"Shoot at the middle rim."

By Patrick ‘Rey’ Reynell

Sarah Palin, former Governor of Alaska and vice-presidential candidate, has caught some criticism at a recent convention for apparently writing notes on her left hand. Who knows what she really recorded on the all-natural notepad. Perhaps some notes to not forget in her speech or maybe just a reminder of what to do or not to do.

This got me thinking about athletes and their struggles in front of the microphone. Some could use their own notes so they stop putting their figurative foot in their mouth, while others could use some reminders to not repeat bad behavior. So I wonder: what notes and reminders would some athletes write on their palms?

Shaquille O’Neal, Cleveland Cavaliers center at the free throw line: “Shoot at the rim in the middle.”

Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis Colts coach: “Game face at all times.”

Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers center: “Don’t tick off former g/fs w/ cameras.”

Danica Patrick, newest NASCAR driver: “Walk away from ‘rear-ending’ jokes.”

Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals: “Do NOT forget front tooth today.”

Rick Barnes, University of Texas basketball coach: “Call NCAA about Kevin’s eligibility.”

John Wall, University of Kentucky freshman point guard: “I love playing for Coach Cal.”

Larry Drew, UNC point guard: “Order transcripts for transfer.”

Roy Williams, UNC basketball coach: “Order transcripts for Larry Drew.”

John Terry, Chelsea and England national team midfielder: “Stop answering Victoria Beckham’s calls.”

Pete Rose, MLB all-time hits leader: “Deny Deny Deny … ‘I’m sorry.’”

Mark McGwire, former single season HR record holder: “I’m not here to talk about the past.”

Tiger Woods, pro golfer: Right hand: “I’m here to talk about golf” Left Hand: “Don’t answer John Terry’s calls.”

Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings QB: “I ________ be back.”

Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks coach: “Call Calipari – thank him for advice.”

Got any additions? Let ‘The Pine’ hear ‘em!

By Paul Gotham

Don’t sweat the small stuff…

…unless you lose a conference game in overtime, at home.

Preparation for a basketball game does not get much more basic than free throw box outs. Defensive players wait for the shooter’s release, step in front of the opponent, and maintain contact. Easy. Right?

Saturday night, that concept cost Kansas State a win over Kansas. On two occasions late in the second half, Kansas State players committed free throw lane violations. One to no consequence. The other resulted in a point for Kansas.

Remember, the game went into overtime.

The Wildcats misfortunes in the lane did not stop there. Twice, the Jay Hawks rebounded their own missed free throws. One time, with two minutes remaining in regualtion, Brady Morningstar grabbed a Cole Aldrich miss and reset the offense. Eventually, Tyshawn Taylor hit two free throws and Kansas led 69-66.

In overtime, Aldrich grabbed a Sherron Collins missed free throw. Again, the Jay Hawks reset the offense, and the Wildcats committed a foul.

How much rebounding work do you think the Wildcats did the next day in practice?

Cornell in the Top 25

It took 59 years, but the Cornell Big Red made the rankings. This week’s ESPN/USA Today poll had Cornell ranked 25th. The Big Red just missed earning a spot in the AP poll.

Princeton’s ’97-’98 team was the last Ivy League school that earned a spot. The Tigers finished eighth in the final poll of that season.

Cornell spent some weeks in the rankings during the 1950-51 campaign.

Cornell currently ranks 36th in the RPI.

It’s official; Carolina is rebuilding

Over the weekend Carolina lost to Virginia, 75-60. With the defeat, the Tar Heels have dropped four of five and have fallen to 13-8 overall. Any chance last week’s snub from the rankings provided motivation proved futile. The Heels continue to struggle. That’s what happens when you lose a boat load of first round picks.

Things don’t get better any time soon for Roy Williams and his Heels. UNC plays their next two on the road – tomorrow at Virginia Tech and Sunday at Maryland.

This can not be good though. It only means one thing. The biggest game(s) of the season for the Heels will come on February 10th and March 6th when they play Duke. The Heels can erase a mediocre season by spanking their Tobacco Road rival.

Who says you can’t go home?

With a conference record of 1-8 and an overall mark of 8-13, it’s hard to imagine that the DePaul Blue Demons once had a proud basketball tradition. From 1976 to 1989 the Blue Demons missed the NCAA Tournament just twice. Keep in mind, ‘The Dance’ consisted of just 32 teams through the 1978 season. DePaul reached the Elite Eight in ’78, the National Semis in ’79 and made Sweet Sixteen appearances in ’84, ’86, and ’87.

Since 1992, the Blue Demons have made just two appearances: 2000 and 2004.

As a freshman, Mark Aguirre led DePaul to the National Semi-Finals in 1979.  They lost 76-74 to Larry Bird and the Indiana State Sycamores. Aguirre knows a thing or two about DePaul hoops.

According to Chicago Breaking News, the former NBA all-star and current assistant for the New York Knicks is interested in the job.

It would be nice to see DePaul return to prominence. Is Aguirre the man for the job?

How valuable is a coach?

Sometimes, it is easy to overlook the wisdom of the guy on the sidelines.

UConn’s recent struggles should serve as a reminder that a coach has value.

The Huskies won’t take Jim Calhoun for granted. With the hall of fame coached sidelined for medical reasons, the Huskies have dropped their last three games. With a record of 13-9, UConn’s chances for the NCAA Tournament are starting to look bleak.

Niagara’s Tyrone Lewis

ESPN’s Dana O’Neill did a great story on Tyrone Lewis from Niagara University. When you get a chance, click here to give it a read.

1st Team All Casey

PG Scottie Reynolds – Villanova

SG Jeremy Hazell – Seton Hall

SF Wesley Johnson – Syracuse

PF Al-Farouq Aminu – Wake Forest

C Cole Aldrich – Kansas

2nd Team All Casey

PG – Sherron Collins – Kansas

SG  Jordan Crawford – Xavier

SF  Evan Turner – Ohio State

PF  DeSean Butler – West Virginia

C Greg Monroe – Georgetown

Got any college basketball splinters? Share them here.

Leading up to the 2009 NIT Season Tip Off on November 16th, Pickin’ Splinters will be counting down the top 25 of the college hardwood nation.

’08 – ’09 Results: 34 -4 (13 – 3 ACC) Beat Michigan State to win NCAA Tournament, 89 – 72.

Coach: Roy Williams 176 – 37 (6 seasons at UNC) 594- 138 overall

Key Returners:

Ed Davis – 6.7ppg,6.6rpg

Deon Thompson – 10.6ppg, 5.7rpg

Will Graves – 4.0ppg, 2.6rpg

Larry Drew II – 1.4ppg, 1.1rpg

Marcus Ginyard – 1.3ppg, 2.7rpg

Tyler Zeller – 3.1ppg, 2.0rpg

Notable Non-Conference Tilts: 11/19 vs. Ohio State, 11/20 vs. California or Syracuse, 11/29 vs. Nevada, 12/1 vs. Michigan State, 12/5 at Kentucky, 12/19 vs. Texas

Stat of Identity: 1.45 Assist to Turnover ratio – 4th in the country.

By Paul Gotham

Few programs could lose 64+ points and 20 rebounds per game yet still find themselves ranked in the top five. Welcome to life in Chapel Hill where the Tar Heels never rebuild.  Instead, Roy Williams simply reloads. Don’t forget the Tar Heels are God’s team. Why else is the sky Carolina Blue?

Twelve months ago, some might have suggested that Williams could not win a title with his own guys. After a decade toiling in Lawrence, Kansas, the former UNC assistant came home and delivered a title. Then the Tar Heels found life in March difficult despite having more than enough talent. Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, and Danny Green left no doubt. The quartet romped to the NCAA title and promptly moved on to the NBA.

Carolina’s current roster may not appear as sexy as Tar Heel lineups of the past, but the ’09-’10 version has talent aplenty. Which means Carolina will run over, under, and completely past less talented teams early in the season. This prospect could doom the young Heels to an early exit next March.

Marcus Ginyard is really the lone holdover from the previous regime. Ginyard remembers the Heels frustrating showings against Georgetown and Kansas in ’07 and ’08.  Last year, Ginyard watched from the sidelines as the Heels ascended the hill. Now, the senior has a chance to lead.

Ed Davis won’t replace Hansbrough in the paint. Coach Williams won’t need him to. Davis needs to fill a role rebounding and finishing.

Davis is joined in the front court by the lone returning starter, Deon Thompson. The athletic forward is a ball-getter. Of his 216 rebounds, 70 came on the offensive glass. Thompson will need to fill the void in this department.

Will Graves and Larry Drew II round out the starting five.

With Drew running the point, can the Heels get out and run? If not, can UNC settle into an efficient half-court offense?

25 | 23t | 23t | 22| 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5