I Bleed Blue and White

As we approach the NCAA Tournament, here is my second-to-last ballot for the CBSSports BlogPoll. I don’t take conference tournaments too seriously, so my ballot isn’t going to have much movement save a few teams that I was impressed with. Here’s my take on things with some commentary below.

Rank	Team	Delta
1	Louisville	4
2	North Carolina	1
3	Pittsburgh	1
4	Connecticut	1
5	Memphis	1
6	Duke	3
7	Villanova
8	Michigan St.	2
9	Oklahoma	1
10	Missouri	3
11	Gonzaga
12	Wake Forest	4
13	Kansas	1
14	Washington
15	Florida St.	4
16	Syracuse	4
17	Marquette	2
18	UCLA	2
19	West Virginia	2
20	Purdue	2
21	Butler
22	Xavier
23	Arizona St.
24	St. Mary’s	1
25	Louisiana St.
Last week’s ballot


Dropped Out: Clemson (#24).

I gave some bumps to the teams that managed to do enough to win to win the meaningless conference tournaments. I was rather impressed with Florida State’s run to the title game, and Toney Douglas is going to be a man on a mission in the NCAA Tournament. Watch out. As for Purdue getting bumped down after winning the Big 10 title, I’m sorry. I’m just not impressed whatsoever at that conference. The fact that they got the same amount of bids as the ACC and Big East is a travesty.

Villanova stays the same, but basically because I know everyone else is going to move them down for losing to the #1 overall seed. That way I’m locked in for the Coulter/Kos Award yet again. I’ve got to keep the perfect streak in tact. I’m an award fiend, don’t hate on me.

If you’re wondering how Saint Mary’s is still in my bracket despite missing the tournament, I left them in there and even gave them a bump because I think they should have been in. I understand it was a horrible bubble and some teams made a run and screwed a lot of bubble teams. And even though listening to Dick Vitale cry about them was like having teeth pulled I still feel for them.

Anyone think Syracuse is getting past Arizona State and James Harden in the 2nd round? Not after they basically amputated their legs this past weekend.

Why am I reading so much about Gonzaga being a Final Four team? They have to go through North Carolina and Oklahoma. Good luck with that Zags.

I love ‘Nova’s draw. Especially a potential Sweet Sixteen matchup with Duke. But Duke could go down before that, to Texas. If AJ Abrams can get something going, goodbye Dookies.

The latest CBSSports BlogPoll has been compiled and posted by Jerry Hinnen. Villanova comes in at #11, which is exactly where they were ranked last week. Despite my best efforts to move them up, it appears as if the bloggers still feel like Kansas and Duke are better options. Really guys? I thought we had an unspoken agreement on the ranking of Duke.

As promised, I finished first again for the Coulter/Kos Award for most biased voter, although the Illinois bloggers who run Making The Dance gave me a run for my money. Jerry provides some commentary on the action.

“Is it possible to jinx a jinx? Last week in this space I touted the dire power of the CK Award and boldy warned of a bad week on the court for I Bleed Blue and White -affiliated Villanova, only for the Wildcats to curb-stomp Notre Dame in South Bend and coast to a double-digit victory over Providence. Maybe by presuming to be so confident in the CKA’s cursing abilities, the curse cursed me by cursing the “runner-up” team in last week’s poll, Inside Creighton Hoops ’s Bluejays, instead? This week, I’d say both ‘Nova and second-place Illinois will need to watch their backs.”

A good read as always, and even though my fellow bloggers let me down this week, I forgive them. Now let’s start scheming on how to make Jon Scheyer cry.

Villanova rose 1 spot to #10 in the AP Poll, returning to the Top 10 after a 1 week absence.

North Carolina is also #1 in this poll, while the Big East again places 3 teams in the Top 5 and 6 in the Top 25.

In the latest ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, Villanova is ranked 13th. This is up 3 spots from last week. They jumped LSU, Missouri, and Marquette.

North Carolina is the new #1, while the Big East placed 3 teams in the Top 5 (#2 Pittsburgh, #4 UConn and #5 Louisville).

…Crazy that Louisville won the conference and is the the lowest among the Big East teams in the Top 5…judging by how teams like Oklahoma, Duke, Kansas, etc. were not punished at all for losing this week, don’t get your hopes up for a big jump in the AP Poll later…although that poll ususally is a better representation of the teams…

With conference tournaments underway for the mid-majors and the tournaments for the majors set to begin, I’m not sure how many more of these polls we’re going to have. But I like them, and I’ll do them all through the off-season if we’re allowed.

(Actually, that would be great. Think of the reasons we could come up with to raise and drop teams. It’s endless. Make it happy Jerry.)

Below is my week 5 ballot. Commentary at the bottom.

Rank	Team	Delta
1	North Carolina	1
2	Pittsburgh	2
3	Connecticut	2
4	Memphis	1
5	Louisville
6	Michigan St.	2
7	Villanova	2
8	Wake Forest	2
9	Duke	2
10	Oklahoma	4
11	Gonzaga	3
12	Kansas	1
13	Missouri	1
14	Washington	10
15	Marquette	2
16	UCLA	6
17	West Virginia
18	Purdue	3
19	Florida St.	3
20	Syracuse	5
21	Butler	2
22	Xavier	3
23	Arizona St.	2
24	Clemson	4
25	St. Mary’s
Last week’s ballot

Dropped Out: Louisiana St. (#18).

The latest CBSSports BlogPoll is the best poll that I’ve seen yet, proving yet again that we, the bloggers, are the smartest of the people who provide the commentary on college basketball, or in other words, the smartest of the idiots.

Villanova landed at #11, which was a one spot drop from last week. Editor Jerry Hinnen asked how this was possible, however, when going over the results for the Coulter/Kos Award for most biased voter. Friarblog tried to unseat me, but has much to learn in the ways of the unabashed homer. I finally placed #1 for the award this week, after 3 straight weeks of placing at #3. Regardless, my overall streak in the category is still intact, and I won’t stop ’til we take down Cal Ripken Jr.’s IronMan record. Anyways, here’s what Hinnen had to say regarding ‘Nova’s ranking.

“I’m frankly not sure how ‘Nova only managed to drop just one spot after squeaking past a truly abymsal DePaul squad and coughing up one at home to Georgetown this week, but aforementioned Wildcat blog I Bleed and Blue and White is one place to start. The ‘Cats dropped a single place to ninth on IBBW’s ballot, making them one of only four voters to keep ‘Nova that high and earning this week’s CK Award. Maybe IBBW should have picked a week when his team wasn’t about to play a desperate Notre Dame team on the road?”

Touche Jerry, touche. I probably should have been a little more humble in ranking Villanova, especially on the eve of their bout with the Fighting Irish. But I guess I’m just banking on Kyle McWeedsmoker…err McAlarney, being too high to find the Joyce Center. Either that or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sueing Luke Harangody for shot infringement.

Hinnen also discusses my hate for Memphis (I’m not the only one!) among other things in the latest entry. Make sure to give it a read.

Villanova dropped 1 spot to #11 in the newst AP Poll. UConn also reclaimed the top spot, but Pittsburgh only fell to #3 and still received a vote for #1 (what the hell?).

Syracuse also re-entered the AP Poll at #25.

…This poll is a much better representation of what is going on in college basketball, and has been all season…I don’t just say that because Villanova didn’t drop a lot…

…Clemson and Marquette both lost twice last week and were dropped heavily as a result…Missouri got their clocks cleaned by Kansas and was justly dropped…LSU still jumped too much in my mind but whatever…

…Let’s win tonight and not give the pollsters anymore ammo…

In the latest ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, Villanova has landed at #16, down 4 spots from last week. Big East foe UConn regained the #1 spot, while Pittsburgh fell from the throne to #4. Syracuse re-entered the polls at #25.

…Don’t even get me started on this…I’m not saying Villanova shouldn’t have fallen, because they should have after, but how is Marquette ranked above Villanova after losing their starting point guard and losing both times they played?…

…And LSU jumping 7 spots and Washington jumping 8 spots is absurd as well…there is so much wrong with this poll…but not surprisingly it’s the Coaches Poll…I’m still not sure why people who ususally only focus on their team get to vote on this stuff…

I’m still mentally dealing with ‘Nova’s loss, but what better way to cope than to take out my anger on completely innocent basketball programs? With that said, here is my ballot for this week’s CBSSports BlogPoll.

Rank	Team	Delta
1	Connecticut	1
2	North Carolina	2
3	Memphis	2
4	Pittsburgh	3
5	Louisville	1
6	Oklahoma	3
7	Duke	4
8	Michigan St.	4
9	Villanova	1
10	Wake Forest	3
11	Kansas	4
12	Missouri	5
13	Marquette	4
14	Gonzaga	6
15	Purdue	1
16	Florida St.	2
17	West Virginia
18	Louisiana St.	1
19	Xavier	2
20	Clemson	10
21	Arizona St.	5
22	UCLA
23	Butler
24	Washington
25	Syracuse
Last week’s ballot

Dropped Out: Utah (#24), Ohio St. (#25).

I dropped Villanova just one spot because they’ve avoided that type of loss all season. Lose again at Notre Dame Monday night, and we have a problem.

The biggest victim this week was clearly the Clemson Tigers. Now, I really don’t hate them, because afterall ‘Nova already proved last year that they are better than Clemson. And I shouldn’t be one to talk because we just lost, but they are getting punished by way of a 10 spot drop after 2 straight losses to a doormat (Virginia Tech at home) and a more understanble road loss to Florida State. Speaking of the FSU, the Fighting Tony Douglas’ are growing on me.

I’m here to admit I drank the Missouri kool-aid for 2 weeks too long. I knew in my heart their exponential rise into the Top 10 happened too quickly, and wasn’t shocked at all when they got taken to the woodshed by Kansas on Sunday. They appear to be more in the ‘Paper Tiger’ mold.

Oklahoma, I know you lost Blake Griffin for a few games and that hurt you, but you get dropped because elite teams don’t lose two straight just because they lost one guy. I know Jerome Dyson isn’t on the level of Griffin, but notice how UConn rebounded. That’s why in my mind they are a National Title contender and you aren’t. Because apparently all teams need to do to beat you is stop Blake Griffin. Easier said than done of course, but now everyone has the blueprint.

It’s killing me to continuously bump Memphis. They have played nobody and have lost to the good teams they’ve faced. I’m telling you now, I don’t think they are a Sweet 16 caliber team, and will be the first high seed to go down. Tyreke Evans is heading for a 2-14 with 7 turnovers type of game in the dance.

I just realized I lifted Duke 4 spots and back into my Top 10. I think I’m going to be sick.

An especially comical CBSSports BlogPoll write-up this week from Jerry Hinnen. A definite must read. But first let’s congratulate the bloggers from around the country for their work in putting Villanova in the Top 10. Well done sirs.

If you missed it, here’s my ballot, and as you’ll see, there isn’t a ton of difference between mine and the actual poll. Most teams I have right in the general area, except for my harsh treatment of Illinois and my apparent undying love for the Seminoles.

As for the article itself, as I mentioned before, it’s phenomenal in my opinion, and has been getting better every week. I made my weekly appearance in the Coulter/Kos Award category for being one of the most biased voters. Even better, I made my inaugrural appearance in the Mr. Manic-Depressive Category, which is given out to those whose ballots change drastically week to week, or as Jerry so eloquently put it, “people who are obsessed with shiny things.”

But I made a strong headline for the second week in a row by abusing my power. Last week, LSU were the victims, but this week it’s the Illini. As you’ll see below, I was assisted by my good buddy from Friarblog.

“Elsewhere, Friarblog says what I think just about everyone was thinking: Hey other BlogPoll voters….raise your hand if you considered dropping out Illinois completely out of your poll for the sole fact that they only scored 33 points in their loss to Penn State.
There’s your call, and I Bleed Blue and White has your response: Illinois , you are gone. Probably forever. 33 points in the entire game ? Good Lord.”

Dave, if you throw the ball up there, I’ll be damned if I’m not going to flush it with authority. Good work pal.