Shoe Game

HoopsHype has updated its NBA sneaker database, which provides info concerning the shoe selections of every NBA player - make and model (with pics of the kicks). Wondering who is rocking the Air Jordan II's? Or who is the only player in the Association sporting New Balance? Or the names of the strange Chinese brands being worn by Jason Kidd, Shaq, and KG? Yeah, me, too.

Here's the link: HOOPSHYPE NBA SNEAKER DATABASE

Despite my love for Adidas and my nostalgia for old school Nike models, if I was in the NBA, there would be 23 players in the league wearing the ultra-light Zoom Kobe V.

Top 25

1. Duke 6-0
quality wins: Marquette, Kansas State
previous rank: 1

2. Kansas 6-0
quality win: Arizona
previous rank: 3

3. Pittsburgh 7-0
quality wins: Maryland, Texas
previous rank: 5

4. Ohio State 5-0
quality win: Florida
previous rank: 4

5. Michigan State 5-1
quality win: Washington
loss: Connecticut
previous rank: 2

6. Syracuse 6-0
previous rank: 7

7. Kansas State 5-1
quality wins: Virginia Tech, Gonzaga
loss: Duke
previous rank: 6

8. Missouri 5-0
previous rank: 9

9. Texas 5-1
quality win: Illinois
loss: Pittsburgh
previous rank: 16

10. Brigham Young 6-0
quality win: St. Mary's
previous rank: 14

11. Villanova 5-1
quality win: UCLA
loss: Tennessee
previous rank: 10

12. Connecticut 5-0
quality wins: Wichita State, Michigan State, Kentucky
previous rank: NR

13. Minnesota 6-0
quality wins: North Carolina, West Virginia
previous rank: NR

14. UNLV 6-0
quality wins: Wisconsin, Murray State, Virginia Tech
previous rank: NR

15. Baylor 4-0
previous rank: 24

16. Notre Dame 7-0
quality wins: Georgia, Wisconsin
previous rank: NR

17. Kentucky 4-1
quality win: Washington
loss: Connecticut
previous rank: 12

18. Tennessee 5-0
quality wins: VCU, Villanova
previous rank: NR

19. Illinois 6-1
quality win: Maryland
loss: Texas
previous rank: 20

20. West Virginia 4-1
quality win: Vanderbilt
loss: Minnesota
previous rank: NR

21. Vanderbilt 5-1
quality win: North Carolina
loss: West Virginia
previous rank: NR

22. San Diego State 6-0
quality win: Gonzaga
previous rank: 22

23. Memphis 5-0
previous rank: 17

24. Purdue 5-1
loss: Richmond
previous rank: 18

25. Georgetown 6-0
quality wins: Old Dominion, North Carolina State
previous rank: NR

2010-11 Outlook: Mid-Majors

Top 10 Non-BCS Conference Teams

1. Gonzaga - David Stockton, son of Gonzaga and NBA great John Stockton, is a walk-on point guard for the Zags.

2. Brigham Young - Jimmer Fredette may get the press, but backcourt mate Jackson Emery is perhaps just as important to the Cougars' success.

3. Temple - Fran Dunphy continues to work wonders for a program that only recently appeared to be in sharp decline.

4. Memphis - Josh Pastner has no problem recruiting, but can he coach?

5. Murray State - Reigning OVC champs return 8 of top 10 scorers.

6. San Diego State - Most talent that Steve Fisher has had since his days with the Fab 5.

7. Richmond - 38-year old head coach Chris Mooney is going to have offers from some big-time programs very soon.

8. Butler - Shelvin Mack is a beast, but the Bulldogs are going to miss Gordon Hayward even more than the pundits seem to think.

9. UNLV - The perennially competitive Runnin' Rebels will take third in an extremely talented Mountain West Conference.

10. Old Dominion - Experienced Monarchs play physical, suffocating defense.

All Mid-Major Team

Kevin Anderson, Richmond, sr, guard
Jimmer Fredette, Brigham Young, sr, guard
Shelvin Mack, Butler, jr, guard
Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State, soph, forward
Lavoy Allen, Temple, sr, forward

Player of the Year

Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State - Long athlete who hits the glass, has an excellent motor, and finds ways to score.

Top Freshman

Joe Jackson, Memphis - Self-proclaimed "King of Memphis" is not lacking for confidence and is key to Tigers playing Top 25 basketball.

Top Defender

Jay Threatt, Delaware State - Ballhawk averaged an NCAA-leading 2.8 steals per contest last season as a sophomore.

2010-11 Outlook: SEC

Projected Order of Finish

1. Kentucky - Coach Cal reloaded with another bumper crop of blue chips, but extreme lack of depth means young Cats will have to stay out of foul trouble and injury-free.

2. Florida - 6-9 225-pound freshman Patric Young provides the perennially soft Gators with much-needed toughness.

3. Tennessee - Bruce Pearl has done a great job in Knoxville, but it is pretty incredible that he still has his job at this point.

4. Vanderbilt - Commodores will miss point guard Jermaine Beal more than overrated big man A.J. Ogilvy.

5. Mississippi State - When Dee Bost and Renardo Sidney become eligible, watch out for a nice Bulldogs squad that will feast on the SEC West competition.

6. Georgia - Everyone's favorite dark horse is on the verge of becoming overrated.

7. Alabama - JaMychal Green, Senario Hillman, and Mikhail Torrance give the Tide a formidable threesome.

8. Mississippi - Senior guard Chris Warren leads Andy Kennedy's attack in Oxford.

9. South Carolina - Darrin Horn thinks he has something special in freshman guard Bruce Ellington.

10. Arkansas - John Pelphrey is on the hot seat after his Razorbacks missed the tournament for a second straight season.

11. LSU - I like Trent Johnson, but he has had trouble bringing talent to Baton Rouge.

12. Auburn - It was a mistake to fire Jeff Lebo one year removed from a 20-win season.

All-Conference

Dee Bost, Mississippi State, jr, guard
Travis Leslie, Georgia, jr. guard
Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt, jr, forward
Chandler Parsons, Florida, sr, forward
Trey Thompkins, Georgia, jr, forward

Player of the Year

Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt - Reminds me of a young Grant Hill.

Top Freshman

Brandon Knight, Kentucky - There will be less of a drop off from John Wall to Knight than people think.

Top Defender

Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt - Locks down opposition's best player on nightly basis.

2010-11 Outlook: Pac-10

Projected Order of Finish

1. Washington - Lorenzo Romar needs improved play from highly touted sophomore Abdul Gaddy if the Huskies are going to be more than merely top dog in an extremely weak Pac-10.

2. Arizona - Sean Miller has the program headed in the right direction, but the Wildcats would finish no better than fifth in any other BCS conference.

3. Arizona State - As senior guard Ty Abbott goes, so go Herb Sendek's Sun Devils.

4. UCLA - Alex Schrempf, son of Detlef, suits up as a walk-on for the Bruins.

5. Stanford - Landry Fields is a Knickerbocker, so junior guard Jeremy Green will have to shoulder even more of the scoring load for the Cardinal.

6. Washington State - The decision of four reserve guards, including Xavier Thames, to transfer out of Pullman cripples the program's efforts to stay relevant post-Tony Bennett.

7. California - Mike Montgomery is perhaps the nation's most underrated coach, and he will have his work cut out for him after losing his top four scorers.

8. USC - Seniors Marcus Simmons and Alex Stepheson provide the Trojans with defense, rebounding, and toughness, but who will provide the offense?

9. Oregon - Feels like Phil Knight U settled with the Dana Altman hire.

10. Oregon State - Senior guard Calvin Haynes is a bright spot for the lowly Beavers.

All-Conference

Isaiah Thomas, Washington, jr, guard
Ty Abbott, Arizona State, sr, guard
Jeremy Green, Stanford, jr, guard
Klay Thompson, Washington State, jr, guard
Derrick Williams, Arizona, soph, forward

Player of the Year

Isaiah Thomas, Washington - Standing 5-8, the fearless Thomas is an excellent penetrator with a top-notch handle.

Top Freshman

Dwight Powell, Stanford - Pretty weak group of incoming freshmen in the Pac-10, but the 6-9 Powell will give Johnny Dawkins much needed help in the paint.

Top Defender

Venoy Overton, Washington - One of nation's peskiest defenders edges out USC's Marcus Simmons.

Game Recognize Game

One of the cooler moments of the NBA season.

2010-11 Outlook: Big 12

Projected Order of Finish

1. Kansas - Cole Aldrich, Sherron Collins, and Xavier Henry are now lacing them up in the Association, but the Big 12 championship still goes through Lawrence.

2. Kansas State - Jacob Pullen's beard and a deep frontcourt return, but will Crazy Frank Martin's squad recapture the magic of last year's 29-win season?

3. Missouri - Top recruit Tony Mitchell is ineligible (questions remain as to whether he will ever suit up for the Tigers), and defensive aficionados everywhere mourn having lost the chance to see Mitchell in Mike Anderson's 40 Minutes of Hell defense.

4. Texas - After a year of underachieving and disappointment, the question is whether the Longhorns have found a semblance of chemistry.

5. Baylor - Lots of length and athleticism, but I'm not sure the Bears have a point guard to run the show.

6. Texas A&M - Expect a breakout season from junior forward David Loubeau.

7. Texas Tech - Seniors John Roberson and Mike Singletary will make the Red Raiders competitive, but Pat Knight will most likely find a way to mess things up in Lubbock.

8. Oklahoma State - As usual, depth will be a problem for the seemingly always undermanned Cowboys.

9. Colorado - Senior Cory Higgins and sophomore Alec Burks are two of the country's best kept secrets, but they don't have much help.

10. Oklahoma - The rebuilding begins now for the Sooners, as Willie Warren turned pro after an unimpressive sophomore campaign, and former McDonald's All-Americans Tiny Gallon and Tommy Mason-Griffin lasted all of one season in Norman.

11. Iowa State - Cyclones have no way of replacing Craig Brackins and Marquis Gilstrap.

12. Nebraska - Do they still play basketball at Tyronn Lue University?

All-Conference

John Roberson, Texas Tech, sr, guard
Jacob Pullen, Kansas State, sr, guard
J'Covan Brown, Texas, soph, guard
LaceDarius Dunn, Baylor, sr, guard
Marcus Morris, Kansas, jr, forward

Player of the Year

Jacob Pullen, Kansas State - It will be interesting to see if Pullen can pile up the points with the opposition no longer having to worry about backcourt mate Denis Clemente.

Top Freshman

Tristan Thompson, Texas - Nice body and smooth moves around the rim.

Top Defender

Dogus Balbay, Texas - Hailing from Istanbul, Balbay is relentless on the defensive end and an excellent on-ball defender.

2010-11 Outlook: Big Ten

Projected Order of Finish

1. Michigan State - Izzo's roster is overflowing with talent, and yet another trip to the Final Four is well within reach.

2. Ohio State - Extremely talented freshman class is more than just Jared Sullinger.

3. Wisconsin - Badger big men Jon Leuer and Keaton Nankivil team up to form one of the country's most formidable post tandems.

4. Purdue - Losing Robbie Hummel for the season removes the Boilermakers from national title contention, but the return of seniors JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore means Matt Painter's squad could still make noise in March.

5. Illinois - Bruce Weber has plenty of talent and excellent depth, but can the Illini play with intensity and focus for 40 minutes?

6. Minnesota - In just his fourth season at the helm, Tubby Smith has assembled a deep roster with a nice combination of skill, size, and athleticism.

7. Northwestern - Junior forward John Shurna is one of the most underrated players in the country.

8. Indiana - Expect the product Tom Crean puts on the floor to be improved, but whether that translates into an improvement in the win column in a tough Big Ten remains to be seen.

9. Penn State - Senior scorer Talor Battle will once again lead an underwhelming Nittany Lions' attack.

10. Iowa - It's going to be another long year for the Hawkeyes.

11. Michigan - Wolverines could be epically bad.

All-Conference

Kalin Lucas, Michigan State, sr, guard
Demetri McCamey, Illinois, sr, guard
E'Twaun Moore, Purdue, sr, guard
Jon Leuer, Wisconsin, sr, forward
JaJuan Johnson, Purdue, sr, center

Player of the Year

Demetri McCamey, Illinois - If this big-bodied point guard in the mold of Deron Williams can get along with Bruce Weber, the Illini could have a special season.

Top Freshman

Jared Sullinger, Ohio State - Only question is whether he will be as dominant on the defensive end as he will be scoring the ball.

Top Defender

David Lighty, Ohio State - Versatile fifth-year senior can defend multiple positions and doesn't make mistakes.

2010-11 Outlook: Big East

Projected Order of Finish

1. Pittsburgh - Gritty, veteran squad needs contribution from 6-9 sophomore and former McDonald's All-American Dante Taylor if the Panthers hope to contend for a national title.

2. Syracuse - Jim Boeheim's squad has a ton of potential but also has to replace a lot of production.

3. Villanova - As usual Jay Wright's squad is extremely talented on the perimeter with questions in the paint.

4. West Virginia - Da'Sean Butler and Devin Ebanks are gone from last year's Final Four team, but count on Bob Huggins to put a hard-nosed team on the floor that will defend and hit the boards.

5. Georgetown - It's time for seniors Austin Freeman and Chris Wright to live up to their advance billing.

6. Louisville - The Cards will apply pressure on defense and get up and down the floor, but who will generate offense in the halfcourt?

7. Connecticut - Kemba Walker is the headliner for a program that appears to be slipping.

8. Notre Dame - The Fighting Irish will miss point guard Tory Jackson as much as they will miss Luke Harangody.

9. Seton Hall - Plenty of talent and experience, but that's hasn't translated to tourney appearances for the Pirates in recent years.

10. Marquette - A return trip to the NCAA Tourney will be a tall order for the Golden Eagles, as Buzz Williams struggles to find a way to replace Lazar Hayward.

11. Saint John's - The cupboard isn't bare, but Steve Lavin has his work cut out for him as he returns to the college coaching ranks under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden.

12. Cincinnati - While the departures of Lance Stephenson and Deonta Vaughn will hurt the Bearcats on the offensive end, Yancy Gates leads a talented, though unproven, squad with the potential to make waves in the Big East.

13. Providence - Marshon Brooks returns on the perimeter, but who will replace double-double machine Jamine Peterson?

14. South Florida - Here's guessing the going will be tough for the Bulls in the post-Dominique Jones era.

15. Rutgers - Things were looking up for the Scarlet Knights not so long ago, but that was before Hamady Ndiaye graduated and Mike Rosario and Gregory Echenique decided to transfer.

16. DePaul - What was Oliver Purnell thinking?

All-Conference

Corey Fisher, Villanova, sr, guard
Ashton Gibbs, Pittsburgh, jr, guard
Jeremy Hazell, Seton Hall, sr, guard
Kris Joseph, Syracuse, jr, forward
Kevin Jones, West Virginia, jr, forward

Player of the Year

Corey Fisher, Villanova - Fisher allegedly scored 105 points in a summer league game at Watson Gleason Playground in the Bronx during the offseason.

Top Freshman

Vander Blue, Marquette - Syracuse's Fab Melo is going to take time to adjust to the college game, and this big point guard will have plenty of opportunities to get involved on a Marquette squad in need of scoring.

Top Defender

Gilbert Brown, Pittsburgh - Super-athletic wing began to embrace his role as a defensive stopper last season.

Freshman Power Rankings 1.0

1. Jared Sullinger, Ohio State, 6-8 260
Burly big man reminds me of Elton Brand and may end up the most dominant player in all of college basketball.

2. Harrison Barnes, North Carolina, 6-7 210
Has all the tools, but can he help the Heels rebound from an embarrassing 2009-10 season?

3. Brandon Knight, Kentucky, 6-3 185
Cerebral point follows in footsteps of Rose, Evans, and Wall.

4. Joe Jackson, Memphis, 5-11 160
There's some Iverson in this waterbug's game.

5. Tobias Harris, Tennessee, 6-8 220
Do-it-all big will be the best player on Bruce Pearl's roster from day one.

6. Tristan Thompson, Texas, 6-9 240
Think LaMarcus Aldridge with some Ed Davis sprinkled in.

7. Josh Selby, Kansas, 6-2 185
Explosive combo guard with ability to take over needs to be a team player on ultra-talented Jayhawks squad.

8. Adreian Payne, Michigan State, 6-10 215
Izzo's most talented post player since Zach Randolph.

9. Kyrie Irving, Duke, 6-2 175
In unique position of starting at point guard for defending champion expecting to repeat.

10. Reggie Bullock, North Carolina, 6-5 190
Big, athletic two-guard with tons of upside.

2010-11 Outlook: ACC

Projected Order of Finish

1. Duke - Blue Devils are head and shoulders above the ACC competition.

2. North Carolina - Loaded with individual talent, but no indication that will translate into team success.

3. Virginia Tech - After being snubbed by the NCAA Tournament selection committee for the past three seasons, veteran squad finally dances in March.

4. Florida State - Can perhaps the hardest team to score on in the country last year continue its success on the defensive end with 7-1 shot-blocker Solomon Alabi now plying his trade in the D League?

5. Maryland - Terps are solid but not spectacular at anything (and will need to find a way to fill the hole left by General Greivis).

6. Boston College - This is the year the country finds out how special junior guard Reggie Jackson is.

7. Clemson - A talented roster remains, but will the program regress without Oliver Purnell?

8. North Carolina State - Wolf Pack will go as far as talented frountcourt duo of Tracy Smith and C.J. Leslie take them.

9. Miami - Hurricanes have a nice mix of bangers and perimeter players to bounce back from a really poor 2009-10 campaign, but will anyone be able to help Durand Scott put points on the board?

10. Virginia - I'm a big Tony Bennett fan, but there's not much talent in Charlottesville.

11. Wake Forest - After firing Dino Guadio after two straight 20-win seasons and trips to the NCAA Tourney, Demon Deacons will be lucky to remain relevant.

12. Georgia Tech - Why is Paul Hewitt still coaching the Yellowjackets, and is this the worst frontcourt in the history of the ACC?

All-Conference

Malcolm Delaney, Virginia Tech, sr, guard
Nolan Smith, Duke, sr, guard
Reggie Jackson, Boston College, jr, guard
Kyle Singler, Duke, sr, forward
Chris Singleton, Florida State, jr, forward

Player of the Year

Kyle Singler, Duke - Best player in the country returns to defend the Blue Devils' title.

Top Freshman

Harrison Barnes, North Carolina - Barnes looks like a star in the making, but I'm possibly more intrigued by fellow Tar Heel frosh Reggie Bullock.

Top Defender

Chris Singleton, Florida State - Long, versatile defender is nation's best.

Velvet Hoop

I know this came out more than a year ago, but why didn't this get more play? Why is Rashard Lewis so awkward? How bad did Andre Iguodala's verse have to be to get cut from the commmercial? And how long do we have to wait for a Jheri Curl in the NBA? I'm thinking A.C. Green was the Last of the Mohicans.

Preseason All-Americans and Award Predictions

First Team

Jacob Pullen, Kansas State
Jimmer Fredette, Brigham Young
Demetri McCamey, Illinois
Kyle Singler, Duke
Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State

Second Team

Kalin Lucas, Michigan State
Nolan Smith, Duke
Jon Leuer, Wisconsin
JaJuan Johnson, Purdue
Lavoy Allen, Temple

Third Team

Kevin Anderson, Richmond
Corey Fisher, Villanova
Shelvin Mack, Butler
Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt
Marcus Morris, Kansas

All-Freshman Team

Brandon Knight, Kentucky
Joe Jackson, Memphis
Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
Tobias Harris, Tennessee
Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

All-Defensive Team

Jay Threatt, Delaware State
Venoy Overton, Washington
Chris Singleton, Florida State
Jeff Allen, Virginia Tech
David Foster, Utah

Player of the Year: Singler
Freshman of the Year: Sullinger
Defensive Player of the Year: Singleton

2010-11 Preseason Top 25 (Late Edition)

1. Duke
2. Michigan State
3. Kansas
4. Ohio State
5. Pittsburgh
6. Kansas State
7. Syracuse
8. Gonzaga
9. Missouri
10. Villanova
11. Wisconsin
12. Kentucky
13. North Carolina
14. Brigham Young
15. Temple
16. Texas
17. Memphis
18. Purdue
19. Murray State
20. Illinois
21. Florida
22. San Diego State
23. Washington
24. Baylor
25. Virginia Tech