College Basketball has begun!!!
I love college basketball. I forget how much I love it during the summer, but it is officially my favorite sport. A few comments about coaching decisions before I start:
1. Did Minnesota really hire Rich Pitino when he had just 1 year of head coaching experience?
2. Wow Steve Alford, really classy.
3. Brad Stevens, Butler forever?
4. Andy Ennfield: Dunk City to The International City.
My basketball coach last season used to make me do a running drill called an 8-6-4-2. Here is my written version of the drill:
8 best teams in the country right now
1. Syracuse
This was an easy pick. In their win vs. Indiana, they looked better than any team that I have seen all year. Tyler Ennis is a top 5 point guard in the country, and Trevor Cooney is a top 5 shooter in the country. CJ Fair is a top 5 player, rounding out their unbelievable trio, and backed by great inside players, it forms a great team.
2. Ohio St
If only they had a scorer... Aaron Craft and Shannon Scoot form the best defensive backcourt in the country. Lenzelle Smith, Jr. (someone I saw in HS for Zion Benton in a Chicago holiday tourney) can really defend, too. Sam Thompson (another guy I saw in HS for Whitney Young, where Jahlil Okafor goes, in the same tourney) is the country's best dunker. Watch this:
Ohio St has a chance to win the title this year, if they can just find a standout scorer.
3. Louisville
Chris Jones and Russ Smith are NBA ready guards. They are great at creating their own shot, especially threes. At then end of their loss to UNC, those 2 played beautifully at the end of the game. They gave Louisville a chance the whole game, but UNC was too much in the end. I loved Kevin Ware before he got hurt last year, but I'm not sure if he will ever recover (for the his sake, I REALLYYY hope he can). Montrez Harrel is another stud.
4. Michigan St
Gary Harris almost went to Indiana! Imagine what would of happened last year if he did. Maybe they beat Syracuse and make a final four? A title appearance maybe? But he didn't. He went to Michigan St, where he has become, in my opinion, the next Ray Allen. They looked good vs. Kentucky, but Adreian Payne has got to want to take the shots, and want the ball more. Not a bad loss to UNC. When UNC is playing their best, they are a top 5 team in the country (without PJ Hairston and Leslie McDonald, which means they could be almost unbeatable with those 2!).
5. Oklahoma St
Marcus Smart hasn't yet failed to amaze me. I am not sure if he ever will. Staying for another year was a risky decision, but I think it shows his character, not wanting to be another one and done show-pony. Markel Brown and Le'Bryan Nash are unbelievable athletes who can really play. In their win over Memphis, they looked unbelievable. In their second game vs. Memphis, a loss, not so much... They have to play like the first Memphis.
6. Arizona
SERIOUSLY, AARON GORDON IS SO GROSSLY OVERRATED! Just wanted to put that out there. Other than that they're fine: Brandon Ashley is great, Nick Johnson should be a POY candidate, and TJ McConnell is a good PG. As a team, they are overrated because of Gordon, but still have enough talent to compete for a final four appearance.
7. Wisconsin
Bo Ryan used to coach baseball. I read that in an SI article, and it surprised me, but I guess it shouldn't. He is great with stats, and plays a baseball type basketball game, very slow, and low scoring. His style is boring, but he knows how to run it and get the right players for it. He might be a top 5 coach in the game. Sam Dekker can really play, and is an athlete like they haven't had before. You can count on another great year for the Badgers, and they looked great in their win vs. Florida. Frank Kaminsky has been unstoppable this year, and he can play inside out. I saw him in high school at a holiday tournament in Chicago, and he was phenomenal
8. Wichita St
I don't care what people say about them having an easy schedule or getting lucky last year, they are a great TEAM. I emphasize that word team because of the way they play together. I don't think there are 5 teams I would like to play less than this team. One of the best PGs in the country is Fred Van Vleet. He is an Illinois kid, from Rockford, and I happened to see one of his high school games in a Chicago area holiday tournament (yes, the same one). He was phenomenal, and dominated the game, almost beating the 2nd best team in the state despite having no help from his teammates. Ron Baker and Cleanthony Early are stars, and they really stretch you out with the way they can shoot from anywhere.
6 top players in the country right now
1. Marcus Smart, Oklahoma St
Smart is a like the Derrick Rose of college basketball. Except he's not hurt. If I had the number one pick in the NBA draft next year, I would draft him.
2. Julius Randle, Kentucky
He reminds of a lefty Lebron, except for more of a big man. The way he gets in the lane is astounding, and he is a great rebounder.
3. Andrew Wiggins, Kansas
Kevin Durant-like. He just needs to add some weight, but he is 6-8 and a great dunker, driver and shooter.
4. Gary Harris, Michigan St
The next Ray Allen. Seems like it to me. One of the best shooters in the country, and is an unbelievable athlete.
5. CJ Fair, Syracuse
A forward from Syracuse, Fair can shoot, rebound, and score. He is a lefty who can hit the three and has a really nice touch.
6. Shabazz Napier, UConn
Napier is a shifty point guard who can pass and score, and has led UConn to an undefeated season so far.
4 best conferences in the country right now
1. Big Ten
The Big 10 includes 3 of my top 8: Ohio St, Michigan St, and Wisconsin. Behind them are ranked Iowa, underrated Penn St and Illinois, and two very underrated young teams. Indiana is young and inexperienced but will be a top 25 team by the end of the year and contend for a league title. Michigan has tons of talent including two first round picks, Glenn Robinson III (not RGIII, its GRIII) and Mitch McGary.
2. ACC
The ACC starts with Syracuse, the top team in the country in my opinion, and they are followed by North Carolina, who is a top 12 team in my opinion, Pittsburg, Virginia, and top 10 Duke.
3. PAC-12
The PAC is very deep, with Arizona at the top, but includes top 15 Oregon, and ranked Colorado.
4. BIG-12
The Big 12 includes Baylor with Cory Jefferson and Issiah Austin, Kansas with Andrew Wiggins, and a very talented Iowa St team. And don't forget top 5 Oklahoma St.
2 best home court advantages in the country right now
1. Duke
Every year. The "Cameron Crazies" will be crazy again this year, and are already crazy about Jabari Parker, their top young freshmen
2. North Carolina
The program is back after an average 2012-2013. The fans are excited about young PG Marcus Paige, and PF James McAdoo.
1. Did Minnesota really hire Rich Pitino when he had just 1 year of head coaching experience?
2. Wow Steve Alford, really classy.
3. Brad Stevens, Butler forever?
4. Andy Ennfield: Dunk City to The International City.
My basketball coach last season used to make me do a running drill called an 8-6-4-2. Here is my written version of the drill:
8 best teams in the country right now
1. Syracuse
This was an easy pick. In their win vs. Indiana, they looked better than any team that I have seen all year. Tyler Ennis is a top 5 point guard in the country, and Trevor Cooney is a top 5 shooter in the country. CJ Fair is a top 5 player, rounding out their unbelievable trio, and backed by great inside players, it forms a great team.
2. Ohio St
If only they had a scorer... Aaron Craft and Shannon Scoot form the best defensive backcourt in the country. Lenzelle Smith, Jr. (someone I saw in HS for Zion Benton in a Chicago holiday tourney) can really defend, too. Sam Thompson (another guy I saw in HS for Whitney Young, where Jahlil Okafor goes, in the same tourney) is the country's best dunker. Watch this:
3. Louisville
Chris Jones and Russ Smith are NBA ready guards. They are great at creating their own shot, especially threes. At then end of their loss to UNC, those 2 played beautifully at the end of the game. They gave Louisville a chance the whole game, but UNC was too much in the end. I loved Kevin Ware before he got hurt last year, but I'm not sure if he will ever recover (for the his sake, I REALLYYY hope he can). Montrez Harrel is another stud.
4. Michigan St
Gary Harris almost went to Indiana! Imagine what would of happened last year if he did. Maybe they beat Syracuse and make a final four? A title appearance maybe? But he didn't. He went to Michigan St, where he has become, in my opinion, the next Ray Allen. They looked good vs. Kentucky, but Adreian Payne has got to want to take the shots, and want the ball more. Not a bad loss to UNC. When UNC is playing their best, they are a top 5 team in the country (without PJ Hairston and Leslie McDonald, which means they could be almost unbeatable with those 2!).
5. Oklahoma St
Marcus Smart hasn't yet failed to amaze me. I am not sure if he ever will. Staying for another year was a risky decision, but I think it shows his character, not wanting to be another one and done show-pony. Markel Brown and Le'Bryan Nash are unbelievable athletes who can really play. In their win over Memphis, they looked unbelievable. In their second game vs. Memphis, a loss, not so much... They have to play like the first Memphis.
6. Arizona
SERIOUSLY, AARON GORDON IS SO GROSSLY OVERRATED! Just wanted to put that out there. Other than that they're fine: Brandon Ashley is great, Nick Johnson should be a POY candidate, and TJ McConnell is a good PG. As a team, they are overrated because of Gordon, but still have enough talent to compete for a final four appearance.
7. Wisconsin
Bo Ryan used to coach baseball. I read that in an SI article, and it surprised me, but I guess it shouldn't. He is great with stats, and plays a baseball type basketball game, very slow, and low scoring. His style is boring, but he knows how to run it and get the right players for it. He might be a top 5 coach in the game. Sam Dekker can really play, and is an athlete like they haven't had before. You can count on another great year for the Badgers, and they looked great in their win vs. Florida. Frank Kaminsky has been unstoppable this year, and he can play inside out. I saw him in high school at a holiday tournament in Chicago, and he was phenomenal
8. Wichita St
I don't care what people say about them having an easy schedule or getting lucky last year, they are a great TEAM. I emphasize that word team because of the way they play together. I don't think there are 5 teams I would like to play less than this team. One of the best PGs in the country is Fred Van Vleet. He is an Illinois kid, from Rockford, and I happened to see one of his high school games in a Chicago area holiday tournament (yes, the same one). He was phenomenal, and dominated the game, almost beating the 2nd best team in the state despite having no help from his teammates. Ron Baker and Cleanthony Early are stars, and they really stretch you out with the way they can shoot from anywhere.
6 top players in the country right now
1. Marcus Smart, Oklahoma St
Smart is a like the Derrick Rose of college basketball. Except he's not hurt. If I had the number one pick in the NBA draft next year, I would draft him.
2. Julius Randle, Kentucky
He reminds of a lefty Lebron, except for more of a big man. The way he gets in the lane is astounding, and he is a great rebounder.
3. Andrew Wiggins, Kansas
Kevin Durant-like. He just needs to add some weight, but he is 6-8 and a great dunker, driver and shooter.
4. Gary Harris, Michigan St
The next Ray Allen. Seems like it to me. One of the best shooters in the country, and is an unbelievable athlete.
5. CJ Fair, Syracuse
A forward from Syracuse, Fair can shoot, rebound, and score. He is a lefty who can hit the three and has a really nice touch.
6. Shabazz Napier, UConn
Napier is a shifty point guard who can pass and score, and has led UConn to an undefeated season so far.
4 best conferences in the country right now
1. Big Ten
The Big 10 includes 3 of my top 8: Ohio St, Michigan St, and Wisconsin. Behind them are ranked Iowa, underrated Penn St and Illinois, and two very underrated young teams. Indiana is young and inexperienced but will be a top 25 team by the end of the year and contend for a league title. Michigan has tons of talent including two first round picks, Glenn Robinson III (not RGIII, its GRIII) and Mitch McGary.
2. ACC
The ACC starts with Syracuse, the top team in the country in my opinion, and they are followed by North Carolina, who is a top 12 team in my opinion, Pittsburg, Virginia, and top 10 Duke.
3. PAC-12
The PAC is very deep, with Arizona at the top, but includes top 15 Oregon, and ranked Colorado.
4. BIG-12
The Big 12 includes Baylor with Cory Jefferson and Issiah Austin, Kansas with Andrew Wiggins, and a very talented Iowa St team. And don't forget top 5 Oklahoma St.
2 best home court advantages in the country right now
1. Duke
Every year. The "Cameron Crazies" will be crazy again this year, and are already crazy about Jabari Parker, their top young freshmen
2. North Carolina
The program is back after an average 2012-2013. The fans are excited about young PG Marcus Paige, and PF James McAdoo.
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