College Basketball Overview

The two weeks between the NFL Conference Championships and the Super Bowl always seems to be the perfect time to catch up on what is happening in college basketball. I watch and follow the first couple months of the season, obviously, but my focus is usually more directed at the NFL and college football. Besides, in today’s game where there are so many early departures and impact freshmen on the top teams, the team you see in November and December usually does not resemble the team you see come March. I see analysts all the time get hooked on a team by their performance in December, or conversely write off a team by their lousy performance in the early parts of the season, only to be asking themselves what happened when the team proves their expectations wrong.

The NCAA Tournament often comes down to match-ups, but right now I see two teams that are clearly head and shoulders above the rest of the field and both look to be equipped for any match-up. Kansas and Kentucky both have elite guards, NBA ready big-men and athletic, gifted wings to round out their teams. I would give the slight edge right now to Kansas because of the experience of Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, but each team has an X-factor that could put them above everyone. For Kentucky, that x-factor is John Wall. The sensational freshman point guard has lived up to all the hype and looks like the consensus first pick in next year’s NBA draft, but does he have a level we haven’t seen yet? With Patrick Patterson and DeMarcus Cousins patrolling the paint, Eric Bledsoe, Darnell Dodson and others running the break on the wings, if Wall can elevate his game even further I am not sure anyone can match up with these guys for 40 minutes. For Kansas, the x-factor to me is Xavier Henry, pardon the pun. You know what you are getting from Collins and Aldrich as well as the Morris brothers, Brady Morningstar and Tyshawn Taylor, but the key for the Jayhawks will be the play of their own sensational frosh. Henry started the season out very strongly but has cooled somewhat in conference play. If Henry can be the dynamic wing scorer he looked like early in the season, there could be another Rock-Chalk-Jayhawk title in the works.

As for some other top teams that have impressed me:

Syracuse – This team reminds me of the Carmelo Anthony championship team, with Wes Johnson playing the Carmelo role. Long and athletic in that 2-3 defense with multiple weapons on offense, this team will be tough come tournament time.

Michigan State – A clone of last year’s runner-up squad, Tom Izzo’s teams are always dangerous come tourney time.

Villanova – A typical Jay Wright team with great guard play, led by Scottie Reynolds, but could be beat if they run into a superior post player.

Georgetown – With the superstar trifecta of Chris Wright, Greg Monroe and Austin Freeman, this team can and will play with anyone. I often wonder if John Thompson III’s system hinders his own talent, however.

Texas - This team has struggled of late, but is still very talented and has a match-up nightmare in Damion James, a 6’7’’ forward that can do it all. Will need their young guards to play well to make a deep run.

Ohio State – Don’t let their record fool you, half of their losses occurred without do it all point guard Evan Turner, who has been the best player in college basketball to date. There’s always one team that makes a deep run on the back of a great player, and Ohio St. could be that team this year.

Louisville – Don’t count this team out as a darkhorse candidate to make a run to the Final Four. We all know how great Pitino has been and this team is still awfully talented with a dynamite post player in Samardo Samuels leading them. If this team gets on track, look out.

Other teams I have liked to date include Kansas State, Wisconsin, Temple, Butler and Siena.

Teams I have not been impressed with:

West Virginia – This is a typical Bob Huggins team that is long and athletic but not built for tournament success. Not enough shooters and undisciplined play could do this team in at some point.

Purdue – This team could make a deep run if it’s presented the right match-ups, but it could also be a short stay if presented the wrong one. The team lacks athleticism and a true playmaker. A healthy Lewis Jackson could be a big plus if he can return from injury.

Duke – Similar to Purdue, this team lacks elite athleticism and a true post threat. The right match-ups could easily have Duke in the Final Four, but just like recent history has shown, the wrong match-up could lead to another quick Duke exit.

Georgia Tech – Besides one miracle run, has Paul Hewitt led teams ever made noise in the tournament…This team is also frontcourt loaded and guards are needed to win come tournament time.

Other teams that I have not been impressed by include Gonzaga, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Clemson and the entire Pac 10.