LaQuinton Ross, 6-8, Sophomore, Ohio StateI have a soft spot for “Q,” who I wrote about when he was a high school freshman and I was immediately pleasantly surprised at the 228 pounds (down from 240!) he now carries on his once-spindly frame, but even more so at how he used his new body to go to work in the paint, complementing his long-range shooting.
Deshaun Thomas, 6-7, Junior, Ohio State
Saving the best for last (or just going in alphabetical order), Thomas was the best prospect from the weekend and looked like a top-10 pick in 2013, as the high-scoring southpaw piggy-backed on his strong finish to the college season by expanding his game to showcase accurate shooting from deep, improved ballhandling ability and pull-up jumpers and floaters from mid-range, to go along with his powerful post-up game.

Azubuike24;1212271 wrote:There are some positives. It totally makes sense to expand into areas like Texas, California, the upper Northwest and the Northeast coast. There are hotbeds of talent there and as I said before, UK always tops the list for kids in the Midwest and South.

With that said, what doesn't make sense is dropping IU because they won't play in Indy. Indy is what it is. Everyone in Indy knows UK. Either come out and say you just don't want to play IU or you don't like playing in Bloomington. Both are understandable, but to have it go down the way it has with both sides acting almighty is crappy. The fans deserve better.

I think Cal made a mistake with UNC. That quickly got resolved. Geography aside, both sides realized UK/UNC is good for the sport. It's back on in 2013 and should continue for the long haul.

centralbucksfan;1211569 wrote:We'll know this week.

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-sports/2012/06/reports_rodney_hood_to_choose.html

Midstate01;1216048 wrote:He is stupid. Lol

Good luck to him.

Midstate01;1216062 wrote:I don't know why he'd pick duke over osu. But they had the last visit. Must have done enough. Most people thought he was heading to Columbus.

reclegend22;1217414 wrote:To get all the calls and sleep with mostly colorless women.

Midstate01;1216062 wrote:I don't know why he'd pick duke over osu. But they had the last visit. Must have done enough. Most people thought he was heading to Columbus.

reclegend22;1219656 wrote:Yeah, I understood that Midstate was playfully ribbing.

I don't actually recall following the recruitment of Hood, but Coach K reiterated in today's official announcement that Duke had previously targeted Hood while he was still a prep. I think that factor in combination with Hood growing up a fan of the Devils was just enough to give the kid a sense of comfort in that choosing Durham was the right place for him. Hood also commented on how much he believed in what K had planned for his career and the type of player K envisioned Hood could become.

While K has few peers, winning one over Matta, a gifted recruiter in his own right, is nice. I kind of thought he'd head to Columbus as well after the Durant camp.

centralbucksfan;1221717 wrote:From what I read, his career is going to be all of about 1 yr, then off to the NBA. Which is fine and is what it is in this day and age.

Azubuike24;935131 wrote:Disappointments = Louisville.

Good, but many have put them up there as a Final Four contender. I just don't see it. They are deep, but that doesn't always translate to good.

Vanderbilt, while I think very good, it's very tough to put them as a Final Four contender when they haven't been able to do anything in the NCAA Tournament recently.

I think the Big XII is going to be extremely weak. They may struggle to keep more than 2 teams in the top 25. Similar to how the Pac 10 has been as of late. Outside of Baylor, you have quite a drop-off. Look for it to be an extremely competitive league with some noise made from Iowa State. Missouri will be down a bit, so will KU and Texas, K-State will be worse as will Colorado. A&M might be the 2nd best team and they likely aren't a top 25 squad.

The Pac 10 will be improved, but I don't see them again having anyone in the top 20. UCLA is probably the favorite, Washington is right there, California and Arizona in the mix.

Can't wait for the year though. Some fan-freaking-tastic OOC match-ups. Big games too. Much better than last year, and with the NBA out of commission likely for the year, CBB will be in the spotlight.

SportsAndLady;1225048 wrote:I wanna find the exchange between me and my best friend cbf where he said ku won't do anything this year

wildcats20;1225179 wrote:Lol.


I did find him calling you out for thinking an upset might happen.