We are about half way through the declaration period and all the big stars from College Basketball that had a chance of Declaring have now declared with TJ Ford and DWayne Wade. From last years Final 4, all the big stars have either graduated (KU), or decalred for the NBA. Let's take a closer look at next seasons main contenders. I can do Syracuse but others need to fill in for the specifics of the other teams, even thoguh I have an idea of what they bring back from the last season, I don't know what they are bringing in from Recruiting Syracuse: They lose Carmelo Anthony and Kueth Duany, but they return a lot and bring in 2 top 30 players, and another top 100 player. Of the freshman, only PF Demetrius Nichols has a chance to play. This will be Jim Boheims deepest team ever. Hakim Warrick, Gerry McNamara, Billy Edelin give Syracuse 3 of the best players in the Big East if not the country. And Josh Pace is a Jack of all trades. He can score, slash, pass, defend, and rebound. Will probably start the season out starting in place of Melo. Current Freshman Matt Gorman, the 3rd member of the class that brought in Melo and GMac, and a top 100 player himself, will probably force the issue and get some minutes at the PF spot. And Forth and McNeil will continue to man the 5 spot. Any offensive contribution from them will strictly be icing on the Cake. My guess at the season beginning Starting 5. PG-Edelin SG-GMac SF-Pace PF-Warrick C-Forth Bench-Nichols (frosh), McNeil, Gorman, McKroskie (freshman) This team has 1 senior, Jeremy McNeil Kansas: Lucid can give you a better idea but I'll do my best right now. They lose Nick Collison, Kirk Hinrich, and Roy Williams, but gain JR Giddons, and Padgett. They return Wayne Simien, Aaron Miles, Keith Langford (if there was an award for most exciting Player in College Basketball, he would win it hands down), Jeff Graves, and Lee. Everything is in place to have a great squad. Inside-outside prescence, athletes on the wings, and depth. No reason for this team NOT to contend as they have a ton of Final Four experience (not that you need it). Others: UConn - They have the premier Guard/Center combo in the Nation with Ben Gordon and Omeka Okafer. However it doesn't end there as players liek Rashad Anderson gives Calhoun some of the best depth since his championship year. Look for the return of the pressing, Run N' Gunnin UConn teams. Duke - The Fab 6 goes to its sophomore year. Lang, Dockery, Reddick, Shav Randolf, have to step up. And some one has to fill in for graduated Dhantay Jones. Daniel Ewing looks to take his game to a new level. As long as Duhon doesn't act like a jackass on the court this team has a chacne to get to the Final 4 North Carolina - Home of the premier point Guard in the country, Raymond Felton. Let's see what Roy Williams can do with a group of kids who got their Coach fired
The possibility of getting Charlie Villanueva is still there too. If we get him, that is 13 scholarship players. That's an insane amount of depth! With CV, we could field two Sweet 16 teams. F - Graves F - Padgett F - Giddens G - Miles G - Wilkes F - Simien F - Villanueva (Nash if CV doesn't come) F - Langford G - Hawkins G - Lee But... having that much depth isn't always a good thing. Players want minutes and it going to be tough to make everyone happy. That's why some Jayhawk fans aren't too fond of CV coming because it's just too many players and we have enough talent. I just hope Self is as good a psychologist as he is a coach because he'll need to make sure this team doesn't implode. It's hard to believe that a team after losing one of the nations best coaches and losing two all-americans would be favored to return, but you have to put this team up there as at least Big XII favorite and probably a favorite to goto the Final Four.
I say that Kansas is the team to beat. Followed by Michigan State. I am just glad that Wisconsin will be getting some pub this year. Only lost one senior and only have one senior that will play next year. They should be pretty good.
I don't think they will be. Too many question marks in replacing Collison and Hinrich with froshs and a man returning from a separated shoulder. Early nod has to goto UConn and (as much as I HATE to say this) Duke. MSU had a fairly easy path to the elite 8. Florida sucked last year and they will suck this upcoming year. Definatly flawed
I know this may seem like a stretch, but don't be surprised if Gonzaga makes a serious run at the Final Four. We lose only two role-players from last year. Stepp and Turiaf will be a year better, and Cory Violette (a pre-season Wooden nominee) will be healthy again. We've also added Errol Knight, a super-athletic, highly recruited guard that transfered from Washington (led the Pac-10 in 3 pt. % as a true freshman), and Sean Mallon, a much recruited forward coming out of high school. Gonzaga will find itself in a strange position next year, in that, on paper, they should be able to compete with anybody in the country. They've appeared in the Top 10 in a number pre-season polls. We'll see if they meet their potential.
Funny cause I remember before last year people questioned KU after losing Gooden and Boschee (3-point machine). Ya just neva know. Point taken though. I'd have to say another question is having a new coach too.
They lost Gooden and Boschee, but Miles, Langford, Collison, and Hinrich ALL had Final Four experience. That said I fully expect Kansas to be in San Antonio. I just don't think you can make them the favs at the beginning. My guess is they won't win the Big 12 crown, and they will have around 8 losses going into the tournament.
Next year is UConn's year. I think they are the clear favorites to win the title next year. Calhoun has the type of team he likes, that can run and play good full court defense. Plus he has superstars that can win games by themselves.