College BBall Talk 2/14

We're getting closer and closer to March. It's my favorite time of the year.  Nothing in sports is better than the NCAA Basketball Tournament. Lets talk Final Four and sleepers.

One thing people seem to over look in College Basketball is how teams are playing heading into March.  They remember the struggles of November and December, and even early January. That was a long time ago and teams change over the marathon that is college hoops.  Lets look at some sleepers.

Louisville

They struggled in December losing to St. Johns, Notre Dame and Providence, but we also have to remember they lost to Kentucky, Georgetown, and now Syracuse.  They could have easily won that game tonight vs the Orange, but  I think the Cards have shown they can get back to their preseason hype.  They've won 6 of their last 7, their defense has improved, and they're starting to play better as a team.

Vanderbilt

Most people remember Vandy's loss to Cleveland State.  They were without one of the best posts in the SEC in Festus Ezeli until mid December.  They've lost 3 of their past 4 but those were to number one Kentucky, on the road to a tough Florida team, and Arkansas, who is 17-1 at home.  Vandy has two terrific guards in Jeff Taylor and John Jenkins who can both shoot it, and a tough post down low in Ezeli.

Mississippi St
 The Bulldogs started off the year winning 12 of 13.  They've been up and down lately but Arnett Moultrie is one of the best power fowards in the country.  Renardo Sidney has been playing better recently and guards Dee Bost and Rodney Hood are quality guards.  This team is talented and can matchup with many teams across the country.  They play solid defense and rarely turn it over.  Those factors bode well for the tournament.

Wichita State

This team manhandled Creighton on Saturday.  They have good size around their lineup and can shoot it from the outside.  Their defense ranks in the top 25 of the Ken Pom Adjusted Defensive Rankings.  The Shockers have won 12 of their last 13 and are playing great at the right time.  Don't forget this team took down UNLV earlier in the season.

Temple

We all saw what this team can do with the win over Duke.  And they did without their best post in Michael Eric.  Eric is a solid post, Ramone Moore is a good scoring guard avg. 19 ppg, and Juan Fernandez can shoot it from the outside.