Hey, look what won't go away...

...it's the Local Hoops Top 10. This week we reward those that excelled during Championship Week. And laugh at those that didn't.

1. Georgetown (26-6)
Big East regular season and tournament champion. The shiznit. People are falling all over themselves to pick the Hoyas as national champs. JT3 has to be happy with the chumps in his part of the bracket.

2. Virginia Commonwealth (27-6)
CAA regular season and tournament champion. They get Duke in Round 1. I say VCU wins that game, behind the guard play of Eric Maynor, Jesse Pellot-Rosa and B.A. Walker (combined 41.4 ppg).

3. George Washington (23-8)
A-10 tournament champ. I hate the A-10. Xavier screwed some at-large bids by not taking care of business. Can they beat Vanderbilt? I have no f'ing clue.

4. Maryland (24-8)
ACC tournament first round loser. BUT, prior to that, a team that looked like they finally got it. Could be a very interesting tourney run for Gary and those seniors. Davidson is led by Freshman of the Year Stephen Curry (yep, he's the son of the Charlotte Hornet's all time leading scorer, Dell Curry).

5. Virginia (20-10)
ACC tournament quarterfinal loser loser. Drew Albany in the Dance. I think all the 4 seeds could be interesting this year (Virginia, Maryland, Texas and Southern Illinois). But first let's see Albany and Jamar Wilson put a scare into Dave Leitao's crew.

6. Virginia Tech (21-11)
ACC tournament quarterfinal loser. If Illinois is as bad as I think they are, Hokies will be moving on to Round 2 of the Dance. Senior guards Zabian Dowdell and Jamon Gordon will be the difference.

7. Old Dominion (24-8)
12 seed Monarchs facing 5 seed Butler. Lost in CAA semis to George Mason. And that almost cost them. I like ODU's chances to be that 12 that beats a 5. I certainly don't see Illinois or Arkansas getting it done (Long Beach...maybe...)

8. George Mason (18-15)
Almost made a surprise appearance...but lost in CAA finals. I don't think they even made the NIT.

9. VMI (14-19)
Almost redux...lost to heavily favored Winthrop 84-81 in final of Big South tourney. Very enjoyable run by the Keydets though.

10. William and Mary (15-15)
I think their St. Valentine's Day victory over Drexel killed the Dragons. Seriously.

Well, we've been touting them all year...

...and last night the VCU Rams made us look good by clinching the CAA's automatic bid with a gritty, gutty 65-59 victory over last year's darling George Mason, in a game Mason looked almost assured of winning at the two minute mark. But that's when VCU's sophomore point guard Eric Maynor absolutely took over, twice picking the pockets of Patriots ballhandlers on the way to 5 straight points, followed by a fantastic off-balance leaner in the paint, and two free throws on a dumb intentional foul to seal it for VCU. Congrats to Coach Anthony Grant and his team. I feel bad for the 5 or 6 seed who face these guys in Round 1.

I think Pat Ewing Jr. needs some counseling

That is one angry looking kid on the basketball court. Perhaps he needs a soothing father-son dinner at Crystal City Restaurant to help ease his pain...All right, enough amateur psycho-analysis, let's move on to what is most likely GTB's last Local Hoops Top 10 of the season (try to contain your tears):

[Important note: RPIs used are from the fantastic Ken Pomeroy website (as of Sunday night)...and to ensure consistency over the next two weeks, anytime I reference RPI it will be these Ken Pom numbers.]

1. Georgetown (22-5, 12-2, Ken Pom RPI - 16)
The hottest team on the East Coast (11 wins in a row), the Hoyas look like a Final Four team right now (and I apologize to all Georgetown fans if the Curse of GTB now strikes your club in the first weekend). In fact, with the losses by Florida, Wisconsin and North Carolina in the last week, and the ugly win by Ohio State today, I would say Georgetown is the second best team in the country (behind only UCLA). Pretty impressive stuff, given how pedestrian they looked on the morning of December 3rd, after losing to Duke and falling to 4-3 on the year (with the other losses to ODU and Oregon).

2. Virginia Tech (20-8, 10-4, KPR - 22)
Two nice, and necessary, wins last week, most importantly the win over Boston College. Maryland's upset tonight means Va Tech is tied for 1st in the ACC, with games left against UVA and Clemson. As a reminder, Clemson started the season 17-0 (3-0 in the ACC), is now 19-9 (5-9 in the conference), and will be losing in the 1st Round of the NIT, guaranteed. But I'm sure Billy Packer thinks Clemson should make the Dance over ODU.

3. Virginia (19-8, 10-4, KPR - 38)
Tied with in-state rival Va Tech atop the ACC (Coaches Leitao and Greenberg, address those thank yous to Gary Williams), but most definitely below them in this poll. That's what getting pummeled by 27 will do. Plus, who wants to root for UVA anyway?

4. Maryland (22-7, 8-6, KPR - 17)
I was all set to jump Maryland above UVA after that stirring upset of Carolina tonight, until I actually did a little research and realized the Terps lost both games to Virginia this year, and for that reason just couldn't do it. See how easy that was Billy Packer - I got on the ole email machine and used the eBays to find out how teams performed over the course of the season. Try to give it a try in the next two weeks (or at least have an intern do it for your drooling, geriatric ass). Anyway, 5 straight wins for the Terps, who (like Georgetown and ODU) are rolling at just the right time and will be a force in the ACC Tourney (and, depending on their seed, the Big Dance as well).

5. VCU (24-6, 16-2, KPR - 60)
Congrats to the CAA regular season champs...who unfortunately are limping to the finish line (barely beating 10-19 Georgia St to clinch). As you know, I have been pulling for these guys all year, but either they got complacent in the last two weeks or they are more flawed than the 24-6 record would indicate. The CAA tourney should be a doozy, with VCU, ODU, Hofstra and Drexel all capable of taking the title.

6. Old Dominion (23-7, 15-3, KPR - 33)
Winners of 11 straight to end the regular season, they sure look like a viable at-large candidate. And even though VCU won the regular season CAA title, I would have to slightly favor ODU at this point to win the CAA Tournament.

7. George Washington (18-8, 9-5, KPR - 86)
Yeah, I disrespect them every week, but they won both games last week, and honestly, the A-10 seems to be a crapshoot, so why not GW. Unless Karl Hobbs channels that coaching legend Bruiser Flint prior to the A-10 tourney.

8. Loyola (17-12, 12-6, KPR - 187)
They fell to 4th place in the MAAC standings, which it appears Marist or Siena will win (at least based on their second great game of the year Saturday - thank you DVR)...and whoa, did Jack Nicholson shave his head? Wow...sorry, Oscars on in the background, and I really have nothing else to say about Loyola.

9. George Mason (15-14, 9-9, KPR - 136)
Welcome back to the poll Jim Larranaga and company. Unfortunately, that means it was time to say goodbye to Towson and Gary Neal (very tough for me to do). I think Coach Larranaga might even hate Billy Packer more than me (and Phil Martelli).

10. William and Mary (15-14, 8-10, KPR - 185)
Well, I did it again. Put the Tribe on this list, and they shit the bed...again...when will I learn. Obviously not this week...if this really is my last local hoops poll of 2007, the Tribe get to finish in the Ten Spot. And of course lose the 8/9 game in the CAA tourney. Jammin' on the James my ass.

There's Georgetown...and everyone else

Short and sweet this week as I am currently on my way to San Diego for work. And yes, there is a San Diego-specific YouTube clip below, but I shunned Ron Burgundy in favor of a Chris Berman/Tom Jackson favorite. Enough fluff, on to this week's Top 10:

1. Georgetown (20-5, 10-2)
Nine straight wins, and once they dismantle Cincy mid-week I fully expect them to take down Pittsburgh at the Phone Booth on Saturday. You're looking at a regular season Big East title for the Hoyas.

2. Virginia (18-7, 9-3)
Sure, you wouldn't think beating Longwood and Florida St. would bump UVA up to #2 on this list, but they are tied for first in the ACC with North Carolina, and that's gotta be worth something.

3. Virginia Tech (18-8, 8-4)
Atrocious loss to NC State Sunday takes some of the shine off the impressive upset of the Tar Heels. The Wolfpack are only 4-8 in the ACC this year, but 2 of those 4 wins are over Seth Greenberg's boys. Not good, not good at all.

4. VCU (22-6, 14-2)
CAA leader VCU really needed to defend its homecourt and beat Bradley Saturday, but it was not to be. Luckily, their final two CAA games are against 4-12 JMU and 5-11 Georgia St., so this week they stay a spot ahead of ODU under the assumption they win both and secure the CAA regular season title.

5. Old Dominion (21-7, 13-3)
Despite my well-documented mid-major love for VCU, even I have to recognize how well ODU is playing (and how that early season win over Georgetown propels them ahead of VCU in the eyes of many). They've won 9 straight, and if VCU stumbles, they're gonna take the CAA crown.

6. Maryland (20-7, 6-6)
The two double-digit conference road wins are indeed impressive. Two weeks ago we were happily dismissing their tourney chances, but now a split in their final four games and they are all but assured a spot in the Dance. They also managed to push Clemson, who started 17-0, to the brink of March elimination.

7. Loyola (16-11, 11-5)
Tied for 2nd place in the MAAC...which elevates them ever so slightly above middling teams 8, 9 and 10. I am in no way a Loyola hoops expert, but this has got to be the best year they've had in a very long time.

8. George Washington (16-8, 7-5)
If William and Mary and Towson weren't so damn mediocre, GW would be sitting pretty in the cellar of this poll. 5th place in the A-10, losers of 4 of their last 5, this team is trying very hard to play its way out of this local hoops poll, which is quite a feat, given the awful teams in the "also receiving votes" category.

9. William and Mary (15-12, 8-8)
Horrendous loss to Fairfield over the weekend, but it wasn't a conference loss, and I am obviously biased, so they stay put at #9. The Tribe could really make the contributors of GTB proud with a win over either ODU (highly unlikely) or Drexel (always a possibility with Mensa member Bruiser Flint at the helm) to finish the season.

10. Towson (14-14, 8-8)
I didn't feel like bringing George Mason back into the mix, especially after their loss to Kent St. Saturday, so Towson and my boy Gary Neal hold down spot 10. I wonder if Neal has any shot at playing in the NBA?

"What have you done for me lately, Eddie?"

All right, now we're getting somewhere...Selection Sunday is less than a month away, and though alot can happen between now and March 11th, here's where the "local" hoops teams currently stand (this post might be a little stats heavy today - I am REALLY avoiding work):

1. Georgetown (18-5, 8-2)
Roy Hibbert leads the nation in FG%, shooting 70.3% from the field...and by field I mean anywhere within four feet of the basket. The Hoyas as a team trail only defending champ Florida in team FG% (52.4%). These guys have really got it going, and I have no doubt they can make a deep run in March. The only catch would be they're peaking too soon (winners of 7 straight), but I don't think that's the case here. I think we're looking at the #1 team in this poll for the rest of the year.

2. VCU (21-5, 13-2)
OK, so my boys have had a bit of trouble in the last two weeks, but they are still first in the CAA and have that gaudy win total. Their last three CAA games are against corpses, but I'm much more interested in their Bracket Buster game this weekend against Bradley of the MVC. One way or the other, I've got VCU penciled in as one of two tourney-bound CAA teams. That's right, two CAA teams are going to the Dance again. By the way, point guard Eric Maynor is 5th in the country in assists (6.3 apg).

3. Virginia Tech (17-7, 7-3)
Wow, that was an impressive shellacking of in-state rival UVA last week. Though still a half-game back of the Wahoos in the ACC standings, Va Tech sits ahead of them in this poll because they just beat the living shit out of them. UVA should've never even gotten off the bus. Two tough roadies coming up for Seth and the fellas, starting tomorrow night at Carolina.

4. Virginia (16-7, 8-3)
Yes, they still sit pretty at 8-3 in the ACC, but getting trounced by Va Tech by 27 cannot help this team's confidence. Luckily, they have 8-18 Longwood next on the schedule. Way to toughen up for March, Coach Leitao.

5. Old Dominion (19-7, 12-3)
Here is the aforementioned second CAA team...like the Hoyas, winners of 7 in a row, and that Monarchs win over Georgetown looks very good right now. Both ODU and VCU will scare teams in the first round of the tourney, if of course the Curse of GTB doesn't strike them down before they get there.

6. Maryland (18-7, 4-6)
Sure, I picked Maryland over Duke mainly because of my dislike for Duke, but it was nice to see the Terps play their best ball of the season lats night. Travieso 2.0 (or is it Padilla 2.0?) was very impressive, and Gist and Ibekwe were solid in the middle. The Dukies are in serious trouble right now. As an aside, the Terps have the 17th most potent scoring attack in the country (79.9 ppg). And Gary Williams has the highest dry cleaning bills in the ACC.

7. Loyola (14-11, 10-5)
Hanging in there in a very competitive MAAC. 10-5 puts them 1 game back of conference leader Marist (and tied with two others, Siena and Niagara). Gerald Brown is 9th in the country in scoring (21.6 ppg). Anyone got the most famous Marist alum?

8. George Washington (15-7, 6-4)
The A-10 sucks (except Xavier). I'm sorry, but the league really is terrible. If a team led by Bruiser Flint can be in contention for the league title than there is a problem (EDITOR'S NOTE: Bruiser is at Drexel now, as pointed out by Rob. That little turd Travis Ford coaches UMass). Hell, Duquesne, which had like 5 guys gunned down in the offseason, is 6-5 in league play. Good for them, bad for the A-10. Useless GW stat: Eight-year starter Carl Elliot is 11th in the nation in steals (2.7 spg).

9. William and Mary (14-11, 7-8)
They don't so much storm back into the rankings as barely limp in, hungover and covered in vomit. But hey, thanks to the completely abysmal play of George Mason the Tribe are back in the Top 10. They have 7 league wins, for which Tony Shaver deserves a medal (and perhaps an extension?).

10. Towson (13-13, 7-8)
You know why they stay on this list. Gary Neal, 25.5 ppg...good for 4th in the country, just ahead of some kid named Durant. Wish I knew more about this Durant guy, nobody ever talks about him.

Remind me again why today isn't a national holiday?

This is a fluid list - you lose two in a week like Virginia Tech and George Washington and look what happens…

1. Virginia Commonwealth (20-4, 12-1)
They weren’t going undefeated in a tough CAA, so the loss AT second place Hofstra isn’t a killer. They still have a 1 game lead on the Pride and a 2 game lead on ODU…plus they’re 20-4. You see any other 20 win teams on this list? Didn't think so. [Thanks to Mark for pointing out this Anthony Grant article on SI.com]

2. Virginia (15-6, 7-2)
Solid week for Dave Leitao and the Singletary/Reynolds backcourt (combined 38 ppg). They keep this up and I might actually be able to spell Leitao's without having to look it up first. Winners of six straight, UVA can pretty much ruin Maryland's season tomorrow night.

3. Georgetown (16-5, 6-2)
They've won five in a row, but against complete Big East donkeys - Rutgers, Cincy, Seton Hall, St. Johns and Depaul. Four of those teams will be missing the Big East tourney at Madison Square Garden. However, they've crept to #3 on this list because they might be the most dangerous team come the Madness - that offense, Green's athleticism and Gigantor Roy Hibbert make them an extremely tough match-up.

4. Virginia Tech (16-7, 6-3)
Seth, buddy, what happened? Right the ship before you're .500 in the ACC...and staring at a NIT bid. Since when did the hoops team adopt the football team's strategy of "Early Season Success, Late Season Collapse"?

5. Loyola (Md.) (13-9, 9-3)
First place team in the MAAC, still. MAAC tourney this year in Bridgeport, CT should be a doozy. In other MAAC news, Iona got it's first W Saturday, and now stands at 1-22 on the year. I think GTB played a vital role in that first win.

6. Old Dominion (17-7, 10-3)
Winners of 5 in a row, they are making a surge at the right time, AND they have the non-conference road win over Georgetown to show the Committee in March. And yes, they're ahead of GW, because the CAA is a better conference than the A-10.

7. George Washington (15-6, 6-3)
The A-10 sucks, GW just lost both conference games this week, and they’re now in 3rd place. Hey, at least they’re ahead of Marlyand.

8. Maryland (17-6, 3-5)
I asked Whit to chime in again on Gary and the boys:
"Nothing pithy today. MD is cooked."
Thanks Whit, we now go live to Ollie Williams with the Blackuweather Report...

9. George Mason (13-10, 7-6)
The bottom of this list is stretching it thin...not much about George Mason or Towson below scream Top 10. So, when is the Disney movie coming out about the magical Final Four run last year? And who is playing Larranaga?

10. Towson (12-12, 6-7)
When in doubt, add another CAA team (just not my awful alma mater). American and Navy are stinking up the Patriot league, JMU is a nightmare and I'm not casting novelty votes for some guy named Rory. So Towson and my boy Gary Neal it is.

VCU is legit

I’ll keep this brief…same 10 teams, slightly different order…and a new #1:

1. Virginia Commonwealth (18-3, 10-0)
I watched this team go on the road Saturday afternoon and defeat the 2nd place team in the CAA (Drexel) 75-68. The three guard attack of B.A. Walker, Jesse Pellot-Rosa and Eric Maynor is damn impressive. It kind of makes me wonder why Jeff Capel didn't stay at least one more year?

2. Virginia Tech (16-5, 6-1)
The Hokies did nothing to warrant the drop, it's just VCU is too impressive not to be #1 this week. Va Tech continues to win on the road in the ACC and needs to do it again at BC this week (and not slip up against a hurting NC State club).

3. George Washington (15-4, 6-1)
I still think the A-10 blows. But GW appears to be the best of all those crappy teams. One of which is coached by Travis Ford. UMass I think. Terrible UMass/Charlotte game on yesterday afternoon.

4. Georgetown (15-5, 5-2)
Winning the games they are supposed to win, they now need to go on the road and beat St. John's and Louisville. Did you know Roy Hibbert is shooting 71% from the floor this year? 71%?

5. Virginia (13-6, 5-2)
I mean, did Clemson press the big red button yesterday or what? Oliver Purnell might have officially lost his kids after the second straight brutal loss. Virginia improves to 5-2 in the ACC, and they get the Dukies at home this week.

6. Maryland (16-5, 2-4)
I think Whit has a handle on the Terps:

"Meanwhile in Terp Town, things are looking bleak. Currently 2-4 in the ACC with some bad losses, they probably need to go at least 7-3 down the stretch and make some noise in the ACC tourney to get into the big'un. That 7-3 might need to include wins over Duke and UNC.

Uh, good luck with all that, Gary."

7. Loyola (Md.) (12-8, 8-2)
Still in first place in the MAAC...and they just beat Iona, making the Gaels 0-20. I just have a bad feeling Loyola's season is going downhill from here.

8. Old Dominion (14-7, 7-3)
Needs to go on the road and beat Drexel this week to have any chance of catching VCU (though it's not happening).

9. George Mason (12-8, 6-4)
Grasping...but they do get the dregs of the CAA in their next two, Delaware and UNC-Wilmington (where are you Brett Blizzard?).

10. Towson (10-11, 4-6)
Can't put the Tribe back in this slot, so I will continue to promote Gary Neal in this space. He's still 5th in the country in scoring (25.9 ppg). He has six 30 point games this year and a 40 point game. But, this is Towson we're talking about, so nobody cares.

GTB's Local Hoops Top 10

Last week's #1 holds serve, beating Sweaty McG and his Terps last night in overtime (though Pats/Colts distracted me from much of the collegiate action). Some legit shuffling has occurred in the soft underbelly of these rankings, where the CAA leader and a previously ignored team (by me and everyone in the greater DC area) jump up...

1. Virginia Tech (14-5, 4-1) - The loss at FSU wasn't great, but ask the Florida Gators how much fun it is to play at The Donald (L. Tucker Center). Taking Maryland down last night to get to 4-1 in the ACC is impressive, and I almost believe in these guys. Dowdell and Gordon are a pretty lethal backcourt.

2. Virginia Commonwealth (16-3, 8-0) - Seven straight Ws and an unblemished conference mark get you to #2 in this poll. VCU's next two games (at George Mason, at Drexel) could very well decide the regular season CAA champ.

3. George Washington (13-4, 4-1) - I'll admit it, I pay no attention to GW, even after their recent successes, mainly because the A-10 has sucked ever since Lamar Odom left. But GW has put themselves right in the NCAA mix again this year, and you could argue all 4 losses are quality losses (if such a thing exists).

4. Georgetown (13-5, 3-2) – Win both games last week to climb above .500 in the Big East, which is where they should be (and they SHOULD beat Rutgers and Cincy this week). Big East teams are going to kill each other all year long, but this Georgetown team has significantly underachieved and should end up a Top 3 team when the buses head to MSG.

5. Virginia (11-6, 3-2) – Nice bounceback this week, beating stumbling MD and then having RJ Reynolds "smoke" Wake for 40 yesterday. Who would've thought UVA and Va Tech would have two of the more potent backcourts in the country?

6. Maryland (15-5, 1-4) - Lucky to be #6, quite frankly. They either turn it around in the next four games, or the season is over by the time the Duke game rolls around. I really hope Gary recruits a "Padilla" to Greivis Vasquez's "Travieso".

7. Loyola (Md.) (11-7, 7-1) – Still in first place in the MAAC, which is unbelievable, since this team was 1-27 three years ago and 6-22 two years ago. And Gerald Brown continues to "score the ball" (Hi Jay Bilas!) like a madman (23.3 ppg, good for 11th in the country).

8. George Mason (11-7, 5-3) – That’s 5 straight wins now…Thomas and Campbell have really picked up their games.

9. Old Dominion (12-7, 5-3) – Two game skid drops them behind GMU…huge matchup against William and Mary Wednesday night.

10. Towson (9-10, 3-5) – Sacrificial #10 this week, as my placement of the Tribe in this spot has led to four straight losses. Plus, if I'm gonna throw love Gerald Brown's way, this poll needs to recognize Gary Neal, who is actually 4th in the nation in scoring at 25.2 ppg.

Because I'm already sick of the Brady/Manning Slurpfest

Just 29 days until pitchers and catchers report...



Morning Update: This week's local hoops Top 10

1. Virginia Tech (13-4, 3-0) - You beat Carolina and Duke in the same week, you get to be the new local #1. Plus, Deron Washington's hair is awesome.

2. Maryland (15-3, 1-2) - Look miserable against Miami, be the first team to beat Clemson this year. I'll say one thing about Gary's team - it's consistently inconsistent.

3. Georgetown (11-5, 1-2) - Not a good week for Hoya nation. The home loss to Villanova was a real killer. Someone tell Jeff Green it's OK to show up for two games in a row.

4. Virginia Commonwealth (14-3, 6-0) - Honestly, VCU should probably be ahead of Georgetown, but I guess I have some sort of "mid-major" bias. Just don't tell Jay Bilas.

5. George Washington (11-4, 2-1) - Man, the A-10 is a joke...but at least GW always has several candidates for the all-name team.

6. Virginia (9-6, 1-2) - Let the freefall in Charlottesville begin.

7. Old Dominion (12-5, 5-1) - CAA owns this poll. VCU, ODU, William and Mary and George Mason all staying in the Top 10 this week. And ODU happens to have as many Big East wins as Georgetown.

8. Loyola (Md.) (9-7, 5-1) - Gotta be the surprise of the MAAC, right? Guard Gerald Brown is 11th nationally in scoring at 23.4 ppg.

9. William and Mary (10-6, 3-3) - Barely hanging on to their spot in the Top 10 after reverting to the Tribe of old this week. But you're nuts if you think I'm dropping my alma mater off this list.

10. George Mason (9-7, 3-3) - Winners of three in a row, Mason looks to finish the CAA schedule strong and make some noise in Richmond.

A little late to the party...

Each week, the DC Sports Bog has been doing a local college hoops poll, and each week I simply forget to turn in my ballot by the noon Monday deadline. Well not this week folks - the William and Mary Tribe have inspired me to get my votes in this week, mainly because W&M never gets any hoops pub but deserves some love this week (more on that in a moment). On to this week's rankings...

1. Maryland (14-2, 0-1)
Apparently, the Terps have joined the MAAC, beating Siena and Iona in their last two games. Quick, most famous Iona alum? Jeff Ruland. The Terps are #1 by default this week, but another key win or two by the Hoyas or the Hokies (yes, the Hokies) and Maryland drops. By my count, they've beaten two decent teams and lost to the two best teams they've played. They're the Notre Dame of college hoops - though I'm sure Strawberry and Vasquez could've covered LSU's wide receivers better.

2. Georgetown (11-3, 1-0)
Saturday's thrashing of Notre Dame at the phone booth is a good start for this team, but the three early season losses keep them from claiming the #1 slot. For teams that miss out on Greg Oden in next year's draft, I would take a long hard look at Roy Hibbert. He's really starting to display an all-around game fit for the next level. I will be at the Georgetown/Villanova game tonight courtesy of Dennis and his employer, and the Hoyas should win this one handily. I look forward to berating Mike Nardi all night.

3. Virginia Tech (11-4, 2-0)
Huge win, huge win, for Seth Greenberg's crew over Duke Saturday. Makes up for that Sean Dockery traveshamockery last year. And forget the Duke lacrosse case - I think Greg Paulus should press assault charges after that posterization by Deron Washington (plus Washington blocked his game-winning attempt). The wins over Iowa and ODU help the Hokies' cause, and their game in a week against Carolina could get VT the #1 slot.

4. Virginia (9-4, 1-0)
Yikes, crushing loss at home to Stanford yesterday. The wins over Arizona to start the year and Gonzaga a week ago had the Cavs primed for a jump before yesterday. Good luck playing at soon-to-be-#1 UNC Wednesday night. By the way, is it a rule that Stanford must always have a set of twins on their team (this year it's 7' twins Brook and Robin Lopez)?

5. Virginia Commonwealth (11-3, 3-0)
CAA represent in this week's rankings. Not exactly a glowing resume for VCU, but they are tied atop the competitive CAA, and honestly, who the hell has George Washington beaten to be ahead of them? No one, that's who.

6. George Washington (10-3, 1-0)
Again, this team has beaten absolutely no one. I'm not even sure they should stay in the Top 10, but when you look at the dregs left (sorry Howard, Richmond, VMI, etc.) I guess I'll cut Karl and his boys some slack. By the way, Carl Elliot is the Jess Settles of the A-10.

7. Old Dominion (10-4, 3-0)
Solid team so far this year, with all 4 losses being what Jay Bilas would consider "quality losses". I think we're looking at the CAA winner (over VCU and Drexel) and potential 1st round sleeper come March. I like the inside-out combination of Lithuanian Valdas Vasylius and guards Brian Henderson and Drew Williamson.

8. William and Mary (9-4, 2-1)
Ah yes, the darlings of this week's ranking. From NR to 8th today...that's what six straight wins will do for you, including a road defeat of George Mason in that span. This is the best team Williamsburg has seen since my senior year. That team went on to win 20, and of course lost in the 1st round of the CAA tourney. Beat Georgia State tonight and it's the second best CAA start in school history. It's a shame MASN or Comcast don't air more Tribe games, because the whitewash that is their starting line-up is startling. There's enough gangly white kids on the floor at all times you'd think you were watching a YMCA pick-up game. One other thing...William and Mary coach Tony Shaver: Hitler, Craig Escherick or state trooper?

9. Loyola (Md.) (7-6, 3-1)
A little more love for the MAAC. Beat Siena tomorrow night and Loyola is in first place in the MAAC, which I think is shocking. Plus, Navy, American and Towson belong nowhere near a list of Top 10. Loyola gets bonus points for housing my brother for part of his college education.

10. George Mason (6-7, 0-3)
I think it's very safe to say the shine is off last year's Cinderella story. If the loss to my Tribe didn't do it, the loss Saturday to ODU certainly did. In fact, they only remain on this list because I saw Jim Larranaga at last week's Dematha/St. John's game.