Random thoughts on AP Poll

Ok, as promised, here are some quick thoughts on who is undervalued and overvalued in the initial AP poll of the season.

Overrated - Nebraska (good, not that good), Iowa (last season was a fluke), Va Tech (too high), Oregon (no Massoli), ACC (enough said), Florida (no Tebow), Boise St. (weak schedule), Oregon St. (not top 25), LSU (weaker every year without Saban), Penn State (not top 25)

Underrated - Big East (tough 1-6), USC (elite talent, may win Pac 10 and AP title), Pitt (loaded with Dion Lewis, Greg Romeus and Jon Baldwin), West Virginia (loaded with Noel Devine & co. to go with solid D), UConn (great coach in Edsall, great running game with Todman, great D with Wilson & Lutrus), Cincinnati (great QB in Collaros, elite receiving corps led by Binns and Hazelton), Auburn (solid D, great offensive scheme), Stanford (great QB in Luck), Washington (Locker's senior swan song)

Well there you go, let's see how the season plays out and what teams end up in the final poll

AP Poll released, College Football set for kickoff

The initial AP Poll of the Season has been released, signifying that the start of College Football is right around the corner. As expected, defending BCS Champion Alabama starts the season #1. The top 5, Alabama, Ohio State, Boise State, Florida and Texas – are the same teams that finished in the top 5 at the end of last season, and that make up the top 5 in the Coaches' poll. 7 teams (No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Ohio State, No. 11 Oregon, No. 12 Wisconsin, No 15 Pittsburgh, No. 18 North Carolina, No. 20 Florida State and No. 25 West Virginia) land in the same position in the AP and Coaches' polls. Conference breakdown: Big 12 places the most teams in the AP's top 10 (3), the ACC places the most in the top 20 (5) and the SEC has the most in the entire poll (6), due to LSU, Auburn and Georgia coming in at Nos. 21, 22 and 23. At first glance, it seems the Big East has a valid gripe as Cincinnati and UConn are legit top 25 teams. I'll have additional thoughts on the poll, who's ranked too high, too low, or is missing altogether, stay tuned.
1.Alabama (54)
2.Ohio St. (3)
3.Boise St.(1)
4.Florida
5.Texas (1)
6.TCU
7.Oklahoma (1)
8.Nebraska
9.Iowa
10.Virginia Tech
11.Oregon
12.Wisconsin
13.Miami (FL)
14.USC
15.Pittsburgh
16.Georgia Tech
17.Arkansas
18.North Carolina
19.Penn St.
20.Florida St.
21.LSU
22.Auburn
23.Georgia
24.Oregon St.
25.West Virginia
Others Receiving Votes: Cincinnati 108, Stanford 81, Utah 80, South Carolina 71,
Houston 66, Connecticut 32, Notre Dame 31, Missouri 27, BYU 19, Clemson 15, Arizona 15,
Texas Tech 14, Navy 12, Washington 8, Texas A&M 7, Mississippi 6, Oklahoma St. 3, Cent. Michigan 2, Temple 2, Middle Tenn. St. 2, UCF 1, Boston Coll. 1, SMU 1

Lakers victory parade caps off victorious season

The 2010 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers celebrated their repeat championship Monday in Los Angeles with a victory parade. Hundreds of thousands of euphoric Laker fans lined the streets surrounding Staples Center hoping to get a glimpse of their favorite player and share in the jubilation of the franchise's 16th NBA Championship. Despite the excitement surrounding their Finals victory over the Boston Celtics, talk is quickly turning towards their attempt at a "three-peat" next season. Most of the team, including core players Kobe Bryant, Paul Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Ron Artest & Lamar Odom returns intact, with the exception of a few free agents. Most notable among those being Derek Fisher who has voiced his desire to return and finish his career as a Laker. Coach Phil Jackson, who now lays claim to a record 11 NBA titles, is still debating whether he will return for another season.

College Football Returns!

College Football returned in all it's glory over Labor Day weekend saving sports fans from baseball doldrums and end of summer blues. The sport many claim to be the greatest of them all, showed why in a riveting opening weekend. The most impressive victories may have eminated from a pair of Southern California Pac 10 teams. USC traveled east and put an impressive beating on Virginia of the ACC. And in the Rose Bowl, UCLA, whom not much was expected of in Rick Neuheisel's first year, shocked Tennessee out of the SEC. Other impressive victories were notched by LSU, Florida & Auburn from the SEC, Ohio State out of the Big Ten, Missouri, Texas & Oklahoma out of the Big 12, West Virginia & South Florida out of the Big East. For College Football tickets, please visit www.TicketRequest.com and get out and root on your favorite team!

Team USA earns "Redemption" with Olympic Gold

Culminating a three year mission to end years of international frustration, the U.S. "Redeem Team" survived a huge challenge from Spain, winning 118-107 in the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal Basketball game. Order has now been restored in international basketball. After overwhelming everyone for seven games, the Americans led by only four points with under 2 1/2 minutes to play. Then, they proved they could handle a close game that it seemed would never come in Beijing. Their prize.... the first U.S. gold medal since the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat scored 27 points for the Americans, who found a much gamer Spanish team than the one they humiliated by 37 points earlier in the tournament. NBA MVP Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers added 20 clutch points and led the team with 6 assists. The Americans had too much offense down the stretch. Bryant converted a clutch four point play with 3:10 remaining, holding his finger to his lips to quiet the rowdy Spanish crowd behind the basket. Wade added another 3 pointer that made it 111-104 with just over 2 minutes left, and only then could the Americans relax a little. They began to celebrate during a break after some technical fouls on Spain with 26 seconds left, then partied at midcourt when it was over with “Born in the USA” blaring over the arena’s speakers. Rudy Fernandez of the Portland Trail Blazers scored 22 points and Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers had 21 for the Spanish, the reigning world champions who were hoping to win their first Olympic gold. Now, here's hoping that USA Basketball can keep the core of this group together for the 2010 World Championships in Istanbul and the 2012 Olympics in London. If they can, this team may be able to shed it's "Redeem Team" moniker and fulfill the illustrious "Dream Team" legacy.

Team USA romps past Greece & Spain at Olympics

The USA Men's Basketball team aka the "Redeem Team" just concluded a very successful few days that saw them rout the 2 teams considered their biggest rivals for the Gold Medal at the Olympics. First, they earned a bit of redemption by blowing out Greece 92-69, avenging their lone loss at the 2006 World Basketball Championships. Los Angeles Lakers guard and NBA MVP Kobe Bryant led the way with 18 points, Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh also had 18, Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat had 17 points, six steals and five assists and Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers chipped in with 13 points, six rebounds and six assists. Next, they blew the defending world basketball champions Spain off the court 119-82. It was the US team's 4th straight win, widest margin of victory yet and secured the #1 seed in group A for the Quarterfinals. Lebron James led the way with 18 points, eight assists, five rebounds and four steals, Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets scored 16 points and had six rebounds; and Dwyane Wade added 16 points and six rebounds, Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets recorded 14 points dished out eight assists, had five steals and five rebounds. Kobe Bryant added 11 as did Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz. Next up for the US is a meaningless game against Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks and Germany on Monday 8/18. Then the real fun begins as the Quarterfinals (single elimination) get under way. One thing is clear after watching the "Redeem Team" dominate Greece and Spain, if they keeping playing this way.... redemption for USA Basketball is close at hand.

Team USA's "Redeem Team" faces test against Greece

Team USA's "Redeem Team" (2-0 in the Olympics) faces Greece Thursday, the team that stunned them two years ago in the semifinals of the world championship. The Greeks are physical, and they should provide the first test of these games for the United States. After the Greece game Thursday, the Americans face world champion Spain, who are also 2-0 after rallying to beat China in overtime. What's become clear thus far is that even though Team USA boasts a roster featuring Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, etc... they have displayed a lack of outside shooting, poor free throw shooting and inconsistent defensive intensity. These weaknesses were easily overcome against inferior competition. But against the elite international teams such as Spain, Greece and Argentina..... Team USA will have to play their A game if they hope to recapture the gold and truly redeem USA basketball.