Campus Connection

Hide the co-eds and take a study break. Here's the campus hype for this weekend.


I've listed the teams that are looking the most championship caliber at this very moment. Game tight, swagger right, and ready for March Madness. I've also included why they appear that way as well as some potential weaknesses. Feel free to chime in.


Connecticut Huskies, 27-2 (15-2)



The biggest reason, literally, that this team is a title contender is because of 7-3 center Hasheem Thabeet. He is the core of what this team does offensively and defensively. He hasn't shown the meanness to intimidate all comers and consistently dominate but, as is, he takes this team deep into the tourney. The team has proven scorers at guard, wing, forward and coming off the bench. Defensively, I've seen them pressure full court and devastate teams without good ball handlers. They can also drop back into a stifling man to man or give trapping zone looks, both of which channel people right into Thabeet. I like their chances. The Big East is the best conference in college basketball and this appears to be the best team in said conference. I think the upcoming game against Pitt will give us an idea of where UConn is in terms of readiness. Pitt has had success against Connecticut and they certainly don't fear Thabeet. Teams nationwide will be watching this game intently for ideas about neutralizing the strengths, and exploiting the weakness of Jim Calhoun's Huskies.



Next game: March 7th @ Pittsburgh (Get ready for a thriller.)


Michigan State Spartans, 24-5 (14-3)



This team is starting to round into form. Year in and year out Coach Tom Izzo puts together a group of players that are tried in non-conference ( Maryland, Oklahoma State, North Carolina, Kansas, and Texas this year) and tested in conference. Izzo's best teams rebounded hard, defended harder, and made teams work on defense. This team has the potential to do those things and do them well. Kalin Lucas and Raymar Morgan are flat-out players who will give any team fits, especially in transition. One potential weakness could be the bench play. The drop off in experience and readiness is significant after the top 8 players.


Next game: March 8th vs. Purdue


North Carolina Tar Heels, 26-3 (12-3)



This is the best offensive team in college basketball. They bring firepower from every position 1-5 and the bench is also lights out as far as scoring the ball goes. This team gets plenty of second chance opportunities, scores inside, scores outside,scores in transition, scores off turnovers..... they don't lack in ways to put the ball in the basket. That, in and of itself, makes this team a threat to advance deep into the tourney. Where, however, will the defensive intensity come from. For the most part this team has been exposed in conference by aggressive, play making guards. Greivis Vasquez, Jack McClinton, Tyrese Rice, and Jeff Teague all pretty much had their way with the North Carolina back court. This is important because there will be a wealth of talented guards in the tourney. However, none of them will have the luxury of familiarity with Carolina that the aforementioned in-conference rivals enjoyed and exploited. Film study will only get you so far.


Next game: March 8th vs. Duke (The Dean Dome is gonna be rockin for this one.)


Oklahoma Sooners, 26-4 (12-3)



Oklahoma boasts the best power forward in the country in Blake Griffin. Some are even prepared to name him the best player in the country. I'm not sure of that but I will say top 3. That makes him, and this team, a serious threat in March. Griffin's ability to score in the half court, rebound the ball, run the floor, make free throws and finish around the basket make him a serious match up problem for most teams in the country. Add to that the fact that his teammates, especially guards Willie Warren and Tony Crocker, continue to improve and this possibilities for this team seem endless. Griffin's health was a concern but he looks to have completely recovered from the concussion suffered vs. Texas. I think the bigger concern should be whether or not this team can win games against tournament caliber squads should Griffin be neutralized by a quality defensive scheme.


Next game: March 7th vs. Oklahoma State (Don't sleep on this one, OK State only lost by 8 the first time around.)


Pittsburgh Panthers, 27-3 (14-3)



Of the truly elite teams in college basketball, this is the best defensive team out there. They harass ball handlers, disrupt offensive flow and execution, block shots and rebound to end possessions. They physically and mentally shut teams down. This team has an intimidation factor that can't be understated. Pittsburgh scores in much the same way that they play defense. Forward Sam Young leads an attack that starts inside and builds on really dominating the paint area. That being said, Pitt is not without weakness. When either point guard Levance Fields or power forward DeJuan Blair are on the bench this isn't the same team. I think that really speaks to their depth at those key positions, or maybe the lack thereof. That could be problematic.


Next game: March 7th vs. Connecticut