The U. S. men’s basketball team will have a swagger as it defends its gold medal. There is talent galore representing our country. It all starts at the top with coach Mike Krzyzewski and USA Basketball’s Jerry Colangelo. They have assembled a group that is favored to win the championship again.

Look at the roster they have put together. LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Love and on and on. I know some critics will bring up the injuries and absences. Simply put, there is not another roster in the Olympic games that stacks up.

The USA team combines scoring ability, a winner’s mentality, defensive prowess, role players and blenders.Guys like Tyson Chandler and Andre Iguodala are valuable because of their defense. Russell Westbrook’s athleticism is a major positive. The shooting ability of Love and Durant’s range will be factors.

There is a good reason for the USA to believe it will repeat. This collection of players is talented and under Coach K, will perform as a unit. The group has  been told that they have to be dedicated and devoted to wearing the red, white and blue. There is a sense of pride and passion.

They should bring back the gold. The formula is simple … talent plus brilliant coaching + GOLD.  USA, USA all the way, baby!

The Penn State story is a sad one. I was blown away by the recent Freeh report, an independent review on the handling of the Jerry Sandusky matter at State College.

We all know what kind of monster Sandusky is after he was convicted on so many counts. There were so many youngsters hurt during Sandusky’s time at Penn State. Some of them would have been spared the nightmare of dealing with Sandusky had somebody spoken up and done the right thing over a decade ago. Joe Paterno, a man I looked at with such respect and admiration during his six decades at Penn State, could have made a difference. At first, I, along with many others, took the approach that the coach could not have not turned a blind eye.

I have to admit, I was wrong.

This report proves that Paterno and all the leaders of Penn State covered this up big time. Protecting the image of the school and its football program, at the expense of so many youngsters, is disgusting. The coach wanted to be remembered for honor and integrity. That will not happen now.

I have heard some call for the suspension of Penn State football as a penalty. I have to ask, is it right to punish the young men currently associated with the program today for wrongdoing by Sandusky years ago? Those players and new coach Bill O’Brien’s staff had nothing to do with this.

I am sure there will be plenty of lawsuits, and Penn State will pay a big price financially. Most of all, I feel for those innocent victims that were hurt as they will never get their youth back.

Paterno could have been a real hero if he stepped forward and reported this to the proper authorities. That did not happen.

Wow – what a two weeks I had in London, England.  I traveled overseas with my wife, two daughters, and 4 grandchildren to visit London and attend Wimbledon.  We had the thrill of a lifetime watching the world’s best tennis players compete for the prestigious Wimbledon championship!  I was blown away by the beauty of Wimbledon.  The grounds were absolutely gorgeous and impeccable.  The championsip was being televised by ESPN, so it was great to see some of my friends, such as Chris Fowler, Patrick McEnroe, Mike Tirico, and Brad Gilbert.  The biggest thrill was watching my grandsons, who idolize Roger Federer, get the opportunity to meet him after his practice session.  Roger’s coach, Paul Annacone, was nice enough to allow us on the practice court after he was done training, to get a picture with the tennis legend.

While in London, we also did a lot of sightseeing.  We rode the famous double decker bus, visited Buckingham Palace, toured the London Tower, and rode the London Eye.  It was such a special vacation, shared with my family – definitely memories we will share for a lifetime!

I have been enjoying the best of both worlds, baby! I am here at Wimbledon, and it is exciting to see the best tennis players in the world. I saw upset-city as Rafael Nadal was stunned by Lukas Rosol, the 100th-ranked player in the world. Rosol, from the Czech Republicm was flat-out brilliant, hitting big winners and showing that he was not intimidated by the situation.

I also enjoyed keeping track of the NBA draft. It was a deep draft, and there were some real winners.

I loved what the Hornets did. Anthony Davis was obviously number one and above anyone in this draft. Austin Rivers of Duke was a solid pick at #10. This duo will excite the fans down there. The former Dukie will only get better and better.

Brad Beal will team up with John Wall to make an exciting backcourt in Washington.

I was really surprised when Cleveland took Dion Waiters at number four. I would have liked Harrison Barnes or Thomas Robinson in that slot. Don’t get me wrong, I like the fact that Waiters is so explosive and his athletic ability. Robinson has the potential to come in and be a 15-point, 10-rebound per game player out of the gate.

Robinson has the potential to come in and be a 15-point, 10-rebound per game player out of the gate in Sacramento. His physical ability makes him a great choice and teams that passed on him may have made a mistake. I predict Robinson will be a gem, baby!

I love what Golden State did in this draft. Harrison Barnes should be a solid pro while the team also added Vanderbilt’s Festus Ezeli and a quality, versatile player in Michigan State’s Draymond Green.

Connecticut center Andre Drummond was worth the risk at pick nine for the Pistons. I felt John Henson and Tyler Zeller went a little lower than I expected, and both former Tar Heels should contribute early on. Milwaukee fans had to be happy to land Henson.

Congratulations to John Calipari of Kentucky. The Wildcats had four players go in the first round (tied with North Carolina) and ended the night with six when Doron Lamb and Darius Miller went 42nd and 46th, respectively. Another great year for Calipari at the draft.

I am at the Fountainbleau Hotel in Miami Beach – everyone in South Beach is still celebrating the Heat NBA Championship! Things were certainly jumping at Club LIV at the hotel, as all the players and owners from the Heat were there to celebrate the title!  I am in town for the Miss Hooters International pageant.  Hooters will be presenting the V Foundation with another huge donation tonight.  They have already donated over $2 million to the V Foundation throughout the years.  I had a chance to spend time with Dave Henniger, Sam Rothschild, Terry Marks and Matt Wickesberg, several of the new leaders of Hooters.  Nick Valvano, President of the V Foundation, joined us in Miami – it was a super time, for a great cause!

As I projected before the season started, this was going to be the year that the Miami Heat and LeBron James would stand tall with the gold trophy.

It was not easy, but King James and the Heat finished the job off in five games.

LeBron was super motivated, playing with a chip on his shoulder from the get-go.  He won MVP in the regular season and the playoffs.  He also proved to all the critics that he could make big plays late in games.  James was sensational in leading the team to the world title.

The party has been going on in South Beach.  LeBron James has his championship, and he will eventually get into the argument among the creme de la creme of NBA superstars.  He should be among the best of the best as he has put together great numbers over his nine years in the league.  Remember, he is only 27 years old.

Congratulations to the architect of the Heat, Pat Riley, owner Mickey Arison, young coach Erik Spoelstra, who faced so much pressure, and to the team.  From LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Mario Chalmers, Shane Battier, Mike Miller, and the whole gang, on a brilliant performnace.

My wife and I had a great time at the gorgeous Cloister Resort on Sea Island, GA.  We had a terrific time visiting all the families who were enjoying time together.  There were some fabulous restaurants and we had a great time walking on the beach along the Atlantic Ocean.  We even did some horse backriding on the beach!  A great get away for some R&R for me and my wife!

The Heat and Thunder are in the NBA finals and it should be a great series. LeBron James and Kevin Durant are the creme de la creme among NBA superstars and they will do battle for the title.

Wow, it should be great to see each team’s Big Three go at it.

Oklahoma City surrounds Durant with a solid supporting cast. Russell Westbrook is an outstanding, explosive guard whose perimeter play makes him among the elite at his position. He is so athletic and also does a super job on the defensive end. Off the bench, the Thunder has the best sixth man in the game in James Harden. He can score quickly as a difference-maker. Just look at what he did against San Antonio and you have to be impressed.

Miami has tasted the competition of playing in a championship series. Yes, it was an L against Dallas a year ago, but they have grown from that setback and handled adversity. I believe that experience is important.

How good is the Heat trio of James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh? The Celtics were ahead of game seven of the Eastern Conference final and then the big three stepped up. They willed the team to the winner’s circle by making big play after big play. Bosh stretches the defense with his shot-making ability from the perimeter. It opens up angles and driving space for LeBron and Wade. James has a chip on his shoulder, showing the world just how good he is.

I give LeBron a slight edge over Durant because of his ability to defend. James’ versatility, the ability to pass and rebound as well as score, makes him the best of the best out there.

When it is all said and done, the Vitale Bald Dome Index (VBDI), says LeBron and company will find a way to win i9n seven games. He is doing everything he can to quiet the critics.

Mary Kenealy (coordinator for the Dick Vitale V Foundation Gala), my wife and I are in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at the Cedar Rapids Country Club for a golf outing hosted by Craig and JoEllen Mettille.  The weekend is to benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research. with the funds going towards my Dick Vitale Gala.  They are expected to raise over $100,000 at the event.  After golf, there is a dinner in which I will speak.  They have numerous incredible auction items that will help raise dollars.  I can’t thank Craig and JoEllen Mettille and their company, The 380 Companies, for their support and dedication to help in raising dollars to fight this dreaded disease.

What a night at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.  My wife and I, along with several friends, went to the “Brothers of the Sun” concert featuring Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney.  I have seen Kenny several times in concert and each time I am more blown away by his energy and passion during his concerts.  He is a true performer!  After the show we spent a lot of time with Kenny.  Also there was ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit, Steve Spurrier and Dwight Clark (tight end for the Bucs).  I can’t thank Kenny enough for his hospitality.  Grace Potter and Jake Owen, future big time stars, opened up the show for McGraw and Chesney.  Over 46,000 people filled the stadium and Chesney electrified the crowd.  McGraw and Chesney did 30 minutes together at the end that mesmerized the packed stadium.  I was so thrilled and shocked when Kenny gave me a shot out during the show!  I have tremendous respect for his generousity and support towards the V Foundation for Cancer Research.  Every year he gives us a big donation.  A terrific  night of music and fun!