Teams that may sneak up during NBA Playoffs

The Knicks are struggling now, but look out come playoff time.

"Seeds are so overrated.  It's all about match-ups."  That's what Kansas coach Bill Self said Saturday, as his Jayhawk team fell victim to a cinderella team known as Virginia Commonwelalth.  This season has been one of turmoil and disappointment for Knicks fans, depending on how you look at it.  With Mike D'Antoni's run 'n' gun style offense, New York has scorers, and has had scorers all around the court.  Even before the trade, Felton, Stoudamire, Fields, Turiaf, Chandler, Gallinarri.  Those were just some of the notable scorers for the Knicks.  After the trade, The Knicks are still a very good team, but are they better than they were before it?  Just because Carmelo has arrived, are they ready to take the next step and be a legitimate contender for a world championship?

I am going to say something that is all too unfamiliar to Knick fans.  One more year.  Even thought they most likely are not going to win a championship this year, they still have what it takes to beat maybe every team in the East, with the exception of the Celtics, who quite frankly are more experienced and know how to win more than the Knicks do.  With the way that I predict the rest of the season going, the Knicks will move up into the sixth seed and Miami will drop to the three seed. 

Once again, I am going to reiterate it.  Match ups.  At the point guard position, Chauncey Billups is simply better than any point guard that Miami can bring into the game.  Toney Douglas, while Chalmers and Bibby may be slightly better than him, he can hold his own long enough to get a win.  Also, at the two guard, while Dwayne Wade is light years ahead of Landry Fields, Fields' defense will not allow Wade to score 50 points.  I can guarantee that.  Ahhh, LeBron vs. Melo.  We have been waiting for this all year.  With New York winning this first match up after the trade in Miami, this is sure to be an exciting match up.  With Melo's overall scoring ability, and LeBron's all around dominance, this will be a back and forth match up with a different superstar taking charge each night. 

Amare Stoudamire is better than Chris Bosh, plain and simple.  Sure he plays in a system where they average 106 points per game, but he is still, in my opinion, the overall better player.  While both can step back and hit the 18 foot jumper, Amare is so much more dangerous attacking the rim, and more of a presence on the defensive side of the ball.  Finally, Erick Dampier and Ronny Turiaf.  I think both are defensive players with great shot blocking ability, but Dampier wins this match up.

Overall, even though the Heat have the easiest schedule of the East's top three teams, they will most likely slip down to the third seed, because I do not see Chicago or Boston losing.  This should be an exciting series, but I think we may have an upset on our hands.

Top Prospect for 2011 NBA Draft

Let's face it, this year's class is not as stacked as last year's or the year before.  This may only be a four or five person draft.  However, I believe Kyrie Irving will be the top pick.  Derrick Williams from Arizona, at 6'9", turned me into a believer this year.  He has an NBA body, and has incredible athleticism.  One guy, and I am guilty of writing him off, is Harrison Barnes of North Carolina.  After the early comparisons to Kobe Bryant and the selection to the Preseason All-American First Team, Barnes fell off until the end of the year, when he showed us all what he is capable of.  Below is my top five picks of this year's draft.  Sorry that this is such a short blog, but I am trying to get a lot done right now, so I figured that I would just give my opinion straight forward and to the point.

1.  Kyrie Irving (Duke)
2.  Harrison Barnes (North Carolina)
3.  Derrick Williams (Arizona)
4.  Perry Jones (Baylor)
5.  Enes Kanter (Kentucky/Turkey)

Why is Butler always making runs in tournament?

One year ago, Butler wasn't even expected by many to get past the Sweet Sixteen and top seeded Syracuse.  However, the Bulldogs shocked the College Basketball nation with a 63-59 win over the Orange to move to the Elite Eight.  Even in the West Regional final, many people were ready to say "Good year, you made us proud, now let's just go back to Indiana and our farms."  However, the Bulldogs survived a tough contest against the nation's top backcourt, and secured their spot in their home city of Indianapolis.  Behind a Pro-Butler crowd, Brad Stevens' team survived the defending national runner up's late run, defeating Michigan State by two, to lock up a prime time match up with Duke for the title.  I think everyone know what happened in that game.  When March comes, it doesn't matter how you win, you just have to win.  That's what Duke did, ending the Butler dream one game short of a Hoosier Like finish, this time with over three million people watching.  While Butler fought valiantly, Gordon Hayward simply shot the ball too hard from half-court as time expired, and they had to watch Duke celebrate on the court, thinking about what might have been. 

At the beginning of the season, the 2010 Final Four banner was hung from the rafters of the storied Hinkle Fieldhouse.  "Let's all give Butler a good applause.  They fought hard, got to the championship game, and showed tremendous resilience throughout their run.  This is most likely never going to happen again, seeing as how they lost their leading scorer Gordon Hayward to the NBA.  Shelvin Mack is good, but he;s not good enough to help a team win more than two games in March."  That was the consensus out there as the 2010-11 season tipped off, and Butler stumbled out of the gate, going 4-4 in their first eight games.  But who expected Butler to win this year?  To be honest, I think most people were surprised to see them beat Old Dominion in their first game.  Butler knows how to win, plain and simple.  Although Matt Howard is their leading scorer, Shelvin Mack is their go to guy when they need a big play.  However, do not think that the Bulldogs are a one or two man team by any means.  If it wasn't for Andrew Smith, a 6'11" Center with a nifty post game, Butler never would have beaten Pitt, as his shot gave Butler the lead (even though Shelvin Mack ended up committing a bone headed foul with time running out).  And how about Zach Hahn?  The senior from New Castle, Indiana was a huge factor, if not the main reason why they defeated Florida.  You cannot look past anyone on this roster, including Ronald Nored, Shawn Vanzant, and even Chrishawn Hopkins, whose late game three pointer against the Gators helped gain Butler the momentum although he is just averaging 1.6 points on the year as a Freshman.  And how about Khyle Marshall snatching up the boards over Florida's bigs?

Butler, if you watch them, likes to run a lot of pick and rolls, as well as double pick and rolls at the top of they key.  And, since Mack draws so much attention on the dribble drive, nearly everyone on Butler's team can shoot.  Look at how efficient Butler is with the ball as well.  The Bulldogs are only averaging 11 turnovers per game, which is very good compared to other teams.  So, even after another magical run in the Big Dance, don't look for Butler to go away any time soon.  This team, and its young coach, are here to stay.

My Conference Tournament Predictions

ACC Tournament:  #1 Seed North Carolina vs #2 Seed Duke in ACC Final

This is a matchup made in North Carolina basketball heaven.  North Carolina/Duke, is there any bigger rivalry, not just in college basketball, but in sports.  In a rivalry that has seen its share of classic matchups, this should be one of the best.  Both teams are led by extremely talented players, Duke's Nolan Smith & Kyle Singler, and North Carolina's Tyler Zeller and Freshman standout Harrison Barnes.  At the beginning of the year, Duke was rolling, while UNC was barely holding on.  However, in ACC play the Tar Heels stepped it up, beating Duke in the last game of both teams' regular season to win the ACC regular season title.  However, in the ACC tournament, Duke nor Carolina may have many challenges, with the exceptions of possibly Florida State, Clemson, or Boston College.  However, I believe this two meeting in the ACC Championship is inevitable, with this being a "down year" for the ACC.  In the end, I believe Nolan Smith and Duke are too much, with their experience, and clearly their talent.  Duke wins this game, but it will come down to the last minute or two.

Predicition:  Duke wins




Big East Tournament:  #4 Seed Syracuse vs #3 Seed Louisville in Big East Final

This Big East Tournament has been one of the most unpredictable in recent years.  From South Florida's upset over Villanova, to the controversial finish to the Sutgers-St. John's game, to Kemba Walker's game winning buzzer beater over Pitt in the Quarterfinals, nobody really knows what to expect.  However, I believe there are no stronger two teams left in this field than Louisville and Syracuse.  Despite Syracuse having an inconsistent season this year, they are still, in my opinion, one of the more talented teams in this conference.  The saem can be said for Louisville.  Led by Preston Knowles, Louisville should easily roll by a Marquette team that I believe is overrated, as well as a Notre Dame team that is a one man army.

Prediction:  Syracuse wins




Big Ten Tournament:  #1 Seed Ohio State vs #2 Seed Purdue in Big Ten Final

The Big Ten has been one of the more competitive conferences all season long, with no game being an automatic victory.  However, even with that, Ohio State has rolled through the year with a 29-2 record (both losses coming in conference play).  OSU lost a game to Wisconsin in Madison, then went to West Lafayette and fell to the Boilermakers.  These are two teams, that, depending on the pairings, may very well meet in the Final Four.  Led by Big Ten Player of the Year Jajuan Johnson, the Boilermakers have depth as well, starting with 5'7" Lewis Jackson, as well as Et'waun Moore.  However, Ohio State may have the best starting five in America.  With Buford, Lighty, Diebler, Sullinger, and Lauderdale, there are five guys who can rip your heart out in a matter of seconds.  This game should come down to the wire, but I think Diebler's shooting will make the difference.

Predicition:  Ohio State wins




Big 12 Tournament:  #1 Seed Kansas vs #2 seed Texas in Big 12 Final

Last year, the Longhorns, after their brief stint atop the College Basketball landscape at #1, fell to Baylor in the Big 12 tournament before having Ishmael Smith knock them out with a last second shot in the first round of the NCAAs.  However, this year's Texas team is much different.  This year, although they have no superstars, Texas is a well rounded bunch that seems very consistent.  In spite of losing games to Kansas State and Colorado late in the year, the Longhorns have rolled through "elite" conference opponenets such as Missouri, Texas A&M, as well as the Jayhawks of Kansas.  With Balbay being one of three seniors on the team, his leadership is defenitely a factor, as well as the play of J'Covan Brown, Jordan Hamilton, and Tristan Thompson.  Kansas, however, is no slouch of a team either.  Leading the nation in assists per game as well as field goal %, the Jayhawks should not be overlooked on the defensive end of the floor.  Their suffocating defense makes it hard for teams to move the ball, one of the main reasons that they are #2 in the country currently.  Another reason may be the Morris twins.  Averaging 30.8 of Kansas's 83 points per game, Markieff and Marcus are defenitely a force to be reckoned with underneath.  In this game, I believe Kansas has too many weapons, including on the perimeter, for Texas to handle.  Kansas wins because of a run late in the game. 

Prediction:  Kansas wins




Pac-10 Tournament:  #1 Seed Arizona vs #3 Seed Washington in Pac-10 Final

Although I hate picking against my Trojans, I just had to do it in this one.  Why?  Derrick Williams is simply too good.  Along with having the  highest Player Efficiency Rating in College Basketball, he will be a definite lottery pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, and is arguably the best player in the country.  With a scorer's mentality, he will defentiely do damage at the next level.  However, I have to go with Isaiah Thomas and Washington in this game.  Why?  For a few reasons, actually.  First, Isaiah Thomas can score at will.  Although he only stands at a mere five feet nine inches tall, he can get to the rim with relative ease.  Next, Washington has three players averaging in double figures.  Even if all three of them have an off night, Abdul Gaddy, like he did early in the year before his injury, can put the ball in the hoop.  I just believe that in this game, Washington is too complete of a basketball team for the Arizona one man show.  Expect Washington to win suprisingly handily. 

Predicition:  Washington wins




SEC Tournament:  East #2 Seed Kentucky vs East #1 Seed Florida in SEC Final

Alabama fans, don't worry too much.  Your team should easily roll past Georgia, which should be enough to get them in, even if they lose to a, quite frankly more talented Wildcat team in the Conference Semi-Finals.  While Kentucky should easily roll to the championship game, expect Florida to have a much tougher time, first with a hungry Ole Miss team, then with a talented bunch of Commodores.  Honestly, this title game will come down to who can hit the big shot at the end of the game.  With both teams having scorers (each team has four players averaging double figures), I think that this will ultimately come down to who can make the big play at the end.  I believe that Jones, Knight, Lamb, Darius Miller, and DeAndre Liggins will simply be too much for the Gators.  Expect the game to be close, but for Kentucky to run away in the final few minutes.