College Hoops have finally returned

Although I haven't been able to watch any yet (mainly because I'm not blessed with ESPNU but also because I haven't had the time), it is great to finally be back in the college basketball season.

This will be a frustrating year for my primary alma mater (Illinois) who are still lacking talent and lost several key players from last year's "most losses ever" squad. After barely slipping by a DivIII school in the last exhibition game, warm fuzzies are not being felt by the fan base. Still, like for every program, there's a sense of hope like at the start of a baseball season. Anything can happen in a given season, if players come together and injuries are minimized. (And, having a bunch of top recruits sign paper today is a mental bonus). Plus, the supposedly easy pre-season schedule of many teams lends itself to some victories and a chance to build confidence. I'm looking forward to watching as many games as possible.

I've read a lot about what players and teams are predicted by others to be the best. Not much to add there as people are pretty consistent. Here are some players and teams that I'm interested in watching this season:

Teams:
-Illinois (duh, although they will give me high blood pressure and cause more hair to fall out)
-UCONN - with Thabeet & Adrien inside and Price outside, they should be fun to watch on both ends of the court...especiall with the smack talk Thabeet is doing.
-Oklahoma - Blake Griffin is a freak of nature - can't predict what he'll do, and the outside work of Willie Warren will make this team exciting.
-Michigan State - I always enjoy Tom Izzo teams. I expect this team to outlast Purdue in the Big10 and make some noise nationally.
-Indiana - every loss will bring me joy

Players:
-Demitri McCamey - Illinois PG. If he is consistent (rarely last year), he could put up big numbers. 30 points in a game last year...but less than 10 the following game
-Alex Legion - Illinois SG. He is eligible late December after transferring from Kentucky. If he plays up to the hype (top recruit out of HS), the Illini have a chance at the Big Dance. If not (limited PT at KU which led to departure), it will be a disappointment.

-Stephon Curry - Davidson PG/SG. Um, who doesn't want to watch this guy?
-Eric Maynor - VCU G. I went to the Bradley-VCU game last year and Maynor was clearly the best player on the floor. He's a fun floor general to watch, even more so after his game-winner a few years back against Duke.
-James Harden - ASU G/F. In ASU's first game last year against Illinois, his team was lost, but you could really see Harden's potential. He's getting a lot of ink, and should have a great season.

Unballsy predictions:
-Illinois will finish in the bottom half of the Big 10 (I really really really hope I am wrong)
-UNC will get to the final four, but won't win it all
-MSU will win the Big 10
-Blake Griffin won't win the national player of the year that some are predicting

BRING ON THE GAMES!!!