Happy New Year (as if you all have not heard those 3 words til it makes your ears bleed). I spent most of my holiday weekend enjoying one of the great pleasures in life... SPORTS.

Friday

The Sugar Bowl
Florida 51 Cincinnati 24

Tim Tebow ended one of the greatest college football careers by shattering Vince Young's BCS total yards record with 533 to go along with 4 total touchdowns. When it was all said and down the Gators set a Sugar Bowl record with 659 yards and also became the 1st team in the FBS to win 13 or more games in back-to-back seasons. Tebow may never be a starting quarterback in the NFL but there is no question he is among the top handful of signal callers to play the college game.

Saturday

NCCA Mens College Basketball
Kentucky 71 Louisville 62

When Louisville took its first lead of the game a little more than mid-way through the 2nd half, freshman stud John Wall scored the next six points and the Cardinals would get no closer the rest of the way. Wall is everything he is advertised as. Lightning quick, deceptively strong, excellent court vision and awareness and as athletic as they come. He will be the #1 pick in the 2010 NBA draft and whoever is fortunate enough to get the ping pong balls to go their way will not regret it... say like the Blazers of 2007.

NBA Action
Chicago 101 Orlando 93

Derrick Rose scored a game high 30 points and added 6 rebounds and 7 assists to lead the resurgent Bulls to a victory over the Magic who are considered one of the Eastern Conference elite. Rose says his ankle is 100% for the 1st time all season and his December splits are proving it. The Magic, especially center Dwight Howard seem to be struggling as of late. I think I just heard Stan Van scream...

Sunday

NFL
They are in AFC:

Colts, Chargers, Patriots, Bengals Jets and Ravens.

I cannot believe they are NOT in:

Steelers.

The Favorites:

Chargers.

They are in NFC:

Saints, Vikings, Cowboys, Cardinals, Eagles and Packers.

I cannot believe they are NOT in:

Giants.

The Favorites:

Saints.

NBA Action Charlotte 91 Cleveland 88.

The Bobcats are playing some of their best ball in the history of the franchise. The Cavs consider themselves championship contenders. The two collided on Sunday and Flip Murray turned out to be the difference maker. With Boston and Orlando slipping up recently the Cavs still have the best record in the East but they are far from world beaters...

Follow Marlon Benjamin on twitter: www.twitter.com/thehoopsforum.com