The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a lot of sports moments and everyday life normalcies away. Last season, the NCAA had to postpone all spring sports once the first wave of cases hit the US. One of these events which was postponed was March Madness. It was odd for all basketball fans not to see the exciting 68-team tournament last March.
This year the NCAA is taking a different approach when it comes to COVID-19. The season started November 25, 2020. All basketball fans can only hope for a full season.
Philip Pedano, a senior at Prep and co-director of public relations for The Rambler had this to say about his excitement for the upcoming season. “I am really excited for the season to start, especially since there was no March Madness last year,” Phil said, “College Basketball is one of the most exciting sports with the atmosphere, and having no fans this year won’t be the same.”
Preseason AP Poll Top 25
1. Gonzaga
2. Baylor
3. Villanova
4. Virginia
5. Iowa
6. Kansas
7. Wisconsin
8. Illinois
9. Duke
10. Kentucky
11. Creighton
12. Tennesee
13. Michigan St
14. Texas Tech
15. West Virginia
16. North Carolina
17. Houston
18. Arizona St.
19. Texas
20. Oregon
21. Florida St.
22. UCLA
23. Ohio St.
24. Rutgers
25. Michigan
My Power 5 Conference Winners
ACC – Virginia
Virginia has a tough and gritty lineup consisting of seven upperclassmen and a great head coach in Tony Bennett.
Big Ten – Wisconsin
Even though Iowa is higher in the preseason AP poll, that doesn’t stop me from believing in physicality from the Badgers. They use a more traditional college play style to their advantage.
Big 12 – Kansas
Rock Chalk Jayhawk is the trademarked phrase used by Kansas fans around the world. Even though they won’t be seeing many fans this year, I believe the success of the past from Kansas gives them the edge in the Big 12
PAC-12 – UCLA
UCLA has been a bit of an embarrassment the past few seasons and finished almost dead last in 2018 in their conference, but I see a huge bounce back from coach Mike Cronin and his squad. I see the Bruins being back on top of the PAC 12.
SEC – Kentucky
We all know by now that Kentucky is in a league of their own when it comes to the Southeastern Conference. They have won their conference 6 out of the past 10 years. I see another Big Blue Nation conference victory on the horizon.
