Big Lead Staff 2015-2016 College Basketball Predictions
By The Big Lead
The 2015-2016 College Basketball season starts tonight, though only a handful of the matchups are particularly compelling if you are looking for previews of potential NCAA tournament contests. Here are our predictions on some issues for this season.
Most Overrated: Indiana. The Hoosiers have talent, but I’m dubious that Tom Crean can do anything with it. If he can’t do it this year … (wait, I may have said that last year)
Team that Missed the NCAA Tournament in 2015 that makes it in 2016: California.
All-American team: Ron Baker (Wichita State), Buddy Hield (Oklahoma), Jamal Murray (Kentucky), Ben Simmons (LSU), Georges Niang (Iowa State)
Best Freshman: Ben Simmons, LSU
Best Senior: Ron Baker, Wichita State
Will the NCAA make a decision on the UNC academic scandal in-season: No
Final Four: Maryland, LSU, North Carolina, Kentucky
National Champion: Maryland Terrapins
Rob Perez
Most Overrated: Duke
Team that Missed the NCAA Tournament in 2015 that makes it in 2016: UCONN
All-American team: Marcus Paige, Kris Dunn, Ben Simmons, Georges Niang, Brice Johnson
Best Freshman: Ben Simmons
Best Senior: Brice Johnson
Will the NCAA make a decision on the UNC academic scandal in-season: Yes and Jason will cry about it like a child who just had his Halloween candy stolen
Final Four: UNC, Wichita State, Gonzaga, Kansas
National Champion: UNC
Ryan Glasspiegel
Most Overrated: Virginia
Team that Missed the NCAA Tournament in 2015 that makes it in 2016: UConn
All-American team: Brice Johnson, Nigel Hayes, Georges Niang, Ron Baker, Marcus Paige
Best Freshman: Ben Simmons
Best Senior: Ron Baker
Will the NCAA make a decision on the UNC academic scandal in-season: Yes, and people will be initially shocked at the severity, and then realize that the sanctions aren’t actually that bad.
Final Four: Wisconsin, Kansas, Maryland, Wichita State
National Champion: Wisconsin
Jason Lisk
Most Overrated: Maryland (I wrote about them being in the top 3 here)
Team that Missed the NCAA Tournament in 2015 that makes it in 2016: Michigan
All-American team: Ben Simmons (LSU), Kris Dunn (Providence), Denzel Valentine (Michigan State), Kyle Wiltjer (Gonzaga), Tyler Ulis (Kentucky)
Best Freshman: Ben Simmons, LSU
Best Senior: Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga
Will the NCAA make a decision on the UNC academic scandal in-season: No
Final Four: North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, Oklahoma
National Champion: Kentucky Wildcats
Michael Shamburger
Best Freshman: Ben Simmons, LSU
Final Four: LSU, Kentucky, North Carolina, Wichita State
National Champion: LSU