Day 60: The Big Ten, Nets, Ron Artest and more

HEADLINES

1) The Big Ten won the Big Ten/ACC Challenge for the first time in the 11-year history of the event. Is the Big Ten finally stronger than the ACC this year?

Ben: No -- It is a great accomplishment by the Big Ten to win the challenge this year, but let me say they should be equally disappointed it took 11 years to complete that feat. The Big Ten is not stronger because it took a 23 point come from behind win and the Duke Blue Devils playing some of the dumbest basketball I've seen them play in 10 years. I think the Big Ten top to bottom is closer to the ACC then they have been in recent years, but I would put the top teams in the ACC over any team in the Big Ten this season. I just don't think the Big Ten can hang yet -- but they are getting closer.

Boz: Let me start by saying that I am more than excited that the Big Ten finally pulled in the victory. I've been watching every challenge the past 11 years of my life, waiting and wishing for a Big Ten win. Now that it has happened, I don't think that the Big Ten is stronger than the ACC this season. The ACC isn't as strong on top of the conference as they have been in past seasons, but they are a much deeper conference, something that the Big Ten can't say. The reason why the Big Ten finally won the challenge was because they got upper-hand in the match-ups and were favored with who got home-court advantage. They finally got a couple close games to go their way on the road (i.e.- Illinois' comeback win at Clemson) and the result ends with a win. You'll still see more ACC teams in the NCAA Tournament, which matters more.

2) The New Jersey Nets have set the new record for consecutive games lost to open a season by starting the 2009-10 season with an 0-18 record. How does this Nets team relate to some of sports' all-time worst teams?

Ben: This has to be tops. I mean, it at least competes with the Bucs losing 26 straight games, but they were an expansion franchise, so I'll give them a pass. I mean, these are professional basketball players, sometimes with more rest then the teams playing them and they still can't put it together for 48 minutes and win 1 game. It is really depressing and disappointing for a team potentially trying to land a guy like LeBron.

Boz: They are right up there with last year's Lions and the Tampa Bay Yuck-aneers. It astonishes me that a team of professional-level basketball players can go 18 games without winning one game. I know that not all NBA teams are equally talented, but every NBA team has enough talent to win at least one game against another team. They've had to play someone on a long road trip or even on back-to-back nights, yet they still haven't won a game. If they can't beat the Bobcats at home in their next game, the losing streak could continue for quite some time.

3) Ron Artest stated to an unknown magazine in an interview that he use to drink Hennessy during halftime of games when he played for the Chicago Bulls. What do you make of this situation?

Ben: Artest is just plain dumb. First, why would you say that? Second, why would you do something like that? And third, why would you say that while you are still playing the game? All signs point to "crazy" on the Ron Artest map of emotions. At least Andre Agassi waiting until he was finished playing tennis to "tell-all", Artest still has 5 years left at least. Dumb, is all I can say.

Boz: Ron Artest is off his rocker. You never know what to believe when it comes to Ron Artest. He could have been that crazy and actually drank Hennessy while with the Chicago Bulls or he could be lying and actually just be the new spokesman for Hennessy and is just trying to get the brand out there. Artest also called himself a pimp when he was a 19-year old single father and that he still wants to fight Ben Wallace during the interview. Artest is the NBA version of Manny Ramirez where you just have to chalk these comments up to Ron Artest being Ron Artest. I take it all with a grain of salt.

4) Jesper Parnevik has stated that he regrets introuding Tiger Woods to his now wife, Elin Nordegren, who was once Parnevik's nanny. He said he feels sorry for Elin and hopes that she uses the driver next time instead of the three-iron. What do you make of Parnevik's comments?

Ben: I think Parnevik should mind his own business. What does he know about the situation that we don't -- probably nothing. So, he should probably focus on his own life and stop commenting on Tiger and a former employee of his.

Boz: You don't disagree when he says that he is sorry for Elin because you don't wish any woman to have to go through her husband committing adultry. However, Parnevik needs to be careful when saying that he regrets introducing Elin to Tiger and saying that Tiger isn't as good of a guy as he thought. Before he makes those claims of short-comings against Tiger, Jesper better make sure that he is the perfect man. Yes, Tiger showed faults this week but I am also sure that Jesper Parnevik hasn't been the best husband and father award either. While I am not saying that Jesper Parnevik has committed adultry, I'm sure he has made some mistakes as well, and even though they aren't as severe, he shouldn't throw rocks at a glass house.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICK 'EM

Last week            Ben: 6-1               Boz: 4-3
Season                 Ben: 57-30           Boz: 48-39

1) No. 16 Oregon State at No. 7 Oregon (Thursday, 8 p.m.)

Ben: Oregon. I think the Ducks are physical and will punish Oregon State in a big matchup for the Rose Bowl berth. Plus, it's at Auzten, and that place is TOUGH to win for a visiting team.

Boz: OREGON. The Ducks are too strong for the Beavers to handle on defense. I think you'll see a lot of points put up on the board, but Jeremiah Masoli and company put up more points.

2) Arizona at No. 18 USC (Saturday, 2:30 p.m.)

Ben: USC. I think the Trojans are a huge disappointment this year -- but they are still better then Arizona.

Boz: USC. It seems weird that the Trojans aren't playing for the Pac-10 title right now, but they'll still get their ninth win and clinch a big non-BCS bowl. The Wildcats have struggled as late and it continues against USC.

3) Fresno State at Illinois (Saturday, 11:30 a.m.)

Ben: Fresno State. Pat Hill says, "Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime" and I admire that. And, Illinois is terrible this year.

Boz: ILLINOIS. Fresno State a good football team but they have to make a long trip to Champaign and that will help the Illini. I just worry that they have nothing to play for and might not show up.

4) No. 21 Houston at East Carolina (Saturday, 11 a.m.)

Ben: Houstin. No way the Cougars drop another game with that kind of offense -- I've got them winning by at least 2 scores.

Boz: HOUSTON. East Carolina has the better C-USA record but Case Keenum is too impressive to pick against in this game. Let's just hope that the defense shows up for Houston.

5) No. 10 Georgia Tech vs. Clemson (Saturday, 7 p.m., Tampa, FL)

Ben: Clemson. I'm going with the surprise pick here and taking the Tigers. It's at home, and I think GT is going to lose to the Tigers this time.

Boz: GEORGIA TECH. They played each other earlier this season and the Tigers had the Yellow Jackets beat before allowing a late score for the loss. I think Georgia Tech is playing much better football at this point in the season and win the ACC title.

6) No. 5 Cincinnati at No. 15 Pittsburgh (Saturday, 11 a.m.)

Ben: Cincinnati. I want the BCS system to fail, and Cincy winning helps that cause.

Boz: PITTSBURGH. I like the way the Panthers are playing football right now and it's going to be tough for Cincinnati to come in and win at Pittsburgh. The home-field advantage really plays a factor in this game and ruins the Bearcats perfect season.

7) No. 3 Texas vs. No. 22 Nebraska (Saturday, 7 p.m., Dallas, TX)

Ben: Texas. Name a good team that Nebraska has beat this year? You can't, because they only beat bad teams.

Boz: TEXAS. The Longhorns want to get to the BCS title game and they won't let Nebraska get in the way of that goal. Texas is a good football team on both sides of the football and Colt McCoy is playing really good football right now. The Cornhuskers are too inconsistent. Not too mention the game is being played in Texas.

8) No. 1 Florida vs. No. 2 Alabama (Saturday, 3 p.m., Atlanta, GA)

Ben: Alabama. I don't like Urban Meyer -- and while I also has reservations about Nick Saban - I'll take the Tide in a minor upset.

Boz: FLORIDA. This is pretty much as close as a toss up as you can get, but the Florida offense is better than the Alabama offense and thats where this game is won. The Gators win the national championship semifinals.

HAPPY HOUR

Ben: Happy 39th Birthday Paul Byrd. 3 years ago you were a revived pitcher helping the Indians to the AL Central crown and a ALCS berth. Now you are a washed-up minor leaguer trying to get back to "The Show". Good luck old friend. It was fun while it lasted.

Boz: Happy 39th Birthday Lindsey Hunter. The journey-man veteran back-up point guard is currently with the Chicago Bulls but has played on a total of five NBA teams, spending most of his time in two stints with the Detroit Pistons. He has won two NBA championships with the Pistons (2002, 2004) and always find himself on NBA playoff rosters.