Over the years, there have been shares of true contenders
that have been knocked out in the tournament. For example, look at what happen
to the Kansas Jayhawks.
They were no doubt the deepest and most experienced team
in the tournament. However, Northern Iowa was the better team that day and the
Jayhawks were sent home.
But many of last year's pretenders have now turned into
contenders
Missouri Tigers
The Tigers were never considered contenders. However,
they were able to stay near the top of the Big 12 and get past Clemson in the
first round. But the Tigers defense didn't stifle West Virginia, and were sent
home after the second round.
This year, the Missouri Tigers are contenders.
They returned the majority of their roster, and brought
in a monstrous recruiting class. Tony Mitchell and Phil Pressey are the reasons
why the Missouri Tigers are no longer pretenders. They have a decent squad
that's mixed with size and speed.
Their defense can't be taught. They'll be a huge
contender in the Big 12 this season
Villanova Wildcats
Remember how the Wildcats were
considered to be one of the top five teams in the nation? Yes, they were. Led
by guard Scottie Reynolds, the Wildcats proved early in the season that they
were going to contend in the NCAA that year.
However, as the season went on,
the Wildcats started falling. Not too much help was granted to Reynolds, and
the Wildcats dropped out of the nation’s spotlight.
However, they still earned a
No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament.
That didn't stop Saint Mary's
from knocking them out in the second round.
Next season, with Corey Fisher
at the realms and their sophomore players emerging, I think Villanova will play
a significant role
Illinois Fighting Illini
The Fighting Illini impressed a
lot of people with their wins over the Lucas-less Spartans and the Wisconsin
Badgers.
However, after those two top 25
defeats, they weren't able to defeat any other ranked opponent.
In fact, they didn't even come
close. But next season, I suspect them to be much better than that.
They return Demetri McCamey and
Mike Davis. They also brought in one of the best recruiting classes in the
nation.
If McCamey can tighten up his
decision-making, then the Illini will have no problems solidifying themselves
as contenders next season.
Georgetown Hoyas
With Greg Monroe returning for his sophomore season in
college, I expected more from the Hoyas. But in return, they gave me an upset
loss in the first round to Ohio. Actually, the game wasn't even close.
Ohio exposed the Hoyas as pretenders, but next season I
doubt that will happen.
The Hoyas didn't return Monroe, but they did return three
of their most deadly guards. On top of
that, they brought in freshman Nate
Lubick to help them out in the frontcourt.
Austin Freeman will most likely wreck havoc. With him at
the realms and consistency in the frontcourt, I can say the Hoyas will be
contenders next season.
Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns were the biggest pretenders last season.
They started off 17-0 with the No. 1 ranking. However, once they met Kansas
State, things went down-hill.
The Longhorns went from the undefeated No. 1 team in the
nation to being knocked out of the top 25 and first round of the NCAA
tournament.
They lost Dexter Pittman, Damion James, and Avery
Bradley. But they also brought in Cory Joseph and Tristan Thompson. Both of
these freshmen along with sophomores J'Covan Brown and Jordan Hamilton will
solidify Texas as contenders again.
Virginia Tech Hokies
With a 23-8 record, the Hokies weren't allowed in the
NCAA tournament. Most people thought they were snubbed, but I think the
committee made the right decision.
The Hokies did have a nice record, but also lost three
games in their weak non-conference schedule.
However, with Malcolm Delaney and better scheduling, the
Hokies are finally due for a big break.
Along with Delaney, they brought back every key player
from last year’s squad.
Something is telling me that the Hokies will not be
"snubbed" this upcoming season.
Temple Owls
Remember when Juan Fernandez got hot against Villanova?
He single-handedly put the Owls' in position to win the game. However, you
can't forget about Lavoy Allen either.
These two kept the Owls competitive with a lot of teams.
Well they're both returning along with everybody except
Ryan Brooks and Luis Guzman.
The way they play defense at a high level will help them
maintain their success next season. Also, having a dominant post player like
Allen and a three-point specialist like Fernandez will help.
Arizona Wildcats
The Wildcats were able to stay
atop the Pac-10 standing last year but wasn't the greatest team. They posted a
6-6 non-conference record, while posting a 10-6 Pac-10 record.
That was the cause of a weak
conference. The Pac-10 was dead last in conference RPI.
While they looked good defeated
Cal or Washington, they were still pretenders. They finished the season with an
overall record of 16-15.
But all isn't bad. They returned
most of their young roster and they'll be at the top of the Pac-10 again.
Something tells me Derrick
Williams will make you remember his name.
Wisconsin Badgers
At a point in the season, the
Badgers were ranked No. 12 in the nation. However, once the NCAA tournament
started, they were exposed.
The Badgers were crushed by
Cornell in the second round.
Now Trevon Hughes and Jason
Bohannon aren’t suiting up for the Badgers next season. But that will not stop
them from surprising.
They return a nucleus of
juniors and seniors to curb the void. Not to mention, they brought in some
freshmen players that will help with depth.
Josh Gasser will be huge next
season. If he can take over the point guard position the Badgers will be good.
He has great size, athleticism and will pose a good floor-general with help.
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