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2014-15 College Hoops Preview: Other
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Published: 11/14/2014  at  4:59:00 AM
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The 2014-2015 college basketball season tips off Friday, Nov. 14, and StatFox has you covered by previewing all the major conferences with predicted standings. We close out our run with the 10 best teams that are not in major conferences, a group that includes the defending national champion Connecticut Huskies.

Once the college basketball season begins, check out The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks. The experts are coming off an unbelievable 2013-14 college basketball season where the five men combined for a 60% ATS record (332-225-19), including 62% ATS (56-35-3) in the NCAA Tournament. StatFox Brian led the way with a 69% ATS record (76-34-4) on this season, which included a 77% ATS run (44-13-4) from Jan. 17 to the end of the season. StatFox Dave was 74% ATS (14-5) in Best Bets for the 2014 NCAA Tournament to finish at 62% ATS for the season. StatFox Scott finished 59% ATS (65-46-5) for season Best Bets, while StatFox Gary was close behind with a 57% ATS mark (64-49-2) in college basketball Best Bets.

TOP 10 SCHOOLS NOT IN BIG 5 CONFERENCES

1. UConn
2. Villanova3. Wichita State
4. Gonzaga
5. SMU
6. VCU
7. Memphis
8. San Diego State
9. Cincinnati
10. Georgetown

CONNECTICUT HUSKIES
2013-14SU Record: 80% (32-8)
2013-14 ATS Record: 61% (23-15)
2013-14 Over (Total): 35% (12-22-1)
Returning Starters: 2
Odds to win 2015 NCAA Championship: 30/1

For the second time in four seasons, the UConn Huskies caught fire in March and ran all the way to an NCAA championship. While Shabazz Napier is no longer on the team, there are still plenty of pieces left from that team, including electric PG Ryan Boatright (12.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 3.4 APG). The 6-foot-0 combo guard has the quickness to blow by any defender in the country, and improved his outside shot greatly last season (38% threes). The team feeds off his non-stop energy and he will have a greater leadership role as the lone senior on the team. Boatright will once again be part of a backcourt that creates mismatches for opponents. NC State transfer SG Rodney Purvis is also a combo guard, but at 6-foot-4, he has the ability to post up on the low block. Both of these guys can be terrific defenders, so look for the Huskies to extend further up court and really pressure opponents. With C Amida Brimah (4.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.3 BPG) emerging as a legitimate shot blocker, it allows the Huskies to take risks and get into the passing lanes. This has a chance to be the best defensive team in the country, and top recruit, freshman swingman Daniel Hamilton, will be expected to score in double figures.

VILLANOVA WILDCATS
2013-14 SU Record: 85% (29-5)
2013-14 ATS Record: 69% (22-10)
2013-14 Over (Total): 63% (20-12)
Returning Starters: 3
Odds to win 2015 NCAA Championship: 35/1

The second-seeded Wildcats lost to UConn in the Round of 32 in last year's NCAA Tournament, but again have a chance to be a high seed in March with nearly all their players returning. Senior SG Darrun Hilliard (14.3 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.6 APG) and senior PF JayVaughn Pinkston (14.1 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.4 APG) are two very experienced players who have appeared in many big games in their careers. Hilliard showed the ability to hit from the outside (41% threes), helping open up space for Pinkston (52% FG) to attack the basket. PG Ryan Arcidiacono (9.9 PPG, 3.5 APG, 2.4 RPG) is the floor general on the team, and he does a terrific job of getting the Wildcats the ball in the best situation to score. He turns the ball over only 1.4 times per game, which is huge for a Villanova team that can score in bunches. Bigger things are also expected out of swingman Josh Hart (7.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG) and SG Dylan Ennis (5.1 PPG).

WICHITA STATE SHOCKERS
2013-14 SU Record: 97% (35-1)
2013-14 ATS Record: 78% (25-7-1)
2013-14 Over (Total): 53% (16-14)
Returning Starters: 3
Odds to win 2014 NCAA Championship: 35/1

No team possesses the backcourt the Shockers have, as PG Fred VanVleet (11.6 PPG, 5.4 APG, 3.9 RPG) and SG Ron Baker (13.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 38% threes) complement each other perfectly. VanVleet is pass-first point guard, and he does that as well as anybody in the country with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.2 last season. Baker, on the other hand, has a great shooting touch with a high-basketball IQ to use screens to help him get open. SG Tekele Cotton (10.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG and 2.4 APG) gives the Shockers a proven third scorer in the backcourt, and like both VanVleet (42% threes) and Baker (38% threes), Cotton can also knock down long-range jumpers (37% threes). PF Darius Carter (7.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.4 APG) will try to fill in for departed Cleanthony Early, who averaged 16 points and six rebounds during the amazing 35-1 season. While it will be hard to match this record, the Shockers should once again be one of the top teams in the nation.

GONZAGA BULLDOGS
2013-14 SU Record: 81% (29-7)
2013-14 ATS Record: 53% (18-16)
2013-14 Over (Total): 47% (14-16)
Returning Starters: 2
Odds to win 2014 NCAA Championship: 22/1

Mark Few has built a program that has produced consistent excellence, and the Zags once again have a team that could make some noise in March. PG Kevin Pangos (14.4 PPG, 3.6 APG, 41% threes) and SG Gary Bell Jr. (11.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG and 43% threes) are one of the most experienced backcourts in the country, as the two have 187 career starts between them. Pangos is a savvy point guard who is always under control, especially when running the pick-and-roll. Bell Jr. is great at spotting up in the corner, usually when Pangos is coming off the pick. Seven-foot-1 C Przemek Karnowski (10.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.7 BPG) is the typical Gonzaga big man, a highly skilled post player that can step out and hit the open jump shot. PF Kyle Wiltjer (A Kentucky transfer) is another terrific spot-up shooter, who should fit in perfectly to what Gonzaga likes to do on offense.

SMU MUSTANGS
2013-14 SU Record: 73% (27-10)
2013-14 ATS Record: 61% (20-13)
2013-14 Over (Total): 31% (9-20)
Returning Starters: 3
Odds to win 2014 NCAA Championship: 40/1

Expectations were high heading into the season as head coach Larry Brown thought he would have Emmanuel Mudiay leading the show, but Mudiay went overseas to play professionally. Despite the loss, the Mustangs are still a loaded team. PG Nic Moore (13.6 PPG, 4.9 APG, 1.5 SPG) is one of the more underrated point guards in the country. He is great on both ends of the court, and he can also knock down the long-range shot (44% threes). PF Markus Kennedy (12.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.6 APG) is the perfect big man for this team, as SMU is looking to push the pace and cause havoc on defense, but he will miss the first semester due to academic difficulties. The player to look out for is SG Keith Frazier (5.4 PPG, 40% threes). He had some struggles as a freshman, but he has the potential to be a 15-point scorer this season. If he reaches that level of scoring acumen, then the Mustangs will be a very difficult opponent in the NCAA Tournament.

VCU RAMS
2013-14 SU Record: 74% (26-9)
2013-14 ATS Record: 55% (18-15)
2013-14 Over (Total): 38% (12-20)
Returning Starters: 3
Odds to win 2014 NCAA Championship: 45/1

Shaka Smart has built a strong program at VCU, and this may be the most talented team he has had thus far. Swingman Treveon Graham (15.8 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.0 APG) is an explosive athlete who fits the system perfectly. He can cause havoc on the defensive end, and after the forced turnover, he is out and running. SG Melvin Johnson (10.4 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.2 APG) and PG Briante Weber (9.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.9 APG and 3.5 SPG) are two more players who love to defend. Sophomore PF Mo Alie-Cox (3.3 PPG, 3.6 RPG in 14.4 MPG) is still raw offensively, but his tremendous leaping ability makes him a force on the offensive glass and in turning away opponents' shots. VCU has challenged itself in the non-conference season, and will be a team by March that nobody wants to face.

MEMPHIS TIGERS
2013-14 SU Record: 71% (24-10)
2013-14 ATS Record: 55% (17-14)
2013-14 Over (Total): 37% (11-19)
Returning Starters: 3
Odds to win 2014 NCAA Championship: 300/1

The Tigers had a very disappointing loss in an exhibition game to Christian Brothers, but this is still a team with a lot of talent. Junior PF Shaq Goodwin (11.5 PPG, 58% FG, 6.5 RPG, 1.8 APG) is very similar to past big men from Memphis, as a grind-it-out kind of player who does all the dirty work. SF Austin Nichols (9.3 PPG, 59% FG, 4.3 RPG, 1.2 BPG) is an athletic player who showed a lot of improvement during his freshman campaign. These two are the tone setters for the team, but there are question marks in the backcourt after losing some talented players like Joe Jackson, Michael Dixon Jr. and Geron Johnson. Redshirt PG Pookie Powell is a guy that is expected to fill in for the graduated Jackson. Powell is also a very fast player, who should allow the Tigers to play the style of offense that head coach Josh Pastner wants to run.

SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS
2013-14 SU Record: 86% (31-5)
2013-14 ATS Record: 61% (20-13)
2013-14 Over (Total): 28% (9-23)
Returning Starters: 2
Odds to win 2014 NCAA Championship: 55/1

The Aztecs will have to adjust to life without Xavier Thames, but there is still a lot of talent on this team. SF Winston Shepard (11.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.1 APG) is a tremendous playmaker, and at 6-foot-8, is very difficult for teams to match up with. His biggest weakness is that he struggles to hit the outside jumper (18% threes). If he is able to become more of a threat from deep, he will become nearly impossible to stop. PF J.J. O’Brien (7.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG) proved last season he could come in and inject some life to the team during times of struggle. Now, O'Brien will be asked to do that from the beginning of the game, as he is one of the leaders. Swingman Dwayne Polee II (8.5 PPG, 3.3 APG, 39% threes) is the guy that will try and play the role of Thames. The Aztecs struggle to shoot the ball from deep, and he is the only guy that has proven to be able to consistently hit the three-point shot.

CINCINNATI BEARCATS
2013-14 SU Record: 79% (27-7)
2013-14 ATS Record: 46% (13-15)
2013-14 Over (Total): 26% (7-20)
Returning Starters: 1
Odds to win 2014 NCAA Championship: 220/1

The Bearcats lost a ton of players from last season’s team (including Sean Kilpatrick 20.6 PPG and Justin Jackson 11.1 PPG), and there are some question marks on how good this team can be. For Cincinnati to not take a big step back, sophomore PG Troy Caupain (5.3 PPG, 2.3 RPG and 2.2 APG) will have to step up in a big way. While his numbers weren’t huge, a big reason was because he logged only 19.1 MPG as a freshman on a senior-laden team. Despite his youth, Caupain is a crafty player who knows how to read the defense. This is his team now, and the Bearcats will need him to become a star quickly. PF Shaquille Thomas (6.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG) and SF Jermaine Sanders (5.7 PPG, 3.1 RPG) are two players who were great complementary pieces on last year’s squad, but will be asked to provide much more scoring for the upcoming season. This is a team that could have some struggles early, but by March, could be playing some pretty good basketball.

GEORGETOWN HOYAS
2013-14 SU Record: 55% (18-15)
2013-14 ATS Record: 50% (16-16)
2013-14 Over (Total): 56% (18-14)
Returning Starters: 1
Odds to win 2014 NCAA Championship: 115/1

The Hoyas are coming off a rough season, but there are plenty of reasons for this team to be optimistic. Junior PG D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera (17.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.7 APG) had a huge season last year, doing everything he could to help the Hoyas compete. He is a strong and physical guard, who can also hit from the outside (39% threes). PF Mikael Hopkins (6.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.5 BPG) is a defensive presence that can make things difficult for opponents trying to enter the lane. If he can continue to improve on the offensive end of the court, then the Hoyas could have a player posting consistent double-doubles. However, the guy that could take this team from a solid team to a legit contender is 6-foot-10, 350-pound senior C Josh Smith (11.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 65% FG). He has had some off-court issues, and conditioning has caused him to miss some time as well. However, when Smith is on the court and focused, very few big men in the country can play like he does. He is incredibly agile for a player his size, and he has a nice touch at the rim.

All Conference Previews

ATLANTIC COAST Conference
BIG 12 Conference
BIG TEN Conference
PAC-12 Conference
SOUTHEASTERN Conference
OTHER Notable Schools

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