The best thing about college basketball is that a season will never be cancelled. There will always be a talent pool of players ready and willing to try and perfect their game.
The storylines are endless: Will the return of Harrison Barnes lead North Carolina to another national championship? How will Purdue’s Robbie Hummel play after two heartbreaking ACL injuries? Are Tom Izzo’s troops at Michigan State ready to rebound after a disappointing season?
The North Carolina Tar Heels are the heavy favorite to cut the nets in New Orleans in April. They were one first place vote away from a unanimous preseason No. 1 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches’ poll and they were the top pick in the Associated Press poll as well. Following is a breakdown of the top five teams heading into the men’s college basketball season, which tips off in November.
North Carolina – It took Harrison Barnes a few games to get used to the tempo of college basketball last year. He could have been a lottery pick after his freshman year but decided to come back to win a national title. Along with teammates, Tyler Zeller (Washington, Ind.), John Henson and point guard Kendall Marshall that national title is in reach.
Kentucky – John Calipari isn’t the most loved coach but coaches, media and fans have a soft spot for his team. Last season, Brandon Knight led the Wildcats to its first Final Four since 1998. Knight is gone but maybe Marquis Teague® (Pike High School) can take control at the point. With Teague, Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, the Wildcats have one of the top recruiting classes in college basketball. They’ll be led by senior Darius Miller and should make a return visit to the Final Four.
Ohio State – The Buckeyes are in the top five thanks to Jared Sullinger who led the team in points (17.2) and rebounds (10.1) last season. Like Barnes, Sullinger returned for his sophomore season to win it all and he also has a team around him that can help achieve that goal. Ohio State lost three-point threat Jon Diebler and top defender David Lighty, but they’re returning senior William Buford and sophomores Aaron Craft and Deshaun Thomas. The newcomers, Shannon Scott, Amir Williams and Evan Ravenel aren’t too shabby.
Syracuse – Carmelo Anthony may have showed up at Syracuse’s Midnight Madness because he had free time due to the NBA Lockout or maybe because this Orange team is just as special as the one he led to a national title in 2003. Senior Kris Joseph will lead the Orange this season after a disappointing loss to Marquette in the third round of the NCAA Tournament. He’ll be joined by a group of sophomores – Dion Waiters, C.J. Fair, Baye Moussa Keita and Fab Melo – coach Jim Boeheim calls, “special.”
Connecticut – Kemba Walker led a Huskie team that went 9-9 in the Big East to the national championship game last year. Even though Walker was drafted No. 9 by the Charlotte Bobcats, the Huskie’s aren’t going unnoticed this season. Coach Jim Calhoun said the team has more talent this year and NCAA Tournament experience under their belt, he’s right. They return four starters from that team and have added a highly regarded recruiting class that includes Ryan Boatright, DeAndre Daniels and Andre Drummond, and all three can compete for minutes right now.
