The Syracuse Orangemen survived a late rally by the Georgetown Hoyas, to improve to 12-2 in the conference and 25-2 overall. Early on it looked as though the 5th ranked would rout the 10 ranked Hoyas on their home floor, jumping out to a 15 point halftime lead. Syracuse led by as much as 23 points, with 12:30 left on the clock, but the Hoyas weren’t going to go down without a fight. Georgetown kept chipping away at the lead, and with a minute remaining just one point separated the two top ranked teams.  Georgetown had a chance to take the lead but missed, and Syracuse forward Kris Johnson responded, giving the Orangemen the 3 point lead with 7 seconds remaining. Free throws decided the rest of the game and Syracuse remains undefeated on the road.

With four games to go Syracuse has a half game lead on Villanova for the conference. The two teams face off for conference supremacy on February 27th (though WVU and Pitt could still overtake them, each 2 1/2 games back). Right now I think the conference is Syracuse’s when it is all said and done. The Orange finish out at Providence, home against Villanova and St. Johns, then their last game at Louisville. Providence and St. Johns are two of the weaker teams in the conference so the ‘Cuse should have no problems there. Louisville is always a dangerous team and beat Syracuse in the Carrier Dome earlier this season, but I think Syracuse can take them.

Their tough test will be at home against Villanova, not because Villanova is ranked 4th in the nation, but because its at home. Amazingly, their only losses are at home this season, in the Carrier Dome, one of the hardest venues in college basketball for away teams to play in. Syracuse is actually really lucky how their schedule turned out, with no back-to-back away games in the final stretch, and with an easy game before each of their tough matchups. Villanova on the other hand isn’t so lucky. Their final five games are a bit tougher; they are at 21st ranked Pittsburgh (and the Peterson Events Center may rival the Carrier Dome in terms of home court advantage), home vs South Florida, who has played some great basketball against top teams this year, at Syracuse and Cincinnati back to back, before finishing up with 8th ranked West Virginia at home. While anything can happen in the Big East, the Orangemen will likely hold on to their half game lead for the regular season title (the Big East Tournament is a completely different animal).

The Washington Wizards acquire Zydrunas Ilgauskas, the rights to Emir Preldzic, and a 1st round draft pick from Cleveland. And acquire Al Thornton from the Clippers.

The Cleveland Cavailers acquire Antawn Jamison from the Wizards and Sebastian Telfair from the Clippers.

The Los Angeles Clippers acquire Drew Gooden from the Wizards.

Why this works for Washington:  Money, and lots of it. The Wizards not only save over two million dollars against the cap this season, putting them right around the luxury tax line, but will save over $10 million dollars against next years cap. This will allow the Wizards the flexibility to either be very active in free agency, or to take on a bad contract to get either a draft pick or a young player. While Ilgauskas is a quality center, he will never suit up for the Wizards. Washington will either trade him by today’s deadline or work out a buyout to get under the luxury tax line. The Wizards do get three “assets” in this deal, in Thornton, the rights to Preldzic and the first round pick. Thornton should step in as small forward, but probably isn’t the Wizards long term solution for the position. His game has gotten exposed this past season and a half, and that was on a team with some decent offensive weapons. Preldzic offers little long term upside, but could be an interesting role player when he comes over from Europe.

The first round pick was the key here for Washington, as the Wizards could find a solid, young, and inexpensive player. The problem is the pick will likely be between 28-30, severely limiting the talent pool. The real upside to this deal is with Jamison and Gooden off the roster, the Wizards can give playing time to Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee, to finally see if they can be starters at this level.

Why this works for Cleveland:  The Cavs were in a bit of a tough spot but made the best of the situation. Last season they stood pat at the deadline and ended up not even making it to the finals. This year, in LeBron’s contract year, they couldn’t risk not making the effort. Jamison gives them a ‘stretch 4′ who fits in well with their other power forwards who work much better in the paint. Jamison should also fit in well with Cleveland, as he’s never been a selfish player, and should adapt well to being the Cavs 2nd or 3rd option. Despite his age, he’s still an excellent scorer and a quality rebounder. Jamison is weak defensively, but is versatile enough to play some SF if James is playing either the 1 or 2. Jamison makes the league’s best team, that much better and that much deeper and that should cause the rest of the NBA some problems.

The best part about this deal for the Cavs was their ability to complete it without giving up PF J.J. Hickson, whom the Wizards desperately wanted. Hickson is developing into a solid young low-post player, and should be a key piece down the stretch for Cleveland. While the Cavs did give up Ilgauskas in the deal, he could very well be returning to Cleveland in the near future. Unless the Wizards trade him this afternoon, he will work a buyout. And while he will have a number of suitors, I’d expect the Cavs to be at the top of the list. If they do end up with Ilgauskas back (which I’d say is pretty likely) then this is a HUGE win for Cleveland and gives them a stacked lineup heading into the postseason. The only downside for the Cavs is the financial commitment this season, and in the future with Jamison and Telfair. Not only does this deal up their luxury tax bill, but it is a big chunk of change for Jamison over the next two seasons that Cleveland is on the hook for.

Why this deal works for Los Angeles:  The Clippers have worked this trade deadline beautifully. First they send PF Marcus Camby to the Trail Blazers and get back a point guard (Steve Blake) and small forward (Travis Outlaw), both of whom like Camby are expiring contracts, plus cash. Then they send out Telfair (PG) and Thornton (SF) for Gooden (PF) who has an expiring contract. With these moves, the Clippers have cleared enough room on next year’s cap to pursue this summer’s top free agents. And what’s even better, was they did so with no net loss of current talent. They didn’t need to add a good young role player or draft pick to clear cap room, and in fact picked up some additional cash. Also Outlaw could be brought back if the Clippers can’t get a major player.

Winner:  All the teams benefited in this deal, with Cleveland being the primary winner (especially if they get Ilgauskas back). The Clippers are next, and the Wizards get penalized a bit for not getting a true ‘young’ talent back for their marquee player. This deal will be valued in Cleveland based on two things; one, winning this year’s NBA Championship, and two, keeping LeBron in Cleveland this summer. For the Clippers there is no real downside to this deal, since Thornton and Telfair weren’t important pieces, but they will be judged on if they can use their free agent money wisely (for once). The Clippers have a good core of players, that if they can sign a great player they could be the next Los Angeles team raising a championship banner. For Washington, the value in this deal will be based on what they can do with the money they’ve saved and the draft pick.

The Trade: The Portland Trail Blazers acquire F/C Marcus Camby from the Los Angeles Clippers for PG Steve Blake, SF Travis Outlaw and cash considerations.

Why This Works for Portland:  The Trail Blazers top two centers are out for the season with injuries, so Camby is a big boost to their front court. Portland also wanted a center who wasn’t signed for next season since their own guys should be back, making Camby even more attractive for them. Camby is a great pick up for the Trail Blazers, he’s one of the most underrated players in the league. He’s an excellent rebounder and defender, while offering some offensive upside. He’s not the biggest or strongest big out there, but he gets the job done. Camby should help secure the Trail Blazers a playoff spot, and get them at least to the 2nd round. They still aren’t fully capable of matching up with the Nuggets and Lakers, but once you get to the postseason, anything can happen.

Why This Works for Los Angeles:  The Clippers knew that Marcus Camby wasn’t likely to be back next season, since rookie PF Blake Griffin would be returning, so getting anything for him is a good deal. Since it was expiring contracts for expiring contracts, it looks as though the Clippers didn’t benefit much in this deal, but don’t be too quick to judge. The Clippers are set in the front court with Griffin’s return and Craig Smith and DeAndre Jordan helping out Chris Kamen on the boards. What L.A. needs is a talented small forward, who can be an effective scoring presence. Travis Outlaw could fit that bill for the Clippers. Outlaw isn’t elite, but he is young with plenty of potential. While he is an unrestricted free agent, the Clippers will have more negotiating power with him than other teams, and could always use him in a sign-and-trade deal if they decide to go in another direction. Blake will most assuredly leave after this season, but having another veteran player around can only help the young guards on the roster in their development.

Winner:  Both the Trail Blazers and Clippers won in this deal. Portland finally lands their center and keeps their playoff hopes alive. While Clippers gain some cash, and some flexibility with Travis Outlaw for next season. Don’t forget the Clippers got the all important cash considerations (and saved some money this year) in the deal.

Tackle:

1. Jamal Brown-New Orleans: RFA, Brown is quickly becoming one of the best offensive tackles in the game. Even though he is already a restricted free agent, the Saints could even opt to Franchise him to ensure some team won’t steal him away for just a 1st and a 3rd round pick.

2. Jared Gaither- Baltimore: RFA, Another Franchise tackle in the making, Gaither and Oher give the Ravens two great young bookend tackles. There is no way Gaither isn’t in Baltimore this coming season.

3. Willie Colon-Pittsburgh: RFA, Colon isn’t a Franchise tackle, but he’s about to be paid as one, as he is the Steelers best offensive lineman. Colon has the size and skills to be a great tackle but he isn’t quite there yet.

4. Marcus McNeil- San Diego: RFA, McNeil is a very good left tackle, but struggled this past season some. That being said he’s still young and the Chargers should expect a bounce back season.

5. Chad Clifton- Green Bay: UFA, Being the top unrestricted free agent should get Clifton some interesting offers. He has somewhat of a negative injury history which will limit his offers, but he will still be pursued on the open market.

6. Tyson Clabo (Falcons) and Charlie Johnson (Colts): RFA, Clabo and Johnson are grouped together because they are solid, unspectacular tackles but will be retained because they are restricted free agents.

7. Alex Barron (Rams), Donald Penn and Jeremy Youngblood (Bucaneers), Jermon Bushrod (Saints), Jeromey Clary (Chargers), Ryan O’Callaghan (Chiefs), Dennis Roland (Bengals): RFA, I grouped these 7 tackles together because they are all restricted free agents, but it wouldn’t surprise me if at least 3 of them were playing on a different team next season. They are all young and talented and have shown an ability to start, but aren’t elite starters.

8. Mark Tauscher (Packers), Mike Gandy (Cardinals), Tony Pashos (49ers), Tra Thomas (Jaguars): UFA, All four of these tackles are borderline starters at this point, but should all find jobs given their unrestricted free agent status. Tauscher played just half a season last year for the Packers, but was their best offensive lineman for stretches. He was coming off a major knee injury, so questions should remain on whether or not he can last a whole season at that level. Gandy and Pashos took big steps backward last year, and lost their starting jobs. They are still in their early 30′s with limited injury history, so they may be able to still find a starting job, they just shouldn’t be signed for big money long term. Thomas in his prime was an elite tackle, but the game has started to pass him by.

The offensive tackle position could see a few reinforcements from players being cut, but for the most part what you see is what you will get. Most of the talent comes from restricted free agents and I can’t imagine many of those will be on the move. What is interesting is the Saints, Chargers and Tampa Bay all have 2 RFA’s starting tackles. Even without a salary cap, I could see a couple of these guys on the move if those teams don’t feel confident in investing in both tackles long term. I could see the Saints move Bushrod for a couple picks, given their tackle depth. Another interesting name to watch is Adam Terry RFA Baltimore, with their starting tackles set the Ravens could move Terry for a late round draft pick. Terry isn’t a great starter, but can back up either position and would be better than a number of starting tackles in the league.

QB:

1. Jason Campbell- Washington Redskins: RFA, Campbell hasn’t become an elite starter by any means, but has shown he can be a 2nd tier starter in the NFL. If he goes to a team with some offensive weapons and an actual offensive line, he may lead his team deep into the playoffs.

2. Matt Moore-Carolina Panthers: ERFA, Moore supplanted Jake Delhomme last season as the Panthers starter, and should be the favorite going into this season. As an exclusive rights free agent Moore won’t be going anywhere, but the Panthers should try to lock him up for a couple years, before his price tag gets to crazy.

3. Kyle Orton-Denver Broncos: RFA, Orton had a nice first year with the Broncos, but could very well end up being the scapegoat their for their collapse. The Broncos will probably look to keep Orton as a restricted free agent for another season, but he could be on borrowed time. Orton is a solid quarterback, and probably could be successful if given enough of an opportunity.

4. Bruce Gradkowski-Oakland Raiders: RFA, Gradkowski was impressive for the Raiders before getting hurt against the Redskins. He single-handily knocked the Steelers out of the Super Bowl, by beating them in Pittsburgh late in the season. If the Raiders are smart they would give the reins to Gradkowski for a season, and see what they have.

5. Chad Pennington-Miami Dolphins: UFA, Pennington is the top unrestricted free agent, and really the last quarterback who can start on a regular basis in the NFL. Pennington should get plenty of interest from teams in transition, or developing a young quarterback. He doesn’t have a big arm, but he’s very accurate and smart.

Overall I’d expect Pennington and Campbell to change teams this offseason. The Panthers and Raiders can’t afford to let their guys go, and the Broncos will try to get the most out of the Jay Cutler deal as possible. Unlike most positions, I wouldn’t expect a boost in talent due to players who are cut. Their might be a couple veterans, but no one who should be starting 16 games.

RB:

1. Pierre Thomas-New Orleans Saints- RFA, Thomas was a major piece of the puzzle for the World Champion Saints this season. He is a tough running back, who can also be an effective part of the passing attack. If he was an unrestricted free agent he would get plenty of attention, but its doubtful he’s wearing a different uniform next season.

2. Leon Washington-New York Jets-RFA, Washington is a great utility back that can fill the role of Wildcat, return man, 3rd down back. In addition, Washington is very effective catching the ball out the the backfield and should be a nice weapon for Mark Sanchez next season. I don’t think the Jets will let him leave, even though it  might mean they have to cut Thomas Jones.

3. Darren Sproles- San Diego Chargers-RFA, Sproles is a fantastic scat back who is a threat to go the distance anytime he gets the ball in space. Most people would think he should go higher on this list, but Sproles was exposed as a running back last season. He can’t carry the load of an offense and needs to be used in special circumstances.

4. Chestor Taylor-Minnesota Vikings-UFA, Taylor like Pennington gets a huge boost in his stock because he is unrestricted. He never got much of a chance to prove himself in Minnesota, but should be a solid 2nd option in a two horse attack.

5. Jerome Harrison-Cleveland Browns-RFA, Harrison finished the year extremely strong and it should translate into a nice extension with the Browns. Harrison isn’t a complete runner, but is a pretty good option that allows the Browns to move running back down their need list.

6.  Jason Snelling-Atlanta Falcons-RFA, Snelling isn’t a game breaker, but he showed he can handle the load last season for the Falcons when Turner went down.

7. Mike Bell-New Orleans Saints-RFA, Bell showed some solid ability as Thomas’s caddy last season. Not an every down starter, he is a good back-up who can get 5-10 carries a game.

8. LenDale White-Tennessee Titans-RFA, White might be available despite being a restricted free agent given his run-ins with the coaching staff there. He’s not been happy watching Chris Johnson become a star and take away all his carries. He might get more work somewhere else, but won’t ever be an every down starter.

9. Cadillac Williams-Tampa Bay Buccaneers-RFA, Williams should be ranked much higher on talent alone, but injuries and inconsistency does drop him quite a bit. Williams should be given a shot to be a top running back, but its hard to imagine him staying healthy a full season.

10. Jerious Norwood-Atlanta Falcons-RFA, Norwood is a solid option catching the ball out of the back field and as a change of pace back.

Like every position, the running backs are severely limited by the uncapped season, making a number of them restricted free agents. Now there should be a number of players released that should add a lot of depth to this position. Some backs who could be released include, Clinton Portis, Thomas Jones, LaDainian Tomlinson, and maybe Reggie Bush.

The Deal:  The Washington Wizards trade G-F Caron Butler, C Brendan Haywood, and G DeShawn Stevenson to the Dallas Mavericks for G-F Josh Howard, F-C Drew Gooden, F Quinton Ross, and F James Singleton

Why This Deal Works For Washington:  Honestly it doesn’t, this is a bad deal all around for the Wizards. Yes they will shave over $20 million dollars off next years payroll, and save nearly $3 million on this season’s luxury tax bill, but that is all they got in this deal. While a lot will be made of that $20 million dollar figure, it should be remembered that its really only $14 million they saved, because Haywood’s $6 million was coming off the books regardless. It is inexcusable to package possibly your two best assets together to get only cap relief and to get rid of Stevenson’s contract. And its not as though Stevenson’s contract was a back-breaker, it was for only one more season at a relatively small rate, he is the perfect candidate for a buyout (which is likely what the Mavericks will do).

To not get a single draft pick, young player or rights to an international prospect is ridiculous. And for all the talk of this deal giving the Wizards the salary cap space to be active in next summer’s free agent market, there doesn’t seem to be much truth there. None of the good young stars are going to want to come to Washington, a team literally with no talent to build around.  And those free agents you do sign will probably be no better than Butler and Haywood, and you’ll overpay in money and years to bring them to Washington. This deal complicates things in Washington by limiting their options for the rest of the season. One potential benefit of trading away their veteran players, is that it would allow Washington to give some playing time to the young ‘talent’ that they have, Randy Foye, Nick Young, Andrey Blatche, and JaVale McGee (I personally don’t think these are future building blocks, but at least playing them would finally answer that question). Now by getting good veteran players back in the deal, such as Howard and Gooden, the Wizards will play them instead of giving minutes to their young core.

The only possible way this deal can work out for Washington is if they make additional deals to further turn around this team. Washington should now trade Antwan Jamison for the best deal they can get (hopefully getting an actual player/draft pick back in the deal), now that they are in rebuilding mode. They could look to flip Gooden and/or Howard in separate deals (you can’t package a player you just acquired for two months). Gooden could make sense in Portland, Memphis (possibly), maybe even Denver. Howard would be harder to deal, but not impossible. Another thing the Wizards could do with their new found cap space is essentially rent it out. Since it will be hard to convince top free agents to come to Washington, the Wizards could take on a short term bad contract and get a good young player and/or a draft pick for their troubles. If done properly it could be a huge benefit for Washington.

Why This Deal Works for Dallas:  This is a huge win-win deal for Dallas. By itself the deal doesn’t make the Mavericks that much more of a contender (they were already a mid-playoff team), but Butler and Haywood should fit their team better than Howard and Gooden. Haywood is a true center, and a tough defender. His offensive game is limited, but Dallas generates plenty of offense already. He now gives Dallas someone to match up against the Lakers and Nuggets bigs. Butler on paper is only a marginal upgrade over Howard, but I think this could be a case of looks being deceiving. Butler is now going from one of the leagues 5 worst teams, to one of the 5 best. He should have plenty of more opportunities (and motivation) to perform better. Not to mention having a true point guard like Jason Kidd feeding you the ball should help jump start Butler’s production. The deal also works out for Dallas next season as well. Howard would have had to been resigned (not a great proposition) where as now they have Butler for another season. And if he doesn’t work out they can always trade his expiring contract for another piece. Haywood is a free agent, but unlike Gooden, he’s a guy Dallas really would want to resign. Something they couldn’t have done if they didn’t make this deal, given their cap situation.

Winner:  Dallas by a wide margin wins this deal. They improved themselves this season, and likely next year as well (if they can resign Haywood) at the cost of taking on Stevenson’s contract, which they will probably buyout minimizing the cost. Washington is left with less trading flexibility and assets, though they do now have more money. It looks like things will get worse in DC before they get better, and this deal doesn’t give Wizards fans much in the way of confidence to a brighter future.

By Fanspeak Contributing Writer Geoff Nelowet:

The Maryland Terrapins will travel to Durham on Saturday for a meeting with the seventh-ranked Duke Blue Devils. Maryland is 16-6 on the season and one game behind Duke for tops in the ACC. Duke is coming off a decisive road victory over the struggling North Carolina Tar Heels – with whom the Blue Devils share a long and storied rivalry. The Duke-Maryland match-up, though, takes center stage, as both teams are posturing for the ACC title, and the Tar Heels will likely fail to reach the NIT (which is an embarrassment to say the least). The Duke-Maryland rivalry is back in full-gear with this game bearing such major conference implications.

All-ACC guard Greivis Vasquez leads Maryland, and Vasquez has been a stalwart for the terrapins averaging 18 points and 6 assists per game. Senior guard Eric Hayes complements Vasquez’s aggressive, penetrating style with his steady play and his ability to knock down the three. Senior Forward Landon Milbourne has been another key contributor averaging nearly 15 points per game. Gary Williams’ team is lead by a triad of seniors, so their time to make a conference statement will have to come now at Cameron Indoor.

Duke, like Maryland, lives by their guard play. In fact, Duke’s only scorers in double-figures are guards. Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler each average over 16 points a game, but beyond those three, not one player on the roster averages more than 6 points per contest. This is troubling for Duke because it signifies that they lack depth, but fortunately, shutting down Duke’s three stars is difficult – if not impossible – to accomplish.

Unlike past years, Duke is beatable – but not at home. The Blue Devils are a perfect 17-0 on home court, and even with Duke being a hair below a top-five caliber team, it is still difficult to see Maryland pulling out a road victory. Maryland will play tough for the first half, but Duke will pull away late in a similar fashion as they did against UNC. Final Score: Duke 84 Maryland 72

The Olympics are finally here and even if you aren’t a fan, you might want to pay attention if you like the NHL. The hockey season is on hold as the world’s greatest stars head to Vancouver to battle it out for their national supremacy. The greatest part about Olympic hockey is that NHL rivals, now become teammates, and NHL teammates are now the enemy. On the Russian roster, the first line could be comprised of Alexander Ovechkin, Evengi Malkin, and Ilya Kovalchuk, three players who will be battling out for the Eastern Conference in a couple of months. You can’t get better television than that. Here is a look at the top 3 squads, USA, Canada, and Russia:

USA:  The United States is looking to avenge their embarrassing performance in Italy 4 years ago, where they finished 8th. The USA team is deep, but doesn’t have the star talent of some of the other squads. Their top forwards are Patrick Kane, Zach Parise, Jamie Langenbrunner, and Colorado’s Paul Stastny. The good news is even though they don’t have the scoring power of some of the other squads, they have a great assortment of defensemen and goalies. Their goalies are led by Ryan Miller and Tim Thomas, two of the best net minders in the game. Everyone of their defensemen could be in the top 4 (and pretty much are) in any team’s rotation. The American team is deeper and better in 2010, but don’t have the star power to compete for the Gold. A medal finish is definitely within reach though, and USA should come away with the Bronze.

Russia:  The Russian squad can’t match the USA team’s depth, but has it beat in star power, especially on the offensive end. In addition to Ovechkin, Malkin and Kovalchuk (each one would be the star of the USA squad), the Russian team also has NHL stars Alexander Semin and Pavel Datsyuk. In addition, they have former NHL stars (and Washington Capitals) Sergei Federov and Viktor Kozlov, making the Russian offense the most potent in the Games. The Russian team will need to score in bunches, because they don’t have the defensemen and goalies that some of the other teams have. Sergei Gonchar leads the defensemen, which aren’t by and large the shutdown defensemen you are hoping for. Evgeni Nabokov, Ilya Bryzgalov and Seymon Varlamov are solid goaltenders, but aren’t nearly as good as their USA and Canadian counterparts.

Canada:  Team Canada won the gold medal in 2002, but defended it with an awful 7th place finish in 2006. This year, they are on their home ice and anything less than another gold would be a stunning disappointment. Canada has the best of both worlds, they have the star power of Russia and the depth of the USA. Their top two lines (entire roster) is scary. They will likely match up Sidney Crosby with wings Rick Nash and Jerome Iginla. Their 2nd line could even be better due to familiarity, as Dany Heatley, Joe Thornton, and Patrick Marleau are all teammates on the San Jose Sharks. As good as the Canadian’s offense is, their goaltending is even better. Martin Brodeur is still the best goalie in the league. Backing him up are Roberto Luongo and Marc Andre-Fleury, each of whom would probably start on any other team in the Olympics. The Canadian defensemen aren’t as strong as the USA team’s, but are good enough to bring gold home to Canada.

1. Dez Bryant-OK State: 1st round

2. Damien Williams-USC: 1st-2nd round

3. Golden Tate-Notre Dame: 1st-2nd round

4. Brandon LaFell-LSU: 2nd round

5. Dezmon Briscoe-Kansas: 2nd round

6. Mardy Gilyard-Cincinnati: 2nd round

7. Demaryius Thomas-Georgia Tech: 2nd-3rd round

8. Jordan Shipley-Texas: 3rd round

9. Taylor Pice-Ohio: 3rd round

10. Eric Decker-Minnesota: 3rd round

11. Arrelious Benn-Illinois: 3rd round

12. Andre Roberts-Citadel: 3rd-4th round

13.  Jeremy Williams-Tulane: 4th round

14. David Reed-Utah: 4th round

15. Mike Williams-Syracuse: 4th-5th round

16. Riley Cooper-Florida: 5th round

17. Emmanuel Sanders-SMU: 5th-6th round

18. Jacoby Ford-Clemson: 5th-6th round

19. Danario Alexander-Missouri: 6th round

20. Antonio Brown-Central Michigan: 6th round

21. Carlton Mitchell-South Florida: 6th round

22. Shay Hodge-Ole Miss: 6th-7th round

This year’s receiving class is extremely deep, but not very strong at the top. Dez Bryant is the favorite among the group, but he’s far from a complete receiver. Down the road though he has the potential to be a very good number 1 wideout, which should get him drafted in the 15-20 range of the 1st round.

Damien Williams gets overlooked because he’s not the tallest, strongest or fastest receiver in bunch, but he should not be ignored so quickly. He is an excellent route runner, that possesses elite ball skills and should contribute at the next level right off the bat. His character and work ethic are off the charts as well. He should be a steal at the end of the first round.

Golden Tate and Mardy Gilyard also get overlooked due to their height, but both should be immediate contributors. LaFell is loved in most draft circles and I expect him to be off the board early, but he worries me as a prospect overall. He could develop into a very good receiver, but there is a high bust factor as well for me.

Briscoe and Thomas are two underrated receivers both have the abilities to be top flight wideouts, but are still raw. Thomas especially had his development hindered in Georgia Tech’s option attack. In terms of raw skill Thomas is probably the number 1 player in this class, but his understanding of the nuances and route running ability are well below average.

Another raw player that I’m not nearly as enamored with is Benn. I realize the Illinois quarterback situation was down right awful, but Benn just completely disappeared this season. To be any higher than a late 3rd round prospect, Benn will need to show some impressive workout numbers and hopefully answer questions about his work ethic.

One other name to keep an eye on is David Reed from Utah. Reed had an impressive East-West Shrine Game week. He seems to have a very advanced understanding of what it takes to be a receiver at the next level. My 4th round grade could be pretty bullish, but my guess is 5 years from now people will be wondering why he wasn’t among the top 50 picks in this year’s draft. All-in-all has impressive depth, any of the 22 players I listed could develop into at the very least a solid contributor.

We are in the midst of ESPN’s Rivalry Week for college basketball, so we are seeing plenty of great basketball, and last night was no exception. Here are some quick thoughts about last night’s games.

“The King stay the King” (explicit): (2) Kentucky Wildcats cruised yesterday to a 66-55 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide. Kentucky is in a 3 horse race with Kansas and Syracuse for the top spot in the nation. While they’ve been a little streaky and rely too much on their freshman, they are a team to be reckoned with. They remain the top team in the SEC, and barring some major setback, should be a lock for a number 1 seed in the tournament. As for the Kentucky freshman, John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins last night showed once again why they are projected top 5 lottery picks in next year’s draft. They each posted a double-double in the score sheet and combined for 38 of the 66 total points. While it might be hard to win the National Championship on the backs of freshman, Kentucky could be the team to do it.

“A Change Is Gonna Come”: Two big time match-ups last night left the Big Ten standings a mess. (6) Purdue might have been higher ranked that (10) Michigan State, but the Spartans were atop the Big Ten. Well that changed after Purdue crushed the Spartans 76-64 and Illinois beat (13) Wisconsin. Now Illinois and the Spartans are tied for the conference lead, with Ohio State, Purdue, and Wisconsin right behind them. As if getting beat by the Boilermakers wasn’t bad enough, the Spartans are in the midst of a three game losing streak, and were undefeated in the Big Ten when the month started. Now is not the time you want to be struggling, (Purdue on the other hand are playing their best basketball). While there are 5 quality teams in the conference, it looks like Purdue is going to make a run for the Big Ten title and they should win it easy.

“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”: The (24) Vanderbilt Commodores destroyed (12) Tennessee Volunteers last night 90-71. This game wasn’t even close and Vanderbilt had it pretty much had this game won from the get-go. They scored the first 6 points of the game and never looked back. The win not only will give them a nice boost in the rankings, but also moves them up to 2nd place in the SEC.