Ranking the Power Conferences
1. ACC: Three top 10 teams and Duke isn't one of them.
2. Big 12: Kansas, Oklahoma State and Texas are all capable of landing in St. Louis.
| __ College Basketball Preview __
ATLANTIC 10
• George Washington's Karl Hobbs, pictured, and his Colonials have high expectations this season. OTHER AREA COLLEGE CAPSULES
• American
• Howard
• George Washington
• Navy
• George Mason ACC
• North Carolina's Roy Williams, pictured, and his Tar Heels are one reason the ACC continues to be the country's strongest conference.
• Scouting Report: Players
• Media Poll
• Who's Hot, Who's Not?
• Must-See Games WOMEN
• Despite success on the court, area teams are having a difficult time filling the stands.
• Area Capsules BIG EAST
• John Thompson III, pictured, and the Hoyas are hoping for a fresh start this season.
• Scouting Report: Players
• Coaches' Poll
• Who's Hot, Who's Not?
• Must-See Games
• Schedule Changes Next Year NATIONAL
• This season is about the upperclassmen like Providence forward Ryan Gomes who spurned the NBA and returned for a title run.
• On Basketball: Nothing is certain in college basketball.
• Scouting Report: Teams
• Scouting Report: Players
_____ This Week's Previews _____
The college basketball season opens this week. Look for the following previews:
• Thursday: National outlook
• Friday: Big East
• Saturday: Women
• Sunday: ACC
• Monday: Atlantic 10, CAA and others.
___ On Our Site ___
• Talk about the season.
___ Quantity, Quality? ___
| | |
|
3. Big East: The football-diluted league has four stout hoops teams: U-Conn., Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame.
4. SEC: Kentucky is young but talented; Alabama and Mississippi State will rule the West.
5. Big 10: Illinois and Michigan State are the cream of the crop; Northwestern could be NCAA bound.
6. Conference USA: How's this for a coaching roster? Pitino, Huggins, Penders, Crean, Calipari and Eustachy.
7. Pacific-10: Arizona is on the rise; Stanford falls after losing coach Mike Montgomery to NBA.
8. Atlantic 10: Xavier and George Washington look like the only NCAA tournament-bound teams.
9. Mountain West: UNLV and new coach Lon Kruger will challenge Utah for league title.
10. Western Athletic: Nevada and Texas-El Paso will try to repeat last season's success with new coaches.
Bracket Busters
The nation's best mid-majors:
1. Pacific: Upset alert: Tigers play at Kansas on Dec. 4.
2. Toledo: Rockets senior Keith Triplett is one of the nation's best-kept secrets.
3. Vermont: Catamounts star Taylor Coppenrath and Coach Tom Brennan go out winners.
