Chicago area HS Basketball

Lots of good hoops will be going on this winter, as some big time schools and top recruits try to get their teams down to Peoria for the state tournament in March.

9 players to watch

Wayne Blackshear-Morgan Park- Blackshear is the favorite to win Illinois's Mr. Basketball. The Louisville recruit has dropped 50 points in the past and will do it a numerous amount of times this year.

Tracy Abrams- Mt Carmel- The Caravan's point guard can do it all, as he tries to lead them to a CCL title

Nnanna Egwu- St. Ignatius- The 6-10 future Illini is the backbone of the Wolfpack's team, as teammate Tyrone Straggers and a strong junior class will definitely compete in the CCL

Mike Shaw-De La Salle- A top ranked PF in the country, Shaw will try to get De La Salle down state in his final year.

Sam Thompson-Whitney Young- The Buckeye-to-be has lots of young talent behind him, in what looks like a promising year.

Mycheal Henry-Orr- Another ILL recruit, he will challenge Shaw and Blackshear for Mr. Basketball this year.

Markee Williams- Morgan Park- The 2nd year PG has all the skills to get Blackshear the ball and do a little scoring for himself too.

Tommy Hamilton-Whitney Young- A rare combination of superb post play and 3 ball range makes this sophomore deadly.

Jabari Parker- Simeon- A rising star in Chicago basketball, Parker took Simeon's storied basketball program by storm and received plenty of national attention.

Top Chicago teams

1 Morgan Park

2 Simeon

3 De La Salle

4 Whitney Young

5 Orr

6 Marshall

7 Crane

8 St. Ignatius

9 Mt. Carmel

10 Hales

4 Games you gotta see this year

Jan 13 Simeon vs Morgan Park

Jan 20 Orr vs Young

Feb 19 Simeon vs Benet

Jan 21 De La Salle vs Ignatius

Under the Radar Bowl Games

Besides the 5 BCS bowl games, here are 4 intriguing games that i will be sure to watch:

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl Dec 22-11 Boise St vs 19 Utah- 2 of the top non-BCS schools clash in a game which will feature the QB's in Kellen Moore and Jordan Wynn. With both schools moving to new conferences next year, this is a statement win for two rising programs.

Capital One Bowl Jan 1- 16 Bama vs 9 Michigan St- The Spartans get a mammoth test against Bama, while the Tide try to salvage their disappointing season.

Alamo Bowl Dec 29- 14 Oklahoma St vs Arizona- The Cowboys and Wildcats meet in a battle of 2 high powered offenses. The question is which defense can make a stop first?

Chick-fil-A Bowl Dec 31- 20 South Carolina vs 23 FSU- I think this is the most interesting non-BCS bowl this year. The Gamecocks have certainly had their highs and lows this year and on the other side, Florida St has endured many injuries but still found itself in the ACC Championship

2011 NBA Draft

Even with chilly December just beginning, it's never too early to check out some players who might be in the June draft.

1. Jared Sullinger-Ohio St.-PF- This super frosh has Buckeye fans thinking he could be the next Greg Oden or better. He resembles almost like a Kevin Love, but its doubtful that he is one and done this year.
2. Kyrie Irving-Duke-PG- Irving has taken the country by storm, and it is quite possible he bolts for the Association. Since the NBA is a point guard league, he would be projected to be a top 5 pick right now, if not better.
3. Perry Jones-Baylor-PF- A huge kid with crazy hops, Jones has the chance to go top 3. He reminds me of Tyrus Thomas, which may not be the comparison he wants.
4. Kemba Walker-UConn-PG- The junior really lit it up in Maui, and he also helped his stock. Walker is the highest rated upperclassmen in this draft.
5. Enes Kanter-C- Formerly Kentucky- Kanter was ruled ineligible by the NCAA in the fall. That won't stop Kanter from going high in the draft. Think Demarcus Cousins with a mid range jumper.
6. Terrence Jones-PF-Kentucky- Jones has really stepped in with the absence of Kanter, and he has also really improved his stock. He could be top ten or early Lottery.
7. Harrisn Barnes-SF-UNC- Barnes's stock has plummeted from the beginning of the season. But with an NBA built body and still plenty of season to go, he is projected top 5.
8. Chris Singleton-PF-FSU- The Seminole blocked shots like crazy against Ohio St with NBA scouts in the stands. He has been compared to Al Harrington.

Final BCS Bowl Projections and Heisman votes

Final week:

BCS- Auburn vs Oregon- Both have tough, final tests, which should be both teams' main focus, not the game in January.

Sugar- Ohio St vs Arkansas- Arkansas has really impressed the voters with their surge lately.

Rose- Wisconsin vs Stanford- This could be potentially be a very solid game, with possibly a offensive shootout in Luck vs Wisconsin's running game.

Orange- WVU vs VT- One game that features the 2 weakest BCS conferences.

Fiesta-TCU vs Oklahoma- Everyone has TCU in the Rose Bowl, but i think they slide to the Fiesta Bowl once again.

Heisman-

1. Cam Newton- Unless he blows up, he's got it in the bag

2. Andrew Luck- Quietly having the best season in Stanford's history.

3. LaMichael James

4. Kendall Hunter

5. Kellen Moore- We can only ask, " What if?"

NCAAB Holiday Tournaments

Here's a couple of thoughts after the Holiday tourneys:

• Kemba Walker has the lead for the Naismith Award right now. The junior guard led Uconn in impressive wins over ranked opponents Washington and Kentucky, who have plenty of talent. Walker also averaged 30.3 points in Maui, as Uconn now has a legit star player in the making and potential to grab the Big East by storm.
• Duke is still Duke. Even #4 Kansas St. couldn't rattle the Devils, as #1 won by 14. KSU even had virtual home court, with the tournament being played in Kansas City, and still didn't make it close.
• North Carolina and it's star Freshman are starting off slow. Harrison Barnes went 0-12 vs Minnesota and then a loss to lowly Vandy in the 3rd place game spells trouble for UNC. Minnesota highlighted the tourney, as a win over WVU in the championship really boosted their ranking.
• The NIT final is a game I'm sure to watch, even with plenty of good NCAAF on. An athletic Tennessee team goes against a strong and talented guard trio in Villanova. This game is a great way to end the Holiday tournaments.

NFL Mid Season Awards

MVP- Michael Vick- Vick has led the Eagles to the NFC East division lead despite plenty of controversy in the early going of this year. The big stat is that he is 5-0 as the starter with no interceptions.

Offensive POTY- Roddy White- White and Matt Ryan look like Brady and Moss in '07, with White catching everything that is thrown towards him. #84 already has 7 TDs and over 1000 yards for the "Dirty Birds."

Defensive POTY- Clay Matthews- The second year LB out of USC has really strived with the blitzing scheme, as his sack total shows it at 11.5.

Offensive Rookie- Sam Bradford- The Rams actually have shown signs of life with Sam under center. Stephen Jackson has got to love with what he's seeing from him.

Defensive Rookie- Ndamukong Suh- The big D-lineman has been every as advertised, as the Lions have definitely found someone to build around on their defense.

Comeback- M.Vick- Another award for Mr. Vick, as this one is all but racked up for Vick.

Coach- Mike Tomlin- Well, Brad Childress is definitely not getting this award. But in all seriousness, you can't not like with where Tomlin has this team, especially starting the season with no Big Ben.

MLB Offseason Activity

Here are 6 big time free agents and their possible landing spots, plus 3 trades that could happen.

1. Adam Dunn- Future team: White Sox- Other Suitors; Cubs, Nationals, and Tigers.

With Paul Konerko likely gone, Kenny Williams and Jerry Reinsdorf won't hesitate to pay the left handed power hitter( who they've always wanted) the big bucks.

2. Carl Crawford-Angels-Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers.

After LA missed the playoffs last year, they will definitely be looking to upgrade their team, especially with an explosive leadoff hitter. Crawford fits in perfectly.

3. Cliff Lee-Yankees- Nationals, Cubs, Rangers- Unless Lee falls in love with Arlington or another city, i don't see how he turns down Sabathia-type money.

4. Paul Konerko-Red Sox- White Sox, Tigers, Diamondback, and Angels.

As much as i don't want to see Pauly go, i think he bolts to the Red Sox if they offer him ridiculous money. The Angels could get involved too if they lose out to Crawford.

5. Victor Martinez-Red Sox- Tigers, Rangers, White Sox.

I think this is almost a lock, as the Red Sox love him and he loves Boston back. The Chi Sox could get involved too if they lose both AJ and Pauly.

6. Adrian Beltre- A's- Red Sox Tigers and Angels-Beltre will want too much from Boston, but the A's will be waving that 4 year deal right in front of him.

Trades that may be on teams' radars:

Adrian Gonzalez to Cubs-Even with a winning record last year, the Padres will shop Gonzalez from now till July 31. This would be a great move for the Cubs, but is the asking price too much?

Justin Upton to Boston- The D'backs are shopping him, as they look to clean out house. There is still plenty of potential in this kid.

Zach Greinke to Rangers- With the Rangers probably losing out on Cliff Lee, the Royals will listen to offers for Zach, but its a steep cost.