Sean B. Fitzgerald It doesn’t go something like this, it goes exactly like this.

I’m in College Basketball mode

I've mentioned this before, but the Super Bowl hangover for dedicated football fans lasts a while. After having the NFL in our lives for the past five months, it's difficult for us to imagine life without it. We wander around aimlessly wondering what is going to keep us entertained on Sundays. Not to mention, no more fantasy football. It's an awful feeling. I myself have finally gotten over the lack of football. I'm looking forward to next year, but I can wait. Too much of a good thing is rarely good.

That all being said, I am officially in college basketball mode. In years past I was more fully vested in college basketball because I really didn't have a team. I rooted for the Big East. I also live in New York, so the teams hoping for my support weren't exactly lighting the world on fire (still aren't). St. Johns, for instance, hasn't been good since they recruited good criminals. So thanks to the lack of a true rooting interest in any one team, I was allowed to enjoy the sport even more. I knew everything about every team. I could match the coaches to the teams and the teams to their respective rankings.

But as soon as I started attending Seton Hall University in the Fall of 2008, I thereby branded myself forevermore as a fan of the Pirates. Whether I wanted to be one or not. And you all know how average (at best) Seton Hall has been for the past decade. So rooting for them has taken the gloss off college basketball for me. I've become disillusioned by the sport. You don't exactly want to watch more games after witnessing the Pirates fall to Villanova by 30.

This year has been a tad different though. Seton Hall isn't terrible. Currently they are 14-9 (5-7 in conference) and have fairly big wins over Cornell (that's right), Pittsburgh, and Louisville. Obviously a NCAA Tournament berth is a long shot, but if they finish strong and have a good showing in the Big East Tournament, there is definitely a chance.

So needless to say, I'm a bit more interested in the sport in general. And I'm happy I am. It's nice to have something to bridge the gap between football and baseball. Usually I would just stare out the window, or twiddle my thumbs until Opening Day.

Anyway, here are some nonsensical thoughts about the 2009/2010 College Basketball season thus far:

Team to win it all
Kansas. I'm really going out on a limb here, aren't I? But honestly, Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich are pro players masquerading as college athletes. They're undefeated in conference and only have one loss (Tennessee). I may be a Big East guy, but until I see a crack in the armor, I'm picking them.

Sleeper draft pick
Wesley Johnson. The Syracuse transfer looks to me, like a guaranteed first rounder. He's long, atheltic, smart and can shoot. What a terrible time to be a Knick fan (no draft pick).

Cinderella Story
Seton Hall. Can a Big East team be considered a Cinderella story? Can they even make the tournament? Am I being a ridiculous homer? All answers: Yes. Like I said, a lot has to go their way (i.e. actually winning games) for them to make any noise in March. But they have the pieces to compete. I think the only thing holding them back is Bobby Gonzalez.