North Carolina looks like the team to beat in 2009, as thus far they have blown out everyone they have faced. The Tar Heels are loaded and look prepared to handle a conference that will be tough from top to bottom. Going into conference play, the ACC has four ranked teams, with three in the top 10. Tobacco Road looks like a tough road to travel, as UNC, Duke and Wake are ranked #1, #5 and #6 respectively. The ACC also has several teams that could be flirting with appearing in the top 25. Florida State looks like a force in the ACC, as they are 12-2, with tough losses to #3 Pittsburgh from the Big East, which we will talk about in a bit, and Northwestern who is 8-2. The Noles should be 13-2 when they open conference play against Duke on January 10th.
Also in the ACC, Clemson has looked very good thus far, as they are 12-0 and ranked #20 nationally. Boston College, Maryland, NC-State, Miami, georgia Tech and Virginia Tech will be tough customers once again. The ACC will be a conference that every team will need to come with its A game, or they will get handed a loss.
The Big East looks like a very tough conference as well. Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Villanova and Georgetown all are ranked currently. Just like the ACC, even the non ranked teams should be solid and each game in the Big East will be tough games.
For the SEC, the conference looks wide open. Florida looks like a very good team, and should return to the Big Dance. Tennessee, LSU, South Carolina, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Bama should also be in the hunt for the SEC.
The Big 10 also looks solid, as it has five teams in the top 25. Minnesota is this season's biggest surprize as they are 12-0 and ranked #21. Purdue, Michigan State, Michigan, and Ohio State round out the Big 10's top 25 teams.
In the Big 12, three teams are currently in the top 25. Oklahoma looks like a solid team coming in at #4, Texas is #8 and Baylor is #19. Will Kansas repeat as the NCAA Champ?
the Pac-10 looks tough as Arizona is coming off a huge rout of defending champion, Kansas. Arizona State and UCLA are in the top 25. Stanford, Cal, USC and Arizona should also be tough.
Mid majors, this one looks tough to call, as there are many good looking teams from the mid major conferences. As conference play commences, it will become clear which mid majors will be dancing in March. We will take a look at the mid majors in the next few weeks.
