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?

If I Could Get A Ticket...

Sports bless us on regular occasion. Buzzer beater threes for national titles, chase down blocks to seal a city's long-awaited title, walk off home runs to beat a rival -- we crave that kind of drama and heroism. Lately, sports has provided some instant classics, and as a viewer of many games each week, I've loved every second.

Still, for all the games and plays that have made me say wow and for all the moments I've relished the Twitter explosion, I wish I could go back in time. I wish I could have been there for the biggest of games because there is truly nothing better than witnessing it all. So, here's the deal: I've made a list of five games I wish I could have been present at. Some of these I watched on television while others took place long before I was even thought of on this Earth. But if I could go back in time and somehow get a ticket then here's where I would go...

Boston Braves 3 - Brooklyn Dodgers 5 - April 15, 1947
Just over 26,500 fans were in attendance at Ebbets Field on April 15, 1947 and if I could have been one of them I would certainly have taken the opportunity. Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier that day, starting at first base and batting second. It was a monumental moment in history at the time, but it seems even bigger now as we look around sports today. African Americans have provided some of the finest play we've seen and Robinson blazed the trail for all of them, suiting up for the Dodgers on that April afternoon. Robinson was not particularly great in the opener, finishing 0-for-3 with a run scored, but there are some things that go beyond the box score and this certainly qualifies as one of them.

Villanova Wildcats 77 - North Carolina Tar Heels 74 - April 4, 2016
You really don't need a play-by-play for this one because certainly you remember. Even before Marcus Paige hit his acrobatic three-pointer to tie the game with six seconds left and before Kris Jenkins made the greatest shot maybe ever, this game was magical. Carolina took a five-point lead into the break, and Villanova led by five with three minutes to go. Paige's three may be forgotten as time passes, but it was one of the greatest clutch shots we've seen. The only problem: Jenkins topped it on the other end of the floor with a buzzer-beating three to give the 'Cats their second national title.

Texas Rangers 9 - St. Louis Cardinals 10 - October 27, 2011 (11 innings)
Texas and St. Louis gave baseball fans arguably the greatest World Series game ever in Game 6 of the 2011 Fall Classic. With Texas leading the series 3-2, the Cardinals were facing elimination in their own ballpark. Needing a win to force a Game 7, the Cards led 2-1 after the first inning in a game that featured at least one run in every inning but one. The Rangers chased Jaime Garcia after three innings and led 7-4 after seven innings. St. Louis got one back in the eighth and went to the ninth trailing by two. Down to their last strike in the ninth, David Freese unloaded a deep fly to right that Nelson Cruz couldn't handle. Freese wound up with a triple and drove in Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman to tie the game and force extra innings. Josh Hamilton homered in the 10th to give Texas the lead again, but Berkman singled on a 2-2 count in the bottom of the frame to tie the game at nine. In the bottom of the 11th, Freese played the role of hero again, launching the walk off home run to centerfield, forcing a Game 7 which the Cardinals would win for their 11th World Series.

Florida State Seminoles 34 - Auburn Tigers 31 - January 6th, 2014
One of the greatest BCS National Championship games in history featured a 21-point comeback and a game-winning touchdown pass with 13 seconds left on the clock. The Seminoles entered as the top-ranked team with Jameis Winston fresh off a Heisman trophy win, but Auburn looked impressive out of the gate, leading 21-3 late in the first half. FSU scored a touchdown right before the half to trim the lead to 11 and then connected on a field goal in the third quarter to make it 21-13. Then things got fun in the fourth. Winston threw a touchdown pass with 11 minutes to play to make it a one-point game, but Auburn pushed it to four with a field goal at the 4:42 mark. However, on the ensuing kickoff, Florida State ran it back 100 yards to take a 27-24 lead. The Tigers didn't give in though, scoring a touchdown with 1:19 to play to take a 31-27 lead. That set the stage for Winston's signature moment. The Heisman winner drove the Seminoles down the field and threw a two-yard TD pass to Kelvin Benjamin with 13 seconds remaining to win the game.

Chicago Bulls 87 - Utah Jazz 86 - June 14, 1998
After failing to close out the Jazz in Game 5 at the United Center, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls had to go back to Utah for Game 6 to try and complete the franchise's second three-peat. The Jazz won the first three quarters and led by five heading into the fourth quarter. Jordan, playing in his last game as a Chicago Bull, poured in 45 points on 15-of-35 shooting, but saved his best for last. Down by one with under 10 seconds to play, Jordan drove left and pulled up for his final shot as a Bull. He sank it and sealed the win as only the greatest to ever play could do it. Six rings, six Finals MVPs and one lasting memory for Bulls fans.

These five games were something special that fans still talk about today. However, there are hundreds of others that could be talked about. What are yours? Leave a comment with games that you wished you could have attended...

Bracket Breakdown: The West

Wisconsin danced all the way to Dallas last year, and with their entire squad (minus the loss of point guard Ben Brust to graduation) returning, many believe the Badgers have what it takes not just to suit up in Lucas Oil Stadium, but to celebrate under a shower of red and white confetti when the final buzzer sounds on this basketball season. Bo Ryan's team was dealt a tough hand in their region though, with possibly the toughest road to the Final Four of any of the number one seeds. The region has it all: traditional powerhouses (Arizona, North Carolina), Cinderella wanna-be's (Harvard), and giants that were once giant killers (VCU). Can Wisconsin survive a region so deep with potential? Zach and I break down their chances.

General Overview:
Nate's Take: As stated earlier, there's absolutely nothing that this region can't offer. Beginning with the enticing match-ups of VCU/Ohio State and Arkansas/Wofford, the potential for upsets runs wild. But any road that leads to Indy must go through Wisconsin. The Badgers, much like Kentucky, are nearly impossible to keep out of one's Final Four. The traditional shot clock-eating, defense-killing, stat sheet-stuffing offense that was has now turned into an in-your-face, deliberate attack that is led by Wooden Award candidate Frank Kaminsky and role-player-turned-star Sam Dekker. Barring a historical defeat to Coastal Carolina, Wisconsin is set for an appearance in the round of 32. Who will be joining them?

Smart looks to lead the 7th-seeded Rams

Much like Butler in the Midwest, the Rams of VCU took the tournament by storm in 2011 and became a fan favorite. Their fast paced "havoc" playing style has won the hearts of many and under the leadership of Shaka Smart they have now become a force to be reckoned with. They have shed the Cinderella label and are now a team with a target on their back. Unfortunately for VCU, their quest for a deep run will be challenged by the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes are one of the best shooting teams in the nation, ending the regular season eleventh overall in field goal percentage (.486). That percentage translates to Ohio State putting up just under 76 points per game. High-powered offense is no issue for VCU, however, as the Rams average 10 steals a game which contributes to their ability to force 16 turnovers per game. Briante Weber is injured for the Rams, but they play a style that no Big Ten team has ever thought of playing. Thad Matta's game plan will need to be fresh and new if he hopes to take his tenth-seeded Buckeyes into the next round.

Zach's Take: The first thing that jumps out to me in the West Region is that the committee did us all a huge favor by putting Wisconsin and Arizona in the same region. Who could forget Wisconsin's thrilling Elite 8 victory last year over the Wildcats? It appears the two are on a crash course to do it again and that's going to be an unbelievable matchup. Both teams return almost their entire rosters from last season and it's a coin flip as to who moves on to Indy.

Like Nate said, the Ohio State-VCU matchup is especially enticing and, while I think the Rams will come out on top, it's a shame this Shaka Smart team doesn't have a healthy Briante Weber. If they did, you could be talking about another run deep into the tourney for VCU.

Another team I'm intrigued by is Georgia State. Coached by Ron Hunter, Georgia State features the coach's kid R.J. Hunter, a pure shooter from Pike High School in Indianapolis. In addition, Kevin Ware and Ryan Harrow give the Panthers two guys who have played at elite programs and know what March is like. GSU shoots the ball extremely well (48 percent) and has won nine of their last 10.

The other team that is a mystery is North Carolina. Which team will show up? They have been painfully inconsistent throughout the season, but looked great in the ACC Tournament, minus the championship against Notre Dame. If the good UNC team shows up then they have Final Four  potential, but if the bad UNC shows up.....keep reading...

Upset Alert:
Nate's Take: VCU and Ohio State provide one of the more intriguing match-ups in an otherwise stacked region but the game that many may overlook is the North Carolina Tar Heels first round contest against the Harvard Crimson. Everyone knows that March is not always about who's better on paper, it's about who's hot at the right time and who has the momentum. North Carolina blew a double-digit lead in their conference championship and came out as the losers against Notre Dame. Harvard on the other hand is riding into the Dance with the memory of win over arch-rival Yale fresh in mind. Toss that in with the inconsistency that Roy Williams' team seems to suffer from and you have a 13 over a 4 upset waiting to happen. Tommy Amaker is no stranger to March, and there's no doubt he will have Harvard ready to fight till that final buzzer sounds.

Zach's Take: Nate stole my pick so I'll go with the game right above it on the bracket. Wofford and Arkansas is another 5/12 matchup where the 12 could be moving on. Wofford is a quality team that defeated North Carolina State in Raleigh earlier this season. The Terriers have only lost two games since the calendar flipped to 2015 and they rank 27th in the nation in defense, holding opponents just under 60 points per game. Stopping Arkansas' duo of Bobby Portis (SEC Player of the Year) and Michael Qualls is not going to be easy, but we're talking about an Arkansas program that has been to the tournament five times since the millenium and has lost in the first round four of those years. Again, if you're looking for a 5/12 upset, this could be the one to choose.

Player to Watch:
Nate's Take: You may not know about him, but if his team performs up to their potential, you surely will. Be on the lookout for Oregon guard Joe Young, the Pac 12 Player of the Year. He leads the Ducks with 20 points, 4 boards, and 3 assists per game and, should the Ducks emerge victorious against the Oklahoma State Cowboys, is sure to give the Wisconsin back court fits. Not only is Young a threat to score from the floor, but when the game is on the line, Oregon can get the ball into the hands of one of the best free throw shooters in the nation. With his free throw percentage of 92%, any close game will surely be in his hands. And the best thing about this hard-nosed point guard? He's just waiting for that opportunity.

Hunter will be a threat against Baylor in the first round

Zach's Take: I mentioned him before and I'll say it again: keep an eye on R.J. Hunter. The 6-6 junior averages just below 20 points per game along with 4.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He's the kind of guy who can heat up in a hurry and his length makes him a difficult matchup (think a smaller version of Kevin Durant). As an added bonus, the kid is feeling it of late. On March 7th he dropped 35 on Georgia Southern then followed that up with a 32-point performance against Louisiana-Lafayette. Georgia State is a talented team and Hunter is the kind of player at a mid-major who could lead his team on a Cinderella run.

Bracket Breakdown: East

Michigan State Spartans

Perhaps there's no teams hotter than Virginia and Michigan State and the two of them headline the East Region which will meet in Madison Square Garden for the Sweet 16 and Elite 8. Plenty of questions surround the teams such as whether or not North Carolina will play like good or bad Carolina. Then there is the matter of Villanova. The Wildcats lost only four games, but laid an egg in the Big East tournament. Iowa State marched through the Big 12 tournament, but will have to meet either Michigan State or Virginia in the Elite 8. And what about Harvard-Cincinnati? Harvard is not sneaking up on anybody after last year's upset of New Mexico. Let's break it down...

East Region winner: Michigan State is healthy and that is a very, very scary thing for the other 67 teams in the tournament. I spent this past weekend at the Big Ten tournament and the Spartans stomped on all three of their opponents. Branden Dawson was phenomenal, Adreian Payne and Keith Appling looked healthy, and Gary Harris was nothing short of spectacular. MSU will have no problem with Delaware in the second round and has too much firepower for either Cincinnati or Harvard in the third round.

Simply put, they are the best team in the region and are playing like it. Remember, MSU may have a four next to their name, but this is a team many thought would challenge for a national championship and was once ranked first. Injuries hampered their play throughout the year, but Dawsen, Appling and Payne have all looked healthy. That means that Tom Izzo's streak of every four year player qualifying for the Final Four at least once in their career will continue.

Upset Pick: Providence over North Carolina
The Friars are hot and, in what will be a common theme throughout this post, are playing some of their best ball this season. With an upset victory over Creighton in the Big East final, they took themselves off of the bubble and now get an inconsistent Carolina team in the first round. This is a risky pick due to the fact that UNC has enough talent to go to the Final Four. However, they have bad losses to Belmont, Richmond and UAB this season which leaves some scratching their heads.

So it depends on which Carolina team shows up, but the matchup to watch is at the point guard position. The Friars' Bryce Cotton averages 21.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists and will go up against Marcus Paige. Paige has been the heady playmaker for the Tar Heels, averaging 17.4 points and shooting nearly 40 percent from three point. The play of these two will dictate the game.

Iowa State's Melvin Ejim

Player to Watch: Branden Dawsen, Michigan State
Dawsen is healthy after a hand injury slowed him down and he was named the Big Ten tournament Most Outstanding Player. An absolute beast, Dawsen can face a defender up and knock down a 15-footer, but he can also bully his way to the hoop and score down low. He missed ten games this season, but averaged 15 points and 7 rebounds in three Big Ten tournament games. His energy and aggressiveness is paramount to the Spartans' success and they will need that consistent play he showed in Indianapolis during this tourney run.

Potentially Intriguing Matchup: Michigan State vs. Iowa State (Elite 8)
This is the matchup I have picked for the Regional title and it would be a fun one. The two teams would matchup well at several positions. Appling may have to take DeAndre Kane at certain times throughout the game while Harris could find himself guarding the Big 12 Player of the Year in Melvin Ejim. Inside, Payne and Georges Niang will pair up with their somewhat similar games.

Iowa State's up-tempo offense that's focused on plenty of threes would meet Michigan State's hard-nosed defense. The Spartans have posted much higher numbers in both steals and blocks than the Cyclones. Both teams have four players averaging double figures and we could expect a high-scoring affair with plenty of great collegiate players.

Bottom Line: It's been too long since Tom Izzo and Michigan State has been in the Final Four and they are playing their best ball of the season now. They should be in Dallas.

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.

Great College Basketball Players Will Soon Be Hard To Come By

The game of college basketball has changed. It's no secret that the game has now become merely a stepping stone to the NBA for the top recruits coming out of high school. While most of the players that go through the "one and done" process are capable of being NBA players, it proves that a "great" college basketball player is hard to come by nowadays.

Hansbrough was one of the best to play at UNC

Now before there's an uproar, let me explain that my definition of a great college player is a guy who played three or four seasons and left a mark on his team, conference, and the game itself. You can say whatever you want about the players who have played for John Calipari at Kentucky. Obviously guys like John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins have gone on to the NBA and had decent careers so far. But the fact of the matter is that they will never be considered great college basketball players in my mind. I don't say that to directly point at those two individually, I say that to any player that has only attended one or two years of college.

Take Kyrie Irving for example. He is quickly climbing the point guard ranks and establishing himself as one of the best in the NBA. He has the talent to be a memorable NBA player. As for his college career? He might as well have not had one. He played eleven games at Duke before bolting for the NBA draft. As we have seen, he clearly has the talent to have been a historic player at Duke and break a few records. However, young players don't hang around anymore. The mindset has become a "get me out of here" thought process that leaves coaches and fans wondering if the one and done players really attended their school or if they were just passing through.

Personally, I believe the last great college basketball player was Tyler Hansbrough. Hansbrough is a guy that you will always look back at and remember him and his ACC-dominating career. He played all four years at North Carolina and played in 142 games for the Tar Heels. He racked up 2,872 points and reeled in 1,219 rebounds. Hansbrough was also a consensus All-American all four years of his career and capped it all off with a Championship run that culminated in Detroit in 2009. Hansbrough is a college legend and his number will hang in the rafters forever. How many one and done players will ever see their number in the rafters?

Wiggins and Parker are predicted to be one-and-dones

There will always be those players that take us as college basketball fans on a great postseason ride. Last year we watched as Trey Burke led the Michigan Wolverines all the way to the championship and earned a Player of the Year award. Yet Burke, who left after his sophomore year, left too early for his career to be fully defined. Players can have great seasons, but to be a great player you have to demonstrate consistency. With everyone wanting to leave after their first year, there is no chance to see if they are truly great in the college game or not.


So with this in mind, the hype this season has been focused on Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, and pretty much every new freshman at Kentucky. When referring to the excitement built around Wiggins, Oklahoma State guard Marcus Smart said it best when he simply said that Wiggins would have to prove that he was the best in the game. The media has formed the distasteful habit of pinning players as "the greatest in the nation" before they even touch the floor for a regular season game. The definition of great has changed through the years. Could Wiggins have a great season? Absolutely, and you're a fool if you're not excited to watch him. However, he will not be a great college player if and when he leaves after this season. Again, greatness takes consistency. The one-and-done process has just about ruined our chances to see another great player any time in the near future. While there are still GOOD players who stay three or four years (Peyton Siva, Tim Hardaway Jr., Aaron Craft), the Tyler Hansbrough's of the college basketball world will be few and far between thanks to the one-and-done culture that has recently been adopted.