My Top Teams

With the NCAA tournament approaching, it's time to start looking at the top teams and the bubble teams and examine their strengths, weaknesses and what lies ahead for each of them:

Memphis- The Tigers are fast and fierce on both offense and defense. Don't have a weakness at any position. Chris Douglas-Roberts has been an outstanding slasher/scorer throughout the season. Derrick Rose has fit well into their system despite being the most talented player on their team. Joey Dorsey is a force in the middle (ask Roy Hibbert). They did a good of off-setting their mid-major conference schedule with great non-conf. match-ups against Georgetown and Tennessee (should determine South Region 1 seed.)

Weakness- Free Throw shooting. When it comes down the stretch, they will not be able win without shooting free throws.

Next: The non-conference game of the year- UTenn V. Memphis (2/23.)

Duke- As we speak, they are beating up on Maryland and last week they beat crap out of UNC. That's impressive! They have their offense kicking on all cylinders, Paulus is somewhat fulfilling his promise, Demarcus Nelson is looking dominant at times, and as always, they don't beat themselves. They are also road tested in and out of the ACC.

Weaknesses- A bigger stronger team, like Georgetown (or Pitt,) could slow down they game and push them around. For Duke to win, the pace has to be fairly high. Makes you excited about potential final four match-ups with Memphis or Tennessee.

Next- Duke v. UNC and the ACC tournament

Tenneessee- With the exception of Memphis, UT has the nation's most dynamic offense. That's with Lofton having a slightly off year. The Smith boys (JaJaun and Tyler) complement him well in an offense that scores over 83 points per game. Matter of fact, their offense is better than Memphis because UT can hit free throws.

Weakness- Like Duke, Tennessee can pushed around in the middle by more physical teams.

Next- The non-conference game of the year- UTenn V. Memphis (2/23.)

Kansas- They are probably the most talented teams, position by position, of the nation's elite. They have a balenced scoring, the guards (Chalmers, Rush, Robinson, and Collins) are the best in the nation. They are the type of team that can pull it together at tournament time and win it all.

Weakness- It looks like that every year, but they never seem to pull it off. As shown in game against Texas, they are prone to cold streaks. No room for that in March.
Next- v. K-State (3/1), at Tex. A&M (3/8)

Just beihnd them is UCLA, UNC, and Texas.