Denver Post college basketball writer Tom Kensler’s hoops report:
COLORADO CONNECTION
Bud Thomas, Mercer (Macon, Ga.), 6-foot-6 sophomore forward.
A two-time Colorado Gatorade high school player of the year at Regis Jesuit, Thomas is in his second season as a starter for the Bears of the Division I Atlantic Sun Conference. Thomas is averaging 8.9 points per game, up from 4.2 points per game as a freshman. He ranks second on the team in rebounding (4.5) and is third in steals and assists.
“Bud does all the intangible things you want somebody to do,” Mercer coach Bob Hoffman
SEED GAMES
Projecting the top 16 teams in the NCAA Tournament
No. 1 seeds: Kentucky, Syracuse, Duke, Kansas
No. 2 seeds: Michigan State, North Carolina, Missouri, Ohio State
No. 3 seeds: Indiana, Baylor, Michigan, Georgetown
No. 4 seeds: Wisconsin, Florida, Wichita State, San Diego State
ON THE BUBBLE
Connecticut. The reigning national champion Huskies, who are 18-12 overall and 8-10 in the Big East, are trying to snap out of a late-season slump. Before beating Pittsburgh 74-65 at home Saturday, the Huskies had lost five of their previous seven games. UConn, ranked only 163rd nationally in scoring (averaging 68.7 points), began last week with a 20 RPI — but that feels a bit artificial. Coach Jim Calhoun, who recently had back surgery, vowed to return before season’s end. Calhoun kept his promise. He was on UConn’s bench Saturday.
ON THE RISE
Alabama. They can play some hoops in Tuscaloosa too. The Crimson Tide, 20-10 and 9-7 in the Southeastern Conference after Saturday’s 60-51 loss at Mississippi, had won four in a row and seven of nine. Alabama’s RPI computer power ranking improved from 37 to 25 last week. Alabama features two strong forwards, 6-8 JaMychal Green (13.8 points, 7.3 rebounds) and 6-6 Tony Mitchell (13.1, 7.0), who’s currently suspended from the team. The Tide appeared to be in trouble after starting the SEC at 2-4. That’s long forgotten.
