by Eddie Mayrose

As soon as the dust settled on the South Carolina Gamecocks’ upset victory over previously unbeaten Alabama, the BCS spin doctors kicked into high gear while trying to protect what they perceive to be the integrity of the controversial system used to determine college football’s national championship.

Strength of schedule is the most common, and tired, argument offered as the reason schools from conferences that don’t automatically qualify for the BCS should not be part of the equation.  As if a one-loss team from the SEC merits more consideration than Boise State, a team that’s lost but once in three seasons while winning  both of its BCS Bowl games. Or a TCU squad that was two seconds away from playing for last year’s title.  Had Nebraska held on in the Big XII title game, the Horned Frogs would’ve squared off with Alabama instead of the overmatched Longhorns.  Then there’s Utah, sporting a 9-2 record against BCS opponents since 2007 and, before Saturday,  the last team to beat Alabama.

Until a playoff system is established, (don’t hold your breath), the championship of college football will always be tainted.  Worse, the current system is little more than a conspiracy among the BCS conferences to keep the television dollars in their own pockets while college football fans are cheated of the games they’d really like to see.  As for Boise, TCU, Utah and Nevada, they’ll have to keep smacking the overrated BCS schools around and hope that someone notices.

CollegeSportsView.com Top 25

1  Boise State  (5-0)
2  Oregon  (6-0)
3  TCU  (6-0)
4  Nebraska  (5-0)
5  Ohio State  (6-0)
6  Oklahoma  (5-0)
7  Utah  (5-0)
8  South Carolina  (4-1)
9  Alabama  (5-1)
10 Auburn  (6-0)
11 LSU  (6-0)
12 Stanford (5-1)
13 Nevada  (6-0)
14 Oklahoma State  (5-0)
15 Michigan State   (6-0)
16 Missouri  (5-0)
17 Arizona  (4-1)
18 Florida State  (5-1)
19 Arkansas  (4-1)
20 Wisconsin (5-1)
21 Iowa  (4-1)
22 NC State  (5-1)
23 Air Force  (5-1)
24 Kansas State  (4-1)
25 Oregon State  (3-2)

Five to Watch

Michigan  (5-1)
Florida  (4-2)
Northwestern  (5-1)
Texas  (3-2)
Miami (Fla)  (3-2)

“The ball is tipped…”  The opening words to ” One Shining Moment” are so inspiring this time of year.

Tomorrow tips off the premier day for college basketball. Day 1 of the NCAA tournament. Long lunches, streaming videos on computer work screens, and even a “sick” day will all be common occurrences as The Big Dance gets underway.

Before diving into the college basketball bracket, here’s a few quick points that stand out about Selection Sunday :

Virginia Tech basketball fans were left out of the NCAA tournament despite a 23-8 (10-6) record

Any Hokie fan who jumps on the “raw deal”  bandwagon led by Dickie V should know that Virginia Tech’s resume of wins include : #249  NC Greensboro, #254 Delaware (in ot) , #275 Brown, #304 Charleston Southern, #317 VMI, #318 MD Baltimore County, and #338  North Carolina Central . This collection of wins is a main part of the reason Virginia Tech is non conference strength of schedule ranks an abysmal 318th (all ratings by kenpom.com). After being left sitting on the side with a glass of punch while everyone else is dancing in the middle for the second straight season maybe Seth Greenberg will get the memo : PLAY TOUGH TEAMS…

Mississippi State listens to T and 2 but doesn’t turn out well

Opting to follow the sacred belief that fouling up three is always a good thing, Mississippi State basketball fans saw a rare occurrence. Kentucky was able to in fact hit the first,miss the second, get the rebound and score to force overtime. Readers were quick to email asking, ” Still believe you should foul up three ? ” To which I responded, ” Name me any other time you’ve seen that happen.” Aside from Sunday’s miracle….no one had ever seen fouling up three come back to haunt someone. So the T&2 still strongly supports the theory.

Duke leapfrogs Syracuse to get #3 overall seed.

I’m a Duke fan, and I’m still not sure I can support this.

*-If you’re wondering as to why Duke gets the play-in game but Kansas is the #1 overall seed, it’s because Kansas’s first round site plays on Thursday and the NCAA gives the play in winner two days before their first round game. Since Kansas and Kentucky (the #2 overall seed ) both open up on Thursday, it was shifted down to Duke who opens up on Friday.

West Virginia and Ohio State win conference tourneys but it doesn’t help

I was pretty sure that watching the West Virginia and Ohio State basketball communities celebrate as conference champions this weekend meant it had helped their seed. After seeing the brackets released, I quickly wondered how things had gone so wrong. Based on the logic that the strongest 1 seed plays the weakest 2 seed, Ohio State basketball fans  should have a serious gripe that they are ranked 8th overall according to the bracket. Paired in a region with the tournament favorite Kansas Jayhawks, the Buckeyes are at a huge disadvantage. In addition to Kansas, a likely Sweet Sixteen date with Georgetown is not picnic either.

De’Sean Butler was thrilled to be wearing a championship t-shirt (which was thankfully spelled correctly this time) Saturday night, but I imagine he was just as displeased on Sunday night, seeing that his Mountaineers squad was paired with #2 overall Kentucky. I cannot fathom how winning The Big East, clearly the country’s best conference, tournament can push you to #7 overall. Looks like it will be up to Butler’s heroics and Bob Huggins to take down John “never actually been to a Final Four” Calipari, John “one and done” Wall and Kentucky.

Now for the brackets.

Midwest Region

First Round

Kansas – Lehigh -

Advice to any Lehigh parents or Lehigh basketball historians in attendance : If Lehigh jumps out to a 2-0 lead to open the game take a picture of the scoreboard, you’re going to need proof to show your kids you were actually ahead in this game. Kansas in a blowout.

UNLV-Northern Iowa-

The Mountain West Conference seems to be the conference to make the most noise in this year’s dance, but Northern Iowa has been on our radar since January. Northern Iowa is the pick.

You’ll never find the  T and 2 picking against Michigan State basketball and guru Tom Izzo in the First Round.

Love Houston’s story, and the spark of Brooklyn’s Zamal Nixon off the bench but Gary Williams, Grevais Vasquez and Maryland prevail.

Bruce Pearl’s 5-4 NCAA tournament record is as suspect as his suit choices. In a top heavy bracket like this, San Diego State is the best bet to shake things up. It makes even more sense to take a risk on the Aztecs when looking at second round foe Georgetown who would roll over Tennessee anyway. Take a chance on Steve Fisher to find some more NCAA magic, but don’t pencil them in any further than the second round.

James Anderson (22.6 ppg ) is the stud for Oklahoma State basketball, and Derrick Favors (12.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg) is a stud for Georgia Tech. Take your pick on who will outshine the other… The T and 2 likes Oklahoma State to win.

Surf’s up on Saturday for UC Santa Barbara on Saturday after a first round Friday night loss to Ohio State and Evan Turner, who will mostly likely “hang ten”…..actually “hang 30″ the way he scores.

Second Round

Rock Chalk Jayhawk as Kansas rolls over Northern Iowa, likely meeting Maryland, who takes down a crippled Michigan State squad, in the Sweet Sixteen.

No hesitation by the T & 2  to pencil Georgetown and Ohio State into the Sweet Sixteen.

Sweet Sixteen

I’ve praised Maryland basketball recently for becoming an elite team this season, mostly in part to Grevais Vasquez’s amazing play, but a matchup vs Kansas clearly becomes : great player vs great team. We will always take the great team. Kansas is the pick.

Can you say slug fest? Georgetown and Ohio State are two teams who can really defend and slow things down. Aside from the get it go play of Evan Turner, this game will be interesting to watch unfold. Unlike the Kansas-Maryland match up, G-town and Ohio State matched two similarly talented teams separated by Ohio State’s Evan Turner. When looking at a match up of equal teams, we’ll always predict the best player to decide things late. Ohio State to the Elite Eight.

Regional Final

Evan Turner is phenomenal but Kansas is loaded. Despite a loaded region, Kansas should return to the Final Four.

West Region

No Taylor Coppenrath heroics can ruin this one. Syracuse advances despite the loss of Arinze Onuaku.

A West Coast Conference Championship game loss to St.Mary’s seriously cost Gonzaga basketball a better seed. Under seeded as an 8, expect a Gonzaga romp over Florida State coming from a weak ACC.

Butler has won 20 in a row.UTEP won 16 in a row before being knocked off by Houston in the Conference USA championship game. Both teams come into the clash hot, but look for UTEP’s front line of 6-11 Arnett Moultrie, 6-11 Claude Britten, and leading man 6-9 Derrick Caracter to cause the undersized Butler team trouble. UTEP in an upset special.

Not overly-impressed by Vandy, but love the fact that Murray State’s top six scorers average 10.6, 10.5, 10.4, 10.4, 10.3, and 9.5 ppg. The Racers clearly share the ball and will likely share a victory. Murray State to the second round.

Xavier sends home Minnesota,an overrated Big Ten team ….SHOCKER.

The Oakland Zoo of Pitt gets the best of Oakland.

BYU crushes Florida, and Kansas State takes care of North Texas.

Second Round

Don’t think Syracuse and Jim Boeheim will just walk  into the Sweet Sixteen. Gonzaga was a top ten team in January and aside from inexcusable losses to San Fransisco, and Loyola Marymount. The Zag’s other four losses are all to NCAA tournament teams :Michigan State, Wake Forest, Duke,and a recent blowout from St.Mary’s.  The real question is which Gonzaga team will show up ? With Syracuse down a man, the core of Matt Bouldin , Elias Harris and Steven Gray could make under seeded Gonzaga a real sleeper here, but I’m still not confident they will get everything together. Syracuse escapes.

UTEP continues it’s run into the Sweet Sixteen over Murray State’s balanced attack.

No Levance Fields to take the last shot this time. Xavier gets revenge eliminating Pitt and Jamie Dixon who deserves much credit for everything he’s done with a team supposedly “rebuilding” .

It’s very simple. The winner of the BYU-Kansas State game is going to the Final Four. BYU’s offensive (12th) and defensive (21st) efficiency pop off the page for a 7 seed, but Kansas State’s offensive (16th) and defensive (19th) numbers are impressive as well. Jimmer Fredette is something to watch for the Cougars, but Jacob Pullen of Kansas State can stroke it too. I’m itching to pick BYU, but Kansas State seems to have the extra notch but I won’t be shocked if BYU pulls it off.

Sweet Sixteen

Syracuse fans should be thrilled to see 12 seed UTEP as a Sweet Sixteen matchup. Onuaku should be healthy by this time, and Syracuse picks up the win.

Xavier is never one to be an easy out so expect a dogfight here vs Kansas State, but put K State on your next line.

Regional Final

This year’s bracket is extremely top heavy. Aside from 2-3 teams, the true title contenders are the 1-3 seeds, so do not rule out a 2008 repeat of all 1 seeds in the Final Four. I don’t see it happening this year as Kansas State takes down Syracuse.

If you’re really hot on Syracuse, take note to the fact that since Syracuse’s 1996 Championship game appearance, Boeheim has seen his Orange squad in the NIT 4 times(twice in the last 3), lose in the NCAA first round 3 times(2 of the three in 05, and 06), lose in the second round once,  make 4 Sweet Sixteens and capture a National Championship(2003).  One begins to wonder if Carmelo Anthony had gone straight to the NBA, how quickly could we call Jim Boehiem a tournament underachiever ?  It’s worth pondering when looking at the Orange’s injured center, and roadblocks of Gonzaga, and Kansas State.

South Region

Duke’s second five could beat Arkansas Pine Bluff.

Cal was actually my pre-season favorite to make the Final Four. T & 2 reader Nolan Adams has done his best to continue to remind me of that every chance he gets. On paper, the Bears looked and still look like a good team. A disastrous stretch early doomed them. With all that talent, I would expect a win over Louisville as a nice way to salvage the season.

Not good that Texas A&M is matched against Utah State in Spokane, which gives the underdog a big advantage. Will be extremely close but look for a year of Big Twelve wars under their belts to allow Texas A&M to escape.

Can a 13 seed actually be favored to win ? Seems like it as everyone and their mother is taking Siena…me included. The Saints will need Ryan Rossister to be extremely efficient inside for the upset.

A conference rarely runs the table in the opening round, even a conference as good as The Big East. Look for Notre Dame to be the second causality as Old Dominion pulls off the upset. The Big East still comes out overly impressive with a 6-2 record over the first two days.

Baylor takes down Sam Houston State with ease.

The selection committee gets an eyebrow raise from me after seeing two quality mid majors, Richmond and St.Mary’s, paired together. To me it makes sense to switch up this 7-10 match up with the 7-10 Oklahoma State- Georgia Tech game of two major conference teams. Why not mix up the two ? We’ll never know if it was the committee’s intention or if they really don’t like seeing mid majors succeed.  Aside from the seeding gripe, this game is going to be one to watch. St.Mary’s is hot off a spanking of Gonzaga, and Richmond comes flying out of the A-10. Kevin Anderson is the key here, the Richmond point guard is truly special. Watch him take this one over.

Villanova and Jay Wright (likely seen with his flashy suit and shiny hair)  send Robert Morris home.

Second Round

Duke joins Syracuse as a 1 seed with a scary 2nd round game. Regardless if it’s California, or Louisville they will be facing, Duke will be challenged. I think it will be Cal, who I feel is very talented with a good back court of Jerome Randle and Patrick Christopher. Duke is playing at their best, and I think they will survive….barely.

Texas A&M downs Siena but this will be closer than expected.

Baylor knocks off Old Dominion.

The Richmond “Spiders” will not just be getting drinks for Tommy, Henry and Jimmy in this tournament. Expect them to be “made men” after an upset of Villanova. For everything you expect Scottie Reynolds to do for Nova’ expect Anderson to do the same if not more. He’s that good. Richmond to crash the Sweet Sixteen.

Sweet 16

Brian Davis and David Loubeau are each 6’9 and will challenge the Blue Devils inside, but expect Duke’s shooting to let them live another day.

The Big 12 this year is what the Big East was last year. Baylor keeps boosting the conference’s resume with an Elite Eight appearance knocking off Richmond.

Regional Final

Duke’s already hated in college basketball. It’s what’s happens in all of sports. People hate the Yankees, people hate the Cowboys, people hate Duke, and the Yankees, Cowboys, and Duke all know it. The fact that Duke got the easiest road only adds to the hatred, but I advise you to put that hatred aside when predicting this year’s tournament because Duke is a different team. They don’t have a go to star like Evan Turner or De’Sean Butler, but they have the best trio in the country. Another stat to consider is Duke’s efficiencies.  

Duke currently ranks 2nd and 5th in Offensive and Defensive efficiencies respectively. The only other team who ranks in the top 5 in both categories this season…Kansas. The last time Duke ranked in the top 5 in both categories ? 2004…..the last time Duke appeared in the Final Four. I’m a Duke fan, but even if you’re not…these numbers speak volumes. Kyle Singer, Nolan Smith, John Scheyer-face and Duke head back to the Final Four.

East Region

Kentucky slams East Tennessee State.

I guess someone has to win Texas vs Wake Forest, although based on how awful each have been this season I wouldn’t be surprised if both lost. Texas is the pick.

I consider Jay Bilas the best analyst in all of college basketball, but his plan to put Cornell in the Sweet Sixteen is a little bit of a stretch in my mind. I also think Cornell is likely to be picked by a large number of people, so selecting Temple is a value pick.

Bo Ryan and Tom Izzo’s consistency to running successful programs are the only thing that makes the Big Ten tolerable. Wisconsin defeats Wofford.

Big East is great, Marquette lives in close games, Pac Ten stinks…seems pretty simple.

New Mexico easily takes care of Montana.

ACC struggled this year, with disappointing Clemson as the “they were suppose to be good” poster boys of the conference. Missouri uses Big 12 experience to will out an ugly one.

Bob Huggins can bring out his most comfortable sweat suit because this one will be an easy win for West Virginia.

Second Round

Kentucky vs Texas as a second round matchup. I never would have guessed this in January..you know when Texas was actually winning games. Kentucky and John Wall cause Rick Barnes to walk off the court shaking his head wondering where he went wrong and not stop for the next three months.

Bo Ryan’s NCAA Tournament record = 11-8.  Fran Dunphy’s NCAA Tournament Record = 1-11. Wisconsin with the win.

Expect close games from Marquette throughout the tournament, and Marquette knows it. Aside from a blowout loss to Georgetown, and a blowout win over Lousiville. Marquette’s 5-1 in their last six games which have all been decided by no more than 4 points, including 4 that have gone into overtime (Marquette is 3-1 in those games). New Mexico will keep it close…but that may actually help Marquette.

West Virginia dismisses Missouri.

Sweet 16

Only two Final Four teams have been ranked outside the top 25 of both Offensive and Defensive efficiencies in the last 6 seasons. Both occurred in 2006 when George Mason and LSU each snuck in. Aside from those two, the formula for a Final Four is simple, be ranked in the top 25 of both categories. Kentuky is ranked in both(OE-18 DE-11) , but so is Wisconsin (OE-13, DE-7). I think John Wall’s too good, and Kentucky wins but do not be shocked if Wisconsin takes this one. I’m still on the fence….

The Big East has been “anyone beats anyone” type of conference all year, and there’s no denying West Virginia owns the best player on the floor in De’Sean Butler, but Lazar Hayward and Jimmy Butler are damn good too. Marquette wins a tough game close….which is becoming their specialty.

Regional Final

Want nothing more than to root against John Calipari but his group of one and dones are too good. Not bright…but good. Kentucky does “The John Wall Dance” into the Final Four.

Final Four

Get ready to hear “how hard it is to beat  team 4 times”, it will most likely be during Kansas’s celebration after the defeat Kansas State….for the fourth time.

2005 was the last NCAA Championship I can remember two absolute dominant one seeds meeting in the Final. Illinois took on UNC and everyone pretty much saw it coming.

1999 was another year where it was only a matter of time before the two powers of the tournament, Duke and UCONN, decided the title.

This year looks extremely similar. Kansas and Kentucky are better than every other team in this bracket…by  a big margin. Everything about placing them in the NCAA Championship Game makes sense.

The one thing that makes me hesitate is that I can’t see Calipari getting to a title game and then losing it again. I believe that there’s only a certain amount of times a coach  can get his team close and lose before he eventually wins. Think about it. It was true for Boeheim, it was true for Roy Williams, and it was true for Bill Self. I think if Kentucky gets to the Championship, the theory comes true for John Calipari. So it seems logical to pick Kentucky, although I just can’t seem to pick Kentucky after watching how dominant Kansas is. I think everything is in the cards for them to take home the title, and I’m confident they will.Which is why I pick Duke to knock off Kentucky, and Kansas to be the 2010 NCAA National Champions.

Evaluating the picks

After examining credible criteria for recent NCAA Champions and Final Four teams, I found the most consistent stats  are :

Final Four teams ranking in the Top 25 in Offensive and Defensive Efficiency

My picks of Kansas (OE-1 DE-4),  Kentucky (OE-18 DE-11), Duke (OE-2 DE-5) and Kansas State (OE-15 DE-17) all stack up to the criteria.

Champions have 3 future pro’s

Gary Parrish is the biggest advocate of this theory. After researching the last 40 NCAA champions Parrish found that one NCAA Championship team had less than three players to play in the NBA at some point. The team was 2003 Syracuse.

My pick of Kansas has three future first rounders according to mock drafts.

• Champions are 1 seeds

Sounds silly but dating back to 1985 (the tourney’s expansion to 64) 16 of the past 25 (64 %)  NCAA Champions have been #1 seeds including the last three years.

Good luck with your bracket. Enjoy the games and as always foul up three.

There’s something to be said for karma.  Just days after banishing husband and uncle, Gil Lock, from the very handicapping column founded to feature his expertise, Jill and Pad Lock suffered through their worst weekend of the season.  Jill, who had been rolling along at a two to one clip, turned in an oh for three stinker; her first of the year.  Nephew Pad didn’t fare much better; registering just a single win. Realizing they had ticked off the football gods by mistreating Gil just before the start of the all important Bowl Season, they decided to correct the situation and invite Gil back to the team.

“We never felt right about firing Gil”, said his wife, Jill.  “I mean, he’s a sports handicapper.  It’s what he does. What else is he going to do, work in a supermarket? He had a bad stretch and we overreacted.”  Pad echoed the sentiment, saying, “Uncle Gil has always been good to me. I hated to let him go but Aunt Jill wanted to protect her record.  Not much to protect now, I guess.”

Gil, while overjoyed at the news, was still feeling a little low after some personal misadventures took their toll.  “I’ve been pulled over a number of times by Jersey State Troopers because I look like the guy who punched Snookie on Jersey Shore.  They usually notice I’m not the guy after I form a few complete sentences but, the last time, I got in over my head.”  “I have a buddy who’s a guido”, said Gil, “and this cop pulls me over with him in the car.”  “He takes one look at Phil’s hair gel and general, torpedo demeanor and assumes he’s ‘The Situation’”, Gil continued.  “I tried to explain that Phil’s nickname is, actually, ‘The Altercation’ and that the officer  was mistaken; but he wasn’t buying.”  “Finally, the cop, knowing that the real ‘Situation’ has six-pack abs, asked Phil to roll up his sleeveless tee.”  “As soon as he saw that Phil’s six-pack was actually a half keg, he let us go.”  Asked if he harbored any ill will toward his wife and nephew, Gil was gracious.  “Nah.  I’m just happy to be back.”   And, with that,  here’s how the Locks see the Bowl Season:

Locks of the Week(s)

Before we get to their individual selections, we present the Locks’ consensus picks along with this insight from Gil:  “The Big Ten is as overrated a conference as I’ve ever seen, yet, they get two BCS bids and two New Year’s games.  Now try and tell me the system doesn’t need to be changed.”  “We at Ryno Rife Sports Handicappers  have no confidence in any Big Ten teams or coaches, especially Penn State and Paterno, and have decided to pick against every one of them.”

Champs Sports Bowl

(12/29-8PM-ESPN) Miami - 2 1/2 over Wisconsin

Insight Bowl

(12/31-6PM-NFL Network) Iowa State +3 over Minnesota

Outback Bowl

(1/1-11AM-ESPN) Auburn -8 over Northwestern

Capital One Bowl

(1/1-1PM-ABC) LSU +2 1/2 over Penn State

Rose Bowl

(1/1-4:30PM-ABC) Oregon – 3 1/2 over Ohio State

Alamo Bowl

(1/2-9PM-ESPN) Texas Tech - 6 1/2 over Michigan State

Orange Bowl

(1/5-8PM-FOX) Georgia Tech – 3 1/2 over Iowa
 

Jill Locks (22-12)

Poinsettia Bowl

(12/23-8PM-ESPN) California -3 over Utah

Little Caesar’s Pizza Bowl

(12/26-1PM-ESPN) Ohio-Marshall UNDER 50

Eagle Bank Bowl

(12/29-4:30PM-ESPN)  UCLA -4 over Temple

Humanitarian Bowl

(12/30-4:30PM-ESPN) Bowling Green-Idaho OVER 68 1/2

Sun Bowl

(12/31-2PM-CBS) Stanford +10 over Oklahoma

Pad Locks (10-6)

Meineke Bowl

-(12/26-4:30PM-ESPN) Pittsburgh -3 over North Carolina

Emerald Bowl

(12/26-8PM-ESPN) Boston College-USC OVER 45 1/2

Texas Bowl

(12/31-1PM-ESPN) Navy +9 over Missouri

Sugar Bowl

(1/1-8:30PM-FOX)  Cincinnati +10 1/2 over Florida

Alamo Bowl

(1/2-9PM-ESPN) Texas Tech-Michigan State OVER 60 1/2

Gil Locks (11-16-1)

New Mexico Bowl

(12/19-4:30PM-ESPN)  Wyoming +10 1/2 over Fresno State

Las Vegas Bowl

(12/22-8PM-ESPN) Oregon State – 1 1/2 over BYU

Armed Forces Bowl

(12/31-12PM-ESPN)  Air Force + 4 1/2 over Houston

Cotton Bowl

(1/2-2PM-FOX) Mississippi -3 over Oklahoma State

Fiesta Bowl

(1/4-8PM-FOX) TCU -8 over Boise State

Citi BCS National Championship Game

Thursday, January 7 – 8PM – ABC   
Alabama 3 1/2 Texas

Jill: Alabama: Can’t see Nick Saban losing after a month of preparation.
Pad: Texas: Big 12 Football is underrated. The Horns will catch Bama sleeping.
Gil: Texas: Nobody giving Texas a chance; which is my favorite scenario.

Season Record

43-34-1

Is it possible to blow a billion bucks in just two weeks?   Tiger Woods may be in the process of answering that very question right now.  Since driving into a fire hydrant on Thanksgiving night, we’ve found out a lot about how Tiger may have been entertaining himself off the course.  True or not, you can bet that those sponsors that originally stood behind him are having second thoughts as each alleged dalliance is revealed.  As it is, not one commercial featuring Woods has appeared in prime time since the story began.   If he can’t stop the bleeding somehow, his wife and family may not be the only things he loses.

New York Knicks Sit Nate And Go On Tear
If Knicks’ head coach Mike D’Antoni does nothing else during the regular season, he’s already won me over with his benching of Nate Robinson; his super-talented and super-childish guard.  Robinson is a classic case of a player that just doesn’t get it. He defended his role in a brawl with the Nuggets as a reaction to the fact that Denver was, essentially, running up the score and seeking to embarrass New York.  Then, after that philosophy earned him a ten game suspension, he was lambasted by Knicks’ coach Isiah Thomas for a ridiculously comical dunk attempt in a close game that resulted in a traveling violation.  Contradicting his earlier stance and showing no remorse, he claimed that, net time, he’d wait until the Knicks were up twenty before he tried it.

This season, his second under D’Antoni, Nate finally pushed too hard when he intentionally shot the ball at the wrong basket against New Jersey and spent most of the pre game warmups vs. Orlando fraternizing with his buddy, Dwight Howard.   D’Antoni, having seen enough, banished Robinson to the bench and sent the 4-14 Knicks into their hottest streak of the season.

Robinson has no idea how to play a winning brand of basketball. He’s  a player that thinks the outcome of a game is incidental to the way he plays, not a direct result.  As such, he’s as unwatchable as any player in the league and the first guy that should be shown the door when the housecleaning begins next summer.

New York Yankees Trade for Granderson
About a year ago, the Yankees made what looked to be a safety-net type of trade with the White Sox in acquiring Nick Swisher.  Swisher, who can play all three outfield positions as well as first base, provided the Bombers some protection in case they couldn’t sign Mark Teixeira.  More than that, however, they’d acquired a player with a team-first mentality whose personality would be an asset to the team in the clubhouse as well as on the field.  Swisher quickly became a fan favorite and flourished at the bottom of New York’s order.  He was a huge part of their World Championship; a throwback who’d have been just as comfortable with Joe Torre’s Yanks as he was with Joe Girardi’s.  Swisher debunked the “rotisserie baseball” style of filling out a roster that had been employed by the Yankees over the last decade and brought back some of the grinding temperament that hadn’t been seen since Paul O’Neill and Tino Martinez left town.   Perhaps realizing the secret of his success, GM Brian Cashman made a similar move this week in grabbing Curtis Granderson from the Tigers.  He comes to the Bronx with a better resume than Swisher but is a very similar player.  Young, handsome and quick witted, he’ll be the object of fan affection the moment he steps on the field and should be equally as popular in the clubhouse.  Looks like Cashman has finally realized the value of good chemistry.

Fordham Basketball Coach Whittenburg Fired
Just five games into the season, Fordham University decided to dismiss men’s basketball coach, Dereck Whittenburg.  Coming off a disastrous 3-25 campaign, school athletic officials were hoping for a much better start from their Rams than four losses in the first five games.  So, after a twenty four point loss to neighborhood rival, Manhattan College, Whittenburg was shown the door. Fordham announced that a national search would commence immediately.

They can look all they want, even bring back Digger Phelps;  it won’t solve the biggest problem facing their basketball program.  Fordham, as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference, is in way over its head; a point driven home on Sunday by its former MAAC opponent, Manhattan.  In the world of big-time college hoops, Fordham is a relatively small school with very little success as part of its history.  They have no geographic rivals within the conference and generate little or no interest among fans in New York City.  As part of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, however, they enjoyed rivalries with the aforementioned Jaspers and Iona while receiving  infinitely more local coverage.  You won’t see too many fans or reporters headed to Rose Hill on a cold February night for a Fordham-Saint Louis matchup.  Though, on the same night, Draddy Gym will have twice as many people for a Manhattan-Iona clash.  For some reason,(money), Fordham officials decided to leave the MAAC and signed on to be sacrificial lambs to the likes of A-10 powers Xavier, Dayton, St. Joseph’s, LaSalle and Temple; all programs with national reputations.  To expect a head coach to compete with those teams while also fighting a recruiting war at home with six other Division I programs is asking for too much.  That’s if he even chooses to fight that war in the first place.

While any coach would be behind the eight ball at Fordham, Whittenburg did have a hand in his own undoing.  A perusal of the Rams’ roster shows only one player from New York City; Alberto Estwick of Brooklyn.  Despite the fact that the New York Catholic High School League is considered the best in the nation, not one grad from among its members plays at Fordham.  Even Estwick played in New Jersey.  Legendary St. John’s coach, Lou Carnesecca, used to joke that his recruiting budget was a handful of subway tokens as his roster was made up mostly of city kids.  How’d he do with that strategy?  Current Johnnies’ head man, Norm Roberts,  has struggled almost as much as Whittenburg in his tenure; mainly due to his inability to recruit in his own backyard.   Ironically, Whittenburg’s last defeat came at the hands of Manhattan coach Barry Rohrssen, formerly Pitt’s chief recruiter who made a living bringing New York players to Pittsburgh after they were ignored by their hometown colleges.   I’ve attended better than a hundred CHSAA games over the last eight years.  Rohrssen is a fixture.  I’ve never seen Whittenburg.

Fordham’s got a long road ahead on its way to hoop respectability; something it may never accomplish no matter how earnest the effort.  The first step taken should be toward a head coach with a New York reputation who’ll bring city players to Rose Hill and start to generate interest among Big Apple hoop fans. A few regular season games at The Garden wouldn’t hurt either. Until then, however, they’re just boys among men.  No matter who’s running the program.

Does BCS Stand For “Boise Can’t Stay”?

Fans of the College Football Bowl season were spared a post-season stinker last Saturday when Oklahoma State was drubbed by Oklahoma 27-0 and saw its BCS aspirations dashed. Those in the know expected that State would receive a bid to the Fiesta Bowl; creating a matchup with one of the Big Ten’s overrated, weak sisters, Iowa or Penn State. Representatives of the Fiesta Bowl were prepared to snub an undefeated Boise State squad for the second consecutive year and completely ignore the Broncos’ heroics in their 2007 Fiesta victory over Oklahoma; possibly the best Bowl Game ever played.

It’s a ridiculous system employed by the NCAA when it comes to football. There are playoffs at every level except the highest, where multiple teams with unbeaten records are denied an opportunity to play for a title. That one of College Football’s most successful teams needed help to get an invite over a school with three losses is as ridiculous as it gets. We’ll count our blessings, however, that things broke the right way and saved Fiesta Bowl officials from their own stupidity.                                                                                                                        

Conference Championship Weekend

Five of the six BCS conferences will have their championships decided this weekend; three in conference title games and two by way of convenient scheduling. Only the Big Ten, wrapped up a few weeks ago by Ohio State, won’t crown a champ on Saturday. In addition, Army and Navy will battle for the Commander-in-Chief Trophy in Philadelphia while Johns Hopkins travels to Delaware for the Division III quarterfinals. Johns Hopkins? Read on.

SEC Football Championship: Florida vs. Alabama

This is the one we’ve waited for all year as the two schools have been ranked 1 and 2 for most of the season. The anticipation seems to have distracted fans from the fact that both have suffered lapses; especially the Crimson Tide. Florida football fans expect the world from QB Tim Tebow but will have the title delivered by the Gators’ dominating defense, especially if ‘Bama RB Mark Ingram can’t rebound from the bruised hip that limited him to just 39 yards vs. Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
Florida 23 – Alabama 13

ACC Football Championship Game: Clemson vs. Georgia Tech                                                 

Both teams come off disappointing losses in intra-state rivalry games; perhaps caught looking ahead to this rematch. Georgia Tech knocked off Clemson in Week 2 on a last second field goal that gave the Yellowjackets a 30-27 win. Clemson will look to RB C.J. Spiller to pull the upset but Tech’s Josh Nesbitt will lead his squad to the Orange Bowl.
Georgia Tech 34 – Clemson 27

Big 12 Football Championship Game: Texas vs. Nebraska

Heisman front runner Colt McCoy should have no trouble continuing the recent Texas football tradition of playing for a National Championship. While Nebraska has played well recently in capturing the Big 12 North title, they’ll be no match for the Longhorns.  Texas, currently enjoying its second week atop the CollegeSportsView.com Top 25, has barely been challenged in the Big 12 all season.  Saturday will be no different.
Texas 48 – Nebraska 20

Pac Ten Football Championship: Oregon vs. Oregon State

This year, the Civil War will determine who goes to the Rose Bowl. Ducks’ QB Jeremiah Masoli has emerged as the league’s most important offensive player after leading blowout wins over Cal and USC. A slip vs. Stanford served as a wakeup call, one that rang the alarm bell for Oregon’s run to Pasadena.  Their gutty, overtime win over a desperate Arizona squad on the road last week served notice as to the team’s resilience.  That they’ve managed to navigate such a tough conference without their best player, LeGarrette Blount, spells big trouble for Ohio State on New Year’s Day.   Besides, is there a college football fan anywhere that’s not waiting to see Oregon’s Rose Bowl uniforms?
Oregon 38 – Oregon State 34
 

Big East Football Championship: Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh            

While Pitt took one on the chin vs. West Virginia last week in the Backyard Brawl, the loss had no impact on its Conference Title chances. Cincinnati QB Tony Pike returned to the starting lineup and celebrated with a school record six TD passes.  However, Cincy has surrendered quite a few points over the last two weeks and can’t help but be distracted by Head Coach Brian Kelly’s flirtation with Notre Dame.  Dion Lewis runs wild as Pitt heads south for the Orange Bowl.
Pittsburgh 31 – Cincinnati 28

Army-Navy                                                                                                                                                  

It’s a good thing that the tradition is the big sell in this matchup as it’s been a long time since Army’s been able to compete in this one.  Navy’s ground attack, behind sophomore OT John Dowd, will be too much for the Cadets to handle as the Middies grab their eighth straight victory in the series.  No matter the outcome, don’t miss the singing of the Alma Maters after the game as it’s the best moment of the College Football season.  Always emotional, it’ll be the last game for the Army seniors while just a bowl game remains for the Annapolis grads before many find themselves in harm’s way.  Godspeed.                                                                                                                                                     John Dowd
Navy 37 – Army 10                                                                                                                                           

NCAA Division III Quarterfinals: Johns Hopkins vs.Wesley

It’s been a wild ride over the last two weeks as Johns Hopkins has knocked off two previously unbeaten teams on its way to the third round of the D-3 playoffs. Operating behind an offensive line led by junior guard Ryan Lino (right), the Blue Jays have gained more than 400 yards in each game with a balanced attack run by QB Hewitt Tomlin.  RB Andrew Kase has posted consecutive 100 yard games, as has WR Dan Crowley.  Their last minute heroics vs Kentucky’s St. Thomas More in Saturday’s 31-29 victory put K Alex Lachman in position for a game winning 42 yard FG as time expired.  They’ll have their hands full this week, however, taking on a Wesley team ranked third in the nation.  If Lino and Company can continue their dominance and give Tomlin enough time to throw, Crowley should turn in another big game and it’s on to the Final Four for the Hops. 
Johns Hopkins 26 – Wesley 24

CollegeSportsView Top 25

1. Texas 12-0
2. Florida 12-0
3. TCU 12-0
4. Alabama 12-0
5. Boise State 11-0
6. Cincinnati 11-0
7. Oregon 9-2
8. Ohio State 10-2
9. Georgia Tech 10-2
10.Pittsburgh 9-2
11.Virginia Tech 9-3
12.BYU 10-2
13.Oregon State 9-3
14.Miami 9-3
15.Iowa 10-2
16.LSU 9-3
17.Penn State 10-2
18.West Virginia 8-3
19.Houston 10-2
20.USC 8-3
21.Nebraska 9-3
22.Central Michigan 10-2
23.California 8-3
24.Oklahoma State 9-3
25.Stanford 8-4

Five to Watch
Johns Hopkins 10-2
Navy 8-4
Mississippi 8-4
Northwestern 8-4
North Carolina 8-4

By Eddie Mayrose

Two Point Try A Shot At USC Football Coach

November 23, 1968.  Ohio State, on its way to a National Championship, squares off with arch rival Michigan at Ohio Stadium.  Late in the game, Buckeye fullback Jim Otis blasts over the goal line to put the home team up 48-14.  Yet, instead of opting to kick the extra point, Ohio State head coach Woody Hayes decides instead to attempt a two point conversion in order to hang the half century mark on his bitter enemy.  Asked after the game why he went for two, Hayes famously responded, “Because they wouldn’t let us go for three.”

Thought of that last Saturday when Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh left his offense on the field to go for two after a touchdown gave the Cardinal a 55-21 lead over USC in the fourth quarter.  Now, I have no idea what may have been Harbaugh’s motivation; for all we know, he may have a beef with Pete Carroll dating back to their days in the NFL.  But what Harbaugh actually accomplished was pushing his team’s incredible performance over the last two weeks out of the spotlight.  Instead of talking about the fact that Stanford rang up more than 100 points on two Top Ten teams in successive games, or trumpeting the Heisman candidacy of RB Toby Gerhart, who scored three times while running all over the Trojans or Stanford’s incredible, out-of-nowhere run that has them talking about a trip to the Rose Bowl, we’re scratching our heads trying to find a reason for the feud between the two coaches.  And that’s sad.

Games of the Week

Oregon at Arizona

-  Arizona is still alive in the Rose Bowl hunt but they’ll have to win out and get some help.  Oregon may have the services of RB LeGarrette Blount for the first time since the season opener.  Can’t see Oregon blowing this opportunity, especially considering they’ve already had their stumble vs. Stanford.  Still, the Pac Ten is a tough place to win on the road.  The pick here is Oregon 38-27.

St. Joseph’s Dallas Carter vs. Philadelphia City Six

- It’s Tournament time in the land of the cheese steaks for the Intramural Football Champions of Philly’s five major universities and Villanova.  St. Joe’s Dallas Carter heads into the title round at Drexel carrying the favorite tag based on a roster chock full of New York guys.  QB Danny Mayrose and WR James Lopez look to add a football crown to the victory list they’ve compiled since kindergarten and will turn to Joe Mreczko and rookie sensation Marc Strange for some much needed help along the way.  Asked for a prediction, the four concurred, “The Hawk Will Never Die.”  We’ll agree, especially if Mayrose and Lopez have their hands on the ball in crunch time.

CollegeSportsView.com Top 25

1. Texas 10-0
2. Florida 10-0
3. TCU 10-0
4. Alabama 10-0
5. Boise State 10-0
6. Cincinnati 10-0
7. Pittsburgh 9-1
8. Georgia Tech 10-1
9. LSU 8-2
10.Oregon 8-2
11.Ohio State 9-2
12.Oklahoma State 8-2
13.Stanford 7-3
14.BYU 8-2
15.Clemson 7-3
16.Iowa 9-2
17.USC 7-3
18.Wisconsin 8-2
19.Oregon State 7-3
20.Houston 8-2
21.Virginia Tech 7-3
22.Nebraska 7-3
23.North Carolina 7-3
24.Nevada 7-3
25.Navy 7-3

Five to Watch
Miami 7-3
Utah 8-2
Rutgers 8-2
Arizona 7-3
West Virginia 7-3

It wasn’t the best performance we’ve seen from the Locks but it still produced a winning weekend.  Jill turned in her first losing record, going 1-2, while nephew Pad and husband Gil logged 2-1 Saturdays.  Gil’s was especially sweet, as he had been coaxed out of semi-retirement by his nephew.  “I was happy to be back but I’m still not at the top of my game.  I picked Cincy-UConn under 52 and both teams almost went over by themselves.”

Well, there’s just no pleasing some people but, with a stellar record, the Locks have pleased more than not.  Let’s take a look at this week’s selections.

Locks of the Week

Jill (14-7)

Idaho-Boise State over 63-

I’m staying with Boise but only on the over as they let me down last week. I expect the Broncos to try and run it up on their in-state rival but Idaho can score, too, as eveidenced by the 45 points they scored vs. Nevada that sent Gil over the wall.

Utah + 17.5 over TCU- 

TCU is ranked fourth with an outside shot at the BCS Championship.  They’ve been killing teams lately but Utah’s lost just once in two years and they’ve already beaten Oklahoma.  I think the Utes lose here but not by double digits.

Oregon -17 over Arizona State-

Took a look at Arizona State’s record and, boy, do they give up a lot of points.  Oregon’s going to be real pissed after getting their Ducks knocked off last week and should win going away.

Pad (4-2)

Clemson – 6 over North Carolina  State-

Clemson is really starting to hit its stride and has its sights set on an Atlantic Division title.  NC State is really weak but, somehow, managed to beat Pitt.  That’ll remain their one upset as the Tigers keep rolling.

San Jose State-Utah State over 55.5-

Another case of “Arifemetic”.  Bothe teams can score, neither can defend.  Good bet that one of them will come close by themselves.

Western Michigan -10 over Eastern Michigan-

Eastern Michigan is 0-9 and will get no sympathy from its biggest rival.

Gil (9-11-1)

Cincinnati-9.5 over West Virginia (Friday)-

Playing a hunch here that Cincinnati will take advantage of its second straight week on National TV.  Would feel a lot better about it if they hadn’t given up 45 to UConn but I think that’ll be a wakeup call.

Missouri +2  1/2 over Kansas State-

The Big 12 North is a weak division but Missouri is one of its better teams.  They have more talent than K State so I’m picking the Tigers.

BYU -27 over New Mexico-

Went with Utah over New Mex last week and found out what a generous team they are.  BYU QB Max Hall should have a field day.

Season Record 27-20-1

NCAA Football at Mercy of Illogical BCS: Iowa Is Latest Fraud

It only took two weeks of BCS rankings before the first absurdity reared its ugly head. Iowa football, based on its incredible offensive output that produced a thrilling, last-minute, 15-13 victory over the super charged, 4-4 Michigan State Spartans, leap frogs Boise State in this week’s poll and lands in the Number Four spot, ahead of TCU, and the Cincinnati Bearcats as well. So much for computers in sports.

Iowa has slogged its way through the mind-numbingly, mediocre Big Ten Conference; benefiting immensely from the BCS’ inability to recognize the conference as the weakest of its six leagues. The Hawkeyes have but one signature win; a 21-10 yawnfest over Penn State in Happy Valley. Even that victory can’t be accurately valued, as the Nittany Lions have played more cupcakes than anyone in the Top 25. Who knows if they’re any good?

Boise, on the other hand, walloped an Oregon team facing off with USC this weekend for the inside track to the Rose Bowl. That the Ducks have been manhandling opponents without their best offensive player, LeGarrette Blount, makes Boise’s season-opening thrashing of Oregon, with Blount, even more impressive. TCU has traveled to Clemson and BYU to register dominating wins while Cincinnati has knocked off South Florida and Oregon State in their own buildings. All of these teams are better than any that Iowa has faced to this point.

Am I bashing the Big Ten, Here? Absolutely and with good reason. Based on past reputation, the conference perennially reaps the benefits of being severely overrated. Ask yourself this. Which of the other teams in the Top Ten wouldn’t be favored in a matchup with Iowa? Hell, Ohio State is at seventeen and will absolutely be favored when they meet in two weeks.  Here’s hoping this mess works itself out, if only to spare us what has become the annual slaughter of the Big Ten in the BCS title game.

College Football Games of the Week

USC Trojans vs the Oregon Ducks- In the de facto Pac Ten championship game, Oregon poses the last true hurdle on the Trojans’ path to the Rose Bowl. Pete Carroll’s boys have already suffered their one upset and are not out of the BCS Championship picture just yet. They’ll be too much for Oregon to handle, especially with a rapidly maturing Matt Barkley under center. USC 27 Oregon 13

Texas Longhorns v Oklahoma State Sooners

- The Longhorns road to the Big 12 Championship game is clear once they get past Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have done well to rebound from two significant, early season losses. The first, to Houston and the second, All American WR Dez Bryant; declared ineligible by the NCAA. Texas 31 Oklahoma State 10

Curry at Nichols- The Bison host their long time rival, Curry, in a matchup that’s gone against Nichols for longer than they’d care to admit. Head Coach Bill Carven has had enough, emotionally declaring to his charges, “I will not lose to Curry College!” The Bison have done a great job regrouping from the loss of four senior standouts and have fashioned a solid season. Look for DE Bill Hassett to wreak havoc in the Curry backfield and lead the Bison to a hard fought win. Nichols 16 Curry 14

Heisman Watch

Jimmy Clausen, QB Notre Dame- The junior signal caller has the Irish at 5-2 and just a few plays from 7-0 solely on the strength of his right arm. With Notre Dame’s defense employing a “bend and almost break” scheme every week, Clausen’s Montana-like, last minute heroics are the biggest reason the Irish are still in contention for a BCS bowl bid. If the award was given out today, it’d go to Clausen.

Tim Tebow, QB Florida

- The pre-season favorite and former Heisman winner muddled through another mediocre performance at Mississippi State. Have to really start wondering if he’s all the way back from that concussion. He’ll have the advantage of an almost weekly national stage but needs to pick up his game if he wants bookends.

Mark Ingram, RB Alabama

- His fumble dealt a big blow to the Tide as it narrowly escaped Tennessee’s upset bid last week in Tuscaloosa. Ingram committed the deadliest sin of Heisman hopefuls in failing to take advantage of a national television audience.

Anthony Pillari, WR Nichols

- The senior wideout could be in for a big weekend. Two weeks after establishing the Nichols’ record for receptions in a game (13), he needs just three catches this week to set a new Bison mark for receptions in a career(125). Should he grab seven, he’ll also own the school’s single season record (49) . As a Div. III player, the New Jersey native knows he’s a longshot for the Heisman but figures he’ll go out and have a great season, nonetheless. “This team graduated some legendary seniors last year”, said Pillari, “and I’m just trying to live up to the things I learned in their house; do your best and don’t be a shem.”

CollegeSportsView Top 25 in College Football

1) Florida 7-0
2) Texas 7-0
3) Alabama 8-0
4) Boise State 7-0
5) Cincinnati 7-0
6) TCU 7-0
7) USC 6-1
8 )LSU 6-1
9) Oregon 6-1
10)Iowa 8-0
11)Georgia Tech 7-1
12)Oklahoma State 6-1
13)South Carolina 6-2
14)Houston 6-1
15)Penn State 7-1
16)Virginia Tech 5-2
17)Oklahoma State 6-1
18)Notre Dame 5-2
19)Pittsburgh 7-1
20)Utah 6-1
21)West Virginia 6-1
22)Mississippi 5-2
23)Miami 5-2
24)California 5-2
25)Oklahoma 4-3

Five to Watch
Wisconsin 5-2
Navy 6-2
BYU 6-2
South Florida 5-2
Nichols 4-4

Monday, November 9
Florida International at North Carolina ESPNU 7:00
Coaches vs. Cancer

Wednesday, November 11
NC Central at North Carolina ESPNU 7/9:00
Coaches vs. Cancer

Georgia State at NC State (Game Date and Time is TBA)

Friday, November 13
Dartmouth at Boston College 7:00
UNC-Greensboro at Duke FSSO 7:00
Presbyterian at Clemson 8:00
Charleston Southern at Maryland CSN 8:00
Longwood at Virginia 7:00
Oral Roberts at Wake Forest TBD TBD

Saturday, November 14
NC Central at Miami SUN 4:00
Florida A&M at Georgia Tech 7:00

Sunday, November 15
Valparaiso at North Carolina TBA TBA
Brown at Virginia Tech TBA
Philly Hoop Classic
East Carolina vs. Wake Forest 2:00
Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum

Monday, November 16
Coastal Carolina at Duke ESPNU 7:00
Pre-Season NIT
Jacksonville at Florida State SUN 7:00
Nova SE at Miami 7:30
Virginia at South Florida TBD TBD

Tuesday, November 17
UNC Charlotte/Elon at Duke ESPN 6:00
Pre-Season NIT
St. Francis (NY) at Boston College 7:00
Fairfield at Maryland CSN 8:00
Clemson at Liberty TBA
UNC-Greensboro at Virginia Tech TBA

Wednesday, November 18
Stetson at Florida State TBA
High Point at Wake Forest TBA

Thursday, November 19
Georgia Tech vs. Dayton 11:30am
Puerto Rico Tip Off
Miami vs. Tulane 1:30
Charleston (S.C.) Classic
Rider at Virginia 7:00
Cancun Challenge
North Carolina vs. Ohio State ESPN/ESPN2 7/9:00
Coaches vs. Cancer, MSG, New York, N.Y.

Friday, November 20
Georgia Tech vs. TBA ESPNU 1/3:00
Puerto Rico Tip Off
NC State vs. Akron 3:30
Glenn Wilkes Classic, Daytona Beach, Fla.
North Carolina vs. TBA ESPN2 5/7:00
Coaches vs. Cancer, MSG, New York, N.Y.
Boston College vs. St. Joseph’s 6:00
Paradise Jam, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Clemson at UNC-Greensboro FSSO 7:00
New Hampshire at Maryland 8:00
Miami vs. TBA TBA
Charleston (S.C.) Classic

Saturday, November 21
Oral Roberts at Virginia 2:00
Cancun Challenge
Florida State at Mercer FSSO 4:30
Radford at Duke 7:00
NC State vs. Austin Peay 8:15
Glenn Wilkes Classic, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Boston College vs. Purdue/S. Dakota State 8:30
Paradise Jam, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

Sunday, November 22
NC State vs. Auburn 8:15
Glenn Wilkes Classic, Daytona Beach, Fla.
Boston College vs. TBA TBA
Paradise Jam, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Georgia Tech vs. TBA ESPN2 TBA
Puerto Rico Tip Off
Miami vs. TBA ESPN2 TBA
Charleston (S.C.) Classic

Monday, November 23
Virginia Tech at Campbell TBA
Winthrop at Clemson 7:30
Maryland vs. Chaminade ESPNU 9:30
Maui Invitational, Maui, Hawaii
Gardner-Webb at North Carolina FSSO 7:30
Boston College vs. TBA TBA
Paradise Jam, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

Tuesday, November 24
Winston-Salem State at Wake Forest 7:30
Florida State at Florida TBA
Maryland vs. TBA ESPN2/ESPN TBA
Maui Invitational, Maui, Hawaii
Virginia vs. Stanford TBA
Cancun Challenge, Cancun, Mexico

Wednesday, November 25
Duke vs. TBA ESPN2 7/9:00
Pre-Season NIT, MSG, New York, N.Y.
Florida Gulf Coast at Miami 7:30
Maryland vs. TBA ESPN2/ESPN TBA
Maui Invitational, Maui, Hawaii
Virginia vs. TBA TBA
Cancun Challenge, Cancun, Mexico

Thursday, November 26
Clemson vs. Texas A&M ESPN2 4:30
76 Classic, Anaheim, Calif.
Florida State vs. Iona ESPNU 9:00
Old Spice Classic, Orlando, Fla.

Friday, November 27
Mercer at Georgia Tech 4:00
Duke vs. TBA ESPN/ESPN2 2:30/5:00
Pre-Season NIT, MSG, New York, N.Y.
Clemson vs. TBA ESPN/ESPNU 2:30/5:00
76 Classic, Anaheim, Calif.
Florida State vs. TBA ESPN2/ESPNU 5:00/7:30
Old Spice Classic, Orlando, Fla.
Virginia Tech vs. Temple TBA
Philly Hoop Classic, The Palestra, Philadelphia, Pa.

Saturday, November 28
William & Mary at Wake Forest 2:00
Boston College at Providence 7:00
SC Upstate at Miami 7:30
Virginia Tech vs. Delaware TBA
Philly Hoop Classic, The Palestra, Philadelphia, Pa.

Sunday, November 29
New Orleans at NC State 2:00
Nevada at North Carolina FSN TBA
Clemson vs. TBA ESPN2/ESPNU TBA
76 Classic, Anaheim, Calif.
Florida State vs. TBA ESPN2/ESPNU TBA
Old Spice Classic, Orlando, Fla.

Monday, November 30
Penn State at Virginia ESPN2 7:00
Big Ten/ACC Challenge

Tuesday, December 1
Northwestern at NCSU ESPNU 7:00
Big Ten/ACC Challenge
Wake Forest at Purdue ESPN 7:00
Big Ten/ACC Challenge
Maryland at Indiana ESPN2 7:30
Big Ten/ACC Challenge
Michigan State at North Carolina ESPN 9:00
Big Ten/ACC Challenge
Virginia Tech at Iowa ESPN2 9:30
Big Ten/ACC Challenge

Wednesday, December 2
Illinois at Clemson ESPN 7:15
Big Ten/ACC Challenge
Boston College at Michigan ESPN2 7:30
Big Ten/ACC Challenge
Duke at Wisconsin ESPN 9:15
Big Ten/ACC Challenge
Florida State at Ohio State ESPN2 9:30
Big Ten/ACC Challenge
Minnesota at Miami ESPNU 7:15/7:30
Big Ten/ACC Challenge
Siena at Georgia Tech 7:00

Saturday, December 5
North Carolina at Kentucky CBS 12:30
NC State at Marquette 3:00
St. John’s at Duke ESPN2 3:30
Wake Forest at Gonzaga ESPN2 5:30
Southern California at Georgia Tech FSSO 6:00

Sunday, December 6
South Carolina at Clemson FSSO 1:00
Miami at Boston College FSN 3:00
Villanova vs. Maryland FSSO/MASN 7:30
Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
Florida International at Florida State SUN 1:00
Georgia at Virginia Tech TBA

Monday, December 7
Virginia at Auburn TBA

Wednesday, December 9
Harvard at Boston College 7:00
VMI at Virginia Tech TBA

Saturday, December 12
Georgia Southern at NC State 2:00
Eastern Kentucky at Maryland CSN 4:30
Virginia Tech at Penn State ESPN2 8:00
SC State at Miami 7:30
Presbyterian at North Carolina 7:30

Sunday, December 13
Furman at Clemson 4:00
Rhode Island at Boston College FSN TBA
Elon at Wake Forest TBA

Monday, December 14
Georgia Tech at UT-Chattanooga 7:00

Tuesday, December 15
Gardner-Webb at Duke ESPN2 7:00
Georgia State at Florida State FSFL 7:00

Wednesday, December 16
Wake Forest at UNC-Wilmington 7:00
Miami at Stetson 7:00
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Georgia Tech 8:30
Clemson at East Carolina TBD

Thursday, December 17
Auburn at Florida State FSFL 7:00
Elon at NC State 7:00

Saturday, December 19
Miami vs. Florida Atlantic FSFL 2:00
OB Classic, Sunrise, Fla.
North Carolina at Texas ESPN 2:00
Gonzaga vs. Duke CBS 4:00
Madison Square Garden, New York, N.Y.
UNC-Wilmington at Virginia CSN 7:00
College of Charleston at Clemson FSSO TBA
Charleston Southern at Virginia Tech TBA

Sunday, December 20
Bryant at Boston College 1:00
Florida State at Georgia Tech FSN 5:30
NC State at Wake Forest FSN 7:45

Monday, December 21
NJIT at Virginia 7:00
North Carolina A&T at Miami 7:30

Tuesday, December 22
UT-Martin at Florida State FSFL 7:00
Kennesaw State at Georgia Tech 7:00
Marshall at North Carolina FSSO 7:00
Western Carolina at Clemson 7:30
Winston-Salem State at Maryland CSN+ 8:00
UMBC at Virginia Tech TBA

Wednesday, December 23
Massachusetts at Boston College 7:00
Hampton at Virginia 7:00
NC State at Arizona TBA TBA

Sunday, December 27
Florida Atlantic at Maryland 2:00

Monday, December 28
Wake Forest at UNC-Greensboro 7:00
Rutgers at North Carolina ESPN2 8:30

Tuesday, December 29
Winston-Salem State at Georgia Tech 1:00
Long Beach State at Duke FSSO 7:00
Winthrop at NC State 7:00
S.C. State at Clemson 7:30

Wednesday, December 30
South Carolina at Boston College 7:00
UAB at Virginia 7:00
William & Mary at Maryland CSN 7:30
Bethune-Cookman at Miami 7:30
Albany at North Carolina 7:30
Longwood at Virginia Tech TBA

Thursday, December 31
Pennsylvania at Duke ESPN2 6:00
Richmond at Wake Forest 7:30
NC State at UNC-Greensboro FSSO TBA
Alabama A&M at Florida State TBA

Saturday, January 2
Maine at Boston College Noon
Georgia Tech at UNC-Charlotte TBA TBA
Seton Hall vs. Virginia Tech TBA
Cancun, Mexico

Sunday, January 3
Maryland at UNC-Greensboro 2:00
Florida at NC State FSN 3:00
Xavier at Wake Forest FSN 5:30
Miami at Pepperdine 7:00
Clemson at Duke FSN 7:45

Monday, January 4
North Carolina at College of Charleston TBD TBD
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Florida State TBD TBD

Tuesday, January 5
NJIT at Boston College 7:00
Texas-Pan American at Virginia 7:00
Georgia Tech at Georgia TBA

Wednesday, January 6
Duke vs. Iowa State ESPN2 10:00
United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Holy Cross at NC State 7:00

Saturday, January 9
Duke at Georgia Tech ESPN 2:00
Boston College at Clemson Raycom 4:00
Wake Forest at Miami ESPNU 6:00
Virginia at NC State Raycom 12:00

Sunday, January 10
Florida State at Maryland FSN 5:30
Virginia Tech at North Carolina FSN 7:45

Tuesday, January 12
NC State at Florida State RSN 7:00
Maryland at Wake Forest Raycom 8:00

Wednesday, January 13
Boston College at Duke ESPN 7:00
Miami at Virginia Tech 7:00
North Carolina at Clemson ESPN 9:00
Georgia Tech at Virginia 7:00

Saturday, January 16
Clemson at NC State Raycom Noon/1:30
Georgia Tech at North Carolina ESPN 2:00
Maryland at Boston College Raycom 4:00
Virginia Tech at Florida State RSN 6:00
Miami at Virginia ESPNU 8:00

Sunday, January 17
Wake Forest at Duke FSN 8:00

Monday, January 18
NC Central at Virginia Tech TBA

Tuesday, January 19
Clemson at Georgia Tech ESPN2 7:00
Longwood at Maryland CSN+ 8:00
Boston College at Miami RSN 9:00

Wednesday, January 20
Wake Forest at North Carolina ESPN 7:00
Duke at NC State Raycom 9:00

Saturday, January 23
Boston College at Virginia Tech Raycom 1:30
Virginia at Wake Forest Raycom 4:00
Duke at Clemson ESPN (Game Day) 9:00
NC State at Maryland ESPN2 5/6:00

Sunday, January 24
Georgia Tech at Florida State Raycom 12:00

Tuesday, January 26
Clemson at Boston College ESPN2 7:00
North Carolina at NC State Raycom 9:00

Wednesday, January 27
Florida State at Duke ESPN 9:00

Thursday, January 28
Wake Forest at Georgia Tech RSN 7:00
Miami at Maryland ESPNU 9:00
Virginia Tech at Virginia CSN TBD

Saturday, January 30
Kentucky State at Georgia Tech 1:00
Duke at Georgetown CBS 1:00
NC Central at NC State 2:00
Florida State at Boston College Raycom 3:00

Sunday, January 31
Virginia Tech at Miami Raycom 1:00
Maryland at Clemson FSN 5:30
Virginia at North Carolina FSN 7:45

Tuesday, February 2
Miami at Wake Forest ESPN2 7:00

Wednesday, February 3
NC State at Virginia ESPNU 7:00

Thursday, February 4
Georgia Tech at Duke ESPN or ESPN2 7:00
Maryland at Florida State *Raycom 9:00
North Carolina at Virginia Tech *Raycom 9:00

Saturday, February 6
Wake Forest at Virginia Raycom 12:00
Duke at Boston College ESPN 2:00
NC State at Georgia Tech *Raycom 4:00
Clemson at Virginia Tech *Raycom 4:00
Miami at Florida State ESPNU 8:00

Sunday, February 7
North Carolina at Maryland FSN 2:00

Tuesday, February 9
Boston College at Wake Forest RSN 7:00

Wednesday, February 10
Florida State at Clemson ESPN2 7:00
Virginia at Maryland ESPNU 7:00
Georgia Tech at Miami 7:00
Virginia Tech at NC State 7:00
Duke at North Carolina Raycom/ESPN 9:00

Saturday, February 13
Miami at Clemson RSN 12:00
Maryland at Duke CBS 1:00
NC State at North Carolina ESPN 4:00
Virginia at Virginia Tech *Raycom 8:00
Georgia Tech at Wake Forest *Raycom 8:00

Sunday, February 14
Boston College at Florida State FSN 6:30/7:30

Tuesday, February 16
Wake Forest at Virginia Tech ESPN2 7:00
North Carolina at Georgia Tech Raycom 9:00

Wednesday, February 17
Florida State at Virginia 7:00
Duke at Miami ESPN 7:00
Maryland at NC State RSN 9:00

Saturday, February 20
North Carolina at Boston College CBS 12:00
Georgia Tech at Maryland *Raycom 2:00
Wake Forest at NC State *Raycom 2:00
Virginia at Clemson RSN 4:00

Sunday, February 21
Virginia Tech at Duke FSN TBA

Tuesday, February 23
Virginia at Miami RSN 7:00

Wednesday, February 24
Virginia Tech at Boston College ESPNU 7:00
Florida State at North Carolina ESPN 7:00
Clemson at Maryland Raycom 9:00

Thursday, February 25
Tulsa at Duke ESPN or ESPN2 7:00

Saturday, February 27
Boston College at Georgia Tech RSN 12:00
North Carolina at Wake Forest CBS 2:00
NC State at Miami *Raycom 4:00
Maryland at Virginia Tech *Raycom 4:00

Sunday, February 28
Clemson at Florida State FSN 5:30
Duke at Virginia FSN 7:45

Tuesday, March 2
Georgia Tech at Clemson *Raycom 8:00
Miami at North Carolina *Raycom 8:00

Wednesday, March 3
Wake Forest at Florida State ESPN2 7:00
Virginia at Boston College ESPNU 9:00
Duke at Maryland ESPN 9:00
NC State at Virginia Tech 7:00

Saturday, March 06
Florida State at Miami ESPN2 12:00
Maryland at Virginia Raycom 1:30
Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech Raycom 4:00
North Carolina at Duke ESPN (Game Day) 9:00

Sunday, March 7
Boston College at NC State Raycom 2:00
Clemson at Wake Forest FSN 6:00

57th Annual ACC Tournament, Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum

First Round – Thursday, March 11
Game 1 (#8 vs. #9) Raycom 12:00
Game 2 (#5 vs. #12) Raycom 2:00
Game 3 (#7 vs. #10) ESPN 7:00
Game 4 (#6 vs. #11) Raycom 9:00

Quarterfinals – Friday, March 12
Game 5 (#1 vs. 8/9 winner) Ray/ESPN2 12:00
Game 6 (#4 vs. 5/12 winner) Ray/ESPN2 2:00
Game 7 (#2 vs. 7/10 winner) Ray/ESPN2 7:00
Game 8 (#3 vs. 6/11 winner) Ray/ESPN2 9:00

Semifinals – Saturday, March 13
Game 9 (game 5 & 6 winners) Ray/ESPN 1:30
Game 10 (game 7 & 8 winners) Ray/ESPN 3:30

Finals – Sunday, March 14
Game 11 (championship game) Ray/ESPN 1:00

Red River Rivalry Is Oklahoma’s Last Stand
It’s plain and simple for Bob Stoops’ Oklahoma Sooners.  Win out or forget a BCS bid.  OU has already suffered two losses, albeit without the services of Heisman winner Sam Bradford, and can afford no more.  Each week’s contest will be the biggest of their season from here on out and none will be tougher than Saturday’s matchup with #2 Texas.  Mack Brown’s boys have been flying under the radar this season but intend show their wares to a national audience behind QB Colt McCoy, a narrow runner up to Bradford for last year’s Heisman.  Texas coach Mack Brown will look to repeat last year’s dominating performance that saw the Longhorns hold Oklahoma to just 48 rushing yds.  A Sooners’ victory would open the BCS door for quite a few schools but Texas just seems too strong.  Texas 34 Oklahoma 20.

Big East Championship Game in October
Tonight’s matchup between Cincinnati and South Florida lost some of its luster a few weeks back when USF QB Matt Grothe was lost for the season but still features the conference’s best teams.  Freshman sensation B.J. Daniels has done well to knock off an overrated Florida State and a punchless Syracuse squad since taking over.  However, the Bearcat offense is clicking on all cylinders behind QB Tony Pike and they’ve already shown they can win decisively on the road.  Cincy averages 42 PPG and will look to impress a national audience of voters by hanging at least that many on the Bulls. Cincinnati 38 South Florida 17.

No Easy Weeks For SEC Football Teams
Alabama, fresh off its biggest win of the season over Mississippi, puts its perfect record on the line vs. South Carolina. For the Gamecocks, the tandem of QB Stephen Garcia and WR Alshon Jeffery will have to play much better than last week when they managed to hold off a less than impressive Kentucky squad.  This is the first of three straight home games for the Tide, who’ll rely heavily on RB Mark Ingram to counter Steve Spurrier’s defensive schemes.  Alabama 27 South Carolina 23.

Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech Battle for Coastal Division Crown in ACC
The two best offenses in the ACC hook up with a bid to the conference championship game likely going to the winner. The Hokies have risen to #6 in this week’s CSV poll; an opening week loss to Alabama the only blemish on their record while Georgia Tech has a loss to Miami standing between them and perfection.  Both teams have dual threat QB’s with big play resumes but we like Va. Tech’s Tyrod Taylor just a bit more than Ga. Tech’s Josh Nesbitt.  And we absolutely love the speed of the Hokies defense.  Throw in the inevitable ‘Beamer Ball” special teams play and it comes up Virginia Tech 31  Georgia Tech 16.

USC Trojans Visit South Bend
USC continues its difficult road schedule in renewing its heated rivalry with the Fighting Irish.  ND coach Charlie Weis has had two weeks to prepare for this one but, unless he’s found a way to get thirteen defenders on the field, he’ll be on the short end of a shootout.  Irish QB Jimmy Claussen leads an offense as good as any in the country but the defense can’t stop anyone. Look for Pete Carroll to extend his winning streak over Notre dame to seven behind frosh QB Matt Barkley and tailback Joe McKnight.  USC 44 Notre Dame 34.

CollegeSportsView.com’s  Top 25

1) Florida (5-0)
2) Texas (5-0)
3) Alabama (6-0)
4) Boise State (5-0)
5) Cincinnati(5-0)
6) Virginia Tech (5-1)
7) USC (4-1)
8 ) LSU (5-1)
9) TCU (5-0)
10)Ohio State (5-1)
11)Kansas (5-0)
12)South Florida (5-0)
13)Oregon (5-1)
14)Oklahoma (3-2)
15)Iowa (6-0)
16)Nebraska (4-1)
17)South Carolina (5-1)
18)Miami (3-1)
19)Oklahoma State (4-1)
20)Georgia Tech (5-1)
21)Notre Dame (4-1)
22)Penn State (5-1)
23)BYU (5-1)
24)Wisconsin (5-1)
25)Utah (4-1)

Five Teams to Watch
Auburn (5-1)
Missouri (4-1)
Mississippi (3-2)
Arkansas (3-2)
Nichols  (3-3)