When the Jayhawks lost 50 points per game in Paul Pierce, Raef LaFrentz, and Billy Thomas, nobody expected them to win the Big 12. However, they have been soundly defeated by Missouri, Nebraska, and barely escaped against Colorado. It looks as if Coach Roy Williams, Ryan Robertson and Co. will have to regroup and refocus as this Kansas team hopes to end its string of postseason woes.
In the Big Ten, it has been a dogfight. While Michigan State stands perched at the top, led by National Player of the Year Award candidate Mateen Cleaves, there is a huge group of teams clawing for position in Indiana, Purdue, Iowa, Ohio State, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Michigan has surprised everyone although they don't have a winning record. Josh Asselin, the center has been unexpectedly productive, and when he has played well, the Wolverines have prevailed.
In Madison Square Garden, two great games have been played in the course of one week. First, it was Duke heading to the Big Apple to face St. John's, who sent the No. 2 team in the nation to the brink in overtime, before running out of gas. Then, one week later, they had No. 1 Connecticut on the ropes with a twelve point lead, before the great Richard Hamilton, Khalid El-Amin, and the UConn Huskies showed why they are the best team in the country. But don't look for Mike Jarvis's squad to be the heartbroken forever.
In Durham, Chapel Hill, and College Park, Maryland, the race for the ACC title may be a tough one. Duke is the frontrunner, as they have defeated both teams, but come tournament time, it may be tough to shake off the young and hungry Tar Heels, as well as the talented Terrapins, who are hungry to take advantage of an off-year in Dean Smith country.
It has been exciting to watch the best in college hoops so far, as things are beginning to fall into place for March Madness. Many questions remain. Can UConn remain undefeated come March? These next two games against perennial Big East contender Syracuse and powerhouse Stanford may decide the Huskies' fate. And who will come out of the Big Ten at the top? Will it be Michigan State, with their tenacious players, or Purdue, with Brian Cardinal leading the way, or Indiana, with A.J. Guyton and Luke Rucker making a statement earlier in the season? Come March, all of these questions will be answered on the Road to the Final Four.
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