6. Houston
The second that I start hyping Houston up, they start unraveling. The sad part is that the problems that plague Houston now are the same problems that have prevented them from winning a National Championship in the last five years. They have no way to consistently create high-quality shots offensively – you can’t rely on contested mid-range jumpers, post hooks, and offensive rebounds that generate more contested mid-range jumpers and post hooks.
7. Iowa State
I was all ready to have the Cyclones at fourth on this list, but then they went and lost to BYU in the late window Saturday night. We know what we’re going to get from Joshua Jefferson and Tamin Lipsey, but this team’s ceiling will be unlocked by getting quality offensive play and floor spacing from Nate Heise and Jamarion Batemon.
8. UConn
The Huskies lost a classic “look-ahead” game to Creighton on Wednesday before starting their biggest two-game stretch of the season. They beat Villanova on Saturday, then have St. John’s in the biggest regular-season game in the Big East this season. They likely ended their chances of earning a one-seed in the NCAA Tournament, but that hasn’t stopped Dan Hurley from winning a National Championship.
9. Purdue
I think we’re starting to figure Purdue out. In matchups where they are at least even in terms of athleticism, they look great, as they are able to generate quality shots and stay in front of their man defensively. But then, when they play a team more athletic than them, they look like they’re stuck in a box offensively and have a bunch of turnstiles playing defense.
10. Gonzaga
Gonzaga is so “out of sight, out of mind” this time of year, as the weak competition in the WCC rarely generates a matchup that will get national attention. This upcoming Saturday’s game against Saint Mary’s should get that attention, and I can’t wait to see Graham Ike take on the massive Saint Mary’s frontcourt.
