Daily Dribble: 2008 NCAA Tournament Projection

The thought that Georgetown would not make the 2008 tournament team is obviously predicated on the belief that both Green and Hibbert will leave after this season. While it is likely that Green will leave, Roy Hibbert (and his parents) have repeatedly stated that he will be a four year Hoya. Other than Green, the Hoyas would not be losing any other player who has played more than 50 minutes all year long. In addition,they will add two McDonalds AA guards in Austin Freeman and Chris Wright.

The Hoyas will be a 2008 tournament team.

Yea, I assumed both Hibbert and Green would be gone in the projection. I know what Hibbert said, but the farther they go and the more he keeps putting double-doubles and the further he moves up mock draft lists.. the better chance is that he'll leave. I kind of hedged my bet by putting them the next team in line..

I used to respect your opinion, and you usually know what you're doing, but this time you've proved your knowledge of college hoops is lacking...

Despite selection as the #1 overall seed in the NIT and winning tonight to make the NIT Final Four in NYC, despite one of the top 5 point guards in the nation (per rivals.com) and potential preseason all-American on the roster, despite 5 players averaging near, or over 10ppg, and despite adding...

*All-American and Top 20 (as a freshman) Louisville transfer Brian Johnson

*Red-shirted and coach's claimed "most talented freshman this year" Phil Turner

*Three Top 150 freshmen, all with tremendous upside

and DESPITE losing only 1 major role-player from this season (who arguably could be addition by subtraction due to consistently poor decision-making and ball-handling), you don't even have Mississippi State MAKING the NCAA's.

Are you crazy?!?!? Memphis went from the NIT's #1 seed two years ago to a 1 seed in the NCAA a year later.

With the absolute TREMENDOUS amount of talent and experience this team will have next season, it is insane to not add them to a list of expectant NCAA participants. This team should be among the favorites to win the SEC title, much less MAKE the NCAA's.

C'mon...show some sense.

Are you serious? I had to look at this 5 times to make sure you left out Georgetown. Then I see them on the "Next" line so obviously it wasn't an oversight on your part... you just actually think that Georgetown will not even make the Tournament next year? You realize that you are talking about a team that might be the best in America in 2006-07, right? If Green and Hibbert both stay, the Hoyas might be the preseason #1 team in the nation next year, and would certainly be Top 5. Let's assume Green leaves school, which he probably will. If just Hibbert stays, Georgetown will probably be a preseason Top 10 team next year. Now let's say Green and Hibbert both go pro, which is obviously what you are projecting. You are actually saying that a team of Wallace, Sapp, Summers, Macklin, Ewing Jr., Rivers, and incoming McD's AA's Austin Freeman and Chris Wright, among others, coached by John Thompson III, wouldn't even MAKE the field?? This team would finish behind Providence, UConn, and West Virginia in the Big East? Really? That's quite a claim. As you can tell, I strongly disagree. The Hoyas are loaded with young talent and have a lot more on the way. Get used to penciling them into the Tournament every year.

I'm a bit curious as to how you drew your conclusions for the Pac-10..

Do you think Washington will really improve that much with one year, even with Spencer Hawes possibly leaving? Do you see Dentmon ever really 'getting it' ?

What about Arizona losing Radenovic, Shakur, and possibly Williams and Budinger?
Is Jordan Hill going to be able to provide what Ivan did?

Does Oregon fall out of the Pac-10 picture because of Aaron Brooks' departure? I would expect Porter to improve on his stellar freshman campaign... Add the fact that Malik Hairston (who should finally be healthy next year), Bryce Taylor, and Maarty Leunen will be seniors along with Chamberlain Oguchi.. Four out of five starters from a Sweet Sixteen team to out of the dance? I'm perplexed.

Are you assuming that Nick Young will stay in school or that O.J. Mayo, if he makes it there, will be able to pick up some of the slack that will be there with the absence of Young and Stewart.. Or do you assume both? If so, mark the Trojans for another deep run.

Do you see Washington State improving that much to match what should be visible improvement among the other teams? They were shaky this year and got bounced early.. They're under-taleneted and well-coached.. They play exceptional team ball but are at clear disadvantage talent-wise with the upper-ecehlon of Pac-10 teams..

UCLA will most likely hold serve.. Afflalo may go, but Shipp can step in with some help there, and Collison will be seasoned and ready to dominate.. Add Kevin Love into the mix to go with Mbah a Moute and Mata down low and they will have the most formidable front-court in the nation in my opinion depending on what Noah and Horford do with the Gators.

Stanford will depend heavily on the development of the Lopez twins and whether or not they can gain some discipline.. They are para-troopers at the moment and teams learned how to make them pay late in the season the second time facing them. Don't be surprised to see this trend continue next season..

Bottom line: I'm curious as to what made you leave Oregon off the list.. The way I see it shaking out follows:

UCLA - Contingent on Afflalo staying.. If not, the title is up for grabs.

USC - If Young stays, and Mayo makes it to school, they will be as talented as anyone in the nation.

Oregon - Porter will pick up Brooks' slack and only improve.. Either Chamberlain Oguchi (wing) or Joevan Catron get the fifth starting spot.. If it's Oguchi, then that will be four senior starters.

Arizona - If Williams and Budinger stay.. If one leaves, slate them for the sixth slot..

Washington - I see Hawes staying in all honesty.. I think he needs another year to develop his body and improve his draft stock.

Washington State - Although they're about seventh in terms of talent.. They play a very deliberate style of ball and have been coached on the defensive end extremely well.. They will miss Ivory Clark on defense a lot.

Stanford - Brook and Robin will begin to dominate.. They still need better perimeter play.

Arizona State - Still a couple years away.. Sendek has established a good style already, though defensive mentality, and already has a couple stud recruits on the way to Tempe..

Cal - Ryan Anderson will be the best player no one talks about in the Pac-10 yet again.. He's an absolute stud.

Oregon State - Beaver shmeaver..

Who gets in will be contingent on how everything else in the land shakes out but I see a guaranteed five in, with the possibility of up to seven.

I'm a huge Duck fan and was really pretty confused as to why you left them off.. The only reason I can fathom is your weighing how much Brooks' departure will hurt them.

I'll see ya next March to see what holds true.

I still think Oregon makes the dance rather easily.. Since you're profile says you're located in St. Louis, perhaps you will catch them this weekend and see live whether or not you think Porter is capable of filling the void that will be left by Brooks.