Until Selection Sunday, which is still more than seven weeks away, college basketball has way more questions than answers. Here are three to think about:
1. When will Kentucky lose? » From the second game of the season, when John Wall introduced himself to the world with a game-winning shot against upset-minded Miami (Ohio), the Wildcats have made a habit of doing just enough to walk away with a victory. With a roster that includes far more than just Wall, it’s pretty easy. But Kentucky is the last unbeaten. So when will the Wildcats go down? South Carolina could derail Kentucky this weekend before the Wildcats even get a chance to sit alone atop both of the national polls. And if the Gamecocks fail, Vanderbilt comes to Rupp Arena to end the month. Wall and Co. may survive that stretch, but when they play four out of five on the road in February, including back-to-back games in Starkville and Nashville, they’ll fall back into the ranks of the mortal again.
2. Why are we even talking about North Carolina this season? » The defending champion Tar Heels duped us all into believing that a rebuilding year wouldn’t be a down one with the way they dismantled Ohio State at Madison Square Garden. Their first three losses were all explained away, too, coming against likely No. 1 seeds in March. But you can stop paying attention now, because North Carolina isn’t going to win anything when its best players are still in high school. That’s right, small forward Harrison Barnes, shooting guard Reggie Bullock and point guard Kendall Marshall (O’Connell High) won’t be factors in this year’s NCAA Tournament, and so neither will Ed Davis, Deon Thompson and Marcus Ginyard (O’Connell High).
3. Aren’t bloated records at home the case for all major conferences? » The good ones, yes. Sure, the Big 12 began the week with a home record of 119-6, the best in college basketball. But the last time we checked, the Big East — which opened the week with a 136-29 home record — was the conference with five teams in the top 12. And home records aren’t bloody likely to land anybody more favor with the NCAA Tournament selection committee. Nor has it led to more places in the national polls. In fact, it probably does the opposite. The message here: stop scheduling minnows. Go on the road or to a neutral court and beat somebody. That’s the way to prepare for and get into the big dance.
