In the 2011 NBA Draft, some teams will be looking for a centerpiece to their team, while others will be looking for the missing piece. Justin Harper of Richmond has the talent to fit into either one of those scenarios.The senior forward from the Spiders reminds me of Kevin Durant. He is tall and a bit lanky, but can score inside, drive to the hoop or stop and pop from the outside and drain a few ...

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer) It didn't take Duron Carter long to pull the trigger after meeting with Saban and the Alabama staff to decide to transfer to the Capstone in Tuscaloosa and become a Crimson Tide receiver. "I want to win a national championship," Duron Carter said to ESPN. "I believe in what Coach Saban and the players are doing. This is a great program." Duron and his famous father Cris Carter, former NFL receiver ...

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer) There are big bucks being made at Bama right now, and why not? The school has made record profits and the coaches certainly seem to be doing their jobs. In January, Kirby Smart got another $100,000 raise and a one-year extension to bring his compensation package up to $850,000 through February 2014. That was on top of an earlier raise that doubled his pay after winning the Broyles Award as the nation's top assistant coach ...

It is never too early to start crystal ball gazing, so-to-speak, and today we look at bowl projections for the 2011-12 season. I will let you know which teams are going where and which flights you should be book to your respective destinations. Spring practices are starting all around the country and the fall will be here before you know it. I will run down every game from the Beef O'Brady's Bowl to the BCS National ...

I wrote in my last article that the Gamecocks' offense was going to be key to having any chance of taking two of three from the Florida Gators. Well, they followed my advice and got the statement road series victory this team desperately needed. It all started during the week when Coach Ray Tanner (who probably did not take my advice directly, but you get my point) moved Jackie Bradley Jr. from the leadoff spot. He inserted Adam ...

One of the worst kept secrets out there is that it appears the Oklahoma Sooners are primed to start atop the polls come August.  Of course, these Sooners are no stranger to this spot in the rankings, as they have spent more time there than anyone else.  It’s a point that has Sooner fans a little nervous and the rest of the nation primed and ready to break out their “chokelahoma” banners.  Recent history shows ...

Derrick Williams Has Made His NBA Case, Will GMs Take Notice?Derrick Williams has really made a case to be considered the top overall pick in the NBA draft this year. He was not only named Pac-10 Player of the Year but he also came within a missed three pointer of taking the Wildcats to their first Final Four since 2001. Williams has shown incredible versatility this year. He shoots from 60 percent from behind the ...

Now that spring practices are starting to gear up, we are getting our first glimpses of the teams that will take the field this fall. Some players are looking to improve on last year’s performance and others are just trying to get on the field. Most, if not all, of the teams are incomplete with student-athletes still coming off of injuries and most of the freshman still in high school and yet to officially move ...

Kyrie Irving and Duke have to contain Derrick Williams and Arizona to avoid the upset.Kyrie Irving, the sensational freshmen that is recovering from a broken foot, will be matched-up against the weakness of Arizona—their guards.Kyle Fogg runs the point and has a underwhelming 2.7 assists per game average. He has scored a total of nine points in two tournament games and Irving will be able to relax on the defensive end and ...

The UCLA Bruins were officially eliminated from the NCAA Tournament over the weekend as they lost to the Florida Gators in the round of 32. As the program looks toward the future, some changes will be made, but will one change include the head coach? Bruins head coach Ben Howland could be on the hot seat after the loss to Florida. The Bruins played valiantly in both games but seemed to lack that killer instinct ...