That is why I love college basketball more then any other sport. Sure, I pore over the Monday paper to read about all the different NFL games, get excited every April in anticipation for another baseball season and love days like last Saturday, when there are upsets galore in college football. But nothing beats 20,000 students, all dressed in the same shirt, jumping up and down simultaneously as the court is shaking from all the pressure. No sound in all of TV is better then Bill Raftery starting out a game going ‘And the Wildcats start out in…MAN-TO-MAN’. And what on Earth feels better then seeing some random 12 over 5 upset on your bracket come to reality?
So when it came time to do my college hoops preview, I couldn’t just chose one great aspect of the game to focus on. So instead, I will count down from ten to one reasons why college basketball is so great, both in terms of history and for this 2006-07 season.
TOP TEN PLAYERS
10-Nick Fazekas, C-Nevada
The Wolfpack big man seems like he has been in Reno for about seven years, but he’s finally going to show why he’s been so talked about. Last year he put up over 21 points and ten boards a game. Look for those numbers to go up in ’07.
9-Ronald Steele, PG-Alabama
Not many people talk about this guy, but he is probably the best point guard in the nation. In last season’s opening round NCAA Tourney win over Marquette, Steele scored 23 points, dropped eight assists, and played all but one minute for the Tide. If he has a big year, ‘Bmam could make some serious noise in the loaded SEC.
8-Al Horford, PF-Florida
A lot of the attention for the Gators goes to fellow big man Noah (see below), but Big Al is a beast in his own right. Think a combination of less polished Elton Brand combined with a more athletic Antonio Davis.
7-Brandon Rush, SF-Kansas
The Jayhawks have so much talent this season, but I think Rush is their best player. He led the team in scoring a year ago as a freshman and should only get better this season.
6-Alando Tucker, SF-Wisconsin
It’s strange to say it, but the best player in the Big 10 resides in Madison, not Bloomington, Champaign or East Lansing. But Tucker is for real. He can take it inside or score from the perimeter and plays solid D. He should lead the Badgers to a Big 10 title.
5-Aaron Grey, C-Pitt
Grey is probably the best pure, traditional big man in the country. Last season he had to deal with a ball-hog point guard in Carl Krauser and still put up close to 15 points a game. This year, the offense will revolve around him, so I expect that average to improve.
4- Arron Afflalo, SG-UCLA
Even though last seasons backcourt mate Jordan Farmar has left for the NBA, look for Affalo to still put up some serious points. The Bruins game revolves around D and scoring off turnovers, and not many players in the nation are better at that then him.
3-Tyler Hansbrough, C-North Carolina
This guy is the perfect NBA power forward and a great fit for Roy Williams’ system. As freshmen in 05-06, he dropped about 19 points and eight boards per game, and with more talent surrounding him and less double teams, expect those stats to increase.
2-Joakim Noah, C-Florida
Before last season’s NCAA tournament, I doubt you would have seen Noah on anybodies top ten players list. By the end, I guarantee you wouldn’t have seen any lists without this guy not in the top three. He completely dominated the tourney, passing, scoring, swatting shots. And the scary thing is, he should be even better this year.
1-Glen Davis, PF-LSU
Not only does Davis have the best nickname in the country, but Big Baby also has the best game. He is completely unstoppable to guard, is surprisingly quick and agile and can even shoot the jumper. He supposedly lost some weight this summer, making him even more dangerous to face.
TOP NINE GAMES
9- Georgetown-Duke, December 2
Last year in Washington D.C., the Hoyas gave number one Duke their first defeat of the season. This year the game is in Durham and G-Town should be higher in the polls. The Roy Hibbert-Josh McRoberts battle should be a good one in the post.
8-Kansas State-Texas A&M, January 6
Even as recently as two years ago, this game would have ranked among one of the worst in all of Big 12 play. But with the large influx of talent entering Aggieland recently, combining with Bob Huggins and his crop of young players heading to K-State, this may be the next big rivalry in the conference.
7- Ohio Stat-North Carolina, November 29
Each team signed three McDonald’s All-Americans, and other then injured center Greg Oden, they all should play big roles in this game. The ACC-Big 10 Challenge always provides great games, and this one should be one of those classics.
6-Ohio Stat-Florida, December 23
Another game that would be better if Mr. Oden was in uniform, but it still will be a great matchup. The experienced talent of the Gators versus the up and coming program from Ohio State. Hopefully we see a re-match of this game in the National Title game (of football that is).
5-Arizona-UCLA, January 20
With Gonzaga due for a bit of a down year, this is a battle of the two best teams on the West Coast. Arizona has a bunch of top athletes, including freshmen Chase Budinger, but UCLA has most of its top players returning from a team that was NCAA runners-up a year ago.
4-Duke-North Carolina, March 4
I don’t think I really need to give you a reason to tell you to watch this. I mean, it’s Duke-Carolina, separated by eight miles and a shade of blue. What more can you say?
3-Florida-Kansas, November 25
This game is being played in Las Vegas, but unlike what the slogan says, what happens in this matchup won’t just stay in the gym. This one could go a long way in deciding who is the number one ranked team at the end of the season and the top overall seed in the NCAA tournament.
2-Florida-LSU, February 24
These two Final Four squads from a year ago only meet once this season, and it’s in Baton Rouge. The Gators are athletic, fast and long, and so are the Tigers. Watching Glen Davis take on the UF front line is worth the price of admission alone.
1-North Carolina-Arizona, January 27
In my view, these are the two best teams in the nation. Roy Williams has a perfect squad for his type of hoops, a running team with a dominant big man featured in the post. Arizona on the other hand has a tremendous starting five that can both put up lots of points and play shut down D.
TOP EIGHT TEAMS
8-Georgetown
This is the year they can become a real force in the Big East. With Syracuse, UConn and Louisville having down years (For them at least), the Hoyas can take the crown. Big men Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert are perfect for the Princeton offense the team runs, and it’s hard to bet against a G-Town squad that has a coach John Thompson and a center Pat Ewing.
7-Ohio State
Speaking of Pat Ewing, Ohio State center Greg Oden reminds many of the big former Knick. Some say he’s more of a David Robinson type. Others just say he was the best H.S. center since Bill Walton. Whatever the comparison, it won’t matter until January when Oden returns to the court after his hand surgery.
6-LSU
After going to the Final Four, the Tigers return a bunch of key players. None of them is bigger then Glen Davis, but the one who has the most important shoes to fill in is forward Magnum Rolle, who has to replace Tyrus Thomas. If he can score in the paint and block some shots, you may see LSU advancing deep in to March again.
5-Kansas
I hate to say it, but Bill Self’s squad is loaded. Guards Russell Robinson, Mario Chalmers and Sharon Collins can all score and pass, while big men Brandon Rush, Julian Wright, Darnell Jackson and Darrell Arthur can all put the ball in the hoop as well. Let’s see the team win a first round game before we call them National Champs though.
4-UCLA
Bruin to watch---point guard Darren Collison. The replacement for Jordan Farmar is a speedster who can score from the inside or out.. If UCLA can play their tremendous defense again, look for them to make another Final 4 run.
3-Arizona
This is a team that I really like. Forwards Marcus Williams and Chase Budinger are both beasts, and if point guard Mustafa Shakur can ever live up to potential, the ‘Cats should be back among the nations elite.
2-North Carolina
Is it even possible to have as much talent at your disposal then Roy Williams has at UNC this year? After back-to-back top recruiting classes, look for the Heels to run there way to an ACC crown. And watch out for freshmen point guard Tywon Lawson, a guy people are saying plays like Raymond Felton with a jump shot.
1-Florida
Get Burt Reynolds, Eddie Griffin and Triple H. I have a new ‘Man Law’. If a National Championship squad ever returns all five starters, they are automatically placed as the number one team in the land. Noah, Horford, Humphrey, Green and Brewer are all among the top ten in the nation at their position, and with another solid recruiting class, the Gators now have some serious depth as well. This team will be fun to watch again.
TOP SEVEN COACHES
7-Bruce Webber, Illinois
OK, call this a homer pick. I don’t care. I’ll let the stats speak for themselves. In three seasons at the I-Double L, Webber has won 89 games, more then any coach in Big 10 history during that span. He leads the conference in all-time winning percentage at 84.8 percent. And in the last five years, both at Illinois and Southern Illinois, Webber has won 141 games, second most in the country over that span.
6-Jim Calhoun, UConn
Two national championships, over 700 wins, nine NBA lottery picks, 14 NCAA tournament bids, ten Big East regular season titles, six Big East tournament titles, and a member of the basketball hall of fame. But Calhoun’s most impressive accomplishment is that he has built a basketball powerhouse in Storrs, Connecticut.
5-Bob Knight, Texas Tech
The General is obviously past his prime, but he can still coach with the best of them. He has transformed the Texas Tech program from embarrassing to respectable, which is an accomplishment in itself. Plus he’s closing in on the all-time wins record, so he had to be included on the list.
4-Lute Olson, Arizona
Since he’s out in the desert, and because the Pac-10 doesn’t have a deal with ESPN, his squad isn’t on TV enough. But Olson is one hell of a coach. He was the first to go to the now popular three-guard lineup, winning the ’97 National Title with Mike Bibby, Miles Simon and Jason Terry. And he’s got another top team this year.
3-Roy Williams, North Carolina
Back in the old days, you had to wonder which Roy Williams was the best in the Big 12. The safety at Oklahoma, the wide receiver at Texas or the head coach at Kansas. But now a days, it is obvious who is at the top of their game. Since arriving in Chapel Hill, Williams has won a national championship and last year took the young, rebuilding Heels to a surprising second place finish in the ACC. Look for more noteworthy accomplishments in ’07.
2-Billy Donovan, Florida
Sure, winning a championship is nice. But to do it at a football school is remarkable. This guy took all the heat during the Anthony Roberson years, but he kept on doing what he does, which is recruit good basketball players to play for the Gators.
1-Mike Krzyzewski, Duke
Spelling his name may not be so easy, but it seems that for Coach K, winning is. He has the most all-time NCAA Tournament wins at 68, and his team has been ranked in the top 25 for 373 weeks, pre-season number one 13 times. Krzyzewski has been to ten Final Fours and won three national titles. And I hate to say it, but he isn’t stopping any time soon.
TOP SIX GYMS
6-Comcast Center, Maryland
Opponents no longer need to Fear the Turtle in terms of on the court, but they do need to fear the Maryland fans. Many players have stated that the supporters of UM are the meanest, most vulgar and offensive in the country. J.J. Redick was their former number one target, based off their famous ‘F*** You JJ’ chant that was so loud it could be easily herd on live TV.
5-Carrier Dome, Syracuse
Any time a team can fill up a 33,000-seat dome, it automatically becomes a tough place to play. The Orange have led the nation in total attendance for four seasons in a row, and with exciting young guard Paul Harris in a ‘Cuse uniform this season, I’d imagine the seats will be fill again.
4-Assembly Hall, Illinois
Again, you can try and call this a homer pick, but you’d again be wrong. Assembly Hall is the toughest place to play in the Big 10. Just look at the numbers. Since the start of the 1999-2000 season, the Illini are 93-4 in the building. Never have they lost more then one game in a season at home since 1997. And under Bruce Webber, the team is 42-2 at the Hall. Any more doubts?
3-Rupp Arena, Kentucky
While Syracuse led the nation in total attendance, the Wildcats lead the nation in average attendance per game nearly every season. Hell, they sell out scrimmages. Even this year, when they aren’t among the nation’s elite, they still will pack 24,000 into Rupp.
2-Phog Allen Fieldhouse, Kansas
Rock Chalk Jayhawk. Enter the Phog and that’s what you will hear. This building has so much history, and that’s what makes it so special. Wilt Chamberlain played there. Dean Smith coached there. James Nasmith is buried three miles from the building. And to get your number retired at KU, you had to be a first team All-American.
1-Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke
They are called the Cameron Crazies for a reason. The world famous student section at Duke is large, loud, and worst of all, smart. They taunt opposing players with clever taunts, pretty much the opposite of their rivals from Maryland.
TOP FIVE CONFRENCES
5-Pac Ten
Best teams---UCLA, Arizona
Worst teams---Oregon State, Washington State
4-Big 12
Best teams---Kansas, Texas A&M
Worst teams---Missouri, Iowa State
3-ACC
Best teams---North Carolina, Duke
Worst teams---NC State, Clemson
2-Big East
Best teams---Pitt, Georgetown
Worst teams---West Virginia, South Florida
1-SEC
Best teams---Florida, LSU
Worst teams---Auburn, South Carolina
TOP FOUR RIVALRIES
4-Illinois-Indiana
These two schools never liked each other. But now there is pure hate. After Indiana stole prized recruit Eric Gordon from the Illini, expect the Orange Krush at Illinois to be a little bit hostile when Kelvin Sampson’s squad come to Champaign.
3-UConn-Syracuse
Two great coaches named Jim. Two national championship programs. And two places you would absolutely want to avoid in the winter if it weren’t for great basketball. When these two squads get together, it seems like great things always take place.
2-Kentucky-Louisville
This is probably the best non-conference rivalry in the country. When these two bluegrass state powers face off, there is always something on the line. Throw in Rick Patino switching sides and you have an annual must-see game.
1-Duke-North Carolina
In the sky blue uniform of the UNC Tar Heels, you have an all-time starting lineup of Phil Ford, Michael Jordan, Jerry Stackhouse, James Worthy and Antwain Jamison. In the navy blue of the Duke Blue Devils there’s Jason Williams, JJ Reddick, Danny Ferry, Shane Batier and Christian Latner. On the sidelines it’s Dean Smith versus Coach K. All those players won National Player of the Year and the coaches are both in the Hall of Fame. Enough said.
TOP THREE TRADITIONS
3- Krezyeskiville
I never was a big camper, but if living in a tent for three months got me front row seats to Duke-North Carolina, I’d definitely do it. The genius’ at Duke have come up with the most clever way of handing out tickets, involving a big field filled with students, tents, and the longest name for an area outside of Central Europe.
2-Bob Knights red sweater
It was famous when he was coaching at Indiana. But since he’s left HoosierVille for Texas Tech, the sweater has gotten even more popular. That’s because Knight sells ad space on it, making his shirt the most expensive piece of clothing in college hoops.
1-Ashley Judd at Kentucky
The only reason to root for the Wildcats.
TOP TWO COLLEGE HOOPS YOUTUBE VIDEOS
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1-
TOP ONE MONTH
1-March
I could go on and on discussing how much I love March. How I love waking up and getting non-stop hoops for four days strait, how I love picking the perfect upsets, how I love the buzzer-beaters and the collapses. How enjoyable it is to make fun of Billy Packer and to taunt your friends who are bellow you in the bracket pool. But I don’t want to bore you by going on and on, so I’ll just make it brief. March is the best month of the year, bar none. And it’s all because of college basketball.
My predictions:
I could have done it like most publications, choosing my number one team and top ranked player as the eventual champs and MVP. But just because that team and player are the best now doesn’t mean that’s what will apply when the trophies are handed out. So here is how I see the season ending…
National Champ---Arizona Wildcats
Player of the Year---Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
Freshmen of the Year---Kevin Durant, Texas
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