As the 2015-2016 college basketball season has just started, fans look forward to a season loaded with thrills, upsets, buzzer-beater and Cinderellas. We will look at the two big local teams: Maryland and Georgetown. Additionally, we will preview the final four.
Maryland:
The Terps enter the season as the third ranked team in the AP Poll, behind just North Carolina and Kentucky. They will be lead by senior Jake Layman and sophomore NBA prospect point guard Melo Trimble. However, the Terps suffered a bad blow a few days ago as sophomore Dion Wiley hurt his knee and has since been ruled out for the rest of the season. Wiley was projected as a possible starter or early reserve, and with him out, the Mark Turgeon will have to go further down the bench for fill-ins. Maryland’s schedule is also somewhat difficult as they play UNC, UConn, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan State during the season.
Pitch Prediction: The Terps will finish the regular season in the top 10; however, they will suffer a few losses to quality teams. Expect them to make the dance as a two or three seed and take it through to at least the sweet-16.
WJ Input: Sophomore Maryland fan Kyle Peterson thinks the Terps will be great this season.
“I think Melo Trimble will lead Maryland to a final four and possibly even a national championship.”
Georgetown:
The Hoyas enter this season as a contender in the famed Big East conference. They are not ranked in the top 25 but were came very close. As a surprise to some people, star guard D’ Vauntes-Smith Rivera decided to forgo the NBA Draft and come back to DC for his senior season. This surely cements the Hoyas as a strong contender to knock off Villanova and win the conference. The Hoyas hope to bounce back from their loss to area foe Maryland by coming out strong and sustaining a high level of play against Wisconsin in NYC. In conference, they will be challenged by Villanova, Butler, and Providence among others.
Pitch Prediction: Georgetown will make the NCAA Tournament as probably a eight or nine seed. The loss of center Josh Smith will definitely hurt the Hoyas inside and on the glass.
Pitch Final Four Prediction: North Carolina, Virginia, Villanova and Utah.
UNC has one of the best players in college basketball in guard Marcus Paige and one of the best rim protectors in Kennedy Meeks. UVA plays the best defense in the country holding opponents to low scoring numbers and poor shooting percentages from all around. Utah lost Delon Wright to the NBA, they still have a great big man in Jakob Poeltl.
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