Top 12 Sports moments that were crucial to me in 2013

The Top 12 Sports Moments of 2013 that were crucial to me. Let's face facts that there were tons of great moments all over sports in 2013, but this list is just selfish. The top 12 things in sports (or the seedy underbelly of kinda-sports) that made my year. Maybe they made it bad, maybe they made it good...but at least they made it.

12. A abrupt halt of the Anderson Silva express

I have never been a fan of Anderson Silva's. I had no expectation however that he was going to get beat, ever. That all changed when Chris Weidman shocked the world by punching right into Anderson's playtime hour in July. When you see arguably the greatest ever look human, it is shocking. When you see what happened to end the year, it is heart wrenching. I have never been a fan of Anderson Silva, but when he snapped his leg at UFC 168 in the Weidman rematch, it was hard to stomach. Not just the gruesome nature of the injury, but to see this great quite possible end his career that way, not of his own accord. The Silva express sputtered out in 2013. I was happy to see him lose a fight, I was sad to see him quite possibly lose it all

11. Big Papi says 'F' the FCC

In the wake of the Boston Marathon devastation, the city of Boston needed a voice, someone to wake them up. That was David Ortiz. In the pregame speech before the Red Sox first post-attack game, Papi declared “this is our fucking city” and with it, a new meaning to 'Boston Strong' was born and the unity of the city would carry the team forward for the rest of 2013.

10. Super Bowl Power Outage

Who forgot to pay the electric bill? That was what we all thought when the Super Bowl shutdown while the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers started the calendar year with an epic clash. It was a great game, which helped, but the oddness of banks and banks of lights going off without reason made this a night to remember. Conspiracy theories lit up and people ran their mouths about the NFL trying to help the Niners. Whatever it was, whoever's fault it was, it was fun as a spectator and made the game that much more memorable.

9. Battier cashes in...again

Because of there are “big three” groups, why not use it to your advantage. As an anti-Lebron James kind of guy, I try to take good things out of Miami Heat titles. I like Dwayne Wade and Mario Chalmers, even Chris Anderson...but the best thing is that Duke's Shane Battier gets rings too. He is the first Duke player to ever win multiple NBA Titles and has cashed in on the Heat big three's decision to play together. Even better, Battier has been a catalyst in those NBA Finals appearances, including this year going 6-for-8 from three point range in the decisive game 7. You are welcome Miami.

8. Mention on the Tommy Toe Hold show

One thing I have certainly become a fan of in 2013 is the Tommy Toe Hold show, a (sometimes) weekly MMA based cartoon comedy. In July, for the 50th edition of “Tommy's Sack,” Tommy let the fans decide what would be on the show. I jumped on the chance and what came out was Vitor Belfort on an octopus and Michael Bisping on raptor....jousting. Yes, jousting. As Tommy said, “Dan Vance trumped all.” and “...yep, that just happened.”

7. Bringing back In All Directions

I started In All Directions in March of 2008 with a blog about Brett Favre. Nobody read it. Literally, nobody. I looked yesterday, it has zero reads. After getting away from it for a long stretch, I decided to bring it back this year mostly so I could ramble some about sports. And while some articles have done better than others (471 reads of my top 5 songs to pump you up), it is nice that people actually take the time to read my half random, half consistent blog. It has been great to have it back.

6. The Return of Da Spyder

In the great landscape of mixed martial arts, Kendall Grove may not be as relevant as I would like him to be. The winner of The Ultimate Fighter season 3 had an up and down UFC career, then an up and down independent promotion career before signing with Bellator. For me as a MMA fan, nothing is better than watching Michael Bisping, Kendall Grove or War Machine fight. So when Kendall signed with Bellator, I was hyped. When Kendall appeared on my television screen on Spike TV once more and declared “guess who's back motherfuckers,” I was hooked again. He delivered that night, taking out Joe Vedepo and leaving me hoping that Da Spyder has one last strong run in him, perhaps toward a Bellator Middleweight title or a UFC return some day.

5. Rajon Rondo tears ACL

We all knew the end of an era was looming in Boston. Ray Allen bolted for Miami because he's a douche and then Doc Rivers was clearly headed out. The only hope Celtics fans held onto was that maybe, just maybe we could have one last run at a title before the ship sank. That all ended when Rajon Rondo tore his ACL and the top youthful talent and by far the best point guard in the organization went out with an injury he has yet to return from. This was a memorable moment but for all of the wrong reasons and it pointed to the end of Boston's return to contender glory.

4. UFC turns 20

I remember being in middle school and watching VHS tapes of UFC in my friend Alex Schultz' basement. That was my introduction to the UFC: Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock and Dan Severn. This year, they celebrated a milestone by turning 20. It was cool to watch all of the videos and documentary style stuff reliving those year as I vaguely remember the early years and have been a big fan ever since The Ultimate Fighter (the original) lured me in. The celebration finished with another arguably greatest fighter of all time, Georges St. Pierre, retaining his welterweight title in what may very well be his last fight in the Octagon.

3. Boston trades Pierce and Garnett

When Rondo went down, the pieces started to fall. But on Draft night, I felt sick to my stomach as the NBA experts discussed a trade talk that would send Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Brooklyn. Forget that we would be getting back crap like Gerald Wallace and Kris Humphries (who recently almost shot at his own basket like this is rec. league) and also giving up Jason Terry....the thought of seeing either Garnett, or especially Pierce, in any other jersey, was sickening. The trade killed not only the Boston contender era, it was one of those times when you have to ask if anything is sacred anymore. Paul Pierce was the Boston Celtics. For his entire career, he was the centerpiece. It would be like Larry Bird not wearing Boston green. It was like those times that Karl Malone played for the Lakers or Patrick Ewing was a Seattle Supersonic. And it was sickening.

2. Duke signs Okafor and Jones

Duke should win one or two of the next three national titles. I know this to be fact. Will they? Who knows. Should they? Clearly. The signing of Jahlil Okafor (he just dropped 40 in a game) and Tyus Jones made next year's freshman class probably the best ever signed by Duke. Knowing that the two of them, along with Grayson Allen and Justise Winslow replace middle of the road Josh Hairston and Tyler Thornton, never-to-be the same again Andre Dawkins and a former walk on who's name has too many consonants, it huge. Bring in four guys who can start right away to replace your bench? Yes please. The signing of this pair may go down as the most significant thing in the history of Duke basketball. Which is great, as long as you are a Duke fan.

1. Boston Red Sox win the World Series

Through all of the struggles in Boston after the marathon bombings and after the tribulations Boston had gone through in prior seasons, the return to glory was a great one. Dominance was key and pulling out big win after big win against Detroit in the ALCS and then the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. It was a perfect exclamation point on an era that saw them end the biggest drought in the history of ever with 3 titles in 10 years. And it was an even better exclamation for the city of Boston after 2013. It also was sadly a poignant end for the Boston strong trio of Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz and Jacoby Ellsbury with free agency pending and Ellsbury ultimately deciding he wanted to be a communist. But Yankee sucktasm aside, it was a big and fitting ending for the beard squad and a huge part of what made 2013 so memorable to me in sports.

Who would win the battle of the North Side Redskins?

As someone who was a coach in the program the last time the Fort Wayne North Side Redskins won the Summit Athletic Conference Holiday Tournament title, it is hard for me to believe that it has been 7 full years since that last crown.

Luckily for Coach Shabaz Khaliq and the Redskins, a chance to win that title tonight would make him just the third North Side coach to do so behind legendary By Hey in 1986 (they named the arena after him after all) and Mike Novell in 2006. And seven years is a much better drought than 20.

North Side is in a unique company tonight with the Snider Panthers as the last time either of them were in the finals, they won the thing. While North did it in 2006 against South Side, Snider did it in 2005 against the Redskins. North did however beat the Panthers in the semi-finals of their 2006 title run.

So today as I look back in my own head, I can't help but compare the two teams. How would this year's North Side stack up against the 2006 team? Who would have the advantage when broke down player versus player?

Point Guard

Justin Jordan (2006) vs. Tre'vion Crews (2013)

Fun thing about writing: I came back and wrote this match up last. Because, what do you really say? An Indiana All-Star against a kid who I truly believe to be the best player in the conference and in the area. But what I have to look at is the body of work for the give seasons. The very clear reality here is that the 2013 team would be lost without Tre Crews, while the 2006 team would hurt but get by without JJ. Justin was a cold blooded assassin on the court and set the standard for score-first point guards at modern day North Side. He was also a sophomore at this point and lacking some of the maturity that he would gain and that Crews has. I have told anyone that will listen that Crews could take over any game he chooses to and he shows flashes of that every night he is on the court. Better yet, he is the truest leader of either of these teams, the one you know you can rely on physically and mentally EVERY second of EVERY game. Comparing the two as seniors (Crews now and JJ in 2008-2009) would be damn near impossible. But when looking at these two seasons in question, to me it is clear.

ADVANTAGE: Tre'vion Crews (2013)

Shooting Guard

Eshaunte Jones ('06) vs. Jeremy Jones ('13)

The two Jones have some pretty key things in common. Both are pretty silky smooth and have a nice stroke from long range. Key three-pointers from Jeremy were crucial to stop Bishop Dwenger runs in the semi-finals. But where there are similarities, there is one key difference: Jeremy can make the big shot, while 'Bear' was the big shot. Bear's ability AND especially his desire to run the show are the reasons he was an Indiana All-Star and probably the best scorer to ever put on a Redskin uniform and he was at his best in the 2006-07 season as a season with just two games with less than 20 points.

ADVANTAGE: Eshaunte Jones (2006)

Small Forward

John Hefty ('06) vs. Sean McGee ('13)

This is an interesting match up because of the difference at the '3' spot for these two squads. For old school North, they ran three forwards, while this year's squad runs three guards. So the two aren't really comparable and these two guys bring way different things to the table. McGee has proven already in his three games back with the team that he's a formidable part of the lineup. He is a clutch scorer and big game player who when controlling his own mind, is such a danger to opponents. If North Side was good without him, they will continue to be great with him. Hefty on the other hand was capable on offense for sure, but what Hefty did was so unique and rare. John Hefty was the intangible guy, he did the things that nobody else did and that is something the current team is missing. He got after the ball all of the time and on any given day was capable of putting up double digits in any statistical category. What often gets lost in the 2006-07 team is that Hefty led the state of Indiana in steals per game, which is impressive in itself, but more impressive as a 6-5 hulking forward.

ADVANTAGE: Push

Power Forward

Damarlo Belcher ('06) vs. Oosha Mitchell ('13)

Pure power versus pure will. That is what this should be called. Belcher was just a freak overall athlete and that made him tough to battle against. Mitchell on the other hand, while athletic, just wills himself to the basket, either to score or to block a shot (he had 5 VERY impressive ones in the semi-finals). Damarlo was often unstoppable with the ball in the low post, and out jumped everyone when he wanted a rebound. Meanwhile Oosha is one that you just can't leave alone or he will work hard enough to hurt you either on a drive, put back or even on occasion from downtown.

ADVANTAGE: Damarlo Belcher (2006)

Center

Dominic Moore ('06) vs. Mike Davis ('13)

If there is something you can't teach, it is 6'9'' and because of that, Dominic Moore already had the advantage on so many guys. He rebounded well, worked hard and created a tough match up for most teams because of his height and his lean frame that allowed him to weave into tight areas well. His problem is Mike Davis' strength, which is that Moore at that time really didn't know how to use his frame and Davis knows how to throw around his weight. He proved the first time the 'Skins played Snider this season that he is more than capable of being a thunderous and ferocious rebounder. Better yet, Davis can be flashy. His dunks can be pretty sick and he has the diversity (like Oosha) to step out and his the deep shot.

ADVANTAGE: Mike Davis (2013)

6^th Man

Grayson Wambach ('06) vs. Terrell Crews ('13)

This is a tough match up because I believe Crews to be the better player, but when comparing these teams at these points, Wambach was so clutch and sealed the SAC Tournament title. Grayson was a pure shooter, the best true shooting guard and when he was hot, he was hot. In 2006-2007, he was the only Redskin not named Eshaunte Jones to lead the team in scoring with 26 against Homestead. Crews on the other hand is a tenacious defender and uses that as his hallmark as he continues to learn the speed of the varsity level. Despite being listed here, he has been a starter but I expect McGee to take that spot back sooner than later. Crews isn't fully ready to be the guy yet, but he had the capability to do so in the future.

ADVANTAGE: Terrell Crews (2013)

7^th Man

Tyshawn Mauldin ('06) vs. Myluv Sutton ('13)

Another meeting not really by position on the floor as much as position on the team. Mauldin was super small (5'6'' at best), but was quick and mighty. His out of nowhere block of Concordia's 6'8'' Brandon Knox in January of 2007 leads me to believe that he would (proverbially) take Myluv's cookies – if given the chance. But Myluv could have something if he puts all of the pieces together that he is capable of. He showed in the semi-finals that he can be huge off the bench when Mike or Oosha are in foul trouble or not putting numbers up. Myluv, like this year's team's other bigs, can also step out and hit jump shots well. He is sneaky and often forgotten, which is excellent for him to put back offensive rebounds.

ADVANTAGE: Myluv Sutton (2013)

8^th Man

Robert Williams ('06) vs. Marco Lee ('13)

This is a match up that we will call notable because neither one of these kids had/has played much at SAC Tournament time. Williams had his break out game against Elmhurst in January after the tournament and worked his way into the starting lineup at times as a sophomore. Before that, he was a guy to give the top three guards a breather and was a there to be a shooter. Lee has also not played much, but is a slick guard with a good shot.

ADVANTAGE: Push

Style

2006 vs. 2013

What makes a style? Accomplishment of the task at hand. Both of these teams are very, very good at putting their game plan and style to work. The difference as I see it is that the 2006 team did almost all of the time. Their season ended prematurely in Huntington during Sectionals and yes, they lost some games along the way (something the 2013 team has yet to do) but their transition game was smooth and their 1-2-2 full court zone press did what it needed with Bear (and later Williams) at the top moving the ball handler from side to side to get a turnover. This year's squad needs more consistency to avoid letting teams make runs like Bishop Dwenger did in the semi-finals. But their quickness is an asset and one they use well by getting in passing legs and fast breaking with numbers to hurt their opponents. I think both teams thrive in each other's own styles, but who worked their own the best?

ADVANTAGE: 2006

Coaching

Mike Novell ('06) vs. Shabaz Khaliq ('13)

Novell has the strength to drill in his philosophy. And while he had other successes and semi-successes, his drilling in of run, run and run some more worked well with this squad. Get up and down the floor, score in 8 seconds or left. It was simple and how he ran his practices to make it perfect. Khaliq on the other hand, is a great in-game coach (not to say that he isn't in practice). Shabaz does, what I've always thought to be the most important thing as a coach: he relates to his players. He can talk them down, he can build them up, fire them up and maneuver them as needed to get the most out of them. Their styles, and I am assuming, their philosophies are very different. When Novell was at North, Khaliq was the coach at Elmhurst. And what I am trying to keep in mind also when comparing the two is that Shabaz always seemed to have Mike's number one way or the other.

ADVANTAGE: Shabaz Khaliq (2013)

Overall

This would be such a fun game to watch. So we are all winners, right? Don't worry though, no cop out there. I coached at North Side in 2006 and I have coached a handful of games with Tre Crews, McGee and Sutton from the current team, but I know things to be true and I can be honest about these things now that I have thought deeply about it. Many parts of the 2006 team would be a nightmare match up wise for 2013. The biggest part of that is the three forward versus three guard issue. Who would change their approach to try and even things up with the other? But here is the difference to me: neither would. In 2006, replacing Hefty in the lineup for a big game or a title game would significantly weaken the team. And for the 2013 team, first glimmer of thought would say add Sutton to the lineup. But, not is Sutton soft, but is he hard enough to really battle with Hefty on the level Hefty would push things to? So leave McGee in, he'll beat and bang with anyone of any size. And I feel that wisdom would prevail for Khaliq too. So what wins? Big and bold or smaller and quicker? I said before that either team would work the others style with style and strength. And I think this game would go the pace of the 2006 team, which would be a mistake against the speed and enthusiasm of a Crews/Jones/McGee/Sutton/Davis lineup. I think the North Side Redskins become the 2013 SAC Holiday Tournament Champions tonight. And I think they will be the best Redskin team to ever boast such.

ADVANTAGE: 2013

Making a case for Big Mac in the Hall of Fame

Earlier today, I read an ESPN story on Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, discussing how to push all things other than numbers aside in their cases for Hall of Fame enshrinement.

But I think that the numbers are the point on why they aren't in the Hall. The numbers are the visual reference of the cheat. Paying only attention to the numbers is paying only attention to the cheat.

So instead, I have a different pitch for the enshrinement of McGwire. And yes McGwire only.

I have my opinions on the other two, but neither is really a case for them.

For Bonds, a guy who "allegedly" cheated at a time when the watchdogs were on high alert, he disrespected the sport on higher levels. Bonds had a chance to be a guy....or even THE GUY to take a stand against the use of PEDs when he was at the highest point of his popularity. He chose not to. Barry Bonds did more damage to the sport with his "alleged" PED use than any of the rest. It does not make any of the other PED users right, it does not make them better either. It does however, in my humble opinion, make Bonds worse.

And for Roger Clemens, it is simple. He was acquitted by a jury of lying about using PEDs. Therefore, by saying he didn't lie when he said he didn't use PEDs, they basically said he didn't use PEDs. So let him in if he deserves it, why not?

But for Big Mac, it isn't so cut and dry.

Mark McGwire, with all else aside...the cheating, the numbers, the asterisk, the argument...still remains how he revitalized baseball.

When Mark McGwire broke the single season home run record in 1998, it wasn't just that someone actually chased down Maris' mark of 61, it was the attention that he and Sammy Sosa captured with their back and forth chase of breaking and then eventually setting the single season record.

Before you can really re-appreciate that chase, remember how dead baseball was? The strike of 1994-1995 killed the sport. There has been plenty of greed, lockouts and generally douchebaggery in sports since then and there was even plenty before that. But that strike, it made people not care about Major League Baseball. People who were sports fans didn't care. People who were baseball fans didn't care. I'm pretty sure a fine percentage of owners, managers, coaches and fans of the sport also didn't care.

Baseball was dead.

And then McGwire and Sosa gave it CPR. When McGwire tied that record of 61, it was awe inspiring. When he broke it one evening with a home run over the left field wall, it was bone chilling. Mark McGwire saved baseball. Sosa was there too, but let's all face the fact that he was Robin to McGwire's Batman. It captured the attention of America in a way that baseball has not captured attention in my life span, nor will it probably ever capture attention like that fateful year again as long as I live. The fact is that Major League Baseball was not going away. But where would we be today without the McGwire/Sosa chase? Would it be the major money sports and league that it is today? My guess is no.

For me, Mark McGwire belongs in the Hall of Fame because what would the modern Hall of Fame be without him. He is the face of a rejuvenated league, an era that is all too forgotten.

Mark McGwire's status, his reputation and his numbers will always be tainted. 70* is how that year will stand on paper, in numerical form. But nothing can taint that feeling that Big Mac gave the country in 1998. I just hope that some year, this or another, that the baseball writers can remember that.

An open letter to Mr. Dana White

Dear Dana White,

You are a great businessman. You have taken the UFC to heights that nobody else could have taken them to. Not in the same time, not in the same way. Anyone who doesn't believe in you is a fool.

And the best part of who you are is that you are always 100-percent honest and real with everyone about everything. You know what you want, you have always done it your way. By hook, by crook, by convincing, by demanding. It is Dana White's way or the highway.

But Saturday night wasn't the time or place. You overshadowed your huge 20th anniversary show by buying into a controversy that wasn't so controversial. And you overshadowed the perhaps retirement of arguably the greatest UFC fighter ever. And why? What is your reason?

Because Georges St.Pierre owes you something? Because you need to placate Johny Hendricks' ego with something other than your always go-to "don't leave it in the hands of the judges," belief. Sure, you said that same thing to him post fight, but your conviction didn't support that stance. Not one bit.

And, before we get into the meat and potatoes, about that 20th anniversary? What a huge night! But your spit on Royce Gracie and Rorian Gracie, on Dan Severn and Chuck Liddell, on Tito Ortiz and Randy Couture, on Art Jimmerson and Ken Shamrock....and so, so many others, but letting your hotheaded opinionated self overshadow the event itself. An epic event just because of the magnitude of the anniversary of a sport that was once so dead in the water.

But really, let's strip this down to bear bones Mr. White, let's talk about GSP. You have said, and recently, how he is the biggest draw in the history of your company. Save for an experienced young man losing to Matt Hughes and the most unlikely upset in the history of combat sports to Matt Serra, the man sports a career that is blemish free. He has his haters because he doesn't finish fights. But again, save for a round with Jake Shields and a pair with Carlos Condit (that was more like a solitary kick), he has had no real push until Saturday night. Finish or not, he has systematically picked apart every contender he has been fed from Jon Fitch to Dan Hardy to Nick Diaz.

We will, to save whining, say that he is “arguably” the greatest fighter in the history of your already storied promotion. He has earned you, Frank and Lorenzo millions and millions and millions of dollars. So

what does he really owe you? Hasn't GSP always given you what you wanted? Fight who you want, when you want it, set a record rehab pace coming back from a torn ACL to fight for you. Georges St. Pierre has done everything for the UFC.

On top of all of this is now the report that alleges that St. Pierre wants to take the time off because of an unplanned pregnancy with a woman AND that his father is terminally ill and dying.

So when, if not now, is GSP's turn to be selfish? Anderson Silva has made a mockery at times of the UFC, Jon Jones made you CANCEL a card. Cancel. Not postpone. Cancel. And still, 'Rush' can't take some time away because of an unplanned child and dying father? That is pathetic Dana. If you had a dying father, would you be at a show? Why expect more from GSP than you would expect from yourself?

You are not qualified, nor even slightly allowed to make mental health decisions for Georges St. Pierre. Whether these new rumors are true or not, if GSP is struggling, then he is struggling and the level at which he struggles is not up to you. I don't care if its a dying dad or his favorite Tim Horton's closed. I don't care if it's an unexpected child or he stubbed his toe. GSP's personal life if GSP's personal life and quite frankly sir, it is none of your business.

And don't try to put it on us as fans by saying that Georges St. Pierre owes the fans an immediate rematch with Johny Hendricks. Why should he? Because it was close? Then why didn't Alexander Gustaffson get an immediate rematch against Jon Jones? Pick a precedent and follow it, don't be so fickle. Because true fans, not just Johny Hendricks fans, know that GSP owes us nothing. You say he owes you and the UFC and the fans because you want to cash in on a pay day, nothing more and nothing less and we all know that.

You don't want Hendricks as your Welterweight champion any more than you want Chris Weidman as your Middleweight champion. He's got a boring personality, he's bland and he's not marketable. The best thing he does is knock people out quickly and who oh who is going to pay $60 to watch him headline a pay per view when the main event, if he wins, will end in 23.6 seconds. All you want is the pay day of the immediate rematch. GSP doesn't owe you anything, you just want to take.

As a fan of the sport, I can tell you that GSP has already given us enough. If he never came back, I wouldn't blame him. If he walked away with your belt and your PPV revenue, I (as one of the UFC's truest fans) wouldn't care one bit. Would I be sad that I don't get to see the greatest of all time perform anymore? Sure. But does GSP owe me more than the years of entertainment that he has already provided? No sir.

And for you to expect more is just cheap and pathetic. Your antics this time don't amuse any UFC fans and I think that you need to know that. That is if you truly have our best interests and opinions at heart.

Sincerely,
A UFC Fan

The flawed world of this so-called Toy Hall of Fame

The ball.

It is the world’s most original toy. Yet, as I have learned, it took 11 years for the ball to make it into the Toy Hall of Fame after it’s inception in 1998.

And yes, there is a Toy Hall of Fame; I am not making that up. I understand your skepticism, I just learned of this Hall of Fame which is apparently in Rochester, New York. I mean, it makes sense, there should be one. There should have been one before 1998.

But what exactly are the voting criteria based on? How does the ball get skipped over until it’s induction in 2009? Did I mention the Hall of Fame opened in 1998?

Apparently, over 40 toys are more
Hall of Fame worthy than the ball.

It would be like, as my boss pointed out, like putting Peyton Manning in the Hall of Fame before Johnny Unitas. Even more basically, it would be like calling hockey more of an impact worthy sport than wrestling. Point is, there has always been a ball. I’m sure Caveman Charlie and his son Cavechild Cameron went out and threw the round rock back and forth. That was a ball.

The inaugural class was strong, without a doubt. Barbie, Crayola Crayons, Legos, Teddy Bear…they all made the cut, among others. But none of them are more original than the ball. And take into mind other toys inducted before 2009, like the View Master (1999), Tonka Trucks (2001), Raggedy Ann (2002), Scrabble (2004), Cardboard Box (2005), Easy-Bake Oven (2007) and Atari (2009). 42 toys went into the Hall of Fame before the ball. It makes me sad, very sad for the “museum committee of curators, educators and historians” who choose finalists and inductees based on “their longevity, innovation, and other attributes.”

To continue to show their negligence, the stick didn’t make it in until 2008 and the blanket was a 2011 inductee.

Their 2013 inductees, which went in just this morning, were two more pretty basic items: chess and the rubber duck. Basic items that didn’t make it in before specific items like the Nintendo Gameboy (2009) and Star Wars action figures (2012). Those who missed out this year as finalists: Bubbles, Clue, Fisher-Price Little People, Army men, Magic 8 Ball, My Little Pony, Nerf toys, Pac-Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the scooter.

For a complete listing of toys in the Hall of Fame, check out http://www.toyhalloffame.org/toys

Losing Ellsbury would kill the sport's greatest trio

With their game 6 win last week, the Boston Red Sox have solidified themselves as the best organization of the past decade. Titles in 2004, 2007 and 2013 have made the once cursed boys of Beantown the crown jewel of Major League Baseball.

Outside of the Yankees of the 90’s, no team has been as dominant in this era of baseball. Case in point is one of, what I consider, the most amazing stat of importance of this series: David Ortiz is the first non-Yankee to win 3 titles with the same team since Jim Palmer did so with the Baltimore Orioles’ title in 1982.

But Ortiz isn’t alone as what I consider important consistent pieces. While the names and faces with the teams have changed from 2004 to 2007 and more so to 2013, there are three name that everyone can place with Boston’s championship aura: David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury.

Each of these teams has had their own identity, but this trio has been the constant. Ortiz is the lone Sox player from 2004 left on the roster and Pedroia and Ellsbury, both clutch hitters and exceptional fielders, were part of the 2007 team as well. Many may argue, but there is a very high likelihood that these three are the best non-pitching trio in the modern era of championship teams.

Life won't be the same without Pedroia, Ortiz and Ellsbury all together.

It is sad to me to know that the trio's era may be over. Ellsbury is the Red Sox free agent least likely to resign according to multiple sources. And his new qualifying offer from Boston is great, but I don't see it sticking.

In their 2007 championship season, a second year player in Pedroia, a rookie Ellsbury and Ortiz combined for 388 hits. This year, their second title together in sights, the trio totaled 525 hits, helping dominate the American League. When one wasn't on, the others picked up the slack. That came up big time in the World Series, when Ellsbury was mediocre and Pedroia was below average. So Ortiz simply redefined what being Mr. October was all about, swinging for the fences and making the “ace” Cardinal pitching staff look like Little League relief pitchers.

At 37, Ortiz doesn't have many years left in the tank, even if he does drive the ball just as well today as he did during the Red Sox first World Series run. But Pedroia and Ellsbury are only 29 each and if they stay together, with Ortiz for a few years and then whoever the great Boston front office replaces him with, they could add a few more titles easily.

Boston looked so much different in 2007 than they did in 2004, with so much turnover. And honestly, the turnover was great since that 2007 title to this year too. But losing Ellsbury, breaking up the foundation of this happy family, could be the biggest nail driven into the continuing of this legacy.

College Basketball Preview Part 6: Why are you sleeping on Duke?!

Yes, this is it. My official column of bias. But quite frankly, I am sick of college basketball experts and keyboard warriors not giving the Blue Devils the credit they deserve as they head into the season.

Duke is the deepest team in the country. Does that make them the best? Maybe. Does that mean they will win the National Title? Probably no. The really, really good Duke teams get upset in the tournament and leave their big stars title less (see Redick, JJ and Williams, Sheldon). It is the very good, but not great Duke teams that win National Titles these days.

So no, as a Duke fan, I do not think they will automatically win the National Title. Will that stop me from penciling them in as National Champs when the time comes to fill out a bracket in March? Only time will tell.

But this column (OK, so it is kind of a rant) is not about what will happen in the Madness of March (and April?). It is about how teams like Kentucky, Kansas and Michigan State are all getting their due above the Blue Devils, a team that matches their fabulous freshmen and returning veterans, combines the two and has unrivaled depth.

I will be the first to say that I am not buying into the Andrew Wiggins/Julius Randle hype until the time comes when they actually do something. And no Mr. Randle, getting dunked on by a walk on does not count. So for that same reason, I am not 100% on the Jabari Parker hype train either. Duke has been nailing down the “can’t miss one-and-done” prospects and while good, they haven’t lived up to a mostly unattainable hype. Kyrie Irving was too injured, Austin Rivers was too one dimensional and Rasheed Sulaimon just wasn’t ready.

But how, in anyone’s mind, does Jabari Parker not cancel out Randle and Wiggins, who were basically Johnny-come-lately compared to the long standing thought that Parker was the best player in the Class of 2013 for years. On top of Parker, Duke’s freshman class is more than solid. Matt Jones is stuck down the depth chart for Duke, but will be a thriller when he gets his due. He is the next in a long line of Duke clutch shooters and can knock down from almost anywhere on the court. And next to him, getting a little more playing time is Semi Ojeyele. While I was excited about getting Parker, Ojeyele is something that Duke hasn’t had since Grant Hill, in many ways. He is transcendent of a particular position and does a lot of intangible things. He dominated the Kansas high school scene, hit 38% of the three-pointers he shot and just proved at Duke’s Countdown to Craziness that no person on the team has hops quite like he does. Did I mention he averaged over 38 points PER GAME his senior year?

So while the new faces of two McDonald’s All-Americans and a guy who scored 38-freakin-points per game will help negate Kansas and Kentucky’s so-called “stellar recruit classes,” it is the veteran depth that with help keep Duke high atop the mountain as the season progresses.

Seniors Tyler Thornton and Josh Hairston are the final remaining pieces of the last “just OK” Duke recruiting class, but still add real value. Thornton will get to log some starting minutes, but as Quinn Cook has become a calming force, the senior isn’t really needed for that. Instead, look for Thornton to become a real threat from deep most of the time, while still playing some point. And Hairston is Hairston; he is a body on a shorter team and has the aggression that will help strengthen the younger forwards.

Bu the real veteran depth that makes Duke equal or better than Michigan State comes from Sulaimon and Cook. No, Rasheed was not the one-and-done prospect he was expected to be, but he is going to be a very good player for Duke and I think for all four years because his tenure, very realistically, could end with a National Player of the Year honor in 2016 if he does. He is a more established and out together version of what Ojeyele could be if he develops correctly.

I was worried, as he came out of high school, about what Quinn Cook would provide to the program. When I watched him at Oak Hill High School, I was in awe 85-percent of the time. The other 15-percent though, I cringed. During those times, he was too fast, too out of control and too selfish. He has lost all of those things at Duke. His assist-to-turnover ratio was phenomenal last year, showing maturity of leadership while running the point as a true point guard that Duke has been missing FOREVER. Cook is a general, could be one of the very best at his position in the country and could be a Player of the Year contender as a senior in 2014-2015, if not this year. Quinn Cook is the guy who could make the difference from pretender to 100-percent legit contender.

Quinn Cook should end up as the best point guard in the
modern era of Duke basketball.

And then there is Rodney Hood, the highly anticipated transfer from Mississippi State who sat out last year with NCAA rules. Is Hood that big of a difference maker? I am not so sure. But with the explosive wing game that Duke has, he doesn’t have to be. He has to be Ryan Kelly or Brian Zoubek or Josh McRoberts. He doesn’t have to be the post that Sheldon Williams was because there are enough threats that he doesn’t need to be, he just needs to be productive.

On top of ALL OF THAT, returns Andre Dawkins. Is that a good thing? I think so, at least more so than when he last was with the program. His life has been tragic for some time now, but I really think the year off will not only clear his head, but mature him, which he needed. He was too loose with his shooting when he wore #20 and I hope that is remedied. Because if it is, he can slide right into Seth Curry’s role and thrive in it just as well.

The return of Andre Dawkins is a great catalyst for Coach K.

Hood and Hairston as bodies, Thornton and Dawkins draining threes and Sulaimon and Cook taking you off the dribble; who is going to contend with that?

And I have only mentioned nine guys. Amile Jefferson and Alex Murphy have each put on 15-20 pounds of muscle to help bang around down low with depth, and IF Marshall Plumlee is actually healthy, he is – if nothing else – a 7-feet, 260 pounder that helps give the Blue Devils a depth of, IMO, 12 on a good night and at least 8 on a night when the game is too close to pull players 9-12 off the bench.

And when the skill of players runs out, let us not forget that this team, even if they were less talented, are led by Coach K...THE SINGLE GREATEST COACH IN THE HISTORY OF SPORTS. Period, end of discussion. And then a bench that consists of Wojo, Jeff Capel (who has been a major Division 1 head coach) and newly added Jon Scheyer, who knows a thing or two about the Duke system and how it transfers into a National Title.

Again, its not that I think they won’t lose, they will. Duke plays in the toughest conference in the country with an ACC that has only gotten tougher this year with a bevy of new league opponents. They are going to lose.

But the reality is this: too many people are sleeping on Duke because of elements on other teams that Duke also has in droves. You want shiny and new, you got it. You want smart and veteran, you got it. You want depth, try to top it.

Don’t sleep on Duke.

College Basketball Preview Part 5: The Top Ten

Here is the hypocrisy of college basketball. Kentucky is almost universally considered the number one team in college basketball. As I touched on a couple weeks back in the very first part of my preview, that just sucks.

But I will not follow the trend. 6 McDonalds All-Americans is impressive for sure, but what is more impressive is tested talent. And that is what paves the way for the official In All Directions Preseason Top 10.

1. Michigan State

There is no doubt that Tom Izzo has the best core of returnees in the country. I will take Keith Appling and Gary Harris over any backcourt in the country almost any day of the week.

2. Duke

Depth. Depth. Depth. As I will expand on later, this team has a bench for days. Jabari Parker and Rodney Hood make the headlines, but my money to make this team their best is inspired play from Quinn Cook.

3. Kentucky

See, I am not a total hater, I will give the Wildcats their due because their freshman class in intriguing, just not sensational yet. But again, while all eyes are on Julius Randle, I am looking out for a breakout year from Alex Poythress.

4. Louisville

This is a tough one for me because I really think the defending champs lost a lot in Peyton Siva and Gorgui Dieng, but Russ Smith may be one of the toughest guys in the game to guard. And who won’t like the Kevin Ware storyline this year?

5. Arizona

Aaron Gordon has a huge upside and Duquense transfer T.J. McConnell is better than it sounds of the surface. How good the rest of the PAC-12 is will dictate Arizona’s long term potential, but look for them to stay hot for a while.

6. Florida

Billy Donovan has depth too and that is all he has ever really needed. He doesn’t have breakout players like his title run years, but Florida stays strong and they should power through the SEC.

7. Michigan

This is a team who really surprised me after their National Title loss. I really felt like it was all or nothing on turning pro, but instead they split. Glenn Robinson III should move into little Tim Hardaway’s spot, Mitch McGary could be the nation’s best big and I, for one, want to see what Spike Albrecht can follow up his great title game with.

8. Kansas

Yes, they have Andrew Wiggins. But what do they have around him? Skill and talent? Sure, this is Kansas after all, not NJIT. They are young, they will have a shot to win the Big 12, but I don’t expect them to be a big threat come March.

9. Oklahoma State

Not many teams can claim to have a sure top-10 NBA Draft pick back. The Cowboys can. Marcus Smart is dynamic, will be one of the very best players in the country and their team experience will drive them well throughout the season.

10. North Carolina

I am going to go ahead and give this spot to the Tar Heels. James Michael McAdoo may be an All-American and if PJ Hairston can get back and not be stupid, the Tar Heels can contend with almost anyone in the country blow for blow.

Don’t sleep on: Creighton, VCU or Marquette.

College Basketball Preview Part 4: Power Conferences

So with the fringe conferences out of the way, Cinderellas potentially appointed, it is time to look at the top 10 power conferences, the ones we will see on TV and the ones that really have the best chance to do the most damage this year.

So here are those conferences in order from weakest to strongest:

ATLANTIC 10

This conference suffered more than any with the realignment at the top of the college sports heap. That said, Juvonte Reddic is going to the NBA, but not before he leads VCU to another NCAA Tournament with Coach Shaka Smart. While there will be some strong teams in this conference, I don't see anybody here contending with VCU. Saint Louis will also be tournament bound again, but have to replace a lot of production from Kwamain Mitchell. Behind these two teams, anyone could finish anywhere in my opinion.

Is there any more respected coach these
days than VCU's Shaka Smart?

WEST COAST

Hmmm....let me see....Gonzaga. Gonzaga wins, they always win, they always will win. They sandwich the rest of the league with the best point guard and the best big man with Kevin Pangos and Sam Dower. Gerard Coleman has the potential to be the best freshman and really help the Zags dominate. Behind him, Tyler Haws at BYU could throw a wrench into things as he really is a versatile scorer, and Saint Mary's will continue to be a thorn in Gonzaga's side.

MOUNTAIN WEST

With UNLV raided for talent (two top players transferred, the best player went number one in the NBA Draft), this is clearly New Mexico's league. Kendall Williams will win the Player of the Year again and has a fringe chance at being an All-American, possibly depending on the Lobos' run come March. Behind him, New Mexico also has the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Alex Kirk to help their dominance. UNLV may still be strong with Khem Birch, and Boise State is going to put up a lot of points as well.

PAC-12

There is every chance in the world that Aaron Gordon at Arizona could surpass all of the other super freshmen in the country and that alone makes the Wildcats the top contender in this league. Brandon Ashley is phenomenal too and their 1-2 punch makes Arizona the easy favorite. Spencer Dinwiddle could have Colorado as a tournament team too, maybe their best team ever. And, UCLA's revival doesn't end with the exit of Shabazz Muhammed, because Kyle Anderson is explosive and Jordan Adams could just be insanely dominant if he can get and stay healthy for the entire season.

SEC

OK, so I have to give in to the Kentucky hype to a degree here because no team should be close to the Wildcats with Julius Randle leading the way. As much as the freshmen are hyped, Alex Poythress and Willie Cauley-Stein are huge returners for Kentucky. Florida, LSU, Tennessee and Missouri are also tournament bound teams, with the Gator's Patric Young, a 6'9''-240 pound senior center as a dominant inside presence.

BIG 12

Kansas will lead the way for one reason and one reason only: Andrew Wiggins. More hype, just like the SEC and Pac-12 favorites. Wiggins' biggest issue is that he doesn't have the help that Gordon and Randle have. Without that help, there is a good chance that Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart leads his Cowboys past Kansas to the top of the conference. Smart is fantastic and one of the toughest guys in all of college basketball to guard. Baylor is also continuing a big surge as a program and need a good year to bring in some key recruits that they are after.

Marcus Smart is such a dynamic scorer, there is a chance
that highly touted Andrew Wiggins at Kansas will
have nothing for him.

AMERICAN

A fun new conference (kind of?) will be dominated by Louisville. Losing two key players doesn't change their depth. Russ Smith is the best player in the league and Wayne Blackshear is also back. How Kevin Ware plays, back so quickly from that gruesome leg injury, could help the Cardinals to a second straight National Title. UCONN will be the secondary team with Shabazz Napier at the helm, but the undersized senior will need some help behind him. If Cincinnati can avoid punching people, they can also make a deep run.

BIG EAST

This is an interesting conference where any of the top 5-6 teams could be king. I give Creighton the nod because Doug McDermott is one of the best scorers and players in the entire country. Nobody in this league, possibly in college basketball will stop him. He gets great help in Grant Gibbs as well. Behind them, flip some coins to see where Marquette, Butler, Georgetown, Villanova and St. Johns finish.

BIG TEN

Indiana is the name that pops up in everyone's mind again when talking about the Big Ten, and that is great. But Coach Tom Crean has so much to replace in top-5 pics Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller. Can anyone fill those shoes? Yogi Ferrell is a dynamic scorer, but what about his consistency? Can Evan Gordon really do anything to help the Hoosiers? My guess is, Indiana falls dramatically. Part of that is because Michigan State, behind Gary Harris and Keith Appling, is potentially the best team in the conference. Michigan is a good team behind them, who like National Title game co-stars Louisville, lost a lot but bring a lot back. Mitch McGary is so strong inside for the Wolverines. Ohio State could thrive if they can find the scoring to replace Deshaun Thomas.

Behind Gary Harris, this may be coach Tom Izzo's
best chance at another National Title for Michigan State.

ACC

Three of the better teams in the league are brand new in Syracuse, Notre Dame and Pittsburgh. But it is some of those old-faithful ACC teams that dominate. Duke should run away at the top behind freshman Jabari Parker and a lot of returners from a strong team of 2012-2013. Behind them, North Carolina has a lot of pressure on them to win without PJ Hairston, who could be gone for any amount of time. The expansion doesn't slow down Virginia either, who have Joe Harris and Akil Mitchell to make this perhaps the best Cavalier squad ever. Of the newbies, look for Syracuse to have enough depth to stay as a contender, especially with CJ Fair scoring almost at will.

College Basketball Preview: Fringe Conferences Part Two

MID-AMERICAN

This is one of those rare and odd Midwest conferences where the best schools usually aren't draped with the best players. Shayne Whittington has the chance to be dominant inside for Western Michigan in a league without much knowledgeable size. They may be the dark horse with 3 guys who red shirted last year as true freshmen. How those three do against Toledo will determine the West Division and possibly conference winner.

MISSOURI VALLEY

Wichita State is by far the class of this conference and should run away with it behind Cleanthony Early, a potential future NBA prospect. The Shockers lost 4 players from a 30-win team, but could repeat that number again. Indiana State will be a distant, but interesting second place team behind Jake Odum and newcomer Brenton Scott.

Cleanthony Early is going to be one of the best
mid-majorplayers in the nation.

NORTHEAST

Bryant may be an interesting choice because of newcomer Daniel Garvin, who has a lot of talent for this level, but Julian Boyd at Long Island may change all of that. Boyd, if healthy, is a 18-25 point per night guy which is the kind of scoring you need to be a breakout team in a league this small.

OHIO VALLEY

In the Ohio Valley, Murray State is always a frontrunner because of their history and consistency. They have some intriguing kids coming into the program, but with that said, they are quite young. I look for Belmont to top Eastern Kentucky, easier than some might thing, in the East with Southeast Missouri State leading the West. Overall, SEMS has more talent with Tyler Stone, but Belmont just has more experience and will win the Ohio Valley.

PATRIOT

Bucknell is intriguing as a repeat champion, but I just don't know if Cameron Ayers is enough fire power when it comes to topping Boston, who has a lot of depth. D.J. Irving, Dom Morris and Maurice Watson Jr. is a hell of a triple threat.

SOUTHERN

There may no longer be a Curry in town, but it is about time that Davidson rises back to power in this conference and as a legit March Cinderella threat. De'mon Brooks is going to be the Player of the Year and Andrew McAuliffe may be the best freshman at 6'8'', 225 pounds.

SOUTHLAND

The Southland is a mess. I can name 5-6 teams who shouldn't even be Division I. I mean, who is Incarnate Word? Are we taking everyone now? Eventually, this league will be like the Summit League was (Mid-Con before that) with Oral Roberts dominating year after year. But they are still feeling things out, so I'll give McNeese State the benefit of the doubt this season behind Desharick Guidry.

SUMMIT LEAGUE

I am a homer of sorts and would love to see IPFW make a run, but that is going to be hard after losing all-time leading scorer Frank Gaines, now in the NBDL. IPFW's season could be impacted by the debut of redshirt Stetson transfer Steve Forbes, Taylor Braun leads a versatile North Dakota State lineup, South Dakota State has depth with Jordan Dykstra leading the way, and Denver has the overall best player in Chris Udofia. This conference should be a sprint between these four schools, I am going to guess Denver rises to the top in the end.

Steve Forbes could be a beast at IPFW.

SUN BELT

Somehow, and for some reason, Georgia State has become an athletic darling of the low grade conferences. They are attracting decent athletes for no discernible reason. In their first year in the Sun Belt, a sophomore in R.J. Hunter is going to dominate. Behind him, Manny Atkins is strong. Louisiana-Lafayette will also be a contender, but just aren't as athletically deep as the Panthers and Coach Ron Hunter.

The fact that RJ Hunter is only a sophomore is just insane.
He is a NBA prospect with a lot more time to
make Georgia State relevant.

SWAC

The lowest of the low on the totem pole is the Southwestern Athletic Conference, who wouldn't come close to field a tournament team unless they were required to do so. If it wasn't for the explosive Demarquelle Tabb, this conference would be lost. Because of Tabb, who at 6'5'', almost averaged a double-double in points and rebounds last season, Alabama A&M will plow through the conference.

WESTERN ATHLETIC

In this geographically irresponsible conference, familiarity is king. New Mexico State is always the class of this field and they have a great coach back that probably should have left for greener pastures in the off season. Travel lag may become an issue, especially for the Chicago States and UMKCs of the world.

College Basketball Preview: Fringe Conferences Part One

Outside of the power and high major conferences exist 22 other Division 1 conferences in college basketball. They are the schools you might not know of, those with witty nicknames, the Cinderellas and those who will not even make the smallest blip on most of society's radar.

So here today is part one of taking a look at those leagues, their top players and top teams.

AMERICAN EAST

Vermont has been, for some time, in their own class here in the American East, even if they didn't happen to get the conference's bid that year. This year, it should be clear that the Catamounts run away with all five starters returning. Stony Brook possesses a solid three-man front, but I just don't see them topping Vermont.

Bernard Thompson could lead another very high profile run.

ATLANTIC SUN

People are calling Torrey Craig from USC Upstate a possible can't miss NBA Draft steal come next year. I'm going to pass, because this league is CLEARLY ALL ABOUT FLORIDA GULF COAST. The have the hype, they have the interest and they are the only thing salvageable about the A-SUN. They return four starters, Brett Comer and Bernard Thompson are back and Jamail Jones is going to be the best frosh. No stopping this team, who may be the next Butler or Gonzaga when it comes to Tournament time.

BIG SKY

This is like looking at Vermont in the American East because Weber State is insane. Kyle Tresnak is a beast inside at 6'10'', 255 and Davion Berry is the best player in the league. Kareem Jamar will be unseated this year and his Montana team doesn't have the depth to stop Weber State, who could easily see their second straight 30-win season and could even win all 20 conference games.

BIG SOUTH

I am a big fan of Javonte Green at Radford, and I really think he could be a breakout star because of the fact that he, like Demarquelle Tabb (Alabama A&M – SWAC), plays so much bigger than his mid-size guard frame. But VMI is my pick to topple High Point for the conference crown because of big man DJ Covington and his point man Rodney Glasgow. I'm also intrigued to see newcomer Trey Chapman at VMI, who could add a lot to this dry conference.

BIG WEST

The “Cali League” could be a very a close one this year with an array of UC teams at the top in any particular order between Irvine, Santa Barbara and Davis. And perhaps just out of sheer love for their mascot, the Anteaters, I am going to go with UC-Irvine this year. Will Davis II will be strong inside for this team and although I don't think they have a top-5 league player and Davis himself may be 8^th or 9^th best, they have some strong depth. The best part is, behind Davis are players of 6'10'', 7'2'' and 7'5''. That is a lot of REALLY BIG depth. Corey Hawkins and UC Davis will be a close second, while Hawaii could end up being the spoiler for Cali.

COLONIAL

Drexel couldn't shoot to save their lives last season, but I expect them to remedy that this season behind POTY candidate Damion Lee. They were 7^th in the Colonial last season, but they are so much more experienced now and bring back a lot of scoring. I expect a duel between them and Towson to come down to the wire for the Colonial, with the possibility that one could win the regular season and the other could head to the field of 68. Towson's Jerrelle Benimon is explosive and has the right pieces behind him in Four McGlynn and Marcus Damus.

CONFERENCE USA

That is right, I am throwing Conference USA into the world of fringe. Part of that is the now seemingly constant flux of the teams. There are eight....that's right, EIGHT new teams this year and next year, they will add another one while losing three of this year's teams. That is ridiculous. That said, maybe Southern Miss? It is hard to tell exactly what happens here. I go with Southern Miss because of their depth, which is why I pick most of these conference winners, but this may be the one conference where depth doesn't matter. I am intrigued by Rob Rucker of UAB, but I question if he has enough leadership qualities outside of his on-court play to help UAB rise to the top. I expect Louisiana Tech to be the top challenger to Southern Miss this season.

HORIZON

Consistency from top to bottom is the key in the Horizon, where the best players are on middle of the road teams. Youngstown State should be happy that they have such a dynamic player in guard Kendrick Perry, they should go back to the drawing board in that they basically have nothing else. Kelsey Barlow is a fantastic newcomer who could be what takes Illinois-Chicago to the top of the league by the time he graduates, but this is not the year.

I'm going to go with Wisconsin-Green Bay to rise to the top. The 5'11''/7'1'' combo of Keifer Sykes and Alec Brown bookends a deep squad that should rise over Wright State and Cleveland State in a league that has lost some flare since Butler's exit.

On a Horizon League side note, I am really intrigued to to see how Oakland does in this new league. They may provide the flare that the league needs and doesn't have. Greg Kampe has done such a fantastic job in his years at Oakland, making them a threat and perennial top team in the Summit League. I can only imagine he will do the same in the Horizon.

Tommy Amaker has changed the entire
way of thinking at Harvard.

IVY LEAGUE

OK, so Harvard wins and everyone else is busy in class. Does that about sum up the Ivy League in the Tommy Amaker era. Wesley Saunders is miles above anyone else in the Ivy League and Siyani Chambers is a strong play maker.

MEAC

Norfolk State proved two Marchs ago to be the top team in the MEAC and they will pick that up this year as one of the best fringe teams in the realm of having the potential to run away with a Cinderella story again. Pendarvis Williams is phenomenal and should destroy anyone who tries to guard him

METRO ATLANTIC

One of the many low level leagues completely up for grabs. Canisius, Iona, Niagara and Marist could all be top dogs here. I'm going with Canisius only because I think that senior guard Billy Baron, who is quite versatile in how he plays, could be the type of guy to give them a March moment coming off a 20-win season in 2012-2013. Chris Perez, a transfer from the often-transferred from Stetson, will help as well.

Coming Tuesday, Oct.29: Fringe Conferences Part Two
Coming Thursday, Oct.31: Major Conferences
Coming Friday, Nov.1: Final Analysis before Tipoff

Diego Sanchez needs to stop taking punishment

Diego Sanchez is likely always going to have a job in the UFC.

On top of being the original Ultimate Fighter, by winning a 185 pound bloat off with Kenny Florian, he always has and always will deliver high octane and exciting fights.

But, that isn't always a good thing for Diego. Saturday night highlighted once again why it may be time for him to leave those gloves laying in the middle of the cage, remembered for what he was while he can still remember anything.

Early victories over Nick Diaz and Joe Riggs showed that a younger, thriving Diego was capable of a lot. After his setbacks to Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck and a drop down to the Lightweight division, he plowed through back to back Fight of the Night honors against Joe Stevenson and an all-time great fight with Clay Guida. Including his 155 pound debut against Stevenson, he was won 5 of his last 9, with six Fight of the Night honors during that stretch. So there is no doubt that entertainment is his forte with his particular style.

The many faces of Diego Sanchez post fight.
They usually have a lot of (red) things in common.

I was excited about his return to 155 pounds, where he had his most success, culminating in a title shot again BJ Penn. It was in that title fight that he was mutilated. But going into Friday's weigh ins for his UFC 166 battle with Gilbert Melendez, Diego looked cut and like he could make another run at the top at 155. What happened after is being considered a fight of the year candidate, but to me that is just surface talk.

The reality, and a sad one to me, is that Gilbert trounced Diego all over that cage. While both men came forward with flurries worthy of being on UFC fight highlights and show openings for years, Melendez landed quicker and more precise. Diego himself, the instigator of the flurries, barely landed.

Instead he left after another decision, this one a loss, with a familiar combination of a massively swollen face and a fountain of blood running into every crevasse on that face. It's years of abuse, it's a lot of scar tissue and it's just in his DNA to bruise easy and bleed heavily.

But it's hard to watch, sad to see and makes me question whether now is the time for Dana White, or somebody else close to Diego, to say that enough is enough. Clearly Dana White has no issue making known how he feels about fighters taking too much punishment. He virtually pushed Chuck Liddell and Matt Hughes into retirement, hinted vigorously at Forrest Griffin and after that same UFC 166 card, he was straight forward in how Junior Dos Santos' corner should have thrown in the towel midway through yet another beating at the hands of Cain Velasquez.

So why not feel the same about Diego? Just because the fight was entertaining? Dana has said many times things along the lines of Diego having a heart matched only by his chin. But both having a lot of heart and having a steel chin really only translate to one, similar thing, in MMA: you have, often, gotten the total crap kicked out of you.

When all is said and done, Diego's role in the UFC's development and his credit as perhaps the most entertaining fighter in the sports history, should be enough for Hall of Fame consideration. He will retire, whenever that is, as one of the very better fighters to never wear UFC gold.

But now is the time. Diego has taken too much punishment and is no longer doing himself or anyone else any favors.

13-6 is a respectable mark inside the Octagon, but I would really like to see his 20^th UFC fight as his swan song. Diego deserves a proper sendoff and as one of the guys who really set the UFC off (as much as Griffin and Stephan Bonnar get the most attention for that front, that night and that season of TUF), he absolutely deserves better than what he has been getting.

College Basketball Preview Day 1: The Hype Train is to Much

So this is how it goes in college basketball today.

1)      Have an over hyped and under talented recruiting class.

2)      Lost top player to injury.

3)      Miss the NCAA Tournament.

4)      Lose in the first round of the NIT to Robert Morris.

5)      Have previously mentioned top player go pro. (Why? We are still trying to figure that out.)

6)      Bring in new, possibly equally over hyped recruiting class.

7)      Be ranked #1 in the preseason.

Moral of the story: yesterday’s Anthony Davis and Nerlens Noel is today’s Julius Randle. Welcome to the wonderful world of Kentucky Wildcat basketball.

Nerlens Noel's plight last season is part of a sad trend of over hyping freshmen

.

 John Calipari is a talented coach and a solid recruiter. But why is it that we continue to kid ourselves with thinking that these freshman talents, or super teams, are going to actually be so dominant when all evidence is to the contrary. No, the 2013-2014 Kentucky Wildcats are not going to be the next (or better) Fab Five. And no, Julius Randle is not going to be the next Michael Jordan (or Lebron, or Kobe, or whatever today’s skewed standard of “greatest player” is.)

We have been doing this to ourselves for years. The last three “stud” freshmen have all been riddled by unrealistic standards. I swear, I am not just picking on Kentucky. But, for the last four seasons (including the upcoming one), Kentucky has supposedly had “that guy” for three of them.

Kyrie Irving. Duke. 2010-2011. Injured. Missed most of college career. Left School. All-Star caliber NBA career.

Anthony Davis. Kentucky. 2011-2012. Great college career. Left School. Injured. Mediocre/Underachieving rookie season.

Nerlens Noel. Kentucky. 2012-2013. Injured. Left School.

Julius Randle. Kentucky. 2013-2014. TBD.

Let’s just say, that immediate history does not bode well for Mr. Randle. Injuries? Missing most of his season? Going pro because…well why not? Maybe missing some time in that rookie year? A bench spot next to Darko Milicic?

And I know, we can all say it, Andrew Wiggins is supposed to the best player in this class (or is it Jabari Parker? I get lost in the whipping and winding crazy hype train.) But it has been recently that people (including ESPN) have been comparing Randle to Lebron. I assume they mean it as a good thing. If I said it, I would mean it as he is a crybaby underachiever who can’t win on his own and is afraid of pressure.

The fact of the matter is this: I cannot honestly see Kentucky being that good. Six All-Americans? Great. Your real “veteran” players are both sophomores. There is this thing called growing pains and I expect a lot for a team who couldn’t get by Robert Morris last season with arguably comparable talent.

So who is, in my humble opinion, the team with the best shot to win it all in March (slash April)? Stay tuned this week to find out!