JohnnyCash
11-10-2004, 04:39 PM
Hey guys,
Well my favorite time of the year is nearly upon us, NCAA Basketball Madness. What better way to spend your Saturday than waking up to 160 games of intense rivalries and drama. Who would spend Monday and Tuesday any other way than sitting in front of your TV with an ice cold beer watching UVA upset Duke or Texas blowing it for the 78th year in a row? With that said, I specialize in Atlantic 10 basketball, I know it inside and out and outside and in. I also have a very good friend who considers himself a guru of Big East basketball. Besides that, I have a wealth of knowledge around the country and look forward to sharing it with you all and having a very successful year. With that said, let me get across a few predictions, and let the good times roll!
:gulp: :gulp: :gulp: :gulp: :gulp: :gulp: :gulp:
Atlantic 10
Predicted Conference Winner: George Washington
GW has more coming back that any other team in the conference. They had somewhat of a breakthrough year last year, and are dominating at home (11-1 last year) They return 4 starters from a team that went 18-12 and advanced to the third round of the NIT. Look for the Colonials to capture the A-10 crown and make their first tournament appearance since 1999.
Surprise Team: UMass
Dissappointment: Dayton
ACC
Predicited Winner: Georgia Tech
The Jackets return 4 starters from a team that tore through the NCAA tournament before becoming runner up to a powerhouse UConn team. The Jackets are fast, talented, and can shoot the lights out. They also have a more than capable big man in Luke Schenscher to carry the load in the middle and on the boards. Simply put, this GT team is just as good as last year, and they won't stumble under the pressure this year.
Surprise Team: UVA
Dissappointment: NC State
Big East
Predicted Winner: Syracuse
How could you not go with the Cuse here? They return arguably the best player in the country in Hakim Warrick, and a lights out shooter/game controller in Gerry McNamara. They have size in the middle with Craig Forth, and capable wingmen in Nichols and Pace. Combining that with the scoring ability off the bench from Billy Edelin, and you have the makeup of a national championship contender. All that is left is for Boeheim to keep the boys motivated throughout the season.
Surprise Team: Villanova
Dissappointment: Notre Dame
Big 12
Predicted Winner: Oklahoma State
The obvious choice is Kansas, but I like Okie State just a little bit more. They return everyone but Tony Allen, but I feel as though they have enough coming back to offset that loss. Lucas is a very good point guard, and Graham and McFarlin are very solid wing men. Aaron Pettway should give the frontcourt a boost. Look for the Cowboys to make a similar run to the final 4 once again this season.
Surpise Team: Oklahoma
Dissappointment: Texas
SEC
Predicted Winner: Alabama
Call me crazy again, but I love this Bama squad. I rolled with them all the way to the Elite 8 last year, and although i love Antoine Pettway, they can overcome it with 4 returning starters. Earnest Shelton is an extemely talented guard, and this team has the desire to win, as shown by their incredible run to the Elite 8 last year.
Surprise Team: Tennessee
Dissappointment: Kentucky
Pacific 10
Predicted Winner: Arizona
I absolutely love the Wildcats this year. They have one of the best teams in the country and the capability to win it all. Hassan Adams is an absolute monster, and assuming Salim Stoudamire can put up decent numbers, this team will win. PG Mustafa Shakur is one year grown up, and Channing Frye will provide senior leadership.
Surprise Team: Washington, UCLA
Dissappointment: Stanford
Conference USA:
Predicted Winner: Louisville
Rick Pitino and Francisco Garcia have to get the job done this year. As long as Tanquan Dean can stay healthy, this Cardinal team will have the firepower, leadership, and defense to stay on top and capture the CUSA crown.
Surprise Team: Marqette (i'm a sucker for Travis Diener what can i say)
Dissppointment: Cinci
Big Ten
Predicted Winner: Michigan State
Paul Davis is the real deal. A junior who averaged 16 last year, Davis is capable of dominating a game inside the paint along with the capability to shoot the mid range jumper. This always keeps defenders guessing, and works out most of the time for Davis. Guard Chris Hill will have to have a big year if the Spartans are going to be legitimate contenders. His shooting and presence were inconsistent last year which cannot continue.
Surprise Team: Iowa
Dissappointment: Wisconsin
Other conference predictions:
MWC: UNLV
WAC: UTEP
MVC: Southern Ill
Mid-American: Buffalo
WCC: Gonzaga
Metro Atlantic: Manhatten
Colonial: George Mason
Southern: Davidson
Big West: Pacific
Sun Belt: Mid Tenn St
Horizon: Ill-Chi
Ohio Valley: Austin Peay
Atlantic Sun: Central Florida
Big Sky: E Washington
Mid-Continent: Valpo
America East: Vermont
Northeast: Monmouth
Patriot: Lehigh
Ivy: Penn
Southland: Texas-SA
SWAC: Miss Valley St
Big South: Liberty
Meac: SC ST
AHHH Now that I rambled through that, just a few more predictions!
Player of the Year: Hassan Adams, Arizona
Freshman of the Year: Joe Crawford, Kentucky
Final 4:
Georgia Tech
Arizona
Syracuse
North Carolina
National Champion: Arizona
First Team All Americans:
C, Paul Davis, Michigan St
F, Lawrence Roberts, Miss St
F, Hakim Warrick, Syracuse
F/G, Hassas Adams, Arizona
G, Chris Paul, Wake Forest
Well there you have it guys, hoped you enjoyed reading as much as i enjoyed writing it. Let the games begin!!!!!
:prtytme: :thumbs:
Well my favorite time of the year is nearly upon us, NCAA Basketball Madness. What better way to spend your Saturday than waking up to 160 games of intense rivalries and drama. Who would spend Monday and Tuesday any other way than sitting in front of your TV with an ice cold beer watching UVA upset Duke or Texas blowing it for the 78th year in a row? With that said, I specialize in Atlantic 10 basketball, I know it inside and out and outside and in. I also have a very good friend who considers himself a guru of Big East basketball. Besides that, I have a wealth of knowledge around the country and look forward to sharing it with you all and having a very successful year. With that said, let me get across a few predictions, and let the good times roll!
:gulp: :gulp: :gulp: :gulp: :gulp: :gulp: :gulp:
Atlantic 10
Predicted Conference Winner: George Washington
GW has more coming back that any other team in the conference. They had somewhat of a breakthrough year last year, and are dominating at home (11-1 last year) They return 4 starters from a team that went 18-12 and advanced to the third round of the NIT. Look for the Colonials to capture the A-10 crown and make their first tournament appearance since 1999.
Surprise Team: UMass
Dissappointment: Dayton
ACC
Predicited Winner: Georgia Tech
The Jackets return 4 starters from a team that tore through the NCAA tournament before becoming runner up to a powerhouse UConn team. The Jackets are fast, talented, and can shoot the lights out. They also have a more than capable big man in Luke Schenscher to carry the load in the middle and on the boards. Simply put, this GT team is just as good as last year, and they won't stumble under the pressure this year.
Surprise Team: UVA
Dissappointment: NC State
Big East
Predicted Winner: Syracuse
How could you not go with the Cuse here? They return arguably the best player in the country in Hakim Warrick, and a lights out shooter/game controller in Gerry McNamara. They have size in the middle with Craig Forth, and capable wingmen in Nichols and Pace. Combining that with the scoring ability off the bench from Billy Edelin, and you have the makeup of a national championship contender. All that is left is for Boeheim to keep the boys motivated throughout the season.
Surprise Team: Villanova
Dissappointment: Notre Dame
Big 12
Predicted Winner: Oklahoma State
The obvious choice is Kansas, but I like Okie State just a little bit more. They return everyone but Tony Allen, but I feel as though they have enough coming back to offset that loss. Lucas is a very good point guard, and Graham and McFarlin are very solid wing men. Aaron Pettway should give the frontcourt a boost. Look for the Cowboys to make a similar run to the final 4 once again this season.
Surpise Team: Oklahoma
Dissappointment: Texas
SEC
Predicted Winner: Alabama
Call me crazy again, but I love this Bama squad. I rolled with them all the way to the Elite 8 last year, and although i love Antoine Pettway, they can overcome it with 4 returning starters. Earnest Shelton is an extemely talented guard, and this team has the desire to win, as shown by their incredible run to the Elite 8 last year.
Surprise Team: Tennessee
Dissappointment: Kentucky
Pacific 10
Predicted Winner: Arizona
I absolutely love the Wildcats this year. They have one of the best teams in the country and the capability to win it all. Hassan Adams is an absolute monster, and assuming Salim Stoudamire can put up decent numbers, this team will win. PG Mustafa Shakur is one year grown up, and Channing Frye will provide senior leadership.
Surprise Team: Washington, UCLA
Dissappointment: Stanford
Conference USA:
Predicted Winner: Louisville
Rick Pitino and Francisco Garcia have to get the job done this year. As long as Tanquan Dean can stay healthy, this Cardinal team will have the firepower, leadership, and defense to stay on top and capture the CUSA crown.
Surprise Team: Marqette (i'm a sucker for Travis Diener what can i say)
Dissppointment: Cinci
Big Ten
Predicted Winner: Michigan State
Paul Davis is the real deal. A junior who averaged 16 last year, Davis is capable of dominating a game inside the paint along with the capability to shoot the mid range jumper. This always keeps defenders guessing, and works out most of the time for Davis. Guard Chris Hill will have to have a big year if the Spartans are going to be legitimate contenders. His shooting and presence were inconsistent last year which cannot continue.
Surprise Team: Iowa
Dissappointment: Wisconsin
Other conference predictions:
MWC: UNLV
WAC: UTEP
MVC: Southern Ill
Mid-American: Buffalo
WCC: Gonzaga
Metro Atlantic: Manhatten
Colonial: George Mason
Southern: Davidson
Big West: Pacific
Sun Belt: Mid Tenn St
Horizon: Ill-Chi
Ohio Valley: Austin Peay
Atlantic Sun: Central Florida
Big Sky: E Washington
Mid-Continent: Valpo
America East: Vermont
Northeast: Monmouth
Patriot: Lehigh
Ivy: Penn
Southland: Texas-SA
SWAC: Miss Valley St
Big South: Liberty
Meac: SC ST
AHHH Now that I rambled through that, just a few more predictions!
Player of the Year: Hassan Adams, Arizona
Freshman of the Year: Joe Crawford, Kentucky
Final 4:
Georgia Tech
Arizona
Syracuse
North Carolina
National Champion: Arizona
First Team All Americans:
C, Paul Davis, Michigan St
F, Lawrence Roberts, Miss St
F, Hakim Warrick, Syracuse
F/G, Hassas Adams, Arizona
G, Chris Paul, Wake Forest
Well there you have it guys, hoped you enjoyed reading as much as i enjoyed writing it. Let the games begin!!!!!
:prtytme: :thumbs: