by Ray Mernagh

MernaghR@aol.com

January 4th, 2004

Hey everyone, happy new years to all of you! I'm back with some thoughts on the world of basketball - mostly college, but I'll mix in some pro and high school when it suits me. Before we get started I wanted to give props to Shawn for running this site with such consistency.  It's a hard job that he does for all the hoop-heads out there -- myself included - and I for one appreciate the chance to contribute to it. So here's to the 2005 season, now let's get on with it.

Bucknell Shocks Pitt 69-66 
I hate to admit it, but my wife, Janet, sort of called this one. Her exact words to me last Wednesday after Pitt's victory over South Carolina were, "this team isn't playing the way they need to and I think they're going to lose sooner rather than later." I was so confident that last night's game would be another out-of-conference blowout that I decided not to go, opting instead to catch up on some family time. Pitt needs to make some changes in their rotation as they head into Big East play. Yuri Demetris is playing as well as he can at the small forward spot and you've got to applaud his tenacity. The problem is he's playing thirty-plus minutes a night while being best suited for fifteen-to- twenty minutes (maximum). John DeGroat, the JC transfer needs to get minutes because he's too talented offensively not to. Pitt has made their name on defense, but to paraphrase Rick Pitino during his Celtic debacle: "Jaron Brown and Julius Page aren't walking through that door." With the firepower Pitt has offensively this year - Krauser, Graves, Taft, Troutman and Ramon are all capable of scoring 20 on any night - DeGroat is the athletic type they need to slash in for put backs and tip-dunks off of misses. Maybe it's time for the Panthers to open things up a little because they certainly aren't stopping anyone in the fashion that Pitt teams are accustomed to (evidenced by Dixon going to a zone last night - unheard of the last few years). Mark McCarroll is another player Pitt could use more of - that is if he's the McCarroll of last year and not the player only getting 7 minutes a night this year. This team will be a test for Jamie Dixon. They can be very good, but changes might be needed for them to get there. Credit Chris Taft with calling Bucknell a good team and giving the Bison props in his post-game comments. It's nice to see a college player show some class after a loss, and bothersome to see the AP report not include Taft giving credit to Bucknell, but quoting him on the loss being embarrassing.

Illini the Real Deal
I'm not a big fan of the national obsession we seem to have with rankings, especially before conference play even begins. But I've got to say that Illinois is an impressive juggernaut that's looking unbeatable right now. Answer this question: If you're an opposing coach game-planning the Illini, exactly who or what do you try to take away? Dee Brown? Deron Williams? Luther Head? What about Augustine in the middle? Oh yeah, I almost forgot Roger Powell. This team is the perfect example of what happens when key components stay together for more than one season in college basketball. They do everything well and within their assigned roles. They were a joy to watch against Cincy last Friday night. The only thing to worry about - I guess - is peaking too soon. I always knew Head was athletic but how in the world could Self keep a player like him buried in his doghouse? Bruce Weber seems to be the perfect coach for this group.

St John's Blasts NC State at the Garden 63-45
Speaking of college stars showing class after losing, NC State star Julius Hodge showed none after his Wolfpack were drilled by the Johnnies in his hometown of New York City last week, saying that "we beat this team 99 times out of a hundred." Maybe so Julius, but that one time you don't just happened to be in primetime at MSG with all the lights on during the Holiday Festival - so give Norm Roberts and his squad some credit, or better yet, just be quiet.

The Red Storm have certainly had their un-fair share of setbacks this year - self-imposed post-season bans, losses to smaller schools, and the suspension of one of their best players, Rodney Epperson, while his time at Barton County Community College is looked into (another column for another day - hope Ryan Wolf can sleep at night). So congrats to the Johnnies on a big win and for having the Garden ringing again - even if for only one night -- with chants of "we are St Johns." 

Broncos Still Bucking in MAC   
Looks like Western Michigan has a thing or two to say about the prognosticators who picked them to finish in the middle of the pack after losing three key players off last years title team. The Broncos toughed out a road win yesterday at Northern Illinois 72-69 behind some clutch shooting from All-MAC performer Ben Reed (26 points, including a fadeaway along the right baseline with 10 seconds left and numerous hands in his face). Western won five of six on a killer road trip that saw them beat Virginia Tech of the ACC. More importantly, they are now 2-0 in conference heading into a match up this week against a tough Akron squad.  

Each week, CHN will be bringing you Ray's Roundball Blog.  Its not really just a blog, but we just call it one.  Ray Mernagh touches on the hottest news in college basketball, plus he occasionally touches on the NBA and high school hoops.

Ray writes for both Basketball Times and Eastern Basketball, and also publishes his own website called HoopFactor.com