Well, that was weird.

The Connecticut Huskies are your 2013-14 champs.  Can't say I saw that coming.

Top 25

*previous rank in parentheses
**Good wins consist of victories against opponents at home, on road, or at neutral site that are listed in RBP's Field of 68 and First Four Out (to be posted tomorrow) and that would make the tournament or be listed in the First Four Out as an at-large even if they did not win their conference tournament.  Wins against Connecticut are also included in the good wins category, despite the fact that Connecticut is ineligible for postseason play.
***Wins and losses are listed chronologically.

1. Indiana 24-3 (2)
good wins: Georgetown(n); North Carolina; @Iowa; Minnesota; Michigan State; Michigan; @Ohio State; @Michigan State
losses: Butler(n); Wisconsin; @Illinois

2. Miami 22-4 (1)
good wins: Michigan State; @North Carolina; Duke; @North Carolina State; North Carolina; Virginia
losses: @Florida Gulf Coast; Arizona(n); Indiana State(n); @Wake Forest

3. Duke 24-3 (5)
good wins: Kentucky(n); Minnesota(n); VCU(n); Louisville(n); Ohio State; Temple(n); North Carolina State; North Carolina
losses: @North Carolina State; @Miami; @Maryland

4. Kansas 23-4 (10)
good wins: Saint Louis(n); Colorado; @Ohio State; Temple; Iowa State; @Kansas State; Oklahoma; Kansas State; @Oklahoma State
losses: Michigan State(n); Oklahoma State; @TCU; @Oklahoma

5. Michigan 23-4 (8)
good wins: Pittsburgh(n); Kansas State(n); North Carolina State; Iowa; @Minnesota; @Illinois; Ohio State; Illinois
losses: @Ohio State; @Indiana; @Wisconsin; @Michigan State

6. Florida 22-4 (4)
good wins: Wisconsin; Marquette; Missouri; Mississippi; Kentucky; Arkansas
losses: @Arizona; Kansas State(n); @Arkansas; @Missouri

7. Gonzaga 27-2 (7)
good wins: Oklahoma(n); Kansas State(n); @Oklahoma State; Saint Mary's; @Saint Mary's
losses: Illinois; @Butler

8. Georgetown 21-4 (11)
good wins: UCLA(n); @Notre Dame; Louisville; Marquette; @Cincinnati; @Syracuse
losses: Indiana(n); @Marquette; Pittsburgh; @South Florida

9. Syracuse 22-5 (6)
good wins: San Diego State(n); @Louisville; Cincinnati; Notre Dame
losses: Temple(n); @Villanova; @Pittsburgh; @Connecticut; Georgetown

10. Louisville 22-5 (9)
good wins: Missouri(n); @Memphis; Kentucky; @Connecticut; Pittsburgh; Marquette
losses: Duke(n); Syracuse; @Villanova; @Georgetown; @Notre Dame

11. Michigan State 22-6 (3)
good wins: Kansas(n); @Iowa; Ohio State; @Wisconsin; Illinois; Minnesota; Michigan
losses: Connecticut(n); @Miami; @Minnesota; @Indiana; Indiana; @Ohio State

12. Arizona 23-4 (12)
good wins: Florida; Miami(n); San Diego State (n); Colorado; @Arizona State
losses: @Oregon; UCLA; California; @Colorado

13. Ohio State 20-7 (16)
good wins: Michigan; Iowa; Wisconsin; Minnesota; Michigan State
losses: @Duke; Kansas; @Illinois; @Michigan State; @Michigan; Indiana; @Wisconsin

14. Kansas State 22-5 (13)
good wins: Florida(n); Oklahoma State; Oklahoma; @Oklahoma; Iowa State
losses: Michigan(n); Gonzaga(n); Kansas; @Iowa State; @Kansas

15. Wisconsin 19-8 (15)
good wins: Arkansas(n); California; Illinois; @Indiana; Minnesota; @Illinois; Iowa; Michigan; Ohio State
losses: @Florida; Creighton(n); Virginia; @Marquette; @Iowa; Michigan State; @Ohio State; @Minnesota

16. New Mexico 23-4 (17)
good wins: Connecticut(n); @Indiana State; @Cincinnati; UNLV; Colorado State; @Colorado State
losses: South Dakota State; @Saint Louis; @San Diego State; @UNLV

17. Oklahoma State 20-6 (14)
good wins: Akron(n); North Carolina State(n); Iowa State; @Kansas; Oklahoma
losses: @Virginia Tech; Gonzaga; @Kansas State; @Oklahoma; @Baylor; Kansas

18. Notre Dame 22-6 (21)
good wins: Kentucky; @Cincinnati; Villanova; Louisville; @Pittsburgh; Cincinnati
losses: St. Joseph's(n); Connecticut; @St. John's; Georgetown; @Syracuse; @Providence

19. Saint Louis 21-5 (24)
good wins: New Mexico; Butler; VCU; @Butler
losses: Santa Clara; Kansas(n); @Washington; @Temple; Rhode Island

20. Marquette 19-7 (18)
good wins: Wisconsin; Connecticut; Georgetown; @Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh
losses: Butler(n); @Florida; @Green Bay; @Cincinnati; @Louisville; @Georgetown; @Villanova

21. Pittsburgh 21-7 (19)
good wins: @Georgetown; @Villanova; Connecticut; Syracuse; @Cincinnati
losses: Michigan(n); Cincinnati; @Rutgers; Marquette; @Louisville; @Marquette; Notre Dame

22. Butler 22-6 (20)
good wins: Marquette(n); North Carolina(n); Indiana(n); Gonzaga; Temple
losses: @Xavier; Illinois(n); @LaSalle; @Saint Louis; Charlotte; Saint Louis

23. Oregon 22-6 (22)
good wins: @UNLV; Arizona; Arizona State; @UCLA
losses: Cincinnati(n); @UTEP; @Stanford; @California; Colorado; California

24. Connecticut 19-7 (NR)
good wins: Michigan State(n); @Notre Dame; Syracuse; Cincinnati
losses: New Mexico(n); North Carolina State(n); @Marquette; Louisville; @Pittsburgh; @St. John's; Villanova

25. UNLV 21-7 (NR)
good wins: Iowa State; @California; @San Diego State; New Mexico; San Diego State; Colorado State
losses: Oregon; @North Carolina; @New Mexico; @Colorado State; @Boise State; @Fresno State; @Air Force

IN: Connecticut, UNLV
OUT: Colorado State, Cincinnati

Your Move, Charlotte

One of the main characters from "Sex and the City" was named Charlotte. In my limited exposure to that show, I did not enjoy it (Kim Cattrall wasn't slutty enough for my taste). Somehow, however, that's the closest to success that I can place the Bobcat franchise. The Charlotte Bobcats are not one player away from being a great team.  At this point, they'll be in contention for the top draft pick next year regardless of who they draft with the second overall pick on June 28th.  Nonetheless, it's essential that they capitalize on their first selection in the 2012 draft.  Anthony Davis to New Orleans is a foregone conclusion, and the cast of characters for the second overall pick has expanded to include about a half dozen candidates.  Thomas Robinson, Andre Drummond, Bradley Beal, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Harrison Barnes are all vying for this "honor."  Michael Jordan has been the architect of the crumbling edifice that is the Charlotte Bobcats, but who will he target for the next phase of this project?

Drummond has the highest ceiling, but his bust potential is undeniable.  His motor is a red flag, and most guys don't become hungrier AFTER they earn their first million.  He also teetered at the 40% threshold on free throws during the season.  How much can anyone hope for him to improve there?  Even if he improves by 50%, he's a 60% free throw shooter.  He has no go-to post moves.  So your worst case scenario is a big with no post moves, can't be in at the ends of games due to poor free throw shooting, and we don't know if he'll develop the intensity to have a defensive presence to overcome his potential offensive shortcomings.  I don't hate Drummond, but it's too good of a draft to risk the second pick on him.

Harrison Barnes' second season at UNC exposed him as somewhat one dimensional.  He's a very dangerous at catching and shooting, and is outstanding at pulling up off one to two dribbles.  He has good athleticism, but doesn't utilize it in either rebounding or defending.  I think the hate on Barnes has gone too far, but I think the key with drafting him is not expecting him ever to become the best player on your team.  He's a second fiddle who can open the floor with his shooting.  In a less tangible area, I would worry about Barnes struggling under Jordan's influence.  I won't call him soft, but I think it takes a real SOB to thrive under Jordan's domineering personality, and Barnes doesn't seem to be that guy.

Kidd-Gilchrist is the opposite of Barnes, but somehow also feels like a poor fit for Charlotte.  Don't draft MKG hoping him to be your franchise player.  Also, many compare him to Gerald Wallace, who the Bobcats traded away for fifty cents on the dollar a year ago.  If they valued Wallace so little, how can they justify drafting MKG?

Beal makes, sense, but for some reason, his stock seems to be slipping.  Also, his game isn't that different from Gerald Henderson...although, I won't advocate not drafting anyone because you already have Gerald Henderson.  If Charlotte likes Beal, then trade back a few picks and nab him there.

This leaves Robinson, and guess what?  I did that on purpose. T-Rob is the right pick for Charlotte for a lot of reasons.  He WANTS to be a franchise player.  There is no questioning his intensity.  He still talks about how he is better than Anthony Davis.  It makes him look kind of dumb when he does that, but know what doesn't look dumb?  His shoulders.  If you love Drummond because he passes the look test, then cast your gaze upon Robinson's chiseled frame, which pairs nicely with a much, much more impressive utilization of that physique.  I think Robinson could have a Blake Griffinesque impact for the Bobcats.  He's barely undersized at PF, and he does not appear to be an elite defender.  However, he's going to rebound the hell out of the ball, and he will be one of the most athletic 4s in the Eastern Conference from Day 1.  He also has that chip on his shoulder attitude that Jordan values so much. Take Robinson at 2, then take the best players, regardless of position for your next six picks, because you're terrible, Charlotte.

CBB Uniforms (1988-89 to Present): 5 Seeds

As you know by now, we're ranking the top 64 college basketball uniforms from the 1988-89 season to the present. For more on the process, read the introduction to the original post. And now the 5 seeds:

20) Kentucky (Tayshaun Prince): Same basic design as the 21st ranked Xavier unis, but the Cats have the edge due to the distinctive arched lettering on their jerseys.







19) Evansville (Marcus Wilson): RBP encourages the Purple Aces to bring back the T-shirt jerseys.



18) Connecticut (Ray Allen):"UCONN" should go back to being "Connecticut."






17) Oregon (Luke Jackson):Love the font, the numbering, the colors, and the "DUCKS" across the chest of the yellow alternates.

Top 25

*previous rank in parentheses

1. Syracuse 19-0 (1)
2. Kentucky 17-1 (2)
3. Baylor 17-0 (5)
4. Ohio State 16-3 (4)
5. Duke 15-2 (7)
6. Missouri 16-1 (9)
7. North Carolina 15-3 (3)
8. Kansas 14-3 (13)
9. Michigan State 15-3 (8)
10. Connecticut 14-3 (15)
11. Indiana 15-3 (6)
12. Georgetown 14-3 (10)
13. Virginia 14-2 (12)
14. Murray State 18-0 (16)
15. UNLV 16-3 (11)
16. Florida 14-4 (18)
17. Vanderbilt 13-4 (19)
18. Marquette 14-4 (20)
19. Mississippi State 15-3 (22)
20. Illinois 15-3 (NR)
21. Michigan 14-4 (17)
22. San Diego State 15-2 (24)
23. Creighton 16-2 (NR)
24. St. Mary's 17-2 (NR)
25. Kansas State 12-4 (21)

IN: Illinois, Creighton, St. Mary's
OUT: Louisville, Gonzaga, Seton Hall

2010-11 NCAA Awards & Honors

1st Team All-American

Kemba Walker, Connecticut [jr]

Jimmer Fredette, Brigham Young [sr]

Nolan Smith, Duke [sr]

JaJuan Johnson, Purdue [sr]

Jared Sullinger, Ohio State [fr]

2nd Team All-American

Jordan Taylor, Wisconsin [jr]

Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State [soph]

Derrick Williams, Arizona [soph]
Marcus Morris, Kansas [jr]

Kenneth Faried, Morehead State [sr]

All-Defensive Team

Kent Bazemore, Old Dominion [jr]

Chris Singleton, Florida State [jr]
Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State [soph]

Kenneth Faried, Morehead State [sr]

William Mosley, Northwestern State [jr]

All-Freshman Team

Brandon Knight, Kentucky
Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Terrence Jones, Kentucky

Tristan Thompson, Texas
Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Player of the Year: Kemba Walker, Connecticut

Top Defender: Chris Singleton, Florida State

Best Freshman: Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

Coach of the Year: Steve Fisher, San Diego State

Big East Honors & Awards

With UConn and King Kemba picking up the Huskies' third championship since 1999, the Big East season is officially in the books. That means it's time to recognize the Big East's brightest stars. Honors and awards take into account the entirety of the season, rather than just Big East conference play.

All-Big East

Ben Hansbrough, Notre Dame
#23 Senior Guard 6-3 205
18.4 ppg 4.3 apg 3.9 rpg

Kemba Walker, Connecticut
#15 Junior Guard 6-1 170
23.5 ppg 5.4 rpg 4.5 apg

Dwight Hardy, St. John's
#12 Senior Guard 6-2 195
18.3 ppg 2.9 rpg 1.3 spg

Austin Freeman, Georgetown
#15 Senior Guard 6-3 235
17.6 ppg 3.7 rpg 2.4 apg

Marshon Brooks, Providence
#2 Senior Guard 6-5 190
24.6 ppg 7.0 rpg 1.5 spg


Player of the Year: Kemba Walker, Connecticut
RBP's choice for National Player of the Year also takes home the conference hardware, but Marshon Brooks deserves special recognition for putting together a pretty incredible season while toiling in obscurity at Providence.

All-Defense

Preston Knowles, Louisville
#2 Senior Guard 6-1 190

D.J. Kennedy, St. John's
#1 Senior Forward 6-5 215

Gilbert Brown, Pittsburgh
#5 Senior Forward 6-6 215

John Flowers, West Virginia
#41 Senior Forward 6-7 215

Rick Jackson, Syracuse
#00 Senior Forward 6-9 240


Defensive Player of the Year: Preston Knowles, Louisville
While Rick Jackson put up impressive numbers in Jim Boeheim's 2-3 zone (2.5 blocks and 1.3 steals per contest), Knowles, who averaged 1.9 swipes per contest, gets the nod for spearheading the nation's fourth most efficient defense.

Freshman of the Year: Jeremy Lamb, Connecticut
Lamb, who averaged 11.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest and finished the season with 11 straight games of double-digit scoring, is the choice here, but fellow UConn frosh Shabazz Napier deserves recognition for his stingy defense and playmaking.

Coach of the Year: Jim Calhoun, Connecticut
Rick Pitino, Jamie Dixon, Steve Lavin, and Mike Brey all turned in worthy performances, but Calhoun earns top honors (despite the Huskies' .500 regular season conference record) for winning the National Championship with a team that wasn't even ranked in the preseaon top 25.

And now for some regionally appropriate hip-hop.

Top 25

1. Duke 6-0
quality wins: Marquette, Kansas State
previous rank: 1

2. Kansas 6-0
quality win: Arizona
previous rank: 3

3. Pittsburgh 7-0
quality wins: Maryland, Texas
previous rank: 5

4. Ohio State 5-0
quality win: Florida
previous rank: 4

5. Michigan State 5-1
quality win: Washington
loss: Connecticut
previous rank: 2

6. Syracuse 6-0
previous rank: 7

7. Kansas State 5-1
quality wins: Virginia Tech, Gonzaga
loss: Duke
previous rank: 6

8. Missouri 5-0
previous rank: 9

9. Texas 5-1
quality win: Illinois
loss: Pittsburgh
previous rank: 16

10. Brigham Young 6-0
quality win: St. Mary's
previous rank: 14

11. Villanova 5-1
quality win: UCLA
loss: Tennessee
previous rank: 10

12. Connecticut 5-0
quality wins: Wichita State, Michigan State, Kentucky
previous rank: NR

13. Minnesota 6-0
quality wins: North Carolina, West Virginia
previous rank: NR

14. UNLV 6-0
quality wins: Wisconsin, Murray State, Virginia Tech
previous rank: NR

15. Baylor 4-0
previous rank: 24

16. Notre Dame 7-0
quality wins: Georgia, Wisconsin
previous rank: NR

17. Kentucky 4-1
quality win: Washington
loss: Connecticut
previous rank: 12

18. Tennessee 5-0
quality wins: VCU, Villanova
previous rank: NR

19. Illinois 6-1
quality win: Maryland
loss: Texas
previous rank: 20

20. West Virginia 4-1
quality win: Vanderbilt
loss: Minnesota
previous rank: NR

21. Vanderbilt 5-1
quality win: North Carolina
loss: West Virginia
previous rank: NR

22. San Diego State 6-0
quality win: Gonzaga
previous rank: 22

23. Memphis 5-0
previous rank: 17

24. Purdue 5-1
loss: Richmond
previous rank: 18

25. Georgetown 6-0
quality wins: Old Dominion, North Carolina State
previous rank: NR

Big East Review (09-10)

All-Big East

Dominique Jones, South Florida
Junior 6-4 205 21.4p 6.1r 3.6a 0.6b 1.7s

Da'Sean Butler, West Virginia
Senior 6-7 230 17.2p 6.2r 3.1a 0.4b 1.0s

Wesley Johnson, Syracuse
Junior 6-7 205 16.5p 8.5r 2.2a 1.8b 1.7s

Luke Harangody, Notre Dame
Senior 6-8 245 21.8p 9.1r 1.6a 0.7b 0.5s

Greg Monroe, Georgetown
Sophomore 6-11 245 16.1p 9.6r 3.8a 1.5b 1.2s

Player of the Year: Wesley Johnson, Syracuse
An absolute revelation for Coach Boeheim's Orange, Johnson takes player of the Year honors in a conference with six legitimate All-American candidates (the five noted above plus Villanova's Scottie Reynolds who is by far the hardest player to leave off any all-conference team). Lofty expectations surrounded the arrival of the former Iowa State Cyclone, but it's hard to imagine anyone thought he would have such a large impact in just a single year. Syracuse went from being projected to finish in the middle of the pack in the Big East to a number one seed and, for a brief period of time, the nation's number one ranking.

Coach of the Year: Jim Boeheim, Syracuse
With a 7-man rotation and quite possibly just a single future NBA player on his roster, Boeheim rode his 2-3 zone to 30 wins and one of the three best regular seasons in the country. And while the addition of Wesley Johnson played a huge role in Syracuse's success, the transfer's supporting cast was pitch-perfect thanks in no small part to Coach Boeheim. Seniors Arinze Onuaku and Andy Rautins and junior Rick Jackson have improved by leaps and bounds during their careers. (I'm still trying to figure out how Rautins became not just a productive player in the Big East but borderline all-conference with a knack for defense.) In his earlier days, Boeheim was considered a strong recruiter and prodigious collector of next level talent. Considering his latest Syracuse squad, it would be difficult to deny Boeheim's ability to develop that talent. And with his quirky commitment to the 2-3 zone and his balanced offensive attack, Boeheim has never been a slouch in the Xs and Os department. That being said, this was quite possibly Boeheim's most impressive coaching performance in his long, illustrious career. Is it time to start forgiving Boeheim for the Devendorf years? Bob Huggins also deserves some praise, as he probably would have taken this honor in any conference in which Boeheim wasn't in the running.

Freshman of the Year: Lance Stephenson, Cincinnati
Like so many conferences this year, the Big East was thin in terms of rookie talent. For what it's worth, I'm still not convinced Born Ready helped the Bearcats more than he hurt them. In Stephenson's defense, I'm not talking about personality or maturity issues. Rather, I'm referring to his tendency to dominate the ball on the offensive end. While the jury on Stephenson as a team player is still out, I believe his individual talent is apparent. The Bearcat frosh is a bull on the offensive end and gets where he wants to be on the floor. Think of him as a more selfish and not quite as talented Tyreke Evans. That being said, I'm not sure his notorious reputation is entirely deserved.

Defensive Player of the Year: Hamady Ndiaye, Rutgers
This honor could have easily gone to Wesley Johnson for the impact he had on 'Cuse's 2-3 zone. However, Ndiaye's numbers are difficult to ignore, as the 6-11 Rutgers senior averaged 4.5 blocks per contest. He also averaged a solid 7.1 boards per game to go along with 0.4 steals. While Ndiaye's defensive prowess went largely unnoticed by the national media due to the Scarlet Knights' poor showing, RBP salutes one of the nation's most dominant shot-blockers who continued to grind in the post even as his team piled up losses.

Biggest Surprise: Syracuse
Not much was expected from Syracuse heading into the season. An exhibition loss to Division II LeMoyne back in November didn't do much to change this perception. In fact, a tourney appearance probably would have been a respectable showing after the Orange lost Jonny Flynn, Eric Devendorf, and Paul Harris from their successful 2008-09 campaign. While Syracuse couldn't make it past Butler in the Sweet 16 (due, in part, to senior center Arinze Onuaku's untimely leg injury), that does not erase the Orange's Big East regular season title nor its having exceeded all preseason expectations.

Biggest Disappointment: Connecticut
In what was by most accounts a down year in college basketball, UConn may have been, outside of UNC, the biggest disappointment in the country. Yes, Jim Calhoun spent part of the season dealing with health problems. But it's simply incredible that a team featuring Big East stalwarts Jerome Dyson and Stanley Robinson, talented sophomore Kemba Walker, the highly touted Ater Majok, McDonald's All-American Alex Oriakhi, and steady senior Gavin Edwards could not only miss the NCAA tournament but finish no better than 7-11 in conference (good for 11th place). Dyson, Robinson, and Edwards are seniors, and their production will be hard to replace. Some theoretically talented pieces remain in Storrs, but I'm not convinced. Majok's long-awaited debut was nothing less than a disappointment. He has a long way to go. Oriakhi wasn't much better. Walker is a nice player, but Calhoun curiously failed to develop any semblance of perimeter depth during the Huskies' failed 09-10 campaign.

The Lost Mariner Speaks

* I received the following essay from the lost mariner, First Mate Ken Griffey, Jr. RBP looks forward to future contributions from our wandering brother when he finishes circumnavigating the globe on his book tour. First Mate Griffey also wanted me to let our overseas readership know that he will be spending the next couple days in Cape Town, SA. So, if you or any of your friends are going to be in or around the Cape of Good Hope this weekend, feel free to check out First Mate Griffey over at The Looking Glass Lounge and Bookery at the corner of 18th and Cauliflower. He will be reading choice excerpts from his new book, Edward Gorey: through Space and Time, on Friday at 7p, Saturday at 2p and then again at 8p, and Sunday at 3p.



Arrggghhh, This Draft Be Smellier Than Davy Jones’ Locker:
A Wayward Mariner’s Take on the 2009 NBA Draft Class
by First Mate Ken Griffey, Jr.

I may be eating my words in a few years, so I'll try to make this short so as not to choke should I have to ingest said words at a later date. Put simply, this draft class is horrible. Analysts have complained that it was weak, and I've reviewed plenty of mocks, but for some reason, the deficit of talent hasn't really hit me until now. Maybe it's because my previous reviews of the mocks have been mostly to see where Patterson and Meeks were going, and I haven't really paid attention to everybody else. Or maybe it took the Admiral's keen analysis to grab my attention. Whatever the reason, I find myself highly disappointed in this year's crop.

The first and second picks, while not otherwordly, could turn out to be solid NBA talent. However, once I saw Jordan Hill's name at the 3-slot, my stomach started to turn. I can't personally speak to Mr. Hill's talents as I've had few opportunities to see him play. I do know that prior to this season, he was barely on the draft radar, and, compared with previous players chosen at this spot in the draft, he seems sub-par. Just in the past few years, players like 'Melo, Ben Gordon, and O.J. Mayo were selected in the same position, and at this point, it's hard to argue that Hill is in the same league as those guys.



I could feel the bile rising in my esophagus when I saw big crazy stiff man's name at the 4-spot going to the Thunder. If I'm putting together an NBA Live team (which of course is how I would run a franchise if I were a GM) I definitely don't want this guy on my team! The Thunder (who should've been called the Barons) have the makings of a mouth-watering Live squad. They're young, they're long, they're athletic...in short, I really really like this team. But throw Thabeet in the middle, even with their need for a center, and the whole NBA-Live-running-dunking-crazyathletic thing is thrown out the window. Sidenote: I almost cried when the Chandler trade was rescinded. That could've been a thing of beauty.

So far then, we have a relatively unknown (to me) at the number 3 spot, an awkward mojo wrecker at the 4, and that brings us to the Timberwolves. It can't really be argued that James Harden is a bad player, unworthy of a 5th pick in the draft. No, my problem is not with Mr. Harden, but with the lack of point guard talent that comes to light when you reflect on 'Sota's obvious need for a floor leader at the 1, and then realize that none of the PGs in this draft, outside of Rubio, are worthy of being selected this high. I see Lawson at the next spot down, and I liked what I saw from him in the NCAAs, but the last time the T-Wolves selected a guard from UNC, he just threw up the Roc sign a whole bunch, and nobody’s heard from him in a while.

The remainder of the first round is littered with similar situations - teams with certain positional needs who will probably resort to taking someone at a position they already have filled, simply because there are no players at the needed position worthy of being taken at that particular spot. Further evidence of this unenviable situation is reflected by Admiral Sax’s repeated use of some form of this phrase: “X team needs a (fill in position), but...”

Certainly, there have been worse draft classes than the one at hand. For proof, go back and take a look at the 2006 picks. That awful class even lacks a redemptive 2nd round pick, unless you consider Paul Millsap as such. Still, even with the existence of similarly shallow draft pools in the not-so-distant past, it saddens me that one of my favorite sports days of the year will be somewhat diluted by the lack of available talent. A truly interesting read would be a study of why draft talent ebbs and flows like it does, but that’s for someone with more time and a bigger brain to dissect.

March Madness: Sweet 16 (Day 1)

I finished 7-1 on Day Two of the Round of 32 (Wisconsin over Xavier was my only miss), which puts me at 14-2 for the second round and 38-10 overall.

I should note that it's certainly much easier to pick the winner at the beginning of each round. My bracket (or what's left of it) is proof if of this fact.

Without further ado, my first batch of Sweet 16 picks.

5 Purdue vs. 1 Connecticut [7:07 ET]
The Pick: Connecticut
-Purdue is playing very good basketball, and, thanks to the teleunit scandal (pictured above) swirling around Storrs, Jim Calhoun's squad has plenty of disractions heading into Thursday's matchup. While my heart says Purdue, my head can't get past Jeff Adrien's muscle and Hasheem Thabeet's length. I look for UConn to squeak by in a close one.

4 Xavier vs. 1 Pittsburgh [7:27 ET]
The Pick: Pittsburgh
-Pitt has been in something of a funk so far in the tourney. Still, the Xavier guards will need to come up huge if the Musketeers are going to have a chance. Ultimately, I think the Panthers win in a semi-blowout due to their play in the paint.

3 Missouri vs. 2 Memphis [9:37 ET]
The Pick: Memphis
-I think this is the closest call of the bunch. Mizzou's 40 minutes of hell defense will test freshman point guard Tyreke Evans. Not to mention that he will be defended in the half-court by J.T. Tiller -- one of the nation's most talented perimeter defenders. Mizzou has the advantage in the post, but I like the Memphis wings in this one. Look for Antonio Anderson, in particular, to be a game-changer.

3 Villanova vs. 2 Duke [9:57 ET]
The Pick: Villanova
-Jay Wright's guards get all the attention, but the Wildcats frontcourt will be the difference in this one. Gerald Henderson will have to put his teammates on his back if the Blue Devils are to prevail.

The Contenders (11 of Them)

Tier 1

Louisville

Why They Can Win It All: One of the deepest (and healthiest) teams in America. Four Cardinals – Edgar Sosa, Jerry Smith, Andre McGee, and Preston Knowles – get significant run in the backcourt. Terrence Williams, Earl Clark, Samardo Samuels, and Terrence Jennings form a talented frontcourt rotation. And Rick Pitino isn't afraid to go deeper into bench if his top eight aren't producing. As the Cards' pressing defense is their biggest strength, this depth is integral to their success.

Why They Can't: While they have a pair of point forwards in T-Will and E5 (two of the most creative nicknames ever), the Cards' lack of a true point guard will be their ultimate demise. Sosa is a two-guard in a point guard's body, and McGee and Knowles are ineffective on the offensive end at best. History tells us that past champions have almost always featured a capable point guard that protects the ball and dictates pace. Oh, and the Cards also have trouble shooting free throws.

North Carolina

Why They Can Win It All: The Tar Heels are the most talented team in the country. Even with their injury woes, UNC is adequately deep and starts four All-American-type talents (Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, and Tyler Hansbrough). Deon Thompson isn't too bad either. It will be hard for anyone to match Roy Williams' squad in terms of sheer firepower.

Why They Can't: Ty Lawson's toe and a lack of defensive intensity. Ol' Roy's squad can make a deep run without Lawson, but there's no way they win a championship without him. The Tar Heels are much better defenders than they are given credit for, but the lapses in concentration on the defensive end are worrisome. The tournament is not the time to suddenly develop the intestinal fortitude to play forty minutes of defense.

Pittsburgh

Why They Can Win It All: The Panthers are the most physical team in college basketball. They beat up their opponents with rough play in the post and lockdown defense on the perimeter. Every single member of Jamie Dixon's squad defends, and, with the exception of their recent loss to Providence, Pitt plays with purpose every night. They've been in tourney mode all season.

Why They Can't: When DeJuan Blair gets in foul trouble, this team really struggles. And with Pitt's physical style of play, there's a good chance Blair finds himself on the bench at some point. This may seem like digging for a reason to discount Pitt's chances, but Blair sets the tone for the Panthers and the team's identity is inextricably tied to his play. When Blair is out, this team looks lost.

Tier 2

Connecticut

Why They Can Win It All: Their frontline of Hasheem Thabeet, Jeff Adrien, and Stanley Robinson is second to none. Adrien is an absolute warrior. Robinson, the Huskies' 6-9 small forward is a matchup nightmare. And Thabeet is the most dominating force in college basketball. (Yes, even more dominating than Blake Griffin.) The tournament is all about quick turnaround in terms of preparation. And while everyone tweaks their defensive strategies to counter the opposition's offensive strengths, Thabeet requires opponents to change their offensive game plan – not an easy task this late in the season.

Why They Can't: The bench (or more accurately, the lack thereof). With Jerome Dyson's injury, the Huskies are limited to a seven-man rotation. I'm a firm believer that even an eight-man rotation is dangerously thin for a team trying to win six straight games in quick succession. Moreover, Dyson was the Huskies most dangerous perimeter scoring threat. Freshman Kemba Walker and senior Craig Austrie are going to have to increase their offensive output.

Michigan State

Why They Can Win It All: Rebounding and defense. It's become almost cliché to talk about the toughness of a Tom Izzo-coached team, but 08-09 Spartans fit the description. And while no one expects the champion to emerge from the Big Ten – a conference where the basketball is looking less and less like the game the rest of the country is playing – the Spartans, unlike their conference foes, actually have the firepower to light up the scoreboard.

Why They Can't: The Spartans lack a dynamic scorer capable of creating his own shot. Kalin Lucas is a facilitator, but he's not going to drop 20 on the opposition. Raymar Morgan has been disappointing and isn't that effective with the ball in his hands. Based on senior Goran Suton's numbers, his offensive development hit a ceiling during his junior campaign. And while Durrell Summers may eventually become that player for Tom Izzo, he's not nearly consistent enough to fill that void at this point in his career.

Oklahoma

Why They Can Win It All: Perhaps the country's most complete starting five. The Sooners' lineup features the best player in the country and arguably the top freshman. And, importantly, the two compliment one another. The attention Blake Griffin attracts in the post allows super-frosh Willie Warren to operate more freely on the perimeter. Austin Johnson, the Sooners' 6-4 senior point guard, is a crafty playmaker who excels at finding his teammates in scoring position without dominating the ball. Tyler Griffin is a banger and an excellent interior passer. And Tony Crocker shoots the three and wears a long-sleeved shirt under his jersey.

Why They Can't: A very inexperienced bench. Jeff Capel has done a decent job of patiently expanding his rotation, but it would be a stretch to call the Sooner reserves tournament-ready. Cade Davis is a solid contributer, but Juan Pattillo is the only impact player Capel can turn to in a pinch.

Wake Forest

Why They Can Win It All: No team has more upside than the Demon Deacons. NBA-caliber athletes litter Dino Guadio's roster. In fact, Jeff Teague, Al-Farouq Aminu, and James Johnson give Wake three lottery-caliber talents. L.D. Williams and Chas McFarland, while not as gifted as the headliners, also create matchup problems with their size and strength.

Why They Can't: It is highly unusual that a team that didn't even get invited to the dance one year leaves belle of the ball the next. Guadio's top three players are sophomores or younger, and that rarely equates to postseason success.

Tier 3

Clemson

Why They Can Win It All: Perhaps no squad in America epitomizes the concept of team more than the Clemson Tigers. These guys seem to genuinely enjoy playing with one another, and I don't think there's a destructive ego among them. Moreover, each Tiger has a clearly defined role. Power forward Trevor Booker is the first option on offense (not to mention one of the best defenders in the ACC). And I must say – it's refreshing to a see a team that voluntarily gets its big man touches on almost every possession. No arm-twisting. No barking from the sideline. No ill-advised threes while the post talent has his man pinned on the block. Rather, the Tigers look to the post like it's second nature. Swingman K.C. Rivers guards the opponent's best perimeter scorer and slashes to the hoop. Terrence Oglesby provides the long-range game. Raymond Sykes is the Tigers' hype man. He's active on the glass and cleans up his teammates' misfires. Demontez Stitt is the glue guy who does the dirty work.

Why They Can't: This team truly has reached its potential. Clemson is a good team but not a great one. They lack a dynamic scorer, and they don't have a point guard that can impose his will on the pace of the game. Just not enough talent to do much damage in March.

Duke

Why They Can Win It All: The Blue Devils are extremely talented and very deep at the 1-4 spots with Nolan Smith, Greg Paulus, Elliot Williams, Jon Scheyer, Gerald Henderson, and Kyle Singler. Equally effective in the half-court set or in transition, scoring is not a problem for these marksmen. And in terms of perimeter defense, Purdue may be their only competition. It would also be difficult to find a more intelligent group of basketball players. And while some of them are limited athletically, a Smith-Williams-Henderson-Singler lineup is going to hold its own against anyone.

Why They Can't: Absolutely no post presence. Singler lines up at the four, but he plays like a three. He's all finesse and angles. And while Singler can block the occasional shot, post scorers with size and explosion wreak havoc on Duke's vanilla frontline defenders. And on offense, Coach K has no one to pound the ball into when the shots aren't falling.

Memphis

Why They Can Win It All: It's time we stop doubting John Calipari's program and start realizing that Memphis puts high-quality product on the floor every year. The names may be different, but the results are the same. The nation's most talented freshman piloting a Memphis squad that is angling for a one seed. Sound familiar? And like Derrick Rose last year, Tyreke Evans is far from a one-man show. Senior Antonio Anderson and Robert Dozier are back after briefly flirting with turning pro after last year's runner-up finish. Shawn Taggart starts at the five, and he's actually more reliable and versatile on offense than his predecessor, Joey Dorsey. Doneal Mack may not be Chris Douglas-Roberts, but he's proven to be an instinctual scorer in his own right.

Why They Can't: Beating up on the wasteland that is Conference-USA basketball doesn't prepare a team for March Madness. Memphis may be confident, but most teams would be emboldened beating up on the Marshalls and Southern Misses of the world.

Villanova

Why They Can Win It All: Jay Wright has four guys capable of creating their own shot – combo guards Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher, wing Corey Stokes, and power forward Dante Cunningham. In terms of sheer offensive versatility, few teams can match Villanova. College basketball is a guard's game, and Villanova has three that can take over a game. Plus, their best player may be Cunningham, giving them a true post threat.

Why They Can't: Scoring has never been the problem for Jay Wright's teams, and, even though this year's version of Wildcats' guard-heavy lineup is better on the defensive end than in years past, it's still nowhere near national champion-caliber defense. Sure, the Big East is tough, but why would anyone expect a team that could finish no better than fourth in their own conference to win the National Championship?

Big East Review

Cincinnati: Wrong year, wrong conference for the Bearcats. In another conference, this is a potential bubble team. Despite Cincy's unfortunate circumstances, look for the Bearcats to finish respectably. As Mick Cronin replenishes his program's talent over the next few seasons, I see a return to relevance in Cincinnati's future.

Connecticut: Jim Calhoun's squad is playing the best basketball in the country, and there's room for improvement. Jeff Adrien has provided his usual solid play and leadership. Jerome Dyson has been explosive and finishes on the break as well as anyone. Craig Austrie provides a steadying influence off the bench. Highly touted freshman Kemba Walker has been even better than expected. So where can the Huskies improve? Well, despite his dominance on the defensive end, Hasheem Thabeet's offensive development has seemingly stalled. More disconcerting for the Huskie faithful is A.J. Price's play. The talented floor general seemed to be on the brink of fulfilling his enormous potential at the end of last season, but his play thus far has been uninspired. Even with the return of Stanley Robinson, UConn will need last year's A.J. Price if they hope to add another championship to Jim Calhoun's collection.

DePaul: The Blue Demons are headed for their third losing season in Jerry Wainwright's four-year tenure. And this year's edition is particularly bad. At this point, DePaul looks like the worst the Big East has to offer. Wainwright's time in the Windy City may be drawing to a close.

Georgetown: I was extremely high on the Hoyas after their solid non-conference play and a Big East opener that saw JT3's squad topple UConn. Now, after losing five of their last six, including losses to Seton Hall and Cincy, Georgetown needs to turn things around if they want an invitation to the dance. Still, I like the odds of a strong finish for the Hoyas. DaJuan Summers is playing very good basketball. Freshman Greg Monroe has a refined game that belies his youth. Chris Wright has turned into a nice fourth option on the offensive end. And JT3 has done a nice job of patiently developing his young bench. The only thing standing in the way of the Hoyas regaining their form is senior Jessie Sapp's play. The glue guy's numbers have taken a dip this year, but Georgetown is going to need his steady hand down the stretch.

Louisville: It's hard to forget about the Cardinals uninspired non-conference play, but Louisville is starting to fulfill its preseason billing as a Final 4-caliber team. The Cards may not have a point guard (much to Rick Pitino's chagrin), but they may not need one with point forward Terrence Williams' play as of late. Look for Coach Pitino to have his squad primed for the tournament. The sky is the limit for this talented and deep team, but, unless freshman big man Terrence Jennings starts to contribute on both ends of the floor on a consistent basis, Louisville may fall short of a spot in the Final Four.

Marquette: The Golden Eagles are playing as well as anyone in the nation. Few teams have four players that can match the talents of Marquette's Jerel McNeal, Wesley Matthews, Lazar Hayward, and Dominic James. However, until Buzz Williams starts getting more out of the under-performing Maurice Acker and Dwight Burke, the Golden Eagles are probably doomed to a let-down.

Notre Dame: Everyone seems to agree that nine Big East teams will be dancing in March . I tend to agree with this assessment, but, due to the way Notre Dame's schedule is set up (strings of tough matchups and two games apiece against UConn and Louisville) and the Irish's lack of depth, look for Mike Brey's team to end up on the bubble. In the end, I predict the Irish will be on the outside looking in. I should note, however, that I think Notre Dame finishes no worse than fifth place in any other conference and contends for the SEC crown. While the Irish have no trouble putting points on the board, they're lacking on the defensive end. One more thing -- Luke Harangody and Kyle McAlarney get all the ink, but the best barometer of the Irish's prospects for success is the play of junior point guard Tory Jackson. As Jackson goes, so go the Irish.

Pittsburgh: I hope basketball fans can appreciate the way Pitt plays. There are flashier teams, and there are more talented teams, but few teams play with as much effort or with as much grit as the Panthers. Jamie Dixon's team has all the ingredients of a champion -- a physically dominating interior presence on both ends of the floor (DeJuan Blair, 14.8 ppg and 12.9 rpg), an explosive wing that can create his own shot and get to the rim (Sam Young, 17.9 ppg), a point guard who takes care of the ball (Levance Fields, 3.6-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio), an athletic perimeter defender capable of locking down the opponents' top scorer (Jermaine Dixon, 1.7 spg), and a talented supporting cast (Tyrell Biggs, Gilbert Brown, and Brad Wanamaker).

Providence: Seven Friars are averaging at least eight points per game, and it looks like Keno Davis just needed one year at Drake to prepare for his Big East coaching debut. The Friars could very well be a tournament team in another conference. Then again, Providence ended up with a favorable Big East schedule (if there is such a thing), playing Villanova, Cincinnati, and Rutgers twice, so anything's possible. Unfortunately, Providence has exactly zero quality non-conference wins. Look for the Friars to be NIT-bound after a five-game stretch to close out the regular season that includes Louisville, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, and Villanova.

Rutgers: Despite their 1-8 conference record, the Scarlet Knights are headed in the right direction in Fred Hill's third season at the helm. The play of freshmen Mike Rosario (17.5 ppg for the first McDonald's All-American in school history) and Gregory Echinique (9.5 ppg, 8.5 rbg, and 2.5 bpg) suggest brighter days are on the horizon for this long-suffering program. Rutgers will also return junior center Hamady N'Diaye and his 2.7 blocks per game.

Seton Hall: The Pirates started out the season 8-1 with wins over USC and Virgina Tech. Unfortunately, there hasn't been much for Seton Hall fans to smile about since. The good news for the Pirates is that their potent trio of Jeremy Hazell (23.4 ppg), Robert Mitchell (15.7 ppg), and Eugene Harvey (12.7 ppg) are all underclassmen.

South Florida: Year two of the Stan Heath-era at USF is upon us. As expected, Heath has improved the level of talent on the Bulls' roster. The real question is whether he can raise their level of play. So far, the answer isn't clear, but Heath doesn't exactly have a sterling record in terms of developing players over time. One bright spot for the Bulls -- the play of talented sophomore guard Dominique Jones (18.3 ppg, 4 apg, and 5 rpg).

St. John's: When the Red Storm lost senior forward Anthony Mason, Jr. for the season due to injury, it looked like it was going to be a long year for Norm Roberts' team. For the most part, it has been, but the Red Storm has responded admirably. They had every reason to finish in last in the Big East but currently sit in 11th place. Roberts has done a good job recruiting, and it looks like St. John's has taken the first baby steps toward becoming relevant again.

Syracuse: Believe it or not, this Syracuse club defends and plays with toughness and intelligence (for the most part). Jonny Flynn, Paul Harris, and Arinze Onuaku are all very good defenders. Jim Boeheim's club appears to have taken on the personality of Flynn, the fiery point guard and undisputed leader of this athletic bunch. The biggest surprise for Syracuse – the play of junior swingman Andy Rautins who is averaging double figures and gives the Orange a much-needed outside shooting threat. Despite losing four of their last six, look for Syracuse to sail into the tournament.

Villanova: This is a nice team, and, although the Wildcats really only have one quality win (a 67-57 victory against Pittsburgh), I like this team to be a tough out come tourney time. They have excellent perimeter play in Scottie Reynolds, Corey Fisher, Corey Stokes, and Reggie Redding. Dante Cunningham is having a terrific year in the post, and Antonio Pena gives the Wildcats another talented big.

West Virginia: He gets overlooked on a regular basis, and he's not exactly a media darling for a variety of reasons, but it's time we all recognize that Bob Huggins is quite a basketball coach. His Mountaineers are overachieving and playing excellent defense. They are as difficult to score on in the half-court as anyone. If junior point guard Joe Mazzulla hadn't been lost for the season to injury, the Neers would be really dangerous.

Player of the Year: Luke Harangody, Notre Dame
Runner-up: DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh
This is a closer call than one might think. Harangody edges out Blair at this point in the season in large part due to the incredible numbers he's putting up (25.1 points and 13.2 rebounds per game). However, if the Irish continue their slide to the bottom of the Big East standings, a reevaluation may be necessary. Blair, playing within the confines of Pitt's more disciplined system and with a better supporting cast, isn't called on to score as many points, but his impact is just as great. In fact, Pitt's two losses can largely be attributed to Blair being in foul trouble. I would be remiss not to mention the 23 points and 22 boards (11 offensive) Blair put up on Harangody's Irish last week.

Coach of the Year: Jamie Dixon, Pittsburgh
Runner-up: Buzz Williams, Marquette
It may surprise some, but I don't even think this is a close one. No team dictates the flow of the game like Dixon's Panthers, and they do it without a gimmicky scheme. They play physical basketball in all facets of the game, and they get into their man on the defensive end of the floor. Marquette's Buzz Williams also deserves some love. He may be doing it with Tom Crean's experienced players, but Williams has stepped in admirably.

Freshman of the Year: Greg Monroe, Georgetown
Runner-up: Samardo Samuels, Louisville
Samuels has been excellent, providing the Cardinals with interior scoring and help on the boards. But it's Monroe, Georgetown's Deep South import, that is the jewel of this year's freshman class. Equally adept at playing with his back to the basket, putting the ball on the floor, and hitting the open cutter, Monroe's game is mature beyond his years. Even more impressive than Monroe's 24 and 10 against Notre Dame was his performance against UConn's Hasheem Thabeet. Reminiscent of then-freshman Tyler Hansbrough's mandhandling of then-junior Shelden Williams, Monroe put up 16 points, 4 assists, and had 3 steals to Thabeet's 4 points (and 7 blocks) in the Hoyas 74-63 victory at Connecticut. Rutgers' Mike Rosario and UConn's Kemba Walker also deserve mention for their stellar play.

Defensive Player of the Year: Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut
Runner-up: Terrence Williams, Louisville
While his offensive play has been inconsistent, there is no denying Thabeet's game-changing impact on the defensive end of the floor. With eight games of five blocks or more, Thabeet is certainly worthy of the comparisons to Dikembe Mutombo in terms of his abilities on the defensive end. The only questions remaining for Thabeet are whether his maturity and his ability to lead merit the comparison to Mount Mutombo. Williams is a distant second, but he's a game-changing defender in his own right. His ability to pick off passes in Louisville's full-court press is Ed Reed-esque, but I'd like to see him become more of a lockdown defender in the half-court.

1st Team All-Big East
Jonny Flynn, Syracuse
Terrence Williams, Louisville
Luke Harangody, Notre Dame
DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh
Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut
This side of Lester Hudson, no one fills up a stat sheet like Terrence Williams. T-Will has 6 games with 20 or more points, 8 games with 10 or more rebounds, 7 games with 6 or more assists, 7 games with 4 or more steals, and 2 games with 3 or more blocks.

2nd Team All-Big East
Deonta Vaughn, Cincinnati
Jerel McNeal, Marquette
DaJuan Summers, Georgetown
Jeff Adrien, Connecticut
Greg Monroe, Georgetown
Few players are more important to their team than Cincy's Deonta Vaughn (15.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game). Without him, the Bearcats are probably at the bottom of the Big East standings. Summers' stats are all the more impressive when considering the context of Georgetown's style of play. He's taken his game to the next level on the offensive end of the floor, but, if the Hoyas are going to be successful, he's got to hit the boards and make more plays on the defensive end. Adrien, averaging a double-double, is the heart and soul of the perhaps the best team in America. And what about the Big East talent that didn't make the cut? Our apologies to Wesley Matthews, Lazar Hayward, Arinze Onuaku, Earl Clark, Dante Cunningham, Scottie Reynolds, Da'Sean Butler, Weyinmi Efejuku, Dominique Jones and, perhaps the cruelest cuts of all, Sam Young and Jeremy Hazell -- two pure scorers who leave something to be desired in other areas of the game.

All-Big East Defensive Team
Jonny Flynn, Syracuse
Jerel McNeal, Marquette
Terrence Williams, Louisville
Arinze Onuaku, Syracuse
Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut
The biggest reason for Syracuse's resurgance -- defense. If the Orange's opponents are able to get the ball up the court against the feisty Flynn, they are likely to find the lane clogged by Arinze Onuaku, the Beast of the Big East. The massive Onuaku looks more like an extremely tall linebacker than a basketball player, but his physicality has added a toughness to Jim Boeheim's club that it has been lacking in recent years. Marquette's Jerel McNeal doesn't just average 19.7 points per game. He's also averaging two steals per contest for the fourth straight season.