Fraud Alert

By John McMullen

For true basketball fans, the NCAA tourney is a pleasure...Save the incessant fawning by everyone involved not named Billy Packer.

Packer is public enemy No. 1 among most college basketball devotees. Why? He's the only analyst with the testicular fortitude to criticize anything about the game.

As a card-carrying member of the vast negative media conspiracy, I applaud Packer for actually having a backbone and pointing out that every kid, every coach and every official in the nation may not be all that they are cracked upto be.

With that in mind, I offer you my first annual college basketball "Fraud Alert":

Coach K - Lord Krzyzewski doesn't hold up so well if he isn't getting those 10 extra whistles a game. And P.S. -- That doesn't bode well for USA Basketball.

Jim Calhoun - Nothing degrades the Basketball Hall of Fame more than this man's presence.

J.J. Redick - Vince McMahon might consider hiring this guy after he flames out in the NBA. His Jim Hellwig inspired nickname? "The Ultimate Fraud."

Allan Ray - Ray's got talent but Peyton Manning plays better in big games than this guy.

The Zebras - Where's Steve Javie when you need him?

-You can reach John McMullen at jmcmullen1@comcast.net.