Dan the Man?s Elite Eight in College Hoops
By Dan The Man Leach
Host of ?The Sports Edge? Radio Show
The Big Dance is just around the corner and each week I will give you my top 8 teams in college hoops. These teams are the ones that I feel have the inside track to win the National Title and I?ll be here telling you about all the ups and downs as these teams get ready to march towards a National Championship.
1-DUKE- Led by JJ Reddick and Sheldon Williams (when he wants to play), the Dukies have one of the most potent offenses in the nation. Duke has been tested recently, but continues to show their mettle and looks to firmly have a grasp on a number one seed for the NCAA Tourney.
2-VILLANOVA- One of the scariest teams in the nation that is capable of beating anyone and at the same time can lose to a team they shouldn?t. Jay Wrights kids play their hearts out for him, but they are still young and not truly tournament tested, but last year?s experience should go a long way come March. Nova continues to show why they have to be considered one of the best teams in the land. Look for Nova to go into the Big East tourney on fire.
3-UCONN- Simply the deepest team in the nation. With Williams playing sick ball these days and one of the deepest rosters in the country and a Hall of Fame coach, the Huskies are primed for a run to the Final Four again. Big wins on the road.
4-TEXAS- After a terrible start Rick Barnes squad is heating up. With Tucker outside and Aldridge inside, this team is truly dangerous. The Longhorns will need to use the rest of the regular season to get to their highest level heading into the NCAA Tourney. On cruise control as of late and looking to wrap up the Big 12 regular season title in showdown with Kansas this weekend in Austin.
5-MEMPHIS- A definite enigma of a team, but capable of really taking control of a game and clamping down defensively, which is huge in the Tournament. John Calapari?s experience will be huge for this team as they head towards March. After talking with coach Calapari on the Sports Edge this week, it seems to be this team is rested, ready, and focused on going all the way come tournament time.
6-GONZAGA-With Player of the Year candidate and Mustache Wizard Adam Morrison, anything is possible for the Zags. But it is J.P Batista who I feel is the key to this team?s success. You know you will get the points from Morrison, but if Batista can get hot as well this could be the year the Zags really make the jump to the next level.
7-GEORGE WASHINGTON- The Colonials break through into my rankings for the first time this year. This team is definitely for real and is getting at the perfect time. Led by the dynamic inside outside combination of J.R Pinnock and ?Pops? Mensah-Bonsu, this team can score in bunches and lock you down on defense. With only one loss all season, G.W is a team that knows how to win close games and closeout teams, which makes them a very dangerous team come tourney time.
8-ILLINOIS- The Illini have struggled at times, but with Dee Brown running the point this team is lethal. If they can stay focused and disciplined through the rest of the Big Ten season, this team has the confidence and the experience to make a run deep into the tourney. Tough loss at Michigan was a setback for the Illini, but this is a team that knows what it takes come tournament time and still my pick to win the Big Ten tourney.
Click here to view the latest NCAA Basketball Betting odds at http://www.wagerweb.com
By Dan The Man Leach
Host of ?The Sports Edge? Radio Show
The Big Dance is just around the corner and each week I will give you my top 8 teams in college hoops. These teams are the ones that I feel have the inside track to win the National Title and I?ll be here telling you about all the ups and downs as these teams get ready to march towards a National Championship.
1-DUKE- Led by JJ Reddick and Sheldon Williams (when he wants to play), the Dukies have one of the most potent offenses in the nation. Duke has been tested recently, but continues to show their mettle and looks to firmly have a grasp on a number one seed for the NCAA Tourney.
2-VILLANOVA- One of the scariest teams in the nation that is capable of beating anyone and at the same time can lose to a team they shouldn?t. Jay Wrights kids play their hearts out for him, but they are still young and not truly tournament tested, but last year?s experience should go a long way come March. Nova continues to show why they have to be considered one of the best teams in the land. Look for Nova to go into the Big East tourney on fire.
3-UCONN- Simply the deepest team in the nation. With Williams playing sick ball these days and one of the deepest rosters in the country and a Hall of Fame coach, the Huskies are primed for a run to the Final Four again. Big wins on the road.
4-TEXAS- After a terrible start Rick Barnes squad is heating up. With Tucker outside and Aldridge inside, this team is truly dangerous. The Longhorns will need to use the rest of the regular season to get to their highest level heading into the NCAA Tourney. On cruise control as of late and looking to wrap up the Big 12 regular season title in showdown with Kansas this weekend in Austin.
5-MEMPHIS- A definite enigma of a team, but capable of really taking control of a game and clamping down defensively, which is huge in the Tournament. John Calapari?s experience will be huge for this team as they head towards March. After talking with coach Calapari on the Sports Edge this week, it seems to be this team is rested, ready, and focused on going all the way come tournament time.
6-GONZAGA-With Player of the Year candidate and Mustache Wizard Adam Morrison, anything is possible for the Zags. But it is J.P Batista who I feel is the key to this team?s success. You know you will get the points from Morrison, but if Batista can get hot as well this could be the year the Zags really make the jump to the next level.
7-GEORGE WASHINGTON- The Colonials break through into my rankings for the first time this year. This team is definitely for real and is getting at the perfect time. Led by the dynamic inside outside combination of J.R Pinnock and ?Pops? Mensah-Bonsu, this team can score in bunches and lock you down on defense. With only one loss all season, G.W is a team that knows how to win close games and closeout teams, which makes them a very dangerous team come tourney time.
8-ILLINOIS- The Illini have struggled at times, but with Dee Brown running the point this team is lethal. If they can stay focused and disciplined through the rest of the Big Ten season, this team has the confidence and the experience to make a run deep into the tourney. Tough loss at Michigan was a setback for the Illini, but this is a team that knows what it takes come tournament time and still my pick to win the Big Ten tourney.
Click here to view the latest NCAA Basketball Betting odds at http://www.wagerweb.com
