Tom Crean needed a couple of years to recruit players and dig out of the hole left by Kelvin Sampson. This year has been the anticipated year in which Crean finally delivers a winning record back to Bloomington with a top-ten recruiting class and key returners from last years squad. Crean was able to land one of the biggest recruits in the past decade for the Hoosiers, in-state prospect, Cody Zeller. The younger brother of UNC's Tyler Zeller has done nothing but produce, leading the team in scoring and rebounding. Junior Christian Watford has complimented Zeller well in the post, averaging double figure points and bringing experience to lighten the load on the freshman. I believe guards win you championships and Indiana has a sufficient core to work with offensively and defensively. Victor Oladipo is one of the most athletic guards in the country who you will see on Sportscenter's top ten plays many times this year. He and Verdell Jones III bring defensive pressure early and force turnovers in the backcourt. As for the offensive side of the ball, guards Will Sheehey and Jordan Hulls have been consistent scorers, contributing 11 points per game a piece. Hulls isn't afraid to shoot from anywhere on the court and Sheehey will surprise you with his athleticism. Watch the clip below if you don't believe me...
Will Sheehey Dunk vs. Iowa
While Indiana is surprising many basketball fans with its quick start, Kentucky is doing what everyone anticipated. Big Blue Nation brings in the top recruiting class, again, and this may be Coach Cal's most talented group in his storied coaching career. Kentucky started the season ranked second in the nation but after North Carolina's loss to UNLV, the Wildcats secured the top ranking in college basketball. After Saturday's win over the Tar Heels, it is clear that Kentucky is for real. Not enough credit is given to Calipari and the way he develops teams so quickly. Many people think their grandmother's could coach seven McDonald's All-American's on a team. Just let them win off pure athleticism, right? No. If you don't have a coach like Calipari, all of these players who want to score 20+ points per game and be the focal point of the offense will turn on each other and the team will crumble. I have been shocked at how quickly Cal has been able to discipline this young team and buy into his system. The scariest part about this team is that they will only get better. Kentucky has so much talent that I could write multiple pages about each player and what they bring to the team so I urge you to watch them play this year and you will understand. Just know that Terrence Jones is making his case for National Player of the Year and Kentucky's defense is almost as frightening as its offense.
Prediction (0-1): I am excited about Indiana's basketball team this year and I think they will surprise people in a competitive Big Ten conference but Kentucky brings too much to the table. They will overwhelm the Hoosiers at every position and will use their length to shut down Zeller early. I am looking forward to watching freshman point guard Marquis Teague match up against either Hulls/Oladipo/Jones III as he continues to improve. He needs to become a more consistent game manager and he will get all he can handle against any of these Hoosier guards.
***Note on last week's Game of the Week: If I had known that Duke wasn't going to play defense and shoot 30% from three point range compared to Ohio State's 57%, my prediction would have been different. The outcome makes my pick look embarrassing but the team's match up great on paper. Hoping to see a re-match in March.
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