
John Calipari has to try and pull together a group of freshman for a championship run in March again this season.
#3 Kentucky) This team is not the same Kentucky team as last year, obviously. That team was a freak of nature and you don’t get that caliber of talent, chemistry and youth very often in any sport, let alone back to back seasons for the same team. The kids coach Calipari has now were some of the best high school players in the country. With that being said, that’s exactly what they still are. This team has virtually no college basketball experience. There will be teams all season that will expose any weakness these young kids have. This team is highly talented and athletic, but doesn’t have a “star” that has been there and done that, who they can count on in tight situations. Instead they are going to have to put that weight on some poor freshman’s shoulders. Imagine the pressure that is on these 18 year old kids. Their school just won a title and they weren’t part of it, but the students and community both expect them to win it all again. No way can this team be close to what they were last year, and no way should I or anyone else take this team seriously as the third best team in the country. If Maryland can make them earn every last point, so will every other team they will face this season. Good luck with that Kentucky.
#15 Creighton) The school of fundamental basketball. As much as I’d love to say that this team is the 16th best team in the country, I just can’t do it. First reason, every team in the country knows how to beat Creighton; stop Doug McDermott. Last year he shredded defenses. This year, teams are going to do everything in their power to shut him down. If they succeed, they will win. Second reason, they are in too small of a conference. You can’t climb the rankings as a mid-major school very quickly. I don’t think the NCAA is going to be very patient with a school from the Missouri Valley Conference if they lose any games. Their situation is similar to TCU and Boise State a few years ago; if they lose, it’s goodbye season. No pressure right?
#25 San Diego State) This team is going to look good throughout points of their season. But, when teams like Air Force, Santa Barbara and Point Loma are in your schedule, you’re going to look good. If they drop a game to one of their weaker opponents, it’s going to kill their rankings. On top of being expected to beat all the nobody schools day in and day out, they are going to have to beat descent teams to prove they belong in the top 25. Getting shut down to a level of looking lost and confused in your first game of the season is not a good sign. Yes it was to #9 Syracuse, but welcome to the top 25. You have to at least compete at this level. Don’t expect San Diego State to run the table to teams. They will skim by at best.
#6 North Carolina State) I have to see a lot of games and a lot of greatness before I start believing that North Carolina State is the 6th best team in the country. They will be good, don’t get me wrong. They will get a great seed in March. I’m just not on board with them being a number 2 seed or better. Good luck with your schedule Wolfpack fans. Show me you can beat Michigan, Duke and North Carolina and I will personally apologize for doubting you.
#18 UNLV) There are too many things that could go wrong for them this season. They have some big hype to live up to, compared to what they have been in recent years. There will be some very easy games that are expected to be blowouts for the Rebels. At the same time, there are plenty of tough teams that are sprinkled into their schedule. Teams like San Diego State and North Carolina are going to be pretty tough challenges. It’s going to be easy for this team with high expectations to look passed a few easy games to concentrate on the much bigger and more important ones. Expect one of those “easy win” teams to catch them off guard.
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Creighton,
Kentucky,
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San Diego State,
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