A Night at the Pops
There are four fundamental realities that we have hinted at for several days that are known to everyone in the know in the inner circle of college basketball coverage (a/k/a: the Gang of 500) and we feel you should know them too.
The first one involves Duke and precisely stated, it goes like this: The potential for the Blue Devils to be upset decreases with every day of experience Coach K's freshmen accumulate.
The second one involves Connecticut and precisely stated, it goes like this: The potential for the Huskies to be upset decreases with every day Marcus Williams gets closer to becoming eligible.
The third one involves Texas and precisely stated, it goes like this: The potential for the Longhorns to be upset fluctuates daily based on the play of Daniel Gibson and P.J. Tucker.
The fourth one involves Villanova and precisely stated, it goes like this: The potential for the Wildcats to be upset increases with every game through which Jason Fraser puts his troubled knees.
On the first point: Virginia Tech's near win in Durham will enable Mike Krzyzewski to motivate his team against lesser competition. Despite the media looking for signs of disarray, the reality is that Duke remains more experienced and talented and better coached than the balance of Division One squads. Still, there is a growing emperor's-new-clothes sensibility to the Blue Devils' vulnerabilities — but mostly quietly.
As for the Huskies, they have already defeated three NCAA Tournament clubs, including a legitimate Final Four contender, without a point guard of note. I repeat, Connecticut won the Maui Invitation with a true freshman at the (college) game's most important position. But as they follow the news, the Nutmeg wing of the Gang of 500 has affected a sensibility that is one part Nancy Zimpher, two parts Dick Vitale, and three parts Bob Knight.
On the third point: The Longhorns were lucky not to lose to West Virginia and appear less than capable of taking (elite) opponents out of their offensive rhythms. We will, however, learn much more about the boys from Austin on Saturday.
As for the Wildcats, they defeated Oklahoma, whose frontcourt is as good as any. There is no longer any doubt about Villanova's potential to win a National Championship. It was very apparent, however, as none other than Andy Katz opined for the WWLIS, that the Wildcats are an injury to Jason Fraser away from getting absolutely overwhelmed in the paint.
In other news, I will tonight attend the BB&T Classic and write up the GW-Maryland game.
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