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The 14th annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Nov. 27-28 2012 will be headlined by North Carolina at Indiana, with a solid undercard of Ohio State at Duke. and North Carolina State at Michigan stands out as the third biggest match-up.
ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will combine to televise all 12 games of the two-day event.
I am well aware that the 2012 NBA Draft has not even occurred yet. Still, we are looking ahead to the 2013 NBA Draft with insanely early projections on how it may unfold. Team needs and outstanding trades have NOT been taken into consideration with this 2013 NBA mock draft. Click on the players’ name for a complete, in-depth scouting report.
(By the way, The Sports Bank was graded as the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft on the web.)
CLICK HERE FOR THE SPORTS BANK’S 2012 NBA MOCK DRAFT
Check out The Sports Bank’s 2013 NFL Mock Draft.
The deadline for underclassmen college basketball players to declare for the 2012 NBA Draft has passed. Here is the latest list of early entries with Maryland’s Terrell Stoglin entering the draft at the last minute. Check out our 2012 NBA Mock Draft and click on the player’s name for an in-depth scouting report.
UPDATED: 4/30/12 12:40 PM
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Here is an updated on my preseason Top 25 for the 2012-2013 college basketball. With transfers, the decisions of some previously undeclared top high school recruits, and players declaring their intentions to return to school or leave for the NBA Draft, there has been a lot of movement since I released my original rankings the day after the National Championship game. (Click here for a list of NBA Draft early entries.) Leave a comment below if you think a team is too high, too low, not getting enough respect, or if you notice an error in a projected roster. (Click here for my way too early preseason rankings from last season.)
Here are teams 16-25 in my updated 2012-2013 preseason college basketball Top 25 and other teams who just missed the cut.
Let the preseason No. 1 speculation officially begin for Indiana basketball.
The Hoosiers, widely expected to enter the 2012-13 season at or near the top of the polls, got huge news for their chances on that front as the university’s athletics department announced in a release that forwards Cody Zeller and Christian Watford would return for their sophomore and senior seasons, respectively, rather than declare for the NBA Draft.
Such was expected. I never thought Zeller would leave after one season of college basketball (although he could have been a lottery pick), and I didn’t get a hint of any current interest in Watford as a NBA prospect — his skill set is a bit lacking in areas and he isn’t being listed in any mock draft I see — so it’s not a surprise to see both guys announce their returns. It’s going to be truly fascinating to see this Indiana team next season. It will have the firepower to do great things.
This announcement does create one minor issue for the Hoosiers, though: They are oversigned by one scholarship heading into next season. Coach Tom Crean will have to show one guy the door to make enough room for his key returnees as well as for “The Movement” of 2012 signees.
Follow the jump for the release from Indiana University Athletics.
If you are like me and already have a post-college basketball NCAA Tournament depression; fear not. The Sports Bank has already released our preseason Top 25 for the 2012-2013 season which you can check out by clicking here. Now it is time for an insanely early Bracketology, projecting what the 2013 NCAA Tournament field might look like.
Hoosier Nation, The Movement is almost here.
And guess what? The national sports media are aware of it, too.
The Sports Bank’s very own, David Kay ranked IU #1 in his 2012-13 preseason Top 25. ESPN’s Andy Katz and Myron Medcalf has Indiana slated as the No. 1 team in the nation heading into the 2012-13 season as well. Luke Winn of SI.com also slotted the Hoosiers as the cream of the crop in his crystal-ball list. Add NBC Sports’ CollegeBasketballTalk to the group. America has bought in.
From the (presumed) returns of Cody Zeller and Christian Watford to the dynamic incoming freshman class -- the kids refer to themselves as “The Movement” — there are plenty of reasons to like Indiana as a potential preseason No. 1 next year, especially given how surprisingly well the Hoosiers fared in 2011-12.
But are they ready to take the next step?
With the Kentucky Wildcats cutting down the nets last night, we can officially close the book on the 2011-2012 college basketball season. Hoop junkies like myself are already looking ahead to next season so allow me to present to you my way too early 2012-2013 preseason Top 25.
There are still several factors that could alter a teams roster between now and the start of next season. Some of the top players are still debating on whether or not to enter the NBA Draft, some teams will lose players to transfer, and five McDonald’s All-Americans remain undecided on their college decision including the top two recruits in the 2012 class; Shabazz Muhammad and Nerlens Noel.
So here is my preliminary preseason Top 25. I will updated these rankings once the NBA Draft early entries list is complete and Muhammaed and Noels make their college decision. Leave a comment below if you think a team is too high, too low, not getting enough respect, or if you notice an error in a projected roster. (Click here for my way too early preseason rankings from last season.)
Here are teams 16-25 in my 2012-2013 preseason college basketball Top 25 and other teams who just missed the cut.
The Indiana Hoosiers could be the preseason #1 next year. If instant impact freshman Cody Zeller and hero of the Kentucky game Christian Watford return, and former star wing Maurice Creek is the same player he was before injury, IU is going to be a juggernaut.
They have a very solid core returning, and the 3rd rated recruiting class coming in. The Hoosiers have five solid incoming freshmen, one at each position, with Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell leading the way.
Yogi, in Chicago for the McDonald’s All-American game, is the headliner of this class.
I am well aware that the 2012 NBA Draft has not even occurred yet. Still, we are looking ahead to the 2013 NBA Draft with insanely early projections on how it may unfold. Team needs and outstanding trades have NOT been taken into consideration with this 2013 NBA mock draft. Click on the players’ name for a complete, in-depth scouting report.
(By the way, The Sports Bank was graded as the most accurate 2011 NBA Mock Draft on the web.)
CLICK HERE FOR THE SPORTS BANK’S 2012 NBA MOCK DRAFT
Check out The Sports Bank’s 2012 NFL Mock Draft.
Follow @paul_m_bankstsb on twitter.
