The Big 12 Conference intorduces 2 new teams to the HHCB. They are Iowa St. and Minnesota. The returning
favorites are the power house Iowa Hawkeyes, and the dangerous UMass Minutemen. Though Iowa showed a disappointing
one game in the Preseason Tournament as the #1 seed losing ot the dead last DePaul Blue Demons, they are still
expected to go far. However, UMass made another long preseason run to the Final 4. This time, they hope to keep
their dominance through the regular season, and not just bring it back for the conference tournament. Iowa St.
went into their first exhibition games with a first round loss to powerhouse Kentucky. Iowa St. can be a threat
to some teams, but they don't look like they should go far early at this point. Minnesota will be the team to
watch as they went out and took the Preseason Championship from defending National Champion Virginia Tech by 5.
Big 12 Projected Finish:
1) Iowa
2) Minnesota
3) UMass
4) Iowa St.
Big 10 Conference
The Big 10 Conference brought back their dominator in Illinois, and Rutgers also returns, however as a humanly
controlled team. UNI made a conference switch from the Big 12 to Big 10 as did Cal St. Northridge. In the
Preseason Tournament, Cal St. Northridge was the only team to win, as they advanced to the Final 4 before getting
alienated by Minnesota, a team that demolished UNI in round 1. Illinois was also brought to slaughter by UMass,
and Rutgers just got beat out by the Hokies. The Matadors can be dangerous to the Illini's hope of regaining the
Championship, but possibly another threat is new kid on the block Rutgers. UNI looks like a team that could still
stagger.
Big 10 Projected Finish:
1) Illinois
2) Cal St. Northridge
3) Rutgers
4) UNI
Conference USA
The Conference USA makes a return to the HHCB by popular vote, and brings in 3 returning favorites. They are the
defending National Champion Virginia Tech Hokies, Kentucky Wildcats, and Rhode Island Rams. New to the mix is a
powerful DePaul Blue Demon squad. The Demons proved their power in their 4 point victory over top rated Iowa in
the preseason tournament, to then lose to Preseason Champion Minnesota by 11. Kentucky also advanced to round 2
prior to a defeat to Cal St. Northridge, whom also defeated Rhode Island in round 1. Virginia Tech wanted to show
another season of power, but their long winning streak came to a close in the Preseason Championship losing by 5.
The CUSA looks to be the strongest conference in the HHCB.
CUSA Projected Finish:
1) Virginia Tech
2) Kentucky
3) DePaul
4) Rhode Island
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference also is making an HHCB return by the popular vote. They bring in two old and new
teams. The returners are strong Ohio St, and surprisingly struggling UNLV. Meanwhile, strong UCLA and North
Carolina teams join the HHCB field for this season. Ohio St. attempted to end what became a low point at the end
of the first regular season and tournaments. However, after getting past UCLA in round 1, they failed to defeat
UMass. UNLV wants to gain what they are still expected to have, a good ball club. They were placed at #7 of the
16 teams only to lose to the other conference rival, North Carolina in round 1. The Tar Heels then were defeated
by the defending National Champions in round 2 by a mere 7.
SEC Projected Finish:
1) Ohio St.
2) North Carolina
3) UNLV
4) UCLA
The Final 4
This year, 12 of the 16 teams will make the field(max will be 24 of the max 32 teams). Of those 12, the big
networks thought these teams had the chances.
Minnesota looks like a new team that can make a real run in the season and tournament. However, Iowa gained
momentum by using a big number of recruiting points on the only JUCO transfer of the season. Virginia Tech gained
the max in recruiting for their new freshman, which should be a reinforcement for the Champions. Illinois and
Ohio St. could also make runs at it, as they are both even teams. Also, look for Cal St. Northridge to give all
the mentioned a run for their money.
Of the 6 teams mentioned as Final 4 candidates, the big guys say, you have to look square at Virginia Tech to
repeat, however Iowa also received 1 Champion vote from FOX Sports.
We'll have to wait and see...........
