1) The Player of the Year: Doug McDermott
-Nearly 26 points per game
-Better than 50% from behind the three point line, 55% from the field, and 78% from the free throw line
-Nearly 6 rebounds per game
Don't get me wrong, McDermott won't have nearly as many opportunities to shine on the national stage as the heralded freshman listed above. However, since Creighton is playing in the Big East 2.0 now, he will be getting way more opportunities than he ever did in the Missouri Valley. Plus, after a victory over an underrated St. Joe's team this weekend, the basketball nation should realize Creighton is for real. As long as McDermott continues doing what he's been up to, he might run away with the player of the year, and considering the athletes named above, that's quite an achievement. Also, any player who wears a t-shirt under his jersey this day deserves an automatic 100 point boost in the standings.
2) The Freshman of the Year: Julius Randle
I'd be stupid if I didn't discuss just how special my recruiting class could be in terms of deciding the national title picture this year. Also, I'd be stupid if I didn't discuss the Kentucky Wildcats. Remember last year when UK lost at Robert Morris in the NIT, and the Athletic Acumen heckled them relentlessly? This year, that won't happen. Big Blue Nation is for real, and while they might have suffered a Big Blue Bruising from Michigan State last Tuesday, I came away 100x more impressed with the Cats than I expected. Michigan State might be the most complete team in the country at this point of the year. At the forefront of this resurgence is Randle. At times, the man dominated Michigan State down low. However, other times, Randle struggled to hang on to the basketball and tried to make something that wasn't there. His development will come with time, and come March, there will be very few power forwards in the country who can go toe to toe with him. Unless he follows in Nerlens Noel's footsteps.....
3) The Past Her Prime Disney Channel Child Star of the Year: Marshall Henderson
Get arrested for synthetic marijuana while in high school? It's okay. Everybody makes mistake. Get arrested for underage drinking and marijuana possession again? Everything's still fine in my book. Common teenage mistakes. Trying to get into a fight with every opposing fan base on the planet? I understand. Learning the lesson between overconfidence and cocky is difficult for anyone. Claiming you didn't realize posessing marijuana, other illegal drugs, and illegal weapons are felonies? I get it. The law's confusing. But doing an ESPN interview with a haircut and pose like this? That's the final straw. No more respect or understanding from me. He's officially in danger of joining Lindsay Lohan and Miley Cyrus in the Wacky Shack. Don't get me wrong, I love his game (and can't wait to become best friends with him when he comes to Columbia in the middle of January). However, Henderson's bizarre "I-Swear-To-God-I'm-A-Changed-Man-And-I-Won't-Get-Arrested-Again-Oh-And-Now-I-Look-Like-Troy-Bolton" act isn't really working for me. Yes, Marshall you need to stop getting arrested. However, keep acting like a cocky SOB on the court. It's entertaining to watch, and it's what your known for. Just ask Johnny Football how valuable being yourself can be.
4) The Can You Believe I'm Still Playing College Basketball Player of the Year: Aaron Craft
It seems like since 1345, Aaron Craft has been shutting down Big Ten point guards for the Buckeyes. The man has become a star in college basketball solely by playing defense. With the basketball shot equivalent of Tim Tebow's throwing motion, it's truly a testament to Craft's abilities that he remains relevant. You try and go one on one with him? The ball gets stolen. You blow by him? He recovers and steals it from behind. You think you have an easy layup? He draws a charge. Hell, if Aaron Craft was the villain on Dora the Explorer instead of that dumb, ratchet fox, Swiper, the show would've gone off the air years ago. Dora's talking backpack would have to shut the hell up because there'd be nothing left in it. You put him in the same backcourt as Shannon Scott and it suddenly isn't fair. Just ask Marquette. They scored 35 points against the Buckeyes on Saturday! Thirty five! Expect low scores to be a common occurrence in Ohio State games this year. Also expect the Buckeyes to put the old adage of defense wins championship to the forefront of the college basketball universe this fall.
5) The SportsCenter Top Ten Player of the Year: Aaron Gordon
A picture's worth a thousand words, right? Then this video should serve for about four million.
I'm going to set the over/under on Gordon dunks in the Top Ten at 6.5. If you didn't watch that video, go watch it. It's the only good part of this whole article.
6) The Team Who's Ranked Way Too Low: Iowa State
Last time most people remember seeing the Cyclones, they were one shot away from upsetting Ohio State and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. Well, Sunday night the Cyclones got their revenge against a Big Ten foe and upset Michigan. Basketball in Ames has undergone a renaissance over the past couple years thanks Frank Hoiberg and look for Iowa State to take the next step this winter. Iowa State may suffer from Texas A&M syndrome and that could be their biggest obstacle in challenging Kansas for the Big XII title. They're going to put up ridiculous offensive numbers game after game. It's just a matter of whether they can hold it together enough on the defensive side. Keep an eye on Melvin Ejim this winter, too. The man is off to a great start after returning from injury, and he could be a household name once March rolls around.
7) The Team Who's Ranked Way Too High: Syracuse
Syracuse may be 4-0, but they have looked less than stellar in each of their four games. When you have Syracuse written across the front of your jersey, you shouldn't be struggling against St. Francis (NY), Colgate, and Cornell. Last year, Syracuse rode their patented 2-3 zone all the way to the Final Four. While they do have talent on this roster, it seems like the loss of Michael Carter-Williams is really impacting the team. Next week, the team goes to Maui where they will face some stiffer competition. If Boeheim doesn't get their act together, the Orange might be spending more time surfing than shooting next week. (In all honesty if I played for the Orange, I'd probably tank in the tournament. Who cares about November basketball? I just want a free trip to Hawaii.)
8) The Way Too Early Final Four Predictions: Michigan State, VCU, Kansas, Kentucky
All four of these teams are currently in the top ten. All four of these teams have patented styles of play. All four teams have proven coaches who have risen to the occasion in March. However, since I'm picking all these teams to make it to Jerry World for the Final Four this early, it wouldn't surprise me if not a single one of them do. Here's why I like these four right now
-Michigan State: Tom Izzo takes his players to the Final Four. This is his most talented team in ages and it's been a few years since Sparty's made a deep tournament run.
-VCU: Havoc, havoc, havoc, havoc, havoc, havoc, and more havoc. The Rams already have a win over a solid Virginia team, and with Treveon Graham looking like a brand new player, they might have enough offense this time around to make a serious impact in March.
-Kansas: Ten years ago, Carmelo Anthony single-handedly took Syracuse to the National Championship. Andrew Wiggins has enough talent to do the same, plus he has a better supporting cast.
-Kentucky: Does Calipari's team follow last year's path or the national championship path? It's going to be an interesting question to watch, but Randle and Co. have too much talent in my opinion to not make it to Arlington.
J. Nave
All pictures are courtesy of ESPN... If the legal team at ESPN tracks these pictures here and tries to sue me, I hope they at least read what I've written above. I'll do any of your analyst's jobs for free.
Last time most people remember seeing the Cyclones, they were one shot away from upsetting Ohio State and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. Well, Sunday night the Cyclones got their revenge against a Big Ten foe and upset Michigan. Basketball in Ames has undergone a renaissance over the past couple years thanks Frank Hoiberg and look for Iowa State to take the next step this winter. Iowa State may suffer from Texas A&M syndrome and that could be their biggest obstacle in challenging Kansas for the Big XII title. They're going to put up ridiculous offensive numbers game after game. It's just a matter of whether they can hold it together enough on the defensive side. Keep an eye on Melvin Ejim this winter, too. The man is off to a great start after returning from injury, and he could be a household name once March rolls around.
7) The Team Who's Ranked Way Too High: Syracuse
Syracuse may be 4-0, but they have looked less than stellar in each of their four games. When you have Syracuse written across the front of your jersey, you shouldn't be struggling against St. Francis (NY), Colgate, and Cornell. Last year, Syracuse rode their patented 2-3 zone all the way to the Final Four. While they do have talent on this roster, it seems like the loss of Michael Carter-Williams is really impacting the team. Next week, the team goes to Maui where they will face some stiffer competition. If Boeheim doesn't get their act together, the Orange might be spending more time surfing than shooting next week. (In all honesty if I played for the Orange, I'd probably tank in the tournament. Who cares about November basketball? I just want a free trip to Hawaii.)
8) The Way Too Early Final Four Predictions: Michigan State, VCU, Kansas, Kentucky
All four of these teams are currently in the top ten. All four of these teams have patented styles of play. All four teams have proven coaches who have risen to the occasion in March. However, since I'm picking all these teams to make it to Jerry World for the Final Four this early, it wouldn't surprise me if not a single one of them do. Here's why I like these four right now
-Michigan State: Tom Izzo takes his players to the Final Four. This is his most talented team in ages and it's been a few years since Sparty's made a deep tournament run.
-VCU: Havoc, havoc, havoc, havoc, havoc, havoc, and more havoc. The Rams already have a win over a solid Virginia team, and with Treveon Graham looking like a brand new player, they might have enough offense this time around to make a serious impact in March.
-Kansas: Ten years ago, Carmelo Anthony single-handedly took Syracuse to the National Championship. Andrew Wiggins has enough talent to do the same, plus he has a better supporting cast.
-Kentucky: Does Calipari's team follow last year's path or the national championship path? It's going to be an interesting question to watch, but Randle and Co. have too much talent in my opinion to not make it to Arlington.
J. Nave
All pictures are courtesy of ESPN... If the legal team at ESPN tracks these pictures here and tries to sue me, I hope they at least read what I've written above. I'll do any of your analyst's jobs for free.
No comments:
Post a Comment