The "New Big East"

This season marks a new step in conference realignment and we get our first taste of the American Athletic Conference

By Kristina Callahan

SBNation.com

When the college basketball season begins this year, you may be confused. Some former members of the Big East will be in a new conference, the American Athletic Conference. Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame are now members of the ACC with Louisville to follow next season. Rutgers will pack up and move to the Big Ten in 2014. In December 2012, the Catholic 7 made up of DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Providence, St. John’s, Seton Hall and Villanova voted to unanimously to separate from the football playing schools and retain the name, Big East and the right to host the tournament at Madison Square Garden. The remaining schools formed the American Athletic Association.

The new conference includes former Big East members, Cincinnati, the University of Connecticut, Louisville and Rutgers (for the 2013-2014 season), and the University of South Florida. The new members are Temple, Memphis, Southern Methodist University, the University of Houston and the University of Central Florida. Expected to join in July 2014 are East Carolina University, Tulane and Tulsa. Navy is supposed to join in 2015 as a football only school.

This upcoming season will prove to be an adjustment for not only the coaches and players but also the fans. The conference realignment process is inevitable with lucrative television deals hanging in front of athletic departments but nonetheless, college basketball season is right around the corner which means blood, sweat and tears on the court every night of the week.

How Far Is Too Far?

By Kyle Basedow

I do not think Mike Rice Jr. is a bad man.

That being said, I do not think he is a good man.

Rather, Mike Rice is a man who made a mistake (on multiple occasions) that was discovered by members of the media as well as the administration at Rutgers University.

When Rice was fired from coaching the Rutgers men’s basketball team for verbal and physical abuse of players, it gave rise to a new issue.

How far is too far?

AP Photo/ H. Rumph Jr.

Look, I understand that coaching isn’t easy. Some people just aren’t built to teach and lead at the same time. I understand that sometimes you want to yell, and scream, and throw a temper tantrum and whine about your life. But the minute that it becomes a personal attack on a player, whether it be verbal or physical, it has gone too far.

Did Mike Rice actually dislike his team? Probably not.

Coaching can get your blood pumping just as fast as if you were playing. I’ve seen coaches have to take off their jackets and grab towels from their players to wipe the sweat off. That being said, no matter how angry you get, no matter how frustrating your team is or how badly they’re playing, you CAN NOT let it reflect in your actions, especially towards your players.

Now, yelling at players can get passed off as acceptable behavior, but only to an extent. With the noise coming from the fans and the other team, sometimes you have to yell just to be heard. Sometimes one of your players is going to make a bonehead play and deserves to get his ear chewed off for it.

That happens every day, in every sport, at almost every level. What doesn’t happen is the continuation. The yelling stops almost as soon as it begins.

When an athlete is yelled at, they take it to heart. The better you are, the more you care. Getting yelled at makes them mad, makes them want to prove their coach wrong. It inspires their competitive nature in an attempt to bring out their best.

The minute that the yelling becomes personal, things start to go wrong.

Personally, if a coach ever yelled at me in a way that I thought was personal, I would have taken off my jersey and handed it to him. There’s no need for me to stick around if there’s no respect between us.

Now, if a coach ever threw a basketball at me like Mike Rice threw them at his players, I would have thrown it right back and walked away.

College sports have more of a grey area then other age levels because players are torn between respect for themselves and for their coaches.

Only a few of Rice’s players left while he was coach and they were the only ones who mentioned their treatment. The current players didn’t speak up for themselves because while Rice abused them, they still had respect for him because he was their coach.

As athletes age, I think the amount that they put up with this kind of treatment decreases. They understand that they deserve respect. This is why you never really see an NHL coach yelling at his goalie, or an MLB manager screaming at his pitchers.

Coaches know that mutual respect between themselves and the players is crucial.

So where do you draw the line?

It can't be personal, it can't be derogatory, and it absolutely can't be physical. That to me indicates a significant character flaw. If you think that you have the right to berate someone, no matter who you are, then something is wrong.

Gonzaga Rises, But Soon They Will Fall Hard

By Matthew Rose

The latest AP Top 25 Poll places Indiana, Gonzaga, Duke, Michigan, and Miami in the top five. With league play intensifying and Conference Tournaments around the corner, the top four NCAA Tournament seeds are on the line. Excluding Gonzaga, two of the four teams in the current AP Top Five are guaranteed to lose, as they will play one another in their Conference Championship. 

AP Photo/ Jed Conklin

Conversely, Gonzaga faces BYU (20-9) and Portland (11-19) in their final two regular season games before Conference Tournament play. In their previous match-ups, Gonzaga won by twenty and twenty-two points, respectively. Further, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents by double-digits in nine of their last ten games.

The recent trends indicate that Gonzaga is streaking and improving as the year continues. However, the Bulldogs only have one win against a team ranked in the AP Top 25 at the time of the game—a 69-68 win over Oklahoma State on December 31. Additionally, the Bulldogs fell to the only two other ranked opponents they have faced, and recently beat San Diego State (13-15) by only two points.

Mid-Majors have had great success in the NCAA Tournament in recent years, as VCU and Butler have consistently proven. Regardless, the weakness of Gonzaga’s schedule and their poor rebounding—seventy-second in the country—are vulnerabilities come March. Well-tested teams have significantly higher odds of success at the “Big Dance.”

Ultimately, Gonzaga is poised to receive a one-seed in the NCAA Tournament. They will have the opportunity to succeed with favorable matchups and with their second-ranked field goal percentage. Regardless, they are susceptible when they face stronger opponents on the nation’s largest stage.

Notes:

·      Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski announced that he would not return to the United States National Team after seven seasons. Under Coach K, the U.S. won gold in Beijing and London, and the 2010 FIBA Championship.

·      After falling to Georgetown on Saturday, Syracuse fell to #22 Marquette on Monday 74-71.

·      Louisiana Tech moved to 25^th in the rankings with a 24-3 record, despite shooting 41.1% from the field as a team (280^th in the country).

·      Bubble Watch: Joe Lunardi’s Last Four In: Temple, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Villanova. Joe Lunardi’s First Four Out: Baylor, Indiana State, Arizona State, Southern Miss.

Hatchell Gets 900!

UNC Women’s basketball team puts up impressive win as coach reaches a milestone

By Joshua Walls

AP Photo/ Winslow Townson

This week, one of the best coaches in basketball reached an epic milestone that is not to be forgotten. UNC’s women’s head basketball coach, Sylvia Hatchell, was able to claim her 900^th career win with a blowout over Boston College. 

With the great milestone, the 3-time Coach of the Year was able to reflect and laugh on some steps she took to reach this level. “I drove the bus. If the floor needed sweeping, I swept it,” Hatchell said. “Sometimes, especially on holidays, I’d wash the uniforms when the managers were on vacation.”

Hatchell has worked hard and remained dedicated throughout her 38-year career, but many applaud her for her humility. “I think the greatest compliment that I have heard from a lot of people is that you ain’t changed a bit,” Hatchell said.

Hatchell did a fantastic job coaching her team throughout this game. Three of Hatchell’s players reached double digits in points, which led to a 28-point win.

Even coach Smith from Leon had some nice words to say about Coach Hatchell, “I think the biggest thing is just teaching players how to be champions in life,” Smith said. “If you throw all of coach Hatchell’s wins out the window, you still have such a strong foundation to stand on.”

He's Only a Freshman: Part One

College basketball’s top ten freshmen with the biggest impact

By Joshua Walls

AP Photo/ Kathy Willens

Shabazz Muhammad (UCLA): The UCLA Bruins star shooting guard is head above shoulders when compared to not only his class but also the other players in college basketball.  Muhammad has the talent that only comes around every so often.  He is all of the necessary ingredients to make a great shooting guard.  He has the ability to dominate the opposing defender and has a variety of playmaking abilities and a decent post game.  Shabazz is honestly the most prolific scorer in the nation.  So far this year Muhammad is averaging 10 points per game and is making a strong case for consensus number one pick.

Anthony Bennett (UNLV): Bennett, overall, probably has more of an impact than anyone else on this list.  The guy can do it all and that might be an understatement.  He is probably the most productive freshman in the nation, averaging 19 points and 8 rebounds while shooting 36 percent from the field.  This is one of the hardest players in the nation to guard because he can do so much and simply put the ball in the basket.  California head coach Mike Montgomery had his own words to describe the UNLV freshmen stand out.  “He’s a man,” Montgomery said Friday. “There’s no question about that. He’s got muscles on top of muscles.”

Nerlens Noel (Kentucky): Noel is not performing the way many experts expected him to.  Most fans thought Noel would be able to carry on where Anthony Davis left off, but this season it has been just the opposite.  Noel has had times where he has showed his brilliance on the court, but for a majority of the game he has often come off as raw and limited.  Noel has been an excellent defender in every aspect.  This tenacious defense will help Noel transition well into the NBA.  If the ferocious left handed defensive prodigy could add some weight and become a more mature player, everyone should be on the look out for greatness.

Alex Poythress (Kentucky): Poythress is following a great line of combo forwards that have played under the great John Cal in recent years including Michael Kidd Gilthrist and Terrence Jones.  This guy plays with a hunger like no other.  One NBA scout even went out on a limb and compared him to Michael Kidd Gilhrist, “I think by the end of the season he has a chance to be better than Michael Kidd Gilthrist.”  This season, Poythress has shown great consistency for a Wildcats team that lacks it, averaging almost 17 points per game, 7 rebounds per game and a block and a steal.  Poythress has arguably passed Nerlens Noel as perhaps the best freshman in Lexington.

Isaiah Austin (Baylor): Finally rounding out this week’s top 5 is none other than Baylor’s big man Isaiah Austin.  He is a highly polished offensive specimen with a smooth game around the rim and occasionally will knock down some shots from behind the arc.  Austin is far ahead of many of his big man counterparts when it comes to getting his teammates evolved through his passing and playmaking abilities.  Austin could probably be ranked higher on this list if he played at his full potential.  There is no reason for Austin to be averaging less than one block and only seven rebounds per game when he has a standing reach of 9’8.  Much like big man counterpart Nerlens Noel, a little weight could go a long way.

Who's The Best?

By Jon Edwards

After only a couple weeks into the season, we’ve already had some amazing games. They continue as the ACC/Big 10 and Big East/SEC Challenges wrap up in the next couple of days. These teams have been most impressive so far in the early season.

AP Photo/ Darron Cummings

1.     Indiana Hoosiers – There is not a hole on this team. Aside from a nail-biting win against Georgetown, no game has been close, which includes their dismantling of North Carolina. Cody Zeller has proven the hype is for real, and they still don’t give him the ball nearly enough. His numbers are only going to keep going up. Jordan Hulls has been lights out from beyond the arc so far, and forward Will Sheehey hasn’t been too shabby himself. The X-factor for Indiana is guard Victor Oladipo. The kid is tremendously athletic, flies on the court, and has a complete game on both ends of the court. This team is as legit a title contender as there is.

2.     Duke Blue Devils – Duke has come up with the most impressive resume so far, with wins over Kentucky, Louisville, and Ohio State. They are a balanced team, and can attack you from anywhere. The backcourt trio of Seth Curry, Quinn Cook, and Rasheed Sulaimon is as good as it gets on any team. It’s the frontcourt that could pose problems for the Blue Devils. Ryan Kelly is one of the more inconsistent players in the nation, but when he is playing well, Duke will be tough to beat. Mason Plumlee, who had 21 points and 17 rebounds in their latest win against Ohio State, is a stud.

3.     Syracuse Orange – Syracuse hasn’t gotten into the core of their schedule, but they are as sound as any team in the nation. Their game in Arkansas at Bud Walton Arena will tell us a lot more. Sophomore point guard Michael Carter-Williams leads the nation in assists, and is second in steals. Brandon Triche has been assertive on the offensive end, taking double-digit shots in each game so far. Orange big man Baye Moussa Keita has been extremely impressive so far, as have his mates in the frontcourt, Rakeem Christmas and DaJuan Coleman. Expect to see the Orange in the Georgia Dome come April.

4.     Michigan Wolverines – The boys from Ann Arbor have racked up three straight impressive wins, against Pittsburgh, Kansas State, and North Carolina State. Point guard Trey Burke has been one of the best in the nation, averaging almost 8 assists per game, and more importantly for Michigan, has gotten his field goal percentage up towards the 50% mark. Tim Hardaway, Jr. and Glenn Robinson III, both sons of former NBA stars, have played very well, combining for 30 points and 14 boards per game so far. These guys have proven many people wrong so far this season.

5.     Louisville Cardinals – A loss to Duke is the only blemish on their record so far, but that also was the third game in three days for Louisville. The biggest problem for them right now is the status of Center Gorgui Dieng, who is out with a broken wrist. He is the rock of their defense, and also takes pressure off of everyone else. His teammates are struggling, as Peyton Siva and Chane Behanan are both under 40% from the field this year. Leading scorer Russ Smith has been quite the sparkplug so far, averaging just under 20 points per game. This team is going to improve tremendously throughout the rest of the year, which is a scary thought for other teams across the country.

Most impressive non-BCS team:

Wichita State Shockers – Gregg Marshall has this team ready to play. The Shockers are led by their two big men, incumbent Carl Hall, and junior college transfer two time NCAA Division III Player of the Year Cleanthony Early. They have almost identical numbers, both hovering around 14 points and 7 rebounds a game. Hall is more of a bull down low, while Early’s athleticism allows him to fly around the court, finishing some ferocious slams. This team will contend with the big boys when given the chance.

College Hoops' Week of Surprises

By Joshua Walls

What a great week it has been in college hoops.  One word to sum this week up: surprise.  We have seen some very special moments as well as some devastating disappointments.

The week started off with what many experts considered to be one of the better matches of the year.  It was the number 14 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels taking on Cody Zeller’s number one ranked Indiana Hoosiers. 

AP Photo/ Darron Cummings

UNC standout forward James Michael McAdoo put on a terrible performance, shooting 4-15 from the floor and only 33% from the foul line. Dexter Strickland and McAdoo’s other teammates played poorly, as well.

This game was the opposite of what experts and fans thought it would be.  It did not take long for Mr. Indiana, Cody Zeller to find the weak spots in this UNC defense and dominate.  Cody Zeller finished the game with an astonishing 20 points and 8 rebounds, while carrying the load on defense with 4 blocks.  Cody Zeller certainly made his case for Player of the Year honors with his outstanding play.

Duke has been playing solid all season, continually beating teams and extending their undefeated winning streak.  Duke has also made coaches, analysts, and fans alike guess why they were ranked number 8 at the beginning of the season in the AP poll and why they are not ahead of Indiana for number 1 instead of 2.  Duke certainly showed college hoops nation exactly why they deserve a spot on the top this past Wednesday when they took on the number 4 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes and carefully executed to win the game.  Duke’s F/C Mason Plumlee is carving out a compelling campaign this season, while receiving much attention from NBA scouts everywhere.  He led the way for the Blue Devils this past Wednesday posting an incredible double that included 21 points and seventeen rebounds.

The biggest surprise this week is perhaps the Notre Dame fighting Irish knocking off John Calapari’s highly recruited Kentucky Wildcats.  John Calapari was in dismay over the game.  When reporters questioned him during the press conference, he described his players as “out of control.”  Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel just has not been able to carry the team like many believed he would.  I expect the Wildcats to be consistent and average throughout the season.

Shabazz Muhammad is certainly looking every bit like the number one overall consensus pick for the 2013 spring NBA draft. Muhammad is playing great defense, shooting the ball well from behind the arc, getting teammates involved and last but not least, running the floor exceptionally well in transition.  However, UCLA took a great loss when big man Joshua Smith declared his transfer.  This will certainly be a large hit for Ben Howland and the UCLA program.

One of the most intriguing subjects in college basketball is Grinnell’s 5’10 guard Jack Taylor, who scored a ridiculous 138 points.  Taylor gained so much attention that NBA star Lebron James called Taylor as “Sir Jack,” referring to his royalty-like performance.  LeBron and Kobe both called the performance epic and legendary.

College hoops have certainly entertained this week and the play has left many at the edge of their seats anticipating the next week.

Syracuse Will Outlast Louisville in the Polls

By Melissa Bronson-Tramel

The Los Angeles Lakers ended the preseason 0-8 and began the regular season 0-3. Sorry Lakers fans, I had to do it. While the preseason does not necessarily determine how well a team will perform in the regular season, it sure is telling of a team’s strengths and weaknesses.

The same notion applies to college basketball exhibition games. Although it’s the preseason and there isn’t not much room for analysis, I am not sold on USA Today’s projected Top 10, more specifically those in the Big East. Ok, I will just say it, Louisville.

AP Photo/ Kevin Rivoli

Number 2 in the country?  That’s a bit of a stretch. Even though they did make a run that seriously screwed up many brackets, I fail to be convinced that Louisville is better than Syracuse.

Now let me state my case. Prior to the preseason, Syracuse lost 4 key players, Dion Waiters, Fab Melo, Scoop Jardine, and Kris Joseph. Louisville lost two, Rakeem Buckles and Kyle Kuric.

Syracuse plummeted to No. 9 in the polls, respectively because coach Jim Boeheim lost in the Elite Eight and he had the essential construction of a new team while Louisville catapulted to No. 2 after a Final Four appearance.

But much like the Lakers, the preseason can most certainly be defining of your season and Cardinals, I’m just not sold. In Louisville’s first exhibition game, they beat Pikeville by 36 points. However, the team still has only one playmaker, senior point guard Peyton Siva. He is very much the team leader with the most points and assists for the night. However, Gorgui Dieng is Louisville’s lead defender, with 10 blocks on the night. His defensive efforts limited Pikeville to 57 points. But in order to cruise like this in the regular season, the team needs to find more than one leader—when Siva has an off game, it can change the dynamic of the team.

Syracuse does not have this problem. After winning its two exhibition games by an average of 40 points, everyone contributed, even bench players. With a constant rotation of 9 players, many players ended the night in double digits, showing that what one lacks the other makes up for. The lead scorer for each night was different, as were the lead rebounders, and so forth. Balance is key this season for Syracuse. The Orange, however, had a number of turnovers that must be cleaned up to add merit to this argument.

While I won’t argue that both teams are Top 10 teams, don’t be surprised if Louisville slips from its No. 2 spot early and No. 9 Syracuse rises quickly. It’s all the name of the game in the Big East.

Beastly Big Boys

By Jonathan Edwards 

In college basketball, it’s not unusual to see four guards on the court at the same time, playing a run and gun game. However, having a dominant big guy that controls the paint makes padding the W column a whole lot easier. Here are this year’s best big men.

AP Photo/ Michael Conroy

1.     Cody Zeller / Indiana – Zeller is the most complete player in the nation. He has insane finesse at the rim and can finish in a number of different ways. His motor is always running and combined with his smarts on the court, he is sure to light up the score sheet every night.

2.     Tony Mitchell / North Texas – A little undersized at only 6’7’’, Mitchell is not a guy you want to mess around with down low. He averaged nearly 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game last season. He’s aided by a 7’3’’ wingspan and a lethally quick first step. Mitchell will be fun to watch this year.

3.     Nerlens Noel / Kentucky – Noel is your typical Kentucky big: tall, long, athletic, and powerful. His offensive game needs refinement, but not many players will impact games this year like Noel. He will be huge on the glass for the Wildcats, and will make a big impact on the defensive end altering shots, kind of like a freshman last year in Lexington.

4.     James Michael McAdoo / UNC – The Tar Heels lost four first round picks to the NBA, but they didn’t grab four McDonald’s All-Americans to make up for the losses. McAdoo needs to fill the huge gap that was left. He can create his own shot, and score in a variety of ways. His added weight should help him in the paint, where McAdoo can really do some damage.

5.     Mike Moser / UNLV – The Rebels are loaded with talent this year, but Moser is their go-to guy. Long and athletic, Moser is just a smooth player. He has a very good face-up game in the post, and has enough range to go back to the 3-point line. Moser is also a menacing rebounder who can out-jump almost anyone on the court.

6.     Gorgui Dieng / Louisville – Dieng is a guy who has improved every year for coach Rick Pitino. He became a much more complete player last year when he added a nice mid range game to his repertoire. Still, though, the best part of his game is down low defensively, as he averaged 9 rebounds and 3 blocks per game last season.

7.     Chane Behanan / Louisville – You’ve got a good chance at winning a lot of games when you have just one of the players on this list, but two? Yeah, the Cardinals are stacked. Height is the only thing keeping Behanan from playing in the NBA right now, as he’s only 6’6’’. The kid rebounds like a bull, and looks to improve from a great ending to last season, where he was named the West Regional’s Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Tournament.

8.     Jeff Withey / Kansas – Withey isn’t as developed as some of the other guys on this list, but he has his own way of affecting the game. Certainly not an elite scorer, but Withey knows how to finish around the rim. He makes great cuts to get open, and has a good enough hook shot. As it seems to be a theme, Withey is further along on the defensive end, where he had 3.6 blocks per game last year.

9.     Isaiah Austin / Baylor – The Bears have one of the best inside-outside presences in the nation with Austin and Pierre Jackson. Austin stands a legit 7 feet tall, and looks even longer on the court. His pure size allows him to score and rebound, but his athleticism lets him do some things that will amaze you. Austin can also stretch the D out to the 3-point line, which is a big benefit.

10.  Mason Plumlee / Duke – It seems like he’s been around forever, but this is finally Plumlee’s senior season in Durham. He is one of those guys that does everything well, but nothing seems to stand out. Still, he can get a double-double every time he steps onto the court. The big knock on him is that he shoots very poorly from the charity stripe, leading to him not being on the court late in games.

College Basketball's Top Ten Point Guards

By Jonathan Edwards

There’s something all top teams have in common: a dynamic point guard. They come in different styles, from elite scorers to precise passers to crafty defenders, but they all make the team go. Here’s the list of this year’s top ten point guards.

AP Photo/ Keith Srakocic

1.     Aaron Craft – Ohio State – Craft isn’t your typical point guard, as he doesn’t light up the score sheet. But he does absolutely everything else you could want from your point guard. Craft is the best on-ball defender in the nation, and can single handedly affect games on the defensive end. He’s a tremendous passer, with a great feeling of where the open guy is. His role will expand this year, as the Buckeyes lost a great deal of scoring from their graduating seniors, and Craft will be needed to produce more on the offensive end.

2.     Isaiah Canaan – Murray State – Whether he’s a point guard or a shooting guard in the future is to be determined, but Canaan will handle the point for the Racers this season. He wants the ball in his hands with the game on the line. He’s extremely quick on the defensive end, but takes big chances, leading to easy points for both teams. Canaan would be a good bet to lead the nation in scoring.

3.     Phil Pressey – Missouri – Pressey is the motor that keeps the Tigers running, as they play at such a fast pace. He is your typical point guard that does everything well. He gets their fast-paced offense out and running, is a very solid defender, and can knock down the jumper. Missouri will finish near the top of the SEC in their first year, and Pressey will be a big factor.

4.     Trey Burke – Michigan – Burke made the right decision by deciding to return to school, as he wasn’t quite ready for the NBA. He plays at a fast pace, which leads to both good and bad things for the Wolverines. He’s often out in front of the pack for easy buckets, but turns the ball over more than he should. Burke has a legitimate shot to lead Michigan to a Final Four appearance.

5.     Pierre Jackson – Baylor – Jackson is the do-it-all player for the Bears, and last year proved his transition from the Junior College ranks was a smooth one. He is an explosive player who likes to have the ball in his hands. He loses the athletic big man Perry Jones to the NBA, but gets Freshman 7-footer Isaiah Austin to step right in. Jackson leads Baylor as a top Big 12 team.

6.     Peyton Siva – Louisville – Siva gets the benefit of having an incredible amount of talent surrounding him, but he isn’t a slouch by any means at the point. He has the ability to completely take over games on the offensive end; he just needs to figure out when to pick his spots. His life is made easier by being able to dump the ball to big men Chane Behanan and Gorgui Dieng, and guard Jerry Smith, but it’s Siva that makes the Cardinals go.

7.     Matthew Dellavedova – Saint Mary’s – Dellavedova really came alive in last year’s NCAA Tournament, and should lead Saint Mary’s to another conference title this year. The best part of his game is how he handles the pick-and-roll. He’s a lights-out shooter if you go under the screen, and is an extremely talented passer when he looks for the open man. The Gaels will go as far as Dellavedova takes them.

AP Photo/ Nam Y. Huh

8.     Kyle Anderson – UCLA – Anderson isn’t a traditional point guard, as he’s better suited for the 2 guard spot. He’s just too talented not to succeed under Ben Howland’s direction, though. Tremendously athletic, and having a real feel for the game, Anderson and fellow freshman Shabazz Muhammad will help the Bruins dominate the Pac-12 and go deep into the Tournament.

9.     Michael Carter-Williams – Syracuse – Not yet known much outside of the Big East, Carter-Williams will make sure he’s known by everybody by the end of the season. He fits into Coach Boeheim’s 2-3 zone system well with his length, and has made tremendous strides on the offensive end. He can score with ease and is a good distributer, which will come in handy with the Orange’s overall ability to hit the 3 point shot.

10.  Tim Frazier – Penn State – Hardly known because of the Nittany Lions’ inability to turn out winning seasons, Frazier is one of the best out there. He had dominating numbers last season, and should continue to improve on them this year. Only 6’1’’, Frazier does a tremendous job of attacking the boards and is one of the most complete point guards you will find. His quickness lets him excel at the defensive end as well, where he notched over 2 steals a game last year.