More elite teams plus more head-to-heads equals nonconference bliss
Willie Cauley-Stein and Kentucky will battle Russ Smith and Louisville in a meeting of the last two national champions on Dec. 28. (Icon SMI)
The offer came to me via email a few weeks ago after it was announced that the highly acclaimed musical The Book of Mormon was having a return engagement in Denver. A select few tickets were available through a local theater group. My wife enjoys theater, and that show is supposed to be incredibly funny, so I was game for a nice surprise for my better half. The date: Nov. 12. Gulp.
Perhaps it’s because there appears to be a wonderfully large number of legitimate Final Four contenders for the 2013-14 season, but as schedules continue to come public, it feels like there are a ton of really compelling nonconference showdowns between elite teams. And one of the two dates that’s absolutely a must-watch evening is Nov. 12.
Which teams are now the best value to win it all in 2013-14?
Russ Smith’s return coupled with a loaded backcourt should make Louisville a top contender. (Greg Nelson/SI)
Andrew Wiggins’ decision to play for Kansas not only sent Lawrence into celebrations while three other campuses grumbled, it also was the last major piece of the puzzle in terms of looking ahead to 2013-14. That means it’s also time for the linesmakers to adjust and republish their futures odds for next season’s national champion.
Kansas’ odds obviously dropped considerably after the announcement, with the Jayhawks now listed anywhere between 10-1 and 15-1 to win it all. I was more intrigued by a handful of other cases, though. For entertainment purposes only, of course, here are a few notable possibilities (based on odds provided by VegasInsider.com)
San Diego State nabs impact transfer in Tulane’s Josh Davis
With the addition of Josh Davis. SDSU should be a force in the Mountain West. (William Purnell/Icon SMI)
After picking up Arizona transfer forward Angelo Chol for the future, San Diego State helped its present in a big way on Wednesday, with CBSSports.com’s Jeff Goodman reporting that the Aztecs have landed Tulane transfer forward Josh Davis.
Davis, who averaged 17.6 points and 10.7 rebounds a game last season for the Green Wave, took advantage of the graduate transfer rule and will be eligible immediately for Steve Fisher’s club. The Aztecs beat out Gonzaga and others for the right to add a quality, experienced scorer/rebounder.
Tennessee sex scandal could grow quickly if academics are involved
Senior point guard Trae Golden’s transfer isn’t the only issue facing Tennessee athletics. (Wade Payne/AP)
A week after Tennessee abruptly announced that rising senior point guard Trae Golden was transferring from the school, with reports of academic impropriety possibly at the root of it, the school may have a related and seemingly bigger issue on its hands.
Wiggins to Kansas creates many questions — for him, the Jayhawks and college hoops
![Bill Self just landed the top prep prospect in the country, now he needs to make all the pieces fit for next year. [David J. Phillip/AP]](http://sincaatourney.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/bill-self1.jpg?w=610&h=430)
Bill Self just landed the top prep prospect in the country, now he needs to make all the pieces fit. [David J. Phillip/AP]
The Andrew Wiggins Decision Drama ended Tuesday, when the mega-prospect selected Kansas over Kentucky, North Carolina and his parents’ alma mater, Florida State. But now that Wiggins has decided to spend his one pre-NBA season in Lawrence, it creates a number of other questions that will have a significant impact on the 2013-14 college basketball season.
