3:04 PM Tue, Mar 10, 2009 | Permalink
Nick Zelinski
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Can you feel it? March madness is here! Conference tournaments have already been played and we are 9, count 'em 9 days away from the start of the 64-team NCAA tournament(yes there are 65 teams, but the real fun starts next Thursday). What I want to know, is who is your favorite to take home the 2009 crown? Let's start by taking a look at who the favorites might be:
The Top Contenders:
1. North Carolina - is there a team hungrier than this one? The Ty Lawson nagging injuries could take affect, but no doubt Tyler Hansbrough wants to win one in his final season. They will be a 1 seed
2. Pittsburgh - Physical and they can flat out defend. Just ask UConn and Hasheem Thabeet. I think Bob Knights final four prediction came a year too early last year, but no doubt this team has all the makings to go deep.
The Next Level:
3. UConn - the reason UConn is here, well, Pittsburgh had their way with the Huskies twice. Not saying UConn can't do it, if any team needs a blueprint for success, see tape from Pittsburgh 1 and 1A
4. Michigan State - granted, from a weaker Big 10 conference, but Tom Izzo's teams are always tough and they know how to defend. When you can defend, we all know the old mantra...defense wins championships
5. Louisville - I'm not buying into the hype with the Cardinals. They have a couple nice players, Terence Williams and Earl Clark, but I just can't see them winning it this year. Of course with this prediction, it probably means they win it all.
The best of the rest:
6. Oklahoma - Blake Griffin is a great talent, but the lack(not a better word to go here) of talent around him reminds me of the Durant Texas team or the Beasley K-State team. Now, I do list them as the 6th best team, which is saying something. Don't count them out, but usually the one-man superstar teams don't fare too well, minus Carmelo and the 'Cuse.
7. Kansas- great recovery from losing all 5 starters on last year's national championship team. Sweet 16 for sure, but still a year away. Trust me, they will be back
8. Duke - typical Duke team. They can shoot and defend against a weaker opponent. But when it comes down to it, I don't believe they are tough enough. ie See both UNC games. This doesn't mean that Singler and company won't get hot and make a run though.
9. Memphis - as talented as usual. But coming out of a very weak Conference USA again. There is something to be said going undefeated in conference play, and the Tigers did get to the championship last year. They are definitely Elite 8/Final 4 worthy, but I believe a strong, physical Pitt, Michigan State could take them out at that point.
Sleeper teams:
Gonzaga, Missouri, Wake Forest, LSU
Small Conference team to watch:
Virginia Commonwealth - watch out for Guard Eric Maynor. He's the guy that beat Duke 2 years ago with a last second shot.
Give me your thoughts...
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