NCAA Basketball Power Rankings

Here's my top 10 as of today as the Madness approaches...

1.Kansas Jayhawks- This team is loaded. Upcoming home games against Colorado and Oklahoma should be wins #26 and #27 for Bill Self.

2. Kentucky Wildcats- Survived a scare last night in overtime at Mississippi State. Face a tougher test at #17 Vanderbilt Saturday.

3. Syracuse Orangemen - An 11-2 conference record in the Big East is pretty impressive. 24-2 overall ain't too shabby either.

4. Purdue Boilermakers- A win at #8 Ohio State tonight would cement the Boilermakers as a top-5 squad.

5. Villanova Wildcats - A absolute gauntlet upcoming... on the road at #21 Pittsburgh, home against South Florida and back on the road at #3 Syracuse. Rough.

6. Duke Blue Devils- The class of the Atlantic Coast Conference. A Sunday Showdown against Virginia Tech for 1st place in the conference.

7. Michigan State Spartans- G Kalin Lucas is back and his ankle injury appears to be a thing of the past.

8. Ohio State Buckeyes - Difficult week for Thad Matta's bunch. Home against #4 Purdue and at #7 Michigan State. A sweep of the two would be huge for the Columbus crew.

9. West Virginia Mountaineers - Coach Bob Huggins has 4 players averaging more than 10 points per game in Morgantown.

10. New Mexico Lobos - A little love for the Mountain West here. The Lobos are 23-3 overall and 9-2 in a pretty solid MWC this season.

---J

Things To Look Out For... At NBA All-Star Weekend

A new segment here on Jake's Take. It's called Things To Look Out For.... ________________. A few things your sure to see at whatever event fills in the blank.

This edition is:

NBA All-Star Weekend in Dallas

Look Out For:

1. Mark Cuban -- The ratty T-shirt wearing billionaire owner of the Mavs will be all over everything, from pre-game shows to post-game parties. If there is a camera around, Cuban's face will be in front of it. Sorry bearded Men's Fashion Warehouse guy, but I guarantee it.

2. Old Timers heaving up half court shots -- What's the All-Star Weekend without "Thunder" Dan Majerle and Bill Laimbeer chucking up half court bombs in the Shooting Stars competition. Combo them with a WNBA player nobody knows and a current NBA bench player and you got can't miss TV.

3. NBA players pushing each other and jumping around on the court -- During the dunk contest every year, no matter how cool, or how average the dunk, all the players sitting court-side push each other and freak out like it's the first dunk they've ever seen. Also, look for the semi-closed-hand-over-the-mouth "Oooohhhhh" move, a dunk contest staple.

4. Terrible defense -- Now this one is no secret, but the effort on defense during the All-Star game is worse than Brady Morningstar's free throw attempt. (In his defense, Morningstar later went on to say that the ball was slippery)

5. The NBA All-Star guard who can't pass -- Every year during the PlayStation Skills Challenge, someone has a ridiculous amount of trouble passing the ball into a tire. After the 5th miss, they finally take their time and make it through...

Give 'em a break though, most of these players don't pass in games, so this is a new skill set for them.

6. Donald Faison -- The former Clueless star (using the term "star" loosely here) earns his role on Scrubs by showing his poor basketball performance in the "Celebrity" Game. It doesn't matter what the sport, if there's a "Celebrity" Game, you better believe Petey from Remember the Titans will be there.

---J

NCAA Basketball Power Rankings

Here's my top 10 as of today. Remember, a lot can change before the Madness begins...

1. Kansas - Too much talent and depth inside and out, defensively who do you key?

2. Kentucky - See above, ranked behind KU only because of youth factor at key positions.

3. Syracuse - Impressive so far this season in the toughest conference, the Big East.

4. Villanova - Perhaps the best unis in college hoops, G Scottie Reynolds isn't too shabby in his own right.

5. West Virginia - If fans stop throwing things onto the court they will challenge for the Big East crown.

6. Purdue - E'Twaun Moore and Robbie Hummel are a dangerous combo.

7. Duke - Coach K has 3 guys averaging 15 or more, but the Blue Devils need more help off the bench.

8. Texas - Monday's match up at home vs. (1) Kansas will reveal a lot about the Longhorns.

9. Michigan State - The ankle injury to star G Kalin Lucas leaves Sparty with a lot of questions.

10. Georgetown - C Greg Monroe is averaging 15.5 ppg and 9.7 rpg in a strong Big East conference.

---J

Frye in NBA 3 Point Contest

According to multiple sources, Phoenix Suns Center Channing Frye has been selected to participate in the 3 Point Contest during the NBA All-Star Weekend in Dallas.

If the 6'11'' Frye shoots in the contest like he has in games this season, I think he has a legitimate shot of winning this thing.

How does it feel to be Suns Guard Jason Richardson? Your team's Center gets more league-wide respect as a shooter than you. Ouch.

---J

Pro Bowl or Schmo Bowl?

January 25, 2010

Dear NFL,

Why?

Why do you have to put the Pro Bowl the week before the Super Bowl? Nobody likes the idea, ... okay so maybe the 6th best NFC linebacker who gets the last-minute nod does, but no one else does.

Why NFL? I just don't get it.

Here's why I am concerned;

... If players who receive monetary bonuses to play in the game don't want to go, what makes you think fans who have to pay will. I know, I know, who doesn't want to watch Vince Young and David Garrard lead the AFC offense against "sure-fire Hall of Fame" safety Quintin Mikell, (you may be asking who? That's because he is a rookie undrafted free agent from the blurf (blue turf) at Boise State.) Mr. Goodell, I think you get my point.

It literally seems like every 5 minutes the ESPN bottom line reads as follows: __________ to replace (insert good player (insert excuse)) on AFC Pro Bowl roster.

And with the Pro Bowl being held in Miami how will the players get leid.??

All I know is that I probably will still watch the Pro Bowl from the comfort of my beautiful Tempe home, however, ONLY because I can for free and its either that or homework.

Regards,

Jake Fadden

---J

NFL Championship Weekend Picks

Hey Takers,

Sorry about the long lay off. But now I'm back like I forgot something. Here's a quick prediction on tomorrows AFC and NFC Championship games. Here we go...

AFC Championship: New York Jets @ Indianapolis Colts: I don't the Jets can dodge any more field goals (opposing teams have missed 5 FGs in 2 games, thanks Nate). At some point your luck has to run out and the Colts will not let them hang around like the CHARGERS did. I think Peyton Manning gets a chance at his 2nd Lombardi Trophy. 34-10 IND

NFC Championship: Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints: The Saints are tough to beat at the Superdome, but I think Favre and the Vikes can do it They have a ton of weapons on both sides of the ball. However, if WR/KR Percy Harvin doesn't play that will hurt the Vikes O dramatically. I still think Adrian Peterson will have a big day and a few uncharacteristic Drew Brees turnovers will keep the Saints Superbowl drought intact. 34-24 MIN

---J