SB Nation - Leo Lyons

Recap of "Five Questions For..."

Evan Pfaff — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:15:21 -0000

For the past 12 days we have asked “Five Questions For…” each Big 12 school. In case you missed one, after the jump you can read the questions we have for all the hoops programs in the conference.

Have more questions, or comments on the questions? Leave a comment.

Missouri

1) How can Mizzou replace the loss of DeMarre Carroll, Leo Lyons and Matt Lawrence?

2) Can Mizzou sustain the momentum that led them to a Big 12 tournament championship and Elite Eight run last season?

3) Now that Coach Mike Anderson has a squad made up entirely of his recruits, can the "Fastest 40 Minutes in Basketball" be even better?

4) Who will step up in the frontcourt for Mizzou? Steve Moore, Laurence Bowers, Keith Ramsey, Justin Safford?

5) Will this be the year Mizzou beats Illinois for the first time in 10 years in the "Busch Bragging Rights" game?

Kansas

1) Can the Jayhawks meet preseason expectations of being ranked #1 nationally in a lot of publications?

2) Can Kansas put their offseason troubles behind them?

3) Exactly how good is freshman Xavier Henry?

4) Will Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins both perform at All Big 12 levels?

5) Can anyone tell the Morris twins apart?

Colorado

1) Now that Jeff Bzdelik is in his third year, can he bring a winning season to Boulder?

2) If not, how much longer will the CU AD go on with the Bzdelik experiment?

3) Can Cory Higgins perform up to his 08-09 level, when he placed fifth in the conference in scoring?

4) Who else steps up for the Buffaloes?

5) Will the Buffaloes improve upon last season's 1-15 conference record?

Iowa State

1) Can Craig Brackins get any help, or will it again be a one man show?

2) Can the Cyclones crack the top half of the Big 12 North division?

3) Is there still "Hilton Magic" in Ames?

4) One publication listed Greg McDermott as being on the "hot seat." What does he need to do to get off it?

5) After 4 straight conference seasons with a losing record, can the Cyclones better the .500 mark this year?

Kansas State

1) Frank Martin brings the 20^th ranked recruiting class to Manhattan. How can the 5 freshmen gel with the veterans?

2) Is Denis Clemente the most fun player to watch in the conference?

3) Can 6-10 UConn transfer Curtis Kelly shore up the frontline for the Wildcats?

4) Is K-State a legitimate program again after nearly a decade of meritocracy (sans the Bill Walker, Michael Beasley year)?

5) What can we expect from freshman Wally Judge?

Nebraska

1) Last year NU was the smallest team in college basketball. This year they brought in some size, will that help?

2) Will Doc Sadler's JUCO coaching experience help the three incoming JUCO transfers adjust to division 1 basketball?

3) Nebraska hasn't had a winning record this decade. Will they go 10 for 10 in losing seasons?

4) How will the team cope with two transfers leaving Lincoln?

5) Who wins more conference games, NU football or NU basketball?

Oklahoma

1) How does Oklahoma replace Blake Griffin?

2) Can Willie Warren be "the man"?

3) Can 6-8, 300 lb freshman Tiny Gallon play big in his first year in the Big 12?

4) Does Oklahoma mind being second fiddle in the Big 12 South?

5) Will inexperience in the frontcourt hurt Oklahoma's chances of making a deep run in the NCAA tournament?

Texas

1) Who will play the majority of the year, the Dexter Pittman who dominated the end of last season or the Dexter Pittman who was essentially non-existent for the first half?

2) Is freshman Avery Bradley as good as advertised?

3) Can the team get back to its first Final Four since 2003?

4) Did Damion James make the right move in returning for his senior season?

5) Between Dogus Balbay, Jai Lucas and J'Covan Brown, who will win the battle for starting PG spot?

Oklahoma State

1) Will Travis Ford's first full recruiting class bring a Big 12 championship to Stillwater?

2) With the loss of Byron Eaton, yet 4 of the top 6 scorers returning, can the Cowboys continue to put lots of points on the board?

3) How much better can James Anderson get?

4) Obi Muonelo played out of position last year. Will the right placement on the floor help the senior better his 12.7 ppg average from last year?

5) OK State will be bigger this year... but also slower. Will that hinder their ability to run with some of the Big 12 teams?

Texas Tech

1) Junior guard Mike Singletary lit up Texas A&M for a near conference tournament record 43 points last season. Will he continue to put the ball in the basket this season?

2) Will Pat Knight's second full season be an improvement over his first?

3) Is Pat Knight on the hot seat?

4) Do the Red Raiders have the personnel to match Knight's emphasis on defense this year?

5) Will all the new JUCO players pan out for the Red Raiders?

Texas A&M

1) How can the Aggies replace Josh Carter?

2) Some publications think the Aggies will finish in the top 4 in the conference. Can this team meet those expectations?

3) Mark Turgeon is in his third year in College Station. Now that he has a roster made up of mostly his guys, can the Aggies crack the upper 1/3 of the conference?

4) Will the four freshman have the impact Turgeon is hoping for?

5) The Aggies have made a school record 4 consecutive NCAA tournaments. Will the streak continue this year?

Baylor

1) Can the Bears rebound from the loss of 50% of their scoring and 2/3 of their assists due to graduation?

2) Coach Scott Drew can recruit, but can he coach those guys to a third straight post season tournament?

3) Can Michigan transfer Ekpe Udoh be the defensive force Bears fans are expecting from the 6-10 center?

4) Did highly ranked recruit Nolan Dennis make the right decision in rescinding his verbal from Memphis and commit to Baylor?

5) Who will be the go-to guy this year, LaceDarius Dunn, Tweety Carter or one of the freshman?

Ex-Mizzou Tigers Spread Around the Globe

Evan Pfaff — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:39:28 -0000

More photos » by Mark J. Terrill - AP

You can see former Mizzou players Leo Lyons, DeMarre Carroll and Matt Lawrence playing professional basketball... but you will have to do a little globe trotting (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Browse more photos »

Steve Walentik of the Columbia Daily Tribune yesterday took a look at where some former Mizzou Tigers are playing these days. As we know, there are three Tigers in the NBA, but Where in the World is Albert White? (Answer: Argentina)

Marshall Brown, Palmeiras (Brazil)
Jason Conley, WBC Raiffeisen Wels (Austria)
Kalen Grimes, Laussane (Switzerland)
Linas Kleiza, Olympiakos (Greece)
Matt Lawrence, Tromso Storm (Norway)
Leo Lyons, Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem (Israel)
Jimmy McKinney, Deutsche Bank Skyliners in Frankfurt (Germany)
Rickey Paulding, EWE Baskets in Oldenburg (Germany)
Vaidotas Volkus, BC Siauliai (Lithuania)
Albert White, Asociacion Quimsa Santiago Del Estero (Argentina)
Kevin Young, Ciclista Olimpico de la Banda (Argentina)

Read the entire article

Mizzou Links, 10-27-09

Bill C. — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:27:51 -0000

Colorado/Media Day Links!

MUtigers.com: OFFICIAL RELEASE
Obviously, Mizzou has had a rough go of it the past three weeks, but the fact remains that the future is bright in Columbia, as the Tigers are a very young team. Picked to finish third this season in the Big 12 North Division, the Tigers began the season hoping to successfully defend its 2007 and 2008 North Division titles. ...

While Head Coach Gary Pinkel would never offer up youth as an excuse for anything, the fact remains that this team is very young, with only 15 seniors on the roster. Of those, only six are projected to start on offense/defense Saturday against Colorado, with only eight total who are on the two-deep entering the game. That’s a stark contrast to 2008, when the Tigers began the season with 12 senior starters (5 on offense and 7 on defense).
MUtigers.com: Missouri Football Team Hosts Media Day
The Trib: Tigers Meet the Press
KC Star: MU's Gabbert sports new cast, still plans to play
Post-Dispatch: Pinkel seeks way to reach his team
Post-Dispatch: Blaine Gabbert remains focused on Buffs
While X-rays taken over the weekend continue to show no structural damage, MU offensive coordinator Dave Yost said Monday, Gabbert's status still hinges on practice today and Wednesday. "Our deal is if you don't practice on Tuesday and Wednesday, you don't play," Yost said.

Based on information from MU's training staff, Yost and coach Gary Pinkel expect Gabbert will practice. Still, Yost said they'd have to see "how it is when they take it out of the cast, and go from there."
PowerMizzou: PMTV: Tigers meet the media
PowerMizzou: Audio: Pinkel and Hawkins Talk
Denver Post: Dan Hawkins: Tyler Hansen 'still the guy'

Five Questions For... Missouri basketball

Evan Pfaff — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:15:09 -0000

More photos » by Mark J. Terrill - AP

Can Missouri coach Mike Anderson match last year's success?. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Browse more photos »

In a new series, leading up to the start of the basketball season we will be posting a segment called "Five Questions For."

In the series we will ask the most five pressing questions for each Big 12 school going into the season.

1) How can Mizzou replace the loss of DeMarre Carroll, Leo Lyons and Matt Lawrence?

2) Can Mizzou sustain the momentum that led them to a Big 12 tournament championship and Elite Eight run last season?

3) Now that Coach Mike Anderson has a squad made up entirely of his recruits, can the "Fastest 40 Minutes in Basketball" be even better?

4) Who will step up in the frontcourt for Mizzou? Steve Moore, Laurence Bowers, Keith Ramsey, Justin Safford?

5) Will this be the year Mizzou beats Illinois for the first time in 10 years in the "Busch Bragging Rights" game?

Check back tomorrow when we will ask Five Question For... Kansas basketball.

Follow Evan on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MizzouHoops

Poll

What is the most pressing question for Mizzou this year?

Mizzou Links, 8-5-09

Bill C. — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:42:47 -0000

So the weirdest story of the last 24 hours might or might not be a story. It turns out that Derrick Washington isn't a member of the Doak Walker Award watch list. Who is? Well, Texas A&M's Cyrus Gray, for one. Jake Sharp. UTEP's Donald Buckram. Kent State's Eugene Jarvis. La Tech's Daniel Porter. UConn sophomore Jordan Todman. A lot of players infinitely less proven than D-Wash. How does this happen? Dave Matter's got a theory (via Twitter): "Players make the list as long as they're nominated by their school. Methinks MU forgot."

So there you go. I will say that the whole idea of watch lists is stupid. Maybe it made sense in the 1970s or something, but we've got The Internets now. If D-Wash rushes for 2,300 yards and 29 TDs (he won't), he'll win the Doak Walker Award, watch list or no.

Speaking of Twitter and Mizzou snubs...really, Stewart Mandel?

@espn4d Really enjoyed the between-pick banter. Good stuff. But you do realize Mizzou will be the first one bumped?

That of course is in reference to ESPN's weird relegation draft from yesterday. The list includes ATM, but Mizzou's going to be the first one bumped? Really? Really. Really?

To...well, the opposite of snubbing: CFN, always higher on Mizzou than most, has Mizzou ranked...#20.

To Rivals, where 'Spooooooooon was on Rivals Radio yesterday and PowerMizzou has listed its top ten storylines of fall camp. Meanwhile, the Illinois Top 30 has been released, and Mizzou commit Jimmie Hunt comes in at #5. Kyle Prater is #1 (he considered Mizzou for a while), and Corey Cooper is #4 (Cooper is a soft Illinois commit but has talked of visiting Mizzou in the fall). It's amazing how many of those 30 listed players have already committed somewhere (21 in all).

To basketball, where...

Finally, if you're so inclined...here's my SEC country podcast debut (regarding the Football Outsiders Almanac) from last night with SBN's Team Speed Kills (I come in at the 10 minute mark):

Mizzou Links, 7-15-09

Bill C. — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:39:38 -0000

First, the Mizzou links.

Trevor Coleman has officially signed with the Mariners. Ryan Ampleman, come on down. You're the man now, dog (sorry, was channeling Sean Connery there...PUNCH the keys!!).

PowerMizzou checks in on Florida OL Jonathan Feliciano, a Miami "commit" who has committed to visiting other schools, including Missouri.

Dave Matter asks the question everybody was thinking. Hey Stryker Sulak...what’s worse, getting drafted by the NFL’s most dysfunctional organization or getting dropped by the league’s most dysfunctional organization?

Demarre Carroll goes for 9 (on 4-7 shooting with an and-one) with 4 boards and a couple of assists in 24 minutes yesterday in his Vegas (baby Vegas) Summer League game. The Grizz are now off until Saturday before closing out with back-to-back games this weekend.

Meanwhile, Leo Lyons sees 14 minutes of playing time for the Cavs, scoring 6 (on 2-4 from the field and 2-2 from the line) while grabbing 4 boards (good Leo) and collecting 4 fouls (bad Leo). The Cavs are back in action tomorrow.

Okay, that's pretty much it for Mizzou-related tidbits. Luckily there are a ton of other links to share...

National Championship Issue takes a look at BCS conference attendance and just how friggin' different things are when an FCS team is the opponent.

Roll Bama Roll is starting to think that conference title games aren't the way to go...

Somewhat Mizzou-related: Hail to the Orange looks at the Vontae Davis-less Illinois secondary.

SI's Stewart Mandel takes a look at the ten best early non-con games in 2009 (is there anybody who hasn't made a list like this yet?). A couple Big 12 teams make the list...OSU-Georgia and NU-Virginia Tech...

Finally, there is fail...and then there is FAIL...

Mizzou Links, 7-10-09

Bill C. — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:00:14 -0000

An interesting set of links today...extremely high in quality, extremely low in quantity...

You know how the senior leadership from DeMarre Carroll, Grey Goose, and Leo Lyons was so strong for last year's Mizzou basketball team? I'm thinking it's not going to suffer much in 2009-10...not with JT Tiller (and his reconfigured jumper) on the case.

“J.T.’s now captain, and he’ll be the leader of the team next year,” Lyons said that day in Glendale, Ariz. “With somebody that works hard like he does, the rest of the team’s going to follow, so everybody better watch out for Mizzou basketball next year.”

But Tiller, who has started 50 games over the past two seasons, has spent most of the offseason on the mend after undergoing surgery in April to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist. Only in the past two weeks has the rising senior guard from Marietta, Ga., been cleared to join his teammates in daily pick-up games — an important opportunity to assert himself as the team’s on-court commander.

“It still feels like my first day back, but it’s getting better, though,” said Tiller, who was elated to start playing again after more than two months on the sidelines. “From the outside looking in, it’s so much fun, but once you get back in there, it’s definitely hard work.”

Want to catch up with how Leo Lyons has done this week on the Pacers' summer league team? Here you go (PDF). Thus far, Leo has played about 28 minutes in three games (with the opening DNP) and hit 5-of-9 FGs and 11-of-12 FTs (!) for a 7.0 PPG average. His 21-points-in-9-FGAs line results in a ridiculously good 2.33 points per shot (anything above about 1.7 is pretty strong). That's the good news. The bad news: he's grabbed three rebounds (two offensive) in the aforementioned 28 minutes. Might want to improve on that.

Be sure to read all of Dave Matter's "Catching up with the Tigers" post to which solidpit linked last night. The "DISRESPECT" card has been played in a major, major way. Senior leadership is also discussed in a fashion probably more provocative than intended.

“A lot of guys were for themselves last year,” [Derrick] Washington said. “A lot of guys were for themselves and thinking about the NFL. This year’s team is about the team and we’re going to do what we can.”

Added [Jaron] Baston: “I think this team is a better group of people. I think this team, chemistry-wise, reminds me of that” 2007 “Cotton Bowl year. We have no choice but to be close because we’ve got everybody betting against us.”

You might wince when you read that quote from Washington — and he might, too — but I think he had good intentions when he said it. For one, I’d be surprised if there are many current players who really believed last year’s players were preoccupied with NFL thoughts. But maybe I'm wrong. More than anything, I think he was paying tribute to the developing leadership on this year’s team. Either way, it's not the first summer an MU player made that comment and it probably won't be the last.

Wondering how football recruiting is going (and how it should be going)? PowerMizzou's Pete Scantlebury sums things up with the 2010 Recruiting Outlook.

On defense, Missouri seems to be most focused on the line and the secondary. The Tigers will only lose three projected starters after this season, so they are just looking to build depth.They already have a pledge from Olathe (KS) DE Lucas Vincent, who will slide into the middle for Missouri. The Tigers have a young and talented crop of defensive ends, so it wouldn't be the end of the world if they don't had a true end in this class. Expect them to go for one more tackle, however.

Being that it's Oklahoma State Week, I feel compelled to pass along this link.

And finally...we just didn't vote enough. But Ian Kinsler's All-Star hopes aren't done just yet--Dustin Pedroia could be sitting this one out.

And as always...

Mizzou Links, 7-8-09

Bill C. — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:57:18 -0000

Really, the major source of links today has nothing (directly) to do with Mizzou--yesterday was the latest Congressional ~~waste of time~~ hearing on the BCS, and a few people were brave enough to watch. I was not. Links!

The Wiz of Odds: Will the WAC and Mountain West Say No to the BCS?
[T]he attention now turns to the 18 presidents of WAC and Mountain West schools. Brian Murphy of the Idaho Statesman reports that the presidents must decide by Thursday afternoon whether to sign a new agreement between the BCS and television partner ESPN that goes into effect after the 2010 regular season and runs for four years.

The WAC and Mountain West are the only Division I-A conferences that have not signed the deal. If they don't sign, the leagues risk millions in hopes of changing the system to improve access and payouts for their schools.
Idaho Statesman: WAC, Mountain West face big decision on BCS
Team Speed Kills: A Recap of the Senate BCS Hearing
Team Speed Kills: The Economics of Why the BCS Doesn't Want Change
Dr. Saturday: Orrin Hatch is taking you to Turkmenistan, and you will darn well like it

To football recruiting! Grand Blanc (MI) WR Tony Jones very much enjoyed his visit to Columbia this week, while Moore (OK) ATH Julian Wilson, as expected, visited and committed to OU yesterday.

Staying at PowerMizzou, Gabe rates and ranks the North's RB units in order to come up with a set of overall North rankings. What a great idea (ahem)!

GOLD JERSEYS!!!

Leo Lyons sees some action with the Pacers last night, scoring 7 points in 5 minutes

The Maneater's back! In it, we find a couple of solid articles about both how athletic success had led to ridiculously high application numbers, and how fan groups like ZouCrew, Tigers' Lair, and VolleyZou help freshmen acclimate. Solid reads, both.

Another day, another Illinois write-up, this one from our SBN mates Maize N Brew.

Juice Williams does a lot of things, and does them fairly well. However, it is not a good sign when your QB leads the team in rushing as he did last year. I believe that Juice is a very good player; one who deserves a lot of respect from defenses. However, when he is asked to do too much - as was often done to him last year - he makes mistakes. Juice is a much better quarterback when he can actually set up, look for Benn, and scramble at the last possible second. I compare it to Kobe Bryant in a backwards kind of way. The less shots Kobe takes, the better the Lakers are. The less running around that Juice does, the better the Illini will be. Juice =/= Pat White. The media wants him to be, but the less he resembles Pat White, the better.

It's Summer Ball at SimmonsField.com!

Finally...nothing to do with nothing, but I think Chris Cooley is my new favorite (non-Mizzou) tight end.

Mizzou Links, 7-7-09

Bill C. — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:48:58 -0000

Leo Lyons' time to impress the Indiana Pacers started yesterday...and while his team won, a "DNP -- Coach's Decision (pdf)" isn't really much of a good opportunity, huh? Hopefully he gets an opportunity soon.

Yesterday was Monday, which meant two things: 1) How I Met Your Mother re-run last night, and 2) Case of the Mondays!

Looks like Mizzou has offered a new Texas RB--Angleton's Henry Josey, who has one pretty good trait for a running back: "I love to score." Who doesn't? Meanwhile, PM subscribers can check out the latest on a Michigan athlete who was on campus for an unofficial visit yesterday.

While at PowerMizzou, you can also check on Gabe's "Scouting the Big 12 North QBs" write-up. I don't understand some of the ratings on the 1-10 scale, but it doesn't make it any less interesting to read, I guess.

Another day, another Columbia Trojans article, this one from our friends at the Missourian.

The Trojans are a newly-formed semi-professional football team in the North American Football League. Every Tuesday and Thursday, they practice at the Rock Bridge High School’s football field and play games on Saturdays. No one is paid to play for the Trojans. In fact, the players paid all start-up fees: $200 or more for pads, helmets and jerseys, willingly paid for the chance to suit up for a football team once more.

Continuing their position-by-position preview of our first 2009 opponent, it's time for Hail to the Orange to take a look at UI's linebackers.

Here's the reason SI's Stewart Mandel is one of my favorite mainstream college football writers: when something's stupid, or a big, fat waste of time, he calls it just that.

If the government were to actually pursue an antitrust case against the BCS -- and let's be honest; these hearings are mostly for show -- the bowls and the major conferences would presumably trot out all manner of evidence proving the system has actually promoted competition from the second-tier conferences. The Mountain West and WAC, for example, have placed four teams in BCS bowls over the past five seasons. Prior to that, no current member of either league had played in the Orange, Sugar, Fiesta or Rose bowls since BYU's 1974 Fiesta appearance. Nor did such leagues previously receive annual BCS financial handouts like they do today. The MWC, WAC, MAC, C-USA and Sun Belt shared a combined $19.3 million in BCS revenue last season.

Meanwhile, one couldn't help but laugh at Rep. Barton during that House hearing in May when he waved his big, scary trump card at stone-faced BCS coordinator John Swofford. Barton threatened to pass a piece of legislation that "will prohibit the marketing, promotion, and advertising of a postseason game as a 'national championship' football game, unless it is the result of a playoff system." That's it? A name-change? I'm sure House leaders will clear their calendars for that vote.

Quickly to baseball, where the Missourian checks in on former Tiger Evan Frey.

Finally, this has nothing to do with Mizzou, but Rocky Top Talk has an outstanding recap of one of the craziest Saturdays in recent football history--conference championship week, 1998. Three teams--K-State, UCLA, Tennessee--entered the week undefeated and with a legitimate shot at the BCS title game. Two blew second-half leads, while the other faced a surprising deficit halfway through the fourth quarter. And Ohio State, who had choked away a loss to Michigan State a few weeks earlier, almost managed to squeeze back into the title game.

Mizzou Links, 6-26-09

Bill C. — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:42:39 -0000

More photos » by Chris Carlson - AP

Congrats to you, JYD.

Browse more photos »

Hooray, JYD! NBA Draft Links!

Mutigers.com: Marre to Memphis - Carroll Taken in First Round
The Trib: Memphis selects Carroll with 27th pick
The Missourian: Missouri's Carroll selected by Grizzlies in NBA Draft
KC Star: MU's DeMarre Carroll overcame much on his way to first-round NBA pick
Ultimately, Carroll said, overcoming obstacles fed his competitive fire. Especially the NBA evaluation that he was not ready for the prime time of pro ball last year.

"I like when people doubt you," Carroll said.

"I’m kind of how our Missouri team was.

"We came out of nowhere. A lot of people talk about what I can’t do, what position will I play in the NBA. "I like that. I like to fly under the radar, to come out of nowhere."
Memphis Commercial Appeal: Grizzlies select Hasheem Thabeet with No. 2 pick in NBA draft (DeMarre blurb too)

No word on Leo Lyons yet, who went undrafted. We'll see where he ends up; good luck to him.

And because I feel like it, now seemed like a pretty good time to post this Senior Night video again...such a great night and moment...

And if that's not enough closure for you with this senior class, here's a nice Q&A between Steve Walentik and the Grey Goose.

CV: You've had teammates over your time at Missouri who've played overseas. Have you talked to any of them about those experiences? What sorts of things have you heard?

ML: It's been kind of 50-50. I think the guys who want to be in the NBA so bad and that's their lifelong dream, kind of go overseas just thinking about the NBA the whole time and not really having the greatest experience because they want to be somewhere else, but myself, I know that the NBA's probably not going to happen for me. I've come to terms with that, but I would just love to keep playing. Wherever I go, I'm sure I'm going to have fun doing it, as long as I'm playing basketball. I've heard good things from guys like Rickey Paulding and Jimmy McKinney, Kevin Young. There's some places people don't like to play, and there's some places they do like to play. As long as I'm playing, I'm sure I'll be fine.

Wonder why Kim English's Twitter account disappeared? Dave Matter's got the answer...and on Twitter, of course:

@sparksjay Kim told @mutigersdotcom: im on a mission to let my game do all my talking. the more im on twitter .. the less time im in the gym

Awesome.

Your one non-basketball link: the Big 12 has set their football Media Days lineup. Mizzou's up first on Day #2, July 28.

Finally, pretty sure Awful Announcing lives for things like the NBA Draft. Be sure to read last night's live-blog (after you read Simmons's, of course). Pretty much says everything I was thinking, only much, much funnier.

Oh yeah, and...