Big 12

In the latest installment in our 2011-12 preview series, CHN writer Jon Teitel took some time selecting his preseason all-conference selections for 31 conferences as well as the Independents. Below are the picks, which should be interesting to look back on come March.

America East
G: Darryl Partin (Boston University)
G: Chris De La Rosa (UMBC)
G: Gerald McLemore (Maine)
F: Ferg Myrick (New Hampshire)
F: Brian Voelkel (Vermont)
 
Atlantic 10
G: Tu Holloway (Xavier)
G: Ramone Moore (Temple)

After going over the teams expected to win their regular season titles, we move on to talking about the top freshmen in each conference. Will all automatically take over and become the stars of their respective teams and leagues? It's tough to say at this point in the season, but that doesn't mean that we can't discuss it. Below are the picks for each of the 32 conferences.

America East: James Kennedy (Boston University)

With the college basketball season finally on the horizon, the game that's been overlooked by many in conference realignment will once again have the center stage. Perennial contenders will once again make a run at a national title while some new faces will pop up as well. The first four-part preview will focus on the conferences, and more specifically who will win each of the 32 leagues.

In the most recent installment in his "Forgotten Legends" interview series, CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with Texas Tech great Geoff Huston. After a four-year campaign in Lubbock Huston was drafted by the Knicks in 1979, and he went on to play for five teams in the NBA.

Jon Teitel: You grew up in NYC, which has produced more NBA players than any other city. What was the competition like in the Big Apple?

With the college basketball season finally on the horizon, the game that's been overlooked by many in conference realignment will once again have the center stage. Perennial contenders will once again make a run at a national title while some new faces will pop up as well. The first four-part preview will focus on the conferences, and more specifically who will win each of the 32 leagues.

America East: Albany

In the latest installment in his "Forgotten Legends" interview series CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with Rick Bullock, one of the greatest players in Texas Tech history. Bullock ranks in the top three in four major categories: points, rebounds, blocked shots and field goal percentage. 

Jon Teitel: In 1972 you led your high school to the Texas state championship game before losing. How good a player were you back then, and how close did you come to winning the title?

In the most recent installment in his "Coaching Greats" interview series CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with Texas A&M SID Alan Cannon discussing the coaching career of the late Shelby Metcalf. In 27 years in College Station, Metcalf won 438 games and led the Aggies to five NCAA Tournament appearances. 

Jon Teitel: Metcalf was an All-American guard at East Texas State (now TX A&M-Commerce), where he helped lead the team to the 1955 NAIA national title. How good a player was he back then, and what did it mean to him to win the title? 

While many tend to ignore the "other" postseason tournaments in March due to the overwhelming popularity of the NCAA Tournament, there's an awful lot to be gained from said events especially if a team has a lot due back the following season. So similar to those bowl games outside of the BCS in college football, teams gain valuable practice and game experience. Below are ten teams (in alphabetical order) who fit the mold, including one that didn't play in the postseason at all, and could make some noise in 2011-12.

(1) Alabama (25-12, 12-4 SEC)

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The final region is the West, which is where Connecticut began their run to the national title. While some of the departures in this region will steal the majority of the ink there are a number of teams who should feel good about their prospects in 2011-12. Below is a quick breakdown of each of the 16 teams.

(1) Duke: lost to Arizona in the Sweet 16