Month: October 2022

Categories
College Basketball

2022-2023 cbhsports College Basketball Preview

Image Courtesy: Sports Illustrated

2022-2023 Power 6 Projected Conference Standings:
(Conference Records only)

ACC
Duke (17-3)
North Carolina (16-4)
Virginia (14-6)
Miami (14-6)
Wake Forest (13-7)
Florida State (12-8)
Virginia Tech (12-8)
Notre Dame (11-9)
Louisville (11-9)
Georgia Tech (10-10)
Syracuse (9-11)
Clemson (8-12)
NC State (7-13)
Pittsburgh (7-13)
Boston College (5-15)

Big 12
Baylor (15-3)
TCU (14-4)
Kansas (13-5)
Texas (13-5)
Texas Tech (11-7)
Oklahoma State (10-8)
Oklahoma (10-8)
West Virginia (9-9)
Iowa State (9-9)
Kansas State (5-13)

Big East
Creighton (16-4)
Villanova (15-5)
Connecticut (14-6)
Providence (12-8)
Xavier (12-8)
St. John’s (11-9)
Seton Hall (10-10)
Marquette (10-10)
Butler (9-11)
DePaul (6-14)

Big Ten
Indiana (15-5)
Illinois (14-6)
Purdue (13-7)
Michigan (13-7)
Ohio State (12-8)
Michigan State (11-9)
Iowa (11-9)
Wisconsin (10-10)
Rutgers (9-11)
Penn State (9-11)
Maryland (8-12)
Nebraska (7-13)
Northwestern (5-15)
Minnesota (4-16)

Pac-12
UCLA (17-3)
Oregon (15-5)
Arizona (15-5)
USC (14-6)
Colorado (13-7)
Arizona State (11-9)
Washington State (10-10)
Washington (10-10)
Stanford (9-11)
Utah (8-12)
California (5-15)
Oregon State (4-16)

SEC
Kentucky (15-3)
Arkansas (14-4)
Alabama (13-5)
Auburn (12-6)
Tennessee (12-6)
Texas A&M (11-7)
Florida (9-9)
LSU (8-10)
Missouri (8-10)
Mississippi State (7-11)
Ole Miss (7-11)
Vanderbilt (6-12)
South Carolina (6-12)
Georgia (5-13)

Top 5 conference Match-Ups:
1.Duke/North Carolina (February 4, March 4)
2.Arkansas/Kentucky (February 7, March 4)
3.Baylor/Kansas (January 23, February 18)
4.Indiana/Purdue (February 4, February 25)
5.Arizona/UCLA (January 21, March 4)

Top 5 interconference Match-Ups:
1.Kentucky at. Gonzaga (November 20)
2.Kansas at. Kentucky (January 28)
3.Baylor vs. Gonzaga (Sioux Falls) (December 2)
4.Arkansas at. Baylor (January 28)
5.Kansas vs. Duke (November 15)

Final Four and National Championship Game Projections:
Virginia
Arizona

Arkansas
Purdue

Virginia
Arkansas

National Champion: Arkansas

Check out the top 25 incoming recruits to college basketball in 2022 (per 247sports composite).

Categories
College Football

2022 cbhsports College Football 10/29 Preview

Image Courtesy: PennLive.com

AP Top 6
1.Georgia 7-0 (4-0) This week: Florida (Jacksonville)
2.Ohio State 7-0 (4-0) This week: at.13.Penn State
3.Tennessee 7-0 (3-0) This week: 19.Kentucky
4.Michigan 7-0 (4-0) This week: Michigan State
5.Clemson 8-0 (6-0) This week: Off
6.Alabama 7-1 (4-1) This week: Off

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
2.Ohio State at. 13.Penn State (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX)
Ohio State has not faced many tests this season. But, they will seemingly play their first one in an always raucous Happy Valley against Penn State in the early Saturday window. Penn State’s running game will be hard to stop for the Buckeyes but if their offense keeps playing liked it did a week a go-54 points on an “off week” against Iowa, it should be no problem for a win. Projected Score: Ohio State 42, Penn State 24

9.Oklahoma State at. 22.Kansas State (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, FOX)
Oklahoma State keeps finding ways to win games, highlighted by their two touchdown comeback against Texas a week ago. But can they do it on the road against red hot Kansas State, who lost a lead of their own against TCU a week ago? Projected Score: Kansas State 24, Oklahoma State 20

Florida at. 1.Georgia (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
Georgia should handle Florida. But, if Anthony Richardson can make timely passes for the Gators, it could be a quality ball game. Projected Score: Georgia 31, Florida 14

19.Kentucky at. 3.Tennessee (Saturday, 7 PM ET, ESPN)
In the battle for second in the SEC East yet again. Tennessee’s offense has garnered new heights with Hendon Hooker at QB and Jalin Hyatt at receiver so it will have to be the average Kentucky defense getting timely stops to win this key battle. Projected Score: Tennessee 35, Kentucky 24

Michigan State at. 4.Michigan (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
Michigan should be focused after falling to the Spartans last year and the game in the Big House. But, you never know if Mel Tucker and the Spartans have something up their sleeves. Projected Score: Michigan 24, Michigan State 17


Categories
College Football

2022 cbhsports College Football 10/22 Preview

Image Courtesy: SBNation

AP Top 6
1.Georgia 7-0 (4-0) This week: Off
2.Ohio State 7-0 (4-0) This week: Iowa
3.Tennessee 6-0 (3-0) This week: UT-Martin
4.Michigan 7-0 (4-0) This week: Off
5.Clemson 7-0 (4-0) This week: 14.Syracuse
6.Alabama 6-1 (3-1) This week: 24.Mississippi State

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
Iowa at. 2.Ohio State (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX)
Ohio State should take care of an Iowa offense that is pedestrian at best. If this game was at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, I would give the Hawkeyes a better chance but if CJ Stroud continues to play the way that he is, it should be all Buckeyes. Projected Score: Ohio State 49, Iowa 10

14.Syracuse at. 5.Clemson (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ABC)
Can Syracuse upset Clemson and grab the inside track to being the ACC Atlantic’s representative in the ACC Championship game? If Clemson does what they do at a successful rate, the tigers should be fine at home. But, Syracuse is undefeated and they will pose many challenges for the tigers. Coming off of a win over NC State, the Orange should continue to run the ball and test Clemson. Projected Score: Clemson 35, Syracuse 24

9.UCLA at. 10.Oregon (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, FOX)
ESPN’s College GameDay heads to Chip Kelly’s homecoming in Eugene. UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been terrific for Kelly this season in addition to Zack Charbonnet at running back. Since an opening loss to Georgia, Bo Nix has helped Oregon become a top ten team for the first time this season. Projected Score: Oregon 27, UCLA 17

20.Texas at. 11.Oklahoma State (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ABC)
Spencer Sanders and Oklahoma State look to bounce back from their first loss as they host Texas. Quinn Ewers, Bijhan Robinson, and Xavier Worthy have led the Texas offense to terrific heights and they will look to continue their prowess on Saturday afternoon. Projected Score: Oklahoma State 31, Texas 28

7.Ole Miss at. LSU (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
With Ole Miss undefeated and LSU having one loss in the SEC, there is a lot at stake in the division in this one. With the game being played in Baton Rouge, the crowd will be hostile and something hard to deal with for Lane Kiffin’s Rebels whose offense has been humming up to this point. It’s always a good one between the Rebels and Tigers. Projected Score: Ole Miss 27, LSU 24

24.Mississippi State at. 6.Alabama (Saturday, 7 PM ET, ESPN)
Alabama is going to bounce back. Nick Saban does not lose after a loss. Projected Score: Alabama 38, Mississippi State 13

17.Kansas State at. 8.TCU (Saturday, 8 PM ET, TBD)

Categories
NBA

2022-2023 cbhsports NBA Preview

Image Courtesy: The Mercury News

Projected Conference Standings (of teams predicted to make playoffs/play-in tournament)

Eastern Conference
1.Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks re-signed forward Bobby Portis. They of course have former MVP Giannis Antekounmpo and will look to get back to the Finals for the first time in 2021.
2.Boston Celtics
The Celtics added the Indiana Pacers’ Malcolm Brogdon to shore up their point guard position. Star forward Jayson Tatum’s turnover problems in the NBA Finals’ loss to Golden State will have to be fixed if Boston want to get back to winning a championship.
3.Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers re-signed star James Harden on a smaller contract, allowing Philadelphia to add other free agents. Harden wants to win a championship and he can do that with last season’s leading scorer Joel Embiid.
4.Miami Heat
The Heat were a Jimmy Butler made three away from reaching the Finals for a second consecutive year. It will be up to off ball guards Tyler Herro and Max Strus to play well next to Butler and get the Heat deep into the playoffs.
5.Toronto Raptors
Toronto will continue to play through forwards Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam and add assets to push through and make a run at Milwaukee, Boston, and Philadelphia at the top of the eastern conference.
6.Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta is just a year removed from an Eastern Conference Finals appearance. The Hawks paired guard Trae Young with San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray to share ball handling duties. Now, Young will be able to come off of screens and take more open threes, which should help the Hawks scoring load.
7.Chicago Bulls
Chicago maintained wings Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan but will need to get better defensively to be a true contender in the eastern conference.
8.Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland will use young big man tandem Evan Mobley and former Brooklyn Net Jarrett Allen to create offense and suffocate other opponents on defense.
9.Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte lost young star Miles Bridges due to legal issues but will trot Terry Rozier and LaMelo Ball out in their backcourt and continue to be one of the most exciting teams in the league.
10.New York Knicks
The Knicks added Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson to hopefully fix their point guard role. Brunson is surrounded by wing RJ Barrett and forward Julius Randle.

Western Conference
1.Golden State Warriors
The reigning NBA champions will just keep doing what they’ve been doing with guard Stephen Curry leading the way.
2.Los Angeles Clippers
LA added guard John Wall to come off the bench and with star forward Kawhi Leonard returning from injury, the Clippers are expected to make a bounce back season in 2022-2023.
3.Denver Nuggets
Back to back MVP Nikola Jokic gets star guard Jamal Murray and forward Michael Porter Jr. back from injury entering this season. The Nuggets are a clear top four or five team in the west and will challenge Golden State again for the west crown.
4.Dallas Mavericks
Dallas eliminated the reigning western conference champions at the time in the second round of the playoffs. The Mavericks lost guard Jalen Brunson but former Brooklyn Nets starter Spencer Dinwiddie should fit right in next to star Luka Doncic in the backcourt. Dallas will be a quality team in 2022-2023.
5.Phoenix Suns
Phoenix has a salty taste in their mouth after losing in the West Semifinals to the Mavericks in May. Back to back Coach of the Year Monty Williams will have to keep working with Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and his entire team on keeping their defensive intensity up every game.
5.Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis was the two seed in the playoffs last season but many believe only because of injuries in Denver and LA. But the Ja Morant led Grizzlies will most definitely be in the playoffs next season in a loaded western conference.
7.New Orleans Pelicans
In a crowded southwest division (Memphis, Dallas, …), New Orleans has finally gotten star forward Zion Williamson back from his injury. He will team up with off-ball guard CJ McCollum and wing Brandon Ingram to form a competitive team down south.
8.Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota traded for former Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert to play center for them. They will move Karl-Anthony Towns over to the four and allow Anthony Edwards to create outside at guard.
9.Portland Trail Blazers
Portland’s Damian Lillard continues to remain content in Portland while developing guard Anfernee Simons gives the Blazers a second option outside. Portland will be okay in 2022-2023.
10.Los Angeles Lakers
LA needs shooters outside of LeBron, Russell Westbrook, and Anthony Davis. Their front office has not done that yet. Until that happens, this is as high as I will project the Lakers.

Projected NBA Finals:
Milwaukee 4
LA Clippers 2

Projected Award Winners
MVP: Giannis Antentokounmpo, Forward, Milwaukee Bucks
DPOY: Mikal Bridges, Guard/Forward, Phoenix Suns
MIP: Bobby Portis, Forward, Milwaukee Bucks
COY: Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks

Categories
College Football

2022 cbhsports College Football 10/15 Preview

Image Courtesy: Clarksville Online

AP Top 6
1.Georgia 6-0 (3-0) This week: Vanderbilt
2.Ohio State 6-0 (3-0) This week: Off
3.Alabama 6-0 (3-0) This week: at.6.Tennessee
4.Clemson 6-0 (3-0) This week: at.Florida State
5.Michigan 6-0 (3-0) This week: 10.Penn State
6.Tennessee 5-0 (2-0) This week: 3.Alabama

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
10.Penn State at. 4.Michigan (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX) Projected Score: Penn State 24, Michigan 21
15.NC State at. 18.Syracuse (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ACCN) Projected Score: Syracuse 31, NC State 24
3.Alabama at. 6.Tennessee (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS) Projected Score: Tennessee 45, Alabama 42
4.Clemson at. Florida State (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC) Projected Score: Clemson 34, Florida State 24
20.Utah at. 7.USC (Saturday, 8 PM ET, FOX) Projected Score: Utah 27, USC 20

Categories
College Football

2022 cbhsports College Football 10/8 Preview

Image Courtesy: The Topeka Capital-Journal

AP Top 6
1.Alabama 5-0 (2-0) This week: Texas A&M
2.Georgia 5-0 (2-0) This week: Auburn
3.Ohio State 5-0 (2-0) This week: at.Michigan State
4.Michigan 5-0 (2-0) This week: at.Indiana
5.Clemson 5-0 (2-0) This week: at.Boston College
6.USC 5-0 (3-0) This week: Washington State

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
17.TCU at. 19.Kansas (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FS1)
TCU and Kansas are the surprises of the Big 12 this year as both have gone undefeated. Kansas is in the AP top twenty-five for the first time since 2009 and will look to continue their winning ways with QB Jalon Daniels at the helm. Expect the atmosphere to be crazy in Lawrence as ESPN’s College GameDay heads there for the first time ever. Projected Score: Kansas 34, TCU 31

8.Tennessee at. 25.LSU (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ESPN)
LSU gets to host red-hot Tennessee in Death Valley tomorrow. LSU has gone undefeated since their season opening loss at the hands of Florida State. Jayden Daniels has been the pioneer at QB for the tigers but they will have a tough task at hand dealing with Heisman favorite Hendon Hooker and the Vols. Tennessee’s defense has looked okay throughout the season but in a hostile road environment like Tiger Stadium, they will have to string multiple stops together. While LSU does have home field advantage here, it is tough for me to go against the Volunteers. Projected Score: Tennessee 31, LSU 24

Texas vs. Oklahoma (Dallas) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ABC)
With Quinn Ewers expected to start tomorrow, Texas should have a much better chance to defeat the reeling Oklahoma Sooners, who have lost their last two games. Brent Venables’ defense has looked atrocious during losses to Kansas State and TCU and will look to get going against an offense getting their star signal-caller back. With Ewers back, expect the Longhorns to air it out to star receiver Xavier Worthy while keeping the Sooners honest with arguably the best running back in the country in Bijhan Robinson. The game is always phenomenal in the Cotton Bowl ever year, who will be the star of this one? Projected Score: Texas 27, Oklahoma 21

11.Utah at. 18.UCLA (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, FOX)
Utah has looked terrific since their season-opening loss to Florida. The Utes will go into the Rose Bowl and defeat the Bruins. Projected Score: Utah 35, UCLA 20

Texas A&M at. 1.Alabama (Saturday, 8 PM ET, CBS)
Before the season started, the Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher and Alabama head man Nick Saban were in the headlines because of Saban calling out Fisher’s recruiting tactics in attaining the best recruiting class ever. A&M has since been upset by Appalachian State, bounced back against Miami and Arkansas, and then fallen to Mississippi State. After hurting his shoulder during a win over Arkansas last Saturday, last season’s Heisman winner Bryce Young will be a game-time decision tomorrow (Update:He has been ruled out by a source). In his place would be Jalen Milroe, who had a relatively pedestrian game against Arkansas, outside of a terrific fourth quarter where the Razorbacks defense fell apart. For the Aggies, starter Max Johnson has been ruled out so former starter Haynes King will be taking snaps. King’s lack of ability to get the ball down field worries me about their chances in the game. Even if Young does not play, Alabama is surely not to lose to a team that upset them last season at Kyle Field. Projected Score: Alabama 49, Texas A&M 28