Nov. 13, 2004
Every season, I get excited when I think about the diaper dandies in college basketball. It also thrills me when I see some of the stars who have switched schools and can have an impact as transfers. That's right, it's time for my All-Marco Polo team. Here's a look at this year's group:

Dennis Latimore (Arizona to Notre Dame) -- Coach Mike Brey has to be excited with the former Wildcats forward. He should provide scoring and help Torin Francis on the glass.

Patrick Sparks (Western Kentucky to Kentucky) -- He stays in the Bluegrass State and gives coach Tubby Smith an experienced player on a young squad that has a number of exceptional recruits. Sparks will be one of the top scorers for the Wildcats.

Ed Nelson (Georgia Tech to Connecticut) -- Nelson joins a frontcourt for defending national champ UConn that is loaded with Charlie Villanueva, Josh Boone, Hilton Armstrong and top-flight diaper dandy Rudy Gay. Nelson will be a factor too. He's a real Windex man on the glass.

Tony Bethel (Georgetown to NC State) -- Veteran Julius Hodge is happy to see Bethel in the Wolfpack backcourt. He will add scoring punch and quickness to the lineup.

Andre Patterson (UCLA to Tennessee) -- Coach Buzz Peterson added Scooter McFadgon from Memphis, and now he gets more help via the transfer route.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.