November 24, 2003 Table Of Contents

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Scorecard Extra

Marquee Matchup Can Chicago's Carlos Bocanegra stop San Jose's red-hot Landon Donovan in the MLS title game?

By Grant Wahl

Ugandan Leader BC's 6'8" Mathias Kiwanuka is a top pass rusher and a grandson of a former African prime minister

By Stephen Cannella

Junior Achievement Since retiring from the NHL, Patrick Roy has taken a hands-on approach with the junior team he owns

By Stephen Cannella

No Need to Wait With easily arranged lines of credit, likely draftees start living like pros after their last college game

By Farrell Evans

The Last Hurrah This study of the final year of the Celtics' dynasty is so well researched, it's not just for Boston fans

By Bill Syken

The Real Heroes A compelling look at the athletes who went to battle in World War II

By Lisa Altobelli

Barreling In Taylor Dent has moved up in the men's rankings the old-fashioned way: playing serve-and-volley

By S.L. Price

Catching Up With...

Mark Price, Guard NOVEMBER 20, 1985

By Farrell Evans

Dream Teams

By Steve Rushin

Sports Illustrated 50th Anniversary

'Bama Vs. Auburn This week's Iron Bowl game will divide a state that obsesses about it 52 weeks a year

By Mark Bechtel

Bear Necessity Football is the only topic that matters when Alabamians talk sports

By Geoffrey Norman

The Poll Alabamians weigh in on sports*

Compiled by Bill Syken

Who & Where

Compiled by Bill Syken

Greatest Moment

Compiled by Bill Syken

Numbers

Compiled by Bill Syken

Memorable Quote

Compiled by Bill Syken

Alltime Best For Alabama's top 50 homegrown sports figures, go to SI.com/50

Compiled by Bill Syken

Pro Football

Break Up The Bengals In 10 games under Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati has gone from NFL laughingstock to AFC playoff contender

By Michael Silver

Still Untouchable After 31 Years The Chiefs' loss to the Bengals underscores how special the 1972 Dolphins were and how unlikely it is that another NFL team will go through a season and the playoffs unbeaten

By Peter King

Black Sunday

Forty years ago this weekend, as America grieved for President John F. Kennedy, stunned NFL players were told to take the field

By Charles P. Pierce

College Football

Rebuilt For Success Playing on reconstructed knees, Jason White stands atop the nation's passer ratings and has Oklahoma flirting with perfection

By Phil Taylor

Larry vs. Jason (and Eli)

College Basketball Preview 2003-04

The Postmodern Postman Coming in shorter sizes and smaller shapes, today's college centers are using their skill and savvy in the middle to redefine the pivot position

By Grant Wahl

When Brain Meets Brawn EMEKA OKAFOR hits the books so fiercely he'll graduate a year early and blocks shots so ferociously he's the game's most feared defender

By Tim Layden

5 Minute Index An instant guide to the players, coaches and games to watch this season

By Seth Davis

The Stability Index Each is a Top 20 team, but how solid--or shaky--is the program? SI has devised a way to find out

By Alexander Wolff

Scouting Reports

1 UConn The Huskies, led by a newly assertive Ben Gordon, have everything needed to win it all

By Seth Davis

2 Michigan State The athletic Spartans will turn up the jets and try to run opponents off the court

By Seth Davis

3 Gonzaga Don't be surprised if this is the season the Zags zig their way to the Final Four

By Grant Wahl

4 Duke A precocious new arrival will have the perimeter-minded Blue Devils looking inward

By Seth Davis

5 Florida Bigger and stronger, the Gators won't be muscled out of the title picture this time

By Kelli Anderson

6 Arizona One player's emotional readiness is the pivotal factor in the Wildcats' success

By Grant Wahl

7 North Carolina Even Roy Williams needs a healthy Sean May to get the Tar Heels back to the NCAAs

By Grant Wahl

8 Missouri A workhorse senior helps guide the Tigers, who may be the nation's deepest team

By Kelli Anderson

9 Syracuse With Carmelo gone, the Orangemen have to show they weren't a one-man gang

By John O'Keefe

10 Kansas Self's analysis: Get the ball inside to Wayne Simien and let him go to work

By Grant Wahl

11 Kentucky Still tasting a bitter defeat, the workmanlike Wildcats are out to settle the score

By Seth Davis

12 Illinois The Illini will rely on a swarming, pressing attack that won't let foes suffer in silence

By Stephen Cannella

13 Notre Dame After flirting with the NBA, Chris Thomas returns to give the Irish a fighting chance

By Stephen Cannella

14 Texas With Brandon Mouton shootin', the deep Longhorns might get back to the Final Four

By Kelli Anderson

15 St. Joseph's Seasoned and talented in the backcourt, the Hawks will hit the floor running

By John O'Keefe

16 Wisconsin After two Big Ten titles the Badgers have something new to deal with: high expectations

By Stephen Cannella

17 Stanford Do-it-all Josh Childress should help the Cardinal conquer its tournament troubles

By Kelli Anderson

18 Oklahoma Inexperienced in the backcourt, the Sooners have a strong man to carry them up front

By Stephen Cannella

19 Louisville The key to a guard-oriented offense will be a short power forward facing a tall order

By Kelli Anderson

20 Cincinnati Steady and always-ready Jason Maxiell is the heart of a team rebuilt with transfers

By Seth Davis

The Fab 45 Here are the other 45 schools that SI projects will get berths in the 65-team NCAA tournament field, which includes 31 automatic bids and 34 at-large selections

By Seth Davis; Richard Deitsch

Senior Moments Look for blood, sweat and lots of tears as the stars of the class of '04 try to unseat powerful CONNECTICUT in their last go-round

By Kelli Anderson

Geno Auriemma + Diana Taurasi = Love, Italian Style A pair of paisans at UConn share a passion for hoops that makes a perfect match of cocky coach and fearless player

By Frank Deford

Inside

Inside The Week in Sports

Inside College Football

Next Up: Michigan Ohio State's gritty win over Purdue sets up a showdown for the Big Ten title with the Buckeyes' bitter rival

By Kelley King

Extra Points

By Kelley King

Inside The NHL

Kid Canuck High-scoring rookie Jason King adds firepower to Vancouver's second line

By Stephen Cannella

Clubs Like Young (Cheap) Talent Abundance of Rookies

By Stephen Cannella

In The Crease

By Pierre McGuire

Inside The NBA

Sonic Boon Ronald Murray, a throw-in to a deal last year, has been a steal for Seattle

By Ian Thomsen

Scout's Take

By Ian Thomsen

Will A Star Be Eager To Head West-ward? Master Plan in Memphis

By Ian Thomsen

Around The Rim

By Ian Thomsen

Inside The NFL

Kicking Into Gear With Jake Plummer back under center, Denver began its playoff push with an easy win over San Diego

By Peter King

QB Wants To Play Two Years Doug Flutie's Future

By Peter King

Trading E-Mail With... Rams wideout Torry Holt, the NFL's leader in receptions

By Peter King; Torry Holt

King's Corner

By Peter King

Warner Stands Behind Bulger

By Peter King

Dr. Z's Forecast

By Paul Zimmerman

What, Me Panic?

By Rick Reilly

Departments

Leading Off

Letters

Five Strikes and You're Out ... maybe, sort of. Presenting baseball's new drug-testing program--it's easier to beat than the '62 Mets, but not nearly as funny

By Tom Verducci Edited by Kostya Kennedy and Mark Bechtel

One And Done Has the NFL sacked the controversial Playmakers' second season?

By Mark Bechtel Edited by Kostya Kennedy and Mark Bechtel

Freddy Stays

By Grant Wahl Edited by Kostya Kennedy and Mark Bechtel

Go Figure

Edited by Kostya Kennedy and Mark Bechtel

For The Record

Edited by Kostya Kennedy and Mark Bechtel

Fast Times

By Mark Beech Edited by Kostya Kennedy and Mark Bechtel

The Show

By Bill Scheft Edited by Kostya Kennedy and Mark Bechtel

Q+A Walter Ray Williams Jr.

By Richard Deitsch; Walter Ray Williams Jr. Edited by Kostya Kennedy and Mark Bechtel

The Week Ahead What To Watch And Watch For

By Julia Morrill Edited by Kostya Kennedy and Mark Bechtel

Lavin's Debut

By John O'Keefe Edited by Kostya Kennedy and Mark Bechtel

Rush's Return

By Richard Deitsch Edited by Kostya Kennedy and Mark Bechtel

Sports Beat

Edited by Kostya Kennedy and Mark Bechtel

Faces in the Crowd

Edited by Kostya Kennedy and Mark Bechtel