College Basketball Preview
- Author: Min-Q Kim
- Posted on: Monday November 9, 2009 at 8:00 AM
- Filed under: sports, college basketball, john wall, kentucky, kansas, memphis, exclusive
Is it me, or does it seem like college basketball has become a bit top-heavy -- with 3 of the last 6 preseason number ones going on to win championships: the 2003-04 UConn Huskies, the 2006-07 Florida Gators, and last year's North Carolina Tar Heels. Unlike pro sports with a draft system, college teams (and this is true in football, too) can hoard all the best players coming out of high school and create super-teams.
This year's preseason number one, for example, is The Kansas Jayhawks. Kansas made the Sweet 16 last year, and are now returning 9 of its top 10 scorers, and all 5 starters, including two preseason All-Americans. On top of that, they have also added highly touted recruits Xavier Henry (a McDonald's High School All-American), and older brother CJ, who are ready to make an immediate impact.
Xavier Henry went from McDonald's All-American to an already-stacked Kansas squad.
(Photos: (L) Getty, (R) Rich Suggs/Kansas City Star)
Then there's #5 Kentucky, whose '09 recruiting class has some calling it the greatest incoming class ever. Phenom after phenom signed on to play for new head coach John Calipari (who came over from Memphis), including the two top incoming Freshmen on the Rivals Top 100 list, and two others from the Top 25. It would be like if the Knicks somehow stole Phil Jackson away from the Lakers, then had four picks in the first round of this year's NBA Draft, including the #1 and #2 picks. It could only happen in college sports... Or if you're the NY Yankees.
PG John Wall (#11) heads the vaunted Kentucky '09 Freshman class; all were Top-40 recruits. L-R: John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Daniel Orton, Eric Belesoe and Jon Hood
(AP Photo/Ed Reinke)
The rest of the Top-5:
Always-tough Michigan State comes in at #2, led by reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Kalin Lucas. Don't be surprised to see them grind their way back to the National Title game.
Michigan State star PG Kalin Lucas (Getty)
#3 Texas: two top-ten recruits, and Preseason All-Big 12 Forward Damion James, have Longhorn fans full of hope.
#4 North Carolina looks to defend its Championship, returning only one starter from last year's team. The school's all-time leading scorer Tyler Hansborough is gone now and busy doing telephone commercials. Some feel they've reloaded. I don't buy it.
Justin's beloved Memphis Tigers did not make the top-25, and frankly, do not look to factor in this season's tournament. They lost Coach Calipari to Kentucky, which led to a mass exodus of top-flight recruits (including the aforementioned Henry brothers) -- not to mention they are still doing damage control in the wake of this summer's scandal.
On a personal note, my Boston College Eagles are poised to have yet another underwhelming and forgettable season. Are we really playing NJIT? That's happening?
PREDICTION: Kansas looks unbeatable. But I think the new Fab Five in Kentucky wins it all. John Wall is a freak, and if he plays the way everyone thinks he will, superfan Ashley Judd will be one very happy woman.
John Wall highlight reels are all the rage on YouTube, because... well... there are a lot of them:
Kentucky's Fab Five looks to give Ashley Judd significant face-time this season. I'm not complaining. (Getty)
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