Bleacher Report - Articles by Christopher Mango

2009-10 College Basketball Preview: Awards and Tournament Predictions

Christopher Mango — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:08:05 -0500

John Wall, New York Knick, 2010.

Player of the Year

1) John Wall, G - Kentucky, Fr.
2) Sherron Collins, G - Kansas, Sr.
3) Luke Harangody, F - Notre Dame, Sr.
4) Kalin Lucas, G - Michigan State, Jr.
5) Cole Aldrich, C - Kansas, Jr.
6) Willie Warren, G - Oklahoma, So.
7) Kyle Singler, F - Duke, Jr.
8) Avery Bradley, G - Texas, Fr.
9) Greivis Vasquez, G - Maryland, Sr.
10) Patrick Patterson, F/C - Kentucky, Jr.
11) Ed Davis, F/C - North Carolina, So.
12) Scottie Reynolds, G - Villanova, Sr.
13) Evan Turner, G/F - Ohio State, Jr.
14) Kemba Walker, G - Connecticut, So.
15) Manny Harris, G - Michigan, Jr.
16) E'Twaun Moore, G - Purdue, Jr.
17) Derrick Favors, F - Georgia Tech, Fr.

Projected Sweet-16 and Elite Eight

East Region

Sweet-16

(1) Kentucky over (5) Notre Dame
(2) Connecticut over (3) Oklahoma

Elite Eight

(1) Kentucky over (2) Connecticut

South Region

Sweet-16

(1) Michigan State over (5) Georgia Tech
(2) Villanova over (3) Michigan

Elite Eight

(1) Michigan State over (2) Villanova

Midwest Region

Sweet-16

(1) Kansas over (4) West Virginia
(3) Duke over (2) Purdue

Elite Eight

(1) Kansas over (3) Duke

West Region

Sweet-16

(1) Texas over (5) Maryland
(2) North Carolina (3) Ohio State

Elite Eight

(2) North Carolina over (1) Texas

Projected Final Four and Championship

Final Four

(1) Kentucky over (1) Michigan State
(1) Kansas over (2) North Carolina

Championship Game

(1) Kansas over (1) Kentucky

2009-10 College Basketball Preview: Big 12/Pac-10/SEC

Christopher Mango — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:04:13 -0500

Gus Johnson

Big 12 (predicted order of finish and records)

Kansas Jayhawks (28-2)

The Jayhawks return every relevant player from a 27-win team and bring in a top five recruiting class to assemble one of the best college basketball teams of the last decade.

Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich form the best inside-outside combo in the nation and are complemented by talented players to give the Jayhawks depth at every position.

In my opinion, this Kansas team is far more suited to win a championship than the team that did so in 2007-08, and it will take a mammoth effort from another team to even knock these Jayhawks off their game.

Texas Longhorns (26-4)

Similar to Kansas, Texas has possibly their best team ever, as this tops any roster that coach Rick Barnes has ever headed.

Their best player might be freshman Avery Bradley, who is looking at a top five pick next year. Surrounding this centerpiece are physical forward Damion James and senior center Dexter Pittman. The only problem will be finding minutes for the 11 or 12 players that will be in this rotation.

This conference has taken a big step forward, and a battle of the giants will ensue to determine its eventual winner.

Oklahoma Sooners (23-7)

There will obviously be a drop in the quality of this team after losing Blake Griffin, but it won’t be much of a decline as long as sophomore sensation Willie Warren can carry the load alongside a number of freshmen brought in by Jeff Capel.

The backcourt has enough experience to make the Sooners a competitive team, but the losses in the frontcourt will not allow Oklahoma to be a top two team in the Big 12.

They certainly have enough to get by and make it into the NCAA Tournament, but a deep run might be too much to ask for.

Iowa State Cyclones (20-10)

This conference has three really good teams, and then there’s a bit of a drop-off. I’d say Iowa State is probably the next best only because of their superstar big man Craig Brackins, the best player that no one’s ever heard of.

This program hasn’t been very good since the days that they were upset as a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they return to the Big Dance this season. No player is good enough to carry his team over Kansas, Texas, or Oklahoma, but if one guy can do it, I’d put my money on Brackins.

Oklahoma State Cowboys (20-10)
Missouri Tigers (18-12)
Kansas State Wildcats (17-13)
Texas A&M Aggies (17-13)
Baylor Bears (16-14)
Texas Tech Red Raiders (16-14)
Nebraska Cornhuskers (13-17)
Colorado Buffaloes (12-18)

Pac-10 (predicted order of finish and records)

Washington Huskies (21-9)

The Pac-10 this year will be an absolutely miserable basketball conference, but Washington should be the best team in it. They lose a few top players, but the backcourt of Isaiah Thomas and freshman Abdul Gaddy should be extremely exciting to watch.

The team won 26 games and earned a No. 4 seed with a considerably better team last year, but as they’ve declined, so has the conference.

The way I see it playing out, the Pac-10 should only be able to get four teams into the tournament, with Lorenzo Romar’s team being the best.

California Golden Bears (20-10)

A lot of people like the Golden Bears to win this conference, but I’m not sure it makes much of a difference who wins it, as they will both be mid-level seeds.

Mike Montgomery returns the core of a 22-win team that was tournament-bound and brings back a great backcourt tandem of Jerome Randle and Patrick Christopher.

They looked out of sorts down the stretch after losing five of their last seven and bowing out in the first round of the Big Dance, but they should be much improved this year, but with more pressure on them.

UCLA Bruins (20-10)

This program has lost so many players to the NBA over the past decade or so, but even as they have remained just shy of elite, the decline began last year as they only won one tournament game.

They’re depending on a bunch of guys that have never been relied on at all in the past, but there’s no denying Ben Howland will present a talented bunch to their competition.

Among their stars are Malcolm Lee, Nikola Dragovic, and Jerime Anderson, and if this threesome can get hot at the right time, they could make the Bruins a dangerous bunch.

Arizona Wildcats (19-11)

The assumption is that the Pac-10 is only a three-bid conference this season, but if Sean Miller has anything to say about it, the streak of consecutive NCAA Tournaments made by Arizona will continue.

They will be the definition of a bubble team unless they overachieve or really collapse, and that probably won’t happen since they are carried by their standout point guard Nic Wise.

They lose both Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill, and similar to some other classic programs, they are looking to walk the line between rebuilding and competing at once.

Arizona State Sun Devils (17-13)
Oregon State Beavers (17-13)
Oregon Ducks (16-14)
Washington State Cougars (16-14)
USC Trojans (15-15)
Stanford Cardinal (14-16)

SEC (predicted order of finish and records)

SEC East

Kentucky Wildcats (28-2)

You can erase everything that has transpired at Kentucky over the past few years, as a new era has dawned upon college basketball’s greatest program.

John Calipari has brought an unthinkably talented recruiting class to complement centerpiece big man Patrick Patterson, led by who is already one of the nation’s top guards in John Wall.

There may be an adjustment period for the Wildcats, but these players are NBA-ready now, and Calipari has set up this season perfectly to return the glory to Kentucky right away.

South Carolina Gamecocks (21-9)

The bubble burst late for South Carolina last year, as they won 21 games but did not reach the NCAA Tournament. They return four starters, including their tremendous point guard Devan Downey, who has All-American ability.

If this team stays healthy, they are almost guaranteed to be the runner-up in this division, as no one will catch Kentucky.

They’re good enough to be a mid-level seed similar to other teams that I’ve mentioned, as South Carolina is assured a return to the Big Dance for the first time in six years.

Tennessee Volunteers (21-9)
Florida Gators (20-10)
Georgia Bulldogs (15-15)
Vanderbilt Commodores (15-15)

SEC West

Mississippi State Bulldogs (22-8)

There’s no reason to believe that Renardo Sidney will ever suit up as a Bulldog, but they’ll still be good thanks to dominant big man Jarvis Varnado, the SEC’s premier rebounder and shot-blocking presence.

They won the SEC Tournament, return all five of their starters, and are not exactly facing the toughest competition in the SEC West.

This group together could probably be better than the team that snuck into the Big Dance and was bounced early last year, as this year they might be good enough to reach the Sweet 16.

Mississippi Rebels (20-10)

Andy Kennedy is in position to take the Rebels to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002, as they return their leader Chris Warren and put him alongside last year’s breakout scorer, Terrico White. The two form a backcourt duo formidable as any in the SEC, as their up-tempo style and pace will be exciting to watch.

The rest of this conference has serious shortcomings, and most would be hard-pressed to give the SEC five bids, but with a down year in college basketball, the Rebels should return to the tourney.

Alabama Crimson Tide (18-12)
Arkansas Razorbacks (17-13)
LSU Tigers (15-15)
Auburn Tigers (11-19)

Others to Watch

Butler Bulldogs (23-7)

Coach Brad Stevens is quiet with his words, but he knows that there’s a real chance that this Butler team could be really special. Gordon Hayward, Shelvin Mack, and Matt Howard make up a trio that could play with nearly anyone in the nation, as this small school has risen over the past five years to become a postseason threat.

However, they haven’t advanced past the Sweet 16, which leaves the possibility that they would fold in a big spot.

Gonzaga Bulldogs (22-8)

Perennially, Gonzaga is among the best teams from minor conferences. The WCC will be a runaway like always, but Gonzaga’s question marks shouldn’t go unnoticed.

Four of their top five scorers are gone, the exception being Matt Bouldin, and players who didn’t play much last season will be expected to make immediate contributions for Mark Few, and for a team which has huge expectations every year.

Big 12's Top 10 Players

1) Sherron Collins, G - Kansas, Sr.
2) Cole Aldrich, C - Kansas, Jr.
3) Willie Warren, G - Oklahoma, So.
4) Craig Brackins, F - Iowa State, Jr.
5) Avery Bradley, G - Texas, Fr.
6) James Anderson, G/F - Oklahoma State, Jr.
7) Denis Clemente, G - Kansas State, Sr.
8) Damion James, F - Texas, Sr.
9) Xavier Henry, G - Kansas, Fr.
10) Tyshawn Taylor, G - Kansas, So.

Pac-10's Top 10 Players

1) Isaiah Thomas, G - Washington, So
2) Jerome Randle, G - California, Sr.
3) Patrick Christopher, G - California, Sr.
4) Nic Wise, G - Arizona, Sr.
5) Malcolm Lee, G - UCLA, So.
6) Abdul Gaddy, G - Washington, Fr.
7) Quincy Pondexter, F - Washington, Sr.
8) Dwight Lewis, G - USC, Sr.
9) Klay Thompson, G/F - Washington State, So.
10) Landry Fields, G/F - Stanford, Sr.

SEC's Top 10 Players

1) John Wall, G - Kentucky, Fr.
2) Devan Downey, G - South Carolina, Sr.
3) Patrick Patterson, F/C - Kentucky, Jr.
4) Tyler Smith, F - Tennessee, Sr.
5) Jarvis Varnado, F - Mississippi State, Sr.
6) Tasmin Mitchell, F - LSU, Sr.
7) Terrico White, G - Mississippi, So.
8) Kenny Boynton, G - Florida, Fr.
9) DeMarcus Cousins, F/C - Kentucky, Fr.
10) Scotty Hopson, G - Tennessee, So.

2009-10 College Basketball Preview: ACC, Big East, and Big Ten

Christopher Mango — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:49:00 -0500

It's that time.

ACC (Predicted Order of Finish and Records)

North Carolina Tar Heels (26-4)

It says a lot when you win a championship, lose your top four contributors, and are still considered to be the favorite in one of the best conferences in the country.

Theoretically, this should be a rebuilding year at UNC, similar to what occurred in 2005-06, but there’s no such thing at Chapel Hill. The roster is reloaded with a tremendous recruiting class highlighted by Henson, replenished with Marcus Ginyard, and to a lesser degree with Ed Davis returning, as he should emerge as the premier big man in the ACC. This is the conference's best team.

Duke Blue Devils (24-6)

In the perennial two-horse race in the ACC, Duke is still the follower, but not by much. They still possess some of the issues that have prevented their appearance in a Final Four since 2004, but this will be a good team, regardless.

Two concerns for Duke could be lack of perimeter depth and reliance on the three-pointer (as always). The loss of Henderson will be overshadowed by the improving Singler and Scheyer, ensuring that this edition of Coach K basketball will challenge for both the conference and the national title this season.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (22-8)

The window may be very slim for Georgia Tech to compete for a championship since the roster is loaded with young players who could be one and done.

Up front are Gani Lawal and Derrick Favors, both of whom are soon to be pros, a main reason why coach Paul Hewitt needs to capitalize on this year with this group of players. There is no question that Georgia Tech has the talent to compete with both watered-down editions of UNC and Duke, as they should reach the tournament with ease en route to advancing a few rounds.

Maryland Terrapins (22-8)

With all of Maryland’s struggles, it seemed that Gary Williams’ days were numbered at College Park, but he always gets the most out of what he has. This year he has a team that will reach their third NCAA Tournament in four years.

His team will be led by big-bodied, senior point guard Greivis Vasquez and a true arsenal of perimeter threats. The only thing standing between the Terps and a deep postseason run is an elite group of frontcourt players. However, they’re better than a lot of the other teams in this year's ACC.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons (21-9)
Clemson Tigers (20-10)
Florida State Seminoles (18-12)
Virginia Tech Hokies (18-12)
Boston College Eagles (17-13)
Miami (FL) Hurricanes (17-13)
North Carolina State Wolfpack (16-14)
Virginia Cavaliers (13-17)

Big East (Predicted Order of Finish and Records)

Villanova Wildcats (24-6)

The Big East is a bit diminished after losing a boatload of players to the NBA last year, but one team that did not regress is Jay Wright’s squad.

They bring in a top-notch recruiting class and even though they lost a number of seniors which aided their run to a Final Four last year, they retain their stabilizer, senior guard Scottie Reynolds. They have to be eyeing a Big East title with lots of fresh blood, mostly in the backcourt, but they almost certainly will run into problems if they face a team with a bigger, superior frontcourt to theirs.

West Virginia Mountaineers (23-7)

A team with huge upside that disappointed in the last year’s tournament, should rebound this year and be able to make a deep postseason run.

They’re a tough, talented, and extremely athletic team led by the likes of Da’Sean Butler and Devin Ebanks, both of whom averaged a double-double in the latter stages of last season. In a normal year, this array of players probably would be lower than a second place team in the Big East, but in such a depleted conference, they are absolutely a team that could finish in the top four.

Connecticut Huskies (22-8)

Similar to UNC, it is a testament to the work of Jim Calhoun that a team that loses its top three players and made a Final Four, is in good position to make another run the following year.

With defensive catalyst Jerome Dyson returning from injury, swingman Stanley Robinson becoming the featured scorer, and with the reigns being handed over to point guard Kemba Walker, one would be hard-pressed to find a better returning group of three in the nation. The Huskies are plenty talented enough to win this year’s Big East.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (22-8)

The Irish still have the player that is potentially the best in the nation, Luke Harangody. That means it won’t be hard to shake off the ghosts of last year’s disastrous underachievement.

They lose a lot of outside shooting, but I think their new starting backcourt is the best in the conference, with transfer Ben Hansbrough and senior point guard Tory Jackson. If those two are solid, Harangody produces at an All-American level, and Brey gets the most out of the supporting cast, the Irish should finish in the top half of the conference.

Georgetown Hoyas (21-9)
Louisville Cardinals (20-10)
Syracuse Orange (20-10)
Pittsburgh Panthers (19-11)
Cincinnati Bearcats (18-12)
Marquette Golden Eagles (17-13)
Seton Hall Pirates (17-13)
St. John's Red Storm (16-14)
Providence Friars (15-15)
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (13-17)
South Florida Bulls (13-17)
DePaul Blue Demons (10-20)

Big Ten (Predicted Order of Finish and Records)

Michigan State Spartans (26-4)

The Spartans are among the top five teams in the nation coming into this season and are led by one of the nation’s best in Kalin Lucas and the return of a healthy Raymar Morgan. Both players could garner All-American honors and, even after losing their best big man in Suton, Delvon Roe should have a true breakout year.

It would be nice for someone to emerge as a true low post scorer and dominant rebounder, but even if this team plays small, Izzo always gets the most out of what he has, usually making a deep postseason run.

Purdue Boilermakers (24-6)

The junior class of JaJuan Johnson, E’Twaun Moore, and Robbie Hummel have been a group that have transformed this school’s basketball program and have truly made them into a championship contender this season. As freshman they won 25 games and last year they won 27, both times making runs into the NCAA Tournament.

They won’t rack up that many wins this year, only because of a much improved Big Ten, but this is easily the best team at Purdue in decades. If pieces fall into place, Purdue will challenge for the Big Ten title.

Ohio State Buckeyes (23-7)

Their junior swingman Evan Turner is a superstar in the making and could be the best overall player in this conference, but still needs help from a rather suspect surrounding cast in order for the Buckeyes to be the championship contender that most expect them to be this season.

They certainly have the weapons to be a top-notch team, but it’s the experience that should be Thad Matta’s main concern coming into 2009-10. Finding a consistent point guard will be the key to Buckeye success if they hope to make a deep run come this spring.

Michigan Wolverines (22-8)

Out of the two coaches at Michigan, John Beilein’s transition to Ann Arbor has been a lot smoother than Rich Rodriguez’s and, in my opinion, he has brought excitement back to this school’s basketball program for the first time since the early '90s.

Many thanks deserve to go to junior guard Manny Harris, who led the team in scoring, and to an NCAA Tournament bid last season. The Wolverines actually return their top five scorers off a 21-win season, so things are definitely looking up for this resurgent basketball program.

Illinois Fighting Illini (21-9)
Minnesota Golden Gophers (20-10)
Penn State Nittany Lions (18-12)
Wisconsin Badgers (18-12)
Northwestern Wildcats (16-14)
Indiana Hoosiers (15-15)
Iowa Hawkeyes (13-17)

ACC's Top 10 Players

1) Greivis Vasquez, G - Maryland, Sr.
2) Ed Davis, F/C - North Carolina, So.
3) Kyle Singler, F - Duke, Jr.
4) Derrick Favors, F - Georgia Tech, Fr.
5) Al-Farouq Aminu, F - Wake Forest, So.
6) Trevor Booker, F - Clemson, Sr.
7) Gani Lawal, F - Georgia Tech, Jr.
8) Jon Scheyer, G - Duke, Sr.
9) Sylven Landesberg, G - Virginia, So.
10) Malcolm Delaney, G - Virginia Tech, Jr.

Big East's Top 10 Players

1) Luke Harangody, F - Notre Dame, Sr.
2) Greg Monroe, C - Georgetown, So.
3) Scottie Reynolds, G - Villanova, Sr.
4) Devin Ebanks, F - West Virginia, So.
5) Kemba Walker, G - Connecticut, So.
6) Jeremy Hazell, G/F - Seton Hall, Jr.
7) Da'Sean Butler, F - West Virginia, Sr.
8) Deonta Vaughn, G - Cincinnati, Sr.
9) Lazar Hayward, F - Marquette, Sr.
10) Wesley Johnson, F - Syracuse, Jr.

Big Ten's Top 10 Players

1) Kalin Lucas, G - Michigan State, Jr.
2) Evan Turner, G/F - Ohio State, Jr.
3) Manny Harris, G - Michigan, Jr.
4) E'Twaun Moore, G - Purdue, Jr.
5) Robbie Hummel, F - Purdue, Jr.
6) JaJuan Johnson, F/C - Purdue, Jr.
7) Raymar Morgan, F - Michigan State, Sr.
8) Talor Battle, G - Penn State, Jr.
9) DeShawn Sims, F - Michigan, Sr.
10) Mike Davis, F - Illinois, Jr.

2009-10 NBA Preview: Awards and Playoff Predictions

Christopher Mango — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:01:13 -0400

Where amazing happens.

MVP Award

1) Dwight Howard, C - Orlando
2) LeBron James, F - Cleveland
3) Kobe Bryant, G - LA Lakers
4) Chris Paul, G - New Orleans
5) Dwyane Wade, G - Miami
6) Dirk Nowitzki, F - Dallas
7) Kevin Garnett, F - Boston
8) Deron Williams, G - Utah
9) Paul Pierce, F - Boston
10) Danny Granger, F - Indiana
11) Brandon Roy, G - Portland
12) Chauncey Billups, G - Denver
13) Ray Allen, G - Boston
14) Tony Parker, G - San Antonio
15) Yao Ming, C - Houston (if he returns from injury)

Playoff Predictions

First Round

(1) Cleveland over (8) Indiana in 4
(2) Boston over (7) Detroit in 5
(3) Orlando over (6) Philadelphia in 5
(4) Miami over (5) Atlanta in 7

(1) LA Lakers over (8) Houston in 5
(2) San Antonio over (7) Utah in 6
(6) New Orleans over (3) Portland in 6
(4) Dallas over (5) Denver in 7

Conference Semifinals

(1) Cleveland over (4) Miami in 5
(2) Boston over (3) Orlando in 7

(1) LA Lakers over (4) Dallas in 6
(2) San Antonio over (6) New Orleans in 6

Conference Finals

(2) Boston over (1) Cleveland in 7
(2) San Antonio over (1) LA Lakers in 7

NBA Finals

Boston over San Antonio in 7

2009-10 NBA Preview: Western Conference

Christopher Mango — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:57:02 -0400

Wild, wild West.

Southwest Division. Projected order of finish and record.

San Antonio Spurs (60-22)

After playoff disappointments in each of the past two years, the Spurs are back to elite status. Being healthy and having acquired Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess, they are one of two teams, in my opinion, that can win the West.

Their division is a little watered-down, and even though their injury bug might be their biggest foe, going against the Spurs’ veteran group of five and Popovich would be like going against Manu in a flopping competition. Veteran teams are always the most dangerous come playoff time, and with a pedigree like the Spurs, expect big things.

Dallas Mavericks (53-29)

The Mavericks are as talented as they’ve been in years. They add Shawn Marion to Nowitzki, Howard, and Kidd, giving them among the most talented groups in the league.

Their age issues can be a concern, but these were the pressing issues last year as well, and Rick Carlisle’s team proved all the naysayers wrong with a trip to the second round of the playoffs.

As much as their starting five will carry them, their bench is lacking in a pretty big way—one main reason why I can’t consider them among the elite teams in the conference.

New Orleans Hornets (50-32)

It is up for debate whether last year or the season before was the aberration for the Hornets, and I tend to think it was last year.

They finished seventh and were obliterated in the first round, only one season after they exceeded any expectations possible.

Chris Paul has become the clear-cut best point guard in the NBA, and is still complemented by West, and now has a new man in the middle in Emeka Okafor.

They absolutely addressed their depth concerns, but their lack of wing scoring will keep them from being a championship threat.

Houston Rockets (45-37)

The team will struggle at first without Yao, Artest, and McGrady, but as we saw two seasons ago, they can rattle off wins with anyone on the court, as long as proper chemistry is developed.

Their young core is okay, led by Scola, Brooks, and the newly-acquired Ariza, and I still believe they will make the playoffs because there aren’t any teams ready to make the jump into postseason contention.

If they get McGrady, and by a long shot, Yao, back from injury late in the season, they will be a bona fide playoff contender and threat to advance.

Memphis Grizzlies (30-52)

A team stuck in the lower end of NBA mediocrity has certainly made concerted efforts to improve by bringing in Iverson and Randolph, but they may have failed to recognize the fact that their locker room might blow come midseason.

The young core is very good, led by Gay, Mayo, and second overall pick Thabeet, but beyond their top six, the looks aren’t very good, and the team as a whole won’t be any good defensively. Memphis will have four players fighting for one ball, as it is almost certain that disaster will strike here.

Northwest Division

(projected order of finish and record)

Portland Trail Blazers (54-28)

This is the year that the Blazers take the next step.

Their young squad finally made the playoffs last year, and winning this tough division is certainly within reach. Andre Miller is the solid point guard that they could have used for years, and the young nucleus led by Roy, Aldridge, and hopefully healthy Greg Oden, is as formidable as it gets in the Northwest.

They disappointed in their first round playoff series against the Rockets, but a young team led by a good coach will learn from those mistakes and deliver for him this year.

Denver Nuggets (52-30)

Everything broke right for the Nuggets last year as they became one of the most dangerous teams in the league. I’m a little more skeptical that things will go exactly according to plan once again, but the Nuggets have the pieces in place to be very good once again.

They didn’t make any major moves in the offseason, and they won’t get a jolt like they did with the Billups trade as they did last year, but Carmelo has become a true NBA elite, and if their veterans veer from injury problems, they can win the division, but are not quite a title threat.

Utah Jazz (48-34)

Talk about a team that is always in the mix.

They became sloppy down the stretch last year as they fell to the eighth seed and an early playoff exit, but they have to be healthier this season.

Deron Williams and the offensive options at his arsenal cause matchup problems for all opponents, and though the status of Boozer on this team is uncertain, locking up Millsap was a crucial move for Utah.

They have good size and depth, and though by no means are they elite in the conference; they sure as heck will be a playoff team this year.

Oklahoma City Thunder (37-45)

They got off to a dreadful start last season, and after making a coaching change were much improved. There had to be some adjustment period after re-locating and without a doubt I can say the Thunder is not far away from being a good team.

Durant will have a true breakout season, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he led the league in scoring. He is surrounded by good, young complements in Green, Westbrook, and Harden, and as long as Oklahoma City can get off to a good start, they will hang around for most of the year.

Minnesota Timberwolves (28-54)

They would obviously be a bigger draw if Rubio was here, and what was with drafting all those point guards this year?

They have a good and hopefully healthy young core with the return of Al Jefferson and acquisition of Ramon Sessions.

I still don’t think they’ll be worth watching, but they are well on their way to becoming a contender along with a number of other teams in the West.

The Garnett trades set them back 10 years, and still have a lot more work to do before becoming good once again.

Pacific Division

(projected order of finish and record)

Los Angeles Lakers (64-18)

The Lakers are far and away the best team in the West.

The defending champs made some minor changes, with the one major one being Artest for Ariza. They are led by the great duo of Bryant and Gasol, a twosome complemented by secondary players like Bynum and Odom.

The only way I see this team faltering in either the regular season or postseason will be if chemistry is a problem, which is a possibility as long as you have Ron Artest on your team.

Their division is them and a bunch of doggish teams—a big year for the Lake Show.

Phoenix Suns (43-39)

Their style is worn and old, and they don’t have the pieces to run and gun anymore. Some still say that their contention window is still open. I say it shut at least a year ago.

They never won anything of value with this core, but still have a formidable team that could make the playoffs.

Nash and Stoudemire are still a solid duo, but outside of those two, and maybe Jason Richardson, their roster is ghastly.

They haven’t done a great job through the draft, and unless they discover some fresh legs, they won’t be a playoff team this year.

Los Angeles Clippers (40-42)

The Clips are much improved, but still may not be a team suited for playoff basketball.

They have a strong starting five, but injury problems have already struck Blake Griffin, and certainly are not foreign to Davis and Camby.

On paper, they’re actually not too bad, with the exception of short depth in the backcourt. I’d pick the Clippers if they weren’t associated with the franchise name, but it seems too good to be true. They’re still just the Clippers, and though they might be competitive, they won’t make the playoffs.

Golden State Warriors (36-46)

By no means do the Warriors have a subpar collection of players, it just seems like a rather volatile group.

Stephen Jackson already wants out, and others will probably follow his lead. However, their foundation is offensive, and based in their young players, some of whom are good: Randolph, Morrow, and Curry.

The West has too many good proven playoff teams and teams ready to make the playoffs that a team like this with turmoil in the front office doesn’t have much of a prayer of cracking those ever so coveted eight spots.

Sacramento Kings (24-58)

From glory to dread in just five years, the Kings have rather quickly become the NBA’s worst team.

They’ve gutted the roster of veterans and have put their stock in the future. They haven’t wound up with a franchise player, such as a Durant or Griffin, but do have a building block in Evans that they can put a lot of stock in. That lottery pick is complemented by solid players in Martin and Hawes.

They’ll be rebuilding this year and for years to come, as the Kings desperately lack the talent to compete.

All Western-Conference First Team

C-Yao Ming, Houston (injured-foot)
F-Tim Duncan, San Antonio
F-Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
G-Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers
G-Chris Paul, New Orleans

All Western-Conference Second Team

C-Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix
F-Carmelo Anthony, Denver
F-Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City
G-Brandon Roy, Portland
G-Deron Williams, Utah

All Western-Conference Third Team

C-Pau Gasol, LA Lakers
F-David West, New Orleans
F-Rudy Gay, Memphis
G-Chauncey Billups, Denver
G-Tony Parker, San Antonio

2009-10 NBA Preview: Eastern Conference

Christopher Mango — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:54:38 -0400

Enjoy.

Atlantic Division (projected order of finish and final record)

Boston Celtics (62-20) – The champions once removed return with a vengeance and a rejuvenated ‘Big Three.’ A healthy Garnett, Pierce, and Allen still combine to form the best trio in the league, and after a season where Rondo emerged as one of the league’s best young point guards and an offseason where they definitely upgraded their bench, they’re not just re-loaded, they’re overloaded. What will probably be the best defensive team in the league never got a fair chance to defend their crown last season, but they are sure to be right back in the picture this year.

Philadelphia 76ers (47-35) – The rest of the Atlantic is a somewhat organized toss-up, but the return of Elton Brand should allow Philadelphia to play runner-up to Boston. Early indications are that new coach Eddie Jordan has found a way for his squad not to miss a beat without Andre Miller, and with a faster-paced offense. Iguodala and Young have both become tremendous scoring options, and even though both health and depth could creep back as problems for the Sixers, I like their roster enough to compete in the division and conference.

Toronto Raptors (38-44) – A team that took a proverbial year off did their best in trying to re-work their look in what may be their final year with Chris Bosh. The acquisition of Turkoglu will definitely help, but the young players that they have given ample opportunity too have not seized it by the throat. A team with this many European players scares me because they aren’t known to be the best rebounders or defenders, and even though they’ll be able to score with the best of them, they could hang around in the playoff picture, but even that’s no certainty.

New Jersey Nets (32-50) – They have gutted the core completely and tried to go young. It didn’t work last year, and it won’t work again. Many think this will be the worst team in the East, and though I won’t go that far, the Nets won’t be far from a cellar lock. They actually have some young talent, headed by Harris and Lopez, but looking at the bigger picture, New Jersey will have trouble selling tickets and the franchise could be on the move shortly. They exceeded their expectations last year, but with little veteran presence, the Nets won’t win much.

New York Knicks (31-51) – It’s sad that not many care about this Knicks season, but that thought is becoming more true going into the campaign. Their hopes clearly ride on the mammoth free-agent class of 2010, and with seven players on the roster who have expiring contracts, a ninth-consecutive losing season is a foregone conclusion. The NBA wants, and to a degree needs a good team in New York. They won’t get their wish this year with a Knick team that will attempt to run and gun with a roster half-full of small forwards. Push fast forward to 2010, please.

Central Division (projected order of finish and record)

Cleveland Cavaliers (66-16) – The team that was the best throughout the regular season in 2008-09, but flopped in the playoffs made a number of acquisitions in order to get them over the hump. Obviously, they are led by their superstar LeBron James, and by acquiring Shaq, they are clearly out to win a championship before James’ possible departure. They are built to roll through the regular season, and with a superstar, post presence, and guards who can shoot, they will rack up the wins and take their division easily. The Cavs have yet to prove themselves in the playoffs though.

Detroit Pistons (46-36) – I don’t expect the Pistons to take as much of a hit as everyone does this year. They rid themselves of Iverson and Wallace, which may be addition by subtraction, do well in the free-agent market by signing Gordon and Villanueva, keep two of their core players in Hamilton and Prince, and finally give Stuckey a chance to flourish at the point. I expect new head coach John Kuester to try to push the ball since there is a true lack of big men. This lack of size and toughness will hurt, but not enough to keep the Pistons out of the playoffs.

Indiana Pacers (43-39) – The best team that no one’s talking about is the Indiana Pacers. They were riddled with injuries throughout the year, and still almost made the playoffs. They can score with the best of them, led by their star, Danny Granger. The supporting cast is good if it’s healthy, specifically Dunleavy and Ford, who played well when not sidelined. They didn’t add much star power, but improved through the draft, and should be a lot better defensively. A franchise like this won’t be held down for too long; look for a return to the postseason.

Chicago Bulls (40-42) – Chicago definitely could crack the top eight, in what is an improving, yet still uncertain conference. I don’t expect them to be any better, and even though they get Deng back from injury, they lose Ben Gordon, who was most of their offense in the playoffs. They still lack a true scoring presence in the low post, and though Derrick Rose has quickly become a great star in just one year, the loss of Gordon leaves a hole, and a lot of mismatches will be had up front with Noah and Thomas. The Bulls will be on the outside looking in come spring.

Milwaukee Bucks (28-54) – If NBA teams were rappers, they’d be Hurricane Chris. It has just all fallen apart in Milwaukee, and really hasn’t been good in a while. They still have Michael Redd, who is never healthy, Andrew Bogut, who is looking more and more bust-like each year, and lost Jefferson, Villanueva, and Sessions this offseason. The Bucks finished 34-48 with that group, so things will probably much uglier in 2009-10. They put a lot of stock of rookie point guard Brandon Jennings, but wins will be hard to come by for lame-duck Scott Skiles this year.

Southeast Division (projected order of finish and record)

Orlando Magic (59-23) – The defending conference champs come back with a bit of different look this year. It will be very interesting to see how Vince Carter does on a winning team with some actual talent around him. Stan Van Gundy’s team is led by its own superstar, Dwight Howard, along with Rashard Lewis, and Jameer Nelson. In my opinion, it is a three-horse race in the Eastern Conference, with the Magic being the weakest, but in no way is that a knock on their squad. Their division is not bad, and has the potential to send four teams in the playoffs.

Miami Heat (51-31) – The Heat kind of collapsed in the playoffs last season, but they actually should be better than projected by many this season. They know what they’re getting from Wade: 30 a night. They know what they’re getting from Jermaine O’Neal in a contract year, and they have a solid young nucleus in Beasley, Cook, and Chalmers. Spoelstra did a tremendous job last season in his first year, and with a much more well-rounded team this year, they should sail back to the playoffs even if winning the division is asking too much.

Atlanta Hawks (50-32) – Depth and young players are not hard to find on Atlanta’s team, but with a bunch of shoot-first players, spreading the wealth might be a problem for point guard Mike Bibby, who didn’t look like he had much left in the tank last season. Joe Johnson in a contract year could put some big numbers, and Horford and Smith make up a young, athletic frontcourt. They’re young, fun, and versatile, and I like them a lot, but they fall into the category of second-tier teams in the East, and will be watching the second round, not in it.

Washington Wizards (38-44) – The Wizards would have had the team they wanted last season, and brought in coach Flip Saunders to lead it, but have proven even before the season starts, they fail to stay healthy once again with an injury to Jamison. Arenas needs to have a rebirth to his career this season, or else it is pretty much over. With the depth that they have by adding Miller and Foye, they could certainly be a dark horse team in the East, but injuries are always a problem, and I’d be stunned if their core stays healthy for the duration of the 2009-10 season.

Charlotte Bobcats (34-48) – In a year where everyone expected Charlotte to finally do something and battle for a playoff spot, they fell flat on their faces, and made an impulsive, illogical trade of Okafor for Chandler, and now are left with not much of anything in terms of frontcourt scoring or veteran experience. Wallace and Felton will provide most of the offense for the Bobcats, but it looks like Larry Brown has tried to rebuild the Bobcats in his own image, but has just made a bunch of lateral moves. No dice for the Bobcats in their sixth season.

All-Eastern Conference First Team

C - Dwight Howard, Orlando
F - Kevin Garnett, Boston
F - LeBron James, Cleveland
G - Ray Allen, Boston
G - Dwyane Wade, Miami

All-Eastern Conference Second Team

C- Chris Bosh, Toronto
F - Danny Granger, Indiana
F - Paul Pierce, Boston
G - Joe Johnson, Atlanta
G - Derrick Rose, Chicago

All-Eastern Conference Third Team

C - Al Horford, Atlanta
F - Tayshaun Prince, Detroit
F - Hedo Turkoglu, Toronto
G - Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia
G - Gilbert Arenas, Washington

2009-10 NHL Preview: Awards and Playoff Predictions

Christopher Mango — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:55:11 -0400

More.

Hart Trophy

1) Sidney Crosby, C - Pittsburgh
2) Alexander Ovechkin, LW - Washington
3) Evgeni Malkin, C - Pittsburgh
4) Zach Parise, LW - New Jersey
5) Jeff Carter, C - Philadelphia
6) Pavel Datsyuk, C - Detroit
7) Eric Staal, C - Carolina
8) Henrik Zetterberg, C - Detroit
9) Marian Hossa, RW - Chicago
10) Alexander Semin, RW - Washington
11) Mike Richards, C - Philadelphia
12) Daniel Sedin, LW - Vancouver

Norris Trophy

1) Zdeno Chara, D - Boston
2) Mike Green, D - Washington
3) Nicklas Lidstrom, D - Detroit
4) Dennis Wideman, D - Boston
5) Duncan Keith, D - Chicago

Vezina Trophy

1) Roberto Luongo, G - Vancouver
2) Steve Mason, G - Columbus
3) Niklas Backstrom, G - Minnesota
4) Tim Thomas, G - Boston
5) Henrik Lundqvist, G - NY Rangers

Playoff Predictions

First Round

(1) Pittsburgh over (8) NY Rangers in 5
(2) Washington over (7) Montreal in 4
(3) Boston over (6) New Jersey in 6
(4) Philadelphia over (5) Carolina in 7

(1) Detroit over (8) Calgary in 4
(2) Vancouver over (7) Minnesota in 5
(6) Columbus over (3) San Jose in 6
(4) Chicago over (5) Anaheim in 5

Second Round

(4) Philadelphia over (1) Pittsburgh in 7
(2) Washington over (3) Boston in 7

(1) Detroit over (6) Columbus in 6
(2) Vancouver over (4) Chicago in 7

Conference Finals

(2) Washington over (4) Philadelphia in 6
(1) Detroit over (2) Vancouver in 5

Stanley Cup Finals

Washington over Detroit in 6

2009-10 NHL Preview: Western Conference

Christopher Mango — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:52:14 -0400

Western ice.

Central Division (projected order of finish and records; points)

Detroit Red Wings (51-23-8; 110)

A lot of people have jumped on the Blackhawk bandwagon, but I still think that Detroit is the team to beat in this division and ultimately in the conference. They lose one of their best players to that divisional foe, but they still have several of the best players in the game in Datsyuk and Zetterberg, and one of the conference’s better defense pairings in Lidstrom and Rafalski.

Osgood had a lousy regular season, but a good postseason, and even though his age might become a factor, this team is still among the best in hockey.

Chicago Blackhawks (47-27-8; 102)

Chicago may have the most talent on paper of any team in either conference, but they still have to prove they can beat Detroit in a playoff series to overtake them in my book. They add Hossa (a ludicrous contract), to a good young core that features Kane and Toews, among others. Their goaltending is easily their main concern, but their unbelievable depth at defenseman should be enough to hold down the fort.

The Blackhawks will be one of the league’s best teams if they can avoid the hiccups along the way.

Columbus Blue Jackets (44-32-6; 94)

One of the league’s biggest surprises (not to me) last season made the playoffs with flying colors behind the great play of rookie goalie Steve Mason and explosive star Rick Nash. Their emergence epitomizes this division that is the best in the West and behind Ken Hitchcock should only be getting better. I don’t think the teams that would challenge them for a playoff spot have gotten much better, and I see Columbus reaching the postseason quite comfortably. Keep an eye on Columbus come postseason as well.

St. Louis Blues (38-38-6; 82)

A team that absolutely skyrocketed its way into the playoffs last season seems as if it caught fire at exactly the right time, looking to be more of a fluke rather than a true indication of their ability. They were outmatched and overwhelmed come playoff time, and after adding next to nothing this offseason, by my estimation, will fall back into NHL mediocrity this year.

The situation in net isn’t very promising, and though they get Kariya and Erik Johnson back from injury, the Blues aren’t very good and won’t be a playoff team.

Nashville Predators (35-40-7; 77)

The league’s most non-descript, vanilla, unidentifiable team falls back to even a worse position this season with what was the 24th ranked offense last season, and though financial constraints held them back this offseason, they didn’t do much to make themselves better coming into this year. Aside from their underrated defense, led by Weber and Suter, Pekka Rinne could be a bright spot in goal, but if they can’t score, they won’t win, making it more and more likely that Nashville won’t be going anywhere in 2008-09.

Northwest Division (projected order of finish and records; points)

Vancouver Canucks (49-26-7; 105)

Though it looks like offense might be a concern for the Canucks, they made it a point to bring back the Sedins, who put up very consistent offensive numbers year in and year out. Luongo is still among the best, if not the best in goal, and their defense was actually very solid as they competed in the postseason. Vancouver’s secondary scoring should be propelled by a group of little-known, but solid roleplayers, making the Canucks one of the hardest working, and also one of the most dependable teams in hockey.

Minnesota Wild (42-32-8; 92)

It’s a whole new world without top scorer Marian Gaborik and long time coach Jacques Lemaire, but the outlook in Minnesota isn’t as bleak as many are making it out to be this season. Their second and third line players need to mature on the offensive end, but Martin Havlat is undoubtedly a stabilizing veteran presence. Niklas Backstrom has quickly become one of the league’s top goalies, and though their roster doesn’t stand out, the conference isn’t very good, and the Wild have a history of surprising.

Calgary Flames (41-33-8; 90)

Replacing Keenan with Sutter as head coach may be the most important improve Calgary made in the offseason as this team clearly needs a change of culture and attitude. They have a top-flight defensive pairing in Phaneuf and Bouwmeester, and they wouldn’t be the Flames without Iginla and Kiprusoff. Their scoring attack alongside Jarome looks to be a collection of misfits who are either too old or not old enough, and though there will be growing pains under this new regime, they’re good enough to make the playoffs.

Edmonton Oilers (38-36-8; 84)

Not a whole lot changed from a squad that finished 11th in the conference last season, which is the recipe for the same result. I can’t decide whether Khabibulin is a upgrade in goal in not, but that won’t matter much as the offense is very top heavy with young talent in the form of Cogliano and Gagner; after that: not so good. The Oilers don’t have issues with talent on the blue line, but the same can’t be said for toughness on that same front, as this will be one of a number of issues keeping the Oilers home in the spring.

Colorado Avalanche (27-43-12; 66)

The retirement of Joe Sakic hit Colorado pretty hard this offseason, leaving them with pretty much the worst team in hockey. There will be a lot of fresh, new faces on this roster of a franchise that has without interruption plummeted to the bottom of the league from its once elite status. Their goalie is a guy I’ve never heard of, and guys like Hejduk and Wolski will need to ramp up the production if Colorado has any hope of being halfway decent. That would be a full-scale pipe dream as the Avalanche is a cellar lock.

Pacific Division (projected order of finish and records; points)

San Jose Sharks (48-27-7; 103)

With a starting unit of Thornton, Marleau, Heatley, Blake, Boyle, and Nabokov, how are the Sharks not the best team of all-time? They very well could be, but ghosts of playoff past come to haunt them every April. They lost as No.1 seed last season as they were not able to get over that ever-elusive postseason hump yet again. With some luck, they will be able to stay healthy this season, but I haven’t been sold that they can win in the postseason, and that will definitely be in the back of the minds come this spring.

Anaheim Ducks (45-30-7; 97)

The decision to trade away Chris Pronger was a major detriment to the Ducks’ blue line, but the Ducks feature a bunch of tough, two-way forwards, headlined by Getzlaf and Perry, and even though they have some uncertain in net, I find it hard to believe Giguere will be sitting on the bench all season long. They always prove to be a naggy postseason opponent no matter where they finish, proving so as the last team in this past season. They are only three seasons removed as champions, so big things might be in order.

Dallas Stars (39-34-9; 87)

Stars fans are hoping that least season was a fluke, marred by injury, chemistry problems, and a slow start, but by the looks of it, the Stars aren’t as good as they’ve been in years past. A lot of young players amassed high goal totals, but it also may have been a textbook case of young players playing over their heads. They’re not a very tough team, and a little bit of age could wear on them in Modano and Morrow. Turco’s career has been on a steady decline, just one factor contributing to disappointment in Big D.

Los Angeles Kings (31-39-12; 74)

Slowly but surely, the Kings are definitely improving and possibly creeping into the Western Conference playoff picture. Nor would it be particularly surprising if the Kings land back in the dearth of the Western Conference. Everything has to go right, and the biggest question is in goal with no proven commodities on that front. They added a little bit of veteran experience in Smyth and Scuderi, but that will not put Los Angeles over the top.

They still will be pretty bad, but not nearly as bad as we’ve seen over the past few years.

Phoenix Coyotes (31-42-9; 71)

The good news is that the Coyotes have some young players that might turn into something one day, but it might not be in Phoenix. The franchise won’t be able to do anything on the ice or in the front office if they continue to have financial problems and bankruptcy hanging over their heads. When it comes to the team, they will be among the worst in the league, and though Shane Doan is still the main man, he is not surrounded by much. It’ll be a long process for the Coyotes, as this could be their last year in the desert.

All Western Conference First Team

F - Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit
F - Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit
F - Marian Hossa, Chicago
D - Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit
D - Dan Boyle, San Jose
G - Roberto Luongo, Vancouver

All Western Conference Second Team

F - Rick Nash, Columbus
F - Daniel Sedin, Vancouver
F - Joe Thornton, San Jose
D - Dion Phaneuf, Calgary
D - Duncan Keith, Chicago
G - Niklas Backstrom, Minnesota

All Western Conference Third Team

F - Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim
F - Dany Heatley, San Jose
F - Jonathan Toews, Chicago
D - Brian Rafalski, Detroit
D - Jay Bouwmeester, Calgary
G - Steve Mason, Columbus

2009-10 NHL Preview: Eastern Conference

Christopher Mango — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:49:37 -0400

It's ice time.

Atlantic Division (projected order of finish and records; points)

Pittsburgh Penguins (50-25-7; 107)

There’s always expected to be somewhat of a letdown after a championship, but the Penguins come into this season with essentially the same team that took home the Stanley Cup this past season.

The excellent core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and young Marc-Andre Fleury in net remains, as does much of the supporting cast that led Pittsburgh to the promised land last season.

It is highly doubtful that the Pens will go through the same miserable dry spell that they did last season, as they will be legitimate contenders for a repeat.

Philadelphia Flyers (46-28-8; 100)

One of the most consistent teams year after year, the Flyers have built themselves up to be the team that topples Pittsburgh in the Atlantic. Their solid defense now becomes elite with the addition of Chris Pronger, and the duo of Jeff Carter and Mike Richards will ensure that goal scoring will be no issue.

There is some concern in net, but Philly is too tough, experienced, and skilled not to be an Eastern Conference powerhouse. It’s been 11 years since the Flyers’ last Stanley Cup appearance, and it appears that now could be their time.

New Jersey Devils (44-29-9; 97)

Jacques Lemaire has returned behind the bench for New Jersey with the goal of playing traditional “Devils hockey” and reclaiming the glory that he had with the franchise in the '90s.

Their goaltending is the team’s biggest stronghold if Martin Brodeur stays healthy, but their offensive attack may need a shot of confidence after finishing ninth in the conference in goals last season. Zach Parise is one of the game’s brightest young stars, and as long as he continues to get better, it is never smart to sleep on such a consistently good team.

New York Rangers (42-31-9; 93)

Another summer of housecleaning leaves New York fans wondering what type of product will be on the ice come this fall. They rid themselves a few top goal scorers this offseason but brought in Marian Gaborik, who is a prolific goal scorer when healthy.

The Rangers will look from continued development from young defensemen and better seasons from their veteran blue-liners, not to mention another Vezina-like campaign from Henrik Lundqvist. With those, the Rangers should be able to grab a low playoff spot.

New York Islanders (28-44-10; 66)

The Isles are pinning a lot of their hopes on top overall pick John Tavares, but not even Garth Snow’s version of the Messiah will be enough to improve the Islanders very much. They only had 198 goals for last season (worst in the East), and their goaltending situation, regardless of health, will be muddled all season long.

They will have to get a lot better, not only to contend in what is probably the deepest division in hockey, but also to remain on Long Island, where their passionate fans will continue to support them.

Northeast Division (projected order of finish and records; points)

Boston Bruins (48-27-7; 103)

I believe that the Bruins’ hasty rise to the top of the conference was much more than a coincidence last season, as a number of veterans had career years and several young players came into their own.

They were second in the league in goals for and led the league in goals against; the latter many thanks to goalie Tim Thomas and probably the conference’s top defensive tandem in Zdeno Chara and Dennis Wideman.

Boston did happen to lose a lot of role players this offseason, but that shouldn’t be enough to hold the Bruins down this season.

Montreal Canadiens (43-31-8; 94)

Living up to sky-high expectations last season proved to be something that the Habs couldn’t handle, but last season’s nosedive that nearly cost them a playoff spot led to changes in both player personnel and coaching for this year.

Bob Gainey, now the coach, has cleaned house and revamped the roster in a big-time way. Their group of forwards will now be led by Michael Cammalleri, Brian Gionta, and Scott Gomez, and they added some toughness on defense as well. Goaltending may be a concern, but Montreal has enough to contend.

Buffalo Sabres (40-33-9; 89)

This Buffalo team is a shell of the one that reached the conference finals just three seasons ago, but there is hope that a core led by Thomas Vanek on offense and Ryan Miller in net can lead Lindy Ruff’s team back to the postseason.

On the bright side, they finished just two points out of playoff spot in a very tough conference last year and did so with a substantial number of injuries.

The same problem lingers as they’ll have to be better than teams that they flat-out aren’t better than. Look for them to be competitive, but on the outside looking in.

Ottawa Senators (37-35-10; 84)

The Sens have had the same problem for a number of years now: good offense, but poor defense and goaltending.

There was a bit of a shuffle in Ottawa this offseason, but none to address their primary needs. A disgruntled Dany Heatley is finally gone, and though they did their best to replace him, things aren’t exactly looking up for young coach Cory Clouston in his sophomore campaign.

They will rely on a bounceback season from goalie Pascal Leclaire, but many Senators need to exceed expectations for Ottawa to be good.

Toronto Maple Leafs (33-39-10; 76)

I guess you could say that Toronto overachieved in a year where they were expected to do nothing, but no one really pays attention to that when you still finish in your division’s cellar. Their defense is actually a little better, and they do add Phil Kessel to a team that actually scored 250 goals last year.

However, their goaltending won’t be any good, and though I do think a team with some good players could be a surprise contender, they will fall victim to the same syndrome that the Sabres and Sens will: one of too many good teams.

Southeast Division (projected order of finish and records; points)

Washington Capitals (49-26-7; 105)

Simply put, this team has it all. Needless to say, they’ll win the division going away, with another tremendous season from Alex Ovechkin and good, solid seasons from their other stars in Alexander Semin and Mike Green.

Uncertainty may lie in defensive depth and indecision with whom to play in net; however, Washington will be a handful for any foe in their pursuit of a championship. They could use a few finishing touches by maybe acquiring another role-playing forward or defenseman, but the Caps will put out one of hockey’s best products.

Carolina Hurricanes (44-28-10; 98)

The Hurricanes succumbed to a better team in Pittsburgh in last year’s conference finals but proved how good they were as they made a deep run through the playoffs as a low seed.

Beyond the great Eric Staal and the rock-solid Cam Ward between the pipes, Carolina is honestly a no-name bunch, but there’s a lot to like about their depth in lower offensive lines and on defense. They responded well to coach Paul Maurice, who has the job permanently, but Carolina should be a lock to reach postseason play in 2009-10.

Florida Panthers (35-37-10; 80)

The Southeast drops off big time after the top two teams, as this Panther team won’t be nearly as good as the one that tried to sneak into the playoffs last year.

Florida looks to be a team in transition, as their list of arrivals and departures is as long as one at a major airport. They are too young to be a playoff contender down the stretch, have lost their best defenseman, and have a lame-duck coach on the hot seat. Their goaltending is decent, but by no means will the Panthers be in the race for postseason contention.

Atlanta Thrashers (35-39-8; 78)

Atlanta will hit the ice with the same crew that ended up finishing 13th in the East in 2008-09, and though an argument could be made that their young talent could put them over the top, there’s not much experience to be had on the Thrashers roster, and not much promise in goal.

The bright spot is that this neophyte-dominant unit jelled toward season’s end by winning 12 of their final 18, but with only one postseason appearance in franchise history, I hope that the 12 Atlanta Thrasher fans aren’t too excited.

Tampa Bay Lightning (31-43-8; 70)

In what is usually a star-driven league, the Lightning have done very little since the lockout with two bona fide stars in Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis. They got a little better on the blue line, both through free agency and the draft, but the lack of scoring punch and consistency in goal is undeniable.

There are a lot of ifs surrounding Rick Tocchet’s team, and though they could be a team that plays well with low expectations, their bottom two lines at forward are ghastly, and the tough conference will keep them from being a contender.

All Eastern Conference First Team

F: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh
F: Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh
F: Alexander Ovechkin, Washington
D: Mike Green, Washington
D: Zdeno Chara, Boston
G: Tim Thomas, Boston

All Eastern Conference Second Team

F: Jeff Carter, Philadelphia
F: Zach Parise, New Jersey
F: Eric Staal, Carolina
D: Chris Pronger, Philadelphia
D: Dennis Wideman, Boston
G: Martin Brodeur, New Jersey

All Eastern Conference Third Team

F: Mike Richards, Philadelphia
F: Marc Savard, Boston
F: Alexander Semin, Washington
D: Andrei Markov, Montreal
D: Sergei Gonchar, Pittsburgh
G: Henrik Lundqvist, NY Rangers

2009-10 NFL Preview: Awards and Playoff Predictions

Christopher Mango — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:30:10 -0400

Read and feedback, please.

MVP Award (best candidate listed first)

1. DeAngelo Williams, RB - Carolina
2. Peyton Manning, QB - Indianapolis
3. Adrian Peterson, RB - Minnesota
4. Michael Turner, RB - Atlanta
5. Drew Brees, QB - New Orleans
6. Brian Westbrook, RB - Philadelphia
7. Philip Rivers, QB - San Diego
8. Ben Roethlisberger, QB - Pittsburgh
9. Jay Cutler, QB - Chicago
10. Kurt Warner, QB - Arizona
11. Matt Cassel, QB - Kansas City
12. Aaron Rodgers, QB - Green Bay

Postseason Predictions

Wild Card Round

(3) Philadelphia over (6) Chicago
(4) Minnesota over (5) Atlanta

(3) Indianapolis over (6) Kansas City
(4) New England over (5) Baltimore

Divisional Round

(4) Minnesota over (1) Arizona
(2) Carolina over (3) Philadelphia

(1) Pittsburgh over (4) New England
(3) Indianapolis over (2) San Diego

Championship Round

(2) Carolina over (4) Minnesota
(3) Indianapolis over (1) Pittsburgh

Super Bowl XLIV

Indianapolis over Carolina

2009-10 NFL Preview: AFC

Christopher Mango — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:08:04 -0400

More for everyone.

AFC East (Predicted Order of Finish and Records)

New England Patriots (11-5)

A team that won 11 games without Tom Brady, last year's is the overwhelming favorite to win the AFC East this season. They took a bunch of low-risk, high-reward gambles on proven veterans this offseason in an attempt to give them added playoff experience once they get there.

As long as Belichick is running the show with Brady and Moss by his sides, this team should be alright as long as injuries aren’t a factor, and the running game produces more than it did last year. Patriots fans should expect what they always expect: winning.

Miami Dolphins (7-9)

Last year’s surprise team shouldn’t struggle enough to take a huge tumble from last year’s 11-5 division winning campaign, but in no way are they in position to return to the postseason.

Their style of offense won’t surprise anyone as it did last season and their schedule is very tough as well. They played safe, conservative football which got it done in a division sans Brady last year, but that won’t fly this season, as their defense is weakened, too.

I’d be extremely surprised if the Dolphins don’t get lost in the AFC shuffle this season.

New York Jets (7-9)

A new coach in Rex Ryan will bring about a new mentality in New York, and without Favre, it seems like the slate his been wiped clean for the Jets coming into the season.

We saw rookie quarterbacks have success last year, so at least Mark Sanchez has a prayer on a team where the ground game and the defense are the strongest points.

There shouldn’t be as much doom and gloom around the Jets this year, since their prevailing theme should be hope, but don’t expect a playoff team with all of the changes for this squad.

Buffalo Bills (5-11)

The Bills, as always, have glaring weaknesses all over the field, mainly quarterback, defensive line, and possibly the worst offensive line in football.

I was surprised by the T.O. signing, and I don’t see it as that significant, especially without a good field general, something which Trent Edwards has not proven himself as thus far.

They have some good young players on the defensive side of the ball, but there still are far too many question marks about a team that has struggled for a while now. Don’t expect much from the Bills in 2009.

AFC North (Predicted Order of Finish and Records)

Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3)

The champs come into this season with nearly everyone returning from the Super Bowl winning squad, so why should anything be different this year?

Their defense is among the best of the decade, and their offense, while it is not flashy, gets the job done because of good leaders like Roethlisberger.

They got by with weaknesses in the running game and on the offensive line last season, and though repeating is very hard to do, the Steelers, without a doubt, should be good enough to make a deep playoff run at the very least.

Baltimore Ravens (10-6)

The defense on this team is world-class, but unlike in past years, the Ravens appear to be a balanced team with a competent offense.

This team would win most other divisions, but in the eyes of most, they’re still looking up at the Steelers, whose wrath they fell victim to in last year’s AFC Championship Game.

They often struggle with consistency, but they have also never had a steady quarterback as a franchise for the most part. They should very well be a playoff team, and most credit should go to their defensive stars.

Cleveland Browns (5-11)

The Browns won’t be very good and in my opinion did not make a very good hire in Eric Mangini. There’s no need to keep a quarterback competition a secret, but stunts like that doomed him in New York.

Their defense isn’t much to speak of, but the Browns have done a nice job developing a good, young offensive line. That won’t matter as there has been an overhaul in Cleveland; the struggle should continue, especially if Brady Quinn experiences growing pains and Braylon Edwards’ career continues to regress under this regime.

Cincinnati Bengals (4-12)

The “Hard Knocks” that we’ve seen from the Bengals over this summer will undoubtedly continue into this season, as I’m starting to question whether Marvin Lewis has ever been or will be on the hot seat.

I don’t believe Carson Palmer when he says he’s healthy because he’s never been healthy, and Cedric Benson as a starting running back just won’t cut it. I look for positives with teams, but I don’t see any here, as the Bengals will continue to linger as an irrelevant, no good, disastrous franchise.

AFC South (Predicted Order of Finish and Records)

Indianapolis Colts (11-5)

The AFC South has made some nice strides over the past few years, but the kings of this division should still prevail in Indianapolis.

A new coach might shake things up a little bit, but you know what you’re getting when Peyton Manning and this offense takes the field. The running game will come back strong off a weak season where it had no depth, and the defense has developed into one of the better ones in the AFC.

As long as you have the defending MVP as your quarterback, you have a very good chance to win, and to win big.

Tennessee Titans (8-8)

I can’t see the Titans having the regular season success they had last season, which leaves them as an average team.

Does Kerry Collins have anything left in the tank (or in the bottle)? Will losing Albert Haynesworth and Jim Schwartz de-value their defense at all? Will the new wide receivers make that much of a difference? Are the Texans better?

The four questions I just asked will determine the Titans’ fate, and looking at this team right now, it doesn’t have the makings of a postseason caliber club after overachieving big time in 2008.

Houston Texans (7-9)

I’d be weary of all the preseason hype as everyone has made the Texans out to be a bona fide playoff contender. Houston has progressed very nicely all the way to and 8-8 record last season.

They have the offensive weapons, even I’d like to see a bigger sample size of Matt Schaub, and still have a lot of work to do on the defensive side of the ball.

Every year, many claim that the Texans will finally break through. This may very well be the year, but in no way have they leapfrogged the Colts or Titans in terms of stature in the AFC South.

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)

I would say that the Jaguars can still keep up on the defensive side of things, but David Garrard is looking less and less like he’s the answer under center.

Everyone has fallen in love with Maurice Jones-Drew with a minimal track record, and they still have no wideouts. After being so good just two seasons ago, they have fallen on hard times, both on the field and with their fan base.

Once upon a time, Jack Del Rio was among the premier coaches in the NFL; now he’ll have to work a reclamation project just to keep his job past this season.

AFC West (Predicted Order of Finish and Records)

San Diego Chargers (12-4)

This division is good by no means, and the Chargers should carry the late-season momentum that they picked up last season and translate it with relative ease into this campaign.

LT isn’t what he used to be, but he’s still good enough to carry the load in the ground game, and it seems probable that Philip Rivers is ready to break out.

San Diego could have the most talented roster in the league top to bottom, but they’ve also had that in the past few years, and have had injuries and playoff disappointment plague them in big spots.

Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)

The Marlins, the Blue Jackets, the Kansas City Chiefs. A team left for dead coming into this season will make a leap into the AFC Wild Card race.

Surprisingly, I think Todd Haley knows what he’s doing in KC, and with Matt Cassel leading his team, the complements of a healthy Larry Johnson, and young studs on defense could turn the Chiefs into this season's Dolphins or Falcons.

In a weak division, I can see the Chiefs improving by both beating up on bad teams and playing up to the competition. Keep your eyes on Kansas City.

Denver Broncos (5-11)

Any hope of the Broncos having a successful season was shipped to Chicago, and the returns haven’t much left on the field for Denver. God knows football doesn’t need another version of the Raiders, but Josh McDaniels and friends have replicated the Oakland way pretty well before even having played a game.

Controversy and holdouts have plagued the Bronco offseason, and though I like the pickup of Brian Dawkins on defense, the Broncos have driven themselves in the wrong direction for the foreseeable future.

Oakland Raiders (4-12)

Still tons of questions for Oakland, mainly that they still don’t have a reliable quarterback, a suspect/feuding coaching staff, and fell for a 40 time with the seventh overall pick.

They have put a lot of stock in both Russell and McFadden and only time will tell if they will be factors in addition to all these high draft picks which they seem to gain nothing out of.

They actually have some good players on defense, but the organization as a whole is still a poorly run debacle that is and will not be a factor for the present time and for years to come.

AFC's Top 10 Offensive Players

1) Peyton Manning, QB - Indianapolis

2) Ben Roethlisberger, QB - Pittsburgh

3) Philip Rivers, QB - San Diego

4) Matt Cassel, QB - Kansas City

5) Tom Brady, QB - New England

6) LaDainian Tomlinson, RB - San Diego

7) Randy Moss, WR - New England

8) Maurice Jones-Drew, RB - Jacksonville

9) Chris Johnson, RB - Tennessee

10) Andre Johnson, WR - Houston

AFC's Top 10 Defensive Players

1) Ed Reed, S - Baltimore

2) Troy Polamalu, S - Pittsburgh

3) James Harrison, LB - Pittsburgh

4) Nnamdi Asomugha, CB - Oakland

5) Terrell Suggs, DE/LB - Baltimore

6) Mario Williams, DE - Houston

7) Haloti Ngata, DT - Baltimore

8) Shaun Rogers, DT - Cleveland

9) Ty Warren, DE - New England

10) Bob Sanders, S - Indianapolis

2009-10 College Football Preview: Awards and Bowl Predictions

Christopher Mango — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:40:35 -0400

Extra!

Heisman Trophy (candidates in order of most to least likely to win it)

1) Colt McCoy, QB—Texas, Sr.
2) Sam Bradford, QB—Oklahoma, Jr.
3) Tim Tebow, QB—Florida, Sr.
4) Jahvid Best, RB—California, Jr.
5) Terrelle Pryor, QB—Ohio State, So.
6) Dez Bryant, WR—Oklahoma State, Jr.
7) Daryll Clark, QB—Penn State, Sr.
8) Zac Robinson, QB—Oklahoma State, Sr.
9) Todd Reesing, QB—Kansas, Sr.
10) Julio Jones, WR—Alabama, So.
11) Jacquizz Rodgers, RB—Oregon State, So.
12) Russell Wilson, QB—North Carolina State, So.
13) Kendall Hunter, RB—Oklahoma State, Jr.

BCS Bowl Games (in order of increasing importance)

Rose Bowl presented by Citi—Ohio State over Oregon State

Allstate Sugar Bowl—Alabama over Penn State

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl—Oklahoma over Rutgers

FedEx Orange Bowl—California over North Carolina State

Citi BCS National Championship Game—Oklahoma State over Florida

2009-10 College Football Preview: Big 12/Pac-10/SEC

Christopher Mango — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:58:02 -0400

Surplus.

Big 12 (projected order of finish and records)

Oklahoma State Cowboys (11-1) – This team is built similarly to last year’s Texas Tech squad in terms of offensive firepower, but this team can play defense just as well as it will move the ball. With offensive weapons such as quarterback Zac Robinson, running back Kendall Hunter, and wide receiver Dez Bryant, shooting for a national championship should be their ultimate goal. Mike Gundy’s squad can’t look at it from that perspective as they need to win both their division and conference first, but keep an eye out for this explosive dark horse.

Oklahoma Sooners (10-2) – One of the best teams in the nation year in and year out, Oklahoma will be just that once again with the defending Heisman trophy winner Sam Bradford at the helm. They’ve won the Big 12 title three straight times and six times since 2000, but have not won a national title since the late 90’s, a monkey that coach Bob Stoops would like to get off his back. There’s room only for two teams from any one conference in the BCS and their fate will ultimately rest on two games, the Red River Shootout and their finale versus Oklahoma State on November 28.

Texas Longhorns (10-2) – A case can be made for any of these three teams winning the Big 12, but one of them will be on the outside looking in come January and it could very well be Texas. However, Colt McCoy and the Longhorns come into this season with a chip on their shoulder about not being in the BCS Championship Game last year. Their defense isn’t as good after losing some key contributors, but don’t look for any glaring weakness to drag them down. The one concern I have about this team is the brutal stretch of schedule from mid to late October.

Kansas Jayhawks (8-4) – Remember how South Florida was No. 2 in the nation back in 2007? Yeah, so was Kansas. They finished 8-5 last year, which is by no means a failure, but they aim to get back to their top-notch status, and are led by senior quarterback Todd Reesing. Their schedule isn’t really that tough, and I would take it as a disappointment if the Jayhawks didn’t win the Big 12 North. Mark Mangino’s team has every opportunity to take this title before the rest of this conference catches up to them and get back to a nice bowl game in Reesing’s last year.

Missouri Tigers (8-4)
Nebraska Cornhuskers (8-4)
Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-5)
Texas A&M Aggies (6-6)
Colorado Buffaloes (5-7)
Kansas State Wildcats (5-7)
Iowa State Cyclones (4-8)
Baylor Bears (3-9)

Pac-10 (projected order of finish and records)

California Golden Bears (10-2) – This very well may be the year Cal is a major factor in the BCS picture. They are loaded with both experience and depth, and junior running back Jahvid Best looks to be a prime candidate for a breakout year and possibly even a sneaky candidate for the Heisman. Jeff Tedford has done a great job taking over what was at the time a sinking ship in 2002, going 59-30 since then. Everyone in this conference is chasing USC every year, but this might be the year that the rest of the Pac-10 foes can take advantage, Cal with the best shot.

Oregon State Beavers (9-3) – I like Oregon State because they always win games that they aren’t expected to (e.g. win over USC last season), making the critics look foolish come season’s end. Rather quietly, coach Mike Riley has built a program that has been beyond legitimate over the past few years, and this year his main weapon will be running back Jacquizz Rodgers, who broke out last year. Like Cal, there’s no need for the Beavers to be intimidated by the Trojans. As long as they take care of their business, they could be in the mix for a big January bowl game.

USC Trojans (9-3) – Last year, I didn’t pick USC to win the Pac-10; that didn’t work out (special thanks to Arizona State), but in all seriousness, I don’t think this team is as loaded as in years past. Palmer, Leinart, Booty, Sanchez…Barkley? It will hurt losing an entire linebacking core. By no means am I saying that USC can’t win this improved conference, but don’t expect it to be the cakewalk that everyone thinks it will be. Knowing the way I pick things, USC will probably win the national title, but it’s a gamble on my part, I don’t think they’re in the mix.

Oregon Ducks (8-4) – The coach is gone, but the program continues to move forward. They come into this season with a rank of 16, and their season doesn’t open up with a layup; it opens up on the blue turf of Boise State, followed up shortly thereafter with tests against Utah and Cal. Not too many people know about one of the nation’s most productive backs in LeGarrette Blount for a team that average 50 points a game over its last four games and nearly 40 points a game for the season. Not a conference title contender, but a solid team overall.

Arizona State Sun Devils (7-5)
UCLA Bruins (7-5)
Arizona Wildcats (5-7)
Stanford Cardinal (5-7)
Washington Huskies (3-9)
Washington State Cougars (3-9)

SEC (projected order of finish and records)

SEC East

Florida Gators (11-1) – I’d be wary about a team that everyone is so sure is going to win the national championship before the season even starts, but if you’re going to do that with a team, this is the one to do it with. Urban Meyer is 44-9 in four seasons at Florida, with two titles and a great chance to win a third. Tim Tebow is on a quest for that same title and a second Heisman, and I would say that the talent is certainly there to do it again. Anything less than a perfect season would be a slight disappointment, and I don’t even know which game Florida will lose, but I just don’t pick teams to go undefeated.

Georgia Bulldogs (9-3) – Could Georgia be a candidate for the “year after” syndrome? They didn’t win anything of importance in the year that they should have, but now the pressure’s off for Mark Richt’s boys, but losing Stafford and Moreno is no prize. They’re still one of the premier programs in college football, winning 82 games over the last eight seasons, but with a tough opener against Oklahoma State, their BCS hopes might be dashed rather quickly. They aren’t getting by Florida; no one is, in this part of the conference here in 2009.

Tennessee Volunteers (7-5)
South Carolina Gamecocks (6-6)
Kentucky Wildcats (5-7)
Vanderbilt Commodores (4-8)

SEC West

Alabama Crimson Tide (10-2) – I’m convinced that the blowout loss to Utah in the Sugar Bowl was a fluke, but sometimes devastating losses are hard to put behind programs. However, the schedule isn’t bad and the roster is loaded with talented and depth, highlighted by sophomore wideout Julio Jones, who is nothing short of an NFL prototype. Though they blew up (in a good way) the year before they were supposed to, the Crimson Tide is once again a national title threat. They and the Gators are all but write-ins for the SEC Championship Game.

LSU Tigers (9-3) – The bar in Baton Rouge is always set at championship or bust, but that might not be too realistic this year with so many good teams ahead of the Tigers in the national title picture. LSU has as much speed and athleticism as anyone in the nation, but don’t really have much certainty at the quarterback position, as the reigns will be handed over to sophomore Jordan Jefferson. They’re good enough to have a puncher’s chance in the SEC, but is that puncher Ali or Riddick Bowe? Nonetheless, LSU will have good year, but nothing over the top.

Mississippi Rebels (8-4)
Auburn Tigers (7-5)
Arkansas Razorbacks (5-7)
Mississippi State Bulldogs (4-8)

Other Notables (projected records)

Boise State Broncos (9-3) – After 108 wins, three unbeaten seasons in the last five, and a Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma, you would think the nation would have gained some respect for Boise State. No one has. They still fly under the radar and will continue to do so until they get a chance to play for the national title. They open up at No. 14, which is no slouchy ranking, but this team always the potential to win 11-plus games. Coach Chris Petersen has lost four games in the last three seasons which is unfathomable; look for another great year in Boise.

BYU Cougars (9-3) – Though the season starts with a mountain to climb in Oklahoma, BYU should be able to get to nine wins comfortably. Another team that flies under the radar in search of perfection every year won’t get any notoriety if they don’t get into the big-time bowl game. They’ve done things the right way under Bronco Mendenhall, especially develop senior quarterback Max Hall. The Cougars are essentially in a two-horse race with Utah in pursuit of the Mountain West title, as they should be among the best non-major conference teams.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (8-4) – After several years of sadness and disappointment in South Bend, Charlie Weis has without question the best team he’s had in five years at ND. Jimmy Clausen is about to take the nation by storm, and the explosiveness of receiver Golden Tate will only help his development. This team is too experienced and talented not to go 9-3 or 8-4 and get back to the BCS where they haven’t had much luck recently. Their schedule is as soft as it's been in years, and anything short of eight wins would be a step in the wrong direction.

Big 12's Top 10 Players

1) Colt McCoy, QB - Texas, Sr.
2) Sam Bradford, QB - Oklahoma, Jr.
3) Dez Bryant, WR - Oklahoma State, Jr.
4) Todd Reesing, QB - Kansas, Sr.
5) Zac Robinson, QB - Oklahoma State, Sr.
6) Kendall Hunter, RB - Oklahoma State, Jr.
7) Ndamukong Suh, DT - Nebraska, Sr.
8) Russell Okung, OT - Oklahoma State, Sr.
9) Gerald McCoy, DT - Oklahoma, Jr.
10) Jermaine Gresham, TE - Oklahoma, Sr.

Pac-10's Top 10 Players

1) Jahvid Best, RB - California, Jr.
2) Jacquizz Rodgers, RB - Oregon State, So.
3) Taylor Mays, S - USC, Sr.
4) Brian Price, DT - UCLA, Jr.
5) Rob Gronkowski, TE - Arizona, Jr.
6) Tyson Alualu, DE - California, Sr.
7) Kristofer Dowd, C - USC, Jr.
8) LeGarrette Blount, RB - Oregon, Sr.
9) Lawrence Guy, DT - Arizona State, So.
10) Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, DE - Washington, Sr.

SEC's Top 10 Players

1) Tim Tebow, QB - Florida, Sr.
2) Julio Jones, WR - Alabama, So.
3) Eric Berry, S - Tennessee, Jr.
4) Brandon Spikes, LB - Florida, Sr.
5) Greg Hardy, DE - Mississippi, Sr.
6) Rolando McClain, LB - Alabama, Sr.
7) Terrence Cody, DT - Alabama, Sr.
8) Jevan Snead, QB - Mississippi, Sr.
9) Myron Lewis, CB - Vanderbilt, Sr.
10) Malcolm Sheppard, DT - Arkansas, Sr.

2009-10 College Football Preview: ACC/Big East/Big Ten

Christopher Mango — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:47:52 -0400

Available to the masses.

ACC (projected order of finish and records)

North Carolina State Wolfpack (9-3)

So far, Tom O’Brien’s two years in Raleigh have been mediocre, but in what is always a wide-open conference the Wolfpack have caught my eye as a trendy pick this season. They could have the makings of a conference champion. Their laurels rest on the shoulders of sophomore quarterback Russell Wilson, who flourished last year under center. The season will be a success if NC State can build upon their 6-6 campaign from a year ago and perform reasonably well in the non-conference portion of their schedule.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8-4)

In what everyone called a transition year, the Yellow Jackets went 9-4 last year. It is thus very likely this team’s cohesion will be that much better in year two under Paul Johnson. This is a team that returns 17 starters, which is a lot in a young conference. This number includes running back Jonathan Dwyer, who NFL scouts have been drooling over. Ten wins isn’t a stretch for Georgia Tech, but their hopes of reaching the ACC championship game probably lie in the result of their October 17th date with Virginia Tech.

Virginia Tech Hokies (8-4)

A Hokie team that has won three of the last five conference titles isn’t the hands-down pick to complete that feat again but, as always, the boys from Blacksburg will be a competitive team. After a lengthy period of cloudiness at quarterback dating back to the Vick years, Beamer has settled on Tyrod Taylor to lead his team in the right direction. Their ACC schedule isn’t very daunting, but their non-conference slate has a few rough ones. It will be interesting to see how they fare against a big time SEC opponent to start the season.

Florida State Seminoles (7-5)

Getting to 9-4 and winning a bowl was a step in the right direction for the ‘Noles after several years marred by scandal, and Bobby Bowden will try to rekindle the glory of the program’s past with a talented group in Tallahassee. This season will be an extreme success if FSU wins the Atlantic Division, which is a distinct possibility at this point. Even with question marks on both sides of the ball, there won’t be any good excuses if this team isn’t ranked for most of the season and in contention for the ACC crown.

Clemson Tigers (7-5)
North Carolina Tar Heels (7-5)
Wake Forest Demon Deacons (7-5)
Boston College Eagles (6-6)
Miami (FL) Hurricanes (6-6)
Maryland Terrapins (5-7)
Virginia Cavaliers (4-8)
Duke Blue Devils (3-9)

Big East (projected order of finish and records)

Rutgers Scarlet Knights (8-4)

A program on the rise enters 2009 with a good head of steam but there still are questions in Piscataway about a mercurial program that started 1-5 last year (that went on to win its last seven games). No more Teel, Britt, or Underwood means uncertainty and newcomers at the offensive skill positions, but the Scarlet Knights have a tremendous offensive line, which should help development under center. Schiano’s kids can win nine or maybe even 10 by beating up on their pillow-soft non-conference slate, but eight wins should be a sure bet.

South Florida Bulls (8-4)

Remember that team that skyrocketed to No. 2 in the nation in the middle of 2007? Yeah, that’s South Florida: They’re 10-9 since then. They seem to have hit a wall, but it’s hard not to believe in this team because of all of their veteran presences. USF is clearly a program on solid footing, with what should be a top-ten pick at defensive end in George Selvie and the best offensive player in the history of the school, quarterback Matt Grothe. The most talented team in the conference, the Bulls will be in the mix for the title.

Pittsburgh Panthers (7-5)

After three seasons of mediocrity and late-season collapses, Pittsburgh has finally captured some momentum by posting nine wins and appearing in a respectable bowl game last year. Only one win away from a Big East title last year, Dave Wannstedt is certainly making progress in Western Pennsylvania—but it’s hard to replicate a successful season if you lose one of the best running backs in the nation. There’s hope and a real possibility of contention for this team in what is perennially a disappointing conference.

West Virginia Mountaineers (7-5)

I’m reluctant to give West Virginia only seven wins because of their soft schedule outside of the conference and the explosiveness of quarterback Jarrett Brown and running back Noel Devine...but there is sure to be an adjustment period with Pat White in Morgantown. They aren’t the heavy favorite to win the conference—as they have been over the past few years—but WVU certainly isn’t a pushover with a modified cast of characters. Who’s to say they won’t climb back to the top of the Big East? But I just don’t see dominance this year.

Cincinnati Bearcats (6-6)
Connecticut Huskies (6-6)
Louisville Cardinals (5-7)
Syracuse Orange (3-9)

Big Ten (projected order of finish and records)

Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1)

After losses to Florida and LSU in national title games and a lambasting at the hands of USC last year, the cool thing to do is rip on Ohio State. Yet, somehow, they always manage to find their way into a BCS bowl game. Tressel’s crew is the real thing this year and should be able to repay the favor to a Trojan team that’s down a little bit. If Terrelle Pryor develops into the McNabb/Culpepper mold this year, this team should run the table in the Big Ten and be in contention for the national title. I like the Buckeyes to win the Big Ten’s two-horse race in 2009.

Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2)

Penn State looks to be Ohio State’s only competition for the Big Ten title this year, but after winning the conference last season they really aren’t the challenger. Only seven programs have better winning percentages over the past few years than PSU, a team that has done a nice job rebounding after a period of languishment. The season will be a success if Paterno’s team, led by standout quarterback Daryll Clark, can win ten or eleven and reach the BCS again. Circle November 7th if you like college football, as OSU takes on PSU in University Park.

Illinois Fighting Illini (8-4)

The Illini didn’t exactly stay consistent after a trip to the Rose Bowl in 2007 and going only 5-7 last year, but the Big Ten is a shell of its former self. Anything can happen with the lethal quarterback-wide receiver combination of Juice Williams and Arrelious Benn. This year’s Illinois team is loaded with experience and, even though the non-conference schedule might be a little daunting, Zook and Co. should have the wherewithal to compete and be rather successful with a lack of good teams in the Big Ten, hoping for eight or nine wins.

Michigan State Spartans (8-4)

Michigan State has seemed to float everywhere around the Big Ten with the exception of getting to the top, but they have been a good enough team to reach bowl games in the recent past. They won’t have that monster running attack with departed back Javon Ringer, but in a weak conference with a mediocre non-conference schedule the Spartans should bring some success to East Lansing. Their football program won’t have the level of success as the basketball team, but the Spartans are good enough to reach a bowl.

Wisconsin Badgers (8-4)
Michigan Wolverines (7-5)
Iowa Hawkeyes (6-6)
Northwestern Wildcats (6-6)
Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-7)
Purdue Boilermakers (5-7)
Indiana Hoosiers (4-8)

ACC's Top 10 Players

1) Russell Wilson, QB - North Carolina State, So.
2) Jonathan Dwyer, RB - Georgia Tech, Jr.
3) Jason Worilds, DE - Virginia Tech, Jr.
4) C.J. Spiller, RB - Clemson, Sr.
5) Morgan Burnett, S - Georgia Tech, Jr.
6) Quan Sturdivant, LB - North Carolina, Jr.
7) Rodney Hudson, OG - Florida State, Jr.
8) Marvin Austin, DT - North Carolina, Jr.
9) Vince Oghobaase, DT - Duke, Sr.
10) Patrick Robinson, CB - Florida State, Sr.

Big East's Top 10 Players

1) George Selvie, DE - South Florida, Sr.
2) Greg Romeus, DE - Pittsburgh, Jr.
3) Arthur Jones, DT - Syracuse, Sr.
4) Anthony Davis, OT - Rutgers, Jr.
5) Marty Gilyard, WR - Cincinnati, Sr.
6) Noel Devine, RB - West Virginia, Jr.
7) Scott Lutrus, LB - Connecticut, Jr.
8) Victor Anderson, RB - Louisville, So.
9) Jerome Murphy, CB - South Florida, Sr.
10) Ryan D'Imperio, LB - Rutgers, Sr.

Big Ten's Top 10 Players

1) Daryll Clark, QB - Penn State, Sr.
2) Terrelle Pryor, QB - Ohio State, So.
3) Arrelious Benn, WR - Illinois, Jr.
4) Navorro Bowman, LB - Penn State, Jr.
5) Brandon Graham, DE - Michigan, Sr.
6) Greg Jones, LB - Michigan State, Jr.
7) Sean Lee, LB - Penn State, Sr.
8) Evan Royster, RB - Penn State, Jr.
9) Juice Williams, QB - Illinois, Sr.
10) Bryan Bulaga, OT - Iowa, Jr.

The Top 10 Recent Postseason Atmospheres In Baseball

Christopher Mango — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:53:43 -0400

Here are, in my opinion, the top ten major league stadiums to watch and experience a postseason game, either on television or in person. Some of these may not be the state of the art or beautiful ballparks that we have come to know, but in October, there is no place a true baseball fan would rather be.

Begin Slideshow

Why the New York Yankees' Recent Hot Streak Is a Reason To Get Excited

Christopher Mango — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:26:54 -0400

Though the Yankees' five-game winning streak has come against an offensively-challenged Atlanta team and a hapless and banged-up bunch of Mets, a number of occurrences over the past week should give Yankee fans like myself reasons to be encouraged as the team prepares for two more weeks of baseball prior to the All-Star break.

Though this collection of ballplayers may not exactly replicate the championship-winning teams of the late-'90s, the team's play in the last week should encourage both the Yankee brass and the enormous fan base that the team possesses.

First and foremost, contributions have come from nearly every piece of the puzzle. The lineup has become exactly what everyone expected it to be at the season's start. Jeter and Damon have set the table for Teixeira and A-Rod, and the rest of the bats who reside lower in the lineup have become better because of it.

The role players have nicely played their parts, similar to those on Yankee teams, especially ones that have had tremendous success in the past.

A five-hit game from Gardner, the first career home run from Cervelli, an RBI double from Ransom, and a few sparkling plays at shortstop from Pena reminded me of some of those Shane Spencer, Jim Leyritz, and Luis Sojo moments that young Yankee fans have become accustomed to.

Also, the biggest question mark of the early part of the season—the bullpen, is no longer much of an uncertainty at all. No need to talk about Mariano Rivera, except to give him his props, but the men leading up to him have improved their performance from month to month.

Yes, the starting rotation has indeed rounded into form as we all expected it would, but the contributions of the likes of Aceves, a reliable long or short man, Hughes, a pitcher as dominant out of the pen as Joba was, Coke, a deadly left-hander who has struck the likes of Morneau and Pena, and Bruney, who when is locating is pitches is as unhittable as any short reliever in the league, have combined to form what is essentially a shutdown brigade in front of the game's best closer.

Even in a game on Thursday night where Pettitte only gave the Yanks three and two thirds innings, the bullpen did the job and was able to stop the bleeding immediately, a distinguishing characteristic of relievers like Lloyd, Boehringer, and Nelson when New York's bullpen was robot-like.

I think that Alex Rodriguez is back. He looks like a much more confident offensive player after his two-day hiatus in Florida, and is reaching base at an all-world rate.

His two-run single on Wednesday just may have been the turning point for what has been a tumultuous stretch for one of the game's biggest stars, and since then, he hasn't gone after the bait of pitches out of the zone, and has become the stalwart most Yankee fans have come to know, and hopefully, support.

His defense is as good as ever. Not that it means much anymore, but it is a shame that people overlook his defense en route to having won no Gold Gloves at third.

They dominated the Mets and have their swagger back. They were able to comeback in Atlanta on Wednesday after having no baserunners through five innings against the likes of Kenshin Kawakami and Kris Medlen.

It is noteworthy that this Yankee club has showed some grit on the road, unlike the come-from-behind wins at home where they beat up on some bad pitching and took advantage of their ability to bop and sock.

It is noteworthy that they have beaten the Mets in the regular season series for the first time since 2003 (the last time the Yankees went to the World Series). Sitting at Citi Field on Friday night, I was waiting for something to go wrong, but instead, the Mets faltered, the Yankees won, and subsequently went on the sweep the weekend series.

This team, their front office, and the fans should have some hope. Trailing by only three games June 29 is not exactly what we all expected, but is also not something that should have Yankee fans hitting the ever-popular panic button.

2009 MLB Preview: Awards and Playoff Predictions

Christopher Mango — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:20:17 -0400

One more for good luck.

American League MVP

1) Grady Sizemore, OF - Cleveland
2) Alex Rodriguez, 3B - New York
3) Josh Hamilton, OF - Texas
4) Matt Holliday, OF - Oakland
5) Carlos Quentin, OF - Chicago
6) Dustin Pedroia, 2B - Boston
7) Mark Teixeira, 1B - New York
8) Kevin Youkilis, 1B - Boston
9) Justin Morneau, 1B - Minnesota
10) Ian Kinsler, 2B - Texas

National League MVP

1) Manny Ramirez, OF - Los Angeles
2) Albert Pujols, 1B - St. Louis
3) Hanley Ramirez, SS - Florida
4) Lance Berkman, 1B - Houston
5) David Wright, 3B - New York
6) Chipper Jones, 3B - Atlanta
7) Jose Reyes, SS - New York
8) Ryan Braun, OF - Milwaukee
9) Ryan Howard, 1B - Philadelphia
10) Alfonso Soriano, OF - Chicago

American League Cy Young

1) Cliff Lee, SP - Cleveland
2) CC Sabathia, SP - New York
3) Roy Halladay, SP - Toronto
4) John Lackey, SP - Los Angeles
5) Mariano Rivera, CP - New York
6) Scott Kazmir, SP - Tampa Bay
7) Jonathan Papelbon, CP - Boston
8) Jon Lester, SP - Boston
9) Joe Nathan, CP - Minnesota
10) Justin Duchscherer, SP - Oakland

National League Cy Young

1) Rich Harden, SP - Chicago
2) Tim Lincecum, SP - San Francisco
3) Johan Santana, SP - New York
4) Brandon Webb, SP - Arizona
5) Jake Peavy, SP - San Diego
6) Carlos Zambrano, SP - Chicago
7) Cole Hamels, SP - Philadelphia
8) Francisco Rodriguez, CP - New York
9) Roy Oswalt, SP - Houston
10) Edinson Volquez, SP - Cincinnati

Playoff Predictions

ALDS

Yankees over White Sox in 4
Indians over Angels in 5

NLDS

Cubs over Dodgers in 4
Mets over Cardinals in 4

ALCS/NLCS

Yankees over Indians in 5
Cubs over Mets in 6

World Series

Cubs over Yankees in 7

Curse reversed.

Bring the hate.

2009 MLB Preview: National League

Christopher Mango — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:09:46 -0400

Come see me.

National League East (predicted order of finish and records)

New York Mets (92-70) – The Mets addressed their most pressing needs in a big way by shoring up their bullpen, and they still have left-handed ace Johan Santana going every fifth (or third) day, but the psychological factor of overcoming the last two late-season collapses will be there come September. Both young stars on the left side of their infield, Reyes and Wright, need to become true leaders and turn this team into the division winner that it clearly should be. This team has pennant-winning talent, but putting together the pieces of this puzzle will be a tough task; I think it will be done this season.

Atlanta Braves (86-76) – In my opinion, calling this Braves squad improved would be an extreme understatement. Their lineup, when healthy, is among the best in the National League, led by the aging, but never declining Jones, and their rotation should not be slept on after signing Derek Lowe, complemented by the maturing Jair Jurrjens.
Their bullpen might be an issue, and don’t forget to factor in team morale after missing out on Burnett, Furcal, Peavy, etc. Anyhow, this Atlanta team should be able to contend enough so that we might see a late-90s style division race down the stretch with the Mets and Braves.

Philadelphia Phillies (83-79) – A team that can still be considered a legitimate threat in the National League, it seems to me like the Phils took a huge step back between ’08 and ’09. Pitching is very shaky behind Hamels (who’s not healthy), they have no more true right-handed bats that are capable of production, and teams usually suffer a hangover after a championship season. If their "Big Three" can produce like they’re supposed to, and some other starters fill in nicely behind Hamels, this Philadelphia team can contend for the division title. Until then, no dice (for me anyway) with this Phillies squad.

Florida Marlins (81-81) – A starting rotation that has the potential to be superb is already in place under Fredi Gonzalez, not to mention a lineup that could probably hold its own against those of the top three suitors of the NL East. Hanley Ramirez puts up numbers like few other shortstops ever have in our league, but this team is too incomplete to contend this season. Any team that contends usually has even a smidge of veteran presence, which the "Fish" have none of, but they are certainly a team to watch out for down the road. Eighty wins would be a nice plateau for this team to reach in 2009.

Washington Nationals (64-98) – What else is new? There’s nothing to like about the Nationals this season. This organization is still a joke until further notice, and it will take at least a few years of stable, intelligent management for the Nats to both gain a local fan base and be relevant at all in this tough division. As others move forwards, the Nationals continue to move backwards, and if they could rid themselves of trouble (Milledge, Dukes, etc.) and start building in the right direction, we might see something good from the nation’s capital in a few years.

National League Central (predicted order of finish and records)

Chicago Cubs (95-67) – In my mind, the Cubs are undoubtedly the best team in the National League, and maybe even in baseball. Their lineup is loaded—from any angle at which you look—with pop and wheels spread throughout. The part of their team that will put them over the top is their lights-out rotation, led by the trio of Zambrano, Harden, and Dempster. Their bullpen was a bit uncertain coming into this season, but there’s a lot of depth out there, so closer by committee might not be the worst thing for the Cubbies. This is the best Cub team I’ve seen in a while, Baseball—watch out.

St. Louis Cardinals (90-72) – The Cardinals are going to rely on their big hitter, Pujols, and their now healthy ace, Carpenter, to bring them back to their early decade glory. This team has sufficient talent and great leadership to be a contender after two lousy seasons, and though there is some uncertainty in the bullpen and at various positions, this team’s rotation can be scary good. If they get similar production from Ankiel and Ludwick, St. Louis will undoubtedly be a force to reckon with. The chances are slim that they will be able to challenge for the division, but they can sneak into the playoffs.

Houston Astros (85-77) – A lot of people are writing the Astros off as the Central’s cellar-dweller this year, but I don’t hesitate to put them third due to the lack of appeal from the rest of this division. Heck, they won 86 games with the same exact bunch last year, so it’s not at all a reach that they’ll make a play for a Wild Card come 2009.
In what has been a career of peaks and valleys for Lance Berkman, 2008 was as close to Everest as it’ll get. This team can’t go wrong with a workhorse ace like Roy Oswalt. It doesn’t seem as if the outlook in Houston is as bleak as everyone has begun to proclaim this spring.

Milwaukee Brewers (80-82) – A team that seemed to be on the rise for a short time will definitely take a step back this season. Their offense remains intact, with the likes of Braun, Fielder, and Hart leading the way. However, it’s extremely tough to compete without the two starters that helped the team capture a playoff berth last season.
The entire look isn’t nearly as imposing with Sabathia on the hill, a result of being a small market team. A return to the playoffs is out of the question, but I still could make a case for this team going in the right direction, as they build around talented youngsters.

Cincinnati Reds (76-86) – If all of the pieces click for this preseason flavor of the week, contention is almost a certainty. However, as good as their rotation has the ability to be, I still think their lineup is way too soft to contend with the big dogs of the National League. Votto, Bruce, and Phillips are certainly a solid, young core, but what else exactly makes this team an instant participant in the NL Central sweepstakes? I’ve never really loved Dusty Baker as a manager, nor have I loved a team with Bronson Arroyo, Alex Gonzalez, and Ramon Hernandez as key parts. They caught my eye, but nothing more.

Pittsburgh Pirates (66-96) – Can I just copy what I wrote last year about this team? Or what I wrote about the Nationals? In all seriousness, this is just another franchise stuck in the mud. Neither their lineup nor rotation stands out in anyone’s mind, despite the great play of young centerfielder Nate McLouth. Even in a weak division and a watered-down league, it will take a lot of time to rebuild this team; I’d suggest starting from scratch. Another miserable summer for the people at PNC will have lots of them asking, “Hey, when do the Steelers get to camp?”

National League West (predicted order of finish and records)

Los Angeles Dodgers (88-74) – Even without Manny, I think this team would’ve been the preliminary favorite in this awful division. Signing Manny makes their team a no-brainer pick at the top of the West. On the other side of the ball, their rotation could use some work. Losing Lowe and Maddux could be a con, but that means more starts for young Clayton Kershaw, exactly what Dodger fans want to see. I can’t rave enough about the depth in this lineup, and since the postseason pedigree is now there, expect the Dodgers to sail smoothly into October, which would make fifteen straight for Torre.

San Francisco Giants (83-79) – They won’t be the embarrassment that they’ve been in each of the past four seasons, primarily because of their very good starting rotation. A trio of starters who have won the Cy Young fill out the top three, and though their lineup is nothing to write home about, they’ll be a team to watch because of what they have to offer on the mound. The 83 wins I’ve given them might be a bit too generous, but I think they can pull it off with progression from Lincecum and Cain. When Aaron Rowand is your go-to hitter, the offensive outlook couldn’t be much worse.

Arizona Diamondbacks (80-82) – Another one of America’s sweethearts, the Diamondbacks young core cooled down in a big way after an electric start to 2008. I still love Webb and Haren manning the top of the rotation, but these youngsters still need time to come into their own. With so much youth comes unpredictability, which is exactly what type of season it’ll be in Arizona. When you look up and down their lineup, who stands out? I’ll tell you who. No one. They’ll be able to pitch their way all to way to .500, if that, making it another mediocre campaign in the desert.

Colorado Rockies (72-90) – Even with the consistent lineup and the effects that Coors Field can have on your offense, there is still too little pitching for the Rockies. They continue to head in the right direction, but without Holliday, this team doesn’t have the juice it’s had recently, and won’t have any of it without somewhat of a bounce back season from Helton. They can’t hang with the elite or even with the mediocre in the National League, as the attitude within the Rockies organization will be based towards the future.

San Diego Padres (70-92) – It was shocking how much the Padres fell off after the three previous seasons to 2008 resulted in two playoff appearances and a one-game playoffs, but I guess that’s what happens when you can’t hit a lick. Jake Peavy is still a Padre (for now), and if it’s at all possible to convince him that a rebuilding project will begin immediately, that would be a step in the right direction for the Friars. The cleansing process might take a while, and though it’ll be a struggle to convince any free agents to sign there, hope is the predominant word within the organization.

All National League First Team

C - Brian McCann, Atlanta
1B - Albert Pujols, St. Louis
2B - Chase Utley, Philadelphia
SS - Hanley Ramirez, Florida
3B - David Wright, New York
OF - Manny Ramirez, Los Angeles
OF - Carlos Beltran, New York
OF - Ryan Braun, Milwaukee

SP - Johan Santana, New York
SP - Tim Lincecum, San Francisco
SP - Jake Peavy, San Diego
RP - Francisco Rodriguez, New York
RP - Brad Lidge, Philadelphia

All National League Second Team

C - Geovany Soto, Chicago
1B - Lance Berkman, Houston
2B - Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati
SS - Jose Reyes, New York
3B - Chipper Jones, Atlanta
OF - Alfonso Soriano, Chicago
OF - Carlos Lee, Houston
OF - Matt Kemp, Los Angeles

SP - Brandon Webb, Arizona
SP - Dan Haren, Arizona
SP - Cole Hamels, Philadelphia
RP - Jose Valverde, Houston
RP - Jonathan Broxton, Los Angeles

2009 MLB Preview: American League

Christopher Mango — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:01:17 -0400

It's about that time again.

American League East (predicted order of finish and records)

New York Yankees (96-66) – After a disappointing season where 89 wins wasn’t enough to make the playoffs, the Yankees enter 2009 reloaded. Add to last year’s team two of the most coveted starters and hitter of this winter’s free agent pool, and there’s no reason not to believe that New York puts the best product in baseball on the field. Rodriguez will return around May solidifying the lineup, complemented by a star-studded rotation, and a young, fiery bullpen with the stoic Rivera at the back end. This team should be the favorite in this division, and has the tools to make a deep October run.

Boston Red Sox (90-72) – There’s no question that the Sox have been the most effectively run organization in baseball over the past few years, and though they didn’t spend as frugally as their division rivals, they come into this season with a ridiculously deep pitching staff and probably the best right side of the infield in baseball. Their offense might take a hit without the day-to-day production of Ramirez, but this team laden with veterans, surely has enough to get by. They may not be able to win the division this season, but a Wild Card run is certain from this team that poses a threat to all comers.

Tampa Bay Rays (87-75) – The Rays possess everything necessary to contend except a winnable division to play. Everyone’s lovable bunch from 2008 returns with essentially the same squad that helped them get to the most recent World Series. However, successful young teams often suffer from the “too much success, too soon” syndrome, and these Rays might have a textbook case. In any other division, this team would be a slam dunk favorite, running away with it, and though this team has young talent a plenty, they don’t have the financial resources to compete with New York and Boston.

Toronto Blue Jays (80-82) – Similar to Tampa, but to a lesser degree, the Jays suffer from the “In any other division...” condition. It looks to be a long year at the plate for Toronto after big steps back from both Rios and Wells, and losing three starters from last year’s rotation put more of the onus on Roy Halladay to pile up the innings and quality starts. For the last several years and for the foreseeable future, it seems as if these Jays will be stuck in mediocrity in a division with whose top teams they can’t compete. It’ll be more of the same north of the border, as this team is nearly a lock for fourth place.

Baltimore Orioles (66-96) – The Orioles are a team that are way behind and can’t keep up with their divisional opponents. For what was at one time such a proud franchise, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Their team features a young (and pretty good) lineup, but most of their downfall will be due to their pitching staff, which is questionable at best. Their roster is chocked full of question marks, and though they hope to get a midseason spark from sensational young catcher Matt Wieters, their pitching will need to undergo wholesale changes in the near future.

American League Central (predicted order of finish and records)

Cleveland Indians (93-69) – The Indians broke even in a season where they lost two of their top hitters due to extended injuries, had no consistency from their closer, and dealt away their top starter for a good part of the last decade. I expect another great season from reigning Cy Young award winner Cliff Lee, and I think a lot of people really expect a true breakout season from Grady Sizemore. Their bullpen is revamped with Kerry Wood at the back end, and if this team can at all return to their 2007 division-winning form, there is no doubt that they will win this ever weak grouping with relative ease.

Chicago White Sox (91-71) – The same core from last year’s division champions returns featuring a lineup with tremendous balance between proven veterans (Dye, Konerko, Thome) and young power bats (Quentin, Ramirez). Their young rotation proved what it could do down the stretch last year, and though many people may not like him, Ozzie Guillen can manage better than most skippers in the game. As long as they don’t bank on significant contributions from young role players, they will contend in a division full of question marks and concerns; a division title or a Wild Card run is very possible.

Minnesota Twins (83-79) - A perennial contender under Gardenhire, the Twins come into this season with remarkable pitching depth and one of the game’s best closers. The two main concerns that I have about the Twins are their expectation that Liriano will return to his pre-injury ways en route to being an ace, along with the uncertain health of Joe Mauer. Yes, grit and hunger are two great qualities to have with a young, promising team. The Metrodome is among the better playoff locales in baseball, however, level of talent has to play into the equation somehow, or else it’s bound to be a long summer.

Detroit Tigers (81-81) – It’s unbelievable how quickly the Tigers’ fortunes turned last year, from being a preseason favorite to win the World Series to becoming a cellar-dweller in the AL Central. They didn’t struggle whatsoever to score runs last year, and they won’t again this year; like many other teams, their problems can be attributed to their weak starting rotation. Disappointing seasons from Verlander and Willis drove this team into the ground early, and now their only hope lies in their deep lineup, filled with players who possess power and/or speed. Another struggle waits in the Motor City.

Kansas City Royals (68-94) – If you look at this team’s roster on paper, the Royals have the pieces to contend at this point. However, each of their hitters is flawed in one way or another and most of the preseason praise bestowed upon their pitchers is based mostly on potential. If the best acquisitions they can make in the offseason are Coco Crisp and Kyle Farnsworth, this team will continue to improve at this ever so glacial pace. The top end of their rotation and the decent bullpen with Soria at the back gives them a fighting chance, but Kansas City is once again nothing but an divisional doormat.

American League West (predicted order of finish and records)

Los Angeles Angels (92-70) – Frankly, it’s hard to go against the Angels even in a division where they are on the downside and other teams are improving, but given their recent history and productive offseason, they’re on track to win the West for the fifth time in the last six years. Bringing in Fuentes for K-Rod seems like a lateral move to me, and even after losing Teixeira and Anderson, signing Bobby Abreu on the cheap is never a bad thing. Their injuries to multiple starting pitchers to open the season scares me, but the proverbial cream will rise to the top within this mediocre collection of ballclubs.

Texas Rangers (81-81) – This team’s lineup can match anyone’s, with one of the better recent comeback stories in Josh Hamilton and the league’s best all-around second baseman in Ian Kinsler both leading the way. Their starting pitching continues to be the main issue every year, and that’s why this team won’t break .500 until they get some. There is a sizeable amount of good, young offensive talent on the Texas roster, but it’s no use to even consider anyone else winning this division at this point. Look for the Rangers to hit and hit well, but not make any news-breaking progress this season.

Oakland Athletics (78-84) – I’m really reluctant to sell the A’s short of an 80-win season, despite what people say about their “brilliant” young pitching, but when I don’t recognize one name outside of Duchscherer, the argument is made right there. Matt Holliday is a great acquisition to add some punch to the middle of the order, but who knows what Billy Beane’s motives are if the A’s fall out of the race. They look like they’re trying to win the 2003 World Series, signing the likes of Giambi and Garciaparra, making it more likely that this edition of “Moneyball” will be an abysmal flop.

Seattle Mariners (67-95) – There’s no way to think that this team will be any good; honestly, they’re downright terrible. So many awful moves from Bedard to Silva to Beltre haven’t panned out in the Pacific Northwest, one of many contributing factors that throw this season into oblivion. You know what you’re getting from Ichiro, but I’m interested to see if King Felix can return to form after such a great start to his major league career. Bringing back Junior will only help people remember the days where the M’s were on top out west. New manager, lousy roster, no hope for 2009.

All American League First Team

C - Joe Mauer, Minnesota
1B - Mark Teixeira, New York
2B - Ian Kinsler, Texas
SS - Derek Jeter, New York
3B - Alex Rodriguez, New York
OF - Josh Hamilton, Texas
OF - Matt Holliday, Oakland
OF - Grady Sizemore, Cleveland

SP - Cliff Lee, Cleveland
SP - CC Sabathia, New York
SP - Roy Halladay, Toronto
RP - Jonathan Papelbon, Boston
RP - Mariano Rivera, New York

All American League Second Team

C - Dioner Navarro, Tampa Bay
1B - Justin Morneau, Minnesota
2B - Dustin Pedroia, Boston
SS - Alexei Ramirez, Chicago
3B - Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay
OF - Vladimir Guerrero, Los Angeles
OF - Carlos Quentin, Chicago
OF - Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle

SP - Scott Kazmir, Tampa Bay
SP - John Lackey, Los Angeles
SP - Jon Lester, Boston
RP - Joe Nathan, Minnesota
RP - Joakim Soria, Kansas City

2008-'09 College Basketball Preview: Awards and NCAA Tournament

Christopher Mango — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 03:36:11 -0500

Player of the Year Candidates

1) Tyler Hansbrough, F/C - North Carolina, Sr.
2) Stephen Curry, G - Davidson, Jr.
3) Blake Griffin, F - Oklahoma, So.
4) Darren Collison, G - UCLA, Sr.
5) Hasheem Thabeet, C - Connecticut, Jr.
6) Luke Harangody, F - Notre Dame, Jr.
7) Ty Lawson, G - North Carolina, Jr.
8) James Harden, G/F - Arizona State, So.
9) Tyler Smith, F - Tennessee, Jr.
10) A.J. Abrams, G - Texas, Sr.
11) Chase Budinger, F - Arizona, Jr.
12) B.J. Mullens, C - Ohio State, Fr.
13) Sam Young, F - Pittsburgh, Sr.
14) Robert Vaden, G/F - UAB, Sr.
15) Patrick Patterson, F/C - Kentucky, So.

Projected Sweet 16 and Elite 8

East Region (Boston)

(1) Connecticut over (5) UAB
(3) Texas over (2) Michigan State

(1) Connecticut over (3) Texas

West Region (Phoenix)

(1) UCLA over (5) Kentucky
(2) Notre Dame over (6) Ohio State

(2) Notre Dame over (1) UCLA

South Region (Memphis)

(1) North Carolina over (5) Arizona
(3) Tennessee over (2) Louisville

(1) North Carolina over (3) Tennessee

Midwest Region (Indianapolis)

(1) Pittsburgh over (4) Davidson
(2) Oklahoma over (3) Arizona State

(1) Pittsburgh over (2) Oklahoma

Projected Final Four (Detroit)

(1) North Carolina over (1) Pittsburgh
(1) Connecticut over (2) Notre Dame

(1) North Carolina over (1) Connecticut

2008-'09 College Basketball Preview: Big 12/Pac-10/SEC

Christopher Mango — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 03:32:52 -0500

Here's the rest, read and feedback...

Big 12 (predicted order of finish and records)

Oklahoma Sooners (26-4) – A program that was in shambles just a few years ago is now a contender to win it all. Coach Jeff Capel quickly turned around the mess he inherited and now leads a team featuring one of the nation’s power forwards in Blake Griffin, his brother Taylor, and dynamic freshman guard Willie Warren. Granted, the Sooners only got to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year, this team has lots more experience and now knows how to win. They could win the Big 12 and make noise in postseason play this as soon as this year.

Texas Longhorns (26-4) – One of the nation’s most consistent programs over the past few years, Texas comes into 2008 with the best and deepest roster in this conference. If they can overcome the loss of Kevin Durant and reached the Elite 8 last year, they can certainly do the same after the departure of D.J. Augustin for the NBA. Undersized, but talented point guard A.J. Abrams is among the best at his position in the nation; he is complemented by solid swingmen, James and Mason. I would be very surprised if Texas doesn’t get to the Sweet 16, if not further.

Kansas Jayhawks (23-7) – The defending champs come into 2008 with a gutted roster after their championship last year. The Jayhawks lose all five starters, but the outlook is anything but bleak for Bill Self’s team. Even though we saw the struggles that Billy Donovan had after being in basically the same situation at Florida, Self brings in a top-notch recruiting class, highlighted by the Morris brothers. Last year’s prominent bench players, Collins and Aldrich are ready to step in and be leaders for Kansas, as they will have some degree of success with this new look team.

Texas A&M Aggies (21-9) – It will be extremely difficult to replace skilled big man DeAndre Jordan in what looks to be a transitional season for the Aggies, but Mark Turgeon can certainly earn his team a bid to the NCAA Tournament in this watered-down conference. The pieces are still in place for this team to contend, but the new freshmen, specifically Loubeau, must make immediate contributions to replace what they lost in Jones and Kirk. I like what Texas A&M has done over the past few seasons; this season will be another good one in College Station.

Baylor Bears (18-12)
Missouri Tigers (17-13)
Oklahoma State Cowboys (17-13)
Kansas State Wildcats (16-14)
Texas Tech Red Raiders (15-15)
Nebraska Cornhuskers (14-16)
Iowa State Cyclones (12-18)
Colorado Buffaloes (11-19)

Pac-10 (predicted order of finish and records)

UCLA Bruins (26-4) – In my opinion, the Pac-10 is America’s second best conference, and it will be won once again by UCLA. Ben Howland has lost tons of players over the past three seasons (Farmar, Afflalo, Westbrook, Love), and still has managed to reach the Final Four in each of those seasons. This team certainly has the talent to reach that special place once again, led by great point guard Darren Collison, explosive swingman Josh Shipp, and one of the nation’s best recruits, Jrue Holiday. The Bruins still have all the pieces in place to win the national title.

Arizona State Sun Devils (24-6) – A team that was snubbed from last year’s NCAA Tournament is all but a lock to get in and do damage this year. One of the nation’s best all-around players, James Harden is their featured player, who is certainly capable of carrying an entire program on his back. Not only do all of their starters return, but this team is young and fresh, mostly due to great recruiting over the past few years by coach Herb Sendek. The Sun Devils have made strides beyond what were expected, making it likely that they will perform even better in 2008.

Arizona Wildcats (22-8) – This is certainly a team on decline, but I still think they can make the NCAA Tournament if they take care of business in the Pac-10, and perform up to their ability in their somewhat challenging non-conference schedule. The loss of head coach Lute Olson and the decision by top recruit Brandon Jennings to play in Europe both hurt Arizona coming into this year. However, they bring back Chase Budinger, one of the nation’s best defenders and rebounders, not to mention talented point guard Nic Wise. Arizona will be just fine this season.

USC Trojans (22-8) – This certainly would have been the Pac-10’s front-runner if O.J. Mayo would have returned to college, but they have to move forward with great freshman forward DeMar DeRozan as their star for at least this year. USC also returns a talented big man, Taj Gibson, along with Daniel Hackett and Dwight Lewis as other scoring options. Tim Floyd really solidified the Trojans as both a conference and national contender with the job he’s done over the past few seasons. Don’t be surprised if USC creeps into the Sweet 16 (or possibly further) come March.

Washington Huskies (20-10)
Washington State Cougars (19-11)
California Golden Bears (17-13)
Oregon Ducks (16-14)
Stanford Cardinal (14-16)
Oregon State Beavers (9-21)

SEC (predicted order of finish and records)

SEC East

Tennessee Volunteers (25-5) – Bruce Pearl has been one of most consistent coaches in the nation, and he makes up for the loss of sharpshooter Chris Lofton by bringing in impact newcomer Scotty Hopson. Junior forward Tyler Smith is the Vols’ best player, and could be the conference’s top offensive threat. If this roster stays healthy, and the freshmen develop according to plan, Tennessee can undoubtedly advance to past the Sweet 16 for this first time in school history. Picking another team to win the SEC would be a big mistake this season.

Kentucky Wildcats (23-7) – After a number of disappointing years, I think Kentucky can return to winning, but not quite at the level that they were at some points under Tubby Smith. Billy Gillispie can win with this solid roster led by star shot-blocking forward Patrick Patterson, and shooting guard Jodie Meeks, who can fill it up. Even though recent Kentucky programs have gotten off to horrendous starts under both Smith and Gillispie in recent season, their roster is a little bit better than last year’s, a year in which they reached the NCAA Tournament.

Florida Gators (21-9)
Vanderbilt Commodores (19-11)
South Carolina Gamecocks (14-16)
Georgia Bulldogs (13-17)

SEC West

LSU Tigers (22-8) – LSU seems to be the unanimous pick to win this half of the SEC, so I’ll go along with it. The hiring of new coach Trent Johnson should help to eradicate two awful seasons following their Final Four appearance of 2006. They hope to recapture some of the magic of 2006 with several players who are still on the team, Garrett Temple and Chris Johnson. They can’t be any worse than they were last season, but a coaching change is usually a good thing for a team that needs motivation. LSU should get back to the tourney this season.

Alabama Crimson Tide (20-10) – Former All-American point guard Ronald Steele is finally healthy after missing most of the last two seasons, a major positive sign for this Alabama squad, who also features Alonzo Gee and talented freshman JaMychal Green. This is a make-or-break season for head coach Mark Gottfried, who hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2006, or the Sweet 16 since 2004. The good news is that Gottfried has the roster to win this year, and receive a contract extension, which I think will be the likely result.

Mississippi Rebels (17-13)
Mississippi State Bulldogs (16-14)
Auburn Tigers (13-17)
Arkansas Razorbacks (11-19)

Other Notables

Gonzaga Bulldogs (23-7) – The Zags have one of college basketball’s best rosters with as many as three first round NBA draft picks (Pargo, Daye, Heytvelt) on it. Mark Few, who has been the coach of this great mid-major contender for a number of years now, led this team to 25 wins yet again last season, and though they suffered a first-round exit at the hands of Davidson, Gonzaga will easily win their conference, the WCC, and coast into the NCAA Tournament with a dreams of making a deep run as they've in years past.

Memphis Tigers (22-8) - Like their championship opponent, Kansas, Memphis comes into this season with a very different look. They lose Rose, Douglas-Roberts, and Dorsey, but retain Dozier and Anderson, and bring in top-notch recruit Tyreke Evans. They will certainly take a step back from the 38-win season that had them within mere seconds of winning it all in 2008, but John Calipari always has the Tigers in position to run through Conference USA untouched and make a run in the tournament. Memphis should do just that once again.

Davidson Wildcats (21-9) - Though they lost in the Elite 8 to the eventual champion, the real story of last year's 'Big Dance' was Davidson and the dominant emergence of sweet-shooting guard Stephen Curry. I highly doubt that their defeats of teams like Gonzaga, Georgetown, and Wisconsin were aberrations, but it might not be easy to make a deep run like they did last year. I think they certainly are a contender if they earn enough respect to get a seed higher than the 10 they got last year; Davidson is capable of making noise.

UAB Blazers (21-9) - Though they didn't make the NCAA Tournament last year, UAB certainly has the talent to get there, and might even supplant Memphis as kings of Conference USA. Coach Mike Davis has done a great job in Birmingham since leaving Indiana, not to mention bringing former Hoosier and dynamic scorer Robert Vaden with him. I think the Blazers are a squad that can be mentioned in the same breath as Memphis or Gonzaga when thinking about non-BCS conference contenders. Keep an eye on UAB.

Big 12’s Top 10 Players

1) Blake Griffin, F - Oklahoma, So.
2) A.J. Abrams, G - Texas, Sr.
3) Damion James, F - Texas, Jr.
4) Sherron Collins, G - Kansas, Jr.
5) Josh Carter, G/F - Texas A&M, Sr.
6) James Anderson, G - Oklahoma State, So.
7) Curtis Jerrells, G - Baylor, Sr.
8) Leo Lyons, F - Missouri, Sr.
9) LaceDarius Dunn, G - Baylor, Sr.
10) Connor Atchley, C - Texas, Sr.

Pac-10's Top 10 Players

1) Darren Collison, G - UCLA, Sr.
2) James Harden, G/F - Arizona State, So.
3) Chase Budinger, F - Arizona, Jr.
4) Josh Shipp, G - UCLA, Sr.
5) Jon Brockman, F - Washington, Sr.
6) Taj Gibson, F - USC, Jr.
7) DeMar DeRozan, F - USC, Fr.
8) Jordan Hill, F/C - Arizona, Jr.
9) Jrue Holiday, G - UCLA, Fr.
10) Patrick Christopher, G - California, Jr.

SEC's Top 10 Players

1) Tyler Smith, F - Tennessee, Jr.
2) Patrick Patterson, F/C - Kentucky, So.
3) Nick Calathes, G - Florida, So.
4) Devan Downey, G - South Carolina, Jr.
5) A.J. Oglivy, C - Vanderbilt, So.
6) Jarvis Varnardo, F - Mississippi State, Jr.
7) Alonzo Gee, G/F - Alabama, Sr.
8) Chris Johnson, C - LSU, Sr.
9) Chris Warren, G - Mississippi, So.
10) Marcus Thornton, G - LSU, Sr.

Top 10 Players From Non-BCS Conferences

1) Stephen Curry, G - Davidson, Jr.
2) Robert Vaden, G/F - UAB, Sr.
3) Jeremy Pargo, G - Gonzaga, Sr.
4) Lester Hudson, G - Tennessee-Martin, Sr.
5) Tyreke Evans, G/F - Memphis, Fr.
6) Derrick Brown, F - Xavier, Jr.
7) Austin Daye, F - Gonzaga, So.
8) Patrick Mills, G - St. Mary's, So.
9) Eric Maynor, G - VCU, Sr.
10) Lee Cummard, F - BYU, Sr.

2008-'09 College Basketball Preview: ACC/Big East/Big Ten

Christopher Mango — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 03:29:00 -0500

Here are three major conferences, read and feedback.

ACC (predicted order of finish and records)

North Carolina Tar Heels (28-2) – UNC possesses all the ingredients to win the national championship this season, mostly due to the fact that their top four players (Hansbrough, Lawson, Ellington, Green) resisted the temptation of the NBA to return to college, unanimously making them the top-ranked team this preseason. Assuming this team can stay healthy, this group of players should be able to give Roy Williams his second national championship in the past five years, simply because the Tar Heels have the best combination of talent and experience.

Duke Blue Devils (25-5) – Duke has had a lot of trouble in NCAA Tournaments recently because Coach K hasn’t had the flashy, star-studded teams that won titles for him in the past. However, this team, led by Henderson and Singler, is a very good one that could get Duke back to where they’ve been when the Blue Devils have had their best success. Even though they’ll be looking up at their in-state rival, North Carolina for the third straight season, Krzyzewski will be able to balance his roster and motivate his players to play hard every night as he has done for a long time.

Miami Hurricanes (22-8) – A program that really came out of nowhere to make the NCAA Tournament last year comes into this season with higher expectations. Their roster is as good as it’s been in a long time, highlighted by talented swingman Jack McClinton. The major issue for Miami will be handling the pressure of competing with UNC and Duke as an elite in the ACC. This is something they haven’t had to since joining this conference, but if coach Frank Haith can work some of the same magic that he did last season, the ‘U’ will be a force to reckon with.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons (21-9) – On paper, this Wake squad looks very dangerous, but their level of success depends upon how quickly this wealth of young players can mesh with each other. The Demon Deacons bring in a star-studded freshman recruiting class, highlighted by five-star forward Al-Farouq Aminu. Second year head coach Dino Gaudio will face the challenge of bringing Wake Forest back to the NCAA Tournament, something the program hasn’t done since the days of Chris Paul. Look for a solid bounce back season for the Deacs.

Clemson Tigers (20-10)
Virginia Tech Hokies (20-10)
Maryland Terrapins (19-11)
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (17-13)
North Carolina State Wolfpack (17-13)
Boston College Eagles (16-14)
Florida State Seminoles (14-16)
Virginia Cavaliers (11-19)

Big East (predicted order of finish and records)

Connecticut Huskies (27-3) – A UConn team that lost in the first round last season looks to avenge those demons as they come back with one of the best teams they’ve had in a long time. They are fortunate to bring back the young defensive presence in the middle, Hasheem Thabeet, who is surrounded by the talented trio of Adrien, Price, and Dyson. Jim Calhoun’s deep and talented roster ensures that Connecticut will be a national factor with a chance to win both the Big East and national titles this year. Expect this to be a huge year for the Huskies.

Pittsburgh Panthers (26-4) – Another Big East team that suffered a premature elimination from the NCAA Tournament last year comes into this season with a deep, loaded squad led by forward Sam Young and guard Levance Fields. Coach Jamie Dixon, whose teams have been primarily defensive-oriented in recent years, has never won less than 20 games in any season at Pitt, and if Fields can stay healthy, he, Young, and sophomore DeJuan Blair down low can lead the Panthers to the top of Big East and deep into the NCAA Tournament.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (25-5) – The Irish have failed to make it past the second round in either of the past two NCAA Tournaments, but come into this season with star power that coach Mike Brey has never had before. Harangody, McAlarney, and Jackson are as good as any trio in the conference, and though defense has always been an issue during Brey’s entire tenure at ND, this team is tremendous offensively and can shoot the three with the best of them. Notre Dame is easily another Final Four contender out of the Big East; they will win at least 25.

Louisville Cardinals (24-6) – I was very hard-pressed to not pick Louisville to take home the Big East crown this season. This roster possess everything necessary for a contender: a talented big maen (Clark, Samuels), wing scoring (Williams), sharpshooting guards (Smith, Sosa), and a veteran coach (Pitino).However, this Louisville team has gotten off to a number of slow starts in recent years, not to mention their loss of two talente d bigs in Caracter and Padgett. Either way, the Cardinals have one of most talented and balanced teams in the nation in 2008.

Georgetown Hoyas (22-8)
Villanova Wildcats (22-8)
Marquette Golden Eagles (21-9)
Syracuse Orange (21-9)
West Virginia Mountaineers (19-11)
Providence Friars (17-13)
Cincinnati Bearcats (16-14)
Seton Hall Pirates (16-14)
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (15-15)
St. John’s Red Storm (14-16)
DePaul Blue Demons (13-17)
South Florida Bulls (11-19)

Big Ten (predicted order of finish and records)

Michigan State Spartans (25-5) – The Spartans return five of their top six scorers including Lucas and Morgan, and though they lose backcourt presence in Drew Neitzel, Tom Izzo, one of the country’s best coaches over the past decade, brings in highly regarded freshman forward Delvon Roe to add some scoring and athleticism. The Final Four is in Detroit this year, so it would be appropriate for Michigan State to get there, and even though this team could win the Big Ten, they certainly aren’t a lock to get to Detroit, although it does remain a possibility.

Ohio State Buckeyes (25-5) – If the young talent on this team as coach Thad Matta hopes it does, this is likely the year before the year that Ohio State can be a championship threat. The one issue with this team this year is the lack of balance between young players and upperclassmen, which might hurt them a bit in postseason play. Matta hopes that he can keep freshman center B.J. Mullens for more than one year, unlike he was able to do with Oden and Conley just two seasons ago, and if he does, the Buckeyes will be a definite title contender.

Purdue Boilermakers (23-7) – A young team on the rise that opened a lot of eyes last year returns this season led by the talented duo of Robbie Hummel and E’Twaun Moore. Matt Painter has quietly established himself as one of the premier young coach in the nation by winning at least 22 games in every season but one at Purdue. The Boilermakers may not have enough big men or experienced leaders to win it all this season, but a Big Ten title and a run to the Sweet 16 or Elite 8 are both realistic goals for a team with a tremendous upside.

Wisconsin Badgers (22-8) – Coach Bo Ryan has led Wisconsin to the NCAA Tournament all seven years that he has been coaching there, showing that he can win with any players under any circumstance. His roster doesn’t have the flashiness that it had with stars like Devin Harris and Alando Tucker in years past, but his hard-nosed, defensive-oriented, “grind it out” squads are always among the most consistent in the nation, making it likely that his team will reach the ‘Big Dance’ this year. The Badgers will be what they’ve been under Ryan yet again in 2008.

Illinois Fighting Illini (20-10)
Minnesota Golden Gophers (20-10)
Michigan Wolverines (18-12)
Indiana Hoosiers (16-14)
Northwestern Wildcats (16-14)
Iowa Hawkeyes (14-16)
Penn State Nittany Lions (12-18)

ACC’s Top 10 Players

1) Tyler Hansbrough, F/C - North Carolina, Sr.
2) Ty Lawson, G - North Carolina, Jr.
3) Tyrese Rice, G - Boston College, Sr.
4) Wayne Ellington, G/F - North Carolina, Jr.
5) Jack McClinton, G - Miami, Sr.
6) Gerald Henderson, G/F - Duke, Jr.
7) Greivis Vasquez, G - Maryland, Jr.
8) K.C. Rivers, F - Clemson, Jr.
9) A.D. Vassallo, G/F - Virginia Tech, Sr.
10) James Johnson, F - Wake Forest, So.

Big East’s Top 10 Players

1) Hasheem Thabeet, C - Connecticut, Jr.
2) Luke Harangody, F - Notre Dame, Jr.
3) Sam Young, F - Pittsburgh, Sr.
4) Terrence Williams, F - Louisville, Jr.
5) A.J. Price, G - Connecticut, Sr.
6) Earl Clark, F - Louisville, Jr.
7) Scottie Reynolds, G - Villanova, Jr.
8) Jerel McNeal, G, Marquette, Sr.
9) Kyle McAlarney, G - Notre Dame, Sr.
10) Jonny Flynn, G - Syracuse, So.

Big Ten’s Top 10 Players

1) B.J. Mullens, C - Ohio State, Fr.
2) Raymar Morgan, F - Michigan State, Jr.
3) E'Twaun Moore, G - Purdue, So.
4) Kalin Lucas, G - Michigan State, So.
5) Robbie Hummel, F - Purdue, So.
6) Marcus Landry, F - Wisconsin, Sr.
7) Manny Harris, G - Michigan, So.
8) Kevin Coble, F - Northwestern, Jr.
9) Goran Suton, C - Michigan State, Sr.
10) Jamelle Cornley, G/F - Penn State, Sr.

2008-09 NBA Preview: Awards and Playoff Predictions

Christopher Mango — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:00:31 -0500

More and more...

MVP Candidates

1) Chris Paul, G - New Orleans
2) LeBron James, F - Cleveland
3) Kobe Bryant, G - LA Lakers
4) Kevin Garnett, F - Boston
5) Amare Stoudemire, F/C - Phoenix
6) Dirk Nowitzki, F - Dallas
7) Deron Williams, G - Utah
8) Yao Ming, C - Houston
9) Dwyane Wade, G - Miami
10) Chris Bosh, F/C - Toronto
11) Steve Nash, G - Phoenix
12) Dwight Howard, C - Orlando
13) Paul Pierce, F - Boston
14) Allen Iverson, G - Detroit
15) Tracy McGrady, G/F - Houston

Playoff Predictions

First Round

(1) Boston over (8) Miami (in 5)
(2) Detroit over (7) New Jersey (in 4)
(3) Orlando over (6) Washington (in 5)
(4) Cleveland over (5) Toronto (in 6)

(1) New Orleans over (8) Denver (in 5)
(2) LA Lakers over (7) Dallas (in 6)
(6) Phoenix over (3) Utah (in 6)
(4) Houston over (5) San Antonio (in 7)

Second Round

(1) Boston over (4) Cleveland (in 6)
(2) Detroit over (3) Orlando (in 5)

(4) Houston over (1) New Orleans (in 7)
(6) Phoenix over (2) LA Lakers (in 6)

Conference Finals

(1) Boston over (2) Detroit (in 6)
(4) Houston over (6) Phoenix (in 5)

NBA Finals

(1) Boston over (4) Houston (in 7)

2008-09 NHL Preview: Western Conference

Christopher Mango — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 04:19:41 -0400

Here's the West, read and feedback.

Central Division (predicted order of finish and record/points)

Detroit Red Wings (50-23-9; 109) – The defending champs come into 2008 with the same loaded squad that won it all this past season, with the addition of the league’s top available free agent in Marian Hossa. What’s not promising for a team that features great forwards such as Zetterberg and Datsyuk, solid veteran defensemen in Lidstrom and Rafalski, and one of the best backstops of the modern era in Osgood? There’s no doubt in my mind, or any hockey expert for that matter, that Detroit is far and away the best team in the West, poised to repeat as champions.

Columbus Blue Jackets (41-32-9; 91) – Finally, you’ve come across my one required surprise pick (usually fails) in any of my previews. Columbus is an up and coming young team and with little resistance from any other team in the Central, could definitely come in second, as no one will touch the Wings. They brought in a load of players, both forwards and defenseman to play with the great Rick Nash, one of the most underrated superstars in the game. Overlooked is the play of young netminder Pascal Leclaire, who led the conference with nine shutouts in 2007-08.

Chicago Blackhawks (39-33-10; 88) – The young Blackhawks come into the season with enormous hype surrounding their talented squad. Kane and Toews are explosive young forwards, and with the additions of Campbell on defense and Huet in net, substantial improvement should be a certainty for the Blackhawks. Many are ready to proclaim Chicago as an instant contender, but it isn’t rational to do so; this team didn’t make the playoffs last year. Look for Chicago to make strides, but not threaten to win it all as they should sneak into this year’s postseason.

Nashville Predators (38-37-7; 83) – Though they’ve made the playoffs the past four years, the Predators’ ten year NHL tenure has not been very noteworthy. Barely sneaking into last year’s playoffs, Barry Trotz’s squad stood pat during the offseason, while other division foes like Columbus and Chicago blew past with new personnel. They have next to nothing in the way of big-name talent or scorers, which doesn’t look promising, but this team has been able to find moderate success in years with low expectations. It should be a down year in Nashville.

St. Louis Blues (34-40-8; 76) – The Blues are another franchise that lacks a talented young forward around which to build their team. Even though their long term situation looks promising for years down the road, there looks to be no promise for a team whose season started with a freak knee injury to their best young defenseman, Erik Johnson. Veterans like Kariya and Tkachuk will probably be dealt at some point this season for younger assets, as the Blues will fall into the depths of both the Central and the Western Conference.

Northwest Division (predicted order of finish and record/points)

Calgary Flames (47-27-8; 102) – The Northwest is a huge uncertainty and toss-up by the looks of it, but the team with the most star power is the Flames. Their roster looks to be a bit thin, but Iginla is still in his prime, and it’s scary to think that neither Phaneuf nor Kiprusoff has hit his. Their point total has dropped in each of the past three seasons, but there appears no team ready to take a stranglehold of this division as a different team has won it every year since the lockout. If no team gets really hot down the stretch, the Flames should be the frontrunner to win it.

Minnesota Wild (45-30-7; 97) – A team that surprisingly put up 98 points last season on the shoulders of superstar Marian Gaborik and not much else, the same roster should yield similar results in Gaborik’s contract year. They have defense, in addition to a phenomenal young talent in goal (Backstrom), smart veterans, despite the loss of Rolston, and one of the better coaches around in Jacques Lemaire. These elements should result in a definite playoff campaign for one of the West’s more consistent team over the past few seasons. Look for a big season In Minnesota.

Edmonton Oilers (37-34-11; 85) – The Oilers haven’t been very successful since they won the West just a few seasons ago, but there is a definite vibe of hope coming into this seasons surrounding what looks to be a improved Edmonton roster. They finished strong and made a push last year, and after acquiring the likes of Cole and Visnovsky to complement the in-place talent of Cogliano, Gagner, and Souray, they should be able to fight it out until season’s end for the eighth seed in the conference. Goaltending, however, is a concern for MacTavish.

Vancouver Canucks (34-36-12; 80) – The Canucks are in the midst of a major transformation. They could tinker with veterans and stay a mediocre club, or they could start from scratch and enter a complete rebuilding project. I kept them out of the division’s cellar because Luongo is still a tremendous goalie, but scoring will be a woe of all woes for Vancouver, especially without Naslund. One ray of hope for the Canucks is that their team won’t be ravaged with injuries like they were last year. It won’t be pretty for this team this year, despite great goalie play.

Colorado Avalanche (34-37-11; 79) – Taking a look at the roster, this team looks a lot like some other lousy clubs (St. Louis, Florida, etc.), but guys like Hejduk and Stastny help keep this team afloat. The Avs will have to stay healthy and be on their game every night as there is no room for error in this division, especially with their current state. However, they could be sneaky if their goaltending holds up, but with no proven commodity in net, that’s a huge gamble. If they play hard on a consistent basis, they could challenge Edmonton or Chicago for a playoff berth.

Pacific Division (predicted order of finish and record/points)

Anaheim Ducks (49-27-6; 104) – One of three teams will win the Pacific, and since they’ll all make the playoffs and be legit contenders to win it all, it doesn’t matter much who finishes first. I’ll take the Ducks because of their depth and veteran talent. Giguere has proven what he can do in net, and with top-notch defenders complementing a steady balance of skilled forwards led by Getzlaf, Perry, and Selanne, this perennial contender can take home the Pacific Division title and make the playoffs for a fourth straight time. Is this team still hungry to win? That remains to be seen.

San Jose Sharks (45-27-10; 100) – The Sharks are a lot like the Ducks: veteran stars (Thornton, Cheechoo, Marleau), good defense (Boyle, Blake), great goalie (Nabokov), but their success also depends on the hunger and desire of this team to win once again. The one trait that they do not share with the Ducks is that of having already won a Stanley Cup. They didn’t feel the need to make dramatic changes in the offseason, and that’s probably a good thing for a team that wins year after year, but it’s just a matter of being able to take it to the next level.

Dallas Stars (44-27-11; 99) – Another possible Stanley Cup contender out of the Pacific resides in Dallas. Veteran forwards like Morrow and Richards bring stability to a team that reached the conference finals last year, not to mention the stellar play of goalie Marty Turco. Bringing in Sean Avery has been a plus for teams in the past; I see no reason why his acquisition by the Stars should be any different. Questions are on defense, where Dallas needs a healthy Sergei Zubov to make playoff noise. Dallas has depth at most positions, making it improbable that they will struggle at all.

Phoenix Coyotes (34-38-10; 78) – Undoubtedly a team on the rise under Wayne Gretzky, the Coyotes should really be a legitimate contender a year or two from now, because of a talented crop of young players. The acquisition of Olli Jokinen from Florida gives Phoenix a big-name star since the first time since the Roenick days, bringing some excitement about hockey back to the desert. In the short-term, goaltending is still a major concern for the Coyotes, making it very unlikely that they can reach the
playoffs this season.

Los Angeles Kings (27-45-10; 64) – A team that has stockpiled lots of young talent recently seems to be going everywhere but in the right direction since the return of the NHL. This team, led by the solid Anze Kopitar, will take its lumps over the next couple of years as not much stands out in terms of personnel. The Lakers and Dodgers have taken the spotlight away from hockey in Los Angeles, and that is certainly a good thing for a team that will be the worst in the conference and probably among the worst in the NHL.

All Western Conference First Team

C - Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit
W - Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit
W - Jarome Iginla, Calgary
D - Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit
D - Dion Phaneuf, Calgary
G - Jean-Sebastian Giguere, Anaheim

All Western Conference Second Team

C - Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim
W - Marian Gaborik, Minnesota
W - Brenden Morrow, Dallas
D - Brian Rafalski, Detroit
D - Brian Campbell, Chicago
G - Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose

All Western Conference Third Team

C - Joe Thornton, San Jose
W - Rick Nash, Columbus
W - Marian Hossa, Detroit
D - Chris Pronger, Anaheim
D - Sheldon Souray, Edmonton
G - Roberto Luongo, Vancouver

2008-09 NHL Preview: Eastern Conference

Christopher Mango — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 03:57:03 -0400

Here's the East, read and feedback.

Atlantic Division (predicted order of finish and record/points)

Pittsburgh Penguins (50-25-7; 107) – The defending Eastern conference champs come into 2008 with a roster full of young talent led by Crosby, Malkin, and Fleury in goal. Pittsburgh’s young players are not only maturing physically, but the rigor of last year’s playoff run should improve their mental and emotional strength come postseason. If they get off to a good start, something they haven’t been able to do in the past few years, the Pens will be in prime position to capture the Atlantic title with relative ease and make a legitimate run at the top seed in the East.

New York Rangers (46-28-8; 100) – The Rangers have turned the page on the Jagr era and rid themselves of most of their aging veterans, shifting the team’s burden to their skilled, young forwards and defensemen. Even though depth on the blue line may be an issue, the Rangers are a contender mostly because of the continuing stellar play of netminder Henrik Lundqvist. Some have New York missing the playoffs for the first time since the NHL’s return, but I don’t see that happening with the solid balance of veteran and young players and a great goalie.

New Jersey Devils (42-29-11; 95) – It’s not smart to pick the Devils to miss the playoffs, even if they’ve done little to protect the defense in front of veteran goaltender Martin Brodeur. They fortified themselves a bit in terms of forwards with the veteran additions of Rolston and Holik, complementing a group of players who have been able to play well enough to reach the postseason every year. Their lack of scoring is a concern, as their goal total has decreased each of the past three seasons, but as long as Brodeur is himself, New Jersey is a playoff product.

Philadelphia Flyers (43-31-8; 94) – A team that went from the cellar to the conference finals in the past two years should be able to continue last season’s success with great firepower up front, most notably Briere, Richards, and a healthy Gagne. Both defense and goaltending can be concerning for Philadelphia, but last year’s great play puts this team on the verge of being a division favorite in the deep Atlantic and an Eastern conference elite. If their young players and veteran goalies have solid seasons and keep the Flyers in the playoff picture, this team can be dangerous.

New York Islanders (29-43-10; 68) – It’s time for the Islanders to figure out their identity, and whether it should be based in veteran or young talent. New coach Scott Gordon was brought in to work with a group of talented youngsters, but none of them are quite ready for the grind of an entire NHL season. It looks as if the Isles have a number of contracts coming off of their cap after this season, freeing up some salary for a big-time free agent signing. However, there isn’t much appeal to come to Long Island after the recent Islander past and present.

Northeast Division (predicted order of finish and record/points)

Montreal Canadiens (48-25-9; 105) – A premature playoff exit last year leaves unfinished business for Montreal in 2008, as expectations are astronomical in the Habs’ centennial campaign. The predominant concern for Montreal is the lack of experience in net, with erratic youngster Carey Price, who showed how inconsistent he could be last season. They achieved the top seed in the East last season with a team composed of mostly young players, and after adding a few solid veterans, Guy Carbonneau’s squad is poised to win this somewhat shallow division once again.

Ottawa Senators (41-31-10; 92) - It's tempting to write the Senators off after they stumbled into the playoffs and were summarily dismissed last spring, but there's still enough talent here to reach the postseason again, with the league’s best offensive line of Heatley, Spezza, and Alfredsson. Their defense core could still use a true playmaker, and their goaltending situation is rather ambiguous, but they definitely have a shot to challenge Montreal for the Northeast Division and make some noise come playoff time. Look for a bounce back season in Ottawa.

Boston Bruins (40-34-9; 89) – The Bruins are not a lock to make the postseason as they did last season, but for the first time in a while, there is optimism and passion surrounding the recent resurgence of this original six franchise. Their margin for error is small, and the team has a number of flaws, most notably in the scoring department, and in goal with Thomas, but the Bruins are certainly good enough to challenge a number of other “fringe” playoff teams for that coveted eighth spot in the East. However, even if they make it, they are bound to exit early.

Buffalo Sabres (36-35-11; 83) - Last year's lineup wasn't quite good enough to get into the postseason and the Sabres figure to be in similar position again, but this Buffalo squad possesses a unit that has played many games together, making a good start necessary for contention. The losses of Briere and Drury before last season put this team out of contention in terms of a Stanley Cup, but the play of Ryan Miller in net makes Buffalo more than respectable in the Eastern Conference. They probably won’t make the playoffs, but will definitely be in the running.

Toronto Maple Leafs (33-40-9; 75) – While the world awaits the word concerning the return of veteran superstar Mats Sundin, this season looks to be one for rebuilding in Toronto. Little is expected this season, as the Leafs look to concern themselves with the development of young players, reforming the franchise’s culture, and preparing for an upcoming summer where they will have a high draft pick and be able to dump salary in hopes of acquiring a notable free agent. New coach Ron Wilson is in for a long year north of the border.

Southeast Division (predicted order of finish and record/points)

Washington Capitals (47-28-7; 101) – A surging franchise set to make the jump into hockey’s elite and do damage in the playoffs, the Capitals hope that the surrounding cast can take some of the burden off of Ovechkin this season, and that new goalie Jose Theodore can continue the momentum of his play last season. The great mystery in the nation’s capital is whether there is enough around Ovechkin to get this team past the first round, a hurdle they couldn’t overcome last season. Washington hasn’t won a postseason series since 1998, but look to change that this spring.

Tampa Bay Lightning (38-35-9; 85) – After a summer of tremendous transaction and change, the Lightning should be substantially better than they were last season, though it may take some time for the longtime Tampa Bay players, such as Lecavalier and St. Louis, to adapt to playing with so many new faces, including first overall pick Steven Stamkos, and also to play under new coach Barry Melrose. The acquisition of veteran goalkeeper Olaf Kolzig will make for an intriguing goalie battle this season. Tampa Bay is one of those borderline playoff teams in the East.

Carolina Hurricanes (38-38-6; 82) – A team surely on the decline, the Hurricanes have made the playoffs only twice in the past six seasons, winning one Stanley Cup during that period. Furthermore, their trend of falling just short of playoffs in the past seasons should continue in 2008-09. They are yet another team in that “mish-mash “ of clubs fighting for that eighth spot, but their lack of scoring and defensive talent in front of Cam Ward should expose them down the stretch. If this team doesn’t improve, Laviolette could be on shaky ground in Carolina.

Florida Panthers (34-39-9; 77) – The Panthers also made lots of change in the offseason, trading longtime team captain Olli Jokinen, along with the hiring of new head coach Peter DeBoer. The result should be a tougher group on the blue line after the pickup of Bryan McCabe, but the need for offensive production from young players will also exist. It doesn’t look like this mediocre group can hang with the rest of the East, let along their own division, making for another season where the Panthers miss the playoffs; they haven’t done so since 2000.

Atlanta Thrashers (31-43-8; 70) – Atlanta showed signs of breaking out of their misery with a playoff appearance two seasons ago, but a number of bad personnel decisions have dragged them down tremendously. The trade of Heatley for Hossa has left them with nothing, and the more disastrous trade of Coburn for Zhitnik looks to be a laugher. They still have Ilya Kovalchuk, one of the game’s brightest stars, but Lehtonen has been nothing but an oft-injured bust in net, and even after trying to acquire some marginal talent, the Thrashers are going nowhere.

All Eastern Conference First Team

C - Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh
W - Alexander Ovechkin, Washington
W - Dany Heatley, Ottawa
D - Zdeno Chara, Boston
D - Mike Green, Washington
G - Martin Brodeur, New Jersey

All Eastern Conference Second Team

C - Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh
W - Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta
W - Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa
D - Andrei Markov, Montreal
D - Bryan McCabe, Florida
G - Henrik Lundqvist, NY Rangers

All Eastern Conference Third Team

C - Jason Spezza, Ottawa
W - Thomas Vanek, Buffalo
W - Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay
D - Tomas Kaberle, Toronto
D - Mathieu Schnieder, Atlanta
G - Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh

2008 College Football Preview - Awards and Bowl Predictions

Christopher Mango — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:32:49 -0400

Here's a bit more.

Heisman Candidates

1) Tim Tebow, QB—Florida
2) Chase Daniel, QB—Missouri
3) Pat White, QB—West Virginia
4) Knowshon Moreno, RB—Georgia
5) Sam Bradford, QB—Oklahoma
6) Chris Wells, RB—Ohio State
7) Colt McCoy, QB—Texas
8) Todd Boeckman, QB—Ohio State
9) Rudy Carpenter, QB—Arizona State
10) Cullen Harper, QB—Clemson
11) Matthew Stafford, QB—Georgia
12) Graham Harrell, QB—Texas Tech
13) Juice Williams, QB—Illinois

BCS Bowl Matchups (in increasing order of importance)

FedEx Orange Bowl: Texas over Clemson

Citi Rose Bowl Game: Arizona State over Illinois

Nokia Sugar Bowl: Florida over Oklahoma

Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: Missouri over West Virginia

BCS Championship Game: Ohio State over Georgia

2008 MLB Preview: Awards and Playoff Predictions

Christopher Mango — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:12:35 -0400

MVPs and Cys in both leagues, along with my projected October:

American League MVP

1) Alex Rodriguez, 3B - New York
2) David Ortiz, 1B/DH - Boston
3) Miguel Cabrera, 3B - Detroit
4) Magglio Ordoñez, OF - Detroit
5) Vladimir Guerrero, OF - Los Angeles
6) Manny Ramirez, OF - Boston
7) Ichiro Suzuki, OF - Seattle
8) Travis Hafner, 1B/DH - Cleveland
9) Justin Morneau, 1B - Minnesota
10) Grady Sizemore, OF - Cleveland

National League MVP

1) Albert Pujols, 1B - St. Louis
2) Prince Fielder, 1B - Milwaukee
3) Matt Holliday, OF - Colorado
4) Chase Utley, 2B - Philadelphia
5) Hanley Ramirez, SS - Florida
6) Chipper Jones, 3B - Atlanta
7) Ryan Braun, OF - Milwaukee
8) Ryan Howard, 1B - Philadelphia
9) Carlos Beltran, OF - New York
10) Alfonso Soriano, OF - Chicago

American League Cy Young

1) Josh Beckett, SP - Boston
2) C.C. Sabathia, SP - Cleveland
3) Justin Verlander, SP - Detroit
4) Erik Bedard, SP - Seattle
5) Jonathan Papelbon, CP - Boston
6) Roy Halladay, SP - Toronto
7) John Lackey, SP - Los Angeles
8) Fausto Carmona, SP - Cleveland
9) Francisco Rodriguez, CP - Los Angeles
10) Felix Hernandez, SP - Seattle

National League Cy Young

1) Jake Peavy, SP - San Diego
2) Johan Santana, SP - New York
3) Brad Penny, SP - Los Angeles
4) Chris Young, SP - San Diego
5) Brandon Webb, SP - Arizona
6) Carlos Zambrano, SP - Chicago
7) Dan Haren, SP - Arizona
8) Cole Hamels, SP - Philadelphia
9) Trevor Hoffman, CP - San Diego
10) Roy Oswalt, SP - Houston

Playoff Predictions

ALDS

Detroit over New York in 5 - New manager, same result for the Yanks, as the league's winningest team downs the Bombers in five games.

Boston over Los Angeles in 4 - In a rematch of a 2007 series, the Red Sox prove to be dominant over the A.L. West winners once again.

NLDS

San Diego over Philadelphia in 4 - Good pitching beats good offense in a short series as the Padres advance to NLCS behind Peavy and Young.

Milwaukee over Los Angeles in 5 - The Brewer bat overcome L.A.'s deep pitching, setting the stage for an intriguing NLCS.

ALCS/NLCS

Detroit over Boston in 6 - The Tigers repeat their feat of 2006 and win the American League pennant en route to the World Series.

San Diego over Milwaukee in 5 - The Padres pitch their way to the Fall Classic as the lack of playoff experience comes back to bite the Brewers.

World Series

Detroit over San Diego in 5 - The Padres' run ends against a superior A.L. foe as the Tigers capture a World Champonship and Miguel Cabrera takes home the World Series MVP.

2008 MLB Preview: American League

Christopher Mango — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:24:15 -0400

American League East (predicted order of finish and record)

Boston Red Sox (97-65) - The defending World Champions come into 2008 with essentially the same roster that won it all in 2007. The lineup is still very good, led by Ortiz and Ramirez, as is the pitching, headed by Beckett, Matsuzaka, and the young talent. The bullpen was one of the most efficient in the league last season, as Papelbon has become as effective as any closer in the game. As long as injuries aren't a problem for the aging Sox, they are primed to make another title run.

New York Yankees (93-69) - Headed in the direction of youth, the Yankees have brought in Joe Girardi to guide the mostly young pitching along this season, and with the help of their deep lineup should have no problem contending once again. Defending MVP Alex Rodriguez is the centerpiece of an extremely veteran-savvy lineup, and if young pitchers such as Hughes, Chamerberlain, and Kennedy can develop according to form, it should be smooth sailing to a wild card nomination for New York.

Toronto Blue Jays (83-79) - For more than a decade, the Jays have been and continue to be over their heads in this tough division. The lineup doesn't feature as many sluggers as their division foes, although both Rios and Wells have become top-notch all-around players, now complemented by some proven winners in Eckstein and Rolen. The starting staff is spotty behind Roy Halladay, and the bullpen is young, but talented. No contention yet for Toronto.

Tampa Bay Rays (75-87) - The newly-dubbed Rays still won't contend because of their lack of pitching, but the same can't be said about their emerging lineup. Crawford, Upton, and the powerful Carlos Peña can certainly produce offensively for Joe Maddon, but until Tampa Bay can move in the right direction with their pitching, Scott Kazmir won't be enough to hold the fort down.

Baltimore Orioles (65-97) - Dead set in the process of rebuilding, the Orioles gave away both their top offensive threat and pitcher this offseason. Their lineup is really nothing to speak of anymore, aside from Markakis, and their starting rotation features no quality starters. The Orioles are most likely the worst team in the A.L., and it looks to be a long summer in Baltimore.

American League Central (predicted order of finish and record)

Detroit Tigers (99-63) - A Tiger team that missed the playoffs in 2007 is reloaded with arguably the best team in baseball. Their lineup is second to none, with two of the most prolific right-handed sluggers in the game in Cabrera and Ordoñez, not to mention the surrounding Granderson, Sheffield, and Polanco. The rotation is bit deeper, led by the great Justin Verlander, though the bullpen may be a question mark. Look for the Tigers to do big things this season.

Cleveland Indians (89-73) - The Indians are very good, but might not be good enough in the extraordinary American League. The top of rotation might be the best around with Sabathia and Carmona, along with the lineup that features Hafner, Martinez, and Sizemore. Their bullpen is another strength with great arms all around, but the Indians' glaring weakness is uncertainty at a number of positions. Cleveland will definitely be in the running, but may not have enough to reach the playoffs again.

Minnesota Twins (80-82) - The Twins post-Santana are much depleted and this season depend on Francisco Liriano to return to his 2006 form. Minnesota's lineup is quite productive, but a little too shallow to contend. The starting pitching will hold them back, however, the bullpen can be one of the best around when right. Losing their workhorse may be a little too much for Ron Gardenhire's team to keep up their usual winning ways.

Chicago White Sox (78-84) - A far cry from their championship season of 2005, the White Sox come into 2008 with a very unpredictable team. Their lineup is an unbalanced mix of veterans and youngsters, with Dye as the only given. In tandem, their starting pitching is flat out bad, though their bullpen is much improved in front of Jenks. It doesn't look as good as it has in the past for the Southsiders as they will miss the playoffs for the third straight year.

Kansas City Royals (68-94) - Continuing to dwell in the basement of this division, there is no reason to believe that the Royals are breaking out of their misery. Their position players are either too young or not good enough, in addition to their inexperienced pitching. They bring in a new manager in Trey Hillman, hoping to give a fresh start to a bad franchise.

American League West (predicted order of finish and record)

Los Angeles Angels (95-67) - The Angels look to defend their division crown with a very good lineup and one of the deepest pitching staffs around. Acquiring Torii Hunter gives them one of the best all-around outfielders in the game in addition to the consistent bats of Guerrero, Matthews, and Figgins. Their rotation is solid, headed by the likes of Lackey and Escobar. The always consistent Angels should really have no problem winning the West in 2008, plus their playoff disappointment is overdue to end.

Seattle Mariners (86-76) - The Mariners have gotten better for the second year in a row, this time adding left-handed ace Erik Bedard to lead a staff that also features young Felix Hernandez. Their offense might be an issue, but a solid year is guaranteed from Ichiro, as is a great year from emerging closer J.J. Putz. Though they may not have as much firepower as some other teams in the A.L., the Mariners are a possible sleeper.

Oakland Athletics (77-85) - The ebb and flow of Billy Beane's "Moneyball" has reached a trough, and this time it comes with an anemic offense and a lack of starting pitching. Oakland isn't quite at the bottom of the league yet, but may be by the end of the season. The lack of hitting and never healthy starting pitching will prevent the A's from contending in the near future, and this time it looks like it will a number of years for Oakland to return to winning.

Texas Rangers (71-91) - The Rangers formed some semblance of an offense through free agency this offseason, but this team has been lacking pitching for nearly a decade and will continue to flounder in that area. As much of a mess their rotation is, their bullpen is even worse. As long as this part of their team struggles, Texas will continue to be cellar dwellers in this division for and beyond 2008.

All American League First Team

C - Joe Mauer, Minnesota
1B - David Ortiz, Boston
2B - Robinson Cano, New York
SS - Derek Jeter, New York
3B - Alex Rodriguez, New York
OF - Magglio Ordoñez, Detroit
OF - Vladimir Guerrero, Los Angeles
OF - Manny Ramirez, Boston

SP - Josh Beckett, Boston
SP - C.C. Sabathia, Cleveland
SP - Erik Bedard, Seattle
RP - Jonathan Papelbon, Boston
RP - Francisco Rodriguez, Los Angeles

All American League Second Team

C - Victor Martinez, Cleveland
1B - Travis Hafner, Cleveland
2B - Placido Polanco, Detroit
SS - Michael Young, Texas
3B - Miguel Cabrera, Detroit
OF - Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay
OF - Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle
OF - Grady Sizemore, Cleveland

SP - Justin Verlander, Detroit
SP - John Lackey, Los Angeles
SP - Roy Halladay, Toronto
RP - Mariano Rivera, New York
RP - J.J. Putz, Seattle