Kansas is my No. 1

Jake Lloyd
The Sports Columnist

Sure, I'm located down here on Tobacco Road, where North Carolina and Duke — Roy Williams and Mike Krzyzewski — dominate the headlines.

And, sure, the Tar Heels began this week No. 1 in the national polls. But after watching Kansas decimate Oklahoma Monday night, 85-55, I like Kansas as the best team in college basketball.

In case you're curious, I've got UNC No. 2, Memphis No. 3, UCLA fourth and Duke fifth.

But the Jayhawks are the best team in the land — by a slight margin.

Why is that? Well, they have no weaknesses. The other contenders have a few.

Last season, UCLA battered the Jayhawks in a regional final, which left Kansas demoralized after an otherwise sterling season that included Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles.

The Jayhawks, simply, had no answer for the Bruins down low.

That is not the case this season. A big reason — both literally and figurtively — for Kansas' 17-0 start has been the play of 6-foot-9 forward Darrell Arthur. On Monday, the sophomore used an array of inside moves to score 14 points to go with eight rebounds.

Arthur has give the Jayhawks a low-post presence that they lacked last season. He's more mature and skilled, and if he continues to play this well, Kansas will be hard to beat.

That's because he is surrounded by loads of talent. Frontcourt mate Darnell Jackson (17 points, eight boards Monday) is having a huge senior year, averaging double figures for the first time in his career and providing plenty of muscle in the paint with his 6-8, 250-pound frame.

But the majority of Kansas' talent is where it was a year ago: in the backcourt. Mario Chalmers, Brandon Rush (a 6-6 guard with a forward's body), Russell Robinson and Sherron Collins make up a quartet of guards who are experienced, fast, good shooters and good passers.

They love to get out and run and finish in transition, but the Jayhawks no longer struggle in the half-court offense. The biggest reason for this is the development of the big guys. Being able to post up Arthur makes Kansas' offense much more dangerous, because he can score one-on-one or kick the ball out to Kansas' deadly outside shooter when the defense collapses.

Bottom line — this team can score in a variety of ways.

But how is it different from Memphis, which has just as many scorers? Well, the main reason is free-throw shooting. When the games get tight come March, Kansas' late-game free shots — it made 17-of-18 against the Sooners — will make it the better team.

While the Jayhawks aren't a great free-throw shooting team, making 64 percent of their attempts, none of their key contributors are terrible from the stripe like Memphis' Joey Dorsey, who entered the week making a putrid 36 percent of his attempts. Dorsey plays nearly 25 minutes per game and is a big part of the Tigers' success on both ends of the court. But any smart team will go to a "Hack-a-Dorsey" strategy in certain late-game situations.

Free-throw shooting — the small edge Kansas has on Memphis.

The Jayhawks are better than the Tar Heels because of their depth. As good as UNC's Tyler Hansbrough has been this season, can you imagine the Heels without Hansbrough? No, didn't think so. If Hansbrough gets into foul trouble in a tournament game, the Heels would be in big trouble.

Kansas, meanwhile, doesn't have an indispensable player. The Jayhawks have seven players who average between 7.1 and 13.4 points per game. If they lost Arthur for a do-or-die game, they would still have a great chance at winning. The same can't be said for a Heels squad without Hansbrough or starting point guard Ty Lawson now that backup Bobby Frasor is out for the year.

Again, a small advantage, but it makes the Jayhawks No. 1 in my eyes.

Of course, a lot can — and probably will — change between now and March. But if the Jayhawks stay healthy and in form, I'll more than likely pick them as my national champion when completing my bracket.

No one can say there's a clear weakness on this team. Except, maybe, that they haven't been there — that no member of the Jayhawks has made it to the Final Four.

And that's an issue the Jayhawks are addressing right now, playing the best basketball of any team from Westwood to Chapel Hill.

NFL playoffs preview

Jake Lloyd
The Sports Columnist

I can't remember the last time there was as big a favorite entering the playoffs as there is this year.

New England is a 1-2 favorite to win the Super Bowl. The team with the second-best odds is Indianapolis, which has a 4-1 shot.

So, basically, people are pretty high on these Patriots. Guess that's what happens when you go 16-0.

But something tells me that these playoffs are going to be the craziest in quite some time. There will be upsets galore. Crazy weather. Heart-pumping finishes. Not just a unsympathetic romp to 19-0 by another Boston-based team.

I might be wrong. Heck, I'm probably wrong — picking against the Patriots is about as smart as wearing a T-shirt outside in Boston this time of year.

But what fun would it be picking the favorite? With that said, here's my playoffs preview:

WILD CARD ROUND

NFC

(6) Washington 27, (3) Seattle 20: Unlike in sports with longer seasons, such as the NBA, momentum means something entering the playoffs. No team – besides those 16-0 guys — has more of it than the Redskins.

(5) N.Y. Giants 24, (4) Tampa Bay 18: Speaking of momentum, the Giants played their best game a week ago. Now, Eli Manning will step up in the playoffs and finally lead them to the divisional round.

AFC

(3) San Diego 27, (6) Tennessee 10: The teams' first meeting was a battle, but the Titans' injury list is almost as long as their active roster. Plus, the Chargers have won six straight games.

(5) Jacksonville 20, (4) Pittsburgh 14: The Jaguars run the ball well and don't turn it over. That will be enough to win in adverse conditions once again in Pittsburgh. Coming in, the Steelers have not been playing good football.

DIVISIONAL ROUND

NFC

(6) Washington 28, (1) Dallas 27: Remember what happened a week ago? Sure, the Cowboys didn't have T.O., but the Redskins owned Tony Romo and ran roughshed over the 'Boys. It will be closer in Dallas, but the same shocking result.

(2) Green Bay 33, (5) New York 21: I find it interesting how little is being talked about the Packers despite their dominance from week to week. There's no way they're losing at home in January.

AFC

(1) New England 24, (5) Jacksonville 16: Not an easy win for the Patriots, but Randy Moss breaks free for a touchdown and the defense is steady.

(2) Indianapolis 26, (3) San Diego 17: Last time these teams played, Peyton Manning threw six interceptions in the rain. This time, in the dome, Manning is very efficient, and Philip Rivers throws the picks.

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

NFC

(2) Green Bay 28, (6) Washington 17: The Redskins lose their magic inside frigid Lambeau Field as the Packers, boosted by that improved running game and the reborn Brett Favre, return to the Super Bowl. The city goes absolutely beserk.

AFC

(2) Indianapolis 24, (1) New England 21: Even minus pass rusher Dwight Freeney, the Colts will make Brady n' Co. take sustained drives down the field. There will be no bombs to Moss. Meanwhile, Joseph Addai will repeat his standout performance from the teams' first meeting, and guess who will make the game-winning field goal? Yeah, you guessed it.

SUPER BOWL

... You'll have to wait a few weeks for this. I don't want to embarrass myself too much.

College Basketball Recaps

The last couple of weeks have seen very few college basketball games, because of schools finals and winter break. The hiatus is over and college basketball resumed today with 20 teams in the top 25 playing. Here is a quick rundown of the action:

Wisconsin vs 9 Texas: The best game of the day so far ended with Wisconsin guard Michael Flowers hitting a 3 pointer to give the Badgers the lead with 2 seconds left and then stealing the ensuing inbounds pass. A huge win for Wisconsin whose only two losses came to ranked teams in Duke and Marquette. These losses had forced the Badgers out of the Top 25 and left them in need of a big-time to win to prove that they were for real. They got that win with the 67-66 victory at Texas today.

American vs 8 Georgetown: Georgetown took care of business today at home versus American winning easily 78-51. The Hoyas dropped in the poles after losing to Memphis last week and they rebounded nicely with this victory. Though up only 10 at halftime, Georgetown put the game away with a 25-6 start in the second half.

Tennessee-Martin vs 15 Vanderbilt: Vanderbilt has had a great beginning to the year, starting 12-0, but I am not convinced. They have not played any good teams yet and have struggled against their opponents. They did beat Tennessee Martin today, but gave up 85 points in the process and only won by 7. This is the same Tennessee Martin who UNLV beat by 28, Maine beat by 4, and Central Arkansas beat by 3. In today’s game, the Commodores shot under 40%, but 10 three-pointers and 13 steals saved them.

Florida A&M vs 11 Texas A&M: A good win for the Aggies as they defeat Florida A&M 83-54. It is their fifth consecutive victory by 20 or more points and they destroyed Rattlers (Florida A&M) in nearly every category. The Aggies should easily defeat Rice in their next game and then LSU in the game after before entering conference play.

Savannah State vs 13 Marquette: A convincing win for Marquette who manhandled Savannah State, holding them under 20 points in both halves for a 77-37 victory. They held the Tigers (Savannah State) to 26% shooting and forced 23 turnovers. The only stat that goes against the Golden Eagles is that they committed 21 turnovers and that will need to improve before Big East Conference play.

Wisconsin-Green Bay vs 7 Michigan State: After pulling off the upset over Texas last week, the Spartans continued playing quality basketball with an 93-75 victory over the Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix. Though the Spartans have already proven themselves to be an elite team in college basketball, this game showed a couple weaknesses. The Phoenix shot 50% from the field and the Spartans were never quite able to put the game away. Yet, they beat Texas last week and I’m sure that they will step up their play in Big Ten games.

Samford vs 20 Clemson: Clemson started strong last year as well, but their schedule was incredibly easy and they played teams that no Division 1 school could lose. A lot like Samford… but there is one difference: Clemson is winning this year’s games easily. Last year Clemson struggled versus the bad opponents and fell apart in conference play. A 78-45 victory over Samford today proves that Clemson has improved from last years, specifically on the boards where the Tigers out-rebounded Samford 37-11.

12 Tennessee vs Gonzaga: One of the most intriguing match-ups of the day saw the Tennessee Vollunteers face off against the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Bulldogs started the year ranked, but losses have knocked them out of the Top 25. Needing a good win to put themselves back in the Top 25, Gonzaga came up short today losing at home to the Vollunteers 82-72. Tennessee solidified themselves as a power in college basketball, holding the ‘Zags to 42% shooting and shooting 49% themselves

Winthrop vs 19 Miami (FL): Miami (FL) is off to a great start this year, but hit a wall today, losing to Winthrop 76-70. Though at home, the Hurricanes managed to shoot only 43% from the field while going 7 for 22 from 3-point range. Winthrop has been good in past years and this win on their resume will help greatly come March. This was the biggest test of the year so far for Miami and they did not come through.

Fresno State vs 22 Stanford: Stanford has played well of late and has worked their way up to a number 22 ranking. Fresno State is a good team and a good test for Stanford. The Cardinals past the test by defeating the Bulldogs 55-48. It wasn’t a pretty game, but the Cardinals’ Brooks Lopez scored 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to push Stanford to the victory.

25 Rhode Island vs Georgia Southern: Finally in the Top 25, Rhode Island struggled with Georgia Southern, but escaped with the 85-80 win. Up 11 at halftime, the Rhode Island Rams gave up 46 points in the second half and barely held on. Georgia Southern is now 9-3 on the season and will cause teams trouble if they make the NCAA Tournament.

Oklahoma vs 23 West Virginia: One of the biggest games today was the Sooners travelling to Morgantown to face West Virginia. This game lived up to the hype and the second overtime is just beginning . The Mountaineers have just made their way into the Top 25 and do not want to lost that title today. Oklahoma, on the other hand, has lost to Memphis and USC, but the bad loss was to Stephen F. Austin. No, that was not a mistake. Stephen F. Austin. Winning at West Virginia would be a great step for Oklahoma to regain some respect.

Those are just the games that have or mostly have finished and there are 7 other games being played tonight. The biggest of the game starts at 10 pm et when 18 Arizona visits 2 Memphis. It has been a great day of college basketball and the best game has yet to start.

Lakers overcome distraction, become contender

Jake Lloyd
The Sports Columnist

It was a Christmas Day Miracle, really.

There were the mighty, high-flying, running-and-gunning Phoenix Suns, the lock this season to win the Western Conference's Pacific Division and roll into the playoffs as one of the top few seeds.

But they weren't the miracle. The miracle workers were the guys in yellow jerseys.

There was Kobe Bryant, the subject of trade speculation for the past eight months. In May, he said he wanted to be traded — for sure — then recanted ... then said he wanted out again.

Leading up to the season, all the talk in Laker Land revolved around No. 24 leaving. Chicago? New York? He was bound for the East Coast.

The discussion continued into the regular season, but somehow the Lakers played through it. While the Chicago Bulls couldn't overcome the Kobe Talk to play half-decent basketball, the Lakers managed to play .500 ball.

And Bryant showed why he's the NBA's best talent, hearing all the whispers in one ear and coach Phil Jackson in the other. On opening night, there he was — almost leading the Lakers back from a 12-point hole in the final minute, 36 seconds.

Say what you want about Bryant's arrogance, his selfishness at times, but you can't say he ever gives up in a game. He didn't on that night, and he hasn't since then.

And while a month and a half ago, I thought the Lakers with Kobe needed another marquee player — such as Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal — to make a serious run in the mighty West, I don't think so anymore. This team, with its current makeup, is capable of challenging the Suns, the Mavericks, the Jazz ... and maybe even the Spurs (OK, probably not the Spurs, but neither can the aforementioned squads).

The main reason: the play of Andrew Bynum, the 20-year-old kid who has grown thick skin and ignored all the clamors by L.A. fans — and the media — that he needs to be traded for a big-name, proven veteran.

On Christmas, the 7-footer was at his best, skying for a slew of easy alley-oops, causing the Suns to play a bigger, slower lineup than usual — and then out-muscling those guys, including Amare Stoudemire, for 12 rebounds. He finished with a career-high 28 points, the dozen boards, four assists and two blocked shots.

And after the Lakers' 122-115 win, don't look now, but ... but ... but a certain team in gold uniforms sits just a game back of the mighty Suns.

And maybe — just maybe — the trade talk has died down for now.

With Bynum averaging 12.5 points, 10.1 boards and 2.1 blocks a game. With Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar anchoring the point guard position, a veteran leading a youngster who will eventually steal all his minutes. With Lamar Odom and Bynum holding strong in the post. With high-flyer Trevor Ariza and Luke Walton — when he returns from injury — providing a variety of skills at the small-forward position. ... these Lakers, at 18-10 and on a three-game winning streak, look like contenders.

Wait — I forgot to mention one player: um, Kobe Bryant?

That's right. When one can talk about the Lakers without mentioning the longest-tenured player in the NBA, you know there's a little talent around him.

In the fourth quarter Tuesday, it was Kobe Time. Bryant knocked down an array of fall-away jumpers from all over the court to score 12 of his game-high 38. He was the center of the show. The player whom kids are trying to emulate on playgrounds all over L.A. today.

But he's no longer the only show in town, folks. Bynum, Odom, Ariza, Fisher...

Learn the names, kids. Because if this keeps up, they'll be making just as much noise as their celebrated teammate well into the spring.

At The Top Of The NBA

With over a month of the NBA season complete, the top of the league is a crowded. The usual Western Conference powerhouses, San Antonio, Phoenix, and Dallas, are all up there, but the Eastern Conference is finally making some noise. Detroit is good as always, but Boston and Orlando have burst on to the scene as title contenders. Orlando center Dwight Howard has become one of, if not the best, big man in the NBA. He averages 23 points and 15 rebounds per game, and his supporting players have picked up their play as well. Rashard Lewis is averaging 18 points per game and Jameer Nelson is averaging 12 points and 6 assists. After a 40-42 season last year, Orlando has jumped out to a 18-10 record this year and is poised to make a run at an Eastern Conference title.

The reason for Boston's success is a mystery to no one. The "Big 3", Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, have been nothing short of spectacular. Garnett became the team leader immediately and made the Celtics the best defensive team in the NBA. Young point guard Rajon Rondo has played well and Glen "Big Baby" Davis, after starting the season getting only a minute or two per game, has played well enough to get some serious minutes. In the most-anticipated game so far this year, the Pistons defeated the Celtics by 2 points, proving that the Pistons still owned the East. Chauncey Billups carried the load and made to clutch free throws with .1 seconds left to get the victory. Rip Hamilton added 21 points and Rasheed Wallace had 13 rebounds. Neither team played particularly well though with Tayshaun Prince adding only 2 points for the Pistons while Pierce was only 5-16 for 11 points for the Celtics. Though Orlando has played exceptionally this season, the Pistons and Celtics have run through their opponents easily and I believe they will they meet in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Western Conference is a different story, where normal powerhouses are continuing their dominance. Though seeming lackluster at times, the Phoenix Suns are off to an 18-8 start and lead the Pacific division by two games. Nash is having another MVP caliber season averaging over 17 points and 21 assists per game. San Antonio and Dallas are separated by only a 1/2 game in the Southwest Conference with the edge going to the Spurs. Tony Parker's 20 points and 7 assists per game and Tim Duncan's 18 points and 9 rebounds per game have fueled the Spurs to an 18-7 record. In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki is averaging 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. With 14 points and 5.5 assists per game, Devin Harris is complimenting Nowitzki perfectly, leading the Mavericks to a 19-9 record. These three teams have been dueling it out the last couple years and I believe Dallas will once again fall short as the Suns and Spurs will meet in the Western Conference finals again.

Pistons remain the beasts of the East

Jake Lloyd
the Sports Columnist

In the early stages of Wednesday's Eastern Conference showdown between 20-2 Boston and 17-7 Detroit, the young point guard was playing better.

He was getting to the basket at will. He was spotting up for mid-range jumpers. He was playing turnover-free basketball, while the veteran — with his new five-year contract — carelessly lost the ball on the other end.

Yes, Boston's Rajon Rondo was the star of the first quarter, helping the Celtics establish a lead they would hold for most of the night.

But the Pistons rarely get blown out, especially in highly-hyped, national-televised games. And such was the case Wednesday.

First, there was 37-year-old point guard Lindsey Hunter harassing Eddie House all the way down the court, creating two turnovers and knocking down a guarded 3 to help Detroit take the lead.

And, finally, there was that veteran PG, the man called "Mr. Big Shot" — a moniker that fit very nicely on this night. After Boston tied the game with two 3-pointers in the final minute, there was Billups, with just a second to get off his shot, giving a most convincing head fake...

And poor Tony Allen. He had no chance. Caught in the air, he fouled Billups at the worst time: with 0.1 left on the clock. Billups is a 91 percent free-throw shooter.

I don't usually pencil in games — especially ones that are tied. But when Billups stepped to the line, I said to my dad — who was on the phone watching from Michigan — "That's the ballgame."

And two free throws later, the Pistons (18-7) remained the Beasts of the East.

Not that any game in December really matters. We all know nothing is proved until May and June. That's why Phoenix could sweep San Antonio during the regular season and I'd still bet my two sofas on the Spurs come the playoffs.

But with both teams playing close to full strength — the Pistons were without rookie guard Rodney Stuckey, who has missed the entire season so far — a lot can be gleaned from the Pistons' 87-85 win.

— These teams, easily the East's best two squads, will be very competitive the rest of the year and into the playoffs. There are too many big-time players on both teams.

— The Pistons should have posted Billups on Rondo more early and often. Likely because of this advantage, Boston coach Doc Rivers pulled Rondo in the final two minutes for House, who also has 3-point range, unlike Rondo, and hit a big one as part of Boston's comeback.

— Detroit was saved by the 3-point shot, making 9-of-20 from downtown. Boston was the more physical team, outrebounding Detroit 37-34 and getting to the basket more often. The Pistons won't always shoot that well from 3-point range.

— The Pistons were able to slow down Kevin Garnett when they put the physical, bulky Jason Maxiell on him. Although Garnett scored a team-high 26 points, he had just five in the fourth, all of which he had to earn from the free-throw line.

— Another reason Detroit was able to hold the Celtics to just 33 second-half points was Tayshaun Prince's defense of Paul Pierce. While Prince was awful offensively (1-of-10, 2 points), he held Boston's leading scorer to 11 points on 5-for-16 shooting. With Prince on Pierce, Maxiell coming in to bang with Garnett, and Richard Hamilton draped over Ray Allen, Detroit can at least contain the Big Three — although Allen was near unstoppable, hitting 9-of-13 contested shots for 24 points.

— Rondo (14 points, 7 assists, 2 turnovers) was very efficient, but as seen by Rivers' late substitution, the coach still doesn't have complete confidence in the second-year player's ability to make the right decisions at the end of a game. But overall, Rondo was impressive.

So there you have it. Before the game, the Celtics admitted that Detroit is still the team to beat in the East, and Wednesday's result doesn't change that.

When the Pistons are on their game and aren't letting their yapping at the referees — they complain about every stinkin' call — get in the way of their execution, they are hard to beat. They're a great road team that isn't flustered by noisy crowds and fourth-quarter deficits.

And, most importantly, they have Mr. Big Shot. Boston doesn't.

In the course of a game, the Big Three might be more effective than Billups. But if he and his teammates can stay in a game until the end, it is worth betting on Billups hitting the winning shot or drawing the crucial foul in the final seconds.

Wednesday's game was unpredictable for the first 47:59. What occurred in the final second, however, wasn't surprising at all. Mr. Big Shot to the rescue.