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Friday, June 9
Self inherits loaded team

By Dick Vitale
Special to ESPN.com

Illinois has a chance to be a top 10 team next season, and the school now has the man to lead the Illini.

Bill Self did a phenomenal job at Tulsa. He took the program and continued its success. The Golden Hurricane demonstrated great team concept, played unselfishly as a unit and did a superb job on the defensive end.


	Cory Bradford is one of several talented players returning for Illinois next season.

There is no question this job was difficult for him to turn down. I know he loved it at Tulsa, but when a Big Ten school of this caliber calls, you have to move on.

Illinois is one of the blue-chip jobs, with the ability to recruit from the Chicago area being just one of several big-time factors. Self steps into a great situation with the talent returning, players such as Cory Bradford, Frank Williams, Brian Cook and the list goes on and on. The Illini will be the favorite to win the Big Ten in the eyes of many.

This is a situation similar to Tubby Smith when he went to Georgia and later Kentucky, and Nolan Richardson when he left for Arkansas. One can't be shocked to see this because Self was basically on everybody's hit list as a hot name in the coaching profession.

Illinois athletics director Ron Guenther was finally able to make it happen, finding the right man to replace Lon Kruger, who went on to the NBA's Atlanta Hawks.

There will be some pressure on Self, no doubt about it. I believe the way he handled a veteran team last season at Tulsa tells me he is ready for this challenge. The kids will love his communication skills and I feel he will be a big asset to the Big Ten.

Updating my super six
Because of injuries, academics and players leaving early, things change. Here is my latest look at the super six for 2000-2001. I really feel the ACC will be strong.

I'll stay with Duke as my choice for No. 1. Then Arizona, North Carolina, Kansas, Stanford and Maryland.

That's right, three of my top six from the ACC. Virginia and Wake Forest will also be outstanding, and this should be the year the ACC really powers into the NCAA Tournament.

When you think about it, is it a surprise to see the recent dropoff in the ACC, when you look at a league with such great talent, public relations and fan following. It all runs in cycles, baby.

Seton Hall is not far behind, and the Pirates are the team to beat in the Big East. Connecticut and Jim Calhoun have a lot of talent, but the Huskies will be young.

Irish eyes are smiling
Matt Doherty has not wasted any time at Notre Dame. He set the tone after a passionate first year, when he showed so much love and affection for being on that campus. It rubbed off on his players and it showed as the Irish went to the NIT final. They have a solid foundation next year with incumbent All-America Troy Murphy and transfer Ryan Humphrey.

Then came big news in recruiting. The future is getting brighter and brighter with the commitment of two players who will be rising high school seniors come September. Guard Chris Thomas of Indianapolis, a dynamite point guard, and forward Jordan Cornette, a 6-8 inside player, will make a difference in South Bend.

Meanwhile, at Indiana, with all the noise, screaming and yelling about the Bob Knight situation, the Hoosiers still landed a big recruit in Sean Kline. The 6-8 Kline is graded by guru Bob Gibbons as one of the top 30 prospects in America. His verbal commitment is a big plus.

Looking to the pros

Shaq came up with 43 big ones in game one vs. Indiana. There is no answer for the Pacers in the middle. I see O'Neal getting his ring in six games.

Who would have thought Reggie Miller would go 1-for-16? He's too proud a shooter, and he will bounce back, but it won't be enough.

Leonard Hamilton has told his players he wants to go to the NBA's Washington Wizards and they understand his decision. The sticking point is the buyout of his contract with the University of Miami.

My gut feeling is the New Jersey Nets and Rod Thorn, one of the real intelligent guys in the pro game, will trade the top overall draft pick. Word is the Nets are not excited about any of the top prospects in this year's draft. It should be interesting to see what happens in this scenario.

The Bulls may try to trade their fourth overall pick for some size, and Jermaine O'Neal of Portland has been mentioned as a possible candidate for a deal.

Recovery time
Recently I had my daughter Sherri's wedding down in Naples, Fla., at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel -- and what a bash it was! Great weather, music, food and most important of all, people.

I was really on cloud nine to see my daughter walk down the aisle and get married to former Notre Dame quarterback Thomas Krug. It was really a proud moment for a father.

It was also special to have so many good friends in attendance. ESPN was well represented with the likes of Chris Fowler, Brad Nessler, Dave Feldman, Digger Phelps, Brad Daugherty and Jay Bilas. There were coaches such as Lou Holtz, Billy Donovan, Tommy Amaker, Matt Doherty, Fran Fraschilla and Jim Harrick. Several former Notre Dame football players were also there. It was something special.

Speaking of special...
There are people who think they have it tough, moaning about their job, the economy, etc. Let me tell you about some real winners I got to spend some time with, when I was part of the Children's Miracle Network down in Gainesville, Fla.

Robin Roberts of ESPN/ABC was one of the hosts at the headquarters in Orlando for the Children's Miracle Network.

If you ever get a chance to help the Children's Miracle Network, do it. Think about it if you have a healthy child, how fortunate you are.

It really brought tears to my eyes, hearing some of the amazing stories all weekend. The names may not mean too much to you: Brook Daniel, Kevin Mills, Britton Regar, Jonathan Thomas, and a host of others. They are classified miracle children who have battled all sorts of problems, from brain tumors, to heart ailments, to serious infections. They have fought for their lives, and through the efforts of some brilliant doctors, they are here today.

There is no trophy bigger and better than a happy, smiling, healthy child.


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