Yes, yes, we know. There's a big football game today. But the WDRB College Basketball Notebook takes no holiday. . . .
LOUISVILLE
Pitino says Hancock will be ready in two weeks, and more, to CBS' Goodman
Jeff Goodman of CBSSports.com called U of L coach Rick Pitino for an update on Luke Hancock. In addition to telling Goodman that Hancock will be ready in about two weeks, told him that "We'll be using (Hancock) as the backup point guard and also at the two and the three. Russ (Smith) is not a good assist-to-turnover guy and I don't want to give him too much to think about."
Pitino also compared Chane Behanan to Charles Barkley, and added, "If he doesn't get distracted, and puts basketball at number one, he can be as good as it gets. He's much better than I thought he was as a player. He's got so much natural ability, but doesn't take it seriously enough. If he approached it like Peyton Siva, this young man has greatness."
Pitino also continued his offseason praise for Kevin Ware and said Peyton Siva has the "character of Billy Donovan."
Read it all here.
KENTUCKY
Can Billy Gillispie Read A Clock?
More problems for former Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie. In fact, some people wonder if Gillispie will start the season as the Texas Tech coach in the aftermath of the report from CBSSports.com that Gillispie practiced his players more than 20 hours a week (the NCAA maximum) last season.
Even worse are the allegations that Gillispie practiced his team more than eight hours in one day.
"We practiced two hours, then he told us to leave and go shave because he didn't like the way we looked," said Kevin Wagner, who left Texas Tech for McClellan Junior College. "Then we came back, practiced two more hours before he told us to get a haircut. Then we came back and did about four more before he kicked us out."
No official reaction yet from Texas Tech administrators, although there was a story in USA Today noting that Gillispie had been hospitalized in Lubbock last week for an undisclosed reason, and that Red Raiders' players had met with athletic director Kirby Hocutt.
The USA Today story wondered if a rift was forming between Gillispie and his players. Texas Tech finished 8-23 last season, losing 18 of its final 19 games while finishing last in the Big 12.
No word on whether Gillispie had banished any of his guys to the restroom at halftime and kept them secure in a stall.
But it doesn't sound good for Billy G.
Rajon Rondo Spreading Knowledge Across The World
Rajon Rondo has been hosting basketball camps in Louisville for several years. He shows up, interacts with campers and signs autographs. But Rondo and Doug Bibby, his former coach at Eastern High School have teamed with Red Bull energy drink to take Rondo's message on how to play the game worldwide.
According to a story at www.interaksyon.com, Bibby hosted a camp in The Philippines last week – and pledged to return next year to run more camps.
"Filipinos have high-level skills," Rondo told Rey Joble.. "But skills should be accompanied by constant practice and that will make them better basketball player.
"I'm a serious student of the game. I view films not because I want to see the game, but I want to study and look for any edge I can get to use it at my advantage."
WESTERN KENTUCKY
WKU releases documentary DVD on NCAA Tournament run
An all-access documentary following the WKU men's basketball team during its surprising run to the NCAA basketball tournament and its record-breaking comeback in its NCAA Tournament win over Missouri Valley State will be available for sale on DVD and Blu-Ray beginning September 4.
"25 Days of Triumph: All-Access with 2011-12 Men's Basketball from Transition to Tournament Success" will be available in Bowling Green Minit Mart stores and at WKU athletic events on campus, as well as online through Amazon.com and WKUSports.com. The DVD version will cost $19.95, and the documentary is also available on Blu-Ray for $24.95.
The feature film is filled with behind-the-scenes footage from the Sun Belt Conference and NCAA tournaments, plus highlights, interviews with current Hilltopper coaches and student-athletes, legendary figures in WKU's history, athletic department staff, local media and other key figures. The product also contains bonus features.
A chance to purchase the documentary before the official release date came on Saturday at the football game inside Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.
The documentary, produced by the Hilltopper Sports Satellite Network, is the culmination of a summer's-worth of interviewing, reviewing footage and editing in conjunction with WKU Athletics. The Hilltopper Sports Satellite Network was given exclusive access to the Hilltoppers during the conference and NCAA tournaments as the official team videographer. All behind-the-scenes footage and interviews and most game footage and highlights were shot in full high-definition.
BELLARMINE
Hobbs leads Ausralian team to title
Another season, another championship for former Bellarmine All-American and NCAA Division II national player of the year Braydon Hobbs. The 6-5 guard had 12 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists in the grand final of his Australian league's tournament to lead the Mackay Meteors to a championship before heading off to play for a professional league in Spain.
The Daily Mercury of Queensland wrote the following about Hobbs a couple of days before the final:
Indiana-born, Hobbs has just signed a contract to play in Spain; and he leaves in two weeks.
"I'm just following my dream right now," he said.
He'll be playing second division basketball in what he said was one of the top 10 leagues in the world.
"I'll be with some elite athletes ... I'll learn a lot and hopefully can keep moving up from there," Hobbs said.
Mackay Basketball general manager and director of coaching Joel Khalu said Hobbs had great vision on the floor.
"He knows when guys are open before they do and he just has a very high basketball IQ ... knows how to read the game," Khalu said.
NATIONAL
Blue Ribbon Loves Siva, Zeller
Louisville, Kentucky and Indiana all project as Top 10 or even Top 5 teams this season. More evidence of why analysts like the local teams arrived this week with the news from Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook.
Louisville point guard Peyton Siva and Indiana center Cody Zeller were both named first-team all-Americans by Chris Dortch, the Blue Ribbon editor.
Siva, a senior, and Zeller, a sophomore, were joined on the team by Ohio State forward Deshaun Thomas, Creighton forward Doug McDermott and Florida State guard Michael Snaer.
Midnight Madness Moves Outdoors
Wait until Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari hears about what a school from his home area is doing for Midnight Madness – taking it outdoors.
That's what is happening at Pittsburgh as the Panthers try to stir more interest in what they hope is a bounce-back season before they leave the Big East for the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2013.
The event, for the Pitt men's and women's teams, is booked for Friday, Oct. 12 as part of the school's Homecoming and 225-year anniversary celebration.
Commonwealth Stadium, anyone? If Pitt can do it, why can't everybody do it?
Here is more info from the school's news release:
"The Pitt basketball teams will play on an outdoor floor constructed on Bigelow Boulevard and located between the Cathedral of Learning and the William Pitt Union. Lights and portable bleachers will be built, along with a video board. The teams will be introduced to the crowd and conduct several contests and promotional activities. Admission is free and open to the public."
If it rains? Or snows?
Don't ask. Pitt will actually conduct a complete practice in private earlier in the day.
THE LIST
The guys at AthlonSports.com have posted their list of 11 Sleeper Teams That Could Make the NCAA Tournament. A number of them show up on the schedules of Kentucky, Louisville and Indiana.
1. Arkansas – Mike Anderson trying to stir memories of Nolan Richardson.
2. Iowa – Indiana opens Big Ten play in Iowa City on New Year's Eve.
3. Delaware – The Blue Hens finished 18-14 last season.
4. Marshall – The Thundering Herd are coached by Tom Herrion.
5. UMass – Minutemen stirring memories of John Calipari.
6. Miami – Some believe the Hurricanes can win the ACC.
7. Minnesota – Tubby Smith needs a healthy Trevor Mbakwe.
8. Oklahoma State – Patience getting low with Travis Ford.
9. Pittsburgh – The Panthers still looking for somebody who can score.
10. Stanford – It's time for Johnny Dawkins to deliver.
11. Tennessee – Jarnell Stokes should be one of the best players in the SEC.
