Each week I'll write about the sport I love, college basketball:
• I was recently asked to name the most exciting college basketball players that I ever saw. Mind you, the question was not about the best that I watched over the years. The three I picked for most exciting were Pistol Pete Maravich, David Thompson and Calvin Murphy, baby!
• I have also been asked over the years about paying players. Well my friends, I wrote years ago in a book with Dick Weiss of the New York Daily News that the time has come to provide a stipend for athletes participating in revenue producing sports. I stand by that, though I am not sure of the legal issues that would surround that situation.
• Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun has done a good job bringing back former assistant coaches in recent years. First it was former Brown and Penn coach Glenn Miller, and now the Hall of Famer has added ex-George Washington coach and Huskies guard Karl Hobbs. Calhoun has hired Hobbs as the team's Director of Basketball Operations.
• America is very forgiving and former Wake Forest center Tony Woods is getting another chance. The big man, who has had some off-court issues, will be playing at Oregon during the 2011-12 season for coach Dana Altman.
• St. John's coach Steve Lavin has to be smiling after learning Maurice Harkless is eligible. The future diaper dandy at 6-8 is multi-skilled and has a bright future!
• There are several very good teams in the Las Vegas Classic in December. The eight-team field includes the likes of Baylor, West Virginia, St. Mary's and Missouri State. Keep an eye on that tournament as the competition should be interesting.
• We continue to hear stories of former college players signing overseas if they did not get picked in the NBA draft. Michigan State's Kalin Lucas signed with the Greek team Olympiakos. Former St. John's guard Paris Horne recently signed with a team in Germany. Ex-Mississippi guard Chris Warren inked a deal in Australia.
• The NCAA women's college basketball tournament will further gain in popularity if it is moved back one week to avoid competition with the men's tourney!