College Basketball 2013-14 Top 25

Kentucky's six McDonald's All-Americans

How to define college basketball? Is it a guard's game or a big man's game? Is it a freshman's game or an upperclassman's game? Is the focus on who left or who stayed? Here's the answer to all three questions: both. In the ever-changing landscape of basketball at the collegiate level there will not a year more undefinable than this one. Some teams (Kentucky) will rely heavily on freshmen, but others (Michigan State) will call on their veterans to take them to Dallas. Guard play is the backbone for some schools while others will score through the post.

With the season just around the corner, here is the World of Wadley Top 25. Apologies for the incredibly long post, but that's what happens when you have to rundown 25 teams. Enjoy...

1. Kentucky Wildcats -- SEC
Can you have too much of a good thing? We're about to find out. John Calipari has six McDonald's All-Americans in the freshmen class and those have fans thinking national title in Lexington. Combine the six freshmen with two key returners in Alex Poythress and Willie Cauley-Stein and the 'Cats have a title team.

2. Michigan State Spartans -- Big Ten
Talent, depth and experience. This is how Michigan State usually gets the job done and this year is no different. Gary Harris decided to stay in East Lansing for another year and that means Tom Izzo and MSU should be in the Final Four. Adreian Payne anchors the inside and Branden Dawson is now fully recovered and confident after his ACL injury. If these Spartans stay healthy they could make the school's seventh Final Four trip during Izzo's tenure.

3. Duke Blue Devils -- ACC
There is not a team in the nation with a more lethal lineup at the wing position than Duke does. Rasheed Sulaimon averaged 11.6 points during a solid freshman campaign and he is joined by a transfer, Rodney Hood, who has the potential to be great. Hood comes from Mississippi State where he averaged 10.3 points two years ago. Add in one of the most talented freshman in the nation in Jabari Parker and this is a team with some serious talent.

4. Louisville Cardinals -- AAC
When Russ Smith decided to stay in Louisville for another season it immediately put the Cards in the title talk. Winning back-to-back titles is no easy task, but with their leading scorer, Smith, back and the return of last year's Final Four Most Outstanding Player, Luke Hancock, maybe Louisville has a chance. Several other returners will help carry the Cards to an AAC title and the Final Four.

Marcus Smart

5. Kansas Jayhawks -- Big 12
KU has had the Big 12 in a choke hold for about a decade now and the hype surrounding their star freshman Andrew Wiggins is immense. Wiggins is hailed the best player since LeBron James, but how far can he take the Jayhawks? Perry Ellis must make big strides inside this season. The other addition to the program that many have overlooked is the transfer of Tarik Black. A 6'9" beast in the paint, Black's addition is huge for Bill Self.

6. Arizona Wildcats -- Pac-12
Sean Miller has landed several McDonald's All-Americans at Zona, but none bigger than star freshman Aaron Gordon. Gordon is tabbed an All-American by several different media outlets and will be added to a frontcourt that was already solid. Sophomores Brandon Ashley and Kaleb Tarczewski both had solid freshmen campaigns. Nick Johnson will anchor the backcourt.

7. Michigan Wolverines -- Big Ten
Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. both went to the NBA, but there is plenty left in Ann Arbor for the Wolverines to have another great season. Start with Mitch McGary, who came on strong at the end of last season and, if he can stay on the floor for extended minutes, is going to be an All-American. Glenn Robinson III is also back and so is sharpshooter Nik Stauskas. Expect the winner of the Big Ten to come from the state of Michigan.

8. Oklahoma State Cowboys -- Big 12
It's a rare day when a lottery pick decides to stay in school for another year, but Marcus Smart did just that. Because of his decision, OK State is a real threat to dethrone Kansas in the Big 12. Also returning is Le'Bryan Nash and Markel Brown, meaning that the Cowboys have the top three scorers from the conference back on their roster. Depth may be an issue, but there's no denying the talented trio in Stillwater.

9. North Carolina Tar Heels -- ACC
Here is the biggest question mark in the nation. P.J. Hairston was surrounded by controversy all offseason, but somehow will get to play basketball this season. That's good news for the Heels because they need his shooting. They also need James Michael McAdoo to continue making strides. Add in some development from Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson and UNC could have a very good team.

C.J. Fair

10. Syracuse Orange -- ACC
It's all about C.J. Fair for the Orange. He is the returning leader in points, rebounds and assists and is one of the few proven players on the roster. Rakeem Christmas and DaJuan Coleman are the others, but Syracuse needs Christmas to be more of a presence of this season. The Orange will hand the reins to Tyler Ennis at point guard. Ennis is a true freshman.

11. Florida Gators -- SEC
Billy Donovan has already suspended three of his players for multiple games to start the season, but no need to worry. The Gators are almost always a lock to make a deep run in March and this year will be no different. Contrary to their conference-rival Kentucky, Florida has a veteran-loaded roster headlined by Patric Young. Yet Donovan expects big contributions from freshman Kasey Hill, a McDonald's All-American.

12. Ohio State Buckeyes -- Big Ten
Don't consider us big Buckeye believers, but they do have the talent to be great. However, they have question marks. Aaron Craft is a heady point guard, but needs to be more of an option when it comes to scoring. LaQuinton Ross and Lenzelle Smith Jr. will shoulder the scoring load while Sam Thompson and Amir Williams will be nice complementary pieces.

13. Wisconsin Badgers -- Big Ten
Every year Bo Ryan has been at Wisconsin they have finished in the top four in the Big Ten. It's going to happen again. Book it. The only area to be skeptical of is the post. Frank Kaminsky will be counted on heavily inside. Ben Brust and Traevon Jackson will handle the backcourt duties. Keep an eye on Sam Dekker. The sophomore could be something special.

14. Memphis Tigers -- AAC
There is plenty of experience for the Memphis Tigers this season. Joe Jackson led the team in points and assists last season and he will run the point again. Chris Crawford and Geron Johnson also scored in double figures last season. The wild card of the roster is Michael Dixon Jr. Dixon is a Missouri transfer who played a significant role on Mizzou's 2012 team. One thing to watch: Memphis is no longer in the weak C-USA. The AAC schedule will be more difficult.

15. Gonzaga Bulldogs -- WCC
The Zags had a terrific season in 2012-13, but will have to move on without Kelly Olynyk and Elias Harris. The cupboard is not completely bare though as a trio of backcourt members return. Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell Jr. will be starters and Pangos averaged 11.6 points last year. Bell put up 9.0 and that will most likely go up. David Stockton will come off the bench and and he is an assist machine (3.4 last season in 18.7 mpg)

16. Virginia Commonwealth -- Atlantic-10
VCU returns four starters from last year's team that made a Sweet 16 run. Shaka Smart always has the Rams playing high-tempo, pressure defense, but they still lack the size and strength to play with the big boys. However, the Rams will be great in transition if the risks they take on defense pay off. Juvonte Reddic, Treveon Graham and Briante Weber are the top returners.

17. Oregon Ducks -- Pac-12
The Ducks made a surprise run to the Sweet 16 last season, but there are some expectations this season. Oregon welcomes the addition of Mike Moser to the roster, a UNLV transfer. Moser is an athletic forward who can either play power forward or small forward. Dominic Artis, Johnathan Loyd and Damyean Dotson are a solid trio in the backcourt.

18. Marquette Golden Eagles -- Big East
Marquette is one of the teams that will rely heavily on their post presence. Davante Gardner is a large fellow, but is surprisingly nimble. He put up 11.6 points last season and was named the Big East Sixth Man of the Year. Chris Otule is back at center while Jamil Wilson is expected to be more of a factor this season. The backcourt is a bit of a mystery as of now.

Cleanthony Early

19. Wichita State Shockers -- MVC
The Shockers shocked the nation last year with a Final Four run and nearly upset eventual national champion Louisville in the semifinals. Cleanthony Early is the top returner after averaging 13.9 points and 5.6 rebounds last season. He should be a first round pick in June. Fred VanVleet is a year wiser and he will run the point again after averaging 2.3 assists last season.

20. Notre Dame Fighting Irish -- ACC
Notre Dame is new to the ACC, but the same consistency that Mike Brey had in the Big East should carry over. The guard tandem of Eric Atkins and Jerian Grant is potent as the two combined for 25.5 points and nearly 400 assists. Add sharpshooting Pat Connaughton and freshman Demetrius Jackson to the mix and Brey's Irish should be solid in their ACC debut.

21. Indiana Hoosiers -- Big Ten
Putting Indiana in here is a bit of a gamble, but if Tom Crean is as good of a coach as we think he is and Yogi Ferrell and Will Sheehey made the strides that have been reported then the Hoosiers should be fine. IU lost four 1,000 point scorers, but highly-touted freshman Noah Vonleh can fill a void at the forward position. Transfer Evan Gordon scored 10.0 ppg at Arizona State and he can also provide some help.

22. UCLA Bruins -- Pac-12
Steve Alford enters his first year in Westwood with a roster of quality players, but last year was a tumultuous one in LA. Jordan Adams and Kyle Anderson were better than the over-hyped Shabazz Muhammad last season. Adams is the top returning scorer while Anderson is the top returner in the rebounds and assists department. The Wear twins, David and Travis, will handle the inside duties.

23. UConn Huskies -- AAC
Having a good backcourt is essential to success, or at least that is one way of thinking. UConn has arguably one of the best backcourts in the nation with Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright. The pair combined for nearly 50 percent of the team's points and over 60 percent of the team's assists. The Huskies' leading rebounder DeAndre Daniels (5.5) is back as well.

24. New Mexico Lobos -- MWC
Steve Alford is no longer in Albuquerque, but the Lobos should still win the Mountain West Conference under new head coach, and one of Alford's former assistants, Craig Neal. Last year's MWC Player of the Year, Kendall Williams, returns after averaging 13.3 points and 4.9 assists last year. The conference's leading rebounder, Alex Kirk, is also back.

25. Baylor Bears -- Big 12
The Bears would not even sniff this list is it wasn't for the return of Isaiah Austin and Cory Jefferson. Jefferson led the team in points at 13.3 and Austin was close behind at 13.0 ppg. Austin also led the team in rebounding at 8.3 per game. Baylor needs Austin to be a bit more assertive if they are to compete with Kansas and Oklahoma State.

Reaction to March Madness: Days 3 & 4

Aaron Craft's three sent the Buckeyes to the Sweet 16

The Sweet 16 is set and there are plenty of surprises after the first weekend. This tournament has lived to the hype so far. We expected it to be an unpredictable couple of weeks and it certainly has. Florida Gulf Coast, LaSalle and Wichita State are all in the Sweet 16 while Gonzaga, Georgetown and Wisconsin are already home. Bet not many people thought that would happen and it also is a clear illustrator that the Sweet 16 may not play out the way we think it will (I'm looking at you Florida). With the first weekend in the books, here's five observations from the third round.

1. Michigan has looked like one of the more impressive teams
When the brackets were announced and Michigan had VCU looming in the third round, it was an uncertainty whether or not the Wolverines would see the second weekend of March Madness. Shaka Smart's squad frustrates opponents with their Havoc defense and it seemed that if they could corral Trey Burke then they would be the victor. Not so. The Rams did force seven Burke turnovers, but it hardly mattered since VCU shot just 39 percent for the game. On top of that, Mitch McGary played the game of his life, scoring 21 points on 10-11 shooting and grabbing 14 rebounds. Michigan has dominated both of their games so far and will now get a shot at top-seeded Kansas. If McGary continues his great play then count on the Wolverines advancing.

2. Florida Gulf Coast is unlike any Cinderella we have ever seen
The Eagles run has captivated the nation and rightfully so. After all, just three years ago FGCU wasn't even a Division I program. Now, they are heading to the Sweet 16 to take on Florida after dominating Georgetown and San Diego State. We have seen magnificent Cinderella runs from Butler, George Mason and VCU, but we have not seen a run like FGCU's. The Eagles aren't just winning games -- they are dominating them. They didn't just beat Georgetown. They completely took the Hoyas out of their game and then won over the crowd by chucking alley-oops at crucial moments of the game. Same story in the San Diego State game. The Aztecs were up by one at the half, but the second half belonged to FGCU. The Eagles are making it look easy and, even better, they are making it look fun.

Sherwood Brown and FGCU made history as the first 15 seed to go to the Sweet 16

3. Safe to say the Big Ten is America's best conference
The Big Ten has been heralded as the best conference in college basketball and the debate should be settled. Of the seven Big Ten teams that qualified for the tournament four are in the Sweet 16. Illinois and Minnesota also won a game and the Illini were this close to upsetting Miami. Aaron Craft nailed a buzzer-beater to send Ohio State to the next round and Victor Oladipo's big three ensured that Indiana would not fall victim to an upset. Michigan and Michigan State have looked very impressive and, just an FYI, the four Big Ten teams are in four separate brackets. It's never happened where four teams from the same conference make the Final Four, but it's a definite possibility this season.

4. Does the committee realized how badly they messed up Oregon's seed?
Oregon won the Pac-12 tournament this season and spent plenty of time in the Top 25. They are 28-8 and yet they somehow wound up as a 12 seed. Feel bad for Oklahoma State and St. Louis because they had the misfortune of having to face the Ducks that early in the tournament. Oregon has won their two games by an average of 15 points per game and will now face a major test against Louisville. One thing is clear though: this isn't your everyday 12 seed.

5. Butler-Marquette is a budding rivalry
Butler and Marquette gave us two great games this season and next year they will be in the same conference. That's fantastic news for basketball fans after watching two thrillers this year. Butler beat Marquette on a buzzer-beater in Maui at the beginning of the season, but Marquette got their revenge in the third round of the NCAA Tournament. Once again, Butler had a shot at the buzzer, but this time it would not go and the Golden Eagles have moved on to the Sweet 16. Rivalries have to start somewhere and this is one that looks to be strong for years to come. Both teams play a tough style and are very evenly matched. Talk about good television.

It's been a great tournament so far and the rest of it promises to be just as good. The Sweet 16 gets started on Thursday and continues through Friday. The Elite 8 will be Saturday and Sunday. Below is the schedule for the Sweet 16 games.

Thursday, March 28
7:15 PM EST -- (3) Marquette vs. (2) Miami
7:47 PM EST -- (6) Arizona vs. (2) Ohio State
9:45 PM EST -- (4) Syracuse vs. (1) Indiana
10:17 PM EST -- (13) LaSalle vs. (9) Wichita State

Friday, March 29
7:15 PM EST -- (12) Oregon vs. (1) Louisville
7:37 PM EST -- (4) Michigan vs. (1) Kansas
9:45 PM EST -- (3) Michigan State vs. (2) Duke
9:57 PM EST -- (15) Florida Gulf Coast vs. (3) Florida

Bracket Breakdown: South

Otto Porter of Georgetown

The South Region is the most top heavy bracket of the four. Kansas headlines the region as the number two overall seed and they are joined by Georgetown, Florida and Michigan. KU won the Big 12, Florida won the SEC and Georgetown won the Big East. Michigan was a couple of bricked free throws from sharing the Big Ten title. Clearly, this is a bracket of winners, but also take a look at the coaches. Of the 16 coaches in the bracket, 10 have won a national title. It's also likely that one of those 10 adds some more hardware to their office. Let's take a look...

South Region winner: Georgetown Hoyas
The Hoyas are going to win the South Region for one reason: Otto Porter. The do-it-all wing player leads Georgetown in almost every major statistical category and he can beat opponents from anywhere on the floor. The road won't be easy for John Thompson's squad though. Most likely Florida will be waiting in the Sweet 16 and then either Kansas or Michigan will present a huge challenge in the Elite 8. Count on the Hoyas because of they are battle tested and they are 6-2 against ranked opponents. Behind Porter, expect G'Town to be back in the Final Four for the first time since 2007.

Upset Pick: Minnesota over UCLA
Minnesota isn't your typical 11 seed. The Golden Gophers defeated five ranked opponents, including #1 Indiana. However, they have lost three in a row and that doesn't always bode well coming into tournament play. Despite that, they should beat UCLA for a couple of reasons. One, they have played far superior competition and two, UCLA is without Jordan Adams. The freshman guard broke his foot during the Pac-12 tournament and the Bruins will struggle without him.

Nate Wolters of South Dakota State

Potentially Intriguing Matchup: Anybody who has to play VCU
Okay so that's kind of cheating, but anybody VCU plays will have a hard time. The Rams qualified for the Final Four in 2011 and their unique style of play makes them a difficult matchup. However, they will have to take down the titans to reach Atlanta, but that is something they have done before. Could they stop Trey Burke in the third round? Could they knock off Kansas just like they did in 2011? Will Florida or Georgetown be too much for them handle? Who knows. We also can't be sure they will even win their first game against Akron, but we can be sure that they will bring 100% effort and be fun to watch.

Player to Watch: Nate Wolters, guard, South Dakota State
Wolters has led South Dakota State to the Big Dance for the second straight year and the do-it-all guard can win a game by himself. The senior averages 22.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game and had a 53 point outburst on February 7th. His scoring average is fourth best in the nation. Wolters comes from the Summit League, but has performed against top competition. He posted 30 points against Alabama at the beginning of the season and then had 28 against New Mexico before Christmas.

Bottom Line: The South is loaded, but Otto Porter and Georgetown have been very consistent and have defeated some of the nation's elite. They will be in Atlanta.

5 Things to Watch Before March Madness

The Madness came long before the calendar even thought about turning to March this year. College basketball has been a roller coaster ride this season with the unexpected happening more often than the expected. Top teams have fallen weekly and the polls are littered with so-called "mid-majors." There is still plenty of time before the actual March Madness starts, but here are five things to keep an eye on as the regular season winds down.

1. Which Big Ten team will be hot at the end of the season?

The Big Ten is hands down the best conference in the nation and it's not really close. They have four teams that could qualify for the Final Four and three more that have the potential to make the Sweet 16. As of now, Indiana and Michigan State are tied atop the standings at 10-2, but Wisconsin (8-3), Michigan (8-4) and Ohio State (7-4) are all in striking distance. The reality is that any team could win the regular season or the conference tournament. They are that even this year. Consider that two weeks ago Michigan was the #1 team in the nation, but Tuesday night they were absolutely dismantled by Michigan State. Indiana has looked great most of the year, but they are vulnerable and it showed in their loss to Illinois. Speaking of the Illini, they are the biggest mystery in college basketball. They have arguably the best set of wins in the country, but they have terrible losses as well. With a conference that is so tough the team that is hot at the end of the year will be the one that wins the tournament and advances to the Final Four.

2. Miami is the real deal...so far
The Hurricanes have reached number three in the polls and are a perfect 11-0 in the ACC. They have defeated Michigan State, Duke and they swept the season series against North Carolina. Looking at the rest of their schedule, there is only one test remaining. That test, however, is a major one. On March 2 the Canes will travel into Cameron Indoor and try to knock off the Dukies for the second time this season. The strange thing about Miami is that they do not rank higher than fifth in any major statistical category among ACC teams besides steals (3rd) and blocks (2nd). However, they have a steady point guard in Shane Larkin and a coach who knows how to win in Jim Larranaga. Up to this point the Canes have given us no reason to not believe in them.

3. Don't sleep on the Florida Gators
With all the talk surrounding the Big Ten, the usual hype about Duke and the lovable mid-majors such as Butler and Gonzaga steamrolling the competition, it is easy to forget about the Florida Gators. The SEC is down this year with Kentucky not living up to expectations and Missouri playing inconsistent basketball, but Florida has been great all year long and may wind up in Atlanta. In their four wins against ranked opponents the Gators have won by an average of 20 points per game. They reeled off ten straight wins from December 29-February 2 and are undefeated at home. Need a reason for the success? Take note of the 49 percent team field goal percentage which is good for seventh in the nation. They have four players that average double figures and shoot the ball well from long range. One other note to consider while picking your bracket this year: only five coaches have taken one program to the Elite 8 five times since 2000. Billy Donovan is one of them.

4. Will Ryan Kelly be healthy for Duke's tournament run?
Let's be honest. The Duke Blue Devils are a good team with or without Ryan Kelly, but obviously Coach K would benefit from having him back in the lineup. Duke was 15-0 before Kelly injured his foot and since then they have compiled a 7-2 record. Kelly is a versatile forward with the ability to go inside or out. He is averaging a career-high for points with 13.4 and is shooting a staggering 52 percent from three point land. He also averages five boards and shoots nearly 80 percent from the free throw line. Duke is a good team without Kelly, but they are a great team with him. He is expected to return soon, and if he can get healthy before the tournament then the Blue Devils should play deep into March.

5. Is Arizona as good as their #9 ranking indicates?
The Wildcats are 20-3 this season and have an impressive non-conference resume. They defeated Florida, Miami and San Diego State before entering Pac-12 play, but that's where things have gotten a bit murky. The Pac-12 is not a strong conference this season, but 'Zona has gone 8-3 in league play. Sean Miller's crew started the New Year off on the wrong foot by narrowly beating mediocre Colorado in a controversial finish, nearly losing to lowly Utah and then losing their first game of the season to Oregon. There's no doubt that Arizona is a good team and their 20-3 record clearly illustrates that, but they have not always been impressive. They have fared well against non-conference foes, but will they be able to make a run in March against stiff competition?

There is plenty else to watch as this wild season progresses, but these are five story lines worth mentioning. In a season where there is so much uncertainty it is difficult to predict a winner, but the hot team usually wins. In 2011 Connecticut looked awful during the regular season, but got hot at the right time and wound up winning it all. There could be a team with a similar run this season. The Madness is already upon us, but when March hits we can expect things to get even crazier. Buckle up.

NCAA College Basketball Preview 2011-2012

With the way things are right now, it seems that college basketball is going to be the only basketball for the fans this winter because the NBA can't solve their lockout. It's a real shame that the NBA won't be playing after having such a great year but college basketball never disappoints. This year will be no different with so much talent returning for a change. Sure, some players left prematurely (I'm talking to you Jereme Richmond) but others (Jared Sullinger, Harrison Barnes) decided to stay on campus at least one more year and it appears they made the correct decision. It only benefits the college game. Here's a quick look at several teams, players and games you will want to make sure you keep an eye on during the season.

The World of Wadley Top 5 College Basketball Preseason Rankings
1. North Carolina Tar Heels

Barnes

   It seems that every few years Roy Williams assembles a team that seems destined to win the national championship. A team so loaded that it looks like there's no way they couldn't win. He did it in 2005 and again in 2009 and now he has done it for 2011-12. When Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller and John Henson announced they were coming back to campus it immediately made Carolina the favorite. Barnes had tremendous hype surrounding him during his freshman campaign and he lived up to it in the second half of the season. His 40 point outburst against Clemson in the ACC Tournament demonstrated his talent and he is also a clutch scorer. Starting with him in the frontcourt will be Henson and Zeller and both, when healthy, can also be All-Americans. Henson is extremely athletic and a defensive force with his shot-blocking ability. Zeller is a true post man who can run the floor.

   Despite all that, the most important piece to the championship puzzle could be sophomore point guard Kendall Marshall. After Larry Drew's departure in midseason Marshall got his chance and handed out 6.2 assists per game. It is imperative that he continues to develop as a point guard and continues to find the open man. Also, Carolina needs role players Dexter Strickland and Reggie Bullock to step up and contribute. Strickland can be the lockdown defender while Bullock, a former McDonald's All-American, can stretch defenses with his three point shooting. Freshmen James McAdoo and P.J. Hairston will also be thrown into the mix early and often. It's a loaded Tar Heels team and one that should be raising another banner.

2. Kentucky Wildcats

Jones

   Keeping with recent trends, UK will show off the nation's top recruiting class this season and will rely heavily on the freshmen. However, the difference this year will be the solid group of upperclassmen. Now that's not to say that Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb are wily vets (they are still only sophomores) but the surprise return of Jones may be what John Calipari needs to win a title. Granted, it was the Blue-White Scrimmage game but Jones dropped 52 points and afterwards declared he is a man on a mission.

   He, Lamb and Darius Miller will be joined by a trio of freshmen who could all compete for the Freshman of the Year award. Anthony Davis is the top recruit and a 6-10 center from Chicago. He leaped onto the scene after an enormous growth spurt but there are critics still. He is athletic but don't expect him to play back-to-the-basket. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is an athletic slasher who will provide scoring and rebounding and could become a threat inside and outside. Last but not least, there is Marquis Teague, younger brother of the Atlanta Hawks' Jeff Teague. Marquis is next in line in the the string of elite point guards under Calipari that includes Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, John Wall and Brandon Knight. The question for UK is the same one it has been for the past few years: Can they win while relying on so many freshmen?

3. Ohio State Buckeyes

Sullinger

   Few teams could lose the talent that the Buckeyes did and still be a top five team. Jon Diebler, David Lighty and Dallas Lauderdale all graduated but one man who was also expected to leave is back in Columbus. Jared Sullinger turned in an impressive freshman season, averaging 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game which earned him National Freshman of the Year and first-team All-American. However, none of that matters to Sullinger who was projected to be the number one pick in the NBA Draft. What matters to him is that Ohio State didn't win it all and he is back to do just that.

   Helping the big fella out will be fellow sophomore stud, Aaron Craft. The point guard played nearly 30 minutes per game last year in the sixth man role but will be starting from day one this season. His numbers should improve his steady play at the point could determine which way the Buckeyes go this season. The lone senior on the roster is William Buford. With Diebler gone that only means more opportunities for Buford, who shot exceptionally well last year from deep (44.2 percent). Everyone knows what to expect from those three players but the major question mark for Ohio State is DeShaun Thomas. The forward didn't play many minutes last year but did produce when he got his chance. His continued improvement would be huge for OSU.

4. Connecticut Huskies

Lamb

   No more Kemba but that hardly means the cupboard is bare for the defending national champions. Loads of hype is swirling around sophomore wing Jeremy Lamb after he was impressive in the NCAAs but what he does as an encore will dictate the Huskies season. There have been players before Lamb who have had great tournaments but never produced like we thought they would the next year (think Durrell Summers). Lamb could bud into the star we expect or merely be another average player. He is still young and so are his teammates around him. Sophomore, Shabazz Napier, will run the point and needs to continue his steady play there. Roscoe Smith will be a bigger factor as a sophomore and his scoring (6.3 ppg) should rise.

   Inside the Huskies have two solid big men. Alex Oriakhi is back as a junior and he was the leading rebounder in the Big East last season. He also had three double-doubles in postseason play and the Huskies need him to be a factor in the points column. Andre Drummond, a freshman, will see plenty of time down in the post. Drummond was able to get into school early and he is a true back-to-the-basket player. His size coupled with Oriakhi is going to be tough to stop.

5. Duke Blue Devils

Mason Plumlee

   It will seem different watching a Duke game without first-team All-ACC players Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith on the floor but it was finally time for them to leave and pursue NBA careers. Also gone is the number one pick Kyrie Irving. Irving wowed the crowds when he played but seeing him in uniform was a rare sight. He left Durham after only playing ten games. Those three losses would kill most programs but not the Dukies and that is thanks to their solid recruiting class. Austin Rivers is the highlight and he will most likely start somewhere in the backcourt but where that is has yet to be determined. It appears that Coach K may have a logjam in the backcourt but some speculate Seth Curry will start at point guard with Rivers playing off the ball. Curry would be put in a position similar to the way Coach K used Jon Scheyer his senior year. Playing point means Curry wouldn't find his shot until late in the shot clock but Rivers is a player who demands the ball and he can create off the ball. Quinn Cook will also see minutes as a backup and Andre Dawkins will factor in as well.

   Inside the Blue Devils are set with the three Plumlees and Ryan Kelly. All four are good rebounders and Mason Plumlee led the team last year grabbing 8.4 per game. We know what we are getting from the post men on Duke but the backcourt still has some issues to sort out before we deem this team a national title contender.

3 Players to Watch in 2011-12

Tu Holloway, point guard, Xavier Musketeers

Here's a little man who can fill it up in a hurry. Holloway averaged 19.7 points per game as a junior while dishing out 5.4 assists and was named A-10 Player of the Year. Xavier has won or shared the A-10 regular season title for the last five seasons and it's easy to guess that a sixth one is coming behind the leadership of Holloway. His quickness and strength allow him to get to the hoop and he also finds himself on the free throw line quite a bit where he shot 87 percent last season. 

Perry Jones III, forward, Baylor Bears

That Jones is even still at Baylor is a huge surprise because he was a guaranteed top-10 pick in the NBA Draft. But he did return to campus and he hopes to improve on a season that didn't go as planned. Jones averaged 13.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game but was suspended just hours before the Big 12 tournament because his mother accepted illegal loans. He will sit out the first five games this season so we will have to wait a few more weeks to see him but when he does step on the court make sure to take notice.

John Shurna, forward, Northwestern Wildcats
Seems odd for someone from a program with zero NCAA Tournament appearances to be on this list but Shurna is that good. He averaged 24.4 points per game through the first nine games last season before an ankle injury slowed him down. During the summer he tested the NBA waters and decided to come back to campus. His only goal now is to take the Wildcats to their first Big Dance.

Kabongo

10 Freshmen to Watch

Austin Rivers, guard, Duke Blue Devils

Anthony Davis, forward, Kentucky Wildcats

Marquis Teague, guard, Kentucky Wildcats

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, forward, Kentucky Wildcats

Brad Beal, guard, Florida Gators

Myck Kabongo, guard, Texas Longhorns

LeBryan Nash, forward, Oklahoma State Cowboys
Quincy Miller, forward, Baylor Bears
Rakeem Christmas, forward, Syracuse Orange
James McAdoo, forward, North Carolina Tar Heels

3 Regular Season Non-conference Games to Watch
North Carolina at Kentucky (December 3rd)
I honestly can not remember a more exciting non-conference game. These two teams will most likely be numbers 1 and 2 and Rupp Arena will be rocking. Viewers will literally be watching the next crop of NBA stars in this game.

Duke at Ohio State (November 29th)
Two top teams go head-to-head in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and this should be a tough, grind-it-out game. Sullinger won't have it easy in the frontcourt and Aaron Craft vs. Austin Rivers is an enticing backcourt matchup.

Cincinnati at Xavier (December 10th)
This is always a bitter crosstown rivalry but this year both teams should enter the game in the Top 25 and, most likely, undefeated. Talk about raising the stakes. Xavier has 7'0" Kenny Frease in the middle but Cincinnati features Yancy Gates, a true physical specimen.

There just isn't a better sport than college basketball and it all gets under way very soon. The first must-see game will be November 11th when Carolina takes on Michigan State in the Carrier Classic and as we all know the season will be filled with great games. Talking predictions, North Carolina will win the national championship for the third time since 2005, Jared Sullinger will win Player of the Year and Austin Rivers will be named National Freshman of the Year. Those are my thoughts and predictions now let me hear yours! Comment below.

College Softball Needs Change

Okay every now and then something in sports comes to my attention and I just have to scratch my head because it doesn't make sense. Lately I have watched a little bit of the Women's College World Series for softball and, while the games usually are close and go down to the wire, I can NOT stand the field dimensions those girls are playing on. With fences that measure 200 feet and bases that are only 60 feet apart, the game is either going to be a slugfest or a strikeoutfest. I've watched the World Series for a few years now and every year it is the same story and the NCAA needs to do something about it to better the game.

When boys, and girls for that matter, are nine years old they are playing on fields with 200 foot fences and 60 foot bases and these girls who are in college play on the same size fields. That is absolutely ridiculous to me. There is no such thing as a triple in college softball because with a field that small who could scamper all the way around the bases before the throw comes in? On the other hand, the bases are so short that sometimes these slap hitters place a ball perfectly on the infield and beat the throw. If the field were bigger they would surely be thrown out but it takes maybe 15 steps to get to first!

However, the main problem is the distance of the mound. The mound is so close and these pitchers throw at speeds in the 60s which means the ball is to home in the blink of an eye. As a result there are numerous strikeouts every game and also several groundouts. If the mound were moved back a few feet it would do two things: make the game safer for the pitchers and help the scoring. As I sit here typing this I am watching Game 1 of the Final between Arizona State and Florida. ASU took a 7-0 lead after two and they did it by the home run and a few extra base hits off the wall. The game is so predictable you could probably guess what will happen before it starts.

At the beginning of the tournament Baylor and Missouri played 13 innings before Baylor won by a walkoff home run. That was the only run of the game! Missouri only managed two hits in the whole contest and one run was all the two teams could muster in 13 innings. I'm all for the occassional pitchers' duel but that is outrageous. In my mind, that happens all too often and the NCAA has to do something to make the game more like baseball. It seems that softball is all or nothing. There's either an abundance of strikeouts or it is a slugfest to see who can hit the most home runs. That's not real baseball to me.

If I were the head of softball for a day I would take the approach that Little League has taken with their field dimensions. Move the fence back 25 feet so that it is 225 all the way around. That is a reasonable distance because players could still hit home runs but it opens up the outfield a bit more which allows runners to go from first to third more often and there could be more extra base hits. Along with that I would say move the bases back to 75 feet. This would mean more stolen bases because second is further from the plate and fielders would also have a legitimate chance to throw out a runner. Last but not least, the mound needs to be pushed back to 50'6" which is ten feet closer then a Major League mound. That allows hitters to have more time to read a pitch and it is safer for the pitchers.

Those changes may sound very offensive minded but they would help a pitcher greatly. A farther fence means less home runs. Further bases mean more time for fielders to gather and throw across the diamond and a mound at 50'6" gives the pitchers' ball more time to do it's action. A rise ball can rise more and the ball can naturally tail more if it is given time. That would make it trickier for the hitters. That said, there would also be many benefits for the hitters. Altogether, I think those moves would be very beneficial for the game of college softball and the games would be more interesting. Don't get me wrong, I think that these games can be entertaining but it's not the ideal way to play the game. Sometimes change is good and I think this is a game that could use some change.

2011-12 College Basketball Preseason Top 25*

Hey, why not? This five day break from March Madness is killing me and I need to fill up my time doing something. Now, I made this poll assuming everyone stays in school and doesn't exit early for the draft but, of course, that wouldn't happen. This is all in fun. However, I do think a lot of players may decide to stay in school because, number one: they aren't NBA-ready and, number two: the NBA has a potential lockout next year so why not stay in school and try to win a championship? Jared Sullinger has already come out and said he is going back to Ohio State and we will see if he holds true to that. I think that he will and I think there are probably only three or four big name freshmen who may test the NBA waters. Harrison Barnes and Kyrie Irving most likely will and don't be surprised if Josh Selby and Perry Jones do as well. Also, Kemba Walker will probably dip out early and head to the league as will the at least one of the Morris brothers, Derrick Williams and either John Henson or Tyler Zeller may consider it strongly. Nobody really knows yet but right now I'm going to say everybody is staying and just have some fun. So, without further ado, here is The World of Wadley top 25 for 2011-2012.

1. North Carolina Tar Heels- ACC

The Heels made a nice tournament run to the Elite 8 and a cupboard full of talented players. Harrison Barnes (15.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg) figured things out in the second half of the season and played excellent while his freshmen mate, Kendall Marshall, thrived once he was given control of the point guard position, averaging six points and six assists. John Henson and Tyler Zeller are phenomenal and add up all that returning talent with two McDonald's All-Americans coming in and you have the recipe for a national championship.

2. Kansas Jayhawks- Big 12

They just have problems with those mid-majors in March don't they? The poor Jayhawks had

a clear path to the Final Four, or so it seemed, until VCU upset them in the Elite 8. If everyone does stay in Lawrence then 2011-12 could be a magical year. The Morris twins and Thomas Robinson are unstoppable in the paint and Tyshawn Taylor continues to improve. Josh Selby had an up and down freshman campaign but he is a great player and we should see his full talents in his sophomore season.

3. Kentucky Wildcats- SEC

Unlike the mass exodus we saw last season when five Kentucky players left for the NBA, I

think most of them will stay this year. Brandon Knight, Doron Lamb and Terrence Jones were

a freshmen three-headed monster and don't look now, but John Calipari has the number one recruiting class coming in. Marquis Teague, Anthony Davis and Mike Gilchrist will all put on the Cats uniform and the only question is: Does UK have too much talent for one roster?

4. Duke Blue Devils- ACC

No more Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith, but what a career they had. Now, there will be a Plumlee invasion in Durham as Marshall joins the team to make three Plumlees on one team. Austin Rivers, the top recruit in the nation, is on his way to be the starting shooting guard and if Irving stays then that would be the best backcourt in the nation hands down. Seth Curry, Andre Dawkins, Ryan Kelly and new recruit Quinn Cook will all help off the bench.

5. Syracuse Orange- Big East

The Big East may actually have a down year by their standards but not the Orange. Jim Boeheim will have his team right back near the top of the polls with every starter, but one, able to come back. Scoop Jardine can dish to Kris Joseph and Brandon Triche who will provide the scoring. Hopefully Fab Melo plays like he has a clue next season because, if he doesn't, the 'Cuse may struggle. Dion Waiters will also be improved with one year of experience under his belt.

6. Texas Longhorns- Big 12

Like their Big 12 buddies up in Lawrence, the Horns have a habit of playing great until March. Rick Barnes will have a loaded squad again this year with plenty of pieces returning and the 5th rated recruiting class coming in. Myck Kabongo is a speedy point guard who will share the backcourt with J'Covan Brown and Cory Joseph. Jordan Hamilton can fill it up and Tristan Thompson was outstanding as a freshman. Texas will no doubt be great, but they need to be great in March.

7. Arizona Wildcats- Pac 10

Derrick Williams was a beast, posting numbers of 20 points and 8 boards this past season and, if he chooses to stay, he holds the key to Arizona's postseason dreams. The Wildcats are freakishly athletic and the nation saw what they can do when they blew out Duke in the Sweet 16. MoMo Jones is a great guard and the Cats have a top 10 recruiting class coming in. Jesse Perry, Kyle Fogg and Solomon Hill all return.

8. Connecticut Huskies- Big East

It's doubtful that we will get to see the Kemba show one more year in college basketball but we can hope. The 6'2" guard has carried the Huskies this season but next year the freshmen trio of Jeremy Lamb, Shabazz Napier and Roscoe Smith will all pitch. Alex Oriakhi is a post prescence and Jamal Coombs-McDaniel is an athletic forward. A return trip to the Final Four wouldn't be out of the question if Walker decides to stay.

9. Louisville Cardinals- Big East

Preston Knowles is the only player leaving Rick Pitino's Cardinals which means they should be very good next year. Losing Knowles hurts but plenty of talent returns. Peyton Siva is a steady point guard while Kyle Kuric and Rakeem Buckles's production should go up with each year of experience. Terrence Jennings and George Goode will also be seniors that should contribute. The Cardinals have three players they can count on with others that need to step up production.

10. Illinois Fighting Illini- Big Ten

This is a very risky pick because four of the Illini's key players are graduating and they didn't

look very good at times this past season. However, Bruce Weber has put together three great recruiting classes in a row (this year's is ranked 11th) and those young players should mesh together. Jereme Richmond is the best returning player and he will have frontcourt help from incoming freshmen and fellow soph Meyers Leonard. Brandon Paul, D.J. Richardson and Crandall Head form a very good backcourt. It's time for these young Illini to live up to expectations.

11. UCLA Bruins- Pac 10

The Pac-10 is back after suffering through a few years of mediocre play because of early draft exits. The Bruins were especially hurt by players leaving early but next year they shouldn't have to worry about any of that. Nobody is leaving the program. Malcolm Lee will run the point and the rest of the lineup will be filled out by sophomore sensation, Joshua Smith, and a bevy of juniors. Reeves Nelson, Lazeric Jones, Tyler Honeycutt and the Wear twins, who transferred from North Carolina, will be major factors in UCLA's success.

12. Ohio State Buckeyes- Big Ten

Jon Diebler, David Lighty and Dallas Lauderdale are all graduating but the good news in Columbus is that diaper dandy, Jared Sullinger, wants to stay in school. That would be huge for Ohio State who will also have sophomores DeShaun Thomas and Aaron Craft in the starting lineup. William Buford will be the wise, old sage on this young team that has another top 5 recruiting class coming in. Thad Matta just knows how to get them to Columbus.

13. Missouri Tigers- Big 12

Another risky pick here because the Tigers don't even have a coach right now. Whoever gets the job will inherit a roster stocked with talent, assuming nobody transfers. Marcus Denmon had a breakout year, averaging 17 points per game. Ricardo Ratliffe is a double-double waiting to happen and Laurence Bowers and Michael Dixon are both good role players. Kim English can score big on any given night. No matter who the coach, the Tigers will be stingy on defense and very efficient on offense.

14. Michigan Wolverines- Big Ten

I can't do it just yet. I can't pick the Wolverines to win the Big Ten next year even though everybody returns but don't be surprised if they win the conference. Tim Hardaway Jr. is deadly from deep and is that guy opponents should fear at the end of games. Darius Morris is a good point guard that will only improve. Stu Douglass and Zack Novak can also stroke it from deep. The Wolverines will still be a young team but they were playing great at the end of the year.

15. Memphis Tigers- Conference USA

People kind of forgot about Memphis until they almost upset Arizona in the first round. The problem for them this year was youth but all those young freshmen should be ready next season. The Barton brothers, Will and Antonio will lead the team along with senior, Wesley Witherspoon. Joe Jackson and Charles Carmouche chipped in nicely from the point guard position this year and that same production will be expected from them next year.

16. Florida State Seminoles- ACC

It may be tough to keep Chris Singleton on campus for his senior year but if he does come back to Tallahassee then watch out. FSU advanced to the Sweet 16 this year and they might be in for a repeat performance. Singleton is a defensive stopper who can score and rebound on the offensive end. Derwin Kitchen is graduating but Bernard James and Michael Snaer return. Leonard Hamilton also made some noise on the recruiting trail, bringing in a top 20 class.

17. Cincinnati Bearcats- Big East

The Bearcats return their top four scorers from a team that advanced to the second round in this year's NCAA Tournament. Yancy Gates is a beast on the boards and he and Dion Dixon each averaged 12 points a game. Cashmere Wright and Sean Kilpatrick both added in 9 points. Cincinnati was a very balanced team last year and they should be again this year. Lance Stephenson is probably wishing he would have stayed a few more years right about now.

18. Baylor Bears- Big 12

This is just wishful thinking right here of what could be. The Bears will never achieve a ranking this high because LaceDarius Dunn is graduating and Perry Jones will surely head to the NBA but if he does stay and Baylor can avoid suspensions, recruiting trouble, etc. then they can compete for the Big 12 title perhaps. That front line of Perry Jones, Anthony Jones and Quincy Acy is scary. Plus they bring in two McDonald's All-Americans. Hopefully they can stay out of recruiting trouble.

19. Butler Bulldogs- Horizon League

I believe in the Butler Bulldogs and so should everybody else. Sure, they lose Matt Howard and Shawn Vanzant and Zach Hahn but people wrote them off when Gordon Hayward declared for the draft last year. Shelvin Mack should come back and he could be an All-American if he does. Chase Stigall can only improve and we got a taste of how good Khyle Marshall and Chrishawn Hopkins can be. Andrew Smith has been solid in the middle and will also be improved. Maybe not the Final Four but definitely Sweet 16. It's the Butler Way.

20. Florida Gators- SEC

The Gators will have a hard time duplicating their success from this season without Chandler Parsons, Alex Tyus and Vernon Macklin but all is not lost. A top 25 recruiting class is on the way to join Kenny Boynton, Erving Walker and a talented group of sophomores. Perimeter play will be a strength for Florida but PatricYoung looked like a formidable post prescence. The Gators are on the return to greatness and hopefully they don't decline too much.

21. Washington Huskies- Pac 10

The Huskies have one of the best backcourts in the nation with Abdul Gaddy and Isaiah Thomas and now you can throw freshman point guard, Tony Wroten Jr., into the mix. Guard play has always been Washington's strength and they will rely on it even more with the departure of Matthew Bryan-Amaning. Aziz N'Diaye is a 7 footer who could prove to be very valuable.

22. San Diego State Aztecs- Mountain West

Maybe this is a little bit low for a team that advanced to the Sweet 16 and should win their conference but they do lose D.J. Gay and Billy White. Kawhi Leonard is a future NBA player and he does it all for the Aztecs. Chase Tapley and James Rahon also return for Steve Fisher's team and, although they may not have the same magic, they should be in the top 25 again.

23. Gonzaga Bulldogs- West Coast

Steven Gray is a huge loss for the Zags but everybody else returns to a team that always finds their way into March Madness. They are no longer considered a Cinderella but a powerhouse. Elias Harris is a dynamic player with NBA potential and Robert Sacre is a threat inside. The Zags have earned high expectations and they usually live up to them. Next year will be no different.

24. Pittsburgh Panthers- Big East

Pitt loses a ton of players in Brad Wanamaker, Gary McGhee and Gilbert Brown and they may struggle at times next season. Nasir Robinson, Ashton Gibbs and Dante Taylor will be back and they lead a Panther attack that is always at the top of the Big East. They also bring in a top recruiting class and Jamie Dixon shouldn't slow down on piling up the wins.

25. Xavier Musketeers- Atlantic 10

Plenty of candidates for the final top 25 spot but I'll go with Xavier. The Musketeers were upset in the first round against Marquette but return quite a bit of talent. Tu Holloway is a name you should know because the dynamite little guard can fill it up. He's next in line of good Xavier guards. Kenny Frease is a 7 footer in the middle and, like always, expect to see the Musketeers come March.

Wouldn't you know it, as I was writing this blog Tyler Honeycutt from UCLA and Darius Morris from Michigan came out and said they are going to test the NBA waters. That's what happens but here is a potential top 25 for next season. There will be plenty of great freshmen and traditional powers will rule but until then let's get pumped up for the 2011 Final Four Saturday night. Stay tuned for another Top 25 in a few weeks!