Sunday Truth

Maybe Air Force can strike it rich on the coaching-search trail by tapping into West Virginia's success.

Mike Maker, a Mountaineers' assistant, is reportedly interested in replacing Jeff Bzdelik as coach, as Jake Schaller writes in the Colorado Springs Gazette.

His experience with new Michigan headmaster John Beilein as well as work in the Princeton offense make him attractive as a candidate. What form of offense he would prefer is up for debate but with the type of athletes the Falcons are able to get the Tigers' approach probably is the best choice.

In the media alone, the new coaches at Air Force (when hired), Colorado State and Colorado will always be linked, if only because of the season in which they signed their new contracts.

Miles bits

This is a new project so I never got a chance to talk the hiring of Tim Miles to replace Dale Layer at CSU. One thing that stands out immediately about him is his energy. The man has that drive to fuel the Rams' program to better things. He wasn't a high-profile hire but it is hard to deny his passion for basketball and his new job.

He also seems to understand the problems that plagued CSU last season -- turnovers, terrible defense, poor shot selection and a me-first attitude with the ball in their hands.

The fact is all that can be cleaned up with good coaching and insistence it be done.

Miles knows basketball, he knows the financial restraints he is working under and he realizes he has to recruit Colorado harder than any school in the state. If he can get it going on the court and do all those other things above, he might be able to steal a couple of recruits in and out of state. He does that and he should prove to be a strong hire by a man known for them -- athletic director Paul Kowalczyk.

Nelson no dummy

Junior college quarterback transfer Nick Nelson may not be an Academic All-American but he's no dummy either.

In a Kyle Ringo story in the Daily Camera, Nelson bypasses the usual fluff coming from the mouths of athletes to speak truth (think I like him already) about what's at stake for him before the season opener arrives.

"I think it's real crucial because this is my last chance," Nelson said. "If Cody (Hawkins) starts, I'm pretty much done. I'm going to be a backup for the rest of my career."

There certainly is a lot of stress and doubt going down up in Boulder these days but as long as the players don't get paralyzed by that, they'll survive. They have to learn to use disappointment as motivation, to do what champions do, which is to work harder and smarter in an effort to jam that rejection, triumph over obstacles and "show" cynics how ignorant they were to doubt.

Nelson already sees the writing on the wall -- he is behind Cody Hawkins in production and he has to catch up quickly or else we will become Senor Clipboard Holder -- able to tell all the girls he plays QB on the team but suppressing the fact that he never gets dirty in games.

Nelson isn't out of the mix yet but he is way behind, not showing the ability to do much of significance. He does, however, have size, experience and a background of winning. More repetitions in the offense and he could make a run to the forefront.

The Jackson saga

Bernard Jackson isn't hiding it well -- he's down in the dumps.

The good news is coach Dan Hawkins hasn't given up on him.

Take a look at Patrick Ridgell's story in Longmont's Daily Times-Call and there it is for your eyes, Jackson talking about being exiled from Camp Quarterback.

“I’m not upset,” Jackson said. “I’m not holding any grudges. I’m just kind of going along with it now. There’s no sense in fighting for some place they don’t want me at. So I’m just going along with the punches, and wherever I land — receiver, kick returner, running back, wherever — I’ll play.

"Said coach Hawkins: “We have to continue to be creative and look at all the ways we can get the ball in (Jackson’s) hands, because he’s pretty electric.”

Jackson is too talented an athlete to just put in storage, even if he back at a foreign position. Where Hawkins is going to put B-Jack is the big question and honestly, I don't think any of the coaches know right now.

Suggestion?

Kick returner, special-package quarterback and limited-play wide receiver.

If Jackson won't bury himself emotionally he will make a significant contribution in a small amount of plays this season. He has too much athleticism not to.

Buffs ratting on pretenders

Listen to CU basketball players and immediately sense the intense dissatisfaction they had with the previous coaching staff.

From Richard Roby to Kal Bay, the voices say the pretenders that coached this team last season were not leaders, did not have a plan that was respected and could not instruct basketball in gym class.

Cold? Yes, but is it inaccurate?

Chirp, chirp.

The players realize they will have to make an adjustment and won't be allowed to play street ball anymore nor just coast academically. They see and will respect that their coaches care about them on the court and in the classroom and improvement should be seen in both areas.

On Walden thoughts

If Avalanche rock-steady star Joe Sakic were working in most any other town, his accomplishments would make him the "John Elway" of that community.

Since when did heart and togetherness become en vogue for the Nuggets?

Don't think we can undersell how dominant a performance Jason Hirsh put on against San Diego on Friday night. It was but one outing but Colorado pitchers just don't do that very often.

CU fans, even doubters of Bzdelik, have hope now. You can feel the tension, the change, the improvement coming, in the air. There's a new sheriff in town and he's a nutcracker but he will make his players better in basketball and in the classroom.

Derrick Clark is expected to be a CU assistant and in addition to being on the staff at Air Force with Bzdelik he coached eight seasons under Mike Dunlap, so even though Dunlap said 'no' to the Buffs he brings knowledge and application about Metro State College's success to Boulder.

Tom Abatemarco as a potential hire under Bzdelik is still a half-baked idea. Players at Drake despised his less-than-humanistic approach, leading a revolt. Take a read here on a man CU is reportedly interested in bringing on board. Or take a look-see here. So the guy once was able to get some big talent, a necessity in Boulder, but at what cost would all that come? Bring him in and you don't think there won't be immediate negative recruiting against the Buffs? A lot of mama's will refuse to let their children even look at CU as a possible place to be schooled and play. Why start fresh with a new head coach and immediately poison the recipe?

CU's hiring of Bzdelik got all the local attention while CSU's naming of Miles hardly garnered a second look but the Rams may have found a sleeper that will make them a player again, maybe since some name from yesteryear -- Boyd Grant.

I'm down to my final 100 bucks and I'm looking at today's final round of The Masters. Do I dare bet it on anyone but Tiger Woods? Not saying he's a lock but no one has a larger presence on the last day of the tournament than him. He's Mariano Rivera in the ninth inning, John Elway in the fourth quarter, Joe Montana, Michael Jordan and Patrick Roy in championship games.

Mocking you again

So, you don't like Bill Williamson of the Denver Post's selection of Adam Carriker, defensive lineman, Nebraska, as the Bronco's top pick in the April NFL draft?

Let's take a look at FoxSports.com's idea for Denver -- Justin Harrell, DL, Tennessee.

Now, after reading that link and clicking on Harrell's name, don't you feel a little better about Carriker? Thing is, the Broncos are also supposedly interested, well by all the mocksters, in Aaron Ross, a DB from Texas, or Florida long, lean pass rusher, Jarvis Moss. What all those projections fail to take into account is Denver coach Mike Shanahan gets fidgety and trigger happy come draft day, always trying to move up. It doesn't always work but he always tries. Look for that to happen again and the Broncos to draft a player not on any mock draft list.

Scoreboard

The Rockies' bullpen, weak last season, lost the team the game against San Diego as Adrian Gonzalez beat one the better Colorado relievers, Manny Corpas, for the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth.

The Nuggets' have finally decided to play NBA-quality basketball and it's showing as they have now won five straight games. Allen Iverson piled up 17 points in the fourth quarter and finished with 34 and Linas Kleiza hit a late 3-pointer (his only basket of the game) as Denver won out West against the Clippers, 96-93, in a key playoff-positional contest.

The Avalanche struggled with high-scoring Nashville and lost, 4-2, allowing J.P. Dumont to score twice and former Avs' player Paul Kariya to light the lamp as well. Milan Hejduk netted his 35th goal of the season for Colorado and Andrew Burnette also beat the goalie.

Saturday shakedown

Colorado State football coach Sonny Lubick seems to think his defense needs work on tackling, or so he said after Thursday's scrimmage.

What made him think that after all this spring ball?

Maybe the fact that his running backs look all-conference caliber and his receivers are doing their best Pac-10 imitations?

Yeah, guess you could say that defense is a little sloppy.

Where did you go Joey Porter, Clark Haggans and Brady Smith?

CU scrimmage

Looks like the Buffs' kicker is still going to be a star on this team as Kevin Eberhart converted three field goals. The offense still is growing and doesn't intimidate anyone right now. Of course, he missed a pair too.

Hear coach Dan Hawkins groaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan.

Nick Nelson is merely a stopgap at quarterback at this point while Cody Hawkins is the man but still developing.

Hugh Charles is fighting to get the majority of touches at running back this fall and he's making plays this spring. Kevin Moyd, the forgotten gnat, showed up too. Demetrius Sumler, who is being picked here to be a big factor in 2007, was the Invisible Man.

Stephone Robinson provided hope the return game won't be a non-factor again when he ripped off a 70-yard return. Byron Ellis flashed with a 52-yard kickoff return but that likely was an aberration.

The receivers?

Yawn.

Defensively?

Difficult to assess at this time.

Dan Hawkins likes the progress, realizing the team isn't going to win 10 games this season but has to be and will be superior to last season's flop.

Between the lines

If you saw Tom Kensler's work in the Denver Post, there it was all too clearly, how the former coaching staff could not motivate the team to do as it was asked, according to Buffs' star but not yet a leader, Richard Roby. The high-scoring swingman also said what observers and fans already knew -- the effort was also often lacking.

Why?

Coach Ricardo Patton had lost his team's year -- he was Dead Man Walking.

Who knows what Jeff Bzdelik and his staff are capable of doing in their first season in Boulder but there is no doubt the combination of available talent, more passion and finally, some structure and a real offense and defensive actually being played, not faked, will make this team significantly improved. A winning record should be a lock, and an NIT should be a reasonable expectation. If health is the rule and CU develops its' "bigs" then more might be possible.

The heat is on

Patrick Ridgell of Longmont's Times-Call put Bzdelik on the hot seat in a Friday story and it appears the Buffs have just hired someone who is not going to play what he thinks are games. He's not 'splainin' himself for no one. He's there to coach some ball, be a drill instructor and get some wins. To answer Ridgell's question, I'm sure Bzdelik knows the huge task at hand just as his football counterpart, Dan Hawkins did when he enlisted to take over a fading program.

Rockies get embarrassed

Micah Owings was once drafted by Colorado but he never signed. Two schools later he did say 'yes' to Arizona. In his major league debut Thursday he allowed one hit in five innings, giving hope his sterling minor-league numbers were not a fluke.

Players of that caliber can't be misses on the field or in the negotiations.

The Rockies, no excuse, just as they did with Matt Harrington, failed miserably, even if Harrington's screwed up advisers later cost him a pro career. You draft someone then plan on paying them huge dollars if they went at the top of your talent harvest. Don't get to the checkout and then say you're not paying or everyone is going to know you're a chump.

Any apologists for Colorado, please mail your letters to:

123 I Don't Care Blvd.
Still Don't Have Enough Pitching, Colorado

Williamson forecast

The Broncos need help on the defensive line. You don't need to be a coach or scout to know that fact. So Bill Williamson of the Denver Post is predicting Denver will select Adam Carriker from that school so many in Denver love to hate -- Nebraska.

Carriker won't remind anyone of a Pro Bowl pass rusher but he will not underachieve like many current lineman on the roster either. Maybe he will end up a poor man's Rulon Jones. Yeah, I dated myself with that one but that's the name I'm going with today. One guy I won't compare him too is another ex-Husker and Bronco -- Neil Smith.

Big 12 being reshaped

Ricardo Patton -- split so he wouldn't get fired.

Bob Huggins -- used Kansas State for a year before quitting, angering Wildcats' administration. And people are surprised? How else is a rogue supposed to act?

Billy Gillispie -- movin' on up to Kentucky, leaving Texas A & M heartbroken and from the sounds of it he doesn't sound like he'll miss College Station at all. That has to sting the home folks. Good thing CU got to Bzdelik before all this evolved.

Breakin' it, shakin' it down -- the Buffs made an upgrade to Bzdelik but K-State and the Aggies will likely struggle to do the same. Advantage Buffs. Will say I have heard that A & M has an impressive list of candidates it is hunting.

Just in -- with KSU promoting assistant Frank Martin to replace Huggins, let's get one thing straight. He ain't gonna last. He was solely hired out of desperation, and fast, to save the touted recruiting class. Foolish move. Those players will come and go in a couple of years and the Wildcats will be stuck with an inexperienced coach when they could have had better.

Scoreboard

So did Denver and Dallas ever finish last night's game? 75-71? Isn't that a halftime score of a Nuggets' game? That's the final score, you say? Come on now, don't be lying to me -- not cool.
Now as coyote ugly as that was, it says something that Denver can win a game like that. Believe it or not that bunch of scrubs is starting to play well.

O.K., maybe I was all wet about Rockies' newcomer Jason Hirsh, who looked like the real deal against San Diego (one run in six innings with eight strikeouts) in a 4-3 win. Wow. Dude dropped the hammer on the Padres. That is exactly what this team needs to be a player in the National League West. Now the question is -- was that a fluke or who Hirsh can be -- a dominator.

Difficult to comprehend there was any doubt as to whether Colorado should re-sign Kaz Matsui. Getting out of New York was like pumping oxygen into in. He's a totally different player. Give general manager Dan O'Dowd a hug for that move as it is brilliant. Against San Diego, Matt Holliday hit a tee shot long and high and beautiful. Give me more of that.

Air Force truth; pirating; getting sticky

Air Force is back out on the dating market.

With Jeff Bzdelik dumping Air Force, Falcons athletic director Hans Mueh is free to look at others again. Yeah, he's bitter, but the good news is someone is going to badly want what he has -- a head coaching opening.

The problem he's going to face, however, is overreacting to getting left and becoming controlling, which we all know is the formula for another relationship disaster.

Mueh cried for loyalty and the need for stiff, expensive buyouts in a Jim Benton story in the Rocky Mountain News. Problem is, Mueh doesn't get it. Air Force is one difficult place to sustain excellence due to the obvious and consistent obstacles of recruiting talent. Why would any ambitious coach stay after achieving success? And the money? Come on, let's be honest, the Academy is not in business of being a minor-league sports franchise. Mueh is delusional to the world's reality if he believes otherwise.

To be fair, losing the best thing you ever had hurts. Who can't empathize with that? And who in Colorado doesn't want the Air Force to do good things?

The AD will heal and one day find new love and if he is smart about who he chooses, he can have a moderate degree of success and happiness. That's as good as it gets. Bzdelik was a short-lived fantasy that has left the building.

Nuances

How smart is Bzdelik or his agent for getting an "out" clause in his contract if CU proves to just be giving lip service about tangible improvements in the basketball program? Sure, it will cost some heavy lettuce but what price do you put on freedom from what you consider a prison?

No practice facility groundbreaking by the beginning of the fourth year -- no soup for you.

What a leap of faith by Bzdelik. No wonder he had to think so hard on whether to accept the offer. Four years is a long time to wait for a ribbon cutting and the busting up of rock and dirt.

Know what? I do think the new coach is accurate in describing himself as a "sicko" and that is a good thing. He comes across to the WSN as a no-excuses, all-out, dreamer and worker with a plan who isn't being foolish and guaranteeing success as he's not positive he can live up to other's expectations but yet he is quietly confident he can do good things.

He appears to be a good fit. Athletic director Mike Bohn thinks he is the only fit, the perfect one.

Yankees looking to become pirates again

So a rumor goes that New York is desiring former Colorado Rockies first baseman and current Royals rapper Ryan Shealy but lusts more for current hammers Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins.

Well, unless the Yankees plan on giving up uber-pitching prospect Philip Hughes or fellow minor-leaguers Jose Tabata (OF) and Joba Chamberlain (ex-Husker pitcher), forget it. Colorado cannot let either Holliday or Atkins get away without a heavy booty in return or they will further alienate the paying public and pay the price at the ticket counter.

Karl's rap and NBA shortcoming

Coaches sure have a way with words. Just check out Nuggets' ringmaster George Karl, in a Chris Tomasson story in the Rocky Mountain News.

"When we run and penetrate and pass and play together and play defense, we’re good," Karl said. "When we shoot jump shots and hold the ball and get sticky and don’t run back (they aren’t). ... Unfortunately, that’s probably happened too many times (this season)."

Get sticky?

O.K., I get it, the players don't move, don't pass, the offense bogs down. But the phrasing just is a new drop on me but, I admit, I like it. Let's use it anytime here.

Come on, all together now -- get sticky.

But I digress. The Nuggets are adults, highly paid and should be "getting it" by now on how to do the things the boss thinks need to be done. Since it ain't happenin', that says the workers think Karl is clueless. Not saying that here in this space, the players are by their actions and the NBA, as we all know, is a player's party.

These two don't see the signs of a rocky relationship and the impending divorce. Regrettably, with all that dough in the Association, there is no counseling for players and coaches. That's why there are so many breakups between the two.

Coaching merry-go-round

Bob Huggins, a fantastic first season at Kansas State on the floor and in recruiting -- gone for West Virginia. The Wildcats' fans go from euphoric and secure to insecure overnight. However, like what Bzdelik did at Air Force, he raised the profile of that program for future coaches. K-State is now seen as a good job and it will get a quality replacement. But listen to the interviews with Wildcat officials and they are beyond steamed, much as Falcons' AD Hans Mueh was with his coach's departure. Everyone is feeling betrayed these days.

Kentucky fans wouldn't listen so they are likely crushed that Billy Donovan rejected them, as expected. They did it to themselves, throwing their hearts 100 percent into something they couldn't have. Why would Donovan leave a hot gig like Florida for Kentucky these days?

Could Texas A & M's Billy Gillispie be the next one UK shamelessly throws themselves at? The Aggies' coach is a native Texan but word I hear from my contacts is that Lexington is exactly the type of job that could tempt Gillispie. Think, at this point, with the commitment at College Station now, that's a better job but tradition might be tempting.

Scoreboard

The red-hot Avalanche ride the hat-trick power of Milan Hejduk and Paul Statsny's trio of assists in beating Vancouver, 3-1. This team has gone through a season of transition and has learned that talent isn't lacking. A total overhaul is not necessary. Tightening up the defense is priority one but with the proper moves Colorado can become a playoff force next season.

Think you're having a bad day

So why is it, or is it just me, that government has such a difficult time admitting possible wrong when people get hurt or lose their lives? Whether it's the Pat Tillman story or this one here, why can't it just be honest with the public? Well, outside the threat of litigation and embarrassment.

Uh-oh, all this guy intended to do was take home a little entertainment for him and his wife and all he did was create a national issue. Someone is going to lose all hope for a bright military future.

And to think I always disliked the normal smell of medical offices. This dentist tried to think outside the box, both with his new aroma and by making his tools multi-functional.

What are your fifth graders doing today at school? Guess down Louisiana way, at least in some parts, they like having sex, according to an AP video story yesterday. In...a...classroom. Seems the teachers left them and when they realized it, well the party was on. Trying to remember if I was all hot to score in fifth grade? When did the world change on me? Wonder how the next parent-teacher conferences at that joint are going to go down?

Quickie

For those of you with children, a little help.


Hot Points

1. CU players highly respect Bzdelik because he's a proven winner
2. They are also a little nervous about how they will react to his demands
3. The profile of the Air Force job has gone way up
4. Why do we know so much about Bzdelik but so little about Tim Miles
5. The Nuggets acquistion of Allen Iverson was overrated then and now"
6. Denver should try to trade him in the offseason for a younger point and another "tree"
7. The Nuggets picked a bad year to have no first-round draft picks
   
8. Did I miss who Mike Shanahan traded this week
9. Jason Jennings looked good for Houston in his first start, ready to see Jason Hirsh
10. If CSU's defense is not swiss cheese, the Rams will go bowling
11. Interested to see how Air Force flies now on the football field with a new regime
12. The Buffs might be the most confident team coming off "a 2-10" you'll find

Reader note

I'm one who likes the reader's voice to be heard LOUDLY, so to that end, let me share that one passionate follower of the CU program is extremely concerned with the Buffs' attraction to Tom Abatemarco as a potential assistant coach on Bzdelik's staff, citing his past ugly behavior towards players, which led to revolts. With rumors of a high degree of degrading behavior from former assistant Paul Graham towards CU players, hiring of Abatemarco could be pouring battery acid into what appears to be a potentially good recipe for success.

Deal done, drama over for CU; CSU defense

University of Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn revealed his deepest feelings with his press conference statements regarding his hiring of Air Force's Jeff Bzdelik as his new men's basketball coach.

“Jeff symbolizes all the essential leadership qualities that are important to successfully direct the Buff basketball program and represent the University of Colorado with class and distinction,” Bohn said. “His high level of professionalism, competitive spirit, work ethic and integrity makes him the perfect choice for our world class institution,” Bohn said.

There it is -- between the lines. You see it, too.

What the Buffs' new boss brings to the program that the former coach didn't is leadership, professionalism, class and the ability to make CU special.

Bohn knew and stewed last season over the inadequacies that reigned over the players and then he looked around at Texas A & M and Air Force and saw strong leaders who insisted on defense, structure, playing unbelievably hard, making no excuses and winning frequently. He liked that and decided he wanted some of it for his own. He fell in love and never fell out.

He got bold, went after his man and scored him.

Now it's time to see if the reality matches the vision for happiness.

Sugar Ray Leonard punching flurry

Man, can Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post urinate all over a good moment or what? Wonder if he gets many birthday party invitations? Thing is I appreciate his writing much more than most but saying that Jeff Bzdelik will regret moving from Air Force to the CU, when he is an accomplished coach, the most qualified the school has maybe ever had, is highly questionable thinking. By the way, the new boss will win. Will it be enough, who knows but I'll walk the plank and say his percentage will be significantly higher than Ricardo Patton's and guess what -- winning is the best currency for recruiting.

Not all is good, however, if Kyle Ringo's report in the Daily Camera is accurate. Tom Abatemarco as an assistant gets an "F" as a grade (what has he done lately really and nice rap sheet), and while former Buff Jay Humphries on the bench is all nice and sentimental give me more experience as a teacher and a beast of a recruiter any day. Bzdelik's friends from the Air Force would provide familiarity, continuity and make some sense and that package can't be bypassed but open up the interview process nationwide if you really want to do this thing right.

Anyone seen the boss

So who follows Bzdelik at Air Force?

And is that program a good job now?

Bzdelik raised expectations and proved that good coaching wins but much slippage will likely be viewed as disappointment. That's one tough assignment and is going to require bold, military-type composure to handle.

Names are being thrown out now, most of which will not excite Falcons' fans but the ones in a Jake Schaller article in the Colorado Springs Gazette that were intriguing were former Michigan coach Tommy Amaker and Tulsa lead man Doug Wojcik.

Early, yes, but significant too

Either Colorado State is going to be an offensive machine in 2007 or the defense is just playing 'ole in practices and scrimmages.

Right now, everyone is looking like an all conference player when they have a ball in their hand. Truth is the Rams do have some pieces to score points but reality also is those scholarshipped (yes, my own word) to stop those impressive advances down the field are apparently playing blindfolded.

Dismiss it all as practice, it being early April, whatever but ignoring the signs of trouble usually lead to a season that ends up on the rocks. Sure, the coaches see it and know they need to improve but only time will tell if the talent and execution will be there to stop the bleeding come fall.

Cabral excited for fall

CU linebackers' coach Brian Cabral has had his share of top players and he thinks Jordon Dizon is ready to bust out, according to cubuffs.com. Coaches love talent. Mix in experience and they swoon. Dizon has it both and if he keeps his body all baling-wired up and tackles George Hypolite and Brandon Nicolas take the next step forward in their development, Dizon could shoot himself into the class of great Buffs' 'backers.

Smith review

Jason Smith has decided that the college game, while nice, just doesn't pay the bills so he's ready for the NBA draft, but is he ready for the NBA?

Despite what Chad Ford of ESPN.com's Insider thinks (likely second rounder), Smith is a first-round lock unless he goes home to mom and dad's today and does nothing but watch reality TV and drink himself sloppy out-of-shape.

First of all, he's tall, very tall and those guys get passes on a lot of things. Next, he actually has, with apologies to Tim Hardaway -- skilz.

No good team at the end of round one is going to let a talent like Smith slip past them.

And if that local pro team weren't so loose with spending first-round selections (see Kenyon Martin and Allen Iverson trades), the CSU big man could be playing at home.

Former Colorado prep earning national attention

University of Miami defensive lineman Calais Campbell is looking good, and people are noticing as his name is being mentioned as a possible Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award winner at the end of next season.

Maybe it was those 20 tackles for losses and 10 sacks that did it for the former Denver South star.

Award or not, he gets the salute

So who is this Champ Bailey guy?

Imagine how good he could be if the Broncos could rush the passer just a little.

There is no doubt Denver misses Clinton Portis, who would have become the best rusher in team history but today you couldn't convince the team to trade Bailey for any running back shy of LaDainian Tomlinson and even he might not be enough for coach Mike Shanahan.

Scoreboard

The Rockies pound Arizona 11-4 as Matt Holliday doubled, homered, drove in four runs and Rodrigo Lopez makes fans rub their eyes with seven inning of impressive pitching. Quick hitters on the team's first three games -- Jeff Francis and Lopez both showed up as quality starters and Todd Helton, coming off back-to-back down seasons is off to an uncharacteristically hot start (5 for 12). Maybe he's healthy, angry and driven to prove he's not a broken-down lemon.

Like rollercoasters? Just be a Nuggets fan and enjoy the ride. Denver outran Sacramento 120-115 as they continue to pile up points. Carmelo Anthony, Nene, Marcus Camby and Allen Iverson all played stellar games, proving talent is not the problem for that group of misfits. It's chemistry. Honestly, coach George Karl, who was brilliant when he first got to town, has lost their ear. Good news for him, he'll get one more season to make it all work to owner Stan Kroenke's satisfaction.

Another breakup might be coming

Is Bob Huggins like Kevin Durant -- one and done?

Could be, according to Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com, who believes Huggins might go home and coach West Virginia.

Think Kansas State might wig out over that one?

They rescue Huggins from the reclamation pile, he does outstanding work in recruiting and on the court and then splits like a poor construction company, when the job is only part done.

That wouldn't go over well, would it?

The other soap opera

Will he or won't he is the question. Billy Donovan the subject of it all. Heading to Kentucky or not. People just can't quit writing about it.

Pity Kentucky, who won't get Donovan, won't get Texas' Rick Barnes and likely will whiff on Michigan State's Tom Izzo too.

John Feinstein of the Washington Post says the Wildcats aren't the only one who want Donovan. Just when you think you have enough money someone shows up with more in their pocket.

So why do you care? Word is Jeff Bzdelik wants to return to the NBA. He likely won't have to win an NCAA championship to get that offer. How successful he is and how quickly he achieves that will determine when the phone rings.

More than a coach

Some men just won't take 'no' for an answer and Eddie Robinson was one of them. He didn't let the 'it can't be done' garbage stop him, he didn't let racism or segregation stop his dream and commitment to achieving and in the end it all earned him deep respect. Having his earthly life end wont' stop the impact he's had here either. He got 88 years of life but his contribution lives on.

A quote that expressed his philosophy spoke loudly, courtesy of Mary Foster's Associated Press story.

"The best way to enjoy life in America is to first be an American, and I don't think you have to be white to do so," Robinson said. "Blacks have had a hard time, but not many Americans haven't."

No excuses, just work, belief and a whole lotta' success. He did what we all hope to do -- make an impact that lives on.

The Postman

From Andrew, who's dislike of a particular color affects his dress.

"Please do as I did with my wardrobe -- lose the red."

WSN: Now, I have to ask Andrew, what if that special person in your life buys you something sharp and fashionable, say, in red? Are you going to risk the relationship damage of saying "what am I supposed to do with that!" Do you use it to tie on to long items in the back of the truck or do you say, "ah, it's just a color." Promise, during CU-Nebraska or CSU/Air Force-Utah week, I won't use it. We'll make a change to quell a potential riot.

The OU advantage

Why wouldn't one want to play at Oklahoma?

Winning tradition, pay without work and then, according to former lineman J.D. Quinn, recreational play without consequences.

Ah, sorry, he said he really didn't mean his former teammates.

O.K., whatever J.D.

Good luck trying to reconnect in Norman now.

Bzdelik decision; Smith checking out

So is Jeff Bzdelik in or not at CU?

That seems to be the question. News reports are mixed.

If he accepts today, then the Buffs have found themselves the best potential leader in school history, even if he is not a lock to lead the program deep into NCAA Tournaments or even stay for years.

If he rejects CU, the Buffs will reel in pain, despite the public face they will put on. The fans will also start pointing fingers at athletic director Mike Bohn for not being able to close the deal in a seemingly one-man pool to replace the departed Ricardo Patton.

Bohn needs Bzdelik to be his man.

Smith wants the life

Colorado State 7-footer Jason Smith wants the NBA dollars and the life that goes with it, declaring for the June draft after averaging 16.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.

And with his performance this past season, this space is going to share what you already know -- Smith will stay in the draft, get selected in the first round and make the Rams' fans proud. While you can't blame him for realizing employers are ready to pay large for his services, it is, like CU losing Chauncey Billups early, disappointing to realize how he could have further made his mark on the program and in the record books.

If you're a fan of Smith's what would be best for him would be getting picked by a team that fits his skills, will help him get court time next season and be patient over the next few years.

By the way, this just in -- new CSU coach Tim Miles has told his wife, Kari, he needs a hug.

And Kleenex.

All is well now that Denver has appeased gold-digging bly

Now that the Broncos have bought Dre' Bly's love with $ 33 million, he is all big with the sweet nothings about the organization and city.

Surprise.

Saying all the right things now, how it was about going home and not about disliking Denver.

Losing Darrent Williams' talent in the offseason was extremely difficult, losing his presence and personality as a teammate to violence leaves a gaping emotional wound. Bly's acquisition and signing will help the former. The latter will take time.

Coach Mike Shanahan has done his best to keep his cornerbacks a strength on the defense.

Now all he has to do is find himself some pass rushers to protect them.

The more things change the more they stay the same

O.K., the Rockies have decided to keep general manager Dan O'Dowd and skipper Clint Hurdle for two more years. Not all that surprising here but from an ownership perspective, why do it now? Are other franchises giving off heavy signals that they are going to sign O'Dowd and Hurdle away from Colorado? And if so (and that's not reality), would the Rockies fall any farther as an organization if those two left?

So why did it happen?

The farm system.

It's is one of the best in baseball and some of the past minor leaguers have already become solid professionals (Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins and to a lesser extent, Brad Hawpe in the lineup, Jeff Francis as a starter and Manny Corpas in the bullpen).

More are being pegged as very good (Troy Tulowitzki, Chris Iannetta and Jeff Baker).

O'Dowd is not flawless in making trades although this space is a fan of the Kaz Matsui and Ramon Ramirez acquisitions but his work in picking and growing talent is what earned him an extension. Hurdle stays because he is committed to playing that young talent and them blossoming.

Memories

Here's a little memory recall for CU fans, even if it is now in the jersey of another school. In Paul Forrester's article at CNNSI.com, Texas A & M's standout guard Acie Law IV gets one high compliment, getting compared to former Buff and current Detroit Piston Chauncey Billups.

Former Colorado prep still not impressing

What's a guy have to do to get recognized around here?

Nick Fazekas packs up, leaves Colorado for Nevada and dominates and yet the NBA scouts just don't know what to think of his game. Actually, it's not his game, it's his body (he doesn't turn on grown men paid to look at it) and his apparent association with that condition called white men can't jump. If I'm an NBA general manager picking late in the first round and I learned Fazekas had the desire to be be a champion in his heart, I'd still take him based on his size and skill and wait to look smart in a few years. The question is, does Fazekas have that will to denounce his critics.

Not smart

Can't believe I'm coughing up space for a punter but they need love too, right?

Seems Denver didn't learn you can't trust Todd Sauerbrun. The Broncos have signed him to an offer sheet but New England has a week to match the offer sheet.

Hey, Sauerbrun has a fantastic leg and when he was being a good boy, was a solid special teams player but he's had personal problems in Carolina and Denver, the last straw in town being violating the NFL’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances after testing positive for ephedra.

Think it's great we give people second chances in this life. Heaven knows we all need them but Sauerbrun, for all his remorse, has a track record of letting people down. Denver is merely his latest enabler.

Layer and McKay teaming up

Former CSU basketball coaches Ritchie McKay and Dale Layer will work together again in an attempt to make it happen at Liberty University, with Layer signing on as McKay's assistant.

It's a fall, stature wise, for both men to end up at the Virginia Christian school but it says here they are going to end up being winners at that level and might resurface in a few years at a more recognizable program.

Scoreboard

The Nuggets played defense in the fourth quarter and got All-Star performances out of Marcus Camby (21 points, 20 rebounds and six blocks), Allen Iverson (20 points and 10 assists) and Carmelo Anthony (31 points, 15 free throw makes) to beat the Lakers in Los Angeles. This is still a team deficient in defense, sharing the ball and other unselfishness but winning in Los Angeles is not something this franchise has done much of in years so the victory is significant, if only in that regard.

The Rockies get seven ace-like seven innings from Jeff Francis and help from Tulowitzki and Iannetta in the bottom of the 11th inning to steal a game from Arizona. The Rockies can only be competitive if Francis can consistently deliver outings like this and the team can find two others who can almost do what he does. The bullpen showed depth and ability.

The Avalanche top Calgary, 4-3, as the ageless Joe Sakic and the young buck Peter Stastny light the lamp. Still shake my head at seeing Alex Tanguay in a Flames' sweater.

Trippin' the nation

So could Pat Summit relate to young men and could she recruit them in the first place to set herself up for coaching them to the NCAA Tournament consistently? It won't happen at her age and it would be a transition but if she scored a couple of recruiting victories, why couldn't she be a big winner. Getting players to take a chance on her would be the monumental challenge.

Dana Altman accepting the Arkansas job then returning to Creighton has to sting Razorback fans but it isn't an unprecedented move by a coach. In the end, Altman had buyer's remorse and decided his heart was with the Blue Jays. He's human, he's honest, Arkansas will get over it. Who's next for the Hogs? Everyone is turning down that job. It could be a great fit for someone but there have to be serious problems or else it wouldn't be treated as if it were poison.

The Postman

First in today is Craig, talking this site's color choice and then the future of CU hoops.

"Truth, I have your back...maybe there is a rainbow scheme (Power to All!). Is Coach Bz the Messiah for Buff BB? Not sure, but the "Improvement Bar" is pretty low after this season. What are your thoughts about next season now that Bohn and Bz are %@*?"

WSN: First of all, Power to All sounds like the new slogan for this space if Craig will sell the rights to it -- I like it. Hmmm....rainbow scheme. As for Bzdelik, well, you're money on that comment as the improvement bar is so low that Dennis Hopper or Samuel Jackson could coach this team next season and be appreciated. Will say that Bzdelik (see above) has great potential and the ego to drive him to succeed.

Personally, I would have looked at, at least, a handful of other candidates that I think I could have convinced to be interested in the job but if Bzdelik is the one that Bohn can't go to sleep without thinking of, then he has to sell out to get him. With talent on board, all an accomplished coach would need is a little playable size and salesmanship to make this a postseason team in 2007-08.

Next up is Kevin, who is also working on my campaign when it comes to the colors I paint the walls in this place.

"I, for one, think that it's your blog and you should do what you will with it, even if I think it should have red nowhere near it. Either way, if you keep writing them, I'll keep reading them."

WSN: Kevin, red is a power color, brother, you know that. I try to forget teams that wear it like Nebraska, Utah, the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Rockets, whoever. I'll keep writing because that's my game. By the way, went looking for your writing at YourHub.com but not sure what 'hood you write on. Send it my way, I'm interested.

Reasons why

O.K., why should or why would Bzdelik leave Air Force for CU?

1. The Big 12 is the place to test your ego and courage against other big heads
2. Win eight games and be considered improvement, win 20 and get a parade
3. Be a trailblazer and do what others consider unlikely or impossible -- make CU a basketball school
4. Be the program's James Naismith and teach the game
5. Have the court named after you for making basketball the in-thing to attend

WSN

Rockies cooked; drama; football; letters

Those Colorado Rockies do love to pump up expectations thinking fans will fall for it all over again.

Yes, it's only one game but thought management and opposing scouts saw Aaron Cook as an ace, a 20-game winner this season, yet he got, well, rocked against Arizona in an 8-6 loss on Monday in the opener.

Cook is intriguing but some pitchers find ways to end up on the wrong side of losing decisions way too often and that's the tall righthander from Ohio. It says here that Cook will win 12-14 games but that's hardly being the Top Gun he's billed to be.

Shhhhh, a little secret for you -- Jeff Francis, while no Johan Santana, is the Rockies' best starter. He rolls today for Colorado against a team in which he has won six of seven lifetime decisions.

Now for some big cuts:

Manny Corpas and Ramon Ramirez are going to be the stud Latin Connection that will protect closer Brian Fuentes. That twosome has a bright future.

Two RBI and throwing out a runner attempting to steal -- not a bad opener for catcher Chris Iannetta. He's going to be a fringe All-Star player.

Jeff Baker took a while to get to the majors because he was a walking accident but when he did finally end up in Denver last September he showed some real thunder in his bat. He homered Monday and it says here Baker is going to become a solid pro, a starter, some place, some time.

Kaz Matsui and Troy Tulowitzki combined for four hits. That pair has to show they can be offensive forces consistently to tie together the power middle of the lineup.

Cook said he didn't have his "A" game. What he didn't say was his outing was more like no. 3 starter. He can do better and must do better.

Buffs infatuation

The Jeff Bzdelik courtship continues as the object of Colorado's desire arrived in Boulder for some pillow talk about the Buffs' basketball coaching vacancy.

The dance is now public and its' only a matter of time before these two decide if they have the chemistry to become a couple.

So much drama, don't you think? It's high school all over again.

Truth is, if no one else is coming hard at Bzdelik and who knows if anyone is, then he should strike while the iron is hot and take over that mess at CU and whip it into shape. If he can make it happen in the Big 12 against power schools and power coaches he will be writing his ticket back to the NBA where rumor has it he longs to return.

The Backyard

What's not being talked about is if Bzdelik splits to stake a new claim on ground up north then who could be in line and attractive for Air Force?

Check out Matt Hayes of the Sporting News and see him getting in line with what we already know out here by saying that redshirt freshman Cody Hawkins is the next man to lead the Colorado Buffaloes' offense. That mention comes in the second paragraph of Hayes column but if you look at the first paragraph you'll see something very important. Notice it? O.K., now read the Hawkins' forecast again. There it is -- the shotgun. Hawkins being about 5-foot-11, the shotgun and him, a match made in heaven -- use it!

Remember this name Colorado State fans-- Ricky Brewer -- as you can just get the feeling he's going to be somebody. This is but one story on the future thumper and while I'm not hearing he's going to flat-out dominate on talent alone, his drive and will to succeed could make him a real wrecking ball for offenses by the time the final chapter is written on his days at the Fort.

Already shared that Kyle Bell has to be the man in the Rams running game as he's the one guy that can pound, pound and deliver that necessary production. If he's healthy and gobbling up chunks of yardage, quarterback Caleb Hannie is going to be a major factor. That said, CSU still needs to find that back that can bust inside and pop it big once in a while to spell B-E-L-L once in a while. Seems Mike Myers is the one getting the biggest look. With the stories coming out of Ft. Collins, it is obvious coach Sonny Lubick knows the offensive production from 2006 can't repeat itself or he could feel intense heat from the neighborhood despite him being Rams' football. If he doesn't win this fall he could start hearing fans and boosters naming nursing home options and taunts about the game passing him by, just ask Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden about their similar experiences.

CU needs all the big, talented wide receivers it can get these days and if the new verbal commitment from Corey Surrency out of the JUCO ranks sticks next winter, he might put a real charge into the offense. He is talking the talk now about loyalty but temptation, we all know, is a dangerous thing. The whores will soon come calling (see USC and maybe Cal, Oregon and Oregon State) even if he has given a verbal to wear the black and gold. We'll see how strong a character Surrency has to live up to his intentions and promise. Wish him strength -- he's going to need it. Glad it's not me.

So that's the problem with the Nuggets -- Attention Deficit Disorder. Who knew? They're only good for the opening moments of the game. Now that I think of that, maybe that's me.

Guess all that money spent on the roster didn't pay for defense. That must cost extra.

Trippin' the nation

So who's a better maestro -- Rick Pitino or Billy Donovan? Pitino long ago made his mark but he's yesterday's news compared to Donovan and don't think this is Billy D's last championship -- if he stays at Florida. He goes to Kentucky, he will do good things but man, why do that? He has the joint all set up down in Gainesville and all he has to do now is keep the engine hummin' with some general maintenance (recruiting) and maintain his hunger. Who wouldn't want to play for him?

Buckeyes' center Greg Oden dominated like he should in the championship tilt, offensively, but Gators giant Al Horford, well he ain't a dog either, is he? OSU point Mike Conley was a tremendous freshman but the question is how much better is he going to get? Not sure of he has much more upside so if he stays in school don't expect him to rise any higher in the eyes of NBA scouts.

Arkansas may not have rang up Billy Gillispie, John Calipari or even John Wooden to coach their team but in convincing Dana Altman to come to Fayetteville, it just booked itself deep into future NCAA Tournaments as the former Creighton coach is going to do wonderful things. Mark it down, boys.

The dominoes keep falling as Michigan scores some excitement with John Beilein moving up from West Virginia. His style will recruit itself and help the Wolverines take off.

Iowa scored big by getting Todd Lickliter away from Butler. Steve Alford was a marquee name when he came to Iowa City but Lickliter will end up doing better things for the Hawkeyes.

So this is Mike Price's approach at Texas-El Paso to climb the ladder again after embarrassing Alabama and getting fired before he even coached a game? Go after those who just didn't get it at their first school, become Mr. Second Chance. Risky but it might work having motivated juvenile delinquents and cast-offs.

Now here's some football aggression gone wild for you -- a former Michigan Stater playing the loco card. Now how bent do you have to be to throw someone overboard to pavement below. Where is the switch that says "wow, maybe I need a timeout here, maybe I should take a walk, you know, before I throw this chump over the balcony."

The Postman

First, from Jim, down Georgia way.

"I've been reading B&G Truth for a while now and when you announced it's demise I was a bit saddened (CU 65-68). After reading the new blog, I am convinced! As a exile from Colorado in the wasteland of Georgia, I just don't get much Colorado news, especially since Fox Sports Rocky Mountain stopped airing the Rocky Mountain Sports Report. WHO'S BRIGHT IDEA WAS THAT??!! Anyway, this new blog is ideal for me and I have already made it my home page! Thanks!"

WSN: A shout out to Jim in the Peach state and a little note today -- a lot of us end up in geographical or informational wastelands upon leaving Colorado, so I can commiserate with you. Thanks for the kind words. Will try to live up to the compliments.

Next up is Paul, who has something to say about the Jason Smith story in a Marc Spears' column in the Denver Post and the comparisons to Duke's Josh McRoberts.

"Congrats on the new page - I loved the blackandgoldtruth one. Anyways, watch out for McRoberts - the guy can score at will; he just doesn't have the mentality. Smith is not that great...I don't know what Spears is thinking."

WSN: Hey, Paul, good morning. You know something, McRoberts to me is all about untapped talent. You can see he has it but Duke couldn't get it all out of him and now, still not polished, he's hitting the NBA draft. I agree he is happier playing a supporting role than being a dominator. Smith won't be that type either but he will play in the Association and how many Rams can claim that accomplishment? In Spears' defense, it was the scout loving on Smith, not the writer but I get your point on how adamant the talent evaluator was on the CSU star. One more thing about Smith -- I do think he'll work harder than McRoberts on his game.

Scott rides in today and he's not shy when he does.

"Good luck, and to be completely honest -- CSU, CU & AFA all better football teams in 2007. Three bowl games! I'm working in Iraq, I have to be optimistic! Its late, good night. Thanks."

WSN: Scott, prayers, respect and a salute shipped your way this morning. Thank you for your love of country. And I'm going to jump on that bandwagon you're driving and believe that all three schools above will squeeze into minor bowls this season. Maybe, along the way, you can change this lifetime skeptic into an optimist, too. Trust me, do that and you'll get bags full of thank you cards.

And finally, from Craig, who made me laugh out loud, yet another street tough heckling my choice of colors for this space.

"Pick Broncos' orange or Buff gold, just not Fusker red."

WSN: Now Craig, I feel your pain on the whole Nebraska as the black hats and Coloradoans wearing the white ones but the color scheme just seemed bold. You gotta believe when I say I'm no closet Husker. Sending a question back your way -- how do I explain it to the Rams or Falcons here if I go with orange or gold? I might need some muscle to get to and from work -- you have my back, brother? Tell you what -- if I get a bunch of emails requesting a specific color change, I'm a reasonable man, I'll put it up for vote. Be good, catch you soon.

The breakout of the Warrior Sports News

Don't you wish Colorado and Air Force coach Jeff Bzdelik would just get a room and get it over with already?

After all, we've been subjected to watching them make out in front of us for some time now.

Oh, they think we haven't noticed but come on, we all remember being in bars watching new love do everything but switch positions in front of us.

We know CU and Bzdelik want each other. The fun thing right now for the Falcons' coach is that he knows CU is in a bad way for him so he's having fun yanking its' chain, deciding if he wants what he can easily have, without any work, or if he thinks he can find something better.

Air Force, right now, and you can see it coming, is going to be the one getting used and left with the broken heart. We see it because we're not involved. We try to tell our friends or in this case, our neighbors in Colorado Springs that the beat down is upon them if they try to hold on and when it all comes down, it's going to hurt like hell.

Look, we say, and see -- horns blaring, the brights on and you're clueless to how bad its' all going to hurt. Let it go inside and move on, we try to tell them but like they say, love is blind.

Gonna be a crusher.

More Bzdelik

Now, if coach "B" really wants what he says he wants, which is to win, does he believe that is going to happen, long-term, at Air Force where no amount of coaching is going to make up for the very-real recruiting limitations?

Not saying Colorado is the "gold mine" some think it could be but isn't it more set up for success?

If I'm Air Force, I'm concerned more with other schools throwing themselves at my coach than CU. The Buffs are merely the first to go all out. If they don't steal him away someone else will be next in line.

Bzdelik is only a man. He's not Superman. He has his kryptonite, and gold and prestige are being laid at his feet.

Smoke and mirrors

A little insider information for you -- Colorado State will have the running game it wants and needs when Kyle Bell proves healthy.

No stories about the Three Muskateers ripping through the Rams' defense is going to impress me. That likely is more an indictment on the defenseless-D than a testimonial of those toting the ball.

Ring that Bell and watch the ground game make that CSU offense hum again. Without that baseline for success, it will be another lonnnnnnnnnnnng season at one of the many schools I once called home. Face it, the Rams' passing attack, while not that bomb of a video game -- CU 2006 -- it's hardly USC-caliber either.

Conflicted

Maybe it's just me. I guess I'm neurotic in many ways but I'm conflicted over someone I want to love.

See, CU has this 6-foot-3 safety who was a playmaker at Idaho before coming to Boulder and that combination of size and production had me dancing in the streets until I read that D.J. Dykes couldn't outrun your mama and I'm like, uh-oh.

Sure, Buffs coach Dan Hawkins and defensive backs coach extraordinaire Greg Brown lavish praise all over Dykes for his intelligence, effort and skills but speed still matters, right? Otherwise, let me out there, as I'm sure I still have eligibility.

So unless Dykes is brilliant on the field, reading plays long before they develop, like some sports' Nostradamus then I think the possibility of smelling burnt toast is pretty likely come fall.

Window shopping

Chris Lowery, who would have looked good in Boulder, has just re-upped with Southern Illinois as men's basketball coach.

Knew the Buffs and him didn't have chemistry but call me jaded as I thought a stud like Lowery would be able to score a honey -- of a job.

Yes, Lowery is coaching where he played ball but SIU is still SIU, isn't it?

Maybe he didn't see the plum job he wanted, especially with Kentucky lusting for the one it can't have -- Billy Donovan and Arkansas foolishly looking elsewhere, and hate to say it but someone has to do it after Nolan Richardson and Stan Heath got the boot, but the Hogs are likely hunting for a white man.

In the end, it's an awfully good day to be a Saluki as Lowery is one mean young coach, you know?

Hear that champagne a poppin' in Carbondale?

Smith's marketing campaign working

CSU 7-footer Jason Smith put together an enticing resume and because of it, he's getting checked out hard now.

Yes, he's been good since the day he first set foot on campus but it was last season when he showed he was willing to knock heads on the boards that likely showed NBA scouts the toughness they needed to see.

Smith has always had offensive talent but he was a one-trick pony for a man who stands so tall.

So, doing some reading and see a scout in Marc J. Spears' work in the Denver Post says that Smith could be as good as Keith Van Horn and is better than Nick Fazekas of Nevada and Josh McRoberts of Duke.

Man, some people do like to get carried away, don't they?

Here's the quick skinny -- Van Horn was a superior college player to what Smith is and Smith will only turn out better if he bulks up and becomes a shark in the water for the rebounding wars, which I don't currently see happening for him at the next level. McRoberts can't score like Smith but he is a rare passer for a big man and has to eat glass against much tougher competition in the ACC and out-of-conference competition so for now, that one is a push. Fazekas is reportedly slow as my past cars and with the body of a supermodel but his skills demand respect.

So yeah, give me Smith in the first round of the draft but until he shows better toughness and a willingness to bang and score inside, let's hold off on the NBA starter shout-outs.

Preps keeping it local

CU scoring Levi Knutson's services out of Arapahoe High School is going to prove a real coup. In past years, a player like him would be ditching the state for success elsewhere. Knutson is a shooter, he's a scorer and he is going to prove a strong play for the Buffs.

Stephen Franklin at CSU sounds good to me, if that proves to still be a go. Keeping the state's best at home has to remain the goal for local schools. Franklin has size, talent and skill to be a strong starter for the Rams.

Diamond Truth

O.K., here it goes -- the next year of the Rockies' development plan.

Actually, the team is full of promising and widely-respected prospects, both on the roster and in the minor leagues but what will determine if it's the real thing or fools gold is how many of those stars shine big in The Show.

For years, Colorado could not develop positional talent. That no longer is an issue. What is still disturbing is the inability to produce top-quality starting pitching. Maybe Aaron Cook is finally ready, maybe Jeff Francis is on the verge of becoming a big winner and maybe a Jason Hirsh, Ubaldo Jimenez or someone else will prove themselves All-Star quality but who knows at this point.

The Rockies are intriguing right now because of the sticks they have in the lineup but if you look outside state lines, you'll see the Dodgers, Padres, Diamondbacks and Giants aren't sweating yet because they all have better arms.

What's he thinking

O.K., wrote at the Black and Gold Truth the other day that Dan Wilkinson refusing to report to Denver after the Broncos traded with Miami for his rights was a good thing -- a very good thing because of what Denver could do with that sixth-round draft pick (see Terrell Davis or Tom Nalen, a seventh-round selection) but what should be asked is why Wilkinson decided he couldn't even contact his new team to express his apathetic feelings about playing?

Of course, after a few days, the Broncos should have moved on. You know, they weren't waiting on someone like Roger Clemens, someone who can still play at an extremely high level. It was Dan "Big Overrated" Wilkinson and he hasn't even been a factor in years on a defense in which he's played.

In the end, Denver didn't get hurt. It only wasted a little time and early emotional attachment. Those two things are part of life and you get over it quick.

In the sixth round, Denver selects...

Nuggets Noise

Do the Nuggets have a psychologist because if they don't they should get one. That team is as schizophrenic as they come. Who can figure them out? You? I certainly can't box them.

The latest example was last night when they go to Seattle and dump the Sonics, 114-103, by shooting 55 percent from the floor and while still allowing Rashard Lewis to use them, turn the tables on Seattle because Carmelo Anthony did the dirty (rebounding) with the pretty (scoring), Allen Iverson and Steve Blake moved the ball (14 combined assists) and because Linas Kleiza produced some bench scoring.

This just in, though -- Denver still stinks.

Maybe next season.

Wake me then.

Avalanche or flat land

Colorado is no longer the team of high-priced talent that used to be a dominant franchise in the NHL but it hasn't ended up in the gutter as many sports teams do upon watching players grow old or move on to new challenges. The Avalanche still provides entertainment but the bar was set high here from the outset so for the franchise to gain serious attention anymore it will have to be a playoff player. The roster has offensive skill but defensively it is Nuggets-like terrible. Nice season in 2006-07 but hardly overwhelmed with excitement about it. Will check back next season.

Someone else speaks sense

So happy to hear I'm not the only one not ready to enshrine Ohio State's Greg Oden in the Basketball Hall of Fame yet. For a while, thought my eyesight was shot or I needed new medication but now I know that craziness usually has company.

Still say it is not Oden's lack of skill or polish that is most alarming but his apparent lack of passion to be great. He is more of a flasher of his talent as opposed to the legends who never get tired of crushing an opponent.

Letters

Geoff writes from my previous project, the now-defunct Black and Gold Truth, to comment on my interior decorating in this space.

"Lose the RED background! It looks like a Nebraska Cornhuskers website (apart from that, great idea)!"

Warrior Sports News: Ah, Geoff, you know something, my man? I, too, thought the color selection was going to make some take notice and not in a good way. Would you believe that the choice had no Husker connection, that it was just a bold look that caught my eye? Will try to make it up to you and everyone with top-shelf content and as few mentions of that hamlet to the east as possible. Oh, and Geoff, I made some changes thanks to your question. I'm known to tinker in the shop.

And now from Nick, a little love, a little setting me straight on the final post at the Black and Gold Truth about CU losing in-state prep Nolan Brewster to the University of Texas before the fall even hit Colorado.

"I agree, it hurts.

"But never considered Brewster an in-state kid. He followed his dad around from job to job. He grew up in North Carolina while dad worked on the UNC staff until he was 7. Then he moved to Texas where his dad works on the UT staff for three years. He develops a friendship with Mack Brown and was around the program quite a bit. Moves to San Diego where he spends a few years and then off to Colorado for the last few.

"So we lost a kid that is technically "in state". But his dad worked for the Broncos so see no reason he would have had any kind of love affair with CU. Especially since he has been in Colorado, the Buffs have received nothing but bad press and not been very good on the field.

"Sure you knew this already, was just making sure.

"Great blog- always enjoy the read."

WSN: Nick, you took me deep on that one. I did know of Tim Brewster's background but for some reason didn't make the connection I should have and that you did about his son being an in-state player only on a technical basis and how no emotional ties could have been established in the short period of time the family as been in Colorado. Have to give it up, Nick, that was nice -- you're hired.

Youth message

I'm sure messages such as these are now commonplace but they should never grow old when talking to young athletes. They all want to be like their heroes and live the life that those accomplishments bring. Hopefully, with love and wisdom all around them, they won't take the same train to that end.

Beggers' Note

If you think this space worthy on any level, please help spread the word with a mention to family, friends or others to check it out.

Owe you a favor.

Catch you tomorrow,

Mike