1. Kentucky (63)
Last week was another easy walk through the SEC for the Wildcats. This is the time of the season when malaise sets in though, so watch out for the upset.

2. Syracuse (2)
The Orange won both of their games last week, but the absence of Fab Melo was evident. Unresolved academic issues have not allowed him to play since Jan. 16, but it looks like he will be able to return on Saturday. If it turns out that that is not the case and he can’t return this season, you can write Syracuse off as a contender for the national championship.

3. Ohio State
While the Big Ten has been very good this year, the Buckeyes have still only been tested a couple times. With home-and-homes remaining against #9 Michigan State and No. 19 Wisconsin, they have a lot of work to do. As it is now though, they are far and away the class of the league.

Continue reading Basketball AP Top 25 (Week 13): Murray State Continues to Impress »

1. Kentucky (61)
As usual, Kentucky looked really good last week. I wouldn’t call them unstoppable, but they’ve certainly shown signs of dominance. For that reason, I think they are going to get upset soon.

Before the matchup with No. 14 Florida, in fact. Because the SEC hasn’t been quite as strong as it looked like it would be in the preseason, the common wisdom will be that Kentucky will cruise through the conference schedule, with only Florida and No. 18 Mississippi State as potential roadblocks.

Conference play never works that cleanly, which means they will lose in the next four games. The best bet for an upset is Tennessee.

2. Missouri (2)
Here’s my analysis: Missouri had the best win last week. Seriously though, that was a really strong win over Baylor. In a surprisingly strong Big 12, the Tigers control their own destiny. I remain skeptical about their ability to beat Kansas (especially at Allen Fieldhouse), but that is an issue for another week.

Continue reading Basketball AP Top 25 (Week 12): Missouri to No. 2 »

1.    Syracuse (60)

Is there some sort of Syracuse equivalent to, “Roll Tide?” If so, I would like to use it to describe their continued success in the Big East. If not, let me suggest a few.

• Squeeze Orange
• Hold The Pulp
• Citrus Strong
• Fab Melo

2.     Kentucky (4)
The Wildcats beat Auburn and Tennessee last week. I consistently forget that Auburn plays basketball. They’ve not made the tournament since 2003 and only have three appearances since the ‘80s. How is that even possible for a major conference team? Does no one care down there? Is the focus that much on football? Also, Kentucky still looks really good.

Continue reading Basketball AP Top 25: FSU Blasts North Carolina »

Geno:In Pursuit of Perfection is the University of Connecticut women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma’s memoir. Published in 2006, the mostly self-written book takes us from Auriemma’s earliest years in Italy to growing up in Norristown, Penn. The book touches lightly on Auriemma’s career at St. Joseph’s and Virginia before devoting the bulk of pages to UConn. Diana Taurasi, whose departure basically ends the book, also introduces it.

Though also credited as a writer, the book contains none of former Boston Globe writer Jackie MacMullan’s style. I get the feeling MacMullan just helped a bit with structure and grammar.

Continue reading Book Review: “Geno: In Pursuit of Perfection” »

1. Syracuse (60)

The Orange did their business last week.  At this rate, they look to have a decent chance of making it through January undefeated. With five of their last seven games against UConn, Louisville, and Georgetown though, they are likely to trip up in sight of the finish line.

2.    Kentucky (5)
The Wildcats continued to play really well. Looking at their remaining schedule, I have a tough time picking out which game they’ll lose. It’s going to happen, but they are considerably better than everyone they play for the rest of the season.

3.    North Carolina
Watching the Tar Heels toy with BC was, if nothing else, instructive. Even though BC got within nine points well into the second half, there was never a chance that they were going to win. The Tar Heels just needed to turn it on for a few minutes to reassert just how talented they are.

Continue reading Basketball AP Top 25 (Week 10): Temple Tops Duke »