College basketball predictions: UMass picked to win Atlantic-10, Chaz Williams makes top-100 list

As the college basketball season nears, experts from around the country are starting to release their predictions. The guys at CBS Sports made picks for conference winners, Final Four participants and which squad would cut down the nets in April.

The UMass Minutemen, who finished last season with an impressive 22-11 record, were picked by staff writer Jeff Goodman to win the Atlantic-10. The other four experts were split with their winner; Doug Gottlieb picked the Butler Bulldogs, Gary Parrish and Jeff Borzello took the Va. Commonwealth Rams and Matt Norlander selected the Saint Louis Billikens.

No teams from the Atlantic-10 were picked to reach the Final Four. As for their national champion picks, the Louisville Cardinals, Arizona Wildcats, Kentucky Wildcats, Missouri Tigers and Indiana Hoosiers were all picked.

CBS Sports also released their top-100 players list for 2012-13. The group selected Chaz Williams as the 78th best player in the nation. Here is what Jeff Borzello had to say about the talented point guard.

Man, Williams is fun to watch. He is an ideal fit for the Minutemen's system, given his quickness and ability to create points off turnovers. Led the team in points and assists last season. -- J.B.