Paul Klee's college basketball insider

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Beat writer Paul Klee's weekly look at the game he loves

Team of the Week

Westchester St. Joseph

St. Joe's scored the rare double on Monday: alumni Demetri McCamey (left) and Evan Turner (right) were named Big Ten Co-Players of the Week. "I'm so selfish I hope they stay in college for 10 more years so I can see them play. I enjoy watching them play so much," longtime St. Joe's coach Gene Pingatore said Monday. "I'm sure they're both going to go to the NBA to continue this there. This is really fun for me." The News-Gazette has a vote in the Wooden Award, and Turner would get our vote today. The smooth junior is a likely lottery pick in the June NBA draft. McCamey's professional future isn't as clearcut, though his high school coach has little doubt the lead guard will join Turner in the NBA. "He might even be better at that level. Think about it. The way the NBA runs up and down the floor (and) with the (shorter) shot clock. That fits how he plays," Pingatore said. "In the college game you have to run sets and try to get the ball to the big guys. It's not the fault of anyone, that's just the way the game is. The NBA game is maybe the most conducive to getting the most out of Demetri's talent. And he's got to be more consistent. There's still room for improvement. Defense is a mental thing for him. But he's got all the physical tools to do it." Both Pingatore and Mike Mullins, who coached McCamey and Turner on the club circuit with Illinois Wolves, plan to attend Sunday's Illinois-Ohio State game at the Assembly Hall. "I won't wear an Illinois shirt or Ohio State shirt," Pingatore said with a laugh. "I'll be neutral. I can't wear (St. Joe's gear). It's red. They might think I'm cheering for Ohio State." There's been plenty to cheer about in St. Joe's circles. Pingatore pointed out St. Joe products Jonathan Peoples, a Notre Dame senior, and Tony Freeman, an SIU senior, are finishing their college careers. "This is really fun for me," he said.

Games to Watch (Illini opponents edition)

1. No. 12 Tennessee at No. 22 Vanderbilt (6 p.m. today, ESPN) – Illinois has beaten two teams in the Top 25 of the RPI: Vanderbilt and Michigan State. A Commodores win against the Volunteers would make the Illini victory that much more valuable.

2. No. 6 Purdue at No. 10 Michigan State (8 p.m. today, ESPN) – Remember when Matt Painter (above) issued a less-than-veiled public challenge to his players before the Boilers played the Illini? Purdue won that game – and then the four after it. Meanwhile, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said Monday that Kalin Lucas (ankle) would be a game-day decision. "He told me he's going to play," Izzo said, though the coach added Lucas "has done almost nothing" in practice since the injury happened a week ago.

3. Florida State at Clemson (6 p.m. Wednesday, ESPN2) – Illinois' historical comeback win at Clemson didn't faze the Tigers, who won their next six games. But with four losses in five games, Clemson (4-5 ACC) no longer is a lock for the NCAA tournament.

Conference Call

LEAGUE PVS.

1. Big East 1

2. Big Ten 2

3. ACC 5

4. Big 12 3

5. Mountain West 7

6. SEC 6

7. Atlantic 10 4

8. Conference USA 8

9. Pac-10 9

10. Missouri Valley –

– Northern Iowa (21-2), which has won 20 of its last 21 games, could tie its single-season record for wins (23) at Bradley on Saturday

The Ex Files (Wisconsin edition)

1. Alando Tucker, Minnesota Timberwolves – Former Badger was traded from the Suns to the Timberwolves in late December and has appeared in one game for Minnesota.

2. Kammron Taylor, France – Former Badger spent October through early January playing in France, where he averaged 13.3 points and 3.2 assists in 14 games.

3. Brian Butch, Bakersfield (Calif.) Jam – Former Badger making a name for himself in NBA Development League, averaging 16.8 points and 8.8 rebounds through 20 games.

What They Said (On the Big Ten coaches call Monday)

Iowa's Todd Lickliter, on the Hawkeyes: "We don't know when it's going to turn, so we'll keep working until it does."

Illinois' Bruce Weber, on the Illini leaning on McCamey: "We have to give him the ball. We don't have a lot of guys than can dribble and pass and create for others."

Michigan State's Tom Izzo, on the Spartans' rebounding prowess: "We don't bring in great rebounders all the time. I think guys become better at it. We do emphasize it."

Purdue's Matt Painter, on playing Michigan State at Breslin Center tonight: "The reason it's such a good environment is (because) they have something to cheer about."

Northwestern's Bill Carmody, on what conference record it might take to reach the NCAA tournament as an at-large selection: "I think if you're 10-8, you'd have a pretty good shot."

Penn State's Ed DeChellis, on the buzzer-beating, game-winning jumper by Minnesota guard Lawrence Westbrook on Saturday: "That's kind of how our luck – or non-luck – has gone this year."

Michigan's John Beilein, on playing in noisy venues: "We play distracting music (in practice) to get ready for away crowds."

Polling place: News-Gazette vs. National polls

Klee's Top 25

TEAM – KLEE'S COMMENT

1. Kansas – Big 12 is perhaps the most likely conference to receive seven NCAA bids

2. Syracuse – Orange's remarkable ascension: unranked in preseason AP poll to No. 2

3. Kentucky – Hosts GameDay on Saturday, has work cut out to top Hall atmosphere

4. Villanova – Does 'Nova have the size to reach Final Four? Scheme worked last year

5. Purdue – Too high for Boilers, but resume made them the most deserving of No. 5

6. West Virginia – Beaten by only three since Christmas: Purdue, 'Cuse, Notre Dame

7. Georgetown – Hoyas rolled up 103 points in home win against Villanova on Saturday

8. Wisconsin – Bo Ryan on NCAA expansion: "If it doesn't happen, it will be a crime"

9. Duke – At 7-2, Devils lead tightly packed ACC (seven teams separated by two games)

10. Ohio State – BTN analyst Tim Doyle: "Right now, (OSU) best team in the Big Ten"

11. Kansas State – GameDay's had a great run with K-State, Illinois and Kentucky next

12. Michigan State – Unknown status of Kalin Lucas caused Sparty to drop on our ballot

13. Tennessee – Volunteers one game behind Kentucky with matchup looming Saturday

14. Temple – Atlantic 10 with six bids in Monday's mock NCAA bracket on CNNSI.com

15. Texas – Pity the low-seeded foe that draws struggling 'Horns in NCAA's first round

16. UNLV – Lon Kruger's bunch has only one road loss – a 77-73 decision at tough BYU

17. Gonzaga – Quick-turnaround wins vs. Illinois and at Memphis bode well for NCAA prospects

18. New Mexico – MWC blessed with three Top 25-caliber teams (UNM, BYU, UNLV)

19. Texas A&M – Snagged win at Missouri, busting Tigers' 32-game home win streak

20. BYU – MWC has right idea: conference tourney in destination locale (Las Vegas)

21. Baylor – Without a double-digit loss so far, Bears playing everyone down to the wire

22. Vanderbilt – SEC East's last-place team (Georgia) has beaten Illinois, Vanderbilt

23. Butler – With five-game lead in Horizon, BU moving toward favorable NCAA seed

24. Northern Iowa – Best team in state of Iowa next travels to rival Drake on Wednesday

25. Georgia Tech – Considered Cornell, Wake Forest, Pitt, Ole Miss, others for this spot

AP
School    Pvs
1. Kansas (55)    1
 2. Syracuse (8)    3
 3. Kentucky (2)    4
 4. Villanova    2
 5. W. Virginia    6
 6. Purdue    8
 7. Georgetown    7
 8. Duke    10
 9. Kansas St.    10
10. Mich. St.    5
11. Wisconsin    16
12. Tennessee    14
13. Ohio St.    13
14. Texas    9
15. N. Mexico    15
16. Gonzaga    17
17. BYU    12
18. Butler    23
19. N. Iowa    24
20. Ga. Tech    21
21. Temple    19
22. Vanderbilt    18
23. UNLV    —
24. Baylor    20
25. Pittsburgh    22

ESPN
School    Pvs
1. Kansas (29)    1
 2. Kentucky (1)    3
 3. Syracuse (1)    4
 4. W. Virginia    6
 5. Villanova    2
 6. Purdue    7
 7. Duke    9
 8. Georgetown    8
 9. Kansas St.    11
10. Mich. St.    5
11. Gonzaga    13
12. Tennessee    14
13. Wisconsin    16
14. Texas    10
15. Butler    15
16. Ohio St.    18
17. BYU    12
18. N. Iowa    22
19. N. Mexico    23
20. Ga. Tech    19
21. Temple    17
22. Cornell    25
23. Pittsburgh    21
24. Vanderbilt    20
25. UNLV    —

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