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Big leaders guarantee Blue Devils third title
When John Wooden guided his UCLA Bruins to a series of national championships in the 1960s and 1970s, his team was led by a bevy of big men, such as Lew Alcindor and Bill Walton. When the Bruin dynasty began to crumble after Wooden's last title in 1975, college basketball was left without a dominant team. That began to change in 1986 when Mike Krzzyzewski's Duke Blue Devils stormed onto the scene with an NCAA record 36-victory season.
Duke, like UCLA, was led by big men when it charged into the Final Four in five of the last seven years. Danny Ferry and Christian Laettner were both All-Americans and consensus players of the year during their senior seasons. Laettner's marksmanship in the Kentucky game two years ago brought back visions of Bill Walton's 44-point performance against Memphis State in the 1973 National Finals.
Krzyzewski's successful recruitment of freshman Joey Beard gives Duke the next big man to lead it back to the title. His size, speed, shooting ability, defense and intelligence are the tools that make him college basketball's next great player. Teaming up with forward Grant Hill, the favorite for player of the year honors, guards Marty Clark and Chris Collins and tough-as-nails center Cherokee Parks, Beard is the final piece in the puzzle to help Duke ascend to its rightful place among the basketball elite.
Last season's loss to California in the second round of the NCAA tournament was a setback, but look for that to motivate Krzyzewski, possibly the finest college
coach since Wooden. When March draws to a close and only one team is left standing look for Duke to raise a third championship banner to the hallowed rafters of Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Bart Swartz,
Basehor graduate student
Tar Heels will win title, UCLA could be a surprise
If there's one thing I cannot understand, it's why the Kansan wants to see a hoard of letters telling them why North Carolina is going to be No. 1 this year. If there's another thing I cannot understand, it's why the Kansan would want to hear an opinion other than that North Carolina is going to be No. 1. It would take a person rather unstudied in the logic of college basketball or someone headed to the Western region of Larned to publicly claim another team as the favorite to the NCAA crown. It has coaching, talent, the big man, skillful youth, experienced role players and North Carolina tradition on their side. The only negative factor working against the Tar Heels is that they are the undisputed No. 1 team, and on any given day, the whole team could come down with influenza or be trapped in a Duke residence hall.
competent coach in Eddie Sutton. But let's face it, they're from Oklahoma State. Enough said.
Luckily for Oklahoma State, they don't play North Carolina this year. The Cowboys have to be the most overrated team in the country this year. Sure, Bryant Reeves may be the best center in the Big Eight, but his supporting cast is disappointing. Burley is a one-dimensional shooter. Thompson is the point guard, and he couldn't dribble his way out of a paper sack, let alone the hands of Vaughn and Rayford. Okay, they have a
If you're looking for a surprise team this year, look westward. It may be bandwagon to pick the groove California Golden Bears to claim the Pacific Ten title, but the team to watch this year is UCLA. The brother combination of Ed and Charles O'Bannon put Steve and Brian Henson in their place in the basketball pedigree department. Shon Tarver is the third flat-out scorer on the team. In typical Bruin fashion, this crew will falter against some easy opponents. Edward Crupper Garden City senior
North Carolina will be in hunt for NCAA title
After the Heels, there is a multitude of teams with the firepower, incentive and experience to contend for the title. Michigan has lost the two national championship games; Duke, led by the most versatile player in the land, Grant Hill, is tough again. Arkansas is poised for a title run, and Louisville and California both look very strong.
One team stands heads and shoulders above the rest this year in college basketball. Coach Dean Smith is in blue heaven with this year's North Carolina team. The defending national champions are not only the best college team in the land, they also are one of the best ever.
Other teams that have a chance include: Minnesota, Kentucky, Illinois, Temple, Oklahoma State, UCLA, Virginia, Kansas, Wisconsin and Florida State — a team that can beat any team on any given day. Minnesota and Texas are two strong dark horses that also have the talent to get hot at tournament time and give any team a scare.
Eric Bossi
Sabetha freshman
Tar Heels will repeat history;Bears overrated
The North Carolina Tar Heels will steal the show in the 1993-94 college basketball season. Although it isn't easy to repeat as national champs, the Tar Heels can do it with this team. Dean Smith comes in this season with four returning starters and the best recruiting class in the nation. This includes All-American candidates, center Eric Montross and guard Derrick Phelps. Also returning is a blossoming forward Brian Reese and Final Four MVP Donald Williams, who may be the pure best shooting guard in the nation. Along with shotblocking center Kevin Salvadori and forward Pat Sullivan, the Tar Heels also will have a deep bench. This team, by far, has the best frontcourt, backcourt and coaching in the nation. Translation — repeat.
The most overrated team is definitely California. California lost two of its centers and one of its best scorers in Jared Haase — We love him here — and considering that Kidd is inconsistent from the field the Bears will struggle against tough Pac-10 opponents like UCLA and Arizona.
Wisconsin is the best-kept secret in the polls this year. The Badgers will have great playmakers in forward Michael Finley and guard Tracy Webster. Along with sparkling freshman Jalil Roberts, Stu Roberts, Stu Jackson will be smiling come tournament time.
Jay Newland Iola freshman
A Kansas Football Tradition
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COLLEGE BASKETBALL PREVIEW • University Daily Kansan • November 17, 1993