Welcome to another edition of Buy or Sell: College Basketball Edition. After a loaded week of matchups and holiday tournaments, let’s see whether or not we’re buying or selling certain trends in college hoops:
A crucial season for Pitino has started off well (photo by Brace Hemmelgarn)
In what looked to be a very critical season for Richard Pitino, his team has started 5-0. The good start includes wins over Utah, Texas A&M and Washington. Jordan Murphy (14.0 PPG, 12.4 RPG) has led the way for a team that appears capable of earning an NCAA tournament bid. And perhaps, saving Pitino’s job in the process. If the Gophers can get consistent play from Murphy and Amir Coffey, they will be able to contend in the Big Ten.
We know to expect the unexpected in college hoops, especially in March, but this isn’t like Jay Wright’s usual Villanova teams. After back to back home losses to Michigan and Furman, the Wildcats bounced back nicely with three wins in three days to take home the Advocare Invitational title.
With that being said, this team has too many flaws to be considered an elite team. Not to mention, there are your usual powerhouses at the top again this year that look much more talented than this Villanova team. A trip to the NCAA tournament is likely, but any hope of going back-to-back is very slim.
This year’s Tennessee team is complete (photo by Randy Sartin)
The Volunteers are one rebound away from being 5-0 with a win over second-ranked Kansas. Still, Rick Barnes’ team has been impressive and appears to be the clear-cut favorite in the SEC. After a heartbreaking loss to Loyola (Chi) a year ago that defines exactly what March Madness is all about, Tennessee is a team playing with a chip on their shoulder.
They will be a contender to get to Minneapolis and cut down the nets in April.
They’re obviously the best team in the Big 12, but the Jayhawks might be the best team in the entire country, too. With two wins against top 10 teams already, Kansas has shown how their depth and athleticism will be difficult to match. There are a few teams that’ll challenge the Jayhawks in Texas, Texas Tech and Kansas State. Though none appear capable of keeping up with Kansas.
The Jayhawks will win a ridiculous 15th consecutive Big 12 regular season title. The last time the Jayhawks didn’t win the Big 12 was 2004. The number one song in the country at the time was “Yeah!” by Usher.
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