NCAA Basketball Preview

A comprehensive review of my 2004 NCAA Basketball Pre Season Elite Eight betting odds. These teams are in no particular order.

North Carolina

2003-04 record: 19-11 (8-8, tied for 5th in ACC)

2003-04 postseason result: Lost to Texas, 2nd round, NCAA

Key players returning: Rashad McCants, Raymond Felton, Sean May, Jackie Manuel, Jawad Williams

Key players lost: None

This could be the season that North Carolina returns to all of its former glory. This roster is stacked with talent but Roy Williams had a difficult time with some of the personalities, i.e. Rashad McCants, one year ago. That should not happen again in his second season. Look for the Tar Heels to get very deep into the tournament and battle it out with Wake for the ACC title.

Final Four betting odds

Kentucky

2003-04 record: 27-5 (13-3, 1st in SEC East)

2003-04 postseason result: Lost to UAB, 2nd round, NCAA

Key players returning: Chuck Hayes, Kelenna Azubuike

Key players lost: Cliff Hawkins, Gerald Fitch, Erik Daniels, Antwain Barbour

Maybe a fringe pick for then top eight. UK will need their newcomers to be big time performers for them to be there in late March, but Randolph Morris and Joe Crawford should be big time players as freshman. Kentucky should once again win the SEC and get deep into the NCAA tournament. Chuck Hayes could be a household name down South by the end of this season.

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Kansas

2003-04 record: 24-9 (12-4, tied for 2nd in BIG 12)

2003-04 postseason result: Lost to Georgia Tech, Elite Eight, NCAA

Key players returning: Wayne Simien, Keith Langford, Aaron Miles, J.R. Giddens

Key players lost: David Padgett (transferred), Jeff Graves

Rock Jock huh? This team is simply loaded with Simien, Langford and Miles all returning. The Jayhawks will run away wit the Big 12 title, but will they fold once again in the tournament? Simien reminds a lot of Danny Manning, so maybe this will be the year that Kansas gets it done once again.

Georgia Tech

2003-04 record: 28-10 (9-7, tied for 3rd in ACC)

2003-04 postseason result: Lost to Connecticut in national championship

Key players returning: B.J. Elder, Jarrett Jack, Luke Schenscher, Will Bynum, Isma'il Muhammad, Anthony McHenry

Key players lost: Marvin Lewis, Clarence Moore

Last year's runner up will have another great season. BJ Elder, when healthy is one of the best players in the country. Schenscher and Jack make this a formidable club that will once again contend in the ACC and Nationally.

Syracuse

2003-04 record: 23-8 (11-5, tied for 3rd in Big East)

2003-04 postseason result: Lost to Alabama, Sweet 16, NCAA

Key players returning: Hakim Warrick, Gerry McNamara, Josh Pace, Craig Forth, Demetris Nichols, Louie McCroskey, Terrence Roberts, Darryl Watkins

Key players lost: Jeremy McNeil

McNamara and Warrick will make this another exciting season in upstate New York. The return of point guard Billy Edelin will be a hige boost and should allow McNamara more room on the perimeter. This team will be very difficult for opponents to defend. The Orangeman should be a Final Four team next March.

Wake Forest

2003-04 record: 21-10 (9-7, tied for 3rd in ACC)

2003-04 postseason result: Lost to St. Joseph's, Sweet 16, NCAA

Key players returning: Chris Paul, Justin Gray, Eric Williams, Taron Downey, Jamaal Levy, Vytas Danelius, Trent Strickland, Kyle Visser

Key players lost: None

Newcomers of note: Cameron Stanley

Chris Paul and Justin Gray form what may be the best backcourt outside of Tuscon. My only concern about the Deamon Deacons is how much they rely on the three pointer. They'll need to diversify their offense from one year ago or they'll meet the same fate come tournament time.

Arizona

2003-04 record: 20-10 (11-7, 3rd in Pac-10)

2003-04 postseason result: Lost to Seton Hall, 1st round, NCAA

Key players returning: Mustafa Shakur, Channing Frye, Hassan Adams, Salim Stoudamire, Chris Rodgers, Isaiah Fox, Ivan Radenovic

Key players lost: Andre Iguodala

The Wildcats are loaded once again this season. They did not live up to expectations one year ago because they refused to play defense from the get-go. Isiah Fox is back from injury and the backcourt is, simply put, the most talented in the land. If Olson can get this team to commit on the defensive end of the basketball court, the Wildcats will be cutting down the nets in April.

Michigan State

2003-04 record: 18-12 (12-4, tied for 2nd in Big Ten)

2003-04 postseason result: Lost to Nevada, 1st round, NCAA

Key players returning: Paul Davis, Chris Hill, Alan Anderson, Kelvin Torbert, Maurice Ager, Shannon Brown, Delco Rowley

Key players lost: Jason Andreas

Izzo's team struggled last season through some growing pains. The nice part about having a young team is that they come back the following season. Chris Hill can fill it up from three-point land, and Paul Davis is a tough customer down low. I'll be watching the Michigan / Michigan State games this season. We look for the Spartans to win the Big Ten and step back into National prominence this season.

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