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Early Onset Hoops Madness

November 17, 2009
Nov
17

Any day with college basketball on television is a good thing. A day when college basketball is always on television is a great thing. With the march to the Final Four in Indianapolis underway (and the march to San Antonio for the women), ESPN is showing nothing but basketball Tuesday -- 12 games in 24 hours. And that doesn't even include the games going on ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN360.com and ESPN Mobile. At this point, you've already missed the start of class (and Cal State Fullerton upsetting UCLA) but there's still time to salvage the day.

usf_football

The benefits of working from home!

-- usf_football
bh4312

I love the 24 hour marathon -- took Tuesday off from work. Good thing the Monday Night Fooball game is so terrible ... so I can get a nap in after work before the marathon tipoff.

-- bh4312

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It's not a list that Reggie Theus or anyone who gets the coaching gig at USC will have to worry about for the forseeable future, but Andy Katz is talking top 25 in college hoops.

Now that the early-entry candidates for next week's NBA draft are locked in place, Katz has surveyed the landscape and installed Kansas as his team to beat. Here's his top 10, complete with significant representation for the recently beleaguered SEC.

Andy Katz's Top 10
1. Kansas (SN fan group: Rock Chalk Jayhawk)
2. Michigan State (SN fan group: Michigan State Basketball)
3. Texas (SN fan group: Big 12 Twelve Group)
4. Villanova (SN fan group: Villanova Wildcats!)
5. North Carolina (SN fan group: Tar Heel Basketball)
6. Purdue (SN fan group: United States of Boilermakers)
7. Kentucky (SN fan group: Kentucky Basketball Fans)
8. Tennessee (SN fan group: 100% SEC)
9. West Virginia (SN fan group: Mountaineer Nation)
10. Duke (SN fan group: ACC Sports)

bluerupp

Not bad, but I would make a few adjustments. I think that Kansas is where it should be, maybe move UNC up a spot, and put UK in top 5, even though they are young. I would have Louisville in the top 25 as well, and possibly Mizzou. The SEC looks to be a good conference this year.

-- bluerupp
tcco007

I agree with the top 5 on the listing. You can take a blanket and throw it over the group and any of them could win the title. If all teams are healthy come tourney time (not likely), Kansas will have the most talent and depth to win. Adding the Henry brothers to the other recruits means that they will be far deeper at key positions (center and forward) than last year. Also, playing 4 frosh significant minutes means they grew up last year and should be readier for the rigors of major conference basketball.

-- tcco007

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CHAT IN PROGRESS

NHL with EJ Hradek
  • Joe (NY)Do you think Team USA really has a shot to compete for a medal in Vancouver?
  • EJ HradekI think so. I would say this: they have the benefit of the North American ice surface. This is the first Olympics that will compete on the NHL sized ice surface. They have the good fortune of coming in under the radar. If you're in goal, these guys have all shown that they're capable, especially in a short tournament. I look at it and see Russia and Canada and maybe the defending champ Swedes as the team to watch and have a good shot to win the medals. Brian Burke is playing up the underdog role to the hilt. I don't think he's wrong on that. I think he's smart to do that. If you can get off on the right foot and get the ball rolling, the next thing you know you're on the medal stand. I don't think they're the favorite, but if things fall their way, I think they can have a good tournament.
  • Jake (VA Beach)You said 'with Lunqvist in net', but it seems as that hasn't helped much this year. Is it due to the Rangers' style, or has he taken a step back?
  • EJ HradekI think their style is definitely different than the past. They were more of a defensive style team previously. They're not that way now. They take more chances. They have a couple of rookies playing defense. Some of their veteran guys have struggled a little bit. It's tough to say. It's a thin line. Maybe Henrik looks at it and might say that he could be better, but he's in a different situation than past years.