The 2010-2011 college basketball season has been one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory. Some teams have not succeeded the way they were expected to this season. As the regular season comes to a conclusion, here are the biggest disappointments of the year.
1) Michigan State
When Duke won the national championship last year, many analysts chose Michigan State to be the 2011 champion. The Spartans were ranked No. 2 in the nation when the preseason polls were released.
At the end of the regular season, they are not ranked and are currently on Joe Lunardi’s first four out of the NCAA tournament. They finished 17-13 and 9-9 in the Big Ten. Korie Lucious and Chris Allen were dismissed from the team, and Durell Summers had temper and consistency issues. Kalin Lucas also did not have the season expected of him.
2) Villanova
Villanova is another team that had high expectations. With three returning seniors in the starting lineup, the Wildcats got off to a great start. They only had one out-of-conference loss.
‘Nova finished 21-10 and 9-9 in the Big East. The worst part is that it is entering March on a downward spiral, losing six of its last eight games. Corey Fischer has struggled as of late, and Corey Stokes has missed four games. Those two leaders of the team need to step up in March in order for a late run.
3) Butler
How could a 22-9 team be a disappointment? After making a Cinderella run last year in March all the way to the finals, the Butler Bulldogs are on the bubble for this year’s tournament. This year, the Bulldogs finished 13-5 in conference play, and last year, they were undefeated.
If the Bulldogs do not beat Wisconsin-Milwaukee for the Horizon League title, they will be sweating on Selection Sunday. The Bulldogs lost star Gordon Heyward, but returned Matt Howard and Shelvin Mack. In the preseason polls, Butler was ranked No. 18.
Most of the team returned from last year, so even though the regular season was a disappointment, don’t count out Butler to win a few games in the tournament.
4) Baylor
Baylor has failed expectations after reaching the Elite Eight one year ago. Yes, the Bears did lose their star point guard, Tweety Carter. They did return LaceDarius Dunn, and added freshman “Diaper Dandy” Perry Jones.
With the exception of Dunn, guard play for Baylor has been below average. In order for Baylor to make the NCAA tournament, it will have to have success in the Big-12 Tournament. The Bears finished 18-12 overall and 7-9 in the Big 12. They started the season ranked No. 14.
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