The 2019-20 basketball season is around the corner and Dick Vitale, ESPN’s primary color commentator, has been predicting where all of the top four conferences will place in 2021. Here are his thoughts on how it may shake out when he speaks to Joe Lunardi during a game between Saint Mary’s and Arizona State on November 9th.
“dick vitale health news” is a blog that ranks the top four conferences in men’s college basketball for 2021. The article includes information on each conference, such as their average attendance and winning percentage.
I was recently asked what I thought of the hardest conference in men’s college basketball after a month and a half of play. It’s a good question that doesn’t have an easy response.
It’s always crucial to have bragging rights. Special events like the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, the Big East-Big 12 Battle, and the SEC/Big 12 Challenge coming up next month help you create impressions of the leagues.
Aside from those occurrences, there have been a lot of exciting games this season, and all of the major conferences have many teams in contention heading into league play.
My amazing four, according to my VBDI (Vitale Bald Dome Index), are (drumroll please!)…
1. Big 12
It all begins with Baylor, the top-ranked team in the country. Scott Drew has lost a lot of talent, such as Jared Butler, MaCio Teague, and Davion Mitchell, but the Bears have restocked and aren’t missing a beat. James Akinjo, a transfer from Arizona, has come in and made an impact. Kendall Brown has been a sensational diaper dandy for an undefeated team that is a legitimate candidate to win back-to-back national titles.
In Ochai Agbaji, Kansas boasts one of the best players in the country, while Christian Braun has made significant progress. Bill Self must be ecstatic about the Jayhawks.
Texas has a lot of transfers, and although Chris Beard’s squad struggled early against Gonzaga and Seton Hall, the Longhorns will improve as they get to know each other.
Iowa State, which won only two games previous season, is likely the greatest surprise in the conference. T.J. Otzelberger, the head coach, has done an outstanding job, and the transfer portal has aided him. The resurgence has been headed by Izaiah Brockington (ex-Penn State) and Gabe Kalscheur (ex-Minnesota).
Then consider Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and TCU, and you’ll see how stacked this conference is.
2. SEC
This league is also loaded with quality, headed by an unbeaten LSU club. The Tigers have benefited from the arrival of Cincinnati transfer Tari Eason.
Kentucky signed numerous transfers, including diaper dandy TyTy Washington Jr., who have all helped the Wildcats overcome last year’s disappointment in Lexington. The rout of North Carolina was a major accomplishment. Oscar Tshiebwe has been a monster on the glass, while Sahvir Wheeler has been a scoring and assist machine.
Kennedy Chandler is making a name for himself as a diaper dandy in Tennessee. Alabama and Arkansas have dipped in recent weeks, but they will still compete. Don’t forget about the teams that will compete, such as Florida.
3. The Big Ten Conference
So far, Purdue has been the best team in a league with a lot of talent from top to bottom. Both Michigan and Illinois have endured disheartening setbacks, but they have big guys in Hunter Dickinson and Kofi Cockburn to carry them forward.
Michigan State began poorly but has improved under Tom Izzo’s leadership. In Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana possesses one of the league’s best players. Minnesota has been a nice surprise, despite having one of the easiest schedules in the country.
When the NCAA tournament bracket is unveiled on Selection Sunday, the Big Ten will likely have the most teams.
4. Big East Conference
Providence demonstrated that this league is more deeper than some imagined by defeating UConn.
Villanova was a preseason favorite, but a tough schedule has proven to be difficult. Back-to-back 20-point defeats have cast doubt on this veteran-laden squad. When healthy, Danny Hurley’s UConn team will be tough and capable of contending for the conference championship.
Xavier, Creighton, Marquette, and DePaul have all had successful nonconference seasons. Julian Champagnie leads St. John’s, although the team has had few notable victories.
This meeting will be competitive day in and day out.
That concludes my top four conferences so far in the season. Other leagues, like as the ACC and Pac-12, that have been hot and cold early this season, will have a chance to get into the VBDI top four before the season is through in 2021-22.
The V Foundation’s 17th annual Dick Vitale Gala will be held on May 6, 2022, at the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, Florida. Visit dickvitaleonline.com for additional details.
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The “NCAA basketball rankings 2020” is a ranking of the top four conferences in men’s college basketball for 2021. The first conference listed is the Big Ten Conference. Reference: ncaa basketball rankings 2020.
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