Colts coverage three different times, averaging 19.0 yards

Newcomers dont take long to impact college basketball -- not in this world of one-and-dones and transfers. Over the next two weeks, we will look at the top five newcomers in each of the 10 biggest conferences. Next up is the Big East.When the Big East rebooted with a new alignment in 2013, conference commissioner Val Ackerman told those gathered at the leagues first media day in New York City of her vision to create a powerhouse conference. She didnt preach patience or the future. She preached now. And three years later, the Big East finished third in KenPoms conference rankings, ahead of the Pac-12, Big Ten and SEC.Five of the leagues 10 members reached the NCAA tournament. And Villanova won the national championship via one of the tourneys most memorable finishes. With an abundance of talented newcomers entering the mix, expect the same success from college basketballs newest power conference. Most of this leagues best newcomers are seasoned transfers who missed last season and cant wait for another chance in 2016-17.Marcus Foster, Creighton BluejaysWe thought Fosters story ended when Kansas State coach Bruce Weber dismissed him from the program and stopped the turbulent tenure of a young man who ended his freshman season in 2013-14?as an NBA prospect (15.5 points per game, 39.5 percent from the 3-point line). His numbers fell the following season and Weber suspended him before he dismissed him.But Foster landed at Creighton, where hes now a strong contender to win Big East Newcomer of the Year and vie for the leagues player of the year award if he avoids the off-court drama that ruined his time in Manhattan, Kansas.Creighton gains a player who can excel against any team in the conference. He scored 23 points in a four-point loss to a top-five Arizona squad in 2014-15. His 6-for-11 clip helped Kansas State defeat Oklahoma and Buddy Hield that season, too. And Foster played even better as a freshman.But its this line from Weber after he dismissed Foster that still haunts him:We felt we had to make some changes. Its pretty obvious why we had to make the changes. All we can do now is move forward and worry about the guys we have.We know about his talent. But can he avoid the problems that interrupted the first chapter of his collegiate career? Thats still the question.Omari Spellman, Villanova Wildcats This entry earns an asterisk. Per ESPNs Dana ONeil, Spellman has been cleared by the NCAA to practice but not compete. For most squads, the possible loss of the top recruit in the league (18th in the Class of 2016 per RecruitingNation) would incite fear and worry. Nova returns enough talent from last seasons national championship roster to compete for another crown without the five-star recruit.Per coach Jay Wright, the issue is tied to the start of Spellmans high school career.Once you start [high school] you have four years to complete it, Wright told ONeil. When they started counting his four years, thats whats at question.But the addition of a 6-foot-9, 275-pound big man would help. Hes a force with a grown mans body who can rumble in the paint with the games veterans, but hes also versatile and capable of knocking down shots from 17 feet and out.Villanovas push for a second consecutive championship will demand another balanced season. Because Kansas just added a lottery pick in Josh Jackson. Dukes team, on paper, is more talented than the 2014-15 squad that won a national title. Kentuckys Isaiah Briscoe, Malik Monk and?DeAaron Fox?form the nations most promising backcourt.So the Wildcats dont need Spellman. Yet every contributor could help them reach their goal. Thats why Wright hopes his talented freshman earns clearance to compete before the season begins.Myles Powell, Seton Hall PiratesIsaiah Whitehead charged through last season and led Seton Hall to the NCAA tournament. But the Pirates were embarrassed in a lopsided opening-round loss to Gonzaga, the result of Seton Halls 4-for-21 mark from beyond the arc.That was Seton Hall in 2015-16, a strong defensive unit that played pickup ball on offense. You can play that style when you have a player like Whitehead, who had the strength, skill and athleticism to get to the rim when he wanted. Yet that approach comes with risks. And we witnessed that in Seton Halls loss to the Zags.Although they lost the gifted underclassmen to the NBA, they gained Myles Powell, an elite shooter who could help the program rise beyond its mediocre offensive marks (72nd in adjusted offensive efficiency per KenPom). Powell, No. 81 in the ESPN 100, is a pure shooter whom Kevin Willard will utilize often in 2016-17.Coach Willard told me he wants me to shoot, Powell told USA Today after he committed in 2015.His addition could transform, stretch and enhance an offense that, at times, became a black hole with Whitehead dominating the ball.RaShid Gaston, Xavier MusketeersXavier coach Chris Mack returns enough talent to make another run at the Big East crown. Hell also boast depth that few programs can match. The additions of top-100 prospects Quentin Goodin?(No. 92) and Tyrique Jones?(No. 94) give the coach two youngsters, along with Florida A&M graduate transfer?Malcolm Bernard, who will boost his bench. But Gaston, the coveted Norfolk State transfer who sat last year, is the programs most game-ready, experienced newcomer.And perhaps the most important addition, too. Xavier had few flaws last season. But the team surrendered a 48.6 percent mark inside the arc (160th per KenPom.com) last season. Gaston earned the MEACs Defensive Player of the Week honor four times in 2014-15.No, he didnt play the competition hell see in 2016-17. But hes a big body who can impact the game on both ends.The 6-foot-9, 240-pound power forward averaged 15.5 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in 2014-15. His 63.1 percent clip from the 2-point range and 13.9 percent offensive rebound rate were both top-30 marks that season.Xaviers depth was its strength last season. The second unit maintained the mojo and rhythm. Gastons arrival ensures another solid rotation for Macks opponents to deal with.Kethan Savage, Butler Bulldogs The Bulldogs reached the NCAA tournament last season but then lost key players Kellen Dunham (16.2 PPG) and Roosevelt Jones (13.8 PPG). That hurts.But the return of Kelan Martin and Andrew Chrabascz should position Butler to stay in the hunt for a tournament berth.Savage, a former starter at George Washington, helps too. The guard averaged 11.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG and 2.3 APG with George Washington in 2014-15 (25 starts that season). Hes sporadic (43 percent inside the arc, 30 percent from the 3-point line), but hes also an aggressive finisher who should help Chris Holtmanns squad regain some of the offense the team lost when Jones and Dunham departed.Savages 12 points (5-for-11) helped GW defeat a top-15 Wichita State squad in 2014. But its the 1-for-13 effort in a double-overtime win over Richmond a few weeks later that should worry Butler fans. Savage must take smart shots in 2016-17 and avoid that shooters shoot mentality that led to some reckless performances. Still, hes a scorer, and thats what Butler needs. Hell make an immediate impact.Air Jordan Outlet Online . They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end. Air Jordan Ireland Sale . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. http://www.airjordanireland.com/ . The Oilers come in having lost five in a row (0-4-1) and 16 of their last 20 games, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. Cheap Air Jordan Ireland . Radwanska, making her debut in the Seoul tournament, hit eight aces in a match that lasted 1 hour, 4 minutes at Olympic Park tennis stadium. "It was definitely a very good match -- I was playing really good tennis," Radwanska said. Cheap Air Jordan Sale . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win.INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano looked as if he was ready to seethe Sunday night.He refused the temptation. A few more games like this and perhaps Pagano will lose his cool.For now, he must focus on finding solutions to the Colts myriad of ailments.Instead of going in there and throwing a tantrum and all that stuff, that isnt going to fix what needs to get fixed, its obvious, Pagano said after the 30-14 loss to Kansas City.We will go back in (Monday) like we always do and take a good hard look at ourselves because the same things keep popping up.The problems have been constant throughout the first half of the season.After two weeks of better starts, the Colts reverted to their old form and fell into an early 10-point deficit -- a big enough deficit that Andrew Luck and the sluggish offense couldnt dig them out of it.The Colts defense couldnt get off the field. Indy (3-5) had five more penalties, pushing their total to 63.The Chiefs -- even with a backup quarterback and only one healthy running back -- easily overpowered the beleaguered Colts.And if Indy doesnt fix this soon, any shot of making the playoffs could soon fade, too.I feel like I let the team down, Luck said after throwing two TD passes, one interception and losing a fumble. Turnovers are bad. Simple things that you cant do in the NFL and expect to win games.The Chiefs big concern coming out of their third consecutive win is that they arent sure who will play quarterback or running back next week against Jacksonville.Alex Smith left twice with head injuries, the second diagnosed as a concussion. In between the departures, he still managed to throw a TD pass.Backup Nick Foles played well in relief, throwing two TD passes and leading the Chiefs on four scoring drives.Spencer Ware, who started in place of the injured Jamaal Charles didnt play in the second half after allso being diagnosed with a concussion.ddddddddddddBut at least they have some momentum.Yeah, you never expect that. Especially with a guy like Alex whos so tough and hes been very durable throughout his career, Foles said. Hes a warrior. For him, hes going to continue to fight.Here are some other things we learned from Sundays game:NOT-SO SPECIAL: The Colts could argue they have the two best kickers in the league -- Adam Vinatieri and punter Pat McAfee. Unfortunately, the coverage teams arent so special. Chiefs punt returner Tyreek Hill ran around the Colts coverage three different times, averaging 19.0 yards on those returns. Indy, meanwhile, fumbled two punts -- one of which was erased by a penalty.TRAVIS IS TROUBLE: Travis Kelce keeps getting better and better, and he was spectacular in the first half Sunday. He caught six passes for 96 yards and a touchdown and finished with season highs of seven receptions for 101 yards. Whoever the quarterback is next week, they need to keep throwing Kelces way.LOSING GROUND: Just when it appeared Indys offensive line was starting to make progress, it took a step back against the Chiefs by allowing six sacks and more hits on Luck. That wasnt the only problem. Indy rushed 21 times for 105 yards, 60 of which came on Lucks scrambles. The Colts have gone 28 consecutive home games without a 100-yard rusher.DOMINANT DEFENSE: Kansas City has played two of the top eight scoring offenses in back-to-back weeks and shut down both. Last week, they beat New Orleans 27-21 at home. This week, they rolled on the road. And with Jacksonville, Carolina and Tampa Bay coming up over the next three weeks, the Chiefs dominance could continue.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '