Andy Katz Doesn't Watch College Basketball

Yawn, did the NBA Finals or something just happen? As much as everyone likes to get on the Celts for "buying" the ring, it's still not the easiest thing to successfully complete. Just ask their fellow Boston brethren Pats LOL! All kidding aside, it proves what I've been saying for awhile - Kobe's championship career was made by Shaq, and, uh, DON'T BLOW 30 POINT LEADS.

So Andy Katz released his updated pre-season Top 25 for men's college bball, a fairly absurd lovefest with the Big East. I have no problem with people believing that the Big East is awesome or anything, but for someone like me who lived and breathed and worked with Big East basketball for the last 4 years, I can easily spot posers who read a few box scores here and there and assume that means they know everything. And yes, Andy Katz, YOU are a poser.

I have no issue with UNC as #1...it's a legitimate belief that most of the nation shares. They are returning their final 4 team, adding on Larry Drew (who should prove to be just as competent as Quentin Thomas as a backup PG) and some others who will only give a stronger support to the team. Blah blah blah "barring any major injury" or Ty Lawson learning how to hold his liquor, these guys are fine. My wife will finally shut up about Roy not being able to win with players he recruited.

And then it goes downhill. Now, for those that know me, they know I have a deep, unbridled, awful, wretched hatred towards the University of Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team. For those that don't know - they made my life miserable for 4 years. You can only watch so many 12-0 starts (with all those victories coming against JV squads), mediocre Big East performances (particularly on the road), Big East Tourney final losses, second round NCAA exits, and 3 pointers given up before you can't take it anymore.

When everyone picked Pitt to suddenly win the national championship after beating Georgetown in the Big East tourney, I was wondering if I was the only person who actually SAW their season - a lukewarm effort that consistently failed against the powers of the Big East. I also wondered had anyone seen Duke or GTown's seasons (ironically, I was probably the only person on Earth without affiliations to either school who correctly knew both would lose in the second round of the NCAAs - awkward big men, or just a lack of them, doesn't bode for much of a run). They couldn't defend after Mike Cook's knee died on national TV (Yeah, running a 2-3 zone that forces Sam Young and DeJuan Blair to become wings when they can barely run is a FANTASTIC idea Jamie! Those other teams are draining 70 3s a game because they're just that awesome!), and well...never could shoot. The only thing I gave the Panthers credit for was getting Blair, a huge improvement on the front-line over Aaron Gray because he could actually MAKE open lay-ups and do other things most normal big men can do.

But Andy, let's think about things. Yes, so apparently, Mike Cook somehow got a 45th season in college ball. I wasn't aware that this was official (I mean, I'm on their athletic dept. mailing list - I get updates that the Wannstache is breathing), but even if it is...okay, their defense should be solid enough again. Cook allows the Panthers defensive flexibility since his quickness and agility and size can guard nearly everyone but the 5, and they can switch between zone and man when necessary.

But tell me...HOW IS THIS TEAM SCORING POINTS? I think Mr. Katz needs the memo that Ronald Ramon and Keith Benjamin graduated, and nobody else can drain a shot beyond 10 feet. Unless someone knows something about Brad Wanamaker that I don't...I have no idea who is putting the ball in the basket. Opposing D can just guard Young and Blair. That worked out great for the Celtics against the Kobe. And obviously, Levance Fields THINKS he can drain shots, but he has been attending the Carl Krauser school of PGs, and probably now believes he has a right to take 75 poor outside shots a game. Jermaine Dixon is supposed to be a legit backup PG, but until then, this team is still slow and somehow has even less ball-handling ability, despite losing Butterfingers Ramon. Just press them a bit. There's no hope.

And regardless, it doesn't matter how "great" of a team the Panthers put together. They can't win when it matters. Never have, so I can't believe they ever will. Coach Antigua also left, which is bigger than people may think. Besides his bowties and how he traditionally winked and smiled at me before every game, he was the connecting point between Coach Dixon (who nobody likes) and the players. Yes, a team coached by someone who nobody feels warm and fuzzy about is SURE to second best in the country!

So seriously, watch college basketball before compiling these lists, Andy.

On the flipside, what team from the Big East SHOULD be #2? Try the Louisville Cardinals. I was apparently the only person outside of Kentucky who ever believed in them last season. They lost Derrick Caracter, which is probably best for Coach Pitino's sanity, and David Padgett...but they're replacing him with Samardo Samuels, who, while a bit clunky, is still bound to be a solid big guy. That's all the Cards need...Earl Clark and Terrence Williams (when he's not 3 point happy) are slashers who thrive inside. Samuels just needs to crowd the lane to create spacing for them. But the thing is, he'll still put the ball in the basket, so it's all just bonuses. Edgar Sosa didn't have quite the year people expected, but I saw him KILL Pitt with his shot, and man, when that kid is on...you're dead.

And, because they're coached by my favorite Mafia man, you know they are still, and always will be, a great defensive team. Don't sleep on the Cards. We should easily see a rematch of that Elite 8 UNC/Louisville game.

Other teams that will be dangerous:

1. Tennessee - Bruce Pearl could coach a squad of midgets and I'd pick them to go deep. He's the master at finding the strengths in his players and exploiting them to the utmost. Chris Lofton and 80% of the Smiths are gone, but Scotty Hopson more than enough makes up for that. Hopson has an anger from people not recruiting him strong enough, and can pretty much do anything on the court. More dimensions than Chris Lofton...uhhh, isn't that an improvement? I also think either J.P. Prince or Wayne Chism will be elevating their game to a more elite level, but regardless, you can always count on them for consistent production and a random breakout game.

2. Notre Dame - Every time I watch Luke Harangody, I can't get over how graceful he is for being 400 lbs. As long Kyle McAlarney says no to drugs, they'll be fine in the Big East. Still waiting for them to prove they can win during tourney time, though.

3. Arizona State - Does anyone even know who James Harden is? He easily had the 3rd best year out of the freshman class (behind Lil' Mike and Gummybears Rose), yet was ranked #356 on the most-hyped list. Since you have no clue who he is, just check his first year stat line:

Nearly 18 ppg, 52% from the field, 40% from 3, 5 rpg, 3 apg, 2 spg.

Digest that for a minute. ISN'T THAT A NAISMITH CANDIDATE STAT LINE???? Yet as part of the West Coast Bias, somehow Lil' Mike leading his mediocre school was just THAT much more amazing than Harden leading his mediocre school.

Everyone is on Blake Griffin for leading candidate to be the best of the 4 remaining sophmores in the country, but...JAMES HARDEN. I guarantee you...Arizona State finishes in the top 2 in the Pac-10. Maybe even first, considering there may be a guard meltdown at U-C, L-A. This is a team that SHOULD have made the NCAAs had tornadoes not raped Atlanta and Georgia won the SEC. They swept 'Zona, and also have a pretty sweet big dude with Jeff Pendergraph. But who cares...they have James Harden. He's a star. He should be the #1 pick in next year's draft. And uh...he actually stayed in school to win. Reason #4554 why he's so freakin' awesome.

Otherwise...the rest of the field is contingent on many factors. Villanova can be good...if Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher learn what the word "consistent" means. Georgetown might be scary if Greg Monroe actually checks out to be more like Jeff Green than Mr. Stiff himself, Roy Hibbert. Arizona got their star volleyball player back, and Brandon Jennings is easily already the best point guard in America. Kansas lost everyone but Sherron Collins, but I'm excited to see what my Philly boys Markieff and Marcus Morris will do down low for the Jayhawks. Duke will be Duke...I'm waiting on Kyle Singler to take things to the next level, and Gerald Junior at 100% after his wrist surgery should be exciting for his slashing ability and uh, his massive biceps (UM, SRSLY, THEY'RE HYPNOTIZING). Texas might not fall that far...AJ Abrams + Damion James = pretty powerful inside/out duo. Maybe knowing DJ Augustin won't be taking 95% of the Longhorn's shots will make them less nervous.

Blah blah...college basketball has a fairly open field this year with such a huge exodus of players to the NBA. The incoming class is solid, but not packed with superstars like last year. As a result, we get a more even playing field. This isn't last year, where there were 4 great teams (Kansas, Memphis, UNC, UCLA), and a bunch of mediocre crap afterwards. Now...there's 1 great team and a bunch of potentially medicore crap?

But Pitt is NOT the #2 team in the country. Try, like, #20. And falling. Sorry y'all!