CONTENTS

RAISING 'CANES 16
Miami beat Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl, and Auburn tied Syracuse in the Sugar
by Rick Telander and Douglas S. Looney

TOP CATS WHO ARE TOUGH CATS 24
Arizona's Wildcats, wimps no more on the court, powered past Duke to win the Fiesta Bowl tournament
by Curry Kirkpatrick

THE NFL PLAYOFFS 28
In the AFC, Houston did in Seattle—but barely
by Rick Reilly

In the NFC, Minnesota upset New Orleans
by Paul Zimmerman

MELLOW TIME FOR A MIRACLE MAN 34
Herb Brooks, fiery coach of the 1980 Olympic champs, is keeping his cool with the uncelestial North Stars
by Austin Murphy

NOW BARKLEY OWNS THE BALL 36
Burly forward Charles Barkley, the heir of Dr. J, is giving the 76ers a very different brand of leadership
by Jack McCallum

FINAL RUN FOR GLORY 40
A dispute over thoroughbred racing dates has Florida's storied Hialeah track struggling for its very life
by Demmie Stathoplos

DARTH WITH A HEART 48
Louisiana State's Jose Vargas may look—and perform—like an evil force, but he is really a lovable softie
by Alexander Wolff

THE PUCK STOPS HERE 58
Grant Fuhr has been called the NHL's best goalie—and he'd better be if the Oilers are once again to win the Cup
by Ralph Wiley

DEPARTMENTS

Letters 4
Scorecard 11
College Basketball 52
Pro Football 56
For The Record 71
Point After 72

Cover Photograph by John Biever

PHOTO

HEINZ KLUETMEIER

KUDOS TO THOSE WHO CARE: In the Oval Office Monday, President Reagan presented the traditional amphora to each of SI's 1987 Sportsmen and Sportswomen of the Year, who were being honored for devotion to public service. With the President are (from left) Reggie Williams, Judi Brown King, Chip Rives, Dale Murphy, Rory Sparrow, Kip Keino, Patty Sheehan and Bob Bourne.