From: jdt29225@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Jazzy J )
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.college
Subject: Re: Sport Magazine's Sweet Sixteen
Date: 3 Oct 92 05:32:51 GMT
Article-I.D.: news.BvJ62t.EJM
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana

trradrx@canctr.mc.duke.edu (R.CLOUGH) writes:


>For what it's worth, Sport just put out its Sweet Sixteen for next year.
> Here are the teams, and a summary of their reasons (or what passed for them).

	Here are my opinions...

>1. Kansas-- With three returning starters, plus Darrin Hancock, plus Roy
>   Williams, they should be #1 from start to finish.

	What I've been saying all along.  I can't see how they can't be
	#1.  Only 3 returning starters?  All of Jordan, Walters, Scott,
	and Pauley come back.  The only starter they lost was Jamison (they
	also lost Johanning and Nash).  In addition, Ostertag, Gurley, Richie,
	Woodberry, B.Davis are back -- and they add Hancock, Pearson, and
	Rayford.  All this and Roy Williams and U can't go wrong w/ KU.

>2. Michigan-- How can anyone pick against the Wolverines? With Howard, Rose
>   and Webber, it's unwise to bet against them. 

	However, I do think -- while talent-laden -- Michigan is going to
	fumble around in the Big-10.  The guys are still only sophomores,
	remember.  I think the key may lie in the play of the 2 seniors,
	Talley and Riley.  They're going to be the top reserves.

>3. Duke-- Hurley, G.Hill, T.Hill.  That's what their blabbing boils down to.

	While in all probability they'll make the Final 4 again, it won't
	be a cakewalk like last year.  This season Hurley should break the
	NCAA assist record & become a 1st team All-American -- while drawing
	endless comparisons to John Stockton.  Grant Hill will finally start
	to shine.  Cherokee Parks will assert himself at center, and Thomas
	Hill should be a force.  Give Duke another 30 win season.

>4. Seton Hall-- Will dominate a weak Big East.  

	I wouldn't be surprised if this team wins a whole lot of games.
	The only real loss to this team was Gordon Winchester -- and they
	return all their offensive firepower.  Perhaps after 1 season, Luther
	Wright will be ready to come forward.  The Hall will have a deadly
	outside game in the names of Dehere, Leahy, and Karnishovas.

>5. Kentucky-- "Next up for Pitino is governorship of Kentucky."

	Kentucky is young and untested, and perhaps they're rated a bit high
	at this stage.  They do have Jamal Mashburn and his supporting cast.
	Travis Ford should be solid at the point for UK -- but he really
	has no backup.  The return of Jeff Brassow, and the addition of
	Dent, Rhodes, Delk, and Prichett will create a 10-man rotation for
	Pitino, who loves to use that bench.  UK should win the SEC.

>6. Indiana-- Sport hates Bobby Knight, but he has a pretty good team.

	Indiana should be very solid.  The main nucleus of the team is back
	(minus Anderson & Meeks) -- and most of these guys have played at
	least 2 years together.  The return of Pat Graham will improve the
	already good outside game.  Probably a safer bet to win the Big-10
	than Michigan, IMHO.

>7. Memphis State-- Anfernee Hardaway, David Vaughn.

	Another young team that perhaps need a bit more seasoning.  Not
	as high as #7, however!  They should win the Great Midwest -- and
	don't expect Anfernee to stay longer than this season...

>8. UNC-- Talent is maturing.

	The great recruiting class before the Fab 5 is really gelling, and
	they should give Duke a real good run for the ACC title this season.
	It's too easy to pencil in another Sweet 16 performance.

>9. California-- Jason Kidd, K.J. Roberts, Alfred Grigsby.

	Young & led by Brian Hendrick, Cal should be tough in the Pac-10,
	but I wouldn't consider them the favorites.  Relying too much on
	young players can get U into trouble.  Should be a good, yet up
	and down season.

>10. FSU-- Everyone back for the possible ACC favorites.

	FSU will be another great challenger for the ACC title.  Things will
	depend on when they get Charlie Ward, however.  If Florida St beats
	Miami -- say goodbye -- they won't get Ward until after the new year.
	(Probably won't get him after then anyways)  But they have the guns
	to win the ACC.

>11. Nebraska-- Four returning starters.  

	Solid team, which should rise in a weakened big 8 this season.
	
>12. UCLA-- Ed o'Bannon, Shon Tarver, Mitchell Butler.

	Lost top 2 scorers, but does return quite a bit of firepower to
	continue to be at the top of the Pac-10.  O'Bannon's really going
	to have to step up and take charge.

>13. Syracuse-- Replace Dave Johnson with John Wallace and watch 'em go.

	Will be solid, but on probation.  May lose interest w/ no NCAAs
	this year.

>14. Arkansas-- Deep team, despite the loss of seven seniors.  

	Loss of Williamson will hurt for awhile.  However, athletic bodies
	and pressing style of play will keep them in contention for the
	SEC West title.

>15. Georgetown-- Othella Harrington will carry the team.

	Still an inconsistent team w/ no real scorers.  Harrington is really
	going to have to carry a load.  Better outside shooting is vital.

>16. Arizona State-- ?????????????????????????????????????????????

	No way.  Losses of Bennett and Faulkner -- there's no way.  

	Jazzy J
-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|  "I am human and I need to be loved,            | Jazzy J                   |
|   just like everybody else does..." - The Smiths| jdt29225@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu | 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------