"Wednesday night wrap-up"

Plenty of things to cover tonight, but let's start in - where else - the world of women's golf (and I promise no Michelle Wie news. I promise!). So, then, what is there to comment on? How about the new LPGA drug policy. Beginning in 2008 the women's tour will test players for drugs - something the men's tour doesn't do. Interesting. Could the older players, the "feisty veterans," be worried about the young guns (mostly just Wie, but Morgan Pressel deserves a mention) who are outdriving them (and hitting longer than some men)?

It's possible. There must be a better reason for this other than: “We want to be proactive; we don’t want to react to this," as LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens remarked.

I can't wait to see who the first victim is. Pat Hurst, maybe? We'll see.

College basketball
Kansas ruined everyone's plans to watch a No.1-No.3 matchup or even No.1-No.2 matchup on Nov. 25 when the Jayhawks and Gators meet. The Jayhawks lost to Oral Roberts (now 1-1) at home.

Are you joshing me?

I know hardly anybody will be talking about this come March, but I still can't get over it. Yes, Kansas is young. Yes, they're inexperienced. But you have to take care of business in these easy non-conference games if you want to be one of the nation's best. It will be interesting to see how the Jayhawks rebound. They've got three more "cupcakes" at home before their matchup with the Gators. We'll learn soon enough if they lost because they weren't focused or if they're just not that good of a team.

North Carolina also got a scare tonight, having to come back from an eight-point halftime deficit to defeat Winthrop 73-66 in the NIT Season Tip-Off (the 'Heels advanced to next week's semifinals at MSG, where they'll face a low-profile Gonzaga team, aka "dangerous"). I'm expecting a great game. In coming back against a Winthrop team that returns four starters, UNC showed the difference between itself and Kansas. Experience and maturity. The 'Heels didn't panic as they went to their sophomore big man, Tyler Hansbrough (who plays more like a senior), who scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

With Hansbrough leading the way, and a slew of talented freshmen, I expect the Tar Heels - playing in a slightly weak ACC (if you can call it that) - to have a big year.

One other college basketball mention: My hometown UM Wolverines defeated Wisconsin-Milwaukee 66-59 to improve to 4-0. I know the Wolverines haven't played any quality teams yet - their other victories came against Central Connecticut, Davidson and Eastern Michigan - but, still, they're taking care of business (unlike those Jayhawks).

My life depends on an NCAA tournament birth for the Wolverines this year. Ok, not really (I wouldn't risk that), but it sure would be nice. After watching them collapse last year, losing seven of their last nine when all they needed was one victory, it was hard to move on.

But this season's team - which I don't think has the talent last year's squad had, mainly due to the loss of point guard Daniel Horton - is showing signs of possibly making a push for the Big Dance. Seniors Dion Harris and Courtney Sims have been particularly impressive the first four games. Harris is averaging 15.7 ppg and 4.7 assists per game as the starting point guard - a position he seemed uncomfortable at two years ago when filling in for an absent Horton. Sims, who has been soft and inconsistent his first three years at Michigan, is averaging 15 points a game. His 5.3 boards a game still needs to improve, but it's a start.

As is everything in college hoops this time of year. We'll really see what the Wolverines are about when they face UCLA (on the road) and Georgetown (at home) around Christmas time.

NFL
Vinny Testaverde ain't done playing. The 43-year-old signed with the Patriots yesterday. I personally think he should sit down and talk with Tiki Barber. Even though the chances of him playing in a game are close to zero, just getting hit in practice will take its toll. I'm not telling anyone what to do, but for the good of his body, wouldn't Vinny be better off at home watching the games?

MLB
Joe Girardi won't be an analyst on the YES Network for long - that's providing he wants to manage again. After being fired by the Florida Marlins following his first season - because he didn't get along with Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria - Girardi was voted the NL Manager of the Year yesterday for guiding the Marlins back from an 11-31 start into playoff contention before they finished 78-84. Girardi is just the second manager to receive the award for a team he no longer is in charge of. Davey Johnson resigned from Baltimore before winning the award in 1977.

In the AL, the awards continued to come for the Detroit Tigers. Jim Leyland became the third manager to win the award in both leagues (he received it in 1990 and 1992 with Pittsburgh). It was well deserved. Leyland was the main reason for the Tigers' success this year. He got them to believe in themselves, as simple as that sounds, and it made all the difference.

All right, I'm out. Enjoy Chicago-Houston tonight. Big Ben vs. Yao.