Not only do people make New Year Resolutions, these teams, conferences, and coaches could also use some resolutions and change some things from previous years.
Rick Pitino’s resolution is: Take the spotlight away from John Calipari and Kentucky.
Ever since John Calipari arrived at Kentucky, he has been a rock star in the Commonwealth signing top recruiting classes, winning a national Championship, and getting players to the NBA. Rick Pitino owned this state up until then winning at Kentucky and now at Louisville. Now he’s fighting a losing battle against Calipari for state supremacy. This season, the Cardinals strike back. They have already notched a victory against their rivals on Dec 29. They have a stronger team than the Wildcats and will look to capitalize in the NCAA tournament. Coming off a Final 4 appearance last year, anything less than that will be a disappointment.
Big East Conference resolution is: Gain stability
This conference has been rocked this past fall as more members are departing from the league. The non-football schools have decided to break away from the league leaving UConn as the only original member. With half of Conference USA moving to the Big East will be nothing of the Big East of Old. Starting as soon as of next year, the Big East could be without Georgetown, Louisville, Notre Dame, Villanova, and Marquette. The Big East needs some stability and stop this turnover of teams leaving with the league if it wants to have any future of strong basketball conference.
Butler & Gonzaga resolution is: Change nothing & keep doing the same
These two teams plus Xavier has been the consistent model of the past 10 years on how a Non-BCS school should operate. They have competed and won against the top teams in previous years. This year Gonzaga has owned the Big 12 conference going 5-0 against their members. Mark Few might have his most talented Gonzaga team since Adam Morrison’s last year and they will look to get to its first Elite 8 since 1999. Butler has defeated Indiana who was number 1 at the time. The Bulldogs are looking to become a top A-10 team this year with Temple and VCU. You can never count out a Brad Stevens coached team and this year is no different.
Duke’s resolution is: Not to lose early in the NCAA Tournament
Besides winning the National Title in 2010 against Butler, the Blue Devils have struggled and underperformed in the NCAA tournament 6/7 years. With losses to Lehigh, VCU, West Virginia, Villanova, LSU, and Arizona all as higher seeds Duke have become a common victim to the early round upset. Besides their National Championship in 2010 Duke has failed to advance past the Sweet 16 since 2003-2004. This year it changes, as Duke will get to Atlanta and into the Final 4. With Mason Plumlee and Seth Curry, Duke will use its loss to Lehigh as motivation and not falter on its journey to the Final 4.
Pacific 12 Conference resolution is: Get more than 2 teams in NCAA Tournament
Last year was an embarrassment for the league as only 2 teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament. California was one of them, and the Golden Bears were out in the play-in game. Each Pac-12 team suffered embarrassing losses throughout the season that prevented them from getting at large-bid for the tournament. It was the lowest amount of teams selected from a BCS level conference ever. The Pac-12 hopes to change with undefeated Arizona leading the way. Don’t expect more than 5 teams getting in, but anything more than 2 will be an accomplishment.
Kansas’ resolution is: Win the Big 12 regular season title…. again
Kansas has won at least a share or outright Big 12 regular season title for the last 10 of 11 years. They look to make it 11 out of 12 this year. Currently ranked 6th in the country, the Jayhawks look to be on their way. Their toughest competition will be from Oklahoma State but Cowboys have yet be a consistent winner under Travis Ford. Ben McLemore is playing like a future NBA player and Jeff Withey is blocking everything in sight. It seems like this year things will remain the same, as Kansas will win the Big 12 again.
