The college football season is finally over ... time for hoops!
After the forever-long bowl season, I thought of what could happen if the BCS took a basketball turn. After the regular season was completed, conference tournaments would be obsolete and "bowls" would pick teams, setting up a BCS system for basketball.
Thinking about it, I think it'd go something like this...
Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs. Washington
Ah, the way it should be: Big 10 vs. Pac-10. Held at the Staples Center, the parade is called off by pre-game pep rallies, which draw bigger crowds than the Clippers do all season. Ohio State comes into the game highly ranked and loaded with one of the best backcourts in college basketball. Washington is no slouch, but considered a heavy underdog as they end up finishing outside the AP top 10. The Huskies have some great shooters, as well, and you have to appreciate what Isaiah Thomas brings to the UW lineup. However, he'll have his hands full with Jared Sullinger. Keep an eye on Jon Diebler, especially behind the arc.
Fiesta: Texas vs. Syracuse
The Fiesta hasn't ever seen so much orange. Held at US Airways Arena in Phoenix, this could be one fantastic matchup. Since the Big 12 champion will go to the title game, Texas fills in the slot as the conference's second best squad. The Longhorns will always have an offensive kick to it as long as Rick Barnes is the coach, but this year's team is better defensively, too. Tristan Thompson is going to be hard for anyone to stop; he averages over 4 offensive rebounds and 2 blocks a game and brings power to what a power forward should be.
However, Big East champion Syracuse is the team most likely to give Thompson trouble. Syracuse has the perfect counter in Rick Johnson. Johnson, who averages a double-double every game (13.2 points, 11.9 rebounds) has owned the paint as opponents have yet to find a way to stop him. Johnson is the best player most people haven't heard of and should be considered for All-American honors. To put it nicely, this would never be a finesse game.
Sugar: Kentucky vs. BYU
As TCU gave the Mountain West its most recent football triumph before heading off to bigger conference pastures, BYU will head to the Big West doing the same story in basketball. The Cougars, who I think will hold off a fantastic San Diego State team in the long run, will take on the storied Kentucky program at the New Orleans Arena. Did someone say Jimmer? Jimmer Fredette just got through torching Utah and is the key to the Cougar offense. The veteran guard will take on this year's version of last year's McDonald's All-American high school squad. You do have to like the frontcourt-backcourt punch of Terrence Jones and Brandon Knight, though. Kentucky should breeze through a very weak SEC, so if this game was to be played, BYU might be their biggest test in months.
Orange: Purdue vs. Pittsburgh
It's at-large vs. at-large, since the ACC champ is headed for the title game and Syracuse takes the Fiesta slot. American Airlines Arena will be pumped as the Boilers, who have risen back to the nation's elite under Matt Painter, will take on Jamie Dixon's scrappy Panther squad. I'll be honest, I didn't think Purdue would be this good without Robbie Hummel. However, JaJuan Johnson has been fantastic so far for the Boilers in the frontcourt. E'Twaun Moore has stepped up as well, and despite Purdue's lack of size, the Boilers play smart, disciplined basketball that has carried them to a 15-1 mark so far.
Pittsburgh is once again a solid basketball team. Ashton Gibbs is a deadly shooter, and though Brad Wanamaker can be sloppy at times, he is usually a fantastic guard who spreads the ball well. The one question in the game would be if the frontcourt of Gilbert Brown, Nasir Robinson, and Gary McGhee can stop Johnson in the paint. If they can, edge to Pitt. If not, big edge to the Boilers.
BCS Title Game: Duke vs. Kansas
Two storied programs take to the court at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis in what would be a great finish to the college basketball season. Duke has Nolan Smith. Kansas has Josh Selby. Duke has Kyle Singler. Kansas has Marcus Morris. Duke has the most talented backcourt in college basketball, Kansas would have the edge up front. The keys to this game would be if a) either team is able to hit from the perimeter, b) if Kansas can keep the Morris brothers out of foul trouble and dominating the boards, and c) if Josh Selby can show he's grown up fast on the court as a freshman and can help slow down Smith, which is an incredibly difficult task. All in all, it's a matchup no one wouldn't mind watching.
So that's how college basketball would look if it went to bowl games. When it's all said and done, though, as good as these matchups are, I'd take March Madness every single time.
What about you?
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