Jan. 20
It has been a wacky season in college basketball. It's so difficult to predict what will happen on any given night. There is genuine parity, to the point where I'd dare anyone to say there are four locks for the Final Four.

This is as wide open a season as I can remember. There are legitimately 20 teams that could cut down the nets in New Orleans.

This is as wide open a season as I can remember. There are legitimately 20 teams that could cut down the nets in New Orleans. The Arizona Wildcats are still the favorites in my book, but the 'Cats have shown they can be beaten -- just ask coach John Brady and LSU. Arizona coach Lute Olson has depth, a combination of youth and experience, and tremendous talent.

But 'Zona, Watch Out For These Teams
Some other teams to look at: keep an eye on the Kansas Jayhawks. Junior forward Jeff Graves has stepped in and done a nice job replacing injured super soph Wayne Simien. Senior forward Nick Collison is playing like he was expected to as a preseason All-Rolls Roycer. Senior point guard Kirk Hinrich is performing up to expectations as well.

The Kentucky Wildcats lost to Louisville, and struggled with 3-pointers in a few early games, but they have the talent to make a run to the Final Four. Keith Bogans and company were impressive against Notre Dame.

The Florida Gators don't have a great inside game, but their perimeter play has been exceptional. Senior forward Matt Bonner is a big-time player. Diaper dandies Anthony Roberson and Matt Walsh have been key contributors as well.

The Georgia Bulldogs have a special backcourt in Ezra Williams and Rashad Wright. Junior guard Jarvis Hayes is one of the top performers in the nation.

Watch out for the Texas Longhorns. Coach Rick Barnes has a very deep team, and sophomore point guard T.J. Ford has expanded his game.

The Duke Blue Devils can't be counted out. Coach Mike Krzyzewski knows how to put together a winner, and he has a deep and versatile team.

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons have been a surprise. Remember, this program lost some key players from last year's club, yet senior forward Josh Howard and company have been clicking. Howard's performance against Georgia Tech was a thing of beauty. Coach Skip Prosser has been a winner everywhere he's been -- at Loyola-Maryland, Xavier and now at Wake.

Don't forget the Louisville Cardinals -- Rick Pitino's team is playing extremely well. The return of senior forward Marvin Stone provided an inside lift, and senior guard Reece Gaines can flat-out shoot the rock.

It is wide open, baby -- there has been such excitement in college hoops!

Weekend Review: Excitement Galore
Just look at what happened this past weekend. At Maryland's Comcast Center, Duke jumped out to a 13-3 lead. Then the Terps came back, following an unbelievable pattern: For the sixth time in seven Duke-Maryland meetings, the team trailing at halftime has rallied to post the W!

Maryland turned the ball over just three times in the second half in a brilliant performance (after 16 turnovers in the first half). The defense shut down any opportunities inside for the Dukies. The Terps made it tough for frosh sensation J.J. Redick to get open looks. The Duke kids must learn to play well on the road to be successful in the ACC.

Maryland's seniors stepped up. Guard Drew Nicholas scored 24 points, and Steve Blake was the orchestra leader, running the show at point guard. Coach Gary Williams had his Gary's Gang rooting them on, and the big following enjoyed the performance.

But that was only the beginning. What about the shock of Auburn beating Alabama? I know people point to the Tigers' record, but really, this was the biggest quality win. Talk about a rivalry! Alabama has to find a way to post wins on the road, and that's not easy in the SEC.

Think about the job coach Eddie Sutton has done at Oklahoma State! Playing at home, you know they Cowboys tough to beat, but coming off the hard-fought win over Oklahoma, who would have expected a 76-56 blowout win over Missouri? Yes, I know the Tigers missed suspended guard Ricky Clemons, but Rickey Paulding and Arthur Johnson were there.

Syracuse-Pittsburgh figured to be a nail-biter, and senior point guard Brandin Knight spent time on the sidelines with a concussion. The Orangemen had freshman Billy Edelin in the lineup, yet the Panthers dominated. Coach Ben Howland's Panthers will be tough to beat with such a solid defensive effort.

North Carolina, without injured freshman forward Sean May, stopped sophomore center Emeka Okafor and Connecticut. I know it was in Chapel Hill, but Connecticut was highly ranked. Freshman guard Rashad McCants is playing like a man -- his last two games were scintillating and sensational. That was a big win for coach Matt Doherty over a well-coached Jim Calhoun squad.

You get the picture, folks. I'm never a man of few words, but I'm saying that parity has reigned supreme. There isn't a single team with a zero in the loss column. With the 3-point shot, scholarship reductions and players leaving early, the bottom line is you have to come to play night in and night out.

Playing on someone else's floor is difficult, which is why the NCAA Tournament is a true test -- a six-game marathon and not a sprint to the winner's circle. It's going to be quite a showdown at the Final Four in New Orleans.