Quick Hits from the High Post

When I made the mistake of venturing in the snow mounting from the Blizzard of '06, my pants soaked faster than a 6-year-old kid's when they first meet Santa at the mall. And that's fast. But the snow reached thigh-level, making my trip to buy soda seem less and less worth it with each step. Needless to say, I got the soda -- and drank it, too. And might I say, it was delicious.

Anyway, there are a few things I wanted to talk about, and then I have some really important engagements with late-night TV and potentially some Madden.

-- The Nuggets made out like bandits in acquiring Allen Iverson. Here is the deal:

'6ers get:
Andre Miller
Joe Smith
Two first-round draft picks

Nuggs get:
Allen Iverson
Ivan McFarlin

Were you laughing when you read Joe Smith's name, too? I had completely forgotten he was in the league, AND I LIVE IN DENVER! Anyway, I think the Nuggets immediately become contenders with Iverson in the lineup, as if anyone needed to tell you that. And with 'Melo out from the "brawl" -- during which 'Melo slapped, and I mean bitch-slapped, Mardy Collins then ran away from this stick figure apparently named Jared Jeffries -- Iverson will provide scoring and leadership.

When 'Melo comes back, watch out. If, and this is a big, huge, gigantic "if," the Nuggets can stay healthy, they will be tough to beat down the stretch.

When I think Ivan McFarlin, I think Oklahoma State, and what better segue into the big matchup in college hoops tomorrow (Thursday) night is there?

(There might be one, but for the sake of the argument, there isn't one right now.)

-- No. 7 Pitt takes on No. 15 Oklahoma State (remember, only weird people use ESPN/USA Today rankings -- these are AP) at 7:30 p.m. EST on ESPN2. The Panthers will have a good size advantage, but the Cowboys are less than an hour from home, and apparently that makes all the difference in how Pitt plays.

This is another huge test for the Panthers -- coming off a tough road loss, playing another tough team on the road, etc. But the tip time suggests Pitt might actually be ready to play. Keep an eye on Mario Boggan for OK State. The Cowboys don't get too much press, but they are a good squad, and Boggan is a big reason for that -- pun intended. Boggan and JamesOn Curry are the players to watch when OK State has the pill. But I think the size of Pitt's frontcourt, mixed in with the depth of the Panthers, will help Pitt win.

-- Speaking of rankings, is Duke really ranked No. 6 in both polls? With its marquee win coming against...Georgetown? Really? That's the No. 6 team in the country? I mean sure, beating Holy Cross by 12 in Durham or UNC-Greensboro by 27 in Durham probably propelled them to that ranking, but let's be serious -- No. 6? Can anyone tell me a single player in that lineup outside of McRoberts that would start for any of the other top-10 teams (excluding Wichita State)? Didn't think so.

Heckler from the crowd: DeMarcus Nelson, you idiot!

Me: DeMarcus Nelson would start for Florida, Ohio State, North Carolina, UCLA or Pitt? Yeah, and Ivan McFarlin is the reason the Nuggets will win the NBA championship. What is this, the Dick Vitale Top 25?

-- Gonzaga-Duke is also on tomorrow (Thursday) night at 9 p.m. EST. You know what game should be preceding that in Madison Square Garden as part of the Aeropastle Classic? Pitt-South Carolina. Instead, the Panthers are in Oklahoma City because the Gamecocks wimped out. Go figure.

-- The Celtics have won five of six, and Al Jefferson looks great. Tony Allen -- speaking of Oklahoma State -- is another guy who has been playing very well of late. The Celts have a shot at winning the Atlantic Division with a young lineup, as long as Jefferson and Ryan Gomes stay healthy to keep the inside-outside balance strong. I mean, winning the Atlantic Division would be like beating your 93-year-old grandpa at ping-pong, but who's counting? You'd still have a "W" under your belt, right? Right.


-- That's it for today. I'll probably comment on the Pitt-OK State game after its completion, so I'll talk to you guys soon. If I don't, happy holidays from your favorite secular blogger.