With the college basketball regular season getting ready to tip-off tomorrow all across the country (and even in Germany!), it’s time to unveil our first edition of The Sweet Sixteen. Be aware, this is NOT your same-old top-10 Power Ranking style system. Instead, it is a prediction of the teams that will make the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament (and how far each will go) based on how teams are currently playing- taking into account the quality of competition, quality of play, and recent results. We’ll count them down, ranking them in order of teams most likely to be cutting down the nets in early April, if the tournament was starting right now. Since it is just the preseason and we haven’t seen the teams in action just yet, these rankings will be based on who would win on a neutral court if they were to play tomorrow.
Sweet Sixteen
16. UNLV- The Runnin’ Rebels return a few players from last season’s NCAA tournament team, led by former UCLA transfer Mike Moser. Add the highest rated recruit UNLV has landed in years, stud forward Anthony Bennett, sharp-shooting Katin Reinhardt, and transfer Bryce Dejean-Jones (USC) and the Rebels have plenty of firepower, as well as the athleticism to be very good defensively. And just wait, because their stock could rise midway through the year, when 2011 top-10 prospect Khem Birch (transfer from Pitt) becomes eligible after sitting out the Fall semester. Everybody goes to Vegas to party, but now the natives might have some reason to hit the Strip themselves at season’s end.
15. Florida- The Gators are coming off a less than stellar regular season, which earned them just a 7-seed in the NCAA tournament. Still, they were able to advance all the way to the Elite Eight before falling to Louisville. If there’s one thing we know about Florida, it’s that Billy Donovan can coach, especially during March Madness. With the return of senior leader and point guard Kenny Boynton, former Rutgers guard Mike Rosario, and bigs Will Yeguete and Patric Young the Gators have a solid foundation to surround with a quality group of recruits. Their experience will help out early, but the development of their younger players will determine how far they can go in the Big Dance.
14. Baylor- The failure of stretch wings Perry Jones III and Quincy Miller to play up to their expectations largely overshadowed the great play of many of the other Baylor players that got them to the Elite Eight. Pierre Jackson is one of the best playmakers in the country, even though he may not be your old-school distributing type point guard. But with Brady Heslip flanking him at the other guard spot (almost automatic from 3-point range) and guards Gary Franklin, A.J. Walton, and Deuce Bello all expected to be major contributors the Bears are very deep in the backcourt. The loss of Barkley-esque bigman Quincy Acy may be the even more devastating than that of Jones III or Miller, as the frontcourt now has many question surrounding it due to the inexperience. However, UCLA transfer J’mison Morgan should be solid and freshman 7-footer Isaiah Austin could turn into one of the country’s best. A 7’1” 3-point shooter who can also protect the rim? That could be scary for opposing teams.
(Sidenote: Notice that two of the first three teams on the list have ex-UCLA players as major contributors. How good could this year’s Bruins squad be if they were still in Westwood?)
13. Arizona- The Wildcats have missed the tourney two of the last three years, but the year they made it they were a bucket away from the Final Four. Coach Sean Miller has been a beast on the recruiting trail, bringing in very good classes the last two years. They are loaded in frontcourt with veteran Solomon Hill, last year’s top-20 prospect Angelo Chol, and three of this years top-10 recruits in Brandon Ashley, Grant Jerrett, and Kaleb Tarczewski. If the backcourt of Xavier transfer Mark Lyons, sophomore Nick Johnson, and freshman Gabe York can mesh with the bigs and senior wing Kevin Parrom, the ‘Cats could be headed for big things out in the desert. They are loaded with talent, there is no questioning that; but how the young guns will develop is the main question keeping them from being in the discussion of Final Four contenders.
(Can Grant Jerrett and the rest of the Arizona freshmen develop into stars?
http://uanews.org/sites/default/files/styles/blog_image_large_600px_w/public/story-images/Jerrett_4493_h.jpg)
Sweet Sixteen
16. UNLV- The Runnin’ Rebels return a few players from last season’s NCAA tournament team, led by former UCLA transfer Mike Moser. Add the highest rated recruit UNLV has landed in years, stud forward Anthony Bennett, sharp-shooting Katin Reinhardt, and transfer Bryce Dejean-Jones (USC) and the Rebels have plenty of firepower, as well as the athleticism to be very good defensively. And just wait, because their stock could rise midway through the year, when 2011 top-10 prospect Khem Birch (transfer from Pitt) becomes eligible after sitting out the Fall semester. Everybody goes to Vegas to party, but now the natives might have some reason to hit the Strip themselves at season’s end.
15. Florida- The Gators are coming off a less than stellar regular season, which earned them just a 7-seed in the NCAA tournament. Still, they were able to advance all the way to the Elite Eight before falling to Louisville. If there’s one thing we know about Florida, it’s that Billy Donovan can coach, especially during March Madness. With the return of senior leader and point guard Kenny Boynton, former Rutgers guard Mike Rosario, and bigs Will Yeguete and Patric Young the Gators have a solid foundation to surround with a quality group of recruits. Their experience will help out early, but the development of their younger players will determine how far they can go in the Big Dance.
14. Baylor- The failure of stretch wings Perry Jones III and Quincy Miller to play up to their expectations largely overshadowed the great play of many of the other Baylor players that got them to the Elite Eight. Pierre Jackson is one of the best playmakers in the country, even though he may not be your old-school distributing type point guard. But with Brady Heslip flanking him at the other guard spot (almost automatic from 3-point range) and guards Gary Franklin, A.J. Walton, and Deuce Bello all expected to be major contributors the Bears are very deep in the backcourt. The loss of Barkley-esque bigman Quincy Acy may be the even more devastating than that of Jones III or Miller, as the frontcourt now has many question surrounding it due to the inexperience. However, UCLA transfer J’mison Morgan should be solid and freshman 7-footer Isaiah Austin could turn into one of the country’s best. A 7’1” 3-point shooter who can also protect the rim? That could be scary for opposing teams.
(Sidenote: Notice that two of the first three teams on the list have ex-UCLA players as major contributors. How good could this year’s Bruins squad be if they were still in Westwood?)
13. Arizona- The Wildcats have missed the tourney two of the last three years, but the year they made it they were a bucket away from the Final Four. Coach Sean Miller has been a beast on the recruiting trail, bringing in very good classes the last two years. They are loaded in frontcourt with veteran Solomon Hill, last year’s top-20 prospect Angelo Chol, and three of this years top-10 recruits in Brandon Ashley, Grant Jerrett, and Kaleb Tarczewski. If the backcourt of Xavier transfer Mark Lyons, sophomore Nick Johnson, and freshman Gabe York can mesh with the bigs and senior wing Kevin Parrom, the ‘Cats could be headed for big things out in the desert. They are loaded with talent, there is no questioning that; but how the young guns will develop is the main question keeping them from being in the discussion of Final Four contenders.
(Can Grant Jerrett and the rest of the Arizona freshmen develop into stars?
http://uanews.org/sites/default/files/styles/blog_image_large_600px_w/public/story-images/Jerrett_4493_h.jpg)
12. North Carolina- This year’s UNC squad doesn’t have the same big names and hype as teams of the past few years in Chapel Hill. Still, they are an experienced group led by returning guards Dexter Strickland, P.J. Hairston, and Reggie Bullock, which gives them a leg up over teams loaded with young talent this early in the season. Great coaching (which they have tons of coming from Roy Williams) plus seasoned players equals a solid team that will be in every game they play. And don’t think I forgot about sophomore sensation James Michael McAdoo! He didn’t get a ton of playing time as a freshman behind the veteran frontcourt of Zeller and Henson, but when he did he showed loads of potential. Had he declared for the draft, he very well could have gone ahead of the two he backed up in college. With him as the focal point and the addition of high-flying frosh J.P. Tokoto to go with McAdoo in the frontcourt, the Tar Heels will be able to compete with just about anyone early on.
11. Kansas- It seems like every year Kansas has as solid group of veterans that allow them to compete for a title. From Chalmers and Rush to Aldridge and Collins to the Morris twins and then Thomas Robinson last year, the Jayhawks crank out great players on a consistent basis, even if they don’t have big-name recruiting classes all the time. This year it will be seniors Jeff Withey (who actually led the nation in block percentage last year. That’s right, AHEAD of Anthony Davis!), Elijah Johnson, Travis Releford, and Kevin Young who lead the charge. Add first-year players Perry Ellis and Ben McLemore and Kansas is just as dangerous as ever. They are solid defensively, which will help them out early as they figure out who will replace Robinson’s scoring prowess. If all these young teams aren’t able to put it together by March, don’t be surprised to see Kansas make a deep run, yet again.
10. UCLA- All I know about the Bruins is that they won’t be the tenth best team in the country come March. If freshman phenomenon Shabazz Muhammad doesn’t get cleared to play and Josh Smith continues to eat everything in the dining hall every night, the Bruins will be disappointing yet again. However, if Shabazz gets cleared, Smith stays in relatively good shape, and the rest of the Baby Bruins develop like most expect, watch out Westwood! Kyle Anderson plays a point forward position not really seen since Magic back in the ‘80s (just to be clear, I am NOT calling him Magic; just saying that he plays a style that not many have done besides Magic), Jordan Adams is a lights-out shooter, and Tony Parker is very similar to Josh Smith in talent. Oh, and don’t forget about Norman Powell, a sophomore combo guard who plays similar to another former Bruin- Russell Westbrook (Of all the players in the country, I am most excited to see Powell this year. Why? Because he really reminds me of Westbrook, I’m not kidding- he jumped over a guy in the dunk contest at the opening of the new Pauley Pavilion). Add in the Wear twins down low and Tyler Lamb on the wing and the Bruins have one of the deepest, most talented teams they’ve had since their Final Four teams. Will they make it back there? We’ll all just have to wait and see.
(Freshmen Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson lead one of the most highly touted recruiting classes in school history. Can they get the Bruins back to the Final Four?http://espn.go.com/photo/2012/0813/ncb_a_muhammad_anderson_400.jpg)
9. Syracuse- Forgotten with how the tournament unfolded was the fact that Syracuse only lost one game in the regular season last year! They have everything Jim Boeheim wants in his teams: length, athleticism, and experience. With a starting lineup all 6’4” or taller, the Orange’s vaunted 2-3 zone defense will be a monster for other teams to score on. Brandon Triche is expected to be the senior leader at guard, while sophomore Michael Carter-Williams completes the dynamic backcourt. On the wings, sharp-shooter James Southerland and hyper-athletic C.J. Fair make up a potent tandem (Don’t be shocked if Fair becomes a household name by season’s end. He showed flashes of star potential last season). And while the loss of Fab Melo leaves them without a 7-footer in the middle, Baye Keita and Rakeem Christmas got plenty of experience during Melo’s suspension last year, and freshman DaJuan Coleman should add depth up front. With so much talent and experience in Boeheim’s system, they should have a chance to win most games they play in.
11. Kansas- It seems like every year Kansas has as solid group of veterans that allow them to compete for a title. From Chalmers and Rush to Aldridge and Collins to the Morris twins and then Thomas Robinson last year, the Jayhawks crank out great players on a consistent basis, even if they don’t have big-name recruiting classes all the time. This year it will be seniors Jeff Withey (who actually led the nation in block percentage last year. That’s right, AHEAD of Anthony Davis!), Elijah Johnson, Travis Releford, and Kevin Young who lead the charge. Add first-year players Perry Ellis and Ben McLemore and Kansas is just as dangerous as ever. They are solid defensively, which will help them out early as they figure out who will replace Robinson’s scoring prowess. If all these young teams aren’t able to put it together by March, don’t be surprised to see Kansas make a deep run, yet again.
10. UCLA- All I know about the Bruins is that they won’t be the tenth best team in the country come March. If freshman phenomenon Shabazz Muhammad doesn’t get cleared to play and Josh Smith continues to eat everything in the dining hall every night, the Bruins will be disappointing yet again. However, if Shabazz gets cleared, Smith stays in relatively good shape, and the rest of the Baby Bruins develop like most expect, watch out Westwood! Kyle Anderson plays a point forward position not really seen since Magic back in the ‘80s (just to be clear, I am NOT calling him Magic; just saying that he plays a style that not many have done besides Magic), Jordan Adams is a lights-out shooter, and Tony Parker is very similar to Josh Smith in talent. Oh, and don’t forget about Norman Powell, a sophomore combo guard who plays similar to another former Bruin- Russell Westbrook (Of all the players in the country, I am most excited to see Powell this year. Why? Because he really reminds me of Westbrook, I’m not kidding- he jumped over a guy in the dunk contest at the opening of the new Pauley Pavilion). Add in the Wear twins down low and Tyler Lamb on the wing and the Bruins have one of the deepest, most talented teams they’ve had since their Final Four teams. Will they make it back there? We’ll all just have to wait and see.
(Freshmen Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson lead one of the most highly touted recruiting classes in school history. Can they get the Bruins back to the Final Four?http://espn.go.com/photo/2012/0813/ncb_a_muhammad_anderson_400.jpg)
9. Syracuse- Forgotten with how the tournament unfolded was the fact that Syracuse only lost one game in the regular season last year! They have everything Jim Boeheim wants in his teams: length, athleticism, and experience. With a starting lineup all 6’4” or taller, the Orange’s vaunted 2-3 zone defense will be a monster for other teams to score on. Brandon Triche is expected to be the senior leader at guard, while sophomore Michael Carter-Williams completes the dynamic backcourt. On the wings, sharp-shooter James Southerland and hyper-athletic C.J. Fair make up a potent tandem (Don’t be shocked if Fair becomes a household name by season’s end. He showed flashes of star potential last season). And while the loss of Fab Melo leaves them without a 7-footer in the middle, Baye Keita and Rakeem Christmas got plenty of experience during Melo’s suspension last year, and freshman DaJuan Coleman should add depth up front. With so much talent and experience in Boeheim’s system, they should have a chance to win most games they play in.
THE ELITE EIGHT
8. Kentucky- Yes, they are the defending National Champions; but this isn’t the same Kentucky team, not even close. The entire starting lineup plus sixth man are gone from last year’s team, and those who think they’ll just have a new group of freshmen step in is sadly mistaken. They will still be very good, and Nerlens Noel may end up being an even stronger defensive force than Anthony Davis, but their title team was not all freshmen like everyone likes to remember. Terrance Jones and Doron Lamb were major contributors as sophomores, while Darius Miller provided senior leadership and always seemed to make a big play when things started to slip away. This year, the only upper classman expected to be a major factor is Kyle Wiltjer, who saw limited playing time last season. As for the newcomers, Noel has gotten the most hype, and deservedly so, but Archie Goodwin and Alex Poythress are both very, very good players. Keep an eye on Poythress in particular; I watched him in the McDonald’s All-American game and he looked like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with a more polished offensive game, which could be terrifying!
(Is this year's freshmen crop at Kentucky even better than the last? Let us know what you think!
http://media.kentucky.com/smedia/2012/11/03/18/10/V9eHN.AuSt.79.JPG)
7. Duke- Everyone will remember the first-round loss to Lehigh, but the Blue Devils actually had a very good regular season to earn their 2nd seed. They lost Austin Rivers and one of the Plumlee brothers, but the rest of their team returns. Marshall Plumlee, coming of a redshirt last season, may end up being the best of the three brothers and adds size down low. The backcourt of Quinn Cook, Tyler Thornton, Andre Dawkins, and Seth Curry all got another year of experience, which could prove very beneficial down the road, and they’ll have freshman Rasheed Sulaimon to provide even more punch. Most importantly, senior forward Ryan Kelly will be healthy, as he was their most important player last year- evident by their loss to Lehigh when he was injured. Rivers got most of the attention, but Kelly was the glue that held the team together; a versatile forward who can create for himself and others while stretching the floor when off the ball. Those white boys and “Unlce Toms” at Duke (as Jalen Rose called them in the documentary The Fabe Five) can play!
6. North Carolina State- Can anyone remember the last time NC State had higher hopes coming into a season than Duke OR UNC? I certainly can’t, and I don’t believe it’s happened in my lifetime (I was born in 1993 for those of you who don’t know). But this year is different, as coach Mark Gottfried has the Wolfpack riding a wave of anticipation into the season. They return many key players, foremost among them being forward C.J. Leslie. Leslie is a 6’9” do-it-all type player. He is big enough to post up smaller players, yet athletic enough to take bigger guys outside and go right by them on his way to the rim. He is the definition of a match-up nightmare. Pair him with prized point guard recruit Rodney Purvis and there could be a storm brewing in Raleigh.
5. Michigan State- Most preseason polls don’t have the Spartans anywhere close to the top-5. Well, that’s why we’re different than the other polls! Put them on a court right now with almost any team in the nation and they’ll have a good shot at winning. That’s what we’ve come to expect from Tom Izzo-coached teams; kind of like Kansas, Michigan State always ends up in contention (reaching the Final Four five times since the turn of the century and twice in the last four years). This edition of the Spartans is led by guards Keith Appling and Travis Trice, as well as the imposing frontcourt of Derrick Nix and Adreian Payne. However, the X-factor will be sophomore wingman Branden Dawson, who returns after missing tournament play last year following a torn ACL in the regular season finale. If he is back at full strength, this team will be a beast- at least to start the year. They aren’t as deep and loaded with young talent as some teams (i.e. Kentucky, UCLA, etc.), but they are experienced and will play defense and pound the boards harder than just about any other team (remember how they played UNC on the aircraft carrier to open the season last year- in a game no one gave them a chance to win?) which will make them extremely tough to beat.
8. Kentucky- Yes, they are the defending National Champions; but this isn’t the same Kentucky team, not even close. The entire starting lineup plus sixth man are gone from last year’s team, and those who think they’ll just have a new group of freshmen step in is sadly mistaken. They will still be very good, and Nerlens Noel may end up being an even stronger defensive force than Anthony Davis, but their title team was not all freshmen like everyone likes to remember. Terrance Jones and Doron Lamb were major contributors as sophomores, while Darius Miller provided senior leadership and always seemed to make a big play when things started to slip away. This year, the only upper classman expected to be a major factor is Kyle Wiltjer, who saw limited playing time last season. As for the newcomers, Noel has gotten the most hype, and deservedly so, but Archie Goodwin and Alex Poythress are both very, very good players. Keep an eye on Poythress in particular; I watched him in the McDonald’s All-American game and he looked like Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with a more polished offensive game, which could be terrifying!
(Is this year's freshmen crop at Kentucky even better than the last? Let us know what you think!
http://media.kentucky.com/smedia/2012/11/03/18/10/V9eHN.AuSt.79.JPG)
7. Duke- Everyone will remember the first-round loss to Lehigh, but the Blue Devils actually had a very good regular season to earn their 2nd seed. They lost Austin Rivers and one of the Plumlee brothers, but the rest of their team returns. Marshall Plumlee, coming of a redshirt last season, may end up being the best of the three brothers and adds size down low. The backcourt of Quinn Cook, Tyler Thornton, Andre Dawkins, and Seth Curry all got another year of experience, which could prove very beneficial down the road, and they’ll have freshman Rasheed Sulaimon to provide even more punch. Most importantly, senior forward Ryan Kelly will be healthy, as he was their most important player last year- evident by their loss to Lehigh when he was injured. Rivers got most of the attention, but Kelly was the glue that held the team together; a versatile forward who can create for himself and others while stretching the floor when off the ball. Those white boys and “Unlce Toms” at Duke (as Jalen Rose called them in the documentary The Fabe Five) can play!
6. North Carolina State- Can anyone remember the last time NC State had higher hopes coming into a season than Duke OR UNC? I certainly can’t, and I don’t believe it’s happened in my lifetime (I was born in 1993 for those of you who don’t know). But this year is different, as coach Mark Gottfried has the Wolfpack riding a wave of anticipation into the season. They return many key players, foremost among them being forward C.J. Leslie. Leslie is a 6’9” do-it-all type player. He is big enough to post up smaller players, yet athletic enough to take bigger guys outside and go right by them on his way to the rim. He is the definition of a match-up nightmare. Pair him with prized point guard recruit Rodney Purvis and there could be a storm brewing in Raleigh.
5. Michigan State- Most preseason polls don’t have the Spartans anywhere close to the top-5. Well, that’s why we’re different than the other polls! Put them on a court right now with almost any team in the nation and they’ll have a good shot at winning. That’s what we’ve come to expect from Tom Izzo-coached teams; kind of like Kansas, Michigan State always ends up in contention (reaching the Final Four five times since the turn of the century and twice in the last four years). This edition of the Spartans is led by guards Keith Appling and Travis Trice, as well as the imposing frontcourt of Derrick Nix and Adreian Payne. However, the X-factor will be sophomore wingman Branden Dawson, who returns after missing tournament play last year following a torn ACL in the regular season finale. If he is back at full strength, this team will be a beast- at least to start the year. They aren’t as deep and loaded with young talent as some teams (i.e. Kentucky, UCLA, etc.), but they are experienced and will play defense and pound the boards harder than just about any other team (remember how they played UNC on the aircraft carrier to open the season last year- in a game no one gave them a chance to win?) which will make them extremely tough to beat.
THE FINAL FOUR
4. Ohio State- Thad Matta’s squad brings back just about everyone besides Jared Sullinger, who is a big loss without question. However, everyone coming back is a year older and a year wiser. The role players are all solid, but the focus is around two potential stars: Aaron Craft and Deshaun Thomas. Craft is one of the smartest players in the nation, someone many refer to as the “quarterback” on the basketball court. I find this term to be misleading, as Craft does more than just lead the offense- he is also one of the best (if not the best) on-ball defenders in the nation. Complimenting his defensive prowess and offensive leadership is Deshaun Thomas, the versatile junior forward. He really came into his own at the end of last season, often becoming their best offensive threat (even with Sullinger on the floor). Expect him to build on that this year, becoming one of the premier scoring threats in the nation; and if he does, the Buckeyes will remain right at the top of this list.
3. Michigan- Here they are, just ahead of their two biggest rivals- which will make for some intense battles when they meet with Michigan State and Ohio State, but that’s down the road. With the return of explosive point guard Trey Burke and dynamic wing Tim Hardaway Jr. (two of the best backcourt players in the nation), as well as many of their role players from last year, the Wolverines would be an elite team anyway. Now throw in recruits like Glenn Robinson III and coveted post player Mitch McGary and Michigan has a balanced squad primed to contend with anyone, anywhere, anytime. It’s not the Fab Five, but this team presents the best shot they’ve had at getting back to the Final Four since the early ‘90’s. The Big Ten will be one hell of a battle, and they may not win the crown, but that won’t limit their chances at the biggest prize- a national title. Right now, there aren’t very many teams that can compete with their overall balance.
2. Indiana- Most people have the Hoosiers pegged as preseason favorites to win it all, and they very well could. I think they could beat just about every team in the country right now (except one, but we’ll get to them in a second). The only hesitation I have with them is Tom Crean handing the reigns to a freshman point guard. They have plenty of experience surrounding him between Will Sheehey, Jordan Hulls, Victor Oladipo, Christian Watford (hero of last year’s upset victory over Kentucky), and preseason Player of the Year favorite Cody Zeller, but it will take time for Yogi Ferrell to mature into the leader they need him to be. I always question teams led by freshmen at the point, but Marcus Teague showed it is possible last year by leading Kentucky to the title- why not make it two years in a row for freshmen? Outside of that (minor) concern, I don’t see many flaws with this team. They won’t go undefeated, but I’m sure IU fans can settle for raising another banner.
(Is Cody Zeller the nation's best player? Let us know what you think! http://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/2012/1031/dm_121031_ESPN_The_Mag_Cody_Zeller/dm_121031_ESPN_The_Mag_Cody_Zeller.jpg)
4. Ohio State- Thad Matta’s squad brings back just about everyone besides Jared Sullinger, who is a big loss without question. However, everyone coming back is a year older and a year wiser. The role players are all solid, but the focus is around two potential stars: Aaron Craft and Deshaun Thomas. Craft is one of the smartest players in the nation, someone many refer to as the “quarterback” on the basketball court. I find this term to be misleading, as Craft does more than just lead the offense- he is also one of the best (if not the best) on-ball defenders in the nation. Complimenting his defensive prowess and offensive leadership is Deshaun Thomas, the versatile junior forward. He really came into his own at the end of last season, often becoming their best offensive threat (even with Sullinger on the floor). Expect him to build on that this year, becoming one of the premier scoring threats in the nation; and if he does, the Buckeyes will remain right at the top of this list.
3. Michigan- Here they are, just ahead of their two biggest rivals- which will make for some intense battles when they meet with Michigan State and Ohio State, but that’s down the road. With the return of explosive point guard Trey Burke and dynamic wing Tim Hardaway Jr. (two of the best backcourt players in the nation), as well as many of their role players from last year, the Wolverines would be an elite team anyway. Now throw in recruits like Glenn Robinson III and coveted post player Mitch McGary and Michigan has a balanced squad primed to contend with anyone, anywhere, anytime. It’s not the Fab Five, but this team presents the best shot they’ve had at getting back to the Final Four since the early ‘90’s. The Big Ten will be one hell of a battle, and they may not win the crown, but that won’t limit their chances at the biggest prize- a national title. Right now, there aren’t very many teams that can compete with their overall balance.
2. Indiana- Most people have the Hoosiers pegged as preseason favorites to win it all, and they very well could. I think they could beat just about every team in the country right now (except one, but we’ll get to them in a second). The only hesitation I have with them is Tom Crean handing the reigns to a freshman point guard. They have plenty of experience surrounding him between Will Sheehey, Jordan Hulls, Victor Oladipo, Christian Watford (hero of last year’s upset victory over Kentucky), and preseason Player of the Year favorite Cody Zeller, but it will take time for Yogi Ferrell to mature into the leader they need him to be. I always question teams led by freshmen at the point, but Marcus Teague showed it is possible last year by leading Kentucky to the title- why not make it two years in a row for freshmen? Outside of that (minor) concern, I don’t see many flaws with this team. They won’t go undefeated, but I’m sure IU fans can settle for raising another banner.
(Is Cody Zeller the nation's best player? Let us know what you think! http://a.espncdn.com/media/motion/2012/1031/dm_121031_ESPN_The_Mag_Cody_Zeller/dm_121031_ESPN_The_Mag_Cody_Zeller.jpg)
CHAMPION OF THE MOMENT
1. Louisville- The Cardinals are the only team I can see beating Indiana if they played tomorrow, and it all starts with their senior leader, captain, and point guard Peyton Siva. In a battle between him and a freshman, it is a no-contest; I don’t care how good the freshman may be. Siva is so quick and such a tough defender that it would be unfair to ask a kid playing his first collegiate game to match up with him for 40 minutes. Throughout the season, Siva will be the key to just how good this Louisville team can be. If he lives up to the hype (preseason Big East Player of the Year), Louisville will be cutting down the nets in early April. Siva will be flanked by sharp-shooting George Mason transfer Luke Hancock (a welcome additional scoring threat) and spark plug Russ Smith off of the bench. Down low Gogui Dieng will patrol the paint, where he has become one of the best post defenders in the country- and with a little improved offensive game could challenge Siva for Big East Player of the Year. The two X-factors for the Cardinals come from the forward position. Chane Behanan had a better than expected freshman campaign, and if he can build on it will be a go-to guy when the Cards need a bucket. His frontcourt mate, Wayne Blackshear, is the real key to the season, though. Blackshear missed most of his freshman season with a shoulder injury, but was their highest rated recruit coming out of high school and showed signs of what to expect in the NCAA tournament, where he ignited the team with his energy off the bench and hustle on the boards. The best part about Rick Pitino’s team (oh yea, did I mention they’re coached by one of the all-time best coaches?) isn’t their firepower, however, it is their ability and will to defend. They will get after it on that side of the floor for 40 minutes each and every game. Even when the shots aren’t falling, their defense will keep them in games- and that is why I have them as the National Champions… if the tournament started tomorrow.
(Peyton Siva hopes to lead Louisville back to the Final Four, and further! http://www.rantsports.com/ncaa-basketball/wp-content/slideshow/2012/10/peyton-siva-and-big-east-s-top-5-point-guards/medium/peyton-siva-Christopher-Hanewinckel.jpg)
I hope you all enjoyed reading, and please let us know what you think about where your team should be ranked. Did I invest too much in experience over talent? You be the judge! Leave a comment (if you can’t on the home page you should be able to on the post in the NCAAB section) and tell everyone why YOUR school is going to win it all.
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1. Louisville- The Cardinals are the only team I can see beating Indiana if they played tomorrow, and it all starts with their senior leader, captain, and point guard Peyton Siva. In a battle between him and a freshman, it is a no-contest; I don’t care how good the freshman may be. Siva is so quick and such a tough defender that it would be unfair to ask a kid playing his first collegiate game to match up with him for 40 minutes. Throughout the season, Siva will be the key to just how good this Louisville team can be. If he lives up to the hype (preseason Big East Player of the Year), Louisville will be cutting down the nets in early April. Siva will be flanked by sharp-shooting George Mason transfer Luke Hancock (a welcome additional scoring threat) and spark plug Russ Smith off of the bench. Down low Gogui Dieng will patrol the paint, where he has become one of the best post defenders in the country- and with a little improved offensive game could challenge Siva for Big East Player of the Year. The two X-factors for the Cardinals come from the forward position. Chane Behanan had a better than expected freshman campaign, and if he can build on it will be a go-to guy when the Cards need a bucket. His frontcourt mate, Wayne Blackshear, is the real key to the season, though. Blackshear missed most of his freshman season with a shoulder injury, but was their highest rated recruit coming out of high school and showed signs of what to expect in the NCAA tournament, where he ignited the team with his energy off the bench and hustle on the boards. The best part about Rick Pitino’s team (oh yea, did I mention they’re coached by one of the all-time best coaches?) isn’t their firepower, however, it is their ability and will to defend. They will get after it on that side of the floor for 40 minutes each and every game. Even when the shots aren’t falling, their defense will keep them in games- and that is why I have them as the National Champions… if the tournament started tomorrow.
(Peyton Siva hopes to lead Louisville back to the Final Four, and further! http://www.rantsports.com/ncaa-basketball/wp-content/slideshow/2012/10/peyton-siva-and-big-east-s-top-5-point-guards/medium/peyton-siva-Christopher-Hanewinckel.jpg)
I hope you all enjoyed reading, and please let us know what you think about where your team should be ranked. Did I invest too much in experience over talent? You be the judge! Leave a comment (if you can’t on the home page you should be able to on the post in the NCAAB section) and tell everyone why YOUR school is going to win it all.
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If you have any questions, comments, or other suggestions on how to improve the column or any other topic feel free to contact me at my email address [email protected], on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/adam.colman.9 or on Twitter @AdamRColman.
Thanks for the support!
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