That's why we here at the Blackburn Review are putting together a little Survivor/Suicide Pool for you, the readers.  I assume you all know how to play this type of pool but if not, the rules are simple.  You pick just one NFL team to win each week and if that teams wins,  you move on.  If that team loses, you're out.  You cannot repeat your picks and at the end of the road, there will be one person remaining who will take the cash.  So first, go HERE to sign up.  Next, pay $20 via paypal to blackburnreview@gmail.com.  You all have until next Wednesday to join. 

We expect you ALL to join, including you Tman.  There is even a fancy "trash talk" section where John can make fun of Tman for picking the Browns in week 1.  Last and most important, we here at the BR do not take pity cases.  If you join, you must pay IMMEDIATELY.  Also, the picks must be in before the FIRST game.  So this week, the first game is on Thursday (one week from today).  If you forget to enter your pick, you are shit out of luck my friend.  So don't be a dick.  Join.  Oh, and go UD and all that garbage.

And some other fun news.  We are still looking for one person to join the fantasy footbal league. Email blackburnreview@gmail.com for the details if you are interested.  ALSO, we now have entered the 21st century/stalker age and have a Facebook Group Page.  So "friend" us or "like us" or whatever the hell you do for a group page.  Check that out HERE.  Enjoy!

They’ll play in the 2013 Maui Invitational, which is hosted by Division II Chaminade University and has an eight-team field that includes schools from each of the six power conferences. The Flyers also have committed to play in the 2012 Charleston (S.C.) Classic and the 2011 Old Spice Classic in Orlando, Fla. All three events are held in late November and are either run by ESPN or receive expansive coverage on the network.

All three tournaments are top-notch, and will certainly give the Flyers an opportunity to rack up some substantive victories before conference play. Master Harris continues:

The fields in those events have yet to be announced, but Maui reserves room for just one team outside the Bowl Championship Series conferences. This year’s field includes Kentucky, Michigan State and UConn. “That’s a very coveted spot,” Gregory said. “And these other tournaments, while they may not have the history of Maui, are getting to be very close to the same level of play.” The Charleston Classic generally has four BCS schools in its eight-team field, drawing Georgetown this year, while the Old Spice Classic historically has six, including Wisconsin this year.

I am nodding my head enthusiastically.

UD Athletic Director Tim Wabler said three straight postseason trips, including an NIT title run, has helped the Flyers raise their profile as a program. “We’re a very attractive team right now,” he said.

I wouldn't say that the NIT title necessarily makes Dayton a "very attractive" program. Fuckable? Certainly, but let's not get carried away with ourselves.

Is anyone else starting to think UD's attempt at revisionist history (you know, where we all pretend that UD wasn't a runaway favorite to win the conference last year and make its second straight tournament appearance) might take root? Five years from now the narrative will be that the 2009-10 squad was a team full of inexperienced upstarts, doing the impossible, capturing the heart of the Gem City forever. As opposed to what it really was--an underachieving team that went on a five game run against mostly disinterested teams in half-full arenas.

But hey, Hawaii, Charleston and Orlando. Not bad, right? Tip of the cap to Mr. Wabler and company for a job well done.

A few choice nugs:

Dayton

Best case: A 2010-11 NCAA tournament appearance shouldn't be the best case for Dayton. It should be the only case. The Flyers dropped a host of close games on their way to an NIT berth (and eventual title) in 2009-10; all told, they were a bit unlucky to miss out. With forward Chris Wright back for another season, it'd be a shock to see the 2010-11 Flyers suffer the same fate.

Worst case: 2009-10 all over again. This is an NCAA tournament team. Or, at least, it should be.

Have to take exception to what Brennan believes would be a "shock." Even the most ardent Prider wouldn't be surprised to see the Flyers miss the Dance again this season. Yes, UD does bring back enough talent to put itself in the post-season discussion, but there are certainly enough holes to put that possibility in doubt.  Relying on freshman is usually a recipe for disaster unless you are Kentucky or Duke. It's hard to imagine that Staten, Parker, et al. will hit the ground running and transition smoothly into Gregory's system. (Not saying it can't or won't happen, just that it's not reasonably foreseeable.) Consider that UD will have next to no interior presence, and it's hard to imagine that an NCAA berth is to be expected.

If the worst case scenario means another appearance in the NIT, I can accept that. I would like nothing more than to replace my current "NIT Champion" car floor mats with a "Back-to-Back NIT Champion" set. 

Rhode Island

Best case: Featuring the best returner from a potent offensive lineup -- the Rams finished No. 37 in the country in offensive efficiency last season -- in senior forward Delroy James, the Rams incorporate new 7-foot-3 project Blake Vedder alongside seven-foot center Will Martell to dominate A-10 teams on the interior. If so, the Rams compete for the A-10 title again, and you hear from them in March.

Worst case: Vedder doesn't pan out and guards Marquis Jones, Steve Meija, and Akeem Richmond can't make up for the backcourt losses of Keith Cochran and Lamonte Ullner, leaving the Rams imbalanced and unable to repeat their 26-win 2009-10 season.

The Rams, on paper, present a curious case. With Martell and Vedder, URI boasts the A-10's only Twin Tower combination, albeit a post 9/11 version, but still, those are some tall motherfuckers. (Whenever a seven footer is listed as a "project" you know that means he has the mobility of Stephen Hawking in a closet.) Still, with Jones, James, and Richmond, the Rams have a solid nucleus. If they can get some production, especially defensively, from their mongoloids, Jim Baron's group could compete for a tourney spot.

More than likely, the worst case scenario takes place: a solid, but unspectacular season. URI always seems destined for a late-season swoon, and this year will likely serve up more of the same.

Richmond

Best case: Kevin Anderson is back. That's great news for a Richmond team that broke out in 2009-10, winning 26 games and making the NCAA tournament for the first time in coach Chris Mooney's tenure. If all goes well, Anderson will star again, and the Spiders will justify their considerable preseason hype with an A-10 title.

Worst case: The loss of senior guard David Gonzalez, Richmond's most efficient offensive player last season, leaves Anderson exposed in the backcourt. Senior forwards Justin Harper and Dan Geriot can't make up for the loss of Gonzalez's ability, and the Spiders, instead of surging into the national scene, take a step back into the middle of the A-10 muck.

The more I look at Richmond, the less I like their chances. I say that with all due respect, because I really like Anderson, HC Mooney and the cagey Geriot. However, next to Crawford, Gonzalez will be the hardest player to replace in the conference. Although Harper is solid, and Geriot should be able to contribute more this season, the onus falls squarely on Anderson to carry the Spiders to another NCAA tournament run. While Anderson is certainly one of the most talented, and more importantly clutch, players in the A-10, it's hard to imagine him doing it all by himself.

I still think the Spiders have more than enough to finish top three in the league, but someone needs to step up and take the scoring burden off of Anderson to make this team a consistent performer next season.

Saint Louis

Best case: Were it not for three late losses to three of the league's best teams (Xavier, Temple, and Rhode Island), Rick Majerus' surprising Billikens would have made the NCAA tournament. With most of that talent returning (and, theoretically, maturing), St. Louis's best case features an Atlantic-10 title.

Worst case: The 2009-10 Billikens' defense was never a problem. Their No. 190-ranked adjusted offensive efficiency was. If St. Louis doesn't rebound its own misses or get to the free throw line more frequently than last year, Majerus could have another good-but-not-great season on his hands.

This is it for the Rick, a season that could change the entire culture of the SLU program. The Bills have everything you need to win a title: experience, depth, size, contempt, a healthy understanding of the male form in its natural state. The worst case scenario for Majerus is anything but a trip to the NCAA tournament. There is no silver lining if Saint Louis fails to get it done this year. Just the taunting reminder of what could have been, and towels that never seem to smell fresh, no matter how hard you scrub them.

Temple

Best case: Temple wasn't supposed to win the A-10 title in 2009-10; most thought Fran Dunphy'syoung team needed a year to grow into the role. Not so much: Temple featured one of the nation's best defenses last season, and with all of the key players returning, that shouldn't change. Best case is another title, but this time, with a few NCAA tournament wins to complement it.

Worst case: It's hard to envision Temple taking a step back, but if it does, it will have the loss of Ryan Brooks' efficient point guard play to thank. For as good as its defense was, Temple can't afford to worsen on offense.

Temple is going to be in the field of 68, mark it down. They got the coaching, the defense and enough pieces to dominate the conference again this year. The worst case scenario for this program would be an erratic A-10 performance, one that leads to a 8+ seed in the NCAA tourney.  The Owls will be looking to play into the second weekend this season. Ramone Moore steps in for Brooks, and Temple doesn't miss a beat.

Xavier

Best case: The Musketeers lost a lot this offseason. Star guard Jordan Crawford, one of the country's most exciting scorers, is off to NBA pastures, and anchor forward Jason Love, the team's most efficient offensive player, graduated. If Jamel McLean can make up for Love's absence and Terrell Holloway can assume some of Crawford's scoring load, Xavier should be able to do what it always does: win in the A-10 and make the NCAA tournament.

Worst case: This is easier to envision, though not necessarily more likely. Crawford was incredibly high-usage last season -- he took the 12th-highest percentage of his team's shots in the country -- and if Xavier struggles to plug that hole with Holloway and crew, Xavier could break its impressive streak of NCAA tournament runs.

Xavier is Xavier. The worst case scenario never seems to happen to programs like theirs. I'm not confident that Xavier will win the league this year, no one seems to be, but I'd bet good money that they will once again make the postseason. Xavier, like Dayton, may need some of its freshmen to step up and produce immediately to enjoy a successful campaign.

You can't fully judge the Musketeers until they start playing their conference slate. Although they may take some lumps in the OOC schedule, X should have no problem winning 10-12 conference games this year. Xavier, and Temple, are always the most mentally prepared teams coming into league play, so don't be surprised if Xavier is competing for the league crown come mid-February.

NOT, I repeat, NOT a mugshot

Henton is a 6'5" lefty with imposing inside skillz. (Apparently, Brian Gregory thought Percy Gibson was so nice he decided to sign him twice?)

From Rivals:

LaDontae Henton (Michigan Mustangs, 2011)- There is nothing glamorous about this 6-foot-5 left handed wing's game, but he has a knack for grinding out buckets with his physical and determined play.

A 6'5" lefty with a "knack for grinding out buckets?" A Nate Green redux will be welcomed with open arms.  I'm just glad we don't have to discuss the creepy world of recruiting for another year.

Named to the 2010 USA Basketball Select squad that participate in the USA World Championship Team training camp in New York were: JaJuan Johnson(Purdue University / Indianapolis, Ind.); Jon Leuer(University of Wisconsin / Orono, Minn.); Shelvin Mack(Butler University / Lexington, Ky.); Kyle Singler (Duke University / Medford, Ore.); Chris Singleton(Florida State University / Canton, Ga.); Nolan Smith (Duke University / Upper Marlboro, Md.); Howard Thompkins(University of Georgia / Lithonia, Ga.); Mike Tisdale(University of Illinois / Riverton, Ill.); Kemba Walker (University of Connecticut / Bronx, N.Y.); and Chris Wright(University of Dayton / Trotwood, Ohio).

Mike Tisdale?? Fair enough. Anyway, this is good exposure for CW and the UD program (not really, but what else is there to say about this?).

In other Flyer news, someone named Percy Gibson has verbally agreed to bring his talents to Dayton next fall.  I'm not sure what kind of player Gibson is, but I definitely want to party with his high-school coach, George Ward. Check out Ward's gems from the Dayton Daily News:

“The Dayton Flyer program is really, really on the rise,” Ward said. “You won an NIT championship, which is great. You’ve got a possible first-round lottery pick (Chris Wright) coming back next year. And you’ve got one of the top 5 to 10 coaches in the country, without question. And it’s only three hours away from home. It turned out to be a great deal.

Ward starts out with a factual statement -- UD did in fact win the NIT championship last season. We all have the t-shirts to prove it. And, as Ward correctly states, that's just great. Then we drift into the sea of absurdia. Chris Wright is a "possible first-round lottery pick?" Ok, technically every college basketball player is a possible lottery pick. But seriously, you are better than that, George.

I do like the redundancy of "first-round lottery" pick, as opposed to a second-round lottery pick? Then, the icing on the crazy cake. Brian Gregory is one of the top 5 to 10 coaches in the COUNTRY. Top five or ten coaches in the Atlantic 10? Absolutely. Top five or ten coaches in the state of Ohio? Affirmative. Top five or ten in the NATION -- "without question?"

I would love to spend a night crusing around Detroit with Coach Ward. Just me and him riding around in his Caprice Classic, tiping back some Purple Drank while Teddy Pendergrass pumps through the speakers. Odds that George Ward owns a suit with at least eight buttons? Good, very good.

“I’m excited just to know I’ll spend three or four years in the city of Dayton, and I’m looking forward to it myself - not just from a personal standpoint, but being able to see my kid fulfill one of his goals and dreams. It’s fulfilling.”

Yup, Gibson is not long for the Gem City. We might only get his services for three years. Cherish him, Dayton. Cherish him.

Warren has convinced us mainly because of its clear role understanding. He is a true point guard and game designer, who always "thinks team first." It is also of great advantage that he has played with Charles Little three years together. Between the two there is blind trust! I think we are in this way a new quality level in the passing game and defense to reach, "said UBC coach Mahmut Ataman.

"As in the past, we are committed to absolute defender of them players from the same team. The fact that it worked again this year with two exceptional talents pleases us even more. Warren is an energetic player who can drive a team and also an excellent defender." said sporting director Michael Goch.

Due to my limited vocabulary, I cannot express how fond I am of the term "game designer." Expect to see that term peppered in every other post this season (in between intense discussions about leggings).

I'm not so sure about the "blind trust" between Charles Little and London Warren however. As Charles told me recently, "out of the ten most fucked-up things I have ever seen, London accounts for six of them." September can't get here quick enough.

On a related note, UBC has reached out and inquired about Marcus Johnson's status for the upcoming season. Although it would be great to see a UD trio barnstorming around Germany, I don't see this happening for a number of reasons. Chief among them would be the salary being offered, a mere pittance for someone with MJ's wants and needs (unfortunately, UD boosters are no longer making those Charger payments). I think we will see MJ end up in the NBDL this fall, or perhaps in an upper-level European league if the chips fall in his favor. 

If the three did opt to join forces this fall, it would be the accumulation of the most non-numerical tattoos the good people of Germany have ever seen.