|
|
| collegehoops.net | ||||
|
||||
College Basketball: Surprise Teams
|
November 7th, 2008
by CHN
SURPRISE TEAMS
CHN writers were asked a simple question: What team will be this year’s big surprise? Here’s what our guys had to say.. let us know who you would choose below:
 |
Cincinnati: Mick Cronin's teams will always fight you to the end, and with Yancy Gates and John Riek joining Deonta Vaughn, the Bearcats may have enough talent to surprise some teams in the Big East.
|
 |
Syracuse: In this year's big, bad Big East, the 'Cuse seems to be getting overlooked with all the talk about UConn, Pitt and Louisville. With a deep, veteran, talented team the Orangeman should be a dangerous team this season.
|
 |
Penn State: This is a decent team in regards to talent, and I think that things will turn in favor of Coach DeChellis at some point. For my sake, and probably his too, I hope this is the year.
|
 |
Baylor: Senior-laden team, great coach, star in the making with LaceDarius Dunn. All the makings of a Sweet Sixteen team or better.
|
|
|
Florida: Will the Gators win the title this year? No. But they’ll be dangerous in the NCAA Tournament again, perhaps showing early signs of an epic 2010 run.
|
|
|
Syracuse: There could be some addition by subtraction going on with Donte Green, who couldn't defend and shot the Orange out of games, in the NBA. Add a healthy Devendorf and Andy Rautins, plus a ready-to-breakout Paul Harris and the Orange could crack the top 15.
|
 |
Texas: Forget about Kevin Durant and D.J. Augustin, the Longhorns have more players ready to step up. A.J. Abrams and Damion James are next on the list.
|
 |
Wake Forest: Sure the media projected the Demon Deacons as the third best team in the ACC already, but the return of James Johnson and Jeff Teague coupled with a trio of blue chip recruits, means that Wake could leap frog Duke in the conference standings.
|
|
|
More Writers Picks: Overrated Players - Underrated Players - Breakout Stars
Who do you think belongs on this list? Post your comments below:
Agree? Disagree? Post your comments below:
Comments
Agreed about Cuse being the
Submitted by Shawn Siegel on Sat, 2008-11-08 12:25.
Agreed about Cuse being the most talented unranked team ( though we have them ranked). Disagree about Texas though.. sure people are expecting them to compete for a Big 12 title, they're always solid.. but they weren't even projected 1st in the big 12 media/coaches poll, and I know Joel is thinking they're a Final Four, Top-5 team.
Yancy Gates
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 2008-11-08 12:40.
He's the reason Cincy will surprise.
Surprise Teams
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2008-11-07 19:43.
You picked Pacific to win the BWC. Then, disclaimed the prediction, and (presumably) knocked then back into the middle of the pack. Watch out for the Tigers! They have oodles of talent. Their pre-season schedule includes Cal, Washington, St. Marys, and Nevada. They are capable of a 22 to 24 win season.
Doubt that, I think Pacific
Submitted by Shawn Siegel on Sat, 2008-11-08 12:28.
Doubt that, I think Pacific will be competitive in the Pacific (3rd or 4th) despite all their off-season losses, but 16-17 wins is more likely. 22-24 would be up there with the program's all-time great seasons, and this year's crew just isn't that great.
Kentucky
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 2008-11-08 15:46.
Why isnt Ky. on this list they werent even in the top 25 which has to be a joke. This team can possibly win the whole thing if things work out right so whats the deal?
LOL Kentucky win the whole
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 2008-11-08 19:29.
LOL Kentucky win the whole thing? LOL hahahahaha Freaking Dayton has a better chance them then, Hell even Xavier.
Maryland?
Submitted by Joe D. (not verified) on Sun, 2008-11-09 22:51.
If Dupree, Braxton, and Neal surprise could Maryland sneak into the tourney?
Excuse me not Braxton I
Submitted by Joe D. (not verified) on Sun, 2008-11-09 22:52.
Excuse me not Braxton I meant Burney.
I think Maryland is a bit
Submitted by Shawn Siegel on Mon, 2008-11-10 10:06.
I think Maryland is a bit underrated, but still an NIT squad. Out of the 3 you mentioned, Dupree is the only who could have a real breakthough season. They'll need to finish at least 6th to have a shot, which means besting one of VT, Clemson, etc from the top half of the league.. but those squads are simply better.
Add comment
More CHN Articles
SPONSORS
About CHN
Columnist
CHN Staff
Contact
collegehoopsnet@aol.com
Background
Collegehoops.net is the web's largest independent college basketball site. A team of over a dozen writers releases original content 365 days a year.. from opening day to Selection Sunday, the NBA Draft, and beyond. Enjoy,
CHN Editor Shawn Siegel
Location
College Basketball USA
Favorite Links
Cincinnati? You have to be
Cincinnati? You have to be out of your mind. Their team totally stunk last year & now they're going to be better all-of-a-sudden because of a guy who hasn't played college ball yet (and won't play the first half of the year)? UC has practically no shot at being the "surprise" team of this year, but I have to admit that it would be a big surprise if they would manage to make the NCAA tournament.
Baylor is a very poor choice. That team stinks defensively and that's a big part of why they can't possibly play consistently well enough to be a big surprise. Last year they lost a Big 12 tourney game to FREAKING COLORADO, who hasn't been relevant in college basketball for as long as I can remember. Their poor defense will catch up to them sooner or later. Add to that the fact that Baylor was sort of a surprise team last year, and it means that Baylor is a very poor choice for a "big surprise" this year.
How can Texas being good possibly be a surprise? I mean, they have as much talent as anybody in the Big 12, so it wouldn't really be a surprise to anyone to see them win their league and be a top-10 team. I don't care how good Texas is, people are already thinking they're among the top teams in the Big 12, so they can't possibly be this year's "big surprise" team.
Wake Forest is in the preseason top-25 and being picked #3 in the ACC - how is possibly finishing #2 in the ACC a "big surprise" along the lines of the biggest of the year? I don't think it's possible. Doesn't sound like you're going out on much of a limb there. Florida is the same way - when you're preseason top-20, how can being really good be a "big surprise"? I don't think it can.
Syracuse is a good choice. Syracuse and Ohio State are the most talented unranked teams.