SnoTap's Fourth Annual Van Wilder Team

There are a few things in SnoTap's History we have stuck with through the four years. Two of them involve college basketball... One being the live blog during at least one or two days of the NCAA Tournament, the other being a Van Wilder Team where we select college basketball who have been at school for what feels like seven years or in some cases, they actually have been there for seven years. This is honestly one of my favorite things to do, and I am glad we are dong it earlier in the season versus after a month of college basketball. 

For those curious as how the list gets put together, a part of it are teams who I watch on a regular basis being a Marquette fan, another part are highly-touted recruits to still be here in their senior year and the final part is I take suggestions from friends, Twitter followers. I also vet almost all the rosters to see what we have in all of the NCAA. For the first time ever, we are adding a third team. If you are curious as to who else has made it on this team, here, is 2010-2011's squad,  2011-2012's and 2012-2013's team. 

FIRST TEAM 

Aaron Craft G Ohio State -  He might be the King of Van Wilder teams. Honestly, we have had a lot of players appear on this list, but no one to Craft's magnitude. He made headlines early with his recruitment with Bruce Pearl and Ohio State. Craft being a four-year starter, and not jumping to the league means he is a given on the Van Wilder team. I have said it before and I will say again, if Craft played for Duke, he would be the most hated player since J.J. Redick.  

Shabazz Napier G UCONN - Honestly, I was stunned to realize Bazzy still had another year left. I for sure thought Napier jumped to the league. He had a big year last season, and he returns to team up with Ryan Boatright, a contender for Van Wilder team in 2014-2015, to create a dynamic backcourt. As a Marquette fan, I am happy to not see Napier again this year. 

C.J. Fair F - Syracuse -  Seriously, how is he still here? It is becoming a thing for Syracuse to have at least one player each year. Last year it was Brandon Triche and now Fair makes in on the VWT. Fair also is holding Hakim Warrick quota of being the one Syracuse player to wear a headband so it is good to see Fair is covering all bases. 

Adreian Payne F Michigan State - I will not dog my buddy Eric whom texted me the spelling of Adreian's name and butchers it making into a female name. Payne has been here since George W. Bush has been in office. He really only started playing his sophomore year, but given his stature, Payne is always a player that comes to mind when talking Spartans basketball. 

Chris Otule C Marquette - I believe the great Marquette blog Paint Touches had a tweet on the first day of classes for Marquette that this freshman class was in eighth grade when Otule started his career at Marquette. This is exactly why he makes the Van Wilder team. I realize he had all sorts of injuries preventing him from playing out his full four years. Otule also has the honor of being 'Most likely basketball player, college or pro, you will see out on a Saturday night in Milwaukee. 

   

SECOND TEAM

Keith Appling G Michigan State - You could make an argument he deserves to be right there with Craft because Appling had so much hype coming into his freshman year. He struggled early and often leading him to his fourth year for the Spartans. I still think he could be a good NBA player. 

Brady Heslip G Baylor - Remember when Baylor got good all the sudden and Heslip, a Canadian, played a large part in it with his 3-point shooting. Heslip returns for his final year and people do not pay as much attention to the Bears as they did in years past minus Issac Austin yet Heslip is still hanging around.

Russ Smith G Louisville - I would like to congratulate Russ Smith on winning the Edgar Sosa Scholarship for being the Louisville player who it has been here for the last decade. I could not believe Russ Smith had another year left until I remember his dad tried to force him to go pro.  

Doug McDermott F Creighton - Interesting selection here, but given his last couple years, you would have thought he would be in the league by now. My guess is McDermott would have been a top 20 pick last season. I guess he wants to play for dad again which I do not know if I could handle four years of my pops bitching at me what to do. 

Patric Young F Florida - I honestly part of the season why some of these players make the Van Wilder team is my remembrance of them as freshman in March. Young was heavily involved in the Florida team that lost to Butler in the Elite Eight his freshman year. Young is still there, great player, I like his game. . 

THIRD TEAM
Tim Frazier G Penn State - This is one I am doing for buddy Voeltz whom suggested it saying 'It has felt like he's been there since I have been 10 years old.'  Now I am not the biggest B1G fan so I do not not find myself watching Penn State games, but Frazier is a name I have heard before so I will give this one to Mr. Voeltz.

Sean Kilpatrick G Cincinnati - Another player I am happy Marquette will not have to see this year. Kilpatrick hails from New York City and the reason I know that is they would always talk about it during the Big East Tournament. Guess that worry is nonexistent as well.

Khyle Marshall F Butler - He should probably be in the first team, and I cannot legitimately believe he is still a college basketball. I also cannot believe there is an h in his name. Marshall was a huge part of Butler's two National Runners-up appearances.

Wally Judge F Rutgers - I have no idea why I have such fond memories of Kansas State teams but I do. Remember Judge played as a freshman with Frank Martin and the boys at K-State. He transferred when Martin left and is now at Rutgers. Judge never a star on the court, but is a star when it comes to his name.  

Jerrone Maymon F Tennessee - To think, if Maymon stayed at Marquette, Golden Eagles would have had two players on the list. Related, Tim Maymon is a first-team Van Wilder Dad team as parents who live through their children. 

Honorable Mention: Baye Kata C (Syracuse), Markel Brown G (Oklahoma State), Leslie McDonald G (North Carolina) Joe Jackson G (Memphis), Markel Starks F (Georgetown), Talib Zanna F (Pittsburgh), Will Spradling G (Kansas State), Nate Lubick F (Georgetown), Will Sheehey G (Indiana), Wear Twins F (UCLA), Ben Brust G (Wisconsin) Grant Gibbs F (Creighton), Mike Moser F (Oregon) 

I'm sure I missed someone, feel free to tweet me (@SnoTap12) or leave it in the comment section.

Charlie.