THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, December 4, 1995 TAG: 9512040125
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Bob Molinaro
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Analyzing the college basketball season in early December is a high-risk game that invites failure and ridicule, not to mention snide letters from fans with good memories and lousy penmanship.
The vicissitudes of college hoops discourage one from saying anything about anybody, especially in December, when performances and perceptions are often deceiving.
Still, there are times when one finds it necessary to seek relief from Christmas pressures and bowl babble by firing up opinions, observations and potshots from well behind the three-point line.
Against one's better judgment, of course.
And so:
I feel sorry for media brethren who embarrassed themselves by predicting North Carolina's fall from the upper echelon. If it isn't obvious that there is enough talent in Chapel Hill to guarantee at least a Top-20 finish, it should occur to some that there is enough coaching.
For Old Dominion, the key word this season will be chemistry. So far, the Monarchs don't have it.
It's OK to feel a little sorry for ODU's Mario Mullen, a senior who is struggling with a new position.
Wake Forest center Tim Duncan, still only 19, reminds us that, just as you cannot coach height, poise also is an uncommon gift.
Maryland's returning starters - Duane Simpkins, Exree Hipp, Johnny Rhodes and Keith Booth - are spokes in search of a hub.
Duke's fast start is a mirage, unless there is some hidden talent in Blue Devils big man Greg Newton that I've missed.
Disregard the word ``upset'' whenever it is used to characterize the outcome of an ACC game.
You can be reasonably sure that most of the players you'll watch this season work more on their dunks than on their free-throw shooting.
Now that Virginia Tech can't sneak up on people anymore, the Hokies should be prepared for some rude surprises. Happens to the best of them.
Perhaps what's most impressive about U.Va. guard Harold Deane is that he plays just as hard when his shooting touch goes south.
Only now that Jerry Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace have turned pro will we see everything that dynamic North Carolina junior Jeff McInnis has to offer.
Didn't the Michigan Fab Five of Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, et al., teach us never to underestimate freshmen?
Guarding Allen Iverson must be like trying to change a tire while the wheel is spinning.
It's easier to watch Kentucky now that the Wildcats' uniforms have returned to the more traditional look.
After center Marcus Camby, Massachusetts' talent level looks less than world class, especially in the critical area of the backcourt. This leads me to believe that John Calipari is almost as good a coach as he thinks he is.
A good bet: With his frenetic coaching style, Kentucky's Rick Pitino will go through several pairs of shoes before he wears out the seat of his pants.
An even better bet: Georgia Tech freshman Stephon Marbury will be in the NBA this time next year.
From here, UCLA looks like the most likely candidate to become the season's biggest disappointment.
I especially enjoyed the part of the TV special on John, Paul, George and Ringo where it was revealed that Bobby Cremins was the fifth Beatle. by CNB