College Basketball: Weekly Mailbag

Each Monday, CHN college basketball expert Joel Welser opens up his mailbag to answer fan questions.  At the end, Joel also includes some timely college basketball tidbits.  If you'd like to ask Joel a question or if you'd like to read past editions, check out the Monday Mailbag archive.

I think the most improved teams at the end of the year, before the 65-team NCAA Tournament selections are done, will be the teams loaded with underclassmen, and/or transfers, and newly eligible athletes. That being said, I feel Kansas, Oklahoma State, North Carolina and to a lesser extent, UCLA, Arizona, Duke (with two freshmen in Duke's starting line-up) fit into that category. I feel that only time will tell if Randolph Morris's return to Kentucky will have an extremely positive effect on Kentucky's funk (it should definitely help).

What other teams do you feel will be significantly improved by regular season's end?

From John,

Houston, Texas

The surprising thing is that Florida fits into that criteria.  The top four scorers for the Gators are sophomores and two freshmen contribute off the bench.  That would mean that six of the nine regulars are underclassmen.  I don’t think that guarantees success in March by any means, but in theory, the Gators should be stronger as the season progresses. 

Out west Utah State is another team to take a look at.  While four of their starters are returning players, just about everybody else in the rotation is a transfer or a freshman.  After a disappointing loss at Fresno State earlier this month, the Aggies are poised to make a run in the WAC.

In Big Ten country, Indiana fits the bill.  Marco Killingsworth, Lewis Monroe and Earl Calloway are transfers and Robert Vaden, D.J. White, A.J. Ratliff and Ben Allen are underclassmen. 

However, Marquette might be the best example of a team that has tons of room to improve due to a slew of underclassmen and newcomers.  And the Golden Eagles have already shown massive improvement, just in time to at least compete throughout the Big East schedule.  Besides Steve Novak and Joe Chapman, all nine of the players who average over ten minutes per game are either underclassmen or transfers. 

Joel,

I cannot make any sense of the Big Ten.  I thought Penn State, Northwestern and Purdue were the obvious bottom of the conference, but they all have shown that they can compete, even on the road, against the mid-level Big Ten teams.  Are those teams better than we thought or are Michigan, Minnesota and Iowa down at their level?

From Jim,

Chicago, Illinois

The team that really is surprising me is Penn State.  They needed some time to get things together, but they’ll occasionally compete in some games, just like they did against Iowa.  Iowa isn’t that bad.  The Gophers are done.  Their schedule at the beginning of the season was easy and they should be 2-1 at the worst.  It doesn’t get any easier than what they had.  The top six are Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, Iowa and Ohio State in any order you prefer.  I think Michigan is a step below those guys, followed by Northwestern.  The Wildcats schedule got them some early props, but they aren’t going to compete consistently with the top six.  That leaves Purdue, Penn State and Minnesota bringing up the rear.  The Gophers still have the potential to pull an upset or two, but they haven’t won the games they are supposed to win. 

Have a question?  Ask them on the easy form at the Monday Mailbag Homepage.  We’ll post and answer as many as possible.  Please include your first name and home state and put Monday Mailbag in the email title. 

Joel’s Thoughts of the Week

I think it is time we stop referring to Michigan State forward Matt Trannon as the football player.  He has become the staple at the four spot for the Spartans and is looking like as much of a basketball player as he is a football player.  Trannon played 40 minutes in the Spartan’s double overtime victory over Ohio State, scoring 14 points and grabbing 11 boards.  He would have even played more minutes, but a bloody nose kept him on the sidelines for most of the second overtime.  Don’t let him get beat up too much Coach Izzo, he is still a good wide receiver and John L. Smith will need him, desperately. 

Central Michigan had to go on a late first half run to be down just 35-7 to Ohio at the break.  Fun halftime stats for the Chips…two field goals, two shot clock violations, 12 turnovers, 8.3 shooting percentage and 15 consecutive missed shots. 

After a promising start, Houston has lost its roar with two losses to start off Conference USA play.  At Rice is understandable, but Houston should win at home against UCF. 

Saturday was a good day for those people who hate teams that are always good.  Kentucky, Kansas and North Carolina all lost at home.  While it is fun to hate, let us give some credit to Alabama, Kansas State and Miami. 

I’m happy to see the 80s hair coming back to college basketball as personified with USCs Nick Young.  Young looks like he should be in the Thompson Twins, who ironically weren’t twins and had three people in the band.  If it has been a while, give “Hold Me Now” a listen…it is a surprisingly good song. 

Check back each week for Joel Wesler's Monday Mailbag. If you'd like to ask Joel a question or if you'd like to read past editions, check out the Monday Mailbag Homepage.