College Basketball: 10 Teams That Can Win It All in 2011-2012
The 2010-2011 season can be looked at as a season with no real great team—just a bunch of solid ones. In the end, Connecticut was able to withstand the great parody of teams and capture the national title.
So what do we do now that the season is over? We look ahead to next season of course! Next season is shaping up to be just as interesting as last season, and some teams already seem to be clear favorites to win it all.
10. Arizona Wildcats
1 of 10
Sean Miller is turning the once proud Arizona program back into a national contender. Two years ago, Sean Miller took the job at Arizona with a pretty bare cupboard. However, thanks to a tireless recruiting regimen (and Tim Floyd for destroying USC) Miller is ready to lead the Cats back to the promised land.
Derrick Williams most likely is going pro (and he should), but there is still quite a bit of talent remaining in the old pueblo. Jamelle Horne, the only senior, also is gone, but talent remains in the agile Jesse Perry and defensive minded Kyrl Natyazhko. If Derrick Williams leaves, immediate production will be needed from top 100 PF recruits Angelo Chol and Sidiki Johnson.
Lamont "Momo" Jones and Kyle Fogg will lead a very deep backcourt that returns everyone who saw playing time, including the streaky shooter Jordin Mayes. Add in two top of line recruits in Josiah Turner and Nick "Bunnies" Johnson and this could be one of the deepest back courts in the country.
If Derrick Williams returns they will be in the top five.
9. Vanderbilt Commodores
2 of 10
Why is it that this team disappoints every season in the tournament? They have the talent and Kevin Stallings is too good of a coach for them to keep losing so early. Next year's team has a real chance of making a run and being the biggest threat in the SEC to Kentucky.
You would expect to see John Jenkins and Jeff Taylor to return for next season, and if they both do then look out. Jenkins is one of the best shooters in the country, and if Taylor plays up to his potential, he is one of the smartest and most athletic players you'll find.
Returning role players in Festus Ezeli, Brad Tinsley, and Lance Goulbourne will be a major plus to a team ripe with talent. Also, look for incoming freshman guards Kedren Johsnson and Dai-Jon Parker to help ease the burden of Jenkins and Taylor in the backcourt.
If Jenkins and/or Taylor leave they still would be in top 25 but no where close to winning the title.
8. Connecticut Huskies
3 of 10
The team that won it all this past year may just find themselves there again next season. Sure Kemba Walker is most likely going to the NBA, but Jim Callhoun returns (although he will serve a three game suspension to start Big East play), and Jeremy Lamb returns to a team that brings back plenty of talent.
Five freshman saw playing time for the Huskies this past season, and they will lead what once again will be a young Connecticut team. Shabazz Napier will take over the lead guard role, while Lamb remains at the two spot. Also, look for incoming point guard Ryan Boatright to possibly fill the role Napier had this past season.
The frontcourt will lose senior Charles Okwandu, but does return the improving Alex Oriakhi. The minutes left behind by Okwandu must be filled by one of Connecticut's other big men, as he played vital minutes in the frontcourt. Also, look for improved play from both Tyler Olander and Roscoe Smith to help Oriakhi.
If Kemba returns expect to see them jump to the top five.
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7. Duke Blue Devils
4 of 10
Duke had high expectations heading into the tournament, but Arizona made sure they didn't return to the final four for consecutive seasons. Nolan Smith, Kyle Singler, and Kyrie Irving must all be replaced, but if I had one coach to get a team back up and running it would be Coach K.
Smith and Irving leave what was (or maybe could have been) the best backcourt in the country last season. Sharp shooters Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins return, but look for big production from incoming freshman PG Quinn Cook and SG Austin Rivers (yes Doc's kid).
The frontcourt returns everyone but Singler. The Plumlees (Mason and Miles) need to improve offensively for the Dukies, but their brother, Marshall Plumlee, should be able to supply some of that himself when he gets to campus next season.
6. Louisville Cardinals
5 of 10
A tough second-round loss to Morehead State cut the Louisville season short, but overall, it was a good season for the Cardinals. Rick Pitino is one of the best coaches in the business, and should do another good job next season.
The leadership of Preston Knowles will be missed, but expect Peyton Siva to take more of that responsibility next season. He is a shifty guard who should get better with another season under his belt. Also look for a good year from Kyle Kuric who is known as a knockdown shooter, but is underrated as an athlete.
Terrence Jennings must improve on the inside for this team to really exceed however. He does show flashes of brilliance, but in too many games, he doesn't show up. Expect the incoming recruiting class to play a major role, especially in SF/PF, Chane Behanan, and, C, Zach Price.
5. Kentucky Wildcats
6 of 10
The only reason I have Kentucky this low is because I expect Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones to both declare for the draft. Kentucky made a run to the final four last season, beating the overall top seed Ohio State in the Sweet 16 to get there. Coach Cal did a fantastic job coaching, and once again has brought in the best recruiting class.
Brandon Knight was clutch at clutch times last year, and his presence will be missed. Doron Lamb showed he can be a scorer in the SEC last year, so look for another solid year from him. Hybrid forward/guards Darius Miller and DeAndre Liggins both return, which should help as they'll be counted on as leaders. Incoming freshman PG Marquis Teague will be the starter and soon as he steps on campus.
The frontcourt loses Josh Harrellson to graduation and Enes Kanter (even though he never played a game due to NCAA violations) to the draft. No worries there though as the incoming freshman (Anthony Davis, Mike Gilchirst, and Kyle Wiltjer) will all play and be very good, from day one.
If Jones and/or Knight return Kentucky easily moves to second or first on this list.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes
7 of 10
The clear favorite to win it all this past year came up short against Kentucky. This team does return talent though, and Jared Sullinger sounds pretty adamant about coming back. They look poised to win another Big 10 title and maybe more.
The backcourt returns the gritty Aaron Craft and William Bufford but loses the best shooter (other than Jimmer) in college basketball last season, in Jon Diebler. The tough-minded David Lighty must also be replaced. Their is talent on this roster to replace them, look for Jordan Siebert to possibly get a chance.
The frontcourt for the Buckeyes was Jared Sullinger last season. Dallas Lauderdale started, but rarely played more than 15 minutes a game. Sullinger says he's coming back (and I believe him), which means he can only improve. Deshaun Thomas showed flashes this past season but will need to improve to help out. The recruiting class is forward heavy so we will see if anyone can step up.
If Sullinger changes his mind and declares Ohio State falls out of the top 10.
3. Texas Longhorns
8 of 10
Texas always seems to have the talent but have only made one final four run with it. Next year, assuming Jordan Hamilton and Tristan Thompson return, this team has the makings of a title team. Rick Barnes will have plenty of weapons capable of stepping up.
Cory Joseph and Jordan Hamilton will lead a backcourt that sees its two primary ball handlers in Dogus Balbay and Jai Lucas leave. Those two will be replaced by PG Myck Cabongo, who leads a deep recruiting class. Also look for a solid season from J'Covan Brown, who showed his talents in their third-round loss to Arizona in the tournament.
The frontcourt loses the productive senior Gary Johnson, but it looks as if Tristan Thompson will return. He needs to improve from the stripe (below 50 percent), but his low post game and defense are some of the best in the country. Look for incoming freshman Jonathan Holmes to maybe get some of the minutes left behind by Johnson.
If Hamilton and/or Thompson declare the Longhorns will be outside of the top 10.
2. Syracuse Orangemen
9 of 10
Syracuse will be (and should be) the favorite to win the Big East next season. Jim Boeheim brings in two of the best players in the country in PG Michael Carter-Williams and C Rakeem Christmas, who will make immediate impacts to an already stacked team.
The backcourt welcomes Williams, but will be led by Brandon Triche, Scoop Jardine, and Dion Waiters who emerged towards the end of last season. Jardine must make better decisions with the ball as he sometimes becomes more of a scoring guard rather than a point, while Triche needs to show more aggression with the ball.
Kris Joseph is poised for a breakout season. His size and shooting ability make him one of the toughest guards for anyone in the country. The loss of Rick Jackson on the inside will hurt, but Fab Melo and Baye Moussa Keita are more than capable of stepping up and solidifying the inside game. Also, watch out for CJ Fair who showed good touch and athleticism last season.
1. North Carolina Tar Heels
10 of 10
This young team almost made it to the Final Four last year; so why wouldn't they be ranked No. 1 for next season? Well Harrison Barnes decision on whether or not to declare is still up in the air, but John Henson and Tyler Zeller are both staying. I have a feeling Roy Williams is feeling pretty good about next year's team.
PG Kendall Marshall took over as the starter halfway through his freshman season last year and UNC turned their season around. Look for continuing production from him and solid play from SG's Dexter Strickland and Leslie McDonald.
Their frontcourt will be, without question, the best in the country next year. As mentioned above Zeller and Henson return, which means solid offense and defense from both players. Add in the talents of incoming freshman P.J. Hairston and James McAdoo and it's no wonder this team is highly favored to win it all next year.
If Barnes were to declare the Tar Heels would still be in the top three.
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