College Basketball Stock

March Madness is only a month away and no teams have really separated themselves from the pack. I’m sorting out some of college hoops most confusing teams and offering a look as if they were commodities on the NY stock exchange. Here are my thoughts, what would you do?
Texas Longhorns, BUYimgres
Coach Shaka Smart has his Longhorns playing fantastic basketball. Texas is one of the elite defensive teams in the country with great size. Texas has been on a two game loosing streak, but both games were to top 15 teams on the road. Isaiah Taylor has been playing out of his mind on both sides of the ball. It took a couple of years, but it seems Taylor has truly blossomed to his full potential and has stepped up as the leader of this team. Come March Texas will have a great chance to make a run. Buy high for these Longhorns.
imgres-1Texas A&M Aggies, SELL
It was only a couple weeks ago that Texas A&M was a top 5 team and a popular pick to make it to the Final Four. Since then, the Aggies have been a completely different team, loosing 4 in a row to unranked opponents. A&M has struggled having the target on their back. This team has a ton of talent of their team, but they seem to not get it done time after time. Aggie fans will hate to hear me make this comparison, but A&M reminds me a lot of last years Texas team. Texas was chalk full of talented players, but they were not ready for the spot light. If the Aggies can’t even take being the team to beat in the terrible SEC, there is no way they can handle the bright lights of the NCAA Tournament.
imgresOregon Ducks, BUY 
It may be a year early, but the Oregon Ducks have established themselves as the class of the Pac-12. Although they have lost their past two games on the road, this Duck squad is for real. This team has a great balance of young talent and experienced players. It also helps to have a super star in Dillion Brooks on your team. Brooks has been the bet player in the conference, putting up 30 point games with ease. Freshman point guard Tyler Dorsey is the key for this team’s success. He is a great young player who has a bright future in college ball and beyond. Success in the NCAA Tournament comes with great guard play. Dorsey is the man to take the Ducks to Houston for their first Final Four in a long time.
imgresMichigan Wolverines, BUY
I am going to be on record saying, I think the Wolverines can make the Final Four. I know I sound crazy and a little biased, but here me out. I am not saying they will, but there is a chance. Michigan has been a tough team to figure out this year. They have looked like a top 10 team, but they have also looked like a team that doesn’t even belong in the NIT. Injury has been most to blame for Michigan’s inconsistency. Losing Caris LeVert for a long stretch of the season was tough for this team, but it has also been good as other players including Duncan Robinson and Muhammed-Ali Abdur-Rahkman have stepped up to add great depth. Now the Caris LeVert is finally back into the line up Michigan has gone from a okay team to a team that is down right scary. Michigan is on of the best shooting teams in the country and they live and die by the three point shot. If the Wolverines become hot during March, watch out.
imgres-1Purdue, SELL 
Yes I am selling on Purdue, a team that has consistently been in the top 25 week after week. The Boilermakers are tough, physical, and have some of the best big men in the country. They are a great team, but they have on major flaw that will be their Achilles heel in March. Purdue does not have consistent guard play. As I mention earlier that is crucial if you want to make a good run in the NCAA Tournament. I am selling on Purdue and look for the Boilermaker to be upset and make a early exit from March Madness.
Advertisement

CFB Week One Reactions

College football in underway and the first week was just amazing. Miracles, upsets, and of course blowouts. Here are my reactions to this crazy week.
New Quarterbacks Shine:
I guess replacing your legendary quarterback is not hard as it seems. Oregon, Florida State, and UCLA all had loader rosters coming into this year, but the only question mark was the quarterback position. Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston, and Brett Hundley are alimages-16l in the NFL and their alma maters were left searching for a QB. I think all of these schools found their man. UCLA’s true freshman Josh Rosen was exceptional against Virginia. There were no first start jitters, there was just greatness. Graduate transfers Vernon Adams Jr and Everette Golson also had great games. Adams Jr, now at Oregon, scorched his old teammates at Eastern Washington. Adams threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns. What makes Adams so explosive is his running ability. He had 94 yards on the ground. I think it is safe to say that these three programs will be just fine with their new quarterbacks.
The SEC is “Back”: 
Let the non-stop coverage begin. After a abysmal bowl performance last year, the SEC only lost one game this week, and that was Vanderbilt. The dominance is back. The most images-17impressive performance by an SEC team was the Texas A&M Aggies. After embarrassing 15 ranked Arizona State. Alabama looked like Alabama, and Auburn squeaked out a win against a dangerous Louisville team. Although I hate to admit it, the SEC is taking back the crown for conference supremacy. 
Underdogs Crush Playoff Dreams:55eb7ddf16b37.image
Stanford, Nebraska, and Arizona State were all popular picks to make the playoff. It looks like those picks may come to a stop. The battle of the brains took a rough turn on the highly favored Cardinal. Northwestern, yes Northwestern shut down Kevin Hogan and the Stanford offense. The Cats defense looked like they played in the SEC. I know my Grandmother loved to see that. She is a grad from NU and is a huge fan. Nebraska had images-18it’s heart ripped right out of them by a Hail Mary with one second left on the clock. BYU created the moment of the week when backup quarterback Tanner Mangum launched a prayer that sent Husker fans to tears. Arizona State was very disappointing. They got man handled by a questionable A&M defense. ASU did not look like a contender Saturday night.
1 Ohio State vs Virginia Tech Preview: 
The rematch is tonight. The only team that could beat the Buckeyes last year was the Virginia Tech Hokies. Now the game is in Blacksburg and this is a much improved Tech team. Of course Ohio State will be heavily favored tonight, but they will be playing without imagestheir best player, DE Joey Bossa. Bossa is suspended for the game in Blacksburg. Without Bossa I believe the Buckeyes will struggle, and Virginia Tech’s defensive coordinator Bud Foster will have something up his sleeve. Tonight the Hokies will run the ball, play lockdown defense, and shock the World.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 27 Ohio State 24