Stay tuned the next few weeks leading up to March Madness. I’ll be showcasing different Basketball teams on various and sporadic days with articulated insight and in-depth statistics on each selected team and how Sportface predicts they could fare in the NCAA Tournament. Most teams reviewed will be underrated, darkhorse projects with some upside for a deep run (or a moderately deep run) in the Houston Bracket. Some will be of the overrated fashion, likely to be counted as a slayed Goliath when all is said and done. I’ll end each team assessment with these four categories:
1. Team Volvano. A tribute to the late Jim Volvano whose low seeded NC State team peaked at the right time and went on a huge run through the ACC and NCAA Tournament to win it all and cut down the nets in ’83 against a stout Houston team featuring the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde “The Glide” Drexler. This category is consists of those clearly “on the bubble” that may have just the right chemistry or talent to cause some upsets, ruin everyone’s brackets, but fail to reach the ultimate goal for a Cinderella Destiny. Power rating of 1.
2. Team Knight. Bobby Knight. Hard nosed defense. Great shot selection. Get rebounds. Run. Do push ups. Go to class. No nonsense. This category will consist of those teams that best reflect those attributes. Not one player magnificently stands out in this section of picks. Just tough, cohesive team basketball with high IQ’s. Talent is (specifically, for this evaluation) overvalued for this category. Better chance to dance with Cinderella here than Team Volvano, but many of these teams won’t be on your list or Andy Katz, or Barack Obama’s to take home the gold.. We’re thinking Sweet 16, (possibly) stretching to an Elite 8 type squad. Power rating of 2.
3. Team Dean. A tribute to the “Dean”, Dean Smith. His teams were always known for their effective, team oriented style of play. The only coach who kept Michael Jordan under 20.1 points a game. Always had great teams and many Sweet 16 and Final Four appearances. And likely, we always seem to think “what might have been” had more guys stayed around before heading to the Pros. This category will consist of those “slightly” underrated teams (most still found in Top 25, however) with similar expectations where cutting down the nets is quite more plausible than Team Volvano and Team Knight. They’re on your minds, even if they aren’t penciled in your brackets. Power rating of 3.
4. Team Wooden. Dedicated to legend of John Wooden, who organized some of the most dominant College Basketball teams of all time. The talent is all there, folks. The coaching is there. The ESPN appeal is there. You just got to play your game. Typically, a favorite to go all the way. This category will consist of the “favorites” to find themselves bumpin’ out to “One Shining Moment” on April 4th. We’ll see if they really are what they’re cracked up to be. Power rating of 4.
I think it is significant to note there will be some Team Knights and Team Smiths to possibly posing as Team Woodens, and some Team Woodens posing as…you get the idea. Vice versa, etc. etc…. the evaluation will be noted with an asterisk.
