Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
Early season tournaments continue to emerge and increase from a competition standpoint. Non-conference schedules have increased in toughness and college basketball fans can prepare for premier match-ups and upsets even in November.
Let’s take a look at the Diamond Head Classic:
No. 5: Just How Good Can San Diego State Be?- Aztecs’ head coach Steve Fisher has done a tremendous job in building up the San Diego State program in recent years. Just two years removed from their first two NCAA Tournament wins in school history, the Aztecs once again have aspirations of March stardom. Jamaal Franklin is a budding star, while Fisher also returns Chase Tapley in the back court. The additions of freshmen Winston Shepard and Matt Shrigley bode even more so to Fisher’s recent work. SDSU has all the potential to be one of the top teams out west in 2012-13.
No. 4: Don’t Sleep on Miami (FL)- The Hurricanes had the potential to be a sleeper last season in the ACC, but things didn’t pan out that way. Another year under head coach Jim Larranaga should open a few more doors however, as the Hurricanes have a talented bunch yet again. The Diamond Head Classic will provide some big non-conference opportunities for Miami, but the play of Durand Scott outside and Reggie Johnson down low will be vital. Sophomore guard Shane Larkin will look to emerge and provide added depth for the Canes in 2012-13.
No. 3: Time for Arizona to Break Out- The Wildcats lost a couple of guys from last season’s squad, but Arizona is among one of the staple teams in a Pac-12 Conference that should reemerge from its recent slump. Nick Johnson is back and so too is Solomon Hill. A loaded freshman class highlighted by Kaleb Tarczewski, Grant Jerrett, Brandon Ashley, and Gabe York should catapult the Wildcats back into the national discussion. Xavier transfer Mark Lyons is eligible immediately, so there is just too much talent for another sub-par season.
No. 2: Host Hawaii- I’m sure none of the participants in this year’s field will complain about the event’s location. A trip to Hawaii will turn out to be good news for some of the contestants in this field, but for the host squad, that might not be the case. Vander Joaquim, the team’s leading scorer is back, but the losses of Zane Johnson and Shaquille Stokes (transfer) will hurt the Rainbow Warriors’ transition. Maybe a little home court advantage can spring a win for Hawaii in this field, but it’ll be more than difficult to land that monumental upset that they are hoping for.
No. 1: West Coast Showdown?- A potential San Diego State, Arizona title game could have all the makings of a contest that would be more than exciting early on in the year. Both teams should begin the season in the top 25 and given the recent struggles of west coast basketball, this could be a big moment for either of these squads. Both the Aztecs and the Wildcats will have to win their first two games in order for them to meet in the championship, but this title bout has definite potential. Barring any upsets, we could see quite the battle in Honolulu for the Diamond Head Classic championship.
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