My College Basketball Bananza!!!

I've just completed watching ESPN's 24 hour College Basketball Marathon (no, I didn't watch all 24 hours), so I figured what better time than now to roll out Mr. Armchair's College Basketball Preview. 

First, some general notes -

- If there is ever a year for college basketball to take off and really capture some casual sports fans, this is the time.  With fans so disheartened by what the NBA players and owners are doing and with the sport being in shambles, the NCAA should market the hell out of its standout college basketball players like it does its football players, and try to capitalize on this opportunity.  In my opinion, the NBA is on the verge of being obliterated as a major sport for the next decade, and college basketball could win over a lot of casual fans and add to their fan base, especially the youth.

- Speaking of marketing players, I'm still wondering who the breakout stars in college basketball this year are?  Besides Jared Sullinger (PF, Ohio State) and Harrison Barnes (SF, North Carolina), who are college basketball's marque players?  Will it be John Henson (PF, North Carolina)?  Perry Jones III (PF, Baylor)?  Jeremy Lamb (SG, UCONN)?  Or will a freshman like Austin Rivers (SG, Duke) or Anthony Davis (PF, Kentucky) raise up and take college basketball by storm?  I guess that is half the fun and what makes college basketball and football so great. 

- I still like Dicky V.  "OOOOHHH BABY!!  THAT KID IS A PTP'ER!!  A DIAPER DANDY!!"  

-  I've always told myself that if I were fortunate enough to have a son who was able to earn a collegiate scholarship for sports, I would not interfere with his choice of college and coach.  Expect for one, and that is Duke University and Coach K.  If Coach K ever walks through my front door and tells me that he wants my son to go play college basketball for him, I'm making my son go.  No if, ands, or buts about it.  Congratulations, Coach K.  A well earned 903!!!


College Basketball Preview -

Since there are so many teams in college basketball that are eligible to make the NCAA Tournament, and the playing field is so large, I'm just going to give you my pre-season "Final Four" prediction, sleeper teams, NCAA Tournament Championship prediction, and Player of the Year award winner.


Pre-Season Final Four -

North Carolina - I can't really argue with the consensus #1 team in the nation.  They are returning all five starters and potential Naismith award nominees in Harrison Barners and John Henson.  It's hard to argue that UNC is not the team to beat.  And with Kendall Marshall getting to be the starter for an entire year, he will definitely be a player to watch to have a breakout season.  Should be fun this year watching those Duke/UNC rivarly games.

Ohio State - They may have the most underrated backcourt in the nation.  PG Aaron Craft is a great on-ball defender and plays tenacious defense, and SG William Buford is the scoring guard all teams need, who also has a sweet outside shot.  Add that with the all-mighty Jared Sullinger, and you have the make up of a team that can go a long way in the NCAA Tournament.  They will curse through the Big Ten Conference with ease, and the early portion of the tourney. 

Duke - "Certainly Duke is Duke.  They're on TV more than Leave it to Beaver, re-runs!"  LOL, great quote by former Virginia coach Pete Gillen.  Click out the clip here Link.  How can you bet against Coach K?  Yeah they lose their three top players from last year's team (Kyrie Irving, Nolan Smith, and Kyle Singler), but this Duke team has all the makings for a championship run.  All three starting guards (Seth Curry, freshman and top recruit Austin Rivers, and Andre Dawkins) can shoot the three and stretch the defense.  That should open up the paint for the Plumlee brothers. 

Connecticut - While its hard to repeat, I think the defending champs are poised for another deep tourney run.  Returning three starters in SF Roscoe Smith, PF Alex Oriakhi, and budding star Jeremy Lamb, they are more than enough to get this team deep into the tourney.  PG Shabazz Napier will get the keys to the car and be inserted into the starting lineup now with Kemba Walker gone to the NBA.  I liked what I saw out of him last year off the bench.

Sleeper Teams - 

Syracuse - How can the #8 team in the nation according to SI be a sleeper team?  I know it's a stretch, but I feel like they are not getting enough pub.  They are returning four starters from last year's team.  Senior PG Scoop Jardine (what a great basketball player name), has supposedly improved his offensive skills and is ready to lead this team through the very competitive Big East Conference.  Plus, I want to see how Fab Melo plays.  He was very raw last year but after some seasoning, I'm looking for him to be a more polished player.

Baylor - I like this team so much that I locked in a futures bet on Sportsbook.com for them to win the NCAA Tournament Championship at 25-1.  They have big front line payers in freshman Quincy Miller (6'9"), and returning players Quincy Acy (6'7"), Anthony Jones (6'10"), and highly talented Perry Jones III (6'11").  Add to that All-American juco transfer Pierre Jackson to run the point, and this team will for sure cause some noise in the Big 12 conference.        

NCAA Tournament Champions -

Ohio State - In the end, Jared Sullinger will be too much to handle for teams, as he will dominate the paint, score at will, and completely take over the game at times.  Add to that the sharp-shooting of William Buford and Ohio State will be cutting down the nets in New Orleans. 

Player of the Year Award -

Jared Sullinger, PF Ohio State - In the end, he will barely nudge UNC's star Harrison Barnes for the Naismith Award.  He is guaranteed to average a double-double and voters won't be able to overlook how much of a dominating force Sullinger will be in the paint.  He will take over games and score at will on teams.