NCAA Basketball: Predictions

In about one month, over 300 Division I  basketball programs will take the courts, with one being crowned champion in April’s Final Four in Dallas, Texas. Here, I just wanted to preview of some of the college basketball teams to look out for this season, who could excite the crowd and cut down the nets for that one shining moment!

Kansas Jayhawks

When Kansas landed high school superstud Andrew Wiggins into its freshman class, they knew what they were getting into. Basically, a one-and-done situation. If he is as good as advertised, he could be a first-round draft pick and could fit the mold of a Ben McLemore/Paul Pierce-type of wing player for the Jayhawks. Sophomore big man Perry Ellis is a force down low, as he showed during the Michigan game in last season’s college basketball tournament.

Michigan Wolverines

It hurts big time when you lose arguably the nation’s top backcourt in Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. But, Michigan does return a great frontcourt in Mitch McGary and Glen Robinson Jr.  Also, Nick Stauskas will be back in Ann Arbor for his sophomore campaign. Two freshman to keep an eye on are Zack Irvin and point guard Derrick Walton, as they should see major minutes right away for the Wolverines.

Duke Blue Devils

Coach Krzyzewski can coach, and he can recruit his hometown of Chicago well, which could be a reason why he landed the second-best recruit in the nation, Jabari Parker. Parker is a special player and will be in the NBA one day. Big man Rodney Hood is another player—a transfer from Mississippi State—that is an excellent player and has averaged double figures in his career. Also, look out for Rasheed Sulaimon on the perimenter. He can knock down jumpers and drive on you!

Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky has recruited six of the top 100 players in the nation. Yes folks, John Calipari has done it! This may very well be the best recruiting class since the “Fab Five” of Michigan in the early 1990s. Sophomore’s Willie Cauley-Stein and Alex Polythress—while still very raw themselves—will have to provide leadership for this young class. Julius Randle can dunk the basketball with the best of them and has supreme athleticism, as I witnessed in the Elite 24 High School All-American Game. And the two Harrison twins, Andrew and Aaron, should complement each other in a fantastic backcourt for the ‘Cats!

Louisville Cardinals

I gotta show a ton of respect for the defending champs here, because, well, they know how to win and they will bring almost everybody back. And as former point guard Peyton Siva said, “This year’s team could even be better than last year’s team!” JUCO transfer Chris Jones takes over the point guard duties and is more of a pure point. He can score and dish. He will get a lot of alley-oop chances with high leaper Montrez Harrell. Chane Bohanon is a force down low for the Cardinals.