Never too early to get ready for college hoops, baby! ;)
Can't wait to see if the Illini are as good as advertised. A lot of outlets have them making a Final Four run behind Williams, Brown, Head, Powell and Augustine. Ah, gotta love the pre-season top 25 rankings:
1. Wake Forest
Deacons have Chris Paul, probably the BEST point guard in the country. Eric Williams is an awesome forward (potential to take over a game in the paint.)
2. Kansas
Expect a Final Four appearance with this year's crew. Jayhawks don't play a road game or even a significant home game in November or December
3. Georgia Tech
Lost in championship game (Connecticut 82-73). Bynum is money aka Mr. Clutch. I expect the Yellow Jackets to give the ACC an interesting season.
4. North Carolina
Tar Heels got a scheduling break with a trip to a rebuilding Indiana in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Raymond Felton is my favorite player.
5. Syracuse
The Orange, (who doesn't mind the nickname change)It's certainly more gender neutral for all of the university. Gerry McNamara is a tough guard.
6. Arizona
Salim Stoudamire at shooting guard is a threat. Damn good. Watch for his pout face when he makes mistakes on the court.
7. UConn
Can Jim Calhoun bring the Huskies another championship title? This squad just needs leadership from Marcus Williams.
8. Oklahoma State
They made it to the Final Four, got experience but lost Tony Allen. The cowboys need another big time scorer... Hmm.
9. Illinois
Illinois plays Gonzaga in Indianapolis, Wake Forest during the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, at Arkansas and vs. Oregon and Missouri. It's a Big Ten test of sorts.
10.Maryland
Terps won the ACC title. (Go Terps!) Only losing Jamar Smith, Gary Williams still has Gilchrist, Caner-Medley, Garrison, and Strawberry to defending the title. We need to be consistent this year. Especially from Caner-Medley. Let's step it up boys. Let's step it up! FEAR THE TURTLE!
11. Mississippi State
The Bulldogs continue to get bounced out early in the NCAAs. If they can shake their March issues, they can make the 2nd round of the Big Dance.
12. Louisvillle
Pitino has 2 Seniors, Otis George and Larry O'Bannon, and they both can bring the Cardinals to some heavy hitting games.
13. Kentucky
Wildcats lack experience. Coach Tubby Smith has a relative cast of unknowns that he can form into a title contender. He can transform this team into an SEC champ.
14. Duke
FUCK DUKE. *Sorry* The Blue Devils have J.J. Riddick, who should be playing for the NBA. His arm is similar to a pistol that shoots with such precise aim. It's quite RICOCKULOUS. I hate the man, but he's damn talented.
15. Michigan State
The Spartans haven't performed well under high expectations. Tom Izzo leads a great squad, if only the players can find themselves the right roles on the court.
16. Florida
The Gators need to focus more on their defense if they want to bust out their dancing shoes. Anthony Roberson is a great point guard.
17. NC State
I am a fan of Julius Hodge. Great player. The Wolfpack should look to him and Tony Bethel for leadership.
18. Alabama
The Crimson Tide lost in Elite Eight (Connecticut 87-71.) Tons of newcomers. Should be interesting to see the team come together mid-season.
19. Notre Dame
The fighting Irish have forward Torin Francis and point guard Chris Thomas to give Syracuse's McNamara a run for their money. The best 1-2 in the Big East? We'll see.
20. Texas
The Longhorns have P.J. Tucker, one of the most versatile forwards in the country. Their freshman class has experience as well. Could be top 10 by March.
21. Pittsburgh
Point guard Carl Krauser always marks the sign of the 'X' when he hits a 3 to represent his native Bronx, also gives the Panthers a chance in every game.
22. Memphis
The tigers have a hard schedule this season. Much love to Coach John Calipari. They do have talent. Keep an eye out on Sean Banks. (Just gotta love the name!)
23. Washington
Huskies need to work on defense. DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE. Nate Robinson is a great player. NBA material, though only 5'9, tough as nails.
24. Wisconsin
The Badgers will took to Coach Ryan & Zach Morley for support. Winning the Big Ten isn't outta the question for this squad.
25. Stanford
Just like the Badgers, the Cardinal are a machine that just keeps on running smoothly. Chris Hernandez is a great player to watch.
Liezel's notes:
-Interesting to see no Cincy.
-On another ranking, Dickie V has Kentucky 3rd. (Not sure why)
-Glad to see ACC being well represented this year. GO TERPS!
-Two words: Chris Taft. He's going to have a monster year at Pitt.
-Fuck Duke (pardon me. again.) Gotta be one of the lowest Duke pre-season ranks ever. Defintely suprising, although not unwelcome, to see the Dukies ranked that low.
Still the best picture ever taken: (GO MARYLAND!) That was a great game. Games that run in overtime against rival teams make for great nights at the local college bars! I remember watching it at Cornerstone in College Park. Fun times. Fun times.
**I was going to write about a different topic, but I got my college hoops magazine in the mail. I've been reading it like a 12 year old with his father's copy of Playboy. Can't put it down. ;)**
In the great spirit of Maryland Terps basketball:
We're going to beat the hell outta you, and you, and you, and you! (Repeat chant)
There's nothing like a great game of college hoops and beer. Ah. I cannot wait.
I have started off the morning right... May the day begin now.