The usual suspects continue to roll. #1 UNC is 3-0 and #2 Kentucky remains perfect at 4-0. I look forward to broadcasting a great matchup between these two teams on December 3rd in Lexington for Westwood One Sports. Also, UConn, Syracuse, Duke and Louisville are rolling up victories. What else is new?
But what about the surprises? This year’s San Diego State just might be ….. San Diego State (5-1). Kawhi Leonard is gone but coach Steve Fisher continues to overachieve as his young team outhustled, outfought and outplayed a veteran Long Beach State bunch who had just come off a huge win at #9 Pittsburgh.
Speaking of Long Beach, give coach Dan Monson lots of credit for playing the Big Boys — Louisville, Kansas and North Carolina coming up soon.
Player to Watch
One of the most underrated and unknown players in the country is Jared Cunningham at Oregon State (4-1). The 6’4″ junior guard averages almost 23 points a game and is long, makes things happen and gets to the free-throw line. Trust me, he could be the Pac-12 MVP this year. As for the Beavers as a whole, they beat Texas in overtime and lost a tough one to Vandy. They are much improved, and if nothing else, they’ll be tough to beat in Corvallis.
Could it Finally Happen for the ‘Cats?
The only major conference team never to make the NCAA Tournament is Northwestern, but the Wildcats are off to a great start (4-0). They’re led by John Shurna and Drew Crawford, both of whom are averaging over 20 points per game. The ‘Cats are a veteran team who will hold their own in the Big 10 this year.
Wolverines on the Rise
Another Big Ten team on the rise is Michigan, led by Tim Hardaway, Jr.. But the Wolverines still showed they have a ways to go after losing to undefeated Duke. It was the Blue Devils 8th win in the last nine meetings between the two schools. Duke’s balance was just too much for the improving Wolverines in an 82-75 win in Maui.
– Bill Frieder
Bill Frieder is an analyst for Westwood One’s coverage of NCAA Basketball. In his weekly blog Boxed Out, Bill scours the box scores to bring you interesting stories from the world of college basketball.
The Boxed Out Archives
Bill Frieder looks ahead to 2017
Coaches and players are on the move! Let’s face it basketball fans, transfers are as much a part of college basketball as are incoming freshmen. Several good ones are on the move, and several players still have… Read More »
Bill Frieder looks back on an all-time classic
I have been around basketball for a long time, yet I wasn’t smart enough to see the national champions right in front of me for the past few weeks. I had Miami as a sleeper and Villanova took them out. Everyone loved Kansas (including me), yet Jay Wright’s crew wasn’t… Read More »
Bill Frieder previews the Final Four
Well we are off to Houston and just like we all thought it turned out to be…wait, no Kansas? Where is Michigan State? Oregon? Are any No. 1 seeds left? Well, there’s one… All hail the Heels Let’s start with everyone’s favorite to win it all now as North Carolina… Read More »
Bill Frieder dishes on the Sweet 16
What a weekend! The bottom line is teams 20 through 70 are all the same, it just depends on who is playing where and who is hot and who is not. Had the NCAA put St. Mary’s, San Diego State or Monmouth in the field and left out Tulsa, Vanderbilt… Read More »
Bill Frieder on the field of 68
Well Kansas is the No. 1 overall seed, and while I do think the Jayhawks should’ve been sent to St. Louis, I don’t think anyone should worry about if Kansas and its fans will get to Des Moines. The first round could be in Auckland or Iceland and Jayhawks are… Read More »
Bill Frieder on Kansas, Michigan State, Kentucky and more
Well, here we are; midway through Championship Week, and some teams are really hot headed into their conference tournaments. I am looking forward to being at the Conference USA Championship and then heading to New York for Selection Sunday duties to talk about everyone from Austin Peay to the ‘Zags. As… Read More »
Bill Frieder on the Hall, OU-Texas, Duke-UNC and more
I really feel good for schools at this time of the year who have great tradition, have struggled recently but are showing signs of life. Seton Hall hasn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 2006 and has only been there twice in 15 years, but after the big win against… Read More »
