Predictions for the Upcoming Season

The season starts in about 12 hours. It's hard to imagine that it's been a full offseason since Villanova shredded its way through the Tournament, but here we are. This season seems odd to me. I really have no surefire champion pick like I did last year (although, Arizona was not the move), and I don't see any diamonds in the rough in terms of where specific teams are ranked. Outside the top 8 or 9, I don't see any title contenders. In this post, I'll share my predictions for the players and coaches of the year in the 6 major conferences, the national player and coach of the year, the winners of the six major conferences, and of course, my Final Four and national champion. As noted narrator of ESPN's "Basketball: A Love Story" Chris Cuomo would say, let's get after it.

ACC
Player of the Year: Luke Maye, North Carolina

Coach of the Year: Tony Bennett, Virginia (again)

Champion: Virginia

Big 12
Player of the Year: Dedric Lawson, Kansas

Coach of the Year: Steve Prohm, Iowa State

Champion: Take a guess. (Kansas)

Big East
Player of the Year: Kamar Baldwin, Butler

Coach of the Year: Steve Wojciechowski, Marquette

Champion: Villanova

Big Ten
Player of the Year: Carsen Edwards, Purdue

Coach of the Year: Tim Miles, Nebraska

Champion: Michigan and Michigan State tie

Pac 12
Player of the Year: Jaylen Nowell, Washington

Coach of the Year: Mike Hopkins, Washington

Champion: Oregon

SEC
Player of the Year: Tremont Waters, LSU

Coach of the Year: Will Wade, LSU

Champion: Kentucky

National Player of the Year: Luke Maye, North Carolina

National Coach of the Year: Mark Few, Gonzaga

Final Four
North Carolina- Good balance in the starting lineup and a plethora of big men to choose from.
Kentucky- They have some experience and a freshman class that has the right work ethic.
Gonzaga- So much balance and depth. Killian Tillie's injury will help them in the long run.
Marquette- They can outshoot anybody and that's such a weapon in the tournament. Also I want a sleeper pick.

National Champion: Gonzaga

Let's have a great year.