The calendar has turned. With apologies to Christmas and surrounding holiday season, for a basketball junkie this is the most wonderful time of the year. Wall to wall basketball, high pressure, high stakes games and some of the most passionate play you could ever ask for. It is March and the madness is already upon us. Are you excited? I am! The big boys are sitting back for a few days to let the smaller conferences have their moments in the sun and are hoping that the bid stealers are few and far in between. Bid Stealers? Those are the marginal teams that win the smaller and so-called Mid Major conference tourneys, along with the conference power they go to the tourney. Schools from power conferences like Texas, Seton Hall, USF, and Colorado detest these schools because the more bid stealers snatch auto bid and garner multiple bids for the so called mid-major conferences the fewer bids are left for a “name” school with a middling record. Belmont, UNC-Asheville Creighton and Murray State,  have their tickets to the tourney as they claimed the first of the many bids over the past weekend. The latter two needing furious rallies to avoid upsets from bid stealers.

Atlantic Coast
(Conference Class-Power)
Playinf For Seed :Duke, North Carolina, Florida State, Virginia
Needs Help to get in: North Carolina State, Miami,
Skinny on the ACC: North Carolina housed Duke in Cameron and has the top seed. But its North Carolina State that will need to get to at least Saturday to firm up their chance. Miami should be okay as long as they dont fall in the first round to Georgia Tech
Key Game North Carolina State vs Boston College Thursday TBA The Wolfpack had best thump the weak Eagles or they will not be going to the tourney.

Atlantic Coast Conference Championship: Mar8-11 Philips Arena, Atlanta

Projected Bids: 6

Atlantic Ten
Conference Class-Mid Major
Solid:Temple, Saint Louis
Work to do:UMass, St. Joes
The A-10 Spec is: I have three teams coming out here, Temple is way safe and as long as the Billikens and either the Minutemen or Hawks get to the semis they will be safe with

Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament: March 6-11 (First round Campus Sites) Quarterfinals-Finals Boardwalk Arena, Atlantic City, NJ  Projected Bids:3

Big East
Conference Class-Power
Solid: Syracuse, Georgetown, Marquette, Louisville, Notre Dame, Cincinnati

Work to do:  South Florida, West Virginia, Seton Hall, UConn
Big East Skinny: Cincy is now totally safe, those Im still trying to figure out the tricky math that got them the double bye. They are now playing for seed. The water gets real murky for West Virginia, South Florida, UConn  and Seton Hall these teams need to get deep into the Big East tourney or they could be sweating next Sunday. West Virginia and UConn may cross one another in the Big East second round with a possible bid on the line.

Key Game: Providence vs Seton Hall Tuesday 7p (ESPN) The skidding Pirates are in trouble and their tourney chances drop to virtually nil if they lose here.

Big East Championship Tournament: Mar 6-10 Madison Square Garden, New York City

Projected bids: 9

Big Ten
Conference Class-Power
Solid:Michigan State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana, Purdue

Work to do: Northwestern

The word on the Big Ten is: In spite of losing a heartbreaker to the Bucks, Michigan State will be the #1 seed in the Big Ten tourney. Spartans and Bucks share the title with them.  The Badgers, Hoosiers and Boilers are safe but the real team sweating is Northwestern. They got a badly needed win against Iowa but still need multiple wins to get to their first ever NCAA tourney.

Key Game: Minnesota vs Northwestern Thursday TBA (BTN) If the Wildcats want to fulfill tourney dreams they had better not lose to the middling Gophers

Big Ten Conference Championship Tournament: Mar 8-11 Bankers Life-Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

Projected Bids:6

Big 12
Conference Class-Power
Solid:Kansas, Baylor, Missouri, Kansas State, Iowa State

Work to do: Texas

Skinny from the heartland: Texas is the only team really sweating, they faded badly against Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse and will need to get to the Big 12 Semis to garner a serious look. That and hope that there are no bid stealers lurking in the mid-majors.

Key Game: Iowa State vs Texas Thursday 9:30 The Horns need to get a couple wins to get off the proverbial bubble. If they lose they're likely done.

Big 12 Conference Championship Tournament: Mar 7-10 Sprint Center Kansas City

Projected Bids:5

 

Conference USA 
Conference Class-Major 
Solid: Southern Miss, Memphis

Work to do: Tulsa, Central Florida
Oh Say Can You C-USA Spec: As long as Memphis and USM get to the final, they are both safe. Tulsa and Central Florida might need to knock off the solid teams to get a serious look

Conference USA Championship Tournament : March 7-10 FedEx Forum, Memphis

Projected Bids: 2


Horizon 
Conference Class-Mid Major 
Solid: Valpo,
Work to do:  Detroit

Spec on The Horizon: The Crusaders ended the run of Butler to while the Titans knocked off the Vikings and likely destroyed their tourney chances. Winner here goes to the tourney.

Horizon League Championship: Detroit Mercy vs Valparaiso Tuesday 9p

Projected Bids: 1 

IVY 
Conference Class-Small 
Solid: Harvard 
Work To Do:  Penn 
Spec on the Ivy Vine: Harvard has done what it could now the Crimson must wait. The last regular season game of the year will determine if there is a one game playoff for the title on Saturday.
Key Games: Penn at Princeton Tuesday 7:30p   Penn needs to win to force the one game playoff for the Ivy title

Projected Bids: 1 


Missouri Valley 
Conference Class-Mid Major 
Solid: Wichita State 
Work to do: Creighton
Missouri Valley Skinny: Bravo to the Bluejays! They won a thrilling final against potential an Illinois State team that had bid stealing aspirations. The Shockers, who were upended by the Redbirds in the Valley Semis have plenty of cred to get an invite.

Missouri Valley Conference Champions:  Creighton

Projected Bids: 2

Mountain West 
Conference Class-Major 
Solid: New Mexico, San Diego State, UNLV 
Work to do: Colorado State
Spec from the Mountains: Could the Mountain West send as many or more teams than the Pac-12? Believe it! The Lobos, Aztecs and Rebels are all tourney locks and the Rams are coming on strong at the most opportune of times. As long as the Rams don’t fall on their face against TCU and not get blown out by the Aztecs they will be good. If they beat the Aztecs in the MWC semis they’ll be a spot on lock

Key Games: TCU vs Colorado State  Thursday TBA The Rams had better not stumble against a good Horned Frogs team or their tourney dreams will die like so many gamblers asipirations on the Vegas strip

Mountain West Conference Championship: March 8-10 Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas

Projected Bids: 4 


Pacific 12 
Conference Class-Power 
Solid: Cal, Washington,

Work to do:  Arizona Oregon  Stanford, Colorado, UCLA
Spec from the left coast: The Huskies are the #1 seed and are pretty secure as is Cal below that, Im starting to have doubts a plenty. I hear talk that this league only really deserves two teams, I have 4 right now. But with bid stealers and upsets this could change, stay tuned.

Pac-12 Conference Championship Tournament March 7-10 Staples Center, Los Angeles

Projected Bids: 4



Southeastern 
Conference Class-Power 
Solid: Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Florida,
Work to do: Alabama, Mississippi State, Tennessee

Spec is Down South: UK is going the tourney with a #1 seed…old news. The drop off is steep after that, roller coaster designers are looking at it for amusement parks. Florida and Vandy are not real worried about their chances, but again the drop off after that is steep, Bama & Mississippi State are not the most thrilling of prospects. Im getting flak from SEC fans for only projecting 4 teams in from here, but make a case beyond Bama, even with Mississippi State close to 20 wins…I’ll await your comments, texts and e-mails…

Southeastern Conference Championship Tournament: Mar 7-11 New Orleans Arena, New Orleans

Projected Bids: 4


Western Athletic 
Conference Class- Major 
Solid: Nevada
Work to do:  New Mexico State,
Spec on the WAC: As much as I would love to give the Aggies dap and include them here, I can’t. The Wolf Pack are the ones coming out of this league unless they fall in the WAC tourney.

Western Athletic Conference Championship Tournament:  March 8-10 Orleans Arena, Las Vegas

Projected Bids: 1

West Coast 
Conference Class- Mid Major 
Playing for Seed: Gonzaga, St. Marys 
Hoping for the best:  BYU
West Coast Spec: AS expected the Bulldogs and Gaels are facing off for the WCC crown, both are safe but this will be a thrilling game between two heated arch rivals. Winners could get as high as a 6 seed. BYU got thumped badly by Gonzaga and will have to stew a whole week waiting to see if they get in. Word here says no.

West Coast Conference Championship: Gonzaga vs St. Marys Monday 9:00 (ESPN) Orleans Arena, Las Vegas

Projected Bids: 2

There are others in the mix to be sure. (projected winners in parentheses, projections can and will change with conference winners in Bold) Teams from the always dangerous Colonial (VCU) and Big South (UNC-Ashville) always are in the mix and can send multiple teams. Of course the champions from the following conferences get an automatic bid: Amer. East (Vermont) , Atlantic Sun (Belmont) , Big Sky (Montana) , Big West (Long Beach State), MAC (Ohio), MAAC (Fairfield), MEAC (Savannah State), Northeast (Long Island-Brooklyn) , Ohio Valley (Murray State) , Patriot (Lehigh) , Southern (Davidson) , Southland (Tx-Arlington), Sun Belt (Middle Tennessee) , Summit (South Dakota State), and SWAC (Mississippi Valley State).
Remember folks, this sheet is fluid, nothing here is solid and we haven't even brought up the possibility of upsets. But those never happen, right? 

Spec continues tomorrow in the Hoodwood!

For those that wonder...that is your humble scribe with the lovely Lady Bandit, we took in the Bearcats win over Seton Hall this past Saturday.

Greetings from the Hoodwood, where the locals are enjoying Fat Tuesday but not sure of what they will give up for Lent.

Leading off: Linsanity and KD make the NBA watchable

You know that when it comes to basketball, Im a college guy as evidenced by the picture of the Lady Bandit and myself. Sunday, I took in some of the pro game. As first told to you by my Phat Dap two weeks ago, Jeremy Lin continues to take the NBA by storm. The haters waved off his initial run as a fluke “Wait till he plays a good team.” When he torched the Lake Show for 38 it was “Meh, the Lakers aren’t any good any more.” Many pointed to the Sunday matinee against the defending NBA champ Dallas Mavericks. Many also were hooting and sneering at Lin’s 9 turnovers in Friday’s loss to the lowly Hornets. But in front of a national audience and a rapt MSG crowd. Lin dropped 28 points dealt 14 dimes and 5 steals. The Knicks won their 8^th out of 9, beating the Mavs 102-97. You know its on when dedicated fan Spike Lee is sporting a Jeremy Lin Harvard jersey (How does he get those???) Its looking more and more like Lin is the real deal and cats like Baron Davis and Mike Bibby might be looking for jobs elsewhere.

That night it got even better Kevin Durant and the Thunder were going head up with the Nuggets in an absolute thriller. Time and time again, Durant put the Thunder on his back and made clutch shot after clutch shot, not only did Durant lead the Thunder to an overtime win, he scored a career high 51 points. Oh snap! No he didn’t drop Fiddy on someones head. Oh yes he did. And it gets better, lost in that performance was Russell Westbrook adding 40 points. Lost even further in the shuffle was a triple double by Serge Ibaka, he had 14 points 15 boards and 11 blocks…that is just so wrong on so many levels. Now this may have been a meaningless mid February game but you have to give dap where its due. Its games like this that when showcased properly are helping the NBA get past the acrimony of the latest labor strife, and action packed games with likeable players that are easy to root for are things that will make me watch the pro game even before the One Shining Moment gets played the First Monday in April.

Peyton’s messy divorce from the Colts

Ive never been married and my parents were divorced when I was in grade school so I know little about what goes on in a divorce. Ive been told by many a divorcee that it is nothing like a messy breakup with a girlfriend. In any case, its just excruciating to watch the slow breakup between the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning. The date of March 8^th when Manning is due a $28 million roster bonus is fast approaching and the Colts, mostly owner Jim Irsay seems to be waffling between bringing Manning back to be a mentor to their top draft pick, either Andrew Luck or Heisman winner Robert Griffin III or to let him go. The longer that this plays out the more painful it becomes. First it was looking like the Colts were totally cleaning house with the dismissal of GM Bill Polian, coach Jim Caldwell and the hiring of a defensive minded coach and offensive guru Bruce Arians. Instead Irsay keeps hedging about letting Manning go. Manning who already owns just about every Colts passing record and is one touchdown short of 400 doesn’t look to be the type to defer his starting position to a rookie and should rightfully have his starting position is left to wonder what his fate will be. He has said that he is willing to stay but knows that he could be given the gate. Like in any divorce, there are people caught in the middle.  Already psychologically damaged from the nightmare 2-14 season of 2011 and the prospect of returning to also-ran status after better than a decade of being one of the NFL’s elite poor Colt fans are left to twist in the wind. Manning is about a big a legend in the Hoosier state as any basketball legend and is rightly revered as a franchise savior. But this drama should not have to play out in a most painful manner. I have the feeling that this will go right up to the deadline of when Manning is due his roster bonus.

Speaking Frankly: Kobe on Pau

Im not a Kobe fan, I do appreciate his game but I think he is aloof and arrogant. I chronicled his impending divorce and how that’s going to impact him but that is another story. Kobe spoke out after the Lakers got throttled by the Suns in Phoenix Sunday about the Lakers leaving Pau Gasol hang in the midst of rampant trade rumors. Ive heard of no less than six teams that are supposedly in talks with the Lakers for the Spainard and the talks have affected his play. Kobe was quite outspoken in his pointed criticism of the Lakers management. Kobe said Sunday postgame in part “I wish management would come out and either trade him or not trade (Gasol)." Bryant has repeatedly and openly stated of his desire for Gasol to remain a Laker. Gasol has been with the Lakers since 2008 after coming over from the Memphis Grizzlies in a trade for the draft rights to his brother Marc, Aaron McKie, Jarvis Crittenden and super bust Kwame Brown. Gasol played in Memphis  6 ½ years after being drafted by Atlanta and traded to Memphis in 2001 where he won rookie of the year honors.

When Words Fail

Having written this column for better than a year, I know the power of a word. Having also worked in radio for a number of years, I also know that words can be said out of context. There were a pair of cases the past weekend, both involving Jeremy Lin and the same phrase. On ESPN the Headline Chink in Armor was used in a derogatory way to describe Lin. Max Bretos an anchor for ESPN News used the phrase “Chink the Armor” when asking Knicks legend and color analyst  Walt “Clyde” Frazier about Lins game. The editor Anthony Federico who wrote the headline was fired. Bretos was given 30 days suspension. Now what the editor did was stupid, it was a weak attempt to make a play on words but calling someone a chink went out with Archie Bunker. Its insensitive. The phrase that Bretos was using in his question to Frazier was asking an NBA Hall of Famer to gage if Lin had weaknesses and was not with any pun or malice.

I think that the PC went a little too far. I took some time to dig the clip of Bretos asking the question and had to sift through so many You Tube wannabe investigative journalist ripping both Bretos and Federico. Me myself, I think Bretos should have made an on-air apology, I don’t think he was being malicious. Federico apologized but he got what  he deserved…the gate. The tendency to get cute and try to turn the eye popping phrase is too easy to try and Federico crossed a line in that attempt. Bretos had the unfortunate happenstance to be caught up with the same phrase at about the same time.

Spec Sheet 2-21: Grinding

These are the so-called dog days of the college basketball season. Its too close to the end of the season for any bad losses or pronounced losing streaks, but too far away from the conference tournaments to really give anyone a lock on their bid. I mean on the real, if a UK or Mizzou or Duke or Ohio State suddenly lost their last four or five games, it would do them no worse than cost them a 1 or 2 seed.

Atlantic Coast 
(Conference Class-Power) 
Solid: Duke, North Carolina, Florida State , Virginia 
Work to do: North Carolina State, Miami
Skinny on the ACC: No real changes here all the Solid teams did nothing to hurt themselves. The Wolfpack missed a real chance to make a big impression and the Canes while winning did nothing to impress.  

Key Game: North Carolina at North Carolina State Tuesday 8p The Pack get another chance to make a big impression and with an expected rowdy crowd at the RBC center there to honor the 89 Sweet 16 team, the Pack will be emotionally charged.

 Projected Bids: 6 

Atlantic Ten 
Conference Class-Mid Major 
Solid: Temple, Saint Louis
Work to do:  UMass,
The A-10 Spec is: While Temple and Saint Louis continue to circle one another at the top of the A-10 like snarling dogs protecting their turf. No real change in their status. Xavier may have saved its season with a thrilling OT win over Dayton

Key Games: Temple at LaSalle Wednesday 8p Temple had best take care when playing their in-city Big 5 rival, they can ill afford a loss now with Saint Louis hot on their heels.

Projected Bids: 2 

Big East 
Conference Class-Power 
Solid: Syracuse, Georgetown, Marquette, Louisville, Notre Dame

Looking Good: Cincinnati

Work to do:   South Florida, West Virginia, Seton Hall 
Big East Skinny: Hate on them all want but the Bearcats I think still have enough to get them in the tourney. Though the win against Seton Hall was not the most aesthetically pleasing to watch, especially from right under the basket. The Bearcats continue to pile ugly wins together and are looking at least a first round bye in the Big East tourney. South Florida is a tough team to figure. They have 10 wins in conference but only 17 overall and no signature wins, having lost to all 4 ranked teams that they have played and have losses to Old Dominion, Penn State weighing their resume down. West Virginia is in as big a trouble. Having lost five of their last seven with the wins coming both in OT, struggling to beat Providence will not curry any favor with the selection committee. I wasn’t impressed with Seton Hall in any way though they have seemed to caught the eye of some so-called experts. I don’t think that they are tourney worthy but still have some time to change minds.

Key Game: South Florida at Syracuse Wednesday 7p If the Bulls want to shut all the naysayers up, they win this one. I will move them up to Solid if they can stop the rampaging Orange

Projected bids: 8 

Big Ten 
Conference Class-Power 
Solid: Michigan State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana,

Looking Good: Purdue
Work to do: Northwestern, Iowa

The word on the Big Ten is: Still marking time until March the PFS teams are not jostling for the better position in the Big 10 tourney. Read nothing into the Hoosiers The Boilers aren’t in trouble, but they still aren’t home free just yet. Im still waiting for one more big win before I move them up just yet. Northwestern and Iowa replace Illinois and Minnesota who have dropped off the radar. But the newcomers still have to build resumes

Key Games: Michigan at Northwestern Tuesday 7p; Wisconsin at Iowa Thursday 8p The newcomers to the Spec sheet can gain credibility with wins over ranked visitors.

Projected Bids: 6 

Big 12 
Conference Class-Power 
Solid: Kansas, Baylor, Missouri

Looking Good: Iowa State, Kansas State 
Work to do:  Texas

Skinny from the heartland: Not much change here, and no Texas isn’t going anywhere at least till they play Baylor next week. Iowa State is in the same kind of situation but their schedule is a bit easier Shaddap, Texas fans your team took an awful loss against Oklahoma and may just need to win out and make a deep run in Kansas City to get seriously considered.

Key Game: Kansas State at Missouri Tuesday 7p The Wildcats could move on up to thesolid line if they win at Mizzou..

Projected Bids: 5 

Conference USA 
Conference Class-Major 
Solid: , Southern Miss

Work to do: Tulsa, Memphis, Central Florida
Oh Say Can You C-USA Spec: You laugh at some of the Key games I post, but when the upset happen you wonder where they come from. Southern Miss picked the wrong time to cross the Cougars and got zapped with an ill-timed loss. The Tigers couldn’t  take advantage and took a bad bad loss to UTEP themselves and remain in a tie with the Golden Eagles for the C-USA lead. The Golden Hurricane is just a half game back but the upper two teams have better resumes. They and the Knights might need to get to the Saturday morning C-USA final to get serious considerations.

Key Game: Southern Miss at UTEP Wednesday 9p Stung by a needless loss to the lowly Cougars the Eagles face a UTEP team brimming with confidence after knocking off Memphis

Projected Bids: 2


Horizon 
Conference Class-Mid Major 
Solid: Valpo,
Work to do:  Cleveland State,  Butler, Detroit

Spec on The Horizon: The Crusaders are 1 ½ games up with two to play and could lock down the Horizon top seed which would mean home games for the Horizon tourney. The Vikings, Bulldogs and Titans are trying stay on the far side of the bracket to avoid the Crusaders until a winner take all final.

Key Game: Loyola-Chicago at Valpo Tuesday 8p The Crusaders lock up the Horizon title and make the road to the NCAA go through their gym

Projected Bids: 1 

IVY 
Conference Class-Small 
Solid: Harvard 
Work To Do: Yale, Penn 
Spec on the Ivy Vine: The Crimson thrashed the Bulldogs and are getting close to pulling away.
Key Games: Princeton at Harvard Friday 7p; Penn at Harvard Saturday 7p The Tigers are the only team to have beaten the Crimson in conference and the Quakers are in dire need of a win in Cambridge to pull the Crimson back to the pack.

Projected Bids: 1 


Missouri Valley 
Conference Class-Mid Major 
Solid: Wichita State 
Work to do: Creighton
Missouri Valley Skinny: The Shockers thumped Davidson and added some weight to an already solid resume. The Bluejays won a thriller over a good Long Beach squad and stopped their frightening slide. Is it too little too late? I don’t think so, they have enough to get them in.  

Key Game: Wichita State at Illinois State Wednesday 8p The Shockers wrap up the #1 seed in the MVC Arch Madness with a win but the Redbirds are no pushover

Projected Bids: 2


Mountain West 
Conference Class-Major 
Solid: San Diego State, UNLV 
Work to do: New Mexico
Spec from the Mountains: The Lobos went from afterthought to big boss in the the MWC in the span of about 10 days. Stunning wins over San Diego State and UNLV have made the Lobos the solid choice. Are the Aztecs and/or Rebels in any kind of trouble? Nope, with 3 ranked teams and the weak Pac-12 squandering bid chances, these are the deserving teams out west right here!

Key Game: New Mexico at Colorado State Tuesday 10p Now it’s the Lobos turn to feel like the hunted. They need to watch out against a decent Rams squad.

Projected Bids: 3 


Pacific 12 
Conference Class-Power 
Solid: Cal, Washington, Arizona Oregon, Colorado

Work to do:  Stanford
Spec from the left coast: Cal is still leading here, I loath handing out bids to these middling power schools, but with 68 bids it makes it much easier for these so-so schools to get legit looks.  The Buffs and Ducks are closing in on 20 wins and will be hard to leave out. Forget what you hear about Washington being on the bubble or fence, they are good enough.

 Key Game: Cal at Utah Thursday 9p (FOX Sports Net) The Bears had better be careful, with Washington looking to get past them in the standings a loss to the weak Utes would be seriously damaging

Projected Bids: 5



Southeastern 
Conference Class-Power 
Solid: Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Florida, Mississippi State 
Work to do: Alabama, LSU

Spec is Down South: The Wildcats biggest opponent now is boredom short of the SEC tourney in Atlanta. Florida and Vandy are the best of the rest though Mississippi is tottering dangerously to losing its solid/PFS status

Key Game: Kentucky at Mississippi State Tuesday 9p The Wildcats go to “The Hump” and the Bulldogs could have a big trophy win to gain here.

Projected Bids: 5


Western Athletic 
Conference Class- Major 
Solid: Nevada
Work to do:  New Mexico State,
Spec on the WAC: The Lobos are marking time till March, unless the Aggies make a serious run, Im still keeping this a one-bid for now

Key Game: Hawai’i at New Mexico State 9p Thursday The Aggies need to keep piling up wins short of a showdown with the Wolfpack on the 1st

Projected Bids: 1

West Coast 
Conference Class- Mid Major 
Solid: Gonzaga, St. Marys 
Work to do:  BYU, Loyola Marymount
West Coast Spec: When will you listen to me when I tell you about these games to watch. The Bulldogs took a heartbreaking loss in San Francisco and now are a game back of the Gaels who have nothing to be ashamed of after losing at Murray State. Does BYU deserve a third bid from this conference???

Key Game: BYU at GonzagaThursday 11p Shaken after their stunning upset loss to San Francisco the Bulldogs go back to the Kennel but  the Cougars are looking to make a move up and this would be a great resume win.

Projected Bids: 2 

There are others in the mix to be sure. Teams from the always dangerous Colonial and Big South always are in the mix and can send multiple teams. Of course the champions from the following conferences get an automatic bid: Amer. East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big West, MAC, MAAC, MEAC, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Sun Belt, Summit, and SWAC. Projected winners of these conferences will start to post here on Friday.

Remember folks, this sheet is fluid, nothing here is solid and we haven't even brought up the possibility of upsets. But those never happen, right? 

Next Spec on Friday

 Phat Dap Head Slap

 Phat Dap

Goes to Mike Sapraicone of Long Island who hit a half court shot at the Knicks-Mavs game Sunday to win a car. He had to make five free throws just to get the shot at the whip. After making the shot Sapraicone ran over and hugged Spike Lee. This was the shortest video I could find, sorry for the letterbox

Head Slap

To rabbit eared ref Karl Hess of the ACC who ejected NC State legends Chris Corchiani and Tom Gugliotta from the NC State/Florida State game on Saturday. Hess asked the two former Wolfpack players to be removed from their seats behind the scorers table and were done so by Raleigh Police. Now according to ACC officials supervisor John Clougherty the officials have the authority to remove fans when their actions are extreme or excessive but to do so in such a public manner was not needed. I still think that the refs was listening more to getting badgered than working the game. I know when the Lady Bandit and I were at the Seton Hall-Cincy game, I was heckling and hectoring the refs about their horrible officiating and many of the 13,003 that were in attendance would have agreed with me. But the refs should be concentrating on the game not listening to loudmouth hecklers. As long as the heckling wasn’t profanity laced or racially tinged, heckling is fine and part of the game. This ref should have had thicker skin.

Until Next Post Fellow Sports Fans!

Spec Sheet 2-17: The Annual rant:

I hate the games known as bracketbusters…Before you wonder if I have lost my sanity let me explain. I have no problem whatsoever with the so-called mid-major teams getting much deserved love and pub from the monolith known as ESPN. Dick Vitale is even going to do color at Murray State this weekend as the Racers get national exposure. What I hate is this herding of the so-called mid-majors into this do-or-die type weekend where if they don’t win they’re RPI goes down for the loss. Who does this benefit? The big boy conferences who watch these teams cannibalize each other and thin out before the tourney. Make no mistake, the losers wont be totally eliminated from tourney but it just makes their selection more difficult in the eyes of the committee who are quick to brush these smaller non-power conferences off as a nuisance. If you wanted a real bracketbuster, lets see some of these power schools go to these so-called mid-majors. Lets see UK go to Murray State, Kansas go to Wichita or Duke go to Charleston, George Mason or VCU. They wont because they feel as if they have too much to lose by taking a road loss and these smaller teams would never see the insides of Rupp, Allen or Cameron cause these teams would never chance the smaller teams coming and pulling a major upset. Ok, Im done ranting. Lets get to the spec.

Atlantic Coast 
(Conference Class-Power) 
Solid: Duke, North Carolina, Florida State , Virginia 
Work to do: North Carolina State, Miami
Skinny on the ACC: Miami missed a big opp to move up to the solid line with Virginia who Ive neglected to move up until now.  Florida State dodged a mammoth bullet by stealing a win late over Va. Tech when the Hokies couldnt buy a free throw. The Cavs are in business and barring a slide should be good to go. Im still not real sold NC State though they are ahead of the Cavs.  Key Game: Florida State at North Carolina State Saturday 1p The Pack are running out of chance to make a good impression and the Noles wary after a near loss to Va Tech

 Projected Bids: 5 

Atlantic Ten 
Conference Class-Mid Major 
Solid: Temple, Saint Louis
Work to do:  UMass,
The A-10 Spec is: Temple and Saint Louis wont likely settle this race till next month. Xavier and UMass are running out of time to make a move. The Muskies have to win out to even get back on the list.

Key Games: Dayton at Xavier Saturday  8p A long standing regional rival, these two teams need this win to stay within shouting distance of tourney talk.

Projected Bids: 2 

Big East 
Conference Class-Power 
Solid: Syracuse, Georgetown, Marquette, Louisville, Notre Dame

Work to do:  Cincinnati, South Florida, West Virginia, Seton Hall 
Big East Skinny: Cincy tottered dangerously toward getting booted but even with a 90 RPI they are closer to solid than out, holding a couple good road wins keep them at least in the conversation for the moment. South Florida has pushed its way into the mix but is still a ways from serious contention. The Mountaineers are a

Key Game: Seton Hall at Cincinnati Saturday 4p Your humble scribe will be at this game, with increasingly high stakes for both teams trying to garner a bye in the Beast tourney

Projected bids: 7 

Big Ten 
Conference Class-Power 
Solid: Michigan State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana, Purdue

Work to do: Illinois, MinnesotaThe word on the Big Ten is: No real change here, the top 5 have no real worries. Purdue is just about safe, but beating Michigan State would solidify that status. Minnesota and Illinois are in real trouble now and are running out of time and opportunities to make their case

Key Game: Michigan State at Purdue Sunday 1p The Boilers would make their status rock solid with a win over the conference co-leaders

Projected Bids: 6 

Big 12 
Conference Class-Power 
Solid: Kansas, Baylor, Missouri 
Work to do: Iowa State, Kansas State , Texas

Skinny from the heartland: Not much change here, and no Texas isn’t going anywhere at least till they play Baylor next week. Iowa State is in the same kind of situation but their schedule is a bit easier

Key Game: Kansas St. at Baylor Saturday 1:30p  The Wildcats could get some serious notice if they go to Waco and get a win.

Projected Bids: 5 

Conference USA 
Conference Class-Major 
Solid: , Southern Miss

Work to do: Tulsa, Memphis, Central Florida
Oh Say Can You C-USA Spec: Southern Miss and Memphis are locked in a death match at the top of the conference. Tulsa is in 3^rd but their overall record is too mediocre to keep them around much longer. Central Florida is closing in on 20 wins but lack a signature win

Key Game: Southern Miss at Houston Saturday 9p Coming off an emotional win over Tuls, the Golden Eagles had better watch that they don’t let down against the lowly Cougars

Projected Bids: 1 


Horizon 
Conference Class-Mid Major 
Solid: Valpo,
Work to do:  Cleveland State,  Butler, Detroit

Spec on The Horizon: The  Crusaders bounced back to whip UIC and are still a game and a half clear of Cleveland State but this league could get two bids, and look who is making a late push. The Bulldogs and Titans are coming on strong late and could make the Horizon Tourney real intereresting.

Key Game: Drexel at Cleveland State Saturday 11a Roll ya butt outta bed for an intriguing non-con matchup that starts the bracketbuster Saturday slate

Projected Bids: 1 

IVY 
Conference Class-Small 
Solid: Harvard 
Work To Do: Yale, Penn 
Spec on the Ivy Vine: Suddenly the Crimson look like they can be had.  The upset loss at Princeton has left the door open for the Bulldogs who are just a game out. The Bulldogs cannot afford to lose have the millstone of a Harvard sweep blocking their title chase.
Key Game: Harvard at Yale Saturday 7p If the Crimson can hold serve at home, they will be in the driver’s seat in the Ivy, if they lose the title is up for grabs

Projected Bids: 1 


Missouri Valley 
Conference Class-Mid Major 
Solid: Wichita State 
Work to do: Creighton
Missouri Valley Skinny: Suddenly the Shockers are running things in the MVC and the poor Bluejays are getting left in the dust. Im still thinking they both go, but the Shockers are making a case for a good seed in the big dance

Key Game: Wichita State at Davidson Saturday 12p A juicy non-con game both these teams have 20+ wins

Projected Bids: 2


Mountain West 
Conference Class-Major 
Solid: San Diego State, UNLV 
Work to do: New Mexico
Spec from the Mountains: The Lobos are now the leader here in the MWC and  are crashing what was a two team waltz to the big dance. A super huge win against the Aztecs in San Diego proves this. The Rebels lost a thrilling shootout to an otherwise nondescript TCU team but I’m not making any moves just yet. The Lobos are the only team that looks to make a move.

Key Game: UNLV  at New Mexico Sat 1p  Suddenly the in the drivers seat Lobos can put some distance between them and the pack with a win

Projected Bids: 2 


Pacific 12 
Conference Class-Power 
Solid: Cal, Washington, Arizona

Work to do:  Oregon, Colorado, Stanford
Spec from the left coast: Cal suddenly has legit pursuers, as the Huskies and Wildcats have put together solid runs to put themselves ahead of an otherwise middling Pac-12

 Key Game: Arizona at Washington Saturday 3p (FOX Sports) The Wildcats are looking to avenge an earlier home loss to the Huskies and keep within striking distance of the Pac-12 lead.

Projected Bids: 4



Southeastern 
Conference Class-Power 
Solid: Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Florida, Mississippi State 
Work to do: Arkansas, Alabama

Spec is Down South: The SEC is still the Wildcats and ev’rybody else. Vandy, Florida and Mississippi State are looking safe though they cant afford any lengthy losing streaks. Bama is a team that cant be trusted to make any moves with a number players being suspended and will stay on the work list they failed to get a key win over Florida at home. The same cant be said for Arkansas who got the boot after getting housed in Knoxville. With zero conference road wins, the Hogs are ummm sooey right now…

Key Game: Florida at Arkansas  Saturday 6p The Hogs can get back on the list if they beat the ranked Gators though

Projected Bids: 4


Western Athletic 
Conference Class- Major 
Solid: Nevada
Work to do:  New Mexico State,
Spec on the WAC: The Lobos are marking time till March, this is looking like a one bid conference. 
Key Game: Nevada at Iona Saturday 4p the WAC vs MAAC only brackbusters could put this together

Projected Bids: 1

West Coast 
Conference Class- Mid Major 
Solid: Gonzaga, St. Marys 
Work to do:  BYU, Loyola Marymount
West Coast Spec: You laughed when I told you to keep an eye on that Loyola-St Mary’s tilt. The Lions will make the WCC tourney an interesting affair. Gonzaga is now  BYU has got to wonder what they got themselves into when they thought that they would move from the WAC and dominate but are looking up at the two WCC powerhouse and are trying to fend off Loyola
Key Game: Gonzaga at San Francisco Saturday 11p  The Bulldogs need to win to keep pace with St. Mary’s but the Dons are always tough at home.

Projected Bids: 2 

There are others in the mix to be sure. Teams from the always dangerous Colonial and Big South always are in the mix and can send multiple teams. Of course the champions from the following conferences get an automatic bid: Amer. East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big West, MAC, MAAC, MEAC, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Sun Belt, Summit, and SWAC. Projected winners of these conferences will start to post here next week.

Remember gang this sheet is fluid, nothing here is solid and we haven't even brought up the possibility of upsets. But those never happen, right? 

Next Spec on Tuesday!

Well we are off and running, the big-boy conferences are heartened by the losses of formerly unbeaten Murray State and the loss by St. Mary’s at Gonzaga keeps the so-called mid-majors from snagging high seeds. The “power conferences” like to snag as many of the at-large bids and keep the mids from garnering high seeds or multiple bids, its still really early in the spec though.

Atlantic Coast 
(Conference Class-Power) 
Solid: Duke, North Carolina, Florida State
Work to do: North Carolina State, Miami, Virginia 
Skinny on the ACC: Who is the leader in the ACC? Bzzzz! Its Florida State, the Noles have wins over Duke AND UNC but they get little pub and less love from the so-called experts. I think that they have enough chops to be safe. The aforementioned Blue Devils and Tar Heels are bulletproof, the thriller in Chapel Hill only solidified that. The Cavs and Wolfpack need to keep winning and the Canes could do no worse than to add another quality win with that mammoth win at Cameron.

Key Game: Miami at Florida State Saturday 1p Usually a football showdown, these two have no love lost in basketball either, and the Canes could really beef up their resume with another road win against a ranked team

Projected Bids: 5 

Atlantic Ten 
Conference Class-Mid Major 
Solid: Temple, Saint Louis
Work to do: Xavier UMass, Lasalle 
The A-10 Spec is: Temple is still the front runner here, I leave the Billikens in the top echelon but their super weak non-con numbers weigh them down and make them a team that needs to keep winning.  Xavier is still in a lot of trouble

Key Games: Xavier at Temple Saturday 9p Its do or die time for the Muskies, if they beat the Owls in Philly they get right back into the conversation…lose and they may need to go all the way in the A-10 tourney

Projected Bids: 2 

Big East 
Conference Class-Power 
Solid: Syracuse, Georgetown, Marquette, Louisville, Notre Dame, Cincinnati

Work to do: South Florida, UConn, West Virginia 
Big East Skinny: The Cuse got Jim Boeheim his 880^th win with a hard fought win against G-Town both these teams are safe. Marquette’s numbers are just too good to ignore and so are the Ville. Then it gets dicey, Notre Dame has a marquee win over the Cuse and should be in good shape. As long as Cincy keeps winning they should be ok they are gonna be tough to over look if they stay in the top 6 of the league. West Virginia looks better than South Florida and has more solid numbers to counter some ugly losses. UConn is skidding and in real trouble

Key Game: Cincinnati at Marquette Saturday 2p The Bearcats squash any and all talk of not being legit with a win at the Bradley Center

Projected bids: 7 

Big Ten 
Conference Class-Power 
Solid: Michigan State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana 
Work to do: Illinois, Minnesota, Purdue
The word on the Big Ten is: Ohio State and Michigan State are just about bulletproof but the reset of the Big 10 plus 2 has a bunch of worthy teams. Michigan housed Nebraska and is getting really close. Wisconsin held off the Gophers in OT and are looking good. Indiana needs to basically not take any stupid losses at home and they are just about golden. When you beat both  UK & Ohio State while they are top 3 or better, you get a lot of latitiude. Minnesota? They are in all sorts of trouble, lacking a statement as the blew a real chance to make noise by beating Wisconsin Purdue is fading on a back half sked that is nothing short of brutal and with middling numbers to boot, things are looking bad for the Boilers

Key Game: Wisconsin at Minnesota Thursday 7p (BTN) The Gophers as mentioned before lack a signature win, beating their despised eastern neighbor would do very well to that end

Projected Bids: 6 

Big 12 
Conference Class-Power 
Solid: Kansas, Baylor, Missouri 
Work to do: Iowa State, Kansas State 
Skinny from the heartland: No real change hear Baylor is still safe though they missed a chance to keep Kansas behind them. Iowa State also missed an opp to sweep away the Pokes and still lack a signature road win. The Wildcats are in…for now but need to hold off the hard charging Horns.

Key Game: Kansas State at Texas Saturday 2p The Longhorns are on the outside looking in and need to build wins fast, climbing over the team in front of them wouldn’t hurt either.

Projected Bids: 5 

Conference USA 
Conference Class-Major 
Solid: Southern Miss
Work to do: Central Florida, Memphis, Tulsa 
Oh Say Can You C-USA Spec: Southern Miss was getting so close to being bulletproof but the loss in Birmingham slows that roll, but their numbers are gonna make it hard to keep them out of Kevlar for long , Memphis is getting hard to ignore too with a single digit strength of schedule. Central Florida makes an appearance here because their stock keeps rising. Though that win over UConn is their biggest win so far.  Tulsa is there still barely

Key Game: UCF at Southern Miss Saturday 8p The Knights stock will take a major boost with a win in Hattiesburg and they will also take the C-USA lead.

Projected Bids: 1 


Horizon 
Conference Class-Mid-Major 
Solid: Valpo
Work to do: Cleveland State 
Spec on The Horizon: The Crusaders outslugged the Vikings and are now at the head of the class. The Vikings have 20 wins though and may be tough to ignore if they keep winning.

Key Game: Valpo at Youngstown State Saturday 7p The Crusaders had bettertake care, the short turnaround time from the tough win could spell disaster in Y-Town.

Projected Bids: 1 

IVY 
Conference Class-Small 
Solid: Harvard 
Work To Do: Princeton 
Spec on the Ivy Vine: Harvard is ranked getting close to bulletproof. If the Yalies or Quakers cant slow them down soon the auto bid might be locked up without much more of a fight 
Key Game: Harvard at Penn Friday 7p Expect the historic Palestra to be at its rockin’ rowdy best with the ranked Crimson in town.

Projected Bids: 1 

Mid-American

Conference Class-Mid-Major

Solid:

Work To Do: Ohio, Buffalo, Akron

MAC Spec: Included by popular demand, this might be a one bid but you might have three 20+ win teams jousting for it. The Zips lead but the Bobcats are on the cusp of 20 and the Bulls are in the mix…all the teams are in the MAC East which makes the scramble even messier.

Key Game: Ohio at Eastern Michigan Saturday 4:30p The Bobcats head to the den of the leaders of the woefully weak MAC West.


Missouri Valley 
Conference Class-Mid Major 
Solid: Creighton 
Work to do: Wichita State,
Missouri Valley Skinny: The Shockers are now king of the hill…for now. The Bluejays have dropped back to back and are in danger of losing their national ranking and their bulletproof status. I still like both these teams to get bids. Especially if they meet a 3^rd time in the MVC finals.

Key Game: Wichita State at Creighton Saturday 5p MVC showdown for the top spot if the Blue Jays win they will have the sweep and a near hammer lock on the #1 MVC seed

Projected Bids: 2 


Mountain West 
Conference Class-Major 
Solid: San Diego State, UNLV 
Work to do: None 
Spec from the Mountains: Not much change here, the Aztecs and Rebels gear up for a showdown but I think both ranked teams here are way safe and playing for seeding in March.

Key Game: San Diego State at UNLV Saturday 4p A super huge matchup, winner gets inside track on MWC top seed 
Projected Bids: 2 


Pacific 12 
Conference Class-Power 
Solid: Washington, Cal, Colorado, Oregon, Arizona
Work to do: Stanford, UCLA, Oregon State 
Spec from the left coast: The Pac-12 has suddenly become a morass of middling 16 win teams that all look the same, Cal is the only team with more than that but they have 18 and aren’t wowing anyone. Im hearing talk that this is a one bid conference, but to quote the baseball manager Ozzie Guillen “Pshhhh…Pleeese”

 Key Games: Washington at Oregon 11p Thursday The Huskies head into the woods to take on a Ducks squad needing a signature win. 
Projected Bids: 5



Southeastern 
Conference Class-Power 
Solid: Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Florida, Mississippi State 
Work to do: Arkansas, Alabama Ole Miss, 
Spec is Down South: The Wildcats looked almost bored in thumping South Carolina and Florida and are pretty safe right now. Beyond Florida, the SEC looks pretty humdrum though the Commodores and Bulldogs haven’t done anything to not be included on the Solid list but Vandy had better right itself fast and with Big Blue coming to town soon they need a statement win.

Key Game: Kentucky at Vanderbilt 9p Saturday Dangerous roadie for the rampaging Wildcats. The odd settings of Memorial Gym are always a test. 
Projected Bids: 4


Western Athletic 
Conference Class- Major 
Solid: Nevada
Work to do:  New Mexico State,
Spec on the WAC: Like the old Eddie Kendricks tune, the Wolfpack Keeps on Truckin’ a sound win on the Big Island keeps them firmly in the WAC lead. The Aggies heartbreaking loss
Key Game: Nevada at San Jose State Saturday 11p (ESPNU) This game screams trap, the lowly Spartans will be playing for the mammoth upset

Projected Bids: 2 

West Coast 
Conference Class- Mid Major 
Solid: St. Marys 
Work to do: Gonzaga, BYU 
West Coast Spec: Suddenly the bully got socked in the eye…The Bulldogs thumped the Gaels and the WCC race suddenly got really interesting.  
Key Game: Loyola Marymount at Gonzaga Saturday 8p The Bulldogs have little time to celebrate their win over the ranked Gaels, the Lions are making a late push

Projected Bids: 2 

There are others in the mix to be sure. Teams from the always dangerous Colonial and Big South always are in the mix and can send multiple teams. Of course the champions from the following conferences get an automatic bid: Amer. East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big West, MAAC, MEAC, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Sun Belt, Summit, and SWAC projected bids from these conferences will be posted here starting February 21st

Since this is still early spec, nothing here is solid and we haven't even brought up the possibility of upsets. But those never happen, right? 

Gather round chil’ren and let the Bandit tell you a football tale. About 50 years ago, there was a man named Lamar Hunt he was a son of an Oil Baron and was a sports fan, so much so that he wanted to own a football team. He approached the one team that was in fairly dire financial straits the Chicago Cardinals (yes Chicago had two teams at one time). The Bidwell family was casting a longing eye to moving to St. Louis though and more or less rebuffed Hunt’s inquiries. With the NFL at the time showing no signs of expanding beyond its 12 teams, Hunt looked to be out of luck. Undaunted he recruited five other businessmen (they were call sportsmen at the time) to form what they called “The Foolish Club” Their aim was to create a new football league in cities that didn’t have them. At first the NFL was happy to lend a hand and even gave a copy of its league charter and rules for the new league to base itself from. With the addition of owners in New York and hotel magnate Barron Hilton creating a Los Angeles team the new christened American Football League looked ready to go. But the NFL seeing that the AFL was a viable threat moved quickly, expanding by two teams with one going to the would be owners of the Minnesota AFL franchise and putting another in Dallas in direct competition with Hunt’s team. The move nearly killed the AFL before its first game. But after finding owners in Oakland the AFL started with 8 teams in 1960. Its first game was between the Denver Broncos and the Boston Patriots. After showing its viability over their first five years, the AFL garnered a big TV contract with NBC in the mid-sixties and started a bidding war for players. It wasn’t uncommon to see top name players drafted by teams in both leagues. Joe Namath was drafted by the Cardinals, Gale Sayers by the Chiefs (Hunt’s team moved to Kansas City in 1963) but when Charlie Gogolak was signed by the Giants in 1965 after playing out his option in Buffalo the war for established players was on. And it got costly real fast. With one time Oakland Raiders GM Al Davis was  named AFL Commissioner with the sole intent on a high priced bidding war with the NFL, peace had to be found. Leave it to Lamar Hunt and Cowboys GM Tex Schramm to broker a peace deal. When the deal was brought to NFL commish Pete Rozelle he was initially against it but when told that the NFL owners were going to go with it with or without him was at the forefront of getting the merger approved. The result of the merger would be a newly created championship game between the two league champions. Rozelle initially thought of calling it the Pro Bowl but the NFL’s All-Star game already had that title. So an unwieldy AFL-NFL World Championship Game title was used for the first two. Though some journalists were calling it the Super Bowl. Hunt coined that name from watching his children play with a Super Ball. Rozelle thought the term too slangy and not regal enough for a “World Series of Pro Football” Rozelle however couldn’t come up with another name and going forward from the third game the name was made official. After the first two games being blow outs by the Packers there was talk about reseeding the teams like a tournament, especially given that the Baltimore Colts were looking like a stone cold lock to throttle the AFL champ New York Jets, but led by their brash but talented QB Joe Namath the Jets turned the football world on its ear with a 16-7 upset win, add a 23-7 win by Chiefs over a supposedly superior Vikings team in the last AFL-NFL game and the AFL and Super Bowl had arrived. For many a player their career is defined by this game and there are legendary players who have never even got to this point while no-names sport the gaudy baubles that go to the winning team. “If it’s the ultimate game, why do they play it next year?” The famously withdrawn Cowboys RB Duane Thomas asked before the 6^th Super Bowl. But he is one that proudly displays his Super Bowl Ring. The winners share is about $90K but it’s the championship ring, which to the man seems to be the overriding thing. 49ers reserve RB Johnny Davis summed it nicely saying “The money is nice but I’ll spend that, the ring is what lasts forever.”

Fast Facts about the Super Bowl after 46 games.

There has never been a shutout or overtime. The Dolphins 3 points in the 6^th game and the Vikings 6 in the 9^th game the lowest totals and the only time a team has been held without an offensive touchdown. The Patriots won two of their three Super Bowls on last second field goals to avert overtimes.

The two combatants have played in 12 of the past 26 Super Bowls (Giants 21, 25, 35, 42, 46) Patriots (20, 31, 36, 38, 39, 42 & 46)

This is the 5^th Super Bowl Rematch (Mia-Was, Pit-Dal 3x, SF-Cin, Dal-Buffalo)

There have been a number of kickoff and interception returns for touchdowns, but never a punt return.

Super Bowl 46

NFC Champion New York Giants (12-7) vs. AFC Champion New England Patriots (15-3) for the NFL Championship and the Vince Lombardi Trophy

Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis 6:30 (NBC)

Favorite Patriots by 1½

Coaches NY: Tom Coughlin 81-57 in 8 seasons in New York 153-121 overall in 16 seasons in Jacksonville and New York 1-0 in Super Bowls

NE: Bill Belichick 153-58 in 12 seasons in New England 202-103 in 16 seasons with Cleveland and New England 3-1 in Super Bowls

How they got Here

New England: AFC #1 seed 13-3 AFC East Champions

Earned First Round bye as AFC’s top seed

Defeated AFC West Champion Denver Broncos 45-10 in Divisional Round

Defeated AFC North Champion Baltimore Ravens 23-20 in Conference Championship

New York:  NFC #4 seed 9-7 NFC East Champions

Defeated  NFC Wild Card Atlanta Falcons 24-2 in Wild Card Round

Defeated  NFC North Champion Green Bay Packers 37-20 in Divisional Round

Defeated NFC West Champion San Francisco 49ers 20-17 in OT in Conference Championship

Fast Facts NE: Only the third team to reach the Super Bowl without beating a team with a winning record in the regular season (74 Steelers, 99 Rams who both won their respective Super Bowls)  NY: Coach At 65, Tom Coughlin is oldest to coach a Super Bowl

Key Players:  NE: Tom Brady 5235 Yds Passing 39 TDs, Rob Gronkowski 90 Rec 1327 17 Rec TD , Wes Welker 122 Rec 1569 yds, Vince Wilfork 52 Tackles 3.5 sacks Andre Carter 10.5 sacks, Jerrod Mayo 95 tackles

NY Eli Manning 4933 Yds Passing 29 TDs , Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz 82 Rec 1536 9Tds, Jason Pierre-Paul 16.5 sacks, Justin Tuck 5 Sacks 37 Tackles

Last Meeting (regular season) Giants won 24-20 in week 9, (Super Bowl) Giants beat Patriots 17-14)

When the Patriots Have the Ball

Without question, Tom Brady is the heart and soul of the Pats offense, his deft touch, strong arm and leadership are what makes the high powered offense run. The two tight end set is a real headache to plan for but with Gronkowski hobbled with a high ankle sprain a key cog is slowed. The fearless and dependable Welker seems to always make the clutch catch. The Pats have no real burner threats as the again Deion Branch and little used Chad Ochocinco have been little used. The Giants have a solid pass rush with the freakishly athletic Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and run clogger Osi Umenyiora providing push up front. The Giants will employ much of the same strategy that they did in their Super Bowl meeting four years ago. Hit Tom Brady as often as possible, knock him down make him as uncomfortable as possible

When the Giants have the Ball

Eli Manning has shed the “little brother” status and has stepped into his own as a bona fine big money quarterback. He doesn’t look the part to be sure, but time and time again he makes the big plays, hits the key throws and has become the indispensible part of the Giants offense. In any other year his nearly 5000 yards passing would be lionized and celebrated. But with the exploits of Rodgers, Brees and his counterpart Brady; Manning has toiled in the shadows. As many shadows as can be as a New York QB. But in the playoffs he has sparkled and with Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw giving him a decent running complement, the Giants offense while not flashy can put points on the board. The Pats defense while much maligned bends deeply but doesn’t break often. Vince Wilfork is a dependable run clogger while Jerrod Mayo and Andre Carter have become solid defenders in their own right. It’s easy to point at the frightening amount of yardage the Pats defense gave up in the regular season at north of 400 yards a game. But in two postseason contests they have given up a more tolerable 325 yards per contest

Coaching

Bill Belichick seems to keep coming up with a winning formula, aside from Brady you can shuffle players in and out and the Pats machine keeps rolling with it laconic almost brooding coach. A win here will only solidify his position as this generation’s best coach. Tom Coughlin always seems to be under fire for his job but unlike his preening grinning jeering Gotham coaching counterpart, can win the big games and steal the thunder.

The Final verdict

Contrary to the records this is a fairly even matchup. Both teams have big game quarterbacks who have won this before. Both are fairly veteran laden teams who have experienced the hubbub of footballs yearly Holy Grail, the question is which teams defense will step up. The Giants defense has been stellar over the playoff run but they have that tendency to turn in a snoozer in games you expect them to play big. The Pats defense hasn’t been that much to write home about themselves but seem to hold up just enough to allow Brady and the offense to cover the points. Conventional wisdom is playing up the Giants being the underdog again, but I’m not buying it. Manning is far from the wide-eyed QB he looked to be in the last Super Bowl matchup. Brady is looking to join a very exclusive fraternity with a fourth Super Bowl win. I’m seeing a tight duel between two of the league’s best QB’s against defenses that while serviceable can be strafed. Whoever gets last licks may take the hardware home. Flip a coin as this one is really too close to call but for some reason the Manning winning a trophy in the house his brother built seems a little too hokey and storybook. Just on straight gut my pick is…

Patriots 27 Giants 23