As we now enter into league play of college hoops it is time to give you my Final Four teams. Sure you can say I could have done this in November, but let’s be serious that is such a crap shoot. You are destined to be totally incorrect.
There are no 2008 UNC teams where you are pretty much a shoe-in to make it to the big dance. We have about 10-12 teams that are slowly inching away from the pack. The preseason poll was dead on with Kansas #1, Texas, Nova, KY etc. Then token appreciation for UNC at #6 plus Cal and Washington in the top 14 were dead wrong. Shot in the dark teams like Dayton, Illinois, Minny and UCLA were all in the top 25-30.
How bad is the Pac-10. WOW, what a complete mess. Arizona St. with quality losses to Duke, Baylor, BYU and USC are leading the hapless league @ 14-5, but after that you have a total of 89 wins among the rest of the teams. Compare 89 wins to the Big Ten’s 126 and you quickly see the Pac-10 sucks. UCLA has lost to Cal State Fullerton (who as lost to Central Ark, Stephen F Austin, UC Davis and Northridge), Portland and Long Beach State and I dont even want to get into some of the other teams’ losses. If they get 3 teams in the tourney that would be an achievement. Just horrible hoops.
The Big 12 is once again showing their might. Texas is #1, Kansas #3 and Kansas St. is #10. Baylor, Okie St and A&M are in the top 25-30 mix. ACC has the powers of Duke, but after that we have seen UNC fall out of the top 15, Clemson, Fla St and Miami are all 3rd tier teams. Then there is the Big East. 4 Teams in the Top 10, and another 3 in the Top 25-30. Quality league with 13 of the 16 teams a tough matchup no matter the league.
With all this said I will give you my Top 4 teams and a few ones to watch.
Teams that I believe are sleepers and I believe Steve Lavin would agree:
Marquette – 11-6. Lost 6 games by an avg of 3 pts. Twice to Nova by 2 and West Va by 1. Anything can happen in the Big East tourney and Lazar Haywood is a man.
Ohio St – 13-5. Can play with anyone in the country. Evan Turner is the man and they have a top 3 recruiting class every year. Going through the Big Ten will prep them for the Big Dance. Only losses were to ranked teams.
UAB – 15-3. Have won 14 of 15 and only loss was at Virginia who leads the ACC. Crushed Cincy, Georgia and Butler. Jr. Elijah Millsap avgs 17/9 per game.
Butler – 14-4. Had some losses early, but to Clemson by 1, Gtown, Minny and UAB who were all ranked at the time. Is already 7-0 in Horizon League and look to stay on track for games in March.
Gonzaga – 14-3. 3 losses to Mich St by 4, Wake by 2 and crushed by Duke at the “Garden in NY.” Just played Illini, Portland, USD and St. Marys on the road and won them all. Still has Memphis, but they will be ready for the dance.
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Final Four teams (Yes I know they are Top 4 as of today)
Kentucky – Just the class of the year. John Wall is all that was advertised and Patrick Patterson is the best small center in the country. The underclassmen are rounding out nicely and the Calipari system is on fire.
Villanova – They have all the right pieces to make a run. Scottie Reynolds is the best floor general in college basketball and they out rebound their opponents every game so I can see them in the final game discussion.
Texas – They are the scariest team in the game. One of only three teams in the country with potential All-Americans on the inside and outside. Damion James is too athletic at the forward to be stopped by anyone in the game.
Kansas – Another team with All-Americans inside and outside. Sharon Collins and Cole Aldrich have Final Four experience and they have a wonderful support staff. Bill Self is one of the best X & O coaches in the game. Gonna be a heck of a Big 12 Championship game.
Overachievers
Notre Dame, Virginia, Marshall, Siena, La Tech, Murray State
What no love for Syracuse? What’sthematterwithyou?