I'm In Love Again

Due to the Writer's Guild strike, and my lack of venom this week, were putting the Middle Finger on a one week hiatus.

One of the best things to ever happen to college hoops is the rule that you can't go straight from high school to the NBA. Seriously, who didn't enjoy watching Kevin Durant and Greg Oden play last year??? I know I did. In fact, the only place Kevin Durant could play was Seattle due to my restraining order. Each televised game was must watch TV. But those days are gone. Those days have gone to the Pacific Northwest/retirement home.

What's that? What'd you say? There's an even BETTER crop of freshman studs this year? You've got that right. One could argue that the top 5 most talented players in the nation are all first-years. Let's introduce you to the Big 5 that will be drawing more than a few oooh's and aaah's over the winter.

5. OJ Mayo, G, USC - A very unlikeable guy, no doubt, but the kid has talent. He told Trojan coach, Tim Floyd, that he wanted to be a Trojan to make a name for himself in LA. I like that. I enjoy shameless self-promotion in my athletes. Since he has that mind frame, clearly will not care about his teammates, and will be leaving USC as soon as the season ends this year for the NBA, I expect a TON of Sportscenter highlights. OJ dropped 32/7/4 in his first game, a loss to Mercer.

4. Kevin Love, C, UCLA - Yeah, UCLA brought in a stud, too. I watched Love last night and think he's got a nice game. I'm not sure about the comparisons to Bill Walton's acid or his chinstrap beard, but he's got some skills. He has much more polish in the post than my least favorite player, Tyler Hansbrough. And he can run, too. I love me some big white centers that can run...like Bill Wennington. I don't think he'll be leaving after this season. Love put up 21/9 last night against those pesky Penguins from Youngstown State.

3. Derrick Rose, PG, Memphis - From everything I've heard from the pundits and morons at ESPN, this kid is hands down the best freshman in the nation. But I have to put him at 3 since I haven't seen the Tigers yet. A 6'4" PG that can do it all is definitely scary. The missing piece for Memphis last year was a dynamic PG, well, now they have it. Rose, through 2 games, is averaging 19/5.5/3 and will continue to get better. He could be the #1 pick next year.

2. Eric Gordon, G, Indiana - I caught the highlights of IU last night. Good Lord, Gordon looks to be the real deal. Considering that the best returning guard in the Big Ten is the grossly overrated, Drew Neitzel, it will be refreshing to see some consistently sick backcourt talent down in Bloomington. Gordon can shoot from anywhere on the floor. He was drilling all sorts of bombs last night in the opener. Whether or not Kelvin Sampson is paying him to play there is besides the point, Gordon can ball. He put up 33/6/4 in his debut.

1. Michael Beasley, F, Kansas State - If you're looking for the next Charles Barkley, Beasley is your man. I felt bad for the kid considering he wanted to come play for Bob "The Drunk" Huggins. But it doesn't matter. The kid can play anywhere. In his first game with the Wildcats, check out this line, Beasley dropped 32 points and 24 boards. Are you serious??? That's insane! If Bill Walker can get back to 100%, Kansas State is a real dark horse Final Four team with the front line that they can offer. Through 2 games, Beasley is averaging 31/19. Just filthy. I am about 90% sure that he will be my Kevin Durant man-crush of this season.

There you go, 5 names you need to know. If you want to know my preseason Final Four prediction and compare it to some of the world's most reknowned sports bloggers, check it out here. My picks (as you can see, I find PG play to be the key to tournament success):

Louisville - Sosa and Caracter are a fantastic inside and out combo
Memphis - This is Calipari's year, the pieces are finally in place
UCLA - Collison and Love with a little Ben Howland tutelage will get them back
Tennessee - I love Chris Lofton, my favorite player in the nation

I'll be back tomorrow for my final blog at work until after Thanksgiving (vacation!!!). Go Redhawks!!! Beat Xavier!!!