NCAA Basketball - Half-Season Review - Part Four

Teams To Watch Out For

There are a number of teams that are not necessarily overly well-known and that could cause trouble before season’s end. Below I’ve listed a few that I’ve followed that I believe will cause trouble both in conference and tournament play.

Iona – One of my faves. They play great team basketball led by point guard Scott Machado and forward Michael Glover. This team shoots well, passes well and by golly scores well (2^nd in nation). Looking like MAAC winners, and therefore an NCAA Tournament berth. Will upset teams.

Arkansas – First year coach Mike Anderson was part of the coaching lineup that helped Arkansas win the 1994 NCAA Tournament. Anderson has adopted the same principles in game play as that national champion team, which has seen Arkansas have an outstanding season so far. Their high tempo pressure defense has caught many a team out, including #16 Mississippi State. Expect Arkansas to cause all sorts of trouble to teams in an even SEC.

Virginia – Those that read the ACC Preview article know we’re fairly keen on the Cavaliers. They play outstanding basketball, led by senior forward Mike Scott (16.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg). This team will make it to the NCAA Tournament and could cause some problems. I would also look for this team to perhaps beat Duke on their home floor. Definitely 3^rd best in ACC.

San Diego State – Despite losing four starters, this team appears to have lost no momentum. The Aztecs are putting together a very solid record, with solid wins over Long Beach State and California. They also had very good performances against Creighton and Baylor in their only two losses. This team scores, rebounds and stifles opposition attacks. I like them. A big test this weekend at home to UNLV. Should make the NCAA Tournament.

Marshall – SHOULD get to the NCAA Tourney and I feel they’ll push Memphis hard for Conference USA honours.  They’ve had some outstanding performances, such as the rout of Iona, the 6 point loss at #1 Syracuse, wins over Belmont, Cincinnati and Rice. An all around solid team who are 4^th in the nation in rebounds, led by Dennis Tinnon (junior forward) averaging 10.3 ppg, and 10.4 rpg. Will definitely caused trouble in the post-season.

Teams from the Atlantic 10 – This conference is looking very good this year and should send four or five teams to the big dance (unheard of!). Dayton, Saint Josephs, Saint Louis, Massachusetts, Xavier, La Salle, Temple. All of these teams have a chance and it would not surprise me if they caused some major upsets should they get there.

If I’ve left any out by all means comment, or tweet @wiggum7534 or @AusSportsGuys. Your thoughts and comments are valued.

Elite 8

Here are the teams I expect to make the Elite 8. Of course it is difficult to predict without knowing which brackets teams will be in, but that is half the fun.

The Teams

Syracuse

Ohio State

North Carolina

Kentucky

Baylor

Michigan State

UConn

UNLV/Iona/Missouri

Ok that’s 10 teams, couldn’t separate those for the 8^th place. Think Iona are a chance as the Cinderella team.

Duke are overrated and will not make it that far. Georgetown could, Indiana could, maybe Kansas could - but teams like Duke, Louisville, Michigan have no chance.

That's it. The final part is complete. No more. All gone. Thanks for reading.