SU caught a little college hoops action last night as Michigan opened its season against Elon College on ESPN3 (just watching ESPN3 was a major development for SU).  John Beilein’s teams always play a team first style with lots of passing and cutting – must see tv after watching too many NBA games.  But what caught my attention was the 30-second shot clock for the men’s game being introduced this year.  What a positive development!  More possessions and no more walking the ball up the court (SU pet peeve).  Push the ball and run your offense.  Why limit yourself to fewer seconds to try and score?

No doubt the 30-second clock will make it harder for lesser teams to slow the game down try and to limit possessions.  We have known for a long time that 35 seconds was way too long for mens’ teams.  Long overdue.

While the Giants came up short against the Pats on Sunday, SU was impressed how Tom Coughlin gets his teams to compete despite all the injuries.  Over the years, he has never used injuries as an excuse.  It’s always “next man up” with him.  If not for his safety’s inability to pretty much fair catch a duck thrown by Brady in the last 2 minutes, the Giants win that game.  Edelman’s injury will be huge for New England coming on top of the Lewis injury last week.  They are still the best team out there but everyone else just got a lot closer.  The Giants have a million holes but Eli is having his best year and no one will want to play them should they make the playoffs.  They have lost some killer games this year but appear to be very resilient.

The college football season is coming down the home stretch and the one thing we know is that there is no sure fire, dominant team this year.  It should be a fun playoff and bowl season with any number of teams in the mix.  Right now, it would be hard to bet against Alabama but a lot of football to be played.

Finally, for those Tennis Channel viewers out there (we are having a meeting in a phone booth next week), check out the ATP Men’s end of year tournament in London this week.  Some great match-ups.  SU says if Djokovic wins out, he should be in the conversation for SI Athlete of the Year.  His record against the top 10 players this year is something like 27-4, 3 grand slam titles and lost in the finals of the French.  He is deserving.