March 2nd update

Kentucky Beast of the South East (Conference)

• The 29-1 Wildcats have torn through the competition this season and are looking to continue their domination deep into March Madness. The lone blemish on their record was an early season one-point loss to Indiana on a last second 3 pointer. Kentucky has all but wrapped up a #1 seed at the top of the NCAA tournament. Led by freshman stud Anthony Davis, (and his impressive uni-brow, pictured above) and Michael-Kidd Gilchrist (who's said he will graduate from Kentucky despite being good enough to leave after this, his freshman year) the Wildcats look to be the odds on favorites to win the NCAA championship.
• The Florida Gators and Vanderbilt Commodores are 2 and 3 in the conference respectively but they are truly playing second fiddle to the Wildcats.
• The Alabama Crimson Tide and Tennessee Volunteers also seem to be good bets to make it to the Big Dance but after these five teams the conference quickly fades to mediocrity.


Big 10 Top Heavy with a few title contenders

• The top of the Big 10 has two powerhouse teams who are looking to cut down the nets in early April. The Michigan State Spartans, led by senior forward Draymond Green, are 24-6 and 13-4 in conference. The Ohio State Buckeyes who have been more balanced than people thought they would be, despite having superstar forward Jared Sullinger. Both have both been ranked in the top 5 this year, and are currently both ranked in the top 12.
• The Big 10 is deep with four other teams that should have no trouble making the tournament. The Michigan Wolverines, Wisconsin Badgers, Indiana Hoosiers and Purdue Boilermakers should all be playing in a few weeks.
• Sullinger and to a lesser extent Green should be high picks in the upcoming NBA draft, and their teams will be amongst the short list of teams that have a chance of making the Final Four. Both teams are flawed however and are not atop the list of favorites to be champions this year.


NBA Trade Deadline approaching

• With the NBA deadline only a couple weeks away (March 15) teams are looking harder to see if they should be adding pieces, cutting payroll or staying pat. Here are a few names making news:

- Steve Nash. Despite putting up numbers similar to the 2 seasons he won the NBA MVP, Steve Nash's Suns don't seem to be a playoff team and he'll be a free agent next season. So why not trade him? The issue is that Nash has been the heart and soul of the Suns for years now and has gained such a following in the Phoenix community that most fans (and seemingly the team as well) would rather forgo the value he might return in young talent and see the greatest Sun (and possibly the best PG in NBA history) retire with the team. The Suns have said they will accomodate a trade request if Nash asks, but he's said he wants to finish what he started with Phoenix as well.

- Rajon Rondo. The Celtics PG, known for his ability to get his teammates involved as well as his terrific defensive pressure is said to be at odds with coach Doc Rivers. The Celtics are said to be entertaining offers but a trade of Rondo would probably have to bring back equal or greater value for them to pull the trigger.

- Pau Gasol. Similar to Rondo, it would take a lot to deal him, and the Lakers have never publicly said they'd deal the talented 7 footer. They're starting to round into form after a slow start and Kobe Bryant has even publicly asked the team not to deal him.

- Monta Ellis. The #7 scorer in the NBA has been floundering with a mediocre Golden State team for years, wasting a ton of points. However, it's been said that the Orlando Magic would love to pick up the scoring PG/SG in an effort to give Dwight Howard a reason to re-sign with Orlando this summer. The issue is that Orlando doesn't have much else to offer.

- Raymond Felton. Now with the Trail Blazers, Felton has seen his production severely drop off as he's only putting up 10 points and 6 assists per game. A team like the Lakers or 76ers could use him but he wouldn't provide a big upgrade given his current production.