Each Friday I will write about the game I love, college basketball...
Laval Lucas-Perry from Flint, Michigan made his decision to attend Arizona. Lute Olson has had so many great guards over the years and Lucas-Perry at 6-3 will be an oustanding player. He is a combination guard who has point guard ability and scoring potential. I coached his dad Laval in my early days at Detroit and he is a very successful person in the game of life.
Down at Illinois, there is a war going on over the recruitment of Eric Gordon. The Hoosiers of Indiana continue to chase the Indianapolis high school star despite a verbal commitment made to the Illini. One interesting aspect of this story – Gordon has not told Indiana to stop recruiting him. A simple affirmation of his commitment to Illinois by saying he has no interest in the Hoosiers would end this story. Should Kelvin Sampson's staff be after Gordon? This is a two-way street, and you are supposed to say no, no, no to a kid who has given a verbal commitment. You can't blame the kid for thinking about this until signing day.
Was there any doubt that the combination of Jerry Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski was going to be successful? There was no doubt in my mind. They have a great passion and love for what they do. Any time you deal with passionate people, you find success. They have put together a super group to compete for the right to represent the U. S. A. It was so vital to make sure they wanted to play for their nation. It is a win-win situation.
Despite undergoing knee surgery that will sideline him for a while, Kobe Bryant showed his interest in being part of the US squad by deciding to attend team functions despite being hurt. He clearly wants to be part of this team.
Out at Oxford, Mississippi, they are jumping for joy with the verbal commitment of 6-5 point guard Eniel Polynice from Sarasota, Florida. He has a world of potential and he flew under the radar. He came on strong his senior year and Andy Kennedy got himself a good one. A number of schools made a late push for him, including USC and coach Tim Floyd. Kennedy has to be thrilled with this addition. He can score, handle the basketball and he led Booker HS to a Florida state championship. Polynice was not a highly-regarded diaper dandy at first in terms of big-name reputation, but he can flat-out play. Kennedy also did a good job retaining assistant coach Michael White. A former Rebel basketball player, White is also the son of Notre Dame athletic director Kevin White.
Bobby Cremins is revitalized now that he has taken over at the College of Charleston. People say he is smiling and happy to be back in coaching. We all remember the magic he displayed at Georgia Tech, finding great players and pulling a Frank Lloyd Wright job as the architect of a winner. Look for Charleston to get some solid recruits and have great success in the Southern Conference.
Indiana and Kentucky have moved their game from Freedom Hall to Rupp Arena due to a scheduling conflict. Kelvin Sampson must be thrilled with that. Speaking of Louisville, it seems strange that the Cardinals will play rival Cincinnati just once this season.
I said it draft night and I will say it again … Adam Morrison will light up many opponents as a rookie in the NBA. He looked good in the summer league and nothing will change my mind that he will be a star in the Charlotte Bobcats uniform. I feel he will be Rookie of the Year.
Rod Thorn got himself a good tandem in Connecticut's Marcus Williams and Josh Boone. Williams showed his potential in summer league play. He can distribute the rock serving as a back-up to Jason Kidd.
Billy Donovan had to be smiling with the news that 6-8 power forward Alex Titus made a verbal commitment to the Gators. Titus is an explosive inside player from Cincinnati Harmony CC.
Purdue coach Matt Painter is trying to rebuild the Boilermakers and two verbal commitments are important steps in the right direction. 6-3 guard E'twaun Moore from East Chicago Central and 6-10 center JaJuan Johnson from Franklin Central are positives for the future of the program.
Kansas State decided to stop going after guard Tyree Evans due to his past problems. Bob Huggins has already put together a talented roster for next season. Time will tell if Cartier Martin gets reinstated to the team; he is currently suspended.
Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.
