As the nonconference schedule draws to a close, much has been learned. Actually, I meant to say that us as fans have learned much. Sports writers at the major networks/sites have not learned much, choosing the easy answer of adhering to their preseason feelings on teams instead of evaluating their true place in the college basketball pecking order. With that in mind, here is my early Overrated / Underrated list:
UCLA - It is entirely possible that UCLA can go the entire season with only four quality wins (Take your pick out of games vs. Arizona, Arizona State, Notre Dame and Cal) and still be in the top 5. UCLA, much like last year, always, always, always falters against teams that have equal or greater talent. After their virtual free pass to the Final Four last year (they beat ONE top-25 caliber team along the way) I am hoping and praying the overrated Bruins have the misfortune of drawing a good 7-8-9 seed in the second round of this year's NCAA tournament. This year, I hope UCLA has to actually earn their accolades.
Xavier - Tourneybubble nation was thrilled with the National TV depantsing by Duke (which included a free money give away at Duke -4) and the subsequent "Arrival Win" by Butler over the suddenly not-so-exciting Musketeers. Xavier is overcoming kindergarten offensive sets with a combination of athleticism and kind whistles. Unfortunately, these two recent losses could have clued some people in to the mirage that is Xavier, and could have an effect on our first-day NCAA Tournament bets.
Pittsburgh - Experts seem to love this team, but they are essentially the same dirty, start-14-0-because-they-don't-play-anybody-and-then-get-bounced-in-the-second-round-of-the-tournament Panthers they have been for the past seven years. They will finish no better than fourth in the Big East. Besides, how I can take them seriously when Jermaine Dupree is running the point?
Oklahoma - Blake Grififin is a fantastic player. Absolutley dominant. I just can't see Oklahoma getting to the Final Four this year. Griffin has been producing monster games, and the Sooners are only beating average teams by 10. They need to show more to compliment the best ambiguously-raced player in the nation.
Underrated
Clemson - Oh, they're just 12-0 - nothing to see here. The Tigers are for real and the road pummeling of Miami should prove it to everybody, as should the win at Illinois. But of course not - why give the Tigers props when you can rank a 3-loss WCC team ahead of them?
Texas A&M - The Aggies are quietly compiling some good wins, and will be a factor in the Big 12. They have size and balance.
Niagara - Everyone was in love with Siena when the season started, but the MAAC favorite is clearly the Purple Eagles. They have beaten Murray State and have wins at Buffalo, at South Florida, and at St. Bonaventure. They are battle-tested and should be a dangerous tournament team for any opponent.
UNLV - How many quality years do the Rebs have to have before people take notice?
