College basketball gets all the glory today as its preview time but obviously I must talk about the huge Louisville/Rutgers game tonight.
#3 Louisville at #15 Rutgers (+6.5)
Louisville finds themselves in a position that they have yet to be in all year, playing a huge game on the road. The schedule worked out in their favor having Miami and West Virginia coming to Louisville and never in their wildest dreams did they think a trip to Rutgers would make or break their season. The Rutgers defense has been outstanding this season and has gotten no respect while Ray Rice has ran all over the competition. No matter what anyone says, Louisville QB Brian Brohm is not 100% from his thumb injury. No doubt being put on his rear end a few times and having to deal with a hostile crowd should rattle him a bit. It’s the biggest game in the history of both programs and they have the national spotlight to prove their worth. I say the crowd coupled with Rutgers’ stifling defense leads to Rutgers, yes Rutgers, being in the drivers seat for the automatic BCS bid out of the Big East.
Rutgers 24 – Louisville 20
And now without any further delay, the Campus Chatter 2006- 2007 NCAA Basketball Preview:
Top 5 Coaches on the Hot Seat
1. Tommy Amaker, Michigan – One would have to think its make or break time for Amaker as he still hasn’t led the Wolverines to the Big Dance.
2. Mike Brey, Notre Dame – Basketball matters again in South Bend and missing the last three NCAA tournaments is unacceptable.
3. Ernie Kent, Oregon – Kent has a weird stipulation where his contract gets renewed for 5 years after each season. Last year they didn’t renew his contract after the season and it’s unlikely he sticks around until 2010.
4. Robert McCullum, South Florida – South Florida is playing with the big boys now and they need a coach which can hang with the big boys.
5. Dan Monson, Minnesota – Yet to live up to any expectations in the Twin Cities.
Top 5 Players to Watch Out For
1. Kevin Durant, Texas – Many are saying that if Greg Oden wasn’t in the picture he would be the #1 Pick in the 2007 NBA draft.
2. Ronald Steele, Alabama – The best point guard in America and no one is talking about him.
3. Courtney Sims, Michigan – Marcus Camby-lite may finally get some attention if the Wolverines are in the Top 25.
4. Greg Oden, Ohio State – Unless you have been living under a rock, no explanation necessary.
5. Alando Tucker, Wisconsin – Gets lost in the shuffle in a boring Wisconsin offense but should get his due this season.
Campus Chatter Pre-Season All American Team
1. Ronald Steele, Alabama – Guard – A pure point guard who is a pleasure to watch
2. Morris Almond, Rice – Guard – This slasher made a huge name for himself at the NBA Draft Camps this summer but wisely chose to return to school.
3. Al Horford, Florida – Center – He doesn’t get much recognition because of Joakim Noah but he may be the more talented of the duo.
4. Joakim Noah, Florida –Forward/Center – His relentless heart and competitiveness make him a freak of nature on the basketball court.
5. Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina – Forward – Talented young forward should only improve with the talent around him
Campus Chatter Pre-Season All Freshman Team
1. Paul Harris, Syracuse – Guard/Forward – Possibly my favorite player in America and will have the Carrier Dome faithfull saying “G-Mac who?”
2. Thaddeus Young, Georgia Tech – Guard/Forward – Among the many youngsters at Georgia Tech who should make a name for themselves.
3. Kevin Durant, Texas – Forward – This small forward should toy with the competition for a year before bolting for the draft.
4. Greg Oden, Ohio State – Center – Should be out until January 1st after wrist surgery, can he live up to the hype?
5. Spencer Hawes, Washington – Center – The big man out west should ease the loss of Brandon Roy and Will Conroy.
Campus Chatter Conference Predictions
ACC – North Carolina
Watch out for – Georgia Tech
America East – Albany
Watch out for – Maine
Atlantic 10 – Xavier
Watch out for – Umass
Atlantic Sun – Belmont
Watch out for – Lispcomb
Big Ten – Wisconson
Watch out for – Illinois
Big 12 – Kansas
Watch out for– Texas A&M
Big East – Pittsburgh
Watch out for – Georgetown
Big Sky – Montana
Watch out for – Northern Arizona
Big South – Winthrop
Watch out for – Coastal Carolina
Big West – Long Beach State
Watch out for – UC Irvine
Colonial – Hofstra
Watch out for – Drexel
Conference USA – Memphis
Watch out for – Houston
Horizon – Loyola
Watch out for – Wisconsin-Green Bay
Ivy – Penn
Watch out for – Princeton
MAAC – Niagara
Watch out for – Marist
MAC – Akron
Watch out for – Kent State
MEAC – Delaware State
Watch out for – Norfolk State
Mid-Continent – Oral Roberts
Watch out for – UMKC
Missouri Valley – Southern Illinois
Watch out for – Creighton
Mountain West – Air Force
Watch out for – San Diego State
Northeast – Monmouth
Watch out for – Robert Morris
OVC – Samford
Watch out for – Jacksonville State
Pac 10 – UCLA
Watch out for – Arizona
Patriot – Bucknell
Watch out for – Holy Cross
SEC – Florida
Watch out for – Alabama
Southern – College of Charleston
Watch out for – Appalachian State
Southland – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
Watch out for – Lamar
Sun Belt – Western Kentucky
Watch out for – South Alabama
SWAC – Jackson State
Watch out for – Alcorn State
WAC – Nevada
Watch out for – New Mexico State
West Coast – Loyola Marymount
Watch out for – Gonzaga
National Title Sleeper Picks
1. Alabama – With Ronald Steele at the point, anything is possible.
2. UCLA – The loss of Jordan Farmar hurts but Darren Collison should fill in nicely.
3. Wisconsin – Badgerball plus talent equals a lot of trouble for opponents.
4. Texas A&M – Lost a heartbreaker last year to LSU in the Round of 32, should come back with a vengeance.
5. Georgetown – Was considered a year away last year, is this their year?
Final Four
1. Florida – The defending champs return all five starters, any questions?
2. North Carolina – If the kids can live up to the hype they might be unstoppable.
3. Pittsburgh – With Carl Krasuer gone everyone must step up, and will.
4. Arizona – Lute Olsen is in love with this group, and that can’t be a bad thing.
National Title Game
Pittsburgh 77 Florida 71
Coach of the Year
Jamie Dixon, Pittsburgh
Player of the Year
Ronald Steele, Alabama
Mid-Major Player of the Year
Loren Stokes, Hofstra
