After discussing who is a better team, Kentucky or Syracuse with a friend the other night, it got me thinking who really is the best basketball team this year. I am going to break down the top three teams in the country and let you decide.
Right now the voters have Syracuse at #1 after Kansas and Kentucky both fell last weekend. I will give you the numbers as well as a my version of the eye test. The biggest question is, Who will be the 4th number one seed in the tournament behind the big three. Will it be Duke, Ohio State, Kansas State or Villanova. I guess that will be determined during the conference tournaments.
Syracuse by the Numbers. Overall Record 28-2, Big East Conference Record 15-2 RPI #2 and Strength of Schedule 38th.
Record vs. top 25 (7-0) Record vs. top 50( 8-2)
Top Players: Wesley Johnson Forward Averaging 15.6 PTS, 8.6 REB, and 2.5 AST per Game
Andy Rautins Guard Averaging 11.9 PTS, 3.1 REB and4.8 AST per Game
Loses: Pitt 82-72 at Home on January 2, 2010
Louisville 66-60 at Home on February 14, 2010
Kansas by the Numbers: Overall Record 28-2, Big 12 Conference Record 14-1 RPI #1 and Strength of Schedule 31st.
Record vs. top 25 (5-1) Record vs. top 50( 9-2)
Top Players: Sherron Collins Guard Averaging 15.4 PTS, 2.0 REB, and 4.3 AST per Game
Xavier Henry Guard Averaging 14.2 PTS, 4.2 REB and 1.6 AST per Game
Loses: @Tennessee 76-68 on January 10, 2010
@ Oklahoma State 85-77 on February 27, 2010
Kentucky by the Numbers: Overall Record 28-2, SEC Conference Record 13-2 RPI #4 and Strength of Schedule 62nd .
Record vs. top 25 (2-0) Record vs. top 50( 8-1)
Top Players: John Wall Guard Averaging 17 PTS, 4.1 REB, and 6.2 AST per Game
DeMarcus Cousins Forward Averaging 15.9 PTS, 10.1 REB and 1.0 AST per Game
Loses: @South Carolina 68-62 on January 26, 2010
@Tennessee 74-65 on February 27, 2010
Syracuse’s eye test: The Orangeman have been consistent all season, stay the course with great zone defense and steady shooting. Syracuse spreads the ball around as they have 5 players average double figures in points per game. Winning the Big East is no small task as the conference is loaded with talent. For a team that was ranked 25 in the ESPN coaches poll, they have been a surprise in the top heavy Big East. Wesley Johnson is a star in the making, and look for him to continue his success in the NCAA tournament. At this time in the season, I would have to say they are playing the best basketball of the big 3. Overall I would say that Syracuse is deserving of the top seed in the NCAA tournament, weather they win it all or not is up to them. I think depth is Syracuse’s biggest issue, followed by free throw shooting. Currently Syracuse is ranked 10th in the Big East in Free Throw percentage. Something to watch once the tournament starts.
Kansas’s eye test: The Jayhawks have been favorites to win it the national championship all season. Kansas has a premier point guard in Collins, a legit big man in Aldrich, and a flashy freshman in Xavier Henry. Kansas has dominated the Big 12 from the start, pretty much ranking in the top 3 in each major categories. Coach Self has a team that is built for the tournament, with a nice mixture of veteran stars and up incoming freshman. Playing in a scrappy, but overrated Big 12, might be the biggest downside to this Kansas team. Kansas has the size and scoring ability to play with anybody in the country. They are my personal favorite to win the National Championship.
Kentucky’s eye test: The Wildcat’s are finally back at the top, and ready to do some damage in the NCAA tournament. Calipari has exceeded all expectations in his first season in the driver’s seat in Lexington. Granted he will probably have the Wildcat’s on probation by 2012, but that is what comes with selling your soul to the devil. Kentucky is young, but good. Kind of has a Michigan Fab Five feeling to their team, let’s just hope they keep track better track of timeouts then Chris Weber did. John Wall is the real deal, and will lead this team to a final four appearance this year. Kentucky was never really challenged in the SEC this year other than a couple lack luster performances, that lead to their only two loses of the season. The Wildcats are a big, fast and talented team that has all the right tools to win, but will youth and immaturity get in the way of their chances.
I think if Duke can play well in the ACC tournament, they will most likely find themselves as the 4th number one seed in the tournament. Just like the past couple years look for Duke to make an early exit in the NCAA tournament. Duke is not built for the tournament, and in a down ACC, they have struggled. The Georgetown loss back in late January might have been the determining factor on their faith in the tournament. I am sure whatever team has Duke early in the tournament will follow Georgetown’s game plan and knock the Blue Devils off their pedestal.
