Well, it's official.
Villanova has made us look like idiots. We doubted the Wildcats all year--questioned the quality of the Big East--and what did they do?
They only beat the three teams we ranked ahead of them for much of the season to take the national championship.
Here are our final CBB rankings for the week of 2015-16 season (with final won-loss records).
NCAA College Basketball (CBB) Rankings
1. Villanova, 35-5
We should have known the Wildcats were for real after they upset Kansas to reach the Final Four. Their demolition of Oklahoma in the semifinals had us looking for a place to hide. Junior forward Kris Jenkins (13.6 PPG) was the hero of the championship game, of course, but at 6-6, and 240 pounds, it will be interesting to see where he fits in the NBA--and whether he will take his chances in the 2016 draft or wait another year.
2. North Carolina, 33-7
The Tar Heels stay in the second spot after failing to close out Villanova. Senior Brice Johnson (17 PPG/10.4 RPG) will get a shot to prove his worth at the next level.
3. Oklahoma, 29-8
Somebody finally stopped senior guard Buddy Hield (25 PPG) and, thus, the Sooners. And wouldn't you know it was the same 'Nova team we underrated all season? Hield is a slight 6-4, so it will be interesting to see where--if at all--he fits in the NBA.
4. Kansas, 33-5
The Jayhawks flopped in the end. Wayne Selden (13.8 PPG) has already declared for the draft.
5. Virginia, 29-8
Senior Malcolm Brogdon (18.2 PPG), like Hield, is rather slight, at 6-5. But like Hield, he can score, and has done so in college against tough competition. He'll get a look at the next level.
6. Oregon, 31-7
The Ducks will lose their second best player in senior forward Elgin Cook (14.8 PPG), a college forward in an NBA guard's body.
7. Gonzaga, 28-8
Redshirt senior forward Kyle Wiltjer (20.3 PPG) will get some looks in the NBA if only because of his size (6-10/240).
8. Duke, 25-11
The Blue Devils' best players are young--and returning--but senior forward Amile Jefferson (11.4 PPG/10.3 RPG) will be interesting to watch. He's got size (6-9/225) and skill, but does he have enough of both?
9. Syracuse, 23-14
The Orange made a surprising run to the Final Four thanks in large part to the consistency of senior forward Michael Gbinije (17.5 PPG/4.1 RPG/4.3 APG). But at 6-7, 200 pounds, Gbinije is likely too small to play forward in the pros. Is he a good enough ball handler to play guard?
10. Indiana, 27-8
Senior guard Yogi Ferrell's numbers (17.3 PPG/5.6 APG) would have NBA scouts drooling--if he weren't 6-1, 180 pounds.
College Basketball Chat Room - Live Advice
[iflychat_embed id="c-78" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="320px"]