It’s true: what a difference a year can make. It was only two seasons ago that the Oregon State Beavers were the laughing stock of the Pac-10 - literally, going 0-18 in conference play. That was until new coach Craig Robinson, by way of Brown University, was chosen last spring to lead OSU out of its funk. Under Robinson, who is also President Obama’s brother-in-law, the Beavers went 18-18 while also winning the CBI title over UTEP in his first year.

One of the major reasons for Oregon State’s massive turnaround: current senior, Seth Tarver. Read More »

After tossing and turning all afternoon from writing a pro-Jazz piece yesterday, I was comforted last night by a real good Michigan State/Gonzaga game (watch out for freshman Kelly Olynyk – kid’s no joke) and a Nuggets win over the Raptors 130-112 in Denver.

The game got me predicting and dreaming about a number of things. Namely, like how Carmelo Anthony will be All-NBA first team and how Chris Bosh really does get lost up in Canada. Read More »

While struggling to understand why Matt Harpring was analyzing game tape on NBA TV this past weekend, it got me thinking about the Utah Jazz. Being from Denver, I don’t normally enjoy publicly praising Utah for any of their success. Still, credit due when credit earned. While Brandon Jennings and Ty “Mbenga Banga” Lawson are undoubtedly on top of the PG rookie heap right now, Jazz rook Eric Maynor is right behind them. Read More »

The Washington Huskies are stacked this year. Let me start over. The Washington Huskies lost arguably their two best players from last season and are still stacked.

After saying goodbye to seniors Justin Dentmon, the 2009 Pac-10’s most improved player, and Jon Brockman, UW’s all-time leading rebounder, Washington is still predicted to roll through its west coast rivals thanks to freshman phenom Abdul Gaddy. Read More »

This is just ridiculous! Both Travis Outlaw and Rudy Gay are two of the best leapers in the L; too bad this time Gay got the business end of Outlaw’s fully extended tomahawk in the second quarter of the Blazers 93-79 win over the Grizzles. Got to love Mike Rice though: “Listen to this fans!”

This last Thursday, forward Latavious Williams became the first high schooler to jump straight to the NBA since the League instituted its age limit in 2005. Oh, did I forget to mention that Williams went from graduation right into the NBA’s Development League?

You read right: the D-League. Read More »

After only winning 17 games last season, the Sacramento Kings are off to a much better start this year, at 3-4. As of Monday, they are riding a two-game win streak after beating Utah and Golden State. One major reason to get excited if you’re a Kings’ fan - and yes, they still exist - is the development and maturity of second-year starting PF Jason Thompson. Read More »

Led by a transfer from St. Bonaventure and a hometown 6-11 three-point shooter, the West Virginia Mountaineers were something special from 2004-06.

The school that the Logo himself put on the map was so surprisingly dominant that they reached consecutive Sweet 16’s, including an appearance in the Elite Eight in ‘05. Surprising, because they held a 46-22 record during those two seasons.

And they were led by even two more surprising candidates: Mike Gansey and Kevin Pittsnogle. Read More »

After having a father who ran through 16 seasons in the League and a brother who led the Davidson Wildcats to national prominence, you would expect to garner a little respect. Not the case for Seth Curry coming out of high school in 2008. Read More »

Even nearly four years after he was waived from the League, it’s still difficult to look past the pure raw talent and mass potential that was Ndudi Ebi.

Chosen 26th in the 2003 NBA Draft out of Westbury Christian in Houston, the slim and lanky Ebi was projected by many as next Kevin Garnett. Minnesota selected Ebi with its only first-round draft pick during a three-year span due to contract violations with Joe Smith and the League’s salary cap limit. Read More »