Tell Me Something I don’t Know (04/13/09)

As it should have been a daily post for a while now but hasn’t been because of some “out of our control” problems, here is what we are hoping to be a “daily fix” here on The Fifth Corner, the post we are calling “Tell Me Something I didn’t Know!” Done by “Da Beat of N.Y.” and myself. For those of you that do not know Da Beat of NY, he was a sports journalist for well over two decades, following the Big East, the ACC and the SEC for many major papers. Now retired (and becoming the world traveler with his wife) he is willing to do this daily post with me.

For those of you that do not know how this works here is the run down:

Part 1: One and Done. Where each of us will ask a question to the other, wait for the response (usually a couple of paragraphs) and then counter point it or add to it.

Part 2: One good Question. Where I ask a question to someone I know.

Part 3: Rapid Fire. This is going to be several questions that we shoot at one another, with the answers needing to be short and to the point.

So let’s get it started shall we.

A.E.M.: I know that one thing you have followed more and more as been recruiting. What do you think of all this buzz/hype surronding John Wall?

Da Beat of N.Y.: I think that it’s great. More hype for many teams, even the ones that won’t get the young man at the end got their names out over and over. Be it from newspaper articles or online blogging, how many people would be thinking right now, less than a week from the end of March Madness there is another frenzy, and that is about one player and one player only. They say that the key to being a good product is how well you advertise, you have to admit, someone is going to get a heck of hype from all of this.

Because of so many top notch programs going after Wall it is also going to get more friction between the fan bases and that means that the number one seller for college basketball, rivalry, is once again very active with well over half a year before the teams begin their pre season practices. Add to all of this, the teams that do not get the services of Wall are going to go after soemone else to be their Wall even harder, just to make sure they keep up with the college basketball version of the Joneses.

A.E.M.: I hate it. I think that it is making this kid stand on a pedastal and nothing more. I am not saying he is doing it on purpose, and probably if he was my kid I would be doing what he is doing. Nothing less or more. But I do not think this makes college basketball look good, it shows that in someways one player is bigger than a program. It’s great for the media, for the web boards, even for rivalries as you said, but it’s definitely not as great as everyone has made this to be. Hopefully I will be proven wrong, but for me, while he is a one and done, he might just be more problems than the talent and buzz than this incoming frosh will do to any single program.

Da Beat of N.Y.: Since we began with the discussion of a player coming to college basketball, let me ask you about three leaving this world. I know you live in upstate NY and follow Syracuse, what do you think of the trio of Flynn, Devendorf and Harris moving on?

A.E.M.: I have to say this, I am speechless when it comes to what has happened at SU. Some say (heard this on the radio) that there was a deal set in place where Eric Devendorf (who was reprimanded for an off the court issue) was brought back for the second part of the season knowing he would have to go once the season was over. Believe it or not, I think that both Devendorf and Paul Harris are going to need some of those Rosetta Stone “learn a language” dvd’s, because in the NBA they are not going. On the other hand, I doubt they would have made it next year as well, and with so many “one and done” coming in in the `09-`10 season I think that Jonny Flynn decided to take his chances now and not later.

I have to say this though, the people that have made a comparison between the Florida or UNC teams and the SU team (where if they came back they could win it all, but if they leave they would be rebuilding) is a bit of a stretch. Syracuse’s trio has one player that is likely to be an NBA player in the bunch, the Heels and the Gators had all of the players that came back that went to the next level. As far as the players remaining for the ‘Cuse, I think the key will be the point, they have an incoming freshman and a kid with not much experience (and was a red shirt this season). That could prove costly to head coach Jim Boeheim.

Da Beat of N.Y.: Having followed the Orange for a long time let me be clear about this, it’s a big time let down. How many people have been saying this team being a top five? How many people were talking Syracuse and Final Four? Now they are lucky to be ranked in the top half of their conference. Who I feel the worst about is Wes Johnson. This transfer waited patiently all year to have a chance to play with a point guard like Jonny Flynn and a guy like Eric Devendorf on the perimeter. Now he finds himself in the middle of a revamping and where you know there will be way too many bumps in the road to justify having sat a full year.

I am hoping that the players on the bench and the incoming class can step it up or else the year where Boeheim wins his 800th game could be a year to forget for the veteran head coach. I do have to admit I am a bit puzzled that while all of this is going on the coach is still on vacation. It makes it feel like he knew all of this was going to happen.

A.E.M.: Well, that was part one, for part two we asked a good friend of mine, Tom S. (Duke fan), about his team next year.

Tom S.: First of all thanks for letting me vent talk about my team. Where to begin. Yes I know, with a North Carolina player: Tyler Hansbrough won’t beat us again at Cameroon Indoor Stadium. Nor will Danny Green for that matter. As far as my team: the key for me is whether or not Gerald Henderson comes back to Durham. If the answer is positive then I think that we will have a fine season, battle for first place in the ACC and be ready to go past the Sweet Sixteen for the time in forever. John Wall? I am of the point that until he comes out and says I am going here or there all the other stuff is just people trying to either sell newspapers, get hits on their web site or trying to be the next basketball guru.

I been trying to avoid this for the whole paragraph (I believe you gave me this space just so I would have to admit this). A.E.M. was right about what he said when talking about Greg Paulus. I have to say that being a fan of the Blue Devils for over half a century there have been players I didn’t like much their first year, but then they grew on me and by the time they were leaving I hated to see them go. Paulus is the opposite. Loved him, loved his attitude, at the beginning, but as the years progressed it felt like it was more for show and the play didn’t match the yelling and antics on the court.

I am excited for the upcoming season, thinking that if the pieces fall into place Krzyzewski could have us back where we belong. I know things have to happen in order for this to become a reality, like Henderson staying and the rest of the team maturing and developing.

A.E.M.: I have to say, first Syracuse now Duke, this post is sure making me feel, what’s the word I am looking for, sick! Ok, I know how to shake that feeling, let’s get going with the last part of the post.

Da Beat of N.Y.: Well, we talked SU, Duke, now it’s Kentucky. Calipari the right man for the Wildcats?

A.E.M.: I am not sure, I doubt that the “one and done” mentality will work there. Talking about the SEC, has Billy Donovan gone from everyone’s newest and greatest coach to middle of the pack?

Da Beat of N.Y.: He is a good coach, but he is not as hyped as winning two titles made him. But since we are talking hype, let’s talk Ty Lawson, with the great run in the NCAA is he going to sneak in as a lottery pick?

A.E.M.: I think so, and he should, since he does have the talent. Speaking of NBA Draft, let’s talk top player, like Blake Griffin, your thoughts?

Da Beat of N.Y.: The guy can play, but anyone that thinks he is going to dominate without a mid range shot should buy “Basketball For Dummies”. Talking about who could be a bust, you have any?

A.E.M.: I know I am going to come down as a homer, but to me the one kid that should not be going anywhere is Jeff Teague. I do not think he is ready for the pro’s. Talking about “busts”, watch the Masters?

Da Beat of N.Y.: Sure did, still not sure if this was one of the best, or the worst. Did they all just play so well or did they all just stink it up. Talking about stinking it up, how about the MLB doing Opening Day the same day that the NCAA crowns its champ.

A.E.M.: Do not get me started on that, I called up a radio show here in Syracuse about that very point. They would not do it against the Masters, but they do it to NCAABB, it’s bull… nevermind. Great job, see you tomorrow for the next edition…

Da Beat of N.Y.: Thank you, loved it all. See you all tomorrow.

And that is it, the “Tell Me Something I didn’t Know!” post for today. Want to be part of the action? Leave me a message and I will send you the “One Good Question”. Until tomorrow, hope you enjoyed this!