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Yes, I’m reading about soccer on the religion page. Is this what MLS drives people to?

Yesterday, in this space Genuine (via Sarah) said, “Okay now that football is no longer fun to watch, I’m hoping Spring gets here soon.”

I hope they are kidding. Basketball season is upon us. Maui Invitational. Coaches Versus Cancer. Pre-Season NIT. ACC – Big Ten Challenge. We’ve got plenty to watch.

According to Kyle Whelliston at the Mid-Majority, there had been 44 mid-major upsets as of Tuesday, and there have been a few more since.

Why should anyone care if Western Kentucky of the Sun Belt beat Conference USA’s University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB)? (Actually, the Hilltoppers spanked the Blazers 69 to 54 on Wednesday.)

Because this time of year sets the table for early March. Western Kentucky is picked to be the class of the Sun Belt, a likely one bid conference. UAB has a tough road in C-USA, a conference that has teetered on the brink of being a one-bidder. While Houston has thusfar failed to live up to the hype, UAB will likely be looking up at Memphis on March 6, fingers crossed for an at large bid. That loss to the Hilltoppers — particularly if they tank — may loom large.

Those early wins that Butler got winning the Pre-season NIT will be the “quality wins” that some talking head like Jay Bilas is touting about in late February when everyone’s in true Bubble Watch mode.

So Mom at Work, are you really starting the bubble watch in November? Yes. Every year, I’m in a pool with 4 or 5 others. Picks are due on November 14. You pick as if you are the tournament committee, auto bids plus at large, 65 teams.

When the actual selection committee issues its picks, we count up. Losers buy the winner a case of champagne. Two tie, all tie, and the case carries over. We’ve got 2 cases riding on it this year. Usually the winner has about 40 right. Street and Smith, Althon, and the other magazines usually get about 32 right.

Joe Lunardi will tell you that he gets 64 of the 65 teams right, but remember, he picks ‘em in March.

Of course when I went to espn.com to check the spelling of Bilas’s name, I found that they think November’s important, too. I can’t be bothered with espn’s site anymore because nearly every article is locked behind the insider gate.

OK, I threw down some bait and nobody’s taking it, so here’s a little bit more.

In fantasy football, we all would love to have Sean Alexander, LaDanian Tomlinson, or Larry Johnson. But beyond the top three picks, life’s full of judgments. Here, in no particular order, are five guys I don’t want:

• Brett Farve, QB, Green Bay – OK, so no one wants him, perhaps including the Packers. Farve can put up some big yardage, but he’ll eat you alive on interceptions. I’m just bitter that he kept me out of the playoffs last year.

• Terrell Owens, WR, Dallas – Maybe it’s the Eagles fan in me, but TO’s not worth the hassle. He’s locker room poison. Big upside, but he’ll only play like he can if he wants to. Plus, who wants to root for the Cowboys?

• Joe Horn, WR, New Orleans – My office league commissioner believes that the biggest fantasy “turd” is Donte Stallworth. I contend it’s fellow Saint Joe Horn. Sure I’d take him in the 5^th or 6^th round, but some folks have him as a top 10 receiver. Yes, I realize that he’ll be catching balls thrown by Brees not Brooks. Still, don’t spend a third round pick on him. I’ll admit, Joe failed me last year (not that I had too much cause to complain since I started Santana Moss, who I got in the 10^th round).

• Chris Cooley, TE, Washington – The redskin potatoes have too many receivers and running backs. Cooley will have limited value.

• Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis – I had a hard time picking a running back for this list. It would have been easy to pick Portis (not a Gibbs-style runner, Duckett poised to poach), but I didn’t want to pick on the ‘skins. Seriously at 13, I’d be dumb to pass up Jackson, if available. But I’m telling you why you should pass him up and leave him for me. The Rams again have a potent offense, but they’re considering adding Stephen Davis who may poach goal line carries. I am unsure that Jackson will be durable enough for playing between the tackles for 20 carries a game. All the experts think I’m wrong on this one, so let the fun begin.

Who are you sure to leave off your roster?