Sound Off
Kansas, Kentucky are the favorites
Fan hopes to redeem himself after making regrettable pick
"A can't miss team with too much talent to not win the Big Ten."
"With all five starters back, Arkansas will coast to the National Championship."
Yeah, it was me last year who picked Wisconsin to dominate, a team that ended up 13-14, and it was me who picked an Arkansas team to go undefeated on its way to the National Championship. My picks proved to be jinxes, as Wisconsin turned out to be the Colorado of the Big Ten Conference and Arkansas got spanked by UMass in its first game. So this year I'm going to jinx some teams that I don't like.
My national champion: Kentucky. These guys are flat out stacked. Their three guard lineup of Tony Delk, Jeff Sheppard and super-freshman Ron Mercer will devastate their opponents not only on the offensive end, but in their 94-foot defensive blitz as well. In Derek Anderson, they have a guy who two years ago as a first team All-Big Ten player for Ohio State, and he isn't even going to start. Not only do these guys have mad hops, but they can flat out shoot the rock too. Add highly-emotional and energetic coach Rick Pitino to the equation and you have a team that could put up a 200-point game.
My dark horse: Iowa. I picked Wisconsin in this spot last year and it flopped. So instead of picking up my Badgers here again this year, I've decided to pick their biggest rival so they will fall flat on their faces. Iowa has the Big Ten's best back-court in Andre Woolridge and Chris Kingsbury. Woolridge is a phenomenal player and Kingsbury has range back to half court. The Hawkeyes also have a powerful forward tandem in Kenyon Murray and Jess Settles.
Be sure to come see my real national champion pick playing in Allen Field House this year. I could not bring myself to jinx them. Maybe next year I'll pick Missouri.
Brian Schultz
Madison, Wis., freshman
Jayhawks won't have enough to fend off powerful Wildcats
For the 1995-96 men's basketball season, two teams really stand out as Final Four material: Kansas and Kentucky. We all
know about the Jayhawks, but the Wildcats are equally talented and have as much depth. Small forward Ron Mercer and point guard Wayne Turner, both freshmen, should compliment the plethora of talent already at Kentucky.
This decade of college basketball is dominated by good guard play, so my other Final Four picks are Villanova and Georgetown. Villanova sharpshooter Kerry Kittles and Hoya pointman Allen Iverson are tremendous talents to watch, as both teams will contend for the Big East Conference title.
You want a sleeper? Look closely at Pittsburgh, which finished 10-18 last year, with 14 losses coming by five points or less. With a top 10 recruiting class last year, Pitt could surprise someone in March.
My championship game forecast: Kentucky 99, Kansas 96.
Thomas Gallagher
Olathe sophomore
Jayhawks' depth gives them edge over Kentucky and UCLA
Kansas is No. 1. Nobody can argue with that. The Jayhawks' depth at every position, the loss of only one starter, the return of Calvin Rayford and three fine recruits should put Kansas well in front.
The most underrated team is Missouri. After losing just Paul O'Liney, the Tigers bring Kelly Thames back. They have a deep and powerful frontcourt, but their guards must step up this season.
Kentucky has depth and is second. UCLA, following a national championship, doesn't have enough to repeat. Villanova and Connecticut are good but lack depth, each relying on one superstar.
The sleeper this year is Memphis. The Tigers have the most athletic team, and they want to reach the Final Four because by next season, they may lose half of their team. Watch these guys against Purdue and Kansas against Utah in The Classic on Nov. 25 in Kemper Arena.
Travis Smith
Overland Park junior
Kansas is solid lock for Final Four trip
To say that the Kansas Jayhawks are going to be good this year is to state the obvious. Kansas not only returns four of its starters and its top five scorers, but its freshman recruiting class is one of the nation's best.
Kansas is in for a great season with the help of Jacque Vaughn and Jerod Haase, arguably the best backcourt in the nation; Sean Person, a powerful small forward with a sweet outside shot; Raef LaFrentz, a player on his way to challenging several of Danny Manning's records; and Scot Pollard, one of the most athletic centers to ever play the game.
should prove to be valuable assets this season, each offering quickness and a versatile look to the line-up.
In continuing with Kansas tradition, Roy Williams has stocked his bench full of rising stars. Billy Thomas and Paul Pierce
Kansas is headed to the Final Four once again.
DeeDeeJones
Kansas City, Kan., senior
KU Info says Kansas to lose three games
KU Info prides itself on being your source for information on KU, Lawrence, and beyond. Each staffer was asked to predict what excitement the Kansas men's basketball team would provide this season. We, the staffers, represent the University of Kansas Information Center without passion or prejudice and do hereby proclaim that the Jayhawks will go to the big dance in New Jersey.
The following forecast has been scientifically researched and analyzed with evaluation of all conditions that will effect men's basketball. Please enjoy.
The Jayhawks will finish the season with only three losses and win 24 games. During that time, Scot Pollard will change his hair color six times. Possible losses include the games at Florida, Kansas State and Colorado.
KU will continue its homecourt winning streak and will not lose in the field house this season.
The team will continue into the postseason with a No.1 or No.2 seed in the NCAA tournament. Additionally, Jacque Vaughn will be crowned the Big Eight player of the year and will surpass Cedric Hunter's record 278 assists in a season.
We wish both the women's and men's basketball teams the best of luck this season.
Players exiting to NBA leaves door wide open
Thanks to the early departures of top players from schools such as North Carolina and Arkansas to the NBA, the door to the NCAA championship has opened even wider for Kansas. The Jayhawks return just about everyone from last year, except for Greg Gurley and that other Greg...the goofy, shot-blocking, buzz-cut boy that now plays for the Utah Jazz.
Another contender for the big one is Kentucky, which has its most talented team of the Rick Pitino era. That is, if the Wildcats hyped freshman class, which includes Ron Mercer and Wayne Turner, can develop quickly.
UCLA has a chance to repeat this year with the other O'Bannon leading the assault this time along with Toby Bailey and J.R. Henderson. I sure can't wait until the Dec. 2 game!
As for being overrated, my choice is Michigan. Their so-called "Fab Five II" won't achieve what the original bunch did, and the Wolverines head coach doesn't really coach. I mean, why else did Chris Webber play there?
Ed Turrentine
Lawrence junior
34 The March to March
Hill • November 15, 1995