Back on January 18th I created a mid-season list of NCAA teams that I believed were going in the right direction and looked pretty much unstoppable. Here is and update on how I’m doing to date.
Sleepers Me and Steve Lavin would agree on:
Marquette was 11-6 now 15-8 – When I threw these guys in the mix they immediately lost 2 in a row, but since then they have won 4 in a row. The only problem the wins have been against the bottom 4 of the Big East so I’m skeptical overall.
Ohio St. was 13-5 now 18-6 – I told you Evan Turner can play. Since the last update they are 5-1 with a win at Purdue. The Buckeyes are a definite long term threat for the tourney.
UAB was 15-3 now 19-4 – Still doing well overall. The Blazers are 8-2 in their last 10 games with a mini 2 game losing skid in between. Wins over Cincy, Arkansas and Butler with a close loss at Virgina makes them a strong contender down the road.
Butler was 14-4 now 20-4 – Ho-hum, just another 13 game winning streak over a lousy conference, but they did beat Ohio State in December to show some worthiness.
Gonzaga was 14-3 now 19-4 – They are 11-1 since the Duke debacle at the Garden back in December. The Zags only lost at Michigan State by 3 and Wake by 2 so they understand good hoops.
Alternates: Siena, Charlotte, Northern Iowa, UNLV
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Predicted Final Four teams on 1/18/2010
Kentucky – When Wall and Calipari are speaking this duo is unstoppable!
Villanova – Still the class of the league with the ‘Cuse. They will be there late.
Texas – A month ago I called the Longhorns the scareiest team in the country. They have become a non-factor now.
Kansas – Would love to see Kansas and Kentucky in the Final.
Teams to take Texas’ spot: The ‘Cuse, Purdue, Kansas St., Cornell