When Kentucky and Indiana square off in their annual non-conference matchup, the rivalry is usually intense. Both storied traditions looking to gain an edge on their opponents not just in the eyes of voters in the national polls but in the eyes of the nation and the athletes in talent rich Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.

With the signing of John Calipari to Kentucky, however, that rivalry just intensified. But the battles may be in living rooms across the Midwest rather than on the hardwood.

Calipari has always been known as a great recruiter. He got Marcus Camby to come to UMass and then went to Memphis and built a national juggernaut in a couple of years. Add the prestige of Kentucky basketball and Calipari is a force on the recruiting trail.

But if anyone is ready to face up Coach Cal in the battle of the living rooms it is Indiana head coach Tom Crean. Crean also is one of the top recruiters in the country. Where Calipari can go into a propects home and fill them dreams of the NCAA titles and NBA contracts, Crean is like a tornado of energy that anyone would be hard pressed not to be attracted too.

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This is the time of year when college coaches gather around and play the game of musical chairs to see who will be the next coach where. We have already seen it with Billy Gillespie being replaced by John Calipari. But one coach, at least, seems to have bucked the trend.

Mike Anderson agreed to a new extended contract at Missouri, keeping him a Tiger for the next seven years and ending rumors that he would jump ship to coach Memphis.

And signing that contract may have been the best decision Anderson has made all year (and this from a coach who took his team to the elite and an impressive win over that same Memphis team).

In his time with Missouri, Anderson has transformed the Tigers from a mid level contender in the Big 12 to conference front-runner, with a flashy style and up pace game plan that he perfected at UAB. With all that going for him, why would he even consider Memphis?

Continue reading "College Coaches Staying Put Was The Right Call"

When Michigan State shocked Louisville last Sunday, college basketball fans around the country had to take notice. The Big Ten, which was supposed to be having another down year, had sent its eighth team to the Final Four since 2000. Maybe this conference wasn't as bad as some people thought?

Last night Penn State put the emphasis on the redemption of the Big Ten season by knocking off Baylor and securing the NIT crown at Madison Square Garden. And the Nittany Lions won the National Invitational Tournament by knocking off some quality opponents.

Penn State not only beat George Mason, Rhode Island and Florida to get to the Big Apple, but Penn State then finished off their title run with wins over Notre Dame and then last night against Baylor. And Big Ten fans could not be happier.

Continue reading "Penn State Win Is Redemption for Big Ten"