That to secure these rights, Conferences are instituted among Teams, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,

That whenever any Form of Conference becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the Teams to alter (Big East, Western Athletic, etc.) or to abolish it, and to institute new Conference, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Departmental Revenues, Win-Loss Records, and Television Deals. (My Fox Sports column responding to same will soon be posted here).

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Conferences long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that teamkind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the conferences and offseasons to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce Teams under absolute Repression, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Conferences and Offseasons, and to provide new Guards (Forwards, and Centers) for their future security.

Such has been the patient sufferance of these Teams; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the 2005-2006 Season of College Basketball. The history of the present Champion [North Carolina] is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these teams. To prove this, let these Facts be submitted to a candid world...

-- Billy Gillispie's will tonight one-up Tubby Smith. The Aggies will have more fans in the stands for Midnight Madness than will the Wildcats. Ashley Judd, however, is not expected outside of Lexington.

-- Pity Terence Dials & Co. The AP's Rusty Miller writes that this year's Buckeyes, no chopped liver them, are being overshadowed by next year's recruiting class. Be sure to re-read the money quote (re: brainwashing) from J.J. Sullinger.

-- An interesting, if short, take on Justin Gray; he's going "back to his roots" as a point guard.

-- If you read between the lines, you too will see Jacksonville (FL) Times-Union reporter Ira Schoffel believes Florida State's early September trip to Trinidad well prepares the Seminoles to improve upon their less than stellar scoring defense.

-- 10 Things I Love/Hate About YOU, Jeff Carlton...Who knew Ray Giacoletti played the guitar? Not I.

-- Dan Collins of the Winston (NC) Salem-Journal reveals Skip Prosser's secret: The former Xavier and current Wake Forest coach "live[s] for" practice and loves coaching "those kids between the black lines." Importantly for the Deacs, Kevin "The Franchise" Swinton, bothered during preseason conditioning by a sore wrist, is expected to be 100% come (first) gametime.

-- The AP does up Kansas' "Fab Four" but fails to measure the Chalmers-Downs-Wright-Rush quartet against the "Thad Five." Note that Bill Self is very appreciative of the opportunity to coach his own players.

-- Somebody get Appalachian State's Houston Fancher a thesaurus. Coach desperately need a synonym for "contribute" with which to describe his incoming transfers.

-- The resurgent Georgetown Hoyas get the Barker Davis treatment in the Washington Times. Pundits: Take great care to remember that "about" 10 Hoyas spent all summer practicing and conditioning at Georgetown. Woah.

-- Lorenzo Romar tells it like it is: "There are a lot of question marks" at Washington. Note that the Huskies' first practice is CLOSED PRESS.

-- More evidence Arizona State is in trouble in the post Ike Diogu-era. The Sun Devils are looking for extra bodies to complete their roster.

-- The Washington Times' Patrick Stevens pens the! lede! of! the! day (in spirit if not in syntax)!

A new college basketball season has nearly arrived, one that couldn't have come soon enough for the Maryland men's program.

-- The [Chris] Mooney Times: Those who remember the Spiders' history -- seven NCAA teams and seven NIT qualifiers -- are destined to repeat it. That being said, count this blogger among those who believe Mooney ought to devote more time to recruiting and less time to copy editing Richmond's media guide and website.

-- The Charleston (WV) Gazette's Dave Hickman affords John Beilein a healthy helping of respect -- and a modicum of skepticism -- in writing up the Mountaineers' difficult schedule. (Must-)See, for example, road games at Oklahoma and UCLA, and perhaps two others against Texas, Kentucky and/or Iowa.

-- I hope Marshall coach Ron Jirsa enjoyed the Thundering Herd's trip to the Bahamas because chances are he won't enjoy this season. Look for Marshall to be St.-John's-after-Mike-Jarvis bad.

-- MWC Media (First Place Votes)

1. San Diego State (10)
2. Utah (6)
3. UNLV (3)
4. Air Force (2)
5. New Mexico
6. TCU
7. Wyoming (1)
8. Colorado State
9. BYU

-- Rob Demovsky has his (comped). Time for you to get yours. University of Wisconsin-Green Bay men’s basketball tickets go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m.

-- How to beat Virginia, by Dave Leitao. Run the injured and depthless Cavaliers into the ground.

-- Quick! Somebody tell Iowa senior center Erek Hansen to get on message. If he continues telling folks the Hawkeyes could go all the way, Steve Alford will (again) disappoint the faithful. Expectations are half the battle.

-- Liar, liar, Roy Williams' pants are on fire; after winning the championship "life hasn't changed."

-- A big and warm Division I welcome to the University of North Florida.

-- Think this roundup isn't comprehensive? Think again. Via the Enid (OK) News (circulation: 6), we learn more about Don Haskins' relationship with Herman "Nice Tux" Carr. The good word for he who likes not Jon Bon Jovi? Click through and re-read the article's title. Context counts (a lot).

-- Isn't the University of Indiana's j-school world-renowned? You wouldn't know it from this piece in the student newspaper.

-- Well, at least he didn't say he stands 6-foot-8 and one-seventh...Coveted prep Arbry Butler is "probably 7 and one-half out of 10 [on] coming to Wichita State"...provided he doesn't too much enjoy his visit to UTEP. (My money, btw, is on Doc Sadler).

-- Ick. All parties came out on the short end of the stick when it comes to Josh Olsen's non-scholarship at Utah. The quick and dirty: Rick Marjerus initially promised Josh Olsen a scholarship, but reneged on his pledge in November of 2002. To be (somewhat fair), the former USC (Ha!) coach told Olsen he would have a scholarship waiting for him after the youngster got back from his LDS mission. Unfortunately, Majerus didn't inform new coach Ray Giacoletti of the arrangement. As a result, and thanks to Utah's concern over a low APR, the Utes will not (again) extend Olsen a scholarship after he next summer completes his mission. Two thoughts: 1) How's that for a perverse APR incentive? 2) Mike Sorensen of the Deseret (UT) Morning News reports Olsen was in high school recruited by Utah State and BYU, but my bet is that he'll next end up at neither.

-- Headlines that make you go hmmmm: "Coaches leery of No. 9 (of 9) BYU."

-- When it comes to Midnight Madness promotions, there are clever ideas, there are classy ideas, and there are silly ideas submitted by sports information department interns that should never (have) be(en) considered. Take a guess into which category Wisconsin's "Night of the Grateful Red" falls into.

-- Colin "Pretty" Fly for an AP guy has a sense of humor.

[Dominic] James and [Wesley] Matthews are two of five freshmen and seven newcomers to a team with little expectations outside the city.

Senior Steve Novak said it took a while just to learn who was who.

"In the summer meeting all these guys, there was a lot of similar names, a lot of J's James, Jerel, Jamil all those guys, we've got them down now and we're glad they're here," Novak said.

-- Arkansas, East Carolina, North Carolina, and South Carolina Media Day quotes.

-- Preview delayed is not preview denied. Ohio State, courtesy of blogger Ryan.

-- CBS SportsLine's Gregg Doyel ranks the nation's Top Power Forwards. Ranking Boston College's Craig Smith behind Georgetown's Jeff Green is, err, questionable.

-- Guess Who?

"It's almost like he's still here to me because of the simple fact that all of the other coaches are here and they kind of teach like he does," Kirkland said, watching the drill resume. "It's almost like he's still here and it's the same program."

-- How would Jay Bilas' professors at Duke have graded his latest (Insider) column for ESPN? Not highly. A much too long intro and too few examples, for one. Not much forward thinking, for two. Etc.