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The List
Secretary of Sports
Published Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Top teams to beat in the tourney
By George L. Jones
The Selma Times-Journal
There is a lot of college basketball to be played before Selection Sunday three days from now. Conference tournaments need to be won, mid-major teams still need to build their credentials and what not.
So then I got to thinking ...
Why should you, the deserving fan, have to wait until April to find out who will take home this year's trophy? Today on "The List," we will find out the top contenders in this year's bracket.
5. Kansas - The Jayhawks will definitely win this year's title. Other teams in the country do well to even sniff at matching up with their transition game and athleticism. Brandon Rush and Mario Chalmers form a powerful guard tandem, who together, can make up for any of the team's deficiencies.
4. Memphis - The Tigers will definitely win this year's title. This team has that killer instinct that can turn a fairly competitive game into a stock market boost for Kleenex. Only two players average double digits scoring, so you know Memphis comes at you from every direction.
3. North Carolina - The Tar Heels will definitely win this year's title. Tyler Hansbrough averages 23 points and almost 11 rebounds per game and is, by far, the best big man in the country. Point guard Ty Lawson's health has been an issue, but this team is deep enough to win with him playing in a limited role - maybe even not at all.
2. Georgetown - The Hoyas will definitely win this year's title. Roy Hibbert can make most players coming into the paint went their pants. Not to mention a bench that's the best in the country.
1. Tennessee - The Volunteers will definitely win this year's title. They play with more confidence than anyone I've watched all year. They can shoot, they can come from behind and they're probably smarter than every other team.
You've probably noticed I've picked every aforementioned team to win the tournament. The moral of the story: Don't pick national champions before the Final Four is set. It makes you look stupid.
George L. Jones is the Times-Journal sports
editor and may be reached at 410-1744 or george.jones@selmatimesjournal.com.
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