A Closer Look at the No. 1 Seeds

Tarheels, Panthers, Cardinals, Huskies...Oh My!!!

Connecticut, Louisville, and Pittsburgh helped the Big East, a group originally created for basketball only, become the first conference to put three teams on the top line. North Carolina, regular-season Atlantic Coast conference champions, was the other top seed.

Louisville is the top overall seed in the tournament and will play in the Midwest. The Cardinals will open against the winner of the opening-round play-in game yesterday, Morehead St.

Pitt is on top in the East, Carolina in the South and UConn in the West. The Huskies were in the West when they won their national titles in 1999 and 2004.

Of the four top seeds, coach Rick Pitino's Cardinals are the only team to win their conference tournament. Louisville entered the Big East conference tournament as the top seed, though Pitt and UConn were more highly regarded throughout the regular season, each spending time at No. 1 in The Associated Press poll.

Now that we know who the top seeds are, let's get to know them a little bit better.

Pittsburgh Panthers

-Over the past eight seasons, the Panthers have won 217 games -- but only 10 have come in NCAA tournament action. They haven't beaten a team seeded better than sixth and haven't advanced to a regional final in seven straight NCAA appearances. DeJuan Blair is a monster, top-five in the country with 12 rebounds per game, and Levance Fields distributes the ball better than just about anyone in college hoops today. Then there's Sam Young, averaging close to 19 points a game. This team is as balanced as they come. Anything less than a Final Four appearance will be a disappointment for this team.
CORY'S PREDICTION: NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RUNNER-UP

North Carolina Tarheels

-Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Danny Green didn't come back to school because they couldn't bear to leave behind precious memories. They came back to win a national title. After being shocked last year by Kansas in the Final Four, only one result will satisfy. The preseason No. 1 sometimes looked indifferent on defense throughout 2009, but three losses can hardly be considered a disappointing season, and the Heels are still the favorite to win it all. They can score on anyone, but beware if they draw an efficient offensive opponent.
CORY'S PREDICTION: FINAL FOUR

Louisville Cardinals

-Cardinals fans have been waiting for a team this good since Pitino became their coach in 2001 and shot expectations into the stratosphere. The 2005 team overachieved to reach the Final Four and the current Cards could win it. Louisville is in the top five in blocks, thanks to Rick Pitino's fierce zone-pressure defense and the inside presence of Earl Clark and Samardo Samuels. If they hold you under 60 points, which they probably will, you're not likely to leave the court with a smile.
CORY'S PREDICTION: NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Connecticut Huskies

-Losing Jerome Dyson certainly put a huge dent in the Huskies' depth, and A.J. Price might have some trouble being essentially the sole outside shooting threat. However, having Hasheem Thabeet (2nd nationally with 4.5 blocks per game) in the paint solves a myriad of problems. UConn has struggled of late showing a lack of depth at the guard position and showing inconsistency on the offensive side of the ball. This team will go deep into the tourney partly on talent, partly on intimidation.
CORY'S PREDICTION: ELITE EIGHT

Justin Hulsey, FS founder/writer

Final Four: Louisville vs Memphis and Pittsburgh vs Gonzaga
National Championship: Louisville vs Pittsburgh

Champ: Pittsburgh Panthers

Cory Guinn, FS writer

Final Four: Louisville vs Memphis and Pittsburgh vs North Carolina

National Championship: Louisville vs Pittsburgh

Champ: Louisville Cardinals

Barack Obama, United States President

Final Four: Louisville vs Memphis and Pittsburgh vs North Carolina

National Championship: Louisville vs North Carolina
Champ: North Carolina Tar Heels

Justin Hulsey / Cory Guinn

StLDieHard24@gmail.com / cryguinn@yahoo.com

FANdemoniumSports.blogspot.com

Budding Stars Who Will Soon Cash In

With the NBA's age limit forcing most elite prospects to spend at least one year in school, the NCAA is rapidly becoming a freshman-dominated league. Who is this year's Kevin Durant or Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley? Well, maybe there aren't any players as dominant as those freaks, but here are three freshmen from the 2008-2009 class who are making a push for the top spot among their peers.

1. Willie Warren, G, Oklahoma
Warren is full of confidence and backs it up with his athleticism. He is averaging 15.1 ppg while shooting 38 percent from deep. Warren stepped up big in the Sooner's two games without Blake Griffin has had continued his high level of play even with the big man's return. His 6-4 frame makes him a huge PG in comparison to the rest of one-guards in the league. He is no doubt a legimate contender for Freshman of the Year and one player to look out for in the NCAA Tournament.

Off Season Forecast: Top 10 Pick (Indiana Pacers?)

2. Al-Farouq Aminu, F, Wake Forest
The Deamon Deacons are a freshman heavy team but no player stands out more than Al-Farouq Aminu. With his blend of pure athleticism and intangibles, Aminu is a star in the making. If he can improve his 3-point shooting, he will be impossible to guard. Aminu runs the floor and rebounds very well. He is almost averaging a double with 12.7 ppg and 8.2 rpg, while helping lead Wake to a possible Tournament berth.

Off Season Forecast: Top 7 Pick (Toronto Raptors?)

3. Tyreke Evans, G, Memphis
Evans is an all-around basketball player as evidenced by his season averages (16.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.1 spg). He has fill in nicely at the point guard position for coach John Callipari and is on the verge of leading the Tigers to yet another #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. He is another big PG, and is even taller than Warren. Evans is my pick for Freshman of the Year.

Off Season Forecast: Top 15 Pick (Philadelphia 76ers?)

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I think we can all agree that these three players are some of the best that the college game has to offer... and will all soon be cashing in.

Cory Guinn

cryguinn@yahoo.com

FANdemoniumsports.blogspot.com