College Hoops BlogPoll Roundtable

BIAH is a voting member of the CBS Sport's College Hoops BlogPoll, and as such we have been asked to participate in their College Hoops roundtable. Each week, a different blog will host and ask a number of questions to be answered by each voting member. This week it is A Sea of Blue, so be sure to stop over there and take a look at some of the other blog's answers.

Who really looks like the best team in college basketball this season?

At this point, barring a major collapse, it is pretty much a done deal that UConn, Pitt, Oklahoma, and UNC are going to be the four #1 seeds come March 15th meaning that these are the consensus best four teams in America right now. Assuming that "best" means "most likely to win the national title", I'm going to go with Oklahoma. UConn just isn't the same team without Jerome Dyson. DeJuan Blair is a load on the block, but I just don't see him being able to stay out of foul trouble for six straight games, especially with the tighter whistles that are par for the course come March. UNC doesn't play enough defense on a consistent basis (how did they gave up 91 to Maryland and 80 to NC State?). Oklahoma has the best player in the country in Blake Griffin, has developed their bench to the point where it is almost a strength, and is getting exceptional seasons out of Austin Johnson and Willie Warren. I really think Griffin is good enough to put this team on his shoulders and carry them to a title a la Carmelo circa 2003.

Is Blake Griffin the Player of the Year already, or can somebody catch him?

The only way Griffin doesn't get player of the year is if someone like Jodie Meeks or James Harden goes on a tear, averages 40 a game for the rest of the season, and carries their team to a regular season conference title. Other wise, it is tough to argue against him. He is the best player (by far) on what will likely be the #1 team in the country come Monday. He has put up some absurd numbers this year (23 and 14 on 64% shooting).

What currently ranked team is the biggest disappointment so far this year?

The "currently ranked" part makes this one tricky because Georgetown, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and the like have been ... how do I say this ... a joke this year. I'm going to go with Gonzaga and Syracuse. A lot of people have been saying UCLA or Michigan State, but the Bruins are extremely young and thus growing pains are to be expected, while the Spartans have yet to play at full strength for an extended period of time. Syracuse and Gonzaga have two of the most talented rosters in the country, but just seem to be devoid of consistency. Syracuse seems unable to start a game with any form of intensity while Gonzaga can't seem to figure out a way to play together. I've said this before, but I believe effort and teamwork to be coached, which means that the blame should fall on the shoulders of Mark Few and Jim Boeheim for not finding answers. So what is the answer? Well, honestly, I don't know. If I did, I'd be making Arab Bill Self money.

Predict the next team to beat Oklahoma.

Oklahoma has three games left on their schedule that are losable (is that even a word?): at Texas, Kansas at home, and at Mizzou. Texas has the size too match up with the Sooners, but the last time the two met up, Oklahoma won by 15. I don't see Kansas going into Norman on Big Monday and beating OU either. That leaves at Missouri. My prediction? The Tiger press is too much for Austin Johnson and Willie Warren, and despite 30 and 15 from Griffin, Mizzou knocks off the Sooners by forcing 20-some turnovers.