Top 5 Tuesday: Favorite NBA Players To Watch

This week's Top 5 Tuesday has to be NBA-related, given the ridiculously fun conference finals series currently going on. As I type, the Orlando Magic have taken a 3-1 series lead on Cleveland. Yes, you read that right. And I still think the Cavs have a good chance to win the series. Anyway, I think most people can agree that the top five players in the league right now are, in some order, King James, Black Mamba, Flash, CP3, and D-12 (although I'd debate Howard's inclusion). I thought about trying to rate the top five playoff moments I've ever seen, but figuring out which five Michael Jordan moments to include was a bit redundant. So, I am electing to go with your Top 5 NBA Players to Watch. It might be guys who hustle, guys who dunk, guys on your favorite team(s), or what have you. The only stipulation is that it must be a CURRENT NBA player (thereby eliminating Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Tim Kempton). My choices:

Honorable Mention: Chauncey Billups, Caron Butler, Ben Gordon (when he's hot), Baron Davis (when he cares), Tim Duncan (a former top 5 guy, but getting a bit older).

5b) Kevin Durant: There is no doubt in my mind that he will be in the Top 5 next year. Of course, that requires me actually being able to watch him on television. I saw the AFKATSS (Artists Formerly Known As The SuperSonics) play two times all season, and will need some more Durant time to adequately elevate him to Top 5 status. Either way, I too developed a man-crush while he was at Texas and love his ability to score in every way from every spot on the floor.

5a) Lebron James: Everyone loves him, and rightfully so. He is only down a bit on my list because he's just so physically imposing that it is almost unfair sometimes. Apparently only the Magic have figured out how to slow down the guy. His passing, weakside shot-blocking, and thunderous dunks are unmatched.

4) Brandon Roy: LOVED him in college at Washington and begged Bob's Cats to pick him in the draft. Naturally, they chose Adam Morrison instead (since he was not even the best collegiate player in his state at Gonzaga and he cried. Excuse me, she cried) and continue to search for a go-to-guy to score down the stretch from the wing. Go figure. Anyway, Roy does everything well and is a really tough dude. I enjoy the Trail Blazers mostly because of him and am looking forward to watching them grow up. He's just a gritty, clutch player.

3) Carmelo Anthony: Again, LOVED him in college. Saw him play early that season in Madison Square Garden and fell for his polished offensive game in the NCAA Tournament. He is such a phenomenal scorer for the Denver Nuggets, another young team that has been fun to watch grow. I find 'Melo frustrating at times because he can lose focus and not hustle back; on the flip side, I find him incredibly talented and efficient scoring the ball. My favorite part of his game is the smoothness - no one else like that in the league right now.

2) Chris Paul: I HATED him in college. He played on two great teams at Wake Forest, harassed the Heels on numerous occasions, and whined more than his fair share. He also did this. I figured he would go to the NBA and be a good, but not great, point guard. Now, I am a big Raymond Felton guy, and I like Deron Williams too. But, there is no argument about the best point guard from the 2005 draft. It is Chris Paul, a gap, then the debate begins. CP3 is faster than fast, pokes and prodes the opposing defense better than anyone other than Steve Nash and Ron Jeremy, and drops dimes like I drop rhymes (see?). Paul can score when needed and is one of the best pick pockets in the NBA. Paul is also a terrific team leader and seems to will his teammates to a higher level. There are few guys this competitive in the league, and his refuse-to-lose mentality is what sets him apart from his peers and puts him this high on my list.

1) Mark Madsen: because of this.

Ok, fine. The real #1?

1) Dwayne Wade: I do not care for the Heat, nor have I cared for many of their marquee players since Wade entered the league. That should illustrate the level of respect and admiration I have for D-Wade's game. This guy absolutely KILLS himself every. single. night. for his team. One injury-riddled season in 2007-2008 led them to the lottery. A full--strength D-Wade led them to an overachieving 5-seed. He is as personable a player as the Association has, a good guy off the court. He can do anything on both ends of the floor. But, it is the will to win and his 110% all the time that puts him tops on my list.

Alright, that's it for this week's Top 5 Tuesday. Later on this week, a look at three types of baseball. Next week's Top 5 will take place on a holiday on sorts, so get ready for a double-decker of analysis.

Holla atcha boy.

Top 5 Tuesday: Ladies (Revised)

Um...so did we know that Hayden is 19? As in, "Hi, my name is Hayden, I'm cute and all, but I'm only 19."

Oops.

New rule for my personal Top 5: you gotta not be too young for me (intentional double-negative, thanks). You can decide for yourself what that limit is, but she definitely crosses the line for Top 5 status. That's just not gonna work, ya'll. And next time, somebody of the male gender please let me know these things and police my postings/Top 5 lists.

As I mentioned, Hayden was a recent addition to the list. So, Hayden my dear, you gots to go. Maybe when I'm 35 and you're 27, that's alright. But I'm not in to changing diapers or having you show an ID to get into an R-rated-movie. And I would enjoy a glass of merlot if we ever had dinner...but you could not partake. So...um...wow, this is kinda awkward...I just think it's best if we stay friends and see other people (preferably those who are "of age" in my case).

Hey, it could have been worse.

Let's just go ahead and move Shakira up to the number 4 slot. And moving into fifth place, none other than my favorite American Idol winner, Carrie Underwood. The blond beauty from Oklahoma rocks the country music scene and rocks my world. Oh lil country girl. Insert gigantic picture here for emphasis:

Recap: Out with the way-too-young Hayden, in with the near-perfect Carrie. Revised Top 5: Carrie Underwood (5), Shakira (4), Alicia Keys (3), Scarlett Johannson (2), Jessica Alba (1). Lock it in.

Down down do your thang...

The Inaugural Top 5 Tuesday: Celebrity Crushes

It's here. The gimmick column that will take over the world. Cue the music as The Blue Team presents: Top 5 Tuesday. The premise is quite simple. I make a list of my "Top 5 _____" and you read it. Then, you tell me how stupid I am. The catch is this: when you comment on my choices, you have to provide your own Top 5 as well in the comments section. Not in great detail or description, but at least give me your list. And then, let the debate ensue from there.

I joke often about how no one in their right mind would read my craptastic blog. But, I think there is actually a decent number of you who read this, either via Facebook or linked from Twitter. Therefore, my hope is that this concept will provide you a good reason to read at least once a week and provide feedback. This is a bit similar to the Facebook rankings that a user can generate, but I appreciate more discussion and a better array of topics.

This week's Top 5 will feature the debate that started it all: Who are your Top 5 "Celebrity Crushes"? The criteria is open to your interpretation. It can be the Top 5 you would marry, sleep with, eat dinner with, discuss politics with, or what have you. Also, you can decide what constitutes a "celebrity". My cousin Whitney posed this question at Thanksgiving a few years ago and my entire family sat with great consternation developing our lists. It is now a standard question we ask folks, expecting them to have a response ready (or at least be able to come up with one fairly quickly). Failure to do so is met with tremendous disdain from our family. I asked a friend a few weeks ago and was met with such intense pondering that I had to allow him a few weeks to get back to me.

Anyway, let's roll. Here's my list for Top 5 Tuesday: Celebrity Crushes

5) Shakira. Beautiful, she can dance, she can sing, she can whisper sweet nothings in Spanish, and her hips...oh, her hips. I really think my favorite quality of Shakira is that she is probably not in your top 5. She's well-known, I promise, but I rarely hear her mentioned as one of the hottest women out there. She is a total package, in my opinion, and I like that you don't hear about her all the time. Although, you did hear "Hips Don't Lie" all the time; the song was apparently the most played song ever for a one week period.





4) Hayden Panettiere. Miss Claire Bennet herself is my "hero". She is also the newest addition to my personal top 5. Cute, personable in interviews, and short. Like it all. She is a bit on the young side though, a major drawback. However, it was obviously only a drawback from being a bit higher on this list, not nearly enough to put her off it completely. She is set for the big screen with "I Love You, Beth Cooper", which comes out this July. While I highly doubt I will ever set foot in a theater to watch it, I would surely enjoy her appearance in such a film. Yee haw.

3) Alicia Keys

She is an unbelievable singer, first of all. Second, I love her versatility: braids, straight hair, afro. Third, she is 100% woman. This chic does not mess around: she's politically active, involved in charitable organizations, and her lyrics are consistent with who she is. All adds up to a spot in my Top 5.

2) Scarlett Johansson. She kind of came out of nowhere in my mind, as I can't remember much about her becoming a celebrity hottie. The first time I truthfully can recall Scarlett was in "The Island", which came out in 2005. I mean, check out her IMDB. One would think that a celebrity of her status and respect among the male population would have been in a few more mainstream films or TV shows to gain exposure. Whatever. Point is, she is number 2. Which can only leave...

1) Jessica Alba. I felt like I "discovered" her on the show "Dark Angel", which aired through my junior and senior years of high school. None of my peers knew about her or the show. Oh, but I did. She obviously grew in recognition from there, staring in a number of well-known films. She has always been praised more for her beauty than her acting skills, which I attribute more to just how stunning she is than her lack of ability. She recently got married and became a mom, so I guess she's technically also number one on the "Hot Moms" list as well. I forsee her slipping from the number one spot on my list at some point, but it's going to take a new lady to do it. Namely, my wife.

That wraps up this week's "Top 5 Tuesday". So, now it's your turn. Who's your top 5? And yes, ladies, you can list your top 5 guys. We'll get to man crushes another week I'm sure, but the idea is to list the opposite (or attracted to) sex for this list. Now, go for it.

She got a body like a Coke bottle, face like a super model...

Back Like Jordan, Wearing the 4-5

I felt like I deserved a break following the NCAA Tournament string on regular updates, so...I took one. However, I have learned many things since April 7th. Let's make a list:

I've learned that there are few feelings as a sports fan like representing your school or team following a championship. There are many a proud alumus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but even moreso when proud of the University of National Champions. Working and living in Blacksburg, VA means there are few people who agree with my preference of school, as maroon and orange is clearly the chosen institution. I'd say the collective disdain for my UNC paraphernalia has only increased in the last month. And dang do I love it. (*insert shirt poppin' here*)

I learned Firefly + Lemonade = A John Daly (or Arnold Palmer for adults). We know this. However, when short on lemonade, substitute Sierra Mist and dial back the necessary mixer ratio just a bit. Delish.

I learned that if you are a female and you're going to wear sweatpants that say "Paws Off" on the butt, you had better have buns that anyone would want to put their paws on to begin with. It happened at the gym, and I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing.

I learned that there is absolutely no way the NBA will allow the Lakers to lose game 7 against Houston. If they can't get it done themselves, then the officials will provide all the help necessary.

I re-learned how quality Third Eye Blind is. A very simple, pop-rock band of the late nineties, their songs continue to be catchy and melodic. I rarely skip them on the ipod.

On a related note, I learned that any pop track with a drumline beat and a sultry female singer is always a winning situation on the ipod. That means "London Bridge", "Hollaback Girl", and "Love Me or Hate Me". And yes, you just learned that my musical taste can indeed sometimes be questioned, and rightfully so. Most people would classify those as guilty pleasures; the problem is, I don't feel guilty.

I learned that Bill Simmons is finally coming around and has now acquired a multiple-TV setup in his newly constructed Man Cave (he called it an "office". Sports Guy, admit it: it's a Man Cave). Rhino provided us with the multiple-TV opportunity full-time during our sophomore year by sacrificing his desk in our dorm to put another TV on. We upgraded to three off-campus and I went with 3.5 for a few years myself. Glad The Sports Guy has caught up. Simmons' sounds like it is of high-quality. Don't worry, I'm going to upgrade soon too.

I learned that the Stanley Cup Playoffs are freakin' awesome. Not so awesome, apparently, was my comment that Carolina was causing me "caniac arrest". Come on people, I thought it was clever. *crickets*

I learned that bar golf is indeed a fun evening, even if you think you have strep throat (I didn't, but daggum did I feel like crap).

I learned that I really, really don't care about horse racing. And here's why: I don't bet, so I have no horse to root for. And to me, with no rooting interest, most sports are not worth my watching. Andre Aggasi retires, I don't have a rooting interest in tennis...I don't watch tennis. I couldn't name ten boxers currently fighting, have no favorites...I don't watch boxing. There is never a reason for me to pull for one horse over another, unless there is one vying for the Triple Crown, so I have no rooting interest. I think that is why I love all college sports so much. In most cases, Carolina has a team worth rooting for, so I naturally have a "dog in the fight" per say. Maybe I've learned that I need to start betting on horse racing so I can get into it. Someone call me when Roy Williams or Tyler Hansbrough buys a thoroughbred.

I've learned that I am indifferent towards the Boston Celtics. A New England area fan I am not, clearly. However, the Red Sox are the only team in the area I really find myself rooting against for no reason. The Celtics just don't really tick me off, nor do they inspire me. This is somewhat odd, considering most elite teams are bound to spark an interest one way or the other in me. But, the C's just don't do it. I pulled for Chicago against them, mainly because I plan on driving the Derrick Rose bandwagon sometime soon, but I could care less otherwise.

On the other hand, I learned that I am on the Denver Nuggets bandwagon. I like Chauncey Billups, I've always liked Carmelo (and taken crap for it), and have defended Kenyon Martin countless times (and taken TONS of crap for it). Give me an aggressive, thuggish, aggravating team with a good on-court leader (Billups) over a pretty, flopping, bitchy-yet-talented team (ahem, the Lakers) any day.

I learned that Derek Lowe is still a really good pitcher. If only the Braves had anybody who could hit for power in a slow-pitch softball league, much less MLB.

I learned that if you eat hard-boiled eggs one night and fart in the shower the next day, the shower will quickly be filled with the smell of eggs. I would like to learn why this does not happen with all other foods. Wouldn't it be nice to fart the smell of chocolate chip cookies or vanilla ice cream? But no, just eggs. Why God, why?

Finally, I learned that there are few things I despise more than public displays of affection at the gym. A guy and girl put on quite the PDA fest last week and I nearly barfed my lunch up. To make matters worse, they stole a bench I was using, and proceeded to stay on it and play kissy face for ten minutes. Grrr.

There is a lot coming up here on The Blue Team. Hopefully the Canes will continue to be a topic for about another month, plus we've got the LeBron Invitational Tournament to finish up. The NBA Draft will, as usual, be of interest, especially with four Tar Heels and a Hokie among the potential draftees. Also, this Tuesday will commence the debut of what I hope will be a regular theme for this forum, one that elicits reader interaction and debate. Finally, there is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence coming up on June 2nd, almost like a comet or something. Try not to pee yourselves in breathless anticipation.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, you're far too kind...

Let's All Go Hump Brett Favre's Leg

It is 11:12pm EST on Wednesday night. I am watching the Rockets and Lakers in game 2 and decided to flip over to SportsCenter during a commercial real fast. The reason? To catch extended highlights and analysis of the two overtime Stanley Cup Playoffs games from earlier this evening, specifically the Hurricanes and Bruins. The show opened with Celtics/Magic highlights, as it probably should. The NBA is definitely more popular than the NHL across the majority of the Sportscenter audience, plus the Celtics are a cornerstone franchise defending their title. No problem. NHL highlights follow, opening with the Capitals/Penguins contest. The Pens won this game 3 matchup in overtime, and the series pits Crosby versus Ovechkin, who are the league's marquee superstars. Again, no problem. So naturally, the next set of highlights would be the Hurricanes/Bruins game 3 overtime contest, right? Nope. Let's talk about Brett Favre potentially un-"retiring" for the 432nd time to join the Minnesota Vikings. PROBLEM.

ESPN, seriously: I DON'T CARE ABOUT EFFING BRETT FAVRE. Call me when either a) the NFL season starts; or b) he appears on the Minnesota Love Boat II. I absolutely, positively could care less about whether or not a geriatric, washed-up Brett Favre comes back next year. We've had to listen to speculation, day-by-day reporting, and ficticious scenarios involving him for the past five years. Will he retire? Will he come back? Who will he be traded to? Can they make the playoffs behind The Great Brett Favre? Will he stay retired? Will he ask for extra mustard on his hot dog? What kind of puppy will he buy (oh wait, that wasn't Favre)? I'd say the percentage of people who really give a crap about Favre coming back (again) is limited to about sixteen Packers fans who just want to see him keep playing (and further tarnishing a legacy that was nearly unmatched), for their chief rival nonetheless, and the Minnesota Vikings contingency who want anyone but Tavaris Jackson behind center. Seriously, they might take Joakim Noah, Ellen Degeneres, Barney the Purple Dinosaur, or Yoda over Jackson at this point. In the meantime, we have to hear about Brett Favre before a playoff hockey game that involves the number one seed Boston Bruins losing to fall behind in the series to an underdog Carolina Hurricanes squad? Really ESPN? Really?

And, to make matters worse, as I typed the above sentence, we made it to 11:30pm. Still no Canes/Bruins. We've had baseball (Red Sox, Yankees, and the Mets/Phils game that was on - wait for it - ESPN earlier tonight), some decent news on Toledo basketball's point-shaving scandal, and a Terrelle Pryor interview. And, of course, a Sportscenter Reset on the Brett Favre story. That's right folks, TWO Brett Favre segments before overtime hockey highlights. FML.

My point is this: ESPN has a monopoly, so they can cover whatever they deem newsworthy. I know this, you know this. However, they have a nasty habit of latching on to a story they find particularly interesting and just oversaturating us with "news" and analysis. Far too much of it is speculative, and they will inevitably bury the supposed story into the ground. Barry Bonds and his alleged steroids, A-Rod and his alleged steroids, Terrell Owens, Brett Favre, etc. Give me more highlights. Give me more analysis of actual games and strategies. Do not create a story where there really is not that much to report, and, for goodness sake, do not force particular athletes and your collective agenda down our throats. I do not tune in for a running diary of Brett Favre. FYI, ESPN.

It is now 11:44pm and I finally have my Canes highlights. And yet, I am too worked up and pissed off to enjoy them. Thank you, ESPN Sportscenter, for ruining a perfectly calm, enjoyable evening of sports for me. I'm off to shoot BB's at my old Brett Favre Starting Lineup figures. Peace.

Where Amazing Actually Happened

I really have nothing to say about the Bulls vs Celtics first round playoff series other than "wow". That's it. Every single play from the five minute mark of the fourth quarter on was hugely important and player after player stepped up tonight. For everyone who hates the NBA (and there are a TON of you haters out there), this is your chance: get on the bandwagon. Watch the games, appreciate the plays and the players, and admit to watching amazing happen. Go watch highlights and watch the ESPN "Instant Classic" that will surely air on Friday sometime. You have a reprieve, this is your chance to hop on and enjoy it. Or, don't get on the bandwagon. You, Mr. or Miss Hater, can just sit in your little house, put on your blinders, and complain to yourself about how much the NBA sucks. Tell yourself that the players don't care, they're overpayed, the play is bad, or whatever it is that you think. Then shut the hell up cause your negativity is distracting me while I watch yet another great game.

Follow Me and Everything is Alright...

I finally activated my Twitter account, and I need followers. I know, it's a far cry from being a member of Napoleon's army, a servant to Darth Vader, part of the Bad Boy Family, or a Kool-Aid drinker of Jim Jones...but humor me. "What's in it for me" you ask? Well, you'll be fortunate enough to receive instantaneous updates during sporting events, sarcastic comments about people and places, jokes specifically tailored to tick off Nickelback fans, and even reports on trips to the bathroom. Or maybe cool Bible verses instead of that last one.

Anyway, @kylepwinchester. That's the joint, yo. Twitter.com: do it.

A Legacy of Champions

"The 2008-2009 version of the North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team is at a crossroads. The decision is very clearly laid out in front of each player and this collective group. The question is the same as Hulk Hogan asked the Ultimate Warrior prior to their match for the World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania VI.

So Tar Heels, I ask you this: Do YOU want to live forever?

Do you want to live forever in the minds and hearts of fans? Do you want a book written about you? Do you want to watch "One Shining Moment" and smile and cry simultaneously? Do you want to make us crazy buying 8 shirts, 3 books, 3 DVDs, a commemorative towel, 2 hats, a dog sweater, a flag, and a Sports Illustrated subscription? Do you want to put a ring on it and raise a big banner?

Gone is the depth that was overflowing in the pre-season. Gone is the leadership and defense of Marcus Ginyard. Gone is the versatility of Will Graves. Gone, gone, gone. Now, laid out before this team, is the opportunity to wallow in a pit of frustration and despair, of "it just wasn't meant to be". Or, they can man up, commit to one another and their coach, and rally together as a team to complete the mission. It's not how you act, it's how you react. So, I bid you this question, Tar Heels:

Do you want to live forever?"

The above was written on February 4, 2009, following a home win over Maryland. It has been sitting unpublished on my Blogger account, the only unpublished entry I've ever had. I quit writing that night because I wanted to simmer down a bit. After all, the Heels had just blown out Maryland at home and won another game. But, they looked awful doing it. No defense, no rebounding, just on complete cruise control. Just the type of team that has no heart and loses in March when it matters. To make things worse, all of the off-court fallout occurred that same evening, as referenced above. It was never in doubt if this team was talented enough to win it all; I only questioned whether or not they were focused enough, tough enough, or had enough heart. I was just not sure how bad they wanted it, leading me to rhetorically ponder: did the 2008-2009 Tar Heels want to live forever?

Question answered.

The University of North Carolina won the 2009 National Championship Monday night, 89-72, capping off a focused run of dominance in the tournament known as March Madness. They played very well for the better part of six straight games and were tougher mentally and physically than all of their opponents. And, they played with incredible heart.

I think it was a bit lost on most everyone outside of the program just how badly these guys wanted to win the national title. Sure, everyone came back to school, but they almost seemed resigned to return, hoping to improve their NBA Draft stock and maybe win a title along the way. The season ebbed and flowed quite differently than everyone expected, with unexpected losses and lots of injuries. But, somewhere along the way, all of this adversity further unified these guys and brought about a determination that ultimately led the Heels to the top of college basketball. They committed defensively, they rebounded just well enough, they shared the basketball, and they won.

It would have been easy to answer my question with a "no". The challenges Coach Williams and his staff and players faced were indeed very difficult to deal with. The ridiculous expectations further complicated things, bringing about a collective pressure that few teams have faced. But, Carolina chose a different response. A loud, emphatic "yes, we want to live forever and we're going to look dang good doing it, too".

The Heels rolled through this tournament, sans a ten minute period against LSU in the second round. Monday night's game was over quickly, despite my cries of, "come on, it's not over yet!" Throughout the season, we have known that when Carolina plays its best, there is no team in the nation who can match them. A talented best, yes, but also with the heart of a lion. They understood what was at stake and embraced the opportunity to rise to the challenge, to capture the spotlight. The desire, the tenacity, the urgency. They played with heart, and, captured our hearts in the process.

We've talked about enjoying the ride all season. Keeping an eye on the big picture, not over-reacting to the bumps in the road, having fun watching this supremely-talented edition of Carolina basketball. The big picture left us with one collective goal, for all of the players, coaches, and fans: a national title. A question unanswered. Would they do it?

Well, the picture is complete, the question answered. The legacy of each and every one of these players will be tied to the legacy of this team, a team of champions. They have done it with heart and had fun along the way. As have we. So, thanks for the ride, guys. It was incredible to watch you and we appreciate the blood, sweat, and tears you poured into this season and your careers. I'll proudly tell Lil' Kyle how you came together and raised a banner, doing it with class and dignity. We will all cry (again) watching "One Shining Moment". We will wear our eight t-shirts and re-watch the DVD's for years. This season is not going away, it cannot be forgotten, and neither can any of these players and coaches.

Carolina basketball, you did it: you won the title. Carolina fans, we did it: we enjoyed the ride. And, along the way, we combined to answer to ultimate question.

Yes indeed, the 2008-2009 Tar Heels will live forever: as National Champions.

One Last Ride

Greetings from snowy Detroit. Only two teams remain to play on college basketball's biggest stage on Monday night: the Heels and Spartans. It will be a battle between two of the nation's top programs, each led by terrific coaches and some quality upperclassmen. I can tell you first-hand that Ford Field will be full of green and white, even more so than it was on Saturday night. The Villanova and UCONN fans had no problem getting rid of their tickets for the remaining game thanks to the hometown Spartans' appearance, which will make Monday night a road game for the favored Tar Heels. Some notes on Detroit and the environment first, then analysis on the game itself, and finally a prediction.

The Motor City has been hit hard by the economic downturn in America - duh. We are all aware of that, and it's not the only city with such issues. I will tell you, though, that you don't realize how bad things are until you see it in person. Building after building, street corner after street corner, empty or falling apart. Comerica Park and Ford Field are beautiful facilities and the Detroit River area is gorgeous overlooking Windsor, Ontario...but that's about it. The event planning folks have done their best with what they have, but that has surely been tough. Hoops City is a long way from The Big Dance which is a really long way from Ford Field. In between are tons of bars and some casinos, but no really great areas to hang out and enjoy the Final Four atmosphere. The Carolina team hotel is incredibly small and cramped compared to others I've seen. There is little directional signage to show fans where to go and I personally do not think there have been enough police and security personnel away from the stadium. They did do a great job planning The Big Dance, the free music festival along the river. Fergie, Gavin DeGraw, Jesse McCartney, Staind, Pussycat Dolls, and...Keith Sweat. Needless to say, we checked into the Sweat Hotel and jammed pre-game Saturday afternoon.

The venue itself is great for football, but leaves a bit to be desired for hoops. Setting up the court in the center of Ford Field has turned into a good thing for the NCAA simply because Michigan St has survived this long and filled the joint. Had Louisville been the fourth team instead of Michigan St, this would have been the easiest Final Four ticket in history. As it was, I know of ten Carolina people or so that actually turned down tickets this week (are you kidding me?) for various reasons. Now, Monday night's ticket is really, really hot. Again, had this game not included the Spartans, it would have been the complete opposite. Anyway, our seats are on the club level, some of the best in the venue...and we're probably 150 yards from center court. Some of the seats on the floor along the sidelines stretch fifty yards beyond the baseline and are set below the court itself, making it darn near impossible to watch comfortably. I really question this decision by the NCAA to expand the seating long-term, but it has (luckily) been a success this season.

Some friends and I journeyed to Ann Arbor today to poke around and ate some delicious cuisine at a local joint, Afternoon Delight. We checked out The Big House and the hockey arena (amazing), as well as some shops downtown. Ann Arbor is much bigger than I remembered, but the campus is just great. Consistent architecture, green spaces, trees, and tons of students - very nice.

Now, on to the reason we're here. Monday night's game is going to be a battle. These two teams have a lot of respect for one another and will compete like warriors with the biggest prize on the line. Rebounding is a hot topic, as it should be, considering the Spartans are reputed to be the best in the country from season to season. Carolina is going to have to crash the glass as a team and hold their checks until the ball is secured. I really think continued defensive pressure by the Heels will create some missed Spartan shots and potentially lead to easy buckets, provided that the Heels get the rebound.

Michigan St supposedly wants to continue pushing the ball Monday night; I think that's BS. I see the Spartans trying to ugly this game up and slow it down, forcing Carolina to execute in the halfcourt against their terrific defense. On the other hand, Carolina will push the tempo per usual and look for easy buckets like the got in December.

Individually, Travis Walton is the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and can guard Lawson or Ellington. I would imagine he'll at least start out on Ellington and try to keep Wayne from heating up early. He could really make a huge difference in this matchup if he is able to neutralize one of Carolina's weapons. Delvon Roe is healthy now and playing great ball. No doubt he is looking for a huge performance to remind Roy Williams and Co why they recruited him so hard last year. Kalin Lucas and Raymar Morgan were both sensational Saturday night, but I think both could struggle against Lawson and Green. Lucas really had a hard time keeping up with Tywon in December, but he took it personally and elevated his game the remainder of the season (not too dissimilar from Lawson's response to being torched by Jeff Teague). Carolina has to continue to be balanced offensively, and some bench points from Frasor and Davis would go a long way in helping out. A great game from Tyler Hansbrough should be in the books, as Michigan State honestly does not have a guy who can guard him individually - not Suton, not Roe. Look for the Spartans to concentrate on throwing some different looks (fronting, double-teams, etc) and really trying to keep him from easy offensive rebounds. Finally, Ty Lawson remains the ultimate key for Carolina. If Lawson dominates this game, things could turn out well. Rebound, defend, hit your free throws, and Ty Lawson.

So what will happen? Ford Field will be as loud as it can be for Michigan St and the Heels will have to remember how to win on the road. The entire country will be pulling for the underdogs to win in their home state and further uplift a city in economic despair. And someone will win. Either way, it's the last ride for us to enjoy. Monday night is definitely Tyler Hansbrough's last game in blue and white. Same for Danny Green, Bobby Frasor, and Mike Copeland. Go ahead and add Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington to that list in my opinion. The next talented batch of players awaits to arrive on campus and try to win a national title. Next year, there will be new guys to have a man-crush on. But for now, live it up. This is why we watch every game and cheer with such vigor and passion. College basketball does not get better than playing for a National Championship on a Monday night in April, so soak up every moment and enjoy the last ride. Let's all hope this last ride ends with One Shining Moment.

Score: 82-71. Rah rah...

Preview This

Four teams remain with title aspirations and I'll be there to see them settle it this weekend. Tickets are moving pretty easy this year, so it's possible to go (thank you NCAA folks for choosing Detroit to host this wonderful event. Snow is in the forecast for Monday, so I've got to pack a toboggan and gloves).

UCONN over Michigan St. I think the Huskies are really, really good. They can run with you, but are also perfectly comfortable in the halfcourt. They have the athletes and strength to rebound with the Spartans, plus they can really get out and defend them as well. Louisville's 2-3 zone was a bit soft for my taste last Sunday and did not provide near enough pressure on Michigan State's shooters. Though the Spartans are not a great shooting team, they will readily knock down open shots like the Cardinals gave them. I do not forsee UCONN providing near as many quality looks at the basket. Kemba Walker is a key for the Huskies; if he plays like he did against Missouri, this team will cut down the nets. He's just a freshman, but he will be a high NBA pick one day soon. I am afraid we have not seen his best yet, and what we have seen has been really good. Michigan State certainly has the home-court advantage going for them, but in the end, I just do not think that will be enough. Score: UCONN 70 Michigan St 58.

Carolina over Villanova. The Wildcats remind me a lot of Arizona's 1997 title team (*shudders*): good guards who spread you out, a capable wing player, two solid post guys, and a short bench. Scottie Reynolds has the ability to go for 30 any night and Dante Cunningham can bang with anybody despite being a bit undersized. Contrary to what you might assume, Villanova outrebounds their opponents by four per game, and they do this by being quicker to the ball. It will be essential that the Tar Heels' big men get a body on every Wildcat when heading to the glass. Villanova also has some "destiny" feel to them, plus the revenge factor stemming from 2005 (if I hear one more thing about the "controversy" from that game, I'm going to puke). However, North Carolina is a better team. Lawson is the best point guard in the nation, Hansbrough one of the best big men. Ellington and Green might be the best 2/3 combo and Deon Thompson is no slouch. Add in some good depth and an NBA Lottery big man or two coming off the bench and you have the country's best team. That does not mean anything in the Final Four unless this group plays as a unit and plays effeciently. Defense like last weekend and attacking the boards with tenacity will be required to advance to Monday night. Ultimately, I think Ty Lawson proves yet again to be the difference. Score: Carolina 78 Villanova 74.

Holler at me if you'll be in Detroit.

Rah rah...