Back in The Top 25 Wisconsin entered this season with high expectations, but a midseason slump cost it any chance of a BCS berth or Big Ten title. The 24th-ranked Badgers are back in the Top 25 for the first time in more than a month, though, and look to close out the regular season with a victory over a longtime rival when they visit Minnesota on Saturday.
Author: Anthony Rome
No McGrady For Rockets Houston nearly won without its leading scorer on Friday, but keeping up with the Phoenix Suns without Tracy McGrady might be a little harder. The Rockets could be without their star guard again when they host the high-powered Suns on Saturday.
Wade Back, Heat Not Dwyane Wade is back in the lineup, but the Miami Heat still can’t seem to shake their early-season slump. Wade will look to lead the Heat to their first win in four games on Saturday when they visit the New Jersey Nets.
Return to Staples Center If the Kobe Bryant rumors are partially to blame for the Chicago Bulls’ dismal start, back-to-back games at the Staples Center aren’t likely to help team morale. Chicago (1-6) visits the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday looking to snap out of its early-season slump and earn its first road win.
Original Six Matchup The Detroit Red Wings have the best record in the Western Conference, but it’s not because of their play against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Red Wings will try to avoid a third straight loss overall as they look for their first win in four games this season against the Blackhawks when the Original Six rivals meet Saturday night at Joe Louis Arena.
Brodeur Tries For Record Martin Brodeur’s 500th victory isn’t coming easy. His offensively-challenged teammates certainly aren’t helping his cause. Brodeur tries for the fourth time to become the second goaltender in NHL history with 500 wins on Saturday night when the struggling Devils visit the Philadelphia Flyers in an Atlantic Division matchup.
No Brennan? No Problem Turns out Colt Brennan isn’t the only one who can be a star for No. 13 Hawaii. Tyler Graunke, playing in place of the injured quarterback, passed for 358 yards and two touchdowns and Dan Kelly kicked a 45-yard field goal with 11.7 seconds left to keep the Warriors undefeated with a 28-26 victory over Nevada Friday night.
Big Ten Matchup in Illinois For the first 10 weeks of the season, coach Ron Zook was quietly leading a rejuvenated Illinois football program. Last weekend, the resurgence got a lot louder. After beating the top-ranked team in the country for the first time since 1956, the No. 20 Illini look to close their first winning regular season in six years on a high note when they host Northwestern on Saturday.
Distraction Ceased With Stephon Marbury back with the team, the New York Knicks can get back to another pressing matter: Trying to win games. With their star point guard having returned from a bizarre absence, the Knicks (2-5) continue a four-game road trip against the Sacramento Kings (2-6) on Friday looking to end a four-game losing streak.
Battle In The Big East The 5th ranked Mountaineers invade Nippert Stadium to take on the 23rd ranked Bearcats in a game loaded with Big East ramifications. A win by the Mounty’s would certainly make them the odds on favorite to capture the Big East crown, while a win by the Bearcats would keep them in surprise contention for the prize with only a trip to Syracuse left on the docket.