Ten for Tuesday: Finding something nice to say

Consider this an olive branch, spurned programs, from me to you.

Ten for Tuesday would like to take this time to point out something positive in 10 programs that generally have been subject to negativity here at CBS SportsLine.com. Let's make up. Smooch!

Um ... word of warning: Old habits die hard.

Jim Calhoun wasn't the reason Josh Boone left ... yeah, right. (US Presswire)

1. UConn: Despite taking school seriously and being one year from a degree, junior center Josh Boone looks intent on staying in the draft, which supports the theory that he simply doesn't like playing for coach Jim Calhoun. But That Would Be Negative (BTWBN). So here's something positive: The Huskies' late spring recruit, 7-foot-3 Hasheem Thabeet, is dominating the competitive IS8 Spring Classic in New York City.

2. Duke: Transferring Eric Boateng was the latest bust for Duke, which seems (Michael Thompson) to strike out (Chris Burgess) a lot (Shavlik Randolph) on McDonald's All-American big men (Casey Sanders, Taymon Domzalski, Joey Beard). BTWBN. So here's something positive: The late signing of power forward Lance Thomas, coupled with Josh McRoberts' decision to skip the 2006 NBA Draft, will keep Duke near the top of the ACC.

3. LSU: After getting into serious contention at an absurdly late juncture in the recruiting game, the Tigers lost potential starting power forward Darrell Arthur to Kansas. BTWBN. So here's something positive: John Brady's team posted a 3.01 GPA this spring, with 10 of the 13 players scoring a 3.0 or better. That means that if LSU ever looks like it played dumb last season, well, you can't blame the players.

4. Kentucky: Rekalin Sims' transfer and Shagari Alleyne's reported academic ineligibility should clear up the Wildcats' glut of (A) ineffective power forwards and (B) ineffective 7-footers. BTWBN. So here's something positive: Center Randolph Morris' encouraging sophomore season wasn't so encouraging that he has signed with an NBA team, as he is eligible to do whenever he chooses after last season's sojourn through the NBA Draft. Kentucky's only shot at a nice 2006-07 season rests on Morris' return.

5. Arizona: Future NBA point guard Jerryd Bayless may or may not be rethinking his 2007 commitment to Arizona -- media reports are at odds -- but there's a ton of smoke here. BTWBN. So here's something positive: With Marcus Williams staying out of the 2006 NBA Draft and freshman Chase Budinger coming aboard, Arizona could have the best young pair of wings in the country.

Kelvin Sampson has two stud recruits on their way to Indiana. (US Presswire)

6. George Washington: J.R. Pinnock's decision to stay in the NBA Draft means the Colonials must replace four of their top six scorers from last season -- and possibly five, if Carl Elliott also stays in the draft. BTWBN. So here's something positive: Clemson transfer Cheyenne Moore and senior Dokun Akingbade, both of whom redshirted last season, will help offset those losses. A little. Sorry. Best I got. Oh ... and Karl Hobbs has stayed away from suspect prep schools for several months!

7. Indiana: The NCAA's investigation into his program at Oklahoma has left new Hoosiers coach Kelvin Sampson unable to call recruits for a year. BTWBN. So here's something positive: Sampson already has signed two impact players for next season, junior college forwards Mike White and Lance Stemler, and appears close to landing 6-10 high school senior Phil Jones.

8. Oklahoma: New coach Jeff Capel is making himself at home with two controversial recruiting entities, the local AAU program Athletes First and Patterson Prep of Lenoir, N.C. BTWBN. So here's something positive: Capel already has signed one player (from Patterson) for the 2006-07 season, and has verbal commitments from three future recruits (all from Athletes First), and is a top candidate for an elite 2007 shooting guard (from Patterson).

9. Houston: Tom Penders has signed nine players for next season, eight of them transfers from junior college or Division I. Scoffing laughter comes to mind, BTWBN. So here's something positive: One of those transfers, Dion Dowell from Texas, will make a major impact when he becomes eligible at midseason.

10. Kansas State: The Wildcats have received a verbal commitment from guard Tyree Evans -- who has been charged with statutory rape and indecent assault, and whose next pre-trial conference is set for June 29. BTWBN. So here's something positive: Big 12 coaches expect Kansas State, which has received an instant recruiting boost from new coach Bob Huggins, to challenge for a spot in the 2007 NCAA Tournament.