Catching up with Chris Herren

Were you one of those kids -- like me -- who instantly became Chris Herren's biggest fan as soon as he hit the Selland Arena court in a Fresno State jersey? We saw how he constantly played his guts out. How he looked at every Fresno State fan in the arena as close family. How he looked at Jerry Tarkanian as a father figure. And how he was flat-out one of the best Bulldogs of all-time.

Then we saw that November 1997 press conference, when a teary-eyed and vulnerable Herren sat next to a choked-up Tark with video cameras rolling and newspapers photographers clicking away. Herren admitted he had a substance-abuse problem and was going to a rehab facility in the middle of the season.

But, for Fresno State fans at the time, it wasn't like the normal hoops-player-does-bad-things-off-the-court story. People felt for Herren -- he was just so darn likeable. He was an underdog with the potential to be a millionaire NBA star, but also the potential to lose to his addictions.

And now, while all that NBA potential is gone, I have a feeling there are a whole lot of 'Dogs fans still rooting for Herren. And despite what this Boston Globe story says about Herren not having many friends left, my guess is he's underestimating the Red Wave.

Speaking of least favorite players ever...

Who are your least favorites? Which college basketball players who you've seen play against the 'Dogs have stuck out as guys you love to root against?

I know I have some personal ideas, and Carl English (for looking like Ellen Degeneres) comes to mind right away, as do Michael Ruffin, Greg Harrington, Anthony Carter (for his confrontation with Chris Herren way back when), Predrag Savovic (just for annoying me by being hard to stop), Robbie Reid, Keith Van Horn, Michael Doleac, Andre Miller (for getting every call) and now certainly Adrian Oliver is up there for all the mouth running he does.

But who are some more?