At least at this point in the season....

Ok, they have a different look to them. But the comparison in performance can be measured in two ways; objectively, they're comparable statistics-wise to last year's team at this point. By that I mean, their is an overall balance between the two teams (ok, I'm talking blind on that one but I'd bet I'm right, lol). Additionally, this year's team is both deeper and more versatile.

Chalk that versatility up, in my opinion, to Willie Cauley Stein. This kid is everything you want a basketball player to be. I'm starting to believe that comparisons to the heretofore incomparable Wilt Chamberlain may not be out of the ballpark -- of course, it would take 4 years at UK from WCS to make that comparison anything like valid, but well, there it is and I take full responsibility for the boast -- at this point.

Transy lost almost no one from their team last year that gave AD and company a tougher game. This year's team handed essentially the same, yet more experienced, Transy team a humiliating loss.

Intangible: Cal and his philosophy are all about response to lessons taught -- remember, new young team every year -- and this year's team seems to me to noticeably more intelligent in those terms than last year's.

National Title? This team is certainly capable, but unfortunately no one team has the entire say in this day and age. They can do it. I give them better odds than last year's team at this point.