Name your top 5

[LikeWhoa20]

Okay, name your top 5 teams in the country right now:

1. UConn
-- Already won the Maui Invitational and will be undefeated going into conference play. When they get Marcus Williams back, they will undoubtedly be the deepest and most talented team in the nation. The national title is theirs to lose.

2. Villanova
-- I absolutely love this team, for the same reason that I loved Illinois and St. Joe's the past two years. Guards. No one can match up with Ray, Foye, Nardi, and Lowry. Only their lack of inside depth could come back to haunt them, and even then those guards may be able to carry them to the Final Four. So far, they're beating top 25 caliber teams like Oklahoma and Bucknell handily while starting those 4 guards. If Sumpter can come back for them by February and play even at 80% of his old ability, look out.

3. Duke
-- Texas may have more talent, but you can't ignore the composure and leadership of this team. They simply don't hurt themselves. They're so well-coached; Indiana never stood a chance in their matchup a week ago because of the huge coaching edge. Having DeMarcus Nelson was the best thing that could have happened to Sean Dockery; you already can see he's playing with much more confidence. That will only make them deeper when Nelson does come back. Give Paulus and McRoberts time to mature into their roles and they'll be scary come tourney time.

4. Texas
-- This team is loaded with talent, but they aren't that mature yet. Daniel Gibson is still making mistakes. P.J. Tucker is still adjusting to playing on the wing. They're searching for a shooting guard. But Lamarcus Aldridge is the playing like an All-American right now.

5. Florida
-- I almost put Illinois here, but Florida has such good chemistry already I couldn't ignore them. They are the favorite to win the SEC, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them earn a #1 or #2 seed.


Other teams that came close but didn't make it:
Illinois - very promising team, must learn to not depend on Brown so much
Louisville - still hasn't played anybody yet
Memphis - skeptical of their youth
Gonzaga - no defense
Washington - waiting to see them play somebody on the road

[TexasAggie2323]

It is pretty early in the season but this is how I like so far.

1.) Texas
2.) Duke
3.) UCONN
4.) Villanova
5.) Washington


Other teams:
Oklahoma
Florida
Memphis
Illinois

[LikeWhoa20]

I know it's early but I was curious to see who people had at #1 and #2 since it looks like I differ from the norm with my view.

[Longhorn3788]

1. Texas
2. Duke
3. UConn
4. Villanova
5. Florida

[NDstud21]

1.) Connecticut- Bona-fide #1 when Williams returns.

2.) Villanova- Very hard to guard due to versatility. That much more dangerous when Sumpter returns.

3.) Texas- Aldridge will replace Gibson as "best player" on that team. They will both continue to improve en route to Final Four.

4.) Duke- A little overrated IMO because of media's love for Coach K. If Shelden gets in foul trouble the Devils can't beat the top teams. I really believe they're a Top 10 team, not #1 in nation.

5.) Michigan St.- Still one of the top teams in the nation despite their 6-2 record. Ager is the real deal. Impressive win vs. Boston College.

[shinsational]

After Duke-Texas:

UConn
Duke
Mich St.
Nova
Fla.

Other teams with (legit) Elite Eight asperations:

Zaga
Tejas
Zona
BC
Louisville

Teams that wouldn't suprise me in the Elite Eight:

NCSU
Indiana
Washington
G-Dub.

Bucknell will make the sweet 16.

[LikeWhoa20]

I don't think you've watched much of Arizona this year shinsational. I'm the biggest Zona fan here, and they have no shot at making the Elite 8 with the way they're playing right now. They have a LONG way to go before I'll say they have a good shot at making a deep run in the tourney. And you left out Illinois, who looks really strong this year again with that blue collar in-state talent backing up Brown and Augustine. They blew out Oregon in Portland today. Here's my top 5 after that Duke-Texas game:

1. UConn
2. Villanova
3. Duke
4. Illinois
5. Florida

[Noles Fan in MA]

Duke's Starters
Duke's Second Team
Duke's Scout Team
Duke's Womens' Team
Duke's #1 Ranked Intramural Team
Signed,
Dick Vitale

[I OU a Beatn]

Duke's Starters
Duke's Second Team
Duke's Scout Team
Duke's Womens' Team
Duke's #1 Ranked Intramural Team
Signed,
Dick Vitale

Lmfao, not bad.

[NDstud21]

New Top 5:

1.) Conn.
2.) Nova
3.) Duke
4.) Michigan St.
5.) Florida

[maniacpilot931]

1)NOVA-Hey they are my team. Thats where they belong. Although they were sleeping against Longwood yesterday in AC, but Kyle had back spasms and Fraser didnt play much so that he can stay healthy. They will both be fine. Curtis Sumpter will play this year, its gonna happen.

2)Duke-Damn if I wasnt a homer I would put them at the top spot. JJ is JJ, but he is not always as good as he was yesterday.

3)UConn-They got weapons all over the place. Gay disappears at times though, and Marcus is a criminal, so they wont win the championship.

4)Louisville-Havent seen them play yet though, because they havent played anyone.

5)Mich St-They have started out a little slow, and I think they should have mauled that overated Zag team but they didnt.

[NDstud21]

3)UConn-They got weapons all over the place. Gay disappears at times though, and Marcus is a criminal, so they wont win the championship.



Either way, Marcus can ball. Doesn't matter if he stole some PC's or not, he'll be back. If Gay develops a mean streak this year, UConn will win the NC.

[nibblesb2k]

It's such a crap shoot, the only two teams who have impressed me are Uconn and Duke. This is a weak year for hoops I have a feeling, lots of teams are so equal. The NCAA tourney should be very interesting, wouldn't be shocked to see a 6 or 7th seed in the final 4.

[Wufpack]

1. UCONN

2. Duke

That's all I know.

[Chase56]

1. UConn
2. Duke
3. Nova
4. Bucknell what!
5. Gonzaga/Michigan State

[maniacpilot931]

It's such a crap shoot, the only two teams who have impressed me are Uconn and Duke. This is a weak year for hoops I have a feeling, lots of teams are so equal. The NCAA tourney should be very interesting, wouldn't be shocked to see a 6 or 7th seed in the final 4.


well thats all you have seen on tv is what you mean because they have been in tourneys. Dont worry you will see plenty of other good teams like Villanova, Louisville, Florida, Illinois is solid, WVU will surprise some people again. The ACC does seem to be a tad down, but everyone else is not doing too bad.

[Longhorn3788]

I'm standing behind my statement that Texas is #1...[glare]

[White Chocolate]

I'm sorry, really, but you are out of your mind if you think 'Nova would beat Duke. Anywhere. I'm sorry. Trust me, I hate Duke more than every single one of you guys... but they belong above Nova. 2nd. If not 1st. Gah. FUCK YOU K, you ratfaced son of a bitch.

Ok, I think that equals out the love for Duke.

WC

[shinsational]

I don't think you've watched much of Arizona this year shinsational. I'm the biggest Zona fan here, and they have no shot at making the Elite 8 with the way they're playing right now. They have a LONG way to go before I'll say they have a good shot at making a deep run in the tourney. And you left out Illinois, who looks really strong this year again with that blue collar in-state talent backing up Brown and Augustine. They blew out Oregon in Portland today. Here's my top 5 after that Duke-Texas game:

1. UConn
2. Villanova
3. Duke
4. Illinois
5. Florida


I liked what I saw from 'Zona in Maui. Hell, its early. Most teams have a lot to work on. I'm just saying it wouldn't shock me to see them there at all. I think Illinois is a good solid basketball team, but I didn't leave 'em out. Its counter intuitive, but I think that UNC and Illinois are both playing about as good as they will play this year. I know some people that pull for these teams (UNC especially) will say that their young players will develop, and will learn the system better, and therefore will improve. Those are all valid points, but I just don't think you will see Illinois or UNC play better this year, and it will be interesting to see them go through confrence after losing all that they lost. I could be wrong, but I doubt it. ;)

[NDstud21]

I'm sorry, really, but you are out of your mind if you think 'Nova would beat Duke. Anywhere. I'm sorry. Trust me, I hate Duke more than every single one of you guys... but they belong above Nova. 2nd. If not 1st. Gah. FUCK YOU K, you ratfaced son of a bitch.


I don't think Duke's man pressure D would have an effect on the experienced Nova guards. The main reason Duke frustrated Texas so much was because of the turnovers they forced.

The main mismatch of the game would be Shelden Williams on Will Sheridan though. However, it didn't seem to hurt Nova in the Oklahoma game as they won by 11 with Taj Gray and Kevin Bookout each scoring 22 and 15 respectively.

P.S. Had to add this in here

Go to hell Dook

http://www.wcnc.com/sharedcontent/sports/dailyimages/0313dukegatechb.jpg

[shinsational]

^

When the moon hits your eye, like a big apple pie, that's amore!!!!!!

[maniacpilot931]

I'm sorry, really, but you are out of your mind if you think 'Nova would beat Duke. Anywhere. I'm sorry. Trust me, I hate Duke more than every single one of you guys... but they belong above Nova. 2nd. If not 1st. Gah. FUCK YOU K, you ratfaced son of a bitch.

Ok, I think that equals out the love for Duke.

WC


weird thats coming from a UNC fan. Would you have said that Novas guards wouldnt be able to ball with UNC during the tourney last year. I think Duke is good dont get me wrong, but just like UNC last year it would take the refs to make Duke win that one:p

Nawww, Dukes good, I wouldnt want to play them right now, but when you play a team like Nova its a whole different ball game. Dont compare Texas to Nova, not even close as far as a comparison. I do think that 3 out of our 4 guards could blow by JJ, and he wouldnt have a prayer of stopping any of them.

[shinsational]

weird thats coming from a UNC fan. Would you have said that Novas guards wouldnt be able to ball with UNC during the tourney last year. I think Duke is good dont get me wrong, but just like UNC last year it would take the refs to make Duke win that one:p

Nawww, Dukes good, I wouldnt want to play them right now, but when you play a team like Nova its a whole different ball game. Dont compare Texas to Nova, not even close as far as a comparison. I do think that 3 out of our 4 guards could blow by JJ, and he wouldnt have a prayer of stopping any of them.


Sorry bro, it pains me to admit this, but you line up last years Nova team and last years UNC team, and the baby-blue mankissers from OC^3 win 95 out of 100.

Nova had a good team last year, they've got a great team this year. I like those guards. However there's no way they stop Williams and McRoberts, and if they win the perimeter, it won't be near as lopsided as they did versus OU. That said, a Nova-Duke game would be a lot of fun to watch.

[maniacpilot931]

Sorry bro, it pains me to admit this, but you line up last years Nova team and last years UNC team, and the baby-blue mankissers from OC^3 win 95 out of 100.

Nova had a good team last year, they've got a great team this year. I like those guards. However there's no way they stop Williams and McRoberts, and if they win the perimeter, it won't be near as lopsided as they did versus OU. That said, a Nova-Duke game would be a lot of fun to watch.

is this with or without Curtis Sumpter?

[LikeWhoa20]

I liked what I saw from 'Zona in Maui. Hell, its early. Most teams have a lot to work on. I'm just saying it wouldn't shock me to see them there at all. I think Illinois is a good solid basketball team, but I didn't leave 'em out. Its counter intuitive, but I think that UNC and Illinois are both playing about as good as they will play this year. I know some people that pull for these teams (UNC especially) will say that their young players will develop, and will learn the system better, and therefore will improve. Those are all valid points, but I just don't think you will see Illinois or UNC play better this year, and it will be interesting to see them go through confrence after losing all that they lost. I could be wrong, but I doubt it. ;)
'Zona's D is definitely the best I've seen to start out a season in the last 4 or 5 years. But their offense is so inept that I'm just not sure they can improve enough to make a run like that. They really lack that outside threat that they had in Stoudamire last year.

As for Illinois, they're already playing at a higher level than most teams will ever reach this season. They're playing at a higher level defensively to start the year than they were at the start of last season. You've got a great PG that is getting more and more comfortable with how to run a team. They've got a couple shooters, 2 or 3 guys that can score inside. I just think they're an extremely versatile, blue-collar style team, which fits Bruce Weber perfectly. But we'll see how it turns out.

[shinsational]

Aye, after the inevitable Duke choke and after someone beats the breaks off of Nova with a good inside game in the tourney (with the other teams backcourt playing out of their minds) the void is impressive. Since UConn choked last year, I don't look for em to do it again, but this should be a fun basketball season.