Welcome Back, You Ready?

Woo Hoo! ACC, Big East, and Big 12 Fans rejoice! While none of your teams will be competing for a BCS championship, you can bank they will be there for the NCAA Tournament! Yes, with the glow of pumpkins and leaves beneath your feet, college gyms are a buzz with practice and anticipation. You don't need me, yet, to tell you what traditional teams are thinking national championship, Kansas, Carolina, Florida, but you may want to know who else is and who's thinking like George Mason.

Major Conference Teams Making the Turn Towards National Contention:

1. Texas A&M: Gasp! Billy Gillispie has turned this program around so quickly you may still be penciling in a W next to that game. "Not so fast my friends!" Acie Law and Joseph Jones bring their 30 plus points back along with nearly every major contributor. The same team that should have ended LSU's run last year will certainly finish this year, barring they can find just enough offense to go along with their stifling D.

2. Alabama: Mark Gotfried has got to be excited about having the point guard in the country. Ronald Steele is the most exciting, versatile, guard who has the potential to win games by himself. The Tide will need that with teams like Florida, Villanova, and LSU on their schedule. 'Bama must lock up enough big victories in the tough SEC to give themselves a favorable road in the tournament.

Future GMU:

1. Creighton: The program that is one big run away from being considered with Gonzaga, should have that run in them this year. The key for the Jays this year, keep prospective Wooden Award winner Nate "Super" Funk healthy. Funk brings back his 20 points per and is the best player you've never heard of. They play in the always dangerous MVC, but they should out match most every team on their schedule.