2007-08 NCAA Basketball Pre-Season Prognostications

As always, let me know YOUR picks.


Preseason Top 10

(1) Memphis – Perhaps a bit undersized, but the most athletic (and exciting?) team in the country; now with super-frosh Derrick Rose running the show.

(2) North Carolina – A balanced team lead again by the nation’s best upper-classman, Tyler Hansbrough, and a sick point guard, Ty Lawson.

(3) UCLA – If Collison can stay healthy, it will be three Final Fours in a row. Also look for the nation’s best frosh big man, Kevin Love.

(4) Kansas – Rush is back to lead a deep, talent-laden team. If he’s healthy, it will be tough to keep the Jayhawks away from the Alamodome come March.

(5) Louisville – Love the personnel, and you know Pitino will have this team tourney-ready.

(6) Kansas St. – Two words: Michael Beasley.

(7) Georgetown – Even moreso than last season, now that Green is gone, they will go as far as 7-2 Hibbert, the best center in the nation, can take them.

(8) Gonzaga – Now that Heytvelt is off the magic mushrooms (?), the Bulldogs are primed for another big season.

(9) Tennessee – Lofton and three other starters back from a team that should have knocked Greg Oden out of the tourney last year.

(10) Syracuse – My annual homer pick. Had the emerging Rautins not gone down, this pick would have been truly legit (and could have gotten them as high as 6 or 7). Though depth is certainly a question, they have as talented a starting five as any team in the country; now if they could just stop turning the ball over.




All-America Teams

First Team:

C Roy Hibbert, Georgetown – As smart as they come, and continues to learn how to use his enormity.

F/C Tyler Hansbrough, UNC – Perennial POY candidate.

F Michael Beasley, Kansas State – Had the pleasure of seeing him play in person as a high schooler; a LOT of savvy and can jump through the roof; my pick for pre-season player of the year (this year’s Kevin Durant).

G Chris Lofton, Tennessee – The most high profile shooter in the nation, and deservedly so.

G Sean Singletary, Virginia – Will pick up the slack left by former running mate, J.R. Reynolds.


Second Team:

C Kentrell Gransberry, South Florida – College basketball’s best example of “a load underneath”.

F/C Kevin Love, UCLA – See UCLA above.

G/F Reggie Williams, VMI – The best player in the nation (that no one’s ever heard of).

G O.J. Mayo, Southern Cal – Replaces Nick Young here as a freshman.

G Tyrese Rice, Boston College – Will have to bring not only his scoring touch back, but as only one of two non soph/frosh players on this incredibly young team, veteran leadership.


Third Team:

C Aleks Maric, Nebraska – The Aussie monster is arguably the nation’s best pure center.

F Donte Green, Syracuse – 6’9”, 225 and a spin-dribble, fade-away off the glass – ‘nuff said.

F Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech – A ferocious worker, and explosive dunker; may emerge as the Rambling Wreck’s best player if given the chance.

G Drew Neitzel, Michigan State - The nation’s go-to-guy.

G D.J. Augustin, Texas – With Durant gone, he becomes the Longhorns’ marquee player.


Others to watch:

G Derrick Rose, Memphis – Explosive.

G Eric Gordon, Indiana – The Big Ten’s best player as a frosh?




All-Frosh Squad

C Kevin Love, UCLA

F Michael Beasley, Kansas St.

F Donte Greene, The Cuse

F Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech

G/F O.J. Mayo, USC

G Eric Gordon, Indiana

G Derrick Rose, Memphis