Made a big change this week at the top, dropping Kentucky from number one all the way to 8th, even though the Wildcats remain undefeated.  The reasoning for me, after seeing highlights of their two point victory over Miami, Ohio and reading how John Calipari was so disgusted with his team’s defense, I was fairly certain I have reached too far for a very young team.  Then I watched Kentucky against Rider, and while they won convincingly, their perimeter defense remains a disaster.

Kentucky is ridiculously talented, and by the end may reach the pinnacle, but for now they have seven in their sights.

With that,  congrats to Michigan State whom looks awesome and gets my top vote.

Also, here’s to not putting stock into exhibition games, clearly Syracuse is one of the best 9 teams in the country.

Here’s the rest of mt Top 25:

1)      Michigan State

2)      Kansas

3)      Texas

4)      Villanova

5)      Purdue

6)      Duke

7)      West Virginia

8)      Kentucky

9)      Syracuse

10)  North Carolina

11)  Butler

12)  Tennessee

13)  Florida

14)  Connecticut

15)  Washington

16)  Notre Dame

17)  Michigan

18)  Minnesota

19)  Maryland

20)  Ohio State

21)  Oklahoma State

22)  Florida State

23)  Clemson

24)  Georgetown

25)  Miami, FL

Here’s how it stacks up to the this week’s poll:  http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/ncaa/men/polls/

Two years ago we were fortunate to see three schools from Maryland reach the NCAA men’s basketball tournament (had to be the first time in state history that three went, but none from College Park). 

But this season may prove even better. 

First the Terps.  Maryland discovered the right mix of chemistry at the end of last season to rally past a stretch of horrible play and reach the field of 32.  This year, they are better.  All key players return with greater experience, and they add a pair of post players ready for Division one action.  Gary Williams kept saying he had help on the way, and it wasn’t just a defensive reflex to criticism.  He was right.  Jordan Williams and James Padgett make the Terps competitors at least for a 1st round bye in the ACC Tourney, and a top four seed in the NCAA’s. 

In Baltimore, Morgan State jumps out to a 2-0 start, winning a pair of games on the road against America East competition (a conference with a better RPI than the MEAC.)  Todd Bozeman’s insanely fast re-invention of the Morgan program remains one of the best coaching efforts in the country.  He took over a four win program four years ago, and this year goes for a 3rd straight 20 win season. 

Pat Kennedy has struggled at Towson the last couple of years, but his Tigers made a nice run at the CAA Tourney last spring and seem to have grown from that.  Towson opened up the season with a solid victory over Miami, OH.  It’s a victory that looked nice last Friday, but even better by Monday as Miami took 4th ranked Kentucky to wire before losing on a last second shot at Rupp Arena.  Part of my jaw dropping though comes from me having Kentucky number one with my AP ballot.  That will change come Sunday, but I digress.  Kennedy has finally found some depth and shared scoring after long relying on a star player to carry the load.

Loyola is 2-1 including a win at UMBC Monday Night and a great half of basketball in Morgantown.  Jimmy Patsos had his Greyhounds tied at the half against 5th ranked West Virginia before the Mountaineers ran away after the break.  Patsos, like Bozeman has re-invented a program and changed expectations.  Siena is the class of the MAAC, but Loyola could challenge.

Mt. St. Mary’s has the best team in the NEC and looks for a 2nd trip the big dance in three years. 

UMBC has opened with a pair of losses at home, but it’s not a lack of talent doing in the Retrievers.  They have so many new faces including their first new starting point guard in four years.  Chris de la Rosa replaces Jay Greene , but offers similar skills.  Randy Monroe also has a new seven footer with skills.  By mid-January, once the chemistry develops, this team will be har to beat.

Coppin State enjoys a new home in a matter of weeks, opening up the new Coppin Center.  They lost their best player from the last four years in Tywain McKee, but with a new facility it will be easier to replace that kind of talent.

And Navy, well at least it’s a great football season. 

Take some time over the holidays to check out some of the local teams.  That way you’ll know the rosters when these guys get to dance in March.

Here’s a look at my vote for the A.P. Men’s Top 25 Basketball Poll this week.  Nice to make some decisions based on games actually played, although the match ups lacked drama.  That changes this week with many great games, and it is safe to say, this list will shuffle greatly in seven days….

1. Kentucky
2. Michigan State
3. Kansas
4. North Carolina
5. Texas
6. Villanova
7. West Virginia
8. Purdue
9. Duke
10. Ohio State
11. Butler
12. Tennessee
13. Florida
14. Washington (assuming victory over Portland State, if Huskies lose they’re out,Oklahoma is #25)
15. Connecticut
16. Oklahoma State
17. Notre Dame
18. Minnesota
19. Michigan
20. Maryland
21. Missouri
22. Georgia Tech
23. Florida State
24. Georgetown
25. California

The Ravens forced Eric Mangini to make a change at quarterback last time around as he benched Brady Quinn mid game in favor of Derek Anderson.  Six games later Mangini switches once more, this time back to Quinn.

This news confirmed this morning during a conference call between Mangini and local Baltimore media.  Confirmed with the most dispassionate, uninspiring of tones from the first year head coach in Cleveland.

Expecting Mangini to feel giddy wouldn’t make sense.  A horrible season in which incredulous quarterback play has led the way to a 1-7  record wouldn’t have me skipping to work either.  But Mangini didn’t seem listless just talking about his QB situation, but also the passion of his fans, Jamal Lewis’ career, Joe Flacco’s development.  He offers no passion period.

Same way when he was an assistant in Baltimore.  Same as head coach in New York.  How he has convinced anyone he should be the face of any franchise boggles the mind.

So while the Ravens surely endure a struggle, it’s not from a lack of passion.  And on the Monday Night stage this week that passion will shine, as we watch another listless performance from Cleveland.  A pleasant reminder for perspective.  The Ravens have their problems now, but at least they aren’t run by a droid masquerading as head coach.

Much of my college career at St. Lawrence University was spent arguing about sports (the rest involved other assorted non-printable social activities, spritzed every once in a while with a class.)  The most heated discussions outside of who was more hated (the Redskins or Giants) came with the college polls, football and basketball.

They add layers of nuance, grief, frustration, and exultation.  Their inherent subjectivity inspire more opinions, more discussion, and therefore greater interest.  What do we love to do more, than argue about who should really be number one?

And now, I have an opinion that matters.   Along with 66 others from around the country I will rank ‘em from one to 25 each week for men’s college basketball.

It’s a task I see as a privilege, one the gravity of which will weigh heavily on my mind each week.

I will publish my rankings here each week, inviting discussion and dissent.

Now I’m assuming the first one is the toughest because we have no body of work to judge.  But to get things started for 09-10, here it is:

1) Kentucky

2) Michigan State

3) Kansas

4) North Carolina

5) Texas

6) Villanova

7) West Virginia

8)  Butler

9) Purdue

10) Connecticut

11) Washington

12) Oklahoma State

13) Duke

14) Ohio State

15) Minnesota

16) Tennessee

17) Florida

18) Notre Dame

19) Missouri

20) Michigan

21) Maryland

22) California

23) Georgia Tech

24) Florida State

25) Georgetown

Also included, my preseason All America team.  Again, tough to judge only on potential and past performance, but I wanted to select those that did amazing things last season, but are capable of more this season.  Here it is:

Scottie Reynolds, G – Villanova

Greivis Vasquez, G – Maryland

Patrick Patterson, F – Kentucky

Cole Aldrich, F – Kansas

Luke Harangody, C – Notre Dame

Can’t wait to see how this thing plays out, and I’m now officially allowed to watch even more college basketball at home (thanks honey), what could be better than that!

Amazingly, 18 holes of watching my off plane swing did not affect Jay Haas in round one of the Constellation Energy Sr. Players Championship.  Haas went low with a 66 Thursday, earning a tie for 2nd place with Tom Watson, one shot back of Lonnie Nielsen.

Haas was forced to endure, as he is every week out here on the Champions Tour, the dreaded Pro-Am.  The best golfers in the world, thrust into a fivesome (guaranteeing at least a five hour round) of amateurs that have non stop questions, uninformed swings, and likely poor etiquette (not my group the ams were great partners.)

Now, it’s not the worst thing in the world.  Again, the group with whom Haas played worked quickly and with smiles.  But I’ve witnessed enough pro-ams and you certainly know enough golfers that are horrible to endure for a round.  Now imagine those guys when they really feel entitled.  That can make for a miserable afternoon.

But from the moment we met Jay on the first tee his mission was clear.  He was our host.  Haas took it upon himself to read nearly every putt, to offer thoughtful advice, and answer all the questions we had about his life as a pro golfer.  He didn’t just give tips, he delivered real lessons.  There was a moment on the back nine, about three hours into the round, when Jay and I were standing on the right side of 13 green while one of our partners was kind of stuck in the woods on the left side.  She had a scoreboard in her way, and was planning to hit over it and through a tree.  Haas jogged over before she hit, explained she could take relief, and helped her plan the shot.

That is going above and beyond what any of us could have hoped for, much less expected.

I asked Haas why he was so committed to our enjoyment of the day.  He made it clear that Wednesday is just as important as Thursday through Sunday because without the sponsors and fans, he has no tour on which to continue earning millions.  This is a business decision, but also a personal one.  He simply feels blessed for his opportunities, and if he can share what it’s like to be inside the ropes if only for a round, he does it with glee.

So hats off to Haas for “getting it”, and here’s hoping his influence on the rest of his brethren remains strong.

A dreary, drizzly morning gives way to balmy sunshine at M&T Bank Stadium.  Maybe not a legitimate metaphor for the Ravens, but it lately it seems awfully sunny in Baltimore. 

As they ready for the Browns they sit at 2-0 atop the AFC North despite not having neared their best football.  They offered enough mistakes in weeks one and two to make John Harbaugh likely consider serious self medication.  How he stomached his defense giving up 421 total passing yards last week I’ll never know. 

But the beauty of this team thus far comes in how it handles adversity.  Joe Cool 2.0 refuses to succumb to panic and when called upon in dire need, Ray Lewis made up for 59 minutes of mistakes.

Watching the Browns warm up on the field I almost feel bad for them.  They play for a joyless coach and know that even at their best, it would take the Ravens self imploding to get a win.  A trip to the land of 3-0 looks certain for Baltimore, but if I’m wrong, my word count at Gilbert’s Arena will greatly top 180.

A ficticious review of the season rolls on, but just in case you want thoughts on actual events, check out my real game recap right here: http://wbal.com/apps/news/templates/ravens.aspx?articleid=35658&zoneid=5

As for the continued ridiculousness, please remember  that attempts at humor do no neccesarily reflect the opinions of my bosses, family, or Chris Dachille.

Week 5:  How in the name of Tila Tequila did the Ravens go to New England and beat the Patriots, then come home and lost to the Ochocinos???  Probably after watching HBO’s Hard Knocks, and seeing how the Bengals charged their players for televisions in their rooms at training camp, the Ravens figured there’s no way Cincy could ever give exceptional effort for owner Mike Brown.  Somehow, they overcame that and did at M&T Bank Stadium what they did in 2004, pull the upset.  I think Flacco got a little out of whack after all the Gisele texts, witness his two interceptions and Carson Palmer reminded us he’s still pretty good.  Never though imagined 400 yards good in Baltimore.  John Harbaugh, whom above all wants consistent effort, accused writers and reporters in post game press conference of not wanting to win enough.  Losing to the 2-3 Bengals 34-25 , I’d go off too.  And he’s right, Peter Schmuck doesn’t want to win enough.

Week 6:   You could see this one coming all the way from Duluth.  No Adrian Peterson.  No Chester Taylor (odd that they chose to parasail together and couldn’t predict the snapping of the safety harness.)  Just Brett Favre.  More amazing though than Favre throwing the ball 45 times with that robotic arm, that he lasted long enough in the game to throw it 45 times.  The Ravens set a record for blitzes at 927 (unofficial) and sacks 124 (official).  All the frustration of losing at home to the Bengals, and of falling two games back of Pittsburgh erupted like Earl Weaver circa 1982.  The 37-0 victory once again put the Ravens into Super Bowl talk and nearly caused tampering charges from the Bills as they tried to contact Greg Mattison about replacing Dick Jauron.

An oxymoron?  Sure.  Take away the first two syllables and my wife will tell you it’s spot on.  But deterred I am not.  So here’s a recap of the Ravens 2009 Season.

Week 1:  I still can’t believe the Chiefs started Matt Cassel.  Seriously flawed logic in allowing a gimpy QB to face the Ravens rush although had Brodie Croyle started the 34 point margin probably wouldn’t have been much different.  Curious to see if the 41-7victory bloats the Ravens egos too much for the road trip to San Diego. 

Week 2: Sure enough.  The  jet lag, Philip Rivers, and that regrettable late night trip to the San Diego Zoo ended the Ravens bid for a perfect season (can’t believe Frank Walker convinced Tavares Gooden and Chris Carr that a thrill jog through the panther pit was a good idea.)    For the first time since January in Pittsburgh the Ravens defense was humbled as Rivers threw for 319 yards and 3 scores.  LaDainian Tomlinson however did not crack 100 yards and Joe Flacco earned his first 300 yard game.  The Ravens return to Baltimore with a 1-1 record, losing 28-17.

Week 3: After stripping away the 53 Mighty Men of Baltimorepullovers he delivered as gifts before week one, John Harbaugh threatened further removal of amenities if his defense failed to respond.  Obviously,  the D likes its comfort.  Brady Quinn suffered a season ending soul injury as the Ravens picked him 5 times, 3 returned for touchdowns (2 by Haloti Ngata, that ought to get him to Honolulu.)  Rarely has a team so thoroughly eviscerated a division opponent, but the 51-3 final actually hurt Cleveland fans more than when the Browns moved to Baltimore in the first place.

Week 4: Bill Belichick vs. Bill Belichick with a smile.  Advantage nice guy.  No let down following the largest margin of victory in team history for the Ravens.  A trip to Foxborough showed that Tom Brady indeed had not totally healed his knee and that if Joe Flacco ever waxes his eyebrows, Giselle just might make a switch at quarterback.  Flacco’s 3 touchdowns and no picks showed the Ravens can pass first against a good team and win.  Kelley Washington’s 5 catches for 89 yards and a score left unsmiling Bill unwilling to shake his hand after the game.  31-23 the Ravens won, upping their record to 3-1 and a share of first place.  Not a bad first quarter of the season for the league’s highest scoring offense.  That’s right,  I started with an oxymoron and I’ll end with one.

Training camp elicits many descriptions from players.  Intense, exhausting, draining, miserable, and fun.  Fun?  Today, camp was fun.

Already invigorated by a cool cloudy morning in which the team practiced with playoff energy, the Ravens received a visitor.  Snoop Dogg.

Snoop Dogg at Ravens Training Camp

The former gang banger turned multi, multi million dollar rapper, slash actor watched practice from the Ravens sideline. Snoop transitioned from the L.A. streets to main stream America star thanks to a genuine likeability and sense of humor. After practice he led the team in a “Dogg Cheer”, smoothed his way through some footwork drills (more impressively than Frank Walker I might add) and made his way to the mike.

Snoop Dogg made everyone smile at camp (except for his dressed to the nines entourage that refused to offer any facial expression). A much needed break of levity for the grind of training camp thanks to the author of “Doggie Style”.