NBA debut of former Big 10 stars unimpressive at best

Unfortunately as the '09 NBA season opened the Big 10 was not represented well. Former conference frosh of the year Eric Gordon played just 14 minutes for the Clippers (that in and of itself speaks volumes) in a blowout loss to the Lakers. Gordon managed only 2 points on the night and while his role is yet to be determined, it is clear the "shoot first ask questions later" mentality he had last year at IU won't carry over anytime soon to the NBA. Meanwhile Gordon's former teammate D.J. White was forced to sit out Oklahoma City's franchise debut entirely because of injury. In fact it seems his rookie season will be in jeopardy as he is projected to be out an additional 4-6 months after surgery on his jaw. Former Buckeye and 7'0 center Kosta Koufos wasn't on the floor either for the Utah Jazz as they opened the season. Kosta's status isn't clear but he does fit the mold of a Jerry Sloan-type player. Koufos is big, skilled, fundamentally solid and has a name most legitimate journalists won't be able to spell without the aid of a press guide. In what was still another set back for the conference's national reputation Blazer's quasi-rookie Greg Oden's chin hair was longer than his time spent on the floor. Oden played just 13 minutes in his debut after leaving with what looks to be a foot injury that will sideline him for 2-3 weeks.

Preseason Top 25 Released

The ESPN/USA Today preseason Top 25 poll has been released. Despite the "gum on the bottom of their shoe" treatment the network generally reserves for the Big Ten, there are three squads representing the conference in the top 25 and 2 in the top 10. For proof see: Michigan State (7), Purdue (10) and Wisconsin (22). Don't fear Buckeye fans-Ohio State received 54 votes for the poll. On the eve of the season, the Rodeo would like to take this opportunity to pause for a moment of silence to commemorate the death of the Indiana Hoosiers basketball program.

1. UNC
2. UCONN
3. Louisville
4. UCLA
5. Duke
6. Pitt
7. Michigan State
8. Texas
9. Notre Dame
10. Purdue
11. Gonzaga
12. Memphis
13. Tennessee
14. Oklahoma
15. Arizona State
16. Miami (FL)
17. Marquette
18. Georgetown
19. Florida
20. Davidson
21. USC
21. Wisconsin
23. Kansas
24. Wake Forest
25. Villanova

Source: ESPN.com