CALIPARI TO KNICKS?

Rumors have it that coach John Calipari of the University of Kentucky is set to become the next head mentor of the New York Knicks. Calipari, fresh from piloting the Wildcats to the NCAA final four, is said being eyed by the Knicks for next season. It was reported that the Knicks offer to Calipari includes a total control of personnel decision for the team. Calipari has previously coached in the NBA with the New Jersey Nets and compiled a 72-112 win-loss record in 184 total games from 1996 to 1999. Calipari was hailed during the 2010 NBA draft when five of his Wildcat mainstays, led by top pick over-all John Wall of the Washington Wizards, were all selected in the first round. Wall thinks Calipari will not leave the college game and will continue to call the shots for the Big Blue Nation next season, according to the Sporting News.

“If he makes that decision, that would be good, but I think he will stay at Kentucky. That was his dream job. The Big Blue Nation is a crowd that really love college basketball; they’re the best fans I have been around. They love him there.”

OVERHYPED?

Is Jimmer Fredette truly an NBA material or just overhyped? The 6-2 scoring machine of Brigham Young University is currently the leading scorer in the US College circuit with a  28.8 points per game average. Scouting report says Fredette has an incredible shooting range, which extends beyond the NBA’s three-point distance. Basketball experts can not help but compare his game to NBA stars Steve Kerr, Manu Ginobili and Stephen Curry. However, his defensive game remains a suspect. That will definitely be his drawback once he enters the NBA draft. A case in point is J.J. Redick of the Orlando Magic, who was a shooting sensation with Duke University but was considered a flop in his first few years in the NBA due to his non-existent defense. Since then, Redick has persevered and learned to play defense to survive in the pro league jungle. One NBA General Manager says there will be too much pressure for the former Glens Falls HS sensation to perform in the NBA what he has done in the college level, according to CBS Sports.

“There will be too much pressure on him to be what he is at BYU, and he won't be capable of that in the league.”

THE JET AND CHUCK TO COVER MARCH MADNESS

In a new twist, the popular duo of former NBA stars Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley are temporarily leaving their comfort zones at TNT as they bring their acts together to the college game. Both are set to cover the March Madness on CBS. Smith and Barkley together with Ernie Johnson are the "Love Them, Hate Them" anchors of the highly rated TNT talk show, “Inside the NBA”. Smith says he is excited with the CBS job and believes that there is no big adjustment for him and Barkley considering it is still basketball that they are going to analyze, according to the Lost Lettermen.

“The great thing about it is that it’s still basketball. We don’t have to change our thought process. I think fans will be interested if we have the same viewpoints as we do with NBA basketball; if we analyze college the same way we analyze the NBA. And that’s our job, to bring that to it. Ernie will be part of the early rounds for the first two weeks. So he’ll be part of that process as well and we’ll have a little bit more of a comfort zone doing it that way. But we’re excited about it more than anything. This is an opportunity to talk about the kids we would’ve been watching anyway. When the tournament was on we would’ve been out from 12 to 12, our TV would’ve been locked in on these networks. So this will be a fun opportunity.”

FAB FIVE HATES THE BLUE DEVILS SO MUCH

In the ESPN documentary, “The Fab Five”, Jalen Rose and other members of the celebrated Michigan Wolverines squad admitted how they hate their arch-rivals, the Duke Blue Devils so much. Former Duke star point guard Bobby Hurley says he is not surprised why the so-called Fab Five feels so much bitterness towards Duke and it’s all because they have beaten them thrice in a row during that era, according to the Detroit Free Press.

“I noticed there was a high level of bitterness there, particularly directed towards us. I wonder why? We were 3-0 against Michigan, so I can understand Jalen's frustrations.”

KEMBA WALKER WANTS TO PLAY FOR THE NY KNICKS

If given the choice, Bronx native and University of Connecticut star point guard Kemba Walker would love to play for his hometown team, the New York Knicks. The 6-1 spitfire, who currently leads the US College circuit in scoring, is expected to declare for the coming June rookie draft. Walker says it has always been his dream of playing for the Knicks at the fabled Madison Square Garden and the chance to play with his childhood hero Carmelo Anthony, according to the Hartford Courant.

“It's special, a special place to play. Everybody dreams of playing in this place, the bright lights, everybody watching. It's just a special place. Carmelo Anthony has been my favorite player so wherever he goes, I go. I think about that all the time. I would love to not only play with him but play for this organization, just because I'm from here. But whatever happens, happens. I can't control stuff like that.”

JARED SULLINGER: THE 2011 NBA DRAFT TOP PROSPECT

Ohio State Buckeyes hardworking freshman forward Jared Sullinger is fast emerging as the top favorite to become the number one pick over-all in the 2011 NBA draft. The 18 year-old Columbus (Ohio) native is currently posting impressive norms of 18.o points per game and 10.3 caroms per outing in 24 games so far with the Buckeyes, including 11 double-double games. Most scouts are highly impressed by the 6-8 former Northland High School sensation’s consistent work off the boards, night in and night out, according to ESPN.

“(Jared) Sullinger has been the most consistently impressive freshman in the nation. Scouts love his toughness, low post scoring ability and rebounding. So why is he topping the list this week? Because for the first time all season, a handful of executives are beginning to talk about him as a potential No. 1 pick.”

Video: MJ SON MARCUS ON THE RISE

He is finally stepping out of the G.O.A.T.’s (Greatest Of All Time) shadow. Meet Marcus Jordan of the University of Central Florida Knights, son of the legendary Michael Jordan. Marcus, a 6-3 shooting guard, has been on the headlines lately as he led the Knights to a surprising 8-0 start which includes a big win over 16th-ranked Florida Gators. He is averaging a team-best 16.3 points per game and .484 from three-point distance. His father Michael is often seen during Marcus games. Marcus says being the son of “His Airness” is difficult and he never tried to be like him but it made him worked harder, according to McClatchy Newspapers. 

“When I was young, it was really tough because people would put me down and I thought I’ll never be as good as my dad, but it made me play harder. Either you like my game, or you don’t, but I’m not trying to be my dad. Watching Jeff go through it first really helped. 

“I have been around the game at a very high level for my whole life, so I tend to know how to react in different situations, as does my brother. No one in Chicago had really heard of UCF, but I knew it was a diamond in the rough. I liked that I could get immediate playing time and be part of something brand new. Beating Florida was huge. They mentioned it on ESPN and all over the place. But we have much bigger goals. We want to win our conference and go to the NCAA Tournament. By the end of this season, people will know who we are.”

Video: HIGHLY-TOUTED PREP HOTSHOT AUSTIN RIVERS (SON OF CELTICS COACH DOC) JOINS DUKE BLUE DEVILS