Bubble Watch: Conference Tournament Edition

The power conferences kick off their tournaments this week, which means bubble teams around the country will be gearing up to impress the selection committee one last time. Here's a list of teams that have some work to do if they plan to make the NCAA tournament. Since we're in conference tourney mode, we'll separate the teams by conference.


ACC
Boston College - The Eagles are hanging on by a thread at this point in the season. They may be the worst of the three ACC bubble teams, but they have the best RPI, and a series of good wins (beating Texas A&M early, and sweeping fellow bubble team Virginia Tech in conference). Still, the Eagles are a team I would like to see left at home on Sunday. They don't have the look of a team that can win a game in March Madness. Losing to Wake Forest would burst BC's bubble, but a win against Clemson would probably be enough to hear their name called on Sunday.
Clemson - The Tigers don't boast the most impressive profile. They don't have a single win over the RPI Top 25 (A win over RPI #24 Old Dominion would have been huge, but the Hokies lost by one), and they didn't play the toughest schedule (SOS #74). However, Clemson swept the two ACC teams on the bubble with them, and also have a solid win over Florida State. The Tiger's at-large hopes will come down to their meeting with BC on the second day of the ACC Tournament. Clemson/BC is essentially the NCAA's first play-in game.
Virginia Tech - The Hokies may have the WORST profile, but they have the BEST win. Despite being 0-3 against the aforementioned teams from BC and Clemson, the Hokies can hang their hat on a win against Duke, and some decent non-conference wins (Oklahoma State and Penn State). Beating Georgia Tech and Florida State may not lock the Hokies into the tournament, but a semifinal win against Duke would seal the deal. Of the three ACC bubble teams, Virginia Tech has the steepest hill to climb between now and Sunday.

BIG EAST
Marquette - There isn't really much of a bubble for the Big East. Marquette is a bubble team just because media types don't want to pencil in an eleventh Big East team that has 12 losses, but everyone who follows college basketball knows that the Golden Eagles will be dancing. With a .500 record in the best basketball conference ever assembled, and quality wins all over the schedule (West Virginia, Notre Dame, Uconn, and Syracuse!!!), this team is the bubble's most comfortable resident. However, a lost today against Providence could give Marquette fans a reason to worry.

BIG TEN
Illinois - ESPN.com has the Illini listed on their bubble watch, and surely they no more than I do about college basketball, but could Illinois really be left at home with 19 wins, an RPI in the thirties, and a SOS in the teens? Illinois isn't a bubble team, but they definitely are struggling, and they may not dance for long this year.
Michigan State - Sparty's spot on the bubble is much more legitimate. Tom Izzo's squad only has 16 wins and will be haunted by a blowout loss to Iowa and two losses to in-state rival Michigan. The Spartans can avenge their Iowa loss in the first round, and an upset of Purdue in round two would lock them in, but that doesn't look likely. I don't think a 64-team field would have room for Michigan State this year, but I have a feeling that a 68-team bracket just might.
Michigan - One of the most underrated factors considered by the selection committee is a teams recent performance. Recently, the Wolverines have been on fire, and the rest of college basketball has taken notice. Michigan had near misses early on against Kansas and Syracuse, and only have one head-scratching loss (Indiana). However, their 8-3 finish to the regular season means they are one of the few bubble teams that is currently impressing the committee. Michigan plays Illinois in their first game of the Big Ten Tournament. A win over the struggling Illini could punch their ticket, and a semifinal win over Ohio State would put them in position to make some noise in the NCAA Tournament as well. It's questionable as to whether the Wolves will get in if they lose to Illinois, but they are definitely one of the few bubble teams that can still be considered with a first round loss.

BIG 12
Colorado - The Buffs made it to .500 in the Big 12 and firmly stand in front of Nebraska and Baylor as the class of the Big 12's bubble teams. Colorado's sweep of Kansas State and the upset of Texas has the Buffs feeling like a bid is definitely possible, but they know that it will most likely take beating K-State for a third time to sleep comfortably going in to Selection Sunday.
Nebraska - It's this simple. Nebraska must beat Oklahoma State, which is easier said than done. Then they must beat Kansas the next day. If they manage to pull that off, they will have a chance, but at least it's a chance.
Baylor - ESPN thinks that Baylor's at-large hopes are dead, but I believe the Bears will pull it all together when it matters most. If Baylor streaks through Oklahoma, Texas, and then Texas A&M before losing in the Big 12 Championship game, the committee couldn't possibly pass them up at 20-13...could they?

PAC-10
USC - Similar to Michigan in the Big Ten, USC has came out of nowhere to suddenly become a very intriguing bubble team. The Trojans tore through the closing stretch of their season to finish 10-8 in the PAC-10, quietly building an impressive profile along the way. USC has beaten Texas, Tennessee, UCLA, Washington, and Arizona. There aren't many teams on the bubble that can present the committee with a better collection of wins. If USC can beat Arizona (for the second time) in the semis to get to 20 wins on the year, the Trojans will have a better case to make the field than most people think.

SEC
Georgia - The Bulldogs look like a team that should be in the tournament, but whenever your school is absent from Joe Lunardi's Bracketology update in the final week of the season, you have plenty to be nervous about. Georgia's RPI and SOS reside in the thirties, and the Dawgs have a few wins that look good on paper (Kentucky, Tennessee, UAB, and Colorado), but the profile definitely lacks depth despite being co-signed by the RPI. Georgia will most likely move into the bracket as teams inevitably falter in the final week. Georgia could become a lock with a win over Alabama in the quarterfinals.
Alabama - The Tide rolled through the SEC, but did absolutely nothing worth noting in the non-conference season. A gaudy record in the weak SEC, and three good wins may not be enough to put Bama in the bracket. The Tide will likely play Georgia in a must-win quarterfinal game, and it wouldn't hurt to beat Kentucky for a second time in the semis as well. Alabama is the SEC West champ, but this could be the second year in a row that that distinction means nothing for a team on Selection Sunday (last year, Mississippi State won the West and didn't dance.)

Outside the Power Six

• Butler, Utah State, and Richmond are all in good shape for at-large births if they do not win their conference tournaments. This year, the bubble has been very forgiving to teams with impressive Win/Loss records
• UAB cannot afford a loss until the championship game of the Conference USA Championship game if they want a chance at an at-large bid. This means they MUST beat Memphis in the semifinals.
• Temple, George Mason, Gonzaga (auto-bid), BYU, San Diego State, UNLV, Xavier, and (surprise!) St. Mary's are all locks for the tournament. 

Enjoy one of the best months in sports. Look out for bracket previews next week.

March Madness Begins Now!

March Madness officially begins today, as three (possibly four) teams will qualify for the "Big Dance" tonight, while bubble teams across the country will decide their fate in the final weekend of the regular season.

• Coastal Carolina (28-4) will host UNC-Asheville (18-13) with the Big South Championship on the line at 4pm on ESPN2.
• Belmont (29-4) and North Florida (15-18) meet in Macon, Georgia for the Atlantic Sun Championship at 6pm on ESPN2.
• Potential first round draft pick Kenneth Faried [pictured right] leads Morehead State (23-9) against Tennessee Tech (20-11) in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship at 8pm on ESPN2.   
• The Ivy League does not play a conference tournament, but the league's two best teams meet tonight. Harvard (22-5) hosts Princeton (23-5) at 7pm on ESPN3. Princeton will win the Ivy with a win, but a loss will most likely lead to an Ivy League Championship tie-breaker game between the same two teams.

Here's a quick preview of what lies ahead in each conference between now and next Sunday when the NCAA Bracket will be announced. 

• The ACC Tournament will be held in Greensboro, NC March 10-13. Look forward to seeing a third meeting between Duke and North Carolina. The two teams are clearly the class of the conference during this down year.
• The America East Tournament is already underway in Hartford with one team having already advanced to the semifinals (Stony Brook). Vermont is the tourney's top seed, but the second seeded Boston is the popular pick to win the bid.
• The Atlantic 10 Tournament will be March 8-13 in Atlantic City. Temple seems to win this tournament every year, and they are the strong favorites yet again. They will probably see a very talented Xavier squad in the finals.
• The Big 12 Tournament will be March 9-12 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City. Texas and Kansas seem to be on a collision course for the finals, but the league's bubble teams could steal the show (and maybe even steal the tourney) with a few upsets. Nebraska, Colorado, Baylor, and Oklahoma St will all be trying to play their way in to the NCAA Tournament next weekend. The dance may not have enough invites for all of them.
• The most famous conference tournament of them all, the Big East Tournament, will be March 8-12 at Madison Square Garden. Pitt, Notre Dame, Syracuse (barring a loss to DePaul), and Louisville have the coveted double byes in the 16 team mega tournament. St. John's is the sleeper as a likely five seed playing on their home court.
• One of the smallest conference tournaments is held in Ogden, Utah. Only six teams make the trip for the Big Sky Tournament. Northern Colorado and Montana are the likely championship game participants. Northern Colorado is the top seed, but Montana already has a win against UCLA under their belt.
• The Big Ten Tournament will take place March 10-13 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Ohio St. is an obvious favorite, but Wisconsin and Purdue will be strong contenders as well. Those two teams combined to give the Buckeyes their only two losses of the year.
• The Big West Tournament is March 10-12 at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Long Beach State, led by former Gonzaga and Minnesota coach Dan Monson, has dominated the league all year. I don't expect to see anything different in the conference tournament. 
• The CAA Tournament is going on as I type. George Mason is already in the semis, and they will meet the winner of the VCU/Drexel game that is being played now. Mason is the top seed, and one of the hottest teams in the country, but the CAA often produces one of the more surprising and entertaining conference tournaments in the country. The conference's top five teams all have a legitimate shot to win the tournament. 
• The Conference USA Tournament will be March 9-12 on campus at UTEP, and it is expected to be absolute bedlam. After a stretch of squandered opportunities by bubble teams, the C-USA is probably a one bid league, as all of the conference's bubble teams are projecting to be left out of the at-large conversation. UAB, UTEP, Memphis, UCF, and Southern Miss all played their way out of the tournament. Now they all have one last shot to get in. The one thing that is certain is that the NIT will have several representatives from this league.
• The top four seeds have advanced in the Horizon League Tournament. The semifinals will be played later this evening. Butler and Cleveland State will take the floor first in the more anticipated of the two games. The second semifinal between Milwaukee and Valparaiso will be televised on ESPNU at 8:30pm. The championship game will be March 8th.
• The MAAC Tournament is also underway currently in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Fairfield and Rider are the favorites to meet in the finals. Iona will also provide strong competition behind their star player, Mike Glover.
• The MAC Tournament will take place March 8-12 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Fittingly, the tournament seems to belong to two Ohio teams for the taking. Kent State and Akron seem to be the league's two strongest teams. Ball State, has a player in forward Jarrod Jones that is talented enough to take them on a long run.
• The MEAC Tournament will be March 7-12 in Winston Salem. Bethune-Cookman is the top seed, but Hampton is the tourney favorite as the two seed.
• "Arch Madness", the nickname for the Missouri Valley Tournament is well underway in St. Louis. Semifinal action is being played now. Missouri State and Wichita State expect to meet in the finals, but Creighton is an experienced team that could knock off Missouri St. in the semis.
• The Mountain West Tournament will be March 8-12 at UNLV. Don't be too quick to pencil in BYU and San Diego St. into the Championship game. UNLV, New Mexico, and Colorado State are all very talented teams. Plus, BYU has yet to prove that they can win a game without the inside presence of Brandon Davies. San Diego St. has also struggled against the conference's second tier.
• The NEC Tournament continues tomorrow. Top-seeded Long Island looks to continue its dream season and coast into the NCAA Tournament.
• The Pac-10 Tournament hits Hollywood March 9-12 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The mediocrity of the conference gives the tournament a special caveat. Anyone from top to bottom could win the tournament. Bubble teams will be keeping an eye on the Pac-10 to make sure a talented team like USC or Washington State doesn't come out of nowhere to steal a bid.
• Bucknell and American University seem destined to meet in the Patriot League Tournament final on March 11th. Both teams must get past one more opponent before they can set their sights on each other.
• The SEC Tournament is known for its funky seeding system and unpredictable outcomes. The only certainty is that the Georgia Dome will be rocking March 10-13. Kentucky and Tennessee both have the depth to be considered favorites in this event. Florida is also capable of beating anyone, but the health of their star player, Chandler Parsons, is uncertain.
• With perennial champion Davidson suffering through a down year, the Southern Conference Tournament is as wide open as it has ever been. The College of Charleston is the clear cut favorite. They feature the league's best coach (Bobby Cremins) and the league's best player in senior guard Andrew Goudelock. Still, up to four other teams have a realistic chance to win the SoCon tourney this year, especially last year's champs from Wofford. 
• The Southland Conference Tournament is one of the hardest tournaments to forecast every year. It is rare that the conference's best team emerges victorious, and upsets are so frequent that it's hard to even label them as such. The Southland is always one of the most evenly matched tournaments from top to bottom, and I wouldn't expect this year to be different. McNeese State looks to be the conference's best team, let's see if they make it to The Dance. I doubt they will.
• The SWAC Conference Tournament will be delivering another play-in game participant as usual. The tournament's final will be on March 12.
• The Summit League Tournament is Oakland's to lose. The Golden Grizzlies rolled through the Summit this year, and even beat Tennessee on the road earlier this season. If the Grizzlies take care of business starting today through Tuesday in Sioux Falls, the Grizzlies will be a scary first round opponent for one of the tournaments top 30 teams.Oakland has a legit NBA prospect in center Keith Benson, and one of the best coaches in America (Greg Kampe).
• The Sun Belt Tournament starts today in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The field is wide open as conference power Western Kentucky has gone through a rebuilding year. Former St. John's coach Mike Jarvis has built Florida Atlantic into a winner, and they will be expected to contend for the Belt's automatic bid.
• The WCC and WAC conference tournaments have the exact same storyline. Bubble teams will fall to their knees every night before bed, praying that either St. Mary's or Gonzaga wins the WCC and that Utah State wins the WAC. These are the two most obvious bid stealing situations coming into Championship Week. San Francisco and Santa Clara in the WCC, along with Boise State and Hawaii in the WAC, could leave a few bubble teams crying on Selection Sunday.

Enjoy Championship Week, it is truly one of the best weeks on the college sports calender.

AmStat College Football Preview: The 2010 Conference Champions

These are the teams that I expect to prevail in their respective divisions and conferences this year. Expect to see most of them playing in BCS Bowls at season's end.


Southeastern Conference Championship Game (Georgia Dome - Atlanta, Georgia)
The ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE defeat the GEORGIA BULLDOGS 
AmStat is calling for the Tide to cap off their second straight undefeated season with a win over the Bulldogs in Atlanta. If all goes according to plans, 'Bama will be waiting to defend their title in the BCS National Championship Game.



Big Ten Champions
The IOWA HAWKEYES
The Hawkeyes are projected to finish atop the conference at 7-1, finishing one game ahead of a pack of four teams that includes Penn State, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio State. A Rose Bowl appearance will most likely be the reward for Iowa's efforts.



Big 12 Championship Game (Texas Stadium - Arlington, Texas)
The NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS defeat the TEXAS A&M AGGIES
AmStat is making a surprise pick in the Big 12 this year. Jerod Johnson will lead the Aggies past both Texas and Oklahoma on their way to Arlington, but Johnson won't have anything for the Cornhuskers with a BCS bid on the line. Nebraska will finally return to the big time bowl stage this season. Oklahoma will be a strong BCS at-large contender, as AmStat only projects them to have one loss this year.  

Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game (Bank of America Stadium - Charlotte, North Carolina)
The FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES defeat the VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES
The Seminoles are back to being a national title contender under first year coach Jimbo Fisher. They will get by Virginia Tech and return to the BCS for the first time since their epic 2006 Orange Bowl matchup with Penn State. The 'Noles only projected loss is to Oklahoma at Norman. If quarterback Christian Ponder can lead his team to an upset, Florida State could very well be playing in the National Championship.

Pacific 10 Champions
The OREGON STATE BEAVERS
For the second year in a row, the conference will be decided during the "Civil War" rivalry game that annually matches up the Beavers with perennial power Oregon. Last year, the Ducks won at home and went on to the Rose Bowl. This year, the Beavers will use their home field advantage to propel them to Pasadena. They will be led by a pair of diminutive AmStat All-Americans, brothers James (WR) and Jacquizz (RB) Rogers. 

Big East Champions
The WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS
The Mounties look to be fully reloaded this year, just in time to be the class of the conference. AmStat actually calls for them to lose their all important "Backyard Brawl" matchup with Pitt, but West Virginia will managed to limp into the BCS off the strength of Pitt losing road games to both USF and Cincinnati late in the season. If the Mountaineers reach their projected 10 wins and a conference championship, all will be right in Morgantown...even if they lose to Pittsburgh.

Mountain West Champions
The TEXAS CHRISTIAN HORNED FROGS
The Frogs will get past their four daunting tests for the year (Oregon State, Baylor, BYU, and Utah) in style and finish the season undefeated, but they will fall short of their goal of playing in the BCS Title Game. They will have to settle for a second straight BCS bowl bid and a possible appearance at New York's Downtown Athletic Club by quarterback Andy Dalton. TCU's fearless and unquestioned leader could very well be a Heisman finalist.

Western Athletic Conference Champions 
The BOISE STATE BRONCOS
The Broncos will also finish the season undefeated, but their series of wins will impress the pollsters just a little more than TCU's, allowing them to be the first non-AQ football program to be allowed to play for the BCS National Championship. The Broncos' season really boils down to one single game. THEY MUST BEAT VIRGINIA TECH ON LABOR DAY NIGHT!!!!!

Conference USA Championship Game (Gerald J. Ford Stadium - Dallas, Texas) ***Site Will Be the Home Field of the CUSA West Champion
The CENTRAL FLORIDA BLACK KNIGHTS defeat the SOUTHERN METHODIST MUSTANGS
UCF may have been expecting to play Houston in this game, but they will have a tough time dispatching June Jones and his pesky Ponies. Ultimately, the Knights will prove to be the class of the conference thanks to solid quarterback play from Ryan Calabrese and the skills of returning 1000 yard rusher Brynn Harvey.

Mid-American Conference Championship Game (Ford Field - Detroit, Michigan)
The TEMPLE OWLS defeat the WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS
The Broncos might actually be the MAC's best team, but the Owls have the conference's most dynamic player BY FAR. Running back Bernard Pierce is a good enough talent to put Temple over the top against any team in the MAC. He will definitely be a nightmare for a random underachieving Big Ten team in the Little Caesar's Bowl.   


Sun Belt Champions 
The MIDDLE TENNESSEE BLUE RAIDERS
This may be one of the best teams that the Sun Belt has ever produced in just their 10th year as a FBS conference. MTSU quarterback Dwight Dasher is the Belt's best player and the primary reason why the Blue Raiders will most likely run through the conference.

AmStat College Football Preview: The Pre-Season All-American Teams

Four teams filled with the best players in the country. This isn't about the NFL, it's about the most productive college athletes in the nation.

First Team All-Americans
QB) Ryan Mallett - Arkansas
RB) Mark Ingram - Alabama
RB) DeMarco Murray - Oklahoma
FB) Stanley Havili - USC
WR) AJ Green - Georgia
WR) Julio Jones - Alabama
WR) Jon Baldwin - Pittsburgh
TE) Kyle Rudolph - Notre Dame [pictured right]
OT) Gabe Carimi - Wisconsin
OT) Marcus Cannon - TCU
C) Kristofer O'Dowd - USC
OG) Stefen Wisniewski - Penn State
OG) Justin Boren - Ohio State
DE) Adrian Clayborn - Iowa
DE) Robert Quinn - North Carolina
DT) Marvin Austin - North Carolina
DT) Jared Crick - Nebraska
MLB) Quan Sturdivant - North Carolina
MLB) Greg Jones - Michigan State
OLB) Bruce Carter - North Carolina
OLB) Mark Herzlich - Boston College [pictured right]
CB) Patrick Peterson - LSU
CB) Prince Amukamara - Nebraska
FS) Will Hill - Florida
SS) Ahmad Black - Florida
K) Kai Forbath - UCLA
P) Ryan Donahue - Iowa
KR) Cyrus Gray - Texas A&M
PR) Jeremy Kerley - TCU

Second Team All-Americans
QB) Andrew Luck - Stanford
RB) Jacquizz Rogers - Oregon State
RB) Evan Royster - Penn State
FB) Charles Clay - Tulsa
WR) Michael Floyd - Notre Dame
WR) DeAndre Brown - Southern Miss
WR) Devier Posey - Ohio State [pictured right]
TE) DJ Williams - Arkansas
OT) Matt Reynolds - BYU
OT) Kyle Hix - Texas
C) Mike Pouncey - Florida
OG) Stephen Schilling - Michigan
OG) Carl Johnson - Florida
DE) Cameron Heyward - Ohio State
DE) Da'Quan Bowers - Clemson
DT) Jarvis Jenkins - Clemson
DT) Drake Nevis - LSU
MLB) Mike Mohamed - California
MLB) Chris Galippo - Alabama
OLB) Akeem Ayers - UCLA
OLB) Travis Lewis - Oklahoma
CB) Ras-I Dowling - Virginia [pictured right]
CB) Chimdi Chekwa - Ohio State
FS) Kenny Tate - Maryland
SS) Tyler Sash - Iowa
K) Caleb Sturgis - Florida
P) Johnny Hekker - Oregon State
KR) Dwayne Harris - East Carolina
PR) Ryan Broyles - Oklahoma

Third Team All-Americans
QB) Jerrod Johnson - Texas A&M [pictured right]
RB) Noel Divine - West Virginia
RB) Ryan Williams - Virginia Tech
FB) Owen Marecic - Stanford
WR) Terrance Tolliver - LSU
WR) Austin Pettis - Boise State
WR) James Rogers - Oregon State
TE) Charlie Gantt - Michigan State
OT) Joseph Barksdale - LSU
OT) Blake DeChristopher - Virginia Tech
C) David Molk - Michigan
OG) Bryant Browning - Ohio State
OG) Chris Stewart - Notre Dame
DE) Greg Romeus - Pittsburgh
DE) Marcell Dareus - Alabama
DT) Jerel Worthy - Michigan State [pictured right]
DT) Christian Ballard - Iowa
MLB) Martez Wilson - Illinois
MLB) Brian Rolle - Ohio State
OLB) Sean Spence - Miami FL
OLB) Ross Homan - Ohio State
CB) Kendric Burney - North Carolina
CB) Janoris Jenkins - Florida
FS) Blake Gideon - Texas
SS) Mark Barron - Alabama
K) Blair Walsh - Georgia
P) Drew Butler - Georgia
KR) Damaris Johnson - Tulsa
PR) David Gilreath - Wisconsin

Fourth Team All-Americans
QB) Jake Locker - Washington
RB) Dion Lewis - Pittsburgh
RB) Bernard Pierce - Temple [pictured right]
FB) Vince Pascoe - Fresno State
WR) Armon Binns - Cincinnati
WR) Derrell Johnson Koulianos - Iowa
WR) Ronald Johnson - USC
TE) Ben Guidugli - Cincinnati
OT) Clint Boling - Georgia
OT) Anthony Castonzo - Boston College
C) John Moffitt - Wisconsin
OG) Rodney Hudson - Florida State
OG) Caleb Schlauderaff - Utah
DE) Ryan Winterswyk - Boise State
DE) Jeremy Beal - Oklahoma
DT) Mike Martin - Michigan
DT) Chris Neild - West Virginia
MLB) Obi Ezeh - Michigan [pictured right]
MLB) Casey Matthews - Oregon
OLB) Nick Bellore - Central Michigan
OLB) Lawrence Wilson - Connecticut
CB) Curtis Brown - Texas
CB) Aaron Williams - Texas
FS) Brian Lainhart - Kent State
SS) Jay Valai - Wisconsin
K) Wes Byrum - Auburn
P) Derek Epperson - Baylor
KR) Darryl Stonum - Michigan
PR) Niles Paul - Nebraska

AmStat College Football Preview: The Pre-Season NCAA Power Rankings

This one is a lot less complicated than the Preseason Top 33. No records and schedules are considered. These are simply AmStat's Top 30 teams in the country. Nothing more and nothing less. It's pretty self-explanatory.

These are AmStat's most powerful and talented teams in the country.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
3. Oklahoma Sooners
4. Boise State Broncos
5. Nebraska Cornhuskers
6. Florida Gators
7. USC Trojans
8. Miami FL Hurricanes
9. Oregon Ducks
10. Texas Longhorns
11. North Carolina Tar Heels
12. TCU Horned Frogs
13. Virginia Tech Hokies
14. Florida State Seminoles
15. Penn State Nittany Lions
16. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
17. Georgia Bullldogs
18. Wisconsin Badgers
19. LSU Tigers
20. Oregon State Beavers
22. Michigan Wolverines
23. Iowa Hawkeyes
24. Auburn Tigers
25. Michigan State Spartans

IT'S COLLEGE FOOTBALL TIME!!

Colleges and universities around the country will be starting their fall semesters in the next two weeks...and here at AmStat, that means absolutely nothing. What is important is that in two weeks the best regular season in all of sports kicks off (no preseason games necessary).

IT'S COLLEGE FOOTBALL TIME!

And no other blog on the net covers college football like AmStat.

In the next two weeks, the blog will be getting updated daily with loads of information about the upcoming college football season.

I ain't half steppin' either...

Preseason Top 25
Power Rankings
Positional Rankings
All-Americans
Conference Predictions
Bowl Predictions
Preseason Award Predictions
Games of the Year

The entire AmStat 2010 College Football Preview will be posted by September 4th. 

Summer League 2010

The AirTran Orlando Pro Summer League 2010 starts next Monday (July 5th)

The Following Teams Will Participate in the Orlando Pro Summer League:
Charlotte Bobcats
Utah Jazz
New Jersey Nets
Philadelphia 76ers
Oklahoma City Thunder
Boston Celtics
Orlando Magic
Indiana Pacers

Notable Rookie Players That Will Participate in the Orlando Pro Summer League:
Avery Bradley (BOS) - Texas
Luke Harangody (BOS) - Notre Dame
Deshawn Sims (BOS) - Michigan
Ryan Wittman (BOS) - Cornell [pictured]
Sherron Collins (CHA) - Kansas
Denis Clemente (CHA) - Kansas State
Paul George (IND) - Fresno State
Lance Stephenson (IND) - Cincinnati
Tweety Carter (NJ) - Baylor
Wayne Chism (NJ) - Tennessee
Derrick Favors (NJ) - Georgia Tech
Damion James (NJ) - Texas
Brian Zoubek (NJ) - Duke
Daniel Orton (ORL) - Kentucky
Stanley Robinson (ORL) - Connecticut
Cole Aldrich (OKC) - Kansas
Evan Turner (PHI) - Ohio State
Gordon Hayward (UTA) - Butler

NBA Summer League Las Vegas starts next Friday (June 9th) 

The Following Teams Will Participate in the NBA Summer League Las Vegas:
Atlanta Hawks
Chicago Bulls
Cleveland Cavaliers
Dallas Mavericks
Detroit Pistons
Denver Nuggets
Golden State Warriors
Houston Rockets
Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Lakers
Memphis Grizzlies
Miami Heat
Milwaukee Bucks
Minnesota Timberwolves
New Orleans Hornets
New York Knicks
Phoenix Suns
Portland Trailblazers
Sacramento Kings
San Antonio Spurs
Toronto Raptors
Washington Wizards

Notable Rookie Players That Will Participate in the NBA Summer League Las Vegas:
Jordan Crawford (ATL) - Xavier
Matt Bouldin (CHI) - Gonzaga
Samardo Samuels (CHI) - Louisville
Manny Harris (CLE) - Michigan
Dominique Jones (DAL) - USF
Omar Samhan (DAL) - St. Mary's CA
Jeremy Lin (DAL) - Harvard
Edgar Sosa (DET) - Louisville [pictured]
Greg Monroe (DET) - Georgetown
Ekpe Udoh (GS) - Baylor
Trevon Hughes (HOU) - Wisconsin
Patrick Patterson (HOU) - Kentucky
Al-Farouq Aminu (LAC) - Wake Forest
Eric Bledsoe (LAC) - Kentucky
Willie Warren (LAC) - Oklahoma
Derrick Caracter (LAL) - UTEP
Devin Ebanks (LAL) - West Virginia
Xavier Henry (MEM) - Kansas
Greivis Vasquez (MEM) - Maryland
Dexter Pittman (MIA) - Texas
Jarvis Varnado (MIA) - Mississippi State
Keith "Tiny" Gallon (MIL) - Oklahoma
Darington Hobson (MIL) - New Mexico
Larry Sanders (MIL) - VCU
Wesley Johnson (MIN) - Syracuse
Lazar Hayward (MIN) - Marquette
Craig Brackins (NO) - Iowa State
Quincy Pondexter (NO) - Washington
Andy Rautins (NY) - Syracuse
Scottie Reynolds (PHO) - Villanova [pictured]
Gani Lawal (PHO) - Georgia Tech
Luke Babbitt (POR) - Nevada
Elliot Williams (POR) - Memphis
Armon Johnson (POR) - Nevada
Wayne Chism (SAC) - Tennessee
DeMarcus Cousins (SAC) - Kentucky
Hassan Whiteside (SAC) - Marshall
Sylven Landesberg (SAC) - Virginia
Donald Sloan (SAC) - Texas A&M
Solomon Alabi (TOR) - Florida State
Ed Davis (TOR) - North Carolina
Trevor Booker (WAS) - Clemson
Raymar Morgan (WAS) - Michigan State
Jerome Randle (WAS) - California
John Scheyer (WAS) - Duke
John Wall (WAS) - Kentucky
Jerome Dyson (WAS) - Connecticut

The New Breed: These Four High School Seniors Can't Wait To Get On Campus Next Year

The high school basketball class of 2010 has graduated, and most of the top prospects are already enrolled in summer classes in preparation for their upcoming freshman seasons. Most people who follow college basketball know that Jared Sullinger is the next big thing at Ohio State and Harrison Barnes will be the next one and done talent to come to North Carolina. Kyrie Irving will run the point at Duke as a freshman, and so will Josh Selby at Kansas. Both of them will be faced with the challenge of replacing All-Americans (John Scheyer at Duke & Sherron Collins at Kansas). Now that the class of 2010 has taken shape, it's time to meet the best players in the class of 2011.

Michael Gilchrist 
Position: Small Forward
Height: 6'7
Weight: 210lbs
High School: St. Patrick's High School (NJ)
*Committed to Kentucky

It can't be easy being the best, but it's a burden that Michael Gilchrist must deal with. Gilchrist has been regarded as the best player in the class of 2011 since his sophomore year at St. Pat's, one of the Tri-State's basketball powerhouses. During that sophomore season, Gilchrist played with McDonald's All-American and current North Carolina guard Dexter Strickland. This is important because unlike many elite level high school stars, Gilchrist hasn't been carrying his team for four straight years. Gilchrist has actually been able to develop, and grow into his role as a go to guy. As a senior, and next year as a freshman at Kentucky, his comfort with the spotlight will make his transition much easier. This is something that I think will allow him to produce big numbers from the start at UK, similar to John Wall last season. Gilchrist can already score from both inside and out and with seasoning could even project as a shooting guard in the NBA. He will undoubtedly be the nation's top high school player from now until graduation day.


VIDEO



Austin Rivers
Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 6'4
Weight: 189lbs
High School: Winter Park High School (FL)
*Considering Duke, North Carolina, UCLA, Kansas, and Florida

If you're thinking about stepping down from one of the most prestigious coaching jobs in basketball to watch your son play basketball, your son better be damn good. Unfortunately for the Boston Celtics, Austin Rivers is that good. That's why his father, Celtics head coach "Doc" Rivers may choose to take a break from coaching while his son makes what could be a two year transition from high school senior to NBA lottery pick. Though Gilchrist is the country's best overall prospect, NO ONE playing high school basketball can score like Austin Rivers. His outside shooting touch and wiry athleticism are enough to label him as college basketball's next Stephen Curry. Austin isn't the defender that his dad was but his prodigious offensive game will make him one of the most dangerous members of which team he joins. Rivers will set out to prove this year that he is a whole lot more than just a chip off of Doc's old block.


VIDEO



James McAdoo
Position: Power Forward
Height: 6'8
Weight: 216lbs
High School: Norfolk Christian
*Committed to North Carolina

Old School Tar Heel fans will be going back down memory lane next year when James McAdoo suits up in Chapel Hill. McAdoo's uncle Bob McAdoo led UNC to an ACC Championship and a Final Four during his two year stay. Now James McAdoo looks poised to have a similarly abbreviated stay in the Carolina Blue. While Bob McAdoo came to North Carolina with only two years of eligibility after winning a junior college national championship, James just seems too talented to be on campus for more than two years. Though he is thought of as a power forward, McAdoo has all the athleticism of a small forward. He finishes well above the rim and will only get stronger once he gets on campus. McAdoo is so ready for the next level that he strongly considered graduating high school early and joining UNC's class of 2010. Ultimately, he decided against it. However, there is no doubt that James is expected to be the second McAdoo to go from North Carolina to the NBA.


VIDEO



Myck Kabongo
Position: Point Guard
Height: 6'2
Weight: 170lbs.
High School: St. Benedict's Prep
*Committed to Texas

Michael Gilchrist isn't the only recruit claiming to be the nation's best recruit in the class of 2011. Myck Kabongo has a pretty good case. Kabongo is from Toronto (ON), Canada and he is the best high school player north of the border. Kabongo plays his high school ball in New Jersey where he has thrived against some of the areas top competition. Kabongo is a lock down defender, and a pure point guard on the offensive end. He has exceptional speed and quickness that allows him to create off the dribble and find teammates for easy baskets. Kabongo is still developing his own offensive game, but his potential to become a scorer is evident. If Kabongo's game continues to develope, he will eventually follow former Longhorns TJ Ford, Daniel Gibson, and DJ Augustine into the NBA.

VIDEO

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down: NBA Draft Edition

The NBA Draft has came and gone. Now it's time to analyze who made the right decisions and who may have set back their franchise by making the wrong draft choices. I'm not going to make things complicated by giving letter grades and such. Every team in the NBA is getting either a thumbs up or a thumbs down. It's that simple.

Washington Wizards

#1 John Wall (PG), Kentucky

#17 Kevin Seraphin (PF), France

#23 Trevor Booker (PF), Clemson [pictured]

#56 Hamady N'Diaye (C), Rutgers

The Wizards get a THUMBS UP for their draft primarily because they got the draft's only potential superstar. They also added two power forwards (Seraphin and Booker) that will increase the teams toughness, rebounding, and defense. If the Wiz can turn N'Diaye into a pro shot blocker, it's possible that this could be a solid draft class from top to bottom.

Philadelphia 76ers

#2 Evan Turner (SF), Ohio State 

The 76ers get a quiet THUMBS UP for taking the obvious choice with there only draft pick of the night. Philly's going to be really bad next year, but Turner is a nice puzzle piece for the future.

New Jersey Nets

#3 Derrick Favors (PF), Georgia Tech

#24 Damion James (SF), Texas

The Nets get a THUMBS UP for drafting Favors and creating one of the best young front lines in the league. Yi Jianlian can now be a valuable player off the bench. James also has all the makings of a quality NBA role player. He is a good athlete who plays defense, rebounds, and can finish on the break.

Minnesota Timberwolves

#4 Wesley Johnson (SF), Syracuse

#30 Lazar Hayward (SF), Marquette

#36 Nemanja Bjelica (PF), Serbia

#45 Paulo Prestes (PF), Brazil

Martell Webster (SG/SF), Portland Trail Blazers

It should come as no surprise that the Wolves would get the first THUMBS DOWN for their draft efforts. No one can argue with choosing Wes Johnson, but GM David Kahn failed to pick up anybody else that could help his team. Bjelica and Prestes are top international prospects, but they are probably not that willing to play in Minnesota. They are probably both very familiar with Ricky Rubio's situation with the T-Wolves and will follow suit to an extent. Hayward was the worse pick of the draft value-wise. It's a shame that he's going to have a guaranteed rookie contract. Picking up Webster was the second best move of the night, but the Wolves missed out on a chance to make a major improvement on Thursday.

Sacramento Kings

#5 DeMarcus Cousins (PF), Kentucky

#33 Hassan Whiteside (C), Marshall

The Kings get a THUMBS UP for drafting the second best player in this draft at the five spot. The also got another first round talent in the second round by drafting Whiteside. The Kings don't seem to have much of a plan for their future, but they added two solid pieces on Thursday.

Golden State Warriors

#6 Ekpe Udoh (PF), Baylor

The Warriors get a THUMBS UP for adding a defensive presence that can contribute to their unique offensive style.

Detroit Pistons

#7 Greg Monroe (PF), Georgetown

#36 Terrico White (PG/SG), Ole Miss [pictured]

The Pistons get a big THUMBS UP for picking up the best passing big man coming out of college since Chris Webber and a big guard who can play the point and shoot from distance.

Los Angeles Clippers

#8 Al-Farouq Aminu (SF), Wake Forest

#18 Eric Bledsoe (PG), Kentucky

#54 Willie Warren (PG/SG), Oklahoma

The Clippers have to get a THUMBS DOWN for drafting a player at #8 that has significantly less potential than the player they drafted at #54. Aminu is an athlete, but he isn't much of a basketball player. That limits his potential greatly. Bledsoe will probably be the best player of this bunch, but Bledsoe's lack of shooting is another limiting factor for a Clippers draft pick.

Utah Jazz

#9 Gordon Hayward (SF), Butler

#55 Jeremy Evans (PF), Western Kentucky

The Jazz get a big THUMBS UP for getting an ideal fit for their team in Hayward. He will start for the Jazz by season's end. Who cares about Jeremy Evans. The #55 pick in the draft has every right to be a bust.

Indiana Pacers

#10 Paul George (SF), Fresno State

#40 Lance Stephenson (SG), Cincinnati 

#51 Magnum Rolle (PF), Louisiana Tech

The Pacers made it a point to get more athletic and they did, but Indy gets a THUMBS DOWN for taking a player who can only play behind the team's best player and not with him. Stephenson is a high risk, high reward pick for the Pacers. Rolle is most likely a non-factor. I just don't see either of these players being starters for this team at any point.

Oklahoma City Thunder

#11 Cole Aldrich (C), Kansas [pictured]

#31 Tibor Pleiss (C), Germany

#48 Latavious Williams (SF/PF), Tulsa 66ers

#57 Ryan Reid (PF), Florida State 

Morris Peterson (SF), New Orleans Hornets 

Daequan Cook (SG), Miami Heat 

OKC had one of the overall best draft nights on Thursday. Reid and Williams are throw away picks, but Aldrich is a solid center for the team, and Peterson and Cook are proven shooters that will stretch defenses. Pleiss is a top prospect in Europe and could be a great pick down the line. This draft gets TWO THUMBS UP. The Thunder are going to be a force next year.

Memphis Grizzlies 

#12 Xavier Henry (SG), Kansas

#28 Greivis Vasquez (PG), Maryland 

The Grizz purchased their Rudy Gay insurance by picking Henry and then made a smart decision by selecting Vasquez. Vasquez has the type of talent to be a major contributor very soon in Memphis. This draft gets a THUMBS UP as Memphis continues to be a team on the rise.

Toronto Raptors

#13 Ed Davis (PF), North Carolina

#50 Solomon Alabi (C), Florida State

The Raptors get a THUMBS DOWN for trying to replace Chris Bosh with an often injured forward who is more potential than production. Alabi could be a secound round steal for the Dinos, but the Raptors lack enough talent to take a risk on Davis.

Houston Rockets

#14 Patrick Patterson (SF), Kentucky

The Rockets get a THUMBS UP for picking an NBA ready forward than can help them immediately and eventually replace Shane Battier. This is how good teams stay that way.

Milwaukee Bucks

#15 Larry Sanders (PF), VCU

#37 Darington Hobson (SF), New Mexico [pictured]

#44 Jerome Jordan (C), Tulsa 

#47 Keith "Tiny" Gallon (PF), Oklahoma

The Milwaukee Bucks were the runaway winners on draft night. The Bucks picked four players that can make their roster and contribute. Sanders is a big time defender and Hobson is an NBA ready scorer. Jordan is a quality big man and Gallon is a high potential prospect. The Bucks just added a wealth of talent to a good young roster. Their will be plenty of reasons to "Fear the Deer" next season. This haul of prospects gets TWO THUMBS UP. I'd give it three if I had an extra thumb.

Portland Trail Blazers 

#16 Luke Babbitt (SF), Nevada 

#22 Elliot Williams (PG/SG), Memphis 

#34 Armon Johnson (PG/SG), Nevada

The Blazers get a THUMBS UP for bagging both of Nevada's very talented draft entries along with Williams, who is a very athletic defender on the perimeter. Playoff teams need to pick kids that can help the team sooner than later. That's what the Blazers did.

Boston Celtics

#19 Avery Bradley (PG/SG), Texas

#52 Luke Harangody (PF), Notre Dame

The Celtics get a big THUMBS UP for landing two prolific scorers that will find a home on the Celtics bench next year. Bradley has an outside shot at being a starter if Ray Allen leaves. Remember that Bradley was ranked ahead of John Wall coming out of high school.

San Antonio Spurs 

#20 James Anderson (SG), Oklahoma State

#49 Ryan Richards (PF), England

The Spurs have mastered the art of drafting players. This year was no exception. THUMBS UP for grabbing one of the draft's best shooters in Anderson and one of the year's most promising international prospects (Richards). Anderson may eventually replace Manu in the lineup, and Richards is another front court prospect that is being groomed in the twilight of Tim Duncan's career.

New Orleans Hornets

#21 Craig Brackins (PF), Iowa State [pictured]

#26 Quincy Pondexter (SF), Washington

The Hornets added two promising role players in the first round. Pondexter will be a strong defender and Brackins can provide low post scoring and a change of pace behind David West. This duo definitely gets a THUMBS UP.

Atlanta Hawks

#27 Jordan Crawford (SG), Xavier

#53 Pape Sy (SF), France

The Hawks realize that they will probably lose Joe Johnson next week as a free agent. Crawford is an ideal fit for ATL who can fill the role of Jamal Crawford, who will probably become a starter after Johnson's departure. Pape Sy is a nobody. We won't be seeing him in the league...ever.

Dallas Mavericks

#25 Dominique Jones (SG), USF

The Mavs get a THUMBS UP for landing a capable scorer who is NBA ready, and tailor-made for Dallas' style of play.

Orlando Magic 

#29 Daniel Orton (C), Kentucky

#59 Stanley Robinson (SF), Connecticut

The Magic get a THUMBS DOWN for spending a first round pick on a college bench player who averaged three points a night as a freshman. The Magic are a contender right now. It doesn't make sense for them to waste assets on three year projects. Robinson may help the Magic before Orton does.

Miami Heat

#32 Dexter Pittman (C), Texas

#41 Jarvis Varnado (PF), Mississippi State

#42 Da'Sean Butler (SF), West Virginia [pictured]

The Heat get a THUMBS UP from me for not wasting time with upside in the second round. They selected three proven college commodities. Pittman has the potential to dominate if he can get in shape. Varnado is college basketball's all-time leading shot blocker and Butler is a prolific scoring talent. The Heat are trying to find low cost pieces to a puzzle that keeps D-Wade in South Beach.

New York Knicks 

#38 Andy Rautins (SG), Syracuse

#39 Landry Fields (SF), Stanford

Of course the Knicks get TWO THUMBS DOWN for their back to back choke job in the second round. New York could have left this draft with Lance Stephenson and someone with a very high ceiling like WVU's Devin Ebanks. Instead they picked two players that weren't even on anyone else's board.

Los Angeles Lakers 

#43 Devin Ebanks (SF), West Virginia

#58 Derrick Caracter (PF), UTEP 

The Lakers get TWO THUMBS UP for drafting two very talented and skilled basketball players in the second round. Getting a roster worthy player such as Caracter in the fifties is always a sign of good drafting. Ebanks would have been a lottery pick next year.

Phoenix Suns 

#46 Gani Lawal (PF), Georgia Tech [pictured]

#60 Dwayne Collins (PF), Miami FL

The Suns are notorious for throwing away draft picks, but they actually drafted a good player this year in Gani Lawal. I'm giving the Suns a THUMBS DOWN due to the fact that I don't trust their ability to utilize Lawal. The former G-Tech standout will have to ask Earl Clarke what it's like to be a talented rookie in Phoenix. He'll tell him it involves a lot of watching from the sidelines. Collins is a non-factor for Phoenix.

The Amateur Status 2010 NBA Mock Draft (2nd Edition: The Hard Copy)

Things have changed since my first mock draft hit the blog days after the draft lottery was complete. More information is available now and certain players have shot up the draft board. One sure first round pick has pulled out of the draft all together. This is the updated look at how things should shape up on Thursday night.

#1) The Washington Wizards select John Wall, PG - Kentucky
No changes here. The one year wonder (pictured to the right) is still going number one without any questions from anyone.

#2) The Philadelphia 76ers select Evan Turner, SG/SF - Ohio State

I tried to get cute with this pick before by putting Wesley Johnson here, but the truth is that the 76ers will find perimeter shooting elsewhere. They can't pass on a kid as good as Turner.

#3) The New Jersey Nets select Derrick Favors, PF - Georgia Tech

The possibility of Favors fulfilling his potential outweighs any apprehensions the Nets may have about the big man.

#4) The Minnesota Timberwolves select Wesley Johnson SG/SF - Syracuse

The Wolves will be happy to add a long distance to compliment the penetration of Jonny Flynn.

#5) The Sacramento Kings select Greg Monroe, PF - Georgetown

Monroe has shot past Al-Farouq Aminu on everyone's draft board thanks to the element his passing game brings to any team.

#6) The Golden State Warriors select Al-Farouq Aminu, SF/PF - Wake Forest

Aminu is the logical choice for the run and shoot Warriors unless the team wants to go for a home run and draft Paul George at six. That would be my move, but I don't think the Warriors have the type of job security to swing for the fences with Aminu on the board.

#7) The Detroit Pistons select DeMarcus Cousins, PF/C - Kentucky

Detroit probably doesn't care about Cousins' attitude as much as other teams. Team President Joe Dumars played with Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn during his heyday. I doubt that Cousins (pictured to the right) even compares to those two.

#8) The Los Angeles Clippers select Paul George, SF - Fresno State

The Clippers will take a chance on the athletic freak from Cali, banking on the fact that he can prove to be more effective than Aminu, especially early on in their careers.

#9) The Utah Jazz select Cole Aldrich, C - Kansas

As long as Aldrich is big and white...Utah's not letting their next Greg Ostertag slip out of the top ten. Especially when this updated version displays so much more skill than the original.

#10) The Indiana Pacers select Epke Udoh, PF - Baylor

Ed Davis is the more talented player of the two, but the Pacers can't afford to have their 2010 first round draft choice fall apart. Injury concerns have dominated all the talk surrounding Davis this week, while Udoh's (pictured to the right) stock has soared since the NCAA Tournament.

#11) The New Orleans Hornets select Xavier Henry, SG - Kansas

The Hornets would love to get their hands on Paul George but his stock has risen much too high. They will settle for the best combo guard in the draft.

#12) The Memphis Grizzlies select Patrick Patterson, PF - Kentucky

All indications are that Memphis has fell in love with Patterson. If you see a mock draft that doesn't have Patterson going to Memphis - stop reading it.

#13) The Toronto Raptors select Avery Bradley, SG - Texas

The Raptors are locked on to Bradley even more so than the Grizzlies are with Patterson. Bradley might as well start house shopping in Toronto.

#14) The Houston Rockets select Hassan Whiteside, C - Marshall

The Rockets would like to get Cole Aldrich here, but I really think the Jazz will take the big man from Kansas. The Rockets will have to settle for this project with extreme upside.

#15) The Milwaukee Bucks select Luke Babbitt, SF - Nevada

Babbitt (pictured to the right) has been flying up draft boards thanks to his size and shooting ability. The gunner from Nevada would be an excellent compliment to Brandon Jennings.

#16) The Minnesota Timberwolves select Ed Davis, PF - North Carolina

I can't see Davis going in the lottery because of his injury history, but he is too talented to fall past a team like Minnesota who desperately needs an influx of talent on their roster.

#17) The Chicago Bulls select Gordon Hayward, SF - Butler

Hayward is a very familiar face in Chicago, having played at nearby Butler. He can come to Chicago and play the role of a taller and more skilled Kirk Hinrich. Hayward is in heavy competition to be selected before Luke Babbitt.

#18) The Miami Heat select Eric Bledsoe, PG - Kentucky

The Heat would love to get their hands on Hayward, Babbitt, or Ed Davis with this pick. However, Bledsoe is an exciting play maker that can team with Dwayne Wade right away on South Beach.

#19) The Boston Celtics select James Anderson, SG - Oklahoma State

Ray Allen probably will not return to the Celtics next year. Anderson (pictured to the right) is the type of shooter that can ease the pain of not having Jesus Shuttlesworth in the corner next year.

#20) The San Antonio Spurs select Kevin Seraphin, PF - France

The Spurs will strongly consider Damion James from Texas but with 6'11 Brazilian Tiago Splitter supposedly entering the fold next season. The Spurs can afford to stash this athletic four man in Europe.

#21) The Oklahoma City Thunder select Larry Sanders, PF - VCU

The Thunder need more size and athleticism up front. Drafting Sanders is the equivalent of cloning rookie standout Serge Ibaka. Sanders will immediately contribute defensively and on the glass thanks to his freakish wingspan.

#22) The Portland Trail Blazers select Solomon Alabi, C - Florida State

The main priority for this draft pick is to provide solid insurance for Greg Oden. Daniel Orton or Kevin Seraphin could easily be selected here as well. This pick WILL be a big man.

#23) The Minnesota Timberwolves select Daniel Orton, C - Kentucky

The Wolves will be thrilled if Orton, a player they will consider at #16 falls to them at #23. Al Jefferson is probably bolting Minnesota as soon as he gets a chance so front court depth is crucial for the rebuilding T-Wolves.

#24) The Atlanta Hawks select Armon Johnson, PG/SG - Nevada

Johnson comes off the board late in the first round to justify his decision to leave college early. The Hawks hope that this combo guard can make the transition to the point and eventually replace Mike Bibby. Of the four guards contending to be picked in this area of the Draft (Johnson, Dominique Jones, Elliot Williams, and Jordan Crawford) Johnson has the most upside at the point.

#25) The Memphis Grizzlies select Elliot Williams, PG/SG - Memphis

This is a hometown pick that turns out not to be a reach at all. Williams (pictured to the right) is a solid pick at #25 no matter who is on the clock, but you better believe the Grizzlies are making this pick knowing that it puts extras butts in the seats every night.

#26) The Oklahoma City Thunder select Dominique Jones, PG/SG - USF

The Thunder desperately need outside shooting and Jones fits that description the best at this point in the draft. Jones scores in bunches and could be a valuable reserve for a Thunder team that looks lost on offense when Kevin Durant isn't in the game.

#27) The New Jersey Nets select Devin Ebanks, SF - West Virginia

Ebanks does too many things well to not find a role in the Nets rotation.

#28) The Memphis Grizzlies select Gani Lawal, PF - Georgia Tech

The Grizz addressed a lot of needs with their first two picks, but they still needed a rugged inside presence. Lawal meets the criterion.

#29) The Orlando Magic select Quincy Pondexter, SF - Washington
The Magic have seemingly locked in on Pondexter as an eventual replacement for Vince Carter on the wing. Pondexter (pictured to the right) will ratchet up the team's defensive intensity even more and add some fire to a relatively docile locker room.

#30) The Washington Wizards select Jordan Crawford, SG - Xavier

Crawford goes to DC by default based on the fact that all of the other quality two guards are off the board. The Wizards probably would prefer James Anderson due to his size, but he probably won't drop that far.

The True Champions

Recently, the NCAA decided the fate of the USC athletic program. The penalty was harsh and undoubtedly deserved. Southern Cal has been the gold standard for cheating in college sports in this past decade. The NCAA ruled that now New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush's mother stayed in a classy San Diego area home while Bush was a Trojan. The problem was that Bush's mother wasn't paying rent. Memphis Grizzlies guard OJ Mayo went on shopping sprees worth thousands of dollars during his year at USC. The credit card that Mayo used to make those purchases was the credit line of a non-profit charitable organization. Unfortunately, the organization didn't exist and the credit card was given to him by an individual who had already been reprimanded for shady dealings with USC basketball players. This particular bad guy, an agency runner by the name of Rodney Guillory, was a frequent visitor to the USC basketball offices despite the fact that he had already ruined the eligibility of a former Trojan hoops star named Jeff Trepagnier.

There's no other way to put it. The Trojans cheated. It should be time for USC to give back two trophies that they don't deserve.

It was suspected that the Trojans football program would have to vacate their 2004 National Championship season. The BCS is currently debating their decision on the fate of the 2004 championship. If USC is stripped, the BCS will proclaim the title as being vacant. The Associated Press has made the decision to allow the Trojans to keep their title. The decision was made in direct contradiction to a decision made by the AP earlier this year.

When Houston Texans rookie linebacker Brian Cushing tested positive for a banned substance, the AP decided that a re-vote would decide the fate of Cushing's Rookie of the Year award that he had won months prior.

If the AP followed their earlier precedent, a re-vote would have found the Auburn Tigers to be the true national champions of the 2004 season.

To refresh your memory, the 2004 season was the season that the BCS code was finally cracked by a team outside of the power six confidences. Utah finished undefeated by thrashing Pitt in the Fiesta Bowl, and Auburn capped off an undefeated season by knocking off Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Neither of these teams got the chance to play for a title. That right was taken away by USC and their ineligible star player, Reggie Bush. Boise State and Oklahoma also finished the 2004 regular season undefeated, but Boise State lost one of the best bowl games ever to Louisville, and Oklahoma got drilled by USC in the title game.

If the AP had enough backbone to re-vote, the Auburn Tigers would be the new champ for the 2004 season. The Tigers ran through the best conference in the country, and beat a really good team in their bowl game. Retrospectively, that Tigers team even produced a ton of future pros that are still playing on Sundays.

In a perfect world the 2004 national championship would have been awarded to a team that didn't cheat....or at least had the decency not to get caught.

The AP had a chance to crown a true champion...and they blew it.

Conference Shake Up Summary

As it turns out, the NCAA did not undergo any catastrophic changes to its conference alignments. Changes were made however, and there will be more to come. This is a quick rundown of what has happened so far and what still might happen in the next year or two.   

-Realignment proceedings got off to a very unorganized start. It was rumored weeks ago that the Pac-10 would invite the entire Big 12 South division to join their conference, leaving the teams of the Big 12 North to scramble for conference affiliations. When rumors circulated that both Missouri and Nebraska had found a home in the Big Ten, Colorado jumped ship and joined the Pac-10. The move was supposed to be a precursor to Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Texas A&M all joining the Pac-10. Colorado's acceptance was slated to scratch Baylor's involvement in the expansion plan. Unfortunately, no one joined the Buffs in the Pac-10, leaving them as a member of an eleven team Pac-10 that financially can't compete with a ten team Big 12.   

-Nebraska made a very tactical move by becoming the 12th member of the Big Ten. The Huskers give the Big Ten the opportunity to host a conference championship game, and the logistic ability to expand their groundbreaking Big Ten Network into more households. Wisconsin has already contacted league offices, requesting that they annually play Nebraska at the end of the regular season with the hope of starting a rivalry.

-Shortly after Nebraska made their move, Missouri realized that they would not get an invite from the Big Ten. The Tigers had no choice but to rely on Texas to keep the Big 12 Conference together.

-Boise State made a regrettable move by going from the WAC to the Mountain West. The Broncos could have been patient and landed in either the Big 12 or the Pac-10.  

-Fortunately for Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, and previously mentioned Missouri...Texas did decide to save the Big 12. The Longhorns chose to stay put and the rest of the Big 12 South followed suit. As repayment for breathing life back into the conference, Texas will receive an inordinate percentage of the conference's revenue and will be allowed to start their own television network (tentatively named "The Longhorn Network").  

-Texas A&M made the most ego driven move in the past month. In an effort to hide the fact that they planned on following the lead of their arch rival Texas, the Aggies decided to flirt with the idea of joining the SEC and leaving behind it's geographic rival. There was no way that A&M would ever separate itself from Texas, but the ruse was put in place to portray Texas A&M as a school that could make decisions without the consent of Texas. In the end, the Aggies embarrassed themselves by staying with Texas when they had every reason to leave.

-Utah just received an invitation from the Pac-10 to be the conference's 12th member. BYU and (later) Boise State are possible candidates for further Pac-10 expansion.

-Notre Dame is safe for now, but eventually conference expansion will force the Irish to join the Big Ten for all sports. Notre Dame's football program carries too much prestige to play in a Big East football conference that may not even exist in a few years.

-The Big East desperately needs to add football programs. Connecticut West Virginia, Louisville, and South Florida are all destined for either the ACC or the SEC at some point. Even though it makes absolutely no geographical sense, the Big Ten could possibly take away Rutgers and Syracuse. Teams like Marshall and East Carolina are beating down the door to get into the Big East, but the conference would be better off transitioning established winning programs such as FCS National Champ Villanova and perennial FCS power Richmond. Georgetown also has a FCS football program that can be upgraded. The addition of those three teams along with ECU and/or Marshall could possibly be enough to save the Big East football conference.
TCU is an ideal candidate to join the Big 12. They are already bitter rivals with Baylor, and would be a great addition. Right now, the Frogs are a better program than Colorado or Nebraska.