Ken Davis

Enjoy all the great tournaments this week and Happy Thanksgiving! Now here are your questions.

Q: Why is nobody talking about the big three "Blue Bloods" (Kansas, North Carolina and Kentucky) getting ready to cross the 2,000 win barrier?
— Daniel Goering, Huerth, Germany

A: You obviously know your college basketball history Daniel. Either that or you attended one of the Big Three.

The journey to 2,000 has been a little quiet thus far, but the discussion gained some momentum's after Kentucky's win aganst North Carolina on Saturday.

Milestones that belong to an entire program generally don’t get as much attention as individual records or coaching milestones — at least that’s my thinking on your question. That certainly doesn’t diminish the accomplishment, and unless Kentucky’s defense is much worse than coach John Calipari has indicated, the Wildcats will win the race to 2,000.

Through Saturday's games, Kentucky leads the way with 1,996 victories. North Carolina is next at 1,991 after defeating Michigan State. Kansas is third at 1,976 after beating Alcorn State on Wednesday. All three schools will celebrate in their own way, I’m sure. It’s always best to be first, and you can be sure Kentucky will let the world (and recruits) know that the Wildcats crossed the finish line ahead of the others. On Dec. 8, 2001, Kentucky defeated North Carolina to become the first program with 1,800 victories. That was like picking up two games in the standings.

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The Lawrence Journal-World’s Web site, KUSports.com, recently began its own countdown to the Jayhawks’ 2,000th win. History matters at Kansas and the site recaps the historic victories that brought KU to this point.

You really have to marvel at how much basketball history these programs share. Dr. James Naismith, the man who invented basketball, was the first coach at Kansas. Naismith “coached” Forrest “Phog” Allen (746 victories), who coached both Adolph Rupp and Dean Smith at Kansas. Rupp went on to coach at Kentucky and won 876 games. Smith eventually became coach at North Carolina and broke Rupp’s record with 879 victories. Now Kentucky is coached by Calipari, a former Kansas assistant, and North Carolina coach Roy Williams, a former assistant to Smith, began his head coaching career at Kansas.

Here’s some trivia: Rupp died Dec. 10, 1977 as top-ranked Kentucky was defeating Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse on Naismith Drive in Lawrence. It was “Adolph Rupp Night” at KU.

If you are still looking for a ticket to Saturday’s game between the Tar Heels and Wildcats, be prepared to empty your wallet. The best tickets on StubHub are going for over $2,800.

Q: With the youth Gonzaga has this year, do you think they have a chance at making it to the Sweet 16 this year?
—
Ed Longmeier, Spokane, Wash.

A: Ed, there’s plenty of reason to be excited about Gonzaga this year and any year Mark Few is coaching the Bulldogs. But you are asking about the Sweet 16 and I’m answering this two days before Thanksgiving. Not going there, buddy. I have seen Gonzaga a few times on TV already and honestly I was stunned the Bulldogs didn’t crack the Associated Press Top 25 this week. Gonzaga should have been in and Oklahoma should have been out.

Any team that can go into Michigan State’s Breslin Center, lead by five at halftime and almost upset the Spartans has to feel pretty good at this point in the season. And I say that just hours after watching Gonzaga fall behind by 11 at halftime against lowly Colorado in Maui. But Few’s team pulled itself together to win 76-72. That also will be a valuable experience for this young team.

Gonzaga lost four of its top scorers from last season, but I like the early chemistry. I’m a big Matt Bouldin fan and Steven Gray has to accept a bigger role. Forward Elias Harris from Germany appears to be a great addition. By the time the West Coast Conference season rolls around, the Bulldogs will be fine. And, yeah, the Sweet 16 might be a pretty realistic goal (you got me there after all).

Q: Where would you rank Illini freshman D.J. Richardson among all other freshman as far as basketball I.Q. and potential? I have him in the top 10 of freshmen and I think he's being overlooked just because he looks to get his team involved instead of scoring big numbers and making highlight plays.
 
— Terrance Smith, Peoria, Ill.

A: Without seeing Richardson play at Illinois yet it’s hard to make any judgment on his skills or his potential. He has averaged 11.3 points and four assists through three games and that’s a good start for any freshman. We need to see what happens when the competition starts getting tougher.

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I do know that coach Bruce Weber has brought in his best recruiting class since taking over the Illini. Weber needed a good class and the foursome of Richardson, Joseph Bertrand, Tyler Griffey and Brandon Paul is versatile and talented. There are some who think Richardson will quickly evolve into the team's best all-around player.

Watching Richardson on video, it is clear he can score off his dribble and create. It remains to be seen what role Weber will give Richardson. He appears to be good in transition and the half court game. He also has a reputation as lockdown defender, so he seems to be the perfect fit for Weber’s style. This is a good freshman class. Richardson among the top 40 or 50. Don’t get caught up in his class ranking, just let him do his thing for the Illini.