Busting Brackets CBB Town Square meeting while sitting at a Roundtable
By Joe Nardone
Most surprisingly good team?
Mar 2, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Xavier Musketeers forward Jeff Robinson (21) and Massachusetts Minutemen guard Trey Davis (12) go to the ground for the ball in the first half at the Cintas Center. Umass defeated Xavier 77-72. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
JN: Harvard. Listen, though, lots of folks knew this team was going to be good. I just think the casual fan still has no idea how good they are. They aren’t a surprise to die-hards, but I bet when folks see someone praising them this early in the year as legit players for a relatively deep NCAA Tournament run they giggle or are confused. UMass, because who doesn’t love Minutemen (other than every one of my ex-girlfriends), are also in the running.
BLW: UMass. The Minutemen were on a lot of people’s radar at the start of the season, but they were not on mine. They have started 14-1. They might not have beaten any real marquis type teams, but they have won against some quality opponents.
JM: At a certain point you have to stop being so surprised by Syracuse’s ability to reload and contend year after year, but I’m still surprised that Syracuse is undefeated halfway through January. Sure some of their wins have been U-G-L-Y but what college basketball team doesn’t wind up with a 49-44 game here and there? Tyler Ennis has been awesome, Jerami Grant has made strides with his game to become the perfect big for Jim Boeheim, and as expected, C.J. Fair has become one of the best players in the country. This Orange team defends the way they’re “supposed to,” and spreads the floor on the offensive end better than they have in a few seasons. I also have to shout out Wisconsin for this category, wow.