The March to Madness

NCAA Alleges Major Violations at Memphis

The news out of Memphis is not good. The NCAA says Memphis has been up to no good.

Surprised?

The NCAA alleges that a prospective player became eligible after an "unknown individual" completed his SAT. The player, according to the NCAA, "subsequently competed for the men's basketball team through the 2007-08 season, which included his participation in the 2008 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship."

The player's name was redacted in the report that was obtained by the Commercial Appeal, but it would appear to be former Tiger point guard Derrick Rose.

Manhattan Signs One-Handed Center Laue

Manhattan College coach Barry Rohrssen was looking for a big man. He found one in 6-foot-11 Kevin Laue.

Laue, who averaged 10 points and five rebounds for Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia this past season, was born with a birth defect that left him without a left arm just below the elbow.

"Being a baseball fan, Jim Abbott left a great impression on me," Rohrssen told the New York Daily News. "Some of the things he did inspired a lot of people with similar problems and just people as a whole. I think with a guy like Kevin, playing at Manhattan and being in New York City, presents an opportunity that can be rewarding for Kevin and also have a ripple effect for everyone involved."

Griffin Probably Rethinking This NBA Draft Thing

Blake Griffin had to be feeling good about his chances entering the NBA draft lottery. The Los Angeles Clippers had only a 17.7% chance of landing the top pick.

Then came the unexpected, with the Clippers somehow winning the lottery and right to select the former Oklahoma standout with the first pick. Yes, one would have to think that even the Clippers, who once selected Michael Olowokandi with the top pick, can't screw this up. Then again, it's the Clippers. ...

But what happens after Griffin to L.A.? Memphis, Oklahoma City, Sacramento and Washington are next in the pecking order, and the biggest losers will have a chance to select a marquee player and launch their rebuilding efforts.

It's never too early for a mock draft, and Mark Heisler of the Los Angeles Times comes through by breaking down the top 14 picks.

The Street Stops Here

Trailer for the film, "The Street Stops Here", which will be released later this year. It s a portrait of high school coach Bob Hurley, Sr. and his lifelong commitment to save the lives of inner city kids and the poor Catholic school that gives them hope.

Sidney Signs With Mississippi State

Two days after he parted ways with USC, Fairfax High big man Renardo Sidney signed with Mississippi State, ending a bizarre recruitment.

"I just had to realize, you know, I'm from Mississippi," he said. "I'm from Jackson, Mississippi. I've got a lot of people, a lot of family members down there that can actually see me play in person, you know, just to go back home and play in front of everybody, all my fans."

Sidney said little about the end of his courtship with USC. "You'll have to talk to my mom and my dad about that, but we just figured it wasn't a good idea to go," he said.