CBB Surprises and Dissapoitnments

As all the holiday tournaments and non-conference games come to a close, we take a look at some of the highlights and downfalls.

Most Surprising team-UConn- The emergence of Kemba Walker as one of the top ballers in the country has made the Huskies legit, with wins over Kentucky and Michigan St.

Disappointing teams- Gonzaga and VT- The Zags played a brutal non-conference schedule, but could only manage 3 quality wins. The Hokies were a top 20 team coming into this season, but 3 straight losses has dropped them considerably.

All Americans so far-

Jimmer Fredette

Kyrie Irving

Jared Sullinger

Marcus Morris

Kemba Walker

All Dud team-

Harrison Barnes

Malcom Delaney

Mike Tisdale

Enes Kanter

Curtis Kelley

Slam Dunk Contest

Here are 4 possible candidates for this year's dunk contest and highlights.

1. Derrick Rose

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D9fNb8blGo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peMAk1NWZPc

2. DeMar DeRozan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNL_sWSmB4o&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPZjOyHgrSA&feature=related

3. Blake Griffin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aspCHyeOLPQ

4. Russell Westbrook

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjaAMqiMEeU

comment on some players you would like to see in it.

My BCS Playoff System

There have been plenty of calls for a playoff system, so here is my idea.

• My idea is a 12 team playoff, with the top 4 teams receiving byes.
• The standings would be based off the 6 automatic conference winners and then the remaining teams would have their seed's determined by how high their BCS ranking is.
• For example, this year's top 4 teams with byes would be Auburn, Oregon, TCU, and Stanford. Wisconsin, Oklahoma, VT, and Uconn would be the next highest seeds and host 1st round games, with Arkansas, Boise St, Ohio St, and Michigan St rounding out the final 12. The only flaw is LSU getting snubbed, who is a mere .0003 behind Boise St. But that's a debate for another time.
• People worrying about the major bowls disappearing should stop. The semifinals can be the Orange and Sugar Bowls, with the Rose and Sugar Bowls picking 1st round losers to compete in their bowls.
• Note- If a playoff system were to be installed, it would likely be a 4 or 8 team playoff before more expansion is made.

Chicago area HS Basketball

Lots of good hoops will be going on this winter, as some big time schools and top recruits try to get their teams down to Peoria for the state tournament in March.

9 players to watch

Wayne Blackshear-Morgan Park- Blackshear is the favorite to win Illinois's Mr. Basketball. The Louisville recruit has dropped 50 points in the past and will do it a numerous amount of times this year.

Tracy Abrams- Mt Carmel- The Caravan's point guard can do it all, as he tries to lead them to a CCL title

Nnanna Egwu- St. Ignatius- The 6-10 future Illini is the backbone of the Wolfpack's team, as teammate Tyrone Straggers and a strong junior class will definitely compete in the CCL

Mike Shaw-De La Salle- A top ranked PF in the country, Shaw will try to get De La Salle down state in his final year.

Sam Thompson-Whitney Young- The Buckeye-to-be has lots of young talent behind him, in what looks like a promising year.

Mycheal Henry-Orr- Another ILL recruit, he will challenge Shaw and Blackshear for Mr. Basketball this year.

Markee Williams- Morgan Park- The 2nd year PG has all the skills to get Blackshear the ball and do a little scoring for himself too.

Tommy Hamilton-Whitney Young- A rare combination of superb post play and 3 ball range makes this sophomore deadly.

Jabari Parker- Simeon- A rising star in Chicago basketball, Parker took Simeon's storied basketball program by storm and received plenty of national attention.

Top Chicago teams

1 Morgan Park

2 Simeon

3 De La Salle

4 Whitney Young

5 Orr

6 Marshall

7 Crane

8 St. Ignatius

9 Mt. Carmel

10 Hales

4 Games you gotta see this year

Jan 13 Simeon vs Morgan Park

Jan 20 Orr vs Young

Feb 19 Simeon vs Benet

Jan 21 De La Salle vs Ignatius

Under the Radar Bowl Games

Besides the 5 BCS bowl games, here are 4 intriguing games that i will be sure to watch:

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl Dec 22-11 Boise St vs 19 Utah- 2 of the top non-BCS schools clash in a game which will feature the QB's in Kellen Moore and Jordan Wynn. With both schools moving to new conferences next year, this is a statement win for two rising programs.

Capital One Bowl Jan 1- 16 Bama vs 9 Michigan St- The Spartans get a mammoth test against Bama, while the Tide try to salvage their disappointing season.

Alamo Bowl Dec 29- 14 Oklahoma St vs Arizona- The Cowboys and Wildcats meet in a battle of 2 high powered offenses. The question is which defense can make a stop first?

Chick-fil-A Bowl Dec 31- 20 South Carolina vs 23 FSU- I think this is the most interesting non-BCS bowl this year. The Gamecocks have certainly had their highs and lows this year and on the other side, Florida St has endured many injuries but still found itself in the ACC Championship

2011 NBA Draft

Even with chilly December just beginning, it's never too early to check out some players who might be in the June draft.

1. Jared Sullinger-Ohio St.-PF- This super frosh has Buckeye fans thinking he could be the next Greg Oden or better. He resembles almost like a Kevin Love, but its doubtful that he is one and done this year.
2. Kyrie Irving-Duke-PG- Irving has taken the country by storm, and it is quite possible he bolts for the Association. Since the NBA is a point guard league, he would be projected to be a top 5 pick right now, if not better.
3. Perry Jones-Baylor-PF- A huge kid with crazy hops, Jones has the chance to go top 3. He reminds me of Tyrus Thomas, which may not be the comparison he wants.
4. Kemba Walker-UConn-PG- The junior really lit it up in Maui, and he also helped his stock. Walker is the highest rated upperclassmen in this draft.
5. Enes Kanter-C- Formerly Kentucky- Kanter was ruled ineligible by the NCAA in the fall. That won't stop Kanter from going high in the draft. Think Demarcus Cousins with a mid range jumper.
6. Terrence Jones-PF-Kentucky- Jones has really stepped in with the absence of Kanter, and he has also really improved his stock. He could be top ten or early Lottery.
7. Harrisn Barnes-SF-UNC- Barnes's stock has plummeted from the beginning of the season. But with an NBA built body and still plenty of season to go, he is projected top 5.
8. Chris Singleton-PF-FSU- The Seminole blocked shots like crazy against Ohio St with NBA scouts in the stands. He has been compared to Al Harrington.