College Hoops

I really like Duke University. All of their student athletes can actually read! I also really like Coach K who keeps his student athletes in line and who consistently produces top teams within the rules provided by the NCAA. J.J. Redick may be the best pure shooter I have ever seen at any level of basketball and I am impressed by the manner in which he has developed from just a jump shooter to an all round player. He will make it in the NBA.

Their history is rich and this is one terrific team in 2006, but I really would be surprised to see them walk off with the championship when all is said and done in Indianapolis.

Teams that win it all need more than two scorers and outside of Redick and Williams, there is not a consistent 3rd scorer. In addition, their point guard position (Paulus) is being manned by a freshman who, while leading the ACC in assists, makes far too many turnovers at critical times for a team that can't afford to lose one game when the dance begins.

Against North Carolina this week, Tyler Hansborough (another freshman) held Williams in check and Duke excaped by a whisker with Redick scoring 35. If Hansborough can do that kind of job on Williams, what will the bboys at UConn do.

My sense is that UConn is the team to beat. They have great depth and two players coming off the bench who can lead them in scoring when needed. I'm not a huge Marcus Williams fan, but he is experienced and the kind of point guard you need down the stretch.

It's hard to pick an NCAA winer because one game can eliminate you, but, at this morment in time, my money is on UConn.