NCAA Basketball: Best program in every state for 2018-19
By Pan Karalis
Nebraska – Nebraska
Step aside, Creighton here comes Nebrasketball. The Cornhuskers return top scorers from a group that surprised the Big Ten with a 13 win campaign in the conference (their second season with a .500 record or better in league play since 1999), and they received a good chunk of points in the preseason AP Poll. The loss of Marcus Foster means the Jays are likely not anywhere near the conversation in the Big East, but a few talented youngsters probably have the program set to return sooner than later.
Game of the year – Creighton @ Nebraska; Saturday, December 8th
Nevada – Nevada
The Martin brothers and Eric Musselman have Final Four aspirations this season and open as a top 10 team in the country. UNLV is the historic powerhouse in the Silver State, but the time is now for the Wolf Pack, who likely have their best-ever team ready to take the court.
Game of the year – Nevada @ UNLV, Tuesday, January 29th
New Hampshire – New Hampshire
Dartmouth has actually made two Final Four appearances in their history, but that was over 70 years ago. This Dartmouth team is terrible, only slightly worse than their neighbors to the southeast. UNH and the Big Green both lose leading scorers, and shouldn’t factor in either the America East or Ivy.
Game of the year: Dartmouth @ UNH, Sunday, December 30th
New Jersey – Rider
Rider returns their six leading scorers from a season ago, a campaign that saw them take the MAAC regular-season title before bowing out in their first conference tournament game to 9th seeded St. Peter’s. Rutgers and Seton Hall will both be struggling to not finish dead last in their respective leagues, and although proven winner Princeton should be better, I don’t think they’re as dangerous as their Mercer County neighbors. Micah Seaborn’s decision to pursue a pro career and forgo his senior season at Monmouth likely leaves the Hawks out of the conversation if they weren’t already.
Game of the year: Rutgers @ Seton Hall; Saturday, December 15th
New Mexico – New Mexico
New Mexico State has made six tournament appearances in seven years and crushed the Lobos a season ago, but with the losses of Zach Lofton and Jemerrio Jones, and now going into the third season since the departure of program architect Marvin Menzies, I think the Aggies start to fall back to earth. New Mexico is starting to earn some sleeper talk themselves.