The 2019-20 college basketball season ended unceremoniously, and in unprecedented fashion, as a global pandemic started. Never before, not even during times of war or other catastrophe, has the NCAA tournament been canceled or otherwise not played. On March 12, 2020, the lights went out on college basketball, and there was uncertainty as to when they would come back on again for the next season ... or whether they would come back on again for the next season.
Let's look back upon what was lost. While what was lost pales in comparison with the worldwide suffering of this pandemic, on a relative basis and keeping it in proper perspective, the abrupt ending to the 2020 postseason was heartbreaking for so many teams and players -- especially for Dayton, San Diego State, Florida State, and Baylor. Look, every good team can feel like a title run was within its grasp as the NCAA tournament approached. But Baylor had its first No. 1 team and a legit chance for the Final Four. Dayton had a special team that could have won the whole thing. San Diego State and Florida State each had perhaps its best chance to reach a Final Four. It was March Sadness all around.
Yet the 2020-21 season begins with hope. Clearly, it will be a bumpy ride at the beginning and into the middle, but there are reasons for optimism as we get to March. First, the NCAA is hell-bent on playing the NCAA tournament this season. Two straight seasons of tournament cancellation could very well cripple the organization, and the game. This is a multibillion-dollar industry with a lot of money riding on it. The tournament has to be played. Second, while things are dire right now on the COVID-19 front, there seems to be legitimate optimism that things will improve dramatically by spring. Let's all hope so.
Lastly, there is a significant increase in talent and experience across the college basketball landscape this season. The freshman class is ridiculously talented and capable. There are several experienced teams and players returning, and the race for the trophy and to cut down the nets in Indianapolis is about as wide-open as one can remember. There is no single, consensus favorite but a group of favorites. We will undoubtedly have Cinderellas emerge, and we will see breakout players who have worked and improved quietly at home during the pandemic quarantine, out of public view.
Year after year, The Bilastrator's Opus has provided the public with ridiculously accurate previews and prognostications about the upcoming season. Entering this season, The Bilastrator had additional time to ponder the best we will see this season, in addition to having additional time to binge-watch several shows, read several books, eat several things not normally consumed and ponder the places most missed during the pandemic quarantine. The Bilastrator will fill you in via The Opus.
Lastly, a word of caution. If one were to take the Opus and use it for nefarious purposes, such as wagering, one could easily crash the fragile world economy and make Warren Buffett look like a guy on the street selling pencils out of a tin cup. I would urge you to use restraint and use this Opus for entertainment and informational purposes only. And, as always, you're welcome, America.
The Bilastrator's preseason All-Americans
There are only five on the postseason All-America team, so there are only five on the preseason team...
Luka Garza, Iowa
Jared Butler, Baylor
Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State
Garrison Brooks, North Carolina
Remy Martin, Arizona State
Honorable mention: Marcus Garrett, Kansas; Evan Mobley, USC; Corey Kispert, Gonzaga; Marcus Zegarowski, Creighton; Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Villanova; Ayo Dosunmu, Illinois; Keyontae Johnson, Florida; Collin Gillespie, Villanova; B.J. Boston, Kentucky; Jalen Crutcher, Dayton; Oscar da Silva, Stanford; McKinley Wright IV, Colorado; Nate Reuvers, Wisconsin; San Hauser, Virginia; Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana.
The Bilastrator's preseason National Player of the Year
Luka Garza, Iowa
The Bilastrator's national championship favorites
These teams are the favorites to win it all. If you make the NCAA tournament field, you theoretically have a chance to win the title. But, the true number of teams that can win it is pretty small. This year, the range of teams that can win it is a bit wider than in other years...
Gonzaga Bulldogs: Mark Few has another squad. Corey Kispert is All-America good; Drew Timme is breakout-star good; and Jalen Suggs is the best recruit ever in Spokane. This team is legit.
Baylor Bears: The best Baylor news from the NBA draft was that Jared Butler was not in it. Scott Drew has another experienced and tough team. The only issue will be the interior, where Freddie Gillespie covered up for any defensive mistakes. Baylor could have won it all last year, and could do it this year, too.
Villanova Wildcats: At the end of the year, expect Villanova to contend. The pandemic might lead to a slower start, but there will be a big finish from the Wildcats. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl can be the best defensive and rebounding forward Jay Wright has ever had, and that is saying something.
Iowa Hawkeyes: This team is loaded with experience and quality players at every position. Plus, Iowa has the best player in the country in Luka Garza.
Duke Blue Devils: There is too much talent to dismiss Duke's title chances.
Virginia Cavaliers: Last year, Virginia squeezed the life out of people on the defensive end and won 23 games without being able to score. This year, expect the Cavaliers to be very capable on the offensive end, much of that thanks to Sam Hauser's ability to make shots.
Wisconsin Badgers: Greg Gard has his best team in Madison. The Badgers have a lot of experienced and unselfish bodies to throw at the loaded Big Ten, led by Micah Potter and Nate Reuvers. Don't be surprised to see Wisconsin win the Big Ten.
Kentucky Wildcats: Damn, the Wildcats have some talented young players. Ridiculous. B.J. Boston, Terrence Clarke, Devin Askew and Isaiah Jackson can turn Kentucky into a title contender by the end of the season.
North Carolina Tar Heels: The Tar Heels are bouncing back from an injury-plagued season with a very young group of guards and the best frontcourt in the country. Expect the Heels to run more and pound the ball inside to Garrison Brooks, Armando Bacot and Walker Kessler, and North Carolina should be the best offensive rebounding team in the country.
And watch out for these title-chasing spoilers...
One of the beautiful things about basketball is ... it is not football. Undefeated teams that bring it all season are not relegated to meaningless bowl games while only four selected teams are allowed to play for all the marbles. Instead, the best teams in basketball ALL get to challenge for the title. In basketball, every game truly counts. These teams have a legitimate chance to do something special and reach an Elite Eight, Final Four or perhaps win it all.
Kansas Jayhawks: The Jayhawks have a lot to replace, but start with the best defender in the country in Marcus Garrett. The key will be the emergence of Bryce Thompson as a lead guard, plus Ochai Agbaji as a reliable star performer.
Creighton Bluejays: The Bluejays have one of the truly great point guards in Marcus Zegarowski and one of the nation's best shooters in Mitch Ballock. Four starters are back, and Creighton has a legit shot to win big.
Michigan State Spartans: The Spartans lost a lot from last year but still have Rocket Watts, Aaron Henry and Malik Hall. Tom Izzo has lost great players before -- and has reached Final Fours after doing so.
Houston Cougars: Kelvin Sampson lost Nate Hinton but returns Caleb Mills, Quentin Grimes and DeJon Jarreau.
West Virginia Mountaineers: The Mountaineers will be rebounding fools again and need only better shooting to contend for an Elite Eight berth.
Tennessee Volunteers: Rick Barnes has one of the best defenders in the country in Yves Pons and an excellent crop of newcomers. The Volunteers will challenge for the SEC title.
Texas Tech Red Raiders: Despite the personnel losses, Chris Beard has a sustainable program full of believers. Kyler Edwards, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Marcus Santos-Silva will make the Red Raiders competitive.
Texas Longhorns: Shaka Smart is one of the nation's best coaches. This year, Texas has the talent to take a positive step forward from a very promising finish last year. The addition of top recruit Greg Brown will make a big difference.
The Bilastrator's best defenders
Because players who truly defend don't get the credit they deserve, this list will be more expansive than the All-Americans and other preseason honors. The Bilastrator honors those who get down in a stance and try to stop somebody...
Marcus Garrett, Kansas
Yves Pons, Tennessee
Jacob Gilyard, Richmond
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Villanova
Davion Mitchell, Baylor
Keyontae Johnson, Florida
Osun Osunniyi, St. Bonaventure
Fatts Russell, Rhode Island
McKinley Wright IV, Colorado
Jordan Goodwin, Saint Louis
Scottie Barnes, Florida State
Charles Bassey, Western Kentucky
Manny Bates, NC State
Kevin Samuel, TCU
Kihei Clark, Virginia
Herbert Jones, Alabama
Oscar Tshiebwe, West Virginia
AJ Wilson, George Mason
Garrison Brooks, North Carolina
Joel Ayayi, Gonzaga
Isaiah Miller, UNC Greensboro
The Bilastrator's National Defensive Player of the Year
Marcus Garrett, Kansas
The Bilastrator's top shooters
Players who can stretch a defense and make shots...
Sam Hauser, Virginia
Mitch Ballock, Creighton
John Petty Jr., Alabama
Buddy Boeheim, Syracuse
Joey Hauser, Michigan State
AJ Green, Northern Iowa
Noah Locke, Florida
Spencer Jones, Stanford
Jhivvan Jackson, UTSA
Tevin Brown, Murray State
The Bilastrator's top rebounders
Players who pursue the ball and are relentless on the glass...
Jordan Goodwin, Saint Louis
Charles Bassey, Western Kentucky
Mark Vital, Baylor
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Villanova
James Butler, Drexel
Derek Culver, West Virginia
Justin Bean, Utah State
Terry Taylor, Austin Peay
Kofi Cockburn, Illinois
Oscar Tshiebwe, West Virginia
Luka Garza, Iowa
The Bilastrator's impact freshmen
This is an extraordinary freshman class. Sadly, many will not stick around to be sophomores, but we should all enjoy these incredible talents while we can. They will impact the national landscape and perhaps lead their teams to a league or national title...
Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State
Evan Mobley, USC
B.J. Boston, Kentucky
Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga
Greg Brown, Texas
Josh Christopher, Arizona State
Jalen Johnson, Duke
Caleb Love, North Carolina
Ziaire Williams, Stanford
Scottie Barnes, Florida State
Moussa Cisse, Memphis
Walker Kessler, North Carolina
Jaden Springer, Tennessee
Sharife Cooper, Auburn
DJ Steward, Duke
Terrence Clarke, Kentucky
Keon Johnson, Tennessee
Earl Timberlake, Miami
Devin Askew, Kentucky
Bryce Thompson, Kansas
Marcus Bagley, Arizona State
Khristian Lander, Indiana
Moses Moody, Arkansas
The Bilastrator's Freshman of the Year
Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State
The Bilastrator's underrated and unappreciated players
Top performers who need more ink and attention for just how good and valuable they are...
Jordan Goodwin, Saint Louis
Timmy Allen, Utah
Joe Wieskamp, Iowa
James Bouknight, UConn
AJ Green, Northern Iowa
Drew Timme, Gonzaga
Matt Coleman III, Texas
Herbert Jones, Alabama
Derrick Alston Jr., Boise State
D.J. Jeffries, Memphis
Phlandrous Fleming Jr., Charleston Southern
Aamir Simms, Clemson
Jalen Pickett, Siena
Jose Alvarado, Georgia Tech
Cameron Krutwig, Loyola Chicago
Paul Scruggs, Xavier
Collin Welp, UC Irvine
Rocket Watts, Michigan State
Caleb Mills, Houston
John Fulkerson, Tennessee
Wendell Moore Jr., Duke
Jalen Crutcher, Dayton
Trevion Williams, Purdue
Terry Taylor, Austin Peay
Jaden Shackelford, Alabama
Colbey Ross, Pepperdine
Antoine Davis, Detroit
Jayden Gardner, East Carolina
Kellan Grady, Davidson
Justin Bean, Utah State
Jabari Rice, New Mexico State
Chris Smith, UCLA
Olivier Sarr, Kentucky
Joey Hauser, Michigan State
Oscar da Silva, Stanford
The Bilastrator's iron men
Players who simply never come out of the game ... which means they are too valuable to take a rest...
Colbey Ross, Pepperdine
Kyle Lofton, St. Bonaventure
Tevin Brown, Murray State
Kihei Clark, Virginia
Prentiss Hubb, Notre Dame
Jacob Gilyard, Richmond
The Bilastrator's best low-error playmaking guards
Players who consistently make plays but do so without turning the ball over. Players who make the right play...
Connor McCaffery, Iowa
Jacob Gilyard, Richmond
Carlik Jones, Louisville
Kendric Davis, SMU
Jalen Crutcher, Dayton
Tyger Campbell, UCLA
Collin Gillespie, Villanova
Marcus Carr, Minnesota
Wabissa Bede, Virginia Tech
D'Mitrik Trice, Wisconsin
Prentiss Hubb, Notre Dame
The Bilastrator's best binge-worthy shows
With more time on his hands, The Bilastrator was able to put away the game film and catch up on pop culture, but don't expect to see "Tiger King." After a couple of episodes, I wanted the tigers to eat every person on that show.
"Game of Thrones": Addicted after three episodes. Only one complaint ... the ending. Are you kidding me? The Lannisters die from a few collapsing bricks? Daenerys survives everything, but dies in such a simple and pedestrian fashion? But, other than that, GoT was the best thing since "Breaking Bad."
"Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee": Brilliant. Aside from Jerry Seinfeld making stand-up comedy sound like it is more difficult than being a brain surgeon, every show is gold. Gold, Jerry!
"The Queen's Gambit": The Bilastrator found and devoured this show well before it became a trend. Spectacular.
"The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel": This show is nothing short of brilliant. It is "Mad Men" meets "La La Land."
"Narcos" and "Narcos: Mexico": Not even subtitles could make me turn away from these. Just awesome.
"I'm Sorry": Andrea Savage provides a hilarious, "Curb Your Enthusiasm"-type show that has you rolling from the first moments. Worth the watch.
"Mindhunter": Another period piece about profiling serial killers. Really good.
"Yellowstone": Kevin Costner is the Godfather of a big ranch in Montana. Actually, it is quite like "The Godfather," except more bodies piled up at the end.
"Jack Ryan": It only took an episode or two to get over watching Jim Halpert from "The Office" kill people with his bare hands. Once that happened, excellent watch.
"Dead to Me": Christina Applegate loses her husband and becomes friends with Linda Cardellini, who killed her husband. Many shenanigans from there.
"You": Creepy as hell and dark. But awesome.
"Chernobyl": About as dark as it gets, but impossible to turn off.
The Bilastrator's favorite delivery meal options on the road
In every college town this year, there won't be the same opportunities to go out and enjoy time with friends and colleagues before going to a game. But, if anything gets delivered, I want it from these spots...
Mother Bear's Pizza, Bloomington, Indiana
Zingerman's Deli, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Torchy's Tacos, mostly in Texas and Oklahoma
Lou Malnati's Pizza, Evanston, Illinois
Lucy's, Auburn, Alabama
Dudley's on Short, Lexington, Kentucky
Blue Moon Diner, Charlottesville, Virginia
City Grocery and Bouré, Oxford, Mississippi
Pizzeria Toro, Durham, North Carolina
Fuego Tortilla Grill, College Station, Texas