This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!Washington WizardsOverall: 93 Title track: 117 Ownership: 77 Coaching: 94 Players: 86 Fan relations: 96 Affordability: 74 Stadium experience: 103 Bang for the buck: 60 Change from last year: -30A notable increase in prices, major drop-off in performance and lack of talent acquisition dropped the Wizards 30 spots in this years rankings. Improvements might be on the way, but right now, the Wizards are trending downward -- even in their best areas.Whats goodWashingtons tickets still beat the average cost of an NBA game, but the cost of attendance rose 36 percent over the past year, more than that of any team other than the Golden State Warriors. The main difference between the two, of course, is that the Warriors win pretty reliably. The price hikes by the Wizards have pushed them down 33 spots in bang for the buck, but the franchise is still among the top half of the NBA and across pro sports in that category (60th overall). That said, this is a young team with good guard play, and it is still a (relatively) good buy.Whats badTheyre young, they didnt grab much talent this offseason, and they have one of their top players, John Wall, coming off surgery on both knees. That isnt a recipe for winning now, and the Wizards title track (117th) reflects that. Washington hasnt invested much in the Verizon Center recently, either, though its preparing to open a new practice facility with Events DC. The lack of innovation pushed the Wizards stadium experience rank down (103rd overall, fourth-worst in the NBA). Much like the team roster, the stadium and facilities remain stagnant. In fact, the franchise tumbled in the rankings in all but one category: coaching.Whats newTeam owner Ted Leonsis brought in former Thunder coach Scott Brooks, which led to that 11-spot bump in coaching. But fan trust in Leonsis and the rest of the front office has dipped after a disappointing 2015-16 season (down 26 spots to 77th). Whats more, not only did the team miss out on Kevin Durant -- a D.C. native who played for Brooks in Oklahoma City -- but they also werent even in the picture as his decision neared. Nabbing Durant in free agency would have pushed Washington way up the player rankings. Missing out on him, plus a lateral move in signing Utah guard Trey Burke, puts the roster back quite a bit -- 29 spots, to be exact.Next: Chicago Bulls?| Full rankings Kevin Labanc Jersey . Duchene scored two goals and had an assist, helping the Colorado Avalanche beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 on Friday night to match the best 10-game start in team history. Dylan DeMelo Jersey . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. http://www.cheapsharksjerseys.com/?tag=adidas-timo-meier-jersey . Jane Virtanen scored two, and Alex Roach and Elliott Peterson rounded out the offence for the Hitmen (40-15-6). Brady Brassart chipped in with three assists. Colton McCarthy scored twice, Brayden Point had a goal and two assists, and Jack Rodewald also scored for the Warriors (15-35-9), who were 2 for 5 on the power play. Cheap Sharks Jerseys . - Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is not a fan of his teams use of the wildcat formation, saying "it makes you look like a high school offence. Wholesale Sharks Jerseys . 10 Texas A&Ms offence dominated as usual against SMU. North Carolina Central is looking to take another step in what has been a banner season, but tradition-rich Grambling State is standing in the way.The teams meet Saturday in the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta.This is the first postseason appearance in the Division I era for N.C. Central, which was the outright champion in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference after sharing the title the previous two seasons.We have a chance to make some history, N.C. Central coach Jerry Mack said. We have a chance to go out there and play one more game and everybody knows this will be the last game of 2016.The Eagles (9-2), who are from Durham, N.C., have won nine consecutive games since opening the season with a loss to cross-city opponent Duke and then falling the following week at Western Michigan, which remains undefeated.The credentials are impressive for Grambling (11-1) as well after winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Only a 10-point loss at Arizona prevented an unblemished record for the Tigers.These Football Championship Subdivision teams give up the chance to participate in the FCS playoffs to play in the Celebration Bowl.Were pleased with being able to represent the SWAC for the Celebration Bowl, said Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs, who has directed his first SWAC title team. We have the ability to win in different ways, scoring in different ways and stopping people different ways. Thats the definition of a champion.N.C. Central didnt have to share the MEAC title because it defeated arch-rival North Carolina A&T to end the regular season Nov. 19.Its what we work for, what we strive for every year, Mack said. We finally got outright champs. Words cannot express how proud everybody is.Mack said that playing in the Celebration Bowl gives the university a chance to enhance its brand on a bigger stage. He said the Eagles werre motivated by seeing N.ddddddddddddC. A&T generally receive more attention.We felt like we had been disrespected a lot during the course of the year, he said. (Now we have another) chance to showcase our talents. ... We still have work for our final destiny and thats to be No. 1 (among historically black colleges and universities).Grambling is a 25-time champion of the SWAC, defeating two-time defending champion Alcorn State in this years conference championship game Dec. 3 in Houston.With Saturdays Celebration Bowl in the Georgia Dome, it will mark the third game in a row in an NFL venue for the Tigers. They played in the Superdome in New Orleans in beating Southern in the annual Bayou Classic and then played the SWAC title game at NRG Stadium in Houston.In the SWAC title game, the Tigers overcame a sluggish start.Weve won many different ways, Fobbs said. Weve been very dominant early. Weve been in close battles and to win at the end. Then there have been times when weve been down and had to come back.Mack said the SWAC tends to be more pass-oriented that the MEAC, and he is aware that Grambling has the personnel to back that up. Grambling quarterback Devante Kincade has thrown for more than 2,800 yards.The Tigers also have big-play capability from running back and return specialist Martez Carter, who was the Most Valuable Player in the SWAC championship game with 348 all-purpose yards.With nearly a month between games for the Eagles, there has been ample opportunity to consider tweaks that might be beneficial.Just fine tune our systems that are already in place, Mack said. Any wrinkles that we want to put in. Weve had plenty of time to look at the game plan and see what needs to be fixed. ' ' '