2012-2013 College Basketball Picks and Predictions – National Title Odds, Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers: Believe it or not the 2012-13 college basketball season is just around the corner, along with rivalry games, upsets and buzzer beaters. With that in mind, it is time to take a look at the early contenders for this year’s national title. Some of the teams are perennial powers, but thanks to the rule that makes all high school players wait at least one year before entering the NBA Draft, a program’s outlook can change over the course of one offseason. There is a nice mix of established powers and upstart programs among this season’s preseason frontrunners, and here is a closer look at each team.
2012-2013 College Basketball National Title Odds and Predictions
The Favorites
Last season, the Indiana Hoosiers knocked off Kentucky during the regular season and made it all the way to the Sweet 16 in March before falling in a rematch with the Wildcats. With all five starters back from that team, including All-American center Cody Zeller and experienced scorer Christian Watford, are loaded for an even deeper run in 2012-13. In addition to returning its starting five, the Hoosiers also notched the second-best recruiting class in the offseason. Point guard Yogi Ferrell and small forward Jeremy Hollowell are just a couple of freshmen that should make an immediate impact for an already loaded Indiana team. The glory days could be back for one of the more storied programs in college basketball.
Fresh off a national title, the Kentucky Wildcats saw their roster decimated by the NBA Draft, which saw center Anthony Davis and forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist go 1-2 overall. Still, losing its entire starting five every year has become the norm with John Calipari as coach, but Kentucky always reloads for another run at a title. This year is no exception with three five-star recruits and a four-star recruit joining the Wildcats’ roster. Among the star-studded class are top-ranked center Nerlens Noel and second-ranked power forward Alex Poythress. This year’s Wildcats might not be able to steamroll to a national title the way last year’s group did, but they should certainly be able to make a run at back-to-back championships.
The Dark Horses
After catching fire late in the year and carrying the momentum all the way to the Final Four, the Louisville Cardinals should be contenders from the get go in 2012-13. Rick Pitino’s team will have eight of its top 10 scorers back, including dynamic point guard Peyton Siva and big man Gorgui Dieng. The X-factor could be sophomore Wayne Blackshear, who battled through injuries as a freshman. The highly-touted recruit could provide the added offense the defensive-oriented Cardinals need to get over the hump and win a national championship.
After sneaking up on teams last March and making the Sweet 16, the N.C. State Wolfpack won’t be flying under the radar in 2012-13. The team returns four double-digit starters from a year ago, including star forward C.J. Leslie. More importantly, the Wolfpack should receive a huge boost from the fourth-ranked recruiting class in the country. The freshmen class includes three McDonald’s All-Americans, including a pair of point guards who will provide depth to the backcourt and help for returning starter Lorenzo Brown. N.C. State could have the perfect mix of youth and experience to make a run in March.
Yes, star big man Jared Sullinger left for the NBA, but the head coach Thad Matta has stockpiled talent for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Returning starters include point guard and defensive master Aaron Craft and emerging superstar Deshaun Thomas. Thomas showed he can carry the load on offense during Ohio State’s run to the Final Four last year, and he should only be better as the team’s centerpiece. Throw in a handful of former top notch recruits that could all step up and be this year’s version of Thomas, and the Buckeyes have the firepower to make another deep run in March.
The Sleepers
It already seems like decades ago that the UCLA Bruins made three straight trips to the Final Four, but the program is only four years removed from the impressive run. Thanks to a couple of elite recruits and a top-10 class overall, the Bruins could be close to competing for a national title once again after a few serious down years. Highlighting the group of newcomers are Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson. Muhammad was the top-ranked recruit in the country this offseason, and Anderson was the top-ranked small forward. Throw in four-star center Tony Parker and four-star shooting guard Jordan Adams, and UCLA could be taking the Kentucky approach to a title with all the talented freshmen joining the mix.
The San Diego State Aztecs have quietly been building a strong program the last few years under coach Steve Fisher, and this year’s team could be the best yet. San Diego State returns its top four scorers from a year ago, including one of the more underrated guard combos in the country. Jamaal Franklin and Chase Tapley combined to average more than 33 points per game last season, and they could be primed for even bigger years in 2012-13. More importantly, the Aztecs will welcome a potential game changer in freshman Winston Shepard. The 6’8” small forward was the 10th-ranked player at his position, and if he hits the ground running, Shepard could be the type of athletic scorer the Aztecs need to upset the big programs in March.
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