The Madness!!!

This year the tournament will rock! There is no clear choice for one singular dominate team. There are several potential candidates and intriguing potential match ups. The other really good thing about the tournament, the rest of the basketball world (casual fans) will get an early glimpse at all of the top rated college players. NBA Draft guys like myself love this time of year because it separates the men from the boys. Let us not kid ourselves in thinking only one man cannot win the tournament, Kemba Walker anyone? It's more than possible for a guy to go from fringe 1st rounder, to definite lottery pick.

The landscape is an interesting one that clearly benefits some teams (Michigan State/Arizona) and will be a reality check for others (Wichita St). While I admire Wichita St and the ride they have been on the last two seasons, I fully expect them to fall to either Kentucky or Louisville. I love Russ Smith and Louisville, but this is not the same team they were a year ago. Florida is primed and ready to run through all opposing teams. Several programs such as Michigan, Villanova, Creighton and Kansas will be immensely entertaining.

I am looking forward to watching Jabari Parker put pressure on opposing teams, which will allow Rodney Hood to explode offensively. I want to see Andrew Wiggins realize his potential as the player with the most upside in the nation and lead his team to the promised land with or without Joel Embiid. Every fan on the planet wants to see Doug McDermott deliver at least one 40 point game en route to a huge pay day this summer. I could keep going, but I would rather drop some jewels and deliver to you my Final Four.

FINAL FOUR:

(1) Florida: They have the leadership, the momentum and pedigree to make it to Dallas.

(4) Michigan State: Mr. Izzo prides himself on taking his Seniors to the Final Four, this year will be no different.
(3) Duke: Jabari Parker is a winner, plain and simple. The only way this fails is if he gets hurt or his backcourt forgets he exists (this happens more often than it should).
(1) Arizona: They have depth, shooting, star power and big game potential.

POTENTIAL PARTY CRASHERS:

Louisville: Repeats are insanely rare in college basketball, but Russ Smith and co have recently caught fire.

UCLA: They upset Arizona in the Pac-12 tourney and they have a massive mismatch at point guard (6-9 Kyle Anderson 15 ppg, 8 rebounds, 6 assists).






Syracuse: They have been stuck in the mud since a horrible loss against Boston College, but they have veterans and a Hall of Fame coach. Don't sleep.








Kansas: Young Mr. Wiggins is in the middle of realizing his potential and if you don't have more than a few days to plan for him….you are in trouble.

Iowa St: This team is sizzling and they have a swagger about them that says overlook me if you want…











Michigan: They get buckets, barely turn the ball over and have experience. Oh and a guy named Nik Stauskas.



Kentucky: It took them a while, but they finally figured out playing like a team might get them somewhere. It won't be easy, but this is the bed they made for themselves.

San Diego St: I fee like this team has become the West Coast version of Wisconsin, they always find a
way to be in the picture.




TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Russ Smith
Kyle Anderson
Doug McDermott
Jabari Parker
Julius Randle
Gary Harris
Nik Stauskas
Aaron Gordon
Cleanthony Early
Andrew Wiggins
*Joel Embiid (Currently Hurt, but expected to play)
Marcus Smart
Tyler Ennis
Marcus Paige

MOST FUN FIRST ROUND MATCH UPS:

UCLA/Tulsa
VCU/SF Austin
Ohio St/Dayton
BYU/Oregon
Gonzaga/Oklahoma St
Texas/Arizona St
Kentucky/Kansas St
UCONN/St Joes
Harvard/Cincy

MOST FUN *POTENTIAL* MATCH UPS:

Michigan/Duke 2
Wichita St/Kentucky
UCLA/Florida
Kansas/Ohio St
Virginia/Michigan St
Creighton/Baylor


The Draft Fanatic