NCAA Basketball: 2018 Las Vegas Initational preview and predictions

Favorites and dark horses in the Las Vegas Invitational

North Carolina has to be considered the favorite. They’re ranked the highest, on a lot of final four watch lists and have one of the favorites to win Player of the year. Roy Williams is a Hall of Fame coach, proven winner and are due to finish better than what happened the end last season.

The Tar Heels play with a lot of energy, grab a ton of offensive boards and can score in a hurry. Their defense is also going to collapse from time to time. Whether that’s to begin the game, to end the first half or during the second half. But with a shooter like Cam Johnson and a terrific basketball player in Luke Maye, they end up pulling away.

The biggest story for UNC has been Garrison Brooks. He’s been the x-factor. The Heels were missing a piece or two in the front court last season. He and Sterling Manley weren’t ready to be big men for a great program yet. Things have changed drastically. Brooks is averaging over 10 points and six boards per game along with over two offensive boards. That’s another dangerous piece to give North Carolina second chances.

It’s hard to pick a dark horse when three teams are ranked. The definition would fit Texas, but I’ll take UCLA because the Bruins need to do well in the Las Vegas Invitational. I told you they haven’t been on the road yet and won’t have a true road game until December 19 when they travel to Cincinnati. Notre Dame and Ohio State stand as their next best non-conference games until Pac-12 play starts.

It may be a down year for the Big 12, but everyone is still going to be competitive down the stretch. It’s a very improved season for the Big Ten and the ACC is well the ACC. The Pac-12 isn’t doing much to help their down season from a year ago. So UCLA needs a win. The Bruins have the talent to get it done, they just have to make sure the moment isn’t too big.