He’s working too
In the SEC Kentucky’s John Calipari and Florida’s Billy Donovan dominate the conference headlines. It’s justified, both coaches have winning programs but they just might have some company. Building a program to compete in the SEC is Mizzou’s Frank Haith. Yesterday Mizzou received a commitment from Rivals 4-star prospect Johnathan Williams III.  The Memphis (TN) native is a 6-9 210 pound power forward, he's rated number 35 in ESPN's Top 100 for 2013.  Williams becomes the schools 3rd commit for 2013; in addition ESPN rates the 2013 class the 16th best in the nation. 

Garden party
Madison Square Garden or simply the Garden bills itself as “the world’s most famous arena.” Of course this building is home to the Knicks of New York. It’s being remodeled but that‘s the issue in addition to being the most famous it might be the busiest hosting about 320 events a year. With the significant number of events you can understand why renovations have taken place between sports seasons. Although the Knicks and NHL Rangers completed their regular season the same cannot be said for the WNBA Liberty. The Liberty had to relocate to the Prudential Center in Newark (NJ). The Garden first opened in 1968 has undergone several renovations over the years. The main entrance, team locker rooms and the main concourse are a few of the areas undergoing transformation. This $200 million dollar project is intended to be completed in time for the Knicks and Rangers 2013-14 season. (history & dates; Wikipedia)

Basketball 101
Oak Hill Academy located in Mouth of Wilson Virginia is a name familiar to many. Oak Hill is co-educational boarding school grades 8-12; its enrollment is about 150 students. The school was founded in 1878 long before Dr. Naismith invented the game of basketball. Oak Hill fields teams in soccer, tennis and baseball but its basketball that’s put the school on the map. Over the years the schools become a basketball magnet attracting talent from across the nation and world-wide as well. A distinguished list of former Oak Hill athletes have honed their skills at the school and later filled the ranks of NBA teams. The short list includes the names of Carmelo Anthony, Rajon Rondo, Kevin Durant and Josh Smith.

Living Large
Have you seen any photos of the Wildcat Coal Lodge? For those who might be unfamiliar with the Lodge it’s the new 3-story campus building at the University of Kentucky. The dorm has a chef assigned and each student room contains a flat screen television. In the video tour of the building coach Calipari says; “the rooms are built for a 7-footer.” After reading this you said; “I thought NCAA rules prohibit athletic dorms?” Well you are correct; the school skirts the rule by housing a number of non-athletic male students in Wildcat Coal Lodge.  Wonder if there are chefs assigned to any of the other dorms on the Kentucky campus?