Top teams?

[DETMURDS]

Who are in "your" opinion(s) the top 25 teams in college basketball? And as a man from Michigan, where do the Michigan teams fall in the "rankings"?

[Marc]

Kansas, Kentucky, Villanova, Syracuse, West Virginia, Purdue...

MSU is a top-10 team, but Michigan isn't.

I like KU and UK especially to make the Final Four...

[doublee]

Keep an eye on Georgetown. They completely dismantled both Duke and Villanova and looked impressive doing it. If Thompson can keep them focused they are a legit threat to do some damage in March.

[NAR(cotics)]

I think Syracuse this year is just straight up amazing. Kentucky, and Kansas are obviously GREAT teams, and Georgetown is going to be at least elite 8, and a very legit final four contender.

Michigan State is a very good team and will do great in March, Michigan I don't think is very good at all however.

[doublee]

Michigan is 11-11, and how is it that Beilein managed to get an extension out of them?

The thing about this year's field of teams is there really is not one team that you feel absolutely certain about like one did with UNC last year. Every team seems to be fatally flawed in one way or another this season.

[NAR(cotics)]

I agree, which is going to make brackets fun I have faith in Syracuse though, but it's scary trying to predict a winner this year because there is no clear favorite.

[Marc]

Big upset by Louisville over Syracuse today, and Rutgers over Georgetown. The Big East is clearly the best conference in hoops now.

My Kentucky Wildcats are 24-1, but have some tough road games coming up at Miss. State and Vandy. They are sure fun to watch. Dick Vitale was pondering when was the last time a team had four first-round picks in its starting lineup, and when was the last time a team had two top-three picks like Wall and Cousins? Said it goes back to Chris Webber and Jalen Rose, and that's a good comparison. Cousins is getting comparisons to Shaq. His knack for the ball around the basket is mesmerizing. Kentucky may win it on pure, raw talent. But Kansas is a big, experiened foe that won't be easy.

[doublee]

Big 12 is better overall. The Big East is a bit top heavy and the Big 12 has more overall depth to it.

[NAR(cotics)]

And the more I say the stupider I feel, Syracuse lost right after I talk about how I have faith in them. Anyways, I think the Big East has more chance of a team from their confrence winning the tournement than the Big 12 does.

[chiefsfan27]

Originally Posted by NAR(cotics)

Anyways, I think the Big East has more chance of a team from their confrence winning the tournement than the Big 12 does.

If you're saying they'll put more teams in the tournament, I'll agree with you. But I don't think anybody from the Big East is going to beat Kansas on a neutral court.

I like Ohio State's chances to make at least the Final Four. They'll be really tough to beat in March, especially after facing teams like Michigan State and Purdue all year.

[NAR(cotics)]

Originally Posted by chiefsfan27

If you're saying they'll put more teams in the tournament, I'll agree with you. But I don't think anybody from the Big East is going to beat Kansas on a neutral court.

I like Ohio State's chances to make at least the Final Four. They'll be really tough to beat in March, especially after facing teams like Michigan State and Purdue all year.

What I meant was, I could see Syracuse beating Kansas. And overall, if an upset happens I could see more teams from the Big East making a run to the championship game than I can see in the Big 12. So yes, the Big East will get more teams in the tournament, and they also have a better shot at a title in my opinion than the Big 12.

Ohio State has a great chance as well, I agree, but I still think Michigan State is probably more likely to win in march than OSU is.

[Marc]

Syracuse, Kentucky, Kansas, Villanova in the Final Four. Book it!

[Marc]

... speaking of top teams, how about NOT top teams? North Carolina is 14-14. Wow. Look at their arena now, half-empty with apathetic fans. This would NEVER happen at Kentucky. We still had 20,000+ even in our NIT year last year. I don't ever want to hear Tar Heel fans saying they're the No. 1 program. Pathetic.

[doublee]

Ah, but therein lies the difference. UNC is not even a NIT team this season, and, at least, Kentucky was competitive in a lot of the games it was losing and had a winning record. As it stands right now Carolina stands a very real chance of closing the season losing 13 of 15 games and finishing with a 14-17 record.

Honestly it is hard to blame the fans for not showing up when the coach gave up on this team a month ago and the players gave up before that. One would not expect the fans to show up when what is out there on the floor is borderline unwatchable basketball at times.

Something tells me if Kentucky lost 10 of 12, including five of six at home, Rupp Arena would not be nearly as full as it typically is.

I didn't see it, but, from what I understand the arena was fairly full to start the game and then emptied out at the half with the Heels down by 15 points and showing no real life at all.

[Anthony]

But won't Gonzaga still get in the NCAA despite losing to St. Mary's?

Conference tournaments continue their problematic role.