Let the madness begin!
Ah yes, it’s November and a basketball season, much awaited, opens to give festivities for the fans. No, it is not the NBA as you would have thought. The US NCAA has just started and boy, we’re in for a ride. This will probably one of the most competitive season in the history of the NCAA. Why is that? College bluebloods like North Carolina, Duke, Kentucky and Connecticut or Ohio State seem to be on a collision course for the Final Four, that is if they get separated during the regionals.
Wait, why am I covering college ball in the United States? Simple, I’m a crazy North Carolina Tar Heel fan since I got to watch Michael Jordan hit his first game-winner. Besides, these college stars may one day be the superstars our kids are going to watch. Maybe another thing is, I just love the surprises the Madness brings about, like that one instance where a David-esque George Mason University slew my mighty North Carolina Tar Heels.
Ah, but enough of that. One reason I am super excited for this year’s NCAAs is that the Tar Heels are loaded to the core. Second, the recruits, who may be one and dones (play one year, get drafted after), are brimming with talent. And lastly, the returnees aren’t half as bad either, which pumps up everyone’s chances in the Big Dance. However, the way I see it, the five I’ve listed above are probably the ones everyone will be expecting to snatch the National Title. Let’s see why.
University of North Carolina. The Tar Heels are bringing back everyone from the team that reached the Elite Eight. No other frontline across the United States can match up with the Heels’ Harrison Barnes, John Henson and Tyler Zeller. Maybe Connecticut, but they do not have the firepower to match Barnes and Zeller alone. Kendall Marshall, the team’s starting point guard, was the main reason UNC went on a tear after a bad start. Reggie Bullock is back to provide the outside shooting Barnes and the Heels sorely needed. On defense, there’s not mistaking the reed-thin John Henson as a human windmill. He still needs to pack in a few pounds, but I’m happy where he’s at right now. Besides, having a seven-foot center who plays as hard as Tar Heel legend Tyler Hansbrough is really big. Expect the Heels to be brutal, much more so for Harrison Barnes as he seems to have found his stride late last season and never looked back. And when Barnes comes out, he’d be replaced by Rivals.com eighth-ranked overall recruit in James McAdoo. He’s big, he’s fast, and he’s strong and able to play the 3-5 positions. Headcoach Roy Williams will probably hoist another trophy by the start of April and people in Chapel Hill adding another banner to their storied program.
Duke University. The Blue Devils have been dealt a rather serious blow in the aftermath of last year’s Final Four run. They lost Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith and Kyrie Irving. That’s their Big 3. Losing your leading rebounder, leading scorer and leader, and arguably the best freshman last year, is definitely a big blow for any team. However, the Devils can take heart in the vast improvement of the Plumlee twins’ game. While Mason Plumlee will probably star in the middle for the Devils, Miles, his twin, isn’t far off. Add to that a reliable returnee in Seth Curry, younger brother of the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry, a gunslinger who will probably be Duke’s leading scorer by season’s end. Much of the Blue Devil faithful however, hinge on a coach’s son. Austin Rivers, the Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers’ son, is as good as advertised. He was the number 1 recruit in all of America and he’s going to show us why. The young gun can score, can dish and can run a team as a freshman. Looks like things in Cameroon will be as raucous as their cross-town rivals in Chapel Hill.
University of Kentucky. Who doesn’t want to play in Rupp Arena? Kentucky has been always a bad boy in the US NCAAs with legendary coach Adolph Rupp. The program went on a decline in the early 2000s but now they’re back in full swing. John Calipari is famous for snaring top recruits to play for him for one year then get drafted very high in the NBA Draft afterwards. His list includes Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, Brandon Knight, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins just to name a few. Close to joining them probably will be his new batch of recruits headlined by Anthony Davis and Marquis Teague. However, the Wildcats still have to rely on holdovers like Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb to keep the royal blue faithfuls in their seats.
University of Connecticut. What do you do when you lose the top scorer in all of the nation in Kemba Walker? Simple. Grab arguably the best center among the high school stars. That’s what Uconn did when they surprised everybody with Andre Drummond. He can form a formidable in and out combo with Jeremy Lamb who will probably take up the mantle left by Kemba Walker. Uconn has never run short of great guards and Lamb will not be a disappointment. Imagine hearing it from Richard Hamilton, Ray Allen, Caron Butler, Ben Gordon and Kemba walker. Alex Oriakhi will be back to smack people defensively reminding everyone of how Emeka okafor held the fort in Storrs. Expect a good year from the Huskies.
Ohio State University. The Buckeyes bring back arguably the best big man in American College ball in 6’9” slotman Jared Sullinger. As a freshman last year, he put up averages of almost 18 points a game and a shade above 10 boards a game. He’s a headache for opposing teams and coaches. He commands an automatic double team. Do that, and maybe, the Buckeyes will crumble. Why? With the departure of old reliables David Lighty and Jon Diebler, only Aaron Craft is the proven commodity here. It will be an uphill battle for Sullinger especially if he goes up against an experienced frontline the ones Duke and North Carolina boast of.
Author’s note: I know there’s a big Pacquiao match, but as of this writing, I’M is still reviewing it. So I guess, hang on to your hats for next week’s take on Pacman-Dinamita III.
