NCAA Notables: Preseason Tournaments

Paradise Jam
Big winner: New Mexico. This was a small tournament in the Virgin Islands but an important one for the Lobos. They won the whole thing by beating a hot Connecticut team ranked #21 in the country 66-60, making all 21 of their free throws. It's a vital victory because the rest of New Mexico's nonconference schedule is weak. They don't even play another tough game for until late December. Beating UConn will validate their eventual body of work.
Don't forget about: Connecticut. No one really knew what to expect from the Huskies this season, given their new head coach and postseason ban. Well, so far they're 4-1, with an upset of Michigan State and a strong showing in this tournament. Clearly they aren't going to lie down for their Big East opponents.

Maui Invitational
Big winner: Illinois. New head coach John Groce, who took Ohio to the Sweet Sixteen last year, has suddenly made the Illini unexpectedly relevant. Because Chaminade beat Texas (and Texas was supposed to be a tournament team...ouch), Illinois only had to beat USC and Chaminade to reach the finals while Butler did the hard work for them, eliminating Marquette and North Carolina. Then the Illini had no trouble dispatching Butler in the title game, 78-61. If they're really this good, the Big 10 will be a ridiculously deep conference this year.
Don't forget about: Butler. What a strange tournament they had. They needed an insane buzzer-beater to top Marquette, then blew out a top-ten team in North Carolina, then got beat easily by Illinois in the final. Despite the ups and downs, you have to consider this a very successful few days for Brad Stevens' team. Their 3-2 record doesn't do the Bulldogs justice.

Progressive Legends Classic
Big winner: Georgetown. The Hoyas didn't actually win the tournament -- they lost to Indiana in the title game, 82-72 in overtime. Still, they have to be proud of what they accomplished. Up against a more-hyped UCLA team, which was ranked eleventh in the country and finally playing with Shabazz Muhammad, Georgetown won with surprising ease. And they pushed the number-one-ranked Indiana Hoosiers to overtime before losing 82-72. Hoyas sophomore Otto Porter used the tournament's stage to emerge as a thrilling do-it-all star in the mold of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Georgetown is must-see TV whenever they're on, just because of Porter.
Don't forget about: UCLA. Specifically, how bad the Bruins were. Muhammad deserves time to adjust because he's just a freshman, but he isn't the only problem. The absence of a good point guard showed when the Bruins were completely stifled by Georgetown's zone defense. Plus their own defense looks awful. It wasn't a good sign that they struggled to beat Georgia in the consolation game. Arizona is the best team in the Pac-12, not UCLA.