Gottlieb likes the 'Cats

so i'm reading Doug Gottlieb's article about the thirty teams who have a chance to make some noise this season (outside of Vitale's previously published top 40 teams), and in the middle of that list is Oregon State. just as i start to get frustrated by statements like "biggest turnaround in college hoops" and "disciplined Princeton system of Craig Robinson" ...I happen to notice which team is listed next. here is what he had to say:

Northwestern. Yes, I wrote it, and I'll write it again -- Northwestern is a potential top-40 team. Granted, Michael "Juice" Thompson and Kevin Coble have to find some shooting help, as Craig Moore graduated. But John Shurna played great for Team USA and is a tough cover, and although the Wildcats' rebounding and interior defense remain problematic, they beat Michigan State and Purdue on the road last season and might have made it to the NCAA tournament for the first time had they not collapsed against Illinois at home. Rising sophomore Kyle Rowley is the key. He needs to use his massive frame to rebound and stay out of foul trouble.

i can't imagine that Bill Carmody is psyched that people actually have EXPECTATIONS about the upcoming season. i guess now we'll find out what he can do with a better than awful roster (although let's be honest, compared to the rest of BCS basketball, NU's talent level is still pretty terrible.)

Uh oh

it's not as if Bill Carmody needs additional competition in the recruiting world. however, it seems as though Harvard has jumped into the mix with some top-100 recruits. of course, if NU had just hired Craig Robinson when they should have, then maybe Obama-related Facebook posts would be directing kids to Evanston instead of Cambridge.

meanwhile, Craig Moore has signed a deal with De Friesland Aris Leeuwarden in Holland. here is the official NU press release, but of course this one is much more entertaining.

Shurna reflects on his summer

of this interview, obviously these were the words that resonated most with FBC:

It was great to be around the different coaches (Pitt's Jamie Dixon and his assistants, Purdue's Matt Painter and Southern Illinois' Chris Lowery). They're such great basketball minds.

We played a completely different style than we do at Northwestern. It was great just to be exposed to a different style. All those coaches have had great success. Getting the opportunity to play for some of the best coaches in college basketball really opened my eyes and helped my game a lot.

Recruiting update

now here's something you don't see every day. the Southern Kings, a Nike-sponsored AAU team from metro Atlanta, spent some time in Evanston recently. Julian Royal (6'8", 195) is originally from Chicago and is apparently at least entertaining notions of returning to his hometown.

it seems a bit of a stretch though; ESPNU's recruiting service shows Royal is considering Georgia Tech, UNC, UAB and the University of Georgia. here is the rest of the scouting report on Royal:

Royal is a skilled 4 man that can play facing the basket and showed range out to the 3 point arc. He looks more athletic than he shows; he got beat off the dribble by lesser looking athletes. He shows spurts of potential that catch the eye, but needs to develop a more focused intensity. He will be recruited by high-majors based on body type alone and as his body develops he should be able to be more of a force in the paint. He competes on the boards on both ends of the floor and came out of the pack with the ball on numerous occasions. He needs to get stronger and be more willing to fight for position in the low post; he has a tendency to stray out to the perimeter. Inconsistent, but has potential, but when the switch comes on he should have what it takes to contribute at a high level.

Evan Eschmeyer

Chicago College Basketball puts Esch at #6 on its top 10 list. the first four aren't exactly household names... has Chicago's college basketball history been that bad??