By TORI ADDISON
Staff Writer
The start of the college basketball season is, to me, better than Christmas. Well, that was a bit exaggerated, but you get the point. Many stories are already circulating regarding this year’s season, but a handful of them really stand out.
1. Coach Cal’s Dream Team
As I preached before the season even started, I do not care how many talented recruits John Calipari wheeled in during the offseason, Kentucky is not the number one team in the nation. As the Wildcats proved when they played Michigan State last Tuesday, Julius Randle is the main component to their game right now. He scored 23 of his total 27 points in the second half and pretty much kept his team in the game. I do not think Kentucky will be able to contend with big name times like Duke or Kansas until they develop a strong sense of chemistry. As of right now, all the Kentucky fan’s chants of an undefeated season have already been diminished and the season just barely started.
2. Draft Battle between “Diaper Dandies”:
It is no secret that this season is packed with superstar freshmen. Between Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker, it is going to be nothing short of a battle for the top pick in the NBA Draft. Last week’s State Farm Championship Classic drew in 68 NBA scouts to scope out the hype surrounding all the big names being thrown around this season. Although it is obvious that both players will be one and dones, it is tough to tell which will be drafted first. Either way, I know I am not the only one who is dreading the oh-so-familiar “diaper dandy” labels from Dick Vitale every time these two play.
3. The ACC’s Rise to the Top:
The addition of Syracuse, Notre Dame, and Pittsburgh to the ACC has created little more than a stacked conference. It has already been suggested that UNC, Duke, and Syracuse are all legit contenders for the Final Four. This is just the start of the hype surrounding the ACC. I can only imagine what it will be like when Louisville joins in on the fun next season. In short, don’t be surprised to see the ACC grow into one of the best conferences in college basketball over the next couple of years.
4. Welcome to Tobacco Road:
Speaking of Syracuse, I am not yet convinced that they will be able to keep up with the fast paced game play that ACC teams abide by. The two biggest teams in the conference sit on Tobacco Road and it will be interesting to see how ‘Cuse does with their journey to visit both. All I know is other players besides CJ Fair better step it up if the Orange want to make it out of North Carolina alive.
5. Non-Conference Games to Look Out For:
Most of the games I am looking forward to this season are not even between conference rivals. I am pretty excited to watch any game that pits two top ranked non-conference teams against one another. Nothing is better than watching opponents battle it out to move up in the rankings. Last week’s State Farm Championship Classic gave us a preview of what to expect this season between all the top teams and I am more than ready to watch more matchups of that caliber go down.
6. Wait, What About Hairston and Henderson?
If you have not heard about the incidents surrounding UNC’s PJ Hairston and Ole Misses’ Marshall Henderson then you must have been living under a rock all summer. Both players were involved with drug related incidents during the offseason, luckily both just landed suspensions and avoided jail time. Henderson is already set to miss three games, but Hairston has no idea when he will be able to suit up again. Roy Williams is standing firm on benching him while the NCAA comes up with a plan of action regarding his punishment. I am not entirely sure what is taking the NCAA so long, but they better hurry up and figure something out before UNC fans start to get angry.
7. Remember These Guys?
Last season’s tournament was filled with many surprises, especially from two not so familiar teams. It is hard to forget about Florida Gulf Coast and Wichita State after the astonishing runs they made in last year. Although I believe it will be harder to compete with this year’s talent, it is never too early to count out the unranked teams. Who knows, maybe one or both teams will have a repeat season.
8. What about Everyone Else?
Do not forget about other incoming players such as Aaron Gordon, any of Kentucky’s starting five, Noah Vonleh, and Isaiah Hicks. That is just naming a few. The talent of the freshman class this season is incredible and it is wrong to let Wiggins and Parker take the spotlight. I highly suggest making it a point of watching other top ranked teams and their own superstar players battle it out. Who knows when an upset could happen?
9. UNC or Duke?
It is impossible not to bring up the biggest rivalry in the history of college basketball, the Tar Heels versus the Blue Devils. UNC may not have the number two player in the nation on their side, but they do have a solid group of freshman who seem to be working well with veteran players. Some of the best rivalry games have been played on Tobacco Road and this season will not fail to disappoint.
10. And the Championship Goes To…:
The main thing I have noticed so far this season is the uncertainty of who really is the number one team in the nation. With all the talent circulating around the country, who knows who will end up on top once March rolls around. The possibilities are endless this season and the hype is enormous, placing lots of pressure on many teams. It is definitely going to be an interesting year and possibly one of the better tournaments fans have seen in awhile.
