Big Blue Linkapalooza: The Day Before NBA Draft 2011 Edition

Tomorrow is the 2011 NBA Draft, where dreams will come true, and hopes dashed on the rocks of reality.  Who will rise?  Who will fall?  Who will fail to be picked?  We'll find out tomorrow starting at 7:00 PM, and yes, there will be an open thread.

Now, for today's links:

• Draft buzz: Kanter at No. 2? Kemba sliding? - TrueHoop Blog - ESPN
• A boy, a basketball, a UK dream

• UNC receives notice of allegations from NCAA - ESPN
  Ugly.

• Harrellson’s life as a hopeful draft pick : The Kentucky Kernel

  "Me, personally, I feel accomplished after all my workouts," Harrellson said. "A couple coaches have told me I will get picked up in the late first or second round. … But there’s no promises. There’s a lot of players out there for 60 spots."

  Very true.  Even if he doesn't get picked, he'll be picked up ... either by the NBA or overseas.

• With NBA Draft in his hometown, Newark native Kenneth Faried will see dream fulfilled :: NJ.com

  For a career underdog, it’s altogether fitting that he will become a first-round NBA draft choice not in New York, but Newark, a city that can appreciate someone who has built a reputation out of rebounding the shots that others miss.

  So happy for Faried.  This young man is going to realize his dream, a dream that looked very unlikely in high school.

• Sport Science: Brandon Knight - ESPN Video - ESPN
  Definitely worth a watch.

• Ellis: What Happened To The NBA Draft?

  It was not all that long ago when the NBA draft was filled with names you actually knew. Jordan, Olajuwan, Ewing, Iverson, just to name a few. Those days are long gone. Thursday night’s draft, which will take place fittingly enough in Newark, N.J., is filled with names the like of Enes Kanter, Jonas Valanciunas, Alec Burks, and Donatas Motiejunas. And these are projected top 10 picks in most of the billions of mock drafts out there. Not late second-round reaches.

  Interesting commentary.  Name recognition in this draft is low, but in others, like last year's, it was high.  As the guy correctly points out, it really boils down to the times.

• NBA Draft | Kentucky's Terrence Jones got assists from mom, coach in decision :: The Courier-Journal

  A more motivated and focused Jones would be a good thing as far as Calipari is concerned. Last season the coach was critical of his shot selection — he hit 32.9 percent (26 of 79) from three-point range. The coach would rather see him dominate the paint.
  
  "It's not what his game should be," Calipari said of the three-pointers. "It's nice to know he can make them. He should lead the nation in rebounding. He should be right there in blocked shots. He should be a physically dominating player."

  That's exactly right.  Although Jones probably translates to a small forward in the NBA, at the college level he is definitely a four and needs to play with power and physicality.  His perimeter skills will always be there, but he will be much more valuable if he proves he can rebound, defend, and score in close.

• Despite breathtaking NCAA allegations, UNC's Butch Davis may survive - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
  Can you imaine an article like this being written if John Calipari were in Davis' place?

• Rivals.com College Basketball - Numbers don't lie on NBA draft, sort of

• Brandon Knight’s likely the one if Jazz go small at No. 3 :: The Salt Lake Tribune

  Five weeks ago, it was Kentucky’s Brandon Knight versus Connecticut’s Kemba Walker for the right to be named the second-best point guard in the 2011 NBA Draft. Now, Knight clearly holds the advantage, while Walker’s stock is reportedly falling. Instead the 19-year-old Knight is competing against former Wildcats teammate Enes Kanter as the Jazz’s window narrows for selecting at No. 3 overall.

  Good to hear.

• Darius Miller knows Team USA competition helps him improve :: Vaught'sViews.com
  Miller has far less to learn than the freshmen, so I am comfortable with him doing this.

• Tom Leach's Wildcat Links
  Always awesome.

• SEC dominates CWS as Florida, South Carolina advance :: John Clay’s Sidelines

• The 2012 McDonald’s All American Game Returns To Chicago :: 2K Sports Presents High School Hoop Powered by Dime
  Do you think it might matter that McDonald's corporate HQ in in Oak Brook Illinois, a suburb of Chicago?

• Taylor Martin ‘Probably’ Attending UK
  I hope so.

• Kevin Galloway is Showing His Stuff to NBA Teams

• D bad news on Jimmer: BYU star a bad fit for NBA - NBA - CBSSports.com Basketball

  I understand he can shoot the ball from deep and has a skill -- scoring the basketball -- that should translate to the next level.
  
  But getting past New Mexico's Dairese Gary, arguably the top perimeter defender in the Mountain West, just isn't quite the same as having to try and circumvent Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook or Rajon Rondo.
  
  I mean, The Jimmer struggled against Florida's Kenny Boynton -- a future overseas player -- in the NCAA tournament.

  For my money, if J.J. Reddick can make it in the NBA, why not Jimmer?

• Staging hoops game on carrier involves many tasks, logistics - NCAA Division I Mens Basketball - CBSSports.com
  I wish they could have tried this when I was in the Navy. But then again, we don't have basketball courts on submarines. Pity.

• Rory McIlroy says he can handle pressure of stardom - ESPN

  Comparisons were made between McIlroy and Woods after the 22-year-old Northern Irishman swept to his first major victory in record-breaking style at Congressional on Sunday.

  Only by people who are more interested in drama than in reality. 

  The only comparison between Woods and McIlroy right now is that both are professional golfers and both have won at least one US Open.  That's about it.  Woods is already one of the all-time greats, having won 14 major tournaments so far.

  So let's save these comparisons until we see a "Tiger slam" out of McIlroy.  Or at least, a few more major victories.

• Calipari spitballs pay-for-play solution - College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN
  Yes, this could work, but no, it will never happen. And I'm glad.

• Countdown to Football: 73 Days -- Danny Trevathan a rarity for Kentucky :: al.com

  The 2011 NFL draft came and went like the 17 before it without a Kentucky linebacker being selected. But that could change when the pros pick in 2012.

  Indeed.  Trevathan looks like a sure draft pick somewhere.

• Web Wednesday: NBA Draft week edition

• NBA Draft is rife with uncertainty, but not about who the top two picks will be :: OregonLive.com

  "I think the best way to put Jimmer is, is he going to be Steve Nash or Steve Kerr?" ESPN's Fran Fraschilla said. "And I'm going to lean towards Steve Kerr."

  I think that's a good question.

• Miller is leader of the pack

  "(Calipari) has talked to me about it a couple of times and I feel comfortable with it," Miller said. "I can’t wait to get the season started. I’ll just do the best I can. I just have to do my part and lead the team and get these guys ready for what they’re going to experience."

  We will be expecting a lot out of Darius this year.

UPDATE:  Late-breaking items:

• NBA Draft: How strong is the 2011 NBA draft? - ESPN
  Five NBA writers weigh in on five questions about the NBA draft.

• Kings exercise contract options on Tyreke Evans, Omri Casspi and DeMarcus Cousins - ESPN
• NBA Trade Rumors: Could Rockets-Bucks Trade Evolve To Include Players? - SB Nation Houston
• Season in review: 2010 NBA draftees - USATODAY.com
• Doesn't sound like Fisher is all that optimistic - CBSSports.com
• Predraft Interview: Enes Kanter - ESPN Video - ESPN