| Wunderdog's 2004 College Basketball Preview
Wunderdog's Pre Season Men's College All American
Team
PG - Chris Paul, Wake Forest - The Super Soph will lead the Deamon
Deacons as far as he can take him. If he is able to build on his
wonderful freshman season, the sky could be the limit for both
Paul and the Deamon Deacons. Paul, who once scored his deceased
grandfathers age in points in high school the day after he died,
is one of the best shooters in the country and is automatic from
the charity stripe.
SG - JJ Redick, Duke - Will JJ ever graduate?
This sweet shooting Dukie is as money as they come from the perimeter
in college basketball. He is underrated defensively, and would
be a player of the year candidate if he was better off the dribble.
It could be a tough year for Duke in a stacked ACC, but Redick
will give his all every time out, and that should be enough to
keep Duke formidable this season. They'll need his leadership
throughout the ACC schedule.
SF - Julius Hodge, NC State - The best returning
player in the country in my humble opinion. Hodge is the type
of slashing playmaker that makes NBA scouts drool. He can score
from anywhere on the court. He'll lead NC State to a high finish
in the ACC and deep into the NCAA tournament. He's had problems
with ankle injuries and will need to stay healthy this season.
If he is able to keep his health, it will be fun to watch him
dismantle defenses designed specifically to stop him this season.
PF - Wayne Simien, Kansas - The Jayhawk tough
guy is simply an all around great player. You'll not find a big
man with better post moves anywhere in the country. He gets to
the foul line and converts and also is a tremendous rebounder
and defender. He will make an NBA franchise very happy next June.
C - Hakim Warrick, Syracuse - High Wire Act is
the best way to describe Warrick. The Cuse will be very formidable
again this season with Warrick and McNamara returning. Provided
Warrick stays healthy, he will put up sickening numbers and multiple
double doubles this season. I love his thunderous dunks which
have the ability to completely change the course of a basketball
game.
Wunderdog's Preseason Great Eight Predictions
North Carolina
2003-04 record: 19-11 (8-8, tied for 5th in ACC)
2003-04 postseason result: Lost to Texas, 2nd round, NCAA
Key players returning: Rashad McCants, Raymond Felton, Sean May,
Jackie Manuel, Jawad Williams
Key players lost: None
This could be the season that North Carolina returns to all of
its former glory. This roster is stacked with talent but Roy Williams
had a difficult time with some of the personalities, i.e. Rashad
McCants, one year ago. That should not happen again in his second
season. Look for the Tar Heels to get very deep into the tournament
and battle it out with Wake for the ACC title.
Kentucky
2003-04 record: 27-5 (13-3, 1st in SEC East)
2003-04 postseason result: Lost to UAB, 2nd round, NCAA
Key players returning: Chuck Hayes, Kelenna Azubuike
Key players lost: Cliff Hawkins, Gerald Fitch, Erik Daniels, Antwain
Barbour
Maybe a fringe pick for then top eight. UK will need their newcomers
to be big time performers for them to be there in late March,
but Randolph Morris and Joe Crawford should be big time players
as freshman. Kentucky should once again win the SEC and get deep
into the NCAA tournament. Chuck Hayes could be a household name
down South by the end of this season.
Kansas
2003-04 record: 24-9 (12-4, tied for 2nd in BIG 12)
2003-04 postseason result: Lost to Georgia Tech, Elite Eight,
NCAA
Key players returning: Wayne Simien, Keith Langford, Aaron Miles,
J.R. Giddens
Key players lost: David Padgett (transferred), Jeff Graves
Rock Jock huh? This team is simply loaded with Simien, Langford
and Miles all returning. The Jayhawks will run away wit the Big
12 title, but will they fold once again in the tournament? Simien
reminds a lot of Danny Manning, so maybe this will be the year
that Kansas gets it done once again.
Georgia Tech
2003-04 record: 28-10 (9-7, tied for 3rd in ACC)
2003-04 postseason result: Lost to Connecticut in national championship
Key players returning: B.J. Elder, Jarrett Jack, Luke Schenscher,
Will Bynum, Isma'il Muhammad, Anthony McHenry
Key players lost: Marvin Lewis, Clarence Moore
Last year's runner up will have another great season. BJ Elder,
when healthy is one of the best players in the country. Schenscher
and Jack make this a formidable club that will once again contend
in the ACC and Nationally.
Syracuse
2003-04 record: 23-8 (11-5, tied for 3rd in Big East)
2003-04 postseason result: Lost to Alabama, Sweet 16, NCAA
Key players returning: Hakim Warrick, Gerry McNamara, Josh Pace,
Craig Forth, Demetris Nichols, Louie McCroskey, Terrence Roberts,
Darryl Watkins
Key players lost: Jeremy McNeil
McNamara and Warrick will make this another exciting season in
upstate New York. The return of point guard Billy Edelin will
be a hige boost and should allow McNamara more room on the perimeter.
This team will be very difficult for opponents to defend. The
Orangeman should be a Final Four team next March.
Wake Forest
2003-04 record: 21-10 (9-7, tied for 3rd in ACC)
2003-04 postseason result: Lost to St. Joseph's, Sweet 16, NCAA
Key players returning: Chris Paul, Justin Gray, Eric Williams,
Taron Downey, Jamaal Levy, Vytas Danelius, Trent Strickland, Kyle
Visser
Key players lost: None
Newcomers of note: Cameron Stanley
Chris Paul and Justin Gray form what may be the best backcourt
outside of Tuscon. My only concern about the Deamon Deacons is
how much they rely on the three pointer. They'll need to diversify
their offense from one year ago or they'll meet the same fate
come tournament time.
Arizona
2003-04 record: 20-10 (11-7, 3rd in Pac-10)
2003-04 postseason result: Lost to Seton Hall, 1st round, NCAA
Key players returning: Mustafa Shakur, Channing Frye, Hassan Adams,
Salim Stoudamire, Chris Rodgers, Isaiah Fox, Ivan Radenovic
Key players lost: Andre Iguodala
The Wildcats are loaded once again this season. They did not live
up to expectations one year ago because they refused to play defense
from the get-go. Isiah Fox is back from injury and the backcourt
is, simply put, the most talented in the land. If Olson can get
this team to commit on the defensive end of the basketball court,
the Wildcats will be cutting down the nets in April.
Michigan State
2003-04 record: 18-12 (12-4, tied for 2nd in Big Ten)
2003-04 postseason result: Lost to Nevada, 1st round, NCAA
Key players returning: Paul Davis, Chris Hill, Alan Anderson,
Kelvin Torbert, Maurice Ager, Shannon Brown, Delco Rowley
Key players lost: Jason Andreas
Izzo's team struggled last season through some growing pains.
The nice part about having a young team is that they come back
the following season. Chris Hill can fill it up from three-point
land, and Paul Davis is a tough customer down low. I'll be watching
the Michigan / Michigan State games this season. We look for the
Spartans to win the Big Ten and step back into National prominence
this season.
Wunderdog's Top 5 Surprise Teams of the College
Hoops Season
Michigan Wolverines
One of only two big school teams in my surprise category, Michigan
stormed to the NIT title one year ago and returns their corps
in tact. Daniel Horton is as good a PG as there is in the Big
Ten, and Dion Harris will give teams fits down low. Head Coach
Tommy Ammaker finally has the troops to get the Wolverines back
in the tournament where they belong.
UMASS Minuteman
The Minutemen return all five starters from a team that stuggled
somewhat last season. Leading the way for UMASS is Rashaun Freeman,
the 2003-2004 A-10 Rookie of the Year. Look for the Minutemen
to take the A-10 by storm this season. Other players of note are
PG Anthony Anderson and sophomore Lawrence Carrier. The door appears
open for the Minutemen to step back onto the tournament stage.
Iowa State Cyclones
This team was on the cusp in the Big 12 last season and this will
be the year they return to prominence in hoops. Curtis Stinson
is a stud and I still wonder how he ended up in Ames from New
York City. Jared Horman is very tough down low as well, while
Will Blalock is one of the better point guards in the Big 12.
Iowa State should surprise in what looks like a down Big 12 beyond
Kansas. Look for ISU to get back into the NCAA tourney this season,
and make a run at the top three positions in the Big 12. They
need to play better on the road this season which should happen
due to their experience.
Buffalo Bulls
Many of us fell in love with the Bulls last season as they roared
to the finish line, falling up just short in their conference
tournament. Most of their team returns in tact this season led
by PG Turner Battle, and C Mark Bortz. Bottom line is that the
Bulls could win the MAC this season which would be a major coup
for a team that was a perennial doormat two short seasons ago.
Wichita State Shockers
WSU had another great year last year winning 21 games, but they
fell short of the NCAA tournament. This team returns four starters
from that team led by guard Randy Burns and senior 6'-5"
Jamar Howard. I see the Shockers shocking the Salukis of Southern
Illinois and taking the Missouri Valley title this season and
heading to the Big Dance.
The Wunderdog
Free College Basketball Picks
www.freeunderdog.com
1-877-DOG-WINS
The Wunderdog has been handicapping for over 15
years and specializes in picking underdogs (and underrated favorites).
He publishes a free weekly newsletter, available on his website,
with a free daily pick.
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