5 Teams You Need to Start Watching Now!

by Shane M. Dayton

College football is over and done after one of the best (if not, the single greatest) season in college football history.  Now we’re counting down to March Madness, and even though it’s early (conference play is just beginning), that only makes it the perfect time to list five teams worth watching over the 2007-2008 NCAA men’s basketball season.  Some of these teams are huge surprises, some are dominant, some are disappointing—but all these situations bear watching over the season.

NBA and NCAA Championship Odds 

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Baylor:
It was only four years ago that this team was in the news for all the wrong reasons.  The murder of one teammate by another, mass defections, a campus in shock, but a few years later believe the difference.  Baylor comes into the conference schedule 12-2 with impressive wins over Wichita State, Notre Dame, South Carolina, and Winthrop.  This team seems to be translating talent into wins, and if they can keep their focus in the league openers against Iowa State and Oklahoma State, Baylor could be 14-2.  They’re back, and Baylor basketball is relevant once again.

North Carolina:
Yes, North Carolina is always one of the top basketball programs, but the 16-0 Tar Heels are showing killer intensity to go along with their top flight talent.  Have you seen the tape of Tyler Hansbrough dunking over the tallest player in college basketball, Kenny George?  Duke has failed a lot recently (and UConn) because they had talent but no desire.  North Carolina has both, making them even scarier than usual.

Drake:
This small Iowa school (who is only D-I in basketball) has put on an early surprise, displaying strong defense with near flawless execution on offense.  Drake managed to win against both in state rivals: Iowa and Iowa State.  They also have wins over Duquesne, Southern Illinois, and Wichita State, giving everyone notice that Drake basketball is here to stay.  Drake is 13-1, with their only loss a very close loss to St. Mary’s—nothing to sneeze at.

Kansas:
Kansas is another team that is always tough, and a 15-0 start shows that they will yet again be a major team to reckon with.  Great on offense and great on defense, but this team has shown one strong Achilles heel that is definitely worth watching, and which might explain an early upset from the tourney if Kansas isn’t careful: a paltry 60% shot from the free throw line.

USC:
USC had an extremely strong year last season, beating many quality opponents and making an impact on the tourney field.  Most of these players were coming back with Coach Tim Floyd, who had great success previously at Iowa State, as well.  Then they land O.J. Mayo, the most coveted recruit in the country…and now they look more like an NIT team than a tourney team.  Huh?  USC has a mediocre 9-6 record including a 0-3 league start.  They have had good wins, beating Miami (OH) and Southern Illinois, but then losing to Mercer at home?  Really?  And they couldn’t stand up to Kansas and Memphis, but both were close losses, so there is some hope yet, but USC needs to put on a clinic.