College Basketball Preview: 12. Baylor Bears

The return of Acy (above), Jones and Walton have fans excited in Waco.
12. Baylor Bears Key Returnees: F/C Perry Jones, F Quincy Acy, G A.J. Walton
G A.J. Walton- Junior
G Duece Bello- Freshman
F Quincy Acy- Senior
F Anthony Jones- Senior
F/C Perry Jones- Sophomore
Sixth- Quincy Miller- Freshman
Top Recruit- Quincy Miller
Few teams were more disappointing then the Bears in 2010-2011 as a preseason top 25 squad faltered to a 18-13 mark and tied for seventh in the Big 12. Now they return most of that team last year including big man Perry Jones who didn't disappoint in his first year in Waco. Jones has the ability and smarts to become one of the best forwards in the nation. Anthony Jones plays hard and can shoot despite being 6 foot 10 inches. Quincy Acy returns to bolster the frontcourt even more. He is currently second in school history in career field-goal percentage. The backcourt is also deep and talented. A.J. Walton is back and will likely be asked to play at the point. He is a great passer and playmaker. Without LaceDarius Dunn incoming freshman Duece Bello may start at the shooting guard slot. Bello can dunk like an NBA star and is super quick. Forward Quincy Miller is Scott Drew's next big recruit and can do damage but may not get many minutes in his first year. California transfer Gary Franklin will have to sit out fall semester but can he will get playing time he can be productive. Sophomore guard Brady Heslip will add more depth to the backcourt.

College Basketball Preview: 11. Florida Gators

A Top 100 recruit last year Prather could start without Alex Tyus, Chandler Parsons or Vernon Macklin.

11. Florida Gators Key Returnees: G Kenny Boynton, G Erving Walker, F/C Patric Young
G Erving Walker- Senior
G Kenny Boynton- Junior
F Casey Prather- Sophomore
F Will Yeguete- Sophomore
C Patric Young- Sophomore
Sixth- Bradley Beal- Freshman
Top Recruit: Bradley Beal
You might be keen to forget the big year that Florida had last season. After a rough start the Gators went 13-3 in the SEC and pulled up all the way to the Elite Eight. Sure the Gators lost three starters in the frontcourt but the backcourt might be the best in the nation. Senior Erving Walker is experienced and has a good shot and can play defense well while Kenny Boynton is explosive and tough to guard. Both have a chance at being All-SEC picks. Billy Donavan gained a true talent when he convinced Bradley Beal to come to Florida. Beal is thought of as the number two ranked incoming guard behind Austin Rivers. Also brought in is Mike Rosario the former Rutgers star who averaged 16.7 points per game for the Scarlet Knights during the 2009-2010 season. The frontcourt has some issues but also has a star in the making in Patric Young. He is a blocking machine as he led Florida with 31 blocks last year despite being sixth in minutes and has a real chance to produce this year. Casey Prather was a Top 100 recruit last year and may get a chance to start this year. The power forward position is an issue with the offseason arrest of Erik Murphy which means bruiser Will Yeguete may start.
Bottom Line: The Gators backcourt will be dominant and if the frontcourt can produce a second straight Elite Eight trip isn't impossible.

College Basketball Preview. 10. Louisville Cardinals

If Siva can shoot better then last year he can turn into a dangerous player for a dangerous Lousiville team.
10. Louisville Cardinals Key Returnees: G Peyton Siva, C Gorgui Dieng, G Kyle Kuric
G Peyton Siva- Junior
G Chris Smith- Senior
F Angel Nunez- Freshman
F Jared Swopshire- Junior
C Gorgui Dieng- Sophomore
Sixth- Kyle Kuric- Senior
Top Recruit- Wayne Blackshear
Last years promising 25-9 mark heading into the tournament and tie for 3rd in the tough Big East was ended abruptly when the Cardinals were stunned by Morehead State. This year will promise even better results. The 2011-2012 Louisville squad will be headed by a strong backcourt and improving frontcourt. Peyton Siva is back and is ready for a big year. He makes great passes but if he doesn't shoot better that 9.9 points per game won't improve much. Chris Smith is the other returning backcourt player. Smith is a senior with experience and unlike Siva can shoot. Kyle Kuric is dangerous off the bench and will be a big contributor while Wayne Blackshear is a hyped recruit who will produce. Louisville's biggest question mark resides at the small forward position. Angel Nunez is an incoming freshman that is really the only healthy pure small forward. Though the rest of the frontcourt is pretty good. Jared Swopshire was effective in 2009-2010 before missing all of 2010-2011 with a groin injury. Center Gorgui Dieng had a good freshman year and will be asked to contribute more as a sophomore. Stephen Van Treese is solid but will come off the bench most games.
Bottom Line: Rick Pitino once more has a talented squad but they might not be ready to take the next step.

College Basketball Preview: 9. Pittsburgh Panthers

We know Gibbs is good but his supporting cast must be better if the Panthers are to win a national title.

9. Pittsburgh Panthers Key Returnees: G Ashton Gibbs, F Nasir Robinson, F/C Talib Zanna
G Travon Woodall- Junior
G Ashton Gibbs- Senior
F Nasir Robinson- Senior
F Khem Birch- Freshman
F/C Talib Zanna- Sophomore
Sixth- J.J Moore- Sophomore
Top Recruit- Khem Birch
Thanks to the return of Ashton Gibbs coach Jamie Dixon once more has a championship caliber team over in Pittsburgh. Gibbs may end up being the Big East Player of the Year and if he can distribute the ball better he could be a National Player of the Year canidate. He might be able to play point guard but it would be hard to imagine 5-11 Travon Woodall at shooting guard. Isaiah Epps was redshirted last year but will now play a large role. Freshman Cameron Wright and John Johnson will add more depth in the backcourt. Nasir Robinson is the other returning starter along with Gibbs. Robinson isn't big but he is tough and plays hard. Forward Khem Birch might be the top recruit in the Big East this year. He may not be a double-digit scorer but he can rebound and will block shot after shot. Talib Zanna may start at the center postition now that effective Gary McGhee is gone. He may just be six feet, 9 inches but he is pyschical and will work underneath. Sophomore J.J Moore is going to be valuable off the bench and freshman Malcolm Gilbert adds height.
Bottom Line: Dixon has one of the most talented players in the nation with Gibbs and one of the better teams also.

College Basketball Preview: 8. Memphis Tigers

After rough junior year Witherspoon must prove to Pastner and Memphis that he deserves starting spot.

8. Memphis Tigers Key Returnees: G Will Barton, G Joe Jackson, F Tarik Black
G Joe Jackson- Sophomore
G Will Barton- Sophomore
F Wesley Witherspoon- Senior
F Tarik Black- Sophomore
C Stan Simpson- Junior
Sixth- Chris Crawford- Sophomore
Top Recruit- Adonis Thomas
John Calipari who? The Tigers enter their third season of the post-Calipari era and this one is sure to go better then the first two. A talented and deep backcourt is back headed by Joe Jackson and Will Barton. Neither are natural point guards but both will have to split if they want to keep their starting jobs. Chris Crawford and Charles Carmouche are skilled. Carmouche is a senior and has experience while Crawford is yet another sophomore on this roster. Senior Wesley Witherspoon may be the most talented and versatile player on the roster. He can play guard but he is better at the small forward position. He'll be bigger of a part of this team after a weak junior year. Also in the frontcourt is Tarik Black who can play pyschical no matter who he is up against. Josh Pastner also brought in forward Adonis Thomas who has the tools to be a dominant player. Transfer Stan Simpson is probably the only natural center on the team and could start immediately after transferring from junior college.
Bottom Line: Tigers will dominate C-USA but may still be too young to make a deep run in the tournament.

College Basketball Preview: 7. UConn Huskies

Replacing Walker may be impossible but Napier believes he can do it.

7. UConn Huskies Key Returnees: G Jeremy Lamb, F/C Alex Oriakhi, G Shabazz Napier
G Shabazz Napier- Sophomore
G Jeremy Lamb- Sophomore
F Roscoe Smith- Sophomore
F Tyler Olander- Sophomore
C Alex Oriakhi- Junior
Sixth- DeAndre Daniels- Freshman
Top Recruit- DeAndre Daniels
So Kemba Walker is gone but the Huskies aren't dead. Jim Calhoun has an opportunity to win two straight thanks to the return of Jeremy Lamb and Alex Oriakhi, the two most talented returners. Lamb emerged as one of the top shooting guards in the country last season and will improve even more in his sophomore year. Oriakhi isn't as tall as some centers in the Big East but his big frame and psychically will help him dominate down low. Sophomore Shabazz Napier will hope to be the man that can at least try to replace Walker. He looked like he could be able at time last to do exactly that. Also getting time in the backcourt will be German Niels Giffey another sophomore. The frontcourt also has a lot of depth with guys like Tyler Olander and Roscoe Smith. Olander has the smarts and can make plays while Smith is fast and will do damage. DeAndre Daniels is a Top 10 recruit who can play power forward but can still step back and hit the shot on the perimeter.
Bottom Line: Two straight will be tougher without Walker but it won't be impossible.

College Basketball Preview: 6. Duke Blue Devils

With both Singler and Smith gone Curry could end up being Duke's leading scorer.

6. Duke Blue Devils Key Returnees: F Miles Plumlee, F Mason Plumlee, G Seth Curry
G Austin Rivers- Freshman
G Seth Curry- Junior
F Mason Plumlee- Junior
F Miles Plumlee- Senior
C Marshall Plumlee- Freshman
Top Recruit: Austin Rivers
Few programs can lose two of the best players in the ACC in Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith and lose the number one draft pick Kyrie Irving and still be a top ten team. This years Duke Blue Devils squad will be led by the three Plumlee brothers Marshall, Miles and Mason all 6 feet 10 inches or bigger. Miles has great skills and has experience while Mason is always a double-double threat and Marshall is big and psychical. Seth Curry is Stephons brother and has just as much talent but will play tough competition. He has the chance to be Duke's leading scorer this next season. Austin Rivers is Doc's son and is super speedy. Though gaining the starting job may not be that easy. Junior Andre Dawkins has more experience and can shoot while sophomore Tyler Thornton is another talented guard. Ryan Kelly played a lot more minutes last season then in his freshman year and he may get even more in '11-'12.
Bottom Line: Its Duke and its hard to see the Blue Devils having a bad season. Coach K once more has a championship caliber squad.

College Basketball Preview: 5. Vanderbilt Commodores

Vanderbilt has always been a shooting team but with froncourt players like Taylor that might change.

5. Vanderbilt Commodores Key Returnees: G John Jenkins, C Festus Ezeli, F Jeffery
Taylor
G Brad Tinsley- Senior
G John Jenkins- Junior
F Jeffery Taylor- Senior
F Lance Goulbourne- Senior
C Festus Ezeli- Senior
Sixth- Steve Tchiengang- Senior
Top Recruit- Dai-Jon Parker
Its no joke that this could be the year the Commodores win the national championship. They return pretty much everyone (losing just forward Andre Walker) to a team that went 23-11 in 2010-2011. One of those everyone is John Jenkins who had a breakout sophomore season averaging 19.5 points per game and making the All-SEC first team. Along with him in the backcourt is point guard Brad Tinsley and impact freshmen Dai-Jon Parker. The frontcourt is also super talented led by center Festus Ezeli and Jeffery Taylor both All-SEC second teamers. Ezeli is big (6 feet, 11 inches) and uses his frame to dominate down low. Taylor meanwhile has improved his scoring each year after last years solid 14.7 per game. Lance Goulbourne is big and can rebound constantly putting up 7.3 per game last season. Steve Tchiengang and Rod Odom are bench players who will still get minutes. Jordan Smart is a sniper but he is strictly that and won't play very often.
Bottom Line: With Jenkins and all the rest back the Commodores are legitimate title contenders even in the tough SEC.

College Basketball Preview: 4. Ohio State Buckeyes

Sullinger gets the hype but the sophomore forward Thomas is solid and will play a bigger role for the Buckeyes.

4. Ohio State Buckeyes Key Returnees: F/C Jared Sullinger, G William Buford, G Aaron Craft
G Aaron Craft- Sophomore
G William Buford- Senior
F Deshaun Thomas- Sophomore
F Jared Sullinger- Sophomore
C Amir Williams- Freshman
Sixth- Jordan Sibert- Sophomore
Top Recruit- Shannon Scott
Calling the Buckeyes this years top team would definitely be tempting. They won 20 plus to begin last season and return the player that got them there in Jared Sullinger. But overall Ohio State is just too young to dominate but a championship game still isn't out of the question. Sullinger is overwhelming for anybody facing him and the Buckeyes will constantly be dishing for him in the paint. William Buford is the lone senior on the squad. He is smart and can shoot the ball occasionally. Reigning Sixth-man of the Year Aaron Craft is a great defender and will play a bigger role now on the offensive end. Deshaun Thomas is strong and effective but a breakout season is still a year away. Thad Matta once more brought in a great recruiting class with guard Shannon Scott, forwards Sam Thompson and LaQuinton Ross along with center Amir Williams. Any number of them could start early but Williams may have the edge becuase he has experience.
Bottom Line: Thad Matta has another championship caliber team for 2011-2012 but getting there is a different story.

Week 6 Predictions

3 Oklahoma vs. 11 Texas Oklahoma, 35 Texas, 28
In yet another edition of this rivalry this one is sure to be less lopsided then last year. Landry Jones and the Sooners sweet passing game will hope to tear up the Longhorns rebuilding secondary. Though Texas has an interesting offensive attack of their own. A two quarterback tandem with Case McCoy and David Ash and a preferred ground game will help the Longhorns put up points. Freshman Malcolm Brown is speedy and a true talent and Fozzy Whittaker will pound it in. Two linebackers will be key for Texas in stuffing up a weak Sooners ground game in Emmanuel Acho and Keenon Robinson. Though the Sooners will be too much for the 'Horns to handle.
1 LSU vs. 17 Florida LSU, 34 Florida, 21
LSU faces another tough test but so far it definitely looks like they're the number one team in the nation. Les Miles has announced that Jarrett Lee will start and he has looked strong this season. He is very efficient and he has a head for the game. The Tigers also have a fantastic ground game with Michael Ford and Spencer Ware. They also have a great secondary that will shut down the Gators passing game with Tyrann Mathieu and Morris Claiborne. Charlie Wies knows that he can run the ball and no matter what defense they are playing that defense will have trouble stopping Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey. A young pair of players on the line for Florida will hope to help pull off the upset over the top ranked Tigers. Though that likely isn't going to happen.
10 Arkansas vs. 15 Auburn Arkansas, 27 Auburn, 24
After getting outplayed and beaten down by Alabama the Razorbacks climbed back up by beating a tough Texas A&M team. Now they face yet another test against the Auburn Tigers. Gene Chizik may not be entirely confident with Barrett Trotter yet but he hasn't been completely horrible through the season. Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb needs to lead the sweet Tigers rushing game. McCalebb is also a threat coming out of the backfield catching the ball. The Razorbacks may not have Knile Davis but they still have a deep ground game with Ronnie Wingo and Dennis Johnson.