I know this is a space more slanted towards college hoop and even recruiting news, but I just couldn’t let this one pass.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Kevin Garnett is a punk.

The latest example: KG’s comments directed at Detroit Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva during last night’s game in which he called Villanueva a “cancer patient.”

Villanueva has had a medical condition since he was young called alopecia universalis in which he’s unable to grow hair.

Class move, Kevin.

I give Villanueva credit. He put it out there for Twitter for all the world to see what a punk the guy who drops hundreds of profanities on the court each and every game truly is.

``KG called me a cancer patient, I’m pissed because, u know how many people died from cancer, and he’s tossing it like it’s a joke. I wouldn’t even trip about that, but a cancer patient, I know way 2 many people who passed away from it, and I have a special place for those.”

But KG is all about intimidation – and he just doesn’t “get it.”

This is a prime example of a kid who could have benefited off-the-court from college.

``KG talks a lot of crap, he’s prob never been in a fight. I would love to get in a ring with him, I will expose him,” Villanueva said via twitter.

He'd have to wait in line - and trust me, it would be a lengthy one. 

By Matt Norlander

There’s NBA potential with him — he’s just got to learn to work for it.

James Madison senior Denzel Bowles, “unequivocally the best low-post scorer in” the CAA, according to his coach, Matt Brady, has the tools but not the mindset of day-to-day, week-to-week dedication a 6-10, 260-pound player needs to make it at the highest level.

Brady was brutally honest about the Texas A&M transfer who averaged 20.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game last season, leading the CAA in both categories while also finishing third in the country in field-goal percentage (59.4).

“The issue with Denzel with the teams in the NBA is, will he work hard enough?” Brady said. “At that level, it’s as much about work ethic as it is about skill or talent.”

Right now, he’s just too good for his own good. That’s what’s stalling his development.

“I don’t think there’s anyone in our league who can guard him one-on-one, and that’s the problem,” Brady said. “He needs to learn to work harder ... and that’s still a work in progress.”

Bowles first went to A&M because he was heavily recruited by then-Wichita State head coach Mark Turgeon.

Turgeon got the job in College Station and kept his promise to Bowles. 

But Bowles wasn’t getting minutes there, plus, he was homesick; he hails from Virginia Beach, which is two and a half hours from JMU. Since he’s been with the Dukes, Bowles has been a matchup nightmare.

“He’s surprisingly athletic and is a tremendously gifted passer,” Brady said. “There was a tremendous need for him to score for us last year, too … truthfully, he’s the focal point of our offensive deployment.”

How many 6-10 players are the focal point of any offense in D-I?

That’s why Bowles is special and frustrating for Brady at times, though the coach leaves some blame for himself.

“Changing ends from offense to defense is something — cardiovascularity, I guess — we haven’t done a good enough job with him on,” Brady said. “We need to work with him on that more.”

JMU won 13 games last year. Brady spoke as if the team will eclipse that number by early February, if not sooner. The Dukes begin their season next weekend at the CBE Classic in Kansas City with a game against K-State

“There’s really no secret here. If we don’t play as hard as we can possibly play, we can’t even come close to winning the game,” Brady said. The Dukes are scrimmaging Georgetown this weekend to get a peek into the high-major world and gauge this team’s early-season potential.

<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Kevin Stallings doesn’t sound like a man who lost an all-league big man and his starting point guard, which also happen to be his top two scorers, from a year ago.

``I like my team,” the Vanderbilt coach said.

This isn’t just coach-speak, either. Stallings means it.

Those looking in from the outside are concerned about the lack of a low-post presence now that A.J. Ogilvy opted to leave school after his junior season – and also worried whether Brad Tinsley can replace Jermaine Beal in running the team.

``People stereotype Brad as a shooting guard,” Stallings said. ``But we recruited him as a point guard. We told him he’d play primarily the two-guard his first couple of years and then he’d be out full-time point once Jermaine graduated.”

Stallings said that Tinsley may not have terrific speed, but he’s got terrific stamina and is the son of a coach.

``Not only do I not worry about Brad, I think it’ll be a position of strength for us,” Stallings said.  ``I’m not the least bit worried.”

The strength of the Commodores team will be on the perimeter where it’ll be Tinsley at the point and one of the elite wings in the nation, Jeffery Taylor, along with arguably the country’s top shooter in John Jenkins.

Stallings said that Taylor’s perimeter shot isn’t the only facet of his game that has improved. He’s also leading the team in assists thus far in practice.

``He’s making plays for others,” Stallings said. ``He’s been unbelievable. The hardest thing to improve is passing because it’s not something you can work on in the summer, but he’s come back and is hitting guys in the hands.”

The ultra-athletic Taylor, whose strength is his ability to get to the basket and also defend, is the best all-around player Stallings has ever had in Nashville.

And he’s had a trio of SEC Player of the Year winners: Derrick Byars, Shan Foster and Dan Langhi.

``He’s as complete on both ends as anyone we’ve had here,” Stallings said. ``And he’s the most athletic player I’ve ever coached as a head coach or an assistant.”

Then you’ve got Jenkins, a light-out shooter who shot 48.3 percent from beyond the arc as a freshman last season.

The key could be inside – where it’ll likely be Andre Walker and Festus Ezeli in the starting lineup.

Walker started 31 games a year ago and averaged 6.1 points an 5.4 boards while Ezeli backed up Ogilvy and averaged less than 13 minutes per contest.

That means it’s a starting lineup consisting of two redshirt juniors, two true juniors and a sophomore – with key reserves being two more juniors, Lance Goulbourne and Steve Tchiengang.

Don’t expect the post duo of Ezeli and Tchiengang to put up as many points as what the trio of Ogilvy, Ezeli and Tchiengang combined for a year ago (it was 20.6 ppg), but they’ll be more effective on the defensive end and on the glass.

Stallings said freshman Rod Odom and Kyle Fuller will both make their way into the rotation, but it’ll be difficult to supplant his veterans when the game’s on the line.

``I like our team,” Stallings reiterated numerous times throughout our conversation. ``They play hard, are very coachable and try to do everything you ask.”

BIG SKY ADDITIONS

Southern Utah and North Dakota are both headed to the Big Sky in 2012.

The move was made official yesterday – and from all indications, South Dakota will be joining the league as well.

Southern Utah goes from the Summit while both North Dakota and South Dakota will move from the Great West. South Dakota was, in fact, slated to join the Summit next year.

RANDOM NOTES: Michigan State guard Korie Lucious will miss tonight’s exhibition game and the season-opener against Eastern Michigan as part of a two-game suspension for the DWI he received back in September. … As first reported by Scout.com’s Evan Daniels, Rutgers commit Kadeem Jack has left South Kent (Conn.) and could enroll at Rutgers in January. The other option is transferring to another prep school. … Daniels also broke the news yesterday morning that one-time Duke pledge Tyler Adams has committed to Georgetown. … Speaking of Duke, it appears as though the Blue Devils will receive a pledge from point guard Quinn Cook. … New Hofstra coach Mo Cassara is making inroads locally and grabbed a commitment from Malik Nichols out of Boys & Girls in Brooklyn. … Grapevine (Texas) forward Daniel Green has committed to Wake Forest – according to multiple reports.

<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">We’re running through the top assistants in each league and now it’s time to look at the top assistants in Southland – as voted upon by at least 75 percent of the coaches in the league:

SOUTHLAND TOP ASSISTANTS

1) Roman Banks, Southeastern Louisiana – The Shreveport, La., native was the all-time assists leader at Northwestern State and began his coaching career at Green Oaks High. He spent time on staff at Southern University-Shreveport, six years at Southern University and has been with Jim Yarborough and the Lions program for the past half-dozen seasons.

``Roman has tremendous experience, is a consummate professional and can handle all facets of a program – he’s good with people and players, recruits, can teach, develops talent, schedules, community service, just great knowledge of the business. He’s particularly strong in this area and this league.” – Southeastern Louisiana coach Jim Yarborough

2) Brette Tanner, Stephen F. Austin

3) Mark Slessinger, Northwestern State

4) Greg Young, UT Arlington

5) Rob Flaska, Texas State

<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore met two Iowa recruits in a suite at the Iowa-Iowa State football game last month.

Kutcher briefly attended Iowa and is considered representatives of Iowa’s athletics interests.

The school reported the violations and the NCAA has accepted Iowa’s response.

The NCAA has fully cleared the two recruits – Josh Oglesby and Marcus Paige - and has determined Iowa’s actions to be of a “secondary” nature in terms of violation of NCAA policy.

This was actually somewhat comical since it’s common that ex-players speak to recruits throughout the process.

But Ashton Kutcher? 

Wonder how much juice he has with recruits.

Here’s the AP’s Preseason All-American team – which was unveiled today.

I will release mine next week just prior to the start of the season.

No disrespect to the five guys on the team, but it’s hardly an intimidating group. In fact, there may be just one lottery pick on the list – and that’s Barnes, who has yet to play a college games.

How about this for shocking?  Barnes is the first freshman to earn a spot on the AP Preseason All-American list in 24 years.

F – Kyle Singler, Sr., Duke

F – Harrison Barnes, Fr., North Carolina

C – JaJuan Johnson, Sr., Purdue

G – Jake Pullen, Sr., Kansas State

G – Jimmer Fredette, Sr., BYU

<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">We’re running through the top assistants in each league and now it’s time to look at the top assistants in MAAC – as voted upon by at least 75 percent of the coaches in the league:

MAAC TOP ASSISTANTS

1) Bob Simon, Fairfield – Began his coaching career at Wayne State, where he spent eight years on the men’s basketball staff before taking the head women’s job for one season. Simon spent six seasons as an assistant at Toledo beginning in 2000 before arriving at Fairfield four years ago.

``Bob is a head coach, very good with people, very good recruiter and a good X’s and O’s coach. Fairfield is lucky to have him – he’s a true star in our business.” – Fairfield coach Ed Cooley

2) Kevin Baggett, Rider

3) Phil Martelli Jr., Niagara

4) Luke Dobrich, Niagara

5) Jared Grasso, Iona

<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Here are more observations from talking to people on the weekend scrimmages:

BAYLOR AT OHIO STATE

- Baylor guard LaceDarius Dunn was in attendance, but did not play. The word I got was that it was a sore Achilles.

- The best player on the court was either Ohio State freshman Jared Sullinger or Buckeyes senior David Lighty. Sullinger was able to take advantage of a Bears defese that is still getting used to playing without shot-blocker Ekpe Udoh while Lighty was, well, just Lighty – and was good on both ends of the court.

- Baylor freshman Perry Jones played well – and even brought the ball up the court as a quasi-point guard on a few occasions.

TEXAS VS. GONZAGA IN DENVER

BEST PLAYER ON THE COURT: Texas freshman forward Tristan Thompson

- Texas sophomore Jordan Hamilton also played well.

- Rick Barnes had veteran Dogus Balbay and freshman Cory Joseph running the point.

- The best player on the court for the ‘Zags was big man Robert Sacre.

CLEMSON AT GEORGIA

BEST PLAYER ON TH COURT: Toss-up between Clemson guards Demontez Stitt and Andre Young.

- Trey Thompkins and Gerald Robinson didn’t play much for Georgia.

VIRGINIA AT MARQUETTE

- Virginia’s top player is Mike Scott, but freshman guard KT Harrell was impressive and shot it well.

- Marquette got good production from freshman big man Davante Gardner. Senior guard Dwight Buycks and forward Jae Crowder also played well.

UTAH AT ARIZONA

- BEST PLAYER ON THE COURT: Arizona’s Derrick Williams – Led all scorers

- Sophomore wing Shawn Glover and point guard Josh Watkins played well for the Utes, who were without Jay Watkins and David Foster.

GEORGIA TECH AT UAB

BEST PLAYER ON THE COURT: UAB’s Jamarr Sanders – Scored the ball from all over the court.

- Iman Shumpert played well for Georgia Tech, who was without redshirt freshman big man Daniel Miller. One-time Tulane signee Nate Hicks was a pleasant surprise for the Yellow Jackets.

ARIZONA STATE AT SAINT MARY’S

BEST PLAYER ON THE COURT: For Saint Mary’s, it was newcomer Rob Jones – and for Arizona State, it was one-time Duke commit Carrick Felix.

RIDER AT SETON HALL

BEST PLAYER ON THE COURT: Rider guard Justin Robinson.

- The game was very competitive – and the word I got was that Seton Hall struggled. The best player on the court for Kevin Willard was Jeremy Hazell.

- Mike Ringgold also looked good for Tommy Dempsey’s Rider squad.

WAKE FOREST AT COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON

BEST PLAYER ON THE COURT: This wasn’t even up for debate. College of Charleston’s shooter Andrew Goudelock was the best player on the floor.

- Ari Stewart and C.J. Harris played well for a young Wake Forest team. Travis McKie and J.T. Terrell also had their moments – and Ty Walker has started to show glimpses of the promise that had him as a Top 50 player coming out of high school.

FORDHAM AT VILLANOVA

TOP PLAYERS ON THE COURT: Villanova guards Corey Fisher and Maalik Wayns.

BOSTON COLLEGE AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY

TOP PLAYERS ON THE COURT: Boston College’s Reggie Jackson and BU’s John Holland.

CREIGHTON AT COLORADO

BEST PLAYER ON THE COURT: Colorado’s Alec Burks

- Creighton big man Kenny Lawson didn’t play much.

PROVIDENCE AT STONY BROOK

BEST PLAYER ON THE COURT: Providence forward Marshon Brooks

- Stony Brook was without three of its top players.

GEORGE MASON AT RICHMOND

BEST PLAYER ON THE COURT: Richmond’s Kevin Anderson

- Andre Cornelius made shots for George Mason and freshman Jon Arledge was tough on the glass.

TEXAS TECH AT NEW MEXICO STATE

BEST PLAYER ON THE COURT: Texas Tech’s John Roberson.

KENT STATE AT ST. BONAVENTURE

BEST PLAYER ON THE COURT: St. Bonnie Andrew Nicholson

- Biggest surprise was Kent State 6-foot-11 big man Justin Manns – who redshirted last season.

LSU AT TULANE

BEST PLAYER ON THE COURT: LSUs Malcolm White – Ole Miss transfer.

- Tulane sophomore Kendall Timmons stood out for the Green Wave.

LOYOLA (ILL.) AT NORTHWESTERN

- No real surprises here. John Shurna and Drew Crawford stood out for the Wildcats while Ben Averkamp and Geoff McCammon played well for Loyola. 

We gave you the list of so-called “secret” scrimmages that were on tap for this weekend. Now we give you info on the stars and the surprises from some of them.

We’ll start with the North Carolina Tar Heels and the debut of freshman Harrison Barnes – who was actually overshadowed.

Tyler Zeller, according to one observer, was actually the best player on the floor for UNC’s rout over UNC Greensboro.

There’s a reason why I put Zeller on all my preseason lists instead of his frontcourt mate, sophomore John Henson. He’s more skilled, can score in the post and also runs the court just as well as Henson.

``He runs the floor on every possession,” the person said. ``He posts so hard and works so hard for position. He was the MVP of the scrimmage and looked like a lottery pick.”

While Zeller was the most dominant player on the floor, Barnes was still equally as impressive.

``He’s ridiculous. He’s one of the most polished freshmen I’ve ever seen. He doesn’t have any weaknesses.”

And the person said it’s not like Barnes forces shots, either.

The word was that Larry Drew has improved, played under control and shot the ball well – making three or four 3’s in one 10-minute stretch. Dexter Strickland will spend nearly all of his time playing shooting guard with the addition of freshman Kendall Marshall.

Strickland can be a lock-down defender and was far more comfortable not having to make decisions with the ball in his hands.

``He’s a ridiculous athlete. He can be pretty special with the way he pressures the ball.”

- Henson was just OK. He bothered UNC Greensboro with his length and showed his lefty hook, but wasn’t dominant like Zeller.

- Freshman Reggie Bullock shot it well early, but then struggled a bit from the field.

- Justin Knox was solid, but still has a ways to go in terms of learning the system.

- Justin Watts played power forward. He rebounded, defended and did the little things that could make him a poor man’s David Noel.

- UNC Greensboro was overwhelmed talent-wise by UNC, but there were a few bright spots: Junior college big men Aloysius Henry and Aaron Brackett – as well as 6-foot-7 wing David Williams – all competed and showed flashes.

<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Myck Kabongo is back on the board.

But not for everyone.

The Canadian point guard, who has been committed to Texas for what seems like an eternity (it was in January of 2009), has opted to re-open his recruitment.

The news was first reported by Dave Telep.

Kabongo, ranked ninth in the nation in the senior class, has been wrestling with the decision for months.

He confirmed to me that he’s only going to look at five schools: Duke, Syracuse, North Carolina, Kentucky and Texas.

``I really don’t want to make this out to be a big deal,” Kabongo said on Saturday night.

Kabongo’s pledge actually came prior to the commitment of current Texas freshman point guard Cory Joseph – who also hails from Canada. Kabongo gave Rick Barnes and the Longhorns a pledge while he was at St. Benedict’s in New Jersey. He has since transferred to Findlay Prep in Las Vegas.

I’m not sure there’s a more charismatic player in the Class of 2011. There’s a reason Rick Barnes, according to sources, considers Kabongo one of his favorite all-time kids – even before he’s even arrived in Austin.

Don’t be shocked if Kabongo winds up teaming with Austin Rivers at Duke next year.

I don’t have any inside info here, but that’s my gut on where he lands. He and Rivers and tight – and Kabongo wants to go somewhere he can play and win a national title.

Syracuse will have both Scoop Jardine and Brandon Triche back in the fold. Kentucky will have point guard Marquise Teague and North Carolina has Larry Drew II and Kendall Marshall.

Duke has freshman Kyrie Irving, but he’ll likely be off to the NBA after this season.