Tied to the whipping post, Patton gifts

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark

Shakespeare's Hamlet

It's not Greeley, it's CU men's basketball. No amount of explaining it as youth washes when one also takes into account that programs led by long-tenured coaches just don't allow a season to set up with so many freshman, no matter how talented.

Besides, any small sample will show this freak show is more than a band of freshman, it's a lack of fundamentals and cohesiveness.

Tuesday, another piece of evidence for the prosecution. No legal expert is needed to see the defense has no case and is on the brink of conviction. Regardless of what Ricardo Patton accomplished at CU, and he did make some positive things happen, he will be remembered for the flaming fireball that is this season and that's quite a stain.

Baylor's 97-83 victory was not close.

The Buffs are getting wiped out in every game. How difficult is it to play defense, to hit free throws? How difficult is it to have expectations and standards of Basketball 101, junior-high school? To be "fair" is to be dishonest.

Kansas shot 55 percent. Baylor, hardly on the Jayhawks' level, shot 59 percent. Nebraska jumped on CU early, Missouri's offense flowed well, too.

Want some medicine to put on the wound?

Xavier Silas (pictured) scored a career-high 23 points and Jeremy Williams also went for a personal best, recording 18. The old man, Richard Roby, tallied 18.

Williams added eight rebounds while Silas had six boards and three steals.

Aaron Bruce and Curtis Jerrells led five Bears in double figures with 19 points each as their team did whatever, whenever, wherever against their guests for the night.

BGT: How much more damage could be done to the players on this team, to the paying public back home? Next season is a long ways away and right now, the motivation to attend a Colorado game has to be difficult even for the most ardent supporters. Add to that the finger pointing (no, not from here) from the coaching staff, absolving itself of all responsibility, and its' no surprise that the program stinks in Boulder. Teflon -- nothing sticks. Locally, no one's buying it.

To Patton's credit, he will leave the foundation for a competitive team next season with Roby likely to return. If Williams and Silas do the same, that is a trio that has potential under the right tutelage, to bust out.

Longwood

Longwood?

Oklahoma is playing someplace named Longwood?

Why not a local high school or a charity team from the sheriff's department?

It's been a long while since Jerome Kersey went pro from that place and it showed as the Sooners hooted and hollered their way to an 81-40 romp.

Longar Longar and David Goldbold scored 16 points each to lead five OU players in double figures.

BGT: Oklahoma won the game and needed a victory but it does nothing for its' strength of schedule, to impress the NCAA selection committee nor make itself better for its' next conference game. But feeling good for a night is not such a bad thing. Have a cigarette?

Letters

Richard wants to know about the mass exodus of the grunts in the trenches.

I am curious on your take about the number of players that just announced they were leaving CU. I expected a few players to transfer with the new staff in place, but the number of lineman quitting has me concerned. What is the cause? We crucified Dave Borberly - rightfully so - for running off so many lineman on his watch.

BTW, what is your opinion of Nebraska's new OC?

Go Buffs!

Richard, the volume of players leaving has to, at the very least, grab most people's attention. Then you compound that fact most of those were along the line and it makes you wonder about their positional coach. It was also obvious to all that offensive line, as well as receivers, of which Steve Fendry (tight end) was a part of, was a disappointing area on the team last fall. So it's difficult to feel good about it all. However, it is part of the normal weeding-out process whenever there is a coaching transition, as there was a season ago.

As for the Huskers, regardless of how CU followers see Shawn Watson, he must be well-regarded in Lincoln as Nebraska's offense showed real life in 2006 and with much better talent in uniform the word here is Watson is going to look pretty smart in coming seasons. He has coordinator experience and coach Bill Callahan is obviously high on him.

Buffs go south for Bear, Army picks Buff to lead

Baylor hosts Colorado tonight and is eager for the Buffs to hit the court. The Bears looked fantastic in the preseason with an effective offense but Big-12 play has been hard on a talented but young and soft team. A night dancing with CU and Baylor just might go home satisfied.

BGT: The Buffs must avoid a start similar to Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas. How you do that is defensive fundamentals and intensity and not settling for long jumpers on the other end. Pass, pick, layups. Be aggressive. Richard Roby must lead but others have to be contributing as well. Get Jeremy Williams (pictured) more shots, light a fire under capable Marcus King-Stockton, reward Jermyl Jackson-Wilson with some touches and tell Xavier Silas to streak towards the basket. This is a winnable game, no doubt, but only for a team that can play some defense, pass and work it for better shots. Another loss would not be surprising but a blowout defeat would only add to the raging discontent with this program. The end result is responsibility of the leaders, not the workers, as in the coaching staff, not the players.

Meet the new coach

Bobby Ross retired at Army on Monday, which may only elicit a yawn from you but the sidebar to that news is that former Colorado offensive tackle Stan Brock is his replacement.

He was a three-year starter in Boulder and a first-team All-American before going on to become the twelveth-overall pick in the 1980 NFL draft by New Orleans. That was the start of what would become a 17-year run in the league, a total of 234 games.

BGT: Great day for Brock. My only question is whether this assistant-turned head coach was ever offered a position at CU, at any time? You know, not that having a former All-American, 17-year pro would mean any credibility with recruits or Buff players or anything, just saying, just going Thoreau, maybe pontificating a little.

Turbulence in Buffs football

News being sprayed all over the place about defections from current players and recruits in Dan Hawkins' program.

Don't sweat it.

Yes, losing more than a handful of scholarship players and recruits finding a prettier girl to be with hurts but the reality is this is college sports and Hawkins isn't likely crying about it all, knowing instead, those are not the types of players you ever could have counted on for CU. Maybe they will all become great players elsewhere or maybe they won't play again but it wasn't meant to be here. In the end, the Buffs will scramble, do what is necessary to minimize the hits and move forward.

The reasons why the names in question decided this program wasn't the right fit are important and need to be looked at and analyzed to see if there might be a disturbing trend but that is purely being smart, not an alarmist.

Hawkins was quoted in a B.G. Brooks' article in the Rocky Mountain News, and if you get a feeling from what he said, you can tell Hawkins is sincerely not worried.

For those who might ask where's the fairness when Ricardo Patton is assailed for defections, it is good to remember that Patton has a longer track record of such divorces.

Jayhawks struttin'

Eighth-ranked Kansas is living the life now, feasting on Big-12 meat.

First, it was Colorado that got devoured, 97-74, on Saturday.

Monday, the Jayhawks pounced on Nebraska in Lincoln, 78-56.

Them's good eats.

Brandon Rush scored 20 points and had eight rebounds to lead KU and Julian Wright flashed his exciting but inconsistent talent with 17 points, seven boards, two steals and a block. Ryan Anderson was the only Husker of note with 19 points. Alexs Maric, who alternates between looking like NBA first rounder and overseas player, was held to nine.

BGT: O.K., it's easy to punk the chumps of the conference but can the Jayhawks show their stuff against the best and do it all the time? Still not sold on this team. Good, yes. Great, as predicted, no. Texas A & M, without the talent in Lawrence, right now is a better team.

Nebraska, well, no tournament for you!

Cowboy wants out

Oklahoma State backup quarterback Al Pena wants out of Stillwater, knowing he won't play with one talented Bobby Reid entrenched as the starter but now it looks like he might be jailed by the NCAA.

Pena is set up to graduate in May and still has a year of eligibility remaining, however, the NCAA recently changed a rule that allowed athletes in Pena's situation (graduated with eligibility left) to transfer to another school without having to sit out a year.

BGT: This is typical government gone wild. They can preach all they want about their attempts to curb abuse but this is just meddlesome behavior that does not respect the student-athlete, of which Pena is obviously one, if he's graduating. Coaches have carte blanche to do whatever they wish when it comes to coming and going and players are highly restricted. It's disgraceful.

Rockies get it, finally

Give Colorado credit, on two accounts. First, they tried to improve the team by seeking talent at multiple positions by dangling former franchise cornerstone Todd Helton as trade bait, first to the Angels and most recently to the Red Sox. And secondly, for realizing a bad deal when they saw one, they got up and left the table, scoffing at the junk being offered.

This is progress for a team notorious for bad moves (Vinny Castilla to Tampa Bay, too much money for Denny Neagle and Mike Hampton, Josh Bard to Cleveland for who?).

Helton, even for his reduced output is worth more than Mike Lowell and Julian Tavarez. If the Rockies are patient, they will rediscover Helton can put up numbers that will merit keeping him or find him more marketable during the season. It says here he will get off hot early this season and prove he can draw more talent in a trade.

Waiting is the hardest part

Tom Petty sings that line and right now, Nuggets' fans have to be wondering, what's going on, when does it get better? No defense, no consistency (sound familiar?), Denver is more now about talent than teamwork and winning.

Wonder where the spark is to become special?

Interesting, worthless news bit of the day

Click!

BGT: Would not affect me if I were a citizen but shows how government can somehow go completely against the cultural norm and succeed without inciting a riot at the doors.

Bohn smiling, Roby shackled but moving

Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn is smiling these days, no matter the storm he must feel he's in from football to basketball, men and women's.

The man hardly entered the university at its' zenith. He is building from the ground up in many respects. Yet, he is likely quietly confident that he is going to be able to attract a large list of quality candidates for the soon-to-be vacant head-coaching job.

Last week, the Black and Gold Truth hit you with the Hot List that named names. Here are two more for you -- Karl Hobbs, George Washington (a former Connecticut player and assistant) and Gregg Marshall, Winthrop.

The more the BGT researches the more it realizes how many worthy candidates are available for Bohn to choose from, granted those coaches are interested in what CU does have to offer, which is Big-12 exposure, a conference full of, as Neill Woelk says, great coaches to challenge yourself against and a place where the quality of living is high. Throw in the fact that you make it here, you can make it anywhere and the right person, one who wants to show it can be done because he's the one, will get it done.

It promises to be a difficult and critical choice for Bohn. That is both exciting and anxiety-producing. Bohn is smart to surround himself with other intelligent minds and together they should be able to choose a coach with a high probability of success.

Definition of strong defense, Lawrence edition

Richard Roby (pictured) poured in 30 points on the road against Kansas on Saturday with an impressive shooting performance -- worth mentioning even in defeat. Yes, the bottom line was the Jayhawks flattened CU but let's swing this back the other way after Brandon Rush talked up his defense on the Buffs' guard.

“I thought I did a pretty good job. He had eight turnovers. I thought I forced some of those. We tried to not let him get easy shots,” Rush aid in a Tom Keegan story in the Lawrence Journal-World.

BGT: Now Brandon, allowing someone to use you all day is not a "pretty good job." Ask your coach about your performance. It's easier to brush it off since your team laid the wood but please don't sell us on your "D." Roby did make mistakes but then again, he's trying to do it all, too. Think Bill Self is calling your name for some remedial defensive fundamentals and don't think NBA scouts didn't put on their laptops "got smoked."

Movin' on up

With his 30-spot at Allen Fieldhouse, Roby now has scored 1,287 career points, good for 14th on the all-time list at CU. Against the Jayhawks, he passed Scott Wedman and Blair Wilson.

Next up are Pat Frink (1,288) and Jay Humphries (1,306).

By the end of the season, Roby could possibly move up to seventh on that list, behind only Donnie Boyce, Cliff Meely, Shaun Vandiver, Stevie Wise, Emmett Lewis and Randy Downs.

Names he would pass along the way include David Harrison, Ken Charlton, Scott Wilke, Stephane Pelle and Michel Morandais, all pretty good company.

Pity KU

So what's worse, I ask -- having a lack of size in the frontcourt, like CU, or having trees as the Jayhawks do but them playing a foot shorter.

“I think it can be summed up in one word, and that’s our big guys play soft,” Self groused after guard Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers combined to outrebound the big-man group of (Julian) Wright, Sasha Kaun and Darnell Jackson and Darrell Arthur, 13-12. “We’ve got too many finesse guys out there right now,” writes the Lawrence-Journal World.

The numbers

Colorado is shooting but 41 percent from the floor this season, the worst mark since the 1959-60 team connected at a 38-percent clip.

On the other end, opponents are making 48 percent of their shots. The last time it was that poor was back in the 1989-90 season.

An area the Buffs can also use help is in their long-range markmanship. While they allow others to shoot 41 percent, they hit on only 29 percent of their 3-pointers.

Leaders

Best shooters from the field

Jeremy Williams (54 percent)
Dominique Coleman (45)
Richard Roby (43)

Top 3-point shooters

Xavier Silas (39 percent)
Kal Bay (31)
Richard Roby (29)

Best offensive rebounders

Jermyl Jackson-Wilson (17)
Marcus King-Stockton (15)
Xavier Silas (13)

Formula ASBT (assists + steals + blocks - turnovers)

Dominique Coleman (+17)
Jeremy Williams (+9)
Marcus King-Stockton (+9)

BGT: So what can you take from all this? Williams is the player to watch, the one more offense should be run through. Silas is promising and the most aggressive young offensive player, with some skills to refine. Coleman is underrated, but also inconsistent. King-Stockton could be helping more but he too battles to make adjustments. And, oh, Ricardo Patton hasn't shown he's the right handyman to fix all those troubles. Sure he goes home at nights shaking his head, wanting a Bisquick team. Sorry, this group has to be put together by scratch.

Bears and Pokes next up

CU is in Waco to play Baylor on Tuesday, a game the Buffs should be anxious for as the Bears are playing terribly with four-straight losses but those Texans are strong and deep at the guard position (Henry Dugat, Curtis Jerrells, Aaron Bruce) and have a stud up front in Kevin Rogers. Difficult to pick the Buffs in such a game unless Roby carries them and Bears throw up bricks all night, which is unlikely the way CU often says ' 'ole ' on defense.

On Saturday, it's bad news as CU hosts Mario Boggan, JamesOn Curry and Oklahoma State. The Black and Gold simply has no one who can check Boggan, and Curry is a tremendous scorer as well. Roby has to work him hard when he has the ball to take some fight out of Curry on the offensive end. Terrel Harris is a solid third-scorer for the Cowboys. OSU has a whole week to prepare as well as it doesn't play again until traveling to Boulder. So not adding up as a likely win but hey, Missouri didn't look the role of spoiler until it ran over Texas Tech on Saturday.

Called out

Give the site credit, it is honest, and it says here, fair as well.

Here's a look at Dan Hawkins, year 1, and the future. Everyone knows there are challenges. Should Hawkins succeed, he will have accomplished something big, which is certainly not a challenge of which he is afraid.

Sunday Truth

BGT Rankings

Here they are, the best of the Big 12, the best nationwide, and the top work done.

Big 12: Texas A & M, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Texas.

Nationally: Florida, North Carolina, Ohio State and Texas A & M.

Best coaching jobs/Saturday: Roy Williams, North Carolina, with no Brandan Wright, destroyed Arizona; Stan Heath, Arkansas, who has now beat Alabama twice and LSU once. Mike Anderson, Missouri, for upsetting Texas Tech.

BGT Punches

Top thoughts on the Big 12 and nationally.

Big 12...Texas A & M has offensive holes but that defense keeps them in every game and makes them a wrestling match for any opponent. Early on, I thought they were overrated for that lack of "O" but that team is growing on me -- UCLA Southwest. Oklahoma is going to bite somebody it shouldn't before the season is over.

Red, White, & Blue...Arizona gets whipped by North Carolina. Close up shop. The Wildcats, with sweet talent, are pillow soft when it comes to meeting bullies on the playground.

Knight not happy

You can bet Bobby Knight is not happy with the success his former employer, Indiana, is having with Oklahoma coach-turned Hoosier Kelvin Sampson. Knight's replacement, Mike Davis had one run in him but was in over his head. Sampson, however, can both recruit and coach and it appears, from what we're seeing this season, that the Hoosiers could become a consistent Big-10 and national player again soon. Just watch the off-the-court issues, coach. Knight, meanwhile, revels in IU's bumbling since his ugly divorce from the school and you just have to know he doesn't respect Sampson, so add that up and you have some exciting dinner table talk at the Knight house.

Look at Lickliter

Butler coach Todd Lickliter is a name that has been talked about here in the past as an attractive candidate to become the next head coach. One of many. Here is an interesting part of his bio to consider.

"Mike Monserez said, "Coach Lickliter treats us with respect; he treats us like men." Guard Brandon Miller added that Lickliter "...is one of the smartest coaches I've ever been around." He replaced his former boss, Thad Matta, who left the Bulldogs after one season to become head coach at Xavier."

See it?

Look how the players feel respected and offer back that respect. Is that the current way of doin' business in Boulder? Look at the admiration for basketball knowledge. Look at who he coached under -- Matta, who just happens to be one of the hottest coaches in the land, as a recruiter and a winner.

Recruiting

More from my discussion with Bruce Feldman of ESPN.com on recruiting today. We discussed how, back in the early days, how Miami won without all the four and five-star players.

Was it willpower and hunger or coaching?

"I had this conversation with (former Canes' assistant and new coach) Randy Shannon a lot," Feldman said. "I asked him are they that much better at evaluating talent or developing it or is it a combination?

"I think it's everything," Feldman continued. "I think it really is a lot about the developing. There are more five-star guys, now more than ever, who flop. I think their heads get blown up. I think with Jimmy Clausen (hyped Notre Dame recruit), that's going to be a lot to overcome, with all that's been built up about him."

Recruiting, Part II

This is another reason coaches hate recruiting. Check this out -- the way business is done. They don't call them the Red Raiders for nothing.

"The Texas Tech Red Raiders have been busy raiding Big 12 rivals commitment lists over the past couple of weeks. It started by stealing Jerrod Gooch away from the Texas Longhorns. Then they picked up their biggest verbal to date by stealing Baylor's top commitment when they nabbed offensive lineman Lonnie Edwards away from the Bears. The Kansas State Wildcats also fell victim to the Raiders when they lost defensive end Tyrone Sonnier over the weekend," Jeremy Patterson of Scout.com wrote on FoxSports.com.

Love from the Big Red

You might not think it possible from what you read over on Netbuffs.com but here's the other side of Nebraska fans.

Price of success

Look, you want a football program that you can be proud of, it's gonna cost you. No whining. Either you want it or you don't and if you do, lips closed, eyes wide, be happy.

Rockies mix dumb with smart

O.K., Colorado knows it is overpaying, getting fleeced for Todd Helton's game anymore with his loss of engine power, as in his home-run and RBI numbers, but you just know and I mean you know that if Helton is dealt, and the word from Troy Renck of the Rocky Mountain News is the Rockies are talking about it with Boston, that general manager Dan O'Dowd is going to be the Red Sox' pigeon, especially if working against Theo Epstein.

Let's see, the rights to pitchers Spaceman Lee and Oil Can Boyd and a case of Sam Adams for Helton.

Can't wait to hear the spin on that one. No one in the Denver market, from college to pro, spins it as well as the Rockies' front office. They are like a political machine, speaking with confidence, believing what they say like all great con men, even when the track record shows contradictory results.

Here is someone who isn't in bed with the Rockies, speaking, well, the truth, hoping for Manny Ramirez to be included in a deal.

"Instead, those with Rox in their heads will trade Helton, agree to pay half his salary and accept a couple of nice players who might help a little in the new "Five-Year Plan, writes Woody Paige of the Denver Post.

"How long did it take the Red Sox to win a World Series? Please plant flowers on my grave when the Rockies get there."

If only Colorado wouldn't try to pass off every move as brilliant, either economically or baseball-wise, it would be easier to give them a pass but when it is arrogant in its' approach, it is imperative that people like Paige have a voice.

Give Helton one more shot at getting his power back and then, if that happens, make a decision. Let him play half a season in Colorado and then think about trading him. If he is healthier and he should be, his numbers will be up and contending teams will pay an appropriate price. If he remains stuck in second gear, trade him for spare parts, like the team is thinking of doing with Boston right now.

The high cost of love

So, did you see former Broncos' defensive back Tyrone "Chicken" Braxton agreed to a plea on drug possession and patronizing a prostitute?

Now, loved Braxton's ability to make the big play when not giving up one the other way but the man made an offer of $ 600 for sex. Now, yes, she was 21, so I guess the going rate for an old dude to get something young is high but paying for it + $ 600 = pitiful, worthy of getting benched as a man.

That's not an All-Pro move, that's rookie stuff. They should tape him to the goalposts, naked, for that one. No need to bankroll your sex life and end up with your name and face in the newspaper. Don't you remember the Michael Irvin and the "self-employed models and cocaine" story?

Come on now, where are your skills, TB? Let's get together and practice soon.

Groundhog day in Lawrence, Tech undone

Another game against Kansas, another loss, another blowout.

And yet, somehow, the fans are expected to be patient and positive.

Right.

The game plan of play no defense (Jayhawks struggle to shoot only 55 percent), show unbalanced scoring (two players in double figures) and show yourself as sloppy (30 turnovers and poor free-throw conversion rate) and undisciplined is a rare approach. But hey, at least it's effective.

97-74 KU.

In this line over here, the apologists. In that line, the realists.

Allowing Ricardo Patton to continue teaching poor habits is not, as it has been written here before, harmless. All it does is make the next boss' job more difficult.

Go find someone grounded in fundamentals, yet has the ability to relate to the players, and make it clear, this is but an interim job until the end of the season. The pay ain't much and the glamor, well, there isn't any, but its' an experience and it's a worthy undertaking. Make a difference and rescue the athletes. Make it the athletic version of some sappy, predictable, but uplifiting Hollywood movie about an impossible situation turning around.

The money can be found. It wouldn't cost much. You don't need a big name. If you insist you don't have a dime, then beg Ceal Barry, or extort her if you have to, to take the job. That, if nothing else, would ensure fundamentals and get this, positive publicity to a school bone dry in it.

This Patton farewell chemistry experiment is on the verge of blowing up. The fans deserve better, the players do too.

No one is benefitting from this charade.

More Truth: Richard Roby (pictured) busted out for 30 against the Jayhawks, showing his demise was greatly exaggerated. Jeremy Williams is going to be a player, as he finished with 11. The Jayhawks got 54 points from its' backcourt on 21-of-36 shooting, thanks to Brandon Rush, Mario Chalmers and Russell Robinson.

Around the Conference: Sixth-ranked Texas A & M had to sweat out a 70-61 home victory over the hombres down Norman way, as OU gave the Aggies a workout. That the Sooners were even in this game shooting 34 percent from the floor is amazing. Billy Gillispie's boys know defense and play it. CU, well, defense is for sissies. Antanas Kavaliauskas and Acie Law combined for 40 points in the win while forward Nate Carter keeps ballin' at a high level for OU, scoring 19.

No. 13 Oklahoma State unplugged the Iowa State offense in a 62-50 win in Stillwater. Terrel Harris, the Cowboys' third scoring option, went for 21 points while the top two options, Mario Boggan and JamesOn Curry combined for 31 more. Mike Taylor had 13 for the Cyclones. OSU has weaknesses but it is still one of the best teams in the Big 12. ISU is still a wannabe.

Busted. Why didn't I see it coming -- Texas Tech, fresh off of two upsets, overconfident, fat on themselves, going to Columbia -- and I still picked them to beat Missouri. Fool. The Tigers sent the Red Raiders back home a loser, 71-58. Guard Stefhon Hannah led three Tigers in double figures with 15 points while Martin Zeno had 14 in the loss. The skinny -- Tech is and will be dangerous but they got lazy today and paid the price. Missouri got one on their home court. That's all you can say about them for now.

Texas took Baylor lightly, no matter what it says, and had to work harder than anticipated to beat the Bears off, 84-79. Kevin Durant, a once-in-generation player for UT, scored 34, getting 22 points of support from A.J. Abrams and 11 assists from maestro D.J. Augustin. Aaron Bruce and Curtis Jerrells combined for 43 points in the Baylor backcourt, doing what they haven't been doing during a four-game losing streak. The Longhorns aren't Big-12 title worthy but they are going to end up in the NCAA's. The Bears are just gaining experience for next season.

Kansas State shoots but 33 percent from the floor but wins its' fifth-straight game, beating Nebraska, 61-45. Bob Huggins is starting to get his message across and the Wildcats are benefitting from it. Clent Stewart led three players in double figures with 14 in the victory. Alexs Maric was the only Husker to reach 10 points. K-State is going to a postseason tournament. Nebraska just doesn't yet have enough pieces.

Sunday Night Truth is coming your way -- a big buffet of football and basketball, from CU to the Big 12 to nationally. All set to go. Check it out.

Big 12 Preview

The Black and Gold Truth believes the Big 12 will play out as expected on Saturday with only one shaky situation likely.

Eighth-ranked Kansas is set up to rout Colorado based on the Buffs' history against KU (39-111) as well as the current foul state of CU basketball. Yes, the Jayhawks are consistently inconsistent but they will smell blood in the water during their first run. Maybe coach Ricardo Patton gets two early technicals and assistant Paul Graham does too, defending his boss, maybe lessening the obstacles the team has to overcome.

The BGT likes no. 13 Oklahoma State to overwhelm Iowa State, red-hot Texas Tech to win in Columbia over Missouri, Texas to roll slumping Baylor in Austin and Nebraska to push Kansas State in Manhattan before falling to the surging Wildcats.

The potential uncertainty in the conference?

Oklahoma, playing well and finding an identity under new coach Jeff Capel, playing at College Station against no. 6 Texas A & M. This does not have a feel of a runaway. Both teams are gritty, tough and it appears to be a strong matchup. The pick is the Aggies but it could be close.

Check back for recaps, analysis and notes.

BGT: CU is proving a lot of things this season -- almost all bad but there are flashes of hope. The next coach will not start from scratch on the floor. Richard Roby has to return if the NBA is his dream. Jeremy Williams looks to be a frontcourt compliment on the rise and Xavier Silas has intriguing potential. Marcus-King Stockton is a rollercoaster of production but has ability. Jermyl Jackson-Wilson looked promising early so you know the talent is there. Kal Bay has shown he can shoot and has some playmaking skills. Cooking all that into something worthy is the challenge but one that can be done by the right chef. Mike Bohn has the ad in the paper and will get door knockers. Can he pick the right one?

Note: Check back for the big Sunday Truth column, with notes from the Big 12, nationally, on all topics.

The BGT Hot List, Crosby, draft

Back-to-back back-alley whippings at the hands of Big-12 vanilla's Nebraska and Missouri are going to heat up talk of Ricardo Patton.

The man may want to divert attention from himself and towards the team but come now, how is that going to be reality when you are getting bloodied on the playground each recess?

So, sorry, but someone has to be the bad guy. I don't like it any more than you do but I'm just notorious for it -- just ask my ex-wife.

Of course, I think it all slanderous but hey, what can you do?

With all respect, Mr. Patton, here is the first Hot List, which will name names of potential prospects to replace you, with no regards to affordability, interest level, etc. It's a list of men to daydream on and determine if there is any desire and lust on their part, you know? We can do that, admit we want a real hunk of man courtside, someone to kick this program into overdrive and make, that's right, make Colorado one of the cool schools in the conference, one that prep players get all hot, sweaty, dry mouth and Superman over.

Hot List (in no particular order)

1. Mike Dunlap -- success is success and this intense leader gets rave reviews from many.

2. Jeff Bzdelik -- was successful in Denver and still got dumped. Will be a hot commodity again.

3. Chris Lowery -- young, great start as a coach, intriguing.

4. Mark Turgeon -- forget this season's slide. Until this season, every year he was in Wichita produced a better record than the season before. Think about that.

5. Mark Few -- so Gonzaga is a better job, I hear. What's the name of that conference he coaches in again and how much exposure does it or he get? Is he anxious about moving up to coach or is it all about the Benjamins?

6. Jamie Dixon -- maybe he wouldn't come west from Pitt but an inquiry wouldn't hurt and not, at least, calling, would be foolish. Coaches something CU doesn't see much -- defense. Expects intensity. Wins.

7. Todd Lickliter -- mentioned to me early on by Jeff Goodman of FoxSports and the Butler coach is growing on me because he's gettin' it done at a place not associated with the top 25.

8. Mark Fox -- a reader sent this one my way and give the guy credit as the former Kansas State assistant and current Nevada top dog is doing good things with some big stiff from Colorado at center.

9. Darin Horn -- the Western Kentucky nobody might be the young juice this school needs.

10. Anthony Grant -- who? The former Florida player and assistant doesn't have a long-enough track record but his resume, while short, is interesting. Watch this guy at Virginia Commonwealth.

11. Matt Brady -- a reach? Maybe. But the Marist man is a name to watch.

12. Tubby Smith -- wait! The guy was rumored to be out at Kentucky but a short while ago and if the Wildcats flame out in the postseason, the heat will get turned up again and who knows if a move to an entirely different enviornment, where we would be welcomed like royalty, might really energize him. Costly but would ignite fire in the Flatirons.

13. Alvin Gentry -- Scott Wilke mentioned him and Gentry, a Phoenix Suns' assistant, has backing but it says here that while appealing, he won't end up a finalist.

14. Marc Iavaroni -- another Suns' assistant, once talked about as NBA head-coaching material.

15. C.B. McGrath -- North Carolina assistant who lacks experience and would be a foolish choice but take a moment, read his bio and remember that calculated risk sometimes pays off.

16. Kevin Willard -- his father is a coach and his boss, Louisville's Rick Pitino, says the younger Willard reminds him of some coach named Billy Donovan. Let's see, Pitino + Donovan + dad is a coach + KW was a player = call him!

17. Donnie Jones -- Florida assistant who is unheard of on the national scene but his playing success and his long connection with Donovan make him worth looking at, if you ask me.

18. Tony Jones -- assistant for Bruce Pearl's runnin' Vols at Tennessee; a man who has put in the time as a coach, can recruit and has been part of a winning program.

19. Matt Doherty -- the former North Carolina player, Kansas assistant, Notre Dame and North Carolina coach experienced a fall from grace but has resurfaced at Southern Methodist, is improving that program, and would be an immediate upgrade as a recruiter and in name-recognition and coaching know-how, someone who could hit the ground running, even if he is a longshot.

20. John Wooden -- how old is he?

NFL Draft

How 'bout some analysis, amigos? Here it is, on that revered kicker who played in black and gold.

"Mason Crosby has a legitimate leg, and proved in Mobile that it wasn't just the Colorado air. He's definitely going in the first 100 picks," wrote Pete Fiutak of the CollegeFootballNews.com.

BGT: Said it before months ago and will say it again -- great for Crosby but if your best player is your placekicker, well, you ain't much to talk about as a team, now are you? Crosby looks the part, however, of a Jason Elam-type kicker, hanging around for years, piling up points and earning big bones as one of the best in the league. Could prove, if he goes to the right situation, a star amongst kickers for his once-in-a-generation leg.

The low bar of intelligence

"One of my favorite parts of the week is to hear the scouts and coaches recount stories of how dumb a kid is. The stuff these prospects say sometimes is ridiculous," writes Jay Glazer of FoxSports.com.

"For example, one player many years ago in answering a question if he had cheated in school admitted, "Cheating means you ain't repeating.

"This year's line goes to a college coach talking about one of his players to scouts. When asked about the kid's intelligence the coach, to paraphrase, said, "If you put the brains of all his family members into the head of one duck, the damn duck still wouldn't be able to figure out how to fly."

Patton's shelf life has expired, Big-12 scores

79-65, Missouri.

Not much else matters. The game wasn't as close as the score indicates.

The time has come.

Ricardo Patton should be forced to step down.

Losing to Texas A & M and Texas is one thing. Getting bounced by the likes of Nebraska and Missouri -- disgraceful. CU is getting used by every bum named Joe, and with all due respect, the Huskers and Tigers are hardly March Madness-teams.

Athletic director Mike Bohn will likely not replace Patton during the season. Financially, from all we have long known, that is not possible. It is not out of the question that by allowing Patton to continue he becomes a bigger public-relations' nightmare, at which point it either becomes incumbent on Patton to turn the reigns over to someone Bohn would appoint upon Patton resigning (unlikely), effective immediately, and his staff being broomed if they refused to work with Bohn's selection, or Bohn doing what he doesn't want to do -- force an in-season change the hard way if Patton refuses and find someone, anyone, to coach on the cheap.

Regardless of how it's done, it is in the best interest of not only this program but this school to change course. Retaining the status quo is not harmless. At this point, Patton is not serving the program in a beneficial manner. He is, on the contrary, doing it great disservice.

It says here, with the way the snowball is getting bigger, Patton will not coach through the season, that something, on one side or the other, is going to break.

No one expected it to end this way, despite the preseason prognosis for struggle. Whether it likes it or not, CU has become an annual soap opera in the Rockies for the nation. Is that how it wants to be viewed and laughed at any longer?

There is action that can be taken to stop the bleeding.

Is Texas Tech really this good? Beating Kansas and now Texas A & M?

Not that Bob Knight was having any difficulty in having the people of Lubbock drink the Kool-Aid but after those two impressive wins, he is likely seen as he sees himself, all knowing.

The Red Raiders hosted and stunned the sixth-ranked Aggies 70-68 as Martin Zeno led the way with 22 points. Some imposter named Jon Plefka added 17 and the more well-known Jarrius Jackson scored 13.

Acie Law scored 26 in the loss.

BGT: Texas A & M went on the road, shot 53 percent from the floor -- and lost. Missing eight of 21 free throws didn't help but neither did allowing the home team to shoot 50 percent from the field. Where was that vaunted Aggies' defense? The Red Raiders even hit 53 percent from 3-point range (10-of-19). Sorry, this just wasn't a case of the Knight riders shooting out the lights. It was poor defense. A & M will survive. They are good. Barring a complete collapse or some off-the-wall scandal, Tech likely just made the NCAA tournament.

No. 8 Kansas routed slumping Baylor, 82-56, getting a combined 34 points from the inconsistent duo of Brandon Rush and Julian Wright. Freshman point guard Sherron Collins added 13.

BGT: Baylor is proving to be a pretender. The preseason allowed them to look superior to what they were. The offense has disappeared the defense is weak. The Jayhawks, meanwhile, look great, don't look great, look great. Who can figure them out. This team needs assertiveness and leadership on the floor and so far, no one wants that job. The talent is there. The competitiveness is not.

Texas eases by Nebraska, 62-61, in Lincoln behind Kevin Durant's 26 points and 15 rebounds. Durant: first-team All-American, national freshman-of-the-year, and an NBA All-Star within three years. I've read of him that Durant is a bigger, more skilled, athletic version of Carmelo Anthony.

BGT: The Longhorns are not fully developed but they are going to be dangerous in this conference, this season. The Huskers, while not lacking talent, are, however, still in need of another talented player or two to be on the level of UT. Interesting note in this game -- standout freshman point guard D.J. Augustin went 0-for-10 from the field. As is the mark of a good player, Augustin found other ways to contribute -- 10 assists.

Why the Rockies are becoming the Cubs

Jim Callis is a writer for Baseball America who seemingly knows his "stuff." He just got done with an interesting list, breaking down the best pitching prospects in the minor leagues and amongst them are three arms in the Colorado Rockies organization -- towering Jason Hirsch, acquired in the Jason Jennings trade, lefthander Franklin Morales and righty Ubaldo Jimenez.

Intriguing players all, and all with question marks.

One would have to follow the franchises closely and be honest about it all to notice the unspoken from Callis' list, which is the fact that three names in the top-10 could have been had by the Rockies, yet were passed on for Stanford righthander Greg Reynolds, a signability pick if there ever was one -- Andrew Miller of North Carolina who went to Detroit only because of concerns about his price tag, high schooler Clayton Kershaw, who ended up with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington's Tim Lincecum, who ended up in the San Francisco Giants organization.

If Colorado says their budget can't handle a talent like Miller, you grumble, doubting it all and move on. Kershaw, however, was a known commodity as far as high school pitchers can be, a lefty and while more underdeveloped by being a prep, surely a superior talent to Reynolds. With Lincecum, it was concerns over his durability, being small in stature, you know, like Pedro Martinez.

Colorado simply continues to try to win in the court of its' fans with weak presentations, expecting their transparent excuses to convince the jury. Sad really, and why the club will struggle to win. The leadership at the top doesn't recognize the winning model for success.

To transfer or not to, breakin' free, Bush

The defense rests, your honor

So, who's right and who's wrong?

Some compelling questions get asked and at the end of it all, you have to ask yourself with whom you most identify.

Good brain workout.

Independence Day

From Dennis Dodd of CBSSportsline.com's column on Illinois' coach Ron Zook.

"One of his recruits is quarterback Clint Brewster, the son of just-appointed Minnesota coach Tim Brewster. You're probably thinking the same thing. Brewster can't even keep his son at Minnesota, losing him to a Big Ten rival.

It's not quite like that. Clint was already committed to Illinois and, frankly, sounds like he wants to get out of the house.

"I've been living with him for 18 years and I think it's time for us to part ways," Clint said last week. "Illinois is the right spot for me."

Recruiting Story

When talking recently to Bruce Feldman of ESPN.com about his upcoming book on college recruiting, he shared some stories with me, including one from former USC assistant and current Mississippi coach, Ed Orgeron.

"Orgeron says (USC) turned down Reggie Bush seven times on video tape during the process. They were not sold on him right off the bat," Feldman said.

"In fact, he was not the top recruit in their class. That was a guy named Whitney Lewis - 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, real strong -- they said he was going to be the next O.J. (Simpson).

"But he came in fat and he was emotionally not a solid kid and he transferred out."

Diamond Notes

With all apologies to Hall-of-Famer and one of the best sports journalists ever -- Peter Gammons -- here is this space's version of Diamond Notes, should one's mind be thinking of baseball already.

Check it out, part way down the page.

Sooners easy, Kiffin, Parcells, Stoops, Vols

Oklahoma hit 3-pointers late and was near perfect from the foul line --when it went there -- but lost in Stillwater anyway because it couldn't stop Oklahoma State from going to the stripe.

The no. 12 Cowboys won 66-61 on the strength of a 38-14 advantage on free throws taken and a 27-13 lead in makes because they were able to put pressure on the Sooners' defense that Jeff Capel's team couldn't stand up to.

OSU stars Mario Boggan and JamesOn Curry weren't their best, combining for 25 points but Byron Eaton and David Monds made that a moot point with 28 combined points.

Nate Carter, one of the hottest players in the Big 12 lately, scored a game-high 23 points.

Black and Gold Truth: Capel is having a powerful effect on OU basketball. Give him some more players and the Sooners are going to be a player again. That said, no one wants to play him and his team right now. The Cowboys received what they needed tonight -- contributions from those other than Boggan and Curry. That will, in large part, determine who they are and how far they go this season.

This is likely what Bob Huggins had in mind when he recruited Jason Bennett.

The 7-foot-3 freshman center blocked eight shots, a school record, to lead the defensive effort in a 73-36 Kansas State home victory over Chicago State.

Forward Cartier Martin, seemingly unfit for Huggins' coaching, continues his return from the dead with a game-high 25 points. David Hoskins, the unsung offensive force of the Wildcats, added 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Kansas State has now won four straight.

BGT: Huggins has this team rolling now and it will be interesting to watch it now to determine if the Wildcats have the necessary consistency to be a conference factor the rest of the way and if they are strong enough to compete with the Big-12 best.

Off track

How 'bout those Oakland Raiders? Hire, as their new head coach, a guy who hasn't even been a head coach at the college level. One might think the climb to the top for Lane Kiffin will be a little bit more difficult at the pro level, especially with the Raiders, than it was at USC where boys beg you to let them into school, where they promise to go to class, even, just to wear your uniform and play. Yes, Kiffin has impressive bloodlines and experience but to say that a pro team is not taking a huge risk, a Texas-sized risk in getting together with the wiz kid is an understatement.

Bill Parcells would make a great college coach. Too bad he likely considers himself too rich, too old, too tired to give the college game a try. His credentials and personna would sell to recruits and we know he can coach. If he hit the right campus, he could win a national championship in but a few years. Too bad we'll never know if he can do it. The one-time Air Force-Parcells would be a successful fit at a major college program.

Bob Stoops replacing Parcells in Dallas? Not going to happen, not that owner Jerry Jones isn't at least thinking of the possibility. Check out why Stoops shouldn't even daydream about it in Mike Strain's blog on the Tulsa World website.

Get this, amigos -- Tennessee teflon coach Phil Fulmer, he of a roster of bad news on an annual basis, whether it be academic or legal, is again stacking up stud recruits like fire wood. Amazing how players still want a piece of that program and their parents and guardians give their blessing. Just goes to show love isn't the only thing that covers a multitude of sins.

You know, Duke's Abby Waner, a Colorado prep athletic goddess, looks to me like a stiff, as in one of the least athletic people on the court. Harsh, yes, but in the same breath the BGT has to give that girl some serious love as a shooter. No matter how mechanical, her form is lights-out amazing, and she just sunk no. 4 Tennessee for the top-ranked Blue Devils on Monday night, 74-70, with 21 points. No news here -- Waner is a player, no matter which school's jersey she wears.

Speaking of that game, how "sick" as in supportive, unique and fun is Vols' men's coach Bruce Pearl? Can you imagine the precedent he could be setting? Bob Knight? Rick Majerus? Larry Eustachy? Coach K? Is this a recruiting tool? Maybe that's all women's basketball needed -- the men's coach half-naked, painted. Vols' coach Pat Summit likely was more embarrassed but decided not to show her true feelings. Hard, though, for Pearl to judge his players for a wild night out now, don't you think, after that sobering picture?

Last Shot

Later this week, an interview with Tom Kensler of the Denver Post on CU basketball.

Sadler gets it, Roby scouting, breakfast truth

Some points for the CU administration and maybe, the current staff, to remember.

"I love it when fans start questioning your program,'' (Nebraska coach Doc) Sadler said. "That means people are following it and are interested in it. And that's a positive.

"I wish we had 13,000 people here today saying I can't coach because that means we'd have had 13,000 here.''

Those comments from a Lee Barfknecht story in the Omaha World-Herald show insight and maturity from the Huskers' coach. Sadler knows when people are quiet they have given up caring. Sadler wants a passionate legion and he knows if he can turn that combine around up Lincoln way then hey, those loud voices will then be in his corner and become his biggest allies.

For some reason, I don't think the Buffs' Ricardo Patton has ever looked at it that way.

Nebraska kept talking in that Barfknecht story, though, which while deliciously honest, maybe wasn't too intelligent. Talking about Richard Roby's sickly performance, guard Charles Richardson, Jr. spoke his mind.

“We knew that he takes crazy shots, and that if we get him to force up shots, we’d be in good shape,” Richardson said in a Brian Rosenthal article on HukerExtra.com.

The book is out and the reviews aren't pretty. CU is being looked at like a joke, even its' best player, no matter the pre-game fluffing that often takes place in the newspapers.

The win over Iowa State last week was the Buffs' taking advantage of what will prove minimal opportunities for Big-12 victories this season. That was an accomplishment. Last Saturday against Nebraska was another golden moment to cash in with a victory, even if it was in Lincoln. Getting run out of the gym in the first half like some junior varsity team was nothing short of humiliating and shocking. To the Huskers? That wasn't a top-25 team or the cream of the conference. That was, at best, a middle-of-the-road group, and likely, a cellar rat alongside CU.

That player and team development is not evident, that accountability seems entirely lacking, that leadership seems in denial is quite a recipe. For what, well, we're seeing for what, but what we are also learning is that falling on the sword due to financial constraints is one painful experience. You can take one thing to the bank, though -- CU is highly likely to be much more careful with loyalty and future contracts to avoid a repeat of such public and national embarrassment.

This school, lately, from football "scandal" to Patton's crash has seen finer hours.

Fallout costly

Coaching changes oftentimes bring player "casualties."

Oklahoma found that out when Kelvin Sampson ditched Norman for the Indiana job, costing the Sooners some fine pieces.

Yes, new coach Jeff Capel has done a fine early job keeping OU competitive but what he could have done with Damion James (Texas), Scottie Reynolds (Villanova) and Jeremy Mayfield (UAB).

James has been a worthy contributor so far with his impressive rebounding and could one day become an honors' candidate, Reynolds just lit up UT last weekend and has been one of the nation's hottest freshman, lately (21.6 points per game over his last five contests) while Mayfield has displayed potential as a rebounder.

Capel has done what is necessary, by all appearances, replacing Sampson and should be able to recruit talent but uncertainty is a significant factor in a player's decision to attend a school, as OU discovered.

Sunday Truth on Big 12, Top 25, chew toys, more

Here's the Sunday Truth, the skinny, the grab bag of topics.

Will be so nice next season not wondering who the next head coach at Colorado will be. Instead, we'll be wondering if athletic director Mike Bohn made the right choice. Never happy...

Scott Wilke shared he is an Alvin Gentry kind-of-guy, Neill Woelk of the Daily Camera is mighty impressed by what Jim Calhoun has done at Connecticut and wonders if there is another like him, and me -- well, you know I want what I can't have in Mark Turgeon or Mark Few or maybe even a Chris Lowery. So how about some more names to think about? The BGT will dish some today and hold on to some and save them for down the road.

Todd Lickliter, Butler, is lookin' good, don't you think? Darin Horn, Western Kentucky? Here's a nobody who might become somebody -- Matt Brady, Marist. Check them out.

BGT Big-12 Penthouse...Texas A & M, Kansas, Oklahoma State and Texas.

BGT Big-12 Outhouse...Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa State.

BGT Questions...is Billy Gillispie's team better than Bill Self's boys, is Texas Tech really that dangerous or a pretender all dressed up as a contender, and will Kansas State make the NCAA's in Bob Huggins' first season in Manhattan?

BGT's favorite players to this point...Kevin Durant (UT), Mario Boggan (OSU), and Wesley Johnson (ISU) in the frontcourt, and D.J. Augustin (UT) and JamesOnCurry (OSU) as your guards.

BGT second-team...Acie Law (TAM) and Stefhon Hannah (Missouri) in the backcourt and Joseph Jones (TAM), Alexs Maric (UNL) and Julian Wright (KU) up front.

Buffs to watch this winter...Richard Roby (leadership challenge) and Xavier Silas (the next star Patton wants to promote and be remembered for recruiting).

Quotable, from KU coach Self on freshman point guard, Sherron Collins' breakout game..."Tonight there was no thinking going on with Sherron," Self said. "He was just out there ballin'."

Currently, the BGT-national top 4 includes...Florida, North Carolina, Texas A & M and Ohio State.

Loved now, crying later: Texas A & M still scares me, as in they aren't as good as they appear. KU looks pretty but you can also see the warts (chemistry not quite there, lack of mental toughness, inconsistency) and see those blemishes too often. Pitt might a game or two in March but more is expected, same as Wisconsin. The big one -- UCLA. Ben Howland can coach and they play defense are the Bruins a Final-4 team?

Look out in March: Arizona (three solid scorers, Hall-of-Fame coach), Oregon (balanced scoring, tough, winning), Oklahoma State (two stars, a solid third scorer, good coaching).

From a Seth Davis column on CNNSI.com, coming from his inside source, on player's evaluations regarding the pro game.

"On Nick Fazekas, Nevada senior forward: "I'm not a big fan of his, but he'll probably play in the NBA because he's long and he can shoot it. But talk about a bad body."

"On Julian Wright, Kansas sophomore forward: "Some people think Wright is the truth. I'm OK on him. His shooting scares me, but he is very skilled and very active. The guy I like on that team is Sherron Collins. I tell you what, he's like Quinn Buckner reborn. Stocky, though, makes plays, defends. I was pretty impressed with him."

"On Brandon Rush, Kansas sophomore forward: "I'm not as big on Rush as some people may be. There's just something about his game I really don't like. I'm worried about his left arm, which was broken when he was young. He's a pretty good athlete, but I'm not sure how good a scorer he can be at our level."

Everyone loves Durant, especially the BGT, but let's not get carried away, Davis' insider says, when it comes NBA draft day and the choice of Ohio State freshman center Greg Oden and the Texas scoring machine.

"Not a chance. I'm not drafting small forwards in front of centers. Oden can dominate the game for the next 15 years. Durant is a star, but unless a team already has a young, great center, I don't see it."

SI's Kevin Armstrong's article on hyped-2007 recruit Michael Beasley, a forward headed to Kansas State next season.

"He's going to do for Kansas State what [Greg] Oden has done for Ohio State," says Five Star Camp director Howard Garfinkel.

Colorado Preps

Colorado prep Devon Manning of Pueblo Central, a junior, already has eyes from around the country on his game.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound point guard is already a wanted man at the mid-major level, according to Jerry Meyer of Rivals.com.

The question that has to be asked is -- is Manning another talent that isn't Big-12 quality in the eyes of CU -- until he goes and stars elsewhere?

Recruiting Stories, Part 1

When the BGT spoke to Bruce Feldman of ESPN.com recently he shared some interesting recruiting stories. How 'bout I bust out one or two for you today and then down the road, you know, we do this again?

Did you hear about the one where the kid comes to a summer football camp, plays hard but leaves the coaches unimpressed? Yeah, tough on a player with a dream, you gotta think. So this kid can't take the idea of being labeled a "mid-major" kind of talent so he continues busting his tail to show coaches he is better than that, then gets caught up in what Feldman calls a "steroid ring." Now, we're not just talking taking the juice, which is just plain stupid is as stupid does but he gets caught up in a big group taking the toxic cheater's junk.

Or see if you know this one -- Feldman seeing that Ed Reed, that All-Pro, one-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the Baltimore Ravens, was recruited by two schools -- Tulane and Miami.

Or that ferocious former Hurricanes' linebacker and top-shelf draft pick (New York Jets) Jonathon Vilma was a two-star guy.

On Reed, former Denver Bronco and future Hall-of-Famer Shannon Sharpe once said the safety rocked his boat.

"He's probably the most complete safety that I saw in my 14 years in the league," Sharpe said in a Kalani Takase article on NFLHS.com article.

Recruiting (2002) --Colt Brennan, Hawaii's record-setting quarterback, was a two-star guy on Rivals, as was Carson Palmer's little brother, Jordan. Both might play pro one day.

Other two-star QBs that year were Omar Jacobs of Bowling Green, who had such a productive career that he was drafted by Pittsburgh, and Shawn Bell of Baylor and Bryan Cupito of Minnesota are other lightly-regarded guys who might get the NFL call. John Stocco of Wisconsin was a three-star. All have been solid, productive, quality players.

The three 5-stars? Ben Olson, Trent Edwards and Andy Goodenough. Not quite Montana, Elway and Marino.

Olson went on a Mormon mission, transferred, just started to play last season and got hurt. Edwards has been servicable and Goodenough, well, a bust.

A player that didn't merit one star? Jared Zabransky of Boise State.

Of course, that year, all-purpose guys like Vince Young, Tyler Palko and Troy Smith were all wanted by everyone, for good reason.

The Zook Secret

Follow recruiting? Then you know of Illinois' shocking success harvesting talent this season, especially considering the program is putrid.

Coach Ron Zook, who brought much of Florida's talent to Gainesville, the talent that just won the national championship, is now getting five-star talents to Champaign. We've mentioned his great enthusiasm as selling, as well as his rapport with high schoolers.

He's more of an explanation, from Dennis Dodd's article on CBSSportsline.com.

"He has sort of a bull-in-a-china-shop-type style that is very attractive to kids," CSTV recruiting analyst Tom Lemming said. "He's a bona fide big-time recruiter. He's aggressive, relentless."

Buffs leadership sloppy, Aggies tops

Colorado had before itself a winnable game, by all accounts.

A Nebraska team struggling, called out by its' coach and having 5:30 a.m. practices.

The result was a 71-50 Huskers' hammering of a sloppy, clueless Buffs' team.

The scouting report had to be stopping 6-foot-11 center Alexs Maric, Nebraska's top player, but all CU could do was watch him hit 10 of 12 shots and laugh his way to 28 points, making him look like a first-round NBA draft pick in the process. Maric's output was his highest output since the season opener -- against Nebraska-Omaha. Even this stiff wrote of the need to stop Maric. The Big Red center isn't quite yet regarded as Yao Ming or Dwight Howard.

Defenseless, as usual, the Buffs allowed the Huskers to shoot a glittering 50 percent from the floor, getting 18 more points from guard Jamel White.

Xavier Silas and Dominique Coleman combined for 25 points for Colorado. Richard Roby was on sabbatical, although the final tally does show him with 1 point. Must have been an honorary point awarded him for his past contributions to Big-12 basketball.

BGT: This was yet another unacceptable performance from this team in a lost season. How CU could not defend the post, not defend, period and be so fundamentally weak on offense is a mark of, how can this be said diplomatically -- coaching.

Do we really believe this collection of talent are Division II players? Do we think they belong playing recreational-league ball? How does Roby score but a solitary point, the Buffs run up but 13 in a half, against Nebraska of all teams, continue to be awful at the foul line and defenseless. Iowa State aside, maybe it is time for a change, for a certain head coach to step down and allow an assistant or interim coach of some type take over for the remainder of the season. For those who argue, and it has been done, that Dan Hawkins didn't take so much heat for his season, it can also be said that a) he did, b) his teams were more consistent and competitive and c) it was his first season at the helm. Yes, a program is allowed a down year. This, however, is not simply a down year, it's a disaster on all levels. Who's watch is it happening on? How did it get this bad? Was Ricardo Patton truly deserving of a contract extension before the season started?

Fifth-ranked Kansas, an enigma all season, went down hard in Lubbock, 69-64, to Texas Tech.

The Jayhawks have been winning with defense and overall talent but the Red Raiders were better defending and in a shocking stat, hit 15 of 20 free throws while KU attempted just four, making two.

Senior forward Darryl Dora scored a season-high 19 points to lead Texas Tech and Jarrius Jackson and Martin Zeno combined for 29.

Julian Wright led the Jayhawks with 12 but Brandon Rush shot just 4 of 16 on the day, something that can't happen to the team's alleged best player and leader.

BGT: Like mentioned in this space before, KU, despite its' record, is overrated. Way overrated. The talent is there but the chemistry just isn't. There also is no standout player leading the way. Rush isn't him. Wright isn't him either. Who is? This team will be good but it isn't a Final-4 group as many expected it could be at the beginning of the season. Bill Self's team is having to work, not just for wins, but to survive. There will be more days like these. The Red Raiders are stil unproven. To think this win means much is shortsighted.

Eighth-ranked Texas A & M is rising to the top of the conference, beating no. 12 Oklahoma State, 67-49. Not only are the the Aggies bullies on defense but they are easily the most consistent team in the Big 12. The latest to learn that lesson were the Cowboys, which were dominated yet again. First, KU did it, now Texas A & M. OSU is proving itself to be just a second-level group. Mario Boggan was cornered and held to 11 points. JamesOn Curry did score 20 but it wasn't near enough. For the winners, Acie Law led the way with 16, with Antanas Kavaliauskas and Joseph Jones combining for 27 more.

BGT: Billy Gillispie, right now, has the best team in the conference and is the best coach. His team is overachieving, showing his ability as a tactitian and motivator.

No. 21 Texas went its' own way and played out of conference, traveling East to meet Villanova.

Maybe that wasn't such a good idea as the Longhorns offense was finally checked in a 76-69 defeat. Kevin Durant, the hottest player in the land, looked, well, human, shooting 4 for 15 and finishing with 12 points, almost a third of what he's been averaging in Big-12 play.

Freshman point guard D.J. Augustin, a star already, did light up the Wildcats for 25 points and backcourt running mate A.J. Abrams added 19.

BGT: This is what the BGT has been talking about, UT is dangerous but is still too young to avoid games like this once in a while. That's o.k. now, but come postseason, one clunker and you go home. That's why the Horns will not go deep into March.

Oklahoma is starting to grow under the leadership of first-year coach Jeff Capel and Saturday's example was a 91-51 dismantling of Baylor down Norman way.

The Sooners shot 58 percent from the field while the Bears struggled to hit 31 percent.

Junior forward Nate Carter has been a star for OU all month and he kept riding that wave against Baylor with 22 points. Guard Michael Neal has finally been starting to come around and he finished with 16.

Curtis Jerrells had 15 points in the loss.

BGT: The Sooners don't have their usual talent and aren't a power this season but they are looking like a tough day at the office lately, with back-to-back dominant wins and three victories in their last four games. Only Texas stained that roll. All of this indicates that OU is going to be able to handle some business against the middle-of-the-pack teams and lower-tier schools this season. Whether they can pull an upset or two is the question. Baylor, after a fine start, is looking in over its' head, with four losses in five games.

Kansas State is rising and Iowa State is diving. The Wildcats went to Ames and handed the Cyclones another loss, 69-60, behind the stellar effort of swingman David Hoskins.

Hoskins scored 22 points and chased down 11 rebounds, a developing Lance Harris had 18 points and a suddenly-reborn Cartier Martin scored 17.

Mike Taylor finished with 21 for ISU and Jiri Hubalek went for 17 points and 10 boards.

BGT: Iowa State just isn't a team right now. Kansas State is starting to come together offensively under new coach Bob Huggins and on Saturday was stellar on the defensive end (36 percent). The talent level in Manhattan is going to go way up in the next couple of years but even now there is sufficient ability for Huggins to make a run for a postseason berth. Look for this team to be highly competitive as the season progresses. In another note, Cyclones' star freshman Wesley Johnson, with 10 double-doubles on the season, and four straight, was held to nine points and seven rebounds.

Final Note...a Sunday evening column full of Big 12 and national basketball with some football recruiting stories. Next week, an interview will be posted that the BGT was able to have this past week with Tom Kensler of the Denver Post.