Preseason picks are always interesting. I was one of the few people here that thought Notre Dame was going to be really good going into last season. I didn't predict 3 wins against UConn, but I thought Notre Dame would easily be the 2nd best team in the Big East with a very good shot at being a Final Four team. My rationale for that is the same with predicting the fortunes of any team. Teams are going to be as good as the combination of their top end talent and coaching. Notre Dame's returning top end talent in Diggins, McBride, and Achonwa was easily top 5 in the country and they had a top 5 coach.
Looking ahead to next year it is pretty wide open. UConn is at least a lock to be the best team in the country and get to the Final Four. After that you have some teams deep with talent that should be near locks to get to the Final four, but could stall out yet again at the Elite 8 partly due to coaching. And then there are teams not quite as deep in talent or not having truly elite top level talent that have the coaching to pull an upset of a more talented overall team and get to the Final Four.
Predictions for how they will be seeded going into the NCAA tournament
1 Seeds
UConn
Duke - their overall talent as well as their elite talent should be overwhelming to every team, but UConn. Wrong matchup and they still could stall out in the Elite 8 though
Tennessee - will probably win the SEC regular season. I'm not convinced that Matthew Mitchell is a good enough coach to make up for the talent gap. Will get to the Elite 8 again, but likely lose under the pressure of getting back to a Final Four in Tennessee unless they get a favorable matchup in the Elite 8.
Stanford - will probably return to running the table in the West with the combination of an elite player Chiney and the overall depth of talent on the roster, while other final #1 seed contenders beat each other up some. If they are the #1 seed in the West and get the easiest #2 seed again on geography they could be headed back to the Final Four.
2 Seeds
Kentucky - if they find away to take a step in halfcourt execution they could win the SEC, either way they will get to the Elite 8 and then have close to a 50/50 chance against anyone except UConn. Wouldn't be surprised if they were better without Mathis.
Louisville - They have the coaching, they gained confidence, and players figured out their roles. They lack truly elite talent, but have a decent depth of talent. Wouldn't be that much of a surprise to see Shoni put together a much better senior year. Likely playing UConn 3 times in conference will most likely result in a #2 seed at best, but they'll be prepared for the tournament with a 50/50 shot at getting to the Final Four against anyone except UConn.
Maryland - They broke with recent Maryland tradition by playing physically and mentally tough last season. Thomas is an elite player and they have plenty of other talented players back. That will get them a #2 seed. Not convinced they have the half court execution, shooters, and ability to pressure the ball to advance all the way to the Final Four. Potentially could be upset in the Sweet 16.
Baylor - I'm not one of the people who thought Sims was better than Diggins. Sims and the other talent will have enough talent to win the Big 12 and the conference's inflated RPI will get Baylor a two seed. I think their 50/50 to get out of the Sweet 16 with their ceiling being the Elite 8. Mulkey is a good coach, but I don't see the half court execution that is needed to get past anyone they would face in the Elite 8.
3 Seeds
Notre Dame - Still have a nice collection of top end talent, but they are going to miss having the ball in the hands of Diggins late in games. I expect they'll fall to a 3 seed with a couple of extra losses in close games to the traditional ACC powers. Probably 50/50 to get to the elite 8. Will need a good matchup to get back to the Final Four
Big 10 Champion - No idea who it is going to be out of Nebraska, Michigan State, and Penn State. Not sure I buy the high ranking of Nebraska by Creme. I would guess that Penn State wins the Big 10 regular season, despite their losses to graduation. Almost no chance of the Bid 10 champion getting past the Sweet 16. The conference is still what it has been, full of parity with some attractive basketball to watch although lacking Elite 8 caliber teams let alone national championship contenders.
North Carolina - they'll win enough games on talent to get a #3 seed, but likely won't get past the Sweet 16. Coaching and overall execution won't be good enough to get to the Elite 8.
Cailfornia - Not convinced they'll truly challenge Stanford again so they'll likely end up a #3 seed instead of a #2 seed. Would need the right match up to get past the Sweet 16.
Asked her if she was willing to "settle" on a regular ol CL 550
Not sure if she still values my car advice though.... I tried to steer her towards a Honda Accord coupe...... she didnt really like my opinion on that
Perhaps Im being a bit chauvinistic, but I told her that a woman doesnt really need a car with over 360 HP.
