Drinking The Forty

Travesty!

2008-05-02T07:31:00.005-06:00

With the NBA Playoffs going on, you would think that the Rookie of the Year Award would not be the most important thing on everyone's mind. You would be wrong. Hawks Coach Mike Woodson called the decision to give Kevin Durant the award a, "travesty and it's not right."

When asked whether he should be more focused on his playoff series with the Boston Celtics, Woodson deferred the question to special assistant Jim Mora, who said, "Playoffs? Don't talk to me about Playoffs. I'm worried about the Rookie of the Year Award."

Woodson then summed up his argument by pointing out that Horford averaged 10.1 points per game and 9.7 rebounds per game while fighting for minutes with perennial all-stars Zaza Pachulia and Sheldon Williams. He also noted that unlike Durant's Sonics, the Hawks were in the playoffs. "Anytime a team can make the playoffs with a losing record, it means one of two things. Either your entire Conference is awful, or you have the rookie of the year on your team. I think it's obvious in this case, that it's the latter of the two."

Woodson says he looks forward to a quick and painless exit from the Playoffs in Game 6 so he can focus his attention on lobbying the NBA Offices and Commissioner David Stern for a recount.

Durant To Win Rookie of the Year

2008-04-30T17:52:00.003-06:00

According to several sources, Kevin Durant will be named the 2008 Rookie of the Year tomorrow. A great award for Durant, it comes as a surprise to just about no one. In a ROY battle that was hyped to be a season long duel between Kevin Durant and Greg Oden, it fizzled quite short, pretty much since Oden missed the entire season due to injury.

Without Oden, the 2008 rookie class looks rather pedestrian, as Al Horford, who had an impressive season for the Atlanta Hawks, finished second in the voting. Outside of Durant and Horford, the second and third selections overall, no one in the Top 10 probably even got a vote. Greg Oden (#1/POR), Mike Conley (#4/MEM), Jeff Green (#5/SEA), Yi Jianlian (#6/MIL), Corey Brewer (#7/MIN), Brandan Wright (#8/LAC), Joakim Noah (#9/CHI), and Spencer Hawes (#10/SAC) all either were limited in playing time or positive impacts with their teams.

Rather, the other rookie contenders came from out in left field. Luis Scola (HOU/28 yrs. old/2002 draft/2nd round, #57 by SAS), Thaddeus Young (#12/PHI), Carl Landry (HOU/2nd round, #31 by SEA), and Jamario Moon (TOR/UDFA). And can you even count Scola? Just because he was killing it in another country and not in this country doesn't mean he's a rookie. With the closest competition having no pre-season pub, it pretty much made it a contest between Durant and Horford. While Al Horford is a great player and has had a great season, he's not the type of player that is a certainty to put up the kind of numbers that will bring hardware and fan fare.

Which pretty much leaves Durant. While Durant still would have won the award by simply taking more shots than everyone else in the competition, Durant actually progressed a lot during the season, to the point that he actually deserved the award. He spent the first half of the season taking too many shots and too many bad shots. His defense was atrocious and he didn't do enough other things on the court.

While his defense still needs improvement, and his other areas of his game are still emerging, Durant played much better in the second half of the season. His shot selection and his shooting percentage both sky rocketed in the second half of the year. However, Durant probably locked up the award with the way he played in his last games as a Seattle SuperSonic. In a city that was having its basketball taken away from them, Durant played like a man that wanted to win games for his city. They may have been meaningless to the NBA, but to Durant and the city of Seattle, they were their Championship games. And Durant poured his heart and soul into winning them that Championship. He showed why many think he will one day be a star in this league.

In his final game for Seattle, on the road at Golden State, Durant had 42 points on 18-25 shooting (1-2 3P; 5-6 FT), 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks in a 126-121 victory. Two days before that, in his final game in Seattle, Durant scored twice in the final 45 seconds as the Sonics overcame a 6 point deficit in the final 3 minutes to defeat the Mavericks 99-95. Durant showed the kind of ability and passion that it takes to make a champion.

On the season Durant posted 20.3 ppg on 43% shooting. He had a dismal 28% 3P%, but posted a respectable 4.4 rpg, 2.4 apg, and nearly a steal and block per game. Durant earned the rookie of the year award and showed all the makings of the star that many believed he would be. He also made the best of a situation where he had minimal talent around him, smack dab in the middle of a strange quagmire of a city having its team stolen from them and shipped to Oklahoma City.

Trying to Save the Season With No Hits

2008-04-30T17:18:00.004-06:00

From the beginning of the season the Longhorns looked a little bit off. While they were ranked in the top 25 nationally and had a solid record, the Horns were playing inconsistent, uninspired baseball and didn't look promising going into conference play. The lackluster play finally turned into a full blown disaster as the Longhorns have been 11-11 since March 28th and have a un-Longhorn-esqe 10-11 conference record.

What was the absolute low point? Probably losing to UT-Arlington and UT-San Antonio during that 22-game stretch has to be near the top. A 3-6 record at home during conference play has been a point of embarrassment, but the worst moment probably goes to that 31-12 drumming at the hands of Missouri. (Yes, that's a baseball score.)

What has been the problem? Well the hitting hasn't been spectacular, but a .284/24/128 isn't far off 2007's .302 average during conference play. The defense has certainly been underwhelming, with 24 errors in 21 games. But one would definitely need to look at the pitching to find the source of the Longhorn's problems. A 6.34 team ERA in conference play is absolutely atrocious, especially compared to last year's 3.19 mark in conference play.

The biggest problem has been the Longhorns inability to find starting pitching. Though the entire staff hasn't exactly been anything other than a big problem. The ace of the staff, Austin Wood has been 1-1 with a 7.26 ERA in conference play, while Riley Boening (7.13) and Kenn Kasparek (6.16) haven't faired much better against the Big XII. Augie Garrido has been trying everything as Cole Green, Chance Ruffin, and Brandon Workman (7.01) have gotten chances to start as well. Green (2.81) and Ruffin (2.93) have been working out of the pen mostly, but the two freshman might have to be what carries this team down the stretch.

The Longhorns might be trying to turn the corner, as Kenn Kasparek threw a complete game no-hitter against Texas State yesterday, but the Longhorns will need to greatly improve as a staff if they hope to turn this season around. Texas has 7 games left and will need to show well to even hope for an at large birth into the NCAA Tournament. The way this season has been going, the safest bet looks to be that that Longhorns will be at home this post season. Which might not be a bad thing, as bad of a disaster as this season has been. But, there is still a hope if the Longhorns can sweep the Baylor (26-20) series and take that momentum into their three game season finale against #6 Texas A&M (38-7). Taking two out of three from the Aggies would put the Horns in good shape with a (33-19)(16-12) mark, and riding great momentum.

But, that is highly optimistic. It might be better off to hope that the Aggies don't drop 31 runs on us, and let this season ride off slowly into the sunset and out of our collective memory

Grading the Cowboys Draft

2008-04-29T16:42:00.011-06:00

This past weekend's draft was as crazy a draft as I've ever seen with a record 34 draft day trades. The Cowboys came in with two first rounders after acquiring the Browns first round pick last year allowing the Browns to draft Brady Quinn. Expectations were high in Big D and it looks like Jerry Jones and the Boy's answered the call. Two days after the draft I reflect back on the Cowboy's selections and assign grades to every pick....

First Round

Pick #22 - Felix Jones - Arkansas RB – There was no question after the releasing of Julius Jones as a free agent, that the Cowboy's would be looking to the draft to find the perfect compliment to bruising back Marion Barber III. His 4.4 speed is a major plus for Dallas as they look to keep defenses honest on the corners while still pounding Barber down the middle. His 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns at Arkansas show that he is able to produce in a two back system and doesn't mind sharing the load; in fact it may help in preserving both backs for the Cowboys. As a running back, he is fairly comparable to a Cadillac Williams who likes to bounce the ball to the outside with his first instinct. I think Jones will be an instant contributor in all facets for the Cowboys, most notably in kick returns. He is creative enough to vary his speed, set up the defender, execute a fake and then accelerate into the open. Jones should be an instant feature in the Cowboy's offense.

Pick grade – B - Good overall pick here, although I think Rashard Mendenhall was worth more of a look here. Also the first round worked out well with Jenkins at 25, but I couldn't figure out why they didn't wait for Jones at 28 since Mendenhall was still on the board and corners were more likely to be drafted.

Pick #25 - Mike Jenkins – South Florida CB – Immediately after getting their guy at RB, the Cowboys knew that their number one CB was still in reach and made a move up to get him at 25. Jenkins could very well be the best cover corner in this draft. Many fans will question this pick with the acquisition of Pacman Jones, but at this point we can't even be sure that Jones will be reinstated and even if he is, depth at corner has become a must-have for a successful NFL franchise. Jenkins has the perfect frame for a top corner and no one has questioned his 4.3 speed. He is undoubtedly best in press coverage and needs to work on run support in his first few mini-camps. Reports are saying that it's his leadership skills and work ethic may make him the best secondary prospect in the draft. I see him working as a first year nickelback and getting some reps in on CB late in games.

Pick grade – A+ - Ed Werder has reported for a couple of weeks now that Jenkins was the top CB on the Cowboy's big board and they ended up getting him with their second pick. CB depth was their biggest issue this offseason and Jones answered it in astounding fashion bringing in Pacman Jones and arguably the best CB in the draft. I'm not sure if there has been a better pick for the Boys in the last few drafts. You could say DeMarcus Ware, but I think that pick has only shown itself through his progress. This pick was smart and the best pick from the minute the card was turned in.

Second Round

Pick #61 - Martellus Bennett – Texas A&M TE – Personally I loved this pick. I felt like the receiving class was overrated and generally shallow and with the big names off the board, I don't feel like this pick would have warranted a receiver. Bennett is a huge bodied tight end who looks like an oversized WR. Regarded as the "most complete" prospect at his respective position in the 2008 NFL Draft, Bennett combines excellent size, strength and quickness to excel not only as a clutch mid-range receiver, but also as a devastating blocker. He started off at A&M as a two-sport athlete, earning a scholarship to play basketball as well as football. Speed seems to be the big red flag with Bennett, but I feel like his overall athleticism makes up for the lack of speed. With the trade of Anthony Fasano on Thursday, the Cowboys needed another tight end and they may have gotten an upgrade. Martellus is just too much of a beast not to be effective.

Pick grade – A – I thought this was a great pick. Yes, the Cowboys needed a receiver, but there just wasn't one to take here. I wouldn't have minded Limas Sweed or James Hardy, but they were both off the board. Instead, Jones grabbed a 6'6" tight end that could be a huge receiver like Antonio Gates. His immediate effectiveness will be his size and blocking ability.

Fourth Round

Pick #122 – Tashard Choice – Georgia Tech RB – I assume that with the pick of Jones in the first round, the Cowboys simply felt like Choice was the best available prospect and they still felt like a receiving prospect was a waste. Choice is a big back that runs hard and does not shy away from contact. He is very comparable to a LaMont Jordan or Tatum Bell in his running style. Injuries have consistently been an issue with Tashard and he'll need to work hard to stay fit and durable. Overall, I'd say he is more or less a big third down situational back that is more comparable to MB3 than complimentary to him.

Pick grade – B- – I didn't see this pick coming. I felt like it would have been more effective to grab a middle-level receiver here, a prospect on the offensive line or depth at DT, but apparently Cowboys fans are surprisingly ok with this pick. I guess I understand why they made this "Choice" here (yay for puns); with Julius Jones out and MB3 coming into a contract year, the Boys must have felt it best to get plenty of insurance at running back. If Barber goes down this year, this pick may look smarter as Felix Jones probably can't carry the load on his own.

Fifth Round

Pick #143 – Orlando Scandrick – Boise State CB – Scandrick is another one of those cornerbacks who make great plays on the ball. Very similar to the type of corner that Jenkins is in the way he goes after the ball and runs extremely well. Got a lot of experience at Boise State and will contribute immediately on special teams, in fact he was a special teams demon for the Broncos. The knock on Scandrick is his average tackling skills, again like Jenkins, but he makes up for it with his pass coverage. Had a number of off the field concerns, but if there is a team who obviously places potential over concern, it's the Dallas Cowboys.

Pick grade – B- - Without fully knowing what will happen with Pacman Jones, getting depth in the secondary was a good move for Dallas. If for some reason, Goodell does not reinstate Jones, or Jones is not as well conditioned as he once was, the Cowboys still needed to bolster cornerback depth. Scandrick is fairly similar to Jenkins and will make this team based on his special teams merit alone. Kiper projected him as a third round talent corner with some off the field red flags, so to get this guy in the fifth was a great value pick. I know we had other need areas, but I just feel like we will be pleasantly surprised with this pick.

Sixth Round

Pick 167 – Erik Walden – Middle Tennessee State DE – I'll be honest when I say that this was the only guy we drafted that I had never heard of and in this age's NFL draft that is not uncommon. Walden is a big bodied, relentless pass rusher who shattered MTSU's career sack record with 22.5 and is second in tackles for loss in MTSU's history. He is a finesse rusher and relies on quick feet and finesse moves over bull rushing. Pro scouts think that he can easily make the transition from end to outside backer in the 3-4 defense.

Pick grade – C – I don't know a lot about this kid, but it sounds like he has great potential and a big upside. I don't feel like a hybrid outside backer/end was our biggest need here. It may have been better to grab a lengthy WR prospect or a powerful DT to add some depth in the interior. In the same regard, I don't hate this pick, because I like big bodied speed rushers that can provide an outside rush and cause Eli & Donovan to make quick decisions.

OVERALL DRAFT GRADE – B+ If you would have asked me at the end of Day 1, I would have easily given the Cowboys and A for their selections. Grabbing both the running back they wanted and the supposed number one corner on their big board was a perfect one-two punch in the first round. Only Kansas City's ability to grab both Glenn Dorsey and Branden Albert made for a better round one in my opinion. Both Jones and Jenkins will make immediate impacts for the defending NFC Champs (yes, not the Giants). Grabbing Martellus in the second may just prove to be a diamond in the rough for both the Cowboys and All-Star quarterback Tony Romo. Day 2 of the draft wasn't as productive as the first, but I think the Cowboys grabbed some role players with great upside. I did believe however that after not taking a receiver in the first two rounds to play opposite of T.O., that the Boys would inevitably take a chance on one in the later rounds. Receiver was one of three glaring needs coming into the draft and was the only one that the Cowboys didn't attack. They got two running backs and snagged two cover corners, but no young guys to play out wide. I also thought that if you were going to focus on defensive help that some depth at defensive tackle was more pressing than a 3-4 hybrid. If they can get help from free agency in Texas Tech WR Danny Amendola and Stanford WR Mark Bradford, then these late round picks look even better. Overall, it was a great draft for Dallas and was leaps and bounds better than last years draft weekend.

Top Coaching Jobs - #2

2008-04-29T06:59:00.005-06:00

With Indiana facing certain sanctions from the NCAA for the next several years, the Hooisers were still able to land Tom Crean. Roy Williams left the Kansas Jayhawks for North Carolina in 2003. Kansas was able to replace him with Bill Self, from Illinois, who just recently turned down Oklahoma State to stay at Kansas.

It makes you wonder, what are the Top 10 coaching jobs in college basketball? We here at Drinking the Forty consulted with some of the finest basketball experts in the country to find out. Hey, if ESPN can pull random people off the street and call them experts, then we can too.

Here is our Top 10, based on a program’s national persona, recent success, fan base, facilities, history and tradition, and potential for future success.

#2.) UCLA Bruins

UCLA is easily the most storied program in college basketball history. The records amassed under John Wooden, with players like Lou Alcindor and Bill Walton will never be touched again in college basketball. With ten national titles in a twelve year span, UCLA has forever etched their place in college basketball lore.

However, since 1975, the UCLA program had struggled only winning one national title, in 1995. The program struggled after the 1995 title, leading to Steve Lavin’s departure and a few seasons with a losing record, which had previously been unheard of for the Bruins. However, things started to change with the hire of Ben Howland, from Pittsburgh. Howland has restored the program to one of the elite in college basketball, as the Bruins have accomplished three straight Final Four appearances, an astonishing feat for today’s game.

Howland has re-energized the program with a dedication to defense and the ability to recruit top notch talent like Kevin Love, Darren Collison, and Jrue Holliday to Los Angeles. UCLA has remained atop what is a very competitive Pac-10. There have been many challengers, but no one has been able to unseat them from the top. With the history and prestige of the program, coupled with their renewed success, UCLA is back in the national limelight and it will allow them to continue to recruit. With a top notch location in UCLA, pro prospects heading to the NBA, and a cross town rivalry with USC starting to heat up, UCLA is in prime position to dominate the West Coast.

While it is tough to maintain a rabid fan base in such a sports saturated and red carpet dominated market, UCLA has a loyal group and as long as they remain successful will be able to pack the house. The glimmering lights of LA and Hollywood will play to Howland’s favor in recruiting players that want to prepare for the NBA while achieving the maximum exposure. While they are currently re-stocking their NBA talent, and have only become relevant again in the past five years, UCLA appears here to stay with a program that is made for the big time. With a great coach, a solid fan base, a storied program, and a great locale for recruiting, UCLA is firmly entrenched at number two on this list, and it may not be long before it reclaims its grasp on number one.

#3.) Kansas Jayhawks
#4.) Duke Blue Devils
#5.) Kentucky Wildcats
#6.) Indiana Hooisers
#7.) Florida Gators
#8) Michigan State Spartans
#9.) Connecticut Huskies
#10.) Arizona Wildcats

Top Coaching Jobs - #3

2008-04-29T06:19:00.004-06:00

With Indiana facing certain sanctions from the NCAA for the next several years, the Hooisers were still able to land Tom Crean. Roy Williams left the Kansas Jayhawks for North Carolina in 2003. Kansas was able to replace him with Bill Self, from Illinois, who just recently turned down Oklahoma State to stay at Kansas.

It makes you wonder, what are the Top 10 coaching jobs in college basketball? We here at Drinking the Forty consulted with some of the finest basketball experts in the country to find out. Hey, if ESPN can pull random people off the street and call them experts, then we can too.

Here is our Top 10, based on a program’s national persona, recent success, fan base, facilities, history and tradition, and potential for future success.

#3.) Kansas Jayhawks

For starters, winning a National Championship is always helpful your program’s prestige. The win marked the third National title in the program’s long and storied history. Bill Self pushed the program over the top, doing something that seemed to be out of reach for several talented Jayhawk teams over the past decade.

Kansas has been at the top of the Big XII since the beginning of the program and is continually a player on the National stage. They bring in top players from Chicago to Texas and throughout the Midwest, and are a regular for ESPN’s late game on Big Monday broadcasts. They have also had top tier coaches in the past decade, adequately replacing Roy Williams with Illinois coach Bill Self. The Jayhawks have apparently found their man as Self refused courting by the Cowboys of Oklahoma State and the deep pockets of oil tycoon Boone Pickens. His decision to stay will allow Kansas to continue their success at the highest level.

As for the history of the Jayhawks’ program, you don’t have to look too hard. With Dr. James Naismith as a former head coach, your program is basketball. With 13 final four appearances and 10 NBA alumni currently in the league, such as Paul Pierce, Kirk Hinrich, and Drew Gooden, Kansas has gotten success from their players in college as well as at the next level. This has helped Kansas recruit successfully, and with their most recent championship, it looks like Kansas is in position to continue that success.

Kansas also has a loyal and rabid fan base that makes Allen Fieldhouse one of the toughest places to play in the country. Opposing teams (Texas for one comes to mind) have struggled mightily at the hands of Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk. While their location in the middle of the Midwest might hurt their recruiting somewhat, this program has established itself as one of the tops in the country. Their ability to stabilize their coaching situation with Bill Self will only improve their stock going forward. That is why Kansas comes in at number three on our list.

#4.) Duke Blue Devils
#5.) Kentucky Wildcats
#6.) Indiana Hooisers
#7.) Florida Gators
#8) Michigan State Spartans
#9.) Connecticut Huskies
#10.) Arizona Wildcats

Mocking Down the Second Round

2008-04-25T14:40:00.010-06:00

With the draft only a day away, I couldnt help but to continue in my mockery and go for the second round. So here are picks 32-63 with my personal "I'm better than Mel Kiper" guarantee....

If you haven't seen my first round mock, you may want to start there first to get the gist of how far we've come. Check it out at: http://drinkingtheforty.blogspot.com/2008/04/my-final-mock-draftmaybe.html

32. Miami – Dan Connor, Penn State LB – This could easily be a QB like Chad Henne, but I think they can wait for him. With Zach Thomas in Dallas, the Fins need LB help.

33. St. Louis – Mario Manningham, Michigan WR – I could also see an OT like Sam Baker, but they lost Issac Bruce and Torry Holt is getting restless too.

34. Atlanta – Sam Baker, USC OT – They got a franchise QB in the first round, now they need to protect him. Could also be a DT like Trevor Laws.

35. Kansas City – Justin King, Penn State CB – Ty Law is gone and Patrick Surtain is old. CB makes sense here since they got line help on both sides already.

36. New York Jets – Andre Caldwell, Florida WR – The Jets can continue to bolster the offense with a big speedy receiver like Caldwell or Early Doucet. Could also be a secondary pick.

37. Atlanta – Trevor Laws, Notre Dame DT – Works out well for the Falcons since they missed out on Dorsey at #3.

38. Baltimore – Phillip Merling, Clemson DE – Merling is a steal in the second round and I think that Baltimore can wait till day 2 to grab a QB like Andre Woodson.

39. San Francisco – Lawrence Jackson, USC DE – I don’t think Jackson will ever last this long, but a pure pass rusher will help the Niners. Need an outside linebacker or offensive lineman, but Jackson is the best available here.

40. New Orleans – Pat Sims, Auburn DT – If the Saints miss out on moving up in the first round to snag a DT, they’ll still need one sooner or later. Sims is a run stuffer that could pan out in the NFL.

41. Buffalo – Jordy Nelson, Kansas St WR – It was too early to take a WR at #11, and maybe they’ll move down for Lito Sheppard. If not they still need a WR. Nelson is a big speedy receiver who has climbed the charts, but they may go with someone more athletic like Doucet or Earl Bennett.

42. Denver – Reggie Smith, Oklahoma S – Defensive tackle is also a concern, but I just don’t like the second tier group of tackles. John Lynch is getting older and Smith could be a young athletic spark on defense.

43. Carolina – Tyrell Johnson, Arkansas St S – Offensive tackle is supposedly a concern, but I think the resigning of Jordan Gross is heavily underrated. An upgrade at safety is a better move here.

44. Chicago – Joe Flacco, Delaware QB – Rex Grossman’s days are numbered in the Chicago. I think Flacco gets the nod here over Henne due to his arm strength that will favor him in the Windy City.

45. Detroit – Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma LB – The Lions got some offensive help in the first round and now need help in the heart of their defense. Lofton is an improvement at middle linebacker.

46. Cincinnati – Early Doucet, LSU WR - If the Bengals get Ellis in the first round, they’ll turn to either WR or OLB here. With the WR depth, I’m saying they take a big receiver like Doucet for some Ocho Cinco insurance.

47. Minnesota – Carl Nicks, Nebraska S With the acquisition of Jared Allen, the big concerns turn to the offensive line and secondary. I think the Vikings take the best available in Nicks. They’d be in big trouble if Bryant McKinnie goes down.

48. Atlanta – Patrick Lee, Auburn CB - Atlanta could have an entirely different team by the end of the second round, but I think they may trade on or two these picks. If not, they can look for someone to replace DeAngelo Hall.

49. Philadelphia – Duane Brown, Virginia Tech OT – The Eagles need some line help, made evident by their dismal performance against New York. Brown is still a very good OT in a deep class.

50. Arizona – Jamaal Charles, Texas RB - After skipping on a running back in round one, the Cards need some insurance on ol Edgerrin James. Jamaal Charles is a crazy fast compliment to James.

51. Washington – Donnie Avery, Houston WR – If the Redskins can’t make a deal for Chad Johnson, then receiver is still a need here. Donnie Avery is an underrated quick receiver from Houston who will surprise some folks.

52. Tampa Bay – Marcus Harrison, Arkansas DT – The Bucs addressed receiver and now they could use some depth or even replacements on the defensive line. Harrison could make a good compliment to Chris Hovan.

53. Pittsburgh – Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt WR - I never like the first two picks for a team to both be offensive linemen, so I think that the Steelers go with a young guy at WR to appease Big Ben who loved to throw to Plaxico in his irreplaceable rookie season.

54. Tennessee – Quentin Groves, Auburn DE – Tennessee needs some help on defense and Groves is a steal if he falls this far.

55. Seattle – Fred Davis, USC TE – The Hawks used their first round pick to replace Shaun Alexander and now they need a big tight end to assist the vertical game. Davis has fallen with pre-draft workouts, but his potential is so high, it’s a safe pick.

56. Green Bay – Josh Barrett, Arizona St S – This is a position that Green Bay could definitely use some help with. Depth in the secondary is a serious problem for the Packers.

57. Miami – Chad Henne, Michigan QB – Miami finally gets their quarterback late in the second round and it may surprisingly be well worth the wait.

58. Jacksonville – DaJuan Morgan, North Carolina St S – The Jags grabbed a great free safety in Reggie Nelson last year and now need a strong safety to play alongside him. Morgan may be one of the best safeties in this class.

59. Indianapolis – Ray Rice, Rutgers RB – The NFL is moving more toward a two back system and Addai could use a compliment back. Rice is a speedy small back who could take some pressure off of Addai.

60. Green Bay – Oniel Cousins, UTEP OT – The Packers could use some line depth to protect first year starter Aaron Rodgers. Cousins is a lot like Ryan Clady in size and technique.

61. Dallas – Terrence Wheatley, Colorado CB - If the Boys are confident that the league will reinstate Pacman then they will use their two first rounders elsewhere. Here they’ll try to grab some insurance in a second-tier corner. Could also be used for some offensive line help.

62. New England – Xavier Adibi, Virginia Tech LB – The Patriots are aging quickly and could use some depth at linebacker. Adibi could learn from some of the leagues best.

63. New York Giants – Martellus Bennett, Texas A&M TE – I’m a conspiracy theorist who believes that Jeremy Shockey will be traded. If that happens, New York should be looking for another big dependable target for Eli Manning.

Eat your heart out McShay.....

Unlimited calling in the NBA...

2008-04-25T13:11:00.004-06:00

Kelvin Sampson to the Milwaukee Bucks?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3365899

Well the good new for Sampson is that he can make all the calls and text messages he wants to players. Unfortunately for him, though, by the time these guys get to the NBA, they're a little smarter and don't quite easily fall under an Assistant Coach's suave text spells... their agents already hold that position for them (more money please!!)

But really, does the Bucks organization not see that Sampson is a perpetual screw up? But hey, whatever, it'll be entertaining to sit around and wait to see what Sampson's next stupid move is.

Youtube Friday: Inspiration Edition

2008-04-25T08:40:00.002-06:00

It is clear whatever coach Augie Garrido is trying with this year's baseball team is not working. Texas baseball is truely struggling for the first time in nearly a decade, and just cannot seem to find any consistant answers to thier fielding, hitting or pitching problems. Texas turned what was supposed to be a season turning win against Baylor into another head scratcher as they proceeded to drop their next game against UT-SA 7-1. We are going to further explore the baseball team's short comings in a a later post, but today, I thought I would send them off to their weekend series at Kansas State with a little reminder of the good times. Enjoy.

Five Draft Day Trades/Acquisitions on Saturday

2008-04-24T15:29:00.006-06:00

Cowboys package picks to acquire WR Roy Williams from Detroit.
The Cowboys are in need of a young talented receiver to play opposite of the aging Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn. Patrick Clayton is a nice compliment to the system but is in no way the future of Dallas’ passing game. Williams, an Odessa native, has made it clear that he is unhappy in Detroit and would love to try his hand with another franchise. Where better than the great state of Texas where he is adored? After acquiring CB Pacman Jones yesterday, their round one priorities are at WR and RB. Packaging their two first round picks for Williams makes more sense to me than taking a chance on a mediocre receiver class. Williams is and was a much better prospect than even Devin Thomas at his best. Why take a chance on a young guy, when you could grab a guaranteed All-Pro and look for a speedy back in the second round to compliment MB3. Roy Williams plus a Ray Rice or Jamaal Charles trumps a James Hardy and a Felix Jones any day at the poker table.

Bills package picks to acquire CB Lito Shepard from Philly.
The Buffalo Bills secondary has never been the same since losing Nate Clements to free agency last year. Partner that with the injuries and disappointments in the Bills secondary depth behind Terrance McGee and it’s obvious that the Bills need another CB. They could take a chance on one of the talented draft prospects at pick #11, OR they could get an established playmaker in Sheppard and wait for a much-needed receiver in the second round. I think the Eagles would be glad to get an extra pick in the draft to grab a pass rusher and a WR and would benefit most from cutting ties with an unhappy, dominant personality. I mean it did work well for both parties when they cut ties with T.O.

Cincy finally wises up and sends WR Chad Johnson to the Redskins.
I still cannot fathom why the Bengals did not pull the trigger on this trade earlier this week. Does Marvin Lewis and Cincy’s front office really think they are going to benefit from “testing” Chad? If he says he isn’t going to play, I would not tempt Chad Johnson. For all you know, he could come in, sabotage a couple of games and still collect his paycheck. Ocho Cinco is crazy. Word is that the Redskins are making Johnson their number one priority for draft day and are reworking a deal that will give you even more benefits. Take the deal, part ways with Johnson, and be glad that you got rid of an on and off the field distraction. You still have T.J. and like previously stated, it worked so well for the Eagles. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot.

DE Jason Taylor dances his way onto one of the 1996 expansion teams.
The Dolphins are seriously attempting to get rid of the veteran as of Wednesday and I can’t understand why if they were going to make this move, they didn’t consider Chris Long or Vernon Ghoulston further? That being said, I’d love to see the Dolphin’s poster boy and Dancing with the Stars celeb in a different uniform. The team that is reportedly most interested is the Jacksonville Jaguars, but I could also see the Carolina Panthers make a move after the retirement of Mike Rucker. I again think that this move would be best for both parties. Taylor isn’t happy and seems to be becoming too Hollywood in Miami (I mean DWTS in your off-season, no wonder the Fins were 1-15). Get rid of him for a decently high draft pick and go after a second round talent in a deep DL draft like a Tommy Blake or Lawrence Jackson.

New Orleans makes a move up for a DT and then trades picks for TE Jeremy Shockey.
This may be the most far fetched hope for Saturday, but I do believe that the Saints are trying to move up as high as they can to grab one of the two dominant DT’s. Shockey has become obsolete in New York (they basically won SB without him) and really isn’t happy in NY anyway. Sending him to New Orleans would be a gift to Drew Brees. Brees excelled heavily when he played with the dominant Antonio Gates in San Diego and giving him an extra target makes all the sense for a NewO offense that sputter much of last season. Even if you walk away from this draft with one DT, Jeremy Shockey, and a 7th round CB, that’s a damn good draft if you ask me.

I would LOVE to wake up on Saturday and see all of these NFL draft pipe dreams come true and I think the Randy Moss acquisition last year gave us reason to believe that they all can, but if I take a step our of my Mel Kiper led fantasy world and back into reality I would say that we’ll be lucky to see more than one of these trades. I love to watch PTI on Thursdays and see them play percent odds on every topic in sports; being Thursday I’ll give it a go with these trade predictions.

Roy Williams to Dallas? Unfortunately only about 10%. Lito Sheppard to Buffalo? Slightly higher chance at 32%. Ocho Cinco to Washington? The pun-master in me wants to go 85%, but the Bengals are being stingy and stupid so I’m going to go 51%. I think all the money will get him there though, so thus the one percent over fifty percent. Jason Taylor moving? This is my virtual guarantee. 82% chance he’ll move to Jacksonville, Carolina, or the wildcard Redskins. Finally New O getting both a top tier DT and Jeremy Shockey? 0%. But I think they will get one of them, so I am going 60% Shockey/40% DT.

Take that Todd McShay…

God, I love draft season….

2008 NFL Mock Draft

2008-04-23T19:50:00.014-06:00

The 2008 NFL Draft is this Saturday, and since America loves Mock Drafts, we here at Drinking the Forty thought it was time to throw our hat in the ring. But then, we had an epiphany. What could possibly be better than an NFL Mock Draft?

Oh yes, that would be two NFL Mock Drafts. For the first, we turned to our NFL Correspondant (Yeah, we have an NFL Correspondant. I know, we're a big deal around here.) Mamba King to give us our DTF Mock Draft 1.0.

Take it away Mamba...

1. Miami Dolphins – Jake Long, OT, Michigan

Since the Dolphins held a press conference stating that they have signed Jake Long to a reported 5-year, $57.75 million contract with $30 million guaranteed, it’s safe to assume that he will be the first player to hear his name called shortly after the draft begins at 3:00pm on Saturday. Long is widely considered the top OT in the draft, and that happens to be one of the Dolphins biggest needs. The addition of Long fills a hole at a tackle spot and he is as safe a pick as there is in the draft.

2. St. Louis Rams – Chris Long, DE/OLB, Virginia

The Rams have been burned by some recent picks along the DL, but this pick has to be a defensive lineman if they don’t trade the pick away. The question is whether it will be Glenn Dorsey or Chris Long? The pick should be Long considering they picked Adam Carriker in the first round last year and seemed to like playing him inside, and their top two DE currently on the roster, Leonard Little and James Hall, are getting older and may be on their way out.

3. Atlanta Falcons – Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

It would seem reasonable for the Falcons to consider quarterback Matt Ryan at this spot since their quarterbacks are currently Chris Redman, Joey Harrington, and D.J. Shockley. However, Dorsey could possibly be the best player in the draft. He is one of the most decorated players to come out of college in recent memory. Not to mention he played a large portion of his senior season injured and still led his team to a national championship. He is a hard worker and the Falcons need a DT with Rod Coleman gone.

4. Oakland Raiders – Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

Vernon Gholston could be the pick here, but the defense has been carrying the Raiders for a few years now. The offense probably needs more help. Does anyone really think that Huggy Bear’s son, Justin Fargas, should be carrying the load at RB? Also, Al Davis has a history of falling in love with fast players, and after McFadden ran a 4.33 at the combine he locked up a top 5 selection in this year’s draft. He could be the game-breaker that Oakland needs to make the Raiders offense matter again.

5. Kansas City Chiefs – Branden Albert, OL, Virginia

This could be another spot where Matt Ryan might make sense, but the Chiefs will give Brodie Croyle another shot at leading the team next season. To make things easier on him, they will get him some help up front. Some may say this is too high for Albert, but the Chiefs need help along the OL after the recent retirements of perennial pro bowlers Willie Roaf and Will Shields. Remember, the Cardinals took Levi Brown at the fifth spot last year when many thought that was too high. Albert, who played both guard and tackle in college, most likely will line up a tackle in the NFL. The only reason he was moved in to play guard in college was because Virginia had D’Brickashaw Ferguson.

6. New York Jets – Vernon Gholston, OLB/DE, Ohio State

The Jets will be thrilled to get Gholston at this spot. He has the quickest first step off the line in the draft and he tied Jake Long for the most reps on the bench at the combine with 37 reps of 225lbs. He has had unbelievable workouts and looks like a pass rusher should. The knock on Gholston seems to be that he is inconsistent and that he takes plays off. However, if Eric Mangini and his staff can get more consistent play from Gholston, he will be a force rushing the passer.

7. New England Patriots – Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy

The Patriots would like to get Gholston, and Keith Rivers is also a possibility for the aging Patriots linebacker corps. However, the loss of Asante Samuel to the Eagles and Randall Gay to the Saints this off-season makes cornerback a need for this team. McKelvin is also a good returner which is always a plus.

8. Baltimore Ravens – Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College

With Matt Ryan still on the board, the Ravens won’t take long to make their pick. At this point, with Steve McNair retiring and Kyle Boller and Troy Smith the top two QBs on the roster, it seems like a good opportunity for Ryan to step in and become the QB that will be tied to new head coach John Harbaugh for years to come.

9. Cincinnati Bengals – Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

The Bengals desperately need help at DT and Sedrick Ellis will be just what the doctor ordered. He is not far behind Glenn Dorsey as the best DT in the draft. John Thornton and Bryan Robinson are getting older and Ellis will pair up nicely with Domata Peko.

10. New Orleans Saints – Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee State

Keith Rivers will be a strong possibility for the Saints here, but Rodgers-Cromartie has a lot of potential to develop into a top-notch corner. The Saints added Randall Gay in the offseason to go along with Mike McKenzie, but Jason David was a disappointment as a free agent signing last year so the Saints will be looking for another solid defensive back.

11. Buffalo Bills – Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State

The Bills need a WR and Devin Thomas is widely considered the top WR in the draft. It is probably a reach, but the Bills will take a shot with him in hopes that he can take some pressure off Lee Evans because Roscoe Parrish and Josh Reed haven’t been able to do so.

12. Denver Broncos – Keith Rivers, LB, USC

Keith Rivers very likely could go earlier considering his workouts were outstanding. The Broncos may have other more pressing needs and could consider OT Ryan Clady, but Rivers should be the pick even though they added LB Boss Bailey, Champ’s brother, through free agency. You can never have enough good linebackers.

13. Carolina Panthers – Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State

The Panthers need help on their OL and Clady is a good athlete that will be able to line up at tackle for the Panthers right away pairing him with Jordan Gross at the other tackle spot. Travelle Wharton, who played tackle last year, should move inside to guard.

14. Chicago Bears – Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois

The Bears suffered last year without Thomas Jones to take some of the load off Cedric Benson, who has had some injury concerns. They could consider taking an OL here, but Mendenhall is too good to pass up.

15. Detroit Lions – Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas

After releasing Kevin Jones, the Lions are left with Tatum Bell as their top running back. Jones could be the most explosive back in the draft. The only reason he wasn’t more productive in college is because he had to play in the same backfield as Darren McFadden.

16. Arizona Cardinals – Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida

The Cardinals could be moving Antrel Rolle to safety and they will need to add depth at corner. Jenkins runs a sub-4.4 and should get significant playing time right away in the Cardinals secondary.

17. Kansas City Chiefs – Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida

After trading Jared Allen to pick up this additional 1st round pick, the Chiefs will want to add one of the best pass rushers coming out in the draft. Harvey is a steal at this point and will fill in nicely for Allen.

18. Houston Texans – Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College

The Texans have been looking for a legitimate starting LT ever since the Tony Boselli experiment didn’t work in their expansion draft. Cherilus may finally be the long term answer at that position.

19. Philadelphia Eagles – DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal

Aside from T.O., the Eagles have never had receivers for Donovan McNabb. DeSean Jackson’s speed makes him a game-breaker as a receiver and a return man. He is this year’s Ted Ginn, Jr.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Limas Sweed, WR, Texas

Limas Sweed is the best of the big WR in this class, and Jon Gruden would love to have a tall, young receiver on the other side of Joey Galloway. Michael Clayton has fallen off since his rookie year so the Bucs will not hesitate to pick Sweed at this spot since his wrist injury is now healed.

21. Washington Redskins – Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson

The Redskins have been looking for help across the DL for years. Merling is a solid DE that will eventually replace 12-year veteran Phillip Daniels on the opposite side of pass rush specialist Andre Carter.

22. Dallas Cowboys – Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas

The Cowboys don’t have too many holes to fill when it comes to starters, but their depth is thin in a few areas. In particular, the DBs are thin after losing Jacques Reeves, who started 14 games last season, along with Nathan Jones and Keith Davis in free agency. Now they don’t have much behind starters Terrance Newman and Anthony Henry. They will grab Talib here despite the recent reports of his off-field issues.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jeff Otah, OT, Pitt

The Steelers OL was very weak last season and Big Ben Roethlisberger took a beating. That was before they lost their best OL in Alan Faneca to free agency. Otah is another good tackle prospect in the draft and the Steelers will hope the hometown kid is still around.

24. Tennessee Titans – Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona

The Titans have a need at corner, and Cason is the best on the board at this point. He is a playmaker in the secondary that has the ability to take an interception all the way back at any time.

25. Seattle Seahawks – Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina

Kentwan Balmer is in the next tier of DT following Dorsey and Ellis. He will give the Seahawks some much needed help up front. The Seahawks could also be looking for a TE here, but they will most likely be able to pick one up later in the draft.

26. Jacksonville Jaguars – Calais Campbell, DE, Miami

The Jaguars have been rumored to be interested in trading for a good pass rusher, but they can stay right where they are in the draft and pick up Calais Campbell. His numbers fell from 2006, but the Jaguars will take him in hopes that he regains that form.

27. San Diego Chargers – Kenny Phillips, S, Miami

The Chargers have a very strong team, but the weakest part of the defense is probably at safety. Last year’s starters were Clinton Hart and Marlon McCree. That is why they will take the best safety in the draft, Kenny Phillips, with this pick.

28. Dallas Cowboys – Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt

This is another case of Dallas adding depth and possibly preparing for life after Flozell “The Hotel” Adams hangs it up. Dallas would also like to pick up a WR or a RB here, but Williams will be the best value.

29. San Francisco 49ers – Dan Connor, ILB, Penn State

The Niners picked up the top ILB in the draft last year when they selected Patrick Willis. Since they like to run a 3-4, they will do the same thing this year adding Dan Connor. Plus, the 49ers have had a recent history of adding players they already know from coaching at the Senior Bowl, such as Connor.

30. Green Bay Packers – Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech

Charles Woodson and Al Harris are both getting up there in age and they could use some depth behind them. Flowers isn’t the fastest CB, but he is a good football player that always seems to know where to be.

31. New York Giants – Jerod Mayo, LB, Tennessee

The Super Bowl Champions always have a hard time retaining all of their players through free agency. The Giants lost two of their starting LB, Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor, from the Super Bowl run. Picking up Mayo will fill a need, and he is versatile enough to play both inside and outside as he did at Tennessee.

32. Miami Dolphins – Quentin Groves, OLB/DE, Auburn

Ok, so technically this is a 2nd round pick. However, there are usually 32 picks in the 1st round, but the Patriots got caught trying to cheat their way to a Perfect Season and had to forfeit their 1st round pick. Therefore, the Dolphins get the 32nd pick and will be very happy to have the opportunity to pick Groves here. He is a young pass rusher that will have a great opportunity to work himself into the lineup.

Augustin Bids Farewell, Abrams Too?

2008-04-23T18:02:00.006-06:00

To the surprise of not many, DJ Augustin declared for the NBA draft today. While he has not hired an agent, it was done more on the precaution of injury, not for the possibility of choosing to return. While Augustin did not come as a surprise, it was the declaration of AJ Abrams that caused some concern for fans on the Forty Acres.

Abrams, too, did not hire an agent, and is a much safer bet to return to school for his senior season. Even Abrams admitted that he is using his free pass during his junior season, to test the process, and see where he ranks. While Abrams is a great shooter, his size and lack of all around game will hurt his draft status. It would be quite surprising if Abrams is not back in a Longhorn uniform for his senior season. However, it is not a forgone conclusion. Only a few short years ago, most thought that LaMarcus Aldridge would be drafted, and Daniel Gibson would return for his junior season, only to surprise everyone with his agreement with the Cleveland Cavaliers. But, I will also say that Daniel Gibson was bigger and a more well rounded player than AJ Abrams at that point in time.

If Abrams does not return for his senior season it would be a huge blow to the Longhorns. Abrams will be relied on to be a perimeter scorer for the Longhorns, as well as someone who is expected to share ballhandling duties with Justin Mason and Dogus Balbay. Abrams early departure would cause all kinds of problems for the Longhorn backcourt and press Balbay and J'Covan Brown into larger roles than they currently would be expected to fill.

While I don't think that Augustin is completely ready for the NBA, I can't fault the decision to turn pro. Most think we will be a lottery pick, and many pundits have him falling at #11 to the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers would be a good fit, as it is an organization in transition, and if Augustin shows to a capable point guard, he will certainly get his chance to replace the off-court headache that is Jamaal Tinsley. The only drawback to going to Indiana for Augustin would certainly be the players around him. They certainly are in transition and are missing a few pieces. Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavey are the most quality pieces they have, with Troy Murphy and Jeff Foster as solid compliments. Jermaine O'Neal has been a disaster for the past three seasons and Jamaal Tinsley isn't far behind him. Augustin would probably get his opportunity to play and has a chance to become a successful pro, if he does stay in the draft. That's a lot of money, and a solid opportunity to grow in the Eastern Conference. That's why you can't fault DJ for leaving early and turning pro.

The two most intriguing questions to follow from here on out is whether AJ Abrams stays in the draft and what the Longhorns will do with DJ Augustin's scholarship. With the extra scholarship and a large opening at point guard and points, the Longhorns will be a player on the recruiting trail to fill the void with the pieces that are still available in the 2008 class. At the top of Barnes' wish list certainly has to be Devin Ebanks from Connecticut. At 6'8" and 185 pounds, he is a long, athletic, swingman that would fit nicely at Texas. He could play two or three, and ranks #11 on Rivals.com Top 150 list. Texas is competing with Memphis, Rutgers, and West Virginia for the small forward's services. If the Longhorns could land him it would be a huge sign for Barnes and give him another valuable offensive weapon for 2009. If Ebanks does decide to go elsewhere, the Longhorns would definitely turn their attention to Wesley Witherspoon, another 6'8", 185 pound point forward out of Georgia. Witherspoon, #34 on Rivals.com's list, is choosing between Colorado, Memphis, Virginia, and the Longhorns. Another player that may come into play with the open scholarship is SF Jeff Taylor (6'7"/197), out of New Mexico, who was interested in Texas before recently giving a soft verbal to Vanderbilt. If Texas can bring in one of these players, it will cushion the blow of losing Augustin and allow Texas to remain a player in 2009.

But if Texas loses AJ Abrams as well, it will cripple the Longhorns' title hopes in 2009. DJ Augustin was a great Longhorn and will be sorely missed, but it is the right time for him to move on. We'll have more later this week on his legacy at the Forty Acres. But here's to hoping AJ Abrams makes the right decision and comes back to lead the Texas Longhorns in 2009.

My Final Mock Draft...Maybe....

2008-04-23T16:29:00.006-06:00

So the NBA playoffs dont get good until well into May, baseball is not important until win game totals get to triple-digits, and no one watches Hockey below the Mason Dixon Line, so with that said there is only one thing that matters in sports...who will my Cowboys take with the 167th pick in the sixth round? And you thought I was talking about Danica Patrick breaking gender stereotypes? The following Mock Draft has gone through more changes than the enitre guest star history of Nip/Tuck with the latest change coming five seconds before posting it when the Cowboys announced the acquisition of PacMan Jones. I think it is finally polished enough for me to be confident in it. Let's just say, Todd McShay doesnt have shit on me. So without further ado....my final mock draft before the big day (purportedly)...

1. Miami – Jake Long, Michigan OT – With no real must-have standout phenoms in this year’s class, Parcells went with the surest thing and grabbed a cornerstone to start Miami’s renovation.

2. St Louis – Glenn Dorsey, LSU DT – Some analysts say that a D-End makes more sense here, but this much raw force in the middle, to me makes rushing the outside that much easier for the Rams.

3. Atlanta – Matt Ryan, Boston College QB – The quarterback position is just such a sexy pick in the draft and it isn’t like the Falcons have anyone of any merit to start the season with. The Birds may try to trade down to grab a QB, but I just think with Dorsey gone, Ryan goes this early due to such dominant workouts.

4. Oakland – Chris Long, Virginia DE – The fancy pick is McFadden, but the Oakland Raiders are already loaded with talented running backs. Al Davis needs to bolster a defensive line that lost Warren Sapp and how perfect would it be to go for the gritty son of Howie Long?

5. Kansas City – Vernon Ghoulston, Ohio State DE – Well the Chiefs cut ties with defensive bookend Justin Allen and thus must replace their top pass rusher. That being said, this pick comes down to pass rusher vs pass protector and I just feel like the best value pick is taking Ghoulston here and waiting until Minnesota’s pick to get a tackle.

6. New York Jets – Darren McFadden, Arkansas RB – The next Curtis Martin? The Jets would love it if McFadden falls all the way to six here and if Oakland skips on him like they should, then the Jets should get their man.

7. New England – Leodis McKelvin, Troy CB – I don’t think there is any doubt that the Patriots will shop this pick around. If no one bites, than the losses of Randall Gay and Asante Samuel mean that New England needs some help in the secondary. McKelvin is the best available and is a safer pick than Keith Rivers.

8. Baltimore – Dominique Rodgers Cromartie, Tennessee State CB - The Ravens would love to get a franchise quarterback here, but outside of Ryan, no other QB warrants this high of a pick. In turn, I think the Ravens look to improve their secondary with DRC.

9. Cincinnati – Sedrick Ellis, USC DT – A mass of a man at 6 feet 309lbs, Ellis will provide a scary, dominant presence inside for a struggling Cincinnati defense.

10. New Orleans – Keith Rivers, USC LB – There are a lot of rumors flaring that the Saints want to trade up to grab one of the huge DT’s, but I don’t know how much listening that will warrant. Thus, I say the Saints should grab the best defensive player available. Rivers can fill any linebacking hole the Saints seem to have.

11. Buffalo – Mike Jenkins, USF CB – The Bills biggest need may be at receiver but there may not be a WR that warrants discussion this high and with a deep WR class, the Bills can grab a quality prospect in the 2nd or 3rd round. With that being said, defensive back is also a need with the glaring hole that Nate Clements left and Jenkins may be the best after McKelvin and DRC.

12. Denver – Ryan Clady, Boise State OT – The Broncs need to bolster the offensive line and with Alberts launching himself up the board, Clady falls into Denver’s lap. Cutler’s old OT Chris Williams is also getting a look, but I think Clady is a more polished guarantee in the Broncos zone blocking scheme.

12. Carolina – Derrick Harvey, Florida DE – A team who initially want an offensive lineman may go with the talented DE Harvey in order to replace the retired Mike Rucker. There is still a good chance that the Panthers take Chris Williams or Jeff Otah, but I think Harvey fills an immediate void.

14. Chicago – Chris Williams, Vanderbilt OT – Its likely to be all offense in this year’s draft for da Bears and if they want to improve their running game, they’ll go with the run-blocking stalwart Chris Williams. Williams is one of the best run blockers after Jake Long and should be a starter in Chicago from day one.

15. Detroit – Rashad Mendenhall, Illinois RB – The Lions released Kevin Jones in the offseason and are left with a glaring hole in the backfield. There are needs on the offensive line and at linebacker, but I think that RB is more pressing and a more media-saavy pick.

16. Arizona – Taqib Alib, Kansas CB – The Cardinals need a running back, but with Mendenhall gone, I don’t think they take a chance on Stewart just yet. They can easily grab a Ray Rice or Jamaal Charles down the road. Here they need to improve on defense and Alib gives them a great option in the secondary.

17. Kansas City (from Minnesota) – Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh OT – The Jared Allen trade left a gaping hole on the defensive front and with that filled with pick 5, the Chiefs need to beefen up the offensive line. Otah is the best available offensive lineman left and could provide great assistance to the running game.

18. Houston – Kenny Phillips, Miami S – The Texans have bigger needs like offensive linemen and linebackers, but those positions are dry here. I look for the Texans to get some defensive help in the back seven. Phillips is one of those NFL-bred safeties from The U and may be worth a shot. RB wouldn’t surprise me here either.

19. Philadelphia – Devin Thomas, Michigan State WR – I’m not sure I even like a receiver here, but offensive line prospects are running slim and so Philly may wait until the second round to provide depth behind Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas. Take the best receiver and hope for the best.

20. Tampa Bay – DeSean Jackson, Cal WR – It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Bucs take a defensive player, but I think an explosive receiver/returner would excite the Jon Gruden offense. DeSean Jackson fits that mold and would bring speed to that short-pass oriented offense.

21. Washington – Calais Campbell, Miami DE – I keep juggling this pick between Campbell, Phillip Merling, and Kentawn Balmer, but because Campbell’s old line coach Joe Palmero is now the line coach in Washington, they’ll probably take an overrated Campbell.

22. Dallas – James Hardy, Indiana WR– The Cowboys secured PacMan Jones from Tennessee and now they can take care of their WR and RB concerns in the first round. I really hope the Boys will package thier picks and trade them for Roy Williams, if they don't they'll need a big, speedy, young reciever.

23. Pittsburgh – Gosder Cherilus, Boston College OT – The Steelers love dominant offensive line play and Cherilus is able to offer that play to the whistle tenacity for the black and gold.

24. Tennessee – Limas Sweed, Texas WR – Tennessee is in need of a big play receiver to compliment Vince Young and who better to provide that then VY’s favorite collegiate target Limas Sweed?

25. Seattle – Jonathan Stewart, Oregon RB – So everyone tends to think that this pick will be a tight end, but with the sudden release of Shaun Alexander, the Hawks need a superstar at tailback. That’s not Julius Jones. I think that Seattle takes a stretch on a guy who played on the west coast.

26. Jacksonville – Kentawn Balmer, North Carolina St DT – The Jaguars need help on the defensive line and though an end makes sense here too, a bigger need is opposite John Henderson in the middle.

27. San Diego – Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech CB – The Chargers don’t have a lot of needs, especially none that need first round money tossed around. That being said, they will probably look to trade down, if they can’t Flowers gives the Chargers a physical corner opposite Quentin Jammer.

28. Dallas – Felix Jones, Arkansas RB – The Boys will be looking for a compliment to Marion Barber early in this draft; personally I think they could do it in the second round with a Jamaal Charles or Steve Slaton. However, Mr. Arkansas Jerry Jones will most likely go after Felix. I think they should also consider Stewart here.

29. San Francisco – Malcom Kelley, Oklahoma WR – This is a make or break season for QB Alex Smith and that being said, I think Mike Martz will try to offer him one more big target to throw at. With Kelley dropping so suddenly, this could also be James Hardy.

30. Green Bay – Dustin Keller, Purdue TE – It seems like there is always a tight end in the first round these days and so I am going with Keller here. Fred Davis and Martellus Bennett could just as easily be picked as well. The Packers may also trade down or look at a CB like Justin King.

31. New York Giants – Jerrod Mayo, Tennessee LB – Mayo’s stock has been rising since the combine and his individual workout and I think the Super Bowl champs could use some help on the defensive side of the ball

Top Coaching Jobs - #4

2008-04-23T07:17:00.005-06:00

With Indiana facing certain sanctions from the NCAA for the next several years, the Hooisers were still able to land Tom Crean. Roy Williams left the Kansas Jayhawks for North Carolina in 2003. Kansas was able to replace him with Bill Self, from Illinois, who just recently turned down Oklahoma State to stay at Kansas.

It makes you wonder, what are the Top 10 coaching jobs in college basketball? We here at Drinking the Forty consulted with some of the finest basketball experts in the country to find out. Hey, if ESPN can pull random people off the street and call them experts, then we can too.

Here is our Top 10, based on a program’s national persona, recent success, fan base, facilities, history and tradition, and potential for future success.

#4.) Duke Blue Devils

The house that Coach K built. The Duke Blue Devils are loved by many and hated by everyone else. They have spent much of the last two decades as the center of the basketball universe, winning games and earning fans and enemies for their disciplined style and dedication on the defensive end.

With an .816 winning percentage over the past seven years, you can count on Duke to be relevant and be among the top 15 teams in the country. With three national titles to his credit Mike Krzyzewski will go down as one of the greatest coaches to ever grace the hardwood. With the floor already named after him, he has built this program into everything that it is today.

Duke is a nationally known and respected program and they spend about as much time on national television as Dick Vitale. That recognition allows Coach K to go into any home, coast to coast, to recruit top players. It is this constant influx of talent, along with Coach K’s coaching that keeps Duke on top year after year.

The history and legacy of the Blue Devils has been built over the last 20 years. Everyone remembers the Laettner shot, Grant Hill, Bobby Hurley, Shane Battier, Jason Williams, and JJ Redick. Duke has also developed one of the most recognizable and energetic fan bases in the Cameron Crazies. Cameron Indoor Arena is the hardest place to play in the country and the fans at Duke are the most recognizable in basketball.

While Duke’s rise has been all during the Krzyzewski era, it is a success that will surely be sustained after his tenure ends. This will be a program with the national notoriety, success, and fan base that any coach would want to come into. While their facilities are behind most, the tradition and recruiting ability are second to none. This is why Duke comes in at number four on our list.

#5.) Kentucky Wildcats
#6.) Indiana Hooisers
#7.) Florida Gators
#8) Michigan State Spartans
#9.) Connecticut Huskies
#10.) Arizona Wildcats

Top Coaching Jobs - #5

2008-04-22T08:07:00.005-06:00

With Indiana facing certain sanctions from the NCAA for the next several years, the Hooisers were still able to land Tom Crean. Roy Williams left the Kansas Jayhawks for North Carolina in 2003. Kansas was able to replace him with Bill Self, from Illinois, who just recently turned down Oklahoma State to stay at Kansas.

It makes you wonder, what are the Top 10 coaching jobs in college basketball? We here at Drinking the Forty consulted with some of the finest basketball experts in the country to find out. Hey, if ESPN can pull random people off the street and call them experts, then we can too.

Here is our Top 10, based on a program’s national persona, recent success, fan base, facilities, history and tradition, and potential for future success.

#5.) Kentucky Wildcats

Another storied program that is in a period of transition. Things had started to come unraveled in Lexington under coach Tubby Smith, who grew tired of the extreme expectations of the Big Blue and saw the writing on the wall. With Smith heading to Minnesota, he left the Kentucky program depleted and in need of a minor rebuilding job.

After a disastrous hiring search, Kentucky was able to make a great hire in Texas A&M coach Billy Gillespie. He immediately came in and instilled his defensive minded, tough, winning attitude and was able to salvage what was a very sub-par Kentucky team. Under Gillespie you could see the transformation taking place during the season, as he began to put his imprint on the program.

Kentucky is a program where 20 wins and tournament appearances aren’t enough. Over the last seven seasons the Wildcats have posted 169 wins and a .728 winning percentage. But that wasn’t enough for Big Blue. One of the most demanding and rabid fan bases in all of college basketball, the Wildcat faithful expects Final Four appearances and National Titles.

Under Adolph Rupp, the Kentucky Wildcats became one of the most successful and storied programs in the game. That tradition grew even more under the championship teams of Rick Pitino. With seven championships and 13 final four appearances, Kentucky is one of the most historic programs in college basketball. They are nationally known and respected.

But in the last several years, recruiting has been down, and Kentucky has fallen behind Tennessee and Florida in the SEC. Kentucky hasn’t been able to maintain the level reached by Rick Pitino, and Tubby Smith became burned out with the expectations and pressure that this Kentucky job brings. Whether it is warranted or not, there’s the Derby and Wildcat basketball in Kentucky, and that’s it. The scrutiny and pressure that comes with this job is second to none, and Billy Gillespie will have to work hard to please his critics.

Gillespie has a style of basketball that wins in the NCAA Tournament and is a proven recruiter. He’s young and highly motivated and is probably the type of hire that could end up getting the Kentucky program back on top. While the Kentucky program has been down the past few years, it won’t stay there for long. And that’s why they come in on our list at number five.

#6.) Indiana Hooisers
#7.) Florida Gators
#8) Michigan State Spartans
#9.) Connecticut Huskies
#10.) Arizona Wildcats

Top Coaching Jobs - #6

2008-04-18T07:18:00.005-06:00

With Indiana facing certain sanctions from the NCAA for the next several years, the Hooisers were still able to land Tom Crean. Roy Williams left the Kansas Jayhawks for North Carolina in 2003. Kansas was able to replace him with Bill Self, from Illinois, who just recently turned down Oklahoma State to stay at Kansas.

It makes you wonder, what are the Top 10 coaching jobs in college basketball? We here at Drinking the Forty consulted with some of the finest basketball experts in the country to find out. Hey, if ESPN can pull random people off the street and call them experts, then we can too.

Here is our Top 10, based on a program’s national persona, recent success, fan base, facilities, history and tradition, and potential for future success.

#6.) Indiana Hooisers

One of the crown jewels of college basketball, just ask any basketball person over 50 about the program and look out for the ensuing drool. Since Bob Knight was forced to go, the Indiana program has been in limbo. From the Mike Davis years to the giant black eye named Kelvin Sampson (that’s what you get for hiring a Sooner), the Indiana program has faced some rough times as of late.

But one thing that shows that this program is still among the tops in the sport is the way it has remained in the news and relevant despite its struggles. With major NCAA sanctions looming, (granted they won’t be as bad as Baylor, I guess that’s a perk of being a major player in your sport) the Hooisers were still able to land a major hire in Tom Crean of Marquette. The ability to go in and say, “Hey, you’ll probably have 0 returning starters, face several years of probation, and be expected to win immediately, but did we say we’re Indiana?” and get the coach to sign the dotted line, speaks volumes about the tradition, history, and relevance of this program.

While the .624 winning percentage over the last seven years is not where Indiana would like it, they have had a few seasons in contention in the Big Ten, including the improbable Mike Davis trip to the Final Four. But, what makes Indiana is the tradition and history. It’s the candy stripe pants, Assembly Hall, five national championships, and eight final fours. Whether they win or lose, they still will be Indiana, one of the most storied programs in basketball.

Indiana had been fighting their hardest to become relevant again, and took the shortcut named Kelvin Sampson to do it. Despite the NCAA sanctions, the relevance was achieved. Sampson was able to land a major recruit in Eric Gordon, and while he will be heading to the NBA, Indiana showed it is still capable of attracting the best players. Tom Crean’s success in Marquette will allow him to recruit anywhere in the Midwest, and coupled with the Indiana name, he should be able to become the leader in the region, which is important in keeping Chicago talent close to home.

While it may take two or three years to fully get the program back on track, Crean was the perfect hire to bring Indiana back to elite status in college basketball. It has been 21 years since the Hooisers cut down the nets, but with Tom Crean at the helm, the possibility isn’t that far off. And that is why the Indiana Hooisers come in at number six on our list.

#7.) Florida Gators
#8) Michigan State Spartans
#9.) Connecticut Huskies
#10.) Arizona Wildcats

NBA Playoffs: Where Compelling First Round Matchups Happen

2008-04-17T09:27:00.003-06:00

Finally, the crazy NBA regular season has come to a close. It only took every single one for the 82 game season to figure out the playoff seedings in the Western Conference. And, despite all logic, an Eastern Conference playoff was also scheduled (Go Hawks?). Anyway, here's a quick glace at the matchups. A more indepth look at each one will be following soon.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Los Angeles Lakers (57-25)
#8 Denver Nuggest (50-32)

#4 Utah Jazz (54-28)
#5 Houston Rockets (55-27)*

#3 San Antonio Spurs (56-26)
#6 Phoenix Suns (55-27)

#2 New Orleans Hornets (56-26)
#7 Dallas Mavericks (51-31)

EASTERN CONFERENCE

#1 Boston Celtics (66-16)
#8 Atlanta Hawks (37-45)

#4 Cleveland Caveliers (45-37)
#5 Washington Wizards (43-39)

#3 Orlando Magic (52-30)
#6 Toronto Raptors (41-41)

#2 Detroit Pistons (59-23)
#7 Philadelphi 76ers (40-42)

*Houston has home court advantage due to having a better record than the Jazz. But since Utah won the Northwest Division, the lowest seed they can be is #4.

Top Coaching Jobs - #7

2008-04-17T08:26:00.003-06:00

With Indiana facing certain sanctions from the NCAA for the next several years, the Hooisers were still able to land Tom Crean. Roy Williams left the Kansas Jayhawks for North Carolina in 2003. Kansas was able to replace him with Bill Self, from Illinois, who just recently turned down Oklahoma State to stay at Kansas.

It makes you wonder, what are the Top 10 coaching jobs in college basketball? We here at Drinking the Forty consulted with some of the finest basketball experts in the country to find out. Hey, if ESPN can pull random people off the street and call them experts, then we can too.

Here is our Top 10, based on a program’s national persona, recent success, fan base, facilities, history and tradition, and potential for future success.

#7.) Florida Gators

So how long does it actually take to create a top national program? Apparently it only takes two years, as long as you win the National Title both years and send four of your starting five into the NBA. Billy Donovan has taken his program to the next level thanks to 2006 and 2007, and has now created a top tier program that will be a contender for years to come.

After losing his entire championship team in 2007, Donovan still had a very successful 2008, playing with a young team of top recruits. Another influx of top recruits for the 2009 season and Donovan will have the Gators back at the top of the SEC and in the NCAA tournament. Donovan has built the basketball program into a powerhouse and taken it out of the shadow of the football program. While he will always be #2 to Urban Meyer, basketball has its own strong following in the swamp land.

While Florida’s success has been recent, the .759 winning percentage over the last seven years, and the two national titles cannot be argued with. Also, Florida’s ability to retain Donovan after a brief three day NBA coaching career, will allow them to build on their success. Coach K built Duke, and in ten years we will be talking about how Billy Donovan built Florida.

Florida is serious about their athletics and with the rise of teams like Tennessee, the Gators will be pushed to continue winning. The commitment to winning will always be in the athletic program and that will allow Donovan to maintain top facilities that will allow him to recruit. A tough place to play and a loyal and growing fan base will also aide the Gators into becoming a nationally recognized program.

The groundwork was laid by Billy Donovan over the past 10 years, and in 2006 and 2007 he reaped the success of his hard work. The program has reloaded after those championship seasons and should be a top contender for years to come. They have become the pride of the Deep South and it is why they come in at number seven.

#8) Michigan State Spartans
#9.) Connecticut Huskies
#10.) Arizona Wildcats

Top Coaching Jobs - #8

2008-04-16T10:04:00.006-06:00

With Indiana facing certain sanctions from the NCAA for the next several years, the Hooisers were still able to land Tom Crean. Roy Williams left the Kansas Jayhawks for North Carolina in 2003. Kansas was able to replace him with Bill Self, from Illinois, who just recently turned down Oklahoma State to stay at Kansas.

It makes you wonder, what are the Top 10 coaching jobs in college basketball? We here at Drinking the Forty consulted with some of the finest basketball experts in the country to find out. Hey, if ESPN can pull random people off the street and call them experts, then we can too.

Here is our Top 10, based on a program’s national persona, recent success, fan base, facilities, history and tradition, and potential for future success.

#8.) Michigan State Spartans

Over the past decade the Spartans have defined the gritty and tough style of the Big Ten. They always look unimpressive until the tournament rolls around and then they make a run. This is because of what Tom Izzo has been able to accomplish during his tenure in East Lansing.

With two national championships (1979, 2000) and six final four appearances, Michigan State has created a rich basketball tradition that Tom Izzo has restored and carried on. Over the past seven years, the Spartans have been near the top of the Big Ten each year, compiling 154 wins and a .667 winning percentage.

With eight former players currently in the NBA, Michigan State has created a tradition of top talent moving on to the next level. Also, the consistency of the program has allowed it to garner recognition across the country as an elite program.

While the school continues to try and reach the next level with their football program, the basketball program has remained the pride of the Spartans for the last decade. Tom Izzo is a regional icon in the Midwest, and it is a testament to the program that they have been able to keep him in the green and white. Michigan State is one of the toughest places to play and the Spartans enjoy fantastic fan support, and travel extremely well.

While recruiting is tough to such a northern, cold location, Michigan State is a player in the Midwest and much of the North. As long as Tom Izzo mans the sidelines, Michigan State will continue to overachieve and be in contention come March. It is with this success and future that Michigan State comes in at number eight.

#9.) Connecticut Huskies
#10.) Arizona Wildcats

2008 NBA Mock Draft

2008-04-13T18:57:00.012-06:00

Ah yes. It's the end of the college basketball year, and that means everyone's favorite NCAA tradition is upon us: EARLY ENTRY IN THE THE NBA DRAFT!!! Your favorite college stars have not seen the inside of a class room since winter midterms and are ready to graduate from drunk, amateur college girls to the "professionals" that frequent NBA hotel lobbies. Sure, all year your top PG has "not thought about the NBA" and "loves college," but I am sure it was a coincidence that the first person he hugged after the Final Four was his agent. Whoops!

Anyway, here is our contribution to the plethora of NBA mock drafts. We have decided to base the picks more on need and production rather than the ever popular "upside," "intangibles," and "basketball IQ." I also realize, not all of these players have officially announce their intentions yet, but this is my best guess.

1. Miami Heat- Michael Beasley, Kansas State- Lets face it. Miami is terrible. They have a need at every position. Why not take the guy most everyone thinks is the best player available. Beasley may be a bit of a "tweener" in the pros, but Pat Riley has followed this guy around the country like Bill Walton following the Greatful Dead.

2. Seattle Supersonics- Derrick Rose, Memphis- Rose is easily the best PG in the draft (an honestly is probably the best player). Seattle has future superstar Kevin Durant and Rose would be a perfect guy to dish the ball to Durant, but also has the scoring ability to take some pressure off his shoulders.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves- OJ Mayo, USC- Everyone has known Mr. Mayo since he was in 6th grade. It is finally time for him to show his stuff on the NBA scene. He really came into his own as the USC season progressed and the T-wolves, while in need of a lot, are in desperate need of a shoot guard. Starting Marko Jaric in the Western Conference is just not going to cut it.

4. New York Knicks- Danilo Gallinari, Italy- Can anyone else wait until the Knicks make their first non-Isiah Thomas draft pick since Rolando Balkman? You just know Isiah has GOT to find a way to screw up even someone else's draft. I mean, He did cause an entire league to fold on his watch. Gallinari is easily the best Euro in the draft. He can provide the Knicks with a huge scoring threat from the SF position that Jarred Jefferies just can't give.

5. Memphis Grizzlies- Brook Lopez, Stanford- Time to replace Darko? Probably. With Milicic and Hakeem Warrick as starters the Griz are deficient in inside scoring and defense. Lopez is a polished 7 footer with some great offensive moves. He could be a nice compliment to Rudy Gay and Mike Miller's outside scoring.

6. Milwaukee Bucks- Donte Green, Syracuse- Okay. This one might be a stretch here, but Green provides a need for the Bucks; and that is someone beside Michael Redd that can fill up a score sheet. Green is long, athletic, and likes to shoot. He can provide the offensive threat that Desmond Mason can't give the Bucks. If they can get Yi to come back and be a scorer, the Bucks may actually have a decent offensive team.

7. LA Clippers- Jarred Bayless, Arizona- While Bayless might be caught between the 1 and 2 positions in the NBA, the Clippers definitely need a PG and Brevin Knight may no longer be the answer. Bayless is 6'3'' and has a very developed offensive game. But if Shawn Livingston can come back and pick up PG duties next year, Bayless could be moved to the SG position, sending Quinton Ross to the pine.

8. Charlotte *Hornets (see comments)- Eric Gordon, Indiana- Gordon is deceptively good since wearing sleeves under your jersey automatically makes you look 27% less athletic. But don't be fooled, Gordon is going to provide a nice offensive option to a team with out many, especially this year with Gerald Wallace missing time. Matt Carroll should not be getting more that 10 mins a game, much less starting for an NBA team. If Gordon can follow the example of Royal Ivey and lose the tee shirt, he might be taken more seriously in the NBA.

9. Chicago Bulls- Nicholas Batum, France- I actually like that Chicago picks up players from winning college programs. Okay, so it hasn't totally translated perfectly into the NBA yet, but I feel like it has potential. And do we really need any more French players in the league? (looking at you, Tony Parker). But, despite all this, Batum can put up points and give some relief to both Loul Deng and Drew Gooden. He is also athletic enough, even at 6'8'' to take over a spot from under performing Larry Hughes.

10. New Jersey Nets- Hasheem Thabeet, UCONN- This guy is a personal favorite of mine. I know he doesn't have completely polished offensive skills, but you have to love his aggressiveness and post defense. Fellow UCONN Huskie Josh Boone is not cutting it as an NBA center. Thabeet could easily turn into one of the best NBA defenders very soon into his pro career. They just don't make big men like this any more and teams need to jump on the chance while they can.

11. Indiana Pacers- Maurice Speights, Florida- I would just like to point out that not only is Jeff Foster the starting center for the Pacers, but they are also fielding 4 white starters in the NBA. Are you serious? Has Larry Bird secretly been pulling strings around there? While you might lose some size in the interior with Speights, the athleticism upgrade over Foster will pay dividends on the offensive and defensive ends.

12. Sacramento Kings- DJ Augustin, Texas- The Kings got rid of Mike Bibby and are in desperate need of a point guard. Augustin has a mature game with a developed outside shot. He can step and and pick up where Bibby left off. While Anthony Johnson can run an offense, DJ can provide points and a faster game pace. DJ is going to be a defensive liability for a while, but his positives outweigh his few negatives.

13. Portland Trailblazers- Darren Collison, UCLA- When the Trailblazers get Greg Oden back next year, they are going to be one of the youngest, most dangerous teams in the NBA. They have big time scoring, big time defense and adding a big time PG will put them over the edge and have them becoming a force in the West. Collison brings more athleticism that Steve Blake and may be the key to Portland's emergence next year.

14. Golden State Warriors- Darrell Arthur, Kansas- Golden State has the most potent and exciting offense in the league, but also one of the worst defenses. Getting Arthur, who can run the floor and shoot will not slow down their frenetic pace of play, while giving them some much needed interior defense. To me, this pick just makes too much sense not to work.

15. Phoenix Suns (From Atl)- D'Andre Jordan, Texas A&M- The nice thing about having a good team is that you don't need your young players to be good right away. Sweet! That's perfect for D'Andre Jordan, whose college coach called him "the most overrated player he has ever seen." But Shaq will be around a few more years, and honestly, Jordan has Andrew Bynum-like talent. Maybe some of the Suns veterans can whip him into shape and the Suns can end up with a 7'0'' center than can run with Steve Nash.

16. Toronto Raptors- Chase Buddinger, Arizona- The Raptors need a shooting guard and a small forward. Welcome, Mr. Buddinger. The 6'7'' combo guard has unlimited range and can take some of the scoring pressure off Chris Bosh and provide some outside 3 point ability the Raptors have lacked recently. Buddinger can create his own shot and is deadly enough to be one of the best outside shooters in the NBA.

17. Philadelphia 76ers- Kevin Love, UCLA- Love is a polarizing player. He is loved by much of the media, but his translation into the NBA game has been questioned. He needs to lose weight, he may be under sized and his offensive game may not translate well to the next level. But, The Sixers need a high energy guy, who will crash the boards and at the same time can develop a decent offensive game. And honestly, who's really clinging on to Reggie Evans?

18. Washington Wizards- Roy Hibbert, Georgetown- While Hibbert's game may have been a bit overrated at Georgetown, the Wizards need some inside presence. Hibbert has decent range and can be a defensive stopper. And lets be honest. He's 7'2''. There is always going to be a place on a NBA roster for a guy with that size and some ability to score.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers - James Harden, Arizona State- Here's another possible stretch. The Cavs desperately need someone to be a second big time scoring option to help out LeBron James (not that he can't drop 50 every night). Harden exploded onto the Pac 10 scene and might have garnered more hype if he hadn't been at Arizona State and the Pac-10 had so many great freshmen. I am going to go out on a limb and say if he decides to declare, the Cavs should take a chance on a guy who loves to shoot and has a big time developed offensive game.

20. Denver Nuggets- Ty Lawson, UNC- The Nuggets have superstars at every position, except for PG. Why not add a big name there too? Lawson may be the quickest PG in the draft and would go higher if he had not been injured so much this year. This would be a huge get for the Nuggets who are like every team that is fighting an uphill battle in the West.

21. New Jersey Nets (From Dallas)- Anthony Randolph, LSU- Despite the fact I have D'Andre Jordan going early to Phoenix, there is nothing I hate more in basketball than lazy big men who seem like they don't try. The poster-boy for this may be Mr. Randolph. I also hate the fact that there is always a team that will draft one of these guys. Oh well, I guess I will continue to be short and bitter. Randolph could be good in the NBA, but who the hell knows. Its up to him. If the Nets can score Randolph and Hasheem Thabeet in the same draft, they could have an incredibly powerful front court.

22. Orlando Magic- Tyler Smith, Tennessee- Smith may be a question mark because he is going to have to get used to playing on the wing in the NBA. But if he can improve his perimeter shot, he already has the ability to get to the rim and finish. Smith could start out as a nice change of pace from Turkoglu's outside shot and have more of a threat to get the ball to the basket.

23. Seattle Supersonics (From Pho)- Jason Thompson, Rider- While the Sonics won't get any more experience with this pick, they will be getting a mature college senior, that will be older than a lot of players already on the team. It seems weird saying a rookie may be able to provide some leadership, but this is a REALLY young team. He is a big player that can score inside and play decently well on defense. The Sonics really just need someone who can step in a play fairly quickly, and it seems like Thompson can be that kind of player.

24. Utah Jazz- JaVelle McGee, Nevada- I almost had McGee going to Seattle, but I thought that he may need more time to develop than Thompson. The Jazz can provide that time for McGee to mature. He's a 7 footer who's a great defender and a hard worker. That sounds pretty good for Jerry Sloan, right? He can work a little on his offense, but is a solid player who will fit nicely into Utah's system.

25. Houston Rockets- AJ Price, UCONN- The Rockets could go either small or big with this pick. I chose for them to target the PG position. While Rafer Alston is playing well this year, he is not the long term solution. There are still a bunch of questions about Yao, but he is in Houston to stay. Price really came on late in the year and proved to be a great scoring option from the point position. He really rebounded from a terrible freshman campaign to be one of the best guards in the Big East. The Rockets desperately need a consistent scoring PG. Will the Price be right?

26. Memphis Grizzlies (From LAL)- Tyler Hansbrough, UNC- Oh Psycho-T, what will the NBA do with you? What I can tell you is that he's going to get under the skin of a couple of NBA vets and end up getting punched a few times his rookie year. The Grizzlies need a fire on their team and this is the player to bring it. No one is sure exactly how his game will translate, but he was the NCAA player of the year and you know he will not fail for lack of trying. If nothing else, he'll provide some entertaining moments; something Memphis is lacking of.

27. San Antonio Spurs- Joe Alexander, West Virginia- The Spurs are getting old and boring (oh wait, they've been that since the early 90's). Alexander is an energy guy with a great offensive game. He long and tall and will immediately be the least obnoxious player on the team (looking at you, Manu). He fits the Spurs system as he seems mature and fundamentally sound. And if he can master the defensive flop, look out! San Antonio will have a new favorite son!

28. New Orleans Hornets- Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis- CDR is another polished player that can provide a contender with a player than can contribute immediately. He is mostly a slasher, but will also be a nice running mate for Chris Paul and his face paced offense. He can come in and be a decent defender. He will end up being an upgrade from Morris Peterson.

29. Detroit Pistons- Brandon Rush, Kansas- Detroit has a solid team already and Rush will be able to provide some depth ans size on the perimeter. He has basically been ready to declare himself for the NBA for 3 years, and now finally can since he is not injured. Rush can shoot from the outside, but will have to develop into a player that can get his own shot and be able to cope with tougher NBA defenders. But in the end, Rush will be successful for the Pistons, as he will be able to be brought along slow over a few years.

30. Boston Celtics- Richard Hendrix, Alabama- Question: What do you get the team that has 3 future NBA Hall of Famers? Answer: A tough, hard-nosed inside presence that will be an animal on the boards and do all the things asked of him by a veteran roster. Hendrix can provide the same game intensity as Garnett and is also a better athlete than Kendrick Perkins. Hendrix will be there to provide some important bench minutes and to keep the intensity high.

Top Coaching Jobs - #9

2008-04-11T08:43:00.007-06:00

With Indiana facing certain sanctions from the NCAA for the next several years, the Hooisers were still able to land Tom Crean. Roy Williams left the Kansas Jayhawks for North Carolina in 2003. Kansas was able to replace him with Bill Self, from Illinois, who just recently turned down Oklahoma State to stay at Kansas. It makes you wonder, what are the Top 10 coaching jobs in college basketball?

We here at Drinking the Forty consulted with some of the finest basketball experts in the country to find out. Hey, if ESPN can pull random people off the street and call them experts, then we can too.

Here is our Top 10, based on a program’s national persona, recent success, fan base, facilities, history and tradition, and potential for future success.

#9.) Connecticut Huskies

Coming in at nine is another team that has made a name for themselves over the past two decades. Under Jim Calhoun, the Huskies have won two national titles (1999, 2004) and have built a program that is guaranteed to be in contention year in and year out in the competitive Big East Conference.

One of the most impressive feats of this UConn program is the caliber of player that Calhoun is consistently able to recruit up north, in Storrs, Connecticut. Thirteen former Huskies are still on NBA rosters, including Ben Gordon, Richard Hamilton, and Rudy Gay. Calhoun has shown the ability to go anywhere in the country to recruit top players. This has allowed the program to remain competitive year in and year out, and make themselves known at a national level.

Over the past seven years, Connecticut has an impressive .756 winning percentage. While that kind of success will be difficult to match due to the expansion of the Big East into a basketball super conference, UConn will be in the upper echelon on an annual basis.

Despite the recent successes of the football program, Connecticut is still a basketball school. The top dog status of the program within the school helps with its success. It has a great fan base and is a difficult place to play. The success of the past decade of the program has also created an attitude of winning that will surely continue within the program whenever Calhoun decides to move on. However, that shouldn’t be for a while, and in the meantime the Huskies will continue to win and cement the legacy that Calhoun has created.

Connecticut is known nationally for being one of the elite programs in college basketball. They have a respected coach and continue to show the ability to recruit top talent north of the Mason-Dixon, and it’s for this reason that Connecticut will continue to remain relevant into the foreseeable future, and why they come in at number nine on our list.

#10.) Arizona Wildcats

Top Coaching Jobs - #10

2008-04-10T08:41:00.007-06:00

With Indiana facing certain sanctions from the NCAA for the next several years, the Hooisers were still able to land Tom Crean. Roy Williams left the Kansas Jayhawks for North Carolina in 2003. And now Oklahoma State is about to make a run at Bill Self of Kansas. It makes you wonder, what are the Top 10 coaching jobs in college basketball?

We here at Drinking the Forty consulted with some of the finest basketball experts in the country to find out. Hey, if ESPN can pull random people off the street and call them experts, then we can too.

Here is our Top 10, based on a program’s national persona, recent success, fan base, facilities, history and tradition, and potential for future success.

#10.) Arizona Wildcats

Under Lute Olson, the Arizona Wildcats have achieved National recognition as a contender in the Pac-10. With four Final Four appearances and a National Title in 1997, Arizona has been successful on a national stage.

With a favorable climate and campus, and an attractive style of basketball, Arizona has remained a top draw for NBA caliber talent. With 10 former players currently on NBA rosters, such as Mike Bibby and Gilbert Arenas, to Chase Budinger and Jarryd Bayless, Arizona has and continues to attract top flight talent.

With Lute Olson coming of age and struggling with his divorce this past season, Arizona has in turn struggled the past few seasons. Despite some early exits from the tournament, the Wildcats have still recorded a respectable .696 winning percentage over the last seven seasons.

Arizona has a solid following and can be a challenging place to play. While they have only become relevant during the Lute Olson era, he has built a program that has the ability to stay after he has moved on. While that might not happen for a few years, the Wildcats can see the writing on the wall that change is in the near future.

With a prime location and a history of NBA placement, Arizona is a great program for any coach to turn into a national powerhouse. With the ability to recruit nationally and in California, the Wildcats should continue to be a force in college basketball, and that’s why they fall in at number ten.

Speaking of Coaching Trees

2008-04-08T06:57:00.002-06:00

Just as Ken McDonald was taking the reigns over at Western Kentucky, Frank Haith was suring up his position at the University of Miami. Haith signed a 5-year contract extension that will keep him with the Hurricanes through 2012-2013.

The extension was a reward for Miami's first tournament appearance since 2002, best ever finish in the ACC, first ever 1st team all-ACC player in Jack McClinton, a 14-2 home record, coupled with the highest home attendance in the past five years, and beating Duke never hurts.

Haith has been the head man at Miami for four seasons, compiling a 69-60 record.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3334027

Coaching Trees Bloom in the Spring

2008-04-07T19:53:00.006-06:00

The Rick Barnes coaching tree has now officially reached two, as assistant coach Ken McDonald was named the head coach of Western Kentucky, replacing Darrin Horn, who took over at South Carolina. McDonald, who has been with Barnes as a player and a coach, became the second coach to leave Barnes' staff, following Frank Haith who left for Miami, three years ago.

McDonald has had a long history with Barnes, first as a player at Providence, then for four years as an assistant on Barnes' Clemson staff. He then moved on to Western Kentucky as an assistant there for two years, before rejoining Barnes at Texas, where he spent the last four seasons.

Known as a good recruiter, McDonald will try to continue and build on the success that Horn experienced at Western Kentucky, building the program into a emerging mid-major. They peaked this season as they reached the Sweet 16, before a frantic comeback fell short against #1 seed UCLA. After that success as well as developing an NBA talent in Courtney Lee, Horn decided it was time to cash in and moved on to South Carolina.

McDonald inherits a program that has already established itself, but one that will have to endure a bit of a downturn next season. Western Kentucky will lose Courtney Lee and Tyrone Brazelton, their two best players from the past season. They also lose Ty Rogers, another starter and solid role player. The Hilltoppers also graduate three players off their bench. While McDonald loses a majority of his new team, they have some young talent and has some great momentum to recruit off of.

Texas will most likely fill McDonald's position from within. The front runner for the position is former Longhorn Chris Ogden who has been the video coordinator for the past two years. However, it is possible that Ogden could go with McDonald or that Barnes looks to fill the position from outside the program.

McDonald has the potential to be successful at Western Kentucky, and use the program in a similar manner as Darrin Horn. If he can continue to win over the next four or five years he should be able to move on to an even better program.

With the success of this past season, Frank Haith looks ready to turn the corner at Miami, and continue to improve in a conference looking for a consistent #3 and #4 team. With the shape of the Western Kentucky program, McDonald and Haith look ready to make the Barnes coaching tree a successful one.

Had to use that picture again somehow.

Don't Go D.J.

2008-04-03T14:10:00.006-06:00

Darryl Gerard Augustin Jr., listen to me. Do NOT go to the NBA. Bring your 6’0, 180lb frame back into the Erwin Center this instant and get ready for your Junior season. Unpack your uncanny passing ability, the ease in which you glide to the basket, and your defensive prowess and stay a while; well at least one more year. Stop giving “farewell-like” hugs to Damion and Connor. Stop telling ol’ Rick that you’re still deciding what is best for your future. Don’t listen to anyone who works for the Miami Heat, Seattle Supersonics, Milwaukee Bucks, or New York Knicks. Just because you are more talented than their point guards, does not mean it’s your time to go. D.J., in short what I am trying to say is just sit down and stay a while. The NBA can wait.

After an Elite Eight embarrassment against the Memphis Tigers, the biggest question facing the Horns basketball program is no longer how to contain Derrick Rose, but instead its how to RETAIN D.J. Augustin. With the institution of the NBA’s one year in college rule and the subsequent rise of underclassmen declaring for the draft, the best recruiting jobs no longer center around obtaining the high profile freshmen, but instead retaining the high profile underclassmen that you are already building around. And with such high profile underclassmen like Rose, O.J. Mayo, and Michael Beasley almost certainly declaring for this season’s NBA draft, the best recruiting job in the nation may be up to Rick Barnes and his best attempt at keeping D.J. Augustin.

If D.J. were to return, it would undoubtedly give Texas another Top 10 team and conventional wisdom and a look back at recent history would offer enough evidence to label them as a front runner for the 2009 Final Four. If you look at teams like Billy Donovan’s upperclassmen laden Florida Gators who won back-to-back National Championships you can see that experience and depth by far trump the talents of green, edgy, pressured, one-and-done freshmen phenoms.

Just consider the stud freshmen of 2008 who were looked upon to change the face of a program: Michael Beasley, O.J. Mayo, Eric Gordon, Jerryd Bayless, & Deandre Jordan were all enjoying the Sweet Sixteen from their apartment couches. The two notable freshmen who advanced to the Final Four, Derrick Rose of Memphis and Kevin Love of UCLA, are luckily surrounded by experience, maturity, and upperclassmen depth. Along with the Tigers and Bruins, the two other remaining teams, Kansas and UNC, follow the same deep, experienced mold. If Augustin returns to the Forty Acres, he gives the Horns that same dynamic.

Not only would the decision to stay benefit Coach Barnes, the team, and the fans, but it would be best served for D.J. as well. The need for average, undersized guards in the NBA is very small and at a generous 5’11”, 180lbs, Augustin definitely has room for his game to grow. His passing ability is on point, but his inconsistent shooting and suspect defensive play stand between him and the lottery. A projected late first round draft pick in this years NBA draft, D.J. could mover further into the lottery by giving NBA scouts one more brilliant season post Durant. If he can successfully put together another 20-and-6 a night season, continue to manage the floor, and lead the Horns into another deep tournament run, NBA scouts could be looking at the next Deron Williams or better yet Chris Paul.

You also have to believe that an Academic All-American like Augustin strongly believes in a quality education. With a 3.8 GPA, it’s assumable that Augustin would plan on finishing his degree. This task would prove far simpler if he lacked only one year of coursework; just ask ol VY. So coming back would not only drastically improve his draft stock, but also take a big chunk out of his degree stock as well. It’s like killing two birds with one big, round, orange, inflatable stone.

D.J., if you are reading this, then heed my advice. Stick around for one more year. Work on that jump shot and that GPA. Show NBA scouts that you really could be Steve Nash reincarnated. Sit still, win another Big XII championship, collect some more hardware, and get Texas that coveted National Championship we long for. The NBA can wait.