This topic contains 12 replies, has 6 voices, and was last updated by 
KreedOne 14 years, 11 months ago.
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- Posted on: Sat, 07/23/2011 - 5:31am #32038
SubZeroParticipantThis past college season, there was really no clear cut favorite. People had their doubts about each of the top teams. This coming year, though, it seems to me that there will be 2 teams that will be head and shoulders above the rest:North Carolina and Kentucky. I just don’t see any team out there as talented and well balanced as North Carolina. Harrison Barnes, John Henson, Tyler Zeller, Kendall Marshall, Dexter Strickland, Leslie McDonald, Reggie Bullock are all returning. James McAdoo and PJ Hairston are both great Freshman coming in that will make a huge impact. The skill is there, but they also have the leadership from college veteran Tyler Zeller and Sophomore Harrison Barnes. Kentucky’s season will rely mainly on the play of Jones and Davis, and if they can shoot from outside better than years past. The one thing we lacked 2 years ago was outside shooting, which was the main reason we got knocked out of the tournament. Shooting was one of our strong suits, and that was one reason we made it to the Final 4 this past season. If we can shoot as well or better as last year, Kentucky has the chance to be special.
There are a few teams that could jump onto their level, though. Syracuse definitely has plenty of talent and leadership, but I don’t know if they have the stardom needed to be elite. Duke definitely has the skill and starpower with Rivers, but the majority of their season will rely on the play of their incoming Freshman class with Rivers, Hairston, and Plumlee. Louisville is an interesting case. With Siva, Kuric, Swopshire, Smith, Buckles, Marra, and the addition of Blackshear and Behanan, this could be a #1 seed come tourney time. However, it will be interesting to find out where the leadership will come after the departure of Knowles. Will Blackshear come in right away and be the #1 guy, or will Siva finally mature and step up as the team leader? Also, Baylor definitely could make that jump to elite status this year. With Perry Jones, Quincy Acy, Anthony Jones, and AJWalton, along with the arrivals of freshman Quincy Miller and Deuce Bello,they could be a very dangerous matchup for the top teams.
Thoughts?
0 - Posted on: Sat, 07/23/2011 - 6:03am #576635
mikeyvthedonParticipantStand above all other teams. Last year was a major toss-up, it is maybe the first year where I had no real favorite at the beginning of the season. I think that Kentucky has a lot of talent coming back and coming in, they will be a terror in transition. I think defensively, their might not be a better team, although they are lacking bulk inside. However, North Carolina’s depth and talent is going to be really difficult to beat. I am not going to say they will go undefeated, because their are a lot of talented teams out there, but I have a feeling they may only lose a couple games. Come March, if they are healthy, there depth is unmatched. They have guards, size, shooting and experience. Really, as much as I would love to see Kentucky compete, UNC will be incredibly tough.
After those two, Ohio State definitely should be a major contender again. Jared Sullinger should more than likely be odds on favorite for Player of the Year, I expect him to be even better this year. DeShaun Thomas will step up, William Buford has a lot to prove and should have a really nice junior year. Their incoming freshman are decent, I do not see anyone stepping up to an All-Big 10 level this season, but they will make them a deeper team than last year.
Baylor has an incredible amount of talent, it is just about putting everything together. They could indeed be the favorite in the Big 12 if everyone gels and remains healthy. I expect Quincy Miller to make a big impact, I am thinking he might be their go to guy, even over Perry Jones and Quincy Acy. Duke will still be good, though Austin Rivers will eat his words (hope he was joking):
Syracuse, Louisville, Villanova and Pittsburgh will be the teams to beat in the Big East again, I have to say I still like Pittsburgh to finish with the best record in the conference. Big East is still the deepest conference out there, they will have a number of teams in the tourney again and I think Marquette, St. John’s and even UCONN to have very nice seasons. Of course I also think highly of Florida, UCLA (Pac-12) and Memphis (C-USA). I expect UCLA and Memphis to be the best teams in their respective conferences. Should be a great year, and the ultimate hope of course would be if Kentucky and UNC both live up to expectations and meet in a championship. Anything could happen in March, though.
0 - Posted on: Sat, 07/23/2011 - 6:03am #576436
mikeyvthedonParticipantStand above all other teams. Last year was a major toss-up, it is maybe the first year where I had no real favorite at the beginning of the season. I think that Kentucky has a lot of talent coming back and coming in, they will be a terror in transition. I think defensively, their might not be a better team, although they are lacking bulk inside. However, North Carolina’s depth and talent is going to be really difficult to beat. I am not going to say they will go undefeated, because their are a lot of talented teams out there, but I have a feeling they may only lose a couple games. Come March, if they are healthy, there depth is unmatched. They have guards, size, shooting and experience. Really, as much as I would love to see Kentucky compete, UNC will be incredibly tough.
After those two, Ohio State definitely should be a major contender again. Jared Sullinger should more than likely be odds on favorite for Player of the Year, I expect him to be even better this year. DeShaun Thomas will step up, William Buford has a lot to prove and should have a really nice junior year. Their incoming freshman are decent, I do not see anyone stepping up to an All-Big 10 level this season, but they will make them a deeper team than last year.
Baylor has an incredible amount of talent, it is just about putting everything together. They could indeed be the favorite in the Big 12 if everyone gels and remains healthy. I expect Quincy Miller to make a big impact, I am thinking he might be their go to guy, even over Perry Jones and Quincy Acy. Duke will still be good, though Austin Rivers will eat his words (hope he was joking):
Syracuse, Louisville, Villanova and Pittsburgh will be the teams to beat in the Big East again, I have to say I still like Pittsburgh to finish with the best record in the conference. Big East is still the deepest conference out there, they will have a number of teams in the tourney again and I think Marquette, St. John’s and even UCONN to have very nice seasons. Of course I also think highly of Florida, UCLA (Pac-12) and Memphis (C-USA). I expect UCLA and Memphis to be the best teams in their respective conferences. Should be a great year, and the ultimate hope of course would be if Kentucky and UNC both live up to expectations and meet in a championship. Anything could happen in March, though.
0 - Posted on: Sat, 07/23/2011 - 6:20am #576649
jeff416ParticipantI think Memphis and Ohio State will be in there too. Ohio State has the best big in the nation and a great supporting cast. And Memphis is loaded, and have lots of guys that could have breakout years.
But I think Siva will be the go to guy for Louisville, and I think he will have a breakout year this year.
0 - Posted on: Sat, 07/23/2011 - 6:20am #576450
jeff416ParticipantI think Memphis and Ohio State will be in there too. Ohio State has the best big in the nation and a great supporting cast. And Memphis is loaded, and have lots of guys that could have breakout years.
But I think Siva will be the go to guy for Louisville, and I think he will have a breakout year this year.
0 - Posted on: Sat, 07/23/2011 - 6:22am #576651
hiphopismylifeParticipantUNC has everything you’d want in a group coming into a season.
Yeah MikeyV Baylor will really be interesting. On one hand I could see Perry Jones doing what his coach said is possible, which is follow up a very promising freshman year with a monster sophomore one ( He compared it to what Blake Griffin did at OU). But he’s also had a rep for underachieving, and i’ve found that most the time, great players will be great. This year will say a lot about his future.
Then in the case of Quincy Miller, you have a guy who is the opposite in the sense that he brings it and is a guy who’s always productive on the court and full of confidence and aggressiveness. But he also has a serious injury he’s recovering from. So some things are still up in the air with that squad.
I think there will be a lot more complete teams this season. Syracuse is loaded in the backcourt. Has anyone gotten an update about Dion Waiters??
0 - Posted on: Sat, 07/23/2011 - 6:22am #576452
hiphopismylifeParticipantUNC has everything you’d want in a group coming into a season.
Yeah MikeyV Baylor will really be interesting. On one hand I could see Perry Jones doing what his coach said is possible, which is follow up a very promising freshman year with a monster sophomore one ( He compared it to what Blake Griffin did at OU). But he’s also had a rep for underachieving, and i’ve found that most the time, great players will be great. This year will say a lot about his future.
Then in the case of Quincy Miller, you have a guy who is the opposite in the sense that he brings it and is a guy who’s always productive on the court and full of confidence and aggressiveness. But he also has a serious injury he’s recovering from. So some things are still up in the air with that squad.
I think there will be a lot more complete teams this season. Syracuse is loaded in the backcourt. Has anyone gotten an update about Dion Waiters??
0 - Posted on: Sat, 07/23/2011 - 6:24am #576655
hiphopismylifeParticipantYeah Memphis has a really special collection of wings, despite losing Jelan Kendrick last year. I expect a huge jump from them. A year from now they could be the favorite.
0 - Posted on: Sat, 07/23/2011 - 6:24am #576456
hiphopismylifeParticipantYeah Memphis has a really special collection of wings, despite losing Jelan Kendrick last year. I expect a huge jump from them. A year from now they could be the favorite.
0 - Posted on: Sat, 07/23/2011 - 8:54am #576534
NJHooper95ParticipantUconn lost a great player in Kemba Walker, but a great one is emerging in Jeremy Lamb. Not to mention Shabazz Napier, Alex Oriahki, Roscoe Smith, and incoming recuits DeAndre Daniels and Ryan Boatright. Alot of talent on the wings and great speed at the point guard position
0 - Posted on: Sat, 07/23/2011 - 8:54am #576734
NJHooper95ParticipantUconn lost a great player in Kemba Walker, but a great one is emerging in Jeremy Lamb. Not to mention Shabazz Napier, Alex Oriahki, Roscoe Smith, and incoming recuits DeAndre Daniels and Ryan Boatright. Alot of talent on the wings and great speed at the point guard position
0 - Posted on: Sat, 07/23/2011 - 12:04pm #576843
KreedOneParticipantDoes anyone know when exactly the NCAA season is gonna start? Its really all i can look forward too since the lockout
0 - Posted on: Sat, 07/23/2011 - 12:04pm #576644
KreedOneParticipantDoes anyone know when exactly the NCAA season is gonna start? Its really all i can look forward too since the lockout
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