With apologies to NBA enthusiasts, basketball season is finally upon us.
The bracket has been revealed, it’s almost time to let the Madness begin. But before everybody runs to make their office pool selections, let’s take a look at what might unfold.
Some years there is an obvious pick to win it all. That’s not the case this time around. Not much separates the four No. 1 seeds, Kansas, tops overall, Kentucky, Duke and Syracuse, while the No. 2’s all are good enough to go all the way, particularly West Virginia, Ohio State and Villanova. Even No. 3 seeds like Georgetown and Pittsburgh have more than their fair share of supporters, while No. 4 Purdue was a contender until injuries devastated them.
The tourney will also give many North Americans their first look at a couple of players who have the skill-sets to be NBA superstars, Kentucky’s John Wall, the sure-fire No. 1 overall NBA pick next June and Ohio State’s Evan Turner. Both may have set the bar too high for themselves this weekend in leading their programs to tournament victories. Wall scored seven of his 17 points in overtime Sunday, as Kentucky rallied to beat Mississippi State 75-74 for the SEC championship. Meanwhile, Turner one-upped Wall, hitting a 37-foot buzzer-beater in the quarter-finals of the Big 10 Tournament this weekend, before leading the Buckeyes over Michigan State and then Minnesota for the championship.
But enough about those two gifted individuals. Who’s going to win this thing? This corner is going with Kentucky. Kansas (32-2) is a good pick, they have few weaknesses, but are in a very tough region. Syracuse too, but big man Arinze Onuaku is hobbled and the team has faltered down the stretch. Duke got a surprise No. 1 by excelling of late, particularly in winning the ACC tournament, but will not get it done. No, this will be Kentucky and its immensely-paid coach John Calipari’s year. Great college teams tend to have a few important traits. (1) An excellent point guard; enter Wall, the best player at any position not currently playing in the NBA. (2) A good coach; Which Calipari is, even if he’s overpaid. (3) An effective big man or two; Freshman DeMarcus Cousins, a robust 6-foot-11, 270 pounder, averages 10.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in just 23.1 minutes per game. Junior Patrick Patterson is also an excellent shot-blocker and can score down low, though he really should be able to rebound the ball better. Like every team though, Kentucky has its warts. They turn the ball over a ton and are nothing special from the free throw line. But they’re still good enough to get it done.
Surprise at the top
Duke’s No. 1 slot was a shock, but selection committee chairman Dan Guerrero said play late in the season, particularly in conference tourneys, had a huge say in where teams were slotted. That’s why Syracuse, the top team in America until recently, was the final No. 1 pick and came close to being supplanted by West Virginia. “We just felt that, wining the conference championship (and the) post-season tournament carried the deal in that regard,” Guerrero said. He also pointed out that Syracuse still gets to play very close to home (Buffalo).
Canadian content
Buffalo will be loaded with Canadians, and not just those who make the trek over the border to see the East Regionals. Syracuse has Andy Rautins, son of national team coach Leo Rautins, plus Montreal native Kris Joseph. They will take on Vermont and Joseph’s brother Maurice. If they win, they could meet up with ... Gonzaga. The Zags with four, count’em, four Canucks (three from B.C., one from Edmonton), take on Florida State. The West Regional in Milwaukee will see the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Pickering’s Devoe Joseph, cousin of Kris and Maurice Joseph, meet tough No. 6 Xavier.
Look out for
Georgetown, who upset Syracuse in the Big East tourney; West Virginia and Ohio State, two No. 2’s look a heck of a lot like the No. 1s.
ryan.wolstat@sunmedia.ca
