Keegan’s report: college basketball

By Tom Keegan     Feb 27, 2006

J-W sports editor Tom Keegan each week will observe and analyze the national college basketball scene. Here are his thoughts for Feb. 20-26:

Player of the week: Nick Fazekas, Nevada

The 6-foot-11 junior who torched KU for 35 points on the first day of December averaged 24.5 points and 15.5 rebounds in victories over Idaho and Utah State for his nationally ranked team. Fazekas, averaging 21.6 points and 10.3 rebounds, is such a star nobody has the guts to tell him he shoots too many three-pointers. He’s jacked 83 of them and has made just 28 percent.

Team of the week: Arkansas

The Razorbacks (19-8, 8-6) got off to a 1-3 start in SEC play, but have bounced back to build a solid case for an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament. Led by junior guard Ronnie Brewer, Arkansas has won three in a row, knocking off Florida, Alabama and on the road, Tennessee.

Bust of the week: Northern Iowa

UNI started the week in the national rankings and ended it looking like a team that needs to win its conference tourney to assure itself a bid. First, the Panthers were drilled at home by Bradley, 71-49, then lost at Southern Illinois, 46-45. Will Iowa want Greg McDermott if he’s in the NIT?

Game to watch: Memphis vs. UAB

This game provides a nice opportunity to see what Memphis can do against a quality opponent on the road. UAB, coached by Nolan Richardson understudy Mike Anderson, constantly traps, but Memphis is so quick it should prevail.

8 p.m. Thursday, ESPN2 (Sunflower Broadband Channel 34)

Keegan’s report: college basketball

By Tom Keegan     Feb 20, 2006

J-W sports editor Tom Keegan each week will observe and analyze the national college basketball scene. His thoughts for Feb. 13-19:

Player of the week: Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina

A native of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Hansbrough solidified his candidacy for national freshman-of-the-year honors by averaging 28.5 points and eight rebounds in victories over Georgia Tech and Wake Forest as the Tar Heels pushed their winning streak to three games. Hansbrough, an active 6-foot-9 forward noted for his relentless effort, went for 40 and 10 against Georgia Tech.

Team of the week: Marquette

Thanks to 5-foot-11 freshman point guard Dominic James’ quickness and strength inside and 6-foot-10 senior Steve Novak’s quick trigger and accurate jumper, Marquette put itself back in good shape for earning a tourney bid by knocking off Georgetown and Pitt in three-day span.

Bust of the week: Georgetown

A year ago, the Hoyas killed their NCAA tourney hopes with a five-game losing streak. The current losing streak stands at three and can’t get much longer or the Hoyas’ spot in the tourney will be jeopardized again. Georgetown, the only team to beat Duke, hasn’t danced since 2001.

Game to watch: Texas vs. Kansas State

Coming off 21-point loss at Oklahoma State, Texas will be looking to take it out on the Wildcats. Which K-State will show up, the one that upset Colorado, or the one that lost consecutive games to Missouri and Texas Tech? Either way, Longhorns win.

7 p.m. Wednesday, ESPN2 (Sunflower Broadband Channel 34)

Keegan’s report: college basketball

By Tom Keegan     Feb 13, 2006

J-W sports editor Tom Keegan each week will observe and analyze the national college basketball scene. Here are his thoughts this week:

Player of the week: J.P. Batista, Gonzaga

If only David Padgett had informed Bill Self of his plans to transfer one week earlier, Batista would be playing at KU. The Brazilian behemoth is averaging 19.5 points and 9.5 rebounds. In two wins this past week, the 6-foot-9, 269-pound Batista averaged 22.5 points and 9.5 rebounds. He and guard Derek Raivio are perfect complements to Player of the Year candidate Adam Morrison.

Team of the week: Ohio State

With victories over Michigan and Illinois, Thad Matta’s Buckeyes are in the national spotlight one year ahead of schedule. Next year’s freshman class, already dubbed “The Thad Four,” is led by No. 1-ranked recruit, 7-footer Greg Oden of Indianapolis, and has three others in the top 26.

Bust of the week: Indiana

A portion of the fan base showed a lack of class in clamoring for ouster of coach Mike Davis, and the Hoosiers lost to Wisconsin and Iowa. If Davis, who missed the Iowa game and said he had the flu, resigns or is fired, consider KU the favorite to land prize Dallas recruit Darrell Arthur.

Game to watch: UConn vs. Villanova

If trades were allowed in college basketball, these teams would have cooked a deal a long time ago. Top-ranked UConn has an abundance of big men and could use one of Villanova’s hot-shooting guards. Villanova starts four guards.

6 p.m. tonight, ESPN (Sunflower Broadband Channel 33)

Keegan’s report: college basketball

By Tom Keegan     Jan 30, 2006

J-W sports editor Tom Keegan each week will observe and analyze the national college basketball scene.

Here are his thoughts for Jan. 22-29:

Player of the week: Adam Morrison, Gonzaga

The nation’s best player and leading scorer (29.0) had what, even by his standards, was a huge week. A Type 1 diabetic who injects himself with insulin during games, Morrison averaged 41 points and seven rebounds in two victories in which he made seven of 13 three-pointers. Morrison has scored at least 30 points nine times, including five of the last six games. He has hit 40 four times, twice this past week.

Team of the week: Michigan

The Wolverines knocked off Michigan State and Wisconsin without third-leading scorer Lester Abram Jr. to run their winning streak to four games. Michigan will undoubtedly appear in the Top 25. Its only losses were to ranked teams UCLA, Indiana and Illinois.

Bust of the week: Louisville

Everyone repeat after me: “Louisville does not deserve to be ranked. Louisville does not deserve to be ranked.” Losing at Rutgers in itself is no disgrace. The RAC is a tough place to play. The fact it was not the least surprising is more the issue for the overrated Cardinals, 2-5 in the Big East.

Game to watch: So. Illinois vs. Wichita State

Huge game for the at-large berth hopes of teams in the hunt for the conference title in the underrated Missouri Valley Conference. Mix in Northern Iowa and Creighton, and the conference will get anywhere from one to four bids.

11:05 a.m. Saturday, ESPN2

(Sunflower Broadband Channel 34)

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