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)

Greivis Vasquez : A proven winner or desperate to be the center of attention ?

All I could think of while watching and  suffering through the home stretch of that Duke-Maryland game was what exactly to make of Greivis Vaquez’s actions. My gut instinct was to characterize it as another “look at me” type of performance  that is not much different from a little child screaming in the grocery store becuase of what it’s aimed for : attention. You saw the act.. the chest pounding, the pointing to the stands, raising his arms, and putting his hand to his ear saying “I can’t hear you”. I was utterly disgusted that he couldn’t just play, and win the game. He made it a show. My attention wasn’t focused on saluting his performance for beating my Dukies, it was not focused on how dumb he looked. Let’s be serious. He’s easily one of the top 10, possibly top 5 players in the country. Does he really  need to hear the fans chanting to be the best player on the court ? Doubtful.

Duke fans have every right to be annoyed by these actions given just how much of a spectacle Vasquez made himself last night, but Maryland fans James “Mopez” Lopez, and Sally I.   have their reasons to justify Vasquez’s actions. ” In my opinion, Vasquez thrives in those situations.” Lopez states. ” He wants to take the shot,and usually hits it. That’s his shot and I’ve seen him hit it consistently for four years.”  When asked about the sideshow act he put on, “A great competitor, and an even better entertainer….if your a Maryland fan. If not, he’s public enemy #1 and I can see why.”

Sally I. was thrilled with the victory as well, and commented “Greivis Vazquez was as emotional as I have ever seen him in any game (including NCAA Tournament games), you could tell he wanted to soak in the Maryland home crowd one last time which is exactly what he did.” The piazon went on to tell me that you shouldn’t jump on his actions so quickly. “ That game was extremely gratifying for Vazquez for three reasons: he won on senior night, gave Maryland a share of the ACC crown (barring a disaster at Virginia), and he finally put together a good individual game versus Duke, who has haunted him and the Terps during his 4 years there.”

Lopez and Sally I. both make valid points about just how important Vasquez is to the squad, which ultimately can justify his actions on the court. Not something a Duke fan wants to hear.

So what’s the verdict ? Is Vasquez a proven winner or proving to be the center of attention ? It looks like it’s a little bit of both, but one thing is for certain. After 20 points, including a back-breaking fall away shot to seal it the clutch, I can see why Maryland fans love him with the ball in his hands in the clutch.

Things can only get better for Terps seed

Lopez, and Sally I, both (separately) predicted that as of right now Maryland will be a 5 seed heading into the tourney. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has the Terps slated as a 5 as well in his current bracket, but the pro- Maryland duo predicts things could be better come Selection Sunday. Sally I, “can see Maryland as a 4 seed if they were to win the ACC tourney. No higher given the weakness of the conference.” Lopez thinks ” there’s no reason they can’t be a three with an ACC tourney title.”  Optimistic thinking, especially by Mopez, but who am I to judge maybe the hottest team in the country.

Wildcats can kiss a one seed goodbye after loss to Kansas ?

Heading into last night I was pretty confident that K-State was in great shape to position themselves on the top line of the bracket. I reasoned that if Jacob Pullen and company could topple Kansas to split the season series (after a tough two-point loss to Kansas in January on a questionable coaching decision by Frank Martin), they would be heading into the Big 12 Tournament essentially neck and neck battling for a 1 seed.

That thought ended quicker then Joey on NBC, as Kansas proved once again why they are the best team in the country with an 82-65 win or did it ?

Personally, I don’t think Kansas State is set as the last 1 seed. Although it’s highly debatable. Joe Lunardi has the Wildcats on the top line, based on their “total body of work”, while Doug “who’s credit card is that” Gottlieb and Gary Parrish claim Duke has the spot.

K-State :  24-5 (11-4)   -14 games vs RPI Top 100-       -7-4 vs RPI Top 50-

Duke: 25-5 (12-3)    -21 games vs RPI Top 100-       -8-4 vs RPI Top 50-

Tough call. The T & 2 predicts the final decision should come down to how well each fares in their conference tournament. If both should win, give the edge to Kansas State because they play in a tougher conference.

What Irish Curse ?

Notre Dame moved to one of the last four teams in the field of 65 with a 58-50 slug-fest over UConn.

Seems like the Irish have finally clicked, oddly it comes after an injury to their best player Luke Harangody. The play of Tim Ambromaitis, and the fact that Tory Jackson has changed his 08-09 habit of passing to the other team have been the difference for the team on a mission.

Don’t punch that ticket quite yet. A regular season finale vs Marquette is where the T & 2 predicts the luck runs out and ND loses, which would put the Irish at 20-11 (9-9) to finish the regular season. Heading into the Big East tourney as the 7 or 8 seed. This is where the Irish will need to win a game to secure a spot. 21-11 (10-9 overall) puts the Irish in the Big East Quarterfinals playing with house money, where regardless of the outcome they will be on the bracket.

Clemson and Texas = AWOL

Clemson and Texas might as well be sitting on an island with Red and Andy Dufrain, because they are no where near their pre-season expectations. Texas as high #3, and Clemson #24 both predicted to be capable of deep runs come March. Clemson is unranked, and Texas just sniffs the ESPN/USA today poll at #25. T & 2 thinks Rick Barnes and  Oliver Purnell can start practicing their short game, as neither will go very far in the tournament.

Credit to Boeheim

“Indiana Vance” and “Darren Pajama Pants” emailed the T&2 about a tidbit they each had picked up during Saturday’s Syracuse-Villanova telecast. NONE of Syracuse’s five starters were ranked in the Top 100 coming out of high school. Proving last week’s point that Boeheim should be coach of the year. Thanks Vance and Darren.

Planting the right seeds

Based on Joe Lunardi’s latest bracket :

Team who should love their seed : UTEP

Pegged as a 10 seed in the South region. The Miners face #7 UNLV in a highly winnable first round game. Likely waiting for UNLV is #2 Duke. A great team, but look for much improved 6-9 center Derrick Caracter, 6-11 Arnett Moultrie, and 6-7 Jeremy Williams to give over-matched and sometimes defensively clueless Brian Zoubek fits.

Team who should hate their seed: Kansas

1 seed in the Midwest region. How can you hate a 1 seed ? Well put #9 Louisville and proven winner (and nutjob) Rick Pitino, an underrated #5 Gonzaga, sleeper #12 Siena, and #4 Tennessee (whom the Jayhawks already lost to) in your way of the Sweet 16 and the possibility of #6 Butler, and still improving # 3 Pitt in your way of the Elite 8…. that’s how.

T&2 advises you to look for these type of match-ups when the bracket comes out.

Injury bug likely has coaches bugging out

Purdue’s Robbie Hummel went down last week and will miss the remainder of the season, bubble battler Notre Dame’s Luke Harangody is uncertain of a return, and Georgetown’s Austin Freeman was just diagnosed with diabetes.

Tickets punched to the Dance

With no conference tournament in the Ivy League, Cornell can clinch the regular season title and automatic bid with a win Friday night @ Brown.

Other teams will start to fill out the field this weekend. The guide :

Atlantic Sun :

Things are wild already in  Macon,GA. Three of the top four seeds were upset in the Quarterfinals, as only #2 Jacksonville survived. Friday’s semi’s pit #8 Kennesaw State vs #5 East Tennessee State at 6:30, and # 6 Mercer vs #2 Jacksonville at 9:00.

The winner friday will square off on Saturday March 6th at 6:00 on ESPN 2.

The T & 2 is pulling for Kennesaw State to shock the world, but thinks Jacksonville is a safe bet given their 16-4 record since the turn of the calendar to 2010.

Big South

#1 Coastal Carolina takes on #3 Winthrop Saturday March 6th at 4:00 on ESPN 2.

Anything is possible here, the two squads have split the season series. The T & 2 likes past Cinderella Winthrop to find the glass slipper again Saturday.

Ohio Valley

Friday pits #1 Murray State vs #4 Eastern Illionis at 7:00, and #2 Morehead State vs #6 Tennessee Tech at 9:00.

Semifinal winners square off Saturday March 6th at 8:00 on ESPN 2.

Murray State is 28-4 (17-1)  with a 5 point loss to Cal to open the year. Like balance ? The Racers top six scorers average 10.8, 10.7,  10.6, 10.3, 10.3 , and 9.5. T & 2 senses a team who shares the ball, and can likely be a deadly match-up as a double digit seed. I’ll be watching to see if they prove me right.

Missouri Valley

In a nutshell : one of the most entertaining conference tournaments, with the dumbest name. Arch Madness as they call it, gets underway Friday with Quarterfinal match-ups of #1 Northern Iowa vs #8 Drake at 1:05 , #4 Creighton vs #5 Bradley at 3:35 , #7 Missouri State vs #2 Wichita State at 7:05 and  #3 Illionis State vs #6 Indiana State at 9:35 pm.

The Semifinals will be Saturday, and the Finals Sunday at 2:05pm on CBS.

Northern Iowa just about needs this tournament to secure a bid, but the T &2 likes Wichita State to winner the rubber match final. Expect the selection committee to reward Northern Iowa with a an at-large despite the loss and send a big conference team home unhappy.

T & 2 advice for Fans

Rick Reilly recently wrote about the criteria for fans being allowed to rush the court (which is happening way to much these days). There are some great points but the T & 2 has simple rules for Championship Week.

- STOP RUSHING THE COURT if you’re already ranked. DON’T EVER DO IT. Period. The phrase “act like you been there before” comes to mind.

- For the teams in low level conferences you can rush the floor when you clinch a bid. IF:

-you haven’t been to the NCAA tournament during the entire time of your enrollment

This ensures that all students (freshman-seniors) have never experienced a conference title, making the experience that much more enjoyable.

It’s that simple. Other than that, enjoy the games because it’s the best time of the year.

Rivalry Week Signals Shift of Focus For Sports Fans

For all you football fanatics out there,  make sure you savor the Super Bowl, because as of this morning, it’s time to focus on hoops.  Despite the endless analysis, highlights and “breakdown” sessions  ESPN may have shoved down your throat last week, you should be beside yourself about the slew of college basketball games coming up over the next seven days. Rivalry Week, as it’s become known, is easily the best single week of the regular season. It’s like the best appetizer on the menu. You make sure you order it. Things start on tonight on ESPN’s  Big Monday when Kansas(1)  travels to Texas (10) and Villanova (2) travels to West Virginia(6).

Kansas, in my opinion, is the best team in the country right now.  Granted, they won in OT last week at Kansas State on the heels of an absurd decision by Wildcats’ head coach Frank Martin; (with just a few seconds difference between the shot clock and game clock, Martin chose not to foul Kansas, instead letting the possession play out), and they barely beat the Colorado “praying for the NIT” Buffaloes by six in overtime.  While these wins aren’t pretty…they are wins, and they are wins that will be similar to how Bill Self’s squad will need to win in March;  wins where you get the one stop you need at the end of the game, or a win where you don’t play well but gut it out.  This factor has now become the icing on the cake as to why I think Kansas will be champions.  They have the skill (Collins, Henry, Aldrich),  the coach (Self) and the X factor: Efficiency.  Another gutty win vs Texas would only cement the fact that they have the final piece of the puzzle, a will to dominate  an opponent when it matters most. Look for Kansas,  who still has to win a trap game vs Nebraska on Saturday,  to trump Texas as they continue to separate themselves from the pack.

The Pick:Rock Chalk Jayhawk

#6 West Virginia vs. #2 ‘Nova- The best way to describe West Virginia is to think of an Adam Sandler movie after 2002. You know he’s always been great in the past, and the trailer for the new flick looks decent, but you know there’s a possibility to be completely let down. (i.e. 50 First Dates, Longest Yard, Funny People).  Enter Bob “sweat suits on the sidelines” Huggins and West Virginia.  The Mountaineers are 18-3 (7-2), with losses to Big Ten power # 7 Purdue, a hiccup to 16-7 Notre Dame, and a 1 point loss to #4 22-1 Syracuse. WVU also gets the T and 2 love because they rank at 4 and 24 in O and D efficiency respectively. Now while West Virginia has some impressive numbers, the amount of quality wins WVU has is what alarms us. Yes, the Mounties did beat #18 Ohio State, and 16-6 Texas Tech isn’t shabby, but they have just one quality Big East win(Pitt).  WVU begins a brutal stretch on Monday vs Nova, and still has a trip to Pitt, Georgetown and a trip to Nova on the schedule. It will be these four games where we find out how legit the Mountaineers really are. An 0-4 skid and you can dismiss them as a Final Four team, a 4-0 mark means we’d better watch. My prediction is 3-1, starting with a win on Monday.  Youngster Daryl “Truck” Bryant will have his hands full defensively with Scottie Reynolds, but the eyes of Devin Ebanks and Kevin Jones should light up against Nova’s “inferior interior” duo of Antonio Pena and Taylor King.  Simple rule for WVU: hold Reynolds to less then 20, feed the post and you’ll likely hear the student section singing  “…take me home country roads” when the game is over. I truly believe WVU is the team to exceed all expectations right now, starting Monday…that’s if their fans can stop throwing things on the court.

The pick: WVU

Tuesday continues with #7 Purdue vs #5 Michigan State. – Kalin Lucas missed Saturday’s tilt vs Illinois and is questionable for the showdown with Purdue. With Izzo’s squad missing Lucas’ 15.6 ppg, look for E’Twaun Moore to have a field day and surging Purdue to capitalize. The Boilermakers have won six in a row after dropping three to Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Northwestern in mid January. It should be noted that because these teams play in the “put you to sleep it’s such slowly paced” Big Ten, the first team to 50 points might win.

Pick: Purdue

Wednesday is The Game. Duke vs Carolina.  As a Duke fan, it’s a holiday for me.  Look forward to it all year.  This year would make a naïve Duke fan extremely happy given the fact that Carolina is struggling to win anything recently.  The Tar Heels have fallen to a dismal 2-5 in the “not as tough as people think really is this year “ ACC, and 13-9 on the year. Things are so bad, Joe Lunardi is predicting Roy Williams is NIT bound. While hearing things like this should make Duke fans giddy, “Crazies” know that Duke is a Jeckyl and Hyde team in February.  Thursday’s thrashing of #19 Georgia Tech (pardon me Counting Crowes) “gives reason to believe” that Duke has finally turned a corner. However, this is Duke-Carolina, and anything can happen.  A win over a top ten rival is just what UNC needs to boost its resume. I’m hoping that’s not the case. Look for Scheyer and Singler to stroke it early and often.

The Pick : Duke

Saturday #14 Tennessee vs #3 Kentucky- Very simple. This is where the rest of the nation finds out what I already know. Tennessee is not as good as people think. Yes, Bruce Pearl did beat John “no Final Fours” Calipari two years ago when Memphis was undefeated, yes Tennessee took down Kansas this year, and Yes Tennessee has decent talent, but in no way shape or form do I see them winning Saturday night.

The pick: Kentucky in a rout, and inside twelve minutes left the announcers start talking about John Wall’s potential “at the next level”.   Are they not allowed to say “NBA”?

Notre Dame’s horrific losses to Rutgers and Loyola Marymount may have been the final straw to end the Irish NCAA hopes this year, but don’t blame Luke Harangody for not trying to work a miracle. The workhorse scored 37 and grabbed 14 boards in a win Thursday vs Cincy. The senior is averaging 24.2 ppg and 9.7 rpg.  It may be a good thing that the nation has quietly forgotten about “Gody”, because he seems to be holding a grudge and it’s helping the squad.

Bigger Not Better in NCAA Tournament

Is it just me or is anyone else rooting for Syracuse to land a #1 seed then lose to a #16 because Jim Boehiem keeps advocating a 96 team tournament ?

Big East Basketball Still On Top

Still wondering which conference is the toughest in America?   Joe Lunardi’s most recent Bracketology has seven Big East Teams getting bids, and three listed as “first four out”. One conference- 10 of the best 68 teams in the country. Good luck coaches.

Kentucky Basketball Falls From Its perch.  Who’s Next?

The 75-76’ Indiana Hoosiers can breathe a little easier now that Kentucky, the last remaining unbeaten team this season, has suffered it’s first loss to South Carolina.  Led by an array of tough, clutch, and “how the hell did he hit that” shots from Devan Downey, the Gamecocks made Kentucky’s stay atop the polls very short.

The recent upset of John (“ never actually been to a Final Four”) Calipari, John (“one and done”) Wall and Kentucky as well as the memories of Mario Chalmers trey to beat an undefeated Memphis in 08’ show that even the best of the best can take a loss.  Which makes hoopsters wonder: Will there ever be another undefeated champion ?

Devan Downey dropped thirty in the 68-62 upset, and put himself on the map as one of the nation’s best scorers; although Gamecock faithful will be quick to tell you that he’s no fluke.  The Chester, S.C. native spurned his home state by electing to attend Cincinnati as a freshman. After posting 11.9 ppg in his freshman year,  Downey decided to come home, and it’s been all good since.  After sitting out the ’06-’07 season, Downey’s scored 18.4 ppg (07-08),and 19.8(08-09).  He’s even better this season as Downey’s 22.4 ppg leads the SEC.  With a scorer like this, and a decent record, 12-8 (3-3), The Gamecocks have a shot to be a dark horse in the SEC tournament. After all, they have shown they can play with (and beat) the best.

Now that no unbeatens remain,  who is the  frontrunner for a national title?  With such a crop of great teams atop the polls there may not be just one, but Kansas stands out. Bill Self’s crew is currently 19-1 with their only setback to #14 Tennessee. A January 30th trip to #13 Kansas State, and Feb 8th trip to #6 Texas could yield two wins that would give the Jayhawks the most impressive resume in the country. It should also be noted that Kansas currently ranks 2nd in both Offensive and Defensive Efficiency and you know how much we like that.

Speaking of frontrunners… CBSSports.com’s Gary Parrish points out that the end of January is a great time to find out who will make the Final Four. Parrish stated that in the past five seasons, at least three of the Final Four teams (all four in ’08) have been in the Top Ten during the last week of January. Remember to refer back to this in March when filling out your sheets. Kentucky, Kansas, Villanova, Syracuse, Michigan State, Texas, Georgetown, Duke, West Virginia and Purdue are your current candidates.

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