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Kansas is no longer NCAA chalk

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Jeff Goodman

Jeff Goodman is a senior college basketball writer for FOXSports.com. Check out his Yardbarker blog. MORE>>
 
Updated Oct 26, 2009 4:52 PM ET
     
 
I just returned from the ultimate trip — a five-day jaunt that took me to seven practices, six of them with top 20 teams, and also the Big East media day. There were planes, trains and automobiles that got me through the trek. There was plenty of information to divulge — from Kalin Lucas' improved jumper to the befuddled facial looks of Purdue freshman Sandi Marcius to Tyshaun Taylor's thumb. After having to listen to former Patterson coach Chris Chaney snore for four nights, I also picked up a newfound respect for my wife, who has to deal with my snoring on a nightly basis.

10 Things I Learned

1. There isn't nearly as much disparity between the No. 1 team in the land, Kansas, and the rest of the country. At one point, I considered the Jayhawks — with veterans Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich — the front-runners by a significant margin. However, now I believe this year's national title race is as wide open as any in recent memory. Kansas freshman Xavier Henry, who looked just average, is the key for KU. 2. Purdue's Robbie Hummel will challenge for Big Ten Player of the Year. After spending nearly all of last season with a back brace, the Boilermakers junior forward will re-establish himself as one of the premier players in the nation. Don't be shocked to see the tough, hard-nosed, skilled and multi-dimensional Hummel on postseason All-American teams. 3. Butler's Gordon Hayward is a future lottery pick. I'm not sure the 6-foot-8 ½ sophomore will be ready this year or next, but there's no apparent weakness to his game. He is one of the nation's best shooters, is athletic and more impressive than anything else, he seems to always make the correct decision. This kid could not only start — but star — at any program in the nation.

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4. Illinois will be in position to compete for a national championship soon — maybe even as soon as next season. Young guards D.J. Richardson and Brandon Paul will be a big-time backcourt for the next few years, and veteran Demetri McCamey has matured and also got his body in good shape. Then add in three top 75 recruits — Jereme Richmond, Meyers Leonard and Crandall Head — and Bruce Weber's team could be scary good. The key may be skilled forward Mike Davis' maturity. 5. Delvon Roe is one of the elite trash-talkers in the country. Whether it's pingpong or golf, the Michigan State sophomore's mouth never stops moving — but in a good way. The affable Roe could run for office one day — he's that charismatic. On the court, Roe is coming along. He says he's 100 percent and he may be physically ready, but he's still not the same player I saw a few summers ago prior to a pair of knee injuries that set back his progress. 6. Michigan sophomores Stu Douglass and Zack Novak are more than just shooters. And even though some analyst is sure to praise their "high court IQ," both guys are athletic and can play. Want proof? Check out Novak's dunk this past Friday night. 7. Besides Luke Harangody, Notre Dame has plenty of question marks. Do they have a potent long-range shooter to replace Kyle McAlarney, Luke Zeller and Ryan Ayers? Can Tim Abramaitis, Ty Nash, Carlton Scott and Jon Peoples step up and be consistent producers? Can these guys consistently defend? Harangody will have the individual production to win National Player of the Year honors, but will his team do enough to put him squarely in the mix? 8. Kansas sophomore guard Tyshawn Taylor's candid attitude on the recent altercations with the football team and his Facebook postings were refreshing, but what worried me more than anything is Taylor's thumb. It was at least three times the size of a normal thumb, and I'm not sure how it won't affect him on the court. Few realize his punch missed a football player, ended up hitting a car and ultimately resulted in surgery. 9. There are so many different styles of coaching, and it was interesting to see them within such a condensed period of time. You've got the mellow guys like Butler's Brad Stevens, Notre Dame's Mike Brey and Michigan's John Beilein, then the hard-nosed styles of Michigan State's Tom Izzo, Purdue's Matt Painter and Kansas' Bill Self — and Illinois' Bruce Weber is somewhere in-between. There's a reason why Izzo and Self have won national titles. In addition to having talent, they are also able to balance getting after their players and also being able to put their arms around them. It's not an easy as you'd think. 10. The Big Ten will have as much quality depth as any league in America with six teams that are capable of getting to the Elite Eight. After seeing four of them last week, I'd rank the league this way: Michigan State, Purdue, Ohio State, Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota. But there is so little disparity from No. 1 to No. 6.
Tagged: Michigan State, Kansas, Michigan, Butler, Purdue, Ohio State, Mississippi Valley, Notre Dame, Illinois, Minnesota

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