TOP TEN- 11-28-06

Everybody has a Top 10. NS is no different. But rather than focus just on college basketball or the NFL, we’ve decided to throw every sport –women’s hoops, women’s ice hockey, women’s soccer- into the same pool and simply fish out the best athletes/teams each Monday. Let the debating commence…

1. Ohio State- Having the clear-cut No. 1 football team is one thing. Having the ESPN No. 1 men’s basketball team is another. But having what some are considering the best women’s hoops team, too, is just plain showing off.
2. UCLA Bruins- The Gators and Wolverines will be cheering the Bruins on during their huge rival game with USC on Saturday. Who knows if they have the same intensity over the AP No. 1 men’s hoops team or the men’s and women’s soccer teams in their respected Final Fours.
3. Texas NBA teams- San Antonio, Dallas and Houston are a combined 30-12 this young season and each appears to be getting increasingly more comfortable with each victory.
4. Indianapolis Colts- By no means are the 10-1 Colts invincible, but if Peyton keeps tossing it, Reggie Wayne keeps catching it and Joseph Addai keeps running it, they’ll appear it come January.
5. USC Trojans- A convincing victory over the overrated Notre Dame Fighting Irish give the way quick Trojans a fighting chance to make the title game—much to the chagrin of the aforementioned Gators and Wolverines.
6. Chicago Bears- The NFC is so weak that 5-6 teams are still optimistic about making the playoffs. These Bears (albeit, offensively flawed) appear to be the only ones with bite.
7. Maryland Lady Terps- We sure hope these Terps aren’t claustrophobic because it is getting really bunched up near the top of the women’s hoops poll. UNC, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Duke and UGA want that No. 1 spot.
8. Buffalo Sabres- Thomas Vanek and Co. have lost just three of its first 24 games in regulation. They’re clearly the class of the NHL. You not knowing who Thomas Vanek is clearly means you need to watch more hockey.
9. Colt Brennan- Hawaii’s record-shattering QB (4,589 passing yards and 51 TDs, just three short of David Klingler’s NCAA mark) rewrites the books and earns an invite to the Heisman presentation after this weekend’s game with Oregon St.
10. Utah Jazz- Quick: Name the Jazz’s three leading scorers… Nope, Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams and Mehmet Okur. This largely-unknown bunch is taking the NBA by storm, one impressive win at a time.

Almost Made The Cut: NBA Pacific Division (no team under .500), Orlando Magic (11-4 after beating Utah on Mon.), Anaheim Ducks (17-2-6)

Three WORST: NBA Atlantic Division (no team over .500), Detroit Lions (2-9), Michael Vick (re-defining the term “Dirty Bird” for frustrated Atlanta fans)