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.