• For those of you who were fans of the book The Miracle of St. Anthony, or who are hoops fans in general, you'll be pleased to hear that the author of that book, Adrian Wojnarowski, is currently working on a biography of Jim Valvano. The book is slated to be published by Gotham Books in March 2008 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of N.C. State's miraculous march to the 1983 NCAA championship.

• Looks like Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan got himself quite a find in Joe Krabbenhoft. The 6-7 freshman from Sioux Falls, S.D., broke out with a six-point, eight-rebound performance in just 24 minutes (all season highs) in Tuesday night's win at Minnesota.

• It's been quite a year for players who have transferred from Auburn. Not only are Marco Killingsworth and Lewis Monroe excelling for Indiana, but 6-8 sophomore Dwayne Curtis is also leading Ole Miss in scoring and rebounding.

• Speaking of Killingsworth, as well as he has been playing, Robert Vaden is the guy who can take Indiana deep into the tournament -- if he plays up to his capabilities.

• Ironic to see Michigan State scoring points but not playing good defense, while Arizona is locking people up but can't make shots. Normally those are reversed.

• Here's a random rule you should know: If a team is throwing the ball inbounds with 0.3 seconds on the clock or less, they can only tip the ball in. If there are 0.4 seconds or more, they can catch and shoot.

• I watch Kentucky, and I can't believe this is the same Patrick Sparks who used to play with such confidence at Western Kentucky. The Cats need to get him going more than they needed Randolph Morris back.

• Don't you love watching a sporting event that you've recorded but don't know the outcome to?

• The Atlantic-10 is better than you think. I think it will get at least four teams into the tourney, maybe even five.

• The word is out on Michigan center Courtney Sims. If you make shutting him down your top priority, you will.

• You all know I'm a huge Adam Morrison fan, but if J.J. Redick keeps playing this way he is going to sweep the national player of the year awards. The reality is, Morrison will be playing the rest of the season against WCC teams in games that tip off at midnight on the east coast. Redick will be playing ACC squads in prime time.

• Here's another transfer who could help his old team: Andre Collins, a 6-foot point guard averaging a whopping 27.2 points (and 4.8 assists) at Loyola (Md.). Collins' old team, Maryland, is badly hurting from a lack of production at that position.

• UConn will certainly get better once Marcus Williams gets into shape, but one deficiency that won't go away is the Huskies' lack of another creator on the perimeter. Rashad Anderson, Denham Brown and Rudy Gay are all catch-and-shoot guys.

• If you're not including LSU forward Tyrus Thomas, you're not making a credible list of the nation's top freshmen. One former NBA coach describes him as "a Stromile Swift who works hard."

• Did you hear that Kevin Love, a high school junior from Oregon, grabbed 27 rebounds against L.A.'s Dominguez High a couple of weeks ago? This from a guy who can score both in the post and behind the 3-point line. I'm telling you, that kid is the truth.

• We think of Washington State as playing Slowball, but the Cougars are more athletic than they've ever been under coach Dick Bennett.

• Of all the teams currently in the Top 25, I think Louisville has the most potential to improve between now and the NCAA tournament.

• I can't help but wonder whether North Carolina sophomore point guard Quentin Thomas will transfer after this season. Thomas is already having trouble getting minutes behind freshman Bobby Frasor, and everyone knows that next fall coach Roy Williams is going to hand the ball to Tywon Lawson from Day 1. 

•Good fans cheer loudly when their team makes a run. Great fans cheer loudly to help their team make a run. Any questions?

• I really hope that Big 12/SEC Challenge happens. We could always use a few more compelling games in November and December.