Seth and Seth Sports Talk

 Seth Maberry

Pre-Season Top 25

After taking a pretty good look at teams across the country, I've complied my pre-season top 25. Here it is...

1. North Carolina

2. Louisville

3. UCLA

4.Connecticut

5. Texas

6. Michigan State

7. Pittsburgh

8. Duke

9. Notre Dame

10. Tennessee

11. Gonzaga

12. Oklahoma

13. Purdue

14. Marquette

15. Memphis

16. Miami (Fl)

17. Arizona State

18. Kansas

19. Davidson

20. Florida

21. USC

22. Wisconsin

23. Villanova

24. Georgetown

25. Baylor

Many of you probably don't agree with a few teams here or there in regards to where they're ranked or even whether or not they should be ranked, but that's the way it's always going to be. A few things jumped out at me though: the Big East is just STACKED, North Carolina as a team is STACKED, and it's going to be a fun year of college basektball.

 Seth Maberry

Big 12 pre-season Breakdown

10/18/08

With Midnight Madness upon us, I think this is the perfect time to begin breaking down College basketball and what better conference to start with then the Big 12. The league is home to the defending National champs (Kansas), perhaps the nations best player (OU's Blake Griffin), and great atmospheres and tradition. However, with all of these things, the league should be a little down from last season. Many of last years top teams sent players to the NBA or lost them to graduation, but there still is a lot to talk about. Here's my order of finish for this year, with a little ditty about each club.

1. Texas- The Longhorns should be the best team in the conference with G A.J. Abrams and F Damion James returning. G Justin Mason who provides great spark off the bench also returns along with C Connor Atchley. Texas was right in the thick of it last season, but are poised to win the league this year as the most complete team in the Big 12.

2. Oklahoma- The Sooners should have thier best season since the run to the final four a  few years ago. With Blake Griffin leading the way, the Sooners look to be right in the middle of the hunt this season. The lost C Longar Longar, but 6-11 Orlando Allen should step in nicely to fill his shoes. Look for OU to be a high post season tourney seed.

3. Kansas- It's supposed to be a rebuliding year in Lawerence, but like most College powers, that just means they may not win 25 games. The defending champs still bring back Sherron Collins and the inside presence of Cole Aldrich. However, watch out for transfer Mario Little. He should be the one to provide the offensive spark for the Jawhawks this season.

4. Baylor- Well, well, the Baylor Bears should make consecutive trips to the Big Dance for the first time in school histroy. Led by returning starter Curtis Jerrels, the Bears should be very good again this year. LaceDarius Dunn also returns to carry some of the offsensive load for Baylor while a couple of solid JuCo transfer fill the void in the paint.

5. Missouri- Is this the season Mizzou begins their return toward the tourney? We'll have to see, but the Tigers are poised to do just that. If they can get good senior leadership out of Leo Lyons and DeMarre Carrol, the talent is there. Freshman Kim English should end up being one of the best frosh in the conference this season. It's been rough for Mike Anderson, but this season, he should begin to see his hard work pay off. The Tigers are a serious sleeper.

6. Texas A&M- The Aggies have recently had one of the most succesful runs on the hardwood in school history. This could continue this year with Josh Carter coming back. However, the lost of Joseph Jones on the inside will be a huge loss and a lot will depend on whether or not Artem Valov, and Freshman Anthony Jones can step up and fill that void.

7. Nebraska- Here's where it gets a little tight. Nebraska, Oklahoma State and K-state all look very similar on paper, but I think coah Doc Sadler has the ability to take this team (20 wins a year ago) at least back to the NIT. With Guards Steve Harley and Cookie MIller coming back, the Huskers ferocity on defense should make this team competitive.

8. OKlahoma State- First year coach Travis Ford will have a mighty tough job in Stillwater this season, but there are some pieces left behind by Sean Sutton. Byron Eaton returns as the leader for the Pokes, but watch out for sophmore guard James Anderson, a solid producer a year ago, who could emerge as the teams best player.

9. Kansas State- The Wildcats will be hard pressed to replace Michael Beasley and Bill Walker from last years ball team. That type of duo doesn't come along often, especially in Manhattan. A post-season berth of any sort looks very unlikely for the 'Cats this year. However, Miami Fl transfer Denis Clemente will try and provide a spark.

10. Texas Tech- Bobby Knight left his son a tough job down in lubbock. In his first full season as head coach, Pat Knight will have four out of five of last years leading scorers coming back, but thats not an over talented group. The devlopment of guys like Mike Singletary will be key for the Red Raiders success this season, which will probably be minimal.

11. Iowa State- I think these guys are slighty better then most think they are. That being said, they still aren't going to be very good. Greg McDermott will again have to struggle through, at least the conference portion of the schedule once again this season. Freshman big Justin Hamilton should provide immediate help in the paint, to go along with G  Lucca Staiger's outside threat.

12. Colorado- Well, this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. The Buff's have hung around the bottom of the conference for the last couple of seasons and I don't expect that to change this season. The Buff's had some talent last season, but most of that was in Richard Roby who departed after his senior season. Coach Jeff Bzdelik won't have an easy task this season.

Pre-Season Awards:

All Conference-

G- Curtis Jerrels (Baylor)

G- A.J. Abrams (Texas)

SF- Damion James (Texas)

F- Blake Griffin (Oklahoma)

F- DeMarre Carrol (Missouri)

Freshman of the Year: Kim English (Missouri)

Newcomer of the year: Mario Little (Kansas)

Coach of the year: Mike Anderson (Missouri)