College Hoops: Fab freshmen making their mark across U.S.

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The 2006 freshman class, led by player-of-the-year types Kevin Durant and Greg Oden, was considered one of the best in college basketball history.

The next year, along came Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, Eric Gordon, O.J. Mayo, Blake Griffin and Kevin Love. Everyone thought: Wow! Now that's GOT to be the best class ever.

Hold on just a second.

After relatively benign 2008 class — at least by standards of the previous two — this year's rookie crop has a chance to become the best yet.

There's Xavier Henry leaping opponents in a single bound at top-ranked Kansas and John Wall doing it all at Kentucky. Texas point guard Avery Bradley has been tougher to catch than a hummingbird, and there's Tiny Gallon scoring and minding the basket at Oklahoma. Derrick Favors has used his pterodactyl-like wing span to dominate at both ends for Georgia Tech.

That's just the start with this year's class. And, thanks to the Internet and a game that seems to get younger every year, more like this could be on the way.

"That class with Blake, Rose, Beasley, Mayo, Love, all those guys, that's the best one I've seen," Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel said. "But this one's really good. There's been some really good classes and you're going to see it more and more."

Knight: game lacks integrity

INDIANAPOLIS — Bob Knight said integrity is lacking in college basketball and cited Kentucky coach John Calipari as an example.

During a fundraiser for the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, Knight said he doesn't understand why Calipari is still coaching.

"We've gotten into this situation where integrity is really lacking and that's why I'm glad I'm not coaching," he said. "You see we've got a coach at Kentucky who put two schools on probation and he's still coaching. I really don't understand that."

Men's game

At Nevada 73,

Eastern Washington 70

Luke Babbitt scored 29 points and Brandon Fields hit a three-pointer with 4.3 seconds left to lead Nevada over Eastern Washington. Fields finished with 17 points and Armon Johnson had 12 for the Wolf Pack (5-4).

Mark Dunn had 15 points, Kevin Winford scored 13 and Glen Dean had 13 points and 10 assists for the Eagles (4-6).

Notes

• It's not clear whether leading scorer Matt Bouldin will be recovered enough from a head injury to play when No. 15 Gonzaga faces No. 7 Duke in Madison Square Garden on Saturday. Bouldin averages 17 points.

• Prized recruit Royce White said he's leaving Minnesota because of his legal troubles and the stress they are causing his family and the program. White was suspended while police investigate the theft of a laptop computer from a dorm room.