-New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) - Ahhh... not really. I just want to give them some pub for finally ending their 51 game losing streak. This will probably be their ONLY mention EVER on this site.
-North Carolina - Despite their two recent losses, they are still the overwhelming favorite to make the Final Four and win the NCAA title. Obviously, the Tar Heels are lead by senior Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina's all-time leading scorer. (BTW, did you see Bob Knight breakdown officials not calling traveling violations? He showed Psycho T take 5 STEPS against Michigan State, and not get called for travelling! It's no wonder it's so hard to stop him!) UNC has the most embarrassment of riches in college basketball, similar USC football.
-Michigan State - Speaking of Michigan State, they also have what it takes to make it to the Final Four and get some home cooking. Despite the inconsistencies (i.e. loss to Northwestern at home, blowout loss to UNC), Tom Izzo will have the Big Ten leading Spartans ready come tournament time. They will be lead by Kalin Lucas, Raymar Morgan, and Goran Suton. Freshman Delvon Roe is getting better every game, while recovering from microfracture knee surgery.
-Connecticut - The trio of A.J. Price, Kemba Walker, and Hasheem Thabeet are the leading players for UConn. Thabeet is the most physically imposing player in college basketball at 7-3 and 260 lbs.
-Pitt - The Panthers have a nice mix of inside-outside with DeJuan Blair, Sam Young, and Levance Fields to win the tough Big East Conference. That should carry over to their Final Four run as well.
-Oklahoma - In my opinion, Blake Griffin is the most complete big man in college basketball, and will be the #1 pick in the NBA Draft whenever he decides to come out. As much as we were impressed with Michael Beasley last year, Griffin is better. He may not have better scoring stats, but he is a better player.
DC is a contributor to The Sports Information Hub and can be contacted at dcthesportsguy@gmail.com
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MSU will have a tough road, and stars need to align. Suton has to play like a big man, be physical, post up, and get boards. When he plays like that, State is unstoppable. Morgan needs to bring the intensity like he has most of the year, and Lucas needs to keep on what he's doing.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the team doesn't always play like that. The Northwestern game was a fluke, sometimes you have off days when other teams are on fire. The UNC game was scary. If State hadn't played UNC, then i would've put them in the championship game EASY, but that game was ugly and out of control - travelling not withstanding. Lucas needs to penetrate, morgan needs to be aggressive, and Suton needs to forget any training he got from big softie AJ Granger. Oh, and hire mateen cleaves as a consultant. What a sweet shot he had!