2014-2015 College Basketball Preview

We are a little over a week away from the start of college basketball season. This year I decided to do a prediction for the whole season, rather than just the NCAA Tournament. It is more fun to have some predictions locked in early and see what I had right or wrong heading into March Madness. These predictions will be structured the same way as my college football predictions which can be found here. From each major conference, I will pick the champion and at least one team that will do better than expected. I will make a few other predictions on the season as well and at the end will predict the 4 teams to get #1 seeds. Finally, I will pick the national champion although I reserve the right to change that champion before March Madness begins.

ACC
Champion
North Carolina

The North Carolina Tar Heels will win the ACC because of fantastic coaching and returning talent. Most people are picking Duke eventhough they lost the guy who was by far their best player. I do not think Duke will be better than last year without Jabari Parker. Meanwhile UNC has a lot of talent returning and that talent is hungry to reclaim the ACC throne. That talent is led by fantastic junior guard Marcus Paige. That guard is a legitimate threat for player of the year. These guys are serious contenders and could easily win it all. However, the ACC is loaded this year and Duke or another team could easily take the crown.

Darkhorse
Virginia Tech

Here CBS is saying that the Hokies finish 14 out of 15 teams in a loaded ACC. I say they finish 8th and become the 8th team from a loaded ACC. These guys will be hungry because they are led by Buzz Williams. I have never seen so much excitement for Hokie basketball and with good reason. Williams is one of the best coaches in the country. He will absolutely have these guys ready and willing to prove the doubters wrong.

Bonus Darkhorse
Florida State

Now come on, you didn't expect me to do a preview without mentioning the Seminoles did you? These guys are picked 6th in that same CBS article and are a threat to do major damage in the ACC and NCAA picture. Do not be surprised if FSU cracks the mighty top 5. Those 5 teams are quite incredible, but FSU has the size and athletes to contend in a loaded ACC. The 7 footers sure will not hurt at least.

Big East
Champion
Villanova

These guys should dominate the Big East and their incredibly tough OOC should determine whether they get a 1 seed. If they can pull off a win against Syracuse and VCU in non-conference play, they should get that one seed. Jay Wright has a very talented team on his hands.

Darkhorse
Providence
I just don't see these guys as the 6th best team in the Big East as CBS predicted. To me, these guys are the 2nd or 3rd best team in the conference and will possibly be the biggest threat to Villanova's championship hopes.

Big 10
Champion
Wisconsin

This is the team to beat in the Big 10 and possibly the country. his team is a serious title contender not only in the Big 10, but nationally. I think the world of the job Coach Ryan does and will be shocked if they don't at least win their conference. Coming off a Final Four trip, these guys could easily be heading back, and might be getting more...

Darkhorse
Maryland
Entering the Big 10 for the 1st time, Maryland really is the team to watch. These guys are 10-5 in the ACC-Big 10 challenge which leads you to believe that they play the Big 10 well. We will have to see how that translates. The predictors don't believe it to be a benefit, as they were picked to finish 10th in the conference. I see a top 5 finish in the Big 10 for Maryland, but I could be wrong.

Big 12
Champion
Texas
Some predict Texas to finish 3rd in the Big 12 like CBS, but they will win it. It won't be the biggest conference lead, but Texas should win and fight for a 1 seed. This team is deep and is the Big 12's best shot at a national champion.

Dark Horse
Oklahoma State
The Cowboys are picked 8th in the 10 team league largely because of several newcomers. I do not buy it though. This is the 4th or 5th most talented team and the league and there is no way they finish 8th. Oklahoma State is heading for their 3rd straight NCAA appearance. No doubt about it, these guys are a tournament team.

Pac 12
Champion
Arizona

This is the biggest slam dunk in any conference for conference champ. Arizona is a mile ahead of the rest of the Pac 12 and I will be shocked if they don't get the #1 overall seed. These guys are as serious as any to win the title. They lost narrowly to Wisconsin in the elite 8 last year and it may come down to those two teams. Depending on the matchups in March, these guys could easily win it this year.

Darkhorse
USC
The USC Trojans led by Andy Enfield are picked 10th in the Pac 12. I know they were disappointing last season, but this is a good team and a good coach. A coach that led Florida Gulf Coast to a Sweet 16 Appearance and has most of his talent returning this season. These guys could finish as high as 3rd in the Pac 12 and will make the NCAA Tournament.

SEC
Champion
Florida
I despise the Gators, but this team is really good and they are coming off being the favorites in the tournament heading into the thing. This team absolutely has what it takes to win the national title. Sure Kentucky is in the SEC, but Florida is the better and more experienced team. This will be the tightest conference battle (Kentucky vs. Florida).

Darkhorse
Arkansas
Unlike football, in basketball, Arkansas actually wins conference games. However, those wins don't transfer far as the Razorbacks have missed the playoffs for 3 straight years. These guys haven't been to the Sweet Sixteen for 18 years. I am picking these guys as my darkhorse because I think they finish in the Top 4 of the SEC and make the tournament. They might even beat Kentucky and/or Florida once during the year.

Player of the Year
Marcus Paige, G North Carolina

I see Paige leading an incredibly talented team to a championship of the most difficult conference. He will be the best player on one of the best teams in the country. This guy might not be player of the year, but he is a favorite in my book.

Coach of the Year
Buzz Williams

On CBS sports, they predict the Hokies to finish 14th out of 15 teams. Many other publications are picking the Hokies dead last. I say they make the tournament because Williams is that good a coach. Obviously, if they exceed expectations that much, Williams would be the favorite for Coach of the Year.

Five Other Predictions for the Season
1) Everyone's favorite Kentucky, will not only not win the national title, but they won't win the SEC and won't advance to the Final Four.
2) The Big 12 favorite (Kansas) will also not win the conference and will not make it to the Final Four.
3) The ACC favorite (Duke) will not win their conference either and will not make the Final Four. That's the 3rd pre-season top 5 team and conference favorite I have predicted this outcome for. With Duke I am the most confident. I wouldn't be surprised if the Blue Devils finished 4th or 5th in a loaded ACC.
4) VCU finishes as the highest ranked mid-major (although the A10 is debatable as a mid-major.
5) Gonzaga will dominate conference play and once again get a high seed only to disappoint in the NCAA Tournament and exit before the Sweet 16.

Four Number One Seeds
Arizona
Florida
North Carolina
Texas

North Carolina will get a one simply because it survives a grueling schedule and wins the most difficult conference in the country IMO. Texas will surprise many and get either a 1 or 2 by winning a tough Big 12. Arizona will run away with the Pac 12 and get the #1 overall seed. Finally the team I dislike the most will surprise everyone and win the SEC gaining a 1 seed. None of these teams win the title though. The 2015 NCAA Champions will be the Wisconsin Badgers. The tournament expertise of Bo Ryan added with a talented roster will put that team in the National Title race. They ultimately prove tough and win it all.

-Noland