DICK'S TIDBITS | Dec. 25, 2003

I've announced my All-ACC and All-Big Ten teams from my nearly 25 years as a broadcaster at ESPN and ABC. These were not easy choices, and they were done by position, so let the debate begin...

ACC
G: Jay Williams
G: Michael Jordan
F: Len Bias
F: Christian Laettner
C: Tim Duncan

Big Ten
G: Mateen Cleaves
G: Steve Alford
F: Jim Jackson
F: Calbert Cheaney
C: Joe Barry Carroll

GOOD FIRST IMPRESSIONS FOR WILDCATS, BEARCATS
It may be early, but right now, two of the best teams in America are Kentucky and Cincinnati.

	Tubby Smith

Coach Tubby Smith has done a solid job with Kentucky. The big 80-41 win over Indiana should send a message that this year's Big Blue will be a contender to cut down the nets in San Antonio. Gerald Fitch has been outstanding so fat for the Wildcats. The SEC still goes through Lexington, baby!

As for the Bearcats, coach Bobby Huggins' team is simply dominating people with suffocating defense. The 29-point victory over a ranked and talented Dayton squad should also send a message.

Wait until James White has developed into playing condition after sitting out a year following his transfer. Robert Whaley is also coming off knee surgery. Cincinnati is a dangerous club that hasn't gotten enough credit yet.

BEST COACHING JOBS (SO FAR)
As for the best coaching jobs early this season, I give the nod to Georgia Tech's Paul Hewitt and Stanford's Mike Montgomery.

Hewitt lost Chris Bosh to the NBA early, while Ed Nelson transferred to Connecticut. All the Yellow Jackets did early was beat Connecticut and Texas Tech at Madison Square Garden in the Preseason NIT, and nobody has come close since.

Montgomery and the Cardinal are unbeaten while Josh Childress sits on the sidelines with a foot injury.

MISSOURI QUESTIONS
After watching Missouri lose to Illinois 71-70 on Tuesday night, I want to share a couple of points.

First, when Missouri develops chemistry, watch out. There is so much talent, but coach Quin Snyder is trying to figure out the playing time so he can get a cohesive unit on the court. Jason Conley and Randy Pulley were in just their second game of the season in the loss to Illinois.

Also, call it a gut feeling, but when the Ricky Clemons investigation is all said and done, I don't think Missouri will be punished for major rules violations. There could be a couple of minor infractions, but you could probably find those at any program in America when you look at the NCAA rule book.

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