Wednesday, October 31, 2018

The Mixlr Six - Edition #7

1. Alabama
  • Record: 8-0 (5-0 SEC) 
  • Last Game: 58-21 win @ Tennessee
  • CFP Ranking: #1
  • Carter Floyd: #1
  • Seth Eaves: #1
  • Pierre Moss: #1
  • Dan Vasta: #1
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #1
  • Matthew Owens: #1
  • Next Game: @ LSU on 11/3 (8:00pm on USRN)
2. Clemson
  • Record: 8-0 (5-0 ACC)
  • Last Game: 59-10 win @ Florida State
  • CFP Ranking: #2
  • Carter Floyd: #2
  • Seth Eaves: #2
  • Pierre Moss: #2
  • Dan Vasta: #2
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #2
  • Matthew Owens: #2
  • Next Game: vs. Louisville on 11/3 (12:00pm on ABC)
3. Notre Dame
  • Record: 8-0 (Independent) 
  • Last Game: 44-22 win vs. Navy
  • CFP Ranking: #4
  • Carter Floyd: #3
  • Seth Eaves: #3
  • Pierre Moss: #3
  • Dan Vasta: #3
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #3
  • Matthew Owens: #3
  • Next Game: @ Northwestern on 11/3 (7:15pm on ESPN)
4. LSU
  • Record: 7-1 (4-1 SEC)
  • Last Game: 19-3 win vs. Mississippi State
  • CFP Ranking: #3
  • Carter Floyd: #5
  • Seth Eaves: #4
  • Pierre Moss: #4
  • Dan Vasta: #4
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #4
  • Matthew Owens: #5
  • Next Game: vs. Alabama on 11/3 (8:00pm on USRN)
5. Michigan
  • Record: 7-1 (5-0 Big Ten)
  • Last Game: 21-7 win @ Michigan State
  • CFP Ranking: #5
  • Carter Floyd: #4
  • Seth Eaves: N/A
  • Pierre Moss: #5
  • Dan Vasta: #5
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #6
  • Matthew Owens: #6
  • Next Game: vs. Penn State on 11/3 (3:45pm on ESPN)
6. Central Florida
  • Record: 7-0 (4-0 AAC)
  • Last Game: 37-10 win @ East Carolina
  • CFP Ranking: #12
  • Carter Floyd: #6
  • Seth Eaves: #5
  • Pierre Moss: N/A
  • Dan Vasta: N/A
  • Calvin Vandergrift: N/A
  • Matthew Owens: #4
Carter Floyd
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. Michigan
5. LSU
6. Central Florida

Seth Eaves
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. LSU
5. Central Florida 
6. Georgia

Pierre Moss
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. LSU
5. Michigan
6. Georgia

Dan Vasta
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. LSU
5. Michigan
6. Georgia

Calvin Vandergrift
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. LSU
5. Georgia
6. Michigan

Matthew Owens
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. Central Florida
5. LSU
6. Michigan

Listeners Picks 10/29-11/4

All Times Eastern

Monday, October 29th
The Sports Brunch
11:00am on USRN with Matthew Owens & Seth Eaves 
NFL - New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills
8:00pm on USRN with Seth Eaves 
Wednesday, October 31st
The Sports Brunch
11:00am on USRN with Matthew Owens & Seth Eaves
Thursday, November 1st
The Sports Brunch
9:00am on USRN with Seth Eaves & Matthew Owens
College Football - Temple @ #12 Central Florida
7:30pm on USRN with Matthew Owens
Friday, November 2nd
The Sports Brunch
9:00am on USRN with Matthew Owens & Seth Eaves
USRN College Football Tailgate
3:00pm on USRN with Seth Eaves & Dan Vasta
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint
3:15pm on WSR with Matthew Owens
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
3:50pm on WSR with Matthew Owens
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies
4:30pm on USRN with Matthew Owens
New Jersey High School Football Playoffs - West Morris @ Irvington
7:00pm on WSR with Pierre Moss
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Playoffs @ Texas - JAG Metals 350
8:45pm on USRN with Matthew Owens & Seth Eaves 
Saturday, November 3rd
College Football - #20 Texas A&M @ Auburn 
12:00pm on USRN with Calvin Vandergrift
College Football - Dartmouth @ Princeton
1:00pm on WSR with Pierre Moss 
Breeders' Cup Sprint
2:45pm on UNB Sports with Matthew Owens
Breeders' Cup Mile
3:30pm on UNB Sports with Matthew Owens
College Football - #6 Georgia @ #9 Kentucky
3:30pm on USRN with Seth Eaves
Breeders' Cup Classic
5:30pm on WSR with Matthew Owens
College Football - #1 Alabama @ #3 LSU
8:00pm on USRN with Matthew Owens
Sunday, November 4th
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs @ Texas - AAA Texas 500
2:45pm on USRN with Matthew Owens 

Sunday, October 21, 2018

NFL Power Rankings

32. Arizona Cardinals
... They... They lost by thirty-five... at home... to the Broncos...
31. San Francisco 49ers
So without Jimmy Garoppolo, the 49ers nearly beat the Chargers, then nearly beat the Packers. Those two heartbreaking losses probably broke this team to it's core.
30. Buffalo Bills
Let's play a game. Which quarterback will throw an interception for the Bills next? Take a guess. Josh Allen? Nathan Peterman? Derek Anderson? Jake Delhomme? Brett Favre? Joe Namath? Steve Spurrier?
29. Oakland Raiders
This is a complete disaster. Move on please.
28. New York Giants
Even when New York teams are really bad we still have to hear about them endlessly, don't we?
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Now that there's no more Fitz Magic, they are who we thought they were.
26. Denver Broncos
Let's not buy into a thirty-whatever-point win over the Cardinals.
25. New York Jets
Sam Darnold and the Jets are getting better. Baby steps. Baby steps.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
Where ya at now, Jalen Ramsey? Boy oh boy, we were all fooled big time by this team, weren't we? This team is super bad. You lost by 33 to Dallas? Dallas is horrible. How do you lose by 33 to Dallas?
23. Atlanta Falcons
Offense: Really good. Defense: MASH Unit.
22. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are 2-5, but the schedule they have in front of them is unbelievably soft. Raiders, Jaguars (2x), Titans (2x), Dolphins, Texans, Cowboys & Giants. Are you serious?? They could legitimately finish 9-7 or 10-6!
21. Cleveland Browns
I feel like they play overtime every week. There's a future in Cleveland! That's good...
20. Dallas Cowboys
Oh, Dallas. Poor, poor Dallas. The most disappointing part is that we are forced to watch this team on TV all the time because the NFL insists on shoving the Cowboys down our throats.
19. Tennessee Titans
I find it to be very unfortunate that this offense is this bad with Marcus Mariota, Derrick Henry, Corey Davis, etc. But, they can still win the South, you know, because it's a horrible division.
18. Miami Dolphins
Talk about a team that I can't figure out. They look like world beaters one week and then horrific the next week. I have no clue what to expect from them week to week.
17. Seattle Seahawks
They are still really tough to be at home. That's getting them a few wins maybe they shouldn't have.
16. Houston Texans
After an 0-3 start, the Texans are looking really good. The AFC South is an absolute mess, they most certainly look like the best team in that division. How do they matchup with the other best teams in the AFC? Still to be determined.
15. Green Bay Packers
I feel like Aaron Rodgers is becoming the LeBron James of the NFL. People, including myself, keep saying he needs more help. Aaron Rodgers can't do it all.
14. Detroit Lions
This team is getting better and better each and every week. The offense is still as good as it always has been with Matthew Stafford, but the defense is growing into it's own. The NFC North is up for taking, so why can't they take it?
13. Philadelphia Eagles
Carson Wentz looks okay, maybe still feeling the affects of the injury that sidelined him for the postseason last year and the start of this season. But all in all, this offense still looks shaky at best.
12. Washington Redskins
As all NFC East teams are, they're nothing but a wild roller coaster ride that feels like is about to become unscrewed from it's hinges. With all of that said, the Redskins look like the team in that division that is the least bad. I don't quite think that's a compliment.
11. Cincinnati Bengals
I keep saying this, from 1-53, this roster is one of the best in the league. But of course, we're still waiting to see how Marvin Lewis screws it all up.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh is a weird team to figure out. They're still unpredictable and clearly they're still trying to figure things out without Le'Veon Bell. Big Ben is really carrying this team on his back as much as he possibly can.
9. Chicago Bears
This defense was already a top-five defense last year. Then they picked up Khalil Mack. Chicago is really good, and with a little better play from Mitchell Trubisky, they can definitely take advantage of division that's wildly unpredictable.
8. Minnesota Vikings
Kirk Cousins has done just enough for Minnesota to start the season. He's got great weapons on offense as well, and Adam Thielen is becoming one of the best receivers in the league. Defensively, it's hit or miss.
7. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore has one of the best defenses in the league, and as they say, defense wins championships. Great defenses also travel. But, now more than ever, if the Ravens are going to be an actual contender, they have to get more consistent play from Joe Flacco.
6. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers, like a lot of teams, are very up and down. It's a roller coaster ride. When Cam Newton is on, he's unstoppable, but when he's a bit off, he's really off. They need Cam to play at least close to an MVP level to be where they were three years ago, a legit Super Bowl contender.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are certainly turning into the team we thought they would be. They dealt with key injuries to start the season. Now at nearly full strength, the Chargers look very, very good. Their Thursday Night showdown with in Kansas City in mid-December could be for the division title.
4. Kansas City Chiefs
I'm starting to fall out of love with the Chiefs a little bit. Again, just a little bit. Why? 5-1 is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, but all of a sudden it's starting to look like a weak 5-1. On paper, the start of the season was supposed to be a tough schedule for KC. Instead, look who they've beaten. Chargers (Good win), Steelers (They're a mess), 49ers (Mess), Broncos (Bad), Jaguars (Horrific) and then they lost to the Patriots which was supposed to be the game where they would prove themselves.
3. New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees and this offense is sensational and the defense is light years better than what we seen in Week One against Tampa, that was definitely an anomaly rather than the norm.
2. New England Patriots
Tom Brady and the Patriots are back, folks. They're much better than the team that started the season. As we've heard for years now, the first three to four weeks of the season is basically an extension of the preseason for New England. They're clicking on all cylinders now.
1. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are still unbeaten and look the part of being the best team in the league. Jared Goff, Todd Gurley and the group of receivers has this team looking like the Super Bowl favorites.

The Mixlr Six - Edition #6

1. Alabama
  • Record: 8-0 (5-0 SEC) 
  • Last Game: 58-21 win @ Tennessee
  • AP Ranking: #1
  • Carter Floyd: #1
  • Seth Eaves: #1
  • Pierre Moss: #1
  • Dan Vasta: #1
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #1
  • Matthew Owens: #1
  • Next Game: @ LSU on 11/3
2. Clemson
  • Record: 7-0 (4-0 ACC)
  • Last Game: 41-7 win vs. NC State
  • AP Ranking: #2
  • Carter Floyd: #2 
  • Seth Eaves: #2
  • Pierre Moss: #2
  • Dan Vasta: #2
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #2
  • Matthew Owens: #2
  • Next Game: @ Florida State on 10/27 (12:00pm on ABC) 
3. Notre Dame
  • Record: 7-0 (Independent) 
  • Last Game: 19-14 win vs. Pittsburgh
  • AP Ranking: #3
  • Carter Floyd: #3
  • Seth Eaves: #3
  • Pierre Moss: #3
  • Dan Vasta: #3
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #3
  • Matthew Owens: #3
  • Next Game: vs. Navy (in San Diego) on 10/27 (8:00pm on CBS) 
4. LSU
  • Record: 7-1 (4-1 SEC)
  • Last Game: 19-3 win vs. Mississippi State
  • AP Ranking: #4
  • Carter Floyd: #5
  • Seth Eaves: #4
  • Pierre Moss: #4
  • Dan Vasta: #4
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #4
  • Matthew Owens: #5
  • Next Game: vs. Alabama on 11/3
5. Michigan
  • Record: 7-1 (5-0 Big Ten)
  • Last Game: 21-7 win @ Michigan State
  • AP Ranking: #5
  • Carter Floyd: #4
  • Seth Eaves: N/A
  • Pierre Moss: #5
  • Dan Vasta: #5
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #5
  • Matthew Owens: #6
  • Next Game: vs. Penn State on 11/3
6. Central Florida
  • Record: 7-0 (4-0 AAC)
  • Last Game: 37-10 win @ East Carolina
  • AP Ranking: #10
  • Carter Floyd: #6
  • Seth Eaves: #5
  • Pierre Moss: #6
  • Dan Vasta: N/A
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #6
  • Matthew Owens: #4

Carter Floyd
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. Michigan
5. LSU
6. Central Florida

Seth Eaves
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. LSU
5. Central Florida 
6. Georgia

Pierre Moss
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame 
4. LSU
5. Michigan
6. Central Florida

Dan Vasta
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. LSU
5. Michigan
6. Texas

Calvin Vandergrift
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. LSU
5. Michigan
6. Central Florida

Matthew Owens
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. Central Florida
5. LSU
6. Michigan 

Sunday, October 14, 2018

The Mixlr Six - Edition #5

1. Alabama
  • Record: 7-0 (4-0 SEC) 
  • Last Game: 39-10 win vs. Missouri
  • AP Ranking: #1
  • Carter Floyd: #1
  • Seth Eaves: #1
  • Pierre Moss: #1
  • Dan Vasta: #1
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #1
  • Matthew Owens: #1
  • Next Game: @ Tennessee on 10/20 (3:30pm on CBS)
2. Ohio State
  • Record: 7-0 (4-0 Big Ten)
  • Last Game: 30-14 win vs. Minnesota
  • AP Ranking: #2
  • Carter Floyd: #2
  • Seth Eaves: #3
  • Pierre Moss: #2
  • Dan Vasta: #2
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #2
  • Matthew Owens: #2
  • Next Game: @ Purdue on 10/20 (7:30pm on ABC)
3. Clemson
  • Record: 6-0 (3-0 ACC)
  • Last Game: 63-3 win @ Wake Forest
  • AP Ranking: #3
  • Carter Floyd: #3
  • Seth Eaves: #2
  • Pierre Moss: #3
  • Dan Vasta: #4
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #4
  • Matthew Owens: #3
  • Next Game: vs. NC State on 10/20 (3:30pm on USRN)
4. Notre Dame
  • Record: 7-0 (Independent) 
  • Last Game: 19-14 win vs. Pittsburgh
  • AP Ranking: #4
  • Carter Floyd: #4
  • Seth Eaves: #4
  • Pierre Moss: #4
  • Dan Vasta: #3
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #3
  • Matthew Owens: #4
  • Next Game: vs. Navy on 10/27 (8:00pm on CBS) 
5. LSU
  • Record: 6-1 (3-1 SEC)
  • Last Game: 36-16 win vs. Georgia
  • AP Ranking: #5
  • Carter Floyd: #5
  • Seth Eaves: #5
  • Pierre Moss: #5
  • Dan Vasta: #5
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #5
  • Matthew Owens: #6
  • Next Game: vs. Mississippi State on 10/20 (7:00pm on ESPN) 
6. Central Florida
  • Record: 6-0 (3-0 AAC)
  • Last Game: 31-30 win @ Memphis
  • AP Ranking: #10
  • Carter Floyd: N/A
  • Seth Eaves: N/A
  • Pierre Moss: N/A
  • Dan Vasta: N/A
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #6
  • Matthew Owens: #5
  • Next Game: @ East Carolina on 10/20 (7:00pm on ESPN2)

Carter Floyd
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Clemson
4. Notre Dame
5. LSU
6. Michigan

Seth Eaves
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Ohio State
4. Notre Dame
5. LSU
6. Georgia

Pierre Moss
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Clemson
4. Notre Dame
5. LSU
6. Michigan

Dan Vasta
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Notre Dame
4. Clemson
5. LSU
6. Michigan

Calvin Vandergrift
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Notre Dame
4. Clemson
5. LSU
6. Central Florida

Matthew Owens
1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Clemson
4. Notre Dame
5. Central Florida 
6. LSU

Thursday, October 11, 2018

College Basketball Preseason Top 25 Plus Five

YAY! FREAKING YAY!!! College Basketball is here and in case you haven't noticed I am stoked. When the clock hits midnight and the calendar turns to October 12, 2018, we will be twenty-five days from the start of the season. Oh, by the way, the season starts this year with the FREAKING CHAMPIONS CLASSIC! Oh yes, that's right. The FIRST night of the season features KANSAS VERSUS MICHIGAN STATE and FREAKING DUKE VERSUS KENTUCKY! Umm, yeah, that's the exact definition of starting a season with a big bang. That's a volcanic bang right there. So let's take a look at how we rank our Top 25 plus five, so yeah, Top Thirty.

Just Missed the Cut: Maryland, Washington, Florida, Indiana, Providence

30. Marquette

29. Davidson

28. Clemson

27. Cincinnati

26. UCLA

25. Purdue

24. Central Florida

23. Mississippi State

22. North Carolina State

21. Syracuse

20. LSU
Key Losses: Randy Onwuasor, Aaron Epps, Mayan Kiir, Duop Reath, Galen Alexander, Jeremy Combs
Key Additions: Emmitt Williams, Javonte Smart, Naz Reid, Darius Days, Kavell Bigby-Williams
Outlook: Really young, really good. That's LSU this year, folks. Tremont Waters is so much fun to watch and as he goes, LSU will go. Kentucky and Tennessee will be the kings of the SEC, Auburn and LSU should fight for third best.

19. Loyola-Chicago
Key Losses: Donte Ingram, Ben Richardson, Aundre Jackson
Key Additions: Will Alcock, Franklin Agunanne, Cooper Kaifes
Outlook: This is not going to be a one-hit wonder team. Mark my words. Clayton Custer, Marques Townes and Cameron Krutwig will not allow it. They are head and shoulders above the rest of the Missouri Valley.

18. West Virginia
Key Losses: Jevon Carter, Daxter Miles, D'Angelo Hunter
Key Additions: Derek Culver, Jordan McCabe, Trey Doomes, Andrew Gordon
Outlook: Daxter Miles is a big loss. Jevon Carter is a huge loss. This year will test Bob Huggins.

17. Michigan
Key Losses: Moe Wagner, Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, Duncan Robinson, Jaaron Simmons
Key Additions: David DeJulius, Brandon Johns, Ignas Brazdeikis, Adrian Nunez, Colin Castleton
Outlook: A lot is lost from that team that made the Final, but quite a bit is back too. Zavier Simpson, Charles Matthews, Jordan Poole, Isaiah Livers and Jon Teske are all back. Let's not completely write them off.

16. TCU
Key Losses: Kenrich Williams, Vlad Brodziansky, Ahmed Hamdy
Key Additions: Kendric Davis, Angus McWilliam, Yuat Alok, Kaden Archie, Russel Barlow Jr.
Outlook: Jamie Dixon. Jamie Dixon. Jamie. Dixon.

15. Oregon
Key Losses: Elijah Brown, MiKyle McIntosh, Troy Brown
Key Additions: Bol Bol, Louis King, Miles Norris, Will Richardson
Outlook: Duke has the top three ranked recruits. Oregon has number four in Bol Bol and has another top-fifteen recruit in Louis King. Those two will be added to a lineup with Payton Pritchard, Paul White and Kenny Wooten. Dana Altman had Oregon in the Final Four in 2017 and that's not out of the realm of possibility for 2019.

14. Michigan State
Key Losses: Miles Bridges, Jaren Jackson, Gavin Schilling, Lourawls Nairn, Ben Carter
Key Additions: Gabe Brown, Foster Loyer, Aaron Henry, Thomas Kithier, Marcus Bingham Jr.
Outlook: Michigan State is going to have to score a lot of points this year because their defensive woes from a year ago doesn't seem to be going away this year. Let's be honest with ourselves, Miles Bridges and Jaren Jackson saved this team a lot last year, and now it's basically the same team without those two. Cassius Winston will HAVE to step up at least a level or two this year, so will Josh Langford and Matt McQuaid. Tom Izzo, you gotta start doing more for me. I am beyond "out of love" with Izzo and starting to wonder if he's worn out his welcome.

13. Florida State
Key Losses: Braian Angola, C.J. Walker, Brandon Allen
Key Additions: Devin Vassell, David Nichols
Outlook: Trent Forrest, M.J. Walker, Terance Mann and Phil Cofer is a great group of four to lead the Seminoles this year following a trip last year to the Elite Eight. Cofer seems like the most important of the bunch.

12. Kansas State
Key Losses: No One
Key Additions: Shaun Williams
Outlook: I am really trying to lower my expectations for this team but it's really hard. Really, really hard. Okay, sure, they didn't have to go through Virginia like everyone thought they would in the Tournament last year. But they did beat Kentucky. And they played very well against Loyola. But my level of belief behind this team this year isn't just because of last year's Tournament. Like it or not, Bruce Weber is a top-fifteen head coach in America. And he is going to do amazing things with this team this year that includes Kamau Stokes, Barry Brown, Carter Diarra, Xavier Sneed and Dean Wade all back from a year ago. A trip to the Sweet Sixteen is expected, Elite Eight is very possible, Final Four isn't out of the question.

11. Auburn
Key Losses: Mustapha Herron, DeSean Murray, Davion Mitchell
Key Additions: Samir Doughty
Outlook: The SEC is going to be very good and very deep this year and this team will be among the best in the conference. Like Kansas State, it's a team that I'm trying to keep my expectations from going too high on. Their best player from a year ago, Herron, is gone, but return everyone else. Remember folks, this team won the SEC regular season title and just sputtered down the stretch with depth issues. Now, depth is still a concern this year, but it's not as bad. Biggest question for me: how healthy is Anfernee McLemore? He suffered an ankle injury in February, if he is 100%, watch out for the Fighting Bruce Pearls.

10. Virginia Tech
Key Losses: Devin Wilson, Justin Bibbs
Key Additions: Landers Nolley II, Jarren McAllister, Jon Kabongo
Outlook: Seven of their top eight players from last year are back and that is precisely why I believe this Virginia Tech will be the best basketball team that program has ever had. Justin Robinson, Ahmed Hill, Kerry Blackshear, Chris Clarke and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are going to make for an amazing starting five that can both score a ton a lot but also defend extremely well. This is a legit ACC contender.

9. Virginia 
Key Losses: Devon Hall, Isaiah Wilkins, Nigel Johnson
Key Additions: Kody Stattman, Kihei Clark, Francisco Caffaro
Outlook: Look, I can sit here and write about three paragraphs about why I think Virginia is going to be great again this year. Ty Jerome, Kyle Guy, DeAndre Hunter, Jack Salt and Mamadi Diakite are all back and will likely make up the starting five. But we all know what one thing will be looming over Virginia's heads all year long. The letters U-M-B-C. Is it possible for this group of players and a terrific head coach to forget all about that meltdown and the ones that plagued them in previous years as well? If so, maybe, just maybe, we can pencil them on the one line again for the Dance. Beyond that? Don't look at me for a prediction.

8. Nevada
Key Losses: Kendall Stephens, Josh Hall, Hallice Cooke
Key Additions: Corey Henson, Jazz Johnson, Tre'Shawn Thurman, Kwame Hymes, Trey Porter, Jordan Brown, Vince Lee, Nisre Zouzoua
Outlook: While all the Cinderella talk last March was about Loyola-Chicago, and rightfully so, Nevada didn't do too bad for themselves either. Remember, they gave the Ramblers a run for their money in the Regional Semi-Final down in Atlanta. Now, for this year, the team is even better. The Martin twins are back, that's huge. And look at that long list of additions. Yeah, this team is stacked. This Nevada team will rival Kawhi Leonard's Aztecs and Jimmer Fredette's Cougars for best Mountain West team ever.

7. North Carolina
Key Losses: Joel Berry III, Theo Pinson
Key Additions: Nassir Little, Coby White, Rechon Black
Outlook: Boy oh boy does North Carolina have a great starting five, maybe the best in the country. It'll be set with returnees Cam Johnson, Luke Maye and Kenny Williams along with freshmen White and Little. That is honestly either the best or second best starting lineup in College Basketball. Roy Williams' biggest problem is what comes after that on the bench. Can he rely on Sterling Manley, Garrison Brooks and Brandon Huffman to give the Tar Heels valuable minutes and a spark off the bench? If he can, North Carolina can most certainly cut down the nets in Minnesota.

6. Villanova
Key Losses: Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Omari Spellman
Key Additions: Brandon Slater, Jahvon Quinerly, Cole Swider, Saddiq Bey, Joe Cremo
Outlook: Villanova's run the last three years has been amazing. It's quite possibly been the best three year run in College Basketball this century, and of course it was capped with a second National Title in the last three years last season. This year, things will be very different from the last three. There's a lot of turnover this season. Eric Paschall and Phil Booth are the only returning key players from last year's team. This is not going be a walk in the park for Jay Wright, but he has certainly established himself as a top-three coach in the nation and when it counts the most, March, things will be just fine for Nova Nation.

5. Tennessee
Key Losses: James Daniel III
Key Additions: None
Outlook: This team could legitimately be SEC regular season and tournament champions, a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament and a team that makes it to Minneapolis and the Final Four. Two of the best teams in the country come from the SEC, and the battles between Kentucky and Tennessee will be amazing. For Tennessee, it's darn near the same starting five as a year ago. Lamonte' Turner, Jordan Bowden, Jordan Bone, Admiral Schofield and Grant Williams will likely be the starting five for Rick Barnes' Volunteers. Tennessee has not won thirty games in a season since 2007-2008, that's a real possibility this season.

4. Duke
Key Losses: Grayson Allen, Marvin Bagley III, Wendell Carter, Gary Trent Jr., Trevon Duval
Key Additions: Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish, Tre Jones, R.J. Barrett, Joey Baker
Outlook: Mike Krzyzewski has done it once again. This recruiting class Duke has coming in this year might just be the best recruiting class any school has ever inherited. Duke has recruits that were ranked nationally #1, #2 and #3 in the form of Reddish, Williamson and Barrett. Plus Tre Jones who was ranked anywhere between 10th and 20th and Joey Baker who was ranked between 20th and 40th. Javin DeLaurier will be taking a bigger role with the team, likely starting with the four freshmen. Reddish, Williamson and Barrett could very well go 1-2-3 in the 2019 NBA Draft. A lot of people believe this team has the chance to be, X's and O's wise, the Golden State Warriors of College Basketball this season. And oh yes, if the trend is your friend, Duke should be the National Champions based solely on the fact that Minneapolis is hosting the Final Four. They seem to win their titles in cities ending in "-apolis". 1991: Indianapolis. 1992: Minneapolis. 2001: Minneapolis. 2010 & 2015: Indianapolis. Must I say more?

3. Kansas
Key Losses: Devonte' Graham, Svi Mykhailiuk, Malik Newman
Key Additions: Dedric Lawson, K.J. Lawson, Charlie Moore, Devon Dotson
Outlook: We're not going to act like losing Devonte' Graham isn't a big deal, because it is. But when you look at how at much was sitting on the Kansas bench last year that couldn't play and now they can, it's mind blowing. The Lawson brothers that transferred from Memphis can now play, as can Cal transfer Charlie Moore. The Lawson brothers will give Bill Self a couple of true power forwards while Moore can take command at point guard when it's not being held by Devon Dotson. And of course they also get back Udoka Azubuike. The team is experienced, but also mixed in is a lot of young talent. Kansas is set to make another run towards the Final Four.

2. Gonzaga
Key Losses: Silas Melson, Johnathan Williams III
Key Additions: Geno Crandall, Joel Ayayi, Brandon Clarke, Greg Foster Jr., Filip Petrusev
Outlook: Josh Perkins is back. Zach Norvell is back. Rui Hachimura is back. Killian Tillie is back. With them this year are transfers Brandon Clarke and Geno Crandall. Oh yes, I knew I was forgetting one. Yes indeed, Mark Few is back. Gonzaga is truly set for a second Final Four in three years.

1. Kentucky 
Key Losses: Kevin Knox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jarred Vanderbilt, Wenyen Gabriel, Hamidou Diallo
Key Additions: Reid Travis, Immanuel Quickley, Tyler Herro, Keldon Johnson, Ashton Hagans, E.J. Montgomery
Outlook: Another year and another load of new players in Lexington to replace the departed. There's of course a ton of talented freshmen, but to me, the most impactful addition for Calipari's Wildcats is the tremendous Stanford transfer Reid Travis. Travis, a 6'8" 245lb standout averaged 19.5 points per game last year, a year after scored over 17 a game. So, despite being new to Kentucky, he's very experienced and very, very good. But of course, the biggest question will be, will they all mesh in time?

The Mixlr Six - Edition #4

1. Alabama
  • Record: 6-0 (3-0 SEC)
  • Last Game: 65-31 win @ Arkansas
  • AP Ranking: #1
  • Carter Floyd: #1
  • Seth Eaves: #1
  • Pierre Moss: #1
  • Dan Vasta: #1
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #1
  • Matthew Owens: #1
  • Next Game: vs. Missouri on 10/13 (7:00pm on ESPN)
2. Georgia
  • Record: 6-0 (4-0 SEC)
  • Last Game: 41-13 win vs. Vanderbilt
  • AP Ranking: #2
  • Carter Floyd: #5
  • Seth Eaves: #2
  • Pierre Moss: #2
  • Dan Vasta: #2
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #3
  • Matthew Owens: #2
  • Next Game: @ LSU on 10/13 (3:30pm on USRN)
3. Ohio State
  • Record: 6-0 (3-0 Big Ten) 
  • Last Game: 49-26 win vs. Indiana
  • AP Ranking: #3
  • Carter Floyd: #2
  • Seth Eaves: #4
  • Pierre Moss: #3
  • Dan Vasta: #3
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #2
  • Matthew Owens: #3
  • Next Game: vs. Minnesota on 10/13 (12:00pm on FS1)
4. Clemson
  • Record: 6-0 (3-0 ACC)
  • Last Game: 63-3 win @ Wake Forest
  • AP Ranking: #4
  • Carter Floyd: #3
  • Seth Eaves: #3
  • Pierre Moss: #4
  • Dan Vasta: #5
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #5
  • Matthew Owens: #4
  • Next Game: vs. North Carolina State on 10/20 (3:30pm on TBD)
5. Notre Dame
  • Record: 6-0 (Independent) 
  • Last Game: 45-23 win @ Virginia Tech
  • AP Ranking: #5
  • Carter Floyd: #4
  • Seth Eaves: #5
  • Pierre Moss: #5
  • Dan Vasta: #4
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #4
  • Matthew Owens: #5
  • Next Game: vs. Pittsburgh on 10/13 (2:30pm on NBC) 
6. West Virginia
  • Record: 5-0 (3-0 Big 12)
  • Last Game: 38-22 win vs. Kansas
  • AP Ranking: #6
  • Carter Floyd: #6
  • Seth Eaves: #6
  • Pierre Moss: N/A
  • Dan Vasta: N/A
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #6
  • Matthew Owens: #6
  • Next Game: @ Iowa State on 10/13 (7:00pm on USRN)

Sunday, October 7, 2018

Listeners Picks 10/8-10/14

All Times Eastern

Monday, October 8th
NFL - Washington Redskins @ New Orleans Saints
8:00pm on USRN with Seth Eaves
ALDS Game #3 - Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees 
8:00pm on WSR with Matthew Owens
Tuesday, October 9th
ALDS Game #4 - Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees
8:00pm on USRN with Matthew Owens
Wednesday, October 10th
*If Necessary* NLDS Game #5 - Atlanta Braves @ Los Angeles Dodgers
8:00pm on WSR with Matthew Owens
Thursday, October 11th
*If Necessary* ALDS Game #5 - Cleveland Indians @ Houston Astros
4:00pm on USRN with Matthew Owens
*If Necessary* ALDS Game #5 - New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox
8:00pm on USRN with Matthew Owens OR Pierre Moss
*If No ALDS Game* NFL - Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants
8:00pm on USRN with Matthew Owens OR Calvin Vandergrift
College Football - Texas Tech @ TCU 
8:00pm on WSR with Seth Eaves
Friday, October 12th
NLCS Game #1 - TBD @ Milwaukee Brewers 
8:00pm on USRN with Matthew Owens
Saturday, October 13th
High School Football - Irvington @ Ferris
1:00pm on WSR with Pierre Moss
College Football - #2 Georgia @ #13 LSU
3:30pm on USRN with Matthew Owens
College Football - #6 West Virginia @ Iowa State
7:00pm on USRN with Seth Eaves
Sunday, October 14th
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs @ Talladega - Alabama 500
1:45pm on USRN with Matthew Owens & Seth Eaves 

Friday, October 5, 2018

The Mixlr Six - Edition #3

1. Alabama
  • Record: 5-0 (2-0 SEC)
  • Last Game: 56-14 win vs. Louisiana 
  • AP Ranking: #1
  • Carter Floyd: #1
  • Seth Eaves: #1
  • Pierre Moss: #1
  • Dan Vasta: #1
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #1
  • Matthew Owens: #1 
  • Next Game: @ Arkansas on 10/6 (12:00pm on ESPN) 
2. Georgia
  • Record: 5-0 (3-0 SEC) 
  • Last Game: 38-12 win vs. Georgia
  • AP Ranking: #2 
  • Carter Floyd: #2 
  • Seth Eaves: #2
  • Pierre Moss: #2
  • Dan Vasta: #2
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #2
  • Matthew Owens: #2
  • Next Game: vs. Vanderbilt on 10/6 (7:30pm on SECN)
3. Ohio State
  • Record: 5-0 (2-0 Big Ten)
  • Last Game: 27-26 win @ Penn State
  • AP Ranking: #3
  • Carter Floyd: #3
  • Seth Eaves: #4
  • Pierre Moss: #3
  • Dan Vasta: #3
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #3
  • Matthew Owens: #5
  • Next Game: vs. Indiana on 10/6 (4:00pm on FOX)
4. Clemson
  • Record: 5-0 (2-0 ACC)
  • Last Game: 27-23 win vs. Syracuse
  • AP Ranking: #4
  • Carter Floyd: #6
  • Seth Eaves: #3
  • Pierre Moss: #5
  • Dan Vasta: #6
  • Calvin Vandergrift: N/A
  • Matthew Owens: #3
  • Next Game: @ Wake Forest on 10/6 (3:30pm on ESPN)
5. LSU
  • Record: 5-0 (2-0 SEC)
  • Last Game: 45-16 win vs. Ole Miss
  • AP Ranking: #5
  • Carter Floyd: #5
  • Seth Eaves: #6
  • Pierre Moss: #4
  • Dan Vasta: #5
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #6
  • Matthew Owens: #6
  • Next Game: @ Florida on 10/6 (3:30pm on CBS)
6. Notre Dame
  • Record: 5-0 (Independent)
  • Last Game: 38-17 win vs. Stanford
  • AP Ranking: #6
  • Carter Floyd: #4
  • Seth Eaves: N/A
  • Pierre Moss: #6
  • Dan Vasta: #4
  • Calvin Vandergrift: #5
  • Matthew Owens: N/A 
  • Next Game: @ Virginia Tech on 10/6 (8:00pm on ABC)