ACC
Duke
The lack of having an inside game will haunt the Blue Devils all year. The their backcourt will still be good, but having a reminder that North Carolina is the class of the ACC all season will fuel the Blue Devils fire and should keep them wanting more out of this season than expecting. 5-4 since the 2004 Final Four still lingers this team.
Miami
Jack McClinton might be one of the best scorers in the league this season. Even with the three point line moving back, his three point accuracy should not be damaged. After getting their first tournament bid last season since 2002, I really believe the Hurricanes could be a team that could do some damage in March.
Wake Forest
Super Sophs, James Johnson and Jeff Teague look to bring the Demon Deacons to the upper third of the ACC again. Coach Dino Gaudio, hopes to return energy to a team that had great expectations since 2005.
Clemson
Before getting a tough match up in the first round of the tournament last season in Villanova, Clemson was getting mentioned by many (including myself) as a team that could possibly get to the Final Four. Even with losing 3 seniors they will still make the tourney, but maybe as a 7 or 10 seed.
Virginia Tech
I feel like the ACC will get 6 teams this season, so the only other team I could think of was the Hokies. After getting snubbed last year, expect this team with most of them back angry and ready to show the committee this season that they are worthy.
ATLANTIC 10
Temple
Dionte Christmas will bring presents to the NCAA field. The senior guard/forward had an average of 20 pts and 6 boards a game. The Owls have 3 other starters returning to a team that went 21-13 a year ago. They will get into the field but don't expect them to play a second game.
BIG 12
Oklahoma
Blake Griffin could quite possibly be the #1 overall pick in the NBA Draft next season. His size, quickness, ability to find the hoop and get to the line are qualities that you can't teach. Coach Jeff Capel looks to improve a backcourt that really kept them from succeeding a year ago. So he went out and got guard Willie Warren, the top recruit in Texas (the kid is the truth).
Baylor
Has the nations deepest backcourt in Dugat, Dunn, Jerrells, and Carter. Coach Scott Drew put a Baylor program back on the map in a positive way which was much needed. The Bears led the Big 12 with and 81.3 scoring average in 32 games last season.
Kansas
With Bill Self at the helm, it would be hardly a surprise to see the 2008 National Champs back and winning another title sometime soon. But, it definitely won't be this season! No one is back that averaged double figures in points a year ago. You can expect a handful of sophomores to lead the defending champs back to the tourney though.
Texas A&M
The Big 12 is going to be very competitive this season so I believe that 5 will get into the field. This is going to be a "Bubble Bursting" team but I like the Aggies to get to their 5th straight 20 win season this year. Led by Josh Carter (12.2, 4) and coach Mark Turgeon, Texas A&M will have to persuade the committee come conference tourney time.
BIG EAST
UCONN
With the likes of returning starters A.J. Price, Hasheem Thabeet, and Jeff Adrian you have to think that the Huskies are nothing less than Final Four bound this year. Back to back consecutive seasons that ended badly for UCONN fans have them in an uproar. Much to my regret, the Huskies will be very good this season UCONN fans...very good!
Notre Dame
Pre-Season Conference Player of the Year Luke Harangody is a 20-10 beast in the post that will have teams flustered all year. After being held to just 41 points in the second round to Washington a year ago, head coach Mike Brey did nothing about recruits during the off season. This will be the last year for a while for the Irish having a good team.
Pittsburgh
The Panthers still have 3 of the most intriguing players on their roster in Sam Young, Levance Fields, and DeJuan Blair. Pitt is probably not a college basketball program like others but, their record over the last 7 years ranks as the fifth best nationally which is saying something for the job coach Jamie Dixon does.
Marquette
Tom Crean's departure from the Golden Eagles really stunned a lot of people at the university. In comes Buzz Williams, who was the assistant last year of this team that came within a shot short of the Sweet Sixteen. Four players that averaged double figures a year ago are back, so I like their chances to be a top tier team this season.
Georgetown
Even though they lost Roy Hibbert, Jon Wallace, and Patrick Ewing Jr. the Hoyas brought in a great recruiting class this season headed by Greg Monroe who very well could be the Freshman of the Year in the Big East. They still have DaJuan Summers who's 11 ppg are certainly to go up. Controling the boards will be key to their success this season.
Syracuse
Just like myself, many experts love the Orangemen's chances this season to finally make a push to the committee to get into the tournament. I honestly think that the departure of Donte Green to the NBA will benefit the Big O this season. He constantly stayed outside chucking threes instead of using his size in the paint. Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins are both healthy, and Jonny Flynn looks to improve on an amazing freshman year. Big things this season for the 'cuse.
Villanova
Many experts think that the Big East is going to get 9 even 10 teams this season. I think not! They are going to beat the crap out of each other all year and give the Mid Majors a more watchful eye. Nova will be the last team to get in from the Big East with the help of their perimeter play that got them into the Sweet Sixteen a year ago. Scottie Reynolds plays a lot bigger than what his 6'2'' frame shows.
BIG TEN
Michigan State
The Spartans will contend for a Big Ten title with Purdue this season with the excellent inside-outside game they have between Raymar Morgan and Kalin Lucas. They have a kid coming in this season from Ohio that stands at 6'9'' named Delvon Roe who should see much playing time and compete for the Freshman of the Year honors.
Wisconsin
Senior Marcus Landry is a stud that will keep coach Bo Ryan happy all season. Critics of the Badgers, have said that Ryan's have been the lack of production when entering the NCAA Tournament is something that should really get looked at. Well for those critics, how bout the Badgers never finishing below 4th place in the conference and a 84-30 record in conference over 7 seasons during Ryan tenure.
Ohio State
The Buckeyes own the one of the nation's best recruiting classes under coach Thad Matta. This team which consists of no senior scholarship players will look to improve on a season a year ago that ended in the NIT. 7 foot B.J. Mullens heads the freshmen class, he will be a beast! Might be a better threat scoring then that of Greg Oden.
CONFERENCE USA
Tulsa
The Golden Hurricane were 12-4 in a conference that was very top heavy, meaning that there was a couple good teams. Junior 7-footer Jerome Jordan should help them get into the Tournament. Also, Tulsa helped their own cause by scheduling what looks to me as the toughest non-conference schedule ever for a C-USA team : Oklahoma, Okla. State, BYU, Oral Roberts, and Texas A&M all of whom were in the tournament a year ago.
UTEP
Why you might ask do I think 3 teams are getting in this season? I have no idea. But, I really like Stefon Jackson bringing the Minors to the Dance this season. He ranked 7th nationally in scoring and the committee might think twice about keeping a guy like him out of the national stage.
MISSOURI VALLEY
Southern Illinois
The Salukis have reached the NCAA Tournament 6 of the last 7 years, but the one that they didn't get in still stings. That happened last year, and the committee knows that they screwed up. Coach Chris Lowery is very confident, even with playing 6 first-year players, that he team is ready to rally around senior guard Bryan Mullins (10.7 ppg, 154 as).
Illinois State
Junior Osiris Eldridge whos 15.8 ppg landed him an All-Conference selection leads the Red Birds that are going to be desparate with scoring after the departure of guards Boo Richardson and Dom Johnson. It would not surprise me the least if coach Tim Jankovich brings his team to a Missouri Valley title this season.
MOUNTAIN WEST
BYU
The MW Conference will get two teams this year. Will it be New Mexico, Utah, or BYU to get the second? My guess is that the Cougars will get in just for the fact that they Player of the Year candidate Lee Cummard and Jon Tavernari who's 29 ppg average for two returning players is tops in the conference.
PAC 10
Arizona State
One of my favorite coaches in college basketball's rebuilding process is official done. Herb Sendek's squad should be a top tier team all season and even getting a chance at a 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament is very possible. I love what he has done with this team. James Harden leads the team coming off a great 17.8 ppg average and will improve his NBA Draft stock by getting his team victories this year.
Arizona
Even though Lute Olson's departure will hurt the program the next couple of seasons, I fully expect the Wildcats still get into the field of 65 this season. Chase Budinger is one of the best all around players in the conference and his leadership will be a key sign if the Wildcats want to do well this year.
USC
The loss of O.J. Mayo will hurt Tim Floyd's coaching staff, but look for the rest of the team to step it up. He still has Taj Gibson who is a Conference Player of the Year candidate and bringing in a guy like Demar DeRozan is an incredible athletic freshman who will make the Trojan faithful forget about Mayo real quick.
SEC
Florida
The emergence of star Nick Calathes will lead the Gator back to the NCAA field and have Gator nation going crazy again. Billy Donovan also brought in the 4 of the top 65 recruits this season led by Kenny Kadji from Cameroon. After back to back titles then a trip to the NIT, the Gators are tasting another trip to the Final Four in the near future.
Alabama
They should have enough fire power to win the West this year with a healthy Ronald Steele. Also returning is senior guard Alonzo Gee who brings in a 14.5 ppg and 6.8 rb from last season. Steele was a 1st team all SEC back in the 2005-06 season so really how ftar the Tide roll this season is all on the play of Steele.
Kentucky
Patrick Patterson is an absolute beast, but the Wildcats young backcourt will really need to step it up. Billy Gillispie should be happy with the way his team played last year, especially after their tough start. This year's start hopefully will be smoother for them even though their non-conference schedule looks like this: Miami, UNC, and Louisville.
LSU
This was a tough call , because I only think that the SEC will get 5 this season. So instead of taking Vanderbilt I am going to go with the team that might have the best 1-2 punch in the conference in Tasmin Mitchell and Marcus Thornton. The two should compliment each other well and I absolutely love Chris Johnson in the middle.
WAC
Utah State
Another small school I have getting in. Many of you might think that I am crazy but if this team can stay with Nevada this season who am I not to give them the credit that they deserve. Gary Wilkinson is their go to guy who is a 6'9'' beast on the boards that averaged 13 ppg last season. This team will be the reason for a SEC, or a Big East team won't get in. Now if they had some help with their non conference schedule this really would be a no brainer.
WEST COAST
Saint Marys
There is no way in hell that they get snubbed this season, could they? I say no! If any team will beat the Zags this year why can't it be the Gaels. They return two 1st teamers in Soph Patrick Mills and senior Diamon Simpson. In addition to them, the Gaels get tranferred center from Indiana Ben Allen. I just really find it hard to believe that the committee will look the other way at this Mid Major school again.
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