While we have been treated to a number of top ranked teams going down unexpectantly to unranked opponents and an inordinate amount of teams losing on last second buzzer beaters, nothing compares to the drama and excitement that goes down during the NCAA’s annual Rivalry Week.

Even though the many upcoming conference realignments may threaten to destroy the sometimes near century long rivalries between teams like Missouri/Kansas and West Virginia/Pittsburgh, many new conference tilts will emerge once teams like Syracuse, UConn, and Texas A&M make there move to the ACC and SEC respectively over the next few seasons.

Here are some of the key contests on ESPN during Rivalry Week Feb 6th-13th:

UConn vs (25)Louisville – Monday @7PM on ESPN

(11)Florida vs (1)Kentucky – Tuesday @7PM on ESPN

(14)Georgetown vs (2)Syracuse – Wednesday @7Pm on ESPN

(8)Kansas vs (6)Baylor – Wednesday @7PM on ESPN2

(5)Duke vs (6)North Carolina – Wednesday @9PM on ESPN

(16)St. Mary’s vs Gonzaga – Thursday @11PM on ESPN2

UConn vs (2)Syracuse – Saturday @1PM on CBS

(10)Michigan State vs (3)Ohio State – Saturday @6PM on ESPN

(1)Kentucky vs Vanderbilt – Saturday @9PM on ESPN

(8)Kansas vs Kansas State – Monday Feb 13th @9PM on ESPN

Check Out ESPN’s Rivalry Week Promo:

Martin had signed to play for the Xinjiang Guanghui Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball League during the Lockout but was granted an early release by CBA officials early last week and was considering joining a number of NBA teams like Miami, New York, LA Lakers, Atlanta, and San Antonio.

Despite signing the most lucrative contract by an American player in CBA history, Martin immediately clashed with coaches, management, and reportedly everyone besides former Nuggets teammate JR Smith, who conversely to K-Mart, has been tearing it up on the Chinese circuit.

For those younger NBA fans that didn’t have the pleasure of watching Martin in his prime before all of the injuries, as the National POY at the University of Cincinnati, #1 overall NBA Draft pick in 2000, and as an All Star helping the NJ Nets reach the NBA Finals 3 consecutive seasons in the early part of the 2000‘s, Martin was as ferocious a dunker and as ill tempered as anyone in the Association.

Dare I say, he was the precursor to today’s Blake Griffin, minus the infamous lips tattoo, closed door fist-a-cuffs with former coach George Karl, on-and-off again relationships with female rappers like Trina, and wishing full blown AIDS upon all of his haters.

While a double dose of microfracture surgery has robbed Martin of some of his explosion, he never lacks for confidence and will provide excellent depth off the bench behind Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan on the now star-studded Clippers roster. There’s no doubt he will help with rebounding and defensive pressure heading towards the postseason. But the real question is whether LA ready for both Metta World Peace and K-Mart?

Check out Kenyon Martin’s Top 100 Dunks:

Davis took the first step in making history by setting the single season blocked shots mark for a freshman in another blowout win for the Wildcats over SEC rival South Carolina. By posting yet another fantastic stat line Saturday consisting of 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 blocks, he passed future NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal’s single season SEC freshman mark of 115 blocked shots, while at LSU.

With 7 regular season games remaining, Davis still has an outside shot of breaking Mississippi State’s Jarvis Varnado’s SEC record of 170 blocks, and even the 182 block NCAA mark in a season set by Hassan Whiteside of Marshall 2 seasons ago.

In addition to blocked shots, Davis is approaching several other Kentucky single season milestones like potentially becoming the first UK player since Kenny “Sky” Walker in ’84-’85 to average double digit rebounds per game. Davis’ current mark of 10.1 boards per contest would be the 3rd highest since Jim Andrews average 12.4 rebounds in ’72-’73.

Davis has tallied double-digit rebounds in 10 games this season. He’s grabbed at least 15 rebounds on three occasions, highlighted by a career-high 18 rebounds against Chattanooga. Davis’ 11 double-doubles this season are fourth most by a freshman in UK history. Just three UK players have averaged at least nine rebounds per game in the last 26 seasons, the last being DeMarcus Cousins’ 9.8 per game in ’09-’10.

Additionally, with another impressive 9 for 10 shooting game against the Gamecocks, Davis is now shooting an unbelievable .663% from the field. That mark would set an all-time Wildcat record for shooting proficiency considering the current record is held by Michael Bradley, who shot .657% during the ’88-’89 season.

Faithful supporters of Big Blue Nation should enjoy watching Davis while they can since he is already projected as a consensus Top 3 pick in most Mock Drafts. There’s no doubting he will be severely tested this upcoming week against SEC rival big men Patric Young of Florida, Festus Ezeli of Vanderbilt, and Arnett Moultrie and Reynardo Sidney of Mississippi State.

Check out highlights of Davis’ Record Setting Block:

Various NBA superstars then teamed up to sing the song “Happy Together” as the 2nd entry in the BIG series. Dirk Nowitzki was the first player to get his very own BIG commercial, drawing attention to his now patented fade away jumper.

With the NBA season now more than a 3rd of the way finished, the NBA has decided to use 2 time scoring champion Kevin Durant in their next installment, choosing to focus on his penchant for clutch shooting.

Durant has hit a number of clutch shots over his short career, perhaps none more exciting than his game-winning shot that sank the defending NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks in late December.

Kevin Durant aka “Mr Clutch”:

The two former NBA superstars never get too personal with their digs, especially since their mothers are best friends, even though they once came to blows during a Rockets/Lakers game back in 1999. Barkley even did a rather unflattering impersonation of his 7 foot co-worker when hosting Saturday Night Live.

With the recent trend of Blake Griffin and Kevin Love making their case as the best power forward in the Western Conference, Shaq and Barkley made an impromptu bet on the air as to which player would have a better showing against each-other in the Wolves/Clippers game last week.

Shaq backed Griffin while Charles took sides with Love in the epic contest which came down to the Timberwolves big man calmly sinking a game-winning trey to give Minnesota a victory.

The fall-out of Barkley winning the bet was Shaq having to do a telecast in his underwear. Too funny. Of course, this wasn’t the first time Shaq has been on TV in his drawers as he once was forced to don a pink speedo for losing a to a womens volleyball team on an episode of “Shaq Vs.”

Apparently, the only thing left to ask is does the big man wear boxers or briefs. Shaq, always the entertainer, does more than just answer the question, as he proudly models, dances a jig, then kisses everyone on the forehead, before spanking one of the producers. Guess Shaq is enjoying the whole TV personality thing?

Shaq Does Show In His Boxers:

While the win may have officially been the coming out party for Oklahoma State’s fabulous freshman LeBryan Nash, who tallied a career high 27 points, it was the rather odd circumstance surrounding Nash’s teammate Markel Brown’s ejection that may be most interesting about the win.

This season, Brown has earned a reputation for being one of the country’s best dunkers, in addition to being a Top 5 scorer for the Cowboys. In the early minutes of the game against Missouri, Brown drove to the free throw line a rose up for a one-handed dunk that would arguably make even MJ proud. But to his team’s dismay, Brown insisted on staring down and jawing at Mizzou players, earning a dreaded technical foul.

No harm, no foul, right? Nowadays, it appears everyone gets a tech for taunting after a highlight reel dunk. Apparently it didn’t faze his Cowboy teammates as they took it to NCAA POY candidate Marcus Denmon and Co, to the tune of a 7 point win, furthering the distance between the Tigers and the Big 12 leading Kansas Jayhawks.

In one of the more entertaining moments of the game, OK State point guard Keiton Page threw a lob to Brown running the baseline, resulting in one of the most vicious poster dunks you will see in college basketball all season. But apparently Brown isn’t a quick learner as he promptly stared daggers and jawed at Missouri PG Flip Pressey, earning yet another tech from the officials, followed by a subsequent ejection, because it was his 2nd technical of the game.

Some people will never learn…

Markel Brown’s Amazing Dunk and Ejection:

Recently, 15 year old superstar Marcus Lovett Jr, one of the most highly touted high school freshmen in the country, recently put those words to the test when he switched from the Kobe Christmas Edition Nike’s to the Brandon Jennings Under Armour Bloodline’s during halftime of a tightly contested varsity league game.

After missing a go ahead 3 pointer that would have given his Providence HS varsity team a victory earlier in the week, the 5’5 and 155lb guard decided to take it to his next opponent, which happened to be the Campbell Hall Vikings, featuring fellow top freshman recruit Aaron Holiday. Holiday is the younger brother of 76ers PG Jrue Holiday, and has already scored 54 points in a game on the varsity level.

The epic contest between two of the top prospects in the 2015 Class seemed to be going Holiday’s way until Lovett decided to change kicks at halftime and pour in 27 points in the 2nd half, finishing with a whopping 45 points, helping Providence to a 73-66 victory. Holiday’s total wasn’t too shabby either, totaling 27 points in the loss.

On the season, Lovett Jr is averaging a ridiculous 32.4 ppg, 5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.8 steals in helping Providence get out to an impressive 17-4 record in the Burbank, California hoops action. While dropping 45 points is an impressive feat for a player on any level, it wasn’t even his season high, as he scored 55 points in only his 6th varsity game earlier this year.

There’s no doubt, The Hoop Doctors will definitely keep our eyes peeled on both Lovett Jr and Holiday in the future.

Marcus Lovett Jr Scoring 45 Points in HS:

Most serious fans of high school prep basketball already have heard of the top player in 2012, Shabazz Muhammed, along with Arizona commit Brandon Ashley, Oregon signee Dominic Artis, and the still uncommitted Winston Shepard.

But prior to the recent clash between HS powerhouses, not many were privy to the many skills of Bishop Gorman power forward Ben Carter, who measures out at an imposing 6’8 and 215lbs. While Carter and Findlay point guard Artis will both be heading to play for coach Dana Altman at Oregon next season, they were on opposite sides of the hardwood for this game.

Led by Artis’ 21 points and 7 assists, Findlay was able to somewhat limit Muhammed to 19 points and 9 rebounds to get the win 73-61, but it was Carter who nailed this amazing 80 foot shot at the end of the 2nd quarter that got everyone at Cox arena on their feet heading into halftime…

Bishop Gorman’s Ben Carter w/ 80-foot Buzzer Beater:

Seriously, wouldn’t the Lakers or Knicks benefit from having the services of a highlight reel point guard that knows how to win and is a sure fire 1st ballot Hall of Famer? Of course, they would have to put up with him not coming to practice. Yeah, we talkin bout practice.

I know, one can point to his dip to 14 points and 4 assist averages in his 25 game return to Philadelphia in ’09-’10 and his sudden departure from Team Beskitas in Turkey, even though he was still under contract for $4 million over 2 years, but judging by his eye opening performance during the lockout, there’s no doubting that AI can still be a productive player on a contending NBA squad.

While it appears that a return to the NBA hardwood won’t be happening anytime soon, let’s take a look back in time, before all of the cornrows, neck tattoos, scoring titles to a time when Iverson was an All Big East performer, regularly schooling future NBA pros like Ray Allen at UConn and Stephon Marbury at Georgia Tech.

Allen Iverson’s Top 10 Dunks at Georgetown:

Syracuse came into the game a perfect 20-0 for the first time in school history, but coach Mike Brey used a deft ball control offense and pinpoint passing to dissect the vaunted Syracuse zone to shock the #1 ranked team, giving coach Boeheim and the Orangemen their first loss on the season.

Prior to the game, prized sophomore big man Fab Melo had been ruled ineligible due to an undisclosed academic issue, and will miss at least one more game against Cincinnati on Monday night. In his 2nd season, the prized 7 footer had lost weight and become a defensive stalwart, averaging 7.2 ppg, 5.6 rebounds, and 3 blocks, in anchoring Cuse’s 2-3 zone.

Without Melo, ND’s 6’9 and 250lb big man Jack Cooley dominated the inside, notching a game best 17 points and 10 boards along with 2 blocks, helping the Irish to a 38-25 rebounding advantage. Prior to this season, Cooley had been known as a look-a-like to former Irish great Luke Harangody but has come into his own averaging 10.7 ppg, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in his junior campaign.

Irish freshman Pat Connaughton was also huge, knocking down several key 3 pointers, mostly with the shot clock under 3 seconds to help Notre Dame take control early. Syracuse was led by James Southerland’s 15 pts, Dion Waiters’ 11 pts, and Kris Joseph with 12 points and 5 rebounds, but the Orange shot just 34% from the field. Back-courtmates Scoop Jardine and Brandon Triche combined for only 8 points and 8 assists. Notre Dame’s Jerian Grant, older brother of future Syracuse commit Jerami Grant, also was key, chipping in 11 points and 6 assists.

We all know about the mystique surrounding the luck of the Irish, but Notre Dame just seems to have a knack for knocking off top ranked teams as they now sport an impressive 8-3 career mark playing against the #1 ranked team in the country.

Notre Dame Shocks Unbeaten Syracuse:

Most experts agree that North Carolina and Duke are the class of the ACC this season, with a plethora of teams like Virginia, NC State, and Maryland, with the return of Howard and Len, battling it out for 3rd place in the conference.

But over the last week, the Florida State Seminoles are serving notice that they may very well be, not only 3rd best, but possible contenders for the conference title after defeating UNC, Maryland, and now Duke in consecutive league games.

As if last weekend’s shocking blowout win over the Tarheels wasn’t surprising enough, the Seminoles made another statement Saturday by stunning the Blue Devils 76-73 on a Michael Snaer 3 point buzzer beater, ending the nation’s 2nd longest home win streak.

After Duke freshman Austin Rivers drove the lane and tied the game at 73-73 with only 5 seconds remaining, FSU’s Luke Loucks found former McDonald’s All American Snaer alone in the right corner, who promptly sank the game winner as time expired over Andre Dawkins. It marked only the second time in school history that the Seminoles have beaten both Duke and North Carolina in the same season, the other time coming in 2002.

The win also gives the Seminoles an impressive 4-1 start in ACC play, tying Duke for first place in conference.  Of course they now own a tiebreaker over both Duke and UNC for winning head-to-head match-ups.  On deck for FSU is two contests against Wake Forest and Georgia Tech before another big test against #15 Virginia on February 4th.

FSU Buzzer Beater Stuns Duke: