Purdue and UConn Suddenly Among Favorites for Title
The college basketball season is about a month old, and there is much more usable data to identify real national championship contenders now. Some teams like North Carolina that may have looked like potential postseason threats now look much less like contenders. Meanwhile, teams like Connecticut, Purdue and Virginia all look like the best teams in their league, which was not expected. With the information now available, use vulkanbet 50 free spins to maximize the new knowledge.
Houston was looked at as a potential contender before the season started, but after starting 9-0, the Cougars have moved to the top spot in both the AP Poll and on KenPom. Houston has all the ingredients for a deep run in March. The Cougars have an experienced backcourt led by senior Marcus Sasser along with juniors Jamal Shead and Tramon Mark. Houston also has an elite defense, ranking second in the nation in defensive efficiency while allowing a nation-low 47.3 points per game. The Cougars still have games against Alabama and Virginia before conference play starts, and if they win both of those contests they will certainly be viewed as the favorites to win the championship.
Connecticut is more of a surprise as the Huskies have started 10-0 and moved into a top 5 AP Poll ranking after beginning the year unranked. UConn is the only team in the nation to rank in the top-10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency on KenPom as of December 9. The Huskies have one of the deepest rosters in the nation as they play nine guys all of whom have the talent to be starters. Donovan Clingan has been one of the best freshman big men in the nation, yet he comes off the bench due to the presence of all-conference big Adama Sanogo. Andre Jackson is one of the most versatile players in the nation who uses his elite athleticism to do a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor. Jordan Hawkins and Joey Calcaterra are two of the most dangerous shooters in the Big East. The Huskies’ point guard play is a little shaky with East Carolina transfer Tristen Newton still adjusting to the high major game. Houston is likely a stronger contender currently, but the emergence of Newton could easily move UConn into that spot.
Purdue has been another revelation jumping into a top 5 ranking after being unranked before the year started. That is largely due to the fact that Zach Edey has become the frontrunner for the National Player of the Year after stepping into a full-time role. Edey shared minutes with Trevion Williams last season, and with Williams now gone Edey has become the most unstoppable big man in the nation. Edey has scored at least 20 points in every game since the season opener. Through nine games, Edey is averaging 23.2 points, 13.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. If Edey continues his dominant play, the Boilermakers will be a very difficult out in the NCAA Tournament.
