This season, the college game can be summed up in one word…parity. Before their loss to Florida State, Duke may have been the unanimous #1 team by the voters, but there are plenty of other teams that could be cutting down the nets in Houston, Texas on April 4th. With the beginning of conference play just getting under way, here is look at things at the mid-season mark.

Contenders

#1 Duke Blue Devils 15-1, 2-1 ACC

The reigning champs may have lost their stud freshman in Kyrie Irving for the season with a nasty case of turf toe that could require surgery but they’ve hardly missed a beat.  Emerging Player of the Year candidate, 6’2 senior Nolan Smith, Has stepped up his game and averaged 24.8Pts 6.0Reb 6.0Ast while hitting 55% of his field goals, 55% of his 3’s, and 84% of his free throws while playing lockdown defense in the 6 games since Irving went down. Duke also has 6’8 senior All American Kyle Singler (17.9Pts 6.1Reb 2.3 3’s 40%) to fall back on. Add in sharpshooters, 6’3 sophomore Seth Curry (7.7Pts 1.5 3’s 45%) and 6’4 sophomore Andre Dawkins (11.7Pts 2.5 3’s 53%), and Duke has the guard play to beat anyone. Their one wekness could be their frontline as 6’10 sophomore Mason Plumlee (7.4Pts 7.6Reb 1.6Blk), and brother 6-10 junior Miles Plumlee (5.7Pts 5.1Reb) are solid but not spectacular big men.

#2 Ohio State Buckeyes 16-0, 3-0 Big 10

Ohio State has all the ingredients to take home the title. They have veteran guard play in 6’5, 5th year senior David Lighty (13.1Pts 4Reb 3.6Ast 1.8Stl 1.83’s 46%), 6’5 junior William Buford (13.3Pts 4.1Reb 3.7Ast) and 6’6 junior Jon Diebler is one of the best shooters in the nation (12.2Pts 3.1 3’s 50%). They have the best freshman in the country in 6’9 Jared Sullinger (17.9Pts 10.Reb 59%FG), and fellow freshmen 6’6 Deshaun Thomas (10.2Pts 4.9Reb) and 6’2 Aaron Craft (5.5Pts 5.1Ast 1.8Stl) give them depth off the bench. Experience is their greatest asset however as Lighty has played in 136 games and was a member of the 2006-07 team that went 35-4 and lost to Florida in the title game, and Diebler and Buford have played in 123 and 85 games respectively.

#3 Kansas Jayhawks 15-0, 0-0 Big 12

The Jayhawks are another team that have everything it takes to cut down the nets come April. The Morris twins, 6’9 Marcus (15.7Pts 6.3Reb 59%FG) and 6’10 Markieff (12.9Pts 8.7Reb 56%FG) combine with 6’9 So. Thomas Robinson (9.2Pts 6.8reb 62%FG) to give the Jayhawks one of, if not the most, imposing front courts in the country. Junior guard, 6’3 Tyshawn Taylor, is staring to mesh with the explosive freshman, 6’3 Josh Selby (13.3Pts 3.8Ast), and has averaged 13.5Pts and 5.5Ast over his past 2 games.

#4 Syracuse Orangemen 16-0, 3-0 Big East

Syracuse showed just how good they are in their 61-56 win at Seton Hall on Saturday. They had 15 turnovers, went 17-34 from the free throw line and made just 6-17 3 pointers, but still managed to squeak out a win on the road. With guards Scoop Jardine (13.8Pts 6.1Ast 1.8Stl), Brandon Triche (9.7Pts 3.2Ast), and go to guy Kris Joseph (15.1Pts 5.4Reb 1.4Stl), the Orangemen are very solid in the back court. Rick Jackson (13.2Pts 11.9Reb 2.5Blk) is among the leaders in rebounds and mans the frontline for the undefeated Orangemen.

#5 Pittsburgh Panthers 15-1, 3-0 Big East

The Panthers play suffocating defense and are another very deep, experienced and talented team. 6’2 junior Ashton Gibbs (16.4Pts 3.8Ast 3.2 3’s 46%) leads the way and is joined in the back court by 6’4 senior Brad Wanamaker (12.9Pts 4.9Reb 5.3Ast 1.7Stl). 6’6 junior, Gilbert Brown 911.6Pts 4.7Reb 3.2Ast) mans the wing, and 6’10 senior, Gary McGhee (6.8Pts 7.2Reb 1.5Blk) and 6’9 sophomore, Dante Taylor (7.1Pts 5.4Reb 1.1Blk) are beasts down low. Playing 18 games in the Big east , plus the conference tourney, will do nothing but make this team that much scarier to face come March.

#7 Villanova Wildcats 14-3, 3-0 Big East

Guard play is a big key to winning games in the tourney and Villanova has 3 great ones. Led by seniors 6’5 Corey Stokes (16.6Pts 3.2 3’s 93%FT) and 6’1 Corey Fisher (15.1Pts 4.8Ast 1.7Stl 80%FT) and 6’2 sophomore Malik Wayns (13.1Pts 5.6Ast 1.3Stl 83%FT), the Wildcats are set in the back court. 6’8 senior Antonio Pena (9.8Pts 7.3Reb 1Blk) and 6’10 sophomore Mouphtaou Yarou (8.5Pts 7.2reb 1.3Blk) supply the muscle down low.

#16 Illinois Fighting Illini 13-3, 3-0 Big 10

Illinois returned almost the entire team from last year and is led by 6’3 senior Demetri mcCamey (15.8Pts 7.1Ast 2.3 3’s 52%). The frontline consists of 2 seniors in 6’9 Mike Davis (11.0Pts 6.8Reb 1.1Blk) and 7’1 Mike Tisdale (10.3Pts 7.5Reb 1.5Blk) and sophomores, 6’3 DJ Richardson (11.0Pts 2.2 3’s 45%) and 6’4 Brandon Paul (7.7Pts 2.8Reb) join McCamey in the back court. 6’7 freshman, Jereme Richmond 97.5Pts 4.5Reb), has played well this year as his defense as allowed him to play opposing team’s power forwards to free up Davis and Tisdale down low. The Illini have had some consistency issues, especially with Paul and Richardson, but could make a run in the tournament if those 2 step up their game.

#14 Missouri Tigers 14-2 0-1 Big 12

The Tigers may be the one team no one wants to play came March. They play the game at such a frenetic pace that even if you win, you will probably be too spent for the next one. They attack you on offense led by  6’3 junior, Marcus Denmon (17Pts 2Stl 2.9 3’s 49%), 6’1 junior, Michael Dixon (11.4Pts 4.9Ast 2.3Stl), 6’6 junior, and Kim English (10.8Pts 1.9 3’s 40% 1.7Stl). 6’8 juniors Laurence Bowers (12.2Pts 6.1Reb 2.4Blk) and Ricardo ratliffe (11.4Pts 7.0Reb 1.3Blk) wreak havoc down low. They are extremely athletic and attack you on defense as much as offense as they are among the leaders in steals at over 11 per game.

Baylor Bears 12-3, 2-0 Big 12

Baylor isn’t ranked right now but this is a team that made it to the Final Four last season. They lost Epke Udoh to the NBA but replaced him with 6’10 Perry Jones, who has put up 47Pts 13Reb 5Stl while shooting 18-22 from the floor through the first 2 conference games. LaceDarius Dunn is averaging 22.5Pts while hitting almost 4 3’s a game and 6’7 Quincey Acy (13.9Pts 7.9Reb 1.3Blk) teams with 6’10 Anthony Jones (8.2Pts 5.2Reb) to give Baylor a formidable frontline.

Michigan State Spartans 11-5, 3-1 Big 10

The Spartans have had their struggles this season but are starting to put it together in conference play. They had a big win against Wisconsin on Tuesday as 6’6 junior Draymond Green had 26Pts 9Reb and 4Ast while senior All American Kalin Lucas added 17Pts and 6Ast. Michigan State is deep, experienced, and coach Tom Izzo always has his team ready in March.

Not Sold on…

#6 San Diego State Aztecs

The Aztecs are 17-0 and one of the last unbeaten teams and ranked 6th in the country but I am not sold on them. They haven’t really been tested so far and bad free throw shooting and inexperience are major concerns for the tourney.

#8 Purdue Boilermakers

Depth is the main concern here. The Boilermakers are essentially a 2 man team with E’twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson accounting for more than half their points. Shut one of them down, and it’s goodnight for the Boilermakers.

#9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre dame has the experience as they feature an all senior starting 5. They can shoot the 3 but also live and die by it. They are not an athletic team and can get manhandled down low by bigger teams.

#10 Connecticut Huskies

Kemba Walker is awesome but he needs help. Pitt showed that if you contain Walker, Uconn is in trouble.

#11 BYU Cougars

Same as above. Jimmer Fredette can carry a team far into the tourney  and hasn’t had a bad game yet. But if he slips, even a little, in the tourny, it is game over for BYU.

#12 Texas Longhorns

Texas has a lot of weapons in Jordan Hamilton, Gary Johnson and Tristan Thompson. That frontline is as good as anybody’s. But being led by a freshman PG in Cory Joseph doesn’t usually work out well in March.

#13 Kentucky Wildcats

These guys are getting better and building chemistry as the season goes on but last year’s team was better and couldn’t get it done. There are so many teams being led by experienced players this season that I just don’t see a freshmen laden team going very far.

#22 Georgetown Hoyas

The Hoya’s can shoot it as good as anyone, but if they get cold, as has been the case recently, they have nothing to fall back on.

How About Some Cinderella’s?

For years it was Gonzaga, last year it was Cornell and Northern Iowa trying on the slipper. Who can make a run this season and put heir school on the map and on some radars?

Oakland Golden Grizzlies 11-8, 6-0 Summitt

Coach Greg Kampe wanted his team to play the best teams available to be ready for another tournament appearance. He went out and put together one of the toughest non conference schedules in the country and although they didn’t fare as well as he had hoped, it could pay huge dividends come March. They lost 67-82 to Purdue, 63-74 to Illinois, 76-77 Michigan State, won 89-82 at Tennessee, then got crushed 63-92 to Ohio State to finish off the madness. 6’11 senior, Keith Benson (16.9Pts 10.3Reb 3.6Blk) and 6’9 senior Will Hudson (13.1Pts 7.0Reb 1.2Blk) make up a strong front line. 5’11 senior, Reggie Hamilton (14.8Pts 4.8Ast 2.5 3’s 38%) and 6’2 senior Larry Wright (9.6Pts 4.1Reb 3.4Ast) form a solid back court and the Golden grizzlies are an experienced group that won’t be intimidated in the tournament.

Harvard Crimson 11-3, 1-0 Ivy League

Jeremy Lin is gone but the Crimson are still a dangerous team. They lead the nation in free throw shooting (82%) and are solid inside and out. 6’8 junior Keith Wright (15.0Pts 8.8Reb 1.6Blk) is their man option down low and 6’5 Christian Webster (14.1Pts 1.9 3’s 36%), 6’5 Laurent Rivard (12.3Pts 2.2Ast), 6’3 oliver McNally (10.1Pts 3.4Ast 1.5 3’s 46%) and 6’1 Brandyn Curry (9.1Pts 5.9Ast 1.4Stl) are all capable scorers.

St. Mary’s Gaels 14-2, 2-0 West Coast

The Gaels have supplanted the Zags of Gonzaga as the team to beat in the West Coast conference this season. They lost by just one point (73-74) to BYU and feature 2 players who average 6+ assists a game in 6’0 senior Mickey McConnell (14.4Pts 6.1Ast 2.7 3’s 48% 91%FT) and 6’4 sophomore Matt Dellavedova (13.1Pts 6.1Ast 2.1 3’s 39% 90%FT). 6’6 junior Rob Jones (13.8Pts 6.8Reb 1.7 3’s 36%) plays inside and out but they are not big down low as 6’9 sophomore Mitchell Young (11.4Pts 4.9Reb 66%FG) leads a relatively weak frontline. The gaels rank 7th in scoring at 85Pts per game and 4th in 3 pointers made at 9.9.

Iona Gaels 10-6, 4-1 MAC

Another Gaels’ could make a run of their own as Iona can flat out score and hang with anyone. They came up just short in their 77-83 loss to Syracuse as 6’7 junior, Michael Glover (21.4Pts 10.1Reb 67%FG) had 25Pts and 16Reb while 6’1 junior, Scott Machado (14.1Pts 5.1Reb 8.4Ast 1.8Stl) had 11Pts and 13Ast. 6’4 sophomore, Kyle Smyth (12.3Pts 2.7 3’s 41%) and 5’11 junior, Jermel Jenkins, (9.2Pts 3.2Ast 2.1 3’s 38%) can light it up from downtown in a hurry as they did earlier in the year against Albany when the 2 combined to go 15-24 from beyond the arc.

Drexel Dragons 10-4, 2-2 Colonial Athletic

Drexel is an intriguing team because of the defense they play. They only allow 58.5Pts per game and managed to hold Louisville to just 46 in their 52-46 win. 6’s sophomore, Chris Fouch leads the team in scoring at 17.6Pts and is a deadly shooter from downtown (3.1-39%). 6’5 junior, Samme Givens is an unbelievable rebounder (12.1Pts 10.9Reb) for his size and the frontline is bolstered by 6’8 250lb freshman, Dartaye Ruffin (7.2Pts 6.6Reb 53%FG) and 6’9 270lb sophomore, Daryle McCoy (6.9Pts 8.4Reb 62%FG). They don’t possess a lot of shooting but their defense could carry them to a win or 2 in the tournament. Of course, they have to get their first.

Who are the Best Players in All the Land?

Much Like there being no clear cut favorite to win the championship, the Player of the Year chase is up for grabs as well. Uconn’s Kemba Walker and BYU’s Jimmer Fredette have been filling the box scores all season long and have both led their teams to top 12 rankings while having little help. Recently, a 3rd player has entered the race as Duke’s Nolan Smith has emerged as the leader of the top ranked Blue Devils and is taking over games as of late. You also can’t count out Ohio State freshman Jared Sullinger or Kansas junior Marcus Morris.

1st Team All American

Jimmer Fredette 6’2 Sr. BYU 26.1Pts 3.4Reb 4.4Ast 1.3Stl 48%FG 3.2 3’s 41% 90%FT

With his 47Pt outburst against Utah Tuesday, Fredette overtook Kemba as the nation’s scoring leader and is averaging 29.6Pts over his last 9 games. He went for 33Pts 9Reb and 3Ast in a 87-65 win over Arizona and dropped 39Pts 6Reb 5Ast while hitting 7 3’s in a big win over UNLV, 89-77. The senior who went back and forth about entering the draft last year is clearly a man among boys this season and his decision will end paying off big time.

Kemba Walker 6’1 Jr. Uconn  25.8Pts 5.4Reb 3.7Ast 2.4Stl 46%FG 2.1 3’s 36% 84%FT

Kemba seems to be running out of gas a little as the season goes on. After starting out averaging 29.1Pts on 53% shooting over his first 7 games, and hitting big shot after big shot, he has cooled down a bit to 21.9Pts and 40% over his last 8 as teams are throwing everything they have at him. He is still 2nd in the nation in scoring, has his team ranked 10th after starting the season unranked, and hit another game winning shot against Texas in the Huskies 82-81 win on the road.

Nolan Smith 6’2 Sr. Duke 19.5Pts 5.0Reb 5.7Ast 1.0Stl 51%FG 1.5 3’s 39% 80%FT

When top recruit, and leading scorer Kyrie Irving was lost for the season, some air was let out at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Nolan Smith sucked all of it up and has had a breakout season for the Dukies. Since Irving went down, he has averaged 24.8Pts 6Reb 6Ast and has shot 55% from the floor and hitting 37-44 (84%) of his free throws.

Jared Sullinger 6’9 Fr. Ohio State 17.9Pts 10.3Reb 1.1Ast 1.2Stl 59%FG 72%FT

Considering the talent that Sullinger has around him, the numbers he is putting up are even more impressive than they look. On arguably the deepest team in the country, Sullinger leads the team in scoring and rebounding and has held his own against some of the best big men in the game. He had 30Pts and 19Reb against Sam Muldrow and South Carolina, 16Pts 9reb against Keith Benson and Oakland and 15Pts and 12Reb against Trevor Mbekwe and Minnesota. He also dropped 40Pts and 13Reb against IUPUI and had 24Pts and 12Reb in his last game against Iowa.

Derrick Williams 6’8 So. Arizona 19.1Pts 7.1Reb 1.1Stl 66%FG 1.0 3’s 71% 71%FT

Derrick Williams doesn’t miss many shots. On the season, he has hit 15-22 3’s and went 29-31 from the free throw line over a recent 3 game span. He had 27Pts and 8Reb against the Morris twins in a 79-87 loss to Kansas and dropped 31Pts and 12Reb in a 73-71 win over California. Arizona will contend for the Pac 10 title while riding the shoulders of the big man.

2nd Team All American

Alec Burks 6’5 So. Colorado 19.5Pts 5.0Reb 2.3Ast 0.9Stl 49%FG 36% 3P 82%FT

The long and lanky sophomore is quickly becoming one of the top guards in the country. He took the Buffaloes on his back Saturday lifting them to an upset victory over Missouri with 36Pts and 8Reb. Burks has the versatility to play either guard position and has the poise and consistency of a senior. The Buffaloes are quietly off to a 13-4 record behind their talented sophomore.

JuJaun Johnson 6’10 Sr. Purdue 19.4Pts 8.3Reb 1.1Ast 1.0Stl 2.5Blk 50%FG 77%FT

Johnson has been solid all season long but has really stepped up the defense in Big 10 play. Over his first 4 conference games, he is averaging 18Pts 9.3Reb and 3.3Blk as Purdue has started out 4-0. He has 6 double doubles this season and has scored in double digits every game.

Jordan Hamilton 6’7 So. Texas 19.6Pts 7.1Reb 2.3Ast 0.9Stl 46%FG 2.8 3’s 42% 72%FT

Hamilton has played his best games against some of the best teams. He had 25Pts 7Reb in a 90-84 win over Illinois, 24Pts 10Reb 4-7 from 3 in a 73-68 win over UNC, 21Pts 8Reb 3Ast 3-8 from 3 in a 67-55 win over Michigan State, and had 28Pts 8Reb while hitting 5-8 3’s in a 66-68 loss to Pittsburgh. He has Texas ranked 12th and headed in the right direction after one of the biggest collapses in recent memory last season.

Rick Jackson 6’9 Sr. Syracuse 13.2Pts 11.9Reb 2.7Ast 1.1Stl 2.3Blk 56%FG 51%FT

Rick Jackson has also stepped up his defense even more so as of late. Over his last 4 games, he is averaging 11.3Pts 12Reb 4Ast and 3.8Blk as Syracuse remains one of last 5 unbeaten teams. He had 12Pts 5Reb and 6Blk in a 70-58 win over Notre Dame, 17Pts 16Reb in a 72-58 win over Michigan State, and 15Pts 12Reb 4Ast and 5Blk against a very good Drexel team. With Syracuse’s outstanding guard play, Rick can just man the paint and do all the dirty work.

Ashton Gibbs 6’2 Jr. Pittsburgh 16.4Pts 2.3Reb 3.8Ast 46%FG 3.2 3’s 46% 88%FT

There are plenty of candidates for the final spot here. DeMetry McCamey, Kawhi Leonard, Marcus Morris, Marshon Brooks, E’Twaun Moore to name a few. I am taking Gibbs…Mr. Clutch. In Pittsburgh’s 68-66 win over Texas, Gibbs had 19 of his 24 points in the second half including a back breaking 3 with 1:24 left, and 2 game seasling free throws with 23 seconds left. He had 21Pts 7Ast and hit 3-6 from 3 in their 78-63 win over UConn while helping to hold Kamba Walker to 10-27 shooting. He also had 19Pts 5Ast and hit 5-8 from 3 in their 89-81 win over Marquette. Pitt is a legitimate title contender and Gibbs is the proven leader of this team.

How is the Freshman Class Doing?

Glad you asked. This year’s freshmen class has been stellar as many of them have been asked to carry teams that are ranked among the top 25. Both Kentucky and Memphis feature a trio of Freshmen leading the way, Texas boasts 2 of their own, and both Ohio State and Kansas feature 2 studs helping them stay among the undefeated ranks.

All Freshmen Team

Brandon Knight 6’3 Kentucky 17.7Pts 3.5Reb 4.0Ast 47%FG 2.3 3’s 39% 77%FT

The Kentucky offense flows through Knight and the freshman is averaging 35 minutes a game while leading the team in assists and was leading in scoring until last night…more on that later. He had 25Pts on 4-7 from 3 in a 78-63 win over Louisville and has scored in double figures 15-16 games this season.

Tristan Thompson 6’8 Texas 12.2Pts 7.9Reb 1.3Stl 2.0Blk 52%FG 48%FT

Thompson is an excellent defender but also has shown the ability to be a solid offensive weapon. He had 20Pts 7reb 4Ast 3Stl and 5Blk in a 90-84 win over Illinois, 17Pts 15Reb and 3Blk in a 67-55 win over Michigan State and 11Pts 6Reb and 3Blk against a tough Pitt team in their 66-68 loss.

Jared Sullinger 6’9 Ohio State 17.9Pts 10.3Reb 1.2Stl 59%FG 72%FT

Sullinger is leading the #2 team in the nation in points and rebounds and is also a candidate for Player of the Year. The 6’9 280lb freshman is an extremely aggressive player  a la Amare Stoudemire and could be the top pick in the draft.

Terrence Jones 6’8 Kentucky 18.7Pts 9.2Reb 1.1Stl 1.8Blk 48%FG 62%FT

Terrence Jones dropped 35Pts 8Reb 3Stl 2Blk and hit 4-5 from 3 in Tuesday’s 78-54 rout of Auburn and he is now the leading scorer on the Wildcats. He had 27Pts 17Reb and 2Blk in 72-58 win over Notre dame, 16Pts 17Reb and 4Blk in a 74-67 win over Washington, and 24pts 4Reb and 2Blk in a 67-84 loss to Uconn. He should be a top 5 pick if he comes out this season.

Tobias Harris 6’8 Tennessee 15.5Pts 7.3Reb 1.5Ast 1.1Stl 1.0Blk 46%FG 74%FT

Tennessee is struggling this season and Harris has been one of the few bright spots. He had 17Pts 13Reb and 2Blk in 21 minutes in a 104-84 rout of Memphis 2 games ago and had 21Pts and 11Reb his last game, a 65-68 loss to Arkansas. Harris, who patterns his game after Carmelo Anthony, has had 4 double doubles over his last 7 games and is getting better as the season goes on.

What are the 8 Best Remaining Games to Watch?

Strange number, but a great question nonetheless. With the conference season kicking off, and having a good feel about the top teams, here are the best remaining games left on the schedule….

#2 Ohio State at #16 Illinois January 22nd

Illini fans remember the loss Ohio State laid on them back in 2005 when Illinois entered the final game of the regular season 29-0 and wound up losing 64-65 in Columbus. The Buckeyes could be 19-0 and headed for an undefeated regular season themselves but will have to get through this one in Champaign where the Illini hardly lose.

#1 Duke at UNC, March 5th

The ACC is weak this year and Duke is by far, the best team. UNC has been a disappointment of sorts but they are still a talented team with a frontline that could manhandle Duke. Even when one team is significantly better than the other, this series has a history of being interesting.

#6 San Diego State at #11 BYU, January 26th

The Aztecs are led by 6’7 sophomore Kawhi Leonard (15.9Pts 9.6Reb) and 6’9 senior Malcolm Thomas (12.3Pts 7.6Reb 2.2Blk) and are currently one of the 5 undefeated teams at 17-0. BYU has the best scorer in the country in Jimmer Fredette (26.1Pts) and this one will be for the top spot in the Mountain West.

#3 Kansas at #15 Missouri, March 5th

This will be the last game for both before heading into the conference tournament. Missouri is as fast, deep and talented as any team there is and will put Kansas through 40 minutes of hell in this one. A win here by the Tigers could give them the confidence to have a big tourney.

#4 Syracuse at #5 Pittsburgh, January 17th

The Big Eats is scary this year with 8 teams being ranked in the top 25 and these 2 are arguably the best. This could be a precursor to a final 4 match up, or even a title game match up. Both teams are experienced and have excellent guard play.

#7 Villanova at #4 Syracuse, January 22nd

Same as above. Villanova is also a title contender and the trio of Stokes/Fisher/Wayns is as good as is it gets in the backcourt.

#2 Ohio State at #8 Purdue, February 19th

If Ohio State gets by the Illini, they could be 26-0 heading into this one. The match up between Jared Sullinger and JuJaun Johnson would be worth the price of admission alone, but he game itself should have a tourney feel to it as well.

#19 Temple at #1 Duke, February 23rd

This is a strange one. Right in the middle of their ACC schedule, Temple will make a visit to Cameron Indoor Stadium and could put an end to Duke’s losing streak. Temple is one of the best defensive teams in the nation and beat Georgetown 68-65 while coming up just short against Villanova, 74-78. Coach k could regret scheduling this one.