Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy analyzes the buzz entering the 2009-2010 college basketball season, which begins Monday night.
We’re rushing to beat a deadline here. Only a few more hours remain before the 2009-10 college basketball season begins, which means the windows will close regarding comprehensive prognostications.
There’ll still be plenty of time to debate which team will win a particular game, or conference, or NCAA Tournament bracket. So we’ll have lots to discuss.
Before Florida International’s Isiah Thomas makes his college coaching debut at North Carolina Monday, we thought we’d squeeze in a little more big-picture:
Will John Calipari return Kentucky to prominence in his first season in Lexington?
Story lines to follow
1. Is Kentucky back? We’re not talking back from the NIT. We mean, is Kentucky fearsome again? The combination of young talent, solid veterans and coach John Calipari’s intensity appears ideally suited to returning the Wildcats to prominence.
2. Fresh produce. Unlike last season, when Memphis’ Tyreke Evans was the only freshman who made a major difference, we’ll be loaded with transcendent rookies, from Kentucky’s John Wall to Cincinnati’s Lance Stephenson to Georgia Tech’s Derrick Favors to Texas’ Avery Bradley. Yes, it’d be nice if they were here more than a year, but one year is better than none.
3. The regression of the Pac-10. The league of Walton, Wicks, Alcindor and some very good guys who didn’t go to UCLA is about to have a season like the SEC did last year. It’s doubtful anyone in the league will take it well.
Players to watch
1. Kalin Lucas, PG, Michigan State. Lucas spent the offseason gaining strength, one element separating him from becoming a great prospect. The Spartans need a transcendent player to make them a legit title contender, and Lucas is the best candidate.
2. Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas. Already a dominant big man, Aldrich could become genuinely fearsome as a junior.
3. Luke Harangody, C, Notre Dame. It’s easy to see no player …
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