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Washington: The Huskies, who have
shown me they belong, still need to impress
me with a big final stretch to move into
the team of top squads. The Purple Dogs
can shoot the lights out, run good teams
into the ground, and score from any position
on the floor. But, their last two games
show a tired pack. A near loss to Oregon
followed by a decisive loss to Oregon State
has me looking for more from the Huskies.
The Dogs are .3 points away from sporting
5 double-digit scorers, but if they want
to skip into the Sweet Sixteen or even the
Final Four, they are going to have to D-Up.
Nate Robinson is the most exciting player
in college hoops, and his team of free gunners
could send fear into the minds of top teams
come March. A good end to the season might
make me rethink my powerhouse picks.
Gonzaga:
The Zags are an interesting team almost
every year. Gonzaga has grown out of those
Cinderella slippers, but that hasn't been
all that good for them lately. Last year
they got upset early, and the year before
that many people thought they were ousted
too early as well. This team is solid though;
don't doubt that for a second. Adam Morrison,
who gives me glimpses of Larry Legend, and
Ronny Turiaf (stud), give the Zags a possible
pro 1-2 punch that's really exciting. Slipping
past Loyola Marymount (11-14, 3-9) makes
me worry. What gets me back on the bandwagon
is the fact that they won the game. Anything
can happen in college hoops, the good teams
take off-nights and pull out victories.
Big wins against Washington, Oklahoma State,
and Georgia Tech make the Bulldogs look
like a 3 or even a 2 seed come March.
Alabama:
Alabama's starting 5 has started every single
game together. This is basically the exact
same Alabama team that shot down some good
teams in the Big Dance a year ago. When
these big kids are confident, they can beat
anyone. They are so athletic, and there
team rebounding reflects that. Don't be
surprised if Kentucky marches into Alabama
on the 26th, only to march right back out
with their little Wildcat knob tails between
their legs. 'Bama doesn't get antsy against
good teams, that's when they prove themselves.
I really like 'Bama's chances come Tourney
Time.
Arizona:
The Wildcats are always a contender. Salim
Stoudamire is playing really well of late,
and Lute Wilson has his boys playing good
hoops late in the year. This team has a
solid top 5, lead by Salim, Channing Frye,
and Hassan Adams. Where the #2 squad in
the PAC-10, UW, has had trouble with below
average teams of late, Arizona has been
taking control of their opponents. A big
show down with UW at the end of February
will show which team deserves the higher
ranking in the Tourney. Neither will get
a #1 spot, but if Arizona beats UW, they
could grasp a strong 2 seed come March.
I've got to give a little love to Mustafa
Shakur, he's been doing a great job running
Olsen's team, and his name is really close
to The Lion King's Mufassa!
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