College Basketball is in full effect.
Sure, the NBA might be the better talent, except for the Nets, but most hoops fans will admit that the college game garners more excitement and passion on a game-by-game basis. With two-thirds of the season done and midway through the conference schedule, it is becoming apparent who the top dogs are and who will be a nice story to follow.
Sure, the NBA might be the better talent, except for the Nets, but most hoops fans will admit that the college game garners more excitement and passion on a game-by-game basis. With two-thirds of the season done and midway through the conference schedule, it is becoming apparent who the top dogs are and who will be a nice story to follow.Unlike some past seasons, this year has no clear cut favorite. The AP & ESPN Top 25 polls rotate like a deli counter and the top teams in the nation all have significant, fatal flaws. These teams could be an early round knockout or a national champion. No team has the perfect formula for winning. Similar to how Florida was a few years ago winning their second title: large amounts of talent, experience, upper classmen leadership, and a prominent backcourt. Each team in the top 5 has some of these ingredients, but not all. Texas was number one for a few days, but has since lost four of six, dropping 13 spots. Kentucky has great talent, but its stars are mostly freshmen who haven’t been overly tested in a weak SEC. Kansas may be the frontrunner, but is open to having a bad day like the loss at Tennessee. Xavier Henry was a super-frosh early, but lost his touch and that’s a significant piece for the Jayhawks. Villanova can score, but also just gave up 102 to Georgetown. Purdue was great until a tough stretch added three losses to its record. You can go up and down the list and realize that this season is truly anyone’s to win and lose.
How bad have things gotten? The PAC-10, with all those historically great UCLA and Arizona teams, do NOT have a team in the top 25, and haven’t in five weeks. The ACC is barely hanging on to life with only a pair of squads making the poll. This is a season where the mid-majors should have their way with more at-large teams making the big dance. Since the major conferences aren’t stacked, except for the Big East and maybe the Big Ten, there should be ample open spots for a few Xaviers, Butlers, Daytons and St. Mary’s-type teams to be invited.
Football is now over, and the sports world will turn its attention to hoops. The NBA has some very good matchups, but, overall, the NCAA game will dominate. With approximately 350 schools playing D-1 basketball, and 65 open spots, every game takes on bigger and bigger meaning, which equals excitement. Anyone who tells you they know who is going to win it all is either a fool or an alumnus. There is far too much still to be done by teams to prepare for March and no one can be discounted as a potential winner. CBS will be counting on the enthusiasm and it will be exhilarating to see who will have their “One Shining Moment!!” come April 5, 2010.
Email: Luke.Adamo@classactsports.com
Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/LukeAdamo
Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/LukeAdamo
