The State of College Basketball: Trending Up or Down?

It's the most dreadful time of year for a college basketball fan. March Madness has come to a close, the game is absent from the sports world, and along with that, underclassmen begin to declare for the NBA Draft later in June. Spurning one to three more years of college for the chance at fame and millions of dollars seems like a no-brainer, and the amount of young men who choose that path illustrate that thinking. But while players sign agents, fans are left with the changing landscape of college basketball.

Is the game improving? Quite simply, it is not. A case could be made that the game has been stagnant, but it's difficult to argue that college basketball has improved in the last decade. Choppy gameplay due to fouls, conference realignment, coaching changes and early draft entries have affected the game negatively and continue to do so.

The national championship game between North Carolina and Gonzaga was difficult to watch despite the close score. 44 fouls meant constant stoppages, which led to poor shooting and no rhythm in gameplay. The final 20 minutes seemed to take a lifetime as it became a free throw contest. 52 free throws were shot before the end of the night and both teams were in the bonus with 13 minutes left. In the second half alone there were 27 fouls and it sent nearly every big man for both teams to the bench in foul trouble.

Unfortunately, the national championship was not an anomaly. UCLA, a run-and-gun team that featured quality shooters, versatile big men and Lonzo Ball to orchestrate it all, was a breath of fresh air during a season that would frequently feature games in the 60's.

Four different conferences were represented at the Final Four this season (ACC, SEC, WCC, PAC-12), but not one of those conferences has had the same members for longer than five seasons. Football and the pursuit of the almighty dollar for television networks has led many conference to shift and change over the years. This is nothing new, but it's reached a new level in this decade. It's taken away fantastic basketball rivalries like Kansas-Missouri, Syracuse-Georgetown and Duke-Maryland.

Instead, fans are treated to games like Missouri-Auburn, Syracuse-Clemson and Maryland-Nebraska. Sure, there are still plenty of great rivalries, but a Missouri fan has lost the two best games of the year. A Maryland fan is watching their team in games with no history or passion. A Syracuse fan is pleased to see games against Duke and Carolina, but it's not Georgetown or UConn. The realignment is not what is best for the game despite being what's best for the bottom line.

Speaking of the bottom line, did you watch ESPN's 30 for 30 One and Not Done on John Calipari? His players have made plenty of money in the NBA and very few of them stuck around for more than a year or two in college. The one-and-done topic has been beaten to death, but despite all the talk, there has been no action to fix what plagues the game and the NBA.

For the college game, it's an issue for the fans and that's it. The teams and coaches must continually replenish their rosters, but that has not been difficult for the game's best. For the fans though, they are watching a revolving door. Players come and go and there is hardly any connection between the player and the university. Kyrie Irving can claim to be a Dukie, but 10 games doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things.

Consider all the freshmen who have gone through Kansas in recent years: Xavier Henry, Andrew Wiggins, Josh Selby and Josh Jackson. They have all done well in Lawrence, but departed after a year. Perhaps only a Jayhawk fan can truly answer the question, but is that fun? Those players have brought plenty of wins and that's fun, but is it truly fun to root for the program when the best player is someone new every season? There's rarely a long-term connection with stars anymore like J.J. Redick or Adam Morrison. That's why teams like this year's North Carolina and Gonzaga squads should be treasured.

And it's not just players who leave early. Coaches are guilty as well. No one could ever fault someone for moving up in the ranks and bettering their career, but coaches don't last long at one place anymore. Jim Boeheim vs. John Thompson or Gene Keady vs. Bob Knight? Those kind of coaching rivalries are hard to come by now. Is that a death sentence for the game? Of course not. The game can go on without those, but it doesn't make for a better product.

Make no mistake though, college basketball is a great game. March Madness continues to thrill the masses year after year, but that can't be the sole barometer for the state of the game. There are plenty of factors that contribute to college basketball as a whole and as the book closes on another season, it's safe to say there is work to be done.

Bracket Breakdown: The East

While the teams of the East region are obviously the main focus, the talent and makeup of each team may be overlooked when choosing a bracket. Why? Because this region has coaches that, despite possibly being a low seed, know what it takes to excel in March. Don't be fooled by the four next to Louisville's name, or the seven that's placed on the left side of Michigan State. Rick Pitino and Tom Izzo are sure to be prepared to advance past this weekend, and every team in the region better take notice.

General Overview:
Nate's Take: Headlined by the revival of Villanova and the continued ascent of Virginia, the top two seeds share a physical and defensive-minded attack that will be tough to counter for the other 14 teams in this region. Yet if we take a look at the lower seeds, there is still plenty of potential for neither Jay Wright's Wildcats or Tony Bennet's Cavaliers to be sitting at home the first weekend in April. Pay careful attention to the LSUs and Daytons of the region because those teams have hung with high-caliber teams and, in Dayton's case, we know they have a love for creating mayhem in March.

Perhaps the one thing that stands out the most in the first round of this region is the 5/12 match-up between Northern Iowa and Wyoming. I tread carefully with this statement, but I believe Northern Iowa has the best chance to advance out of the five seeds in the tournament. This is not to say that Wyoming is incapable of pulling off the upset, but to watch the Panthers flirt with a top 10 ranking, take down 3 Power Six schools (Northwestern, Iowa, and Virginia Tech), as well as split the season series against Wichita State is certainly convincing enough that this team can compete at a high level. Led by Seth Tuttle's 15 points and 7 rebounds a game, the Panthers are poised for a run that will be as successful as the run in 2010, but not nearly as much of a surprise. Their only downfall is that they struggle to rebound (averaging just over 30 a game). However, UNI shoots a very high percentage at 48% per game, good enough for 16th in the nation. Perhaps a sigh of relief for the Panthers is that Wyoming ranks even lower in rebounds per game which will make the battle on the boards even more pivotal in this game. It won't be a blow out, but I have a hard time believing that Wyoming will dance into the weekend.

Zach's Take: The East region is difficult to predict because, as alluded to above, there are lower-seeded teams who know how to win in March. While Virginia is extremely stingy on defense, the injury to Justin Anderson is a concern. In addition, Louisville has been a different team without Chris Jones and questions surround their ability to make a run. Tom Izzo's Michigan State Spartans looked fantastic in the Big Ten Tournament and Jay Wright has had Villanova on a roll all season long. And let us not forget Northern Iowa and Oklahoma, two teams who have spent the majority of the season in the Top 25.

So who advances to Indianapolis? Virginia is my pick because of defense. Defense and pace of play is the name of the game in the East region. Northern Iowa will present major problems because of the way they slow the game down. If the Panthers advance to the Elite 8 don't be surprised, and if they meet Virginia there then the first one to 40 wins the game.

Will Villanova be the first one seed to lose? Some people believe LSU might be poised to knock off the 'Cats in the second round and there's reason to believe. The Tigers pound the glass hard and move the ball efficiently on offense.

The tallest player in the tournament, 7-6 Mamadou Ndiaye, and the UC-Irvine Anteaters have plenty of size up front which has some people thinking that they could pull off a first round upset. Clearly there are question marks everywhere in the East, but bank on Virginia's defense to carry them through.

Upset Alert:
Nate's Take: They were mentioned earlier and you certainly haven't forgotten them just yet: the Dayton Flyers. This year they have to earn their way into the field of 64 by beating Boise State for possession of the 11 seed in this region. Should the Flyers defeat the Broncos, I firmly believe that they will not only take down Providence, but they will also get the better of the Oklahoma Sooners in the round of 32. This is a team that knows what it's like to play on the big stage and they have their core still intact from last year's Elite 8 team. Archie Miller has this program headed in the right direction and another trip to the Sweet 16 looks like a very strong possibility.

Zach's Take: Contrary to Nate's pick, I have Providence as my upset alert. No, it's not an upset if Providence defeats Boise State/Dayton in the first round, but it will be if they defeat Oklahoma in the second round. I think they will and it's because of the Friars' backcourt tandem. LeDontae Henton and Kris Dunn combine to average 35 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists per game. Stopping OU's Buddy Hield is no easy task, but Providence was oh-so-close to upsetting North Carolina last season and this year Ed Cooley's squad will make some noise.

Player to Watch:
Nate's Take: A big determining factor in Oklahoma's success will be the play of big man Ryan Spangler. Spangler averages 10 points and 8 rebounds a game but is fresh off of a blown lay-up that would have sent the Sooners into the overtime against the eventual Big 12 champion Iowa State Cyclones. As physical and tough as Spangler is, it's hard to see him shying away from redeeming himself of the heart break that ended Oklahoma's conference season. He not only is a big part of what Oklahoma does, but he's also a veteran leader who epitomizes their team identity. If Spangler enters the tournament ready to dominate, the Sooners may make some noise in the East region.

Zach's Take: Malcolm Brogdon is the player to watch for Virginia. With Justin Anderson's hand injury, Brogdon shouldered much of the load during the NCAA Tournament and his second half effort against North Carolina in the ACC Tournament was admirable. If Anderson isn't his usual self, then Tony Bennett's squad will need Brogdon's best effort again. When Virginia plays, points are usually at a premium so expect Brogdon to lead the Cavs' offensive attack. The best player on one of the nation's best teams has to show up in March if they are to make the tournament. Expect Brogdon's best effort.

"Princess Lacey" Passes At Age 8

The Michigan State Spartans enjoyed plenty of success this season despite dealing with numerous injuries throughout the year. Keith Appling, Branden Dawson, and Adreian Payne all missed an extended streak of times, causing Tom Izzo's squad to appear out of sync at times. When March rolled around, however, Sparty hit its stride and made a run to the Elite 8 before losing to the eventual champions: the Connecticut Huskies. Though a Final Four run was statistically expected (every senior before this year's class made a Final Four run under Tom Izzo), the season was nowhere near a disappointment. And while Michigan State had its struggles this season, there was always a bright spot in the toughest of times.

Payne and Lacey cut down the net together after the B1G championship

Her name was Lacey Holsworth and she was in an ongoing battle with a form of nerve cell cancer called neuroblastoma. Yet along the way she had befriended a familiar face to anyone who watches college basketball: Michigan State's Adreian Payne, the 6'10 senior who will surely hear his name called this June in the NBA Draft. Payne met Lacey while visiting the children's hospital earlier in his career in East Lansing and the friendship began quickly. While it's not uncommon to see big-time athletes visit hospitals or help those in need, Payne and Lacey shared a different kind of bond. Lacey began to attend the Michigan State games due to invitations extended to her by Payne and she became part of the program. The entire team embraced her and she became a huge part of the Spartan's success.

Nobody outside of the Michigan State program could possibly imagine just how much she meant to Payne or the team, but from a spectator's view it was clear to see that she had a major impact. She was an eight year old girl offering inspiration to a roster of 18-22 year old young men. To say that that's touching might be an understatement. And it's because of how much of an influence she had on Payne and his teammates that today is the toughest day this team has had to face this year. Lacey Holsworth took her last breath this morning in her home, a heart-breaking and tear-jerking loss for not only the Michigan State program, but for basketball fans in general.

Payne and Lacey on Senior Night

There are plenty of things that made Lacey Holsworth special and the fact that Adreian Payne helped her along the way is a reason to believe there are still great individuals in sports. This friendship was not a one-time thing, it wasn't something Payne did to improve his image, and it wasn't something that Payne did to feel good about himself. The heart of the Michigan State forward and the determination and fight of the eight year old girl can teach everyone numerous lessons. Together, these two taught us that friendship can be found in the most unlikely times, with the most unlikely people. It didn't take Adreian Payne carrying "Princess" Lacey around the court on Senior Night to realize that these two individuals were sincere towards one another, and while the Spartans were wonderful in including Lacey in their program, it was Payne who played the biggest role. He brought Lacey up the ladder to help him cut down the net after the Spartans won the Big Ten Tournament and he even brought her down to Dallas for the dunk contest he participated in. Before one of his dunks, he had Lacey touch the ball for good luck before throwing down a ridiculous reverse.

It was great to see Lacey smiling on the sidelines when Payne walked over to her before that dunk, and it was easy to see that Payne was sincere. Nothing Payne did for or with Lacey was done for the cameras or to make himself look like a hero. This was bigger than basketball and it was bigger than Payne's senior season. This was a future NBA player and an eight year old cancer patient sharing a bond that some people don't ever experience. It's unbelievably sad to hear the news of Lacey's passing but at the same time it's a celebration of just how big of an impact she made not just on her family, but the college basketball world in just eight short years. It's never easy to stomach someone passing well before we believe they should, but Lacey will forever be remembered in positive light. RIP Lacey Holsworth. Thank you for the lessons you taught us and for inspiring us to never stop fighting. And thank you, Adreian Payne, for teaching us that not every athlete is a thick-headed thug like so many people stereotype them to be. God bless the Holsworth family and the Michigan State team as they mourn the loss of their biggest fan.

5 Things to Watch Before March Madness

Cleanthony Early of Wichita State

It doesn't seem that long ago that we were full from the Thanksgiving feasts and settling in for a day of hoops on television during the Maui Invitational. Nor does it seem that long ago that a trio of freshmen introduced themselves to the nation at the United Center in front of a worldwide audience on ESPN. However, that was November and the Madness is quickly approaching.

Plenty has happened since the beginning of the season: Duke and Syracuse have treated us to a couple of thrillers, Jim Boeheim lost his mind and couldn't get his jacket off, Sean Miller has Arizona rolling out west and those Wichita State Shockers have a goose egg in the loss column. Still, there are still some things to keep an eye on before Selection Sunday. Here's a few storylines to watch before The Big Dance.

1. Can Wichita State enter the tournament undefeated?
The Shockers are a win against Missouri State away from finishing the regular season undefeated. No matter what conference a team is in, that is an unbelievable accomplishment. But can Wichita State enter the tournament undefeated? Thinking back to 2004, the St. Joseph's Hawks, led by Jameer Nelson and Delonte West, completed the regular season undefeated, only to lose in the Atlantic 10 tournament. The Shockers will have to win three games in the Missouri Valley tournament to enter the tourney with an unblemished record. Wichita State winning the conference tournament also has an effect on the NCAA Tournament because if they were to lose then that would mean another MVC team who wouldn't be getting in now would steal a bid from somebody.

2. How will Oklahoma State finish the season?
It's been a rollercoaster ride for Travis Ford and the Oklahoma State Cowboys this season. At the beginning of the season many people, including us at The World of Wadley, though the Pokes would unseat Kansas from the Big 12 throne, but they have been dreadful since late-January, going 2-7. OK State is currently 18-10 overall, but just 6-9 in the Big 12. Still, the conference is so balanced this year, the Cowboys will most likely make the tournament. There's no room for slip-ups though and that is a tall task. The remaining three games on the regular season schedule are Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State. Good luck with that.

3. Who will come out on top in the tough Big Ten?
The Big Ten has been a tough conference to figure out this season, but figures to get about six teams into the Dance. As of now, Michigan is atop the standings at 12-3, but Michigan State is one game back at 11-4 and Wisconsin is still in the hunt at 10-5. Michigan has a pretty favorable schedule with home games against Minnesota and Indiana and a road contest at Illinois. Wisconsin's is also favorable with games against Penn State, Purdue and Nebraska. Meanwhile, the Spartans must finish the year with Illinois, Iowa and Ohio State. It would appear that Michigan could and should win the Big Ten title.

4. Pay attention to the Mountain West Conference tournament final
This is assuming a lot of things, but if the top two teams in the conference square off for the conference tournament title then it will be a dandy between San Diego State and New Mexico. The Aztecs are 23-3 and have spent some time in the top 10 this year. New Mexico, under first year coach Craig Neal, are 23-5 and defeated SDSU back on February 22. That game was in Albuquerque and got a little chippy after the final horn. It's worth noting that these two teams finish the regular season with a game in San Diego on March 8. Potentially two more games between these two is a real treat for college basketball fans.

5. Watch the Missouri-Tennessee game on March 8
Both the Tigers and Volunteers are bubble teams and finish the regular season with a head-to-head matchup in Knoxville. In Joe Lunardi's latest Bracketology he has Tennessee as one of the last four in and Mizzou as one of the first four out. Obviously, both teams need to take care of business before this game and, if they do, their matchup will have a big effect on the NCAA Tournament. Both teams are more than capable of winning a game in the Dance.

Illinois: Young But Not Immature

Groce's energy reverberates throughout his program

With a big win over B1G conference foe Penn State, Illinois moves to a 13-2 record and a 2-0 record in B1G play. And while scoring was obviously the most notable aspect of the game (Illinois won 75-55), the change in the culture of the program was not hard to see. Throughout the mid-2000s, Bruce Weber suffered through underachieving seasons simply because his teams lacked discipline down the stretch and did not always show mental toughness. Even the veteran "leaders" like Mike Davis, Brian Randle, and Rich McBride (it hurts me to even call them leaders) were immature both on and off the court.

Yet what we have seen now with John Groce in charge is a change in how the Fighting Illini approach the game. There is a toughness aspect to how they play and it is exemplified on both sides of the ball. Guys like John Ekey, Rayvonte Rice, Tracy Abrams, Joseph Bertrand, and Nnanna Egwu are the veterans on the team and have proved that they are capable of running the show as well as anyone else in the conference and it is their maturity that has now established Illinois as a soon-to-be Top 25 team.

At the beginning of the game today, Illinois jumped out to a 9-0 lead which gradually shrunk to a 28-26 lead at the half. The game was physical and offenses on both sides seemed to stall at times which is something that Illinois fans have gotten so used to seeing. And while slow or ineffective offense is sure to come at some point for any team, the Bruce Weber era was one that could never find its way OUT of those little funks. Teams used to collapse under the pressure, players would take ill-advised shots too early in the shot clock, guys would become selfish and stop running the offense, or the team as a whole would just shut down and no longer compete. It made for many long winters and constant questions as to how Illinois could plummet so far after the 2005 Final Four team.

That is exactly what makes John Groce a God-send for Illinois' program. He has instituted a competitive label to this team that is slowly making its way into the national spotlight. It began with a tough road win against UNLV and was enhanced by big late-game execution that led to wins over rivals Missouri and Indiana. The Fighting Illini played hard-nosed but smart basketball down the stretch in all three games and today was no different. Penn State continually chipped away at the Illinois lead yet it never seemed like the Fighting Illini ever changed their approach. Body language was never poor and faces never appeared scared.

Frustration was all too familiar to Weber at Illinois

But more than the maturity being shown through the game of basketball is the maturity being shown in personality and character. The game was physical and two particular instances proved that this team, though young, is ready to handle just about any controversy. In the second half, Illinois freshman Malcolm Hill was tossed to the ground on a rebound and while emotions ran high momentarily, Hill never retaliated. It took some guidance from Nnanna Egwu, but Hill walked away from the scuffle. Later in the same half, freshman Kendrick Nunn drove the lane for a lay-up and made contact with Penn State's D.J. Newbill on his way down the floor. Taking exception to the contact, Newbill shoved Nunn in the back of the head which prompted Nunn to get in the face of Newbill. There is nothing wrong with defending yourself which is why there was nothing negative about Nunn's reaction, but once again his teammates came in and separated the two players and Nunn walked away. No retaliation. No punches thrown. And while Nunn and Hill are both 18 year olds, it speaks volumes that the two freshman carried themselves so well in a high-intensity game such as today's. Credit the young men on the team for keeping composure, but also credit John Groce for coaching his team to be disciplined.

Bruce Weber was and is not a bad coach. He is currently coaching an above-average Kansas State team and did lead Illinois to a couple successful seasons. Yet Weber seemed to lose control towards the end of his time at Illinois and now John Groce has stepped in and made Illinois a competitive program once again. While Groce does have a good amount of veterans, there is no question that the maturity and ability of his freshman will soon prove to be something special. Illinois still has numerous tests to face in conference play with teams such as Ohio State, Michigan State, and Wisconsin, but if this kind of play continues, Illinois just may find themselves in the top half of the B1G at season's end. Groce has done everything right in reconstructing this program. The future is bright for Illinois.

The Mystery of Michigan

The final score was 79-69, merely a ten point loss for the Michigan Wolverines. Nothing to really panic about based off the score alone for a team that just ventured into the chaotic environment of Cameron Indoor on Duke University's campus. After all, the Blue Devils are a top ten team and have the best freshman in the country on their side. Jabari Parker and sophomore transfer Rodney Hood led the way for Duke in a game that Coach K's squad controlled from start to finish. The Blue Devils continue to play outstanding basketball and recovered nicely from their loss to Arizona this past week. Yet in the midst of Duke's seventh win, the performance by the Wolverines raised several questions that will need immediate answering if you're John Beilein.

Stauskas was ineffective against Duke's gritty defense

Will the players adjust to their new roles?

It's no secret that Michigan's style of play will take some getting used to for the players who are returning this season. After losing sharp-shooting Tim Hardaway, Jr. and do-it-all point guard Trey Burke to the NBA, the Wolverines offense certainly lacked the go-to scorers that last year's team presented. The role players from last year (specifically returning sophomores Mitch McGary, Glenn Robinson III, and Nik Stauskas) must adjust to the fact that they now shoulder much more responsibility in every category. McGary had a very respectable game with fifteen points and fourteen rebounds while Stauskas was basically non-existent, scoring four points all of which were off of free throws. Robinson III added eight points and junior Jon Horford posted a goose egg in the scoring category while only playing six total minutes.

I will take nothing away from Duke, they deserved to win and clearly outplayed Michigan. However, Michigan did not have a veteran step up and take charge. The loss of Burke and Hardaway, Jr. showed in the lack of leadership and that's where the Wolverines will need to put in some work. In big games like last night, guys like Nik Stauskas and Glenn Robinson III cannot afford to drop off. Both have big-game experience and have been stellar in the spotlight before. Yet the Wolverines appeared disjointed and immature under the pressure of the Cameron Crazies. John Beilein could have a long season ahead of him if no one emerges as an established leader on the floor.

Can Mitch McGary stay healthy/reach potential?

McGary has the potential to be the B1G's best center

Last night we got a little taste of what the 6'10, 250 pound sophomore is capable of. And while 15 points and 14 boards is nothing short of impressive, McGary didn't quite seem to play the type of game he could be capable of playing. Given his build, McGary can handle the ball and step out to fifteen feet with relative ease. However, last night's game consisted of the Michigan center settling for jump shots too often. With the quick feet and physicality that the All-American possesses, there was no reason McGary could not get down on the block and either A) score at will or B) get to the foul line.

That is a big part of how successful Michigan can be. Yes, McGary can hit jump shots and has proven his versatility in being able to do so. With that in mind, is McGary capable of going down to the block and exhibiting good post moves? The Big Ten this year doesn't possess more than a few great post defenders. If McGary develops a low post game as opposed to the high post/face up game he refers to now, Michigan could be deadly simply because their big man could be one of the hardest players in the conference to guard.

Will youth play a part in where Michigan finishes?

While Michigan's hopes of winning dwindled as the clock moved closer to zero, it became clear, as I said earlier, that Michigan did not have a veteran emerge in the late-game situation to give the team another breath of life. The Wolverines don't have many upperclassmen on hand with Jon Horford being the only junior and Jordan Morgan being the lone senior. Everyone else is a freshman or sophomore which will mean that the adjustment to the college game will have to come quickly for Beilein's young team.

Obviously success with youth is very possible. With the exception of Hardaway, Jr. who was a junior and Trey Burke who was a sophomore, the core of last year's National Championship team has returned. But with that in mind, players will have to adjust to life without the nation's best player and a first round draft pick. A loss to Duke in Durham is no reason to panic or even bat an eye if you take into account the fact that no team outside of the ACC has won at Cameron Indoor since 2000. Rather it's the way Michigan performed that could cause a little worry. Michigan is a good team and a contender for the Big Ten title once again. They have the necessary pieces, but can they all fall into place?