Beginning on 16th of March, the top 68 college teams in the United States will compete in the 2011 NCAA tournament. The tournament brings together schools from east to west in the biggest tournament in college basketball.
Consisting of one qualifying round and five knock-out rounds, the tournament will crown the national champions of the 2010-11 season.
Storied schools and relatively unknown programs will compete in the knock out tournament for the ultimate glory in college basketball.
The number one seeds:
Duke
The Blue Devils will aim to go back to back in this year’s tournament after locking up one of four number one seeds. Coming from an ACC tournament success, the team, coached by the great Mike Krzyzewski, will be aiming to take home the silverware in Houston.
The Blue Devils are lead by seniors Kyle Singler (Forward) and point guard Nolan Smith. NBA prospect power forward Mason Plumlee also figures to make a big contribution.
The team will be without guard Kyrie Irving who suffered a toe injury early in the season.
Ohio State
The overall number one seed will be the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes are built around 6ft 9″ power forward and freshmen Jared Sullinger. Sullinger’s outstanding play this season has him as one of the most highly touted prospects in this years NBA draft.
OSU also will expect big things from senior point guard John Diebler and junior William Buford (guard).
Kansas
Coached by the great Bill Self, the Jayhawks are one on the deepest teams in the country. With NBA bound Josh Selby, Tyshawn Taylor, Marcus Morris and Markieff Morris, the team will make a big impact on the tournament this year.
Pittsburgh
As one of the less highly regarded schools in the nation, Pitt have surprised some by locking up their second number one seed in the last 3 years. The Panthers feature a very balanced attack, with 10 players cracking the rotation. The team will likely have to face Florida, Butler and Wisconsin just to make the final four.
The Rest.
Brigham Young
BYU are led by Naismith nation player of the year contender and the nations leading scorer, PG Jimmer Fredette. BYU’s stock has fallen recently though with the teams leading rebounder and third leading scorer, Brandon Davies suspended by the school for a violation of the school honour code.
The Cougars should still make the sweet sixteen and are an outside chance to progress even further.
San Diego State
The San Diego State Aztecs are built around sophomore forward and NBA draft prospect Kawhi Leonard. The Aztecs are coming off a convincing victory in the Mountain West Championship, against rivals BYU. Unfortunately though, the fierce rivals won’t be able to match up unless they both make it to the championship game.
Michigan State
The Spartans are just coming in to their own. After a disappointing regular session, MSU pulled off a very surprising Big Ten tournament victory over a number three seeded Purdue.
The Spartans are my pick to progress further than expected. The run will be very difficult though with, UCLA, Florida and BYU all in their immediate path.
Notre Dame
The fighting Irish are led by Nation player of the year candidate Ben Hansbrough. Hansbrough, the brother of Pacers forward Tyler. The Irish will definitely have a shot at a deep run this year.
North Carolina
The Tar Heels will be one of most watched teams at the tournament this year. With great play form Freshman Harrison Barnes and Sophomore John Henson, UNC will really be fighting and could produce a great match up with OSU in the elite 8.
With 68 teams fighting for the championship, the road will be long and hard but the reward is great. Without a doubt the final four in Houston will be great and the championship game is sure to be a great one.
Build your own ultimate team! Pick your key players and take a shot at big cash prizes every day with Draftstars. For great odds on NBA games every day head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Nikola Jokic has scored 32 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead defending NBA champions Denver past LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers…
There will undoubtedly be upset results here and there in the NBA playoffs but there’s an overwhelming sense of fait accompli that Boston will…
LeBron James is going back to the Olympics for the first time in 12 years. Steph Curry is headed to the games for the…
The only realistic threat to Boston’s chances of strolling through the Eastern Conference is a team that could still end up in the play-in…
Australian guards Dante Exum and Josh Giddey have both come up big for their NBA clubs in crucial wins in the lead-in to the…
Minnesota Timberwolves fans have endured plenty of pain in their 35 years of being a laughing stock in the NBA. In all that time,…
