Bracketology 101

Madness is in the air and bracketology is the class to take this spring. Here is a look into the teams and players to keep an eye on when filling in your college basketball brackets for March Madness.

Five teams to watch:

-Kansas #1 – The 2008 champions were the preseason favorite and deservedly so. Senior Sherron Collins is averaging 15.3 points per game.

-Kentucky #2 – Led by freshman John Wall, the Wildcats had the best regular season record in the tough SEC. Winning the conference will only build up more steam for the tournament.

-Syracuse #3 – They earned their spot with their dominant play in the Big East. Villanova, who will seek revenge for an embarrassing loss a couple weeks ago, isn’t the only team who put a target on the back of the Orangemen.

-Duke #4 – The Blue Devils will hope to win the ACC and ride that momentum into the tourament. This is the last chance for senior Jon Scheyer and for Duke, who hasn’t won since 2001.

-Michigan St. #11 – All five starters were key players on last year’s finals team. Tournament experience could guide them as they look to make noise against the elite.

Five players to Watch:

-Scottie Reynolds, PG, Villanova – The senior is averaging 18.8 points per game for the 10th-ranked Wildcats, who are hoping to get over their late struggles. Reynolds has the ability to change an entire game, especially with his shooting abilities beyond the arc.

-Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas – Aldrich is probably the best big man in college. The 6’11” junior is averaging just under 10 rebounds a game. The Jayhawks will need a dominant center to compete for a second title in three years.

-John Wall, PG, Kentucky – Wall is the most exciting freshman in college basketball. He’s averaging 16.8 points per game and has made Kentucky a favorite in the tournament.

-Evan Turner, SF, Ohio St. – The most complete player on this list, Turner is averaging 19.5 points per game and has ripped down 9.4 boards. This kid can do it all as he hopes to give the fifth-ranked Buckeyes a chance.

-Da’Sean Butler, SF, West Virginia – Seventh-ranked WVU wouldn’t be anywhere without Butler, who has made a name for himself this year. It’s the last hoorah for the senior, who is averaging a solid 17.2 p0ints per game.

Selection Sunday is March 14, while the first round starts March 16.