More College Basketball News

College Basketball NewsFlash

By Adam Stanco

BasketballWriter@cs.com

November 17th

College Basketball NewsFlash

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, CHN will be brining you the latest news and commentary from the world of college basketball.  Each NewsFlash will feature three important news stories, and sharp commentary on the relevancy of the story.

Story: Tipping Off

The 2004-2005 college basketball season got underway this week. Although no marquis match-ups have begun, some of the country’s elite programs have already started play. Wake Forest, the CHN preseason #1 pick, joined Providence and Arizona on ESPN this week. Rick Majerus, taking a year off from coaching at Utah, is a new voice calling games for the worldwide leader.

My Take:

No one is happier than I am over seeing Majerus back around college hoops, albeit in a broadcasting booth. Majerus is one of the best college coaches of our generation and equal parts charm, basketball expert, and crumb magnet. The coach’s first experience as a color man had a few awkward bumps, but his insight was refreshing. He was gushing like a Britney fan over the talent of Chris Paul, Wake’s lead guard and a preseason CHN All-American. Interestingly, Majerus explained why Paul stands out in a way few others could. His eloquent, yet erratic broadcast made the game more interesting and his herky-jerky style will only get better as the season progresses.

Story: O’Brien Sues Ohio State

Former OSU coach Jim O’Brien is suing the school because he claims they owe him at least $3.4 million and that his firing violated terms of his contract. O’Brien was relieved of his post in June after admitting he had paid $6,000 to former recruit Aleksander Radojevic. According to published reports, O’Brien’s lawyer, Joseph F. Murray, says the Ohio State contract stipulated there were only a certain set of circumstances under which the coach could be fired without pay. One such circumstance would be if OSU was sanctioned by the NCAA and began a “major infraction investigation,” but because neither has happened, Murray insists, O’Brien should receive damages.

My Take:

With all of the controversy churning in Columbus, the school may consider expanding its nickname from the Buckeyes to the What-the-Buck?-eyes. Athletic director Andy Geiger, already engrossed in a very ugly, very public dispute with former running back Maurice Clarett, must now deal with the O’Brien lawsuit. What a difference five years makes. O’Brien led a team featuring the underappreciated backcourt of Scoonie Penn and Michael Redd to the 1999 Final Four. Three short years later, Clarett helped put National Championship rings on the fingers of his Ohio State teammates. But this year Clarett was ruled ineligible to participate and news of the O’Brien firing hit just months after a dismal 14-16 hoops season. Despite the fact that Geiger’s two biggest hires are O’Brien and football coach Jim Tressel, he may just be caught up in a coincidental set of circumstances even Wally Backman wouldn’t trade places with him. Still, Geiger sits atop an Ohio State program just two years removed from being the envy of the collegiate sports world… now that perch seems about as appealing as sharing a bubble bath with Star Jones.  

Story: Coaching Job Riding on One Knee?

Villanova has yet to decide if 6-9 junior center Jason Fraser will be redshirted for the 2004-2005 season. He has missed 15 games over the past three seasons because of injuries. Since being scoped on October 22, Villanova officials have stated there is a 50-50 chance he will suit up this year.

My Take:

Rarely is the recent knee surgery of any player who averaged 7 ppg and 7 rpg a year ago vitally important on the national scene, but over the past few weeks Fraser’s knee has been the most discussed body part not found on Tara Reid’s chest. Whether or not he plays this season will have major implications. During the 20^th Anniversary season of Nova’s dream National Championship, Coach Jay Wright’s seat is hotter than anything involving Nicolette Sheridan and Terrell Owens. Amid cries of underachievement, the Wildcat alums are already calling for the dismissal of the coach.

So what does this have to do with Fraser? He was a McDonald’s All-American and the headlining act in Wright’s 2002 recruiting class (which also featured Randy Foye, Allan Ray, and Curtis Sumpter). The Wildcats have finished just 8-8 and 6-10 in Big East play during the foursome’s first two years on campus. However, this was supposed to be the year the Wildcat core went from purring to roaring both in the conference and in the NCAA Tournament. If they must now play without their defensive anchor in the low post (Fraser has blocked 69 shots in his career), Villanova faces a daunting task in simply trying to earn an invitation to the big dance. Three straight underachieving seasons with highly regarded talent could cost Wright his job and re-start the ongoing coaching carousel.