What we've learned so far

The road to Houston is underway, after the first two weeks of the college basketball season and the completion of many of the Pre-Season tournaments, what have we learned so far?

• Kemba Walker is good. 

UConn Junior pg, Kemba Walker

Anybody else think the AP wants to re-vote and select Kemba over Harrison Barnes as a preseason All American? Kemba lead the UConn Huskies (more on them later) to the Maui Invitational title with 90 points in three games, three short of the Maui record. Unranked UConn started off with a solid win against Wichita State (many didn't think they'd even win that game) and then beat #2 Michigan State in the second round before burying Top 10 ranked Kentucky in the final. It is still early to name anyone Player of the Year, but Kemba gets my vote for Novembers Player of the Month.

• Duke is the best team in the Nation.

Duke forward Kyle Singler and guard Kyrie Irving

I hate to say it but it's true. Only UConn has, arguably, played better talent and done better. Duke walked through the CBE Classic in Kansas City during Feast Week with a good win over a solid Marquette team and then didn't only beat Kansas State but dominated them in what was considered by many to be a home court advantage for the Wildcats. The Plumblees look good, Nolan Smith is on and Kyrie Irving looks like the stud we thought he'd be.

• The Big Ten is the best conference

Ohio State Fab
Freshman Jared Sullinger

Yes it's early, but the Big Ten looks really good. Many thought Michigan State would pace the league this year but watch out for the Ohio State University. The Buckeyes look very good behind stud freshman Jared Sullinger and, based on their schedule, might be undefeated and #1 in the nation when they go to Champaign to face the Fighting Illini, which appears to be the teams next test after the dismantling of the Florida Gators. And speaking of Illinois, they have the chance to be a very good team this year as well, they lost to a good Texas team in the Coaches v Cancer last week in Madison Square Garden, but look like they could challenge for a Big Ten Title. And let's not forget about Minnesota who knocked off North Carolina and West Virginia in route a Puerto Rico Tip-Off Championship. The team lost in the suffle in the Big Ten so far is Purdue, who has yet to be tested this season. I expect to see the Boliermakers struggle without Robbie Hummel in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge at Cassell Coliseum where they play Virginia Tech. Although even with a loss there the team still should come out of non-conference play with two or less losses. I think we'll see one of Michigan State, Ohio State or Illinois win the conference with Purdue and Minnesota close behind them. And I can see numerous Big Ten teams making deep pushes in March, maybe even multiple Final Four Teams.

• UConn's hiatus is over, for now.

Clearly the most underrated team coming into the year. Nobody expected Kemba Walker to look like a top 5 NBA draft pick and nobody expected UConn to dominate the Maui Invite. It is still relatively early in the season and things can change fast (see Texas last season) but right now UConn looks like a team that could seriously contend for the National Title. Let's see how they look come Big East time.

I waited to have the benefit of hindsight in picking my Final Four, which is awesome because now I can feel much better about leaving North Carolina out of my Elite Eight and much better about putting a few teams in.

Elite Eight

Duke, UConn, Michigan State, Memphis, the Ohio State University,Villanova, Kansas State, and Washington

Final Four

Duke, the Ohio State University, Kansas State and Washington

Championship Game

Duke v the Ohio State University

National Champs

That's right I picked Duke to win back to back titles. Tough call and I hate picking Duke but they are the odds on favorite and going with anybody else but the boys from Durham after the shelling they put on the Wildcats in the CBE Classic in Kansas City would be foolish.

San Diego State Sophomore Foward, Kawhi Leonard

Mid-Major Watch

Top Mid-Major to watch out for: San Diego State without a doubt in my mind. This team has all the pieces of a team that will give the big boys fits in March. Expect Kawhi Leonard, D.J. Gay and Billy White to help the Aztecs to a few March wins.