The Halfcourt Trap Vol. I, No. 12

With the season now directly ahead, here are a dozen prognostications of what the Trap sees in store for ‘07-’08:

1. Minnesota fans will realize that Tubby Smith is the answer to their hoops related prayers.
2. Kentucky fans will feel the same way about Billy Gillispie.
3. Tennessee will learn that climbing the mountain is a whole lot more fun than defending the peak.
4. Kevin Love, Michael Beasley, and Derrick Rose will be the best players in America at their respective positions as freshmen.
5. Michigan State and Indiana will wage an epic battle atop the Big 10.
6. Teams Ascending: Utah, Syracuse, Mississippi State, and Missouri.
7. Teams Descending: Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, UNLV, and Vanderbilt.
8. The following coaches in BCS leagues should rent, not buy: Jay John, Ed DeChellis, Leonard Hamilton, and Ben Braun.
9. The Big East will make a legitimate run at placing 10 teams in the NCAA Tournament field.
10. Rick Pitino will have his best team since his ‘96 NCAA champions.
11. Texas will be a Final Four sleeper come March.
12. Ben Howland will win the first of what will be multiple national titles during his tenure at UCLA.

Until next week, stay classy, Vol Nation.