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.

A Rare Final Four Caps College Basketball Season

And now for the grand finale. In a season of twists and turns and unpredictability, the NCAA
Tournament has fit right in with the regular season's drama and rollercoaster ride. The dust has now settled after two weekends of bracket busting and the Final Four is set with blue-blood North Carolina, basically first-timer Oregon and newbies South Carolina and Gonzaga.

Raise your hand if you picked that Final Four.

This Final Four feels different than most and that's because it is. Final Fours like this one don't come around often. In fact, they are so rare that the younger generation has never seen anything like this before. It's been 20 years since two teams west of the Mississippi River qualified for the national semifinals. The last time it happened was 1998 when Mike Montgomery and Rick Majerus took Stanford and Utah, respectively, into San Antonio. Enter Oregon and Gonzaga.

The Ducks have flirted with the Final Four before under Dana Altman's watch and after toppling Kansas in Kansas City, they seem primed for a title run. All that stands in their way is North Carolina, a team on a mission after last year's heartbreak courtesy of Kris Jenkins and Villanova. The Tar Heels survived a scare from Arkansas in the second round and Luke Maye carved out his spot in Carolina lore with his game-winner against Kentucky in the Elite 8. Mission nearly complete.

The two will fight for the right to move to the title game. North Carolina has been to the Final Four six times since 2000 and won two titles in the span. The last time Oregon was in the Final Four the championship game was played in Evanston, Illinois, FDR was only halfway through his Presidency and the Yankees were starting a World Series season with featured superstar Joe DiMaggio. Oregon won the title during that 1939 season, which was the first NCAA Tournament ever held.

On the other side it's a whole new world for both programs. South Carolina came out of nowhere, defeating Duke in the second round and defeating Florida in the Elite 8. Frank Martin has the Gamecocks playing lockdown defense, but they will have to handle a Gonzaga team that has only one loss this season and finally broke through after years of second weekend exits.

In 1999, Gonzaga made a run to the Elite 8 as a 10 seed and since then they have appeared in seven Sweet 16's and two Elite 8's. Mark Few now has the Bulldogs in the Final Four with a legitimate shot at a national championship. This is for all the former lovable Zags who came up a bit short (Casey Calvary, Dan Dickau, Derek Raivio, Adam Morrison, Jeremy Pargo).

This Final Four is college basketball parity at its finest. Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and others are watching at home while three new teams take the big stage. Complain if you want that South Carolina is unappealing to watch, Gonzaga got an easy road or that Oregon's jerseys are too much for the eyes. The point is this: this Final Four sums up why March Madness is just that - madness.

Significant history will be made and college basketball is a winner once again. In a season that has given us so many surprises, what else did you expect out of the tournament?

Bracket Breakdown: The South

The South region is ruled by big men, which makes this particular quadrant of the bracket all the more exciting. The physicality and strength that the top teams in this region provide are sure to provide us with numerous memorable match-ups. Headlining this region is the top-seeded Blue Devils of Duke University and their star freshman center Jahlil Okafor. If Duke hopes to punch a ticket to Indy, Okafor and the rest of Duke's front line will have their hands full with players such as Joshua Smith (Georgetown), Winston Shepard  (San Diego State), and Przemek Karnowski (Gonzaga). But don't be fooled, the back courts in this region aren't pushovers. Yet with such talented forwards and centers, which front court will lead their team into the month of April? Zach was too busy working the Illinois State-Green Bay NIT game. So I'll take this one solo.

General Overview: Duke is number one and Gonzaga is number two. One is looking for redemption after an embarrassing opening round exit to a 14 seed, and the other is looking to advance to their first Final Four in school history. While both teams are clearly talented enough to make it to Indy, a handful of lower seeded teams will make sure that the road to the Final Four is a tough one.

We've said it before, we'll say it again: March is not about who's better on paper, it's about who's on a hot streak at the right time. Two teams in particular are rolling at a time when momentum can sometimes mean more than talent. Iowa State and SMU, both conference tournament winners in their own right, have their sights set on Final Four appearances and are equipped to make those dreams come true. Iowa State has won eight of their last ten games (including five wins over ranked opponents) and have won five straight. Southern Methodist, on the other hand, have won seventeen of their last twenty and have won four straight. Fred Hoiberg and Larry Brown will have their teams ready to roll and, while they'll take it one game at a time, will surely be focused on catching flights to Indianapolis in three weeks.

Upset Alert: You remember them as the Cinderella of 2008. You remember them as the Stephen Curry-led Davidson Wildcats. Yet this year's Davidson squad is not to be disregarded as Curry's team was pre-March Madness. Winners of ten of their last eleven, Davidson has not just beaten their opponents, they've disposed of them. Their average margin of victory is just under fifteen points per game in those ten wins and with the seventh-seeded Iowa Hawkeyes in mind, the Wildcats look to build off of their recent success. What makes this team so special is that four players average double digits in the points category, with Taylor Kalinoski (17 ppg) and Jack Gibbs (16.3 ppg) leading the charge. Even more dangerous than their balanced attack is the depth that Bob McKillop's team has. Ten players average over ten minutes a game which means plenty of fresh legs for the Hawkeyes to keep track of.

Add all of this in with the facts that Davidson's ball movement results in 17 assists per game (good for 3rd in the nation) and their ability to shoot 47% per game enables them to put up 80 points per game (good for 6th in the nation), and you have a force to be reckoned with. Fran McCaffery's team will need to be up to the challenge or an opening round exit is sure to be in store for the Hawkeyes squad that did not finish in the top 50 in points, assists, rebounds, or field goal percentage per game (Davidson was top 35 in three of the four categories). Iowa will not be an easy victory, but if there were an upset in this region that I would pay close attention to, it would definitely be this seven/ten match-up.

Player to Watch: SMU was highlighted earlier in this post, and a big part of their potential for success in this tournament is because of the stellar play of their junior point guard Nic Moore. The Mustangs offense runs through him as he averages 14 points and 5 assists per game. Aside from the numbers he puts up, Moore's mere presence on the floor is also critical for Larry Brown's team. He's the only member of the team that averages more than 28 minutes per game and is on the court for 34 and a half minutes, on average. The question remains if Moore can bounce back from a sub par performance in the American Conference championship (11 points on 3-14 shooting, 1-7 from three point range), but if he returns to form in their opening match-up against the UCLA Bruins, SMU might ride the coattails of Nic Moore deep into the tournament.

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: Day 1

Tommy Amaker and the Crimson are moving on

Over the course of March Madness we will post a nightly blog on the day's events and what a day we had for the opener. It started out a little slow, but looking back on it there were some thrillers and none greater than Harvard taking down New Mexico. That's the Madness we know and love and tomorrow promises some more. I watched every game today and here are eight observations I took away from day one.

1. There are no "experts" when it comes to March Madness
We already knew this from years of experience, but the New Mexico loss only enhanced that thought. For a whole week we have been listening to how this was the Lobos year, but Harvard would have none of it. I actually picked New Mexico to advance to the Final Four, but Steve Alford's squad is heading home early. The Crimson played solid the whole way and hit free throws down the stretch. They have their first NCAA Tournament win under their belt and provided the most shocking upset of the day and maybe the tournament.

2. A 16th seed just about did it...but not this time
People want to criticize Gonzaga and say that this proves they didn't deserve the one seed, but I don't buy into these games proving a team or conference to be overrated. This is March Madness for a reason and crazy things happen. Southern taking the Zags down to the wire would fall under the crazy category. A look at the Southern roster made it clear that they would present a tough match up for Gonzaga. They were a long, athletic squad which is the polar opposite of the Zags. Still, Gonzaga won the game and that's all that matters. Now that sets up what will be a physical game against Wichita State on Saturday.

3. Davidson had it in the bag until the last six seconds rolled around
This was Davidson's game to win. They played well through out, but Vander Blue's layup with one second left sealed the deal for Marquette. Davidson led by as many as 10 and Marquette's largest lead was just three. The Golden Eagles shot the ball poorly and Davidson fell apart at the end. De'Mon Brooks just needed to accept the foul at the end of the game, but instead he threw the ball away and gave Marquette a chance -- a chance that they didn't blow. Rather than another Cinderella run from Davidson, Marquette survives.

4. Bad day for potential first round picks from mid-majors
Nate Wolters and Mike Muscala let me down in a bad way. Wolters, who averages over 20 points per game, mustered only 10 points which was a season low. Wolters struggled to do anything against Tim Hardaway and Glenn Robinson and his low output spelled doom for the Jackrabbits. Muscala, one of the top big men in the country, had performed well against top competition, but he was bad against Butler. He scored just nine points, only the second time he has scored under ten points this season. He was also an abysmal 4-17 from the field and didn't look like a player who could possibly be in the NBA soon.

Trey Burke and the Wolverines kept Wolters in check and UM handled SDSU

5. The Pac-12 deserves respect
The Pac-12 wasn't a real respected conference this season by fans, but they finished today with a 3-0 record. Arizona handled Belmont, Oregon took it to Oklahoma State and Cal beat a talented UNLV team. Tomorrow UCLA and Colorado will take on Big Ten opponents and could possibly complete a sweep for the conference. Oregon and Arizona hardly had trouble in their wins and Cal persevered against UNLV. So while they may not have been getting the respect they deserved, it's time to take notice.

6. VCU vs. Michigan is going to be incredibly fun
Did you get to see any of the VCU game? Sure, Akron was missing some of their players, most notably their point guard, but the Rams were unbelievable. Trey Burke better be ready for Shaka Smart's "havoc" because it is going to wear him out. However, how effective will VCU's pressure be against the nation's best point guard? That will be the main storyline heading into Saturday's match up and buckle your seat belts because this one will be wild!

7. Louisville and Syracuse didn't mess around
North Carolina A&T and Montana aren't exactly stiff competition, but as we saw with other top teams today, sometimes they don't bring their A game. Not the case with Louisville and Syracuse. Both teams came out and dominated from the start and put any thoughts of an upset to bed pretty early. Syracuse didn't even allow Montana 35 points and Louisville shot 57 percent. Both teams will have a tougher test moving forward as Louisville will face Colorado State and Syracuse must face Cal.

8. St. Louis is not a team to be messed with
The Billikens are on a mission this season as they play to honor their late coach Rick Majerus. Majerus would have been proud of St. Louis after they dominated New Mexico State on Friday. The Aggies shot just 28 percent and committed 16 turnovers. St. Louis plays tough and will be a difficult match up for Louisville should they meet in the Sweet 16. This is definitely not a team you should be sleeping on.

March Madness is officially here and a big thank you to Harvard for reminding us all that anything can happen. Stay tuned tomorrow as more big-name teams will take to the court against other upset-minded squads and look for a new post tomorrow night after the conclusion of the games.

Bracket Breakdown: West

Steve Alford and Tony Snell of New Mexico

Of the four brackets the West is the probably the weakest, but that can also mean it is the most wide open. Gonzaga is the number one seed and deservedly so. They didn't play a real tough schedule, but anybody who wins like they did deserves the top spot. Ohio State played their way into a two seed after winning the Big Ten tournament and fellow Big Ten member Wisconsin sits at the five seed. New Mexico has played good ball and looks like they could make a run and Belmont and Wichita State appear to be upset picks. Also don't forget about Bruce Weber's K-State Wildcats. Here's a more in-depth look...

West Region winner: New Mexico Lobos
In a bracket that seems to have no favorite, take a good look at Steve Alford's New Mexico squad. The Lobos are 29-5 and went undefeated against ranked opponents. If you think for a second that the Mountain West was a walk in the park then hold on just a second. The MWC was arguably one of the top three toughest conferences and five teams made the tournament. New Mexico won the regular season and the conference tournament and they will now have a chance to make another tourney run -- this one of bigger proportion. It's not going to be easy as they will probably meet Ohio State in the Sweet 16. The Buckeyes have won 10 in a row and are playing very well right now. In the Elite 8 the Lobos will have to take down either Gonzaga, Kansas State or Wisconsin and that will be another tall task. However, Alford has played with the big boys before and has put together a tremendous season. Now it's time to do it on the national stage.

Lamont Jones of Iona

Upset Pick: Belmont over Arizona
The Bruins should come away the victor in this one. Belmont is 26-6 and won the Ohio Valley Conference behind a high-powered offense. They average 77.2 points per game which is the 15th in the nation and their 49 percent field goal percentage is fourth in the nation. Arizona has looked shaky of late, losing three of their last five. Although the 'Cats are talented, don't count on them making a run in this tournament.

Potentially Intriguing Matchup: Gonzaga vs. New Mexico (Elite 8)
Two mid-majors going head-to-head for the right to advance to the Final Four would be intriguing to watch. The Lobos and Zags have been in the tournament before and they both have seasoned veterans on the sidelines. However, neither team has made it the Final Four. It seems likely that this matchup could happen and if it does, the fans will finally get to see what all the hype is about these two squads.

Player to Watch: Lamont Jones, guard, Iona
Lamont Jones knows about big time competition. He transferred to Iona after two seasons at Arizona and he has torn it up for the Gaels. Jones averages 23.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game and his Gaels will have the tough job of beating Ohio State in the first round. Last season there were two 15 seeds that won a second round game and they both did so behind Superman-type efforts from their star players. Iona needs Jones to bring his A game if they are to upset one of the Big Ten titans.

Bottom Line: There is no clear favorite in this league, but New Mexico, Ohio State and Gonzaga are all playing good basketball. One of those three will emerge.

Take Your Pick: NCAA Player of the Year

As we head into the final Saturday of the college basketball regular season there are more question marks than certainties. No team has separated themselves as a dominant force and upsets are a weekly happening. However, six individuals have separated themselves from the rest of the nation and are near the top of the Player of the Year race. Still, there is plenty of uncertainty as all six make a good case. Doug McDermott and Kelly Olynyk have dominated the mid-majors with their inside-out games. Otto Porter has done the same, but against stiffer Big East competition. Mason Plumlee averages a double-double for a Duke team that looks like a championship contender and Victor Oladipo has done it all for Indiana. Also in the Big Ten, Trey Burke has been the best point guard in America all season long. So who wins? Here's a case for all six...then you decide.

Doug McDermott -- Forward -- Creighton Blue Jays
McDermott showed up big in arguably the biggest game of the year for the Jays last Saturday against Wichita State. The junior shot 15-18 from the field and finished with 41 points. On top of that, he grabbed six rebounds and three assists. Throughout the game McDermott showed what makes him special, breaking down defenders with a plethora of moves both inside and out. He bullied opponents in the post on one possession and then hit step back threes in their face the next. He's averaging 23.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game for Creighton and if you are not convinced yet then consider this: against Wisconsin McDermott dropped 30 points and grabbed eight rebounds and against Cal he scored 34 points while grabbing nine boards. He can compete with the big boys so don't hold the Missouri Valley Conference schedule against him.

Kelly Olynyk -- Forward -- Gonzaga Bulldogs
The Zags have reached the top of the mountain, at least on regular season terms, with the school's first number one ranking in history. Olynyk has been the driving force behind Gonzaga's stellar season and currently averages 17.7 points and seven rebounds per game. He also averages almost two assists per game and 1.2 blocks per game. The big man is able to step out and hit a jumper and he shoots 67 percent from the field. Olynyk posted 16 and eight against Illinois and 14 and seven against Butler. On New Year's Eve he went for 21 and nine against Oklahoma State. Much like McDermott, he comes from a small conference, but he has produced against elite competition. Couple that with the fact that he is one of the main reasons that the Zags are 21-2 and you have a legitimate PoY candidate.

Otto Porter -- Forward -- Georgetown Hoyas
The Hoyas were playing some of the best ball in the country before a slip up at Villanova and much of the team success can be credited to Porter. He has flown under the radar for much of the season, but no longer. It's hard to go unnoticed with numbers like Porter's: 16.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. The sophomore burst onto the national scene with an incredible put-the-team-on-his-back performance against Syracuse back on February 23rd. Porter played a full 40 minutes, scoring 33 points while grabbing eight rebounds and tallying five steals. Porter leads his team in nearly every major statistical category and he has shot a remarkable 44 percent from three point land (40-90). He will determine how far the Hoyas go in March and it may just be Atlanta.

Mason Plumlee -- Center -- Duke Blue Devils
Plumlee came into the season with big expectations and he has lived up to them. Going into the final game of the regular season he averages 17.0 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.9 blocks per game. He made sure the Dukies stayed near the top of the polls when Ryan Kelly went out with an injury and he has raised his numbers in every category since last season. Plumlee has posted 16 double-doubles this season and has saved some of his best games for opponents from the nation's best conference, the Big Ten. Against Minnesota he went for 20 and 17 and against Ohio State he had 21 and 17. He is arguably the best big man in the country and he has the numbers and big game performances to prove it.

Victor Oladipo -- Guard -- Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana came into the season and the number one team and Cody Zeller was the face of the franchise. Zeller has been great just like we expected, but Oladipo has been even better. A dominant force on both ends of the court, Oladipo has caused fits for Big Ten opponents this season. While his season averages of 13.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.3 steals may not look like they stack up to the other players on this list, consider that he plays on a very balanced team and also look at his big-game performances. In two games against Michigan State this season he went for a combined 40 points, 16 rebounds, 11 steals and four blocks. When the Hoosiers went into #10 Ohio State he tallied 26 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. His defense directly translates into his offense and he is one of the best wing players in college basketball this season.

Trey Burke -- Guard -- Michigan Wolverines
It's appropriate that the Big Ten would have multiple players on this list since it is the toughest conference in the nation. It's odd that Burke is the only point guard on the list though, considering that the NBA is such a point guard-dominated league. Unquestionably, Burke is the top floor general in college basketball and, with a showdown against Indiana looming, he averages 19.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game. He has improved on his decision making and is much more under control this season. Should he decide to leave for the draft he will be a lottery pick, but he may take the Wolverines all the way before that. He's that good. In his last five games he's averaging 24 points, 3.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists. He's playing some of his best ball of the season right now and that's scary for whoever stands in his way.

All six players have a solid chance of winning NCAA Player of the Year. They all play on successful teams, average big numbers and have played well against other top competition. It's likely that we could see multiple players from this list playing in the Final Four and that would be a treat. For my pick it's hard to go against Otto Porter. He does the most for his team and is the complete package. There is not one thing that he doesn't do well and he has shouldered the load for a very dangerous Georgetown team. Vote on the poll to voice your opinion and comment below with your thoughts!

Gonzaga's Success Brings High Expectations

Every Monday when I log onto ESPN.com I check the updated college basketball polls to see what changes occured the past week. Normally I don't look over it too hard, just a quick glance to see where my favorite team is and where other interesting teams are ranked. This past Monday something caught my eye though. As I looked up and down the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll and the AP Top 25 poll I noticed that Gonzaga was not ranked in either. How could this be?? Mark Few's Gonzaga Bulldogs have been a perennial Top 25 team since they burst onto the scene with Casey Calvary way back in 1999 with an Elite 8 appearance. Since then they have qualified for the Big Dance every year and made a Sweet 16 appearance four of those years. Because of that, America has come to expect big things from the Zags and to see them out of the Top 25 is almost unthinkable.

Here's the odd thing about Gonzaga: despite their successes they have recently been overlooked when it comes to mid-majors. Sure, they qualify for the NCAAs every year and have been to the Sweet 16 four times but they haven't made the Final Four. I say that like it's unbelievable that they haven't, but again, the expectations for Gonzaga are quite different from other so-called "mid-major" programs. George Mason sent shockwaves through the college basketball land in 2006 when they upset several powerhouse teams to make the Final Four, a first for the program. Butler has been the Cinderella the past two seasons, finishing as national runner-up and VCU appeared in the Final Four last year as well. That's three quality programs who have qualified for the Final Four, but none of them stack up with Gonzaga. When will we see the Zags in a Final Four? It seems long overdue.

How good has Gonzaga been since the 1998-99 season? Consider these numbers: 13 NCAA appearances, 4 Sweet 16's, 1 Elite 8, 12 Honorable Mention All-Americans or higher, 1 National Player of the Year, 3 NBA first-round picks. Under Mark Few the Zags are 314-82 and they simply don't lose at home. Since the McCarthey Athletic Center opened in 2004, Gonzaga is 93-7. What that number doesn't tell you is all the teams that won't come to "The Kennel" to play the Bulldogs. Big name programs would rather Gonzaga came to them or, instead of playing them on campus, would opt to play them at Key Arena in Seattle. Tom Izzo and Mike Brey took their teams into Spokane this year and, while Izzo and Michigan State escaped with a seven point victory, Brey's Notre Dame team was dominated by 20. The Zags demand respect and they are willing to travel all over the globe to get it.

Since 98-99 Gonzaga is 21-40 against Top 25 teams and they have defeated the third-ranked team three times and the second-ranked team once. Also, expect it to be a hard-fought game when they match up with a top team. Only five of those 40 losses have been by 20 points or more. There's not many teams in America who can say they have played 61 ranked opponents in that span and there are none of Gonzaga's size that can say that. Forget Butler when it comes to determining who is the best mid-major program. Gonzaga is the top dog.

The expectations for the program are always going to be high. That's a nice problem to have if you are Mark Few, but the question I have constantly been asking myself is, "When will Gonzaga appear in a Final Four?" Perhaps that isn't fair but they routinely show they are competitive on the national scene and that they have players capable of playing at the next level. It doesn't appear that this year will be the year, but how much longer will it be before Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs are playing in early April?

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!