College Basketball 2013-14 Top 25

Kentucky's six McDonald's All-Americans

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

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

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

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

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

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

Marcus Smart

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

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

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

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

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

C.J. Fair

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cleanthony Early

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reaction to March Madness: Days 3 & 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Big Ten Hopes to See Championship Drought End

Payne and Thomas will be key to their teams' success in March

There's hardly a question that the Big Ten has been the most dominant conference from top-to-bottom this season and the Selection Committee agreed, giving the conference seven teams in the tournament. The conference has four teams that pose as serious title threats in Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State while Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota have the potential to win a game or two. However, for a conference that is so highly regarded this season, anything less than a championship could be viewed as a failure. The Big Ten hasn't experienced the crystal ball, confetti and championship podium since Michigan State's title in 2000 behind Mateen Cleaves and the Flintstones. That's a drought that isn't something to brag about.

Since 2001 the ACC has won five championships while the Big East and SEC have each won three. The Big 12 has one title courtesy of Kansas in 2008, but the Big Ten is empty handed. Four times the conference has had the runner-up and they have sent eight teams to the Final Four since 2001, so it's not as though the conference has been unsuccessful. Still, championships are the ultimate barometer and the Big Ten is looking up at everyone else. The conference hasn't been this good in a long time, but, then again, neither has the tournament as a whole. There is no clear favorite and that may work in the Big Ten's favor. If they are going to get back on top then this is the year to do it. Here's a team-by-team look at the seven Big Ten tourney participants.

Indiana Hoosiers (27-6, 14-4 Big Ten)
Indiana can be the best team in the nation on any given night, but they have looked suspect of late. They lost at home to Ohio State and have been defeated by Wisconsin twice this season. However, the Hoosiers are 7-2 against ranked opponents and defeated every Big Ten team except the Badgers. IU scores the ball at ease and they shoot nearly 50 percent from the field. They have two of the best players in the nation in Cody Zeller and Victor Oladipo and, barring some major upset, should be in Atlanta. Prediction: National Runner-Up

Ohio State Buckeyes (26-7, 13-5 Big Ten)
The Buckeyes are interesting. It seems as if DeShaun Thomas (19.6 points per game) is their only weapon, but somehow they keep winning ball games. Thomas is the only player who averages double figures and as a team Ohio State doesn't do anything particularly well. However, they guard hard and have arguably the best perimeter defender in the country in Aaron Craft. The other thing to look for in March is who's hot and the Buckeyes have won eight in a row to finish the season. OSU is 5-7 versus ranked opponents. Prediction: Sweet 16

Michigan State Spartans (25-8, 13-5 Big Ten)
Tom Izzo knows a thing or six about the final Four and his Spartan squad may be there again. Michigan State has a nice mix of outside shooting and inside force and that makes them a hard team to guard. MSU scores just 68 points per game, but they hold their opponents to a mere 59 per game. Keith Appling is reliable point guard and a tandem of freshmen, Gary Harris and Denzel Valentine, have contributed valuable minutes. Adrien Payne and Derrick Nix rebound the ball well and complement each other in the post. Prediction: Elite 8

Hardaway and Watford were part of two thrillers between IU and UM

Michigan Wolverines (26-7, 12-6 Big Ten)
Since the calendar flipped to Febrary, Michigan is just 6-6 and finished the season losing two of their last three. Behind Big Ten Player of the year Trey Burke and athletic wing Tim Hardaway, the Wolverines have a dynamic duo that could carry them to Atlanta. Also, look for Mitch McGary to be a key part to Michigan's tournament run. What could hold them back though is rebounding (156th in the nation) and decision making. Burke, for as good as he is, is prone to lapses in judgment and poor shot selection at times. Prediction: Elite 8

Wisconsin Badgers (23-11, 12-6 Big Ten)
Bo Ryan and the Badgers get the job done and it's usually not in pretty fashion. Wisconsin finished second in the Big Ten tournament and they have compiled a 23-11 record on the same principles that we have become accustomed to seeing from Wisconsin: defense, rebounding and toughness. Count on the Badgers to slow down the pace and make it difficult for opponents to score, but don't count on them to go too far because of their inability to score. Ohio State held them scoreless for the last seven minutes in the Big Ten title game and Wisconsin doesn't really have someone to take over a game. Prediction: Two and Out

Illinois Fighting Illini (22-12, 8-10 Big Ten)
Which Illinois team will show up in the tournament? The Illini have been up-and-down this season and that's the reality for a team that relies on jump shooting. Some nights the Illini can shoot a team out of the gym, but other nights they struggle to throw the ball in the ocean. The other dowside to Illinois is the fact that they have a nonexistent interior game. They rely solely on the perimeter players and that doesn't always work. That said, if Illinois catches fire then watch out because who knows how far they can go. Prediction: Two and Out

Minnesota Golden Gophers (20-12, 8-10 Big Ten)
Tubby Smith's Gophers are similar to several other Big Ten teams. They can beat anybody, but they win ugly and they lose ugly. Minnesota sometimes struggles to score the ball, but they can guard the ball well and they rebound. Like other big Ten teams, Minnesota can win if they make teams play to their pace and they find consistent offense from someone like Andre Hollins. However, they won't go very far if Trevor Mbakwe disappears and the offense sputters for long stretches. Prediction: Two and Out

This could be the Big Ten's year, but it's all about consistent play. They have beaten up on each other all year long and that has earned the conference a reputation. Now it's time to finish it off with a title. Michigan State and Michigan will play on Thursday. Indiana, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota will all play on Friday.

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.

5 Things to Watch Before March Madness

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nike Continues to Pump Out New Uniforms for Schools

Every athlete has heard the phrase “Let your play do the talkin’” at one point or another in his or her career. We’ve always been told not to worry about things like what number we wear or how expensive of equipment we use because, in the end, it’s your effort and hard work that will determine the wins and losses. However, with all the changes in uniforms that are happening in college basketball nowadays, I’m starting to wonder if athletes SHOULD care what they look like on the court.

With Nike always coming out with new designs for uniforms, teams can pretty much have new uniforms every single year. I thought that the Elite uniforms that now have the pattern on the back surrounding the number are a little flashy. All the same, they’re something new and the patterns are unique to each school. I can handle those. What I’m having trouble with is Nike’s sudden belief that every major school should wear grey.

Georgetown has always had grey uniforms dating back to the Patrick Ewing days. Grey is a uniform color that is original to that particular school and is clearly one of the school’s main colors. Another school that’s been wearing grey longer than other schools would be Ohio State. Like Georgetown, grey is clearly a school color of the Buckeyes. They have grey helmets and matching pants in football; it is clearly an accent color in the logo. Its teams like North Carolina and Arizona that have no reason to wear grey that I’m not a fan of, especially if your programs have a great amount of tradition behind them. Look at schools like Indiana and UCLA that haven’t gotten caught up in the new fad of flashy uniforms. Both schools have enjoyed recent success (UCLA’s dating back to the Kevin Love days) and have done it with the same uniform design as guys like Isiah Thomas and Bill Walton wore.

I feel like Nike is beginning to have too much influence on schools and it’s become obvious that it’s always about the money. Do I think this year’s uniforms are cool and good-looking? Yes, to an extent. However, I think there’s something to be said about having an appreciation for the players of the past. That’s why I love Indiana’s and UCLA’s uniforms. I’m not a fan of Nike suddenly giving schools grey uniforms because it’s clearly only for show. It’s cool to see schools have uniforms that they can call their own. If every team starts to dress like each other it won’t be the same. Ultimately, I’m just a kid in a suburb of Chicago, but if I had any say in this matter, I’d definitely put a stop to the constant uniform changes.

Paul Lifts Illini; Team Looking for Consistency

Paul earned a spot in the U of I record books with his
43 point outburst on Tuesday night

Number five in the world of college basketball has fallen to none other than the program who has seemed to struggle with consistency. Last night, the Buckeyes of Ohio State fell to the unranked Fighting Illini of Illinois. On a night when legendary Illinois coach Lou Henson was celebrating his 80th birthday and former players such as Kenny Battle and Stephen Bardo were in attendance, Illinois did everything in its power to put on a show.

And what a show it was. Led by junior shooting guard Brandon Paul, the Illini battled…and battled…and battled, until they finally gutted out the 79-74 win. Other than the fact that the Illini took down the perennial powerhouse Buckeyes, it was a special night for Paul and one that nobody could have expected.

Coming into college, Paul was a part of a very good recruiting class and one of Bruce Weber’s best thus far. Yet Paul, along with classmate and fellow guard DJ Richardson, struggled with consistency and maturity on the court. He was very impatient at times, he settled for mediocre or poor shots early in the shot clock, and didn’t seem to have the leadership a guard should exhibit on the hardwood. However, on a night like last night, when the game was nationally televised and Player of the Year candidate Jared Sullinger was in the Assembly Hall, Brandon Paul stepped up and showed everyone that he just might be stepping into his role as a leader and go-to guy.

It was apparent right from the start that Paul and the Illini were ready to go. The shooting guard had a chase-down block that was capable of being compared to one that we’ve seen LeBron James do over and over. In past seasons, Paul might have given a half-hearted effort coming down the floor or would have stopped at half court. Yet here he was making a big time play against a big time team.
He wasn’t satisfied, though. He would end the game with forty-three points (which ranks 3rd all time in Illinois history), eight boards, four blocks, and two assists. As a part of the jaw-dropping, history-making performance, Paul was the man that, in the clutch, would hit two monumental threes and would knock down free throw after free throw to put the nail in the Buckeyes’ coffin.

As an Illinois fan, it was unreal to see a team that, despite a 14-3 record before last night’s game, lacked consistency yet put on such a performance. Games such as a nail-biter against St. Bonaventure and a mere four point victory over Cornell, presented a little skepticism as to how well this Illinois team could perform. This team is young, there’s no doubt there. Transfer student Sam Maniscalco is the only senior and is currently suffering from an injury. You can see it in Illinois’ play that they still get ahead of themselves on fast breaks and they aren’t always fluent on offense. Guys such as Tracy Abrams are still trying to fit into their new positions and sophomore big man Meyers Leonard is working on performing at a high level that will compete with other studs such as Sullinger and Michigan State forward Draymond Green.

But after the show that was put on last night on ESPN, Illinois has shown that, when all their players are on the same page and when they’re all ready to go to work, this team can be dangerous. It’s hard to tell just from last night’s game, but if this Illinois team can begin to be consistent and play to its potential rather than play to the level of their opponent, the Big Ten championship might, just might, end up in Champaign.

NCAA College Basketball Preview 2011-2012

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

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

Barnes

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

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

2. Kentucky Wildcats

Jones

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

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

3. Ohio State Buckeyes

Sullinger

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

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

4. Connecticut Huskies

Lamb

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

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

5. Duke Blue Devils

Mason Plumlee

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

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

3 Players to Watch in 2011-12

Tu Holloway, point guard, Xavier Musketeers

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

Perry Jones III, forward, Baylor Bears

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

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

Kabongo

10 Freshmen to Watch

Austin Rivers, guard, Duke Blue Devils

Anthony Davis, forward, Kentucky Wildcats

Marquis Teague, guard, Kentucky Wildcats

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, forward, Kentucky Wildcats

Brad Beal, guard, Florida Gators

Myck Kabongo, guard, Texas Longhorns

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

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

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

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

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

Weekend in Review: Volunteering at the Big Ten Tournament

I don't like to use this blog to talk about myself or anything like that and I like to stay away from using the pronouns "me" and "I" but for this next post I would like to write about my weekend in Indianapolis. Earlier in the year I contacted a woman from the Big Ten conference and asked for a media volunteer job for the Big Ten Men's conference tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse. I was then contacted by the head of Conseco Fieldhouse operations and he said that I had a job and from there I went through a few minor things before traveling down to Indy on Friday to work the Quarterfinal games. I worked Friday through Sunday and, in all, was able to see seven games, including the championship.

David Lighty cuts down the net

I learned quite a bit in my time at Conseco and number one was this: the media live a hard life but a good life. You want to know why some media guys are fat? Because there is free snack food everywhere for them. Down in the bowels of Conseco the hallways were buzzing with people from security guards manning every door to media people sprinting to get back in the arena before the second half started. The band and cheer teams for the schools playing next warmed up and stat runners (that's what I was) scurried around to deliver box scores to their assigned stations. Just outside the arena is a restaurant/sports bar with televisions showing the game inside and the various other college basketball games. There were refridgerators filled with pop and water and snacks on every table. Once or twice a day, depending on how many games there were, the Conseco food service would cook a meal for all the media and we would be able to eat between games. The meals were top of line with food such as meat loaf, corn, mashed potatoes and gravy and rolls. It was always a priority to eat the meals because they not only were they delicious but that was when I knew all the big name broadcasters and writers would be in the restaurant.

Over the weekend I was lucky enough to meet several former players and a number of broadcasters/writers. Larry Bird, Joe Dumars, Tim Hardaway, Ralph Sampson, Clark Kellogg and Jim Jackson were all in the arena for the games and I had the privelige of speaking to Kellogg, Hardaway and Jackson. What is awesome about these guys, especially Clark Kellogg, is that they take the time to speak with anybody. They seem like stars or celebrities but they are just normal guys who like to have a good talk about college basketball. I also had a few conversations with members of the Big Ten Network and we ragged on Bruce Weber and the Illini. One worker said that Weber should be fired because he hasn't been able to blend talent together the way many thought he should have. It was fun to just sit there and talk basketball with guys that were going to be on television five minutes later.

My job was to be a stat runner and that consisted of three short shifts. Before the game I needed to distribute pre-game notes on the two teams to an assigned two rows of media then delivered halftime and postgame box scores. When I wasn't working I was allowed to sit down at an open seat on press row and watch the game. That's when I was able to strike up a conversation with some of the guys working and exchange business cards and talk to them about what they do. The crazy thing is that some of them were just sitting there and tweeting about the game. That was their only job. Pretty sweet.

Big Ten commissioner Jim Delaney presents OSU with
the Big Ten championship trophy

Sitting behind the bench for all the games, I was exposed to different aspects of the game that fans in the seats can't hear. During the Purdue-Michigan State game I was able to listen in on Purdue coach Matt Painter's conversation with referee Ted Valentine. Painter and Valentine went back and forth for a few plays and then Valentine started warning Painter, "Keep talking and I'll do it [give you a technical foul] and I wouldn't hesitate to do it Matt!" Painter looked at Valentine and said, "Go ahead then and do it!" Valentine responded by putting his hand up, blocking Painter's face from view as if to say, "talk to the hand." I also was able to listen in to Ed DeChellis who, I determined, the dirtiest mouth of the Big Ten coaches. The Penn State coach repeatedly dropped F-bombs and wondered aloud what his players were thinking when they made a mistake. Thad Matta, coach of Ohio State, was all about toughness and begged his players to not give in and be tough down the stretch. The assistant coaches also do a lot of coaching and they are very knowledgeable on the scouting reports. The head coach takes care of the timeouts but the assistants do a ton of coaching during the game.

It was a nice inside look into what the media life is like and it was an experience I will never forget. I spoke to Tim Hardaway Jr., gave knucks to Aaron Craft and Jared Sullinger and high fived Talor Battle. I know that I definitely want to work in the media when I am older. I saw seven games and watched Ohio State cut down the nets. I feel like I've learned a lot about all the Big Ten teams but that doesn't mean I'm more confident in picking my bracket.

These pictures are pictures I took after the championship game on Sunday

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