Hard to believe, but in one month’s time, the field of 65 will be off and running yet again. Yes, March Madness is almost upon us; arguably the best time in sports all year. Teams are in the final stretch runs of their regular seasons, playing mainly conference opponents to battle out for position in conference tournament seedings. Who’s picking up steam down the stretch? What’s the final 4 going to look like?

The pride of Ohio State /// The Pride of Temple U

At the ADD Show, we bring in resident college basketball expert/corespondent/friend to the show, Ohio State’s own…Jeff Young. Jeff and Aaron talk these topics and more in the first of many college basketball chats…

Aaron: Jeff, when you look at the top 25, Memphis, Duke, Kansas, UNC, and UCLA have all hovered around the top 4 spots all season, but what other teams could slip into a 1 seed by seasons end?

Jeff: I would have to say Tennessee has the chance to prove themselves worthy of a number 1 seed. With the outstanding play from Chris Lofton, I feel Tennessee could be in the running for that coveted spot in the end. If they do end up getting it, they would have definitely have deserved it with their remaining schedule consisting of @ #1 Memphis. @ #19 Vanderbilt, Kentucky, and @ Florida.

Aaron: The Vols certainly have a big shot at getting a top seed, but when I look at some of the other teams that could slip into number 1 status, I think it’s the Georgetown Hoyas. The rest of the year they play 2 ranked teams, Marquette (#24) and Louisville (#23), which are both winnable games for them. They could easily win out the season and head into the Big East tourney with a lot of momentum.

Aaron: I don’t know about you, but I don’t even know where Drake is in the United States. This team is ranked # 14 in the country, who are they, and are they legit?

Jeff: Who? and they are ranked? You mean Duke?

Aaron: No no, Drake.

Jeff: Ok well they are 22-1, so I would have to believe they are “legit”, but that is as far as I am going to go with that. They play in the MVC, by far an inferior conference, but who knows, when it comes time for the tourney, they could pull off a few upsets like the SIU Salukis have in the past.

Aaron: That’s true, there always seems to be a few teams out of nowhere that run the table in a lesser conference and surprise the nation. Looking around, I would have to think St. Mary’s is another candidate. They’re ranked # 25 and have a 20-3 record. Not too shabby.

Aaron: But staying with surprise teams, if you go up and down the top 25, no team stands out to me more as a surprising team that could do serious damage come tournament time than UConn. They have a dominant center in Thabeet and are playing their best ball right now.

Jeff: And if you look back, that one blemish on Drake’s record was a loss to…St. Mary’s.

Aaron: Interesting point.

Jeff: I completely agree that UConn could be a serious force to reckon with come tourney time. This team is really clicking even with the suspensions to guards Jerome Dyson and Doug Wiggins.

Aaron: And they’re not in a conference like the MVC, we’re talking Big East basketball here. They’ve beaten Marquette, Louisville, Pitt, and even Indiana on the road too.

Jeff: Plus, the only “challenge” they have left on their schedule is Wednesday’s game against Notre Dame, but it is at home. Maybe Villanova on the 23rd, but Nova has really struggled in Big East play, especially playing “at home” at the Wachovia Center.

Aaron: They’re free falling, and fast. Best dressed Jay Wright better get them on track or they’re looking an NIT berth at best. But taking a look at the conferences, I see 6 teams getting in from the Big East…which to me, seems like the best overall conference. 6 will be the most from any conference.

Jeff: I think the Big East might get more…7 or 8 (max).

Aaron: So we agree the Big East is as good as people say. But then there’s something like Conference USA….not a heck of a lot to be proud of there. What does that say about Memphis? Have they beaten anyone?

Jeff: Can I just mention that my Buckeyes beat them in last year’s tourney?

Aaron: Go nuts.

Jeff: Ok, just did. But getting back on topic…From looking at their schedule, their non conference opponents look better than their in-conference. You have to give them this: they beat the #4 team in the country (at the time) Georgetown by 14 points, and beat then ranked Arizona (#18) by 13.

Aaron: Each at home.

Jeff: Besides that, there really is nothing. No road testers at all, which could really hurt them when they are playing on neutral courts in the tournament. They play Tennessee on the 23rd, but of course, it’s at home.

Aaron: There’s something I don’t trust about the Tigers. I wouldn’t think, even with a 1 seed, that they can grind it out against someone like a UCLA for 40 minutes.

Jeff: So, yes, they will get a #1 seed, but I say they will not get past the Elite 8; and even that might be generous. I’m glad we are actually agreeing on things…quite scary.

Aaron: Very scary. But ok, tournament starts today: who’s your champion and player of the year?

Jeff: Hmm…champion…I am going to throw out Georgetown, for now. Player of the Year: Michael Beasley.

Aaron: Now there’s a diaper dandy for sure, I was going to go with Kevin Love, but you can’t argue either one.

Jeff: And your champion?

Aaron: Duke always falls apart (which makes me smile), so has Kansas the past few years. Even though they were just there, I’m going with UCLA. They’re such a well rounded basketball team. Four guys averaging over 12 points a game, with my boy Kevin Love getting 18 and 11 per. I like the Bruins this year.

Jeff: Yeah they would be in my final four right now. I think if UNC can get Lawson healthy, they are going to be tough to beat since I personally saw them play earlier this year. But God I hate Hansbrough with a passion.

Aaron: Ever since he looked like a 12 year old girl/deer in the headlights when he got popped in the nose, I lost the little respect I had.

Jeff: Haha, so true.

Aaron: Jeff, it’s been good talking college basketball with you. I’m going to end on an anti-Michigan note, which we can both revel in and agree with…………you think Appalachian St. (15-8), out of the mighty Southern conference, could beat the Wolverines in basketball too?

Jeff: Most definitely. That team up north wouldn’t be able to beat Temple, let alone Appalachian St. (Ed. note: Temple would beat Michigan) Just kidding, but seriously, they might be starting a new rivalry with this team from North Carolina.

 

 

 

This concludes the first college basketball chat of 2008 between Jeff and Aaron. Look for the next one to come right before the tournament for some predictions when the field is pretty much set. From there, we’ll try and discuss round by round results. Enjoy your NBA or NHL now, because come March…it’s all about college basketball.