sleeper;734749 wrote:Kentucky and North Carolina are going to be scary next year.

Even if Barnes, Knight, and Jones are gone, those two teams are freakin loaded.

If all those guys come back, those two teams will just be crazy good.

Either way, I think it's pretty likely that we see Carolina and UK play more than once next year.

Game should be at the dean dome this year right?

swamisez;734954 wrote:Game should be at the dean dome this year right?

No it was in Chapel Hill this year.

Carolina has to go to Austin and Lexington next season. Doesn't get much tougher than those two out-of-conference road games.

Are they playing in Austin or in Dallas? UNC played in Gboro not in CH, maybe Texas will oblige.

swamisez;735042 wrote:Are they playing in Austin or in Dallas? UNC played in Gboro not in CH, maybe Texas will oblige.

Greensboro was a "repayment" for the game at Jerry's World.

I'm pretty sure North Carolina played Texas at Cowboys Stadium in 2009-10, so I am assuming that's the case again? Either way, that's no easy task, even if Rick Barnes does have only a slightly better track record in March than Rick Moranis.

That lone Final Four came with T.J. Ford and, despite arguably the best crop of talent in the country since then -- we're talking LaMarcus Aldridge, DJ Augustin, Kevin Durant, Daniel Gibson,, Damion James, AJ Abrams, Jordan Hamilton, Corey Joseph -- Barnes and Texas have yet to return and are usually not even close. Can't fault his recruiting, though, it's among the top five in the country year in, year out.

Well, nevermind. I was doing some other things and wildcats beat me to the post. I guess I stand corrected.

I just looked at some information regarding Carolina's schedule for next year. The game with Texas has not been officially finalized according to that, but I've read for a while now that there will be a home-and-home between the Heels and Horns, this time without the neutral courts. The game at Rupp is official, and Carolina will also play MSU in San Diego on an aircraft carrier.

ironman02 wrote:Carolina will also play MSU in San Diego on an aircraft carrier.

As a fervent fan of Duke, my only hope for this game is that Leonardo DiCaprio plays Tyler Zeller in the movie. He might need stilts, however.

Question for Duke fans...

Any truth to the rumor that Murphy may be coming to Duke a year early? I've also heard that DeAndre Daniels may be looking at reclassifying to the 2011 class and committing to Duke. Could just be typical message board rumors, but I was just curious. If this is true, K must be becoming an expert at getting kids to come to college early (Dawkins).

Edit: Daniels is actually 2011 and wouldn't be reclassifying. Question stands for Murphy though.

Had heard Murphy's name being linked to early enroll due to the absence of wing/forward players with this year's group. But that is purely speculation I imagine.

He is physically not prepared to make that type of jump. He would also be asked to play a position that is far tougher than what Andre Dawkins was asked to do his frosh year.

The real question is, with KI gone, does this open the door for Rasheed Suilamon

I've never been to a Carolina-Kentucky game, but next year might be the one to attend. Might be #1 vs #2...

swamisez;735174 wrote:Had heard Murphy's name being linked to early enroll due to the absence of wing/forward players with this year's group. But that is purely speculation I imagine.

He is physically not prepared to make that type of jump. He would also be asked to play a position that is far tougher than what Andre Dawkins was asked to do his frosh year.

The real question is, with KI gone, does this open the door for Rasheed Suilamon

Good grief! So Sulaimon may come early? How the hell can so many of these kids potentially reclassify?

Most high school requirements for graduation are fulfilled in 3.5 years. Many kids can choose to go to summer school and enroll in college that fall. I know just in my general high school class many kids could have done so, but Senior year, second semester is always when you take the blow off classes and enjoy yourself.

ironman02;734925 wrote:Even if Barnes, Knight, and Jones are gone, those two teams are freakin loaded.

If all those guys come back, those two teams will just be crazy good.

Either way, I think it's pretty likely that we see Carolina and UK play more than once next year.

I was assuming they would all come back. I don't really know the talent they have coming in.

With Z and Heson coming back and the addtion of Mac, Pj even JS im feeling pretty good about next year. All we need now is HB to come back and I will feel very good.

ironman02;735183 wrote:Good grief! So Sulaimon may come early? How the hell can so many of these kids potentially reclassify?

Kyrie Irving in an interview with Andy Katz indicated Duke had a great group coming in and this made it difficult to leave early. At that point he actually said with the addition of Daniels they are going to be a great group.

Looks like Daniels may be headed to Durham. Expected to announce April 15.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/duke/basketball/recruiting/player-DeAndre-Daniels-83314

also, Michael Gbinije's coach indicated Michael is up to 6'8". An inch of growth in his senior year.

Damn, I really wanted KU to get Daniels, he is really good. Soon as Duke came calling, that was a pipe dream.

Some other SEC squads that should be solid:

Florida - The Gators may have the best collection of back court talent in the country bringing in the best overall guard from the HS ranks in Bradley Beal, the best incoming transfer in the country in Mike Rosario (from Rutgers), returning Walker, Boynton and Wilbekin. They will be thin inside but both Murphy and Young greatly improved, and Young is a potential lottery pick after next year. Yeguette also got some decent minutes this season.

G Erving Walker, Scottie Wilbekin
G Kenny Boynton, Mike Rosario
G Bradley Beal, Casey Prather
F Erik Murphy, Will Yeguette
F Patric Young

Vanderbilt - The Dores won't have the elite talent of Florida, Kentucky or some others, but they will return great experience and be a very deep squad. The Senior class of Tinsley, Taylor, Ezeli, Tchiengang, Goulbourne and Walker have all been playing for a few years. Jenkins will be in his third year and already won SEC POY, and both Rod Odom and Kyle Fuller got some minutes as Freshman. They bring in two 4-star recruits in Kedren Johnson and Dai-Jon Parker, both will give Vanderbilt a huge advantage on the perimeter, a very similar squad to Florida.

PG Brad Tinsley, PG Kedren Johnson
SG John Jenkins, Kyle Fuller, Dai'Jon Parker
SF Jeffrey Taylor, Lance Goulbourne
PF Steve Tchiengang, Andre Walker
C Festus Ezeli, Rod Odom

Alabama - This is the year for Anthony Grant. He has two All-SEC players not entering the draft in Tony Mitchell and JaMychal Green, and unlike the last two years, the depth is there to go along with great young talent. Releford is a fantastic young PG and they finally bring in some shooters, specifically top 30 player SG Levi Randolph. They will also have depth inside as Shawn Kemp Jr. will be eligible and they bring in two 4-star centers with Jacobs and Gueye.

PG Trevor Releford, Kendall Durant
SG Levi Randolph, Andrew Steele, Rodney Cooper
SF Tony Mitchell, Charles Hankerson
PF JaMychal Green, Nick Jacobs
C Shawn Kemp Jr., Moussa Gueye

Mississippi State - Team turmoil from 2010 is over, and the Bulldogs look to really contend for the NCAA's in 2011-12. They return a pair of quality talents with Dee Bost and Renardo Sidney, bring in a stud transfer in Arnett Moultrie and a top 20 HS player in Rodney Hood. The Bulldogs do lose a lot of depth, but many of those guys really had bad chemistry and were on some disappointing teams. The losses may actually be gains for Rick Stansbury. MSU may have the most talented starting lineup outside of Kentucky however.

PG Dee Bost, Deville Smith
SG Jalen Steele, D.J. Gardner, Brian Bryant
SF Rodney Hood, Shaun Smith
PF Arnett Moultrie, Wendell Lewis
C Renardo Sidney, John Riek

Arkansas - Mike Anderson alone will inspire this program, but they actually bring in a top 5-10 recruiting class and return three very good players and if they buy into his style, could be extremely dangerous. Getting Rotnei Clarke back is huge, same with Marshawn Powell, and B.J. Young is one of the top 3-4 incoming PG's. Both Madden and Michelson will definitely be a spark with young talent.

PG B.J. Young, Ky Madden, Julysses Nobles
SG Rotnei Clarke, Jeff Peterson, Mardracus Wade
SF Glenn Bryant, Aaron Ross
PF Marshawn Powell, Devonta Abram
C Hunter Michelson, Michael Sanchez

Georgia does bring in Kentavious Caldwell, and if he joins Travis Leslie, Gerald Robinson and Dustin Ware, the Dawgs will be tremendous on the perimeter. The losses of Chris Barnes, Jeremy Price and Trey Thompkins will make them extremely undersized and weak inside.

Tennessee loses their coach, seniors Brian Williams, Melvin Goins, Josh Bone, John Fields and Steven Pearl. There is a good chance Scotty Hopson stays in the NBA draft too, and they lost their second best recruit in Kevin Ware. They do return some younger talent, especially if Tobias Harris comes back, Kenny Hall, Trae Golden, Jeronne Maymon and Jordan McRae will play big roles, and Cameron Tatum and Renaldo Woolridge will have to play bigger roles as seniors. Freshman Chris Jones is a starter from day one at guard too. Possible that UT is a NCAA contender, but a lot of IF's before we can say that.

I expect Auburn to be improved, the same with LSU, but South Carolina is an absolute mess, Mississippi will rely on Jelan Kendrick to replace Chris Warren, and I doubt he does, so the Rebels fall back. The biggest change is that the SEC West will be much improved and the East will be more top-heavy with maybe the top 3 teams in the league (Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Florida) and maybe Georgia or Tennessee vying for the NCAA's. The SEC West will have Mississippi State and Alabama as preseason top 25 teams, Arkansas as a team who could have high upside, Auburn and LSU as teams who will improve, and then Mississippi who could also be in the 4-7 conference win range. Unfortunately, I think South Carolina is toast, and are in for a 2-3 win season in the SEC.

centralbucksfan;733565 wrote:CNNSI top 32 with assumptions of some players leaving early:

http://tourney.si.com/2011/04/05/after-the-confetti-our-top-32-for-11-12-2/?eref=sihp

Michigan State no where to be found in the top 32. The wicked witch is dead.

Looks like Trevor Lacey, 5-star SG from Alabama, one of 2 remaining top 25 recruits in the 2011 class (DeAndre Daniels is the other) will be deciding very soon. Rumors have him going to Kansas, Kentucky, Auburn, North Carolina State or Alabama. He visited Kansas last weekend and could be waiting on Brandon Knight to make his draft status as officially staying in before he decides.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/Kentucky/basketball/recruiting/player-Trevor-Lacey-82479;_ylt=Aj1tKnCR6FksxIpUf0AwybUtsZB4

Would love to close out with Lacey and Daniels...but I'd take one of them at the very least.

John Calipari has stated Brandon Knight got assurance he wanted about being drafted where he thought. Looks like he's staying in the draft for sure. Trevor Lacey is currently on campus so I wouldn't be surprised if he is bound. Knight was a probable starter and Teague and Lamb (along with Knight) forming the trio of guards who would get the bulk of the 80 minutes a game at the PG or SG spot. This departure would open up a part of that trio for immediate PT for Lacey.

I still think KU gets Daniels, but we'll see. His recruitment has been full of so many rumors.

Still feel Daniels will end up at Duke, despite his failure to commit April 15 while in Durham.