Hello all, I realize many of you were probably expecting a wrap up of the first week of the NBA season, but that can wait. This week we will be discussing the Men's College Basketball season and what to expect. In a matter of hours several young men will embark on a seven month journey that will result in joy and pain. Joy for those who will cut down the nets, earn awards and receive national recognition en route to a potential pay day. Pain for the remaining teams that won't cut down nets or get any attention from scouts ahead of next spring's NBA combine. This college basketball seasons has the potential to be historic. Many of the nations early season favorites to win it all will be led by freshmen, other teams will be led by superstar veterans with lottery potential and one goal in mind. To win it all…. So enjoy my season outlook and look forward to updates regularly.
FINAL FOUR FAVORITES:
Duke: Coach K is back with a vengeance this season and he brought a slew of young guns with him. Jabari Parker and Rodney Hood will light it up and create small ball havoc for opposing defenses.
Michigan State University: The nations most experienced team and one of the basketball worlds most talented coaches. This team has two potential lottery picks in Gary Harris and Adreian Payne, a seasoned point guard in Keith Appling and a human highlight reel in Branden Dawson.
Kentucky: Last season was an unexpected low point for the Kentucky faithful, but the past is the past. The future is bright, really, really, really BRIGHT! John Calipari has assembled what many have deemed the greatest recruiting class of all time. While much of the attention prior to pre-season was on 5 star stud Julius Randle, another stud has emerged as the potential leader. James Young has been lighting it up for the last month and now that the season is here I fully expect the Michigan native to anchor what will be the nations most entertaining team.
Oklahoma State University: When Marcus Smart shocked the basketball world and returned to school it was to improve as a player and win a national title. He is really close to doing both. There is no way that the best point guard in the nation won't lead his team deep in to spring and he won't do it alone. LeBryan Nash and Markel Brown will take much of the pressure off of the sturdy shoulders of Marcus Smart as they keep their eyes on the prize.THE REMAINING FOUR TEAMS:
Kansas: Bill Self refused to be outdone in the recruiting department by Coach K and John Calipari, he had a Ace up his sleeve the entire time…Andrew Wiggins. The Canadian wing has received tons of attention from not only me but the world. He is on the cover of Sports Illustrated and ESPN the magazine. The sports world is ready to anoint him the "NEXT BIG THING", but first he has to lead his team during what will presumably be his only season in Lawrence. If he can handle the pressure and if Coach Self can get this young team to buy in, they will experience some of that Joy I mentioned earlier.
Michigan: The Maze and Blue came within seconds of winning a national title, but came up short. Even with that memory still fresh and the departure of Trey Burke this team remains a contender. The big fella Mitch McGary and long time friend Glen Robinson III are primed to return to the top. The supporting cast is led by Nik Stauskas, Caris Levert and freshmen Derrick Walton Jr. They have experience and talent, but can they put it together? We will see.
Louisville: Speaking of experience, the reigning national champs will be right back in the hunt. They have the best scoring guard in basketball, Russ Smith (18.7 ppg), a potential lottery pick in Montrezl Harrell and Rick Pitino leading the way. If they can get bruiser and scorer Chane Behanan back (suspended indefinitely) before conference play, they will be a favorite come March.Arizona: Like Kentucky, Kansas and Michigan, Arizona will rely on youth to lead them to the promised land. Sophomores Brandon Ashley and Kaleb Tarczewski will team with freshman phenom Aaron Gordon to create a massive front line. Gordon has that Blake Griffin like ability to explode at any given moment, which should create tons of youtube memories. This team will be fun to watch and barring injury will be tough to beat come March/April.
Teams that can ruin my picks and could crack the list:
Syracuse, Florida, Harvard, Ohio St., UCLA, Memphis, Oregon
BEST SMALL SCHOOLS HOPEFULS:
VCU: Coach Shaka Smart returns with his insane full court defense which allows his team to put up huge numbers.
Wichita State University: The surprise team of 2013 will be right back in the thick of it and they will be led by future NBA talent Cleanthony Early.
Creighton: The father and son duo from Iowa will try to make a run in their final season together. The younger McDermott will compete with Smart and Wiggins for National Player of the Year, but something tells me he would prefer a national title instead.Finally I wouldn't be the Draft Fanatic if I didn't mention it now would I?
DEFINITE (NON FRESHMEN) LOTTERY PICKS:
1. Marcus Smart
2. Glen Robinson III
3. Adreian Payne
4. Mitch McGary
5. Doug McDermot
FRESHMEN LOTTERY PICKS:
1. Andrew Wiggins
2. Jabari Parker
3. Julius Randle
4. Aaron Gordon
5. James Young
The Draft Fanatic
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