Nov. 27
One of the most improved players in America during the early stages of the season is Syracuse's Kueth Duany.

Watching him play in person at the Preseason NIT, I noticed how active he is, with a bounce to his game. He has stepped up as the third scoring threat -- along with Preston Shumpert and DeShaun Williams -- to give Jim Boeheim's team firepower. The Orangemen are not a one-dimensional team.

Coming out of Bloomington, Ind., Duany is now getting his chance to impress, and he's making the most of it. He's tough to stop in transition and he has lots of confidence -- and it shows on the court.

Now that Duany is getting the PT (playing time), he will be a big-time scorer in the Big East.

BIG NAMES IN MAUI AND ALASKA AGAIN
These tournaments always seem to draw big-time programs, and the 2002 fields have exceptional teams once again.

Included in the 2002 Maui Invitational are traditional powerhouses Indiana and Kentucky. Also scheduled to appear are Virginia, Utah, Massachusetts, Gonzaga and Arizona State, along with host Chaminade.

Think about the coaching talent represented at these schools: Tubby Smith, Peter Gillen, Rick Majerus, Mike Davis, Mark Few, Steve Lappas, Rob Evans ... that is quite a group.

The Great Alaska Shootout field also has a star-studded coaching lineup: Tom Izzo, Eddie Sutton, Bob Huggins ...

Besides Michigan State, Oklahoma State and Cincinnati, the Shootout guest list next year includes Villanova (with Jay Wright enjoying a solid recruiting class), Wyoming and Loyola-Marymount.

WAKE MAKING SOME NOISE
Wake Forest was picked fifth in the preseason ACC poll. Skip Prosser's up-tempo style of play has his team excited. The Demon Deacons trap a lot in their full-court press, trying to force turnovers.

Players like to perform in transition, and Wake's Josh Howard and Antwan Scott fit in perfectly. Fans will also like the style of run, baby, run!

Wake Forest has lots of talent. Broderick Hicks is improved, and Craig Dawson and Darius Songaila can put points on the board as an inside-outside combination.

FRESNO STATE AWAITS SANDY
Fresno State coach Jerry Tarkanian has the crème de la crème of the WAC, and his team will get even better shortly with the anticipated eligibility of guard Chris Sandy.

Sandy is expected to be in the lineup by Dec. 21. For now, Tark has the ideal backup point guard in Matt Mitchell, who came to Fresno State three days into the school year.

Mitchell was quite a find, since he wasn't highly recruited.