YCS College Basketball Preview-More Sequels than Police Academy

In the third part of my extensive college hoops preview, I will highlight a few teams from mid-major conferences to keep an eye on. I assure YCS readers, this article is written in English.

1. Gonzaga: Once again, the Zags should be best non-BCS team in the land. Losing a top five draft pick and a go to guy in the post normally leads to a rebuilding season. At Gonzaga, it gives talented players the chance to prove themselves. After a disappointing junior season, point guard Derek Raivio returns with something to prove. Raivio will have to shoulder more of the scoring load this season. With his shooting stroke returning back to form, I look for him to significantly improve on his 11 points per game average from last season. Junior Pierre Marie-Altidor Cespedes and sophomore Jeremy Pargo join Raivio in the backourt. P-Mac, Gonzaga's defensive stopper, showed flashes of becoming a dependable scorer at the end of last season. Like his brother Jannero, Jeremy Pargo is not afraid to shoot the ball from anywhere on the floor. After fading down the stretch last season, Pargo will have to up his game to stay in the Zags rotation. These three have plenty of help coming in. Matt Bouldin, the highest ranked recruit Mark Few has ever signed, has a chance to step right into Adam Morrison's spot. Along with his scoring ability, Bouldin looks for his teammates a teeny bit more often the Morrison. Eligible at the start of the 2nd semester, 2005 McDonald's All-American Micah Downs, a Kansas transfer, gives the Zags another offensive weapon. Never comfortable with Bill Self's system, Downs should fit in with Mark Few's offensive minded system. He can shoot the ball from deep, and has the ability to play both wing spots and the four against smaller teams. Josh Heytvelt, an extremely athletic frontcourt player, steps into J.P. Batista's vacated spot. Heytvelt broke his ankle in the epic Maui Invitational game against Michigan State and never really settled in after that. He should develop into the athletic shot blocker the Zags have desperately needed against top teams. Joining him upfront will be the dependable Sean Mallon. Mallon deferred to Morrison, Batista and Ronny Turiaf in past seasons. However, he has a versatile offensive game he will show more of this season, including a nice touch from the perimeter. Joining them at the start of the second semester will be BYU transfer David Burgess. Like his younger brother Chris, a former Dukie who finished his career at Utah, David will try to revitalize his career in a new location. A heralded recruit of high school, Burgess never realized his potential in Provo. He should get a fair chance in Spokane, as Gonzaga does not have another low post banger. If he plays this season, sophomore Larry Gurganious could the X factor for the Zags. The athletic swingman could be a redshirt candidate this season given the Zags depth on perimeter. Gurganious may the lockdown defender that Zags have continually lacked, but his lack of offensive skills make it tough for him to play significant minutes. While many names will be new, the talent level remains extremely high, and Zags should win another 25-plus games.

2. Akron: Remember Lebron James's high school teammates you saw on TV a few years ago? They will reappear this season, as Romeo Travis and Dru Joyve III lead the Zips towards their first NCAA tournament in 21 years. Travis, a versatile frontcourt player, should be one of the favorites for the MAC player of the year. He averaged 11 points and 7 rebounds a game last season, and should greatly improve those numbers this season. Joyce is the consummate floor leader who sets up his teammates and leads the break. On the wing, he will find sharpshooter Nick Dials. Dials, who began his career at Ohio State, is the type of player you see on the mid-major level who hits big shot after big shot. These three, alongside with the return of Jeremiah Wood, an undersized post force, should lead the Zips to the top of MAC along with this next team.

3. Toledo-The Rockets will join the Zips in leading the MAC to multiple NCAA Tournament bids for the first time since 1999. Leading the way will be undersized post player Florentino Valencia. Valencia, a bruiser who stands just 6'5, muscled his way to a 12 point per game average last season. Jerrah Young, a West Virginia transfer, joins Valencia upfront. Young does a little bit of everything for the Rockets, and leaves the limelight Valencia and the talented backcourt. Last season's leading scorer, Justin Ingram, anchors said backcourt. The 6'2 guard averaged 15 points a game in 2005-2006. Ingram can score in a variety of ways, and generally saves his best for the end of games. Steady point guard Kashif Payne leads the Rockets attack. The 5'9 junior primarily looks to set up his teammates, averaging 4.3 assists a game last season, sixth in the MAC. When he does shoot it, he connected at a 40 percent clip from three last season. Keonta Howell, a 6'4 swingman, joins Payne and Ingram on the perimeter. Howell, a strong wing at just under 220 pounds, likes attacking the basket. Third on the team in scoring last year at 11 points per game, Howell nicely compliments his backcourt mates. Super sub Tyrone Kent can fill in at all three backcourt spots. The athletic 6'5 guard can drive to the basket and fill it up from deep. He would be starting for many programs. The Rockets live up to their nickname, as they play an uptempo style to make up for their lack of size. With their strong guard play and a horse upfront in Valencia, they will give opponents fits all season long.

4. Western Kentucky-Former Marquette assistant Darrin Horn has his Hilltoppers poised for a huge season. They still have a bitter taste in their mouth after an embarrasing blowout loss in the Sun Belt tournament finals to South Alabama. With a strong performance in that game, Western Kentucky would have gotten serious consideration for an at large bid. Instead, they had to settle for the NIT. This season, there will be no settling. Courtney Lee, a runaway favorite for Sun Belt player of the year, returns to lead Horn's squad. Lee, a 6'5 swingman, averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds a game last season. Look for him to greatly increase those numbers this season. Benson Callier, a 6'6 senior swingman, joins Lee on the perimeter. Callier averaged 9 points a game last season, hitting on 44 percent from downtown. With a season of Division 1 basketball under his belt, the former Juco transfer should be more prepared to shoulder a greater scoring load. The other backcourt spot should belong to 6'3 guard Ty Rogers, who averaged 7 points a game last season. Rogers will have to score this season as he steps in for last season's Sun Belt player of the year, Anthony Winchester. Look for incoming freshamn A.J. Slaughter to provide some backcourt help. Upfront, the Toppers will have to replace the dependable Elgrace Wilborn. The key guy may be JC transfer Raed Mostafa. Mostafa, who played for same junior college as Marquette's Jamil Lott, gives the Toppers an 6'8 forward who does a little bit of everything on the court. Mostafa will compete with Mike Walker and Daniel Emerson, the two experienced big men in the program for frontcourt minutes. If Courtney Lee gets some help, the Toppers should be an extremely dangerous mid-major this season.