned about, but instead we are worrying about, and rioting about, whether Joe Paterno gets to stay for a few more games. Give me a break. These young men have been violated in the worst way and hardly anyone gives them a thought. Jerry Sandusky has hardly been mentioned. I don't know, it just seems so wrong to me. Our priorities aren't straight right now. Stop arguing over the Paterno issue and focus about the big picture here. Sandusky is the villain, not JoePa. The anger and fury should be directed at Sandusky and we should grieve for those who were victims. It's a sad story and emotions are high. Just remember that this scandal isn't about football, a legend or a firing. It's about one sick, old man who has committed one of the worst crimes. Don't let that be forgotten.



'Devastated' JoePa Retiring After Season

After 61 years of dedicated service to his players and the game of football, legendary head football coach Joe Paterno is set to retire at the end of the season. In a recent and horrific scandal, former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky has been accused of sexual assaulting at least nine boys during his time spent around the Penn State program. With the school and its officials under heavy fire, Paterno has been a subject of doubt and anger from the university, media, and fans alike.

Despite the fact that his Hall of Fame career is coming to the worst possible end, don’t let the actions of another man (as well as the lack of action from Timothy Curley and Gary Schultz) take away from the amazing accomplishments and career of “Joe Pa”. The man took Penn State to 36, count ‘em, 36 bowl games and won 24 of them. He led the Nittany Lions to 2 national championships and had a mind-blowing 401-135-3 record going into the current 2011-2012 season. He has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year three times (most recently in 2008), which puts him in second place behind Bo Schembechler who ended his coaching career with four. Aside from being voted the best coach in his conference three times, Joe Pa was voted National Coach of the Year an astounding five times.

But statistics can’t always do a man justice, you have to look beyond the numbers and take notice of the man’s personality and all-around toughness. In November of 2006, Paterno was standing on the sideline as one of his defenders forced a Wisconsin player out of bounds and right into the then 79 year old coach. Paterno would suffer a broken leg, yet still returned to the sideline later in the season. In a related story, just this past August, a wide receiver ran into Joe Pa during a practice which ultimately resulted in a hip and shoulder injury for Penn State’s head coach. Rather than look for sympathy or draw attention from the media, Paterno simply stated “I expect to be back at practice soon. I'm doing fine; tell everyone not to worry about me.” Though he has coached from the booth for much of the season this year, it shows how dedicated and willing to compete Joe Paterno is.

Along the same lines, Joe Paterno has run one of the most honest programs in such a dishonest sport nowadays. A week doesn’t go by when you don’t hear about illegal recruiting or something along those lines. Joe Pa never had a recruiting violation and was never suspected of any unruly acts (until the Sandusky scandal hit the fan). Paterno taught the importance of integrity and character to his players and believed that said characteristics were not only to be related to football, but to life as a whole. It's a shame a few men ruined it for him.

The Sandusky scandal certainly sheds bad light on Paterno’s career. I guarantee this isn’t how he wanted to go out. Could he control Sandusky’s actions? No. Could he have done more to put a stop to Sandusky’s actions? Probably. Yet in his defense, Paterno brought attention to the incident he was notified of and it was the university’s higher authorities who failed to act. At the end of the day, Paterno was a football coach, not a babysitter for Sandusky. Some blame can be placed on Joe Pa as we have already seen in this developing story, but don’t let this horrific scandal ruin the career and memories Joe Paterno has presented us with. He’s the best to ever coach football at the collegiate level and has the statistics, not to mention the character, of what college sports SHOULD be all about. The game will miss him, Penn State will miss him, and college football fans will miss him. It’s been fun Joe Pa, that was a heck of a career.

Are There Pro Sports Rivalries?

A few friends and I have recently debated with each other about whether there are professional sports rivalries in today's game. The debates have gotten mixed opinions and I'm sure the general public is split as well on the topic. Obviously there are pro sports rivalries but the question is, are there any that stand the test of time? Rivalries that year in, year out are legitimate battles and that players on each team circle as must-win games. I think there are very few, if any. Now, there are always those rivalries that come and go such as the Colts-Patriots, Steelers-Raiders or Kings-Lakers but they do not last forever.

In college sports there are plenty of rivalries and they are fierce border wars, in-state battles or century old conference matchups that make them must-see games. Players on both teams know it's a must-win game and a loss could mean the season was a failure. It doesn't matter how good Duke or North Carolina is, there games are always going to mean alot to those players, coaches, fans and alumni. It's a hate that has gone on for years and won't stop anytime soon. In pro sports there just isn't that kind of hate that has gone on through several decades, with a few exceptions.

In my mind there are five professional sports rivalries that have stood the test of time and those are the Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Cardinals-Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants-Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Lakers-Boston Celtics. What do four of these have in common? They are divisional games between teams close in proximity. The exception is the Lakers-Celtics. They have a very unique rivalry in the sense that they both have been so good for so long. Dating back to the 50s, they have played each other several times for the NBA title and because of that it is a legitimate rivalry.

The reason professional sports rivalries don't last is because of the players. When the players leave the rivalry dies a little bit. Take the Ravens and Steelers rivalry that has been superb for the last decade-- once Ray Lewis and James Harrison retire or leave their respective organizations those games won't be the same. Those players bring the intensity that the game needs and whoever replaces them just won't understand what that game means. In college it's different because a North Carolina recruit is being told right away that Duke is the villain and that he must lead his team to victory against them. Also, pro sports is a business so players will play where the money is and it doesn't matter if it's with a rival. Johnny Damon is the perfect example. He led the Idiots to a World Series title with the Red Sox but when the money was offered he packed his bags and headed straight for the Bronx. Sure sounds like some good, clean hate right there. Not.

I'm not sure professional sports needs the rivalries like college. College sports is driven by those rivalry games but superstars drive the pro games and that's why they are highly successful. Of course each league needs some games that are must-see but they don't necessarily have to be "rivalry games." As long as multiple stars are on the field/court, people will tune in. So which is better? I have a preference for the college sports rivalries because I find them fun to watch, however, I love when rivalries spring up in the pros that have the makings of being a decade-long battle. The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat have that feel right now and it's exciting and good for the game. If you disagree with my stance on this or have another pro sports rivalry that has burning for many years feel free to comment below.

Sandberg Left Off Cubs' Managerial Search List

Well, another managerial search and another rejection for Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg. After managing in the Cubs minor league system for several years, Sandberg was in the mix of names that were in the running for the job of managing the Chicago Cubs. Yet Lou Piniella came out on top in 2008 which left Sandberg down in Triple A for what appeared to be a few more years.

Sweet Lou retired before the end of the season in 2010 which, for the moment, left third base coach Mike Quade in charge to finish the year out. The season ended and the hunt began again. Some thought bench coach Alan Trammel would step in, others thought Quade was qualified to lead, but most if not all of us thought that it was Sandberg’s job at last.

But denial hit Sandberg again. Quade was kept and Sandberg was said to lack the experience. “Ryno” was left in the minors for at least one more season. That one season was a tough one to experience for anybody who bleeds Cubbie blue. A 71-91 record was nothing fun to watch as the team showed no signs of life once the month of June was over. The season ended brutally and everyone knew Quade would most likely be gone.

October came along and the Fall Classic couldn’t have been better. The rival Cardinals shocked the world with an improbable and unbelievable playoff run. But in the midst of all the excitement, Chicago made the biggest offseason move yet (at least until Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder are dealt). Theo Epstein packed his bags from Boston and headed to Chicago to join the Cubs organization. One of the first things Epstein did, however, was let Quade know that he would not be returning as manager for the Cubs.

It’s finally Sandberg’s turn, right? He’s been patient, he’s contributed to the Triple A affiliate of the Cubs, and he’s paid his dues. But now, he won’t even be in consideration for the job. Epstein recently told Ryno that he had a list of possible managers, but that Sandberg wasn’t on it. With that being said, the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals are talking to Sandberg after soon-to-be Hall of Famer Tony LaRussa retired. Wait a second, the Cardinals? This is Ryne Sandberg we’re talking about. The Ryno who was so loved and respected every day he spent in Chicago, the man whose number 23 flies high above the Friendly Confines on a flag resembling those beloved blue pinstripes. But now he’s got the possibility to manage for the enemy. It’s hard to picture him in anything but Cubbie blue.

It’s a hard pill to swallow, more so for Ryno than it is for us loyal Cub fans I’m sure. I realize that Sandberg may not be the best choice for the job with Terry Francona just a phone call away, but it’s almost like Sandberg deserves this job. I mean, he’s done his part not only as a manager but also as a player.
The Cubs organization might be making a mistake, who knows? Wherever Sandberg ends up the city can consider itself lucky. I have a feeling he’ll be missed by the Cub fans but you know what they say: Baseball is a Business.

Carolina Primed For Third Title in Six Seasons

The NBA will come calling for these four, but for now it's all about a ring

Walking into the Dean E. Smith Center at North Carolina is similar to walking into a museum. Banners honoring the five championship teams hang from the rafters along with 47 banners that pay tribute to some of Carolina's finest players ever such as Jordan, Worthy, Perkins and Hansbrough. Those who make the banners may want to get ready for a heavy workload because this year's crop of Tar Heels looks ready to write their names in the history books. Rarely is one team so favored to win the national title during the preseason but coach Roy Williams has assembled a roster that would look good on NBA All-Star Weekend. Three would-be first round picks decided to stay at school and that gives Carolina a complete team, led by a pass-first point guard. It's easy to see that this team has all the ingredients for a title run.

When Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Tyler Zeller announced they would return to campus for at least one more year it instantly vaulted the Heels into the discussion for the national championship. Barnes is a sophomore who entered college with an enormous amount of hype, yet failed to live up to it in the beginning of the season. However, halfway through the season Barnes turned it around and became a scoring machine, his year highlighted by a 40 point outburst in the ACC semifinals against Clemson. Look for Barnes to build on his 15.7 points per game from last season. For Zeller, this year is once again all about staying healthy. He struggled through his first few seasons at Chapel Hill simply because he couldn't stay on the court. Last season he stayed healthy and became the force he was expected to be. His back-to-the-basket prescence is invaluable and, even better, he is a big man who can run the floor very well. The other big man, John Henson, can be described in one word: athletic. A 6'10" forward with a wingspan of 7'2", Henson is a shot-blocking machine (3.1 per game) and he also cleans the glass (10.1 per game). Those three players will make a scary frontline that will arguably makeup the best one in the country.

Roy Williams is looking for his third title in Chapel Hill

However, point guard Kendall Marshall will have to most important role on the team. After Larry Drew's departure last season Marshall took the reigns for the final 16 games and the team went 13-3. The sophomore averaged over eight assists per game and it's his pass-first mentality that makes this team go. Surrounded by scorers and players who demand the ball, Marshall is one of the best in the nation at finding the open man. He is viewed as the leader on the team and it's his role to keep this group of stars happy. That's not an easy task considering there is only one ball to go around. If he continues to develop at point guard there will be no stopping Carolina on offense. Marshall is simply too quick too defend and too good at finding the open man.

The question most teams will face is how do you guard North Carolina? Well, pick your poison. As stated before, Marshall is quick enough to get around defenders and that penetration creates kickout opportunities to reserve sharpshooters, Reggie Bullock and P.J. Hairston. Those two have the ability to stretch a defense, something the Heels desperately missed last year. If Marshall gets into the lane a team cannot send a big to help because then will simply lob an alley-oop to Henson, Zeller or freshman phenom, James McAdoo. Offensive rebounding is no problem with those three either. On defense North Carolina may not be as sharp as other teams but Dexter Strickland has proven he can shut down the other team's best perimeter player and getting to the hole is hard with Henson's long arms awaiting.

Don't believe the hype around this team? Check the latest SLAM Magazine and several other basketball publications. Check the top of every poll. North Carolina definitely has a target on their back. It takes several pieces to complete the championship puzzle but UNC appears to have them all. Of course, several teams with extraordiary talent have failed to win a title because anything can happen in March but early signs point to Carolina being the last one standing in New Orleans. NBA riches will come soon enough for most of this team but for now, it's all about hoisting another banner in the Dean Dome.

Phil Simms Out of Line With Luck Comments

Professional athletes are the center of attention both on and off the field. Even when their careers are over and they’re invited to be an analyst on ESPN, CBS, or other TV networks, they still find a way to make the headlines. In today’s world, it seems as if retired players are more focused on criticizing the current players rather than analyzing their game.

Lots of retired athletes are in an analyzing position today. Guys such as Magic Johnson and Tedy Bruschi are often seen at the TNT or Sportscenter desk talking basketball and football. Those guys, in my eyes, can say whatever they would like about current players because they enjoyed much success as well as had the stats to back up their talk. For instance, Magic blasted LeBron for his lack of rings and Bruschi openly ripped Chad Ochocinco after the first game the Patriots played this season. However, I don’t see a problem with that. Could they have gone about it in a different way? Yes, especially Bruschi. But the fact of the matter is, these guys have been around the game, they know what they’re talking about, and they’re credible sources when it comes to their sport.

Magic and Bruschi are special cases though. Magic’s a Hall of Famer and Bruschi has three Super Bowl rings. But it’s guys like Phil Simms (former New York Giants quarterback) that leave me scratching my head. Simms recently brought Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck’s potential into question when he openly stated that Luck “lacks arm strength.” Simms would then go on to say that Luck doesn’t make big-time NFL throws and doesn’t have what it takes to make it in the NFL.

So let me get this straight, Andrew Luck is a Heisman Hopeful, he’s led Stanford to an undefeated 8-0 record, is projected to be the first overall pick in the Draft, and you focus on his arm strength? Simms is focusing on the one part of Luck’s game that needs the most development. He failed to mention, however, Luck’s patience in the pocket, his field vision, his accuracy (71.9% completion), and the fact that he’s put Stanford atop the Pac 12. Personally, I find it kind of out of place for Simms to call out a college athlete like that. You’re not even a Hall of Famer and you’re bashing a kid who’s responsible for much of his team’s success this year.

Besides, very few, if any quarterbacks immediately come into the NFL and dominate. Matthew Stafford was two of the worst Detroit teams ever before finally presenting the city with a winning record thus far. On the flip side, Cam Newton has silenced his critics by wasting no time in making his presence felt. Every player’s position is different and everybody’s potential is different. Don’t count a kid out before he’s even finished his college career.

Does Andrew Luck have work to do before he’s ready for the NFL? Of course he does, everybody always has something they could improve on, even if they’re an NFL veteran. But for someone who’s of Phil Simms status to criticize one simple, and not even critical, aspect of Andrew Luck’s game is unfair in my eyes. Constructive criticism? I’m all for it. By all means, say what he needs to work on. But don’t go on air and say that he doesn’t have potential or that he won’t make it in the NFL because then it seems you’re just seeking attention.

Remembering Coach Blanchette

We’ve all had the coaches that make us mad, that may seemingly make poor choices, or that you don’t always see eye-to-eye with. Yet no matter how bad or good our coaches are it’s no secret that, at some point in our athletic careers, we find ourselves wishing we had a different coach or that we’re taking our coach for granted.

Yesterday, a local high school coach from my area was struck and killed by a car while he was jogging early in the morning. He was the head wrestling coach and an assistant football coach. With football still making a strong run in the playoffs, as well as wrestling season just around the corner, the school and his family are, obviously, struggling. When I first heard about the unfortunate incident, I immediately put myself in the position of those players and wrestlers. I imagined that my soccer, basketball, or baseball coach was in the position of Coach Blanchette and was at a loss for words. I don’t know what it’s like to lose a coach in the middle of a season or even while I’m under his tutelage. But I have lost a coach before.

Three years ago in December, I lost one of my favorite baseball coaches to a heart attack. I was no longer playing for him but he was a local guy who had not only helped me but had been around our town for years. He had a dedication and knack, not only for the game, but for the kids he coached. It was more than just baseball with Coach Souligne, it was baseball on a personal level. He cared about how our family lives were going and how we were doing in school. To me, he was the perfect example for what a coach should be.
Because of that, I feel like I can relate (somewhat) to Coach Blanchette’s players. I never personally knew Coach, but I had heard nothing but good things about his character, expectations, and dedication. Each day he would wake up, lift, run, teach, coach, then go home, all while taking care of a wife and four kids.

It’s situations like this that we as athletes and players should recognize. A coach is someone who is more than just a teacher of the sport you play. They put time in; they work harder than even the players do at practice. A few years ago, George Karl battled cancer while still coaching the Denver Nuggets. He had a love for the game and a commitment to his team and the entire Nuggets organization that, even in bad health, he was there to teach and do whatever he could to win. Going off of that (yet not on the life-threatening scale of George Karl), my basketball coach stays up till 3:30 every night after a game and analyzes the film, then gets up early to come to school and teach for seven hours. I feel like coaches are underappreciated unless something significant happens: a big win, or in this case, a tragic accident.

My challenge to you is this: don’t ever take a coach for granted. They’re the reason you have the chance to play for the team you do and, without them, practices and games wouldn’t be possible. They take pride in you as well as your team. Appreciate what you have in your coach; don’t always look at the negatives. Coach Blanchette was a great teacher, father, coach, and person. He will be missed dearly. R.I.P. Coach. God bless you.

Illini Look to Rebound from Disappointing Season

For an Illinois fan, it’s been really tough the past few years. 2005 brought a lot of joy, and what appeared to be a lot of potential, for Coach Bruce Weber and the University of Illinois. Yet one year after another, the program has experienced busts, rejection (what’s up Eric Gordon?), and disciplinary issues that have left few expectations for the Fighting Illini. Until last year at least…

Richmond became the symbol of the team's failures

The roster couldn’t have been better: four seniors who had gotten meaningful playing time the year before, a point guard in Demetri McCamey who was expected to make some noise in the Big 10, and a recruiting class that, on paper, was one of the best in the conference. Yet that quickly evaporated throughout a disappointing season that saw a first-round exit from the Big Ten tournament, followed by a second round departure at the Big Dance. The Fighting Illini ended fifth in the Big 10 with a dreadful 9-9 record. And let us not forget (though try as we might) the failure to compete with a ranked opponent. The Illini finished with a 1-7 record in that category. The seniors appeared lazy, the attitude on the court seemed disinterested, and overall the atmosphere just didn’t carry much intensity.

The season ended which could only bring us to look forward to the 2011-2012 season. McCamey, Bill Cole, Mike Tisdale, and Mike Davis were all gone which left not one senior on the team. It was time for guys like Brandon Paul and DJ Richardson to take the reigns as juniors. However, offseason drama with a very promising soon-to-be sophomore, Jerome Richmond, set the Illini back more than a few steps.

Paul and Richardson would like to
make sure that doesn't happen to them

Richmond, for whatever reason, thought that entering the NBA draft was a good idea. Along with that decision, he signed an agent which meant he would not be coming back to U of I regardless of the outcome in the draft. Richmond went undrafted and soon found himself in jail after a death threat and other issues with the law. Well Coach Weber, looks like you’ve got a starting spot open at the power forward position.

Now, don’t get me wrong, this season is not going to be a dramatic turn-around run through the NCAA tournament for the Fighting Illini. But Illinois has a lot of promising young talent in the freshman and sophomore classes. I was able to watch Mike Shaw, Mychael Henry, Tracy Abrams, and Nnanna Egwu play over the summer and I was pretty impressed. Shaw could be the best player on the floor if his work ethic improves whereas Egwu is very fundamentally sound yet will struggle a little with the physicality and speed of the Big 10.

The Illini won’t shut down Jared Sullinger, they’ll have trouble guarding Robbie Hummell, but they show a lot of promise. Bruce Weber has landed himself a very good recruiting class that has unlimited potential. Yet it is up to guys like Paul and Richardson to step in as leaders and be an example for the younger players. I don’t see Illinois winning the Big 10, but I’d be shocked if they didn’t make some noise in the conference.

NCAA College Basketball Preview 2011-2012

With the way things are right now, it seems that college basketball is going to be the only basketball for the fans this winter because the NBA can't solve their lockout. It's a real shame that the NBA won't be playing after having such a great year but college basketball never disappoints. This year will be no different with so much talent returning for a change. Sure, some players left prematurely (I'm talking to you Jereme Richmond) but others (Jared Sullinger, Harrison Barnes) decided to stay on campus at least one more year and it appears they made the correct decision. It only benefits the college game. Here's a quick look at several teams, players and games you will want to make sure you keep an eye on during the season.

The World of Wadley Top 5 College Basketball Preseason Rankings
1. North Carolina Tar Heels

Barnes

   It seems that every few years Roy Williams assembles a team that seems destined to win the national championship. A team so loaded that it looks like there's no way they couldn't win. He did it in 2005 and again in 2009 and now he has done it for 2011-12. When Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller and John Henson announced they were coming back to campus it immediately made Carolina the favorite. Barnes had tremendous hype surrounding him during his freshman campaign and he lived up to it in the second half of the season. His 40 point outburst against Clemson in the ACC Tournament demonstrated his talent and he is also a clutch scorer. Starting with him in the frontcourt will be Henson and Zeller and both, when healthy, can also be All-Americans. Henson is extremely athletic and a defensive force with his shot-blocking ability. Zeller is a true post man who can run the floor.

   Despite all that, the most important piece to the championship puzzle could be sophomore point guard Kendall Marshall. After Larry Drew's departure in midseason Marshall got his chance and handed out 6.2 assists per game. It is imperative that he continues to develop as a point guard and continues to find the open man. Also, Carolina needs role players Dexter Strickland and Reggie Bullock to step up and contribute. Strickland can be the lockdown defender while Bullock, a former McDonald's All-American, can stretch defenses with his three point shooting. Freshmen James McAdoo and P.J. Hairston will also be thrown into the mix early and often. It's a loaded Tar Heels team and one that should be raising another banner.

2. Kentucky Wildcats

Jones

   Keeping with recent trends, UK will show off the nation's top recruiting class this season and will rely heavily on the freshmen. However, the difference this year will be the solid group of upperclassmen. Now that's not to say that Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb are wily vets (they are still only sophomores) but the surprise return of Jones may be what John Calipari needs to win a title. Granted, it was the Blue-White Scrimmage game but Jones dropped 52 points and afterwards declared he is a man on a mission.

   He, Lamb and Darius Miller will be joined by a trio of freshmen who could all compete for the Freshman of the Year award. Anthony Davis is the top recruit and a 6-10 center from Chicago. He leaped onto the scene after an enormous growth spurt but there are critics still. He is athletic but don't expect him to play back-to-the-basket. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is an athletic slasher who will provide scoring and rebounding and could become a threat inside and outside. Last but not least, there is Marquis Teague, younger brother of the Atlanta Hawks' Jeff Teague. Marquis is next in line in the the string of elite point guards under Calipari that includes Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, John Wall and Brandon Knight. The question for UK is the same one it has been for the past few years: Can they win while relying on so many freshmen?

3. Ohio State Buckeyes

Sullinger

   Few teams could lose the talent that the Buckeyes did and still be a top five team. Jon Diebler, David Lighty and Dallas Lauderdale all graduated but one man who was also expected to leave is back in Columbus. Jared Sullinger turned in an impressive freshman season, averaging 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game which earned him National Freshman of the Year and first-team All-American. However, none of that matters to Sullinger who was projected to be the number one pick in the NBA Draft. What matters to him is that Ohio State didn't win it all and he is back to do just that.

   Helping the big fella out will be fellow sophomore stud, Aaron Craft. The point guard played nearly 30 minutes per game last year in the sixth man role but will be starting from day one this season. His numbers should improve his steady play at the point could determine which way the Buckeyes go this season. The lone senior on the roster is William Buford. With Diebler gone that only means more opportunities for Buford, who shot exceptionally well last year from deep (44.2 percent). Everyone knows what to expect from those three players but the major question mark for Ohio State is DeShaun Thomas. The forward didn't play many minutes last year but did produce when he got his chance. His continued improvement would be huge for OSU.

4. Connecticut Huskies

Lamb

   No more Kemba but that hardly means the cupboard is bare for the defending national champions. Loads of hype is swirling around sophomore wing Jeremy Lamb after he was impressive in the NCAAs but what he does as an encore will dictate the Huskies season. There have been players before Lamb who have had great tournaments but never produced like we thought they would the next year (think Durrell Summers). Lamb could bud into the star we expect or merely be another average player. He is still young and so are his teammates around him. Sophomore, Shabazz Napier, will run the point and needs to continue his steady play there. Roscoe Smith will be a bigger factor as a sophomore and his scoring (6.3 ppg) should rise.

   Inside the Huskies have two solid big men. Alex Oriakhi is back as a junior and he was the leading rebounder in the Big East last season. He also had three double-doubles in postseason play and the Huskies need him to be a factor in the points column. Andre Drummond, a freshman, will see plenty of time down in the post. Drummond was able to get into school early and he is a true back-to-the-basket player. His size coupled with Oriakhi is going to be tough to stop.

5. Duke Blue Devils

Mason Plumlee

   It will seem different watching a Duke game without first-team All-ACC players Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith on the floor but it was finally time for them to leave and pursue NBA careers. Also gone is the number one pick Kyrie Irving. Irving wowed the crowds when he played but seeing him in uniform was a rare sight. He left Durham after only playing ten games. Those three losses would kill most programs but not the Dukies and that is thanks to their solid recruiting class. Austin Rivers is the highlight and he will most likely start somewhere in the backcourt but where that is has yet to be determined. It appears that Coach K may have a logjam in the backcourt but some speculate Seth Curry will start at point guard with Rivers playing off the ball. Curry would be put in a position similar to the way Coach K used Jon Scheyer his senior year. Playing point means Curry wouldn't find his shot until late in the shot clock but Rivers is a player who demands the ball and he can create off the ball. Quinn Cook will also see minutes as a backup and Andre Dawkins will factor in as well.

   Inside the Blue Devils are set with the three Plumlees and Ryan Kelly. All four are good rebounders and Mason Plumlee led the team last year grabbing 8.4 per game. We know what we are getting from the post men on Duke but the backcourt still has some issues to sort out before we deem this team a national title contender.

3 Players to Watch in 2011-12

Tu Holloway, point guard, Xavier Musketeers

Here's a little man who can fill it up in a hurry. Holloway averaged 19.7 points per game as a junior while dishing out 5.4 assists and was named A-10 Player of the Year. Xavier has won or shared the A-10 regular season title for the last five seasons and it's easy to guess that a sixth one is coming behind the leadership of Holloway. His quickness and strength allow him to get to the hoop and he also finds himself on the free throw line quite a bit where he shot 87 percent last season. 

Perry Jones III, forward, Baylor Bears

That Jones is even still at Baylor is a huge surprise because he was a guaranteed top-10 pick in the NBA Draft. But he did return to campus and he hopes to improve on a season that didn't go as planned. Jones averaged 13.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game but was suspended just hours before the Big 12 tournament because his mother accepted illegal loans. He will sit out the first five games this season so we will have to wait a few more weeks to see him but when he does step on the court make sure to take notice.

John Shurna, forward, Northwestern Wildcats
Seems odd for someone from a program with zero NCAA Tournament appearances to be on this list but Shurna is that good. He averaged 24.4 points per game through the first nine games last season before an ankle injury slowed him down. During the summer he tested the NBA waters and decided to come back to campus. His only goal now is to take the Wildcats to their first Big Dance.

Kabongo

10 Freshmen to Watch

Austin Rivers, guard, Duke Blue Devils

Anthony Davis, forward, Kentucky Wildcats

Marquis Teague, guard, Kentucky Wildcats

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, forward, Kentucky Wildcats

Brad Beal, guard, Florida Gators

Myck Kabongo, guard, Texas Longhorns

LeBryan Nash, forward, Oklahoma State Cowboys
Quincy Miller, forward, Baylor Bears
Rakeem Christmas, forward, Syracuse Orange
James McAdoo, forward, North Carolina Tar Heels

3 Regular Season Non-conference Games to Watch
North Carolina at Kentucky (December 3rd)
I honestly can not remember a more exciting non-conference game. These two teams will most likely be numbers 1 and 2 and Rupp Arena will be rocking. Viewers will literally be watching the next crop of NBA stars in this game.

Duke at Ohio State (November 29th)
Two top teams go head-to-head in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and this should be a tough, grind-it-out game. Sullinger won't have it easy in the frontcourt and Aaron Craft vs. Austin Rivers is an enticing backcourt matchup.

Cincinnati at Xavier (December 10th)
This is always a bitter crosstown rivalry but this year both teams should enter the game in the Top 25 and, most likely, undefeated. Talk about raising the stakes. Xavier has 7'0" Kenny Frease in the middle but Cincinnati features Yancy Gates, a true physical specimen.

There just isn't a better sport than college basketball and it all gets under way very soon. The first must-see game will be November 11th when Carolina takes on Michigan State in the Carrier Classic and as we all know the season will be filled with great games. Talking predictions, North Carolina will win the national championship for the third time since 2005, Jared Sullinger will win Player of the Year and Austin Rivers will be named National Freshman of the Year. Those are my thoughts and predictions now let me hear yours! Comment below.