RE: Shootin' some b-ball

Well... That sucked.

Shootin' some b-ball

The college game!

We're a solid two months away from the 1st round of the NCAAs -- the perfect time to start spit-balling about possible seeds. For me, my top three from the start of the season remains unchanged. 1s (in order): Florida, UCLA, Wisconsin. But nailing down that 4th top seed is proving to be a tricky task. As of today, I'd put down North Carolina on the grounds of them being the best out of the ACC. Their bounce-back win over Clemson last night (simultaneously getting NC's house in order while casting doubt on the quality of Clemson -- even after a 17-0 start) helps their cause, but I don't have the confidence that North Carolina -- especially with their susceptibility to dribble penetration -- can go on a six-game win streak in March, let alone four. And if we're talking Final Four, there's at least one wild-card spot open to any of NC, Kansas, Ohio State, Oregon, and beyond.

Two teams that are out-and-out frauds. One you should've known for weeks already (UConn) and the other you should DEFINITELY be aware of, now: Alabama. Massacred against Arkansas last week and then again, last night, against Vanderbilt. I was never sure of why Alabama had a top-ten ranking to begin with and having struggles like this in a weak SEC (overrated LSU included) only cast a bigger shadow. It's the same reason why I can't put all my faith into Pittsburgh, just yet. Even though they're without question the class of the Big East, their two lone out-of-conference showdowns were disappointments... even if they did take OK State to overtime.

And what of my Arizona Wildcats? After that tough loss to Oregon (looking like a solid 2-seed, right now) on Sunday, I'd say the 'Zona is in the area of a 3-seed. Two mammoth games are next on the slate for them, starting with tonight's showdown against the upstart Trojans. Should be an excellent game if USC keeps up this mojo. Trojans (along with Washington State) are the surprises of the Pac Ten -- dare I say, the nation? -- especially after their team was decimated by injuries, academic ineligibility, and a death. Next year, they'll consistently be a top 15 squad all season long.

Arizona is still somewhat unproven on the road (Louisville and Illinois we beat on neutral floors -- not that Phoenix is "neutral" in the case of the Illini game) and could be caught looking ahead to two days later when they play UCLA. I love the fire power of this Wildcats team, but they need to tighten up their defense if they're going to make a run in the tournament. Aaron Brooks sunk them on Sunday due to mental mistakes. USC may not have anywhere near the overall talent to beat UofA, but they definitely have the athleticism, drive, and homecourt advantage to pull off an upset. And hey, USC beat UofA last year in Los Angeles. I'm holding my breath, here.

Also, guess who is going to UCLA v Arizona on Saturday? Yeah, I'm psyched. I'll be the one on TV with the proud "A" on his chest, clad in red, mired amongst a sea of Pauley Pavillion chumps.

The pro game!

My tolerance for John Hollinger has officially run out. Anyone who rates Toronto ahead of Utah, Detroit, and Washington just doesn't watch basketball. And let's face it, the Lakers are a top 5 team, even if the points against average is pretty dim.

Speaking of the Lakers, nothing like a win in San Antonio (now, 2-0 vs the Spurs) without two starters to boost your spirits ahead of tonight's showdown with Dallas -- a team they already feel extremely confident about facing. Coming off the heels of hard fought wins over Orlando and Miami (where D-Wade got every single call and Kobe got none -- what a strange game that was), it looks like the Lakers are back to their Mr. Hyde form. And since Dallas has a winning percentage above .450, I don't anticipate Dr. Jekyll making his return tonight. We'll see about Saturday, though, when they play the Hornets.

Three things the Lakers do very well when they beat quality competition: play tough D (or play D at all), spread the ball, never get complacent. They do those three things tonight and they may very well be looking at a 2-1 series edge against Dallas.

I'd analyze Chris Webber's move to Detroit and dissect yesterday's trade between Golden State and Indiana, but, um... why? Okay, for the record, I cannot imagine that adding C-Webb is going to bring a title to Detroit, let alone a conference championship, and as far as the trade goes, I'm declaring the Warriors the big winners by virtue of unloading Mike Dunleavy Jr. and his ridiculous contract on Indiana. Well done, Nelly.

Tonight, my TV's got basketball on it!