With the NBA season off and running like the fine tuned machine that Mr. Stern likes it to be, my attention has turned to the non-pay to play (depending on what school you go to and your level of talent in the topsy-turvy world of NCAA allegations) scene. While I won’t dissect every squad in the top 25, I will touch on my favs and rant on my not so fav (Duke Bluedevils), and throw in my thoughts on the Maple Leaf raised players running the game down south. Anyone else notice that there is only one Pac 10 team in the top 25 early this season? Just think 4 1/2 months from now, it will be March Madness, the greatest three weeks of hoops bar none! My early picks for the FINAL FOUR: Kansas, Michigan State, Kentucky, UDub (bracket fans know you have to have an underdog!).
1 Kansas
2 Michigan State
3 Texas
4 Villanova
5 Kentucky- Coach Cal jumped ship from Memphis and took his crew of recruits with him to Lexington, helping push the ‘Cats to the top five. Led by all world point god John Wall, the Wildcats feature a nasty triangle with Pat Paterson running the wing and DeMarcus Cousins holding down the paint.
6 Purdue
7 Duke – I HATE DUKE……..VIDEO NOT SAFE FOR THE LIL BLUEDEVIL FAN IN YOUR HOUSE
8 West Virginia
9 Tennessee
10 Syracuse
11 North Carolina
12 Butler
13 Connecticut
14 Washington- The backcourt of Isiah Thomas and Abdul Gaddy is bound to drive opponents crazy as these two take turns pushing the tempo for the Huskies. Quincy Pondexter has posted some nasty stats in his last three games, hitting three straight double doubles, including a 30 point, 15 board effort against San Jose State.
15 Michigan- Yes folks, the boys in yellow and blue are back in the top 25! With Manny Harris running the show, including hitting the second triple double in school history
16 Louisville
17 Ohio State
18 Georgetown – Super soph Greg Monroe leads the Hoyas after many thought he would have entered last years NBA draft. In my opinion the decision to stay will only help Monroe as in the games that I followed the Hoyas he did not give me the impression that he was ready to handle the NBA big men
19 Clemson
20 Illinois
21 Maryland
22 Minnesota
23 Notre Dame
24 Vanderbilt
25 Oklahoma
25B Gonzaga – The Bulldogs should find themselves in the top 25 pretty quickly. This past week they captured their first Maui Invitational title on their third attempt in an overtime affair against the much heralded Lance Stephenson and the Cincy Bearcats. With BC big man and starting pivot, Rob Sacre being a prominent figure for the ‘Zags early in the season averaging 14ppg, rookies Bol Kong and Kelly Olynyk have found successes despite struggling to find minutes early in their rookie seasons.
