NCAA News, NCAA Football, NCAA Basketball

The 2008 NBA Draft went about as expected with Memphis star PG Derrick Rose going #1 to the Chicago Bulls.  Double double extradionair, Kansas State’s Micheal Beasley went next as anticipated to the Miami Heat.  The Timberwolves then took star USC guard O.J. Mayo at #3.  All seemed to be going as expected even when Memphis took UCLA big man Kevin Love a little early at 5.  Then the blockbuster deal went down.  Memphis traded with Minnesota the rights to Kevin Love, Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal, and Jason Collins, for the rights to O.J. Mayo, Marko Jaric, Antione Walker, and Greg Buckner.  It seems Minnesota wanted Love all along, and they get a 3 point threat in Miller.   Below is the 1st round results of the 2008 NBA Draft Lottery Picks.

1.  Chicago- Derrick Rose: Memphis

2.  Miami -  Michael Beasley: Kansas State

3.  Memphis- O.J. Mayo: USC

4.  Seattle- Russel Westbrook: UCLA

5.  Minnesota- Kevin Love: UCLA

6.  New York-  Danilo Gallinari: Italy

7.  LA Clippers- Eric Gordon: Indiana

8.  Milwaukee- Joe Alexander: West Virginia

9.  Charlotte-  D.J. Augustin: Texas

10.  New Jersey- Brook Lopez: Stanford

11.  Portland- Jerryd Bayless: Arizona

12.  Sacramento- Jason Thompson: Rider

13.  Indiana- Brandon Rush: Kansas

14. Golden St.- Anthony Randolph: LSU

15. Pheonix- Robin Lopez: Stanford

16. Philadelphia- Marquis Speights: Florida

Duke’s case against a Louisville lawsuit designed at getting the Cardinal’s $450,000 in damages from Duke backing out of 3 schelduled games, was indeed unique.  The Duke attorneys claimed that the Louisville football team could not expect to claim anything because it would be very easy for the University to find a replacement because Duke’s football performance was dismal as best.

Kentucky Judge Phillip J. Shepherd agreed with the Duke lawyers claim that Duke’s football prowess was at a ”threshold that could not be any lower”.  Shepherd found that Duke was not liable for the $150,000 per game as long as Louisville could find equavalent teams to play.  

Despite having one of the worst records in the most storied college football program, Notre Dame signed a lucrative contract extension with NBC. The contract details remained secretive but NBC sports chairman Dick Ebersol insists that the rate is a flat fee and not based on ratings. Ratings for last year’s games were abysmal at best with the young Notre Dame squad going 3-9 in the win column.

Head Coach and offensive guru, Charlie Weis looks to stick with one quarterback this year with sophomore Jimmy Clausen likely running the spread offense Weis made famous in New England. With any luck, which the Irish had none of last year, the Fighting Irish could be in the race for a major bowl. This would help the NBC Sports ratings tremendously.

Florida State wideout Preston Parker plead guilty to a misdemeanor marijuana possession and misdemeanor concealed weapon charge relating to an April arrest in Palm Beach County Florida. The versatile athlete and probably most valuable weapon in the already less than stellar Seminole offense had his future at Florida State in question after the arrest in which he was pulled over with a loaded .45 caliber pistol resting on his dashboard. Parker was sentenced to 50 hours community service and 12 months probation for the offenses.

Florida State University and Head Football Coach Bobby Bowden in turn responded with a two game suspension, compulsory drug tests and an additional 50 hours of community service. Bowden remarked on the judgement, “Preston made a very serious mistake, and there are consequences when one of our boys gets in trouble.” Indeed the additional hours spent serving food to students, the forewarned drug tests, and suspension from “powerhouses” Western Carolina and Chattanooga really serve to set an example to future violators.

Parker apologized for his transgressions in a statement release by his attorney. “I fully blame myself for being in this situation, because it could’ve easily been avoided.” he stated.

Parker will return to the Seminole lineup on September 20th against Wake Forest, Florida State’s first ACC game.

The 2008 Recruiting Class, to no one’s surprise, saw three of this year’s Final Four Teams grab Top 10 classes in UCLA , Kansas , and North Carolina . One surprising Top 10 class however was the Florida State Seminoles’ class.

FSU Coach Leonard Hamilton nabbed Top 25 Recruit Chris Singleton PF, and Top 100 Xavier Gibson in addition to 4 other backcourt players to give Florida State one of it’s most impressive recruiting classes ever.

UCLA signed McDonald’s All-American PG Jrue Holliday, in addition to Jerime Anderson and Malcolm Lee to bolster their backcourt for the 2008 Season. PF Drew Gordon also gives the Bruins some frontcourt relief after losing star center Kevin Love.

UF’s Billy Donovan also grabbed frontcourt help with Top prospects in Eloy Vargas and Kenneth Kadji. Donovan is also looking to replace NBA talent as PF Maurice Speights is likely headed to the draft amid rumors of possible academic ineligibility.

North Carolina added an immediate impact player in 7′1” prospect Tyler Zeller. In addition the Tarheel’s signed PF Ed Davis. North Carolina was also able to grab McDonald’s All-American PG Larry Drew. With Player of the Year Tyler Hansborough returning the Tarheels will be an early favorite in both the NCAA and ACC.

The Kansas Jayhawks also grabbed a top Class after landing their first National Championship in over 20 years. The Jayhawks added top PF Quintrell Thomas and SG Travis Releford. Kansas also nabbed top PG Tyshawn Taylor after he was released from his commitment to Marquette.