I am pretty pumped for the month of March. It has to be way up there in terms of favorite months because of basketball, baseball starting, and St. Patrick's Day. Honestly, I think this might be the best NCAA tournament we have seen in the past couple of years. I am dead serious about this because I think there is so much uncertainty compared to years' past.
I mean I thought two weeks ago that it was the Kansas Jayhawks and everybody else then they got embarrassed by Oklahoma State on the road plus coach Bill Self benched Cole Aldrich to get his mind right. Which is something that I wouldn't like happen at the end of February personally as a Jayhawk fan. Now I do not know who to ride to the final four but what I am going to do for the blog is my Top 8 likes overall, top 5 don't likes, and top 5 sleepers
To explain how this works, my likes are teams that I believe will be in the Sweet 16 and pending on their matchup should be in the Elite Eight. My don't likes are teams who may sneak into the Sweet 16 but I would proceed with caution. My sleepers are any team below a five seed I would consider a sleeper.
Eight likes... (in no certain order)
1.) Kansas- No question about it, the Jayhawks are a team who I think you can pencil into the Final Four. I would be stunned to see them out prior to the Elite Eight, they have all the tools to be the best team in the field of 65.
2.) Kentucky- I am starting to shy away from the Cats' a bit because I hate picking teams with inexperience but I do not believe there is a scarier human being than DeMarcus Cousins inside for the Wildcats. Also a concern is the amount of turnovers John Wall is accustomed to lately.
3.) Syracuse- The Orange is the sexy pick right now, people want this team to succeed and like their big men in the middle with the game-changer in Andy Rautins but remember, they have been prone to not being able to hold a big lead. Not buying as much stock as most.
4.) Ohio State- The Buckeyes are the most intriguing team of the tourney because they have that game-changer in Evan Turner who could carry his team to a National Championship like Carmelo Anthony and Danny Manning did.
5.) Vanderbilt- What I really like about the Commodores is the inside power of A.J. Oglivy and the outside shooting of the perimeter players of Vandy. I think they have all the makings of a deep run.
6.) Duke- Say what you want about the Dukies, I still think the combination of Smith/Singler/Scheyer can will this team deep into the tournament and I believe that Brian Zoubek will be the reason why this team either falters or goes deep.
7.) Villanova- The Cats' have been struggling lately somewhat, but if this team doesn't face a big men into the deep rounds watch out. I think the Orange exposed them somewhat for what they are but if they get the right draw, they could reap the benefits.
8.) Maryland- Maybe I am sipping the kool-aid right now but Greveis Vasquez is a playmaker in the same way Turner is and I think he could do some big things with the team around him. They seemed fearless on Wednesday and this is one team I am watching this week.
Dont Likes
1.) Georgetown- I feel horrible about Austin Freeman getting diganosed with diabetes but this puts the Hoyas who were not playing well before this news at an even bigger disadvantage, big time stay away.
2.) Pittsburgh- Two Big East teams to start but the Panthers right now are seeded third, which I think is way too high for this team and could lead to disaster come two weeks. The Panthers are inexperience and seem to have mental lapses.
3.) Michigan State- The Spartans just seem lost at times and I would be worried if I were a fan of Sparty. It appears Kalin Lucus isn't really 100 percent out there and they haven't got any inside production all year.
4.) Tennessee- I understand they beat Kansas and Kentucky, but they are playing at a severe disadvantage with the lack of players, I just do not know when Bruce Pearl's upbeat style tires out the team.
5.) Any highly ranked A-10/MWC team- I am telling you either BYU, New Mexico, or Temple is going out in the first round. I understand how deep these leagues are this year but I am not convinced these teams are poised to beat the big boys.
Sleepers
1.) Marquette- BIAS!?!?! Okay it's true but right now, they are an 8 playing Cal then move on to play Kansas State. I have talked myself into a Sweet 16 berth but I would like to avoid the 8/9, hopefully they can keep moving up the ladder.
2.) Oklahoma State- Another 8 right now, but I wouldn't want any part of James Anderson in this tournament. Another guy who can change a game by himself and they are well-coached. If I am a one seed, I would be in the fetal position for this second round game.
3.) Baylor- They are currently a six right now and this might be one of the most athletic teams in the tourney. I hate to think what it will be like to play these guys in the second round.
4.) Virginia Tech- A team who has done well in the ACC and played a cupcake schedule in the non-conference so they are going to get seeded low but the Hokies could do some major work with Malcolm Downey
5.) Cornell- You gotta love the Ivy league team and the fundamentals that come with it. Remember the Bears were once in the Top 25 this year... could be lethal. One team I wouldn't want to see in the first round.
I am willing to bet these teams will be changed around before the tourney but expect big things on the blog for the next two weeks.
-Charlie.
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