Who's the 1? (Part II, with a champ)
Posted: Saturday, November 03, 2007 5:12 PM
Filed Under:
Rankings, Season previews
Jeff Green never put up big stats for Georgetown last season, but everyone knew how integral the junior swingman was to the Hoyas’ Final Four run. The Big East player of the year was arguably the nation’s best defender, Georgetown’s go-to guy in the clutch and set the tone for efficient, solid play that typified a 30-7 Georgetown squad.
But was Green so good that his early departure to the NBA is scaring off supporters for another run to the Final Four? The Hoyas are slated by a few outlets (Blue Ribbon, Athlon) to reach the Final Four, but none of the bigger media like SI.com, CBS, FOX (and, to be fair, msnbc.com) favor the Hoyas to return to the Final Four.
Seems a little crazy to me.
Green was indeed one of college hoops’ best players last season, but that shouldn’t make Georgetown any less dangerous this season. The beauty of coach John Thompson III’s system is how it relies on every player, not just one. Center Roy Hibbert may be the focal point, but guards Jonathan Wallace, DaJuan Summers and standouts Patrick Ewing Jr., Vernon Macklin, and Austin Freeman should make up for that absence.
And I think that consistency and ruthless efficiency – not to mention stellar defense – Thompson’s teams have become known for make them the team to beat in San Antonio.
And the other contenders? Here’s a list of who should be playing after the NCAA Tournament’s first weekend. Submit your own in the comments field below.
Champion: Georgetown
Final Four: Kansas (runner-up), North Carolina, Memphis
Out in Elite Eight: Indiana, Louisville, Tennessee, UCLA.
Out in Sweet 16: Arkansas, Davidson, Kentucky, Marquette, Michigan State , N.C. State, Texas, VCU.
