NCAA D1 Basketball Season Prediction
As football season gets into high gear for the home stretch, basketball is beginning, and prepping the nation for the Madness in March.
In this post, I'll pick conference winners, my Final Four, and preview South Carolina, Clemson, and Georgia.
First, our local Universities (Clemson, USC, Georgia)
Clemson Tigers
The Tigers were a game away from winning the ACC Tournament last year, as they lost to North Carolina in the finals. They went 24-10 last season. They then went on to the tournament, before getting knocked out by Villanova in the first round.
Attrition
The team loses James Mays, Cliff Hammonds, and Sam Perry, along with a walk on or two.
Returning and Newcomers
The Tigers return at guard K.C. Rivers, Demontez Stitt-who takes over the point vacated by Hammonds-, Zavier Anderson, and sharpshooting Terrence Oglesby. At forward, Clemson has a giant hole to fill in place of Mays, and Devin Booker looks to do so. Aiding are Raymond Sykes and David Potter.
Look for fresh faces and key performances from forward Jerai Grant, and guards Tanner Smith and Andre Young.
Rivers could be the key, with his size to switch between guard and forward, giving them a versatile lineup.
Prediction
The Tigers were right there in regards to winning the conference, but showed they had a ways to go in the tournament. Coach Oliver Purnell as a very athletic group, but depth in the post is a question. Outside of Booker, they don't really have a "banger" down low, and hopefully Grant will fill that whole. Potter is a solid swing man, and Sykes is "Mr. Energy."
The guards will be the stars as Rivers and Stitt set the tone, and Oglesby knocks down 3's. Look for Anderson to big a surprise, and the two other freshman guards should log some key minutes.
Overall, I think this team, though more athletic, will probably finish 2nd again to North Carolina. I do see them doing better in the tournament, but no higher than the 3rd Round.
South Carolina Gamecocks
The 'Cocks are in a new era: The Darrin Horn era. A new, fast paced, full court press style of team is promised, and look to improve on an abissmal 18-14 season that was last year that saw an 2nd round SEC tournament outing, and no postseason tournament play.
Attrition
USC went through graduation, dismissal, and transfer this offseason. Swingman Dwayne Day, guard Tevor Deloach, and forward Chad Gray all are gone.
Returning and Newcomers
There are no newcomers, the Gamecocks didn't sign any players for the 2008 class, but have two (guard Ramon Galloway and forward Lakeem Jackson), and possibly three (g/f Sharrod Wright) for the 2009 class.
Guard Devin Downey leads the team, and shooters Zam Fredrick and Brandis Raley-Ross return with walk-ons Branden Conrad and Robert Wilder. Forwards are a little more deep with Dominique Archie (who I think will be one surprise in the SEC), Mike Holmes, Austin Steed, Evka Banulius, Sam Muldrow, and center Mitchell Carter.
Prediction
Depth will be an issue. A team that likes to run needs bodies, and I don't think USC has enough bodies, yet.
The low post will be a development, but the shooting will be leaned on with Fredrick, Raley-Ross, and Downey. Strong play from Archie, Holmes, Muldrow, and Steed will be needed.
I see SC having a defensive team, that will hang close with a lot of teams, but will run out of gas a few times.
Really, if South Carolina can stay competitive, finish with a .500 or better record, make a little noise in the conference tourney, and maybe make NIT, I'd call season #1 under Horn a success and a solid base to grow on for the future.
Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia was a team last year that got hot at just the right time to win the SEC Tournament, and then get ousted in the first round of the tournament by Xavier en route to a 17-17 season. The Bulldogs look to build on that momentum.
Attrition
Sudiata Gaines, Billy Humphrey, Terrence Woodbury, Dave Bliss, Jeremy Jacob, Albert Jackson, Rashaad Singleton are all gone.
Returners and Newcomers
Forwards Chris Barnes and Jeremy Price return, as well as guards Troy Butler, Cory Brewer, and Zac Swansey.
The rest of the team is brand new. Forwards Howard Thompkins and Drazen Zlovaric, and guards Ebuka Anyaorah, Matt Bucklin, Travis Leslie, Dustin Ware, and Junior transfer Rickey McPhee will be the young pups that are rellied upon by Coach Raymond Felton this year.
Prediction
Depth will not be an issue with the Dawgs' experience will. Most of the teams points and other stats are gone with the aforementioned graduating class. Barnes, Price, Butler, Brewer, and Swansey will probably be the starting rotation, but a few of the freshman will be counted on the add to the team.
It is hard to do well with such a young team, but with 5 upperclassmen with tournament experience, the Bulldogs may have a better season than last year. I expect the Bulldogs to win around 20 games this year. They won't win the SEC this year, but will get in the tournament, and I think into the second round this year.
Conference Picks
Majors
ACC: North Carolina
Big 10: Michigan State
Big 12: Texas
Pac 10: UCLA
SEC: Tennessee
Mid-Majors
Big East: Villanova
C-USA: Memphis
MAC: Northern Illinois
Mountain West: Air Force
Sun Belt: South Alabama
WAC: Nevada
Mids
American East: Stony Brook
Atlantic Sun: Mercer
A-10: Xavier
Big Sky: Weber State
Big South: Winthrop
Big West: Pacific
Colonial Athletic: Hofstra
Horizon League: Butler
Ivy League: Princeton
MAA: Loyola
Mid-Eastern: Bethune-Cookman
Mizzou. Valley: Southern Illinois
Northeast: Monmouth
Ohio Valley: UT-Martin
Patriot League: Holy Cross
Southern: Davidson
Southland: Northwestern State
SWAC: Alabama A&M
Summit: Oral Roberts
West Coast: Gonzaga
Final Four Picks
North Carolina
UCLA
Memphis
Davidson
Let the Madness begin!!!!!
In this post, I'll pick conference winners, my Final Four, and preview South Carolina, Clemson, and Georgia.
First, our local Universities (Clemson, USC, Georgia)
Clemson Tigers
The Tigers were a game away from winning the ACC Tournament last year, as they lost to North Carolina in the finals. They went 24-10 last season. They then went on to the tournament, before getting knocked out by Villanova in the first round.
Attrition
The team loses James Mays, Cliff Hammonds, and Sam Perry, along with a walk on or two.
Returning and Newcomers
The Tigers return at guard K.C. Rivers, Demontez Stitt-who takes over the point vacated by Hammonds-, Zavier Anderson, and sharpshooting Terrence Oglesby. At forward, Clemson has a giant hole to fill in place of Mays, and Devin Booker looks to do so. Aiding are Raymond Sykes and David Potter.
Look for fresh faces and key performances from forward Jerai Grant, and guards Tanner Smith and Andre Young.
Rivers could be the key, with his size to switch between guard and forward, giving them a versatile lineup.
Prediction
The Tigers were right there in regards to winning the conference, but showed they had a ways to go in the tournament. Coach Oliver Purnell as a very athletic group, but depth in the post is a question. Outside of Booker, they don't really have a "banger" down low, and hopefully Grant will fill that whole. Potter is a solid swing man, and Sykes is "Mr. Energy."
The guards will be the stars as Rivers and Stitt set the tone, and Oglesby knocks down 3's. Look for Anderson to big a surprise, and the two other freshman guards should log some key minutes.
Overall, I think this team, though more athletic, will probably finish 2nd again to North Carolina. I do see them doing better in the tournament, but no higher than the 3rd Round.
South Carolina Gamecocks
The 'Cocks are in a new era: The Darrin Horn era. A new, fast paced, full court press style of team is promised, and look to improve on an abissmal 18-14 season that was last year that saw an 2nd round SEC tournament outing, and no postseason tournament play.
Attrition
USC went through graduation, dismissal, and transfer this offseason. Swingman Dwayne Day, guard Tevor Deloach, and forward Chad Gray all are gone.
Returning and Newcomers
There are no newcomers, the Gamecocks didn't sign any players for the 2008 class, but have two (guard Ramon Galloway and forward Lakeem Jackson), and possibly three (g/f Sharrod Wright) for the 2009 class.
Guard Devin Downey leads the team, and shooters Zam Fredrick and Brandis Raley-Ross return with walk-ons Branden Conrad and Robert Wilder. Forwards are a little more deep with Dominique Archie (who I think will be one surprise in the SEC), Mike Holmes, Austin Steed, Evka Banulius, Sam Muldrow, and center Mitchell Carter.
Prediction
Depth will be an issue. A team that likes to run needs bodies, and I don't think USC has enough bodies, yet.
The low post will be a development, but the shooting will be leaned on with Fredrick, Raley-Ross, and Downey. Strong play from Archie, Holmes, Muldrow, and Steed will be needed.
I see SC having a defensive team, that will hang close with a lot of teams, but will run out of gas a few times.
Really, if South Carolina can stay competitive, finish with a .500 or better record, make a little noise in the conference tourney, and maybe make NIT, I'd call season #1 under Horn a success and a solid base to grow on for the future.
Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia was a team last year that got hot at just the right time to win the SEC Tournament, and then get ousted in the first round of the tournament by Xavier en route to a 17-17 season. The Bulldogs look to build on that momentum.
Attrition
Sudiata Gaines, Billy Humphrey, Terrence Woodbury, Dave Bliss, Jeremy Jacob, Albert Jackson, Rashaad Singleton are all gone.
Returners and Newcomers
Forwards Chris Barnes and Jeremy Price return, as well as guards Troy Butler, Cory Brewer, and Zac Swansey.
The rest of the team is brand new. Forwards Howard Thompkins and Drazen Zlovaric, and guards Ebuka Anyaorah, Matt Bucklin, Travis Leslie, Dustin Ware, and Junior transfer Rickey McPhee will be the young pups that are rellied upon by Coach Raymond Felton this year.
Prediction
Depth will not be an issue with the Dawgs' experience will. Most of the teams points and other stats are gone with the aforementioned graduating class. Barnes, Price, Butler, Brewer, and Swansey will probably be the starting rotation, but a few of the freshman will be counted on the add to the team.
It is hard to do well with such a young team, but with 5 upperclassmen with tournament experience, the Bulldogs may have a better season than last year. I expect the Bulldogs to win around 20 games this year. They won't win the SEC this year, but will get in the tournament, and I think into the second round this year.
Conference Picks
Majors
ACC: North Carolina
Big 10: Michigan State
Big 12: Texas
Pac 10: UCLA
SEC: Tennessee
Mid-Majors
Big East: Villanova
C-USA: Memphis
MAC: Northern Illinois
Mountain West: Air Force
Sun Belt: South Alabama
WAC: Nevada
Mids
American East: Stony Brook
Atlantic Sun: Mercer
A-10: Xavier
Big Sky: Weber State
Big South: Winthrop
Big West: Pacific
Colonial Athletic: Hofstra
Horizon League: Butler
Ivy League: Princeton
MAA: Loyola
Mid-Eastern: Bethune-Cookman
Mizzou. Valley: Southern Illinois
Northeast: Monmouth
Ohio Valley: UT-Martin
Patriot League: Holy Cross
Southern: Davidson
Southland: Northwestern State
SWAC: Alabama A&M
Summit: Oral Roberts
West Coast: Gonzaga
Final Four Picks
North Carolina
UCLA
Memphis
Davidson
Let the Madness begin!!!!!
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