Sunday, November 12, 2006
Bos Coll
SPEARS THE NEXT BC DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
Nov 11, 2006 | 11:47AM | (credit - Foxsports.com)
It'll only be natural to compare Boston College freshman Shamari Spears to Craig Smith.
When Smith came to Boston (actually, he was placed by BC at nearby Worcester Academy), he had a similar body build as Spears.
However, Smith was more explosive and had at least a couple of inches on Spears.
Spears led the Eagles with 23 points in a rout over UNH on Friday night, but he displayed his terrific footwork and soft hands as he got to the line and finished inside despite being only 6-foot-4 and some change.
The height (or lack thereof) is what scared many ACC programs away from the Salisbury, N.C., native - who spent the last two seasons at Blair Academy (N.J.).
Look for Spears to keep hold of his starting power forward spot even when Akida McLain returns from his suspension in eight more games. Spears is an Al Skinner type of guy - he works hard, does what he's asked - unlike McLain, who seems to have missed more games than he's played since arriving at BC.
Nov 11, 2006 | 11:47AM | (credit - Foxsports.com)
It'll only be natural to compare Boston College freshman Shamari Spears to Craig Smith.
When Smith came to Boston (actually, he was placed by BC at nearby Worcester Academy), he had a similar body build as Spears.
However, Smith was more explosive and had at least a couple of inches on Spears.
Spears led the Eagles with 23 points in a rout over UNH on Friday night, but he displayed his terrific footwork and soft hands as he got to the line and finished inside despite being only 6-foot-4 and some change.
The height (or lack thereof) is what scared many ACC programs away from the Salisbury, N.C., native - who spent the last two seasons at Blair Academy (N.J.).
Look for Spears to keep hold of his starting power forward spot even when Akida McLain returns from his suspension in eight more games. Spears is an Al Skinner type of guy - he works hard, does what he's asked - unlike McLain, who seems to have missed more games than he's played since arriving at BC.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Pac 10
PAC-10 FULL OF SURPRISES
1. Arizona - Lute's ready to take back the PAC, and he's got plenty of talent to do it. I'm expecting big years from Mustafa Shakur and Ivan Radenovic to complement Marcus Williams, to vault the Wildcats back into powerhouse status.
2. UCLA - Jordan Farmar doesn't replace himself. He was this team's MVP, but they're bringing everyone back except 7-0 genome freak Ryan Hollins.
3. USC - Since last March, I was picking this years USC team to surprise everyone. I really like their talent. They'll have the ability to score like crazy, especially when Gabe Pruitt returns in December. They'll compete for the 3rd spot in the conference with Oregon, Washington, and maybe Cal.
4. Oregon - Oregon has too much talent to have a losing record. With coach Ernie Kent in danger of losing his job, he'll need breakout seasons from his players. They can hang with anyone in the conference if they don't get al the bad breaks and miserable luck of seasons past.
5. Washington - They return enough to be a solid Pac-10 team. Thing is - people are praising Spencer Hawes like he's the second coming. They'll be good enough to make the tournament, but won't compete for the Pac 10 crown.
6. California - Even without Leon Powe, I like the looks of this team. Ayinde Ubaka will emerge as a star, and DeVon Hardin can fill Powe's spot well. They could compete for higher spots, and I don't see them finishing any lower than this.
7. Stanford - Returning nobody that averaged more than 5 ppg from a half-decent Stanford team of last year, they'll be looking toward 2008.
8. Arizona State - I like their chances in coming years, and even right now they could surprise a few teams.
9. Oregon State - The Beavers have a sweet sweet shooter in Sasa Cuic, and a solid returning frontcourt.
10. Washington State - New coach, loss of everyone over 10 ppg = Failing season for the Cougars.
Friday, November 03, 2006
139 Edit
Changes made to the Top 139 on 11/3
A. Ohio State up to #5, LSU down to 6
I've never had that strong of a feeling when it comes to LSU. I may drop them a little further come next update, too.
B. Pittsburgh up from 11 to 9
The more I think about it, the more I jump on the Pitt bandwagon. I still have Georgetown ahead of them, but Pitt will be really solid and probably more consistent. I see Georgetown taking out Pitt once they play each other though.
C. UCONN from 19 to 17, Texas from 17 to 19
Kevin Durant, blah blah. They're depending too much on young players, no matter how talented they may be. I might move Oklahoma State back up to 3rd in the Big 12 like I originally had it, simply because I think Texas can lose on any given night. UCONN's got more returning talent to lead their sweet freshman class. AJ Price and Jeff Adrien will be the main 2, then Hasheem Thabeet will be a force in the paint and a block shot monster.
D. USC back over Oregon
I'm very high on both of these teams for surprise years. Since last March, I've liked USC to finish 3rd. Just recently, I convinced myself that Oregon was primed to go crazy with their talent getting more experienced, wise, blah yadda blah. I still believe that, but USC will just be better.
E. Illinois bumped up closer to Michigan for 4th and 3rd respectively in the Big 10
These guys are serious athletes who will finish above Indiana in my opinion. Everyone is underrating Illinois though, who returns 3 starters from last years top 10-ish team. This is the lowest I can see them finishing - 4th.
F. Kansas State over Texas Tech
Texas Tech loses Jarrius Jackson indefinitely.
Kansas State gains Bill Walker.
Hilarity ensues.
A. Ohio State up to #5, LSU down to 6
I've never had that strong of a feeling when it comes to LSU. I may drop them a little further come next update, too.
B. Pittsburgh up from 11 to 9
The more I think about it, the more I jump on the Pitt bandwagon. I still have Georgetown ahead of them, but Pitt will be really solid and probably more consistent. I see Georgetown taking out Pitt once they play each other though.
C. UCONN from 19 to 17, Texas from 17 to 19
Kevin Durant, blah blah. They're depending too much on young players, no matter how talented they may be. I might move Oklahoma State back up to 3rd in the Big 12 like I originally had it, simply because I think Texas can lose on any given night. UCONN's got more returning talent to lead their sweet freshman class. AJ Price and Jeff Adrien will be the main 2, then Hasheem Thabeet will be a force in the paint and a block shot monster.
D. USC back over Oregon
I'm very high on both of these teams for surprise years. Since last March, I've liked USC to finish 3rd. Just recently, I convinced myself that Oregon was primed to go crazy with their talent getting more experienced, wise, blah yadda blah. I still believe that, but USC will just be better.
E. Illinois bumped up closer to Michigan for 4th and 3rd respectively in the Big 10
These guys are serious athletes who will finish above Indiana in my opinion. Everyone is underrating Illinois though, who returns 3 starters from last years top 10-ish team. This is the lowest I can see them finishing - 4th.
F. Kansas State over Texas Tech
Texas Tech loses Jarrius Jackson indefinitely.
Kansas State gains Bill Walker.
Hilarity ensues.
Big 12 Shuffle
January is a key month for a couple mid-level Big 12 basketball teams.
It's a month where Jarrius Jackson could return to the Texas Tech Red Raiders. He was recently "dismissed" from the team for academic reasons, but if he gets his act together he'll probably be back for the conference slate.Texas Tech needs him to be taken seriously as an NCAA tournament team.
For Kansas State, its the month when a big time newcomer and teammate of OJ Mayo named Bill Walker can step in for Kansas State. He was expected to be a high school senior this year, and one of the best in high school hoops. Several weeks ago, it was revealed that he'd already used up his high school eligibility. He'll have a positive impact on an already improved Kansas State squad.
Come January, I see these teams on an equal playing field, competing for a bid to March Madness. If Kansas State takes advantage of some early season opporunities and gets a leg up on Texas Tech, they could be dancing in March. However, if they put out weak performances and Texas Tech gets Jackson back, the Red Raiders could go. I see one or the other, not both, unless they both piece together very surprising seasons.
It's a month where Jarrius Jackson could return to the Texas Tech Red Raiders. He was recently "dismissed" from the team for academic reasons, but if he gets his act together he'll probably be back for the conference slate.Texas Tech needs him to be taken seriously as an NCAA tournament team.
For Kansas State, its the month when a big time newcomer and teammate of OJ Mayo named Bill Walker can step in for Kansas State. He was expected to be a high school senior this year, and one of the best in high school hoops. Several weeks ago, it was revealed that he'd already used up his high school eligibility. He'll have a positive impact on an already improved Kansas State squad.
Come January, I see these teams on an equal playing field, competing for a bid to March Madness. If Kansas State takes advantage of some early season opporunities and gets a leg up on Texas Tech, they could be dancing in March. However, if they put out weak performances and Texas Tech gets Jackson back, the Red Raiders could go. I see one or the other, not both, unless they both piece together very surprising seasons.
