Way Too Early Final Four
As always, alphabetical order with a rule against taking more than 2 teams from the same conference. For the record, I had eight teams that I looked strongly at and then thought there was a pretty clear break down to the "next tier."
-- Emory (phalla, preseason #7, 30-5 last season, National Champs x2)
The two-time defending national champions deserve to be on this list by virtue of that fact alone. That said, phalla did an outstanding job reloading for another run. He brought in a pair of JUCO types to prep for this season. Assuming they're versed in his Off/Def, this team suddenly has more than enough upperclass types to compete, with solid Ath and Def to boot. Can anyone disrupt phalla's groove?
-- Johnson & Wales (spasticity, preseason #4, 28-6, Final Four)
A fastbreak offense with five players boasting speeds of 73+. You don't need a crystal ball to see where this is probably going. The Big 3 values are all solidly in the 50s and a BH/Pass split of 52/45 could make turnovers tough to force from this bunch as well. Could be vulnerable on the glass against top tier competition if you're looking for a weakness.
-- Oglethorpe (getiguy, preseason #5, 23-10, PI champions)
Oglethorpe has mead steady progress in getiguy's first three seasons at the helm, improving from 7 to 15 to 23 wins. Now it's time for the big payoff as a roster exclusively of seniors and juniors takes center stage. The Ath/Spd/Def trifecta is 57/58/57 here. Depth won't be an issue. The biggest question is whether a coach who has yet to post a winning conference mark in Rupp is ready for prime time. Oh, wait, getiguy has a career win percentage of .729 and 842 career wins across all HD worlds (and one national title)...so the answer to that question is a resounding yes.
-- Piedmont (bunkerbuster, preseason #2, 30-3, Elite 8)
Another team exclusively of seniors and juniors, and it came a lot closer to a national title last season than Oglethorpe. It's hard to pinpoint a weakness to this team which is mid-50s for Ath/Spd/Def. Good BH values as well. How do you beat bunkerbuster this season? Try with a bat while he's sleeping...
Also considered -- Colorado, Greensboro, Ozarks, Ursinus.