Three unsung programs continue to threaten elite
There are a lot of giant names in college basketball. You have North Carolina, Duke, UCLA, Kansas, Kentucky and Indiana, schools that have been traditional powers over the years.
Those schools have great recruiting budgets plus visibility and exposure. They can schedule the best while gaining notoriety and publicity that takes you program to the top of the line in the world of recruiting.
Let me tell you, in the game of basketball, you only play with five guys on the floor at one time. It simply takes one magical player to make all the difference in the world. One guy can change the complexion of a game.
There are several teams capable of competing with the creme de la creme, with the outstanding ability of playing with the top squads. These teams may not get the same publicity but they can flat-out play, baby!
Look at a school like Gonzaga. Mark Few's program has proven itself over the years, and perhaps this is the season that the Zags move to another level and get to a Final Four. All the big-time conference members don't want to see the name GONZAGA on the line opposite them when the bracket is posted on Selection Sunday.
This year's team is deep and talented. It has speed, power, quickness, you name it. Few will have flexibility to make lineup adjustments depending on the opponent. Gonzaga will be one of the premier teams in America. Names like Josh Heytvelt, Austin Daye (son of former UCLA Bruin star Darren Daye), Jeremy Pargo, Matt Bouldin and Micah Downs is the kind of starting five that matches up pretty well with the elite across the nation.
Last season Davidson made a lot of noise. The Wildcats came within a shot of the Final Four, falling at the wire to eventual champion Kansas. Along the way Davidson knocked off Georgetown and Wisconsin, sending a signal loud and clear that it was capable of competing with the big boys.
It was a tough loss to Kansas, but Bob McKillop's team will be a thorn in the side of many this season. Stephen Curry can light it up with the best of them. I feel he will make a strong run at National Player of the Year honors.
This squad is so well-drilled and skilled. It is a program that has proven it can take the floor against the best of the best.
Keep a keen eye on the University of San Diego. This school got a taste of success in the big dance, knocking off Hall of Famer Jim Calhoun's Connecticut Huskies before losing to another sleeper, Western Kentucky. The Toreros played UNLV tough at Thomas and Mack in its opener despite missing starter Gyno Pomare due to a suspension. Coach Bill Grier, who was an oustanding second lieutenant for Few for many years, has the program creating some excitement.
There are three schools deserving publicity and could make more noise come tourney time.
