College Basketball Preview: Verse 3

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20. Wisconsin Badgers:
Last Year: 25-9
League: Big 10
Studs: Jordan Taylor, Sr. G, Josh Gasser, Soph. G, Mike Bruesewitz, Jr. F
I feel stupid picking Wisconsin here, but then again I feel stupid for not putting them higher. No matter what they lose, they seem to always plug guys in to run their swing offense and end up ranked most of the season. Jordan Taylor is back and he's a potential All-American. Mike Bruesewitz had a nice NCAA tourney, and he has cool hair. Other than that, you're guess is as good as mine. Gasser could be very important, as he blended in for the most part, but had his moments like posting a triple-double in one game, and hitting a buzzer beater against Michigan. If Gasser plays the Jeff Ament role to Taylor's Vedder, then don't sleep on the Badgers.

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19. UCLA Bruins
Last Year: 23-11
League: Pac 10
Studs: Reeves Nelson, Jr. F, Joshua Smith, Soph. C, Lazeric Jones, Sr. G
It's good to see the Pac 12 back to being somewhat relevent once again. Two years ago was brutal, as the Mountain West was arguably better. Zona made some noise last year, and now they've got 4 teams in my Top 25. As for the Bruins, they have maybe the best frontline outside of UNC and Kentucky. Smith will be huge, literally and figuratively, but if he can keep his weight down and his stamina up, he'll be a difference maker. Nelson has a nice David Lee type of game, and his 14 and 9 from last year will go up with Tyler Honeycutt gone. The guards are the key. If they get anything from Jones, and newcomers Norman Powell and De'End Parker, this will be the best UCLA team since the Kevin Love-Russell Westbrook days. 

18. Xavier Musketeers
Last Year: 24-8
League: Atlantic 10
Studs: Tu Holloway, Sr. G, Mark Lyons, Jr. G, Kenny Frease, Sr. C
Why Terrell Holloway changed his name to Tu, I do not know. Why he came back to school is because he has a chance to carry the flag for the next potential mid-major juggernaut and have an iconic senior season to boot. Getting Brad Redford back is large because he can hit 3's, and last time I checked this is a pretty important aspect of college basketball. Frease is suspended right now, but if/when they get him back, they'll have the guards and a big man to make a nice little run and get back in the Sweet 16, if not further.

17. Florida State Seminoles
Last Year: 23-11
League: ACC
Studs: Bernard James, Sr. C, Michael Snaer, Jr. G, Ian Miller, Soph. G
I'd say I'm swinging for the fences here a little bit with this pick, but in actuality, the rest of America is just not paying attention. It's almost hurting FSU that the ACC has been so horrid outside of Chapel Hill and Durham the last couple of years that it has put a bias in peoples brains that their can't be another good team from this conference. Last time I checked, the Seminoles went to the Sweet 16 last year, only lost Chris Singleton (who they played most of the season without anyway), and Derwin Kitchen. Everyone else is back, they are a matchup problem for everyone they play against with their size, and have two highly regarded guards in Snaer and Miller that are poised to make the leap. As a Carolina fan, they scare the shit out of me.

16. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Last Year: 25-10
League:WCC
Studs: Elias Harris, Jr. F, Robert Sacre, Sr. C, Marquise Carter, Sr. G
Pretty amazing that a college basketball preview paying homage subliminally to Seattle grunge rock has Gonzaga only 16th. (To be fair, they're located in Spokane. So I should have said this about Washington. My bad). The Zags best player probably should be in the NBA by now, but Elias Harris regressed quite a bit last year. If he's healthy, and can regain his play of his freshman year, the Bulldogs will run through the WCC. Throw in Bobby Sacre, John Stockton's kid, and a couple of highly regarded freshman guards in Gary Bell and Aussie Kevin Pangos, and just sit back and watch the Zags put together they're usual 25 win season.

15. Arizona Wildcats
Last Year: 30-8
League: Pac 12
Studs: Kyle Fogg, Sr. G, Jordan Hill, Jr. F, Jesse Perry, Sr. F
This is the only team that I've had the chance to see play, and so far I'm not impressed. I think this ranking is about right however, because the pieces are definitely in place for Arizona to win the Pac 12. Jesse Perry has had double-figure rebound games in the first two, proving maybe that he can pick up where Derrick Williams left off. Zona is loaded with freshman, and I like what I've seen out of Nick Johnson and Angelo Chol so far. They still need to get athletic wing Kevin Parrom back (he got shot), and when they do, they'll be rolling. Lots of depth, Sean Miller as a coach, and the number one recruiting class next year have people in Tuscon thinking championships again.

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14. Michigan Wolverienes
Last Year: 21-14
League: Big 10
Studs: Tim Hardaway Jr. Soph. G, Jordan Morgan, Soph. C, Zach Novak, Sr. G
This really has no reason to be in this post, but I can't wait for "White Thunder", aka Mitch McGary to suit up in the Maize and Blue next season. He broke a damned backboard already and he's like 17. Anywhoo, This seasons Michigan squad will feature Tim Hardaway Jr, a taller and better scoring version of his famous father. Hardaway had a break out freshman campaign, and good be a First Team All Big 10 player if things break right. Morgan showed flashes of being a legit big man, and with a plethora of role players that can all shoot, as Beilein's teams tend to need in his system, Michigan can maybe challenge Ohio St. and be an Elite 8 team.

13. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Last Year: 17-14
League: SEC
Studs: Dee Bost, Sr. G, Renardo Sidney, Jr. F, Arnett Moultrie, Jr. F
Alright so MSU has already lost to Akron. And this is probably way too high for them to be ranked. I almost changed my whole rankings and reevaluated ever writing about basketball ever again. But then I realized, it's one game. This pick is based upon potential anyway, and I never said they would be undefeated heading into the SEC slate. The reason I have them this high is because I'm drinking the Renardo Sidney koolaid. I'm banking on him finally getting it together, being a dominant force, and combining with UTEP transfer Moultrie to cause some havoc mixing it up with the Kentucky's and Vandy's of the world. Dee Bost is undervalued, as I remember him going blow for blow with John Wall in the SEC Championship two years ago. Throw in a 6'8 freshman shooter in Rodney Hood, and you have a team that is being slept on, that could be dynamic, throwing another wrinkle in what could be a 5 team SEC race.

12. Memphis Tigers
Last Year: 25-10
League: Conference USA
Studs: Joe Jackson, Soph. G, Will Barton, Soph. G, Wesley Witherspoon, Sr. F
All the hype surrounding Memphis is with their sophomore class. The key for the Tigers is Witherspoon however. He started out last year as the best player on the team, then got suspended, turning into a role player. He's a talented underachiever that hasn't fufilled expectations( there seems to be a theme here with he extolling the virtues of these type of players. Maybe it's like looking in a mirror for me), but if Memphis gets anything from him, in addition to all of the sophomores getting a lot better with a year under their belt, Memphis could be in the Final Four.

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11. Louisville Cardinals,
Last Year: 25-10
League: Big East
Studs: Peyton Siva, Jr. G, Kyle Kuric, Sr. G, Chane Benahan, Frosh. F
It's argued that Louisville was a year ahead of schedule being as good as they were last year. Losing freshman Wayne Blackshear to injury will hurt them, but they get back Jared Swopshire after a medical redshirt, so this should cancel this out a bit. Elsewhere, Louisville is stupid deep, they have the best white boy dunker in the country in Kuric (Notre Dame's Scott Martin is still having nightmares), and a bunch of quality wings to go along with him. Two large variables to keep an eye on will be; how good can Peyton Siva be as a point guard and as a leader, and can they get Gorgui Dieng to protect the rim like Terrance Jennings did. If Siva and Dieng can do this, and Benahan becomes a go to scorer like he has been in the exhibition games, then Louisville will be a national factor.

College Basketball Preview: Verse 2

                                                               Verse 2

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30. Temple Owls
Last Year: 26-8
League: Atlantic 10
Studs: Ramone Moore, Sr. G, Scootie Randall, Sr. F, Juan Fernandez, Sr. G
Temple returns a wealth of experience, specificly at the guard position. They can go 5 deep in the backcourt with the above mentioned, plus Aaron Brown and Khalf Wyatt. The key will be replacing the production of Lavoy Allen inside. If Rahir Jefferson improves, and if Michael Eric can come back from the injury that ended his season, Temple could definitely give Xavier a run in the A10. Bill Cosby nods approvingly.

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29. Cincinnati Bearcats
Last Year: 26-9
League: Big East
Studs: Yancy Gates, Sr. F, Dion Dixon, Sr. G, Sean Kilpatrick, Soph. G
I never really bought in on Cincy being any good last year, as they cracked the top 25 without playing anyone of consequencet. They suprised me however by going 11-7 in league play, and now bring back the core group from that team. They need Gates to consistently dominate, and PG Cashmere Wright needs to score the ball more for Cincy to move up.

28. Missouri Tigers
Last Year:23-11
League: Big 12
Studs: Marcus Denmon, Sr. G, Kim English, Sr. G, Ricardo Ratliffe, Sr. F
Mizzou would be a lot higher if Laurence Bowers had not gone down with an ACL injury. They're bringing in Frank Haith from Miami, meaning they have to learn a different system. Denmon was one of the most efficient guards in all the land last year, and Flip Pressey has the tools to be the best point guard in the Big 12. If Haith can get the seniors to buy in, and Mizzou finds someone to help Ratliffe down low, they might not slip as much as I think they will.

27. Michigan State Spartans
Last Year: 19-15
League: Big 10
Studs: Draymond Green, Sr. F, Keith Appling, Soph. G, Adreian Payne, Soph. C
This just feels like one of those years where no one excepts much from Michigan St, yet they'll somehow go on some run and get hot in March after losing 12 games in the regular season. No one is talking about them that much, which I'm sure after last years high expectations, is right where Izzo wants to be. Green is an outstanding player even though he's not gettting much NBAt love from the mock drafts of the world. He's an all-around threat, and is also a better leader than any of the seniors last year. If Payne and a slimmed down Derrick Nix can make this a vintage "kick everybody's ass on the boards" type of sqaud, and Appling can handle the point, I wouldn't bet against ole Sparty.

26. Kansas Jayhawks
Last Year: 35-3
League: Big 12
Studs: Thomas Robinson, Jr. F, Tyshawn Taylor, Sr. G, Elijah Johnson, Jr. G
This is where Kansas should be ranked. Not 13 or 12 like the preseason polls say. I wouldn't be suprised if Kentucky beats them by 30 next week. They have Robinson, an inconsistent underachiever in Taylor, and a low impact recruiting class. I know everyone is saying "but it's Kansas." It doesn't matter. Even I feel stupid having them this high. This feels a lot like when Carolina was terrible two years ago. Sometimes the blue bloods fall, and when they do, they fall hard. Sorry Kansas, it's not going to be a good year in Jayhawk land.

25. Alabama Crimson Tide
Last Year: 25-12
League: SEC
Studs: JaMychel Green, Sr. F, Tony Mitchell, Jr. F, Trevor Releford, Soph. G
I never really saw Bama play last year, but from what I've read they were prettty good. The run in the NIT was a nice stepping stone for what should be an even better year for Anthony Grant's team. Green played really well for the National Team this summer, and Releford had a steady hand as a first year point guard. The key will be how well freshman Levi Randolph and Trevor Lacey get acclimated to what will be a great SEC this year.

24. Marquette Golden Eagles
Last Year: 22-15
League: Big East
Studs: Darius Johnson-Odom, Sr. G, Jae Crowder, Sr. F, Vander Blue, Soph. G
This is the portion of the program where Marquette alum and father to be Dan Brody reads where I pick Marquette, then checks out to go do lab work or something. (He's a Chem grad student at Pitt, and also my brother, for those scoring at home). I love Buzz Williams, and DJO would be a top 10 pick if he was 6'6 instead of 6'2. Marquette has a lot of new pieces to incorporate into their offense, but the talent is there. Obviously the Big East is loaded, but Marquette will be a factor come March.

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23. Texas A&M Aggies
Last Year: 24-9
League: Big 12
Studs: Khris Middleton, . G, David Loubeau, Sr. F, Elston Turner, Jr. G
A&M has been consistently solid the last couple of seasons. They haven't been great, but they've been in or around the top 25. Now they lose Mark Turgeon to Maryland, and have questions with the health of new coach Billy Kennedy. I still think they have a chance to be just as good as anybody in the Big 12 outside of maybe Baylor, but Middleton is going to have to take the leap for that to happen. Keep an eye on bigs Ray Turner and Kourtney Roberson. If they can combine for about 15 boards a game, the Aggies will be really good.

22. Cal Golden Bears
Last Year: 18-15
League: Pac 10
Studs: Jorge Guiterrez, Sr. G, Harper Kamp, Sr. F, Allen Crabbe, Soph. G
Cal brings about everyone of merit back from last year's team that probably overachieved a bit. Guitierrez was the glue guy/defensive stopper on the team that gave Duke a run in the round of 32 two years ago. He evolved into one of the better all-around players in the Pac 12 last year, and combined with Kamp and Allen Crabbe forms a really solid nucleus. Minnesota transfer Justin Cobbs impact will go a long way as the Pac 12 race is wide open.

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21. Washington Huskies
Last Year: 24-11
League: Pac 10
Studs: Terrence Ross, Soph. G, Abdul Gaddy, Jr. G, Tony Wroten, Frosh. G
UDub loses one of my favorite college basketball players of the last couple of years in Isaiah Thomas. I really wish he would have stayed in school, but the Huskies are more than set at that position with returnee Abdul Gaddy, and freshman Tony Wroten. The Grunge Capitol also gets Terrence Ross back, who is actually a lot more similar in skill to Jeremy Lamb than people think. Ross may be the POY in the league when its all said and done. Washington will struggle some early with not much inside, but I look for them to have a good March, as they've had the last couple of years.

NFC Midseason Power Rankings

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It took a while longer than I had planned, but I magicly went from working 22 hours a week to being told I can't work my whole shift on Tuesday because I was on pace for about 46 hours for the week on Tuesday. Needless to say, the blog has suffered, but with it now being the midway point of the NFL sesaon, it's time for me to weigh in about the conference of my beloved Chicago Bears, and the conference where the majority of the people would be reading this favorite teams reside. I'm going to go with the same format as my AFC post a couple of weeks ago, with my 16-1 ranking of the teams, followed by my All-Division squads.

16. Arizona (1-6): I think it's safe to say that paying Kevin Kolb big money wasn't the answer. I thought the Cards would be a lot better, but the bigger names on their defense have pretty much done nothing.

15. St.Louis (1-6): The schedule gets easier, and the addition of Brandon Lloyd was a nice touch, but the Rams have dug themselves too much of a hole to do anything. I thought Sam Bradford would be better by now.

14. Washington(3-4): These will be the most satisfying 50 or so words I type throughout this post. I'm literally smiling as I type this. The Skins are heading for about a 5-11 finish as the "Deadly Duo" consisting of Wrecks Grossman (If I ever start a garage band, this is what I'm calling it), and John Beck suprising no one by being catastrophicly terrible. They lost Santana Moss, Chris Cooley, and Tim Hightower within a span of two weeks. If I had to grope around for a silver lining, I'd say that Ryan Kerrigan has been a nice compliment in the 3-4 to Brian Orakpo. But I'd be unsafely stretching it to find much else.

13. Seattle(2-5): After his epic playoff run, I thought Marshawn Lynch would be able to parlay that into a 1,000 yard season. I thought wrong. Whoever thought getting a starting QB with the first name Tavaris was a good idea should not be employed anymore. (Notice a trend here: If your QB sucks, you're team is probably going to suck. I don't need ESPN's "Year of the Quarterback " series to tell me this).

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12. Carolina(2-6): The future looks bright for a team that honestly could be 4-4 if they could close out games. Obviously Cam Newton has been spectacular, but so has Steve Smith, who's destined to be remembered as someone who would have been a first ballot Hall of Famer, if he had a decent QB all these years. Charles Johnson has been quietly living up to his huge contract, and James Anderson, Chris Gamble, have been solid on D.

11. Minnesota(2-6): Take away Jared Allen and Adrian Peterson and they would be 0-16. Outside of Percy Harvin and the other two, they really have nothing else of merit on their roster.

10. Dallas(3-4): I thought Dallas would be a lot higher after they hung with New England for about 59 minutes, but they regressed terribly against the "Dream Team" Sunday night. Sean Lee was having a great year, and now might be out for the year, leaving Keith Brooking and Bradie James as their LB's. This isn't 2006, so that's not good news. DeMarcus Ware can't play 1 on 11.

9. Tampa Bay(4-3): The Bucs are still really young, and they play like it at times. They have a bunch of young playmakers on D, and they need Josh Freeman to play like the Josh Freeman of last year to make the playoffs.

8. Atlanta(4-3): I'm still not sure what to think about the Dirty Birds. Roddy White doesn't look like he's healthy, but Michael Turner, Tony Gonzalez, and Julio Jones have been solid. Sean Weatherspoon has been a tackling machine for the D.

7. Chicago(4-3): I wanted to put my boys in the top 3, but let's let them win a couple more games before they make the jump. Can the front office please fucking pay Matt Forte whatever he wants? For the love of God, I love watching his evolution from decent running back to superstar.

6. Detroit(6-2): I'm starting to hate these guys just as much as Green Bay, which means that they are no longer the "Harmless Detroit Lions". Their pass rush is downright scary, as is that Megatron guy. I'm still waiting for the inevitable Matthew Stafford injury.

5. San Francisco(6-1): I'm still not sold, but I'm getting there. With the division being as terrible as it is, I can see the Niners ripping off a 12-4 or 13-3 record, followed by losing a home playoff game. Alex Smith is still your QB San Fran, just remember that before you get too uppity.

4. N.Y. Giants(5-2): Is Eli Manning really turning into an elite QB? The numbers say so, and he's been playing better than he ever has. The secondary has been playing really well, and with Pierre-Paul, Osi, and Justin Tuck coming back from injury, their pass rush is among the best in football.

3. Philly(3-4): Despite the shitty record, you can't tell me this isn't arguably the most talented team in the NFC. What you saw last week against Dallas is what you can expect the rest of the season, as Andy Reid's teams always seem to gel around this time of the year.

2. New Orleans(5-3): The Saints are still number two even after their meltdown against the Rams last week. Jimmy Graham is now the best TE in football, the offense as a whole has about 5-6 weapons, and S Roman Harper has 4.5 sacks from his Safety spot.

1. Green Bay(7-0): I hate the Packers, and I hate them even more because they are the best team in football. I feel dirty that Aaron Rogers might help me win 700 bucks in one of my fantasy leagues.


All NFC East:

QB: Eli Manning, Giants
RB: Leshaun McCoy, Eagles
RB: Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants
WR: Jeremy Maclin, Eagles
WR: Miles Austin, Cowboys
WR: Hakeem Nicks, Giants
TE: Jason Witten, Cowboys

DE: Jason Pierre-Paul, Giants
DT: Cullen Jenkins, Eagles
DT: Chris Neild, Redskins
DE: Jason Babin, Eagles
LB: DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys
LB: Sean Lee, Cowboys
LB: Ryan Kerrigan, Redskins
LB: Anthony Spencer, Cowboys
CB: Aaron Ross, Giants
CB: Corey Webster, Giants
S:  Kenny Phillips, Giants
S: Antrelle Rolle, Giants

MVP: Leshaun McCoy: Has easily become one of the best running backs in the NFL, and has been the main weapon on the emerging Philly Offense.

Defensive Player of the Year: Jason Pierre-Paul: Not even listed as a starter, Pierre-Paul gets the slight nod here over DeMarcus Ware and Jason Babin. JPP has 9 sacks and 11 TFL's.

Rookie of the Year: Ryan Kerrigan: The Skins are terrible, but Kerrigan has been a bright spot as he and Brian Orakpo have been solid for a D that isn't that bad.

All NFC North

QB: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay
RB: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota
RB: Matt Forte, Chicago
WR: Calvin Johnson, Detroit
WR: Greg Jennings, Green Bay
WR: Jordy Nelson, Green Bay
TE: Jermichael Finley, Green Bay

DE: Jared Allen, Minnesota
DT: Henry Melton, Chicago
DT: Ndamagong Suh, Detroit
DE: Kyle Vanden Bosch, Detroit
LB: Desmond Bishop, Green Bay
LB: Lance Briggs, Chicago
LB: Brian Urlacher, Chicago
LB: Clay Matthews, Green Bay
CB: Chris Houston, Detroit
CB: Charles Woodson, Green Bay
S: Morgan Burnett, Green Bay
S: Amari Spievey, Detroit

MVP: Calvin Johnson: Megatron gets the nod barely over Aaron Rodgers. At least the Bears get to play both of them twice a year.

Defensive Player of the Year: Jared Allen: 12.5 sacks, 10 TFL's and 3 forced fumbles for the best DE in football. He's also doing it with less help than ever with the "Williams Wall" only consisting of an aging Kevin Williams.

Rookie of the Year: Randall Cobb: He's been quiet lately on a team with too many weapons to mention, but in division without any real impact rookies, he gets the nod.

All NFC South

QB: Cam Newton, Carolina
RB: Michael Turner, Atlanta
RB: Darren Sproles, New Orleans
WR: Steve Smith, Carolina
WR: Roddy White, Atlanta
WR: Robert Meachem, New Orleans
TE: Jimmy Graham, New Orleans

DE: Charles Johnson, Carolina
DT: Peria Jerry, Atlanta
DT: Brian Price, Tampa Bay
DE: John Abraham, Atlanta
LB: Sean Weatherspoon, Atlanta
LB: Curtis Lofton, Atlanta
LB: James Anderson, Carolina
LB: Stephen Nicholas, Atlanta
CB: Jabari Greer, New Orleans
CB: Brent Grimes, Atlanta
S: Roman Harper, New Orleans
S: Sherrod Martin, Carolina

MVP: Cam Newton: Despite the Panthers record, Cam has been spectacular. I thought he would be good, but I don't know if anyone thought he'd be this good, this early.

Defensive Player of the Year: Charles Johnson: Johnson still is kind of under the radar, but he's been making plays and living up to the hype of the big contract he signed.

Rookie of the Year: Newton.

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All NFC West

QB: Kevin Kolb, Arizona
RB: Beanie Wells, Arizona
RB: Frank Gore, San Francisco
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona
WR: Ted Ginn, San Francisco
WR: Sidney Rice, Seattle
TE: Vernon Davis, San Francisco

DE: Chris Clemons, Seattle
DT: David Carter, Arizona
DT: Justin Bannan, St. Louis
DE: Justin Smith, San Francisco
LB: Patrick Willis, San Francisco
LB: Navarro Bowman, San Francisco
LB: Paris Haralson, San Francisco
LB: Aldon Smith, San Francisco
CB: Carlos Rogers, San Francisco
CB: A.J. Jefferson, Arizona
S: Adrian Wilson, Arizona
S: Kam Chancellor, Seattle

MVP: Beanie Wells: Good lord this division is terrible. Wells gets the edge over Frank Gore just barely. Wells has 506 yards on the ground and 7 TD's for an Arizona team that should be better.

Defensive Player of the Year: Patrick Willis: San Fran's D has been the catalyst to the Niners 6-1 start. The LB's have been playing out of their noggins, and Willis is still the leader of this emerging unit.

Rookie of the Year: Aldon Smith: Smith came out of college kind of undervalued, but he's got 6.5 sacks for San Fran.

College Basketball Preview: Verse 1

cre·scen·do

noun

Music.

a.

a gradual, steady increase in loudness or force.

b.

a musical passage characterized by such an increase.

c.

the performance of a crescendo passage: The crescendo by the violins is too abrupt.

2.

a steady increase in force or intensity: The rain fell in a crescendo on the rooftops.

3.

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the climactic point or moment in such an increase; peak: The authorities finally took action when public outrage reached a crescendo. (http://www.dictionary.com/)

                                                       

It's time for college basketball, and I'm going to start slow with my top 40, beginning today with my 40-31 ranked teams, some of whom I don't know too much about. I'm going to pick up the intensity over the next couple of days as I get into my top 25, as I know a lot more about the majority of those teams. Hence the definition at the beginning of this post. While I might not have much to say about the St.Mary's and the Long Beach State's of the world, I can and will make a lot of noise once we get to the Duke, UNC, and Kentucky portions of the program. Without further ado, my top 40.

40. Creighton Blue Jays
Last Year: 23-16
League: Missouri Valley
Studs: Doug McDermott, Soph. F, Antoine Young, Sr. G, Gregory Echenique, Jr. C
All I know is that Harrison Barnes' ex high school teammate McDermott blew up this summer playing for the U19 national team. Combine that with Young, and former Rutgers player Echenique and you have a team that not only is a threat in the Valley, but also could do some damage nationally. Gonzaga transfer Grant Gibbs will add another option on the perimeter.

 39. Long Beach St. 49ers
Last Year: 22-12
League: Big West
Studs: Casper Ware, Sr. G, Larry Anderson, Sr. F, T.J. Robinson  Sr. F

The 49ers have former Gonzaga and Minnesota coach Dan Monson at the helm, and possibly the best player in the league in Ware. They've been waging war with UC Santa Barbara in the Big West the past couple of seasons, and I look for this year to be breakthrough time. Plus I'd pay money to see both Snoop sitting courside behind their bench at the tourney, followed by Gus Johnson making obscure hip hop references throughout the telecast.

                                              

 38. St. Mary's Gaels
Last Year: 25-9 
League: WCC
Studs: Matthew Dellavadova Jr. G, Rob Jones, Sr. F, Mitchell Young, Jr. F

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The Gaels have been around before, and are once again Aussie heavy with their lineup. Dellavadova was their point guard on the Sweet 16 team two years ago, and Jones averaged 14 pts and 8 rbs as an undersized post player last season. Their RPI will be better with BYU joining the conference.

37. Purdue Boliermakers
Last Year: 26-8
League: Big 10
Studs: Robbie Hummel, Sr. F, Lewis Jackson, Sr. G, Ryne Smith, Sr. G
The major key with the Boilers will be how much Hummel has left after two knee surgeries. If he can regain the form of two years ago, when he was arguably the best player on a team with two future pros (Etwan Moore and Jajuan Johnson), then Purdue can be a factor in the Big 10. They have pretty much everyone back except for Moore and Johnson, so this could be a team that jumps much higher than this ranking.

36. Kansas St. Wildcats
Last Year: 23-11
League: Big 12
Studs: Rodney McGruder Jr. G, Jamar Samuels, Sr. F, Jordan Henriquez, Jr. C

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I picked Kansas St. to go to the Final 4 last preseason, and they basically didn't get their collective shit together until the very end of the year. Losing Jacob Pullen and Curtis Kelly will hurt them, but I think with Frank Martin scaring referees and his players all season, they won't slip as much as people may think. It also might be a matter of addtion by subtraction, as the seniors looked a bit distracted last year. I look for McGruder to break out and become a star, and the Wildcats to finish in the upper half of a wide open Big 12.

35. Butler Bulldogs
Last Year: 28-10
League: Horizon
Studs: Robert Nored, Sr. G, Andrew Smith, Jr. C, Khyle Marshall, Soph. F
As we know from the past two seasons, this is probably way too low of a ranking. The Dawgs have one of the best coaches in the country, and while they've lost a lot, they have a roster littered with deep tourney experience. Hopefully Nored found a jumpshot this summer, because outside of that problem, he's an ideal point guard and leader. Marshall gained valuable experience playing overseas with the U19's, and look for newcomers Roosevelt Jones and Jackson Aldridge to make an impact before all is said and done. Sleep on Butler at your own peril.

34. Oklahoma St. Cowboys
Last Year: 20-14
League: Big 12
Studs: LeBryan Nash, Frosh. F, Keiton Page, Sr. G, J.P. Olukemi, Jr. G/F
I'm taking a big leap of faith in the abilities of Nash with this pick. I think in a balanced league that lost a lot of talent to the NBA, that he'll come in and have a huge impact. Page is smaller than me, but makes plays and has range from 30 feet in. If they get bruiser Darrell Williams back from legal troubles, and contributions from JC transfer Phillip Jurick, they'll have two big bodies to go along with the skill on the wings. I'm loving the Big 12 race already.

 33. UNLV Runnin' Rebels
Last Year: 24-9
League: Mountain West
Studs: Chace Stanback, Sr. F, Oscar Bellfield, Sr. G, Anthony Marshall, Jr. G
New Coach Dave Rice inherits four starters back from a team that was pretty good last season living in the shadows of Jimmer and San Diego St. Rice played on the Rebs' early 90's teams, as has vowed to put the Run back in the Runnin' Rebels. They have a little bit of everything with experienced guards combined with impressive size up front. Stanback has the ability to be conference player of the year, and with their depth, UNLV should compete with New Mexico for the top spot in the conference.

 32. Illinois Fighting Illini
Last Year: 20-14
League: Big 10
Studs: Brandon Paul, Jr. G, D.J.Richardson, Jr. G, Meyers Leonard, Soph. C
Another addition by subtraction team, as the Illini lost a ton, but it could be for the best. All of last years seniors underperformed for much of the season, leaving Illinois with a new group that, best case scenario, will gell and play with much more intensity. Noted Chicago Area talent scout Wayne Brody (my father who goes to a shit ton of high school games in Illinois) says that the class they brought in is really good. I grew up going to Chicago Catholic League games throughout my early childhood, and Illinois brought in 3 players from that conference in Tracy Abrams (Mt. Carmel), Mike Shaw(De La Salle) and Nnanna Egwu( St. Ignatius). This has to count for something.

31. New Mexico Lobos
Last Year: 22-13
League: Mountain West
Studs: Drew Gordon, Sr. F, Phillip McDonald, Sr. G, Kendall Williams, Soph. G
After a great season two seasons ago, New Mexico fell back a bit last season, missing the tournament. They'll be much better now, with Gordon likely battling with UNLV's Stanback for The Jimmer Fredette Memorial Cultural Phenom Player of the Year Trophy (I renamed it). The Lobos are a little guard heavy, and they need senior A.J. Hardeman to help Gordon with the dirty work.