- In the wake of last night’s Jimmy V Classic where Kansas beat Memphis, two different national writers came up with dramatically different takes as to how KU will handle the addition of Rivals’ #1 recruit Josh Selby later this month. Jason King believes that the conventional wisdom — that adding a star player to an already talented group — will make Kansas into a great team; while Jeff Goodman takes the contrary position that Selby may upset the fragile chemistry of a team that Bill Self has playing great already — especially guard Tyshawn Taylor, the player most likely to be impacted by Selby’s court time. Regardless, everyone will be watching in ten days when USC visits Allen Fieldhouse for the ginormous debut of the player who could make or break Kansas’ season.
- Speaking of ineligible players, need an update on the Enes Kanter eligibility case (and we know you do)? Matt Jones of KSR interviews The Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy in this video clip that discusses the various possibilities surrounding the big Turk’s situation, especially as it relates to the argument that Auburn successfully made to get quarterback Cam Newton eligible. There’s still not timetable on this situation, but news could come literally any day now.
- Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress takes a look at the six freshmen who NBA scouts have been the most impressed with in the early going this season. It should come as utterly no surprise that Duke’s Kyrie Irving, Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger and Kentucky’s Terrence Jones have been popping the most eyeballs in the early going. One notable name not on the list: none other than preseason AP All-American, Harrison Barnes.
- While on the subject of elite freshmen, Luke Winn writes about his concept of Freshmen Who Fit, basically asserting that part of the reason for frosh who succeed has as much to do with talent as it does to finding the right situation. True in most aspects of life, it’s a poignant yet simple concept that still most people tend to overlook. He suggests that Tennessee’s Tobias Harris is the best example of this, and adds four other names to the list. Worth a read.
- Arizona is getting some early-season love from the hoopsnoscenti for its play so far this season, sitting at 7-1 with its only loss to Kansas and boasting one of the best power forwards in the nation, Derrick Williams. In this video clip promoted through Pac-10 Digital, Sean Miller talks about what he expects from his team this season and how he’s going about rebuilding a program in the desert. Within a couple years, we believe that Arizona will once again be the dominant force in the Pac-10.