Stumbling Bulls After talk of possibly being included in the national title game just two weeks ago, South Florida might be in danger of falling out of the Top 25 if it fails to avoid its first three-game losing streak in nearly two years. The 20th-ranked Bulls attempt to halt their skid Saturday when they host stumbling Cincinnati, a team that has already dropped out of the rankings.
Author: Anthony Rome
Big East Battle One week after beating a Top 25 team for the first time in school history, Connecticut finds itself ranked for the first time. No. 16 Connecticut will try to extend its first-place lead in the Big East as it plays host to Rutgers on Saturday.
New Home, Same Results? The New Jersey Devils have struggled at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning in recent years. Maybe a change of venue can reverse that trend. Following an unsuccessful debut at their new arena, the Devils try to avoid their longest winless stretch in nearly six years when they face the Lightning on Wednesday.
A New Start Amidst the Bulls and Lakers looking to pull off a blockbuster trade, the 2007-08 NBA season begins tonight as the Chicago Bulls and New Jersey Nets square off. Both clubs found themselves in the Playoffs a season ago. The Bulls went down to the Pistons, while Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Nets.
Fast Starters Tim Duncan couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season. After receiving a contract extension and another NBA championship ring, and leading his team to a victory in the same day, the nine-time All-Star looks to help San Antonio win its first road game Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Charging Ahead In a wide-open Eastern Conference, the up-and-coming Chicago Bulls have emerged as championship contenders after a long rebuilding process. The New Jersey Nets, meanwhile, represent the old guard. The young Bulls visit the experienced Nets on Wednesday as both teams begin their quest to take the next step toward an NBA title.
Looking Promising For years, the East has been the inferior conference in the NBA. Offseason moves by the Orlando Magic, however, could give the league a little more parity entering the 2007-08 season. With a new coach and armed with one of the top free agents on the market this summer, the Magic open their most promising season in years against the Milwaukee Bucks in Orlando on Wednesday.
Repeat Success in ’07? For the first time, the Toronto Raptors will open a season as the defending Atlantic Division champions. The Philadelphia 76ers, meanwhile, will start without Allen Iverson on their roster for the first time in 12 years. Toronto begins its quest to win its second straight title in the much-improved Atlantic, while Philadelphia tries to build off its strong finish to 2006-07 when the teams meet at Air Canada Centre on Wednesday.
Scoring Options The Detroit Red Wings have a number of strong options on offense. Most of them have factored into the club’s current win streak. The Red Wings take one of the NHL’s deepest lineups to Rexall Place, where they’ll go for their sixth straight victory Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers.
Still Improving Despite several marquee names, the St. Louis Blues are receiving their biggest boost from a relative unknown. Brad Boyes looks to continue his fast start and help the Blues avenge an earlier loss this season to the Phoenix Coyotes when the teams face off at Scottrade Center on Tuesday night.