5 Underrated Teams
1. Nebraska
Nebraska has won 5 of 6, with the only loss on the road against Michigan. Next 4: Penn St, Purdue, Illinois, Northwestern (in my opinion the 4 worst in the Big Ten). Terran Petteway is first team all Big Ten. He can score in so many ways. I hope he doesn't go pro after the year, but don't know why he wouldn't. There really is no way to improve his draft stock past his first round position by staying a year. Ray Gallegos is a great three point shooter, making this a very solid offense. The key is their defense. Tai Webster is a big guard who can really defend, as can Petteway and swingman Shavon Shields. Nebraska needs to do well the rest of the way to pull out a tournament win, but I think they are playing great, and should finish well. The real tough loss holding them back is UAB, but other than that, they have been solid.
2. Providence
Last year, Providence had two of the top young freshman in the country going into the year, in guards Kris Dunn and Ricky Ledo. The sweet-shooting Ledo never played a game for the Friars because of academic eligibility issues, and left after the season. Dunn missed almost the entire year last season from injury, and came back this year only to get hurt again after playing only 4 games. He is out for the year. Still, Providence has battled back and Bryce Cotton is averaging over 21 points per game for the Friars. Tyler Harris is a projected first round pick in two years, and Kadeem Batts and LaDontae Henton have been phenomenal. At this point, Providence is one of the last four into the tournament.
3. Arizona St
Aaron Gordon and Arizona were taken down again, this time in double overtime by Arizona St. Jahii Carson is an expected draft pick after the year, and Jordan Bachynski leads the country in blocks. Jermaine Marshall is a Penn St transfer who is a great shooter. The Arizona win solidified their spot in the tournament, and they have the right pieces to make a huge run come March.
4. Missouri
Jabari Brown and Jordan Clarkson make up one of the top guard tandems in the country. Each have averaged about 20 points per game throughout the season. Although I love Jordan Clarkson, and his ability to score, I think Jabari Brown is better, especially offensively. A transfer from Oregon, Brown is one of the top 5 shooters in the country, and can also take the ball to the basket. Mizzou has had some bad losses, including Georgia at home and a nail biter against Vanderbilt, but they have one back to back big games against bubble teams Tennessee and Arkansas.
5. Oregon
Oregon was one of the last undefeated teams, but they have dropped off since, starting 3-8 in conference play. 5 foot 8 Jonathan Lloyd is one of the best passers in the country, and Jason Calliste is an amazing three point shooter. Oregon's best player however, is guard Joseph Young. He is averaging 19 points per game, which is among the best in the PAC-12. This still doesn't include forward Mike Moser, a phenomenal rebounder, and a good low post scorer. I am not sure why Oregon has dropped off, but I expect them to return to old form by the end of year.
BIG GAME WATCH: #1 Syracuse vs. #5 Duke
This is the game of the year in my opinion. I think Syracuse is the better team, but things couldn't be more even with Duke playing at home. In my rankings, this is 1 vs. 3, with Duke moving up to No. 3. Last game, Jabari Parker played great inside that zone of Syracuse, but eventually fouled out, as did Amile Jefferson and Andre Dawkins. That is three of Duke's six best players, and about half their offense. Syracuse is undefeated at this point, but doesn't look unbeatable, as almost all of their games have been close recently. Tyler Ennis is the best point guard in the country, hands down, and CJ Fair is an all-american. Still, I think this game will be close, but with Duke pulling it out in the end, leaving only one undefeated left: Wichita St.
Nebraska has won 5 of 6, with the only loss on the road against Michigan. Next 4: Penn St, Purdue, Illinois, Northwestern (in my opinion the 4 worst in the Big Ten). Terran Petteway is first team all Big Ten. He can score in so many ways. I hope he doesn't go pro after the year, but don't know why he wouldn't. There really is no way to improve his draft stock past his first round position by staying a year. Ray Gallegos is a great three point shooter, making this a very solid offense. The key is their defense. Tai Webster is a big guard who can really defend, as can Petteway and swingman Shavon Shields. Nebraska needs to do well the rest of the way to pull out a tournament win, but I think they are playing great, and should finish well. The real tough loss holding them back is UAB, but other than that, they have been solid.
2. Providence
Last year, Providence had two of the top young freshman in the country going into the year, in guards Kris Dunn and Ricky Ledo. The sweet-shooting Ledo never played a game for the Friars because of academic eligibility issues, and left after the season. Dunn missed almost the entire year last season from injury, and came back this year only to get hurt again after playing only 4 games. He is out for the year. Still, Providence has battled back and Bryce Cotton is averaging over 21 points per game for the Friars. Tyler Harris is a projected first round pick in two years, and Kadeem Batts and LaDontae Henton have been phenomenal. At this point, Providence is one of the last four into the tournament.
3. Arizona St
Aaron Gordon and Arizona were taken down again, this time in double overtime by Arizona St. Jahii Carson is an expected draft pick after the year, and Jordan Bachynski leads the country in blocks. Jermaine Marshall is a Penn St transfer who is a great shooter. The Arizona win solidified their spot in the tournament, and they have the right pieces to make a huge run come March.
4. Missouri
Jabari Brown and Jordan Clarkson make up one of the top guard tandems in the country. Each have averaged about 20 points per game throughout the season. Although I love Jordan Clarkson, and his ability to score, I think Jabari Brown is better, especially offensively. A transfer from Oregon, Brown is one of the top 5 shooters in the country, and can also take the ball to the basket. Mizzou has had some bad losses, including Georgia at home and a nail biter against Vanderbilt, but they have one back to back big games against bubble teams Tennessee and Arkansas.
5. Oregon
Oregon was one of the last undefeated teams, but they have dropped off since, starting 3-8 in conference play. 5 foot 8 Jonathan Lloyd is one of the best passers in the country, and Jason Calliste is an amazing three point shooter. Oregon's best player however, is guard Joseph Young. He is averaging 19 points per game, which is among the best in the PAC-12. This still doesn't include forward Mike Moser, a phenomenal rebounder, and a good low post scorer. I am not sure why Oregon has dropped off, but I expect them to return to old form by the end of year.
BIG GAME WATCH: #1 Syracuse vs. #5 Duke
This is the game of the year in my opinion. I think Syracuse is the better team, but things couldn't be more even with Duke playing at home. In my rankings, this is 1 vs. 3, with Duke moving up to No. 3. Last game, Jabari Parker played great inside that zone of Syracuse, but eventually fouled out, as did Amile Jefferson and Andre Dawkins. That is three of Duke's six best players, and about half their offense. Syracuse is undefeated at this point, but doesn't look unbeatable, as almost all of their games have been close recently. Tyler Ennis is the best point guard in the country, hands down, and CJ Fair is an all-american. Still, I think this game will be close, but with Duke pulling it out in the end, leaving only one undefeated left: Wichita St.
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