2005 NCAA Next Level
Washington: The Huskies, who have shown me they
belong, still need to impress me with a big final stretch
to move into the team of top squads. The Purple Dogs
can shoot the lights out, run good teams into the ground,
and score from any position on the floor. But, their
last two games show a tired pack. A near loss to Oregon
followed by a decisive loss to Oregon State has me looking
for more from the Huskies. The Dogs are .3 points away
from sporting 5 double-digit scorers, but if they want
to skip into the Sweet Sixteen or even the Final Four,
they are going to have to D-Up. Nate Robinson is the
most exciting player in college hoops, and his team
of free gunners could send fear into the minds of top
teams come March. A good end to the season might make
me rethink my powerhouse picks.
Gonzaga:
The Zags are an interesting team almost every year.
Gonzaga has grown out of those Cinderella slippers,
but that hasn't been all that good for them lately.
Last year they got upset early, and the year before
that many people thought they were ousted too early
as well. This team is solid though; don't doubt that
for a second. Adam Morrison, who gives me glimpses of
Larry Legend, and Ronny Turiaf (stud), give the Zags
a possible pro 1-2 punch that's really exciting. Slipping
past Loyola Marymount (11-14, 3-9) makes me worry. What
gets me back on the bandwagon is the fact that they
won the game. Anything can happen in college hoops,
the good teams take off-nights and pull out victories.
Big wins against Washington, Oklahoma State, and Georgia
Tech make the Bulldogs look like a 3 or even a 2 seed
come March.
Alabama:
Alabama's starting 5 has started every single game together.
This is basically the exact same Alabama team that shot
down some good teams in the Big Dance a year ago. When
these big kids are confident, they can beat anyone.
They are so athletic, and there team rebounding reflects
that. Don't be surprised if Kentucky marches into Alabama
on the 26th, only to march right back out with their
little Wildcat knob tails between their legs. 'Bama
doesn't get antsy against good teams, that's when they
prove themselves. I really like 'Bama's chances come
Tourney Time.
Arizona:
The Wildcats are always a contender. Salim Stoudamire
is playing really well of late, and Lute Wilson has
his boys playing good hoops late in the year. This team
has a solid top 5, lead by Salim, Channing Frye, and
Hassan Adams. Where the #2 squad in the PAC-10, UW,
has had trouble with below average teams of late, Arizona
has been taking control of their opponents. A big show
down with UW at the end of February will show which
team deserves the higher ranking in the Tourney. Neither
will get a #1 spot, but if Arizona beats UW, they could
grasp a strong 2 seed come March. I've got to give a
little love to Mustafa Shakur, he's been doing a great
job running Olsen's team, and his name is really close
to The Lion King's Mufassa!
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