- Gonzaga- Sounds crazy to put the Zags at the top. This team is super deep, and likely won't lose another game until the tournament. I'm not sure anyone matches up well to Kelly Olynyk.
- Indiana- OK, I know they just lost to Minnesota. I'm not confident on any other team at 2. Michigan lost to Penn State, Miami lost to Wake Forest. Duke is the only other consideration.
- Georgetown- If the season ended today, I would put Georgetown on the top line. Winning the Big East, even in a down year, isn't easy. Otto Porter has emerged as a legitimate Naismith contender. With a big conference tourney, he could win it. Will be a top 7 pick.
- Louisville- Siva and Smith are the best defensive backcourt in the country. Dieng has been very good inside, and they have depth at the 3 and 4 spots. Never count out a Pitino team to make a deep and late run.
- Kansas- I ranked Elijah Johnson as a pre-season All-American. I'll admit, I missed on that one. If he could play every game close to the level of his 39 point outburst, Kansas would have the best wing tandem in the country.
- Duke- Sulaimon is starting to play like a go to guy. Duke's team has a great scoring backcourt and a do it all forward in Plumlee, who is an ideal fit for the college game. Duke won't be an easy out, but they're just as vulnerable to an upset as other teams (see loss to Virginia).
- Michigan- I know they lost to Penn State (first Big Ten win...) but I am willing to overlook that at this point. Burke, Stauskas and Hardaway all compliment each other well, and Robinson III is starting to figure the competition out. Don't sleep on this team after this loss.
- Florida- Florida's defensive efficiency could lead them to the Final 4. Offensively, Erik Murphy is a gifted scorer, though not incredibly athletic, and shooters are all around the perimeter. Florida plays as a team very well.
- Miami- The coach who famously led George Mason to the final 4 is at it again in Miami, and has his team playing great defense. Solid at all positions, Kenny Kadji is a match-up problem for every team, as he is years older than other players and stronger too. Add in 3 point range from all their players (not Johnson) and they're a tough out.
- Michigan State- Michigan State is athletic, shoots the ball well and plays good defense. Tom Izzo's squad doesn't have the same talent as the teams at the top, but their teamwork and work ethic could lead them deep in the tournament.
- Arizona
- Syracuse
- Oklahoma State
- Saint Louis
- Ohio State
- Marquette
- Wisconsin
- Oregon
- Kansas State
- Virginia Commonwealth
- UCLA
- New Mexico
- Virginia
- Butler
- California
Friday, March 1, 2013
College Basketball Top 25
It is nearly March- almost time for the NCAA Tournament. As exciting of an event as any other in all of sports, many teams are vying for top spots in the polls (and soon enough a top seed), and also to improve records enough to be chosen as an at-large team should the conference tournament not end in a win. Here is how my top 25 would look right now (analysis of top 10):
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