Ranking the Tops Teams of the Decade

As the decade comes to a close maybe it's time to rank the top 10 teams from 2001-2009. I stole this idea from Jake Curtis who writes about Stanford basketball for the Examiner. He has some interesting points to bring up about each team he selected and for the most part, I agree with his selections. Well start with #10, his selection and my selection.

Jake-Purdue
Jenn-Rutgers (maybe I'm biased BUT....)

Rutgers: 1 National title game, 1, Final Four, ranked in the top 10 final AP poll 4 times, #2 in scoring defense for three seasons, 1 Big East Tournament Title, 1 Big East Regular Season Title (13-0, undefeated record), 2 All-Americans (Cappie Pondexter, Epiphanny Prince). Okay, so they dropped out of the poll last season for what, 2 weeks? Who cares! Look at what they have accomplished. I'm not taking anything away from Purdue, excellent ball club but Rutgers is taking it to the next level. 10 years ago people did not even mention Rutgers for National Titles or teams that could make a run. Now that is all that you hear. No team ever wants to play Rutgers in the NCAA Tournament, just ask Auburn or Duke!

I understand the selection of Purdue but I just feel Rutgers is a little better. It all started in 1999 for the Boilermakers and they have been consistent ever since. They have made the NCAA Tournament every year except 1, won two Big 10 titles, AP Top 10 Final poll 4 times, 1 National Title birth and 1 All American (Katie Douglas). The difference is that the Big 10 has been up and down with talented teams and the Big East is always loaded with talented teams. I think that helps put RU a step above PU.

WNBA
No big upsets last night, well none that I didn't predict. I was shocked at the announcers saying that the Sparks are a "surprise". Really? Are you serious? Whatever...

Detroit Shock move into a 3-way tie for 4th in the East. Washington still holds the edge for the 4th spot but Chicago will rebound. They played a great 1st 20 minutes last night then seemed tired in the 2nd 20 minutes, well last 10 minutes really.

No games tonight...good thing because we wouldn't want ESPN to have to cut into a Little League baseball game for a women's professional sporting event (note sarcasm).

Rookie watch: Angel McCoughtry dropped in 20 for the Dream last night along with 4 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 turnovers. Shavonte Zellous had 13 points for the Shock along with 1 board, 3 assists, 0 steals and 1 turnover. McCoughtry wins.