Kentucky: Showing Why They Didn't Belong

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/robert-morris-stuns-kentucky-nit-015328273--ncaab.html

Kentucky lost to Robert Morris in the opening round of the NIT last night. They were This should really shut up those critics who thought that Kentucky belonged in the NCAA Tournament Field. They have  lost 6 of their last 10 games including last night and the SEC Tournament. They went 11-6 in a miserable SEC this year. With many bad losses through out the year. With Nerlens Noel they had a fighting chance, but without him they don't even have the star power that makes them exciting. They are a young, raw team. They will be back next year. But this year they clearly didn't belong.

Tournament Takes

*The Midwest should be a cake walk for the top three seeds. Louisville (1), Duke (2) or Michigan State (3) should be representing the Midwest in the Final Four.

*Gonzaga (1) got a go a tough road, potentially playing a tough Pitt (8) team in the second round, potentially followed by the relentless Wisconsin team (5) and Ohio State (2). I don't see them making it past the sweet sixteen.

*I feeling a Miami (2) Indiana Elite Eight Match up in the East bracket. I like whoever wins this game to win the whole thing.

*The South isn't a particularly strong bracket. Kansas (1) is in my opinion the weakest one seed. They could play a feisty Villinova (9) in the second round. Nova could give them a lot of trouble. I think this paves the way for Michigan to represent the South in the Final Four.

My Final Four Picks: These could change as I take a closer look at the bracket, but at a first glance I like
Louisville (1) in the Midwest
Miami (2) in the East
Michigan (4) in the South
and Wisconsin (5) in the West

Causes We Care About

Coaches Versus Cancer is a fantastic organization combining college, high school and youth basketball in the fight against cancer. This movement has raised over $87 million dollars to the fight against cancer. They also bring together communities by increasing awareness and support of those battling cancer. Every year the NCAA several tournaments in during "Jimmy V. Week" in which a large donations. High schools also have tournaments and game dedicated to raising money for the American Cancer Society. Sports is a powerful medium in our country. The mass appeal of basketball is being used in a fantastic way, and that is why you all should checkout Coaches vs. Cancer.

Small Conference Automatic Qualifiers

Last night, many of the small conferences wrapped up regular season championships, qualifying several teams for the NCAA Championship Tournament.

West Coast Conference Championship: #1 Gonzaga rolls over St. Marry's 65-51, locking up a number 1 seed for the Bulldogs. Look for St. Marry's to make the big dance as a 13 or 14 seed.

Ohio Valley Conference: Butler tops Murray State in OT. I project them as a 12-13 seed. Murray St. could still dance, but they would be a 15-16 seed in my opinion.

Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference: Iona Gaels edge  Manhattan College 60-57. Projected seed: 15-16

Missouri Valley Conference: Wichita St. falls short of catching Creighton. Both should make the tournament, with Creighton as a 4-6 seed and Wichita St. as a 9-10 seed.

Southern Conference: Davidson easily handled Charleston College. I see them as a 12 seed.

More to come as championship week continues.

College Basketball Update

Gonzaga at Number one is pretty dumb. The Bulldogs are good, don't get me wrong, but they are not nearly good enough to be number one. They have only played three ranked teams all season. They have lost to two of the ranked teams they have played. None of the teams they have played are inside the top ten. Although they have the best record in college basketball they just don't deserve to be number one based on the weak conference play and week out of conference scheduled.

Duke Upset, Miami Clinches ACC Reg. Season Tittle

With Virginia upsetting Duke last night, Miami clinches the ACC Regular Season Tittle, and moves up to a projected number one seed in the NCAA Tourney.  They also have the number 1 seed in the upcoming ACC Tournament locked down. The Tournament starts March 14th. In the upset Coach K was complaining that Virginia Fans stormed the court. He was worried for his players safety and that fans might "start something". First of all Coach K, you players are larger than average humans with much more athletic ability then the common fan. I don't think they should be worried. If he's concerned about the player retaliating then they must really be a bunch of psycho . Especially when they deserve anything that is said... they lost to Virginia. This win is Big for Miami. If they can stay unbeaten until the ACC tournament and make it to the championship at least, I think they are a lock for a number 1 seed, paving the way for A potential U championship. As one of the more exciting teams to watch, that is something I would like to see.

College Basketball Naismith Prospects

I think Victor Oladipo should be everybody's top prospect for the Naismith Player of the Year Award. He is the spark plug for the country number one team. He is an athletic freak. Vic lead Indiana to victory against Michigan. He his inbound dunk is my favorite play of all college basketball all year.

Shane Larkin is my number two. The lighting quick guard, a sophomore at Miami, is the Oladipo of his team. He keeps Miami together. Without him, Miami is an athletic but raw team and wouldn't have the record they do know.

  My third place is a tie between Mason Plumlee of Duke and Cody Zeller of Indiana. Plumlee is arguably the most dominant big man in college hoops, averages 17.5 points per game and 10.7 boards per game in 34 mins per game. Zeller, while averaging less points and rebounds at 16.3 and 8.1 per game respectively, does more in less time, averaging only 28 mins per game.

Noel Hurts Knee: ESPN Video

Last night in Nerlens Noel hurt his knee in Kentucky's loss to Florida. Noel leads the nation in shots blocked per game and is the second leading rebounder in the SEC. This blow could end Kentucky's season and make it a less exciting March.

My Top 25

 Click Here for the  Current Expert Rankings

My Top 10

1. Indiana
2. Michigan
3. Duke
4. Miami (Fl)
5. Arizona
6. Florida 
7. Syracuse
8. Gonzaga
9. Kansas
10. Michigan State

Indiana is the clear #1, as they only have two loses, one to a ranked Butler team in O.T. and another to a gritty Wisconsin team. The Big Ten is the deepest conference and goes a long way to cementing there number one status. The fact that they are in the top 25 in every major offensive category, including a second ranked 83.3 points per game  doesn't hurt either.

Michigan, although losing to a ranked Indiana and a tough Ohio State Team, is still an extremely deep, talented team. Every guy in there starting 5 is skilled. I'm counting on this to lead them deep into the Big Ten tournament and into March. Look for them to challenge Indiana March 10th. However the need some help on the boards.

Although Duke only has 2 loses to a then ranked NC State team and a Miami team that has been hot as of late, the downward trend of the ACC this year doesn't help there case. Wins over Louisville and Ohio State help, but the Kentucky victory doesn't mean much. Strong guard play has carried them, but Mason Plumlee can only take them so far on the boards as seen in the Miami loss, where they are seriously lacking.

Miami has been hot lately. First place in the ACC helps, as does there dominating win over Duke. Although there streaky offensively, they're size and athleticism allow them to contend with anyone and keep scores
low.

Arizona's early season victories over Florida and Miami keep them floating but I'm not impressed with their lack of dominance in a bland PAC-12. Hopefully they'll impress me when tournament time rolls around.

Losses to Arkansas and Kansas State really hurt Florida in my eyes, even though these are their only losses. They should have dominated the  14-8 Arkansas. Besides Missouri  the rest of the season should be smooth sailing so look for them to stay where they are or rise as other teams play a more difficult schedule.

Syracuse has been looked streaky as of late with back to back losses to Nova and Pitt. However strong play in the difficult tail end to their schedule could easily put them back in the 1 or 2 spot.

Gonzaga is low on my list as they have only played 3 ranked teams, all outside the top ten, and have only won one of them, two the lowest ranked of all of them  (Oklahoma St. then #22). Another loss easily has them outside the top ten.

Kansas has lost back to back games. Looks like there slipping. Still the Big 12 is a solid conference and they should be able to stay floating if they don't loose anymore games before the conference tournament.

Michigan State plays in the strongest conference this year and has been solid all around. Playing Michigan twice, Ohio St. and Indiana in the coming month could put them closer to the top, and victories overall of them would put them in the number 1 spot.