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The depths of winter are tough up here in the middle of Maine. Although the weather has been generous this year, it doesn’t discount the drag that’s produced by the short days and long nights. Just when we’re about to drift over the edge on account of schoolwork piled up before break, March Madness is there for us to look forward to — to catch us just before we go over completely.
This year’s tournament involves a unique element during tourney time. Unlike years past when the front-runners were mostly obvious, this year’s bracket is going to open up a lot of unknowns. With past champions North Carolina, Kansas and back-to-back champion Florida reigning dominant throughout most of their respective seasons, it wasn’t surprising when they cut down the nets in early April.
This year’s bracket is quite the contrast, with a few teams just barely poking their necks out in front of the competition. The talks surrounding the young, vibrant Kentucky, and the polished, groomed Kansas squads are hard to ignore, but even the guys getting paid to tell you about them have their doubts about these so-called favorites.
This word is about as good as you’re going to get. The favorites to win this year’s college national championship are Kentucky and Kansas. I know, quite shocking, but it’s the obvious choice of a team with the most talent and the best all-around squad. Kentucky possesses more talent than any team in the country and can run any club out of the gym on any given night. Kentucky can also show its youth, which is its biggest strength and most glaring weakness, and crumble to a disappointing performance, something that’s logical during a big March game.
On the other hand, Kansas has the best balance of inside-outside in the country. The Jayhawks have a deep veteran team with members who have been to the big show before, and can match up with anyone in the country. They lack the breakout athlete that Kentucky has in John Wall, Syracuse has in Wesley Johnson and Ohio State has in Evan Turner. All three teams can beat Kansas on any floor. They might not get blown out, but this Kansas team could be on the sidelines by the time the Sweet 16 rolls around.
As you try and struggle through this last week of school and the time at Fogler seems to never end, just think about the sweet unknowns amongst us in March.
Bangor Daily News