With the college hoops season halfway over, now's a good time to re-evaluate and see how certain teams have competed compared to expectations. What follows is the "Inside College Basketball" midseason progress report:
Top 5:
Illinois - With a tough schedule under their belts and having gone undefeated with an overall record of 19-0, the Fighting Illini are proving a tough team to dethrone from the top spot. With quality wins over Gonzaga, Cincinnati, and Iowa, not to mention a blowout over previous number one Wake Forest, the Illini have asserted themselves as the top-ranked team in the country. Their standouts include a trio of guards, Luther Head, Dee Brown, and Deron Williams, who combine for 43 points per game. Illinois may have faced their biggest test last night, taking on Wisconsin in Madison, where the Badgers haven't lost in 38 straight games. The results arrived were not available at press time.
Duke - Although the Blue Devils have beaten only one Top 25 team, they have had some tough match-ups against the likes of Oklahoma, N.C. State and Virginia. Through it all, they have managed to stay undefeated. Led by one of the best backcourt duos in the country in J.J. Redick and Daniel Ewing, Duke is a team to be reckoned with yet again.
Wake Forest - With a huge win over North Carolina on Jan. 15, the Demon Deacons showcased their basketball prowess. Chris Paul proved his All-American status. But then the Deacs lost to Florida State in overtime, confusing everyone. Nevertheless, look for Wake to be in the Final Four.
North Carolina - After they lost their first game of the season to unranked Santa Clara, the Heels looked unstoppable while pounding Atlantic Coast Conference teams Maryland and Georgia Tech. But when Rashad McCants got in foul trouble against Wake, the Demon Deacons ran the Tar Heels out of the building. Look for potential All Americans McCants, Raymond Felton, Sean May, and Jawad Williams to step it up in the second half of the season.
Syracuse - If it wasn't for an early-season loss to Oklahoma State, the Orangemen would be undefeated. Hakim Warrick and Gerry McNamara have been keeping this team afloat. Don't be surprised if they make it to the Final Four.
All Americans:
If there were to be an all-star team today, these are the five guys that would be playing:
1. Raymond Felton: The North Carolina point man has been crazy for his team this year. He's one of the fastest guys on the court in any given game, not to mention that he makes all of his teammates better. Felton has been dropping dimes like nobody's business, averaging 7.3 assists per game.
2. Chris Paul: Wake Forest's point man can play both guard positions and has been sensational for the Demon Deacons. He showed up Felton in the UNC/Wake match-up and has been everyone's favorite guard this season, averaging 15.8 points, 6.5 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game.
3. Rashad McCants: Dubbed by Dick Vitale as the best offensive player in America, McCants has matured a lot since last year and has taken the Heels on his shoulders at numerous points throughout the season. He can score from the inside or outside, which helps to explain the 17.0 points per game.
4. Hakim Warrick: The lanky 6'8" senior has dominated the post in most games. He's averaging 20 points and 8.8 rebounds per contest for the Orangemen.
5. Ike Diogu: No one knows about this beast from Arizona State. The 6'8", 250 pound forward/center has obliterated everyone in his path. Diogu is averaging 22.6 points and 9.9 rebounds per game for the Sun Devils.
Surprises:
The biggest surprise of the year is Boston College. The Eagles weren't even in the Top 25 before the season started. Now they're undefeated and have entered the Top 10 in the main polls. Led by forwards Craig Smith and Jared Dudley, BC has beaten several tough teams, including UConn, West Virginia, and Villanova.
The biggest bust of the season to this point has been the Florida Gators. With the return of three of their best players from last year in Anthony Roberson, Matt Walsh, and David Lee, the Gators have dropped three games to unranked opponents, pushing them out of the Top 25 in the main polls.
