It’s not that Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari doesn’t take some satisfaction in conference championships and doesn’t believe that an SEC title for his Wildcats would be a great achievement. It would be a fantastic day for Calipari’s boys and all the blue faithful in Lexington. It would be a small treat for months of exhaustive workouts and countless hours spent on the hardwood. It’s just that Calipari knows better. He knows he wasn’t pulled away ...

So how do you like your bubble teams? Do you like strong RPI and SOS numbers? Is a winning conference record important to you?     With Selection Sunday a little over two weeks away, it will be interesting to see how the committee sorts things out.  In the meantime, let’s take a look at a couple of teams on the bubble.    San Diego St. has been on the bubble since early January.  They couldn’t get the win on ...

While my friends were busying themselves with other sorts of pre-game festivities, I had something else in mind. At the time, I felt a slight sense of the college football geek-dom I'd eventually settle into creeping in. But that would only last until I got to the Florida Book Store on the University of Florida campus. I can remember vividly, making my way there hours before kickoff, just to get close to the Gator Marching band, The Pride ...

For most of the 2009-10 college basketball season, the national media panel has proclaimed that the Pacific Ten Conference is one of the weaker leagues in the country. Well, I say to those pundits, watch the showcase that California and Arizona State display tomorrow at Hass Pavilion in Berkeley, CA.  It does not get any bigger this year in the Pacific Ten, as the regular season conference championship is on the line.  Since "bubble watch 2010" ...

Since the Big Ten Conference disclosed they were exploring future expansion, a hearty debate of expansion's pros and cons has been ongoing.  Wisconsin Athletic Director Barry Alvarez, who also served as the school's head football coach from 1990-2005, has made it clear that he doesn't want to part with any of $22 million his school gets from the Big Ten each year. According to CBS Sports, Alvarez put it this way:  "You just don't jump into a ...

It is a big weekend for some of the nation’s best teams. For the country’s bubble teams, the door is closing fast. With two weeks left before Selection Sunday, what teams will look to make their move this weekend?   Charlotte (19-8, 9-4) (Atlantic 10): Charlotte has to win at George Washington on Saturday. RPI: 56 S.O.S.: 107   Rhode Island (20-6, 8-5) (Atlantic 10): The Rams are on the road at St. Bonaventure on Saturday. RPI: 27 S.O.S.: 64   Dayton (18-9, 7-6) (Atlantic 10): Back-to-back losses ...

You know, sometimes a person has to do something drastic in order to get something accomplished. Here's my case. A few months ago, I lost my phone. I called Tracfone, my service provider, and told them of the situation. They did a great job at shutting off my phone. A few months later, thanks to my efforts, I managed to recover my phone and I wish for it to be reactivated. Initially they wanted me to buy ...

Ever wonder why some college teams just never get it? Why a certain college team nearly always finishes last in the conference? Sometimes it is high academic standards and everyone can respect that. Think of schools like Stanford, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, and others of that caliber. Then there are college teams that find a way to climb high enough to see the summit of the mountain only to derail themselves in certain sports. Think of schools like South ...

Jim Boeheim and Syracuse University have received a verbal commitment from Delaware Guard Trevor Cooney. Cooney, the No. 9 Shooting Guard and No. 44 overall prospect for the 2011 class (according to Scout.com), is the second Guard to sign on with the Orange for 2011. No. 16 Point Guard prospect, Michael Carter-Williams from Rhode Island, committed to Syracuse back in November. Cooney and Michael-Williams should make up what might become the quintessential Jim Boeheim backcourt. Both are big ...

The Big East decided to suspend two referees from the Big East Tournament, following controversial calls in West Virginia's victory over Louisville earlier this month. Mike Kitts, who won the Naismith Award for the nation's best referee, and long-time official Jim Haney, will not be officiating in the Big East Tournament. While it is nice to see the Big East take a proactive stance in disciplining their officials, it is not necessarily the right one. Louisville thought they ...