UCLA SHOE-IN'S

Invitation's in the mail for the Bruins

Golden C's in town of golden "DD's"

With a bruised-and-battered John Wooden in the minds of all at Pauly Pavilion (and in front of Jack Nicholson, who just looks bruised and battered), the Bruins rallied from a double-digit first-half deficit (with alarm bells sounding loudly) to claim their third consecutive regular-season Pac-10 title and take over the driver's seat for the #1 seed in the West.

It’s not the conclusion that was much of any surprise (the Bruins are winning ball games at a rate not seen in Westwood since Kareem was signing sorority boobs as “Lew”), but the way they rose to victory that was more of a bolt from the blue, by being taken to the brink by an upstart Cardinal squad. Three, four, or possibly even five more teams will join them in representing the conference later this month.

Also looking good to skip school finals as a #1 Seed:

North Carolina. After relinquishing the top ranking to the likes of Memphis and Tennessee, the Heels regain pole position (that's what she said) going into Championship Week. If they can leave Cameron Indoor and the Crazies (below) in Durham with a vengeful victory on Saturday (and possibly give Coach K his very first gray hair), a top seed is theirs to squander.

Blue Man Group really fell off

Memphis. Sure, the Tigers play in a less-than-titillating Conference-USA and screwed the pooch against the Vols in one of their few tastes of power-conference basketball. But looking beyond the list of wins reveals impressive strengths of victory, with most of their W’s falling under the double-digit win category, including three straight 40-point wins (!) in early January. It will surely be entertaining to watch Memphis navigate through their region. And shoot horrible-looking foul shots.

Tennessee. When the two-time champion Gators disbanded for more money in another league, it left the Volunteers to hold the torch for the SEC. Their first ever stint as the top dog in the land was short lived (about as long as a Francis Ford Coppola movie), but I challenge any team to play well at Vandy when the coach has to call out back-door picks from a concession stand in the parking lot.

NOT EXACTLY ALLSTATE

“It’s been a great career for me, and it’s over. As hard as that is for me to say, it’s over.”

Brett Favre made his retirement official Thursday in an emotionally-charged hour-long press conference in Green Bay. Favre spoke about countless memories he made with the Packers, and mentioned a long list of football names who've helped him throughout his illustrious career during the press conference. Furthermore, Favre achieved yet another record from his seat, surpassing the retirement of John Elway in 1999 for Most Tearful Retirement Speech.

Favre also went on to say that he would be spending his retirement back in Mississippi, doing "nothing", and spending his time away from the NFL with his wife and kids. Ending speculation that he might Be Like Mike and unretire after taking some time second-guessing his decision, Favre nixed the idea along any thoughts of him being involved with the Packer organization and overseeing the development of the new starting quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.

And thus begins the Rodgers Era, with all of the six-game career experience, to fill in for the face of the franchise for the first time since 1992 . When reached on his cell phone following Favre's initial announcement, Rodgers stated he was "hella stoked" for the chance to finally get some playing time. Rodgers went on to say that the Packers would be just fine with him because "I got a firsthand look at what greatness is all about, and I'm great, so we'll pretty much be great together."

Rodgers after hearing of the promotion

Rodgers realizing what said promotion means

Good luck, Packers.