In anticipation of the upcoming college basketball season, HornSports college basketball writer Chris Flanagan previews the Big 12 Conference/national storylines and provides his Final Four/ National Champion predictions.
Big 12 Preview
The Big 12 basketball season begins and ends with the Kansas Jayhawks. Once again, the Jayhawks are loaded with talent. Frank Mason is back for his senior season and the Jayhawks were able to enroll the top recruit player in the 2016 recruiting class, Josh Jackson. I don’t see anyone challenging their crown as the preeminent program in the Big 12 this season.
Kansas aside, the real question is whether the Oklahoma Sooners can bounce back and be a contender. The coaches say no, picking them 6th in the Big 12, however they have a strong incoming recruiting class and should make the NCAA Tournament.
Overall, I believe the coaches have it right but here is my prediction of how the Big 12 shakes out:
1. Kansas
2. Texas
3. Baylor
4. West Virginia
5. Iowa State
6. Oklahoma
7. Texas Tech
8. Kansas State
9. TCU
10. Oklahoma State
NCAA tournament teams in the Big 12: 7
National Preview
Can Kentucky live up to expectations?
Another preseason, another top 5 ranking for the Kentucky Wildcats. Yawn. Don’t get me wrong, 4 final fours in 7 seasons is nothing to sneeze at. However, the ‘Cats only have one national title to show for it. Winning a national championship in NCAA basketball is one of the hardest things to do. The tournament gauntlet is nothing like college football where preseason expectations matter. Kentucky certainly has the talent, but do they have the consistency required to win a title this season? I don’t think so.
Duke #1 in the Preseason Polls
For the 6th time in school history, the Duke Blue Devils are the preseason #1 team in the country. Unfortunately, receiving the #1 distinction in the preseason doesn’t bode well for college basketball programs. The last team to be the preseason #1 and win the national title was Duke’s Tobacco road rival North Carolina in 2009. There are high expectations for this team and only time will tell if they have what it takes to be champions.
Most Overrated Team?
There are many contenders for being an overrated team this year but I would have to say North Carolina is one that sticks out like a sore thumb. Sure, Tar Heel fans will point to the fact that six of their top 8 scorers are back and they secured a great recruiting class. Well, that hasn’t stopped North Carolina from under-performing before, so why would it stop them now? Marcus Paige is the biggest loss and he is one of the most amazing players I have ever seen run the point for the Tar Heels. That kind of talent isn’t easily replaced, plain and simple. North Carolina will be good, just not Elite 8 good.
Most Underrated Team?
Purdue has a chance to be a Final Four team and many outlets are picking them to be 4th or 5th in the Big 10. Don’t be fooled, this is an elite team that returned 3 starters that have huge NBA potential. Purdue only had to add 1 recruit to the mix while returning everyone else. Additionally, Michigan transfer Spike Albrecht was added to the team as a redshirt 5th year graduate transfer. Expect the Boilermakers to make it to the Elite 8 and potentially the Final 4.
Flanagan’s National Picks
Power 5 Conference Champions
Big 10: Purdue
SEC: Kentucky
ACC: Duke
Pac-12: Arizona
Big 12: Kansas
NCAA Tournament
*#1 Overall Seed: Kentucky Wildcats
Final Four
Duke
Villanova
Gonzaga
Arizona
National Champions: Duke Blue Devils
