The easy pick is the Florida Gators. But this season, I'm liking Jeff Green, Roy Hibbert, and the Georgetown Hoyas. They are my early favorite to win it all.
1) Florida - their top 7 players return, including mvp of tourney: Joakim Noah2) Ohio State - A team that made the tournament went out and landed the rop ranked HS player (Greg Oden) and some key other incoming freshmen (such as Oden's teamate: Mike Conley). 3) North Carolina - Made the tournament with a freshman leading the way. Add in the high profile recuits and it looks like Duke isn't the best basketball team in North Carolina this year.4) Georgetown - A 7'2" center, a 6'9" power forward, and a history of great big men. Watch your head!Dark Horse - Duke (!) - Josh McRoberts is now the big man on campus, look for him to flourish in the role. Greg Paulus wants to prove he can play in the NBA (he's a senior). They also landed several recruits (including a top 10). Plus they have Coach K, whch always gets them at least 5 extra wins.UCLA will be good as well, but they won't win a championship.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pacers fan forever @ Nov 11 2006, 11:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>1) Florida - their top 7 players return, including mvp of tourney: Joakim Noah2) Ohio State - A team that made the tournament went out and landed the rop ranked HS player (Greg Oden) and some key other incoming freshmen (such as Oden's teamate: Mike Conley). 3) North Carolina - Made the tournament with a freshman leading the way. Add in the high profile recuits and it looks like Duke isn't the best basketball team in North Carolina this year.4) Georgetown - A 7'2" center, a 6'9" power forward, and a history of great big men. Watch your head!Dark Horse - Duke (!) - Josh McRoberts is now the big man on campus, look for him to flourish in the role. Greg Paulus wants to prove he can play in the NBA (he's a senior). They also landed several recruits (including a top 10). Plus they have Coach K, whch always gets them at least 5 extra wins.UCLA will be good as well, but they won't win a championship.</div>I agree with everyone up there, until Duke, I don't even believe they will really be in the title picture. They will make the tournament, but I don't think they will be anywhere near a championship contender. Josh Mcroberts will go through the same learning curb Hansborough did last year. Mcroberts will be learning how to be the one that the offense of this team goes through. Paulus, who is a sophmore and not a senior, will be learning to be better on defense, and take a bigger role in the offense than last year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (valo35 @ Nov 11 2006, 11:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I agree with everyone up there, until Duke, I don't even believe they will really be in the title picture. They will make the tournament, but I don't think they will be anywhere near a championship contender. Josh Mcroberts will go through the same learning curb Hansborough did last year. Mcroberts will be learning how to be the one that the offense of this team goes through. Paulus, who is a sophmore and not a senior, will be learning to be better on defense, and take a bigger role in the offense than last year.</div>my bad seems like he's been around forever, though I seriously think Duke could contend, though.McRoberts had to play a limited role with Shelden Williams and JJ Redick there. Look for him to strive under Coach K's offense. Imagine a more offensively talented Tyrus Thomas, and a little less talented shot blocker, and you have Josh McRoberts this year. They also landed a top 10 recruit (Gerald Henderson) who should help.
I like Kansas alot. They have a ton of talent with good guard play. Russell Robinson is a smart pointguard and Brandon Rush is a lights out shooting guard. They're big and athletic. They're a very young team though and a bit inexperienced. If they don't win it this year, if their core is intact next year, watch out.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pacers fan forever @ Nov 11 2006, 09:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>my bad seems like he's been around forever, though I seriously think Duke could contend, though.McRoberts had to play a limited role with Shelden Williams and JJ Redick there. Look for him to strive under Coach K's offense. Imagine a more offensively talented Tyrus Thomas, and a little less talented shot blocker, and you have Josh McRoberts this year. They also landed a top 10 recruit (Gerald Henderson) who should help.</div>You're probably thinking of his brother the former ND QB.Florida obviously has a chance.Ohio State won't win it because of youth.Georgetown is going to be in the Final Four at least.I would say Kansas, but Bill Self has proven to be a horrible tourney coach.Duke? Are you serious? They have a good recruiting class woo hoo! They do every year and they can never capitalize.North Carolina has a great chance being more experienced now.Pittsburgh has a legit chance with Aaron Gray leading the charge, but they will miss Krauser.Of course you always have to consider the Devils of Mississippi Valley State when talking about the NCAA title.
I'm rooting for Georgetown all the way, as I always have. But Green and Hibbert are one more year mature, and both are monsters. Both could be top 20 picks in this draft if they come out too. Green is a more athletic Al Harrington or Antawn Jamison type of player, and Hibbert is a 7'2'' giant with toughness. Don't forget about John Wallace either, he is a player. Georgetown has the star power and the energy to get it done this year, and I am hoping/expecting them to take it all.
I think Florida is the favourite, but I doubt they win because of how crazy NCAA basketball is. They have Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer, and Al Horford. Joakim Noah is a top 5 draft pick, and Corey Brewer and Al Horford are likely 1st round picks. They have great defense and athleticism also.
Florida returned all there starts. Enough said, they'll be an amazing team this year. I just don't think there going to lose more than 1-2 games honestly..
Final Four:1. Florida - Well, they won, and they return most of their players. Enough said.2/3. UNC/Kansas - Young teams last year, which were very very good, will only be better.4. Arizona - Even though they lost to UVA to open, they have great depth and a great team. Lute Olson is a great coach and they'll recover. UVA is a good team and was pumped for the game, first in the new stadium, and they had the crowd on their side, so I'm not going to worry about the loss, especially since Shakur didn't play well. I expect them to be right there in the end.Honorable Mentions (in no order): Wisconson - Can Alando Tucker carry them?Pittsburgh - Solid, deep team in a tough conference.UCLA - Can they rebound from losing their playmaker Farmar?OSU - Can Oden step up? They're very good in the back court with Lewis and Butler and Cook IMO will be more than solid as a 6th man. LSU - Tasmin Mitchell and Glen Davis need to carry them if they want any shot. G-Town - Green, Hibbert, and Crawford give them a good front court, but will anyone step up and separate them from the pack?Alabama - Another good team, but will Ronald Steele elevate his game enough to make them elite?Duke - Well, they're there every year, I needed to put them in.
