March 14, 2005 ...I’ve been concentrating on college hoops like crazy, watching individual play, as I research probable NBA talent. As I do this I see and hear TV personalities from coast-to-coast. I’ll try to keep it positive but sometimes with some of the egos on these announcers, it is not easy. ...The great ones: Len Elmore  -  Prepared, enthusiastic, and never irritating, Elmore is my favorite game analyst. ...Andy Katz  -  He is the most well connected TV guy coming at it from a journalists perspective. As ESPN’s college hoops reporter, he informs in a very pleasant way, never talking down to the viewer. ...Bill Raftery  -  I am 37 years old, and ‘Raf’ comes off to me like the old, wise, funny Uncle, or Grandpa that flat knows his hoops. He laughs at himself, and appreciates good basketball. He blends into any situation seamlessly; no matter what play-by announcer he is teamed with. ...Gus Johnson  -  Play by play on TV is tough because too much talking, or cheerleading or whining is easy to detect. You want a guy that loves the game, and wants to see a great game. Gus Johnson gives me that feeling. He seems to genuinely love his job, and he has the perfect amount of restraint to let his analyst speak, and let the crowd into the telecast. When a game is exciting he can bring it home with the best. ...The really good ones: Dick Vitale  -  Yes, he can be too much sometimes, but Dick Vitale loves college basketball and I respect that. He brings a flair and style that is so unique he is and will continue to be an icon. ...Brad Nessler  -  Play by Play guy is the perfect compliment to Vitale. Understated, cool, and in-control, Nessler is like a steady point guard at the controls.  ...Clark Kellog  -  I like his personality and enthusiasm. ...Marques Johnson  -  Sometimes I wish for more substance from the always stylistic Johnson but mostly I enjoy his analysis. He is the most soulful voice covering basketball on TV. ...Reece Davis  -  The ESPN studio’s best college hoops host, Davis will grill Digger Phelps like no one else.  ...Jay Bilas  - Provides excellent info and I enjoy his stuff as long as he doesn’t ‘talk down’ to me. He has done a better job at lowering his argumentative and intense demeanor when he shares color duties on game calls. He clearly does his homework and is always prepared. ...Tim Brando  -  He knows basketball and it shows in his play-by-play. He is the ‘Iron Unkind’ guy.

 

March 6, 2005  ...I watched college hoops all day and all night. My new adjusted top 30 players:

1.         Martynas Andriuskevicius  -  Lithuania. C.

2.         Dusan Sakota  -  Panathinaikos.  PF, SF

3.         Marvin Williams  -  North Carolina.  SF

4.         Irsan Ilyasova  -  Turkey.  PF, SF

5.         Danny Granger  -  New Mexico.  SF

6.         Charlie Villanueva  -  Connecticut. SF/PF

7.         Michael Harris  -  Rice. SF

8.         Drago Pasalic  -  Croatia. PF/SF

9.         Shelden Williams  -  Duke.  PF

10.         Chris Paul  -  Wake Forest.  PG

11.      Wayne Simien  -  Kansas.  PF

12.      Ryan Gomes  -  Providence.  SF/PF

13.      Brad Buckman  -  Texas.  PF/SF

14.      Francisco Garcia  -  Louisville.  SG

15.      Johan Petro  -  France. C

16.      Patrick O’Bryant  -  Bradley.  C/PF

17.      P.J. Tucker  -  Texas.  SG

18.      Marcin Stefanski  -  France.  SF

19.      Erazem Lorbek  -  Skipper Bologna.  SF

20.      Adam Morrison  -  Gonzaga.  SF/SG

21.      David Lucas  - Oregon State.  SF

22.      Mickael Gelabel  -  France.  SF/SG

23.      Sean May  -  North Carolina.  PF

24.      Andrew Bogut  -  Utah.  PF, C, SF

25.      Joey Graham  -  Oklahoma St.  SF, SG

26.      Ivan McFarlin  -  Oklahoma St.  SF

27.      Ike Diogu  -  Arizona State.  PF/SF

28.      Juan Palacios  -  Louisville.  PF/SF

29.      Nick Fazekas  -  Nevada.  PF/C

30.      Hassan Adams  -  Arizona.  SG.

 

March 4, 2005 ...The National media never ceases to amaze me with their ridiculous statements. The ‘tease’ to NBA Shootaround on ESPN posed the question, “Is the honeymoon over in Philly between Chris Webber and Allen Iverson?” ...The guy was just traded eight days ago. If ESPN is trying to judge anyone over a week’s worth of games, then shame on them. I think Webber’s track record is enough to assure me that he isn’t going to play as poorly as he has in his initial games.