First Down: Top rookies in the NBA

WEEKEND REWIND IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Virginia Tech dominates Maryland — Saturday’s loss to the Hokies dropped the Terps to 2-8 on the year and set a up an alarming, if not likely, possibility. With games at Florida State and against Boston College, it’s possible Maryland will finish with 10 losses for the first time in school history. Fortunately for the Terps, they won’t meet the Hokies again until 2013. Unfortunately for Ralph Friedgen, he likely won’t be on the Maryland coaching staff then.

Capitals dominated by Devils — With both Alex Ovechkin and Mike Knuble injured, the Caps were routed 5-2 in New Jersey on Saturday. It was the first time the Caps had lost by three or more goals all season. While they are still tied with New Jersey atop the Eastern Conference, losing Knuble for possibly a month means they need Ovechkin back at 100 percent sooner rather than later.

TWT FIVE BEST ROOKIES IN THE NBA

1. Brandon Jennings — The most amazing part of Jennings’ 55-point night against the Warriors on Saturday? He went scoreless in the first quarter.

2. Tyreke Evans — The 5-4 Kings have been one of the league’s early surprises, led by Evans and fellow first-round pick Omri Casspi.

3. Jonny Flynn — Unlike Ricky Rubio, Flynn is actually playing for the lowly Timberwolves and playing well, averaging 14.2 points and 3.3 assists.

4. Ty Lawson — The Nuggets have found the perfect successor to Chauncey Billups at the point. Lawson is dishing out 3.2 assists a game while averaging under 22 minutes.

5. DeJuan Blair — Think the Wizards could have used Blair (6.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg) instead of selling their second-round pick for cash?

HE SAID WHAT?

“This isn’t what we grew up watching. I’m not used to this. … I don’t know what to think right now.”

— USC quarterback Matt Barkley after the Trojans lost to Stanford 55-21 on Saturday