Hot takes? Or just smart?

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1. Are these actually hot takes?

Everyone needs an exhibition and some time to prep for the season. Even the guys on The Field of 68 After Dark.

Wednesday’s Bold Predictions show featured some of the usual show staples — Jeff Goodman and Rob Dauster arguing, Dauster fawning over UConn, John Henson backing UNC — but the guys needed to brush up on their takes for a Bold Predictions show. Let’s assess their performance. Are they ready for Monday?

Cam Boozer will be college basketball’s best player

Dauster and Goodman went the safe route with Braden Smith. Real bold, guys. Henson said it’ll be Donovan Dent, which keeps the focus on the Big Ten, but at least goes a little bold. Then the trio couched everything and noted if Duke’s the best team, Boozer will be the best. Boldness: Bland.

Purdue is college basketball’s best team

Dauster got scared by Purdue’s exhibition loss to Kentucky, but stuck with the Boilers. Henson likes Kentucky because “they spent the money,” while Goodman didn’t make a pick. Boldness: Meh.

Will Darryn Peterson’s be Bill Self’s best-ever player?

If we’re talking a single season, Henson agrees with Self. Dauster and Goodman said it’s an easy yes. Maybe they needed a different question. Boldness: Too obvious.

Most likely to make a Final Four: Kentucky, Louisville or Arkansas?

Not sure how this is a question for a bold prediction since all three are Final Four contenders. One of the guys shoulda said all three make it. Boldness: N/A.

Who will make the deepest tourney run: UConn or St. John’s?

Props to Henson for ignoring all the Dauster bluster. Henson’s the only one willing to go out on a limb. I’m ignoring this question.

Better season: NC State or North Carolina?

It was Henson’s turn to squirm, though he correctly noted that expectations are different for these two programs. The Heels are supposed to finish in the top two. If State finishes in the top 3? Great season. Goodman picked NC State, and even wagered the result with Henson. Boldness: We’ll judge after Goodman has to replace his background photo.

Which player who’s not on the Fof68 1st or 2nd All-American teams who could win NPOY?

Goodman ID’d Ja’Kobi Gillespie (solid choice), Dauster likes Labaron Philon (also great) and Henson went with Otega Oweh (not bad). So we’re heavy on the SEC? Boldness: Medium.

Who is this year’s John Tonje, a.ka., the transfer who comes out of nowhere to star?

Dauster picked Dayton’s Keonte Jones, a fifth-year senior who’s got size and had solid production the last two years at CSUN. Goodman’s selection was Bryce Hopkins (bruh), and Henson slated Jalil Bethea (a good choice). Boldness: If not for Goodman, this was solid work all around.

Team outside the preseason Top 25 who can make the Final Four?

Dauster and Henson both like K-State as an option, while Goodman picked NC State. Boldness: Those are bold picks. It took an hour, but the guys got there. Maybe they are ready for Monday.

2. Hoyas rough up Kentucky + more exhibition results

Does the transitive property apply with exhibition basketball games? Because Georgetown may need to be ranked after beating Kentucky 84-70 on Thursday night. This came a week after UK handled No. 1 Purdue.

Need more hyperbole? This was Kentucky’s largest margin of defeat in an exhibition game since losing by 29 to the Soviet Union in 1991.

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