NCAA Hoops begin to heat up

In these last 2 weeks, we have begun the week with a different #1 team in the nation, and the trend will most likely continue due to Kentucky losing on tuesday to South Carolina. Kansas will most likely make its way back to the #1 spot.
With the rankings switching every week and March being right around, who looks like they could be a contender for a national championship? Here are my top five teams.

1.Kansas Jayhawks
-When you look at the Jayhawks roster, I believe they have the perfect balance of senior leadership, and young talented players. Sherron Collins in my opinion is the best pure point guard in the country at the college level paired with his experience and leadership, he makes everyone around him better. Surrounding him are a number of talented and athletic players along with a great coach, I see Kansas as the number 1 team in the country.

2. Syracuse Orangemen
-Jim Boeheim has "the Cuse" back in the top 5, but in my opinion they are the second best team in the nation. The 2-3 zone is at its best, and unless teams shoot the ball extremely well from the outside teams are going to struggle to put up points. They make teams play their style and most teams can't keep up with them. I see them as a final four team in Indianapolis.

3. Villanova Wildcats
-As of right now, they are actually ranked above Syracuse, the reason I have them at the number 3 spot is do to the fact that Syracuse is playing their best basketball now where as I feel Villanova played there best ball at the beginning of the season but they are still a top five team and play in the hardest conference. Scottie Reynolds and Cory Fisher make for one of the best backcourts in the nation, making this Villanova a top team in the country.

4. Texas Longhorns
-Sure, the Longhorns have slipped of late but in my mind they are a great tournament team and very well coached. I actually believe this drop could help them in the long run, making them a team looking to reek havoc in the tournament.

5. Kentucky Wildcats
- Kentucky might have the most talented roster in the nation, along with a player of the year candidate in John Wall, who might I add is a freshman. Kentucky is also one of the youngest teams in the nation which makes me worry that they won't be able to win the big game in tournament. John Caliparri's teams in the past have also been known to choke, and shoot a poor percentage at the free throw line. He is a great recruiter but not a great coach in my mind.

Fans votes should weigh less

This past week, the NBA introduced the Western and Eastern Conference All-Star starting lineups, but what stole the show was the surprise of Allen Iverson being a starting guard representing the eastern conference. Iverson began the season playing for the Memphis Grizzlies and after not starting and only playing in three games, Iverson made the decision to retire. Just a few weeks later, Iverson would sign a contract with the Sixers. This seemed to be a good fit considering the circumstances, but since he reunited with his original team, he hasn't made a big impact. He is averaging currently less than 15 points per game and the Sixers have a eye popping record of 15 wins and 28 losses. So ask yourself, does Iverson deserve to start in the All-Star game let alone be an All-Star period? The answer in my opinion is no way! How does a man who is having no impact on his team and having his worst statistical season become a starter in the All-Star game? No one and I repeat, no one could make me believe that Iverson deserves that honor. I thought this was the 2010 All-Star game, a game to display those players who have blossomed or dominated this season. Iverson isn't the dominate scorer that he used to be, so why not start someone who deserves the spot. Rajon Rondo, the point guard of the Boston Celtics is having his best season yet in his young career. Averaging almost a double double a game with 14.1 points per game and 9.6 assists per game, he statistically is the best point guard in the Eastern Conference, not to mention he plays on a team who currently has one of the best records in the entire NBA. Why not reward Rondo? This is exactly why the fans shouldn't be the reason someone starts in the All-Star game. Fans should still be able to vote, but their vote needs to count for less. Yes, fans want to see their favorite players in the game, I understand that, but an All-Star team should also be made up of all star players and Iverson is not an All-Star, plain and simple.

Favre returns to a familiar place...+ my predictions

Its January 1996, and Brett Favre and the Packers have just defeated the Patriots and won the Super Bowl.  Now where exactly was that game played?  The answer is the Super Dome in New Orleans.  Favre returns to the Super Dome, for what could possibly be his last NFL game, or he could be given a chance at history as being the oldest quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl.  As I look at this game, I just don't see a game between the Saints and Vikings.  I see a legend, a legend trying to leave a lasting impression on this league which he has been apart of for 19 seasons.  I also see a team that represents more than the name on their jersey.  The Saints have been a symbol of hope for the city of New Orleans since Katrina hit. When the Purple and Gold play the Black and Gold, keep in mind the the magnitude and importance of this game but also the fact that the winner heads to Miami for a chance to win the Lombardi trophy.

Now here are my predictions for the AFC and NFC Championship games.

I see the Colts putting a stop to the scrappy and persistent Jets.  Peyton Manny is just too good.  He will be prepared for whatever they throw at him, and so will his offensive line.  They will buy him the protection he needs to get the job done.  And enough talk about Revis and how good the Jets defense is.  Did any one else see the Colts hold the Ravens to 3 points in their divisional playoff game? Their defense is peaking at the right time, just as they did a few years ago when they won the Super Bowl.  Rex Ryan and his Jets had a good run, but thats all it is in my mind.  They caught San Diego on a bad day and who cares if they are playing with a chip on their shoulder.  I will take the best quarterback in the league, along with a lot of talent to go along with him, over a team with a bunch of swagger.   

Now, the NFC game is a little tougher but I see an upset in store as the Vikings go into New Orleans and take down Drew Brees and the high powered Saints.  After both the Vikings and Saints destroyed their opponents last weekend, one could say this game is a toss up.  But what the Vikings have that the Saints don't, is running back looking to get out of a slump.  The last eight games the Vikings have played, Adrian Peterson hasn't gone over a 100 rushing yards, but I say that dry spell ends on Sunday.  The Saints will be focused on a hot Brett Favre which will make them a little more relaxed with the run.  It will be Peterson, not Favre, who is the secret for Minnesota to have success.  Their defense in my mind is the best in the league, and will slow the Saints offense down enough to give the Vikings a chance at a Championship, and the Who Dat Nation crying.    

Jets head to Indy

Who would have thought that the Jets, who finished 9-7 in the regular season, would be on their way to Indianapolis for the AFC Championship.  The answer is no one, but the Jets themselves and their hard nosed head coach Rex Ryan.  They have done their best Cinderella act in these 2010 playoffs, but now comes the real test, will the glass slipper fall into place.  The Indianapolis Colts, the overall number 1 seed in the AFC, looked flawless against the Ravens in their AFC Division playoff game.  Peyton Manning, who won a Superbowl just 3 seasons ago is eager to get a second ring.  The thing standing in his way of this chance, is a scrappy minded football team (the Jets).  Will number 18 and the Colts continue their dominance or will the J...E...T...S, Jets Jets Jets continue their unbelievable run at a cinderella finish?