This is a must read

True Hoop's Henry Abbott offers an intriguing article about the debate over European and NBA skill sets. There are lies, damn lies and statistics but the numbers here look convincing.

Is college hoops going backwards?

hiphopopotamus at RockChalkTalk.com offers some interesting insights on college and professional basketball. Here are a few cut-n-pastes from his piece:

''The overall talent level has increased, but the level of play doesn't even compare..."

"...Just look at the last two Final Fours. Of the 8 teams included, you can't convince me that even 1 was national title worthy in any other season over the past decade..."

"...We're at a point now where the best teams still get the best talent, but they never become a team..."

I actually fully agree with just one of these statements -- the latter entity but go take a read.