March Madness In January
College basketball conference play starts NCAA tournament frenzy
Jan 4, 2007
NCAA college basketball conference play is underway, and fans are already thinking about 2007 March Madness. Suite101 evaluates the favorites and underdogs.
Sure, it’s only January, but NCAA March Madness is beginning to hit college basketball fans nationwide.
Conference play is underway, and most NCAA teams have played 15 or more games. With the zany 2006 March Madness still fresh in our minds, when George Mason shocked everyone with a Final Four run, and young Florida took the title, eyes are already focused on March Madness in 2007.
With NCAA March Madness just over two months away, Suite101 takes an early look at January’s NCAA Tournament favorites, underdogs and Cinderellas.
2007 March Madness Favorites
- UCLA – The unbeaten, top-ranked UCLA Bruins had a 2006 March Madness run all the way to the final game, losing to Florida. UCLA has plenty of returning stars and plays lesser competition in the Pac 10 than our other favorites. The Bruins should gain a top seed and make a second straight March Madness Final Four run.
- North Carolina – Compared to prior years, the ACC is down, so even though North Carolina is young, the Tar Heels are still the class of the conference and will once again be a force during March Madness.
- Florida – Two early-season losses, and some began to wonder if the Gators were the same team that won the NCAA Tournament a year ago. With all five starters back, and the kinks worked out, Florida is again primed for a Final Four run.
- Butler – Sure, the Butler Bulldogs play in the Horizon League, meaning March Madness will likely begin with the NCAA Tournament selection committee improperly seeding Butler. The Bulldogs will likely run the table in their league, though and finish the season with just one loss. With plenty of quality wins to its credit, Butler will deserve a number 1 seed. The Bulldogs won’t get it, but they’ll be this year’s version of George Mason.
2007 March Madness Underdogs
- Texas Tech – Bob Knight took the pressure off, leading his Red Raiders to a mid-season win that made Knight the winningest coach in men’s NCAA basketball history. Now, it’s time for a little more March Madness for the General. Texas Tech has the outside firepower to get hot in the NCAA Tournament. A tough Big 12 schedule will likely earn the Raiders a 7 or 8 seed, meaning a second-round game with one of the favorites – a March Madness affair to be remembered.
- Georgetown – The Hoyas had a very nice NCAA Tournament run in 2006, but the Big East is better than it’s been in a few years. Georgetown will have too many losses for a high seed in March, so the Hoyas will enter as an underdog. A gigantic front-court and tough schedule will make Georgetown a very tough out in March.
2007 March Madness Cinderellas
- Southern Illinois – We’ve loved the Salukis since the pre-season, so we can’t quit on them now. Playing in the very tough Missouri Valley Conference, SIU sprinted to an 11-2 start and knocked off then top-10 Wichita State. The Salukis return all five starters from an NCAA Tournament-tested team.
- Air Force – The Falcons started 14-1 with several quality wins. Some tough Mountain West competition will bring a few more losses, but the Falcons will make the NCAA Tournament field. Air Force has five starters who average double-figure points and a backcourt that averages 30. The Falcons will be fun to watch in the 2007 NCAA Tournament and are one of those special teams that give March Madness its name.
The copyright of the article March Madness In January in College Basketball is owned by Mark Barnes. Permission to republish March Madness In January in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
