Jeff Goodman, WEEI.com

What we want to talk basketball either pro or college. One of the guys we go to -- from our very own WEEI dot com. Jeff Goodman is also the senior basketball writer for foxsports.com. And he joins us on the AT&T hotline right now hey Jeff I don't.

I'm very very upset -- should have been at that game last.

It was pretty cool to watch (%expletive) I have to it's funny Jeff where -- you where we're.

Is not -- I was flying back. From Oklahoma and I could make it's 7 o'clock starts like chose DC Florida State at nine instead. We just came and certainly not give yourself.

I hit it really was an exciting night there and I gotta say watching Keno Davis up close and personal for an entire game man does he work hard.

It does he does in any such a mellow -- got off the court. But on the court and I think it probably worked harder backing in the property him this year because he knew. What back game means to Providence now where they're back -- discussion if they weren't not unless they won that game. Or you know win at Villanova they're not in the discussion is inhabited -- went against Syracuse.

Jeff how how was Providence able to get Keno Davis there in the first place you look at the guy like.

Barely hear you gotta help your your headset.

Not -- I can hear you just fine you get to new now. I. I was I was asking how -- Providence. Get Keno Davis here's a guy who was national coach of the year at Drake. I think up and coming young coach and and Providence that try to get Travis Travis Ford were rejected by hand. How they get the --

Well they trot -- first got which I was learned that they've -- they can increase to two pitino or Billy Donovan -- you know obviously. Katrina was a little bit entry but it wasn't going to happen. Keno Davis music I remember. He he worries worked -- victory took over took over team is expected to finish the bottom of Missouri valley you're ago. And leads them to an improbable NCAA tournament -- than they almost beat western Kentucky the first round. And he just he did a great job with two walked aren't last year Drake -- let him in the first round of the NCAA tournament so he was the hot name. Been national coach of the year and you you don't remember you worked. He grew up in Boston for awhile like huge Red Sox. What is that was was coaching BC so he'd like this area. He received treatment and obviously. The -- and at least taken you know 34 times as much as she was --

Mean he's coaching Tim -- kids right now Tim Welch is kids are better this year than they were last year. When he gets his kids when he gets is kind of lead and I think he's going to be better.

Teachers you know the one thing with this group perhaps you missed this process in place Albany times in their statement because as you saw last I don't I have to -- There's no question that -- talent they have. Maturity. The one being that I've bought -- last bite you at the toughest team in the country Pittsburg and maybe one of the softest teams in the country improper.

And and if you watched the game you'd think those two were reversed.

It's incredible this year in college basketball this sums up this season because I really bot product we got blown up like twenty point plus side. But this season has just been insane. In terms are expecting the unexpected. Death that's why it'll be great this year out the regionals here Boston. -- to -- because there's going to be I mean honestly the brackets this year it's going to be -- game you know there's no difference between -- What's going to be a three or foresee an agency this year.

We're ZR Boston College fitting into this mix that I'd describe them at the bubble team earlier in an. DC gets no respect what do you think of the Eagles.

Well I think right now -- gate there. But they've got a win at these -- these final two games at NC state Georgia Tech at all which they shoot it but again this is between that lot that all the harper. So we can't take anything for granted which is. You know Tyrese Rice have to come in and and play hard and sought earlier order state last night in the game give wanted to and early victim of the bench came back played hard. I don't know what to make out this team -- day out but by today got experience I think else it has done a great job. With this group because they're not the most talented group. You know he's done a great job maximizing. DeKalb that he has forgot it really doesn't get out there recruit and and that's that the crazy part of all this is to talk to every coach throughout America. Imagine outfielders named -- they're all disliked almighty god we can't believe what he does because he really doesn't get out there recruited all their all envious of that. But most of whom we couldn't even stop them doing it the way he does.

I was going to ask yourself announcement just got my attention with that statement. I'll clarify that what do you mean he doesn't get out there recruit he doesn't believe in Eddie doesn't have time Ford what does what does that mean.

Just does it doesn't enjoy it doesn't want to be the type like a Billy Donovan like at Calhoun in the summer it's out every single day in July. You know he got about twenty gauge you brought July I'd bet oscars up for fourth which -- Billy got a without parole. Jim Calhoun probably -- for eighteen he went out last year when he was out of radiation treatment all week he would still go out of Saturday Sunday.

Policy was sitting out there may to a 420 should. Al Skinner spent more time --

Well my my personal take yes absolutely. But that he wrote it like it MBA program. That's that's the way he's done it and it's hard to question the results. You know I think bill Coen and in the air cooling their former assistant coaches who are valid Ortiz to repair bill respectively. I -- credit -- initial thought. There's benefits. To it in the sense that these assistant coaches out more responsibility. I can -- for scholarships on the spot to some of these kids. Where at some the other programs. There are about the same leeway that does that take coaches to what has got to make the final decision. In DC just different it's just it's a different type both opaque tocchet how he goes about things and he doesn't like. Some of that yes involved with --

Providence has road games left at Rutgers and Villanova Villanova especially is going to be a tough one for them is Villanova playing great right now. Did they need to win both of them to get into the NCAA tournament.

They they certainly yeah I mean I think. They gotta be rockers obviously and and you could see him losing to Villanova and then winning a couple of games in the Big East are. And -- getting big eater either Villanova win or I think to win two games in the Big East one or the other.

Not -- I want to switch gears a bit and taught you about pro basketball we talked awhile ago win. This Stephon Marbury not not not and I about the Ray Allen bed at I don't know I think that's why that's okay I'm not that kind of guide -- But I do the one who initially. Through the the bomb are buried thing out there you'll weigh in front on this. Jeff it looks like it's gonna happen. This off I -- start to finish. Out -- this all come to be.

You know I I think games at the foresight to realize that this is what we need. Had some discussions. At some point and it did is due diligence talking to Kevin Garnett. Talking to Doc Rivers. Remember he had a -- you know obviously as a broadcaster. You know it in in Phoenix -- chances to to -- Marbury up close quite a bit and I just. You know I think you realize what the weaknesses as the -- and what they would any agency doesn't just sit -- he's not going to just sit. But -- play out is going to try to take chances. Rolled the -- this is certainly one of the votes. He could blow up. My take out of it is it is guys get too much to lose or to blow up -- always got to do is -- for comedy is real up thirty you know.

I did not even thirty I mean right at -- 25 games left.

I don't I've heard earlier. About they told reality is not going to play Victorian will probably play limited time to do. But -- got -- they -- to keep him happy. There -- enough minutes I think that especially down the stretch when -- to want to rest Rondo and in regular season games are quite as important right now. That I think. You keep him happy and -- It's supposedly he's been very good shape and they've Vicky is obviously what he can bring mentally. If built by hand because he's played for another big contract in you know how that goes.

As Michael put it earlier UN affect traded Sam this Allen Patrick O'Bryant from Mikki Moore and Stephon Marbury nobody would suggest that doesn't make you better team. You obviously are better with that trade. But how much better.

All you should be significantly better not not the Mikki Moore thing at O'Bryant. It took me it's a minor upgrade I mean c'mon. Mikki -- is what Yates -- eleven year veteran or whatever tenure better in the league he's never been and it in more than that a back. Balcony help you -- you probably -- spots in the playoffs. It's certainly won't hurt to have him instead Patrick O'Bryant.

I'll have Jeff -- we disagree strongly that minor -- Mikey Moore over practical.

it's not pretty dramatic it's significant upgrade outline policy. Snapshots but if -- But I hope. You play that well.

And not that well let a lot better than. It's a lot better than that group.

If you better think Glenn Davis you're not comparing them to Patrick apply to grab whatever it apply. To preparing and really to. Whether it's -- Davis you're choosing between Glen Davis Leon Powe or -- more.

Is he better than Glen Davis. -- I don't know I think it's it's a strange it is that.

She's better I -- we're now is.

If that well no that's different I think a big baby has much more upside than Mikki Moore but right now you're talking about a guy. 68 may be guide listed at 696867. -- I'd try to post. -- big baby as opposed to a seven footer. With not a great defensive player but can do some things -- and look at the look at the field goal percentage over the last couple years the numbers my usual it.

If not bad. Jumps to doping match -- when they -- like him or when they used -- it'll depend on who. --

The at Cleveland Cavaliers were rumored to be an every single deal at the trading deadline. And they ended up with virtually nothing at the trading deadline how desperate where -- make a move and the fact that they didn't does that mean that that the Celtics. Have maybe widened the gap a little bit there.

Yeah I'm I certainly think they've they've held you know sure it would. You know Cleveland needed to make. They really did I mean I know their director it's phenomenal at the best part the planet. And all that but they needed one more guy I'm still not been Mo Williams is it is at All-Star purse say it. I know he's had a great year but hey you know what you -- broke me you're you're -- there a bullet took place with abroad. -- I still think it's -- better team yet they threw themselves more quickly put everybody back we've -- could end up making a move that would. Closed the gap or you can take their front of the Celtics so I think. I think the celtics' -- was obviously breathing a sigh of relief when the cavs didn't make a big move to get you know. Whoever you know an impact guy and -- Serbia.

Do you think back at the end of this season will look back and say man. That Danny Ainge that's once Marquette that was a brilliant move. Picking up the -- Marbury that -- play great.

I think -- say it was a good. I don't of course it was a brilliant move I think he'll be times in the playoffs went faster going to say you know what thank god we -- all Harvard because Rondo. I needed have been needed breather or gotten foul trouble or whatever. Whatever the situation. You're going to meet Marbury is about support -- because Eddie House scares me.

You'd have to be blind not to see the improvement rush on Ron those games this year compared to last year. But has he finally put himself in the mix of the elite point guards in the NBA.

I don't believe so I still believe he's he's opera. Average he's somewhere in between those that we guys let's not put it was Chris Pollard or Darrent Williams or some of these other guys. He's he's -- that next year. And an amateur he'll ever. Actually I'm pretty sure I don't think you'll ever get to the point where he's penalty point part in this league bogeys and I just don't kitchen but it can't -- the ball.

I've really heard a ball that much so have.

I mean you're right but he also plays with three all stars.

So you're saying it would when those guys move on you don't see Rajon Rondo. Being a guy who will be. Who who like we talk about Chris Paul we talk about Deron Williams we say you can build a team around those guys don't -- ever be on that level. Are you say upper average. Forty put in front of -- right now.

You know I'd I'd probably put obviously. You know those guys that you know action -- the downside -- career obviously you know you've got some older guys. That are that are -- but I think. You know Derrick Rose will be a better point guard down the road you can build your team around Derrick Rose. It just a young point guard is going to be a lot coming. Out of college this year but I think -- that same as well as brought a B dot. Back quite -- but it not poised defensively. But better shooters better all around player.

He's got that's lasted a question because I I agree with you on Deron Williams one love and Chris Paul crazy about him too. But you look at some of the other guys like Jason Kidd not there anymore Steve Nash has been rag doll by Rajon Rondo into games this year.

It is yet he'd take Paris over what --

Like got like Devin Harris is a scorer. -- a lot about Rondo that just. -- gets me going I think he's better defensively by far than Devin Harris. Yes and I like the fact that he's a 61 guy who can actually rebound the -- he has. He has forced the Celtics to change their rules -- talking about had a rule that. Not really what their point guards on the boards that it -- getting back but Rondell so good at it doc looks past that. I think he's a very intriguing misunderstood aptly because most people focused on his his glaring weakness which is shot but he got a lot of things. That are not appreciate.

Yeah I just think if you put him on a different team. He's not nearly as successful. I think you get hot that we missed this year you know last couple years we've KG would doctors -- Rleal a lot easier it is going to be put him. On the team like. You know put -- team like and that the tournament in Devin Harris general.

Big picture is this injury to Kevin Garnett. In a strange sort of way go to work out to the Celtics paper because. It forces Garnett to take arrest here when you know we wouldn't take it otherwise will this refresh him for the playoff run.

It can't hurt absolutely epic -- debate he was playing hurt for a while and tactic it was almost a blessing disguise as long as -- come back a 100%. Andy any rest -- until he's ready. I think it will help on the -- because you know how hard he plays an out pitch he is and he'll play or just about any thing. I think finally it is in a seven outs and -- he -- a comeback until you know you're ready because we're not winning without. You know Kevin Garnett -- at least 90%.

Why was playing in the All-Star game.

It's just him I mean he -- He's tough he's not -- he's not going to back data that can play and you know I got to give credit for that. I mean sometimes not the brightest move in the world that you got a guy like that some of these -- primadonna answers now for you know minor injuries.

Yeah he didn't tellem a bit dated no. The extent of it -- the good news is it is it's a strain I want askew Jeff what do you like. In the west we talked about the Eastern Conference who's your who's your best team out there.

You know I am an epic you gotta -- the Lakers and San Antonio. You know fairly close behind -- yes. I -- Portland still a couple of years away and he's been just kind of a Mets because we can't figure out what's called on the outbreak is up in years so maybe that makes it easier for them. Because that. There are best you know the first happening years it is or whether he's going to play not play. I think that the Lakers clearly that the top team. With which editorial -- obviously legitimate threat there.

Do you think McGray these days is that as a great player are over if you ever thought it was a great player in the first place.

Yeah I don't think he's ever going to be that. I got that you -- count on again in. Again I never put him in that LB to -- category. I just don't think you base his teammates better topic you got any leadership and it is more than just score the basketball the integrate player.

Jeff not that we don't like talking basketball league -- we do but we're gonna say goodbye he would say hello to Keno Davis about that draft.

But so much -- Hopefully they can get one more win here at Villanova get into public term.

Jeff thanks thanks accuracy.