Each week I'll talk about the sport I love, college basketball:
• I was happy to see a resolution in the Florida International-2K SportsCoaches vs. Cancer tournament issue. New coach Isiah Thomas thought his team was opening at Ohio State. Rick Giles, whose Gazelle Group runs the event, announced FIU would face North Carolina in the opening round. There was talk that the Golden Panthers might pull out of the tournament, but cooler heads prevailed. The Tar Heels will be the opening opponent now. Florida International will be playing additional home games as part of this event, which helps Thomas' program get more experience. Giles and his team do a phenomenal job promoting college basketball by running several great in-season events.
• The University of Pittsburgh will be shorthanded for the early part of the season. Forward Gilbert Brown was suspended for the fall semester due to academic reasons. Players have to be held accountable for their actions as they are student-athletes. Brown could be eligible to return in late December, but this is a blow to Jamie Dixon's team, which already lost Sam Young and DeJuan Blair to the NBA.
• During the NBA draft, I questioned the Minnesota Timberwolves' decision to draft both Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn. I felt at that time that Rubio's contract status overseas made him a risky pick, and that Minnesota needed more immediate help. Now it turns out Rubio will not be in the NBA this season. The Timberwolves could have had Stephen Curry, who would have had an instant impact.
• John Calipari can do no wrong in the state of Kentucky. He has been going around doing signings for the book titled Bounce Back: Overcoming Setbacks to Succeed in Business and in Life, and was co-authored with talented scribe David Scott. Calipari should enjoy a big-time season in Lexington.
• Duke got good news when 6-4 guard Andre Dawkins signed his offer of admission. He will be eligible to join the men's basketball team for the 2009-10 season. Dawkins recently received his high school diploma after passing his final course requirement this summer. He will provide a major boost to Duke's backcourt depth, an area which had to concern Coach K before this happened.