Super Bowl XLVI
Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
Ryan Callahan scored three goals as the New York Rangers beat Philadelphia 5-2 on Saturday for their seventh straight win over the Flyers.
Buried on the bench a little more than a week ago, the Knicks' Jeremy Lin is now the toast of New York.
Beyond the Arc: No. 14 UNLV's 65-63 victory over No. 13 San Diego State adds spice to the Mountain West Conference race.
CFT: Jordan Jefferson makes it clear he wasn't happy with LSU's game plan in the Tigers' BCS Championship Game loss to Alabama.
Move over, Hollywood and NFL types, golf's two real A-listers take center stage Sunday at Pebble Beach, both in need of a win.
The United States swept favored Switzerland out of the Davis Cup on Saturday when Mardy Fish and Mike Bryan beat Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Luis Suarez's refusal to shake hands with Patrice Evra overshadowed Manchester United's 2-1 win over rival Liverpool that lifted the defending champions to first place in the Premier League on Saturday.
Marlies Schild of Austria won her sixth World Cup slalom of the season Saturday after overall leader Lindsey Vonn and defending champion Maria Hoefl-Riesch crashed out in the opening run on the windy Pyrenees course.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
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Weber also delivered the ideal answer when asked if he expected that win to get Illinois (19-13) into the NCAA Tournament:
"I know we're in the Big Ten tournament."
Illinois can bolster its case for an at-large bid — or continue on toward an automatic spot in the tournament in Saturday's semifinal game against No. 1 seed Ohio State.
Illinois isn't alone on the NCAA Tournament bubble:
Washington
Record: 23-9
vs. RPI top 50: 2-2
The case for the Huskies: UW has kind of a mid-major profile. They've beaten a couple quality teams (Texas A&M, California) but lost twice to teams that are .500 or worse (UCLA, Oregon).
Verdict: Without much to disqualify them, there's going to be room for the Huskies on the bracket — and they're good enough to force their way in by claiming the Pac-10 title.
Rhode Island
Record: 23-8
vs. RPI top 50: 1-4
The case for the Rams: They're among the few bubble teams with a winning mark (7-6) against the top 100. It's such a weak year this has become a badge of honor.
Verdict: The Rams play Temple in the Atlantic 10 semifinals. They might not need a win, but they can't afford to be blown out.
Mississippi State
Record: 22-10
vs. RPI top 50: 1-4
The case for the Bulldogs: A sweep over in-state rival Ole Miss helped them to an 8-6 record against top 100 opponents.
Verdict: When you play in the SEC and your highest-ranked opponent is Old Dominion, it's hard to make the case you're a strong contender.
San Diego State
Record: 24-8
vs. RPI top 50: 3-5
The case for the Aztecs: Friday's victory over New Mexico is their second over UNM and first significant accomplishment away from home.
Verdict: They're 4-6 against the top 100 and have two losses to teams rated in triple digits, but a spot in Saturday's Mountain West final was probably what they needed.
Beyond the Arc: No. 14 UNLV's 65-63 victory over No. 13 San Diego State adds spice to the Mountain West Conference race.
Adreian Payne scored 15 points, Draymond Green added 12 and defense-minded No. 11 Michigan State beat No. 3 Ohio State 58-48 Saturday night, ending the Buckeyes' 39-game home winning streak.
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 Getty Images Highlights: No. 14 UNLV 65, No. 13 SDSU 63 Mike Moser scored 19 points, and UNLV forced three turnovers in the final 42 seconds to win. |
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Phil Pressey's first 3-point attempt went in off the glass. The sophomore guard, known more for flashy, no-look passes than his outside touch, took that sketchy success and ran with it.
Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
The United States swept favored Switzerland out of the Davis Cup on Saturday when Mardy Fish and Mike Bryan beat Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
