Contenders or Pretenders

College Basketball is nearing it's end. Now is the time many people start paying attention in preparation for March Madness. So, what has happened to this point.

The Big East was supposed to dominate everyone, but we've found several teams were vastly overrated. I still believe it to be the best conference, but they are not that much better than the next 2. Pitt and UCONN are very good, but the rest of the league has been overrated all year.

The Big Ten has been 1 or 2 in RPI all year, which has shocked many. I believe this to be a result of the Non-Conference schedule. Most teams in the Big Ten play tough competition, while most in the ACC and Big East choose to pad there records. Don't be surprised if Purdue, MN, IL, or OSU make some noise in the NCAA tourny. MSU could win it all if they play well, and have a little luck.

The ACC has Big names and probably 3 or 4 teams that could make the Final Four, but they could also be beaten in the second round and I would not be that surprised. The top teams have been overrated most of the year, but there lower tier teams have been underrated.

The SEC has probably been the most surprising conference to me. They have not performed well against other conferences, and noone has taken charge. They will probably get 5 teams in the NCAA, but I don't think any will go far. Kentucky counts too much on Meeks, and they are all too inconsistent.

The Big 12 is very Top loaded. They will probably only get 4 teams in the NCAA, but OK with Blake Griffin (best player in College ball) is a likely Final Four team.

The Pac 10 has been under the radar all year. UCLA has been credited for the quality team they are, but the rest of the conference has used the lack of srutiny to improve and now has teams like ASU and Washington that could surprise some of the more touted East Coast teams.

Other teams like Gonzaga, St. Mary's(if they get healthy), Utah State, Davidson, Memphis, amongst others are making this year potentially the most balanced year that I've seen. The top 20 teams when everything shakes out in the next few weeks, will all have a legitimate chance to make the Final Four.