Articles by College Sports View on ArticleSnatch.com

The View From The Cheap Seats

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:50:43 -0400

With Michael Vick having completed his term of house arrest that was the last part of his prison sentence, the debate about whether or not he should be able to resume his NFL career rages on. Vick will meet soon with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to find out his fate in a meeting that will surely be difficult for the man convicted of operating a dog fighting ring. Two years ago, before Vick pled guilty, he met with Goodell about the charges and lied right to his face, telling the league boss that he was innocent. Not much of a chance that Goodell will forget that one. Iâ€™m both amused and saddened by various aspects of this controversy. Itâ€™s almost comical to hear the experts theorize that franchises are worried about taking a public relations hit for signing Vick. Rest assured that the decision to ink the troubled QB will come down to one point: Can he help our team? If he can, heâ€™ll be signed. If he canâ€™t, he wonâ€™t. The sadder issue is the indignation that many feel toward Vick for his horrible crimes. **End Summary** Topics: Michael Vick]]> Roger Goodell]]> Dog Fighting]]> NFL Commissioner]]>]]> About the Author: ]]>

The College Sports View: NBA Draft Recap by Eddie Mayrose

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Maybe Iâ€™m missing something. Each year, I watch college basketball from November to April and come away amazed at the performance of many collegiate stars. No hoops novice, I leave each season thinking I have a good feel for who the elite players are, only to have my opinions blown up by NBA general managers on draft night. This year, in particular, a number of the NCAAâ€™s top performers fell into the second round while those projected to have higher ceilings populate the higher end of the draft. Potential seems to trump an established body of work every time. For starters, it was strange to see Pittâ€™s DeJuan Blair, the best player on one of the top teams in the countryâ€™s most elite conference, have to wait until the 37th pick to hear his name called. Now, I realize that professional scouts are concerned by the fact that Blair stands just 6â€²6â€³. Iâ€™ll also give them a pass on their reservations about his jump shot. However, one look at the second pick reveals their contradiction of their own opinions. **End Summary** Topics: USC Basketball]]> Taj Gibson]]> DeJuan Blair]]> Pitt Basketball]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> http://www.collegesportsview.com

Stephenson and Oliver commit to play NCAA hoops. Oliver?

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Lance Stephenson, one of the most talented high school basketball players in the nation, committed to the University of Cincinnati this week after a long and tumultuous recruiting process. Stephenson, out of Brooklynâ€™s Abraham Lincoln High School, set the New York state scoring record while leading the Railsplitters to four consecutive city championships. He was invited to the prestigious ABCD camp as an eighth grader, has been the subject of a documentary, played in the famous summer league at Rucker Park, been named a McDonaldâ€™s All American and palled around with rapper Jay-Z. An amazingly gifted athlete, Stephenson was recruited by all of the elite college basketball programs in the country. So, why Cincinnati and why such a late commitment? Stephensonâ€™s prep career was bumpy from the start, as he transferred out of Bishop Loughlin High School after just three days. He was suspended from school for an altercation with a teammate that reportedly involved his throwing the teammate through a glass table. His on court behavior of showing up teammates and railing at referees became commonplace over the course of four years and seemed to be tolerated because of his incredible skills. Until he met Bob McKillop. **End Summary** Topics: Lance Stephenson]]> University of Cincinnati]]> NCAA Basketball]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> http://www.collegesportsview.com

WHY DO DIRTY COACHES GET A FREE PASS?

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

USC basketball coach, Tim Floyd, resigned last week amid allegations of alleged recruiting violations that included, but were not limited to, handing cash to a handler of O. J. Mayo to influence the then high school star to choose USC, resulting in an NCAA investigation. As a result of the probe, several key recruits either decommitted or chose different universities. Lucky for them, as the players currently on the Trojans' roster, young men that committed to Floyd and thought he had committed to them, must now remain with a fractured program or sacrifice a year if they decide to transfer. Floyd, however, is free to seek the employment of another school with no strings attached. John Calipari, late of the University of Memphis, recently agreed to an eight year deal with Kentucky estimated to be in the range of $5 million per year. After leading Memphis to the NCAA title game in 2008, Calipari guided the Tigers into the Sweet Sixteen last year despite a completely new starting lineup. **End Summary** Topics: NCAA Basketball]]> NCAA Tournament]]> Recruiting Violations]]>]]> About the Author: ]]>