My favorite time of the year (besides Final Four Weekend) is when Adam Sandler is on the radio singing his Hanukah song.

Here is a tribute to some cool people, teams, and "things." I'm going to be positive with everyone this week, well almost everyone.

To Bobby Huggins, hopefully you get that ring this year. The Bearcats are for real after smacking Dayton by 29 earlier in the week.

Tom Izzo, hope Santa brings him a point guard and another big man.

Mike Jarvis, a T.V. gig very soon. By the way, I'm not a big Jarvis fan but I thought that was wrong how they fired him so early. By saying that I'm not a Jarvis fan, that doesn't mean I don't respect the guy. There were some harsh things written about him, uncalled for people!

Gene Keady, for doing a great job to start the season. Purdue is a fun team to watch.

Jim Larranaga, whom may have the strongest coaching tree full of assistants.

Coach K, an assistant coach who has not played at Duke.

Reggie Witherspoon, some props by the National Media, please.

Seton Hall, watch out for them this year.

Did you know Tony Soprano was in "True Romance?" He was about 125 pounds lighter.

My boys from St. Joe's, Happy Holidays! Nine and Oh baby!!!! Delonte West and Jameer Nelson will be getting a visit from yours truly. I'll take these two over any backcourt in the nation right now! Maybe Coach Martelli can "splurge" for lunch, I have to get one of those Philly Steak and Cheese sandwiches!

Happy Holidays to all the hard working assistant coaches around the country who have been on the road working their tails off.

Al Skinner is 9-1 at Boston College. Where is Ryan Sidney?

LSU is 8-0, fun times down on the Bayou with the Tiger football team wreaking havoc.

Vanderbilt, great job. Didn't the A.D. or president interfere behind the scenes or something?

Who needs Kyle Korver, Creighton is 8-0.

Jamie Dixon is doing a fine job at Pitt starting 11-0. But how long until that beautiful head of hair starts turning gray?

Did you notice Mississippi State is also 11-0?

Writer/basketball coach Charley Rosen slammed a few former big-time college coaches in his latest column. Two were John Thompson and Louie Carnesecca. Now come on, Chuck!

Harvard, Eastern Illinois, and Campbell, come on fella's get that "W"!

Navy lost at the buzzer against Mount St. Mary's Saturday night, almost winning their first game against a D-1 foe. In that game both teams shot a combined 17 for 44 from the charity stripe. Which brings me to my next topic on, "what is going on with the shooting from the field and the stripe?" The Midshipmen coaching staff should have their guys shooting 100 free throws each at every practice.

Speaking of "shooting" I read a game story describing two teams and the writer said, "but, so and so was "just" 4 for 10 from three-point land." Excuse me sir, but 40% from way downtown is pretty good in my book.

Do you really care where A-Rod ends up?

The Kennedy Center made their inductions to some individuals who have excelled in their respective fields and James Brown (The Godfather of Soul) was one of five people honored that night. LL Cool Jay gave a speech about JB that was very bad. And then they had some awful performers who sang his songs to pay tribute to him and his contribution to the entertainment world. Mary J. Blige or Mariah Carey should have been a part of that. Or even Lil' Kim or Missy Elliott. I would've been happy with that cat "Reuben" from Alabama lacing out a tune.

I say, get rid of the whole Portland Trailblazer squad and start from scratch.

How about the job Jerry Sloan is doing in Utah?

Vegas has a line on when Florida Gator David Lee is going to miss his next shot.

No Mercy Department: Alabama beat Mercer 101-44!

Timmy O'Toole is doing a fine job considering someone was trying to bring him and his program down back in the fall. Fairfield is 6-1 thus far and were down 17 with 8:00 remaining in the game to George Washington last week before coming back and winning in OT by outscoring GW 13-2 in the extra session. I like Deng Gai, he's got game!

Steve Shurina at Western Carolina has got the Catamounts rolling at 5-3 and had a big win over Arkansas last week. Kevin Martin, who leads the country in scoring at 28PPG, dropped 33 in the OT win.

Good luck with trying to start the annual "New Year's Resolution." Reports say that the average person gives up after two weeks!

Happy Holiday to the entire College Insider Staff, especially Joe and Ang!

See ya in 2004 at basketball game near you.