It’s back! America’s favorite listicle, The Top 10 – since we’re all about to die in World War 3, I figure I should crank out as many of these as possible.

10. HARD TO BELIEVE IT ONLY TOOK 3 YEARS

For us to be on the brink of World War 3 – I actually took Under August of 2018. It was a pretty good run, yes we’re about to bumble our way into an unending conflict for the next however many years, but at least the memes are good!

9. I’D RATHER NOT TALK ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF BRADY LEAVING

So I’ll bury it at number 9. TB12 is going to play until they wheel him off the field, and while I still think he’ll come back to the Patriots (my feeling is Robert Kraft will never let him leave), there is, I suppose, the possibility he ends up in an LA Chargers uniform, or a Miami Dolphins uniform, or something like that. Will I cry like a little baby if that happens? PROBABLY. So I’m not going to talk about it for now.

8. THE RED RAIDER GIRLS ARE AN UNSTOPPABLE JUGGERNAUT

Mary Paradis and the Spaulding Red Raiders are 3-0 and champions of the 573 round Mike Lee Holiday Basketball Bash, and quite frankly, I’m already making plans for March. Paradis had 26 in the win over Bishop Brady, and in D2, it’s pretty wide open after Hanover and Lebanon. The Raiders make the trip to Kearsarge on 1/10 to take on the Cougars & the Camp girls. Has Nate Camp already started chirping at me? YES HE HAS. I’m not taking the bait though, Camper. We’re focused on what we can control.

7. SPEAKING OF MARCH, HAS ANYONE NOTICED THE TBA NEXT TO D1, D2 AND D3 GIRLS, AND D3 BOYS ON THE TOURNEY LOCATIONS?

Those games are normally played at SNHU, but because SNHU relies on students to work those events, and SNHU is on a break from classes at that point, I don’t think SNHU is going to be able to host. SNHU is an incredible host for the Final Fours in those divisions every year, but if they CAN’T host, the pool might be limited. The Candidates:

St A’s – Gym might be a little too small seating wise? It gets nice and loud.

Plymouth – Geographically maybe not feasible for D1 Girls but we know they can handle a big crowd

Dartmouth – GREAT GYM (seriously, if you haven’t been it’s a hidden gem) would be great if Hanover and Leb get to the Final 4

UNH – Would seem to be the best bet for D1 girls

NHTI – Again, seating wise could this could be a bit small but a great venue

SNHU (formerly The Verizon) arena – Might be too cavernous, not to mention expensive

I think Dave and I might have to hash this out on a podcast.

6. BY FRIDAY, THE PITTSFIELD BOYS WILL HAVE PLAYED 7 GAMES, AND TIMBERLANE WILL HAVE PLAYED TWO

Somehow Maine gets all their basketball across all divisions over by February vacation, and they are a far inferior state. We need to get this figured out.

5. SELMA HAYAK AT THE GOLDEN  GLOBES

If you know you know. My goodness.

4. MY BOY CONNOR WALSH WAS RIGHT

Walshy has been talking up his sister Kelly for what seems like the past forever, and I don’t know if you noticed but she’s scored 30 and 32 respectively in her last two games. In a Division 1 that is filled with kids that can score, so far Kelly Walsh is setting the pace.

3. BIG EARLY SEASON WIN FOR THE GREENWAVE

17 for Kingsley Breen in an early-season statement win for Dover over the Little Green of Central is a darn good win – I think I’m a little higher on Dover than most, and they’ll go as far as Breen takes them this year. So far, so good for the 2-0 Greenwave, who also won the Oyster River tourney.

2. SPORTS GAMBLING IS LEGAL IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

As I’m sure all of you know after taking a bath on the Patriots (who were -5 at kickoff) Saturday night. There’s a lot of happy degenerates today in the Granite State, who will quickly turn into unhappy degenerates the moment a team they wager on breaks their heart, and their bank account, with a late boneheaded play.

1. OK FINE LET’S TALK ABOUT THE PATS

I’m oddly not as upset as I should be about the Pats going out in the first round. You could kind of sense they didn’t have it this year, as evidenced by not being able to score any damn points. That’s generally not great. Maybe it’s that I’m fat and happy after being able to see 6 SB wins and 9 AFC Championships from a team that couldn’t stop tripping over their own feet from 1960 to 2001. But if this is the end, (And I still think Brady is coming back), I’m ok. I’m ok. I SAID I’M OK ALRIGHT?!?!

ALSO RECEIVING VOTES: Seriously why have some D1 boys teams played ONE GAME, Littleton with a buzzer-beater v White Mts, 29 straight for Exeter, Is it XFL season yet?

Justin McIsaac writes the Top 10 every week (usually). He is the 2018 NSMA NH Sportscaster of The Year.  He has 1,000 jobs, including radio color commentary for UNH Football, Producer of "NH Today with Jack Heath", HS play by play for MOSN, The McIsaac On Sports Network, college play by play for Dartmouth, St Anselm’s, UNE, Harvard, and whoever else will cut the check. Follow him on Twitter: @justin_mcisaac

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