Welcome to another college basketball season! It’s November 9th, which means college basketball will tip-off tonight! Obviously, the big headline tonight is the State Farm Champions Classic. I will make my prediction for that later on in the article. I want to take a brief moment to talk about each conference, who should win Player of the Year and Coach of the Year, and darkhorse teams to watch out for. I will also make my Final Four predictions with a National Champion. Here they are:
AAC:
Player of the Year: Tyson Etienne, G, Wichita State
Houston and Memphis are too deep this year, it makes sense to take Wichita State’s top player. The Shockers could finish in the top-3 for this conference.
Freshman of the Year: Emoni Bates, F, Memphis
It will be a battle of two highly-ranked recruits for Memphis in this award race, but Emoni Bates was known to be one of the best high school prospects in recent years, so I’ll take the Michigan native.
Coach of the Year: Kelvin Sampson, Houston
It’s usually the coach that exceeds the conference’s expectations, but I think Kelvin Sampson is the best coach in the conference.
Dark Horse Team: SMU
Kendric Davis returns from last year, where he led the conference in points and assists per game. Watch out, he might put the Mustangs on his back.
Champion: Houston beats Memphis
Houston wins because even though Memphis has a roster loaded with talent, Kelvin Sampson has proved that the Cougars are tough, resilient, and well-coached. Penny Hardaway has proven to be one of the best recruiters in the country, but he has not proven anything as an in-game coach.
ACC:
Player of the Year (and Freshman of the Year): Paolo Banchero, F, Duke
Banchero is the most anticipated Duke player since Zion Williamson, so there’s no question that Banchero is pressured to match him. He won’t win the Wooden Award, but he is the best freshman in the country.
Coach of the Year: Buzz Williams, Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is a sneaky team this year, and people project them to finish in the middle of the pack. The Hokies are a lot better than people give them credit for, so that’s why Buzz Williams should win Coach of the Year.
Dark Horse Team: Virginia Tech
Just like I mentioned with Buzz Williams, the Hokies could be really good this year despite the late transfer from Tyrece Radford. Keve Aluma is one of the more talented players in the ACC. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s first-team all-ACC.
Champion: Duke beats North Carolina
I love a good ending to a story, and wouldn’t it be a good story if Coach K’s final ACC Championship was his last year against North Carolina? Duke is loaded, while North Carolina could be sneaky good in the ACC despite the departures.
Big East:
Player of the Year: Julian Champagnie, G, St. John’s
St. John’s fans, I’ll give you this one even though most of you hate me on Twitter. Champagnie is really good, and he will only get better this year. St. John’s has found a leader, and he will prevail as the top player in the Big East.
Freshman of the Year: Jordan Hawkins, G, UConn
When you’re being named as “the next James Bouknight” by the same coach that had Bouknight, you must be pretty darn good.
Coach of the Year: Kevin Willard, Seton Hall
When it comes to Coach of the Year, I normally look at which team has the potential to exceed expectations. I see that in Seton Hall with a strong core.
Dark Horse Team: St. John’s
St. John’s should be better than people expect. With Champagnie leading the way, I think the Red Storm could be a team that sneaks into the NCAA Tournament as a bubble team. They have Posh Alexander returning, as well as center Joel Soriano.
Champion: UConn beats Villanova
There’s no question that everyone is picking Villanova, but UConn has been improving every year. They’re without James Bouknight this year, but they return nearly everybody and add talented freshmen. Villanova will contend with Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels, but losing Jeremiah Robinson-Earl might turn out to be too major of a loss.
Big 12:
Player of the Year: Marcus Carr, G, Texas
I loved how Marcus Carr played at Minnesota, and with his experience from a loaded Big Ten conference and his clutch moments, Carr will win the award. This conference is stacked with some of the top players in America, but look no further than Marcus Carr.
Freshman of the Year: Kendall Brown, G/F, Baylor
Brown was ranked #15 in the ESPN100, with comparisons to former NBA player Matt Barnes. He doesn’t have long-range shooting, but he can get to the basket and defends well.
Coach of the Year: Mark Adams, Texas Tech
The pressure is on Mark Adams to continue what Chris Beard did in Lubbock. It will be tough, but with the low expectations I have for the Red Raiders, I’ve picked the perfect candidate for the award this year.
Dark Horse Team: Oklahoma
With Porter Moser hired to be the new head coach and adding Jordan Goldwire from Duke and the Groves brothers from Eastern Washington, expect them to perform better than expected.
Champion: Texas beats Kansas
Texas is one of the best teams in the country. This very well could be the best conference championship game. It’s the only one I’m predicting that is between two top-10 teams.
Big Ten:
Player of the Year: Kofi Cockburn, C, Illinois
Kofi Cockburn gives off Shaquille O’Neal vibes, but obviously, that’s too farfetched to say right now. With Ayo Dosunmu gone, Illinois will look to their next best player, who almost left after last season.
Freshman of the Year: Caleb Houstan, F, Michigan
Juwan Howard recruited a top-10 prospect to Ann Arbor, who could even be the best player on the team outside of Hunter Dickinson.
Coach of the Year: Steve Pikiell, Rutgers
Rutgers had a roller-coaster season after a strong 2019-20 season, where they nearly went undefeated at home. The Scarlet Knights advanced to the second round before losing to Houston. Three of their best players all transferred out of Piscataway, leaving Ron Harper Jr. in the dust. Steve Pikiell is tough as nails, so don’t count out Rutgers.
Dark Horse Team: Indiana
Indiana appeared on my top 25, but the Hoosiers are projected to finish in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten. Yes, the Big Ten is stacked, but Trayce Jackson-Davis could lead this team into the top part of the conference.
Champion: Maryland over Michigan
Michigan is really good this year, but Maryland has been my team to watch ever since they added Fatts Russell and Qudus Wahab. Had Darryll Morsell returned, the Terps could be in the top 10 for every ranking. Maryland is underrated.
Pac-12:
Player of the Year: Johnny Juzang, G, UCLA
No one in the NCAA Tournament surprised and impressed me more than Johnny Juzang. If he can bring that momentum into this season, he will be a first-team All-American.
Freshman of the Year: Peyton Watson, F, UCLA
Watson is a 6’8″ guard named as a McDonald’s All-American in high school. He was compared to Justin Holiday by 247 Sports. He could be a first-round pick in 2022 if he has a presence on this loaded UCLA roster.
Coach of the Year: Jerod Haase, Stanford
Stanford adds two freshmen to a group that has four starters back. One of them is five-star Harrison Ingram, who could be their best player. If Haase can get the Cardinal to their ceiling, he should win the award.
Dark Horse Team: USC
USC could have a great year. I saw more of a presence out of Isaiah Mobley than his brother in the games I watched. He’s a better all-around shooter, so expect Mobley to lead the Trojans.
Champion: UCLA beats Oregon
My pick is very chalky, but I’m not a fan of Oregon’s team this year. UCLA has lots of their players back, as well as adding a key defender in Myles Johnson. This will be a battle, but Mick Cronin’s team hoists the trophy.
SEC:
Player of the Year: Jaden Shackleford, G, Alabama
Shackleford leads what is known to be one of the better teams in the SEC. With John Petty and Herbert Jones gone, it’s Jaden Shackleford’s time.
Freshman of the Year: Kennedy Chandler, G, Tennessee
Chandler has the potential to win SEC Player of the Year. He can manage the game with true point guard play and speed. Rick Barnes better coach him well, because he is among the most talented freshmen this season.
Edit: I forgot to add these. So here you go:
Coach of the Year: Bruce Pearl, Auburn
Bruce Pearl has his team right where he wants it. He added key transfers and freshmen and looks to make Auburn the top team in the SEC, even though they’re picked to finish sixth in the conference.
Dark Horse Team: Auburn
See above.
Champion: Tennessee over Kentucky
Kentucky is the clear favorite to win the SEC, but I love the youth and potential of the Volunteers. Watch out for Kennedy Chandler this season.
Overall:
Player of the Year: Kofi Cockburn, C, Illinois
(see Big Ten)
Freshman of the Year: Paolo Banchero, F, Duke
(see above)
Coach of the Year: Chris Beard, Texas
Beard is one of the up-and-coming coaches in the country, leading Texas Tech to be the national runner-up in 2019. Now, he has a terrific team with the potential to win it all.
Dark Horse Team to Win It All: Maryland
Maryland is a long shot, but I like the Terrapins this year. I already explained why I think Maryland will win the Big Ten this year.
Final Four:
*Texas
Gonzaga
Maryland
Purdue
*National champion
Now that you’ve seen my picks for the future, let’s focus on the present. Here are my picks from now until Saturday:
Army at #9 Duke
Duke is having quite the treatment for Coach K’s final season. First, they take on Kentucky at Madison Square Garden. Then, he takes on the school he coached before coming to Durham. Nice touch by Duke. Blue Devils destroy. the Black Knights.
Tune into Army at Duke on Friday at 7 PM ET on ACC Network.
San Diego State at BYU
San Diego State has won four of the last five games against the Cougars and four of the last five games from last season. This was a coinflip, but I’ll take the Aztecs on the road.
Tune into San Diego State at BYU on Friday at 9 PM ET on BYUTV.
Pittsburgh at West Virginia
West Virginia has won four straight against the Panthers, and Pitt lost a lot of their roster to the transfer portal. The Backyard Brawl on the hardwood was at its peak in the Big East days, but the Mountaineers roll.
Tune into Pittsburgh at West Virginia on Friday at 8:30 PM ET on ESPNU.
#3 Kansas (-4.5) vs. Michigan State
Kansas and Michigan State are both programs that will contend for their conference, but Kansas is the one with a loaded roster. Kansas is 5-5 in the Champions Classic, but 1-2 against the Spartans. The series is tied at 7-7, with Kansas winning three of the last four meetings.
Tune into Kansas vs. Michigan State at 7 PM ET on ESPN.
#10 Kentucky vs. #9 Duke (-3)
Kentucky and Duke are two of the greatest programs of all time. Coach K is retiring after this season and I wish him the best this season and after he retires. Everyone knows that Paolo Banchero is next in the line of exciting freshmen. I can’t wait to see him play tonight. Duke has the edge in the series at a neutral site: 8-6, but Kentucky leads the overall series 12-10. This is a must-watch game. I don’t care how late it is.
Tune into Kentucky at Duke at 9:30 PM ET on ESPN.
#4 Villanova at #2 UCLA
I’m taking the Bruins at home because UCLA students have been waiting for so long to get back into Pauley Pavilion. So, what better time than a top-five matchup between two of the best programs ever? This is easily one of the most anticipated games of the year, even if it’s super late on Friday. Villanova has won the last three games, but they haven’t been to Los Angeles in quite a while. UCLA returns nearly everyone from their Final Four run.
Tune into Villanova at UCLA on Friday at 11:30 PM ET on ESPN2.
Calhoun's Corner 