2011 PowerHouse Trios

As we learned last year, it is important to have the best team in the country (Gunz and his perennial favorite Duke), but possibly more important to have the best trio of teams (Jutdog's West Virginia, Tennessee, and Kansas State, which generated enough points for the win). So, who looks to be in a good position with a dominant trio to challenge for the Hall of Fame spot this year:

1.Moose Eye: This guy has Kansas, UCONN, and Florida. This is a good bunch. Kansas has no faults on the year, and in most places is a lock for a 1 seed in the tourney. UCONN has gone beyond everyone's expectations in reaching 17-3 with a top 10 SOS and no bad losses. This wins list is pretty impressive: Texas, UK, Michigan State (when they were #2), NOVA, and Tennessee. Florida brings in a big question mark. They are 4-3 against sub-100 talent, while going 5-1 against top 50 talent. They are 17-5 though, a top 25 team, and leading the SEC. They are a strong #3 team to have, placing Moose Eye with the best TRIO.

2. Gunz. Things seem good for Gunz, and he has built a decent lead. However, Duke has lost 2 of their last 6 games, and appears to be entering the toughest part of their season. Despite this, they are still elite-8 material. Georgetown has rebounded and is actually 17-5 with the #2 SOS. They have NO bad losses and 7 wins over top 50 teams. That places them as at least a sweet 16 contender. However, isn't this the same Georgetown team that bowed out last year in the opening round (this year's team is far worse inside without Monroe). They appear to be playing far better this year as a team and could contend for a Big East titel. Then you have Wisconsin, who beat Purdue, Minnesota, and Illinois, and has 5 close losses all on the road. He also has Clemson who is 15-6 but with no real impressive wins. So Gunz is most likely a contender, but clearly not a lock for even a top 3 finish. Further, he does not have the best trio in our league.

3. Mad Mader: The Cuse have been slippin, and the XCuse is because they don't play D. 4 Straight losses (note that two were against top 10 talent) has their future in doubt. Thankfully the mad man has a supporting cast of Notre Dame who is 17-4 (!) with a top 10 SOS (!) and 7 (!) wins over top 50 teams including Wisconsin, Georgetown, UCONN, and PITT. Up until meeting Texas, his third team in Texas A&M was looking pretty good. At 17-4 and no losses to terrible teams, they are looking great aside from the losing 3 of their last 4. Mader was probably the most dangerous player 4 games ago, before the Cuse and A&M entered their winter falls.

4. Jutdog: Of course, no list would be complete without the Hall of Fame representation, and Jutdog has again assembled a worthy collection of teams. Texas has proven to be a great pick, giving Kansas their only loss while also picking up wins against Illinois, UNC, Michigan St, A&M (twice), and Mizz. Losses against UCONN and PITT are excusable, but at USC?? They have won 7 straight and play NO additional ranked teams for the remainer of the regular season. BYU comes in at the second spot, with the #12 SOS including wins over San Diego St, Utah St, St Marys, Arizona, and UTEP. They are 6-1 on the road, and have no bad losses. However, they have yet to face a real national contender and may be considered unproven. The final team is UNC, who is tied for first in the ACC with a 16-5 overall record. Somehow, these guys scored 106 last night at Boston College while only producing 58 at Georgia Tech. They are 2nd in the nation in rebounding, and have quietly won 9 of their last 10 games. At only 2-4 against top 50 talent, they have yet to prove themselves.

Honorable Mention:

6. Babs?? Purdue is obviously a contender, but with only two starters and 12 subs, it is a serious stretch to call them a final four lock. San Diego State? They have only one loss (BYU), and have wins over St Marys, Gonzaga, California, UNLV, and New Mexico. All very impressive wins over what will likely be teams that do NOT make the sweet 16. San Diego St is at best an uncertainty - they might dominate, or they may fade against the best in the country.

But even if we give both Purdue and San Diego St tickets to the Sweet Sixteen, who else? Georgia? St Johns? How 'bout Maine? Babs will at best finish 2nd this year, and more likely will be somewhere in the 4 - 8 range, which is not too bad considering his main squad took a serious blow on the first day of practice (See Robbie Hummel).

6. Jaybird?? PITT, Temple, and Arizona. Well.. probably better than Babs, but good enough to win? Temple has been his major let down, while by some accounts Arizona has exceeded expectations. If PITT stays focused, they are well coached and skilled, and are a leading candidate for a 1 seed.

6. Slake B. Ohio State is by almost all accounts the best team in the nation. 7-0 on the road, 5-0 against top 50 teams, and unbeaten. However, they only have played 4 rated teams all year, including Florida and Purdue. If they can win AT Minnesota, AT Wisconsin, and AT Purdue, then I will be sold. Until then, and considering that over half of their wins are from teams outside of the top 100, they are not enough to be considered a lock. Maryland is 1-6 against top 50 teams, and 7 of their wins came from sub-200 teams. West Virginia is only 6-4 in their last 10 games, but they do have 5 wins over top 50 talent including Purdue and Georgetown.