Each week, I write about the sport I love, college basketball:
• Illinois suffered a major blow when guard Tracy Abrams was lost for the season with a torn ACL. He led the Illini in assists and averaged more than 10 PPG last season. Oregon State transfer Ahmad Starks is expected to see an increased workload with Abrams out.
• The Big East will start its conference season on a holiday once again. The New Year's Eve marathon begins with St. John's at Seton Hall from the Prudential Center at noon ET. At 2:30 p.m., Butler will visit Villanova at The Pavilion. Marquette travels to DePaul for a 5 p.m. tipoff at Allstate Arena, and at 7:30 p.m., Creighton plays at Providence in a rematch of last year's Big East tournament championship game. The marathon closes with Georgetown playing at Xavier at 10 p.m.
• Congratulations to New Mexico coach Craig Neal. After posting a 27-7 record in his first season with the Lobos, Neal has agreed to a new contract for six years. It is worth $5.7 million plus incentives, which will keep Neal at the helm of the Lobos' basketball program through 2020.
• UCLA coach Steve Alford saw one of his key freshmen declared ineligible by the NCAA. Jonah Bolden, a 6-foot-8 forward, has been declared a partial qualifier and may be able to practice with the team, but may not play in any games this season.
• Good to see Oklahoma and Missouri meeting on December 5 in the SEC-Big 12 Challenge. Reminds me of Norm Stewart and Billy Tubbs going at it on the sidelines!