How Barstool Bloggers College Hoops Teams Look for 2015-16
There are two things I know everyone reading this loves. College basketball and your Barstool bloggers. Now, I know what you’re thinking. ‘Reags, don’t a fucking idiot, these two things don’t have anything in common with each other.’
Well, your beloved Barstool bloggers all went to college somewhere and some of those places have some high expectations heading into the 2015-16 season. So, we’ll take an in-depth look at the schools your Barstool guys have a history with. Might as well start with the captain of this ship.
Michigan (El Pres) – I’m not afraid to admit how bullish I am on the Wolverines this year. They have a loaded backcourt with Derrick Walton, Caris LeVert, Spike Albrecht (honorable mention How the Hell are They Still in College) and Zak Irvin. Hell, the list is longer but I don’t feel like constantly listing names. John Beilein is one of the best offensive minded coaches in the game. Beilein runs what’s known as the two-guard offense, which revolves around a four-out, one-in structure and relies heavily on shooting from three and backdoor cuts. Hate to admit it, but Pres is going to be very happy during basketball season. Michigan is more than capable of making a run to the Final Four. If you can get them at 30/1 or better, take it.
Wisconsin (Big Cat, Charlie Wisco, Sam’s Army) – Wisconsin is the most represented school on this here site. Look, the Badgers had a helluva year last year and outplayed Duke for the majority of the national title game. That won’t happen this year. I don’t trust Nigel Hayes as the No. 1, but it is Bo Ryan so someone will come out of nowhere to be a factor for the Badgers. Ryan hasn’t finished worse than fourth in the Big 10 since he took over and they should be somewhere around there again this year. The thing Wisconsin needs to do though? Get better defensively. Wisconsin was actually a poor defensive team – by Wisconsin standards – last season.
Maryland (Nate, Banks) – Expectations are the highest they’ve been in College Park since Juan Dixon and Steve Blake were slaying ass at Bentley’s together. The whole season for Maryland falls on a couple specific things though. The first is making sure Jake Layman gets a ton of minutes at the four spot, making the Terps a better offensive team, because Melo Trimble is better with an open lane. Putting Robert Carter Jr., and Diamond Stone in the paint together will just force Trimble to take more contested shots. The other is the development of someone to be the man. Last year when Trimble struggled – and he did, by not making a field goal in two consecutive games – Dez Wells could take the ball and go get a bucket. Maryland doesn’t have that this year. Someone will have to feed Stone the ball, where Wells could create on his own. One of the favorites to win it all, I expect Maryland to win the Big 10 and be a No. 1 seed in March. It won’t help Chip Kelly come coach its football team though. Sorry, Nate.
Fordham (KFC) – Look, Smush Parker isn’t walking through the door. It’s a shame Rose Hill Gym is home to such a shit program like Fordham, because Rose Hill is a gem. The Rams lost their best player in Eric Paschall, who transferred to Villanova, making life difficult for head coach Jeff Neubauer. Fordham hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament since 1992 and it ain’t happening this year. If they finish above last place in the A-10 it will be a miracle. At least KFC has the Mets.
USC (Spags) – Our boy Spags is a Man of Troy and it could possibly be the last year for head coach Andy Enfield to have the same title. Enfield came to USC after leading Dunk City (Florida Gulf Coast) to a Sweet 16 and frankly it’s been a heaping pile of shit at USC since he took over. This should be Enfield’s best team at USC, with a ton of juniors on the roster. He also brought in two top-20 power forwards and the Pac-12 is down this year. We’ll know who USC is pretty early on with its nonconference schedule including games against Wichita State and then either Alabama or Xavier. I don’t think USC will surprise people this year, they will be more competitive, but will finish in the bottom half of the Pac-12.
Iowa (Trent) – Even if I think Iowa will suck you can’t say mean things about Trent. The dude is a big teddy bear from Iowa who loves the St. Lunatics. You know who isn’t a big teddy bear from Iowa? Adam Woodbury. He’s a big bully, which is perfect for head coach Fran McCaffrey. Sure Iowa loses Aaron White and Gabe Olaseni, but Jarrod Utohff can be the go-to guy for the Hawkeyes. There’s still plenty of depth and more importantly Iowa also has point guard Mike Gesell back. If Gesell can be more consistent this team is a serious threat in the Big 10.
Florida State (Feits) – Another Barstool team I’m bullish on is Florida State. They have a legit star and All-American type player in Xavier Rathan-Mayes, who is just a sophomore and most notably scored 30 points in about five minutes during a game last year. The Seminoles are coming off a 17-16 year, but suffered many close losses, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing for such a young team. Oh, Florida State also brought in Dwayne Bacon, who is the No. 2 shooting guard in the class of 2015. Feits, hope you’re ready to drink during March Madness, Florida State will be in the Tournament again.
Emory (Kmarko) – Don’t look now but Kmarko has one of the best programs out of the whole bunch. The Emory Eagles are loaded yet again after a trip to the Sweet 16 in Division III last year. Emory finished No. 7 in the rankings last season and return a bunch of guys from that team.
Susquehanna (Smitty) – Another D3 school represented, this time by Smitty from Philly. The Susquehanna Crusaders are coming off a year where they won 19 games, the most since 1993-94 and return all four players who averaged double-digits in scoring. Smitty but finally have something to cheer for, because you know, Philly teams blow.
Drexel (JJ) – There’s not much to say about the Dragons. They lost their only notable player – Damion Lee, who is now at Louisville, maybe seeing some alleged hookers. I’m so confident Drexel will be that irrelevant I made a deal with JJ that if they make the Final Four, I’ll pay for our entire trip and paint myself in blue and gold.
Siena (Clem) – Siena gave us one of the best Bill Raftery calls with ‘Onions. Double order!’ but that was so long ago Fran McCaffrey was still its coach. Sorry, Clem but Siena opens with Duke and Wisconsin in the same weekend. It’s going to be a long season.
Kentucky (Reags) – Your boy graduated from Kentucky back in the day, so here’s my two cents on the Wildcats. It will be a completely different team as they will go with three point guards in Tyler Ulis, Isaiah Briscoe and Jamal Murray in the starting lineup. Look for them to play a ton of ‘small ball’ and using the dribble-drive motion offense Coach Cal loves. There’s once again a ton of depth for Kentucky, but we won’t see anything like a platoon system. The Wildcats should win the SEC again and be on track for another Final Four visit under Calipari as this team has multiple ways to beat you.
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