CBB: Championship Week Preview
Kansas picked up two ranked victories against Texas and Iowa State this week. Villanova finished off their Big East schedule and will be the #1 seed for the third straight season. Michigan State won as Denzel Valentine celebrated Senior Day. Virginia beat Louisville for another home win. However, the biggest winner was North Carolina. The Tar Heels beat rival Duke on the road and clinched the #1 seed in the upcoming ACC Tournament. There were also a few teams that ended the regular season with losses (Miami, Maryland, and Baylor) and will have to try and rebound during conference championship week. Then there are teams that are squarely on the bubble and will either fall off or jump into the tournament field in the next seven days. I will present my Top 25, with an additional five bubble teams, regular season awards, and picks for each major conference tournament.
Top 25:
1. Kansas (27-4) 2. Villanova (27-4) 3. Michigan State (26-5) 4. Virginia (24-6) 5. North Carolina (25-6) 6. Xavier (26-4) 7. Oklahoma (24-6) 8. Oregon (25-6) 9. Indiana (25-6) 10. West Virginia (24-7) 11. Miami (FL) (24-6) 12. Purdue (24-7) 13. Utah (24-7) 14. Texas A&M (24-7) 15. Louisville (23-8) 16. Arizona (24-7) 17. Maryland (24-7) 18. Kentucky (23-8) 19. Iowa (21-9) 20. Duke (22-9) 21. South Carolina (24-7) 22. Iowa State (21-10) 23. Notre Dame (20-10) 24. Baylor (21-10) 25. Texas (20-11)
On the bubble: Texas Tech (19-11) Vanderbilt (19-12) Syracuse (19-12) Ohio State (19-12) Creighton (18-13)
Regular season awards list:
Player of the Year: Denzel Valentine (19 PPG, 7 APG, 7 RPG)
Coach of the Year: Bill Self (Kansas 27-4, 15-3 Big 12)
Freshman of the Year: Ben Simmons (19 PPG, 5 APG, 11 RPG)
Defensive Player of the Year: AJ Hammons (2.5 BPG, 7.8 RPG)
Best Scorer: Buddy Hield (25 PPG, 49% FG, 47% 3FG, 89% FT)
Games (and picks) of the week:
North Carolina over Virginia (ACC): The Tar Heels have arguably the most talent in the nation and it seems like they are playing their best ball at the right time. Virginia will give them a game in the final but Carolina will win the ACC championship.
Michigan State over Indiana (Big Ten): The Spartans look absolutely dominant right now, beating their last six opponents. Indiana has been the best team in the Big Ten over the whole season, but MSU will win the title and earn a #1 seed come Selection Sunday.
Kansas over Oklahoma (Big 12): Kansas is probably the hottest team in America as of now, they have not lost a game since January. The Jayhawks will continue their streak with a third win over the Sooners this season, who are currently on a two game win streak.
Oregon over Utah (PAC 12): Both of these teams are playing extremely well lately, and they will have a chance to increase their seeding with a good showing in the PAC 12 tournament. Oregon will come away with the win, but Utah will not make it easy.
Kentucky over LSU (SEC): The Wildcats seem to always play well come March, and their backcourt makes them very dangerous. They will win the SEC tourney for the second year in a row, against a Ben Simmons led LSU team who desperately needs more victories.
American: Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Big East: Villanova Wildcats
Horizon League: Green Bay Phoenix
Mid American: Akron Zips
West Coast: Gonzaga Bulldogs
Last weeks record: 4-1 (7-3 overall).
Photo Credit: SI.com
