North Carolina, Syracuse Will Contend For National Championship

With the NBA embroiled in what appears to be a protracted labor dispute, eyes of the sporting world will be on college basketball much sooner than the usual week after the Super Bowl. Fortunately for hoop fans, the 2011-2012 college basketball season could be one of the most competitive and exciting campaigns in years.

To get fans ready for all the exciting non-conference games, pivotal conference matchups, and the historic rivalries, we've compiled a list of six things you should look for as the season unfolds. Hopefully our list will get you exited for what is shaping up to be a great year of college basketball. Just make sure you pace yourself. March Madness is still a few months away.

Syracuse Will Win National Championship
We want season tickets to the North Carolina Tar Heels. Ohio State is going to be very good. Kentucky will be a Final Four team. However, we like a stacked Syracuse Orangemen to win the National Championship. Besides being a fan of Jim Boeheim, we want to see 'Cuse cut down the nets in order to stick it to the powers that are breaking up the Big East.

Related Big Games
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Jan. 29
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Duke Blue Devils on Feb. 8

Jared Sullinger Wins Naismith Award
We didn't pick the Ohio State Buckeyes to win the National Championship but we think Jared Sullinger is the best player in the country. He's big, physical, can establish himself on the block, has tons of low post moves, and can drain a three if the situation arrives. We hope the Buckeyes make it deep into the tourney just so we can see Sullinger play more games. More so for the date than the matchup, but we're looking forward to Ohio State's New Year's Eve game against the Indiana Hoosiers.

Related Big Games
Indiana Hoosiers vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers on Jan. 12
Indiana Hoosiers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes on Jan. 29

Boston College Goes Winless in ACC
Fans with Boston College Eagles tickets better get ready for a long season. The program lost their top five scorers from a year ago and they have a new coach in Steve Donahue. To make matters worse, the ACC, which was down last year, is much better. Going winless in conference is rare for a BCS school, but it will happen to B.C.

Related Big Games
Boston College Eagles vs. Harvard Crimson on Dec. 29
Boston College Eagles vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack on Feb. 1

California Wins Pac-12
Pac-12 basketball isn't what it used to be. Regardless, Cal has an excellent chance of winning this once formidable conference. The team, led by Jorge Gutierrez, has four returning starters. That experience is why we pick them instead of a young Arizona team. Watch out for UCLA. The Bruins have the best frontcourt in the league.

Related Big Games
UCLA Bruins vs. Arizona Wildcats on Jan. 5
UCLA Bruins vs. Oregon Ducks on Jan. 21

Georgetown Hoys: No Tournament Bid
The Georgetown Hoyas won't have their ticket punched to the "Big Dance" nor will Notre Dame, West Virginia, or Villanova. In other words, the Big East won't supply the NCAA Tournament will 11 teams like it did in 2011. UConn, Louisville, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse are definitely in, and probably Cincinnati and Marquette, but other than that the Big East won't make up 16 percent of the tournament field in 2012.

Related Big Games
Georgetown Hoyas vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Feb. 27
Georgetown Hoyas vs. UConn Huskies on Feb. 1

It's A Family Affair In The ACC
This season, Cameron Crazies with Duke Blue Devils tickets will get to watch sons of two famous NBA players. Scoring extraordinaire Seth Curry is the son of Dell Curry, the all-time leading scorer for the New Orleans Hornets, and teammate Austin Rivers is the son of former NBA point guard, and current Boston Celtics head coach, Doc Rivers. Meanwhile, the starting shooting guard for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets is Glen Rice Jr., his father is three-time NBA All-Star Glen Rice. If you have ACC tickets this season, look around. You might see a former NBA star or two sitting in the stands.

Related Big Games
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Alabama Crimson Tide on Jan. 3
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Duke Blue Devils on Jan. 7
Duke Blue Devils vs. Florida State Seminoles on Jan. 21
Duke Blue Devils vs. North Carolina Tar Heels on March 3