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Get inside March Madness with SI.com's Luke Winn in the Tourney Blog, a daily journal of college basketball commentary, on-site reporting and reader-driven discussions.4/03/2007 10:04:00 AM Goodbye to the Gators ... and a Top 10 For 2007-08
Rich Clarkson/NCAA Sports
ATLANTA -- The Florida Era was finished no matter what happened Monday night, but the euphoria of the victory party made it easier to let go. As the Gators' Oh-Fours -- juniors Corey Brewer, Taurean Green, Al Horford and Joakim Noah -- were flashing two-finger, two-peat salutes on the stage at the Georgia Dome, only a small pocket of fans piped up with a chant of "One more year!" The plea quickly lost steam and was overwhelmed by the greater celebratory din.
Florida had just made history, beating Ohio State 84-75 to become the first team since Duke in 1991-92 to repeat as national champions, and only the sixth ever back-to-back title-winners. Noah, the indefatigable icon who last year had told reporters that winning the NCAA tournament was "better than sex" (then adding "I should know, because I'm doing it right!") this time made a statement with his actions on the stage. He first removed his mouthpiece and chucked it down onto the court, then took off each of his black Nikes and wildly heaved them into a sea of blue-and-orange fans. The message was clear: I won't be needing these anymore.
None of the Gators were interested in talking three-peat, and really, after two titles, what statements were left to make? Noah hinted that his work was done, saying, "I remember when I was telling people, 'I'm going back to school,' and they were like, 'What? Are you crazy?' But you know what? I feel like now all of a sudden people understand that it's more than money. It's more than that. Now you guys are going to write about history -- one of the best teams ever. That's special. That's something that everybody in this locker room will never forget."
With those memories fresh in the minds, the Oh-Fours are soon expected to make a collective jump to the '07 NBA Draft, where three of them will be Lottery Picks (Horford, Noah and Brewer, in that order) and Green will be fighting his way out of the second round. "If one of us goes," said Brewer, "we all go."
They're going -- and leaving the title race for '07-08 wide open in their wake. Who will cut down the nets next year in San Antonio? Herewith, a first look at the top 10 for 2007-08 (with the assumption Georgetown's Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert, Kansas' Brandon Rush, North Carolina's Brandan Wright, Ohio State's Greg Oden, Texas' Kevin Durant, UCLA's Arron Afflalo and USC's Nick Young also make the early jump to the NBA):
1. NORTH CAROLINA Provided Tyler Hansbrough passes on the draft to work on his offensive repertoire, he'll be back with a vengeance for his junior season. After coming within a Georgetown three-pointer of the Final Four in '07, the Tar Heels' baby backcourt of sophomores Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington has matured enough to help Psycho T take Carolina all the way.
2. UCLA Junior point guard Darren Collison, who was snubbed for All-America honors in '07, will emerge from Afflalo's shadow to become a household name. With five-star freshman power forward Kevin Love -- an old-school post player who's been college-ready since 16 -- adding an offensive dimension inside, a third straight Final Four and coach Ben Howland's first national title are well within reach.
3. KANSAS For the second consecutive season the Jayhawks will be the best team on paper -- but can they get it done in March? Ballhawks Russell Robinson and Mario Chalmers will ensure the D remains fierce, but bullish guard Sherron Collins and elastic forward Julian Wright need to become scoring stars. Collins' painful knee injury -- he was said to be crying in practice the day before facing UCLA in the Elite Eight -- may have been the difference between KU heading home, or packing for Atlanta.
4. MEMPHIS Chicago phenom Derrick Rose, Rivals.com's top-ranked point guard in the Class of 2007, joins one of the nation's deepest, most athletic rosters and should form a devastating duo in the backcourt with slasher Chris Douglas-Roberts. Look for another undefeated Conference USA season, and a serious run toward San Antonio.
5. OHIO STATE As long as ultrasteady point guard Mike Conley Jr. returns -- and that's no lock -- the Buckeyes will survive without their bearded baron of the paint. Incoming 7-foot freshman Kosta Koufos will try to fill Oden's shoes, while guards Jamar Butler and Daequan Cook, who played auxiliary roles in '07, will shoulder more of the scoring load.
6. LOUISVILLE Rick Pitino's collection of blue-chip youngsters -- particularly breakout NCAA tournament star Edgar Sosa, who dropped 31 on Texas A&M in a near second-round upset -- look ready to out-duel Marquette and Notre Dame for the Big East title.
7. WASHINGTON STATE Tony Bennett-ball was no one-hit wonder. The rookie head coach signed a seven-year extension, and the Cougars only lose forward Ivory Clark from their starting lineup. Led by its Island/Dairyland backcourt blend of Derrick Low (Honolulu) and Kyle Weaver (Beloit, Wis.), Wazzu will be in the thick of a tight Pac-10 race.
8. USC The national spotlight will follow super-recruit O.J. Mayo to Troy, where the Trojans are already loaded. He'll join Daniel Hackett and Gabe Pruitt in a three-headed backcourt, and as long as the chemistry clicks -- and it doesn't become the O.J.-only show -- USC will be a force.
9. TENNESSEE Sweet-shooting Chris Lofton, a likely Wooden Award front-runner, should have a fine swan song in Knoxville after nearly bouncing Ohio State from the bracket in '07. Look for point guard Ramar Smith, one of four freshmen who played major minutes, to have a big sophomore season. He arrived on campus late last fall and missed valuable time to prepare for his rookie campaign.
10. INDIANA Polished scorer Eric Gordon, the Indianapolis recruit who spurned Illinois for the Hoosiers, arrives in Bloomington for what may be his only collegiate season. Paired with forward D.J. White, they'll have Indiana challenging OSU for the Big Ten crown.
ON THE FRINGE: Michigan State, Marquette, Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, Butler, Texas A&M, Georgetown, Texas, Kansas State, Arizona, Syracuse, LSU, Oregon, West Virginia, Pitt, Duke, NC State, Gonzaga, Stanford, Wisconsin and Mississippi State.Labels: Atlanta, Final Four, Florida, Ohio State, The Future, UCLA
posted by Luke Winn | View comments |
Comments:
When it was time for the oh-fours to play two years ago it was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Gators after losing so many star players. Two championships later and you don't even have them in the top 30 for next year. How about a little respect for BillyD as a coach?Luke, Don't count out Florida if Billy D stays on board. They wont compete for a title, but they should be a top 25 team with his coaching. Should Billy stay, you will know the names Marreese Speights, Nick Calethes, Patrick Patterson and Walter Hodge.What about Wisconsin, they have a strong lineup, with Butch, Landry, Krabbenhoft, Hughes, Flowers, and Bohannon. With those players, they have a chance to win the big ten.This is hilarious! Not even 24 hours after the first DYNASTY is formed in over a decade and you completely count them out for next year... not even warranting 'on the fringe' status. Too funny, really. Go ahead, sell short the Gators next year. Pay no attention to the TOP IN THE NATION recruiting classes that Billy D has brought the last 2 years. Forget that Donovan can coach in different styles with different kids. Forget it all... but don't forget this post at tourney time next season.How come the Hoyas get no love? If all of them do come back, they should be among the top of your teams shouldn't they? YOu don't even have them competing for their conference crown.
And I don't understand how you can make a list without knowning which players are going pro or not? Pure speculation.Don't sleep on Purdue.haha...this is hilarious. Florida is not even listed on this top 10...similar to 1 year ago when we werent ranked and won the national champsionship..we'll see...GO GATORS!Good call with the exception of Southern Cal. Two major issues with the Men of Troy; Tim Floyd is a mediocre coach, and OJ Mayo is no better than 50/50 to complete one season in the Galen Center. Tim Floyd reminds one of the Steve Lavin era across town at UCLA. If the boys play up, they will win, if however they compete against a team that is actually receiving coaching and not just cheer-leading , they are sunk. The UNC game was a reminder of many UCLA fiascos. The term "team" does not exist with the Trojans any more than it did at Pauley during the Lavin years.
As for Mayo; he is a train-wreck currently in progress. He has the requisite posse and is ditating terms to the school. The odds of his avoiding an intimate relationship with Chief Bratton's troops are slim on the best day.
The Trojans were an almost one-hit wonder this year and will return to their middling status in 2007-8.All Oregon loses from an Elite-8 team that played Florida better than both UCLA and OSU is Aaron Brooks. He was huge, but they have an amzing incoming point guard recruit to take his spot, and with Hairston, Taylor, Porter and Leunen all back, how can you not have them in the top-10 but have USC and Wazzu teams there that are losing more?USC, really? OJ Mayo will be the downfall of USC. The kid is a trainwreck. Look out Tim Floyd and the Trojans...this train is coming at you full speed.Just a little info to chew on : Word around D.C is that Green is as gone as the 10 cent Bubble gum and Hibbert is coming back . That should push the Hoyas into the top 5.What a putz. Donovan is a great recruiter. Until they are beat, their # 1.Don't sleep on Villanova Luke. Scottie Reynolds(2007-8 Big East leading scorer) can single handedly win games, but he won't need to. He has a couple guys to run with that both may prove to be better scorers and overall players than he is. Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes. The three of them will be raining 3's from NBA range and breaking down defenses off the dribble all season long. When its all said and done, they will be better than the Foye, Ray, Lowry trio. Combine the best backcourt in the Big East with their returning(and improving) starting Center Dante Cunningham, Super Glue guy Shane Clarke, and a young but quality bench in Reggie Redding, Casiem Drummond, and Malcolm Grant... you got yourself Big East Champions.Don't forget about Northern Arizona University. Actually, you can. I just happened to graduate from there, but trust me, I'm not biased! :)when you lose all starters, you have to earn respectAll the hate for Tim Floyd and SC is pretty revealing. UCLA fans are AFRAID! Comparing Floyd is Lavin is so off the mark, and utterly pathetic, it's almost not worthy of comment. All I can offer to Bruin fans is that they'd better hope that Darren Collison doesn't bolt to the NBA, or next season ain't gonna be anything like what they're hoping for.I just want to give a Shot out to Kyle Weaver and Washington St from all there fans from Beloit, WISome of you Gator fans are hilarious. The whole starting 5 is gone and you guys still think your a top 10 team right now? Who will score? Dont tell me that skinny kid from Florida...Nick Kalathis or whatever. He looks like a miniature white version of Manute Bol.
OJ Mayo will be more of a liability then an asset.
Kansas will be loaded, but what's new?
If Derrick Rose lives up to the hype, Memphis will be very good.If Durant comes back you can go ahead and push Texas up to #1"When it was time for the oh-fours to play two years ago it was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Gators after losing so many star players. Two championships later and you don't even have them in the top 30 for next year. How about a little respect for BillyD as a coach?"
Come on, are you serious? Just because Florida isn't in his top 10 doesn't mean that he is disrespecting Billy D. Face it, the team is done. They are losing 4 starters and it isn't going to be the same team. Plus Billy D will not be there next year. He's gonna be Kentucky bound.How can anybody pick UNC? Was I the only person in America SCREAMING at the TV during the Georgetown OT debacle? Why didn't Williams call a TO? He didn't; and just watched Georgetown run about 8 more points off his mis-managed and out-coached team. JT of Georgetown out-coached the GREAT ROY WILLIAMS for the last 6 minutes of regulation & OT. Please remind me HOW Williams won a Championship?I think you may find Memphis "underrated" at #4. Add the #1 PG prospect (and a top 50 SF) to an Elite Eight team that returns all starters and 9 of their 10 man rotation and you may see something special in Memphis.Is it really a dynasty when they have won "only" two championships and are assumed to not be able to defend for a third? Why is the media (and the fans) so insistent on putting that label on any team that does good for a year or two?I realize your team won last night guys, but Florida is losing the essential core of the team that has won the past 2 championships. No doubts they have great players to move into those roles, but come on - top 10? They'll be lucky to be in the top 25 by the end of the season.
They don't deserve to be on this list, but I have a nasty feeling that Calhoun and UConn are going to be exponentially better next year - look out for them and Duke.Go Vols, they are going to have a great season next year!did someone really say "purdue"....ha ha ha. they lose 2 studs and are going to compete in the big 10 with an "OK" freshman class. PLEASE.What Missouri gets no love. 40 minutes of hell will be in full effect with Mike Anderson getting a recruiting class of his own at Mizzou. The Big 12 won't know what hit them when they are pressured once they hit the state line.The funny thing about Florida '06-'07 is that most people wouldn't even include them in the top 20 NCAA teams of all time. However, I do consider Florida the #1 luckiest team in NCAA history. Never before has a team had back to back trips to March with an easier road to the Championship. They had maybe 2-3 difficult foes, and thats being very generous to a UCLA team that couldn't own its way out of a brown paper bag.What about those SIU Salukis?!?!?! We should at least be on the "fringe"
6 Straight NCAAs
Sweet 16 this year (almost beat KU) and in 2002
All but 2 players back next year and 2 highly touted midwestern recruits coming in this year
Carlton Fay and 6'11" Nick Evans
When are we going to finally get some respect!!!Just like in football. After you win the whole dam thing AND have a great incoming class the Gators stil get no respect from the media. The hate continues, and the Gators will continue to beat the media, the refs, and anybody on the field/court to be champion once again.now until you actually figure the players that are going pro, you shouldnt even be making preditions, I happen to think that Greg Odem will come back next year, to take home a national title, and if he does the post for Ohio State will be bringing them back to the number 1 spot.Why can't Penn State ever recruit a decent team? Go PSU!He said in the beginning of the article that he was assuming that Green and Hibbert were leaving. So, that would mean that their two best players would be gone. Hence why he is giving Georgetown "no love".Brewer will go before Noah, and be a far better pro. And as to the commenter whining about overlooking a "dynasty," it isn't a "dynasty" until you successfully fill holes left by guys leaving, and still win. If they win it again next year, they're a dynasty. But they won't, and they aren't.
And I love the false drama the announcers were trying to create last night - "The Gators are trying to become JUST the 8th team to repeat!"
JUST the 8th? Since when is the 8th of anything meaningful? Does anyone rember the 8th guy to fly across the Atlantic? No.
And let's not lose sight of the fact that, including Florida, it has happened EIGHT TIMES. Not exactly a rare occurrence. Nothing that happens at least once every ten years is terribly noteworthy.C'mon Luke,
You make IU a top-ten team based primarily on the arrival of heralded freshman Eric Gordon...yet don't even make Florida a top 30 team for '07-'08? How does that make the least bit of sense? If Donovan stays in Gainesville, he has arguably the top recruiting class in the nation coming in (a fact that will be cemented with Patrick Patterson's signing), some talented youngsters (especially Mareese Speights, he is a name to remember), plus talented sub Walter Hodge stepping up to fill a role. Obviously they aren't National Champion contenders. But they could make a LOT of noise in a weakened SEC next year.To Unkie Ben and the rest of the Gators, congrats. Now listen up...you don't replace 3 lottery picks and tournaments best ever 3-pt shooter w/ freshman and expect to be top 20 next year. I too expect great things from Chandler Parsons, Calathes, and Tyus next year (among others), but you will be down. UT is the class of the SEC next year, no doubt.Mark my words, Wisconsin will be in the mix once again next year. They are losing two overrated players and replacing them with good athletes and better shooters. Once Butch went down Wisconsin lost their magic. He will be back next year with the most athletic team Wisconsin has ever fielded.Green & Hibbert come back and Hoyas spend the year at #1.Good article and this is always fun to look towards next season in any sport. Now you arrogant gaterds can go back under the rock where you belong.WOW - FL has gained some serious ego after a nice run. However, I encourage you to look at what happened to UCONN after they lost 3-4 studs and NBA talent in one year. NO WAY FL is even close next year - not top 30.Roy Hibbert isn't leaving Georgetown, and we're getting two pf the top recruits, who are both McDonalds All Americans. Even if Jeff Green leaves, we should still be in that top 10.A good list, Luke... mostly well thought out too, thank you. Although Tennessee was given a good mention, making the Top Ten, don't count out a potential Gator three-peat, but Tennessee should be really watched... After this 2006-07 season ended, looking back, only one team in the country disassembled Florida and put them on the shelf making it look easy...Tennessee, and nearly did it twice. There's a lot of coaching and team-power under that Vol hood, and they are not done yet.When is the last time you remember Jim Calhoun having 2 bad years in a row? That team, while I hate to say it, will be much much better this coming season and will be a top 25 team. Remember they were all freshman and sophomores and nobody is leaving except for a bench player transfer. With the size, speed and athleticism they have? If they put it together it will be quite scary.
Oh and gator fans...I would use UConn this year as an example of what you face next year. You do NOT lose your top 3-4 players and compete at a top 10 level. Those young kids are good, just like UConns were, but they didn't play...just like UConn's didnt last year. I predict a rough year for the Gators.i guess duke gets no respect
a six seed getting 3, maybe 4 all americans
obviously, they won't at least get a three seed
apparently oj mayo, gordon, and beasley can save teams, but singler can't.Let’s not forget that along with the coaching factor, also comes the ability to stick to the game plan. With referees willing to swallow the whistle, there wasn't much ROY WILLIAMS could have done to stick to the game plan. Out coached? Hardly, shafted, more like it. Look at the free-throw discrepancy between first and second halves. Heels will prevail again!Duke is gonna be great next year, actually I take that back. Zoubek in the only post presence with a lot of wing help, WOW. I bet K is really happy that he recruited soon to be unused players like Taylor King and Nolan Smith, no matter how highly touted they are. A logjam in the backcourt and nothing up front, try maybe a five seed in '08Why on earth should Duke get more respect. No one wastes more talent than Coach K. A few freshmen won't fix their problems.not only did oregon do better than either ucla or ohio state against florida, they might well have won if there had been anything close to parity in the "officiating". don't believe me, watch some tape, especially of aaron brooks getting knocked into the seats near the end of the game and the "grabbers" getting awarded the ball out of bounds.
don't know if they'll be in top ten but they're at least as likely to be there as usc and wsu.the Georgetown comments are just too much. the only good win they had all year was served up on a golden platter by UNC but the reality is they shouldn't have been in the game to start off with...remember the missed travel call on Green in the Vandy game???
GTown's success will be short-lived,trust-me.
Let's see GT3 win on a consistent basis....I don't see it happening.Don't laugh, but Baylor may rule the Big 12 South next year. A rash of injuries and inexperience made their record look much worse this year than their play showed on the court. They've spent the last few years running with all underclassmen. Now those guys are venturing into their junior years. This year they ran both UT and A&M to the wire in 5 straight games and both of those teams lose key players. There is no doubt that Baylor will have the best backcourt in the Big 12 and a duo of 7-footers beginning their soph and junior years. If they can solve their problems at the PF position, then only Kansas should be better and that's assuming nobody goes pro and neither Collins nor Arthur transfers in the offseason. Book it.How in the world is Arizona even on the fringe? Even if they do hire his new assistant, I can't imagine them combining as a unit- The 2-best returning players are threatening to leave- Good Luck CatsThe Tar Heels should be great even with losing Brandan Wright and if he stays then look out!
Ty Lawson will be the key to the team. Once he starts running the team a little better and they trim the insanely huge (10-12 man) rotation from this year things will run a lot smoother. Tyler Hansbrough will be a major force down low with Deon Thompson surprising many with his low post moves and fluidity. Wayne Ellington will improve on his shooting percentages as he becomes more comfortable with the college game and also with his playing time. And Danny Green and Marcus Ginyard should fill in at the 3 nicely.
dook will remain mediocre as long as Paulus is running the point, which is for 2 more years. Look for some more transfers with something like 8 McD's AA's on next year's team and coach K sticking to his 6 or 7 man rotation. My guess is Lance Thomas is outta there and if Pocius smartens up he'll take the deal he was offered to play in Europe.
Patterson is following Billy D to Kentucky so dookies shouldn't get their hopes up too much on that one.UNC will choke as they did this yearI loved the picture of Corey Brewer playing defense (or was that a blatant hand check?). Anybody can play defense if holding is allowed.i love seeing Wazzu getting some respect at #7. next year we will be a force with all of the senior leadership and the reigning coach of the year fresh off signing a 7 year deal.It seems like everyone has already lost all faith in the OTHER team team that has won twice in the past ten years (UConn). Sure, they were terrible down the stretch this past year, but they return all of their players, with the exception of reserve Ben Eaves (transfer). In addition, it appears that they have the lead on versatile high school center Tony McLain. Shouldn't they be in the preseason picture? They have a year of experience under their belt, and we all know that Jim Calhoun is fantastic at whipping out the best performance possible out of a team he knows can compete for the big prize. With Jerome Dyson (Ray Allen meets Kevin Ollie), Hasheem (7'3"), workhorse Jeff Adrien, floor leader AJ Price, I really believe they can contend for as much as an elite eight bid....I like the list and realize that you have Michigan State on the fringe but I wouldnt count out Tom Izzo and the Spartans in the Big 10 race. That team does not lose a single player and brings in 3 top 30 freshman guards. With Izzo's coaching that team could make some noise and even with a so-so Big 10 season they have to be a favorite to make a lot of noise in March."did someone really say "purdue"....ha ha ha. they lose 2 studs and are going to compete in the big 10 with an "OK" freshman class. PLEASE."
Wow, must be a jealous Hoosier. Purdue's freshman class is ranked #5 or #6. You'll need a real coach to get the rivalry back to Keady/Knight.To the guy who said Oregon is losing less than WSU;
Losing Aaron Brooks (2nd in voting for pac-10 player of the year) is not losing less than Ivory Clark (a player who lost his starting job in the 2nd half of the season).
Both teams lose a player, we get a starter back from injury.Everyone can settle down because it's the Jayhawks winning it all next year. If everyone stays, which probably will happen, then you have the exact same team that everyone says is the best on paper, but more experienced and talented. Now that they have reached the elite eight with this team, they know what to do for next year. With Arthur and Wright down low, Rush becoming more and more of a factor, and Chalmers and Collins raining three pointers, enough said. Oh ya, didn't KU beat the two time defending champions this year? I believe so.how can you say that washington state lost more than oregon? that makes no sense. Ivory Clark can't hold aaron brookes jock....go cougs.Arkansas is returning a full team that made it to the SEC championship... and they actually might be 'coached' this coming year.
Dana Altman should get the most out of the atheletic talent he's inheriting... and a rabid fan base will be back on the scene to support him.No love for the Gators? I'm sure that they won't mind. Billy will get the new players ready in no time at all(most of them already are ready for the big time). Their new team, while almost certaintly won't be the same as the OhFours, they will still be great, and this should warrent at least a mention.Of course Duke gets no respect! Yay UNC #1!! I live for College hoops and I am pretty sure it will be as interesting next year as it was this year. There is no telling which team will end up being number one-no telling.Just to give you all fair warning, but Gonzaga has a team next year that could go very deep next year. Top 10 class coming in and a core that includes AA Micah Downs, Pargo, Pendo and Heytvelt. From the teams in the West, Gonzaga could make the biggest splash.
Don't be shocked to see Gonzaga in the Final 4 within the next 2-3 years.Indiana will be great next year. Eric Gordon is a great scorer, but he also plays decent defense.(Holding OJ Mayo to 12 pts in the mcdonalds game), and indiana really focuses on defense. along with DJ white, AJ Ratliff, And an improved Armon Bassett, Indiana can make it deep into the NCAA TourneyIf Oden comes back that would change everthing with OSU coming in with a lineup of:
SF Cook Lighty
PF Hunter Terwilliger
C Oden Koufos
SG Butler Diebler
PG Conley Butler
No one would be able to beat that team. Esp putting in a twin towers lineup of Oden and KoufosI'm going to second that notion on Purdue. They've got a top 5 class coming in, a very good coach in Matt Painter, and a solid group of players coming back.Florida should be in the mix somewhere. All the other picks look about right.
I think Indiana will be very tough next year with a bigger front line and a penetrating super 2 guard in Gordon.
Also please stay in Florida Billy D. Only misery, suffering and boredom await you in Lexington.Mark my words...K'State...Beasley and Walker = final four team next seasonI do think next year might be difficult for UF if they lose all 5 starters but that doesn't diminish their accomplishments over the past 2 years. Though 8 teams have repeated as champs, UF is the first to do it with same starting 5. Their commitment to team and the fact that they value some things more than money deserves high praise.Don't have a dog in this fight but I do have an objective and hopefully informed opinion. As one poster already said, you don't lose three lottery picks and the best 3 point shooter in tournament history and not drop off. By the same token the lame intellectual argument that the guy made about 8 other teams having done it so it is no big deal is very revealing. Dude, you are either about 14 or you understand nothing about the changing landscape of sports. In 7 out of the 8 instances it wasn't so easy for kid to just declare right to the NBA and the money being offered now to lottery picks is in a whole different zip code than it used to be. The fact that all 4 guys passed on the money is at the very least a probability buster. As for the guy who said Florida was the luckiest team ever and nobody is even mentioning them as one of the top 20 greatest teams. Put the crack pipe down and catch a post game show. Jay Bilas, Digger Phelps, Dick Vitale, Billy Packer and Seth Davis all at one point during last nights telecast alluded to this being one of the great teams of all time and espcially true because of the era we are in. I am no Gator lover but I can give people their due when they earn it. Hell, I give their whole university kudos, is there anything they compete in that they suck at? I remember watching their baseball team play Texas 3 years ago for the national championship.I agree with Luke and the posts saying Florida's done with its Top 10. Yes, they will compete, as they always do, but not at the same level of success.
On Oregon, someone argued "all they lose"...all they lose is a lot, including a coach and a leading scorer. Throw in Hairston, who's almost certainly gone, and anyone over 6'8", and you have a rebuilding year at best.
As for the team to fear, it's gotta be UCLA. Howland doesn't have a single senior this year, and the only person who might have played his way into the NBA is Shipp, and word is he'll stay.To have a dynasty you must win many championships (like four or five) while losing some players and replacing them. All Florida has done is have a group of five players who won a pair of national championships. If the four juniors don't return Florida has no chance of repeating, if they do return Florida will be hard-pressed to win again. UCLA and North Carolina will both be significantly improved, while Florida loses Humphrey, the person who most helped their matchup with UCLA. And a little advice to the Gators- don't beat the refs, they're your best friends.To Allowishes:
Are u kidding about the Gators getting no respect? All ESPN and other media people want to talk about is the repeat and how awesome they are.
And i am not trying to take anything away from the Gators when I say this, because they won fair and square, but Ohio State played like crap last night and still came within single digits. A great three point shooting team and they shoot 4-23 from beyond the arch. When they realized they werent gonna make threes,they should have fed it to Oden cause last night nobody was gonna stop him.
Again, I am not trying to take anything away from them and i no they couldnt care less what i say, but if Ohio State would have shot half as good as they usually do from three, this game goes down to the wire and Ohio State might have won.-- "Was I the only person in America SCREAMING at the TV during the Georgetown OT debacle? Why didn't Williams call a TO?" --
No, you were far from the only person doing so, in large part because many Americans think they know far more about sports than they actually do. The idea that you would so casually insult a Hall of Fame inductee and the coach fastest to 500 wins in NCAA history is a measure of your own cluelessness.
As an actual Carolina fan, I can tell you that Roy has never been one to call timeouts during an opposing team's run. Obviously the conventional wisdom is that it somehow breaks the momentum, but statistically there's no evidence to support that. All season long Coach Williams trained his team to play through those runs and not to wait for him to save them from themselves. Even if someone happens to disagree with that strategy, it's not "poor coaching," although you and Bill Simmons don't appear educated enough about college basketball to realize as much.
Regarding the rankings, they mean nothing. I feel good about the returning Tar Heels, but they're no juggernaut and we can't make particularly educated guesses about any legitimate contender's prospects until next February. Until then, how about we all relax and just take Winn's list for what it was, a very brief preview of the teams to watch for.umm Duke? Finished this season right outside the top 10 in rpi and gains more than they lose. If patrick patterson comes, i better see them in the top 5UCLA will win the National Championship next season. Everyone seems to forget that the Bruins are getting Kevin Love. The top recruit in teh Nation. Some compare him to Bill Walton. If he is half the player Walton was...the Bruins are in good shape. And don't count out KU. AS for all these people saying that Florida is one of the greatest teams of all time....WHAT ARE YOU SMOKING? They couldn't beat the 97 Arizona team..or the 95 UCLA team or Uconn. Florida is overrated and they will soon be looking for a new coach.work around dc is that green hasn't made up his mind after that last game and no starters or second liners are graduating. memphis-always a paper champion. usc-mayo=overrated (mcdonald's game). unc-unless you're dick vitale you know they're youth and roy williams lack of know-how will scuttle that ship. indiana-who and why? where's the reasoning behind these picksHey and dont forget the coachless Hogs! Maybe Frank Broyles will decide to come out of retirement and coach a basketball team full of talent and no one at the wheel!Some of you guys are unbelievable. Tim Floyd is a bad coach? What are you smoking? His college record speaks for itself.
Funny how so many write off OJ Mayo when they have no clue about this kid. You can judge all you'd like off NYT article or Wilbon's opinion. You're in for a surprise.The mizzou comment is a joke. Why would Texas be #1 when Kansas beat the twice in a week this season. Any way you look at it-you have to admit that UCLA, Carloina, and Kansas will be the top three. They are all leigt teams with legit hopes of cutting down the nets in San Antonio.To follow on the last post. If Duke is to be anything in the coming season it will be because coach K changes his coaching style. Singler is good but Duke had many problems in the paint with McRoberts (and he is most likely gone) and Singler is all of 195 pounds. Find a way to win without a solid post player and a solid rebounder. Maybe Duke can win by just shooting 3's? ha ha
Georgetown fans have no shame...they think Green and Hibbert are in school because their after a degree? can you get a degree in throwing barrels at Italian plumbers? What are they majoring in anyway? If they feel like they can go in the first round they will.
Florida fans have no shame...if they lose most of the starting five forget it...the recruits coming in aren't nearly as good as to fill those shoes...after all florida didn't exactly run away with it this season or last season. Enjoy the moment while you can fla fans and use some of that championship money and find some school colors that aren't so tacky. The NCAA should take away the championships based on those colors alone. Those colors are offensive to native americans and everyone else. Maybe they were picked out by the guys from "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" show.for all your florida fans out there whom are already crying about next year...go ahead, cry! you will not be close to the competition of such teams like tennessee and kentucky next year! enjoy it now, and then watch as the VOLS dominate you!Where is Baylor? Josh Lomers will make people forget about Lew Alcindor. Scott Drew will make people forget about John Wooden. The NCAA title goes through the Bear Pit in 2008.
Ty McNeelyit's like none of you has ever commented on college basketball before. UK will not be worth a damn next season (and that crushes me to the core). Florida will not win the SEC east, Tennessee will. OSU will lose oden and conley and make them a CONTENDER for the big 10. ucla will be hot for next season, so will UNC. KU is always scary..FOR TWO ROUNDS. CHOKE CHOKE CHOKE...ROCK CHOKE JAYHAWKS! Maybe I should trademark that.Now I am not a fan of Florida, but I do remember a few years back when UNC lost their starters, but cam back pretty strong the next year with young guys. I don't like UF, but they have arguably the best coach in the nation. If Billy stays, they will still be a solid team.
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