College Buckets Comin' in Hot!!

1/5/2016
2 Comments

College Basketball is officially underway withe beginning of conference play kic

at the turn of the New Year. Big East play is in mid-season form with my b
Marquette Golden Eagles taking down the #8 Providence Friars on Super T
January 5th. The Big East is showing a lot more potential than the past yea
since they were dismantled and became known as the 'Catholic 7'. Xavier (10
(18), and Villanova (11) lead the Big East in the top 25, but be sure to not s
Seton Hall, originally struggling to begin the season but they seem to be findi
stride with Big East play starting up. More than just the Big East though, the B
making a lot of noise with having both #1 and #2 slots in the top 25. Kans
Oklahoma in thrilling fashion with a 3 OT finish, with in my opinion the best p
the country in Buddy Hield dropping a cool 46 pts. Watched that game from b
buzzer and I was on the edge of my sunken in couch every second of it. Wi
oops on one end and banging home three's the other way, this ball game ha
Look for both of these teams to make it deep in the tourney but remember, it
Madness for a reason.
My boy Henry coming in Hot!!!!

The SEC has been known to lack a bit in the basketball department with all
going to football but this year could be diferent. With football not being as dom
as it has been in the past, basketball is starting of hot with multiple top 25
Kentucky (9), Texas A&M (21), and South Carolina (22). Watching a bit of A&
seem like a real solid team that might rely on the deep just a little too much, es
for what their shooting it at (38%). But the Gamecocks are an undefeate

currently, although their strength of schedule isn't the best to start the sea
undated mark is still very respectable so hats of to the cocks. The Big Ten. O
love to hate and hate to love. The slow paced ofense and big body defense
watching a football game on the hardwood. Though they have their big d
Michigan State (5), Indiana (receiving votes) and Maryland (3), the Big T
doesn't seem as lethal without Wisconsin running the table or Ohio State
teams to a pulp. My favorite team in the conference though is my boys
Lafayette, Indiana. The Purdue Boilermakers (20) are a BEAST to take down
deep bench and scorers at nearly every position it creates a mismatch nightm
opposing coaches. Look for my Boilermakers late in March.

Probably the best conference in most eyes, the ACC brings out the best i
opponent with Duke (14), North Carolina (6), Virginia (4), and a scrappy Miam
sneaking in at the 12 spot in the country. In all honesty I haven't watched mu
buckets thus far, just those ACC Big Ten match-ups, but its difficult to bet
some of the greatest coaches of all time in Coach K and Roy Williams. Virgin
veteran squad coming back with Junior London Perrantes at point, a scrapp
but an absolute HOUND on defense, can't dribble the ball past this kid without
swiped at. Tough loss to Va Tech this past week but look for the Cavaliers to co

hot in the next contest.

Pac-12 Buckets. Besides Arizona (7) and few teams here and there that catc
the right time, the Pac-12 has no real identity. You saw sparks of UCLA comi
to old form with a few great wins, then USC bringing in exciting recruits but yo
see the final product. With a conference full of sub-par teams, its obvious Ariz
take the conference with multiple returning starters and a great leader in hea
Sean Miller

Overall its going to be a great new year for conference play. There is no true
currently in my opinion. The season is too fresh, and the teams have so much
figure out for themselves let alone their opponents. I do have a team or two f
conference I would look to at eventually cutting down the nets at the end of Ma

ACC: I really like Virginia, pretty strong defense and a veteran team.
SEC: Kentucky, obvious for most. BUT do not sleep on A&M, those kids are fo
Big East: Tough go against my squad but look at Villanova and Butler, the con
games with these two will be fantastic.
Big Ten: BOILER UP!! Also MSU, tough to bet against Izzo. Look for a
matchup between Sparty and Purdue, thats must watch TV.
Big 12: Oklahoma is my current favorite too fast and aggressive, Buddy
unreal.
Pac 12: Gotta go with Arizona clear favorite, but don't sleep on Cal, lost
Virginia and just stomped on Utah a previous (21).
-Tim