March 20, 2006 Table Of Contents
SI Bonus Section: Golf Plus
Winning the Honda Classic was big, but Luke Donald has a more ambitious goal
A familiar winner steadies the LPGA
By Jim Gorant
Hartford says goodbye, and it won't be the only one
HOCKEY
There's a video goal judge at each NHL game, but the final word on questionable scores comes from the league's nerve center in Toronto. Every night Mike Murphy and his crew become an all-seeing eye in the sky. Here's an inside look at how it works
BOXING
After a decade in oblivion, trash-talking, pistol-packing (but downright lovable) former middleweight king James Toney has grown--and how--into a contender for boxing's biggest title
Air and Space
By Steve Rushin
SI Players: Life On and Off the Field
VILLANOVA GUARD
By Julia Morrill
The Questions with Johnny Weir
U.S. Figure Skater
By Gerald Green
Edited by Gene Menez
Features
The madness in March boils down to tempo and efficiency. Teams that control the pace and make the most of every chance-at both ends of the floor-have the best shot at reaching Indy
By Grant Wahl
The engine that drives North Carolina's frenetic offense and high-pressure D, pint-sized point guard Ivory Latta is the key to a championship
SI's annual look at the trends, teams and names to keep an eye on as the Big Dance begins
By Seth Davis
By Grant Wahl
PRO BASKETBALL
March Madness rekindles plenty of fond memories for these four ex-North Carolina stars, who have gone from national champs and first-round picks to the depths of the NBA standings
Fantasy Baseball Preview 2006
By Rankings compiled by David Sabino
Candidates who can hit 30 home runs and drive in 100 runs abound
The deepest position in baseball is loaded with lots of young talent
By Rankings compiled by David Sabino
The top of the list is stacked, but after the first six there are questions
By Rankings compiled by David Sabino
Without A-Rod and Nomar, it's no longer the glamour position it once was
By Rankings compiled by David Sabino
No surprises among the highest rated, but don't overlook the young guys
By Rankings compiled by David Sabino
It's a stronger group than in recent years, with plenty of pop at the top
By Rankings compiled by David Sabino
Most of the top players are in the AL, but the NL has up-and-comers
By David Sabino
Starters
With the home run era over, successful starters will be easier to find
By David Sabino
Fewer than half the closers on this list are likely to hold the job all year
By David Sabino
For fantasy players, spring training can be a seductive source of information. But what you see can be as misleading as it is helpful. Here are five tips for how to benefit from the last two weeks in March
By David Sabino
Inside
By Tom Verducci
By Peter King
Pierre McGuire's In The Crease
Life of Reilly
By Rick Reilly
Departments
Rookie Ronny Turiaf is back on the court less than nine months after having open-heart surgery
By Chris Mannix
After a hellish postseason, reliever Brad Lidge remains unfazed and is closing games for Team USA
By Peter King
Commissioner Bud Selig knows that his legacy may be defined by the way he handles Barry Bonds. His next moves will be telling
By Tom Verducci
With Paul Tagliabue's tenure nearing an end, potential successors emerge
By Peter King
Edited by Mark Bechtel and Stephen Cannella
BERNIE (BOOM BOOM) GEOFFRION 1931-2006
Edited by Mark Bechtel and Stephen Cannella
Everyone was playing mind games at the U.S. memory championship
By Franz Lidz
The Hall of Fame third baseman, 56, is the author of Clearing the Bases
By Adam Duerson
What to watch and watch for
By Chris Mannix
Edited by Mark Bechtel and Stephen Cannella