Strap in kids, it's the Winter edition of the Top 10. These are the things that were rattling around in the mind of Justin McIsaac this week....

10. SPAULDING IS NOW ON A WINNING STREAK AND IF THEY WIN A FEW MORE I’LL BE EVEN MORE OBNOXIOUS

We’ve been trying to tell you that the Red Raiders are a solid squad for a few weeks now, even if their record didn’t reflect it. A buzzer beating win at Central, and the Arie-Oop play to get the W against Dover has the Radiers trending in the right direction (although Dover fans may feel they got the worst ref’s decision since Bret Hart fell victim to the Montreal Screwjob). There’s no bad teams in D1 this tear, so the schedule doesn’t get EASY, but it’s not the gauntlet that the first 6 weeks were, that’s for sure.

9. FIT BITS ARE NOW WORKING FOR ISIS OR SOMETHING?

Evidently US Military personnel wearing fitness apps and jogging with them – in theory that seems good! We want the military to be in shape. The problem is that the app some of them are using, Strava is uploading their GPS data to the net where anyone can see it.  

Good if you’re one of those people that screams “HEY LOOK EVEYONE I GO JOGGING!!!!!!!” on facebook, less good if you’re at a secret CIA base. The lesson is: never go jogging.  

8. OYSTER RIVER HAS THREE BIG ONES THIS WEEK

I think the Bobcats might be for real, but after taking on Timberlane, Windham, and Pelham at home this week, they’ll know for sure. Normally if you encounter Owls, Snakes, and Jaguars, it happens during a scene in a Harry Potter book, but the Bobcats will need to defeat all three foes in the real world. Luckily for Lorne Lucas’ club, they get all 3 games at home.

7. MASCENIC KEEPS WINNING, MONADNOCK WOULD LIKE TO END ALL THAT

BIG D3 tilt this week as the Vikings and Huskies get together. Mascenic is one of the last teams left keeping Pete Tarrier’s hops of a “We Undefeated” dance alive, thanks in part to Drew Rines’ baseline runner to beat Fall Mountain, so you know the big guy will be a Vikings fan tomorrow night. Mascenic, like ORHS, also has 3 big ones this week, so it won’t be easy.

6. RONDA ROUSEY SHOWS UP AT THE ROYAL RUMBLE

I predicted her to win the first ever Women’s Rumble (she was not announced as a competitor, but your boy had a feeling – twas not to be), but the former UFC Mega-Star came out once the Rumble match was finished for a stare down with Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair, as well as Rumble winner Asuka. As I’m discovering, about 70% of HS Hoops coaches are big wrestling fans, much to Dave Haley’s dismay, so this was big news for us last night, and huge mainstream news as well!

5. MY STAFF PICKS ARE BAD, AND I SHOULD FEEL BAD

If I pick against you in staff picks, really your coaches should start game planning for the next opponent, because this one is in the bag for you. I’ve been The Mush lately, no doubt about it. Here’s where you can yell at me for spending the last few Friday nights at Hockey East rinks instead of HS Gyms. We’re gonna take it one week at a time, and just try to post a few W’s.

4. INSPIRED BY BEING ON MOSN LAST TUESDAY (NO DOUBT) THE CENTRAL GIRLS ALMOST KNOCKED OFF #1

A 28 point explosion in the 4th quarter was almost enough for Central to beat unbeaten Memorial on Friday night, but the Crusaders hung on for a 50-48 win. You never know what can happen in a rivalry game, and despite Haleigh Shea scoring her 1,000th point, Central was thisclose to beating top dog Memorial.

 It doesn’t get any easier for Keltina Francis and company, as they get ANOTHER unbeaten in Bedford on Tuesday, meanwhile Memorial will have a showdown with Pinkerton on Friday.

3. THE GUY WHO INVENTED IKEA DIED AND EVERYONE MADE THE SAME JOKE

Something to the effect of “His coffin will be assembled with an Allen Wrench”. GET IT?!?! CAUSE THAT’S HOW YOU PUT IKEA FURNITURE TOGETHER. Do a twitter search ONE TIME for me before you make the same joke a billion other people have made. Also, I’m forever grateful the nearest Ikea is like 2 hours away, I don’t need Mrs. McIsaac dragging me on a death march through the cheery Sweedish efficiency of IKEA.

2. 6 DAYS AWAY AND IT FEELS LIKE A HUNDRED

That bye week before Super Bowl Week seems like it takes about 14 years doesn’t it? And the NFL Network waits until Saturday before showing all the old Super Bowl films marathon, which I will kill about 4 hours a day watching (all the games – with two exceptions… I don’t think I need to mention which games).

Not gonna lie, this Super Bowl makes me a bit nervous, Philly foes a lot of things well that the Pats have a hard time with. Footlong Foles is playing out of his mind, after looking like he had never seen a football during the last few regular season games. But these games are not for the weak of heart. I’m saying the GOAT gets his 6th – Pats 27 Eagles 24 is the prediction.

1. BOYS D1 IS MORE WIDE OPEN THAN I CAN EVER REMEMBER IT BEING

Now granted, my memory isn’t what it used to be, and I still think Exeter is the team to beat, but come March, you’ll probably be able to talk me into 6 different teams hoisting the trophy in Durham. Winnacunnet made their case Friday with a solid win over the Blue Hawks. Bedford has found their sea legs and is charging up the standings. Portsmouth are the defending champs and somehow are being counted out despite just 2 losses. Memorial might be the most talented, unless that’s Exeter. Alvirne has the Bow Tie Killer. Central is #Back, and gave Memorial everything they could handle Friday.

Not only is the top of the bracket hard to judge, but I guarantee you a Top 4 seed is going to get upset in a home playoff game, because the teams hovering around the bottom of the bracket are dangerous as hell (YES INCLUDING SPAULDING!). It’s going to be a fun tournament, and the last month of regular season play and playoff positioning is even more important than usual.

ALSO RECEIVING VOTES: I got pulled into assistant coaching my sons rec ball team and scolded a kid for NOT shooting the arrow when he hit a 3, Conant is lurking, HUGE D3 GAME FRIDAY on MOSN and NHSportspage – Somersworth v Berlin 2, I’m a huge Winter Olympics guy

Justin McIsaac is the Founder of MOSN: The McIsaac On Sports Network. He's the radio color commentator for UNH Football. He also does pxp for St Anselm's, UNE, Harvard, and anyone else that will cut him a check. Follow him on twitter: @Justin_McIsaac