BleedGopher
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Katz breaks down a few non-conference tournaments:
76 Classic (Anaheim, Calif.)
Nov. 26, 27 and 29
Bracket
Top half: West Virginia vs. Long Beach State, Texas A&M vs. Clemson
Bottom half: Minnesota vs. Butler, Portland vs. UCLA
Projected NCAA teams: West Virginia, Clemson, Minnesota, Butler and UCLA
Bubble: Texas A&M
Possible conference champ and automatic-bid recipient: Long Beach State (Big West)
Five key storylines:
• Butler's Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack led the U.S. Under-19 team to a gold medal in New Zealand. Add Matt Howard and one could argue the Bulldogs are the favorites to win this event.
• UCLA still has talent teams would gladly raid, led by Malcolm Lee. But this is the first major test for a squad no longer relying on Darren Collison, Josh Shipp and Alfred Aboya.
• West Virginia is a Big East title contender with Da'Sean Butler and Devin Ebanks, but two possible point guards -- Darryl Bryant and Joe Mazzulla -- are currently indefinitely suspended.
• Minnesota was a surprise NCAA team a year ago in Tubby Smith's second season. Now the Gophers will be expected to be league contenders.
• Clemson's Trevor Booker is one of the fiercest rebounders returning, a rock for Oliver Purnell inside and a possible ACC Player of the Year candidate. He can start the campaign in this event. Ironically, former USC signee Noel Johnson will make his Tigers debut in the L.A. area.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4375902&name=katz_andy
Go Gophers!!
76 Classic (Anaheim, Calif.)
Nov. 26, 27 and 29
Bracket
Top half: West Virginia vs. Long Beach State, Texas A&M vs. Clemson
Bottom half: Minnesota vs. Butler, Portland vs. UCLA
Projected NCAA teams: West Virginia, Clemson, Minnesota, Butler and UCLA
Bubble: Texas A&M
Possible conference champ and automatic-bid recipient: Long Beach State (Big West)
Five key storylines:
• Butler's Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack led the U.S. Under-19 team to a gold medal in New Zealand. Add Matt Howard and one could argue the Bulldogs are the favorites to win this event.
• UCLA still has talent teams would gladly raid, led by Malcolm Lee. But this is the first major test for a squad no longer relying on Darren Collison, Josh Shipp and Alfred Aboya.
• West Virginia is a Big East title contender with Da'Sean Butler and Devin Ebanks, but two possible point guards -- Darryl Bryant and Joe Mazzulla -- are currently indefinitely suspended.
• Minnesota was a surprise NCAA team a year ago in Tubby Smith's second season. Now the Gophers will be expected to be league contenders.
• Clemson's Trevor Booker is one of the fiercest rebounders returning, a rock for Oliver Purnell inside and a possible ACC Player of the Year candidate. He can start the campaign in this event. Ironically, former USC signee Noel Johnson will make his Tigers debut in the L.A. area.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4375902&name=katz_andy
Go Gophers!!
