The most anticipated National Signing Day in recent college basketball history has come and gone. The top two recruits in the nation, Nerlens Noels and Shabazz Muhammad, picked their caps, shifting the future of college basketball in the process. The 6’10” defensive nightmare that is top recruit Nerlens Noel chose Kentucky over Georgetown and Syracuse. This came as little surprise considering Calipari always ends up with the best recruiting class and Noel looks to shine under national spotlight. Some scouts have gone as far to say that Noel is Anthony Davis 2.0. With those types of expectations, Noel has some gigantic shoes to fill.
Shabazz Muhammad’s choice was a little less orthodox to say the least. Muhammad stunned the college basketball nation, choosing woeful UCLA over Kentucky and Duke. Does he realize John Wooden, Kareem-Abdul Jabar and Bill Walton are long gone? That the banners that hang from the rafters in Pauly Pavilion are starting to deteriorate? Actually, I think that’s exactly why he chose UCLA. Most players choose the school that will be the best stop before they make it to the NBA or will lead them to a championship. Muhammad chose the school that he could revive and return back to greatness. Even LeBron chose going after the ring over rebuilding the Garden. It speaks to Muhammad’s motivation and belief in his own abilities, and I couldn’t be more excited to see him hit the hardwood.
With the National Signing Day and upperclassman NBA declaration deadline in the past, here’s 5 thoughts for 13’:
1. Top five teams:
Indiana-As much as I hate to say it, Indiana is returning their top players (Zeller and Watford) from a Sweet 16 team that was ousted by Kentucky. The Hoosiers resurgence starting a year earlier than expected, which makes them title contenders right off the bat in ’13.
Louisville-Much like Indiana, Louisville returns their key players in Peyton Siva and Gorgui Dieng from a Final Four team that lost to Kentucky as well. They’ll also get a healthy Wayne Blackshear and a seasoned Chane Behanan. Expect Pitino’s squad to make a run for the title once again.
Kentucky-While Anthony Davis, Marquis Teague, Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb, and Michael-Kidd Gilchrist are yet to declare for the draft, all of them are expected to make the jump. Even if they do, Kentucky adds top recruits Nerlens Noel, Alex Poythress, and Archie Goodwin. Calipari is the king of the one-and-done era, and this season will be no different.
Michigan-It’s hard to believe Michigan is a top 5 team after exiting the tourney early last season after a 2nd round loss to Ohio. But Michigan returns Tim Hardaway Jr. and their lightning quick point guard Trey Burke. Michigan can score with the best of them and their outside touch will irritate teams this season.
N.C. State-If C.J. Leslie returns (has until April 29th deadline)- Yes, I am saying N.C. State is the favorite to win the ACC this season. Which is crazy most years, but insane this year. The new-look ACC adds Syracuse and Pittsburgh to an already deep conference. N.C. State reps a top 10 recruiting class and if their star forward C.J. Leslie returns, it’s not unrealistic to envision them cutting down the nets.
2. From return to glory to return to mediocrity- The 32-2 Kentucky Wildcats cut down the nets in The Big Easy, capping off a season that saw college basketball return to greatness. Kentucky has to be considered one of the top teams in recent history, and it may be quite some time until we see a team like that again. With Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas, and Syracuse losing chunks of their elite 8 squads, the talent in the tourney field seems depleted. Which has me thinking…
3. This could be the year where a mid-major wins it all- The NCAA is about to experience a hangover from last year, evening out the tourney field in the process. There really aren’t any “great” teams this year, evident by Indiana and Louisville starting at the top of many preseason rankings. VCU, Butler, and Creighton are salivating.
4. Watch out for VCU-I couldn’t be more disappointed after Shaka Smart decided to reject Illinois’s offer to stay with VCU, but ultimately it was the right decision. Smart is returning most of his key players from last year’s squad, and even adds a top 100 recruit in Jordan Burgess, who is the little brother of VCU star Bradford Burgess. Smart’s HAVOC-style defense will be a terror on opposing teams, and don’t be surprised to see a return to the final four.
5. The resurgence of the Pac-12- The Pac-12 accumulated all but one NCAA tournament win last season and were frankly abysmal. Only two teams even made the tourney field, which was less than the West Coast and half as many as the Mountain West. With UCLA and Arizona racking in top recruits, and Cal and Colorado returning top talent, expect the Pac-12 to compete.
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