Get that shit outta here...

Florida won because:

A) They blocked everything…10 blocks to UCLA’s 1…this becomes even more crucial when you realize that the Buins out-rebounded the Gators on the offensive glass 13-9, but most of those shots got swatted back in their faces…as a result the Bruins were just plain scared…did you see Lorenzo Mata miss that point blank layup and then get rejected by Richard from behind on the put back? Dude was terrified…

B) Bruins SG Aaron Afflalo was on a milk carton…seriously the dude was lost, kidnapped, gone…he pump faked his way into two travels and a charge in the first half and that was it…the Gators were in his head big time…

C) Taurean Green controlled the tempo and beat the press…Green did a terrific job letting the offence flow through the bigs and getting down the floor quickly, constantly attacking the press, resulting in what seemed like about 100 dunks for Gators bigs Al Horford and Joakim Noah…plus the Gators did a great job recognizing that once you get across half court in beating the press, the defence is unbalanced and usually packed in, this is where you can hit the trailing shooter on the secondary break, in this case Lee Humphrey for a three which they did twice to open the 2nd half…

D) The Gators can pass…Florida’s bigs Brewer, Noah and Horford combined for 10 assists, which is remarkable for college big men… Taurean Green had 1 turnover and 8 assists…when your point guards assist to turnover ratio is 8-1 you will win every time…as a team 21 assists on 26 made field goals…again, when 81% of your field goals are assisted, you will win every time…

E) They started each half with a run…first half they got all over the Bruins from the get go and then the threes from Humphrey and the dunks from Horford to open the 2nd half, snuffed the life out of the Bruins early…

F) They defend the three…OK they certainly proved it against George Mason, but they limited the Bruins to 3-17 or 17.6% from three, which really hurt these Bruins who are a team that sometimes struggles to score…

G) Joakim Noah is the new jack Marcus Camby…he has Camby’s length, timing and quickness off the floor and he’s an even better ballhandler…if he came out this year I would pick him number 1 overall in a heartbeat…at 6’11” and around 227 lbs (same weight as David Robinson when he came into the league, although Robinson was a better athelte), he has some room to bulk up, but as a centre he would have such a quickness advantage, and his timing and length would halp him make up for his lack of bulk…plus he’s very unselfish and a terrific passer in both the high and low post…good comparisons might even be a taller Andrei Kirilenko or Larry Nance…he had a good final game by the way…the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player had 16 points, nine rebounds, three assists, a title-game-record six blocked…he also set records for most blocks in a Final Four (10) and in an NCAA Tournament (29).

And by the way…although the play of the game was the inbounds play in the second half where UCLA forward Alfred Aboya got a ridiculous alley-oop…

With the NCAA season over, the speculation will start on who’s going to come out…here’s a list of the underclassmen who have declared:

Will Blaylock PG Iowa State Jr.
Guillermo Diaz G Miami Jr.
Brandon Heath PG San Diego State Jr.
Thomas Gardner SG Missouri Jr.
Trey Johnson G Jackson State Jr.
Paul Millsap F Louisiana Tech Jr.
Richard Roby SG Colorado So.
Rajon Rondo PG Kentucky So.
Marcus Slaughter F San Diego State Jr.
Curtis Stinson PG/SG Iowa State Jr.

Steve Francis needs to grow up…here are his teary-eyed comments (seriously dud was crying) to the press after the Knicks lost to the Wizards 15-90 last night: ''Besides my mom passing away when I was 18, this is top three, definitely, just because this is my livelihood,'' Francis said. ''Basketball is what I do. To be able to come out here and not being able to help this Knicks organization win is tough. I think a lot of the players don't realize that you only have one basketball career and it doesn't last as long as you think. The money might be there, but actually being out there on the court, that (stuff) doesn't last. And until people realize that and realize that you have to help each other and not be so selfish and worry about how many points you score, we're going to be stuck in the same position, same place.' It's like a funeral, man…That's what it feels like.''

1) Chad Ford of ESPN.com with his draft update:

Gators devour tourney, might sink teeth into lottery

A great performance in an NCAA title game can propel an average draft prospect to star status. One month ago, Florida's trio of Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer and Al Horford were all considered mid-first-round picks. Now? All three look like lottery picks, if they declare. Will they? I'll try to answer that question as I break down -- one last time -- who's hot and who's not in the NCAA Tournament.

WHO'S HOT

Joakim Noah, PF/C, Florida - He capped an amazing tournament with a near-perfect championship game -- a Carmelo Anthony-esque breakout that has propelled him into contention to be the No. 1 pick in the draft. Of the NBA scouts and executives I talked to the past few days, all said they'd consider Noah if they had the No. 1 pick. Noah did a little of everything in the tournament -- scored both inside and out, blocked shots at a record pace, crashed the glass on both ends, handled the ball on the break, made passes only point guards are supposed to know how to make. In short, he was everywhere, a 7-foot Andrei Kirilenko. Scouts worry about his lack of strength and relatively raw skills on the offensive end. But those concerns pale in comparison to his upside. Noah, like every other prospect, could improve with another year in school. But his draft stock is as high as it will ever be. Noah may have started the season as an unknown, but it's tough to deny the consistency he's had the last month. Noah, not J.J. Redick or Adam Morrison, has been the best player in college basketball in the month of March. When you're a 7-footer, athletic and the best player in the nation, that usually adds up to being the No. 1 pick. Noah has been fairly adamant that he's returning to school. But now that he's won a championship and is a virtual lock as a top-five pick, our guess is that he's in the NBA next year.

Al Horford, PF, Florida - Horford didn't fill up tournament box scores the way Noah did, but he was just as essential to the Gators' championship run. And unlike Noah, Horford has the body and skill set needed to play in the NBA right away. He was a beast as a shot-blocker and rebounder, and he amazed scouts with his ability to handle the ball under pressure in the open court. Horford needs a lot more polish on the offensive end, but he has everything else you want in a power player -- the length, strength, motor, athleticism and basketball IQ that coaches crave in a power forward. And he sure can dunk. His dad, former NBA player Tito Horford, says his son is returning to Florida for his junior season. Of Florida's Big Three, Horford is the one whose draft stock would likely benefit most from another year at Florida. Right now, he is projected to be a lottery pick, but another year of development on the offensive end at Florida could propel him into the top five in 2007.

Corey Brewer, SG/SF, Florida - The comparisons to Detroit's Tayshaun Prince seem dead on. At 6-foot-8, Brewer is a long, athletic swingman who's an efficient scorer on the offensive end and a nightmare on the defensive end because of his length and athleticism. As good as Noah was against UCLA, Brewer was the key early in the game, with his stifling defense on Arron Afflalo and his sweet shooting from long distance. He didn't make many shots in the second half, but his defense helped keep UCLA from coming back. Scouts soured on Brewer a little in February after he struggled coming back from an injury. Specifically, scouts wondered what happened to the sweet jumper he showed his freshman year. It returned in March and April, with Brewer shooting 11-of-20 from 3-point range for the tourney, dissipating some of the concerns. Brewer has excellent size and athleticism for his position in the pros. He needs to add more strength, but the success of Prince helps him in that department -- the Pistons' employment of Prince has provided a template for a player like Brewer. Several weeks ago, Brewer said he wouldn't declare for the draft because he wasn't a lock for the lottery. But two things may sway him to go pro. One, if Noah and Horford decide to declare, Brewer may decide to join them on the parade out of town. Two, given his play of late, the lottery looks more in reach than ever. If he can prove to scouts that his shooting woes were an aberration, Brewer will be a candidate for the late lottery, though some see him as more likely to go in the middle of the first round.
As with Noah and Horford, another year in school would certainly benefit Brewer's game -- but, coming off the NCAA title game, will his draft stock ever be higher?

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, SF, UCLA - Forget for a second the lackluster title game against Florida. For much of the game he was facing Horford, a terrible matchup for Mbah a Moute. His play during the rest of the tournament has made him one of the hottest names in the tournament. Mbah a Moute is a long, athletic forward who does a little of everything. He crashes the glass, is a lock-down defender and has an emerging offensive game. His quickness and athleticism make him a great slasher and finisher and he has a great motor on both ends of the floor. In the Chicago Tribune, one scout referred to him as "Ron Artest without the crazy." Given what we've seen in the tournament, that's a great comparison. The Florida game made it clear that he's still learning the game. He's not a great shooter, which limits what he can do offensively if a big guy takes away the inside game. He is mistake-prone and streaky, but most scouts attribute that to his relative lack of experience. Despite the dud against Florida, his stellar play against LSU in the Final Four combined with great games against Belmont, Alabama and Gonzaga have scouts talking about him as a potential first-round pick. While another year at UCLA would obviously benefit his game greatly, if he comes out, he could be a sleeper.

Jordan Farmar, PG, UCLA - Farmar was the only UCLA player to show up for the title game. He single-handedly kept them in the game in the first half before trailing off in the second. Farmar showed why scouts regard him as one of the best point guard prospects in the draft. Although he's been criticized in the past for playing out of control, he played within himself against Florida and found a good balance between scoring and getting his teammates involved. He finished with only four assists, but if his teammates had been able to finish, he would've had more. While Farmar's play throughout the tournament has been strong, all the NBA scouts Insider spoke with thought he needed to return for his junior season. His 3-point shooting has been a serious question mark. He was 1-of-8 from beyond the arc against Florida and shot just 34 percent from 3-point land this season. That, combined with a high turnover rate this season, have scouts convinced his game still needs work. While Farmar would have an outside chance at the first round this year, a strong junior season for UCLA could plant him firmly in the mid-to-late first round.

WHO'S NOT

Glen Davis, PF, LSU - "Big Baby" was having a magical run in the tournament, but he hit the wall against UCLA. The Bruins' combination of size, athleticism and conditioning were too much for him. Davis played hard the entire game, but it was clear that he couldn't keep up on either end of the floor. Unfortunately for Davis, scouts took notice. The knock on Davis all season centered on his lack of height and conditioning. Davis had been able to hide those faults earlier in the tournament, but UCLA exposed them Saturday. Davis was probably just a second-round pick before the game and apparently sealed that assessment with his semifinal performance. Another year at LSU, minus 20 to 30 pounds, is what he needs to get into the first round.

Arron Afflalo, SG, UCLA - Brewer absolutely dominated Afflalo in the first half. By the time Afflalo got it going in the second half, the game was out of reach. Afflalo doesn't have the athleticism or size to compete against long, athletic players like Brewer. He's likely to have similar problems in the pros. Combine that with a shaky performance against LSU and it's probably a given that Afflalo needs to rejoin Farmar in the UCLA backcourt next year.
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Tyrus Thomas, PF, LSU - It's hard to knock Thomas after such a great tournament. But on Saturday, LSU coach John Brady sat Thomas for most of the second half and then criticized him after the Tigers' loss to UCLA. Fact is, Thomas wasn't terrible against UCLA. In the first half he had five points, five rebounds and three blocks. That wasn't bad, considering he played just nine minutes because of foul trouble. When Thomas was ineffective in the first eight minutes of the second half, Brady benched him and never let him back into the game. Afterward, Brady said Thomas was not in the right mind-set to play. This piggybacks on his constant criticism that Thomas was thinking about the NBA. However, scouts question Brady's motives. Is the coach trying to protect his player from making a bad decision, or is he selfishly attempting to keep him at LSU because of his value to the team? Given that Brady is currently threatening to look at other jobs if LSU doesn't give him a pay raise, it may be hard for him to convince Thomas that he should turn down millions of guaranteed dollars to return to LSU for another year. Scouts agree with Brady in principle -- Thomas would benefit from another year in college. But he is a likely top-three pick in the draft. It's tough for anyone to turn that down. Despite the low production against UCLA, scouts still have Thomas penciled in as a top-three pick, with a majority of scouts now saying they would take him No. 1 overall, if the draft were today. Workouts and physicals will continue to shift the draft order, but if Thomas does decide to declare, his stock is still in great shape.

2) Dime Magazine with their own review of who helped themselves in the tourney:

How March Madness talent translates to NBA

Before the NCAA tournament kicked off, the Dime crew put you up on 15 future pros you would get a chance to see during the Dance. Now that it's all said and done and the Florida Gators are hauling the trophy back to Gainesville, we're checking in on how those original 15 fared, plus we're hitting you with six more guys who used March Madness to earn themselves some hefty paychecks in the near future.

Tyrus Thomas, PF, LSU

What we said: "Thomas isn't even the most-hyped guy on his own team, but best believe the pro scouts know all about him."

What he did: All Thomas did was play himself into possibly being No. 1 overall pick in the draft. He started the tournament coming off the bench and putting up decent numbers, then absolutely destroyed more-hyped big men like Shelden Williams, Josh McRoberts and LaMarcus Aldridge, hanging 21 points and 13 boards on Texas after giving Duke nine points, 13 boards and five blocks.

Status: What team doesn't need an intense interior defender who doubles as a skywalking shot-blocker and rebounder? Thomas was seen as a high Lottery pick before, but could be the top dog now.

J.J. Redick, SG, Duke

What we said: "Haters harp on J.J.'s weaknesses, but even they know that you can't leave him open anywhere over half court."

What he did: As LaMarcus Aldridge can attest, LSU's defense can definitely expose a guy's weaknesses. Redick lit up Duke's first two opponents with 20-plus points a night, but had maybe his worst game as a collegian against the Tigers, shooting 3-for-18 from the floor in a game where the Blue Devils needed their senior leader to step up.

Status: Pick a mock draft board, and Redick's name has fallen at least a few spots on it. Whereas he was a definite lottery pick before the tourney, now he could drop as far as the early-20s.

Jordan Farmar, PG, UCLA

What we said: "Like Marcus Williams, if Farmar can lead his crew on an NCAA run, his stock will go through the roof."

What he did: While the Bruins didn't win it all, they got farther than a lot of people expected. Farmar didn't put up big numbers along the way, but there was no question as to who was running the show when UCLA had the rock.

Status: Defense was supposed to be Farmar's primary weakness, but due to his team's total defensive effort, his reputation in that area can only improve. On the other hand, the Bruins had some low scoring outputs, which some could use as evidence to question Farmar's offensive skills. Either way, Farmar will be handed the keys to one pro franchise or another in the near future.

Brandon Roy, SF/SG, Washington

What we said: "(Roy) can take over almost whenever he feels like it."

What he did: Anyone who didn't know about B-Roy before the tournament does now. He carried his team in every game, and were Roy not on the bench in foul trouble for a chunk of the second half versus UConn, it could've been UW playing UCLA in an all-Pac-10 final last night.

Status: Here's all you need to know about how much Roy's stock improved: He was in New York last week and was thinking about getting fitted for his draft-day suit. Top 10 picks need to look good, you know.

Rudy Gay, SF, UConn

What we said: "UConn has had a ton of great players come through, but Gay might be the most physically gifted of them all. His biggest problem, though, is that he tends to disappear for long stretches."

What he did: Gay had his best game of the tourney when he put up 20 points and six boards on insta-darling George Mason. But before that, he might as well have been back in Storrs. Gay was a non-factor against Albany, was only slightly better against Kentucky, and his biggest contribution against Washington was that he started the confrontation that got Brandon Roy sent to the bench with foul trouble, which allowed UConn to come back and win.

Status: Gay will still be a high Lottery pick based on potential alone, but you would think his repeated no-shows at crucial times has to eventually catch up with him. Any team that wants/needs a sure thing won't touch him.

Adam Morrison, SF, Gonzaga

What we said: "It's easy to see why everyone wants to compare Morrison to Larry Legend — they even run the same. The guy won't blow anyone away with his athleticism, yet still has enough moves to drop 30-plus on any defender you stick on him."

What he did: One of the memorable images from the tourney was Morrison in tears and literally shaking with emotion after GU fell apart against UCLA. Up until that point, however, Morrison was the one making cats cry. He hung 35 points on Xavier, had a flu-addled 14 against Indiana, and finished with a strong 24-point effort against the Bruins' suffocating defense.

Status: The subpar showing versus the Hoosiers has been largely forgiven due to Morrison's illness. He's still a Top 3 pick if he comes out.

Marcus Williams, PG, UConn

What we said: "If (Williams) leads the Huskies on a major run through the tourney, his stock will never be higher."

What he did: On a ridiculously loaded UConn squad, Williams was far and away the best player throughout the tournament. He always got everyone else involved, but when UConn needed buckets late in close games, Williams was the man taking — and most often making — the shots. Ask Kentucky, Washington and Albany how lethal Williams can be with the game on the line.

Status: Williams was a late-first rounder before the tournament, but could crack the lottery now if he comes out. Besides, like Marcus himself told us in Dime Issue #22, there are plenty of NBA teams in need of a point guard ...

LaMarcus Aldridge, PF/C, Texas

What we said: "(Aldridge) will be a top three pick whenever he decides to leave school."

What he did: The kid was a beast in Texas' first three games until he ran into LSU's Glen Davis and Tyrus Thomas, who held Aldridge to four points on 2-for-14 shooting. Aldridge did have five blocks and 10 boards, however.

Status: He's still nearly 7-feet tall and still a force on defense and under the boards, which means Aldridge is still a top three pick who is only helped by the possibility of Rudy Gay's stock dropping.

Randy Foye, SG, Villanova

What we said: "Nova's four-guard system could carry the 'Cats to a national title, and Foye ... is the main reason it works."

What he did: Foye came up huge when the lights were on. He was like another Dwyane Wade in his ability to get to the rim and create scoring opportunities when his team needed them most. Foye was nearly unstoppable against Arizona and Boston College, and his 25 points against Florida stood as they only reason 'Nova didn't get completely manhandled by the eventual champs.

Status: While his team fell short of its expectations, Foye only proved again he's a winner and a crunch-time performer. He'll be a lottery pick, and don't be surprised if he's holding the Rookie of the Year trophy in '07.

Rodney Carney, SF, Memphis

What we said: "Carney isn't just a dunker ... He can knock down the J and can smother cats on defense."

What he did: Carney delivered what everyone expected from him before running into UCLA's defense, which locked Carney down to the tune of 2-for-12 shooting. In Memphis' first three games, though, he was his usual human highlight-reel self. We were actually more surprised at his letdown of a showing in the NCAA dunk contest.

Status: The UCLA game was frustrating, but probably won't hurt Carney's stock too much. Obviously the J wasn't working that day, but pro teams like Carney's athleticism too much to pass him up.

Ronnie Brewer, SG, Arkansas

What we said: "Brewer can play either backcourt position, but is most intriguing to pro scouts as a big (6-7) point guard."

What he did: We didn't see much of Brewer, who recorded 14, five and five in the Razorbacks first-round loss to Bucknell.

Status: An early exit certainly didn't help Brewer's stock, but since it happened on a relatively small stage — especially considering how George Mason made everyone forget the multitude of earlier tourney upsets — Brewer wasn't hurt, either. If he falls out of the lottery it's less because of his faults and more because other players have moved up the board.

Kevin Pittsnogle, PF/C, West Virginia

What we said: "Pittsnogle is clutch ... it seemed every time we watched the Mountaineers play this year, Pittsnogle was the one hitting the dagger."

What he did: Outside shooting will carry Pittsnogle to the League, and he did it well enough in WVU's three tourney games. An off night against Northwestern State was quickly forgotten by some ballsy clutch shooting in a near-comeback against Texas.

Status: It's hard to find someone who's 6-11 and can consistently knock down threes. While Pittsnogle won't wow anyone with the rest of his skill set, he'll definitely find a place in the NBA.

Jeff Green, PF, Georgetown

What we said: "Green can score down low and rebound, but what sets him apart is that he passes and sees the floor better than a lot of point guards."

What he did: Green wasn't the most impressive Hoya big man during the Big Dance (more on that later), but he was solid nonetheless, averaging 17 points, seven boards and five dimes against Ohio State and Florida.

Status: Green is still a high- to mid-first round pick, provided that's next year's draft and not this year's.

Darius Washington, PG, Memphis

What we said: "Memphis usually cake-walked in its C-USA games, but Washington came up huge against top-notch comp."

What he did: Just like in the regular season, the Tigers rolled through the earlier rounds while D-Wash was basically playing with cats. But against UCLA in the Elite Eight, Washington's offense was awful (zero assists, five turnovers) while his defense (four steals) was actually better than advertised.

Status: Washington probably wasn't coming out for the '06 draft anyway, but just in case he was thinking about it, Jordan Farmar and Co. changed his mind.

Aaron Gray, C, Pittsburgh

What we said: "Gray is huge (7-0, 270 pounds), which of course means he would get drafted even if he couldn't really play. But Aaron's nice and gets better every time we see him play."

What he did: Gray was good against Kent State (17 points, 13 boards, five blocks), but then got totally outclassed by Bradley big man Patrick O'Bryant in the second round. Gray only had four rebounds in that game, while O'Bryant — still a relative unknown at the time — hung 28 points on him.

Status: Unless he's gunning for next year's D-League all-rookie team, Gray would be wise to go back to school for his senior year.

3) The next six from Hoopshype.com

Joakim Noah, PF/C, Florida

The next: Rasheed Wallace (minus the treys).

The now: Aside from the numbers — which were nice, don't get it twisted — Noah improved his stock simply by being the heart and soul of the national champions. Just by watching Florida play, you could tell the entire group rallied around Noah, who's only a sophomore, by the way. With his length (6-11), athleticism, defensive skills and infectious energy, he'll be a high pick in the draft.
Who needs him? Warriors, Rockets, Wolves, Knicks.

Glen Davis, PF, LSU

The next: Robert "Tractor" Traylor (what he could have been).
The now: "Big Baby" is built like a tank, but still has some of the quickest feet you'll ever see on a 300-pounder. Davis wrecked shop in the tournament from start to finish, highlighted by a 26-point, nine-rebound outing against Texas. Of course, some teams will be worried about his frame (dude's got some Oliver Miller potential going), but assuming he keeps his weight under control, Davis will make some noise on the next level.
Who needs him? Rockets, Bulls, Warriors, Wolves.

Al Horford, PF, Florida

The next: Hakim Warrick.

The now: Horford was a monster on the boards throughout the tournament, grabbing every rebound that teammate Joakim Noah didn't get and even snatching away some of the boards Noah should've had. While the sophomore can turn in some hellacious dunks, he isn't much of a scorer yet. But the potential is there.
Who needs him? Bulls, Knicks, Blazers, Rockets.

Roy Hibbert, C, Georgetown

The next: Adonal Foyle.

The now: If a 7-foot-2 dude from a power conference can actually fit under the radar, that's where Hibbert was before the tournament. But after evolving into a force right before our eyes — averaging 15 points, 10 boards and two blocks a game — Hibbert's name was suddenly on the lips of a lot of analysts and scouts by the time G'town bowed out in the Sweet 16. And he's only a sophomore.
Who needs him? Jazz, Blazers, Raptors, Wolves.

Patrick O'Bryant, C, Bradley

The next: Erick Dampier.

The now: Not many outside of the Missouri Valley Conference knew who O'Bryant was going into the Big Dance, but the 7-foot sophomore made a name for himself with solid outings against Kansas and Memphis, and by just killing Pitt's Aaron Gray. O'Bryant went from not even on the draft board to a potential lottery pick if he came out right now.

Who needs him? Raptors, Magic, Wolves, Hornets.

Marcus Williams, SF, Arizona

The next: Michael Finley.

The now: If you saw 'Zona almost knock off Villanova, than you saw what Williams can do. The freshman dropped 24 points on the team many people favored to win the national championship, scoring from all over the place and coming up with big play after big play to keep Arizona in it. Williams started to get hot during the latter part of the regular season, notching a few 20-point games even while deferring to the veterans on his squad. Next year, when Williams is the focal point of the offense, look for more big things.

Who needs him? Rockets, Hornets, Blazers, Magic.

4) Interesting first person account of Glen Rice’s favourite NBA game that he played in as told to Brett Ballantini of the Miami Herald:

Glen Rice—The Game I’ll Never Forget…April 15, 1995: Miami HEAT 123, Orlando Magic 117

Note: Glen Rice was one of the greatest scorers in the history of college basketball, leading Michigan to the 1989 NCAA title with one of the most incredible Tournament performances ever. Two months later, the HEAT made Rice their No. 1 pick (fourth overall) in the 1989 NBA draft. Expectations, as you might imagine, were astronomical. Rice was an All-Rookie Second Team player in his rookie year and took off from there. While he would achieve his greatest stardom at mid-career with the Charlotte Hornets, Rice compiled an impressive resume in Miami. He was nothing if not durable (478 games, missing only 14 games in six seasons), shot .386 from the arc, and averaged 19.3 ppg and 4.9 rpg in his HEAT career. Rice retired in 2004, after 15 seasons in the NBA. His 18,336 career points are No. 50 all-time and his .400 three-point shooting percentage ranks 21st.

I’d been a scorer at every level I played basketball, from as young as I can remember. I played four years at Michigan and graduated at the Big 10’s all-time leading scorer. I scored 25.6 ppg in my senior year. And in the 1989 NCAA Tournament, I won Most Outstanding Player honors and broke Bill Bradley’s record for points in the Tournament as our Wolverines won the national championship. Against Seton Hall in the title game, I had 31 points and 11 rebounds. But starring on the national stage as a collegian isn’t the same as making it in the NBA. I was confident that I could be an impact player in the pros, but until you’re there, performing, scoring, winning games, you don’t know for sure. To me, the best way to dominate a game is by scoring. The team with the most points wins, right? The game where I was at my most dangerous, then, was on April 15, 1995, when I tallied a career-high 56 points in a win vs. the Orlando Magic. Though I had higher-scoring seasons after leaving Miami, I never again scored that many points in a game. The 1994-95 season wasn’t my favorite, to be honest with you. We had a talented team—myself, Kevin Willis, Bimbo Coles, Billy Owens—but we played under our potential. After making the playoffs and finishing better than .500 in 1993-94, we took a big step back in 1994-95 and finished way out of the running at 30-52. When you’re out of contention, NBA games can provide an even bigger challenge than when you’re in the thick of the playoff hunt. Some players might check out and no longer care; some others might be playing selfishly to pad their own stats. But I looked at it as an opportunity to set a tone for the next season, maybe help the HEAT be a spoiler against some teams still in the race, and continue to work on my game as I always tried to do, in good times and in bad. Well, something was really working right against Orlando that day. The 56 points were more than anyone else scored in a single game that season—even Michael Jordan—and still stands as a franchise record. Orlando had the best record in the conference, and there was a natural rivalry between the two teams. We both had only been around for a handful of years, and we both played our games in Florida. To a man, the HEAT were hoping to rain on their parade a little bit. Right away as the Magic took the floor, I could see something in their body language, in their eyes. They’d already put this one in the win column. You’d think with superstars like Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway, a team might be able to get away with that, but the minute you let your guard down in the NBA, your opponent will pounce. And eventually, that’s just what we did in this game. You couldn’t blame Shaq or Penny for Orlando’s loss, though. In fact, the Magic played us hard and led the game pretty much all the way through, until the end. Shaq had 38 points and 16 rebounds, while Penny scored 28 and had 18 assists. They might not have wanted to work so hard that day, but both ended up logging more than 40 minutes. Horace Grant and Nick Anderson also scored more than 20 and played big minutes, so it’s not like Orlando’s big engines weren’t running hot. This was a nationally-televised game, which gave us some extra incentive as well. I’m sure the schedule-makers figured this was going to be a choice matchup when they paired this game together back months earlier, and we certainly didn’t hold up our end of the bargain in that respect. Orlando had also whipped us badly in the season series so far, winning all three games by an average of 23 points. There are certain times when a shooter feels like even the longest jumpers are layups. As you lift and release, it’s like the rim has expanded to three feet wide. I was feeling that for this entire game, even though Orlando led us 93-87 through three quarters. But at the end, I raised my game and carried my HEAT teammates to the victory, scoring 13 points in about half a quarter. That’s the part of the game I most like to replay. Khalid Reeves, who would score 20 points and add 14 assists for us, nailed a three with 5:29 left. That tied the score at 101. After that, I took over, making our next nine points no matter who the Magic stuck on me. The first two points of that stretch, the bucket that put us up 103-101, was also our first lead of the second half. The next one, putting us up 105-103, broke my previous team record of 46 points, set three years earlier against—surprise, surprise—Orlando. The end of the run was my seventh three-pointer, making our lead 110-107 with two and a half minutes to go. That gave me 52 points, and four more free throws in the waning moments pushed my scoring total to 56. I finished the game having missed only seven shots (20-of-27) and only one of eight three-point tries. I made nine of 10 free throws, too, so for the entire game, I shot .784. You could say I was feeling it. The one thing everyone agreed on is that they’d never seen anything like it. Our coach, Alvin Gentry, said so, and didn’t deny drawing up every play to go to me as the game wore on. Even an opponent like Grant was talking about my shooting like it was something out of the old “Unsolved Mysteries” TV show. It’s not as if the Magic played poorly—in fact, they outshot us, .554 to .544. We just pounced at the right time, and did the only thing we could by playing out the string in front of our home crowd—send a message for next season. I never had the chance to see the effect that our stand against the Magic had in terms of carryover into 1995-96, because I was traded to Charlotte before the start of that season. I had a great time in Miami—it’s where my long career was born—and looking back, I’m happy that I could have created such a memorable moment for every HEAT fan in one of my very last games in Miami.

5) BJ Schecter of Si.com with the yea or nea for potential draftees:

Early departures - Underclassmen have some tough choices to make

The Florida Gators had barely finished cutting down the nets after winning the national championship Monday night before people began to speculate about what next year's landscape would look like. Before we can begin to accurately prognosticate, we need to know which underclassmen will be returning for another year and who will leave for the NBA. Here's a look at who would benefit from another year of school and whose stock has peaked.

Who Should Stay

Joakim Noah, Soph., C, Florida - Noah's stock has skyrocketed during the NCAA tournament, and his 16-point, nine-rebound, six-block performance in the national title game will likely elevate him even higher. But he's very wiry at 6-foot-11, 227 pounds, and raw offensively. He needs at least another year to get stronger and improve his offensive game.
What He'll Do: Stay. Nobody loves college basketball more than the excitable Noah.

Corey Brewer, Soph., F, Florida - With a smooth offensive game and good basketball awareness, Brewer has a bright future. But he isn't a dominant force yet and could stand to put on some weight and polish his game. If he waits another year, he could be a lottery pick.
What He'll Do: Stay.

Al Horford, Soph., F, Florida - Horford has an NBA body and his game is steadily improving. A good rebounder and shot blocker, Horford is projected as a late-first-round pick but could move into the top 10 with another good year.
What He'll Do: Stay, provided Noah and Brewer stick around.

Jordan Farmar, Soph., G, UCLA - Farmar is coming off an outstanding NCAA tournament and may be tempted to test the draft waters. But there are plenty of point guards ahead of him on the draft lists, and if he comes back he could be one of the top points in the '07 draft.
What He'll Do: Stay.

Glen Davis, Soph., F, LSU - Though he was the SEC Player of the Year and had a terrific NCAA tournament (minus the loss to UCLA in the national semifinals), Big Baby is, well, a baby. He needs to polish his offensive game. With another year of experience he could be unstoppable.
What He'll Do: Stay.

Josh McRoberts, Fr., F, Duke - He's much more highly rated than teammate J.J. Redick, but he's not NBA-ready. He has to prove he can be an offensive force and won't try to get by on his athleticism. But given that he's projected as a top 10 pick, he has to consider the possibilities.
What He'll Do: Go.

Marcus Williams, Jr., G, UConn - After returning from a first-semester suspension, Williams was UConn's catalyst. Coach Jim Calhoun calls Williams the best passer he's ever had, but with another good year Williams can go from a late-first-round pick to the top 10.
What He'll Do: Go.

Daniel Gibson, Soph., G, Texas - At the beginning of the season it seemed a given that Gibson would be a lottery pick. But he struggled in '05-06 and played much of the season at the off-guard. He needs to get back on track and prove he's the player everyone thinks he can be.
What He'll Do: Stay.

Who Should Go

Tyrus Thomas, Fr., F, LSU - He may not be ready, but Thomas' situation is similar to Marvin Williams' last year. After showcasing his athleticism and enormous potential in the NCAA tournament, Thomas is projected by some as the No. 1 pick. His stock will never be higher.
What He'll Do: Go.

Rudy Gay, Soph., F, UConn - At the beginning of the season Gay was tabbed as the No. 1 pick. But after disappearing during big stretches of several games, he's slipped -- just a bit. He'll still be a top five pick, and even though he's not ready, he has to go.
What He'll Do: Go.

LaMarcus Aldridge, Soph., C, Texas - The 6-11 Aldridge is one of the few pure centers in the college game, and his athleticism and ability to get up and down the floor is attractive to teams. He's a surefire top five pick and wouldn't be able to improve his stock much with another year.
What He'll Do: Go.

Patrick O'Bryant, Soph., C, Bradley - O'Bryant is raw and just starting to develop his offensive game. The 7-footer could definitely use another year, but there are several NBA teams that would love to have him in their lineup. Projected to go in the top 10, O'Bryant would be wise to go now while he's still a hot commodity.
What He'll Do: Go.

Adam Morrison, Jr., F, Gonzaga - After leading the nation in scoring, Morrison has nothing left to prove at the college level (except maybe leading Gonzaga past the Sweet 16).
What He'll Do: Go.

Rajon Rondo, Soph., G, Kentucky - Rondo is a tremendous talent. He has a terrific first step and knows how to get to the basket. He spent much of the season in coach Tubby Smith's doghouse and could stand to mature. But the allure of the NBA and the prospect of being a top 15 pick will probably cause him to leave school early.
What He'll Do: Go.

Ronnie Brewer, Jr., G, Arkansas - A natural scorer who can play either guard position, Brewer already has an NBA game and flourishes in the open floor. If he can develop a consistent outside shot, he has the potential to become a perennial NBA All-Star.
What He'll Do: Go.

5) Great article from Marcus Thompson II of the CONTRA COSTA TIMES on the physical price players pay to dunk…don’t I know it:

Dunking an art form with painful price

It's not uncommon in the NBA to see a guy scream after dunking and trot down the court wearing a scowl. The harder the dunk, the louder the scream, the more serious the scowl. Most chalk this up to showmanship. But there's a reason many overlook. These guys are in pain. "As a lot of times, you go up to dunk and you feel like you want to break that backboard, break that rim," said Warriors guard Jason Richardson, who with Michael Jordan is the only player to win consecutive slam dunk titles during NBA All-Star weekend. "But 10 times out of 10 you're not. What you're really breaking is yourself. ... When you dunk it hard and come down screaming 'Ahhhhh,' everybody gets into it. But you're really screaming, "Ahhhhh, my arm!'" Dunking is painful. There is a consequence for slamming one's hands, wrists and forearms against the rim. Falling from the sky takes its toll on the knees, endangers the ankles. That's not to mention the vulnerability of just being up so high. But, obviously, such isn't a deterrent. The reward is greater than the risk. "I guess the fame of the dunk is greater than the pain," Basketball Hall of Famer George Gervin said. "I was a dunker, so I know if you constantly do it, sooner or later it's going to put that bruise at the bottom part of your wrist. So they need to learn to develop that finger roll. I got tired of dunking, so I started rolling." Chances are players won't be trading in the eminence of the dunk for the finesse of the finger roll anytime soon. Dunks are a staple of the modern game, basketball's home runs. To today's players, dunking is more an art form and a means of self-expression than a way of assuring the ball gets in the basket. It's no longer that they dunked but how high they got up, how hard they threw it down and how the highlight looks on "SportsCenter." But dunks come with a price. Sure, they provide momentum, captivate fans and make players millions of dollars. But ask any NBA dunker and he'll give you one of a million stories about the downside. He can tell you about a time he suffered for the splendor. Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant said he used to bust up his fingers until they bled. New Jersey Nets guard Vince Carter showed off the marks on his right forearm, which he stuck inside the basket during his famous jam from the 2000 dunk contest. "I dunk so hard sometimes," Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett said, "I can't feel my hand for a couple plays." "One time," Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade said, "it hurt so bad I couldn't pick up a ball. You can mess yourself up dunking so hard." The negative aspects of dunking do wear down players. Jordan, who took what Julius Erving popularized and turned it into a phenomenon, cut back on dunking because of his knees. A couple years ago while still with the Toronto Raptors, Carter vowed to stop dunking, but he hasn't kept that promise. "Every now and then, I get a little too excited and mess up my forearm," Carter said. "That's what helped me get up higher, so I could throw it through (from above the rim) and not have to hit the rim." Today's technology lessens the rigors of dunking. The hardwood is raised above the floor so the court has room to give, making it a much softer landing pad and taking some of the pressure off players' knees and ankles. The NBA also uses breakaway rims, which have springs and are designed to release when pulled down. Of course, NBA arenas are a world away from the low-budget courts many NBA players came up dunking on. The nation's inner cities are filled with dangerous courts -- unforgiving two-ply rims, sporting chains as nets, connected to a steel backboard by bolts, held up by an aluminum pole and planted into a concrete court covered with gravel. "Now we're playing in plush gyms on breakaway rims," Bryant said. "It wasn't always like that. We used to play on some beat up courts. ... And we loved it." Imagine way back in the day, in Gervin's time of the mid-1970s to mid-'80s. Even the NBA arenas had playing surfaces that were little more than kitchen floors, and dunkers took off and landed on canvas-and-rubber Chuck Taylor's. "We didn't have the technology," Gervin said. "Most of the floors were (laid) on cement and didn't have any give. So technology and shoes and all that kind of play a major role in helping you prevent injuries." Today's players certainly need the benefit of technology. They assault the rims with more aggressiveness and power than ever before, despite the consequences. And make no mistake, there are consequences. Take Richardson. He said he was intent on making a name for himself in his first slam dunk competition. He did, too, awing fans with his combination of height and power to win the 2002 title. It wasn't without pain. "Banging against that iron," he said, "I literally had to wear a pad on my forearm for two weeks."