Wake Forest has the roster of an NBA lineup. They are fast, athletic, and have lots of size with more seven footers than most teams even in the NBA. They have a freshman sensation in Georgia product Al-Farouq Aminu and the team's potential is larger than life. Through the first half of the season, the young boys from Winston Salem, showed their weaknesses and inconsistencies at times but also showed plenty of highlights and big time plays as they have gone beyond expectations. Wake Forest hasn't seen much action in the top 25 since the departure of CP3 but this year, all the right pieces have been formed to build a possible picture perfect ending. Not so fast. This team may roll deep in size and depth but none of them have any experience in the big dance. Wake Forest could see their season ending before talk of the sweet sixteen even begins. They will most likely get a five seed or higher in one of the four regions but within the first two rounds, a small town team from a smaller conference or an average team from a big conference will show these boys what it takes to be successful in tournament play.
Pittsburgh will stay on top of the nation in the regular season and will be the Big East regular season champs. What is the key to this team's success? They might not be the most talented squad in the conference, but they have big time veterans in Sam Young and Levance Fields. If there's any duo that's been in the NCAA longer than these fellas, it's Dicky V and Brad Nesslar. These seniors may have never reached the final four before, but this will be the year for the Panthers, as the tandem will lead the way in the tournament to go far and beyond. Championship? Not sure about all that, but a final four appearance is almost definite. Stay healthy, boys.
The PreSeason #1 Heels will not be regular season ACC champs nor will they win the ACC tournament. Is that what all you Tyler Hansbrough haters wanted to hear? Well, with the 0-2 start in the conference, UNC isn't exactly headed in the right direction but will get it together by conference tournament time and will be crowned the ACC tournament champs. Anyone remember what happened to Clemson a couple years back? Undefeated in non-conference play and then a complete meltdown in the second half of the season. UNC has too much talent for that to happen but it would be an interesting sight. Don't count on it.
NCAA basketball is very wide in talent and is almost unpredictable. Look at bracketology for instance. You never know when a George Mason will crawl up your back.
The possibilities and outcomes in college basketball is so vast and unlimited and therefore, it would be social suicide for me to try to put up an early prediction of all the conference champions and seedings but I will manage to find enough boldness to say who I expect to see in this year's final four.
The final fo.... Five
UNC: Tyler Hansbrough will lead his team to a second final four appearance, even if he has to single handedly do it. They were blasted last year in the semi final game to eventual tournament champions, the Kansas Jayhawks, and this year the Heels look to prove the nation that they are this year's best team.
Pittsburgh: Like I said, they aren't the most talented team in the league, if not in their own conference, but with big time players like seniors Sam Young and Levance Fields, the Panthers will be very successful in this years tournament and will be almost impossible to stop for nearly any team that steps in their way. Role players will be key. Sophomore DeJuan Blair better bring his big boy shorts.
UCONN: The Huskies will probably not win their conference but they will be sure to snag a ticket to the final four. This team is so diverse with size, athleticism, speed, and leadership. They have plenty of experience in the big dance and the upper classmen are going to really want it as this year will probably be their best possible shot before moving onto the real world. Freshman, Kemba Walker will have to keep playing to his high expectations. He may have first game jitters in round one, but after that, there are no excuses.
Michigan State: Izzo's crew has plenty of depth and plenty of leaders. Right now, they are firing on all cylinders against every opponent. Coach Tom Izzo really has his team going right now and the only thing that looks like it can stop them at the moment is academic probation and so far, the team seems to be attending class. Size will be an achilles heel for the Spartans but with plenty of skilled guards, they will be able to run up and down the court with an upbeat tempo, making it almost impossible to slow them down.
Duke: You got a coach who's name more than half his players probably can't even spell but the man is a legend. Say what you want to say about him, all you haters, but he was named Team USA's head coach for a reason. Coach K knows how to win. It's in his blood and this year's squad is one of the better teams he's had since the year he had JJ, Shelden, Dockery, and Ewing.
Yeah I cheated. I couldn't pick a final four so I picked a final five. I promise I'll have a true final four later on in the season when I'm more informed with seedings and everything but this is the best I can say for now.
Now here are my top ranked teams that are in the hunt for the final four but will most definitely not make it.
Wake Forest: As much as I'd hate to say it, but this talented young squad just isn't ready for the big time quite yet. Demon Deacons 2009-10 Final Four Champions!
Oklahoma: Blake Griffin is obviously a force but you've seen guys like him leading a team before. One man wrecking crew. He can do it all, but he alone will not be enough for the Sooners to make a trip to the final four this year and there is nothing Tony Crocker or Willie Warren can do about it. Recall Michael Beasley in 2008 (with Bill Walker), OJ Mayo in 2008 (with Taj Gibson and Davon Jefferson), and Kevin Durant in 2007 (with DJ Augustin and AJ Abrams).
Syracuse: Hall of Fame head coach Jim Boeheim has his team going in the right direction with a near perfect record. The team is loaded with talent and has one of the best active coaches in the nation. This team is very exciting to watch but the final four is just too far of a task for the Orange. I suggest giving Carmelo a call. I'm sure he'll be happy to lend a hand.
Clemson: They may be in the top 10 but in all honesty, when is the last time this team has ever been to the final four. Have they even been there before? Who's even on this team? I'm sure they'll go on a huge losing streak in conference play and be out of the top 25 soon anyway. Was that ignorant?
Georgetown: They have lost just too much talent in the past two seasons to replace within one recruiting class. The Hoyas will make a fair run of their own, but when the games get closer and the teams get stronger, the bulldogs of the north will only be able to do so much to determine their own destiny. John Thompson III will be sweating plenty this March. (Sorry Brian, truth hurts. Try not to cry this year)
Louisville: Pitino has a group that can play but not really play together. The talent that he's brought in over the years hasn't really been playing to its best extent. They got plenty of athletes but a set offense is almost nonexistent in Louisville's world. Back to the recruiting boards.
Games to watch this week.
Kentucky at Tennessee on Tuesday at 900 on ESPN. Neither team is in the top 25 but whenever these two SEC east teams face off, it's always exciting.
#3 Wake Forest at Boston College on Wednesday at 900. These two ACC teams face off as the only teams that have defeated UNC this year. Not interesting enough for you? You don't deserve to call yourself a college hoops fan.
#8 Syracuse at #12 Georgetown on Wednesday at 730 on ESPN 2. The Big East powers face off as both teams look to prove that they are the best team in the conference.
Arizona at #7 UCLA on Thursday at 1100. The inconsistent Wildcats could really use a win like this to help them get a spot in the tournament in March when selection sunday breaks down all the key wins for the bubble teams.
On Saturday, just turn on your tv, order a nice large pizza, call over some of your buddies, and enjoy big time games all day. It'll be a weekend well spent.
Don't hate the writer, I'm just the messenger.
-Jason Chong
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