Just when you think he’s out…
University of Pittsburgh junior point guard Carl Krauser sent in his paperwork and withdrew from the June 28 NBA Draft.
“I pulled my name out,” Krauser told CBS SportsLine.com.
Welcome back Carl.
June 21, 2005
The Beano Cook column also has a little note worth hyping separately.
The Pitt-Notre Dame game (and Charlie Weis’ debut) probably will be the site of the first “GameDay” weekend, followed by Texas at Ohio State. Bring your pencils, Lee Corso fans.
By the way, Beano, it is also Coach Wannstedt’s debut — at home, the place you once worked and god help us the Pete has a media room named after you.
Sorry, once you get best the Domer love (as opposed to the usual Paterno love) from Cook, we can focus on the fact that GameDay will likely kick off at Pitt.
It makes sense. Night game. Shown on ABC, and probably the most interesting game of the opening Saturday.
ESPN.com has a look at the Big East going into next year. Not to preview the teams so much as the nature of the new league. The success of the and ability to stay together will be tested right away in the article’s view simply by whether or not at least 8 teams make the tournament next year. If not, the schools may quickly determine that they are too big and going to be penalized by the NCAA selection committee.
BE Commissioner Mike Tranghese is dismissive of such issues (of course he is), but makes it clear how the middle/bubble teams will make the Tournament:
Greg Shaheen, the director of the men’s basketball championship for the NCAA, also met with the Big East coaches and told them that the committee will dissect their schedules, noting who the wins are against, regardless of conference affiliation.
“You can’t say we play in a great league and not play any nonconference games [of note],” Tranghese said. “I don’t know the right number, but if you choose to play no one, then you’ll pay the price. The only way you’ll get in doing it that way is to dominate the conference.”
Tranghese said the teams in the middle have to play quality nonconference teams. He understands there are rebuilding seasons, but he’s convinced the recipe to get a bid would be to play four home-and-home nonconference series: two at home, two on the road.
But that’s not necessarily how coaches who could be in that middle of the league are looking at their nonconference scheduling for next season.
“We’re looking at playing no more than one road game in the nonconference [schedule],” Marquette coach Tom Crean said. “We’ve got two contracted for next season at Wisconsin and at Nebraska, but we’ve got to be smart about how many high-powered games we play.”
Brey said he’ll still play a tough schedule, but he doesn’t want to go “crazy” with it since he “doesn’t know what’s coming in the league.”
In 2005-06, Pitt will likely be one of those middle teams. Pitt’s non-con will be vital — not for seeding as it has the last couple years — for having an RPI good enough to make the field. Pitt can’t count on the conference schedule to raise them up.
Especially now that Krauser looks to be gone, and will likely face an easier conference schedule thanks to TV. If you think I was harping on the non-con last year, you can bet I’ll be worse this year.
Beano Cook thinks the BE is just too big and it is ridiculous to do a single division with 16 teams (Insider Subs.). He recommends that the BE go to a 2 divisions or even a 4 division (2 divisions with 2 sub-divisions) format.
No actual word. Still, it is now expected that he will announce that he is remaining in the draft. Today is the deadline.
Chris Taft may be learning what even the Tick knows. Seems that Taft should not be planning (Insider Subs.) to hang out in the Green Room of MSG for Draft Night.
Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon keeps getting reports that sophomore forward Chris Taft is falling so far that he might sail out of the first round.
Dixon finds it hard to believe, since Taft was considered a lottery pick at one point. Taft signed with an agent, so he can’t return to school.
Still a bit of a surprise. As the cliche goes, “You can’t teach size.” If he slides even to the end of the 1st round, a team should get a very motivated Taft — for a year.
Taft is all over the various draft boards. Some have him out of the lottery, others right at the end.
That said, I don’t get this article talking about Taft as being soft.
Where Taft will go is guesswork. His stock has slipped in some eyes because of issues ranging from conditioning to a “soft” label. But he lost weight since his 13.3-point, 7.5-rebound sophomore season ended at Pitt. And he went hard at his Nets workout that also included guard Larry O’Bannon of Louisville, guard Peter Mulligan of Manhattan and Serbian forward Marko Lekic.
“[Taft’s] body’s not soft. That’s what people are saying, but he competed very hard,” said Nets GM Ed Stefanski, who noted Taft is “a legitimate four-man, size wise. He’s got an NBA body right now. He lost considerable weight since his days at Pittsburgh.”
Taft, naturally, disputed the raps, noting: “I guarantee you anybody who plays against me [doesn’t] say I’m soft because I’m going to play as hard as I can. Ask the Nets people. I don’t see myself as being soft.”
His physical conditioning was never an issue. It has always been an issue of mental toughness, motivation and desire.
I hope I’m wrong, but Taft will likely drive a team and fans crazy. He has all the physical tools. He will tantalize for spells with inspired and strong play, and then just try to coast. Not put the effort.
