NCAA Basketball 2012-2013 Pre-Preseason Rankings

1. Kentucky (38-2) - Kentucky has another loaded class of Freshmen to help a repeat run
                     Returning Starters - 1
                     Top 50 Recruits - 4
2. Indiana (27-9) - The Hoosiers will contend nationally if Cody Zeller returns
                     Returning Starters - 5
                     Top 50 Recruits - 2
3. Baylor (30-8) - Scott Drew is building a perennial Big 12 contender
                     Returning Starters - 3
                     Top 50 Recruits - 2
4. Kansas (32-7) - I think we learned this year to never sleep on a Kansas squad
                     Returning Starters - 3
                     Top 50 Recruits - 2
5. North Carolina (32-6) - Carolina will need their role players to step it up next year
                     Returning Starters - 1
                     Top 50 Recruits - 2
6. NC State (24-13) - A Sweet 16 appearance gives them momentum going into next year
                     Returning Starters - 4
                     Top 50 Recruits - 3
7. Michigan St. (29-8) - If young talent develops, Sparty will be a Final 4 contender again
                     Returning Starters - 3
                     Top 50 Recruits - 1
8. Michigan (24-10) - The Wolverines will have a young, talented, and exciting team
                     Returning Starters - 3
                     Top 50 Recruits - 2
9. Syracuse (34-3) - Expect the Orange to contend in their final season in the Big East
                     Returning Starters - 2
                     Top 50 Recruits - 2
10. Arizona (23-12) - The Wildcats will bounce back from a down year
                      Returning Starters - 3
                      Top 50 Recruits - 4
11. Ohio St. (31-8) - Thad Matta has built a national power in Columbus
                       Returning Starters - 3
                       Top 50 Recruits - 0
12. Louisville (30-10) - The 'Ville reached the Final Four and could go further next year
                       Returning Starters - 4
                       Top 50 Recruits - 0
13. Florida (26-11) - The Gators will challenge for the SEC title if Bradley Beal returns
                        Returning Starters - 3
                        Top 50 Recruits - 2
14. Texas (20-14) - The Longhorns will move up in a depleted Big 12 next season
                       Returning Starters - 3
                       Top 50 Recruits - 1
15.  Wisconsin (26-10) - If they find a PG the Badgers will be near the top of the Big 10
                       Returning Starters - 4
                       Top 50 Recruits - 1
16. Duke (27-7) - The returning players for Duke give them a solid core
                       Returning Starters - 4
                       Top 50 Recruits - 1
17. Cincinnati (26-11) - The Bearcats have a shot at improving on this year's Sweet 16
                       Returning Starters - 3
                       Top 50 Recruits - 0
18. Gonzaga (26-7) - The Zags again have the potential to be the best in the west
                       Returning Starters - 4
                       Top 50 Recruits - 0
19. Creighton (29-6) - The return of Doug McDermott makes them the MVC favorites
                       Returning Starters - 4
                       Top 50 Recruits - 0
20. Marquette (27-8) - Marquette is an annual member of the Top 25
                       Returning Starters - 3
                       Top 50 Recruits - 0
21. Missouri (30-5) - Missouri will be near the top of the SEC in its first year
                       Returning Starters - 2
                       Top 50 Recruits - 0
22. Florida St. (25-10) - The Seminoles won their first ACC Tournament in 2012
                       Returning Starters - 4
                       Top 50 Recruits - 0
23. Kansas St. (22-11) - Bruce Weber takes over a rising program in the Little Apple
                       Returning Starters - 4
                       Top 50 Recruits - 0
24. Memphis (26-9) - Memphis should win C-USA in their last year in the conference
                       Returning Starters - 4
                       Top 50 Recruits - 1
25. Notre Dame (22-12) - Notre Dame hopes to exceed expectations again next year
                       Returning Starters - 4
                       Top 50 Recruits - 0

Others to Watch: Tennessee, San Diego St., VCU, New Mexico, UCLA, Pitt, Georgetown, Oklahoma St., Vanderbilt, Providence

The 2012 Masters - Weekend Preview

The 2012 Masters has not disappointed thus far. One of the all-time fan favorites finds himself at the top of the leaderboard, as Freddie Couple has posted a -5 score heading into the weekend. Golf's newest darling, Rory McIlroy, is just 1 shot back at -4. Phil had a strong outing on Friday and is still in serious contention at -2. The man I predicted would win his 5th Green Jacket, Tiger Woods, has played erratically over the first couple days and finds himself 8 strokes back at +3. Though Tiger could still make a run, I am going to have to change my pick heading into the weekend. Here is a look at how my top 10 favorites have fared to this point as well as the new odds and my new pick to win the 2012 Masters.

Pre-Tournamant Picks:

Tiger Woods
Current Standing: +3, T40

Luke Donald
Current Standing: +4, T48

Phil Mickleson
Current Standing: -2, T11

Charl Schwartzel
Current Standing: +3, T40

Bo Van Pelt
Current Standing: +4, T48

Hunter Mahan
Current Standing: E, T24

Keegan Bradley
Current Standing: +4, T48

Adam Scott
Current Standing: +1, T31

Angel Cabrera
Current Standing: +5, T57

KJ Choi
Current Standing: +9, missed cut

New Weekend Favorites:

1. Phil Mickleson (8 to 1)
Current Standing: -2, T11

2. Rory McIlroy (3 to 1)
Current Standing: -4, T3

3. Bubba Watson (12 to 1)
Current Standing: -4, T3

4. Lee Westwood (6 to 1)
Current Standing: -4, T3

5. Hunter Mahan (40 to 1)
Current Standing: E, T24

Prediction - Phil bounced back yesterday and pronounced himself as a contender this weekend. He is someone that none of the other competitors want to see lurking near the top of the leaderboard. He is just 3 strokes back of the leaders heading into the weekend. It is now moving day, and I expect Phil to make one of the biggest moves. Rory McIlroy is the oddsmakers favorite at this point. Eventhough, he bounced back to win the US Open last year, we all saw what Augusta is capable of doing to him. It should be an interesting Easter Sunday. the leaderboard is ageless as we have a range in age from McIlroy at 22 to Couples at 52 and everything in between. When it is all said and done I like 41-year old Phil Mickleson to add to his legacy and win his 4th green jacket.

The 2012 Masters Preview

It is that time of year again. Spring is upon us and The Masters will get underway at Augusta National Golf Club on Thursday. One of the most prestigious golf courses on this earth will play host to its 76th Masters. As always, the field is highlighted by Tiger Woods. Tiger returned to the winner's circle for the 1st time in over 2 years a couple weeks ago. Now he is looking for his 5th green jacket. You can never count Phil Mickleson out of this tournament either. A win for Phil would tie him with Tiger with 4 green jackets. The other favorite amongst the field is the world's current #2 golfer, Rory McIlroy. While these men will steal most of the headlines and television air time, there are plenty others that can walk away a major champion this week. Here are my top 10 bets to win the 2012 Masters.

1. Tiger Woods (4 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 7th
Best Masters Finish: 1st (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005) in 17 starts
2012 Scoring Average: 68.67

2. Luke Donald (15 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 1st
Best Masters Finish: 3rd (2005) in 7 starts
2012 Scoring Average: 69.83

3. Phil Mickleson (8 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 14th
Best Masters Finish: 1st (2004, 2006, 2010) in 19 starts
2012 Scoring Average: 69.83

4. Charl Schwartzel (40 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 8th
Best Masters Finish: 1st (2011) in 2 starts
2012 Scoring Average: 70.00

5. Bo Van Pelt (80 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 28th
Best Masters Finish: 8th (2011) in 2 starts
2012 Scoring Average: 69.50

6. Hunter Mahan (20 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 4th
Best Masters Finish: 8th (2010) in 5 starts
2012 Scoring Average: 70.17

7. Keegan Bradley (25 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 19th
Best Masters Finish: Never Participated
2012 Scoring Average: 69.22

8. Adam Scott (25 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 13th
Best Masters Finish: 2nd (2011) in 10 starts
2012 Scoring Average: 70.25

9. Angel Cabrera (80 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 175th
Best Masters Finish: 1st (2009) in 12 starts
2012 Scoring Average: 72.00

10. KJ Choi (50 to 1)
World Golf Ranking: 23rd
Best Masters Finish: 3rd (2004) in 9 starts
2012 Scoring Average: 70.50

Prediction - Tiger Woods will win his 5th green jacket. I am drinking the kool-aid. Tiger has already won at Augusta 4 times, he has finished in the top 10 in each of the past 7 Masters, and finally won a tournament just 2 weeks ago. He has steadily gotten better in every outing in 2012 and he will eventually pronounce himself as back once and for all. Many have written Tiger off in his quest to catch Jack Nicklaus, but a win this week will certainly spark that conversation back up.

2012 NCAA Tournament - National Championship Game Preview

Ringer's NCAA Tournament Record
ATS: 38-28
SU: 44-22

The 2012 NCAA Tournament will come to an end on Monday night when Blue Bloods, Kentucky and Kansas square off for the National Championship. This game will cap off a terrific season in college hoops. This game features the 2 most winningest programs in college basketball history. Kentucky is searching for their 8th National Championship, while Kansas is searching for their 4th. John Calipari can win his 2st National Championship against the man who beat him in the 2008 National Championship Game, Bill Self. Another win for Self will join him with Mike Kryzewski, Jim Calhoun, Billy Donovan, and Roy Williams as the only active coaches with multiple National Championships. This game could be great; 2 blue blood programs, 2 Player of the Year finalists, what else could you ask for?


1 Kentucky (-6) vs. 2 Kansas

How they got here:

Kentucky beat - W. Kentucky 81-66, Iowa St. 87-71, Indiana 102-90, Baylor 82-70, Louisville 69-61
Kansas beat - Detroit 65-50, Purdue 63-60, NC State 60-57, North Carolina 80-67, Ohio St. 64-62

Positional Breakdown:

Backcourt (Advantage Kansas) - Tyshaun Taylor is the best Guard playing on Monday night
Frontcourt (Advantage Kentucky) - Anthony Davis is the POY. MKG and Terrance Jones aren't bad either
Coaching (Even) - Bill Self and John Calipari are 2 of the best in the country

John Calipari was a couple missed free throws away from leading Memphis to a National Championship over Kansas in 2008. Instead the Jayhawks won it, giving Bill Self his 1st National Championship. Now Calipari gets a chance to get his revenge. This time around, Calipari does not expect to lose. His team has been the best team in the country all season long. Kansas has been the cardiac kids in March though. They should have lost at least 3 games in the Tournament, but have survived to play for the title. Not much was expected of Kansas this season, but here they are playing on the game's biggest stage. Thomas Robinson blossomed into one the best players in the country, Tyshaun Taylor grew up and became a top-notch PG, Jeff Withey became a defensive force, and many others stepped up their game. Kentucky has some unfinished business though. Their terrific Freshman class stepped on to campus in Lexington and joined forces with the likes of Terrance Jones, Doron Lamb, and Darius Miller to form the nation's most formidable team. Player of the Year, Anthony Davis has been dominant, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has been explosive, and Marquis Teague has been steady. They have played well beyond their years and will need to continue doing so if they want to bring the National Championship back to Lexington for the 1st time since 1998. If Davis stays out of foul trouble and Kentucky controls the tempo of the game, Calipari will get his revenge. You never want to count out this Kansas squad, but I can't see them pulling this one out. The Kentucky Wildcats will have one shining moment and cut down the nets in the Superdome.

Prediction - Kentucky 73 Kansas 63