Todd 25 and other observations

1) Duke (10-0)
2) Ohio State (8-0)
3) UConn (8-0)
4) 'Cuse (10-0)
5) Kansas (9-0)
6) Tennessee (7-0)
7) K State (9-1)
8) Baylor (6-0)
9) Pitt (10-1)
10) G Town (9-1)
11) 'Nova (8-1)
12) Illinois (10-1)
13) Memphis (7-1)
14) Michigan State (7-3)
15) UK (7-2)
16) San Diego State (11-0)
17) BYU (10-0)
18) Louiville (8-0)
19) Missouri (8-1)
20) Purdue (9-1)
21) Notre Dame (9-1)
22) Cleveland State (12-0)
23) Cincinnati (8-0)
24) UNLV (9-1)
25) Texas A & M (9-1)


*In the last post I kicked around the idea of Duke running the table in the ACC and finishing the season undefeated. Last week the Dukies lost Frosh Kyrie Irvin to a toe injury. Toes are important to a PG and he is out indefinately. While this hurts the undefeated talk, Duke is still the best team in the land, they just are not as explosive or deep without Irvin. Irvin has been the best Frosh PG so far this season. I see 1 - 2 losses in the ACC, none at Camron.

*Michigan State was my preseason number one team in college basketball. They already have 3 losses and it isn't Christmas yet. However, I would bye the Spartains now. The 3 losses have come at the hands of 3 potential Final Four teams (Duke, UConn, and Syracuse.) Adding to this is the fact that they played Duke at Camron, and 'Cuse at MSG. UConn was in Maui, still not a 'home' atmoshere for MSU. The Spartains are still one of the top 2 teams in the Big Ten and a top 7 or 8 team in College Basketball, the record just doesn't look like it now.

*The Big East climbs to the top of the conference power rankings (again). UConn, 'Cuse, G Town, 'Nova, Louiville, Notre Dame, and Cincy are playing like top teams this year. The Big East tourny is always one of the best if not the best. This season should be no different. I still think they fall short come March. I see UConn and 'Cuse as the only national powerhouses in the conference.

*The Mountain West will produce this year's "George Mason/Butler" program. San Diego State, BYU, and UNLV are in the conversation but I see BYU playing that card, lead by future pro Jimmer Fredette. He's super talented and hard to guard. Come tourny time I think they are the toughest out because of Fredette's scoring and passing ability.

Some non-College Basketball observations...

*Cliff Lee to the Phillies? From what seemed like nowhere the Phills land the best pitching free agent in the 2010-2011 free agency period. Lee, 5 years $100 million, is now put right beside another ace in Roy Halliday creating the best one-two in the MLB. If the Phillies make another playoff appearance this year, these two guys might bring another World Series trophy home. Passing on resigning Jayson Werth seems worth it to Phills fans now. They got Lee cheaper then the Nats got Werth. They got Lee cheaper then both offers from the Yankees and the Rangers. Philly goes back to the top spot in the National League.

*While watching GSP Koscheck 2 on repeat Monday, I was more impressed with the best pound for pound fighter in the world, GSP. He blinded Koscheck with a straight left in the early going. This sealed Koscheck's fate. The next 24 minutes GSP was landing jab and hook, after jab and hook while Koscheck couldn't see them coming and only landed a couple of take downs of his own with little fan fair. Who is next at 170? It seems like GSP is ready for the pound for pound super fight with Anderson Silva, but Silva has Belfort and Okami lined up to face him. Another GSP Fitch? Probably.

*Shogun Rua vs. Rashaad Evans for the 205 title was announced for March. I like Evans to recapture the gold. This would set up Rua vs. Rampage for a shot at the title.

*Reports have the Knicks as the team most likely to land Carmelo Anthony via trade. With Kentucky native, Mike D'antoni at the helm and A'mare playing the way he has so far this season for the Knicks, adding Melo could have the Knicks back in the playoffs for years to come. The NBA's Eastern Conference is stupid good. (Heat, Celtics, Magic, Bulls, and the Knicks plus Melo are all good enough to dethone the Lake Show with Kobe Bryant. The Heat and the Celts are the class of the conference though.

*Been a little while since I had a NFL power rankings. This is because the league has so much parity, its a revolving list with the same 6 teams atop the rankings.

NFC- 1) Atlanta Falcons, 2) Green Bay Packers (w Rodgers), 3) Philadelphia Eagles
AFC- 1) New England Paits, 2) Pittsburgh Steelers, 3) Baltimore Ravens

The interesting thing about the AFC's top 3 is the Paits own the Steelers, the Steelers have beat the Ravens, and the Ravens embarassed the Paits last post season. It should be interesting how these teams stack up come playoff time. I still like the Ravens.

The NFC has a couple more good teams, just less great ones. The Falcons should have homefield and they rarely lose there. The Packers are facing like without Rodgers, but maybe for only one week or so. I think the Eagles are good and they run the ball better then any Andy Reid team I can remember. However, I just have a gut feeling that Vick has a bad week during the playoffs and the Eagles are sent packing. Vick returning to Atlanta would be ratings gold. Also job security gold for the security at Atlanta. If Rodgers can come back, I'm sticking with the Pack.

*The Final Four in Fantasy Football has been decided. I see the Bounty Hunters, 12th rd kicker, and the Amish as real teams. Steelerdomination is good, not great. I just hope a guy who didn't draft his team, made 2 moves all year, and has all his FAAB budget left doesn't win. Regardless of my personal feelings, congrats to all the owners left in the playoffs. Fantasy Football is 80% owner strategy, 20% luck, and you guys played it very well this year. In September, if you told me that Arian Foster and Peyton Hillis would be the backbones of a couple potential title runs I'd say pass the left hand sticky Dave my way.