CONTENTS

Boston Is Winging Once More 18
Grounded for two seasons, the Celtics have taken a high perch in the NBA. The big difference is a rare Bird of a rookie
by Bruce Newman

Sims Like Old Times at Norman 24
In his final regular-season game, Billy Sims shredded Nebraska for 247 yards, leading Oklahoma to the Orange Bowl
by Douglas S. Looney

Lonesome No Longer 26
Once snubbed as losers by Texas football sophisticates, the Houston Oilers stunned the stumbling Cowboys to win the state title
by Ron Reid

College Basketball

36 As the season begins, a good luck charm returns, as does the author, delighted to be a part of the game
by Curry Kirkpatrick

46 An analysis in words, pictures and diagrams of the new multiple defenses, a hitherto unappreciated phase of the game

54 A cornucopia of scouting reports includes the Top 20, the best of the rest, small colleges and leading women's teams

The Game Is Her Dominion 106
Old Dominion's Nancy Lieberman rules the world of women's hoops, to which her play has given anew dimension
by Curry Kirkpatrick

The Departments

Scorecard 11
Cross-Country 98
For the Record 123
19th Hole 124

Credits on page 123

Cover photograph by Steve Thompson

Next Week

A Trio of titles is at stake in boxing. Sugar Ray Leonard goes after Wilfredo Benitez' welterweight crown; middleweight Vito Antuofermo defends his against Marvin Hagler; and Victor Galindez risks his light heavy title against Marvin Johnson.

How sweet it'll be for the winner of the Alabama-Auburn game, one of football's bitterest rivalries, as No. 1 'Bama could get bounced from the Sugar Bowl by a Tiger victory. Douglas S. Looney reports on which team gets beat in Birmingham.